Let Nothing Be Spared

I found this to be a well-written editorial on page 2 of the Thursday, Feb. 5, 1925 issue of the Ohio State Lantern:

    The discovery that what was at first thought to be an epidemic of cerebrospinal meningitis is really the work of a perverted or malicious mind relieves somewhat the fear of the student body, but places a greater responsibility upon the authorities of the University.

    If the belief of the investigators is true, that a diseased mind is responsible for the deaths of Charley Huls and David Pusken [sic] and the illness of three other students, the person who conceals that mind behind a normal exterior must be found and prosecuted for his crime.

    To admit that there is such a person in the University is no reflection upon the University. At least no sane person will misconstrue the confession.

    In such a case it is more important that the criminal, if it be a criminal, be found and prosecuted than that the University escape from the notoriety which must follow. In such a case it is not the student body alone which is in danger. The entire state would be threatened if this person were allowed to graduate or if he were somehow allowed to escape punishment.

    The Lantern demands that no one be spared in the search. The students at the University and the people of the state as a whole must be protected. They have, also, a right to know the criminal. If he be an official of the University, or if he be the most obscure student, he must be found.

    President Thompson has done the right thing by placing the investigation in the hands of the police. We should not stop with them, but should call in all the other agencies which might aid in discovery of the criminal. It not a confession of weakness or incompetency on the part of the University to do this.

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