Prof. Perry Reviews Illustrated

The most significant feature of the January "Illustrated" is the evident desire of the editors to make this magazine a forum for the discussion of real issues. Almost every vital human problem arises in connection with some undergraduate activity. There is an unfortunate convention to the effect that college life is somehow not "real life"; whereas life with one's fellows in any community gives rise to the same political and ethical principles. In so far as the "Illustrated" stimulates men to think and write about the big problems as these appear in the present interests and activities, it cannot fall to promote intellectual seriousness and courage. It may also serve to give to undergraduate journalism a less fictitious and juvenile character.

The leading article, "The Economics of Student Aid" by C. S. Collier '11, is an application of the issue between individualism and socialism to a matter that is immediately before us. Mr. Collier suggests, as an individualistic remedy, that capital might be invested in the education of promising material, as the basis of a profit to the investor. There are numerous objections to which the writer does not pay their due, such, for example as the necessity of charging a usurious rate of interest in lieu of security. But there is much by the way that is pertinent and illuminating. The article is well articulated and well written throughout.

Mr. F. Cole's contribution, on "The Glory of Football," is somewhat too subtly scornful to have the effect he intends, though it may help to correct the lack of humor and proportion with which this matter is commonly viewed. Even the editor of the "Illustrated" feels called upon to justify the publication of a criticism of football! Both Mr. Cole and W. Lippmann '10, who writes a sympathetic letter, dwell on the spectator's aspect of football, while J. Waid '10 replies with the familiar indorsement of the game as a school for the manly virtues. But the whole discussion loses force from being somewhat vague and sentimental. There is too much regard shown for "the American people," and too little for the players and their fellow students. The game must be judged by its primary effects; the secondary effects, such as loyalty and publicity, are not peculiar to football, and raise different issues.

The number also contains a story by J.H. Braddock'10, and a poem by J.S. Reed '10, and miscellaneous illustrated articles on such subjects as "The New Theatre" (Macgowan '11), "Hockey as a Major Sport" (Foster '11), and "Progress at Chapel" (Henderson '12).