Page Two
THE SALEMITE
October 21
1949
^neaiunen- Ruth’s News . . •
This week students voted to pay $2.00 per
couple for the formal dances held on Salem
campus. The organizations which give the
formal dances here are grateful for the vote;
it indicates the ability of our student body
' to consider expenses and to share a part of
them willingly when they benefit from those
expenses.
By paying $2.00 per couple for formal
dances, a tremendous burden will be lifted
from the organizations which sponsor the
dances. This year our dances each will pro
bably cost $250 dollars. Only two of the or
ganizations which give formal dances receive
that much money from the student budget.
Even these groups, however, would be in debt
for the rest of the year if they had to support
the dances entirely. Their operations would
be completely limited to one social function,
and none of the organizations at Salem are
purely social in nature. Even paying a dollar
or less per couple for dances would so limit
the sponsoring groups that they could serve
virtually no purpose other than giving one
big dance. And no Salemite is so selfish that
she wants all the students to pay entirely for
what about half the students enjoy, as is the
ease in dances. But by paying $2.00 for dance
cards, the student who goes to the dance will
benefit directly, and the organizations will be
able to give better dances than they have pre-
viou.sly. Furthermore, if the dances are
nearly self-supporting, the organizations will
be able to serve each of you more adequately,
in many new ways. And there is the possi
bility that the budget can be lowered in the
future, since about a fifth of it will no longer
have to be allocated to dances.
Paying $2.00 per couple for dancete will
place the responsibility for paying for dances
on those who attend them, it will provide for
better dances, and it will enable our organi
zations to be more useful to each of you.
Jane Kranss, Treasurer
Student Government
2>ea^ &dUo^:
1 have heard many comments on the fresh
man theme by Gene Watt Stokes published in
the Salemite last week. Why not publish
essays and sketches by freshmen from time to
time and award a prize in the spring for the
best one?
Let’s hear more jolly stories by the travel
ers—if Frances’ and L. G. M.’s experience is
a sample.
A Subscriber
Salemite
Published every Friday of the College year by the
Student body of Salem College
Downtown Office—304-306 South Main Street
Printed by the Sun Printing Company
Lower floor Main Hall
OFFICES
Subscription Price—$2.75 a year
EDITORAL DEPARTMENT
Editor-in-Chief Dale Smith
Associate Editor Joan Carter Read
Associate Editor Ruth Lenkoski
Assistant Editor Clara Belle Le Grand
Make-up Editor Mary Turner Rule
Copy Editors Mary Lib Weaver, Jane Fearing
Music Editors Cammy Lovelace, Kathryn Pitts
Editorial Staff; Betty Leppert, Polly Hartle, Sybel
Haskins, Winkie Harris, Lee Rosenbloom, Gene
Watt Stokesj Norman Jarrard.
Editorial Assistants; Lila Fretwell, Lola Dawson,
Polly Harrop, Sis Poser, Clinky Clinkscales, Fay
Stickney, Marcia Stahl, Betsy Farmer, Liz Le-
land.
Typists: Ann Sprinkle, Janet Zimmer.
Pictorial Editors: Joanne Mills, Lorrie Dirom.
Faculty Advisor Miss Jess Byrd
Business Manager Robert C. Gray
Assistant Business Manager Mary Jane Hurt
Advertising Manager Mary Faith Carson
Assistant Advertising Manager — Rosalyn Fogel
Circulation Manager Helen Kessler
by Ruth Lenkoski
Last Friday eleven leaders of
• the Communist Party in the United
States were convicted of conspiracy
against the U. S. GovernmenJ by a
special grand jury. During the past
week there has been much specu
lation about the validity of the de
cision and further action which may
be taken.
One question being asked is will
a higher court approve the verdict
in view of the Constitutional gua
rantee of free speech in the United
States ? In the past the Supreme
Court has held that . freedom of
speech can be abridged when words
spoken create a “clear and present
danger.”
The indictment which was
brought against the conspirators in
the present case states : “That from
on or about April 1, 1945, and continu
ously thereafter the defendents un
lawfully, willfully and knowingly
did conspire with each other to
organize as the Communist Party
of the United States a society,
group and assembly of persons who
teach and advocate the overthrow
and destruction of the Government
of the United States by force and
violence. ” In the trial just ended,
the jury must have considered the
actions of the Communist Party
“clear and present dangers,” for
all eleven defendents were found
guilty.
