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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 11, 1977)
Page 2 Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Tuesday October 11, 1977 Handle with care Slouch by Jim Earle f p/i The head of a national agricultural organization who has accused the gov ernment of overreacting to the problem of DBCP, a pesticide suspected of causing sterility, has underreacted to the problem. After a dozen male workers at Dow Chemical Co.’s DBCP plant at Mag nolia, Ark., were determined to be sterile and some workers at other plants learned they have abnormally low sperm counts, the government issued restriction of handling the pesticide. The result has been a near halt in its production. The solution, suggests Robert K. Phillips of the National Peace Council, could be recruiting older people and those who don’t intend to have children to handle DBCP. Since it wasn’t — and still really isn’t — known the pesticide could cause sterility, it’s possible there are other side effects from it. The government should do some more testing, and as Phillips also suggested, look at other alternatives, before haphazardly giving the DBCP handling job to anyone else. The Tulsa Tribune TT HAD TO COME; A SOLUTION TO THE PARKING!’ Carter taking Mondale under his wing By HELEN THOMAS United Press International WASHINGTON — President Carter and his aides are going out of their way to stress the importance of Vice President Walter Mondale in the White House coterie. The buildup began when budget direc tor Bert Lance resigned after being ac cused of questionable banking practices while still a private citizen in Georgia. Carter, tearing a page out of Lyndon Johnson’s book, telephoned two reporters to emphasize his rapport with Mondale. Talking to reporters, Mondale also has made it clear he is an “insider” in Carter’s Georgia circle of aides, even though he is a Midwesterner from Minnesota. The vice president has said he often meets five and six hours a day with Carter and also has a weekly lunch with him. He said he has access to the president and is not afraid to give him candid advice. He said he did so frequently during the heat of the Lance affair. But Mondale is careful not to say what advice he gave Carter. Mondale, with an office in the White House, sits in on all policy meetings, has access to the cable traffic and handles other chores for Carter. He does so with some humor and without the messenger boy aspect of the job that has been forced on others. Carter is quite correct when he says the expanded role he has given Mondale in his administration is unprecedented. Presidents in the past have studiously ignored vice presidents, often disliked Washington Window them and usually dispatched them on rid clir round-the-world diplomatic missions with not too much focus on foreign policy objec tives. Sometimes the relationship has been hostile as in the case of John Nance Garner and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Garner likened the job to a “pitcher of warm spit. Some vice presidents become contro versial and have to be dumped as in the case of Henry Wallace in Roosevelt’s third administration. Roosevelt did not exactly cotton to his last vice president, Harry Truman, and Truman was not privy to some of the na tion’s most important secrets, including the fact that the United States possessed the atomic bomb, when Roosevelt died during World War II. In the Eisenhower era, White House aides closed ranks to lessen Vice President Richard Nixon’s power during Ike’s many illnesses. When John Kennedy was president, his close aides spread rumors that he was going to scuttle LBJ. Johnson sent Hubert Humphrey around the country and around the world when Humphrey was vice president, all to pro mote the Johnson administration. In the process Humphrey lost much of his own identity. His strong defense of Johnson’s Vietnam War policies cost him much of his popular following at the time. Vice President Spiro Agnew did the White House bidding during his vice pres idency, including spearheading a cam paign against the press orchestrated by President Richard Nixon’s cohorts. But Agnew remained an outsider and was not brought into many of the top policy making meetings. President Gerald Ford tapped Nelson Rockefeller as vice president and appeared at first to work closely with him. But Ford dropped Rockefeller fast after deciding he was to liberal to be accepted by the GOP in the presidential race. Nevertheless, Rockefeller remained loyal to the end, although he had lost much of his influence. In comparison. Mondale has it made. He has an easy amiable relationship with Carter, who calls him “Fritz” and “my chief staff pe rson. But Mondale is not completely a free agent. He follows the administration dis- creetly and does not step on any toes. He also is professional enough to know the pit- falls and moves in his own sphere without treading on the territory of top Cartel- aides. The vice president no doubt fits into the mold of a confidante, but when the chips are down Carter still feels more at home with Georgia men who made the long march with him to the White House. He relies on them most of all—much as he admires Mondale. Beware the Aggie water fountain By CLAY COCKRILL v . ’ Battalion Staff While working on a newspaper story in the Plant Sciences Building, a certain Bat talion reporter decided he needed a cold