Page 2 The Battalion Texas A&M University Viewpoint Wednesday November 16, 1977 Saving Jonathan Livingston Seagull Only recently seagulls were granted majestic, even mystical status as free-wheeling philosophers who gathered their inspiration from the ocean’s expanse. Up and down the east coast of the United States, however, seagulls enjoy a less mystical stature as the common scavengers of sanitary landfills. Grown so inflated on public handouts, in fact, the lazy birds have even begun to avail themselves of airport runways, an unnatural flight pattern which has made the gulls a nuisance. Now the U.S. Interior Department wants to declare this nuisance a capital offense, and officials are going to spread a poison which will knock off the birds by the thousands. Some people say that the plan is inhumane, and they of course falsely anthropomorphize a bunch of birds — not to say second-rate philosophers. But regardless of whether it is impossible to be humane to birds, the government can still be cruel. This project certainly qualifies as cruelty, particularly when other chemicals could be used to sterilize the birds for effective nuisance control. This would save the life of a whole generation of seagulls. Among them may be the one who knows which came first: the chicken or the egg. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette e>|in7!>|i«K>TO9»= Rusty Cawley Dragging out the education bandwagon One thing has to be said for the United States Senate: When someone comes up with a sturdy bandwagon, everyone jumps on it. Senators Bob Packwood (R-Ore.) and Daniel Moynihan (D-N. Y.) have come up with a real, honest-to-God, chrome- plated, steel-belted, four-wheel-drive bandwagon. And suddenly everyone in the Senate wants to carpool. This magnificent machine is a bill that gives taxpayers supporting students a tax break. They could subtract one-half of the tuition they pay, up to $500 per student, directly from their income tax. This applies to tuition paid to elemen tary and secondary schools, prep schools, colleges, vocational schools, technical col leges, accredited business and trade schools and graduate schools. A nice idea, especially if you’re running for re-election anytime soon. It’s bound to benefit just about any taxpayer with chil dren, as well as some who aren’t parents. The bill covers anyone putting themselves through school. “We are facing an education crisis,’ Senator Packwood said during a press con ference last week. “Education is becoming a gourmet item, soon to be savored only by the poor and the well-to-do.” And the sen ator has some convincing data to back his ar gument. It now costs an average of $2,790 for a year at a public college, and $4,569 at a private school. Because of this, Packwood said enrollment in universities will drop 50 percent by 1984. “The loser in this escalating tuition war is, as in all else, the middle class taxpayer,’ Packwood said. "He is too poor to afford the cost of college, too well-to-do to quali fy for federal financial assistance. “The American dream of a new home, a family car, a vacation and a college educa tion for their children has become a with ering hope. And I thought the American dream was something simple, like a chicken in every pot. I must be wrong. Look at the support the bill is getting and the senators who are giving it. There’s Bob Dole, last year’s Republi can vice presidential candidate from Kan sas, and Richard Schweiker, last year’s would-be Republican candidate from Pennsylvania. The war-hawk himself, Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) and the happy warrior, Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn.) stand side-by-side on this one. Texas Senators John Tower and Lloyd Bentsen, who never seem to agree on any thing, agree on this one. And there are 42 more co-sponsors. Why? It’s been a tough year for the Senate, with the sex-scandals just fading and the Korean pay-off scandals just starting. Surely the senators have the right to try to capture the favor of the American people just once more before special prosecutor Leon Jaworski crucifies them. But more governmental funding of edu cation, no matter how indirect, isn’t the answer. It’s another symptom a nation be coming increasingly socialistic by the day. Americans don’t want red-herring legis lation. They want some real answers to some real problems: shortages of job, fuel, money . . . and faith in American govern ment. City Editor Rusty Cawley writes a weekly commentary on local affairs, government and politics. More financial disclosure for churches? By DAVID E. ANDERSON UPI Keligion Writer “Philanthropy has got to survive and its not going to unless there is full disclosure — and that includes the churches. That is the blunt conclusion of Mai Gross, a partner in the prestigious ac counting firm of Price, Waterhouse and Co., and the only top Certified Public Ac countant who spends full time worrying about accounting