Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 24, 1945)
THE BATTALION THURSDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 24, 1945 M r The Battalion STUDENT WEEKLY NEWSPAPER Office, Room 5, Administration Building. Telephone 4-5444 Texas A. & M. College The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and the City of College Station is published weekly, and circulated on Thursday : afternoon. Entered as second class matter at the Post Office at College Station, Texas, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1870. Subscription rate $3.00 per school year. Advertising rates upon request. Represented nationally by National Advertising Service, Inc., at New York City, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Member Plssocioted GpUebicrte Press ..Editor-in-Chief Ed Wendt Soptr Editor I R. L. Bynes ^ F. B. DeLafosse , Sports Writer I J. B. Clark Staff Photographer J. B. 3. K. Dugan Circulation Manager Cadet Officers Must Pledge Themselves ... The promotion list for the summer semester has been announced by the Commandant's Office. New names are on the list. New duties and responsibilities await these untriec men whose actions will influence to such a great extent the lives of so many on the campus this summer. It is they who can either extend a guiding hand or wield an unmerciful scythe of destruction, both mentally and physically. Over seven hundred new students will arrive on the campus to initiate their college careers. But what kind ot an initiation will it prove to be? The answer lies only m the ability and worthiness of their cadet officers and upperclass men. All of these students are coming to this college fora purpose, with one thought in mind. They have visions of aft er college success made possible by a thorough and complete education at this institution. They hope to absorb and en rich themselves with all that this school embodies and has to offer the humblest of students. But just how many that come here with those high hopes eventually gain their de sired goal? How many are actually endowed with all that this college and its mode of life place before them when they leave here ? At the present time very few if any are that fortunate. It’s there before them but only very few gam the desired ultimate end. But why is this so? Is it lack of ability of their instructors, both student and faculty? It could be that the student eventually loses his ambition, and cares only “to get by”, a far cry from his high entrance hopes. But even this can not be blamed entirely on the student, for somewhere in his college life this attitude was allowed to engulf him; carelessly allowed by a disinterested instruc tor, who could be a professor or a cadet officer, both dedi cated to his well being. But, some cadet officers can not seem to realize that they have been delegated to supervise the lives of the men who have been placed under their guidance. They can not seem to realize the manner in which their decisions and ac tions can effect the thoughts and actions of their men; men who are ambitious and willing at the beginning, and looking to their leaders for advice and guidance, the type of advice and guidance which is the key to their future. Al though some can evaluate the merit of the advice meted out to them, it is a very difficult task for these men for everything is new to them and they are intensely eager to best adjust themselves to their new life and surroundings. These newly appointed cadet officers must realize their duties and responsibilities and as long as the cadet insignia adorns their shoulders they must dedicate.their every action and decision to the welfare and well-being of their men. Otherwise, they are not only a disgrace to the uniform they wear but they are also causing the degradation of their men and violating the trust which they have placed in them. He must be conscious of this pledge always. The success or failure of the summer session will de pend on the manner in which the cadet officers dedicate themselves to this pledge. By Dr. A1 B. Nelson Sugar and sweets will probably be scarce when you get home this summer. Someone in authority has made some errors and canning sugar stamps have been cut to one tenth of face value and those who trusted the word of ration ing officials and failed to buy their sugar im- ygxm . mediately lost nine tenths of 1 > : their canning su gar for the sum mer. Another un patriotic strike has prevented production in the plant of the Cocker Machine and Foundry Company, Gastonia, N. C., since last January^ 30. This plant makes textile machinery necessary to