Page 2
THE BATTALION
FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1974
Mmfs zmrcr-wevt
Lease Line—
Repairs noted at West Knol
'BEFORE YOU GET INTO ANY OF YOUR QUESTIONS, HOW'S THE NIXON THING
COMING ALONG . . ?'
Listen Up
No retraction said evident
in Kunstler’s letter to Batt
Editor:
I was surprised when I read
“Kunstler retracts criticism of
Congressman Teague” on page
two of Tuesday’s “Battalion” and
even more so when I read Mr.
Kunstler’s letter because I found
no retraction. If I remember Mr.
Kunstler’s speech, he stated words
to the effect that Congressman
Teague had no business in having
anything to do with helping to
obtain speakers for SCONA, per
iod. I am working from memory
as I have no transcription of
Kunstler’s address so please cor
rect me if I am wrong.
In his letter, Kunstler states
in connection with possible con
tact between Kosub and Teague,
“I did not say that any such con
tact had taken place and I have
no knowledge of it. I trust that
this clears up the matter.” And
that is all he said, the essence of
which seems to be his saying that
anyone believing he (Kunstler)
said Teague directly influenced
Kosub into making the cancella
tion decision simply misunder
stood. Kunstler’s original crici-
cisms of Congressman Teague
would seem to still stand as far
as Kunstler is concerned.
The point is it appears to me
that the headline is quite mislead
ing, and any journalistic enter
prise which misleads its readers
can lose credibility as easily as a
policisian who misleads his con-
stitutents. I should note that I
am not interested in attacking
“The Battalion,” I merely want
the record set straight; again, if
I incorrectly remembered Kunst
ler’s address to this student body
as concerns Congressman Teague,
accept my apologies, if not, I be
lieve you owe your readers an ex
planation of the headline.
Ralph McNutt
Kunstler’s remarks on Teague
were as follows (from a tape of
the speech): “I have been inform
ed that some of the pressure to
drop Kunstler’s speech came from
the Congressman from the Sixth
District a gentleman by the name
of the Honorable Olin E. Teague,
who is listed as the executive of
ficer of the SCONA Conference.
I understand Mr. Teague was ang
ry because his university dared to
ask me to come here.
First of all I think it is an ut
ter disgrace that a Congressman,
a partisan politician, has any
voice in who speaks in this uni
versity ... I was told he was kept
around because he was good at
getting speakers. He is also good,
apparently, at vetoing speakers.
Any competent lecture bureau
could do far better than a conser
vative Congressman in obtaining
speakers. This man takes an oath
of office to support the Constitu
tion.
He has cheapened himself and
he has cheapened this university
if he took any role whatsoever in
influencing the president of this
university. He has destroyed an
ideal, he has dirtied his flag and
he has disrupted the Constitution.
And if that is supporting the
ideals of this country then I guess
I don’t know what the ideals are.”
We should have printed these
statements with Kunstler’s letter
for the sake of clarification.—
Ed.
★ ★ ★
Silver Taps
Editor;
I have just returned from Silver
Taps and feel saddened. I have
attended Silver Taps for nearly
three years now. I can still recall
the first I ever attended and they
still impress me. Yet tonight (and
not for the first time) I am dis
turbed. This Silver Taps was for
an Ag who was murdered. But this
is not what disturbs me—other
than anger at the fact of it.
Since I was a fish the solem-
ness of this occassion has been
stressed to me. I was not allowed
to watch the Ross Volunteers as a
fish. I was told to go and stand
by the flagpole. I am no longer
so required but I remain—out of
respect. I did not know the Ag
who was killed but the thought
came through my mind as it al
ways does at a Silver Taps—an
Ag has died—one of us is gone.
And other thoughts—“Softly call
the Muster, let a comrade answer
here.” Other schools don’t do this
—they don’t have the “one of us.”
Silver Taps, Muster—they mean
something and they always will.
But as the bugle’s last notes
fade and I walk away, I see things
that grieve me . . . cars gun their
engines and drive off with all
lights shining, people begin talk
ing and laughing, lights come on
in dorm windows.
I will not say, “This isn’t right
—that’s not the way—shape up !”
I will only say that it saddens me
to see the spirit slowly go. There
will be some, even in the Corps,
who believe this letter weak and
overly sentimental. I say to them
—go and ask an old Ag how he
feels after Muster and then ask
themselves if it really means so
little to them . . . and are they
willing to let it quietly fade and
die?
