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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 12, 1940)
■TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1940 PAGE 2 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 3, 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 Associated GoUe&iate Press BILL MURRAY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LARRY WEHRLE ADVERTISING MANAGER James Critz Associate Editor E. C. (Jeep) Oates Sports Editor H. G. Howard Circulation Manager ‘Hub’ Johnson Asst. Sports Editor Philip Golman n Staff Photographer John J. Moseley Staff Artist Junior Editors Billy Clarkson George Fuermann Bob Nisbet A. J. Robinson Earle A. Shields TUESDAY STAFF Charlie Wilkinson Managing Editor Sam Davenport Asst. Advertising Manager C. A. Montgomery Editorial Assistant V. R. (Red) Myers Jr. Sports Assistant Senior Sports Assistant Jimmie Cokinos Jimmy James Junior Advertising Solicitors K. W. Hubbard J. D. Smith Reportorial Staff Bill Fitch, H. S. Hutchins, W. D. C. Jones, Joe Leach, J. L. Morgan, Jerry Rolnick, J. C. Rominger, E. A. Sterling, W. P. Walker, R. J. Warren Radio Censorship Radio in the United States has brought with it complex problems of legislation. Precedent has pretty much established that the legislation shall emanate from federal authority, but the type of legislation has been a center of controversy, es pecially in the past few years. Critics of the radio have insisted that there should be censorship; free speech advocates have argued that radio should not be censored any more than our newspapers and our after-dinner speakers. The communications act of 1934 has given the Federal Communications Commission rather broad powers. Radio stations can have their licenses re voked almost at will. Since the Commission has a stringent control of the programs, there exists what amounts to censorship. It is quite true that people are. inclined to believe what they hear over the radio. Think, if you will, about the effect of the Martian attack as put on by Orson Welles. Fantastic, of course, but it scared listeners right out of their easy chairs. This is not, however, a sufficient indict ment to cause censorship. In 1935 the New York Sun published the now celebrated “moon hoax” stories, which caused as much consternation in their day, if not as much actual fright. The news papers stopped this by their own censorship. If the newspapers can, the radio can too. A free press is one of the greatest assets to democracy. Radio, another agency of communica tion, falls into the same line. If newspapers had been penalized with censorship as a result of the moon hoax folly, then the present day privileges of free dissemination of the truth would be non existent. It is not logical to assume that radio should be penalized with censorship for its childish follies either. The Ritter amendments to the communica tions act, as suggested by Representative J. William Ritter of Pennsylvania, would extend the minimum license period to three years, assure a hearing prior to license revocations, giveen protection against cen sorship, require that a private station be given an equally desirable frequency if its old frequency as assigned to a government station, and limit the government’s poWer, to take over stations to imperative military needs in actual war or in surrection. These amendments would protect radio far more than the present legislation. The present Commission has too much power in the way of censorship, and the federal government does not and should not possess that power. A revision of the present laws would serve to give radio its adequate protection. The people of this country have as much right to the freedom of the radio as of the freedom of the press. And the freedom of the press as a principle is well established. —The Daily Texan. ★ Like Bats Out of Hell Riding alone over tne arid wastes of New Mex ico one summer evening in 1901, Jim White saw what appeared to be the smoke of a friendly camp fire. As he approached the swirling column, he discovered that it was not smoke but a rising cloud of millions of bats. The bats came from an open ing in the ground, and when the column disappeared into the South, Jim White ventured into the cavern. The next morning he was awakened by the swirling of millions of wings, and the column re wound its way back into the security of the cavern. Each day, even now, this activity takes place, punctually and