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Page 2 University Daily Kansan Friday, Jan. 13, 1956.
2021-11-24 11:30:57
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS by Dick Bibler
Better Make Up Its Mind
Take the income tax, an event of annoying recurrence. The "average American," of whom Time writes with great apparent familiarity, was bent over by his tax burden during the Democratic years. Thus: "This week once again, the American taxpayer. . . was working over his income-tax return. He did not do the job happily. . . The blow, in full and crushing measure, now lands each March 15 on the chin of a fellow named John Q." (March 10, 1952)
The casual reader cannot check the accuracy or objectivity of Time, dependent as he may be upon them. His memory rarely stretches back past last week's issue. However, since Time has bound its back issues and put them on reserve in the library, its objectivity can be examined. We have decided to do this by comparing Time's reporting of the same men and the same events during the Democratic administration of 1946-52, and the Republican administration of 1952-55.
But in 1955: "...60 million Americans have by this week signed their 1954 income-tax forms . They did this, wonderful to tell, without riots or protest. It has become more and more unfashionable to criticize the income-tax level." (April 18, 1955)
One of the journalistic consequences of our harried age has been the rise in the circulation of the weekly news-magazines. To those who wish to keep up with the world, but can't bother to plow through the newspapers, these magazines offer a week's events boiled down into one easily-digested serving.
And they are influential. As Time (circ. 2,000,- 000) modestly admits in its advertisements, "America's leading educators, presidents of business corporations, members of Congress, the top men in practically every field vote Time their favorite magazine. .They depend on its accuracy."
Time Influences Readers By Editorializing In News
(Because of the interest shown in the editorial published last Friday concerning Time magazine, we thought this one taken from the Nieman Reports, which in turn took it from the Harvard Crimson, would prove of equal interest.)
Or look at the periodic reports on the economic health of the nation: April 2, 1951 (Democratic administration): "Never in United States history had the cost of living been so high. Between January 15 and February 15, the consumer's price index jumped 1.3 per cent to 183.8 per cent."
The sudden glow which accompanied the Republican administration even transformed personalities. George E. Allen, when a government official in the Truman administration, was worked over as follows:
Time's technique is perhaps best revealed in its weekly column on the presidency. Its reports on presidential behavior are able to rise above objectivity and perceive distinctions where none are apparent.
"For 18 years, roly-poly George E. Allen bobbed around Washington like a pneumatic rubber hose." (Oct. 16, 1950). "Last week... The President (Truman) eased his croniest crony, George E. Allen, into the Board of Directors of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation." (January 28, 1946). "George is all the more remarkable because, to the naked eye, he is a clown." (August 12, 1946)
Thus, "President Truman flapped open his leather notebook, and began in his usual flat tone to read his message to Congress on the state of the Union. When he finished 45 minutes later, he had made little news." (Jan. 21, 1952)
But behold: "Last week. .the President (Eisenhower) chatted quietly with. golfing companion George E. Allen. Washington lawyer and friend of presidents." (Dec. 14, 1954)
July 4, 1955 (Republican administration. Consumer price index: 192.3): "After a considerable shift in domestic economic policy, the United States is more prosperous than ever before."
However, "President Eisenhower's 1955 State of the Union speech had sweep and calm and balance"; and although "it elaborated the obvious, perhaps that was precisely what the nation needed." (Jan. 17, 1955)
The casual observer might also have failed to detect the difference in the way each president handled the question of whether he would seek a second term:
What bothered Time about the Fair Deal was its omnibus character. "In this best of all Democratic worlds he (Truman) had something for everybody. For the businessman, he had his new program of government loan insurance and other aids to small business. For the farmer and consumer, he had the Brannan Plan" (May 22, 1950). "For everyone else, there was a whole grab-bag of social and economic promises." (Jan. 18, 1948)
One might expect that Time would be similarly annoyed when President Eisenhower proposed such familiar Fair Deal items as " . lower tariffs . technical assistance. . public works. . highways . . public housing. . strengthened health services. . alleviation of the shortage of schoolrooms. . increase in the minimum wage. . higher pay scale for postal employees. . amendment of the McCarran Act to eliminate injustices and discrimination." (Jan. 17, 1955)
But once again, Time was able to spot the difference: "Through the departmentalized details of his (Eisenhower's) proposals runs a clear, consistent thread, joining each fact and each measure with all the others. The thread is the general good. He has not thrown together a hodge-podge of group interests. Every proposal seems to be tested by the standard of the whole nation's interest." (Jan. 18, 1954)
"From time to time, the President of the United States must travel around the country . . Last week, President Eisenhower announced one of the most intensive tours since he assumed office. First stop this week: West Point. . University Park, Pa. . . Washington.
