Evening star., 1928-12-16
MERR|CK DEBATE
SET FOR TONIGHT
Georgetown's Most Impor-
tant Forensic Contest
to Take Place.

GEORGETOWN University'S most i'm
portant forensic contest, the annual
Merrick debate between teams repre-
senting the historic Philodemic Society
viii take place tonight at 8:l5 O'Clock
in CASTOR Hall.
Usually attended by the entire col
lege faculty and many alumni. the Mer-
rick debate has become an institution
at the Hilltop and participation in the
contest is perhaps the highest scholastic
goal to be attained by students of the
college. The Philodemic Society is said
to be the oldest debating organization
in any American university, having been
organized September 25. 1880. Next
Oldest at Georgetown is the Philonomo-
sian Society, which dates back to 1889.
The question selected for debate is,
Resolved, That the great power re-
sources of the country should be de-
veloped and operated by the Govern
ment." With all the material furnished
on this topic during debates in Congress
and speeches during the recent cam
paign, the Georgetown debaterS have
had every opportunity to study both
sides of this highly controversial ques-
tion.
The Debaters.
James p. Quinn and Charles p.
Maloney will oppose Government opera
tion, while the Affirmative side VIII De
defended by James F. ODonneH ana
A. Milburn Petty. They are all mem
bers of the senior class from which the
Philedemic Society draws most OF It's
debaterS. Edward F. Cavanagh, Jr., an
other senior. will be the chairman.
The moderator of the Philodemic So
ciety is Rev. John j. Toohey, S. j., who
also is coach of Georgetown's intercol-
legiate debating teams which have met
with unusual success in recent years.
The Merrick medal was founded by
Richard G.. Merrick '73, one OF the
most prominent of Georgetown's alumni
and is awarded each year to the debat-
er voted to be the best, both as regards
to delivery and style.
Another event of interest to George
town students and alumni this week Is
the benefit performance at the Nation
al Theater tomorrow evening for the
Georgetown University Hospital Presi-
dent Nevils and other members Of the
faculty have taken boxes for the per-
formance, which is a revival OF the IA
NOUS English Restoration comedy,
"Beaux Stratagem." Proceeds from the
benefit will be used to extend the char
liable work at the hospital and the
ladies' board constitutes the committee
in charge.
In accordance with the season Of Ad-
vent, Rev. DR.. w. Coleman Nevils, S. j.,
president Of the university, has insti-
tuted a service In Dahlgren Chapel dur
ing the four Sundays Of Advent for
Georgetown seniors and their friends.
The service consists Of the singing and
chanting Of the Compline, according
to the full liturgical solemnity of the
church. A sermon by DR.. NevilS fol-
lows and the ceremonies conclude with
Benediction of the Most Blessed Sac
rament.
The Glee Club quartet Is assisting
IN the singing Of the Compline and
seniors are acting as ushers. Benedic-
ton Is celebrated by Rev. John A.
Dixon, minister of the university. Many
alumni have been In attendance at the
Sunday services.
Student Affairs Closing.
With the approach of the Christmas
holidays, student affairs are rapidly
coming to an end. Wednesday viii start
general exodus from the college, the
holiday period extending until January
z. The senior tea dance last Friday
afternoon and the final performance by
the Mask and Bauble Club that eve
ming, marked the end of social actiyi-
ties for the collegians. The second year
morning class of the Law School, how
ever, win give its class banquet Tuesday
evening at the Mayfiower Hotel.
The senior tea dance, at the Willard,
proved distinct success. The commit
tee in charge was composed Of Ernest
40
James Corbett, Eugene Brennan and
William Rowan Members of the law
faculty will be the guests of the second
year law students whose committee
chairman Is Raymond Doyle.
Rev. Thomas B. Sherwood, regent OF
the Law School, is being congratulated
on the success of his play, Manhood" /"
which was produced by the Mask and
Bauble Club last week. Father Chet-
wood assisted Rev. Francis Fay Murphy
in coaching the players, and there was
q unanimous opinion that the produc-
ton was the best staged in a long time.
The Pan-American Conference on
Arbitration and Cancellation, now being
held in Washington, has on its staff a
number of persons connected with the
Georgetown School Of Foreign Service.
Benjamin Cohen, postgraduate stu
GC1As a1kQ AAACA14hCA Va ll1C 4nNQ1bys 10 AL
charge of the bureau of interpreters
and tranSlatorS for the conference The
rapidity and sureness with which he
translates the speeches into English
and Spanish for the delegates and
members of the press by means of a
telephone service tried out for the first
time at an international conference has
done much to insure the success of the
proceedings. DR.. j. de S. Coutinho,
professor Of Portuguese in the school,
Is the Portuguese translator for the
conference.
Two graduates Of the school who are
in attendance at the conference are
Carlos Barrera, secretary of the Mex
ican delegation, and Leo Alvarado,. as
sistant secretary. DR.. Leo S. Rowe, di-
rector general of the Pan-American
Union, which Is the joint host Of the
conference with the State Department,
Is professor Of the course on inter-Amer-
lean problems at the Georgetown School,