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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (June 10, 1947)
Battalion EDITORIALS Page 2 TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 1947 Moore Fights A. & M. W. T. Moore There ap pears to be a group of busi- nessmen in Bryan who be lieve that Tex as A. & M. Col lege should be operated for their person al welfare and benefit. Although The Battalion had suspected this for several months, the whole issue be came clear when, in the Texas Legisla ture, Represen tative W. T. Moore of Bra zos County, an A. and M. graduate, opposed the establishment of an A. and M. summer school at Junction in Kimball County. He based his fight on the feeble ground of not wanting to scatter A. and M. all over the state, saying further that ex-students were against it. Every man is entitled to his own opinion on any subject, but when he would deny to others the opportunity to receive an educa tion, we say that it is time for the cold light of truth to be cast upon him. We don’t know what excuse Representative Moore has to offer for his action. Basically there can be no excuse, for he has placed his services at the disposal of a small group of Bryan businessmen who want the A. and M. Col lege operated for their own personal aggran dizement. Representative Moore, on the floor of the House of Representatives, admitted that he was not representing the A. and M. College. This fact is obvious now, even to the unin formed. Representative Moore further charged that the A. and M. ex-students opposed the school at Junction. The Battalion, in all hu mility, would like to know who gave Repre sentative Moore authority to speak for the Former Students Association. We know that the Junction school is being actively suppor ted by many A. and M. men and their fam ilies. Mind you, we didn’t say “all” A. and M. men. As we see it, this group of Bryan mer chants has been unable to dictate to Presi dent Gilchrist. Consequently they have de cided that he must go. After seeing their carefully laid plans go awry during the leg islative investigation, this Bryan clique, in a last desperate effort, tried to get the A. and M. appropriation cut. Yes, that’s right! They were will ing to see your education and mine sac rificed in an effort to have their way. When their attempt at cutting Aggie ap propriations failed in the main, they decided to try to embarass the President by opposing the Junction school. Not only would they embarrass the President, but also they would be sure that students of A. and M. College spend their money in Brazos County. This is truly clear thinking on the part of the Bryan group, but very short-sighted. Gentlemen, we want to ask you and Repre sentative Moore just whether you think A. and M. students are entitled to pleasant liv ing conditions when they take geology and civil engineering field trips during the sum mer. Is there any valid reason why A. and M. College cannot have branches scattered over the state, as long as the school provides edu cational facilities that are needed ? Can you oppose this on any sound basis? We do not believe that this action re flects the thinking of any large number of Bryan businessmen. It is the work of a few, who in the words of another Aggie Legisla tor, “are in need of rehabilitation.” ‘No Basis for Charges 9 — Majority Report Here’s What We Believe ... We believe that freedom of the press, about which we hear so much these days, is a trust, an obligation. It is not a right or privilege conferred on the man or group of men who own or publish a newspaper. Free dom of the press is a right qf the people, their right to know what goes on as accur ately as human intelligence can report it. The Battalion is only the trustee of that right for you. In our news columns we try to be objec tive. We endeavor to get both sides of every story and give every person who has a case the opportunity to state it. In our news col umns we have but one purpose, and that is to print all the facts that can be ascertained. In our editorial column we strive to win people to our way of thinking by marshalling Science and Women Whether they are large or small, trans parent or opaque, or never satisfied, women are all the same. However, everyone has his own idea. Farbeit for scientists to be outdone and become too engrossed in Bunsen Burners, formaldehyde-soaked frogs, or atomic bombs, they too have their idea of woman. Since summer school finds that feminine touch on the campus, the Batt feels it advisable to re print “the chemical nature of woman”, which appeared in the Texas Academy of Science Collegiate Academy official publication. Here it is, for better or worse: CHEMICAL NATURE OF WOMAN This element called woman is a member of the human family