PAGE FOUR Editorial Opinion Party Fate in the Balance Political Hangs This is a vital year for campus political parties. By the end of. 1963 either they will have begun effec tive reconstruction of themselves and student government or they will have come even nearer to failure than they are at present. Wc call on party chairmen, party members and all students who have faith and interest in the potential effectiveness of student government to prevent the latter alternative. Since 1959 when ihe Class of 1963 entered this Uni versity there has been a drastic decline in ihe efforts and effectiveness of campus political parlies. Membership in parties has declined. Interest in party projects and stands has declined. Healthy party influence upon student gov ernment has declined. Political parties have become solely instruments of electing people to office. In our estimation many times their goals have been selfish and not directed toward the good of this University and the student body. In talking with one party chairman this fall, we were informed that party platforms serve no purpose on this campus because they are merely a list of hastily conceived projects designed solely to impress students. Many, if not most, recent party planks have never been carried out. If this attitude is allowed to prevail, parties may as well throw in their charters. They will never accomplish anything. .. . However, within the concept of a party system there lies, in our opinion, the answer to effective 'student gov ernment. The opportunities for parties composed of ener getic and informed students are boundless. Many problems exist at this University. Many things need to be done. The members of the USG Congress can not be expected, as individuals, to be the "idea men" for the entire campus. They can do research, persuade and legislate. But they cannot read the minds of students who never voice opinions. Parlies could be havens for the expression of ideas and opinion. As strong organizations, they could conduct much of the research needed for effective Congressional legisla tion. With dedicated leaders and members, parties could provide invaluable training grounds for prospective USG activities. By training and accurately informing interested students, parties would also solve-.the all-too-frequent problem of a lack of capable candidates to represent the student body. But, all of these activities are subordinate to the main role of political parties—electing members to USG. Re search and training are worthless in themselves. They must be aimed at electing party men to office who are courageous legislators intent on doing things for the good of the student body. It behooves all parties to nominate party men for all vacant USG offices and to lead the campaign of these party members. All of these avenues and many more are open to campus political parties. Their carrying out will require year-around effort and strong organizations. We feel it can be done. We feel it-must be done. Once again we say to students, active and inactive: Do not sit back and criticize. There is much to be done and you must do it. A Student-Operated Newspaper 58 Years of Editorial Freedom ©hr Satltj (EuUeman Successor to The Free La nee, est. 1881 PnhHshetl Tuesday thrnueh Saturday mornlne during the University year. The Daily Collegian Is a student-operated newspaper. Entered as second-class matter July 6, 1831 at the State College, Pa. Post Office under the'act of March 3, 1879. Mail Subscription Prior: 86.00 a year Mailing Address Box 261, State College, Pa. ANN PALMER Editor Member of The Associated Press - City Editors, Joan Molinn and David Bolhach: News and World Affairs Editor. Kay Mills: Editorial Editor. David Runkel; Sports Editor, Dean Billick; Photog raphy Editor. Den Coleman: Assistant Photography Editor, Bill Goodman; Per sonnel Director,' Saralec Orton i News and Features Editors, Donnan Beeson and Sandra Yaggl. Local and Classified Advertising Co-Managers: Jane Sllverstein, Jean Buhl: National Ad Mgr., Barbara Brown; Credit Mgr., Ralph Friedman; Assistant Credit Mgr., Harry Rauch; Promotion Mgr., Barry Levitz; Circulation Mgr., Phil Guest; Assistant Circulation Mgr., David Spirt. Persona with complaints about The Daily Collegian's editorial policy or news coverage may voire them In the letters to the editor column or present them, In person or In writing, to the editor. All complaints will be Investigated and efforts made to remedy situations where this newspaper Is at fault. The Daily Collegian, .however; upholds the right to maintain its independence, and to exercise •iv. ' ■ : ns to who! H thinks Is in the best Interest of the flnlo ■ THE DAILY COLLEGIAN. UNIVERSITY PARK. PENNSYLVANIA HERBERT- WITMER Business Manager for the record ; : —; ; Pomp and Circumstance —-— ——by carol kunklema This reporter was among the crowd of 12,000 spectators who clutched their passes bearing the seal of the State of Pennsylvania and burrowed their way into Harrisburg’s Farm . Show Arena Tuesday. The occasion was the inaugura tion of William Warren Sci’anton —the 103rd governor of this Key stone State, The setting the tra ditional and sol emnly official in auguration cere mony, The mood— more typical • of American football fans who come to gaze at a sensa tional new player Signific a n 11 y, the crowd in cluded its appro priate unpropor tionate share of Republicans, a kunkleman fewer number of Democrats and a dash of reporters and photog raphers insuring that the oc casion would live up to the true ingredients of a spectacular pro duction. In this arena-type seats, spec tators leaned forward, anxiously and curiously, awaiting the en trance of the star performer. Those on the dirt, floor, originally in tended for the showing of live- - ” ,stock, sank their heels into the earth and craned their necks over the equally curious gathering around them. Those politically inclined intro- Letters 'The Low Cost of Education' TO THE EDITORt Perhaps it would be unfair to charge that this institution, supposedly dedi cated to education, is in reality dedicated only to separating stu dents from their money. How ever, I’m afraid that this is the case. - From my first weeks at Penn Slate, when my registration cards included a demand for a contri bution to the class fund, I have been subject to unreasonable pressures on my pocketbook. In English I and 3 I was told to buy several books -which were never used. Zoology 25 necessitates the purchase of an expensive dissect ing kit which is little used. Various and'' sundry clubs and organizations imply that one must join their