PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1950
The Editorial Page-
Nightshirt Parade
Nightshirt parades aren't new. We had one in 1902.
When an enthusiastic mob of Jayhawkers returned to Lawrence 48 years ago after the first football victory of the season, they gathered before the residence of Chancellor Frank Strong. The chancellor had already retired but, upon the insistence of students, he appeared on the balcony in his night clothes.
Delighted with the chancellor's spirit, the noisy rooters donned night shirts and paraded from the Hill down through the streets of Lawrence. Thus, a new tradition was begun. In 1004, a snake dance supposedly borrowed from the University of Missouri was added to the celebration.
Originally, the annual nightshirt parade was held after the season's first victory, later it was changed to follow the first game win or lose, and now the event is scheduled after the first home conference game. The exclusion of women students from the gay festivities ended with World War II, when co-eds were invited to don bluejeans and join the paraders.
Wishing to revive lagging enthusiasm in the fashionable parade of freshmen in "evening clothes," this year's planning committee has decided to make the occasion an all school affair as it was many years ago. Every student in the University is invited and urged to take part in the display of pep which has become a lasting tradition.
Until a student has attended one of K.U.'s all-school affairs in which everyone is a participant rather than a spectator, he will not realize it is the tie which binds. Otherwise, he may continue attending classes for eight semesters without ever feeling like more than a name in the roll books or a number on the seating chart.
Never toop proud to be part of the crowd, the dean of men and dean of women will be clad in nightshirts and riding in an open convertible through the parade. The athletic director, main speaker for the bonfire rally in South park, will recall his days as a student marching in the once uproarious nightshirt parade.
Paraders whose endurance lasts through the snake dance to Robinson park will be served refreshments by the junior chamber of commerce. Theaters have scheduled special features for University students, and downtown merchants will open their doors to the public for the evening.
With the administration. All Student Council, Jay Janes, KuKu's University Marching band, and the Lawrence businessmen as promotion agencies it would be difficult to find a better guarantee for having a good time in a short time.
Chinese Squeeze
An old Chinese custom—called the 'squeeze'—allows any man to keep a certain percentage of the money which passes through his hands. So long as he doesn't keep too much, he is considered an honest man.
During World War II, multitudinous hands reached out in an ingenious system that squeezed the life out of American aid until dismayed Americans cried out that aiding China was like 'pouring money down a rat-hole.'
Few countries are more remote and incomprehensible to average Americans than China. Placid, immobile in times of great crisis, the Chinese character infuriates a more excitable Western world, which does not understand China's timeless philosophy and customs.
Yet it is precisely these age-old, unchanging customs that may prove to be the diplomatic salvation of the anti-Communist countries. The Chinese characteristic of hating foreign rule and interference (xenophobia) may assert itself if time exposes the Moscow leadership of the Communist rulers. China, some two hundred years late in the industrial revolution and social reforms, has grasped at Communism on the assumption that land reforms will solve its troubles.
Communist policy and propaganda have been directed toward the agricultural peasant class who comprise 85 per cent of the population. While this policy has been effectual in winning the support of the Chinese people, it does not offer a solution to the basic problem in China.
The problem is this: China must progress industrially to remain alive. To do this she must have technological aid—both machines and brains. Here is the paradox of an avowed cooperative government needing the assistance of the industrial capitalistic class in China and the Western world. The Communist countries will be unable to supply this aid in sufficient quantity for many years, if ever. Witness the Soviet stripping of Japanese factories in Manchuria which caused immeasurable damage to Chinese economy. South China is poor in many essential resources, especially coal and iron.
It is safe to assume that the Communists will necessarily have to compromise with the industrial class in China and seek aid from the Western world if they hope to remain in power. Our state department must wait calmly and unaffected by the hysterical utterances of its detractors for that psychological moment when the Chinese Communists wake up to this fact.
Then the state department will be able to use its strongest weapon—our assistance. But before we extend our aid, we must play an old Chinese game called 'squeeze'—and squeeze Russian influence right out of China. Edward J. Chapin.
Restaurants Raked Over The Coals
Dear Editor,
It is a question as to whether or not our eating places on the campus are getting the proper sanitation inspections. If they are not, it is not the proprietor's fault as much as the city and state health board's. Are there really "tomain domains" on campus? Who knows?
PAT READ
INDIAN TRADER
The state health board has the responsibility of inspecting the student union. They have not been around as yet. The city health board is supposed to inspect the privately owned eating places. They have not been around, as yet. What will it take, an epidemic? When they do get around to investigating the matter, which was three or four times last year, it would be a good idea to rate the eating places, A, B, and C. This would at least let a person know what his chances of survival are.
The inspections by the city are impromptu, with the health inspector investigating the cleanliness of such matters as fresh vegetables, stove, refrigerator, steam table, dishes, fountain, etc. Everything is checked but no bacteria tests are run. If everything is in order after twenty minutes of strenuous scrutinizing and no bacilli are spotted, the matter is considered closed. Enough said, but think about it next time you bite into a juicy hamburger.
M. Robert Hughes (College junior).
ACROSS FROM THE COURT HOUSE
Sterling Silver Jewelry FROM THE INDIAN RESERVATIONS
MEET AT THE "HAWK"
Complete Meals Served Right Up To Game Time.
OPEN AFTER THE GAME.
SAVE 10% BY BUYING A MEAL TICKET
—JUST THINK—
A 70c Meal on a Meal Ticket Costs Only 63c
JAYHAWK CAFE
14th & Ohio
CLIFF
PAUL
Put Pep In The Pocket Book—Put KANSAN Classifieds On The Job.
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