"Goodness, I Wouldn't Think Of Using Force"

Sixty-Eighth Year
- EDITED AND MANAGED BY STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Vhen Opinions Are Free UNDER AUTHORITY OF BOARD IN CONTROL OF STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
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Editorials printed in The Michigan Daily express the individual opinions of staff writers
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NATIONAL SCENE:
Primaries Preview Fai

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Y, MAY 28, 1958

NIGHT EDITOR: ROBERT JUNKER


'Traditions' Need

Constant Re-evaluation

E MERSON observed, in his Literary Ethics,
that "men grind and grind in the mill of a
truism, and nothing comes out but what was
put in. But the moment they desert the tradi-
tion for a spontaneous thought, then poetry,
wit, hope, virtue, learning, anecdote, all flock
to their aid."
To desert the tradition, however, is often
most difficult. For Tradition, like religion, can
be very authoritative in nature, requiring blind
allegiance and unquestioning devotion to its
cause. Even if their constitutions do not specify
this following, traditions have a way of instill-
ing in admirers or onlookers the desire to as-
sociate with and to practice and further those
traditions which have the most attractive sur-
face appeal.
Tradition thus followed guarantees no in-
herently good or beneficial result. For "nothing
comes out but what was put in," and there is
no obligation, mno incentive to contribute to a
tradition that asks only to be observed. Herein
lies the danger of tradition: that it may con-
tinue to exist for itself, unquestioned and un-
checked. {
F ANYTHING can be said of the present
generation of Michigan students, it mustbe
said that these students have been questioning
and checking tradition. Those ways of student
life of ten, twenty, or fifty years ago are no
longer as freely welcomed as they were five
or six years ago. The Union Opera, once a part
of "the great Michigan tradition" and a show
that every student had to be proud of, has
within this college generation fallen to its well-
earned place in oblivion. Even its successor -
the only difference being a substitution of pro-
4essional for 'student-written shows - is in
danger of being discontinued.
More recently, the similar financial prob-
lems of J-Hop -- also brought on by lack of
attendance and interest - have placed another
"Michigan tradition" in jeopardy. Entertain-
ment, one finds, can be had in less expensive
and more meaningful ways. Athletics, too, are
beginning to suffer at the hands of the less
"spirit"-conscious student who is coming more
and more to the realization that those things
which have a place might better well stay in it.
These breaks with -tradition, insignificant as
they may seem, are notab'ly strong beginnings.
They indicate not that the student is apathetic,
but that he is thinking; they indicate on the
part of the student a consideration for the
values and'meanings and use of specific tradi-
tions rather than an unquestioning acceptance
of them. In these beginnings is the hope for
a more intelligent, more purposeful student
body.
MANY MORE stronger traditions remain,
however; some of them valuable, most of
them ready for exclusion, but all of them in
need of thoughtful, continuing examination.
They fall into two categories: the extra-curri-
cular, which, like those already discussed, are
associated with school "spirit" in its various
forms, and the academic.
Perhaps outstanding in the non-academic
area Is the traditional role of athletics on the
college campus, something that has already
come up for re-evaluation. This, in turn, as-
sociates itself with the whole philosophy of
""school spirit." The paradox here is that a
school like Michigan, by nature an academic
institution, must gain its popular reputation
through the activities of such entirely non-
academic concerns as its athletic teams. Who,
indeed, has - If there is such a thing -
"school spirit," the student or the alumnus?
Whoever it is, he has not taken sufficient
time to examine this "school spirit" for what
it is. Any allegiance to a school should, it
seems, come from the more academic honors
and accomplishments earned there rather than
from the false, meaningless aura of a football
season or two. And this is the direction to
which the student, every year less and less of
a "gung-ho" traditionalist, is turning.
A MORE specific example of tradition-gone-
wrong that stands in need of extensive im-
provement, one that is also associated with
"school spirit," is the activities-athletics hon-
orary system. These groups originated with the
strong class (as in Class of 1902) struggles of
fifty years ago and were originally drinking
groups of sorts. They served two purposes: they

