Page 10 THE BATTALION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1978
President’s papers
Historians fear new law may cut writing
United Press International
WASHINGTON — When a pres
ident left office he used to cart his
White House papers with him, to do
with what he liked.
Chester Arthur destroyed most of
his. John Tyler’s were lost when
Union forces burned Richmond, Va.
It is believed William G. Harding’s
widow chucked some of his papers
in the fireplace, hoping to cover up
the scandals of his administration.
Franklin D. Roosevelt changed
the system. He couldn’t find any
place in the basement or attic at
home large enough to hold the
mountain of papers generated in the
New Deal.
Before F.D.R. took office, citi
zens infrequently wrote presidents.
Herbert Hoover got 400 letters a
day, on average; Roosevelt got
4,000.
Now presidents create records by
the ton. Some 35 million pages are
on file at the Texas-sized Lyndon B.
Johnson Library in Austin — nearly
as much as the 40 million pages in
the records of 23 early presidents in
the Library of Congress.
Roosevelt set the tradition for
presidents to arrange for libraries to
be built at private expense with the
government paying to maintaining
them forever after, giving tourists
new places to visit across the Ameri
can landscape. Historians used to
mutter about the need to go from
one distant place to another to do
research, but lately the complaints
have died out.
Previously, the Library of Con
gress used to scurry around after a
chief executive left office, trying to
get his papers. Often, it had to buy
them from ancestors and what it got
often wasn’t complete.
Years ago, a citizen would some
times write an ex-president for a
sample of his handwriting and be
given a page from an old letter.
Sometimes signatures were cut off
for autograph hunters. Ex
presidents didn’t regard their pa-
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MSC
Political
Forum
General William
Westmoreland
“Trouble Spots
Around the Globe”
Oct. 19
8 p.m.
Rudder Theater
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perwork as valuable raw material for
historians.
But Daniel Reed does. Reed, as
sistant archivist at the National Ar
chives, is in charge of the five exist
ing presidential libraries — holding
the papers of Hoover, Roosevelt,
Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower
and Johnson — and two underde
velopment — John F. Kennedy and
Gerald R. Ford.
Reed, a white-haired historian,
has devoted his life to the subject.
From 1959 to 1965, he supervised
the indexing and microfilming of the
Library of Congress’ presidential
collection.
Reed’s chief worries these days
are coping with the Richard Nixon
papers and a bill wending through
Congress making sure presidential
papers become government prop
erty. During Watergate, Nixon, as
had all presidents, claimed the pa
pers as his personal possessions and
Congress passed a bill taking cus
tody of them from him.
As approved by the House Gov
ernment Operations Committee,
the new bill would make all presi
dential papers created after 1980
government property, to be opened
10 years after the president leaves
office.
Reed fears the effect will be to
cause presidents and their staffs to
avoid putting some things in writing
and to purge their files before they
leave — to the detriment of history.
He says the Ford White House
left behind a “thin” record and he’s
heard from “a senior staff member
in a very important position” in the
Carter White House that the Cart-
erites are careful about what goes
into the files.
Philip Buchen, Ford’s counsel
and friend, testified that to keep se
crets from coming out too soon
“they were not writing things if they
could manage to get by without
writing and if they had to have it in
writing for a while they gave
another thought to whether it would
be kept in files,” Reed said.
Reed says future presidents are
likely to purge their files before
leaving office or to circumvent the
law by calling some papers purely
personal and taking them home,
even if they deal with sensitive mat
ters of state.
“We conservatives say give the
historical figure plenty of time so
they don’t get nervous and start de
stroying papers,” he says. “We want
the record to survive in the fullest
possible form.”
As for Nixon’s papers, they repose
in the Archives on Pennsylvania Av
enue — 5,000 hours of tape rec
ordings and 36 million pages of
documents.
A small staff is putting them in
order at a cost of $111,000 this year.
The Archives has asked Congress for
$1.5 million next year to hire 50
people to speed up the cataloging
work. Even then, it might take six
years.
New Arkansas law
ends all midwifing
United Press International
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A tele
phone rings in a darkened house.
Moments later, a woman past mid
dle age shrugs into a coat and steps
outside into a cold downpour. Ice is
beginning to form on the road as she
drives alone to a nearby home
where all the lights are burning and
the occupants are in a frenzy of un
directed activity.
Once inside, the woman takes
charge. The events of the next few
hours are now her responsibility,
and if all goes well, a new human
being will have entered the world
by the time the sun rises.
The woman is a midwife.
So many women were delivering
babies in the rural areas of Arkansas
that in the 1940s the state decided
to train them formally and issue
them permits to practice.
But only a few midwives remain
in the state and as of Jan. 1 they will
no longer be allowed to work.
