Skidmore News Volume Fifteen SARATOGA SPRINGS, N. Y., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1939 Number Eight Dr. V. H. Parker, Social Hygienist, Addresses Group Household Problems Group Is Counseled on Phases of Marriage. Last night Dr. Valeria H. Parker, yesterday’s Assembly speaker, met the class in Problems of Modern Household. She is the Director of the Bureau of Marriage Counsel of New York and nationally known writer and lecturer on social relationships. Since 1914 when she became secretary of the Connecticut Social Hygiene Association she has been an outstanding advocate of greater stress upon education for social relationships. Medal for Service In 1938 Dr. Parker was awarded the Bishop Medal—the first to be presented to a woman—for distinguished service in the field of social hygiene, by Miami University. In this presentation she was cited as “a woman who has thought her own thoughts, and pioneered in promoting better living through a wider understanding of social hygiene.” Dr. Parker is a native of Chicago but began her public activities in Greenwich, in 1905, when she founded the Greenwich Equal Franchise League, and the Emily Bruce Shelter for unprotected mothers and babies. As a member and chairman of the committee on health and recreation of the Connecticut State Council of Defense during the World War, she was also appointed by the Social Morality Dept, of the National Board of YWCA War Work Council as one of a hundred women physicians to lecture on social hygiene. From 1919 to 1921 she was chairman of the Social Hygiene Committee of the National League of Women Voters, then accepted an appointment as executive secretary of the U. S. Interdepartmental Social Hygiene Board, in which work she received special commendation from General John J. Pershing. Recent Vespers Musical Program Displays Talent By JANE REID On Sunday evening at 7 o’clock the Musical Vesper Service was held in College Hall. The program opened with an organ solo by Lesley Templeton, “Prelude in Canti-lene” by Rousseau. “My Heart it Seemed was Dying” by Palestrina was sung by the College Chorus under the direction of Elmer M. Hintz. This work is a masterpiece of rhythmic precision and beautifully turned phrases. Clarinet Solos Caryl M. Jones, in her clarinet solos, “Fantasie Op. 73” (first movement), and “Flight of the Bumblebee” displayed amazingly rich tone and excellent technic. She was accompanied by Helen Schwenker. A piano solo Mendelssohn’s “Rondo Capriccoso Op. 14” was next played by Frances M. Schlude. This selection is characterized by extremely difficult octave passages in which absolute purity of execution and brilliant technique were demanded of the performer. The College String Ensemble presented “The Concerto Grosso, F Minor” by Scarlatti. This graceful contrapuntal work, written in song form is outstanding for its singable qualities. In the “Sonata in D Minor” by Caporale, Irene Hain showed sustained tone in the lovely melody of the Largo section and a decisive technique in the Allegro deciso movement. She was accompanied by Lois P. Higgins. College Chorus climaxed the pro- (Continued on Page Four) Dance Committee Arranges Program Barbara Borst Heads Group Which is Arranging Proletariat Shamble. Committees for the Slum Dance, which is to be held in the Cochran Gym this coming Saturday, December 9th, at 9:00 o’clock, are all hard at work with tickets, decorations, music, and of course, refreshments. Every member is busily spreading propaganda which concerns the advantages and merits of attending this proletariat affair. Barbara Borst is the chairman of the dance. Nancy Jack is chairman of the Ticket Committee, with Lila Baruth, Helen Richenback and Hilda Hertz as assistants. On the Decoration Committee, with Mildred Wolff as chairman, are Rachel Fletcher, Peggy Renault, Clarissa Beck, Jeanette Brown and Norma Seigleman. The Committee for Patronesses and Ushers has Peg Roy as chairman with Jean Reid, Effie Gilders and Margaret Magner as assistants. Dorothy Clark is in charge of music. (Continued on Page Four) Town, Gown Have First ’39 Meeting The first session of the “Saratoga Town Meeting” held Thursday evening in Katrina Trask House, was attended by more than one hundred Saratogians and members of the Skidmore community. Forum is Continued The meeting on Thursday, carrying out the idea of friendly cooperation between Town and Gown, was rather in the nature of a continuation of last winter’s forum. Now, however, the plan is to make a preliminary study of the material to be covered in the weekly program of “America’s Town Meeting of the Air,” in which many colleges and civic groups are participating; the discussion of the topic of the week