EDITORIAL Literary Work The fundamental purpose of the "Acorn" is to give the students opportunity to develop their literary powers. Original stories of special merit, written by the students, should be brought before the eyes of the students by means of the school paper. We feel that the "Acorn" is not getting the support it deserves. It is surprising how few stories are handed in to the "Acorn." In fact, the staff, in many cases, must furnish the material itself. The students could undoubtedly do much better themselves. The staff would be only too willing to receive your efforts. Moreover, a prize of ten dollars is to be given by Principal Barker for the best story written for the "Acorn" during the year. Get busy you need the development, we need the story, and the school needs your support. Remember, it is your paper not the staff's. Slang Expression is the excuse for the existence of language. Say things in the most effective, impressive manner, in the best speech if you can, but by all means use the most effective terms. Expression is the excuse for the existence of slang; but it should be used in good taste. There is somewhat of the poetic in its tasteful use, and a great deal of the vulgar in its sloven, thoughtless use. When a person says, "He was hot enough to fight a buzz saw," he expresses himself more emphatically than he could in ordinary language. Good slang and a poet's figure of speech are both prompted by the same genius. When you are in the market for something to say, and you arrive at the slang counter, make use of your most artistic taste and be sure to come away with as little as possible of that which too much common usage has made cheap. ACORN 12 What we live by "Thou shalt not live by bread alone," nor will butter make up the deficiency. We Americans, so a Harvard professor tells us, live by four things: work, play, love and worship. So do Weberites, since we too are Americans; but some of us, even at that, are lopsided. None of the four can be eliminated. Weber stands for scholarship, and we must therefore work. There is joy in achievement; we learn to like to do by doing. Play is equally as important, and unless a person indulges in it he becomes an ossified stick. A Weber student should make dancing, parties, basketball, track and contests his play. A few students go to shows when their team is playing an important basketball game. Such students should be stuck with a pin. Our love should be for our Alma Mater and for its student body. Our religious convictions should decide our worship, but this important side of our natures must not be neglected. Let us round ourselves out, and inculcate into our practical philosophy, these four essentials to an efficient, happy life. Contests At this season of the year many different contests are being held. The basketball season is at its height. Oratorical and extemporaneous speaking contests, within the school and with other schools, are being held. Interclass and interschool debates are also in season. In all these competitive meets we hope to carry the victory to Weber. We hope our representatives will win first honors for our school. But we must not forget that the real purpose of these contests is to gain development. An orator developes his powers whether he wins or loses. He will be just that much better next time he tries. So, let us not work for victory let it come incidentally but let us all work to develop our powers as readers, speakers, writers or athletes.