University of Oregon, Eugene
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MILITARY TRAINING MADE EASY
ONE of the big features of compulsory military
training is that it supplies the advanced
scholar-warriors with a body of men on which to
practice. It is argued, and justly, that optional
military might create a sort of Mexican /army with
more officers than officered.
But the local Sons of Mars are not alone in their
difficulty. Even the Nazis have trouble of the same
sort in their Reichswehr, in which some 200,000
officers are under training. They too are without
sufficient charges to steer about the drill field dur
ing great maneuvers.
They get mound this by the devilish clever de
vice of having one man march in straight lines and
square corners bearing a sign proclaiming “I am
a platoon,” or ‘‘I am a scouting patrol,” or “I am
a machine-gun nest.” These rate gentlemen who
comprise the practice army, we imagine, practically
have to elbow their way through the throngs of
officers. It is presumed that anyone caught snick
ering at this spectacle is escorted to a concentra
tion camp, ,
Might wc suggest a similar procedure for the
R. O. T. C. ? Spring parade would find Our Boys
lined up on the drill field going through sort of a
Greek chorus of commands while half a dozen
C. W. A. employees marched and countermarched
hearing placards reading: "I am Company C: three
guys are out of step, one is at port arms when he
should be at present arms, and five of us couldn't
find our belts”; and "I am a seventy-five piece mili
tary band: TARANTURA! TAKANTURA! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM!”
PLIGHT OF THE A. S. |T. O.—II
S discussion progresses on the plight of the
*■ A. S. U. O. it becomes increasingly evident
that the state board of higher education will prob
ably wish to maintain student activities ut virtually
their full strength there is little doubt that most
of them can easily be justified as having "instruc
tional" value. Considering the unpaid debts of the
University and college student body, it will prob
ably seek some method of continuing a compulsory
fee payment plan, which it approved last term.
Reorganization of the A. S. U. O., then, will un
doubtedly tnke the form of some extension of fac
ulty control over student activities. Upon the
amount of faculty control imposed depends the fate
of student government.
We are not inclined to stand up and shout for
the sacred principles of student self government,
lor we are well aware that self government at Ore
gon has long been more a name than a reality. The
most important decisions and lines of policies are
laid down by the graduate manager, who is hired
for just such services. In this light, student gov
ernment has simply not existed at Oregon.
Nevertheless there are many who would object
to pls.cing control of student affairs entirely in fac
ulty hands. Under the present system the students
are well represented in every administrative unit
of A, S. U. O. organization, and are in a position
to exercise final authority if they care to do so,
in any affair of importance. They can even rid
themselves of their chief administrative officer, the
graduate manager, if they so desire. Rarely have
student body elections been used to promote any
reforms or change in policy, yet under the present
representative form of student government it is
quite within the realm of possibility that students
might express their will by the election of officers
on the basis of a definite platform.
The state board will do well to consider this
point in reorganizing the new A. S. U. O. Students
have become accustomed to the theory that they
are entitled to a strong voice in student affairs—
and any change, however salutary in theory, must
take into consideration the fact that students will;
feel they should have a voice in the administration 1
of the extracurricular activities for which they are I
paying.
Note: The two editorials following are writ- j
ten by candidates for the editorship of the
Emerald. Their authorship is indicated by
number, and will be revealed to the publica
tions committee before it makes its selection
of the new editor.
APRIL, FOOL?
By Candidate 1.
TJERHAPS it was merely a coincidence that fed
eral authorities set April 1 as the date when
all students working under the CWA educational
program would find themselves without jobs. On
the other hand, it is singular that the historic All
Fools’ day should be chosen as the time to snatch
promised employment from needy students through
out the country only to re-establish that same em
ployment on the following day.
Nearly 200 students, on this campus alone, found
themselves with scant hope Sunday when they were
informed that no longer could they count on the
federal work to aid in meeting the costs of text
books, meals, room, and so forth. In many in
stances they had borrowed the money necessary to
pay the initial fee installment and were depending
upon the opportunity provided by the CWA pro- ,
gram to meet this debt. Many of them could not
and would not have returned to school this term
without such a promise of aid.
But somewhere along the line a mistake had
been made. The relief program was not to be
halted as had some other federal projects, and Mon
day frantic officials kept wires hot informing their
subordinates in every corner of the nation to con
tinue with the relief as planned. As a result, 200
University students are again with a means of earn
ing tlieii expenses of higher education. But how
do they feel about it?
After the first exhilarating realization that once
more they were in a position to continue their edu
cation, a new fear assails them. Can they be sure
of their reacquired jobs ? Can they depend upon
an employment so fickle and an employer so ca- :
pricious that they do not know from one day to
the next if they are to be able to meet the innumer-'
able costs of a higher education ?
