Viewpoint
The Battalion Friday
Texas A&M University February 3, 1978
Justice too speedy
Yes, something was done, but at what price?
The judicial board disregarded some common court procedures in its
hearing Wednesday night when it issued writs of mandamus to three student
government officials, including the student body president and a vice presi
dent. The board acted hastily in hopes of proving its independence and power.
Instead, it damaged its reputation by overlooking due process.
For instance, both sides asked the board to delay the hearing eight days.
Defense and plaintiff said legislation pending at next Wednesday’s student
senate meeting could establish definite procedures for checking grade re
quirements. They wanted to “clear things up” before the board made a
decision.
According to Chris Kling, student legal adviser, a delay is generally granted
if the defense asks for it and almost always granted if both parties request it.
In this case, the plaintiff who initiated the hearing asked for the delay.
Unusual.
Everyone wanted a delay but the judicial board. It defended its action and
continued the hearing in a burst of independence, saying any decision would
be ex post facto. No real reason, it seems.
Further, they didn’t clarify one of the central issues in the case — which
part of the student body constitution affects executive committee members
(president, vice presidents, and others). No one knew whether they have to
post a 2.0 grade point ratio for the semester, maintain a 2.0 GPR or only avoid
scholastic probation to stay in office. No one knows now, either.
Perhaps a more significant example of rejecting common law was the
defense’s main point — that a writ of mandamus citing negligence of duty can
only be filed when that duty is clearly and concisely stated.
The writ cannot be issued on mere interpretation, the defense said, and
they cited cases supporting that notion. Normally, courts of law base their
decisions on precedents.
The judicial board decided otherwise...
Elected student leaders should be required to show they have the grades
as stated, if unclearly, in the constitution.
But abandoning due process and accepted court procedure is not the way to
do it. L.N.
the buck of the national debt
Passing
By ED SCOTT
Bein the loyal reader of the Batt that I
am I eagerly began to work my way
through Wednesday’s paper when I was
brought to an abrupt halt by a startling
headline. Thinking that surely I’d misread
it I again went through the words, this
Readers 7 forum
time in a more methodical manner. Nope,
no mistake about it. There it was in bold
black type: “Clayton says Texas' growth
should stop.” Well, you can just imagine
my total astonishment at anyone from this
great State, let alone the Speaker of the
House, callin for a halt to Texas growth. I
felt certain there had been a most grevious
error committed, and so I immediately
began to read further.
“Oh thank God,” 1 thought to myself as
I breathed a sigh of relief upon discovering
he was only referrin to growth in gubin-
ment spendin. Whut a relief to learn that
ole Bill hadn’t any intention for Texas to
stop growin. IJcin so relieved I decided to
read on. Referrin to the national debt ole
Bill pointed out that everone’s share came
to $114,800. Instant depression! What
were my creditors going to say when they
found out about this? My thoughts went
immediately to the impact on my credit
ratin. Knowin I’d never again be able to
borrow money with so big an uncol
lateralized debt, I decided the only solu
tion was to pay my share off. Marshallin all
my wordly possessions (and a few that’ve
been termed out-of-this-world) I began my
assault on the pillars of bureaucracy.
Marching into a nearby office of the
Treasury department I demanded to settle
my share of the gubinment’s debt. The lit
tle ole clerk behind the counter came cau
tiously over to where I was standing, and
after seeing the article from the Batt pa
tiently explained that I didn’t really owe
the $114,800. Instant exhiliaration!
But then I asked how was it if I didn t
really owe that sum how was it ole Bill
could say I did? “Well, you see sir,” she
said, “most all the federal debt is owed by
our government to our own citizens. You
might say that on a per capita basis the
federal government owes everyone of us
$114,800.” Euphoria! Here I’d gone into
this place thinkin I was gonna have to
plunk down a chunk of change to bail my
self out of hock and I discover I got
$114,800 coming. Whooppee!
Not knowing how long this debt to me
had been outstanding I figured it had to be
long past due so I demanded payment in
full right then-n-there. Well, I guess I got
so plum over excited that I musta nearly
shert that little girl half-to-death. She
jumped back from that counter and started
hollerin for her superior. Instant panic.
Well, out comes her supervisor looking
like maybe she was a moonlitin as a D.I.
for the marines so I figured I’d just better
settle for any interest I had comin an git
the outa there. I told her I’d even take
it in instalments but she wouldn’t listen.
Just kept mumblin something bout the fact
that the gubinment didn’t owe me and I
didn’t owe it and to jest git the outa
there. Total confusion! Here I was, I’d
started in hock $114,800, found out in
stead I had that comin to me, and then lost
it to some damn ex-marine. Reckon bout
the only way to settle this mess is read one
a them econ books. Maybe I could git ole
Bill to read it also. Better yet maybe the
two of us put together could take that ole
gal and we could each git our $114,800.
