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EDITORIAL
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1940.
The Kansan Comments -- EDITORIALS ★ LETTERS ★ PATTER
Oriental Sage Forswore Wit
Practice of American college youth in reiterating supposed wise sayings of Confucius, venerable Chinese philosopher, will very probably not result in any civil suits for plagiarism or infringement of copyright.
Believing that one should "sorrow not at being unknown, but seek to be worthy of note," Confucius browsed through dusty manuscripts, spent his time in the Oriental forbear of the modern library, and emerged at odd moments to assemble four of the "five classics" of China.
Thus Confucius won fame for his second-hand wisdom. Disciples gathered around, absorbed his time-honored mouthings, and in turn went forth to spread the doctrine over China's realm.
For Confucius himself was not an original writer. He wasn't even funny. He was rather a sober person who lived 2500 years ago (551-478 B.C.) and spent most of his time lecturing on ethics, education, and life. The latter field was his forte. When he said, "I have found none who love good as they love women," he doubtless speaking from exeperience: For the philosopher was married at nineteen, had one son and two daughters, and later left his wife to become a teacher.
The father of Confucius was a soldier, and at the same time a governor of a Chinese province. Perhaps it was from him that the child of destiny gained much of peculiar insight into the foibles of mankind.
The inserutable sage of Mongol land hied himself forth, like a true barnstorming lecturer, and preached the ethics of living far and wide. His basic tennet was the Golden Rule, almost exactly as the Bible has it. "Do not do unto others what thou wouldst not they should do unto you."
These were compiled from his writings, but the majority of these writings were merely a reprinting of what someone else had already said, much like the present college students' notebooks. Confucius was like many present day university professors: he did little original writing himself, and what little he did, failed to live.
So Confucius' maxims have lived—but not in the college mind. Students today have ridiculed the sayings of the wise Chinese philosopher and made sport of his hoary philosophy. But at the same time, their mid-English musings have succeeded in giving due note—even though in humorous fashion—to one of the earliest pioneers for the education of man.
ROCK CHALK TALK
You'll Get It in the End.
One Mt. Oread man who has experienced both can't decide which has the worst anatomical consequences: Equitation or "Gone With the Wind."
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Our favorite sports writer, Cecil (as in trestle) King, says she would bet on the Kappa's in their intramural championship battle with the Pi Phi's tonight. But being impartial—as a reporter should—Miss King concedes that both teams should exhibit good from throughout the contest.
Want ad in the University of Virginia "College Topics";
PARKING—Lot opposite gymnasium tennis courts will be open for parking Saturday afternoon and evening. Parking 25 cents per car.
Just a case of Southern hospitality.
There seems to be an increasing emphasis in colleges on the relations between men and women. A University of Chicago scientist has
developed a "matrimony meter" which measures the probability of a happy marriage. At Kentucky U., a dating bureau—named the "Hitching Post"-has been established. Almost every college and university, except Kansas, has had a Leap Year Dance.
Of course, this may not be a trend, but rather a coincidence. It wouldn't surprise us, however, if another generation had the opportunity to major in the department of matrimony.
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A poll at the University of Nebraska disclosed that most students would "dislike" working for the government after graduation. We presume it required some thought to choose filling stations over the WPA.
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Definition department.
A sorority is a- group of girls living in one house with a single purpose-to get more girls to live in the house with a single purpose.
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Radio Makes Readers Princeton Survey Reveals
Students listen to radios in automobiles, Hill hang-outs, fraternity, sorority, boarding houses but the majority of that listening centers around Charlie McCarthy, Jack Benny, the Hit Parade, and popular dance bands.
Few, however, fail to realize the importance of radio and its potential substitution for the printed word. A forthcoming book, "Radio and the Printed Word", will discuss the subjects pro and con—down to the last notch.
This survey was financed by the Rockfeller Foundation and has been carried on for two years by the School of Public and International Affairs of Princeton University.
In its analysis the study not only used previous surveys made by the Federal Communications Commission, the American Institute of Public Opinion and the broadcasting companies, but also carried on new investigations in many parts of the country. There were thousands of detailed interviews with radio listeners of every type.
The survey shows that there is no question as to the immense size of the radio audience—45,000,000 sets going on an average of five hours a day. In 20 years radio has nearly reached the goal toward which print has been working for 500 years: to extend its audience to include the whole population.
The majority listen to the comedian who confides in you about his mother-in-law, to the innumerable serials that dramatize family life. Political speeches, public issue forums, operas, are much overlooked in the rush for light entertainment.
It is easy to stretch the immensity of the radio spotbinders' audience. Dr. George Gallup's organization helped the survey by pointing out that even President Roosevelt doesn't reach as many over the air as one might expect. Only 25 percent of the families owning sets heard his recent Jackson Day address.
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The study implies that a greater number of persons are reading books because of radio—contrary to popular belief. In one middle west town sales tripled in six days after a book was reviewed over the air waves.
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YOU SAID IT Why Not a Quiz File?
To the Editor:
A bill which may sometime prove as controversial as the present No-Smoking bill came before the Men's Student Council last week. This act, also introduced by P.S.G.L., provides for the establishment of an official University quiz file.
