PAGE TWO
SUMMER SESSION KANSAN
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1937
Absurd Beliefs
Comment
Every American should be glad at the feat of three Russian aviators who flew more than 5,000 miles last weekend in a near-successful attempt to connect Moscow and San Francisco in a single hop. The flight in itself was of great significance, but the friendliness which it indicated was even more important.
It is not the Kansan's purpose to turn this column into a Communist manifest, and perhaps much of the criticism heard of the U.S..S.R. is just and reliable. But the presence of the three aviators in America—after their dangerous journey across the North Pole—gives a new and interesting angle from which to view this most talked-of and most written-of nation in the world.
Many Americans and Europeans, as Walter Duranty points out in his book, "I Write as I Please," grew up with a picture of Russia as a barbarous country where wild animals frequently devoured whole villages, and where parents on journeys across the wastelands were not averse to throwing out their little children, if necessary, to keep the wolves from attacking their sleights. Today the "picture" is more that of a bombing, killing, illiterate mob of half-Oriental imbeciles who have sworn to destroy all government, good or bad. But it is absurd to maintain such beliefs in the light of an event like the North Pole flight.
From the mail—"Dear Editor: Answering an inquiry by a reader printed in the Kansan recently, I would say that the snake which swallowed the other the fastest certainly would go the farthest. Now please tell me, is it cooler in the summer or in the country? I'm anxious to know.—I.W.N."
Today's big story—in America, at least—will be the Braddock-Louis fight. And interest runs high on the campus. The only conflicting event on today's calendar will be the education forum and in order that two big events would not conflict the forum was postponed.
Gossip or News?
"Gossips deserve pity. Think of a life so dull and empty that nothing seems interesting except other people's business." -- Buffalo News.
While this attitude of the Buffalo News is one which is generally accepted in connection with the word "gossip", people seldom stop to think just what their own reactions are to gossip. Gossip is a nasty word, but it is worse on the end of your tongue.
Most of the news that is printed in newspapers or inserted into radio news-casts is nothing but glorified gossip. The movie magazines are for nothing but the purpose of selling gossip. Perhaps it is an unhealthy condition, but 120 million Americans can't be wrong.
Actually, most people thrive on gossip. Otherwise, what would become of our newspapers, our radios, our telephones, and our night clubs?
The person with a taste for gossip is, actually, not much different from the reporter with a nose for news. And the reporter is supposed to be an active and enterprising young person who is quick in picking up
small bits of gossip that no one else would notice.
Gossip or news, there is not much difference, but we still like it.
-M.J.C.
That spray in front of Watson library yesterday was a temptation for many to jump in and cool a bit. And more than one lucky dog did.
LETTERS to the EDITOR
Editor Summer Session Kansan
Perhaps in the "ivory castle" atmosphere of University life, we are expected to stand aloof and contemptuous of every-day things, but there is one phase of the Kansas sales tax law which gives me a severe grine.
Every time I buy a newspaper, an ice cream cone, a candy bar, a roll of toilet tissue, or make any other nickel purchase I pay four per cent tax, unless I make the purchase together with other articles. This happens because Kansas has only the 2-mill tax token, and yet requests that 5-cent purchases, which must be paid with a token. One 2-mill token equals one cent of five cents. Your most important takes your four per cent tax, writes down a two per cent gross tax receipt when he balances his books, and puts two per cent of every five cent sale in his pocket Figure it out for yourself.
In fairness to consumers, the state should either abolish the tax on five cent sales, or provide 1-mill tokens. It should be simple to provide tokens of the same size yet with a hole punched where the "K" appears and marked "I" instead of "2." This would end a situation which is manifestly unfair.
Why does not the Kansan start a campaign, put up petitions over the campus, and help correct the situation? I'm hoping something will be done. —J.B.
Editor Summer Session Kansan:
Last night I listened to the radio; so, presumably, did several million other Americans. I heard a studio audience laugh uproariously at a joke old when Joe Miller was born, then take 45 seconds to dutifully apllaud 45 other seconds of commercial plugging. I listened to a stage and screen celebrity extend the merits of a particular brand of cigarettes and knew it was extremely doubled in size had ever smoked a uniquely product. I tested extensively, the miracles of the product of one of our multi-millionaires, how to whiten my teeth and keep my health, and how to steady my nerves. So, too, I suppose, did the millions of others who were also within range.
And when the oily-voiced announcer released my attention to allow me to listen to some really good dance music I remembered how my mother used to give me castor oil hypocritically disguised under layers of orange juice. Of course the castor oil was supposed to be good for me.
Tomorrow night, I suppose, I'll listen to the radio. So, presumably, will several million other Americans.
the lack or evident lack of anything to do. You may even go to the library every night for a week in the hope that somebody will come some night because their date has to study and you will have somebody to watch, or maybe in the hope that one of your friends will come up and you can go out for a coke.
It has always been my contention that if you get off on the right foot you are pretty sure to end up at the same place as the rest of the world
-P.R.K.
