Page Two. THE SALEMITE February 22, 1946. 9 Sii.... by Kffie Ruth Maxwell The sun shines bright—the air is almost balmy—its time for a poem— College is so full of books and tests, I think its time all took some rests. —or— Tell me, Snavely, tell me What is my name today? ^ From now on yours is Phiffle, ’Specially ’bout the first of May. And have you seen— the art ffallery? Evctt has added another painting to his pollection. Better look now—after the end of the month, he exhibit will be moved to other colleges in the state— the white bunny in the practice house? Queen Julia declares she’s Soing to carry him on a leash come May Day— or hoard—the two new phones in Clewell? The Clewellites are properly thankful—but can’t help wondering if they couldn’t have been made a little more private with just as little trouble— —which reminds me, there are a few things I want to say On Complaints C.omplaints are something we hear a lot of these days—make a lot, too. Everything goes wrong at the same time. Nothing suits us, and anybody who tries to please us is just sticking their neck out. Complaints are a disea.s&. And there are a lot of “complaining Mary’s” spreading it around. Nice thing about this disease, how ever, is the easy cure for it. The treatment is as fallows: 1. Hemember that life is nice, also humorous. 2. Get eight hours of sleep every night. 3. Consider the other fellow. Idealistic, ain’t I? That’s because on Fel>ruary twenty-second Washington we honor thee. Long ago you made our country Strong and healthy, great and free. —(author unknown) CLaMPIP CIUaVTS Guess I’m what is known as an opera fiend . . . one reason is cause they’re so full of g;ood tunes—I mean good tunes (hat you think are good tunes . . . our American popular music is deeply in debt to opera—the most famous individual borrowed tune is “Avalon” (I left my heart in Avalon—do-dee, da-dee!) . . . that little melody was sung by Jan Peerce in TOSCA a couple of weeks ago, only he used the words “K Incevan le stelle” minus the fox trot tempo. A more recent example: “Intermezzo”—the top tuno of 1941, owes its distinctiveness to Wagner—it is one of the leading phrases in TRISTAN AND ISOLDE . . . it’s lasting popularity should prove that Mr. Wagner sho’ did a good job in the first place . . .! Don’t kn,ow if you’ve heard this one or not—the tenor’s heart breaking aria from Leoncavallo’s I'AGLIAOCI serves as a climax of the song called. “My Cousin Oarus” (With apologies to Enrico), the English words: “His voice so dreamy. Like da peaches an’ creamy. Oh, wot’s da use ? Tie’s my cousin Carus’ ”— TOSCA seems to have given some sub-consci,ous assistance to Mana-Zucca in creating the tenor’s standby—“I Love Life”-—as well as “Avalon” (cf. Puccini’s duet in the first Act) . . “Yes, We Have No Bananas” has a hint of “I dreamt that I dwelt in Marble Halls” from BOHEMIAN GIRL . . . “The Big Bad Wolf,” the Disney classic, is an echo of Strauss’s “Champagne Song” from FILEDER- MATTS . . . et cetera and so forth. . . Qaa 0^ Sltoijuefi Don’t tell mo of gods who hold earth in their hands Or Fates who change lives as they weave. I know of a god who could brandish a clod And all Mt. Olympus would leave. A horrid, implacable demon is he; He claims Salem girls every hour. They give up their youth in the sacrifice booth, For he is the God of the Shower. He waits till the victim is helpless and bare. An innocent lamb to the slaughter. Then “Geronimo!” slips from his now smiling lips ' And he does dreadful things to the water. A weak little stream that will drip on the head, A torrent that steams with its vigor. You cannot predict, for you’ll always bo tricked. It all ends with mortis plus vigor. A lenient monarch, however, is he; The choices he offers all these: To turn on the “hot” and boil like a pot. Or turn on the “cold” and freeze. Some slaves of his, blindly continued to bathe Thus entering where no angels tread. He gleefully watches and checks off in notches Each soul that is crippled or dead. ' > Catherine Gregory, ’48. Niefhod Incites Students ‘‘Your room is now in good condition . . . Rooms will be inspected at the end of each semester.” Now, for student reaction to the bills that were sent after “damage in your room” had been discovered by tlie uliiquitous administra tion: “It jnst isn’t fair; the scotch tape did n’t even take the varnish off”. . .“That finger-nail polish was put on our light switch two years ago!” . . . “That I'ule about the beds wasn’t even posted” . . . “Ha, they didn’t even fine us for having fifteen nails on the wall.” . . . “They didn’t fine us for our toaster either” . . . “We thought painting the beds hel])pd” . . . “\N’’hat’s the tuition for? We’re paying for the spirit, and by George, we’re losing that!” Tt is generally conceded that for irreparable damages, the administration is justified in as sessing “the occupants” of a room. Defacing of pi'operty such as throwing ink bottles at the walls, intentionally peeling plaster fi'om the ceiling, or even breaking out a window- pane or two in a fit of rage, is just cause for complaint from the financial stronghold of our institution. But we do object to the method used and to the fact that the students were* not properly informed or prepared for the notices which they received. Tt seems plausible that a student body meet ing would have l)een as effective as the curt notes from the administration in showing the girls that thev had been negligent in the up keep of their rooms. The majority of girls at Salem are mature enough to treat their rooms at school as they do those at home. Further more, the room check does not seem to have been systematic or thorough, judging from the student comments. There are, however, other issues which the students would li)e to call to the attention of the administration. The