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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1953)
Page 2 THE NEBRASKAN Wednesdqy, December 161953 EDITORIAL PAGE "During life I have witnessed both peace and war in the United States. I love peace. I love mankind. I love them enough to fight tor them. That is what I am doing right now that is why I am not going home." Thus an American soldier bid farewell to his country and his mother. Had he "ratted" on his fellow prisoners? A Short Memory As The Nebraskan Implied in an editorial last Friday, the Student Council has a short memory. It appears that its memory is rapidly be coming shorter. Proof? Consider the following: Last spring the Council was up-in-arms over constitutional provisions which proved awkward for filings and elections. Because the time was too late to correct the injustices last spring, the Council made a mental note to insure that this year's Coun cil would turn its attention to the problems. One holdover member was elected to the 1953-54 Council primarily because he had de vised an elaborate system to eliminate one of the election problems that of class deter mination by hours. This fall, however, the entire matter of election difficulties was assigned to the elec tions committee, to which the aforementined member did not belong. But, seemingly, that committee has done nothing. Tuesday The Nebraskan received a letter from the chairman of the elections committee. He asked that the "inequities in filing and voting" mentioned in Friday's paper be speci fied. Although The Nebraskan believes that enumeration of the problems is important, the editors had hoped that the Council could re member the problems it was so concerned about last spring. To refresh the minds of all concerned, The Nebraskan calls attention to the problems the Council encountered, as reported in last spring's Nebraskan: ! 1. The Student Council constitution states: "Regular University rules shall govern in de termining a candidate's eligibility" (Art. V, Sec. lb). In the past, the Council has dis covered this means anyone possessing more than 88 credit hours is a senior. This determination was interpreted by last year's Council as unfair to students in col leges requiring more than 125 hours for graduation and to students who carry full University loads. An elaborate system for determining class standing was introduced by Mac Bailey. The system was unacceptable last spring because it did not conform to "regular University rules." 2. The constitution states: "Filings for col lege representation are open to students who will be eligible to serve during their sopho more or junior years" (Art. IV, Sec. la (5). Last year's Council believed this provision was unfair to the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council. The Nebraskan admits that both of the, problems are complex. They cannot be aolved at a Wednesday afternoon meeting of the Council. For that reason, last year's Council intended that the 1953-54 student body assign a committee to work out the de tails of possible constitutional amendments. Seemingly, little or nothing has been done and the deadline for introduction of pro posed amendments is near. In the hopes of beating that deadline (the nd of the first semester) The Nebraskan volunteers to open its files to the elections committee. Perhaps a few articles and editorials will refresh its memory. K.R. Chance To Share Christmas spirit, a not-too-well defined condition of the body and mind, seems to have Invaded the busy hustling University community. Part of that spirit, that of singing happi ness has been most clearly shown. Groups of ttudents have made their spirit of Christmas felt and heard by many.. Also, parties for underprivileged and homeless children have done much to spread the illusive, wonderful "Christmas spirit." ' These wholehearted, kind actions by many University students are good to see, especially when one realizes that these people go to class, do their assignments and study Christmas spirit or no. . These students have done much, but it would be an even truer sign of Christmas apirit if a few who have shown no signs of the' feeling of Christmas could take part in an project organization sponsored by a Univer aityvorga?2izatiqn. s "The project is inviting a foreign student to an American home for a day or several days to take part in the?, Christmas festivities. This, even more than the other Christmas projects would reflect real Christmas spirit. The Nebraskan newg columns carry an announce ment of this ' project