Editor Summer Session Kansan:
To one who has never before been to summer school, or summer session life may seem a little strange. You don't get the usual hurry and scurry of "winter session" and you may wonder what it's all for. But if you are a scholar or a school teacher you probably know that it is for studying, and you will disregard the barrenness of the campus while you bury yourself in good old Watson. Which may be all right for a while but will get tiresome.
go out. The best thing to do, as I said in the beginning, is to get off on the right foot. And that is done by realizing that if you go to the library you will have to study so maybe the best thing to do is not go at all. And it's no use standing around at 9:20 wondering why the rest of the rofs don't let their classes out. They have, even if it doesn't look like it.
So just take stock of yourself. If you are here for a good time you won't find it on the campus. You might as well know that at the start. And if you are here to learn something, why are you? You could be having lots more fun at Atlantic City or someplace. —J.H.C.
But if you have already spent some winters here and are enrolled in your first "summer session" you will no doubt be mightily disappointed at
THIS and THAT BY KENNETH KITCH
There have been reams written lately about New York's war on the "strip teasers"—various lusciously curved young women (some of 'em) who amble in front of the footlights with nothing much more than a flynet to keep the neighbors from looking in. Since we're married, and a member of the church and other somber aggregations, we're again 'em. But we are yet to be convinced that there is much difference between the "strip teasers" and the "eye pleasers" who strut in front of the spot lights at almost any swimming pool, these summer evenings.
A big churchman in Chicago has come out with a bitter denunciation concerning the burlesque strip tease queens. It's always been a mystery to us how these church fellows can constantly have such accurate and complete information about everything they shouldn't know anything about.
If the burlesque is actually prohibited and disappears, there isn't much left for the small-town men to be ashamed of having seen when they return home from a visit to the city.
And with all this discussion, it seems that it's going to be mighty difficult for these burlesque ladies to make even a bare living.
Things: John Howie, one of the maestros of the school of business, is finally a third-degree member of the summer session. He reported to his classes Monday with a glorious case of sunburn . . . Fellows at the softball field had another good time last evening. They apparently get just as much fun out of visiting as they do out of playing ball . . . You'd be surprised what decisions "Doc" Twente is able to distill after due thought and deliberation as he fogs his sturdy hod out behind the pitcher. Some of the fielders are complaining that they miss the ball because they never see it until it suddenly comes driving back through Doc's smoke screen . . .
Jewell, superintendent at Sedan during the winter and genial Sir Toby Belch of the summer session, tells this one: Last autumn he drove to Tulsa for a crucial football game. The game was close and during the last few minutes in the final quarter, everything became deathly still. Suddenly a young fellow arose in the stands across the field and screamed, "Is there a doctor in the crowd?" A rather portly old chap
started out of his seat. Everyone waited expectantly until quite as suddenly, the young chap hollered, "Hi, Doc!" and sat down.
Contributors' Column
It's gospel truth that little bobby, aged four, in spite of his buck teeth and his lisp, may yet become prexy of these United States. But he can't be King of England, no sir. Royalty's born royal—and that's that!
But with Susie it's different. The girl you guys date tonight may someday wreck an empire—or make a monarch into an ordinary layman. Women are funny like that--tempermental as H double q. But everybody knows they're worth it. Even Edward appreciates the American woman. (Let's skip what George and Elizabeth may think Who are they anyhow? Just king and queen). And what's that when Bobby may grow up to be president!
Dear Summer Session Kansan Ed:
I'm sure your praise is seldom said,
But as I read the news today,
I resolve in my own way to say
You're on the job.
Not many posies you receive;
At least that's 'bout what I believe.
But no "bulldozing," I do feel
You're handling well a job that's real.
So does the mob.
Now e'er my little word is thru,
Your helpers do a good job too.
Your "Comment," Kitch's "This and
That"
Makes every student feel just pat.
And that's my tribute.
But here! I never even asked permish
To hand you you here my little dish,
But please, sir, take this case in hand
And use it e'er someone is canned.
May I contribute?
—Ellvert Himes.
Summer Session Kansan
Address All Communications to
SUMMER SESSION KANSAN
EDWARD BARNETT Editor
EDWARD BARNETT ... Associate Editors
AUTHORIZED EDITOR
BILL TURNER  JACK BERNET
F. QUENTIN BROWN  Business Mgr.
Telephones
Telephones
Business Office K.U. 66
News Room K.U. 25
NIGHTCAP
MUNICH
A huge cherry-red sun sinks
Into a cool, green liquid.
Stirred by a quiet breeze
Bubbles of stars touch
A lemon slice of moon on
The edge of a nite-blue goblet.
—Joan Short.
MOON
Your woman's face is a Clear cut oval, Like a snowy cameo Hung around the throat Of black-velour night. Joan Short.
Faculty Members Attend A.A.A.S. Meeting in Denver
Professors L. L. Boughton and I H. Taylor left Sunday to attend the joint meeting of the pharmacy and medical science sections of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
"The Life Cycle Feeding of Drugs to Albino Rats," will be the subject of the paper presented by Professor Boughton. He has been experimenting in the feeding of drugs to white rats, and the paper will report the effect of these drugs on the growth and maintenance of weight of the rats. The paper will be illustrated by slides.
Dr. Taylor, of the zoology department, will read two papers--before the meeting, "Frogs of the Hyla examin- Descriptions of the Newest Species," and "New Fossil Amphibians from the Middle Pliocene of Kansas." The meeting is held from June 21 to 23.