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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 1973)
be Battalion To Generous Souls, Every Task Is Noble College Station, Texas Thursday, May 3, 1973 THURSDAY—Fair. High 77, low 51. FRIDAY — Fair. High of 83. 845-2226 ■'v iT-ifjiSi- $ 1,734 To Receive Degrees Ik. n {Pi ? W'M fm $ m m i p: PI lonnally Switch Arouses lepublicans, Liberal Demos MANY A TOOTHPICK adorns Lloyd Morris’ Eiffel wer. Morris glued toothpicks together last fall to con duct a Golden Gate Bridge replica. A record 1,734 students are expected to receive degrees here at two commencement exercises this weekend, with Gov. Dolph Briscoe and Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby sharing the speaking honors. Briscoe will speak at the uni versity’s traditional exercises at 9 a.m. Saturday in G. Rollie White Coliseum. Hobby will ad dress students receiving degrees at 7:30 p.m. ceremonies Friday, also in the coliseum. President Jack K. Williams said the decision to split the graduation ceremonies into two separate programs was prompted by the record number of gradu ates and seating limitations. Friday evening ceremonies will include all recipients of graduate degrees and baccalaureate degree candidates from the Colleges of Architecture and Environmental Design, Geosciences, Marine Sci ences and Maritime Resources and Veterinary Medicine. The Saturday ceremonies will include baccalaureate degree can didates from the Colleges of Agriculture, Business Adminis tration, Education, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Science. Gen. Creighton W. Abrams, Army Chief of Staff, will be the commissioning speaker for 1:30 p.m. Saturday ceremonies in the coliseum and take salutes at Fingl Review at 3:30 p.m. on the main drill field. Approximately 175 commissions will be awarded by the Army, Air Force and Ma rine Corps. Kyle Field will serve as a back up location. The Doherty Award to an out standing member of the Corps of Cadets will be presented at com missioning. Established in 1971 by W. T. Doherty, a 1922 Texas A&M graduate of Houston, it in cludes a $3,000 award. Final Review is a unique modi fication of the standard military review. Troops go around the drill field twice, the first time this year led by Corps Command er Ronald L. Krnavek of Corpus Christi and other 1972-73 com manders. The second go-around will be led by the 1973-74 corps leader ship, headed by Scott Eberhart of Dallas. Between rounds, new command ers at corps, brigade-wing, bat talion-group and company-squad ron levels take their posts. Classes also don insignia and other uniform distinctions for the following year. The occasion is marked by fly ing caps and other items discard ed by freshmen becoming sopho mores, etc. After “Auld Lang Syne” for departing cadets, graduating sen iors form a reviewing line for the second pass-by. Final Review is the Corps’ con cluding formation of the school year. ‘Ma, Pa’ Fergusons’ Careers Called‘T exas \\ atergate’ Affair THE ASSOCIATED PRESS "ormer Democratic Gov. John mally’s announcement Wed- day that he was switching TAM-FM Broadcast Fall Session [TAM-FM will be broadcast- over Midwest Video cable be- the opening of the fall lester if things go as planned the Student Government (SG) station governing board 'dnesday. Ifike Gaertner was appointed erim programs director and ve Gray was appointed inter news director for the student irated station. These two will idle responsibilities for these itions until permanent ap- ntments are made. (TAM-FM will be located at .5 on the dial and will only be tad up on Midwest Video Concrete broadcasting and ad- tising policies will be set this nmer by the governing board, vertising profits will be turned ir to the SG and will be used cover minimal expenses. Applications for radio staff 1 disc jockies will be available a later date. Students in- ested should contact the sen- office or write this summer. Phe governing board consists Campus Projects Committee airman Jim Cunningham as airman, Student Services Com- ttee Chairman Steve Wake- ild, treasurer David White and, bject to the senate’s approval, indy Stephens and Steve Gray. political parties appeared to pump fresh blood into Texas Re publicans and liberal Democrats. Conservative Texas Democrats seemed more subdued, with some apparently concerned over what one man’s decision could mean to the political alignment of 11 mil lion Texans. There was immediate street- comer talk of the Democrats run ning Sen. Edward Kennedy, D- Mass., and an old Connally friend, Sen. Lloyd B e n t s e n, D-Tex., against Connally and Sen. Ed ward Brooke, R-Mass., for presi dent in 1976. Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, a Demo crat, dismissed Connally’s an nouncement in a joking manner — “I understand how national political chairmen Bob Strauss and George Bush could have ar ranged the trade. The Democratic party got New York mayor John Lindsay and the Republicans to day get John Connally. Surely, we get next year’s first round draft choice and a senator to be named at a later date.” But privately, it was said, Hobby feared Connally’s decision might be the first of several which eventually could tip the balance of power in Texas, a bed rock Democratic state since Re construction, to the Republicans. On the cabinet and White House vacancies resulting from Watergate, Connally not only said he had not discussed them with Nixon but added “and I hope there’s no liklihood that I will.” “I have not discussed it with him and I hope that your rais ing the question doesn’t trigger the thought,” he said. He said he also had not dis cussed Watergate with Nixon but did call the President this morn ing and told him of the announce ment he was to make at the news conference. Connally said he called the Thursday news conference be cause he had promised on a num ber of occasions he would call a conference “when I made up my mind about what I wanted to do.” “And that I have done,” he said. “It so happens it comes in the middle of the Watergate, but (See Connally, page 2) ★ ★ ★ Dr. Ralph W. Steen, president of Stephen F. Austin State Uni versity, contended here Tuesday the political careers of “Pa and Ma” (James and Miriam) Fergu son could be called the “Texas Watergate” affair. Steen spoke at the initiation banquet of the TAMU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, a scholastic honor society. Steen was head of the history department at A&M before he went to SFASU in 1958. He had served as a faculty mem ber here since 1935. Steen discussed the scandal- ridden administration of the Fer gusons and touched upon the role Jim Ferguson played in public education in Texas. He pointed out that Ferguson was completely unknown when he declared his candidacy for governor in 1914. “He had no platform at all,” Steen said. “But he had a fan tastic ability to speak to people. And, he was elected governor, to the amazement of practically everyone.” When Ferguson took office in 1915, he had the tenant farmer law passed, which was declared unconstitutional. The taxes he had promised to lower were somehow doubled, Steen said. Ferguson was very concerned with public education in rural areas of the state, Steen, explain ed. He appropriated funds for these schools, passed the compul sory attendance law and the free textbook law. “A number of things we take for granted run back to this administration,” he pointed out. Ferguson ran for governor again in 1916. His opponent lev eled charges of misdeeds against the Ferguson administration, and though Ferguson won the elec tion, a legislative resolution pro claimed that he would be investi gated, Steen said. There were charges that Fer- China Escapee guson was mishandling state funds. The investigating commit tee censured Ferguson but didn’t impeach him. Ferguson began to have dis agreement with the board of di rectors of the University of Texas about this time, and Dr. Steen said Ferguson believed the Uni versity was responsible for the call that he be impeached. Steen pointed out that Fergu son believed himself to be a “very powerful man.” He told the boards of directors of a San An- Former Communist To Speak Saturday Connally Sees Dim Future For Political Incumbents HOUSTON <AP)—John B. Con nally, now a Republican after having served three presidents as a Democrat, says he thinks 1974 and 1976 might be bad years for political incumbents. “I’m referring to individuals in both parties,” Connally ex plained. “I just think we have a politi cal uncertainty. We have a po litical concern in this country that might well find itself felt in working to the disadvantage of incumbents at all levels of government.” Connally, 56, made his obser vation Wednesday at a news con ference at which he formally an nounced the long anticipated switch in political parties. After reading a short state ment, Connally quickly replied to a request for comment on specu lation he will be a presidential candidate in 1976. “I seek no office, political or appointive,” said the former pro tege of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Secretary of the Navy under President John F. Kenne dy, and Secretary of the Treas ury under President Richard M. Nixon. The observation about 1974 and 1976 as political years was made when Connally was asked about possible long-range effects of the Watergate scandal. “By 1974, people