Page 2 University Daily Kansan Thursday, March 26. 19532
One Woman's OPINION
By ROZANNE ATKINS
Recent pictures in the Daily Kansan comparing the number of students who attended convocation and the number that went to the Union for coffee present an interesting problem.
Why do students go to the Union, sleep an hour later, or just stand around talking to each other instead of taking the opportunity to hear talented and learned men speak?
Probably the main reason is that even though the speakers are talented and have a vital message that students could profit from, most of them are unspeakably dull.
Speakers are sometimes dull because they simply are not speakers and cannot hold the audience. Sometimes the speeches are dull because they are limited in scope. They are not general enough to hold a large audience.
The last reason for the small crowd in Hoch is one often found in almost every society—indolence of a certain percentage of the people. Just as a certain number of citizens do not vote, do not read the newspapers, or do not take an interest in present-day problems, a maximum of statutes, or an aware of the history being made right now. Many do not see the significance of the days and care less.
A second reason why students play hookie from convocation is that they feel the need for leisure. After sitting in the classroom anyway from four to eight hours a day being lectured at and pressed upon by new thoughts and situations, it is natural for the student to want to get away from it. If convocations were more varied and presented a program that students could enjoy and relax through, more students would attend.
The only way to improve the problem is for the University to offer a more varied program, and the student to take it upon himself to make the best of his opportunities.
One suggestion is that the convocations do not feature a speaker every time. Demonstrations in science, musical artists, and more student programs could make convocations better. Those students who did hear the debate at the convocation last week went away wondering why there weren't more things like this at convocations.
Students miss many activities they would like to attend so they make a choice. Often three or four things will be scheduled one night. In choosing which to attend you can bet they choose the one that provides the most recreation.
As students we must realize that even though we often would prefer coffee and leisure to some cultural programs, we are cheating ourselves and failing to live up to our charge that the time puts upon us.
Daily Hansan
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Mail subscription rates; $3 a semester or 4 a quarter. Mail of any amount to Lawrence). Published in University, Kan, every afternoon during the University year. Attendance required for holidays and examination periods0. Entered second class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at Lawrence. Post Office under act at March 8, 1912.
of March 3, 1879.
Kansas Road Boosters Want State in Network
Supporters of the proposed Kansas turnpike are worriedly biting their fingernails as members of the state legislature ponder the fate of a Kansas Turnpike authority. As boosters of the measure, they insist that a national network of toll superhighways is rapidly taking shape and that if Kansas is to be included in the national web she must act now.
The reason for their anxiety lies in the very real possibility that this state may be bypassed by a linkage of superhighways from Chicago to St. Louis and then straight southwest to Joplin, Mo., continuing in a straight line to Oklahoma City.
Kansas superhighway partisans want the road to come straight down from Chicago to Kansas City. But in order for this proposal to stand a chance, this state would have to express a willingness to carry the highway through this state to the Oklahoma border.
The Oklahoma governor has outlined a triangle deal—with highways extending westward from St. Louis to Kansas City and southwestward from St. Louis to Tulsa. From Tulsa the highway would go into Oklahoma City, where it would be met by the stretch coming down from Kansas City through Wichita and entering Oklahoma City from the north.
Adding weight to this proposal is the fact that a turnpike between Tulsa and Oklahoma City is under construction and will be in service soon. And the Missouri state legislature is studying the routes proposed through that state.
Critics are pointing out, however, that the existing highways between Kansas City and St. Louis are in fine shape. They feel a new road, even a super one, would only be a waste of time and money.
But boosters come back with the argument that if this state will go ahead and build the superhighway from Kansas City to Wichita and out to the Oklahoma border, this will induce eastern turnpike linkage at those points—insuring Kansas toll benefits on cross-country traffic.
Meanwhile, small filling station, motel, and restaurant owners along present highway systems stand in line with their protests. Property along the right of way on superhighways in the east has been leased out to big chain outfits—and they foresee the same fate here. This problem may be met in Kansas by a proposed amendment which would prohibit one chain from having all the concessions.
