Oregon Daily Emerald VOLUME XXIV. UNIVERSITY OF OREGON, EUGENE, SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1923 NUMBER 64 FIRE HAZARDS IN CAMPUS BUILDINGS FOUND EXCESSIVE State Officials Inspecting Uni versity Reveal Many Alarming Traps _ i McCLURE IS DANGEROUS Conditions in Fraternities and Sororities Are Declared Jeopardy to Lives Fire hazards in various University buildings have been found to be great in an inspection made by Deputy State Fire Marshal Horace Sykes and J. S. Gleason under authorization of State Fire Marshal Barbur. Mr. Sykes and Mr. Gleason have been inspecting all the buildings on the campus and found that the four greatest fire hazards in University buildings on the campus are the library, McClure hall, Deady hall and the heating plant. The conditions in McClure hall are especially dangerous, Sykes pointed out, because fire may be invited any time, due to the electrical wiring. The whole wiring- system in McClure hall should be taken out and a new one installed. “The entire system is extremely defi cient,” he said. Deady hall in his es timation is a fearful fire trap. ^Like McClure, the wiring is defective and fire-escapes are limited. There are only two narrow stairs in the building mak ing escape for a large number of stu dents almost impossible. Jjiorary JNOt iiacl ‘‘The library,” Mr. Sykes said, “Is j not so bad, yet conditions in that build- ; ing are so that fire may start from de fective wiring. The wiring in the li- j brary is overloaded with electricity and j the plugs are hot enough at any time < in the day to burn one’s hands. Only . one fire escape is provided in the li brary and that is the circuitous stairs : leading from the reserve section to the lower floor. This is a bad defect for a building which is used as extensively j by the students.” Mr. Sykes declared that the location of the heating plant should be changed because it is now standing- among a group of other campus buildings, name ly, the sociology building, the architec tural building, the arts building, home economics building, and Villard hall. If fire should break out in the heating plant conditions are so bad that nearly all these buildings would be lost. He recommended that it be isolated from the other buildings. New Buildings Better All the new buildings under construc tion including the recently completed Oregon and Commerce halls were found to be in much better condition and the fire hazards are not so great. These buildings have enclosed wall stairs and ample fire escapes. Fire can result on ly from personal carelessness. Because of lack of time Mr. Sykes and Mr. Gleason were unable to make a thorough investigation of the condi tions in the fraternities and sororities (Continued on page three.) J. Stitt Wilson Is Man Close To Hearts of College Students By Art Rudd White haired, kindly, yet stern, pos sessed of a conviction that seems al most inspired, is J. Stitt Wilson, “the man who stirred more college students than any single living being” and has j brought an appeal for higher thought to the campus this week that is unique in the history of the University. J. Stitt Wilson appreciates college people, appreciates their vast possibili ties—that is why he is here. In his own words he is “a messenger from this throbbing, pain filled world to you.” 1 His subjects are the problems “that are breaking the heart of the world” ! and “that college people must solve.” “The world is passing through a transition in its religious beliefs, out of an era of tradition, and through an era of science. Constructive thought and corresponding constructive action of the new quality of religious and spirit ual experience, based upon a more sci'- j entific view of human experience, have not been quite worked out,” he says in explaining how these problems came to exist. His appeal is for higher thinking. Yet it is more than an appeal. He brings to the campus the cry of a tortured world for a leadership that will solve its complexities and bring peace and justice. As a prophet and a messenger of universal needs, Mr. Wilson left behind a successful political career to do what WANDERING GIRL QUESTIONS DEANS STUDENT IS MAKING DILIGENT SEARCH FOR MAJOR SUBJECT Professor Agrees That She Has Right Idea; Domestic Arts Department Is Not Included in the List An entirely new phenomenon has cropped up in the student world, it was discovered, when a girl was found to day wandering around to the deans of the different schools of the University to get the selling points for their de partments. Not a freshman, either, this young lady, who, when she decided to change her major wanted to find out then and there what each had to offer in the way of present courses and