drink. However upon searching for a water ji I:|;i iar' drinking fountain: Extending from floor ,tb ceiling was a one inch steel pipe. At waist height and attached to the main pipe was a basin with a faucet handle. Humor fountain down the main hall of the third floor, all that could be found was a strange, pipe-like contraption strapped to the wall. The mechanism at least looked like a But there were several peculiarities about this water fountain. In the basin where there should have been one water nozzle, there were four arranged in a cir cle. About seven feet directly above the basin a large shower head extended out from the main pipe. Attached to the shower head was a lever with a sign which read, “pull.” Admittedly perplexed the reporter nonetheless needed a drink and decided if he were careful surely no harm would come. Bending down to the basin he care fully turned the handle only to have his face drenched with four high pressure streams of water. Confused and with a face dripping wet, the reporter was by now convinced that this must certainly be some kind of a joke. Unfortunately curiosity got the better of him. Stepping aside to avoid further dilu tion he cautiously tugged on the shower head handle, releasing several more gal lons of water onto the floor. Embarassed, he quickly went for towels to clean up the mess, but by the time he got back several smiling students and pro fessors had already assembled,. “Taking a bath?” asked a professor. “Not exactly. But could you tell me what a combination shower and face drencher is doing in the middle of a hall way r The professor explained that it was a safety facility used by persons who had ac cidentally spilled acid or other caustic sub stances on themselves while doing lab work. He said the last man who had made the mistake of thinking it was a water fountain had made this comment: “That’s just like a water fountain you’d expect a damned Aggie to design.” Letters to the editor Police adding ‘drag races’ to evening duties? ‘ Editor: We would like to comment on the prac- tices of the University Police Department. '■. Wed. Sept. 21 at 7:56 p . m. we witnessed » two K.K. three-wheel buggies, license ' XY4-797 and cart #199 (which didn’t even » have a plate on the back) racing side by 1 side down the road adjacent to the band l practice field towards to the back of the commons. It seems very ironic that the campus . cops issue three to four books of tickets l each day for parking and moving violations * and yet they can take the privilege to race '. down the streets of our campus. * Not only is it dangerous to the person : driving the buggy, but also to innocent * pedestrians who may be crossing the * “dragstrip. » We feel that the conduct exemplified by ► the campus police is extremely out of line. * Finally, we feel that those who are going l to break the law, should not be allowed to * enforce it. We feel that this outrageous ac- "• tion shown by the K.K. must be corrected ► or the entire traffic control system has no *• value. —M.B. “81 —BAY. “81 My problems began when I realized it was the last day to pay my $5 parking ticket before it increased to $10. I had neither cash nor checkbook and my only alternative was to find my sister in the li brary and borrow some money. Four floors and thirty minutes later, I found her and explained the situation. After examining the ticket closer we dis covered the officer had recorded my license plate number incorrectly. I de cided if the ticket was going to cost me $5, they could at least get their technicalities correct. I, like many who question, merely wanted an answer. Thanks to the Student Services for providing one. —Marguerite Braden Greeks dont belong quittal. This is better than a mistrial, which would have cost the state more money. The state, which is you and me. I do not condone Denson and Orlando’s misconduct, but I do not condone a harsh sentence to make them examples for other police officers, either. The trial was a fair one, and Denson and Orlando deserved the sentence they received. —Patricia A. Price I went to the station to explain the situa tion and was told curtly that if I wanted to discuss a ticket I had to see some man — I didn t catch his name but somehow landed in the right line. When the person in front of me came out, he told me I was wasting my time going in there. I decided he hadn’t used the right ap proach. I walked in the office, smiled and told the man “Howdy.” Evidently he wasn’t an Aggie... Editor’s note: University Director of Traffic and Safety Tom Parsons asks that next time you see a policeman doing something you don’t consider proper or anytime you have a complaint or a com ment about the University Police, call him at 845-2345. As the University supervisor for the police force, it’s his job to run down such complaints and correct any problems. Ten minutes later I was back at the front desk saying “How do you appeal a ticket.” The form to appeal a ticket looked time consuming and my next class started in fif teen minutes, so I asked if I could take it with me. She looked at me like I was one of those dumb Aggies that t.u. tells jokes about, and said it had to be filled out right then. I completed the form to the best of my Aggie ability and returned it th the lady. Then she informed me it would be read before the board and “dismissed” me. Editor: I am writing this letter in regard to Sororities and Fraternities. I