rage z.
THE NtbKAiKAN
vveunesoay, May 9, i jjo
Nebraskan Editorials:
First Successful Task
More than two-thirds pf the students voting in
the all-campus elections Monday voted in favor
of a student tribunal.
Of the 1825 voters, 1186 voted for the tribunal,
526 voted against it and 113 didn't decide one
way or another. If Monday's vote could be con
sidered a cross-section opinion of the student
body, it would seem that students are very much
in favor, of some kind of student judicial com
mittee. TWs is fine. Although the vote was light
about one out of seven students voted the fa
vorable opinion was great enough to warrant
further pursuance ot the matter. This further
action will have to come from the Student
Council.
Ever since the Council first introduced the
idea of a tribunal or an honor system, The Ne
braskan has campaigned for consideration of
these two programs by the students. In order
for the Council to take steps toward formulating
plans for a tribunal or an honor system, they
-had to be assured of the support of the student
body.
Now, they have this support. They are author
ized to go ahead, probably next year, and set up
tentative plans for an honor system or a tri
bunal, or both. k
These plans would be presented to the Admin
istration for approval, rejection or suggestion!
for additional developments. That is as far as
tentative plans have been laid for the two pro
grams, but at least the first step has been taken.
The University has given them the green light.
The Nebraskan, in writing its series of editor
ials on student tribunals and honor systems in
other schools, had access to a Council file' of
information, including the constitutions and
codes of student governmental bodies. The Coun
cil can use this file in drawing up its own plans.
Thus, the Council has three parts of the for
mula to present a plan to the Administration
the approval of the University itself, a cross
sectional approval of the student body and a
good stock of information. The only ingredient
needed is initiative on the part of the new
Council.
The future of a tribunal andor an honor
system on this campus lies in the hands of a
new Student Council, whose officers have not
yet been chosen, and which has not yet met.
It is their responsibility to look further into
these two ideas and draw up tentative plans, if
they deem a tribunal and perhaps an honor
system feasible and necessary at the University.
The drawing up of an outline for a student
tribunal on this campus could easily be the first
successful task of a new Council. F.T.D.
That We Might Be Free
Three courageous statements, made by pro
fessors in three different departments in the
University, have come to the attention of The
Nebraskan:
Don Moore, assistant professor of physics,
said in a special press release Tuesday that he
has ". . . reluctantly come to the conclusion
that the present administration of our University
is not concerned with the free enterprise of ideas
at either the level of the department chairman
or the individual staff members."
"The demotion of Dr. Mitchell," he continues,
"is but one example. There is a clear conflict
between integrity and expediency."
An agricultural economics student, who took a
course from Dr. Mitchell last semester, said in
a letterip today that Mitchell had told the class
earlier last fall that ". , . since the 1953 state
ment (the Regents' statement endorsing the
principles of academic freedom), the pressure
has aever stopped for one moment, even from
individuals who publicly supported the state
ment." The student says that Mitchell told the class
that the statement in 1953 merely forced the
battle underground, warning conservative po
litical forces that getting rid of liberals could
not be accomplished by frontal attacks.
Dr. William Swindler, in his resignation state
ment several weeks ago, stated that "higher
learning . . . involves a critical examination of
all ideals" and that "such independent thinking
breeds hostility among the most vocal and hide
bound' elements in the' state."
"The mark of an institution's integrity," he
said, "is its capacity to resist such pressures."
These three statements typify in their oblique
ness and directness the temper of the present
University community.
"You don't have to fire many teachers to in
timidate them all," Robert Hutchins, former
Chancellor of the University of Chicago said.
And, by the same token, you don't have to
demote many department chairmen to intimi
date them all. Nor does the administration have
to withhold many tenure privileges, assess many
impossible work loads, refuse to raise many
salaries or cut back many appropriation prom
ises before it gets its point across.
If the University is to remain free, it must
remain independent. It cannot afford to com
promise with less.
If it discourages its more liberal professors
today, it will end by approximating faculty con
formity tomorrow.
If it lends itself to administrative suppression
now, it will eventually extend to control of its
curricula.
If it presently sympathizes with political ele
ments and special interests in the state, it will
ultimately become identified with the arch con
servatism of the typical Nebraskan.
If it attempts to stifle the spirit of academic
freedom and the principles of a University, the
end result will be a mockery of the ideals of
education.
