Page 2 University Daily Kansan Thursday, March 17, 1955
Parallel Drawn Between Now,20's
"Hungry men and hopelessness are furnishing a soft spot for Communist penetration. How ironic, then, that the United States has been left with the burden of providing relief in the form of loans (never repaid) and outright gifts. The added task of administering relief and rehabilitation has been given to us, for the statesmen have recognized the role of food relief as a preventive of communism."
These words could have been spoken yesterday by any citizen concerned over foreign affairs. They were spoken in 1920.
Other words being spoken and written in that period were of "red scares," intolerant nationalism, and class antagonisms. The fears of world revolution spread as Lenin and Trotsky used Czarist gold and the current despair to overthrow "bourgeois" governments. The Kremlin's puppet, Bela Kun, conquered Hungary through terror, and the world felt itself threatened by similar aggression.
It was also at this time that it was hoped the presence of American troops might act as a check against Japanese designs in Siberia. An aggressive nationalist spirit was fostered by the Ku Klux Klan against Negroes, Catholics, and Jews. Now, American troops are hoping to check the Chinese from entering Formosa, and racial discrimination is fervently being hushed as reactions to the desegregation of schools is having its national effect.
The history books make Korea and China sound like the trampled Hungary and Austria of the 1920's. They make Herbert Hoover sound as though he speaks for Asia today: "... food relief is now the key to the whole European situation and to the solution of peace. Bolshevism is steadily advancing westward, has overwhelmed Poland, and is poisoning Germany. It cannot be stopped by force, but it can be stopped by food. . ."
It was in 1924 that production, having begun its boom, was estimated to have increased at least 40 per cent in food and agricultural products. The standards of living of city and country alike seemed, and the druggery of farm life became obsolete as the modern conveniences were acquired. Factory workers increased their productivity 60 per cent, while wages rose until they were more than three times as high as they were in 1900.
The new wealth and prosperity prompted one housewife to comment that the next decade or two would be regarded as an assimilative period for the epocalic changes of the past decade. The past decade, she said, was the base for the "stabilizing" of facilities, habits, institutions, and points of view with regard to family welfare.
The stability which was brought in 1929, the "eve" of the next decade, was undoubtedly the opposite of that which she had in mind. But Americans were spending more money on food, tobacco, cars, candy, jewelry and music than they ever had spent before. These were good times, and optimism and unawareness reigned.
Last year, car dealers all over the nation were wondering whether they could find buyers for the higher-than-ever number of new cars this year. The first eight weeks reassured them, for sales were 40 per cent over last year. Automobiles were still appealing to the Americans, who were quite able to afford them.
They were also able to afford the "flapper" dresses which Paris, the fashion center of the world, decreed as the highest style, and Vogue magazine was a sensation with its "scoop" pictures of the first middies and cloche hats. Last week, models once more were appearing in the long, shapeless tunics of a former era. Speculations were being made that the new fashions would be as good for the mambo as they had been for the charleston.
Irene Coonfer
Congratulations to Dee Richards and Don Roeder on their support of the proposed honor system. At last someone has had the intestinal fortitude to speak his beliefs in the face of this back of rest-room poets and prejudiced writers who seek to destroy the proposed honor system before it can be brought to an all-student vote.
These people are cheating the whole student body out of a chance to express their opinion, by an honest ballot, on whether or not the honor system should be accepted.
You and I are being prevented from making our own choice. Further, we are cheating ourselves by remaining silent against this propaganda.
Letters
Let's take a look at some of the false charges that have been brought against the honor system by these people in editorials in this paper.
"The explanation is also quite explicit in listing the activities which the honor committee would deem dishonorable conduct. Included are activities that are scandalous immorality, failure to pay debts and the transfer of athletic tickets."
This is the true statement made in the explanation of the proposed honor system;
To the Editor;
"Hence there must be many things reprehenisble and heartily condemned by the honor committee and all good citizens, which still cannot safely be brought under the honor system. Numerous examples could be cited but it should be sufficient to mention only a few, such as drinking, sexual immorality, breaches of administrative regulations, failure to pay honest debts, breaches of civil contracts, and the transfer of athletic season tickets."