will have an opportunity to put into perspec tive what this incident was and by 1976 I’m sure that will be true,” Connally said. “A great many things will have happened that are of ex ceedingly greater importance to this country. I think the political atmosphere in this country is a troubled atmosphere. It was ag gravated by the Watergate inci dent. The confusion and concern is not all attributable to that. I frankly think both in 1974 and in 1976 that it might not be a good year for incumbents. This is a political observation, and when I say this I am not neces sarily referring to parties.” A 10-year member of the Chi nese Communist Party will speak here Saturday. Wu Shu-jen, who swam eight hours to escape to Hong Kong in July 1969, will speak about life in Red China at 7:30 p.m. in Room 103 of the Zachry Engi neering Center. Wu, 38, was educated at Tsing Hua University, an engineering school in Peking. He joined the Communist Party in 1958, and has been a member of China’s national water polo team, a com mune farm worker and partici pated in the Great Cultural Revo lution. Transcripts of an interview with Wu have been published in a pamphlet, “Life in Mainland China Today,” by the Committee for a Free China. “Though Tsing Hua was an en gineering school, during my five years there, I was not free for a single day from political in doctrination. There was one ses sion of political studies every day. Later, when I worked in the factory, I had to spend even more time in political studies,” he said. “The Communists have consist ently denied that there are pro fessional athletes in mainland China. The fact is, all mainland athletes at the provincial-level and above are professionals. “There have been many in stances of resistance. Unorgan ized incidents occur frequently. At Hoyuan 2,000 peasants looted a Communist granary. During the time of the Cultural Revolu tion, more organized riots oc curred. Once the people gained arms they would risk their lives to fight Red troops,” he said. “The family still exists. For a short time in 1958, there was an active campaign in “people’s communes” to break up the fam ily, but it failed dismally after only two or three months. At present, the family is still used as the smallest unit for labor,” he said. Wu is coming to A&M as part of a speaking tour sponsored by the Committee for a Free China, according to Raymond Liu of the Chinese Students Forum. His speech here is co-sponsored by the Human Issues Discussion Group. Consumer Poll Available In Library, MSC Consumer opinions are being gathered by questionnaire through May 5 for Consumer In formation Week. The questionnaire, the Na tional Consumer Referendum, is available in the Library and on the main floor of the Memorial Student Center. The survey investigates opin ions on financing, warranties, cleaning instructions for cloth ing, service and repairmen and contains a rating system for stores. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) in New York City will tabulate the national results which will be available to con cerned businessmen. Local distribution of the ques tionnaire is sponsored by the BBB of Brazos County and the Business Relations Committee. tonio hospital and Texas A&M to fire some members, and they did, but the board at UT refused to do as he asked. The Legislature was very ac tive during this time, Steen said. They created the Texas Highway Department and eight new col leges, doubling the number of colleges already in Texas. “They were almost as silly as the present Legislature,” Steen quipped. Ferguson called the board of UT to his office and told them if they did not fire people as he directed, the University would not receive any appropriations from the Legislature that year. “This was the first test of aca demic freedom in Texas,” Steen said. “The board refused to fire anyone, and Ferguson vetoed the appropriations bill for the Uni versity of Texas, leaving salaries only for one dean and one jan itor.” Steen also described a move ment in the Legislature to unite the University of Texas and A&M and locate the school south of Austin near the Colorado River. “Many of the politicians and UT people were for it,” Steen said. “For some reason, the A&M people were violently against it, as was Ferguson. The measure failed, and you have Ferguson to thank for it.” Ferguson was hauled before the Travis Grand Jury on charges of mishandling state funds, Steen said. “He decided he’d rather take his chances before the Legisla ture, though, and was tried on 21 charges by the House; and convicted by the Senate on 10 of those charges.” Bomb Threat Hits Capitol AUSTIN <AP>—The Texas Capi tol was cleared Wednesday night because