THE MICHIGAN DAILY WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 1944 I I THE PENDULUM: High Schools Neglect the Classics By BERNARD ROSENBERG MR. PANUSH'S letter to The Daily puzzles me a great deal. He seemed to be saying that I both over- stated and understated the case against secondary education. My opinion is that the article in question was too mild, but for reas- ons directly opposed to those of Mr. Panush. He fears that the American high schools are "quite a behind the technological tural advancement of the Aside from the ambiguity statement (how can the be culturally ahead of schools?) technological stands alone as the one America about which we few steps and cul- country." of such a "country" its high efficiency aspect of need not worry. We have outdistanced the world in that area. Gadgets and comforts we have aplenty. The law of the market place holds sway over the whole of our culture. Ruthlessness and trick- ery with all their underhanded de- vices have come to be the admired mores. Every large industry has its trade schools. I do not see why America should turn its secondary educational system into an adjunct of big business. Nor is there any reason for the addition of further science courses to the curriculum. They are already required to a large enough extent. We have our troubles not because too few stu- dents know the valence of hydro- gen, but because too few students know how to balance the human equation. Science prides itself on being purely descriptive. It tries to tell what is-not what should be. But modern man, beset on every side with situations that de- mand an ethic, has to go beyond science*in search of it. Any attempt to transfer the posi- tivist standards of, let us say, chem- istry into the social sphere is ex- tremely hazardous. The Nazi state, for instance, has not been uncon- genial to the development of science, at least in the medical and explos- ive branches of the field. Science is amoral and proud of it. Right and wrong are meaningless terms to men engaged in thet manipulation of lab- oratory apparatus. But, for the mil- lions of people who must choose be- tween fascism and democracy no such detachment is possible. THE notorious and shameful fact is that the average graduate of a French lycee or a continental gym- nasium or an English grammar school knows more than most col- lege students in the U. S. A. They do not know more theorems. They know more classics. They have been instructed in the bases of a Western civilization the very existence of which is hazy in the minds of Amer- ican high school pupils. Keep trade schools, by all means. Let those better suited to such insti- tutions go there. But to bury the michroscopic number of valuable courses taught at present in a mass of technology would be disastrous. Mr. Panush ignored the chief ar- guments I mentioned. This may be taken as tacit acknowledgement of their validity. 'However, there is more to be said on the subject. For, young people are today caught in a system rapidly running wild-like Charlie Chaplin on an assembly line in "Modern Times" -in its frantic effort to mass pro- duce minds the same way Henry Ford mass produces cars: coldly, uniformly, automatically. Demo- cratize until Doomsday, and you cannot make equal the capacities or the frailities of the human mind. The essence of democracy cannot for long lie in standardization; on the contrary, it is the surest way to destroy democratic faith. So long as we standardize high school learning in accordance with our own peculiar materialism, we will be unhealthily repressing those whose ambition it is to go higher, just so long, indeed, will we plabe a premium on mediocrity and toy with its concomitant, frustration. This calamity can be avoided part- ly by elevating the position through increasing the pay of high school instructors so that they do not them- selves personify the mis-fit middle class of our times. We can do so partly by ceasing to preach democ- racy less vigorously than we practice authoritarianism in the high schools. We can do so partly by eliminating, once for all, the pernicious marking system. The need is for more study of this system, for less congratulatory back- slapping at annual conclaves that accomplish nothing. But, para- mountly, we must have an electorate awakened to the existence of such a problem as the high school. DAILY OFFICIAL BULLETIN The Road Back L-C _ is proper care of men who have contracted Misbehaving Trainees . . tuberculosis or had such a condition aggravated while in the services. Discharged tuberculous SEVERAY nights ago, while watching