Kirkland Men Petition HAA To Help Band

The first concrete student reaction to the straitened financial condition of the University band came yesterday as 128 members of Kirkland House petitioned the H.A.A. to "grant" traveling expenses to the Crimson musicians.

The three-page petition will be presented tomorrow to William J. Bingham '16, Director of Athletics.

W. Jay Skinner '48, manager of the band, stated last night that the petition "came as a complete surprise," adding that "student pressure will do the trick if nothing else will." The Band reported over the weekend that it will probably be unable to travel to away games next year owing to a shortage of cash.

Band Builds Morale

The petition reads: The undersigned are petitioning the H.A.A. not to give, but to grant the Harvard University Band every penny it needs to get to every game. (This does not mean by ex-cart either.) Any group that has done so much for the student morale and the University name certainly deserves no less recognition!"

"It's about time the H.A.A. helped the band out," Kevin R. McCaffrey '49, sponsor of the petition, observed last night. Asserting that the men in his entry, Kirkland G, were disturbed by the band's financial situation as described in the news and editorial columns of this week's CRIMSON, he explained that the petition was posted Tuesday and taken down yesterday bearing 128 signatures.

Student Council Appeal

Skinner revealed last night that since the financial deficit became obvious over the weekend, the band has placed the problem before the H.A.A. and will put it up to the Student Council Wednesday evening. The organization seeks only enough H.A.A. money to pay expenses when it is on the road.

He added that the band's plight has also been communicated to the Alumni Bulletin and to Ralph Lowell '12, president of the Associated Harvard Clubs.