UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Friday, February 11, 1994 7 IT BEGAN WITH $1.25 AND A TITLE William Allen White formed career from meager resources Photos courtesy of University Archives William Allen White oversees paste-up at The Emporia Gazette. White was publisher of that paper from 1895 to 1944. He knew seven presidents. By Jamie Munn Kansan staff writer William Allen White began his publishing career as a reporter in Lawrence. When he moved back to his hometown of Emporia in 1895, he had $1.25 in his pocket and the mortgaged title to *The Emporia Gazette*. From this early beginning as an enterprising publisher, White created a distinguished career that included two Pulitzer Prizes. He left a legacy of journalism and political activism that KU students continue to recognize. The University's School of Journalism was named for White just a few months after his death on Jan. 29, 1944. But White had begun his ascent to fame many years before. The editorial launched White and the Gazette into the national spotlight. But it was White's July 27, 1922, editorial that would earn him the Pulitzer Prize. "You tell me that law is above freedom of utterance. And I reply that you can have no wise laws nor free enforcement of wise laws unless there is free expression of the wisdom of the people." White wrote. Santa Fe railway workers had gone on strike that year because the Railroad Labor Board had cut their wages. When posters supporting the workers were outlawed by Kansas Gov, Henry Allen, White hung them in the Gazette's front windows. White was arrested but not prosecuted. His editorial, "To an Anxious Friend," was inspired by the experience. White's national acclaim may be equally attributed to his support of several presidents, especially his close relationship with President Theodore Roosevelt. White actively supported progressivism and later ran as a third-party candidate for Kansas Governor in 1924. As a journalist, White also was adamant about ethics and social conscience. He opposed yellow journalism, and he would not print questionable advertising or racial and religious slurs. "There is no Middle Western editor of national prominence between the Mississippi and the 'Coast' except Mr. White," said Oswald Villard in 1923 in "Some Newspapers and Newspapermen." Later in his life, White contributed to such magazines as "Collier's," "Harper's Magazine" and "Saturday Evening Post." He served as president of the American Society of Newspaper Editors in 1938. White also was awarded a second Pulitzer Prize posthumously in 1946 for his "Autobiography." After White's death, President Franklin Roosevelt said he had lost one of his best friends. "He made the Emporia Gazette a national institution." Roosevelt said. "As a writer of truth, forcible and vigorous prose, he was unsurpassed." Cynthia Wimmer, Tulsa, Okla., senior, and Sandy Saltzstein, Milwaukee graduate student, work on a costume at Murphy Hall. On the right and in the background are clothes that belonged to William Allen White, his wife and son. William Allen White's wardrobe a perfect fit By Jennifer Freund Kansan staff writer William Allen White's legacy usually is associated with the School of Journalism, but a recent donation from White's family will make sure that his legacy also continues at University Theater. Renita Davenport, costume shop manager, will celebrate William Allen White Day by adding several hundred pieces of clothing donated by White's family to the theater's costume collection. White was a noted Kansas politician as well as an editor of The Emporia Gazette. The University's William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications was named after him, and William Allen White Day is being observed today. Although the clothes have not yet been used, Davenport said, she may use some dresses from the 1960s and 1970s in the play, "The Heidi Chronicles." "We got some nice men's three piece suits as well as beautiful silk dresses that were hand tailored. We also received men's and women's Italian shoes." Davenport said. Davenport said that she had received the donation last week and that she had been impressed by the quality of the clothing. Charla Jenkins, director of public relations for University Theater, also said she was impressed with the donation. "I don't know how to sew, but it's obvious that many of the dresses were handmade," she said. "I can also see that even the zippers were sewn in by hand." Jack Wright, professor of theater and film, said he would wear one of White's suits in his one-man production of "The Sage of Emporia," in which he portrays White as a 70-year-old man reflecting on his life. Wright said that he had been performing the play since 1981 but that he hadn't performed it recently because he had been busy with administrative duties. Wright said that White's granddaughter, Barbara Walker, donated the clothes that had belonged to White, his wife, Catherine, and White's son, William. Wright said he wanted to offer special thanks to the White family for donating the costumes. "The reason we're so thrilled is that we will be using the clothes in future productions," he said. "The clothes are very well made." Clip and Save with Daily Kansan Coupons !!! Red Lyon Tavern 244 Mass. 832-8228 A touch of Irish in downtown Lawrence BEAUTY HAYASHI* Specials Good through March 5 AT BEAUTY WAREHOUSE REDKEN Salon Open 7 Days a Week Sunday 8-11 p.m. 841-0033 3300 W.15th Buffalo Wings HOT or BBQ $1.50 doz. 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