PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
TUESDAY, SEPT. 21, 1948
The Editorial Page-
A Parking Failure
That perennial headache, the parking problem, is back with us again this year. Only this time it is worse than in previous years. Perhaps it is time to do something about it.
The traffic office reports 400 less spaces to dish out this year to students, faculty members, and University employees. Due to lack of space, only 600 permits will be issued.
Here is what was done during the summer. Former areas A, F, and V were turned into free zones which do not require permits. The loss of these areas along with the areas behind the Journalism building and west of Watson library has caused a severe shortage of available space.
The most amazing angle to the parking problem is that it has been with us for so long. Enrollment and the size of the faculty continues to increase. Instead of having more space, the parking office is starting out the new term with 40 per cent less space.
A quick swing around the campus will show that it most certainly isn't lack of land which is causing the trouble. Here are a few areas which are now being used to grow some of the best grass in the state of Kansas: the triangle south of Watkins hospital at 16th and Indiana streets; the area north of Blake hall to Danforth chapel; the drive east and west of the stadium; the area south of the practice football field and west of Mississippi street; the area east of Templin hall; the area east of West Campus road; and north of Thayer Art Museum.
These areas could be converted into parking lots with very little labor and expense. These would double the present capacity of 600 spaces. Any real attempt to provide more space would turn up several more areas which can be used during the present semester.
Now is a good time also to get started on a long range program to provide more permanent space. The University requirements might be met by a large lot north of Snow hall in the vicinity of Potter lake. In the meantime, temporary lots should be used and then later resadded so the beautiful green grass would not be lost to posterity.
The present situation cannot be passed off as another of the post-war problems created by the great invasion of the veterans. The University has had several years to do something about providing more space. So far most of that time has been used in thinking up more excuses. The old standby "there isn't room for more parking permits" is beginning to wear 'hin, especially when the traffic authorities give up 400 spaces without replacing them. —J.L.R.
Battle Of Words
The United Nations has opened its third annual general assembly under the shadqw of the gravest problem it has yet faced—the East-West dispute over Berlin.
The U.N. in the three years of its existence has served a few useful purposes, but it has fallen far short of the original ideal of international action to preserve the peace. Instead, the main usage which has been made of the U.N. is as a sounding board for the nationalistic policies of the member nations.
In the next few weeks the U.N. again can be expected to provide the setting for the all-out propaganda and name-calling war between the United States and Russia. In this battle the U.S. is facing a tough opponent, one who is a past master at the game.
Just how skillful the Soviets are can be seen from their latest action in announcing the withdrawal of their troops from Korea. This action leaves the U.S. to defend the presence of American troops. Withdrawal of American troops from South Korea would mean eventual Soviet control. Continued occupation leaves the U.S. wide open to charges of "Yankee imperialism."
In the fight for control of Germany the U.S. can expect the same Soviet trick as has been employed in Korea. Sometime this week Russia is expected to propose that all occupation forces should be withdrawn from Germany at an early date.
If the United States should decide to go along with the expected Russian proposal, it will set the stage for the loss of all of Germany. Failure to follow through with the Russian proposal will be hard to explain to the strongly nationalistic German people who are tired of the occupation.
By their action in Korea and expected action in Germany, the Soviets seem to have grabbed the offensive in the battle of words which is taking the place of the more common battle of bullets. If the U.S. cannot come up with a good defense in the coming weeks it may come out on the short end of the present war.
In preparing its defense the U.S. might do well to keep in mind the old football adage that "the best defense is a good offense." Perhaps we can offer the German people something better than the early end of the occupation. J. L. R
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