Viewpoint
The Battalion
Texas A&M University
Thursday
October 26, 1978
Letters to the Editor
Ags real losers in Bellard resignation
Editor:
To everyone who said the wishbone is a
loser — tell Oklahoma.
To each of who so often criticized Mr.
Bellard, to the new folks and you who for
got so quickly the pre-Bellard era, and
especially to each and every person who in
some way or form contributed to Mr. Bel-
lard’s decision — what fools you are!
Check Emory’s record, look through the
pro’s and check some of Bellard’s products.
To all the football illterates who demand
total perfection, to all the fickle fans whose
support changes with the momentum of a
game — for shame.
There are many good coaches and quite a
few excellent ones. Only once in a long
while though is there a great one. How we
can hope to replace a man so intelligent, so
honest, so loyal and so totally propelled
towards the goal of winning that most
schools can only dream of such a man, I
don’t know.
Woe be unto us for having the one great
fault — impatience. We have stopped a
dynasty in the making and now we’ll all
suffer. Thank you Mr. Bellard for all you
did for football and Texas A&M. You’ll re
main in our hearts and minds forever. Good
luck to the dear old Texas Aggies — we’re
gonna need it! (Nothing against you, Tom.)
— Pat Rippetoe, Sr. ’?
TAMU strives to be the best in every
thing. We’re renowned in fields of
academic excellence, spirit, athletics and
aljnost everythign else you wish to men
tion. TAMU can settle for nothing less than
an immortal, who is second only to God in
college football circles.
If spirit and alumni support are great
now, they would be unimaginable if this
man came ack to TAM U. Lets give him one
more chance to make his mark on college
football and bring national attention back to
TAMU football: Paul “Bear” Bryant is the
one and only coach who should be consid
ered at any cost for the new vacant coaching
position.
— Randy Markel, ’79
^tou heal
our lame
raise our ratincjs and you
Students need voice
Wanted: Bellard
Editor:
We have just heard the news about
Coach Bellard resigning as head coach of
the Aggie Football Team. Remembering all
of the fine seasons and the bowl games that
he has brought us through in his years as
head coach we have just one thing to say:
WE WANT BELLARD BACK ...
— David S. Lynch, ’81
Kurt S. Abraham, ’80
Kathy Charles, ’80
Editor’s note: this letter was accompanied
by three other signatures.
Bryant nominated
Editor:
This letter is written to nominate the „
Editor:
Why has our football coach been forced
to resign? Who was this “masked man” or
group of people who saw fit to end a great
career by snapping their fingers? Why is
this school system set up such that a lynch
mob can run the show? And finally, why
were we, the students not asked our opin
ions?
Those are questions I for one would like
to hear answers for. I know it costs money
to keep a football team and I believe that
those people who support our team finan
cially should be the voice.
Well, what about that item called the
“student services fee” which 30,000 people
payed this foil. Isn’t that significant enough
to allow us the same choice?
Texas A&M has one thing that no other
university in the United States has — the
12th Man. Aside from supporting this in
stitution financially, we are the heart and
spirit of A&M. After having heard the reac
tions of my fellow students to this tragic
incident, it is my firm belief that had any
one bothered to ask for the 12th Man’s
opinion, it would have been for these self-
proclaimed “owners” ofour football team to
take their ideas and their money and get
out of A&M before they ruin our school.
A final note to those persons responsible
for this blunder — This week, you have
committed an act unheard of at Texas
A&M. You have chased one of the greatest
Aggies in the history of this university out
of his home.
■battalion: ' 7 *
We hope a lot of other Aggies feel this
loss, as well. Remember “we are the Ag
gies, the aggies are we, true to each other as
Aggies can be ...”
Note: football coaches excluded.
— Nadja Calvert, ’80
Lenette Deschamps, ’79
Cathy Martin, ’81
Editor’s note: this letter was
panied by four other signatures.