Brice A. Biggerstaff
★ ★ ★
Pink Flamingos
Editor:
On Monday March 25 there will
be an important meeting of the
MSC Council to decide whether
or not to ban the film “Pink Fla
mingos.”
We, the members of the A&M
Student Civil Liberties Union, feel
that this action by the Council
acting as a review board is a
clear case of censorship. Why
should this group of people have
a right to determine what is por
nographic, what is art, or what
is good enough for the students
of Texas A&M to see?
The Council, which has never
seen this film, will decide on the
basis of the critical comments of
others and their own past preju
dices whether or not this film
should be shown.
If you, as a concerned student
at Texas A&M University, feel
that this action is a deprivation
of your right to view what you
want to see, please attend the
meeting March 25 at 6:00 p. m.
at the Conference Room of the
Student Programs Office at the
MSC.
If you are interested in further
action on this issue, we urge you
to attend the meeting of the A&M
Student Civil Liberties Union
March 27 in the Rudder Tower.
Martin Hokanson, president
A&M Student Civil Liberties
Union
★ ★ ★
By BARB SEARS
About a month ago this column
cited a number of charges made
by tenants against the West
Knoll Townhouses in College Sta
tion. That particular column had
two effects: The Battalion receiv
ed a letter alleging that libelous
statements were made, and a num
ber of the maintenance problems
cited in the column were repaired
by the landlord.
The libel charge and retraction
request did not carry much weight
since the tenants were willing to
testify in support of the state
ments reported in the column. The
attempts at repairwork by the
landlord should be noted, as well
as the problems which remain un
solved.
One major complaint, concerned
infestation of the outdoor area by
rats. Apparently, the City-County
Health Department recognized the
CADET SLOUCH
problem and asked the manager
to mow the unkept field in which
the rats resided. This was done
and rat poison was set out. Sev
eral tenants report an improve
ment in the situation.
The construction of the build
ings was another problem since
the roofing was so poor that ex-
tensive i leaking occurred, causing
mold to grow on the walls and
ceiling and the carpet to actually
begin to rot. Two actions were at
tempted to eliminate the results
of the leakage: the carpets in sev
eral apartments were replaced,
and the mold was sprayed and de
stroyed. An attempt was made to
repair the roof, however reports
show no improvement, and in fact
indicate worsening of the situa
tion.
The obvious shoddy construc
tion of at least the roofs of West
Knoll Townhouses illustrates a
much more serious problem than
leaks in the ceiling. Apartments in
the Bryan-College Station area
are often constructed either in too
great a rush or with improper
care, and the result is an apart
ment complex with latent defects.
An apartment complex current
ly under construction, Scandia
Apartments, is another example.
The construction crew poured con
crete for the second story floors
during wet weather. The result
was that the underlayer buckled,
and the concrete floors cracked.
Many of the cracks are a half inch
wide, and run close to the full
length of the room. The College
Station building inspector L. P.
Dulaney assured me that these
cracks would be filled before the
carpeting and tile were laid down.
One can hope that comply
with his directive will be verjJ
by spot checks.
The West Knoll case in parj
ular points out another distJ
ing factor: the local housingcj
only applies to buildings (J
structed after its adoption in lf|
Older buildings may be in nj
tion of this definition of kalij
bility. The only recourse for til
ants now is to find something!
violation of fire safety or sal
tation regulations, which leawsl
broad spectrum of problems i:|
solved. Perhaps the City ComJ
races will provide individtij
willing to face this problem
institute a housing code vhJ
will establish certain minimt:|
standards for older buildings,
by Jim Earle
Streakers
Dear Sir:
“Should streakers be suspend
ed?” Definitely — from coconut
trees!
Marie Scott
Cbe Battalion
Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of
the editor or of the writer of the article and are not
necessarily those of the University administration or
the Board of Directors. The Battalion is a non-profit,
self-supporting enterprise operated by students as a
University and Community newspaper.
LETTERS POLICY
Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words
and are subject to being cut to that length or less if
longer. The editorial staff reserves the right to edit
such letters and does not guarantee to publish any
letter. Each letter must be signed, show the address of
the writer and list a telephone number for verification.
Address correspondence to Listen Up, The Battalion,
Room 217, Services Building, College Station, Texas
77843.
Members of the Student Publications Board are: Jim
Lindsey, chairman; Dr. Tom Adair, Dr. R. A. Albanese, Dr.