fu ture opportunity. “This is my third day,” she said, “and I’m almost around. Do you know of any department that would like a good major?” One of the professors whom she in terviewed announced that he believed she had a good plan, and only hoped that she wouldn’t eliminate all of the departments in her final decision since she is a very fine student. The only one she plans not to visit is the Domes tic Arts department, for which she was not, she thinks, intended by nature and temperament. MEN'S GLEE CLUB WILL GIVE INLAND CONCERTS Trip Will Be Made in Spring; Salt Lake on Schedule Oregon spirit, expressed in harmony yy the University of Oregon men’s glee •lub, will be carried through Oregon, nit across the sage-brush plains and die green mountains of Idaho, and into -he land of Brigham Young, as far as Salt Lake City, if the schedule ,iust irranged by James Meek, Glee Club nanager, is put into effect. Manager Meek has just returned :rom a two weeks ’ trip through the vest with a bag-full of promising con tacts and the assurance from hundreds >f Utah, Idaho and Oregon people that f the glee club comes their way next ipring vacation accoiuing to the pre- ; ;ent plan, that the 21 men who make up ; lie siuging organization will be roy- | illy received in both a social and finan- j dal way. Many Towns Booked Leaving here immediately after the ipening of the Christmas holidays, Vleek succeeded in booking about 12 •oncerts, and, is now carrying on cor •espondence with other places with a new to obtaining contracts. In Salt Lake City the University of Jtali has expressed willingness to book lie club, and a very satisfactory con tact was made. At Logan, home of lie Utah Agricultural College, the Ags lave agreed to sponsor the Lemon-Yel ow organizations if the trip material zes. Gooding, Nampa and Caldwell, Idaho, were all booked. The Oregon ;owns to be included in the itinerary ire Portland, Salem, Hood River, The j Dalles, Pendleton, La Grande and Bak ?r. Committee Must Act The arrangements which have been nade will be submitted to the finance ■ommittee of the student body adminis (Continued on page three.) 0 him is as tangible a good as governi ng a city or building houses. It is this irtitude toward his work—his feeling hat it is such a definite touchable thing hat has helped make J. Stitt Wilson “a nan apart.” Not until one has heard several of lis lectures or talked personally with :he famous student of world problems, ioes one appreciate the depth of j thought and the breadth of vision | ivhich Mr. Wilson attains. In addition to making hundreds of talks every mouth, Mr. Wilson follows 1 very definite program of reading and study. It was in the midst, of one of these study hours that the reporter was admitted to his presence. One question was enough to start the flow of ideas that lasted for an hour or more. The gist of it all was J. Stitt Wilson’s belief in college stu dents, his hopeful view of changing conditions, coupled with his realization that the betterment of mankind can only come through changed thoughts and" changed attitudes of men. He is making students think that he hopes to raise this standard, thereby contribu- j ting to the good of the world. He bases his faith in coljege campus es as the starting place for better things upon the fact that during his 25 years of lecturing he has never had a better or more sincere moral or spiritual i e-! sponse than from college men and wo men HUNTINGTON HAS NOT YET SIGNED SHORT GONTRAGT One-Year Period of Coaching Varsity Gridders Said to Be Refused COUNCIL WILL RECONSIDER Definite Action on Problem to Be Taken by Group at That Time Shy Huntington has not yet accepted the one-year contract which was offered him by the student body through the executive council late last term. At the time, it was predicted that his ac ceptance was uncertain, and up to last night no information to the effect that he had accepted the proposal had been received. Before the meeting of the council, many pleas were made through th stu dents and alumni for the election of the football coach for a period of three years. Actihg on the recommendation of the fotball activities committee, how ' ever, the executive council re-elected Huntington for the one-year period, of fering him the same salary, $4,000, that he received this year. Although no definite information is i obtainable, it is understood that Hunt l ingtn has received tempting offers from l other schools, and the fact that he has not signed with Oregon bears out this belief, since the contract has been in his hands for several w'eeks. Shy in Portland Huntington is in Portland at pre sent, and no definite information can be obatined from him concerning his position