"The public had an impression of a petulant, irascible president who stubbornly protected shoddy friends, a man who has grown too touchy to make judicious decisions, who failed to give the nation any clear leadership in these challenging times." (April 23, 1951)
"The subject of Harry Truman's 1952 intentions came up in again in his weekly press conference. The President wasn't saying, just acting deliberately mysterious. It has become an unprofitable inquiry and a stale joke." (July 23, 1951)
Where all else fails. Time can find a difference in the motive: "About May 1, after a month back at his desk in the White House, the President will begin a slow trip westward. . Officially, the trip will be billed as non-political, an ancient device whereby a President can pay his expenses from his $40,000 travel allowance instead of from the party treasury." (March 20, 1950)
"They saw Ike, and liked what they saw. . They liked him for his strong, vigorous manner of speech. . and for an overriding, innate kindness and modesty. But most of all, they liked him in a way they could scarcely explain. They liked Ike because, when they saw him and heard him talk, he made them proud of themselves and all the half-forgotten best that was in them and in the nation." (June 16, 1952)
"...he (Eisenhower) has skillfully refused to commit himself on 1956" (Jan. 24, 1955). "Adroitly, he fielded questions about a second term" (July 11, 1955). "At the President's news conference last week, his 1956 intentions seemed to be on the mind of almost every one of 188 reporters present...both the questioners and the answerer were obviously enjoying the banter." (March 14, 1955)
It is perhaps arguable whether a weekly has any more right than a daily to editorialize in its news columns. But Time does not editorialize outright. Instead, with what must be a great expenditure on interviews and questionnaires, it tells its readers what "the people" think:
It is comforting to know that the educators, corporation presidents, Congressmen, and others who depend on Time, can draw their opinions from such a clear, pure fountain of fact. Makes the rest of us feel more at ease.
"In the eyes of most United States citizens, Harry Truman's administration had bogged down in ludicrous futility." (June 3, 1946)
Harvard Crimson
"WELL, TELL HIM AGAIN—I'LL BE DOWN IN A MINUTE."
Polio Research Continues
Will orange juice protect you against polio?
The answer is no. It sounds like a foolish question in the first place, but scientists never know whether something is impossible until they have tried it, and therefore orange juice is one of hundreds of food substances and chemical compounds that have been rigorously tested in a growing search for a drug for polio.
March of Dimes scientists in several laboratories are searching for two possible drugs. One is a drug to prevent polio. The other is a drug that may be useful in treating polio.
Polio authorities are quite hopeful that the preventive drug will be found. They consider it an outside chance that a drug for effective treatment may be discovered.
The reason the chemical to treat polio seems less likely to be found is that by the time the symptoms of the disease have developed in an individual, his nerve cells have already been invaded by the polio virus and many of them destroyed. A drug may be found that would stop further damage at this point; but there seems no likelihood of finding one that can put destroyed cells back together again.
March of Dimes-supported laboratories in three cities are a spearhead in the search for a polio drug. Their research is contributing to the broader problem of drugs vs. all viruses, for although we have extremely effective drugs for bacterial diseases most viruses resist drugs now in use.
One chemical now under study is gallic acid, which is made from gall nuts and is used in photography. Gallic acid seems to protect monkeys against paralytic polio. Oddly enough, recent research has shown that it is not really the gallic acid that confers the protection but some impurity in the commercial product. Pure gallic acid has no effect. March of Dimes funds are now supporting a chemical investigation to find out what is the mysterious preventive substance in immune gallic acid.
Meantime, the over-all study of drugs continues. It started in 1789 when quinine was tried against polio and was found ineffective. Later attempts included ascorbic acid, amureomycin, cortisone, uranium nitrate, iodine, alum and two dyes called congo red and jasmine blue. Perhaps among the hundreds of compounds now being studied or awaiting testing will be found one that will signal a breakthrough.
When such a drug is found it is thoroughly tested in tissue culture and is then shipped on to the laboratory of Dr. Louis Geghardt, at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City. Dr. Gebhardt then tries it in monkeys. If drugs are found which work safely and effectively in monkeys and other animals, they will eventually be given trials in human beings.
Many drugs will kill the polio virus but in most cases they kill the cells too. Once in a long while a drug is found which acts against the virus much more powerfully than against the cell.
No, your snow-snow isn't of much help. And while you're at it, defrost your wits as well as your windshield so you won't get caught with your pans down again. You must see danger to avoid it, so keep those defrosters and wipers working. Don't forget the heater, fire chains and headlights, either, when preparing for winter.
John Arden was the last of the 41 signers of the Mayflower Compact to die—on Sept. 12, 1687.
DailyTransan
University of Kansas Student Newspaper News Room, KU 251, Ad Room, KU 736 Member of the Inland Daily Press association. Represented by Integrate Press association. Reprinted by vertising service, 420 Madison Ave. N.Y., Mail subscription rates: $1 a semester or less, per semester if in Lawrence). Published in Kansas, every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Summer holidays and examination period. Email: Enrollment@kus.edu. Class matter. Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence KU post office under act of March 3, 1879.
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