Page 2 University Daily Kansan Tuesday. Feb 24, 1953
New West Kansas Dust Cycle Seen
The dust storms which again are sweeping across southern and western Kansas must be stopped if the wheat lands of Kansas are to be retained as an asset to our country.
Lack of moisture which has reduced the amount of decayed vegetable matter in the soil, and continuous freezing and thawing have left the topsoil in a powdery form which is raked off the fields in clouds reminiscent of the "black blizzards" of the 1930s.
But even those who remember the "dirty thirties," when onestory houses were covered by dust, telephone and telegraph service disrupted, and traffic halted, cannot realize the increased disaster which will be wrought to our lands if rain does not come soon.
In the past few years Plain dwellers have been through the longest wet cycle since white man discovered the plains, and meteorologists agree that in respect to the peculiar wet and dry cycles of the plains it is apt to be followed by a prolonged dry spell.
The burning of wheat stubble in the fall left the soil dry, loose, and finely pulverized, with not enough clods and crop residue left to prevent wind from starting the particles in motion.
Adding to this already serious situation is the fact that outside capital who know nothing of the climatic conditions of Kansas have overplowed their fields. Areas unfit to be plowed are bare, and there are more areas to be affected by drought now than in the thirties.
Gladys Henry
Much of the wheat planted in western Kansas has been blown away with the soil, and what is left will be so stunted by lack of moisture as to be particularly susceptible to insects, disease, and weed damage.
The importance of proper cultivation and planting of our soil during drought years must be impressed on farmers in the dust bowl area. Otherwise, this topsoil capable of producing amazing yields of grain crops will be blown to the lands neighboring Kansas.
Congress Defies Ike On Income Tax Issue
This was done in spite of President Eisenhower's expressed intention to make no move to cut taxes until he had seen what could be done about balancing the budget.
Mr. Reed said that since taxes was one of the most important issues in the campaign, the Republicans had an obligation to make good their promises to the country. He also said that his committee was so familiar with this matter that no consultation with the Eisenhower administration was needed.
Rep. Daniel A. Reed (R.-N.Y.), chairman of the House Ways and Means committee, has succeeded in getting his committee to approve a bill to cut personal income taxes 10 per cent, effective June 30.
-Bob Nold
Up to this point, the Eisenhower administration has gained favor for its aggressive handling of problems. Now that the Republican congress are taking the play away from Eisenhower, they will be held responsible for the success of this measure, and it had better be successful. They seem to have forgotten that the election was essentially an Eisenhower, not a party, victory.
POGO
In considering a positive policy in the conduct of the Korean war, the Eisenhower administration should keep separate the position of Red China as an aggressor in Korea and as a conqueror in China. As a United Nations agent in charge of directing the struggle in Korea against Communist China's aggression, the United States should keep to that position. The administration should remember that Chiang Kai-shek is primarily interested in fighting the Chinese communists as conquerors of his country.
Viewed from this point, it seems evident that the U.S. can aid Gen. Chiang only as his projects pertain to ending the Korean conflict, as far as American manpower is concerned. As for considering him a leader of non-communist underground resistance, both on the mainland and in Formosa, this would give us further sanction for giving him material aid and technical assistance. The administration is justified under these conditions in contributing military equipment and supplies, as a parallel to the support of French resistance during World War II.
One Woman's OPINION
Despite Gen. Chiang's confidence, his force of some 500,000 men does not constitute an invasion force and its main value is that of a basic guerrilla unit. Formosa could be considered as a supply base and main headquarters for organizing non-communist Chinese resistance. Gen. Chiang needs more gasoline and ammunition to maintain his present operations. For defense purposes alone, his small air force of about 225 planes of questionable quality is not sufficient.
His fleet of about 30 small vessels, largely small destroyers, is not sufficient to carry out any sizable mainland attack or blockade effort. The United States could supply these needed items and remain within its official position.
Blockade of the Chinese mainland by UN forces is being vetoed because of the cost of commitments of men and material which would be required and because of the danger of war in case of interference with Russian ships. Trade with Red China is a vital factor in the struggles for economic independence being made by Japan and other "free" Asiatic countries.
