The Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, November 11, 1927 Page: 2 of 6
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PAGE TWO
THE THRESHER—HOUSTON, TEXAS
TME
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A weekly paper published by the 8tudente of Rice Institute during the months of October, November, Deeember,
January, February, March, April, May, and the last two weeks in September.
Entered as second class matter October 17, 1016, at the postofflce In Houston, Texas, undar the Aot of Mareh S,
1879.
j. c. mcneiul editor-in-chief
GAYLORD HART BUSINESS MANAGER
MENTON J. MURRAY MANAGING EDITOR
THE STAFF
EDWIN P. NEILAN Sports Editor
KATHRYN WILSON Features Editor
MARGIE THIEL Society Editor
GORDON TURRENTINE Associate Editor
VAUGHN ALBERTSON Associate Editor
TED STRONG News Editor
BEVERLY FONVILLE News Editor
WALLACE FRANKLIN Advertising
WALTER HALL Advertising
LAWRENCE HAMILTON Advertising
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE
Evelyn Epley, Tom Phillips, Jack Baebr, Grace Felder, Jeannette Gorskl,
' Elizabeth Mye, Charllne Lallier, Wilbur Bourland.
M THE WORLD
OF THE
COLLEGE PRESS
IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE?
The drift of the age is discern able in our un-
iversities and that drift bodes no good for the
form of government that we call constitutional
democracy. .Mention politics to the intelligent
college student and he will shrug his shoulders
or openly jeer at the idea of the people making
their laws or choosing who their governors
shall lie. One will find him cynical, indifferent,
host ile.
Those whose interests are allied with the
political older, the business men, the judges,
the lawyers and most of all the capitalist press,
look upon the student and are troubled for in
his hands they see the tinder of ideas that at
any time may ignite the inflammable popular
mind. They are striving hard to hold him to
orthodoxy. Such editorials as the recent one
which appeared in one of the Houston papers,
called Representative Democracy the Only
Hope" an.' addressed primarily to him.
This editorial with more logic than is ordinar-
ily found in the columns of this particular paper
propounds the thesis that if we abandon repre-
sentative democracy which it carefully distin-
guishes from complete democracy, we but ex-
pose ourselves to a dictatorship of the mob.
Its abandonment will not mean the restoration
of a cultured aristocracy or benevolent and en-
lightened monarchy but the bloody tyranny of-
the ignorant and the violent, the lowest strata
of society. With something of real eloquence,
the article concludes with appeal to the "youth-
ful cynics" to cease belittling and to join with
the rest of mankind in strengthening and safe-
guarding the life of democracy.
The youthful cynics are not going to cease
belittling, however, nor are they going to be so
easily convinced that there is no admissable al-
ternative to a government of checks, balances,
cumbersome written constitutions, individualis-
tically conceived private rights and territorial
representation. These were the expression of
the nationalistic, competitive nineteenth cen-
tury. We are living in the internationalistic
collectivist twentieth century, and the scornful
young thinkers in our universities know that
the forms of 150 years ago are no adequate ex-
pression of it.
They refuse to believe, moreover, that there
is uo alternative but anarchy to this order dis-
tinguished by waste, graft, unintelligence, in-
ertia and sluggishness. They believe that there
is possible a scientific co-ordination of all the
multiple activities of society a government of
disinterested and well rewarded experts neither
directly chosen or directly responsible to the
people, a, government in which a fictitious
' quality will be replaced by a rational grada-
tion of ' lasses that will give to every man the
influence to which his ability entitled him.
These things, they maintain, can be realized,
and with solemn rejoicing regard the tenth an-
niversary of the great Slavic experiment that
contains within it the germs and foreshadow-
ing® of them. Amidst prophecies of disaster
it. grows stronger with the passing years, point-
ing to a further political evolution adapted to
the world state of the future. The students of
America see "mfire promise in it than in the
party machinery and issueless campaigns in
which they are asked to participate.
THE GAMBLING EVIL
' Gambling in the dormitories is on the increase
and must be stopped immediately, a message,
signed by Karl Kreamer, chairman of the Ilall
Committee and by Walter Boone, president of
the Student Association, says.
Penalty for gambling in the dorms bears
heavily upon the guilty ones, provided they are
convicted by the Hall Committee, which is
charged with keeping proper order in the halls.