tire production, and after nearly four months of idleness is at last to be seized and operated by the Army. This strike is one of the reasons behind inadequate tire pro duction for both army and civilian needs. Nelson Most of the German gold seized by the American Army is being claimed by the French and the Belgians who say it is part of the gold supply stolen from them by the Germans. If they can prove ownership it will probably be turned over to them. Free trips to Europe will be enjoyed by many congressmen from now on as more and more in vestigating committees are ap pointed in order to seek a solution to Europe’s muddled affairs. Now that the fighting in Europe is over investigations can be made into many situations that were former ly covered up by military censor ship and safety measures. Many advisers of the State De partment are now saying that the admission of Argentina to the San Francisco Conference of the Unit ed Nations was a definite mistake. Most people have known "this /all along. Argentina has never made the slightest pretense of having changed her views or of having forgotten her love for Nazi prin ciples. Her only reason for chang ing was to get on the band wagon. PENNY’S SERENADE By W. L. Penberthy Congratulations To The Graduates ... Tomorrow night at 6:45 p.m. sixty five seniors will re ceive their degrees. Out of these sixty five, very few have been able to go “straight through,” but have taken what courses they could when they could be on the campus. Many of these men have returned to take their sheepskins after having served in the armed forces. Officially, their degree is a certificate to show that the holder has completed a prescribed course of study—but to these men, and to all Aggies, and to all who know and love Aggieland, it means far more. These men are members of the greatest fraternity on earth. They have completed not merely a course of study as prescribed by college author ities, but also a course in which they themselves were the instructors, a course based on loyalty, courage, and all things honorable—a course which may be had at no other college. These men have not been prepared to “face the world” by academic instruction alone, but have been schooled along lines which have prepared them for the hard work of everyday living. These men, as were all who have gone before them, are ready to take their place in an America at war or an America at peace. To these men who are leaving with their work here completed, we who remain behind extend our heartiest con gratulations. You have left your mark on A. & M. At a time when the school is but a shadow of its former self, you have carried on with the traditions which are Aggieland — and they shall not be forgotten. You have set an example by your determination to get an education which would be well for those leaving now without degrees to follow. As you go forth into a world which needs vitally your technical knowledge and training, you take with you an ob ligation to fulfill a pledge to the un-numbered Aggies who have gone before you and given this school the reputation it has today for producing real and able men. You take with you memories of happy days here, of men you knew, and of traditions you love. You take with you a little piece of A&M. We who remain here are sorry to see you go, but we are also proud—proud to have known men like you and proud to be part of the school of which you are products. Goodbye to you, and good luck. J. H., Some fifty years ago Baron Pierre de Courbetain of France, founder of the Modern Olympic Games, came out with this state ment: “The important thing is not winning but taking part . . . the essential thing is not conquering but fighting well.” I feel that the attitude taken by de Courbetain years ago is the same as we should have today, and in my opin ion our boys have certainly showed this attitude in our Intramural Program this se mester. You men may not know it but you have giv- ?'