1948
University Daily Kansan OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSA
STUDENT NEWSPAPER
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Thursday, March 11, 1948
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'Journalism Level HigherThanFiction'
John Mason Brown Tells Students That Quality, Prominence Is Down
The quality of American fiction has declined since the war, giving way in prominence to journalistic writings, John Mason Brown said in a subtly humorous convocation talk this morning.
"Not only can fiction not hope to compete with news as startling and important as has been printed during and since the war, but the quality of fiction from the established writers.
fiction from the established writers is not in keeping with these times," the gray-haired dramatic critic said.
"The young men who fought in the war are writing much better books than the prize-winners and the Pulizer boys."
Mr. Brown, dramatic reviewer for the Saturday Review of Literature, spoke with a mixed Kentucky-Oxford accent. His lecture was studded with humorous phrases and opinions which brought spontaneous applause.
Mr. Brown said that the work springing from the war, such as Rebecca West's 'The Meaning of Treason' and many brilliant war books "young writers far surpass the second-hand" philosophy of Sinclair Lewis "'Kingsblood Royal" and John Steinbeck's last two books, "Cannery Row," and "Wayward Bus."
After calling Mr. Steinbeck "America's ablest living novelist," he decried the insincerity of "Cannery Row."
Row.
"Never have I ridden upon a bus which carried so lusty a crew as his wayward bus," he added.
wayward bus," he added.
From the quality of fiction, Mr. Brown shifted to the quality of the American reader, "an individual with the most unused muscle in America today—the brain.
"Never was there a nation so willing to mistake an ice cube for a glacier," Mr. Brown said, referring to condensations of popular books. "A man thinks he can read a digest and then talk intelligently about the book, and still have time for 'Lil Abner.'"
Expressing disapproval of American films as a whole, he said that some recent movies in race relations are a step in the right direction "to induce the American people to approach the problem intelligently."
Alice Wismer Appointed To ASC
Alice Wismer, College senior, is the new Independent Womens Student association representative to the All Student Council.
Miss Wismer's appointment was announced Wednesday when the Independent Women's political senate met. Jo Ann Myers, sophomore, was appointed active secretary to the Independent Women's political snake.
po Campaign issues were discussed at the meeting.
May Form Chapter Of Hillel Foundation
The possibility of organizing a local chapter of Hillel foundation was discussed at the Jewish Student Union meeting Tuesday. Hillel foundation is the national collegiate organization for Jewish students.
Patine Solicvitz, physical education instructor; Donald Oppenheimer, education sophomore; and Ira Gissen and Sherman Steinzieg, College juniors; gave reports on the meeting of the Kansas association of B'nai B'ith which they attended Sunday in Topeka.
Contest Opens For HS Papers
The William Allen White School of Journalism will conduct the 28th annual contest for Kansas high school newspapers, Prof. Elmer F. Beth, acting director, announced today.
The judges, members of the School of Journalism faculty, have set April 1 as the closing date for all entries. High schools which publish printed, lithographed or mimeographed newspapers or conduct pages or departments of school news in local newspapers are eligible to enter several or all of the divisions of the contest, Professor Beth said.
The 11 divisions in the contest are news, feature, interview, human interest, and sports stories, editorial news and feature pictures, retail advertisement, service to school, business management and miscellaneous.
The first place winners of the 1947 contest were: news story, The Pony Express, Russell; editorial, The Pow Wow. Bonner Springs; feature story, The World, Topeka; human interest story, The News, Salina; interview, The Booster, Pittsburg; sports, The High Life, McPherson; news and feature pictures, The Reporter, Parsons; service to school, The Booster, Pittsburg; business management, The Rosedalian, Rosedale.
No Increase In Rents
No instructions have been received from the Chicago regional office on the disposition of the increase in student subsistence allowances. Rents at Sunflower will not be increased until such instructions are received.
"Since the regional office has not provided instructions, we will of necessity restrict all adjustments to a monthly basis rather than the previous quarterly basis," he said. "This will become effective April 1."