The seeds of ultimate disaster are sown in
the seemingly trivial and innocent concessions.
May the words of an editorial in the London
Times written over a 100 years ago be more
than an eloquent warning:
The greatest tyranny has the smallest be
ginning. From precedents overlooked, from
remonstrances despised, from grievances
treated with ridicule, from powerless men
oppressed with impunity, and overbearing
men tolerated with complacence, springs the
tyrannical usage which generations of wise
and good men may hereafter perceive and
lament and resist in vain.
At present, common minds no more see a
crushing tyranny in trivial unfairness or
ludicrous indignity, than the eye uninformed
by reason can discern the sap in the acorn,
or the utter desolation of winter in thefirst
autumnal fall. Hence, the necessity of de
nouncing with unwearied and even trouble
some perseverance a single, act of oppres
sion. . v .
Let it alone and it stands on record. The
country has allowed it, and when it is at last
provoked to a late Indignation, it finds itself
gagged with the record of its own ill com
pulsion. The record at the University in the past few
years as typified by some of the administrative
demotions in the past few weeks has been a
record of "powerless men oppressed with im
punity, and overbearing men tolerated with
complacence."
It is a record which can be reviewed only with
a deep sense of shame and impending tragedy.
If the University of Nebraska is to retain its
intellectual freedom and academic independ
ence, its right to free inquiry and free discus
sion, the Board of Regents, the Chancellor, the
Dean of Faculties and the administrative offi
cials must no longer compromise the freedom
"which the work and calling of their faculty
demands." B.B.
An Important Niche
The rush and fury of Engineers Week, the new
Spring Day and traditional Ivy Day have per
haps caused University students to overlook an
annual event which means a good deal to the
University in general and the Ag College in
particular. This event is, of course, the Farm
ers Fair.
Held annually In the late spring, the Fair is
the final and gala "fling" of the Ag College
students and faculty. By combining competitive
vents and social events, the University's Ag
students have organized a schedule which has
appeal to everyone interested.
A few traditions have grown up with the
F.'.ir. Prominent among these is the Whisker
King contest, which brings forth magnificent
chin dressing on callow undergraduate cheeks.
There are also cow milking contests, calf-catching
and the like. -
Quite a bit of the Fair centers around the
Rodeo, featuring University students both men
and women in the various rodeo events. Strange
and wonderful things happen to a person on a
bronco's back.
It is a little unfortunate for the Farmers Fair
that it had to be preceded by such widely-advertised
events as E-Week and the Ivy Day week
end. Whether or not students are getting a little
tired of being thrown headlong into these all-out
celebrations cannot be determined.
Figuring the aptitude of University students
for a little mad rejoicing and extra-curricular
participation, this doesn't seem too likely.
The main point is for University students and
those outside the campus interested in Ag Col
lege activities, not to look on the Farmers Fair
as a link in a series of planned, supervised,
stay-out-of-trouble events put on for the health
and recreation of the student body.
The Farmers Fair, like E-Week and Ivy Day,
has its own important niche in the sometimes
tedious flow of campus life.
It is a thing worth attending and participating
in. F.T.D.
Afterthoughts
Tribute
A round of warm applause- should be rendered
to the four hardy, fearless junior men who
braved rain, mud and wild animals in scouting
a suitable location for the annual pre-Ivy Day
junior class rites.
These men, who will forever remain unnamed,
showed distinct fortitude, strength of purpose
and love for their fellowman as they forged out
into the dark and windswept night on their
mission.
TJhe Nebraskan
FIFTY-FIVE YEARS OLD Eaton tmamt elut Batter mt the poet efS la
Member: Associated Collegiate Press Uncob" NebrMk- dw " " " "'"
Intercollegiate Press EDITORIAL STAFF
Representative: National Advertising Service, M,Mr -t BMrmn
Incorporated eutorui Eit m Dai
Polished at: Room 20, Student Union ..7.V.V.V:"V::;::::::. 7tTZ
Utb tl R Hport Editor L ... Max Ktettmas
University of Nebraska iZfvZZIZi? Cook' H"k' bMb tarp'
Lincoln, Nebraska A, E(Mtor , miltrri hot,
The Nehreakan I pahllthed tuenSmy. Wedneeda an M(ht Newt, Editor .....Bab Cook
ll?n9U K..Srr..ru tmiiurT, .brk" S' Writ. Cine, Ifehe.. Wr.ll Blor.,
u ma rat.oa e .tud.nt opinion, rabllcatlene nnd . B0 " leleoner Julie Dowoll.
