1928-1929 Whitman Speech and Debate Team

Faculty

Angelo Pelligrini

With William R. Davis, George Maquis, and Chester Maxey (picture from 1933)

Ye Talke Shoppe is founded in 1928.

Whitman News

Speech in the English Department News

(1929)

COURSES IN SPEAKING

6. Public Speaking.—This course aims to develop the ability to speak effectively. It includes instruction in the principles of oral composition, correction of voice and speech defects, training in right vocal habits, and practice in speaking. Sections are limited to fifteen students. Required of Freshmen. One hour, first and second semesters.

7. Argumentation and Debate.—The aim of this course is not so much to develop skill in formal debate as to give the student the power to consider disputed questions calmly and logically. Students interested in intercollegiate forensics are advised to take this course. Open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Three hours, first semester.

8. Forms of Public Address.—The course includes a study of selected addresses prepared for special occasions and practice in the composition and delivery of occasional speeches. Open to Juniors and Seniors. Two hours, second semester.

30. Extemporaneous Speaking.—Practice in extemporaneous speaking on topics of current interest. Open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. Two hours, first semester.

9. Dramatic Interpretation and Play Production.—In the first semester, this course gives instruction and training in dramatic interpretation; in the second semester, in play production. Open to Juniors and Seniors, and to Sophomores by consent of the instructor. The enrollment is limited to twenty students. Three hours, both semesters.

THE JOHN BRINING PRIZES IN FRESHMAN EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEAKING. Mr. John Brining, of Dayton, Washington, offers two prizes, one of twenty and one of ten dollars, to winners in a speaking contest open to members of the Freshman class. The contest is held during Commencement week. Contestants receive their subjects two hours before they speak. In preparing their speeches they are not permitted to consult any person. (1915)

THE WILLIAM THOMAS DOVELL PRIZES IN ORATORY. Alumni members of the Board of Overseers have established two prizes, one of thirty dollars and one of twenty dollars, in memory of the late William Thomas Dovell, ‘88, upon the following conditions:

The prizes are awarded upon the basis of an oratorical contest to be held during Commencement week, provided that at least four contestants participate. The contest is open to members of the Sophomore, Junior, and Senior classes. The orations are limited to two thousand words. Contestants present their subjects to the head of the English Department for approval not later than the third Tuesday of February. If more than six contestants submit orations, they present them to the head of the English Department not later than April 15 for submission to a board of judges on thought and composition who select the six best orations for the Commencement contest. The judges on thought and on delivery are selected by a committee consisting of the President of the College and the heads of the departments of English and History. (1918)

THE ASSOCIATED STUDENTS OF WHITMAN COLLEGE, an organization of which every student is a member, has control of student activities in athletics, in journalism, in debate and oratory, and in music. The dues, $7.50 per semester, payable by every student, are collected by the Bursar of the College.

Instructors in the English department

World News

II. In the World

A. The stock market crash was just about to happen.

B. Veterans of the First World War had marched on Washington D.C. and set up shacks there known as ‘Hoovervilles’ where they lived in poverty. The government had refused to pay them war benefits and the beginnings of the Great Depression had hurt them.

C. “The Soviet Union launched an ambitious five year plan for economic growth.”

D. “The Chinese Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-Shek, captured Peking. This ended their Northern Expedition, where they defeated the warlords of the North.”

E. “On June 18th, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic.”

F. “On June 9th, (Australians) Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm completed a 7,316 mile flight from the United States to Australia.”

