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Viewpoint The Battalion Tuesday Texas A&M University January 31, 1978 One man, one vote? We all remember the lady who won first prize at the state fair for the best apple pie and then never made another. She quit while she was ahead. Chile’s President August© Pinochet shares her philosophy. When the United Nations General Assembly condemmed the Pinochet regime for abuses of human rights, Pinochet called the motion “international aggression” against Chile and staged a referendum. He asked Chileans for a vote of confidence on his way of governing. He got it. Some 5.4 million votes were cast, 75 percent voting yes in support of Pinochet, 20.4 percent voted no. Accepting this handsome victory, Pinochet announced that there will be no further elections, votings or consultations in Chile. Quite right. He is quitting while he is ahead. The Houston Post Carter’s address: same song, second verse By ARNOLD SAWISLAK WASHINGTON — Sen. Barry Goldwa- ter wins the John Peter Zinger award this year tor the most telling comment on Pres ident Carter’s State of the Union address: “I made that speech in 1964 and I was defeated.” But the Grand Old Man of the Right wasn’t joking. Carter’s first report on the condition of the country was a statement that almost any moderate conservative in either major political party could have de livered without discomfort. Four times during the speech Carter made the point that private business must provide the impetus for national prosper ity. Four more times he stressed that gov ernment cannot solve all the problems of the nation. To be sure, the body of the Carter speech also contained some specifics that would have warmed the cockles of Hubert Humphrey’s heart, but the generalities — particularly in the economic area — were vintage Gerald Ford. All of which demonstrates several things. First, as noted here before, Carter is not an economic liberal and never claimed to Washington Window be. Those Democrats who now may claim they were led down the path by candidate Carter should recall that it took the most strenuous political pressure to get him to say something nice about the Humphrey-Hawkins foil employment bill in 1976 and that he insisted on substantial changes in 1977 before he would embrace it as president. Second, the economic and governmen tal theories in the Carter speech were well within the mainstream of Amercian poli tics, which means that they are acceptable to large numbers of Democrats as well as Republicans. His repeated warnings against pervasive government might have sounded like heresy or Republican doctrine from Ron ald Reagan a few years back, but the new crop of Democrats in both Washington and the state capitals no longer push the theory that government action can solve all social and economic problems. The example is Gov. Edmund Brown of Cali fornia, who some political observers think might be riding the wave of the very near future. Finally, Carter obviously is trying to solve an image problem with the speech. As a Democratic president coming to the White House after eight years of Republi can occupancy, he knows many business people assume he is no friend of theirs. With Bert Lance and Arthur Bums out of government, Carter may have felt he needed to reassure business. The speech sounded as if it was supposed to perform that function. But if the stock market is any barome ter, Carter’s efforts to cozy up to business was a flop. The market fell more than eight points in the first two trading days after the speech, indicating that it will take more than soothing words to settle busi ness jitters. Which probably qualifies the entire exercise as a true irony: there is an eco nomic moderate in the White House pre siding over a political party that is ques tioning its own big government dogma, but business, which prides itself on hard- headed realism, appears to be trapped by its own preconceived notions. Taxation by misrepresentation Top of the News Campus Daly drawings at MS C gallery Stephen J. Daly, Texas A&M University’s artist-in-residence, is exhibiting recent drawings in the Memorial Student Center through Feb. 3. Daly, winner of the 1974 Prix de Rome award of the Ameri can Academy, was named in December to receive a $5,000 grant from the Tiffany Foundation of New York to support his work here. He was one of 20 persons chosen from 2,200 applicants. He is cur rently on leave from Humboldt State University in California and teaches a class in contemporary sculpture at Texas A&M. 