Battalion
College Station, Texas
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 1976
Lie detector tests show
players accepted funds
By STEVE GRAY
Contributing Editor
Official lie detector tests, given to Texas
A&M basketball players Jarvis Williams
and Karl Godine, indicate the pair ac
cepted money for playing at Texas A&M.
The alleged test results were released by
sources close to the Southwest Conference
investigation.
In a story released by Houston News
Service (HNS) late Friday afternoon the
sources said polygraph tests, administered
to Godine and Williams on Feb. 9 and 13,
show that the players accepted $3,000 for
signing to play at A&M. The source of the
alleged payoff was not disclosed.
A&M basketball coach Shelby Metcalf,
contacted in Houston late Monday night,
said the payoff allegation is unfounded.
“That’s a bunch of (expletive deleted).
There’s no truth to that whatsoever. ’’
Metcalf is in Houston preparing for to
night’s game between the Aggies and the
Rice Owls.
Godine and Williams, both 1975
graduates of Houston Kashmere High
School, are under investigation by the
SWC for alleged recruiting violations. A
Dallas U. S. district court ordered the SWC
to hold a hearing. It is set for Thursday
morning in Houston. At the hearing, the
players can present evidence in their behalf
and examine evidence against them.
The freshmen, recruited by schools
nationwide, were reinstated last week by
the court following their suspension from
the SWC on Feb. 13. Both are being repre
sented by Hugh M. Smith, a Dallas attor
ney.
The investigation resulted from charges
contained in a letter written by University
of Texas basketball coach Leon Black and
sent to the SWC office in Dallas in Sep
tember.
In the letter. Black alleges that both
Godine and Williams received new cars
that were registered under the players’
junior high school coach. He said the pair
were given summer jobs at unusually high
pay and that the mothers of both players
received new washers and dryers. He also
said that the players received cash bonuses
“of up to $6,000 apiece.”
Smith said the report filed with the SWC
by its investigator, Musser and Associates
of Houston, revealed that the players have
not received any cash bonuses, new cars,
appliances for their mothers, nor were they
paid an excessive wage for their summer
jobs.
Black could not be reached Monday
night for comment concerning the alleged
$3,000 payoff.
Morris Covin, a Houston polygraph
operator who administered one of the tests;
told HNS he could not discuss the informa
tion included in the tests. Covin did say,
however, he had completed his analysis
and had sent his report to the SWC office.
Covin said that another Houston polyg
raph operator, Andy DeSham, also ad
ministered tests to the two players. De-
Sham was hired by Smith, the players’ at
torney.
According to HNS, Covin said that De-
Sham could not have done as thorough a job
because he did not have access to the same
information that the SWC investigators
did. Covin explained that when more than
one polygraph operator administers a test
to the same person, they usually work from
the same information to insure that the per
son is asked the same basic questions by
both operators.
Therefore, DeSham could not possibly
have asked the same questions, Covin said.
DeSham’s tests have been reported as
showing both players innocent of any
wrongdoing.
SWC officials have thus far refused to
comment on the validity of Black’s charges.-
Science vs. Church
Douglas Winship
Galileo (Michael Wilson) is troubled by Cardinal
Barberini’s (Brian McPherson) assertions that the
destruction of Aristotle’s theories will be det-
\ike paths studies
rimental to the Church in the Aggie Players’ prod
uction of Lamp at Midnight. The Barrie Stavis play
will run through Feb. 28. See review, page 4.
Cat handler wants apology
hildren brave traffic alone
-■ Vt 'T -
Nf 'l
UNd
'ips,(«
. TJ
xisvt I By T. C. GALLUCCI
mail nisis the first in a series of bike-path studies in the
0 vs. I m-College Station area. Tomorrow, the role of the
S Blli ® County League of Women Voters will be dis-
... I fd.
‘ me has chestnut hair and light green
" “v Nine years old and a third-grader at
lege Hills Elementary School, she
es lor school every morning at 7:45.
rides her bike with her older brother,
iu| makes most of the trip alone since he
nds A&M Consolidated High Sehool.