G. “Kellogg-Briand Pact, outlawing war, [is] signed in Paris by 65 nations.”

H. “Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin.”

I. “Anthropologist Margaret Mead publishes Coming of Age in Samoa.”

J. “Richard E. Byrd starts expedition to Antarctic.”

Q. “Final volume of Oxford English Dictionary published after 44 years of research.”

Team News

Coming with a high record for attainment in participation and coaching: of debate. Coach Angelo M. Pellegrini undertook the coaching of this activity here last fall. With a squad of men of whom only three had had previous inter-collegiate debating experience, Mr. Pellegrini developed his material to the point that Whitman teams were able to compete on equal terms with the experienced teams of other northwest colleges and universities. Much the same situation faced him with the women's debaters. His intensive work with the women's teams showed especially fine results. This fine training, of both men and women debaters, few of whom will be lost by graduation, should slow especially fine fruits in a successful season next year,

The Oregon system introduced by Mr. Pellegrini aroused considerable interest among those who attended the debates and possibly increased attendance at debates slightly. It perhaps robs debating of much of its formality, but stirs up more attention on the part of the audience, since it furnishes somewhat the thrill of an athletic contest. Few decision debates were held this year. The decision contest deprives debating of the quality which makes of debate an activity which gives the undergraduate mind an opportunity to focus and express itself on matters of great importance, according to Mr. Pelligrini. ln place of this attitude lie believes that it tends to cause debaters to resort to strategy and hypocrisy, where’s effort should be made to arrive at a true decision on tile merits of the question rather than on the quality of speaking. In this connection Mr. Pelligrini has this to say: "The day of the contest debate seems to be definitely of the past, I returned, some weeks ago, from the conference of the Pacific Forensic League with this impression firm in my mind. I rejoice that it is so. In my estimation, debate has always transcended the questionable value of judgments. If debate has value, it is intrinsic and something totally unrelated to the decision which is seldom based upon definite standards. The purpose of debate is intelligent discussion of a proposition; its value is the training in critical analysis it affords the debater. The training in oral discourses is of secondary importance. "If this evaluation of debate is granted, it can hardly lie denied that the decision in debate has largely prostituted the purpose of debating. Intelligent discussion and the ambition to present an "air-tight" case are not easily compatible. Usually, where one prevails, the other suffers. We cannot develop a healthy, critical faculty, where the desire is not to present the approximate truth of a proposition, but rather, to present an argument that will drop pleasantly upon the ears of the arbiters. Where the argument advanced flirts with the decision of the judge, the whole performance becomes childish and sophomoric. The unpleasant state in which college debating; finds itself may be due, in part at least, to the decision. I am convinced that it is so. "Because of this conviction, whenever I have had the choice I have spurned the decision. It has been any ambition to extend the privilege of debating: to all who have shown the least promise in the art, rather than to concentrate on two or three who would he likely to win a decision. This policy, I believe, is the most consistent with the purposes of college debating."

Men's Varsity Debate

Five men's inter-collegiate debates, four of which were non-decision, were held during the debate season completed this spring. More debates were scheduled, hut due to unforeseen circumstances which arose, they could not he carried out. Carlisle Roberts, men's debate) manager, worked assiduously to arrange for good and interesting debates. Situations beyond his control caused the change in plans. This season's squad consisted of nine men who were chosen on the basis of a try-out earlv last fall: Kenneth Davis, Kalph Kaderton, Albert Garretson, Carlisle Hoberts, and Vernon Wilkinson and several others. Klise, Perry and Roberts, all juniors, were the only members of the squad who had before appeared in inter-collegiate debates for Whitman. A departure from precedent was made in putting two freshmen on tile squad, George and Hulser. Davis, Edgerton and Garretson are all sophomores.