House rents at Sunflower may not be increased on April 1, John A. La Monica, Sunflower housing manager, said recently.
The Rev. Shirley E. Greene will speak to students at an informal coffee forum at 4 p.m. today in the English room of the Union. His subject will be "Alternate Proposals for the Development of the Missouri Valley."
"All students are requested to apply on or after April 1, but no later than Apr. 6, for their adjustment for the month of April. If instructions are received during this time, we will attempt to notify all student tenants."
A slight change in rental adjustment procedure was explained by Mr. La Monica.
Minister Will Speak At Coffee Forum
The Rev. Mr. Greene is the agricultural relations secretary for social action of the Congregational church where he will also speak at 8 p.m. today.
Czech's Plea Denied By UN On Technicality
Lake Success, N. Y., March 11—(UP)—The United Nations shelved today the appeal by Czechoslovak delegate Jan Papanek for security council action against Russia and the new Communist regime in Czechoslovakia.
Pigeonholling of Papanek's complaint ruled out security council debate of the Czech crisis unless the United States or some other U. N. country decides suddenly to sponsor the move.
There was no indication that any U. N. country was prepared to take such a step-at least at this time.
such a step.
It was understood, however, that the United States was one of the countries Papanek approached before submitting to U. N. yesterday a charge that Russia engineered the Communist coup in Prague last Feb. 20 in outright violation of the U. N. charter.
If the case did reach the security council, Russia would be able with her Big Five veto to block decisive steps aimed either at Moscow or the Czech Communists.
Action on the Czech diplomat's complaint, which sought a judgment against Russia as well as unseating of the Communist Premier Klement Gottwald's Czech government, was ruled illegal by U. N. Secretary General Trygey Lie.
After conferences with his high command—including the top Russian and top Czech members of the U. N. staff—Lie ruled that since Papanek's complaint represents "a non-governmental source," it will not be considered by the council.
Final appointments for managing the national conference of War Memorial leaders, to be held Sunday, completed at a meeting of the program committee Tuesday. The committee is composed of student leaders and War Memorial association members.
WM Leaders Are Named
special exhibits.
In charge of reception will be Ogden S. Jones, Fred S. Montgomery, Persis Snook, and Paul Warner. Margaret Meeks will make arrangements for music and act as messenger for Jack Taylor, campaign director. Kenneth Postelthwaite is secretary and publicity director for the committee.
association member Miss Hermina Zipple, director of the Union, was elected chairman of the committee. She will provide all programs for the conference except special exhibits.
of campaniles
Paul Warner and Donivon Waldron will arrange displays in the lounge and Evans Francis will post names of those attending the conference on a bulletin board. The committee also plans to have a model of the campanile on display in the dining room.
director for the museum. Special exhibits are to be handled by Patrick Thessen, John Irwin, and Gordon Sondker, who will put up displays in the Kansas room. Mrs. Mary Lou Warner will have charge of registration and issuing of campaign manuals to guests.
Others attending the meeting Tuesday were Joan Woodward, Ann Learned, and Fred Ellsworth, secretary of the Alumni association.
Kansas—Fair today, tonight and tomorrow. Continued cold today and tonight. Warmer tomorrow. High today five to 15. Low tonight 10 to 15 below central, and five to 10 below elsewhere.
WEATHER
Kansas Digs Out After 'Deep Freeze'
Record 23 Below Zero At Hays Lowest Ever Recorded In March
By MARY LOU FOLEY
Just 10 days before the official start of spring, University students struggled to classes today through ankle-deep snow as the mercury dropped to the lowest March temperatures ever recorded in Kansas.
Record low for the state was reported at Hays with 23 degrees below zero this morning.In Lawrence the low this morning was 5 below.
Labor Leaders To Be At KU
One hundred Kansas leaders of local unions of the American Federation of Labor will attend an educational labor institute Saturday and Sunday at the University.
