Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (April 3, 1941)
2 DAILY NEBRASKAN TKursHay, 'April 3, lyfl NEBRASKAN for SdxlsslM. Commentorial ... from our readers Nebraskan gives graphic picture of polling methods DEAR EDITOR: I sincerely thank the DAILY the part which they have played in providing experience for those members of my class who are studing public opinion polls. By the chance selection of a question on which the DAILY NEBRASKAN had a definite point of view and because the results as tabulated Indicated an opposition to that point of view, the students have been provided with some excellent data for first hand study. In teaching the same points, however, it would have been possible to go back to the political campaigns of last summer and falL when the Gallup Toll methods were attacked by both Republican and Democratic party lead ers at such times as the particular party was shown to be losing a popular following. However, first hand illus trations are desirable in any pedagogical practice, I do challenge the implication that the class was biased or that any one member's poor polling could rad ically alter the results. In the first place, no favorable or unfavorable points were discussed in class. Rather an interest was expressed in the question and as an un biased group it was decided that we should seek to learn the facts. If, as was reported by the NEBRASKAN one of our members was biased, failed to carry out the in tentions of the class, his results would scarcely alter the results of the class, since no student was asked to inter View more than five persons. The NEBRASKAN can scarcely challenge the entire poll any more than the class in psychology can challenge the DAILY NEBRASKAN poll merely because a faculty member was interviewed by a DAILY NEBRASKAN representative who mistook him for a student. Such mistakes make up the three per cent error which Gallup admits. The real point of importance is in how the polls were organized. At this time a full explanation has not been given to the class as to the statistical details involved in determining who shall be interviewed. I am aware that the NEBRASKAN claims to havefollowed our methods, but certainly no member of the staff has asked me to QommsmL furnish him with the precise setup. I feel that, in spite of the fact that the DAILY NEBRASKAN is biased on this question, and justifiably so, they can obtain the same results as the class in psychology obtained, providing that there has been no change in public opinions due to this publicity, and providing that the DAILY NEBRAS KAN will but follow the methods approved by the Gallup, Crosley, Fortune, and Psychological Corporation tech nicians. Personally, I favor the plan proposed by the DAILY NEBRASKAN, for I believe that a greater degree of school spirit, closer harmony between the various units, and a greater interest in all-university affairs can be built up by placing the DAILY NEBRASKAN in the hands of every student. What we need, therefore, is not a blindness to public opinion, but rather a carefully planned campaign to mould that opinion. WILLIAM E. WALTON. Student praises roundtable; asks opinion poll be made DEAR EDITOR: As one who attended the roundtable discussion held in the faculty lounge of the Union, I wish to congratulate you and others who sponsored it on its tremendous suc cess. Reasoning both for and against the Hoover plan for feeding the European democracies was thoroughly ex pounded. The basic arguments on both side were, I be lieve, expressed in the paneL Yet in view of the fact that only a small number of people were able to take part in the panel, and obtain the maximum benefit from it, I would like to propose a straw vote or some other method of polling the student body, to determine the opinion of the entire university body pertaining to the plan. It is, it seems to me, of vital importance to arouse the interest of the public, including university students, in this matter, and to aid the public in expressing their opinions, regardless of the outcome of the vote. There is much to be said for each side, and the American peo ple, who ultimately decide every question of our national policy, should be given the opportunity of saying it. Already settled is our policy in regard to the aid to Britain plan. Still to be considered is another question of almost equal importance. Let the university take the lead in determining the attitude to this question taken by the average American. ELBERT NICHOL. 'Itl B ttTttMl H II A II H I m m u n -iTrn-ir W II It' " Behind the 1 News 1 1 B Ordal Olnon j Nazis protest Germany and Italy, as a breach of international law, have protested the United States action which took into protective custody axis ships and crews. Secretary Hull indicated that the protests would have no effect on the government's policy. Neither of the protest notes mentioned the sabotage, which was the immediate reason for the weekend action in which the United States seized 69 German, Italian and Danish ships. Of this number 28 were Italian, two German and 35 Danish. The sabotaging which the axis notes ignore was reported by the treasury to have resulted in extensive damage to at least 20 Italian ships before it was checked Sunday, and has spread to Central America. Italian and German ships were fired in Costa Rica Monday, and in Puerto Cabello, Venzuela Tuesday. A government spokesman in Berlin expressed Ger man opinion when he said that "the law has been sol emnly suspended" in the ship action. It is, of course, a well-substantiated fact that nazi Germany has no regard for international law as such, and has no scruples about violating it at any time, in any place, by any means it chooses to use at the moment. Thus, its concern, in this protest over international law, must be considered as purely for propaganda pur poses. It is equally obvious that the United