why don't you take part in it? T.W. knkind Or -len Had he been converted to Communism? Had he forgotten life in the United States? No one knew. He left behind a sobbing mother who loved her son enough to travel 7000 miles to Tokyo in the faint hope of seeing him. "I know that you want to take me home with you," he wrote to her, "but I have made up my mind and I am not going." Tears in her eyes, the mother could not . understand why her son had turned his back on his family and his country. She didn't know whether to blame him, the Communists or herself. Pfc. Richard Tenneson, the son, didn't tell his mother why he had chosen Communism. We can only imagine his reasons. But his letter gives one hint of his think ing. "I love peace. I love mankind," he said. But he didn't love his mother enough to re turn to her and his family. Richard doesn't say it in his letter, but in dividuals no longer matter to him. He loves "mankind." Just how a man can love mankind and not love men as individuals is difficult to under stand, of course. But when an ideology, like Communism, becomes predominant in a man's mind, the value of the individual is forgotten. Theories, carried to their logical conclu sion, leave no room for an individual. The mother in Tokyo said, "If (the Com munists) can destroy the home, they can dis integrate the nation." She did not refer to infiltration in govern ment. She meant that Communism or the fear of it can break the bonds of a nation just as it broke the bonds of her family. If the Communists can implant distrust, suspicion and fear of one's neighbor and the man down the street in the minds of Ameri cans, the United States can be destroyed. By breaking the bonds which tie individual Americans together, our enemies can break the nation into a thousand pieces, each hat ing and distrusting the others. The strength of our nation does not lie in Washington nor in the military supply depots. The real power is the faith we pos sess in each other and in our nation. As long as we retain the ability to understand our neighbors at home and across the ocean, as long as bonds of love and friendship remain strong, no Communism in fact, no theory can destroy our civilization. Certainly we do not want Communists in our g&vernment or in our schools. We should want to root them out or at least expose them for what they are. But when the hunt for Reds becomes so frenzied that we can no longer trust our gov ernment, our teachers and our neighbors, we are lost- - - - - - - - - When the perpetuality of an idea equality, democracy, security or even peace becomes the most important purpose of our lives, no matter how good the idea might be, America has been defeated. Our nation was built upon the integrity of the individual. The faith and trust its citi zens have professed in each other have made our nation great. Communism would destroy this faith, if not by direct action at least by dividing our people through fear. Communism has destroyed the families of 22 American men. As Richard's mother has said, Communism "can disintegrate the na tion" if we replace our love for the individual with a cold ideology. K.R. Margin Notes Ultimate In Diplomacy One of the most recent diplomatic gestures was evident in the presentation ceremonies in Oslo, Norway, of the Nobel Peace Prize. The king of Norway made the Nobel pre sentation to America's Gen. George C. Mar shall and in describing the Peace Prize and its qualifications the King pronounced Nobel NO-bel instead of the correct pronouncia tion of no-BEL. Whereas Gen. Marshall, in his acceptance speech followed the King's pronounciation and referred to the coveted prize as the NO-bel Peace Prize. Who said American diplomacy is a past virtue? Ctitch Pitch Nebraska, it seems, has reached the ulti mate in liberal Jhought and, indeed, has be gun to return to the old isolationist traditions. Douglas Co. Young Republicans have ob jected to several provisions in the national GOP platform and substituted planks sup ' porting the following: Withdrawal of the U.S. from the United Nations, removal of ground forces from Europe and abolishment of eco nomic aid to Europe and an orderly reduc tion and elimination of price supports for farm products. J Jul VkbhaAltan FTFTY-THTED TEAR Member: Associated Collegiate Press ' Advertising representative: National Advertising Service, Inc. 420 Madison Ave., New Yert 17, New er TEW MWUHM IS poMMIM tba student oi ta K?otrratty af Nsbraslm as tut axpresstoa f taasata' ews oJ eplnJoM only. According to Artie) a at to SSy-JLsw gsramlnt atodcat publication! ul admlaJcteicC fcr & ard f Pohllratlnns, "H to t declared ol!