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University Daily Kansan Wednesday, Feb. 22, 1956
The AAU-Let's Be Systematic
The National Amateur Athletic Union took the expected course of action Sunday when it permanently barred Wes Santee, former KU miler, from participation in any event within the jurisdiction of the AAU.
At present, Santee's remaining chance to regain his eligibility and thus be permitted to compete in the November Olympics in Melbourne is to obtain an injunction against the suspension.
The only incident suggestive of the AAU cutting off its nose to spite its face is the suspension of Paavo Nurmi, the Finnish track star of the 1920's.
Such a decision would seem to indicate the intent to make an example of one individual as a lesson to everyone else.
What is the AAU trying to prove?—that it has the authority to enforce its decisions? It seems it's proved that in the past, the few times it has chosen to take action.
As the nation's top miler in history, Santee was a natural to be invited to compete in practically every major track meet in the country, thus drawing much of the AAU's attention. Also, the fact that he has been rather outspoken on more than one occasion certainly did nothing to make him less noticeable.
Therefore, it follows that a person capable of becoming the center of attention will undergo more than an average amount of observation.
It was this close observation that led to a full-scale investigation following Santee's suspension last October by the Missouri Valley Association.
However, this is not the first encounter Santee has had with the AAU. After the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Santee ran in several European meets. Because he is a camera enthusiast, on more than one occasion he received a camera instead of a trophy. Then came the AAU's ruling that he must return the cameras because they were of "monetary value," and that if he accepted them he would be declared a professional.
The obvious question is: what sort of prize can be given to an athlete that will not be of some monetary value? Are not the trophies received by many amateur athletes, many of them quite elaborate, of some monetary value?
Going on such a basis, a victor's feast of soda crackers and water would be of some monetary value.
The AAU certainly didn't make any effort to declare ineligible Fortune Gordien, the famous Minnesota weight man of the 1940's, who made a career of being an amateur athlete.
And there have been others, both national and international athletes, whom the AAU allowed to compete in events within AAU jurisdiction without future consequences.
If the AAU is going to investigate the eligibility of amateur athletes (and proceeding on this same basis, quite a few others probably could also bear investigation), then it should attempt to do a systematic job.
—Bob Bruce
A Tribute To George Washington
Today the nation celebrates the birthday of George Washington.
On the birthday of the first president of the United States, many persons must at times wonder how great a man he actually was. Since his death in 1799, his reputation has grown so that today one might get the impression that Washington was a saint.
He is usually chosen to head the list of our greatest presidents. This tendency is not unusual in America, for many heroes appear in history much more favorably than they did in real life.
However, when the legend about an individual grows as high as the Washington saga, historians inevitably attempt to disrupt the pretty picture.
"Democracy," a book published in 1880, was the first to openly question the idea of Washington's superiority. The book described him as "a raw-boned country farmer ... very illiterate and very dull."
Innumerable criticisms have been written about the weaknesses in the political theory of Washington, but his fame has not been diminished.
This is because his fame came not as a politician, but as a leader of men. As our first president, he faced the problems of holding the 13 struggling colonies, still weak from the ravages of war, in a firm union.
But his fame as a leader came even earlier. During the war he managed to hold the faltering American forces together through freezing, starving winters. His army clung together, in spite of the fact that it knew it could fight only delaying actions against the superior British numbers.
His forces would not yield, despite numerous instances of disloyalty and an appalling lack of funds. When aid finally came from the French, Washington rallied his forces and helped to win the war.
With the war over, he helped prepare the Constitution which today governs our nation. He then became the first president, and established a two-term precedent which lasted for nearly 150 years.
So let the history books criticize him. We'll still always remember him as the greatest leader in the history of the United States. We'll even forgive his chopping down that cherry tree.
Dick Walt
15 Years Ago - A Troubled World
As today, 15 years ago Congress and the agricultural department were faced with the problem of trying to keep a surplus production of wheat off the market. Plans were underway for a wheat growers' referendum on a proposal to invoke marketing quotas.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress for an additional $3 billion for national defense, making a total of $11 billion since Congress convened Jan. 3, 1941.
Greece asked the United States for help, particularly aircraft for use in its campaign against the Italians. Greece was able to drive the Italians out by April, 1941, but Germany came to Italy's aid and the two Axis forces together retook Greece by the end of April.
In Topeka, the Kansas Legislature defeated a constitutional amendment to establish a four-year single term for the governor.
Newton High School, always a threat in basketball, was one of the prep school leaders then with a 13-0 record.
The theaters are showing "Gone With the Wind"; "Santa Fe Trail" with Errol Flynn and Olivia De Havilland; "High Sierra" with Ida Lupino and Humphrey Bogart, and "Adam Had Four Sons" with Ingrid Bergman, Susan Hayward and Warner Baxter.
Phog Allen's basketball team defeated Missouri 35-24 and Kansas State 50-45. The Jayhawkers went on to win the Big Six championship.
On the campus, interest was high as Coach
Baseball-wise, Phil Rizzuto, who was just beginning his major league career with the New York Yankees, said he was "kinda scared" over his chances with the Yanks.
On the Hill the Kansas Players were presenting "Cock Robin." Three students attended their classes in tuxes. Reason—they did not have time to go home and change after a dance performance.
Daily Hansan UNIVERSITY
—Larry Stroup
niversity in the city of Bologna 1908, weekly. triviseek 1908, daily Jan. 16, 1912. triviseek 1908, daily Jan. 16, 1912.
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MEET THE FRESHMEN . No.1 Introducing...
PHIL KIRK
Phil, pledge class president of Phi Delta Theta, is a freshman from Kansas City, Mo. He is in the school of engineering and intends to major in Industrial management after his Sophomore year.
major in Industrial Engineering Besides leading the Phi Delt pledge class, Phil has worked in Student Union affairs and will be a member of the steering committee in the upcoming Campus Chest Fund drive. More important, Phil attained superior grades for his first semester along with his many activities.
While attending Southwest High School in Kansas City, Phil was nominated for the coveted "Mayor" of Kansas City crown in the annual City Hall Day.
All in all, Phil represents a well-rounded addition to the student body. And we are happy to present him to you.
PHIL'S SHOES are a durable black, wing-tip blucher in Martin's imported scotch grain. Two full soles give twice as much wear. A Taylor-Made shoe only $18.95.
FOR HIS SPORTCOAT Phil chooses a natural shoulder, three-button, Ivy model. Note the wide button spacing—an authentic Ivy League feature. And the pattern is a flattering vertical stripe of brown on grey. Perfect for slack combinations. By Alpagora and only $35.00.
PHIL WEARS one of the newest style shirts in Manhattan's collegiate line of oxford cloth dress wear—the Blake. It features a short point, medium spread collar that's important for today's slim, trim look. And it's only $4.50.
PHIL'S TIE is a neat brown on black in an imported wool challis. Carefully hand blocked in England, too, and only $2.50.
the town shop
DOWNTOWN
the university shop ON THE HILL