She has to ride nine blocks, in the midst
ush hour. Not a single bike path is pro-
Jed on the seven streets she has to travel,
ling with the other children in her
|ghborhood, Anne is dependent on her
resources to arrive at school safely,
everal groups in the Bryan-College Sta-
area are concerned about the welfare of
jine and others like her. The Environ-
nental Action Council, The League of
(Vbmen Voters, an A&M Wheelmen com-
nittee, the A&M Traffic Panel, several
rad Date students in Urban Planning and
loth Bryan and College Station have been
Ivolved in studies to establish a system of
bike paths in the community and on the
A&M campus.
“I hope that through all of this renewed
interest that some action toward construct
ing a system around campus will be taken, ”
said Dr. Virgil Stover, Traffic Panel chair
man. “I only resent the students blaming
the present situation on the administration.
The lack of adequate bike paths on this
campus is not the fault of the administra
tion, but of the students.
“Four years ago, a proposal was drawn
up to establish a substantial system on the
most heavily traveled routes on campus.
The funds were established and the plan
was approved. It was then that the student
leaders of the time refused to allow its con
struction. In the eyes of the administration
this was to be for the benefit of the stu
dents, and when student-elected represen
tatives said that the plan was unwanted, the
whole thing was dissolved.
“Student leaders opposed the system
because it would have meant a $3 registra
tion fee to help finance the construction
and upkeep. The Wheelmen cooperated
with us and supported the proposed plan
and registration fee.
“It’s most unfortunate that it resulted
that way because, not only has the cost
increased three times over, but since then
there has been very little concern with bike
paths.”
Stover expresses some hope for the con
struction in the near future. Perhaps things
are changing, he said, five years ago there
was no interest on the part of the city,
except for the city planner and the chil
dren.
“Last year the League of Women Voters
became interested and I feel that things are
going to happen. The credit belongs to Ann
Hazen (co-chairman of the bike-path study
committee) for rejuvenating interest-from a
variety of sources. The Traffic Panel is very
much in favor of bike paths in the area, but
at this point it’s going to be very hard to get
the several thousand dollars necessary to
finance a comprehensive system on the
campus,” said Stover.
Tomorrow: The Brazos County League of
Women Voters.
Bill Smolensky, mascot attendant of the
University of Houston and who was hit by
Sonny Parker and Barry Davis during a
scuffle in Hofheinz Pavilion last Tuesday,
said 1 ast night that he is waiting for an apol
ogy from the two Texas A&M basketball
players.
“I haven’t received a phone call, a letter
... I haven’t heard a word,” Smolensky
said.
Smolensky said that he is conferring with
a lawyer to decide what possible court ac
tion he may take against the A&M players.
The incident occurred during the fourth
quarter of the game.
The ball rolled out of bounds and toward
the cage of Shasta, a cougar that is the U of
H mascot, said Smolensky. He said that he
picked the ball up to keep it from hitting
the cage and arousing the cougar.
As a member of the Cougar Guard, the
group that takes care of the school’s mascot,
Smolensky said it is his duty to keep people
and the basketball away from Shasta’s cage.
Smolensky said that he was about to
throw the ball to the referee when he heard
Parker say something. The cougar atten
dant said that he did not understand what
Parker had said.
Smolensky said he asked Parker what it
was that he had said and that he still did not
understand after Parker repeated himself.
“Then he (Parker) started hitting me,”
the cougar attendant said. Smolensky said
but Davis “ran up there and hit me.”
“They both got me solid,” he said.
Smolensky said he was taken to the U of H
infirmary before the game was over and
treated for cuts and bruises.
He said the incident has upset him all
week. “I haven’t slept well this week and
I’ve lost five pounds or so because I haven’t
been eating like I should,” he said.
