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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 31, 1978)
Viewpoint The Battalion Texas A&M University Endorsements Tomorrow’s city and school elections feature a number of races — not all of which are subject to Battalion endorsements. There are a few contests, however, in which The Battalion has found frontrunners. Their endorsements follow. Place 2 on the College Station City Council is being sought by David Pugh, assistant professor of urban planning at Texas A&M, and Homer Adams, owner of Adams Storage Co. We are inclined to favor Pugh. His experience as an urban planning consultant with the city makes him the more knowledgable candidate of the need for orderly growth, instead of growth for growth’s sake which at times seems the directive of the council. We back housewife Patricia Boughton over Tony Jones, owner of Tony Jones Construction Co., for the Place 4 seat. Although we question Bough ton’s view of limited involvement of students on the council, her stand for cautious expansion of city construction and opposition to relaxing exisit- ing zoning laws is a step in the right direction. We make no endorsements for mayor. Texas A&M student Karl Crawley lacks the needed expertise, although we applaud his interest. Incumbent Lorence Bravenec has the expertise, and has managed the council adequately. Our endorsement for School Board, Position 6, goes to Bruce Robeck, political science professor at Texas A&M, Robeck has done an admirable job on the board, and we see no reason to replace him. He seems to have a good grasp on the school district’s tax problems — the needs and the limitations of the district’s taxing prerogatives. School Board, Position 7, support goes to Bill Wasson, director of audits for the Texas A&M System. Although not an incumbent, Wasson seems to Friday March 31, 1978 share our opinion that the board has been tied up long enough in tax hassles and that it’s time to move on to more constructive matters. He, too, under stands the value of individual citizen input, input that should not be buried under the political power of larger interest groups. We urge you to consider all the candidates carefully. Copies of The Battal ion s Wednesday election section with interviews with all the candidates are available in The Battalion office, Reed-McDonald Bldg. 216. But don’t stop there. Cast your ballots tomorrow. Place 4 candidates seek mixed vote By JIM CRAWLEY The Fourth Ward of College Station takes in the residential areas of south Col lege Station — the newer neighborhoods where professors and middle-class salary earners make up the majority of the area. The apartment complexes hold hundreds of students. The ward is probably the county’s closest relative to a metropolitan suburb. Most of the city’s new homes are being constructed in the Southwood Valley area of the ward. The past two years have seen the construction of new apartment com plexes in the area — the leading edge in College Station’s residential growth. Two candidates are trying to become the council representatives for this atjca ()f College Station. They are Patricia Houghton, '46-year-old housew ife, and Tony Jones, a 31-year-old home builder. Both are political novices. In the past few elections home builders and developers have fared poorly in Col lege Station council races. Incumbant Don Dale was defeated in 1975 by Bob Bell. One of the main issues of the campaign was Dale’s occupation as a builder and his Mideast United Press International WASHINGTON — The only way for Middle East peace negotiations apparently is up. President Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin reached rock bottom in their recent meeting in Wash ington on what is necessary to move to ward peace. As far as the administration is concerned, the basic issues were clarified and defined like never before. Carter sought ways to approach Israeli security fears by indicating that some U.S. guarantees might be arranged — with the approval of Congress — but Begin appar ently indicated he is not willing to accept any alternative t.' the Israeli Army. Begin has said everything is “negoti able although it is clear that Carter has not found him that forthcoming or open, and prospects for a settlement have been set back. The Israeli Prime Minister won the unanimous backing of his Cabinet on his return to Israel and there are reports that new secret proposals will be made to Letters to the editor favoring the development of a residentially zoned area for an apartment complex. Jim Jett, a local realtor, was defeated by Gary Halter in the same election. Politics Where the previous candidates were against the restrictions of local zoning Jones told The Battalion that zoning must be maintained to secure and preserve per sonal privacy and safety. This may seem the antithesis of most builders. But in re cent years some builders have realized that zoning can be used to their advantage. And it’s a political necessity, in Odlege sta- tiort to take a stand in favor