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Vol. XIX NEW SERIES No. 3
Published by the
Council of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Four Times During the Collegiate Year
FRANK PRENTICE RAND, M.A., Editor Amherst, Massachusetts
JANUARY, 1928
Application has been made for transfer of second class entry from the post office at New Haven, Connecticut, to the post office at Menasha, Wisconsin.
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS
A — March 15, 1873. Massachusetts Agricultural College. Amherst, Mass.
B — Feb. 2, 1888. Union. Chapter Houses, 519 Mercer St., Albany, and 201 Seward Place, Schenectady, N.Y.
r — Feb. 26, 1889. Cornell. 702 University Ave., Ithaca, N.Y.
A — Feb. 24, 1891, West Virginia. 672 North High St., Mor- gantown, W.Va.
E — June 3, 1893. Yale. 124 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn.
Z— Dec. 19, 1896. C.C.N.Y. 473 West 140th St., New York City.
H — Jan. 8, 1897. Maryland. Princeton and Dartmouth Sts., College Park, Md.
® — Dec. 16, 1897. Columbia. 550 W. 114th St., New York City.
I — March 15, 1899. Stevens. 810 Hudson St., Hoboken, N.J.
K — June 7, 1899. Penn State. State College, Pa.
A— Oct. 7, 1899. George Washington. 1882 Eye St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
M — March 10, 1900. Pennsylvania. 3618 Locust St., Phila- delphia.
N — March 9, 1901. Lehigh. Third and Cherokee Sts., South Bethlehem, Pa.
H — April 12, 1902. St. Lawrence. 78 Park St., Canton, N.Y.
O — May 24, 1902. M.I.T. 487 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass.
n — April 18, 1903. Franklin and Marshall. 437 W. James St., Lancaster, Pa.
,2 — May 16, 1903. St. John's. Campus, Annapolis, Md.
T — March 25, 1905. Dartmouth. Hanover, N.H.
Y — Feb. 10, 1906. Brown. 406 Brook St., Providence, R.L
$ — March 24, 1906. Swarthmore. Swarthmore, Pa.
X — June 16, 1906. Williams. Williamstown, Mass.
'^ — Jan. 19, 1907. Virginia. Virginia Ave., Charlottesville, Va.
Q. — Feb. 12, 1909. California. 2412 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, Calif.
aa — May 9, 1910. Illinois. 1004 South Second St., Cham- paign, 111,
DIRECTORY 107
B'^^ — May 12, 1910. Minnesota. 1018 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis.
r^ — April 13, 191 1. Iowa State. 142 Gray St., Ames, Iowa.
A^ — Feb. 27, 1915. Michigan. 1043 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich.
E^ — June 8, 191 5. W.P.I. 11 Dean St., Worcester, Mass.
Z^ — Jan. 13, 1917. Wisconsin. 260 Langdon St., Madison, Wis.
H^. — March 4, 191 7. Nevada. 737 Lake St., Reno, Nev,
®^ — Feb. 19, 1921. Oregon Agricultural College. 27 Park Terrace, Corvallis, Ore.
I^ — March 24, 1923. Kansas State. 1630 Humboldt, Man- hattan, Kansas.
K^^ — April 7, 1923. Georgia Tech. 90 W. North Ave., At- lanta, Ga.
A^ — April 25, 1923. University of Washington. 4554 Six- teenth Ave. N.E., Seattle, Wash.
M-^ — April 26, 1923. Montana. loii Gerald Ave., Missoula, Mont.
N'^ — May 2, 1923. Stanford University. Lomita Drive and May field Ave., Stanford, Calif.
H^ — Feb. 3, 1925. Tennessee. 1816 West Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn.
O^ — Feb. 7, 1925. Alabama. 1423 University Ave., Tusca- loosa, Ala.
n^ — Feb. 21, 1925. Ohio State. 325 Fifteenth Ave., Colum- bus, Ohio.
P^ — March 13, 1925. Gettysburg. Gettysburg, Pa.
2^— April II, 1925. Nebraska. 348 N. 14th St., Lincoln, Neb.
T^ — Nov. 13, 1926. Carnegie. 1408 Wightman St., Pitts- burgh, Pa.
Y^ — Nov. 20, 1926. North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C.
$^ — Nov. 27, 1926. Kentucky. 211 East Maxwell St., Lexing- ton, Ky.
X^ — Dec. 18, 1926. Washington State. Pullman, Wash.
*^ — Dec. 21, 1926. Oregon. Eugene, Ore.
$ s K FRATERNITY
OFFICERS, 1926-1928
The Supreme Court
Gilbert J. Morgan, Chancellor H '07
3925 Canterbury Road, Baltimore
Arnold C. Otto, Recorder A '11
1413 First National Bank Bldg., Milwaukee, Wis.
William A. McIntyre M '04
25 Broadway, New York City
Dr. Joseph E. Root, 904 Main St., Hartford, Conn A '76
George J. Vogel, Torrington, Conn r '91
Dr. Walter H. Conley, Welfare Island, New York City B '91
The Council
President — Alvin T. Burrows A '03
III N. Race St., Urbana, 111.
Vice Presidents —
Howard F. Dunham T '11
Hanover, N.H.
Joseph H. Batt A '16
Insurance Building, Washington, D.C.
William F. Wood H '10
240 Bush St., San Francisco, Calif.
James A. Barger A^ '20
4046 W. Philadelphia Ave., Detroit, Mich.
Raymond G. Lafean M '19
3400 Forbes St., Pittsburgh
Secretary-Treasurer — Ralph J. Watts A '07
Lawrence College, Appleton, Wis.
M emhers-at-large
Charles H. Ruedi A^ '17
137 East Main St., Decatur, 111. Edgar T. Fell :S '13
Citizens' National Bank Bldg., Baltimore
®!j? ^tgnrt
Vol. XIX NEW SERIES No. 3
TWO POEMS Robert Calvin Whitford, Z '12
THE DEAN In an ugly office, bare and desolate, With yellow desks and brown and yellow chairs Arrayed against the wall in gruesome pairs Like skeletons where diggers desecrate Some antique charnel house, young sinners wait. Invited guests who droop with primal cares And at a signal shamble up the stairs. Each in his turn, to see the face of fate.
The upper room is carpeted and cool And there before a genial grate fire he Whom college lads go haltingly to see Reluctantly prepares to chide a fool Or, eagerly, to cheer with kindly eyes A sophomore repentant now and wise.
no THE SIGNET
HELEN OLD
A salty boaster, busy little maid?
A hoary-bearded stranger, unafraid
To swear his queen more fair than once was I,
Helen the proud, with regal chin held high
And forehead crowned with woven ropes of fire,
Flickering coils, bright symbols of desire?
My hair is white and scant. My neck is gaunt, My dim eyes feel from other eyes the taunt, The mockery because proud Helen is old, Her zone-encircled magic fire is cold, The ashes smoulder where I huddle still For comfort from the midnight black and chill.
And yet — my little maid, lead in the man And let him tell his story if he can In spite of terror at my sunken cheeks And yellow, twisted teeth.
The grumbler speaks Deep in his throat. I could not catch the word, The name of some strange hero; sure, I've heard That name before, perchance in Lacedaemon. "^neas ?" 'Tis no proper name to dream on. A pitiful, cheap sound it has. 'Twere a shame To suffer for a pirate of that name. Poor Di-do ! So you called her, did you not ? ^neas is a Trojan? I forgot So many names, old man, for I was queen But ten short years in Troy, and I have seen Too many dreary, drowsy years between. A cousin of Prince Paris? Aye, in truth?
Well, I knew a boy named Paris in my youth.
OUR SCHOLARSHIP 1 926- 1 927
Edgar T. Fell, Scholarship Supervisor
Our fraternity, together with nearly all of the large national social fraternities, has in recent years emphasized the necessity of maintaining a high degree of scholarship among its active mem- bers. Throughout the administration of President Burrows he has uniformly stressed two words — "finance " and "scholarship." One of the last remaining objections to college fraternities has been that these organizations have hindered rather than helped scholarship. The fraternal duties and the social pleasures of our college Greeks are alleged to have taken up far too much of their time and to have kept them from the primary purposes of a col- lege education. A real challenge, and one that threatened the very future of fraternities, was thus hurled at us. Phi Sigma Kappa undertook on her part to meet it. At the convention in Phila- delphia in 1926 there was established in the Grand Council the office of National Supervisor of Scholarship, and the incumbent was charged with the duty of exercising every power to main- tain and to further raise the scholastic standing of every active member of the fraternity. He was charged also to keep an ac- curate record of the scholarship of each chapter, to give his aid and advice wherever needed, and to establish incentives through contests, competitions, prizes, cups, etc., whereby a distinct im- provement in scholarship would be brought about, and whereby also this most serious challenge would be met. A year at this work has shown that much can be accomplished but it has also shown that further organization of effort was necessary. To this end the Council at its meeting in Boston in October authorized the appointment of five regional supervisors of scholarship and these five are now working in direct touch with the National Super- visor, who in turn is keeping in close co-operation with the Schol- arship Committee of the Inter fraternity Conference. Needless to say, the regional supervisors are also working directly with the deans of the various institutions in their respective regions. In this way the national governing body of this fraternity is being brought into immediate touch with the academic authorities on this question of scholarship. Our efforts have brought forth much
112 THE SIGNET
praise and appreciation from many of the institutions in which we have chapters.
But the work has only begun. Much improvement can and must be made. If a comparison of scholastic records for the academic year 1926-27 is made between Phi Sigma Kappa and all other national social fraternities it will be found that we rank only just in the middle or a trifle under the middle. That is, on the basis of 100 we are 49. For the year 1925-26 we were about 45. Thus it will be seen that there has been a slight improvement for the past year. But we are nowhere near what we should be. Our record is not a satisfying one, and unfor- tunately this record of the national average of Phi Sigma Kappa scholastically does not meet the challenge of our accusers. It is below the non-fraternity average of the country.
However we do have some very bright spots in our record for 1926-27. Five of our chapters stood first among all national social fraternities in their respective institutions. They are as follows : Dartmouth, Gettysburg, Minnesota, St. John's, and Ore- gon University. At Nevada we were second, and at Montana and Stevens we were third. To these chapters are certainly due the most hearty congratulations of the whole fraternity.
When it comes to ranking our chapters among themselves and establishing an average for each, it is manifestly a very difficult thing to work out a method that is in every way satisfactory. Many systems of grading are in vogue and even as between in- stitutions using the same system it is not fair to make a com- parison. The perfect mark in several may be 4.0, but by reason of a local practice of only giving relatively low grades in a cer- tain institution, a mark of 2.5 in that college may mean as much as 3.0 in another.
Therefore we have adopted the Paschal System of Compara- tive Evaluation. In each institution we compare the grades of Phi Sigma Kappa men with the grades of all other national social fraternities at that college. Then on the basis of the number of national socials, the position or rank of Phi Sigma Kappa in this number, and the grades received, we work out a Paschal average or rating for each of our chapters in comparison to all other national socials in that school. It is the fairest method of com- parison that has so far been evolved. Our leading chapters for 1926-27 and their Paschal ratings are as follows :
OUR SCHOLARSHIP 113
Minnesota 99
Dartmouth 98
Oregon University 97
Gettysburg 95
Michigan 85
Pennsylvania 80
Nevada 79
Kansas State 78
WilUams yy
St. John's 75
Stevens 73
This is the head of the hst. It is a splendid record and one that we can well be proud of. Then follow the great bulk of our chapters whose ratings are average or middle ratings. Were this all, Phi Sigma Kappa would be almost satisfied and the challenge would be met. But we had some weak chapters scho- lastically. And the sad part about it is that they were in some cases terribly weak. All of the good work of the above listed chapters was dragged down until Phi Sigma Kappa's national position ended below the middle. These are the chapters that hurt us scholastically :
Penn State 23.5
Stanford 23
Washington University 23
Georgia Tech 14.5
Yale 10
St. Lawrence 10
Wisconsin 10
University of Maryland 9
Swarthmore 9
Alabama 8
Massachusetts Agricultural .... 8
City College New York 5
Lehigh 2
This tells the tale. It was thought best to publish the truth. We at least must be honest with ourselves. It is hoped that those finding themselves in this very low group will be urged on to better their work for this year and give our fraternity a chance to rank well up in the upper half of all national social fraternities for 1927-28.
114
THE SIGNET
Total St. Lawrence Mass. Aggie Pennsylvania Maryland Yale
Penn State Brown Stevens Dartmouth Gettysburg Nebraska Worcester Lehigh Illinois West Virginia Kansas Wisconsin Swarthmore Union Minnesota Cornell Washington Stanford Virginia Oregon Aggie St. John's Franklin & M California Williams
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WHAT THE BOYS READ
Being interested in what our undergraduates do to rest their minds, we inquired what magazines the chapters have on hand for recreational reading. The accompanying chart indicates the re- turns to the extent that they have come in. They are of con- siderable interest. Examine them and see whether your thoughts run along with ours.
The first comment that occurs to us relates to the fact that ii of the twenty-seven chapters subscribe to no magazines at all. Before he began to write for the magazine himself. Professor "Billy" Phelps, of Yale, used to say that one shouldn't have a magazine in the house. Well, Billy ought to take considerable satisfaction in this record as a whole. Of course, Billy was as- suming that if one isn't reading a magazine, he is, automatically, reading a book. We wonder whether he would find that the case in the instance of these magazine-less chapter houses. One of the chapters is Penn. Some of you may recall that last year when we subjected the Council and Court to intimate interrogation, the two members from Penn declared in reply to the question, "What is your favorite author?" that they had none. It would seem doubtful that Billy's hopeful assumption that because the Penn boys are not reading the magazines they are therefore reading the classics, is well founded.
One is moved to introduce a word of comment about the chap- ters not represented in the table at all. Would it be unkind to suggest that the secretaries of these chapters are illiterate? Cer- tainly there is no evidence to the contrary, for we have no reply from them at all. One can understand how one secretary might be illiterate, but it doesn't seem likely that ten or twelve would be. Then there is the chapter at the College of the City of New York. It is two and a half years now since we have been honored with a reply of any kind from Zeta. It doesn't seem probable that a chapter would go on electing illiterate secretaries, term after term, for two years and a half. There must be some other explanation. Perhaps a committee should be appointed.
An examination of the magazines reveals the fact that the most popular ones are by all odds Cosmopolitan, Judge, and the universal S.E.P. Presumably the cheapness of these partly ac-
ii6 THE SIGNET
count for the fact. There is certainly no objection to any of these. One may possibly regret that the college man, the intel- lectual leader of tomorrow (you recognize the phrase; it has been used before), is content with literary entertainment of so rather inconsequential a quality. And yet, when we consider the fact that his main business in college is concerned with erudite textbooks, we can understand that when a boy reads for the fun, he wants something as different as possible. And certainly the Saturday Evening Post is that.
It is too bad that more chapters do not subscribe to Banta's Greek Exchunge. We should be better fraternity men, more liberal, more national, if we did. As a matter of fact there is no place where the provincial type of mind is more in evidence than in a fraternity house. Nowhere is suspicion more likely to breed. Nowhere is petty pride more likely to become obnoxious. The Exchange would tend to counteract this tendency.
Every chapter ought to have a humorous organ. It seems a bit odd that Judge proves to be the most popular of these. We as- sociate Judge with barbershops, and perhaps this would take the edge off its quality. And we are habitually addicted to Life. Every chapter ought to have a weekly commentary upon current affairs. We are living in the midst of a fascinating civilization, more exciting than fiction. There really ought to be two such weeklies, a conservative one and a radical one. We suggest The Outlook and The Nation. When it comes to the graces, there is always the Golden Book. Of course, it is highbrow. Many of the good things are.
A LETTER FROM SANTA CLAUS Page 160
SELECTING AN ARCHITECT*
The building committee should select the architect — the best procurable — and- work out the problem in collaboration with him. The committee and the architect are really partners in their work. Free plans furnished by a contractor are worthless. It is false economy to stint on the brains that are directing your work. Every dollar going into an ill-designed building is partly wasted. Moreover, a good architect will probably save his own fees sev- eral times over. Architects' fees are fairly well standardized. Select the architect, if possible, before you select the site. An architect is often hampered by undesirable but avoidable condi- tions of site.
Abandon at the outset all idea of a competition in plans or designs. It is the wrong way to go about getting a good house. This is not the kind of work appropriate to a competition. No architect of standing will enter a competition except on the con- ditions laid down by the American Institute of Architects. These conditions include, among other things, an advisory architect at the outset to frame and conduct the competition and to give tech- nical advice. Any clever draftsman can make a pretty sketch. The success of the building should not rest upon a selection by a lay committee, untrained to judge between competitive designs, from a group of designs made to please the committee. The least attractive drawing submitted may be the best house. A competition, if legitimately conducted, means an extra architect to pay.
Moreover, an architect rarely does his best work in a competi- tion. He is practically invited to participate in a "free for all" where each is doing what he can to land a job. The best pos- sible solution of the problem cannot be the sole endeavor. Furthermore, no matter how carefully guarded, the competition may saddle the committee with a fortuitous solution to which it will stand more or less committed. The award will seem to set a kind of seal upon the design placed first, and the winning architect, who is only human, may be reluctant to subject his own work to the re-study and self-criticism essential to real achieve- ment.
The committee's contract with the architect should be made out on the standard form approved by the American Institute of Architects, which may be obtained by addressing the Secretary of the Institute, The Octagon, Washington, D.C. These forms are also carried by dealers in architectural supplies in the large cities.
* An excerpt from a report to the Interf raternity Conference, 1927.
THE FOOTBALL TEAM
Here we are !
Right end Haviland Swarthmore
Right tackle. . . .Fusonie Dartmouth
Right guard. . . .Anderson Williams
Center Mc Andrews St. Lawrence
Left guard Kell Yale
Left tackle Krall Penn State
Left end Fleck Kansas
Quarterback . . .Durant Georgia Tech
Right halfback. .Ryan West Virginia
Left halfback. . .Dangerfield Penn State
Fullback Newman California
We might begin with the Swarthmore ends. They have been regulars throughout the season, but of course the Swarthmore team isn't a very powerful one. There is a second-string man at Nebraska, Lewandowski, who may be better, but the only evidence we have about him is that he eventually got into the Grinnell game, which Nebraska won 58 to o. Query of Worces- ter Tech has been fairly regular, and Kansas offers Fleck, Ecker- sall's choice for All- Western and third American. Of the tackles, Fusonie is presumably the better. Other possibilities were Jones, of Williams, Capello, of St. Lawrence, and McCawley, of St. John's. When it comes to guards, well, we don't know much about them. Squiers of Michigan was reported but his name doesn't appear in any line-up we have. There is Carlson of Oregon Aggie, but no supporting evidence at all. Finney has been playing guard for Worcester Tech. Hartman has been only occasionally in the Franklin and Marshall line-up but seems a little better than Finney. Anderson is captain-elect at Williams and looks pretty good, and Kell played in most of the games for Yale. There are two centers : our choice, who is a regular at St. Lawrence and Ayres, who has been playing off and on for the weak Lehigh team.
Quarterbacks look better: Chapel, of Franklin and Marshall, Converse, the sensational dodger of Worcester Tech, Pincura, of Penn State, and Anderson, of Kansas. Stuessy's name isn't
THE FOOTBALL TEAM 119
found in the two or three line-ups of Illinois which we have here, but a press clipping, containing" the following, woud seem to indi- cate that the sub of that Conference's champions is probably one of the best of the group:
Dwight Stuessy has come to mean passes to lUini opponents. There's a reason. Two weeks ago at Evanston he shot one to "Bud" Jolley and enabled the lUini to beat Northwestern. He kept Michigan worried last week. It's hoped he'll do as much at Iowa City.
Obviously Durant, regular leader for Georgia Tech, which lost only to Notre Dame and won from the team that licked Yale, is our best bet.
Ryan is an experienced and dependable back and although West Virginia has had a bad season, there is no question about him. Dangerfield looks like the other halfback. There are others : Captain Cook of Massachusetts Aggie, Schutt of Franklin and Marshall, Green, playing frequently for Columbia, Stranahan of Union, and possibly Thurston of Williams. The fullback position gives some trouble of choice. Killeen, of Union, and Hardeen, of Virginia, seem not be regulars ; and Dobbs, of St. Lawrence, and Rudquist, of Massachusetts Aggie, represent weak teams. This leaves Newman, of California. Newman seems to be a second string, but Billy Wood has sent us an account of the Santa Clara game in which Newman figured to advantage. Newman looks first rate.
On the basis of the above commentary the second team would seem to be about like this :
Right end Lewandowski . . . .Nebraska
Right tackle McCauley St. John's
Right guard. . . .Carlson Oregon Aggie
Center Ayres Lehigh
Left guard Hartman Franklin and Marshall
Left tackle Jones Williams
Left end Petrikin Swarthmore
Quarterback . . . Steussy Illinois
Right halfback . . Green Columbia
Left halfback. . .Stranahan Union
Fullback Converse Worcester
ANOTHER WISE MAN
Perhaps it is due to the Christmas spirit. Certainly I am moved today to write something of the man whose career seems to me, all in all, more enviable than that of any other man I know. He is Dr. Hervey Sumner Co well, principal-emeritus of Cushing Academy, in Massachusetts.
Of his gracious preeminence I am certain, though it may be audacious to seek to explain it. The man is not gifted above his kind. He isn't a scholar. His doctorate is honorary, a recogni- tion of his inherent but baffling greatness. He isn't endowed with the social graces — animation, compliment and wit. Rather does he impress the casual acquaintance as a little dour. He isn't a com- manding figure, stirring the imagination by virtue of a radiant presence. No, his face might strike you as inert and his move- ment as sluggish. He hasn't any hidden traits of genius, ec- centric or otherwise, which bring distinction. A common man, you would call him, albeit of the upper caste.
And yet there are hundreds of men and women, sometime his pupils, who love him, and in most cases they will give you per- sonal reasons why.
For seven of his more than fifty years of teaching he was prin- cipal of an academy in a little New Hampshire village called Francestown. He had not yet come of age when he assumed the headship of this school. Many of his scholars were older than he. It was a time when brawn won more respect than brain even in the classroom, and the master was expected to give proof by physical encounter that he was the master indeed. But nothing of this sort disturbed the quiet of little Francestown. Nobody wanted to challenge this teacher; everyone wanted to please him. When he moved to another post, his pupils, a good many of them and at considerable inconvenience, followed. And twenty years later they were sending their children to Cushing for at least one year "under Cowell."
Francestown Academy has long been only an unused building, and a name. But twice in every decade the dusty common fills up with automobiles, many of them very expensive, and with people, many of them stylishly dressed, and reminiscence ripples into laughter, and children and grandchildren are on boisterous dis- play, and a happy, grey-eyed master calls the roll in the quaint
Dr. Hervey Sumner Cowell
ANOTHER WISE MAN 121
and crowded schoolroom, and the word goes out among the natives, "It's the Cowell reunion again." Recently the surviving Frances- town pupils presented to Gushing Academy a costly organ in honor of the man whose leadership the two schools share in common.
Not long ago, on the sunny slope overlooking Gushing Academy, a pleasant little Golonial cottage was put up for auction. There were those who wished to buy it, and bidding was brisk. Then suddenly the word passed through the crowd that Dr. Gowell's son had made a bid. Every one knew at once the meaning of that. Eugene was buying the place for his aging father and mother. Perhaps thoughts went back to the big house below on the corner, for so many years the Gowell home. Its hospitality was a byword wherever the name of Gushing was known. "The spare bed," Mrs. Gowell once remarked, "is never cold." Now she was grow- ing frail, and the only protection for the still eager and gracious hostess was a house without spare bedrooms. Well, if the cot- tage was to be for the Gowells, of course that settled it. The bidding instantly ceased. The place was knocked down to Eu- gene at his very first figure.
The administration of Gushing Academy was never a sinecure. Dr. Gowell took it over when the school was still in its precarious infancy. Incidentally he declined the headship of another academy with some seventy years of prestige, in order to do so. The en- dowment was always scanty. There was no wealthy patron to whom to turn. Even pupils were not always adequate, and many a time the principal spent a good share of his summer vacation, poking about in rural New England, drumming up trade for the fall. Three times fire swept through the plant with devastating effect. Each disaster left the gallant master serene, erect and heroic. He set his classes to work in the town hall. Not a recita- tion was lost. On the occasion of the third great fire one of his pupils, a co-ed, came upon her principal gazing with troubled eyes at the gutting of his beloved building. Her mother heart went out in love to the stricken man. Swiftly she stepped to his side, kissed him, passed by. Did ever a teacher, save One, receive a more beautiful tribute?
A few weeks ago I was talking with one of my kin, a brain surgeon from the West. He had occasion to mention a verse from the Bible, and his reference to it led me to mention another. His comment was instant : "That was the text of Gowell's sermon
122 THE SIGNET
on that Old Home Week Sunday in Francestown, remember? some twenty-five years ago." We had walked seven miles, we youngsters, to hear the sermon; perhaps that partly explains the striking retention in memory. And yet I can tell you today the keynote of almost every address I ever heard from Dr. Cowell's lips. They were not profound, his sermons, nor eloquent per- haps, but they were colorful, and luminous, and very close to human hearts. In the Commencement season at Gushing he always has read the same passage of scripture, that haunting lyric from Ecclesiastes beginning, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth." And then the seniors march out of the hall, singing together a fine, old-fashioned hymn
Out o'er the ocean all boundless we ride; We're homeward bound, homeward bound.
And as the young voices die away in the corridors, the master stands at his desk before a roomful of underclassmen and guests with the tears rolling unheeded down his cheeks and dismisses the assembly with a nod. Call it sentimentalism, if you like, but no one who has seen him there will ever forget. There is no benediction like the benediction of tears.
He lost his hair early in life, and this his pupils noticed. They have been calling him Baldy for forty years. Critics who have said that he was no disciplinarian, must refer to his methods and not his results. A boy comes out from his office and, crestfallen, rejoins his mates. "What happened?" they ask him. "Aw, I told him," is the answer, "I can't lie to kim." And yet quite as often the master reversed the process. It was felt that he had a kind of intuitive guidance that led him into the heart of a mys- tery. "Where's Baldy?" a boy once whispered hoarsely in the midst of an escapade, and from the dark there came an unmis- takable chuckle, "Tee, hee! Right here." And when judgment had at last to be pronounced, it might be expulsion, or it might be forgiveness and a personal loan to enable the culprit to make his peace with some townsman whose property had suffered. No disciplinarian? Well, he wasn't a bully. But he sought out the good in a boy, and he taught the boy to be proud of it.
Dr. Cowell never forgets a pupil, either his name or his face. Compliment him upon this and he will tell you that once in the early days of his teaching he was unable to speak the name of
ANOTHER WISE MAN 123
an alumna back for reunion. His having forgotten so hurt her that she cried, and thereupon he straightway resolved that never should it happen again. Tradition says that it never has. I do not think it is due to any unusual mental facility. It is due to the fact that he loves his pupils, like a father he loves them, and he carries them tenderly on in his mind.
One might say indeed that this is the key to his greatness, this love. Surely his goods he has shared without stint; never have prudential considerations been allowed to stay his helping hand. And of his intellectual gifts he has been quite as lavish. I can see him, in memory, driving an old horse through the snow on his way to supply in some destitute, hardly accessible pulpit. It was his habit to take a boy along with him, for company. One does not forget those rides. In the classroom and office it was the same. Every decision that he ever made, as a teacher, has been on the basis of another's welfare. The last time that I saw him in public was at the fiftieth anniversary baccalaureate service. The school was crowded and he was to preach. He had been des- perately ill and we were apprehensive that he could not stand the strain of that trying occasion. We need have had no fear. His thoughts were not of himself. His one concern seemed to be that two or three guests, who were hard of hearing, should be more advantageously placed. In fact he came down from the platform and reseated them himself. In a heart full of love there is no room for resentment, or jealousy, or condescension, or guile. Dr. Cowell, courtly gentleman that he is, knows nothing of these.
I like to think of him now, in the Christmas twilight. They say that the Christian ideal can never be realized, that its claims are too great. Well, here is the answer — this man. It was peace which the angels promised, to "men of good will." That peace he has known. There were wise men, we read, who sought out the Christ. He, too, has found wisdom.
As I look out over the careers of men, the men whose names clutter up the press, and compare them with this man's — how tawdry, how trivial, how inconsequential, they seem! Particu- larly now, at Christmas. Christmas !
The text of that Francestown sermon ? — It was this :
"In the eventide there shall be light." There is.
OPPORTUNITIES IN AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
Dr. Austin W. Morrill, A 'oo
Probably in no line of human effort has there been more rapid development during recent years than in agriculture. In 1862 President Lincoln signed two bills which were epoch making as regards this basic industry. One created the Department of Ag- riculture and the other provided land grants to the several states for the purpose of creating colleges where agriculture was to be given a prominent place among the branches of learning to be taught. In the course of time agricultural investigations, insect pest and plant disease prevention and control and eradication work, fertilizer and insecticide control and agricultural extension and demonstration work were provided for by Federal and state laws and appropriations, until now, instead of a mere handful of in- dividuals following agricultural professions, as was the case sixty or sixty-five years ago, we have thousands in the United States who may be classed as agricultural scientists or technical workers in agricultural lines, including many who have devoted a half cen- tury or more to their specialties and who rank with the ablest men of any of the professions.
In 1867 when the Massachusetts Agricultural College was opened to students, preceded only by one other among the land grant colleges, there were less than a half dozen men in the United States who were particularly identified with scientific or technical agricultural work. In 1897 when the writer was still a freshman at that institution, the average state agricultural college and experiment station staff of teachers of agricultural sciences and investigators in agricultural lines did not exceed twelve or fifteen men, and all the state and Federal employees in all branches of agricultural science probably numbered less than a thousand men.
Thirty years later, 1927, an estimate based on official published lists, shows more than fifteen times the above estimate of the possible maximum for 1897. While it is not to be expected that this rate of increase in the development of agricultural science and technology as shown by the number of men engaged in those lines will continue for the next thirty years as in the past, it is
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE 125
evident that the problems of agriculture are now generally recog- nized in the United States as of vital importance to our national welfare. Scientific and technical investigations and other work connected with this great industry offer today most attractive vo- cational opportunities for those who feel inclined to specialize along such lines.
The organization lists of the state colleges and experiment sta- tions and of the United States Department of Agriculture show at a glance the high degree of specialization in the professions which has been the natural result of the vast increase in knowledge of the agricultural sciences. For the purposes of this article the specialized scientific vocations may be grouped into twelve major subjects comprising approximately 90 per cent of the sci- entific and technical stafifs in the state colleges and experiment stations. These are as follows: (i) Agronomy, including special- ists in crops and soils and crop development by plant breeding. (2) Animal industry, including veterinarians and specialists in livestock and dairying. (3) Botany, including plant pathologists and plant physiologists. (4) Chemistry, including general chem- istry and bio-chemistry. (5) Agricultural education. (6) Agri- cultural engineering, including drainage and irrigation engineers. (7) Entomology, now subdivided so that we have specialists in such subjects as forest entomology, cotton entomology and medi- cal entomology. (8) Extension, including many specialists and the administrators of the well known county agent work. (9) Forestry, including investigators of a wide range of subjects such as pathology and wood preservation and paper and pulp technology. (10) Horticulture, including specialists in the fruit industries, landscape architecture and many other subdivisions of the subject. (11) Rural economics, including specialists in agri- cultural organizations and farm management. (12) Veterinary medicine. The remaining 10 per cent of the scientific and technical stafifs includes superintendents of sub-stations, technicians in farm machinery and miscellaneous professions of minor importance as regards the number of workers.
