Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Curoflus's 0 The greatest detriment to the University is Its lack of an auditorium. Neither the Rus sell House Assembly Room, Drayton Hall or even the Field House is an adequate substi tute for an auditorium. We read in The Daily Tar Heel (Feb. 18) that a Carolina Symposium on Public Af fairs is to be held at the other Carolina dur ing their Symposium Week March 16-28. Included on the roster of well known per sonalities are Sen. John Sparkman of Ala bama, Sen. Henry Jackson of Washington, Dr. Sidney Hook of New York University, Victor Reuther of the United Auto Workers and the Reverend Julian Hart of Yale Uni versity. Also, Jonathan Daniels, editor of the Raleigh News and Observer; William Lee Miller, Yale University; Dr. Katherine Mc Bride, president of Bryn Mawr College; Sergei Striganov, consul for the Russian Em bassy; I. I. Rabi, 1944 Nobel Prize Winner; Spencer Love, president Burlington Mills and Harry Ashmore, editor of the Arkansas Gazette. Even if the University of South Carolina were to have an outstanding speaker or panel We Leave Ou (Editor's Note: The following are ex cerpts from a letter to the editor column of a Pennsylvania college newspaper and the editor's comments. The letter is supposedly based on the cross burning which took place at Davis Field Wednesday, Jan. 15, after eleven Allen University Negro students had been refused enrollment applications to Caro lina and had said they would seek admission through legal means.) - To The Editor: The following excerpt is from a letter sent to me by a friend stationed with the Army in Fort Jackson, S. C. On a visit to a southern college campus he wit nessed this illustration of what happens when bigotry undermines not only American education and its purpose, but the basic foundation and the democratic principles upon which our nation is constructed: "It took place in the middle of a college campus, traditionally the generic home of young liberalism. But there was a difference this time. The campus was in a state that is a haven for bigotry. It was the University of South Carolina. "Whoever started the action timed it per fectly. The coffee shop was jammed. It was a jam that all too nearly turned into a mob a few minutes later as word 'circulated quickly that 'they're burning a cross outside; let's go see the fun.' In less than five min utes the shop was empty. "I got outside just as the campus police were pushing the burning pieces of wood to the ground on the square outside the Union, amidst a curious mixture of first, cheers, then loud boos. Then the group comments started. "At first they were supposed to be funny Although the University students who en tered into the aforesaid incident (either as active participants or merely as spectators) may not realize it, they are the most 'dan gerous enemies the University of South Carolina has. It is ironical that three of the most widely publicized incidents at the University within the last year, all of which are unfavorable, can be traced either directly or indirectly to the student body itself. In addition to the cross burning affair there was the hanging in effigy of band director Pat Garnett April 30, 1957, apparently in protest of his major ette policy. Also the hanging in effigy of Coach Warren Giese in November was un doubtedly in protest of the control type of football employed by Coach Giese and the Gamecocks' football record. Receiving much publicity with an adverse effect on the Uni versity have been the panty raids engaged in by numerous Carolina students. Students upon recalling these incidents, and particularly the cross burning men tioned at the beginning of this editorial, are partially correct in saying, "But those ar ticles were completely distorted and blown out of proportion." Although this reasoning may be sound, it cannot eradicate the fact that shoddy actions have been Committed by Carolina students. Nor must It be overlooked that opportunists will always be ready to capitalize on issues. Carolina students who commit foolish ac tions will always leave themselvesa nd the of speakers visit the campus an embarrass Ing question would arise. Where would a suitable place on the University .of South Carolina campus be found'to hold the crowds such a speaker would attract? Apparently the University of North Carolina has no such problem for .programs will be presented in Carroll Hall each morning and Memorial Hall each evening during its symposium. With its ample supply of libraries (five), certainly the UniArersity of South Carolina can find room for an auditorium on the campus. We know that the University's (1) in ability to accommodate 'distinguished guests, (2) inability to bring student body together as a whole, (3) inability to have a fine arts program, (4) inability to provide central ized facilities for the 1500 students who take math, English and other entrance examina tions, and (5) inability to have commence ment indoors in case of rain has reached the stage for correction. We feel that Univer sity officials are, perhaps even more cogni zant of this serious problem than the student body is, and will soon act to remedy the situation. irselves Open - such shouts as '2, 4, 6, 8, we ain't gonna integrate.'