The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 51, No. 25, Ed. 1, Friday, April 24, 1964 Page: 5 of 8

                                
APRIL 24 1M4
THE OPTIMIST
PAGES
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Flippen Flips
By PEHRY FLIPPIN
Part It "In the Beginning"
(ed. note: The following article is an investigative edi-
torial written by Perry Flippin Optimist staffer. It is the
first installment of a three-part serial dealing with current
problems involving The Optimist and administrative
policy.)
As has been characteristic of the Optimist's stormy ex-
istence the old chronicler is again under attack not a direct
frontal assault but a more subtle extraction of journalistic
rights and privileges.
And as has always happened the "terrible tabloid" has
withstood the critics' bludgeonings. However there is a dif-
ference this time. The culmination of several factors to be
enumerated in the following weeks warrants the student
body's attention and interest.
Begun in 1912 by Arthur Slater who served as editor
reporter copyreader typesetter and printer the Optimist has
survived world wars depressions irresponsible editors and
administrative censorship.
The original policies and designs which were restated in
the September 1925 edition said: "The Optimist is a student
publication of ACCand as such should be made a true re-
flection of the thoughts and lives of the student body . . .
The Optimist does not belong to the staff nor to any other
set of students but they are rather servants of the student
body and are honor bound to do their best to make the paper
a success."
Gradually the paper evolved from two pages to the
present eight-pager. It has ranged from five to eight columns.
Editorials have changed in tone and approach as academic
freedom ebbed and flowed. From school problems such as
boys wearing big bottom trousers (1925) and the importance
of wearing socks (1930) editorials have gained in stature and
sophistication until the late fifties when several statewide
awards were presented to Optimist writers.
The Optimist is not without its list of great editors in-
cluding Wendell H. Bedichek 1921-24; Paul Southern 1928-
30; Charlie Marler 1954-55; J. W. Campbell 1955-56; Wendell
H. Bedichek Jr. 1956-57; Dennis Renner 1958-59; Harold
Straughn 1959-60; James Batts and Dudley Lynch 1960-61;
and Charlie Smith 1961-63.
The Optimist's climb to greatness was climaxed in 1956
when under J. W. Campbell's direction the tabloid was
named an All-American paper a distinction reserved for
those papers conforming to the highest journalistic standards.
His was a good paper because it rendered the community a
distinct service and it was respected because of its dedication
to the presentation of factual news and fair editorial comment.
This tradition of journalistic excellence continued until the
departure of the controversial Dudley Lynch in 1960. Lynch
so aroused the admnistration's ire as well as "the folks' back
home" that he was ordered to "straighten out" or resign.
Lynch protested and the editorship was handed to James
Batts.
Ironically enough Lynch's paper received the Texas In-
tercollegiate Press Association award with the following com-
ment: "We found the Optimist outstanding in nearly every
category ... We think the Optimist is an outstanding example
of the campus newspaper at its very best and are happy to
award it first place."
In addition the Associated Press Critical Service judged
the Optimist "superior" and made the following comments:
"The pictures were 'first rate'; editorials well done a real
assist to the paper you provoke some thinking among your
readers this is good ..."
Since that golden era ACC's journalism department has
failed to produce another editor or paper to match the quality
of content or design of that 1960-61 newspaper. There is no
need now for attempting to vindicate or justify Lynch's atti-
tudeonly to say that his was the best-read best-composed
best-covered newspaper in ACC's history.
This reporter's purpose is to investigate the reasons for
the subsequent decline of The Optimist in readership in-
fluence and overall journalistic quality or if in fact there
has been such a decline. Why? Is the department weaker?
Is there no more talent? Or has the administration crippled
the newspaper's primary functions?
Also can The Optimist regain the journalistic excellence
and literary dignity once experienced by past editors? This
reporter is convinced that unless certain changes occur in
administrative policy the Optimist will become a campus
joke an eight-page "Raymon's Ramblins" silly and ineffec-
tual. It cannot function as a newspaper but rather as a pub-
lic relations bulletin a watered-down press release.
Next week: Part II. "Now in Those Days ..."
Jl e'e PirTRSiBierM''s. PHHiiJH
DON'T BE A LITTER BUG! Don't let a single bit hit the road.
Because that's how litter grows. Bit by bit the litter mess
mounts and it doesn't take long to make a sorry sight out of a
scenic highway. Add the millions of tax dollars paid out for
cleaning up . . . add the menace to health caused by litter . . .
add the risk you run of paying a fine for Uttering ... and it's
easy to see-every litter bit hurts! But you can help by carry-
ing a litterbag in your car . . . by stashing travel-trash in road-
side litter baskets ... by taking care not to be careless!
Whenever you drive wherever you go do f&fo &mj2k.
your bit to KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL! 'p S?
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