The Battalion Editorials
Page 2
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1951
Solving A Problem Of Discipline
Biblical Movie
Has Nice Color
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
f AST NIGHT a group of juniors met with the commandant
and his assistant to mutually discuss problems existing
within military units on the campus.
Commandant Joe Davis listened to problems, which in
many cases turned into complaints, and further tried to ad
vance a reply to the men—limiting himself, of course, to
answers that he knew advisable and in the best interests of
the college.
The juniors, consisting of first sergeants, regimental
sergeant-majors, and corps staff juniors, in many cases were
demanding immediate action to a problem which has been
brewing during the past two months.
Everyone agreed the long-time practice of ruling an
outfit with a board is out. Using a board in military units is
a practice almost unheard of on our campus now. The men
were told that a committee of five seniors has been appointed
to determine some type of punishment for superiors to use
which would have a ready effect on their subordinates when
necessary. The importance of immediate punishment was
stressed highly, so the punishable act might be paid for
while still fresh in the memory of men who committed it.
The main complaint, however, as the meeting broke up
after lasting for three long hours, was “What do we do with
our men until the committee decides on something we can
use?”
The answer, as we see it, rests in the fact that innova
tions are not made over night. An answer which can, and
should have, far-reaching effect is being demanded immed
iately. The first sergeants say, “You took away the board,
what do we use now?”
That, gentlemen, is something Col. Davis was not pre-
This is definitely neivs: A man,
seeking contributions for what he
considers a ivorthy cause, asked a
friend to give $25 but the friend
pared to answer and should not be demanded to answer. If
he knew an answer to the question he would not have come
to the meeting to listen to the complaints and problems of
the units.
It’s going to take some hard work and a lot of conscient
ious thinking to get over the hurdle until something tangible
is decided. But in the meantime, instead of throwing arms in
the air and saying “What do we do,” why not help the com
mittee to solve that problem by offering them some sug
gestions ?
It is not ‘'un-American” to disagree
ivith others, regardless of what po
sitions they occupy.
Can the Press Be Gagged
IN THE near-Texas town of Lake Charles, La., something
•*-is happening that threatens to undermine the principles of
the free press. Five newsmen are accused of defaming 16
public officials and three gamblers in their paper’s crusade
for better law enforcement.
This, as we see it, is not just a clear case of libel or
another minor defamation of character charge. Rather it is
the case of whether or not a paper has the right to express
its views and bring the corrupt practices, of some people to
light.
It would be in direct violation to all practices and ethics
of journalism if any paper were not allowed to reflect on the
activities of the day—no matter how dirty or corrupt they
might be.
If a paper did not have this privilege, it would only be
a Chamber of Commerce publication. What would be the ef
fect if we, or any other paper, were to just print the fine
frilly things in life—in short the “stuff” that just pats peo
ple on the back? It would be a betrayal of our trust.
By BERT WELLER
Battalion Staff Writer
“David and Bathsheba” with
Gregory Peck and Susan Hay
ward. 20th Century-Fox. Now
Showing Queen, Bryan. Road
Show prices.
“David and Bathsheba” seems to
be another product of the long
lasting Hollywood fad for pictures
with Biblical backgrounds. For
many years some of the most suc
cessful of the Movie City’s efforts
have been devoted to this type of
productions.
Beginning with “Kings of Kings”
and “The Ten Commandments.”
Cecil B. DeMille has long been the
leader with this type of picture.
His “Samson and Delilah” is still
playing in the smaller towns and
will probably be as successful as
the other two. “David and Bath
sheba” is the competition’s answer
to DeMille’s efforts.
The story retells the life of the
greatest of the kings of Israel
with special attention to his clan
destine love affair with the wife
of one of his officers.
David, played by Gregory
Peck, is occupied with the move
ment of the Ark of the Conven-
ant to Jerusalem and with his
military campaigns when the se
ductive Bathsheba, played by
Susan Hayward, attracts his at
tention as she bathes in the
courtyard of a nearby house.
Bathsheba discovers that she is
to bear David’s child, forcing David
to order the husband into the
front ranks in battle so that he
may be killed. With the death
of the husband, David’s kingdom
is subjected to a terrible famine.
Nathan the Prophet, played by
Raymond Massey, blames the dis
aster on the sin of David. A crowd
demands that the woman be turned
over to them for stoning in accord
ance with the law. David refuses
to give up Bathsheba, deciding to
visit the tabernacle where he has
had the Ark of the Covenant stored
and confess his sins.
The episode in the tabernacle
is used to show some of the
events of the king’s past life.
The slaying of Goliath is shown
along with the choosing of the
shepard boy as king. Rain be
gins to fall as David kneels,
breaking the drought. The for
given king returns to his belov
ed Bathsheba with the usual ap
plause of the crowd and a speech
by the Prophet, Nathan.
As another of the long series
of Biblical films “David and Bath
sheba” cannot escape comparison
with those that have preceded it.
Compared to “Sampson and De
lilah” the story of David comes
off second best. “David and Bath
sheba” provides some beautiful
Technicolor photography and the
spectacular mob scenes which this
type of story seems to require, but
doesn’t come up to DeMille’s lat
est.
The acting of Peck does not
come up to his usual high stand
ards although he is not able to
do a poor job of acting. Probably
the greatest attraction for A&M
students is the beautiful Miss
Hayward. Although the role calls
for no great acting skill, she
manages to make something of
it simply by standing around and
looking attractive.