These countries also argue that although 30 per cent of Red China's strategic material is being shipped to them, there is no way of determining how much of this goes into the Korean effort and how much into the industrialization program.
If the U.N. and friendly non-member nations would cooperate in a complete embargo on arms shipments and on vital war materials—such as steel and oil—the effect on the industrialization effort and on the Korean war would be the same. Since an embargo is a more peaceful strategy, the U.S. would find it easier to get support for such a plan. Since it would not restrict all trade, both the free countries and Red China would find it easier to resume trade after the Korean war was ended.
Formosa and the Korean war are only part of the military phase of the long-range task facing the United States. The task is two-fold: educating the world in the political dangers of Communism as a force to be defeated in the political interests of America as a force seeking to work through the UN in assuring human liberty and well-being for all peoples.
A program of ideological warfare for this purpose is being planned. The administration also ought to offer technical and financial assistance in problems of health, education, economics, industrial expansion, agriculture to all free Asiatic countries. In this way America could give tangible proof of her interest in helping these previously underprivileged nations become self-sufficient and self-governing and members of the cooperating world community.
-Mona Millikan
Mail Subscription rates: $3 a semester or $4.50 a year (add $1 a semester in Kenan every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays, University holidays and examination periods). *29 at Lawrence, Kan., Post Office at Lawrence, Kan., Post Office*
Little Man on Campus by Dick Bibler
under act of March 3, 1879.
"Daddy, this is Worthal—— I believe he mentioned he's flunking one of your classes."
-Don Moser
Random Thoughts
Just how good or how bad the Truman administration was is something that only history will be able to tell. Today's critics, depending on what side of the fence they are on, can find much good and much bad about the old administration.
Regardless what side of the fence they are on, most critics agree that one of Harry Truman's greatest faults was his blind allegiance to his friends.
Much of the criticism during the administration was for the work of his friends. The ex-President refused to listen to any adverse criticism of them, and backed them up in all their dealings.
The result was graft and corruption.
Mr. Truman was not the first man in the White House to do this Ex-Presidents Harding and Grant are other good examples. As he was not the first, it is becoming quite evident that Mr. Truman will not be the last, either.
We can't remember the very picturesque phrase that President Eisenhower used during his campaign about grafters, but the impression he gave the people was that if he caught anyone in his organization with even the slightest tinge of graft or corruption or him he would send him flying and fast.
It now seems quite evident that the new Republican National Chairman's feet have sunk knee-deep in corruption yet he has no been sent flying, fast or slow.
Instead of backing the investigation, or calling for a separate investigation, the President has blandly said that he is satisfied with West Roberts' explanation.
It is quite evident to anyone who has followed the case that Mr Roberts is in a rough position. The trouble started when some one found out that he had sold a building to the state on the behalf of the Ancient Order of United Workmen of Kansas. He was not a registered lobbyist at the time he did this, and in the State of Kansas he could be fined $5,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail.
After the investigation got underway the interesting fact that Roberts had sold a building to the state that the state already owed came out.
As Mr. Roberts was retained by the AOUW and he was paid a $11,000 commission, there is little doubt that he was acting as lobbyist, but as an unregistered one.
Now the President might be satisfied with Mr. Roberts' action and might plan to stand by him, but to us this smells of Harry Tru manism.
The Republican party rode into the White House on a platform which literally shouted, "It's Time for a Change." This doesn't seem like much of a change. The Democrats were bounced out to rid the country of a reign of cronies, now it looks like the Republicans are bringing cronies back to power.
It would seem to us the only thing that the President can do after his campaign promises, is to bounce Roberts, and bounce him fast.
$$
* * *
$$
With the Anheuser-Busch Brewing company buying the St. Louis Cards, we wonder if there will be a man behind the ballgame and nouncers this year holding a shotgun in case the announcer slips and says, "What'll you have . . . ?"
$$
...?"
$$
One thing we were kind of interested in concerning that Caitine/George story came out in the papers the other day. We .. that women of the Monroe-Russell-Wilson school will not have worry about their field being invaded by men.