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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 16, 1971)
Page 2 THE BATTALION College Station, Texas Tuesday, November 16, 1971 CADET SLOUCH by Jim Earle Listen up The Bonfire: ‘a senseless and destructive act’ “You’ll hafta remember, it will take a while before his nervous system can adjust to winning football games!” Correction needed There are times when a newspaper blows it. Last week this newspaper blew it—by the reaction, sky-high. We placed ourselves in an untenable situation in “Sign burners,” an editorial in which we said as a matter of fact that members of the Corps of Cadets burned those signs. We still feel that members of the Corps probably did burn those signs. Note that we say probably, for that was the key word left out of the past editorial. It does change things a bit. It was a mistake to leave it out in the first place and it was a mistake we have learned from. The intent of the editorial was not to blame the Corps in general, as some have thought, but to blame certain members of the Corps, as stated. We do not feel that the editorial, letters, and photo changed the result of the elections any at all because of The Battalion’s late arrival at the dorms. For most people, the elections were over before they had an opportunity to read The Battalion. Steve Hayes Editor: Among our many traditions here at A&M is the annual bon fire for which preparations are now being made. This year, as in the past, we are going to carry forth this tradition, a tradition that compels us to destroy the few precious trees that remain on the face of our earth. The time is long overdue to cast aside the blinds of tradition and cease this senseless and destructive act. To redirect the tremendous energy that is expended on the bonfire is not impossible. As a suggestion, we could transplant one of those beautiful trees every year. An awesome array of trees could stand where there is ashes today. As university students we have within our grasp to reshape to morrow. If our training is con structive today we can truly make this world a better place to live for all. Jerome J. Hansmann ★ ★ ★ Editor: I am writing in regard to Mr. Schronk’s letter of last week and the comments he made about the conflict between the civilian stu dents and the corps. Also being one of those fortunate enough to have been here as a civilian stu dent and a member of the corps, I would like to add to his com ments. There has been no real reason for the conflict to exist at A&M. Incidents such as the one concern ing the burning of the coed cam paign posters in front of Duncan have been blown out of propor tion and used to perpetuate the conflict. If A&M students would look at each other as individuals and not as civilians, maggies or c.t.’s; the student body would go a long way in solving an unnecessary prob lem. It is unfortunate that the actions of a few are misconstrued to represent those of the entire civilian body or corps. For awhile it looked as though the students had made progress toward a united student body but now a negative attitude toward coeds retards this progress. Change has been the picture at A&M the past six years. In creased enrollment, more coeds, new buildings and modification Of University regulations and corps policies have all been evident. Prejudice and predators EDITOR’S NOTE: John Veh- low is a graduate student in the division of Wildlife Science. This past summer he worked for Ralph Nader, investigating the preda tory mammal control program conducted by the US Department of the Interior. His report, just completed and sent to the Center for the Study of Responsive Law, will be incorporated in Ralph Na der’s report to Congress and the American public. This will run in four-parts. On May 2, 1971 Jim Steadman, a high school coach, and conser vation-minded outdoorsman, was driving his pickup truck on a rocky, cactus lined road on a west Texas ranch. After round ing a curve, he came upon a mesquite tree, ornamented in such a way that turned all his thoughts away from relaxation. Dead coyotes and bobcats were hanging from each limb in a gro tesque display, supposedly as a warning to any other carnivorous animals that might wander by. The ranch raises few domestic livestock and suffers little from depredation, but the foreman and ranch-hands have neither knowl edge of nor interest in ecological principles. As a result, they kill any coyote or bobcat upon sight, with complete disdain for the actual merit of carnivorous mam mals. Such prejudice against preda tory animals has continually overshadowed accumulating eco logical evidence of the benefits provided by these animals, espe cially to the balance of nature, and has advanced the develop ment of a self-perpetuating, bu reaucratic program of federal control costing over $8 million annually, and indiscriminately killing thousands of wild crea tures each year. The gray wolf has all but dis appeared from the United States, and the mountain lion and the grizzly bear are found only in remote country and in constantly diminishing numbers. The black-* footed ferret, which feeds exclu sively on prairie dogs is nearly extinct, and the coyote and the bobcat continue to be labeled as the ruthless murderers of live stock. Inumerable species, such as foxes, martens, and badgers not intended for control have fallen victim to control programs by feeding on poisoned baits or by stepping in traps or other de vices. A member of the Presi dent’s Council on Environmental Quality'has stated that “during the past 150 years, the rate of extermination of mammal species has increased 55-fold.” Undoubtedly, many people still believe animal populations would be better off without predators. The classic example of this mis conception is the fiasco of the Kaibab Plateau. This area, lo cated on the north rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, was made into the Grand Canyon Na