Wells River High School - Chatterbox Yearbook (Wells River, VT)

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SPEED — GOOD OR BAD? The following is a statement by the late Will Rogers. Every invention during our lifetime has been just to save time — Two hun- dred years from now history will record: America, a nation that flour- ished from 1900-1942, conceived many odd inventions for getting somewhere, but could think of nothing to do when they got there.” That statement is typical of the incomparable wit of Will Rogers, but it also shows that he realized even then that we were heading for trouble. In this modern day and age, any automobile that won’t do a hun- dred,” isn’t worth owning, according to many people. In the same light, machines of all kinds that are slower than the best” are con- sidered to be out of date. What makes people, the scientists especially, spend so much time and effort on speed ? It’s a well-known fact that a moderate rate of speed is better for the human body. Consequently, if the machine is developed to go faster, do more work in less time, the body must be keyed-up to en- dure, not only physically, but also mentally. This keying-up of the body wears it down until a physical or nervous breakdown is inevitable. It seems that we can’t be satisfied to allow a moderate rate of de- velopment. Millions are now being spent to develop the atom so that — Five —

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CLASS OFFICERS SENIORS President ................................. John Demeritt Vice-President .......................... Geraldean Brock Secretary................................ Richard Sherwin Treasurer ............................... Richard Sherwin JUNIORS President .......................................... Harold Gravlin Vice-President ........................ Lawrence Lamarre Secretary .................................. Patricia Roben Treasurer..........................................Rosemary Basch SOPHOMORES President............................................ Donna Cusano Vice-President .............................. David Riggie Secretary ................................... Edward Little Treasurer ............................... Margaret Clotier FRESHMEN President ............................... Christine Kaiser Vice-President .......................... Andrew Bullard Secretary .................................. Arvilla Boyce Treasurer................................ Amalia Homeister JUNIOR HIGH President..................................... Beth Evans Vice-President .............................. Susan Farwell Secretary .................................... Sula Rowell Treasurer .................................... Sula Rowell -------WRHS--------- COMMENCEMENT DATA Friday, June 11— Senior Reception, Village Hall at 8:30 P. M. Senior Ball, 9:00 P. M. Sunday, June 13— Baccalaureate Service, Congregational Church, 8:00 P. M. Class Day Exercises, Village Hall, 2:30 P. M. Graduation Exercises, Village Hall, 8:00 P. M. — Four — Thursday, June 17—

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eventually it will be harnessed to do all of our work — faster. Of course a certain amount of research must be done to assure our country of protection against aggression. Does that mean we have to spend as much as we do? Can’t we do more for bettering man by other means than speed? Harnessing the atom means just one thing, speed. The big question is, can the scientist learn to control this speed to make it beneficial and not detrimental? Speed can benefit all in few' ways, defense, transportation of vital supplies such as medicine, and important affairs of state. To support this statement, go back to the days when many places were more or less isolated. People survived quite well and they had fewer worries. They didn’t worry about rushing to catch trains, planes, or buses. Also they didn't care how fast they went once they started unless it was an emergency. If any grave situation did arise for which speed was neces- sary, all right, use it, but wisely. Until such cases do arise, we should be content to stay where we are in regard to speed. Of course there are arguments for and against this. In this mixed- up world more time should be devoted to barring racial discrimination and educating our youngsters, the latter to prevent them from repeating the mistakes of their ancestors. Because of the threat of Communism, time and money must be devoted to the thing which will eventually wreck us, namely, SPEED. For the United States must be able to out- produce its enemies and be able to ward off any aggressors before it can slow down. J. Demeritt, Editor