'Cliffe Percussion Stops Publishing Since Students Fail to Support Editor

Percussion, Radcliffe's four-page weekly newspaper, has ceased publication after losing a six-month struggle against Radcliffe apathy. Student participation on the paper has waned to "almost nothing," Janet Webster '60, president of the Radcliffe Student Government Association, said yesterday.

With the loss of Percussion, the Annex retains only seven organizations that are not merged with a University counterpart. These are the Christian Fellowship, the Catholic Club, the Debate Council, and Radio Radcliffe. Also the Young Democrats, the Young Republicans, and the Dance Group remain un-merged. Over 25 Radcliffe groups have already joined with similar ones at the College.

Percussion replaced the dying Radcliffe News in October and managed to arouse enough student support during the first two months to secure a circulation of over 400 subscribers. The format was changed to include more features in an effort to avoid competition with the CRIMSON, which is read by 80 to 90 per cent of 'Cliffies, according to Miss Webster.

The paper has gone downhill since then, she noted, "until it no longer has enough prestige to attract talented writers. Editor Jane A. Conner '60 was forced to put out the last three issues without assistance, Miss Webster continued, and "all she received was criticism."

A group of 30 'Cliffies recently petitioned the Administration to remove the word "Radcliffe" from Percussion's banner, claiming that the paper was unworthy of the college.

At yesterday's SGA meeting the student government passed a resolution to set up a Radcliffe SGA Newspaper Fund with the left-over profits from Percussion. The paper has cleared over $800, after satisfying obligations to its advertisers and subscribers.

A spokesman for Percussion said yesterday that since the newspaper "never secured a charter from SGA, the group has no jurisdiction over the paper or the profits." She also pointed out that President Jordan wrote a letter to Percussion which sanctioned the organization.