From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Jan. 8, 1913:

• “That Kansas needs music is the belief of Dean Charles H. Johnston of the School of Education at the University of Kansas and he is working on a plan to raise the taste of future citizens from Alexander’s Ragtime Band to Wagner and Chopin. With the cooperation of Dean Charles Skilton of the School of Fine Arts, he is trying a new course in musical appreciation at the University training school and if it proves a success, it will be endorsed for adoption by state high schools. A victrola is used in the course, and for twenty minutes each day, the students hear selections from the world’s greatest operas, famous band compositions, and the folk-song of all countries…. ‘High schools today do not value aesthetic training as they should,’ declares Dean Johnston. ‘As a matter of fact, a training to cultivate the appreciation of the beautiful is as desirable as physical training.'”
• “Eight below ZERO. Who-e-e-e-e yes and Br-r-r-r. Doesn’t that sound like real winter. Well it was just 8 below in Lawrence this morning according to the official thermometer at the university observatory. The weather man looked again just to make sure he was seeing straight, then pulled his cap down a little further, noted the figure in his book, and hurried down the hill to where a plate of hot cakes and a cup of coffee somewhat overcame the shock…. All of the trains into Lawrence from the west were still behind their schedules today. Continued storms further west continue to tie up traffic and practically every train into Lawrence is two or three hours late.”
• “The physical section committee of the Y.M.C.A. met last night in the dining rooms of the Y.M.C.A. to discuss the work of the physical department…. The condition of the swimming pool was brought up and it was decided to use some chemicals in the pool to improve the sanitary conditions. These chemicals are used in many of the Y.M.C.A. swimming pools over the country and are used at the pool in the K.U. gymnasium. The pool at the city Y.M.C.A. is in a good sanitary condition at present but the committee decided not to take any chances so ordered this solution tested.”