These students are not asking for nor do they
expect charity. What they do want is a chance to
avail themselves of a college education. A gov
ernment that would provide an opportunity for such
students is to be commended, but in doing so it
likewise burdens itself with an obligation—an ob
ligation of sincerity of purpose. Without such sin
cerity and without a definite plan which can im- |
plant faith in those who must needs have faith in
it, no organized plan of relief can succeed.
OSWALD GARRISON VILLAUD SPEAKS I
By Candidate 3.
THE none-too-proapercus Oregon slate system
oC higher education has been given national
prominence through the medium of the Nation, |
whose contributing editor and motivating force, |
Oswald Garrison Villard, visited the campus last i
month. He has penned briefly his observations in |
an article entitled “The Plight of Higher Education"
m the current issue of tbe Nation.
As the son of a father who had saved the Uni
versity of Oregon in its period of infancy, Oswald
Garrison Villard is proud, but he describes himself
as filled with dismay at the chaotic situation exist
ing now in the higher educational structure of the
state and especially at the University.
He tersely and sympathetically describes the
tribulations of certain students in their efforts to
obtain an education and points out the utterly in
adequate facilities of an institution serving in the
capacity of a university.
He indicates the tragic incongruity of a nation
which spends money on military training and war
ships instead of using it for the more beneficial
purpose of aiding struggling colleges and universi- |
ties throughout the country.
He poses this significant query: "Mr. Roosevelt
declares that he is freeing industry from inmuner- !
able shackles. Why not strike a few from the 1
wrists of university professors?"
Oswald Garrison Villard never writes idle words, j
That he should have been so impressed by the sub
normal conditions of Oregon's higher schools and J
have told the whole country about his observations
is highly significant, for hitherto the matter was
primarily for Oregon consumption and thought. He
has raised the question to a national level. Perhaps
it may lead to some badly needed action.
Optional A.S.U.O. Membership
By DOUG POLIVKA
T'HEHE remain many students
"*■ who are entirely in ignorance
is to the significance of the ruling
>f the attorney general affecting
student fees. Numerous queries
eaching the Emerald show that
some explanation of the affair and
ts history is in order.
At the beginning of winter
,erm, a group of graduate stu
ients paid their student body dues
inder protest. Following this ac
ion, a petition was prepared, and
i brief setting forth the ease ot
he protesting students was pre
sented to the state board of high
ir education.
The petition to the otute b. 4rd,
1 which asked that the student body
fee be declared optional, was not
confined to the graduate stu
had later decided to include the
undergraduate fee as well and
some undergraduates signed the
new petition. In the petition the
group contended that many unnec
essary expenditures of student
funds could be eliminated.
The stale board of higher edu
cation ruled in favor of manda-,
tory payment of student body fees. |
Leaders of lire group which held
that the payment of the student
hotly fee of j>d per term worked a ,
hardship on many students were I
Janies T. Landye and Richard L.
: Ncuboigv r. Others were Ju.-^phiue
Kice. Eugene Laird, and Carl [
Coad. Opposed to the optional j
payment plan at the state board
meeting were Hugh Kosson. grad-1
uate manager, and Tom Tongue.
After the uoard refused to make :
the payment of fees optional, the
opinion id' the state attorney-gen
eral was requested by Art mg Sec
retary Charles D. Byrne of the
state board of higher education.
Although the attorney-general
submitted his decision to the state
board of higher education sohn af
ter the board requested it. Attor
ney General 1 H .Van Winkle did
not make public the following de
Cb-ioa* which tu, iu anwvtrr (*■
specific questions, until Saturday,
March 17:
1. The state board of higher ed
ucation has power to levy and col
lect fees.
2. A designated portion of such
fees may be legally allotted to the
maintenance of student govern
ment and student activities inso
far as they are used in the pay
ment of expenses incidental to the
courses of instruction.
3. The state board of higher ed
ucation has no authority to collect
money and turn it over to a sep
arate corporation such as the as
sociated students for disburse
ment.
4. An act of the legislature
would be necessary to legalize
compulsory payment and the dis
bursement of such fees.
The opinion was requested only
for the University of Oregon, but
Oregon State cohege has a similar
system of collecting student body
fees so both schools were affected
similarly by the attorney general’s
ruling.
Following the ruling of the at
torney-general, the Eugene Morn
ing Nev/s said editorially March
22:
“As to the probable effect of
the attorney general’s ruling,
there is not nearly so much cause
for worry as the official campus
gloom would seem to indicate. It
is difficult to see why any adult
person would want to perpetuate
an illegal financial set-up on the
campus. In many respects the stu
dent petitioners have shown them
selves more grown-up than the
persons who opposed them. The
University will not collapse as a
result of optional tax payment.
