October 21, 1931

              Skidmore News
VOLUME SEVEN	SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1931
 
P.O. OPEN
8:30—12:30 
2:15— 5:00

No freshmen in P.O. between 9:45 and 11:15 a.m.





Cheney Announces Assemblyman Candidacy
  
Coleman B. Cheney, Professor of Economics at Skidmore, lias recently announced his candidacy for Assemblyman from Saratoga County under the auspices of the Socialist party. Mr. Cheney, who spent three months last year studying Socialist movements in European countries at -first hand, is known locally for his interest in liberal movements. Mr. Cheney’s conception of the aims of the Socialist campaign appear below.

The Aims of the Socialist Campaign
  
“I want people to be more practical about politics; to be less theoretical, less idealistic. For instance most voters cherish the notion that if they elect “good” men to office there will be “good” government. It is a nice sounding theory but it does' not work. Mr. Hoover is a good man and yet we have starving millions in the land of plenty. Mr. Esmond, who now represents Saratoga in the Assembly, is a good man yet he voted against the regulation of employment agencies, which unregulated are sending workers to jobs where the foremen are obliged to fire them after a week or two, and which are recruiting girls for houses of prostitution; he voted against bills to improve the accident compensation law; in fact he voted against every important bill to improve labor conditions, and for bills that would lower standards.
  
Impractical idealists will interpret these facts by saying that Mr. Hoover and Mr. Esmond are not good men, but practical minds will see that it means merely that they are idealists rather than realists; that their chief fault may be merely their reliance on an impractical social and political philosophy. They want to improve conditions, they want to help labor, they want to eliminate unemployment, but they are seeking to do it by hoping and talking rather than by practical measures. They hold very fine and beautiful theories; but theories which simply do not fit the real world.
  
And yet we must not make the mistake of judging too severely the philosophies of the individuals; it is the philosophy of the party to which a man belongs that is the significant factor. In this campaign I am not at all opposed to the candidates of the other parties as individuals, — I am opposed to the parties which they represent and I oppose the parties not because they are bad parties, but because their philosophy is so impractical and idealistic. (I say philosophy rather than philosophies because I have been unable to find any distinction between them. They are both visionary in essentially the same way). This philosophy rests on such notions as the theory that every child has an equal opportunity with every other child born in the United States; on the early 18th Century theory of competition; on the theory that any man can get a job who really wants one, even though there are seven million 

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String Ensemble Makes Appearance
  
A pleasing variation from the usual Vesper program last Sunday was the initial appearance of the Skidmore String Ensemble, recently organized under the direction of Professor Hintz. “Chorale and Chorale-Prelude” by Bach was effectively rendered to an appreciative audience.
  
This newly formed group is making an enthusiastic start and extensive plans are under way for its furtherance. It is expected that they will accompany the college chorus on its New York trip in the spring and make several appearances here during the coming year.
  
It is particularly interesting to note the large representation in the ensemble from the Freshman class, six out of the eight members being Freshmen. The ensemble consists of two first violins, two second violins, two third violins and two cellos.





Trustees Announce Memorial Library
  
A library as the permanent memorial to Mrs. Lucy Skidmore Scribner, the founder of Skidmore College, was decided up on October 16, 1931, by the Board of Trustees of the College in their regular fall meeting.
  
The matter was brought before the Trustees through a report made by Mr. Arthur Scribner representing the Memorial Committee, which was authorized by the Board of Trustees at the June meeting. The personnel of the Memorial Committee includes Mr. Arthur Scribner for the Board of Trustees, Mrs. Gertrude Woodcock Simpson for the alumnae, Dr. Guernsey J. Borst, for the faculty, Miss Margaret Burke ’32 for the students, and Miss Kathryn H. Starbuck, chairman. Mrs. Simpson was unable to meet with the committee today, and the alumnae were represented by Mrs. James A. Leary, the vice-chairman of the Alumnae Fund Committee.
  
Although no immediate campaign for funds is contemplated, plans for the library will be begun, the alumnae and students will be informed of the decision of the Trustees, and the committee will make all possible preparations looking toward the commencement of the library building at the earliest possible time.





Organ Recitals Popular With Students
  
The popular weekly half hour of organ music by Mr. Saxton opened majestically Monday, October 12, with the “Introduction” to third act of “Lohengrn” by Wagner. Mr. Saxton, in his talented playing, imparted to his audience all the pomp and ceremony of a wedding that the composition portrays.
  
In delightful contrast, Mr. Saxton played Philip James’ “Andante” from the “First Sonata.” It is interesting to note that this sonata was but recently introduced at a convention of the American Guild of Organists and was heard at Skidmore for the first time on Monday. It is modern, with a tendency to create a picture rather than abstract impressions. The two Tchaikovsky numbers — “Miniature Overture” and “Dance of the Candy Fairy” — were filled throughout with delicacy and charm, the first number bringing back memories of a May Day procession to the upperclassmen in the audience.
  