“Obstetrics has gone through
such a revolution in the past 10
years, the service just had to end,”
said Dr. Byron Hawks, who is im
plementing the state Health Board’s
decision to end the program. “Their
time came. They’ve created a void
we re trying our best to fill.”
Hawks is associate director of the
maternal and child health programs
for the Health Department, which
will be replacing midwifery with
trained nurse-midwives and re
gional programs.
“The permitted midwife would
have died of attrition anyway in a
year or two,” he said. He pointed
out that the remaining midwives are
mostly in their 60s to 80s “and
young kids aren’t coming along and
taking their places.”
The Health Department required
that the midwives attend classes
where they were taught “minimum
obstetrics,” Hawks said. Their car
dinal rule was to call a doctor if any
thing went wrong during delivery.
But each of the midwives has
added to her training a personal
brand of skill to make the birth
easier for the baby.
“I talk to her,” said Reola Beas
ley, 64, a midwife in McGehee, “let
her know she’s progressing nicely,
give her courage she can do it.”
Mrs. Scott has been a midwife
since 1935 and estimates she has de
livered 400 to 500 babies. Some
women with longer careers say they
have brought several thousand chil
dren into the world.
“It was given to me in the spirit,
that’s the way I became a midwife,”
Mrs. Scott said. But she also at
tended Health Department classes.
State officials working with the
FRESHMAN GUYS
who are interested in working on
BONFIRE
COME TO THE Q-HUTS: FrL, Oct. 20,
8-10
Refreshments by:
Scandls/Sevllla/Aurora Gardens/Taos,
Sausalito/Sundance, Parkway, Tree ho use
and Bonfire Committee
0 p.m.
t: Pothers Bookstore
OFF CAMPUS GUYSk & GALS
We need Off Campus Workers for
BONFIRE.
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midwives say most of the women are
very religious and often superstiti-
“They use a form of hypnotism in
labor, singsong business,” Hawks
said. “We had to put one or two out
of business. They’d get carried away
with some religious streak. We’d
have afterbirth worship and all kinds
of things.”
A state nurse specialist in
Monticello, Ark., who works with
the midwives in southeast Arkansas,
talked about the women using
visions, hexes, spirits and veils in
their work. “It’s very difficult to get
superstitions away,” Mary Alice
Smith said.
But for the most part, health offi
cials have been grateful to the
women for taking up the slack in in
accessible backwoods regions.
Hawks said. “They earn their
money, believe me they do.”
The midwives charge about $75
per birth. That includes three or
four visits before the birth and sev
eral afterwards.
“I go to visit her before she has
the baby so we be acquainted, don’t
be strangers to one another,” Mrs.
Scott said.
“I go back the next day or some
times the same day (as the birth) if
I’m not satisfied,” Mrs. Beasley
said. “I’m a worry wart. I worry
about ‘em a lot.”
Like all midwives, Mrs. Beasley
and Mrs. Scott can tell tales of going
to deliver babies in the worst kinds
of weather. “They don’t care when
they come,” Mrs. Beasley said.
“I was at a girl’s house one night
and she was having a baby, and
lightning struck something and put
the lights out in the house,” Mrs.
Beasley recalled. “But they came
back on before she had it.”
Neither of the women is dis
traught by the ruling they must end
their practice this year, and Hawks
said that’s the general attitude
among the state’s midwives.
“They took it all very well.
[They’re a little frightened down
there now. Their former clients are
[ seeking more refined care,” he said.
So the Health Department threw
,a retirement party for them in
Monticello this summer, with long-
"stemmed roses and speeches and
“wonderful singing,” Hawks said.
He and the assorted midwives re
member it as a happy occasion.
“One of them had to have two
people hold her up when she stood
up. She said she was waiting for the
Lord to tell her when to quit, and I
represented the Lord, so it was
OK,” Hawks said.
“We at the Health Department
are mournful about it. I hate to be
the hatchet man,” he said. “It’s just
an anachronism. It really had to
come to an end.”
what’s up?
Thursday
POLITICAL FORUM: Gen. William Westmoreland will speaU
“Trouble Spots Around the Globe” at 8 p.m. in Rudder At
ditorium. Westmoreland was commander of the U.S. arraet
forces in Vietnam and later chief of staff, the highest positions
the Army. He will speak about the military and political situation
in the world today. Admission is 25 cents for students andSOceni!
for non-students.
OFF-CAMPUS STUDENT ASSOCIATION: All off-campus girlsai
invited to dine with the Corps of Cadets in Duncan Dining Hallo:
Wednesday, Oct.25, at 6:30 p.m. Those who are interested shoot
sign up today in Room 216, OSA cubicle.
RHA: Will have a meeting in Room 113, Biological Sciences Buildit;
East at 8 p.m.