Expulsion from the dormitories and possibly
from the school for a year, are the "axes" the
committee holds over those engaging in such
uncouth practices.
This is right and proper, and no doubt has
the complete approbation of all clear-thinking
students. Gambling, drinking and rowdiness
have no place in the life of the college man.
Some students, we understand, are prone to
believe that collegians are permitted such undue
and shameful goings-on, but they are mis-in-
formed and show a lack of consideration for
those with whom they come in contact, and a
certain mental deficiency.
Gambling is contagious. For some stu-
dents it has a certain appeal. They think in
terms of gambling, and are not satisfied until
the urge is satiated. Such a frame of mind, it
will be noted, leads easily to other more serious
things. Such influences, it will be admitted,
are detrimental to one's character and to one's
academic duties, which, theoretically speaking,
come first on the student activity program.
College is a training ground for the young
man's character. From 16 through the early
twenties the student is polishing up his finer
points for later contact with society at large,
and this formative period is just as important,
and in some respects more so, than the earlier
adolescent stages. Whenever the young man en-
gages in such practices as are commonly banned
by society's intricate organization, he not only
is proving his own undoing, but at the same
time is exhibiting poor judgment and poor taste,
as defined by society itself.
These are some of the evils of gambling and
other well-known vices. But we are inclined to
believe that the message of Mr. Kreamer and of
Mr. Boone is rather misleading. The fact that
one or two gambling games have come to their
attention this year does not by any means indi-
cate that such practices are at all common at
the Institute. Rather, we are sure that the
greater majority of Rice students are serious to-
wards their academic and extra-curricular du-
ties, having no place for gambling on their
schedules, and most probably nf>t desiring any
such place.
If there is, by any chance, any gambling in
the halls, students should co-operate to the full-
est extent with the Hall Committee to correct
the evil. Not only will they be removing an un-
wholesome influence from their midst, but at
the same time proving of aid to those who are
lacking in their judgment.
R
GETL ACQUAINTED
College students and people in general seem
to resent any advice given to them if it is for
their own good. Call it whatever "complex"
you will but it is nevertheless true. The primary
purpose that we are here is to be broadened in
our knowledge and views, not to learn three
hours of Math, English, and Spanish three times
a week. One can spend his or her time very
profitably by sitting-in on some course other
than their own. There are some very interest-
ing non-technical lectures given every day.
Those who are not fortunate enough to be en-
rolled in the Shakespeare course of Dr. Axson
at nine on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
can find an extremely interesting lecture. Many
other subjects are open to this form of spend-
ing one's surplus time to more advantage. Know
your professors—they are human.
STUDENT ACCIDENT INSURANCE
According to the "Kentucky Ker-
nel" we find that accident insurance
to college undergraduates, much her-
alded last season, as a latest protec-
tive feature has become quite tbe
thing. The project, as a means of
arousing collegiate harrangue on a
broad seals, seems to have gained im-
petus especially in Europe, particu-
larly Oxford.
It is a movement college comic
magazines have been waiting for,
| needing, developing. Primarily an
economic enterprise, the part of Col-
j legiate Accident Insurance has be-
jcome essentially one of humanitarian
i design. Conceive, if you can, of tbe
world o fbuslness at last awakening
to the realization that the self-sup-
porting, soft hearted, Mildred type of
college boy.as pictured so realistical
ly in "Jack Lockwell at oarding
| School" has, alas, vanished. In hie
place there comes the immaculate,
deeply religious, synthetic student ot
the present era. Whether college de-
velops brains, manhood, capacity abil-
ity, is another question. The real
tact of interest is that tbe modern
college guy must be protected. Prom
what?
Such magazines as the "Nation"
recognize the situation most substan-
tially, as evinced by their article from
the "Coe College Cosmos" reprinted
In the THRESHER of Sept. 28,:
"Nourished on a steady diet of Plati-
tudes, the student is fortunate if he
posseses any mind at all." That
statement may or may not mean that
he is lucky if he lives through four
years at college.
Every economic movement is be-
gun, supported, and terminated by
outside influence acting upon it in an
economic way, or what have you. For
instance W" have the records to show
for an astounding list of student sui-
icldes in the last few years, to the
families of which, the addition o fa
crisp check would in nowise have
been unacceptable—p rovided of
course the proof was offered that the
death was from perfectly (natural
causes, as is alwasy the case. Which
all merely goes to advance the stand-
ing of Student Accident Insurance.