Meeting a Washington State College team in Pullman, Klise and Uavis lost the only decision debate of the year. They argued on the negative of the question used in all debate for the season, "Resolved; tliat the plea of temporary insanity in defense of crime should be abolished by law." The day following the same team traveled to Moscow to debate the negative of the question with the University of Idaho in a no-decision affair. In both these debates Klisc presented the negative argument and Davis did the cross-questioning. Coaches of both the rival schools later stated that the Whitman debaters performed in excellent style. While this trip was in progress, Edgerton and Garretson met visiting teams from Washington State College and the University of Idaho in the college chapel at Memorial, The Whitman team at home upheld the affirmative of the temporary insanity question. Edgerton delivered the constructive affirmative argument and Garretson cross-examined in both debates. An excellent debate with a capable, experienced team from Oregon State College finished the year's work. Davis and Garretson represented Whitman in this contest, their exhibition formed a suitable conclusion to the season since this probably was the finest of the year. Garretson again showed himself an artful, able cross-examiner, in full control of the situation. In presenting the affirmative argument, Davis made a splendid speech and may be properly said to have done his best piece of work for the season. Perry and Garretson were chosen to debate a team from the University of California at los Angeles in Walla Walla on its way to attend the Pacific Coast Forensic league meet al: Moscow. The California team was unfortunately stranded on Bainbridge Island by a storm, The guarantee made for this debate will be held over until another year when California again sends a team north.

A debate trip to California for which Roberts and Davis were picked to represent the college did not materialize because of lack of finances. The coach and debaters realizing this, willingly canceled the plans. There is no reflection on any one either here or in California that the trip was not made this year. Cancellation of the plan for this year was deemed by everyone concerned the best way to meet the situation. Plans have been made to hold the trip next year, and the debate manager has practically completed the arrangements which will make this trip a certainty.

Women's Varsity Debate

After a series of exhibition debates at near-by high schools. Whitman opened the women's season with a triangular debate against the University of Idaho and Washington State College. For the first time the Oregon system of debate was used, and it was found much more interesting than the old form. On December II, in the college chapel, Klina Proffitt and Ruth Ulaine met the University of Idaho, taking the affirmative side of the question, "Resolved; that Mussolini has been a benefit to Italy," The decision of the judge was in favor of the negative. On December 12, Agnes dark, taking the place of Katherine Bleakney, who, on account of illness, could not debate, and Katherine Ogden, upheld the negative of the question at Pullman against W. S. C. On December 13, Hilda Gaylord and Agnes dark debated the University of Idaho at Moscow, taking the negative, while Katherine Kiesing and l.ola Sims debated the affirmative here against W. S. C. Although the decision here was against Whitman, the triangular debate was most successful in introducing a new and interesting form. The season closed with a contest against Pacific University on the same question, using the old system. Ruth Blaine and Katherine Kiesling upheld the affirmative in the debate, which was non-decision. The year brought to light much ability among the underclassmen and demonstrated to Whitman two widely varying types of debating technique.

TEAM

Katherine Bleakney Katherine Kiesling,

Hilda Gaylord Katherine Ogden.

Agnes dark, manager Ruth Blaine

Elma Proffitt Lola Sims

Inter-Class Debate

This series of intramural debates for the Hugh Elmer Brown Trophy, the principle forensic activity of the spring, attracted considerable interest among the three lower classes. The question, "Resolved: that inter-collegiate athletics should be abolished," was used in all of these debates. In these contests, the sophomore class was represented by Roy Lindman and Gordon Manser who were picked for the team from twelve sophomore candidates, through a series of elimination debates. They defended the championship won by the class of '31 last year. The frosh team, composed of Paul Boley and Kenneth Smith, was chosen by try-out. The Juniors who represented their class were Vernon Wilkinson and Fred McMillen. They won from the seniors by default.

The question used in the women's inter-class debates this year was one of unique interest; "Resolved: that the women of Whitman College should be allowed the same privileges of personal contact as the men." The freshman team was under the management of Margaret Rosenkranz and consisted of Mildred Martlia and Anita Bolev. Helen Gray and ltiitli Goss eclipsed the Sophomore team with Katherme Kiesling as manager and Jean Lovell and Clare Applegate represented the junior class. The senior class was not able to produce a team this year and so was forced to forfeit.