'roup Hal C Amphibious warfare program A program on amphibious warfare will be presented Friday, at Texas A&M by a special Marine Corps team. The program is spon sored by the Naval Science Department and includes film clips, slides and special effects. It will be at 1 p.m. in the Rudder Theater. A 10-member team from the Marine Corps Development and Educa tion Command at Quantico, Va., will make the presentation on roles and mission of the Corps. State Training jet crashes, crew safe An F-4 Phantom reconnaissance jet on a training mission from Bergstrom Air Force Base crashed shortly after take off in a Central Texas pasture Monday, but the two crewmen ejected safely. Abase spokesman said the craft developed technical problems an estimated 20 miles from the base. Pilot Lt. Richard Barnes and navigator Maj Dave Benson parachuted before the plane went down. The plane was on a routine training mission and cause of the crash will be investi gated. pm, 1 f dir choli WV Aikin ends legislative career The father of Texas’ modem school system announced Monday he will end his unprecedented 45-year legislative career in January. Sen. A.M. Aikin Jr., D-Paris, said he decided not to seek re-election because rheumatoid arthritis is making it increasingly painful for him to walk. “I love the Senate and know I will miss it,” he said. But my health is such that I am afraid that I could not carry my part of the load, and that would not be right.” In addition to co-authoring the Gilmer-Aikin Laws that created Texas’ modem education system in 1949, the 72-year-old Senate dean sponsored more school legislation than any other lawmaker in Texas. By DICK WEST WASHINGTON — As if the Social Se curity tax increases that hit us this month weren’t enough of a strain, many Ameri cans are now finding their credulity taxed. A tax on credulity is no novelty, of course. During the latter days of the Nixon administration, when the Watergate scan dal was cresting, the capacity for belief in White House statements was being taxed right and left. I know about that because I was one of the taxes. Or, to use the Latin plural, one of the taxi. But with the election of President Car ter, taxation by misrepresentation was supposed to cease. Didn’t Carter repeatedly vow during the 1976 campaign that “‘I’ll never lie to you?” And didn’t he assure us that U.S. attorneys would be appointed on a non partisan basis with merit the only consid eration? Yes. Nevertheless, numerous credulities have been taxed by the ouster of U-S. At torney David Marston of Philadelphia. In fairness, it should be noted that this outbreak of dubiety does not necessarily mean that Carter has gone back on his promises. It could be that Marston’s ejec tion was indeed devoid of political motiva tion. Just because the president is a Demo crat and Marston is a Republican who re portedly was investigating two Democratic congressmen doesn’t prove there isn’t bet ter U.S. attorney material available. And the fact that one of the con gressmen, Rep. Joshua Eilberg, tele phones Carter urging him to expedite Marston’s departure doesn’t prove that Eilberg was taking a partisan approach. It all depends on the context in which the call was made. The conversation would have gone something like this: Eilberg: Good morning, Mr. President. Carter: ‘Morning , Josh. What can I do for you? Eilberg: Well, I was wondering, sir, if you might prod the attorney general to move a little faster toward getting us a new federal prosecutor up in Philadelphia. Carter: That sounds like a reasonable request. What' happened to the old prose- cutor? t ^ Eilberg: Nothing yet. That’s what I’m calling you about. Carter: As you know, Josh, I’m commit ted to appointing federal prosecutors strictly on the basis of merit. There wouldn’t be anything political or self- serving in your desire to get rid of the in cumbent, would there? Eilberg: Good gracious no, sir. That’s the furtherest thing from my mind. I’m suggesting that he be removed for his own good. Carter: What do you mean by that? Eilberg: Well, some of us feel that he’s been working too hard and that if he keeps up that pace he might ruin his health. Carter: That’s mighty sweet of you, Josh. Your concern and consideration for a member of the other party is really touch ing. I’ll get Griffin Bell on the matter right away. Letters to the editor Here comes the cavalry for Metcalf & Co. Editor: After reading Mr. Harte’s letter saying that Coach Metcalf should disappear, I must say that I was damn mad. Obviously Mr. Harte