PAGE SIX
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1940
The Kansan Comments-mer, five members were found to be returning to jobs at Picatinny Arsenal; 12 to positions in the national guard; three to Hercules Powder plant in Kenvil; and three to jobs as engineers in New Jersey's biggest power plant. Two months later the Kenvil plant blew up and 52 were killed. The same week a blast at the Picatinny Arsenal killed two more. The F.B.I. is still investigating.
EDITORIALS★
BOOKS★
Until the President delegates more responsibility and power to act, our defense preparations will probably continue to lag. Some business men advocate an independent civilian commission on the order of the old War Industries Board. This plan or another similar should be adopted, and quickly.
President Roosevelt has consistently refused to release powers which, if given to another, would allow rapid organization and progress in our defense program. The President has so far steadfastly retained his policy of keeping control of key positions. One man can not do the whole job.
Why Our Defense Lags
THE current Congress appropriated more than ten billion dollars to build defense for the United States. Some 130 million citizens of this nation thereupon returned to a more settled peace of mind. Uncle Sam was preparing to gird for the battle, should it come.
'Honorable Diplomacy'
THE State Department, clinging to the old "honorable diplomacy" tradition, is making it possible for Hitler to wage an undeclared war on the United States.
Under this old tradition, diplomats enjoy many privileges. Their baggage and mail is exempt from inspection. They may not even be tried for murder, and their houses may not be seached. In return, diplomats have traditionally behaved with good record.
Under a special treaty with Germany, one of the most generous in the State Department's library, Hitler has a particular advantage. Most of the Nazi officials here enjoy privileges equal to those of ambassadors. Diplomatic immunity is extended to families of the Embassy staffs and to all consular subordinates.
During the last week that complacency has been rudely upset. Those same 130 million picked up their newspapers to read statements by prominent business men that the defense progress of the nation was shockingly slow. Airplane production is falling short, by thousands, of the goal President Roosevelt set several months ago. Main reasons for the slack in production are no location of authority to make decisions and to act, and the lack of definite lines of responsibility.
The most successful spies have been those within the ranks of the American government and those employed in munitions plants. Dr. Ignatz Griebl, founder of the Bund, was at one time a lieutenant in the U.S. Army reserve. When the license plates were checked at the Bund camp in Andover, New Jersey, this summer, five members were found to be returning to jobs at Picatinny Arsenal; 12 to positions in the national guard; three to Hercules Powder plant in Kenvil; and three to jobs as engineers in New Jersey's biggest power plant. Two months later the Kenvil plant blew up and 52 were killed. The same week a blast at the Picatinny Arsenal killed two more. The F.B.I. is still investigating.
Nazi representation has been trebled here in the past three years—supposedly "aiding their nationals in traveling and business." What are these diplomats doing? They are the heads of the various organizations that distribute literature, operate the Bund, and publish seditious newspapers.
The Bund is an organization of spies, saboteurs, and cash contributors for the Nazi government. Their membership numbers 40,000 American citizens who renew their oath to Hitler each year on April 20, Hitler's birthday. There have been many investigations, but the Bund has apparently succeeded in delivering to Germany the plans of America's newest destroyers, a coding machine just purchased by the Navy, and the blueprints of 12 new airplanes.
LETTERS★
Coordination among the spy rings is made easier by officials who can work without hindrances from the American government. They are given free rein by our "honorable diplomacy." One Bund chief recently boasted: "America is the easiest country Hitler has tackled yet. We will never have to outfight the Americans; we have outsmarted them already."
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Student Paper of THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Lawrence, Kansas
PATTER
Subscription rates, in advance, $3.00 per year, $1.75 per semester, published at Lawrence, Kansas, daily during the school year, and delivered as a second class upon September 17, 1910, at the post office at Lawrence, Kanso, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
REPRESENTED FOR NATIONAL ADVERTISING BY National Advertising Service, Inc. College Publishers Representative 420 MADISON AVE. NEW YORK, N.Y. CINCAGO • BOSTON • LOS ANGELES • SAN FRANCISCO
EDITORIAL STAFF
Editor-in-Chief ... Gray Dorsey
Editorial Associates: Helen Houston, Mary McAnow,
Pat Murdock, and Eldon Corkill
Feature Editor ... Wandalae Carlson
NEWS STAFF
Managing Editor Stan Stauffer
Campus Editor Bob Trump
Sports Editor Don Trump
Society Editor Amn Nettle
Powa Editor Virginia Gray
Wire and Radio Editor Art O'Donnell
Copy Editors; Orlando Epp, Russell Borges
Hyde, David Wagner
BUSINESS STAFF
Business Manager
Advertising Assistant
Business Administrator
Frank Spencer
Ruth Spencer
OFFICIAL BULLETIN
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Vol. 38 Tuesday, Dec. 17, 1940 No.62
Notices due at Chancellor's office at 3 p.m. on day before publication during the week, and at 11 a.m. on Saturday for Sunday issue.
COSMOPOLITAN CLUB: The Cosmopolitan Club will have its Christmas party on Friday at the Episcopal parish (1011 Vermont). A special program will be held. People of all races and nationalities are cordially invited—Enile Weiss, secretary.
--a plentiful supply of water for fire-fighting.
KANSAS NATIONAL GUARD STUDENTS: Students who are members of the Kansas National Guard and who wish to make arrangements for receiving credit for the work of this semester should consult immediately with Mr. Hitt in the Registrar's Office. George O. Foster, registrar.