procedures, financial disclosure and nonprofit organizations. Right now Gross, who describes himself as a “crusader on the subject, is the target of much rancor by some religious organiza- C ommentary tions because he is chairman of the Ameri can Institute of Certified Public Account ants (AICPA) subcommittee on accounting principles and reporting practices for non profit organizations. The subcommittee — it really is a com mittee of CPAs from 11 top firms — has issued a tentative set of principles and practices for nonprofit organizations such as trade associations, labor unions, con dominium management associations, museums and religious organizations. Not surprisingly the set of principles, which would be informally binding on CPAs if approved by the AICPA, has drawn a small mountain of comment from interested and affected parties, not least the churches and other religious organiza tions. The heart of the proposed set of princi ples is to bring financial reporting by non profit organizations into line with “gener ally accepted accounting principles. In particular, it would require that organiza tions report on the “accrual basis” of ac counting rather than the cash basis. Accrual accounting means that in addi tion to recording transactions resulting just from receipt and disbursement of cash, the amount owed to an organization and its debts would also be listed in a fi nancial statement. The idea, says Gross, is to provide a set of financial records that fairly reflect the actual financial situation of the organiza tion and that “can easily be understood by a grandmother” who is deciding whether- or where to send her $5 contribution. A number of church groups have op posed the tentative principles, saying that religious organizations are unique and that the principles would be burdensome. As the Roman Catholic response said, con stitutional law “sharply distinguishes churches, for certain financial purposes, from all other nonprofit organizations.” “The reason why the churches are up tight,” said Gross, “is that they see that federal legislation is all but inevitable and that disclosure is going to be a part of it. “They’re concerned that a back-door regulation will force them to disclose how much money they spend in raising money,” he said. Acceptance of the AICPA accounting principles would not mean that any reli gious organizations have to disclose more than they do now. If disclosure were writ ten into law, however, the financial state ments would be much easier to under stand by the general public. And that is Gross’ concern. Disclosure generally would not have an adverse impact on mainline churches who solicit funds from their members. Instead it would be directed at organizations which engage in solicitiation from the gen eral public through either direct mail campaigns or television and radio appeals. “We’ve got to protect philanthropy,” Gross said. “It is an institution that is uni que to America. But without some kind of disclosure its credibility will be de stroyed. ” Mr. Inside & Mr Outside in the White House By DICK WEST United Press International WASHINGTON — Some Carter- watchers are saying the president has all but abandoned the “outsider” stance he took during the 1976 campaign and is now playing the established inside game. It is good we have seasoned observers to point these things out. For changes such as this are not always apparent to the un trained eye. In case you can’t tell the outsiders from the insiders, the following scorecard may be helpful. It shows typical differences in the way inside and outside presidents ap proach various Washington institutions. CONGRESS Outsider — Tries to overcome congres sional opposition to administration pro grams by taking his case directly to the people. The Lighter side Insider — Overcomes congressional opposition by threatening military bases in home districts of key lawgivers. FOREIGN CRISIS Outsider — Depends on reservoir of good will, mutual regard for human rights and traditional spirit of cooperation to produce amicable settlement of interna tional issues. Insider — Sends 7th Fleet on maneuvers in home waters of recalcitrant countries. DOMESTIC CRISIS Outsider — Makes emergency appear ance before joint session of Congress and recommends comprehensive crash pro gram dealing with every facet of problem. Insider — Appoints presidential com mission to study problem and report back next year. APPOINTMENTS Outsider — Assigns trusted aides to compile list of best qualified potential nominees regardless of political affiliation, sex, race, religion or ethnic background. Insider — Fills vacancy with someone least likely to offend any major pressure group. Letters to the editor Flag Editor: Last Friday, Nov. 11, the residents of the North Area Community witnessed an American flag flying from the flagpole by Walton Hall for the first time in years. We should all thank Bill Bradshaw of 216 Moore Hall for his