a motion veterans are now returning to homes in Michi- picture at one of the local theatres, I ob- gan at the rate of 300per month. served three soldiers (somehow I resent calling Existing federal and state statutes are in- them that, behaving in the manner which we adequate to provide for care of these veterans, normally expect only from a youngster of twelve the Executive Committee of the Michigan Tu- or thirteen). They yelled, whistled, and literally berculosis Association reports. Already more wrestled in the aisles, making it impossible for than half of the younger veterans, admitted any one around them to enjoy, or even to watch, to hospitals fortuberculosis treatment, have the picture in progress. On various occasions left the hospitals prematurely to return to they held loud conversations which carried ac- their homes, their diseases still active. cross the entire balcony, apparently oblivious to Patients are actually encouraged to leave the anger of the people around them. No one hospitals by an extra money incentive for in the entire audience was willing to speak to discharged men who are treated at home in- them demanding decent behaviour, chiefly I stead of in the hospital. There is also a lack suppose, because they were in uniform. They of control over patients, their coming and were very much aware of this and determined going at will, irrespective of their condition to exploit their unearned prerogative to the and against " medical advice. For these reas- limit. Time and time again I have seen this ons results obtained in veterans' hospitals same spirit in evidence. "The world owes me a have proved inferior to those recorded in living" seems to have become the slogan of well-managed state, municipal and private many of these University trainees. Can it be :sanatoria. that they have been reading too much of their Obviously, veterans who are allowed to leave own propaganda? hospitals with active tuberculosis are a men- I resent this attitude bitterly, but only par- ace to family and community and are in danger tially because it constitutes a selfish abuse of themselves. There is not time to squabble over misguided patriotism. Primarily, I am angry the problem of whether their care should be because it misrepresents the majority of ser- left entirely to the federal government or to vicemen who are doing the actual fighting in local units or whether it should be divided be-4 this war. I have just returned from the Asi- tween the several authorities. Immediate leg- atic theatre, where, after serving for a year islation is needed to insure proper care of these on an active front, I was given a medical dis- men and protection of the community. charge. I have'known intimately the men -Jennie Fitch who are making the real sacrifices, and I know that they are quite unaware of having earned any right to disregard the tacit rules of decent human behaviour. It seems very unfair that others 'should demand privileges which even they deny. Most of the fellows here on campus are living in clean quarters, eating three meals a day, and dating over the weekends. I, along with thousands of others, have slept on the ground, eaten dehydrated foods and gone unwashed for months on end. Yet, somehow I still feel bound by the laws of society which require a'certain standard of behaviour from us all. As a matter of fact, I am still very grateful to be back in a place where only a selfish minority denies these normal considerations 'to the people around them. -John Muehl with proper leadership and equipment many be- lieve they could do an A-1 job in taking other objectives. The final decision probably depends (1) on political factors; (2) on transportation. Re- garding the latter, the Air Transport Command continues to perform miracles in carrying every drop of gasoline, all airplane parts, personnel, food, and every conceivable type of equipment to U. S. air bases in China. As the enemy now full well knows-though the U. S. public may not-these transport planes now fly during the monsoon season, which the British previously said was impos- sible. Forthright Congressman Usher Burdick of North Dakota intends to pay tribute shortly to the great job done by the Chinese and by the Air Transport Command in this war theatre. Stalin-Churchill Cordiality Those who have watched the diplomatic wheels go round from the close-up inside, report that Stalin and Churchill are now getting along famously. This is important because it was not the case at Teheran, where Roosevelt and Stalin did the getting along and Churchill didn't. That was when the present Second