IS THAT SO?—Lynn T. White Jr., left, professor of history at UCLA and last night's Humanities lecturer, is pictured above in deep conversation with D. D. Haines, associate professor of civil engineering, during a reception at the Faculty Club following the lecture.
Prof. White Speaks
Invention Called Medieval Trait
A history professor explained last night why invention seems to be a trait of the medieval western world.
An exchange of ideas, a willingness to try new ones, and the joining of practical and theoretical learning were the reasons modern power technology was born in the Western middle ages, Lynn T. White Jr., historian of mechanics and technology, of the University of California at Los Angeles, said.
Historians Reject Causation
Prof. White gave the first Humanities Lecture of the year in Fraser Theater.
"The word 'cause' has been scratched out of the historical dictionary," he quipped, referring to the caution used by historians in attributing causes to historical events.
Prof. White explained that prior innovation is the chief requisite for change in technology.
As an example, he said eastern Orientals were the first to use a stirrup when riding horses, but that it was only a brass ring for the rider's big toe. The Franks, Germanic barbarians, heard of the idea and adopted it.
Stirrups Are Perfected
"The Franks were the only one who made full use of the stirrup. They found this permitted a violence in combat never before thought possible," Prof. White said.
"Because it (the western world) was conscious of the need for improvement, it was capable of originality." Prof. White said.
Another reason for the advancement of western technology was a new psychology that exploited its natural surroundings, he said.
Prof. White used the example o
Subscription Film Series Tonight
A group of films from the first decade of this century will be shown at 7:30 tonight in the Museum of Art lecture room. These are the first of a group of films in the subscription series "History of the Film."
The films slown tonight will be "Execution of Mary Queen of Scots"; "Washday Troubles"; George Mellies' pioneering French film, "A Trio to the Moon"; Edwin S. Porter's celebrated "The Great Train Robbery"; "Rescued by Rover"; "Possibilities of War in the Air," and "Queen Elizabeth" which starred Sarah Bernhardt.
Only 20 tickets remain. They may be purchased for $5 at the Kansas Union ticket center. No single admission tickets will be sold.
a plow that made a furrow instead of a scratch in the field. Because of the friction, eight oxen were required to pull the moldboard plow. No one peasant could afford eight oxen, so they cooperatively worked the soil.
Practical and Theoretical Merge
The practical and theoretical were merged together for the first time when Christian monasticism spread the Benedictine love of learning over Europe, Prof. White said.
The monks did much to increase respect for labor, because their religion made manual labor not only a prime moral necessity, but also
"Christianity gave new dignity to the humble," he explained.
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Daily hansan
57th Year, No.19
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Murphy Not Offered Minnesota U. Position
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 195
Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy said today he has not been contacted by the Minnesota Board of Regents for the presidency of the University of Minnesota.
A Lawrence newspaper recently stated that Chancellor Murphy is number one on the list of possible successors to James L. Morrill, Minnesota president, who retires in June.
During an interview with the Daily Kansan this morning, Dr. Murphy said:
"The life of a university president is relatively short. There always are eight or ten universities looking for anyone foolish enough to take on the pressures of the job."
Chancellor Murphy said he had been contacted by other universities searching for presidents in recent years and that at those times he has considered, among other things, his loyalty to KU and Kansas.
"At the moment, I have but one interest. This is to continue with the best of my ability to support the unquestioned upward thrust of this institution.
Hard to Leave
"After all, I'm an alumnus of KU and was raised in this part of the country. It is hard for certain types of people, especially an emotional Irishman, to get away from the soil whence he sprang," Dr. Murphy said.
Dr. Murphy discussed the Minnesota presidency at the request of reporters from Lawrence and Topeka newsmen.
Dr. Murphy said:
"I say unquestioned because I think it is apparent that there is a real vitality, ferment and life to this institution and it is a thrilling thing to be a part of it."
"The next five years will be the most critical in tooling up and getting the basic strength in hand to meet rising enrollment and the world situation in terms of our curricula," he said.
By tooling up, the chancellor explained he means obtaining funds
"We've done pretty well. Of course I've always felt we've never had enough tools, but I would think that the record (of KU) in the last eight years implies we'd done fairly well." Chancellor Murphy said.
for adequate physical facilities and keeping a first-rate faculty.
