New System: By this time, all of you have got into the swing of the new rotating schedule, and are no longer showing up in the wrong classes at the right times. You have also got used to bringing your lunch pails to school. Many of you, however, are still wondering what purposes were behind the change, and are curious to know why our old arrangement was dis-carded and a new system put in its place. As a matter of fact, the rotating schedule and the lunch pails are nothing more than manifestations and direct results of a deeper, more far reaching change. It all began when the schools became so over-crowded that some action was imperative. The question was, what action was to be taken? New grammar schools could have been built. A new high school might have been erected. Neither of these ever passed the possibility stage. Instead, an up-and-coming body of school officials, decided upon the arrangement that we now have: a 6-3-3 system, with six elementary grades, three years of junior high school, and three years of senior high school, the high schools to have longer periods and a longer school day.

Foreword: During the past year, the Oracle, as well as the whole student body, has witnessed a change in the spirit of Bangor High School. There has come into the school a greater share of those intangible elements which go to make up "school spirit." This change has taken place on the football field, on the basketball court, at club meetings, in the corridors, and most important in the minds of the students. This growth of school spirit has taken shape in the effort to wo cooperation, to aid in projects for the benefit of the school, to encourage class spirit and pride.

Student Council: Many of you who are Debate Club members attended this year's Class Debates. There you heard discussed a question of ever increasing importance the question of student council. This is a subject that has been popping up occasionally for several years; and with our present principal has come new interest in the problem. Mr. Chaplin has already expressed his great interest in and desire for a student council. However, not unlike a piece of math paper, the question has two sides.

The Nine Point System: Recently removed from its long occupied shelf and ostensibly put into effect upon a student body which heretofore has been largely, if not totally, unaware of its existence, is Bangor High School's nine point system. When first adopted, the system was intended, among other things, to safeguard students from overburdening themsives with outside activities and thereby causing their scholastic work to suffer, and also to prevent monopolization of important school offices by a few outstanding students.

B. H.S. Students Make Movie: The Road to the Tomb Horror Film! The Players: Balfour Golden, Ruth Carlisle, Paul Ford, Margaret Carlisle, Robert T Blake, John Woodcock, John Webster. Screen adaptation and direction by Paul Ford. Produced by John Alden Woodcock. Photography by Preston B. Rand. Art work by Lois Vincent. Running time: 40 minutes... Premier performance of this super spectacle of the century will take place at the forthcoming Debate Club dance on the twenty-first. At that time, unless we are much mistaken, this, the first motion picture ever made and played by Bangor High School students, will be seen by a huge and enthusiastically horrified audience.

Vocational Guidance: Vocational guidance has come more and more into prominence throughout the United States lately. Although we do not pretend to be acquainted with all the causes and the entire development of the idea, we believe that the machine age and the depression--that is, changes in our economic life--have been two of the more important reasons for its growth.

A Blanket Tax Plan for B. H. S.? Before attempting to make any sort of intelligent discussion of the blanket-tax idea it might be well for us to explain what the blanket-tax is. It is not, as its name might imply, a tax on blankets. It is a system, employed commonly by colleges and more and more frequently by high schools throughout the country of making available to students one "blanket" rate covering subscription to all school publications and admission to all athletic functions held by the school.

Foreword: When there is enough of widespread interest so that every student will want his subscription when the best of the school's literary talent is brought to light when the Oracle will capture for the total stranger a perfect detailed panorama of the school we know so well--when the atmosphere of the school may be divined in every line, and, above all, when our readers shall never know what novelty to expect in each succeeding issue then shall the aims for which past staffs have been working and which we have kept in mind be fulfilled.

Foreword: To interpret the school to the community to give the people of Bangor a elear and well-rounded picture of life at Bangor High School has been a definite aim of the 1937-38 Oracle Board. A wide-spread publicity campaign, which included red and white posters distributed through the town, gained a twenty percent increase in subscribers, a substantial number of whom were citizens of Bangor. In the magazine itself a department of special interest was "Who's Who Among the Teachers", which presented. pictures and brief accounts of various high school teachers. New members of the faculty, department heads, coaches, and others were featured this year. In every issue the Oracle presented a write-up of a prominent business concern which advertises with us. The HOBBIES section and CRACKS AND COMPLIMENTS--a style column were also new and interesting.

The R. O. T. C.--A Training for Youth: Ever since the 1890's, when military drill was instituted at Bangor High, feeling has run high concerning the value of the R. O. T. C. Opponents of drill have argued war, expense, and many other disadvantages or even dangers. In every case, however, the accusations have come from people who dislike military organizations because they suggest war. We believe that these objectors do not realize the real meaning and value of the R. O. T. C. Some might even uphold the complete abandonment of our regular army, although I believe this to be clearly unsound. It should be very evident that national safety as well as a great saving in men and money would be afforded us if our national reserve were capable of bringing to a swift conclusion any war into which we might be forced.

