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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 11, 1952)
/J*t Cdit&ual A LOOK AT THE AGS CANDIDATES "My vote's going to ... That’s what a lot of the Associated Greek Stu dents are saying these few days before Monday's primary. The last word in the sentence is one of three aspirartts Bill Frye, Pat Dignan or Mike Lally. So we d like to say something, too. Our conscience has been bothering us. We do not think that one of the candidates run ning for the AGS nomination should become presi dent of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon. Our reason ? Questionable integrity. We firmly be lieve the representative of our student body should be absolutely trustworthy. We hold this above proven organizational ability; above speaking ability; above the sheer impact of a “good” personality; above an excellent knowledge of the ASUO program; above an active interest in that program. We’ll tell you a story. On Feb. 22. 1951, a news story was submitted to the Emerald by Bill Frye, then assistant news edi tor. The story did not contain complete information. It was given to Gene Rose, an assistant managing editor and also a member of Phi Kappa Psi frater nity, and rewritten. The story? Some Phi Psis had taken a desk sign from the police department. A charge was made by the police. The Phi Psis were placed on social pro. Rose turned his story in to News Editor Gretchen Grondahl late in the afternoon. Shortly after she returned from dinner, it was discovered that the m m story then in the news office was not the story Rose had turned in although it was labeled with his name. Some pertinent facts had been omitted. The carbon copy of the original story had also disappeared. Miss Orondahl informed Frye that the attempt at substitution had been discovered. * Suspecting that Frye was responsible, she asked him point-blank, "What did you do with the original story?" "I lost it," he asserted. Later, in speaking to Managing Editor Lorna Larson, he claimed, “You'll never find it.” Frye later admitted his part In the disappearance and substitution of the story, and submitted an apology. The incident was considered closed. Why have we reopened it now? Because we feel the incident has importance when the person involved is presenting himself be fore the student body as a candidate for their sup port. It's not that the individual news story Involved was important. It’s simply that a story was secretly removed; that the name on the story was falsified in an attempt to sneak through a substitution; and that a person attempted to represent another per son falsely. Putting another person's name on your own writing is certainly falsification. Frye may deny this now. But it’s perfectly obvious that the Emerald would not print these facts in its columns without definite proof. Mr. Frye later said he’d "lost his hend." He prob ably did. But is that a desirable quality in a stu dent body president ? iff m i In our eyes, that leaves two candidates. What about Mike Lally? His list of activities is lengthy and indicates leadership experience. On his performance, we’ve heard little but the average amount of praise and complaint. His biggest job— that of general chairman of Junior Weekend—is yet before him. It’s the program which Lally presents as his set of goals were he elected student body president that disturbs us. We quote from his own statement: “The rally board should be the core of university activi ties.” Strange, but it had always been our im pression that the students’ elected representatives in the Senate—which, after all, controls the rally board—should form the core of organized university student body activities. We assume he means extra curricular activities. It’s nice to have effective ral lies; we’re all for them. But we feel that Oregon’s student government has more important needs which should more deeply concern a student body president than the rally board. There’s a place for a good rally board—but not as the core of student activities. Lally also comes out in support of a unified cam pus fund-raising drive. This idea has possibilities, we and other students have done a bit of research on it. The trouble is that Mr. Lally hasn’t. We asked him the other day what his ideas on working out the drive would be, and how he would meet some of the difficulties involved—and there are many. He confessed he hadn’t done any research on it— just thought it was a good idea. He couldn’t foresee any problem in getting the independent fund-raising agencies to cooperate; however, both Red Cross and March of Dimes have national pol icies against unified drives. Lally wasn't aware how many or just which drives are permitted to come on the campus by the ASt'O; his campaign statement is that there are about two a month. (There are four a year, only one of which is actively sponsored by the ASL'O, the other three being permitted to use student personnel.) Now there’s nothing essentially bad in Lally's ignorance about the campus drive situation. He's still better informed than many a student. But it seems to us that a candidate should