. But on the heels of these mixed cries came a chorus of a different kind, and the ugly snowball of mob psychology was on its way. 'To hell with all the niggers! Send 'em all back to Africa! We don't want them or the G.D. NAACP either. Now git!' These, believe me, were among the milder invec tives. "Luckily, the police knew what to do, and as the nightsticks came out, the mob went back in, laughing now as if nothing at all had happened. These same students, male and female, were dissolving into the same animalistic behavior they so vehemently claim is normal to the Negro. Where now the Southern gentleman, the Southern belle, the famed cavalier code of manners we hear so much about? "Who set the cross afire? I don't know for sure, but there is ground for at least one reasonable assumption. You can rule out the Ku Klux Klan and the various white citizens councils. The action was too closely timed with the gatheing inside. Perhaps it was a group of misguided students acting spontaneously, or perhaps an organized group on campus. Perhaps it was any of a number of combinations of these young adults, but the point is this: the burning took place on a college campus, in a country which prides itself in its democratic prin ciples. "It would seem that four years of college is far too brief a time in which to undo 17 or 18 years of environmental training in bigotry. Oscar Hammerstein put it squarely to us all in 'South Pacific' when he penned the song, 'You've Got to Be Carefully Taught'." miprits University open to unfavorable comment, distorted facts, etc. Students, who in spite of this knowledge engage in a panty raid or whatever, literally do not have enough sense to avoid the rain of unfavorable criticism that will be showered upon the University from all quarters. The letter writer of the cross burning situation asks a question we, too, would like answered. Where were the Southern gentle men, the Southern belles, and the famed cavalier code of manners the evening of Jan. 15? Although only a minority of students may have been responsible for those shoddy ac tions of Carolina students, nevertheless, we heard of no repercussions. What have the responsible students at Carolina done about those occurrences? To say that nothing can be done is to admit that leadership here Is poor, pressure and opinion unorganized, and action unlikely. If the present student body at Carolina is a "barometer" to the state then all that which is vulgar and base can prepare for a heyday in South Carolina. We can become living memorials to those famous words that "for evil to triumph good men need only do nothing." Meanwhile the nation will watch and will record the University of South Carolina's next effigy hanging, cross burning or panty raid. Remember, we are not known to the public as the responsible or irresponsible student but a the Carol inaset Whos And what flimsy ex RONALD L. BER In D Pathetic screams from the'pig sty blanketed the campus, and a few of the more pathetic ones found their way to The Game cock office last week. Numerous declarations of dissatisfaction were declaimed and written at tacking Director of Housing Kin caid and his new eight-point code of dormitory regulations. Having read these letters thoroughly, I am almost as disgusted with the ifieloquent dribble contained in the letters to the-editor last week as with the gripes. I am sure that no one has con sidered the possibility of the new housing regulations having been only partially enacted by Kin caid. It occurs to me that the en actment of a u c h regulations would have to 'be approved by someone other than the director of housing before being estab lished. Having timed my roommate this morning, I have ascertained that only 47 seconds are con sumed in tucking in one's blanket. I understand that this suffices for makitng one's bed. I would venture to say that even the most rushed student can somehow cram this into his morning schedule. Returning to the letters for a moment, we observe that Kincaid is compared to Sputnik and John Foster Dulles. We find that he Letters To The E Audit, Dear Editor: It seems to me that the Univer sity is evading the issue of an auditorium. I, for one, am most embarrassed to see distinguished orators address the student body from the Naval Armory, the Field House, or any other vacant room that might be converted into something resembling an audi torium. We seem to be getting a variety of new buildings, a few of which are repetitious. Why can't some of this