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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 15, 1942)
Page 2 THE BATTALION -THURSDAY, JANUARY *15, 1942 The Bdtialion Something to Read Kollegiate Kaleidoscope COVERING STUDENT TRI-WEEKLY NEWSPAPER TEXAS A. & M. COLLEGE Agricultural and iBy Dr. T. F. Mayo: The Battalion, official newspaper of the Mechanical College of Texas and the City of fa published three times weekly from Sep tern »ned Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday m Hahed weekly from June through August. College Static: September to June; >n, is- Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at College Station, Texas, under the Act of Congress of March 8, 18T9. Subscription rate, $3 a school year. Advertising rate* npon request. Represented nationally by National Advertising Serviee, Inc., at New York City, Chicago, Boston, Los Angelee, and Ban Francisco. >- Office, Room 122, Administration Building. 4-8444. Telephone 1941 Member 1942 Plssociofed CbUe6iate Press Don Gabriel ....._ Editor Associate Editor ..Advertising Manager fi. M. Rosenthal Ralph Criswell Sports Staff Mike Haikm Sports Editor W. F. Oxford Assistant Sports Editor Mike Mann Senior Sports Assistant Brooks Gofer Junior Sports Editor Qhiek Hurst Junior Sport* Editor Circulation Staff Bene Wilmeth Circulation Manager Bill Hauger Senior Circulation Assistant F. D. Asbury Junior Assistant Bill Huber, Joe Stalcup Circulation Assistant Photography Staff Jack Jones Staff Photographer Bob Crane. Ralph Stenzel Assistant Photographer* Thursday’s Staff E. M. Rosenthal Acting Managing Editor John Sleeper .- Advertising Assistant Charles Babcock Junior Editor Clyde C. Franklin.... Junior Editor Mike Speer Junior Editor Reportorial Staff ir L. Cox, J; W. J. Hamilt isey, N. W. Karbach, Jack Keith, Tom Li. Journeay, Doug Lancaster, Tom Leland, Charles P. McKnight, W. B. ;por Calvin Brumley, Arthur L. Cox, Jaines R. Dennis, Selig Holman, W. J. Hamilton, Jr., Tom Howard, N. W. Karbach, Jack Keith, Tom B. Journea iley, A Frank, John M. Holman, W. J. Hamilt Leonard Kimsi Morehouse, Richard F. Quinn, Gordon Sullivan, C. G. Scruggs, Benton Taylor. Uncalled-for Exams Profs Are Bucking Leader's Desires Last Tuesday’s Battalion carried an edi torial showing how one hour extra exams which are in reality quasi-finals would over tax the already burdened down student. It was pointed out that at the time the average Aggie had nine major quizzes to take in the remaining nine days of school and that there wasn’t time to prepare for additional work. Yet some professors as well as a few entire departments fail to recognize the facts and continue to schedule additional work to make up for the cancelled finals. True, a great many instructors have seen the light and called off recent announced exams, but there has been an increase of new offenders who do not recognize the gravity of the pres ent situation. These new offenders admit tedly say if they can “get away” with giv ing an extra exam they are going to do it. This is childish and far below the high standards A. & M. professors are known to hold. With the regularly scheduled final exam inations cancelled by the Board of Directors on the recommendation of the academic council and the executive committee every instructor, assistant professor, and profes sor who has announced extra work should realize that he is not conforming with the spirit the leaders of our institution desire to see. These leaders as well as most of the deans have unofficially declared that the students have sufficient work to do while rounding out regular class work, and extra finals should not be given since they would in general lower grade averages because there is not sufficient time to devote to ad ditional work. If those men have planned to give one hour finals can not see how extra work is harmful and unfair they should cancel this work on another justification, that justifi cation being to do what their leaders and the students’ leaders desire to see done. —E. M. R. Among all the diseases of the mind there is not one more epidemical or more per nicious than the love of flattery. —Sir Richard Steele Setile Down, Ole Army The past few days have been momentous ones for A. & M., and quite naturally they have been exciting ones too. With one bold stroke, the administrative officials of the college and the Board of Directors have streamlined