THE HARVARD LAMPOON

The financial difficulties of the Lampoon are no surprise to those well acquainted with the problems of maintaining undergraduate publications in the face of economic retrenchment on all sides. The temporary crisis which confronts the most venerable college comic in the country may deprive Harvard of one of her oldest institutions. Despite occasional lapses into adolescent bad taste, the Lampoon, in face of falling subscriptions and hostile trends "has endeavored to maintain a high standard of clean wholesome humor."

It was apparent at the beginning of the fall term that the editors of the Lampoon had recognized the difficulties which confronted their magazine and had taken the steps necessary to obviate them. The subscription rate was dropped with the hope of increasing the circulation; the Board entered combinations with other publications and constituted itself a subscription agent; tailoring contracts were sold for a tenant; a new Cafe was opened. Finally, readers had begun to observe a radical improvement in the tone and quality of the Lampoon's humor.

Despite the new invigoration, however, forces beyond the control of editorial boards have been closing in too rapidly on the Lampoon. Advertisers, finding themselves in financial trouble, have been unable to lend their support. Through the sobering influence of the depression and the scholarly atmosphere of the House Plan, undergraduates are turning from extra-curricular activities; interest in Lampoon competitions, hitherto large, has this fall definitely slackened.

Unless the Lampoon can regain financial security the present crisis may well constitute a warning to other Undergraduate publications. It is understood, however, that a vigorous reorganization is at present under way, accompanied by an appeal for outside support. The efficacy of these final efforts will become known within the near future. At present, however, they appear to embody a well-advised and sound policy, which leads many friends and close observers to believe that "the Father of Life" may soon regain its position of solvency and respect.