in the matter until his return. Although impossible to verify, there was a rumor afloat on the campus yes terday afternoon that Huntington’s de _ laved acceptance of the contract offer ed him has a deeper significance than a mere neglect to sign the contracting papers. It is believed that Huntington will nut coach on the terms offered him and will not coach Oregon next year unless the contract is markedly chang ed. It is rumored—and apparently the rumor is well founded—that Coach Huntington has definitely made it known that he will not consider the one-year contract. The next meeting of the executive council is Wednesday evening, Janu ary 17, and it is probable that at that time definite action on the hiring of the coach will be taken. LANE COUNTY ALUMNI TO FORM ASSOCIATION Meeting to Be Held Wednesday Eve ning at Osburn Hotel; Interesting Program Is Planned The organization of a Lane County Alumni association will be the main feature of a University of Oregon Alumni dinner and business meeting to be held Wednesday evening, January 17, at 6:30 o’clock. Anyone connected with the Univer sity, including correspondence and Portland Medical or Law students, are urged to be present. All husbands and wives of the alumni are invited to at tend. An interesting program has been pre pared which includes a quartet con sisting of Elmer Price, George Hopkins, Glen Morrow and Harold- White, who will sing Oregon songs. Robert B. Kuykendall, president of the Oregon Alumni association will speak. President P. L. Campbell, La mar Tooze, Dean Walker, Herbert Lom bard, Welby Stevens and Leon Ray are other speakers of the evening. A rep resentative of the alumni will also be one of the speakers. Reservations for the dinner are now being made at $1 a plate. Those wish ing to attend the dinner should see eith er H. H. Hobbs at the United States ; National bank; Lynn McCready, First ' National bank, or W. C. Abies, Bank of Commerce. Committees are working hard to j make thi3 one of the most successful alumni meetings ever held. Members of j the committees are as follows: General chairman, Dean Walker. Banquet committee, Gladys Wilkins McCready, chairman, Mrs. L. E, Bean, and Fred Stickles. Program committee, Harold White, ■ chairman and Dr. Delbert Stannurd. Organization committee (nominating j of officers), Herbert Lombafd, chair I man, Claude Washburne and Mrs. | Frank Jenkins. PLEDGINGS ANNOUNCED Phi Sigma Pi announces the pledging of Theodore Janes of Pendleton. Kappa Kappa Gamma announces the pledging of Alice Pabst of San Fran cisco. DIVERGENT VIEWS EXPRESSED BY FACULTY MEMBERS RELATIVE TO SEMESTER PLAN Arguments Advanced for and Against System Which Will Divide Year; Student Opinion Souglft : Definite crystulization of faculty opinion, relative to the belief that the wishes of the students should be taken into consideration in the final action on the two semester system passed last Wednesday by a close vote, is indicated ! by the willingness with which deans of the various schools and department heads expressed their stand on the se mester question yesterday. It is apparent that there is a clear cut division in the stand taken on the semester plan by the members of the science faculty on one side and mem bers of the art and education depart ments, on the other. Dr. Harry B. Yo com of zoology department, was the on ly member of the science faculty who favored the abandonment of the pre sent tri-semester or quarter system. He believes the semster'system would bring Oregon more closely in line with other collegiate institutions of the coast in times of opening and closing, and that eventually students will appreciate its merits. It would also suit his courses better, be says. Dr. Yocom stated that railroads objected to giving special stu dent rates at vacation periods when O. A. C. does not complete the terms at the same time. Scientists Oppose Plan Faculty members of the geology de partment are among the strongest op ponents of the semester system, which will go into effect next fall unless ad- ' verse action is taken. Dr. Warreu D. Smith, head of the department, believes the return to the semester plan is a de cidedly backward step in the progress of the University. Nearly all of the larger universities of the country, a notable example of which is the Uni versity of Chicago, are tending toward the three-term method and in no insti tution other than the University of Oregon has the semester plan ever been readopted. “The University machinery is at work now,” said Dr. Smith, “and I hate to see a monkey wrench thrown in to it. Especially in this department, our work is splendidly coordinated, not i inly with our own professional aims, ■ but with the work of other