PAGE 4
THE BATTALION
■TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 1940
The Battalion
STUDENT TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
TEXAS A. & M. COLLEGE
The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultura' 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 ; also it 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
4-5444.
Bob Nisbet Editor-in-Chief
Keith Hubbard Advertising Manager
George Fuermann Associate Editor
Hub Johnson Sports Editor
Bob Myers .-...Senior Sports Assistant
Tommy Henderson Circulation Manager
Phil Golman Staff Photographer
Pete Tumlinson Staff Artist
Earle A. Shields Managing Editor
Billy Clarkson Managing Editor
Editor’s Note: Staff organization will be completed after
the first staff meeting, and the masthead will carry the complete
staff as soon thereafter as is possible.
As Usual—Welcome
“As usual, welcome” probably sounds a little
blunt, but that’s been the order of things for the
past 64 Septembers at A. & M. College. About 22,000
men have been on the receiving end of that greet
ing since the college was founded in 1876 .... All
(j—22,000 of them were, or are, Texas Aggies.
And so it is, to the 4,000 returning old students,
“As usual, welcome.”
But there’s an expected 2,500 freshmen who are
receiving the greeting for the first time. In the next
nine months they’ll learn the full meaning of that
greeting—at least, they’ll learn what’s behind it.
They’ll learn the famous A. & M. traditions. . . .
They’ll learn, and practice, one of the most important
of all Aggie traditions—that a freshman, wherever
he is, introduces himself at all times to other
Aggies and persons whom he is not already acquaint
ed with. They’ll not only learn what these traditions
are, but—if they’re real Aggies—they’ll follow these
traditions to the letter, just as 22,000 men before
them have done.
So it’s “welcome,” and heartily so, to these two
and a half thousand freshmen. More than just
welcome, here’s a wish for their success throughout
their college careers as Texas Aggies.
j~ Texas Aggies
And the World War—-No. 2
Any American citizen has more than just a
casual interest in the current World War. Any
American citizen has a right to be interested in
this war. Every American citizen, so to speak, has
a vested interest in this war because every Ameri
can citizen may soon be called upon to directly share
in the war’s burden.
•
But the students of Texas A. & M. College
are even more concerned with the European con
flict . . . They have even a greater right and more
of a vested interest in this affair than the average
American citizen.
To begin with, Texas A. & M. is the largest
military college in the world. In the last World War
Texas A. & M. supplied the armies of the United
States with more officers than any other American
college or university. In the event of the nation’s par
ticipation in another World War, the college will
probably be called upon to repeat its performance.
Should the United States again enter armed
combat with aggressor nations, Texas Aggies will
be among the very first to be called upon. With
few exceptions, every A. & M. cadet receives at
least two years military training during his college
career; and many receive the full four-year course
and thus become reserve of fivers in the United
States Army. There were six thousand members of
the A. & M. cadet corps during the last long session.
There are thousands more of Texag Aggies scat
tered throughout the world. And so we say—the
students of Texas A. & M. College have more of
a vested interest in this affair than the average
American citizen.
•
The Battalion is not in a position to make a
valid declaration as to Aggie opinion in respect to
the nation’s possible intervention in Europe’s war,
but there are some things about this Aggie opinion
that The Battalion can say with accuracy.
One thing is certain ... In the past year Aggie
opinion has changed considerably—but that’s not
news because so has the opinion of almost every
American. One A. & M. professor made it a point
to discuss the situation with his students a year ago,
and at the time the sentiment was unanimous—
not one of the students was willing to fight unless
the United States was invaded. Late last May the
same professor brought up the same discussion be
fore another group of students. The opinion had
almost about-faced—seventy percent of the cadets
indicated that they believed the United States
should enter the conflict NOW with possible favor
able results rather than enter the war LATER at
which time it might be too late.
Aggies don’t want to go to war—but neither
does any other American. In his address in June,
made from the campus of the University of Vir
ginia, President Roosevelt was right when he de
clared that complete isolation for the United States
was an utter and fantastic impossibility. Aggies
recognize this fact and believe in it, but they’re
still not anxious to die in some war that they didn’t
have much part in starting.
