University Daily Kansan
Whale Once Cavorted In Potter's Briny Deep
By CHARLES BURCH
Potter lake, KU's version of Cornell's beautiful Cayuga, was originally designed to serve as a source of water in case of fire on the campus.
The work was completed almost 42 years ago, in March of 1911, and the spring thaws, assisted by city water mains, soon turned the valley into a lake. However, it wasn't long before the two-acre body of water was turned into a place for various aquatic activities including canoe paddling and swimming.
A legend grew up about the lake almost before it was dedicated as several persons supposedly saw a whale lying in its midst. This occurred during the dedication ceremonies which were held during commencement week in June, 1911.
The traditional regatta, usually held on the Kaw river, was transferred to the new body of water that year. It was during these exciting activities that the huge mammal was reportedly spotted.
T. M. Potter, a state senator after whom the lake was named, and hundreds of others were watching canoe races and swimming and diving contests when the whale was "seen" spouting water in the middle of the lake. But as students bravely paddled out toward him he disappeared in the murky depths of the lake never to be seen again.
The placid lake has been the scene of tragedy as well as happiness and sometimes romance. The lake's first victim drowned later that same year when a group of engineering students took a dip on their way home from a party.
"Across the Years on Mount Oread," a book by Robert Taft, professor reveals that six other students have reportedly drowned in Potter.
The mishaps, together with the lake's popularity with swimmers, prompted its further development from a "swimming hole" to a semi-modern swimming pool, complete with life guards.
Spring boards, a diving tower, a pier and bath houses were built. Cementing the lake bottom also was proposed but was never done.
For three years the lake was the scene of much campus activity, with summer swimming and winter ice skating. However, with construction of a municipal swimming pool in Lawrence in 1927 the lake lost much of its appeal.
All of the diving boards and other aquatic equipment have long since been removed, but the body of water still remains a quiet, scenic spot nestled between the World War II Memorial campanile to the east and the row or organized houses to the west.
Potter no longer attracts many swimmers, at least not voluntarily, but biology classes, ice skaters, and couples still seem to be attracted to it almost the year around. Perhaps they're hoping to get a glimpse of the legendary whale.
Bennett Heads Young GOP
Roy Bennett Jr., second year law student, was elected chairman of the Young Republicans club at a meeting last night. Other officers are Jim Barron, college sophomore, vice chairman; Barbara Logan, college junior, secretary, and Lewis Leonard, business junior, treasurer.
Two Receive Rotary Award
Two students have been awarded Rotary Foundation fellowships for graduate study in England during the 1953-54 school year.
They are Miss Jerry Ann Trible, college senior, and James Edward Taylor Jr., business senior.
Sponsored by Rotary International, the awards were made by a committee of Rotarians from Bermuda, England, and the U.S. They are two of 95 fellowships granted to graduate students of 30 countries.
Miss Trible will do graduate work in history at the University of Manchester, and Taylor will study economics at Oxford university.
These fellowships are designed to promote international understanding, good will, and peace.
Professor's Book Published Today
"Artists and Illustrators of the Old West," a book of paintings and biographies of western artists, by Dr. Robert Taft, professor of chemistry, will be published Monday by Charles Scribners Sons.
The book, the author's fourth,
covers the years of 1850 to 1900 and
all of the territory west of the
Mississippi. It is a companion volume
to his "Photography and the American Scene," printed in 1938.
The new work is based on a series of articles Prof. Taft had printed in the Kansas Historical Quarterly since 1946. This compilation of biographies and pictures represents 20 years of work done by Prof. Taft in his spare time.
Prof. Taft, aside from his chemistry teaching, is president of the Kansas Historical society, chairman of Gov. Arnold's 12-man board to plan the 1954 centennial Kansas territory celebration, and is editor of the quarterly, Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science.
Council to Provide Foreign Papers
Foreign students will soon be able to read newspapers in their own languages. The Student Council has appropriated money to the International club to pay postage on foreign papers.
Papers in Spanish, French, and German will be available either in the music room of the Student Union or in the William Allen White Memorial reading room in the Journalism building.