Well, I’ll let ya know whut I decide to do
next, but for now I m just gonna go on to
the next article in your paper. Shore hope
it ain’t so confusin.
Editor s note: Ed Scott is an assistant pro
fessor of accounting. Opinions expressed
in this column are the author’s only and
not necessarily those of this paper.
Carter puts the bite on freeloaders
By DICK WEST
United Press International
WASHINGTON — At his news confer
ence this week President Carter again
linked tax cuts with tax reform. One pro
posed reform would reduce deductions for
business entertainment expenses by 50
percent.
This attack on the so-called three-martini
lunch has caused great consternation
among businessmen, who insist entertain
ment is a vital part of commerce, and
The Lighter Side
among restauranteurs, who depend on ex
pense account patrons for much of their
trade.
Also taking a strong stand against the
cutback are the people who are guests at
affairs that are written off as business ex
penses.
Bernie Flackhorn, director of the Na
tional Society of Freeloaders, estimates
that a 50 percent cut in business entertain
ment deductions would cause a corre
sponding decline in business entertain
ment invitations.
“A retrenchment of that magnitude
could result in genuine hardships, he said.
Letters to the editor
“I’m not suggesting we would actually go to
bed hungry but I do foresee some of us
occasionally being forced to dine Dutch
treat.
I patted him on the shoulder consolingly.
“There’s nothing more pitiable than a
check-splitting freeloader,” I said.
“It’s more than a matter of bread and
butter, or of gin and vermouth,” Flackhorn
continued. “This strikes at the very heart of
western civilization as we have known it.”
“Ifyou read your Gibbon closely you will
find that the fall of the Roman Empire was
preceded by a decline in tax breaks for
business entertainment.”
I said, “There must have been a lot in his
book that I missed.”
“Maybe I can refresh your memory,”
Flackhorn said. “Large Roman firms such
as Ye Olde Toga Shoppe used to entertain
customers at gladiator matches in the Col
osseum and chariot races at the Circus
Maximus.
“The whole thing was tax deductible, but
it was in the public interest.
“For one thing, it helped keep unem
ployed gladiators and chariot drivers off the
streets. Beyond that, it generated extra
sales, which increased revenues from the
toga tax.
“The Roman government used these
funds to finance public spectacles, which
kept poor citizens happy. As the poet Ju
venal pointed out, the empire thrived on
panem et circenses’ (bread and circuses). It
was truly the golden age of freeloading.
“Unfortunately, the reforms instituted
by Constantine the First included a cut
back in business entertainment deduc
tions. Thereafter, trade slumped, prices
rose and the cities began to deteriorate.
“Gibbon traces the ebbing of the empire
to the regression of freeloading.”
I said, “Are you saying the same thing
could happen here?”
Flackhorn shrugged his shoulders
philosophically. “Sic transit gloria gratis,”
he sighed.
Different views on publicizing assault
Editor:
I’m writing in support of Charlie An
drews and Mark Brenckman. Charlie wrote
a letter to the Batt questioning school pol
icy concerning the withholding of informa
tion about campus rape attempts. Mark’s
letter cited a rape attempt that he had per
sonally heard of and the lack of publicity
thereof.
I am that victim in question. The rape
attempt took place a week before bonfire in
the Academic building restroom. I was
hospitalized after the assailant beat and cut
me with a bottle and forced my arm
through a window. Campus police investi
gated the incident and the Battalion was
notified the day after the attack.
Do campus officials cover up such as
saults to protect students from the unpleas
ant facts of life? If they want to protect us,
they should alert everyone to the precau
tions of preventing rape. A&M maybe per
fect but it’s not isolated. Rape is a reality.
You can’t hide it. We must learn to live with
life — not run from it.
—Shelly Greider, ‘79
Who benefits?
Editor:
O. K., Charlie, imagine this: COLLEGE
STATION, Texas (UPI) — Two female stu
dents were attacked and raped while re
turning to their dorm late Friday night.
Both of the girls were rushed to the hospital
where one has been held for observation
because she still remains in a highly dis
turbed emotional state, and the other was
examined and treated for minor injuries
and later released. Campus police...
Where is our sense of ethical discrimina
tion? As I see it, no one has benefited from
reading this article. However, many stu
dents may feel threatened by its implica
tions — who knows who will be next.
It is inevitable that rape and assault will
happen, but have we accomplished any
thing beneficial by printing a story about it
— other than establishing the fact that two
students were raped? I don’t think that
anyone is trying to hide the facts. By sup
pressing this type of news, however, we
may redirect our attention to more benefi
cial topics.