tn Jnrlaolrtlnn ef the Hubeommltt on StuoVnt PdMI- ninanrtraa awaoa,
vticHi thall be free from editorial ecneonhlp on the BUSINESS STAFF
prt ef the tiubi-ommlttre, or on the part of any owrober ..,.! uuu ntm iiiiua
of the faculty of the lir.lver.lty. or on the part of enr " " "M"T ' ' ' ' ' ,..Jf,..7
fwrwm outnlde the I'l'lvemlty. The mumbeni of the ' alaer ...... MM i Neff, BUI Bedwelt,
Kehnukee slaff are peraonally reaoonnlble for what tber Connie H uirat, Don Beck
eajr, or do ot enitte te be printed, tebruary , UH6 ClreniaUoa M nearer ..... , lUebnrS Heed
I
LITTLE
CAMPUS
by Dick Bibler
MAN ON
aT IWeeT mmm - p - . 1
1 wonder why lbe 'Sigma Phi Nothing' don't learn to use the
telephone like other fraternities do?"
Activities No Help
To Sickly Student
Milksop's Fables-No. 2
r i (
mi : ,
Henkle Finds NIJ
Hotbed Of Spies
There was once a wizened and
sickly boy who went to college. His
parents had heard that college life
rounds out the individual both phy
sically and mentally. They just
knew that a few campus kicks
would build their little boy into a
man.
However, by the end of the lad's
sophomore year he had grown
more wizened and sickly than was
deemed advisable by five New
York doctors. His parents were
at ends, the fabulous formula had
failed. And away they went, wiz
ened and sickly boy in hand, to the
psychiatrist's couch.
As the lad lay there, rapidly
wizening and sickening, the kindly
old doctor confided in the desper
ate parents thusly "Desperate
parents, I have uncovered your
boy's illness through hypnotic in
terrogation. "He is 'inactivated' which in
medical circles is known as 'tired
blood' and spelled backwards is
'blood tired'. Lay people know it
as 'lack of participation in extra
curricular activities'."
Fortunately the lad lived through
the summer although he nearly
died of cholera which spelled back
wards is "doolb derit." Taking the
kindly old doctor's advice quite
seriously the desperate parents en
rolled the boy in a full course of
activities for the fall semester.
By the end of the year the boy
had grown into an elephant. The
activity banquets, feasts, and
lunches agreed with him he often
ate 19 or 47 times a day.
But alas, due to extreme under
use his head had developed into
The Image
As I stepped off the DC-6 this
morning, returned from Washing
ton where I had been consulting
with the President on, Middle East
Foreign policy, I was immediate
ly presented with a tabolid chronic
ling Brownell's jealousy and ran
cour, over my superior press releases.
This was only another blow in a
continual diabolical attempt to dis
credit me in the eyes of my many
admirers, but big is as big does,
so I brushed the Brownell Caper
aside and pressed forward to the
campus to reveal my latest scan
dal. It seems that this place is a hot
bed of spies, Commies and fellow
travelers, let alone pinkos and left
wingers. The whole situation was revealed
to me a short while ago by an
American Legionnaire, drinking a
toast to American Liberty and the
Way up at the University Club.
He informed me, munching re
flectively on an .olive, that this
Mitchell deal and all of the so
called trouble around here from
professors is a red herring.'
e
I mentioned something about his
smelling like a herring himself,
and seeing a cloud of pipe smoke
across the way, suggested that he
go over there and talk to some
one who was in a position to do
something about it.
He snorted and said that the
official referred to was doing a
fine job "clearing out those reds"
and that he told me because I
fool around with that paper that
heads."
Alserted, I said that this would
get out; something will be done;
my vast readers will rally to the
cause.
