University Daily Kansan
Page 2
Thursday, May 7, 1953
Campus Politics- So What?
There's nothing wrong with student government on this campus that couldn't be remedied if the present student body were removed for a new one.
The faults of student government—and there are plenty of them—are all derived from and thrive on this fact: when it comes to self-government most students just don't give a damn.
With the exception of a zealous core of workers in the heart of Pachacamas or FACTS parties, there are no other true participants in student government.
However, the thousands of KU students who refuse to dirty their hands in the much-publicized nastiness of the political arena wouldn't for the world give up their right to criticize.
would give up. For as much criticism as is dealt out to the few who make the decisions for the many around here, twice as much should be heaped on the apathetic mob which sits on its collective hands and encourages such shallowness and pettiness to breed.
Behind the hands-off creed adhered to by most students is a comfortable ignorance, based on the premise that to be politically mature and alert a student needs only to keep the following trite nothingisms in mind:
1. The All Student Council stands for nothing, dogs nothing, and is nothing.
2. Pachacamac is a band of cloak-and-dagger types devoted to the cause of anarchy and Greek supremacy.
3. FACTS is a flock of flag-wavers stamping their feet in marching time on a platform of outraged innocence.
This is not to say that the ASC, Pach, and FACTS are what they should be.
Rather it is to suggest that be they bad, good, or indifferent, they couldn't possibly stay as they are if the student body created a climate of intelligent interest and participation. This would remind campus politicians that the folks at the grass roots are watching and on occasion do care about what goes on.
And they should care. The ASC, though few realize it, can be a powerful organization. It has powers granted to it that give students quite a lot of say-so on things that affect them.
This is why it is hard to understand the prevailing I-don't-careism. The University has very coyly placed the right of students to govern themselves over by the side of the highway. So far, a handful of the passers-by have stopped to look the thing over.
By now that small group is having somewhat of a picnic with what nobody else seems to care for.
When viewing student government, keep in mind that if you don't like it, your reaction shouldn't be "Gee, that stinks!" but rather, "Gee, that stinks—what'll we do?"
—Tom Stewart
State Hot Potato—
Proposed Budget Errs on Big Dams
Editor's Note: This is another in a series of interpretative editorials on the issue of flood control in Kansas. Previous editorials have outlined the issues and factions. This editorial presents background on the Turtle River in Big Blue River and introduces the view-ers' river action favoring the construction of big dams. The letters column will be open to any views of readers.
The Tuttle Creek flood control project was first authorized by Congress 15 years ago. Since then, the Kaw valley suffered its most disastrous flood in recorded history.
But that was 1951, almost two years ago. And people soon forget. Congress had appropriated $5 million for this fiscal year to begin construction on Tuttle Creek dam. The project is under construction with men working 16 hours a day, six days a week.
President Truman's ghost budget recommended $15 1/2 million for the next fiscal year for continued construction. The proposed Eisenhower budget has ignored the appropriation. On May 11 the House Appropriations committee will conduct hearings for its recommendation to the House.
With the current mania to cut spending regardless of the consequences, chances are the Tuttle Creek project will sit until the rampaging Blue again swells the Kaw and ruins the townspeople and farmers in the Kaw valley. This may not happen; yet, it may.
The possibility that it may happen again is more likely than opponents of the reservoir construction would lead us to believe.
During the 50-year period 1903-53, the Kansas river at Manhattan exceeded flood stage 20 times. The Big Blue contributed to every one of these floods and a substantial part of the flow below Manhattan originated from Blue river in 10 of the floods.
The Tuttle Creek project has been objected to all along by residents of the Blue Valley who would be obliged to sell their property to the government at a fair price and move within a year's time or face condemnation proceedings.
Construction of dams in the past indicates that only a very small (but very loud) percentage of the people wait for condemnation, most of them readily accepting the government price.
The first major reversal of Tuttle Creek was the report, commonly known as the "Arn Report," compiled by three disinterested engineers.