the entire college program so that A. & M. may play a greater part in the nation’s war effort. This has been a sudden change and its effects have been rather peculiar. No final examinations at first may seem a godsend, but for some students they might possibly prove to be a chance of passing a course. However, it would be a practical impossibil ity for many of the students and grossly un fair to them if the regularly scheduled letter quizzes take on the aspects of being com prehensive final examinations squeezed in to a one hour period. It just can’t be done. This is one of the many problems that the new ruling has thrust upon the corps and the faculty of the college. By the close of the next semester all college courses should be adjusted so that a final exam would be unnecessary. Right now the solution seems to be for the corps to settle down and do their best on the coming letter quizzes. We must realize that this change has been made be cause the United States is at war, and that A. & M. desires to do all that it can in sup port of that war. There have been many changes in the past few days. Undoubtedly there will be many more changes. The cadet corps must accept these and do its best to adjust itself at this time. :By A. F. Chalk: The current fiscal prospects of the Federal government are not as bright as some com mentators would have us believe. The sit uation is by no means critical, but it is rather obvious that political considerations are likely to govern too many of the fiscal pol icies adopted by our national legislators. There is increasing evidence that the election next year is to have a very important in fluence on the voting relative to taxation and price-control measures. The debt and taxation prospects for the fiscal year 1943 (July 1, 1942 to July 1, 1943) may be summarized briefly. The pres ent annual tax program is yielding approx imately $14,000,000,000, and the plan is to increase the annual federal tax income to $23,000,000,000. The forthcoming tax leg islation will, therefore, have to raise an ad ditional revenue of some $9,000,000,000. The proposed expenditures for the 1943 fiscal year are $59,000,000,000. This would result in an addition to the national debt of about $33,000,000,000 during the next fiscal year. This addition to the debt would bring the total indebtedness of the Federal govern ment in July 1, 1943 to $105,000,000,000, which is almost one third of the estimated national wealth. It must be borne in mind that this figure of $105,000,000,000 is conditioned by two basic assumptions. The first is. that th^ government will actually be able to spend $56,000,000,000 during the next fiscal year. Congress can authorize the expenditure of such a huge sum, but it is possible that our potential production of war materials dur ing that period of time will not be sufficient ly large to permit the expenditure of such a huge sum. The second assumption is that congress will actually pass a tax measure which will yield the $9,000,000,000 asked for by the President. In any event, the size of our national debt will likely exceed the hundred billion mark within 18 months from the present date. With that fact well in mind, one can begin to better appreciate the probable fu ture debt if the war continues for some con siderable time in the future. If the conflict should continue for three or four years, a national debt approximating 200 billions is a very real possibility. The only way to cur tail the size of such a debt is to inaugurate a tax program even more drastic than that the government is now contemplating. Sales of defense bonds will help prevent inflation, but it doesn’t help solve the long-run prob lem of the Federal debt. It should be re membered that a debt of $200,000,000,000 would necessitate the payment of at least $5,000,000,000 in interest each year. Such a carrying charge as this would make it ex tremely difficult to retire any of the prin cipal through taxation, and it would be well for us to avoid getting ourselves into such a position if at all possible. Biology for Engineers I say “for engineers” because of the well- known fact that all Ag. and Veterinary Med- incine students and Liberal Arters know all about biology .anyhow. Since there is no biology, however, in the engineering curricu lum, it occurred to me that it might not be a bad idea for you engineers to do a little reading on your own account in