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Editorials
Page 2
MONDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1950
S
W ITH THIS, the last student edition of
The Battalion before we leave for the
holidays, we lead off this column once more
with the annual well-wishes from the mem
bers of our staff.
There’s not a very original way to ex
tend those wishes—they’ve been extended by
much wiser folks than us in too many ways
for too many years. We’re not going to try
to become elaborate, therefore, in this edi
torial.
But we do want to mention a few pecul
iarities of this particular Christmas. The
season has a very special import to us this
year.
Consider, for instance, the fact that the
man who last year wrote the words “Peace
on earth, good will toward men” in an edi
torial very similar to this one, is right now in
Kprea leading a detachment of American
tanks. Several of the students who, like
him, headed home for the holidays last year,
won’t make it this year—they’d have a little
too far to travel.
We can’t use the terminology, “a Christ
mas that finds us once more at war.” There’s
been no formal declaration, of that condition.
Mr. Marvin Twenhafel
Texas A&M College
Dear Mr. Twenhafel,
We want to start this letter with sincere
thanks for the letter we received from you
and printed in our Letters to The Editor
column last Thursday. There are two main
reasons why we thank you for the letter:
® By writing the letter, you proved that
you read our editorials and are sincerely in
terested in what we have to say—even if
you disagree with us.
® Many of the ideas you advanced are
doubtless shared by many other students
and this gives us a chance to explain our side
of the question. (We hope the invitation to
write for Pravda or Red Star was not meant
too seriously.)
In your letter you said, “I do believe that
our present administration knows just a lit
tle more about foreign and domestic issues
than you do.” So do we! After all, that’s
their job and they were elected from the en
tire United States. If they don’t know more
about these issues than anyone else in this
country, wc are in pretty bad shape. But
think about the contrast in meaning between
these two words: knowledge and wisdom.
Our criticism is directed toward the wisdom
of their actions, not toward their knowledge
of affairs of state.
Again you said, “In my opinion, this is
not the time for you to criticize every action
of our elected president.” Dear to the heart
of most Americans are the rights of free
speech and freedom of the press. Right now
we are engaged in a war with an ideology
which prohibits the exercise of these free
doms. It would be ironic and sad indeed if
to defeat Communism we had to adopt the
maxims of that belief.
Blind following of leaders in Germany and
Italy made it possible for Hitler and Musso
lini to become dictators. Read what the
people of those countries . were saying in
1930-35 . They knew then that they were
giving up many of their personal freedoms
but this was not the time to criticize; Hitler
and Mussolini were leading their countries
out of the worst economic depression in his
tory. Even American history books pub
lished at that time praised the dictators.
Conditions “excused” the undemocratic pol-
Well-wishes...
It is a Christmas, though, that finds our men
fighting and dying on foreign soil.
It might be ironic for us to wish them
a Merry Christmas. It would certainly be
appropriate that we wish them a Happy
New Year.
The thoughts symbolized by Christmas
mean a lot to them this year. Those thoughts
should mean a lot to us.
“Peace on earth, good will toward men.”
Are we to lose faith in these thoughts?
Our experiences of the last ten years or so
could well lead us to do so.
But we would rather take these thoughts
of Christmas time as the only solution to
world strife. At no time has faith in these
thoughts been so necessary—faith in these
and all the other concepts of a world built on
love and understanding.
It is with this in mind, therefore, that we
extend our wishes. We said they would not
be original. We think, though, that we offset
the lack of originality with another quality—
sincerity.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New
Year.
The Battalion Staff
Letters to The Editor
Legislated Security Pointed Out to Bait Columnist
Editor, The Battalion:
May I take exception to the edi
torial that appeared in the Decem
ber 13 issue of the Battalion? The
article is too illogical to criticize
in a logical manner. It was such
a confused hodge-podge scatter
shot at rotten potatoes, compulsory
health insurance and legislated se
curity that it failed to hit any of
the three widely separated targets.
Over specialization in education
often leads to over simplification.
I’m afraid that my fellow student
is a victim of both.