March: This is March, the month when winter leaves, when young men's fancies turn to thoughts of love, when hats are in the air, unless berets are in style, and when the members of the Oracle Board work their brains to the bone. This is the month of the mad March Hare, who signifies the fact that, supposedly, March is the maddest month of the year.

You Can Get It--If You Try: Probably the hardest thing for us to realize is the fact that we must soon become men and women and bear the burdens of a large and growing nation. However, with mid-years rolling around, we are forced to stop and think what we want to do after we graduate from high school. Are we going to attend some higher institution for education, or are we going to commence to make our living?

Can You Hear? What in the name of common-sense is that man saying?" asks the first student. Don't ask me; I can't hear him," says the second student. Conversation similar to this passes from the lips of students and teachers at each assembly. Due to stage curtains and the structure of the hall, the voices of assembly speakers are unheard by many people. Thie is probably the answer to the restlessness which sometimes arises during the address in chapel. The only way one can make himself heard is by talking in a very loud tone. This is a vory tiresome procedure for both speaker and audience.

Pictured above are four sergeants of the 75th Fighter Interceptor Squadron who recently gave blood to help a small five year old girl from Hodgdon, Maine survive a very serious operation. Shown standing by a 7-101B Voodoo (left to right) they are T/Sgt. George B. Caron, SMS Charles H. Marsh, Jr., T/Sgt. William J. Kessack, and S/Sgt. Charles A. Caron; all are maintenance men for the 75th FIS. T/Sgt. Caron is well known in boxing circles as the popular "Babe McCarran," middleweight champion of the state of Mame. A letter received by the information Office, DAFB, expresses the appreciation of the little girl's mother for the expeditious response for blood donations by these men. "Little Judy Simpson is home and happy, after a very delicate five hour, heart surgery. The operation became to save her life. Now she breathes easily and will be able to play normally as other youngsters do. So Judy says "Thanks Boys" to T/Sgt. George B. Caron and his wonderful friends from Dow Field, who gave the blood that made the operation possible." Judy is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Simpson, residents of Hodgdon, Maine (photograph). -- Airman Second Class Larry L. Hoskinson 4060th Armament & Electronics Maintenance Squadron, has just returned to Dow after completing the Aircraft Electronics Navigation Equipment Technician (ARN-14) course held at Plattsburg AFB, New York (photograph). -- First Lieutenant Francis E. Brandon, Jr., is the Information Officer for the 75th Fighter Interceptor Squadron and will be this squadron's contact for news that one might like to have published in the Tanker Times (photograph).

A portrait of the late second Lt. James F. Dow, for whom this base was named, was unveiled at the Dow Officers Club Saturday night. Present for the cermonies were (left to right) Col. George W.R. Zethren, Wing Commander; Robert N. Haskell, who presented the painting on behalf of the Civilian Advisory Council; Mrs. David Cotton of Houlton, a sister of Lt. Dow; Mrs. Daryl W. Pelletier, another sister of Lt. Dow (photograph). . -- With the 75th FIS picking off the Blue League basketball title at the season's halfway point, our spotlight turns to the Tigers' playing coach, Lt. Marvin Long. A native of Salisbury, Maryland, Marv played his high school basketball there (photograph). -- S/SGT Art Ramalho contributes a column called the "Service Club Lowdown"

The face of Bangor's Paul Bunyan receives a touch up by Mr. J. Norman Martin of Tom Kane Advertising. The job was recently completed when city officials noticed that the paint had begun to chip and asked Dow to furnish a de-icer to use on the job. The OMS de-icer is operated here by TSgt. Robert E. Dlckens (photograph). -- Col. George W. R. Zethren, Wing Commander (far right) pins commendation medals on four Dowmen who were honored at the recent Wing Executive Briefing. Awarded were (left to right) Lt. Col. Willard J. Beahan, Director ot Personnel, Lt. Col. Marion L. Dixon, Comptroller, Major Hyman Mod ledsky, Aircraft Maintenance vfficer with OMS and MSgt. Arnold Heldt, Acting Family Services Officer (photograph). -- A view of the construction currently underway on the new school for the Capehart area. Just started, the school will be finished in time for Capehart youngsters to occupy next September at the start of the school year. The last of the Capehart housing units have been inspected, accepted and committed to the new occupants (photograph).