and it has been assign ed the chemical symbol Wo. The accepted atomic weight is 120, although a number of isotopes have been identified having weights ranging from 95 to 400. Occurrence: It is abundant in nature; found in the free or combined states, usually associated with men. Physical properties: A number of allo- tropic forms have been observed. Their den sity, transparency, color, boiling and melting points vary within wide limits The color exhibited by many specimens is a surface phenomenon and is usually due to more or less closely adhering powder. Chemical properties: Absorbs, without dissolving in, a number of liquids, the activ ity being greatly increased by alcohol. Ab sorbs seemingly unlimited quantities of ex- our facts and appealing tp their through logic rather than by appealing to r Rt^^' their prejudices, emotions, or hysteria. We try to make honesty, sincerity, and common sense the guiding principles of our comment in editorials. The Battalion has never tied itself to the fortunes of political organizations nor to the fortunes of men. It is interested only in principles. In our editorial arguments we try to be persuasive, not abusive. We want to con vince our readers, not try to browbeat them. Yet when indignation is called for, we pull no punches. We believe in life and assail those who would deny or degrade it; we believe in truth and combat those who would suppress distort it. «r pensive foods. Some varieties catalyze this food into fat in accordance with the formula: PV equals RT. Many naturally occurring va rieties of Wo are highly magnetic; in gen eral, the magnetism varies inversely with the density and size, directly with the square of the valence, and inversely with the cube of the age. Some varieties tend to form an- ne-ions; others form cat-ions. Their ionic migrations vary widely. All varieties ex hibit great affinity for silver, gold, and plat inum and for precious stones in both chain and ring structures. The valence toward these substances is high and its study is complicated by the fact that the residual val ence is never satisfied. Many stable and un stable unions have been described—the latter in the daily press. Some varieties, being highly explosive, are exceedingly dangerous in inexperienced hands. In general they tend to explode spontaneously when left alone by man temporarily. The application of pres sure to different specimens of Wo produces such a variety of results as to defy the Prin ciple of LeChatelier. Uses: Highly ornamental. Wide appli cation in the arts and domestic sciences. Acts as a positive or negative catalyst in the pro duction of fever, as the case may be. Useful as a tonic in the alleviation of sickness, low spirits, etc. Efficient as a cleaning agent. Equalizes the distribution of wealth. Prob ably the best (income) reducing agent known.” Tip to the wise: Beware of those with high boiling points! The Battalion The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and the City of College Station, Texas, is published tri-weekly and circulated on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday after noons, except during the summer when it is published semi-weekly. Subscription rate $4 per school year. Advertising rates furnished on request. Entered as second-class matter at Post Office at College Station, Texas, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1870. , Member ^ Pissocided Cblleftkie Press Represented nationally by National Ad vertising Service, Inc., at New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Charlie Murray Editor David M. Seligman Associate Editor Richard I. Alterman Managing Editor Claude Buntyn, E. C. Hord Reporters Don Bngelking Sports Editor Bill Brown, Maurice Howell Advertising Managers D. W. Springer Circulation Manager Ivan Yantis .Roving Correspondent (Continued from Page 1) It was thought that by proper lead ership and the personal popularity of the person chosen to fill the of fice that the violations of the pe nal laws of Texas could be prevent ed. This effort failed, thus neces sitating the adoption of a different method. As to the cost of administering the office of Dean of Men, 1946- 1947, as compared with the cost of the Commandant’s office, 19 4 4- 1945, the evidence showed that the Commandant’s office expended $35,197.52 for an enrollment of 2,157 students, while the same functions were performed by the Dean of Men’s office in the 1946- 1947 year at a cost of $42,045.00 with an enrollment of 8,663 stu dents. Additional duties, however, were assigned the office of the Dean of Men, and its enlarged ac tivities necessarily resulted in in creased expenditures for such ad ditional services which amounted to $67,594.66, as shown by the official audit reports. Passing, next, to the