is held by a well chosen panel, following which the group may listen to the broadcast, the topic “What Kind of Peace can Europe Make?” For the first meeting, Miss Starbuck acted as Moderator, introducing Miss Pinkham for a few words of welcome, after which the speakers, limited to ten minute talks, were introduced. They were Colonel Ames T. Brown, Assistant Ad-(Continued on Page Four) As We Go to Press World-wide sympathy for the Finns is felt after Russia began her “lightning war” on the little Republic when Finland refused to grant the Soviet every demand in full. Within the week, border incidents have led to a severing of diplomatic relations and airraids over the capitol of Finland. Russia’s crude copy of Nazi tactics has been a lesson to everyone that nothing short of the impossible may come next. Completely ignoring the conciliatory feelings of the Finns, even to the extent that a new government was set up, Russia has walked into the country to take it or else. The Finns, in spite of military inferiority, stand firmly to defend their independence and seem to take the crisis more calmly than was expected. Some feel that this defense of independence is only a continuation of their last struggle for freedom. One can’t help wondering who will be next and what ruthless method will be instituted. * * * United States’ part in the Finland crisis has been a strong declaration on Roosevelt’s part that the Russian “resort to force” and the “wanton disregard for law” has not gone without censor here. Although a law has not been passed, a “moral embargo” on Russia has been started among the plane manufacturers in an effort to stop the complete disregard for civilians and their rights. It looks as though the recall of our ambassador in Moscow is in the air to put force behind our denouncement. * * * British answer to the unrestricted mine warfare of the past few weeks has been put into force with the declaration that she would seize all exports thought to be contraband and on the list. Germany has always depended on that export trade and perhaps this will be a little setback to her ambitious plans. More and more, we see the war in Europe settling down to be an economic war, certainly not supported by much military activity. * * * Here in this country, third term talk again comes to the front with the Roosevelt suggestion that the regular nominating convention of the Democratic party should be moved closer to election day, naturally involving a shorter campaign. No announcement was made as to the reason for the request but it looks as though Roosevelt were planning on the third term. He is smart enough to know that he will be nominated if he plans to run and who knows but what he may win again. He may have Thomas E. Dewey to run against as Dewey has put his hat in the ring for the Republican nomination. Baffled Stags Are Swamped In Vegetation There was a bewildered stag line in Grand Central Station a week ago when the Skidmore special arrived in New York. Baffled were the men who were trying to single out their friends from the herd of excited Skidmoronians by the yellow chrysanthemums they would be wearing. One poor boy breathed a great sigh of relief as the last score of Skidmore girls walked up the ramp and he at last recognized his friend. His greeting was a little feeble, for it was the sixtieth yellow chrysanthemum he had started to greet. It was certainly a grave mistake to try to simplify meetings by telling anyone that you would be wearing a yellow or white chrysanthemum, for the Home Economics Club announces that there were three hundred and fifty yellow and fifty white corsages made up. Please immediately write yourself a note something like this: You must get your work done; you know you can’t miss hearing Mr. Alfred Mendel, Editor of “Living Thoughts Library” give a lecture. The big event is on December 13th, so if you plan your stooging, you’ll certainly be able to make it. Don’t you wish you were a Key member now? If you were, you could go to the reception too. But never mind, you’re invited to the lecture anyway. Wednesday’s such an easy day, too. Better go, you’ll love it. P. S.