THE MICHIGAN DAILY WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7. 1953 I I -11 editor , Ile te II College Investigations DAILY OFFICIALBULLETIN i II By CAWFORD YOUNG Daily Managing Editor THE BEGINNING today of a Daily series of articles describing the activities of the Communist Party and its front organi- zations in Ann Arbor and on the campus merits a few words of explanation. First, we wish to make it clear that we do not in any way subscribe to hysteria as a method of dealing with the Communist problem which confronts our society to- day. Shotgun methods are singularly un- fortunate and, futile in this very delicate field of investigation. To make political capital out of the real need for informa- tion and awareness in this sphere is to become a party to as despicable a trans- gression of 4he American ideals of free- dom and democracy as the invidious sub- version of the Communists themselves. Men of McCarthy's ilk have done a grave disservice by recasting the problem in such a manner as to focus the attention of the liberal on preserving the rights of the in- nocent hit by grape-shot accusations rath- er than on the naked facts of the present threat from within and abroad. Second, the survey of the situation which has been underway for nine months, is based on an exhaustive study of all avail- able records Its appearance at this time is dictated chiefly by the simple fact that suf- ficient material had been compiled. The University has always been aware of this situation, and is on the whole to be commended for its handling of it. Des- pite several serious missteps, the admin- istration has walked the tightrope of ra- tional academic freedom which must be their traverse across the chasm of hys- teria and consequent dangers of thought .control and regimentation. We are confident that the University has nothing to fear from what promises to be a zealous Congress of investigators and hints of college inquiries. There is precious little political gain to be achieved by an inquest into the staid, Republican Univer- sity of Michigan, whose dealings in this field are certainly not open to recrimina- tions of laxity. On the other hand, we trust the Uni- versity's policy regarding these people will continue to be one of careful surveil- lance, without moving into the field of arbitrary punitive action. The sole purpose of this series is to raise the informational level and awareness in an area where knowing your enemy is half the battle. I ke's Press Conferences LAST WEEK Eisenhower's press secretary, James Haggerty, gave members of the press indications that the in-coming Presi- dent will not continue the traditional week- ly conferences with members of the press. Roosevelt instigated the custom when he allotted time for two press conferences a week, during which the press was allowed to throw questions at him about almost any- thing. President Truman continued the practice, limiting the press conferences to one a week. Actually Haggerty's statement came as no surprise to newsmen. It is a known fact that during the campaign Eisenhower was openly adverse to news conferences and was frequently impatient with news- men who bombarded him with questions about his campaign speeches. Even as NATO chief in Europe Ike was clumsy in his handling of news conferences. It will be extremely unfortunate if Eisen- hower does decide to restrict discussion of his administration to television and radio appearances as he has indicated he will do. By this method the new President will vir- tually eliminate a two-way discussion of his program. "pASSING-THE-BUCK" is a most pop- ular Congressional sport. When a sit- uatibn in Washington develops where our legislators go out of their way to handle a job-especially a distasteful one-its's news. Such a phenomenon is now in the off- ing. Rep. Velde, slated to lead the House Un- American Activities Committee in the new Congress, is vociferously insisting to Sen. Joe McCarthy that he (Velde) be allowed to "bear the burden" of rooting up Communist activity in the nation's colleges and uni- versities. McCarthy, on the other hand, has ex- pressed a deep interest in invading educa- tional halls so that he might look for "Com- munist thinking" and act accordingly. His Committee of Senate Investigations is al- ready set to enter the fray. Sen. McCarthy's charges of Communist activities in the government have become legendary. Several of his attacks have proved valid, but most of his verbal in- dictments have fizzled miserably and undermined his effectiveness as an in- vestigator. As the Senator enters the field of educa- tion for his latest probe, he will also con- siderably expand his black-lists so as to include "Communist thinkers." This latter term sounds extremely odious, but is far from explicit. McCarthy has not found it necessary to define what he means by "Communist thinkers." Perhaps he is referring to the professed atheist teacher whose political doctrine may be that of a conservative Republican, or the socialist who is a mortal enemy of the Com- munist, or a professor who is sincerely con- cerned with a civil right problem which a Communist might use as a mere propaganda weapon. Since Velde will bear the burden of the investigation, an examination of his atti- tude toward the problem is in order. Ile has claimed that his Un-American Activ- ities Committee is not trying to control thought, only actions-"un-American ac- tions." Here again when the problem of definition is faced, there can be no assurance that this name-tag will not be applied indiscrim- inantely. An article in the December Ameri- can Legion magazine might throw somne light on what the investigations will turn up as "un-Americanism" or "Communism" in the nation's educational institutions. Written by Prof. E. Merrill Root of the Earlam College English department, the ar- ticle charges that "today the political and cultural Left always conditions and usually dominates American colleges." Root cites as evidence his discovery that there exists in the library of a mid-western .state university "communist publications -pure propaganda. of no intellectual value-prominantly displayed as if they were reliable data," and rejects the argu- ment that such material should be al- lowed to remain where the general public could read it. Communist influences probably exist on every campus in