cirzbinng con trol. Boughton takes the stand that zoning needs to be updated by devising better procedures for tlie rezoning of apartment and commercial areas. Both candidates appear to be cautious about the involvement of students in the talks can’t Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. From that aspect, the ball is back in the Israeli-Egyptian court and any immediate movement will have to be generated by those two countries. Right now, the United States appears to be taking a wait- and-see approach. Washington Window Officials stress that they have not closed the doors and will continue to probe pos sibilities for negotiations. But Carter aides, and the congressmen he has briefed on the talks with Begin, indicate that the president is discouraged and less optimis tic than he was a few months ago. To American officials, Begin has taken the position that he is not bound by past Israeli government acceptance of U.N. Resolution 242 which calls for Israeli with drawal from Arab captured territory. The Israeli leader also is adamant that the set tlements must remain where they are, and forecasts more settlements on the West city government. Boughton is totally opposed to the idea of a student being a councilman. She be lieves that it would be impractical for stu dent to be on the council because they usually live in the city for only four years. The housewife does believe that students could be on advisory boards and serve as volunteers to distribute surveys and ques tionnaires. Jones, on the other hand, took the easy way out in answering a Battalion question concerning student participation in city government. He said that all registered voters have equal rights and respon sibilities in city government. This was bas ically a politically neutral statement. Neither anti-student or pro-student. It keeps everyone happy. It probably doesn’t matter if Botighton and Jones are pro-student or anti-student. The election is on a Saturday and if the sun is out, the students will be out at Some rville or at the pool. With the present state law placing all local elections on the same day and that day being a Saturday, the students are less likely to take time out from their only full day of relaxation. Bank — a move Garter believes woidd fur- the r complicate negotiations. Both Begin and Carter agree that a Palestinian state should not evolve from peace negotiations, but Carter has urged that the Palestinians be given the right to align with Jordan, or align with Israel or to continue interim arrangements. Begin has proposed a form of self rule for the West Bank with a continuation oflsraeli military control. Despite the differences which broke into the open. Carter and all top adminis tration officials have reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Israeli security. But the political gap is presently wide, and for the first time, the traditionally stalwart pro- Israeli senators and congressmen have ex pressed hope for more Israeli resiliency in the negotiations. Meantime, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat has urged Carter to take the role of a partner, instead of mediator in the negoti ations, and that is not what Carter has in mind, according to aides. “As it is, we are accused of taking sides. The student vote in the Fourth Ward this weekend will probably be negligible at best. The polling place at South Knoll Elementary School is a car drive away for most students in the ward. A car drive most students won’t take. The only candidate that is assured of a win on Saturday is incumbant Councilman Jim Dozier. His Place 6 ward failed to draw a two-man race this spring. Dozier, a 54-year-old finance professor, has been a councilman for eight years, dur ing which time he has presented a pragma tic, hard-line attitude to the council’s con trol of the city government. Polling places in tomorrow’s city council election are as follows: Ward 2 (includes the Commons and Corps dorms) is the A&M Consolidated Special Services Building on Jersey street. Ward '4 is at South Knoll Elementary School. Ward 6, including a few Northgate dorms, is the College Station Fire Department. For the wards voting in just the mayorial race the polling places are: Ward 1 at College Hills Elementary School, Ward 3 at Lincoln Center and Ward 5 at the Bee Creek Municipal Swimming Pool. said one official. It appears there may be some feeling that the dust should settle in the Middle East tug of war, but the basic problems remain and time will not be the great healer. Peace in the Middle East seems far away. Carter said publicly after the latest round of talks. Coming to grips with the realities, rather than just the hopes of all sides for peace is what has now happened. No one doubts that the Israelis and the Arabs want peace, but on what terms and with what concessions remain in question. If anything, recent events indicate a hardening of positions, but those positions are better known now than ever before, and the public’s perception of the basic is sues involved in