time, money, and effort be devoted to this versatile building? I would like to mention a few reasons for wanting this audi torium. It is needed desperately for adequate orientation pro grams, for Religious Emphasis Week, for Fraternity and So rority functions such as Song Fest and Stunt Night. Also, we lack a Fine Arts Series which is included in the activities of other colleges and universities due to inadequate facilities. We are the only state university without an auditorium. The University of South Carolina seems to be badly lacking In Its evaluation of necessities. I suggest that some thing be done to remedy this situation. Sincerely, Jean Race A Parody Written On Housing Situation Dear Editor: I woke to the Incessant buzzing of my alarm clock, opened my eyes for a moment, then shut them tightly. Charley -was still asleep as I donned my bathrobe and stumbled sleepily into the hall. . .. I had a sore throat from smoking too many reefers (one of the few pleasures not forbidden by the Dictator of Housing) and thought regretfully of my con fiscated gargle. It had been in a bottle. I glanced at my watch as I dressed and 'saw that I had fifteen minutes to eat breakfast and et to clas. Ad makeu muse do you have for taking a two-do efense Of Ki r "masquerades" under the title of Housing Director and that "a person's clothes are his personal property." We find that Kincaid is not the president of the United States and that he "icleverly figures up ingenious schemes against students living on the campus." ..We further find that the en 'actment of the new housing regu lations prompts a reciprocal code which would include trash detec tors, field stripping of cigarettes, bed making instructions, weekly inspections on the drill field, and a pyramid (here called an edi fice) being built to commemorate Kincaid for making students clean. I write this column in hopes that these intelligent, con structive comments will enable the University to improve the extant statutes and regulations in the future. ' In view of the fact that Kin caid has distributed no summons for bottles in dormitory rooms to date, I think we can safely as sume that this rule has been modified by the Housing Office. I fail to see how the other rules will alter the students' lives tre mendously. After all, there are worse fates than being clean. Due to my contribution of $15 to the University via the housing office for an infraction of hows JOrv uste oyuiveitiesabefore coming efissehe Om and "masqerdsune the titles. HousIwoeing tradthat dooat peaveson' clhsases pernalce phrpey. w pulind tat odKtick. is wnt tb rein of wthe Uithod Stats andfo thte hen utschee agIsthrnt studnsaiin on ths foeampus." hebule supportr,thrfithatey. en whic ould inclde itrashe dtec torsfeld trippingr o ciettesil insectonspeon t drll fie and Univeraiy (herecialled an Tei always beig buike to comemarun at11:55 formakingdstenter occupied at writs time cound inr mittes tat teloese inelietero structive commtsl brtenawas wale Uniersiy stoiproe hem extantertatutes condstitutions ienale utre o nvest Inriety of coue fatthat Un ciy hacdstbtd no hl rsumonse for bottlendormtcle reonging dae,d I thinklec saely days sue tht thirl has beenid On f thse hwtet othe e will ae te studnts'live tarue. "mes Afewlhere ansrtc wory plates than itcesing clea Deued to say. contrietio ofake the the eivet ina thoe, oun offce forion ofnfraction do' hos over owl eei h e u myHaces ooraklen aharben hiudled. u.e hi. oecot.H ha attehed fort-sedvtenepahn stat uiemriies fromomy minan stope Carolin,t they all htad poicd. to ..Tee th oe rooms and gongta htkmefi the beds Ang Iu wasee opnnge, adoo or Chaley as. puliga.. od trck my this time, Frumly? icaid ing regulations which I com mitted several semesters back, I too view the functions of Housing with a critical eye. However, I can't see these vitriolic attacks on Kincaid personally. I am sure you will agree that he is not a vicious, vindictive ogre waiting to pounce upon the students at any opportunity. He is just another guy who conscientiously tries to do a good job. Leaving the housing situation for this week, I feel ihelined to conclude my column with a com ment on another letter to the edi tor contained in last week's Gamecock. I am sure that if the writer of the letter concerning my insincerity would read back over the columns of Graves and Lawrence, he will discover that they have never engaged in duels of any sort. In reference to their editorial ability, I am convinced that anyone with enough imagi nation t' consider either or both of t h e m brilliant columiists could probably merge the KKK with the NAACP with very little difficulty. Finally, at the risk of also sounding immodest, I cannot resist saying that a by-line has never been a problem. That's one "lollipop" I earn every Monday night. Have a nice weekend, everyone. led, Students . .. They took me to LeConte and