This number of the Lance is the first of Volume XVIII., and
as it now stands there sire few reasons why it should not be the
last. The new board of editors feels that it is a waste of time and
money to continue a publication which is of so little credit to the
student body. How many students would miss it? How many
professors? How many alumni? Why is the Lance published?
These are all pertinent questions.
A monthly can never be a news medium to the students and pro
fessors of a college this size. Everyone knows ten' lines to one
printed. The alumni should obtain some information if the issue
is on time, but when the paper is run as this is, it must be of little
value to them. The contents page of every number says, “The
Free Lance is published on or about the fifteenth of each month,”
etc. The March issue of this year carhe out on April 21st, and
contained news (?) of February 2d. The material for this issue
is being sent in April 25th, and you will know when it comes out.
This state of affairs is due in some measure to the editors, but in
a larger measure to the poor support that those editors get from
the student body.' A weekly. publication has been tlie talk of
every .new board. Smaller colleges than State put out a better
weekly than we do a monthly. But these are. in towns of greater
population than State College, and are supported by good advertis
ing. However, if news is the object of the college publication it
must be uad at least every week.
As a means of recording events the Lance is very useful. Its
files along with the La Vie’s form an almost complete record of all
departments •of college life. But such a record could be kept at
far less expense and trouble.
The literary part of the Free Lance is not a success. This
month we are publishing everything that has come to hand. The
waste basket has not even a scrap of paper in it. In the February
number a serial was started, and the author hopes to get another