The Cadet. VMI Newspaper. March 29, 1948 - New Page 1 [www2 ...

The V. M. I. Cadet
Published Monday afternoons. Entered as second class matter
September 18, 1946 at the Post Office at Lexington, Virginia, under
the Act of March 3, 1879. Subscription during regular school year,
$3.00.
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J. A. Allison, Jr. Editor-in-Chief
I. M. Scher Managing Editor
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O. L. Slayton Assistant Editor
Lon Walter Sports Editor
W. R. Whitehurst Feature Editor
E. T. Watling Alumni Editor
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George Stein Advertising Manager
G. R. Evans—R. T. Spencer Photography
Joe Kovarik—Bob Trumbo—Bill Guin
Cartoonists
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Renton, Reardon, Tauss, Miller, Oast, Walser, Smith
Casey, Wright, Robertson, Gorham, Timmins, Lamont,
White, Read, May, Masquelette, Henson, Bennett,
McDonald, Cohen, Edwards, Prillaman, Rammell.
Feinman, Saunders, Moncrief, Kohen, Newcomb.
Words Or Action
There is at VMI, and surely at every other school,
a great deal of room for improvement from many aspects.
Especially is this need apparent in the academic
realm, from the standpoint both of the instructor and
of the student. There have been during the course
of this year a great many "gripes" made by cadets
SHEAR
BULL
BY ZEKE SCHER
Stoop Poop. . .
John—"Honest Johfi"—Marshall,
erstwhile keydet of the class of '43,
visited the Institute last week. He
came in search of some "props" for
"his" production of "Brother Rat".
John is now a civil senior at VPI
and also the president of the dramatic
society. In the VMI epic, the
choice role of "Bing Edwards"—the
married bewildered chemist—has
fallen to John. John is married so
he should have little trouble being
bewildered. However to look the
part he is finding it necessary to
reduce a bit. I won't say John's
chubby but he has already lost
twenty pounds and hopes to lose
twenty-five more and get down to
225 by curtain time. At VMI Cadet
Marshall was dexterous in various
activities, appearing in the second
class show, writing for the Cadet,
etc. He joined the navy shortly after
Pearl Harbor never again to matriculate
at our glorious institution.
However he still has "the old spirit"
—promoting VMI at VPI no less . . .
This week's big three hit tunes
on the Lucky Shaft Hit Parade, determined
by a survey of people who
know, are The Blue Book Song,
I'm Lookin' Over the OC's Shoulder,
annd I. c . C. You in My Dreams,
Th e most popular rendition of the
The Wolf
Letters to the
Editor
about various phases of the academic program. Many leading song. The Blue Book Song, To the VMI Corps
of these "gripes" have been trivial and inconsequential
; but some have been serious and well grounded. In
is by Stoop & His PX Coffee Dunkers,
on daily except Sunday from
}000 to 1015. . .
addition to this latter class of complaint, there have
• • • »
been many constructive suggestions made by various
members of the Corps, suggestions which we believe
"Ah just cain't stand it! I won't,
1 won't, I won't."
to be worthy of careful consideration by the Academic Now, now Jack—take it easy.
This isn't just "another" story. This
Board, the Superintendent, and the Board of Visitors.
is IT.
But these well founded complaints and constructive
suggestions never reach the ears of those authorities
qualified to take action, because they are lost in
the mass of trivia which comprise the subjects of
"But do Ah have to write this
one I'm young"
Sure you're young. You can take
; Besid . e f_ t . he . resu u wlu be worth
.
most of the "bullsessions" in barracks. Consequently
the causes of complaint continue and the complaints
grow bitterer and bitterer.
Now there is we think, a practicable solution to
this problem. That solution is the informal organization
of a cadet committee to study the academic situation
from the cadet's point of view; to compile, evaluate
and organize the complaints; and finally to draw
up a report of findings and recommendations and submit
it to the Superintendent. Let's consider each of
these functions of the proposed committee a little more
in detail.
almost ANY risk. We owe it to the
Corps, so YOU do it.
Shaking with fear he set off down
the hill. Next week, readers, the
Cadet will feature a story on the
VMI mess hall—about how the food
is prepared, how it looks, meat loaf
(what's in it), fried eggs,—ugghhh..
