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lilE J5ENNETT BANNER
MARCH, 1948
THE BENNETT BANNER SYLVIA VIEWS READER’S RETREAT FACULTY CLOSEUPS
“Anything Worth Reading, We Write^ THE NEWS
TK.N CK.N'IH A COI'V
ijd.OO I’KK Si;HS KirTKJN ,
Pessimistic is the
KUITOUIAL BOARD
Editor—
Dobothy Arnold, ’43
Assoclute Editor—
Vi«;iN A JerrEHi!s, ’48
New§ Editor—
GwrN Cann, ’43
I'ealure Editor—
DoLo.ies Hayes, ’d:i
Dur.incsa Manajer—
Elizabeth Riveha, ’43
word that best
describes the world situation today.
Everywhere diplomats speak of peace
while their countries prepare for war.
Letter world,” “lasting peace,” and
“World Brotherhood” are just so
many obsolete words. The phrases of
today are reminiscent of five or six
years ago. Today’s hit parade include
such words as “World military con
scription,” “III World War,” and
“National Defense.” It seems only
now to be a question of when or
how soon before the crucial moment
becomes a reality and we are plung
ed headlong into another completely
unnecessary war.
The question crossnig the minds
of the people of the world today is
not a vague idea but a stronger and
stronger forboding of evil to come.
Is there going to be another depres
sion, and is the depression almost up
on us, is the cry. Last week when
the grain market dropped so drastic
ally, people really began to sit up
and take notice. Things are almost
ripe for a depression. France, in
order to compete on world markets,
has reduced the value of her franc.
This if it could be taken by itself,
would mean little. The danger,
though, is that the merchants of the
other country will be obliged to low
er the value of their own currency
to keep pace with the French. If the
European powers lower their cur
rency we also in the United States
will be forced to lower ours. A de
pression would most likely follow on
the heels of the panic that would
probably break out immediately after
such a step is taken. It is hard de
spite the far flung consequences this
French movement might have, to
blame the French people for their
action. A country of hungry people
will go a long ways to taste food
once again; and who nan really blame
them. The United States would help
them, but perhaps the French people
would like to be free to make their
own choices in all things. Perhaps
they prefer to go without too much
bread for the safety of their souls.
*
The Democratic party headed by
President Truman seems to have split
the “‘solid south” because of a cert
ain pamphlet. It is really amusing
to see what lengths the southern re
actionaries will go merely for the
negative pleasure of keeping Ne
groes out of worthy jobs. Governor
Cherry of North Carolina, was among
the southern delegates who decided
this last week. I say congratulations
to the Democratic party, and orchids
to President Truman for standing his
ground. While some believe this
move on Truman’s part a quick
move to strengthen his platform for
the November elections, the with
drawal of southern support has not
made him back down.
♦ * « «
As time for the Presidential elec
tions comes around, it is a good
thing for those especially who are old
enough to take an active part in the
proceedings to notice closely tne na
tional news. Now is the time when
vague but wonderful sounding argu
ments and platforms are put for
ward. A discerning eye and an alert
mind will help the voter make the
right choice in November. Let us
keep awake and be really useful
citizens.
New Plans For
Student Elections
(Continued From Page One)
tive. If you have any suggestions,
please see that they get to some
member of the cabinet as soon as
possible. We are counting on you to
make this years elections bigger,
better, and more effective.
—STUDENT SENATE NEWS.
THE MONEYMAN
By Thomas Costian
Fifteenth century France is brought
alive in this thrilling tale of love,
history and intrigue. This novel is
woven around a true historical hap
pening although certain liberties
have been taken by the author. With
the same unique style as in The
Black Rose the author makes history
really interesting.
The story revolves around Jacques
Coeur, the Moneyman. Born of very
poor parents, Jacques Coeur becomes
the wealthiest person in France. Be
ing among the first to foresee the po
tential wealth of commerce between
countries he becomes history’s first
great merchant prince. By building
trade between France and the Le
vant he amasses the greatest wealth
ever to be obtained by a private per
son.