TAMU MICRO COMPUTER CLUB: Bob Weir will speak on Hoi
To Write and Be Published,” and there will be a demonstration]
the complete club system at 7 p.m. in Room 203, Zachry.
WATER SKI CLUB: Will meet at 7 p.m. in Room 510, Ruddc
Tower.
BAHA’I CLUB: Welcomes everyone to a public meeting on "Hat
mony of Science and Religion,” at 7:30 p.m. in the All Faitli
Chapel.
CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST: Will meet at 7 p m. ini
302, Rudder Tower.
HANG GLIDERS: The Robbins Aero Squadron Hang GlidersCliil
will meet at 8 p.m. in Room 704AB, Rudder Tower.
CROSS COUNTRY: The men’s team will run in Austin at 4 p.m,
MSC RADIO COMMITTEE: Will discuss Bonfire communication
and have a presentation on message handling at 7:30 p.m. ia
Room 401, Rudder Tower.
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CEPHEID VARIABLE: Presents “Omega Man,” a terrifying looi p r<
into a future where the world’s population has been decimatedk I
bacteriological warfare. Charlton Heston is pursued by agroupd P lt xav
black-robed fanatics bent on destroying all traces of the technolop pin, in 1
that ruined the world. This movie will be shown at 8 and 10J( Intday ,
p.m. in Room 601, Rudder Tower.
MSC OUTDOOR RECREATION: Will have a seminar on fishings
Room 401, Rudder Tower at 7:30 p.m.
EE WIVES CLUB: La Maz Natural Childbirth will be discussedi
7:30 p.m. in Room 104B, Zachry. New members are welcom
For more information, call 693-6286.
Friday
DEADLINE: Student organizations may' still renew their recognitio:
in the Student Finance Center. All organizations must renew the::
recognition each year. Organizations may renew past the Sept.3
deadline. The Student Finance Center is located in Room 21"
MSC, and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL: The women’s team will play in the Southwet
Missouri Tournament in Springfield, Mo., today and Saturday
PINK PANTHER FESTIVAL: Aggie Cinema will show The Pi
Panther,” the first pink panther film in which Inspector Clouseai
of the Paris Police encounters the Pink Panther. This movie, stai
ring Peter Sellers, David Niven and Robert Wagner will be shorn
at 8 p.m. in Rudder Auditorium. “A Shot In the Dark, ” starrinj
Peter Sellers and Elke Sommer, in which Inspector Clouseai
attempts to capture an accused murderer, will be shown at II
p.m. in Rudder Auditorium.
Saturday
FOOTBALL: The Texas Aggies will play Baylor University in Kylt
Field at 1:30 p.m.
PINK PANTHER FESTIVAL: “The Return of the Pink Panther,
starring Peter Sellers and Christopher Plummer, in which Inspee
tor Clouseau once again stumbles from one zany incident to
another, will be shown at 8 p.m. in Rudder Auditorium. Til
Pink Panther Strikes Again” will be shown at 10 p.m. in Rudder
Auditorium.
A&M WHEELMEN: Will have a 40-mile “Tour de Snook” ride
Those who are interested should meet at 8 a.m. at Rudder Fo»
tain.
Sunday
PINK PANTHER FESTIVAL: "Pink Pantheer & Friends All Stir
Comedy Show,” a collection of comedy shorts starring the Pid
Panther, Inspector Clouseau, Roadrunner, Bugs Bunny, the Mari
Brothers and the Three Stooges, will be shown at 2 p.m. in
der Theater.
MAID OF COTTON: Applications for Maid of Cotton may be picket
up in the Student Activities Office, Room 221, MSC, between!
a.m. and 5 p.m. To be eligible, a candidate must never have beer
married, be between the ages of 19 and 23 inclusive, be froins
cotton-producing state or moved to one prior to age 7, andbeai
least 5 foot, 5 inches tall. Applications must be postmarked®
later than midnight Nov. 12 and be accompanied by three
glossy photographs.
A&M CYCLING TEAM: Student body bike races for all students ami
faculty will be held, with seperate classes for different abilitiesans
trophies awarded will be held at 3 p.m. at the Drill Field.
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY: Will have a picnica!
Hensel Park at 2 p.m.
NOTICE
It has been RUMORED THAT
* Chasing girls
★ Watching T.V.
★ Getting caught by Aggies
★ Partying
★ Studying (???)
★ BEATING THE HELL OUT OF BAYLOR
Is more fun than WASHING CLOTHES.
If you agree with the above, bring your wash to the
where our courteous attendants will wash, dry and fold for you
(Attendants will hang wash and wear clothes but will not steain
press them — Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. only.
THE AHQNflVT IS OPEN 7 DAYS/WEEK 24 hours/day
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE DO IT YOURSELFER
the AHCINnVT
3702 S. College
VS- ’■