J. D. Connors, director of the Worker's Education Bureau of America, will discuss educational programs for workers. Mark Starr, educational director of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' union, will speak on A. F. of L. policies on non-stop matters. Both are from New York.
Sponsors of the institute are the Kansas State Federation of Labor, University Extension Division, and the Workers' Education Bureau of America.
University faculty members will present the rest of the program. D. Orsardo, professor of economics, will give an interpretation of the Taft-Hartley act. E. C. Buehler, professor of speech, will speak on "How to Conduct Union Meetings." F. T. Steckton, dean of University Extension and professor of economies, will talk on "Modern Management Technology and Organized Labor."
Elmer F. Beth, professor of journalism, will speak on "Public Relations and Organized Labor." Hilden Gibson, associate professor of political science, Leland Pritchard, associate professor of finance, and Jack Chernick, assistant professor of economics, will be in a panel discussion on full employment.
Meetings will be held at the Union building and Lindley and Fraser auditoriums.
Co-ops Will Form New League Unit
An organizational meeting sponsored by the co-operative houses will be held in Harmon Co-op at 7:30 tonight, Wendell Walker, College sophomore, said today.
lege sophomore. The purpose of the meeting will be to form a unit of the Central League of Campus Co-operatives. The league is starting a campaign to raise funds for the construction of co-operative houses at colleges and universities in the Mid-west.
Speaker for the evening will be Hal Charles, Kansas City, Mo. Mr.Charles is a member of the board of directors of the league.
Easter Vacation Begins March 24
Easter vacation will begin at 6 p. m. Wednesday, March 24, and end at 8 a. m. Tuesday, March 30 .
Although this year's K-Book omitted mention of the Easter holiday, a check at the office of the chancellor stopped rumors that the vacation had been abolished.
The University power plant is meeting the demand for fuel but because of lack of equipment, some class rooms are not as warm as they could be, W. C. Sanderson, chief engineer, said today. About 35 days supply of oil are in the tanks, he said.
Haskell institute ran out of fuel oil at 10 a.m. m. today. Trucks are expected to arrive this afternoon with two days supply of fuel, said Glenn Brown, supervisor of maintenance. A little gas is being burned to keep the dormitories above freezing temperature. Haskell has four dormitories and 800 students, who are wearing their overcoats in the dormitories. Classes are not being held.
Several University organizations had to postpone activities Wednesday night because of the bad weather. The Independent Students association cancelled a mixer dance, and the Young Democrats a meeting. The K. U. Dames met but left early because of the cold. All of the meetings were scheduled at the Union.
The Red Cross drive on the campus has collected $751 of its quota of $820, Henry Shenk, associate professor of physical education and director of the drive, announced today.
Although the sun is out and the wind has died down, recovery from the worst March blizzard was slow. Some highways are being cleared, but many are still closed. Many rural schools are closed because of the extreme cold.
There is no fuel shortage in Lawrence C. J. Dodds, general manager of the Kansas Public Service company, said today. All industries have had their gas supply shut off but most of them have stand-by oil supplies to meet their needs, he explained.
Near Quota Of Red Cross
The faculty contributed $500 and the Jay Jane collected $209 at the K. U.-Kansas State basketball game. The Jay Jane have not reported their collections from organized houses.
Mr. Shenk asked that all those desiring to make contributions should do so today or tomorrow.
22 More Listed On Police Blotter
Only six persons braved Wednesday's blizzard to appear in Lawrence police court. Traffic and parking violations were the most prevalent cases on the dotter.
Among the persons listed on the police records are: Richard Jones, C. D. Johnson, George Robb, J. W. Sherer, Vernon Benson, H. V. Knupp, Kenneth Higdon, Richard Sheridan, Jack Evans, Jr., Richard Zink, R. S. Bowers, J. R. Brooke, Barbara Huser, W. L. Studz, J. T. King, Jack Moler, D. R. Anthony, J. K. Davis, Tom Kennett, W. K. Smith, Jerry Berkley, and E. L. Trimble.
Betrick, and L. B. Kennett, who was charged with three parking offenses.