It is believed that the eleven con
victed men comprised most of the
Communist Politburo in the U. S.,
a fact which raises another ques
tion : What will now happen to the
Communist Party in this country ?
Will the party have to move under
ground. The Communists say no.
but other observers have pointed
out that if the party wishes to
function in the same manner it will
have to move underground for fear
of being further convicted.
NORTH CAROLINA
It was announced this week that
several districts in the State of
North Carolina would have less than
a w'eek’s supply of coal in the event
that a cold spell should occur. In
other places there is a limited
supply for a few w'eeks. The short
age can be partically accounted for
as an effect of the strikes in the
coal mines.
Horne’s Views . . .
Dear Mother,
We left Montreux one Wednes
day morning—six of us—four girls
from Vassar, Lelia Graham Marsh,
and I. L. G. M. and Tucky al
ready had their Billets de Vacanes.
The rest of us were in a fog—so
they took the first train out while
we haggled around in broken French
with the ticket man. Finally we
understood that you pay 15 frances
for the billet—and proceed to get
your ticket at a considerable re
duction—thus instead of 70 francs
you get by with only 40. So we
got on the 10:30 train and went
merrily on our way. I, thinking
at one time I wouldn’t go—not if
it took 70 francs, had given my
hotel feed bag to Lelia Graham
(European hotels pack a lunch for
you if you are going to be away.
So when the wolf started gnawdng,
the three other girls generously
chipped in and furnished me with a
tomato, piece of ham sandwich, and
bits of chocolate. I made the sur
prising discovery that a piece of
chocolate inserted between layers
of the ham sandwich make it simply
delicious.
We had to make a connection
in a tiny little town named Visp—
(pronounced Wisp !! Since audit
ing German, I have found that we
were entirely wrong in assuming
it is pronounced ‘Wisp’—actually
‘Fisp’!)—and have plenty of time
to explore a little bit. So the first
thing we did was dead end in the
slaughter house. After skillfully
weaving our way among the car
casses we emerged into daylight
again, and wandered down the shop
ping district. Then we went to a
restaurant and had a short beer and
then caught our train to Terwatt.
That Avas one of the nicest trips
was along a ravine—pine covered
I’ve ever taken. Most of the way
slopes and a great noisy river gush
ing through the bottom—sometimes
we were along side of it—other
times we were seemingly suspended
over it. A road ran along the rail
road bed, and a white 1948 Stude-
baker accompanied us all the way
there—the Swiss just love Stude-
bakers—we saw more of them than
any other kind of American car—
or maybe it’s just that the Stude-
baker salesmen were plenty high-
powered when they hit Switzerland,
having decided that they were not
going to haul those cars up them
thar hills after once getting them
in there!! We arrived in Zermatt
around 4 p. m. and went immedia
tely to the “Beau Site” where Lelia
(Continued on page six)
Stokes’ Reviews . . .
by Gene Watt Stokes
Old Chapel seemed twice as old
and dark last Tuesday as we tremb
led into our assigned seats. Sopho-
mor'Ss lining each side of the wall
glared at us vehemently. “Shut
Up!”—the meeting w'as called to
order and we were told that another
■session of rat week had begun.
Being an ambitious Freshman, I
had my pencil ready as each Sopho
more called her name which we
were supposed to learn. However,
it was rather difficult to recor(
these names as they were given in
reverse order. Later, I found who
Atrym Yeliw was, but at the time
it was confusing.
We were given many lists of “rat
rules” and after quite a while in
Old Chapel, we went to our respec
tive rooms—took off lipstick, and
put on signs. Two days of “mouse-
dom” lay ahead—two days of no
smiles, no speech—just suffering.
Rats were cordially invited to a
party in Davy Jones and I dare say
it was a nice affair. The only
reason I couldn’t be too sure about
the aforesaid is that we didn’t sec
much that was going on. Fresh
men stood with their faces to the
wall.
The following night entertain
ment was provided by the Class of
’53. Up until this fateful night we
had considered ourselves a rather
talented class, and we disregarded
what little dignity we had in an
all-out effort to entertain. Not one
Sophomore laughed—not one So
phomore smiled. Every Sophomore
yawned.
Rat Court was the climax to two
days of climaxes. Again, we were
back in Old Chapel and as the
white faces of the court leered ar
me, I thought I knew of only one
mightier Judge. There was much
activity on the stage as Dr. Gram-
ley knitted. Temple St. Clair sat on
bugs, and an entire shmoo-ball
game was played.
