Editorial Opinion Spring Is Really Here President Johnson's surprise decision not to seek renomination coupled with his announcement of a halt in the bombing of North Vietnam's most heavily populated areas lends a refreshing breath of air ‘ to an already stagnant political year. If the President is genuinely sincere in his announcement, his long repeated pledges of self-sacrifice to help the nation can finally be believed. For the President, it is unfortunate that his deci sion on de-escalation has come so late in his political career. For the people of the United States, his deci sion should be a welcome change in a wearisome war policy which has become a dartboard for so many critics. The Collegian in the past has taken its share of potshots at the President. For a change, we applaud him now. If his decision to remove himself from politics to completely devote himself to solving the nation's most pressing foreign and domestic problems is true, he may be more sophisticated and more competent a President than his rural background and actions have so often implied. If the President's latest bid to Hanoi (althought it could have been stronger) is to succeed, perhaps he needs the support of his nation more so than ever until November. That is not to say, of course, that the contend ers for the Democratic Presidential nomination should be neglected. Both McCarthy and Kennedy have their major obstacle—LßJ's expected bid for re-election--removed. Now they have each other to TODAY ON CAMPUS Alpha Kappa Alpha, 8 p.m., ICCB, 6:30 p.m., 216 HUB 217 Hetzel Union Building IFC, 3 p.m., 216 HUB Arts and Arch. Student Coun- Jr. Residents Exec Board, 6 oil, 215-216 HUB p.m., 214 HUB Class of '69, 8:45 p.m., 214 HUB MRC, 7:30 p.m., 203 HUB German Dept., 6:30 p.m., HUB SDS, 7:30 p.m., 217-218 HUB Assembly Hall Spring Week, 6:30 p.m., 2 1 5 GSA, 6:30 p.m., 217 HUB HUB Successor to The Free Lance, est. 1887 Tilt Elatin Tnitntiati 62 Years of Editorial Freedom Published Tuesday through Saturday during the Fall, Winter and Spring Terms and once weekly on Thursdays during June, July and August. The Daily Collegian Is i student gerated newspaper. Second class postage paid at Stale Collage, Pa. 1.3301, Circulation, 12,500. Mall Subscription Price: UM a year Mailing Address Box 467, state College, Pa. 16101 !Editorial and Business Office easement of Sackett (North ends Phone 665.0331 euSiness office hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 cm. to 4 p.m. Member of The Associated Press RICHARD WIESErtHUTTER, D R l u C s K ine W ss ELS a S n M ag A e H r Editor City Editors, William Epstein and Judy Rite; News Editors, Mike Serrill and Richard Ravitz, Editorial Columnist, Jay Shore; Sports Editor, Paul Levine; Assistant Sports Editor, Ron Kolb; Personnel Director• Office Manager, Phyllis Ross. Board of Managers: Local Advertising Manager, Ed Fromkin, Assistant Local Advertising Managers, Jim Shore and Jim Soutar; Co• Credit Managers, Bill Fowler and George Geib; Assistant Credit Manager, Carol Book; Classified Ad• vertising Manager, Patty Rissingar; National Ash/art/sing Managers, Mary Ann Ross and Linda Hazier; Circulation Manager, George Bergner; Office and Par sonnet Manager, Karen Kress; Public Relations. and Promotion Manager, Ronald Resnikoff. Committee en Accuracy and Fair Plays Charles Brawn, Faith ?annoy, Harm Reeder. E TWO HOW 'BOUT SUPPt*RTING YOLU;_: ., _'''.: B0: - ...*i,;' . .::.: . .... STORE? '.:'..ANN STATE BOOK EXCHANGE ÜBA Is Now Accepting Books Hours: 9:00 till 5:00 Monday through Saturday TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 1968 USED BOOK AGENCY Largest Variety of Spiral Notebooks in Town • (Now featuring the New High Quality Camp Line) • Engraved Penn State Stationery _ • Ring Binders •i Bic Pens • ,Felt Writers • Hi-liters • Pickett Slide Rules. • Engineering Supplies • Filler Paper • Decals and Pennants until APRIL 3rd NON-PROFIT . . . STUDENT OPERATED .; . BOOK STORE worry about. And, at the moment, President Johnson has, if the phrase can be applied, outclassed his fellow par tymen. While they've been talking, he's been doing something. , Although. his decision to halt the bombing may not result in the ,successful termination of the Viet naM conflict, at least it shows a chinge in his past stubborn nature and. seemingly