..I .
TWO.
THE DAILY NEBRASKAN
FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 1 931.
The Daily Nebraskan
Station A, Lincoln. Nebrtt
OFFICIAL 8TUDENT PUBLICATION
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
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Thl PPr reprettnted fop general
NebratKi Prese Aitoelatlon
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Entered .econd-el.si matter at tha P"0,Jlc7'9n
THIRTY. THIRD YEAR
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Ask for Nebraskan editor.
EDITORIAL STAFF BruceNicoU
Editor-in-Chief f
Managing Editor.
Burton Marvin New Editor,
,S..dty Editor.. ..Irwin Ryan
As,!ant:::::::::::j ,w'a,,d Arnold Lev"'e
1 Contributing Editor. tr-iin
lluurioe Johnson Dick Mora., Carlyle Hodgkln
BUSI NESSSTAFF
Bernard Jennings Manaer
As.i.tant Bu.ine.. Manager. .,,,,
George Holyoke Wilhur Eririuun Dick bchmidt
Adverti.lng Soliictor.
-RoWrV Fw.k ,-- -Truman Oberndorf
Circulation Department
Harry West P"llis Sldncr
Overcrowding the
Activity Field.
-THINKING students agree that the Nebraska
campus is tremendously over-organized. They
should admit, in addition, that many so-called or
ganizations haven't a function worthy of the name,
and exist mainly on the strength of membership
cards and mellow tradition. An explanation of this
sad situation is obvious.
During the gay twenties a mushroom-like
growth of campus organizations was fostered by
students generally known as "activity workers."
Their sole function was to "join up" with innumer
able organizations, regardless of their merit or pur
pose. Indeed, students reveled in ability to garner
membership cards in organizations that hadn't a
vestige of usefulness.
A predominance of these organizations was
fostered overnight by "sour grapes peddlers." Oth
ers represented a solution of an immediate problem.
A very few were founded to offer their members
service of some value.
With the advent of the depression, suffering
student pocketbooks limited the number of organi
zations in which they could afford membership.
Activity groups readily discovered that they must
offer some excuse for existence. Many have failed.
As a result, many of them are dying a fortunate
and natural death. Useless organizations which
still persist are' rapidly being weeded out. A sem
blance of this process may have been indicated in
the Student council's recent action demanding con
stitutions of student organizations. Councilmen
should be encouraged to carry on this enterprise.
VlE note with surprise, however, that new organi
zations are being formed. But more disheart
ening, they are being recognized as worthy organi
zations. Certainly this is a step backward.
The most recent addition to Nebraska's galaxy
of activities is another military science organiza
tion. According to a story in yesterday's Nebras
kan the Student council accepted the constitution
of an organization known as Phalanx, national hon
orary and professional military science organiza
tion. Its purpose, we understand, is to promote
proficiency in military science and recognize stu
dents with high scholarship. Its membership is lim
ited to advanced R. O. T. C. officers.
At the same time there exists an organization
known as Scabbard and Blaue, honorary profes
sional military science group. It sponsors the same
functions outlined in the Phalanx constitution and is
open to cadet officers.
An obnoxious overlapping of functions is ap
parent, even to the most illiterate person. As far
as we have been able to discover the only difference
between the two lies in membership fees and schol
arship records in advanced drill. Neither organi
zation, we understand, is in a position to sponsor
a function worthy of the name. It is more difficult
to understand why two organizations should be re
quired to theoretically fulfill a function of question
able value.
It appears to the Nebraskan that the new or
ganization is another case of "sour grapes." In
deed we are tempted to brand this organization as
a superfluous addition to an already over-organized
campus. It is indeed a backward step!
Rehashing the
Examination System.
IN a recent editorial titled "Exam System Revi
sions" we pointed out the essential differences
between the "open hook" exam, being tried for the
first time at the University of Chicago, and the
present system of examinations used at Nebraska
and other Institutions of higher learning.
In this morning's Student Pulse department,
"R. U. B." asserts that the present system of exams
tends to make students remember facts, rather than
memorize them. While the Nebraskan wouldn't
quibble' over a definition of terms, it does take ex
ception to his statement that "the present system
has possibilities of developing both memory and
associative thinking."