Now, however, I don't know what
to do about it. It appears that the
Legion and the various titans of
industry throughout the state have
all known that this place is re
plete with "Commies" for years
almost since they graduated (in
1923 which proves that they are
all still close to the campus scene)
and they haven't done anything
about it. . , . ?
e
The local press has been con
fused by press releases (although
they have often hinted that some
thing is wrong here by saying
how rosy things are on campus)
and the prominent Omaha paper
is still fighting those "durn red-
My Bootless Cries
coats" in the war of 1812 (I do
think, though, that they could take
"54-40 or Fight" off. the mast
heads). As you can see, I had no place
to turn. The Lincoln Project was
too busy trying to turn the youth of
America into Little Orphan Annies
(the dumber ones are taught to
say "Arf") to help me, and they
also intimated that I was far from
a Norman Vincent Peale (more
like a N. V. Poolhall- and was, in
fact, a negative thinker. A nega
tive thinker, my eye!
Finally, I hit upon a double
barrelled attack that will help me
take the rose from the bloom
around here. With the backing of
various grainheads throughout the
Nebraskan Letterip
'Intimidation Of College Faculties1
To The Editor:
It would seem fitting that an
epilogue should now be written
with particular regard to the Mit
chell case. The University's ad
ministrators are once again sleep-'
ing soundly amid the cries of
"crucify him," so I'm sure they
will sleep on undisturbed.
e e e
Professor Clyde Mitchell antici
pated the present attacks being
made on him by University ad
ministrators several months ago.
As a student in his class in agri
culture policy, I recall that dur
ing a class discussion he was asked
about the difficulties of being a
"liberal" professor of economics
in a conservative political climate
like Nebraska.
Specifically, one student asked
him if the statement on academic
freedom adopted by the Regents
in 1953 meant that the University
of Nebraska had taken its place
among the handful of truly inde
pendent universities, such as Har
vard, where genuine academic
freedom could still be said to exist.
e e e
I recall that he indicated at that
time that the adoption of the state
ment in 1953 merely forced the bat
tle underground, warning conser
vative political forces that getting
rid of liberals could not be ac
complished by frontal attacks, but
only through the more roundabout
methods of pressure on adminis
trative officials through the legis
lative budget route, through the
type of men selected' for admin
istrative posts, such as chancellor,
deans, and department chairmen,
through the granting of raises and
promotions, and even the imposi
tion of demotions.
I have his exact words in my
notes which are, "Since the 1953
statement, the pressure has never
stopped for one moment, even from
individuals who publicly supported
the statement."
At the conclusion of this class
session, he gave out reprints of an
article by Dr. Robert M. Hutchins
in a recent issue of "Look" maga
zine, which Dr. Mitchell said "ac
curately" described what is hap
pening in Nebraska.
The following is a direct quota
tion which I underlined at that
time. These remarks seem espec
ially fitting now.
"Education is impossible
in many parts of the United States
today because free inquiry and
free discussion are impossible. In
these communities, the teacher of
economics, history or political sci
ence cannot teach.
"A person becomes controversial
when a question is raised about
him. If you want to get rid of a
teacher, make loud charges against
him then demand that he be
fired because charges have been
made.
e e '
"Teachers are not merely afraid
of being fired; they are afraid of
getting into trouble, with resultant
damage to their professional pro
spects and their standing in their
communities. You don't have to
fire many teachers to. intimidate
them all.
"The entire teaching profession
of the United States is now intimi
dated. It is a sad commentary that
we have to congratulate ourselves
that a few still speak, when mil
lions should feel free to do so.
"The spirit of the teaching pro
fession is being crushed, and, with
It, our hopes of education. Com
petence or professional skill will
not protect the teacher.
e e
"In the investigations that have
gone on around the country, I do
not recall one in which it was
charged that the teacher was not
a good teacher. .
"If we really want education in
this country, we will have to pay
teachers decent salaries, give them
the status that their importance
to society justifies, and sure
them the freedom that their work
and their calling demand.
"No country ever needed educa
tion more than ours does today."
. . . Taken from '.'Look" magazine,
March 9, 1954, vol 18, "Our Teach
ers Are Afraid To Teach," by Dr.
Robert M. Hutchins.
So how once again the tale has
been told and probably once again
the citizens of this University mid
State will say or do nothing. Thus,'
we courteously allow our ai ire
mentioned administrators to con
tinue their sleep and purges.
A Student Of Mitchell
state, my assistant is going to
smoke them all out with Prince
Albert.
And then I shall slip out late
some night and paint their con
vertibles yellow.
That just scares the hides off of
them I
a vacuum and one day when the
barometric pressure was exceed
ingly high his hea4 exploded. The
winner of the coveted Migraine
Award in the category, "Activi
ties, Most Participated In" was
no more.
