Brigham Young University - Banyan Yearbook (Provo, UT)

Page 118 text:

E. L. WILKINSON GRACE NIXON A. RAY OLPIiN B. Y. U. vs. U. of U. QUESTION: Resolved that Utah should establish a Court of Industrial Relations similar to the Kansas plan. B. Y. U. Affirmative. Three fundamental propositions were sustained by our debators: (1) The complex and intricate relationship of modem indusrial life and the absolute inter- dependence of all sections and classes, make the strike, which is becom- ing more frequent and formidable, a menace so serious and threaten- ing that a change of policy is urgently demanded. ( 2 I The anglo Ameri- can and Democratic way of handling private warfare either between persons or gigantic corporations and labor unions is legislation. Law should guard the public in its relation to vital industries as against the dictatorial minority of labor, or cormorant corporations. ( 3 I The Kansas court has proved successful, arid is winning the approval of capital, labor, and the public. These propositions were admirably sustained by A. Ray Olpin, Grace Nixon, and Ernest L. Wilkinson, who main- tained the usual high standard of our school in debating — this in spite of the fact that the U won a Pyrrhic victory. Wilkinson proved himself one of the cleverest debators, both in main argument and re- buttal, that the B. Y. U. has ever produced; and his colleagues sup- ported him very effectively. All were clear, concise and effective. The negative teams won throughout the state.

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Princeton vs. B. Y. U. HE Priiicetoii-B. Y. U. debate was certainly a grand climax for a most successful year. On December 22, 1920, in the Battle of Wits between the East and the West, the B. Y. U. debating team was successful in defeating the Princeton University debating team. Harter, Wilkinson, and Ballif represented the Y against Denby, Currey and McCormack for Princeton. This debate was looked upon as the beginning of a new epoch in forensic activities for the B. Y. U. We found and proved our level. As President Brimhall so significantly stated. We won two victories, first, in debating a school which is our level, and second, in defeating its representatives. As was requested by the New Jersey men the question debated was, Re- solved, that the United States should pass a law prohibiting strikes in essential industries, constitutionality waived. The visitors defended the Affirmative and the local boys the N-egative. The debate was a real one and a thriller from beginning to end. It was only within the last few minutes that the local boys began to draw away from their opponents. And that last rebuttal from Ballif which clinched the argu- ment and brought shouts of joy from the audience. A few side lights on the debate reveal its intenseness. It was the best debate I have ever heard. — Judge A. B. Morgan. I have heard dozens of debates, I captained the Cornell debaters while attending that school. But I have never listened to a better debate. — Judge Harold Stephens. I have never heard a more closely contested debate. — Chwf Justice E. E. Corfman. We consider we lost to a superior team. We tried our best, but the Nega- tive answered us. — Alfred S. McCormack, Captain Princeton Team. The Princeton-B. Y. U. debate was the most interesting debate it has been my pleasure to attend. It represented the supreme type of intellectual enjoy- ment. — Justice S. R. Thurman. You have done Utah and the Church Schools a great honor. — Superin- tendent Adam S. Bennion.

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H. G. BARTER GLADYS LOYNU G. S. BALLIF B. Y. U. vs. U. A. C. I HE B. Y. U. met the U. A. C. in the triangle debating contest March 11, at Logan. The debate was held in the CkjUege chapel. The question debated was, Resolved that Utah should establish an Industrial Relations court patterned after that of Kansas. The B. Y. U. upheld the negative and were represented by Gladys Loynds, E. H. Harter, and George S. Ballif. The affirmative contestants were LeRoy Funk, Euier - Ranker, and Sidney Cornwall. The teams were well prepared showing evidence of careful re- search and organization. The clearness, consistent analysis, and ex- cellent deliven.- of the B. Y. U. debators won for them the decision of the judges. The judges were H. L. Mulliner, Attorney W. R. Skeen and C. H. Anderson. Our local team showed better organization, choice of argument and keener analysis of the problem. Their presentation and delivery nvarked them as debators of ability and practice. Miss Loynd introduced the negative side of the question in a clear concise, and sincere manner. Mr. Harter, the second nega- tive speaker, with added ferv ' or, excellent delivery and absolute self control continued to convince the judges that the negative proposi- tion was the most practical. The last speaker, Mr. Ballif, in his usual clear, forceful, enthusiastic way helped complete the victor ' over the U. A. C.