The major point against the present system, we
feel, is its decided tendency to make parrots out of
students. Rather than remember, as R. U. B. seems
to think, students actually memorize necenaary data
for examinations. This process, we pointed out, does
little to challenge the initiative or interest of stu
dents. Indeed it offers little incentive for them to
work out problems for themselves.
Under the plan to be inaugurated at the Uni
versity of Chicago, students will have full recourse
to texts, notes, and all other necessary information.
At first blush this would appear to be a snap. But
It is actually far different. For it must be pointed
out that books will be of little value to look up a
tnultitude of facts during the short course of the
examinations.
The virtue of this detail, w feel, is the abso
lute necessity for students to thoroughly understand
the subject Indeed he would, of necessity, be
obliged to know more than can be accumulated dur
ing the brief period of a cram session.
Aside from this, R. U. B. seems to infer that
omment on the exam system is a regular routine
for collegiate editors. Perhaps that is the case, but
certainly they are not without justification. In this
Instance, however, the Nebraskan was prompted to
examine the exam system in view of tho liberal step
taken by Vv. Hutchins at the University of Chicago.
In addition, the Nebraskan feels, there is nothing
in the rules of human conduct that forbids construc
tive criticism of an institution or practice which is
by no means infallible in every detail.
The Student Pulse
Brief, concise, contribution, pertinent to matter,
of student life and the university are welcomed by
this department, under the ucual reitrlctlon. of sound
newspaper practice, which excludes all libelou. mat
ter and personal attack.. Letter, accepted do not
necessarily Indicate the editorial policy of thl. paper.
About The Open
Book Exam.
TO THE EDITOR:
Each year at about this time editors of college
papers proceed to discuss examination schedules,
most of the time suggesting changes. The Nebras
kan came forth with the annual splurge recently, I
notice.
In that editorial the newly established "open
book" exam system at the University of Chicago
was commended as being the desirablo system, and
the ultimate in educational progress thus far. Points
in the present system which the editorial stated
would be done away with are "cramming," and the
mechanical aspect. The editor states that the re
deeming point in the Chicago plan is that the stu
dent must associate facts and handle problems, be
ing allowed to have his notes, book, and other such
necessary properties at hand during the test period.
- It seems that the principal reason for the em
phasis on the association idea is that in pursuing
one's life work one must handle problems, and the
only way to do this is to go through the association
process. The editor states that in the present exam
system this element is not emphasized; that memory
from cramming is the prime necessity. But one
thing he forgets is that memory is an important
trait in the makeup of a man who must handle many
problems in his work. There is a comparison drawn
between methods in Europe and America in Europe
it was stated, students are taught to think; in
America they learn to remember.
It seems to me that the professors could very
easily remedy that defect involving "cramming" and
remembering. They could ask more problem ques
tions. If problem questions were less rare, students
would make it a point to keep up with their work
every day, and not depend so much on last minute
"bull sessions."
The present system has possibilities of develop
ing both memory and associative thinking. The Chi
cago plan emphasizes association, and lets memory
go-
The business or professional man can't take
the time to refer to a book or notes every time some
simple question comes up in his daily affairs. He
must have a storehouse of information in his mind.
Therefore, I favor the retention of the present
exam method, because if handled properly it devel
ops both memory and associative powers, while the
Chicago plan trains one in association only.
R. U. B.
Contemporary Comment
How to Get a
Job in The Future.
A University of Wisconsin bulletin informs us
that the employee of the future must control his
emotions as well as his motions and must know how
to do several kinds of work rather than one spe
cialized job. Such is the information a Wisconsin
authority obtained after a survey:
"With the co-operation of 84 persons drawn
largely from a committee of the National Society
for the Study of Education which has been evaluat
ing guidance work, 338 representative employers,
both large and small, were interviewed as a basis
for the study. The analysis forms used in the study
were filled out for 1,132 separate job specifications
involving 4,104 actual positions in 29 states.
"Emphasising coutiul of emotions as one of the
qualifications of future employees for their per
sonal or social adjustment to the job requirements
of a new time, employers suggested that more be
done in having students' attitudes reflect the fact
that life, although interesting, likewise is a serious
affair, success in which demands resourceful effort,
social obligations, and personal adjustments.
