Stanford University - Quad Yearbook (Palo Alto, CA)

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ISY R W BARREH1, 04 THE STANFORD UNION IIE launching of every important enterprise can be traced to one man, who is almost invariably of tl1e same general. type-a man of initiative and action. Ile is busy always with matters large and small, but still with time and energy to concentrate all his faculties on one undertaking u11til it is launched and in shape for others to carry, and then he is off on another project. Of such a type is H. C. Hoover, Stanford '95, and it was he who, after having been away from Stanford for nearly fifteen years, campus and saw the pressing need of a Club House. He also saw that one could be had, a11d he did not stop with merely seeing the need. Others had talked of such a thing but they had only talked. lt was for Hoover to start things going on February 20, 1909, by selecting temporary officers for the Union and drawing his cheek for one thousand dollars and placing that amount at their disposal to cover initial expenses and to form a nucleus for the required fund, which was estimated at fifty thousand dollars. He and some of his associates further backed up his donation with a pledge of te11 thousand dollars more, to be paid when donations from other sources should warrant. Mr. Hoover has traveled the world quite extensively, but whether he got his inspiration in China, Australia, New Zealand or London, the cause is a good one and appeals to all true Stanford men. Let us believe with a firm trust that it was inspired by the Stanford Spirit burned into the hearts of those true men of the pioneer days, and which increased with world contact, making the Stanford Union not' only possible, but real. 'l'he purpose of the Stanford Union is to establish on the campus a common meeting place for all men connected with the University, past, present and future, where classes are not known, and where faculty, student and graduate meet as men to men, all interested in a common cause. There is at present no absolutely neutral ground, and this the Union will supply. At the Club House social relations will be engen- dered, which are only possible where men meet on a eonnnon ground, and faculty and students will be brought into a better understanding and a closer sympathy with one another, Friction is most often the result of the failure of men to see each other 's points of view. These can only be seen by close acquaintance. 'llhere have been jars among the students and between the faculty and students, and it is hoped that the Club House will prove a potent factor in preventing their recurrence. returned to the 9

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STANYORD UAD ,lnterclass jolly-ups, as well as Interclass rivalries, have been witnessed. Indeed, we have had a fine time-all of us! We have had the greatest year of dramatics in Stanford history. Such a talented group of Thespians as now in attendance here are.-seldom brought together in one University. Their brilliant successes have been indispensable in providing the necessary recreation of the college year. We fear, however, that another such season will not be enjoyed by us, unless the present attitude of the faculty be changed. We can see no justification for the rule restricting actors to one play a semester. It is apparent that the general probation rule is entirely adequate to meet all scholarship delinqnencies without enacting a specific regulation for a particular activity. Although defeated in the Intercollegiate Debates, Stanford has enjoyed a busy and progressive forensic season. The Society programs have been interesting and good debating material has been developed. The establishment of the Edward Berwick, Jr., Peace Prize Contest is the most important step taken in the progress of 1909-1910. We nmst also deal in superlatives in speaking of the publications. We have read a strongly edited and promptly printed Daily Palo Alto, a live and virile Sequoia, and a Chaparral funnier than ever. All of the editors have enjoyed the confidence of their assistants, and their editorials have been a positive force in the community. Each of them in completing his four years of service to Stanford journalism deserves a mark of appreciation at this time. Editors Fuller and Morgan have been such vital factors in so many branches of activity that their loss will be especially felt by Stanford. For bringing the Sequoia out of the lethargy into which it had fallen previous to his regime, and making it a live magazine, Editor Leaf is to be congratulated. The second semester numbers of the monthly contained a remarkable series from tl1c pen of R. Justin Miller, '11, which were undoubtedly the most widely read articles in the history of' Stanford journalism. They attacked a local so-called ' ' Scarabaza Society, the main charge being that the society was a secret organization for the purpose of controlling Student Body politics and policies so as to serve its own selfish ends. Although there is a wide diierence of opinion as to whether the Sequoia proved its charges or not, it is evident that it proved the existence of the society in question. The charges were answered in the Daily Palo Alto both by the editor and in the news columns by the Scaraboza Society, itself. The opposition claimed that the charges were false and unfounded, and. that the Sequoia was actuated by ulterior political motives in making them. 'The Quadrangle Club was also drawn into the controversy owing to a desire to make a public defense of its elective policy, which it did in the daily paper. In defending itself, however, it made serious charges against the President of the Associated Students, which were in turn answered by communications signed by W. C. Theile, '08, and S. A. Lindauer, '10, Seven lengthy articles, appearing in the two Student Body publications, not to mention the shorter efforts and numberless editorials were necessary before thc controversy was finally brought to a close. Throughout the entire contest we did not impugn the motives of any of the contestants, and we believe that the Student Body, as a whole, respected the moral courage of .those who expressed their honest convictions despite great opposition. Stanford is growing to have less and less respect for the man who Hsits on the fence. And now that the evidence on bot11 sides is in, it is for the members of the Student Body to draw their own conclusions. To be perfectly honest to our convictions in the matter, as we have in all others in this Foreword, we would say that the whole controversy has taught us a good lesson-that of the ever-present need of a unified Student Body-and we believe that we are expressing the opinion of an overwhelming majority of Stanford students when we say that we can never have a united Student Body as long as we have societies in our midst with secret membership, and honor societies which consider primarily personality rather than service to the University as the prerequisite for membership. And so may we take 1909-191.0 for what it has been worth. As we said before, it has been a valuable year and the 1911 QUAD is glad to record its events. May 1910-1911 be yet greater! LAURANCE L. HILL. 8