It is of interest to note that the average number of scientific and technical men in agricultural lines on the staffs of the col- leges and experiment stations of the first fifteen states, taken alphabetically for statistical purposes, as recorded in a recent
126 THE SIGNET
organization list, is 102, ranging from 25 in Delaware to 211 in California. The percentages represented by the twelve groups mentioned above are as follows: Agronomy, 13.3; Animal indus- try, 18.6; Botany, 9.5; Chemistry, 10.7; Education, 3.7; Agricul- tural engineering, 5.1; Entomology and zoology, 6.5; Extension, 6.9; Forestry, 1.8; Horticulture, 10.2; Rural economics and re- lated subjects, 6.y; Veterinary medicine, 4.5. In the United States Department of Agriculture the largest group of scientific and technical men is listed in the Forest Service with a total of 775, followed by the Burea of Plant Industry with a total of 555, the Bureau of Animal Industry with a total of 489, and the Bureau of Entomology with a total of 336. It should be noted, however, that the foregoing list evidently does not include all the veterinarians employed in Federal Meat Inspection and dis- ease eradication work by the Bureau of Animal Industry. Ac- cording to a recent statement by the Department, there are 1,350 veterinarians on the rolls of the Bureau of Animal Industry. The approximate total number of scientific and technical men employed at present by the Department of Agriculture, as shown by the latest organization list, is around 5,280, The state experi- ment stations and agricultural colleges employ a total of 5>^35- The state agricultural demonstration workers, including the county agricultural agents, total approximately 3,000, and those connected with state regulatory work of the State Department of Agriculture probably total not less than 1,200. This makes a total of more than 15,000 men in what may be termed "official" positions in the United States.
Aside from the Federal and state official workers in agricul- tural lines, which have been considered, there are many engaged in industrial work or who have business connections of various kinds, employed because of their scientific and technical experi- ence and training in various branches of agriculture. Among this group we have landscape engineers and park superintendents, rail- road agriculturists and entomologists, plant breeders employed by seed houses, chemists employed by fertilizer and insecticide manu- facturers, sugar mills, industrial laboratories and other concerns, entomologists employed by manufacturers of spraying and dusting machinery and insecticides, bacteriologists and dairy experts em- ployed by dairy and creamery concerns, entomologists and other
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experts employed by privately supported experiment stations and institutions such as the Hawaii Sugar Growers' Experiment Sta- tion, the Boyce- Thompson Institute, and the Tropical Research Foundation. Another group includes the independents who are engaged in consulting work in agricultural lines, acting more or less as consulting engineers ; in fact, they may properly be called con- sulting agricultural engineers. These men may function as investi- gators of agricultural problems as well as advisers. In addition to those employed by the Federal and state governments, I esti- mate that at least 3,500 scientific and technical men in the United States are thus engaged publicly, commercially or privately as specialists in agricultural lines.
Still another group which might be considered here consists of teachers of agricultural science in the colleges and junior colleges and high schools, where agricultural branches are taught, aside from the state "land grant" institutions, which have been pre- viously considered. Such teachers of agricultural subjects prob- ably number at least 2,000.
According to the foregoing estimate there are in the United States at the present time more than twenty thousand active agricultural scientists and technologists. We should not over- look, however, the large number of men who have assumed respon- sible business and administrative connections based upon previous experience in such professions. It is safe to estimate that at least 5,000 men are holding positions today on account of such previous experience, although at the present time not directly en- gaged in scientific or technical work. This brings our total above twenty-five thousand. It is interesting to compare this number with the number of practicing physicians in the United States, which, I am informed, is approximately 165,000.
The U.S.D.A. is recognized as the largest scientific institution in the world today. In addition to its scientific and technical workers, it employs about 15,000 men in various clerical and other positions, making a grand total of approximately 20,000, This work is carried on by annual appropriations which, for the regu- lar work of the Department, totaled approximately $45,000,000 for 1926. The Bureau of Animal Industry, with its extensive regulatory work, led other bureaus with a total appropriation in excess of twelve and a half million dollars. The Forestry Bureau
128 THE SIGNET
followed with an appropriation of nine million dollars; the Bu- reau of Agricultural Economics received for and three-quarter millions; the Bureau of Plant Industry almost four millions, and the Bureau of Entomology approximately two and a half million. When the writer began a six-year connection with the latter bureau, in 1903, the total appropriation for entomological work was less than seventy-five thousand dollars. Research work in the Department cost $10,300,000; extension work, $2,300,000; eradication, control and regulatory work, $19,000,000. Statistics covering the total expenditures by the several states for agricul- tural teaching, investigations, demonstration and control or regu- latory work, are not available, but it is easy to figure from the number of workers in scientific and technical lines employed by the states that the total is very large.
It is interesting to speculate on the total salaries received by the agricultural scientists and technologists throughout the country. Those connected with the Department of Agriculture and the state colleges and experiment stations received salaries which are practically all within the limits of $1,200 as a minimum, and $7,500 as a maximum. The Department of Agriculture now offers $1,860 as the entrance salary for scientific workers, while some of the state experiment stations offer much less. The average salary, I estimate, is approximately $2,750, which would make a total paid as annual salaries to official workers of a little more than $28,600,000. Scientific and technical workers outside of the offi- cial positions usually receive salaries ranging between $1,500 and $10,000. Probably the average is at least $250 more than the average salary of Federal and state workers. The total annual salaries at this rate for scientific and technical men, aside from those with Federal and state connections, and not including the teachers, are estimated at $10,500,000. Four million dollars should be added for the group of teachers in other than state institutions. In business lines, men who have been drafted from scientific and technical positions because of their experience, are usually paid from $2,500 to $12,000 per year. It is not intended here to include the comparatively inexperienced or the incompetent men with scientific or technical education who have drifted into business while following the line of least resistance. It is probable that my estimate of 5,000 men with these business connections
AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE 129
is far too low. Probably also an estimate of $3,000 for the aver- age salary for this group is too conservative, but, for want of actual figures which are not available, we will add $15,000,000, making a grand total of $58,140,000 as the total annual salaries received by these men who have adopted vocations in agricultural science and technology in this country.
It should also be noted that among those in miscellaneous busi- ness lines, incomes are sometimes received from participation in profits and from business opportunities which are not open to the ordinary worker connected with the state or Federal services, fre- quently amounting to far more than the relatively large salary re- ceived.
The total income which it is possible to develop from the selec- tion of a branch of agricultural science and technology as a voca- tion is, generally speaking, only limited by the capabilities of the man. A misfit may be unable to progress beyond the $2,000 class in the course of twenty years experience, while another man, who combines good scientific and technical ability with adminis- trative and general business ability, may develop in the same time an income of $25,000 or more per annum.
The prospective salary, however, should not be looked upon by the college student as his first consideration. It is above all ex- tremely important that a vocation be selected for which the stu- dent is adapted by mental characteristics and for which a natural inclination exists. Under such circumstances the salary question will take care of itself. There are hundreds of able men in pub- lic, agricultural, scientific or technical service who have rejected opportunities for larger salaries or who might be earning far more than they are now earning if they had chosen some other profession. It is the satisfaction obtained from their work that counts most with such men. Others require business success com- bined with professional success for this satisfaction in life work. A deep interest and satisfaction in one's chosen vocation is im- portant from another standpoint. Fortunate indeed is the man who possesses naturally or who develops such an interest in his profession that when he reaches retirement he can turn to in- completed investigations or writings as an avocation. I know several entomologists who are thus happily engaged.
Finally, to those students who are truly interested in certain
130 THE SIGNET
scientific and technical opportunities in the agricultural field : Ob- tain a broad general knowledge of agriculture and of the particu- lar related sciences you may choose to follow by appropriate un- dergraduate courses and reading; specialize within certain limits in your undergraduate work ; specialize further in graduate work if the opportunity is offered and your instructors advise that you would gain an advantage therefrom; when you have found the kind of employment you are interested in and for which you are fitted, stick to it until you have won such recognition from your superiors or from the profession at large that your services are in demand; and then continue to stick to it just a little harder if possible. Do not let your salary advancement be your first and only consideration and be sure you are not spoiling a first-class banker or lawyer or automobile mechanic and making only a third- class scientist or technical expert. Above all, do not choose any profession or vocation with the idea that it will assure you an easy living. If that is what you are looking for you must seek the ad- vice of someone who has a far better knowledge than that pos- sessed by the writer of the wide world and its opportunities.
THE BOSTON ADDRESS
Judge William R. Bayes Chairman of the Inter fraternity Conference
The American college fraternity rests upon a fundamentally sound principle, viz., that undergraduate groups may, through intimate association, more completely take advantage of the train- ing offered by our institutions of higher learning. Born upon the college campus, the fraternities have for more than a century grown and expanded with the institutions of which they form an integral part. They have abundantly justified themselves by the service they have rendered. Thousands of college boys have in after life testified to the value of the lessons they learned through fraternity association during their undergraduate days.
THE BOSTON ADDRESS 131
Fraternities, as well as colleges and universities, have vastly improved through closer fellowship, discussion of common prob- lems, mutual understanding and good will. For nearly twenty years the men's national fraternities have worked in closest har- mony through the agency of the Inter fraternity Conference now comprising sixty fraternities as conference members. The total membership of these conference fraternities exceeds a half mil- lion, with the number increasing year by year.
No one claims that our fraternities, any more than our colleges, are perfect. They have made mistakes. That was inevitable. But they are essentially sound and under proper guidance will, in the future even more than in the past, contribute their part in the educational process.
Since the World War the colleges, owing to the vastly in- creased number of applicants, have raised their educational stand- ards. A nation-wide survey, conducted by the committee on scholarship of the Inter fraternity Conference, indicates that the fraternities have not, as a whole, kept abreast scholastically with this wholesale process of speeding up. Ascertainment of the facts, however, is being followed by prompt and vigorous action on the part of the fraternities themselves and it is not too much to say that this situation need give but temporary concern to the college world.
Leadership in fraternity affairs was never more sincere and devoted than today. Complete understanding between this leader- ship and our college executives exists. We may safely affirm that the fraternities of today, as in the past, stand ready to co- operate fully with the colleges and imiversities, to the end that the common enterprise in which they are engaged may result in greater educational advantages in the future.
ALUMNUS— See page 160
ANOTHER CONFERENCE
For the nineteenth time fraternity leaders and university deans settled their Thanksgiving dinner together, in the Pennsylvania Hotel, New York City, swapping yarns and theories relative to the management of college fraternities. Phi Sigma Kappa was represented officially by President Burrows, Dr. Conley, of the Court, and your Editor. Brother Robertson, of Alpha, and Brother McCormick, of Omicron, were also present, the former as dele- gate to the undergraduate conference and the latter as a guest.
The most interesting subject for discussion proved to be the question of deferred rushing. After many generalizations had been given the air, the fraternity men tending toward an opposi- tion to deferring and the university men tending toward an es- pousal, the Conference settled back into the comfortable general- ization that no generalization is practicable, and amicably ad- journed.
Those in favor of rushing greatly deferred argue largely from the premise of protection:
(a) of the boy from an uncongenial or pernicious fraternity;
(b) of the fraternity from the specious but unsubstantial boy;
(c) of the college from a premature interruption of its pro- gram of scholarship and democratization.
Those who favor getting the rushing and pledging over with as early as possible argue:
(a) that the greatest benefit that a boy is likely to receive from his fraternity is the supervision during the critical fresh- man year;
(b) that any steps looking toward the conversion of social fra- ternities into upperclass honorary societies are certain to endanger both the significance and service of fraternities;
(c) that the long suspense and strain upon sportsmanship in- herent in deferred rushing are full of peril for all con- cerned.
It would seem that the difference really lies between those who still distrust the fraternity as a necessary but rather objectionable nuisance, and those who regard it as the boy's college home, its
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very great popularity indicating that it supplies a need which the colleges themselves had failed to supply.
The fact remains, however, that many fraternity officers and even more fraternity undergraduates are in favor of deferred rushing. This is easily explained. Rushing, considerably de- ferred, is still largely untried. Present systems are not satis- factory. Therefore, a change is welcome. Deferred rushing, even sophomore rushing, is likely to be pretty generally adopted. In the very nature of the case it will prove in turn unsatisfactory and will be replaced by something else. The problem of rushing, like the poor, will be with us always.
Apparently, however, everyone at the Conference was in favor of deferred initiation. There is something that seems to mark progress.
To some of us the Conference is an old story. Its work, how- ever, is far from done. This was borne in upon your Editor by the following incident. One of the speakers, a former chairman of the Conference, was urging the forming of local alumni inter- fraternity conferences to carry on the good work of interfra- ternalism. He mentioned as an example one in our home town. Now there happens to be in our little town two colleges, one, a so-called liberal college with thirteen national fraternities, and one an agricultural college, with six. We took the liberty of sug- gesting to the speaker afterwards that the local conference should include not only the thirteen, as at present, but also the six. We found, however, that the gentleman was not prepared to consider anything so radical as that. "The two groups have nothing in common," he said. Yes, the Interfraternity Conference has still plenty of educational work to do.
The new chairman of the Conference is Harold Riegalman, Z B T, and Cornell ; the vice-chairman, William L. Phillips, 2 $ E, and Richmond; secretary, Clifford M. Swan, A Y, and M.I.T. ; treasurer, Dr. C. W. Gerstenberg, Columbia.
IN THE INTRAMURAL LEAGUES
The advocates of sports for everyone owe a great debt of gratitude to the college fraternities. By virtue of their very existence as social units they offer the most practicable means in sight for the development of intramural athletics of all kinds, and in many institutions they have taken up the idea with alacrity and given it a highly satisfactory demonstration. We have asked for a general report upon Phi Sigma Kappa's activities along these lines, and the results are most interesting.
In the first place, with a single exception, the competitions mean exercise. The "young barbarians" are all at play, but they are doing the sort of thing which is good for their bodies and for their minds. And the exception would seem to substantiate this contention. The chapter at Lehigh reports participation in only two activities: pool and bridge. The Lehigh brothers are the best pool players on the campus. In the bridge competition they stood fourth. All right. Now take a look at Edgar Fell's statement of Phi Sigma Kappa scholarship, and you will see the effect of taking one's exercise in the fraternity house upon study.
Three of the chapters reported an inclusive standing. Wor- cester Tech won the trophy for trophies; Williams stood fourth in All Sports among the Berkshires, and Michigan stood ninth in a competition of seventy-two entries. This would seem to be perhaps a better record even than Tech's. Interest also attaches to the fact that Michigan is also listed as fifth among our chapters in terms of scholarship. It would embarrass the editor if it should be shown that she won her activity placement by virtue of ex- cellence in bridge and in pool. Stanford records a standing of twelfth place in "the Council"; whether that means intramural competition we do not know.
We append a detailed statement of Phi Sigma Kappa's standing :
Baseball Kansas — Third
Brown — Second Cornell — Second in Sub-League
Mass. Aggie— Third Oregon Aggie— Third
Dartmouth— Semifinals Virginia— Semifinals Gettysburg — Semifinals
Worcester— First Basketball
Illinois — Third Maryland — Semifinals
West Virginia — Semifinals Mass Aggie — First
IN THE INTRAMURAL LEAGUES
135
Franklin and Marshall — Second
Gettysburg — "Mediocre"
Nebraska — First
Worcester — First •
Illinois — Division champions
West Virginia — Semifinals
Kansas — Third
Swarthmore — Semifinals
Cornell — Second in sub-league
Oregon Aggie — Sixth
Virginia — Sixth
St. Lawrence — Second
Track
Franklin and Marshall — First Gettysburg — "Mediocre" Worcester — Second
TOUCHBALL
Minnesota — Third in division
Horseshoe West Virginia — First Washington — First
Swimming Worcester — Second Washington — Third Oregon Aggie — Third
Tennis Worcester — Second Michigan — First Cornell — First
BOWXING
Maryland — First Worcester — First
Canoe Washington — Second
Pool
Lehigh — First
KiTTENBALL
Minnesota — Second
Relay Worcester — First
Bridge Lehigh — Fourth
Hockey Minnesota — Second
Handball Oregon Aggie — First
Cross-Country Union — Fourth
Squash Worcester — First
DANIEL WILLARD
The following is taken from a sketch by Donald Kirkley as it appeared in The Nation under the department "Americans We Like," and has been variously quoted in the press. Brother Willard is almost the only representative of capital upon whom the radical Nation has consistently smiled with approval.
Daniel Willard, stern and benevolent overlord of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, has won an amazingly widespread reputation for fair dealing by steady pursuit of a wholly selfish plan of ac- tion. He is generally called a just man, and he is a just man. Thousands of men and women, whole families and communities, are richer and happier because their sustenance comes from the great railroad system built up and guided by Daniel Willard. Yet Danniel Willard's first duty, as he sees it, is to safeguard and increase the value of the property given into his care.
No other industrial overlord, it is probable, is trusted, liked and respected by so many thousands of persons in so many widely different walks of life. The lesser barons of the B. & O. and their respective retinues of white-collar men and women look on Mr. Willard with a veneration that is close to worship. They say: "We love him." Seasoned railroaders out on the line, more dig- nified and disinterested, give "Old Dan" their hearty respect. They say : "He's one square guy." The newer battalions remem- ber that the president started as a track walker. They say: "He used to be one of us." Labor leaders, natural foes of the position, make allowance for the man in it and give him credit as mag- nanimously as possible for doing the best he can according to his lights. As one labor leader, outside the railroad unions, puts it: "Willard's got a conscience and uses it, and that's a damn sight more than you can say about a lot of those birds." Certain of Mr. Willard's peers, moreover, men as great as he, measured in terms of the property they control or manage, regard the head of the B. & O. with much admiration, tempered with a very small amount of suspicion. As one Bourbon of business re- marked: "Willard's too easy on the sons of guns," meaning, of course, the men who operate the railroad.
Born in a respectable, fairly well-to-do Vermont farmhouse, young Dan decided to become a scientific farmer. Astigmatism, not so easily corrected in those days, drove him from agricultural college at nineteen. Needing to work with his hands for a time, he thought he'd try railroading. He went to work laying ties and sprinkling ballast on the Central Vermont, although the foreman rather believed the student was not strong enough for the work.
A year later, when he resigned to take a job as fireman on another road, the foreman remarked that Willard was the only man he'd ever had who couldn't be replaced. Fighting the handi-
DANIEL WILLARD 137
cap of astigmatism and building up a strong body, Willard was soon at the throttle of an engine. He migrated to the Northwest and went up the line by the usual steps. Once he was laid off on account of a slump in business. He had found, meanwhile, that he was born to the railroad purple. He loved railroading passionately, finding, as do many railroaders, high romance in the vital business of moving the crops and products of this vast country and of linking together its widely different peoples. He left his engine finally (he had ridden always with a book or two under the seat) with deep, sharp regret, for he loved the personal contact with the mighty machine and the thundering breath-taking daily drive down the line.
This love explains in part why young Dan climbed from one department to the next higher with such rapidity and ease. He was no genius; he never did his job, whatever it was, better than it had been done before. But he drove himself harder than his fellows, he studied constantly, he bent every ounce of energy to the problems of railroading as an art. His work was his chief recreation and, next to his home life, his greatest joy. Further- more, his mind was exactly fitted to the task in hand.
The new president came to Baltimore in 1910, almost unknown in the East. The B. & O. was then the butt of vaudeville jokes and the target of local newspaper attacks. Some of the men in the central offices were open to reproach as to their private habits and public practices. Today, Baltimore is proud of the railroad and of the men who run it. The newspapers praise it and them. The Fair of the Iron Horse (September 24-October 8), in cele- bration of its one hundredth anniversary, finds the B. & O. pros- perous too. Mr. Willard has been the biggest single force be- hind the change, and every Baltimorean who thought about the matter at all was much gratified when the president of the B. & O. was installed recently as chairman of the board of trustees of Johns Hopkins University. That honor was keenly appreciated by Mr. Willard, not because it came to his as an individual — he is very modest — but because it formed a concrete symbol of public recognition of that regeneration to which he has given a great part of his life.
For the rest, Daniel Willard fits into conventional molds, in his life away from the road. He is a throughgoing American with a firm respect for things as they are. He plays golf and patronizes grand opera. He serves on committees and takes a respectable interest in civic affairs. He is a Unitarian, and he does a good deal for charity without talking about it. He is happy with his wife and children and grandchildren; he belongs to clubs and goes to dinners and finds it easy to live an orderly decent life.
There are other men who have used the phrase "enlightened
138 THE SIGNET
selfishness" to describe their actions. But Mr. Willard is one of the very few who put their principles into constant daily prac- tice, almost as a matter of course. It is perhaps a pity that the first cause of his fair dealing is his solicitude for the shareholders, his conviction that happy, well-paid men make more money for the railroad. Some may say that workers deserve happiness whether or not their happiness contributes to the welfare of the property owners. Still, call it selfishness or what you please, quibble as much as you like, the fact remains that Mr. Willard's way has made him a useful man in his chosen field, a valuable public servant, a loved man. He has won happiness for himself because those who know him believe, this happiness has been re- flected in the lives of others. His life, thus far, illustrates the tremendously important fact that the surest way to find spiritual and financial profit is to work hard for the welfare of many people.
PARADING THE IRON HORSE
The success of the Baltimore and Ohio Centenary celebration has been just as conspicuous and subject to comment as the failure of the exposition at Philadelphia. This little description of its preparation is taken from a story by May Irene Copinger in the Baltimore Sun of October i6.
"Let's have a good show."
It was Daniel Willard, president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, who voiced the first suggestion about two years ago.
Mr. Willard was looking forward to the time when the rail- road of which he is the head would attain its hundredth birthday.
"Let's have a good show," was spoken to Edward Hungerford, author, railroad expert, advertising man, who had been called by Mr. Willard to promote the "good show."
The other day, out at Halethorpe, Mr. Hungerford stood for a moment watching sixty thousand and more people milling around the grounds where the Fair of the Iron Horse was held, gazing fondly at a quaint old engine with its yellow painted cars, engine and train reminiscent of days before the Civil War and vocally attested that he was one man, at least, who had dreamed a dream that came true.
Very simply, Mr. Willard tells the story of the genesis of the idea behind the Iron Horse.
"We realized that when the Baltimore and Ohio reached the century mark, there must be a birthday celebration .... it really started one hundred years ago, you know .... the only thing to be decided was the best way to observe this anniversary."
Over two years ago Mr. Hungerford was called in to write a history of the railroad. • Then there was the germ of the idea of the show born.
PARADING THE IRON HORSE 139
"At first," explained Mr. Willard, "we thought we would have a parade between here and Relay .... but there were obstacles .... it would not be practicable to get the people out .... we had to think of sorfiething else."
There was the consideration of the race track at Laurel, "but the horses would be running there at the time that seemed best for us ... . finally we decided upon our own land at Halethorpe."
Then busy days. Planning the grounds, planning the buildings. Going into the shop at Martinsburg and getting out the old, old engines. Renovating them. Putting in new boilers. Construct- ing apparatus from old drawings. Giving the history of the road in visual form, engine by engine, train by train. Then came the planning of the consecutive "show," stringing it all together, the pageant.
"And we wanted," said President Willard, "to have the people who came to our show comfortable. We thought perhaps we would have five thousand persons a day. Perhaps there would be as many as fifteen thousand, we wildly surmised. So we built a stand, and covered it. We were to have guests and we wished them to enjoy themselves. We made our plans so that everything was ready two months ahead of time. We didn't want anything lacking. We wanted the show to be complete when it opened.
"And then," he finished, "our guests arrived. Forty, fifty, sixty, seventy thousand a day."
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
Schupp Franklin and Marshall — Ori flame
Clark St. John's— Rat Tat
Kohler Gettysburg — Cannon Bawl
Wiles Gettysburg — Spectrum
Atkinson Swarthmore — Halcyon
Simpson Virginia — Virginia Magazine
ON THE SENATE THRESHOLD
This description of Robert F. Wagner, Senator-elect from New York, is taken from a story by Henry F. Pringle, in the New York Times of November 20.
Robert F. Wagner, junior United States Senator from New York, will take his seat in the upper chamber when Congress con- venes on December 5. In the period since his election more than a year ago he has been busy accumulating facts about the nu- merous topics to which he must devote his attention at Washing- ton. First he engaged a young law student — a Columbia graduate — to assist him, and within the last month he has added a second assistant.
One is impressed, in talking with Senator Wagner, with the fact that he goes to Washington with all the sensations of a college freshman about to attend his first meeting of the student body. He is apprehensive, he admits, that he "will be considered fresh" if he tries to hurry things. He remembers his days in the State Legislature before he was called to the bench of the Supreme Court. Occasionally, he says, some new member began making speeches immediately upon his arrival and aroused irritation by pretending to know more about the government machinery than the men who had been at Albany for years.
"I remember," he has said — and the recollection is a compli- ment from a Democratic Senator to a Republican who is now Under-Secretary of the Treasury — "that when Ogden Mills first came to the Legislature he did not say a word for months, maybe not during his first year. Finally, when he got up to speak on a tax measure, he knew his subject. The other members knew that he knew it, and he made an impression as a man who did not talk loosely."
A German by birth. Senator Wagner can aspire to no higher elective office than that of United States Senator. This accounts, in part, for the gravity with which he views his coming responsi- bilities.
"Immigration ? What am I to decide about that ? International relations? I feel that the United States cannot pretend to be isolated from Europe. But how is co-operation to be achieved? I am sure that we must take part in solving the problems of Europe, and I can go as far as to say that it should be through talking with her leaders 'around a table/ but I can't be specific beyond that. So it goes. Transportation and the revaluation of the railroads are immensely important subjects that will shortly come to the front."
Senator Wagner spent part of last summer in Europe and be- lieves that he picked up much valuable information during his travels. Important trade developments are under way, he found,
OAT THE SENATE THRESHOLD 141
and these require that the United States be prepared for new forms of competition. In Germany, he said, the government has interested itself, even to the point of gaining complete ownership, in several large industrial enterprises. There are indications that the countries of Europe are "going to erect a trade wall around themselves." Competition in the future, he believes, may be on a wholesale scale between Europe and America.
"Germany learned during the war," said Senator Wagner, "that large-scale production depended upon centralization of industry. This principle is now being applied to peacetime production. The German Government owns at least one large concern outright, and has minority holdings in certain others. Trade agreements will doubtless be made with France and with other countries. I am not enough of an economist to know how the United States is to meet this competition, but I doubt that much will be accom- plished by expressions of indignation."
In conformity with his feeling that modesty is suitable when a Senator makes his debut. Senator Wagner has canceled all plans for a celebration at Washington on December 5. The Yorkville Chamber of Commerce, elated that a resident of Yorkville had achieved such a distinction, had arranged to send a delegation. Tammany Hall had intended to be on hand to cheer. There was even talk of a brass band. But the Senator-elect felt that all this was totally out of place.
CLASS PRESIDENTS
William R. Robertson, 1929 Mass. Aggie
Jacob Schutt, 1930 Franklin and Marshall
W. W. Phillips, 1929 St. John's
Niggo Swenson, 193 1 Gettysburg
Holt Woodell, college West Virginia
Joseph Anderson, 1928 Kansas
Benjamin Haviland, 1930 Swarthmore
Theodore Rowell, 1929 Pharmacy. Minnesota
PRESS IT FROM STEEL INSTEAD
This is the story of the commercial come-back of W. W. Gal- breath, St. John's, '03, as told by Charles W. Wood in Forbes for October. It has necessarily been considerably cut.
The first of January, 1921, was a great day for the Youngs- town Pressed Steel Company and its president, W. W. Galbreath. The big plan of which he had dreamed for years was at last com- pleted.
An almost perfect building, it seemed, with the very last word in equipment. The old plant in Youngstown had been a success, but had worked under terrific handicaps. There was not enough room in the old plant. The men got in one another's way, and it was always a serious problem to keep the work from being choked by the unfinished products as they passed from machine to machine.
In this new plant in Warren, Ohio, there would be no such annoyances. Mr. Galbreath was sure of that. If he had known at the time of the problems ahead!
What he did know was that the same machinery in this new location could produce five times as much as in the old. The old plant, remember, had succeeded. If this one could be five times as successful — well, wasn't that a rosy outlook?
But there was a fly in the ointment. The plant could pro- duce all right, if there had been any business — but there wasn't.
January i might have been a great day, but 1921 was a terrible year. In 1921 this wonderful new plant ran at 9 per cent of its capacity !
That was Mr. Galbreath's problem.
If he had been manufacturing some specific article for the ulti- mate consumer, he might hope to create a greater demand through ordinary advertising, but he couldn't hope to educate the public into carrying spare mudguards on their automobiles ; nor could he sell stove legs by offering householders a great reduction if they would just buy ten thousand at a time.
Advertising, however, eventually did solve the problem, but it was a new kind of advertising, which Mr. Galbreath has largely developed himself.
There appeared to be one outstanding fact. Practically all the special orders, it seemed, came from the automotive field. Why was that? If the right answer to the question could be found it might show a way out of the diflEiculty.
Then it came to him. The problem of the auto makers was to build cars which were not only powerful, but cheap and strong and light.
Was a pressed steel part cheaper than a casting? That de- pended upon the quantities wanted. Was it stronger? Most
PRESS IT FROM STEEL INSTEAD 143
certainly yes. There was no question about pressed steel being lighter than a casting and wasn't a saving in weight always an advantage? Even if a product did not have to be light in weight, wasn't it good judgment for the manufacturer to use less raw material ?
Such a line of thought originated the Y.P.S, slogan, 'Tress it From Steel Instead." The words didn't come just then, but the idea was born. This is what the automobile makers were ac- tually doing, because their problem was obvious. But if it was a good thing for them, why wouldn't it be a good move for a thousand other industries?
The inspiration was placed before Lynn Ellis, an advertising ex- pert.
"Yes," he said finally, "I think the plan will work, providing you do not look for profits from the advertising campaign in less than three years."
But three years seemed a long time to spend money without profits. Here was a big new plant standing ready to produce and the only solution seemed to be the spending of still more money. Such was the problem placed before the directors.
'T asked them for $35,000," said Mr. Galbreath, as he told the story to the writer, "and it was the hardest job I have ever done in my life. I don't mean that it was hard to get, but it was hard to ask for, even though there seemed to be no other way out."
The money was appropriated.
What eventually came out of it industrial America now knows. Perhaps it does not know that it was just three years before the Y.P.S. balance sheet turned from red to black. It is a great money-maker today, and it has performed its best tricks in money- making during the past year, when the steel industry as a whole has been quiet.