These men made a perfunctory survey of the Kaw valley flood problem. Their recommendations to abandon the reservoir in favor of a small levee system along the Kaw at its more populated points led the Kansas Legislature to request Congress to hold back appropriations for Tuttle Creek pending further study.
The Army Corps of Engineers have been studying the problem for 20 years and one would assume this is enough time for study and a better time for action.
With no flood threat in sight, there is a strange apathy among Kaw Valley people compared to the vehement lobbying done by Blue River folk who see a more immediate danger to their homes.
Unless the construction of Tuttle Creek is continued to completion, the citizens in the lowlands of the Kaw stand feebly as certain targets of waters that will wash them to ruin.
The threat to the Kaw valley is as great as ever. The 50-year flood history of the valley shows no promise of changing its awful pattern.
South African Tinder Box May Explode at Any Time
The Boer war, fought more than 50 years ago, came back into prominence at the April 15 elections in the Union of South Africa—but with a different result.
—Chuck Zuegner
This time the Boer farmers won, and Prime Minister Daniel F. Malan and his Nationalist party were returned to power stronger than ever, gaining 94 seats in the 159-member House of Assembly instead of the previous 86. The opposition United party won the majority of votes, 652,680 to 646,276, but it lost seats because its votes were concentrated in the cities.
To Malan, this election, which basically amounted to a showdown of political ideas between British settlers and the Boers, was an evident mandate to continue his plan of giving South Africa a government dedicated not only to keeping the large African and colored population under control, but of breaking
For many years Malan has been credited with favoring secession from the British Commonwealth, and when he told a victory meeting of his followers that their country is destined to become an independent republic soon, he let no cat out of the bag.
away from the Commonwealth whenever the time is ride.
But their hopes were dashed as South Africa rejected the "middle way" so recently adopted by the neighboring Rhodesians for the
The Nationalist victory came as a blow to Africans, Indians, and coloreds who had remained quiet during the campaign in order not to jeopardize the United party's chances.
University of Kansas Student Newspaper
News Room KU 251 Ad Room KU 376
sant subscription rates: $3 a semester or $4.50 a year (add 1$ a semester if in Lawrence). Published in Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays. University holidays include spring and summer; second class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence, Kan., Post Office under act of March 3, 1879.
proposed South African Federation.
—Gladys Henry
In the first shock of results, non-white leaders have remained silent. But the government is prepared-and-waiting with laws permitting it to declare martial law and suspend civil rights if the feared race hatred breaks out.
Little Man on Campus by Dick Bibler
"I got an "F" in his lecture course but at the same time he gave me an "A" on my knitting."
Short Ones
John L. Lewis has come out for an end to all labor legislation which reminds us of the old adage, "You can please some of the people. . . ."
- * *
Cheers to the University official who conceived the idea of holding enrollment in the Union. There's never a time when that cup of coffee is needed more.
- * *
Understand theater-in-the-round was a simple project for one coed who has been going around in circles for some time.
Do you think anyone will ever dare write a sequel to "How I Is That You Know What and Where?"
Pakistan, in a serious financial crisis, has been nominated as the neutral nation to handle repatriated prisoners of war. Looks like a chance for the Pakistani to pick up some side money.
The recently-crowned "Miss Universe" has married a Philippine millionaire. But Uncle Sam is still supporting her family.
Ex-President Truman has returned from his Hawaiian vacation, probably well-fortified with coconuts to throw at the Republicans.
Will Diet Smith run into Chancellor Murphy in Switzerland?
POGO
Me keep quiet!?
This constitution
also guarantees
my right to speak
up--Right there,
you usurper!
SURF, PAL,
SURE...
BUT, GOSH
DEAC' BOY,
NO SET OF
RULES CAN
DO ONE
THING UP.
THING, PAL.
IT CAN'T GUARANTEE WHAT
WILL HAPPEN AFTER A GUY
SPEAKS UP...YOU BEEN
SPEAKIN UP GOOD, DEAC, BUT
GOSH, FELLA, IT DON'T PAY TO
TINKER FOREVER WITH CHANGE
HA WA LICE THE FELLA SANG