rage Eight s. it was a "strictly personal" appearance that Sidney Harris. columnist for the Chicago Dally News, put in at the annual Theta Sigma Phi-Sigma Delta Chi banquet and Matrix Table last week. Sponsored by the two campus journalism societies for a group of selected guests. the banquet featured an analysis of "The Perils of a Columnist" by Mr. Harris. pictured above SCARLET AND BLACK Friday. May 22. m4 with officers of the organizations. * 'k * Chicago Daily News (IolumnislL Addresses Grinnell 0n Difficulties. Rewards of Newspaper Profession | By Ann Showalter "The purpose of my column Is to make people think," as- serted Sydney J. Harris at the Sigma Delta Chi and Theta Sig< ma Phi spring dinner and Mat- rix Table last Thursday. Writer of the daily column, “Strictly Personal” for the Chicago Daily News and the Publishers Newspapers Syndi- cate, Harris spoke on the per- ils of a columnist with the above goal. , The first peril is no one really believes in the freedom of the press. “You believe in freedom lip to the point at which the writer stops pointing his finger at your neighbor and starts pointing it at you,” he charged. He explained that me column- Ist often becomes cynical be- cause his critics seem ‘inde- fatiguable in writing long and semirliterate letters to the edi- bor' while no one writean to praise a column. Publicity seekers pose a threat to the columnist "Countless individuals, craving the heavy wine of notoriety, will resort to any method to get their names in print Some will even settle for an unfavor- able mention.” Besides those looking for per- lonal fame, there are the pew .ple with a mission. The journal» ist is forced to spend many hours a week listening to these “save-theworlders." “Friendship,” H a rris an nounced, “is the most danger- ous pitfall of any newspaper- man and perhaps of any man" When a journalist starts liv- lng with the people he is trying to write about, corruption be- gins to set in. “The columnist relinquishes his professional Virginity; he becomes a lap dog instead of a watch dog" The columnist must avoid taking himself too seriously— confusing himself with God “The good columnist always ‘k ‘k * keeps in mind the possibility that he may be wrong.” But the opposite side of this coin, confusing the people with God, is just as dangerous. Har« ris does not believe in “giving the people what they want." Harris switched to talk about his personal experience as a col< umnist. ' “I am frequently asked, ‘Where do you get your mater- ial? and I always reply, ‘I steal it.‘ n He claims that few people read anything worthwhile to- day, so the field is open for a re - interpreter of traditional ideas “The professional writer is always reading; a writer who stops reading stops thinking." * * * Another question people often ask is, “Don’t you find it hard to turn out a column every day?_” He does not have diffi- culty finding topics and be- lieves "the man who has to slave away at a creative job is not in the right job" Harris always tries for hon- esty, outspokenness and a per- sonal approach in his column. “Beneath the flimsiest subject 1 try to insert a serious vein." Speaking of the reasons for becoming a columnist Harris stated, “In spite of the nervous strain it involves, the profes- sional holds an irresistible lure. It lets a man express him— self on any subject he pleases.” Don't look now. but . . . Summer is almost here—- EVERYONE AT HARRISON'S wishes you a happy vocation Plan Encampment ForSlUdenl Leaders Plans for a 1964 Student Leaders Encampment are now underway under the leadership of Susan Taylor, committee chairman. The event is sched- uled for October 2-4 at Pilgrim Heights Camp, Montour, lowa and will include forty students selected from various offices and positions on campus and twenty faculty and administra- tion members in positions where they deal with student affairs The weekend retreat will be used for planning and discussing the development of next year's campus programl Other members of the En~ campment Committee are Nan- cy Cox, Jim Stoddart, Karen Lauterbach, and Mike Arnow. ‘3 MIXED UP ON WHAT TO EAT? YES? WE’VE GOT ANSWERS TASTY PASTRY 923 Broad Oil?" Ohe of the many Collum STANDARD " Services Attentionl.’ Do Your Holy Shoes Need a Savior? quality workmanship and 24 hour service at GOODYEAR SHOE REPAIR Donne Lueden Blb 4th'Avenue Save Finals ' School ls over ll§ no trick To SAVE! , Bul.,Save! Grinnell Federal Savings & Loan Association "Where you save does make a difference"