achieving a peace settle ment is much clearer than in the past and there is greater awareness. From that aspect there is the element of public opinion which will undoubtedly play a bigger role from now on in deter mining the course of U.S. Middle East policy. get much worse Good bull can go so far before it goes bad Editor: One of the purposes of higher education is not only to learn a profession, but to develop an attitude of professionalism. An important part of this attitude is learning to work with people, including women. I am not a raving feminist, but the career woman is here to stay. With 9,000 women enrolled here and the number growing, this is rather obvious. We have all got to learn to compete on a friendly basis, and men must develop the confidence to work with women without having their masculinity threatened. It is not mature to dump butyric acid and ma nure in the vents of Dorm 1 just because one does not agree with everything W-l does. It is a pity that an organization as fine as the Corps is teaching their freshmen such rotten professional views. This may be “good bull,” now, but the bad attitude developed now will hinder many CT’s the rest of their careers. Dorm 1 (of which we non-regs take up three floors) has been flooded, and now bombarded by nauseating aromas. As we gasp for air we wonder — how can such senseless actions go on at an institute ded icated to turning out the nation’s top engi neers, scientists and other professionals? — Claire Hodgin, ’81 Good luck Editor: It is indeed a shame that I will not be at Texas A&M long enough to enjoy the editorship of Ms. Kim Tyson who I think is beautiful both in her writing and looks. Congratulations, Kim. If Pat O’Malley has taken some of the excellent pictures which we have had the good fortune to see in the Battalion in its recent issues we should look forward to a graphic Aggieland. Keep on truckin’, Batt. — I.A. Chisti, ’78 Theft at Sbisa Editor: No, I never thought it would happen to me. You know you always read letters by people who have had things stolen. I al ways managed to feel some sympathy for them, but since I wasn’t the victim, I really didn t know what it was like. Well, now I do. Yesterday, I went to eat at Sbisa and left my books on the tables that are set up for that purpose. When, I came to collect my books, one was miss ing; and yes, it was the Sociology book I was reading for my test tomorrow and yes, I probably will make a low grade on it or maybe fail it altogether because of this. But I am not writing this letter because of that, it’s because of your action that Ag gies are afraid to be trusting and get a bad opinion of A&M. So, I hope whoever you are, that you will read this and that next time you need a book to read, you will ask someone if you can borrow theirs. But, from the way you’ve acted you probably don’t have any friends to borrow from. — Ana Quintana, ’80 A Corps reply Editor: To: George Welch. If you don’t like the Corps, go to t.u. — Biff Harwood, ’78 Editor’s note: This letter is in response to George Welch’s comments in this section March 28. It had 31 additional signatures. , Top of the News Campus Candidates must submit forms Candidates for the following positions should have their completed questionnaires turned in no later than 5 p.m. today: student govern ment executive positions, yell leaders, OCSA president and RHA president. Candidates not already signed up to have their pictures made should call the Battalion office, 845-2611. Luther undergoing treatment O. L. Luther, chief of University Police, is receiving treatment and tests as an out-patient at Methodist Hospital in Houston. Luther has been away from his post since March 3, said Tom Parsons, directoro( traffic and safety and acting chief. State Car registration deadline nears Motorists who waited until this week to renew the state registra tion tags on their cars may find the tiny car stickers cost more than they imagined, state highway officials said in Austin Thursday. If the tags are not on cars by midnight Saturday, they will be even more expensive, according to Vernon Callaway, administrative assistant to the director of the Motor Vehicles Division of the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation, license plate tags bought after Saturday will have an additional 20 percent penalty charge if the car has been driven after the deadline, Callaway said. A motorist caught driving a car without current tags after Saturday can be fined up to $200. Group to study federal funding Texas cities, government and business leaders are financing an effort to create a national research group to combat moves by north eastern states to siphon federal funds into so-called frostbelt states. Former Houston Mayor Louie Welch announced the creation of an interim steering committee Thursday for the National Economic Re search Institute and told reporters at a Capitol news conference in Austin that the group expects to be joined by representatives of more than 25 states. Welch said the new organization will not