^“^I'T of 3155 students enrolled in tlie
University, more than one third,
1090, are registered in military science
courses. Considering only the male
4
population of the campus, approxi
mately two-thirds take some military
science course.
And yet, the military science de
partment is housed in the poorest
building on the campus. A long, low,
rambling, frame building, dull and
drab in its gray paint, it competes
with Hayward stadium for the dub
ious honor of being the most unsightly
structure on the Oregon campus.
Built in the summer of 1918, at an
estimated cost of $5,000, the building
has stood for over 23 years, a familiar
landmark to Oregon students. Con
structed in war-times from green lum
ber and generally poor materials, it
was never intended to be anything
but a temporary, makeshift structure.
And judging by the looks of the build
ing now, the present war is not the
first one that caused a shortage of
skilled labor
The building has long ago been con
demned by war department inspectors
as a fire trap. This caused war depart
ment heads no little concern since
there was, and is, several thousand
dollars worth of government equip
ment in the “barracks.”
# * *
JN 1937, 140 rifles were taken from
the University of Oregon depart
ment — not because the department
didn’t need them—hut because it was
unsafe to keep any more rifles in the
“shack" than an absolutely necessary
minimum. This reduced the number of
guns in the possession of the Oregon
department to about 340 rifles.
At present, there are approximately
900 students registered in freshman
and sophomore military science
courses. By all rights, the department
should have enough rifles for that
number. In all probability, the depart
ment could get that many rifles—if
they had a safe place to keep them.
As it is they have barely enough guns
for every third man. And Col. Robert
M. Lyon, commandant of the ROTC,
admits that he is “loath to requisi
tion for more rifles" without having
a safe place to keep them.
At present the military department
has more than $45,000 in government
equipment. It is a strange thing but
the war department doesn't like the
idea of housing $45,000 worth of
equipment i na building 23 years old,
which was worth not more than $5,000
at the time it was constructed. And in
looking at that $5,000 it must be
remembered that the “barracks” was
built during a “war boom” when
wages and prices of materials were
sky-high.
& # %
course, the building lias since
had considerable work done on it.
It had to have new partitions put in so
as to chaneg the “barracks” into
classrooms, office, and storeroom
space# A few weeks ago, workmen had
to repair the roof. No. it isn’t a gag.
cellent,” saying that ho could not give
any outfit any better rating than
“satisfactory” -which had such inade
quate quarters.
The incident serves to emphasize
that the ROTC building is not only a
direct contradiction to the fine record
of the department but is an outright
disgrace to a department in which
one-third of the entire Oregon student
body is enrolled.
# # #
rJHIIE building has been inadequate
to the needs of the department for
9n jbejjesvie of America
“JSOLATION” has become a word without intrinsic value in American
'foreign relations. For on this October 29, 1941 few are foolhardy
enough to say that the United States is not as close to declaration of war
as is possible under streamlined twentieth century diplomacy, by which
wars are fought without proclamation.
Whether or not the American public wants to go to war or thinks
defenses are yet complete enough became almost a dead issue Monday.
President Roosevelt blasted their timidity ... or caution . . # and declared
that the “shooting has started.’’ The United States has gradually become
aware that her international relations are on the brink of becoming more
than a wary game of diplomatic checkers with the Axis.
$ ❖ *
"Y^rAR in modern times is not a thing with which to deal lightly. It is
a totalitarian affair, enveloping every man, woman, and child in its
enormous scope. A university community becomes more than a carefree
campus . . . and higher education centers assume the role as an important
crux in development of the efficient defense mechanism.
So it is with the University of Oregon in this troubled year in which
our century and a half old pledge to freedom and justice is being again
assailed. Every department of the University has been coordinated to
help prepare Oregon students for the eventuality of war, to build up a
stronger nationwide defense front.
Today’s defense' issue of the Emerald is designed to show Webfoots
their University’s niche in the protection of America# Military science,
civilian pilot training, engineering, surveying, mathematics, science, home
economics, business administration, music, geology . . . every phase of
the higher educational setup has assumed an added role of duty.
America salutes these workers behind the scenes, who are the vital
factors in building a nation capable of maintaining the principles on
which she stands if war comes.
The supports gave way and a portion
of the roof caved in.
Oregon has a truly fine military
i'uished iteself in many respects. For
guised itself in many respects. For
one thing it has been consistently
nvarded high rating by the officers
who have come through to perform
inspections. However, a few years ago
lirigadier-General Ralph Talbot, who
wax then Colonel Talbot, refused to
jive the Oregon unit a rating of “ex
several years. It was inadequate in
1933 when the total enrollment in the
department was only 472 students.
AY hat must it he now with an enroll
ment of more than 1,000?