Pacific Forensic League

As a member of the Pacific Coast Forensic League, Whitman sent three delegates to the annual meeting of this organization held this year at the University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho. Chester Babcock, '29, represented the college in the oratorical division of the contest, speaking on "Intolerance," and Kenneth Davis, '31, entered in the extemporaneous section, drew as his subject "The Aims of Higher Education." Both speakers were ranked high in the final judging. Carlisle Roberts, men's debate manager, was the third delegate, representing Whitman in the business conference, and helping to arrange debate schedules for the following year. Coach Pellegrini accompanied the men and attended the contests and conference. Next year the Pacific Forensic League contest will be held at the University of Arizona, so that the Whitman representatives will be under necessity of traveling south. It is the policy of the league to hold the contest in the north one year and in the south the following year. The Pacific Coast Forensic League has for its purpose the promotion of forensic interests among the colleges and universities of the coast which are its members. Twelve institutions belong to the organization: University of Arizona, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Idaho, Oregon State College, University of Oregon, Pomona College, University of Southern California, Stanford University, University of Washington, Washington State College, Willamette University, and Whitman College.

John Brining Contest

The John Brining Extemporaneous Speaking Contest is held annually at Commencement, open to freshmen only, four boys and four girls are chosen by a series of elimination contests from the public speaking classes. The eight selected choose their subjects from a list made up by the English department, and are given three hours for the preparation of their speeches. The prizes were twenty and ten dollars and were won last year by Albert Garretson and Keith Ulaine. The contest is open to those interested in attending.

Dovell Contest

Each year prizes of thirty and twenty dollars are awarded to the winners of the William Thomas Dovell oratorical contest, open to sophomores, juniors and seniors. At a preliminary selection four participants are chosen on the basis of an oration given before three judges. From these candidates, who compete in the final contest during commencement week, the two prize winners are chosen. Last year lrmal Kennison and Stephen B. L. Penrose, Jr., won first and second prizes, respectively. As yet this year the participants have not been chosen, but from the amount of good material in evidence, competition promises to be keen.

Wrangler's Club

Frosh debates for the year were held under the direction and management of the Wrangler's Club. Through this club a dual debate was arranged for its freshman pledges with the state debate teams of Walla Walla high school. Paul Uoley, Kenneth Smith and Talcott Ostrander, debating the negative of the proposition, "Resolved; that installment buying is economically unsound," won from the high school team in the chapel. In a no decision contest at Wa-Hi, Harold Garretson, Maurice Powers and Donald Grove, alternate for John Rock- wood, upheld the affirmative of the same question. From the interest and ability shown by the freshmen men in these debates the indications are that next year's varsity debate will receive both material and stimulus from members of the class of '32. This organization was formed by a group of freshman men in the fall of 1927 for tlie purpose of providing freshmen an opportunity for speaking and forensic practice, and to help train and prepare freshmen for varsity debate and oratorical competition. During the initial year of the club's existence, three presidents held office, each for a school term. The men were Kenneth Uavis, Ralph Edgerton and Albert Garretson, all charter members. Early in the fall of '28 a new policy was adopted and .new officers were elected. Feeling the need of an organization to foster, encourage and aid forensics on the campus among up- per-classmen as well as freshmen, charter members of the club decided to adopt a new constitution and open the membership to members of all classes. Candidates for membership in the club were to be pledged on the basis of tryouts and to be elected into the club after showing in a concrete way a true interest in forensics. The club's membership is limited to twenty. The club elected Ted Gaiser, president; Wallace Davis, vice-president and Howard Pfirman, secretary-treasurer and has continued them in office throughout the year. A tryout was held in the fall and twelve men were pledged as a result.

MEMBERS

Leslie Anderson Ralph Edgerton Albert Garretson

Carter Bass Clark Emery Howard Pfirman

Wallace Davis Theodore Gaiser

PLEDGES

Alien Asher Harold Garretson Maurice Powers

Calvert Anderson Paul George John Rockwood

Marion Castle Donald Grove Kenneth Smith

Dan Elam Edward Morgan Ralph Smith

Ye Talke Shoppe

The purpose of Ye Talke Shoppe is to encourage self-expression among women students. Tile aim is not to encourage more talking, but to encourage more aim in talking. Ye Talke Shoppe is limited to twenty members, selected by try-out. This year it sponsored all debates and speaking contests, and presented a short play in chapel. The charter was granted in 1928.

