PAGE SIX UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1947 - As The Kansan Sees It - Kansas Manifesto In Frank Strong rotunda hang the flags of 36 nations. Hidden among them is the hammer and sickle on the red banner of the Soviet Union. Except for those persons with the most acute cases of Russophobia, this is of no consequence. However, the fact becomes interesting when you consider a certain Kansas statute. A Felony To Fly Red Flag Passed in March, 1919, the law proclaims that it shall be a felony "for any person or persons, organization or body of persons to fly, to carry, to exhibit, or to display or to assist in carrying, exhibiting, or displaying in this state any red flag, standard, or banner distinctive of bolshevism, anarchy, or radical socialism, or any flag, standard or banner of any color or design that is now or hereafter may be designated by any bolshevistic, anarchistic, or socialistic group, body, association or society of persons as the flag, standard or banner of bolshevism, anarchism, or racial solialism." Most Consider Intent From a layman's literal interpretation, the University certainly would appear to be committing a felony. But from a legal standpoint the legislative intent would have to be considered. The law was passed in 1919, 16 months after the Bolshevik revolution. (The 30th anniversary was observed in Russian cities Friday.) In 1919 the Soviet Union had not yet been recognized by the United States. At that time the legislature probably intended that the act be enforced, whether rightly or not, on the grounds that display of such a flag was incitement to revolution. Case Would Be Interesting However, it would be hard now to enforce a law that makes it a felony to display the flag of a nation with which the United States has diplomatic relations. it only proves that an old law can look mighty stupid in the light of later national and international events. Sane Education The University's School of Engineering recently announced a change in curriculum aimed at liberalizing the engineering courses. Henceforward engineering students will be required to take certain College courses along with their major studies. This change is a manifestation of a national movement in our colleges and universities back to a sane and sound educational system. From the beginnings of higher education in America up to the latter part of the 19th century, colleges offered the old classic approach to learning. Just before the turn of the century, there began to appear a trend toward specialization and the "practical" education. This trend reached its peak during the past few years. Now the pendulum is apparently swinging back toward the broad liberal education. The president of Brown university in a recent article in a national magazine stated that too much emphasis is being placed on college degrees in general and specialized degrees in particular. Most college students should be working for an A.B. with a broad permanent background, rather than for a B.S. with specialized knowledge—much of which may never be used. Fools Rush In "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." That proverb may be trite from use in puns and song lyrics, but it is appropriate for the traffic situation on 14th street hill. Any pedestrian (or sane motorist) who ventures near that street at noon, 5 p.m., or women's closing hours had better feel his luck charm, check his insurance, and say his prayers. For it is common to see two tons of shining steel and glass hurtle past the Ohio street intersection and come to a smoking, screeching stop at Tennessee street. It's A K.U. Game It seems to be a game. You start at the top and see how fast you can go. The only rule is that you make an attempt to stop at Tennessee street. You earn your wings when you can simultaneously drink a coke, steer the car, and hilariously converse with your passengers, usually of the opposite sex. After several practice runs you acquire that masterful, behind-the-wheel nonchalance that identifies you as one of the gang. If a pedestrian steps from behind a parked car, well—what are life insurance policies for? It's Criminal Negligence This kind of driving is criminal negligence. If someone is hit, which will happen if traffic regulations are not enforced, both the state and the victim's relatives will have a case in the courts. But it will be too late to restore life or mend broken bodies when a trail of blood leads to Watkins hospital. The time for stringent action is now—by the Lawrence police backed up by student opinion. If Andrei Vyshinsky continues his present rate of exposing United States warmongers, he'll have to consult phone directories or else he'll run out of names before Thanksgiving. The University has student publications presenting all types of news and views—the "Jayhawker," the "Dove," and the "Eagle." It seems that every campus group wants to give the student body the "bird." The University health service is continuing its drive to give influenza vaccinations to as many students and faculty members as possible. They must hope that everyone will "get the point." Russia is reported to have removed more than 4,375 miles of railway track from its zone of Germany as reparations, leaving all but three main lines with a single track. This shouldn't bother