unerringly. The bats leave the cave at sunset, fly over the Rio Grande, consume some eleven and a half tons of insects, and at dawn return to the sanctity of the now famous Carlsbad Cavern. But each night the returning group is smaller, for owls and preying animals exact their toll from the bat population. Eventual ly the species may become extinct. Like the bats, we human beings venture forth each day, dash about our business, then turn back to the security of our homes. As with the bat population, each day a toll is exacted and the group diminishes. Each day some of the millions of drivers and pedestrians do not make the return trip home. They are killed or crippled in traffic accidents. Unlike the lower orders, Man has always found the means of combating the destructive forces which beset him. Traffic accidents present a serious threat to this generation. How soon will we suc ceed in solving this modern menace? ★ In London it is said they are saving the sand washed from their spinach and using it to fill sandbags. Eliminate the Yokels Adverse comments are often heard concerning the deportment of certain ill-bred attendants at the Y. M. C. A. picture shows in the Assembly Hall. Many times in the past The Battalion has editorialized against these ill-mannered, inconsider ate, crude heathens who frequent the movie houses. The Battalion abhors the situation as it now ex ists and has so long existed, and would approve any measure aimed at curbing the cheap, disturb ing—and vulgar—remarks that at times echo through the theater. There are patrons of the Assembly Hall, both cadets and campus folk, who are disgusted with the conduct of these few individuals who mar the enjoyment of a program with their untimely snickering, whistling, catcalls, and wisecracks. Campus people and thoughtful students would welcome the correction of this situation. They ask action. OPEIV FORUM DEMANDS ORGANIZATION OF “FROG” CLASS! To the Frogs of the Class of 1943'/2, If something is not done soon, the Class of 1943% will pass on as most of the other Frog classes have in the past, unnoticed, unorganized, and will leave nothing for which the Frogs of the future can look towards as a goal. There is an urgent need for such an organization in this school. Such an organization could have their bene fit shows to raise money for the annual frog dances, picnics, and entertainments of all sorts. We could promote such enterprises as plays, beau ty contests, dances, (where the seniors would be our guests) and many other things which would increase and build to our school spirits. (The class will consists of the frogs entering the second semester of this year. This organiza tion, taking in no new members, will continue to climb through the years to the day of our gradu ation.) The Frog Class of 1943% should be one among many. We should have our glee club, quartettes, trios and other musical organizations, our orches tra, our own cheering section for the football and other athletic games, arrange for time on the radio for programs and interviews displaying our talent and abilities, have our own military organi zation with our own captains and respective offi cers, and other such organizations. There will be an announcement made in the mess halls as to where we will meet to discuss the future of our class. Let us all be ready to cooperate and make this a class of classes. Fellow frogs, if we plan to do anything to wards this achievement, we are going to have to work as an organized body, cooperating in every respect to make this the best Frog Class that A. & M. College of Texas has ever known. —“Frog” Watson. “LET’S KEEP OFF THE GRASS” The new dormitory area is at the present known as the “Dust Bowl of A. & M.” The condi tions of any dust bowl are terrible and it is up to the students to do something about it. How can we remedy the wind-swept landscape? The Landscape Art Department is doing its very best to beautify the grounds around the new dorms, but cannot do it without the cooperation of the students. New earth is being brought in so students, let’s keep off of it and let grass reign throughout the grounds. The time and energy used in walking on the walks will not be too great a sacrifice for any one student. This is our home so let’s make it beau tiful. —JOHN A. KENAGY,’ 41. — The average person buttons and unbuttons 3,000,000 buttons in his lifetime. As the World Turns... By DR. AL B. NELSON Ex-Governor O. B. Colquitt, one of the “old guard” political leaders of Texas, died Friday morn ing, March 8. O. B. Colquitt served two terms (1910-1914) as governor of the state and had held other offices of honor and trust since that time. His grandson, R. M. Colquitt, is a student in A. & M. at the present time and is a senior in liberal arts. * * * In taking a crack at Ann Sheri dan, “oomph gal” of the films, the Harvard LAMPOON spoke of North Texas State Teachers College as a “remote Texas kindergarten school” according to newsbroadcaster Lowell Thomas. This type of narrow pro vincialism does not hurt Miss Sheri- Neison d an birt does reflect on the Harvard “culture”, on the attitude of its student representa tives, and on their informational background. Illustrative of the saying that “politics makes strange bed-fellows” we find the third-term move ment for Franklin D. Roosevelt, the great defender of the “masses” and of “democracy,” is being pro moted by the great political machines of the coun try, such as the organization of “Boss” Hague of New Jersey, the Kelly-Nash combination of Chicago, Tammany Hall of New York and the seriously crip pled Long machine of Louisiana. To cap it all, for mer Governor Earle of Pennsylvania, who went out of office amid charges of corruption equal to those in Louisiana, has just been given the appoint ment as U. S. Minister to Bulgaria by the President. * * * “Russia offers peace terms to Finland” is a late news report. Peace if the Finns turn all their frontier fortifications over to the Russians. Those are the same terms Germany offered Czecho slovakia, and then it stepped in and took the whole country after the Czechs had disarmed. The pres ent Russian offer may have the good effect of forcing other European nations to give Finland ef fective aid. THE BATTALION BACKWASH By George Fuermann “Backwash: An agitation resulting: from some action or occurrence.”—Webster. Backwashin’ around . . . Unique in A. & M. dance history was Fri day night’s more-than-successful T Club prom. Only members with dates could attend—st^gs were taboo. . . Don Lindsay, all of ten years old and a fourth-grade stu dent in the con solidated school, was no little cha grined when a comitteeman in formed him that he was ineligible to vote in the Ugly Boy contest. “It’s not fair,” quote he; “Our whole class wants to vote.” . . . Aftermath of an aftermath: Tommy Henderson pointed out the following ironical quote from The Battalion of Jan uary 3, 1939, “The Athletic Coun cil today declared that no coach is being considered for any posi tion in the Athletic Department . . . despite the unsuccessful foot ball season of 1938.” . . . An As sociated Collegiate Press feature is currently appearing in college and university papers throughout the nation in respect to A. & M.’s world-famous project house sys tem. It recently appeared in The Battalion . . . Oddity in the news is the birthday situation in the football-playing Robnett family. Nolan’s birthday is March 6; a day later is Ed’s annual celebra tion; and Marshall’s birthday is the day after that on March 8. . . “Tuxedo Junction” was the most oft-requested number at the dances that something must be done, Law rence Welk declared that the num ber was asked for more often than all other numbers combined. . . . Buster Keeton, incidentally, baton ed the “Champagne Music” for one number. 9 His most embarrassing moment: Number one plight of the week end was that which confronted Lawi’ence Welk at the Coast Ar tillery Ball Friday night. His shoes —a brand-new pair— were hurting his feet in a way which almost ef fected his disposition. Realizing that something msut be done, Law rence spied the large feet of his bass player. It wasn’t long until the bass player was ghoeless and Lawrence had donned more com fortable shoeing. Lawrence and his beauteous songstress, Jayne Walton, both did their share of dancing. “I’ve had a marvelous time here,” said Jayne, “and es pecially with all these wonderful- looking cadets so prevalent.” For merly a San Antonio girl, Jayne met several cadets with whom she had gone to school, including Jack White, Harry Schellhase, Hal Lan drum, and Gene Bond. • “It’s a mystery to me.”