/ en those of us g- 'M working with the program many thrills and a world of satisfac- Penberthy tion and pleasure this semester. You have entered into the various contests with a lot of interest, enthusiasm and con fidence. You have done your best to win the contests fairly and squarely—we wouldn’t give a cent for you if you didn’t—but you have put the playing above the winning and you have derived a great deal of benefit from the program. You didn’t spend your time/griping about bad decisions— neither did you boast when you won nor alibi when you lost. You Athletic Officers have done a splendid job and I know that your organizations are very proud of you—just as we are. You have been the backbone of the program —without your fine efforts and cooperation the program would have been a flop. We hope that the experience you gained through working with the program will pay big dividends. I speak for all who worked with you in saying that you men who played and you men who served and led are a grand bunch of men and it was a real privilege and pleasure to work with you. The best in the world is the worst we could wish you. 5g£f)GGI€9 IN flCTION.. TIGHTIN’ TEXAS RGGlbV MANY WILL LEAVE BUT THEY WILL REMEMBER THIS OPEN FORUM It is a good safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an opportun ity of doing a kindness, speaking a true word or making a friend. He who has no inclination to learn more will be very apt to think that he knows enough. The angriest person in a controversy is the one most likely to be in the wrong. If the power to do hard work is not talent, it is the best possible substitute for it. The veteran 455th Bombardment Group, of which Lt. Col. Philip J. John of Harlingen, Texas, is Ex ecutive Officer, was recently awarded its second Distinguished Unit Citation “for outstanding per formance of duty in armed con flict with the enemy.” Brig. Gen. William D. Hall, Dep uty Commanding General of the 5th Air Force, pinned the blue battle streamer to the group’s standard in a recent ceremony at its base in southern Italy. While leading its wing on a mission against the vital enemy oil refinery at Moosebierbaum, Austria, June 26, 1944, the 455th’s formation was attacked by more than 150 enemy fighters. During one of the fiercest air battles in 15th AAF history, the group bat tled across the target for a fuc- cessful bombing run. Gunners of the group destroyed 34 enemy fighters while holding their own losses to 10 B-24’s. The 455th was first cited for its destruction of the Steyr Walzla- gerwerke, vital enemy ball bearing plant at Steyr, Austria, April 2, 1944. While fighting its way through more than 75 enemy fight ers to reach the target, the group’s gunners definitely destroyed 27. Col. John has served as executive officer of the group since its for mation, and for the past 16 months in Italy. v Col. John was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers in 1932. An engineer in civilian life, he re turned to active duty in 1940, and was transferred to the Air Force Sept. 20, 1940. The Colonel’s wife, Mrs. Philip J. John, resides at Floresville, Texas. Staff Sergeant John T. Estes, 19, of Hereford, Texas, tail gun ner of a B-17 Flying Fortress of the 95th Bombardment Group, has been awarded the 4th Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for “mer- torious achievement” while partici pating in Eighth Air Force bomb ing attacks on vital industrial tar gets in Germany, and on Nazi air fields, supply dumps and gun em placements in conjunction with ad vances by Allied ground forces on the continent. Sgt. Estes is a member of the Fortress group which was cited by the President for leading the first American bombing attack on targets in Berlin, in March, 1944, and was cited previously for its outstanding bombing assault on railroad marshalling yards at Mun ster, Germany, in October, 1943. As a component of the distin guished Third Air Division, the group also shared in a Presidential citation given the entire division for its historic England-Africa shuttle bombing of an important Messerschmitt fighter plane plant at Regensburg, Germany, in Au gust of 1943. While flying more than 300 combat missions, the 95th has dropped over 17,000 tons of bombs on Germany and German- held targets. The AAF gunner is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Estes of Here ford, Texas. 214 SOUTH MAIN BRYAN, TEXAS The Department of Fish and Game has received recently a letter from 1st Lt. Otheil Erlund, a form er major in Fish and Game, written somewhere in Europe. Quotations from the letter follow: He says, “Although I have had some awfully close calls, I have not been wounded yet. I do have a couple of pieces of shrapnel in one of my fingers, but the aid station fixed that up in a few minutes and I went on my way. That happened coming through the Siegfried Line, which is still the hottest spot I have ever been in. The other day I had a little bit of a close call. A panzerfaust (German Bazooka or antitank rocket) hit beside a tank which I was only about 5 feet from. The only thing that hurt was the concussion. One of my ears has been bad ever since, but I think it will gradually clear up. The blast blew me off of my feet .... “Last time I wrote you I was executive