The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current, December 11, 1956, Page Page 2, Image 2
-it 1 ' 1 J i i5 4 t 3 1 THE NEBRASKAN Tuesday, December 11,1 956 Ncbraskan Editorials: le Gift Santa Claus has agreed to put in another ap pearance for the annual Interfraternity Council Christmas party. t This, in itsflf, is well and good. The children of Lincoln's orphanages will undoubtedly have a good time during this one season of the year when someone pays any attention to them. IFC has an agreement wich Th department of public relations of the University that when ever the group does good works, public relations will mimeograph a few copies of the project and mail them to the state's newspapers in an effort to create good will for the fraternity system. Perhaps, this is necessary and is the cause of no harmful effects. But, it is rather unfor tunate that the first release extolling the good works of the IFC deals with a group of young sters who are dependent upon others' for their Christmas. Why do University organizations have to help others, especially at Christmas time, with their right hand held out to needy and deserving groups and their left hand hold ing a press release. This kind of motivation is prostitution of the spirit and foundation of Christmas charity. There is a story which many of us were told when we were young of two little boys who traveled through the winter snow to reach a great cathedral to give their small offering to the Christ-child. The great and the mighty of the land assembled before the. cathedral's altar. Kings' ransoms were offered to the Babe in order to make the bells of the church sound out for they hadn't rung for hundreds of years. On the way to the cathedral, the two children came upon a woman who was almost dead from the cold. The older youth gave his brother the few pennies they had and told him to go ahead. He would stay with the woman and take care of her. , , Little brother arrived at the cathedral just as the magnates had finished giving their magnifi cent gifts. Still the chimes did not sound. As the procession left the church, little brother crept unobtrusively to the altar laden win the wealth of tire kingdom and laid down his humble offer ing. As we know, the bells sounded in all the glorious sound of the first Christmas day. If we are to do good works, let us attempt to do them in the spirit of Christmas. Christ was born in the lowest and meanest of places. He had no press agent. During his ascendancy he offered his gifts without reservation or desire for popularity or recognition. The New Testament speaks of the hypocrite who prays on the corner. If we are to give, let us give of ourselves and let us give without thought of recognition for otherwise we have given nothing. Annual Average Increase The annual average increase has been an nounced by the Mortar Boards. Next spring for a junior to be eligible for" tapping by the senior women's scholastic honorary on Ivy Day she must have an accumulative scholastic aver age of 6.3 instead of the 6.2 required last year. The annual increase was started several years ago with each successive group adding a point to the required weighted average and each time wild cries were heard from the junior hopefuls that the increase was unfair. Naturally the wild cries were subdued after those hopefuls were tapped and in turn when that group raised the standards the new juniors began in the same fashion as their predecessors. It is evident that the society is striving to achieve a higher scholastic standard and rely less upon activity points with the final product being a much more outstanding representative of the senior class. The process appears to be the most democratic even though it garners some disapproval every year, but the ques tion arises as to how long the annual increase will continue. It has been rumored that the Mortar Board's final goal is a 6.5 accumulative average. If so, the end is in sight and this year's freshmen women can possibly look forward to a standard goal to work toward in the next three years. In any case the society is setting a high enough standard that any coed should be very proud if she is tapped on Ivy Day. Neutrality Essential Last Tuesday the University Daily Kansan Board voted to amend its constitution to remove a lause which stated that The Daily Kansan "shall be neutral in politics both on and off the campus." The action resulted in two statements, one In approval from an editorial in the Kansas City Star and the other in objection from Bur ton W. Marvin, dean of the William Allen White School of Journalism and Public Infor mation. The Kansas City Star editorial read as fol lows: "With