Thursday, Feb. 26, 1959 University Daily Kansan
Page 3
Allen-Lanitz
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
By Calder M. Pickett Assistant Professor of Journalism
THE AGE OF ROOSEVELT: THE COMING OF THE NEW DEAL,
by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. Houghton Mifflin.
"He responded to what was vital, not to what was lifeless; to what was coming, not to what was passing away. He lived by his exultation in distant horizons and uncharted seas. It was this which won him confidence and loyalty in a frightened age when the air was filled with the sound of certitudes cracking on every side—this and the conviction of plain people that he had given them head and heart and would not cease fighting in their cause."
This is Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.'s conclusion to the second volume of what now looks like a multi-volume "Age of Roosevelt"—he disposed of "The Age of Jackson" in one book. But his ambition has grown since he did Jackson in 1945, and he is trying to tell much more. This he succeeds in doing, even though his critics snipe at him from all sides, and his adherents may feel that he is going overboard somewhat in his rhysodies about the New Deal.
But as Raymond Moley, surely not one of his adherents, says, if one accepts the fact that history no longer is objective, then one can accept "The Coming of the New Deal," which definitely is not objective history.
It is not difficult for me to accept either the point of view or the treatment of the new Schlesinger book, and I say this not as one out of a Democratic or labor union background but as one out of Roosevelt-hating Republicanism.
Even now it is difficult to forget how we hated "that man" and his NRA, WPA, do-gooder wife, handsome sons, dog Fala, polished accents, and cocky cigarette holders. But such hatred was unreasoning, and "The Coming of the New Deal," as well as "The Crisis of the Old Order," the first book in the series, should recall even the most fanatical Roosevelt-haters (some of whom are all of 20 years old) to the realities of 1933 and 1934.
These were the years of the Blue Eagle, that symbol of recovery, shot down by the Supreme Court in 1935; the bank crisis of 1933; the coming of relief, public works, and the CCC. These were the years of the social worker Frances Perkins, the profane and hard-driving Hugh Johnson, the careless and idealistic Harry Hopkins, the easily wounded Harold Ickes, and the visionary agricultural expert, Henry A. Wallace.
These were the years of milk on the highways in Iowa, dust blowing in Oklahoma, apples for sale on 42nd Street, and miner unrest in West Virginia. It is difficult to see what the alternative to the New Deal could have been, but we Roosevelt-haters of the 1930's seemed to think Buchanism or Coolidgeism was preferable.
These were also the years of that splendid fight for conservation, a concept of liberalism that the Republicans originated early in the century and then let slip away from them, to be captured and made a cornerstone of New Deal liberalism (prodded on by that great senator George Norris) in the 1930's, with the Tennessee Valley Authority. And these were the years of labor's amazing surge, and the fight to achieve status for the Wagner Act.
Most of this social change that Schlesinger describes in "The Coming of the New Deal" has become part of the fabric of America. Out of the New Deal (and many Republicans since Willkie have admitted this) have come concepts that most politicians, "modern Republicans" included, accept. Collective bargaining, soil conservation, social security, financial controls—neither party is likely to sweep these from the laws of the land.
. . . Letters to the Editor . .
The New Deal did not cure the depression, but it did other things; it restored confidence to business, it returned pride to the individual, it built up the forests and the land, and it helped to raise the standards of living for everyone through helping labor achieve a responsible role in society. Even those of us who damned "that man" cannot deny these things.
Wrong Comparison
Editor:
"It looks just like the UN building"—this seems to be a frequent comment in The Daily Kansan when referring to the new School of Business, Summerfield Hall, now under construction.
We realize that here economy is a governing factor; however, let us not try to analyze these buildings in the same light.
We will admit that to date, Summerfield Hall attains a new height in architecture as far as our campus is concerned. However, it would be ridiculous to attempt to compare an "adequate" design in contemporary architecture with a building that is one of the milestones in the development of contemporary architecture.
The differences in these two buildings could be elaborated on indefinitely, taking into account form, function, structural, material, and esthetic qualities of the buildings, and it would still be questionable at just what infinite point they do compare except that they are both shelters.
The only comparison as far as the facades of these two buildings are concerned is that glass is a dominant factor in both. From this point on, the buildings differ in every respect from form to function.
Barry Greenholz
The "plasticity" of the United Nations building complex can in no way be related to the static quality rising on the southern edge of the Oread campus. We do not take the stand that the UN building is the height of contemporary architecture, but it is obviously incompatible to Summerfield Hall.
Brooklyn, N. Y., junior Bill Wright
St. Louis, M. Ju
St. Joseph, Mo. junior
Inconsistent Policy
In The Daily Kansan, February 19, you have an editorial by Don Culp setting out the dangers of cigarette smoking.
On page 12 there is a big cigarette advertisement that says it is what is up front that counts.
Don't you see a little inconsistency here? Or perhaps, the editorial staff and the advertising desk don't see eye to eye. Any how, it's the article up front that counts with me.