Of course, with the increased en
rollment, it has been necessary to in
crease the teaching staff of the de
partment. In 1939, the department had
four officers—Colonel Lyon and three
majors. Now, besides Colonel Lyon,
one major and five captains are con
nee ted with the University ROfC.j
And there is not even room enough
for the entire staff to have desks inj
1 lie main offices. A small room off
the storeroom is being utilized by
three of the captains as a separate
office.
Another “farce” connected with
military department is the 60 by 100
foot drill shed at the rear of the
barracks By the time a thonsand^ien
have been put in the shed precious
little space is left to execute military
maneuvers. No, it isn’t even large
enough for the companies to form in
on a rainy day.
* # «=
gO, every time it rains on a Thursday
afternoon things come to a halt—
figuratively and actually. The boys
can't drill because there’s no place for
them to drill. There’s no place where
they can get inside to drill and they
can’t drill in the rain for it doesn't
take much of a rainstorm to ruin a
perfectly good press job.
Recently, the military department
conceived the idea of creating a spe
cial honor company composed of those
students who excelled on the drill
field. It was proposed that the com
pany would march two hours one
evening each week in addition to the
regular Thursday drill period.
The next problem was to find a
place for the company to march, for
the military department is totally
lacking in any lighted drill field or
hall. Fortunately, the ASUO athletic
department came to the rescue 1 gof
fering McArthur court for one night
per week. “It has been necessary,”
said Col. Lyon, “to accept the gen
erosity of the athletic department.”
# %
rJ~'IIERE have been many attempts
to get a new armory or drill hall
at Oregon. All have failed. Both the
war department and the state board of
higher education have been appealed
to. So far, neither has felt able to do
anything about it.
At the present time, an effort is
being made to secure WPA funds .for
the construction of such a building.
In order to do this funds for cost of
construction, other than labor, would
have to come from some other source.
But. wherever the money is to come
from, it is badly needed. At this time,
when the entire nation is exerting
every effort to build itself into a
potent military force, the importance
of the University BOTC program
should not be forgotteu.—H.O.
^Jw-o- an the Ai&h
By BOV METZLEK
lecture of the week: “Citizen
Kane” lias probably *been the
most talked of picture of the
year. Producer, director and Ac
tor Orson Welles has made a pic
ture that is different than any
thing Hollywood has ever turned
out. A new camera technique
was used to give unusual angles
and clear perception in both the
background and foreground. “Cit
izen Kane” traces the rise of the
Hearst empire and for obvious
reasons was shelved for a time
until the ending was changed.
“Citizen Kane” is top-notch en
tertainment and should be one
of the year’s ten best films.
Musical News of the week:
There have been comparatively
few musical films this year due
to the ASCAP-BMI scrap. All the
studios will start putting money
in song-plugging again, now that
ASCAP and the networks have
inked their deal which puts the
songs back on the air waves this
week.
Bid of the week: The picture
industry is going to Washington
to make an appearance before
the office of production manage
ment, requesting priorities on the
materials it requires for its full
production of pictures. The re
quest is expected to be acted
upon favorably in that motion
pictures are a “must” in the
lives of all peoples, soldiers,
sailors and defense workers.
Football player of the week:
20th Century-Fox offered to liq
uidate John Kimbrough’s con
tracts for three more games with
the New York Americans, pro
football organization, if he would
return to Hollywood to make a
film titled “Brass Command
ments.” Kimbrough refused the
offer, admitting that he wants
to make up for the poor showing
in his first game.
Premiere of the week: Pete
Smith's newest short will be
given a world premiere, unlike
any opening a film has had, at
tended by an un-named regi
ment “somewhere in Alaska.’’
Only Smith and the army know
the secret position of the soldiers
who are stationed on the Pacific
coast and actually participated in
the picture. Film shows various
duties of different U. S. fight
ing units, and reactions of the
soldier cast.
Hero of the week: Sergeant
Alvin C. York turned hero again
because his World War I ex
ploits garnered a half holiday for
304 students of York high school
in Jamestown, Tenn., when the
Star theater ran off two matinees
(Please turn to page three)
This One s On You
By AL LARSEN
Revolution in Sports
He: “Who lost to Washington?’’
Him: “I dunno.”
He: “Hey, who the heck lost to Washington?”
Newcomer: “Cornwallis, wasn’t it?”
This One’s Rich
Marjf sent home for money to buy a leather notebook.
The postman came.
Mary got a LEATHER NOTEBOOK.
Library Inventory Continues
The Co-op store soon will be stocking eye balm for those who
pei sist in doing their studying through the corner of their eyes.
Oregon HEmerald
:lass matter at the postffice, Eugene, Oregon! ” P year’ Entered as 6econd‘