hasn’t been at TAMU very long. I have been here since 1974 and I’ve seen the basketball team win, lose and win the SWC championship. Yes, I am disap pointed that the Aggies are not doing well, but don t blame Coach Metcalf. Yes, we have talent, but it takes more than just talent. The players must be able to work together as a team, too. The Aggies do that, but of the games I’ve seen this year, I would say the team’s main problem is that they miss too many shots. These things unfortunately happen. No, Mr. Harte, the solution is not to get rid of Coach Metcalf. He is not only a fine man, but a fine coach. Here’s one Aggie who supports him and the team no matter what they do. All I can say to them is to hang in there and keep trying, and do your best. — Nancy Hansel Robin, ‘78 Hello, Shelby Editor: I’m writing in response to Will Harte’s letter in Friday’s Batt. I just can’t believe the rude comments he made about wish ing Coach Metcalf would disappear. But I will agree with one point you made Mr. Harte, you surely do not know anything about coaching a basketball team. And more obvious, you do not know anything about A&M basketball in general. Coach Shelby Metcalf is the most suc cessful coach in Texas A&M history. His teams have won the SWC championship four times including the recent 1975 and 1976 titles. His SWC mark stands at 128 wins — 72 losses, giving him the best win ning percentage of any conference coach with a minimum of 12 years service. The Aggies under Coach Metcalf play a very exciting brand of basketball. They are always well taught, competitive, physical and fon to watch. I’ll admit this season hasn’t been as good as everyone predicted it would be but there is still a half season left to improve on our record. This team is capable of playing great basketball as wit nessed in the Texas game. With the team’s potential, desire to win and with coaches like Metcalf, Reuther, Gobin and Davis the Aggies have a great chance to still finish high in the conference standings and go to the SWC tournament in Houston. Win or lose, the Aggies need the sup port of the student body. So Ags, come to G. Rollie and back Coach Metcalf and his crew. They deserve your support! — Melissa Kildus, ‘81 Cindy Koldus, ‘83 Courts a mess Editor: , The layout and condition of the Texas A&M tennis courts is appalling. Their de signer must have been a golf enthusiast. For only that could explain the potential dangers of these courts. The grass which borders the court sur face has effected countless twisted or sprained ankles. The fence (which, on some courts, is ridiculously less than 12 feet from the playing area) has caused many bruises. The courts are also in terri ble condition. Only a few years old, these courts have numerous cracks, and they are unusually slippery. Being from the north, our courts are subjected to four or five months of coating with snow. Yet, because they are maintianed, these courts are in much better condition than A&M’s. My point is that A&M’s tennis courts need maintenance. No more than a few hours per week would be necessary After all, we, as students, respect our University (e.g. MSC grass). Should not the Univer sity return our favor by, for one thing, maintaining the tennis courts. Very soon, the construction of twelve new tennis courts will be completed. Will the Univer sity allow these courts, also, to dete riorate? — Colby Atkins, ‘81 Hours useless Editor: What really upset this writer occurred one Saturday morning when our basket ball team tried to hold a practice. Thinking we could get a head start on a lot of other late sleepers, we decided to hold the prac tice at 10 a.m. This was a failure because as we now know, the G. Rollie White annex does not open until 1 p.m. And even then it is impossible to get a court without a reservation. I would like to suggest that during the intramural volleyball and basketball sea sons, that the availabe courts be opened at 8 a.m. on weekends to give the teams with enough intiative court time - since it can not be obtained on weeknights during this period until 11:50 p.m. due to intramural games. Also, I think that reserve court time should be extended to one hour; thirty minutes is not enough time for a good game or practice. In conclusion, it is a dis grace that a university of this quality has such a pitiful lack of basketball facilities for its students, not to mention such a poor quality arena as G. Rollie for its varsitv. — Ken Lamour, ‘79 ©nTe okovsc Arson suspected in hotel fire A bulldozer piled up debris