UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
PAGE SIX
FEBRUARY 18, 1947
Kansan Comments
Loose Words
In a recent newcastle which lasted less than 10 minutes, three items were concerned with "communist" activity in this country. David Lilienthal finds his proposed position as chairman of the Atomic Energy commission threatened by the word, although so far nothing more concrete than that seems to have been offered.
That such vague epithets are so effective would be ridiculous if it weren't so dangerous. But without proof of anything inherently either bad or good, certain catch-phases, pronounced dramatically, can have profound effect on public opinion.
Without further qualification, the word communism seems to denote something at least as bad as the overthrow of our government; the word freedom, for which men go out to die, can mean exactly the same thing if used in an absolute sense.
Another good line is "free enterprise." Politicians favoring this have a good argument for their election. But it, too, is a relative thing. Several million years ago men went out with clubs to bring back their prehistoric groceries; but one could hardly call that system desirable today.
"The American way" is another hollow expression that fills us with a warm, nationalistic, self-satisfied glow. Its use under certain conditions makes listeners choke up, thinking of hot dogs, baseball, and freedom of speech; autumn bonfires, the Sunday edition, and shiny bathrooms.
Why shouldn't they think also of children living on cokes and hamburgers, mothers working on the swing swift, and the juvenile delinquency rate increasing? Can't the American way also mean the full garbage pail, political machines, and one out of four marriages ending in divorce? Are we proud that we can't stamp out Ku Klux Klanism?
When we compare our government favorably with other forms, we often wave the noble standard of "the worth of the individual." This is a valuable ideal in any society, but should it imply only our way of achievement? More persons are killed annually on our highways than on our battlefields during wartime. We have 30,000 fatal industrial accidents a year, not to mention various degrees of disability suffered. The worth of the individual? Apparently, we've put technology ahead of it.
We know a psychology professor who is still dumbfolded over the nerveless calm of one student during exam week. The latter finished a two-hour quiz in one hour and sauntered up to hand it in. The professor glared at him and asked if he was in a hurry. Not exactly, the veteran told him, but if the professor didn't mind too much, he would like to leave. His wife was in the hospital having a baby.
The United States government is the best in the world—we can say it, but we can't prove it until we know as much about others. As long as it is by and for the people who think with their emotions, it can't be completely sound. The next time you hear some of these popular phrases, chew the idea a little while before swallowing it.
Last week one veteran protested at the University's policy of mailing out grades to students' families. It seems he was wondering how to explain three D's and two C's to his five-year-old son.
Dear Editor--ner, which in our case includes—
Editor's Note: Every "Letter to the Editor" must be signed. The name will be withheld from publication upon request, but the editor must know who wrote it. All letters must be limited to 250 words.
Course Lists Mislead
There is a crying need at this university for a descriptive catalog of courses offered in the College. Every semester the College office publishes a catalog merely listing names of courses, the places and times which they are offered, and the instructors teaching them. Such a catalog is of use only in preparing a schedule.
With such a catalog one often selects a course which he thinks offers certain things, and then, when it is too late, discovers that the course is not as he supposed it would be. Even advisers complain to inquiring students that they don't know what a specified course is, and that they wish the College would publish a descriptive catalog.
Certainly the University of Kansas can suffer the expense of printing a catalog which would in a brief paragraph explain to the student what every course in the College has to offer, stating its content, purpose, and method of instruction. I believe the College would find such a catalog well worth its serious consideration as have other universities throughout the country.
College Freshman
(Name withheld by request)
(Editor' snoto—Such a catalog, known as Section II, Announcement of Courses, was not published here last year because of post-war shortages. It is available in normal times, however; and copy for a new edition is in the final stages of preparation. It should be available for distribution about April, depending on the pressure of legislative printing which will freeceive priority.)
Gerard Was Right
Mr. Gerard couldn't win. If he had allowed the K-State students to get away with their pranks he would have been called negligent and incompetent. But because he did do the job he was paid and authorized to do, he was severely criticized and accused of overzealousness and homicidal tendencies.