Front in France was the topic of considerable argument and when Churchill, bidding farewell to Stalin, said: "Well, good-bye, Marshall. I'll see you in Berlin." '"es," replied Stalin; "I in a tank and you in a Pullman car." Churchill's friends point out that at Teheran he was in the early stages of a very severe illness and definitely not himself. Since then, Churchill seems to have got over any complexes regarding Stalin, and Stalin takes a like position toward Churchill. There has been complete teamword between the two for some time. Both British and American diplomats also pay tribute to the cooperation of the Russians in recent months on most subjects, even includ- ing Poland. The general view in diplomatic circles is that Stalir has been reasonable regard- ing Poland, and that Polish problems will work out satisfactorily in the end, despite occasional fireworks from the exiled Polish press. (Copyright, 1944, United Features Syndicate) WEDNESDAY, AUG. 16, 1944 VOL. LIV No. 31-S All notices for The Daily Official Bul- letin are to be sent to the Office of the Summer Session, in typewritten form by 3:30 p. m. of the day preceding its publication, except on Saturday when the notices should be submitted by 11:30 a. m. Notices Recommendations for Departmen- tal Honors: Teaching departments wishing to recommend tentative Aug- ust graduates from the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and the School of Education for depart- mental honors should send such names to the Registrar's Office, Rm. 4, University Hall, by noon Aug. 30. Recommendations for tenative Octo- ber candidates should be in the Reg- istrar's Office by noon Oct. 25. Robert L. Williams Assistant Registrar To Members of the Faculty of the Summer Session: Should you desire to attend the breakfast for the can- didates for the Master's degree Sun- day morning, 9 a.m., at the Michigan. League Ball Room, you may purchase tickets in the Office of the Summer Session, 1213 Angell Hall. The price is 75 cents. Attention Hopwood Contestants: All manuscripts for the summer con- test must be in the Hopwood Room this Friday by 4:30 p.m. R. W. Cowden Lectures Today: Dr. Enrique Testa of Chile will speak on "How Chile Streng- thens the Inter-American Front" at, 8 p.m., Kellogg Auditorium. The public is cordially invited. Next Monday, Aug. 21, Professor Oscar Lange, University of Chicago, will speak on "The Soviet Union in World Politics" at 4:10 p.m. in the Rackham Amphitheatre. The lecture is open to the public free of charge. Academic Notices Students in Speech: Robert Shay- on, Producer - Director, Columbia Broadcasting System, will speak at the assembly of the Department of Speech at 3 p.m. today in the Rack- ham Amphitheatre. The public is invited. Bacteriology Seminar: Thursday, Aug. 17, at 10:30 a.m. in Rm. 1564 East Medical Building. Subject: "Re- port of Research Work on Influenza Virus," by Dr. J. B. Sarracino. All interested are invited. Concerts The Regular Thursday Evening Record Concert will be held in the Men's Lounge of the Graduate School at 7:45 p.m. The program will consisti of Beethoven's Egmont Overture, De-1 bussy's Nocturnes, the "Surprise" Symphony of Haydn, and Les Pre- ludes of Liszt. These programs are held every Thursday evening for the benefit of graduate students, service-I men, and their guests. The University Summer Session Band, William D. Reveili, Conductor, presents an outdoor concert on Sun- day evening, Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m. on steps of Rackham Building. The program will be as follows: National Anthem; March-"El Cab- allero", Joseph Olivadoti; Panis An- gelicus, Cesar Franck; March-"The Footlifter", Henry Fillmore (Con- ducted by William D. Revelli); Mala- guena, Ernesto Lecuotia; On the Hudson, Edwin Franko Goldman (Conducted by Mr. Leonard Mer- etta). Symphonic Episods, Felix Fou- drain; Child Prodigy, Morton Gould (Piano Soloist-Miss Helen Francis, Conducted by Mr/ William Fitch; March-"Love's Own Sweet Song", Kalman (from operetta "Sari"); Overture Militaire, Haydn-Skornika; March-"The Stars and Stripes For- ever," John Phillip Sousa. Open to the public. In case of in- clement weather, concert will be played in Hill Auditorium. Student Recital: On Tuesday eve- ning, Aug. 22, at 8:30, the School of Music will present a program of string quartet music, given by the students of Mr. Gilbert Ross's String Quartet Class. The program will in- clude chamber music by Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. The public is cordially invited to attend the recital which will be given