1931-1932 Whitman Speech and Debate Team

Faculty

Roy McCall

With W.R. Davis as DSR advisor.

Whitman News

I. Whitman College in 1931-1932

A. Dr. S. B. L. Penrose was the college president.

B. Dick Springer was the student body president.

C. Roy C. McCall was the debate coach and Robert Brome was the debate manager.

D. The college added six new staff and faculty.

1. Douglas V. McClane, a 1929 graduate, became the new registrar.

2. Roy C. McCall became the director of forensics and taught two English classes in the division of arts and letters.

3. The social sciences added Charles M. Howard, professor of psychology and education.

4. D. E. Demaray, assistant professor of Latin and department head; Anne Wuest, instructor in beginning French; and John Phemister, assistant professor of German, were new to the division of foreign languages.

E. The college announced a plan to raise $4,000, 000 for new buildings, including a library and auditorium, and to recondition old buildings.

III. At Whitman College

A. Professor Jacobs gave a lecture in the Faculty Series on the origin and significance of the Fascist Party.

B. The Panhellenic Council announced new women’s rush rules, including a period of silence.

C. The Depression meant that graduating seniors couldn’t expect to find jobs.

D. The Pioneer ran ads for eye doctors and Chesterfield cigarettes.

E. For men, shirt patterns favored fine stripes and small geometric shapes. Tan was popular suit color, worn with contrasting shirts and ties.

F. Women’s spring dresses favored blue and combinations of red and white with high necklines, low backs, and simplicity. Artificial flowers were very popular. For more casual wear, the trend was bright hand-knit sweaters with short wool skirts.

Speech in the English Department News

DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH

Professor DAVIS, Professor BLANKENSHIP, Assistant Professor DAVIS, Assistant Professor LAPHAM, Mr. CHAOUN, Mr. MCCALL

Students who select English as their major study are advised to have by the end of the Sophomore year (1) at least nine hours elected from Courses 21, 23-24, 25, 31, 40, and 58; (2) ten hour of beginning Greek or Latin, or high school equivalent; (3) a reading knowledge of French, Spanish or German. In the Junior and Senior years a major in English should include (1) a general knowledge of the social aspects of English and American history; (2) at least five hours elected from Courses 51, 52, 54, 56, 57-68, and 81-82; (3) at least seventeen hours elected from upper class courses in Literature, Greek 51 or 52, Latin 52, and Philology 81-82.

Courses 1 or 2, and 15-16, are required in the Freshman year. Two additional hours elected from Courses 31, 51, 52, 54, 81-82, to be completed during the Sophomore, Junior or Senior year are required of all candidates for graduation.

Courses of Instruction

COURSES IN WRITING

1 or 2. Composition

Two hours, first or second semester

5I. Journalism

Two hours, first semester

161. Narrative Writing

Two hours, first semester

Magazine Writing

Two hours, second semester

Business Writing

Two hours, second semester

81-82-Advanced Composition

One or two hours, first and second semesters

COURSES IN SPEAKING

15-16. Public Speaking

One hour, first and second semesters

55. Argumentation and Debate

Two hours, first semester

56. Advanced Public Speaking

Two hours, second semester

51-58. Dramatic interpretation and Play Production

Three hours, first and second semesters

COURSES IN LITERATURE—Given every year

SS-24. Types of Prose. Fiction

Two hours, first and second semesters

67-68. American Literature

Three hours, first and second semesters

85-86. Honors Course

One or two hours, first and second semesters

87-88. Senior Reading Course

Two or three hours, first and second semesters

97-98. The- Teaching of English in the High School

One hour, first and second semesters

World News

II. In the World

· Japan invaded Manchuria.

· The U.S. and Europe suffered economic depressions.

· Prohibition and disarmament were points of much discussion.

· “The Empire State building in New York, the largest building in the world, opened for the public. The building is 102 stories and 1,250 feet high.”

· “Wiley Post completed a flight around the world. The flight lasted 8 days and 15 hours.”

· “In violation of all its treaty obligations, Japan occupied Manchuria, in northeast China. It was to be the first step on the path to World War II. American reaction to the aggression came in the form of the Stimson Doctrine. This document stated that the United States would not recognize any treaty that impinged on the sovereignty of China.”

