Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 September 1947 — Page 12

The Indianapolis Times

TET

~~ PAGE 12 Monday, Sept. 15, 1047

In Tune W

BUNK! .

ROY W. HOWARD _WALTEN LECKRONE HENRY W. MANZ ' DEPINING the ‘word “bunk” the dictionPresident =. Editor Business Manager aries of our day call it slang. Ab tho Hk OF be ’ = - ing forced to eat my own words on the. I day A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER pe would plead for a higher and more respectable

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rating in forth-coming lexicographies. ; ' Analyzed right down to its roots, what is bunk anyway? : : \ Students of semantics and“ American history, of course, know that bunk is only the abridged form of bunkum, or buncombe. When, a century or so ago, the representative from Buncombe county in North Carolina arose to address the congress, and in the filibustering fashion of that day-and ours—proceeded to extol the primordial virtues of his constituency, his sorely-tried col leagues remonstrated with irritated calls’ for the

question at issue. Whereupon the imperturbable

rackets.

manpower.

others. bank:

bank can

less.

The Lottery Law Test Case : : I’ was to be expected that the lottery interests would fight to the last ditch against the law city council enacfed to end their lush $9 millions-a-year racket here. So it was no surprise whe the printers of lottery tickets, whose business is outlawed by the new city statute, asked for a change of venue to get the first test out of Marion county, and as far as possible out .of sight of the people of Indianapolis, who want the lottery rackets wiped out. It was little surprising, though, to see our city’s corporation counsel, whose duty it is to defend this law, going amicably along with them on that request. Has Mr. Bobbitt no confidence in the integrity of Marion county’s courts? Or has he no confidence in the ordinance itself—on which, if our recollection is correct, he failed to give an opinipn when city council asked for one?

» » . » » PROPER defense of this ordinance is a matter of tremendous importance to Indianapolis. If it fails the field is wide open to further growth into even greater power of underworld rackets that threaten the very roots of decent government here. Many able lawyers believe it is entirely legal and wholly within the powers of the city to enforce such a statute to defend itself against these rackets, If Mr. Bobbitt does not share that opinion, “or has any doubts of the grounds pon which he Ts to fight, | he might do well to call in the assistance of attorneys who do have confidence in the merits of their case. Certainly the people of this city are not going to accept placidly any half-hearted defense of-an issue that means so much to their welfare. They are likely to be highly critical of any- ~ thing that even looks like agreement with the opposition, over the most minor points. There just isn't any room for compromise with the

The Experts Agree 0 THE minority which questions the soundness of the socalled “Marshall plan" approach to the European prob-}. lem should take'a good look at the second annual reports of the world bank and the world monetary fund. These international organizations represent 45 nations. hoards of governors presumably represent the most objective and expert world financial and economic experience and knowledge available. They are not likely to be trumping up an imaginary international crisis for the partisan benefit of the Truman administration on the eve of an election year, as some second-string Republican politicians have charged the ' Democrats with doing. Nor are these boards, chosen from many nations, apt to stack the cards for any one country. Independently of our secretary of state and his advisers, the two world financial boards now make findings of fact and of policy which duplicate almost exactly the Marshall approach. They report serious shortages of food, fuel,

> HE main Teconstruction effort must come from the European nations, the two boards agree. Marshall calls it self-help, and stresses this point. above all In the words of President McCloy of the world “Europe itself must make the major contribution to the solution of all these probléms.” Secondly, it is agreed that outside aid also is essential— aid from the United States, since the world bank and monetary fund can give only limited help. man Camille Gutt of the monetary fund: “It is apparent | that if the goods needed for completion of reconstruction! are to be made available, it will be necessary for governments to extend additional aid beyond what the (world) provide.” “outside assistance is vital, but it represents a small percentage of the total effort.” Thirdly, they all agree that more production is the “final solution of ‘the problem.” This of course is the essence of the American doctrine, which Secretary Marshall and virtually every United States official repeats at every opportunity. The test of European self-help is rising output. And the test of American aid is the extent to which it enables Europe to produce more. The world bank and fund reports are far from hopeThey find: that reconstruction progress has been made in many countries in the last two years, even though incomplete and spotty. Industrial advance has been faster) than agricultural, which is still far below prewar, | Given enough energy and co-operation on the part of the European nations, and supplemental American goods to | organize your clubs and ask that all peed their own efforts, this erisis can be licked. -But par-| husbands, fathers, brothers, be paid tianship and politicking will not to the Europe or the United States,

Alert the Spade Brigade

HE war department has announced that it has lined

up another group of civilian undertakers who are ready for action in the event of world war 111.

figure out why the department might think this bit of pre-

Their

Secretary

According to Chair-

gentleman retorted that he wes merely “speaking for Buncomb.”

And so, by that trivial congressional incident,

accident or—shall we say, habit—the word bun- °

combe has become immortalized both in semantics and in history. . But not so much “buncombe,” as its abbreviated offspring “bunk!"~b-u-n-k, plus exclamation point. The exclamation point is important; because in and with that expletive as an integrated part of the word itself, “bunk!” is the rhetorical symbol] of the mental no less than moral revulsion of the man-in-the-street to all that is showy and ungenuine in his contacts with the next man. What Thomas Carlyle once so voluminously and stentorianly denounced with his simple four-let-tered word “cant,” the man-in-the-street today is somehow able to blast with his no less eloquent yet equally quadriliteral “bunk!” It is what we call a natural, more phonetically incisive and certainly no less effective than the late P. T. Barnum's flow more or less respectable “humbug,” or Al Smith's “baloney,” or Clare Booth Luce’'s “globalonéy.” $

Turning On the Steam

2s (85: 9

4

the Times *

deliberate misrepresen heartening to know that the man-in-the-street— even though he may occasionally like it—can usually detect and spurn bunk when he is confronted with it. Our current Gallup polls as well as general history, I venture to think, help to prove this. “Bunk!”--a single-word epitome of the familiar line attributed to Lincoln: “You can fool some of the people all of the time; you, can fool all of the people some of tie time; but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.” 1 submit: Isn't “bunk!” entitled to a higher grade of respectability in the dictionary? ~MORRIS M. FEUERLICHT. ~ " . : LIFE My little room is cozy ® In the early morning light; If only I might linger here Within its walls so bright! But I must always hurry Down inte the city's gloom To work all day, that I may keep My cozy little room. ~DOROTHY LYON. y . »

SEGREGATION MUST GO!

NE of the putstanding crusades conducted by The Times has been its editorial fight against segregated schools. This form of separatism, which causes an Insidious development of the psychology of master racism among many children, is preventing progressive advancement of our city in many ways.

Accumulated scientific data compiled by the

eC ALAVRT™

“I do not agree with a word that you say, but | will

Hoosier Forum

President McCloy emphasizes that

puff and I'll hufr,”

women looked with dresses below the knees.

The New Dresses Below Knees Bring New Feminine Charm

By Jeanne, Seymour Like the three little pigs and the wolf:

job—either in *

It isn't hard to

women were feminine you'd want) [that era to last. Of course, every- by the bi | thing has changed. Demands for| = home life are like prices, so the | wife-mother thinks she should help meet the demands and it is mighty [fine, too, but here is a suggestion, §

while for the women to stay at home of give mothers a monthly pension to help maintain the home on a higher level, light district in every home. mand a special district for those who care to visit it.

» - . We Don't Know Now | Where We Are Going |

“I'll huff and I'll puff, I'll, —straight up—it seems very foolish and so they did bring down the length of skirts. was in town the other day and I noticed how feminine most of the just to satisfy the whims of such soYou see, girls, the men |called stylists who are undoubtedly folks are going to be nicer to us. It's them that are trying to protect|working.hand in glove with the big us from so many horrible things that are coming upon us and 1|shot money grabbers of industry. think we should encourage them int this idea by helping to protect our-| So girls let's stand up for what we selves. Let's allow them again to respect us to the extént that they believe to be right and not let a will send us beautiful flowers, boxes of candy, write us enchanting let- [bunch of self-elected dictators tell ters instead of bringing a bottle of intoxicatin

g drinks or cigarets. once you. had lived in the age when |— —

TT a | apparel in general is only an effort! g wig industrialists to make just right—a little below the knee. ..

a profit at the expense of the working class. With prices rising clear out of {sight and living costs gone where ithe aristocratic big bugs want them

I/to buy a completely new wardrobe

If jus how to dress but keep the skirts — |as they are, Not too long=-not-too short: bui

Side Glances—By Galbraith

0B

is truly an amalgam of is her strength and glory. power that comes from the voluntary fusion of peoples by building walls to keep them apart, Send students to schoolgon the basis of geographical districts of rather than on basis of race. ii

BEI MIR DU BIST EIN UMLAUT Oh, the umiaut’s a vexing and tricky device. It is used by the Teutons for phonetics precise. When the dots are applied to Field Marshal Goering,

You'll be on the beam if you rhyme it with “erring.”

