UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE. KANSAS
APRIL 15, 1947
PAGE SIX
Kansan Comments
Insurance For Tragedy Victims
What if you had been in Woodward, Okla., instead of Lawrence Wednesday night?
You probably wouldn't be worrying much about physical comfort, if you were a tornado victim. Doctors, nurses, Red Cross workers, and peace officers went into the stricken area from hundreds of miles in all directions. A special train took in medical supplies and took out injured persons. Ambulances and automobiles carried casualties to hospitals in surrounding town.
Property damage in Woodward alone is estimated at a million dollars. At least 3,000 were homeless. This does not consider hospital expenses which many will have to pay in addition to the volunteer services they receive. Their investments and savings; their food, clothing and shelter; their businesses and places of employment, were at least partly blown away. As far as their own efforts are concerned, many of them will have to start again from scratch.
According to the statistics, tornadoes kill an average of 237 persons in the United States every year. In 1884, one storm killed 800 persons. Property damage from this cause has averaged $11,631,350 each year from 1916 to 1945. Floods and drought frequently bring suffering to thousands.
--become attached to particular theories and philosophies and render tenacious allegiance long after logical basis for their continuance has disappeared. This seems to be true of the author of the aforementioned letter.
In times of tragedy, the whole nation volunteers aid. We would not have it otherwise. But what of the unfortunates a year later?
Why doesn't the federal government provide for aid in rehabilitation of such victims? It provides the Old Age and Survivors Insurance system known as Social Security, which includes eight types of benefit to which mishaps beyond man's control might entitle him.
Since it has been proved by workmen's compensation experience that a man will not fall on a buzz saw just to get a little money without working, it seems no more likely that he would build his home low on a dangerous river bank to collect money for flood damages.
Alamada Bollier.
On the theory that society should never make a loss to an individual as profitable as production, insurance against catastrophe probably should not attempt to return a loser to his exact former status. But it might help save a lot of self-respect which would pay back its cost by contributing to a stronger community later.
We wonder how much longer the American taxpayers are going to have to pay Senator Bilbo to sit at home in Mississippi. But on second thought, perhaps it is worth the price to keep him off the floor of the senate.
Federal all-risk crop insurance is an example of this theory in practice. Although it lost the government a million dollars during the bad years when it was instituted, and was even voted out of existence by Congress for a time, it was soon reinstated, and gained back part of its indemnity in productive times.
If costs of social insurance to cover "acts of God" were properly computed and a corresponding system of premiums adopted, why couldn't it work? Is not the function of organized society to protect its members from injustices they are helpless to prevent?
Dear Editor---become attached to particular theories and philosophies and render tenacious allegiance long after logical basis for their continuance has disappeared. This seems to be true of the author of the aforementioned letter.
The Dove Replies
In reply to a recent letter written by Jean T. Fisher, I have only to advise that he strike up an acquaintance with members of the Dove staff and derive a little insight into the factors which motivate their opinions.
Really, we are quite innocuously sincere. Our aims are altruistic, and I believe Mr. Fisher is laboring under a good many burdening mis-apprehensions about us.
Frank Stannard, who opposes the entry of Oklahoma A. and M. to the conference, is accused of "unfounded narrow-minded and prejudice," yet I believe this characterization could better be applied to the author of the criticism, if he has no feeling for the rights of all men to equality, irrespective of race or color.
The Dove staff is accused of trying to "change the rights and privileges" of Americans. What we really have in mind is the removal of what we consider to be injustices in our society.
We are also dubbed as imitation Hitlerites, while our editors exclude pacifism and racial tolerance. We have always considered ourselves possessed of theories which are in direct antithesis to Hitleristic doctrines.
We are to be an instigating factor in a revival of the Klan, says our critic, and we are "hiding behind a cloak of democracy to spread socialistic principles." We are hiding behind nothing or we would not be publishing such a straight-forward statement of our stand as the Dove.
As for Mr. Fisher's attempt to strike a great contrast between democracy and socialism, perhaps he should study the full intimacy of true democracy and our idealistic brand of socialism.
We do not have to "hide behind democracy," for we believe in it. Most of us are individualists who believe that maximum individual freedom may be attained by ordering society to secure greater economic and social equality.
We do not mind criticism of our theories based on rational arguments against them; that is good, but name-calling is old stuff and very unconvincing.