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brought together the outstanding athletes and
leaders in activities and they awarded a non-
academic "honor" of sorts.
Today that honor, displayed in spring initia-
tion ceremonies, is. all that the campus sees
of the activity honorary - and rightly so, for
the groups find their "effectiveness" in a de-
gree of anonymity that excludes lapel recogni-
tion pins. The honor, however, is inconsistent
and more often than not misplaced. Criteria
for membership in these groups may be written
or not, but members are free to use whatever
personal knowledge or prejudice they have in
selecting members. The result is an illogical
hodge-podge of deserving and undeserving per-
sons who will perpetuate the system.
The real importance of these groups, outside
the dubious "honor" of membership, lies in
communication among members, something
that has also come to lose its effectiveness
throughout the years. As the student drifts
away from the unities of the Classes and from
"school spirit," he comes to concern himself
with matters academic while the honorary
group, with its curious assortment of athletic
and activity men, continues in the same vein
with the same emphasis on "school spirit."
These goups, as a result, have become almost
meaningless today for the inability of their
members to discuss together meaningful mat-
ters and the unwillingness of those members
to question and then either resolve or break
with tradition.
STILL ANOTHER immediate, present-day
concern is with the roommate-placement
area of the administration. The traditional
viewpoint here is that freshman and all other
students who have not indicated a roommate
preference should be placed in dormitory rooms
with those students "most compatible" with
them. The interpretation of this varies, but
the obvious results are that students are given
roommates who seldom differ in race, religion
and nationality - a denial for each of the
roommates of an integral part of the educa-
tional process.
But the student no longer wishes to be robbed
of this experience in education. The furor that
has mounted over this subject during the past
two years should be evidence of that. This is
one area- where the student, in demanding a
change in tradition, has done all he can and
now must wait for his wishes to be respected
or ignored and covered up.
I N CHALLENGING tradition as the present
generation is doing, the student today is tak-
Ing on a greater emphasis for academic affairs.
Replacing "school spirit" and Union Opera
participation are the freshman and depart-
mental honors courses. From J-Hop, the stu-
dent has turned to more intellectual discussions
and bull sessions, showing everywhere a more
pronounced concern for, and interest in, those
problems which affect not only himself but the
University and his country.
Yet the educational system here is far from
being the encouraging academic center it might
be. And to reorganize or readjust the present
system to make it most desirable would enta
the greatest, most important break with tradi-
tion of all. There are many grievances which
the serious student must have with this method
of education in,its highly impersonal character.
The overburdening of the student with class
hours when he might better spend the time,
coupled with part of his outside time, in work,
on his own, in libraries, is one of these com-
plaints that must be registered with the ad-
ministration and faculty. The time spent in ex-
cessive lectures doe's not even approach, how-
ever, the time wasted in banal "recitation"
courses where students take turns parroting
back to the instructor the miscellaneous infor-
mation they have retained from the day's read-
ing assignment-all as a check to see that each
student has done all of his work each day.
A CLOSER relationship between student and
teacher, official or unofficial, is what is
needed most today. The honors courses that
provide students with individual tutors come
closest to achieving this, although there, too,
the student-teacher relationship is not as
strong as it should be. The organization of stu-
dent-faculty clubs or meeting groups, where
small groups of students and teachers could
get together regularly would come closer to the
solution.
The bringing together of the student and

the faculty would mean, however, another
change in what has been traditional. The stu-
dent, we would think, has indicated and will
continue to indicate his feelings for this change
by his actions in respect to the non-academic,
meaningless traditions in which Michigan still
abounds. His growing interest in the educa-
tional and intellectual should prove his sin-
cerity in academic affairs. What he needs now
is help -- help from a faculty and an adminis-
tration that see the student's concern and that
are equally interested in furthering him in a
meaningful educational experience.
The snowy beard of tradition is, after all,
a deceptive one; it indicates only age and not
wisdom. Yet as good or as bad as any tradition
may be, it is not really overcome until some-
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By THOMAS TURNER
Daily Staff Writer
PRIMARY elections in the past
few weeks have produced few
surprises but have made more
clear the troubles of some well-
known political figures.
First in newsplay but nearly last
in surprise was the 250,000 victory
last week of pretzel manufacturer
Arthur McGonigle over disarma-
ment negotiator Harold Stassen
for the Republican gubernatorial
nod in Pennsylvania. McGonigle,
who campaigned as a businessman
and wears a pretzel lapel emblem,
had the backing of the state Re-
publican organization and ofeach
county committee.
As a result of his victory, poli-
tical newcomer McGonigle has the
dubious privilege of facing David
Lawrence, four times mayor of
Pittsburgh.
Democrat George Leader, cur-
rently holding the post for which
McGonigle and Lawrence will do
battle, easily won nomination for
the senate seat of retiring Repub-
lican Edward Martin.
Leader is one of the Democratic
Party's fair-haired boys, regarded
as being perhaps six years away
from a shot at the presidency. He
will face tough opposition this
November in Rep. Hugh Scott of
Philadelphia, former chairman of
the Republican National Commit-
tee, but must be regarded as favor-
ite. The Democratic vote for
Leader and his opponent was more
than 50,000 over the Republican
total of Scott and his opponent.
** *
THE REPUBLICAN primary in
New Jersey can be considered a
bellwether of no trend, except
perhaps a swing to voter apathy.
Middle-of-the-roader Rep. Robert
W. Kean won the senatorial nomi-
nation handily over conservative
Robert Morris and Modern Repub-
lican Bernard Shanley. Shanley
and Morris each carried only the
counties where they had the sup-
port of the regular organization.
On the other side of the double
primary, Gov. Robert Meyner had
handpicked former Rep. Harrison
A. Williams as the Democratic
candidate for the Senate, and
Williams won. Running against
him was Mayor John J. Grogan of
Hoboken, president of the Ship-
building Workers Union.
Williams' victory strengthened
the hand of Meyner, like Leader
of Pennsylvania a potential presi-
dential nominee.
Far less predictable was the race
for the Democratic senatorial
nomination in Maryland. Mayor
Tommy D'Alesandro of Baltimore
emerged a victor, but only after
a fierce campaign which demon-
strated the dissention in Demo-
cratic ranks.
IN SIMILAR trouble is Republi-
can Gov. C. William O'Neill of
Ohio. Although O'Neill defeated
Charles P. Taft by 150,000 votes
his reputation is considerably tar-
nished since Taft never campaign-
ed.
Two reasons can be given for
O'Neills weak victory: the magic
of the Taft name and the inertia
of the O'Neill administration. And
neither one of these is going to be
any asset when the incumbent
governor faces again Mike LaSalle,
the man he defeated in 1956.

