Newspapers / Daily Tar Heel (Chapel … / Nov. 1, 1929, edition 1 / Page 2
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Pnrre Two Published daily during the college year except Mondays and except Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring Holidays. The official newspaper of the Publi cations Union of the University of : NVvrth Carolina. Chapel Hill, N. C. Subscription price, $2.00 local and $4.00 out of town, lor the college year. Offices in the basement of Alumni .Building. Glenn Holder.... -Editor Will Yarborough . Mgr. Editor Marion Alexander....B. Mgr. ASSOCIATE EDITORS John Mebane ' Harry Galland ASSISTANT EDITORS J. Elwin Dungan J.,D. McNairy Joe Jones - B. C. Moore J. a Williams v f: CITT EDITORS E. F. Yarborough - K. C. Ramsay TT11 L "T 1 CUnnnn Q Vi SPORTS EDITORS Jo 3 Eagles Crawford McKethan .' Henry L. Anderson REPORTERS Howard Lee Holmes Davis Louis Brooks Charles Rose ' Lawrence Harris Mary Price J. P. Tyson -Browning Roach Al Lansford Joe Carpenter Peggy Lintner E. C. Daniel "W. A. Shulenberger G. E. French Frank Manheim Stowe Moody , Clyde Deitz George Sheram Robert Hodges John Lathan B. H. Whitton Nathan Volkman George Stone Lawrence Miller Jaek Riley T. E. Marshall R. T. Martin J. S. Weathers Stanley Weinberg Friday, November 1, 1929 Tar Heel Topics "Wolf pack Wants To- Beat Carolina Team," headlines the infant daily. Wonder what the headwriter thinks they play fooi ball for, anyway? One more consolation for we underpaid typewriter pounders is that we didn't ' have' enough coin to buy ourselves some stock before the market went blooie. Hallowe'en night and nary a false fire alarm, busted plate glass window or old lady fright ened to death in Chapel Hill. Maybe the collegian is growing up after all. ' - A Dangerous Precedent Three Washington Times re porters were sentenced Wednes day to 45 days each in jail for contempt of court by Judge Pey ton Gordon when they refused to reveal to a District of Colum bia grand jury the jiames and addresses of persons from whom they claimed to have purchased liquor. The men told the court they had bought liquor in 49 speakeasies in Washington, that they had gained admittance to them through friends and that they had promised not to reveal the names of bootleggers, assert ing their only purpose in going to the speakeasies was to develop news stories concerning crime conditions in Washington. Though sentenced for 45 days, the reporters face indeterminate sentences, since they will . be liable to another contempt action if they . refuse to answer the questions at-the end of their terms. The judge implied that they might be freed before the expiration of their sentences if they revealed the names of the bootleggers. It seems to us that the Dis trict of Columbia is counten ancing a high-handed and highly dangerous procedure if it per mits the sentences of the report ers to stand. A precedent would be set which would very effect ually prevent newspaper cam paigns against crime conditions and political abuses. In the past newspapers have rendered ser vice of inestimable value to the public on numerous occasions by revealing corruption in govern ment and inefficiencies in police administration. It is the duty of law enforce ment officials to act upon reports of crime and the privilege of any citizen or publication to point out violations of the law. Courts and other crime preven tion agencies should be appreci ative of tips from individuals or newspapers which inform them of instances of law breaking. Prosecution of criminals hard ly lies within the province of journalism. Newspapers have a definite duty to perform for the public in bringing to light deplorable crime conditions ; if their reporters are to be re quired to secure evidence against individual lawbreakers and di- vulge this evidence before tri bunals of justice they should be subsidized by the state. Judge Gordon has attempted to convert a newspaper staff into a police department. It is true that newshounds are often amateur sleuths, but the average reporter would hardly be willing to be come a federal "flatfoot," even if his journalistic duties did not prevent it. Strange as it may seem, even a reporter has a few principles. The Forensic Situation , V Along . with other develop ments in the field of extracurri cular activity at the University of North Carolina has come an alleged decline of interest in for ensic undertakings. It is by no means an uncommon occurrence to hear members of the f acul ty, who were intercollegiate de baters in their undergraduate days, lament-the fact that debat ing no longer draws a packed house of students, faculty mem bers, and townspeople. Every now and then some elderly per son tells of the days when he had to go to Gerrard hall early in order to get a seat for the oc casion of the annual Carolina Virginia debate. That the dis appearance of this condition in dicates a decline of-interest can not be denied. The writer feels, however, that there are several facts in this connection which should be cited as an explana tory measure. Debating is the oldest form of extracurricular activity in which representatives of the Univer sity now participate, v It had its beginning long before the days of football and long before the days of the famous Carolina Playmakers. The Dialectic Sen ate and the Philanthropic As sembly, essentially forensic or ganizations, were founded in 1795. Thus, forensics early be came a part of the University itself. With this beginning de bating here rapidly became the chief activity of. the various rival clubs and other organiza tions which developed in the course of the ensuing century, Carolina's first intercollegiate debate finally taking place in 