Page Two 1 THE BATTALION, College Station (Aggieland), Texas, Saturday, April 19, 1947 Texas City Relief... As soon as we had recovered from the shock of hearing about the Texas City disaster, most of us asked, “What can we do to help?” So a committee of students, faculty and local citizens got together yesterday to form the “Texas City Relief Fund” which will be soliciting contributions over the week-end and up until Tuesday at 5 p.m. Money collected by this com mittee will be given directly to the Texas City council for relief work. There is no need for the Battalion to urge generous gifts to this fund. Most of us have friends or relatives in the stricken areas. The smoke cloud that drifted over the cam pus yesterday morning was a reminder that this tragedy struck close to home. We are Texans, and we know how to give. Contributions will be solicited under the supervision of these committee chiefs: Chairman: W. W. Laws. Veterans: Bill Andrews. Cadets: Bill McCormick. Faculty: W. L. Penberthy. City of College Station: J. B. Lauterstein. Churches: Rev. R. C. Terry. Dormitory house-masters and cadet company command ers will receive the actual donations on the campus. Con tributions will also be accepted at the Student Activities Of fice in the Administration building. Let’s help Texas City back to life. Muster Day ... April 21, 1947, will be one of the quieter Muster Days. If cool, clear, spring days continue, there should be a per fect setting for the Muster ceremonies on the east side of the Administration building. According to the program chairman, the ceremony will be brief and reverent, with little of the spectacularity which has featured A. & M. Mus ters since the never-to-be-forgotten Corregidor Muster in 1942. The Roll Call for the Absent will be uncommonly short this year. Roll Call, the most impressive part of the cere mony, symbolizes the tie still binding the dead and the living, but it is a part that saddens the heart of every Aggie pres ent. War heroes, famed for service to their country, will not grace the list this year, for the first time in many years. This no one will regret. The whine of 88 shells, the crack of rifle fire, and the blast of bombs will not drive mustering Aggies underground this year. Though this is a time of world-wide turmoil, it is nevertheless a time of peace. For this we can be grate ful, on the first Muster Day free of the taint of war. At Rice... An inkling of why Rice Institute received national rec ognition this year may be contained in the following excerpt from the editorial column of the Rice Threshery. Italics are our own. This is the story of a new professor at the Rice Institute. Some professors bring a breath of fresh air to Rice oc casionally. The one we are talking about did just that. He takes his job seriously, but appears to enjoy it thoroughly. He tries to teach his students what they should know. And this professor had some ideas of his own. This professor had not been at Rice long when he began to invite interested stu dents in his classes to come over to his home one night a week and read to each other from the world's greatest classics. All this was conducted in an informal and very friendly at mosphere, and the students enjoyed it. This professor has taken an interest in student activities, trying to help out where he can. He has recently become sponsor of the new Rice Dramatic Club, and has acted like a perfect faculty sponsor should act. He has inspired confidence in his stu dents ; he has many friends among the students and faculty. Pappy’s Politics... There are two ways to learn about the processes of American government. One is by taking History 306 and 307, the other is by reading the daily papers. In classrooms and text books, we learn that governors and senators are chosen by the will of the people, intelli gently expressed at the polls. In the newspapers we read statements like this from Pappy O’Daniel: “I do not think Gov. Stevenson would want to place himself in the position of an ingrate. (By running against O’Daniel in 1948). He (Stevenson) has admitted to me that he owed his election as lieutenant governor to my en dorsement in the second primary of 1938. He has always seemed very grateful for the assistance I gave him then. He has expressed his gratitude for my stepping out of the governorship and making him governor in August, 1941. He has expressed gratitude for the recommendation I gave him to the President for appointment as federal judge in the western district of Texas. He has told me he has al ways had a great desire to get on the bench.” That may not be good History 306-7. In fact, in the long run, it may not even be good practical politics. We’ll find out next year. Joseph Pulitzer... This month American journalism is observing the centennial of Joseph Pulitzer, probably the greatest of all American newspaper men. Much of what our newspapers are today is traceable to this one-time immigrant, who founded the St. Louis Post-Dispatch—still going strong— and the New York World, which collapsed during the de pression of ’29. Every newspaperman knows and respects Pulitzer’s watchwords—“Accuracy, terseness, accuracy.” Most know the story about how the penniless Hungarian was turned away by a hotel at the foot of Bowery in New York, only to return later, buy and tear down the hotel, to erect the Pulitzer Building, then the world’s tallest. Many have forgotten that he raised funds for the pedes tal of the Statue of Liberty. Few know that the Post-Dis- pach began as a German-language weekly, the Westliche Post. Today Pulitzer is most readily remembered by the Pulitzer prize, one of his notable benefactions, and by the schools of journalism which he founded and endowed. Truly a great man, as well as a great newspaper man. PASTORAL SOLICITUDE Item from a local pastor to the