Daily hansan
58th Year, No. 80
H. Carter Tells of Editor as Citizen
Friday, Feb. 10, 1961
The editor can and should step down from his traditional position of Olympian detachment and take the affairs of his community into his hands. In doing so, he enriches his town and betters the newspaper which serves it.
This was the theme of the William Allen White Lecture delivered in Fraser Hall today by Hodding Carter, Pulitzer Prize-winning editor of the Greenville, Miss., Delta Democrat-Times and recipient of the 12th annual National Award for Journalistic Merit of the William Allen White Foundation.
THE AWARD was presented by Dolph Simons, Sr., publisher of the Lawrence Journal-World and president of the Foundation.
LAWRENCE, KANSAS
After the presentation, Mr. Carter began his lecture. He said that it is not enough for an editor to be merely the community's "chronicle, commentator, and general hell-raiser."
"I have learned . . . that such a role, however stimulating or worthwhile, is an incomplete one. The editor should be equally the citizen, participating to the fullest in the life and aspirations of his town," he added.
EXPLAINING the traditional idea that an editor should remain apart from the active life of the community lest he be used by organizations and pressure groups, Mr. Carter said the objection was "reasonable." But he then drew on his own experiences with the Greenville newspaper to support the idea that the editor can wield greater influence for good in his community if he steps down from the heights and plunges into community affairs—although his participation may bring criticism.
"I have no right to be the town scold without taking part in the town's life," he said. "I could have no better defense against our critics than to prove that I am as much a citizen of Greenville as any other person who dwells there."
He stated that the editor who takes vigorous action in civic affairs will benefit himself and his town by doing so. He explained that working for the material progress of a town brings new subscribers to the newspaper, new business, more advertising, and, as a natural corollary, a larger, more effective newspaper which is better able to serve community needs.
He used his own example, citing an imposing list of civic activities in which he has participated. Many of these reflected his interest in racial tolerance and its progress in the South, the cause for which he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1946.
AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC of the
Law Students Aid Custodian's Family
The humanitarian instinct has not been lost among the dusty tomes and weighty rules of law. KU's future barristers can prove it.
Law students have collected $50 to be given to the family of Mrs. Betty Lee Kramer, wife of Elmer F. Kramer, who is the custodian in Green Hall, home of the Law School.
Mrs. Kramer was killed in an automobile accident Jan. 25 and left three children at home. They are 5, 13 and 17. Two older children are married.
"We sure appreciate these fellows helping us out." Mr. Kramer said. "They're a great bunch and I like working with them, but I never suspected they'd do a thing like this."
South, Mr. Carter frequently jabbed sharply at Southern attitudes, particularly in the area of race relations, as he told of the topics he had considered for this lecture.
"I thought of dragging out another tried and true favorite, The New South," he said. "But that one went out the window for two reasons. One is that some 80 years ago, Henry W. Grady, Georgia's greatest editor until Ralph McGill came along, described it prophetically and much better than anyone since. The other is that I sometimes wonder how new, in an economic and democratic sense, are those areas of
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Marcellus M. Murdock
Wichita Publisher Wins Journalism Citation
Marcellus M. Murdock, publisher of the Wichita Eagle-Beacon, today was awarded the 1961 Kansas citation for journalistic merit of the William Allen White Foundation.
"Truth and honesty are society's finest components, and truth the most elusive for man," Mr. Murdock said in a prepared speech. "But even the second grade brand of truth we have is invaluable. Think what lives we would lead if we lived in a world where man's affairs were conducted entirely on an accepted basis of lies."
MR. MURDOCK and Clyde M. Reed Jr., editor of the Parsons Sun who was scheduled to make the presentation, were both ill and unable to attend the luncheon in the Kansas Union.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Murdock said:
"You cannot always control your thoughts, but you, as editor, may be able to master your mouth. Remember: silence is sometimes mistaken for wisdom."
He also added an observation on the world situation:
"Communism with creeping capitalism with creeping socialism will someday come together at a common point. They only seem to be going in opposite directions. It
would take an atom bomb to blow them apart. . "
THE PRESENTATION was made at the Foundation's annual luncheon at the Kansas Union.
Mr. Reed's prepared remarks praised the Wichita editor as, "The man who did not run." He traced Mr. Murdock's life from his birth in 1883.
Lester Kimmel, editorial page editor of the Eagle, accepted the award for Mr. Murdock and Rolla Clymer, editor of the El Dorado Times, read his remarks.
MESSAGES OF welcome were given at the luceon by Governor John Anderson and Chancellor W. Clarke Wescoe.
At 11 a.m. a bronze plaque of William Allen White's Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial, "To an Anxious Friend," was dedicated in Flint Hall. (It is reprinted on page two.) Chancellor Wescoe accepted the plaque as a gift from the Foundation to the University of Kansas.
