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University Daily Kansan Tuesday, Dec. 18, 1951
Daily Kansan Editorials
The Present Significance Of H. H. Bliss
H. H. Bliss was no doubt entirely unaware of the trend he was starting way back in September of 1889 when he helped an elderly woman off a New York trolley car. For, you see, as he reached for her hand, one of those new-fangled "gas-buggies" came along and killed Mr. Bliss.
It must have created quite a stir in the New York newspapers of that day. It was indeed a historic event. For it heralded the first of what will soon be more than one million traffic deaths.
Probably, though, the papers couldn't foresee this. No doubt many of them considered it a freak accident. And in treating it as such, it was soon forgotten.
But as the gas-buggies increased in number, size, and power thoughtful people began to sit up and take notice. The H. H. Bliss's became increasingly frequent. By the roaring '20's the roaring automobiles had already claimed several thousands of lives.
And that roar has steadily increased until today the figure stands at a known 998,000. The seven decimal mark is now within easy reach of all the drunk or amateur or careless or smart-alce or reckless drivers who will menace the highways leading home to Christmas vacation.
The National Safety council predicts that the million mark will be topped within the next two weeks. Their figures are based on the traffic fatality trend so far in 1951.
One million is a rather fascinating figure. It's
so big that most of us are unable to grasp its true significance. We know that in money it can buy a lot of things. But can we estimate the sorrow it brings when mesaured in human lives?
World War II, the most death-dealing episode in the history of the world, could not claim 126,.000 American lives. That is no where close to a million. But can you estimate the sorrow it caused?
H. H. Bliss is a sort of symbol, though a rather ironic one. He stands at the head of a never-ending list of victims of a machine designed for the betterment of mankind. If that gas-buggy of 1889 ever backfired, it was truly the "shot heard 'round the world." We'll never hear the end of it. A.G.M.
Short Ones
More and more income tax collectors are resigning due to ill health. First noticeable symptom is a swelling of the bank account.
A Kansas City fire prevention leader has proposed shaving off the traditional Santa Claus whiskers. Next thing you know, McCarthy will start a campaign to make the old boy change the color of his suit on the grounds that the youth of the nation might inherit Communist leanings from him.
Letters To The Editor
Greek Change Was Forced, Reader Says
Dear Editor:
In a recent editorial about racial discrimination among American college fraternal groups, one of the quoted statements read: "These four Greek letter societies insisted that the word 'fraternity' meant 'brotherhood,' and that brotherhood is the basis of democracy. They wanted to put the real meaning of 'brotherhood' into daily practice."
The editorial goes on to say that these are not the first organized groups that are dissatisfied with rules that are outdated. It further adds that these groups defied their
This quotation is speaking of four national fraternities at the University of Connecticut who severed their national affiliations because of disputes over racial discrimination.
My Mistake
Dear Editor:
There were several factual errors in my review of the University chorus last week which I wish to correct.
The microphones in front of the chorus were not used for public address, as I stated. Instead they were microphones for recording purposes and for radio station KFKU.
Furthermore, I said that there were only seven tenors, which was false. Mr Krehbiel had a number of the girls singing tenor, which boosted the volume considerably, causing this writer to think that it was being helped by a "milke."
The rest of the writeup, although lacking flattery, was honest. Don't be misled. The concert was very good.
I see I'll have to learn not to take a student's word for things.
Jim Powers Graduate Student
Mail subscription: $ a semester, $4.50 a year, (in Lawrence) add $ 0.10 a semester postage). Published in Lawrence, Kans. every afternoon during the University days except Saturdays and Sunday examination periods entered as second class matter Sept. 17, 910, at the Post Office at Lawrence, Kans., under act of March 3, 1879.
national headquarters in making the schism.
These facts are not true. Not a one of the four groups voluntarily severed their national affiliations: they were forced to by a ruling of the University of Connecticut that required any fraternity with a racial restriction in its national constitution to abolish that clause or disband.
All four groups fought this move and when they were unsuccessful, they reverted to a local status with no racial clause in their local constitution.
At the present time they are working with the national associations
with which they were formerly connected, on a project that will bring the ruling into court to try its legality. I'm afraid that the writer you quoted was going too far when he counted these groups on his side of the fence.
You can consider the complaint lodged against the writer and not you as you had no way of checking on his article. My congratulations on your move to bring this subject into discussion at the University of Kansas. It is an important question of our time and worthy of consideration by the student body.
Sam Moore Business Senior
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News From Other Campuses
Professor Records Wiggles
An Oklahoma university professor has invented an electrical "wiggle meter" that records how much fidgeting goes on during class. Wifers are strung along on the backs of chairs, and every time a student yawns or wiggle, the impulse is recorded on the graph.
Tachistoscope Is Installed
A tachistoscope, a mechanical device which flashes a series of digits or a phrase upon a screen in one-thousandth of a second has been installed in the English department at Oregon State college. Purpose of the machine is to increase reading speed and comprehension.
A poll of University of Arkansas students concerning the lottery system in getting football tickets showed that most students are in favor of continuing the method. Most of the students felt that they stood a better chance of getting seats under the system.
Hold Lottery For Seats
Helping Hand To Santa Claus
Students at the University of California at Los Angeles are donating toys to be repaired and given to underprivileged children. Campus or
organizations form workshops and repair the toys before they are distributed.
Blood Challenge Given
The University of Idaho has offered Oregon State college a challenge for their coming blood drive. Idaho collected 1,014 pints of blood in their recent campaign.
Students Elect Santa Claus
Watch Repair
University of California students are sponsoring a "pick Santa Claus" contest to raise funds for a Christmas turkey dinner for 90 underprivileged children. The candidate elected Santa Claus will distribute presents to the children.
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