do some investi gation about a problem before using it as a main plank of his campaign. Lally also supports the honor code, which is fine with us. But he goes on to say that his program the active rally board, the unified drive, and the honor code- - is the ‘‘concrete route to the elusive and long sought for goal of a less apathetic student body.” School spirit is made up of a number of things. , It’s a feeling of pride in an institution which results from students' relationships with their professors, from the subject matter of courses, the objectives and attitudes of the administration, even the food the students eat and the buildings they live in. There’s no one panacea for apathy or magic formula for building up school spirit. So we’re not convinced that Mike Lally is the best candidate. ► ♦ That leaves Pat Dignan. His activity list is shorter than that of Lally or Frye. But the longest list is not necessarily the best criterion for judgment. Dignan’s statement in Thursday’s paper advocates a primary for AGS, and perhaps one sponsored by ASUO for the whole campus, under which the stu dents would select the entire party slate by popular vote, v/e are strongly in favor of such a plan, which would give the individual a specific opportunity to have a say in the slate’s makeup, without having to depend on the choice of a few representatives and resulting political chicanery. Dignan, like Lally, suggests one unified fund drive. He has talked with drive officials, and knows some of the prime arguments for and against such a plan. He indicated this during a discussion the other day. He knows what the present situation on the campus is. We, too, would like to see something dbne about the deplorable Millrace situation. We would like to see a candidate in office who would work for a Mill race park. We know this is not a wild dream; there is good possibility for such a park, and a flowing, swimmable Millrace. Pat, like the other two nomination-seekers, is aiding in the honor code orientation program. But his statement on the code confuses us a bit. He says he is neither for or against it and believes it de sirable “only if the students want it.” Isn’t he planning to vote on it in the coming poll ? Of course he’s right that it won’t work if the students don’t want it. But he’s one of the students who. will decide, isn’t he ? So we hope that, prior to the April 30 general election, we’ll be comparing Dignan’s qualifications with the United Students association candidate, whoever he or she may be.—The Emerald editorial page staff (Don Dewey, Gretchen Grondahl, Roger Nudd, Marjory Bush and Ltorna Larson.) Oreaon daihf ~ __ EMERALD The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Feb. 4 thru 8, 11 thru 15, 18 thru 22, 25 thru 29 March 10 Apr. 2 thru 4, 7 thru 11, 14 thru 18, 21 thru 25, 28 thru May 2, May 6 thru 10, 12’thru 16, 19thru22, and May 26 by the Associated Students of the University of Oregon. Entered as second class matter at the post office, Eugene, Oregon. Subscription rates: $5 per school vear, $2 per term. .... , , , , , * * i * Opinions expressed page on the editorial are those of the writer and do not pretend to represent the opinions of the ASUO or of the University. Initialed editorials are written by the associate editors. Unsigned editorials are written by the editor. Lorna Larson, Editor Carolyn Silva, Business Manager Phil Betters, Managing Editor Carolyn Silva, Advertising Manager Grrtchen Grondahl, Don Dewey, Associate Editors Wire services: Associatfcd'Pre^s, Voted Press. tfcuber. Associated Collegiate Pres*. HUH tlte MotofUe.... 10 YEARS AGO April 11, 1942—“Politics have become un-democritic and I don’t think we need to run things like that on this campus,” charg ed John Busterud as he filed In dependently for student body of fice. A surprise element In the ASUO nominations assembly Tuesday was a blasting speeeh by Jack McCliment commenting up on the TNE sponsorship which presidential candidate Ees Ander son was “alleged to have.” -Campus Political Scene What Happened to the Primary? The Big Stall Seems Successful ---By Merv Hampton (Ed. Note: Thin 1* the second In a Hurled (if "Campus l’nlltleal Scene” coIuiiiiih which will ap pear during the next three weeks. The writers are Merv llninpton, ESA. and Jack l.undrud, AGS.) Trying to find one's way through the maze of tactics that have revolved about the proposed ASUO primary is about ns easy as picking the next student body president. We’ll try, though. From this side of the fence it's interesting. When Virginia Wright first promised the plan Jan. 24, copies were unfortunately noi available for every member Of the Senate. Normal procedure would have postponed a vote on It anyway until the following meeting. A rather weird motion to table the plan followed, which completely cut off debate and would in ef fect have killed the primary un less the AGS wanted to take It off the table sometime later. All this without the benefit of any comprehensive debate of the plan. Needless to say, the motion to table passed along strict party lines. Evidently Greek thinking followed the line of one rather