shoved me roughly into an ele vator.... . The tall one turned to me and eroaked, "You'll be working in the Porifera department with Dean Nickel. This department is concerned only with cuts. It has time for nothing else." "Why don't you bring the cut system up to date?" I interjected. "Let students have cuts accord ing to how many they can afford scholastically. . . . After all, the student is paying for the privi lege of attending classes." "Shutup shutup shutup! Y o u know we can't think. And get that look off your ugly face. Just be glad your parents got enough money to send you to a good. school. Think what it'd be like at a military or church school where you'd be surrounded by rules and restriction." Rusty Harley Commencement Shows Need For Auditorium Dear Editor: The approach of another com mencement brings up one of the few deficiencies of an otherwise well-equipped university. I refer to the total lack of any reason ably sized auditorium facilities. The commencement schedule calls for an outdoor presentation of diplomas in the beautiful set ting of our flawless Horseshoe. The best we can hope for, weather-wise, is a gentle breeze to stir our caps and gowns. But the question I raise, and the question which plagues adminis tration and commencement plan CROWING Vol UJNIVERSFF OF E Tony Brown... Codfish Comrades And Cold Schools closed, factories shut down, and government workers stayed away from their offices in droves - Why? Because a few gusts of cold wind caused the temperatures to drop a few .de. grees below normal. What a laugh this must have caused in Red Square, where the lowest ther mom'ter readings in the United States would be considered mild weather to the "Comrades." Does one with any intelligence at all wonder why the Russians are outdoing us in the fields of science, education, and obviously, foreign policy? While our enemies in the Kremlin, whoni we refer to as being weak political puppets, drink vodka and a tea that would take the porcelain off an Ameri can cup, and live in some of the mEst adverse social and physical conditions, we in the good old "rough and ready" United States smoke "milder cigarettes," drink "smoother, lighter beer," and pad our precious rears with pro digious.amounts of foam rubber. Civilization for many of us would cease to exist were it not for hot-water bottles, deodorant soaps, 500 horsepower automo biles, and fountain pens capable of writing on glass and under three feet of water. There must be more teachers at less pay, discipUne for our delinquents in the public schools since we are too busy at home to worry with such things, and better golf courses so that our trusted lead. era may be relaxed when they plot the course of the country's business. By all of the above we are only endeavoring to show how these picayunish things have taken con trol of the American public's minds and bodies in the past few years. We need to hoist our level of thinking to heights far above this conglomerate of minutia, and start doing the things we have been telling the rest of the people of this world to do. There will have to be a lifting of attitude on the part of us all before we can - re-assume the position of greatness we have indoctrinated our friends and our enemies into believing we possess. Until we do, we will continue to be laughed at by those who view us without the rose-colored glasses. Insist ners alike is, "What if it rains?" This has been known to happen, in spite of phenomenal luck in recent years. Now I don't particularly mind a little water, but what about the disappointment dealt parents and doting relatives, some of whom may have traveled many miles to witness the culmination of years of effort, only to be rained out? Commencement Is only one of the many functions a good audi torium would serve. Other worth while projects - freshman orieni tation classes, convocations, and talks or addresses by visiting dig nitaries, to mention a few - would be well accommodated. The principal objections usually raised to such an idea are ex pense and lack of suitable loca tion. I suggest that these are not insurmountable barriers if we can find money and location for a sixth library on campus. (Have you ever seen one of the existing libraries overcrowded with any thing other than books?) I hardly believe any thinking person oonnected with this Uni versity could conscientiously ques tion the need of an auditorium. But we will achieve such only by working for it. Perhaps there still exists among us some of the old initiative that has accoml plished so much in the past. If t h e r e is sufficient support, through simply raising the sub-' ject before fellow students, fac ulty and directors, as well as a little pressure on the legislators, we may soon no longer be the only state university in the na tion without a decent auditorium. Sincerely, Whitney Tharin, Jr. A GREATER OUlT! CAROIsNA