senseless standfirm policy in Southeast Asia. His decision not to seek re nomination gives peace candidates a much softer / campaign trail. In short, the President's announcements show a willingness to change. That, in turn, promises hope. On WDFM Radio-91.1 4-4:05 p.m. WDFM News (Continued) 4:05-6 p.m. Music of the 7:45-8 p.m. USG Pr.ss Con- Masters ference (WDFM and The 6-6:05 p.m. WDFM News D a i 1 y Collegian interview 6:05-7 p.m. After Six (Pop- . USG President, Jeff Long) ular, easy-li tening) ' 8-10 p.m. The Sound of Folk 7-7:15 p.m. Dateline News Music with Danny Estersohn (Comprehensive campus, na- 10-10:15 p.m. WDFM News tional and international news,. 10:15-12 midnight Symphonic sports, and weather) Notebook 7:15-7:45 p.m. After Six 12-12:05 a.m. WDFM News Letters to the Editor Wake Up TO THE EDITOR: A few days before finals last term I had occasion to visit Harvard University for the Fifth Annual China Conference. Attending were students and faculty representing every area of the nation. The main purpose of the conference was discussion of China. However, topics of interest turned to informal conversation on student ac tivism. In three days. I came to realize that young people around the country were directing their efforts to doing things within their institutions of learning and for the nation. The New Hampshire primary election was -the most recent example. Senator McCarthy's campaign was in spired by young college students who came in droves to help. It was said that the young inspired him rather than his inspiring the young. My point is simple. I think it is high time that Penn State students come out of their slumber and realize their individual and collective potential. In four years of re sponsible observation, I have come to the conclusion that the average student at this university neglects his duty as a citizen. I beg you to take part in the political life of this coun try and the student activities of this university. To cite a most recent example of student apathy: last week student government sponsored a boycott of a book store. The goal was to get higher prices for used books. Yet, students passively walked into the store and bought and sold books against their own best interests. Most of those participating in the boycott were seniors. They are not the ones who will benefit. Every student in this university should be riMll27 YOU'RE CRAZY' YOU THINK YOU CAN 60 q.t. ii. NOBODY CAN MAKE IHRX)6I-1 THAT WICKET, AROUND \ I I tl ti A SHOT LIKE THAT BM AND CLEAR ARO% THE i. THAT: tIARD AND HIT MY BALL? NONA) t.C" 1 ') CM MAKE A SHOT LIKE THAT! t ; ik* ..-„,-,,, 1) , .....-- s%', a t 0,0 K! ~. 4 . . i 4, ri I frit 5... ._._...,. Ai, v irliretionc/ W.,". __.-.4.1,w2ii• / V) .......-._ i., ..... OPEN ...... Monday-Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday 9:00-12:00 ÜBA Dates To Remember BERRI'S WORLD' ',„ down there in support,' and certainly no one should patro nize this store while it is being boycotted. There is an election of student government officers coming this term. I think it is the responsibility of the candidates to direct their campaigns and their thoughts toward student activism. We have a voice in this nation. With effective consideration, it can be used to our best interests and to the best interests of the University and the nation. Students should come out and support a candi date. It is also a Presidential election year. I think it is the responsibility for each young person in this country to support the candidate of his choice. Whether it is Kennedy, Nixon, Rockefeller, McCarthy or Johnson, your voice is important. Student sphrt is the new spirit of this country. Presi dent Kennedy was our hope in early youth, now as we grow older, it is imperative that we create hope of our own with good, honest effort. This spring and coming fall, the students of this uni versity should forget they're in Happy Valley and move back into the world. Let us use effectively the power we have, so in the end we can not complain that we are the instruments of a generation that does not understand us. Mark Taxel '6B The pally Collegian accepts letters to the editor regarding Collegian news Coverage er editorial policy And campus or non.campus affairs. Letters must be typewritten, no more than two panes In length, and