PAGE TWO
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN. LAWRENCE. KANSAS
SUNDAY DECEMBER 11 1938
Kansan Comment
Better Democracy Demands
Vital; Interpretive Press
Editor's note—"What is most needed to make a better democracy?" The Christian Science Monitor has asked in readers to answer this question and we believe it gives greater consideration. We print our answer.
What is most needed to make a better democracy?
Failure of Great Britain's press to inform readers of the true potentialities of events last September paved the road down which Hitler traveled in making Europe a Fascist vassal, the polemic of democracy.
British newspapers tacitly follow a government that chugs behind fascism's ship of state. Proof that news is "censored" at governmental request and by mutual agreement among publishers rests in incidents of voluntarily withholding the news.
The British journals, for instance, did not carry the story of the British fleet's concentration and preparation for action in the Mediterranean in 1935. The progress of King Edward's courtship with the divorcee, Wallis Simpson, and consequent substitution of a fedora for a crown was not reported in 1936 until the night before the abdication. And banning American newsreels on the Czech crisis added to the "war-scare" furor which Fleet street indulged in last September.
"The inundo, misdirection, lies, half-fruit, speeches, argument, which preceded the crisis," reports Prof. Clye Miller of Columbia University's Institute for Propaganda Analysis, "made a Europe and a world ready for war, and then enabled Hitler and Chamberlain successfully to accomplish a pact to make Europe safe for Fascism."
French brothers of the Fourth Estate capitulated to Daladier's program of obeisance to fascist aggression. Leon Blum, former premier of the People's Front, weakly apologized on the front page of the French socialist organ for his endorsement of Daladier's signature to the Munich treaty.
In the present agreement between Germany and France are stipulations that press attacks by one nation upon the other cease. Coutched in subtle, diplomatic lingo, the stipulations camouflage increasing press control in France for the "protection of Western civilization" to use Daladier's own words. As for press control in Germany, it has reached the ultimate in demagoguery.
Reasons why newspapers of democratic countries should be an added evil influence contributing to their governments' degeneration are found in the two conspicuous developments in journalism which H. A. Taylor, president of the British Institute of Journalists, lists as predominating in the past 25 years. They are:
(1) The emergence of broadcasting.
(2) The continued commercialization of
the press.
He quotes the self-evident statement of the English Evening Standard that: "A curious and interesting fact emerges from reflection upon the newspaper peers. All of them have been financiers and promoters as well as news-papermen." Taylor writes further that "the press has become the newspaper industry . . . which has stifled the creative instinct of journalism . . . which does not find its natural habitat in the board room, nor can it expand into effectiveness under the conditions which commercial control now imposes upon journalism."
Until recently, governments and the boys with purse strings firmly clutched in well-maniacured fingers depended on the influence of the press. They were aware of it, respected it, took it into their calculations, and often feared it. This, however, is no longer true.
With the "emergence of broadcasting," governments are relieved of their dependence on the good will of newspaperdom. "Consequently," Mr Taylor explains, "authority not only governmental) is no longer obliged to adopt an accommodating attitude towards the press or remain silent and inactive in the face of tendencies which are . . . objectionable."
In the ore of this understatement is the nuget that explains why British newspapers knuckle down under governmental requests and excuse their dirty trousers' knees with the pious rationalization that they acted "to protect Western civilization."
* * *
Photography and interpretative journalistic reporting are the two most distinctive trends struggling for recognition in today's creative journalism. The latter is the bulwark that could dam the course which German, Italian, Russian, and Japanese newspapers travel, on which British and French news organs are turning—either by choice or by force—and to which American journals are not immune.
Nor should photography be discounted.
Selection of the momentary picturization which the camera records leaves an indelible impression, difficult to erase, in the mind of the beholder. Naturally, the choice of pictures to be printed is destructive to democratic methods if the purpose and intent of the editor is rabble-rousing.
With the radio proving itself invaluable in "speet" news broadcasts of such heralded and anticipated events as the Austrian anchluss and the Czech catastrophe, newspapers—reveling in the luxury of increased time and speedy possession of news—can evaluate more accurately the impact of these same events on human lives.
Through interpreting and distributing the information by which the people of a democracy judge—and hence crystallize or change their opinions—newspapers fulfill more efficiently their function in a democracy. This is a greater insurance of democracy and its continued existence than coercion or publication of a sheet that is merely a broadside filled with official communiques.