feel that the Greek organizations here at A&M are strictly second class. They are low quality and simply do not belong here. We, the Aggies, have a common bond which is more than Sororities and Fraternities could ever hope to provide. The spirit of Aggieland is carried by all Ags, not only to other Ags but to everyone, everywhere. As far as I am concerned, I would rather be an Aggie than anything else in the world. How about a big “WHOOP” for the Ags. —Virginia Harwood ’81 ‘Howdys’ vanishing Torres trial fair Artful runaround Editor: If there were an award for passing the buck or excelling in the art of run-around, our “friendly” campus police would take top honors. I realize they listen to com plaints all day and don’t have time for sim ple questions, but Artoo Deetoo would have had more tact than the KK last Wed nesday. I was fifteen minutes late to class and spent the rest of the session wondering “What board? Who is on it? Do I get to say anything?” Becoming more furious by the minute, I went to Student Services in the YMCA and talked to John Koldus, vice president of Student Services. He answered my questions and said with humor that getting the “shaft” once in two years is not such a bad record. The lesson here is that all people who ask questions are not necessarily angry and do not deserve the discourteous response I received from the University Police. Editor: Since the jury has reached a verdict and passed sentence on the two ex-policemen involved in the Torres trial, all I have heard about is the misjudgement of the jurors concerning Denson and Orlando and the ridiculously light sentence that was passed. How could those jurors possi bly convict them of involuntary man slaughter when the state failed to prove that Torres was pushed into Buffalo Bayou? The jurors had to be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that Denson and Orlando were guilty as charged, and the state failed to do so. Editor: Are we dead? Why do we go around like zombies. Walking from G. Rollie to the SLAB is no thrill when I say hello to six people and get six blank stares in return. . . espe cially when it occurs three out of five morning of the week! I thought “Howdys” were a part of this campus! I realize that some days we just don’t feel like the day was worth getting up for. A “Hello” can make our day and someone else’s so much better. We just need to put forth the effort of saying it. Glum faces were not meant to be a part of this campus. We are the best, and we can show it. Let’s cheer up and be the friendly people Aggies are supposed to be! —Gail Zieschang ’81 Correction I think that the jurors decided right again, when they convicted Denson and Orlando of negligent homicide as a com promise between jurors in favor of in voluntary manslaughter and those for ac- Monday’s Battalion incorrectly reported in Top of the News that the Baylor football game would be played Oct. 10. We goofed — that date is Oct. 15. Also, in a photo accompanying Liz Newlin’s story on “Aggie war fare,” the band member pictured with Kirk Stumberg is Tom Rhein- lander. The Battalion regrets the Top of the New Campus Student government filing opens CHICACt Spt that a n Iri six Ne iis week s J TUical As: Filing for election candidates for freshman and off campus repre- sentatives to the student government will begin at 8 p.m. Wednes. day Students wishing to run for a position should go to Room 216Ao(| the Memorial Student Center and fill out an application. The will take place Oct. 27. Cotton Maid race seeks entrants h The 1978 Maid of Cotton will serve as the international goodwill ambassadoress for the American cotton industry for the year. Applb tions for Maid of Cotton competition are available in the Student Activities office, Room 221, of the MSG. All applications must be mailed to the National Cotton Council no later than Nov. 12. Late in November, finalists will be chosen from the applications and photo graphs. These finalists will be invited to participate in final judging, to be held in Memphis after Christmas, based on beauty, personality, background and training. For more information call 845-1134. Hill’* State Man dies avoiding alleged killer, Unite: HOUSTO bver a time [a former w »d Monc idmitted ki use she re Ann Kur Bid Mrs. rital all; voiced hin arriage be |o kill her A detaile lith Hill shed in a Two persons died, a police officer was wounded and a house burned in an 8 hour seige that ended early Sunday in Houston. Charles Lee Wilson, 34, and Betty Faye Patterson, 24, died altei» tonsl Wilson barricaded himself inside an apartment about 5 p.m. Satui- d day. Officer John Campos was hospitalized with a leg wound. Accord ing to Charles Johnson, a neighbor, Wilson said he was tryingtostay away from “some dudes that were trying to kill him ”. When polks arrived, Wilson apparently thought they were imposters. He fired several shots at them, apparently killing Miss Patterson, identifiedas his girlfriend. Wilson was shot early Sunday when he fled the build ing which had caught on fire. Nation Mascara may cause blindness The Food and Drug Administration, citing several injuries, said today it believes mascara and other cosmetics intended for use near the eye should contain preservatives to prevent infections which could lead to blindness. The problem involves microorgmiisms which can get into cosmetics via the applicator which comes out of the container