A writer in the last number of the Advocate urges that something be done to cheapen the cost of living at Harvard. The subject seems bound to come up for discussion ever so often; then for a while it is laid away again. Without doubt the necessary expenses here are greater than at any other college in the country. But this cost is partly offset by the fact that it is possible to earn much more money here than elsewhere; the scholarships are larger and more numerous, and the chances to find tutoring are better. So it often happens that men can get along here with less outside help than at any other college.

There are two general ways in which the expenditure here may be lessened; first, by lowering the price of board; second, by making smaller charge for tuition. In the present management of Memorial Hall, the board seems to have reached the lowest price, consistent with furnishing a tolerable quality of food. Of course, as Harvard is in a city she cannot compete with country colleges by offering cheap board.

Furthermore, the college must have a larger income than at present from her investments, in order to lower the rates for tuition. It is well known that now at the end of every year Harvard either has almost no surplus, or is in debt. To lower the charges for tuition, from which the income is at least $150,000, would seriously affect our financial prosperity. Yet it seems as if, in addition to the aid given by scholarships and loans, the tuition in some cases might be made free to those who are in great need of money. Such a policy is pursued in many other colleges, and in some of the fitting schools.

The rent of rooms in college buildings is lower than outside rent. But until the college can lodge a larger portion of the students than at present, it will be impossible to force down the rents in Cambridge.