DAILY

OFFICIAL

But some of the most interesting
primaries are yet to come. In Cali-
fornia the scrambled Republican
choices of Bill Knowland for gov-
ernor and Goodwin Knight for
senator have to face strong, Demo-
cratic opposition under a system
where Democrats run against Re-
publicans in the Republican pri-
mary and vice versa.
In Connecticut Sen. William A.
Purtell is unopposed for renomi-
nation on the Republican ticket,
but three strong Democrats are
fighting for a shot at Purtell in
November.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Report, Recession Draw Comment

To the Editor:
AS A STUDENT who took part
in the action leading to the
Board of Governors recent Report
on roommate assignment practices,
I would like to say a few words in
defense of our position.
My general conclusion after
reading the Report is that the stu-
dents and the Board are not sep-
arated on basic principles as the
Report would lead one to believe.
I say this for the following rea-
sons:
1) We do not recommend "forced
compliance" either. If a student
wants to change roommates after
he has come, we feel he should,
have the right to do so.
2) We feel that because of this
opportunity to change roommates,
we too have a great deal of respect
for the individual and his prefer-
ences. But we believe that the
choice may be made better on the
basis of the actual experience of
living together, rather than on
prejudgments which often disre-
gard the unique personal char-
acteristics of the other student
that have much to do with room-
mate compatibility.

I have used the word "we"
throughout this letter because I
have taken part in many discus-
sions of this topic in several in-
terested student organizations, and
I know we have agreed on these
ideas after much careful thought.
Although the essence of the Re-
port was far from our goals, I am
glad that the University officials'
have seen fit to devote their pro-
longed attention to this issue. It
needs it!
Oliver Moles, Grad.
Good Buy . .
To the Editor:
THE ANN ARBOR Citizens'
Safety League wishes to an-
nounce its schedule of events for
Anti-Recession Week (June 2-7).
All public spirited citizens are in-
vited to participate.
KICKOFF CEREMONY: At
nine a.m Monday we will gather
on the Diag to witness a ceremony
designed to regenerate the spark
of enthusiasm our economy needs.
Our secretary-treasurer, who will,
be dressed in black as a symbol of
the recession, has, as a gesture of

public spirit and confidence, gen-
erously consented to be buried.
After this brief ceremony, all
spectators are invited to dance and
trample on the grave.
PARADE: Immediately after the
kickoff ceremony, and every fol-
lowing morning at nine a.m., a
group of volunteers will form at
the "M" map on the corner of
State and Williams Streets. Each
participant is asked to bring with
him a sizable sum of money. The
parade route will include the main
business streets of Ann Arbor;
participants will march in and out
of each shop along the route, buy-
ing and singing. Signs, noise-
makers, and song booklets will be
distributed at the starting point.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COM-
MITTEE: All those conscientious
citizens interested in having rela-
tions with the public will gather
daily at noon on the General Li-
brary steps to seek out non-buyers
and beat them up.
We urge your enthusiastic co-
operation.
Gordon L. Black, Grad.
Sergeant-at-Arms
Ann Arbor Citizens'
Safety League

