Page 6 University Daily Kansan Tuesday. Jan. 16, 1962
Crusading Part Of Kansan's Past
By Richard Bonett
A newspaper is many things to many people. But one thing it must be to be worthy of the title "newspaper," and that is an instrument for the betterment of society.
This concept lies deeply implanted in the tradition of the University Daily Kansan.
THE EARLIEST STUDENT staff members of the Kansan established their paper as a courageous fighter in the public interest.
And whatever criticism may be leveled against the Kansan, provincialism is not one of them. The men and women of her staff have seldom hesitated to reach out into the community, the state, the nation, or the world to uncover issues and present them to their readers.
Among the student editors were Roy A. Roberts, now president of the Kansas City Star Company; Jerome Beatty, a noted free-lance writer; and Brock Pemberton, who later became famous as an actor.
The Kansan's crusading tradition had its start when, on April 25, 1908, a group of students comprising the "Scoop Club" exposed an extensive bootlegging operation in the Lawrence East Bottoms.
In the Lawrence Daily Journal, which had been turned over to them for a one-day "laboratory" exercise, the students reported the operation of a series of beer and whiskey "joints," much of whose business was "transacted with University students."
The same night the article appeared, police raided four of the liquor establishments, arresting proprietors and patrons.
Subtle intimidation came from the Lawrence mayor who said publicly "I have charity for such youthful indiscretion and am opposed to making unnecessary police court records which may annoy them in the future."
A local judge, owner of one of the houses rented by a bootleger, was more emphatic. He reportedly said any student brought before him on charges of disorderly conduct could expect 10 days on the rock pile.
THE STUDENTS ANSWERED the officials with a long editorial in the Kansan and distributed it in downtown Lawrence. It called for a "dry town" and castigated officials.
Four men were prosecuted and each entered pleas of guilt. The defense attorney later said the students had accumulated enough evidence in their campaign to send the bootleggers to jail for 20 years.
In recent years, the Kansas has devoted most of its efforts to improving conditions at the University,
fighting for civil rights, and backing what the student editors have considered worthwhile programs.
The Kansan has won numerous national collegiate press prizes for its efforts. One of the most important, the All America rating of the Associated Collegiate Press was won in 1947- '48 and '49 by the Kansan.
THE SAME AWARD or first class honor rating has been won by the Kansan the past three years.
Last year, largely on the strength of its campaigns for a faculty retirement program and coverage of local sit-in campaigns, the Kansan and the William Allen White School of Journalism won first place in the William Randolph Heenst National Journalism contest against 45 other accredited journalism schools in the nation.
The school received $5,600 in prize money and two students, Frank Morgan and Fred Zimmerman, won prizes of $1,800 and $800, respectively, for separate entries.
Traffic safety campaigns waged by the Kansan resulted in second place prizes in 1952 and '53 in the National Safety contest sponsored by the Lumberman's Mutual Casualty Company.
IN FEBRUARY, 1959. KANSAN reporters had an exclusive interview with the then Gov. George Docking. The resulting articles had state-wide repercussions when Docking was quoted as saying KU was a "trouble spot" where a "clean up" was long over due.
In reporting that the governor opposed any budget increases for the school, the Kansan turned up an issue that plagued Docking through his 1961 campaign for a third term as governor. Some believe the school issue played a major role in Docking's defeat.
Concern over disciplinary proceedings began when three students were suspended summarily for allegedly painting Theta Nu Epsilon (a secret drinking fraternity) signs around Lawrence. The students later were released from the city charges in police court, but their suspension remained in force.
Since 1958 the Kansan has waged an almost continuous campaign over student discipline procedures and matters affecting civil rights.
WHEN THE KANSAS BOARD of Review prevented the showing of a Swedish film, "Smiles of a Summer Night," for being "obscene," the Kanas criticized the board and censorship in general in a series of stories and editorials.
Complaints of ineffective fire protection and high rates brought the
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