DID YOU READ SANTA'S LETTER? Page 160
GREEKLETS
There is but one good throw of the dice — away. — Delta Kappa Epsilon Quarterly
Sigma Phi Epsilon now has an official architect to eliminate defects in the house plans without {sic) finding such defects too late. — Phi Kappa Tau Laurel
The fellow who said that the alumni are the tonsils of the frater- nity may not be right. — Rainbow (A T A)
Aside from the noise of the fraternity's movie camera (at the con- vention), one was distinctly impressed by the frequency of cameras' click- ing.— Purple, Green and Gold (A X A)
Success is not made by lying awake at night, but by keeping awake in the day time. — Theta News ('6 K T)
A fraternity chapter is born every four and one-half days in the United States, and one occasionally in Canada. — Theta Xi Quarterly
Kappa Sigma recently installed its one hundred and third chapter. — Delta Upsilon Quarterly
Seventy-five per cent of American college students believe in the efficacy of prayer, but only 50 per cent of them are confident that their prayers are going to be answered. — The Magazine of Sigma Chi
"1 have always claimed," says Dean Thomas Arkle Clark of Illinois, "that if some member of each organization, with nothing else to occupy his time, should be sent to a cross street with the buttons in his pocket and should pledge the first dozen white freshmen who came his way, he would run in a better bunch scholastically and socially than is done by the present complicated process." — College Fraternity News
The word "brother" as an adjective has now disappeared from these pages. — Rainbow (A T A)
Remember that postcard pictures of our Founders may be ordered through the executive secretary for use as souvenirs at our Founders' Day banquets.— A>3) (K K r)
OFFICK hours 1 •4 • UNDAY'S BY APFOINTMBNY alAKK APPOINTMENTS OVKM PHONK FOR OFFICI or OUTSIDI WORK ■BFORC e A. M.. DURINS OFFICE HOURS AND 6-7 P. M, SUNDAYS SIFORI 10 A. M. AND 8 - S P. M.
PHONE WATKINS 8117
JOHN ASHBURTON CUTTER. M. D. 220 WAVERLY PLACE
NEW YORK CITY FED, REG. NO. 1644
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Oct. 6, 1927
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Is THE Booze Chapter Ours?
BETWEEN OURSELVES
THE memorandum which appears on the opposite page refers to the story in the October Signet, of the much-to-be-desired freshman who turned down a Phi Sigma Kappa chapter because he disapproved of its boozing. It is of interest in the attention which the simple incident apparently aroused. It is of interest because of the Cutter chirography, so well-known and baffling to the older generation of Phi Sigma Kappa leaders. Possibly some of our readers need to be told that Dr. Cutter was largely responsible for the nationalization of this fraternity. His work grows with the years. Among the other signatures is that of Dr. Conley, for several years Grand President of the Order, and that of John Marchmont, for some time the moving spirit of the New York Club, together with that of Rockett, the present president.
REFERRING to what some of us call the growing "smoke nuisance," the Woman Citizen remarks that "too many women have forgotten how to be ladies and have not yet learned how to be gentlemen."
THE following squib taken from one of the chapter publica- tions is, for the observant reader, fraught with meaning. "Ben Ames, after gathering every conceivable honor on the cam- pus the past four years, is spending another year with us in order to complete his studies."
**'npHE tipsy T's" — ^that's what the boys call them in Michigan.
""1X7 HEN Lindbergh was a student at the University of Wis- ^^ consin thirty-odd fraternities had the chance to invite him in ; but none saw anything worth going after in this silent fresh- man." This sentence from a clipping from the Capitol Times, sent in by Arnold Otto, is of course interesting, but, as indeed the reporter virtually says himself, beside the point. The function of fraternities is social. The only ones who have any occasion to regret the failure to catch Lindbergh are the Editor and perhaps the local rushing committees. We do not know Colonel Lind- bergh as one would say intimately, but it is quite possible that the Wisconsin fraternities were wiser than they think. It is doubtful whether the kind of man who would fly out into the gray and solitary mists of the Atlantic all alone was ever in very great need of what fraternities have to offer or likely to contri- bute much to campus brotherhood. Anyway, let distinction come to the fraternity as a by-product; it must not be allowed to be- come an end.
146 THE SIGNET
THE fraternity system forces aspirants into the groove of extra- curricular activities, thereby dimming the appreciation of college as a preparation for life and emphasizing immediate success as the great goal of four years.
"It builds up a satisfaction in superficial triumphs and produces many individuals who see life through the mirror of mass opinion. It suppresses individuality and sacrifices personal conviction to popular approval. It creates in the minds of those who remain outside the great brotherhoods a feeling of inferiority which often turns four pleasant years into a con- stant flow of regret.
"Elections are very largely determined by the reputation of the fraternity whose names will increase or maintain the fame already won. And each candidate for election desires to associate with those men whose position in college will bring the maximum reflection of glory on him."
Who's speaking? Upton Sinclair? The Nation? Not at all. It's the Yale News. It is of interest to note that the two Phi Sigma Kappa colleges which have given to the public an under- graduate indictment of the fraternity system are Dartmouth and Yale, two of the colleges that have taken up with sophomore pledging.
CHAPTERETTES
The secretaries were asked to indicate the "most unusual happen- ing" in the chapter this season. The following notes are taken verbatim :
Manager D. Orkney and Assistant Manager J. Elan, of the University of Washington Advertising Club, are handling the A.S.U.W. publicity. (We suppose that this is unusual in that these particular men have never done this particular thing be- fore— Ed. )
Our main topic of discussion (at Minnesota) is the laying of plans for the building of a new home. (Lucky to have escaped this in the past. — Ed.)
An alumni smoker held on October 22 (at Union).
New furniture was purchased for the lodge (at Swarthmore) in the spring of 1927.
Wisconsin voted to secure a housemother for a probationary period. Ours is the third house in the university to adopt this measure.
CHAPTERETTES 147
(At Illinois) most strict rules we ever had were put into effect. Brothers with one E or two D's at six weeks must be in every night at 7:30 except on Friday and Saturday. Pledges must be in every night but Saturday. If no improvement at twelve weeks brothers must be in every night but Saturday and pledges every night.
Dartmouth reports the pledging of twenty-two men at the opening of school. (This wasn't unusual a few years ago, we think.— Ed.)
Stevens reports a homecoming dinner for alumni.
Brown reports a dinner dance after the Brown-Dartmouth game.
Yale reports the adoption of a new rushing system as pro- posed by Epsilon chapter.
Franklin and Marshall reports a plan whereby one night a month is set aside as Alumni Night. On this night the actives stay at the house and the grads visit them. Cards, music and talks are on the program.
Sunday night suppers are pleasantly anticipated at Alpha. Nearly all the brothers are present, and usually one of the pro- fessors gives an informal talk. After the supper the brothers gather around the fireplace and sing.
Maryland records the resignation address of Brother Press in which the formation of cliques, the superior attitudes of brothers, and the lack of co-operation were effectively lamented.
Penn State reports the decision to hold the regional conclave at Kappa chapter.
Gettysburg reports the pledging of sixteen of the finest men in the Freshman class. (This has a familiar ring. — Ed.)
Michigan writes that dining-room was enlarged and redecorated. It will now seat forty men.
A house party at Lehigh was an unusually fine affair. (Every one is, fortunately. — Ed.)
Kansas rejoices in raising our scholastic standing from third from the bottom to second from the top, out of seventeen national fraternities. (Lehigh brothers, please note. — Ed.)
Virginia. (Well, see note from Minnesota. — Ed.)
St. Lawrence reports eighteen men on the football squad of thirty.
NEW ENGLAND CONCLAVE
Omicron chapter entertained the New England Conclave, Oc- tober 8, 1927. The meeting was held in connection with the session of the Council and the New England dinner.
Delegates were present from the chapters at Amherst, Albany, Schenectady, Canton, Boston, Hanover, Providence, and Wor- cester. Of these chapters, all were represented by the alumni adviser with the exception of Albany. Of the Supreme Court, Brothers Morgan and Root attended, and of the Council Brothers Burrows, Dunham, Barger, Fell, and Watts. Others present were Brothers F. G. Campbell (Founder), Fames (Alpha and Gam- ma), Edson (Tau), and Horner (Alpha).
The usual reports were made by the various chapter advisers and undergraduate delegates and discussion ensued on a number of problems of chapter administration.
The proposal was made that the 1930 General Convention be held in the New England district.
The Brown chapter invited the Conclave to hold its next meet- ing at Providence.
THE MID-WEST CONCLAVE
The Mid- West Conclave met in Champaign, Illinois, October 15 and 16, as guests of Alpha Deuteron.
Each of the eight chapters of this district was represented by one or more delegates, and alumni advisers from all chapters but Minnesota were present. The Chicago Club sent a delegation ; the Council was represented by Brothers Burrows, Barger, Ruedi, and Watts; and a number of local alumni participated in the program.
The opening session was held at the chapter house Saturday forenoon, and was given over to reports from the chapters. Lunch was served at the house and the afternoon spent at the Illinois stadium where the Iowa State football team played a tie game with the champions of the Mid- West Big Ten Conference. In this contest Brother Stuessy of Alpha Deuteron played a spec- tacular game at quarterback.
The conclave dinner was held at the Urbana-Lincoln Hotel, and later a dance was enjoyed at the chapter house.
Sunday, the business session was resumed. Various problems of the fraternity were discussed and a petition for a charter from Alpha Theta Alpha of Knox College was presented.
After a lengthy discussion this petition was approved and recommended to the Council for its endorsement. This action is significant as the charter if granted, will be the first to be approved for any of the smaller, privately endowed colleges of the Mississippi Valley.
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE
R. J. W.
The Council met at the City Club in The Council Meeting Boston, Massachusetts, for an all-day OF October 7, 1927 session, October 7. All members of
the Council were present, with the ex- ception of Brothers Lafean and Ruedi. Chancellor Morgan of the Supreme Court attended as a guest of the Council.
The reports of the Treasurer and auditor were received and approved. The following mail votes of the Council taken since the last meeting were ratified :
a. That a charter be granted to the Eta Club of Washington.
b. To authorize the initiation of Professor G. M. Sparks as faculty member of Kappa Deuteron.
c. To authorize the initiation of Professor J. A. Nicholson as
faculty member of Alpha Deuteron.
d. That the charter of Eta chapter be transferred from Balti- more to College Park.
In accordance with the recommendation of a special committee previously appointed to consider the advisability of standardizing a recognition pin, it was voted that the recognition pin be of silver and enamel, approximately %6 i'^ch in diameter, of the same de- sign that is now used as a pledge button.
As rcommended by the Pacific Petition from University Conclave the Council endorsed and OF Southern California recommended to the court the ap- proval of the petition for a charter from Phi Sigma Kappa by Phi Alpha Mu, a local fraternity at the University of Southern California.
A petition for a charter for the Columbus, Ohio, Club was ap- proved and recommended to the Court.
Brother Wood of the Pacific Dis- The 1928 Convention trict presented detailed plans for the
1928 Convention. The Council voted that the Convention be held at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, August 21 to 25.
Following the Council meeting no New England Dinner brothers from Boston and vicinity
joined with the Council in an informal dinner at the City Club. Judge Wm. R. Bayes, chairman of the Inter fraternity Conference, was the guest of the evening.
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Dr. Thomas W. Salmon, B '99
When the board of managers of the State Charities Aid As- sociation meets for the first time this fall there will be a vacant chair at its council table which will be extremely difficult to fill — that occupied for the last seven years by Dr. Thomas W. Salmon, whose death occurred on August 13.
Nearly twenty-five years ago a very young looking man called at the office of the State Charities Aid Association, without ap- pointment or letters of introduction, having read in the morning paper that the State Charities Aid Association had taken an interest in the care of the insane. He was Dr. Salmon, and he came to ask the State Charities Aid Association to take an interest also in the insane at Ellis Island. In the steady stream of incoming immigrants, receiving only the most casual medical examination in a fraction of a second each, there were hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of undetected cases of mental dif- ficulty. There were no specialists in mental conditions, either to examine the incoming thousands or to care for the discovered cases. The few aliens found to be insane were shipped back practically without medical or other attention and dumped on the wharfs when the boat arrived, often in a city and country whose language they did not understand. Naturally many of them failed ever to reach their families and friends in the homeland.
This chance call of Dr. Salmon to the State Charities Aid Association office led to some years of rather strenuous effort on our part, with Dr. Salmon's constant co-operation. It involved successive appeals to higher authorities, extended conferences with several Cabinet officers, members of Congress and with a President of the United States,
At that time the medical service at Ellis Island presented the most perfect example of bureaucracy I have ever known. It resisted to the death any suggestions that the service was not perfect. It refused to consider any modification whatever as either desirable or practicable. Dr. Salmon, a young man with a family of several children, on the stafif of the Marine Hospital Service, was taking his official life in his hands by his zeal and efforts.
This was Dr. Salmon's most notable characteristic — moral courage, humane sentiment, genuine interest in others, a willing- ness always to sacrifice himself and his personal interests and affairs in the hope of bettering the condition of those in trouble. Dr. Salmon was, by nature, and consistently through his entire life, a terror to every form of complacency.
Little by little, the citadel of official complacency gave way, and a better day dawned for the unfortunate arriving immigrants.
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE 151
The World War put Dr. Salmon to an entirely different test. There he became the spokesman for the soldier, who needed not discipline, but medical care, who heretofore had often been thought to be a coward, perhaps was shot at sunrise for desertion. There were no hosptails for mental cases, as such — speaking broadly, there never had been in fighting armies. There were neither means, facilities, personnel, nor any other of the things ordinarily considered necessary for mental hospitals — yet, under Dr. Salmon's almost uncanny use of every shred of authority which came to him, and of every tiny bit of equipment, and of every worker of every sort or description placed at his service, tiny fragments of mental hospitals grew almost overnight into large and efficient mental hospital units. The old saying is that Mark Hopkins and a student, at opposite ends of a log, consti- tuted a college. It would seem that Dr. Salmon and a patient in United States Army uniform constituted a hospital.
His most baffling problem of all perhaps was that of securing suitable specialized care for ex-service men having mental dis- orders. There is nothing to be gained by glossing over the facts — the scandals, ineptitude, graft and incompetency which characterized some of the earlier Federal efforts to look after ex-service men are matters of history. Dr. Salmon did his full share and more in struggling against what became to him almost a personal grievance — improper care of ex-service men with men- tal difficulty.
It is hardly permissible, perhaps, for a layman to express any opinion of Dr. Salmon as a psychiatrist, yet I must put down one impression in this line. When he talked about psychiatry or about individual mental cases he did so in the ordinary vocabu- lary of the ordinary person. He never seemed to find it neces- sary to use technical words and abstruse phrases, but always sim- ply a man who, better than anyone else whom I knew, understood people, knew how to get at the heart of their problems and how to give them saving advice and counsel. Perhaps, after all, that is psychiatry at its best. — New York Herald Tribune
Jasper Sprague Dunham, T '08
Dunham was in the fruit business in Yakima, Washington, and died on May 22 after having undergone a tonsilar operation which was regarded as not at all serious at the time. The pro- posed trip to Europe, upon which he intended to take Mrs. Dun- ham and their four children, was to have been a combined business and pleasure trip. A Yakima newspaper says of him that he was very highly regarded in the fruit business and that his word was considered as good as a contract. Those who had had extensive business dealings with him said that he scarcely ever wrote a
152 THE SIGNET
contract in handling hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of business.
Donald P. Jacobs, NA '28
The following clipping is from the Stanford News for No- vember 28:
Donald P. Jacobs, Stanford senior and president of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, died last Wednesday night in the Alameda Sanatorium as a result of injuries sustained in an accidental fall over an embankment at the Orinda Country Club early Sunday morning. He was buried Friday •afternoon in San Francisco.
Following the Stanford-California game, Jacobs attended a party at the country club with Clifford McDowell, another Stanford student, and Ralph Bryant, an alumnus. It is said that Jacobs left the clubhouse at midnight and disappeared. When he returned five hours later, he was found to be in a dazed condition and bore evidence of the injuries which proved fatal. He was taken several miles by friends to the sanatorium where he was examined and found to be suffering from a fractured skull.
THE CHAPTER AUTHORIAL
By Henry Seidel Canby, E '99, an essay, Pride and Pomp of of Glorious War in the Saturday Literary Review of Oc- tober 7.
Has America a Literary Dictatorship? in The Bookman for June.
By Fitzhugh Green, A '13, an essay, Explorer Passes, in The Century for October.
Fifteen Fathoms Down, in Collier's for August 13. New Styles in Bridges, in World's Work for June.
By Stephen P. Duggan, Z '90, an essay, Hands Around the Pa- cific, in The Independent for September 10.
THE CHAPTER AUTHORIAL
By Frank Prentice Rand, X '12, a play, In the Octagon, presented several times by the Roister Doisters (MA.C.) last season and by the Perkins Institute this winter.
By Frank L. Packard, Z Hon., a novel, The Devil's Mantle, pub- lished by Doran. $2.00
By Robert W. Adams, E^ '04, an article, A Balanced Chart for Golf Clubs in Golf Illustrated for May.
An article, A Model for Demonstrating the Meaning of Power Factor in the London Engineer for August. An article. Do You Fit Your loh? in the Sunday Providence Journal for September 11.
By Colonel W. Jefferson Davis, ^ '07, a book. The World's Wings, published by Simmons-Boardman, 30 Church St., New York. $2.50. William Mitchell, former assistant chief of the U. S. Air Service, writes as follows :
"I heartily commend the The World's Wings by Colonel W. Jefferson Davis, O.R.C., covering aeronautical activities in the United States, Europe and Japan. Colonel Davis was attached to our Embassy in Berlin in 1922 as legal adviser and assistant to the military attache, and represented the war department as counsel at the Congress on International Avi- ation Legislature. During the war, and since the termination of hostilities, Colonel Davis has participated in the develop- ment of American aviation, and in my judgment no one is better qualified to present this subject."
By Melville Davisson Post, A '92, a story. Leading Case in Ameri- can for June. A story. Stolen Treasure, in Ladies' Home Journal for June.
By Pennoyer F. English, ©^ '19, an article. Note on Heloderma Suspectum and Ignana Tuberculata in Science for July 8.
By Austin W. Morrill, A '00, an article. Observations on Buc- calatrix Gossypiella, a New and Important Cotton Pest, in The Journal of Economic Entomology for June. An article. Description of a New Cotton Infesting Species of Bucculatrix in the Proceedings of the Entomological So- ciety of Washington for April.
THE ALUMNI CLUBS Directory
Chartered Clubs
New York — Secretary, Frederick Griswold, Z '21, 15 Park Row. Luncheon every Thursday, 12 :30, Fraternity Clubs Build- ing, Madison Ave. and Thirty-eighth St.
Seattle — Secretary, Amos F. Olsen, A'^ '23, 7084 Seventeenth N.E. Luncheon every Friday, 12:15, Blanc's, 315 Marion St.
Baltimore — Secretary, W. C. Baxter, S '23, 1163 Calvert Building. Luncheon every Thursday, 12 :30, Engineers Club, 6 W. Fayette St.
Pittsburgh —
Detroit —
Philadelphia — Secretary, E. S. Bechtel, K '23, 4912 Knox St., Germantown, Pa. Luncheon every Friday, 12 130, Arcadia Cafe.
Amherst —
Chicago — Secretary, Earl F. Schoening, A'^ '22, Suite 1609, no So. Dearborn St. Luncheon every Tuesday, 12:00 n., Man- del Brothers Grill.
Minnesota — Secretary, H. S. Chapin, B"^ '13, Concrete En- gineering Co., 550 Builders' Exchange. Luncheon every Wed- nesday, Andrews Hotel, Fourth and Hennepin, Minneapolis.
Springfield —
Northern Ohio —
San Francisco — Secretary, Robert R. Porter, N^ '22, 647 Sev- enth Ave. Luncheon every other Wednesday, Commercial Club, 465 California St., 12:15 P-^-
Milwaukee — Secretary, Dr. W. W. Earle, Z^ '19, 4055 Plank- ington Building.
Washington —
Birmingham (Ala.) —
Vermont — Secretary, Marcell Conway, A '22, Barre, Vt.
Unchartered Clubs Dallas — Luncheon every Thursday, i :oo p.m.. Baker Hotel. Butte — Secretary, John Cooney, M^ '25, Cooney Brokerage Co. Luncheon first Tuesday of month, Finlen Hotel.
THE ALUMNI CLUBS 155
Washington Eta — Secretary, Edgar F. Russell, H '22, 2308 Ashmead Place, N.W.
The Baltimore Club reports: "A smoker and oyster roast on South River, a theater party, four dances, a banquet, and the usual weekly luncheons."
The Chicago Club announces the following attractive program: November 3, 1927, Thursday, Dinner-Theater Party, Tommy,
Cort Theater, 6:30 p.m. ; per couple $6.50
December i, 1927, Thursday, Dinner-Speaker, J. Lewis Coath,
6 130 p.M $2.00
January 5, 1928, Thursday, Dinner-Bridge, 6:30 p.m $2.00
February 3, 1928, Friday, Cabaret-Dance, Edgewater Beach Ho- tel, 7 :oo P.M. ; per couple $6.50
March 15, 1928, Thursday, Founders' Day Banquet, Stevens Ho- tel $3.50
The Washington Eta Club meet at the Lambda chapter house on the first Monday evening of the month, following an informal dinner.
The Minnesota Club is co-operating with Beta Deuteron look- ing toward a new chapter house. A banquet was held at the Minnekahda Club on October 21 in connection with Homecoming and the Iowa game.
"Brought forth by the gambler's instinct more or less inherent in the genus collegia the following Phi Sigs assembled to the call of a football pool on the Wednesday preceding the game between California and Stanford. Luncheon was held at the Commercial Club." This pronouncement was signed by more than twenty men, representing eleven chapters. The pool was won by Ed Thrall, A '15.
The New York Club has sent us an interesting statement which we are sorry we cannot print in full. It offers a very attractive program of weekly luncheons and monthly entertainments and is now launching an experiment with professional groups and the like. Your President and Editor attended a luncheon at the Clubs Building in November and were delighted with the quarters and the crowd. After January i, there will be an initiation fee rang- ing from $10 to $25 besides the annual dues ranging from $5 to $20. The Club has over 200 members now, and would like some more.
HEADS JOURNALISTIC FRATERNITY
Brother Sparks is Kappa Deuteron, Georgia Tech. The clipping is from the Atlanta Journal.
Columbus, Ohio, November 12. — George M. Sparks, head of the journalism department at Georgia Tech, and widely known writer, was unanimously elected nationed grand president of the national intercollegiate honorary fraternity of Pi Delta Epsilon here Saturday at the closing session of the annual convention.
CRUM'S STRIKING RECORD
Brother Crum, referred to in this clipping from the Washington Post, is a Penn State man.
In downtown Washington where the hum of traffic and the bustle of commerce removes all thoughts of the gridiron, a football transfor- mation has taken place that has won for George Washington University a secure position among the leading college football teams of this section.
From the departments scattered in many quarters of the business district, lacking the infectious spirit of the college campus, a football team has been molded for George Washington that patiently but cer- tainly has asserted itself as a powerful team, awakening an interest in the University's athletics that has been dormant for many years.
Under the guiding hand of Coach Harry Watson Crum, George Wash- ington's football team has earned gridiron prestige under difficulties with which few other teams have confronted.
In the four seasons preceding Coach Crum's assumption of football duties at George Washington, the Colonial football teams won seven out of thirty games played. In the three seasons that Crum has been head coach, George Washington has met sterner opposition and won twenty- four out of the thirty-two games played. This season, until the 13-0 defeat at the hands of Penn State last Saturday, George Washington was undefeated in five games played and included Fordham among its list of victims.
The glory of George Washington's climb on the ladder of football fame is further reflected in a study of the handicaps under which Coach Crum was obliged to proceed this season.
At no time during the season has Coach Crum had available more than seventeen football players for active duty. Unlike the program of most college football teams, there has been no "cutting" of the George Wash- ington squad. There have not been enough players available to stage even a scrimmage or a dummy scrimmage, forcing Crum to work without such aid thought indispensable to the proper drilling of a team.
PROMOTES SCHOLARSHIP
Fred Martin, Montana, '25, has been elected president of the University of Montana Club, of Butte, and has promoted the plan of sending a student to the University on a club scholarship. Several functions have already taken place toward raising the money.
PHI SIGS AFIELD 157
MILITARY
It is possibly of interest to know the large part Phi Sigs are playing in the Maryland National Guard. Brother Rule is a major in the 158th Brigade; Brothers Briscoe and Fell are com- manding companies in the famous old Maryland Fifth Regiment, known hereabouts as the "Dandy Fifth." Brothers Chambers, Purnell and Baxter are all lieutenants in this organization. Brothers Dice and McCauley are considered the crack aviators of the 104th Aerial Observation Squadron. Brother McCauley more particularly distinguished himself with this outfit. He is believed to be the only man to have changed from the rear seat to the front seat of an airplane, while in the air, without crashing. In- cidentally this feat was not a stunt, but was made necessary by jamming of the controls in the rear seat of the plane, in which the intrepid Dave was flying. Rather than crash his plane, he took this chance, and by skillful maneuvering, saved both his plane and himself.
DR. MORRILL
Dr. Morrill, who has contributed the vocational survey in this issue of The Signet, writes thus about his current activities :
As a representative of vegetable growing interests (mostly American) on the Mexican West Coast, I have among other duties been preparing to meet the arguments of winter tomato growers in Florida for an increase in duty on tomato imports. This question which involves an increase for my clients of about a quarter of a million a year will come up soon before the U. S. Tariff Commission and we hope to maintain the present rate in view of the demands of the western markets which cannot be supplied from Florida and other reasons. In addition, I have had a 50-50 responsibility with a partner for financing and growing a three hundred thousand dollar cotton crop which we are now harvesting. Then again, while animal industry is entirely out of my line I have recently drawn up a letter of advice on the subject of taming the Phi Sig goat for the benefit of my oldest son who is about to be initiated into the California chapter.
. BILLY MAC UNDER KNIFE
Brother Mclntyre took an enforced vacation in St. Luke's Hos- pital, New York, during September, during which period he was happily rid of a troublesome appendix.
THE CHICAGO INTERFRATERNITY CLUB
Brother Schoening represented Phi Sigma Kappa at the meet- ing of the Board of Representatives of the Interfraternity Club, held at the club rooms, Wednesday evening, October 19. The future policies of the club regarding membership were discussed. Only two hundred and fifty memberships remain at fifty dollars; when this quota is filled the fee will be seventy-five dollars. The
IS8 THE SIGNET
social functions of the club, and the speakers obtained at its Thursday luncheons are evidence which marks it as the leader among clubs composed entirely of college men.
SWEET STILL PLAYING
In a game between Stanford and Olympic Club on September 24, occurred a little episode which almost changed the victory and in which our old acquaintance, Russell Sweet, erstwhile of Montana, was the central figure. The press clipping is as follows :
A freak play nearly caused a violent upheavel among the legally inclined members of the profession. Stanford was on the ten-yard line a minute before the game ended, after smashing its way down the field in that devastating cross-fire of reverses and double reverses, with Wilton and Sims working with equal efficiency. With fourth down and four yards to go, Lewis called for a place-kick. Smalling, who had replaced Hoffman, went back to kick, and it was blocked. The gun cracked at that instant and the crowd started to swarm out onto the field.
Russell Sweet, club fullback, who holds a little notoriety for being able to run faster than many people in these parts, didn't bother about the crowd but scooped up the ball and lit out for the south. The whistle had not blown, and Wilton was off like a flash in pursuit. He brought Sweet down on his 35-yard line after a desperate chase, but it is difficult to say what might have happened if Sweet had scored. Both teams had practically disbanded and the game seemed to be quite officially over when the play occurred.
GETS TAFT'S OLD CAR
The Professor Miller mentioned in this item is a Phi Sigma Kappa of Tech.
The automobile used by former President William H. Taft while he occupied the White House has been presented to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for permanent exhibition in the department of mechanical engineering. The car is the gift of Henry Merriam of Brooklyn, New York, and was accepted on behalf of the institute by Professor Edward F. Miller, head of the department of mechanical engineering. Built in 1909, the automobile, a seven-passenger White steam car, is said to represent one of the most important steps in automotive development. In contrast with the low-slung, compact cars of today, the old steamer, in which former President Taft often drove through the parkways of Washington, has large wheels and a high touring body, the seats of which are upholstered in fine leather.
HE MEETS THE KING
The following story of how Frank Schoble was singled out for special honor by the King and Queen of England is taken from the New York Times. Schoble is a Pennsylvania man, who lost his sight in the World War.
London, October lo. — King George shook hands today at Buckingham Palace with 276 Americans, members of former National Commander Savage's party of American Legionaires who have been touring Europe since the convention in Paris and who will return to America from Southampton aboard the Leviathan tomorrow. Queen Mary also shook hands with the men and women of the party, comprising more Americans than had ever been received at one time by the British Monarchs. The Queen did more than that. She moved forward from her place beside the King and reaching out her hand clasped that of Frank Schoble, Jr., blinded World War veteran from Wincote, Pennsylvania, who could not see to grasp her's.
It was a spectacle provocative of mingled thoughts and emotions, this encounter of symbols of the Old World and the New in a gorgeous hall dominated by the twin thrones behind their Majesties and two portraits behind the Legionaires. One portrait was that of King George III, the sovereign against whom the thirteen English Colonies in America fought for and won their independence, establishing the United States. The other portrait was that of Queen Caroline, his consort. Both the historic por- traits and Ambassador Houghton were Sphynx-like as one after another the American veterans filed past Britain's present sovereigns, the names of each being announced to their Majesties by former Commander Savage, who stood by the King's side.
As the blinded legionaire Schoble approached, the King took the initiative and reached out his own hand to clasp that of the faltering guest.
"I am glad to meet one who has contributed so bravely and gallantly to winning the World War," he said quietly. The Queen saw the encounter and stepped from her place to clasp the hand her husband had let go.
"Where were you wounded?" asked the King.
"Verdun," answered Schobel.
"When was it, what part of Verdun?" the King asked.
"Near Nantillos, on October 5, 1918," answered the erstwhile lieutenant of the 318th Infantry of the Eightieth Division.
"I am very sorry," the Queen said softly. "It was too bad it had to happen so near the end of the war."
Schoble bowed and gave way, and the file continued unbroken and silent until the ceremonies were ended.
"She was very gracious," said some New York women of the Queen as they left for their hotels after the ceremony.
"She is better-looking than her pictures," commented a Californian.
"Oh, boy, we've held the hand of three Kings and two Queens on this trip," said a voice from Nevada. "There is a poker hand for you."
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For assistance in presenting this department we are grateful to the following : Brothers Dr. Cutter, Mclntyre, Walter Brandes, Gilbert Morgan, Billy Wood, Arnold Otto, Charlie Ruedi, Wil- liam C. Baxter, John Cooney, W. Jeffries Chewning, L. A. Hawkins, Cedric Foster, and E. L. Gunn.
