Segregation View Relaxes in South Although the statement by Georgia's Gov. Herman Talmadge that there will be "rioting, bloodshed, and terror in the South" if the Supreme Court outlaw segregation in schools may be valid in some isolated instances, the general view of the situation among southerners is much more calm. As is to be expected, the main opposition to the outlawing of segregation in schools comes from the South where segregation in about everything is a traditional rule. However, because of a previous Supreme Court ruling that separate Negro schools must provide facilities equal to those in white schools, this tradition has already begun to fade away in many places. The main reason is that, in many of the poorer states, it is financially impossible for the government to provide equal facilities. This has become particularly true in education at the college and university level throughout the nation. The first big break at that level came in 1938 when Lloyd Gaines a Negro from Missouri, backed by the National Association for Advancement of Colored People, won a Supreme Court decision allowing him entrance in the University of Missouri Law school. Since that time colleges and universities in the South have had to allow more and more Negro students to enroll, particularly at the graduate level. And in all but a few isolated instances, there has been no violence and practically no persecution. The mechanics of the change would, of necessity, have to be gradual because it would call for a complete change in organization of the school system. In many instances, however, this change is already taking place without benefit of court ruling. In a number of instances in the South where grade and high schools were forced to admit Negro students because they couldn't provide equal segregated facilities, there have been no major disturbances and very few cases of white students transferring to other schools. There are many persons who claim that the South is not yet ready to accept such a drastic step as outlawing segregation in schools, but a survey by the Institute of Race Relations at Fisk university, Nashville, Tenn., stated that "the time is as ripe as it ever will be." The two main Southern opponents, Gov. Talmadge and South Carolina's Gov. James F. Byrnes, have said that if segregation in schools is ruled out they will eliminate the public school system and get state support for private schools. However, the overall attitude in the South seems to be typified by one old farmer who said: "I guess the old days of the Klan are gone. If the Army can do it the teachers can. Guess there ain't much we could do about it if we wanted to—and most of the young men don't seem to care." There are, however, definite political implications to the issue since a positive ruling by the court would throw a lot of Negro support to the Republicans and alienate a large number of white Republicans. But the Republican administration will just have to take this in stride if they expect to see the Negroes gain the constitutional rights they deserve. Don Tice Mr Stewart (see UDK editorial, One Man's Opinion, Dec 11), having read some of your other somewhat extreme opinions, I am not too shaken by your thundering judgment of the Strong hall Christmas tree. Letters To the Editor: I regret that, contrary to other avant-garde opinions you have expressed, you still allow your childhood associations to prejudice your interpretation of design elements. Page 2 University Daily Kansan Monday, Dec. 14, 1953 Though the majority of trees are green, have lights, are hung with doo-dads, and have saccharin angels, it does not follow, therefore, that the "best" tree must be green, lighted, and replete with angels. I think you allow the cart to precede the horse. Do we worship the tree? Surely not. Rather it was originally used symbolically; for example, the evergreen symbolizing eternal life. Now who has the authority to limit symbolism? As a designer, I chose to try to express the essence of the occasion: Purity. The arrival of The Word, Who is all Pure, God and Man," and was made flesh." What symbolizes purity best? Look about you, your own homes and history. For generations "Sterling" was synonymous with "pure"—and gold has ever been thought of as the "purest metal." Chemically, with a nod to "the Sacred Cow of Science," we know this is not literally true—but it is symbolically true. So, from the six-pointed star, symbolic of Christianity's origin in Judaism, showers down, as drops, the symbolic oesign to glorify the tree—from above; not from Man. Perhaps this tree is "obnoxious" as you have said. It is a plain statement, certainly. But perhaps in these days we need sentimental emotionalism less than we need a challenge and a reminder. Standing before the tree you can without understanding it the arrival of Parity without understand it Or seeking It, then it is just possible that Christmas