Spotlight on state elections-I
Taxes, education mark Kansas campaigns
By GERALD DEMEL
(Editor's note: The following article begins an editorial page series on Congressional and gubernatorial races in several of the key states around the nation. We begin with the home campaigns in Kansas, and hope to progress through as many states as possible before the elections on Nov. 8.)
Kansas politics, like Kansas winds, often indicate an unpreventent flow—that is, until a tornado crosses the horizon. And so it may be this year. What seems to be a dull off-year election may turn into an autumn storm if the gubernatorial race develops as the signs indicate.
The turbulence for incumbent William H. Avery is coming from an area to the southwest of the state capital in the form of Democrat Robert Docking of Arkansas City. Docking is the son of the
late George Docking, former Kansas governor in the latter 1950s.
Observers of the political storm some of them close to Avery say the governor could be beaten at this point, and a straw poll conducted by the Hutchinson News at the State Fair late in September favored Docking by a vote of 722 to 558.
But then there is nearly three weeks till the Nov. 8 elections.
Focal point of the Democrats' attack is that the Avery administration raised taxes, much of which went to finance Kansas schools through the Foundation plan, which received bipartisan support.
The matter of taxes seems to be the only Democratic weapon of weight; however, Docking, projecting the image of a small town Kansas banker, has proposed no solution nor alternative to the heavy financing of the state's public education.
And like most Kansas storms, some dirt is being bandied about.
Avery's campaign has been mainly to stand on his record, promise no new taxes and point to his salesmanship of Kansas to industry, primarily through the Department of Economic Development.
Several crosswind factors may be in the Republican's favor however. It seems unlikely that traditionally highly Republican Kansas will deny the present governor a second term of office on the basis of no greater mistake than raising taxes. Avery also has an outgoing personal appeal.
Docking, on the other hand, had appeared to be lining up for a big 1968 surge. An apparent lowering of Avery's current popularity injected new life into the Democratic campaign. Docking is 15 years Avery's junior and has not held public office on the state
level. But the memory of his father's tenure—one of curtailing state expenditures and fighting tax increases—will not be a disadvantage either.
However, troubles for the Democrats may be indicated in the implications of President Johnson's waning national popularity. Inflation across the country and state seems to be a question which neither party has effectively answered.
The other Kansas race of consequence is that for the junior office of the U.S. Senate. The Republican occupant of the seat, Sen. James B. Pearson of Prairie Village, is holding up his modest record against the campaign of J. Floyd Breeding of Garden City, former U.S. Congressman.
Republican charges against Breeding are that in the past he has voted the Eastern seacoast Democrat line in measures which
set up today's increase in the cost of living.
Breeding says that Pearson has offered no leadership in the Senate on behalf of the agricultural community although he represents the "Breadbasket of the World."
In the U.S. congressional fight, only the 3rd district contest between Republican Larry Winn Jr., of Leawood, and Democrat Marvin Rainey of Overland Park seems to be close. The position had been held by Republican Robert Ellsworth, Lawrence, who gave up the job to run against Pearson in the Republican primary.
There seems to be no contest for the other congressional seats held by Rep. Robert Dole, Russell, 1st district; Rep. Chester Mize, Atchison, 2nd; Rep. Garner Shriver, Wichita, 4th; and Rep. Joe Skubitz, Pittsburg, 5th. All are Republicans.
Not so bad after all...
New that the emotional fury of the Fraser Hall debate has faded into the vague past and been dropped, it is possible to make a rational and reflective evaluation of the new building from an esthetic point of view.
This is not to say that new Fraser is an esthetic masterpiece capable of achieving a prominent position in the history of art. It is still less pleasing to look at than Dyche Hall. But new Fraser in "life" is more pleasing than the model.
THE MODEL WHICH was photographed in black and white for use by the various newspapers and alumni bulletins and magazines lacked the brickwork detail which is probably the most pleasing element of the new building. And the photo was taken from a high angle; but the majority of students will be looking up at the new hall.
The fact that the shape of the building resembles a shredded wheat box is not evil in
itself. The size and the towers give the new addition to the campus a fortress-like quality—a place of strength where the freshman can be safe from the outside world. If the university must have an ivory tower, it might as well be a strong one.