Aggie opinion, it seems, goes something like
this: Yes, we’ll fight if that is what it takes to pre
serve the American way of life. Really, though, we’d
much rather stay out of this thing if that is possible.
Before France’s downfall French Premier Paul
Reynaud said, “We want U. S. horsepower—not
manpower; we need her help—but in the form of
motorized equipment; planes, and other products of
her tremendous industrial organization; all she can
possibly offer us.”
Maybe that’s the answer ... At any rate, that
seems to be the way that Aggies feel about the
situation. Let’s give till it hurts where our indus
trial products are concerned. As far as the United
States is concerned, let’s make this an economic war
fare. If possible, LETS STAY OUT OF ARMED
COMBAT. But, if and when the United States does
enter armed conflict again, Texas Aggies will lead
the way. <
Joining The Battalion Staff
“How to join The Battalion staff” is a question
which for the information of freshmen and others
interested in journalistic work can be answered in
very few words. The procedure is to come to the
Battalion Office, room 122 Administration Building
and tell any senior on the staff your intentions.
That is all there is to it.
Prospective members are invited to attend a
meeting of the entire staff of The Battalion to be
held Thursday at 7:30 p. m. Members of the editorial,
advertising, art, and photography staffs will be
called together to organize their work for the year,
coordinating their efforts to function smoothly and
in harmony with the rest of the units, and the
meeting will furnish new and old members an op
portunity to get acquainted.
Those who have done journalistic work in high
school or on other publications will agree that news
paper work is fun. Newspaper reporting aids the
student in making new acquaintances both among
other students and among faculty members. It
gives the cadet the chance to meet professors and
learn the problems involved in courses of study
other than his own. Too, the feeling that he knows
what’s going on and why, is a feeling of satisfaction.
A newspaper reporter has the opportunity to im
prove his writing ability as well as his speech.
Speaking of improving one’s writing, W. C.
Stone of Waco has been brought to A. & M. to work
as an assistant in the Student Publication Office.
Among his other duties, he will conduct classes in
journalism cooperating with The Battalion. Classes
will be held in the morning, and laboratory work
will be done as part of the regular Battalion news
and feature writing. This course, known as English
329, will be open to juniors and seniors and to some
sophomore with permission. It will carry a credit
rating of three hours, and in this course will be
taught news writing, feature writing, headline writ
ing, copy and proof reading, advertising, and other
essential parts of a journalistic course.
Besides the personal satisfaction and the educa
tional value to be gained from work on The Battal
ion, there is also a chance to work into a paying
position as a senior on the staff. Managing editors,
advertising assistants, the advertising manager, the
sports editor and intramural editor, the associate
editor, staff artist and staff photographer as well
as the editor-in-chief are all paying positions.
To those who are skeptical of their ability, it
is not always the “A” student who makes the best
reporter, although good grades never hurt anyone’s
chances. If you have never done any, newspaper
work before but you think you would like to try, the
opportunity is yourse. You never know what you can
do until you try.
The goal of this year’s paper will be to build
a staff that will work together as one large machine,
each man doing his share of the work and each man
getting his share of the credit. The appearance of
the paper is not what the editors of ’40-’41 desire
to change; we hope that we can improve in the
content and in the ease with which a paper should
be written. In the past each paper started from
scratch and built from the ground up. Our object
is to reverse the process and attempt to build and
enlarge upon what has been accomplished before us
in order that the final result will be twice that
from where we picked it up.
As the World Turns...
BY. DR. R. W. STEEN
This column is one year old. It has lived through
one of the most tragic years the history of mankind
can offer. The world is at war. That is bad enough,
but worse still is the fact that international gan-
sterism—masquerading under a swastika and a
fascis—has been so successful in
exploiting the theory that might
makes right. Nation after nation,
including many devoted apostles of
the principles of personal liberty and
unpreparedness, has fallen before
the onrush of a German geared to
war and conquest.