sp'ecific queries posed by the Veteran Students Association, they are taken in the order presented. The first relates to the $200,- 000.00 fund purportedly establish ed in 1943 for the purpose of erect ing a new Science Hall. The evi dence showed that $200,000.00 was set apart in September, 1940, for a building of which $140,000.00 was out of local funds and $60,000.00 from Pure Feed Funds. The ad vent of war precluded the acquis ition of building materials, and in July 1945, some $70,000.00 was transferred out of this fund by the Board to pay current expenses pending payment of fees by the Veterans Administration, and three months later the Board transferred the remaining $70,000.00 of the lo cal funds to the student recreation account. In May 1946, the $60,- 000.00 was returned to the Pure Feed Fund for operating and re search purposes. At the same time $275,000.00 was added to the Phy sical Plant Fund and remains avail able for the construction of the proposed building when materials are available in quantity. The next concerned the purchase of a farm in Brazos River Bottom for about $78.00 per acre. The purchase of the farm was author ized by a divided Board, upon the recommendation and insistence of Dean E. J. Kyle on January 8, 1944, prior to the appointment of Mr. Gilchrist as President. A ma jority of the present Board were not members at the time. How ever, the 'evidence showed that the price paid was the fair market value at thi time and that it could be sold now at a profit at prevail ing prices. . . ; _ the Exchan^g Store for ^146 was approximately $54,000.00, for about 15%, on a gross business of over $360,000.00 which is ndj. excessive. This was accounted fory among other things, by the magnitude of the operation, the increased enrollment, the fast turn-over of goods and merchan dise, and the efficiency of opera tion. The evidence was conflict ing in a few minor instances as to the prices of similar items in other stores in the vicinity, although, in the main, they were shown to be from comparable to a little less in instances. It was also brought out in this connection that it was necessary to maintain a large reserve because of the long wait for reimburse ment from the Federal Government for books and supplies furnished free of charge to the veterans, most of whom returned to school in late 1945 and early 1946, and to main tain a safe operating margin in accordance with approved business practices. The disposition of the profits, under the recommendation of the aforesaid Council complete ly accounted therefor. The Presi dent and the Comptroller testified that they thought with last year’s experience the store could be op erated on a smaller margin in the future, since last year afforded the first big scale operation and gener al economic conditions might be different. Concerning the wind tunnel the only credible evidence showed that one Dr. Potter made a recommen dation to the Board on October 10, 1942 suggesting an expenditure of from $15,000.00 to $25,000.00 for limited instructional purposes—not for the construction and equipping same. This, he suggested, should be nearer a million dollars. The former President, Mr. T. O. Wal ton, disregarded the recommenda tion entirely and obtained approv al of an appropriation from the Legislature in 1943 of $60,000.00 for a wind-tunnel. Unavailability of electric motors has thus far prevented its completion and use. Incidentally, it also appeared that Dr. Potter is a Mechanical Engi- ner rather than an Aeronautical Engineer, who might be better qualified to discuss the subject. The present administration had very little, if anything at all, to do with the obtaining of funds for the wind tunnel, but is exerting every effort to put it into operation for the benefit of the boys of Texas. The evidence is uncontradicted that the Federal Government did not and has not at any time, offer ed or tendered Bryan Army Air Field as a gift for the use of the Aeronautical Engineering Depart ment of A. & M. College. A tenure system exists at the College with full right of appeal for aggrieved faculty members. This bit of misinformation was supplied to the Veteran Students Association by one Dr. F. B. Clark, whose incoherent state ments and irrational assertions only served to accentuate his , mental declination. The testimony was uncontradic ted to the effect that the School of Veterinary Medicine had not been removed from the list of schools approved by the Associa tion of American Veterinary Schools. Neither had its work de teriorated, although filled to its capacity of 64 students and despite the crowded conditions and the in creased cost of maintenance of clinical material. The Department of Chemistry was removed in December 1946 from the list approved by the