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Daily hansan
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Monday, Oct. 15, 1962
60th Year, No.22
Council Urges Tougher Civil Rights Measures
By Bernard Henrie
Unanimous adoption of two resolutions dealing with future civil rights legislation capped activities Saturday at a day-long conference on civil rights.
Discrimination in public accommodations and housing were the two much discussed issues at the fourth annual conference sponsored by the Kansas Advisory Council on Civil Rights (KACCR) and a resolution was passed concerning each.
Nearly 300 persons affirmed a resolution which gives the Kansas Commission on Civil Rights authority to administer the present state fair accommodations statute.
Under the present Kansas fair accommodations statute is is a misdemeanor for a restaurant or hotel to refuse service for reasons of race. Enforcement of the statutes is presently in the hands of the county attorneys. The resolution asks that this enforcement policy remain the same, but also asks that the Kansas Civil Rights Commission be given co-enforcement authority.
THE SECOND resolution proposes a law that will end discrimination by race, color, and creed in housing. The resolution also asks that a committee study fair housing laws in other states.
Prior to adoption of the resolution, William Ferguson, Kansas attorney general, reviewed the civil rights record of Kansas.
"Since 1874," Ferguson said, "It has been a misdemeanor in Kansas for the owner or manager of places of public accommodations, entertainment, or transportation to make a distinction because of race or color."
Ferguson said Kansas was a pioneer in the area of civil rights and the state has made a great deal of progress but still has a long way to go.
"Kansans are not a bigoted people." he said. "They have been doing things one way for a long time and they just need a little push to change."
FERGUSON SAID he was still reviewing the statutes to see if taverns were included in the fair accommodations law if they sell consumable items other than beverages.
He said a report on this question and the status of key clubs will be issued in the near future.
Ferguson said he was not certain about the dividing line between a legitimate private club and one which charged a nominal 25-cent membership fee.
He said those with nominal fees were using a subterfuge which should be investigated.'
"THE LAW IS not well defined in this area," Ferguson said. "We will soon have some test cases and then I will be able to save more."
Later, at a downtown hotel, Ferguson said his function as attorney general was to interpret the law — not make it.
"I think most people in Kansas are law abiding," he said. "They just need reminders from time to time."
He said direct police action instigated by the county attorney who is charged with enforcing the state's fair accommodations law is not always needed.
"Sometimes a phone call to the offending party will take care of the matter," he said.
"In all Anglo-Saxon countries," Ferguson said, "Certain individual rights are given up for the good of the whole.
THE ROLE OF the county attorney is a key one, he said. If friendly persuasion fails, the attorney must decide whether or not to seek litigation, Ferguson added.
"There is no way for one group to expand its civil rights except by placing restrictions of some kind on some other groups."
Following Ferguson's talk, Donald O. Cowgill, professor and head of the sociology department at Wichita University, said America's image abroad was blurred by racial disorder.
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CIVIL RIGHTS—Three principles at the fourth annual Kansas Conference on Civil Rights catch their breath after the Saturday session. From left to right, they are Miss Frances Levenson, keynote speaker; Ernest Russell, educational director Kansas Commission on Civil Rights; and Mrs. Nathan Shechter, chairman of the sponsoring Kansas Advisory Council on Civil Rights.
Groups Clash On Wiggins Talk
Is Warren W. Wiggins, Peace Corps official, wanted at the University of Kansas for an all student convocation?
- The University committee on convocations and lectures says "no."
- The University Peace Corps committee says "yes."
- The Washington Corps office says "no, unless there is a convocation insuring a sizeable attendance."
- Approximately 1500 students say "yes."
THE 1500 students have signed petitions which may reverse a decision of the University convocations committee.
The petitions are in opposition to a recent convocations committee decision which ruled out an all-student convocation during Peace Corps Week, Oct. 29-Nov. 2.
The KU Peace Corps committee invited Wiggins after they received word Sargent Shriver, Peace Corps director would be unable to attend.
Robert Swan, Topeka junior and chairman of the KU Peace Corps committee, said:
"THUS FAR, the results of the petitions are as favorable as the Corps committee predicted. We have circulated petitions in relatively few organized living groups, but if what we have seen is any sampling, we should have no trouble gaining 3500 more names this week."
Swan said International Club members and KUY officers endorsed the convocation. Other students who have signed are mainly dormitory residents and married students.
In a Friday telephone conversation with Swan, Sam Babbitt, University division director of the Peace Corps' public affairs office in Washington, said his office is "hesitant" to send Wiggins to KU unless there is an all student convocation.
Swan said:
"BABBITT SAID neither he nor the Washington office wanted to appear pushy about a convocation. However, Babbitt did feel Wiggins warranted an all-student convocation since Wiggins will be the acting director of the entire Corps program the last of October."
Debate Probes Abortion Problem
A greater degree of flexibility in abortion laws was favored by Professor L. C. R. Agnew, chairman of the department of medical history, at the English-style debate on "Legalized Abortion" held last Friday.