-F f h Bawd that publication under Ita jnrtedletloa slWkO .- jb from editorial censorship ea Hit part rf Um fcoftni, or m Vum pan f any member f the faculty of tniinmKr. bat the member of the staff f Tk J-eWMisaa a; perenoaUr nwpwaaibi for wka they say ea et easw to be printed." ,..,...(,, rftf-et are t a cemegtar, S3.60 mailed, or fi "; year, $4 saaiird. Blixrl copy to flv ff--.!!.. ea Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday : ti eeiiMl year, except vaeatina and examination awaw. ; Iohu published during the month ef As- a- sr by the tnlvmrlty f Kehraeka trader to .!,ri.!m f the Committee ef Student Foblirellon. s 9 second rlas matter at tbe Poet Of (lea u S nenut, hs-boufie, ender Act ef Contras, Mart: a I, it ; if. fc nipwlal rate of postage provided for la ff.ioo ii"'. Act mi Congress of Oct. S, Itll, Mtborlsed itrpt. 18, Jy'SJ. EDITORIAL. BT4FF fMltnr Sen Sty Editorial Pare Editor M Da Mat Managing Editor Sally Hail New Kdlter Tom Woodward Copy Editors. ...Jaa Harrison, Marioan Hansen, Kay Noskjf. firae Harvey Sparta Editor..... George Payntch A Editor... IHrlsM Jundt REPORTERS Mary Kay Beaehler, Bruce Brugmanq, Fred Daly, Bey Deepe, Hllllamette Desch, Dick Fellman, Jack Fraod. to, Marilyn Gordon, Mtml ' wdon, Emily Hemphll, 8am Jensen, Florence Lee, C. ' Lee, Edith N alien. Ellen Pickett, Mars Petersen, butler Shaffer, Mary Shelledy, Jane Spenrer. Luclgrac Bwltzer. Nancy Trltsch. Lowell Vestal, Kirk Woodward, Harlet Rnegg, Marela Miekelsen, Bemle Kosenquist, Mary Ann Voss, Shirley Bosenberg, Barbara Klcke, Janey Carmen. MUBIMKIM STAFF Bnslneaa Manager Stan Slpnto d.s't Business Managers. .. Chester Singer, Doran Jacob dim Uotstotter, Dick Westeott Circulation Manager....... ............ .Ken WHJtejnaon Nig lit w Editor.. ................. Man fuino Hansen Little Man On Campus ... By Bibler '',A'yj' P' rw s- y. f y Nl PROF The Student Speaking ley, Arready , "When he hands back your term paper Watch out for th' mistletoe!" The Challenge Are Today's Freshmen As Poor As Pictured? By ARTHUR A. HITCHCOCK Director Junior Division and Counseling Service (This is the thirteenth in a series of articles treating- the problems, issues and challenges of the day.) Is there really trouble with freshmen? The question seems to center around the difference that may exist between freshmen in the University today and those who were here a few years ago as freshmen. Without any reflec tion upon the upperclass stu dents, many of whom have heard me make these remarks before, I would like to point out a few significant elements in the ques tion that has been raised. First, are similar persons being compared? There is one very strong difference that should be recognized at the outset. A few years ago, a large proportion of freshmen were veterans rather than students who had graduated from high scheol only three or four months before becoming University freshmen. K Naturally, the veterans had had many more years of experi ence; they were much more ma ture than persons going to col lege directly from high school. This Is recognized by everyone including today's freshmen. -This is a difference that is created by years of experience rather than by anything intrinsic within the individuals. It is, however, an important point that should not be over looked. Consider whether we are comparing freshmen who have. come to the University directly from high school or whether we are comparing those freshmen with veterans who have had sev eral years of military experience before they became freshmen in the University. Let us now actually compare today's freshmen with those of the past years on several points. P re-registration Tests So far as the test data can dis close, there is very little differ ence discernible between this year's freshman class and the freshman classes of the past sev eral years. It is true that during two of the recent years there has been a slight increase in those whose test scores appear at the lower end of the scale, but there has been no difference in the past two years. There appears to be as great a proportion at the high level this year as there has been in the past. Down Slips It is well to investigate whether or not there has been any sharp increase in the number of down slips that have been given to freshmen during their first semester. A completely ac curate comparison is impossible because of the change in the down slip reporting this year. Nevertheless, in comparing the actual number of down slips