· “Spain becomes a republic with overthrow of King Alfonso XIII.”

· “Hoover proposes one-year moratorium of war debts.”

· “Gangster Al Capone sentenced to 11 years in prison for tax evasion.”

· “The Star Spangled Banner” officially becomes national anthem.”

· “Notorious Scottsboro trial begins, exposing depth of Southern racism.”

Team News

Dovell and Brining Contests

The Dovell-Gose oratorical contest is an annual affair which brings into competition the cream of this school's orators. Six candidates, who have survived the preliminary elimination contest, compete for the prizes of $50 and $30. During the Commencement exercises. Kenneth Davis, using the oration, "Thirty Billion Slaves," which won second in the Pacific Forensic League, took the first place, while his associate and debate -partner Albert Garretson, was runner-up with his speech on "Do We Want World Peace?" Other competitors were Clark Emery, Ruth Blaine and Sidney Cottle.

The John Brining extemporaneous speaking contest is regulated along the same lines, with the exception that only freshmen are allowed to enter. The entire freshman class, through the mechanism of public speaking courses, competes in the preliminary elimination. Consequently, to win is to demonstrate marked ability. The winners were: first, Eugene Argett; second, Wayne Donaldson.

Pacific Forensic League

That the entire Pacific coast recognized Whitman College as the home of superior speakers is an indubitable contention. Only four years ago, a representative from this institution won the title of finest collegiate orator in the Pacific Coast Forensic League. Last year, Kenneth Davis won second prize in that League's oratorical contest while Albert Garretson was garnering a fifth place in extemporaneous speaking. And to demonstrate their consistency, these two again placed in identical positions in this spring's contest. Since the League covers the entire Far West region and includes such schools as Stanford, Pomona, University of Southern California and the great state universities of the Pacific coast and inland western states, it is obvious that continually to rank among the winners is a most praiseworthy performance. Davis and Garretson are experienced debaters and members of Delta Sigma Rho. Despite the grooming of underclassmen to fill their places, their graduation will be a loss severely felt in Whitman forensic circles.

Forensics

Despite the apathetic attitude of tile non-participating student body as a whole debate enjoyed a most successful season at Whitman College. A number of decisions were lost, home audiences were small; but individual capabilities were brought out: the reputation of this school was meritoriously upheld and a strong foundation was laid for succeeding years—than which no activity can boast more. The season opened in December with the annual home-and-home debates for men with Washington State College and the University of Idaho. At home, George MacClain and Wayne Donaldson forfeited a torrid struggle to the Idaho contestants while Clark Kmery and Linus Walker were fortunate in gaining a decision over representatives of the State College. On the same dates, Paul Holey and Talcott Strander were defeating Idaho and losing to Pullman, ending the series with a .500 average. The question was stated, "Resolved: that the Farm .Board has proved a detriment to the American wheat farmer." To defeat students of an agricultural college on such a question was considered a feather in Whitman's forensic cap. Clark Emery and Wayne Donaldson next entered a non-decision fray with Pacific University on the "Free Trade" question. Since no decision was to be rendered, the debaters enjoyed great latitude, and vocal pyrotechnics and witticisms, rather than argumentation, were the order of the evening.

MEN’S DEBATE

February brought another reverse when the naivete and mental skill of Lamar Ostrander and George MaeClain bowed to the suavity and speaking experience of the traveling University of Oregon team. This battle concerned itself with the question of the chain store. With April came the tryouts for the annual debate tour. Of the numerous candidates, Sidney Cottle and Paul Boley were chosen to debate the chain store question on the trip. At College of Puget Sound they were unsuccessful; at the University of Oregon, victory smiled upon them. Pacific forfeited and no decision marked the debate at Oregon State. This, to this date the teams had managed to garner an even break in debates. In the final contest, Albert Garretson and Kenneth Davis made their last bow as Whitman's stellar rostrum-ites. The University of Montana supplied the competitors and introduced a question of novelty sufficient to arouse the interest of a capacity crowd. It was stated, "Resolved: that prohibition is a flop." The Missoula boys managed to eke out a bare 2-1 decision by exhibiting wit of a scintillating nature which won the affection of the entire audience.

