PAGE SIX UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1948 The Editorial Page A New Language Requirement The College faculty will soon vote on two reports concerning the present language requirements for students in the College. The majority report proposes that "the college foreign language requirement shall consist of an attainment in high school or college equivalent to not less than that of 12 semester hours in one foreign language or combination of two foreign *** languages." The minority report proposes "that a requirement be established as an alternative to the foreign language requirement for the B.A. degree. The following is the case for both sides. The majority report supports its plan for a change in the College language requirement with these arguments. Majority Report 1. Knowledge of one or more foreign languages has long been recognized as (a) one of the marks of the liberally educated man. It is (b) an indispensable tool in nearly every kind of advanced study and (c) is an essential means of communication between the several nations of the world and between the people of these nations. 4. Language study helps development of the virtues of speed and accuracy in the student. 3. Language study has disciplinary values. 2. The most obvious value of foreign language study is the acquisition of a linguistic tool. 5. The study of languages is generally conceded to give training in logic, applied logic, not theoretical or formal. 6. The study of languages is also good training in understanding the limitations of logic. 7. The greatest single value of language study is the understanding which it gives of the system of symbols which is called speech. 8. Foreign language study improves the students's English. \* \* \* Minority Report The minority committee does not oppose the study of a foreign language, but it is against a foreign language requirement for all students. The minority report has replied to the majority report with these points. 1. Students are not and will not be proficient in foreign languages upon completion of the present requirement or the proposed plan of the majority committee. 3. An alternative requirement would serve the needs of some of our students better than would a foreign language requirement. 2. Whatever slight proficiency may be attained is soon lost when foreign language study is discontinued. 4. Foreign language courses are not the only courses wherein discipline may be acquired. Mathematics or any of the exact sciences could provide it as well. 5. A study of the derivations of words in common use in English might not only enrich the student's general background but help to make him word conscious and perhaps more discriminating in the use of his own language. 6. Students for whom foreign languages are practical tools in their businesses or professions will take foreign languages whether they are required of all students or not. 7. Most students would gain much more in international understanding by reading in translation from the literatures of other countries than by spending ten or twelve hours in language study. What You Can Do - * * Unfortunately students can't do much to bring their opinions to bear in this matter. The most they can do is to talk to their professors and let them know how they feel about either side. However, the faculty members can weigh both sides and consider which one will be of the most value to the students. Then they can make it a point to attend the meeting when the vote is being taken and cast their vote for the student. Abraham Lincoln Today is the birthday of the "Great Emancipator", Abraham Lincoln. Historians have delved and probed into his life in an attempt to find what just his significance has been on the American scene. One vexing question is his motive in freeing the slaves. Scholars can't decide whether Lincoln signed his proclamation merely to gain a political advantage or whether it was the act of a great humanitarian. Less fastidious men have accepted Abraham Lincoln as an American symbol. To them he stands for the ideal of an America of equality and tolerance. Ideals like that need a rallying point. What nation has a better one than Abraham Lincoln? Recent actions by law enforcement officers in searching for liquor in Kansas has centered much discussion upon the right of officers to search private property without a warrant stating what is to be searched, and what is to be searched for. Justice Douglas of the United States Supreme Court stated the situation very well in a recent decision. He said, "It is better, that certain violators escape than all citizens be subject to unreasonable search." The Library of Congress owns about 85,000 books on the cultural and physical development of Russia. Why doesn't someone inform the state department of this fact? Many answers might be found as to why the Russians act as they do. To annihilate the human race seems to be the main topic of conversation. First it was DDT (drop dead twice) and now it is FFFFFT (fall fatally forward five times). A new sidewalk was recently completed on the campus, but they seem to have forgotten that it would have two ends. One leads to one of our new buildings, the other to a big mud hole. Fencers Organize Elect Garcia Raymond Garcia, College junior, has been elected president of the reorganized University Fencing club, which has been inactive since 1941. Plans for fencing competition with Wichita university and Kansas City university are being made, Other officers of the club are Ann Michener, vice-president, and Margaret Brewster, secretary-treasurer. William Belt, assistant instructor of romance language and physical education, is faculty adviser. "The purpose of our organization is to promote interest in fencing in the Midwest, where it is sadly lacking. We welcome anyone, whether they can fence or not for we feel we can give adequate instruction," Garcia said. Members are: Russell L. Goodpasture, Kenneth R. Steele, George H. Cousins, Walter Billau, Hugh Watson, John Killinger, Curtis Nystrom, George Rolland Cole, Ann Michener, Patricia Perkins, Mary Helen Keller, Saul Zabar, Leigh Wellborn, Kenneth Steele. Thieves Steal Garage, Too Medford, Mass.—(UP) —Automobile thieves are taking along the garage, too. A two-car garage reported stolen here was found by police a mile from its original site. University Daily Hansan Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Member of the Kansas Press Assn, Natl Aoma, and the Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by the National Ad- vocate Association 420 Madison Ave. New York City. Editor-in-Chief ... William C. Van Murer Managing Editor ... Alan J. Stewart Asst. Man. Editor ... Kevin Bauer Asst. Man. Editor ... Lois Lauer City Editor ... Gene Vignery Asst. City Editor ... James Robinson Telegraph Editor ... Wallace W. Abbey Telegraph Editor ... William Thrush Asst. Tel. Editor ... William Barger Sports Editor ... Robert Dellinger Asst. Sports Editor ... Paul Zeh Asst. Sports Editor ... James Jones Anna Mary Murphy Feature Editor John Wheeler Picture Editor Helen Sillan Dorothy James Business Manager Betty Bacon Advertising Manager Robert Alderson Circulation Manager Otto Meyer Classified Adv. Man Paul Warren Mark, Mgr. David Clifford Promotion Manager Wister Shreve Robber Foiled By 11 Cops Carlisle, Pa.—(UP)—A man brok into a house where 11 state police men were quartered, upset a pile of dishes in doing so and left behind a jacket bearing his name and address. He was arrested promptly. Dog Pound Stays Empty Las Crudes, N. M. -(UP) -A ban on unmuzzled dogs here didn't "take," despite promises by city officials of strict enforcement. City fathers couldn't find anyone to accept the job of dog catcher. DRAKE'S BAKERY Bread, cake, pie, cup-cakes, cookies, donuts whatever you want in baked goods, you'll find the best at DRAKE'S! 907 Mass. 907 Mass. BARGAINS - SWEATERS LOAFER COATS - SOCKS SPORT SHIRTS - TIES Plenty Of Our Ridiculous Sale Is Now On! AT RIDICULOUS PRICES The Palace 843 Massachusetts Look At Your Shirt! EVERYONE ELSE DOES! An Independent laundered shirt assures the kind of appearance you want to make. 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