Battalion Editorials
Page 2 THE BATTALION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1953
Extra-Curricula Work
Helps College Students
Hundreds of freshmen enroll at A&M each
year with great ideas in mind about getting
ahead and establishing an outstanding rec
ord in college.
Many of them do, but there always will
be that group which meets a slight discour
agement at first and decides its not worth
the effort put forth for them to stay in
school. This is nature’s way of allowing the
fittest to survive.
It is this group of the fittest to whom
we are speaking. They survive the fight to
meet their scholastic requirements this first
year, then lapse into a state which allows
them to forget their original purpose and
promise.
And it is this group which so often ig
nores one of the greatest opportunities which
exists on the campus. Too many of these
men bury themselves in the Corps of Cadets
and fail to take advantage of one of the most
important forms of education which exists
on the campus. This is extra-curricular ac
tivities.
The corps is good training. But extra
curricular activities also are invaluable. Far
too many of the students who are graduated
from A&M fail to realize this.
Classroom work and corps leadership les
sons are pounded into the heads of alh mili
tary students. Activities outside the outfit
Samuels Dedicates Time
Toward Promoting Culture
John Samuels, president of the Memorial
Student Center council, has said one of the
principal aims of the Center this year will
be to promote the cultural aspect of student
life at A&M.
This always has been one of the aims of
the MSC, but so far no one has taken over
the reins of the “Living Room of the Cam
pus” and made the idea a reality. Indica-
tions show Samuels is on the Nght_ track
and should go a long way in establishing
this goal.
First of all, the new president jumped
into the fight with rabid support of the
student forum, and the Junto club. In these
clubs lie unlimited possibilities of attaining
the cultural part of dadet life.
In the student forum, a student may
listen to prominent people discuss topics of
interest on which the speaker is considered
an authority.
The Junto club is dedicated to the round
table type discussion where the student will
get a chance to offer his opinions and learn
the ideas of others concerning current affairs
of the world.
Samuels has dedicated his extra-curricula
life at A&M to the MSC and its various
committees and functions. So these two
clubs are only a part of the entire program
which he co-ordinates as president of the
council.
A nation-wide association of student
unions elected Samuels president of their
organization last year when he was a junior.
At that time he was vice-president of the
MSC council.
We believe A&M is fortunate to have a
man of this ability and integrity to help in
his MSC work toward the establishment of a
cultural aspect in student life.
are not emphasized according to their value.
These activities require the individual think
ing and initiative that developes the type of
men to lead the world of the future.
The beginning of college can be compared
to an archer who steps to the line and takes
aim with bow and arrow.
If he aims straight at the target, his ar
row will fall short. If he elevates his aim to
compensate for the distance, his chances of
hitting the bullseye are much greater.
Set your goal high. Aim above your tar
get. Look around and find your interest in
some of the many extra-curricular activities
which are waiting. Make your education
broad by participating in these activities, and
keep that aim above the target throughout
college. i
Air Force Cut Casts Doubt
On A&M’s Military Ranking
The air force’s cut in advanced ROTC
contracts throws doubt on claims that “first
of all A&M is a military school.”
Evidently the air force does not agree
with this. The air force’s actions seem to
indicate it does not rate A&M’s cadet corps
higher than any other college ROTC unit.
Every college was treated the same.
A&M received no preference. At one time
even some senior cadets were to lose their
contracts. Fortunately the air force allowed
them to continue advanced AFROTC. But
the other college seniors also kept their
contracts.
These events seem to weaken A&M’s im
portance as a military school. They show
a person has as much chance of finishing
college before entering the service some
where else.
Now maybe more emphasis will be given
-to improving, and advertisihg A&M’s most
important backbone—its value as an educa
tional institution.
Anti-Hazing Pledge Will Aid
College If Cadets Obey Oa th
Cadet commanders have taken a definite
step to eliminate physical hazing at A&M.
They have sworn to an oath that if obeyed
will make the “board” a thing of the past.
A clause against physical hazing was
added to an oath given cadet commanders
during past years. The new clause states
“that I will not participate in, condone, or
tolerate physical hazing or the use of any
instrument upon a cadet’s body for any rea
son whatsoever.”
The entire oath was ended with “So
Help Me God.”
Administration officials did not write
the new clause. It was initiated by members
of this year’s senior class.
A&M should be proud of these students.
They have shown a definite desire to rid
the college of its worst scar—the “board.”