the Russians who follow a single track with regard to their veto power. Why is it that people who are in such a big hurry to get to a concert and sit near the front are also always in such a hurry to leave two or three numbers before the concert is over? This swing back toward liberal education will be aided by educators themselves. But the ultimate decision will be made by the employer, when he asks for an educated man who can be taught, rather than for a specialized man who "knows all the answers". Allen D. Smith Physics grades were posted recently. And it's the same story. The average for Physics 5 was 8.8. The average for Physics 6 was 12.2. The possible score to be made was 25. Wants Tests Back Dear Editor. I passed the test. I made several mistakes, yet I have no way of finding out what those were, unless I remember every one of the problems in the test. Confucius tells us that a man who has comitted a mistake, yet does not profit by it is in error. The University physics department is making a lot of students to be in error. My complaint, among the many that are expressed about the way physics is taught here, is that we can't get test papers back after a test. I want to know my weaknesses so that I can avoid them in the future. Surely it is not too much bother making out new tests if the physics department fears our studying from tests given in the past. Uncomplacently yours, Name witheld by request Press's Trust Dear Editor, My colleague, Professor Telfel, wrote an excellent letter in defense of errors in the Daily Kansan. But lest some innocent bystander and not the Magyar's pet ox be gored, may I, another faculty member, say just a word? Printing words which are intended to report reality to others is a terrible undertaking; writing or speaking them to one other person is difficult enough. But with the lever of the printing press, miserable man endeavors to seize the truth out of a small and fleeting situation, or out of spoken words, and render that effort at the truth imperishable. Moreover, miserable man with his printing machine takes it upon himself to spread that report far and wide. A reporter or editor takes upon himself a terrible responsibility. We hear "freedom of the press" bandied around a great deal. It is my belief that actually many of the people who use such a term are meaning "license of the press," which does not imply the responsibilities which "freedom" does. I say the responsibilities are great because an ignorantly or innocently printed word carrying the wrong sense may do irreparable damage to the reality of social relationships which surround men in our times. What I'm getting to is that no other group on the campus has the power to spawn mistakes as do the students in editing and reporting. I say spawn, because of that little machine in the basement of the Journalism building which breeds an issue of 9,000 or so Daily Kansans every afternoon. Each issue has more chance of life than you or I. An issue may live until a future archaeologist unearths our remains enso hence, or it may warp a mind, a personality, or a career into disastrous consequences. Please be careful with this Pandora's bo of the press. It is admitted that there are far too many students for faculty control and life is something of a rush these day. But somehow it must be driven home that the press has not only the power to multiply truth but also the power to multiply evil, error, and distortion. Traffic Violators From 22 States The long arm of the campus police reached into 22 different states last year to bring violators of University traffic regulations to justice. Many students failed to answer summons, as they thought it would be impossible to learn their identity because they were driving out-of-state cars. This proved no obstacle to the parking committee, which corresponds with the vechile registration departments from states in all corners of the nation. We grant no such rights to any one It all goes to show, crime doesn't pay. Indeed, it is remarkable that words ever are printed, when the responsibilities entailed are so great. I do not envy the task which you and the editors and reporters have. on earth but reporters, editors, and men who own presses. How presumptuous we are to make godheads of wisdom of such persons! John R. Malone, Instructor, journalism. Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS 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. Picture Editor Wallace W. Abbrey Telegraph Editor John Stauffer Assist Tel. Editor Casper Brochmann Society Editor Barbara Felt Business Manager John Bergstrom Advertising Manager Betty Bacon Classified Ad Man. Rowel Rowe Adv Man. William Hill Circulation Mgr. Dave Dlymer Editor-in-Chief Allan Cromley Managing Editor Martha Jewett Asst. Man. Editor Alan J. Stewart Asst. Man. Editor Alan J. Stewart Asst. Man. Editor Wilmer McGlasson Asst. City Editor John Wheeler Asst. City Editor Gene Vignery Sports Editor Cooper Rollow Asst. Sports Editors, Panah Zeh. James O. Deptt. Accounting, machine bookkeeping, comptetry, shorthand, typewriting, secretarial training are our specialties. PHONE 894 DIAMONDS More than just lovely rings. . Brilliant, distinctive. . and assured quality. Priced $50 - $100 - $150 up to $600. THE COLLEGE JEWELER 809 Mass. Students' Jewelry Store 43 Years.