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THE BATTALION
-TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1940
Battalion
STUDENT TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
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 ; 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
4-6444.
Editor-in-Chief
Advertising Manager
Associate Editor
Bob Nisbet
Keith Hubbard
George Fuermann
Hub Johnson Sports Editor
Tommy Henderson Circulation Manager
Phil Golman Staff Photographer
Pete Tumlinson Staff Artist
J. B. Pierce Editorial Assistant
T. R. Vannoy Editorial Assistant
TUESDAY STAFF
Bill Clarkson Managing Editor
Jack Hendrick Assistant Advertising Manager
Junior Editors
Lee Rogers E. M. Rosenthal
Sports Staff
Bob Myers Assistant Sports Editor
Jack Hollimon Junior Sports Editor
Reportorial Staff
Jack Aycock, Don Corley, J. M. Huling, Ralph Inglefield,
Tom Leland, W. A. Moore, J. M. Speer, Jack Decker.
Cutting Corners
“IT TAKES A HEAP of living to make a house a
home.” Certainly it does! But under the heading of
“living” there is no stipulation as to tramping down
flowers and shrubs around the house. In our case
on the A. & M. campus this rule still applies. There
is no one who wants to deny students recreation
or prevent us playing all the time we can spare,
but there is no excuse for destroying all the trees
and shrubs that have been set out around the dorm
itories. There is no rhyme or reason for cutting trails
across lawns.
We are not so pressed for time that a few ex
tra steps could not be taken. But we are heedless
enough not to think when we walk across the grass.
We are all guilty of this offense.
The Battalion points out that a possible remedy
is to provide a means of jogging the offender’s
mind when he committs the error. A simple way to
do this would be to have the Building and Grounds
department or the Landscape Art department erect
small board bannisters about one foot in height
around the areas that are in particular need of pro
tection. These would not be intended for the purpose
of guarding the area, but would be high enough
to cause the traveler to have to step up to get over.
In so doing perhaps his memory would be jarred
and he would be reminded that it is better to go
around.
Some have been playing games on areas not
designated for recreation and these, too, should
perhaps be fenced before the improvements are
demolished.
It has been said by observers who should
know that the A. & M. campus is one of the most
beautiful in the nation. We are proud to have this
knowledge, and we would like to keep it that way.
But each student must do his bit.
Remind the next offender, “Don’t cut that
corner. Go around!”
dog hungry? Was the student hungry? There are
millions of people in this world who would walk
miles to have the same opportunity that dog had.
Some of them would fight for the food he had re
fused.
The finest food would be repulsive to a man
who had just gorged himself to the limit. So our
many blessings assume ever decreasing proportions
as we gorge ourselves on our good fortune. As the
holiday season draws near, let us take time to
devaluate our troubles into their proper perspective
and let ourselves enjoy and appreciate the many
opportunities denied those less fortunate. Yours for
a happier Christmas.
—A. W. Guill, ’41.
Man, Your Manners
BY I. SHERWOOD
Correspondence
Your personality is reflected in every letter or
note that you write. The reader can tell from its
appearance whether you have good taste or are
neat. From its contents he can judge whether you
are interesting, and from your spelling and grammer
whether you are intelligent.
Stationery—White writing paper is always correct.
Single sheet is best for business letters, but either
single or double may be used for i personal corres
pondence. Formal notes should be on smaller size
and in white only.
The envelope should always match the paper.
Personal letters—The salutation of the personal let
ter depends on how well you know the person. My
dear Miss Smith or My dear Lois are formal, while
Dear Miss Smith or Dear Lois are more friends.
An affectionate beginning would be Grace Dear or
Dearest Grace. Never address anyone as Dear
Friend.
Don’t begin a letter with an apology or end
with an excuse for closing.
There is no objection to using the word “I” in a
letter if it isn’t used too often. Say, “I hope you
are well” rather than “Hope you are well”.
1 A “P. S.” spoils the appearance of a letter and
gives the impression that you haven’t given your
letter thought.
The complimentary close may be Sincerely, or
Yours sincerely, if to an acquaintance. To a lady
friend you may use Devotedly, Lovingly or With
love.
Sign your first name to a letter to a friend
when there is no doubt as to your identity; first
and last name to an acquaintance. Notes—They are
more brief and formal than letters; they are written
for the following purposes—Invitations, thanks,
congratulations, condolences, apologies, and acknow
ledgements. One page is sufficient and no matter
where the address is, the date must be below the
signature.
