THE MICHIGAN DAILY Aroused By Editorial ment On Criticism Of Rankin -t---------- ..,. - a few ial e: n edi- clusively to criticism; Frank Harris upon who, as a London editor, was the first ikin's to recognize and make use of the tal-' f the ents of Shaw, Wilde, and Kipling, says, H. L. "He will see for himself and state rs of what he sees without fear or favor. mauni- Only one or two journalists of this calibre are given to any country in words any single generation; he ranks with titled, the Lemaitres and the Hardens, above pear- the Garvins and the Bennetts if below many the Shaws;" Vanity Fair has printed most his picture with enthusiastic words of' iter's praise in three of the past four issues, f the while his name and opinions are con-, ae sly stantly recurring in the columns of f his The Bookman, The Dial, and the other ident literary magazines-even the erudite than old London Athenaeum-all of which titles hold him in profound respect. For, Prej- further substantiation I refer you to te th ey of ,e ev iore t ar he " t finding enlightenment in study of the work, he ;ave it up as a bad job. e has no hesitancy in dis- own "narrowed viewpoint" a man who is nationally -not only by those "of that onstructed Menckenesque mind, but by critics and mselves-as the greatest iend of younger writers in the jackets of Mencken's books, where the blurbs repeat the encomiums of half the civilized countries of the world. Now a man who is as universally recognized as this-a man who wrote the first book on Shaw to be published in this country, who was managing editor of a metropolitan newspaper at the age of 25, who wrote at 28 a clear and authoritative book on all of he has ever read Mencken's article on Dreiser. Despite the fact that Mencken considers Dreiser to be America's greatest novelist, he spends page after page tearing him to pieces and show- ing his weak points. A more convinc- ing and impartial criticism would be hard to find. The writer continues with some ob- tuse nonsense ,about a "man whose egotistical personality simply serves as a vehicle through which to foist his critical judgments upon the public at large, etc.," through the use of "rather ill-chosen epithets." Now, unless I miss the point altogether, this first quotation has but little meaning. Criticism is not "foisted" upon the public. The public reads it because it wants to; and a critic, not being superhuman, is not endowed with any power of giving any other than his own judgments. As for this last, Mencken has proved time and again his unfail- ing ability to pick first-rate work. Time invariably proves the truth of his judgments. I take the example of James Branch Cabell, of whom we are hearing a great deal these days. If you will turn back to the pages of The Smart Set of about four years ago, when Cabell's half dozen unknown vol- umes were gathering dust on the book store shelves, you will find a long and! enthusiastic article about Cabell-a prophesy which has since come true. Admires Mencken's Style As for the "ill-chosen epithets," nothing could be more absurd. I have no quarrel with anyone who does not like Mencken's diction-although I think it ideal for his sort of work-I cannot see how dny reader can fail to realize the peculiar aptness of all these epithets and figures. Mencken invariably finds exactly the most pic- tureque word to express his meaning. This word may be coined or it may be slang. It says what its user wants and that Is all he desires. Next the writer springs these amaz- ingwors of wisdom: "Go to his works.rAfter you have read oneof them, you have taken the meat from all." If he will read such various books of Mencken's as "The Philos- ophy of Friedrich iNetzsche," "The American Language," "In Defence of Women," "A Book of Burlesques," "Heliogabalus," and "The American Credo," he will realize the enormity of this statement. The editorial ends up with the ridiculous assertion that Mencken's "estimate" of Rankin's book brands him as a "small critic." Ye Gods! Words fail I should like to suggest to the edi- torial writer that, before he so lightly condemn one of America's few bril- liant men of letters, he make a real "exhaustive survey" of that man's works, not letting the phaseology blind him to the philosophy and critical in- sight that lie beneath. MENCKENITE. STEAMER CAPTAIN CLAIMS HE HOLDS RIVER SERVICE RECORD Cincinnati, O.