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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 8, 1931)
THE DAILY NEHRASKAN rrTir'rcr V TAIVITAHV Jt 111. imi.. V WO V M V) .1 I r t . i i i '4 The Daily Nebraskam Station A, Llneatn, Nabrataa OFFICIAL BTUDtNT POBLICAtlON UNIVERSITY OP NEBRASKA , Publlahad Tuaaday, Wedneeday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday morninoa during tha acadamlo yaar. THIRTIETH VSAR Entered at eecond-claae mattar at tha pnttoffiea In Lincoln, Ntbratka, undar act of eetiaraai, maren S, I87i, and at apacia' rata of postaa provided for In taction 1109 ae it Oatobar S, 1117, authoncad January 80, 1822. Undtr dlractlon of tha Studtnt Publication Hoard SUBSCRIPTION fcATK II ft ytif Single Cap I Stntt S1.S8 a eimetter ii a ytar milled 11.78 a ttmetttr mailed Editorial 6tflce Unlveralty Hall 4. Buelnrae Office Unlveraity Hall 4A. Telephone by i SS41j Nlghtl 1-6882, B-3333 (Jeurhtl) Atk for Nebratkin editor EDITORIAL STAFF Wlllltm T. MeCleery n. EdittMn-ohlti Managing tdltore Robert Ktlly Elmant Waite Newt Ed I tort rranctt Holyoke. ..4.. Arthur Mlfehtli William McOaffln ..Cugene MO KIM rtex Wtgntf Guy Craig i mi... Sport Cdita' Evelyn Slmpaon Wemen'e Sportt Editor Berenleee Hoffman Society Editor BUSINESS STAFF Chanel Lawlor .Butlntta Manager Atllttant Builnett Managere Norman Oalleher Jack Thsmpeon Edwin Faulkner Harold Kgbe How Justify Compulsory Drill? Last June the attorney general of the United States broke the bubble of belief that land grant colleges would lessen theiv revenue under the Morrill act if they eliminated compulsory military training. Discussion waxes warm in collegiate circles over the merits of the force system. Some institutions have welcomed the opportunity to cast overboard the compulsory rule, making drill elective. The University of Nebraska, however, is marching along under the same old colors, choosing to retain com pulsory army duty for first and second year men. The Daily Nebraskan is opposed to compul sory military science. We believe that the col legiate draft system accomplishes no worth .while purposes. Further, it has a detrimental influence on students who are coerced and upon those who realize that the University of Nebraska has endorsed this plan. Promoters of compulsory training present many pleasant sounding justifications of their cause. They maintain that drill is beneficial to freshmen and sophomores from a physical angle. They assert that it develops leadership, fosters discipline, that it is vaiuable prepara tion for the "the next war," or, strangely, that it will help to prevent another armed conflict between nations. Under the present system, underclassmen drill for one three hour period each week. To say that they drill during this time is not true, for part of the period is spent in the classroom, where staff officers lecture to the sleepy cadets on the fundamentals of warfare, showing what tactics were found effective in the World war and what ones may be used in "the next war." This program of physical development could be greatly improved by compelling students to spend three one-hour periods in a gymnasium each week. Prominent physicians even army officers have expressed this opinion. We trust the judgment of the reader to determine whether compulsory military training may be even mildly justified on the basis of physical benefits. How does the basic course develop leader ship? We need not quarrel with those who believe that army training inculcates this trait in men, for our concern is with the term during which freshmen and sophomores are compelled to join tbs ranks of E. 0. T. C. Perhaps a few lucky underclassmen are promoted to positions of slight authority, but it is more often because they hare had previous training than because they show dualities of leadership. Does the ability to shout commands signify leader ship? Just how, we repeat, docs compulsory military training develop leadership? Discipline is alleged to be something that young men should be taught. It involves the training. It must be made easy, we suspect, it riuestioning or thinking. Those who have gone Ihrough the basic training at this university emerge without having learned discipline, whether it is a thing to be desired or not. Being forced into the regiment and knowing that severe punishment is unknown in the de partment, underclassmen sluff through their training. It must be made asy, we suspect, if it is to remain in the good graces of any institution. Does compulsory training teach discipline Some individuals believe that preparedness is the best way to avoid future war. The young man who slides through two years of military drill at the University of Nebraska is not pre pared, physically, for war. We believe, and mir belief is backed by many experienced men, that a few weeks in