1904. Forensics at Carolina have a nobility of origin, there fore, which is second only to the founding of the University it self . Time was when a' Carolina student had to debate if he en gaged in any form of extracur ricular activity whatsoever, ' for there was nothing else to do in this field of endeavor which is all-important in the present day. Moreover, attendance of the lit erary societies was assured by faculty regulations from which none were exempt. This situa tion no longer exists. - But let us be more specific and more modern. Most of the four hundred and twelve organi zations which exist on this cam pus at present originated within the last forty years. Students who would have flocked to inter collegiate debates even twenty years ago now attend various social meetings, political gath erings, picture shows, and the like. The forensic cause is the sufferer. And why? Simply be cause other things are more dra matic and appeal more to the average youth who is bent upon a good time. The extreme de velopment of the moving pic liili DAILY ture industry, the rise of brawn worship with its many football heroes, and many other forms of amusement involving the physical element.,and social ap peal have sapped intercollegiate debating of large audiences. The contention of the writer is sub stantiated by the fact that the annual CairolinaBritish debate always attracts a large audience. People want to see what the Britishers look like just as they want to see famous football players in action. Intercollegiate debating is concerned with questions of na tional and international impor tance. Moreover, statistics show that the average age of students enrolled in the University is con siderably lower than it was fif teen years ago. The tendency from' the first class to that of last year is toward graduation at an earlier age. The conten tion here is that young students are not as much interested in big national and international problems as older ones are. This factor cannot easily be over looked in explaining the decline of forensic audiences. Youths of eighteen and nineteen years who become very much excited when watching a football game would consider a debate on im migration nothing short of a gripe. Nevertheless, the pendulum has swung the other way now, and intercollegiate debating here is gaining steadily in prom inence. Since the organization of the debate squad, from which all intercollegiate debaters are selected, the number of candi dates for teams has increased very noticeably. Owing to bet ter presentations in all debates arising from the aforesaid in creased competition for posi tions on the teams and such fea tures as the debate with the British women in Memorial hall last year, attendance is also in creasing from year to year. The Carolina-Virginia radio de bate, begun last year and now an annual affair, has done much to arouse interest. In . the whole forensic game at Carolina there seems to be a steady revival after a very la mentable slump. J. C. W. Readers' Opinions IN ANSWER TO MR. MEBANE AND HIS DRAMATIC CRITIC Editor the Daily Tar Heel : But for the rather brutal pun on the word "shrieks," Mr. Greenblatt's letter was a model of dignity' and restraint that I might do well to imitate. How ever, the temptation offered by the content outweighs any ad miration I may have for Mr. Greenblatt's literary abilities. Particularly noticeable is Mr. Greenblatt's contempt for "press notices" and "newspaper men." In reply, I should like to ask this question: What written dramatic criticisms are not "press notices?" , What are Mr. Greenblatt's comments but "press notices?" And who ex cept "newspaper men" write dramatic criticisms of current plays? Mr. Mebane himself says that the Carolina Maga zine theatrical column is pat terned after those of "Life" and "Judge." In the broad sense of the word, George Jean Nathan and Ralph Barton are journal ists. Even if Mr. Greenblatt is a purist, I consider my talents greatly complimented to be ranked with Percy - Hammond, Robert Littell, and St. Johns Ervine. When Mr. Greenblatt improves on these men, I shall be very happy to offer him my heartiest congratulations and most profound admiration. In comparing Mr. Greenblatt's column with the dramatic de partment of "Life" and "Judge," which Mr. Mebane assured me were the models of its design, I find one distinct difference. Un TAR HEEL like Mr. Greenblatt's comments, George Jean Nathan's terse criticisms are based upon a more adequate review, which has appeared in a previous is sue. Robert Benchleys state ment in the last "New Yorker" concerning "Strictly Dishonor able" ; "The first real light com edy of the season, etc," was pre ceded by. a two column review in the issue of October 26, even though most of us should be willing to accept Mr. Benchley's unqualified "yes" or "no." Another matter I should like to mention is the "purpose of Mr. Greenblatt's column. As my kind supporter, Another Damyankee, put it: "What is the use"of re viewing plays five hundred miles off in New York?" While I thank him for his assistance, I do not entirely agree with iim on this poin Carolina prides itself on being progressive and abreast of the times. To ignore anything as much a part of the development of our national cul ture as the New York theatre would be inconsistent with this policy. If the column is intend ed to serve as. a guide, perhaps the short comment form is the best. However, even in this case, the visiting New Yorkers are told very little of what the plays are about, and have only Mr. Greenblatt's personal opin ion as to whether they are good or bad. Mr. Greenblatt's disap pointment in "Journey's End" is interesting inasmuch as it is contradictory to the prevalent opinion of the merit of this play, but without further elaboration I should not feel satisfied to ac cept his verdict. And were I'to avoid seeing it merely because he didn't like it, I should be rather angry to discover after wards that it is generally con sidered to be the best play "in New York. Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, and I am not advo cating sheep-mindedness. How ever, I do believe that for the guidance of those people who have only a limited time to spend in New York, and wish to see these plays which are most rep resentative, worthwhile, and en joyable, a more authoritative and mature opinion would be advisable perhaps that of these same "newspaper men." De spite Mr. Greenblatt's contempt for them, their business is to know' and recommend good plays. And I believe that their experience with the theatre is more extensive than his. If Mr. Greenblatt's column is for the information of those who are unable to attend New York productions, a more de tailed review seems to be indi cated. It should briefly discuss thq nature of the play, the plot, the setting, the characters, as well as the. quality of the play and performance as a whole. In conclusion, I want to apolo gize for any personal remarks I have ' made. Unfortunately, when criticising anything so in dividual as personal opinion, it is hard not to be personal. And then too, Mr. Greenblatt found boring a play which I consider one of the high spots of my life. Sincerely yours, A. NEW YORKER. Three New Members Elected To Vestry The student vestry of the I Episcopal church held the elec- tion of new members last Tues day night at the parish house ,at which the following men were elected : Bill Draper, Jack Pes chan and Mandy Webb. Dick Winburn resigned as president of the vestry at the meeting because of lack to time to fill properly the duties invest ed in the office. His successor will be elected at the next meet ing. Members of the vestrv in clude Bill Carbine, Joe Eagles, Aubrey Parsley, Peter Brown Ruffin, Beaky Huger, Charlie Waddell and Robert Brawley. Did YoiilkiioY That-- -The most mispronounced, and misspelled word, is optimist? According to Howard Mumford Jones, many students here say opto mist, and some go so far as to spell it that way. Another oft misspelled and mispro nounced word is hypocrisy. - The cornflower has been voted the unofficial flower of the Uni versity of North , Carolina ? An interesting sociological movement is going on within the confines of "I" dormitory? Just as the old Christians, who were so outnumbered by the Romans, formed secret societies and met in the Catacombs, and like the Hugenots in France, the Moors in Spain and like the contem poraneous little races within races, such as the "Little Italy's" and the "Little Hungary's" of New York, endeavored to retain their individualities and with stand the pressure of foreign thought and ideals, so have the Christians in dormitory banded together and formed the "Gentile, Club." Of course, as anyone who has ever been to "I" may know, the men eligible to join the "Gentile Club" number not more than forty or forty-five percent of the entire dormitory. Weekly meetings are held, of ficers have been elected and steps taken to form a strong, power ful organization which will be able to cope with the gradual en croachment of the entire dormi tory by the opposition. Every time President Chase frowns, 50 muscles must work, while every time he smiles, only 13 of his muscles go into play? When Archibald Henderson goes into the Carolina Barber Shop to have a shave and hair cut, it is said that he always mumbles, "Give me a shavian haircut, please? a "Dean" Paulsen has been growing more and more amazed at the continued increase in the use of undershirts and under drawers among the students ? Three years ago, only full-grown union suits were to be seen tumblingout of the laundry bags but now not more than one or two men, at the most, out of each dormitory and fraternity house send in the good old-fashioned union-suits. There is a most disappointed sophomore wandering about, looking forlorn and lovelorn? Fall Styles and Stetson "D" and Homespuns. toe Fine Workmanship and Quality Built into every Garment. Suits and Topcoats TaiIored o Your Individual Taste 29.50 and more Friday, November 1, 1929 Last week, he received a letter from his girl in New York stat ing that her father and mother would be away for the week-end and it would be wonderful if he were .to come up to see her. He left Thursday afternoon, af ter borrowing as much money as he could lay hands on, and leav ing, with the full knowledge that he was cutting two mid-term ex aminations. When he finally ar rived in New York, he spent the entire week-end talking to his girl, who was irt bed, from the threshold of her room. He wasn't allowed to " enter her room. Diphtheria had beat him to it. He's broke now, flunked one exam that he had not time to prepare for and must take two exams that he missed this week. Jhe library subscribes to more than 1080 periodicals every year? 'Chi Psi fraternity announces the pledging of William B. Mc Lean of Red Springs. TODAY ONLY Who's Bride? A future ' admiral and a future general decide that question, on the grid iron. It's West Point vs. An napolis and brother vs.' brother with the big gest screen thrill of your life as the result. Added Features "Sleeping Porch" :AU Talking Comedy Pathe News Showing the Latest News Events 8p Patterns Featuring the famous Biltmore and - - ' .'s- if I fyl with' . ' ' " 1 "' ' " V GEORGE . HELEN ff U O'BRIEN CHANDLER J
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Nov. 1, 1929, edition 1
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