the country, but from ex- perience on this campus, they would seem to emanate from a small, vocal group of students rather than from a widespread movement by the faculty and students. As to the problem of Communist teachers in the schools of higher education, these in- stitutions have demonstrated that they are quite capable of removing any card-carry Communist who allows his political philoso- phy to unfairly slant the presentation of his subject. It may be further argued that a Con- gressional committee is less equipped to detect Communist propaganda as present- ed by the teacher than a jury of this peda- goge's peers-namely, professors trained in the same field. Aside from the danger of smear by gen- eralities, Congressional investigations pre- sent a new problem in setting a precedent for governmental interference in education. As long 'as colleges and universities remain free to teach all phases of political and eco- nomic questions, they can act as an effective critic of the government. Without this free- dom it is imoossible for a democracy to con- tinue as such. These investigations will probably put the teacher-and the student-in the quandry of fearing retaliations for holding unpopular thoughts and at the same time desiring to pursue their studies openly and honestly. To what extent these committees are willing to go in their search for Commu- nists remains to be seen. There is the dan- ger that, aside from hunting the individual professor, the investigations may include college curricula and books. At the pres- ent time these committees have not clari- fled their scope of interest. No matter how these investigations are finally resolved it is certain that they will do irreparable damage to the nation's edu- cational system. -Harry Lunn and Mark Reader The Daily Official Bulletin is an official publication of the University of Michigan for which the Michigan Daily assumes no editori$Ll responsi- bility. Publication in it i construc- tive notice to all members of the University. Notices should be sent in TYPEWRITTEN form to Room 2552 Administration Building before 3 p.m. the day preceding publication (before 11 a.m. on Saturday.) WEDNESDAY, ,JANUARV 7, 1953 VOL. LXIII, No. 74 Notices General Faculty Meeting on Mon., .Jan. 12, 4:15 p.m., Rackham Lecture Hail. All members oft he instructional staff, including teaching assistants, teaching fellows, instructors, and mem- bers of all professorial grades, are in- vited to attend. TJhe *lerome Lectures. Generail topic, ''Manpowecr int.,he [", >>;t orliRozmni- pire.'' F'ourth lecturn: round table cdis- rogramn ers, he explaied, but New Federal Building, Monday through Thud at 5:15 for all actives and Wednesday, Dec. 31. Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. s The Tobe-Coburn School in New pledges. This will be the last meeting eport was held up until York City is now offering Fashion Fel- this semester, so be sure to be there. not be open to print it lowship Awards which cover one year time for other senators full tuition for the course at . the letails and take action school. Women graduating in Febru- ary or June may apply, and applica- tions, which are available at the Bur- eau of Appointments, are due in Jan- . . . nary. -- The Ingersoll Milling Machine Co., of Rockford, Ill., has openings for an to suspect that Hen- Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, te for the Senate to act. both those with a Bachelor's degree and Sixt'y-Third Year those with graduate degrees who have Edited and managed by students at ad Hayden got on the had some experience may make ap- the university of Michigan under the ew Jersey and held a plications. autnority of the Board in Control of he call was interrupted The New York State Civil Service Student Publications hexamination for Professional and Tech- ,h people in his office or nical Assistant will be given on Sate, the telephone line was Jan. 10, at the Bureau of Appoint- Editonal Sta mients. Those students who made ap- Crawford Young .Managing Editor plication for the examination should Barnes Connable,.... City Editor flown up to see Hen- call the Bureau of Appointments, Ext. Cal Samra .. Editorial Director her Republican senators 371. Zander Hollander Feature Editor For further information concerning Sid Klaus Associate Oity Editor these and other openings contact the Harland Britt Associate Editor that it was impossible Bureau of Appointments, 3528 Admin- Donna Hendleman Associate Editor the report by telephone. istration Building, Ext. 371. Ed Whipple Sports Editor ne to Washington next 'fJohn Jenks .. Associate Sports Editor Lecture tn dick Sewell Associate Sports Editor University Lecture, auspices of the Lorraine Butler Wowen's Editor nator Hayden asked the r f c. i lti i "At- Mary Jane Mills, Assoc. Women's Editor I If Ike does discontinue the press confer- ences one cannot help but draw the con- clusion that he is afraid of spontaneous discussion with the public on the contro- versies of the day and that he is unaware- of his duty to meet and answer the ques- tions of those who would challenge him. -Alice Bogionoff "THERE IS in human nature generally more of the fool than of the wise, and therefore, those faculties by which the fool- ish part of men's minds is taken are most potent." -Sir Francis Bacon * * * * "CERTAIN it is that the light that a man receiveth by counsel from another is drier and purer than that which cometh from his own understanding and judgment, which is ever infused and drenched in his affections and customs." -Bacon Ah* * t* "A MAN that hath no virtue in himself 41 llat, l1lk,)4l14GL->4A 'l iDepartment of uassical z5uae es, te the holiday-to print pects of Art and Thought at Hermou- polis West," Dr. Sami Gabra, Professor of the History of Ancient Egypt and New Year's day, late Director of the Institute of Archae- with one stipulation, ology, Cairo University, and Visiting This Professor at the Oriental Institute, Friday, Jan. 2. Ti University of Chicago, Wed.. Jan. 7, her the Republican or 4:15 p.m., Rackham Amphitheater. n. ? and that neither ~inu of ~,'iino'M ji University Lecture, auspices of the Business Staff Al Green .......... Business Manager Milt Goetz........Advertising Manager Diane Johnston .. Assoc. Business Mgr. Judy Loehnberg .. Finance Manager 'om Treeger.. ... Circulation Manager Telephone 23-24-1 ,I I ,- I t