Daily hansan
58th Year, No. 70
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
Friday, Jan. 13, 1961
Police Detain 19 KU Students After Sit-in at Local Tavern
Student Action Surprises Heads Of Rights Groups
Leaders of the CRC and the LLPD last night denied that members of their organizations led the student sit-in and said they were "stunned" to learn that the action had been taken.
Called at his home last night, Harry Shaffer, assistant professor of economics and president of the LLPD. said:
"I knew nothing about it—and if I had known, I would not have approved."
Prof. Shaffer explained that the measure taken was not a policy of the LLPD.
BUT WHILE being interviewed previously at the Lawrence police station, Prof. Shaffer defended the student action and said he did not think the demonstration was "overdone."
"You can do whatever you want in your own home," he said to news-
Students detained by Lawrence police stand in line as officers take down their names. After detention at the police station, these sit-in demonstrators were released and allowed to return to campus.
See page 10 for picture page on last night's sit-in demonstration.
men, "but you must remember that here you are dealing with a public place."
Marvin McKnight, Lawrence senior and chairman of the CRC, was also interviewed at the police station. Both he and Prof. Shaffer hurried there when they received word that students were being detained by the police.
Asked what he thought the possible effects of the sit-in might be, McKnight replied:
"It will crystallize opinion on both sides. Many of the apathetic will have their consciences jarred; other people will be antagonized. Actually, everybody is making such a serious thing of this—and yet these students are not boisterous, not out of order; they are just peacefully requesting their rights."
"The first I knew about it was when Prof. Shaffer called me," said McKnight. He said he was "very surprised" at the sudden and apparently spontaneous student action.
Leader of Group Tells How It Started
By Michael B. Landwehr as told to Rav Miller
This afternoon, two other students and myself, one a Negro, went downtown shopping. We passed this place (Louise's Bar) and I was thirsty and wanted to go in for a small glass of beer.
When we got inside, we sat down and I said "I'd like a small glass, please." The woman behind the counter wouldn't serve us. She just
(Continued on page 12)
Weather
There will be no immediate breakdown in the pattern of the weather. The weather bureau forecasts moderate daytime temperatures and cool nights.
The overnight low will be from 20 to 25.
The University Daily Kansan weather bureau forecasts heavy snows during final week.
The End of a Demonstration
Just Another Thursday Night—
By Fred Zimmerman
An old woman dropped another nickel into the pinball machine and unenthusiastically watched as the lights blinked on and off. Six or seven townspeople sat quietly at the bar drinking their beer.
Country-western music blared from the jukebox.
It was just another Thursday night at Louise's bar, a 15-stool tavern on Massachusetts Street. Louise Williams, the middle-aged proprietress, was alone behind the bar, serving an occasional refill and joking with the regular customers.
Then the door opened and 10 university students walked in. Most of them wore suits and ties, and they said nothing as they sat down at the bar. Four of the students were Negroes.
This was no longer just another Thursday night. The first Lawrence sit-in in 12 years was beginning.
"No service, boys, no service," the woman said. Two or three of the students asked for a soft drink.
"No service, I said." The woman was nervous.
A member of the group standing near the door quietly motioned for a few more students to enter. Soon all the available stools were occupied, and a line of students was standing against the wall, leaving only three or four 'eet between themselves and the persons at the bar.
When the proprietress had refused them service several times, the students stopped speaking, except among themselves in whispers. The woman went to the back of the bar and began conversing with her regular customers, several of whom were standing in a group watching the students.
The proprietress then went to the cash register, took out a dime, walked again the length of the bar, down the narrow aisle to the pay telephone near the door and phoned the police.
There was trouble. Officers arrived and began escorting the students to the station. The first Lawrence sit-in in 12 years came to an abrupt end.
Returning to the bar, the woman called out: "You'd better get out boys. There's going to be trouble." The students sat motionless, and exchanged nervous glances.
Chancellor Hopes for Legislation
"Students from the University made clear their point that some establishments in our community open to the public choose not to serve all members of the public.
Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe issued the following statement regarding the sit-in demonstration that took place last night:
"It has also been made clear thereby that Kansas statutes presently allow such discrimination.
"Thoughtful persons have suggested that the present legislature consider amending the civil rights statute, and there is every reason to believe that the legislature will act.
"All of us at the University believe in the rule of law, and consequently hope that this will be the manner in which the question will be resolved."
Laurence C. Woodruff, dean of students, indicated that no disciplinary action has been planned against the students who participated in last night's sit-in.
Donald Alderson, dean of men, said that he did not have enough information at the time he was questioned this morning. He said no decision would be reached on action to be taken until the administration had talked to the students involved.
All Are Released; Leaders Pledge Further Action
By Frank Morgan
"Let me have your attention! You have two choices—either you leave right now as the owner wants, or we will have to take you to the police station."
Upon hearing these words by Lawrence police officers, nine KU students, who were sitting at Louise's Bar, $1017\frac{1}{2}$ Massachusetts St., decided to accompany the officers.
This was the first sit-in in Law-
rence in more than a decade, and
the students indicated clearly that
it would not be the last one.
The nine were part of a group of approximately 40 students who had assembled to "demonstrate against
Sit-in Spokesmen Promise More Action
"Until the authorities of this state make it illegal to congregate in a public place, we shall continue with such positive action as we deem appropriate and necessary to resolve the situation. And until the situation has been met and conquered, we will not be satisfied."
Spokesmen for the sit-in demonstrators made this joint statement to the Daily Kansan last night:
the tavern's policy of racial discrimination." They had agreed to demistrate by a "non-violent, peaceful sit-in." Five white and four Negro students were taken to the station.
—Michael Landwehr and Tom Heitz
WHEN THEY had left in the patrol cars, 10 more students entered the tavern and were refused service. They waited for the police to be summoned once more to take them to the station. In this group were five white and five Negro students making a total of 19 students taken into custody.
The sit-in had been organized by Michael Landwehr, Brooklyn, N.Y., junior, after he and a Negro friend had been refused service in the tavern yesterday afternoon. Landwehr invited residents of his dormitory, Carruth-O'Leary, to return and protest the discrimination.
"I went from room to room and told them what had happened," he said. "I was so mad about it that I just wanted those that felt the same way to do something with me."
THE STUDENTS entered the tavern at 8:15. They sat on the empty
(Continued on page 9)
ASC Resolution Now Has 108 Backers
As of 11:20 a.m., 108 persons had signed the petitions posted on Jayhawk Blvd. supporting the ASC resolution against racial discrimination. As a reader service, the Kansan has reprinted the complete text of the resolution on page two.