"The Wolf..."

To the Editor of the CRIMSON:

Although this column has already held a great many protests, I should like to add one more to the through--this time against the unfair price charged for books in Government 1. These text books, not in stock, for the most part, in the second-hand bookshops of Cambridge, are a serious drain on the pockets of most Government students, the total cost, to date, being thirty-three dollars--fourteen the first half-year, nineteen the second. In particular, I call to your notice a required text, "The Theory and Practice of Modern Government," by Herman Finer (The Dial Press. 2 vols. 1932) which sells for the amazing price of twelve dollars, and is not obtainable second-hand. True, there are copies of these in the various libraries; but, to quote from the Government assignment sheet, "members of the course will find it convenient to own copies of these books."

Perhaps the books required are the only ones that can possibly be used; but certainly, if this is the case, the University could do something towards obtaining cheaper editions. Fine bindings, cloth paper, colored boxing are all very well for a collection, but a little out of place in texts for daily use. In conclusion, I might point out that several tutoring bureaus will be glad to furnish instruction before will the hour exam (cost, two dollars), and more thorough preparation before the final (cost, five dollars), not to speak of the guarantee of a higher mark. The total cost, for the second half-year would then be possibly seven dollars, as opposed to nineteen. Surely the pride of owning several heavy, dull, finely bound, and rather worn text books is not worth twelve dollars. Robert A. Knowlton '36.