officer of the company. Now I am commanding the com pany. The man who was command ing the company got very sick right in the middle of a fight and I had to take over. I suppose I will keep it until he gets back . ” Although details are lacking, it is known that Erlund distinguished himself in leading his patrol in enemy territory, doing an im mense amount of damage and ulti mately getting his patrol back safely into the Allied lines. He was awarded the oak leaf cluster to his Bronze Star. Erlund received his degree in Fish and Game in January, 1943. While a student here he was a member of the singing cadets and in his senior year was a cadet captain. Try Our Sunday Chicken Dinners . A. & M. GRILL ALTERATIONS LAUTERSTEIN’S PHONE 4-4444 We have Brown Rubber Heels Any Size Holick’s Boot Shop STUDENT CO-OP Bicycle and Radio Repair PHONE 4-4114 Many will leave the campus at the end of this semester, the major ity not to return for a lengthy period. But no matter how long they are gone there are certain experiences and incidents enjoyed here at A. & M. that they will not soon forget. Such as, marching to mess, at top; being greeted by that ever faithful but ever annoying alarm clock at 6:45 a.m., at center; and the colorful, typical Aggie bull session, at bottom. : Student Reviews: “HOME IN INDIANA” “Home in Indiana” is primarily the story of man’s love of horses and racing. The narrative begins with the arrival of a wayward young nephew, Sparke (Lon Mc- Callister) at the home of his un cle, '“Thunder” (Walter Brennan,) in Indiana. Sparke is ready to run away until he finds out his uncle owns the Roundtree horse breed ing farm, once famous over the state but now completely run-down. His uncle has lost out except for one mare “Lady”, formerly a cham pion racer but now blind and past her prime. When Sparke learns too that his uncle has tui-ned to drink for consolation, with the daring of youth he decides to take mat ters in his own hands. Unknown to the family, he steals the breeder stallion from his uncle, Thunder’s former partner, but now bitter riv al, to breed with Lady. The pretty girl, Char (Jeanne Crain), from the neighboring farm is Sparke’s accomplice in this secret effort to give Thunder another chance. The plan works with characteristic Hollywood success; the foal is a champion from the beginning. With Sparke as driver, the colt, Maureen II, wins one race after another climaxing her victories with the state handicap and a purse of $10,000. To make the triumph complete uncle Thunder’s colt nos ed out the entry of his rival. Al though Maureen goes blind at the end of the handicap, Thunder’s for tunes and self-respect are restored. Sparke has found himself and his true love, and “home in Indiana” at Uncle Thunder’s Roundtree ifed- iates happiness and beauty. Sparke’s love affair is secondary in the story. He is much interested in Cri-Cri (June Haver) the daugh ter of Thunder’s rival. Cri-Cri is a glamour girl not much interest ed in a county boy such as Sparke. By contrast, Char is attracted to Sparke from the beginning, even though Sparke is not aware of it. He continues to fawn on Cri-Cri, ignoring Char’s amourous atten tion. Cri-Cri returns his affection only after Sparke has won several races and is the focus of attention. Sparke finally realizes after Char makes him jealous that she is the one he really loves. Thunder (Walter Brennan) is seen first as an elderly race horse driver who has lost everything, in contrast to his former partner who is sitting on top of the world. Thunder has turned to drink and to memories of his great days as the owner of Champion horses. When he stages a comeback thru his nephew’s efforts, Thunder be comes his old self again. Lon McCallister plays the role of Sparke. It is his first picture and he handles himself with un usual natural ability. Sparke is shown as an ambitious country (See STUDENT, Page 4) arnpus Opens 1 P.M. — 4-1181 AIR-CONDITIONED THURSDAY ARTHUR TREACHER MARION HUTTON KIRBY GRANT THOMAS GOMEZ ANNE GILDS (WILL OSBORNE AND ORCHESTRA Plus Color Cartoon - Short A&M ALTERATION SHOP Aggies! A.S.T.R.P. We give you 2-day service on all Patches, Stripes, Al terations. BRING IT TO TILLIE Friday and Saturday 2 Days of Double Feature No. 1 Feature No. 2 “Youth Runs Wild” starring Bonita Granville Also Disney Color Cartoon Sunday and Monday OEANNA GENE I DURBIN SKILLY f tn W, Somerset Maugham's § 1 "rIchard whorf I DEAN HARENS ? GLADYS GEORGE ?■ JTOSON DAVID BRUCE j » r °<kK«<l W FEU * GALE SONDERGAARD 3 and “Popeye” Cartoon 3 Days Tues. - Wed. - Thurs. Also Marrie Melodies Cartoon Vit \i 1 a 14 r ♦4 M /