perseverance in seeing that this project became a reality. With the help of the Moore Hall Council, Bill purchased the flag and rope, cleaned the flag pole, and prepared it for the initial flag-raising. Although, using the flagpole had been an idea floating around for years, I commend Bill for again initiating interest and personally seeing that the job got done. We hope that the other halls in the North Area will join Moore Hall in the flag raising duties so that this program can be maintained. In the meantime, though, I think I am speaking for everyone in the North Area Community by expressing our gratitude to Bill for his efforts. We are CABINET Outsider — Holds regular cabinet meet ings to get benefit of members’ views on national issues and consult them on formu lation of administration policy. Insider — Never forgets a face but has trouble remembering some cabinet mem bers’ names. VICE PRESIDENT Outsider — Uses the Veep as his right hand man, assigning him a prominent role in decision-making process and keep ing him apprised of all important develop ments both foreign and domestic. Insider — See Cabinet. NEWS MEDIA Outsider — Recognizes that press must play adversary role and feels that frequent media contacts help reporters do better job of keeping the people informed. Insider — Cancels semi-annual news conference and has press secretary issue blast at media bias. over dorm again proud to see the flag flying in our area. — Tom Murray Two cents worth Editor: As with other topics in this column, the Cyclist-Pedestrian topic seems to have come to a standstill, but before it is closed altogether I would like to get my two cents worth in. I know from first hand experi ence that it takes a lot of skill and patience to ride a bicycle around this campus. All I have heard about is the pedestrian get ting the short end of the stick. I think it’s time to speak up for the cyclist’s side. First, I would like to ask one question. Is it really easier to walk on the bike ramps from street to sidewalk than it is to just step up onto the curb? If it is, then we need more ramps, some for pedestrians and some for bicycles. If not, then why must you walk on them? We can’t both use them, and a couple of tires ago I found out that it’s surely more convenient to ride up a ramp than a curb. You’ve got to remember there are some of us who truly need a bike to get from class to class on time. 111 admit, it’s no tough job to get from the Academic Build ings to SLAB in 15 minutes, but I’ll race a pedestrian from a 1:00 PE class at Kyle Field to a 2:00 Engineering class at Zachry anyday. (Try it sometime). But let’s compromise, we need no more laws for bikes on campus. Pedestrians, just give us our rights as cyclists; dont’ walk in the bike paths or on the bike ramps, they were put there exclusively for bikes. Try to watch out a little for us and we will be much more apt to be watching out for you, instead of being so preoccupied with watching out for ourselves. Thanks. — Doug Luecke, ’81 of the Campus Thursday first day to get tickets Tickets to the Texas AikM-Texas football game will be distrtavM to season coupon holders as follows-. Graduate students and seam will draw on Thursday, juniors will draw Friday, sophomoresaSi draw Monday, and freshmen will draw Tuesday. Ticket windowsw'A be open from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. Bus to game may be cancelled A charter bus to Fort Worth for the Texas A&M-TCU game maybe cancelled Thursday, unless some empty seats are filled. The bus is sponsored by the Brazos County A&M Club. Reservations.can be made at the Association of Former Students Office. Questions can answered by calling 845-7514, extension 38. The bus is scheduled to leave the Rudder Center parking lot at 9:15 a.m. Saturday. It will leave Amon Carter Stadium after the 2 p in, game has ended. A dutch-treat supper stop at the Waterworks in Waco has been scheduled for the return trip. Refreshments will be sold on the bus. The round trip will cost $13 per person. Club officials suggest a sack lunch be brought for the noon meal. State Personnel holiday moved back The Christmas-New Year’s holiday schedule for Texas A&M Uni versity and Texas A&M University System personnel has been moved back one day, Texas A&M Chancellor Jack K. Williams an nounced. Employees will now finish work Dec. 21 and return Jan. 3. State says motto patriotic After obsi as to fat ai in lab, thi: The State of Texas has asked a federal court to dismiss atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair’s suit to remove “In God We Trust ’ from the U.S. currency on grounds the wording is a national motto and not a religious symbol. Assistant Attorney General Barbara Allen Babcock filed the motion to dismiss O’Hair’s suit, saying “In God We Trust” was adopted as the national motto by an act of congress and is patrio tic rather than religious. O’Hair contends the motto violates the prin ciple of