their eyes wide open, students at the University of Kansas who set policy for the daily campus newspaper voted 16-4 to exercise the basic right of free American Newspapers to sound off on all and sundry subjects, and to get into hot water if they wish." "Action of the Kansan board deserves more than passing note. The students, many of whom will be graduating soon, took the vote in the 'face of a flat ukase from the dean of the school of journalism forbidding them to do so." "The students repealed the neutrality clause in their constitution. Beginning Jan. 7, the newspaper by majority vote of its board now may take sides editorially both on campus issues and in political affairs of the outside world. It was a vote for a free press." "Student political decision may, at times, jolt the older and more mature publishers of the state. It is a 6afe guess that the majority of these newspapermen will, with Voltaire, defend the student's right to differ with more mature authority." "Many of the students are serving an intern ship at the University before going to work in the profession. Soon they will be living in a non-neutral world. It does not seem unreason able for them to start learning to analyze issues and controversies in the University." "Now that they have freedom of expression, as in the case of their elders, they will be on trial to demonstrate they deserve the priceless gift." Dean Marvin, who is also chairman of the accreditation committee of the American Coun cil for Education in Journalism and is visiting several Midwestern universities to check on re newing their accreditation, made this state ment to The Daily Kansan: "It is absolutely essential that The Daily Kansan as a laboratory for students and as a publication representing the University in the eyes of students and Kansas citizens of vary ing political leanings, remain neutral in all political situations on and off the campus." "For this reason, we shall act to make sure that neutrality is observed if the Kansan Board is unwilling to continue to do so. Such a rule of operation, essential to a public institution, cannot be subject to the whim of one genera tion of students." With the encouragement and approval of one of the nation's foremost daily newspapers, The Daily Kansan is now faced with the rath of its dean and his solemn Intention to keep The Daily Kansan's editorial .policy neutral. It will be interesting to note how the "whim of one generation of students" to develop ideas and opinions on political controversies will fare against the opposition of the chairman of the accreditation committee of the American Coun cil for Education in Journalism.. From The Washington Post: Affront To Decency Ambassador Lodge did not exaggerate when he request. Such a move would be a step short of damned the Hungarian puppet government's expulsion, which in the circumstances would refusal to permit a visit by Dag Hammarskjold serve no useful purpose, as "outside the pale of international behavior But the U.N. ought not to be content with the and common decency." There could be no more fiction that policy is made in Budapest, . and it abject confession of terror in Hungary than the ought not to shrink from naming the real culprit Kadar government's efforts to prevent independ- and calling for whatever sanctions may be prac ent observation. The trouble with many of the ticable. Soviet troops have beeu perpetrating the remedies suggested in the United Nations, how- outrages. The U.N. is undeniably at a disad ever, is that they are directed at the wrong tar- vantage in -disputes involving the big powers, get. It is Moscow that is pulling the strings The international organization nevertheless pro while Kadar dances. tested the British and French actions in Suez One obvious means of continuing the pressure and obtained their eventual compliance with its for withdrawal J Soviet troops is for the U.N. request. There is grave danger of a double immediately to dispatch observers to Austria to standard unless the U.N. is equally forthright report fully what they can learn of conditions in and vigorous in condemning Russian actions in Hungary. Another would be for the U.N. to Hungary. No doubt some countries will be re suspend the representation privileges of the Ka- luctant to offend Russia. But Russia has offended dar government. The government is in open de- humanity, and the members of the U.N. who fiance of the United Nations, and it has lost any collectively represent the world conscience will moral right to be heard until it satisfies the U JJ. be shirking their duty unless they say so frankly. Tlie Nebraskan FIFTY-FIVE YEARS OLD EDITORIAL STAFF Member: Associate