BULLETIN
The Daily Official Bulletin is an
official publication of the Univer-
sity of Michigan for which The
Michigan Daily assumes no editor-
ial responsibility. Notices should be
sent in TYPEWRITTEN form to
Room 3519 Administration Building,
before 2 p.m. the day preceding
publication. Notices for Sunday
Daily due at 2:00 p.m. Friday..
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 1958
General Notices
Notice: Due to the termination of thi
publication of The Michigan Daily un.
til Summer Session begins, all D.O.B
notices already turned in are includec
below. Any notices received after to.
day will be held for the Summer Ses-
sion'
Commencement Exercises - June 14
1958: To be held at 5:30 p.m. either in
the Stadium or Yost Field House, de-
pending on the weather. Exercises will
conclude about. 7:30 p.m.
Those eligible to participate: Grad-
uates of Summer Session of 1957 and
of February and June, 1958. Gradu-
ates of the Summer Session of 1958 and
of February 1959 are not supposed to
participate; however, no check is made
of those taking part in the ceremony
but no tickets are available for those
in these classifications.
Tickets: For Yost Field House: Two
to each prospective graduate, to be
distributed from Tues., June 3, to 12
noon on Sat., June 14, at Cashier's Of-
fice, first floor of Admin. Bldg.
For Stadium: No tickets necessary
Children not admitted unless accom-
panied by adults.
Academic Costume: Can be rented
at Moe Sport Shop N. Univ. Ave., An
Arbor.
Assembly for Graduates: At 4:30 pa.
in area east of Stadium. Marshals wil
direct graduates to proper stations. If
siren indicates (at intervals from 4:04
to 4:15 p.m.) that exercises are to be
held in Yost Field House, graduates
should go directly there and be seated
by Marshals.
Spectators: Stadium - Enter by Mali
St. gates only. All should be seated b:
5:00 p.m., when procession enters field.
Yost Field House:s Onlythose holding
tickets can be admitted owing to lack
of space. Enter on State St., opposite
McKinley Ave.
Alumni Reunions: Headquarters a'
Alumni Memorial Hall. Registration on
June 12, 13 and 14.
Alumni Luncheon: Sat., June 14, 1
noon in Waterman Gym. Admission of
alumni by badge. Relatives and friend
by tickets provided at Alumni head
quarters.
Graduation Announcements, Invita
tions, etc..: Inquire at Office of Student
Affairs.
Commencement Programs: To be dis
tributed at -Stadium or Yost Field
House.-
Housing: Alumni should apply a
Registration Desk, Alumni Memoria
Hall, all others at Residence Halls Of
fice in the Admin. Bldg.
Doctoral Degree Candidates who at-
tend, the commencement exercises ar
entitled, to receive a Ph.D. or other
appropriate doctor's degree hood. Thos
receiving a Ph.D. hood during the cere
mony may exchange it for the appro-
priate degree hood under the East
Stand immediately after the ceremony
or at the office of the Diploma Clerk,
Admin. Bldg.

DISGUSTED OBSERVERS COMMENT:
Sack Dresses Reflect National Attitudes, Slavishness

By MICHAEL KRAFT
Daily Staff Writer
FINALS and summertime are
noted for casual and even
sloppy living. To many, this is the
only possible explanation for the
sudden popularity of sack dresses.
However, behind this non-polit-
ical infiltration of a foreign ap-
proach to life there lie deeper
sociological, historical and even
economic reasons for the purchase
and display of the sack.
The latest in a line of "new"
looks, "slinky" looks, "H" looks
and "trapeeze" looks barely rates
a second look by most standards.
But like everything else that hap-
pens in crisis-torn Paris, it must
have a reason .. , someplace.
SPECULATING about the sack,
one member of the engineering
college faculty said that it is prob-
ably just another form of the
garage mechanic's coverall. How-
ever, an instructor in one of the
social sciences, a woman, com-
mented that protection was not
against grease and dirt.
Amplification was offered by a
history professor who pointed out
that the sack has a historical pre-
cedence. "Like the Mother Hub-.
bard, it covers everything and
touches nothing."
He also recalled that when the
American frontier was being in-
vaded, women used to wear dresses
of flour sacks. Mentioning the
cyclial theory of history, he said
this is another example of Sput-
nik's influence on American be-
havior, "although the sacks may
just be part of an advertising cam-
paign by the supermarkets.
This recession causation theme
was emphasized by an economics
department professor interviewed
while leaving ia downtown store
nrft hic .. tii a ni+sr rlahar.

