University of South Carolina Libraries
?.??_? , '" gamecock Published on Friday of every week during the college year by tlie Literary Societies under the supervision of the Board of Publications of the University of South Carolina. Entered as second class mail matter at the Columbia, South Carolina,. Bp"*'. * poctoffice on November 20, 1908. Member of South Carolina College Press Association. Member of National College Press Association v News articles may be contributed by any member of the student body, but must be in by Wednesday night before Friday's publication. All copy must be typewritten, double-spaced, and must be signed by the writer. Articles in the Open Forum will be published at. the discretion of . the Editor and in the order in which they are submitted, with the name of the author signed. SUBSCRIPTION RATE?$2.6CTPER COLLEGE YEAR " CIRCULATION?2150 COPIES Advertising rates furnished upon request Offices in the basement of the Extension Building ' v Gamecock office phone?8123, No. 11 . * STAFF LeRoy M. Want Editor-in-Chief William I. Latham Managing Editor ASSOCIATE EDITORS Dorothy Penland --------------- - Associate Editor Darice Jackson Associate Editor Lewis H. Wallace - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Associate Editor J. Mitchell Morse - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Associate Editor W. G. Jeffords - Associate Editor Allen Rollins Associate Editor John A. Giles - - Assistant Managing Editor John A. Moroso Assistant Managing Editor N. W. Brqqker Assistant Managing Editor EDITORIAL STAFF W. B. King News Editor Ray Antley _ Sports Editor Leon Keaton - Alumni Editor I E. C. .Gilmore Exchange Editor ^b|| Sanders Guignard - - - - Fraternity Editor I J. H. Galloway --------------- Y. M. C. A. Editor I Catherine Rkmley - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Joke Editor Assistants: Marian Finlay, J. A. Bigham, Frank Durham, Alan Schafcr, Jean H Wichman, Louise Edwards, Vernon Spears, W. D. Coan, Faith Brewer, Mary \ Begg Ligon, Carolyn Burnet, Earl Skidmore, and Harry Morse. > i Names. o f heelers do not appear in mast-head mi _____ Frances Black - -- -- -- -- -- - Co-Ed Editor i Millie Taylor News Editor . Bethel Galloway - -- -- -- -- - - - Society Editor Jean Wichman - -- -- -- -- -- - Feature Editor . business w. C. Herbert - -- -- -- -- Business Manager Sam Taylor Assistant Manager J. W. Brown - ----- Assistant Manager CIRCULATION : I J. Roy Prince - -- -- -- -- Circulation Manager 1 Lester Hamilton Assistant Manager v ' (Melton Goodstein Assistant Manager Hugh Hamilton --------- Assistant Manager CROWING FOR: T [News Bureau?Even a great University must advertise. :j Student Activity Building?This is the only way by which student activities can be properly centered and administered. * B Voluntary Chapel?A modern tendency and a good one. . w Football Stadium?A needed addition to the University's equipment. Paved Sidewalks?Not only a need, but an immediate necessity. H|| FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1931 honesty?a crying need When the clean of one of the University's professional schools is forced by the prevalence of potty thievery to put on his classroom door the sign ["Stop, Thief"; when four suits were taken from the room of one stuBdent.; when two stolen suits were returned to the room of another with the note: "Guess you'll be glad to know these don't fit me"; then it is P high time for the entire University of South Carolina to sit up and take notice. The Gami-cock regrets that it is necessary for the student body's publication to mention sucli a thing as a seeming lack of honesty. President Douglas has often stated that the drinking going on here is done mostly by young men posing as students, and in a like manner, The Gamecock sincerely believes that what stealing goes on here is mostly being done by non-students. If there are any dishonest students, this paper feels confident that they are a miserably small minority. But the time has come when these non-students or this miserably small minority, as the case may be, must be driven from the campus in order that the property of the approximately 1,800 students might be safe. It is certainly a spiritless student body that will allow a few dishonest and unscrupulous persons to grow rich and prosperous over the proceeds gotten from the savings of honest people. The University has an honor system down on the books?that it has some faults there is no doubt. Those faults are due mostly to the fact that the stude/its are not behind the system as enthusiastically as they should be. I hit now the students are faced with a greater and a more personal problem than classroom honesty?the safety of their personal effects. The only thing that can help the situation is a new kind of honor system?an unwritten one and one that is supported by every honest and self-respecting student of the University. Few, if any, thefts can be committed here without the knowledge of some student. Too often that student regards the matter as none of his business and passes it off as something that is to be expected in young people. But for the sake of safety tiie time has come when this attitude must change. A theft, whether it be one of a newspaper, a nickle, an overcoat, or what not, must be the business of every individual who happens to know about the matter. There must be a law (the writing of it is not necessary), to the effect that theft will not be tolerated and a thief will not be permitted to haunt the vicinity of one of the oldest state univer. sities in the United States. This editorial is an appeal?an appeal to the hundreds of worthy stu.dents to put a stop to dishonorable dealings on the part of the few students and outsiders concerned. The police cannot help; the college authorities can do absolutely nothing; the students must come to their own aid and work out their own salvation. U. S. c. And then there was the freshman