schools and departments of the University.” Dr. H. D. Sheldon, dean of the school i if education, the leader of the two- i semester adherents in the faculty meot- I ing Wednesday, briefly outlined his ar- s gumeuts for the adpoted system as fol- | ows: i “The semester plan cuts down the { imouut of time spent in the mechanical work of registering, petitions, change 1 if records, etc., by a third. This saving / (Continued on page four.) c CHARACTERS OF RILEY'S POEMS APPEAR IN PLAY Reddie’s Production Will Be Staged in Two Weeks ’Lizabetli Ann, who believes in dreams and takes a journey because that is the thing to do when one dreams of one’s teeth falling out, and The Raggedy Man, whom she meets on the eventful trip, are only two of James Whitcomb Riley’s characters to be seen in the next Guild hall production, “The Raggedy Man,” January 24, 25 and 26. All that is incident to the meeting of these two delightful persons makes the play a mixture of hilarious comedy and wistful pathos, and brings into the ac tion stories of several other lives, all of which are intricately woven togeth er in the neighborly life of Griggsby' Station. Mrs. Hammond, longing vaguely for city life, a large house, and opportuni ties, and grown use to the inadequacies of her dreamer husband and his un ceasing inventions, is pleasantly sur prised at his final success, and the story' of the Hammonds in the city is at once funny and pathetic. Everyone who has ever read Riley remembers Old Aunt Mary, whose crowded heart and home yet have room for Little Orphant Annie, the imagina tive child of the old rhymes. Grand father Squeers at his usual post by the stove in the store exchanges reminiscen ces with Zeke and Almou. Grandmother Squeers bustles about, determined “Not to be beholden to the children yet awhile.” The comedy' element is best portray ed in Addeliney Bowersox, the postmis tress, information bureau of Griggsby Station and the butt of many jokes. In writing “The Raggedy Man,” Mr. ileddie has achieved a real triumph, weaving the story from many poems in a way that would have pleased the poet himself, and making these dearly loved figures live for the audience for a few brief hours on the stage. The interest lies chiefly in the characters rather than in the plot, although the plot is definite and interesting. The cast will include several children; Billy and Betty Allen, Janet Thacher, and Maxine Elliot. CAMPUS CLEAN-UP STARTS Old Buildings and Unsightly Walks Disappear During Vacation A general cleanup campaign was car ried on about the campus during the i Christmas holidays, as shown by the altered appearance of the grounds to day. The old shack which stood west , of the Oregon building and was used as a bicycle shed has disappeared with ; the unsightly bulletin boards in front of the library and Deadv hall. The high wire fence surrounding the tennis courts between the library and Commerce building on Thirteenth Ave nue East has been torn down, and the > pile of boards at the north end of | Oregon hall has been carried away along with the walk connecting the • “Y” hut with the Oregon and Com merce buildings. DEBATE TRYOUTS TO BE COMPLETED SOON Oratorical Contest Entrant to Be Decided Upon Tryouts for places on the men’s Var sity debate team will bo held next Fri da;, afternoon in the Commerce build ing at 4:15. New men are urged to try for places at that time, as two former members, Boyd Iseminger and Ted Rice, will not be out for debate this term. Main speeches will be lim ited to eight minutes and rebuttal speeches to three minutes. The ques tion, “Resolved, that the federal gov rnment should legalize the manufacture and sale of light wines and beers,” is the same as that which will be debated with Washington and Lelaud Stanford Universities. The Varsity team will meet Washington March 3. The girls are working on the ques tion concerning the cancellation of war debts which was used for doughnut de bates and which will presumably be the question for debate with O. A. C. Ar rangements with Washington are not definite as yet. The girls who have already been chosen on the team and those who are trying out for the vacant position, will meet Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of next week, according to C. D. Thorpe, debate coach. Tryouts for the selection of a repre sentative from Oregon for the annual state oratorical contest will be held two weeks from Friday. NEW STRUCTURES MEET WITH FURTHER DELAY Journalism Building May Be Dedicated in March; Fairbanks to Move His Properties Next Week The new art and journalism build ings, now being erected near Twelfth and University streets, will not be ful ly Completed until next term, accord ing to John