—It’s free. Yodeling “Taffie” is Exponent Of Downhill and Slalom Skiing “—If you will to us bring, then we will to you sing. Ski Heil, Ski Heil!” Then a matchless yodel. And what is this all about? Who, but Taffie! Cynthia Taft, as she is more properly known, told us the other day about her skiing history. As she is a Sophomore transfer who will teach skiing this winter, we felt we should know all about it. She has skied ever since she can remember, she said—the toe strap idea. And then about four years ago, started in seriously. Since Belmont, Mass, where she lives, doesn’t have much by way of hills, she walked a mile every day to where there was a hill and practiced. A Year at Geneva Then last year “just for the experience,” Taffie went to the Geneva College for Women. The college, we are told, is run by Americans for Americans, and is a pretty s veil place, being located in the Jura Mountains overlooking Lake Geneva. The enrollment of the Women’s Division is normally 30 but the European crisis last year brought it down to 10, of whom five were Czechoslovakian. It was pretty awful, Taffie said, when these girls were living through the dismemberment of their country and couldn’t get in touch with their families. This year, the college has migrated to Mexico. Matterhorn is Favorite But to get back to skiing. At the college, the students skied in the Juras, practically out their back door. At Christmas time they had two whole weeks of it in the Alps. Taffie said her favorite Alp was the Matterhorn, no less, but apparently Mr. Blanc and some of the others weren’t half bad. The daily routine was to climb up in the morning, ski around the summit all day and come down by another trail in the afternoon. All that wonderful training explains why Taffie won the College Women’s championship—and numerous other honors, we gather. In skiing, Taffie likes slalom and downhill best. She also likes tennis, bicycling and mountain climbing. Here at Skidmore she is majoring in Biology and is getting all set for a good winter on the ole hickory boards. We are over-hauling ours, too, and in the meantime, chanting “Dear St. Peter, O puleese send us some snoooooow!” Fourth Concert Features Iturbi Ranking Orchestra Returns To Play, Bringing Conductor’s Sister as Soloist. Jose Iturbi and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will present the fourth concert of the Skidmore Music Course December 4th, at 8 o’clock in Congress Theater. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra which ranks among the first dozen of the world’s major musical ensembles has visited Skidmore twice before. This year the pianist with the orchestra is Amparo Iturbi. Jose Iturbi, himself an internationally known pianist, is now permanent conductor of the orchestra. He first conducted the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in the 1934-35 season and during November 1935. The Spanish conductor has also directed other great orchestras. He has lead the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra at Robin Dell and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl, and he has conducted many stadium concerts. Author Addresses Skidmore Assembly Pierrepont B. Noyes, president of Oneida Community, Ltd., originator of Community Plate silver, and president of Saratoga Springs Authority since 1933, will address the college Wednesday, December 13, at Assembly. Mr. Noyes is the author of three volumes, “While Europe Waits for Peace,” “The Pallid Giant,” a novel, and “My Father’s House," an autobiography. He has been chairman of the Saratoga Springs Commission and used $5,000,000 to build what is known as the finest Spa in the world. During the World War Mr. Noyes was assistant fuel administrator at Washington, D. C.; he was an American member of the Inter-Allied Rhineland Commission at Coblenz, from 1919-1920. He is a trustee at Colgate University and a director of the Syracuse Trust Company. Psychology Club Hears Reports Elizabeth Wakely Presents Theories on Dream of Falling; Hilda Hertz Leads Discussion on Psychology of Cripples in Colloquium November 29. The third meeting of the Skidmore Psychology Club was held Wednesday evening, November 29. Two widely separated topics were discussed, “The Dream of Falling” and “The Psychology of Crippled Children.” The former was presented by Elizabeth Wakely, ’41, a report based on an article by Dr. P. L. Harriman, a professor of Psychology at Bucknell University. Theories of Causation Two diverse theories of causation are evident in explaining the phenomena. One school of thought maintains that such a dream is occasioned by a change in spatial position of the body and its members at the time of the dream. To such things-as a sagging bed, a decrement in pressure on the feet, or the chance falling of one’s arm over the side of the bed, the dream experience may be attributed. Other more indirect physiological stimuli aje suggested to be low blood pressure, respirational difficulties and impacted ear wax. The primarily psychological explanation is most striking in Freud’s proposition that the dream symbolizes an unconscious desire to relax one’s moral standard. According to psychoanalysts, it is a manifestation of frustration in the sexual sphere evidenced by a submerged wish. Dreams