Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 25, 1921)
6 THE BATTALION GRIDIRON VET DEFENDS THE OLD NAME “FARMER” (Continued From Page 1) then* first few years they did not give to the public fine exhibitions of sci ence in football, but they did give to them an exhibition of clean, hon est effort, better known as fight; they recognized no odds; they knew no defeats; adverse scores were only temporary obstacles to final victory and through that never sey die spirit they have bred a tradition which has become a part of every A and M. team and student body; “that old A. and M. spirit” of never being whip ped, of never quitting, of fighting harder when the going is rough and the temporary advantage is with the opponent than any other time. Those boys educated the public to know that win, lose or draw, they could ex pect a fight whenever or wherever they saw a “Farmer” team in action from bell to bell and after it was over whatever the result, they had no time for alibis because they were too busy figuring for next year the next opportunity. They were in vic tory or defeat “Farmers”, never the “Ego Kids” or the “Alibi Pets.” These boys who built the foundation for our traditions were in most in stances farmers in fact, as well as in name and those of them who were not had the same red blood, the same big hearts and democratic principles such as were they, have been the succeeding teams and student bodies who have picked up and carried on through the succeeding generations. All now that the old athlete has who has laid aside the old baseball bat, the track or basketball paraphernalia or the football armor and entered upon the battle of life is the mem ories, the old traditions, the old names, and the great love for all things A. and M.—past, present or future,—each year these grow dear er. To change one of these names is to tear out a part of the structure for one of these old veterans. Would you the present student body do this? I believe most emphatically— NO. Again to change, would it not seem that we were trying to get away from the old name which typified the teams and school in fact as well as name? Wouldn’t it seem that in trend with the times we were asham ed of the old time red blooded, salt of the earth name and were trying to get one more in line with the blue blooded silk stocking and shirted class? There are two schools we know of in Texas during all our $®&ing moments as well as during our breams. One is the Old Far mers,—the other is “Varsity”. The name of each typifies it. They each have their mission as well as their traditions and standards. (It takes all kinds of people to make a world you know). Are we still proud of ours? Do our traditions and names still fit us or are we drifting so much towards their standards that we want to change? I know the answer of the old boys. I would gamble my life I know yours, but the decision I leave to you. 2nd. There is a psychological advantage gained from the word “Farmers”. It stands for every thing that begins and ends with red blood. It puts us on record as be ing proud of the fact that we are farmers or sprang from farmers. In a day and time when every one is preaching with their mouths to go back to the soil but by their prac tices and standards ridicule those who are there and in a sense look upon them as being their social in feriors because they have not deve loped the traits of hypocrisy, deceit or the art of character assassination to its highest degree as in a city, be cause they can see through the tensil to the real gold, because they can and do separate true happiness from social pleasure. In the fight which took place several years ago, when the Varsity crowd tried to put over the amendment to move the A. and M. College and consolidate it with the university or asylum (makes the creeps come over you doesn’t it to associate your tradition and the old grounds and buildings you love so well with the two latter na.med insti tutions doesn’t it?) but it only goes to show you can never tell when you are going to be “Archie Parr’d”. We who were out fighting this amend ment found that the boys whom the peanut politicians call the boys Prom the “forks of the creek” had been reading about this school whose stu dents were not only ashamed to have the record of the feats of its athlet ic teams emblazoned on the sport pages of the daily papers under the name “Fai'mers” but were proud of it, had