of a bomb threat. “There is three bombs placed in the m f.... .r and they is going off in 30 minutes,” a man told Capt. James Cowan of the Capitol security guard by telephone at 7 p.m. The caller repeated the same words and hung up. Officers spread the word for the building to be cleared. They advised persons in the building to go at least 100 yards from the building. into Lead Reactor Tops Proposed Catalytic Converter MIKE RICE The Pollution Solution Group Texas has recently condemned nvironmental Protection Agen- statements concerning lead missions from autos, saying the PA was “less than objective hen it took its position” regard- S increases in body burden ith lead. The group, one of some 25 sim- ar groups active throughout the Hintry, is a member of the merican Institute of Chemical ngineers (AIChE) and is dedi- ited to aiding in efforts to curb nd eliminate pollution of all I'pes. Clem Best, chairman of the louston-based group, has sent statements to President Nixon, Lloyd Bentsen, John Tower, Olin E. Teague and other ranking leg islators from Texas and the na tion concerning its positive stand on a newly developed combus tion system called the lean reac tor or thermal reactor system. According to recent studies, 1976 exhaust emission standards could almost be met now (con trary to what auto makers are saying) and 1974 standards could have been met three years ago using the lean reactor system, plus particle traps on new cars. There would be absolutely no need for unleaded gasoline. Just what would the new reac tor do for car owners and the nation ? Facts are available to show that it does not require low com pression engines and can use high compression-high efficiency engines and won’t wear out. Parts and installation would be cheap and the lean reactor would not be affected by thermal and mechanical shocks. The catalytic converter, which Detroit car makers and politi cians are pushing, does the exact opposite. The proposed Detroit engine would wear out after only 25,000 miles, require low compression engines, and would be extremely sensitive to thermal and mechan ical shock. In addition its fuel consumption would increase up to 20 per cent, reflecting require ments of 20. per cent additional refinery capacity and crude oil supply from sources overseas. It would also require 20 per cent more oil tankers and seaport ca pacity, or a 40 per cent increase in tankers. The lean reactor system would only increase fuel consumption and refinery capacities by five to six per cent. The same percent age amount would apply to tank er capacity increases. There would be other positive contri butions, from this thermal sys tem, also. It would not increase depend ence on Russia and South Africa for more platinum and would have less affect on balance of payment trade than the catalytic converter type. Less skilled lab or would be required for repair and initial installation would cost significantly less. Use of the catalytic converter will not eliminate pollution as the EPA wants, as well as not deterring pollution hazards. The aromatics which replace lead have smog forming constituents, eye irritants and contain polynu clear aromatics and phenols which lead to forms of concer. Best, in a statement to Nixon, said that use of the lean reactor will accomplish pollution goals at less cost immediately without adding these harmful aromatics. The sharp reduction or elim ination of lead as an additive to motor fuel as proposed by the EPA will have a direct effect on the auto engine so as to cause an increase in the consumption of gasoline due to the resulting de crease in efficiency of an engine running on unleaded, 91 octane. This means that while the United States is becoming deeply mired in an increasingly-severe energy shortage, EPA regula tions would intensify the energy crisis. Best has pointed out that equipment required to achieve an average level of 96.5 per cent ex haust cleanup will cost the aver age motorist about $1,000 more over the life of his car. By con trast, the cleanup being done presently by new car emission control equipment results in only about $225 incremental cost to the average car owner. Time is growing short for all concerned in the pollution matter as the year nears for compliance with regulations. However, one thing has become clear to many chemical engineers: “a law re quiring the expenditure of sig nificant sums of money, but re sults in little or no environmental benefit, or carries ramifications which may be worse than the en vironmental problem they are de signed to solve detracts from the overall effort to improve the so ciety in which we live.” “On the side of Texas A&M.” University National Bank Adv.