Long before actual fighting be
gan Czechoslovakia was sacrificed
upon the Nazi altar in a futile at
tempt to maintain peace in our time.
In spite of the fiasco at Munich men
and nations continued to believe that
appeasement was possible. Some men still believe
that it is, but it is difficult to see how they can do
so. Poland, Norwar, Denmark, Belgium, Holland,
Luxemburg, and France have fallen. Today civiliza
tion, as America knows civilization, is protected by
little more than British courage and American in
dustry. Perhaps the two can win.
There is reason to believe that Hitler has erected
a house of cards. Once it is shoved off balance it will
probably collapse in even less time than it took to
build it. First, however, it must be shoved off bal
ance. Hitler’s first major defeat will result in a def
inite loss of face for Germany in those countries
that are yet neutral, and will do much to restor
British prestige. More important still is the fact
that millions of subject peoples will doubtless seize
the first sign of weakness as an opportunity to re
volt. These people are already smarting under the
memory of a recently inflicted defeat. The starvation
rations on which they will be placed this winter
will do little to increase their love for Germany.
Hungry men are dangerous. They will not overlook
many opportunities to bit the hand that starves
them.
Italy is one of the weakest spots in the Hitler
armor. Italy stood by during the trying days which
saw France putting up some resistance to the
German invasion. As France weakened before the
onslaught of the German war machine and the
treachery of some of her own leaders, Mussolini
courageously tossed insult after insult at the be
leaguered French. Then with collapse practically
complete Italy, in true jackal fashion, rushed bravely
to the assistance of Germany. She seemed to think
that Britain would collapse too, and that the war
was over. Britain has not collapsed, and there is
now much evidence to indicate that Italy is already
in desperate need of many vital supplies. >.
R. W. Steen
BACKWASH
Bu
George Fuermann
“Backwash: An agitation resalting from some action or oeenrrenee.”—Webster
Bob Nisbet
from a job in an upholstery estab
lishment to pre-eminence as a mod
el of fashion, and who goes on to
become the rage of the social realm.
songs are introduced,
among them “Out on a Limb”,
“Castle of Dreams”, and “Irene”.
“DANGER ON WHEELS” is a
Backwashin’ around . . . It’s back new A. & M. blanket. One of the
in the collegiate saddle once again newer Aggie traditions, started ., ,. . .. ...... , • ,
at 4 000 Texas Ae-o-ies take nn about four vears arm dictates that Ab ° ut a year ag ° thlS writter P hce to & klllm £> and fmall y wmds
where they left off last June and each year the new head yell lead- was h av i n g a short snack in one up in jail. The story moves along at
as 2,500 freshmen become Texas er must buy Rev’s blanket. After of the local confectioneries, drink- a fast pace, and the whole thing is
Aggies ... An protecting the famous lady for a i n g a coke with two friends. The not too bad.
interesting side- long session, the blanket becomes conversa t ion had run rather stale, Probably the best picture of the
light of the recent the souvenir-property of the yell of ^ me when list is .-IRENE”, a musical comedy
gubernatorial leader. Head Yell Leader E. R. . ^ starring- Rav Milland Anna Nea
campaign is the “Buster” Keeton has ordered the 1 was going to announce a four- & Ray Milland, Anna Nea-
anecdote being blanket for the 1940 season and it grade-point show. Old students will g ’ ^ Robson, Roan Young,
told by an Aggie will soon be decorating the canine remember the one, two, and three a J 16 Bmke < a11 ab e acto ^ s
who was visiting mascot in the guise of her new fall grade point ratings developed in an ac 1 esses Irene wows society s
in Austin while clothes. this column last year. That day the JJPPer-crust at a Long Island ball
the campaign was But there’s quite a story in Rev best answcr 1 could « ive the tw0 AUcI Blu^wWch brinS forth the
at its height, herself . . . sSe’s the only female ''“Were (that was before football ^ Bta , wh.ch bnngs_forth he
Walking into a student at Aggieland ... Has no W £ “ r ^ ^ofy there is recounted the L of
Fuerman.. music store, he classes to make, no maintenance to quip ’ The first day one of you j i w h om circumstances elevates
asked for a guitar pay, and a lifetime fellowship . . . gets more than three grade-points a g w ° m c rcums a c tes
string. The surprised clerk came She’s the object of every Aggie’s P er hour on some course.”