Beth H. Bell College Senior
Defends The Dove
The letter in the Kansan of April 8 which so bitterly attacked the liberal and independent publication, The Dove, is one of the most unwarranted and hypocritical examples of indignation it has been my misfortune to read.
The Dove is one of the few publications in Lawrence campaigning against bigotry and intolerance bred of ignorance.
Many people have a tendency t
Head Hunters Played Baseball
"I taught head hunters to play baseball and grow corn," Dr. E. H. Taylor, zoology professor, told the Sunflower K.U. Dames club recently.
Dr. Taylor spent two years on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines as a government representative. His job was to help civilize the savage tribes.
He had to break down native religion and superstitions such as not chopping trees because they were the homes of the native gods.
Later Dr. Taylor was made head of the fisheries in the Philippines. This gave him an opportunity to collect many rare specimens for his large reptile collection.
New Formula Would Prevent Tooth Decay
Dr. Barnhardt Gottlieb of Dallas, instructor in dental pathology and dental research at Baylor, explained methods in impregnating teeth with a silver nitrate formula to prevent decay.
"Dental cares are gone." Dr. Gottlieb explained. "There is nothing secret about my formula. It isn't patented and anyone can use it by impregnating a tooth with this common chemical. Tooth decay can be eliminated or halted."
Galveston. (UP)—The nation's tooth wories may be alleviated, according to a Baylor University dental instructor, who told a group of Gulf Coast dentists about his new formula designed to end tooth decay.
Is it a crime to use our free and independent press to voice opposition to intolerance, injustice, and restriction of civil liberties? And is it an honor to forever remain in a seemingly inescapable state of ignorance and prejudice?
Robert Anderson Jr.
College Sophomore
The University Daily Kansan
Student Newspaper of the UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Member of the Kansas Press Assn., National Editorial Assn., Inland Daily Press, and Southern Newspaper Press. Represented by the National Advertising Service. 420 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.
York City.
Managing Editor
Editor in Chief
Asst. Man. Editor
Asst. Man. Editor
City Editor
Ast. Editor
Ast. Editor
City Editor
Telegraph Editor
Art Editor
Business Manager ...
Circulation Manager
Classified Adm. Man.
Promotion Manager
Promotion Manager
Your Car Can Get Spring Fever, Too Get A 10 Star Spring Tune-up and Clean-up
Marcella Stewart
LeMcOrr
Martha Jewett
William T. Smith Jr.
Shirley E. Bales
Shirley E. Bales
Alan J. Stewart
Stewart
Elaine West
Eloise West
at
Bob Bonebrake
Almire
John Beach
LaVerno Keevan
Keevan
Mel Adams
Mel Adams
Darl's Standard Service
23rd and La.
"What Are You Doing After The Trial, Baby?"
Britain's 'Cat Man' Discusses Planes
Hawthorne, Calif.—(UP)The British hold world speed records and are pacing jet engine development, but they are trailing the United States in research on flying wing airplanes, England's "cat man" pilot said here.
Former RAF pilot John Cunningham, who earned the "cat man" nickname because of his apparent ability to see at night, told pilots and engineers at Northrop Aircraft Co. that the British still are in the planning stage on a 90,000-pound flying wing.
Cunningham examined the enormous flying wing B-35 bombers built here for overload gross weights of more than 105 tons. His visit was for a conference with engineers on such designs. He now is chief test pilot for DeHaviland Aircraft in England.
It's All In The Family
Albany, N. Y.-(UP)—Nineteenyear-old Betty Holt and her mother are students in the same evening shorthand class at Albany business college. They have the same ambition—to become an author's secretary.
To Elect Officers For Religious Council
Student Religious council will elect officers at its next meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday in the Mission room of Myers hall. Those elected will take office immediately, President Mary Holtzclaw said today.
Recommendations for Religious Emphasis week next year will be made next week by the Religious Emphasis committee of the council
3-day Cleaning Service
24-hour Shoe Repair
4-day Laundry Service
- Leather and Garment Dyeing a Specialty.
Village Cleaners SUNFLOWER, KANSAS Opposite School Western Union----8 a.m.-9 p.m.
4 Nice Things To Have
1. An umbrella when it's raining.
2. A doctor when you are sick. . .
3. A spare tire when you have a flat. . .
4. A GOOD PLACE TO EAT WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY! . . .
DINE WELL
at
Thompson's Cafe
709 MASS.