Business letters—The salutation is Dear Sirs to a
firm and Dear Mr. Staples to a person.
Typed letters are preferred by business men.
Omit all unnecessary information. Say, “I enclose”
rather than “Please find enclosed”, and “I refer”
rather than “I beg to refer”. Say, “I received your
letter dated March 14th” instead of “Received
yours of the 14th”.
A correct closing is Very truly or Very truly
yours.
BACKWASH
Bd
George Fuermann
"Backwash: An agitation resulting from some action or occurrence.’’—Webster.
Once Over Lightly . . . The Ag
gie footballers will soon eat a
turkey that sold for a near-record
of $2 a pound. The 22-pound bird
was the grand champion of the
recent Southwestern Dressed Tur-
back the young lady was in deep
meditation and when asked the rea
son for her silence, said that she
hadn’t noticed a W. C. (meaning
the water closet—as some people
refer to such things). The groom
key show, and the recalled that he, too, had not seen
Central Plains A. it and wrote the landlord inquiring
& M. Club will pre- where the W. C. was located,
sent it to the team. Somewhat confused as to the
. . . Where foot- meaning of W. C., the landlord
b a 1 l’s concerned, finally decided that his prospective
there’s one sight tenant was referring to the Wes-
that few Aggies of leyan Church. Accordingly he re-
the current genera- plied as follows:
tion will ever for- “Dear Sir: I regret very much
Fuermann ineai “ ng ’ the delay in answering your letter,
enthusiastic way in j h ave pleasure to inform
which the Aggies’ famed “pepper you that the w> c _ is i ocat ed nine
box, ’ center Tommy Vaughn, com- miles from the house, on a good
es up to the ball from huddle . . . paved road and is capable of seating
Current lament of mess hall offi- 2 40 people. This is unfortunate for
cials concerns civilians of surround- you if you are in the habit of going
ing localities who take advantage regularly, but you will be glad to
of a good thing and trek to Aggie-
land each year for the annual
Thanksgiving Day Banquet. They
only pay the usual tax—30 cents—-
and thus have put officials in a
know that a number of people take
their lunch and make a day of it.
Others who cannot spare the time
go by auto, but generally they are
in such a hurry that they cannot
Don’t Throw Money Away
DID YOU SEND your money to the cleaners with
your pants?
Did the dog tear it to bits?
Did that small nephew rip your last ten dollar
bill?
Did you char by fire or otherwise mutilate
any paper money?
In case you did, do not put it, or them, in the
trash or throw it away as lost. If you can save as
much as three-fifths of the orignal bill, the U. S.
treasury department will redeem it at full value.
Skilled workers are employed in Uncle Sam’s
redemption office to identify currency. Making use
of microscopic analysis, these workers paste the
pieces on a sheet of paper the same size as the
original bill and estimate the correct position.
The amount of the bill accounted determines the
amount redeemed. For three fifths of the bill full
value will be returned; for two fifths half value. In
exceptional cases, one who presents affidavits and
certificate of good character may get full value
even when less than two fifths of the bill is avail
able.
Books are kept on such recoveries, and recover
ing twice for the different pieces of the same bill is
next to impossible.
But don’t throw away that torn bill. Take it
back to the bank.
OPEN FORUM
OH, OLE MAN TROUBLE done bit me again! Texas
beat hell out of us, SMU kicked a conversion, the
mess hall food is terrible, that prof gypped me out
of ten points and those pesky sophomores have
been sitting in the senior section again. On top of
all that I haven’t had any mail for three days and
I just bought a pack of ready rolls with my last
two bits. If that isn’t trouble, what is?
Seriously, fellows let’s stop and consider our
troubles for a minute—It seems possible these mis
fortunes that we spend a good part of our time
fretting over could be a little exaggerated. Our
happiness is proportional to some standard we have
created within ourselves. If that standard has been
distorted, it is quite possible that the smallest
detail may have the most serious effect upon our
mental “well being”.
As a word of explanation let me relate an inci
dent that recently occured in one of the mess halls.
One of the “college going dogs” came over to the
table looking for something to eat. Some student
placed a saucer filled with a decent looking piece
of meat, some potatoes and a piece of bread on the
floor near the dog. After looking the dish over, the
dog sniffed disgustedly and walked away. The stu
dent was heard to remark, “I don’t blame him for
not eating the damn stuff”. The point is, was the
Stetson University’s most prominent co-ed is
back for her fifth year.