Friday, November 20th would have marked the 46th birthday of Lt. James Fredrick Dow, the Air Force officer for whom this base was named. Born in Oakfield, Maine, in 1913 James Dow was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry H. Dow. His father was then superintendent of the Northem Division of the Bangor and Aroostook railroad. Lt. Dow lost his life when two Army Air Force bombers collided a half mile above Queens borough. New York. All 11 men aboard the two planes were killed. This base was named for Lt. James Dow on January 23, 1942 by the US Army Air Corps (photograph of Lt. Dow). -- The Dow Taxi Fleet which for the second consecutive month has exceeded the criteria for 100% in the SAC MCS analysis. Directed by SSgt. Maurice Martin and A/2C Larry Burns, the fleet recorded 6,959 taxi runs during October, 1,000 more than is required. At the same time the driver incentive award went to A/2C Terry Rugan for 944 runs while A/2C Gerald Gllver was runner-up with 941 (pretty amazing photograph). -- Mrs. Betty M. Cabeen, wife of MSgt. Richard Cabeen, right, Boom Operator on a KC-97 aircraft of the 34lst ARS is checked out on the operation of the boom by her husband. This all occurred last Friday when the wives of the 341st took over their husbands' jobs for one afternoon to better understand their jobs as well as the SAC and AF mission (another great photograph).

Members of the OJT Administrator Course which graduated last Friday. The classes are conducted by TSgt. Kenneth Balsley, OJT Adntinistrator Supervisor with ATC. A class is graduated every two weeks. Members of this class are (left to right) front row: TSgt. Balsley, instructor, A/1c Ronald Jodon, Kenneth Tauriainen, A/1c William Heffelfinger, SSgt. Joseph Dostie, SSgt. Kenneth Tate, Lt. Guy Bentivenga, presenting officer. Back row (left to right): SSgt. Wayne Jones, SSgt. Ronert McCarthy, TSgt. Archie Fairbrother, MSgt. Joseph Leonard, SSgt. Howard Heino, MSgt. Norbert Warren (photograph). -- A/2c Norman S. Saue selects correct aperture opening for his lens and determines proper focus prior to taking picture of a damaged aircraft part (photograph). -- A/2c Gene Comeau 4060th Transportation Squadron broke the ice for the squadron's hunters last week by bagging this 150 pound deer. He used a 30-30 rifle and downed his deer in Hampden Maine (photograph).

Second Lieutenant Frederick M. Johnson, Pilot of a T-33 trainer jet which collided with an F-102 Delta Dagger in the Flagstaff area of Maine. Both aircraft involved were based at Ethan Allen AFB, Vermont, and were on routine training missions. Lt. Johnson ejected and fell into the Maine woods where he spent the night hanging in his chute harness from a tree. Lt. Johnson says that from the experience he has learned to respect the equipment and stated that all the ejection equipment works just as he had been instructed (photograph of Lt. Johnson). -- A/2C James Wheeler, A/3C Herbert Smith and A/3C Don MacLellan, all of the Dow Fire Department get set for some pre-season basketball practice at Dow's recently opened Gymnasium. One of the finest in SAC, the new building and equipment cost nearly a half million dollars (photograph). -- Mr. Carl E. Babcock, civilian employe of the Transportation Squadron, receives a check for $65.00 from squadron commander Major J. W. Woodill for a suggestion to improve refueling equipment. Mr. Babcock suggested that a quick coupling be placed on the refueling stub of trailers, attaching the outer half to the defueler hose as a permanent part of the hose. A locking snapover ring could then be used to join the two pieces together, making a leak and fume proof joint, thereby eliminating any fire hazard (photograph).

Deputy Wing Commander Colonel Lawson C. Horner, Jr., cuts the ribbon to indicate that Dow's new half million dollar gymnasium is officially open. Standing by are (far left) Major Phillip N. Blanchard, assistant director for Services, Miss Olaire Rangow, Service Club Director (second from right) and Mr. Manual Ferris, Recreation Director (far right). Standing in the background are several Dow airmen waiting to enter the new gym on opening day (photograph). -- Screen star Joan Crawford arrived in Bangor last week to participate in the opening of a beverage plant in Brewer Miss Crawford is a director of the beverage company and is known in the company as "the hostess with the mostess" (photograph). -- MSgt. Arnold Heldt, acting Family Services Officer for Dow was recently reunited with his 17-year-old son, Butch, after having not seen each other for more than 13 years. After basic training in Texas, Butch came all the way across country from Washington state to Maine by bus for this reunion with his dad. Butch will be stationed here at Dow. They are the only father-son Air Force family on this base (photograph).