THE CHAPTER HYMENNEAL
Pledges
Francis Joseph Cormier, A '25, and Helen Louise Leonard of
Lake Kushaqua, New York. Edward Rogers Monjo, X '23, and Eleanor Alice Morrisey of
Saratoga Springs. Cornelius P. Robinson, B '25, and Mildred Marie Weaver of
Mansfield, Ohio.
Initiates
Arthur Driscoll, M A '24, and Marble Cyr, September.
Maurice B. Tonkin, A '22, and Nelle F. Richardson, November
19, Churchland, Virginia, Homer Blair Morris, ® A, and Ruth E. Watson, September 22,
Spokane, Washington. James W. Donoghue, Z '14, and Gertrude Callaghan, September
15, Marseille, France.
Blessed in the Bond Waldo H. Clark, A '22, December 2 — Louise Cardwell.
ALUMNI THIS IS IMPORTANT
With this issue the 1927 mailing list will be scrapped. Did you get it? Scrapped. Thrown away. Abandoned. All of it. From A to Z.
Now then.
If you wish The Signet for 1928 fill out the attached blank and send it in. Do it now.
Frank Prentice Rand, Editor Signet Amherst, Massachusetts
Kindly send The Signet gratuitously to the following address during the year 1928 :
Name (Clearly written)
Street (If necessary)
Town and State
Vol. XIX NEW SERIES No. 4
Published by the
Council of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Four Times During the Collegiate Year Publication ofl5ce: 450 Ahnaip St., Menasha, Wis.
FRANK PRENTICE RAND, M.A., Editor Amherst, Massachusetts
APRIL, 1928
Application has been made for transfer of second class entry from the post office at New Haven, Connecticut, to the post office at Menasha, Wisconsin.
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS
A — March 15, 1873. Massachusetts Agricultural College. Amherst, Mass.
B — Feb. 2, 1888. Union. Chapter Houses, 519 Mercer St., Albany, and 201 Seward Place, Schenectady, N.Y.
r — Feb. 26, 1889. Cornell. 702 University Ave., Ithaca, N.Y.
A — Feb. 24, 1891. West Virginia. 672 North High St., Mor- gantown, W.Va.
E — June 3, 1893. Yale. 124 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn.
Z— Dec. 19, 1896. C.C.N.Y. 473 West 140th St., New York City.
H — Jan. 8, 1897. Maryland. Princeton and Dartmouth Sts., College Park, Md.
© — Dec. 16, 1897. Columbia. 550 W. 114th St., New York City.
I — March 15, 1899. Stevens. 810 Hudson St., Hoboken, N.J.
K — June 7, 1899. Penn State. State College, Pa.
A — Oct. 7, 1899. George Washington. 1882 Eye St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
M — March 10, 1900. Pennsylvania. 3618 Locust St., Phila- delphia.
N — March 9, 1901. Lehigh. Third and Cherokee Sts., South Bethlehem, Pa.
H — April 12, 1902. St. Lawrence. 78 Park St., Canton, N.Y.
O — May 24, 1902. M.I.T. 487 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass.
n — April 18, 1903. Franklin and Marshall. 437 W, James St., Lancaster, Pa.
:S — May 16, 1903. St. John's. Campus, Annapolis, Md.
T — March 25, 1905. Dartmouth. Hanover, N.H.
Y — Feb. 10, 1906. Brown. 406 Brook St., Providence, R.I.
* — March 24, 1906. Swarthmore. Swarthmore, Pa.
X — June 16, 1906. Williams. WilHamstown, Mass.
* — Jan. 19, 1907. Virginia. Virginia Ave., Charlottesville, Va.
CI — Feb. 12, 1909. California. 2412 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, CaHf.
A^ — May 9, 1910. Illinois. 1004 South Second St., Cham- paign, 111.
DIRECTORY 163
B^ — May 12, 1910. Minnesota. 1018 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis.
r^ — April 13, 191 1. Iowa State. 142 Gray St., Ames, Iowa.
A-^ — Feb. 27, 1915. Michigan. 1043 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich.
E^ — June 8, 1915. W.P.I. 11 Dean St., Worcester, Mass.
Z^ — Jan. 13, 1917. Wisconsin. 260 Langdon St., Madison, Wis.
HA — March 4, 1917. Nevada. 737 Lake St., Reno, Nev.
©^ — Feb. 19, 1921. Oregon Agricultural College. 27 Park Terrace, Corvallis, Ore.
jA — March 24, 1923. Kansas State. 1630 Humboldt, Man- hattan, Kansas.
K^ — April 7, 1923. Georgia Tech. 132 North Ave., N.W., Atlanta, Ga.
A^ — ^April 25, 1923. University of Washington. 4554 Six- teenth Ave. N.E., Seattle, Wash.
M-^ — April 26, 1923. Montana. lOii Gerald Ave., Missoula, Mont.
N-^ — May 2, 1923. Stanford University. Lomita Drive and Mayfield Ave., Stanford, Calif.
E^ — Feb. 3, 1925. Tennessee. 1816 West Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn.
O^ — Feb. 7, 1925. Alabama. 1423 University Ave., Tusca- loosa, Ala.
n^ — Feb. 21, 1925. Ohio State. 325 Fifteenth Ave., Colum- bus, Ohio.
P^ — March 13, 1925. Gettysburg. Gettysburg, Pa.
1,^ — April II, 1925. Nebraska. 348 N. 14th St., Lincoln, Neb.
T^ — Nov. 13, 1926. Carnegie. 1408 Wightman St., Pitts- burgh, Pa.
Y^^ — Nov. 20, 1926. North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C.
^ — Nov. 27, 1926. Kentucky. 211 East Maxwell St., Lexing- ton, Ky.
X^ — Dec. 18, 1926. Washington State. Pullman, Wash.
^^ — Dec. 21, 1926. Oregon. Eugene, Ore.
«^ 2 K FRATERNITY
OFFICERS, 1926-1928
The Supreme Court
Gilbert J. Morgan, Chancellor H '07
3925 Canterbury Road, Baltimore
Arnold C. Otto, Recorder A '11
141 3 First National Bank Bldg., Milwaukee, Wis.
William A. McIntyre M '04
25 Broadway, New York City
Dr. Joseph E. Root, 904 Main St., Hartford, Conn A '76
George J. Vogel, Torrington, Conn r '91
Dr. Walter H. Conley, Welfare Island, New York City B '91
The Council
President — Alvin T. Burrows A '03
III N. Race St., Urbana, 111.
Vice Presidents —
Howard F. Dunham T 'i i
Hanover, N.H.
Joseph H, Batt A '16
Insurance Building, Washington, D.C.
William F. Wood E '10
240 Bush St., San Francisco, Calif.
James A. Barger A^ '20
4046 W. Philadelphia Ave., Detroit, Mich.
Raymond G. Lafean M '19
3400 Forbes St., Pittsburgh
Secretary-Treasurer — Ralph J. Watts A '07
Lawrence College, Appleton, Wis.
Members~at-large
Charles H. Ruedi A^ '17
137 East Main St., Decatur, 111.
Edgar T. Fell 2 '13
Calvert Bldg., Baltimore
UJl^ m^ntt
VOL. XIX NEW SERIES No. 4
POOR WRETCHES !
Those old fellows Long forgotten, Were they not Like you and me? Didn't they, too. Love their women Just as we do, Sleeplessly ?
This is not a New distemper Which afflicts Our age alone ; Even more did Those old fellows Use to languish And to moan.
■ — Hitomaro
RADIO AND AVIATION LAW* Col. W. Jefferson Davis, ^ '07
A striking and most powerful agency furthering concord among the leading nations of the world has arisen on its own wings, and regardless of the wishes of statesman who may be inclined to protect the barriers and jealousies of individual states as against agreements and comity among nations ; this is ex- pressed in the insistent international attitude towards radio and aviation. Whether or no, these new instruments leap over old- time boundaries and prejudices with little or no regard for fron- tiers or limitations except as Nature imposes.
Big business took up with radio as soon as it was made thor- oughly practical, and is just beginning to administer aviation. This means that the law of the air, which comprehends both these systems of communication and commerce, is now being formulated and standardized through the influence of use and not according to prejudice and past conceptions. Law, which has concerned itself in the centuries of the past with matters on the ground and the oceans, has been compelled to add an en- tirely new field.
Businessmen, flying experts, statesmen and legislators, bar as- sociations, international congresses, and conferences have given much serious attention and action to laws regulating radio and air commerce. The International Chamber of Commerce and the American Bar Association have been potent factors in for- mulating international and national law relating to these innova- tions in communication, and radio especially has been dignified abroad with important and practical conferences on its regulation, followed by the International Radio Conference which convened at Washington in October.
These are formal and regular recognitions of the necessity of establishing and ratifying laws over radio and flying. The less known and yet tremendously powerful influence of use of the air is that invisible pressure exerted on international relations and extending even to support of the League of Nations. It has already had some effect and must inevitably be a great factor
* The fourth of our vocational surveys, from a book now in press, Air Rambling Through Europe, by W. Jefferson Davis, author of The World's Wings and other volumes, copyrighted 1928.
RADIO AND AVIATION LAW 167
making for adjustments and friendly relations. Nations must get together on new standards whether they like the idea or not when they consider radio and aviation, for they cannot ignore either, and commerce demands that they do get together. In coming to agreement on these subjects they are the better pre- pared to adjust phases of other matters.
This development in Europe is very plain to any observer of international relations since the World War. It is as interesting as the more technical and apparent plans to give legal standing and direction to aviation and wireless communications. The latter is the new field for law, which, startling and unprecedented as it is, has been fairly well set in order. The other and invisible course has reached out without suggestion from legal minds and is deflecting international channels around obstacles and dams to progress and accord of nations.
Aviation has not been regarded in this light ; it was thought very generally that it would sit in the office of war waiting for a job. Instead it has gone boldly into transportation and called lustily for freedom whenever the old ideas have interfered. It is now, in Germany, a distinct influence for peace, asking to be let alone as a commercial undertaking; and the larger and more far-reaching German air commerce becomes, the stronger will be its opposition to war.
This typifies the new feeling in commercial flying, and as air commerce is better established over the world it will be more and more loath to be drafted for war. The two schemes are not to be mixed, and if war steps in there is the absolute destruction of the air commerce undertaking and a loss of all the capital in- vested therein except as the nation, if able after a war, may shoulder indemnity for this loss.
It is not strange, therefore, that air commerce should step into the deliberations of international delegates and ask for fewer barriers and more comity, thereby having an influence on the general deliberations looking for agreement. Radio has not asked anything of anybody — it has gone on regardless of any narrowing jealousies, and from the first regulation has been imperative to avoid chaos. Radio could not be ignored and it could not be bound, so the good will of nations was essential in establishing laws of operation to make its uses as smooth and uninterrupted as
i68 THE SIGNET
possible. The great social service of broadcasting has brought peoples so much closer together that new international relations have been essential.
All this has resulted in new perceptions in international law and progressive influences in the deliberations on other subjects influencing the agreement of nations. In fact, radio and aviation have given law a real jolt in their call for completely new ar- ticles of regulation. No precedents, musty or otherwise, would fit; an entirely new field was open for law-giving. Nor could the law take its time, as lawyers are wont to do. Radio especially craved action, and that right away.
This was in the new period, after the world war, when the new field of law was really thrown open. Prior to that time there had been some regulation of wireless communications be- tween ship and shore, and now and then an abortive, frequently ludicrous, attempt to show that a community or other locality could make air laws. The law was somnolent until there was so much buzzing in the air that something had to be done about it.
It must be said that those who have taken this thing in hand have done fairly well so far. Common sense has generally pre- vailed in planning regulation, whether municipal or worldwide, and the best operating and legal minds have formulated laws on operation that have given bills of rights to these two new features of civilization. Standards are fairly well known and recognized in law both as to radio and flying. The tendency in governing either use of the air is to bring about order and the greatest possible use, hence nationally selfish or jealous regulation is com- monly avoided.
It is very significant of the importance achieved by the subject of the special field of law relating to air commerce and radio, that two prominent universities, both long established and con- servative, are preparing to establish departments of instruction offering courses in air law. One, the University of Konigsberg, in East Prussia, has quite definite ideas of the importance of this new field of law. Established in 1544, and with faculty memories of Kant, von Herder, Bessel, and Neumann, it has four centuries of history behind it, yet is looking forward to becoming an in- fluence in one of the newest and most advanced fields. The Institute of Air Law at this university is in charge of Professor
Query Worcester
Dyer Union
Grice North Carolina
ROBNETT
Oregon
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
Marshall Penn State
if?^,
/ L
M ^^ ^.M^^
Murray Ohio
Starr Schmid
Carnegie Lehigh
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
RADIO AND AVIATION LAW 169
Otto Schreiber, well known as an authority on the subject and on commercial law..
Doctor Schreiber has collected a library on air law and has for- mulated plans for keeping in touch with legislation on the sub- ject throughout the world. He is making an effort to secure the interest of students of air law in all countries, and hopes to make the institute an international establishment in its attendance.
The other institution is the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson and equally as conservative as the German university in its standards and ideals. It has planned the estab- lishment of a section of air law and is collecting the nucleus of a library on the subject, and alumni and others interested have in hand the financing of this as a permanent feature of the uni- versity's law courses. The concept of these courses is twofold: primarily the great international status of the subject; and allied with this, the growing importance of interstate regulation as air commerce grows in the United States.
This advanced outlook of such conservative institutions of learning as those of Virginia and Konigsberg, would not be taken were not these new fields in law so ready for proper means of cultivation. The university plans for courses in air law follow closely the consideration given by the American Bar Association, the Comite Juridique Internationale de I'Aviation, the Interna- tional Air Navigation Convention, the international conventions on radio, the Comite Internationale de la Telegraphic sans Fil, the Union Internationale de Radiophonie, the International Cham- ber of Commerce, and other bodies and congresses.
The authorities have made excellent progress in re-writing international law in the terms of tomorrow. International law is simply an arrangement of regulation of the dealings of nations one with another. Old relations and old ways of intercourse have changed so tremendously that it would not be unexpected if changes in law had failed to keep pace. An examination, how- ever, of the situation shows that the law has very nearly caught up with the rapid movement forward. The whole tendency today in law is to answer constructively the public resentment against delay and archaic procedure by simplification of procedure, and the American Law Institute is making great progress toward that end. This will bring efficiency and greater speed in our
170 THE SIGNET
American methods of legal procedure. In fundamental restate- ment of the law, in uniform state laws and in uniformity of judicial procedure, there are standard programs which are being carried out expeditiously through agencies created by the Ameri- can Bar Association,
In the new field of law of the air, there was not only the ab- sence of ancient and inflexible methods and rules and impene- trable precedents, but there was as well an irresistible demand for speed. Immediate action was required, and the lawyers who harked back to 1850 on cases supposedly affecting rights in the air were left behind so fast that they never really knew what had gone past them. This outward attitude appeared in the early days of aviation and radio, but it could not prevail because flying and broadcasting moved so fast and so far that the younger and more forward-looking legal minds were the only ones at hand when big business called for the right sort of regulation.
The basic questions of law relating to rights in the air have been fairly well arranged and established. There are some ques- tions in dispute, but these will require practical trial of the two new mediums of commerce before the practical application can be determined. Radio broadcasting has brought about evidences of broader good will among nations, for this has been essential before any laws or standards could be drafted and enforced. This control through comity has prevailed rather than by enact- ing international laws, and so the tendency in the radio develop- ment has been toward few international agreements in law and more and through unions and associated agreements of the businesses interested.
It is significant that the new structure of international law is being built by men who know the air as well as the law. Doc- trinaires and precedent-followers were soon left behind, and the development has been guided in aviation by men familiar with in- ternational law who saw service during the World War. Such men as the young Parisian advocate, Robert Homburg; Dr. Otto Schreiber, who has been placed at the head of the University of Konigsberg's Institute of Air Law ; George C. Bogert, dean of the Chicago University Law School ; D. W. Iddings, former presi- dent of the Ohio Bar Association, and Chester W. Cuthell, my associates on the Air Law Committee of the American Bar As-
RADIO AND AVIATION LAW 171
sociation; Major K. M, Beaumont, D.S.O., of London; Pierre Etienne Flandin, former under-Secretary of State for Air for France ; and numerous others, bring to their work a well-balanced knowledge on all phases of the field. There are so many of these men who have given their time and technical abilities that a full list is out of the question. This means that this new field of law will be covered in sound accord with statutory and constitu- tional laws of nations and will be immediately and continuously responsive to practical requirements of the flying world and its patrons.
Yet there is much of great importance to be done. In the United States we have seen the development of aviation from an embryonic stage in the War and Navy Departments, and more recently in the Department of Commerce, and aviation is con- nected with perhaps a dozen other governmental agencies. In Europe aviation is a centralized force, as in Italy, where Musso- lini actively directs all that pertains to the air forces of his country. Great Britain, Spain, Denmark, Germany, and France have all unified their air forces, but in the United States merely sporadic attempts have been made towards unification. The ten- dency throughout the world today is to become air-minded, but the novelty of flying has worn ofif to some extent and so the American people have largely dulled their consciousness in this direction. America needs a greater air consciousness.
Harold Riegelman, a Cornell Zeta Beta Tau, was elected president of the Inter fraternity Conference in November. His selection was epochal. A Jew president of the Conference ! Ten years ago we should have con- sidered the selection of a Jew as president of Trinity or of Alpha Chi Rho no more remarkable. Yet had Mr. Riegelman not been chosen head of the Conference at this meeting, we would have been disappointed in the Conference. To our minds it was a big thing for the Conference to do, and yet not to have done so would have been infinitely petty.
— Garnet and White (A X P)
THE CHAPTER SINGS Howard Thomas, A '28
Massachusetts "Aggie" has never been a singing college and it is natural that a general decadence of college singing would reflect upon the singing of the fraternity groups within the in- stitution. 'Aggie" fraternities were doing practically no singing three years ago. To be sure, the boys gathered about the piano and "had a hum" occasionally, but the whole thing was more or less spasmodic and not entirely harmonious.
In the winter of 1926, the Academics Activities Board offered a beautiful trophy to be contested for by the fraternities, each fraternity to sing two selections — one college song and one fra- ternity song. The fraternities looked askance at the proposition, but they entered, half-heartedly, into the new venture. Phi Sigma Kappa saw an opportunity to annex another cup. The boys prac- ticed faithfully for weeks, and — we won the cup. [In February, 1928, Alpha won the cup for the third time in succession, and thus acquires permanent possession. — Ed.] I do not think there was any other motive in the group effort outside of a crav- ing for possession of the large silver trophy.
However, we little realized that we had "started the ball rolling" within the house. We had learned two songs — learned them "cold," as it were. Whisky tenors were heard for weeks caroling the chorus of Dear Old Massachusetts. Solemn basses hummed Phi Sigma Kappa Fair as they splashed under the cooling shower bath. The interf raternity sing had taught us two things : that we really could sing; that the college and fraternity songs were worth singing.
The college song leader was president of the house the next year; he realized that the opportunity was ripe for the develop- ment of a singing fraternity. Therefore, each Monday night be- fore meeting we all gathered in the living-room and sang for ten or fifteen minutes. The first obstacle we ran into was un- familiarity with the college and fraternity songs. To cope with this difficulty, we had the songs printed on multigraphed sheets. Thus, throughout all of the past school year we worked to im- prove the singing of the group. However, there was something stilted about this method; something that did not ring true. If
THE CHAPTER SINGS 173
singing is to be effective it must come from the heart ; it must burst forth spontaneously. John McCormack says that one never sings till he feels himself thrill with the joy of singing. There was nothing about this Monday evening singing that thrilled the boys. It became a bore ; with each succeeding week it was in- creasingly difficult to get the brothers to leave their rooms and come downstairs for the pre-mxceting sing. This method had to go by the board. However, it had succeeded in teaching the members a number of songs ; all we now needed was to acquire spontaneity.
The solution came in a peculiar manner. Here at "Aggie" none of the fraternities eat in the houses. The only time that the entire group gets together is on meeting night, unless some special event brings it together more often. Therefore, it has been customary during the winter season to have Sunday night suppers at the various fraternity houses. These suppers are merely little informal buffet "feeds" engineered by a house com- mittee, with efforts being made to introduce variety each week. After the supper, there is generally an invited speaker — usually a faculty member — who talks informally for a half hour or so; then the party breaks up.
It suddenly occurred to us that it would be a great idea to com- bine an informal sing with each of these suppers. The idea was not a new one; we had seen it work successfully down at one of the Amherst College fraternities. Perhaps some of the Phi Sig houses throughout the country use the same method. In such a case, I will be offering nothing new, except perhaps a few details.
Alpha chapter had its first Sunday night supper early in Oc- tober. The main reason for starting so early in the school year was to get acquainted with the new pledges, but the singing prop- osition was in the minds of many of the members. After the boys had disposed of sandwiches, doughnuts, and cider — sweet, of course — we gathered in comfortable attitudes around the cheer- ful blaze in the large fireplace, and settled down to hear a few reminiscences from "Pop" Clark, of the class of '87. Only the glow of the fire sent darting shadows around the large room. "Pop" was in a mellow mood, and when he had finished speak- ing, the moment was auspicious for a sing.
174 THE SIGNET
The song leader's tenor rose in the opening strains of Dozmt Among the Purple Hills of Amherst Town; a few voices chimed in, and then the full body of forty-five men burst in song — spon- taneous, joyous song. It was a memorable moment in the life of Alpha. We sang many songs that night, college songs, fra- ternity songs, old favorites, ditties, and everything we could think of at the time. The fire died out, but still we sang. The all-important seven-thirty car to Mt. Holyoke College was due, and still we sang. Spontaneity had come at last.
The psychology of the whole matter lies in the fact that the average individual will not sing if he knows he is being observed. The dull glow from the fireplace furnished ample light for our gathering, and yet it was not sufficiently bright to make individual faces distinguishable. As a result, no one felt self-conscious; each man threw discretion to the four winds; he sang.
We have had many sings since that memorable Sunday in Oc- tober, and hope to establish these affairs as permanent institu- tions here at "Aggie," not only within Alpha chapter, but in the eleven other fraternities on the campus. I can see in this method a possible solution for the deplorable condition of college sing- ing here.
If your fraternity group is disorganized, if the boys are dis- contented and bickering among themselves, if the studies are not going well, if there are athletic disappointments within the house, if there are any internal troubles, have a Sunday night supper, and when it is over, light a cheery fire in the fireplace, turn out the other lights, and sing. It is a sure antidote for everything. The man who has a song in his heart will also have room for the love of a fraternity brother. Singing makes for co-operation; it makes for organization ; it makes for brotherhood.
Try a fireplace sing! It is worth the effort.
WHAT IN RETURN?
The following editorial from The Cornell Sun is in the nature of a challenge. That the question raised can be seriously asked may rightly fill one with a sense of disquietude. That it can be explicitly and emphatically answered is not sufficient reassurance. The drift toward localism, as seen in colleges like Yale, Dartmouth, and now Cornell, indicates that all is not well. And national officers are rightly disturbed.
One of those granite-hearted Dartmouth men recently raised a cry against the national fraternities, and on further investiga- tion we have learned that the Dartmouth campus is rife with discussion concerning the possibility and advisability of turning in national charters. The parent organizations have turned an anxious ear to Hanover; let them extend the other to Ithaca.
We have recently been informed of the high cost of living at Cornell — something over fourteen hundred dollars a year for the fraternity men of which the national organization benefits any- where from five dollars to fifty dollars per man per year. Annual dues, convention taxes, fraternity magazine subscriptions all go to swell the national treasury. What does the individual or the chapter receive in return? A traveling secretary or a district representative calls once a year. A national convention is held to transact business and mainly to have a good time. A few national groups supervise finances. There is a greater number that don't.
Cornell is isolated. The tendency of national bodies is to neglect the Ithaca chapters at the same time exacting a sub- stantial revenue. It is our belief that money could be saved without any national affiliation, a saving that could well be ap- plied to reducing mortgages, bonds, and accumulated debts.
Affiliations after college amount to naught. The fraternity is forgotten, and the chapter remembered only as a convenient lodging and boarding house over occasional week-ends.
The question of continuing relations with a national organiza- tion is one that can bear much discussion. What is your opinion ?
"If the cocky, incorrigible sophomore group in the average fraternity is the result of the much touted freshman training, I am of the opinion that not much of value would be lost if freshman training could be elim- inated.—T/i^ Palm (A T V.)
176
THE SIGNET
Name |
Chapter |
Campus |
Expected |
Chapter |
Distinction |
Vocation |
Contribution |
||
Davies |
Gettysburg |
Debater Editor |
Ministry |
Financial guidance |
Grice |
No. Carolina |
Scholar Executive |
Business |
Financial guidance |
O'Shea |
Cornell |
none |
Business |
none |
Berg |
Minnesota |
Manager |
Law |
Scholarship |
Daubert |
Wash. State |
none |
Engineering |
Inspiration |
Robnett |
Oregon |
Manager Debater |
Business |
Reorgani- zation |
Murray |
Ohio |
none |
Engineering |
none |
Wagner |
Illinois |
none |
Business |
none |
Fieting |
Wisconsin |
none |
Business |
none |
Thomas |
Mass. Aggie |
Basketball |
Teaching |
Scholarship |
Starr |
Carnegie |
Manager |
Business |
none |
Saunders |
Alabama |
Music |
Law |
none |
Cook |
St. John's |
Manager |
Business |
Equipment |
Jones |
Iowa State |
Executive |
Business |
Organiza- tion |
Morton |
Ga. Tech |
Basketball Tennis |
Engineering |
none |
Delphey |
Ore. Aggie |
none |
Engineering |
none |
Chubb |
Virginia |
Manager Music |
Business |
none |
Schmid |
Lehigh |
Manager |
Engineering |
Rushing Alumni or- ganization |
Snoufifer |
Maryland |
Executive |
Business |
Alumni support |
Morrish |
California |
Editor |
Business |
none |
Marshall |
Penn State |
Manager |
Business |
Scholarship |
Brown |
Columbia |
Wrestler |
||
Query |
Worcester |
Football |
Engineering |
none |
Fryatt |
Pennsylvania |
|||
Fitts |
Williams |
|||
Atkinson |
M.I.T. |
Dramatics |
||
Quick |
Brown |
Music |
Business |
Financial guidance |
Hart |
Michigan |
Rushing |
||
Heck |
W. Virginia |
Scholar |
Business |
Enforce- ment of by- laws |
Cook St. John's
Jones Iowa State
Morton Georgia Tech
Berg Minnesota
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
Griffin Nebraska
Ripley Washington
Petri KIN Swarthmore
Thomas Mass. Aggie
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
OUR PRESIDENTS
177
Name |
Chapter |
Campus Distinction |
Expected Vocation |
Chapter Contribution |
Petrikin |
Swarthmore |
Football |
Law |
none |
Ripley |
Washington |
Executive |
Business |
none |
Griffin |
Nebraska |
Editor |
Journalism |
none |
Barkley |
Yale |
none |
Engineering |
none |
Barton |
C.C.N.Y. |
Fencing |
none |
none |
Martin |
George Washington |
Editor |
||
Dyer |
Union |
Manager |
OUR PRESIDENTS
We have never gotten over our undergraduate sense of awe and admiration in the presence of the president of the chapter. Nowhere since have we found authority more fully and potently invested. Nowhere has dignity more graciously taken her seat upon a human form. Nowhere has the craving for leadership been more adequately satisfied. To be the chapter president was our fond and secret aspiration — an aspiration never indeed to be fulfilled. But ever since we have been particularly interested in the chapter presidents whom we have met, and greatly con- cerned with the regard accorded by the other brothers to that high office.
The table on the opposite page represents an attempt to satisfy the curiosity mentioned above; it presumably answers in some degree that all important question : "What kind of men are being picked to guide and inspire our chapters?" And the answer in general is most gratifying.
It should be said at once that the term none as it appears in the table is not to be taken too literally. In the campus distinc- tion column, for example, it means simply that the subject is not doing a specific thing which is conspicuous on the campus; he is usually a member of committees and societies, but is not identified with any particular activity and is not an outstanding figure. In the same way none referring to the subject's "most important
178 THE SIGNET
contribution to the chapter," simply means that the correspondent did not designate a particular and peculiar service, or was misled by the inquiry into stating the qualities of leadership rather than the concrete results. Furthermore, we have in some cases restated information in order to make it more uniform.
The outstanding and gratifying significance of the table seems to be that the chapters are choosing their presidents on the basis of their abilities to do a particular job, rather than on that of popularity or campus distinction. It is extraordinary how very few athletes appear on this roll of honor. The chapters seem to realize that because a man can punt sixty yards he is not nec- essarily a good executive. In fact a considerable number of the presidents have done almost nothing in the way of campus ac- tivities. But the fraternities know their strength more intimately and truly than any outsiders, and the election to the presidency is thus a very real and genuine compliment. And it is such a compliment because it isn't intended as a compliment at all. The office isn't held as an honor to be enjoyed, but as a responsible trust to be administered.
It is of interest, too, to note how generally business and en- gineering will get these men after graduation. The professions are represented hardly at all. This is in accord with the spirit of the times. America is looking primarily to business and en- gineering for her leaders, and it is in these fields that the rewards of endeavor lie. She may be erring in this preference, but cer- tainly these occupations are taking their pick from the youth of the land.
The chapter contributions are too varied for comment, but in every instance where they are mentioned, the correspondent felt that the president has accomplished a special piece of emergency work, has effected a definite reform, and it should be the am- bition of every leader to have his name go into the records as- sociated with some constructive performance.
To the names which appear in the table, our compliments and our best wishes !
/
MORRISH
California
Daubert Washington State
" .*t «*»% ^.
.^i ^^swHwaKedii
O'Shea Cornell
Heck West Virginia
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
Davie s Gettysburg
Snouffer Maryland
Delphey Oregon Aggie
Quick Brown
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
THE 1928 CONVENTION 179
OFFICIAL CALL FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO CONVENTION
The twenty-third general convention of the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity will be held at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, California, Tuesday to Saturday, August 21 to 25, 1928.
By order of the Council
RALPH J. WATTS Secrtary and Treasurer Appleton, Wisconsin March 15, 1928
THE 1928 CONVENTION
Unusual significance is attached to the next General Conven- tion of Phi Sigma Kappa to be held at San Francisco, as there will thus be demonstrated in an entirely new manner the national aspects of this fraternity. The holding of a convention on the Pacific coast ten years ago would have been considered as im- practical as it would have been impossible financially. In 1918 there were but two chapters west of the Rockies and but four west of Chicago.
Important as this forthcoming event is from the broader point of view of the entire fraternity, its chief interest will be cen- tered in the individual delegates, 75 per cent of whom will go from homes east of the Mississippi River.
It is the desire of the Council, as well as of the San Francisco Committee, that the Convention delegates shall have as enjoyable a trip as possible. To that end a pamphlet of information is being prepared to distribute to the delegates as soon as they are ap- pointed. This suggests the more common routes to the west coast and describes the ways in which certain points of scenic beauty may be reached.
