PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1941
The KANSAN Comments...
We, Too, Have Nerves
The box score in America's undeclared naval warfare with Germany is as follows: American losses, one destroyer sunk, one crippled; German losses, not released. Navy Secretary Knox and President Roosevelt have decided not to give out any reports on the sinking of Nazi submarines. The purpose of this silence is to break the morale of U-boat crews. Britain, too, has been playing this "war of nerves," keeping the Germans guessing about their submarine losses, but the Germans have kept enough control of their emotions to inflict heavy toll of allied shipping.
We have nerves in this country, too. We are given fully the uncomfortable details of the sinking and near-sinking of American war vessels, without any information as to how our navy, supposedly the best branch of our military might, is meeting the attack. It has been hinted that several subs have been destroyed, but such hints lack the stamp of authenticity. Morale is important in this country during these critical times, and morale is not being boosted by keeping people in the dark as to the effectiveness of the navy in offensive or defensive battle.
The effect of our silence on German nerves is questionable. The German people will not read of sub losses, whether we release them or not, because the Nazi hierarchy does not want them to know. As for the U-boat crews—well, sub warfare is a dangerous job at best, and there are probably more fatalists than faint-hearts among the "rattlesnake" personnel.
Our official silence will not harm German morale to any extent. It can harm our morale. If our naval defeats are released for front page spreads in the newspapers, it is only fair that we are told of our victories in this undeclared war.
1941 Reverses 1917
The controversy over arming of American merchant ships and amendment of U. S. neutrality laws now waxing has as its counterpart a similar situation in 1917. However, where President Woodrow Wilson failed in his attempt to arm merchantmen and gain Congressional approval for convoys, President Roosevelt will soon receive backing for these two steps. In fact, there have been many covert evasions of the Neutrality law by the United States in its efforts to supply Britain with war materials and foodstuffs.
President Wilson appealed to Congress for sanction of armed merchantmen and convoys immediately after the sinking of the Housatonic, bound for London with foodstuffs, and the Lyman L. Law, for Palermo, with lemon-box staves. In his speech to a joint session of the House and Senate, Wilson demanded:
"No doubt I already possess that authority without special warrant of law . . . but I prefer not to act upon general implication. I wish to feel the authority and power of Congress behind me in whatever it may become necessary for me to do. We . . . must act together."
Roosevelt parallels Wilson's actions in many instances. His strong-willed assertiveness in guiding legislation through Congress and his positive moves in international problems stamp him as an all-powerful leader of American actions. Not so idealistic as Wilson, President Roosevelt has a more "practical" grasp on war policies and peace settlements after World War II.
Senate opposition to neutrality revision is
manifest, but not as strongly as in 1917. Indications point to an acquiescence to the President's demands. The opposition will use no weapon such as Wilson's opponents used—the filibuster. Wilson accused eleven "wilful men" in the Senate of rendering the United States helpless, of blocking the majority wishes of the House and Senate. Senator Henry Cabot Lodge was the leader in denying "blanket powers" to the President in peace time. The House had passed the arms bill by a vote of 403 to 13 and 75 senators had indicated that they would support the measure if a vote could be obtained. The filibuster succeeded, though, and Congress adjourned with no action taken.
Perhaps President Roosevelt, who has been blocked by Congress at times, is a devotee of Wilson's expressed sentiments on Congress:
"In the imminent presence of a crisis fraught with more subtle and far-reaching possibilities of national danger than any other government has known within the whole history of international relations, the Congress has been unable to act either to safeguard the country or to vindicate the elementary rights of its citizens."
OFFICIAL BULLETIN UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
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Vol. 39 Tuesday, Nov. 4,1941 No.37
Notices due at News Bureau, 8 Journalism, at 10 a.m. on day of publication during the week, and at 11 a.m. on Saturday for Sunday issue.
SCABBARD AND BLADE meeting Tuesday evening, Nov. 4, 1941, at 9:45 o'clock in room 202 Fowler Shops. Benjamin M. Matassarin, Captain.
JAY JANES: Jay Janes will meet Wednesday at 4:30 in the Pine room. You must turn in all money and remaining tickets from the Vice Versa dance.
Genevieve Harman, president.
CATHOLIC STUDENTS: Father Weisenberg will be in room 415 Watson library for personal conferences from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday.
TAU SIGMA will meet tonight at 7:30 in Robinson gymnasium.
CERCLE FRANCAIS: Le Cercle Franceais se remuire le 5 Novembre mercredi a trois heures, et demie dans la salle 113 Frank Strong—Marjorie Mossman.
Prospective teachers may obtain junior memberships in the Kansas State Teachers Association at the office of the School of Education, 103 Fraser Hall.-Signed, R. A. Schwegler, president K.U. Unit.
Faculty members who have not yet called for K.S.T. A. membership cards may obtain them at 103 Fraser Hall.-Signed, R.A. Schwegler.