Boogie down Ags
coach for next year’s TAMU football team. 1 feeI extreme shame and embarrass-
He first came to TAMU in 1954. In his four
years here, his teams had a 25-14-2 record,
which included a SWC championship and a
Gator Bowl bid in separate years.
In the eight years immediately preced
ing him TAMU had a 27-47-7 record which
included only two winning seasons. In the
16 years after he left in 1957, TAMU had a
53-116-6 record which included only one
winning year and a SWC championship the
same year (1967) under Gene Stallings. Not
until Emory Bellard’s 1974 team would
TAMU again play winning football.
When this man first arrived in College
Station, he could have coached any team in
the nation. Instead he chose TAMU whose
program was at an all-time low. Upon arri
val, “he went directly to a Grove yell prac
tice, rolled up his sleeves, and gave the
Corps some enthusiasm to match theirs.
He won the hearts of the cadets right there.
When he registered at the MSC, he paused
momentarily when filling out his home ad-
dresss, then penned in College Station,
putting Lexington (Kentucky) behind
him.”
This man currently has over 250 career
wins in coaching and ranks only behind
Amos Alonzo Stagg and Pop Warner. He
currently is in Alabama and is now con
templating his retirement. His successor
has already been designated as Steve
Sloan, former Texas Tech coach now at
Mississppi who is also a former player
under this famous coach.
ment in knowing that such low individuals
would are to call yourselves AGGIES.
— Jim Humphreys, graduate student
Where y s loyalty?
Editor:
Well Ags, should we be proud of our
selves now? Bellard has resigned “under
pressure.” If the next coach, Tom Wilson,
loses two games are we going to “pressure”
him to quit too? We thought Ags never
“lost,” but were only outscored.
Well, it seems we did more than out-
score ourselves this time, Ags. When Be-
lalrd came to A&M, he took an inexperi
ence team and shaped it into a conference
contender — no less than a major feat. In
foct, we have attended three straight bowl
games. Whatever his methods, we believe
Bellard always A&M’s best interests at
heart, although sometimes we didn’t
understand or agree with his methods.
What has happened to that Aggie loyalty
that is so deeply embedded in our tra
ditions?
We were’nt aware that a couple of foot
ball victories meant life or death to this
Southwest Conference school. To us, Bel
lard and Aggie football are synonymous,
thus, losing Bellard is like losing a strong
Aggie tradition. We sense a great loss to
A&M and are very sorry to see him go.
Editor:
Well, Scott Pendleton, don’t you think
that you would have been ready to "quit the
stage” too (the Atlanta Rhythm Section
concert). Look at it from ARS’s point of
view. In the real world people hump up
and scream when somebody really gets
down on a guitar solo.
The A&M crowd looked like they were
Quaaed out. With the 11
notes, the rest of th& concert was remarka
ble in that so many people could remain so
motionless.
I’ve heard more noise out of a Perry
Como audience. The remark about the
sound system being too loud leads me to
believe that Perry Como may have been
the only performer M r. Pendleton has seen
in concert. A rock concert is going to be
loud, a lot louder than your average AM
radio, and the sooner you figure that out he
better off you’ll be. What kind of acoustic
excellence do you expect from the G. Rollie
White Echo Chamber?
The audience has got to give a little bit at
a concert also. I think too many people go to
a show with the attitude of “entertain me. ”
Worse yet, a lot of people go just because
it’s free.
Now I’m not going to call for an end to
free tickets, but I would urge people to
open their minds and yes, if necessary,
close your ears a little bit, and do some of
the hell raising that we are supposed to be
known for. The performer will enjoy it and
you might be pleasantly surprised at how
good you feel also.
By the way Scott, if you want to hear
LOUD, Black Sabbath and Van Halen are
going to be in Texas next month.
— Tim Lomax, ’79
First of all, half the candidates were not
even present. I found out later that some of
the candidates were not even informed of
this meeting much less the freshman class.