come to look upon us as brothers, to love us as one of their kind and they were with us to a man. I heard numbers of them remark: “I don’t know anything about it but I know them farmers are right; they do more good in a minute than those dancers and club boys at Austin can do in a year”, and we came through, though a preponderance of political influence and money were used against us. Boys, let’s stay red blooded and stay proud ot if. There always will be more red blooded people in the country and in town than there are blue blooded ones. There will be times when you possibly won’t think so, but it will be because you are watching the flame and not peering into the soft shadows which surround the flame and compidse in by far the greatest area. Red blood doesn’t like to be so conspicious as does blue blood, neither does it care to sear its wings, but it has a characteristic trait which is; being idght at the right time, the courage of its convictions and sticking together, none of which are traits of the blue blooded crowd. So boys we had better stay “Far mers” and run with our same old gang, because wo don’t breed any lawyers, who in like breed politicians, and we haven’t much money, so let’s keep our big stick. It saved us from the silk stockinged crowd once, a few of them whipped Mexico over a hundred years ago, and with the vast increase in population there is not a chance to get Archie Parr’d now or in the future with them on our side. 3rd. Taking the boys who are on the team and also those who comprise that loyal old corps, the gang who is with their team strong as horse rad ish when you win and as strong as nitro glycerine if you lose, you don’t want to place yourself and your team where if you should go to Austin and the Lord happened to be looking out of the window and thus unknow ingly have both arms around their necks and they should win the game, they can burleque you as well and crow over the victory. As long as you are named “Farmers” and bur lesque they would try to pull on you would but “back fire” on them, be cause it would but be an act of the blue blooded trying to ridicule the “Farmer”, the salt of the earth and would help your cause in the estima tion of the red blooded people. But, if you were the “Wildcats” you would be “cat called” until you were sick. Banners would proclaim to the public that you just thought you were wild, just old ego. It (took Varsity to take it out of you and show you that you were just a tame tabby cat and no doubt we would be presented with them and would see them being led around on strings, etc., and we could do nothing but stand for it. To fight them would be but to proclaim to the world we were poor sportsmen. “Farmers” was the name until Billy Driver came to College and he changed it to “Aggies”. This brought forth no howl as both words expressed the same thought; one be ing just a few shades lighter red than the other. In the same propor tion, you might say, as agriculturist and agronomist. (I have always had a hunch the latter word originated at some, society school). The only ob jection I could or would find to Ag gies is the fact that its use is so pre valent among A. and M. Colleges and the suspicion that lurks in my mind that it was an attempt to step one notch above the farmer. While the name “Farmers” would put us in a, class of our own it would put us on record as being proud to carry on the name under which the old boys fought would be a name when spoken in New York would mean Texas A. and M. College. This is written not in an attempt to dictate the action of this present student body in any particular, but to try and call your attention to a side of it which may have escaped your attention. While it would hurt us to see a change, we would be with you just the same if you named them the “Willie Boys”, but would know your blood was getting bluer. Here’s hoping and pulling for the return of the old name “Farmers.” Your Friend, C. A. DeWARE. Brenham, Texas, Feb. 16, 1921. C.A.DeW—EN. CO. C INFANTRY FRESHMEN GIVE KEEN BANQUET Rub-My-Tism cures bruises, cuts, sores, tetter, etc. f WE HANDLE EVERYTHING * IN THE ELECTRICAL LINE Packard and Mazda Lamps Our Specialty GRIESSER & THOMPSON Anything Electrical Phone 23 *:• f ? ! £*** Jf If Jf £ if® -*9L nr ikt asa * & | ★ OPTICAL PARLORS * ★ Our fourteen years of practical ex- >£. if perience enables ' ~ ★ best in our line. ★ Convenien ★ A" Theatre •¥■ ★ perience enables us to offer you the best in our line. if. niently Located in Masonic if- Building, Opposite Quoen >f~ WM. B. CLINE, M. D. Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist 4th Floor City National Bank Building, Bryan, Texas (Continued From Page 1) and thither rushed the ex-upper classmen waiting on some “Fish” who had never had this kind of at tention given him before by such men as Sherrill, Jaqour, Underwood, Bertschler, Murrah, and McClelland. When the marked appetites of all were appeased the next feature of the evening was presented, a gentle manly bull-pen conducted by the toastmaster and presented by the guests. There always has been and always will be such a thing as water, with it we quench our thirst; we bathe ourselves and do our “dirty” work., Therefore, MacDaniels shall tell us “why the ocean is so near the shore.” Without even blushing Mac assumed the position of bull-slinger and with a few argumentative and demonstra tive sentences quickly convinced us that the ocean could be no where ex cept near the shore. After a blowing and flowery intro duction Schultze was asked to sing a song from off the “Laundry List.” Having had much practice as a con ductor of this form of amusement, it was not hard for him to imitate his pupils. He sang it to the tune of “Home, Sweet Home,” the ends of the song finding not a dry eye in the audience. The number of people at the banquet were doubled (doubled up by laughter). 9 Several toasts then followed in quick succession. Knox’s toast to “ambition” brought rounds of ap plause for as he said, “God help the ambitious man, no one else will.” Then Hensarling’s toast to “Wild Women” added greatly to the pep of the program. “Cap” Murrah’? toast to “Kisses” was very interest ing as it caused each one to recollect and his ' recollections caused him to sigh. Everything he said was true. Yes, indeed, a kiss is the sweetest balm for an injured soul. Jesse G. Bohls, A. and M. All- Company orator, then took the floor in defense, of the affirmative of the question “Why is a Bathtub”. It did not take him long to convince his heai’ers what a bath tub is because it ought to be. Joe Reid, in behalf of this same issue, sold his wonderful soap. Potts then took the floor in defense of Navasota. “Rabbi” Bertschler swept the floor with his eloquence and left the audience gasping. McClelland told how he left Ed Brandt behind, although Ed. did make it pretty hot for him. “Shorty” Sherrill, using a chair for his rostrum, made a rousing speech which almost roused the aud ience from their sleep. But truth to tell “Shorty” didn’t mince words when he told us what we’ve done, what we’re doing, and what we’re go ing to do. The toastmaster, Fish Strange, then gave his speech which, though dealing with several very different issues, sei’ved in the end to function as an introductory speech to Major Warden who next assumed the floom Warden is the best major at A. and M. and anyone in the 2nd battalion will stand up for him. He made a speech which we shall long remem ber. Of course, Captain Murrah insisted on telling us about how he and Ang lin had a griping good Christmas to gether. In the enterior refresh ments were being seiwed and al though the speeches continued it was not long before the banquet was brought to an end in time for the game at the Gym. No better banquet was ever held at A. and M. The “Fish” of “C” Company have set a standard to be reached with difficulty by other or ganizations. The table was heavily laden with the delicacies dear to the heart of every college student. The entire affair displayed capable and efficient leadership. As/ Toastmast er, “Fish” Strange was unsurpassed in fluency of wit and humor. The “old boys” of C Company with the other invited guests are fully appre ciative of the honor paid by their Freshmen. To them do they extend the wish of old, “May you each and every one enjoy three other ban quets in your honor in the years be fore you leave Aggieland!” HOOVED CHOOSES A. & M. GRADUATE AS ASSISTANT (Continued from Page 1) the strongest men of the engineering faculty. He has done valuable work in research as a consulting engineer in railway and mechanical engineering and factory management and is known in insurance circles for his investiga tions of fire losses from locomotive sparks. He has been a frequent con tributor to railway, engineering and management journals. He has also been director