But these officers should remember that
it is easier to swear to something than sup
port it. They have committed themselves
on one of A&M’s most controversial subjects.
There is no turning back.
The Battalion
Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Founder of Aggie Traditions
“Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman”
Democrat Women’s
Division Abolished
The Battalion, official newspaper of the Agricultural and Mechan
ical College of Texas, is published by students four times a week, during
the regular school year. During the summer terms, and examination
and vacation periods, The Battalion is published twice a week. Days of
publications are Tuesday through Friday for the regular school year,
and Tuesday and Thursday during examination and vacation periods
and the summer terms. Subscription rates $6.00 per year or $.50 per
month. Advertising rates furnished on request.
Entered as second-class
matter at Post Office at
College Station, Texas
under the Act of Con
gress of March 3, 1870.
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cisco.
The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for republi
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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 4-7604) or
at the editorial office room, 202 Goodwin Hall. Classified ads may be
placed by telephone (4-5324) or at the Student Activities Office, Room
209 Goodwin Hall.
JERRY BENNETT, ED HOLDER
Chuck Neighbors
Harri Baker
Bob Boriskie
Jon Kinslow
Jerry Estes
Bob Hendry
Barbara Rubin
Bill Turner
Co-Editors
Managing Editor
Campus Editor
Sports Editor
City Editor
Basic Division Editor
Feature Editor
Society Editor
Advertising Manager
CHICAGO, Sept. 16—(A>>—T h e
Democratic National committee to
day formally abolished its 31-year-
old women’s division and invited
women into its smoke-filled rooms
on an equal footing with men.
But it was warned by a former
suffragette, Mrs. Emma Guffey
Miller, Pennsylvania national com-
mitteewoman, t o mean really
“equal footing.” She advised that
there are some women eyeing the
move suspiciously.
The committee by resolution ap
proved action taken earlier this
year by Chairman Stephen Mitchell
in announcing a new policy of in
tegrating women into the commit
tee’s operations.
The vote was 106 to 1, and the
lone dissent was cast by Mrs. Dor
othy Satti, Connecticut national
committeewoman. She explained
afterward:
“Men tend to forget the work
women do. But if there is a wom
en’s division staring them in the
face, they are reminded of it.”
FANDANCE
News Briefs
* Pickup TsLetdown College
For Actor’s Talent Discuss
Executives
Petitions ■'
By JERRY BENNETT
Battalion Co-Editor
“PICKUP ON SOUTH STREET” now at the Palace is
a misleading title for a spool of celluloid nonsense.
Starring Richard Widmark at his worst, the movie con
cerns a hermit pick-pocket who accidently swipes some Com
mie secrets while doing his nimble-finger shopping.
The pickup in the film’s title refers to some microfilm,
not to Jean Peters. Coaches probably will think this young
lady has possibilities. Before the show is finished, she is
knocked across a room, slugged in the face and shot point
blank.
Actor Widmark who started a brilliant career with such
movies as “Kiss of Death”, “Road House” and “Night and the
City” finally has found his main talent lies in being miscast.
Lately he has been drafted into every second rate war
movie that 20th Century Fox has waged on the public. His
newest film, “Take the High Ground”, probably will be a new
low.
★ ★ ★
Harry Kidd, A&M’s spirited author-teacher, will direct au-
other series of local radio shows this spring. Last year Kidd
wrote and directed a radio series titled “Texas Turns to> Sci
ence.” Before that he spearheaded a group called “The Story
of Texas A&M.”
The new programs will deal with adjustment to college
life. Kidd told ns he needs plenty of women for the cast.
Anyone interested may contact him in his office—Number 329
D Academic Building. There are parts available for men
too.
★ ★ ★
“FROM HERE TO ETERNITY”, a plot sandwiched be
tween 900 pages of profanity, now is on sale in the pocket
edition. The film version is a hold-over in cities throughout
the country.
★ ★ ★
After seeing a recent 3-D movie in Bryan, one cadet told
us he couldn’t wait to see 4-D—3-D with a plot.
★ ★ ★
BILL CURRY knew he had seen that girl before. He
was waiting in a Las Vegas, Nevada barbecue line this sum
mer when he noticed her. He asked his buddy if they hadn’t
seen the girl at the officers club on the base where they
were attending summer camp. She heard the discussion and
turned around to see who was pulling an inspection off duty.
Their acquaintance had been only 2 dimensional. The girl
was screen star June Ally son.