May I touch briefly upon only
one statement—“You can’t legis
late security.” Perhaps you can’t
legislate absolute security but the
writer was distorted in not being
able to recognize that legislation
can help to bring about more se
curity.
®The following list is intended
for the writer of the editorial. It
is by no means an exhaustive list.
^Compulsory education laws give
more security in employment and
bargaining power on the labor
market.
^Legislative acts created our
All letters to the editor must be sisned with the Batt’s policy of COlisistcnt-
l.y the writer and free from obscene l v nnnnsino- anv o-overnmentoI nm-
and libelous references. Letter writers v opposing any governmental pio-
wanting their name withheld must make a gram which would be beneficial
personal request to the co-editors. No to mo3t 0 f the people ill this na
tion. '
unsigned letters will be published.
ress
icies of Fascism and Nazism.
Now let us explain what to us is the
most important reason for writing editorials.
If we can arouse our readers’ interest in
the reasons behind the news, if we can get
them into the habit of examining with a
critical mind the news of current affairs,
then we feel that we are accomplishing our
purpose.
College students of today will be the
community leaders of tomorrow. If these
students develop the habit of thinking about
political ideas, instead of being ruled by
outworn prejudices, then the American of
the future will more successfully fulfill his
obligations as a citizen in a democracy.
Facts arc very often stubborn
things and well concealed.
New Strategy
R epresentative Poage (D-Tex) advo
cated two major changes in opr national
strategy in his recent speech to a convention
of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Manpower and unity, according to Poage,
should be supplemented for the impending
showdown with Russia.
The first step in such a program would
be the acceptance of Germans and Japanese
in our armed forces. We would in effect
help them to help themselves by adding to
the collective security of free nations.
The second step, Poage continued, would
be the modification of the “hand out” aid
program. Collective security will have value
to each nation in proportion to its individual
contribution. In other words, we should ask
for and get something in return for our
monetary aid. He cited mercury from Spain,
and bamboo from India as examples of this
reciprocity.
The Chinese Reds have given us an ex
ample of the vast manpower potential of the
Communists, and the military effect of pure
numerical superiority.
We are glad to see this plan voiced before
the independent thinkers of this country.
Full mobilization of every resource will large
ly depend on full political support from an
informed and alert public.
The Battalion
The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, is published
five times a week during the regular school year. During 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.
DAVE COSLETT, CLAYTON L. SELPH Co-Editors
John Whitmore, L. O. Tiedt Managing Editors
I>ank N. Manitzas Sports Editor
Bob Hughson, Jerry Zuber Campus Editors
Joel Austin City Editor
Today's Issue
L. O. Tiedt' Managing Editor
Sid Abernathy .'. Campus News Editor
Frank Manitzas Sports News Editor
Joel Austin City News Editor
T. M. Fontaine, Carter Phillips '. Editorialists
Bob Hughson, Andy Anderson, George Charlton, Tom
Rountree, Allen Pengelley. Leon McClellan, Wayne
Llayts, Bob Venable, Bill Streich, Norman Blahuta,
John Hildebrand, Bryan Spencer, Ray Williams,
Herb O'Connell, Jim Anderson, Ori Jamej, J. P.
atern, Ptaymon Swan. Robert Ball. Bert Hardaway,
Edward Holder, Richard Ewing News hnd Feature Writers
Sid Abernathy..., Campus News Editor
Sam Molinary Chief Photographci
Herman C. Gollob. Amusements Editor
Ralph Gorman, Ray Holbrook, Harold Gann, Joe
Blanchette, Pat LeBlanc, Dale Dowell, Jimmy Curtis,
Chuck Neighbors. Fred Walker ......— Sports Writes
Bob Hancock, John Hollicgshead,
Tommy Fontaine, James Lancaster Photo Engravers
By EDGAR GUEST
Who lost the important game?
The coach.
Who has to shoulder all the blame ?
The coach.
Who to teach boys to play is hired,
And yet if one of them grows tired
And fails to score is promptly
fired ?
The coach.
Who character is asked too build?
The coach.
With customers keep the stadium
filled ?