Truck traffic on the turnpike is not receiving much publicity and this seems to stem from the undesirability of such vehicles on the highway. This need not be—since the problem has been successfully handled on other superhighways by toll charges that more than compensate for the extra wear and tear caused by the heavier truck loads.
Studies of turnpikes in other sections of the U.S., notably along the Pennsylvania turnpike, indicate that traffic and revenue run far ahead of estimates—and the accident rate is below average. Chances are that traffic conditions prevailing on eastern toll roads would not necessarily follow in Kansas, but the road would attract out-of-state traffic. Tourists would love it—if only as a quick route through the state.
--Don Sarten
GOP Forgets Promises On Alaska Statehood
Back in the unforgotten days when the Republicans were striving to oust the Democrats from power, the Republican platform promised statehood for both Hawaii and Alaska—a promise which is rapidly falling to pieces.
While it seems assured that Hawaii will become the 49th state, the fate of Alaska does not seem so bright.
Three Senate bills and five House bills have been introduced into the 83rd Congress that would provide statehood for Alaska. But the number of these which will receive hearings and favorable votes from this body is small indeed.
The approval of both the House of Representatives and the Senate is necessary for statehood for these two territories, and for the past 15 years congressional committees have been investigating the possibilities. In that time Hawaii has been given the blessings of the House three times in 1947, 1950, 1953 and Alaska once, in 1950. The Senate has always ignored or shoved aside the issue.
The argument given presently in the Capitol against Alaska—that of its economical unfitness—is only a cover-up for the Republicans' ungrounded fear of the lessening of their slim majority in the Senate.
While it is true that Alaska is traditionally Democratic, and that its one voteless delegate to the House of Representatives is a Democrat, the Alaskan voters last year elected 11 Republicans and 5 Democrats to their territorial Senate, and 20 Republicans and 4 Democrats to their territorial House. So Alaska appears to be predominantly GOP, and the Republicans' fear unfounded.
Even if the two senators and one or more House representatives allowed Alaska on her admission to the states should be Democrats, the same number allowed Hawaii without doubt will, be Republicans, thus evening up the balance.
Alaska, separated from Russia by only the narrow Bering strait, is a strategic stronghold for the allies. During World War II the military constructed air bases and radar stations in several places to guard against any threat of Soviet attacks.
Admitting Alaska to the United States would add considerably to the security of the country.
It is America's last frontier, with a 1950 census count of 128,643. It is reported to have richer resources than all Scandinavia, and arctic experts believe it easily could support a population of a million. Lack of statehood is frustrating Alaska's resource development, and depriving her of the strong domestic economy needed to support our military defense there.
For these economic reasons, for the well-being of our country, and for the faith of the electorate who supported this platform in the election, the Republican administration needs to be reminded of its campaign commitments and the right of the people to expect the government to keep good faith. —Gladys Henry
Short Ones
For those who purport that television will eventually put radio out of business, it will be interesting to note that last year in New York, where eight TV channels are available, more money was spent on radio receivers than ever before.
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There's no doubt in the Lloyd Brooks household in Waterville, Me., as to who wears the pants in the family. The Brooks's are the proud parents of 13 children—all girls. With only one member in pants, how could you miss?
The two surest signs of spring we know both made their appearance on campus—students lounging on the grass in front of Strong hall, and the baseball team which works out just south of the Stadium each afternoon.
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What's the younger generation coming to, might well be the question asked by Joseph Ogurcak, Milwaukee. Mr. Ogurcak's 11-year-old son Larry, became the operations chief of station W8UBY last week after the results of a general class examination were announced. Larry, the fifth grade half of a father-son team, passed the test and received a GC operator's license.
Father Joseph flunked.
On L. P and 45's "I Love Melvin"
an M.G.M. RECORD ALBUM
Bell's
925 Mass.