States is com mitted to the opposite policy that of law observance. In this particular case, the damage that threatened Amer ican docks and port facilities as an inevitable result of the sabotage activities provides ample legal justification for the United States government to proceed as it did. Is there profiteering in robes? Commencement is a significant day in most men s lives. The elaborate ceremony and the leather bound degree rewards four years of hard college work work that represents an investment up to $4,000. And with such large values pending, most students ignore the comparatively insignificant ex penses connected with graduating properly. Their attitude towards commencement place them in the same category ai the family of dead man. For with the same zest as the mor tician profits by the emotions of the aggrieved family, concerns dealing in required graduation merchandise capitalize on the senior's desire to get a degree. Robes certainly add color to a commencement ceremony. And to make sure that all seniors attend the ceremony, the ten dollar fine for getting a de gree in absentia is justified. But there can be no justice in business houses charging $2.25 rental for the use of a robe that day. Wear and tear amounts to little, and the robes can be used year after year with little damage to them. The gowns are not made of velvet, and what insurance and transportation is necessary to send them where they are needed takes but a fraction of this charge. Those who think an addition of 75 cents to tuition fees for a subscription to the DAILY might turn a little of their fire on this much bigger item. We don't think that the robes could be given free by any means. We recognize that certain amounts of overhead eat into this rental. But on the other hand it is hard to see why so many in termediaries must profit from the handling of a garment made necessary by the commencement program. Poll- (Continued from Page 1.) aviation, with only 39 percent, still a larger vote than either the army r navy received there. Airplanes have come into such prominence in the present war, and Eritain has so repeatedly pointed out the great significance of that mode of warfare during recent months, that United States war department officials have stressed flying in colleges. Addi tion of CAA courses in many col leges and universities during the last two years certainly has had some influence on the ranking of flying as a big favorite over army and navy units. The division of students in an swer to the question, "If we should have to send an army to aid Britain, would you leave school and join the armed forces, or would you wait until you were Daily Ncbraskan FORTIETH TEAM. SabwrlpUoa Batra aia (l.M ret rJemaa n or SI M lor Um tUr tear. SX.M M0r4. tUmftt tmpf, S Crato. EnfcmX M otMMtd-elsM natter a tka aootofrteo hi Uncola, Nebraska, lr Aot ml Coa imi, March S, 187t. aa at ipfelal rat f BMtcKO aroTtdoa for hi HwMoa 119S, at October S, U1T. Autaartma1 Sea. laaivar SO, MZI. called?" was as follows, by per centages: Would leave school 16 Would wait 84 The danger of the United States' possible entry into the European conflict has continually necessi tated variations in the wording of questions on the above topic in order that the surveys should re flect the ever shifting pattern of collegiate opinion as it is moulded by new events. Now the question considers only the possibility that we should aid Britain; the last poll limited it to aid of the Allies; and the poll be fore that considered only the pos sibility that the US should be at tacked. Almost all students are willing to take up a gun in defense of their own soil, but not many are ready to go overseas at the first bugle blast, the polls have repeatedly indicated. Jamborcc- ( Continued from Page 1.) the piano, then deserted it for the violin two years later. Organized own band. After performing in radio or chestras and theaters for several years, Strong got his big oppor tunity to organize his own band for two radio commercials, "Un cle Walter's Doghouse," and "Showboat" The "Wreckin' Crew" is a swing band within Strong's band, and the harmonizing "Four Strong Men" are starred in the orchestra. Sonny Sievert, the blues and boogie singer, and Ray Mcintosh, baritone, vocalize for the band. The "N" club jamboree, which will be held in the coliseum, begins at 9 p. m. Price of admission 'is $1.50 a couple. Winiiers- ( Continued from Tage 1.) Hartnell, fourth, and Don Stout, fifth. Individual class winners were: Jerseys, Harold Hansen; Holsteins, Bill Hartnell; Ayrshires, Don Stout; Gurnseys, a tie between Dick Crom and Jack Paulson. Don Tracy placed first in the dairy products contest. Second high man in all products was Don ald Egly; third was Lewis Lange; fourth, Ray Starostka, and fifth, John Bay. Class winners swarded were: Milk, Merritt Plantz; butter, Don Tracy; ice cream, Don Tracy. Show- (Continued from Page 1.) directed by Dorothy Ward; "The Night of April 24" by Joyce Burke will be directed by Mildred Man ning; "The House of Box Tops" written by Lucille Aaron will be under the direction of Constance Hourigan. The speech department Is direct ing, enacting and staging these plays. This is the third in a se ries of one-act plays to be pre sented in the Union. EASTER GREETING CARDS For Family Sweetheart Friends Eastman Kodak Stores, Inc. 1221 0 Street ft qA red-letter week in your life! ih'it it National Arrow Week the tine of yew we expose the newest, complete astoruneot of Arrows to public view. Come ia today pick out some handsome Arrow fancy shins ... some perfectly tailored Arcow whites . . . they're $2 and up. Select some Arrow tics (fl and 11.50) and Arrow handkerchiefs (25c, up) to go with the shirts . . . and Arrow abort the kind that have no creeping, chafing center Spruced up in there fine Sogs, you're all set so conquer ibt world! x v seam. I I -5s - -" HARROW