The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-05
Press Club Puts on Big Show
at Lawrence.
Presents Burlesque on Depart
ment of Journalism.
TAKES THORPE BY SURPRISE
Head of School Had Entirely
Different Program in Mind.
But When Curtain Goes Up
Finds Himself the "GOat."

The Topeka Press club went to
Lawrence Thursday night and staged
a burlescue on the department of
journalism and Merle Thorpe, head
of the department, in particular. The
burlesque was one of the many feat
ures being presented to editors during
newspaper week. Arthur Brisbane of
the Hearst publications, and Frank
Leroy Blanchard of New York, editor
of the Editor and Publisher" were
two distinguished members of the
audience and they were not neglect
ed by the Press club.
Several weeks ago Merle Thorpe at
tended a Press club dinner in Topeka
and became obsessed with the idea
that the Press club could stage Arm
ageddon," a political travesty He
urged the members to prepare such a
| travesty and it was decided to accept
his invitation.
Now, don't worry ANYMORE. ;,
Thorpe was told.
Sprung Surprise.
Instead of preparing "Armased-
dom the Press club prepared a take
off" on the department of journalism
However, programs were distributed
outlining the play Thorpe desired
In the opening ]. Frank farrell,
dressed as Walter Roscoe Stubs, ap-
peared and began to present .TArma-
geddon," but was enjoined by a court
order read by Charles Sessions, dress
ed as sheriff. 1t was announced that
IN order not to disappoint the audience
another playlet, "Thorpes School of
Journalism" would be given.
Marco Morrow appeared as Merle
Ihorpe and various members of the
PreSs club as students. Cliff Stratton in
red sweater and white trousers and red
cap acted as cheer leader. Thorpe put
ms class through a stiff quiz. the class
taking notes of the questions and
answers IN huge note books.
Shultz Sob Sister.
| A. L. ShultZ, looking worse than
ever, IN skirts, rouge and a veil, acted
| as the sob sister" She was instruct
ed to interview Blanchard and with
the assistance of another student
VINO carried typewriter into the audi
ence picked out Blanchard and inter
viewed hlm. 1t was a scream from
start to finish.
| j. Frank FARRELL, as Brisbane. adj
dressed the class. Arthur Carruth as
| colonel Snort appeared demanding an
interview, announcing his candidacy
as county commissioner. Meantime
| cecil HoWes, as preSSman, was preDar-
ing his Goss multiple press. Thorpe
called for a copy which was Furnished
IN great quantities and the press be-
gan running like threshing machine
Ihe curtain dropped and in a few sec
! onds the students were rushing
through the audience selling the Off
.cial press club publication, the Bull
| Con. 30 7r.ae
Sang ongs. Too.
Following the burlesque.. the as
founded Thorpe was called upon for a
speech and then two solos were SUNG
by B. P. Bartlett, the Press club So
| loist.
Among those taking part in the bur
lesque We're: E. w. Wingart, Imr
Zumwalt, W. Y. Morgan, Walter John
son, Arthur Carruth, Cliff Stratton
Marco Morrow, Lucky" Collins
Charles H. Sessions. George Hart
Harry c. Green, Phil Eastman, oscar
| Wolf Charles Lagerstrom, P. C. Pow.
ell, Paul Lovewell, J. C. Mohler, FLOYD
3. Nichols, Charles Hebron Trapp, w
w. Wolford, jr., W. H. Souders, Jos.
eph w. Howe, William Kercher, Cecil