Tuesday, Feb. 9, 1960 University Daily Kansas
Page 3
By John S. Lewis Assistant Instructor of English
This novel, dealing with the American Punitive Expedition sent to Mexico to capture Pancho Villa, was written by an English professor at Michigan State who refuses to teach any students but freshmen, all of whom are, he says, "full of beans." There is certainly something to be said for teaching students in their primal state before the subtle serpent of education has been loosed in the garden and certainly such a belief marks Swarthout as an attractive personality.
THEY CAME TO CORDURA by Glendon Swarthout, Signet, 50c.
Major Thomas Thorn, an executive officer of a cavalry regiment who had always been an exemplary officer, had taken cover in a ditch when his post at Columbus, New Mexico, was attacked by Pancho Villa's followers in 1916. Only a few officers had known about the major's cowardice, and these officers conspired to transfer Major Thorn to General Pershing's headquarters. His new duties were to write up awards for the Punitive Expedition which Pershing commanded.
One wishes that one could say as much for the novel. "They Came to Cordura" was reviewed in a pamphlet published by one of the small state colleges in Kansas. The reviewer described it as a tale of action and complimented Swarthout's "journalistic style." Neither comment is helpful; the novel is a novel of character rather than action and it is most certainly not "journalistic." "They Came to Cordura" is a highly symbolic novel; reference to any Spanish-English dictionary should explain what "cordura" means and will clear up most interpretive difficulties.
After a successful attack, the last cavalry charge that American units ever participated in, Major Thorn singled out five men as candidates for the Medal of Honor. These men were detached from their units and were assigned to accompany Thorn to Cordura, the expedition's base camp. The regimental commander also ordered Thorn to bring a military prisoner, an American woman who owned the ranch which had been captured during the battle. During the journey the little group was attacked by Villistas and deprived of their horses.
Although the group suffered from fatigue and thirst the heroes themselves were more dangerous than privation to the success of Major Thorn's mission. Three of the men had good reason not to want the award and the notoriety that it would bring. Another man had had his ear disfigured by a Mexican bullet and did not believe the major's assurance that his ear could be replaced by a lifelike replica. The one officer among the heroes, a man concerned about the success of his career and the effect the decoration would have during his future service, attempted to gain a cheap sort of popularity among the enlisted men at the expense of the major.
His dreaded secret found out by the men, Major Thorn was stoned to death. But in the end Thorn proved braver than the other men, for Thorn did lead his men to Cordura.
Symbolically, Thorn is a Christ figure and the woman appears to be a Mary Magdalene, but the symbolism is so unappearent that the closing chapter lacks clear direction. Like many modern novelists Swarthout has imposed consciously a conglomerate set of symbols, which might lend credence to the idea that the best symbolic fictions are unconsciously symbolic.
Swarthout has marvelous descriptive powers. His account of the cavalry charge, his ability to account for the actions of several different persons during the battle, is fine writing. The historical research which the novelist did in order to write "They Came to Cordura," is extensive. One suspects that Swarthout is just one novel away for writing an exemplary novel.
By Calder M. Pickett Associate Professor of Journalism
THE STORY OF GEORGE ROMNEY, by Tom Mahoney. Harper, $4.
On May 1, 1954, the Nash-Kelvinator Corp. and the Hudson Motor Car Co. united in one of the important mergers in American business history. The president of the new firm was George W. Mason, but his death five months later made possible the accession of George Romney — a man Vance Packard calls "one of the authentic heros of the Twentieth century."
* *
And the tremendous success of the Rambler is a phenomenon worth noting, for the small car now stands in third place among motor car sales in America. Its success was being established, in fact, while Ford Motor Co. was conducting post-mortems on the Edsel, which Packard and the semanticist Hayakawa see as the great sexual symbol of late '57.
Mahoney, in fact, makes a special point of observing that Romney was born in Mexico of American parents but that he still should be eligible for the White House. Is this a new name in the ranks? Or is a Willkie-style buildup for 1946 on the way?
Packard's admiration for Romney is understandable in view of Packard's own research and writings. For Romney is the man who has engineered the Rambler — which Packard hails as "an alternative to the gas-guzzling land yacht."
Tom Mahoney, whose specialty is business histories and biographies, has done a loving treatment of George Romney, in a book which has the tone of a campaign biography.