Collegiate Press E.tai 'Editor ''"""Xl'l"::"":.' ltercoQeglat Press Editorial Ptu Cdltor Mack Lendatrom ..... Nrwa Editor Bob Iroland X-''ffsatsJvej National Advertising Service. wait iior Iifnmnf.l.l Editor: Oary Irene!, Sara latum, iark Pollork ..,. lacorporaiea m du iinmt rcslkhed at: Room 20, Student Union " , - Mrltt Xw Editor A Gary Frmiol Iik3 ft B titm.it Photographer Dal Lea-ta CJ&iTeril ftf Nebraska rJraff Artlit ........................... Andy Barker , , , (Uttem Ser-otaiT .nil Dom-ll uncola, Nebraska Soriet Editor..... ....jaa rum .. Staff Writers...... Kane? DcLont. Geor: Morn, , ,v " l MSBd Tmwdsy, Wodandar ad Maria mm THrrwioo, Cynthia fV.flr aaruic trm '! , ) Sinrta ! ha. Bob Martol, Bob Wlra, n rta. and on ! M pfc!itkd darjnc Iav Hereof. t- i. j i. lAjH&a of tba taivorsica ? Nrhraik ntr Reporter .0. O. Wallli, Carol Frank, On Bimbc, Judy ( M'iw.ia of th (Lmtsam-nt en Rot Attain flrh-r. Marilyn Ma Minn to Taylor, Klana """ of aiadrnt raWiraMwa and Maiwell, Mandra Vt'halnt, Mart Sailor, Marrla " "'" f th r.ahamir- oa tMKtont Pohrt- Bodna, JoAaa Oahorron, Dorothy Hall. Plana iji rtifcil too free tram asitowl wiMnilj oa Inm -a. Stan Ulitmaa, Art Blarkmaa. Barbara f-t l Im t.-lwronmltT f n u ptrt or any awrahw Mraton. Hrb Krlkla. BUI WUaoo, Bon 61a- tl t" fa of t" Lmfrmttt. or i ( part of ay ' born, fiary Prtrr.no. 1 r - h Bfi-rir, Too motrtbrn of tn or-eTVirca cfin i- -rjuKaa ataff w arttny nrmM for what tkey sinxr .(', or o or uwh to b pwstiS. Srnr t IWH. Hattooaa Man oar , ftonrfra Wadwn . , . CircHiaHoa Mbw Kletsard no( T awnnd na v'.xt M to aiwt afffro Da Jk'io Baalrww Manoror 0a Dork. -'- -i.sA, MCS...3T ua act el Autuat 4.iM. LR7 iatota. Tan Vil, dorry fcuUeaitm LITTLE .MAN ON CAMPUS by Dick Bibfcr "WOKTHAL D0E5N7 HAVE HIS ACCORPiAM HEKE, W HE'5 v CONCENTEP TO US WITH A PIANO $ELECT10Nf. While scampering across the Kansas countryside, a compatriot in intellectualism decided that Ne braska should chansre its name to Nebraska A&M. I objected. Not that I have any strong ob jections to the idea that an ag and mechanics school has its place. John Oxnam said, "To every man there openeth a way and a way and a way. . ." Yet Nebraska still deserves to be a liberal school. And by that I mean that.the whole concept of ideas lies in the con cept of the past. Well, Buck, if you don't get what I am saying, then perhaps this just goes to prove that we need even more intellectualism than Dick Shugruo ever before. After all, Dr. Earl McGj-ath, former U.S. Commis sioner of Education has insisted that with the increasing pressures of the modern world, both cultural and technical, young people leav ing the colleges and universities need a more intimate acquaintance with the liberal arts. So this is where I come in. And please don't misconstrue what I say as being a defense against Brucey. Heaven forbid that I should have to answer to him or that he would expect me to. Well, then, what?. . .From my perch I can get a look ai this big, bad world. I like what I see. More than that, I can look over the horizon and get a glimpse of things to come. That means, of course, iiiil the downfall of Nebraska intel lectualism. In other words (and this is for the Bucks around the campus) as long as Bruce tosses niceties at Schultz and me (and I'm not try ing to slip in any kind of mystic signal) I'll be happy. After all, how else can the case for the classicist jump out on open ground than if Bruce hurls it? So, friend and foe, my lectures on the obvious will continue. They have to continue. My travelling companion has said that he doesn't know what I am saying, lie adds that if I appeal to anyone around the campus, it's remarkable. Now that might seem like a big round of self condemnation. And yet if you'll give both Bruce and Buck a chance to sink in, I'm sure you'll understand. We hear a lot of talk about the "college level of comprehension" . . .Just what it means is a mystery to me. You see, what is not perfect ly obvious to me (at least ac cording to Bruce) is perfectly ob vious to everyone else. And here comes Buck to say that I just talk in unknowns. So, that's the picture. At the present ie I have to either "get mature id stop this weekly drivle or come down to the level of what Buck thinks the college kid wants, Both of the guys seem to forget that I'm not Max Schul man. I've got a vague message to offer. If you like it, fine. If not, I'm sorry that Nebraska A&M is soon to succeed. Decorations: Contrasting Views Editor's ' Note: The following articles, the first written by El ite Elliott and the second by the Rev. Peter S. Ralble, present contrasting views on the Christ mas decorations appearing on "0" street in the city's