should be brought to the office or The Daily Collegian in person so that Identification of the writer • can be checked. If letters are received by mail, The Cellagihn will contact the stoner tor verification. The Daily Collegian reserves the right to select which letters will be published and to edit letters for style and content. AND (D Mt by HEA, Iric. "Shh! Daddy's thinking!" LETTER POLICY 10% Refund on every $5.00 1967 1968 school year. ifri worth of receipts for ACCEPT BOOKS UNTIL APRIL 3rd SELL BOOKS MARCH 29th - APRIL 4th RETURN MONEY FOR INCORRECT BOOKS APRIL 4th & sth RETURN MONEY AND UNSOLD BOOKS APRIL Bth -12th Mike SerriH Politics 1968: 'A Tale Told by an Idiot' "You see, sir, I've written this political novel," the enthusiastic young writer told the eminent political scien tist. "And I'd like to know if you think it will be a success." "Go- on,"- said the expert sceptically, convinced that only eminent political scientists like himself are capable of creating political novels. "Well, first, the United States gets involved in this land war in Southeast Asia," the young scribe began. "Now why the devil would the United States want to get involved in a land war in Asia," the authority on such things scoffed, "It's very complicated," replied the imaginative young man. "A combination of vague formal and informal com mitments, misdirected anti-communism and stupidity in Washington." His Eminence frowned. Anyway, this President by default from the South (his predecessor was assassinated) drags us deeper and deeper into this guerrilla war. But even our huge military machine cannot cope with modern guerrilla warfare, es pecially since Russia and China are supplying the enemy with arms." "Absurd," laughed the political scientist. "No admin• istration would allow itself to get in such a tangle." "And what's more," continued the novelist, caught up in his own fantastic story, "the United States is at the same time being rocked by huge race riots, but because of the cost of the war Congress refuses to allocate money to rehabilitate the ghettoes. Thousands of students and intel lectuals stage violent anti-war demonstrations. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee becomes one of the most vehement critics of the war." "Oh, come on," shrieked the listener, shocked at the writer's lack of political sagacity. "Congress has stood firmly behind the Administration in every war since 1865." "Now this is the topper," proceeded the narrator, un daunted. "A Democratic Senator from the Midwest is so concerned about the sad state of political affairs that he decides to oppose the President on an anti-war platform in the next election and begins stumping the nation, without the support of the leaders of the Democratic Party and without any money." "Impossible," cried the political mentor. "That would be political suicide. And it would split the party irrevoc. ably. No politician would consider it. I'm afraid you have a lot to learn about politics, son." "Not at all," insisted the writer. "Thousapds of stu dents flock to the Senator's aid. He receives thousands of dollars daily from peace-loving businessmen. Without the help of the Democratic political machine he comes within 230 votes of beating the President in the New Hampshire primary." The professor was speechless with indignation, but fascinated. "Next, the enemy in Southeast Asia stages a massive offensive and completely discredits the Administration's war policy. The President struggles in vain to maintain his long since shattered credibility. He finally succumbs to the polls, calls the de-escalation of the war and retires from the presidential race, despite the fact that the majority of the population is hawkish and despite the fact that he prob ably would have won the nomination and the election be cause a Southern racist had entered the presidential race and split the Republicans." The literary novice sat back, waiting for the expert's reaction. "I suggest that you cancel any plans for publishing this horrible book and spend the next few years taking courses in foreign policy and political theory. The absurd set of circumstances you have devised are completely implausible—it couldn't happen in a Million years." • CLIP and SAVE •
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers