The Press

From time to time we get inquiries in the Princetonian office from irritated and curious undergraduates wondering if there is any logical reason for the seven o'clock bell.

Yesterday afternoon, we became curious ourselves and interviewed our usual administrative sources of information in regard to the question. From the aforementioned authoritative sources we gleaned only one reason that made any sense at all. One gentleman suggested that it was a convenience to the men who work in Commons. That was distinctly an idea, but it was not a very good one; since only a small proportion of the student waiters sleep within waking distance of the Nassau bell and since alarm clocks are now sold at a price within the reach of everyone.

There were also some mutterings about the sentimental value of traditions which we hooted down on the familiar grounds that outworn traditions are the enemies of progress. It was noticeable, too, that the voices raised in defense of ancient custom came from individuals who lived far away from Nassau Hall.

That was the extent of our discoveries on the matter and we think it fails to justify the bell. It is no very serious matter. The unfortunate undergraduates who live under the shadow of Nassau Hall probably become inured to the clamor after a short time and find they can sleep through it. The thing is a nuisance, however, and if the Commons men can be supplied with alarm clocks and the sentimentalists reconciled, we suggest that it be abolished. --Daily Princetonian.