FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19. 1947
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
PAGE THREE
Gamma Phi Beta Housemother Came To University In 1923
After 25 years with "so many children she didn't know what to do," Mrs. Ralph Baldwin, Gamma Phi Beta housemother, will retire next year. Her quarter-century of service as a second-mother tops by five years that of any other housemother on the campus. During that time Mrs. Baldwin has mothered more than 400 Gamma Phi Betas.
Good Old Days
Her girls, who call her "Mother B.",
gave a tea recently in her honor.
More than 600 alumnae, students,
housemothers, friends and faculty
members were present, honoring
Mrs. Baldwin on her 25th anniversary.
Mother B. paints a vivid picture of the history of the University and changes that have been made since her arrival here in 1823.
"The 'New Look' was in reverse when I came to the house at 1147 Tennessee where the Camma Phis lived until 1926. The waists were long and skirts were short. The girls wore high spike heels and hose to classes." Mrs. Baldwin said, chuckling at the memory.
Mother Baldwin was one of the promoters for more liberal rules and closing hours.
"Smoking was forbidden to University women, but some of them smoked. I'm sure. Girls could have no dates on week nights, and closing hours were at 10 p.m. The library seemed to be a very popular spot for both boys and girls on these nights. Week-end closing hours were at 11 p.m. unless the girls were at a party," she explained.
Pledges Vs. Actives
"Pledges used to be in constant terror of their paddle-carrying activities" she said. "It was not unusual to be walking on the campus and see two or three boys suddenly pop into a manhole, pulling the lid into place behind them. Soon the lid would be cautiously lifted, and someone would whisper 'Are their any actives out there now?' I was glad to tell them if the coast was clear, but it was rather startling to have people peering out of the manholes at me."
"One day some Ku Ku actives were out looking for their pledges. Our dishwasher, a Ku Ku pledge, had been in football scrimmage all afternoon and was already beaten and battered. (He later became a K.U. letterman.) I felt sorry for him so I just said 'Howard, you run in my room, get under the bed, and don't you come out until I tell you to.' Then I met the Ku Ku's at the door and told them I hadn't seen a thing of him, (but, had my fingers crossed behind my back.)"
To KU In 1923
"My coming to K. U. started by helping at the Gamma Phi house during rush week in 1923 when the regular housemother was called away because of her father's illness. He died a little later and she did not return. I was asked to remain and be their housemother. I liked it and have been here since," she said.
"The biggest problem of 25 years was planning meals and counting ration stamps during the war," Mother B. commented.
Mrs. Baldwin is an active member of the Baptist church, a member of the DAR chapter of her hometown, Independence, Mo., and president of the state officers club of the Daughters of 1812. She has also served for several years as president of the K. U. Housemothers association. Mother B. will become a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority when she is initiated with this years pledge class next semester.
There will be a houseful of sad girls when Mother B leaves next year to move to Kansas City where she will share an apartment with her niece.
Dean And Mrs. Swarthout Go To East Coast For Holidays
Dean and Mrs. Swarthout have gone to Washington, D.C., and New York where they will spend the Christmas holidays with their daughters and families.
Dean Swarthout will be in Boston Dec. 28 to 30 to preside over the annual convention of the National Association of Schools of Music of which he is president. He will also speak before the Music Teachers' National association in Boston.
Beat the Heck out of Georgia Tech!
Kansas Food Cost Rises To New Peak
MRS RALPH BALDWIN
Topeka—(UP)—Retail food prices in Kansas have spiraled higher to a new all-time peak, P. G. Baird, state labor commissioner, reported today. Baird said a check of 41 food items showed prices were 12.2 per cent higher than last year.
Meats generally declined in price he said. However, 24 foods from the grocers' shelves were higher. These included butter, up 13.5 per cent; potatoes, up 14.3 per cent; cabbage, up 29.3 percent; flour, up 4.3 per cent, lard, up 5 per cent, canned tomatoes, up 6.2 per cent, and coffee, up 2.7 per cent.
Bread maintained the same level, Baird reported, along with rib roast and navy beans.
Elects Lawrence Woman To Kansas UNESCO Board
Mrs. E. M. Wallace, Lawrence, has been elected to the 15- member Kansas executive board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural organization.
Mrs. Wallace is president of the Lawrence League for the Practice of Democracy. She is the only Negro member of the U. N. E. S. C. O. executive board and is active in fighting racial discrimination in Kansas.
Call K.U. 251 With Your News.
You Can't Feel Me, Prof;
That's Sign Language
It all happened in a Business Law class.
Lloyd Wampler, the instructor,
was writing outlines on the
blackboard when he suddenly
turned and asked, "Can anyone
read this?"
Answered Howard Walter, business junior. "I can sir."
Mr. Wampler looked surprised but went on writing.
A few moments elapsed and Walter added, "But I had a course in hieroglyphics two semesters ago!"
Socially Speaking
Phi Delt Dance
Guests at the Phi Delta Theta Christmas dance, held Saturday Dec. 13, at the chapter house, were Virginia Harris, Carol Helmers, Maryanne Harwood, Carolyn Campbell, Joann Grant, Tish Laming, Betty Jane Grant, Martha Legler, Roma Sparks, Merrine Gear, Martha Metcalf, Sally Seggs, Mary Warner, Patty Cook, Ginny Walsh, Helen Heen, Marjorie Stark, Connie Kendall, Jane Ferrell, Georgiana Sewell, Eleanor Churchill.