The papers should also be of interest to members of language clubs, said Geoffrey Weston, special graduate student from England, who is working out the details with Cyrus Samii, of Prussia, president of the International club.
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Forms for Draft Test Available
Applications for the Selective Service college qualification test to be given Thursday, April 23, are available now at the registrar's office, 122 Strong hall.
Deadline for applications is March 9, Registrar James K. Hitt said. Applicants must be Selective Service registrants requesting occupational deferment as students.
A student cannot be compelled to take the test, nor is his draft board required to defer him, Mr. Hitt emphasized. However, a student is more likely to be deferred if he has taken the test and if his local draft board has a record of the results, Mr. Hitt said.
"We strongly urge every University man who is registered in Selective Service and who hasn't already taken the test to do so, whether he is enrolled in ROTC cr not," Mr. Hitt said.
Local draft boards can determine partially through studying result of the test, whether the interests o the nation are served best by deferring students, he continued.
Guy McCoy, college sophomore, was elected president of the Pershing Rifles for 1953-54 at a meeting Thursday night.
Pershing Rifles Elects Officers
Other officers chosen were Charles E. Eyman, college sophomore, vice president; James C. Shepler, engineering sophomore, financial secretary; Frank H. Chesky, college sophomore, social chairman; Richard H. Gier, college junior, secretary, and Stanley S. Scott, college sophomore, public relations chairman.
Cadets interested in pledging Pershing Rifles should attend the meeting of Feb. 26. A notice of where this meeting will be held will be posted on the Army ROTC bulletin board.
Plans were made for the Pershing Rifles banquet, and for the regional meeting of the Pershing Rifles at Stillwater. Okla., April 16-17-18.
European Car Tour Offered by CASTE
The tour, organized by Charta Academica Students Travel extension, will last about 60 days including the York to Europe and return trips.
University students will have an opportunity to make a motor-coach our across Europe this summer.
CASTE, a student organization, is working to promote a better understanding among nations.
Political Philosopher Defines Field's Goals
"Political science is a means to an end—political philosophy," he said, "and the two interact on each other."
Confusion in political theory results from the individual's inability to distinguish political science from political philosophy, George C. Catlin. British political philosopher, said Friday.
"Political theorists today must dynamize their theory, not amberly for formal definitions," he said. The key to interpretation of a political idea necessarily is abstract—not for the sake of abstraction but as a way to the concrete, he explained.
Mr. Catlin pointed out three divisions in the study of the social sciences:
1. The eugenic, showing relations between generations.
2. Economic, relations between raw materials.
3. Political, mutual relations of
Quack Club to Give Ballet Feb. 24-26
A water ballet, "Symphony of Moods" will be presented by the members of the Quack club at 8 pm. Feb. 24-26 in Robinson pool.
Each routine will be representative of a mood such as stormy, sleepy, jealous, naughty, childish, frustrated, and reverent. Accompanying music will depict the feeling of the number.
From the 40 club members there will be duets, groups of three, six, eight, twenty, and a solo by Donna Carter, fine arts junior. Diane Walker, college senior, is president of the club and Joan Squires, education junior, is secretary-treasurer.
Men from the varsity swimming team are the featured divers.
Miss Ruth Hoover, associate professor of physical education, is the show sponsor.
Employees, Families Offered Art Courses
University employees and their families may enroll now in adult art classes—a service to the faculty by the School of Fine Arts.
Classes began last week. Enrollment may be made directly with the teacher in each class.
The schedule for classes is; silver-
smithing, 7-10 p.m., Thursday, 312
Strong hall; painting, 7-10 p.m.
Tuesday, 325 Strong hall, and ceramics,
7-10 p.m., Tuesday, 308 Strong
hall.
The classes were arranged by the committee on recreation and health of the American Association of University Professors. Miss Joie Stapleton, associate professor of physical education, is committee chairman.
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"Potentially power is control, but control isn't always a dominant control. Power can came through conquest or through contract," he said.
Mr. Cattil, visiting professor at the University of Kansas City, was a guest of the political science department.
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