The resolution passed almost un-noticed during the stormy evening which saw a battle rage over the dance passes and the enactment measure for the No-Smoking law. Nevertheless, C.H. Mullen, referred it to a committee for investigation. It may come up for discussion this year or next, depending probably upon whether P.S.G.L. feels it can stand any more adverse publicity before the spring election.
Mullen believes strongly in the proposal and recently pointed out that a nearby state university employs the system with success. According to the M.S. C. leader, his party started the movement as an aid to the independent students on the Hill, to put them on equal footing with fraternity and sorority students who find "unfair" advantage in the quiz files at the end of every semester.
Mullen said, "There are three channels open. Matters can be left as they are, with the independent student getting the raw deal; quiz files can be abolished by proper school authorities; or a central quiz file library can be established for all independent students, or for all University students, in the event that all quiz files are taken out of organized houses and added to the proposed centralized filing system." He suggested keeping the file in the reading room of the library, with each teacher sending copies of his tests after giving them.
If the issue ever reaches the floor of the council a real battle should result, with the Pachacamacs on one side and the P.S.G.L. on the other, with the possible
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Official Student Paper of THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Lawrence, Kansas
Subscription rates, in advance, $3.00 per year, $1.75 per semester. Published at Lawrence, Kansas, daily during the school year; Monday and Saturday. Entered as second class grant September 29, 2014, post office at Lawrence, Kansas, under the Act of March 3, 1879.
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS OFFICIAL BULLETIN Vol.37 Tuesday, F
Vol. 37 Tuesday, Feb. 27,1940 No. 99
BOTANY CLUE: The Botany Club will meet Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 12:20 until 1:20 in room 414 Snow Hall. Mr. Hibbard of the Zoology Department will speak on "Paleontological History of Western Kansas". Lunch will be served.-Leo Franklin, president.
DRAMATICS CLUB: At 7:30 tonight the Dramatics Club will hold initiation services in the Little Theatre of Green hall. Apprentices to be initiated must have paid apprentice and membership fees before the initiation services.—Elizabeth Kirsch, secretary.
FENCERS: All women fencers interested in the womens fencing team are asked to attend a meeting of the Fencing Club, tonight at 7:00 in room 202 Robinson Gymnasium. All regular members of the club and those interested in fencing are also urged to attend the meeting. -Haven Glassmire, president.
GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOW-SHIPS: All applications and testimonials for Scholarships and Fellowships in the Graduate School for the year 1940-41 should be filed at the Graduate Office on or before March 1, 1940. Inquire at the Graduate Office on or before March 1, 1940. Inquire at the Graduate Office, 225 Frank Strong hall, for information in regard to these grants.-E. B. Stouffer, dean.
NEWMAN CLUB: The Newman Club will hold its regular discussion and business meeting tonight at 7.30 in St. John's Church Hall. Rev. M. T. Hoffman, LLD. will speak and lead the discussion. All Catholic students not members of the Newman Club are urged to attend. Non-Catholic students are welcome—Albert Protiva, acting vice-president.
JAY JANE MEETING: There will be a Jay Jane meeting tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 in the Pine Room. Ruth Wiedemann, vice-president.
LE CERCLE FRANCAIS: Le Certec français se renuma mercredi 28 fevrier a quatre heures et denie dans la salle 113 Frank Strong Hall. Tous ceud qui parlent français sont invites - Rosemary Jones.
NOTICE TO STAFF MEMBERS: Staff members who wish to have any change of address or telephone listed in the directory supplement should report such changes to the Chancellor's office at once.—Raymond Nichols, executive secretary.
MATHEMATICS STUDENTS: The Mathematics Club meets Thursday, Feb. 29 at 4:45 in room 203. Kenneth Barnett talks on "Series: Corralling the Infinite." Refreshments precede the meeting as usual!—Marlow Sholander, president.
RED CROSS PRE-TRAINING SCHOOL: Red Cross Pre-Training School meets tonight at 7:00 o'clock in room 202 Robinson Gymnasium—H. G. Alphin, instructor.
PI ALPHA: There will be a regular meeting Wednesday at 8:30 p.m.-Clark Parker, vice-president.
MUSIC ROOM: The Music Room will be open tomorrow afternoon from 3:30 until 5:30 and in the evening from 7:30 until 9:30—Ernie Klema, chairman.
SHAWNEE COUNTY STUDENTS: An important meeting of the County Club will be held Thursday night at 7:30 in the Men's Lounge of the Union. Every Shawnee County student should be present.-Charles Wright, Jr., chairman.
TAU SIGMA: Tau Sigma will meet tonight at 7:30.
—Gearidine Ulm, president.
UNIVERSITY WOMEN: The Women's Self-Governing Association nominating committee will meet to interview candidates for nomination Wednesday and Thursday afternoons at 4:30 in the Pine Room of the Memorial Union Building.-Velma Wilson, president.
W. S.G.A.: There will be a meeting at 7:00 o'clock tonight in the Pine Room. Velma Wilson, president.
support of the Independent Student's Alliance for the latter.
CHARLES SKIDMORE.
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