no decided change appears. So far as can be determined, this year's freshmen are not receiving any larger proportion of down slips than freshmen in other years. One significant fact has emerged, however, namely that several Instructors have told me that they never before have had the experience of so many fresh men coming to see them after the first down slip period. This is an important point. It means that the students have taken it upon themselves to go to the Instruc tor and talk wih him about the down slips they have received. This is a healthy condition. Reactions On Campus New Student Week had been in progress only two days when reports began to come to me from a number of sources that this year's freshmen seemed to be much more alert; they were fol lowing directions more readily as a group; and they were ad justing more quickly to the re quirements of the University than had occurred pre viously. I remind the upperclass students that this is not a reflec tion upon any other groups but is intended to' point out the na. ture of this years freshmen class. " It was very valuable to learn a few weeks after the semester had started that several of the Deans of the undergraduate col leges had been told by instruc tors that the caliber of the fresh men this year is unusually good. There was considerable favorable comment about this year's fresh men. Conclusion The comparisons that have been stated are only a few, but they are intended to point up the fact that a comparison of this year's freshman class as a group -with freshman classes of other -years, fails to place this year's freshmen in an unfavorable light. On the other hand, there is found a generally favorable reaction to the caliber of the students who came into the University this year. Before we close this matter, reflect for a moment on the re sponsibilities involved. Univer sity life entails joint responsibil ities between faculty and stu dents. The faculty endeavors to perform its part in the relation ship; the students endeavor to perform theirs. I believe that this year's freshmen are taking their part in the responsibilities, and I believe that they have the cap abilities to fulfill the responsibilities. University Bulletin Board WEDNESDAY AWS Freshman Workers Meeting, 5 p.m., Parlor X, Un ion. Ag Christmas Program, 8 p.m., Ag Activities Building. One-act plays by Frosh Ac tor's Group, 8 p.m. Temple Building. Cosmopolitan Club, 8 p.m., Room 313, Union. Chess Club Meeting, 5 p.m., Union. Phi Chi Theta Meeting, 7:15 p.m., Union. Student Council Lecture Series Program, "Mechanics of Reproduction," 7:30, Love Li brary Auditorium. elterip What's The Trouble With... Dear Editor: I am sure every freshman in our University has been deeply touched by the concern you have shown them. Having been a freshman myself once, I humbly offer my thanks to you who have left your test tubes, filing cabinets, dusty bookshelves, and lecture notes to devote your en ergies to individuals instead of the tubes, cabinets, shelves, and notes which you can more easily Lefs Be Specific Dear Editor: Please be more specific about the "inequities in filing and vot ing" referred t in your Dec. 11 (Tuesday) editorial entitled "Fu ture Is At Hand." I would like to draft a reply to this journalistic gem, but let's understand each other first. R.E.P. (EDITOR'S NOTE: See edi torial in today's Nebraskan en titled "A Short Memory." for a more specific consideration of the problem.) evaluate and more surely whip into the ideal shape. Of course, the immediate re sults of your study results which may have received im proper publicity by no means are so complete or conclusive as you or I or . any of us would wish. Therefore, pursue your study right down to the last down. And when you finish with the freshmen, take a good look at the seniors; your powers of evalu ation as practiced on freshmen should as thoroughly as in the former study reveal, "What's the Trouble with Our Seniors?" You might even be able to find a cause similar to that of Study No. One. Then, when you have, through all this experience, become ex perts of observation, take a good look at the question, "What's the Trouble with Our Faculty?" That ought to be a hot one. VANCE HANSEN By JERRY SHARPNACK Synopsis: I had been sent to Africa by Mr. Rystrom because of an article he had seen in the New Yorker magailne: "One of the rules of the Jlnja Golf Club, of Uganda, Africa, permits the ball to be lifted without penalty from the hoof -print of a hippopotamus." The editor believed it to be a gi gantic hoax because