who caught the flu and phoned for the nearest physician, Doctor Douglas. "Dangerous Curves" may apply to some girls, but a friend of ours did not think those of his girl were dangerous until he met somebody on them. So Butler wasn't tried after all. We still wonder if a trial would have been necessary if the one criticized had been the American dictator, A1 Capone, or even one of his henchmen. The editor received a comic valentine of a seemingly threatening nature, but it was only a practical joke. He thought that perhaps a Political Pot "victim" was retaliating on an innocent victim of circumstances. A prisoner in the death house of the State penitentiary is being treated for meningitis in order that he might be in condition to be electrocuted by February 27. As a noted comedian said, the only way the poor devil can save his life is by committing suicide. In answer to a question on the floor of the State Legislature, a Senator defended his actions by saying that he did not vote for a certain bill concerning the University until "Doctor Douglas had patted me on the back several times." All of which does not speak very well for the thinking powers of a certain State Senator. A CHANCE FOR USEFULNESS The various fields of activities in which campus organizations may engage are already overcrowded, but at the same time there is absolutely no reason why an organization should exist in name only, particularly when the one in question can perform valuable services to the University and to its students. \ The Federation of Women Students has been in existence for a number of years?during the last of this period it has seemingly done nothing1 except hold an occasional election of officers. One of its original purposes was to bring the various co-ed groups and factions together and another Was to furnish d common ground on which sororities, literary societies, the Y. W. C. A., aiftl other clubs might meet. The female student body of the University is a curious group. Oir the one hand it is divided into the dormitory girls and the Columbia girls, 011 the other the division is along the lines of sorority membership. These parts of the one big student body often feel the need of a centralizing organization, and so long as one is actually "in existence," there is every reason why it should be made to perform real services. The machinery for the Federation is already made?only a revival is necessary. The governing council consists of representatives from practically all groups. Officers have already been elected, so a little concentrated activity on the parts of those in authority and a little cooperation from the members?every woman student?should make a live and useful organization of what is now merely a theoretical possibility. LITTLE I AMBICS We see by the papers that a Chair of Poetics has been established at Oglethorpe University, Georgia, in the belief that "no other form of instruction will increase the vocabulary, stimulate thought, and do as much to perfect English in its most attractive form as will the stimulation of the mind in the formation of expressions in rhythmic verse." Hm-m-m. A noble experiment, all right, but we detect a slight odor of music clubs and the Writer's Digest, if you get the implication. Or perhaps the music clubs were not a good illustration, for we were not thinking of Xingu-ism. We do not doubt the sincerity of the parties concerned, but their insight and foresight arouse our curiosity. "Increase the vocabulary?" Doubtless. "Stimulate thought?" Perhaps, in a few cases. "Perfect English in its most attractive form?" Never! In the first place, when poetry is dissected and explained away into systems of prosody and rhyme schemes it ceases to be attractive to any but the literary anatomist. Everett Dean Martim stated only the obvious when he said, "Literature loses much of its charm when it is made 'required reading.' " This is especially true of poetry when it is made quatrains and iambics. Again, who would take the course? Not any of the real poets, if such there be at Oglethorpe. Such people are few and far between, and not many campuses can boast one. They sing not because they want to, but because they can't help it. They would be first amused and then disgusted by a scholar's analysis of poetry, in much the same way that Einstein would feel if he had to listen to our ideas of relativity. But almost everyone tries his hand at versifying at least once during his lifetime! and most of us feel ourselves mute inglorious Miltons merely for lack of articulateness. We have material but no tools. "Gosli, if I could write what I feel I'd be immortal!" It is such people who take correspondence courses in writing, and it is such people, probably, who sign up for "poetics," expecting to get from textbooks what must be won through years of experience, thought, and practice. We can get technique, but in the large majority of cases we are surprised to find how little intensity of feeling we really have. The course would help any latent Austin Dobsons or Guy Carrylls who might take it, but it cannot produce poets 01* lovers of poetry. The greatest value it is likely to have will be the disillusioning of many mediocre versifiers who would otherwise constitute a public nuisance; but this value to society is more than offset by continuing into college the process, begun in high school, of antagonizing people against poetry. Might we suggest instead a course in appreciation? CONGRATULATIONS Over two years have passed since the establishment of the information bureau and telephone exchange?probably the greatest single improvement the Carolina campus had experienced in recent years. The second anniversary of their founding was Thursday, February 19, and it is our pleasure to congratulate Mrs. R. S. Dugan, chief operator, and the student operators on the high standard of service that they have maintained. The installation of the more than 40 telephones