Studens of faulty minds, bred on
empty, profane, or radical thoughts;
indolent or indigent camuus loungers;
prevaricators and other fraternity
men. freshmen; perhaps even the
much famed or notorious professor
in his most productive state of ab-
sentmiudedness; all these might be
included in the scope of the Insur-
ance range. In an age so fruitful
with such wrecks as now grace the
once stately campuses and such .skil-
ful drivers of these wrecks, God pity
even tbe Insurance companies.
"The Tulane Hullabaloo" announces
prizes offered by a Boston Theatre
patron along religious, metaphysical,
or whatnot, lines aimed at the dis-
couragement of the once prevalent
fad of student suicides. Perhaps a
vigorous campaign by skilled insur-
ance men could offset this contin-
gency and return student activity to
its just position in the public or vul-
gar eye. 6
After all it remains for the period-
icals of the greater Universities to es-
tablish and advertise this important
asset to college life before the eye of
all people. The statement does not
folio wthat the schools o fthe old
world have been more collegiate in
initiating the movement. May it be
more advanced to develop the initia-
tion. n old adage says that mee may
come and men may go but Universi-
ties go on forever.
Thus the problem before the pres-
ent generation lies in instituting
these great humanitarian projects in
the interest and for the benefits of
the college generations to follow. Woe
betide the distressing fact that we of
tod&y have been denied the priceless
inheritance of such pre-care as that
of providing Accident insurance for
our dependence. Salvation lies in our
ability to pla nsurprises fo{, the dear
little slime classes of tomorrow.
Ashcraft Talks of Scouting Experiences
"Spirit," Coach Ashcraft told a
Thresher reporter hi a recent inter-
view, "is probably the controlling far-
tor In deciding this year's football su-
premacy In the Southwestern Confer-
ence." Mr. Ashcraft scouted the S. M.
U.-Aggie game at College Station last
Saturday, and brought back to
Coaches Heisman and Rothgeb the
formations and plays likely to be used
by the Aggies against Rice this week.
While Mr. Ashcraft brings back
new#1 of a great Aggie eleven he also
brings to Rice rooters the encourag-
ing information that this A. and M.
team was playing over its head in the
S. M. U. game.
"I still believe," said Mr. Ashcraft,
"that man for man the Southern
Methodists have the better team. The
traditions of Kyle field, the fighting
spirit both on and off the field of the
cadets, and the superior physical con-
dition of the Aggies, were too much
for any football team worn by the
strain of successive battles with Mis-
souri and Texas universities, as was
S. M. U." For Rice followers, who
since last week have come to look on
the approaching tornado from College
Station as Invincible, this advice
brings welcome relief.
Mr. Ashcraft's trip to College Sta-
tion came as the conclusion to a ser-
ies of scouting trips which have car-
ried him this season from Shreveport,
La., to the wilds of West Texas.
Thousands of miles were covered on
these journles, to the end that the
Owls might have had advanced in-
formation about opposing elevens and
their plays. Ashcraft saw Centenary
play S. M. U. at Shreveport. He saw
S. M. U. play Howard Paine College
at Dallas. At Fort Worth he scouted
the A. and M-^T. C. U. game. The
next week end found him at Lubbock,
Texas, where the Aggies trounced
Texas Tech.
Mr. Ashcraft's service on the grid-
iron and his scouting experiences
have furnished him with ample oppor-
tunity for maturing reliable football
judgments. A few of these he consent-
ed to give the reporter.
Why don't the Owls break up for-
ward passing attacks? "Because,"
says Mr. ABhcraft, "the Rice line falls
to rush the passer. The backfleld
is doing its duty If It breaks up one-
Campus W recks, or the Co-eds' Curse
By WILBUR BOURLAND
Listed among the more memorable
moments of the life of almost every
popular coped is the experience of
having a date in a campus wreck. It
Is a well known fact that a girl Is
not qualified as a full fledged College
Widow until she has had at least
four such occuriences on four suc-
cessive years. For this purpose there
are some twenty such relics nestled
behind West Hall in various stages
of mechanical decay, a few of which
have run their last, for all of the
Engineers and all of Tony's men
could not put tbem together again.