★ ★ ★
FAN DANCING IN FLORIDA—There’s a man shortage
in Miami, Fla. While there this summer we saw this sign on
a public beach—
MEN WANTED!
TO RELAX AND REJUVENATE
ON THIS FREE BEACH
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
met yesterday from 1:30 until 6
p.m. and discussed routine matters
such as petitions, said John P. Ab
bott, dean of the college. This was
the first weekly meeting of the
school year, and many petition
cases had to be reviewed, said Ab
bott.
* * *
JOHN R. BERTRAND, dean of
the basic division, told freshmen
yesterday about courses offered by
the Basic division for students
who need help in reading, college
studying and other academic pro
blems. He spoke at the first of a
series of freshman meetings. These
meetings are a new addition to the
freshman curricula and will con
tinue through this month.
* * *
THIRD ANNUAL Farm and
Ranclj) Credit school for commercial
bankers wall be held here Dec. 6-9.
The school will deal with ways of
handling major credit problems of
farmers and ranchers. Members of
the agricultural economics depart
ment who will be committee chair
men are Tyrus R. Timm, general
planning; J. Wheeler Barger, pro
gram; R. L. Hunt, housing, and
John G. McHaney, local arrange
ments.
* H= *
STREET THROAT still leads on
the College Station - Bryan mor
bidity report for last week. Eigh
teen cases of strept throat were re
ported, 10 in Bryan and eight in
College Station. Other diseases re
ported were bacillary dysentery,
12 cases; gonorrhea, six cases, and
syphilis, four cases.
* * *
KIWANIS ELECTION last
Tuesday picked W. T. Riedel as di
rector until the end of the year. He
is also chairman of the club’s boys
and girls committee.
* * *
CORROSION ENGINEER’S con
ference will be held here Sept. 22-
25, sponsored by the south central
region of the National Association
of Corrosion Engineers and the
chemical engineering department.
One hundred and forty persons
are expected to attend.
* * *
DR. BASIL W. WILSON has
been elected to the faculty of the
A&M Graduate school as an as
sociate oceanographer. Wilson ob-
(See WILSON ELECTED, Page 4)
To All Aggies and Faculty . . .
MAY WE INVITE YOUR ATTENTION
TO THE RE-OPENING OF THE
MSC Coffee Shop
FOR BREAKFAST
MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY
COME IN
And See Our Specials And
Class of ’95 Aggie
Dies in San Angelo
Andrew Fleming Moursund ’95
died in San Angelo Saturday He
was 76.
A civil engineering graduate of
A&M, Mr. Moursund had been con
nected with the state highway de
partment engineer in San Angelo
for 29 years. He retired in 1950.
Mr. Moursund’s first job after
he left A&M was as a track walker
for the Southern Pacific railroad
west of Del Rio, at $1.50 a day.
While at A&M, he was a first
lieutenant in the cadet corps.
Funeral services were held in
San Angelo Monday. Burial was in
Fredericksburg.
Battalion of Atom Guns
Will Go to Europe Soon
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16—(A>)—
A battalion of 280 mm. mobile
guns, capable of firing atomic
shells, will be sent to Europe short
ly-
Announcing this yesterday, Sec
retary of the Army Robert T.
Stevens described the 280 mm.
guns as the army’s “latest and
largest” field artillery weapon.
Stevens said the battalion will be
deployed to Europe for use in sup
port of the North Atlantic treaty
defense forces under Gen. Alfred
M. Gruenther.
What’s Cooking
WEDNESDAY
7:30 p. m.—Hillel Club meeting,
Room 2D MSC. All old students
and new freshmen are invited to a
social (get-acquainted) meeting as
the first meeting of the school
year.
Try Our Pastries
Daily Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed on Sunday
AGGIES!!
We Have Food to Suit Your Taste
Excellent Service
Wehrmans Cafe
Highway 21 West in Bryan City Limits
1009 W. 25TH STREET
Across the Highway from Bryan Tractor & Supply Co,
LI’L ABNER It’s Better Than Nothing By A1 Capp
P O G O
HOW'P you MANAGE TO 6iT
THROWN THE tYOJPM C///LE?
H0W&V£I2,IU SOON WITW
THE PEMON&TNATION — I
J'H. S£ £A?you The TAP /
WHItST ^WOWIN’-HOWA
MOMSOOff TACKLE6 A
COSBA £N($Af?t>£
By Walt Ke/ly
'iQif g’MiyPp\CK\H' ON (