REGULATION FOR DANCES PROPOSED

As a result of widespread losses of money from House dances, the Student Council committee recently appointed to investigate the matter, in the report approved by the Council, recommended that an Inter-House Dance Committee be set up to offer advice on bands, prepare reports on Boston orchestra agents, select dates for dances, and examine all contracts.

The membership of the committee will consist of one representative from each House, chosen by various House committees, and consisting of men who have had the most experience in hiring bands and running dances. From among these members a chairman and assistant chairman will be chosen.

Rivalry Has Been Extreme

Under the present system, "excessive rivalry among the House Dance Committees has been carried to such extremes that band agents have been able to play one House off against another," the report pointed out, and although some competition is only natural "more cooperation would be of common benefit."

Another fault has been the rapid turnover of the dance committees. Nearly every House has, at one time or another, suffered from having an inexperienced man handling the business arrangements and in charge of hiring the orchestra.

Dates Poorly Chosen

Previously the dates for the dances have been chosen by members of the various committees, but this arrangement has been marred by the comparative disinterest of chairmen over dances which do not directly concern them. "If the dates were chosen by a central committee made up of representatives particularly interested in dances, each House would be assured of adequate expression."

In the report four main functions for the new committee were outlined. The first is to offer advice on bands and to encourage cooperation among the House on matters of common interest. In addition reports should be issued from time to time giving the names of Boston orchestra agents, an account of the Musicians Union, its wage and hours regulations, a description of various types of contracts, and suggestions for hiring orchestras. This should be printed and distributed to each House Dance Committee.

Every contract made by a House with an orchestra agent will be required to bear the signature of either the chairman or assistant chairman of the Inter-House Dance Committee. By the pooling of experienced men it is hoped that many of the mistakes of the past can be avoided in the future.