Regarding your reasons for reporting this
news: 1) how many students do you think
considered the number of rapes per year at
a given school before applying, and 2) do
you think that if you saw a rape story
printed in the-Batt next week your skepti
cism towards University policy and opinion
would change?
I also feel that school spirit has absolutely
nothing to do with the matter whatsoever.
(Unless, of course, we are confronted with a
kinky rapist who beats his victims with ma
roon and white pompoms!) I realize that
A&M does have “these types of problems,
but I certainly don’t think they should be
emphasized by printing them.
—Danna Richey, ‘80
Apology demanded
Editor:
I admit that since I did not attend the
A&M-Rice game Saturday, Jan. 28 at G.
Rollie White, to some I may be classified
as a two percenter. But that isn’t my rea
son for writing. While viewing the game
on TV during a study break, I was very
upset when Marvin Tate referred to the
Aggie fans and the “Fightin’ Texas Aggie
Band as “a lot of background noise” dur
ing an interview at half-time. The Aggie
Band does not make “noise” and as far as
the fans. — the “Spirit" is still alive and
well. Therefore, I feel that Mr. Tate owes
the fans and the “Texas Aggie Band” an
appology.
—Emery N. Lange Jr., ‘78
Aggie in need
The following letter refers to an article in
the San Antonio Express-News, in which a
former student was found to owe a San
Antonio hospital $36,394 for infant care.
While at first reluctant to accept this offer,
Mr. Gaddis has discovered that his new
born child may also be deaf, forboding
more bills. At his request, then, this letter
has been released.
Editor:
The sad plight of a fellow Aggie, Howard
W. Gaddis Jr., ‘76, was brought to my at
tention in the news item. Hospital bills like
this would discourage young Aggies, from
producing future Aggies.
I do not know Gaddis personally, nor do I
know how he will feel about my suggested
solution to his problem. I do agree with him
that bankruptcy is not the best solution.
I would like to suggest that all former
students and those now enrolled send
Gaddis one dollar ($1) apiece. If he takes in
more than he needs he can use it to help the
unnamed father with the $72,000 hospital
tab.
—Henry A. Miller, ‘53
Ed. note: Howard Gaddis Jr., 12927 Hen
derson Camp, San Antonio, Texas 78233
The other side
Editor: ,
A lot has been printed lately about
Robert Harvey, the student body presi
dent, and his grades. But only one side has
been told. Maybe it’s time the other side
was presented.
Harvey did openly tell the senate and
student body that he posted below a 2.0,
but it was never brought out in The Battal
ion that he has a 3.0 overall in Mechanical
Engineering, that he is a National Merit
Scholar and that he made an exceptionally
high score on the LSAT, 795 out of800. The
Battalion has made a brilliant person look
like an idiot."
Harvey said he told the reporter both
sides of the story, but apparently only one
side was reported. Although these facts
weren’t brought out at the meeting, it is
the job of a good reporter to investigate
both sides of an issue and to dig deeper to
present the whole picture, so the Commu
nications Department at Texas A&M Uni
versity teaches.
As journalists. The Battalion reporters
should be responsible for investigative re-~
porting, just like any professional reporter
is. Harvey spends countless hours making
sure student government is working for the
students. There are few nights that he
leaves the student government office be
fore midnight. We feel that the Battalion
owes Robert Harvey an apology for damag
ing his reputation as a student leader be
cause of their irresponsible reporting.
—Leesa Chiodo, ‘78,
Sue Rudd, ‘78,
Mary Hardin, ‘79
Top of the News
Campus
KAMU-TV receives satellite signals
KAMU-TV has begun receiving Public Broadcasting System signals
from the communications satellite Westar I, allowing the Texas A&M
University-owned and managed station a choice between satellite
signals and those coming in over conventional land lines. The educa
tional television station became one of the first five in the nation to
ready itself to receive the signals with installation of a 10-meter dish
antenna in late October.
State
Westbrook files for office
An East Texas minister who was the first black to play in a Southwest
Conference football game has filed to run for lieutenant governor. John
Hill Westbrook, who played football at Baylor from 1965 through 1969,
said he was prompted to enter politics because Lt. Gov. William P.
Hobby ran unopposed in 1974. Westbrook said it is time that the
people be given a choice of candidates for lieutenant governor. He
contended Hobby represented only special interest groups.
