Conference on the Prospect Union.

A very interesting and valuable conference on the work being done at the Prospect Union was held in Sever 11 last evening. Mr. Lovett, in introducing the subject, told how the Union arose from the efforts of a graduate student to organize reading classes among the working men of Cambridgeport. The Union had not been wholly successful in bringing about social relations between college men and laboring men, but as an institution for instruction it has had a success almost unique. It has gained about fifty members this year, and now offers about twelve regular courses. Mr. Ely, who lives at the Union, needs half, and the best method of help giving it to him seems to be to start a small university settlement at the Prospect House. Two rooms can be hired there for about $200 a year. Men from college could go down and live in these rooms, relieving each other every month or two, if necessary. Definite assurances of aid must be given before anything can be done. The Union must attain some such position and certainty of support as the 'varsity crew has. The meeting tonight has been called to see if this support will be given.

Dr. Edward Everett Hale was the next speaker. He was glad that the impractical, sentimental part of the plan had failed. It must fail sooner or later and the sooner the better. No one can be successful in trying to be social once in so often. College men must understand that they can get quite as much from the working people as the working people can from them. If they go the Union meaning thus to give and take friendly relations will spring up naturally from mutual benefit. The conductors of the Union must have definite ends in view if they are to succeed, as all experience in such undertakings proves. Dr. Hale described the old Christian Unity Club in Boston, which later developed into the evening schools, and drew from it various suggestions for work at the Union.

Mr. Cumming submitted to the Conference that universities can't be swapped like jack knives, and thought that the Union had better try to work out its own salvation, without much regard to Toynbee Hall. He emphasized as well as Dr. Hale, the desirability of modesty in college men, of a readiness to learn as well as to teach. He suggested that some competent laboring man in the Port should be induced to take a class of college men, and give them a biographical sketch of himself or of some of his friends. Various sociological questions might with advantage be investigated and monograms published thereon. Methods of philanthropic work should also be studied.

Mr. Birtwell, secretary to the associated charities of Boston, followed Mr. Cummings. He thought that the only way for college men to get at the men in the Port was by treating the latter like any of their other friends, by having their latch-strings always out for them. He mentioned many practical problems which college men might work at and much good that might be done in this way.

Mr. Ely, the president of the Union, made an earnest appeal for financial support. The Union, he said, has had a large natural growth, and needed more money than is furnished by the dues of twenty-five cents a month paid by all members. More rooms are needed, a raiding room especially, better furnished rooms, and a small reserve fund. Sustaining memberships are $5 annually, associate memberships $2. It is proposed later to form an association of all members, which shall meet occasionally to discuss the affairs of the Union, and provide for its financial support.

Mr. Lovett urged all members of the University to attend the Tuesday evening meetings of the Union, when an opportunity to mix with the laboring men is afforded. Mr. John Fiske will speak next Tuesday night and Mr. Walter Crane the Tuesday following.