of the Red Cross Insti tute for the Blind in Baltimore and directed much of the vocational train ing of soldiers who were blinded over seas. Mr. Wallace succeeds L. P. Alford of New York, vice-president of the American Society of Mechanical En gineers, who has been acting secre tary since the formation of the Coun cil in Washington, November 19, 1920. Another A. and M. graduate who has been a member of the Mechanical Engineering faculty of Purdue Uni versity is Mr. Eugene W. Kerr, who graduated here in 1899 and who con tinued his studies in Mechanical En gineering at Stevens Institute, the University of Wisconsin and Purdue. Mr. Kerr married Miss Rita Sbisa, only daughter of our veteran Super visor of Subsistence, Mr. B. Sbisa, in 1900. He was assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering at A. and M. from 1896 to 1903, during which time he wrote a book on Power and Power Transmission which has been exten sively used as a text book. Mr. Kerr was instructor in machine design at Purdue from 1903 to 1905 and pro fessor of mechanical engineering in Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge from 1905 to 1916. His investi gations in the engineering of sugar manufacture with the Louisiana State Experiment Stations from 1908 to 1916 gave him recognition as an authority in this line and led to an engagement in 1916 as engineer for the Cuba Cane Sugar Corporation, a position which he still holds. Mr. Kerr is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Louisiana En gineering Society and the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Educa tion; also an honorable member of the Louisiana Sugar Planters’ Association. Purdue University appears to like to have western and southwestern men on its faculty. Last summer Prof. A. A. Potter, for many years dean of en gineering and director engineering ex periment stations in Kansas State Col lege, Manhattan, Kansas, was induced to accept the position of dean of en gineering in Purdue at a salary in crease of at least one thousand dol lars. Kansas, however, places a much higher money estimate upon the val ue of the services of her engineering teachers than does Texas, with all her vast resources, both developed and un developed. Last summer Purdue University also investigated the qualification of one of our civil engineering graduates, E. F. Mittman, 1902, but beyond re ceiving a letter asking for information regarding him I am not advised as to the result. Yours truly, J. C. NAGLE. - i Spring Day Stuff. Garry—Did you bring a girl up? Larry—Do I look like an orphan age? —Widow. To break a cold take 666. •Jo • J 3 *2® “J 0 •’2 2 *2° | DR. A. BENBOW DENTIST £ Phones: Office 275, Res. 635 2nd Floor City National Bank % Building, Bryan, Texas t fr 4 5* •£♦•£••1" «!• •£' ^ •J*»Jp«I* o 4. .t. .£« .j. .j. <$« oj. .J. .£• .J. tj. q.- 0j. .j. .t» .j. .j. .J. »J. »!• •J- »*« 4* •I* »I* •5* 4“ •»* *1° ■S’ "!* •I’ %JfSMabI^i3 ■ lorjKer~ *7i£re - - ' . ■ ■ • " A” WE WILL BE GLAD TO SUPPLY YOUR NEEDS IN JEWELRY, WATCHES AND DIAMONDS We are headquarters for all kinds of Col lege Jewelry, R. Y. Pins, T. Pins, Junior Pins, Senior Rings, Two Year Rings, and all kinds of Class Pins. FINE WATCH REPAIRING A SPECIALTY J. M. CALDWELL, Jeweler BRYAN, TEX. Our Special Prices Continue All Woolen Regulation Shirts are Reduced BELOW COST. All Army Shoes at <£7 1^ the one price Then too, your Civilian Dress needs will re ceive especial attention at prices far lower than you expect. Remember, you can’t pay us more than $10.00 for any shoe in our store. A pleasure to show you. Brandon & Lawrence We are Now Showing our beautiful line of SPRING SUITS GET YOUR ORDERS IN NOW. Cleaning, Pressing and Alterations. CHAS. NITCH The Campus Tailor Styleplus Clothes Edwin Clapp Shoes Bostonian Shoes Stetson Hats Webb Bros BRYAN, TEXAS PATRONIZE 1 J :: E. F. PARKS & CO. BRYAN’S BIG FURNITURE STORE We carry an unusually large stock of high class fur niture, rugs, draperies and household novelties. We are large buyers of second hand furniture, such as is used by the boys at A. and M.—desks, dressers, chif- foneers, chifforobes, etc. If you have anything you want to dispose of see us. WE ARE ALSO PHONOGRAPH HEADQUARTERS The EXCHANGE STORE In the Main Building. |j EVERYTHING REQUIRED | BY THE CADET ! % ^ ‘ At a Little more than cost” ^ $ 1 I R. K. CHATHAM, Manager. % •§• 4? *+• 4.4.4.4. 4.,.j. 4. 4. 4.404.4.4.4.4.4.4.4.414. 4,404.4.
