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