For “sake of time” the few speeches that
were heard at the beginning (from senator
candidates) were followed by a suggested
quick “howdy” from the presidential, vice
presidential, and other candidates.
This attitude seems to be the setting for
this whole election. I thought this forum
would give myself and other freshmen a
little more insight than billboards and a list
of names in the Batt two days before the
election.
At least I finally got a complete list of the
candidates from the Batt and surprise! Only
one person is running for social secretary.
— Jenny Dorsey, ’82
Clearing up ‘Taps’
Editor:
Fellow Aggies:
We wish to ; olear up the misunderstand^
ing in regards to Silver Taps and provide
some information on its tradition.
As taken from The Standard, “Silver
Taps is that final tribute paid to an Aggie
who, at the time of his death, was enrolled
in undergraduate or graduate classes at
Texas A&M. Nowhere else does a univer
sity recognize the passing of a student in
such a sincere way.”
Since this is the final tribute paid, the
occasion is marked by lights out and com
plete silence from 10 p.m. until approxi
mately 11 p.m. Due to the solemity of the
occasion, it is only fitting that the dress
reflect an attitutde of reverence and re
spect, similar to that worn to church or
Aggie Muster.
The area immediately behind the statue
of Lawrence Sullivan Ross is reserved for
the family and close friends of the de
ceased. After the third rendition of Taps is
played, the crowd will disperse quickly and
silently, leaving only the firing squad on
the plaza. The firing squad then quietly
leaves in an inconspicuous manner.
There is no cause or reason for the crowd
to stay, for the final tribute has been paid.
Thank you.
— David Stauch, ’79
and the Ross Volunteer Company Firing
Squad ’78-’79
Stoic audience
Talk with Dr. Miller
Dear Dr. Miller:
Some residents of Moses Hall are curious about the cost of dorm living. We pay $303 a
semester to live here. As there are 255 residents, this totals out to be $77,265 a
semester.
It seems incredible that $77,000 is needed to maintain a dorm built in 1943. We
would like to see a breakdown of expenses incurred in operation of this dorm.
— Charles Baxter, ’82
Dear Charles:
This is in response to your letter to the editor concerning the cost of “maintaining”
Moses Hall.
There are two essential items that you need to understand relating to our dormitory
operations. First, there are a number of requirements related to the dormitory
operations in addition to simple maintenance. These requirements are noted below.
Secondly, an item that most people do not understand is that the state provides no
funds for many of our operations on campus. Dormitories are one of these “auxiliary
enterprises” which must be operated on a self-sustaining basis from fees and rentals
paid by the user.
The funding of dormitory operations is a very complex procedure which includes
estimating annual expenditure requirements and occupany for the dormitories. For
the 1978-79 year, the budgeted costs for operating a dormitory like Moses Hall are as
follows:
Salaries and wages for custodial force $ 13,974
Other Expenses: Social Security,
Workers’ and Unemployment Insurance,
Repairs, Supplies, Telephone,
Building Insurance $ 29,296
Utilities: Heat, Air Conditioning,
Electricity, Water, Sewage $ 55,638
Capital Equipment for Custodial Force $ 250
Debt Service on Bond Issues for
Initial Dormitory Construction $ 30,468
Dorm Administration $ 23,936
$153,592
I trust this information will satisfy your concern regarding the cost of dormitory
living.
—Jarvis E. Miller
President
Editor:
This letter is in response to the article
“ARS is great, but too loud” by Scott Pend
leton in the Battalion, Oct. 23.
In the article the author complains that
the concert was too loud, but you do not go
to a rock concert and expect to hear mellow
music or you would if you were to see a
country folk festival.
Also, the lead singer did not dedicate
“Imaginary Lovers” to Farrah Fawcett-
Majors out of respect or admiration for t.u.
It was obvious sarcasm.
The worst putdown of ARS in the article
was the statement that ARS cut the first
number of their encore, “Rocky Raccoon.”
Indeed the song was cut, but this was done
out of respect for Paul McCartney and his
music.