—Welk: “I can’t understand,” Lawrence declared, “how these girls that attend A. & M. dances stand up under the terrific punishment they take. I tried to dance for a few Fuermann PALACE Wednesday - Thursday Friday - Saturday FATE GREENE ■FRED MacMURRAY; QUEEN Wed., March 13 DAVID a SELZNICK'S pr»>WrH— mi j MARGARET MITCHELL’S Story,of tto OM Soatk GONE WITH THE WIND Vi TECHNICOLOR •t*rrio« Clark CABLE m Rkctt LmBo ORvia HOWAilD* DeRAMLLAND ■ad prroealiag Vivien LEIGH Se*rtett OTUr* Mat. 75^ incl. Tax Nights - Sun. Mat. $1.20 Buy Reserved Seats Now Hours of Show 10 A. M. - 2 P. M. 7:30 P. M. minutes and never was I success ful in taking more than a few steps with a girl until someone cut in. The remarkable thing is that they seem to like it.” Even Jayne was mystified. “The beat ing a girl takes at an Aggie dance is something to write home about. But it’s wonderful!” • It’s a dachshund: The day before Lawrence ar rived at Aggieland he was pre sented with a dachshund which is as yet unnamed. Lawrence en joyed his stay at A. & M. so much that he wants to name the dog something typical of the college, and thus begins another contest. The winner will receive five of Welk’s latest recordings. The judges are Lester Hambrick, Charles Hamner, Dick Pitts, and Frank Corder. Anyone can sub mit an entry by mailing a sug gestion for the dog’s name to the writer, Box 4479, College Station. The contest closes Friday noon and the winner will be presented with the records that night. • The attractive and charming coed escorted to Friday night’s T Club dance by varsity football er Derace Moser was Naomi An derson. Not particularly an un usual fact in itself, the whole thing takes on believe-it-or-not proportions when it is realized that Naomi attended the prom after first making the 2,000 mile Cali- fornia-to-Texas jaunt. A San Francisco native, Naomi left the “Golden Gate City” last Tuesday, arrived at college Friday morning, boarded a train again Sunday night, and will complete her whirl wind venture when she arrives back in San Francisco tomorrow night. Derace and Naomi were introduc ed last October when the Aggies played Santa Clara in San Fran cisco. / Said Naomi: “I’ve never enjoyed myself as much as I have this past weekend. I can’t find words to ex press my feelings about A. & M. and the Aggies—but I wish I could enroll here!” Short Story Contest Deadline Extended It has been announced by The Battalion that the deadline for its Magazine Short Story contest has been extended until April 1st. This is the last possible date that short stories may be turned in. The deadline was extended to allow more students to participate. Sev eral stories have been turned in to date. Acceptable stories will be pub lished in The Battalion Magazine and cash prizes of $5, $3, and $2 have been offered for the three best stories. Three shows are open for dis cussion in this department. They are “THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO,” “THE GREAT VICTOR HERBERT,” and “LITTLE OLD NEW YORK.” Because of noth ing but personal preference in the music line, I’d say the second is the best, and also because of a flare for Dumas’ books, I’d say the first is next. However, nobody else will agree with me, so I imag ine that the average Aggie will prefer the last one. All three shows are top-hole. Just a line about the new theat- ter at the North Gate. The Cam pus will not open its doors for some time yet because Buddy Walker has not returned from Oklahoma. When he returns it should open in about a week. In the meantime we all sit and wait, but expectantly. “THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO,” is an old show, but that very fact proves its worth and popularity. It has withstood the test of time, therefore it is almost immortal. Both matinee and night show today, it ought to draw a good crowd. “LITTLE OLD NEW YORK” is on at the Palace beginning Wednesday, and is another good show. The inventions of Robert Fulton and the time he had pro moting them form the background for the show. C. M. WRIGHT Underwood Elliott-Fisher Co. A sent TYPEWRITERS ADDING MACHINES SUPPLIES Sales — Service 209 E. 33rd St. — Phone B-7 Bryan, Texas Also about “GONE WITH THE WIND.” It starts tomorrow, if you remember. The opening will be tomorrow night at 7:30 and a large crowd is expected. WHATS SHOWING AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL Tuesday, 3:30 and 6:45— “THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO,” starring Robert Donat. Wednesday, 3:30 and 6:45— “THE GREAT VICTOR HERBERT,” with Allen Jones and Mary Martin. AT THE PALACE Beginning Wednesday— ‘LITTLE OLD NEW YORK,’ with Fred MacMurray, Alice Faye, and Brenda Joyce. 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