The travel allowance to be paid by the Council will cover the reduced rate round trip railroad fare and Pullman by the most
i8o THE SIGNET
direct route from each chapter to San Francisco and return. The cost for meals en route, for hotel in San Francisco, and for side trips will vary with the program decided upon by the individual. For a relatively small personal expense one may see much of the West, and probably none will fail to take advantage of this opportunity to visit one or more of the national parks.
Schedules may also be so arranged as to provide stop-overs at several of the institutions where chapters of Phi Sigma Kappa are located.
The alumni of Los Angeles, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Portland, and Spokane are organizing to entertain delegates who stop over at these cities by showing them the places of interest in their re- spective communities.
No special excursion train will be operated. Delegates from various sections are urged to agree upon a certain route and if the number is sufficient, arrangements may be made for a special Pullman car to be attached to the train selected.
The New York Club has been working on an itinerary which it is hoped will attract a large number of the eastern delegates.
Delegates are advised to begin at an early date to plan their trip. Train schedules and illustrated booklets will be furnished by the Secretary of the Council or by any of the railroads running to the west coast. District passenger agents for these roads will gladly call on any delegate and assist in arranging details. Attention should be given to the selection of routes and trains to insure day time passage through desired localities. All delegates should arrive in San Francisco not later than the afternoon of August 21.
It is hoped that a number of alumni other than official dele- gates may find it possible to attend the Convention, A trip to the west coast during the summer months will present to many an attractive manner of spending their summer holidays.
The two surviving founders, Brothers Brooks and Campbell, have promised to attend the Convention if their health permits.
The following detailed program for the Convention has been approved by the Council:
THE 1928 CONVENTION 181
Convention Program : Hotel Fairmont Tuesday, August 21 5 :oo P.M. Council Meeting
6:00-8:00 P.M. Registration of Delegates 8:00 P.M. Conclaves
Wednesday, August 22
9:00 A.M. Opening Session of the Convention
Reports of Council Officers Appointment of Convention Committees Report of the Supreme Court Report of the Endowment Trustees Report of the Editor of The Signet
2 :oo P.M. Conference of Chapter Advisers
Meetings of Convention Committees
7:00 P.M. Business Session
Reports of Chapter Delegates
Thursday, August 2j
9:00 A.M. Business Session
Reports of Club Delegates Action on Petitions for Charters Action on other Recommendations
2:00 P.M. Sightseeing
7:00 P.M. Exemplification of the Initiation Ritual
Friday, August 24
9:00 A.M. Business Session
Unfinished Business Election of Officers
1 :oo P.M. Convention Photograph
2 :oo P.M. Sightseeing or Business Session 7:00 P.M. Convention Banquet
Saturday, August 2^ 8:00 A.M. Visit to Nu Deuteron Chapter, Redwoods, and
Santa Clara Valley; Barbecue.
THE PRINCETON CLUBS The Editor
Best known of all the struggles against the college fraternity was Woodrow Wilson's unsuccessful opposition to the Princeton clubs. The chapter in Mr. Ray Stannard Baker's excellent bi- ography of Wilson, however, is the first adequate presentation of that struggle to have come to our notice. We wonder whether the younger generation of Greeks may not appreciate a brief re- sume of the Princeton situation, together with what is perhaps a rash reflection upon the distinguished president's proposed re- form.
Attention should be called at once to the fact that fraternities were forbidden at Princeton and that the societies against which Wilson leveled his broadsides were local upperclass eating clubs.
Wilson seems to have had really only four clear-cut criticisms of the clubs. In the first place, they were luxurious, "as they erect more and more costly buildings and add this, that, and the other elaboration to their lives." In the second place, they de- prive the underclassmen of the stimulating and seasoned influence of their undergraduate elders. "It is a vicious plan because it separates the lower classmen from the very men who could most influence and vitalize them. A senior can often do more with a freshman than can any member of the faculty." In the third place, they leave a very considerable number of upperclassmen in a social isolation of implied inferiority. Wilson referred to the disappointed men who abandoned Princeton, if not indeed their whole college career, rather than come back without caste the fall of junior year. And lastly, there was the distraction from intellectual application. Mr. Baker writes : "During the spring campaign leading up to bicker week, legitimate university work was all but forgotten in the intensity of the struggle of the clubs." And Wilson said, "That Hfe, as it becomes more and more elaborate, will become more and more absorbing, and university interests will fall more and more into the background." In other words, to use Wilson's famous analogy, "the side- shows would swallow up the main tent."
In passing it might be said that this picture of club life at Princeton would seem to weaken considerably the position of those who argue for the deferring of pledging into the sopho-
THE PRINCETON CLUBS 183
more year. The Princton campus would hardly seem to offer the social millennium toward which reformers fondly look.
Let us now turn to Wilson's constructive plan. "He was not attempting to abolish the clubs, but to transform them into a more closely built and useful part of the University." He said, "Club life is based upon social instincts and principles which it would be impossible to eradicate."
"I propose that we divide the University into colleges, and that the strong upperclass clubs themselves become colleges under the guidance of the University. By a college I mean not only a group of dormitories, but an eating hall as well with all of its necessary appointments, where all the residents of the college shall take their meals together. I would have over each college a master and two or three resident preceptors, and I would have these resident members of the faculty take their meals in hall with the undergraduates. But I would suggest that the undergraduates of each college be given a large share of the self-government in the spirit of our later development, so that the rules of college life should be administered, if not formulated, by committees upon which the undergraduates should have full representation."
Of course this is largely the Oxford-Cambridge plan, although Wilson apparently insisted that the two were not comparable because the English colleges are so entirely independent. By the way, it has often been remarked how easily the American fra- ternity might evolve into the English college.
It is noticeable that Wilson did not stress the fact that the clubs were not democratic, although he is once quoted in a ref- erence of this sort. Of course the quads which he proposed were hardly more democratic than the clubs. For the clubs, al- though they were in themselves exclusive enough, left the student two whole years of the most free and promiscuous social inter- course one can conceive of on any college campus, while the quads, although much more inclusive in themselves, were to iso- late the groups from the very beginning. The two plans would seem to be about fifty-fifty so far as being a menace to democracy was concerned. As a matter of fact, exclusiveness is no indict- ment of fraternity anyway; rather it is definition. Most of the strength, together with some of the weakness, of the fraternity system is to be found in its exclusiveness. Moreover the fra-
i84 THE SIGNET
ternity in the small college would be hardly more exclusive than the quads at Princeton; if one cared to quibble he might say that it would be even less so — it would exclude a far smaller number of men. So Wilson didn't have much to say about the exclusive- ness of the Princeton clubs; as an admirer of the Oxford college he naturally couldn't.
Actually what he propsed was more and bigger clubs. He was greatly disturbed by the forgotten man, the fellow who missed a bid. He undoubtedly knew that the poignancy of such over- sight becomes greater the longer it is delayed. When the pledg- ing takes place early the overlooked man may console himself with the obvious reflection that the societies make their selection upon highly superficial grounds, and proceed to orient himself with other kindred spirits. But after two years the elections are presumably a real criterion of acceptability and they may in- deed leave a man bereft of associates if not even of intimate friends. As a matter of fact Wilson was arguing in almost the very words of Billy Levere and the Interfraternity Conference: in general, if the fraternity is a good thing for some of the stu- dents, it is a good thing for practically all of them. There ought to be enough chapters to go around. In many colleges there are. Where there are not, let us provide them. More and bigger clubs !
With Wilson's complaint against the palatial clubhouses on Prospect Avenue all intelligent fraternity leaders will concur. Some colleges have taken the logical step of definitely restricting the construction cost of new houses. Still it is well to bear in mind that if the alumni were not building fraternity houses, they would almost certainly have to be building dormitories and they would be getting very much less fun out of it. It is on the cards that Wilson's quads might have eventually become quite as lux- urious as the clubs. If some grateful alumnus should offer $500,000 to renovate his quad hall, is it indeed likely that the university would not as gratefully accept it?
There remains the question of the society as a disturbing ele- ment in the intellectual life of the campus. Well,
You may lead a horse to water But you cannot make him drink;
You may quad the boys forever But you cannot make them think.
THE PRINCETON CLUBS 185
Oxford locks the boys up at night ; the American college virtually locks them up in. the daytime. The secret of insuring intellec- tuality lies still behind the smile of the Sphinx. To be perfectly frank Wilson was idealistic, or visionary (depending upon how you vote politically) upon this point.
Among the factors that defeated the quad idea at Princeton there were undoubtedly two or three inherent in the idea itself. The proposal to place faculty men in the quads savored too much, from the undergraduate point of view, of the schoolmaster. Like Falstaff, the undergraduate resents whatever parades as com- pulsion. The so-called confiscation of property was, from the alumni point of view, virtually the same resentment. Moreover the quad was a British institution, let the president deny it as he might. Young America isn't ready to copy England yet. Elections, too, were to be dictated, in some way not specified, from above. In other words, something was being put over. The ancient enemy was making a strategic move for advantage. Once more into the breach, dear friends !
If our analysis of Wilson's mind on this subject be indeed in any sense an accurate one, how much better might he have fared had he espoused the American fraternity! He could undoubtedly have controlled the extravagance in building, as Hopkins has done at Dartmouth. He could easily have fostered the introduction of new groups, up to the limit of college enrollment. He could have built houses for these new groups and rented them to them, with or without the option to buy. It seems certain that he could have gradually manipulated the bicker week farther and farther back into the sophomore and eventually the freshman year. He might even, by tactful persuasion, have led the societies to in- clude alumni or honorary faculty members in their active per- sonnel. Certainly he could have enlisted considerable support for his educational program by a diplomatic recognition of the stu- dent leadership to be found in the clubs. If Wilson himself could not have done all this, still it might have been done.
In Wilson's time the national fraternity had comparatively lit- tle to recommend it over the local, and the local, although offer- ing lodging for men of all four classes, was essentially the same as the Princeton club. It is not surprising that Wilson was dis- trustful of the fraternity and adopted the idea of the rosier, be-
1 86 THE SIGNET
cause more distant, quad. Since then the automobile has made nationalism more important and more perilous. But meanwhile there has been developed, in all national fraternities separately and in common, a responsible and idealistic leadership that has elicited the commendation and co-operation of university heads all over the country. Today college presidents and deans every- where recognize that the fraternity, peculiarly an American prod- uct, is a universal and permanent force in education, either for good or for bad, and that it can just as well be for good if it is wisely and sympathetically guided. The president of any national fraternity and Woodrow Wilson might confer upon almost any phase of this subject today and find themselves most happily in agreement.
From the vantage point of these twenty years it would seem that Wilson made a mistake. He backed the wrong horse.
COMMENT Ray Stannard Baker
I think you misinterpret when you say that the quads that were proposed were "hardly more democratic than the clubs." The quads were, in their very essence, designed to be democratic units. All students were to become members ; consequently there would be no invidious distinction between the "ins" and the "outs." Assignments to quads, rather than election or bidding, prevented the absurdities of "bicker week."
Deferred pledging or election until the end of the sophomore year was in no sense the heart of the trouble. Wilson was op- posed to the system of bidding altogether. It should be noted that the prevalence of upperclass clubs led to the formation of freshman and sophomore clubs, which also chose men on the bidding basis and added to the difficulty. Thus the invidious dis- tinction reached back to the beginning of the college course. These lower class clubs, while having many of the aspects of the upper class clubs, were largely for the purpose of lining up men for the upper class organizations. They no longer exist, I think.
While it is true, of course, that the quads could not have forced men to think, they would have put them in an atmos- phere where the probability of their attention to thought and
COMMENT 187
study would have been increased. This is all that Wilson argued. The clubs virtually resisted the stimulation which the university administration desired, by distracting men. The quads were to emphasize "plain living and high thinking." The clubs em- phasized social life and plain thinking.
The quad idea was unquestionably defeated because the pro- posed plans were misunderstood and ministerpreted, before the administration had an opportunity to mature its plans. This was partly because Wilson was too precipitate and too much in a hurry. The opposition was based upon an instinct to protect privilege rather than upon sound reason, and the undergraduates were a minor factor in the defeat. The Eastern alumni were the real forces that accomplished the downfall of Wilson's plan. The agitation against the club system has continued right along, and some independent-minded students, like Cleveland's son, have refused to join them.
TAX EXEMPTION
In presenting the printed report of the law committee. Chairman Harold Riegelman, Zeta Beta Tau, a prominent New York attorney, estimated that the real property owned by college fraternities in the United States may be conservatively estimated at more than $50,000,000. He said, further, that figures from six fraternities at Ithaca, New York, showed an annual average tax ^urden of $55.75 for each active member of a fraternity, whereas the largest annual tuition there was but $250 a year. Of the taxes paid, $21 is devoted to maintenance of city schools.
Twelve states exempt college fraternity property from taxation, either by expressed statute, judicial construction, or by custom. These include Delaware, Florida, North Dakota, Vermont, Indiana, Nevada, Kansas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Idaho. All other states do not specifically include fraternities among exempt institutions. Every state, except Utah, however, does exempt educational institutions from taxation ; in Utah private educational institutions pay property taxes.
BETWEEN OURSELVES
"V\^E RANKED eighteenth out of thirty-six fraternity houses in scholastic standing. This is a higher posi- tion than is at first evident, since the fourteen Jewish houses on the campus invariably rank in succession at the head of the list." Well, the undergraduates may take the complacent attitude that the Jews don't count anyway, but they'll find out differently when they get out into the world.
^''T*HE trend on the California campus seems to be the elimina- tion of any rough stuff for initiations. Following this trend, Omega held an initiation on February ii. The neophytes worked intensively the whole day and thoroughly cleaned up the house, but were not subjected to any manner of hazing. It had its effect in that they more fully appreciated the formal part than if they had been completely worn out by hazing," Forty-five chapters — arise, and take off your hats to Omega. Civilization advances in the West.
TT MAY possibly recur to some of our readers that in re- viewing the November Interfraternity Conference we took a distinguished Greek to task because after pleading for more interfraternity alumni conferences in college towns, he turned a deaf ear to our suggestion that when there are two institutions in one town their fraternities should be encouraged to combine for conference. The gentleman has declared that he was mis- represented, and correspondence (too full to be reproduced here) revealed a twofold difference of opinion as to what the confer- ence should do : he contending that it should solve a practical problem, preferably financial, and we that it should seek to es- tablish the idea and ideal of interf raternalism ; and second, he con- tending that the problem should come first, suggesting the con- ference, and we that the conference might well come first, suggesting the problems. As stated the differences seem highly academic and we apologize for mentioning them, and for that matter him, but it does seem too bad that the fraternities cannot be enlisted to assist in bringing about a better understanding between such colleges as we have in mind.
BETWEEN OURSELVES 189
npHIS excerpt from a letter from Brother Waterman, relative to Minnesota's scholastic attainments, is of interest. "Two years ago Beta Deuteron earnestly desired a new house. Upon being approached on the subject the Alumni Association stated that they were willing to build the house provided the scholar- ship should be improved. At that time Beta Deuteron ranked twenty-seventh in scholarship. The actives decided that they wanted that house enough to work for it, and they certainly did work. From twenty-seventh they came to first place in one year."
TN OUR last issue we made some rather sarcastic remarks about illiterate chapter secretaries, giving special emphasis to a particularly delinquent chapter. The comment elicited two letters. One was from a national officer, who said, in effect : "You are quite justified in your remarks but they aren't strong enough. They won't do any good." The other was from the chapter adviser, who said that he had been deluged with em- barrassing inquiries and considered our reference, not having pre- viously referred the matter to him, in the nature of a personal affront. Well, the officer was almost right. The chapter did get in a partial reply to our current request the very day the page proof was being sent back to the printer.
'T^HE war is over. The following item from California, a chap- ter which lost three men in the great tragedy, indicates the healing properties of time. We wonder if these undergraduates would even understand the excoriation we experienced for print- ing on our own initiative Brother Ridder's story of the status of the German- American press in war-time.
On February 29 the Big C Society (athletic honor society) held its traditional Leap Year "Big C Circus." All fraternities were invited to enter floats in the parade. Our float consisted of seven of our musicians dressed in German costumes and seated on beer kegs. They played Ger- main airs throughout the parade. It was labeled with placards as "The Heidelberg Chapter." A bar-keep, a bar and a collection of steins were used to convey the impression of a German beer garden.
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE R. J. W.
The Council met at Madison, Wisconsin, Council Meeting February ii. Brothers Burrows, Barger, Batt, Fell, Ruedi, and Watts were present. Reports were received from all members of the Council and ac- tion taken thereon. The financial supervisor. Brother Ruedi, reported that twenty-six chapters have to date installed the Busey accounting system.
Brother Fell, scholastic supervisor, reported the appointment of Ralph G. Gully, Psi '26, as regional scholarship supervisor for the Southern District, and Carl Morrow, Chi Deuteron, as regional scholarship supervisor for the Pacific District.
Documentary evidence was presented Expulsion of from members of Phi Sigma Kappa in
John L. Marks Ohio, Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia in- dicating that John L. Marks, claiming to be a member of Lambda chapter, had fraudulently obtained money from members of this fraternity. On the basis of this evidence, the Council recommended to the Supreme Court the expulsion of John L. Marks. This matter is now before the Court for consideration.
Recommendations were received from the re- Charters spective Conclaves for the granting of charters, and the Council indorsed and recommended to the Su- preme Court the approval of petitions from the following:
a. Alpha Psi, a local fraternity at the College of William and
Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.
b. The Hermes Club, a local fraternity at the University
of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina.
c. Gamma Psi, a local fraternity at Wesleyan University,
Middletown, Connecticut.
d. Alpha Theta Alpha, a local fraternity at Knox College,
Galesburg, Illinois.
Plans for the 1928 Convention were 1928 Convention considered in detail. A detailed report of
this item of business is found elsewhere in this issue of The Signet.
Honorary Members The Council voted to recommend to
the Convention an amendment to the con- stitution providing that honorary mem- bers may be initiated on recommendation of a chapter with the approval of the Council and Supreme Court. The constitution
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE 191
at present provides that initiation of an honorary member must be approved by the general convention.
Following an all-day business session the Council was enter- tained at dinner by Zeta Deuteron chapter.
The following regulations governing the 1928 Convention were adopted :
A. That Chapter Advisers will not be allowed to send sub- stitutes to the 1928 Convention at the expense of the Council.
B. That only such alumni clubs be considered active, and there-
fore eligible to send delegates to the 1928 Convention, as shall comply with the requirements of the Constitution and report at the end of the college year in 1928 on their membership and activities.
C. That there be published and distributed to delegates a pro-
gram of the Convention, a schedule of reduced rates from the various chapters, and information as to routes.
D. Brothers Ruedi and the Regional Vice-Presidents were ap- pointed a committee to audit the expense accounts of dele- gates to the 1928 Convention, with the expectation that these accounts will be paid during the Convention.
E. That the number of Chapter delegates be determined on
the basis of active membership in the classes of 1929, 1930, and 1 93 1, prior to graduation in 1928.
F. That the Secretary prepare and send in advance to the
Convention delegates a statement of the Council, Court,
Chapter, and Club recommendations to be presented to the Convention.
G. That there be a roll call of delegates at the beginning of
each business session, at which all delegates must be pres- ent. The travel allowance will be made only to delegates at- tending all business sessions.
H. That arrangements be made during the Convention for a Conference of Chapter Advisers, this to be organized by Brother Ruedi.
I. That brief reports of all officers of the Council be pre- pared and read at the Convention.
J. The Council recommends to the various chapters that their undergraduate delegates be selected from the group of men who will be active in the chapter during the following year.
THE BOOKSHELF
A Man of Learning, by Nelson Antrim Crawford, Little, Brown and Company. $2.50
By virtue of its subject matter, Brother Crawford's new book belongs in this department rather than in "The Chapter Autho- rial." It is ostensibly the biography of an American educator; actually it is a very entertaining parody. The book is written with commendable restraint. It is only after one has read several pages and passed through the experience of disappointment that it suddenly dawns upon him that this isn't the story of a much- loved local celebrity at all but only spoofing. In fact one might read at random whole chapters which do not seem so obviously burlesque as passages in Professor Herrick's presumably his- torical narrative of the University of Chicago. Mr. Crawford's Dr. Redfield is sometimes painfully true to life. No English reader would detect the fraud.
Dr. Redfield, "so thorough a master of the teaching process that no student ever failed," always saying grace "when guests were present," "the Rotary wheel in his buttonhole, and the elk's tooth and Phi Beta Kappa key on his watch chain," keeping all visitants waiting an impressive while in his outer office, leading the snake dance after a victory, adroitly exploiting the publicity agencies of his state, beating the politicians at their own game, feathermg his own nest, and all to exemplify the sententious judg- ment of "the Honorable Will Hays," as it appears in a chapter heading, "Service is the supreme commitment of life!" Yes, the book is good kidding; if it doesn't make you grin, it will make you want to cry.
Football, Today and Tomorrow, by William W. Roper, Duffield. $2.50
Unless you are a Harvard man you will read Mr. Roper's chapters with interest and sympathy. We particularly enjoyed the one entitled "Training a Modern Team." Mr. Roper has no use for the long hours of falling upon the ball to which the players of our day are subjected. "This falling on the ball is a useless practice and a feat which was never good football and is now so directly opposed to sound tactics that it is almost comic. At its worst it is one of the most dangerous forms of early season training." Further: "Scrimmaging is often overdone, and more
teams are overworked than underworked As the season
progressed we concentrated more than ever on the varsity team, having usually one day of scrimmage a week until mid-season; then one week with two days of scrimmage; then one day a week until toward the end of the season, when we may or may not have a week with two days of scrimmage."
Well, this gives you a taste.
THE SOUTHERN CONCLAVE
The Southern Conclave was entertained by the chapter at Knoxville, Tennessee, December 3 and 4, 1927. Favorable ac- tion was taken on petitions from Alpha Psi, a local fraternity at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia, and from the Hermes Club, a local fraternity at the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
The following system was adopted for financing the traveling expenses of delegates to the Southern Conclave: "Each chapter in the Southern District is hereby required to forward to the Grand Secretary on the first day of each month for the ten school months each year beginning January i, 1928, the sum of $5 ; the expenses for railroad and pullman fare and meals en route to the place of the Annual Conclave and return, shall be paid from this fund for one delegate from each chapter located one hunderd miles or more from the place of meeting. Such expenses shall not be paid from this fund when a Conclave is held at the time and place of a General Convention, as the Convention delegates will serve as Conclave delegates and their expenses will be paid from the grand treasury. Any chapter failing to make full payment of this monthly assessment shall have the delinquent amount deducted from its delegate's ex- penses."
Each of the nine chapters in the Southern District were rep- resented at the Conclave by undergraduate delegates or the Chap- ter Adviser or both.
RECOGNITION PIN
The Council has adopted an official recognition pin which is to be made of silver and enamel, approximately %6 inch in diam- eter, of the same design that is now used as a pledge button. The recognition pin may be purchased from the L. G. Balfour Com- pany, Attleboro, Massachusetts, at $1.00 each.
SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON'S TREASURE HOUSE
(From The Teke of T K E)
Long ago there were men of vision in S. A. E. who saw in the future a roof to shelter the national fraternity's household goods, even as they witnessed chapter after chapter establish itself under its own vine and fig-tree. In 1904, the national convention appropriated $4,000 for the building of the DeVotie Memorial Hall at Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where noble Leslie DeVotie and his seven companions had founded S. A. E. forty-eight years before. A serviceable, although unpretentious building was erected, and a large amount of historical data, reports, and transactions of early days were brought together and stored in a vault built within it.
But, far forward as was this step, the dreams of the dreamers were not coming true. The DeVotie Memorial Hall was not in close contact with the chapters; it did not feel their heart- beats. The centralization idea found good soil in which to grow, and more and more the leaders of the fraternity favored the plan whereby the administrative offices of S. A. E. might be housed under one roof, and that same roof cover also the relics and archives of the fraternity, the beginnings of the Museum and the Library of S. A. E.
Watchful waiting brought its reward when in the summer of 1923 it was discovered by Brother Levere and the writer that the very desirable southwest corner of Sheridan Road and Hin- man Avenue, Evanston, Illinois, was available for purchase.
On September 6, 1923, the house at 1856 Sheridan Road be- came the treasure-house of S. A. E.
The dream of the far-sighted ones of long ago had come true. The relics of the Founders, the piled-up treasures of the passing years, and objects of fraternity interest which are received from day to day, now are sheltered under one roof, and that the prop- erty outright of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the first property owned for this purpose incidentally, by any college fraternity.
The house contains twelve rooms, besides basement and attic, and all twelve are thus soon taxed to their capacity, particularly as regards wall-space for the shelves of the library, and the hanging of the historical paintings, the framed photographs, and the Levere collection of prints of Minerva and the lion. This last is unique, and is perhaps the finest collection of Minerva prints in existence. These prints completely cover the walls of a large room, known as the War History room, the history of S. A. E. in the World War having been written in this room by Brother Levere, and the service records of over 7,000 members being
THE CHAPTER AUTHORIAL 195
stored here. Glass cases in this room contain all sorts of prized objects dating back over seventy years.
Books are everywhere. They crowd the shelves in every cor- ner, and elbow the workers at the desks except in two rooms, the stenographers' room and the mailing room, where the files, the typewriters, the safes, the addressograph, and other business appliances leave no room for book cases. But aside from these two rooms, the S. A. E. General Library is in evidence on every hand. Bound volumes of fraternity magazines comprise the sec- tion largest in numbers, a section planned for the use of members of all fraternities, the bindings being unique in that each fra- ternity magazine is bound in the colors of that fraternity. Besides the S. A. E. Records, other publications of the fraternity in com- plete sets, require considerable shelf-room, and the section of books by S. A. E. authors is a large one. So, likewise, is that of books about members of the fraternity. Another large section is histories of fraternities and books on fraternities and fraternity subjects, including the mooted one of anti- fraternity legislation. Another large section is that of histories of colleges and universi- ties and books related to this subject. Annuals and year books occupy considerable space, and so likewise do college catalogues and bulletins. Last but not least are the S. A. E. scrapbooks, quantities of them, with newspaper clippings for years past, many of them as special subjects, as for instance the McKinley scrap- book, the chapter house scrapbook, the Bobby Jones scrapbook, etc. The visitors' registers are of perennial interest. Volume I was started by Billy Levere in 191 6, and contains many notable names and "wordy fabrics" they have spun; the last page was reached the day of Billy's funeral.
The administrative work of the fraternity is done at the Na- tional House, the chapters co-ordinating through the Central Office by a system of reports, on membership, finances, scholarship, and other matters of importance. Editorial work is of a year. The Central Offices are busy, as well as interesting by reason of the Library and the Museum.
But the treasure house of S. A. E., as it is at present, is in a transition stage. The final durable fire-proof building in stone and mortar is the next milestone on the road. S. A. E. architects are now drawing plans, and S. A. E. financiers are studying ways and means ; the permanent memorial building, the building of which Billy Levere dreamed and for which he toiled in season and out, is taking shape in the mind's eyes of those who have the project most at heart. The Supreme Council has voted to call it the Levere Memorial Building, in memory of all sons of S. A. E. who have given their lives in service to their covintry in all wars since 1856.
THE CHAPTER AUTHORIAL
By Colonel W. Jefferson Davis, * '07, a book, Japan, the Air Menace of the Pacific, announced by the Christopher Pub- lishing House of Boston, Major General Kuhn says of it:
"In this book Colonel Davis, with a broad vision, sketches the position of Japan, her undoubted aspirations, her geo- graphic advantages and her military preparedness, especially her air preparedness. While much of what he says may ap- pear speculative and prophetic, it is all within the bounds of possibility.
"Sphynxlike and inscrutable, Japan organized on occi- dental lines, but still retaining an oriental mentality, has been suddenly projected into the councils of the nations, and is seeking a place under the sun for her crowded milHons. That she must play a prominent role in the future affairs of the world is inevitable."
Also an article, "Clearing the Air for Commerce," re- printed from The Annals of the American Academy of Politi- cal and Social Science for May, 1927.
By Fitzhugh Green, A '13, an article, "Are Heroes Heroes?" in the Forum for January.
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE Robert Patty Carson, K-^ '28
Robert Carson died in Atlanta as a result of a powder ex- plosion while he was working on the construction of a highway near the city. He left school in his sophomore year to enter business with his father. He was popular and well known in social and engineering circles in Atlanta.
Robert J. Parry, B '23 Robert Parry died in Altedena, California, February i of tuberculosis. In college he was a varsity football and baseball man ; after graduation he became head of the rural service de- partment of the Adirondack Power and Light Corporation of Schenectady, New York.
THE CHAPTER HYMENEAL
Pledges R. L. Williamson, K^ '27, and Helen Murray of Fort Valley,
Georgia. Charles W. O'Melveny, K^ '30, and Sophie Goodyear, of Atlanta,
Georgia. John Pheiffer, N '22, and Sarah Shields of Dawson, Georgia. D. W. Brosnan, K^ '23, and Louise Geeslin, of Macon, Georgia. S. W. Webb, X '23, and Olive B. Nichols, of Flushing, Long
Island. Dewitt B. B. Stucke, E '23, and Mildred Bussing of Brooklyn,
New York.
Initiates Charles C. Bowen, H-^ '21, and Mildred V. Moore, February 5,
San Diego, California. Edward V. Tenney, fi '19, and Frances Jessen, June, Fresno,
California. Frank S. Wilbar, n '25, and (?) November 24, San Diego, Cali- fornia. Calvin M. Bowers, Y '25, and Mildred F. Bromley, January 21,
Providence. Dr. Harold R. Galhaar, M '21, and Florence M. Colburn, January
21, Upper Montclair, New Jersey. Dr. Dexter M. Bullard, E '20, and Anne E. Wilson, November
30, Kensington, Maryland. George R. Zumwalt, O '25, and Mildred (?) November, Chico,
California. Harry M. Cregier, B '24, and Marion L. Shovea, July 25, Schen- ectady, N.Y. William M. Mott, B '28, and Bernice M. Donald, November 26,
Albany. Dean W. Rankin, B^ '25, and (?), December 31, Minneapolis.
Blessed in the Bond George N. Glendenning, O '23, November — Lois Evelyn. Clarence L. MacNeill, B '20, April 20, 1927 — Sylvia Ruth. John P. Walsted, ©^ '21, September 3 — Grace Marie. C. G. Mackintosh, A '21, January i — Donald Sherman. Howard O. Embrey, H '27 — Erna. King H. Weeman, Z^ '22, December 12 — King Miles. Bruce C. Bean, ®^ '22, December 6 — Margaret Alice. M. W. Thompson, A '09, September 2 — Myron Wood. Harry Hammond, Q, '24, September 11 — Sonya. Burl Howell, O '22, November — Jean Cameron. Clinton G. Munson, O '16, January i — Susan. Richard J. Aussell, Q, '19, July — Benjamin James. Arnold Gingrich, A-^, November 23 — Rowe Wakefield. Miller R. Huston, Q, '19, November — Richard Francis. Arthur J. Skaale, O '20, November — Elizabeth Ann.