Charmaine, our hero's Eskimo
pen pal, says of his passing "The
world has lost a great whale." I
can only say, "How true." Five
New York doctors agree. The psy
chiatrist is taking a refresher
course in hypnotism in Moscow,
That subversive little rascal!
The Moral: A reversal of that
immortal boxing proverb "Kill
the body and head will die." AU
other morals within the fable
are insignificant.
It Happened At NU
It's the little things that keeps
one going.
A certain instructor in Biz Ad
College was giving a long and
rather tedious explanation of an
economic principle or some such
thing. He waxed long and ver
bose, bringing in every fact of
the problem.
Finally, after 45 minutes of vig
orous oratory, the instructor thun
dered to his conclusion with wav
ing of arms and clenching of fists.
"Crescendo!" mummered a
sleepy student in the second row,
sending the class into pandemonium.
I jT V
(Author of -Barefoot Boy With Cheek," etc.)
THE TRUE AND TYPICAL CASE OF
CIIATSWORTH OSCEOLA
The school year draws to an end, and everybody is
wondering about the future everybody, that is, except the
engineers. Today there is not a single engineer on a single
campus who has not received a dozen fabulous offers from
a dozen corporations.
All this, of course, you know. But do you know just how
fabulous these offers are ? Do you have any idea how wildly
the corporations are competing? Let me cite for you the true
and typical case of Chatsworth Osceola, a true and typical
senior.
Chatsworth, walking across the M.I.T. campus one
day last week, was hailed by a man parked at the curb in a
yellow convertible studded with precious gemslones. "Hello,"
said the man. "I am Darien T. Sigaf oos of the Sigaf oos Bear
ing and Bushing Company. Do you like this car?"
"Yeah, hey," said Chatsworth.
"It's yours," said Sigafoos.
"Thanks, hey," said Chatsworth.
"Do you like Philip Morris?" said Sigafoos.
"Of corris !" said Chatsworth.
"Here is a pack," said Sigafoos. "And a new pack will be
delivered to you at six-hour intervals every day as long as
you shall live.'.'
"Thanks, hey," said Chatsworth.
"Does your wife like Philip Morris?" said Sigafoos.
"I'm not married," said Chatsworth.
"Do you want to be?" said Sigafoos.
"What American boy doesn't?" said Chatsworth.
It U- 1AAn. ..... t m I '"""'""HWIlMiii L
Sigafoos pressed a button on the dashboard of the
convertible, and the trunk opened up, and out came a nubile
maiden with golden hair, flawless features, a perfect disposi
tion, and the appendix already removed. "This is Laurel
Geduldig," said Sigafoos. "Would you like to marry her?"
"Is her appendix out?" said Chatsworth.
"Yes," said Sigafoos.
"Okay," said Chatsworth.
"Congratulations," said Sigafoos. "And for the happy
bride, a pack of Philip Morris every six hours for the rest
of her life."
"Thanks, hey," said Laurel.
"Now then," said Sigafoos to Chatsworth, "let's get down
to business. My company will start you at $45,000 a year.
You will retire at full salary upon reaching the age of 28.
When you start work, we will give you a three-story house)
made of bullion, complete with a French Provincial swimming?
pool. We will provide sitter service for all your children
until they are safely through puberty. We will guarantee to
keep your teeth in good repair; also the teeth of your wif
and children unto the third generation. We will send your
dentist a pack of Philip Morris every six hours as long as
he shall live. . . . Now, son, think carefully about this offe
Meanwhile, here is one thousand dollars in small, unmarked
bills, which places you under no obligation whatsoever."
"It certainly seems like a fair offer," said Chatsworth.
"But there is something you should know. I am not an en
gineer. In fact, I. don't go to M.I.T. I am a poetry major
at Harvard. I just came over here on a bird walk."
"Oh," Baid Sigafoos.
"I guess I don't get to keep this money and the convertible
and Laurel now, do I ?" said Chatsworth.
"Of course you do," said Sigafoos. "And if you'd like the
, job, my offer still stands." CM 8hulBUin lM
Tfc- maken of Philip Morrh, tvho epomor thie column, art A
lighted to know thai timet are to good for the engineert. To make
timet even better-for the engineert and everybody elte-here't
m gentle tuggeittont Philip Morrit, of eorrltl