* > • •
The past week has seen somewhat
of a general relief in the troublesome
world situation. Joe Palooka
came out triumphant; Fearless Fosdick
turned up only superflicially
wounded and sent the Chippendale
to the "chair" Deen Wilderness has
been whisked to safety in the "bul-
The committe first of all should study the academic
situation. Its study should be undertaken with
three objectives: (1) to determine what subjects cadets let^plttto* man-bird". However
, , ,, j. . it i j the situation of Buzz (Sawyer) is
need to prepare them for 1post college life; (2) to de- , , , '
,
iv/
far from encourageing and the postermine
what changes are necessary in the present sibility of Sheriff Phil Finn entering
curriculum to provide these subjects; (3) to determine national politics is frightening. On
what changes are necessary in the methods of instruc- the whole though, things looked up
tion and study now used to enable a cadet to receive last week.
the greatest benefits from his course.
Secondly, the committee should compile and evaluate
complaints. This function would entail the canvassing
of a cross section of the Corps for opinions,
the recording of gripes overheard in conversation etc,
and the organizing of the material thus obtained into
a coherent and unified whole. Two ends would be
gained by such a method: it would bring careless statements
and opinions under close scrutiny; and it would
"Oh! Don't bother standing, Wally."
704 Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Va.
The Maroon Mask is really rolling
with "Brother Rat". We finished
line rehearsals March 11 and after
our exams and spring vacation are
over we will resume. From now on
we do the whole play each night
without scripts.
The stage crew works sets
while the actors rehearse. And,
while the actors are not rehearsing
they give the stage crew a hand.
The sets are shaping up very nicely,
and while we are on the subject
of sets, I might as well tell you
about some of the things we are
doing to give as much authenticity
to the play as possible.
What's the most impatient thing
in the world Mrs. Houston Childress,
government employee, VMI
postal officials and ace letter-putterup-er,
claims it's the guys who stick
one arm through that post office
box and simultaneously yell "any
for me any for me'' from 0800
until the "all-up" sign is posted
around 1100. Now she sez she thor-
The barracks-room scene is really
going to amaze you, through the
kindness of Col. Grove and others.
We are going to have on our stage
the following: A table (green) a
shoe shine stool (also green) three,
lockers (ditto), a nifle rack (jade),
an orderly board, three hays, and
other articles of VMI furniture and
accouterments too numerous to
mention. We are sending a truck to
Lexington a week before production
to pick up the heavy equipment.
In addition to the above array of
genuine VMI articles, we have been
practicing off stage turnouts, bugle
calls complete with big toot, little
toot
and shake-a-leg, and also the
anxious voice of the sentinel when
the O. C. is in the Courtyard.
The scene in front of barracks
is not going to look too authentic,
but authentic enough. Our equipment
and budget will only allow
us to make it one story. I strongly
fear that the reception room is going
to be the barracks room belonging
to the three roommates—but we
shall see what we shall see.
Everybody is really going overmake
those worthy of attention intelligible to the oughly understands the anxiety pent board over here, working on this
authorities.
Finally, the committee should prepare with deliberate
care a report of its activities, findings, and recommendations.
up in each cadet as he daily expects
that note from "the sweetest
girl in the world". "But when you
production and the enthusiasm is
something to write home about. The
rat in the play is actually a- rat in
Then this report should be presented to
don't receive that letter, please remember
there's a lady present. does a peach of a job getting him-
the VPI Cadet Corps, and he really
the Superintendent for his consideration and presentation
to the Academic Board and the Board of Visitors. Their girls just couldn't possibly be don't do bad either. .PS: The prize
Some boys get sooo disappointed. self finned out. The tinners out
We suggest that this committee be organized this
spring; that it be comprised predominantly of members
of the First Class since they are most familiar
with conditions; that interest be stirred by letters to
the editor of the Cadet expressing the view of the
Corps.
what they call them!"
line stays in!
Well fellows, that's about it so
Sitting in the barber shop the
far. The club hopes that a monster
other day—sweating out a line of
turnout from VMI shows up Saturday
night, April 17. Any VMI cadet
eight before me—the final flurry of
events proceeding the "Next!" attracted
my attention. In one sweep
who can make it will be admitted
to the play on his uniform and we
The very fact that we are in college is evidence of the arm the barber wets the
will have a rserved section for them
shaving grush, swoops up a lather,
of our ability to think seriously about academic problems.
Now let's get together and give expression to
back from the stage.
at dead center about fifteen rows
swabs the neck and ears, grabs his
razor and LOOK OUT! ! Well, after
our ideas. They will be heard if they are worth hearing! the shaving process he picked up
Yours truly,
this limp towel in the sink, washed
John Marshall,
the fellow's neck off, threw the
President Maroon Mask.
