Show STUDENT LIFE 3 — “The Application of the Civil Service Merit System to Municipal Affairs’ 4 —“Independent Action in City Politics” 5 —“The Adaptability of German Municipal Methods in American Cities” 6— “The Franchise System vs Public Ownership” At S:oo a m on the day' of the contest each speaker had been assigned by lot one of these topics The speeches were twelve minutes in length and were judged by a committee of three prominent gentlemen long identified with the problem in discussion The speeches were judged mainly from the standpoint of power to meet the requirements of the modern oratorical world The methods used in this contest were far removed from anything of similar nature in the past Heretofore the speaker had spent months of research writing and woods-ringin- g preparation on some assigned theme This all climaxed in a sort of strained airiferous pseudo-classic production that would fall fiat in actual life This was all eliminated The speaker had but twelve hours for preparation comparatively speaking and the result was one of strength and mental ability The committee of arrangements was composed of the following -- prominent educators: Prof Edward Cary Hays Miami Univ O Prof Geo Frazier Univ of Kansas Prof Alex St Clair Mackenzie Kentucky State College The contest was won by Howard S Smith of Miami University Too much credit cannot be given him He is a young fellow under age a veritable storage battery of modern economic ideas and a man of pronounced executive ability Immediately upon adjournment the College Editors repaired to the American Hotel where they went down upon a banquet colossal The guest of honor was the National Orator That which came to those who deserved was: Soup Chicken Boullion en Tasse Finger Rolls Radishes Olives Fish Broiled Whitefish Maitre d’Hotel Potatoes Julien Cucumbers Roast Filet of Beef Larded Mushroom Sauce Duchess Potatoes Salad Green Peas Lettuce and Tomato Dessert Tutti Frutti Ice Cream Macaroons Lady Fingers Hoffman Squares Neufchatel Cheese Toasted Water Crackers Coffee President McFarland presided The toasts wxre beginning with the one first and foremost in the memory of the College Editors: — “The Pike” C E Lookabill from Ind |