he doubted the existence of a single hip popotamus in all Uganda. My job was to expose the hoax in . time for Friday's edition. ' We left off last week as one of the passengers on the ship said to me, "You keep your bloody body out of Uganda, unless you want a woncha through your stomlk." I was in doubt at the time as to just what a woncha was, but a person with consistent stomik disorders is in no position to de bate on such a point. On the other hand, this was an impor tant assignment and I was de termined to see it through. .1 did not try to continue the conversation with the gentleman, but merely went below to my quarters, such as they were. I did not see the man again un til we docked at Gleempa on the African coast. He was walk ing down the gangplank and carrying a set of golf clubs and a large, oddly shaped box. I did not care what was in the box I just hoped I would never see him again. My problem was now to get to Uganda. But it turned out not to be much of a problem, as there is only one way any one gets to Uganda on the pack of a llama. What a llama was doing in West Africa was beyond my curiosity. The Jinja Golf Club is not what one might expect, if one wanted to expect something. It was a long single-story struc- The Jinja Story ture of Colorado sand stone, and glass doors. There are statues standing around. Also there was a girl sunning herself atop one of the largest elephants I have ever seen. There was an esca lator marked "up" near its left thigh; I took it and got off on the level marked "girl." .an "Hello," I said. "Are there any hippopotamuses m Uganda be cause, I am here to expose a hoax if there isn't." "You keep askin' that ques tion, buddy," she said, "and you'll wind up with a woncha in your stomik." Then she nod ded towards the golf course, and I saw one of the strangest things. While . one man was standing watch near the twelfth noie, an other man. none other than th man on the boat, was taking something from the oddly shaped box. He took the object and went into the rough. Then I saw it. Could it be? The object he was carrying was a stuffed hippopot amus foot! I saw it all, rather than shoot his golf ball from the rough, he instead stamped the foot on th ground making of course, the im print of a hippopotamus hoof. This way he could take advan tage of the Club's rule and re move the ball to a more favor able position. - I jumped from the elephant's first story and ran towards the twelfth hole. "I see what you're doing," I told the man with foot. "I'm going to expose you." There was a fight and the last thing I remembered was a pain in my stomik, then everything went black. I woke up in the infirmary of a ship headed for the United States. "What happened," I asked 'the captain who was sitting by the bed drinking Scotch. "You got a woncha through the stomik, boy," he said. I slide I Motor Vehicle Laws I. Rule I Tightened This Year I was looking for information in the Department of Roads and Irrigation the other day, and I was referred to Mr. Boyles of the Motor Vehicle Division; Mr. Boyles is presently serving as the Assistant Director of the Motor Vehicle Division. He told me that the legislature has enacted some new laws and has changed some old ones, af fecting the operation of your car and mine. In general, compensa tion is being made for the rising cost of new cars and the careless ness of new drivers. I didn't realise until now that . the MYD had. so much to do with the way in which you and I han dle a car. There are regulations which provide for every start, stop, or turn. The Motor Vehicle Division also has a police force of its own to enforce the laws of the road. . The most significant legislation this year is the initiation of a ' point system for traffic violations. The point system has been under taken in order to prevent exces sive traffic violations. "The following point system shall be adopted: (1) Conviction of a felony in the commission of which a motor ve hicle was used shall merit 12 points.l (2) Third offense drunken driv ing in violation of any city or vil lage ordinance . . . regardless of whether the trial court found the same to be a third offense 12 points, (3) Third offense reckless driv ing or willful reckless driving, or any combination of the two re gardless of whether the trial court found the same to be a third of fense 12 points, (4) 1 Failure to stop and render aid ... in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in. the death or personal injury of an other 12 points, (5) Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alco holic liquor or any drug in viola tion of any city or village ordi nance 6 points, (6) Careless driving, negligent driving, or willful reckless driv ing 6 points, (7) Reckless driving in violation . . .6 points, (8) Speeding in violation . . 