The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-05-25
THE PROFESSOR DIDN'T SAY 1T

THE PROFESSOR DIDN'T SAY 1T
NHIE ARE GLAD to take back what we sait
w in these columns few days ago to thi
effect: Prof Oscar b. jacobson of the Uni
Versity Of Oklahoma is peeved because, ac
cording to his statement in 4 speech delivered
| in New York, oil millionairism so engrosses th
activities of the people of Oklahoma anC
other western states that they have no time fo
art, literature or music. The professor up anC
told on us in gigantic Gotham presumabl,
center of art, literature and music in America.
The reader may recall that our purpose il
that editorial was to uphold Oklahoma anC
Oklahomans-even our oil millionaires-a.
competent appreciators of art, literature anC
music. That part of what we said remains
we stand pat upon it; but we take back and
toss into oblivion's pool our sarcastic criticism
of Professor jacobson, for the excellent rea
son that the professor did not say what he was
said to have said in his New York address. The
wires carried certain statements purporting
to have been made by him which he denies
having made, and a copy Of his speech COM
plete, which lies before us, proves that he has
been misquoted miserably.
We learn that Professor jacobson himself
is a lifelong westerner, who in his university
days at Yale found occasion to take up and
apply hot cudgels in defense of western peo-
pie. A casual reading of his address at the
convention of the American Federation of
Arts, in New York. indicates that his central
thought in that speech was the upholding Of
Oklahoma in particular and the western coun-
try in general. In support of this view let us
quote briefly from Professor Jacobsons ad
dress:
"In one particular branch of art and
music promotion. Oklahoma perhaps
stands first among all the states in the
Union namely the interest brought about
through meets and contests. There are
musical contests verywhere-county,
district and state There is as much inter
est manifested in music as there is in ath
letc contests, which is saying a good
deal.
I have tried to sketch for you the char
acter Of Oklahoma and to point out the
historical and biological reasons why the
youngster is thus and so. The spirit of
Oklahoma can well be compared to
beautiful piece of marble on which the
sculptor is at work. The material is of
frst-class quality, the idea of the artist is
already noticeable, but the rest is still
rough. The artist is ambitious to make it
a masterpiece and he has high hopes, but
he needs encouragement, sympathy and
Understandings.
''It is true that he Ghe western artist
often lacks the polish and refinement of
the metropolitan painter but on the other
hand he shows youthful and rugged
strength that is of great promise. Lacking
the cOmpanionship and association to be
found in the large centers, he finds his sole
inspiration in that wonderland Of America
so little known and UNDERSTOOD the great
silent plains and deserts of the South
west"
We should like to quote more, but our space
ries "Halt!" From end to end Professor
acobSOn's address contains no mention of oil
as an art deterrent; and yet some
alf-baked, asnine chuckleheaded reporter |
GLOVER than a baked yam, manufactured the
tory which somehow got onto the Associated |
ress wires and was printed in The Ardmoraite
nd no doubt in hundreds of other newspapers
S a news story. There is some evidence to the
fleet that the garbled report of Professor
address originated with the Hearst |
ewspaper servce-it certainly bears the saf-
ron earmarks of Hearstism. Just how the AS
Jciated Press happened to carry it broadcast .
a matter to be taken up later. The Asso-
lated Press seldom errs in such things
Professor Jacobson really should be the
ecipient of a medal from Oklahoma and the
reat West for upholding so staunchly in the
asst the true status of his state with regard
art and art appreciation
The local recruiting officer for the United
ates navy, in The Afdmoreite's Free Forum
q this page today, sets forth Uncle Sans need
men for the sea service. The pay is good,