She is 83-year-old Mrs. Letitia Wilson Reynolds,
a resident of Illinois, who is doing graduate work.
As the World Turns...
BY DR. R. W. STEEN
THE UNITED STATES has extended its blessings
to Manuel Avila Camacho as President of Mexico.
This act doubtless had something to do with the de
cision of the defeated candidate to accept the an
nounced results of the election and not appeal to
arms. The Mexican election was hardly a free elec
tion, and the canvassing board
waited so long to announce the
results as to arouse the suspicion
of many Americans. In fact there
is so much to indicate that things
were not entirely as they should
have been.
It is well, however, for Mexico
to unite in the inauguration of Ca
macho. He might have won in a
free and open election. Civil war
R w steei? is a terrible price to pay for a
president, and Mexico has a tradition of armed re
vision of announced results of elections. This trad
ition must be lived down, and there is no better time
to start than now. In the first ninety-nine years of
her history Mexico is said to have experienced
100 revolutions. It takes time to overthrow such cus
toms, and the Mexican people are to be congratu
lated on accepting quietly the announced result of
an election. They will have made a long step toward
the realization of a democratic government when
they finally learn to substitute ballots for bullets.
The Italian invasion of Greece continues to have
all the ear marks of a comic opera war. The invas
ion has been in reverse since the day it started, and
the Greeks now control most of southern Albania.
Regardless of what the outcome of the war between
Greece and Italy may be, the Axis has lost much
prestige, and has suffered damage that can not be
laughed aside. Meanwhile the British navy main
tains almost unchallenged possession of the Medi
terranean in spite of Mussolini’s claim that it is
“our sea.” There is no doubt that Italy is suffering
greatly. Germany is suffering too, and so is Eng
land. The war may develop into a contest of stamina.
The war is constantly coming closer to the Un
ited States. We have been sending England supplies
for some time, but they have all been paid for by
the British. It becomes apparent, however, that
Britain will not be able to continue this policy in a
long war. Ways and means of supplying credit to
Britain are now being discussed, and before long this
country will doubtless have a hand in financing the
war. It is also suggested that American ships—es
corted by American warships—be used in transport
ing supplies to the British.
what-to-do position. The banquet wait> The last time my wife and 1
is for the cadets, pure and simple. W ent was six years ago, and we
Yet, if civilianse are barred at that had to stand all the time> It may
particular meal, parents and close interest you to know that a bazaar
friends of cadets would also be j s jj e g j V en soon to raise funds
locked out . . . Jack Adams owner f urn ish plush seats, as many of
of a string of negro theaters members feel that this is a
throughout the state, was recently i ong -f e lt want. I may mention that
telling a group of Aggies about ^ p a i ns m e greatly not to be able
negro taste where movies are con- ^. 0 g 0 more often.”
cerned. Rather than the might-be- •
expected westerners, such films as
Wuthering Heights, Rebecca and
Dark Victory rate tops in the opin
ion of metropolitan movie-going
darkies. Surprisingly enough, to
most people, at least, even the
Shakespearean pictures are popu
lar with the colored customers, but
The fifth picture of the Dr.
Kildare series is currently playing
at the Assembly Hall and it bids
to be the best of the bunch so far.
In “DR. KILDARE GOES HOME”
Lew Ayres has now become a full
fledged doctor, and another thing
which makes this one better than
the rest is that lovely Loraine Day
has a more prominent part and
almost becomes Ayres wife. Of
coure the veteran Lionel Barrymore
continues as the catankerous but
understanding Dr. Gillespie.
An epidemic of streptococci in
his home town is the problem which
Ayres has to meet in this number
of the series. As soon as he be
comes a doctor in the big city
he learns that his father is killing
himself by overwork at home while
trying to fight this epidemic in
two towns. Ayres of course gives
up the beginnings of his practice
to return and help dad. With a
little brains and medical ability he
establishes a clinic to combat the
4. So he can go to sleep.
5. Because it comes in such pretty
packages.
6. Because it goes nice with
picnics, fairs, carnivals, etc.
Matter of fact, you will find
that, to a man, all musicians, both
big and small timers, never take
a drink unless they have one.
disease but he has trouble com
bating the city council. He promises
to elope with Loraine if the council
fails to approve his clinic but to
his amazement, the council ap
proves and hence delays the ro
mance until another picture.