-Captain Edward S. Williamson, who on April 12 celebrat- ed his 76th birthday anniversary, be- lieves he hold a river record that is unequaled. For 62 years he rode on boats on the Ohio river. For 55 years he was a licensed pilot. Now he is captain of the steamer John S. Hub- bard, which operated between Cincin- nati and Louisville. I1 pictures explaining the stories and Try a Classified Ad for results.-Ads TODAY'S CURHSEVCE library authorities through a series of sets of opera scores, pictures of com- posers, famous musicians and photo- graphs of grand opera stars in cos- tume which are being loaned to vari- ous music clubs and to the public schools throughout,.the state. Although not yet so extensively de- veloped as the travelling libraries and picture sets, the demand for books and UNITARIAN CHURCH State and Huron Sts. SIDNEY S. ROBINS, Minister Sunday, May 1, 1921 4, I ' xnhre, 's " 0rp jflurd1 Cor. Catherine and Division Sts. Rev. Henry Tatlock, D.D., Rector Rev. Charles T. Webb, Curate very large. it is noped to increat scope of the work until regular tr ling sets of books about opera pictures of its best exponents, pos accompanied V'y phonograph rec can be supplied to the schools self-improvement societies of M gan, especially in rural district 2d 10:40 A. M.-"Am I a Normal Human Being?" In a day, of mental examinations and oth- er tests, religion has one word to say on this subject. 4:30 P. M.-Young People gath- er at Church for outdoor meeting, weatherapermitting. In case of bad weather, meet- ing at the church at 5:45, and 6:30, as usual. A Cordial Welcome to All! 7:35 A. M.--Holy Communion. 10:30 A. M.- Holy Communion and Sermon by the Rector. 4:30 P. M. --- Eveniing Service and Address by Mr. Sumio Uenigi, M.A., B.D., Japanese Graduate Student of Univer- sity of Chicago. Subject: "How I became a ,Christian." i 3 'y. . Nietzsche's works, and who has been cotes Other Critics the first to prepare an exhaustive o not shove my own word study of the American language-a r throat as does tie edi- book even used for reference by the er. Let me quote the opin- rhetoric department of this University ew others: Waldo Frank in -this man is surely entitled to a little sting'interpretation of Amer- more than the superficial considera- Our America," he says; "He tion he receives in last Sunday's Daily. his emerging generation. Mencken and Deiser y the authority of Mencken As for the editorial: the writer ritical flatlands of the Unit- starts out by saying that there are s a thing delicious and beau- critics and critics, some of whom behold;" James Huneker, "show their readers just what the good nion few can ridicule, ac- and bad points of a book may be." He icken's dictum and, against does not include Mencken in this class, clinations, gave up writing thereby giving one proof of how little es and devoted himself ex- he knows of this critic. I wonder,- it STATE LIBRARY AUTHORITIES FOSTER MUSIC APPRECIATION Lansing, Mich.-Appreciation of the best in music, as well as in literature ANN ARBOR BIBLE CHAIR FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Huron St., Below State J. M. WELLS, MINISTER 321 East Ann Street and art, is being fostered by the state I Headquarters in Lane Hail. FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST Church Edifice, 409 S. Divisionj 10;30 A. M.