The chances are other coast insti
tutions will turn envious eyes to
ward Oregon. If the University
may offer leadership in such a
matter, thousands of students will
have cause to thank the handful
(Continued on Page Three)
Innocent
Bystander
By BARNEY CLARK
WrpiHE GREAT TRUNK MYS
^ TERY,” OR “THROUGH
McARTHUR WITH GUN AND
CAMERA,’’ OR, “THE CARE
AND FEEDING OF PLEDGES”?
OR? “HOW TO STUFF OUR
FEATHERED FRIENDS,” Or—
As you may have noticed, we
are not quite certain what we
should call this thing. Maybe we
ought to call it off! No, we’ll go
bravely on. If you can stand it
we can.
Anyway, the scene of this little
tragedy is laid in McArthur court.
The principal characters are Mad
eleine Gilbert, fearless editor of
the Oregana, George Godfrey,
movie magnate and chief opera
tive in the insidious University In
formation Service, and an uniden
tified man, who is a trunk toter.
Ralph Schomp also appears in a
brief scene.
The play opens as Gilbert en
ters, walking on her heels. She
locates Godfrey lurking in a cor
ner, brooding over the proposed
architectural changes in McArthur
court. Going to him, she explains
that she is hot on the trail of a
cut for the Oregana, and that she
intends to penetrate to the fast
nesses of the cut room below
stairs, taking with her only her
faithful native guide, Abou Ben
Hecht.
Whitefaced, Godfrey exclaims,
“What, you would venture into the
very lair of the fierce Unclothed
Trackmen?” He makes a face
like Charles Laughton.
Undaunted, Gilbert turns to set
forth.
“Wait,” says Godfrey, “I have
a plan. I will procure a trunk,
in which you can be secreted.
Then, with a faithful friend, who
will be sworn to secrecy, I will
tote you through the hostile tribes.
They know us and we shall not
be harmed.”
No sooner said than done. The
trunk was dragged forth; Gilbert
climbed in; and the two white men
set off through the shower room,
bearing the White Man's Burden.
Weeks passed (well, five min
utes, if you want to quibble), but
at last we see them arrive at their
goal. With victory almost in their
grasp, they see an ominous figure
in their path. It is Chief Schomp,
supreme ruler of the Ubangis, and
sworn enemy of all white men. In
terror they drop the trunk and
flee down tlie trail. Chief Schomp
folds his arms with hauteur and
stalks up to the trunk. There is
:i muffled knocking, like Dick
Neuberger at a student body
meeting He leans closer. Sud
denly. a strangled scream lifts the
trunk lid; a voice wailing. "I
CAN'T BREATHE!"
The chief jumps a foot; and.
overcome by superstitious awe,
oee-lines for the brush.
After a time, Godfrey and the
runk-toter steal timorously back,
•eize the trunk, and trek past the
laked tribesmen to civilization.
I’pon their arrival they throw
>ack the lid and Gilbert emerges,
iale but triumphant, clutching to
ler bosom a tiny bundle engrav
ng plates! o
Once again virtue triumphs, and
he old adage is borne out—"The
age, of gm to breath.'
He’ll Talk Turkey By Stanley robe
suggest. I think that the entire
life of the university should he
built around the existing econom
ic crisis; that the first function
of such an institution should be
to keep the students and the fac
ulty currently aware of the mo
mentous changes that are going
on in our economic, social, and po
litical life. Does that sound ridic
ulous? Well, if we think back to
the year 1917 it was not consid
ered ridiculous then to rebuild the
whole life of the universities and
colleges around the business of
teaching youth to go overseas and
slaughter fellow human beings.
Schools were made merely institu
tions of hate and misrepresenta
tion. Every scholarly protest was
abandoned or subordinated to the
great task of making the world
safe for democracy, and profes
sors were drafted in large num
bers for service in Washington or
abroad. The crisis is pregnant
now with far greater consequenc
es for the future of American life.
Is it really foolish to suggest,
therefore, that the universities
busy themselves primarily with
what is happening in Washington?
Dean Russell of Teachers college
has admirably pointed out that if
the electorate is to have any hope
of saving America from a perma
nent dictatorship, it must become
sufficiently well informed as to
what its rulers are doing to be
able at least to criticize and con
trol them. He thinks, and I with
him, that the colleges and univer
sities of the country have a spe
cial call to furnish the public with
the necessary knowledge to keep
its rulers in check. He believes
that our entire education must be
reoriented for this purpose.