in the various buildings and tenements cost the University in the neighborhood of $3,500, the upkeep of which is paid by the students in the student activity fee. .However, nothing can be so perfect as not to be open to criticism and we are going to offer a little constructive critipism. In the first place the need of more phones is readily apparent. Only one phone serves the Woman's Building, a dormitory which houses approximately 100 co-eds. When one girl wants to use the phone, someone else is generally using it, and always three or four people are trying to call this building at the same time. There ought to be at least two more phones placed there; the cost would be negligible, and it should be done immediately. As for the phones in the tenements, we firmly believe that better service could be attained if they were placed 011 the second floors instead of the first, where they now are. If this were done it would eliminate many passers-by from using the phones and it would cause more promptness on the part of the occupants of the second and third floors in answering calls. MIND VS. ROUTINE Has the college student a mind of his own? Does he do any thinking 011 his own hook? Hardly ever, says one G. H. M., in "What the Colleges Are Doing." "It is said by intelligent observers that the college student does not learn to think because he hasn't time or place or opportunity to think. In the lecture room he takes notes by a purely mechanical routine; in the library he gobbles page after page of indigested collateral ; in the dormitory or frat house he joins in or cynically endures perpetual noise? "The original student thinker v/ho stands out from the crowd does not do his thinking in the classroom; he knows that he would be howled down therefor. His bursts of brilliancy are largely extracurricular, a mere student activity, where he may shine unhampered." Much of what Mr. G. H. M. says is obvious, though we smile at his sweet innocence if he really thinks the students read "page after page" of parallel, however undigested. No, we don't read the books. We just write them up. Any one can tell you that the easiest thing in the world is to write up a book without reading it, and that if the write-up covers ten or twelve pages there is very little time to read the book anyhow. On the other hand, a certain student once submitted a very able critique as a parallel report and received a zero for his pains. The professor wanted a summary of the contents of the book, though the student had obviously read the book carefully. But the University of South Carolina is unusually fortunate in this respect. She has several professors who encourage a critical attitude among their students. They do not hand out lectures to be swallowed whole, but rather lead discussions and let the students light out for themselves the problems presented, leading them on by the Socratic jnethod. It is an inspiration to study under these men, and a privilege to know them. Let us be thankful if the Legislature doesn't drive them into other states. u. s. c. The Gamkcock also wishes to congratulate The State on its fortieth birthday. During the more than twenty years of simultaneous existence of the two papers, this newspaper has always found its wiser and more experienced contemporary, through the personnel of its staff, ready to help and aid it on all occasions. "Congratulations, and many happy returns of the day." / reward where due j "He reached out both hands in constant helpfulness to his fellowmen," and he and his way of living became an inspirational force in the lives of those. Algernon Sydney Sullivan, founder of the New York Southern Society and in whose name this society makes its award, lived up to the above qualifications with a zeal that has put him among the foremost philanthropists of the world. . Each year one man-student, onewoman student, and one citizen in each of the several southern colleges and universities in which the Sullivan award has been established are chosen to receive this award. The requisites are the principles which have eminated from the life of this great philanthropist: an utter disregard of self in lending a helping hand to others with the purpose of. benefitting society in general. The qualities expressed above do not smack of the gluttinous desire to bring praise on one's self by placing one's self in the foreground as a philanthropic soul but a deep heart-felt desire to live a life of helpfulness, shouldering the responsibilities of others too weak to make the grade alone. This sacrifice does not only apply to helping the individual but to aiding the group as well. If one is as* sociated with a university or a business firm or any group which is made up of individuals, the natural tendency is to carry one's own burdens and let it go at that. This does not exemplify the ideals of Algernon Sydney Sullivan. His principles dictated a policy to him of being a very active cog in that machinery which makes up the group, always striving to do as much a^ possible as well as he was able. In 1927 and 1928 the Sullivan award was presented to deserving students at the University and again in 1930 but in 1929 the award was not given. The reason: The faculty committee charged with making the awaj-d decided that there was no student at the University deserving of the reward! Do you realize what this means ? There was not one person at the University of South Carolina in 1929 who, in the opinion ot the committee, was carrying more; than his share of work. In 1930 this realization was alleviated by the conferring of this award on Frank Buie and Lottie Muller. There were other worthy students on the campus but these two were the most outstanding. Dean Baker placed before the upperclassmen in chapel Tuesday the bulletin of the Sullivan Award. How many students read it? Probably most of them glanced through the pamphlet. It deserves more than a glance. The committee has