Although he is the wealthiest per
son in France, Jacques Coeur finds
that he is about the loneliest. Since
he is of humble parentage he is not
accepted by the nobility and because
of his wealth his own class of people
avoid him.
In the early fifteenth century
when France finds that she is about
to lose the war with England King
Charles VII calls upon Jacques Coeur
to help him. Jacques Coeur gives to
France all his great genius and part
of his great fortune in making vic
tory possible. Not only does he help
the King in war, but he also handles
n.any of his personal affairs. When
Agnes Sorel, the King’s mistress, dies
it is he that selects the young and
beautiful Valarie for this position.
Thus begins one of the greatest tales
of love and intrigue ever to be told.
After the war is won, many of the
important members of the court who
are deeply in debt to Jacques Coeur
conspire against him. Jealous of the
popularity that he has gained during
tlie war, the noblemen poison the
King’s mind against The Moneyman
and thus cause him to lose all of his
fortune and the position which he has
gained for himself. Although he has
given the best of his life to France,
Jacques Coeur finds himself in the
end a broken and sadly disappointed
man.
DID YOU KNOW THAT . . .
Each Congress begins on January
3 of the “odd” years, and continues
ior two years? Special sessions are
at the call of the President.
The notorious Gretna Green mar
riages were performed by the village
blai.-ksmith, as a rule, although the
tollkeeper, ferryman, or any other
could officiate? Runaway couples
only needed to declare their wish to
marry. This practice ended in 1836,
when the law of Scotland required
one of the contracting parties to re
side of Scotland three weeks prior
to the wedding.
Many lives were lost in the early
part of the war because many ser
vicemen did not know how to swim?
The Great Barrier Reef lying off
the northeast coast of Australia is
the largest mass of coral in the
world? It extends twelve hundred
and sixty miles and is still growing.
The North Pole is not the coldest
place in the Arctic Circle?
The Netherlands, though no larger
than Massachusetts, is eighth in
world trade?
The first Olympic games were held
in 776 B. C., by the Greeks?
The Nobel prizes are awarded un
der the will of Alfred Nobel, Swedish
chemist and engineer, who died in
1896?
Races are divided into four groups:
Caucasoid, Mongoloid, Negroid, and
Australoid.
The same golf was played by
Charles I and James I, and their golf
balls were made of leather covers
studded with feathers?
A patent is an exclusive contract
between the United States govern
ment and the inventor, for a term
not exceeding 17 years?
—The Livingstone.
Our esteemed honoree this month
comes originally from the neighbor
ing town of Winston-Salem. Here she
received her early education prior
to her entrance to Palmer Memorial
Institute at Sedalia, North Carolina.
I/er education progressed at Palmer
long enough to equip her to enter
Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Mas
sachusetts. As an honor student, she
was awarded her A. B. degree in
Romance Languages from Radcliffe
with English as her minor.
In addition to her attainment in
the field of literary arts, our instruc
tor also possessed a “hidden talent.”
She showed the first signs of her tal
ent in a dance recital at Dr. Brown’s
junior college. Her skill in dance was
so exceptional that she led the dance
group at Radcliffe. Coming upon the
realization that this was her major
interest, she proceeded to study fur
ther and secured a Master of Arts
degree in dance. As though this were
not enough, she continued her study
at Bennington Summer School of
Arts in Vermont, and attended also,
Jacob’s Pillow Dance School in Lee,
Massachusetts.
Later, she received the wide ac
claim and admiration as only enrap
tured audiences can give. She danced
in the auditoriums of A. & T. College,
North Carolina College, Alabama
State College, Prairie View College
ill Texas, Southern University in
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and St. Paul
Polytechnic Institute at Lawrence-
ville, Virginia.