separation of state and church, and also infringes upon guarantees of free speech and free exercise of religion. Cullen Davis claims politics Millionaire capital murder defendant T. Cullen Davis Tuesday said he was prosecuted by politically ambitious district attorneys who spent $500,000 trying to convict him of crimes he did not commit. Davis, 44, jailed without bond for more than one year for the Fort Worth shooting death of his 12-year-old stepdaughter, said one pros ecutor hoped a conviction would propel him into a judgeship. Joe Shannon, who will make the state’s closing argument, said he did not “give a damn” about the defendant’s accusations. “Did you ever hear of a defendant in a notorious criminal case w ho didn’t holler polities? Shannon asked. Final arguments in the trial are scheduled to be heard today. Nation Black students, teacher attacked Charles Battles, a history teacher, his wife and 12 students from an all-black Pennsylvania Seventh Day Adventist high school were tour ing Boston’s historic sites Monday when they were attacked by a small band of whites wielding wooden sticks and golf clubs. Butties and four of his students were injured, none seriously. The city’s Charlestown section has been a center of racial conflict since the implementation three years ago of court-ordered busing to achieve racial desegregation. Senior John Jones, 19, said students let the women get on the bus first. “We all tried to get in the bus, hut we all couldn’t make it, Jones said. “The guys didn’t get on. We were attacked with sticks and golf clubs and other wooden cluhs. Three men were arrested Monday and charged with five counts of assault with a deadly weapon. Police Commissioner Joseph Jordan vowed the city would “fully prosecute” the alleged attackers. the anim Is c MSI United USTIN—A a handful iday aftern to more ting to bu liable studt 6 Southwes fcvn betwer 1 Texas A& The tickets lay, and ea lited to twr ‘Is a footba o days of ( pile, one o p. “Against ■ to say th [m.” Students )ks and b tet windov dying, pla ties on tl f, or party Duly )OU op: 10 ^ World Queen s first grandchild born Soviet officials, who recently announced their 1977 grain harvest will be smaller than expected, have bought another 601,600 metric tons of American corn, the Agriculture Department said Tuesday. It was the second Soviet purchase in two days, strengthening adminis tration forecasts that Russians will buy 15 million tons of American corn and wheat in the year that began Oct. 1. In the last fiscal year, the Soviets bought six million tons of grain. The Soviet sales are coming from an American harvest which includes a near-record wheat crop and a record corn crop of almost 6.4 billion bushels. Soviets buy more U.S. grain Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter, gave birth Tues day to a 7-pound, 9 ounce son — fifth in line to the British throne and the first grandchild of a ruling sovereign to be born a commoner. Buckingham Palace spokesman said Princess Anne was resting com fortably after giving birth at 10:46 a.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. The 27-year-old princess’ husband, career army officer Capt. Mark Phillips, was present at the delivery. The baby boy is the queen’s first grandchild and will displace Princess Margaret, the queen’s sister, as fifth in line to the throne. He follows Princes Charles, Andrew, Edward and his mother in the line of succession. Weather Mostly cloudy and mild today and tomorrow with southerly winds 8-12 mph. High today low 80s. Low tonight low 50s. High tomorrow mid-70s. No rain. $ The 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 Re gents. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise operated by students as a university and com munity newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the editor. 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 Letters to the Editor, The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843. Represented nationally by National Educational Adver tising Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles. The Battalion is published Monday through Friday from September through May except during exam and holiday periods and the summer, when it is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Mail subscriptions are $16.75 per semester; $33.25 per school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates fur nished on request. Address: The Battalion. Reed McDonald Building, College Station. Texas nW- United Press International is entitled exclusively 101:< use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited lo^ Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein rexrrf Second-Class postage paid at College Station, T.N "‘W MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Managing Editor Editorial Director Sports Editor News Editors City Editor Campus Editor Copy Editor Reporters Liz Newlii Photographer Cartoonist Jam ie AW Man Alice "