PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 23,1950
The Editorial Page-
Editor's Note: The Kansan's policy regarding politics has been and still is one of impartiality. The following editorials are printed only as the individual opinions of two students. They should not be considered representative of the Kansan's viewpoint.
Cold-Fish In Kansas
The present political campaign in Kansas is about as exciting as Monday's menu at a fraternity house. Not only is it difficult to find out just what are the main issues, but once defined, they are hardly worthy of the term.
What have the Democrats to offer Kansas voters enticing enough to get them out to vote in November? Well, the Democrats say, we'll soak the rich-oil boys with a severance tax and also provide free text books in public schools. Groping blindly at the bottom of the barrel, they promise to put the veteran's bonus issue "before the voters." Both of these issues have about as much political sex appeal as Whistler's mother alongside the Petty girl.
Kenneth Anderson—a worthy, serious novice in politics—is making a poor impression on prospective voters throughout the state with his inability to make a speech. Under a curious ruling by the state supreme court, Kansas newspapers are allowed to call candidates any vile name that happens to pop into the editors' mind, without being responsible for libel. Mr. Anderson has literally had the book thrown at him by the Republican press.
Mr. Anderson's insistence on making the severance tax the main issue of his campaign has given the impression that he knows little about anything else. The Kansas press has completed the picture by making him seem ridiculous on that point. Actually, the Democratic candidate for governor displayed a very thorough knowledge of the state tax set-up in his debate with Thomas Orr, secretary of an oil association, in El Dorado.
Paul Aiken, Democratic senatorial hopeful, is carefully backing President Truman's "fair deal" right down to the last comma. Even this coat-tail stand will win more votes than Mr. Anderson's unimaginative approach.
All this leads us to believe that Kansas Democrats are a special breed—a sort of Cold-fish variety. Nor, do the Republicans warm us up to any greater degree. So far, their ringing prose (outside of the nasty little comments about Mr. Anderson) seem to boil down to: "we will continue with our plans for the future, etc."
What are the forgotten issues that have been locked away so carefully that they don't even rattle? What about the 1940 reapportionment of representatives which deprived Kansas voters of equal representation? This crime (Gerrymandering, political apologists squeamishly call it) was perpetrated by the Republican as a way to stay in power. By shifting Democratic counties to heavy Republican districts, the neat little trick of neutralizing the Democratic vote was accomplished.
The Loyalty Oath farce is another could-be, red-hot issue that well might burn a few political houses. Gigantic, long-range plans dreamed up by the Republicans—some have been started in a widely advertised minute stage—are certainly open to doubt as to their eventual completion or even the seriousness with which they were devised.
What about the Kansas farmer? How much longer will he live under the ambivalent illusion of co-operative individualism? Have the Democrats nothing to say to him "partly, we are for the Brannan plan and partly, we are against it?"
If the defeat of Thomas Dewey clearly demonstrated anything in 1948, it was the value of taking a stand on issues that count. Democratic candidates, if they seriously hope to swing that 10 per cent Republican vote advantage, will have to start frying their fish over hotter fires.
Ed Chapin.
Republican Upset
Kansas Republicans may be in for the surprise of their lives. With only three weeks until the general election, candidates Ed Arn and Frank Carlson already are smiling about their new offices. But they, and the rest of the Republicans, could be heading into one of the biggest upsets in the history of the party.
The dwindling number of voters in recent elections, along with over-confidence of the Republican party, could be factors which would stun the Kansas G.O.P.'s.
Eighteen months ago a Democrat was elected to the office of mayor of Lawrence. This was the first time in 40 years that a man running on the Democratic ticket had been elected to head this traditionally Republican stronghold. The same sense of secureness and lack of interest in voting which gave Lawrence its first Democrat mayor in a generation, could be a dress rehearsal of what is to happen in Kansas when the general election comes up in November.
It happened in good old Republican Lawrence last year—and it might happen in Kansas this year. Dolph Simons
Dolph Simons.
Almighty Dollars
I have been watching with keen interest the onward rush of Communism since September 1945, a movement pushed on by the direct commands of Moscow. One has only to see pictures of the Red Chinese army in the field, prior to the fall of China, to wonder where they have purchased all the American military equipment.
For many years great munition makers have been filling their pockets full of gold at the expense of the souls of nations, while oddly enough they have preached "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR."
Dear Editor:
Prior to our entering World War II, men in this country were selling scrap iron, oil and the other materials of war to Japan, knowing that it would eventually be used against us. Why? So they could make the almighty dollar. What was the end? Thousands of young Americans gave their lives so that these men could hold on to their ill gotten gains.
Men are giving up their lives on the battle fields of Korea, and yet while these men are dying the same malign plotters are again at their bloody business of selling and trading with the enemy. Has our moral code sunk so low as to hold the value of a dollar bill far above that of a human life?
In my opinion, the international munition makers and bankers, acting as the Judas goat, are leading the American people (the sheep) into slaughter while filling their pockets full of gold. Is life really that cheap?
Edward Lewis Plant College Sophomore
Realey Really Good
The poor old "open-minded" pinks are crying again. The embittered defenders of the "World in Crisis" course have been flustered by an earthshaking letter of a college senor who evidently doesn't care for the course. They have unleashed their literal onslaught for several successive days. They have headed their attack with such statements as "Why don't you fly south with the Geese, sir?", "Why don't you jump in the lake, sir?", "Why do you condemn the course, sir?" and "You, sir, must be an Eagle writer."
Dear Editor,
The answer to the first question is obvious. The College senior is evidently interested in hearing both sides of the story which is generally the way to approach truth. Besides he has no wings (I trust).
The second question is easily answered. It would be dangerous to jump in the lake; some hidden "Upstream" writer might try to keep his head submerged.
Why does he condemn the course?
If one would bother to look at his letter of Oct. 10, it would be quite clear. He objected to:
1. A view on the part of all speakers for the admission of Red China.
2. Saricks' analysis of Russia's knightly actions in prewar Europe—which, he alleged, did not conform to the facts. His complete omission of Russian aid to the Spanish Reds in the Civil War.
3. Doris Fleeson's inconsistency in attacking "character assassina proceeding to do her own "assassinations" of Bricker, Jenner, and George.
Nobody has attempted to refute them.
As to the implication that the College senior sounded like one of those dastardly "Eagle" writers, it seems a strange coincidence that the author of the implication was instrumental in applying a gag to the Eagle last year in his capacity on the A.S.C.
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News Room Adv. Room K.U. 251 K.U. 376 Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Member of the Kansas Press Assn. National Editorial Assn., Inland Daily Press Assn., and the Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by the National Advertising Service, 420 Madison Ave., New York City.
Editor-in-Chief
Doris Greenbank
Managing Editor Business Manager
John Hill Forrest Bellus
The sum and substance of all the arguments is about as substantial as a cigaret ash.
I am of the firm opinion that Professor Realey's factual and realistic talk on Tuesday has changed that college senior's opinion of the course in general; at least it has changed this college senior's opinion. Professor Realey's one talk so far outweighed the previous four that I find the two sides to the story are now fully represented. One home run and four strike-outs in five times at bat is about average in most leagues.
Another College Senior (Name withheld by request)
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