University of Santa Clara - Redwood Yearbook (Santa Clara, CA)

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26 THE REDWOOD studies, in dramatics, and on the grid- iron. The Election Irvin S. Cobb, American humorist, says the word pessimist is derived from the word pest — a common nui- sance — and ' ' mist ' ' — a fog — giving pessimist — a common nuisance who sees through a fog. The world has always been overbur- dened with these common nuisances — apparently they are essential in balanc- ing the more agreeable optimist — but right now on the eve of the Presiden- tial election there is an extraordinary number of the species. Pehaps, how- ever, the number is justified by the im- mense clouds of fog which surround the important issues of the campaign. It is to be feared lest if the present necessity of peering through campaign fog should long continue, the whole Ameri- can people be driven into the ranks of pessimism. When the nominees of each party were finally chosen, the prospects were especially bright for a spirited battle. The candidates were men of similar training and experience. Both Ohio statesmen, both newspaper men, both of public prominence, and opposing politics, we expected a campaign that would merit a conspicuous place in po- litical history. What has been the result? Twenty- three foreign wars in progress, first rate nations tottering toward bank- ruptcy, international trade rivalry ap- proaching a war of commercial compe- tition, Japanese troubles impending, Mexico unsettled, the H. C. L. still towering, labor rumbling, Ireland torn in revolt and pleading to America, So- vietism threatening the world, — all this and more, and with it all the two Ohio gentlemen must amuse themselves with campaign funds ! People have lost interest. The issues are misty, the fog is thick, the pessimist is justified. Must the voter go to the polls and cast his ballot tails you win, heads I lose ? This is the first national election in which all American women have the privilege of sharing in the vote for President. What a pity if in casting their first vote they indiffer- ently make their choice in the old Down East fashion — Pa was a Demmycrat, so I may as well be too . No Gas Sugar rations and meat- less days of a not very distant past were mild inconveniences compared with the plague and torment motorists have suffered during the past sum- mer from the no-gas situa- tion. We will not venture to cata- logue many epithets with which certain oil men have been sprinkled by angry motorists marooned at midnight in re- mote villages, but one thing is certain — more explanations for the cause of the oil shortage have been offered than

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THE REDWOOD 25 Whatever was the original motive, it is evident that the cartoonist ' s symbol was aptly chosen whether we consider the calendar or college year. Although when we arrive on the campus the year always seems full of promise, still not every year at Santa Clara has had the brilliant beginning of 1920-21. There has been here, and at every collegiate institution, during the past few years, a tremendous handi- cap resulting from the war. The inter- ruptions caused by men leaving and returning, which necessarily interfered with classes, sports, literary and dra- matic organizations, were certainly not insignificant. These, however, were not the most disastrous effects. The more permanent damage was in the turmoil into which the normal succession of col- lege men was thrown. In ordinary times the life of a college runs with a certain mechanical smoothness and ex- actitude. The Freshman, green , but lively and full of enthusiasm, en- dures and learns for a time — then passes on, somewhat sobered perhaps, while others take his place. Mean- time he has learned his share — in the classroom, in dramatics, in literature, in science, on the field, in any and all of the activities of the institution. Year after year the process continues with watch-like regularity. Freshman be- comes Sophomore, Sophomore rises to Junior, and so on in procession. This is the vitality, the soul of the college. It was this vitality which was for a time riddled by the war. The normal succession was broken — men who ordi- narily would be learning the rudiments of chemistry, or poetry, or algebra, or athletics, were busy with the manual of arms, and consequently college life was interrupted. Happily, however, we are ready to say with assurance that this effect is rapidly wearing away. Registration this year at Santa Clara is normal and better. Never has there been such a number of promising Freshmen, nor was registration in the higher classes ever more satisfactory. The College of Engineering is taxed to the limits of its accommodations, the Institute of Law has double the enrollment of last year, Letters men are continually in evi- dence, enthusiastic Preps are every- where. Enough will be found else- where of football — we have seen the team and we know the coach. Dramat- ics have special prominence this year with the return of Rev. G. G. Fox, S. J., and the promise of Santa Clara ' s Pas- sion Play in the Spring. Last of all, we of the REDWOOD are optimistic. Literary affairs suffered perhaps more than others from the events of recent years. Athletics went witli the boys to the trenches, but poetry was left at home. On returning the age of the literary bug was often passed. However, we are now confi- dent that the worst phases of these ef- fects are past and we have the support of a coming generation. With this sup- port the literary year ahead appears as bright and promising as the year in

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THE REDWOOD 27 were presented even for that all-im- portant subject of town-park specula- tion, the German retreat of 1918. The oil companies are doing it t o boost the price. They are doing it to oust the little companies. The speculators are doing it to sell oil stock. The railroads are doing it to get rid of the auto stages — all these and others were the offerings of the populace, and so far as the well-paid political officials in charge of probes have enlightened us, they are perhaps all feasable theories. Casting aside idle speculation, how- ever, and with all apologies to the oil companies, who seem to be keeping starvation away, — from themselves, — it is undoubtedly true there is an acute world shortage of petroleum products which should demand the serious and immediate consideration of the Ameri- can people and their legislative repre- sentatives. The United States Geological Survey, a reliable source of information in these matters, estimates that our oil supply in the United States will, at the present rate of consumption, last eighteen years. Five million barrels of oil have been taken from American fields and there remain only six and one-half bil- lions. At an increased rate of con- sumption the supply will be gone be- fore the estimated eighteen years. The question does not call for hys- teria, nor need the family sell the flivver for fear that it will soon be useless. There are possible means of avoiding the calamity which the elim- ination of the supply would certainly cause, but the means must be adopted before the time of redemies is past. One hopeful source of supply is the shale found in Colorado, Wyoming and neighboring states. The possibility of getting oil in this way we must leave to scientists and investors. We hope for the best. There are other remedies, however, that are more certain and which are in the grasp of our legislators. A few suggestions are offered by W. W. Woods, California banker and oil ex- pert, which merit consideration in this regard as good common sense capable of immediate application. Mr. Woods, among other things, sug- gests that it is not advantageous to permit exportation of oil to the Orient, nor is it advantageous for this state to maintain lower prices here than else- where and thereby encourage exporta- tion to other states and countries. He also suggests that the automobile in- dustry should discontinue, for its own best interests, the manufacture of high- powered motors ; that hydro-electric power development should be in every way encouraged ; that concrete rather than oil roads should be built where possible ; that foreign ships flying the flag of nations who refuse to supply American ships should not be supplied from American sources ; that foreign oil companies should not be permitted