"The individual who will be in demand is one
who can get along successfully with other persons,
since employers believe social intelligence is to be
an increasingly important factor in future voca
tional success. Such present day short-comings as
poor self control, discourtesy, dishonesty, and a lack
of dependability should be overcome, the employers
insist, stressing the great indlspensability of these
necessary qualities in both social and occupational
life.
"The employers stressed the importance of fu
ture employees having social training and social
experiences which prepare for living, working, and
playing with others, and indicated some concern
about such essential qualities as openmindedness,
judgment, loyalty, thoroughness, initiative, interest,
natural humor, and neatness of person and dress,
the tudy revealed." Daily Texan,
Ag College
Carlyle Hodgkiu
SONG RECITAL SUNDAY.
JEVER before in the history of the Ag college ac
tivities building, perhaps much further back into
Ag college history than that, has there been a pro
gram like the one to be presented at that building
at 3 p. m. Sunday. Gerald Mott, Ag college senior,
agronomy major, member of senior Farmers Fair
board, will give a song recital.
That is something different on Ag CP.nipus. To
have an Ag student be interested enough in singing
to study voice most of his four years in college is
itself unusual. To have a song recital in the Activi
ties building on Sunday afternoon is also unusual.
But to have the Ag student giving the recital on Ag
campus is something very unusual. It's likely that
many a faculty member's easy chair will stand
empty after 3 p. m. Sunday and that many a stu
dent's Sunday afternoon studying will have to wait
until later.
The kind of thing to be presented Sunday after
noon is cultural in the best sense of the word. If
the students and the faculty on Ag campus are in
terested in things cultural, as distinguished from so
many things so practical and material, music is a
most fruitful field to exploit. If Ag people really
enjoy that kind of thing, then let's see them in the
audience Sunday;
It is interesting to note for a moment one other
thought the recital calls up. Gerald Mott, I think,
has done fully as much on Ag campus as other stu
dents taken as many courses, helped in as many
activities. He has been a member of judging teams
and on the junior fair board. He will receive a ma
jor in agronomy, and is now serving on the senior
board. And in addition to that, he developed his
interest in music to the extent that he can come out
and give a whole recital for the Ag students and
faculty.
The point of this, of course, is obvious: Most
all of us, busy as we think we are, could do more if
we only would. It takes just two things an inter
est and the initiative to cultivate it
FARMERS ON STORMY DAYS.
A N old timer once defined a good farmer as a man
who, on a cold, stormy wintA day, could not be
satisfied to sit comfortably in the house and read
his paper unless he knew that bis livestock were
also comfortable. That old boy struck a re-I key
note. For one of the things that every real rarmer
A F raternity
Pledge Council.
Fraternity pledges at the University of Wis
consin have banded together and organized an inter-
fraternity pledge council. Each member fraternity
is to have two representatives on the controlling
board, but other pledges are at liberty to attend the
meetings at any time.
The new organization plans to hold open dis
cussions, smokers and other social functions; to co
operate with the Interfraternity council in solving
vexatious campus problems, and to have university
dignitaries to speak at the meetings.
Those who are pledges at Indiana university
well might note this plan. Although the university
already is criticized as being over-organized, be
cause of its many dormant honoraries, much bene
fit could be derived from the establishment of such
an organization here under capable leadership.
Through the medium of such a group, Inter
fraternity friendships and good will might be dis
seminated, and the vital problems of fraternity and
college life could be considered by the pledges.
Above all, an outlet would be provided for that ex
cess energy with which college freshmen generally
are eo handsomely endowed. Indiana university
has little to offer the freshmen in the way of or
ganized activities. Some organization of pledges Is
sorely needed here, and there is little criticism that
could be offered to one such as has been instituted
at the University of Wisconsin. Indiana Daily Stu
enjoys is caring for his farm animals in bad
weather.
When the wind howls around the hill ana
shrieks through the cracks in the barn, and the
pump Is froze up and so are all the tanks, and when
the snow gets deeper and deeper, and a man gets
wet and cold out In tne weather, it is great to sit
by the kitchen stove and read the paper or an ab
sorbing mystery novel. But the kind of farmer the
old timer talked about doesn't do that sort of thing;
that is, he doesn't do it until all the stock is com
fortably fed, shedded and bedded.