The whole question of the true
worth of “David and Bathsheba”
seems to revolve around whether it
is worth the admission being
charged. If the movie goer is one
who likes expensive productions,
filled with large quantities of col
or and sound, “David and Bath
sheba” is made for him.
Those that expect believable per
formances and fine acting had bet
ter save their money.
Aggieland
Editor, The Battalion:
Being one of the 40,000 former
students and a graduate in agri
culture and being presented with
six letters in football and track
from 1913 to 1917 and class repre
sentative of the class of 1917, I
would like to present an idea.
Change the name of College Sta
tion to Aggieland.
This can be done with a little
brain work and organization, plus
follow through work. Every man,
outfit, or organization likes to cut
their notch in the tree of time.
What would be better for the class
of 1952 than to cause this change
to be made ? It would be outstand
ing for them and would thrill
thousands of us old grads.
Aggieland has a traditional back
gi’ound—when the chips are down
and fighting to be done you will
find an Aggie there ready and
willing. When economics, and the
general good of our United States
is concerned there will be an Ag
gie standing close by patting his
foot, ready to get in.
This would be a political proce
dure. It might take a referendum
in College Station or even Brazos
County or an amendment in the
State Legislature—those details
will have to be worked out by you
folks on the ground.
In any kind of a movement there
will be opposition, but if you can
sell the senior class—then they
can sell the student body and the
students from almost every county
in Texas can sure sell their repre
sentatives and senators, both state
and national.
This name Aggieland would soon
be known to every Post Office
clerk in the United States.
Towns names have been changed
—what do you think of the idea ?
Merlin Mitchell ’17
Orlando, Fla.
Wrong Song
Editor, The Battalion:
On Monday night, Oct. 22, the
radio program, “Band of America”
several college songs were played.
Among those was a “supposedly”
Texas Aggie Song.
I, for one, had never heard the
song before. I was wondering if
anyone else had heard the song
before as an A&M song. If not, I
suggest that a copy of The Aggie
War Hymn be sent to this “Band of
America” with a small note asking
the director to use mare care in
picking schools and their songs so
that they might coincide.
R. J. Ball ’50
Letters On Spirit
Editor, The Battalion:
There are many letters in your
paper about the Aggie Spirit and
what it means. If you should get
any more such letters, I wish you
would refer them to a certain stu
dent at A&M. His name is Wallace
and he is a vet student.
Here is a quotation from a. let
ter written by Bill Sims '52 who
is in the hospital in Japan. “I got
a letter from a student named
Wallace who read the piece in The
Batt about me. I don’t know him
and he doesn’t know me, but it.
was surely swell of him to write.
Maybe I'll get some more letters
from some of the boys”.
When Bill was in school he was
in “Old Fighting A Infantry.”
Surely they are not too busy to
remember a boy who gave his best
in Korea.
His address is PFC Billy. E
Sims, US 5402 8876, 6162 Hospital
group, APO 994, c/o Postmaster,
San Francisco Calif.
Mrs. Don Young
The World Today
Notes From
Grad School
The higher educational institu
tions of the south have recognized
for some years that the total edu
cational program of the south
could be improved by intelligent
cooperative action. To help develop
such a program a “Board of Con
trol for Southern Regional Educa
tion” was formed several years
ago.
news dispatches credited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local news
of spontaneous origin published herein. Eights of republication of all other matter
herein are also reserved.
News contributions may be made by telephone (4-5444) or at the editorial office,
Eoom 201, Goodwin Hall. Classified ads may be placed by telephone (4-5324) or at
the Student Activities Office, Eoom 209, Goodwin Hall.
JOHN WHITMORE Editor
Joel Austin Managing Editor
Bill Streich .News Editor
Frank Davis City Editor
Allen Pengelly Assistant News Editor
Bob Selleck Sports News Editor
Pat Morley Women’s Editor
T. H. Baker, E. R. Briggs, A1 Bruton, Norman Campbell,
Mickey Cannon, Monte Curry, Dan Dawson, Bob Fagley,
Benny Holub, Howard Hough, Jon Kinslow, Bryan Spencer,
Ide Trotter, John Robards, Carol Vance, Edgar Watkins,
Berthold Weller, Jerry Wizig, Raymond York News and Feature Writers
Bob Cullen, Jack Brandt Cartoonists
Frank Scott Quarterback Club Director
Jim Jenson Photographer
Pat LeBlanc, Hugh PhiUips, F. T. Scott, Chuck Neighbors,
Gus Becker, Joe Blanchette, Ed Holder Sports News Writers
John Lancaster Chief Photo Engraver
Russel Hagens Advertising Manager
Robert Haynie Advertising Representative
that one could quote as reasons for donating to the Chest
but just common sense tells you that it is important that you
do.
Common sense tells you so, for your community can be
only as healthy and happy as the people who comprise the
population are healthy and happy. A major portion of Com
munity Chest funds goes toward bettering conditions of the
community and a first grade child should know that in order
for him to get the most out of life and to enjoy life, the peo
ple around him must be well and happy.
By giving to the Community Chest you and I are doing
our bit to make this community a better place for us and
ours so let’s not wait until tomorrow but give today to build
a community where disease and squalor are kept at a min
imum by a thinking and progressive populace.
LI’L ABNER
Strange Case of Sadie Hawkins—Part One
By AI Capp
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GOT THE IDEA-AND MADE ‘SADIE
HAWKINS DAhTAN ANNUAL AFFAIR.
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