October
PRESS
Published every Friday of the College year
BY the Student Body of Salem College
OFFICES—Basement of Lehman Hall — Downtown Office—414 Bank St., S.W.
EDITOR: Ellen Rankin
BUSINESS MANAGER: Sue Parham
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Associate Editor Becky Boswell
Feature Editor: Kay Long
Copy Editor - - Ginger Ward
Headlines .. Susan Ray Kuykendall, Tish
Johnston, Marguerite Harris
Advertising Manager Alice Reid
News Editor Anne Romig
Cartoonist Betty Black
Faculty Advisor Miss Jess Byrd
FITS Victory Proves
Seniors’ Lasting Spirit
Dignified seniors removed their caps and gowns and put over
strong support for the FITS day activities. Commendation to
the girls who so successfully did this is in order. It is only
more strongly enforced because the present senior class is the
founder of the FITS program. Two years ago, in order to
abolish the initiation program of “ratting”, they conceived and
carried out the pew Freshmen Initiation to Salem. To them
it is a more effective way of welcoming girls who are a little
frightened than berating them and making them the work
horses and scorn of upperclassmen.
The argument that Salem girls often do not suppart an idea,
once off the drawing board, is forcefully combated by the
senior victory. They began it two years ago, encouraged
it last year, and showed the underclassmen the right attitude
this year.
Again the top class showed up the lackadaisical atmosphere
of the other classes, when every member of the class partici
pated in Senior FoUies. They are not too busy with seminars,
practice teaching, and study to enjoy their final year at Salem
and to make the student body know what togetherness, excite
ment, and Salem spirit really are. B. B.
Faculty Neglects Chapel
The members of the Chapel Committee deserve a big hand
for the time and energy they have spent to bring the chapel
programs up to a high calibre. Chapel meetings have become
two of the most stimulating hours of the week because they
have been relevant, enlightening, and interesting to most of us.
There is just one thing missing—the faculty. We students
can hardly help but wonder where the faculty members are
during these chapel programs, which are deemed so important
that they are compulsory for students. It is even harder to
understand when we consider the excellence of the programs.
We realize that sometimes there are faculty meetings, but we
wish that the faculty would try to come to chapel. We might
want to ask them some questions or discuss something in class.
L. L.
Until recently most books on
science were written for the trained
scientist and in a manner far be
yond the' comprehension of the
average reader. Because Of the
lack of scientific training in our
background and the inability of the
scientist to speak our language, we
are not aware of some of the most
pressing problems of our day. For
tunately, several books have been
published recently by recognized
scientists, who are also philosop
hical thinkers and forceful writers.
The Firmament of Time by
Loren Eiseley, presently Provost of
the University of Pennsylvania, has
the distinction of having something
very definite to say and does it in
a manner which is comprehensible
to the layman and appreciated by
the scholar. His message is that
man is the most magnificant pro
duct of nature, and that he can at
tain his highest goals only through
an awareness and appreciation of
himself.
This work is an expanded ver
sion of six scholarly lectures de
livered by the author on evolution.
Although he begins with man’s
early history, he emphasizes the
giant, steps made by him in the
past 300 years in grasping the na
ture of his physical world. While
he stresses this accomplishment, he
does not fail to state in precise
erms the many relationships which
itill must be perfected. The
author’s thinking is mature and
subtle. His essay is a delight to
read; its poetic style is informal
and warm. The premise is also a
mental, challenge.
Man in Nature, by M a r s t e n
Bates, also has man and his world
of 'nature for its theme, but it is
vary different in its approach to
the problem. Where Eiseley i'
philosophical. Bates is factual and
specific. It is a clearly written and
well organized book on the history
of man. It encompasses, in brief,
every facet of man’s existence as a
social being, while stressing his re
cent environmental problems with
science and culture. The illustra
tions are good, and the footnotes
are all in order.
Science and Government, by C. P
Snow, is a recent work based on
a series of lectures delivered at
Harvard University. A distin
guished British novelist and scien
tist, Snow was a member of the
Scientific Council which was in
charge of the scientific aspects of
England’s defenses during World
War II and has had first hand
experience with the role of science
in world survival. He begins his
story with an interesting account
of the development of radar in
England and shows how bungling
use of scientific information and
scientific talent almost lost the
war for his country. From this,
he gives, us some practical in
formation of how science and scien
tific information should and should
not be used by government and
politics.
These books will not improve
your scientific background, but they
will help define the nature of this
powerful force for good or evil
which we have unwittingly let loose
upon ourselves. They will also iSffer
some suggestions of how to use
this force for the betterment of
all men.
>^0RNER
The Interdenominational Group
is going to sponsor a discussion at
6:30 p.m. in the Day Student Cen
ter on October 18. The title of the
discussion is “Do you deserve a
place in a bomb shelter?’’ The
discussion will be led by Beth Troy
and Judy Summerell.
