Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 12, 1951)
Battalion Editorials Behind The Plush Curtain Page 2 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1951 Lincoln: Synonym for Ideals . ABRAHAM LINCOLN. That name pays tribute to the American ideal. Few, indeed, are the Americans who do not know and worship this backwoods lawyer who became President. Words in his praise abound. Their un questioned acceptance is almost always as sured. Americans are ever ready to hear the smallest tale, the most off-hand statement concerning “Honest Abe.” His greatness is an American axiom. That greatness stands, itself, as a tribute to the country which Jie so ably led. Lincoln has become synonomous with every desirable human trait. Humble, kind, courageous, righteous, amicable, humorous —his name means all these things. The fact that the man and what he stood for has held and continues to hold such a position of honor in the minds of America gives a deep insight into the people and the country. Few countries have produced so exalted a man who was so human, so common, and so absolutely real. His position of honor gives substance to the American sense of fair-play and democracy. His homely image reflects the combination of youthful cocki ness and precocious wisdom that has made and continues to make America the strong hold of freedom and the birthplace of in genuity and technical progress. His sound judgment echoes the strong Muncie (Ind.) Press: “Iran Ruler Announces Troops Are Altered.” Outline under a racehorse picture in the Des Moines (la.) Register: “Ci tation has a slightly lame forelock.” sense of right and wrong in those who hal low his name. And the tribulations of today and to morrow will be overcome so long as they are met with that faith in men like him and the principles for which he stood. His honor ed memory is the soundest insurance that “government of the people, for the people and by the people shall not perish from this earth.” Kim Plays The Game Quite Well Graduation Time For Farmers FOR 14 YEARS Uncle Sam has been pay- * ing U. S. farmers to do what they should be doing anyway—terracing, fer tilizing, building ponds, planting winter cover crops, etc. All this was supposed to be educating farmers to adopt good farming practices, thus benefiting themselves and the coun try. Well, 14 years is a long time—more than twice long enough with a bright per son to go through college and get a de gree. We think the farmers are pretty bright fellows who certainly don’t need 14 years to learn about good practices in their own business. Certainly their bank accounts are in good shape. How about giving the farmers a de gree for this course and turning them out into the cold world ? Surely they would do all right. It would save $285 million a year— enough to buy 600 medium tanks.—The Houston Press. Ministers Set Dorm Meetings- (Continued from Page 1) Howard has been in his present position for the past eight years. Coming from Waxahachie, he has received his A.B. degree at Baylor University; his M.A. Degree at the University of Texas; worked on his Ph.D. in Education at Texas U.; and received L.L.D. Degree at East Texas Baptist College. Rev. Grady Hardin The main speaker of A&M’s 1948 E.E. Week, Rev. Grady Hardin, will live in Puryear Hall this week and be available to the students of both Law and Puryear at all times. Educated at Duke University, Hardin has held pastorates Jn North Carolina since 1936, at Dur ham, Mount Airmy, Winston Sa lem, and Black Mountain College. He has been in Houston since May, 1947, serving as associate pastor of the First Methodist Church be fore accepting his present position as pastor of the Chapelwood Meth odist Church. Rev. Stanley J. Kusman The students of Dorms 9 and 11 will counsel With Father Stanley Kusman this week. Father Kusman teaches philoso phy at Saint Mary’s University of San Antonio. Taking his student work in Europe, he also has served six years in the service as chap lain, four of these years overseas. He has taught school in St. Louis, Chicago and Canada and has been conducting retreats since 1934. Ned Linegar The students of Milner, Mitchell and Leggett will meet this week with Ned Linegar, regional secre tary of the YMCA, who will live in Leggett Hall. Linegar graduated from Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, where his major course of study was so ciology. He was then appointed assistant secretary of the YMCA at Cincinnati University where he was a member of the Speakers Bu reau and did special work with freshmen and sophomores. In 1938, Linegar went to George Williams College where he earned his M.A, Degree in Group Work Administra tion. Rabbi Leo J. Stillpass Rabbi Leo J. Stillpass of Temple B’Nai Israel of Galveston, will