Finally, the author states that the band
seemed glad to get off the stage. Usually a
band is glad to get off the stage, but they
leave with the notion that they’ve made
others happy.
Such was not the case on the Friday night
of the concert. There was probably nothing
ARS could possibly do to enthuse the stoic
Aggie audience. It’s true the Aggies have
great school spirit, but at this concert is
seems many went only because the ticket
was free.
— Paul M. Olinsld, ’82
Support defense
Elections a mess
Editor:
Being extremely interested in the up
coming freshman elections, I happened to
notice the small paragraph in the Oct. 24
Batt about a “meet the candidates” gather
ing that would be held at Duncan dining
hall.
It was stated that “all candidates would
be there.” As it turned out, I was very
disappointed that I took time off to go to
this unorganized meeting (the only one of
its kind).
Editor:
In reference to the political cartoon
printed in the Oct. 24 Battalion depicting
President Carter as a bombadier attempt
ing to assemble a neutron bomb before it is
to be chopped.
I would first like to point out that I realize
that these cartoons are not produced by the
Battalion staff, but I feel that the Presi
dent’s defense program and policies de
serve our support. His decisions regarding
defense have been made with American
safety first in his mind, and without sacrific
ing the remaining shread of morality that
such decisions could leave him.
The neutron bomb is a necessary weapon
in our anti-tank defense in Europe, but it
cannot be considered less than inhuman.
The moral justification lies in sparing the
European people the destruction that
comes from the use of more explosive nu
clear weapons, however, if the time for
nuclear war arrives (God forbid!), leaving
behind buildings and factories as a
memento of our humanity seems at best
hypocritical and at worst, horrendous.
Carter’s decision to delay the actual con
struction of the warheads shows that we
will not tolerate an increasing Russian
threat to Eastern Europe while still main
taining the humanity and ideals of the sac
redness of life that this great country stands
for.
I praise Carter’s defense politices;
moreover, I praise his entire administra
tion to date. I think the President deserves
and needs the support of the American
people. Republican and Democratic alike.
In the words of a former President, the
greatest threat to American security is the
opposition to the administration from the
American people!
— Robert Speer, ’81
P.S. Carter’s opposition to the construc
tion of another nuclear aircraft carrier is
another example of his insight in the needs
of world security.
Top of the News
CAMPUS
Ashland Oil donates $1,000
Ashland Oil Inc. contributed $1,000 to Texas A&M University’s
Center for Education and Research in Free Enterprise, Texas A&M
President Jarvis E. Miller announced. The gift from the Ashland,
Ky., based oil company brings total center contributions to more than
$2 million from corporations, foundations and individuals.
LOCAL
Mixed volleyball league formed
The Bryan Parks and Recreation Department will offer a mixed
volleyball league this winter. A managers meeting will be held at 203
E. 29th St. on Nov. 9 at 5 p.m. The cost per team will be $20. For
further information call 822-1054.
STATE
Gas ban should be reconsidered
Texas Railroad Commissioner Jon Newton told members of the
Independent Petroleum Association at their annual meeting in Hous
ton Tuesday that the commission should reconsider its ban on using
natural gas as a boiler fuel in light offederal plans for implementingthe
Natural Gas Policy Act. He said that he has learned plans are ready to
divert an additional 1.5 billion cubic feet of gas a day out ofTexas after
the federal law becomes effective. Newton remarked that the present
policy of the commission will succeed in taking significant quantities of
natural gas out of Texas and putting it into the hands of electric
powerplants and industrial facilities around the country. The three-
man Railroad Commission should re-examine and consider rescinding
the ban on use of gas as boiler fuel, he said. He explained that by
keeping the the ban on use of gas as boiler fuel that an unfair burden
would be placed on Texas because it would not be subject to the same
standards as the rest of the nation.
