It is not a random sample, therefore quite likely, the sample is biased with extremists calling up, Bruner said.

A random sample is a study that gives an equal opportunity to the entire population to participate in the study. Bruner said the 900 number would not provide that.

From a professional point of view, it is not good data, he said. It is sensationalism.

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Dot Chamness, pageant director for the Miss Southern Illinois Scholarship Pageant, said the president of the corporation would like to end the swimsuit competition, but every year the contestants vote to continue the tradition.

The girls feel (the swimsuit competition) helps them get rid of their jitters, she said.

Motise Jones, a senior in advertising from Chicago, has participated in local preliminaries and agreed with the swimsuit competition.

She said that if a contestant can wear a swimsuit in front of a large audience without breaking, they can accomplish anything.

But she said she still had concerns about the need for it.

Personally, we are at a point in time that the pageant is based on scholarship and talent of the young lady why is it necessary for a swimsuit pageant? Jones said.

On the other hand, you want to see the physical fitness of a young lady.

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Carla Mittendorf, a junior in biology from Metropolis, said she thinks it is fine for pageants to have swimsuit competitions but is not sure about the new 900 number.

It probably is a publicity thing, she said.