THE ALUMNI CLUBS
Directory
Chartered Clubs
New York — Secretary, Harold G. Wentworth, 22 E. 38th St. Luncheon every Thursday, 12 130, Fraternity Clubs Build- ing, Madison Ave, and Thirty-eighth St,
Seattle — Secretary, Amos F. Olsen, A^ '23, 7084 Seventeenth N,E. Luncheon every Friday, 12:15, Blanc's, 315 Marion St.
Baltimore — Secretary, W. C. Baxter, % '23, 1163 Calvert Build- ing. Luncheon every Thursday, 12:30, Engineers Club, 6 W. Fayette St,
Pittsburgh —
Detroit —
Philadelphia — Secretary, E. S. Bechtel, K '23, 4912 Knox St., Germantown, Pa. Luncheon every Friday, 12 :30, Arcadia Cafe.
Amherst —
Chicago — Secretary, Earl F. Schoening, A^ '22, Suite 1609, no S. Dearborn St. Luncheon every Tuesday, 12:00 n., Man- del Brothers Grill.
Minnesota — Secretary, H, S, Chapin, B^ '13, Concrete En- gineering Co., 550 Builders' Exchange. Luncheon every Wednes- day, Andrews Hotel, Fourth and Hennepin, Minneapolis.
Springfield —
Northern Ohio —
San Francisco — Secretary, Robert R. Porter, N^ '22, 647 Sev- enth Ave. Luncheon every other Wednesday, Commercial Club, 465 California St., 12:15 p.m.
Milwaukee —
Washington —
Birmingham (Ala.) —
Vermont — Secretary, Marcell Conway, A '22, Barre, Vt.
Southern California — Secretary, Harold Viault, O '23, L W. Helman Bldg., Los Angeles. Luncheon every Wednesday, Uni- versity Club, 12 :oo N. Business meetings first Tuesday of month. University Club, 6:30 p.m.
Washington Eta — Secretary, E. F. Russell, H '22, 2308 Ash- mead Place, N.W. Dinner and meeting. Lambda house, first Monday evening of each month,
Spokane — Secretary, Clifford V. MacDonald, X^ '27, E 2719 Pacific Ave.
Columbus, — Secretary Charles W. Reeder, 11'^ '06, 412 W. Ninth Ave.
CHAPTERETTES 199
Unchartered Clubs
Dallas — Luncheon every Thursday, i :oo p.m., Baker Hotel. Butte — Secretary, John Cooney, M^ '25, Cooney Brokerage Co. Luncheon first Tuesday of month, Finlen Hotel.
The Southern California Club is one of the first, we think, to advertise regular business meetings. The secretary adds : "We have a very active club here, with close to one hundred members. Our immediate work is in taking care of the Phi Alpha Mu boys, a local at the University of Southern California, whose petition comes up before the convention next August.
Washington Eta has become chartered, is offering alumni awards to Eta undergraduates who average above 80 per cent for the year, and issues a quarterly publication. See opposite page for its meeting announcement.
The Vermont Club is backing a petition from Norwich Uni- versity.
The New York Club is planning a special train to go to the Coast this summer, taking all New York delegates and their families and picking up others on the way. Provision is made for five days of stop-overs in both directions. Train will be furnished by Dan Willard's B.&O. About four weeks allowed for whole trip, with optional routes. Write to Secretary Went- worth for further information.
The Phi Sigma Kappa Club of Chicago held a bridge tourna- ment for the members at the Chicago Engineers' Club on Janu- ary 5. On the evening of February 3, the Club entertained at a cabaret dinner dance at the Edgewater Beach Hotel. Brother Schultz was in charge of both of these parties and much credit is due him for the success of both of these functions. George Theisen, President of the Chicago Club, is now at work on plans for an elaborate Founders' Day banquet to be held at the Stevens Hotel on March 15.
Phi Sigma Kappa alumni and their wives, living in Amherst, held a bridge party at the local chapter house during Christmas week and served supper for the active chapter on March 10.
The Philadelphia Club held one of its three annual meetings February 3 at the Army and Navy Club, the principal speakers being Frank Schobel and Edgar Fell.
CHAPTERETTES
California reports : "We have at least one representative in every honor society on the campus."
"Plans are being drawn for a new $40,000 home for Theta Deuteron. An architect has been chosen .... Members and alumnae [Mothers or sweethearts? — Ed.] are enthusiastic over the proposition and each active member has taken out an in- surance policy to provide a sinking fund for future building and repair work."
In the last six annual cross-country races at Georgia Tech, Phi Sigma Kappa has won four times, each winner also setting a new record.
Widdifield is captain of the Ohio State baseball nine this spring.
The Washington State chapter invites another entire fraternity as guests for its spring formal.
Marble playing at California has reached such proportions that tournaments are held daily and a good sized gallery is following the play.
The Technique of Georgia Tech for November 4 contains an interesting and amusing account of how a midnight intruder in the local Phi Sigma Kappa house was driven away by a brother armed with a pair of dividers.
Michigan is proud of McCoy's work on the basketball floor. The following clipping is only one of many like it.
For the second consecutive game, Ernie McCoy proved to be the star in the Wolverine machine. Ernie was delegated to watch Behr, Wis- consin's sharpshooting little forward, rated as one of the best basket shots in the Big Ten.
So well did McCoy perform his duties that Behr was held scoreless from the field and in the second half was replaced by EUerman.
Woodell is president of the West Virginia student body.
Kileen has been the outstanding player on the Union basket- ball team this season.
Grace of Nebraska was also high point man for four consecu- /p p-ames.
tive games
PHI SIGS AFIELD
DUGGAN IS F£TED
The following story is from a New York paper the date of which is missing.
Dr. Stephen P. Duggan, who has just resigned as head of the Gov- ernment Department of City College after thirty-five years as teacher and administrator, was the guest of about 400 alumni and friends at a dinner at the Hotel Biltmore last night. Dr. Duggan has retired to devote himself exclusively to the field of international good-will as Director of the Institute of International Education.
Speakers lauded him not only as an educator but as an exponent of amity between nations through the exchange of students. Those who spoke were John Bassett Moore, Dr. John H. Finley, Mrs. Carrie Chap- man Catt, Professor James T. Shotwell, Dr. Paul Klapper, Clarence G. Galston, Dr. Frederick B. Robinson, Justice Thomas W. Churchill, who presided, and Dr. Duggan. Bishop William T. Manning delivered the invocation.
A painting of Dr. Duggan, by J. Campbell Phillips, has been presented to the College.
HONORED BY THETA TAU
"At the closing session of the National Convention of the Theta Tau Fraternity held at Hotel Windermere, Chicago, De- cember 28-31, 1927, Dr. Richard J. Russell, Omega, '19, was elected Grand Regent and Fred Coffman, Nu Deuteron, '22, Grand Vice Regent of the fraternity to serve for the next two years. Brother Russell is head of the department of geology at Texas Technological College, Lubbock, Texas, and Brother Coff- man is assistant to the chief engineer on the construction of the new Duke University at Durham, North Carolina. Theta Tau is a professional engineering fraternity with twenty-one chapters located in the leading universities and engineering colleges throughout the United States."
DELTA IN POLITICS
Delta chapter has an unusual record in state and national poli- tics, and has in the past few years produced great leaders in both the Democratic and Republican parties. United States Senator M. M. Neely, of Delta, 1901, is recognized as the leader of the Democrats in this state and has been much in the national eye because of his loyalty and vigor in his efforts to protect the coal
202 THE SIGNET
industry of our state, and to further West Virginia interests in the national capital. He is truly a distinguished leader and is one of Delta's most staunch and loyal boosters.
In congress at the present time we have Brother Frank L. Bowman of Morgantown, who has proven to be a valuable rep- resentative and is now serving his second term because of his efficiency and good record in the past. Brother Carl G. Bach- mann from Wheeling is also in this branch of Congress for the second time and, like Brother Bowman, his record speaks for it- self. Brother Howard M. Gore, who was formerly secretary of agriculture under President Coolidge, is now governor of the state and has carried out an enormous road building program that has been of great value to the state. He is now a candidate for the United States Senate.
Brother D. M. Willis of Morgantown is now a member of the state senate and has been a leader of that body during the past few years. He is a member of several important committees. He was also in the house of delegates and is now considered a very strong gubernatorial candidate on the Republican ticket.
Brother J. A. Meredith of Fairmont, a former judge of the state Supreme Court, is also expected to announce for governor on the Republican ticket. He has a strong following throughout the state and will, if he decides to run, have a very large group of followers.
Brother Raymond Maxwell, another eminent jurist of Clarks- burg, is also mentioned as a possibility for the governor's chair and like Brother Meredith has a wide influence in state politics. Throughout the distinguished careers of these brothers they have remained in close contact with the active chapter. They have added prestige and honor to the fraternity in their public life, and at the same time have rendered countless favors to many of the younger men who are now in school.
WAGNER SWORN IN From the New York Times of December 5 :
Washington, D.C., December 5. — Many New York Democrats, friends of Judge Robert F. Wagner, who came to Washington especially for the occasion, witnessed the ceremony in the Senate Chamber this after- noon when he was sworn in as a senator from New York to succeed James W. Wadsworth, Jr., whom he defeated in the election of thirteen months ago.
Senator Wagner was in the last batch of new senators called to take the oath of office. He was escorted to the presiding officer's rostrum by his colleague, Senator Royal S. Copeland. The oath was administered by Vice-President Dawes.
Among those who came here to see Senator Wagner qualify and who occupied seats in the Senate gallery were Mrs. James J. Walker, wife of the mayor of New York; Miss Evelyn Wagner, the senator's niece,
PHI SIGS AFIELD 203
and about fifty residents of the Sixteenth Assembly District of Man- hattan, in which Senator Wagner also resides.
STEVENS MAN STEALS HIS OWN SUIT TO WED
From the New York Times of February 18 :
Santa Barbara, California, February 17. — As his wedding hour drew near, L. R. Stutz, of New York, Iota, '25, discovered that the tailor had not returned his suit. He broke into the tailor's shop and was arrested as an officer caught him in the act. When he displayed a marriage li- cense, the tailor refused to prosecute. The delayed wedding took place.
ON RED GRANGE'S YANKEES
From the Buffalo, chapter organ of Montana :
Wild Bill Kelly, Nu Deuteron's premier football player, had a big season with Red Grange's New York Yankees. He proved to eastern fans that they also "grow 'em tough" in Montana. Perhaps you noticed his picture being used in Lucky Strike advertisements.
CONWAY'S RELIEF WORK
Readers of the February issue of the American Legion Monthly saw an account of the flood reHef work in Vermont, in which Marcell Conway, as chairman of the Child Welfare Department, contributed a considerable share.
DAVIS AT GENEVA
Colonel Davis, who contributes the vocational survey for this issue, was lately a delegate in Geneva as indicated by the follow- ing from The Los Angeles Bar Association Bulletin of November
3-
The second International Congress on Radio Legislation at Geneva, was one of the most important European conferences held in Europe during the year. Fourteen European countries were represented officially, the United States by two unofficial observers, Honorable Wallace H. White, Congressman from Maine, representing the State Department, and Colonel W. Jefferson Davis, of San Diego, acting as observer for the Federal Radio Commission. The other participants comprised leading representatives of juridical and broadcasting organizations. Monsieur F. de Rabours, chairman of the Swiss delegation, and deputy aux Chambres Federales, presided over the conference, of which Monsieur Robert Hom- burg, of the French delegation, was secretary.
Many of the delegates in attendance upon the Geneva Congress, in- cluding both Mr. White and Colonel Davis, were also in attendance as official delegates at the Washington Radio Conference, which convened October 4.
Important resolutions were adopted at Geneva with regard to the Wash- ington Conference. Of chief importance were those dealing with copy- rights, control of broadcasting programs, and royalties to be paid authors, composers and publishers for the broadcasting of their works.
Colonel Davis is an international lawyer and author of books on avi- ation and radio law. In addition to his work with the Federal Radio Commission, he was former War Department Legal Adviser in Europe and member of the Air Law Committee of the American Bar Association.
204 THE SIGNET
JAZZING UP MARRIAGE
The following story was spread all over the press of the country, and has come to us from several sources and in various forms. The secretary of the chapter writes : "The wedding was carried out in a most proper manner," but the "reception was somewhat different from the usual rice throwing."
Baltimore, February 2. — As the happy pair who had been made ap- proximately one came up the basement steps the jazz band broke into a syncopated wedding march. Fraternity brothers of the bridegroom, five of whom had dressed in filmy frocks to act as maid of honor and brides- maids, cheered as the bridal couple reached the first floor of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity house on the campus of St. John's, the oldest college in Maryland.
So runs the story of the wedding of Miss Margaret J. Rochester of Baltimore, and Walter Walker Phillips, a St. John's student from Camden, New Jersey. On Tuesday they were joined in the holy bonds of "part- nership" wedlock. The ceremony, performed by the Reverend Dr. R. W. H. Weech, pastor of the Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church, followed a courtship of more than two years, so it caused no surprise. But the man- ner in which it was carried out did.
The bridegroom explained before leaving on the honeymoon, "We ap- proached the ceremony in the same state of mind. For the words 'until death do us part,' we mentally substituted 'until love dies.'
"My marriage is just a partnership. It is similar but not the same as companionate marriage. We decided to get married with certain under- standings. For instance, neither one is obliged to support the other."
The bride, bridegroom and minister wore nothing to startle, but the best man, Walter B. Esley, appeared in tuxedo, the austerity of which was relieved gracefully by light striped socks. The "maid of honor," Mershon Garrison, was gowned in white silk and wore a white able-bodied sea- man's hat. The "bridesmaids" wore clashing frocks or sport dresses, one following a Croatian custom by wearing one garter.
Carrying the revolt custom farther the "bridesmaids" did not attend the ceremony, but stuck to the jazz band upstairs and did not scramble excitedly for the bride's bouquet. She had none. Neither did she have a ring.
Dr. Weech had ruled it was unnecessary, and as it was customary it was barred. While honeymooning in New York the bridegroom will engage in business, having severed his connections at St. John's, where he was president of the Junior class. Mrs. Phillips is a graduate of Eastern High School in Baltimore, where she was voted the "prettiest" girl in the class of 1924.
DON McLEAN SPENDS A DAY IN THE SENATE
This is an A. P. item, relative to a former Phi Sigma Kappa president :
Having started his career thirty years ago as a Senate page, Donald H. McLean, now a lawyer and political leader of Elizabeth, New Jersey, rounded out that career today by acting as secretary to a senator for a day, with the privilege of hobnobbing about the Senate floor.
McLean's ambition to return again to the scenes of his youth was gratified by his old friend. Senator Edge of New Jersey. The lawyer has taken the oath of office as a secretary and will draw one day's pay, which he says he will spend on a dinner for himself and Senator Edge's regular secretary, Robert A. Zachary, Jr.
PHI SIGS AFIELD 205
The Elizabeth lawyer, who studied law while serving in the Senate, was appointed a page by Vice-President Hobart and subsequently was reap- pointed to that post and given other jobs in the Senate by the late Senator Frye.
BURROWS' PLANT BURNS
While President Burrows was in Milwaukee, early in Decem- ber, a bad fire gutted a substantial part of his newspaper plant, and although the insurance may prove to be adequate, the un- pleasantness and added burden are both considerable.
CRUM DOESN'T USE SUBS
The following from the Washington Times refers to a brother from Penn State:
George Washington's football team ended a remarkable season in a remarkable manner yesterday. Playing through its game without a sub- stitution, Maud Crum's boys chalked up a record of only eight substitu- tions in nine games for the season.
The Crum-coached team has compiled a great record despite yesterday's reversal.
It is believed that Crum's boys pulled through the season vdth fewer substitutions than were used by the famous Brown eleven of 1926. Barring injury it is unlikely that as many changes would have been made as have been found necessary.
MEMORIAL TO PROUT
The Amateur Athletic Union of the United States has pre- sented a memorial to its past president, William C. Prout, Brown, '09. Prout was national champion in the 440-yard run, member of the Olympic team of 1908, member of the Boston Athletic Association, and president of the American Olympic Association. The trophy stands nearly three feet high, and was recently featured in connection with the William C. Prout Memorial track games in Boston, at which, by the way, Kenneth B. Hill of Dart- mouth was one of the officials. Francis P. McKeon has con- tributed the following tribute:
W ondrous man who gave his all I n life's service to the end L oyal to each worthy cause L eader, lover, generous friend, I llustrious Knight and patriot, A thlete, sportsman, scholar, too, — M an of men, our ideal is
C herished in the thought of you.
P leader ever for the right,
R ival fair whate'er the fight
O lympian heart we pledge tonight,
U nder flags that knew your fame,
T hus to keep thy honored name.
2o6 THE SIGNET
BOWMAN WOULD EXEMPT FRATERNITIES FROM TAXATION
The following is from the Washington Post for November 30 :
A bill providing that all college and university fraternity houses in Washington be excused from paying taxes will be introduced in the House when Congress convenes, Representative Frank L. Bowman, of West Virginia, announced yesterday.
Bowman, who is a member of the District committee, declared it was a hardship on the occupants of the fraternity houses to pay taxes, and he cited instances where states had freed such houses from taxation.
Religious and educational institutions are not obliged to pay taxes, he said, and he felt that a fraternity house should be regarded as an ap- purtenance of an educational institution. Many of the young men who occupy these fraternity houses, he said, were self-supporting, and could ill afford to pay the real estate and other taxes. Representative Bowman is a member of Phi Sigma Kappa.
FILMS MUSSOLINI
Donald F. Whiting, E^ '15, for eleven years in the Bell Tele- phone Laboratories, has become staff engineer in charge of re- search for the Fox-Case Corporation, and was in charge of a party that went to Rome to make talking movies of Mussolini and his troops — pictures which have been showing in the Times Square Theater, New York, for several months,
TO ORGANIZE IMMENSE DEPARTMENT STORE
Mr. Elbridge L. Howe, A '92, lately with the Marshall Field Corporation in Chicago, is back in New England and busy on a project of a department store, so large as to provide four and one-half miles of parking space in its basement. The following is from the Boston Transcript:
Elbridge L. Howe, organizing executive of the New England Depart- ment Store, Inc., returns to New England as one of the best-known retail store executives in the country and the present day representative of four generations of New England merchants. Mr. Howe is fifty-six years old. He started as a cash boy and salesman thirty years ago in one of the smallest stores in the country. He was afterwards an advertising writer and buyer for practically all lines. Then he served the public as the manager, executive manager and finally merchandise manager of one of the largest department stores in America. He has learned the busi- ness all the way through. He studied retail distribution and has written considerably for magazines on this subject.
Some of the features of the store are outlined by Mr. Howe as follows : "With this great new store preparing to take its place among the principal activities of New England business life, it is only natural that there should be a wide-spread public interest in knowing what kind of a store it is to be. While it is obviously impossible at this stage to re- flect the proposed policies of the store in elaborate detail, it is prac- tical, however, to indicate in a general way the organization and operat- ing plans, so that the essential features of the store may be quite thor- oughly understood.
PHI SIGS AFIELD 207
"As a New England store in the heart of this great industrial section of the country, and with this New England Building as the center of New England's industrial exhibitions, this great store will naturally be in closest sympathy with the sale of New England products. The store is prepared to make the definite statement that such products of New Eng- land factories as are in keeping with the character of goods that the store will handle, will be given most favorable consideration and attention.
"The store will occupy more than ten acres of floor space, and ample space is being planned for the proper handling and display of the great stocks of merchandise and for the comfort and convenience of customers. Waiting rooms, rest rooms and all such facilities will be provided, and also restaurants where the very best of food can be obtained at fair prices and where customers may obtain their luncheon with comfort and satisfaction.
"Many new features in the way of departments and service are planned."
LEWIS FERGUSON PROMOTED
Lewis Ferguson, M '05, well known to the Pennsylvanians in the order, has been made assistant to the president of the Inter- national Portland Cement Company, with headquarters in New York.
GOLDEN MOVES HIS PIANO
The clipping is from the Billboard. The New York Times recently carried a picture of Golden at his piano, with his baby lying full length on top and leaning over to watch the fingering.
New York, January 30. — Ernie Golden and his orchestra are scheduled to leave the McAlpin Hotel, Thirty-third Street and Broadway, Sunday, February 5. Golden will move his tooters to the Knickerbocker Grill, Forty-second Street and Broadway, which has been taken over by new owners and is being renovated to meet the prestige of a big-time leader. The manager of the McAlpin already has engaged a band for the hotel, but at the present writing is keeping the name a secret.
Golden went into the McAlpin Grill when it was opened several years ago and built up a large following for the room. He broadcast nightly from the grill over WMCA and his music was rated as one of the best radio hours of entertainment.
GENERAL ELECTRIC PROMOTES ADAMS
The following clipping from the Boston Globe will interest a considerable number of New England readers :
Robert W. Adams, formerly manager of the General Electric Com- pany's sales office in Providence, yesterday became head of the central station department for New England, according to an announcement made by the company. Mr. Adams will be responsible for the public utility business of the company in Northeastern United States and will have offices at 83 State Street.
Born in Royalston, Massachusetts, Mr. Adams was educated at Gushing Academy, and received his degree of electrical engineer from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He has been in the employ of the General Electric Company since 1908; first in Boston and then in Providence and now has returned to Boston to assume his present position.
2o8 THE SIGNET
While in Providence, Mr. Adams took an active interest in the Provi- dence Engineering Society and w^as its president in 1917 and 1918. He also was president of the Phi Sigma Kappa Club of Rhode Island.
Mr. Adams is the inventor of the Adams Transmission Line Calculator, an instrument used by engineers for rapid calculation of electrical circuits. He has also applied his scientific knowledge to golf, having "balanced" sci- entifically Miss Glenna Collett's clubs when she first won the national women's championship.
RETURNED TO LIFE
Brother Al Moe's story of the rediscovery of Samuel Porter Colt is of some interest in itself and is reprinted in full. When we were preparing our war memorial in the History we had trouble with this man, but for want of definite evidence did not list him as dead.
The "Directory of Members" had Samuel Porter Colt, Jr., '10, listed in the Chapter Invisible. The usual answer from alumni vi^ho knew him was, "He went over with a Canadian Regiment and never came back." They all seemed to take it for granted that he was dead. Last semester when I began to check the alumni files to bring them up to date, I felt that something was wrong concerning Samuel Colt. I searched the University War Records and found he was listed as a casualty. I still played my hunch and continued to write every possible place. Finally, I heard he had a sister in San Diego. After eventually getting in touch with his sister, she gave me an address in England. Several letters were sent as well as our alumni questionnaire. I have just received an answer and now I am able to tell you that Samuel Colt does not belong in the Chapter Invisible. Here is what we know about him.
Samuel Porter Colt, Jr., '10, i Elgin Road, East Croydon, Sur- rey. Occupation — heating engineer. Business Address, Station Mansions, Wealdstone.
FAMOUS OARSMAN PROMOTED
Dr. Arthur H. Flickwir, M '01, captain of the Pennsylvania crew which rowed at Henley, England, in 1901, and until recently city health officer at Houston, Texas, has been made sanitarian for the Missouri Pacific Lines in Texas and Louisiana, with head- quarters still in Houston.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Editor expresses his appreciation to the following for items appearing in this department : Fred Coffman, Cedric Fos- ter, Walter Brandes, Billy Mclntyre, Frederick Griswold, Ken- neth Hill, William T. Chewning, Ralph R. DePrez, Donald F. Whiting, Edgar Russell, Al Moe, Roland Verbeck.
Vol. XX NEW SERIES No. i
®i|[f signpt
Published by the
Council of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Four Times During the Collegiate Year Publication office: 450 Ahnaip St., Menasha, Wis.
FRANK PRENTICE RAND, M.A., Editor Amherst, Massachusetts
JUNE, 1928
Entered as second class matter at the post office at Menasha, Wisconsin.
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS
A — March 15, 1873. Massachusetts Agricultural College. Amherst, Mass.
B — Feb. 2, 1888. Union. Chapter Houses, 519 Mercer St., Albany, and 201 Seward Place, Schenectady, N.Y.
r — Feb. 26, 1889. Cornell. 702 University Ave., Ithaca, N.Y.
A — Feb. 24, 1891. West Virginia. 672 North High St., Mor- gantown, W.Va. *
E — June 3, 1893. Yale. 124 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn.
Z— Dec. 19, 1896. C.C.N.Y. 473 West 140th St., New York City.
H — Jan. 8, 1897. Maryland. Princeton and Dartmouth Sts., College Park, Md.
® — Dec. 16, 1897. Columbia. 550 W. 114th St., New York City.
I — March 15, 1899. Stevens. 810 Hudson St., Hoboken, N.J.
K — June 7, 1899. Penn State. State College, Pa.
A — Oct. 7, 1899. George Washington. 1882 Eye St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
M — March 10, 1900. Pennsylvania. 3618 Locust St., Phila- delphia.
N — March 9, 1901. Lehigh. Third and Cherokee Sts., South Bethlehem, Pa.
H — April 12, 1902. St. Lawrence. 78 Park St., Canton, N.Y.
O — May 24, 1902. M.I.T. 487 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass.
n — April 18, 1903. Franklin and Marshall. 437 W. James St., Lancaster, Pa.
2, — May 16, 1903. St. John's. Campus, Annapolis, Md.
T — March 25, 1905. Dartmouth. Hanover, N.H.
Y — Feb. ID, 1906. Brown. 406 Brook St., Providence, R.I.
$ — March 24, 1906. Swarthmore. Swarthmore, Pa.
X — June 16, 1906. Williams. Williamstown, Mass.
^ — Jan. 19, 1907. Virginia. Virginia Ave., Charlottesville, Va.
fi — Feb. 12, 1909. California. 2412 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, Calif.
A^ — May 9, 1910. Illinois. 1004 South Second St., Cham- paign, 111.
DIRECTORY 3
B^ — May 12, 1910. Minnesota. 1018 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis.
r^ — April 13, 191 1. Iowa State. 142 Gray St., Ames, Iowa.
A^ — Feb. 27, 1915. Michigan. 1043 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich.
E^ — ^June 8, 1915. W.P.I. 11 Dean St., Worcester, Mass.
Z^ — Jan. 13, 191 7. Wisconsin. 260 Langdon St., Madison, Wis.
H^ — March 4, 1917. Nevada. 737 Lake St., Reno, Nev.
©^ — Feb. 19, 1 92 1. Oregon Agricultural College. 27 Park Terrace, Corvallis, Ore.
I^ — March 24, 1923. Kansas State. 1630 Humboldt, Man- hattan, Kansas.
K-^ — April 7, 1923. Georgia Tech. 132 North Ave., N.W., Atlanta, Ga.
A''^ — April 25, 1923. University of Washington. 4554 Six- teenth Ave. N.E., Seattle, Wash.
M^ — April 26, 1923. Montana. lOii Gerald Ave., Missoula, Mont.
N^^ — May 2, 1923. Stanford University. Lomita Drive and Mayfield Ave., Stanford, Calif.
H^ — Feb. 3, 1925. Tennessee. 1816 West Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn.
O^ — Feb. 7, 1925. Alabama. 1423 University Ave., Tusca- loosa, Ala.
n^ — Feb. 21, 1925. Ohio State. 325 Fifteenth Ave., Colum- bus, Ohio.
P^ — March 13, 1925. Gettysburg. Gettysburg, Pa.
%^ — ^April II, 1925. Nebraska. 348 N. 14th St., Lincoln, Neb.
T^ — Nov. 13, 1926. Carnegie. 4807 Baum Boulevard, Pitts- burgh, Pa.
YA_Nov. 20, 1926. North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C.
^ — Nov. 27, 1926. Kentucky. 211 East Maxwell St., Lexing- ton, Ky,
X^ — Dec. 18, 1926. Washington State. Pullman, Wash.
^ — Dec. 21, 1926. Oregon. Eugene, Ore.
$ s K FRATERNITY
OFFICERS, 1926-1928
The Supreme Court
Gilbert J. Morgan, Chancellor H '07
3925 Canterbury Road, Baltimore
Arnold C. Otto, Recorder A '11
1413 First National Bank Bldg., Milwaukee, Wis.
William A. McIntyre M '04
25 Broadway, New York City
Dr. Joseph E. Root, 904 Main St., Hartford, Conn A '76
George J. Vogel, Torrington, Conn r '91
Dr. Walter H. Conley, Welfare Island, New York City B '91
The Council
President — Alvin T. Burrows A '03
III N. Race St., Urbana, 111.
Vice Presidents —
Howard F. Dunham T '11
Hanover, N.H.
Joseph H. Batt A '16
Insurance Building, Washington, D.C.
William F. Wood S '10
240 Bush St., San Francisco, Calif.
James A. Barger A^ '20
4046 W. Philadelphia Ave., Detroit, Mich.
Raymond G. Lafean M '19
3400 Forbes St., Pittsburgh
Secretary-Treasurer — Ralph J. Watts A '07
Lawrence College, Appleton, Wis.
M embers-<it-large
Charles H. Ruedi A^ '17
137 East Main St., Decatur, 111.
Edgar T. Fell 2 '13
Calvert Bldg., Baltimore
Lieutenant Frank Schoble
ll^t i^tgnrt
VOL. XX NEW SERIES No. 1
THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION Lieutenant Frank Schoble, M 'io
By way of apology to you who read the Signet for information and enjoyment and to its editor who has some regard for its literary value, I wish to say at the outset that Frank Rand has been coaxing me for some time to put my recollections of the recent pilgrimage of the American Legion to France into what might charitably be called literary form. Now he comes forward with a peremptory demand, which is so unusual that I find myself shocked into compliance. I merely mention this because we can't expect as good a performance from a drafted man as from one who enlists. My recollections of the war are that our enlisted personnel were pretty carefully looked over and their qualifica- tions for service very thoroughly considered. When it came to the "draftees," however, anyone seemed to be satisfactory and disabilities showed up all along the line. I may be able to make a few remarks from behind a dinner table, where the diners are either too comfortably filled with food to want to leave or too polite to throw anything, but as a writer, I claim permanent and total disability from a wound incurred when my first high-school composition was returned with a zero as a decoration.
We are all of us pilgrims of a kind and the American Legion tour of Europe was rightly termed the "Pilgrimage," since its chief object was the revisitation of the battlefields of the recent war and the rededication of its members to the service of their country, on the scene of their war-time activities and by the side of the graves of their comrades. However, in spite of the high moral purpose of the expedition, which, I believe, in every sense
6 THE SIGNET
was realized and even exceeded, our pilgrimage was in no sense a medieval one. The pilgrim of olden times journeyed afoot and fasted, and returned to his home in order to recover in body and mind from the imposed ordeal. Our journey was one taken in ease and comfort and feasting and we returned from a land of plenty to one where "Liberty" is only a weekly magazine. I could regale you with stories of banquets and dinners in all of the capitals of Europe, but shall refrain because of charity of soul and brotherly good feeling.