OFFICERS

President.......................Holda Gaylord

Vice-President ............ Sophie Kirshen (Ruth Blaine)

Secretary-treasurer .... Catherine Ogden

MEMBERS

Mrs. W, M. Davis, honorary Hilda Gaylord Catherine Ogden

Ruth Blaine ' Dorothy Jack Elma Proffitt

Anita Boley Katherine Keisling Verna Rasmussen

Helen Bown Sophie Kirshen Mary Ringer

Agnes Clarke LaVerne Mansfield Margaret Rosenkranz

Elizabeth Galloway Marjorie Nelson l.ola Sims

Anne Wuest

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Catherine Bleakney Cornelia Hansen

I. Whitman College in 1929

A. The College was led by president Stephen Beasley Linnard Penrose

B. Student Body President was Arthur Jones

C. Vice President was Leila Lundy

D. Secretary was Robert Garrett

II. At Whitman College

A. A mumps epidemic was threatening to close down the school. Finals for

That year went on as planned despite this problem.

B. The anniversary of the Whitman Massacre was celebrated for the 81^st time.

Marcus Whitman is still seen as a martyr for progress in 1929.

C. The Pioneer advertised such things as Taverns, Bakeries, and Coal.

Women's Varsity Debate

THE WASHINGTON STATE COLLEGE DUAL DEBATE

On February 16, Whitman College, represented by Dorothy Jack and Hilda Gaylord, upheld the affirmative of the dual with Washington State College, at Pullman, on the question: "Resolved; That co-education in American Colleges and Universities is a failure. A few evenings later. Sophie Kirshen and Marjory Nelson upheld the Negative of the question, here in the Whitman Chapel. On the trip to Pullman, the Whitman team also went to the University of Idaho, at Moscow, and debated there in a non-decision contest. THE ). S. C.DUAL DEBATE The second dual debate of the season, Whitman versus 0. S. C. was held on February 20 and 28; Agnes Clarke and Harriet Ahearn debating here, and Catherine Bleakney and Elizabeth Galloway, going to Corvallis. The debate was on the question: "Resolved: That the policy of mass education in the American institutions of higher learning be condemned." Though Whitman was not victorious in either contest, the women representing the college, displayed a fine style of debating,

Intramural Debates

This year, for the second time in the history of Whitman College, teams from the different classes competed in the inter-class debate contest. The trophies for this contest are the gifts from the Reverend Hugh Elmer Brown of Chicago. The class to whom the trophies are awarded, keep them for the ensuing year, The debate question for tile men was: "Resolved, That insanity as a plea for crime be abolished." The Freshman class was represented by Kenneth Davis and Ralph Edgerton; Sophomore class by Fred McMillan and .Richard Van Horn; the Junior class by Harold Fleharty and Charles Ogden. In the finals of the men's divisions, the Freshman men competed against the Junior men, in the chapel. The Freshman team was victorious. The women debated on the question: "Resolved; That advertising plays too great a part in the life of the American people." The Freshman team was composed of Ruth Blaine and Lola Sims; the Sophomore team of lrmal Kinnison and Verna Rasmussen; the Junior team, Leila Lundy and Eleanor Dunlap. There was no team entered from the Senior class. In the finals the Freshman class was again victorious, giving both the debate awards in the inter-class contest to the class of 1931.