KehglOUS Policy towel back into the sink—five seconds
later the "Next!" signal. As
VMI '43
Much has been said and written within recent
each nine minute period elapsed
months about the general subject of religious activities, and another head was "cut", the finger on when the transformation
and specificallyabout compulsory attendance at church «nai flurry found the same limp took place, but here it is!
towel having a
services. The Cadet has published a series of editorials
star P osltion ' ,
,. , , , , . , , , ,, . -. ,, "How often do you use a clean
which have been centered about two themes: (1) the
unadvisability of compulsory attendance; (2) the a^
visability of a system where by cadets may attend all
church services voluntarily and without prejudice.
This week we are writing about the same subject,
but we are writing to invite the Corps' attention to
the arrangements made by the Superintendent for
cadets to attend pre-Easter services. This voluntary
towel"
(A sound here in reply which I
can only compare with Doodle's
•UUUUUU")
"Isn't that one rather dirty"
"Oh we can't use a clean one
every time, ya know."
No doubt they can't use a clean
one every time. What are the re-
The "Old Men" of 103, hobbling
along like octogenarians—Eddie
Bowers, having had a mishap in the
stables and Ted Wilson, having just
returned from the hospital where
he had a minor bone operation. Incidentally
the total age of the three
men in room 103 is over 79 years, the
total age of the three men in room
328 is 51 years. Hmmm . . .
A beautiful charmer was cuddling
system is precisely what is needed for true spiritual quirements then for a clean towel up to this cadet outside the waitwelfare
; we say without any doubt that the mere granting
Five-ten-twenty "haircuts"
ing room, obviously meeting for
of permission to attend freely the various pre-
the first time in quite a while.Almost
Easter services did the cause of religion in the Corps
Things To See: You wake up one in a clinch, the Cadet mumbles, "Aw
morning and there's flowers, the cut it out Sis." Hope once more
more good than compulsory attendance for the past
trees budded and there's dozens of shines in the eyes of the surrounding
year has accomplished.
chirping birds. You can't put your wolves!
By Leonard Sansone
ALUMNI
NEWS
New Chapters
Two alumni are starting an
Alumni Chapter in the Newark-
Orange area of New Jersey. There
are over one-hundred Alumni in
this immediate vicinity and with the
cooperation of everyone in this
area a sizable chapter should result.
All Alumni in this area are urged to
write Alexander "Mickey" Cochran,
56 Greenwood Avenue, Montclair,
or call MO 3-2611 night or
day.
Under the guidance of O.L.Denton
Secretary of the VMI Foundation,
Inc., Alumni of the Orlando, Florida
area met on 28 February at the Orlando
Air Force Base Officer's Club
to make plans for the establishment
of a Central Florida Chapter of the
Alumni Association. Among those
attending were Gen. George H.
Brett, Turner R. Ratrie, Winter
Park, Marion - P. Echols, Jr., Dr.
William O. Fowler, Waldo R. Hills,
Jr., H. Stuart Johnston, Joseph P.
Lea, and John A. McEwan, all of
Orlando.
Incidental
Robert B. Pegram Jr., Class of
'22, has been named a member of
the executive committee of the
Harvard Graduate School of Business
Administration's Atlanta Alumni
group.
William H. Old, Class of 1928, has
been appointed General Purchasing
Agent of the American Shoe Brake
Company of New York.
The Cameron brothers, Bruce B.
(1938) and Daniel D. (1942), are
co-managing the MacMillan & Cameron
Co., said to be the largest
service station in North Carolina.
In addition to this station in Wilmington,
they operate large terminal
facilities, conduct a large wholesale
business in tires and parts, and
operate a modern machine shop
for truck and equipment repairs.
Walton Butterfleld, Class of 1925,
an account executive ef H. B. Humphrey
Co., of Boston, has been elected
a vice-president of that company.
Any cadet or alumni having news
of alumni are urged to contact Major
Jacobs in Alumni Hall or the Alumni
Editor in Room 225.
Nothing robs a man of his good
looks like a hurriedly drawn shade.
Imagination...
^T YA . DID
Notes
General Sun Li-Jen, Class of 1927,
now in command of all Chinese
Army Training Bases in Formosa
where, with the help of United
States advisors, military units are
being schooled. General Sun commanded
the crack United States
trained new First Army in Burma
during the
YEARS AGO AT V. M. I.