Editor:
Kenneth C. Harris
Columbus, Kansas
The Village Is Still Kicking
Editor:
Greenwich Village is not a has-been nor will it be one in our lifetime. Being from New York and having been to the Village numerous times I would say that Mr. Ralston knows absolutely nothing, but nothing, about New York, Greenwich Village and beatniks.
To know the Village and its inhabitants you would have to live there. I have caroused around Greenwich Village for several years and still know relatively nothing about it. Not even New York taxi drivers know anything about its entanglement and web of streets,
Every one of the creatures inhabiting the Village love progressive jazz, write and read poetry and are artists. For these reasons we consider them queer and a group of non-conformists, but then again don't we consider most people in the arts a bit touched?
As for beatnik wearing sunglasses on rainy days, I have yet to see it. But I have seen these denizens of the dark wear sunglasses in a nightclub so dark you couldn't see the face of the person standing beside you.
Furthermore, Mr. Ralston should know better than to write about something he knows absolutely nothing about. Only if he were to live in the Village for a year or so could he know anything about it, and then I would question him.
Steve Hurst New York, N.Y., sophomore
Protests Bad Sportsmanship
Editor:
What has happened to KU sportsmanship? Are visitors to consider the exhibition of the crowd at the Missouri basketball game typical of the students?
Not only did the referee stop the game when the Missouri player was trying for a free throw because of the hooting and foot stamping, but he did so a second time and finally assessed a penalty. This was in marked contrast to the deathly quiet when our player was shooting. The booing that has become so prevalent does not occur because the audience thinks the decision bad but because it is against the home team.
It is time we took stock of ourselves to see if KU student behavior is a bit above the muckerism we often see at professional games. To justify ourselves because other colleges are equally guilty is plainly rationalizing. Isn't it possible to set an example for others to follow instead of copying the worst of other schools?
There is a lack of discipline somewhere. Whether Sachem, the student council, the cheer leaders, or the coach should take the lead I am unable to say but I do feel the time has come to face this issue squarely and make the name of KU stand for sportsmanship on and off the field.
This is written by one who has the best interest of this great institution at heart but who humbly feels that the University would gain more in the minds of our best people to be known as the best sportsmen in this territory than to have a championship team. This can be accomplished only by you students.
Lloyd Houston
1347 New Hampshire St.
Governor, KU Share Knocks
KU Has Flaws, Too
Editor:
It is indeed a deplorable thing to have Gov. Docking making such unfounded and derogatory remarks about our University. The campaign to enlighten our legislators seems to be the perfect method of counter-attack.
When we write to our senators and representatives with the intent of proving ourselves ethical and superior students under the leadership of an immaculate faculty and administration, let us make sure to overlook our conduct at basketball games or at enrollment time. These are not situations, although extensively publicized to the contrary, that require ethical conduct.
Let us not remind our representative in Topeka that a great number of our superior quality student body flunked the English proficiency examination. That is a situation which does not require application of our superior education.
Let us be sure to omit any reference to the administration of our Housing Office or the Buildings and Grounds department for sanctioning the flagrant abuses of over-time—both cases having received bad publicity.
These situations and any others which may exist do not need a "cleanup" and most certainly do not reflect the policies of the administration at a higher level.
Perhaps with this campaign we can persuade the legislators to join with the highly ethical senator from Colby in granting our faculty the proposed raises—not on the basis of their merit but out of political spite.
Asks for KU View
Keith W. Ashcraft Lawrence senior
Free space has been given our governor to tell what is wrong with KU. In a spirit of fair play why don't you print a few KU squints on what is wrong with Docking, or just don't print such tripe at all.
Editor:
With the deep understanding, sweet disposition, and unbiased reputation of our governor, it is going to make it mighty rough for students to explain to their parents why they continue to attend a school that is such a mess.
Richard Bower Norton senior
Flies can be attracted by either goodies or filth. The same possibly applies to students. Maybe you and the governor could get together for a survey and find out what the 9,000 students are seeking and what they are getting. I feel that the University is putting out the goodies, but am pleasing Fifth Amendment on the Governor's offerings.
Time to Fight
During the past few days your paper has carried news items on the remarks of the present governor. I think that the excellent coverage by such a campus paper has done much to inform many of the "intemperate" elected official at the helm of our state government.
His recent statements against the Leavenworth rally, his inference as to the results of a Democratic cocktail party on the participants of that rally, and in general the slams against our University and Chancellor.
It is about time we got together and fought the slams and what-nots passed out by the chief executive. Letter writing is a good idea and consulting your legislator on his stand is also good.
But how can we feel against the man when a University publication, which we all purchase, ranks this "intemperate" individual along with Prince Rainier, William Inge, and a score of others, on choosing the queen of the 1959 Jayhawker. This is an honor which should go to some prominent individual who can at least have respect for the University and what it stands for. The Jayhawker, if it persists in having him choose the queen, should go down in flames just as he will.
Richard Armstrong Lawrence senior