For the United States Army she
willingly gave of her services by per
forming at a benefit recital at Camp
Meade. She was the first Negro to
have charge of recreation in the
Navy Department in Washington.
It is said that knowledge is of no
value unless someone profits by it.
Feeling that there were others who
should be taught and inspired to
dance, she taught at Tuskegee In
stitute, Howard University, the Y.
W. C. A. in Springfield, Massachus
etts, and in her own dance studio
in Washington, D. C. All this she did
before coming to Bennett.
In truth, “The Dance” was not the
only major interest she acquired
fiom Palmer Memorial Institute —
she met her husband there. He is
now instructor in the Physical Edu
cation department at North Carolina
College. Of course this article would
be incomplete if you were not in
formed that our instructor is also
the mother of little Wonzo Elizabeth,
now all of two years old.
In case you haven’t guessed by
now, our honored instructor is none
ciher than Mrs. E. A. Williamson.
While the Bennett girls were en
joying the Christmas holidays, Mrs.
Williamson was taking a dance
course under Martha Graham of
New York. She took this course so
that she may be better prepared to
teach the Bennett girls the modern
dances with the newest, easiest, and
best method. Speaking of great things
in store for us, girls, she expressed
the hope of some day seeing “The
Dance” offered here as a major. She
also hopes for its ultimate separa
tion from the department of Physi
cal Education to take its rightful po
sition as a definite fine art. All the
forms of dance she hopes to teach—
ballet, folk dances, creative, and
choreography. A lecturer too, she
will exemplify this talent in her dem
onstration on modern and tap dance
before the school year is up.
Indeed, we definitely have some
thing to look forward to.
Virginia Jeffries
Attends BKX Confab
(Continued From Page One)
Miss Jeffries, of the three different
chapters to present papers, brought
forth the problem of isolation of
lecithin from egg yolk in which she
pointed out a new method of isola
tion. This new method of isolating the
phosopholipid is of particular inter
est to students in Organic Chemistry
who study the fats and waxes.
STAFF ASSISTANTS
Circulation Editor—
Betty McConnauchey, ’49
Assistant Circulation Editors—
Fannie Uent, ’50
ViRiiiNi\ WAcsTArr, '43
Acslstant Business Managers—
Fannie Carroll, ’49
Sylvia Rock, ’49
Jacqueline Young, '49
Esther Harris. '49
TYPISTS
Fannie Carroll '49
Altameke Lester ’49
Wilma Vestal '50
txchange Editor—
Gloria Alexander, ’S.")
Assistant Exchange Editors—
Briduett Pittman, ’4>
Secretary—
Lillian Murphy, ’49
Assistant Secretary—
Altamese Lester. ’49
Fannie Dent ’50
Lillian Murphy ’4)
Betty McConnauchey '49
PROOF READERS
Dolores Hayw* ’48 Lillian Beckham '50 Audrey Cochrane ^50
Jessie Hampton '48 Noimacene Greenwood.. '48 Fannie Carroll 49
Marilyn Motley '49 Mar aret Derrickson '43 tvLV.A Rock - 49
REPORTERS
Eleanor Bahnwexl
’49
Audrey Cochrane
’50
Fannie Dent
*50
Theda Johnhon
*50
Dolorrk Hayes
’48
JE8SAL Holland
'48
Barbara Jones
'51
Alice Judo
*48
Marilyn Motley
*49
Gwendolyn Cann —.
'49
Bridgctt Pittman '49
Elizabeth Rivera '49
Annie M. Smith ’4)
Wilma Vestal '49
Jacqueline Younc '49
Margaret Derr.c son ’41!