"Further, even if the burden of proof does rest with the accusers, how is the accused to prove in his single testimony that the charges brought forth by two or more persons is false."
In one editorial the statement was made, and I quote:
The way this statement is made, the burden of proof is again placed on the accused. This is not true. When the burden of proof is on the accusers, it is necessary for the accusers to prove their statements true; it is not the burden of the accused to prove them false.
Now for another juicy bit of misguiding propaganda:
The only way we, the students, can combat this type of propaganda is to express our own opinions, with a loud voice and a busy pen.
with a loud voice and a busy pen. Enough interest must be shown for the proposed honor system to warrant it being brought to a student vote. If you, yourself, have not read the explanation for the proposed honor system, read it. Read it in its entirety and with an open mind. Then place yourself in the position of a member of the honor committee and as a member of the student body under such a
Don't miss this chance. This is one of the most momentous decisions any student body has ever had to make. Don't let a few speak for us all.
After you have done this, make your opinion known.
Let's all speak
Gerald V. Burkhead Engineering sonhey
Gerald V. Burkhead
Engineering sophomore
(Ed. Note: The Editorial Board, too, is pleased that Mr. Richards and Mr. Roeder—both members of the University Veterans organization—have stated their intentions for the report. The Editorial Board has said before and says again that we'll print any and all opinions concerning the honor system written for the editorial pages of the University Daily Kansan—and have been printed—looking with favor on the system. The UDK has written out, that all four of these articles—Mr. Burkhead's being the latest—were written by members of the UVO. It is not, however, the issue not be confined to the UDK and the UVO. It is the student body which will have the final word in the material presented in this report. Individual members of the student body owe it to themselves to express their opinions concerning the proposed system. Regardless of the opinion of several members of the student body, they argue between the UVO and the UDK, it is not. Both units—the Editorial Board of the UDK and the Honor System committee—are involved in views. But these views have been stated for the express purpose of calling attention to the proposed system. All of the views that the system has been proposed. The decision is yours.)
"Personally, Johnson, I'm worried about you."
Greek Program Was Eventful, Successful
Most students on the Hill, including the "Greeks," have always regarded Greek week as a necessary evil which couldn't harm anything, but certainly couldn't help anything. It was with this attitude that the past week was greeted by the majority of students.
What actually happened is a credit to the groups and a pat on the back for the Inter-fraternity council. The chariot races were again on the agenda, but the week otherwise was very profitable.
The IFC should first be congratulated for its efforts in Centennial park. The job, which was immense, was not completed, but it was a step in the right direction and proved to the Lawrence community that the organized houses had some serious thoughts. The panty raids were even somewhat forgotten by the townspeople, who have been experiencing such excitement for years. To them, it was a reminder of the help they received in cleaning up after the 1951 flood.
The Council also should be congratulated for its efforts in bringing a popular band to the campus. From the crowded dance floor and balcony of the Student Union, it was obvious that the Louis Armstrong group was for the enjoyment of students, faculty, and Lawrence residents alike.
Until this year the number of big-name bands who appeared on the campus was small. The students at K-State have been attending such events for years, with a special committee set up by the student council for the sole purpose of securing such bands. It was time that the University should be able to do the same.
The Student Union Activities organization started the ball rolling by sponsoring a dance in the Student Union at which Ralph Flanagan's band played. The event was enough of a success to ensure future bands being sponsored.
But the SUA couldn't be expected to carry the load entirely—the Greek week dance was a gesture appreciated by all—and for 50 cents less per couple.
These contributions to the campus, along with the all-University convocation at which Richard Harkness spoke, the annual scholarship dinner, and the inter-fraternity sing rounded out an eventful week. Next year, it should be greeted much more favorably.
Irene Coonfer
Do Honor Systems Work?
This letter appeared in the Daily Tar Heel of the University of North Carolina: Editor
To the naughty boy who stole my rear view mirror:
Congratulations on a neat job! Thank you so much, for leaving my poor little old car for my continued use and pleasure.
Yours in the continued success of the Carolina Honor System, F. John Devaney
Daily Hansam
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