Mrs. Hermia Kaplan, Lawrence senior in law who has done special research on the legal aspects of abortion, argued that abortion should not be legalized since most reasons for wanting an abortion are socio-economic.
THE KU-Y sponsored annual debate, moderated by Hoite Caston, Independence senior, brought forth applause, laughter and some hissing at times. Members of the audience changed sides to indicate their preference, pro or con.
Prof. Agnew said a therapeutic abortion now can only be given when a doctor believes the condition of pregnancy is detrimental to the mother's health.
He said such cases warranting an abortion are a weak heart that might cause death in the stress of labor, diabetes and emotional factors. Explaining emotional factors as a reason for abortion, he gave an example in the case of rape where having the mother would cause the mother extreme mental anguish.
"As far as thalidomide is concerned," Prof. Agnew said, "I think most doctors are now in favor of aborting under this condition."
She referred to a study which was made in Sweden of 84 women who underwent abortion.
MRS. KAPPLAN, arguing against legalized abortion, said the reasons for abortion given by American women are economic.
"More than 50 per cent after their abortion were not happy," she said. "Their feelings ranged from those who could not talk about it, to open or suppressed guilt, to a point where the mental health was affected."
She asserted that the fault for these problems lies mostly with
Mr. Johnson said the debate was really on whether to expand legally permitted abortion, since it is already permitted where the mother's health is endangered. He said that abortion is properly an individual matter, and that the law should stay out.
society, but that no society can make the moral judgment to take a legal saving in abortion.
He thought the present laws discriminatory, and said the rich can and do get illegal abortions, under much safer conditions than most people can afford. He said that a leading cause of infant deaths is beatings by parents.
"This is not restricted to class," Johnson said. "The explanation is that parents are emotionally disturbed. Studies show that most of these children are unwanted in the first place."
DR. WILCOX stressed in the discussion after the debate that all women have doubts about whether they want to have their baby.
"If a mother has an abortion, she may change her mind later and wish she had her baby. This can cause extreme anguish."
He explained some of the medical aspects of abortion, saying that there are two kinds: spontaneous, or natural, and induced. Induced cases are either criminal or legal. He said that the vast majority of mothers are healthy; that if children are not wanted, he would rather sterilize than births. He felt that there are some legitimate reasons for abortion, but that abortions per se should not be legalized.
IN THE QUESTION and answer session after the debate, members of the audience expressed concern with the religious problems and moral issues involved. International Club members discussed abortion with the respect to overpopulation in some countries.
Debate chairman Hubert Granger, Leawood junior, estimated that 600 persons attended.
KU Committee Denies Permission On Singers
The University Committee on University Events denied permission Friday for Arnold Air Society and Angel Flight to bring Peter, Paul and Mary, folk singers, to KU for a concert later this year.
Emily Taylor, dean of women and chairman of the committee, said permission was refused because of a University policy prohibiting students to use University facilities in money-making projects.
John Gasperich, Sand Springs, Okla., senior and commander of Arnold Air Society, said, "I think the University has a basic right to regulate things like this, but I don't think they should set up arbitrary rules.
MEMBERS OF THE TWO groups criticized the decision.
"Any group that can financially support such a venture should be allowed to do so."
Reuben McCornack, Abilene junior and a member of Arnold Air Society, said, "I think it's an unfair decision. SUA shouldn't be allowed to administer all these events. I think any group that wants to sponsor a concert should be allowed to do so. The whole thing should be administered through student government."
Carolyn Toews, Inman senior and Commander of Angel Flight, said she did not like the decision, but declined further.
DEAN TAYLOR said permission to use University facilities for entertainment events will be granted only if:
- The membership of the organization sponsoring the event is open to all students.
- The admission prices are as low as possible, consistent with a balanced budget.
- All profits, if any, are used for the benefit of the student body as a whole.
THE POLICY is an amplification of the policy which had been in effect for years, Dean Taylor said. In the past, all that was necessary was for a group to submit a report to the committee, and to show that the profits would be used for the good of the entire student body. There was no qualification that the group's membership had to be open to everyone.
In effect, this gives the University, the KU-Y, and Student Union Activities a virtual monopoly on all entertainment events on campus featuring off-campus performers.
DEAN TAYLOR said the University has no objection if the event is held off-campus as when rock 'n roll singer Jerry Lee Lewis appeared at the Big Barn Friday. Lewis was sponsored by Delta Chi fraternity.
"We are not trying to stifle anyone's initiative, but there are just too many groups on campus to allow everyone to sponsor events like this. We have to draw the line somewhere," Dean Taylor said.
She said, "If any group wishes to sponsor any event, it must request permission from the committee.
Arnold Air Society and Angel Flight, the two organizations that wanted to sponsor Peter, Paul and Mary, planned to use the proceeds from the concert to take the members of the two groups to their National Conclave in Buffalo, New York.
GASPERICH SAID that the Society's chapter at Oklahoma State University took their membership to Los Angeles last year for the Rose Bowl. The chapter sponsored an appearance by Bob Hope on the O-State campus to help finance the trip.
"We want to go to conclave," Gasperich said. "With 40 people from KU there, I'm sure we could al-
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