Chimes were used most effectively in the rendering of the beautiful “In Moonlight” by Kinder. The introductory chimes were followed by a fascinating melody which returned impressively just before the closing chimes.

Mr. Saxton closed his program with Russell’s “Up the Saguenay,” a composition possessing great mystery and power, and he generously responded 

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Psychology Majors Entertained
  
Dr. and Mrs. Linus W. Kline entertained the Psychology majors at a delightful informal supper and bridge at their home on Friday, October 16.
  
The tables were attractively set and the glow of lighted candles lent an atmosphere of charm and softness to the rooms.
  
Dr. Johannsen was a gracious hostess at one table and Dr. and Mrs. Kline presided at the other table. After dinner some of the girls played •bridge and others browsed around the library which contains many interesting books. All the guests agreed that they had spent a most enjoyable evening and that it had ended, as most nice things do, all too quickly.
  
The guests who attended were; Dorothy Chandler, Jane Chappie, Evelyn Corwith, Irene Hicks, Harriet Kohler, Dorc thy Latham, Mary Noland, Constant- O’Brien, Virginia Parker, Henriett Schneider, Margery Hyde Miller, (illegible) Sterne, Dorothy Townsend, Elizabeth Walker, and Isabel Yerks.





Over The Campus Fence
  
It’s the little things in life that make it extremely interesting or boring. In glancing through the papers we glean these few items to share with you.
  
At Syracuse, class-room tramps are being made welcome. Students, under a new rule, may drop into classes where they are not registered, providing they do not cut a regular class to do so. It must be the depression that is making them wish to get their money’s worth.
 
Professor Charles G. Shaw of New York University modifies his statement concerning whistlers slightly. He characterizes “throat whistlers” as “real musicians,” but still adheres to his statement that “lip whistlers” are moronically bent. Not that it makers any great difference to us for we never could whistle either with the throat or lips well enough to have it called by the adult term “whistling.”
  
Just to prove that the spirit of play is inherent in us all, let us present the picture of Ramsay MacDonald kicking off for a football match between two teams of miners, even though he is in the middle of a campaign fight which may mean his political existence.
  
To change the subject, Dan Sheehan reported the loss of a dozen horseshoes. He says that what outraged him was the fact that the shoes were on three of his horses.
  
Nearly everyone can brag of the acquaintance of one celebrity or another but here’s one record not to be beaten. The Italian court has honored one of the most remarkable men in Europe on his hundredth birthday. He is Duke Boria D’Olmo, prefect of the palace of King Victor Emmanuel, who has served the royal household for ninety years. He started as a page boy, serving under four kings, three dowager queens and paid his respects to six popes.
  
And to end on an educational note, let us mention that W. Howard Pillsbury, superintendent of schools in Schenectady, says four times as much money is being spent in the United States to catch law-breakers as is spent for education. Since when has society benefited by giving more attention to criminals than to school children?





Ghosties And Ghoulies
  
Halloween usually stands for spooks and ghosts, black cats and pumpkins but this year October thirty-first spells All-College Week-end in great big letters. If you haven’t already done so, it’s time you sent those wires to New Haven and Princeton and other points west, or at least saw what your roommate has to offer in the way of a blind for you from Hanover. This is no time to regard your meager bank account. Break down and order special delivery that simply divine tea-dance dress that you saw last week in the Sals, even though you’ll have to spend all next week steaming that old chiffon velvet evening gown over the bathtub. He’ll think it’s the latest Eugenie model, anyway.
  
Of course, the Casino, which will be the scene for both the tea-dance and the formal, will have plenty of atmosphere with its Hallowe’en decorations and many novelties which can be offered on the last day of October. Pat Keefe, who is chairman of Social Committee, is in charge, assisted by Roly Griffen, and from sly hints which they have let drop, it promises to be the best week-end Skidmore has ever known.





Social News
 
As always, a Union game drew the customary crowd of enthusiastic Skidmore spectators. Among the girls who were at the Union-Hobart game last week-end were Janice Campbell, Monica Noonan, Margy Bates, Bobby Beatty, Janet Miller, Mike Lieberman and Ruth Higgins, all of whom attended house parties at the Beta house after the game. Betty Foulder, Frenchy 

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What Do Art Students Do All Summer?
  
If you ask Miss Bush, she’ll say “almost anything—from painting croquet bails to frescoing bathrooms.” The proof to that answer can be seen by all of us in the exhibition of student work at the studio.
  
The idea for the exhibition came last year. The acquisitions of Helen Talbot, Priscilla Douglas, Elizabeth Scull, and Bunny Waters made the art department anxious to know what else these students do in summer. An exhibition was thought of then.
  
At the beginning of this year, students were asked to bring examples of what they had done. The variety of the responses to this request can be seen at the studio. The exhibition includes self-portraits, sketches of animals and landscape, lithographic portrait studies, architectural plans, and craftwork.
  