American Chemistry Society. The circumstances of its re moval are somewhat vague, but steps have been and are being taken to regain the recognition. It is not believed, however, the character or quality of the work and courses taught have, in any way, disintegrated. The failure of the Cadet Corps to earn the Blue Star rating for military efficiency, while regret table, was not altogether unexpec ted. The Corps, which has always had and enjoyed a most enviable military history, was seriously af fected during the recent armed conflict by reason of depleted num bers and unavailability of quali fied instructors who were in the service of their country. However, the informal inspection report made by officers of the 4th Army Headquarters under the command of General “Tex” Wainwright made on February 4, 1947 indicated the present excellent condition of Corps equipment and personnel and it is believed that an early restoration of the award will be forthcoming, because of recent fine showings of the Cadets. The personality of the Presi dent has evoked much comment although his integrity, his hon or, his motives and his ability and efficiency have not been suc cessfully attacked. Some vague rambling statements were made to the effect that he was and is inaccessible to faculty and to stu dents; however, there is no evi dence that any one was ever de nied an audience or interview, but on the contrary any person who so desired was granted as much time as required. The record reflects the sworn testimony of the eight members of the Board to the effect that the President is carrying out their in structions and directions and that the Board is backing him 100% in his efforts. One or more of the members of the Board recently ap pointed testified that they accepted the responsibility fully realizing the existing conditions and that they believed it to be their sworn duty to stop hazing practices de nounced by law. Their motives cannot be successfully questioned. In the final analysis of the situation, the entire controversy -peems to resolve itself into the question whether the legally con stituted authorities shall contin ue to conduct the affairs of the school or shall a small segement of students, misguided, perhaps, and misinformed, encouraged by outside influences contributing to their discontent, be permitted to force a complete breakdown of discipline and take over the run ning of the institution. The conclusion is inescapable, from the overwhelming weight of credible testimony, that the prin cipal factor which precipitated the student rebellion was the announced determination of the Board of Dir ectors on January 11, 1947 to com ply with their constitutional oaths and enforce the criminal laws of this State prohibiting hazing prac tices in the school. It is apparent that this fact was seized upon by disappointed, disgruntled and de signing persons as the avenue, to discredit the school administration. Unfortunately, the officers of the Veteran Students Association, some of whom were former Cadets, were in the forefront of the rebel lion against constituted authority which originated in the Cadet Corps, in the name of the preserv ation of “the spirit and traditions of Aggieland” and to demand the wholesale resignation of the Board of Directors and the summary dis charge of the President. The exploitation of this small minority of misguided youths is all the more reprehensible because of the peculiar positions occupied by those non-students engaged in abetting the unrest by maintaining “secret or private files” purporting to contain factual information. The belittling, to immature minds, of “constituted authority” by Mr. T. O. Walton, was an extremely un fortunate, not to say deplorable, thing. Its effect on the future conduct of those immature students cannot be calculated at this time. Defiance of duly constituted auth ority in our schools will breed a contempt for law and order in later life. It was definitely proved that many of the practices indulged in by the student body, charitably termed “hazing”, were of an ex tremely cruel and inhuman nature and of comparatively recent origin and were definitely never a part of the finer and more cherished tra ditions of the institution. In fact, such practices and innovations were unheard of as recently as the early part of this decade and were, of course, unknown a generation ago. The testimony is conclusive to the effect that a large number of students retired or withdrew from the school as a result of the so- called “traditions”. This can only emphasize the severity and cruelty thereof without mentioning spe cific instances of such practices. Many of these students became de ficient in their academic work be cause of the demands for the per formance of menial