back with, “My God son, this is affection and the commander of the Now, however, this writer has
Texas—don’t you know there’s an corps’ protection—not that she has found a show that in his mind
election in sway? We can’t keep ever been in a spot where she merits all of four grade-points and
those thing in stock now.” . . . couldn’t take care of herself . . . more. Those who saw the Sugar
Senior-to-have-been Earl Vezey be- She’s almost ten years old, coming Bowl pictures will agree that “Tu-
came the first Texas Aggie to go to the campus in 1931 as a pup . . . lane vs. A. & M.”, starring John
navy under the recently begun 30 Takes her meals in either of the Kimbrough and Walemon Price, .
day cruise plan. He reported in two mess halls and sleeps in any was certainly the most heart-warm- ^ f ° ai p°
New York City August 19 and room on the campus that she de- ing show ever to be shown before s ais 1 n . y i, 1C ^ J ru’
next week he’ll have an opportunity sires . . . “Goodbye to Texas” has a bunch of Aggies. In fact I think a es r . lver ’ . e eavy > e
to take a three-month shore course as much meaning to her as to the John Kimbrough got the Academy m ^ ma ® 18 , eggy oran.
at the end of which he will be Aggies ... Her favorite sport is Award; didn’t he? a t®’t f its punches,
eligible for a reserve commission heckling Joe College and Peruna, The first few days of school, be- u 1 18 au y we P ace ‘
as an ensign . . . R. L. Doss: Baylor and S. M. U. mascots . . . ing leisure days with no classes
“Women are like chocolate sodas— She rates a full seat on the train on to make and no lessons to prepare,
they’re nice, but you can take ’em corps trips ... Is very snooty to will find a goodly percentage of the
or leave ’em!” . . . There’s a Col- other dogs . . . She makes every students spending their time at the
lege Station belle who ups each yell practice and is respected by Assembly Hall and The Campus
morning via the urging of four every Aggie ... Is a queen in her seeing shows to pass the time,
alarm clocks set fifteen minutes own right. What they will find when they go
apart so she can’t go back to sleep. # is listed in the “What’s Showing”
Quoth the four-alarmer: “It’s a column, and so we will take a
swell system and really works, but All this and a Kitchen stove too: quick trip through its entirety,
it takes too damn much time wind- Early this past summer a sign Beginning with the Assembly
ing the things.” . . . Allen Culpep- on the Y.M.C.A. bulletin board HeiU on Wednesday, we find
per, referring to the facial unat- pointed out that a woman’s purse “FREE, BLONDE, AND 21”, which
tractiveness of Kay Kyser’s trump- had been found in the building and is just as funny as Joan Davis and
eter Ish Kabibble, “He wasn’t be- that the owner could repossess same Chick Chandler can make a show,
hind the door when looks were by identifying the thing. Now it’s Pi a ys Wednesday afternoon and
passed out—he wasn’t even in the quite possible that many persons, night. A murder develops, though,
room!” . . . Eco Prof, P. A. Nutter, on reading the sign, wondered anc i an attempt at drama is made—
to Taxation and Public Finance what the purse contained. Some that ruins it. The story is built
class, “It’s okeh with me if the probably even let their imagina- around a hotel for women where
colleges makes a bound volume of tions run riot and imagined that Mary Beth Hughes, portraying a
all quizzes and puts them in the the purse contained a thousand dol- scheming young thing, pretends to
library for reference.” ... It was lars in cash or Trojan Horse plans commit suicide, becomes as accom-
a tabloid sports columnist, Dan to blitzkrieg the college and blow- '
Parker of the New York Mirror, up the Administration Building. In
who made his contribution to some- fact, however, the contents were
thing or other a few years ago very down-to-earth and probably
when he defined “Gloober’s Dis- typical of women’s purses in gen-
ease,” at that time a relatively e ral. The contents: One Xmas
little known affliction, as “spots greeting card, postmarked Decem-
on de vest.” . . . T.S.C.W.-ite Ellen ber 28, 1938; one valentine, unused;
Orr, “We girls are at a disadvant- one p a i r 0 f dice, small; one com
age—we have to write to an audi- p ac t with broken mirror; one coin
ence, not to a single person. Every- purse, contents, one cent; one min-
one in an A. & M. dormitory usually iature white ivory horse; one foun-
reads our letters or knows what is tain pen; one small piece of yellow
in them, and forms an opinion ac- chalk; two pencils, both broken;
cordingly.” The Aggies say “ditto” one handkerchief, clean; and one
BBen - small piece of quartz.