“At least somebody ought to
call President Roosevelt’s atten
tion to the dire distress of so many
of our schools of higher learning,
which ought to be the most cher
ished institutions in our entire na
tional life. It is all very well to
build concrete roads and dams and
put young men into the forests, but
it is an infernal outrage in this na
tional emergency to approve a bill
for the expenditure of $5,000,000,
000 for warships when the price
of even two battleships expended
upon our universities would bring
hope and cheer, yes, decent suste
nance, to students and teachers
on a thousand campuses. Can
there be any question which ex
penditure would really make for
the true preparedness of this coun
try for the tasks and dangers and
infinitely difficult problems of the
future ?”
Ill
l
a
The Plight of Higher Education
Note:—The following article is
reprinted from the Nation of
March 28, 1934. It was written by
Oswald Garrison Villard, contrib
uting editor to the Nation, fol
lowing his recent visit to the Uni
versity campus.
By
OSWALD GARRISON VILLARD
Portland, Oregon, March 14.
y, ■ HAVE just spent 24 hours
4 within the precincts of a uni
versity with whose activities I
have been more or less familiar
for so long that I am afraid to
say when that acquaintance be
gan. I found it enormously im
proved since my last visit. New
and attractive buildings have add
ed tremendously to the develop
ment of a campus whose glorius
trees and wonderful lawns arc not
surpassed, I am sure, by those of
any other. But what I heard
about the plight of education in
this state filled me with dismay.
The student body has decreased
from about 3,300 to 2,000. Many
of the present students are contin
uing with the greatest difficulty,
and there are cases of real under
nourishment. I heard of' one stu
dent whose work improved enor
mously vvhen it was arranged that
he could get one square meal a
day, and of another who was try
ing to live by an expenditure of
only $1.35 a month. It seems to
me that as long as there is one
such student attending a univer
sity its existence is justified.
“But the students are not the
only ones who are suffering. The
university itself is in straits as a
result of the tremendous decrease
in its revenues. The instructors
and professors look with envy
upon teachers in other states who
have taken only a 10 per cent cut
in their salaries. Some of those
here have had to accept a decrease
of more than 50 per cent. The li
brary has only the slenderest
means, chiefly an endowment
fund established by my father
some fifty years ago. Some of the
most important books can there
fore not be purchased. It is hard
to see how the university can keep
up with the newest developments
of knowledge in any field.
"Again, the teachers are ap
palled by the fact that many Ore
gon schools were actually closed
for the rest of the school'year at
Christmas time I mean small,
rural public schools. They ask
themselves whether, if this contin
ues long, there will be enough stu
dents sufficiently trained to take
a university course. But while
they are suffering, the United
States government continues to
waste money upon military train
ing, and compulsory drill is still
enforced, although the faculty up
held it by only four votes when
they voted on it a few weeks ago
after a vigorous undergraduate
campaign against it -a campaign
that ought to have succeeded if
only because from the point of
view of modern warfare every cent
-pent upon the old-fashioned drill
m our colleges is absolutely wast
'd. If the government wanted to
ielp where help is needed it would
turn these wasted funds over to
the underpaid faculty.
"The picture I have presented
caries only in degree from what I
lave seen on other campuses on
his trip through the West. It has
-et me to wondering whether the
eachers m our higher educational
nstitutions ought not to come to
jether and demand in this hour
■t code, a code lei uunerjtLCc. if
the president thinks it necessary
to fix a minimum wage for mine
workers and factory workers and
laborers in the oil industry, why
not a living minimum wage for
college professors? Why not es
tablish an ethical code for the
conduct of boards of trustees of
universities in their relations with
both students and teachers ? Above
all, college teachers in a state like
this—yes, in every state—ought
now to organize in unions, follow
ing the example of editorial writ
ers and reporters. Is not this hour
of revolution the time for them to
demand representation upon the
boards of trustees, to acquire some
voice in how much freedom there
shall be upon the university cam
puses and what shall be taught
and not taught ? Mr. Roosevelt
declares that he is freeing indus
try from innumerable shackles.
Why not strike a few from the
wrists of university professors?
“I have something further to
Vital News !
Nothing so vitally concerns you in every-day life as the
urge and necessity to buy or sell—to give or take—to bor
row or exchange, Look through the advertisements of the
Emerald and you will find that they embody the chief
impulses of living.
The nation s life is clearly depicted in the national adver
tising.
Our individual lives depend upon this advertising to a re
markable degree.
A newspaper is a clearing-house for ideas and commodi
ties. Reports of the shifting phases of life come to you
through its news and editorial columns. But reports of
the material things upon which you depend for susten
ance, comfort and happiness come through the advertise
ments.
If you read only one side of the paper, you gain only a
half-knowledge of the activities, the aims, the character
of our college community.
Read all and learn all.
The advertisements are NEWS
which concerns your everyday life
Oregon Daily Emerald
“Influencing Moderns”