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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 19, 1950)
i Battalion Editorials Page 2 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1950 ‘The Government Taketh Away’ . . . For years some of the best political minds in the United States have been warning us of our greatest threat to the American way of life—a powerful, power-mad, federal bu- reauracy. This trend of American government, started with the inauguration of Franklin Roosevelt and continued for nearly twenty years, is just as menacing and nearly as ter rifying to our Constitutionally minded states men as is the threat of Communism. As just another step in that direction the Fair Deal ers are now attempting to add a corollary to their proved (by a very sympathetic Su preme Court) theorem that the Gulf of Mexico tidelands belong to the federal gov ernment. The Justice Department has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to make Texas and Louisiana account for all the money re ceived from oil developments in the Gulf of Mexico tidelands since June 23, 1947, the date on which the Supreme Court decided ‘Failing Economy’-.in the Have the economic standards of the Uni ted States reached proportions near the col lapsing point ? A few months ago many people were fond of their abilities of extolling the demerits of our failing economy and seemed pleased with themselves for being aware of the falsity. Before the Korean war, defense spending to exceed the $18 billion mark was viewed with skepticism. We are now headed for defense spending on the order of $45 or $50 billion. If the people were right before the Korean conflict arose, our national economy is not long for this world. Defense spending will be high if we are to maintain standing armies for national de fense. Non-defense spending will rise cor respondingly if we are to carry out a rearm ament program. This will undoubtedly tax the, national budget. But a nation with re sources and quantity of national production Which Sacrifice - An Ally In this Uncle Sugar era, John Q. Pub lic is coming to believe that out government is using no discrimination whatever in giv ing'jaway the precious American dollar. The latest and loudest criticism has been leveled at plans to “lend” to Franco Spain. Even the most ostrich-like of our legislator^ rec ognize that Spain is the last surviving mem ber of the Fascist dictatorships that we spent four years and millions of lives to destroy. To aid Franco, Spain-aid opponents point out, would completely destroy the illusion that the North Atlantic Pact is a union of free and democratic countries. What little military help Spain could givd us would not be worth the effect such help would have on our allies, and on the neutral countries. The opponents of U.S. aid to Spain have lost sight of the original aims of our Europe- na reconstruction program: (1) to stop the spread of Communism in Europe, and there by build a bulwark between Russia and the U.S. and, (2) to save ourselves from an eco- that the federal government has paramount rights in the offshore tidelands of Califor nia. , Not content with defeating Texas’ claim to the tidelands, the Fair Dealers feel that the Federal government has a retroactive claim to anything Texas has already taken from this area. With their seemingly un limited capacity for spending money, the Fair Dealers should realize that Texas’ share of the tidelands oil has already been used. The only way the millions which Texas received from its tidelands oil can be repaid to the Federal government is by taking it from Texans through taxes. Perhaps then the government will return a fraction of these taxes to Texas through federal aid to education or through some other federal agency. To paraphrase an old maxim: “The gov ernment taketh away, and the government giveth. Blessed be the name of the gov ernment.” United States? . . . such as the United States should be able to assume the extra amounts. The President’s council of economic ad visors too does not oelieve that economic failure is inevitable, and have presented data to prove their point. They reason that a na tion’s ability to afford very high govern ment spending depends on its ability to pro duce goods. By using our present and other comparative national production figures, along with conservative estimations, econ omists have concluded that this nation can bear our economic load without fatal eco nomic explosions. Our economy is powerful! So powerful that it can stand a heavy load for a long time without any disasterous collapse in, the standard of living. Therefore, why not con clude all foolish talk about our “failing” eco nomic status? or An Ideal? . . nomic depression by bolstering U]3 Europe’s tottering finances. Even in this day of atomic warfare, Spain offers us an invaluable natural fortress in Europe. . The French, as perhaps no other people, realize the importance of Spain as an ally. In June, 1940, thousands of French soldiers fled over the Spanish border, laid down their weapons, and “sat’ out” the rest of the war. If Spain had been an ally, these same French soldiers could have dug into the Pyr enees mountains and in all probability held on until the United States and Great Britain came to their aid. Unlike the Maginot Line the t Pyrenees cannot be blasted down by tanks and planes. ’In case of war the Pyr enees would be our only logical line of de fense between Russia and the Atlantic Ocean. The question of aiding Spain will force the United States to make a bitter sacrifice —a very important ideal or a military ally. @ # One way to get more space in a cramp ed department is to get rid of the slow moving items and concentrate on the fast- movers. Necessity is the mother of invention— Dissatisfaction, the father of success.