As to the original owners of the an-
tiques only higher powers could ven-
ture to report with the slightest, vein
of truth, for some of tbem have been
handed down from the third and
fourth generation.
Mr. H. Ford seems to be the most
favored manufacturer by the ones
that can afford such luxuries. Next
In line are the Chevrolets which are
led by the Illustrious "Gilda" which
is the most unstable antique on four
wheels. The remainder Is comprised
of the arts of various makers some
of which went out of business many
years ago. For an example ol' this
type is the relic which Bill Grace is
seen pushing most of the time. It
shows all of the wonders of the an-
cient mechanical mind, it Is the car
(hat put the Linen Duster into com-
plete discard. In Its younger days
It was advertised as coming equip-
ped with a wind-shield and a four-
man top—a great advance in the au-
tomotive industry in those days.
The nemesis of the driver of a
campus relic Is tbe Montrose Hump.
Many such drivers go miles out ot
the way to avoid this hazardous in-
cline. Those who cannot make the
detour due to lack of fuel are sub-
ject to a tail-spin, nose-dive, or otbfr
tricks so commonly attributed only
to aviation.
On tbe question of decoration of
tbe student limousine tbe owner is
left to his own resources with a vast
field for catchy remarks as, "Dli
squeals," Weak but Willing. Sick
Cylinders, Spirit of Ammonia, Run-
Tin-Tin, and so on out to infinity.
R
TWO ENGLISH DEBATE
SQUADS NOW ON TOUR
OF AMERICAN STATES
Two British debate teams, one rep-
resenting Cambridge University, and
the other the National Union of Stu-
dents, are now well Into their sched-
ules of contests with numerous Amer-
ican university teams.
The visitors have suggested topics
ranging from disapproval of woman
to the corrupting influence of demo-
cratic principles,. On some questions
the debaters split, one of the British
members joining the American side,
and one American joining with the
two Britishers.
The teams evidently have been
chosen carefully, and with an eye to
the representation of all political
faiths. On both Cambridge and Un-
ion teams there are each one con-
servative, one liberal, and one labor-
ite. All of the English representa-
tives are from the best of the institu-
tions they represent. As is usually
the case, the Englishmen, because of
their sheer joy In debating, which
contrasts with the deadly earnestness
of the Americans, probably will lose
most of the decisions of student audi-
ences.
r
Bill the Barber says: No matter
how rich a family may be, they'll al-
ways have scraps for dinner.
—7—R—r
Most ceratfnly pedestrians have
their rights—but when the other guy
is in an auto, it's hard to use them.
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On Main Street at Preston
SUITS DESIGNED
For
COLLEGE MEN
A New Group
o f
Clever Patterns
Featuring entirely new ideas in
Oxford Cheviots, new twists and
tweed weaves ... all fabrics
good for miles of service with
sincere values at these prices.
Suits with either one or two
pants.
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fourth of all passes. The line should
do the rest. It Is an Impossibility for
a backfield to break up forward passes
Is the passer is given time to make
his throws accurate. In the S. M. U.
game, for Instance," went on Mr.
Ashcraft, "Gerald Mann was smoth-
ered by the Aggie line at every play,
while on the other hand Hunt, who
was a sensation, was given ample
time to aim and execute his passes."
Who Is the best defensive player in
the conference? "Probably Rags Mat-
thews, T. C. U. end. Matthews is
fast, experienced, and never gives up."
Mr. Ashcraft also told of changes
In football styles during the past four
years. Four years ago, all Southwest-
ern teams with the exception of A. and
M. were imitating the formations and
plays of the famous four horsemen of
Notre Dame. The past year has seen
radical changes, due probably to the
success of Illinois with the "close
punt" formation, during the days of
Red Grange. Now, Mr. Ashcraft says,
practically every team in this part of
the country is using similar plays and
formations.
With Mr. Ashcraft taking over his
new duties as director of general ath-
letics at Rice, he will probably be
lost to the football organisation. The
loss of his experienced assistance will
be keenly felt.
Football
= 3
= =
Fashions that have chal-
lenged and won the ad-
miration of Feminine
followers of the game.
Here in our collections
of Sports Clothes are Fash-
ions without uniformity
except for their smart
informality.
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The Thresher (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, November 11, 1927, newspaper, November 11, 1927; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth230090/m1/2/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Rice University Woodson Research Center.