NOTICE TO PREMEDICAL STUDENTS: Due to the abnormal situation there are some students desiring to enter medical school next fall who did not take the Medical Aptitude Test at the regular time last spring. For these students, the Association of American Medical Colleges is arranging to give a special test at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 1941, in Room 206 Marvin Hall. Those students who wish to enter medical school next fall should take the test at that time since the regular test to be given next spring will come too late. Will such students please register AT ONCE at the Medical School Office, Room 10 Frank Strong Hall. A fee of two dollars will be charged for this special test. For further information, inquire of Parke H. Woodard, Associate Professor of Physiology, Room 8B, Frank Strong Hall.
PRACTICE TEACHING: Students desiring to do supervised teaching during the spring semester should make application at once in the office of the School of Education.—Signed, George B. Smith, Dean.
Lawrence, Kansas
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Lawrence, Kansas
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Rock Chalk Talk
By HEIDI VIETS
The Vice Versa dance is past, but the Hill harem hasn't lost that Sadie Hawkins spirit. Campus women can't forget the fun they have turning tables on the men Saturday night. One potent reminder is a sizable slump in feminine finances.
Phi Gam Ben Mantz drew an envious flutter from fashionable Vice Versa males when he swished into the ballroom wearing his vegetable corsage in his hair. By the end of the dance it was dangling rakishly over one ear. The all-girl stagline was charmed.
Another vegetable-corsage wearer was Harold Goss, pledge of Delta Tau Delta. Carrots predominated. Wrote escort Lila Jean Duffman, Theta freshman, on the card, "Don't think I don't carrot for you."
Men went all-out to cooperate with the girls' "trade places" spirit. For instance, Lucien Gray was sitting in the Phi Gam parlor in a robe when Charlene Baker, Chi Omega, called for him. With mock flustration, he dashed upstairs to dress. "So sorry I'm late," he cooled when he finally came down.
Some of the enterprising boys insisted on sitting on their dates' laps. Other men carried out the Vice Versa idea by phoning their girls beforehand to ask, "What should I wear?"
Even a duck can fool you. So says John Conard, Rock Chalk Co-op, since his unusual hunting episode last weekend. He and other gun tooters were near Ferry to hunt ducks. They were overjoyed when they spied a flock of them on a pond across the road. Cautiously they crept across, nearer and nearer to the plentiful pond. Then they fired. Nothing happened. The birds were decoys.
Spanish costumed Sig Alph's and their dates were coming down the Union stairs from their Conga party in the Kansas room Saturday night just as informally clad Vice Versa dancers started leaving the ballroom. Called Senor-for-a-night Tommy Thompson, "My what a lot of North American exchange students we have here tonight!"
Conard is having a hard time making friends believe he shot at the decoys on the wing.
Normalee Rugan was the happiest girl at the Freshman Frolic Friday night when Charlie Spivak dedicated a birthday number to her. Later he took time out to shake hands and congratulate her. She had a happy birthday—also hep.
Pi Phi actives went to Hell early last Saturday morning at the gracious invitation of their pledge class.
After the Freshman Frolic, freshmen entertained their elders in the basement, which was weirdly lighted and decorated with tombstones around the wall, one for each active. The monuments carried sarcastic epitaphs.
Entertainment was a ceremony in which each active was summoned, told why she must go to Hell. Final analysis by the pledges was that only they would be spared the uncomfortably trek.
Fliers Have Patois Even As College Students
(United Press)
Bar maids with wings send many a dodo into a spin.
You don't savvy the language of the Army Air Corps soldiers?
In civilian words: Engaged girls who date only officers, cause many a recruit to worry.
That's just an example of the vocabulary developed by Uncle Sam's fliers and not often used in other military branches.
Here are some expressions used frequently by the airmen:
An O. K. Joe—a pal with five
bucks to loan.
Bar Maid-girl who dates only officers.
Back to your holes — return to quarters.
Breast detail-Friday night clean up for Saturday inspection.
Bunk fatigue—sleeplessness.
Dodo—recruit who hasn't soloed.
Fogey — five percent pay boost granted every three years.
Get eager—be on the alert; buck up.
Gigs—demerits.
H. P.—hot pilot-good flier.
Grab a brace-assume position of attention.
In the spin—worrying.
Iron compass — railroad tracks used to locate object while in the air.
Hanger flying—swapping yarns.
Have wings—become engaged.
the spin—worrying
Kiki- flying officer who can't fly but wears wings on his uniform.
On the beam—in the groove.
Paddlefoot — soldier in another branch of the service.
Pea shooter—pursuit plane or its pilot.
Princess—pretty girl without automobile.
Raunchy—untidy, dirty, inefficient.
Rocking chair pilot—a good weather flier.
Trainer—temporary girl friend.
Spook—homely girl.
Top Wash — turbulent air flow back of propellor. Recruits are sent out to get a bucket of 'top wash.'
Queen-pretty girl with an automobile.
Wind 'er up—last flying.
Yardbird - a sloppy fellow, always a buck private.
Fraternities and sororities at the University of North Dakota sign up 192 pledges.