from the Coates House hotel in an effort to uncover bodies believed buried under tons of bricks and plaster from a devastating weekend fire. Police said 15 bodies had been recovered from the 19th-century hotel, but feared many of the 20 still missing had died in the blaze. Fire Chief John Waas said it .. may .take authorities until the end of the week, to find all. the victims because several parts of the building cannot be searched until parts of the shaky structure are leveled. Waas said arson was being investi gated as a possible cause of the four-alarm blaze. “There s some sus picious characteristics in the building that makes us raise some ques tions about arson,” Waas said. Eerie lights cause UFO reports Eerie bright balls of light raced across the skies from Missouri and Texas to Florida Saturday and Sunday nights prompting hundreds of reports of UFOs, falling planes and meteors. The sheriff of north Florida county flew over dense pine woods Monday trying to locate where one was reported to have fallen with a loud explosion. Many of the observers believed the balls of light were meteors or meteroites, the latter being meteors which fall to Earth. They apparently moved swiftly across the night skies but not as fast as shooting stars, prompt ing some observers to believe they saw a plane falling in flames. World Mideast military talks to resume Assistant Secretary of State Alfred Atherton arrived in Egypt Monday carrying new Israeli “ideas” for a political compromise to get the stalled peace negotiations started again. Only hours later, Egypt announced military talks would resume tonight in Cairo — the first direct negotiations between Egypt and Israel in two weeks. The talks between the Egyptian and Israeli Defense Ministers, Gen. Mohammed Gamassy and Ezer Weizman, were interrupted Jan. 13 after reaching a deadlock on the future of 19 Jewish settlements in the Sinai. Atherton’s visit is viewed as an important prelude to President Anwar Sadat’s scheduled talks with President Carter at Camp David this weekend. 1 W, Weather Cloudy and continued cold with a chance of drizzle or light rain. High today mid-40’s. Low tonight upper-30’s. High to morrow low-mid 50’s. Winds from the Northeast at 10-15 mph. 30 percent chance of rain today & tonight decreasing to 20 percent tomorrow. The Battalion Opinions expressed in The Battalion are those of the Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas ""Mil editor or of the writer of the article and are not necessarily United Press International is entitled exclusively loll* 1 those of the University administration or the Board of Re- ,,st ' lor reproduction of all news dispatches credited to il l gents. The Battalion is a non-profit self-supporting Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein resirndf enterjn-ise operated by students as a university and com- Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77W j munity newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the MEMBER Texas Press Association LETTERS POLICY Southwest Journalism Congress Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and are Editor J amie ^1 edJZLl 0 ', fr nS CUt ,0 , thal , len Z th ur less if longer. The Managing Editor Mary Alice Woddhuf staff reserves the right to edit such letters and does s ts E d itor Paul ArMt I „ la „?!l an L ntee .l 0 P ' , j l ' sh tt ?» lelt * r - Eacl ‘ leUer ""‘si News Editors Marie Homeyer, Carol Mnol g e , show the address of the writer and list a telephone Assistant Managing Editor Clenna Whillel Addl f0r Ver,ficali °? City Editor . . Karen R^l Balfabnn Th « Campus Editor KimTuJ Battahon Room 216. Reed McDonald Building. College Reporters Liz Newlin. Daiif a ton, exas 77843. Boggan, Mark Patterson, Lee Roy Lesdipwjr, Represented nationally by National Educational Adver- Can Welch, Scott Mb I fixing Services, Inc., New York City, Chicago and Los Photographers Susan Webb, Ken Hctrnil An K eleN - . Cartoonist Doug Crjtia*J The Battalion is published Monday through Fridas from September through May except during exam and holiday s a | nc sum,T i* r . when it isi published on Mondays. Student Publications Board: Bob G. Hof*its. Chained Wednesdays and Fridays. joe Arredondo; Dr . Gary Halter. Dr. John H. Mad subscriptions are S 16.75 per semester; $33.25 per Robert Harvey; Dr. Charles MeCandless; Dr. Clintml school year; $35.00 per full year. Advertising rates fur- Phillips; Rebel Rice. Director of Student Puhlitslimf mshed on request. Address: The Battalion. Room 216,' Donald C. Johnson.