The coach.
Who plans formations, old and new,
And tells the youngsters what to
do.
But if they can’t is told: “You’re
through?”
The coach.
Who is by thousands second-
guessed ?
The coach.
Is jeered for plays he thought were
best ?
The coach.
Who has my deepest sympathy ?
Who is it I’d not care to be
Regardless of his salary?
The coach.
(Continued from Page 1)
plump blonde. “But tell me, could
you answer a question?”
“Be glad to.”
“Well, arc you a soldier?”
“No mam, I’m a Aggie.”
“Aha,” shouted a red-head, “I
told' you the emergency wasn’t
that serious.’
McSnort was still trying to
figure that one out when he was
deposited at Midlothian. The sun
was just sinking in the West.
« *
.Willoughby sat. clown his coffee
cup. “Looks like a nice town you
have here.” He was addressing
the waitress.
“We like it,” she answered.
“When did you move in.”
“Oh, I’m just hitch-hiking
through.”
“Making pretty good time?”
“Not bad, I expect to get out as
soon as the sun comes up in fifteen
or twenty- minutes.”
“Be sure you take the right
highway out of town,” the waitress
advised. “They go three different
ways.”
“Thanks,” said Willoughby as
be plunked down his nickel..
@ 9
The afternoon sun was dazz
ling McSncrt’s eyes as he climbed
into the ambulance. He wasn’t
hurt. That just happened to be
the first vehicle that slowed
down on the trip through Mid
lothian.
“Headin’ toward North Zulch?”
“I think I pass through there.
Just climb in the back. More room.
And don’t worry about him. He
won’t bother you.”
McSnort took one look at the
sheet-draped form on the stretch
er, mumbled something about for
getting a tooth-brush and backed
out. The ambulance roared off.
9 «
McSnort was getting drowsy.
He’d noticed it. creeping on him
since ajjout 7:30 that night. He
hardly even recognized the wait
ress as she passed him on her way
to work.
“How about that midnight cup,”
she greeted him.
McSnort’s answer was cut short
by a six-wheel truck that ground
to a stop in front of him. He
grabbed his suitcase, hopped in
and mumbled, “Headin’ toward
North Zulch?”
“Is it this direction?” returned
the truck driver.
“Think so,’ Willoughby slumped
down in the seat sound asleep as
he muttered the words.
• •
And did our hero finally arrive
at North Zulch?
At last report he was hunting
up a ticket to the Rose Bowl game.
“Don’t see no sense in startin’
back until after New Year’s,”
writes McSnort from Los Angeles.
“I can always hitch-hike back in
time to make the first day of
classes.”
armed forces for purposes of se
curity.
©Legislation in cities create fire
and police departments for security
of property and the family.
©Legislation provides traffic
rules, traffic lights, and drivers
licenses for greater security of the
pedestrian and the automobile
driver.
©The pure food and drug act
gives security to the customer. The
elimination of embalming fluid and
oatmeal from a sack of poi’k sau
sage gives security of value on
your purchase.
©Legislation guarantees the de
positor on possible losses up to
$10,000 on a deposit in a bank
should that bank fail.
©Legislation gives security to
the inventor by granting patent
rights.
©Legislation gives security to
ownership of a home and property
when one holds proper title.
©Legislation gives security in
that your medical doctor must,meet
specific standards before he can
practice his profession.
©City health legislation gives
added security from disease by re
quiring connections to adequate
sewer lines, inspection of food
handling establishments and by
guarantee in such instances as ty
phoid fever.
©Legislation requires school chil
dren to bo vaccinated for certain
of all children and the public
diseases as a consequence the
health of all children and the public
is more secure.
The above short list is enough—
the object is too apparent. I do
hope that this editorial writer will
read the above list twice—and
“Let’s think together.”
Seriously, my neighbors and I
feel more secure because of the
above legislation.
John Wynot
‘Keep It Up, Pegler
Will be Proud’
Editor, The Battalion:
This is in reference to an edi
torial which appeared in the Bat
talion on December 13.