Nobmagene Greenwood ’48
Rosalind Lynn '49
Sylvia Rock ’49
Rosa McDaniels ’50
Altamese Lester 49
ADVISOR
w-"- - - -
CAESAR R. BLAKE
COMES SPRING
Sprinf; liiis oiict- aj^aiii rciiiriu'd to (lie (ani])us aiul witli it that old
laiiiiliar ailiiicnl—.spriiij; lever. Kvidcnccs ol this tan be louiid iti al-
iTiosl evciy area ol (ainpiis lile. In llie dassrooin students may he
lotiiid lookiiif> loii^iiif'ly lowaid the outside woi Id or else lost in a
series of day dreanr%. On the ani|)iis girls may he louiid enjoying na
ture lo the utmost. Otu looms see very little ol iis these days.
l.i t's not allow spiing level lo get us down. It has heeii noticed
that noise and unrc’st in diapi’l have seemed to he increasing instead of
decreasing. Remeinhei the chapel is a place ol reverence and not to he
taken too lightly, ihis also h)llows through in the dining hall and
othi’i plncfs. True, yon want to shout lo the world how glad yon leel
to see sunshine alter so much rain, snow and cold weather. 'I'here is a
place to do such hiil it happens not to be the chapel.
Classes seem 10 be a thing to be avoided instead ol a place lo he pres
ent lre(|iiciilly. I he library linds itsell ratiier cieserteci these days. Ix't's
U’call that one ol llu’ things we came to Bennett lor was an education.
One way ol atliei\'ing this goal is lo attend class and receive all the
knowledge that the la( ulty so ai)lv oiler yon.
.\nolhei evidence ol spring lever is constantly complaining about
.something. Nothing seems to oiler salislaction. W'e complain about
evc'iything without once ollciing a suggestion as to how the situation
could he helteiecl. You complain ahoia every little thing including
the paper. The paper stall realizes its shortcomings and we gladly ac-
cept all suggestions ollered. II yon have an idea ol how your paper
can he improved suhniii ii lo the editor or some other inemi)er ol the
stall. So let's slop complaining about everything and set about lo
make 01 suggest c hanges.
l.et's try to overcome that dread disease that so allecls so many
college siudenls. We shall strive to allend classes regularly, keep citiiel
and listen attentively in cha|)el and slop so much complaining. S])ring
has been said lo he the most beautilul and enjoyable season of the year.
I.el's really enjoy it.
The Inquiring Reporter
• « Ai i?i_. 1 J' ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
Question—Was it a wise political
movement on the part of Wallace
to establish a third party?
An.swers—No, I don’t think it was
politically wise, but I do think it
was a good move. Some Democrats
are behaving like Republicans, and
vice-versa. We voters do not know
where to turn. This third party will
force the other two to take a
more definite, clear-cut stand on
the vital issues now confronting
us. Henry Wallace has, if no more,
been of some assistance in forcing
the issues. Therefore, I think it
was a rather strategic move. Any
way, I think Mr. Wallace’s real
aim is for 1952.
—Dorothy Pearson, ’48.
I am an ardent admirer of Henry
A. Wallace. I think he proved to
be a great administrator as Secre- ]
tary of Agriculture. His political
ideas in regard to world peace, .
domestic issues, civil rights, are ,
sound. Whether it was wise to es- j
tablish a third party will depend '
upon the success of the party. The !
political results in New York’s se- i
lection of Congressman Isaacson |
seems to prove that a rallying of '
the liberal forces in the United
States is still possible.
—Dr. R. K. Karfiol.
The third party has created an in
teresting situation which has es
pecially affected our two major
political parties. I feel that not
only the Democratic party whose
power has received the greatest
threat will reconsider its policies,
but the Republican party will also
find it necessary to make its plat
form more appealing to the com
mon man. I don’t believe that Wal
lace expects to win this election. I
cannot say how wise it was to es
tablish a third party at this time,
but I feel that it will prove to be
very revealing, because it shall
perhaps show just how vital his
policies and his methods of achiev
ing them are to American life.
—Eleanor Barnwell, ’49.
To me, this appears to be one of
the uppermost questions in the
minds of the American people to
day. In my mind, there are several
reasons why I feel that his behav
ior is timely. However, there are
(Continued On Page Three)