In Brooklyn, without it, you make oil into “erl” And reversing. the process, “goil” out of girl. ~LUDWIG VON DUMKOPF. - » = Speaking of wild movements on foot, have you ever been to a high school dance?

+ + Donald D.

Hoover

v ; Morning, noon or night, . Of late is such a sight.

But they seem to understand He's master of each rule, And knows most all ‘bout everything He's been one week to school \ ~INEZ WILSON WHITEHEAD » » WHILE most of thege With the Times” consist of solicited everyone 1s welcome to try his hand. If you are tempted to express yourself, in poetry or prose, sit down and let yourself go . . . remembering that 250 words is the limit. . ¥ . ~ CHARLES MORTON of the Atlantic Monthly passes on this example of the mislaid preposition: “What did you want to bring those books that I didn't wart to read out of up for?” » . » ROSIE reports that the phone number of a frozen foods dealer in New Castle is “Zero.” Should we say colds for New Castle? The answer obviously 1s no.

w columns of “In Tune contributions,

® » » PHILOSOPHY has been defined as a study which enables a man to be unhappy more intelligently. ® =

. The best picture of health is not always the hand-painted variety. . > : ® ® = World war II has proved that it's the victor who picks up the check.

OUR TOWN . . . By Anton Scherrer .

Girls’ Fame Traced to Beechers

INDIANAPOLIS didn't have a church choirs until | Henry Ward Beech got around to it (circa 1840). susslin A that time non-ritualistic churches around

[here generally held to congregational singing. When

led" by a man witha reputation for pitch and principle, the result was more or less successful. Not infrequenctly however, the start of the singing was by way of a volunteer coming as a rule from somebody with a pet tune and a pet pitch, in which case it wasn't anything to brag. about.” , i Generally speaking, familiar songs were sung—with or without books. When there were no books, or not enough to go around, the preacher would “line out” the hymn or “deacon” it, as the imported Yankees around here called it. Which is to say that the preacher would read two lines and wait for the congregation to respond before tackling the next two lines—a method still practiced by preachers of strong atavistic instincts, . wid : There were a few hymns so popular that everybody knew them. One of the finest was “Am I a: Soldier of the Cross?” Another was “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” The piece de resistance of every repertoire, however, was “Come, Humble Sinners,” a minor key rendering of the old Irish air, “Peeler the Goat.” Properly sung with a rigid re: gard for the blues, it made up for many a mediocre sermon, !

Necessary to Learn by Ear BEFORE MR. BEECHER'S stay in Indiana) practically the only way to study church music was to pick it up by hearing somebody else sing it. The only text book on the subject was Allen D. Carden’s “Missouri Harmony.” It was a mighty complicated affair, for it still used the “square note” system— little black blocks instead of the curvecated symbols we now use. * " The “round note” or “do, re” system came in about the time the church choir did, and it may just be possible that Mr. Beecher’'s brother, Charles, had something to do with its introduction into Indianapolis At any rate, it was the Rev. Charles Beecher

IN WASHINGTON . . . By Stalemates Loom

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15. — The troublesome United Nations security council veto—which thus far has been used 18 times by Russia and twice by France—has one chance of being revised by action lof the general assembly at its third session, which

defend to the death your right to say it." —Voltaire. |Pe8ins tomorrow.

This. will come through separate proposals from {Australia and the Argentine. In simplest terms, the idea is to call a general convention of nations to consider modification of the voting rules as set forth in the United Nations charter adopted at San Francisco in 1945.

Failure Would Bring Changes IMPORTANCE OF THIS PROPOSAL can hardly be over-estimated. If it goes through it would mean another full-dress conference like that at San Francisco. Decision to call such a conference can be made by two-thirds vote—38 of 57 members of the general assembly. The security council has no power to veto such action.

