PAGE TEN UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 19 The Editorial Page- Nineteen Forty-Eight "In the 1940's, a minor author of this century, George Orwell, wrote a fantasy concerning the world of this year, 1984. He proposed to show how mankind would become enslaved by the welfare state. Leading conservative periodicals of the day, such as the now defunct Life magazine, seized upon Orwell's book with enthusiasm verging upon mania. He was hailed as a major prophet of the century, and Henry Luce gazed benignly upon him with something approaching veneration and showered money upon him through repeated condemnations and features based on his book "Eighteen Ninety Four." It is perhaps fortunate that Orwell is not alive today in the year bearing the name of his book. His satire was completely incorrect. True, the world is now bound in a sickening shroud of totalitarian rule, and mankind is enslaved as never before, but none of this came about as Orwell had predicted. ... It all began in the state of Kansas in 1948 ... Although in that year the world was split with the struggles of the two leading economic ideologies of the day, capitalism and communism, the people of America had little to fear that their own democracy would ever perish. On the surface, at least, the truths of Jefferson and Lincoln appeared unchallenged from within the country, and personal liberty seemed as safe as ever. But in the fateful year of 1948 the citizens of the inland state of Kansas voted to repeal an ancient law which prohibited the sale of alcoholic beverages in that state. This move came at least 15 years behind similar changes in other states, yet the consciences of the people were so in anguish by their daring step that they felt obliged to enact a number of discriminatory laws against the new liquor businesses. For instance, by state law, the liquor stores were forbidden to sell anything on the premises but liquor. They were not allowed to provide for any entertainment in their establishment—and this included pinball machines. The retailer was forbidden to receive any credit from a wholesaler. His liquor store could not have a door connecting with any other place of business. He could not advertise by handbills or billboards, and he was allowed one sign on his store reading: "Retail Liquor Store"—but only if the letters of the sign did not exceed 4 inches in height. Never in the history of the American republic had a free enterprise been so bound and restricted by the government. It was in this way that fascism, communism, collectivism or whatever you will call it came to America. So successful was the state control of the liquor business that politicians could not resist applying the restrictions to others. Next came the cigarette trade, and then, because it is a semi-luxury, came the automobile business and then the filling stations, grocery stores, chain stores and finally the professions. And that is the story of how the free American people were ensnared in the most reactionary and oppressive dictatorship the world has ever known. If the institutions of government ever again become free, let us never forget how we lost those natural rights in the state of Kansas in the year 1948. The Underground Gazette. 'Small Things' The Eagle, conservative campus publication, asks us to "Stop the Reds!" Obviously a group of disgruntled students whose political science professors passed out a few too many "D's" and "F's." The Eagle also features an open letter to President Truman, and let's hope that it doesn't hurt Harry's feelings too badly. Girls at Smith college are taking a class in precious stones in which they learn to distinguish between the fake and the genuine, and the sophomore wolf demands a course in "polishing glass to simulate the diamond." --lines bringing gas direct from the distant producing fields." Gas Stored In Old Fields Keeps Homes Warm In Winter Persons living in gas-heated houses should keep warm this winter, Earl K. Nixon, economic geologist of the state geological survey, said today. "The larger pipeline companies are supplementing their fuel supply by storing natural gas in old depleted gas fields located near the larger cities," he said. "During the summer, when fuel consumption is normal, gas is pumped through input wells into these 'tanks', or old fields. In preparing the fields for gas storage, all old wells, except those to be used for putting gas in or taking it out, are plugged. 'In winter months natural gas stored in the 'tanks' is fed as needed into the mains of the principal consuming areas. These mains supplement the already overloaded pipelines bringing gas direct from the distant producing fields." Storing gas in this manner lessens the chances for a gas famine for both domestic and industrial consumers, Mr. Nixon added. "There is also a greater incentive for new industries to come into areas equipped with reserve gas supplies." Normally, industries are urged or required to install stand-by facilities which consume oil, coal, or liquefied petroleum gasses. Mr. Nixon explained. This is done because the gas pipeline companies are required to give first service to home heating. Egyptian Dancing Girls Pose Problem For Rich Importer Chicago—(U.P.)—The man who now owns Adolf Hitler's armored car faces a tough problem about what to do with a dozen Egyptian dancing girls he has inherited. "I don't know what to do with them," he said. "My wife doesn't want me to bring them to America." Christopher G. Janus, an importer who bought the private limousine for $20,000, said he was one of the heirs to an estate valued at 10 to 15 million dollars left by his uncle, a Greek archeologist. The estate includes a 10,000-acre cotton plantation with 500 camels, burros, and cattle and 2,000 to 3,000 inhabitants near Alexandria. The other heirs are the archeologists wife and a foundation to build a world University in Athens. Egyptian custom makes the owner of a plantation responsible for the persons who live and work on it, and Mr. Janus figured that makes him responsible for at least 12 "authentic" Egyptian dancing girls. Neither the university foundation nor the archeologists widow has expressed a definite interest in the girls "so it's my problem, apparently," he said. And he added that it's a problem "entirely different from trying to get an automobile into the country." One problem is the Egyptian government, which hasn't said whether it approves the idea of exporting the girls to the United States. It may take a year or two to work that out, he said. Meanwhile, the girls aren't getting any younger. University Daily Hansun Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Member of the Kansas Press Assn, National Editorial Assn., Inland Dally Press Assn., and the Associated College Press. Represented by the National Ad- vertising Service. 420 Madison Ave., New York City. Editor in Chief... James W. Scott Managing Editor... John Riley Asst. Managing Ed... Kay Dyer Asst. Managing Ed... Anna Albicgt, Jr. Asst. Managing Ed... Katie Leslie Asst. City Editor... Doris Greenbank Asst. City Editor... Keith Leslie Asst. City Editor... Dale Mullen Sports Editor... George Brown Jr. Sports Editor... Mary Nelson Asst. Sports Editor... Robert Nelson Asst. Sports Editor... Richard Dilsaver Telegraph Editor... Darell Norris Asst. Telegraph Ed. Norma Lungerham Asst. Telegraph Ed. Dale Fale Society Editor... Frankie Watts Asst. Society Ed. Fay Wilkinson Business Manager Bob Bolitho Catering Manager Bonnie Gimblet Classified Manager Classified Manager Jim Miller Dorothy Ogunan Promotion Manager Bob Ibanez Mr. Janus is considering "several" offers from theatrical chains and the movies which were "most enthusiasias" and showed their pictures of his charges. "I'm sure they would go over with Americans. They're very lovely natural dancers," he said "I understand they were popular with American soldires during the war." Meet Your Friends at the PINK ELEPHANT at our New Location 706 Mass. Call K.U. 251 With Your News. NEW YEAR SALE DESIRABLE MERCHANDISE AT MONEY-SAVING PRICES SUITS TOPCOATS $50 values --$39.85 $40 values --$29.85 $60 values --$44.85 $50 values --$39.85 $75 values --$54.85 $60 values --$44.85 $85 values --$64.85 SWEATERS SPORT SHIRTS $10, $8.95, $8.50 now ___ $5.95 $7.50 now ___ $4.95 $5.00 now ___ $3.95 1/2 PRICE 11 LEATHER JACKETS SHIRT JACKETS 100% wool Sizes 36 and 38 1/2 PRICE $11.95 and $8.50 now 1/2 PRICE "We're a gettin' closer, Ma, only 116 days 'til we see 'West of Abilene'!" 199 "Shore 'nuff, Pa, and thar's going to be plenty of singing and entertainment on May 2."