-THURSDAY, DEC. 14, 1939
PAGE 2
THE BATTALION -
The Battalion
STUDENT TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPER OF
TEXAS A. & M. COLLEGE
The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultural and
Mechanical College of Texas and the city of College Station, is
published three times weekly from September to June, issued
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings; and is published
weekly from June through August.
Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at College
Station, Texas, under the Act of Congress of March 8, 1879.
Subscription rate. $3 a school year. Advertising rates upon
request.
Represented nationally by National Advertising Service, Inc.,
at New York City, Chicago. Boston, Los Angeles, and San
Francisco.
Office, Room 122, Administration Building. Telephone
4-6444.
1939 Member' 1940
Pissocialed GoUe&krte Press
BILL MURRAY _
LARRY WEHRLE.
James Crit*
E. C. f Jeep) Oates
H. O. Howard
“Hub" Johnson —
Philip Golman
John J. Moseley
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Associate Editor
Sports Editor
Circulation Manager
Intramural Editor
Staff Photographer
Staff Artist
Ray Treadwell
J. W. Jenkins
Don McChesney
Phil Levine
THURSDAY STAFF
Asst.
Asst.
... Managing Editor
Advertising Manager
Circulation Manager
_ Editorial Assistant
Bob Nisbet
Junior Editors
George Fuermann -
Senior Sports Assistants
Jimmie Cokinos - Jimmy James
Junior Advertising Solicitors ...
L. J. Nelson - A - J- Hendrick
Reportorial Staff
Jack Aycock, H. D. Borgfeld, P. H. Brown, R. A. Doak. Jim
Dooley. Walter Goodman. Guy Kane, R. R. Mattox, R. B. Pearce,
R. G. Powell. Walter Sullivan, Delbert Whitaker. D. C. Thurman.
Murray Evans. Dow Wynn, Joe Taylor
that’s Mr. Rosser’s hope, and it should be that of
every thinking Aggie.
WTAW is operating for the public interest and
convenience. Listen to it; enter into its programs;
make all the suggestions you want to. Mr. Rosser’s
glad to get them, and he’s trying to build up a
radio station we can really be proud of. Let’s
give him all the help we can.
Sugar Bowl
At this time The Battalion wishes to congrat
ulate and commend Dean E. J. Kyle, chairman of
the Athletic Council; Joe Utay, member of the
Board of Directors; and Head Coach Homer Nor
ton, for the dignified and efficient manner in
which they Handled negotiations leading up to
the Sugar Bowl game in New Orleans New Year’s
Day.
Having tried everything in their power to
schedule a game with Tennessee at the Cotton
Bowl, the next thing they could do, and did, in
consideration of their fellow Texans, v^as the
booking of a game in nearby New Orleans.
The finest of arrangements have been made,
and we congratulate those who made them. And
we also thank the Sugar Bowl officials of New
Orleans for their splendid cooperation in these
arrangements.
Every student should start now planning to
make the trip, if he hasn’t already so planned. It
will be a fine trip, and from all indications the stay
in New Orleans will be a wonderful one—one always
to be remembered. So start saving your money
now, and MAKE THAT TRIP!
Use Your Own Judgment
WTAW
There’s a new set-up at WTAW.
In the past, students have paid too little
attention to A. & M.’s radio station WTAW (fre
quency 1120 kilocycles, power 500 watts, in case
you’ve forgotten). But now it’s beginning to come
into its own. More students are listening to it,
more paying attention to it. A concerted drive is
being made to make its programs of greater in
terest to the public, to give Aggies greater op
portunity for self-expression, and to try by these
means to secure greater power and more time
on the air, both so long and so badly needed.
These things are largely coming about
through the effort of John Rosser, new managing
director of the station, to which job he is devot
ing all his time and interest.
Last Saturday WTAW relayed from A. & M.
over Dallas radio station WPAA a half-hour pro
gram featuring the Aggieland Orchestra, the Glee
Club, and an interview of Aggie football star Joe
Boyd by Battalion sports editor “Jeep” Oates.
Tuesday night WTAW broadcast the two-hour pro
gram of the Houston Symphony Orchestra. Both
of these special programs were declared by all who
heard them to be of excellent quality.
But besides such special programs, much has
been done to improve the regular broadcasting
periods. Here’s the regular program, as it has
so far been arranged:
Every morning, from 11:25 till noon, WTAW
goes on the air, the first five minutes being
devoted to weather and local news, the next 15
to the Farm and Home program carried over the
Texas Quality Network, and the last quarter hour
to a variety program.
Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday this last
fifteen-minute period is a program of familiar
classical and semiclassical music, which has been
well received.
Tuesday mornings from 11:45 to 12 a program
entitled “Folks and Music” is presented. It’s a pro
gram of recordings from a large collection made
by English instructor W. A. Owens, and includes
his stories about those recordings. They’re unusual
and interesting recordings, too. They comprise
authentic folk music of the Southwest, including
Louisiana and the Ozarks—negro, cowboy, Mexican,
“Cajun,” Old English, and other music—made by
Mr. Owens himself on his travels; plus recordings
be’s made of A. & M. music and events.
Thursday at this same time takes place a
j-ound-table discussion led by Caesar “Dutch” Hohn,
a conservationist for the Extension Service and a
well-known ex-Aggie. It is participated in by ex
perts (visitors and staff members) in the various
fields of agriculture, who talk spontaneously and '
debate informally on all sorts or problems of agri
cultural interest. This program is proving to be
one of great interest, and is soon to go on the Tex
as Quality Network, says Mr. Rosser.
Fridays from 11:45 to noon, sports editor E. C.
“Jeep” Oates goes on the air with his Aggie “Sp-
Oates-Casts.”
Friday afternoon from 4:30 to 5:30 has been
one of the best periods of all. This is the “Aggie
Clambake”—a period in which anyone possessing
any sort of vocal or musical ability may take
part. It is open to all, and because of its re
freshing informality and the participation of stu
dents, many of whom show surprising ability,
it is proving of much interest to the student body.
It has gained a fairly large radio audeince, and a
considerable studio audience. It is a diversion both
to watch and to hear.
In this program lies the opportunity for a lot
of fun, a chance for Aggies to “try their wings”
at radio broadcasting, and a chance for self-ex
pression. Not enough Aggies, however, have yet
realized that this is their hour—a program for
them and by them. There must be plenty of talent
in the corps—in the Band, the Glee Club, etc.—for
such a program.
The “Clambake” is scheduled to be presented
hereafter, beginning this Friday, from Guion Hall,
and several improvements are planned. All are in
vited to watch or to participate.
Mr. Rosser welcomes any entries, criticisms,
or suggestions anyone may have to make, no mat
ter what they may be. He wants to meet and
talk to all the Aggies, and invites them to come
see him.
Regardless of whether or not you individually
have liked the programs thus far, at least it’s an
attempt—and a good one, we think. By increasing
interest in WTAW, its programs can be improved,
and maybe then we can secure the sort of power
and hours for WTAW that it should have. At least
Fun may be fun, and fireworks may be all right
in their place; but do you think it necessary to
disturb all the other students at their studies just
so you can have a little “fun” shooting off fire
crackers ? Don’t you think you should consider
the rights of others ?
Consider the facts: Besides disturbing the
peace, you’re wasting valuable time for yourself
as well as others; creating a fire hazard; engag
ing in dangerous pastime that might result in per
sonal injury to yourself and/or others; indulging
in a practice that might cause injury to buildings
and equipment; and laying yourself open to serious
punishment in case you’re caught at it.
Think it over. Is it worth the risk?
That’s Too Bad!
The European war is a dud.
Such is the opinion of toy wholesalers in the
Chicago Merchandise Mart so far as their industry
is concerned.
They said that the number of trumpet-bearers
and drum-beaters will be small when compared at
Christmas time to the number of bike riders, embryo
engineers, and electric train operators.
The principal reason, the toy men said, was that
American kids just can’t get excited about a war
in which their own country is not involved.
We’re so-o sorry . . .
Man, Your Manners
QUESTION: When rising from a dining table,
should one push his chair into place?
ANSWER: It is considered better form to
leave the chair where it is when one arises from
the table.
As the World Turns...
By “COUNT” V. K. SUGAREFF
Fritz Thyssen learns a lesson. Mr. Thyssen
is one of the multimillionaires who gave financial
support to Hitler. He, like many other wealthy
industrialists, feared that Germany was on the
verge of becoming communistic. Hit
ler included some of them in his
short-lived “cabinet of barons.”