Vincennes (Ind.) Sun Commercial: “Any wishing to enter church membership or to have children should notify the Pastor as early as possible.” MIDGET? And from the classified ads in the Austin American: LOST: Saturday afternoon on city bus number 88; a small coin purse containing Mrs. R. M. Meeker. Ph. 2-7796. : Letters to the Editor : $5.00 EXPENDABLE Dear Editor: Returning to A&M last semester, my first in a veteran status, I ob served the recurrence of a prac tice which I condemn as nothing but outright greed, selfishness and evidence of false reasoning on the part of the veterans to whom it may concern. The practice I refer to could be termed “exploitation of the expend able card.” The college veteran's expendable card is granted to us by the G. I. Bill to be used for the purchase of the additional and necessary school supplies we may consume during each semester, in an amount not to exceed five dol lars. This sum is more than enough to meet the average vete ran’s needs for paper, pencils, note book, clipboards, et al. However, and especially towards the end of the semester, the majority action on this campus seemed to be to use up the remainder of the requisition on anything from scotch tape to a ream of paper. The purpose was natural: “to get something (any thing) for nothing.” But is it “for nothing” or “free”? Not by a long shot—and one doesn’t have to be an Econo mics major to figure it out. Uncle Sam pays at first for your extra vagance, but in the long run it will be you, your parents, your child ren, their children and every other taxpayer upon whom the final bur den will fall. Bear in mind primar ily that such widespread exploita tion merely adds to the national debt, a liability which every Am erican taxpayer, both present and future, will help pay. I sincerely hope we veterans do not repeat the previous semester’s performance—stop, think it out and reason with yourself before you rush in for those last minute non-essentials “because they’re free.” C. C. KEEBLE, ’48 FOOTBALL MYSTERY A word on Mr. Gilchrist’s an swer to the Exchange Store pro fit question—Just how was the $8,000 that he claims went for student recreation spent? I would like to cite an instance along this line that happened only the other day. After repeated at tempts to check out a football at the Intra-mural office and the Physical Education office, a group of us became puzzled over the whole works. Each place told us they had none to check out. The P. E. office told us that they had been losing too many and that since we (a group of vet erans) did not belong to an organ ization they could not check one out to us. But—now get this, it’s really good—in the same breath, they offered to sell us a football, and at wholesale price, too. This act of generosity over whelmed us! Now, with Mr. Gilchrist’s per mission, I would like to repeat the charge hurled at him Thurs day night “Where did that $54,000 go?” Sincerely, KARL K. POORTER, JR. (Ed Note: The Battalion ask- C. G. (Spike) White for the an- s w e r s to Poorters’ questions. White’s answer follows.) ★ P. E. FUNDS We appreciate the opportunity of answering the questions raised by Karl Poorter, Jr. We com mend him for trying to secure the facts, and we encourage others to do likewise. I feel that everyone concerned is genuinely interested in providing the finest recreation for our students, and although some mistakes will be made, these can be cut to a minimum by help ful suggestions from our students. The portion of the Exchange Store profits which was allocated for student recreation was not ap proved by the Board of Directors until their meeting on February 21, 1947. We do not know just how it will be spent; however, either the Student Life Committee or the Student Council would be very receptive to any suggestions as to how the money can be spent to the best interest of our students, and the money will be spent on projects or facilities recommend ed by the Student Life Committee. In the summer of 1945, $70,000 was made available by our Board of Directors upon the recommend ation of the President. This mon ey was to be used for recrea tional facilities of a permanent nature, and to this date many im provements have been made, and others are under construction. These projects have been greatly handicapped and retarded because of the scarcity of materials. I am listing below some of the things that have been done, and others that are contemplated. 1. Twelve concrete tennis courts are now under construct ion. When these are completed we will have a battery of 22 courts, which will go far in meeting the demands of both In tramural and recreational play. $27,000 was set up for this pro ject, but when completed they will cost $30,000. 2. The “Grove” is being great ly enlarged and improved. The size of the slab has been practi cally tripled and a Cyclone fence has been constructed. When the band stand is built and other feat ures added, the “Grove” will be one of the most attractive and en joyable places on our campus. Cost—$14,000. 3. The remodeling of the new area Y. M. C. A. into a music and dramatic center. This build ing provides rehearsal rooms for the Aggieland Orchestra, Sing ing Cadets, Aggie Players, and other musical and theatrical groups. It also provides rooms for individuals desiring to pract ice. Cost—$11,500. 4. Softball Backstops. Twenty portable softball backstops have been purchased as the ultimate need, and most of these have been erected on the campus and at the Annex. These are in answer to a long-felt need. Permanent bases have also been installed on all softball diamonds. Cost—$5,265. 