live in Dorm 1 and will counsel with the students in Dorms 1 and 3 this week. Rabbi Stillpass’ education con sists of an A.B. Degree at Cincin nati University, a Bachelor of He brew Letters from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. He received his M.H.L. and Rabbi in 1943. He has served as a Navy Chaplain and as Rabbi at Temple Beth El, Knoxville, Tenn., where he organ ized and become the first counselor of Tennessee University’s Hillel Foundation. Willis M. Tate The vice-president of SMU and former member of SMU’s 1931 Championship Football team, Tate will live and work with the stu dents in Hart Hall. A former coach and school prin cipal, he was awarded the title of the Outstanding Young Man of the Year by the San Antonio Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1942. He was executive assistant to the pas tor of the First Methodist Church of Houston before he became as sistant dean of students at SMU in 1945. Rising rapidly he was appointed dean of students in 1948 and just recently became vice- president. Paul G. Wassenich Walton Hall will be the base of operations for Paul G. Wassenich during this week. Wassenich is director of the Texas Bible Chair at Austin. With an A.B. Degree and two M.A. Degrees to his credit, he has held pastorates in Hicksville, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan. Since 1946, Wassenich has been the director and professor of religion at Texas Bible Chair at Texas U. He has spoken during Religious Emphasis Week at SMIJ, San Marcos Teach ers College and Texas A&M. By GEORGE CHARLTON “Kim” with Paul Lukas, Dean Stockwell, Errol Flynn, Thomas Gomez, Robert Douglas, Laurette Luez, Cecil Kellaway, Campus theater, today and Tuesday. AH INDIA! Land of mysterious ly virile shahs and sultans, en chanted old religious fanatics, pov erty, and pink elephants. Rudy- ard’s Ind-i-ya, a “natural” for Hol lywood past and present. Again the afoi’ementioned has been brought to the screen and, this time, in brilliant color. Behind the classic story of Kim and his adventures, the book about which has long ranked with the best of them on high school read ing lists, looms the omnipotent shadow of “the great game,” a name attached to the constant vigi- lence of certain British secret in telligence men ip. their effort to ward keeping trouble out of dear India. And if one be so unfortu nate as to enter the theater “dur ing” the great game, he most likely will find the game “great” and en grossing all right, but a slight bit confusing. This is one show that should be seen from the first. • But let me tell you about Kim. He’s a strange mixture indeed. A product of the gutter, a progeny of a long departed and lamented Irish sei’geant and his wife, a pupil of a Tibetan monk, and a prophet for the British Army, Kim is anything but mama’s little helper. He’s cun ning and resourceful as Reynard the fox. He’s shrewd and diplomatic, he’s reckless and .ruthless. And yet at times, he’s completely unselfish. Kim is about as flip and debonair a boy of twelve or so as we have heard about in many a day. And as Redbeard, played by Er rol Flynn, tells the young scamp one afternoon as they are jogging along the desert, someday he “will be a credit to the great game.” But Kim thinks himself ready to play cat-and-mouse whenever the opportunity arises. Thanks to Kipling, it does, and the resulting circumstances are good adventure. • Dean Stockwell as Kim ingrat iates himself more than ever with his admirers. In this, his best role to date, ne makes the absolute most of it, in many cases, putting subtle meanings into cliches never meant for those purposes. Flynn, on the other hand,, some times trying to keep a straight face, acts as if he’d dropped the script of “Kim” and accidentally again picked up the moldering script of “The Loves of Don Juan.” Paul Lukas, as the Tibetan “holy man,” is completely admirable. In fact, he steals scene after scene even from Stockwell. But, oh Hol lywood; How could you ever so overpublicize Miss Laurette Luez? She had only three or four lines, and at that, they were delivered with all the zest and buoyancy of Jane Russell in “The Outlaw.” Throughout the picture, which was for the most part filmed on location, the atmosphere of a splen did painting prevails — emerald green lawns, vividly red and blue British dress uniforms, skies the color of deep sapphire—and in the end, the reviewer comes to the un astounding conclusion that nobody can produce beautifully technicol- ored movies like Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer. The book is undoubtedly a good adventure story, and brought to the screen with such panoramic style and with such a selection as Stock- well to play the title part, “Kim” is still a good adventure