Youth in Nevada

Reno, Nevada, besides being a divorce mill, is a town of 18,500, with cinemas, dance halls, churches, a high school, a business college, a university (University of Nevada). Between the transient divorce-seekers and the permanent population of Reno there is a sharp line. Reno boys & girls pay no attention to its wide-open gambling halls. At its bars they drink only soft drinks. Few of them smoke.

To the "missionary district of Nevada" the National Council of the Episcopal Church three years ago sent tall, bustling Rev. Henry B. Thomas, a onetime chaplain at Princeton. The Rev. Mr. Thomas took over St. Stephen's House at the University of Nevada's gates, began to befriend Reno's Youth. Last fall he organized among the high-school boys & girls a Supper Club, which met at his house for eats, games, discussions. In no time at all they organized a Youth Movement.

Ringleaders were handsome Norman Towner, 18, who likes to write and play tennis, and his sister Shirley, 15, who wants to be a xylophonist. Norman and Shirley scouted around, enlisted in their group Reno's most popular and active youths, among them: Football Guards Bill and Jac Shaw, Socialist Joe Benedict (whose mother arrived in Reno two years ago for a divorce), Bill Eccles, son of Nevada's Republican State chairman, Forrest W. Eccles. Last week they distributed all over the State a Youth's newspaper: Here and Now, "The Interests and Opinions of Nevada's Young People."

Items: "We are thrilled silly about the fact that Errol Flynn, Miriam Hopkins and Randolph Scott are really going to set foot in Reno [cinema premiere at Virginia City]." ... On the American Youth Congress: "Is the A. Y. C. innocent or guilty [of Communism]? Is the cutting criticism of the papers, columnists and President warranted, or is it a lopsided 'Martin Dies expose'? . . . Was not the A. Y. C. attacked without reason?"

Issue I printed congratulations to Here and Now from Nevada's Governor E. P. Carville and University of Nevada's President Leon W. Hartman. It also carried a column ("Church Bells") by Sponsor Thomas. Biggest scoop was a poll of Reno High School students. Results: 93% condemned Russia in Finland; 73% opposed U. S. entry into World War II; 75% opposed upping taxes for WPA, CCC, PWA; 76% favored compulsory military training in CCC; 83% believed something was gained by going to church; 65% had decided on what jobs they would like; consensus was that boys should marry at 21 to 25, girls at 20 or 21.

Said Here and Now's editorial leader: "Critics [of the Younger Generation] gasp at jitterbugging, forgetting completely those 'immoral' gyrations that 30 years ago were the turkey trot, the grizzly bear and the bunny hug. They wring their hands as they view the diminutive church attendance. . . . One wonders why more of them are not seen in church. . . . The kids of today don't have the real stuff anymore,' they say self-appreciatingly. 'Why, when I was young, do you think . . .?' and so on ad infinitum. When we are looked upon in such manner, we feel rebellious. . . .

"In these times, in the present world difficulties, it is more important than ever that the Older and Younger Generations be in close contact with each other. . . . European wars touch your lives, but they are likely to change ours. Increasing unemployment is your worry, but it will be our burden. You blush at the mounting debt, we will have to pay it."

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