in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Exhibitions General Library, Main Lobby. Mod- ern fine printing. Museums Building: "What the Ser- viceman May See in the Pacific Area." (Animal Exhibits). Rackham Galleries: Original water colors by Soviet children (50 pit- tures), and Reproduction of Book Illustrations by Soviet Artists. Cir- culated by the National Council of American-Soviet Friendship, New York. Open daily, 2-5 and 7-10 p.m., through Saturday, Aug. 19. Clements Library: "Army News and Views in Seven Wars." American military publications, particularly of the present war. Architecture Building, First-floor cases. Exhibitions of student work. Michigan Historical Collections: 160 Rackham IBuilding. The Growth of the University of Michigan in Pictures. Events Today Sociedad Hispanica: Those inter- ety immediately following the lec- ture. All women interested in Education are invited to the final luncheon of this summer, Russian Tea Room, Michigan League, today from 11:45 to 1 o'clock. Speaker will be Miss Ai-djen Lo, graduate student, who will discuss the topic "Educational Problems in China." Come and bring your friends. A.S.C.E.-A.I.E.E. Joint Meeting to- day: Prof. Arthur Aiton of the His- tory Department will speak on "En- gineering in South America." All members, prospective members and others interested in this topic are urged to attend. Final list of Navy members of A.S.C.E. will be made following this meeting, 7:30, at the Union. "The Chocolate Soldier," an oper- etta by Oscar Straus and Stanislaus Stange, will be presented this eve- ning, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings, Aug. 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21. The School of Music will collaborate with the Michigan Rep- ertory Players in this production. Performances will begin at 8:30 p.m., in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Tickets on sale in the theatre box office. Box office hours: Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for the balance of the week, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug: 16, The Mid- Week Respite from Your Academic Labors: Dance and relax at the USO. Junior hostesses. Lots of new tunes on the disks and FUN. Refreshments, of course. French Tea today at 4 p.m. in the Grill Room of the Michigan League. 'Coming Events Chinese Block.laps in India were stopped and the Assam Valley was saved. Two facts stand out as a result of this hitherto untold chapter in the war. One was the amazing performance of the Air Trans- port Command, which flew in all kinds of weather over the most difficult terrain in the world. They took General Chennault's gaso- line and flew it in reverse, not to aid China, but to aid India. The other was the example of what the Chinese troops could do in a pinch and what they might be able to do against Japan in North China if' properly equipped and led. Early in the war, before the Japs took Burma and Singapore, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek formally offered Chinese troops to Prime Mini- ster Churchill to fight in India or any other place in the Orient. The offer was refused. The Chinese believed at the time that Churchill did not want Chinese troops in Burma, a country once part of China, which the Chinese some- times talk about getting back. Chinese on the Job SINCE THEN the Chinese have done a great job in building the airports from which U. S. B-29's take off for the bombing of Japan. And Pi Lambda Theta: Supper meeting in Russian Tea room at the Michigan League on Thursday, Aug. 17 at,5:30 p.m. The picnic scheduled for the last meeting has been cancelled. Cynthia M. Jones, Publicity Ch. 321 S. Division French Club: The last meeting of the club will take place tomorrow Thursday, Aug. 17, at 8 p.m. in the Michigan League. Mr. Sami Turan, Grad., will speak on "La vie des etudiants parisiens." Group singing and social hour. All students, ser- vicemen and faculty people inter- ested are cordially invited. The last open clinic of the Univer- sity of Michigan Fresh Air Camp will be held Friday, Aug. 18, at 8:30 p.m. at the main lodge, Patterson Lake. The consulting specialist will be Dr. Leonard Himler, Psychiatrist, of U. of Michigan Health Service. Deceptive Miles .. . Does our Russian ally know that his advance is only taking him into a trap the wily Germans have pre- pared and will spring at the most devastating moment? If that view is a little startling, it is on good auth- n,.fx "Thre is" soumNai hnp BARNABY By Crockett Johnson I Whv nra wp nnirin fo, Icao Sem 5prn~1ttina. somehow, thatf we I Also, we need Gus, the Ghost, . . .