tional Preserve in 1906. All pub lic deer hunting was cancelled and a systematic elimination of predators began under the title of “game protection”. In the next 25 years 781 mountain lions, 30 wolves, 4,889 coyotes, 554 bob cats, and an unknown number of eagles were slaughtered. The deer population flourished . . . and flourished. By 1924 the orig inal herd of 4,000 had multiplied to one of 100,000 That winter the vegetation was finally exhausted, the land was stripped of all green, and deer starved by the thousands. By 1940 the herd had dwindled to 10,000 deer. As a re sult of overgrazing, the capacity of the range (Kaibab) to support a given number of deer had de creased by two-thirds. The Kai bab incident taught us the merit of predators. A deer herd subject to predation is more apt to be a vigorous herd, free of disease and starvation, and more likely to stay within the carrying capcity of the range; thus a quality habi tat is more easily sustained. Scientific evidence constantly and consistently has demonstrat ed the worth of predators and has proven that prejudices against these animals are un founded and unnecessary. Yet as the wool growers are quick to point out by example, we seem to learn very slowly by our past errors. Tomorrow: predation and the livestock industry. Cbe Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the student writers only. The Battalion is a non-tax- supported, non-profit, self-supporting educational enter prise edited and operated by students as a university and community newspaper. LETTERS POLICY Letters to the editor must be typed, double-spaced, and no more than 300 words in length. They must be signed, although the writer’s name will be withheld by arrangement with the editor. Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77S43. Members of the Student Publications Board are: Jim Lindsey, chairman ; H. F. Eilers, College of Liberal Arts ; , White, College of Engineering student newspaper at Texas A&M, is ge Station, Texas, daily except Saturday, Monday, and holiday pei The Battalio: lege Statior , Auvsnucijr, and holiday May, and once a week during summer on, published in College Station, Sunday, Monday, and holid* as, daily except Saturday, eriods, September through ;hool. MEMBER The Associated Press, Texas Press Association The Associated Collegiate Press F. S. White, College of Engineering; Dr. Asa B. Childers, Jr., College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. W. E. Tedrick, College of Agriculture; and Layne Kruse, student. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising dees, Inc., New York (City, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Servic Franc ig rate turnished on request. Address: The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas 77843. The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for reproduction otherwise credited origin published herein. Rights matter herein are also reserved. Second-Class postage paid at College Station, Texas. EDITOR HAYDEN WHITSETT Managing Editor Doug Dilley News Editor Sue Davis Spo'rts Editor John Curylo Assistant Sports Editor Bill Henry Many other changes too numer ous to mention have occurred. Why not a change in the atti tude students have for one an other? After all the university is the students. George Howard ’69 ★ ★ ★ Editor: After reading the most recent issues of the Batt, I decided to write a letter of a different na ture to the “Listen Up” column. I for one do not have any com plaints or criticisms of A&M. I chose to attend this university of my own free will, accepting it as it is. Granted changes are needed and are being made. They go with progress. I think that changes can eventually be made which will satisfy the old, the present, and the future Aggies through compromise. In my opinion, Texas A&M is a great school. The traditions are a tremendous part of A&M and help to create a bond for those students who desire such a bond. However, some students do not feel it is important to have such bonds. It is no crime for them to feel this way. I think that those students who enjoy participating in the traditional activities and those students who do not should be able to live on this campus peacefully, if they just accept each other. Almost everyone wants peace in the world, but they can not understand the basic reasons for the existing international con flicts. If we could all learn the value of compromise now—on this campus, and on those across this country, maybe our generation could contribute something to ward that “world peace” everyone talks about so much. Rebecca McKee ’74 ★ ★ ★ Editor: Much was said last week on the hassle with a certain College Station official who would not allow students to register for the Dec. 14 City Council elections. Gregory Holman and student leaders such as John Sharp and Layne Kruse put up a valiant fight and won a partial victory. The Battalion wrote a clever edi torial which described the petty politician. This was followed the next day by one which lambasted the Aggies for not registering to vote in the aforementioned College Station election. I feel that it was most impor tant that students have the right to vote in the election and I would advise anyone with a real interest in it to register and vote on De cember 14. Still I don’t feel, as the editor did that it is a major crisis because only 60 students register ed for the election last Thursday. I am registered to vote in my hometown as are, I hope, most of the students here. While I am extremely interested in what hap pens in elections there, as well as state and national elections, I am not very concerned over a College Station election which will put a man on the City Council for four months. Greg Nordyke ’72 ★ ★ ★ Editor: As all Aggies will recall it was only a month ago that mention of Gene Stallings was accompa nied by snide and/or rude re marks. I must admit I myself made a few. This was at a time of great