acts of servi tude and details made upon them and the physical tortures to which they were subjected, and which pre vented their devoting sufficient time to their studies. The matter of “paddling” was not among the more serious offenses. The with drawal or retiring of a single stu dent for hazing practices is alone sufficient to warrant its condem nation in this publicly-owned, dem ocratic institution. While a great and enthusiastic school spirit is appreciated and is to be encouraged, still it must not be prostituted to the accomplish ment of evil or to be nurtured to such extent that it grows progres sively worse and assumes a form of fanticism for its retention. The utter failure of a former administration to prohibit these vicious hazing practices, has, of necessity, made the task more onerous. The Board of Directors and the President have not been unmindful of the stupendous task confronting them because of the cancerous growth and the pro portions to which it has expand ed, thus requiring firm and dras tic action. In this connection, it is worthy of note that the Board of Directors is composed of some of the finest and most highly respected and success ful citizens of Texas. That they possess a genuine love for and in terest in the welfare of A.&M. College, the Alma Mater of seven of them, cannot be gainsaid. Each has an abiding faith in its fuuture. It is likewise coincidental that no Sunday - Monday and Tuesday ,, 4/ "P10RA PRENTISS:i ^NEW.WARNER SENSATION/ m. ROBERT ALDA • ROSEMARY DECAMP i! Lii! Ul’l! I il UiiUUL LI 111 II LI I VINCENT SHERMAN SCREEN PLAY_BY_N. RICHaRQ_ NASH . FROM A STORY 8Y PAUL WEBSTER & JACK SOBELL . MUSIC BY FRANZ WAXMAN WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY CENTENNIAL SUMMER FLY PIONEER for an A-plus vacation! 4 Arrive hours sooner \ V \ My : "\ I\ \ubbock mm WEUS^>»WS v MBUND- SW AMIS iSSTBUj ODESSA t / ^II^^Te^kerTThonscontinentarTidinM^^ S’ N * -j % . 7 CONVENIENT DAILY FLIGHTS 4 A l, -P 0int connett i° ns \ TO 17 KEY TEXAS CITIES! y 1 Pioneer's new Texas-Wide : \ Network gives you fast I jr Z '■■ ' flights, with schedules / A Iways a convenient flight 7 plann#d . for \ **■ connections and tickets all the way to all points in the U. S. Mg _ FLY INC PASS ENGERS — 5c AIRMAIL —EXPRES S' President of A. & M. College has ever been graduate thereof. Mr. Gilchrist is no exception, but the qualified and wholehearted support of the Board bespeaks the confi dence of that group in him to do the job his predecessors failed to do, and admittedly stated it could not be done, to wit, stamp out hazing. It was testified, too, that when the President signed the “Basic Policy” that he “either signed his own death warrant or will be known as a great man because he chal lenged a system.” No fact is more important to be borne in mind by the citizens— the taxpayers of Texas—than that A. & M. College is not a sectional school and that it does not and should not belong to any group. It is a tax-supported, state operated institution established for the pri- m a r y purpose of disseminating knowledge with a special emphasis on the training of the youth of Texas in agricultural and mechani cal subjects. With due regard to its lawful functions it has unlimi ted possibilities. If, however, it is allowed to become sectionalized or “over-traditionalized”, its full usefulness to its owners, the tax payers of Texas, may become great ly impaired and its future as a great institution, instilling as it does and should the fundamentals of democracy and good citizenship in the youth of Texas may be ser iously hampered. A. & M. College is a land grant college and has earned and main tained an outstanding military his tory. However, it does not auger well for its future in this respect that members of its famed Cadet Corps should openly defy orders and rules and regulations issued and published for its control and guidance. -Being soldiers in the making and potential officers of (See ‘NO BASIS’ on Page 6) + National Guard Officer to Address ROA Wednesday j Lt. Col. William C. Wilkes, Ad jutant General’s Department, Tex as National Guard, will be the prin cipal speaker at the June meeting of the Brazos County Reserve Of ficers Association. The meeting will be held Wednesday, June 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Petroleum En gineering Lecture Room. Topic of Lt. Col. Wilkes’ speech will be “Organization and Func tion of the National Guard”. Wilkes will represent Lt. General Fred H. Walker, Commanding General, Tex as National Guard, who was unable to deliver the address because of prior committments. AIR CONDITIONED Opens 1:00 p.m. Ph. 4-1181 Only 3 More Days DAVID O. SELZNICK’S starring JENNIFER JONES GREGORY PECK JOSEPH GOTTEN with a Cast of 2500 Directed by KING VIDOR