Karen York, Mary Valentine, Barbara Johnson, Barbara Douglas, Martha Keplinger, Wilma Hershberger, Nancy Davis, Patricia Foster, Margaret Granger, Carol Bates, Mary Margaret Morris, Jacky Marty, Ann Stodder, Ann Stanton, Barbara Nash, Isabel Faurot, Mary Gayle Marsh, Marge Darby, Marcia Parker, June Parker, June Smally, Pat Connonon, Andy Hiscox, Mary Lewis, Pat Torry, Nance Goering.
Rosemary Robison, Frances McMillen, Carolyn Carmean, Pat Davis, Nancy Steavens, Kitty Walters, Barbara O'Neal, Sissi Hedrick, Norma Jean Guthrie, Jodi Busby, Eileen O'Connor, Marian Rippeteau, Virginia Daugherty, Nancy Lindsey, Marian Roth, Bebe Burton, Helen Ward, Mary Jane Horton, Patty Nordgrem, Lynn Clark, Virginia Green, Sara Underwood.
Tri Chi Party
Barbara Connell, Marilyn Sweet,
Ann Warner, Libby Priest, Jeanne
Thompson, Helen Harrington, Mary
Louise McNerney, Mary Wildens,
Mary Med Chubb, Erma Lee Lutz,
oise Havekorsst, Martin Watkins,
Marilyn Jones, Mary Soper, Mary
Jo Meyers, Pat Oberland.
Ruth Mitchell, Norma Kennedy,
Marybelle Shepherd, Betty Chubb,
Janet Taylor, Margaret Dickinson,
Eloise Barbee Betty Sauder.
Guests who attended the Tri Ch Christmas party Friday were Mildred Crandall, Evelyn White, Laura Iguchi, Betty Orlowski, Marilyn Lundberg, Doris Maririot, Helen Manka, Wilna Pendleton, Barbara Lux, and Mrs. T. A. Duckworth.
Chaperones were Miss Bertha Cummins, Mr. Max Dresden, Miss Kathleen O'Donnel, Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Simons.
Maybe You Could Call Her A Knit Wit
Anything can be done when you set your mind to it. Now Marilyn Jones, College freshman, is "doing what comes naturally."
"I go so tired carrying books after walking home from school so I just put into practice what I had been taught at finishing school to improve my posture." Marilyn said.
Marilyn is a girl who knits on her way to and from school, and whenever she gets the chance—but—she carries her books on her head while doing it.
"When people see me knitting with books balanced on my head they ask if I've got a flat top, or if I'm crazy. It comes as second nature to me really.
"I'm knitting socks for myself because I need them. Besides, I have to get through so that I can start on my Christmas gifts—you guessed it, knitting socks."
SOLVE YOUR CHRISTMAS PROBLEMS Quickly Easily, and Economically.
Leather Billfolds ...$3.05 to $15.00
Ladies Hand-tooled Purses ...$20. to $35.00
Ladies and Men's Belts ...$1.-$15.00
Billfolds
$3.05 to $15.00
SADDLE, BRIDLES, and LUGGAGE
THE BLUE RIBBON SHOP 820 Mass
820 Mass.
'31 Gave Bulletin Board
The class of '48 will do its Christmas shopping a little late this year. In the spring the senior class selects its motto, makes its final benediction, and presents a gift to the University. The gift tradition was started just six months after the University moved into Fraser hall, in 1873.
And Speaking Of Presents Look Around The Campus
The class of 1894 established the student loan fund with $342.30 made by the senior play. The class of 1900 gave $170 and a bust of Emerson; he class of 1933 chose bird baths; the class gift of 1914 was a stone bench.
Three members of the class of 1873 started the tradition when they gave an engraving which used to hang in Fraser hall. The classes of 1874 and 1875 also gave engravings.
The bulletin board and bench in front of Watson library was given by the class of 1931. The "Pioneer," better known as "The Man with the Spade," which stands east of Fraser hall, was saved from sagging by a base presented by the class of 1920. And, who hasn't heard the familiar chime of the clock in the Union with its inscription "Gift of Class of 1922?"
During the late '20's and throughout the '30's the senior classes centered their gifts on the needs of the Union. The Pine room was furnished by the class of 1936, the English room by the class of 1938, and the Kansas room by the class of 1939. The class of 1928 bought furniture for the Union and the class of 1929 a piano for the Union ballroom. The class of 1941 donated $1,500 for the new wing of the Union.
Contributions of 51 graduating classes over 74 years total about $50,000. The tradition faded out at times, but $ loyal students always started it again.
'42 Gave Bonds
The class of 1942 gave $1,054.50 for U. S. defense bonds to mature in 1952. The choice of their class gift is in the hands of the reunion group attending commencement exercises in 1952.
The recreation area around Potter lake was a gift of the class of 1943, the flagstone walk at the dance pavilion a gift of the class of 1944, and the crabapple trees a gift of the class of 1945.
The senior class of 1946 has given $2,000 for a gateway to the proposed archway of Memorial drive. The names of their class members who were killed during the war will be inscribed on a plaque that will be on the gate.
Lindley Landscaped By '47
The class of 1947 donated $3,000 for the landscaping of the area around Lindley hall.
All these gifts—bird baths, loan funds, scholarships, pianos, furnishings, crabapple trees, and the rest-
serve to show the appreciation of K, U. alumni. Their gratitude varies for the many individual benefits received, but summed up, the gifts are just another way of saying "Thanks" for the well-spent hours at the University.
Veterans Pay $8,200 For New Homes
A survey shows that more than 45 per cent of the G.I. loans were spent on new homes while the remainder were spent on used houses costing an average of $6,675.
The average selling price of newly built houses purchased by veterans in Western Missouri and northeastern Kansas under the G.I. Bill is $8,200, the local Veterans Administration office reported.
William B. Wilson of Pennsylvania, a former cool miner, was the first Secretary of Labor of the United States.