dues-paying ranks in order to have a happy exist ence here. Some local merchants and even the after-hours food peddlers in the dorm dining halls charge more than standard prices for their products. Many of us here are from families of small means, and can not afford to maintain ourselves at the expensive level which seems to be expected of us. The University administration and - the faculty must realize that there is a need for a fairer treatment of its students. A few things which might ba New Mail Ruling Hit hy GW Student TO THE EDITOR: I was just in formed. by my girl, that I am no longer to put Pennsylvania State University on her letters. If I do, I am liable to get them returned. Why is this? Does she no longer attend the Pennsylvania State University? Did she flunk out? Something like this would re quire a lot of explaining; espe cially if it happened to some one's Aunt Tillie who writes only once a year. Since the University is assum ing ..the authority of the United States Post Office,. T wonder if it has any of the Dag Hammarskjold error stamps to sell? •—James S. Pringle Gr;::gj Washington University duced the fervor-of a party con vention. Intent on claiming recog nition due the winning side, they waved banners which boasted: “We helped win a majority of 2500 votes for our district.” They bellowed their victory cheers, and those who considered themselves too refined for such vocal display, reduced' their boast to that of sporting Irish green top hats or grasping bamboo canes. Many of Ihose.in the crowd who rated free passes and chartered buses to attend the affair pinned blue ribbons on their shoulders lopped by a badge of the smiling Scranton. Meanwhile, , energetic photog raphers hopped from press table to platform to ground in an effort to capture the glorious moments on film. To retiring governor David L. Lawrence, they taunted, “Give us a smile, Davey!” and to the new members of the front page set, they pleaded, “Look up here!” Finally, the new governor en tered, and the crowd hastened to attention. The familiar anthem "Pomp and Circumstance” was blown and drummed on the in struments of the Valley Forge Military Academy band. With the governor-elect was his wife, who added to the' colorful festivities with her brilliant orange suit. The faces of their two young sons shone both with pride for their father and from the diligent grooming they must have received; their teenage daughter, tall and lithe with a slight Bug- looked into are as follows; (1) free laundry facilities, (2) lower prices at snack-bars, (3) more careful consideration of the mini mum books and equipment need ed in courses. This state university is sup posed to be providing low-cost education for the people, and it’s time it began to do that. —Robert A. Lewis '65 Junior Disputes Rossmctnn's Views TO THE EDITOR! I take excep tion to the “mental ■ exercise” which appeared in the letters to the editor column of Wednesday’s Collegian mocking both do-good ers and doers of good. The mere fact that a person is unable to,, solve his own troubles has no bearing on whether he can help another, who may have difficult ties of an entirely different na ture. Furthermore, being “too far away ... to offer . . . peace of soul” can be an advantage, as a more unbiased and analytical viewpoint can be adopted. If the premises put forth by Mr. Rossmann were true, our na tion’s army of college guidance counsellors, marriage counsellors, and even psychiatrists and psy chologists would be looking for new jobs. In short this letter sounds like the immature whining'and moan ing of a childlike person whose mind has been scoured by a few well-meaning friends. " ' —Steven Schwartz '64 WDFM Schedule THURSDAY, JAN. 17 - 4:15 The Philadelphia: Debussy's La Merj Saint-Saens’ Danse Macabre; Boro* din's Steppes of Central Asia 5:00 Dinner-Date: relaxing dinner music 0:00 News Analysis: news of the day summarized 0:15 Wealherscope: Joel Myers 6:20 Concert Hal!: Ravel’s Bolero, La Valse and Pavanne; Smetena'a .Mouldou; and others 7:30 Highlight: USG Report on Btudent government 7:40 Radio Moscow: Weekly feature from Russia; The Cuban Crisis 7:55 News 8:00 This is the Subject: “Value Judg* ments in Science” by Robert B. Lindsay, physicist and dean - of Brown University Graduate School 8:55 Sports News 0:00 Harlequin: Humorous readings by University Readers 9:15 Mostly Music: popular and .jazz 10:00 Classical Canvas: Franz Liszt; Piano Concerto No. 1, Les Prelude*, Psalm No. 8, Variations on Themes by Bach THURSDAY. JANUARY 17. 1963 gestion of a Jackie Kennedy hair do, added her admiring glances to those of her brothers. Appropriately, Mrs. Lawrence’s attire was more restrained, sug gesting the contrast of the old and the new. She wore a simply cut light blue wool suit and al lowed only a‘flowered silk hat to mark the gaiety of the hour. ■ The flag of the governor un furled as Scranton repeated tha oath that would bind him to the people. The crowd waited for the next words which would desig nate him as their Spokesman and administrator for the next four years. He did not disappoint them. He spoke of progress, of faith, and of economic advantages. He urged them to walk proudly as citizens of the state. He left them with the feeling that there is still hope of a Messiah. And then he was silent, awaiting the formal closing words of the Bishop of Harrisburg. Bui the crowd was not to be ignored so soon. From the floor arose a chant of desire. "We want Scranton!" they cried, and re fused to silence their request. Un appeased but calmed by the ominous appearance of slate troopers, they allowed the bishop to read the words from the scrip ture. ' A triumphant exit began as the strains of “Battle Hymn of the Republic" began and the crowd burrowed their way out into the below freezing air for the inaugu ral parade. With pinched faces and stiffening toes, they viewed the passing units of reserve forces, high school bands and army tanks. Thm they turned their atten tion to inaugural ball prepara tions. Yesterday the mood in the state capitol was still a vibrant one but for a different reason. The new man began his job. He began to work for the people, and it is his ability rather than his charm that must maintain the people’s confidence and good will. For he knew that the vibrance of their mood would depend only on how well he accomplished for them the stated intentions and platforms of the campaign which had brought him 1 to the in augural platform. f MV MOM 15 > MAD AT ME.,.M 1 / 6RANDMAISMAD AT ME.uEVERYONE . I£ MAD AT ME., . (1 GV£S$ I TALK TOO l MUCH., j V£ST£RDA