business district. Again this year, as I stand on the busy corner of 13th and 0, a sudden wave of nostalgia over comes me. The beautiful street and shop decorations remind me of our great Christmas heritage, and of our stories of Christ's Mass. . . "In the days of Anderson, the Governor of Nebraska: "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Mayor Martin, that all the town should be decorated. "And all went to shop, every one into his own store. "And Joseph also went up, to shop with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. "And she brought forth her first born son, and wrapped him in disposable diapers, and laid him in a parking lot; because there was no room for them in the Corn- busker. "And there were in the same town policemen abiding on their corners, keeping watch over the traffic by night. And lo, the an gel of Walt Disney came upon them, and the glory of Walt Dis ney shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. "And the angel said unto them; Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of Lincoln a Savior, which is the son of Mickey Mouse. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in disposable diapers, lying under a neon sign. "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the mer cenary host praising Walt Disney and saying, "Glory to Walt Dis ney in Hollywood, and in Lincoln, commerce, good sales for busi nessmen. "And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the say ing which was told them concern ing these apparitions. And all they that heard wondered at those things which were told them by the policemen. "And when there were only eight shopping days left, the child's name was called Davy Crockett, which was so named of the Cham ber of Commerce when, he was conceived in their brains. "And when Davy was born in Lincoln of Nebraska in the days of Anderson the Governor, there came farmers from the West to Omaha, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Wild Frontier? For we have seen his neon signs. and we are come to purchase him." Merry Christmas. ELLIE ELLIOTT . For the second year running the letter columns of Lincoln papers are filled with denunciations of Walt Disney Christmas decorations on our main street. Perhaps the parson is an Old Scrooge, but he has never been much of an admirer of Walt Dis ney. Mr. Disney attempts to makt merely cute some of the profound est of children's stories (e.g. Wind and the Willows). On the other hand, the parson has always had some feeling for Jesus of Nazar eth. But somehow, Mickey Mouse and Pluto seem much more appropri ate to "0" Street than Jesus. From all we know, Jesus wasn't very proficient at commercial ac- . tivity. He once drove some money changers out of a temple but this is not likely to endear him to the world of profit. Walt Di-.ney, though, is a simple man, who has become a millionaire. As such. the symbols of Disney are more appropriate objects of veneration for "0" Street than Jesus. The parson can be old fashioned at times, too. He has always been slightly bothered by scenes of the manger of Bethlehem, surrounded by whizzing electric trains and black negligees (though the Par son would be the first to register his approval of same in more ap propriate places). Nor would Je sus seem very meaningful perched on a lamp post surrounded by Druid greenery. Still, the effigy of Jesus swinging from a lamp post , might suggest what our civiliza tion insists on doing to Him. Of course, the really galling thing is the general attitude that if we put "religious" scenes in our business district, we will have a religious Christmas. As Scrooge said, "Bah, humbug!" It might be nice if religion could simply be a matter of using the apprpriate symbols in the inappropriate place . (or for that matter even the ap propriate symbols in the inappro priate place (or for that matter even the appropriate place). But the hue and cry for Jesus on "0" Street merely indicates tht low state to which religion has fallen in our age. For if Jesus ever taught anything, it is that not outward forms but Inner at titudes are important in religion. And He rather starkly advised. . . .Many will say to me, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?" And then will I declare to them, "I nev er knew you; depart from me, you evil doers." If we know when we are well off, we'll leave Walt Disney'a char acters on "0" Street decorations, and leave Jesus to the hearts of men. PETER S- RAIBEL ' 4 4- 3 a v J- r 'Jjpvy r ' ' -.5 ' '' X I I FILTER TIP WW ' TA DCVTAM m iri lull p!f& mm. . ClOARBTT .i ... i ' 4 "'li 4 f f k I D) I C W ffft) : I r I 1 . j J -i-wn y".- srf' imy- -aawwMiaioaiirr -, j . 1 f 1 1 ' 4 f