MOTOR ATAXIA

The enrollment of freshmen at the University of Michigan being two hundred less than that of last year, the inference has been made that the decrease is the result of that university's ban on automobiles. The New Student quotes President Little of Michigan as replying, if the decrease were due to the automobile regulation he was glad of it. Presumably his satisfaction arises more from confidence in the wisdom of the rule than from pleasure in its apparent result.

The University of Michigan will surely not suffer in prestige by the falling off in the number of its freshmen, but in these days when most colleges are fairly swamped with applications, it is rather remarkable that one of the largest should experience a sudden decline. If the question of automobile ownership is to be credited with such an influence, it comes as a surprising commentary upon the undergraduate attitude and it might be agreed that President Little was fortunate in escaping responsibility for the education of two hundred young men who judge his university in terms of its automobiles.

On the other hand, if the decrease in enrollment is not traceable to the motor edict, the university will have same cause for wonder. It would seem that the circumstance must reflect discredit on either the attitude of the incoming freshmen or on the university authorities for some unknown cause. It is to be wondered which of the alternatives is the more salutary.