Chancellor Franklin D. Murphy
"We'll need as never before the vigorous, articulate support of every student, parent of students, alumnus, and citizen in the state during
the critical years ahead," he added
Talked With tke
Chancellor Murphy said that he had talked with President Eisenhower while in Abilene yesterday.
"We talked very briefly and only had time to pass the time of day. He commented briefly on my appointment (as chairman of the State Department's Commission on Educational Exchange), and he indicated that he wanted to talk about it at greater length when I get back to Washington some time," he said
The chancellor said the President looked in good health.
Film Series Will Start Oct.23
The Friday night University Film Series at Hoch Auditorium will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
The Film Series will present:
Oct. 23—The Importance of Being Earnest. Red Balloon.
Nov. 6—La Porte Des Lilas (Gates of Paris).
Nov. 13—Mourning Becomes Electra.
Dec. 4 — Der Hauptmann vor Koepenick (Captain from Koepenick). Grandma Moses.
Jan. 15—Niok. Nine Lives.
Feb. 5—Pather Panchali.
Feb. 19—La Muerte de un Ciclista (Death of a Cyclist). City of Gold.
Meb. 25—Les Grand Manoeves.
The Forth-first. Between the Tides.
Mar. 25—The Magnificent Seven.
All Student Council Okays New University Magazine
"Spectrum" magazine was autorized as a KU publication by the All-Student Council last night.
The bill stated that "Spectrum" will be "an official literary-academic magazine."
A governing board for the magazine will consist of the ASC publications committee, an editorial board, three University staff members appointed by the Chancellor and two University staff members chosen by the governing board.
The technical sponsor of "Specrum" will be Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism fraternity.
The editorial board will consist of three Sigma Delta Chi members and three students who are not members of Sigma Delta Chi.
The governing board was given the authority to annually distribute 25 per cent of the net profit to Sigma Delta Chi, for technical assistance. The amount is not to exceed $500.
Each member of the editorial board will receive 10 per cent of the remaining net profits, and this amount is not to exceed $900. This will be in return for soliciting advertising, convoking and layout
The major discussion on the bill concerned this financial section.
Jim Austin, Topека senior and president of the student body, warned the council to "protect yourselves against something similar to 'Fowl.'"
"Fowl!" was the official campus magazine last year. The ASC was held for the $293.02 deficit of "Fowl." The remaining cash profits, after necessary equipment has been purchased, will be placed in a permanent reserve fund. The money will
remain in the fund until a maximum of $2,500 is reached.
When the maximum is reached, the additional profits will go to the treasury of the ASC.
Further business of the council
included a letter from the College Intermediary Board concerning the ASC's discussion of the exemption of seniors from final examination.
The board has not reached a definite decision.
AUSTIN SPEAKS—James Austin, Lawrence senior and student body president, discusses the "Spectrum" magazine bill at last night's ASC meeting. Carolyn Coe, McPherson senior, left, Martha Crosier, Lawrence senior, and Lynn Anderson, Atwood junior, ASC members, listen to the discussion.
Austin Scolds Trifling ASC
James Austin, Lawrence senior and president of the ASC, last night criticized the student body for not asking better questions about the content of "Spectrum" magazine
Austin used "Spectrum" as an example of how the council "piddle around" asking questions on insignificant details instead of discussing the basic issues.
"Spectrum" was designated by the council as the official literary-academic magazine of the campus.
"It could have been the foulest thing on campus." "They (representatives for the magazine) have
picked up their Wheaties and gone home and no one said a word about content," Austin said.
He suggested the council spend more time discussing the problems which confront the students of KU.
He said if he were to give an official report it would be: "Look's like the SUA needs a boost. Look's like labor needs a boost and AWS needs a cut in the budget."
"This is the standard report every year," he explained.
Austin said, "I want this council to make KU the hub of the Big Eight in student government.
"At the end of the year, I hope we will be able to sit down and say that KU came out better by virtue of us being on the council."
Weather
Generally fair tonight and Thursday. Warmer over the state tonight and Thursday. Low tonight 40 to 45. High Thursday 70 to 75.