SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1944
KANSAN COMMENTS
Homecoming Has Real Meaning For Veterans of World War II
Homecoming this year means more than just a class reunion at a football game with its attendant parade, decorated houses, queen, and dance. It is a real HOME coming for nearly a dozen former students who have either recently been dismissed from the armed services or are here this weekend on furlough from distant stations. One of these men fought on Saipan; one has just returned from the Aleutians; one is a veteran of the Italian campaign, and others have been stationed at ports and camps all over the United States.
To these men, who have learned the real value of things, comes a true appreciation of what the word "home" implies. They have been dreaming of this occasion and for many months, in some cases, have been re-arranging plan after plan to enable them to be present for their alma mater's annual gathering. There is something about walking over the campus, sitting at initial-carved desks, joining the crowd in singing the "Crimson and the Blue" that binds you to every other young person who has ever attended the University, whether
known to you or not. When the Rock Chalk-Jayhawk yell is chanted at the conclusion of the game tomorrow, the relatives and friends of boys unable to attend will not be the only ones remembering them and knowing what they would give—what they are giving—to be able to participate in the festivities.
Despite the difficulties encountered under war-time conditions, however, several hundred alumni are expected to return for the Nebraska-K.U. game tomorrow. Homecomings provide an opportunity for men and women to meet contemporaries of an equal intellectual level, as well as to renew old acquaintances. Since it is impossible for many former students to come to Lawrence this year, and most of the standard features of a Homecoming Day have had to be discontinued for the duration, people are beginning to realize just how much such celebrations meant to them.
Perhaps by next autumn, the stadium will be filled with fighting Jayhawkers who have come "home" after long months of absence.
Election System Improved Upon By England
Every four years the nation takes time off to spend millions at its favorite sideshow—the election. Posters, speeches, and whispers keep us worked up over a custom we have clung to all these years, because it was the best in the world at the time the Constitution was signed.
Yes, it was good—a century and a half ago. Since then we have seen it degenerate to a dog-fight between two parties. Every child in the land knows how the candidates for this most important office are picked—in a smoke-filled hotel room by a few bargainers while the majority of the peoples' elected delegates spend their time drinking and cheering.
There is a remedy for this evil that is a democratic remedy—the parliamentary system as practiced in England. There the chief executive is head of the majority party in the legislature. As long as the people endorse his program in normal times, he remains in office. The minute he does not have the support of the majority of the House, an election is called.
We see presidential candidates campaigning on identical platforms relying on mud-slinging and fantastic promises to win for them. And this because there is seldom a real issue at stake over which public opinion is sharply divided. The true issue in the present campaign is one merely of personality.
Another defect of our present system of elections lies in the worry of reelection put on the president. Now, at a time when he should be giving undivided attention to affairs of state, he has to spend valuable time on campaign speeches.
Under this form of government the people make their voices heard when there is an important question—not two lears later when they have forgotten it. And the executive does not have to stop pushing his program for a half year before election. He can go ahead until he knows for sure it is not popular.
If we want a true democracy, responsive to the people, we should
Letter to the Editor
Editor's Note: All "Letters to the Editor" must be signed. The name will be withheld from publication upon request. To the Editor of the Dolly Karsman
Much has been said about the way the girls in this country have been neglecting their appearance since their husbands and boy friends have gone to war. This might be the truth, to a small degree, but lock at the sloppy way the boys on this campus, at least, go around.
At least half the boys seen at K.U. are perpetually in need of a haircut, and, unless they have a crew cut, could nearly always use a comb to advantage. Often an accumulation of dirt remains under their finger-nails for days at a time.
We don't ask them to wear suits to class, but some of the mixtures of plaids and stripes, and the peculiar color combinations which appear are enough to make regulation uniforms desirable even after the war. Some boys object to wearing the claps (although most girls would rather see these than a tie blowing around in the wind), but there is no excuse for wearing shirts that are so crumpled
look ahead for something to replace the present formality.—K.G.
Rock Chalk Talk
By JOAN HARRIS
Twas the night before Thurs. and all through the (Kappa) house not a creature was stirring except a mouse. At about 2 a.m. Mike is in the habit of emerging from his modest abode to take a short stroll over the premises. Being a shy, unassuming little rodent, Mike greatly dislikes scenes. He was very unhappy with Patty Orr when she woke up in the middle of a bad dream to see him nonchalantly munching on her appetizing blue bedroom slippers. She screamed like a siren and soon her two roommates awoke to join her on high C.
and limp it is obvious they have been worn three or four times since last laundered.
Mike jumped up on the bed to duck his head in a pillow to drown out the dreadful noise, and Patty immediately jumped out to give him more room. For awhile Mike just sat and looked at all the white faces and wide eyes across the room; then he got homesick and left the Kappas to amuse themselves as best they could.
The ASTRP is even worse, in comparison, than the civilians. If they wore their collars flopping open, their shoes unpolished, and their knapsacks bumping around any old place in the real army, some officer would "rack" them before they had gone three steps. The sailors are the best of the lot although they, too, wear their hats in any position and roll their cuffs back in a very unwieldy manner.
Stop Those Huskers
There is a certain aquatically-minded sailor named Sailor who spent his liberty Wednesday night looking for a swimming pool, among other things. He returned to PT-1 greatly discouraged, to do his swimming in the bathtub where he almost drowned.
Returning service men, after being forced to be orderly month after month, are said to expect exceptional tidiness in their wives. In the meantime, however, the girls at home have gotten used to going out with just such neat servicemen and consequently expect the civilians they date to observe at least the first principles of cleanliness.
A Disgusted Co-Ed.
Stop Those Huskers
Freshman Ann Scott told her Theta sisters that she was going to the Wednesday midweek and asked what she should wear. Her elders considered the matter seriously and concluded that she should by all means dress up for the occasion — hose, heels, and all the other uncomfortable things they could dream up. After she was completely decked out and ready to sail on the social sea, she asked them if she were presentable. They suggested that she readjust her face a little and add a touch of sweet- smelling stuff.
After all this was said and done, Ann again inquired if she were presentable. The chairman of the "hazing" committee said, "Yes, you look sweet, honey. Too bad there isn't a midweek tonight."
***
The Penney - Conard scavenger hunt for fugitives from the pep rally should produce some very interesting characters. No matter what sort of things it produces, however, the relentless combination promises to bring 'em back—dead or alive.
Ruth Krebbiel, back in Jayhawker town for the game, wants to see every bright and shiny countenance in the stadium tonight to show the team that we really "care."
BUY U.S. WAR BONDS
Signs Needed to Indicate Direction of Fire Escapees
Fire drills might be considered necessary for grade and high school youngsters only, but adequate fire escape facilities should be provided and made apparent in universities, as well.
Very likely the school buildings at KU. do pass state regulations; the fact still remains that several of them have no fire escape at all; and many of those that do, do not have them well-marked. Probably very few students here would know which was the nearest way out if a fire should break out in Watson library, Haworth hall, Hoch auditorium, the Journalism building or several others.
Some of these are supposedly fireproof buildings, it is true, but it would give students a much more comfortable feeling to have the fire escapes on the others clearly indicated.
Chester to Play at Indiana
Chester to Play at Indiana Bob Chester and his orchestra will be featured at the opening dance of the Formal Season at Indiana University next week.
BEAT NEBRASKA!
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735 Mass.
Phone 548
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