highly placed AGS Senator who commented "With this thing you'll be able to organize the independents and we (\GS) won't have a chance." Not very intelligent reasoning but typical that they cared to voice publicly, of the party thinking. We'll give them credit for usually being a bit more subtle, though. The next meeting found the plan being brought off the table, much to the glee of the USA Senators. Apparently no one could find a good enough reason, for keeping it there. The dis cussion was postponed for still another week, though, much to the glee of the AGS Senators, especially since a USA Senator moved for the postponement. w The next session appeared to be * critical, with discussion tithing %' place and u vote apparently dun —when up (Hipped a stalwart and * moved for the plan to be sent to • committee. It was. This was Feb. 14. It’s, In effect, still there. # The prcRldcntially appointed * committee was made up of five * AOS and three USA Senatora. * A safe margin, It seemed, if it * were found necessary to kill the measure. The high sign for a stall was up * and the AOS Senators carried the , ball beautifully, almost as if it had been rehearsed. Apparently the machine In * control of the party figured that a direct primary by Oreek voters would knock off their No. I can- » dldate. Tradition has It that you , just don’t have two student body presidents from the same house consecutively. But surprise of surprises, up comes the party with of all things a primary, apparently * hoping to scotch one of USA's * strongest platform planks. The machine, still in control of the situation, has now adopted a re- ' form line to get their boy the nomination: "as long as the party * is being renovated, It’s about , time we forgot about our archaic notions of passing the offices » around." The sentiment is noble but the tactics stink. Well, where doe* all this put the ASK) primary? Probably lu' )t much better position to be passed. With both parties corn- - mltted to the principle of "democ racy” we don’t sec how the Sen ate cun turn It down in spite of * what the student iMidy president says. The opposition won’t be so tough now that the big stall has been, for the most part, success ful. But you won’t see an AS I/O , primary this year. On Static and Screen ... French Comedy Proves Witty By Toby McCarroll Have you ever seen a French play? You might enjoy it, especi ally if it is Moliere's (Poquelin's) "The Doctor in Spite of Himself.” East night began the three day run of the play as presented by the French honorary. The play Is a 17th Century farce and the humor Is not that strange brand peculiar to the humanities but very enjoyable. The play (In French, but understandable) be gins with an English prologue written and spoken by It. I). Horn, professor of English. (What It lacks in clarity it makes up in wit.) Dave Eakin stars in the pro duction and performs his part well; Bob Luoma goes through some contortions, together with some fine acting, which will be long remembered. The cast is adequate; it is unfortunate that some of these people have not acted in regular University plays. Jim Blue, of just fame on the regular stage, gives an excellent performance as a peasant. The Buddhas of Villard, smug in their self-inflected pseudo sophistication, smile down from their niches in scorn at these performers. But, despite this small point, the fact remains that the play is enjoyable, rewarding and refreshing. The, top movie bf the week will lie at the Iieilig on Sunday. M.G.M., winner of the Academy Award for “An American in Faris,” is trying to do it again. "Singing in the Kain” stars Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor and Deb bie Iteynolds. As with most musl cals tho plot Is unimportant. The main dance is the “Broadway • Ballet” which will rival, if not equal, the famous Paris scene from “An American In I’aris” (also a Kelly film). The Mayflower presents “FI^KT' an Fantasy," an enjoyable but not outstanding film with more . flesh than fantasy. On Sunday they will bring back “All About » Eve.” A rather carnal weekend for the Mayflower. • The heralded film “Decision Before Dawn” will be at the Rex, 4 and across the street will be play- ■ < ing the worst bill this week. The MacDonald f hows two pictures which would offend the taste of ’ an ape and insult the intelligence of a moron, “Cat People" and • “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” We wish someone would find out what type of people go to those things, thus making them possible. “Buttle of Apache Pass,” star ring Jeff Chandler, plays at. the Heilig Friday and Saturday. This ,! film makes us good a western as it Is possible to make, and the results are not too unpleasant. Contrary to a story in the Emerald, Dr. Gelhauscn (music) is directing "The Old Maid and the Thief,” not Mr. Hunter (speech), who has begun re hearsals for "The Sea-Gull.” This is a bad place for there to be any confusion. The Musical bill opens a week from todaji The magic touch of Horace Robinson seems • to have done something to "Tho Devil and Daniel Webster” that has never before been done— j made it enjoyable.