an efficient army camp would more than replace the two lazy years -if collegiate training. We speak of the horde of students who take drill because they arc compelled 1o. Unless the backers of the training contend Ihnt compulsory drill develops personality, lioncsty, energy, or other gold medal character Units, wo have presented our nnswer to their assertions. If the course were made elective, The Nebraskan believes that it would be far mure successful in reaching its advertised ideals than under our present plan. In addition to the failures we cite, there is another ugly reason for which the compulsory doctrine should be abandoned. It is our sincere belief that although the B. 0. T. C. fails to take effective steps toward physical prepara tion for war, it is dangerously effective in promoting mental preparedness. "Our university compels us to take military drill, to learn something about fighting. It is in order that we may be better prepared to fight in 'the next war.' " This is not an un reasonable reaction from underclassmen, and it is one often voiced. Not to help pave the way for world peace, but to improve their chances to get an easy job in the next battle is the freshman's aim, which he takes as consolation. Instead of teaching the youth of this state o thiuk along peaceful lines, we draw them through an atmosphere of war. When we might show them that war is a horrible exper ience, wherein young men from one nation slaughter young men from another. ve preach to them about the glories of patriotic living, the way tft carry a musket, how to ftr it. If we hunger for world peace, why do we think In terms of "the next war," and attempt to build up a sentiment of inevitability re garding deadly combat between nations? Since it succeeds in doing oijly one thing, and that opposed to the welfare of state and na tion, compulsory military t ruining should be crossed from our books. To those who are interested in being officers, let tis present an efficient course, but sto this deplorable prac tice of shoving every young man Into the ranks of our army. There re other phases to this controversy. We realize that our views will meet violent opposition, but we arc prepartd to answer in telligent letters of disagreement. This di-ms-sion must bo based upon reason and not Lpoii emotion. Our editorial columns are open to students who have opinions concerning com pulsory military science, and wo invite an open discussion of the thing which we believe should be abandoned. D!!. BLEYER DEFENDS We might have another honor roll for the Greek lodges who really come through Avith the ten bucks. Slim Chances For University Hall. As plaster sifts through from the ceilings of dilapidated University hall, we discover that the prospects of having the landmark replaced are extremely slim. Arthur J. Weaver, retir ing governor of Nebraska, recommends that all building projects other than the construction of a women's dormitory, an addition to the school of medicine in Omaha, and a home eco nomics hall for the college of agriculture, should be frowned upon by the legislature. Mr. Weaver advises rejection of a plan to replace University hall, add to Morrill hall, and construct an Astronomy hall. There is a need for some lecture hall to take the burden of classes from the. cramped and ancient "U" hall. We arc willing to accept economy, but is the legislature certain that it is economizing without hampering the educa tional possibilities of the university? Yesterday The Nebraskan suggested that the legislature look into the university situation more carefully, acquainting itself with condi tions as they exist on this campus. Such an informal investigation we are certain would make known the positive need for one struc ture, at least, on the city campus. Introducing Art and Charley in a slicing act entitled "Slash and Double Slash." Are Colleges ' Reform Schools? Does the public expect its colleges to act as reform schools? In every class that enters grade school, there are seevral who are destined to become more or less successful more or less famous. These few, unknown at the time, arc the subject of many an inspiring oration. The world expects great things from someone in each high school class. This is all as it should be. But there arc also, in that same class, several others, des tined by heredity and environment both to a life as often criminal as unsuccessful. Of this ever-present group, nothing is said. No one makes speeches about them. Until much later on ... . The average class is graduated from high school. It reaches college, still with its few destined for fame, still with its few destined for criminal notoriety. The group on its way to fame and honor receives high praise. Again, they are the sub ject of fine speeches by overplump politicians, by business men about town. But, of