Men's Varsity Debate

This year Whitman entered six men's inter-collegiate debates. The question discussed was: "Resolved, That investors and investments in foreign countries should, be protected only by the government of the nation in which the investment is made." On March 1 Richard Van Horn and Eugene Klise represented Whitman in a no-decision debate with the team from Weber College, Logan, Utah. On March 2 Van Horn and Henry Taylor lost the decision of a critic judge at Pull- man, Clark Eckart and Chester Babcock, on March 3, sent the Utah Aggies home with the better part of a spit decision and on March 5 the 0. S. C. debaters had similar luck against Klise and Taylor. March 6 Babcock and Eckart lost to 0. S. C. at Corvallis by the decision of a critic judge. Although new at varsity debating, Carlisle Roberts and Loyal Perry on April 6 won from the experienced W. S. C. team by a split vote. Each of Whitman's debating teams represented the college creditably, and the many students who attended the debates this year found that these clever and instructive battles of wits were well worthwhile.

THE DOVELL CONTEST

Each year there are awarded prizes of thirty and twenty dollars respectively to the winners of the William Thomas Dovell Oratorical Contest, which is open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, For the preliminaries each contestant must give an oration before three judges selected from outside the college, and from those competing four are selected to participate in the final contest during Commencement week. Last year Chester Babcock and Clark Eckart tied for honors. Great interest is being shown, and much good talent is turning out this year, but the final participants have not yet been selected.

THE JOHN BRINING CONTEST

Annually at Commencement time there is held the John Brining Extemporaneous Speaking Contest. It is open only to Freshmen, and the final competitors are six girls and six boys chosen by elimination contests in the public speaking classes. The twelve selected are allowed to choose from a list of subjects and are given three hours for preparation. There seemed to be a large amount of talent in last year's freshman class, and thus the contest was close and interesting. The prizes offered were twenty and ten dollars. They were won last June by Carlisle Roberts and Loyal Perry, These men have kept their laurels green by forming a winning debate combination this year.

Team Results

IV. Debate at Whitman

A. The Men’s team included Richard Van Horn, Eugene Klise, Henry Taylor, Clark Eckart, Chester Babcock, Carlise Roberts, and Loyal Perry

B. The Men debated the topic “Resolved, That investors and investments in Foreign countries should be protected only by the government of the Nation in which the investment is made.”

C. The Men debated six rounds and they won three, lost two, and had one no decision.

D. The Women’s team included members Dorothy Jack, Hilda Gaylord, Sophie Kirshen, Marjory Nelson, Agnes Clarke, Harriet Ahearn, Catherine Bleakney, and Elizabeth Galloway

E. The Women debated two topics.

1. “Resolved, That co-education in American colleges and universities is a failure.”

2. “Resolved, That the policy of mass education in the American institutions of higher learning be condemned.”

F. The Women’s team debated in two contests losing both.

G. Whitman was part of the Pacific Coast Forensic League which included eleven Members from Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Idaho.

H. Harry Rothrock represented Whitman at the national speech tournament in Los Angeles. He competed in oratory. He was unable to compete in Extemporaneous speaking since he won the event the year before.

V. IM Debate at Whitman

A. Trophies were offered for the first time this year. This was done to encourage Competition. The IM contests became a matter of class pride.

B. The Men debated the topic “Resolved, That insanity as a plea for a crime Be abolished.”

C. Freshmen Kenneth Davis and Ralph Edgerton defeated Juniors Harold Fleharty and Charles Ogden to win the IM debates.

D. The Women debated the topic “Resolved, That advertising plays too great a Part in the life of the American people.”

E. Freshmen Ruth Blaine and Lola Sims defeated Sophomores Irmal Kinnison And Verna Rasmusser and Juniors Leila Lundy and Eleanor Dunlop To win the IM debates.

VI. Whitman IM Speech Contests

A. The Dovell Oratory contest was split between Chester Babcock and Harry Rothrock who each tied for first.

B. Freshmen were not allowed to compete in the Dovell Contest. They had a Contest of their own called the John Brining Extemporaneous Speech Contest.

1. It gave a long list of topics with three hours of preparation to the contestants. Twelve finalists were announced.

2. Carlisle Roberts and Loyal Perry won the awards in the Women’s and Men’s divisions respectively.