The only tendency I see is a tendency toward childishness on the part of the K-State students involved. By the time a person has reached college he supposedly is mature enough to realize that he commits such juvenile acts of vandalism at his own risk.
If a watchman discovers such acts being committed in his assigned territory, it is his duty to take steps to prevent it. If in his judgment, extreme steps are warranted, he is fully justified in taking such steps.
Robert M. Clave College Sophomore
Class schedule slips for the all-University convocation announced that 11 o'clock classes would be held from 11:20 to 12:50, and 12 o'clock classes would meet as usual. Apparently the assignment habits of some professors have extended te class hours.
One Kansas City landlady is sorry she failed to obey a court order to provide heat for her tenants. It seems she got into hot water.
(Editor's note—What will be student opinion toward this matter by March 17?)
Apparently Leavenworth has had tavern-keepers who sold liquor. Is this what you would call a hie town?
One graduating veteran was unimpressed by the remark that now, with his college career over, he was going out into the "cold, cruel" world. He's been out in the world before and says it isn't half as cruel or cold as this place
Last Student Leaves Sunflower Dorms
The last student has left University-leased Sunflower dormitories, Irvin Youngberg, University housing director, announced today.
Remaining students were moved out last week, and the barracks,'acquired by the University for emergency housing, are being restored to a standby condition.
"Although we faced many difficulties such as the distance from town, and operational problems, in my opinion, Sunflower was some of the best student housing we had. Use of the Sunflower buildings enabled the University to admit an additional 1,500 students for the fall semester, although 970 was the maximum number housed at Sunflower at any one time." Mr. Youngberg said.
In addition to the dormitories, the University organized a Union annex for Sunflower students, and operated the large plant cafeteria. Possession of the dormitories will be retained, and the buildings will be used again if necessary.
Much credit for the success of Sunflower dormitories goes to William Kollander, formerly of the University's R.O.T.C. unit, who was in charge of all maintenance and repair work, Mr. Youngberg said. In addition, he expressed appreciation for the help and consideration received from Lt. Col. Inman and, later, from Lt. Col. R. M. Bacher, present commanding officer of the plant.
Sunflower village will be unaffected by the closing of the University dormitories, Mr. Youngberg said. Village apartments will continue to be available to married students as long as they are needed. Waiting period for an apartment has been reduced to a few weeks, depending upon the type of apartment desired.
They Will Study Marriage Problems
They are James Scanlan, College junior; William Hogan, education junior; Kenneth Dieker, College freshman; Bernard Domann, pharmacy sophomore; and one yet to be selected.
Five students from the Newman club will attend a discussion of marriage problems Sunday Feb. 23 at the College of Paola, Paola, Kan.
Plans for religious emphasis week in March were also discussed at the breakfast meeting at St. John's Catholic church.
Women's Group To Meet
A neighborhood discussion group sponsored by the Lawrence League of Women Voters for Sunnyside residents will meet at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the home of Mrs. Ralph I. Canuteste, 1638 Mississippi street. Anyone interested in studying citizen participation in government is welcome to attend, Mrs. Karl Kreider, league president, said.
The University Daily Kansan
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Managing Editor ... Billie M. Hamilton
Editor in Chief ... Alamada Boliller
Assst. Man. Editor ... Marcelia Stewart
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Telegraph Editor ... Martha Jewett
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Editor ... Boh Bonebrake
Business Manager .. Bob Bonebrake
Advertising Manager .. Alma Wuhnow
Circulation Manager .. John Beach
Administrator .. LaVaise
Nat. Adp. Manager .. Kenneth White
Promotion Manager .. Mel Adams
Tenant Farming Decreases
In 1940, the federal farm census showed 45.1 per cent of North Dakota farms operated by tenants. In 1945, the figure had gone down to 27.8 per cent.
Amendments Made Early
More amendments to the United States Constitution were adopted during George Washington's administration than under any other president.
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The "KING" Still Reigns
Yes, Old King Hamburger still remains all high in the Taste Treats of our customers. When you order one of our Delicious "Burgers" we treat it as a full course dinner, which in our case includes—
Taste, Satisfaction, and Quantity.
COURT HOUSE LUNCH
(across from the Court House)