this field. After all, you are a member of the animal kingdom, too, along with the rest of us. When all is said and done, even a civil engi neer is a form of organic life, and ought therefore to know something about organic life as a whole. I have accordingly asked an obliging graduate assistant in biology to compile the following list of good books on biological subjects which laymen can read with ease and profit. Here they are (thanks to Mr. Weaver!) : Julian Huxley’s “Man Stands Alone” and “Essays of a Biologist.” Hans Zinsser’s “Rate, Lice, and History” and “As I Remember Him'.” J. B. S. Haldane’s “Heredity and Politics.” Schienfeld’s “You and Heredity.” Wheeler’s “Foibles of Insects and Men.” Maeterlink’s “The Life of the Bee.” Fabre’s “Social Life in the Insect World.” De Kruif’s “Microbe Hunters and The Fight for Life.” Sinclair Lewis’s “Arrowsmith” (a novel which contains some good biology). Quotable Quotes “This man is not free if he cannot read or write or speak. He must be able to com municate with his fellows, express his ideas, criticize theirs, if he is never critical, he soon will be in chains. If we are to have a nation of free men we must have a nation that is at home in the world of ideas, a nation well- informed, a nation able to profit from the les sons of history, a nation that does not shrink from critical thought, a nation that reflects on ends or will or means. Freedom cannot be purchased like paint. It cannot be ac quired over-night. The development of in tellectual power comes only by long and close association with other minds. It requires much practice.”— Dr. William P. Tolley, president of Allegheny college, points to basic requisites for freedom. The World Turns On MAJ. GEORGE GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVER SITY OF MICHIGAN AT THE AGE OF 95/ AT 21 HE WAS WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF RECEIVING HI? DEGREE WHEN HE ENLISTED IN THE CIVIL.WAR. HE WAS PRE SENTED WITH HIS THEEPYKIN 72 YEARS LATER./ campus distiacmis WITH TOM VANNOY DE-PANTSING — AT ARMOUR TECH (CHICAGO) ALL FRESH MEN REFUSING TO WEAR GREEN CAPS ARE STRIPPED OF THEIR PANTS AND REQUIRED TO WALK IN SUCH A STATE TO ALL CLASSES DURING THE DAY / BACKWASH BY Charlie Babcock „ “Backwash: An agitation resulting from *om* *ction or occurrence. -Webstar Open Letter to Five “Aggies”: We call you Aggies, but we’re not so sure of it—don’t believe the other 6000 Aggies will be either after they hear the story. The scene was Saturday morning at the East Gate, and you five were down near the bottom of a line of nearly fifty waiting for rides to Houston. A station wagon came by and offered rides to Houston for two bits. Then, before the first several men could even grab their bags, you fellas jumped in the automobile and refused to get out. Wasn’t exactly what you would consider “cricket,” was it? Especially since some of those first in line had been waiting for several hours. Especially since two of you were seniors, two were juniors, and one a sopho- Babco*k more an d being classified as such, should know better. Especially since such procedure isn’t a part of the A. & M. code of honor and ethics! Your actions of last Saturday are inexcusable. In fact, you don’t belong at A. & M. You have come to this campus like saboteurs and during your stay will destroy some of the traditions and beliefs which A. & M. men have sheltered for years. Well, you’ve stayed long enough. Those who have sweated and slaved in the interest of this school will be glad to see you go. War is going to do its share in the destruction of many Aggie principles. So, there is no place for other destroyers. YOU JUGGERNAUTS CAN LEAVE! ® e • Gloria Swanson makes her re turn to the screen after an ab sence of some ten years in “FATH ER TAKES A WIFE/ with Adolphe Menjou as “Father’ at the campus today. The Mothers Club of the A. & M. Consolidat ed High School is sponsoring the picture as the first in the new series of Thursday benefit shows at the Campus. The story takes up the matter of a retired businessman, Adolphe Menjou, who falls in love with an actress, Gloria Swanson. The man’s son and daughter-in-law are the staid, one-track sort of per sons who can’t conceivably feature their father falling in love at his age. Their efforts to prevent the marriage and the father’s efforts to go through with it go toward making up a dandy little story that is amusing