— Ed Hesse. Some salesmen are £ired with ambition others are fired for the lack of it. There IS an ill wind that blows nobody any good. It’s this blowing you do about yourself. Any job done reluctantly is a difficult one.—-Martin Vanbee. The Battalion Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Founder of Aggie Traditions "Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman” The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, is published fiv§ times a week during the regular school year. Du ring the summer terms, The Battalion is published four times a week, and during examination and vacation periods, twice a week. Days of publication are Monday through Friday for the regular school year, Tuesday through Friday during the summer terms, and Tuesday and Thursday during vacation and examination periods. Subscription rates $6.00 per year or $.50 per month. Advertising rates furnished on request. , The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for republication of all news dispatches cred ited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous origin published herein. Rights of republication of all other matter herein are also reserved. ' News contributions may be made by telephone (4-5444) or at the editorial office, Room 201, Goodwin Hath Classified ads may be placed by telephone (4-5324) or at the Student Activities Office, Room 209, Goodwin Hall. Entered as second-class matter at Post Office at College Station, Texas, under the 'Act of Congress of March 3, 1870. DAVE COSLETT, CLAYTON L. SELPH Co-Editors John Whitmore, Dean Reed, L. O. Tiedt Managing Editors Sid Abernathy Campus News Editor Frank N. Manitzas Sports Editor Joel Austin City News Editor Member of The Associated Press Represented nationally by National- Ad vertising Service Inc., at New York City, Chicago. Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Restraint Bill For Communist AdivityComing By G. MILTON KELLY Senate-House conferees have ten tatively agreed on the final terms of a bill aimed at hobbling Com munist activities in this country. Among other things, the measure calls for internment—without the light of habeas corpus—of danger ous Reds in time of invasion, in surrection in the cause of a foreign power, or rebellion. The conferees reportedly turned down a Senate proposal for internment power at ahy time the country is at war. Broadly, however, the compro mise bill follows terms of a Senate- approved Communist control bill adopted earlier in the week. The House had passed a sharply differ ent anti-Communist measure ear lier. Terms Unannounced Senator McCarran (D-Nev), con ference chairman forbade official announcement of the terms. He said he won’t consider a real agree ment has been reached until the last “T” is crossed, and the last conferee has signed the recommen dations, probably Monday. The measure then would go to the House, which has agreed to vote on nothing before Wednesday. Informed senators said this is what the measure’s internment provisions will do: • The attorney general, on com plaint showing “reasonable cause” for suspicion, could have dangerous Reds or other subversive charac ters thrown into jail to be held indefinitely with or without trial. ® The President, under the same conditions — invasion, insurrection or rebellion — could suspend the right of habaes corpus. That is the legal device for forcing a court heating on whether a jailed of im prisoned person! is unlawfhlly held. May Appeal Case ® The interhees would have re course of appeal to examiners, and next to a review or detention board, the findings of which could be reversed by either the attorney general or the courts in due time. © The internees could not be con fined at “hard labor.” Other provisions reportedly agreed on would (a) require the registratidn of Comintinist or Com munist front groups, (b) bar such persons from employment On na tional defense projects', and (c) stiffen penalties for conspiracy to overthrow the government. The measure rejects proposals that mere membership in an or ganization declared subversive would be evidence of conspiracy igainst the government. The; Senate version of the meas ure would have allowed internment in event of war, but informants said the conferees stuck to inva sion, insurrection or rebellion “to make sure it’s constitutional.” They said the constitution has similar language for suspension of habeas corpus rights, and the pro vision strengthens the President’s hand. The bill goes much farther than President Truman had asked, in proposing new legal weapons against spies and Comunists. Whether he will sign or veto the measure in its present form is a matter of much speculation. He declined earlier in the week to elaborate on a previous statement that he’d veto any measure that he feels might endanger American lib erties. Tooth Pulling Malakal, Anglo-Egyptian Sudan —(yp)—a native of this upper Nile province obtained a prized crocodile tooth charm the hard way. A crocodile bit him, leaving one tooth behind in the process. The tooth w r as discovered at the hospi tal. The bite itself turned out not to be serious. THE MASKED MARVELS from the City Desk From Where I Sit . . . A&M Film Society- New Campus Club By Herman C. Gollob Greater Coverage Of City Promised By JOEL AUSTIN Battalion City Editor Today The Battalion begins regular publication of a new and "enlarged paper which '""f.nd worii new^ greater coverage of campus, city, sports, and woil.t news. Through the present plan of increased •, coverage of local news, The Battalion wli endeavor to