the other group, one drops by the wayside in the educa tional race every now and then. Whenever this does happen, the public grows indignant, angrily asks, "What's wrong with our educa tional system?" Does the public have any right to ask this question? Can we politely request our teach ers and professors to remodel all the products of varying home environments that are handed over to them with the command, "Educate this group of promising citizens?" We fear the public expects too much of its colleges and universities. Is a college an angel factory? Can it make honest, successful citi zens from the group that is headed by environ ment and heredity toward a life of crime, if not suiftlessness? We say no. There can ue no satisfactory substitute for a good and thorough home training. Parents should not condemn a college for their own shortcomings. How about making a roof garden on the roof of "U" hall? Or a miniature golf course. MORNING MAIL Speech tiller. TO THE EDITOR: Gilbert H. Donne, university librarian, made a speech in Chicago recently. Appearing be fore 1lie American Library association, he criti cized the public school system declaring the tendency today is to teach the public school boy or girl "more and more about less and less." He slated the tendency today is to "spread thinner and thinner the butter of scholastic training." The librarian continued, declariug that peda gogical theories of professional educators have invaded the schools and i. 'permeated with the democratic ideal of education for every body, which in the long run tends to lower the general level of intellectual attainment, rather than elevate it." This makes good material to fling at an association meeting. It also serves admirably for speech filler. The doctor's idea would be very good for a group of conversationalists. But he surely could not mean it seriously. Why not democracy with education for all? Isn't that an ideal to strive for? Just because more people are getting an education, is that any reason why the level of intellectual attainment should be lower? Let me repeat, the librarian filled out his speech with the idea. But isn't that about all it amounted 'to? M. ('. 0. Says 'Newspapermen Need Training; Flexner Does Not Agree. Although Abraham Flexner brands the department ot journal lam as an unnecsaary part of a university curriculum, the value of the training of uch a depart ment offer its students is very great If the opinion of Prof. Wil lard G. Bleyer. director of the school of journalism, University of Wisconsin, can be taken in de fense of Mr. Flexner's accusa tions. In a speech delivered before the annual meeting: of the American Association of Schools and Depart ments of Journalism and the American Association of Teachers of Journalism in aBoston, Dec. 29, Professor Bleyer said that schools of journalism have a definite place In the training of future newspapermen. This idea is di rectly opposed to that of Abraham Flexner in his recent book, "Uni versities, American, English, German." In his beek, Mr. Flex ner brands the department along with those of business, pharmacy, and several others as "vocational" departments and would be ex cluded by him from all universities. Preparation Needed. Adequate preparation Is needed by all editors and writers or the modern press, for the reason that that organ exerts a tremendous influence today. "If." stated Dr. Bleyer, "lacking adequate prepar ation for their work, writers and editors are half-educated, super ficial, inaccurate, and unscrupu lous the newspapers and periodic als that they produce will not ex ert the wholesome influence that is generally assumed the press should exert on readers as citi zens of the state and members of society." He further pointed out mat no other profession requires a wider range of knowledge or greater ability to apply that knowledge to current events and problems than does journalism. Professor Bleyer categorizes journalism as a pro fession whereas Mr. Flexner dubs it a vocation . Teaches Straight Thinking. The function of the study of j o u r n alism, according to Dr. Blever is to teach students how to think straight about what is go ing on in the world and how to ap ply what they have learned to understanding and interpreting the day's news. He makes the state ment that "after thirty years as a university instructor, I am con vinced that our college courses in subjects other than journalism do not result in developing in the av erage student the ability to think logically and to apply Intelligently what he has learned to his work as a reporter, copy reader, or editor." "Courses in journalism are broadly cultural rather than nar rowly technical," Dr. Bleyer in sists, and he further added "that I should be willing to pit the av erage journalism graduate against the average liberal