The Y had a good turn-out for
its discussion on “La Doche 'Vita”
and hopes ■ it will have a's many
again.
All students are invited and
urged to attend.
Beyond The Square
By Linda Wall
“I think you are fortunate to live in this stirring time of
-L J V/ vj.
revolution,” spoke Adlai E. Stevenson to the graduating class
of McGill University. We do live in a world of conflict—ideo-
logical conflict between Democracy and Communism, emotional
and physical conflict over Berlin, Laos, and the Congo. Not
only in the outer world but also within our . own country we
experience the pull of contrary forces. The battle of ideas con
tinues between Democrats and Republicans; the struggle of
emotions rages over the questioil of integration in the South.
We at Salem stand divided as to the meaning of honor and
as to the way of strengthening the Honor Tradition. Mr.
Stevenson is right: we do live in a “stirring time of revolution.”
But why are we fortunate to live in such a time? Would
it not be easier to live in a world of complete harmony and
peace? With complete peace we would be at ease, but we
would not be alive. Life is a drama, and the essence of drama
is conflict. Without conflict there would be no philosophers
puzzling over the questions of life, no teachers-stirring young
minds to think critically, no advancement in the spiritual, men
tal, moral, or social aspects of life. We would be static-
moving neither up nor down. No one would question tradi
tional standards; no difference of opinion would exist. The
essence of life would be missing.,
If we are fortunate and if we do live in a world of conflict,
we have a part in this drama of living. We are not on front
stage at the moment. In fact, we may feel as if we’re just a
backdrop of one scene in one city in one country of the world.
But we’re not just props. Props are ■ inanimate, and we are
alive. As understudies, we must probe the meanings of this
drama, pull forth its conflicts, and' define our own positions.
By keeping informed and ordering our ideas we are learning
the roles we are tn play. We are not to niemorize our lines
and spout them off; we are obliged to put expression and feel
ing into them. If we can assume creative roles, we shall be
ready for the front stage.
But the tremble of stage fright may run over us. We may
cry that we can never condone fighting and conflict; we may
moan that we still want only peace. But peace does not just
descend upon us. It is a goal, an ideal. It requires work,
sweat, conflict—conflict with forces who want the peace of
indoctrination, not of freedom. We may cry that we will
never be a Kennedy or a Roosevelt; we will never hold an im
portant position in this world. Are we so unimaginative that
we must succumb to this pessimism?
'There is a man who holds no formal position in any govern
ment, but a man "who is playing a role in^ this conflict. His
role is one of unification of forces, not tha rending of them.
He is Jean Monnet and his plan is the United States of Europe.
Dedicated to internationalism and active at seventy-two years
old, Monnet has fostered the unifying of Europe, especially
through the three and a half year old Common Market—com
prised of France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg,
and The Netherlands. The Common Market is dedicated to the
elimination of their trade, barriers and to the integration of
Britain’s recent bid for membership,
the Comnmn Market 'has taken a forward stride toward her
^ European unity Britain sees her fate and the future
ot the West. In Florence plans for a University of Europe are
being made and financed by the six nations. In' the Brussel’s
Market European High .School, about 1,150 school
children from twelve nations have enrolled and have opened
history books, not colored by patriotic prejudice but revealed
from every point of view. Monnet has started a revolution-
a Cham reaction toward unification. Although Monnet cannot
escape e conflict over methods of achieving this goal, such
bring forth a gigantic force of unity—the
United States of Europe.
What a role Jean Monnet has assumed! Yet, unlike us, he
a no ig er ormal education. Let us use this advantage of
education by being alert, informed, and eager to play our
To+ ^ ^ '"’OJider-filled, dynamic-powered world.
Let us not miss the thrill of these stirring times by yielding
Mr. Stevenson is right: we
are fortunate to be alive now!
Around The Square
By Tina Thrower
The sophomore slump is taking
over the caxnpus and news is i
scarce. To brighten up the drab I
meals in the dining hall, the sen- i
lors sang “Best ’Wishes” to Rachel!
Parker and Sue Sample.
The sophomores joined in by I
singing “Congratulations” to Anne
Griffis, who is pinned to the presi-
dent of -the Theta Chi fraternity'
at Wake Forest. '
Poor misfits! Our sympathy goes
■with you for having to put up with
those lovely beanies.
Nancy Kizer, Sue Cook, and Jane
Kelly are making plans for their
big summer in Hawaii as recep
tionists.
The juniors in South displayed
their feelings about FITS Day by
making, their own award which
hangs on the back door of South.
By the way, a searching party
has been organized by the seniors
who are determined to have —at
long last — the FITS Day Cup.
Where is it ?
That sharp senior class has done
it again! Senior Follies went on
with flying colors and E. E. SpaS'
modic will begin giving free danc
ing lessons to all those interested.