It would be a shame to put an
end to the Kildare series by hav
ing the hero and heroine get mar
ried after only five episodes but
the situation at the close of this
number is such that the director is
either going to have to allow them
to marry in the first part of their
next feature or do some powerful
backtracking to get out of it. They
are engaged and about to set the
date as this number closes.
Occidental college alumni have
issued an “Occidental Who’s Who.”
Just Arrived!
New Shipment of
College Jewelry
? ? Where ? ?
B pictures are money-losers for ex
hibitors who own negro theaters . . .
Football letterman Leon Rahn has
never played in a losing game dur
ing the four years he has been at
the United States not manufactur
ed products but raw materials at
prices which we will dictate.”
“The United States is at present
so demoralized and so corrupted
A. & M. During his freshman year that, like England and France, it
all three games played were won nee d not be taken into considera-
by the Fish; Leon played in two tion as a military adversary.”
games during his sophomore year, “We have in the United States a
both of which were winners; and police organization operating with
he played in all of the Aggies’ the same exactitude as in Berlin
great run of 19 consecutive victor
ies, but missed the Texas game.
•
W. C.
One of the best of the current
stories going the rounds concerns
a young couple about to be mar
ried who set out in search for a
house in the country. On the way
or Prague.”
“The United States also will be
forced by Germany to complete and
final capitulation.”
“In the United States we have
many of our compatriots and even
more friends. They hold the most
important positions in political and
economic, life.”
Ml/S/CAt MEAN DERINGS
By Murray Evans
During the Thanksgiving holi
days the Aggieland Orchestra jour
neyed down to East Bernard for
a one-nighter and ran into plenty
of high water on the way. Skip
per Jones was kept busy biting his
nails and consulting road maps
trying to find strips of dry terra
firma down in that wet Sealy lo
cality. Several of the orchestra
boys who seemed to like their
present state of health jumped out
of the bus and walked across sev
eral doubtful-looking bridges. A
chartered boat might have been
more to the point in making this
trip. There is an unconfirmed ru
mor being bandied about that Sug
Barnes, the bass fiddle man, hook
ed an outboard motor onto his dog
house and sputtered across one
particularly bad stretch of flood.
But despite all the wetness the
dance was a success; this, in spite
of the fact that there was much
agitation for “San Antonio Rose”
and “You Are My Sunshine”. Then,
too, there was a hideous sign;
extremely bad taste, hanging up
over the band stand and adver
tising the fact that Texas beat
us, 7 to 0.
Somebody wanted to know why
it is that the ordinary musician
is addicted to drink more than
any other body. At first I ques
tioned that premise and raised the
eyebrows in protest, but the con
census of opinion was against me
so I retreated to a defensive po
sition and proceeded to give him
answer. Here are a few reasons
why:
1. To feel happy when low.
2. Because he gets a kick out of
it.
3. To stay awake.
THE BEST GIFT OF ALL,
FURNITURE
8i6^SS3i||g?
Occasional Tables - Coffee Tables
Lamp Tables
All Styles and Prices
McCULLOCH-DANSBY CO.
“Complete Home Furnishers”
BRYAN
Nearer My God to Thee.
Meaning some of the excerpts
from a recent address made in
Naziland by A. Hitler’s right-hand
man in respect to the United Stat
es. To wit:
“Mr. Rosefeld will then beg the
comedies, most musicals, and class Fuehrer on knees to purchase from
You Must Dance.. •
You can learn to dance or modernize your danc
ing easily and quickly, in most enjoyable lessons.
Join our new ballroom class. Private or class
instructions. Also classes in Tap, Ballet, Acrobatic
and Toe Dancing.
Josephine Rovello Dancing School
Tuesday and Wednesday of Each Week
K. C. HALL
Phone Bryan 536
DO YOUR XMAS SHOPPING EARLY!
Give your boy friend
a pair of these com
fortable house shoes.
Please him with a pa
jama set for Xmas.
Smart stripes, solid
colors and all-over pat
terns.
EXCHANGE STORE
—/
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
FOR EVERYONE
Use Our Lay Away Plan
Buy Now at These Low Prices'
A small deposit will hold exact item
you select and your selection may be
made from the largest gift merchandise
line betwen Dallas and Houston, at pric
es others cannot meet.
Present this advertisement at our
fountain and get a LARGE FROSTED
MALT - - - FREE!
LIPSCOMB’S PHARMACY
NORTH GATE