arts graduate on the basis of his ability to think straight and apply what he has learned to present-day social, po litical and economic problems." wyvrsn the BEHIND DOOR.. Polar! Miller When we last had the pleasure of annoying vou it was In 1930 B. C. (Before Christmas). Since we have received no threatening mess agea or words to that effect we feel warranted to keep on annoy ing you for a part at least of 1931. The local police received quite a surprise when they called out the riot force to quell what they thought was a communist gather ing in front of Social Science Monday morning. They forgot that it was the first morning of college and that the cakes were back. And speaking of cakes brings to mind the recent disappointment of one of the local baker's daugh ters. She went skating with one of our noble institution's rah-rah boys and found her evening ruined because her cake fell. F They say that good St. Nick travels a la reindeer, and also in the most modern of ways, by air plane. Personally we think he must have used an Austin. Telescopes Are Found In Queer Places; Ours Is in Healing Tunnel Now that the Christmas season has passed (and what detours) and everybody got just what they wanted, we are positive that busi ness will pick up. This time of the year is always characterized by increased activity in the 'ex change." A characteristic expression of cheap novels and likewise cheap movies (which gives us quite away) is "Came the dawn!" With a slight alteration and in the cor rect after-holiday spirit we can now say, "Came the dun!" Women set the styles. From a close observance of any number of the more delicate sex on New Years Eve we gleaned a sure enough style tip. Believe it or not, but if New Years eve is any indi cation we're in for a season of "tight skirts." He was well educated how's that for a deep one. General Pershing, they say, is to receive a fabulous sum for his story of the war. We wonder how much Sherman got. They say the Indian has passed, but judging from a number of New Year noses there are still plenty of "redskins" left. A New York paoer says that the modern college girl is wearing less than her grandmother used to wear. How true! Why here in Nebraska the girls wear so little that even the corn is shocked. That would lead everyone to be lieve that the present, generation is not so good. Nevertheless we arc rather dependable. Just think what an unstable lot they were back in the days of long ago always los ing their heads over something. It was an open hid every one in the house opened it. He cudgled his brain for a thought why the old browbeater. Famous last words: "So long, old top." Louis .XIV. Underclasses Deny Seniors Honor vt Annual K.U. Prom Telescopes may be found In a number of queer places, not exclud ing the dim interior of the Sahara desert, out certainly one would never expect to find a spy glass In the depths of a university heating tunnel. That, however, is pre cisely the case on our own campus, according to Prof. G. D. Swezey, head of the department of astron omy. A good many years ago, "so long ago that it is practically ancient history," to use Dr. Swezey's words, a twelve inch lens was pre sented the astronomy department by Dr. Minnich of Palmer, now de ceased. Shortly afterward an eighteen foot mounting was con structed for the lens with the in tention that the new telescope would be installed In a $25,000 ob servatory which was to have been constructed. Appropriations Blocked. . By some unexpected twist of conditions the observatory appro priation did not go through, even after specifications nM drawings of the new building had been made. For lack of sufficient space in which to Install the tele scope It was stored in the heating tunnel where it has since been lodged. In nearly every report to the leg islature the board of regents has requested an appropriation for new facilities for the department of astronomy. This year a $.')0,000 reueat for astronomy funds is be ing submitted but Dr. Swezey is exceedingly doubtful of results. He hopes that some day he may have a new building with ample class room facilities, a departmental li brary, and two observation domes, one for the present four inch tele scope and one for the twelve inch "peeper" remaining in obscurity beneath the surface of the campus. Largest One In Wisconsin. The largest lens telescope in the world is located at the Yerkea ob servatory In Williams Bay, Wis., Swezey remarked. The lens meas ures forty Inches and the station Is owned by the University of Chi cago. The largest reflecting: telescope Is the one at the Mt Wilson obser vatory in Pasadena, Calif. It has a mirror which measures 100 inches In diameter. McKelvie to Address Colorado Conference FORT COLLINS, Colo. Sam R. McKelvie, member of the federal farm board and former governor of Nebraska,, will