And what fun that part of the job is to the
real farmer! This present March bluster may be
the last time farmers will get to give their stock
special stormy weather attention. And you can bet
that plenty of them are taking advantage of the
chance. For to the real farmer it is a pleasure, or
to put it another way. the kind of fellow who finds
pleasure in caring for his stock in bad weather is
the one who will be a real farmer. But wherein
is the fun?
Take a pen of early pigs. They are getting old
enough now to race around out in the cold. But
when the weather gets bad, they hustle into the
house and look for a place that is dry and warm.
If you throw them some fresh, clean bedding, they
will nestle down in it and grunt their thanks in a
way that no one could possibly mistake.
And the same thing goes for little calves and
lambs. They keenly appreciate care on cold days.
They like clean beds, warm sheds, and plenty of
good feed. And they show their appreciation by the
way they eat, by the way they romp and play in
the clean straw, or by the way they snuggle down
and go to sleep.
That very particular kind of satisfaction from
giving animals good care is by no means unknown
to many Ag students. For months the boys who
work at the sheep earn have been on the job every
night to make the new lambs comfortable. The
boys working at the dairy barn report that new
calves are arriving thick and fast. It takes sacks
and sacks of feed, bales and bales of straw, and
many an hour before and after classes to care for
them. Calves are arriving too at the beef barn,
and the boys are on the Job to keep them comfort
able and happy. At the poultry plant the chicks are
kept in units of two or three hundred and the boys
who work there see that they have fresh litter,
fresh feed, that their waterers are kept full, and
that their brooder room is kept at just the right
temperature.
It seems reasonable to believe that the boys
who acquire in college not only knowledge of how
to give stock the best care, but also a real liking
for that work, will some day come within the old
timer's definition of a good farmer. And it might
be well to ask whether men who have acquired in
terests in college that will tend to make them en
joy the paper or the book even if the stock outside
are cold and hungry are ever likely to become the
kind of farmers the old timer described ?
OFFICIAL
BULLETIN
Handball Tourney.
All entries for the all-university
handball tournament must be in
the intramural office by Wednes
day, March 28. This is for both the
singles and doubles tournaments.
Social Dancing.
Social dancing class will be held
in Memorial hall Friday at 7:00
p. m. Instruction will be given dur
ing the first half hour.
University Rifle Club.
There will be a banquet for the
visiting rifle teams at the Lindell
hotel Saturday evening at 6 p. m.
March 24. Members of the Nebras
ka Rifle team will be present and
members of the University Rifle
club are urged to attend. Arrange
ments for plates at 50c per person
may be made with Maj. C. E.
Speer, Sargeant C. W. McGimsey,
or Norman Prucka. The winning
honors of the match will be pre
sented at the banquet.
Wesley Foundation.
Dr. Elmer R. Leslie, professor of
Old Testament literature at Boston
University School of Theology will
be a guest at Wesley Foundation
Saturday and Sunday. He will con
duct interviews with students on
graduate training for full time
Christian service. Sunday morning
he will be the minister for the 11
o'clock service of worship at St.
Paul M. E. church. Sunday after
noon he will be the guest of honor
and speak at the Wesley Founda
tion rounatabie ana lea nem irora
3 to 5 n. m. at the Wesley Founda
tion, 1417 R street. Faculty mem
bers and students are invited to
these services.
Interest Group Readers.
Y. W. C. A. Interes Group Lead
ers will meet at 4 o'clock in Ellen
Smith hall this afternoon. It is im
portant that everyone should be
present
Ettes Reunion.
University men and women have
attenaea or are im.eresi.ea in m
tenciing an Estes conference are in
vited to attend a tea in Elien Smith
hall from 4 to 5:30 Sunday after
noon. Adult Class.
Prof. L. E. Aylesworth will lead
the discussion in the Adult class
on Sunday morning. March 25, at
10:20 at the Unitarian church at
12th and H. He has chosen for
his topic, "Unicameral legislation."