The U of H athletic director contacted
Emory Bellard yesterday to discuss the
matter, Smolensky said, but “he (Bellard)
thought there was provocation on my part. ”
Smolensky said he is seeking some reso
lution to the matter and that an out-of-court
settlement is one possibility. He said that if
he does file charges against Parker and
Davis, eh is uncertain as to whether he will
file a criminal suit or civil suit.
And as to whether or not Smolensky will
seek a settlement, even if he receives an
apology from the Aggie basketball players,
he said, “I don’t know yet. ”
Davis and Parker were unavailable for
comment.
Consol approves
$6 million bond issue
Many New Hampshire voters
undecided as balloting begins
1
Associated Press
ONCORD, N.H. — Voters in New
lampshire chose between Ronald Reagan
Sml President Ford on the Republican side
md picked from a crowded field of Demo-
irats in the nation’s first presidential pri-
nary today.
I By tradition, residents of the tiny
fountain resort of Dixville Notch cast the
first ballots seconds after midnight and
(gave the nod to President Ford and former
Eeorgia Gov. Jimmy Carter.
*Ford got 11 votes to Reagan’s four.
[Among the Democrats, Carter got six and
fiidiana Sen. Birch Bayh, Arizona Rep.
SMorris K. Udall and write-in candidate
(Sen. Henry Jackson of Washington one
pch.'
Campaign workers for all the candidates
lid there was a large segment of unde-
ded Democrats and Republicans hours
fore most of the polls were to open at 6
[im. Voting hours across the state vary,
[ith polls closing as late as 8 p. m. in most of
he cities and towns.
While Ford and Reagan clashed head-
the five major contenders competing in
he Democratic contest were Carter,
Jdall, Bayh, former Oklahoma Sen. Fred
iarris and R. Sargent Shriver, the party’s
1972 vice presidential nominee.
Confusing the Democratic race further
ere eight lesser known candidates rang-
ngfrom a Missouri minister to antiabortion
andidate Ellen McCormack. Write-in
ampaigns also were waged for Sen.
fubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota and
brmer Texas Gov. John B. Connally, a Re-
ublican.
The close race between Ford and Re-
igan, the former two-term California gov-
irnor, may come down to the basic tasks of
;etting supporters to the polling places.
The Ford campaign staged a last minute
felephone blitz on election eve urging
ople to vote.
Republican and Democratic strategists
redicted a low turnout, perhaps no more
Jian 100,000 on the Republican side. The
state has about 164,000 registered Repub
licans, 115,000 registered Democrats and
140,500 independents.
In Washington, Ford told Maine Gov.
James Longley on Monday that he was
“quite confident and very optimistic” about
his chances in New Hampshire, where Re
agan spent all or parts of 19 days hunting for
support.
But for the Ford camp there also was a
worry about what effect Richard M. Nixon’s
trip to China might have on the election,
since Nixon’s fresh exposure might revive
memories of Ford’s decision to pardon the
former President.
“I think people might be thinking about
it, but they’re not talking about it,” said
Hugh Gregg, Reagan’s state campaign
chairman.
The candidates of both parties hoped to
ride a good showing here into the primaries
ahead.
The New Hampshire primary has since
1952 been a barometer of candidate
strength and weaknesses. No president
since then has been elected without having
won in New Hampshire first.
President Ford was the only candidate to
flatly forecast victory, and an aide pre
dicted the President will win “handily” al
though he declined to give specific per
centages.
Gregg said he expected Reagan to get
“something over 40 per cent. ” He said that
showing would be considered a victory
against an incumbent, though appointed,
president.
Reagan campaigned Monday in Illinois
for the March 16 primary there, and Ford
was in Washington, where he took a slap at
his rival, telling the National Governor’s
Conference that he would “never irrespon
sibly transfer serious problems from the
federal government to the state govern
ments without regard for human needs and
fiscal realities.”
Ford did not mention Reagan by name,
but obviously referred to Reagan’s proposal
to transfer a variety of federal social pro
grams to the states.