I need not tell you of the outstanding activities of the Ameri- can Legion Pilgrimage, since these have been very ably reported in the newspapers. I recall, however, the skepticism that seemed to be manifest pretty generally concerning the advisability and the practicability of such a tour. I confess that I was myself at first rather doubtful of its ultimate success, but the faith which its proponents had in the idea was more than amply justified. It was no small task to take 31,000 Americans, gathered from every walk of life, and from every corner of the country, overseas with a fleet of twenty-two ships, and to land them in a foreign country where they were to be entertained. The entertainment afforded them, not only in France, but in Italy, Belgium, and England and every other country which they visited, very clearly demonstrated the good feeling felt by the rulers, governmental officials and ordinary citizens toward the American soldier and the country which he represented. They had not forgotten 191 7 and '18 and the heartfelt gratitude expressed on every hand was heartening, particularly after the recollection of the fears and doubts and misgivings as to their feelings toward us as is evidenced from time to time in our newspapers. If we can believe what we see and hear and what is expressed in every thought, word and act, the returning legionnaire can only bring back the impression that Europe is grateful, friendly and anxious to co-operate with us, in every possible way, to make our common war service really of some account.
In 1917 and '18, the Army of which we were the peace-time representatives, went over to France and in an incredibly short time changed the tide of the war and the history of the world. We were soldiers then and did our work as soldiers, in the trenches and in the open field. However, in spite of the fact
THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION 7
that we performed our task well, all that we achieved was an Armistice and nothing more. It was for others to take up the task after us ; and although it is not my purpose to criticize, the work of the diplomats who followed the soldiers fell short of the war-time achievement. They got a poor peace and a treaty which in no sense guarantees the permanence of that peace. The underlying guarantee can only be good will between the peoples for whom that treaty was drawn. Therefore, it is an event of high importance when we consider the return of these same soldiers ten years later and to realize that they conducted them- selves in such a manner that they were not hailed as returning warriors celebrating a victory, but as ambassadors of good will. The soldier seems to have taken the place of those who tried to finish the task which he began so well in ending the World War. He performs a double service over a period of years, and it is my hope and almost my belief that, provided our representatives take the fullest advantage of this peace-time operation, his sec- ond visit to France will be as productive of good as was the first. Europe is hoping and praying for peace without know- ing how to properly establish it. We can hardly blame them for their doubt of each other; they have been discouraged too often, in spite of their repeated trials. It is not difficult to un- derstand that they cannot have much hope of success for their own efforts. It is only natural that they should look across the Atlantic to us, in the hope that having come to their assistance in war, we shall, even if only for our own security and without even considering the altruism of which we boast and which we lead them to believe we possess, we really co-operate in a definite way in the program for the perpetuation of peace which is of such vital importance to all of us.
I need only call to your mind one scene which vividly illus- trates the underlying thought of our entire pilgrimage. It was one of my chief purposes to revisit the town in France near which I was wounded. I wanted to climb Hill 274 once more and to feel once more the thrill which went through me on that evening in October when my war activities were abruptly brought to an end. I wanted to hear the shells bursting, the machine guns rattling and to be able to revisualize the whole scene. I did go back to Nantillois and reclimb the Hill, last fall, but I did not feel
8 THE SIGNET
the expected thrill. I had waited too long. Something had hap- pened within me during the past nine years and something had been happening in France. As I stood on the Hill trying to hear, in memory, the bursting shells, my ears caught the voices of chil- dren playing in the streets of the little town about a half mile away. As a matter of fact, one of these youngsters had come over to meet the automobile when we arrived in town, reached up and grasped my hand. He did not know at the time that he was helping me, although he soon caught the idea and he and his little friends joined our party as we went over to the Eightieth Division Memorial and decorated it in the name of our Veterans' Association. The thought of that boy and his friends comes to my mind very often. They were only six or seven years of age. They had been born in Nantillois after the war. They know nothing of the war times excepting as it is described to them by their fathers or older friends. These vil- lagers of France went back to the scene of their earlier peace-time life, to find it a hell-hole, leveled to the ground, a village of cel- lars, filled with stinking gas. With almost superhuman effort and infinite faith, they had the courage to forget the war and to rebuild a new, beautiful little town on the ruins of the old, to till their fields again, even though every movement of the plow was made at the risk of their lives. They had the courage to be- gin raising a new France in their children. I salute with respect the peasants of France and Belgium who have thus demonstrated the faith which they have in the future and in those who are to guide the destinities, not only of their nation, but of all nations. I don't believe that any thinking man needs more than the sober thought of these little communities rearing themselves anew in ruined France and Belgium, to stimulate him to exert every ef- fort himself, and to encourage his fellow countrymen to do every- thing in their power to see that the faith of these people is justified.
The message of good will which the legionnaire brought back with him, and the hope that his pilgrimage may result in a bet- ter understanding between our nation and the other nations of Europe would amply justify the pilgrimage. This, however, was only one of the many good results that came out of it. Of course, he had a most enjoyable time. I do not think that it is possible
THE SPIRIT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION 9
to imagine any pleasanter holiday than that from which we have lately returned. The newspapers have been kind enough to tell you of some of my own activities. These were both pleasant and gratifying and the heartening thought is that I received such a gracious welcome from kings and queens and the Pope and many other dignitaries and officials. As a representative in their eyes, of the disabled soldiers of America, it was an evidence of their sympathy and appreciation for a sacrifice. However, the real gift of the American Legion Pilgrimage to the individual legionnaire was not in the good time which he had, in the honors bestowed upon him or the courtesies tendered to him. The real gift, as I see it, was in the broadening of his friendships and the form- ing of new acquaintanceships which will blossom into friendships in future years. In simple terms, my address book is larger than it used to be and filled with names of friends and acquaintances scattered from Maine to California and from Wisconsin to the tip end of Florida. What is still more remarkable, I have found many new friends right here in Philadelphia, and the American Legion had to travel about eight thousand miles through all of the countries of Western Europe, in order to accomplish this result. The thought that comes to me is whether it is really necessary to go to all of this effort and expense when like the children in The Bluebird, who went through countless adven- tures in order to find the Bird of Happiness, we could, like them, find it singing beside our own door.
This is the lesson which all of us can draw from the Legion and I am particularly glad that some of my readers are young men, still students in college, as well as to older members of the fraternity. You younger men, in your college activities have a golden opportunity to draw your classmate closer to you and to make a real friend of him before you get away from your col- lege life and into the business of a work-a-day world, and we, in our fraternity demonstrate, at every meeting, how much we value the friends with whom we were associated in our college days. I know that those of you who have traveled will raise the counter- thought that travelers are more responsive, more open hearted and make a greater effort to be friendly than in ordinary times, but whether we realize it or not, we are traveling every day and every hour of the day and as we grow older, the pace becomes very
10 THE SIGNET
rapid indeed. We are all going at the rate of sixty minutes an hour and we cannot afford to let the opportunity go by, if we have a chance to transform that casual meeting into acquaintanceship, the acquaintanceship into a friendship or to bind a friend closer to us with hoops of steel. If we can do that in our fraternity and in every organization to which we belong, we will not only be happier but will come nearer to realizing those high principles of brotherhood upon which our fraternity is founded. It is this thought which I would like to leave with you as a parting word because I believe it to be the most important : If we can be more friendly ourselves and because of our tides of brotherhood, we can make our fraternity a strong force in the fraternal move- ment which is, I believe, beginning to be felt in the world.
BETA CELEBRATES
The founding of the Alden March chapter on January 26, 1888, was celebrated on Saturday, May 12, by a banquet and dance held in the Hotel Ten Eyck, Albany, New York. Dr. John A. Cutter, inductor of the chapter, was the guest of honor and toastmaster. Five of our charter members, Brothers Armstrong, Davis, Root, Sadlier, and Cutter, and many other well known alumni of Beta and other chapters were present, in- cluding Brothers W. H. Conley, Dunham, Sanford, Lafean, Rooney, Hull, Lyons, Cass, Heslin, Alderson, Blanchard, Noonan and Wentworth. We who were present can never forget that day and it will be written in golden letters in Beta's history. The speakers were Drs. John A. Cutter, Thurman A. Hull, Arthur Root, Mr. Dunham, and Noonan.
A SYMPOSIUM
With the convention coming on we have taken the liberty of subjecting the members of the Council and Court to an inquiry as to their feeling on the various questions which are pressing down upon us. Of course it is understood that their replies do not commit them indefinitely to the policies stated. In the light of more deliberation and evidence some of them would undoubt- edly reverse their decisions. But a summary of their present attitude toward important questions may perhaps stimulate discus- sion both among the officers themselves and the general public. One member of the Council and two members of the Court have failed to reply ; they are no doubt actuated by political dis- cretion as exemplified among the more prominent presidential candidates during the present season. It is both a rash and a generous thing to express an opinion for publication ; to the other officers of the Order we express hereby our editorial apprecia- tion.
Let us on to the questions:
1. Should you favor a constitutional amendment requiring that a local must have been organized at least five years if it is to re- ceive a charter from the Fraternity f
There are seven votes Yes and five votes No. One of the No respondents, however, declared that he favored the five-year provision in practice but did not consider it a proper article in the constitution. Another No respondent replies, however, "Other fraternities would pick them off and we should never have a chance." Your Editor votes a decided Yes on this question; nothing less than a constitutional prohibition will prevent the advocates of a particular mushroom local from forcing the issue that if we wait for three years more the petitioners will have gone elsewhere or disbanded and our chance would be gone for- ever.
2. Should you favor increasing the charter fee to $i,ooof
There are ten votes No, one explicit Yes, and one qualified Yes. The officers seem to feel that this step would place an
12 THE SIGNET
unfortunate emphasis upon wealth and as such does violence to the spirit of the Brotherhood.
3. For what use, primarily, should yo'u favor the drive for a large endowment fund?
The various objectives Hst themselves as follows :
Traveling secretary 3
Building loans 3
Reduction of grand chapter tax 3
General administration 3
Scholarships 2
Treasure house 2
Those who voted for reduction of the present taxes and those who voted for general administration would seem to be really of one opinion, which would give this objective considerable pre- cedence over the others. The variety of replies would seem to indicate that there is no single crying need, and perhaps the word of wisdom is therefore to be found in the reply: "Do not favor drive at all unless object is obviously apparent."
4. Do you favor taking immediate steps toward creating a Phi Sigma Kappa "treasure house"?
There are ten votes Yes and two votes No. That only two of the ten mentioned it in connection with an endowment fund would seem to indicate that this vote expresses an impulse of enthusiasm rather than a settled and considered policy. Still, as one respondent remarks, it is "better today than tomorrow"; there are many items of interest available today, which tomorrow will be lost forever.
5. // so, where would you locate it?
Six of the brothers designate Amherst, Massachusetts (a col- lege town where the Fraternity was founded), one specifies Pitts- burgh, and one declares for "General Headquarters," which means, if anything, Appleton, Wisconsin. Presumably the last respondent really wished to put himself on record as favoring combining the museum features of a treasure with the offices of administration, and to this quite probably most of the other men would agree.
A SYMPOSIUM 13
6. Are you in favor of honorary memberships?
Eight votes Yes and four votes No. One of the respondents even goes on to say, "The chapters are in theory largely self- governing, and I think they should be allowed to decide whether the man they want as an honorary member is or is not of the proper caliber, just as they do for their active initiates. Never- theless in order that the thing should not be overdone, I am in favor of limiting each chapter to, say, two honorary members a year."
This unquestionable indorsement of the honorary membership policy is of considerable interest, because Phi Sigma Kappa is al- most the only fraternity of any age or standing that isn't opposed to honorary memberships on principle. The general opinion is that honorary memberships are a cheap and easy way of getting onto a society's roll the names of prominent men, mostly politi- cians, many of whom do not even remember for more than a day or two that they are members of the fraternity at all. Exception is usually made to very young and struggling fraternities which have not yet bred up a sufficient number of alumni to serve as chapter advisers and the like. The Editor feels that, regardless of the merits of the question as such, our addiction to honorary memberships will eventually hurt us considerably in the eyes of the rest of the Greek world.
7. Do you prefer a community of large chapters or of small chapters?
Probably an unfortunate question. One voted for large chap- ters, six voted for small ones, and five avoided an explicit declara- tion. As an actual fact each man probably thinks his own chap- ter is just the right size.
8. Do you favor the establishment of a permanent traveling secretaryship?
The vote stands nine to three in favor of the secretaryship, al- though one of the nine thinks we are not ready for it yet. Three of the nine seem to have had this in mind when they recommended the endowment fund drive. One of the two opposed takes grounds that we are getting more visitation now than we could hope to do with a single secretary. It is plain, however, that the officers are generally strong for the plan.
14 THE SIGNET
9. Mention the most impressive Phi Sigma Kappa occasion you ever attended.
Some of the officers mentioned two. However the elections are as follows:
The Amherst Pilgrimage 4
An Initiation 3
The 1922 Convention 2
The 1926 Convention 2
The Gettysburg Induction i
The 1906 Convention i
The 1912 Convention i
The 1908 Convention i
10. What seems to you the most important service your national order at present renders the active chapter?
There were three who think that the paramount service has to do with chapter visitation, two who suggest financial oversight, two who speak of the chapter advisers, and two who mentioned the interchapter relationship. Then there were single votes cast for each of the following: "readiness to step in and help," schol- astic standards, self-management and reputation as an aid in rush- ing. Let us hope that the service is as manifold as this report would indicate.
COMMENCEMENT APPOINTMENTS
Our request for appointments to commencement programs elicited the following:
A. T. Fusonie Dartmouth Class oration
Howard Thomas .... Mass. Aggie Mantle Oration
Adams Nevada Master of Ceremonies
Paul H. Rhoads Gettysburg ^ Salutatorian
William H. Davies. . Gettysburg Ivy Oration
THE ENDOWMENT FUND Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, Trustee, The Endowment Fund
This morning my good wife was looking over for the nth time the 191 5 Halcyon — (you Phi brothers know The Halcyon). For the rest of us, who are not Swarthmore men. The Halcyon is the yearbook pubHshed annually by the junior class at Swarthmore. Those were the days when she, destined to become Mrs. Barnes, was an undergraduate at Swarthmore and the writer, a graduate student in Economics at the University of Pennsylvania.
So we started talking college. Phi Sigma Kappa, and other interesting reminiscences. The doorbell rings, and Uncle Sam's understudy brings me another letter from one efficient secretary and treasurer. Brother Watts. Ralph was writing me in answer to one of my letters to him upon the subject of the Endowment Fund.
Recently Brother Donald McLean and I have been correspond- ing with each other in reference to the Fund. On April 18, Brother Burrows is speaking here in the Campus House to the loi men who attended the banquet in celebration of the twenty- fifth anniversary of Pi chapter's induction into Phi Sigma Kappa, mentioned among other things, the Fund.
During the past several months I have been in correspondence with or have talked personally to a considerable number of the brothers about this most important project of our fraternity.
Brothers, what have you done for that which has given so much to you? What do most of us alumni do? The payment of small annual dues to our local association, and some con- tribution to the "new house" are probably the most any have contributed, and many have not done that.
Due to the successful administrations of Brothers McLean and Burrows we have in the Endowment Fund Treasury re- ceipts from the Council of $5,000 in December, 1924, and $6,000 in October, 1926. To the generosity of two groups, namely our Pittsburgh Club, and Eta Association, the Fund has received $500 and $25 respectively.
I am addressing through The Signet, the brothers in Phi Sigma Kappa, asking you, as individual members and as mem- bers of associations or alumni clubs, to do the following:
1. Spread the idea of an endowment fund for our fraternity. Practically all of the better fraternities have, or are building, such a fund.
2. Make a cash contribution or pledge yourself and encourage others to do so. Do not hesitate because of the amount of your contribution.
i6 THE SIGNET
3. Make provision for the Fund in your will and get others to do likewise. You should consider taking out a life insurance policy making Phi Sigma Kappa the beneficiary. (Phi Sig life insurance agents, please take note, and sell insurance with this idea. All commissions due me for the suggestion to be paid to our Endowment Fund.)
4. Send me any suggestions as to how we may accomplish more and build more quickly an adequate fund.
The fraternity has much use for such money. The principal must be large enough to furnish sufficient interest before we can accomplish anything of a definite nature.
For the information of those who do not know, I would say that the funds are under the control of the trustees who are Brother McLean, of Elizabeth, New Jersey; Brother Hirsh- feld, of Detroit, and the writer. They are deposited in the Na- tional State Bank of Elizabeth and the First National Bank of Wallingford, Connecticut. In order to make any disburse- ments the signatures of all three of the trustees are necessary. Without a doubt, as the amounts in bank warrant, the money will, from time to time, be invested in sound securities.
The I pi 5 Halcyon (published May, 1924) lists twenty-six chapters in the Phi Sigma Kappa chapter roll, Gamma Deuteron being the twenty-sixth. Today we have fifty-one chapters and in a few months will have more. We are truly national from coast to coast, from North to South. More and more does the administration of such an organization call for the most in- telligent and conscientious leadership. One of our major tasks will continue to be the collection of funds, and the sound eco- nomical use of the same. For those brothers to whom is given the administration of our fraternity affairs must always remem- ber that they are "stewards," "trustees," and should and must render an accurate accounting.
Think Phi Sigma Kappa Endowment Fund; talk Phi Sigma Kappa Endowment Fund; try giving to the Phi Sigma Kappa Endowment Fund — the three "T's" of the Endowment Fund.
Act now. Give, give, give today.
THE BALL CLUB
As an excuse for explanation we offer the following as the hypothetical all-Phi Sigma Kappa baseball nine for the current season :
Catcher Widdifield Ohio
Pitchers Florrid Georgia Tech.
Rafferty Montana
First base Gundlach Illinois
Second base Jeremiah Dartmouth
Shortstop Chinske Montana
Third base McCoy Michigan
Left field Coyle Montana
Center field Goodwin Kentucky
Right field Fusonie Dartmouth
Your sporting editor would be hard put to it were it not for Dartmouth and Montana. Dartmouth this year reported six varsity baseball men. Incredulously we scanned the press re- ports for the next two or three games, and sure enough every name appeared. They didn't all appear at one time — that needs to be said. Dartmouth seems to have adopted the Notre Dame football scheme for relief and reinforcement this year. And the Dartmouth club isn't a very good one, not for Dartmouth. Still the Tau baseball contingency makes quite a sensational display, and we extend our compliments. We don't know very much about the Montana outfit, but we assume that it probably is pretty good. And Montana offers us four candidates, in positions where they are much appreciated.
We are embarrassingly strong behind the bat. Widdifield is captain of the Ohio team (and by the way the last captain of any Ohio team, that distinction being now eliminated), and we are putting him into our line-up as catcher. Still there is Mc- Coy of Michigan, whom we checked in the Michigan-Harvard game, and who is supposed to bat around .300. And curiously enough we haven't a single candidate for third base. Now whether McCoy could freeze onto a red-hot ground ball, we of course don't know ; but we couldn't bear to leave a Michigan .300 man off our club, and we have placed him on third. Then there
i8 THE SIGNET
is Goodwin of Kentucky, who was captain of his team last year but had to leave college and forfeited the honor. Goodwin, also, seemed too good to miss and we have put him out in center field.
We have quite an assortment of pitchers, too. In fact Georgia Tech offers us three. Florrid, however, is the only one we know anything about (he held Tennessee to five hits the other day) ; so we are giving him the benefit of our limited information. Raf- ferty is the Montana captain, and presumably a good man. Hall of Mass Aggie caught nineteen strike-outs in nine innings from an M.I.T. aggregation, but is probably not first class. Then there are Gilbert of Kansas and Boulitz of Maryland,
There seems to be no doubt but that Gundlach of Illinois is the man for first, and Jeremiah of Dartmouth is the only man for second, and Chinske of Montana is the only man for shortstop. So these placements are easy enough.
Out in the field we have three Dartmouth men, and two Mon- tana men, and Thompson of Mass. Aggie, and Tansill of Mary- land, and Perkins of Ohio; and having filled one berth with the Kentucky captain, we proceed to fill the others with Coyle of Montana, who is expected to go abroad with the Olympic team this summer, and Fusonie of Dartmouth, whom we know to be a veteran of several seasons.
ALMOST A CREW
If three strokes and four number men would make a crew, we'd take to the river. Under the circumstances, however, per- haps we had better wait for a bit. In anticipation we offer the following :
Zurwelle M.I.T Varsity stroke
Harris M.I.T 150 lb. stroke
Cheney Pennsylvania No. 4
Moe California Stroke
Dally California No. 7
Kauffman Washington Junior varsity No. 5
Cook Washington Letter man No. 5
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP By E. a. Kell, E '29
At different times articles have been published in The Signet explaining the paternalistic attitude taken by that august body, the national, in regards to different matters pertaining to the local chapters. I have been a reader of the magazine since my induction into the fraternity, but at no time have I seen or read an article setting forth the reasons for the present constitu- tional provision governing the manner in which local chapters may elect men to honorary membership.
This has been a bone of contention between the national body and the subordinate chapters for some time. At some time since the last convention, a compromise has been effected and the present system of leaving the final decision in the hands of the Council and Supreme Court was instituted. There is no doubt that the present procedure is a great improvement over the old method of having the convention pass on the man. But the writer can see no reason for any distinction between the election of an honorary member and that of an active member.
Why honorary members? Why is a chapter motivated to honor a man with election to their group? Each chapter will have its own local reasons and conditions, but they can usually be classified under the following heads :
1. The man has rendered a great aid and service to the local chapter, usually not once but many times and extending over a considerable period of time.
2. The man has done good work for the university, or a department of the university, work that has brought him to the front and set him before the eyes of the university world in which the undergraduate lives.
3. Because of the aid and influence this man will give to the active chapter, and the asset he will be to all concerned.
It must be admitted that active members in a chapter are not greatly interested in men outside of the undergraduate body. The undergraduate is the life blood of the college fraternity, and naturally the actives are seeking them rather than others. Hence when a man is of such a type that he is brought before
20 THE SIGNET
the eyes of the chapter and honored with an election to member- ship, there must be some good foundation for it.
Since the founding of Phi Sigma Kappa the members of the local chapters have had no restrictions placed upon them in the election of undergraduate members, but the election of an honorary member is considered much different. If the national body has confidence in the ability of the actives to elect the un- dergraduate member, who will be the most active and well-known campus member of the house, who is unproved socially, scholastic- ally, athletically, and in the business or professional work to come, why are the actives not capable of electing men who have already proved themselves?
Under the present method of election a vote is required from the members of the Council and Supreme Court. How can a group of men scattered from New York to California and from Canada to Mexico be well-versed in the affairs and conditions af- fecting each local chapter. I would cite my own chapter as an example. Two members of the Supreme Court live within the confines of the state, one within twenty-five miles, but they might just as well be in Europe as far as visitations to the house are concerned. Two other members live within seventy-five miles and three more within 150 miles, and yet we never see them at the house. Once a year our regional vice-president drops in on us during his regular tour of the chapters in his district, stays over night, and moves on the next morning. If this condition exists in the well-populated and easy-to-travel-in East, what must be the conditions existing in such chapters as Nebraska, Oregon, Washington State, and the University of Washington, a thou- sand miles from their closest member of the Council or Court. And yet these men have a very authoritative voice in the decision as to who shall be elected an honorary member of any one local chapter.
In the majority, yes, 99 per cent of the cases, the national of- ficers voting do not even know the person they are voting on and do not have the time or means of checking up on him. Numerous examples could be cited where a wire was sent to Brother Burrows asking for a vote of the Council and Court upon a man elected to honorary membership by a chapter. With- in thirty-six to forty-eight hours an answer was filed giving an
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP 21
affirmative vote. May I ask if each member of those two bodies had a chance to investigate the man they were voting on? I doubt it very much. Each member voted as he felt. If his toast and eggs were not right at breakfast, and he was in a sour mood, he probably voted No; if he was in a good mood he probably voted Yes and wondered why they bothered him with some name that was a total stranger to him.
I also claim that the present method is harmful. Every man who is versed in fraternity affairs knows that very often quick action is necessary. Under the present conditions Phi Sigma Kappa chapters are held up a day or two while a vote is being taken, and some other fraternity gathers in a good man who might have been a Phi Sig.
The writer feels that if a man can be brought up before a chap- ter of a college fraternity, discussed, and then passed without a blackball being cast in the box, then such a man is of the highest moral character and ability and will not, in any way, be detrimental to Phi Sigma Kappa.
Such a provision as now graces the books of this fraternity is superficial, harmful, and very detrimental to the good of the national, and, more especially, the local chapters. The coming convention should make it one of its foremost duties to wipe such a provision from the statutes of the fraternity and place the elec- tion of honorary members on the same basis as that of under- graduates.
MONTANA'S CAPTAINS
The four captains in major sports at Montana are all mem- bers of Mu Deuteron. In the accompanying picture are shown the four athletes who have or will have sweaters with three stripes and a star. "Big Lou" Vierhus, second from the left, success- fully captained last year's football squad and Eddie Chinske, on the extreme right, is his successor for next season. "Ske" is not possessed of the size which Lou is blessed with but has the qualities of a leader and a popular captain.
On the right is Clarence Coyle, captain of basketball in 1927. Clarence has earned three letters in both basketball and track, two in football and will earn his ninth letter this year in baseball. He is a sensational performer in all these sports but will close his athletic career this spring.
Last but still important, is Captain Bill Rafferty, the third man from the left. Bill is a chucker of some note and will lead Mon- tana's baseball team this season. This is Bill's third season in baseball having made good records in the last two years. "Raff" has also earned his letter in football but will close his athletic career this spring as he is a member of the graduating class.
Mu Deuteron is proud of these four men and the showing they have made at Montana. They have enviable records, all of them, and we hope to be fortunate enough to have more like them in the chapter in the future.
<
VISITATION BY DEPUTY The Editor
The Council has been considering the appointment of a deputy, whose duty it may be to devote one year to a systematic visita- tion of the active chapters. Except for the rather informal tour of inspection given by Brother Ross Lawrence when he was treasurer of the Council, this sort of thing has never been done in Phi Sigma Kappa. Nor do we think it at all a com^mon prac- tice, on a special deputy basis, in other fraternities.
The traveling secretary is something different. His office is a permanent one, and the incumbent continues to hold it, barring disaffection, as long as he will. Not infrequently he handles all the managerial and record work of the fraternity as well, and occasionally he also edits the magazine. In other words he is the executive secretary itinerant. He has a varied and exacting job and must be a man of versatility if he is to fill the bill. Diplomat, detailist, idealist, orator, organizer, accountant, author, humorist, — he must be all of these, and more.
For this reason The Signet has never recommended the travel- ing secretaryship. Such a man as described is in line to be Secre- tary of State and he isn't likely to be content to visit chapters for many years of his fleeting life. He is more than likely to dis- cover heaven in a pair of gray eyes, and no man can be a success- ful traveling secretary and a successful husband at one and the same time. And he is so rare a paragon that after he has been found, trained and lost, he is almost literally irreplaceable. Say- ing the same thing negatively, the man who can be induced to take over this work and stick to it for a period of years is almost invariably the man whose talents are so inadequate that the fra- ternity would give anything to get rid of him without a show- down after about six months. Of course there are the rare ex- ceptions, men who for highly unusual personal reasons are will- ing to make of such work a hobby and who are equipped to do the task well. We have known of three or four in the Greek- letter world. But there is no use in planning upon them. If the man should actually appear before us, in a pillar of cloud or of flame, let us create the office and put him into it. And when he
24 THE SIGNET
retires from it, let us discontinue it pending, some centuries hence, the appearance of another angehc leader.
But the deputy, as proposed, is something within expectation. He is appointed not annually, but occasionally, for the period of one year. There ought to be no consideration of a possible re- appointment. He does a particular piece of work ; then he stops. He isn't a part of the organic administration of the Fraternity; rather he is appointed, if the phrase will not unduly alarm the reader, "for the emergency." He doesn't replace the existing official personnel, unless in regard to the more or less sporadic visitation by regional vice-presidents; rather he supplements it. The Secretary continues his duties as at present ; the deputy does something which would not otherwise be done.
His work can be made very definite. He should be given an explicit program by the Secretary and should be required to carry it out exactly at every chapter. In case he fails to do so he should be subject to reproof and if necessary dismissal. From every chapter he should send to the Secretary a comprehensive and definite report, based upon his examination of the books and properties, his inspection of chapter performance both formal and informal, his interviews with chapter, alumni and collegiate officials, and his procedures in bringing delinquent chapters into line. He should be trained to bring to the chapters certain in- formation and inspiration where these may be needed. And of course he will render occasional services, not specifically pre- scribed, wherever he may do so to advantage. But the point of this paragraph is that his program can be made so definite that a conscientious man properly chosen can hardly fail to succeed.
Nor is such a man very difficult to find. He is a young fellow, usually, just out of college with no definite and pressing career, and with no marital encumbrances, a chap who has been a co- operative and constructive leader in his chapter and who, afire with enthusiasm, is still humbly glad of direction, a lad who is eager to see the country and isn't likely to make an important issue of salary. It is half a lark for him anyway. And it is good preparation for almost any profession in that it offers him mental and social discipline and also a cultural background. For a great many young men it would be better than a year of graduate study. And being so attractive the position will appeal to many
VISITATION BY DEPUTY 25
of the best men being graduated from college, and every few years, say once for each chapter generation, a really exceptional man will be found and will grab at the chance.
Financially it isn't a very expensive project. The deputy's travel expense would be almost entirely limited to transportation, for he would be largely the guest of the various chapters. And in view of the amenities offered and the inexperience of the candidate, the personal salary need not be large, perhaps what a young man would get his first year as a teacher. The present Council feels that there is no serious difficulty there.
How great the values received would prove can only be guessed and would depend in part upon the wisdom of the Council in picking its man. He ought to be appointed in the spring and use the summer months for preparation. He would need to take what is virtually a course in salesmanship under the personal direction of the Secretary. He needs to know the history of the Fraternity absolutely inside out, and he must be so thoroughly im- pregnated with the forms and processes which he is to use that he can proceed from the first visitation without notes or other visible support. He must be ready to make the ritual and the idealism of the Order impressively beautiful. Several weeks of hard work are absolutely imperative and should be made an in- tegral part of the deputy's program.
In many respects, some of them trivial, there is much diver- gence among the chapters. For the most part this is not inten- tional or wilful. The deputy should be able to bring into being a very considerable uniformity in such matters. Many chapters feel seriously out of step with the national organization; their rela- tion with it has been largely casual and epistolary. Certainly the deputy should be able to re-establish the sense of union between such groups and the national order. Occasionally a chapter is actually caught in a tangle from which it can see no way out. H the deputy cannot give the necessary advice, he can probably get it. For The Signet he would be constantly picking up in- teresting bits of news, unique practices, pictures, and he should contribute quarterly an extended discussion of some phase of fraternalism as he has advantageously seen it. And so one might go on.
Of course there are objections. "He is only a boy," some one
26 THE SIGNET
will say lugubriously. Well, if he doesn't get high-hat, he will be all the more acceptable to the chapters on that very account. "A year isn't long enough." That of course remains to be seen. "The preparation would impose a tremendous burden on the General Secretary." That depends upon the general secretary. Ralph Watts is enough of an executive to handle it all right. "The Council isn't in a position to find the right man." As an armual assignment that would doubtless he true, but on an oc- casional basis the man would all but find himself.