H. E. Hierth, W. C. Harrison, Randy Ross, T. Chet Edwards,
and Jan Faber.
The Battalion, a student newspaper at Texas A&M, is
published in College Station, Texas, daily except Saturday,
Sunday, Monday, and holiday periods, September through
May, and once a week during summer school.
Services,
Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising
’ices. Inc, New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles.
MEMBER
The Associated Press, Texas Press Association
ung rate furnished on request.
The Battalion, Room 217, Services Building, College Station,
Texas 77843.
The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for
reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it or not
otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous
origin published herein. Right of reproduction of all other
matter herein are also reserved.
Second-Class postage paid at College Station, Texas.
Editor Rod Speer
Managing Editor Stephen Goble
Assistant to the Editor Greg Moses
News Editor Will Anderson
Photo Editor Gary Baldasari
Sports Editor Kevin Coffey
Ass’t. Sports Editor Ted Boriskie
Staff writers Vickie Ashwill, LaTonya Perrin,
Mary Russo, Tony Gallucci, Cliff Lewis, Brad
Ellis, Hank Wahrmund, Kathy Young, T. C.
Gallucci,, Norine Harris, Sally Hamilton, Julia
Jones.
Photographers Roger Mallison, Kathy Curtis,
Alan Killingsworth, Steve Ueckert.
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Your Man at Bat
by Greg Moses
“I should start studying to bring my grades up, but I’m afraid
if I start too soon, I’d get more grade points than I needed!”
Several people asked why attendance at graduation exei
cises is a degree requirement. It’s a requirement because univei
sity regulations require it (item 37, sub-item 7).
Dr. Edwin H. Cooper, dean of admissions and records,
chairs the Convocations Committee of the Academic Counril
which organizes and oversees graduation ceremonies. He doesn’t
know when or why the regulation was passed, but he thinksit’si
good idea.
‘‘For good cause, a student can be excused by his dean,"
says Cooper. “So there is an escape clause.”
“The ceremony is planned as an honor and recognition o(
students and is highly popular with parents and friends,” says
Cooper.
He added that ceremony is as important as registration and
classroom attendance because of the speakers and what they havt
to say.
The rule makes planning more practical, says Cooper
because it is easier to estimate attendance.
“I am proud of our ceremony. 1 have not had anyont
express regrets,” says Cooper. “I have seen schools that have gone
to less formal ceremonies and I feel they are less impressive by
far.”
The rule seems to be a tradition which was made official
The 1877 Rules and Regulations booklet states that a studen!
who has fulfilled the degree requirements shall have theii
diplomas “publicly delivered to them on commencement day by
the president.”
There evidently wasn’t a question in anyone’s mind
whether a student had to go or not. It was taken for granted. The
rules gradually changed until there was no mention of tbe
ceremony.
It was not until 1932 that the rule was officially entered
into the booklet [item 31, sub-item (e)]. “Unless excused by
proper authority, he (the student) must be present at the
graduation exercises.”
THEOPHILUS
I THOUGHT YOU BELIEVED )
LIFE BEGAN AS AN AMOEBA
WHICH PECIPEP WITHOUT A
BRAIN TO HAVE A BRAIN, 4
ARMS, LEGS, SEX, AND TO
CHANGE SPECIES MILLIONS
OFT1MESTO BECOME MAN
[Th
AND
HE DOESN’T
BELIEVE
IN MIRACLES ?
THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION OR
SPECIAL CREATION
FROM MANY OF YOUR PROFESSORS YOU ARE
PRESENTED THE EVOLUTIONARY POSITION.
HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED THE ALTERNA
TIVES THAT THE OTHER SIDE HAS TO PRESENT?
ARE YOU INTELLECTUALLY HONEST ENOUGH
TO LISTEN TO THAT OTHER SIDE ?
REASONABLE, FAIR, COURTEOUS AND INTELLI
GENT CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE
EVOLUTION-CREATION CONTROVERSY BY
MR. JOHN CLARK, LOUISVILLE, KY.
ON THE ASM CAMPUS
AT THE TWIN CITY
CHURCH OF CHRIST
MARCH 26 8 27
ALL FAITHS CHAPEL
LECTURE! 12:20 TUE., 12:00 WED.
QUESTION 8 ANSWERS UTIL2:00
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"Y" ASSOCIATION
MARCH 24-29
3610 PLAINSMAN LANE
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M0N.-FRI.: 7:30 PM
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AFTER EACH SERVICE