Houston heads off education suit
Houston school officials have enrolled a 7-year-old girl who sued
several school systems for alleged unconstitutional denial of public
education to illegal aliens. Lawyers for Mayra Aracefy Martinez and
the Houston Independent School District said immigration officials
reviewed her case and gave her a citizenship application file number—
required by HISD regulations. The Tuesday development eliminates
HISD as a defendant, but suits against other school districts remain,
said her lawyer. The suit filed in federal court named the Pasadena and
Goose Creek school districts on the same issue. A hearing has been
scheduled Nov. 13 to consider those complaints. The suit said the girl
and her mother entered the United States illegally in 1973 and the
mother married a citizen three years later. The girl had never attended
school.
High court hangs up on Ma Bell
The state Supreme Court in Austin Wednesday refused to recon
sider a decision denying Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. permission
to implement a $298.3 million rate increase, and one member of the
court warned the decision cuts to shreds a constitutional guarantee of
right to trial by jury. The court’s majority decision in the case, issuedjn
July, ruled Bell was not entitled to a full review of its rate case in
district court, and that the court only could consider the evidence
presented before the Public Utility Commission in deciding if the rate
allowed by the commission was fair. The PUC had authorized Bella
rate increase of $57.8 million instead of the $298.3 million sought.
Justice T.C. Chadick dissented, noting the court majority had ruled
the appeal of the rate case was determined by the Administrative
Procedure Act. That law provides for a review of administrative deci
sion by the court sitting without a jury and limited to the record made
during administrative hearings.
Utility law ruled unconstitutional
The state Supreme Court in Austin Wednesday ruled unconstitu
tional a provision of the Public Utility Regulatory Act which made
electric utilities operated by the cities of San Antonio, Floresville and
Robstown subject to state regulation. The court ruled provisions of the
law limited its application to those three municipal utilities, makingita
special or local law, which is prohibited by the constitution. At the
same time, the court ordered the Public Utility Commission to refund
$611,000 in disputed taxes levied against regulated utilities to the
cities ofSan Antonio and Floresville, which first initiated separate suits
challenging the law. Rohstown joined the suit after the cases had been
consolidated.
WORLD
Pilot still missing; reported UFO
Authorities in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday called off a land,
sea and air search for a missing pilot whose plane vanished Saturday
after he reported an unidentified flying object was chasing him. The
Federal Transport Department said eight civil aircraft and an air force
reconnaissance Orion had searched 1,000 square miles of ocean with
out success. But a spokesman for the agency said ships and planes
crossing the Bass Strait between Victoria and the island of Tasmania
would be asked to maintain a lookout for the wreckage of the missing
plane. The search was for Frederick Valentich, 20, who was flying a
single engine Cessna 192. Radio contact was lost as he was flying from
Melbourne to King Island, 130 miles to the south.
WEATHER
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Decreasing cloudiness with a 20% chance of rain today and
continued cool. High today 70 and low tonight in the mid
50’s. Winds are northerly at 10-15 m.p.h.
The Battalion
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.
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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 Tuesday
through Thursday.
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,
Reed McDonald Building, College Station, Texas 77843.
United Press International is entitled exclusively to the
use for reproduction of all news dispatches credited to it.
Rights of reproduction of all other matter herein reserved.
Second-Class postage paid at College Station, TX 77843.
MEMBER
Texas Press Association
Southwest Journalism Congress.
Editor Kim
Managing Editor LizNW
Assistant Managing Editor .Andy Willi**
Sports Editor David F
City Editor Jamie Ailk*
Campus Editor Steve 1*
News Editors Debbie ParsoK
Beth Calhoun
Staff Writers Karen Rogers, Mu'
Patterson, Scott Pendleto:
Sean Petty, Michelle Scuddf'
Marilyn Faulkenberry, Dial*
Blake Lee Roy Leschper, Jr
Cartoonist Doug Crahtf
Photographer Ed Cum#
Focus section editor Gary Weld
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-/>rofit,4
supporting enterprise operated by sliidc' 1
as a university and cornmunity riptttp&l
Editorial policy is determined by the edilt
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