Dow's new RAMAC machine prints the daily financial statement of the Base Supply Account as Col. George W. R. Zethren, Wing Commander, and Captain William A. Brazill, Assistant Base Supply Officer look on. The information is stored in RAMAC's "memory drums" and is made available to the Base Supply Officer and th'l Financial Services division. The entire operation is complete in just seven minutes. The same job previously took three people and the facilities of the . base· machine room five days to complete (photograph). RAMAC = Random Access Method of Accounting. -- Recent births to Dow personnel and spouse included sons born to Mr. & Mrs. Murray Hennigar, Mr. & Mrs. Louis Leville, Mr. & Mrs. Leslie Luther, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Carrigan, Mr. & Mrs. Chester L. Harris, and daughters to Mr. & Mrs. James E. Gettinger, Mr. & Mrs. Richard McKale, and Mr. & Mrs. Rene Poirer. -- Miss Pricilla Dogde, Dow Base librarian, attended a conference in Tallahassee, Florida.

Sgt. Gerald w. Icenogle FMS, Class 59G or the Dow NCO Prep School accepts the class honor award. SSgt. Carl R. Terry, also of FMS, won the same award during graduating exercises for class 59H thereby making morale and esprite in that squadron stand way high (photograph). -- The Installations Squadron tag football team, this year's base champions. Members are, standing (left to right) Jack Keith, Wilbur Wright, Salvador Domingues, Glenn Roberson, Don Plamondon, Francis Woody, Robert Meyers, Richard Olson, Edgell Anderson, George Parker. Kneeling (left to right) Wiley Bratcher, Hubert Cannon, Michael Oominsky, George Hoshino, Patrick Gallagher, Galen Creighton, Dean Welts, "Gus" Gustafson, and Don Double (manager) (photograph). -- Two new Dental Officers arrived at Dow. These men were Harold H. Gardy and Stanley S. Gold (photographs).

Another member of the Dow chapter of the SAC Aero club to recenclv fly solo was Mrs Ann Mllls. Mrs. Mills is the wife of 1st Lt. Leo T. Mills, an Aircraft Commander with the 71st Refueling Squadron (includes picture). -- Fire station personnel who successfully completed their High School GED tests surround TSgt. Newell Hersey (back row, third from left) education NCO for the 4060th Installations Sq. Pictured are, back row (left to right): A/3C Robert Staley, A/2C Junior Patton, A/3C Curtis Peterson. Front row (left to right) SSgt. Frank Walters, A/2C James Johnson, A/2C Patric Kartes and A/ C William Rankin (includes photograph). -- Six Dowmen reenlisted. These were: James R. Thrower, Edward C. Niedorowski, William S. Haney, Ezra W. Dougherty, James Eskdale, and Richard A. Petrie.

Dow AFB was the scene this week of the annual NCO Executive and Advisory Council meeting. Members began arriving here last Saturday from all Eighth Air Force Bases. The week was highlighted by the arrival of Major General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr., Commander 8th AF. --Delegates to the council were: MSgt. Stephens, Westover AFB; MSgt. Shoar, MacDill AFB; MSgt. Pollack, Thule AFB; MSgt. Skeritt, Westover AFB; MSgt. Cawvey, Lockbourne; MSgt Holland Turner AFB; SSgt. Varela, Goose Bay AFB; MSgt. Kendall, Loring AFB; SMSgt. Popalis, Hunter AFB; SMSgt. Barrett, Griffiss AFB; MSgt Topoel, Presque lsle AFB; MSgt Kubler, Plattsburgh AFB; MSgt. Metheny, McCoy AFB; SMSgt. Cauthon, Sonderstrom Fjiord AFB; SMSgt. Hancock, Eglin AFB; SMSgt. Wheeler, Hamey AFB; SMSgt. Salon, Westover AFB; SMSgt Neher, Plattsburgh AFB; SMSgt. Leonard, Pease AFB; SMSgt Hufford, Westover APB; SMSgt Wester, Ernest Harmon AFB; MSgt. Streeter, Seymore Johnson APB; SMSgt Martin, Westover AFB. MSgt. Lathrop, Dow AFB; SMSgt. Mayer, Homestead AFB; SMSgt. Sloan, Kindley AFB, SMSgt Boderhammer, SAC HQ Captain Wilkinson, Advisor from Westover AFB (photographs of all men are present). -- The annual meeting of the Maine Library Association was held recently in Bangor. At the end of the annual meeting last Friday there. was an open house and tea at the Dow Library. The base provided transportation from the meeting site to the library and return. Pictured above are (l to r) Miss Hazelton, Maine State Librarian; Mrs. Alvin Thiessen, wife of Chief of Reference Service UN; Mr. John McKenna, Librarian, Colby College; Miss Elinor Ferguson, Executive Secretary of Public Library Association, Division of ALA; Mrs. Marian Stubbs, retired Maine State Librarian; Miss Priscilla Dodge, Dow AFB Librarian (photograph).