no end. In the line of sophisticated comedy is the motion picture at Guion Hall today and tomorrow, “WHEN LADIES MEET.” The cast alone is almost enough to en sure its worthiness to be called a super-show with such names as Robert Taylor, Joan Crawford, Greer Garson, Herbert Marshall and Spring Byington. Joan is an authoress in love with Herbert Marshall who hap pens to be very securely married to Greer Garson. Taylor comes into the picture as the guy in love with Joan. Acting honors for the film are carried off mainly by Miss Garson and Taylor. The story takes up the serious side of such eternal situations that arise from the triangular love af fairs, but there are enough patches of fine comedy that the possibil ity of becoming bored is eliminat ed entirely. You will surely find “When Ladies Meet” an excel lent story. “THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 16,” is a typical “who-dun-it” mys tery picture. Robert Preston and Ellen Drew are the starring play ers in the story. Of course the plot is filled with excitement and adventure, but too many loop holes were left in it to make it one of the best. C^ampus 4-1181 TODAY ONLY * Benefit Show For The A. & M. Consolidated School Mother’s Club. Glamorous Gloria Returns!^ WHAT’S SHOWING AT GUION HALL Thurs., Friday—“WHEN LADIES MEET,” starring Joan Crawford, Robert Tay lor, and Greer Garson. AT THE CAMPUS Thursday — “FATHER TAKES A WIFE,” with Gloria Swanson and Adolphe Menjou. Friday, Sat. — “NIGHT O FJANUARY 16,” featur ing Ellen Drew and Robert Preston. Also opular Science - Cartoon - Sports FRIDAY^! SATURDAY %. X. . n With Robert Preston — Ellen Drew Also Donald Duck Cartoon - Sports News PALACE Red Cross If it’s a good cause you’re look ing for and you want to do your part, then don’t pass up the Ag gies’ Second Annual Charity grid battle on Kyle Field Saturday aft ernoon at 2:30. The players and the sponsors have been working hard the past week to make the attraction a successful one. Proceeds above the bare expenses of the game will go to the Red Cross. Do your part and give! Esprit de Teasippers Over Austin way, the T. U. boys are hastily making efforts to an swer Uncle Sam’s call for men in his armed service. It’s really an all-out example that the Longhorns are setting. Numbered among the major stu dent office-holders leaving to join the military ranks are: Fred Nieman, student body president; Ben Kaplan, associate editor of The Daily Texan; and W. L. Har per, editor of The Texas Ranger. Random Remarks umsm Mrs HUGH HERBERT MISCHA AUER JANE FRAZEE ROBERT PAIGE 30 CONGEROOS Thursday — Friday — Saturday Preview 11 P. M. Saturday Night GRETA GARBO — MELVYN DOUGLAS in “TWO-FACED WOMAN” Also Shown Sunday — Monday :By E. M. Rosenthal Don’t let ’em kid ya; A college education does pay. In fact a col lege degree or at least several years of higher learning is the prerequisite for almost every job offered other than W.P.A. posi tions, and even W.P.A. formen re portedly must boast more than high school training. But the joker hits pretty near home. According to local hack hell drivers, a Bryan ordnance requires that all cab operators must have at least 60 hours of college work. Who knows ? This might prompt the school to offer Taxi Driving 101 at the be ginning of the fish year and teach Taxi Backing 102 the sec ond semester. • • • Leon Henderson said a vehicle would be issued new tires if it carried as many as ten people. This gives the taxi officials of the Bryan-College runs new hopes for getting the precious rubber because they claim to have been hauling on the average of ten per load for years . . . And speaking of national defense, the army has decided on another change from the old style. Uncle Sam’s khaki clad are going to abandon sam brownies and garrison caps, and replace them with air corps type cloth belts and over seas caps. Sabers and campaign hats have already sung their swan song. Be fore the end of the year it is very likely to see the same ideas put in force on our own campus with the exception of the hats. But boots are permanent. The bull (See REMARKS, Page 4) TRY A SANDWICH & HOT DRINK CASEY’S In The «Y” ★ Movie GUION HALL THURSDAY & FRIDAY 3:30 & 6:45 Joan Crawford — Robert Taylor Greer Garson in When Ladies Meef NEWS — CARTOON — COMEDY COMING SATURDAY 1 P. M.—Richard Arlen — Jean Parker Flying Blind 6:45 & 8:30—Merle Oberon — Melvyn Douglas That Uncertain Feeling