Brooks said another factor was the formation of several committees that conducted most of the club's business.
In his dedicatory remarks, Calder M. Pickett, acting dean of the school of journalism said, "William Allen White stated eternal principles, and he emphasized the role of the editorial writer, who at times must write things that offend his friends and espouse causes that are unpopular."
"I feel it has cut down interest," he said.
Young Demos Plan Reorganization
In a special meeting last night, amid strong criticism by members who complained of the club's inactivity, the KU Young Democrats set Feb.16 for the election of new officers and appointed a committee to draw up a new constitution.
Discussing the reasons for the members' lack of participation, Phil Brooks, Independence, Mo., junior and president, said, "We felt that interest in the club had slacked off after the election due to the failure of the Democratic Party in Kansas."
Resolutions for the two actions were introduced by Jim Lawing, Okmulgee, Okla., graduate student and secretary of the Young Democrats.
Lawing announced his candidacy for president of the Young Democrats. He refused to submit his name to the nominating committee, saying that he disagreed with this procedure, and encouraged other candidates to do the same thing.
Among the changes Lawing proposed for the new constitution were the dropping of the two vice-presidential offices, and the creation of research and recommendations, resolutions and membership, and organization committees.
Lawing said these committees would present their resolutions to the members and would not take action themselves.
Lawing also said at the meeting that the Young Democrats would make a concerted effort to prevent any purge of liberal and scholarly chapters, such as at KU, at the upcoming state convention in Hutchinson.
Lumumba Escapes; Civil War Feared
ELISABETHVILLE, Katanga, The Congo—(UPI)—The Katanga government announced today that deposed Premier Patrice Lumumba escaped from prison last night only hours after Congo President Joseph Kasavubu dissolved the military regime that jailed him.
An announcement by the government of this secessionist province said Lumumba and two aides overpowered their two guards, seized their Mauser rifles and fled, apparently by stealing a police car. There were reports Lumumba might be fleeing toward the Portuguese colony of Angolo, 60 miles away.
Observers noted the escape re- $ ^{6} $
Observers noted the escape report coincided with persistent rumors Lumumba had died in prison from savage beatings inflicted on him by Congolese troops loyal to Maj. Gen. Joseph Mobutu who still controls the Congolese Army.
MOSCOW RADIO suggested today that reports of former Congolese Premier Patrice Lumuba's escape from jail may only be preparation for an announcement he has been shot.
"It is indeed possible that this is being put out as a smokescreen in order to enable assassins to commit a crime if they have not yet committed it," the radio said.
The daring jailbreak which touched off a widescale manshunt by Katanga authorities raised new fears of an all out civil war between troops loyal to the 35-year-old leftist ex-premier and those who follow Mobutu's orders.
Despite his imprisonment Lumumba's strength has grown to the point where Mobutu was reported moving toward Oriental Province with a force of 5,000 men to try to end Lumumba's influence in the big province still loyal to him.
PRESIDENT KASAVUBU, in dissolving the military regime and setting up a provisional government under Joseph Ileo, left several posts open for the Katanga authorities. President Youlou of the former French Congo arrived here yesterday to try to persuade Katanga President Moishe Tshombe to join the government.
David Doyle, U.S. vice consul in Elisabethville, said police had blocked every road around the area in which Lumumba escaped. News of the escape was broadcast over Radio Katanga, he said, but made little impression on the local population.
MUNONGO SAID that since their (Continued on page 8)
Frisco Riot Film Shows Thursday
"Operation Abolition," a filmed documentary of the student demonstrations against the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in San Francisco last summer, will be shown in Hoch Auditorium Feb. 16.
The film was prepared by HUAC's public relations department and has been severely criticized for its unobjective and slanted approach against the demonstrating students by several national magazines including The Reporter and The Christian Century.
THE NATIONAL Student Association committee of the All Student Council is sponsoring the showing of the film. The ASC appropriated $25 to pay for the film and literature supporting both points of view — pro and con — of the controversial film to be passed out when the film is shown.
The criticism of "Operation Aboliation" is based on allegations that the film falsely depicts Communist participation and direction of the May 12-24 demonstrations.
The Christian Century said that the film was edited by members of HUAC from newsreel footage shot by local television stations during the committee's meetings in San Francisco.
Weather
The weather bureau said the afternoon highs were into the 50s. The overnight lows, however, will again be in the 20s. Fair weather with moderate temperatures is expected to continue through tomorrow.
HAIL FELLOW WELL MET—Fraternity representatives greet independent men at the interfraternity rush smoker held last night at the Kansas Union. The smoker gave the fraternity men and the 25 rush projects a chance to meet and discuss fraternity life. After the smoker, the fraternities will conduct rush individually.