Westport High School - Herald Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

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'QTET BOYS' DEBATE The war has reached out and touched every phase of American life. Both the boys and the girls debated questions that had their origin in the war situation. The boys' question for debate was, Re- solved, That the United States should own and operate all the railroads in the United States and its possessions. The recent congestion of the railroads and the partial control exercised by the United States government served to make the question of unusual interest. This was shown in the large number of con- testants that tried out for places on the two teams. The afiirmative team lost to Central by one point, but the negative team more than evened the score by winning a unan- imous decision over Northeast, thus caus- ing Northeast to lose her lease on the Amherst cup. We got seven decisions out of ten--some record! Westport vs. Central Our affirmative team, composed of Hu- bert Parker, Jules Guinotte, Robert Sloan, and Dan Silberberg, met the negative team of Central at Northeast. Hubert Parker, our first speaker and the only old man on the team, started the ball rolling by proving that govern- ment ownership of the railroads is right in principle. His speech was as solid as a stone wall, it could not be refuted. He was cool, collected, and was at ease throughout his entire speech. All argu- ments were brought out with great di- rectness, and in t1'uly a masterful man- ner. Jules Guinotte, our second speaker, was truly a joy to listen to, not only because the speech was so sweet to our ears, but because it was so rich as debate. Jules proved that government legislation has failed, and that it will always fail. His great knowledge of the question was ap- parent from start to finish. The speech was a marvel for clear thinking. The last speaker for Westport was Bob Sloan. Bob p1'oved that govern- ment ownership is an economic improve- ment and also an economic necessity. He certainly did himself proud. The nega- tive was utterly unable to shatter the foundation that he laid. Throughout his speech there was an apparent genuine- ness that carried conviction. Dan Silberberg, our alternate, worked like a Trojan through the weeks of prep- aration, and did valiant service during the debate by gathering the points for re- buttal. You should have heard that re- buttal. Parker, Guinotte, and Sloan met every argument in a manner that would have done your hearts good. It looked like Westport when they were through, but oratory won the decision. We hope that it may not always be so.

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THE WESTPORT HIGH SCHOOL HERALD. 29 Belgian Relief Fund After an impressive talk by a Belgian who had recently been doing relief work in his own country, and whose vivid de- scriptions moved all to pity the little dis- tressed Belgian children, collections were made in several classes immediately and other sums were turned in at the office. The total sum collected for the Relief Fund was 35181.50 Candy at French Play The members of the French Club sold S21 worth of candy and popcorn balls be- fore their play began. They could have sold much more if they had had it. This money went to the French War orphans. Besides its other work, Les Faineants is caring for a French orphan. Food .Conservation The girls' cooking classes have, during the last year, received much training in Hooverizing. They started last fall by having an exhibit of conservation bread at Electric Park. They have studied meat substitute dishes, use of flours other than wheat, and have minimized cooking in fat by substituting baking and boiling. At Christmas time each of the classes prepared a fine big Christmas dinner for some poor families. Furtheunore, Miss Jackson has conducted Food Conservation classes made up of anyone from the Rol- lins, Longan, and Hyde Pa1'k districts. There was an average attendance of about eighteen. Miss Jackson conducted twelve such lessons giving a demonstration and lecture with each. ' The whole school has been reminded of the Food Conservation Campaign by the large posters in the hall. The school is responsible for these to Miss Wilder, who has carried the campaign still further by giving appropriate lectures in the class- room. Food Conservation cook books have had a large sale in Westport, especially among Seniors and certain members of the fac- ulty. These books are published to help the puzzled housekeeper use the war foods in the proper combinations. The lunch room very early fell in line with the Food Conservation movement. To this all seemed to give their heartiest consent. Questionnaires Westport teachers helped the govern- ment by copying the draft questionnaires. Several thousand of them had to be copied twice, so you can imagine where their spare time went. The students are wondering, however, how soon they will have some more to copy, as it took so much of their time that they were unable to give any written quizzes for several weeks. . Home Guards A considerable number of Kansas City's Home Guards, or State Guards as they are now designated are Westporters. This opportunity for training and service was seized by many of the fellows, and they have helped much to make Kansas City a safe place in which to live. During the fall and early winter they were often in demand to 'do guard duty. The Stock Yards Fire and the recent strike also saw them on duty. We regret very much that we can not publish a complete list of all the fellows who are in the service. When the Home Guards were national- ized a few dropped out, but the majority remained.

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i Boys' Debate Squad Westport vs. Northeast At Manual, Westport achieved a won- deful victory over Northeast. From the time that Purd Wright. our first speaker, opened up, until the last word of Jack Kollman's rebuttal, Westport's team was far superior to Northeast's affirmative. The first aflirmative speaker, Joe Bir- mingham, although he had a fairly good argument, lacked the ability to make the points stick in the minds of the audience. Purd Wright, as first negative speak- er, had a strong, well-organized speech, and his size and delivery served to strengthen it. The second opponent, Harry Carpenter, tried to prove that government owner- ship is sound in principle, but he was handicapped by a monotonous, ineffective delivery. Allan Browne followed as second nega- tive speaker. With his forcefulness and pep, he made a distinctive speech, and when he was through, the applause showed that he had found his way 'to the hearts of the audience. Alexander Curtis was the last North- east speaker, and he gave us some of the characteristic Northeast hot air and elo- quence. Jack Kollman, as the last Westport speaker, broke his record for fine debat- ing in showing positively that a substi- tute plan of divisional pooling would be most desirable. With the help of Justin Mooney, al- ternate, our boys cleaned up the points of the other side and valiantly defended their own. The affirmative, however. was not at all prepared to refute the substi- tute plan and did not successfully refute the other points. The decision of the judges was a glorious five to nothing. GIRLS' DEBATE The question debated by the girls, Re- solved, That the United States should so change its constitution as to make the Cabinet responsible to the people through the House of Representatives, also had its origin in the present war situation. The question is a timely one, and as such it aroused much interest.