Chancellor gives his views on unrest
Chancellor E. Laurence Chalmers Jr. gave his views on the turbulent events in Lawrence last week in a radio interview Sunday night.
Chalmers said there was no need for parents to worry while their children were at KU. "Demonstractions at KU have been orderly and peaceful. There has been no physical violence or rioting," he said.
Concerning the destruction of the Kansas Union, Chalmers said, "There are probably one or two insane people who are intent on burning."
He said the Union was adequately insured but it would be fall 1971 before it could be rebuilt.
Arson represented such a serious crime that, "Unless I'm sure there is a cure, I wouldn't want an arsonist around in society at all," he said.
Chalmers attributed student help in fighting the Union fire to the Student Code. "The student wants to help in a school in which he participates," he said.
There was some misunderstanding in the news releases over his thoughts on the curfew. "I thought the curfew created more harm after it outlived its usefulness. Once it achieved its purpose it became as much an obstacle as the arson," Chalmers said.
Chalmers said the curfew had produced tension among the students. He said he had received letters from students complaining about not being able to use the library to work on papers. "The University, as other integral parts of the community, operates well past 6 p.m," he said.
On the arrest of David Awbrey, outgoing student body president, for curfew violation, Chalmers said, "I don't thing the fact he is a student leader should cause attention in either direction."
"The difficulty was to seek out students who were unhappy with the curfew and those involved in arson. A large majority of those arrested were on simple curfew offenses, apparently, this happened to Awbrey," he said.
Chalmers said he thought there was a fringe element of about 20 or 30 radicals at KU. He compared this to the Berkeley campus with its more than 3,000 radicals. "Like vultures they feast on the flesh of society's institutions."
"I think the South does have less violence and racial conflict. Most of the conflict seems to be in the Northeast and Midwest. Students in the South in my
opinion are less interested in the larger society than the students at KU. Students come to KU to get a philosophy of life and an idea of what they would like to do in the world," he said.
Chalmers said he had received letters wanting to know why a person as profane as Abbie Hoffman, who advocates the forceful overthrow of the government, should be paid state money to talk to students.
Chalmers answered that Hoffman was invited to speak by the Student Union Minorities Forum. The idea is for students to develop a philosophy by exposing them to a full realm of ideas, he said. He added that the Minorities Forum does not use state money.
There are many grievances at KU. He cited the Women's Liberation movement, Black Students Union and Ecology. "These groups have counterparts that provide also grievances," he said.
Regarding the financial state of the University, Chalmers said the Kansas legislature was fairly responsive. "At least the Kansas legislature recognized the need of funds for new students and a salary raise for the faculty," he said.
BULLETIN
Jorn Year, No. 122 The University of Kansas—Lawrence, Kansas Monday, April 27, 1970
There are unconfirmed reports that a person has been arrested in connection with the ROTC building fire April 22. The person was reported to be a Building and Grounds employe.
--light of our last conversation and several conversations prior to this one. I feel that you do not exhibit the degree of confidence in me that I desire. I feel that my effectiveness has been thwarted by your recent instructions. Therefore, I feel that because of your apparent lack of confidence in my ability, it would be in our best interest if you were to terminate my employment immediately."
--light of our last conversation and several conversations prior to this one. I feel that you do not exhibit the degree of confidence in me that I desire. I feel that my effectiveness has been thwarted by your recent instructions. Therefore, I feel that because of your apparent lack of confidence in my ability, it would be in our best interest if you were to terminate my employment immediately."
UDK News Roundup
By United Press International
Pesticides plague Russia
MOSCOW—"Silent Spring" menaces the Soviet Union, a prize-winning Russian nature writer, Vasily Peskov, warned Sunday.
The rare bustard and droves of other wild fowl are being decimated by pesticides, Vasily Peskov wrote in the youth newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda.
In a documented echo of Rachel Carson's nightmare prediction of the death of nature, Peskov asked, "Where have all the birds gone. Our forests, fields and gardens are growing quieter and quieter."
Blasts rip Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE—Twenty to 30 sticks of dynamite planted near the front of the state Senate chamber exploded Sunday night peeling marble slabs from the ornate rooms, shattering all its windows and splintering lawnakers' desks.
Scopes, now 69 and living in Shreveport, La., said Saturday two groups were behind the famous case—The American Civil Liberties Union, which wanted to get a test case on Tennessee's anti-evolution law, and a group of local merchants "who wanted to put Dayton on the map."
Moments before the explosion ripped through the 34-story state Capitol Building, another blast caused heavy damage at a plush country club.
COLUMBUS, Ohio—John T. Scopes, who as a young biology teacher in Dayton, Tenn., in 1925 stirred a controversy about the teaching of evolution, now says accounts of the "Monkey Trial" case were greatly exaggerated.
Scopes says trial distorted
Return of mutineers sought
PORT AU PRINCE—President Francois "Papa Doc" Duvalier has asked for the return to Haiti of the mutinous coast guard crews who shelled his palace and now have sought asylum in the United States.
--light of our last conversation and several conversations prior to this one. I feel that you do not exhibit the degree of confidence in me that I desire. I feel that my effectiveness has been thwarted by your recent instructions. Therefore, I feel that because of your apparent lack of confidence in my ability, it would be in our best interest if you were to terminate my employment immediately."
Police officers request reinstatement of Smith
Lawrence's police and safety division forces remain in a state of confusion since last Friday's announcement of resignation by Gilbert D. Smith, Lawrence director of public safety.
At least 19 of the 48 officers of the Lawrence Police Force indicated they plan to resign May 1 if Smith's resignation is not reconsidered by the City Commission and the City Manager.
Smith, the city's chief law enforcement and fire officer, handed in his resignation after tension eased in the wake of four straight nights of firebombing and sniping incidents.
The memo given to City Manager Buford Watson read, "In
In addition, Watson questioned Smith's acquisition of some tear gas. According to Watson, Smith obtained a supply of gas last Wednesday saying the supply was "on loan." When Watson found out, he said he told Smith to return the gas.
"If it had been purchased," Watson said, "the tear gas would have been bought using funds allocated to the department in a grant for riot control equipment." Smith said, the state grant was approved last Thursday, however Watson said he was not aware of the grant.
According to Watson the gas was acquired the day before the loan approval came.
In his response to Smith's letter, Watson said, "I am surprised by your action, however, I can understand the pressure of the past several days. I did not intend to have you feel that the questioning concerning gas last night or the
(Continued to page 12)
Photo by Ron Bishop
Come here piggy . . . please piggy . . .
The greased pig contest, held in connection with the Spring Week activities Saturday provided the participants and the spectators with a few laughs and a good time. (See related story on page 2)