include all the news m and about College Station, as well as stories of mar riages, parties, gatherings, etc., ot local people. Not to be omitted is A&M Consoli dated School, which will be furnished with a reporter regularly to gather items of imej - est there. Sports news from A&M Consolidated School will be handled by the sports depart ment of the paper. Pictures and stories Austin about sports activities in season at Consoh- dated will appear regularly m the nearly 50 per cent increased sports section. Most readers have found the bulk of city news on the back page heretofore, but under the new arrangement, all important stories will be placed on the front page, while those of lesser importance may be found on page three. Under the present setup, we can promise complete cov erage of all city council, chamber of commerce, and civic club activities A society editor has been employed and is expected to take over her duties very soon. Through her, we will be able to present feature articles on recipes, gardening, fashions, and many stories of interest to women readers. Our Purpose—A Running Commentary Stop us if we’re wrong, but we’ll be mummified with printer’s ink and swathed in the reels of a Margaret O’Brien classic if we can think of any forms of creative endeavor oth er than the motion picture and the novel that enjoy the para doxical, two-fold status of industry and art. Since its inception in 1889 with the appearance of Edi son’s Kinetoscope, movie-making has been alternately con demned as an art) form which prostitutes itself to the base aspects of commercialism, and as “mass production” indus try which provides moviegoers with a snobbish, arty and esoteric piece of goods in direct clash with public taste. Tbe novel, too, is simultaneously immersed in big busi ness and art. For every Steinbeck with his eye on life,, re flecting a heartfelt and sincere response to life, there are ten Winsors with their eyes on the pocketbook, manufactur ing succulent pornographic cliches in the name of history, raw realism, etc. Through the study of only the most refined and note worthy literature in high schools and colleges, however, the novel emerges in the public mind as an impeccable, purified art form. • Unfortunately, a course in the limited seating capacity of the motion picture as a significant YMCA Assembly Hall, where the method of portraying universal films will be shown, only 300 tick- truths is not, to our knowledge, olj- ets will'he sold, fered at any educational institu- Included in the year’s schedule tiori, or is offered at so few as to are . thefse films which best ilfus- do little good. The general ten- trate the history and development dency is to judge the movies on 0 f the motion picture as a whole, the basis of the bad films, not the p ro g ram w iH begin Monday, superior. October 16, with the screening of For this reason, the Museum of five one-reelers, including “The Modern Art Film Library has col- Great Train Robbery.” In addi- lected and preserved representative tion, a two-reel short, “The Movies motion pictures of all types. These March On,” will be shown, are available . for rental, making Thomas Ince’s “The Last of the possible a critical appreciation and Line” and “Civilization” will fea- analysis of the history and func- ture the next meeting of the So- tion of this relatively new art. ciety) November 20. “Intolerance,” Nationwide grohps have taken a D. W. Griffith silent classic, was advantage of the opportunity offer- to follow on December 18. This ed by the Library and formed Film date falls during the Christmas Societies. Such an organization holidays, however, necessitating a now exists at A&M, and is open revision in the schedule which will to anyone who can manage the $1 be announced at a later date, membership fee. Because of the © What many critics consider the trich will appear March 19. finest war picture on record—“All MGM’s “The Good Earth” with Quiet on the Western Front,” with Paul Muni and Luise Rainer is This column may be found on the editorial page of The Battalion every Wednesday and Friday, com mencing that schedule in the Fri day edition this week. The purpose of this column, as it has been through the summer, will be to offer our readers a run ning commentary of important happenings at the city hall and around the city proper in order that citizens of College Station may keep up to date on the many little things necessary for a smooth running, efficiently man aged city such as College Station. Through this space we hope to gain readers who wish to read the news of local events presented in an impartial way, yet written to pull no punches, nor hurt any indi vidual or group. Various things will be pointed out from time- to time which would, in our opinion be necessary for a better city. News About The City Lew Ayres, and Louis Wolheim- will appear on the January 15 pro gram. The German influence will be shown on February 19 with the screening of “Hands” and “Sun- scheduled for April 16. The same company’s “The Thin Man” will conclude the series on May 21. If you desire further information concerning the Film Society, drop up to our office on the second rise." Joseph Von Sternberg’s floor of Goodwin Hall. We’ve got “Morocco” starring Marlene Die- k great spiel on the deal. For those students and faculty members who were not here dur ing the summer, we might offer a brief summary of important events that came about in the vacation period. • After many weeks of negotia tions and private meetings, gov erning bodies of College Station and Bryan reached an agreement with the Southwest States Tele phone Company on increased rates to be paid the organization from subscribers of the two-city ex change. 