Anything might come out of such a world conference now. It is likened by U. S. experts on the United Nations to the American constitutional convention of 1787. That gathering was called to revise the articles of confederation after the Revolutionary ° war. What came out was not a revision of thé loose federation of colonies, but the brand-new U. 8. con-

salary sufficient to make it worth-

Let's not have a red De-

Y

stitution. There are plenty of people who. believe that a

LONDON; Sept. 15.—~Although no formal conclu-

who directed the Second Presbyterian church choir, the first of its kind around here. He helped ‘with the singing, too, along with, John

~ Laurence Vance, Augustus Smith and A. &. Willi de And that brings me to the point of today's piece—*

namely a hunch that if tie Beecher brothers hadn't done what they did, chances are that two girls wouldn't have reached the stage of New York's Metropolitan Opera as early as they did. Margaret Reid (her real name was Kackley)

- reached the Met by way of the Home Avenue (now Third) Christian church choir. She made her debut in 1802 as Ophelia in Ambroise Thomas’ “Hamlet”

“before an audience that had paid its money to hear the Met's prima donna, Marie Van Zandt, in the role. Always ready to turn sour at a substitution, the audience was cold and critical at the start. Gradually, however, it warmed up; to such a degree, indeed, that Margaret received a dozen curtain calls at the ‘end of the performance. Next morning when Marie Van Zandt read the raving reviews; she couldn't believe her eyes. Seems that Marie had entertained a notion the night before that she was ndSpensable, a not uncommon manifestation on the part of prima donas. :

Trained in Presbyterian Choir .

AS FOR MARGUERITE LEMON, she reached the Met by way of the First Presbyterian church choir. When she went to New York to study, she attracted the attention of Conried, the Met's impressario. He gave her a three-year contract. She was tops in Eva in “Die Meistersinger.” Later when he went abroad, she conquered Germany in roles which were brand new at the time; for example, Cho-Cho-San (“Madam Butterfiy”), (“II Pagliacci”) and Marta in D’Albert’s short-lived but epoch-stirring opera “Tie. fland.” e In 1927, I had the luck to meet Eugene O’Albert in Lugano, Switzerland, where he had a villa (a kind of hide-out to escape his collection of ex-wives). On that occasion, over what passed for American cocktails, I asked him whether he remembered Marguerite Lemon. With a far-away look as if reaching into the past, Mr. D’Albert suddenly exclaimed: “Do you by any chance mean Daisy?” It was the nickname by which she was known in Indianapolis.

Peter Edson

on U. N. Agenda

complete revision of the United Nations charter is now necessary to maintain world peace. Many members of congress think so. But such a development in world affairs may not be considered to have a chance only if the present organization chalks up complete failure on the international political and security matters soon to be considered. THe report of the 11-nation security council to the assembly may be one such stumbling block. It will have three main items. First is the report of the international atomic energy commission, which is stalemated. Becond is the report from the limitation of armaments commission. Here again, stalemate. Third is the report of the commission on creation of a United Nations police-force. After refusing to dis-. cuss this subject. for months, Russia has finally come through to suggest a peace force considered inadequate by other powers. Failure of the security council to resolve these three major problems is expected to lead to some demand that these matters can be given to the general assembly to handle.

Easier Terms for aly Doubtful

POLITICALLY, the three most important matters before the assembly concern Palestine, Greece and revision of the Italian peace treaty. : "This last is a proposal from eight Latin American countries. Their idea is to give Italy easier terms than were imposed in the treaty drafted by the Big Four, but their prospects are doubtful

WORLD AFFAIRS . . . By J. 5. Russel U. S. Farmers Fear Loss of Markets

The ambassador declined to comment

American sions have yet been formulated by America’s busy on the possibility of further credits from the U.'S., farm-tour contingent, as a result of a question-hour and apparently the British aye not entirely agreed