--Baptism and Com- munion. Sermonette by Mr.' Wells. Classes meet in the "Upjer Room." Upper Room Bible Class Sat- urday evenings. Univer.sity Men's Bible Class Sunday morning. Ask for printed circular an- nouncing six courses. Read the Upper Room Bulletin THOMAS M. IDEN, Instructor. .... . TODAY MONDAY TUESDAY Sunday services at 10:30 A. M. The subject will be: "Everlast- ing Punishment. Testimonial meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30. A cordial invitation is ex- tended to all. Sunday School at 11:45 A. M., to which pupils un- der 20 years may be admitted. A public reading room, 236 Nick- els Arcade, is open daily, except Sundays and holidays, from 12 to 5 o'clock. 6:30 P. M. -- Guild Meeting. 12:00 M. - Guild Class. I I- T 4; PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 77-n y' 10:30 A. M.-HOLY COMMUNION. CHURCH OF CHRIST DISCIPLES 12:00 Noon-"The World's Best Books." Prof. Henderson will sipeack to the class on what he considers to be the best books Ii of the world's literature. This will be the first ot a South University Ave. series of three talks on this subject. 6:00 P. M.--Social Half-Hour. \1 ^ --} / 1" . , 4 l ti Z,, r r, °- '1 i 9:30 A. M.-Bible School. 10:3 0 A. M.-Third Lecture on the Reformers of the Church Scott, Richardson, Erret, McLean, Rains. 6:30 P. M.-Christian Endeavor. 7:30 P. M.--A Native Japanese will speak. He is a student from Chicago University, pre- paring to go to his people as a missionary. F. P. ARTHUR, Pastor Classes for Students 6:30 P. M.-C. E. Subject: "Cod's Out-of-Doors." Kenneth Robert- S e a son, Leader. 2! ...... .I 7: I Like,;a snarling tiger cub, grown strong, that turns upon its mighty sire, so Red Pawl one day tested the iron fists of his father, the'hardest skipper on all the seven seas. Soon he crawled away, beaten but uncowed, to plot another means to seize the ship and get the girl he craved. His treacherous plan went well, a knife flashed, the skipper was down and then - You will never forget the startling, crashing climax of this picture. UCTI 1111lI11lIU!!!l111111111!l111111,1L111'' r - CHURCN . SFifth Ave. and William St. FIRST METHODIST CHURCH REV. ARTHUR W. STALKER, D.D., Pastor MISS ELLEN W. MOORE, Student Director 9:30 A. M.-"Jesus' Principles of Living," Bible Class. Leader, Mr. Clair Searles. 10:30 A. M.-"THE HIGHEST EDUCATION," Dr. Stalker's Subject. 12:00 Noon--Four Student Bible Classes. 6:00 P. M.-Social Half-Hour for the Young People. 6:30 P. M.-"The Greater Mission," Leader, Mr. J. Kyuang Dunn. Wesleyan Guild Devotional Meeting. 7:30 P. M.-MISS WELTHY HONSINGER will deliver the Wesleyan Guild Lecture. Subject: "THE WORLD'S NEED AND THE STUDENT'S ANSWER." Special Music: "Benedictus" (Moir), the Chorus; "He shall come down like Rain" (Buck); "With Verdure Clad" (From Creation) (Haydn), Mrs. Wheeler; "I will mention the loving kindness of the Lord" (Sullivan), the Chorus; ,"Evening Hymn" (Rheinber- ger), the Quartette. A SPECIAL INVITATION IS EXTENDED TO THE STUDENTS -I 11 if It ADAPTED FROM 'THE PAM@ Ut arV@RV "BLACK PAWI:"BY BEN A I WILLIAMf UPE4VI/ED AND DIRECTED BY SPECIAL COMEDY "THE CURE" - CHARLIE CHAPLIN KINOGRAMS - ARCADE ORCHESTRA SHOWING-MATINEE 1:30, 3:00, 4:30; EVENING 7:00, 8:30 COMING WEDNESDAY "THE PASSION FLOWER" - WITH NORMA TALMADGE 10:30 A. M.-Regular morning service. The Rev. Ben H. Pershing, pastor of Emanuel Lutheran Church, Etna, Pa., will be the preacher. 11 30 A. M.-Sunday school. 1111111111111111111l11tl11111111IItli 1111 11lllllillilllltltillil111I tI tU111111i ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH Fifth Ave. and Washington St. REV. E. C. STELLHORN, Pastor We walk by faith, not by sight. Faith unravels the puzzles and tangles of life. Genuine faith never apologizes. We preach Christ the author and finisher of our faith. 10:30 A. M.-(German) "Damna- tion of the Orthodox." 7:30 P. M. - (English) "Jesus "our Attorney." . A welcome to all. El CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH -T Morning Worship, 10:30. The minister will continue a discussion of which was introduced on last Sunday morning. ject is: "CHRISTIANITY'S MESSAGE TO ,MEN TRY.'! the theme The sub- IN INDUS- During the remaining Sunday evenings of tne .niver- sity year the Congregational students will be given a op- portunity to meet the members of the faculty who are affil- iated with this church.