has the wrong meaning for you, and you might as well return to your craft-paper angels. Roger M. English Instructor, Design. Editor's note: Stewart did not have the advantage of studying Mr. English's letter before he commented on the Strong hall tree. He now wishes that the many persons who have told him they agreed with the tone of his editorial would return to the base of the tree with a copy of the above letter on the revecient technique of viewing Christmas trees, so that they may be more rational in their criticism. This invitation includes all the design students who have expressed their dislike of the tree.) LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS Flashbacks in History From the Daily Kansan by Dick Bibler in the news at the University in December. A longer Christmas vacation caused by a flu epidemic, a survey of smoking by women, an agility test, and the problems of homely women were considered in 1928 editions of the Kansan. An order allowing V-12 students to attend extra-curricular activities, the relationship of men to women as affected by the war, a record cold spell in Kansas, a picture of the Kansan staff, and a basketball defeat at the hands of Hutchinson Naval Air Base were all in the news at the University in December 1943. "And the distinguishing aspect, from the male point of view, is that the little thing with the wispy bangs and round blue eyes is just as good at figuring tensile strength as he was," the editorial commented. academic record. A Kansan editorial predicted a new relationship between men and women to come after the war. "Men trained for army life will come back to find their old jobs taken over by women who not many months before were typical coeds. Cold weather had set a record low temperature for Dec. 15 of 20 degrees below zero in northern Kansas and Missouri. In Kansas City the temperature dropped to 14 below. Southerners stationed with service units at the University during the cold spell sang, "I wish I was in the land of cotton." There was only one man, Sports Editor Bob Bock, on the Kansan staff. A picture of the staff was reprinted in Sunday rotogravures of many papers, including the New York Daily News, with a caption, "The Last Man." Bock entered the service at the end of the semester, leaving the women in complete control of the paper. Hutchinson Naval Air Base handed the Jayhawkers their first defeat of the season 46-32. The Hutchinson cagers led at the half 25-13 in a game marked by rough play and much bodily contact. Sparky McSpadden, star of the Jayhawkers, fouled out shortly after the half. 25 YEARS AGO 10 YEARS AGO Some students reportedly faked illness when the doctors came around. One fraternity sent all pledges to bed, and all complained of acute distress when the inspectors arrived. A sorority fed its girls hot water and wrapped them in heavy blankets. The physicians found several uncomfortable sisters, but no high temperatures. Daily Hansan Because of the flu epidemic, Chancellor E. H. Lindley dismissed all University classes from Dec. 12 until Jan. 2. The extended Christmas vacation was given after a check of organized houses by University physicians had revealed 500 cases of the flu, more than could be handled by KU hospital facilities. An order approved by the unit commanding officer made it possible for Navy V-12 students at KU to attend extra-curricular activities, such as lectures, dramatic presentations, concerts, and basketball games. The only requirement was the maintenance of a good academic record. A survey showed that although many University women did smoke, most of them hesitated to buy cigarettes. They either had men buy them or ordered cigarets by telephone. Concerning the question of women smoking, some men said, "If a woman likes it, it's all right." Others were either critical or indifferent. University of Kansas Student Newspaper News Room KU 251 Ad Room KU 376 "What's become of all the homely women?" asked a headline over an advertisement in the Kansan. The answer given was that women just aren't homely any more, although they may be plain. The part played by advertising in teaching women to make themselves more attractive was cited as the reason. "I didn't say 'bring a case and we'd study'—I said bring a 'Case Study.'" NEWS STAFF Executive Editor Ken Coy Managing Editors Ed Howard. Don Tice Dean Evan Vance News Editor Shirley Piatt Assistant Tom Shannon Sports Editor Stan Hamilton Assistant Ken Bronson Society Editor Letty Lemon Assistant Elizabeth Feature-Exchange Ed. Som Teenford Feature-Exchange Ed. Som Teenford News-Ed. Adviser Calder M. Pickett EDITORIAL STAFF Editorial Editor Journalist Assistants Chuck Morelock BUSINESS STAFF BUSINESS STAFF Business Manager Ed Smith Retail Adv. Mgr. Jane Megafinn National Adv. Mgr. Ann Amnsworth Classified Mgr. Susanne Berry Circulation Mgr. Susanne Berry Production Mgr. Gordon Ross Bus Advisor Gene Bratton POGO