Bristol-Myers gets new trial
The Texas Supreme Court ordered a new trial for the Bristol-Myers
Co. concerning a suit filed by a Corpus Christi man who lost his
hearing because of taking one of the company’s antibiotics. The high
court’s ruling reversed a decision by the 13th Court of Civil Appeals in
Nueces County which awarded $400,000 to Ramon Gonzales. The
Supreme Court agreed with the drug company’s contention that the
trial court erred in excluding evidence concerning an out-of-court
settlement between Gonzales and the doctor who treated him.
Inmate not transferred in time
Ifa Mexican-American inmate who died in the Ector County jail was
mentally ill, as alleged by the sheriff, he should have been transferred
to a psychiatric ward, according to the assistant director of the Texas
Jail Standards Commission. Bob Viterna said Wednesday a law
enacted by the 1977 Legislature makes it mandatory for a psychiatrist
to ascertain a prisoner’s mental stability before making such a transfer.
The sheriff s department claimed Larry Ortega Lozano died of injuries
inflicted upon himself by battering his head against the window ol a jail
cell door. Lozano’s family contends he was the victim of police brutal
ity.
Nation
Sugar industry endangered
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Falling sugar prices and the increased cost of its production has
doomed the Louisiana sugar industry, farmers and refiners said. A
sugar refining company has announced the closing of two more mills
and Louisiana officials predicted the closings mean the end of the
state’s sugar industry. Southdown Sugars’, Inc., president RichardD.
Andregg said Wednesday 50 employees will lose jobs due to the
closing of Cedar Grove sugar mill in White Castle and Ammant mill at
Vacherie. The firm has already ceased operations at .a TerrebpuAfe
Parish mill. Louisiana farmers said it costs more to grow sugar cane
than the crop is worth on the market because of cheap foreign imports.
“While sugar prices won t be affected, the state’s economy will, saida
spokesman for Milliken and Farwell, Inc., another mill considering
closing its refinery.
EPA denies poison use
The Environmental Protection Agency has rejected Wyomings
proposal that EPA’s restrictions be lifted on the poison 1080 for preda
tor control. State Agriculture Secretary Larry Bourret said Thursday.
State officials met in Denver Wednesday with EPA administrator
Donald Costle. “The administrator told us our request was being
denied and the requests of Texas and Montana for experimental regis
trations on 1080 for predator control were to be denied or have been,
Bourret said. The state of Montana and Texas A&M University had
applied for licenses to use small amounts of 1080 in an exprimental
program for controlling predators, particularly coyotes, which have
been represented as the bane of sheep raisers. Cattle ranchers have
also said coyotes prey on their livestock. The EPA has maintained that
1080, as a predator poison, is dangerous to the environment because
the doses necessary are harmful, sometimes fatal, to dogs and other
wild animals.
World
World’s largest pot bust
Colombian authorities are calling it the world’s greatest marijuana
bust. Police announced Wednesday they had seized 165 tons of
marijuana from a landing strip and a warehouse in La Guajira, a
sparsely populated state on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast bor
dering Venezuela. “This is the biggest confiscation of marijuana in the
world. The value of the marijuana on the illegal market is at about $90
million, said Rudolfo Garcia of the attorney general’s office. Police said
they also arrested 13 persons and confiscated an airplane and eight
vehicles in a helicopter raid on the site. Inside the warehouse, police
said they found three large presses used to compact the marijuana.
“We lifted these presses with helicopters and dropped them in the
sea,” Garcia said. “The marijuana was burned.”
Weather
Cloudy with a 20 percent chance of drizzle this morning
with a gradual decrease in cloudiness this afternoon and
tomorrow. High today upper 40’s, low tonight mid-30’s.
High tomorrow near 60. Winds from the North East at 6-12
mph. Partly cloudy skies and seasonable temperatures for
the weekend.
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.
Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas
United Press International is entitled exclusively 10 ^
use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited
Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein resent
Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX ^
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 pubh’shedon 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. Room 216,
MEMBER
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Congress
Editor Jamie Ait^
Managing Editor Mary Alice Woodh^
Sports Editor Paul
News Editors Marie Homeyer, Carol Mf' f
Assistant Managing Editor GlennaMi^
City Editor Karen Ro^
: Campus Editor Kim
. Reporters Liz Newlin, D^' 1
Boggan, Mark Patterson, Lee Roy Leschperj'
Gary Welch. Scott Perkins, BohAshf' 1
Photographers Susan Webb, Ken Hern’' 1
Cartoonist Doug Cwl^
Student Publications Board: Bob G. Rpg&s. Chain’ 1 '
Joe Arredondo; Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. John U ; . HP
Robert Harvey; Dr. Charles McCandless; Dr. Clintot
Phillips; Rebel Rice. Director of Student PnhlirsiK 4
Donald C. Johnson.
l