University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1910-12-07
WHAT STUDENT SENATE SAYS

have been made on the Star theatel
by few students of the University o
Missouri Monday night, November, q
has brought to light the fact that this
rush was not made by University stu
dents alone. but was participated in
by a number of men from town. Fur
thermOre. some town men stood in the
door of the theater and dared students
to come close to the door. This has
been proved by the testimony OF a
number of those present at the rush.
| The manager of the Star theater ad,
mitted to a committee from the Senate
that he had difficulty in keeping one
Of these men, who was in his employ
from running out into the crowd and
starting trouble. He stood in the en-
trance, and dared students to enter
before they had even started a rush
tor the doors. Many students who
were merely standing on the sidewalk
some distance from the doors of the
theater. We're hit by these town bull
les, and were dared to strike back.
Even after the rush was over. these e
men tried to start fight by hitting
d number of the University students.
1t is said that these men were dep
utized, but if so, the police showed
very bad taste in their choice of as
sistants.
AS an illustration of their methods
OF procedure, c. c. Jensen. a student
in the short winter course in AgricuI-
ture, was standing on the sidewalk
some distance from the theater, watch
ing the other students in the lobby
of the theater, when one of these men
began striking a small boy. about IA
years old. Mr.. Jensen interfered. and
was struck from behind with a club
The blow knocked him down, and
while he was down he was cut with
4 knife. The man who did the cut
ting then ran down the street strik-
nS at other students whom he met
All his attacks were without provoca-
ton.
George NJ. Craig, another student
vas standing on the opposite side OF
the street from where the rush took
place, when widely known police
character ran up and struck him over
the head, knocking his hat Off. He
then dared Craig to fight back. Craig
told him that he was not looking for
any trouble, but that he was merely
watching the rush. He then walked
on. and the thug went to other STU
dents, trying TO create a disturbance.
The police records show that several
OF these men who We're said to have
been deputzed. have served terms in
Jail. One of them was released from
jail that morning. According to the
testimony of several witnesses, these
men came down there for the purpose
Of hunting trouble. And VIXEN the
did not show any signs Of
wanting to create disturbance thev
tried TO start one with any students
WHOM they saw. Had it not been for
the bullying attitude of these men. |
and for the unwarranted attacks on
ne University students present, the
affair would not have amounted to anr-
hing. AS ii is, it has been made IN
appear that it was worse than it ac-
ually was.
In previous years, it has been the
,ustom OF the management of the NOV.
ng picture shows to admit the stu
Tents to the theaters free the night
he team leaves for Kansas CITY TO
lay the Kansas game. The students
vent there with the same expectation
mis- year. But for some reason not
make known were, contrary to custom
etused admittance. This led TO
rotest from the students and the ac.
lV.ties of the town rowdies above
2entioned brought on the rush.
Those who were first into the thea
er, and who took the most active mart
the rush, have been recommended
'r discipline to the president of the
University. There were no leaders
the crowd. 1t was simply con-
erted movement on the part of a
mall crowd OF students to get into
lie theater. Even with the interfer
ice OF the town rowdes. there was
ot much actual damage done. and
18th the exception of those students
lat were struck by the town bullies
ithout provocation, none of the stu.
ents was injured
If IN the future the proprietors of
ese theaters will make it plain that
udents are not welcome free on anv
'casion any rush on the places will
dealt with by the Senate and the
udent body in drastic manner.