WOMEN’S DEBATE

If victory is to be regarded as a measure of success, the female soap-boxers were somewhat less fortunate this year than their masculine cohorts. In December, Mary Bower and Mildred Murtha bowed to Washington Stale College and the University of Idaho and their judges, while Edna Miller and Marjorie Douglas were losing to tile University of Idaho in Walla Walla. Dorothy Robinson and Margaret Paul Johnson took tile single victory of this series from the visiting Pullman debaters. February saw the University of Oregon turn the tables on the latter team in an encounter of unusual caliber.

On the spring- tour. Dorothy Robinson and .Margaret Paul Johnson lost to Pacific and Willamette and ended tile season in a non-decision debate at (.Oregon State College. Tile single question during tile entire year was. "Resolved: that CTllarl,li has been a benefit to India."

Such is the debate commentary of the season 1930-'31. Defeats were frequent but application and ability were so evident that the year may honestly be termed a success.

WRANGLER’S CLUB

In order to incite interest in debating and to ensure practical experience for freshmen, Professor W. L. Beem, past debate coach, founded the Wrangler's club. This organization has flourished to such an extent that it must be accounted the sole freshman organization which successfully follows an adopted platform and carries on an activity. Starting the year debates were held with Yakima Junior College, Mac-Hi and Dayton. Pasco, Pendleton and Walla Walla high schools. Freshman teams will meet the Washington State College frosh in two debates after this book has gone to

YE TALKE SHOPPE

Ye Talke Shoppe has in its fundamental conception the same aims and aspirations as the Wranglers’ elicit. Two notable discrepancies exist, however—first, that it covers only the feminine field and, secondly, that it is open to upper class women as well as to freshmen. In achieving its primary aim, which is to foster interest in public speaking, it, has taken a slightly different course. Instead of scheduling formal debates, the club·has attempted informally to discuss the social and political questions of contemporary moment. But despite this dissimilarity in means, the same end has been accomplished. Katherine Keisling has served as president; Anne Whest as vice-president; and Laverne Mansfield as secretary. The organization has obviously more than justified its existence as a result of its efforts, but hopes next year to wander afield and assist in collecting funds in order to establish a monument which Dr. Penrose has proposed, on this campus.

1932

HONOR SOCIETIES

Delta Sigma Rho, national honorary forensic fraternity, he established a chapter at the College. Membership is earned in part by participation in at least two intercollegiate contests.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

The Associated Students of Whitman College, an organization of which every student is a member, has control of student activities in athletics, journalism, debate, oratory and music. The President, Vice-President and Secretary are elected by the student body and constitute, with the Graduate Manager and Faculty Adviser, the Executive Committee. Meetings are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the college year.

National social fraternities for men and women and local organizations for men and women have been established with the approval of the faculty and under its supervision. Members of the organizations are expected to maintain superior standards of scholarship and conduct.

COURSES IN SPEAKING

15-16. Public Speaking

One hour, first and second semesters

55. Argumentation and Debate

Two hours, first semester

56. Advanced Public Speaking

Two hours, second semester

57-58. Dramatic Interpretation and Play Production Three hours, first and second semesters

Team Results

I. Debate at Whitman College

A. In intramural debate, the independent men won the men’s championship and the Phi Musties with the Tri-Delts for the women’s championship.

B. The year began with a debate against a visiting team from Turkey on the topic, “Resolved: That compulsory unemployment insurance should be adopted by the sovereign states as public protection against the vicissitudes of the machine age.” Whitman’s Harold Garretson and Clark Emory won.

C. Intercollegiate debate

1. Whitman won the combined men’s and women’s triangular tournament against the University of Idaho and Washington State College with a team record of 6-2.

2. Isabelle Welty and Ruth Blaine defeated Pacific University in a debate on Nevada divorce laws.

3. Coach McCall and the team of Ball and Lehrer took the longest trip of the year to the Pacific Forensics Meet in Pomona, California. At the Redlands tournament, Whitman took 5^th place and Ball won 4^th place in extemporaneous.

4. The two women’s traveling teams ended an eight day, thousand mile tour in April. As a result of a judge shortage, four of the women’s 10 debates on tour were non-decisive, as were a number of debates during the season including a February 15 debate against Northwest Nazarene College and a debate against Oregon State University on April 15. The women’s team ended the year with a record of 6-5 with 5 non-decisive debates.

D. Nine men and seven women competed on the team during the year.