PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1947
The Editorial Page
Give Us The Truth, Please
Marshall Plan supporters have been quick to emphasize that the chief cause of hunger in Europe today is poor weather. They say that, but for the disastrous effects brought about by bad weather, some European countries would have almost enough food today.
An examination of the facts concerning France, though, indicates that
our diplomats and bureaucrats are given to exaggeration. Frenchmen now are hungry partly because of improper and careless planning by their government. It is a gross misrepresentation to place the blame on the elements.
Wi Was A Chief Product
Before 1947, wheat was one of the chief products of France. Except for Russia no other country in Europe raised as much wheat as France; its total wheat production was considerably more than one-third that of the United States.
Before the recent war, France produced nearly all of the foodstuffs it required. From 1930 to 1939 its crops averaged 8,050,000 tons a year. This year, though, the total of all crops is estimated at only 3,200,000 tons, not nearly enough to feed the country. It is the smallest crop since 1815. Land Is Still Fortile
The land itself has demonstrated postwar fertility. In 1945 the crops reached 4,247,000 tons and in 1946 the total was 6,568,000 tons.
Because of conflicting and unwise government directives, French farmers seeded about one million fewer acres for this year's crop. The result provided for no margin against heavy losses. When bad weather hit France, it was disastrous for everyone.
Government bungling of the situation caused farmers to take the lowest returns for their wheat crops in many years. The prices allowed for other crops were more attractive, however, and the reactions of the farmers were only normal. They felt that it was not profitable to plant wheat when the price was not what they believed it should be. At the same time, inflation was gradually pushing up the prices of needed articles.
Offer Crops Were Planted
In view of this, different crops were planted. The controlled prices on oats, barley, and corn gave better returns.
More and more wheat went into livestock feed because the farmer's cattle provided a guard against inflation and enabled him to retain some of his assets on the land. Besides this, the black market paid more money for meat, poultry, and eggs than the government paid for the grain that went into their growth.
Seemingly, some of our government leaders assumed that the American people would not support the voluntary rationing program or the Marshall Plan if the facts were known. Past experience should have indicated to them that we are sufficiently aware of our moral obligations not to stand idly while our European neighbors suffer for lack of food, even though the government and not the weather is responsible.—Lyle A. Young.
Professor Blocker Chosen
For Federal Tax Council
John G. Blocker, professor of accounting, has been selected as a member of the Federal Taxation council of the Kansas state chamber of commerce. He will serve for two years.
The Federal Taxation council will meet Dec. 16 in Topeka for consideration of the 1948-1949 federal taxation and expenditure program. Reports of the council will be submitted to the president and congress at its next session by the National Association of State Chambers of Commerce.
Let There Be Light
Under a recent annexation ordinance a section of West Hills is now a part of the city of Lawrence. Such news is not especially interesting even to students living in West Hills until one remembers that with annexation comes city responsibility to provide such utilities as street lights.
We talked to Mayor Parsons recently about the matter. He told us that street lights will eventually be installed in West Hills. He was of the opinion that not only West Hills, but most of the campus also is too dark.
The city two months ago ordered for its downtown section street lights similar to the ones in Kansas City. They throw an oval-shaped beam, which lights the street brilliantly a great distance from their 25 foot poles.
However, because of zoning ordinances, students in West Hills may as well forget the possibility of any drug stores or jelly joints being built in that section of town. The quest of establishing small businesses in residential areas came up recently when two individuals wanted to start a camera shop at 14th and Ohio streets. They submitted to the city council a re-zoning request, which was turned down.
The city council gave as one of its reasons for refusal the assertion that the neighborhood property owners and the University do not want a shopping district established close to the campus.
Such University policy would seem to be against the convenience of students. A small shopping district, even only one drug store, in the vicinity of 14th and Ohio or in West Hills, would save students many long walks downtown for nothing more than a tube of toothpaste.
We tried to find out the why's and wherefor's of the stand of the University on this question, but no one seemed to know. The ways of property interests are long and devious.
But at least you West Hills night flyers can throw away the vitamin "A" and look forward to street lights the next time you stumble home in the dark.
Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
University
Daily Hansan
Member of the Kansas Press Assn., National Editorial Assn., Inland Daily Press Assn., and the Associated Collegiate Press. Represented by the National Advertising Service, 420 Madison Ave, New York City.
Editor-in-Chief ... Allan Cromley
Managing Editor ... Martha Jewett
Asst. Man. Editor... Alan J. Stewart
Alverta Niedens
City Editors... John Wheeler,
Gene Vlgning
Sports Editor ... Cooper Rollow
Asst. Sports Editors ... Paul Zeh
Bob Dellinger
Picture Editor ... Hal Nelson
Telegraph Editor ... John Stuffer
Asst. Tel. Editor ... Lots Lauer
Asst. Tel. Editor ... Casper Brochmann
 Society Editor ... Barbara Felt
Business Manager ... John Bergstrom
Advertising Manager ... Betty Bacon
Classified Adv. Man... Sally Rowe
National Adv. Man... William Neilligan
Circulation Mgr. ... Dave Clymer
Dear Editor
Send The Band
Dear Editor.
I am not an alumnus of Kansas University. My wife and I attended Baker University. But when our daughter was small we lived near enough Lawrence that she could see the sunlight reflected from the roofs of campus buildings. Consequently, she early decided to attend the University, a choice we have never regretted.
I was active in college sports, but since my boys were all girls, our daughter did the next best thing and played in the University band.
She has played in the band all four years. It has meant some sacrifice, but that has never been begrudged. She gets no credit for playing this year, but we feel and she feels that through the band she is adding a small measure to the glory of the school.
My feeling about the band's going to the Orange bowl would be the same if she were not in the band. While I am as proud of the Kansas football team as any alumnus, I know that a school is not made up of a football team alone.
Coach Sauer is making national news with his football teams.
Coach Allen made national news with his basketball teams.
And to do justice to the school I think it would be a grievous mistake not to permit Mr. Wiley to make news with his Kansas band
(Editor's note: And many others throughout the state share your sentiments, sir.)
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