1 Bryan and College Station^ coun- cilmen got together shortly after the company served its proposed rate increase to the two groups and outlined what they thought the increased rates should be. The phone company responded with a compromise issue which was still unsatisfactory to the College Sta tion council and the Bryan com mission. After a second altering of the telephone company’s compromise, the settlement was made which provided for a $36,000 a year in crease rather than the $56,000 orig inally asked. ® The home of John Bogard, 218 Harrington Drive, was completely destroyed in a near midnight blaze which was estimated to be a $7,000 loss. Much controversy concerning the adequacy of the local fire depart ment arose because of this fire and many steps have been taken since the July 27 blaze to correct or ex plain reasons for these inadequa cies. A special citizens committee was appointed by Mayor Ernest. Lang ford of College Station in answer to a petition submitted to the city council with a list of 100 names of local residents asking for better fire protection. The committee has not met yet, but chairman L. P. Gabbard plans to call the group together to study conditions of College Station fire protection in the very near future. ® Although promised an abun dance of water for the dry sum mer months, Bryan’s water reser voirs became dangerously low sev eral times early in August. The situation made it necessary for city officials of Bryan and Qollege Sta tion to request people not to water their lawns and gardenp except at certain times fluring the latb eve ning when the regular consumption was low. ® The city council extended its limits on the south side to include a large area there, while some con sideration was made by the group to install parking meters at the North Gate so shoppers could be asured ample parking space. No definite action was taken on this matter. Selfishness Will Prove Red Theories By JAMES MARLOW Washington, Sept. 19 — (dP) — Americans have a good chance to prove the Communists are right. It will be ironic if they do. The Russian Communist leaders take a pretty dim view of the in stincts in mankind. For instance, selfishness. They don’t trust people' to curb their own selfishness and, by rea sonable and fair conduct with one another, keep the economy intact. So the Communist leadership im poses iron controls on all phases of living, including prices, wages, ownership of property, and so on. By their control of prices and wages, for example, they can limit the ability of the people to buy or hoard goods or food. Our Theory The theory behind the American government is that people by them selves can act reasonably and fair ly, curbing their greed without government interference and, in this reasonable way, keep the econ omy intact. Since this government represents all the people—and is really all the people—when it does interfere, it’s supposed to do so for the general welfare and to protect the majority against some minority unfairness. This American hatred for gov ernment interference is the basis of the people’s freedom. And this country now is involved in a strug gle with Communism to keep it from winning and swallowing pp the freedom. The struggle grows more intense and may wind up in a world war in which Communism or freedom will win, but not both. To be ready for the showdown if it comes, this country it re-arfnifig. Which means, as President Tru man saiid, things will be different. Less for Luxuries As more materials go into arm ament, there’ll be less left for the luxuries and gadgets which people could buy so freely until now. Meanwhile, getting ready for the worst in human nature, the gov ernment has. created a new OPA, called the Economic Stabilization Agency. This agency will have the job of controlling prices and wages and rationing, too—if such controls become necessary. It is too soon to say — unless there is a great emergency—wheth er any goods will become scarce ebough to pinch anyone. They majn And therein lies the chal lenge to the people of this country: What Will They Do? Will they let greed and selfish ness get the better of them? Will they start hoarding and buying more than they need? Will busi nessmen take advantages of short ages to hike prices unnecessarily or try to hoard scarce materials ? If they do, the government will slap on controls, and the greater the greed, the wider the controls, getting tougher. It will mean wide controls to prevent the people from wrecking their own economy. Wrecked Economy If the American economy was wrecked, the Communists would have it that much easier to take over. It would prove what they’ve long proclaimed: That a capitalist society carries within it the seeds of its own de struction and, sooner or later, must wreck itself. It certainly would be ironic if Ameiicans, prizing freedom and struggling to preserve it, mean while let their greed produce a vic tory for the thing they’re fighting. It also would be ironic if, hating government controls, they brought those controls on themselves bv failing to act reasonably. LI’L ABNER The Smith Boys !f~ BUT- IT HAN'T SUN DOWN. r . r YO' GOT NO RIGHT rTOSS ME OFF'N YORE SHOULDERS -yzT.r r By AJ Capp YOU'RE LUCKY AH DIDN'T STRANGLE yo; YO' VIRTUOUS RAT.*' YO'WAS SETTIN' ALONE ) WIF THET LUSCIOUS / DAISY MAE"'—WHUT HAPPENED ? - NOTWN7T S NOT SO MUCH AS A SINGLE KISS/:''-OH MAH BLOOD BOILED.'TC AH RESPECKS GALS O' TH' OPPOSITE SEX .HAH HAIN'T LIKE WAL, TODAY WAS YORE DAY ON TOP-SO YO' MADE A ' ■ HA-YHY-FINE IMPRESHUN/y O A >7 BUT-TOMORROW'S MAH DAW, AH'LL BE on TOP.’!''; TOMORROW-AH CASHES IN ON VORE GOOD IMPRESSIONS WHE At THIN Aff; .tub? fiL. -.-O'