University of Virginia Library

Letters

Help Lowenstein

One of America's most energetic,
outstanding and concerned
young Congressmen is in grave danger
of losing his seat. Congressman
Allard K. Lowenstein (D.-N.Y.),
leader of the 'dump-Johnson' movement
and the McCarthy campaign,
a leading anti-war critic and the
Congressman who has spent more
time visiting college campuses and
speaking with students than any
other member of congress, is fighting
an uphill battle to retain his
Long Island seat.

A callous New York State legislature,
controlled by a Republican
majority, purposely gerrymandered
his seat taking the heart of his
support out of the district, adding a
rather blue-collar, conservative area
in its place.

Al Lowenstein visited UVa.
about a year and a half ago. He
received the most enthusiastic reception
of any political figure who
has visited the University in recent
time. Many students will probably
remember his visit. Many more will
remember the kind of hope he
holds for this country.

UVa. students can become involved
in Lowenstein's campaign. A
UVa. Lowenstein for Congress
Committee has been formed in conjunction
with the New Democratic
Coalition of recruit and funnel students
up to the Long Island area on
weekends. Food and lodging will be
provided and the committee will be
in charge of making transportation
arrangements for the group. Any
student who comes up to the district
will be welcomes.

The student activity which
occurred last Spring proved that
UVa. students are concerned. We
cannot let that momentum go to
waste. Students must become involved
in the political process-now!
Students who want to work for a
man who has gained national prominence
taking up the cause of
concerned college students everywhere
and who is running in a race
which many columnists see as the
"test case for Agnewism" should
become involved in Al Lowenstein's
campaign.

If you are interested, contact
the New Democratic Coalition table
on second floor, Newcomb Hall or
the Student Council office.

I suppose this year you will
receive many letters protesting
many things. Some readers will see
brilliant insights in these letters,
while scoffing others will dismiss
the contents as the product of
frustrated sexual drives. Perhaps
I'm too old for either, but here is
my protest.

As an undergraduate here in
1961-65 my life was made bearable
partly by the French fries served by
the Newcomb Hall Grill. After graduation,
I always snubbed those inartistic
hamburger joints and tried
to spread the fame of the Newcomb
Hall fries (and the Honor System)
wherever I went.

Now I return as a graduate
student. To my shock, Newcomb
Grill has recently replaced their
fries with hamburger-joint-looking
fries (at slightly higher prices than
hamburger joints). I believe the
change was to enable the staff to
cook a lot of fries at one time, then
keep the surplus re-heated under
their new lamp, although the fries
gradually lose freshness.

Perhaps some will see the new
fries and the new lamp as progress;
some may burn at the secret, arbitrary,
undemocratic way the decision
was made; some may blame
the whole thing on inflation; but as
I look at the rows of pre-made,
re-heated fries, crowded together
into the bag, each one looking like
every other fries in the world, all I
can think is: "State U."