L. Hanna, superintendent of buildings. Avard Fairbanks of the art depart ment expects to be able to move his work into the art building by next week, although Miss Maude Kerns and Miss Victoria Avakian do not expect to hold classes there until spring. Dean Allen hopes to dedicate the new journalism building in March, during the editors’ convention which meets from March 21 to 2d. .Vo classes will be held there until after that time. Work was first started on the two structures about October first. There has been a good deal of delay owing to the recent weather conditions. Sita-tiKT TU SING John B. Siefert, instructor in voice ! in the school of music, has been asked to give a program at the Riverside j community church in Hood River, Jan uary 21. The church has a musicale once each mouth and for these musi cians in the state and visiting artists are secured. PLEDGING ANNOUNCED Gamma Phi Beta announces the pled ging of Gertrude Grey of Portland. | SWAMP DENTISTS IN EAST CONTEST Varsity Quintet Takes Visitors ' into Camp 42 to 20 in Game Played in Armory players shifted often I Several Combinations Tried Out by Bohler in Tilt; First Group Best v By Ed Fraser J-’on Timmerman and Hunk Latham proved too much for the Dental college team in last nights contest and by scor ing 12 and 14 points, respectively, roll ed up six more counters than the entire visiting quintet could amass. The final count of the contest was 42 to 20, with the Varsity on the long end of the score for the first time in many moons in a game played on the home floor. The combination which started the game was Latham at cen ter, Zimmerman and Schaefer at for ward and Chapman and Couch as guards. The squad which worked together best seemed to be Latham as center, Zimmerman at one forward, and either Altstock, Cowans or Roekhey at the other, and Chapman and Schaefer as guards. Schaefer is evidently out of place iu a forward position but plays a fast, heady game when shifted to guard. Oregon started the scoring with a foul converted by Latham, but the Den tists came right back and by caging two pretty baskets put the score at four to one in their favor. Zimmerman came to the rescue at this point and by garnering two baskets put Oregon I in the lead, which was maintained till the end of the game. Long Shots Ma,de The Oregon passing was poor for the most part, and in the first half the visitors had all the best of this part of the game, but were unable to stop the long baskets which Latham and Zimmerman repeatedly caged. At the end of the first 20 minute period, the score stood 23 to 12 for the Varsity, but a new squad was sent in at this time, which was unable to score many points against the Dentists. To ward the middle of the period Coach Bolder again sent in his first string team and it started scoring operations and soon reached the 40 mark. Coach Bolder was evidently attempt ing to find just which aggregation would work the most effectively, for he shifted the men even more often than in the games last season. Combination Is Effective If the playing of th'e men on the barnstorming trip and in last night’s game is of any value it would seem that Bohler should play the combination of Latham, Zimmerman, Chapman, Schae fer, as they converted oftener, and worked better together than any other group. The selection of a forward to play with Zimmerman is a hard task though, and with several men available this seems to be merely a matter of elimination. The work of the team in this game plainly shows that the men can be counted on to win a goodly share of their games this season, for there was a noticeable improvement over the pass ing and teamwork of last year. The shooting and floor work of Hunk La tham lias added a great deal to the of | tensive strength of the team. Zimmer | man also has improved and ranks with \ Hunk as a scorer. Chapman Working Nicely Chapman at guard certainly plays a nice floor game, and it seems proba ; ble that lie will eclipse his brother, j Nish, in the court game, although Nish ; was picked as all-Northwest guard one year. The team meets stronger competition tonight when the men line up against j the Multnomah Club outfit. The Wing ed “M” bunch has already won from them once and expects to turn the I trick again. The Lemon-Yellow lias a fine chance to turn the tables though as this game is on the home floor, so } it will no doubt be one of the best and closest games seen here for a long ! time. | The line-up last night: Oregon—42 North Pacific—20 ; Zimmerman 12...... .F.Pepin 0 Schafer 4.F.McLaughlin 2 Latham 14.C.Rogoway Chapman <>.G .-_-.Butler $ Couch .C. Michelson Altstoek 6.S.L. Rassier 2 ; Gowaus .-S. .Lutz 2 Burnett .8.W. Rassier Rockhey .S. Webster 1 Brown ..S