story. The graduating class from Mirabeau B. Lamar Junior High School won’t forget it for a long time. We probably will. Letters ‘Open Mind’ Versus Open Pocketbook Editor, The Battalion: After much consideration, I have decided that there can be but one explanation for the biased state ments Thomas M. Fontaine makes in his article “For the U. S. Re public” which appeared in The Bat talion on Feb. 6, 1951. Assuming Mr. Fontaine to be of at least average intelligence, then one must conclude that he must be poorly informed. Mr. Fontaine’s article had some excellent points, to be sure, but his arguments have clearly been influenced by the pro paganda which the “special inter ests” are forcing upon the Amer ican public today. In order to see Mr. Fontaine’s article in the correct light, the reader should remember that the type of government advocated here had its chance from 1920' to 1932, and failed miserably. On the other hand, the “insidious threat of a Welfare State’ admin istered by the “something-for-noth- ing Democratic Party” has given us the highest standard of living in our history. Remember, Mr. Fontaine, “an open mind is better than an open mouth.” Yours for unbiased policies, Joe A. Riddle’53 WISDOM FROM THE AGES Mohammedanism Teaches Equality; Stresses Knowledge This article is not intended to be a full explanation of the Islam religion, but a presentation of some of the basic and more impor tant Islam beliefs. Islam took its birth in the scorch ing heat of Arabia in 611 A.D. To the amazement of all, it spread rapidly until today it claims 300 million followers all over the world. The writer, a graduate student in horticulture, came to this country from Cairo, Egypt to attend col lege. He prepared these views on the religion of his home country as an additional effort toward hu man understanding for Religious Emphasis week. His views will be presented here in a three part series to be con cluded Wednesday.—The Editor. By ABDEL M. LASHEEN ARABIA, where Mohammed be gan his call, was an arid coun try with barren deserts, mountains and dry valleys, conditions which did not attract foreign invaders and conquerors. The country thus remained isolated, with its people enjoying the freedom of movement and of action, conducting their af- RE Week Secretary - 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 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, aad Tuesday and Thursday during vacation and examination periods. Subscription rates $6.00 per year or $.50 per month. Advertising rates furnished on request. News contributions may be made by telephone . (4-5444) or at the editorial office, Room 201, Goodwin Hall. Classified ads may be placed by telephone (4-5324) or at the Student Activities Office, Room 209, Goodwin Hall. 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. Entered as second-class matter at Post Office at College Station, Texas, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1870. Member of The Associated Press Represented nationally by National Ad vertising Service Inc., at New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. (Continued from Page 1) out of four years of college; and What makes a person a success; in that order. Other subjects ranked in the fol lowing order: What qualities should we seek in our men and women friends; Does college strengthen or weaken religious faith; How can man achieve peace ful world; What should be consid ered in the choice of a vocation, What principles should be consid ered in deciding right from wrong, and What is “true faith” and how shall we measure it. The 2,115 students who ans wered the interest locator may be classified two ways: academical ly—881 Freshmen, 558 Sopho mores, 381 Juniors, 290 Seniors and five graduate students; and according to the major course school — 962 Engineering, 581 Agriculture, 527 Arts & Sciences, 86 Vet, Med. and two Graduate students. Gay consulted over twenty-five authorities — YMCA and Church workers, and college professors in compiling the questions he used for this study and not one of them changed it in anyway but approved it unanimously as he had written it. Forums on the leading four top ics will be held each afternoon of this year’s R. E. Week from 4 to 5:30 in each dormitory lounge. Leaders have been brought to the campus by the YMCA and the col lege administration to conduct these forums and also hold nightly discussion groups at 9 p. m. in the lounges. CLAYTON L. SELPH, DAVE COSLETT John Whitmore, Dean Reed Andy Anderson, Bob Hughson Ralph Gorman Fred Walker Joel Austin Co-Editors Managing Editors .... Campus Editors Sports Editor (Continued from Page 1) many other old “regulars” during the war days. Council Membergi This year, members of the Inter- Church Council are Philo