The exhibition shows the initiative that results in keenly individualistic and widely varied work—that comes without classroom supervision.
  
The art department hopes this will be a success and a yearly tradition, as an inspiration to its members to "keep their eyes open to new acquisitions, and to learn the value of personal endeavor. Thus may they enrich their own experience and that of others.





Interview With Alexander Byer
  
A very worthwhile exhibition of paintings is being held at the Skidmore Studio. These paintings are the very understandable expressions of certain of Mr. Alexander Byer’s theories.
  
Vision, he holds, is the first essential of all art. Artistic vision is an inexplicable power which enables one to perceive at a glance what is fine, and to gradually become aware, through this enveloping fineness, of the artistic merit of the component parts. One does not look first for beauty of form or line or color, but one realizes that they contribute to the first impression.
  
Mr. Byer studied for a short time in New York City. He avers that he cannot be called a disciple or a follower of any artist although he may have been influenced by many. This work is decidedly individualistic and may be divided into two classes according to subject matter; the industrial paintings and the others. “The others” in this exhibit include portraits, a still life, and landscapes. All the paintings may again be divided into two categories in the matter of technique.

There are first the industrial paintings in which the objects are treated plastically, and details are concise and business-like. This group seems 

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European Student Relief Worker, Vesper Speaker
  
Dr. George Stewart, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Stanford, Connecticut, is to be the guest speaker at the weekly Vesper service, October 15, 1931.
 
Dr. Stewart received his A. B. degree from Linfield College in 1914, and his Litt. D. in 1928. In 1917, he received his LL.B. and in 1921, his Ph.D. from Yale University. In 1927, he studied at the Faculte Libre de Theologie Protestante de Paris and received his degree of Doctor of Theology from that institution.
  
In the summer of 1918, Dr. Stewart volunteered to do student relief work in Europe. He has been active in this work since that time.
  
Dr. Stewart has written several books. His “History of Religious Education in Connecticut to the Middle of the Nineteenth Century” was the winner of the John Addison Porter prize in 1921 at Yale University. Many of his articles have been published in leading magazines.





Changes Announced By President Moore
  
In his report to the regular fall meeting of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore College held Friday afternoon at Hathorn House, President Henry T. Moore reviewed the changes in the campus due to summer activities with especial emphasis on the importance of the increased library facilities.
  
“No entering student group so far,” he said, “has ever shown more evidence of a spirit of serious work and of appreciation of the opportunities of a college course. There are doubtless many reasons for this attitude. Certainly one of the important factors has been the extension of the lower space of the Library by five hundred square feet. This addition was provided this summer by connecting an adjoining classroom with the first floor of the library, converting the newly added space into library offices and releasing the old office space for stacks and reading rooms. The new arrangement brought more air and light into the whole downstairs section and increased the seating capacity of the Library from 115 to 157. The answer of the student body to this addition has been a daily average attendance of more than five hundred and a greatly increased use of the reserve shelves. It is proving necessary to keep the Library open through the noon hour, and the staff has cooperated admirably in making it accessible at all times. It should be noted that the alterations this summer did not provide more shelf space. In this respect we are so crowded that from now on we must either take away seats from the students or else put one book out of the window for every one that comes in at the door. It is clearer than ever that the day when a new library becomes a reality will mark the day when Skidmore becomes a college of the first rank. In considering the outlook for the next few years there is no other problem that is at all comparable to this one.”
  
President Moore explained that the next building move will be the construction of a new three-story brick dormitory on the lot west of the Freeman house. This dormitory will accommodate forty students with ample faculty and social space for that number. It is planned to have it ready for occupancy next fall.
  
“Next in interest to the dormitory,” said President Moore, “is the prospect during the current year of a new antiphonal organ to be added in the near future to the chapel organ. This addition will increase the capacity of the chapel organ by nearly thirty per cent, will give the choir tonal support at a much shorter distance than the regular organ, and will add greatly to the resources of the full organ as a concert instrument. It will have the further advantage of being divisible into two separate organs with separate consoles so that one student can be practising in the studio on the anti-phonal organ while another is prac-

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Well-known Writer And Lecturer To Speak Here
  
Mr. Kirby Page of New York City, well-known author and editor will speak at Assembly on October 22, Mr. Page is a graduate of Drake University and has done graduate work at the University of Chicago, Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary and has also traveled with Sherwood Eddy in evangelistic campaigns among students.
  
Mr. Page was pastor of the Ridgewood Church of Christ in New York City for several years and since 1926 has been editor of “The World Tomorrow.” Among the many important books which he has written are “Something More,” “The Abolition of War,” “Imperialism and Nationalism,” “Makers of Freedom,” “Jesus or Christianity” and “Recent Gains in American Civilization.” His latest publication is entitled “A New Economic Order.”