WKtrS SHOWING
AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL
Wednesday — “FREE,
BLONDE, AND 21”, with
Lynn Bari, and Joan Davis.
Thursday and Friday—
“IRENE”, with Anna Neagle,
Ray Milland, and Roland
Young.
AT THE CAMPUS
Wednesday and Thursday—
“YOU’RE NOT SO TOUGH”,
with Nan Grey, Billy Halop,
and Huntz Hall.
Friday and Saturday—
“DANGER ON WHEELS”,
with Richard Arlen and Andy
Devine.
Point of View:
Earlier this summer an editorial pass * n ^*
appearing in the Summer Texas, And so > ^ or ^he second consecu-
student publication of the Univer- tive y ear > Backwash begins a nine-
sity of Texas, aroused considerable month grind of tri-weekly column-
comment on the basis that it was During the great 1939-40 long
an un-American expression closely sess i on the column tried to do a
akin to Martin Dies-hearalded great many things, but most of
“subversive activities.” Most unique ad it tried to be a mirror of Aggie
of the many letters received by thought and a column definitely
editor Boyd Sinclair (who, inci- written according to the Aggie
dentally, is anything but un-Amer- " a y °t things. And that will be
ican) was the following gem:
AGGIE HEADQUARTERS
WHEN IN BRYAN . . . .
If It’s New, We Have It
AGGIE JEWELRY OF ALL KINDS
TRY OUR WATCH DEPARTMENT
Dear Editor:
“A well-known authority re
marked to me that there has
been submersive activities go
ing on at the Texan. He did
not make it clear what they
were, but if they are any
thing like submarines or out
board motors, I wish to join
said submersive activities at
once, as it sounds like fun to
me.
“The last time 1 rode in a
submersive was one summer
when my favorite Model T ran
into Bull Creek. Since that
time I have not seen any of my
friends that were with me, but
that’s not the point, since I
got to ride in a submersive.”
•
This time, and twice more:
....Believe-it-or-not item of the past
summer is the story being told by
J. W. “Woody” Walker and L. G.
“Pinky” Denny. The two Aggies
were “highwaying” out of Dallas
and received a ride from one of
the county’s deputy sheriffs. The
deputy, however, was only going
as far as Corsicana and, being a
die-hard Aggie fan, he was an
xious to help the cadets get an
all-the-way-ride. In short order a
car with a Brazos County license
passed him at a much more than
legal rate of speed. The deputy
went to work and caught up with
the speeding car, stopped it, and
amazed the driver by letting him
go—on one condition: That he give
the two Aggies a ride to College
Station.
•
Milady’s fall styles:
When the famous Aggie mascot,
Reveille, trots out on Kyle Field
September 28 she’ll be wearing her
the order of things again ... A
column written for the Twelfth
Man ... A column written about
the Twelfth Man ... A column
based on the belief that “The Aggie
way of doing things is the best
way.”
We have served you Aggies for over fifty years and
we feel like we have improved with age.
Have Your Eyes Examined by
DR. J. S. CALDWELL, Registered Optometrist
Caldwell's Jewelry Store
Bryan, Texas
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•
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1940