Around the Campus
Wharton Lecturer Will Speak Here
The book itself is, frankly, pedestrian. Romney is an inspirational figure who could fit right into Marden's "Pushing to the Front," who almost falls into the Alger mold of American heroes. Romney is an admirable person, a public servant who works for the good of Detroit and the state of Michigan (like helping get Michigan education out of trouble). But the portrait here is somewhat saccharine.
Charles B. McCaffrey, lecturer in insurance for the Wharton School of Commerce and Finance at the University of Pennsylvania, will be principal speaker at the second annual insurance lectureship.
Mr. McCaffrey will address approximately 250 Kansas insurance men at 2 p.m. tomorrow in Swarthout Recital Hall.
A special consultant in advanced underwriting for a Philadelphia insurance firm, Mr. McCaffrey's topic will be "Financial Planning for Business Owners and Executives." His lecture will be delivered in two 50-minute segments.
The lectureship will begin with an address by Frank Sullivan, director of the Kansas Commission of Insurance, entitled "Our Responsibility to the Insured."
German Scholarship Open to Graduate
The Federation of German American Clubs will grant a 3000 mark scholarship to a graduate student desiring to study during the school year of 1960-61 at any university in West Germany.
J. A. Burzle, chairman of the German department, has information concerning the grant in 306 Fraser Hall.
$1000 Research Gift Announced by Dean
Dean John S. McNown of the School of Engineering has announced that a grant of $1,000 from the Sohio Foundation has been awarded to the new Center for Research in Engineering Science at the University.
The gift is the first major contribution to the Center to come from so far out of state. Sohio is located in Ohio.
Danforth Study Grant Given Lynn Osborn
Lynn Osborn, instructor of speech and administrative assistant in the speech and drama department, has received a Danforth Teacher Study Grant for 1960-61.
The grant provides a stipend of one half the teacher's base salary plus one sixth for each dependent to enable him to devote full time to graduate study for 11 months. Osborn will work toward a doctorate in education.
Winfield Junior Gets Research Grant
Norma Spresser, Winfield junior, has been awarded a grant from the United Cerebral Palsy Assn.'s Research and Educational Foundation. The grant will help cover costs for a course in physical therapy at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
Several students from different parts of the country are receiving tuition grants from United Cerebral Palsy on the recommendation of the American Physical Therapy Assn. The program is designed to alleviate the shortage of physical therapists.
Fraternity Jewelry Badges, Rings, Novelties, Sweatshirts, Mugs, Puddles, Cups, Trophies, Medals
Balfour
411 W. 14th VI 3-1571 AL LAUTER
Civil Service Tests To Be in March
Students interested in taking the civil service examinations may do so in March.
The examinations will be for dietitians, medical social workers, psychiatric social service workers, physical therapistists and official reporters.
At least two dietitians, one medical worker, four psychiatric social service workers and one physical therapist are needed for employment in state institutions in Kansas.
Examination announcements and applications can be obtained from the State Personnel Division, 801 Harrison Street, Topeka.
Hirst Speaks Tonight
Dr. John Hirst, a research entomologist at the Naval Medical School, Bethesda, Md., will speak about medical entomology at 7:30 tonight in room 306, Kansas Union.
COLLEGE MOTEL
Member Best Western Motels
On U.S. Highways 40-59 & K-10 just off of west Lawrence Turnpike interchange on way to business district
1703 West 6th
MR. & MRS. GENE SWEENEY VI 3-0131
Air-Conditioned, Phones, TV Free Coffee, Free Swimming
SOCIAL MATHEMATICS 488-489 Making After-Hours Count Prof. Tangent
Principles of Accounting. Accounting for time not spent on dates by males using ordinary hair tonics. Accounting for time well spent on dates by males using 'Vaseline' Hair Tonic Dr.Frightwig's Theorem (water + hair = dustmop hair). Proof that 'Vaseline' Hair Tonic replaces oil that water removes, makes men's hair irresistible to women. Application of proof by application of 'Vaseline' Hair Tonic. For students who have taken Applied Magnetism 405-406 but do not intend to spend weekends studying.
Materials: one 4 oz. bottle 'Vaseline' Hair Tonic
it's clear,
it's clean,
it's Vaseline
HAIR TONIC
'Vaselline' is a registered trademark of Chessbrough-Pond's Inc.