By
FRANK C. GORHAM
With the Easier Hops only a matter
of days away, all barracks is
looking forward to a weekend of
pleasure and enjoyment, and in addition,
the class of 1950-A is looking
forward to receiving their class
rings.
Thc first VMI class rings made
their appearance just one hundred
years ago, the class of 1848 being
the first to adopt them. The 1848
rings were engraved inside, "1 of
24, July 1848", and there was also
some ingraving on the stone. (The
rings were not received until the
final graduation of the class in July,
1848.) The cost of these rings was
five dollars.
After this time, and for a great
many years, each class had its own
distinctive ring. Thc design of some
of these rings depended on influence
of the times, for example, that of
the class of 1861. The ring of this
class were set with a bloodstone,
in which was engraved two mortars
in the act of firing.
One ring of this class has a particularly
interesting history. Originally
owned by Captain W. A.
Smith, CSA. it was presented by
him to a lady of Lexington who had
nursed him when he had been
wounded. The lady in turn gave
the ring to her brother, who was
captured by Union forces. The ring
was confiscated by the captors, and
then passed through many hands
until it was sent in 1904 to General
Shipp, then Superintendent.
During thc latter part of the nineteenth
century, the custom of class
rings gradually died out, and it
was not revived until 1908. After this
time, many classes, which had graduated
prior to 1908 adopted rings
for their alumni, and all underclassmen
have received rings in
their second class year.
Highways and Byways
By Charles H. Carson
A series of articles is now being
printed in the Bristol (Va.) Herald-
Courier, called "Highways and Byways"
and dealing with the history
of Abingdon, Va., the oldest Incorporated
Anglo-Saxon town on the
waters flowing to the Mississippi.
They are written by Chas. H. Carson
of Roanoke, (Class 1915.)
At the present point in thc series
they are dealing with the history
of the Abingdon Academy which
has been in operation, although now
a High School, for 145 years. There
is an unusual tie-up in the history
of this old school with thc Virginia
Military Institute.
It is during this period that we
arc carrying these articles, of which
the following is the first, through
the courtesy of th Bristol Herald-
Courier and Mr. Carson.
On a very hot day in July, 1840,
a hundred and eight years ago, a
young man was noticed walking
down the streets of Abingdon wearing
a strange looking uniform, and
immediately attracted the attention
of both old and young.
He was Benjamin Sharp, on his
way to his home in Lee County, after
his first year as a cadet in a new
school which the year before had
opened for business in the little
valley town of Lexington.
He was wearing a coatee made of
gray cloth all decked out in shining
metal buttons, and his pantaloons
were of white. He was one of twenty
young Virginians who on November
11th 1839, had taken over the
State Guard at the arsenal in Lexington,
and had run up the flag of
a new institution of learning - - the
Virginia Military Institute.
Among the many who saw Cadet
Sharp that day was an Abingdon
boy who had just turned seventeen
years of age. In later years, after he
himself had graduated from the
same school; had made a name for
himself in the Mexican War and
was resting upon his laurels as a
general: he said that Sharp's was
John L. Guest
Consulting Engineer
Travelers Building
Riohmond, Va.
Compliments Of A Friend
MASON-HAGAN, INC.
the first VMI uniform he ever saw,
and from that minute, had determined
that he also would wear one.
This Abingdon youngster was Arthur
Campbell Cummings.
Thus was forged one link in a
chain of events that ever since has
closely bound Abingdon with the
Virginia Military Institute, and one
which only nine years after that
chance encounter on Abingdon
strets, was to see the Abingdon
Academy turned into a school modeled
after that of the institute.
Graduating with young Cummings
in the class of 1844, was another
boy from Abingdon - - John Arthur
Campbell. He then entered the
university and became a judge of
the Circuit Court of Virginia, and
later a member of the Secession
Convention and a colonel in the
Confererate Army. After he was
graduated in law he was a prominent
legal mind of Abingdon, and
he also may have had something
to do with the appointment of Mr.
Ficklin. Also for one year, in 1844,
still another Abingdon boy was a
cadet at the institute. He was James
T. Preston.
Then to give more of a military
flavor to the thinking of those who
were most interested in the Abingdon
Academy, there was John B.
Floyd of Abington, who as governor
of Virginia in 1849 (the year
of Finklin's appointment) - - was
automatically a member of the VMI
Board of Visitors.
Anyway, with public thinking as
it was, there were in Abingdon
many men of distinction who may
have favored, and in fact encouraged,
a military man for the school
- - and a VMI man at that. So
Finklin came to Abington 1
(to Be Continued)
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