Mr. Thyssen was Hitler’s economic
advisor and was made economic dic
tator of Westphalia. Hitler’s anti-
Semitic policy was gratifying to
Thyssen and his class. Six months
after Hitler assumed power as chan
cellor of Germany most of the
“barons” lost their powers or were
merely tolerated in the cabi
net. Thyssen disappaered as a member of Hitler’s
inner circle. He disagreed with Hitler’s war policy
and fled to Switzerland about the middle of last
month. His huge property holdings have been
confiscated by the Nazis. Thyssen should serve
as an example to Americans who are inclined to
support Nazi, Fascist, or Communistic movements
in this country.
4,000,000 young people between the ages of
sixteen and twenty-four are reported idle by the
American Youth Commission. This commission is
headed by Owen D. Young, one of our leading in
dustrialists. The commission recommends that our
government continue its work of “conservation activ
ities and the construction of useful public build
ings.” It even suggests that the government pro
duce the goods and services which are needed by
the young people* themselves and others who are
unemployed. Add several millions of other unem
ployed people and the problem of balancing the
federal budget becomes well-nigh impossible. Un
less our industry is capable of furnishing jobs for
our unemployed millions, neither the Democrats nor
the Republicans could balance the federal budget
with the present sources of federal income.
Whatever might be the ultimate results of the
Finn-Russian War, Russia has already lost the re
spect of the whole world. The well-propagandized
Russian war equipment and military efficiency has
turned into a fiasco. Regardless of what excuses
and explanations the Russians may make, their
war machine shows characteristic weaknesses of
plans and execution, as in 1914. Moreover, the
world’s sympathy is with the Finns as it has been
with the Austrians, Czechoslovagians, Albanians, and
Poles. Stalin has not learned a lesson from the
Hitlerian tactics.
Snsrareff
Collegiate Kaleidoscope
KAPPA PRE/lDf'NTy
BACKWASH
By
George Fuermann
“Backwash: An agitation resulting; from some action or occurrence."—Webster.
■me 151 COLLEGE FRATERNITY,
WAS ORGANIZED AT THE COLLEGE
OF WILLIAM AND MARY ON DEC
EMBER 5 x 1776 ODDLY ENOUGH.
OF THE FIVE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS,
TWO WERE NAMED SMITH AND
> ONE JONES/
THE KEY WAS FORMERLY A
SILVER MEDAL. BUT LATER
THE STEM WAS ADDED FOR
THE PRACTICAL PURPOSE OF
NIGHTLY WINDING THE SCHOLAR'S
WATCH.
Fuermann
.Jr ,
0A.C.O. <>)
Ly Bob Nisbei
The Glee Club presents “DANC
ING COED” as its benefit Thurs
day and Friday nights. Lana Tur
ner is the star and Artie Shaw’s
orchestra provides the music. Some
one puts out the information that
Artie Shaw’s orchestra has re
cently disbanded. This might be
the last chance of seeing the “king
of swing” in action.
Lana Turner goes to college as
a “plant” from a movie studio in
order that she might win a dance
contest and thereby save a picture
by giving it the needed publicity.
Plans go astray when Lana falls
in love with a college man, but her
secretary proves to be a better
dancer anyway, and so Lana mar-
ides the man.
A show is coming to the Palace
this weekend that is so new that
advance publicity hasn’t yet reach
ed these parts. It is the Dead End
Kids’ latest, “ON DRESS PA
RADE”.
The names of the Dead End
Kids are not as well-known as
their faces, so to familiarize the
readers with their names, here they
are:
Slip Duncan Leo Gorcey
Cadet Major Rollins .... Billy
Halop
Cadet Ronny Morgan .... Bobby
Jordan
Cadet Johnny Cabot .. Huntz
Hall
Cadet Georgie Warren .... Ber-
Nard Punsley
Also starred with the Kids are
John Litel and Frankie Thomas.
Strange as it may seem, the
kids are not really “kids” as the
word goes. Leo Gorcey, the oldest
of the lot, is twenty-three years
old; the youngest is sixteen.
Slip Duncan, a tough city brat,
is sent to a fine military academy.
His dislike of discipline gets him
in bad with the whole school, in
cluding other Dead End Kids, who
are crack militai'ists. They give
him the cold shoulder in true hool
igan style. When he saves a boy’s
life, he gets their apologies and
a promotion.
The story is just routine stuff,
but the Dead End Kids put the
show over. From here it looks like
two grade-points.
WHATS SHOWING
AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL
Thursday and Friday—
“DANCING CO-ED”, with
Lana Turner, Richard Carl
son, and Artie Shaw’s Or
chestra.
AT THE QUEEN
Friday and Saturday—
“$1,000 A TOUCHDOWN”,
with Joe E. Brown and
Martha Raye.