he said while trying to squeeze
the last package into the trunk of
his car.
"But it may help us get out of
the recession," said a local store
owner.'
An automobile dealer said that
the recession is the reason why
the sack finds such ready accept-
ance . . . at least among certain
elements of the population. "As
everyone knows, women play the
dominating role when it comes to
buying new automobiles; that's
why we -paint them in so many
colors and put so much chrome
on them. But now, cars with fins
don't sell." The plain taste must
be part of the "austerity" look, he
said.
Speaking of taste, a French de-
signer interviewed recently by an
American columnist said the sack
"never had any success here. May-
.be a few eccentrics wore it, but
have you seen a single well dress-
ed French woman in one? No, of
course not."
But the political and social

climates are much different in
this country, a member of the
sociological department pointed
out. "Of course there probably is
no correlation between popularity
of sacks and the birth rate, espe-
cially in college towns, but there
is a relationship between the
socializing influences on the child
and her actions during matura-
tion. The French tend to be highly
realistic and reject what authority
says. American women on the,
other hand, rather slavishly wear
whatever "they are showing."
The whole thing is "rather
ironical" he said, especially when
there are more women in this
country -than men. "It makes you
wonder whom the women dress
for, men or the other women."
A possible answer came from.
the French designer, who said that
after this summer, sanity may re-
turn to fashions in whatever form
it might have had.
"I believe fashion is coming
back to the.feminine figure. You
may recognize a woman as such
in the autumn."

Plans for Commencement: Sat., June
14, 5:30 p.m.
Weather Fair:
Time of Assembly: 4:30 p.m. (except
noted)
Places of Assembly: Members of the
Faculties at 4:15 p.m. in'the lobby, first
floor, Admin. Bldg., where they may
robe. (Transportation to Stadium or
Field House will be provided.)
Regents, ex-Regents, Deans and other
Administrative Officials at 4:15 p.m. in
Admin. Bldg., Rm. 2549, where they
may robe. (Transportation to Stadium
or Field House will be provided.)
Students of the various Schools and
Colleges on paved' roadway Wand grassy
field, East of East Gate (Gate 1-- Tun-
nel) to Stadium in four columns of
twos in the following order:
Section A - North side of pavement:
Literature, Science and the Arts.
Section B - South side of pavement:
Medicine (in front); Law (behind
Medicine); Dental (behind Law); Phar-
macy (behind Dental); Engineering
(behind Pharmacy); Architecture (be-
hind Eng.).
Section C - On grass field in a line
about 300 South of East-Education (in
front); Business Administration (be-
hindEducation);ANatural Resources
(behind Business Admin.); Music (be-
hind Natural Resources); Public Hfealth
(behind Music).
Section D - On grass field in a line
about 45o South of East: Nursing (in
front); Social work (behind Nursing);
Flint (behind Social Work); Graduate
(behind Flint with Doctors in front).
March into Stadium - 5:00 p.m.
Weather Rainy: -.
In case of rainy weather, the Univer-
sity fire siren will be blown about 4:00
and 4:15 p.m. indicating the exercises
in the Stadium :will be abandoned,
Members of the Faculties, Regents,
Deans, etc., will assemble at the same
places as for the fair weather program.
Graduates will go direct to Yost Field
House at 5:00 p.m. and enter by the
South door.
LatePermission: women students
who attended the Drama Season play
on Mon. night, May 26, had late permis-
sion until 11:35 p.m.
The next "Polio Shot" Clinic for stu-
dents will be held Thurs., May 29, only
from 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1:00
p.m. to 4:45 p.m., in the Health Service.
All students whose 2nd or 3rd shots
are due around this time are urged to
take advantage of this special clinic.

Editorial Staff
PETER ECKSTEIN, Editor

JAMES ELSMAN, JR.
Editorial Director

VERNON NAHRGANG
City Editor

DONNA HANSON ................ Personnel Director
CAROL PRINS . ..... ............Magazine Editor
EDWARD GERULDSEN .. Associate Editorial Director
WILLIAM HANEY ................. Features Editor
ROSE PERLBERG ..................Activities Editor
JAMES BAAD. ...................... Sports Editor
BRUCE BENNETT ............ Associate Sports Editor
JOHN HILLYER ................Associate Sports Editor.
DIANE FRASER ..............Assoc. Activities Editor
THOMAS BLUES .......... Assoc. Personnel Director
BRUCE BAILEY ................ Chief Photographer
Business Staff
ROBERT WARD, Business Manager

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