TODAY'S NEWS
(Continued from Page 1.)
his own to make to railway op
erators and labor leaders clash
ing over wages. Following a two
hour conference with the rail
way executives and before going
into a session with the union
leaders Eastman said he was
spending the day "Absorbing the
information on both sides."
A perpetual injunction to pre
vent County Clerk Morgan from
placing the names of any state
senatorial candidates from the
Fourteenth and Fifteenth districts,
and any state representative names
from the Thirty-first and Thirty
sixth districts In Lancaster county
upon the November ballots was
filed in district court by Logan A.
Rogers, farmer in the Fifteenth
senatorial district, charging that
the redistricting made in these
districts by the lat legislature
was for the purpose of gerrymand
ering Lancaster and Douglas
counties and is void.
There ar rumors of displeas
ure concerning the new Intangi
ble law according to reports, but
so far none of them have reached
the county assessor, Sheffield.
The main objections to this new
law which goes into effect April
1, have been to the current rate
on notes, foreign real estate
mortgages, book accounts and
foreign corporation stocks.
19
Figure in Scottsboro Case
Talks Before Columbia
Meeting.
NEW YORK. March 22. Ruby
Bates, central figure in the Scotts
boro case, this week urged college
students to join in a mass protest
against the "legal lyncr!;' 'of the
Negro youths who have been sen
tenced to death for alleged attacks
on her and another girl.
Speaking before some 400 under
graduates at Columbia university,
she reviewed the history of the
case and declared that her original
testimony, which incriminated the
youths, had been forced from her
bv threats on the part of police.
The case is now on appeal be
fore the Alabama supreme court
Hecklers during the meeting at
Columbia shouted "radical" when
Miss Bates called for a united
fight against "the bosses."
Strictly Merit. Not Author's
Name or Place of Origin,
Criterion for Contributions
to Prairie Schooner.
(Continued from Page 1.)
accompanied by a letter, usually
quite long, pointing out the vari
ous merits and authentic back
ground of the story or poem.
"Often." says Editor Wimberly,
"these letters are more interesting
and vastly more readable than the
manuscripts which they accom
pany." The nature of writing' submitted
is chiefly fiction or poetry in a
serious vein often tragic. Future
issues of the magazine, however,
will contain more articles and
short essays. In regard to the ab
sence of humorous work. Professor
editing the Prairie Schooner for
seven years, l haven't reselvcd
more than twelve contributions of
a humorous nature, and of these
twelve I have certainly not printed
more man two. we wouia welcome
humorous stories if they were well
done and conveyed an actual sense
of humor."
Few Happy Ending.
Stories with happy endings arp
rarely found in the Prairie Schoo
ner through no fault of the editors
but through the fact that they arc
nearly always unacceptable be
cause of "trashy sentlmentaliam"
and little or no literary distinction.
"The wide spreaa interest in the
creative writing is evidenced by
the fact that the Schooner without
paying for contributions is able to
secure more manuscripts than they
can use, oi a nign literary cnarac
ter." ,
Include a
SNAP, CRACKLE,
pop course
in your diet
fS1
I sP0Pf
There is nothing easier "to
take" than a bowl of Kellogg's
Rice Krispies. So crisp and
tasty. And the way those
toasted rice bubbles snap,
crackle and pop in milk or
cream just tells you to "Lift
get hungry!"
A great breakfast cereal.
Ideal for lunch with fresh
fruit added. And after a hard
evening of study, Rice
Krispies satibfy hunger aid
promote sound, restful sleep.
Listen!-
RICE
If Rr?Dlcr
9
I ... . U '
There Will Be Plenty of HEAT!
But who knows, tonight
may again be summer . .
The furnaces will be put to work and the Pa
vilion will be plenty warm. So leave your
longies at home, unless of course, you're com
ing to spend the week-end!
200 couples will dance in ease on a floor that's
large enough to hold many more. BUT the
crowd has been LIMITED to 200 couples, for
your convenience.' So come to the Park Pre
vue tonight, if you like to dance where there
are great open spaces.
LEO BECK
Orchestra and Entertainers
40c Per Person
No Tax
Tickets in Fraternity Houses, at Buck's Coffee Shop,
and a FEW AT THE DOOR TONIGHT.
Antelope Park Prevue
Dancing from 8:30 to 11:30