This editorial was in keeping
You oppose government health
insurance, while doctors charge
outrageous fees and many people
are forced to do without the medi
cal attention they need. You cre
ate the impression that you oppose
government price support, and yet
if it were not for government price
support this nation would still
be in the shape it was in 20 years
ago.
A&M is built on a government
land grant. Do you oppose that
too ?
It is indeed unfortunate that in
troubled times like these there is
so much opposition to progress.
But keen up the good work;
Westbrook Pegler will be proud
of you.
Joe A. Riddle, ’53
Error Found; Three
E<iitor, The Battalion:
In your article concerning Max
Reiter’s death, there seems to be
an error. A sentence in the article
read, “He started for the Lone Star
state with a list of 18 towns,and
$217 he had saved while working
in New York in his pocket.”
However, assuming the Battalion
to he correct, and not meaning to
be disrespectful, we have one ques
tion to ask: Just exactly what type
work did Mr. Reiter do in his
pockets?
W. R. Garrett
W. R. Graham
J. W. Ward
(Editor’s Note: The error poin
ted out by readers Garret, Graham,
and Ward is a very ipisleading,
dangling prepositional phrase. One
of our editors should have correct
ed it to read:, “When he started
for the Lone Star state he had in
his pocket a list of 18 towns and
$217 he had saved while working
in New York.”
(Sirs, you are hereby offered
jobs as Battalion copy readers.
Stop by for an interview at your
convenience.)
Help Santa To Win This
Tick-Tack-Toe
■ 'A'-' •
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■
V- .*.•/ V .‘v; ;<V,
vmNmM
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A&M System Christmas Party (
Honors 29 College Employees
The annual Christmas Dinner
sponsored by the A&M System
and the College Employees Dinner
Club Saturday evening honored
29 veteran employees of A&M.
Honored guests were employees
of the college for 25 years. To
these, Gibb Gilchrist, chancellor of
the A&M System, presented gold
pins and citations. President M.
T. Harrington signed the citations.
The Singing Cadets, under the di
rection of Bill Turner, presented
a musical program..
After the dinner, the group at
tended a dance in Sbisa Hall.
The following were honored at
the dinner:
Eldred H. Gibbons, Arthur L.
Williams, Nestor M. McGinnis,
LIT, ABNER
Going Going
Robert P. Ward, Carl Birdwell,
Dr Fred W. Jensen, Dr. Marion
T. Harrington, and Dr. Samuel R.
Gammon. fW
Other honorees are Joseph J.
Woolket, Thomas R. Nelson, Fred
Hale, Kenneth L. Kirkland, Henry \
G. Wickes, Harry F. Morris, Dan- ’
iel Russell, Thomas L. Bcrdine,
Edv ard H. Templin, Miss Viola, ■
McKenzie, M;ss Kate Adele Hill,
Miss Nettie Smith, Mrs. Clara S.
Hall.
Edward L. Williams, Henry L. <
Ai'smeyer, Dan D. Clinton, Parker
D. Hanna, Charles M He aid,
James F. Rosenborough, Vernon E.
Hafner and Preston S. Goen will
also be. presented awards.
By A1 Capp
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By A1 Capp
IN! A FEW SECONDS, TH 1 THOJD
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LIT, ABNER
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AND—
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WHICH WAS A FINE STROKE
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By A1 Capp
WHY AX?
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V >«r U. i. r.t. Off,—All righti
HL ABNER
Moonbeam Writhes Again!!
By A1 Capp
kET PAPP Y ,
ALONS.VO'.
LILDEVIL.T.
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I AM NO MORE AN
OUCH.?-DEVIL THAN YOU
Tare, madam .7 s worked
FOR DR, MEPHISTO, THE
MEDICINE MAN,. SAME AS
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HE GOT US ALL
FIRED-AND AFTER
WE SAVED HIM FROM
THAT MOUNTAIN
SLIDE, TOO .7~
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GASOLINE IN TH'MEDICINE
BOTTLES.7 NATCHERLY, TH'WHOLE
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CUSTOMER WIF TH'CIGAR AN
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