disappointment (so far as our football hopes were con cerned) for the football team and all Aggies, including Gene Stall ings. Students and exes alike were calling for a replacement for him. In the last four weeks our for tunes have changed. I was in Houston Saturday with many Ag gies to watch the game and was quite proud to be an Aggie. We won. Now I think back to some of the things I said and heard said about Gene Stallings and my pride is lessened. I think of how narrow minded I have been. I also ask my self if everyone else has simply forgotten what they said last month now that we are winning. I ask them now to look at them selves and see how it feels to say one thing when we are losing and another when we are winning. I also ask them to join me in con gratulating the Aggie football team and staff on a remarkable comeback. It takes desire and courage to keep trying after a poor start. Our team has this. I know that on Thanksgiving they will be try ing as hard as they can to beat the hell out of t.u. I hope that this letter may cause other Ag gies to realize that the team and coaches need their support—win IBRYAH WESTERN WORLD Large Selection Ladies JEANS & SLACKS LAY AWAY FOR CHRISTMAS! ONE GROUP TEX TAN [BOOTS $12 to $15 OFF Reg. $40 - $47 MANY, MANY GIFT ITEMS! OTHER SADDLES $25 - $30 OFF Barrel Racer or Pleasure SADDLES Zif-I Mens - Womens - Childrens! WESTERN STYLE COATS • Leathers & Cloth • Wool Lined • By Wrangler & JO-O-KAY \ BOOTS! BOOTS! Tony Land • Tex Tan Acme OVER 800 pairs in 60 STYLES! PEANUTS or (especially) lose. Sometimes it takes more of an athlete and a person to see his mistakes, learn from them, and try to correct them. The team has. I hope I have and I hope everyone who pulled out their dusty “Gene Stall ings for President” stickers has, too. Pete Davis ’70 ★ ★ ★ Editor: I was shocked at Mr. Buratti’s advocation of full enforcement of the University’s Alcoholic bever age policy. Its enforcement in College View and Hensel would put an extra burden on the al ready overworked apartment managers. After all instead d studying they spend their evf nings trying to see if any 0 a e j breaking other nebulous rules u it is. Also I feel sorry for Mr. % ratti or any one else for th matter who decides that sinii they can’t have something the/] try to deprive others of it. Hor ever, I feel that some good woul come of this incident if Mr, h ratti’s letter was forwarded li Dean Hannigan since this univa sity is always looking for so® one who is willing to stay i nights figuring out new ways] put the screws to the students, John Brieden 72 1M NOT DIZZ^ ANYMORE.., MY STOMACH DOESN'T HURT.. I'M ACTUALLY HUN6RY! BURGER HUT Remember Happy Hour! BEER ON TAP 15c Monday - Friday — 5 p. m. - 6 p. m. 317 University Dr. North Gate ■■■•■a in Robert Halsell Travel Service 1016 Texas Ave. — Bryan AIRLINE RESERVATIONS FOR THE HOLIDAYS CALL 822-3737 GIVE THE NATION BACK TO ITS PEOPLE John W. Gardner, Chairman Common Cause Former Secretary ot Health, Education and Welfare Who said citizen action is futile? Populism in the nineteenth century left an indelible mark on the nation. Citizen action won the vote for women in 1920 and brought the abolition of child labor. The labor movement, the civil rights movement, the peace movement, the ponservation movement — all began with concerned citizens. If we had waited for the government or Congress or the parties to initiate any of them, we’d still be waiting. Try to think of a significant movement in our national life that was initiated by the bureaucracy. Or by Congress. Or by the parties. For a while, we lost confidence in our capacity to act as citizens, but the citizen is getting back to his feet. And citizen action is taking on a tough minded professional edge it never had before. Never has our society needed more desperately the life-giving spark of citizen action. We must make our instru ments of self-government work. We must halt the abuse of the public interest by self-seeking special interests. The special interests buy favor through campaign gifts. What flows back is literally scores of billions of dollars in tax breaks, in lucrative defense contracts, in favored treatment of certain regulated industries, in tolerance of monopolistic practices. And the tax payer foots the bill. To combat such pervasive corruption, we must strike at the two instruments of corruption in public life —money and secrecy. To combat the corrupting power of money, we must control campaign spending and lobbying, and require full disclosure of conflict of interest on the part of public officials. To tear away the veil of secrecy, we must enact freedom of information” or “right to know” statutes vyhich require that the public business be done pub licly. And that’s only a beginning. We can regain command of our instruments of self-government. To accomplish this, each citizen must become an activist, especially the college student with his newly acquired right to vote. He must make his voice heard. Common Cause, a national citizens’ lobby, was created to accomplish just that. It hoped to en roll 100,000 members in its first year, and got that number in 23 weeks! On its first anniversary, it had 200,000 members. • It was the chief citizens’ group lobbying for the Constitu tional Amendment on the 18-year old vote. • It joined with environmental groups to defeat the SST. • It brought the first real challenge in a generation to the tyrannical seniority system in Congress. It helped bring the House of Representatives to its fiist recorded vote on the Vietnam War. • It has sued the major parties to enjoin them from violat ing the campaign spending laws. There is much more to do. And the time to do it is now. The American people are tired of being bilked and manipulated. It’s time to give this country back to its people. For additional information, write Com mon Cause, Box 220, Washington, D.C. 20044. 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