THE STRENGTH OF new Fraser could become a symbol of strength for the university. And perhaps it is a fitting symbol, giving the world notice that while academics are attacked for being ivory tower oriented, they have a tower of stone to rival the Gibraltars and mountains of the world outside.
A man who looks into the future is sometimes right, sometimes wrong, so I will forego the privilege of prediction. But it would be funny if the grandchildren of new Fraser's opponents raised a fuss when the time came to tear the building down.
By EARL HAEHL
The people say...
To the Editor:
Congratulations to the KU Viet Nam Committee for its proposed December 1st campus-wide referendum. But, as I suppose I find myself opposed to the KUVC, I
think it should be pointed out that KU students are not being asked to vote for or against war.
No sane human being could be "for" war, and no faction could attempt reasonably to defend war.
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS
BUT WHEN I SAID YOU COULD TAKE ME HOME AFTER THE DANCE I THOUGHT YOU MEANT MY -"
This referendum deals, however, with alternatives for American foreign policy. First we must grant that a situation of some sort exists today in Southeast Asia that demands an American policy stance. It remains to the interested factions in this referendum to define that situation as they see it and to promote their own alternatives for our national policy there.
It will be upon the validity of various definitions and alternatives that KU students must vote in December. Not upon an affection or antipathy to war.
Official Bulletin
Gary Scott Nunley
Ashland, Ky.
graduate student
Student Peace Union Open Meeting, 7:30 p.m. Kansas Union.
TODAY
National College Honors Council,
All Day, Union.
KU Dames, 8 p.m. Watkins Room, Kansas Union.
TOMORROW
Juvenile Delinquency Seminar, All Day. Kansas Union.
SUA Coaching-Forum, 3 p.m. Dr.H.W. Janson. "The Altenation of the Artist from Society." Browsing Room, Kansas Union.
University Concert Course. $ 2. 20 p.m.
Royal Hunt of the Sun. $ 7. 00
Aud Hunt
2
Daily Kansas
editorial page
Monday, October 24, 1966
STATEMENT BY KU STUDENTS FOR A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY:
Students for a Democratic Society hereby expresses concern about the operations of the Council on Student Affairs (COSA). Regarding the functioning of COSA as inherently undemocratic, SDS disagrees with the secretive practices of the committee and its chairman, Dean of Students Laurence Woodruff. Specifically we regard as hypocritical the Council's commitment to "full and free discussion" among students, faculty and administration when implemented by the following:
(1) meetings are completely closed to the public;
(2) the committee makes no public announcements of proceedings;
(3) a person wishing to appear before COSA must have a prospectus of his concern approved by the committee before he may appear;
(4) the committee has no authority to make or change student regulations;
(7) the stated purpose is, in part, "to reaffirm the Chancellor in his decisions."
(5) Council members are selected mostly on an ex-officio basis or by the invitation of the Council;
(6) new student members require the approval of (a) the Dean of Students and (b) the entire Council thereafter;
THE SPIRIT PERVADING the operation of this committee is one of secrecy and repression. SDS questions how this atmosphere of secrecy can be conducive to "full and free discussion." COSA has become a means of controlling spontaneity among students rather than allowing it to develop into meaningful innovation. It is a device for social control rather than social change.
Therefore SDS resolves to make this condition known to the students at large, and demands that
(1) COSA meetings be open to the public;
(2) COSA proceedings be made a matter of public record;
(3) any student be permitted to appear before COSA upon submitting in writing his intention to do so;
(4) student members of COSA be selected in such a way as to make them genuinely representative of and fully responsible to the students; and
(5) COSA be made a meaningful and effective channel of communication for the university community.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY
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The Daily Kansan, student newspaper at The University of Kansas, is represented by National Advertising Service, 18 East 50 St., New York, N. Y. 10022. Mail subscription information to: National Advertising Services, Lawrence, Kan., every afternoon during the University year except Saturdays and Sundays. University holidays and examination periods. Accommodations, goods, services and employment advertised in the University Daily Kansan are offered to all students without regard to color, creed or race.
The opinions expressed in the editorial column are those of the students whose names are signed to them. Guest editorial views are not necessarily the editor's. Any opinions expressed in the Daily Kansan are not necessarily those of The University of Kansas Administration or the State Board of Regents.
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