JAY JANES: Jay Jane meeting tomorrow at 4:30 in the Pine Room of the Union building. Pledging services—wear uniforms—Ruth Spencer, president.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION of the Y.M.C.A.-Y.W.C.A.: Social Action Commission of the Y.M.C.A.-Y.W.C.A. will meet at Henley House Wednesday at 4:30. Edna Earl Brooks will lead a discussion concerning race prejudice. Everyone interested is welcome.—Margaret June Gray, chairman.
NEWMAN CLUB: The Newman Club will have its Christmas party in St. John's Parish hall Thursday evening from 8 to 10:30. Everyone coming is to bring a gift not to cost more than twenty-five cents. All are welcome.Joseph A. Zishka.
TAU SIGMA: There will be a Tau Sigma meeting tonight at 7:30.-Carolyn Green, president.
W. N.A.A.: W.N.A.A. will meet Thursday evening at 7:30 in the lounge of the Union building. Women students invited. Lillian Fisher, president.
W. S.G.A.: W.S.G.A. Council will meet at 7:00 in the Pine Room this evening—Doria Twente, Secretary.
NOTICES★
Potter Lake Once Fought Hazards, Now Is One
Twenty-eight years have transformed Potter lake from a practical fire-fighting puddle into one of the beauty spots of the campus.
In 1912, when the University of Kansas was a mere stripping of 47 years, Thomas H. Potter of the Board of Regents conceived a brilliant idea for University fire protection. Why not dam a natural hollow in the rolling hills northwest of the campus, collect the drainage from the surrounding slopes, and pipe it up to the campus? There would be $ ^{4} $
His suggestion was accepted and the next year, after spring rains, a rocky little pond appeared on the campus.
Several years later, when the city took over the municipal water plant and equipped it so it could supply sufficient pressure to the University, the board of health ordered that the Potter pipe line be dismantled to prevent contamination of the water supply by the unpurified lake water.
The pond was already being used for other purposes. Swimming by college students was allowed, although the University assumed no responsibility for accidents. Rules issued to the summer students of 1919 prohibited "rowdyism, swearing, obscene talk, or ducking" in the lake. All bathers were warned to
wear neat, dark-colored and proper clothing. A guard was on hand every afternoon to give assistance whenever necessary, but it was stressed that "simulation of distress" would be regarded as a breach of rules.
By 1933, swimming was prohibited, but another exciting sport was centered about Potter lake—a model sailboat racing. That year, in an exciting five-lap race, "Dark Horse" beat "The Spirit of Switzerland" by a hair's breadth. The lucky owner was presented an imposing celluoid and glass trophy, showing cupid toe-dnicing on a bottle cork and inscribed with "Blair Trophy, Oct. 15, 1933."
Today, Potter lake has no practical use to many persons. Some still find it valuable, but mostly as scenic background. In the winter it serves as a skating rink, in summer as a hazard for the local golf links.
ROCK CHALK TALK
Sunday night the freshman lawyers diner at Dean F. J. Moreau's, vied with each other in practicing courtesy and the best tactics of "How to Win Deans and Influence Grades."
Among those present was the dean's eight months old son. Eager to please, the big, brainy lawyers gooed and gurgled over him as over an all female jury. But the pay-off came when one playful student started tossing the baby up in the air and catching him with fatherly tenderness.
Since then the law barn has been to him a dungeon of persecution.
Hal Ruppenthal describes infra-red film as film that will take a picture of a connected electric iron in a room that is absolutely dark. It shows a red glow."
Next step in the routine: he says, "I want to show you a picture of my girl, Dottie Mallett."
Then he pulls out a picture showing demure Dottie with a glowing (infra-red) halo above her head.
Incidentally, rival photographer Ed Garich says if Ruppenthal can do that, he will take an infra-red picture of W. C. Fields' nose.
--the standard again to covering The we waught t of early was than an angle way to a practice light run with blo Halfa Huckers unable t
A Pi K.A. was flabbergasted this noon when he read a letter from his Wichita girl friend. Last week he wrote her, saying, "I hope I make enough money this month to buy that pin." He meant a fraternity pin for himself.
The return letter cooed, "I certainly hope you can get that pin. But I don't know what my folks will say when I tell them. Have you told your parents yet?"
A great cookery discovery was made at Battenfeld hall the other day when a he-man cook wanted flavoring for the gravy, picked up vanilla by mistake. Result—the boys ate vanilla gravy on their mashed potatoes and liked it. Now they are requesting that the mistake be repeated.
Among yesterday's sliders were the Phi Psis, Sigma Nus, Chi Omegas. With many more to follow. Who ever mentions Florida at this point is a heel.
From the beginning of Phi Mu Alpha, music fraternity's, serenade last night, lassies knew they were being entertained by experts. That 'Stille Night, Helige Nacht' might have touched even Adolph H.
Vespers, Christmas shopping (seven more days), parties, Christmas programs—everybody should get five hours credit for Christmas.
Quack clubbers, who feel that their picture in the Jayhawkers is slightly worse than all wet, are trying to buy up all copies of the edition to save their glamour reputations.
UESDA
WO
Foul Now School of christmas he'll be The di audienceing the y a co scholarship but fine compere Music retty bi erformating the Outstanget, "O as Mac phae and works 1
Slee-
which he 's
davis', e
the show
beat
The oi
chem"
he solo
orderin
The n
were
kansas
Touch in Men
Mrs. I
of bridges
:15 ton
the Men
ing the I
will be points
t in previ
Harvard Dr.
astronom will give
the Uni Feb.
6. fense o
meeting Time
an not been