Repeated Dr. Harriman made a study of the phenomena in 44 undergraduate students. He found that the dream content was peculiar to the individual and was often repeated. Questioning' revealed that the instigating condition was frequently an actual experience of falling or the continued warnings of others. The dream itself is very common in normal children but less frequent in adults. Development of Cripples The second half of the meeting was given over to a discussion of the psychology of crippled children, led by Hilda Hertz. The greatest problem encountered here was difficulty of developing in these children an adequate reaction to their handicaps, and a well adjusted relationship with normal people. A most important factor is the attitude of the child’s family. Unfortunately it is often such as to produce embitterment and resentment on the part of the child; he fails to experience the trust and affection towards his parents which is natural in the normal child and thus deprived of adequate emotional life, he is apt to develop a listless or embittered personality. Too often special classes for such abnormal children are handled with so little understanding of the psychological dynamisms involved that they are totally unavailing. In fostering those attitudes which will decrease mental conflict and frustration. The feeling of “apartness” from the normal world is a most difficult thing to combat, and a definite and enlightened effort is needed to help these individuals in attaining even a minimal adjustment to life. Report Is Given By Mrs. Akeley On Public Service Mrs. Akeley Answers Questions on Requirements, Applications for Positions. On November 15, Mrs. Akeley spoke in assembly on the “Opportunities for Women in Public Service.” Having recently returned from Washington, D. C., where she attended a conference on this subject, Mrs. Akeley was able to give an excellent view on the material presented. In reviewing the opportunities in this field, several basic questions were dealt with: “What types of positions are open to women in this field?”, “What are the requirements or qualifications?”, “What are the chances for employment?”, “What is the initial salary which I may expect, and what are the opportunities for advancement?” and “How can I get the job?” if the previous answers are favorable. Five Types for Women “What types of positions are open to women?” may be answered by classifying the positions as scientific, economic, administrative, public relations, and social service. Women predominate in clerical jobs, social service, dental hygienists, home economists, case workers, teachers, librarians, and occupational therapists. Scientist careers may be followed in the Public Health Research Department or Home Economics Service. Economic, administrative, and public relations positions may be found in the Indian and the Police and Intelligence Services. The latter is still in the experimental stage for women and “entrance is via the social work school after graduation from college.” Civil Service Requirements All Civil Service positions have one requirement namely that applicants be United States citizens. Some of the positions require high school education, college education, graduate work, or experience, depending on the specific type of work. Some states and municipalities specify a period of residence of three years in the locality. The merit system, being the basis of all civil positions, the positions depend mainly on the ability of the candidate. Opportunities for these positions have been increased rapidly. College graduates without experience may be situated in posi- (Continued on Page Three) Upperclassmen To Be Awakened By Dawn Patrol Another year has gone by . . . another summer recess, Convocation, first classes of the year, midsemesters, Thanksgiving, warnings —and now it’s again time for freshmen caroling. The morning before Christmas vacation, the class of ’43 will be up at 5:00 a. m., have cocoa to keep them warm on a freezing morning, and be off to the many upperclass dorms to sing the familiar Christmas carols—the only time during the year when they are awakened by the soft, well-harmonized music of a choral group, instead of a harsh alarm clock. As the group moves northward from Prexy’s house, there will be mob scenes in the various dorms as the eager upperclassmen crowd into the favorably-located windows to watch this impressive sight. The upper classes, in preparation for this age-old tradition of Skidmore, will have decorated their rooms in advance of the freshman caroling. Wreaths, colored lights, and candles will all add a festive note, and add to the holiday spirit which usually is apparent two weeks before Christmas vacation.