committee investigat ing rooms at mid-semester probably wa.s not awai’o of the following facts: Tn many rooms clo.set doors have faulty locks. There f.re dirty shades which do not work properly. No room in riewell is furnished with two bureaus (which accounts for the large ntnnber of boxes under beds'). Every week articles of clothing are lost in the camnus lainidry. ITot water is not avail able in most of the dormitories after 8 p. m. These are onb- a few of the ■complaints to which resident students feel they have a right. A's a whole. Salem students are enthusiastic over additions and changes in the present status, and they support the administration whole -heai'tedly in its efforts. They are in cited by the way in which the current i.ssue was handled and not by the fact that the ad ministration though it necessary to inve.sti- gate depreciation in the various buildings. Tjet’s get togetlier on your complaints and our complaints. Published Weejily By The Student Body Of Salem College Member Southern Inter-Collegiate Press Association SUBSCRIPTION PRICE - $2. A YEAR - 10c A COPY EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor-in-Chief Effie Ruth Maxwell Associate Editor Jayne Bell Assistant Editor Martha Boatwright Assistant Editor Virtie Stroup Make-up Editor ; Martha Lou Heitman Copy Editor T?Gggy Davis Music Editor Rebecca Clapp Sports Editor ; Maria Hicks Marianne Everett, Margaret Williams, Margaret Fisher, Margaret Styers, Teau Council, Frances Carr, Helen Thomas, Bernice Bunn, Henrietta Walton, Carol Gregory, Lois Wooten, Mary Bryant, Eva Martin Bul lock, Coit Kedfearn, Avis Weaver, Meredith Boaze, Betsy Boney, Nancy Carlton, Catherine Moore, Caro lyn Taylor, Lomie Lou Mills, Peggy Gray, Jean Sul livan, Sarah Hege, and Mary Motsinger. BTTSTNESS DEPARTMENT Business Manager Bet.sy Thomas Assistant Manager Mollie Cameron Advertising Manager Bettye Bell Circulation Manager Greta Garth Helen Spruill, Lesley Bullard, Eaton Seville, Nancy Lee Erwin, Betsy Long, Jane Morris, Martlwi Brannock, Martha Walton, Nell Penn Watt, Jean Moss, Blanche Hicks, Frances Sowers, Je.in Padgett, Jane Mull, Sarah Montague. Betsy Schaum, B. J. Hallman, Roberta Huffman, Mary iPatience McFall. Margaret West, Betsy Boney, Augusta Garth, Jane Morris, Mary Farmer Brantley, iSarah Coe Hun- sucker, Ruth Hayes, Blanche Hicks, Peggy Gray, Mary Porter Evans, Elaine McNeely. Open Forum To the Salemite: It seems to me that those students with B averages or higher should be permitted to take four cuts in any one class. I base my opinion on the folloAving: 1. Those with B averages have shown their ability to make the average. They should have enough reason to use four cuts per class with discretion. 2. If those with C averages get- three cuts it seems only fair that B averages and above should have four. 3. This addition to the amount of cuts per class w'oidd be an incentive to work for a B average and to keep it up. This change would involve no addition to the total number of cuts which may be taken. Sally Boswell To the Salemites: Last spring the Sophomore Class decided to have as their project a new date room. The purpose of Ijhis room, called Davy Jones’ Locker, is to provide a place for the Salem students to entertain their dates. This room has not been a complete success. A great deal of time, money, and effort has been spent on this room. Tt is nearly being taken care of now. A permanent, nickel- completed; the few unfinished details are odeon has been ordered and should be here within the next few weeks. Miss Ada Allen, who has‘helped with the interior decorating of The Locker, and several sophomores have been shopping for suitable furniture. The students have stated that the room lacked comfort and entertainment. Soon we will have new furniture, lamps, and rugs to add com fort; a nickelodeon, bridge tables, and ping- pong to provide entertainment. What more do we need 1 —MEN! The Sophomores Where 300 Tread Two people can walk together very conven- ientl.y on the brick walks that fornt a fine network all over the campus of Salem. TTow- ever, when three hundred i)eople try to walk side by side on the narrow path in front of the refectory, it is a different story. At lunch time, and especially on Sundays, there is always a crowd in front of the din ing hall which can not possibly fit the walk way. As a result the hungry students over flow on the ground, trampling on thf> space where there was grass last fall. Crradually the grassless space is widening from the con tinual ovei’flow. Ivainy days increase the jirobleni. Many who are forced off the walk get wet and tnuddy feet. Coulil the walkway there be made wider? The improvement would be beneficial both for convenience and for appearance. Does Salem Value Books? In the midst of the TTitler terror some one wrote, “When Hitler, in his viciousness, burned the books, the words leaped from the flames which devoured the j)agcs and were free. He could not destroy their signifiicance. Pie could only destroy their external form.” However, the latest Associated Collegiate Press release notes an indifference to books among students. Dr. Daniel W. Pearce, head of the psychology department at Kent State Lhiiversity, says, that “in contrast with men like Abe Lincoln who walked miles through the snow to l)orrow and return books, stu dents of today hesitate to walk a block to get a book from the, campus library. “The trend in education is to appease the student instead of seeing to it that he does learn what he should, as our parents had to do a generation ago,” explained Dr. Pearce. “Students no longer have the respect for “book larnin” they had fifty years ago.” From the writer’s observation reading other than that actually assigned is sadly neglected here at Salem. Couldn’t something be done about that?