AT THE PALACE
Thursday, Friday, and Sat-
u r d a y—“BEAU GESTE”,
with Gary Cooper, Ray Mil-
land, and Robert Preston.
Backwashin’ around . . . Your
columnist recently stepped out and
queried several Aggies in respect
to their opinions of our Denton
sister school. Al
most without ex
ception, the an
swers were in the
proverbial and
well - established
groove, the an-
groove, so here
we go in a whirl
of Backwash . . .
Ernie Stephens:
“Heaven, and the
the other place too, on earth.” . . .
A Band senior: “The college is
definitely on the lovely side; the
girls are even lovelier; but the
dining hall—gosh! They’re too
strict, what with no smoking and
so forth.” . . . The genial, though
diminutive, Gat Garrison: “Well,
I’ll tell ya—I’m for the place.” . . .
Varsity footballer J. H. Shelton:
“It’s the land of contented Ag
gies.” . . . Red-headed and Fiery
Max Melcher: “TSCW is a won
derful place, but the college’s God
forsaken ruling in respect to
bringing dates home shortly after
the sun has set should be thrown
to the dogs.” . . . Jeff Clark: “Nev
er having been to TSCW, I really
couldn’t say very much about the
place, but I’ve heard a lot.”
•
Just another of life’s minor
tragedies:
The Turkey Day aftermath
wouldn’t be complete without the
story concerning the belated at
tempt of K. O. Thomas, Joe Slick
er, K. O.’s dad, and an unidentified
companion to catch a Southern Pa
cific’s streamliner, “The Sunbeam.”
They arrived just as the train was
pulling out so Mr. Thomas and his
companion made a mad rush for
the ticket window while K. O. and
Joe ran alongside the moving train
throwing the baggage on the thing.
After hopping on themselves, Joe
and K. O. were quick to learn that
the other two hadn’t made it.
Then it all happened over again
—but in reverse. The baggage was
strewn along at twentylfoot in
tervals for a hundred yards or so,
closely followed by Joe and K. O.
The climax came when Joe and
K. O. learned that their two asso
ciates had boarded the train from
its rear coach just as the first
pair were dropping bags... A few
minutes later four weary, dis
couraged people could be seen walk
ing towards the bus depot.
•
Box seats at half the price:
Joe Gault, Ed Felder, Bill Jef
frey, Euel Wesson, and Carl Leary
took time out to head Houston-way
earlier this week, to see Sonja He-
nie’s spectacular review which has
been in progress in that city. The
boys enriched the till to the extent
of $2.40 each, and were no little
chagrinned at the national-debt-
size admission fee. Business pick
ed up, however, when they spied
five vacant box seats—right on
the front row, at that—and the
resulting protectorate which the
five established over the prize
seats would have made even Hitler
blush with envy.
•
If Artie Shaw’s is your favorite
orchestra, you’re out of luck as
far as the present organization is
concerned.
Artie, who recently deserted his
lads in the midst of their Hotel
Pennsylvania engagement, has
Gone Away. Some tell that it is
to walk the ways of Toscanini.
Others that he is resting “down
Mexico way.” The latest spy-re
ports have it that he is tuning up
an eight-piece colored orchestra in
Kansas City. His orphans were first
mothered by Tony Pastor who de
serted to organize his own group.
George Auld of the tenor-sax and
a great jitterbug favorite is maes
tro of the moment, but Tommy
Dorsey has his eye on the group
for his friend, Dick Stabile.
—;
Wishing You A
MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A
HAPPY NEW YEAR
AGGIELAND STUDIO
STUDY CRIME TO PUT
LIFE IN “DEAD” COURSE f~
Waco, Texas—Putting life into
a “dead” language by studying
“modern” crime—as it actually oc
curred in the first century B. C.
—is the aim of Dr. Walter H.
Juniper of Baylor University in an
advanced Latin course offered dur
ing the winter term.
The advanced students read in
class assignments of the activities
of a racketeer named Oppianicus,
who in attempts to get control of
the fortunes of three wealthy
families committed no less than 13
murders. They will study also of
Milo, boss of a powerful gang of
slaves who terrorized Rome and in
one case killed the leader of a rival
gang.
AGGIES
SEND YOUR TAILOR WORK
TO US EARLY
AND AVOID THE RUSH
LAUTERSTEIN’S
III
WE HAVE
Gifts for Her,
Gifts for Children
Gifts for Him
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