lobby but will make detailed studies of proposed legislation and provide infor mation to Congress on impact of changes in complicated formulas for distributing federal funds. Welch said the purpose of the new group will not be to oppose the frostbelt states but to work for policies that do not discriminate in favor of any region. Yarbrough to appeal conviction Attorney's for Donald B. Yarbrough said Thursday they will appeal the aggravated perjury' conviction of the former Texas Supreme Court justice on grounds he was denied a fair trial. A Travis County jury on Jan. 26 convicted Yarbrough of lying to a grand jury about a summer meeting with former business associate John William Rothkopf, and the next day set his sentence at five years in prison. Yarbrough is free on bond, and defense attorney Waggoner Carr said he expects Yar brough to remain free pending the outcome of his appeal. Carr said a major point in Yarbrough’s appeal will be the contention that prose cutors improperly introduced evidence concerning other offenses at the trial, and that evidence turned jurors against Yarbrough. Yar brough admitted at the trial he had lied to the grand jury about the meeting with Rothkopf, but Carr said he thinks the former justice would have been given probation if prosecutors had not introduced evidence of forgery and other offenses. Yarbrough was elected to the court in 1976, and took office Jan. 1, 1977. He resigned July 15, 1977, moments after the legislature began consideration of proposals to force his removal from office. Nation Another blast rips derailment Another explosion ripped through the wreckage at a train derail ment in Lewisville, Ark., late Thursday afternoon, only hours after most of the town’s 700 residents had been allowed to return home. The lafayette County sheriffs office called it a “small explosion’ that knocked out power in the town for a short time. On person was reported injured. Doug Szenher, a spokesman for the state Pollution Control and Ecology Department, said the explosion apparently was caused by the cleanup effort. Ex-congressman may face trial A federal grand jury will be asked to decide Friday whether to indict former Rep. Otto Passman, D-La., in connection with alleged South Korean influence-buying efforts in Congress, sources in Wash ington said Thursday. If the grand jury accepts prosecutors’ recom mendations and indicts Passman, the once powerful chairman of a House foreign aid subcommittee will become the second ex congressman to face criminal charges in the Korean case. Former Rep. Richard Hanna, D-Calif., pleaded guilty March 17 to a single count of conspiracy in an agreement in which the Justice Department dropped 39 other felony counts three days before he was to stand trial. Indicted Korean businessman Tongsun Park has provided much of the evidence against Passman, 77, including testimony before the grand jury last week. Man buries frozen mother The body of 80-year-old Gladys Rogers, still frozen from three attempts by her son to bring her back to life, was buried Thursday, eight weeks after her death. Mrs. Rogers died Feb. 2 of flu in Harri son, Ark. Her son froze the body and was able to convince Missouri authorities to let him take the body into the state for a resurrection attempt. Arkansas officials had refused. Rogers, who said he wanted to resurrect his mother to bring more people to Christ, was unavaila ble for comment after the funeral. Weather Partly cloudy and warm today, tonight and Saturday with late night and early morning fog. High today upper 70s, low wonight low 50s. High tomorrow low 80s. Winds from the south at 10-15 mph. Fair, warm and dry through Sunday with a chance of showers Sunday night. 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 Regents. The Battalion is a non-profit, self-supporting enterprise oper ated by students as a university and community newspaper. Editorial policy is determined by the editor. LETTERS POUCY 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 he 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 furnished on request. Address. The Battalion, Room 216, Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843 United Press International is entitled exclusively use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited^: Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein resell! Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX "W! MEMBER Texas Press Association Southwest Journalism Congress Editor Jamie Ail^ Managing Editor Mary.Alice Wixxll# Sports Editor Piud Amd* News Editors Marie Homcycr. Carol Mm 1 Assistant Managing Editor Gleima WW! City Editor KamiRoiM' Campus Editor Kim Tvs* Reporters Liz Nowlin. Dadd Bo^ 11 Mark Patterson, Loo Hoy l/vschpor Jr..(ty Welch. Jim Crawley v Andy Willie Paige Beasley. Roll .Uf^ Photographers Susan Wohh. Dadd Cartoonist Ikmg (Ink* Student Publications Board: Bob C. Rogers, Cfolinwi Joe Arredondo, Dr. Gary Halter, Dr. Charles McQpit* Dr. Clinton A. Phillips, ReM Rice. Director of Slmlii Publications: Donald C. Johtison. J