Too often in a democracy the newspaper—if it doesn't have a private axe to grind—is simply a mirror, reflecting the public's whims at every turn of the hour: The situation may be contrasted with the sentiment—whipping of German newspapers which set as ringleaders. News columns slavishly bent to the will of the public are as impotent as straws in a cyclone's gale. But cognizant of the public's temper, measured with unanny accuracy by the "public opinion polls," a democracy's press can inspire leadership—its own mastheads as the symbol—by interpretative, factual news.
Epitomized by the Christian Science Monitor and the New York Times (but not the Times indicted by Merrys and Lippman in 1920 for its reports of revolutionary Russia), such a press leads American newspaperdum in the new, vitalizing, interpretive trends needed "to make a better democracy." Too few newspapers of like caliber are printed today.
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
OFFICIAL BULLETIN
Notice due at Chancellor's Office at 2 p.m., preceding
regular publication days and 11:30 a.m.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE ORGANIZATION - The regular weekly meeting, open to all students, graduates, and faculty members who are interested in Christian studies, will be held in Room C. Myers Hall - Richard MacCam, Secretary.
CREATIVE LEISURE COMMISSION: The Creative Leisure Commission will meet this afternoon at 2:30 at Henley House. The spatter painting and finger painting will be continued. This meeting will dismiss early so that the members, in a body, may attend the Christmas celebration — Marjorie Wiley, Charles Yiemans, Co-chairmen.
LE CERCLE FRANCAIS: Le Cercle francais vus
à l'entrée du musée (salle 390) Strong Fruit Hall. Tous les membres et tous les anis du Cerule français sont inviés. Trois heures et demie—Norman Rebeau*26
PRACTICE TEACHING: Students wishing to do practice teaching in Oread Training School or in music or art in the city schools next semester should make application at the Education office at once. Persons who have already been approved for practice teaching are required for the spring semester - R. A. Schwenck, Doug
PSYCHOSCHOOL CLUB A meeting will be held on Monday, December 12 at 4:30. A lecture by William B. Orbinson will be held at chapel chaiyatrity a psychology are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served -Ed Carr, President.
SOCIOLOGY CLUB: The Sociology Club will meet Tuesday evening, December 13, at the Congressional Parish House at $30. All sociology students are invited. A panel of ten will address Kansas State School of the Blind, will bring his "Seeing Eve" doul and will address the group. The meeting begins in time for the concert -Venessa Brontier, Chairman.
STUDENTS ON IRREGULAR PAYROLL: All students on the irregular payroll for the month of December, should call at the Business Office to sign this pay envelope, town for the Christmas vacation—Karl Kleo, Bursar.
*STUDENT STATE-WIDE ACTIVITIES COMMISSION 4 oclock in the Auditorium of Frank Strong Hall Chancellor Lindley will speak. It is of vital importance overseeing the commission be present—C. H Mullen, chancellor.*
NEW HOME
Managing Editor
Management
News Editor
Training Editor
Makeup Editor
Recruitment
Sunday School
Social Studies
Society Editor
Harry Hill and Stephen Stewart
Harry Hill and John Robertson
Jim Bell and Jim Robertson
Jean Thomas
Ardith Cauleb
Business Manager
Accounting Manager
Business Manager
Ethan Brown
Organizational Man
News Staff
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Official Student Paper of THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS LAWRENCE KANSAS
Editor-in-Chief
Associate Editors: Muriel Myklen, and
Burdice Ruddon, Burckham
University
Publisher Marvin Goebel
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Pschiartrist To Sneak Tonight
Dr. Fritz Moellenhoff, psychiatrist, will speak at the Uitarian Church Sunday evening at 6:30. His subject will be "Emotional and Personality Problems of Love and Marriage." John J. O. Moore, secretary of the University Y.M.C.A., will preside, and anyone interested is invited to attend.
Tableau: ".. Because there was no
tableau for them in the inn... Luke
was born in the inn... f4, Mary; Al Mizoaken; f4,
Jesseh; and the three kings who will
Continued from page 1 choir: Mirabah Moor, associate professor of voice, will sing the soprano solo.
Give the Gift That Keeps on Giving
Christmas Season Opens
DUNDER and BLITZEN
are in pasture at the North Pole I'm driving a car this Christmas using
CITIES SERVICE PRODUCTS
From
Gasoline Alley
While Shopping For Christmas
Don't Forget to have your Suit Cleaned and Pressed
for Vacation at Home!
