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University Daily Kansan Thursday. December 9, 1954
Maybe We Could Have Saved Him
A 4-year-old boy over in Topeka had his Christmas early this year because he's dying of cancer. His father went out tree shopping and bought the first one in town—the father said the little boy had a fine time.
Such is a story we reported during our weekly journalistic endeavor on the Topeka Daily Capital staff. It was a sad little story, much like many that will start popping up about now using the news angle of Christmas.
The little boy is dying of cancer—the father said they had done everything they could, that the doctors had tried, and had failed.
The doctors failed because they just don't know enough about cancer, because research isn't as intensive—though it grows by leaps and bounds—as it should be.
They also failed because of people like us. People who hear about such organizations as the Community Chest, breathe a deep sigh of boredom and say we can't afford to contribute.
The Campus Chest may seem to be an old subject, all done and over with, and best forgotten. Well, it will be here again, and the same thing no doubt will happen. We'll be too busy helping the economy turn over by investing in the cigaret industry, the soft and hard drink industry, and the clothing industry, among other things, to dig into our well-worn wallets and give money to the Community Chest.
Cancer, of course, is just one disease, and it gets just 10 per cent of the Campus Chest money but that money might have helped a lot of children and adults. Well, KU didn't help with the research problem to any great extent this year—it might in 1955, and it might not.
We'll all no doubt have fun on Christmas day, and we'll all give gifts, some a few, others many.
We think it would be a good idea to give a little monetary gift to some of the funds that will have bell ringers around the main streets—maybe a few more people will be around for Christmas 1955. Mary Bess Stephens
Humor in 'No Time for Sergeants'
"No Time For Sergeants." Mac Hyman, New York, N.Y.
Random House, Inc., 214 pp.
Does your funny-bone need tickling? How long has it been since you've read a book that gave you only time enough for a grin between laughs? "No Time For Sergeants," a Book of the Month Club selection, is just that kind of book.
Mac Hyman has written of the kind of life he has known—highly fictionalized, of course—yet he has made his characters so real that the reader can live and laugh with them as mutual acquaintances. Mr. Hyman grew up in Georgia, just like Will Stockdale (his easy-going hero). Both served in the Air Force and, combined, they give us a hilarious account of experiences which become adventures simply because Will is involved in them.
With his pint-sized buddy, Ben Whitledge, Will ambles around or over the military regulations and traditions. Only they could witness medals being awarded to themselves, supposedly posthumous, and still be around for a private ceremony to receive the same decorations for the second time.
Quick, sharp digs are taken at all branches of the service. Offense could be taken at some of the satire, were it not so humorous. Will's idiom is convulsive; all he wants to do is "just get along with everybody and not have no trouble."
The reader will have no trouble spending a few delightful hours with "No Time For Sergeants." —Joyce Neale
The Kansan Salutes
Bill Easton Coaches Championship Teams
The Daily Kansan today salute Coach Bill Easton, the man who has won more cross country, indoor and outdoor track championships for KU than any other coach in the school's history.
Coach Easton had an outstanding record at Drake University before he came to KU eight years ago. His team won the national cross-country championship here last fall, and won the same three times in a row at Drake. It is the only time in history that a coach has won this title at two different schools.
We have a number of promising boys coming up," he said, speaking of his sophomore prospects. "We expect very fine performances from them as juniors and seniors, in both track and cross-country. The sophomores are always a group that has come through for us in beautiful style."
"There are no potential great athletes to take Wes Santee's place at present," Mr. Easton said, "but we have a top performer in Summerfield scholar Allen Frame, who won a national individual title this fall."
When asked about offers to be track coach at any other school, he replied, "I wouldn't think of leaving the potential we have here in the boys, the new fieldhouse, and the
Scotland Yard, probably the world's most famous police headquarters got its name because it stood until 1890 in a short and ancient street where, in medieval times, the kings of Scotland stayed when they came to pay homage to the English crown. Their mansion later became part of the yard of Whitehall Palace—hence Scotland Yard, says the National Geographic Society.
Coach Easton said his most thrilling experience as a coach came during the four-mile relay at Drake in 1951 when Wes Santee came up from a 60-yard deficit and nipped Joe La Pierie of Georgetown University at the tape for a new American record of 4:06.7.
opportunity for finer track teams than ever before."
For Appointment