Another party, w'as given to us
later that night when everything
was over. This time the Sopho
mores were much better hosts and
It was wonderful to see that they
really could smile!
We still think of Anne Miller’s
laughing constantly, B. A. Larkins
flirting with the Coca Cola mach
ine, and Jo Ann White kissing that
handsome stranger. For four Ion-
weeks we dreaded rat week and for
two long days we suffered but now
that it’s over there are things that
for our whole career at Salem we
will remember, and laugh about,
and enjoy.
by Sybel Haskins and Winkie Harris
Activitus straightened the last seam, d^bb d
on the last drops of perfume and went t
meet Theodore Henry. She decided that since
this was the only night they could be together
until Christmas, it would not do to waste time
at a show. Anyway, the date room would
surely not he crowded on a week night
1’heodore Henry was finally convinced that
tlie room was empty, (after Activitus had
thoroughly searched und,er every chair) and
Ni’ent to get some soft music from, the victrola
Forty-five minutes later, he decided that a
mi:sieal background was unnecessary anyway
They got settled on a sofa and lit a Chester-
lield. Activitus knew that this was the time
to begin her campaign—getting an invite to
tlie Dnke-Carolina. T. H. looked like he was
in just the perfect mood. She opened her
mouth, when—
“Oooh—excuse me I I didn’t knoAv anybody
u':is in here! Just wanted to see if I left m'v
notebook.”
Myrtle Sue swayed in with a sultry look
Inward Theodore.
■Activitus bared her teeth in a brave grin
and mumbled an introduction. Ahvays the
perfect gentleman, Theodore spent the next
twenty minutes assisting Myrtle Sue in a fruit
less search. Finally, Activitus managed to
maneuver the intruder to the front door. She
pushed Myrtle out with one hand and held
Theodore back wdth the other.
Her biggest mistake was opening the door
in the first place. The German club had just
finished meeting and all fifty members rushed
through to go to their rooms. Activitus
avoided being trampled to death by leaping
under the piano. When the dust had finally
subsided, she found Theodore trembling in un-
I'ontrollable fright behind the window curtains.
She carried him to the sofa, stroking his
fevered brow.
The momentary interlude was interrupted
by the cold, piercing stare of Miss Stalk.
Activitus jerked Theodore by his necktie, to a
standing position and pulled up a chair.
Won’t you sit down Miss Theodore, this is
Stalk Henry—I mean won’t you stalk down
Miss Henry, this is Theodore—”
Miss Stalk sat down.
Activitus punched Theodore and said “uh”
four times. Then all three came forth with—
“Isn’t it a lovely day?”
Embarrassed grins and ten more minutes
of dead silence.
Suddenly a scream rent the air—they turned
in time to see a red and white striped appari
tion turn and back out the door. Miss Stalk
streaked out after it.
Privacy once more; Acti could hardly be
lieve it. . (She shouldn’t have.) The appari-
fion returned, this time partially covered by
raincoat.
■‘Ton all excuse me, I have to go this way
go downstairs and get a coke.”
l;’or Theodore’s benefit—“I don’t live in this
building and I’m about to die of thirst.” She
padded out apologetically.
Activitus was glad that somebody had the
t ecency not to stay and chat with them. But
the thought had come too sooh. The appari
tion came hack again, loudly clinking coke
bottles and exclaiming.
Honestly I could have just died—coining
over here in my pajamas and running into a
man and Miss Stalk to boot. Eeally I’m so
embarrassed, those other two doors being
locked just fouls me up terribly—” Thirty-
-sftveu minutes later Theodor! and Aetiv were
still agreeing with her.
Then the bell began ringing.
My gosh—the dorm’s going to be locked,
I gotta run^’—and she did.
^ strange sinking sensation,
e had to sign in before that bell stopped
ringing.
Ishe shook hands with Theodore, wished him
well and ran.
She signed in bh time and crawled, panting)
back to her snug little room. The full impact
u. j ) ^^ taken place hit Activitus. She
ant even had time to mention football
pmes. The end of all contacts! Something
bad to be done. Aeti decided ttat she, as a
citizen of her community, should personally
torm an “Inter-collegiate union for the pre-
ven lou-of-doors-beiug-locked-at-seven-thirty-