5. Intramural Message Center. This was completed in the fall of 1946 at a cost of $1,000. Of this amount the class of ‘47 contributed $500, the College matching that amount from this fund. 6. Permanent Goal Posts for Intramural Football Fields. Mater ials have been ordered for many months, and most have been re ceived. When all materials are on hand the posts will be erected on the five Intramural Fields. These should be ready for play in the fall of 1947. Cost—$400. 7. An allocation of $800 has been made for the construction of a bandstand for the Aggie Band. 8. Recently application was made for many items of equip ment such as barbells, a trampol- in, striking bag platforms, arch ery targets, and horseshoe courts. These items will probably be ap proved and will total $2,400. If the item mentioned last is approved, there will be approxi mately $5,000 left in this account, which, added to the $8,000 recent ly approved, will make $13,000 which I am sure everyone concern ed would like to spend in a way to be of most benefit. I believe I speak for the committee in saying that we would welcome suggest ions. Concerning the checking out of playing equipment, it has been our policy to check out several items of equipment to be used at the gym. We have learned through experience that equipment check ed out for use in the dormitory areas was difficult to regulate, and sometimes impossible to re- trive. Consequently, for many years we have made such equip ment available at cost plus handl ing to organizations and student groups served by the department. Footballs come under this head ing. Cordially yours, C. G. White, Director of Intramural Athletics Instruction Classes For Children in Dog Show Announced Entrants in the children’s clas ses of the third all-breed dog show will be given instruction in front of the Administration Building on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 4:30 p.m., it has been announced. The dog show is being given by the Brazos County Kennel Club under the sponsorship of the Col lege Station Recreation Council on April 25, and will be held on the Animal Husbandry grounds. C. E. Van Buskirk will be in charge of the special instruction groups, assisted by A. Cecil Wam ble and Louis Haupt. Four prizes are offered in the junior and senior classes for children, the former including those under 11 only. First prize in each group is $5; second, $3; third, $2; and fourth, $1. Children from all parts of the state are expected to enter the show. PENNY’S SERENADE W. L. Penberthy Penny A couple of weeks ago one of our Intramural officials was as signed to umpire an Intramural Softball game. It must have been one of those days we all experience when nothing is right, because • the two teams involved just didn’t seem to be able to a- gree or be sat isfied with anything that was done, or any decision called. They fussed and fumed and griped for a- bout three or four innings, and things seemed to be getting worse instead of bet- Phil Shelton, the umpire, did something very unusual and in my opinion very intelligent. He just stopped the game and told the players to go on back to their dormitories, and further stated that the game would be rescheduled at a later date. Our campus seems to be in a- bout the same shape as that ball game. Nobody seems to be sat isfied with anything or anybody, and everybody has some sort of a solution, but so far the Legis lative Committe doesn’t seem to think so much of any of the solu tions advanced. I wonder if maybe Sen. Fred Harris, Chairman of the Commit tee, might not do well to adopt Phil’s policy and declare about a two-week’s “cooling off” period. When the investigations were re sumed things might look a little different, and a lot of our big dif ferences might turn out to be pret ty insignificant. ter, finally Chilton to Address Star Gazers Monday The A. & M. Astronomical So ciety will meet Monday night in the Physics Building to hear John M. Chilton discuss “Problems in Star Photography”. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. or after the Aggie Muster, whichever is later. Chilton, a member of the Physics Department Staff, worked in the field of Astronimical photography at the LSU Observatory before coming to A. & M. A form letter for persons wish ing to become charter members of the organization are being circu lated. This blank should be filled in and brought to the Monday night meeting or mailed to Ray Oden, Box 843, College Station as soon as possible. Opens 1:00 p.m. Ph. 4-1181 SATURDAY LAST DAY THE MIGHTIEST PICTURE EVER FILMED IN ncHMCOl 0 *- GARIK MADELEINE COOPER-CARROLL NORTH WEST MOUNTED POLICE *!'h Paulette Preston Robert GODDARD-FOSTER-PRESTON Akim TAMIROFF-Lon CHANEY, Jr. Produced and Directed by CECIL B. DeMILLE The Battalion The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultural and Mechanical College Texas and the City of College Station, is published tri-weekly and circulated Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons. Member Ptssoocrfed Cp!le6icite Press . Entered as second-class matter at Post Office at College Station, (Aggieland), Texas, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1870. Subscription rate 4.00 per school year. Advertising rates on request. . Represented nationally by National Advertising Service, Inc., at New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. SATURDAY PREVIEW (11:00 p. m.) SUNDAY - MONDAY Corps Editor Veteran Editor ...Tuesday Associate Editor Thursday Associate Editor .Saturday Associate Editor Sports Editor Allen' Self Vick Bindley Charles E. Murray J. K. B. Nelson David M. Seligman Paul Martin L arr y Goodwyn, Andy Matula, Jack Goodloe, Dick Baker, Earl Grant. Sports Writers Wendeii McClure Advertising Manager H - ^ S ^ rir l?t r Circulation Manager Ferd B. English, Franklin Cleland, William Miller, Doyle Duncan, Ben Schrader, Wm. K. Colville, Walter Lowe, Jr., Lester B. Gray, Jr., Carl C. Krueger, Jr., Mack T. Nolen Reporters Poromount presents BARRY SZ. FITZGERALD SONNY TUFTS DIANA LYNN,. ^ASYCOMB, EASY GO"