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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1
Marvin Arth the editorial page
. . .
Looking Back-
We've had a pretty good year in spite of the Korean war, the draft, losing Chancellor Malott, and the rising cost of living. Overall it hasn't been bad at all.
These are some things we would have like to have happened. For instance: We would have liked to beat Oklahoma when we were leading them 13 to 0 last fall. We would have liked to have won the Big Seven basketball conference, and so on down the line.
But several things did happen this year which have given us heart. We would like to see them prosper. Student government seems momentarily to be progressing. Students are receiving a larger hand in the deciding of their own destiny—The student committee helping to choose a new chancellor, for example. Small things, maybe, but a step in the right direction. We're sure that student government can become something worthwhile and we would like to see it so.
The building program at the University is progressing day by day, and each day we are getting a bigger and better University. And the faculty hasn't been forgotten. The texts started to grade the faculty are an excellent idea, and should do some good.
Student relations with faculty and administration are better than they have been for some time, and we hope this trend will continue. The spontaneous student drive to obtain a lasting portrait of Chancellor Malott—who undoubtedly is responsible for the melioration of the University through the past twelve years—is indication of the student desire to show their appreciation to a great chancellor; we hope the committee is successful.
And there are the distasteful things—the student fee raise, being a case in point. And then there is a long list of things that are perennially distasteful—weather, accidents, and the problems of life that all go to make us a little bit miserable. The gradual decline of freedom of the press—specifically in Argentina, Spain, and college newspapers—has received too little attention from a freedom loving public.
But all and all we think it's been a pretty good year, and several persons have helped to make it so. Harold Benjamin as managing editor has done a splendid job—efficiently and effortlessly—in putting out the University Daily Kansan like it's never been done before. Francis Kelley has brightened up our chores and the editorial page with his popular "galley-west," and Lee Sheppeard and Jack Zimmerman have offered invaluable aid.
And you readers have given us heart by your compliments, your suggestions and your criticisms. We appreciate them all.
So commencement time draws near and we are happy and sad. Happy because we are finishing school and are going to get a chance to try our wings; sad because we don't like leaving wonderful Mt. Oread. It's been a memorable four years—years we'll never forget. That's why we're going to join the alumni association—it's the best way to keep contact with ol' K.U.
And to you students who will carry on. Do the best job you can. Work hard and unashamed and you'll be proud. Proud when you walk down to Memorial Stadium on your commencement night that you'll be glad you came to K.U., glad you're a part of it—and you can hold your head up high.
Little Man On Campus
by Bibler
"Class—it has been brought to my attention that some of you have been using 'crib notes' during my tests."
Letters— That Resolution
To the Editor:
In answer to Mr. Sheppeard's letter criticizing the Socialist Study club's resolution, let us say, for purposes of accuracy as well as brevity of argument, that it was a resolution against the Korean war, not a "declaration against war", as Mr. S. writes. This narrowes the argument considerably. Mr. S. seems to think that American economic aid is a definite positive ideology. But just what was positive about it in Asia? In Korea, the U.S. gave all-out support to Rhee, who was undemocratic and unpopular, as even the reactionary press admits. In China, the U.S. destroyed what ever friendship the Chinese people might have felt for it by furnishing arms to Chiang Kai Shek long after he had been obviously repudiated by them. Thus by supporting the reactionary elements in these countries, it prepared the ground for a war with the noble purpose of "containing Communism". (And what's positive about that?)
The resolution was not merely "anti." In a positive way, it called for support of the "third force" throughout the world, the democratic socialist element which would provide for economic reform, and through planned economy eliminate unemployment without curtailing freedom. Also Socialists have always called for universal military disarmament, the only certain way to prevent future wars.
Helen and Walter Conrad
1036 New Hampshire
(Editor's note: Sheppeard's reply follows):
"For purposes of accuracy" (?), the title at the top of the resolution is "Declaration Against War." And the paragraph to which I objected makes no reference to our mistakes in Asia,but to "the peoples of the world."
The resolution was merely 'anti'.
