Mock Democracy?

Dear "Smad,"—

The writer at the end of last year was approached by a number of persons who described themselves as the Men's Common Room Committee with the aims of improving and beautifying the M.C.R., and requested a donation towards a fund for such purpose. The writer, in a rash moment, promised to donate a certain sum, and also in an excess of enthusiasm spent several half-days in applying paint to the walls and roof of such Common Room.

It has come to the writer's notice that this M.C.R.C. was self-elected, and it now has the pleasure (?) of electing a committee to elect the next year's committee. When inquiries were made as to the reason for this unusual procedure, the information was vouchsafed that the Professorial Board had refused to have a committee elected by popular vote.

Who will support a M.C.R. Vigilance Committee to see that this M.C.R.C. does not become too autocratic?