at the United States embassy here, a general line

among themselves on this point. Some of those con-

Br Peasimbst, City of thiriking is beginning to shape up. nected with the government insist they can get paredness necessary, Americans surely have changed in| In fact, when the group left the building, after through terrible muddle” only the hard way— The country has no program of universal military at Jet yours. ak therhere a jog Sale wi a Ambazsatios Dousias sid some o righ. did point out that coal is the “guts” of training, and congress seems in no mood to create one. The|as though it were none a. pm hor loss of trade with Britain and of the whole production problem, because Britain forair force, so vital to the nation's safety, is wéll under its| business. | absence of future markets. merly Sepeiuled on val SPOTS [oF Sve of its dollar minimum peacetime level, both in men and equipment. The oy Yous a rey wile! No Dollars to Buy—No Sale all other industries. Wie Speratian of Sulpbaiiding industry is all but finished, and the airplane [could tell us today if they wanted | THE AMBASSADOR told his visitors that Aer Wi farm group eo interest in 34 Caza - ilders are certain of little at the moment except that |te jcan farmers may expect no export markets wheat contract, wedding - > Al , but don't kno until Britain has dollars with which to buy. If, and lar to the pound sterling, the Geneya trade confermost of them are’in the red. Wh ly os Jno when, said he, surpluses above domestic needs of ence and the dollar and food crisis In Britain. So it's hard to blame the war department for getting |they won't stay there. ad, wheat, Whases ut Cotta develop in the bs. Effect Not Felt Immediately a i the unde i I suggest the following titles for cannot way for a market unless ; ! ] rtakers ready for an emergency. The action BOCINR i or hae ES States: position of the pound sterling is vastly improved SOME OF THE INFORMATION, gained unoffi- — an apt and bitter commentary on the state of our national |. » ou " » ; cially in the embassy question hour, indicated that Homeless, Hopeless,” Helpless, Douglas told of the difficulties that Britain has the “shotgun wedding” of the p and defense. and “Happy.” encountered due to severe losses during world war II, have been a bit prema a he rion W Lowering Skirtline “ortomles a wr through death tena 3 desde 300 the dollar Stisis hare ay ae : - M . ‘ 3 . t of the ov What's in a Name? Capitalistic Plot] Hil The Surat rae Sut ie connie far greater in beity Jormisted " Geneve. : RUSSIA has a Socialist government and a dire shortage |" Any haii-wilied moron with haif COMM. 1947 WY WEA SERVICE. INC TM RED. U 8. BAT. 00. z 9-15 | It is generally understood here in England that culture will not be felt immediately, because = of social conscience ; Britain a Labor government, and |* cell can easily see the prea. f= . only through increased production ‘can hope heavy demand for food at any price. Wheat exports there the big shortage is labor, : ent effort ‘to lower women's skirts) 'Sis has a new boy friend—hear that phony laugh and perfect |to improve their financial position and from North America ‘will be continued ports a { : _ And change the appearance of theirl pemmar?” 4a pound sterling, Jt 1 he ams fats but only to meet dire needs. ih ; - . ig : & : . hi ’ wn : : fou y Vi i w - x \

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- MONDA The Bria Miss | “ Anno Attenc i Miss Is Eng Two brides bridal news attendants fc Oct. 11. Miss Marga ple rd, will J. R. Hiner, honor. when & J. Gallagher. + .'The weddi Blessed Sacri Pejer and| P Rev. Fr. Jim Miss Marie bridesmaid, a will be the f The future of the late I Dowd. Mr. of Mr. and Mi Néw York.

graduate of £ college.

Mrs, Frede the matron o Behrmann i Reek Jr., Oc! Miss Behrm Mr. and Mrs 8. Ritter ave Reek, 4861 | prospective b The futur tendants, will Merklin, mai Hill, Misses Eickhoff an bridesmaids, flower girl. Mr. Reek Ringnaldo, T man, The us

Mr, Hill, Miss ‘Franc linen shower in honor of party will | home on 8¢ Hill gave a

Friday nigh honow It Berwick ave,

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Brownie, in classes will

evening, wil .Boout Little Thé dayti leaders ' ar Thursday; | Nov. 3, 5, 10 Daytime mediate cla Wednesday; Nov. 11, 13, 48. Another those with ing is sche 26; Oct. 3 a The even] be held fron night. Sen meet on Sej and 8. Br leaders will 21, 23, 28, 3 13. Advanced Brownie ou tended on ( daytime, license wil Friday; Ser

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By WIL Ame: FOR TI tory of ti masters Zedtwits Middle W bach of Harvey of field at tl Today's