DuVal Jr. and Charles Gallimore, Episcopal; Archie James and Floyd Griffin, Baptist; John Golla and Emil Rich- ers, Catholic; L. Douglas Wythe and Seneca Cowan, Church of Christ; Allan Eubank and Robert E. McCarley, Christian Church; Norman Braslau and Melvin J. Kanter, Jewish; John Olson and Jack Heacock, Methodist; Norman J. Bent and Don Hinton, Presbyter ian; Quinton Johnson and James Lehmann, Lutheran; Frank P. Sherrill and I. C. Trauth, repre sentatives of the YMCA Cabinet; Curtis Edwards, corps chaplain; and King Egger, president of the YMCA Cabinet. Numerous projects of the council are embodied in six committees— for worship, program, publicity, social and hospitality aspects, for ums and conferences, and coordina tion. Combined efforts of this group during the last few months have at last reached realization. And the campus’ is again ready for a successful Religious Emphasis Week. Perhaps this will be the most significant one of them all. fairs in the manner they liked and dominated as they were by discrim inatory tribe distinction, fanaticism and idol worship. On the northern fringes of this arid desert there existed in those days two great empires—the East ern Roman and the Persian; the Red Sea on the West and desert on the East, and Yemen in the South were, however, of no significance at that time. As far as the administration and the political set-up were concerned, Persia was under autocratic rule. As for the Eastern Roman Empire, it had an emperor as the head of the State, and its own legislation, the most important of which were those framed by Justinian in the sixth century, Christian era. But in spite of these legislations and laws which were framed by Justinian and other Emperors be fore him, the Eastern Roman Em pire was at that time rapidly dis- i n t e g r ating. Maladministration, corruption and nepotism prevailed and led to weakness and eventually to its total collapse. Dominated by Tradition Arabia, on the other hand, was being dominated by tribal tradi tions and idolatry, paganism, and ignorance prevailed. Suppression, aggression, and pillage wei’e wide spread and the people were in a low moral state. It was during this era that the Holy Prophet rose to call for the unity of God, which is the essence of Islam and which simply meant It was a tremendous accomplish- that God is one—“Say, God is one, ment for such a backward, fanati- the only God, to whom no child is cal intolerant people to be broughl born, nor is He Himself born to to believe that all people are equa anyone, nor has He any relation- and that there can be no persona ship with any one.” distinction, except on the basis of But Mohammed emphasized that individual achievement and service he was only an ordinary human to society. being, God’s apostle, that except Mohammed secured for woman when God permits, he could neither her rights, insured her position as harm nor benefit, nor could he me- a dignified human being, and treat- diate for others and that he was e d her as equal to man. simply a human being inspired by He placed men in a higher and God; “Say, I am human like any no bler position, appreciating their one of you and am being inspired intellectual pursuit, their will and their freedom. He respected their freedom and did not coerce individuals to em- There are no barriers between brace this or that faith. God and the human, Mohammed “There is no coercion in reli- taught. There can therefore, be g j on; righteousness is now distin- no mediation or medium and the gu j s hed from transgression.” He way to Him is open to all human did not allow war to be a means beings and anyone can approach (; 0 coerce people to embrace the Him through his good deeds, but n ew faith but said it was a lawful not through his family descendants, defensive measure, tribal connections, or through, saints and divines. Encouraged Learning t Confession, repentance or contri- He encouraged learning and tion should be made only to God, learned men at* a time when most for in Islam there is no priest- people were ignorant and when il< hood, hermitage or any other sys- literacy prevailed. The Quran tern which encourages the retire- sa y S; ment and abstention from life and that your God is verily one.” No Barriers “Can there be any comparison between people of knowledge and people without knowledge, verily only thoughtful people can re collect,” and “God puts those who believe and w r ho acquire knowledge in higher position. “The blind is not as the man Elliott (Continued from Page 1) Dr. Elliott’s ministerial career consists of instructing homiletics and church history of the Presby terian Seminary in 1929-30, and pastorates in Presbyterian chur ches of Knoxville, Tenn., and At lanta, Georgia. He came to the Highland Park Church in 