6 points, (9) All other traffic violations involving the operation of motor vehicles by the licensee for which reports are required . , . includ ing parking violations or over loading of trucks 2 points." Now here are the teeth of this law: "Whenever it shall come to the attention of the director of MVD that any person has . . . accumu lated a total of twelve or more points within any two year period, the director, shall summarily re voke (1) The license of such person to operate a motor vehicle in the atate, or, (2) the privilege:, if such oper ator is a non-resident, of operat ing a motor vehicle within this ' state. , Such revocation shall be for a period of one year . . unless a longer period of revocation was directed by the . . .'Judgment." .. I don't believe I'vi got too many more parking violations to go be fore I've had my iquota for the next two years-glad I'm gradu ating. After reading these new regulations, I wonder if the state has enough police to enforce all of the provisions. ) I presume that th new point system will set as example of those who are brought to court. At any rate, when you contem plate the nex U-turn in the mid dle of the block, It migM pay to think a little first. i Other regulations are just as comprehensive. For instance, Ne braskans will have to pay $6 for new. license plates this year if theif car weighs less than 3000 pounds; if your car weighs more than 3000 pounds, however, you will pay $8. for the new plates. All new cars except Willys, Nash, Crosley, and a few others weigh over 3000 pounds. Ham radio operators have wanted some sort of special rec ognition for quite some time. Now ham operators of radio stations may buy an official plate bearing their call numbers to be attached to the regular automobile license plate for a fee of $1, This plate will resemble the regular license plate, but will be smaller. One of the newest regulations has to do with the recent contro versy over automatic tarn sig nals. Every car which is manu factured after January 1st must have automatic turn signals in order to operate In the state of Nebraska. Turn signals were not previ ously recognized at all in the city of Omaha, but they will be re quired all over the state on any car turned out after January 1st. Also, on any vehicle so loaded that the driver's hand signal can not be seen, some form of light or turn signal must be provided. If you have a car more than 40 years old, you may now bu a permanent license plate for it that will last the life of the car, even if the car is transferred from owner to owner. There are some car owners on campus who could use this information. Previously if you had an acci dent which resulted in damage exceeding $50, you had to report it to the MVD; the damage limit has now been raised to $100. Also, on the state highway, you must if you wish to tow your car any farther than to the nearest garage have a permit, but once you buy one, you may tow your car any where for a year. There are some car owners on campus that might be interested in that, too. Pre viously you had to pay $10 each time you towed your car any where unless you were headed for the nearest garage. Incidentally, we're to have new plates this year. The colors will be Just reversed, black back ground with yellow numbers. It 1 : a j tn nave uccitsiun to walk through the capitol build ing, the Motor Vehicle Division will give you the inside story on traffic conditions in the state of Nebraska. One tabulation which is posted daily down there is the traffic fatalities to date. As of Tuesday. . Dec. 15, 1953, 325 per sons have been killed in Nebraska as compared to 308 at this timaJ last year. J. A. MARKS By CHICK TAYLOR. Pessimist: "How many did you say this car will hold?" Optimist: "Three, but six can get in if they're well acquainted," Latest model gas ranges in clude a Venetian blind in the glass oven doors this is for bashful girls who cook rump roasts. Define: H20 and C02. H20 is hot water and C02 cold wa in. 1 She: Haven't I been fair to you? He: Yes, but I want you to be fair and warmer. Should you say, when a. house is on fire, that a woman's place is in the home? Ted Britt says he knows a girl who is so dumb she thinks Chase and Sanborn are wolves because, they date every bag! TERMITE'S NIGHTMARE A I dreamt I dwelt in marble' halls.