when the product is being used, it said. If the cornea of the user’s eye is scratched, the bacteria can cause an infection which could result in blindness. The announcement was a notice of in tended rule making, meaning that the agency will propose a rule on the matter at a future date. It said that the subject would bead- dressed as part of the package of rules spelling out good manufactur ing practices for all cosmetics. onaire As jwed to he lacked com Robinson Jiought by lill, his gr lill, 17, ar firs. Myra bought to avenge t Hill, th |ie oilman’: Joan Rol 19, 1969, of fcas shot to ilic foyer of Kurth ecause Rol oshow Hill ave prevt larriage ould he h inancial car Amtrack announces five-year plan Amtrak issued a new 5-year plan calling for major improvements and developments of high-speed passenger train corridors outside the East, including Chicago-Detroit and Los Angelos-San Diego. A re- structuring of the Amtrak system also is envisioned, based on a study to be completed next year, which could result in abandonment of some routes and the opening of others. The five year plan estimates an average annual operating budget of $695 million and an average capital budget of $210 million. This does not include any new routes, which would cost more. Congress may balk at the price tag, however. Amtrak has already been forced to make allowances because Con- giess so far has refused to increase its operating budget beyond the $488.5 million already appropriated for this fiscal year. World Train crash kills at least 40 amages. State D ;sher rule he critical ] iality prov ,nd wife un Kurth tol or the reco ion by the low he kilh je crashed ibutment. He said divor |vay to tern old W. Rol ittorney. He des hings he h aid he ha very kinc And had gi n cream pi He saic ibout it. H him; A passenger train from Calcutta to New Delhi, India, slammed into a freight train stopped at a station 350 miles southeast of New Delhi early Monday killing at least 40 persons. Another 150 persons were reported injured. The spokesman said the passenger train’s engine and two cars immediately behind it were telescoped by the impact. our sleeping coaches were badly damaged, officials said, and it ap peared many of the passengers were killed in their sleep. Nobel peace prizes awarded The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced two Nobel peace prizes Monday. The 1977 peace prize went to Amnesty International, ttie independent organization that campaigns worldwide for civil rights for its struggle against mounting violence, terrorism and toi- ture throughout the world. The Committee, which did not give any \A7-iV e ^ >r * ze t ^ V ear > awarded the 1976 prize retroactively to Betty r liams and Mairead Corrigan of the Northern Ireland Peace Movement. I he women have been waging a drive for peace in violence-tom Northern Ireland. Biko s autopsy results reported The autopsy on Steve Biko shows the South African black leader suttered broken ribs and burns in addition to critical brain damage c ac P° lice cust °dy, the Johannesburg Sunday Express says Aincan newspapers previously reported the 30-year-old Biko suttered brain injuries while in police custody, but the Express said Sunday the autopsy also found evidence of other injuries. The gov ernment says Biko died after a hunger strike, but delayed the release a “ topsy y e P ort several times and it now may be delayed another two weeks. Biko died in a police cell on Sept. 12. His death sparked noting throughout South Africa and raised an international LirtM- h WHS t>e twentiet h person to die in police custody since Weather Most |y cloudy today turning clear and colder tonight. Win* will be out of the north 12-20 mph. High today high 60s. Lou tonight m.d-40s. No rain expected. Qn l ° aay 9 The Battalion Opinion* expressed in The Battalion are those of the editor or of the writer of the article and ar.. J , those of the University administration or tlu- Board of rJ! gents. The Battalion is a non-nrofit wlf enterprise operated by students as a unioe^tyand "^ * editor. polu-y is detennL/i.y'Z . IX 1 letters poucy editorial staff reserves tile Z^omlZ^^Z, J'"' not guarantee to publish any letter Bach letter signed, show the address of the nrtt , tr must In number for venfkaZn ' U "' Address correspondence to Letter* #7, e o , McD(mM ColhZ Angeles. ch '««R<> and U>s periods and the summer, when it is nuhC ‘u‘T am ' h<,litla V Wednesdays and Fridays. t'shedon Mondays. Mail subscriptions aiv $16.75 pci nished on request. Address: The Battalion Reed Me Donald Building, College Station- 1 . j v United Press International is entitled ext • ^ use for reproduetion of all news dispakhes tR . Rights of reproduetion of all other matter h l rl Second-Class postage paid at College Station MEMBER Texas Press Association Editor Managing Editor Mary AlKt ' wl Editorial Director L< ' 1 ' B ‘ ,y p.,,,! Sports Editor ..J News Editors Marie Homeyef* ‘ , City Editor 1)* Campus Editor Copy Editor c j,„n."^ Reporters V ".. n u vkl^ Liz Newlin, John W. 'yj^lcPaH^ Photographer Cartoonist to 1 i DiiWt ll hill’*' ho-.! yean ini.'^r Ad~;:^ t f C- Student Publications Board: Bob C ^ || (I . Joe Atredondo; Dr. Cany Halter. Pi J" 11 " ( .) jl# i Bolu rt Haney; Dr. Charles MeCandlr**: w p Phillips; Rebel Biee. Director of Sta<lc"l Donald C.'. Johnson. Production i.ooi<li ,,tl Sherman "ifOU * ®" n 9i nt c *nned " w exic« ^Prenv ^ a HbS | ’OH Nt 55 2-8S7