Although Udall and Carter were ac
knowledged as heading the Democratic
pack, both shied away from the frontrunner
label. Bayh said he would have to finish
among the top three, and Harris said he
expected to finish at least third.
Index
The baseball team beat St. Mary’s
University, 7-2. Page 6
A&M is now headquarters for the
regional professional association of
university teacher of languages.
Page 5
Douglas Durham says the Ameri
can Indian Movement is part of a
Communist plot. Page 4
Snook residents support the
school’s basketball teams. Page 3
THE FORECAST for Tues
day is partly cloudy and mild
with a high of 76. Increasing
cloudiness and warm Wednes
day with a high of 77.
The A&M Consolidated School Board
approved a $6.43 million dollar bond issue
at its meeting Monday night.
The Citizen’s Advisory Committee pre
sented a plan representing this amount as
the minimal amount possible.
The bond issue will increase taxes 11 per
cent. The current tax rate is $1.77 per $100
of property valuation. If the proposed issue
passes, the two-year increase will be ap
proximately 20 cents, or $1.97 per $100 of
property valuation.
A similar issue was defeated by voters in
November 1975. Only 11.7 per cent of the
registered voters of College Station voted.
And, 54.3 per cent of the voters were
against the issue and 45.7 per cent were in
favor.
A&M Consolidated High School was al
located $2.4 million. The largest share is
allocated for the $1.5 million vocational
building. Other areas funded are athletics,
cafeteria expansion and service drive park-
A&M Consolidated Middle School,
housing the seventh and eighth grades,
were allocated $380,000 for repair and re
novation of the auditorium.
The board accepted the Advisory com-
Away, but not up
Jim Hendrickson
The Centennial Fair at the MSC this past weekend
was supposed to begin Friday afternoon with
balloon rides. Despite the best efforts of those
attempting to launch the balloon, the wind was
too much for the frail craft and the project had to
be abandoned, at least for the moment.
mittee’s proposal to spend $238,500 for roof
construction, installation of heating and air
conditioning in the auditorium and rewir
ing the building. Money for reconstruction
of the floor and ceiling were not included in
the final allocation.
Taking the fifth and sixth grades and re
locating them in the old middle school
caused questions to be raised by parents
about traffic congestion and the children’s
safety. These problems were not resolved.
$1.79 million were allocated for mechanical
and site improvements at the old middle
school.
South Knoll and College Hills elemen-
taries received $500,000 to fund the Com
mittee’s proposed multipurpose classroom
for each school. Plans for the classrooms are
not definite, although the rooms are to be
used beyond school hour functions.
The last area of the proposed issue was
Auxiliary and Maintenance Services. The
funds received were $396,500, to be used
to salvage two old buildings and demolish
three others.
— Paul Arnett
Centennial fair
attracts over
3,600 nightowls
More than 3,600 people attended the
All-night Centennial Fair held in the
Memorial Student Center Saturday night.
Once inside, those who paid 50 cents
admission were entitled to attend movies
and concerts. Booths were also sponsored
by campus organizations.
Booths were to provide free entertain
ment, but most charged the 10-cent
minimum allowed by fair organizers.
Money made by individual organizations
amounted to $20 or $30, said Don Rohel,
one of the MSC advisors for the fair.
Money taken at the door will be kept to
finance next year’s fair, said Rohel. He
hopes the fair will become an annual event.
Though the fair was supposed to break
uo at 7 a.m., attendance diminished
rapidly after 3a.m., and many of the booths
closed.
“I was supposed to work at 5 a.m.,” one
freshman said, “but the whole place was
closed down. ”
The coffeehouse performances stopped
about4:30a.m. Rohel said, but the bowling
lanes still had a long waiting list.
The hot-air balloon that was supposed to
be giving rides during the fair never got off
the ground, said Karen Zantow, originator
of the the fair idea.
They tried to get the balloon off the
ground until 2 or 3 a.m., she said, but the
weather was too rough.
“They do have a deposit of ours, so
maybe we can get them (the balloon com
pany) back in the spring,” she said.