It confused the U.S., per se, with capitalistic imperialism, and rejected the possibility of social and economic reform within the democratic framework of the U.S.—a form of action I would infinitely prefer to a third "competitor for world domination" led by the sort of true believers, apparently semi-fanatics, who drafted the declaration.
The declaration ended. "AGAINST BOTH IMPERIALIST SOCIAL CAMPS! FOR A SOCIALIST WORLD OF PEACE AND ABUNDANCE!" I think those fit Al Roland's description, in the last issue of Upstream, of slogans that seem "to offer answers to all problems, those we find today inadequate, easy and useless generalizations. Reality, both individual and social, has proved to be much more complex, and its problems have not been solved once and for all by all-solving slogans." And will not be.
Perhaps you read reading before you got to the last paragraph of my letter. At any rate, you certainly missed the point—that the resolution is so filled with scare words and glittering generalities that it cannot possibly represent clear thinking or inspire clear thinking in the reader.
Lee Sheppeard Journalism Senior
University Daily Kansan
Mall subscription; $3 a semester, $4.50 a year, (in law) addence $1.00 a semester postage). Published in Lawrence, Kans. every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays. University course held on Thursday. Entered as second class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at the Post Office at Lawrence, Kans., under act of March 3, 1879.
Socialist Study Club
To the editor:
Mr. Sheaer's letter in the KAN-SAN of May 21st, as his article on Spain in the EAGLE, are examples of the most vicious, cynical and unprincipled libel.
To deal in this short space with his letter only: Mr. Shearer says that "the resolution of the Socialist Study Club was a simple restatement of the intent of the Kremlin-inspired, conspiratorial 'Stockholm Peace Petition'" and, after a fantastic account of what he seems to consider the socialist movement, implies that the club is "Communist under a different name." I leave aside his description of socialist parties. Either Mr. Shearer is very confused or else he is deliberately falsifying. Having been repeatedly in a position to observe his outstanding intelligence and the extent of his information, I tend to assume the latter. To compare a resolution which states in so many words: "Giving the slightest support to Stalinist aids the destruction of democracy, freedom and socialism" to the notorious Stalinist petition, is a sign of intellectual dishonesty. Under normal circumstances it would be sufficient to laugh it off as the product of a sick mind. But today's are not normal circumstances, and sick minds find an uncommonly large audience. It is therefore necessary to reject in all seriousness Mr. Shearer's letter.
The groups that drafted the resolution may identify themselves with the "radical left" and may be Marxists, but, for this very reason, they most energetically oppose the Stalinist parties and their aims. Whereas the Stalinists are only interested in the victory of the Soviet bureaucratic dictatorship, Socialists are vitally interested in its defeat. At the same time Socialists are equally interested in that a similar dictatorship should not arise anywhere else under the pretext of "national emergency," "Red Menace," etc.
Mr. Shearer is a debater, and rather clever, but not quite clever enough. He may think that lack of information and war hysteria will allow him to score with impunity a debater's point against the people he has chosen to smear. We have more confidence than that in the common sense of the student body,
and believe that such procedu will ultimately turn against the originator.
Dan Gallin chairman Socialist
Engineering Group Initiates Seven
Three honorary and four ac members have been initiated Kappa Eta Kappa, professional gingering fraternity.
Bridge Meetings To Continu
The active initiates were My Click, engineering senior; Jar Ashley, Robert Smith, and Ed Wa engineering juniors.
The honorary initiates were W liam Smith, associate professor electrical engineering; Chai Y visiting professor of electrical gineering; and Ronald Hayenga, structurer in electrical engineering
Ashwinikomar H. Doshi, gradu student in engineering, was recent elected president of the 4-No Brid club. Student Union activities a nounced the club will continue meet on Friday nights at the Unthrough the summer.
with
Come in and see our display
MOGGEN WOLF
MOGGER-WOLF
1107 Mass.
For The Summer... Our Best Wishes
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATRONAGE THIS YEAR AND WE ARE ALL LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK AGAIN NEXT FALL
DUCK'S "SEA FOODS OF ALL KINDS" 824 Vt.
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