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STANFORD QUAD 2 As a mere matter of convenience, the Club will be like an oasis in Sahara to many visiting alumni. I do not wish to minimize the hospi- tality of the campus. Fraternities and club houses are always open to their graduates. lfncina Hall can house a lumdred whe11 the occasion requires, and lincina men are the most willing hosts l have ever met. lint that is only one side of the question. The graduate would rather go into quarters where he ca11 feel he has a. real interest a11d where he can dema.nd rather than merely receive. There is a certain independence about Stanford men. and l have known many to return to San Francisco for hotel aceonnnodations when they knew they were welcome to the hospitality of the campus, and when they really wished to stay at the University for a, longer time. T might use a stronger word, but it will suffice to say that the hotels of Palo Alto are inadequate. To furnish good lodgings where a visiting Stanford man can stay as long as he likes, and 11ear the University, is by no 'means the least of the many purposes of the Union. It will also afford a place of amusement. There will be pool and billiard tables and other games at which pleasant hours of social inter- course may be spent. A contest of brain or brawn is a great factor in fostering friendly relations between the different elements of a conununity. The Club will also be a suitable place for banquets, and after its completion the Law Association and other similar bodies will not find it necessary to go to San Francisco or San Jose for their annual dinners and other functions where a well-served meal is a feature. Stanford University is fortunate in being located away from a large city, but it has suffered from the lack of a good banquet place, which can only be had in a well-appointed club or in a city where the patronage will justify its maintenance. The Stanford Union will be the solution of the difficult question-where shall we have our annual dinner? So much for the purpose of the Union. The progress of the Union is of interest and importance. The officers, H. C. Hoover, President, C. D. Marx, Vice-l.'resident5 A. E. Roth, Recording Secretary, R. W. Barrett, Permanent Secretary, and E. D. Adams, Geo. E. Crothcrs, R. IQ. Wilbur, C. K. Field, G. A. Ditz and J. E. Shelton, have worked faithfully for over a year. The net result has bee11 the arousing of a special interest in the Union in the majority of Stanford men, and the securing of pledges from alumni, ex-students, faculty and under- graduates for about thirty-nine thousand dollars, all of which is to be paid within two years from tl1e date of subscription. The rule has l7C0l1 a payment down, and the balance within that time or when needed. The first pledges were from local alumni and members of the faculty. The co-operation of the Stanford professors and instructors is indeed commendable. They have shown a desire to meet the alumni more than half way in bringing about closer relations between the University, working, and its finished product. Faculty members have worked for it, talked for it, and have given liberally to the fund. They 10 -