asked for the help of the students in the search for the worthy boy and girl who may receive the award this year. So think, and help to pick someone who reaches out both hands in constant helpfulness to his fellowmen and whose ways of living have become an inspirational force in the lives,of those about him. u. s. c. OPEN FORUM Mr. Editor: Feb. 7, 1931. Each year the students of the University spend a considerable sum of(inoney, time and energy in publishing The Gamecock, and the students take a pride in it because it is their paper. This pride is not false pride, for during the years The GamKcock has established itself ^as not only the leading college weekly in this State, but as one of the best throughout the whole nation. It is because I am a student at the University of South Carolina and enjoy reading our school paper that I am writing this article and not because I have any personal grudge against any member of the present circulation staff of ThB Gamecock. For the past few weeks The Gamecock Jias been delivered late to our section of the campus. The facts are simply thus: The circulation staff has delivered the paper to other partp of the campus The Political Potl ''Always Bubbling Over" 4 y';:; Sometimes it gets pretty hard to dis-. tinguish a true Carolina student from a politician. But a true Carolina boy or girl is supposed to speak all of the tiMe whereas a politician only speaks when " he or she wants an office. At the present there are several, other than the acknowledged politicians on the campus, who are going out of their way to speak to everyone they come in contact with. This' is particularly noticeable with several students. During the first part of the year, you couldn't pay them to speak to you, and now you can't keep them from doing so. We are not going to mention any names but just let everybody look out for them. The Pot had rather vote for the most crooked politician on the campus than cast its ballot j for one who fauns upon you only when he or she wants your vote. So beware when you cast your vote and elect the right person and not the one who tries to bribe you to do so. ? , Although it is about two months before the May Queen elections come off and it is rather early to predict who all the candidates will be, the Pot is going to attempt to list a few of whom it expects to be in the race. Well, here goes our initial prediction: ^ It is pretty well understood that Willie . ' B. Taylor, a senior from Columbia, will be among those in the race. We don't know who is backing her but possibly one ' of the outstanding political organizations may do so Although we will not attempt to predict how the race will come out, we'll bet that this young lady will secure a goodly number of ballots. * As usual the Tri Deltas will have a candidate. The last time they capturcd this J honor was in 1929, when the powerful influence of Burt Moore, the leader of the Green Street machine and the Unholy Cit>' clan, made itself felt by electing Harriet Whitaker. Who will back the Deltas this year is a mystery?maybe Tammany, maybe Culbertson, maybe others, and maybe both of the first two. It is rumored that this sorority had :-V two possible candidates under consideration. They are Miss Nancy Phillips, junior, and Miss Elizabeth Bclser, senior, iV>. both from Columbia. It would indeed be difficult to decide which of these should make the race, as both are exceedingly popular both among the fraternity and . >'-j non-fraternity boys. Either should draw ; j a huge vote. It seems that no other girls have been mentioned as possible starters as yet. But as soon as we hear of them, we will pass the good word around. Well, here's hoping. The Y. M. C. A. elections are now a v$| thing of the past and we believe that this group has chosen the best man available to lead it during the coming year. In recent years politics have entered con-' ^ siderably in these elections. However, we believe that they were relatively free , from contamination this year and that the ! %:] "Y" decided on the best man. Congrattfc lations, Sam. ~7 ; ? ? 'M immediately after it has come from the press while the students residing on this side, Woodrow, Wardlaw and Burney, of the campus have had to wait until the following week to procure their copies or else make a trip to Tub Gamecock office to secure them. Some of the papers came from the press last Friday and we have yet to see them delivered . to us for this week. If this were the first time that the delivery of the paper bad been delayed by the circulation staff, we would pass it over without a word of criticism; but when such is the case in _ some parts of the campus with practically every issue of the paper, we feel that there is just cause for complaint and, Mr. Circulation Manager, we ask that this matter be remedied immediately. If it is going to be necessary for us to apply at Tub Gamecock office for : copies of the paper, then we would like for the circulation staff to inform us of this fact and we will act accordingly. . If, however, the circulation staff is to continue to take upon itself the task of delivering the paper to the rooms of the i students, as it should do, we would like i for this part of the campus to be treated as supporters of the paper who are not satisfied with receiving it at any time that is convenient for the staff to de* liver them. ?* I am well aware of the fact that the |j members of the circulation staff are busy , men and have multitudinous duties to perform. I am also aware of the fact that there are certain contingencies that might occasiotially prevent prompt delivery. However, when these circus?--, stances arise week after week they ceaso I. to be contingencies and become latent do* fccts that should be remedied. H tW staff is not large enough to deliver 1,800 papers promptly to the student body, ' feel certain that it is possible to enlargO it to the proper size. Signed: J. Woodrow LkwiI* a ?