be the principal speaker at the sixteenth annual conference of the Colorado agri cultural college extension confer ence, to be held here Jan. 12 to 16. LAWRENCE, Kas. The seniors at the University of Kansas were recently denied the ancient cus tom of presenting the Shepherd's Crook 'at the Junior-Senior Prom when the underclassmen put over a successful theft of the tradi tional symbol. The crook, which has been handed down thru the eighties, gay nineties, and almost a third of the twentieth century was taken from one of the fraternity bouses where it was supposedly in hiding. How ever this does not mean that the Crook will not put in its appear ance at the Prom this coming Sat urday night. The underclassmen who have stolen the Crook are said to be ar ranging a presentation of the Crook with their classes's colors, plus a piece of black crepe to show that the presentation was not made by the seniors as per schedule but by either the sopho mores or freshmen depending, of course, upon which class stole the Crook. The Shepherd's Crook has been stolen only three limes since this old custom was started back In 1866. But from all indications 1930 will be another uneventful year for the seniors at the Junior Senior Prom. Breaking Rushing Rules Is Cause for Action Against Lodges. INFLICT $75 PENALTY Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities at the University of Pittsburgh were recently fined seventy-five dollars each for viola tion of rushing rules. They were also placed on probation for a year. Action was taken by the university's fraternity council. Charges against both societies were that they extended to a first semester freshman invitations to rushing events before the season had opened formally. Name of the fraternity bringing accusations against the lodges was not re vealed by the fraternity committee. The period of probation will ex tend from-Jan. 1. 1931 to Jan. 1, 1932. During this time an officer from each house will have to re port formally each month the ac tivities of his house, to the dean of men. It was alleged, in the charge against Sigma Alpha Epsilon, that a freshman had been asked to that fraternity by a pledge a number of days before the season opened. The pledge and the rushee both ad mitted this to a sub-committee ap pointed by the fraternity commit tee to investigate the charges. The pledge declared he was unfamiliar with the rushing rules. Charges of inviting the same rushee in advance of the season were made against a member of Sigma Chi. Change of date of the opening of rushing season, occa sioned by the Ohio State football game, had confused him, said, the Sig Chi. He stated that after he realized his mistake, he attempted to rectify it. MARSH DECRIES TREND TO FARM CORPORATIONS (Continued from Fage 1.1 Keim added, "I would like to have a tractor, a truck, and the newest of everything. The chances are if I used old Dobbin, who will cat cheap grain and hay in the sum mer and winter on cornstalks and oats straw, and fix up some of dad's old tools and build up a cap ital stock, that ten or twenty years hence I will be independent and happy and can then buy some newer things without having the banker in my wool every minute.' Agriculture needs a system of diversified farming and a cutting down of overhead, Dr. Keim stated. Much of this Is evident now. The acreage of spring grains is on th" increase and there is an increased use ol Rdapted strains of corn. "Good hybrids arc becoming very valuable. A mixture of ordi nary red or white corn is of no value. Hybrid seed corn deserves careful inspection because in creased yields of from 10 to 15 percent arc being made. Weeds Rob Farmers. "Weeds rob $2 per acre from the farm income," Keim pointed out, "and there are 17,000,000 tillable acres in the state. Control of plant diseases Is necessary, also, for the successful farmer does not take losses. Then, if the trend is for more livestock production, pas tures must not be forgotten." There are other phases in agri culture that the speaker empha sized and they all centered about the one point that there must be increased efficiency in farm opera tions. The overhead, he cautioned, must be watched. "You must study your business," Keim charged, "and you must analyze yourself. Keep farm rec ords and know what you are doing." 300 Yearbook lack Installments Unpaid Ed Edmonds, business mana ger on the 1931 Cornhusker staff, reports that 300 bills have been mailed to students who are behind in their year book installments. It Is urgent that these back payments be forwarded as toon as possible in order that the subscription list may be brought up to date, he reported. RENT A CAR Forde, Reoi, Durants and Austin. Your Bualnesa It Appreciated MOTOR OUT COMPANY 1120 P St. Alwaye Open. B-661B. 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