Dramatic Club Meets Tomorrow
A meeting of the Dramatic Club will be held in the Little Theater in Green hall at 8 o'clock Tuesday evening and will be preliminary tryouts evenning will be preliminary tryouts for the next dramatic production.
GOOD APPEARANCE
ERNEST W. YOUNG, owner
926 Mass.
be Harry Nelson, fa'41; Bill Shepley,
fa'41; and Charles Wright, fa'42.
Recessional: "Hark, the Herald
Angels Sing" (Mendelsohn) sung
by the choir.
Laureate: An improvisation
by Laurette Everett Anderson.
WINTRE Is Coming
Let us service your car. Correct alemiting and lubrication for winter driving. Cold weather is on the way. Don't let it catch you until your car is prepared for winter driving.
- Goodyear Tires
- Alemiting
- Alemiting
- Washing
- Mobilgas
- Willard Batteries
CARTER'S SERVICE
KANSAN CLASSIFIED ADS
Phone K. U. 66
ALWAYS DEPENDABLE SERVICE
- Prestone
with Standard Red Crown Gasoline
Hartman Standard Service
13th and Mass.
Phone 40
IVA'S BEAUTY SHOP
Shampoo and Wave ... 35c
Oil Shampoo and Wave ... 50c
Permanents ... $1.50
Phone 533 ... 941% Mate 53
941 $ \frac{1}{2} $ Mass. St.
BAKES
Charles Arthur, this is your free pass to see "Out West With the Hardy's" now playing at the Granada theater.
Castile Shampoo and Set ... 35c
Revita Oil Shampoo and wave 50c
Revion Manicure ... 3 for $1.00
for
DRAKES
Seymour Beauty Shop
817½ Mass. Phone 100
Jayhawk Taxi Phone 65
We handle packages and baggage
Mickey Beauty Shop
Shampoo and Waveset 25c
Oil Shampoo. Water Dryd 50c
Permanents $1. $1.50 up
732% Mass. St. Phone 2353
JAYHAWK BARBER SHOP
Most Modernistic Shop in
Middle West
Personnel
F. C. Warren Ray Olds
C. J. "Shorty" Hood, Prop.
727 Mass.
Deluxe House of Beauty
"Luxury "House of beauty"
"Houston Specialty"
Movie Worth the OSCHE
Our Most Modern Beauty Shop in Town
814 Mass.          Phone 360
AT YOUR SERVICE
CLEANERS
We Guarantee Satisfaction
PHONE 9
BILL HENLEY formerly with the Jayhawk Barber Shop, now located at 5 W. 14th Street Come in Offen
TAXI
HUNSINGER'S 920-22 Mass.
Phone 12
When Others Fail. Try Us Baggage Handled - 24 Hts. Service
UNION CAB CO.
Phone 2-800
PRICES BETTER than our 2 for 1 Sale
31 Pipes ... 39c
$2-$5 Fountain Pens ... 89c
$ . 80 16 Paper and Envelopes
match
$ . 25 Berkshire Packs Typing
Paper, 100 sheets ... 16c
1101 Mass. Phone 678
BULLOCK'S Dickinson Theatre Building
Christmas Cards
WARR
Formally of Iva's Beauty Shop will now be located at the STADIUM BEAUTY SHOP
1033 Mass. St.
I will be pleased to have my customers call—Phone 310.
MARIE BERTRAM
HAL'S
for Hamburgers and Chili 9th, and Vermont
SKATES — SLEDS
HOCKEY STICKS
Skates Hollow Ground
RUTTER'S SHOP
1014 Mass. St. Phone 319
Ellen Brown, this is your free pass to see "Out West With the Hardy's" now playing at the Granada theater.
WANT ADS
GIRLS. Front room for rent for modern home. $8.00 per month. One other roomer. 1147 Ohio street. Phone 1147. -62
WANTED: Young man experienced in cleaning and repairing type-writers. Write box 3, care of the University Daily Kausan. -63
FOR SALE: 1928 Studebake coupe in good condition. Also a King trumpet in A-1 condition. Must sell Bargain prices. Call Stanley Clark, phone 1220, 1217 Tennessee.-63.
DESIGNING, dressmaking, plain and fancy, tailing and altering. Lots of experience and excellent reference material. 940 Lifespan phone 104GR - Lifespan - 66