1944. Under the sponsorship of the Federal council of churches, Dr. Elliott has given radio messages, conducted preaching missions and spoke at pastor’s schools on vari ous occasions. Spoke at SMU Included in his speaking exper iences are the colleges and univer sities of Washington and Lee, Duke, Agness Scott, Maryville, Georgia, Southern Methodist, Van derbilt and Austin. Before moving to Dallas, he was director on the Agness Acott Col lege Board and chairman of the Board of Directors of Columbia Theological Seminary. Since mov ing to Dallas, he has been a mem ber of the Board of Austin Col lege. life’s enjoyment. With this conception, Mohammed succeeded in destroying the idols of the pagan. He put an end to idol worship, and in the cause of these high ideals which inspired human intellects he risked his own life and had to face cruel treat ment not only from his own kind, with sight, nor docs darkness re but even from his closest relatives, semble light.” He prohibited wine, gambling The Sunah (the Tradition) has it and the practice of burying female that “Seek knowledge even if you infants. Arabs feared that poverty have to travel as fas as China” may bring disgrace to women when and “Seek knowledge, for to learn they grew up. Pagans in those is to fear God; to study is to days considered it a disgrace to worship; to research is to struggle have too many female members in in the cause of God and to teach their families. He made people responsible be fore each other, each having his own duties and obligations. He made them understand that the nearest to God are those who do their utmost to help and do good to people; so that they may devote their energy to service of the society, and so that every member of the society may be prepared to sacrifice his own in terest in favor of the general in terest of the community. “All People Are Equal” Mohammed proclaimed and em phasized that all people are equal. All are equal in the sight of God. those who lack knowledge is to of fer alms.” The high ideals taught by Mo hammed stimulated the minds of his followers and gave women and slaves an opportunity to take their proper places in life. His teachings brought into prom inence the belief that men should not be at odds with each other be cause-they were of different race, religion, or color. Islam has thus established a uni versal democracy, quite different from that parochial democracy which existed in certain Greek cities. (The second in this series will deal with some of the practical ' There is no distinction but that which is acquired through piety .applications of Islam and with and good deeds. “An Arab is not explaining in detail the more superior to a non-Arab, except important basic principles of Is- through piety. ’ lam.) Q U A L I T Y P L U S E C O NO M Y LEON B, WEISS • Military Furnishers Boyett St. • Civilian Clothiers Next to Campus Theatre TYPEWRITERS For Rent Latest Models — Perform Like New Bryan Business Machine to. 209 N. Main St. Ph. 2-1328 Bryan, Texas WhaVs Cooking Today’s Issue Dean Reed Curtis Edwards Fred Walker , 1 Managing Editor .Associate Editor for Religious Emphasis Edition Sports News Editor T. M. Fontaine, Carter Phillips Editorialists Allen Pengelly Assistant City Editor Leon McClellan, Norman Blahuta, Jack Fontaine, Ed Holder, Bryan Spencer, John Tapley, Bob Venable, Bill Streich, George Charlton, Bob Selleck, Dale Walston, Bee Landrum, Frank Davis, Phil Snyder, Art Giese, Christy Orth, James Fuller, Leo Wallace, W. H. Dickens. Fig Newton, Joe Price, Pat Hermann, Ed Holder, Wesley Mason News and Feature Staff Dick Kelly Club Publicity Co-ordinatof CALDWELL COUNTY CLUB Associate Sports Editor Monday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m. Me- •' City Editor mortal Student Center, Room 3-A. COMMENTATOR STAFF, Mon day, Feb. 12, 7:15 p.m. Commenta tor office, Goodwin Hall. GUADALUPE - COMAL COUN TY CLUB, Monday, 5:20 p.m., steps of Administration Building. To have picture made for Aggie- land. MARKETING & FINANCE CLUB, Monday, 7:30 p.m., Room 3D MSC. Election of officers will be held. PRE-LAW SOCIETY, Monday, Vivian Castleberry Women’s Editor Jimmy Ashlock, Joe Blanchette, Ray Holbrook, Chuck Neighbors, Joe Hollis, Pat LeBlanc, Dowell Peterson Sports News Staff Curtis Edwards Church News Editor Bid Abernathy Make-up Editor rr.-ic ^ n/rcr’ tm r rr- Roger Coslett Pipe Smoking Contest Manager p.m,, Mow. Flection Ot Olll Tom Fontaine, johnny Lancaster, Joe Gray cers. Dean Abner McCall of Bay- a Cha ^ es M^uiiough Photo Engravers ] or Law School will speak on Autrey Frederick Advertising Manager <<p,. A u] Russell Hagens, Bob Hayijle..... .Advertising Representatives x 1 ODiGlllS Oi IlltGrcst to IrlOBpGC* tive Law Student.” LFL ABNER • Nobody’s Sweetheart By Al Capp