As the reader may have guessed. The Signet is keen to see the thing tried. It seems to us a practicable compromise be- tween the idealistic but Utopian permanent secretaryship and the gratuitous but uneven service we have at present. We wouldn't for a minute belittle the work which Councilors have done. Some of it has been superlative. But all in all it is inspirational rather than businesslike, and sporadic rather than regular. And it is in its very nature so taxing as to make busy, conscientious men hesi- tate at a renomination. Certainly a Sabbatical leave would be good for the vice-presidents now and then, and acceptable.
We do not know whether the present Council will reach a point of action or not, or whether the subject will be aired at the convention, or whether the new council will be interested even to the point of discussion. But it seems to us a first-class experiment, and we hope it is given a trial.
THE CONVENTION
"What, are you stepping westward?" "Yea." — 'Twould be a wildish destiny If we, who thus together roam In a strange land and far from home, Were in this place the guests of chance; Yet who would stop or fear to advance, Though home and shelter he had none, With such a sky to lead him on!
A Los Angeles Pre-Convention Program Biltmore Hotel, August i8-ip Saturday, August i8 :
9:00 A.M. — Registration
10:00 A.M. — Sight seeing trip through city, movie studios and beaches I :oo P.M. — Luncheon at Deauville Beach Club, Santa Monica, California. Guests will have time for swim- ming while there 3:00 P.M. — Continue trip back to city arriving about 5:30
P.M.
8:30 P.M. — Dance at Phi Alpha Mu House Sunday, August 19:
Open for special trips individually arranged be- tween guests and Los Angeles Alumni.
Monday, August 20:
7:45 A.M. — Leave on Southern Pacific Daylight Limited for San Francisco. This will be a splendid trip along the coast and should not be missed. This train carries free observation and parlor cars and saves pullman fares, arriving in San Francisco about 8:30 p.m. Special car can be had if we have over twenty-five. Hotel reservations for Los Angeles should be made through the
Secretary of the Southern California Alumni Club, Harold Viault,
536 I. W. Hellman Building, Los Angeles.
Supreme Court Notice In connection with the Convention announcements, etc., printed in The Signet, it might be mentioned that the Supreme Court will have a meeting in San Francisco on Tuesday evening, August 21, at 6:00 P.M.
Arnold C. Otto, Recorder
28 THE SIGNET
The Hawaii Post-Convention Trip One of the suggestions of Vice-President William Wood for the entertainment of the delegates who will attend our National Convention in San Francisco next August is a post-convention trip to Hawaii. He feels that a good many of those coming will welcome a trip of this kind.
I agreed to follow up this suggestion because I will, through my connection with the Matson Navigation Company, be able to see that the brethren taking the trip will be well cared for.
The trip can be taken on the 5.5. Malolo, leaving San Fran- cisco on August 25, or on the 6'.5'. Matsonia, leaving August 29. I will get in touch with those interested before they arrive here. Inquiries should be directed to me in care of the Matson Naviga- tion Company so that I can explain the cost, duration of the trip and furnish full information.
G. W. DE Beaumont, O '25
215 Market Street,
San Francisco
Official Announcement
The following meetings have been duly called to be held at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, Tuesday, August 21 : 5 :oo P.M. Council Meeting 6:00 P.M. Meeting of the Supreme Court 8:00 P.M. Meeting of each of the five conclaves.
Ralph J. Watts, Secretary and Treasurer
Entertainment of Delegates The alumni of five cities west of the Rocky Moimtains cordially invite all convention delegates to visit their cities, and arrange- ments have been made for the entertainment of those who take advantage of this opportunity. The following information will aid delegates in making their connections with alumni. It is de- sirable whenever possible for delegates to notify the alumni in advance of the time of their arrival.
Spokane, Washington — Telephone C. V. MacDonald, (Main 1512 or Riverside 6030), or W. L. Murphy, c/o the Spokesman-Review. Seattle, Washington — ^Telephone A. V. Beveridge, 1274 Dexter
Horton Bldg. Portland, Oregon —
Salt Lake City, Utah — Telephone W. M. Ferry, Jr., Wasatch 6550. Telephone John James, 64^ East loth St. (East
2313)- Los Angeles, California — Telephone Harold Viault, T R 3 121.
Anderson Williams Football Captain
MiLDE
W.P.I. Track Captain
THE TRACK TEAM 29
The alumni club has arranged the following program for the entertainment of delegates Saturday and Sunday, August 18 and 19:
Saturday, August 18, Biltmore Hotel, Los Angeles 9:00 A.M. Registration
10:30 A.M. Sightseeing trip through Los Angeles, movie
studios, and beaches.
I :oo P.M. Lunch at Deauville Beach Club, Santa Monica.
Guests will have time for swimming while here.
3 :oo P.M. Continue trip back to Los Angeles arriving about
5:30 P.M. 8:30 P.M. Dance at Phi Alpha Mu House.
Sunday, August ip Open for special trips individually arranged between guests and Los Angeles alumni.
THE TRACK TEAM
Two or three stars and not very much support is about the way we have to summarize our track team this year. In some events there is no one at all. Milde, the captain of Worcester Tech, does the dashes in 10 and 22 flat. Offenhauser of Penn State has a time of 1 155 in the half. Martin of Montana is the best distance man in sight, placing sixth in the Pacific Coast cross- country meet last fall. Monty Wells of Dartmouth is Olympic quality in the hurdles, his best time in the high being 14.8. Pond of Yale is mentioned in connection with the pole vault, but he hasn't qualified in any of the meets we have seen reported. As a matter of fact he jumps only 12 feet 6, and his teammate, Carr, goes well over 13 feet. Andrews' distance in the broad jump is 23 feet 2/4 inches, and he throws the javelin 185 feet. As one can see there are plenty of gaps. Bowdoin holds the University of Alabama record in the shot put, but his distance is not given. 100 yard dash Milde Worcester
Holms Alabama
220 yard dash Milde Worcester
Half mile Offenhauser Penn State
Kelly Dartmouth
30 THE SIGNET
Mile Offenhauser Penn State
Martin Montana
Two mile Martin Montana
High hurdles Wells Dartmouth
Low hurdles Wells Dartmouth
French Worcester
Broad jump Andrews Nebraska
Pole vault Pond Yale
Javelin Andrews Nebraska
Shot put Bowdoin Alabama
In order to make the strength of this team a little more com- prehensible to the casual reader, suppose we follow our usual custom and assume that it competed with a couple of standard teams, say Harvard and Yale, who competed May 20 to the glory of the Crimson. With the Phi Sigs above doing their best work, we might perhaps hope for points as follows :
100 yard dash 3
220 yard dash 3
Half mile 5
Mile 3
Two mile 3
High hurdles 5
Low hurdles 6
Broad jump 5
Pole vault o
Javelin 5
Total 38
Certainly not enough to win a triangular meet.
CONVENTION FOR INITIATES
The instruction of new initiates has always been a problem with all fraternities, for its value and degree of impressiveness have depended, in large measure, upon the ability of local chap- ter officers, even when the national office has prepared examina- tion questions, study outlines, etc.
An undergraduate at the Franklin College chapter of Phi Delta Theta conceived the plan last year of a Province con- vention of initiates. The second such meeting was held on April 28 and 29 at the Indiana University chapter house. All of this year's initiates from the seven chapters in the Indiana Province were present.
There were four talks during the convention. Province Presi- dent Barrett H. Woodsmall of Indianapolis, outlined some of the things expected of fraternity members. Arthur R. Priest, Exe- cutive Secretary of Phi Delta Theta, spoke to the freshmen on ritualistic matter, dwelling particularly on purposes and ideals. Russell H. Fitzgibbon, who is gathering material to bring down to date the fraternity's history published in 1906, gave an his- torical address with particular reference to those things every freshman should know, and George Banta spoke on the sub- ject "What it has meant to me to be a member of Phi Delta Theta."
In commenting on the convention, Mr. Banta says that it was most successful and that from the letters he has received, he knows that it accomplished the purposes intended in calling the freshmen together.
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE RJ.W.
During the past year, as prescribed by the con- CoNCLAVES stitution, conclaves have been held in each of the five regions.
The conclave, with specified objectives and duties, was estab- lished with the constitutional revision adopted at the Detroit Convention in 1924. Since then conclaves have been held regu- larly in each of the districts.
In each region there has been presented for definite action the problem of expansion. Each district has developed its own ad- ministrative organization and has chosen its representative as a Vice-President on the Council. The Council pays the traveling expenses of the Chapter Advisers to these meetings, although this was not contemplated in the reorganization of 1924. The chap- ters finance the travel of their own delegates. The Pacific district has adopted the policy of pooling its expenses and pro-rating them among the various chapters. The Southern and Atlantic districts have a system of assessment against each chapter, thus creating a fund out of which the traveling expenses of the chapter dele- gates will be paid.
While no large number of alumni, other than Chapter Advisers, have participated in these sessions, the interest shown by the graduates has been gratifying and helpful. The meetings have served as an effective means of promoting various projects which the Council has regarded as important, notably scholarship and chapter finances. The outstanding achievements have been the stimulating of a wider acquaintance among the chapters and a significant contribution to the advancement of the essential ob- jectives of fratemalism.
Rarely does a chapter fail to send a delegation to its conclave, and the percentage of attendance of Chapter Advisers has been high.
In many respects these conclaves resemble the General Con- vention of twenty-five or thirty years ago. The regions of the South, the Mid- West, and the Pacific coast cover much larger areas than that represented by the geographical boundaries of the Fraternity in 1908.
Two of these regions now have eight chapters each — as many as composed the entire Fraternity in 1898. The Atlantic region has twelve chapters, corresponding to the size of the Fraternity on March i, 1901.
The forerunner of the present official conclave was a series of conferences held by several of the New England chapters in
DARTMOUTH AGAIN 33
1919 and 1920, prior to the Chicago convention. Delegates to these conferences believed that it would be helpful if in this manner consideration might be given to some of the problems confronting the order. Between 1920 and 1924 similar and some- what more formal meetings were held in New England, Wash- ington, D.C., and Chicago.
DARTMOUTH AGAIN
The following editorial from the Dartmouth newspaper indi- cates that the opposition to fraternities isn't confined to the "un- civilized" West. The attacks of imdergraduates themselves is a significant symptom which must not be ignored. It might be added, however, that Howard Dunham says this editorial in no sense represents student opinion.
Some day, when we become alumni and thus attain an effective although boisterous voice in the affairs of the college, we hope that Dartmouth will be able to furnish dormitory accommodations for all undergraduates in- cluding fraternity men. The administration will then be in a substantial position to enforce a rule prohibiting men from rooming in fraternity houses. On the face of the present facts this rule seems highly desirable.
At present a large number of students are forced, partly because of tradition but mainly because of grim necessity to room in the houses of these various societies. The college is unable to accommodate these men in the dormitories because it was impossible for the building program to keep pace with the growth of the college. The fraternities must be sup- ported and this is one of the most substantial forms of revenue with which to maintain the houses. Therefore it is considered the thing to do and most Greek-letter men plan to spend a year in the house before they graduate.
However, it is a fact that the average man who rooms in a fraternity house becomes a recluse. He secludes himself thoroughly from the rest of the college, devoting the major portion of his social life to a small group — ^his fraternity brothers. Undoubtedly he has many friends but they might be classified as "secondary friends." The rest of the college sees him at the Nugget, in classes, or perhaps at an eating club but even then he is usually in the company of some of the brothers. Largely through no fault of his own his associations are completely bounded by the fra- ternity. Thus we find the student body of liberal Dartmouth divided into small cliques between which definite boundaries exist.
A host of minor disadvantages existing in the fraternity rooming situa- tion might be mentioned. The average room is smaller, showers and other toilet facilities are less frequent and many men are cramped into a com- paratively small space. However, these are of minor significance when placed beside the major disadvantage of fostering a system which divides the student body socially.
The future Dartmouth should be able to provide rooming accommoda- tions for all undergraduates. Only in this way may we hope for free social contact and a true democratic spirit prevailing in the student body.
TOM HEENEY AND OTHERS
The New York Club has been entertaining celebrities. Let Harold Wentworth and the New York World tell the story.
At the first two luncheons we were addressed by a high officer from Bulgaria, and then on the second one by the Consulate-Gen- eral of Colombia. At the first two luncheons there were in at- tendance respectively twenty- three and nineteen. Bearing in mind that we should diversify our activities, we had the Honor- able Thomas address the third luncheon, and the "Greek boys" responded to the attendance of seventy or eighty.
Tomy Heeney, the shaggy heavyweight challenger, broke bread with the Greek-letter boys yesterday and addressing the Phi Sigma Kappa Club of New York, a national college fraternity in the Fraternity Clubs' building in Thirty-eighth Street, he broke all records for brevity.
The club, composed of college men from all over the land, ten- dered Tom a luncheon with the foreword that he could get up and blast away to his heart's content. He had the world in the palm of his hand. He could talk on any subject under the sun, music, politics, letters, the drama, history, books, or his favorite hero — if he had one.
Of course Tom had one. Every boy from the "sticks" had a hero, and Tom's happened to be a New Zealand Jesse James by the name of Ned Kelly. The tip had been passed around that Tom would talk of Kelly, the bandit Kelly, the apple of Tom's honest eyes, had a playful way of interrupting the running sched- ule of the high-toned passenger trains of New Zealand. He had a taking way with gentlemen who sported four and five karat diamonds and no man in New Zealand history ever was a finer judge of pearl necklaces as they hung from the flesh.
Then, too, Ned was ever curious concerning what might be in the registered packages in the mail coaches. Also Ned had a devilish habit of blowing daylight through those cops who chal- lenged his right to tote a sawed-off shotgun.
In the end poor Ned Kelly of Tom Heeney 's boyhood days al- lowed a silly-looking railroad bobby to beat him to the draw. As
TOM HEENEY AND OTHERS 35
a matter of history, Kelly had drawn but he was aiming his Betsy the other way when the railroad dick pressed a well-oiled six-shooter against Ned's kidneys and allowed as how he would scatter them among the clouds if Ned as much as batted an eye.
Ned capitulated and broke the heart of every New Zealand boy. Tom's still is seared. And off to prison he did go, did Ned Kelly of New Zealand. The ghosts of the hapless gendarmes he had sieved arose in their wrath and demanded retribution.
It came at the end of a hangman's noose but it was the way that Ned Kelly, bandit, walked up the thirteen steps leading to the pale blue drop, that caught Heeney's fancy. With a cigar be- tween his white even teeth, Ned Kelly went up that he might go down, humming "Belle Brandon," from the unoccupied corner of his mouth. The best writers in New Zealand wrote a classic sermon around each and every step that Ned Kelly took on the way to doom. For fifty years the lads of New Zealand have done a Ned Kelly every time they came to a staircase. They wore out the best hardwood steps in time, emulating Ned. To be as brave as Ned Kelly was a household phrase. If you died, dead game, with or without your brogans on, always the public prints of New Zealand lifted you out of the drab commonplace by saying you had "died like a Ned Kelly."
The story of Ned Kelly was tenderly put to print and bound in red leather and gold. It was Tom Heeney's first and only printed treasure. In such form, the life and deeds of Ned Kelly from behind the business snouts of either a brace of six shooters or a double-barreled shotgun, came down to the youth of Kanga- rooland.
The kids on Heeney's block never heard of Chaucer, Spencer, Tennyson, Byron, Bacon, McCauley, Emerson, Shelley or Bun- yan, but they could quote every line of the life and desperate deeds of Ned Kelly, bandit. They knew nothing of Pilgrim's Progress, but could draw you a perfect map of Kelly's get-aways.
So, with his grave New Zealand heart full, Tom Heeney arose to address the Phi Sigma Kappas on the subject of his incom- parable Robin Hood.
The Phi Sigma Kappa boys leaned back in their gold club chairs, lighted up their dollar cigars and awaited the treat. Of course every Phi Sigma Kappa man there deep down in his heart
36 THE SIGNET
had a bold, bad bandit of his own boyhood days stored away, I, myself, coming from California, was fearful that Tom's talk might make Ned Kelly outdo the train robbing technique of Chris Evans and John Sontag. I heard a Northwestern college man next to me whisper something about Harry Tracy. There were college men there old enough to have harbored a secret admira- tion for Jimmy Hope, Max Shinborn or even Brady, the Train Robber.
Then Heeney arose. He squared his big shoulders and posed with a single gesture intact for the flashlight men. Some one suggested "three rousing cheers for Tom Heeney." He got them. And then, with every Phi Sigma Kappa balancing his cigar be- tween his fingers in open mouthed anticipation, Tom Heeney of New Zealand began, with the panic on :
"Gentlemen, Oime not much of a speaker. Oi know so little about Greek or Latin." Then he stopped and pointing to the big Latin words dum vivimus vivamus, he said :
"Oi knows but one Latin word. It's that foirst one over there on the wall. It's DUM. That's ME. Oi should very well loike to say some more but what Oi would say, Oi shall leave to be said by my manager, John Mortimer. He can talk along for hours and hours and will if you give him arf a chawnce. Oi thanks you."
And so ended Tom Heeney's first lecture on the life and death of Ned Kelly before the Phi Sigma Kappa Club.
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Robert Stewart, E '13
From the Chicago Tribune, of May 22:
Word was received last night that Robert S. Stewart of 7343 Yates Avenue, salesman for the American Brake Shoe Company, 332 South Michigan Avenue, had ended his life by leaping from a hotel window in Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Stewart, who had returned to Chicago during the day from a visit in the South, said she knew of no reason why her husband should commit suicide.
GREEKLETS
The Nebraska Senate during the recent session passed a bill which would have prohibited first year fraternity pledging at the University of Nebraska. The legislature adjourned before the House could act on the measure, but the general feeling is that it would have passed. — Z B T Quarterly
The only safe and sure way to destroy an enemy is to make him your iri&nd.—Theta News (O K N)
A firmly established tradition makes the mention of a woman's name at the mess of American army officers a thing that is simply not tolerated. A similar restriction should prevail at the fraternity table. — Rattle of Theta Chi
There's a little bit of bad in every good little girl, and college brings it out. — Tripod of Phi Beta Delta
I have been an officer of my fraternity for twenty years and during that time, with one exception, I believe that every single officer of it has been from a small college. — Dr. F. W. Shepaedson
It is expected that the Panhellenic House now under construction at Forty-ninth Street and First Avenue, New York, will be opened October I. — Garnet and White (A X P)
Neither Herbert Hoover nor Al Smith is a college fraternity man. —
Phi Gamma Delta
Figures taken from the books of several local dance halls by The Daily show that approximately $80,000 yearly is a conservative estimate of the amount spent for dances by the students of the University. — Michi- gan Alumnus
The fraternity world has tired of trying to keep up the pretense that drunkard or a roue or a dead-beat is nevertheless a brother. — Beta Kappa Journal
Phi Gamma Delta recently dedicated its new clubhouse at 106 West Fifty-sixth Street, New York. The building is nine stories high and has adequate room for entertaining and club purposes as well as 106 sleeping rooms for Fiji members. — Sickle and Sheaf (A V P)
DISTINGUISHED IN SCHOLARSHIP
At this season of the year we pay honor to those who have excelled in scholarship, and we asked for elections to "honorary scholastic societies." To this request we received a flood of re- plies. One Southern prodigy was indeed reported as belong- ing to eight such societies, too many to designate. We had, further, to eliminate the usual honorary social and professional groups, whose rating is still uncertain. And the illustrious resi- due is as follows. To these men the Fraternity extends sin- cere felicitation.
Paul Henry Rhoads . . Gettysburg Phi Beta Kappa
Dayton McCue
Kohler Gettysburg Phi Beta Kappa
William V. Davies . . . Gettysburg Phi Beta Kappa
Matt B. Jones Williams Phi Beta Kappa
Earl W. Glen M.I.T Tau Beta Pi
Brad Dyer Union Phi Beta Kappa
William Gilsluster . .Union Phi Beta Kappa
A. Wilson Knecht . . . Stevens Tau Beta Pi
E. Reiss Stevens Tau Beta Pi
R. Fennema Stevens Tau Beta Pi
W. Goodrich Stevens Tau Beta Pi
R. C. Barton Carnegie Tau Beta Pi
Horace B. Smith. . . .Tennessee Phi Kappa Phi
Thomas Stevenson . .Kentucky Tau Beta Pi
Louis W. Murray . . . Ohio Sigma Xi
Harry Burns Washington Phi Beta Kappa
Ronald Robnett .... Oregon Phi Beta Kappa
Philip E. Sullivan . . Oregon Aggie Tau Beta Pi
Stephen O. Rice . . . .Oregon Aggie Phi Kappa Phi
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INTERFRATERNITY CLUB OF CHICAGO
The Inter fraternity Club of Chicago is a unique organization, composed exclusively of college fraternity men. Organized but six months ago, it is now permanently settled in one of the finest club locations in the city of Chicago, on the mezzanine floor of the Congress Hotel, overlooking Michigan Boulevard and the entire lake front of downtown Chicago, from the Municipal Pier to Soldiers' Field.
The story of the club's inception is one of extraordinary fra- ternal spirit. For almost one hundred years the American col- lege fraternities maintained an aloof independence of each other, based upon ancient feuds, rival spirits, and general distrust. When the entire fraternity system was threatened with destructive legislation in 1908, the leaders of all college fraternities were sum- moned together, and the Interfraternity Conference was formed to protect fraternity interests. Out of this conference has come the interfraternity spirit of mutual respect and friendly co-opera- tion.
This resulted in founding the Interfraternity Association of Chicago in 1912, in which all the general college fraternities with alumni associations in Chicago have participated. Since 191 2, this association has met at an annual dinner, and the idea of the Interfraternity Club has been proposed and discussed for years. Various promotions of extravagant buildings were presented, considered and discarded. Early in March of this year, the Congress Hotel presented a proposal which met every require- ment and the Interfraternity Club was established. The founders were the officers, directors, and past-presidents of the Inter- fraternity Association, representing sixteen college fraterni- ties. On March 24, a general meeting of the officers of the forty college fraternity alumni associations endorsed the club unani- mously and ratified the foundation.
Then things began to happen with amazing speed. On the very next day, March 25, the Interfraternity Club took possession of the Presidential Suite on the mezzanine floor of the Congress Hotel, facing Michigan Boulevard and Congress Street. On March 26, they engaged an executive secretary, and the following day started the service of meals in their own private dining-rooms. No other club in the history of Chicago can present such a rec- ord of growth and interest.
In less than four months after its foundation, the Interfra- ternity Club of Chicago had passed four hundred fully paid up members, representing forty college fraternities, and had suffi- cient money paid in to carry the club two years. All of this was accomplished without spending one dollar for promotion. It is probably the only large club established in recent years without salesmen, underwriters, paid promotors, and high pressure.
40 THE SIGNET
Today, the Inter fraternity Club has nearly 700 members, more than half of the resident membership of 1,200 men set for its goal.
The club has set a quota of 1,200 members as the number necessary to carry out its complete program of activities. When that figure has been reached, a capital fund of $31,200 will be on hand. Annual dues will amount to $42,000 a year, an amount within the highest budget of possible operating expense. When the quota is filled, memberships will become transferable, and the initiation fee will be raised to whatever sum the club shall de- cide. There can be no special assessments because expense is figured in advante and expense will only be increased as funds increase.
As a practical plan which is already a sound success, the scheme of organization is interesting. The financing of the Inter- fraternity Club was unique, due to arrangements with the Con- gress Hotel that were exceptionally advantageous. The hotel is under contract to deliver as much of the mezzanine floor as re- quired at a specified price per square foot, completely fur- nished, and with full hotel service. The club pays only for the space used, and it can expand to any size desired. Thus, the club makes no investment in property, furniture, or equipment. No kitchen to maintain at a deficit, no elevators to operate, no servants to employ. Even the house accounts of members are carried by the hotel. There is no waste, no extravagance, and no unnecessary expense. As a result, fees and dues are exception- ally reasonable.
The initiation fee at present is $50, and the dues are $35 per year for all members whose residence or place of business are within fifty miles of Chicago. For non-resident members the initiation fee is $25, annual dues $10. No other club offers as much for the money, because of the economy of operation and the excellent arrangements with the hotel management.
— Quarterly of Phi Pi Phi
TOO MANY "HONORARY" FRATERNITIES
The following article from the Forensic of Pi Kappa Delta scores
a hit against what is coming to be a menace to the legitimate
honor fraternity.
A few years ago a young man organized a number of so- called honor fraternities. Membership requirements were such that almost any student could qualify. As I remember it, stu- dents could be admitted to one for having supported the athletic teams consistently and to another for having attended chapel regularly for one year. All that was necessary, in reality, was
TOO MANY "HONORARY" FRATERNITIES 41
the initiation fee, usually about ten or fifteen dollars. For a few dollars more the newly created member could buy a gold em- blem to display on his bosom. In each case the young man who organized the society made himself secretary and treasurer. He received all money paid in but he never rendered to anyone an account of what he did with these funds.
After a while, some of the members of one of these societies became dissatisfied. They wanted to know what became of their initiation fees. Some of them had paid in money for keys but had received no keys. After a number of its students had com- plained, one institution took up the matter with the postal authori- ties, charging that the pseudo honor society was only a device for defrauding college students. Investigation disclosed the fact that the bright young man as treasurer of a dozen or so such fraternities was making a good income. It at once became evi- dent why the entrance requirements for his societies were liberal enough to allow anyone who had the funds to join. The more who joined, the greater his income.
Another young man turned to the high school field as offering greater possibilities. His honor society now has chapters in high schools all over the country. The national constitution provides that the secretary shall receive a liberal percentage of all money paid in. It is also drawn up so that without the consent of the secretary it is almost impossible to amend it. It goes without say- ing that it also provided that the bright young man should be secretary. He now enjoys a good income as a result of his pro- motion scheme.
A young man recently graduated from college made the boast that he belonged to twelve honor societies. He was mistaken of course. Some of them were among the societies organized by bright young men mentioned before. No student can gain mem- bership in twelve honor societies. He may belong to twelve fra- ternities, but if membership is so easily obtained that he can be- long to that many, they are not honor fraternities. If an organi- zation is truly an honor organization its membership must be con- ferred for such distinguished service that only a few can merit it. It takes most of a college course for a student to win a Phi Beta Kappa key.
The fact is that the honor fraternity business is going to seed. Societies are being organized and conducted for the few hundred dollars a year their promoters can make. These men are merely capitalizing the desire of the college student to decorate his vest with one of those bits of jewelry which have become emblematic of college life. Such people are not interested in encouraging scholarship or promoting a healthy college life and atmosphere.
This prostitution of the honor society to purposes of personal gain should be halted. A "blue sky" law for honor societies
42 THE SIGNET
should be enacted. Their organizers should be required to show that there is a need for them and that all money received will be used for the good of the society. Colleges should insist that no society or fraternity may organize on their campi unless it pub- lishes an annual financial statement accounting for all funds re- ceived, Baird's Manual could refuse to list any society which cannot furnish satisfactory evidence that it is operating for altruistic motives.
It is encouraging to note a movement towards this end was begun something over a year ago under the leadership of the oldest and best known honor fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, All other such societies should support this movement. There will be no tendency to interfere with the organization or operation of any legitimate society. But those who are using the honor so- ciety to cloak their schemes for enriching themselves should be compelled to operate in the open. The college student should know what becomes of the money he pays for the right to wear the emblem of an honor society. He can then better judge the value of the honor being conferred upon him. In the field of the honor fraternity, not all that glitters is gold.
THE OREGON WAY
Two Phi Sigs in the last three years have been judged by their classmates at the University of Oregon to be deserving of what is probably the highest honor a senior can obtain, the Albert cup, awarded each year "to the senior student who during his college course shall have made the greatest progress toward all- round development,"
Ronald Robnett was elected to receive the award this year, while Paul Ager, also a member of *^ was winner in 1926, The award is made on the basis of character, scholarship, and qualities of leadership in student activities, and is an unusual honor because the winner each year is chosen by a vote of the senior class.
Both men served as president of the chapter, Ager was also vice-president of the student body, and held many minor campus offices. Robnett served on the student council, was student manager of music clubs, and has many other important activi- ties to his credit.
THE CHAPTER HYMENEAL Pledges
Joe Murphy, H^ '26, and Cristal Maston of Berkeley, California.
Richard H. Sailer, n '27, and Elizabeth Phillips of Ridgewood, New Jersey.
Dr. K. W. H. Scholz, M '11, and Carolyn A. Krusen of Phila- delphia, Pa.
Initiates
Martin Harris White, H '26, and Katherine V. Wright, May 5, Washington, D.C.
Karl B. Frazier, H '27, and Louise E. Franklin.
Harvey Alvin Jacob, H '27, and Peggy Head, June, Washing- ton, D.C.
King Vanderbelt, I^, and Stella Emig, Salina, Kansas.
Earl Combest, I"^, and Helen Gates, Kansas City, Mo.
Dr. George F. Calvin, N^ '22, and Mary N. Smith, March 10, Palo Alto, California.
George Snider, A^, and Virginia Van Zandt, March 31.
Blessed in the Bond
Elmer Parker Wright, Y '21, April 11 — Beatrice Dorothy.
Arthur G. Prangley, H '25, February — Arthur G., Jr.
George Arthur Fayle, E^ '26, December 21 — George Arthur, Jr.
Albert R. Smith, Q, '21, April 25 — a son.
Burl Howard, Q '22 — a daughter.
Royal Moss, A^ '10 — a daughter.
Miller Huston, O '19 — a son,
Harold Viault, €1 '23 — a son.
THE ALUMNI CLUBS
Directory
Chartered Clubs
New York — Secretary, Harold G. Wentworth, 22 E. 38th St. Luncheon every Thursday, 12 :7,o, Fraternity Clubs Build- ing, Madison Ave. and Thirty-eighth St.
Seattle —
Baltimore — Secretary, W. C. Baxter, S '23, 1163 Calvert Build- ing. Luncheon every Thursday, 12:30, Engineers Club, 6 W. Fayette St.
Pittsburgh —
Detroit- Philadelphia — Secretary, E. S. Bechtel, K '23, 4912 Knox St., Germantown, Pa. Luncheon every Friday, 12 130, Arcadia Cafe.
Amherst —
Chicago — Secretary, Alfred L. Stoddard, A '15, 900 S. Wabash Ave. Luncheon every Tuesday, 12 :oo n., Mandel Brothers Grill.
Minnesota — Secretary, H. S. Chapin, B^ '13, Concrete Engi- neering Co., 550 Builders' Exchange. Luncheon every Wednes- day, Andrews Hotel, Fourth and Hennepin, Minneapolis.
Springfield —
Northern Ohio —
San Francisco — Secretary, Robert R. Porter, N^ '22, 647 Sev- enth Ave. Luncheon every other Wednesday, Commercial Club, 465 California St., 12:15 p.m.
Milwaukee —
Washington —
Birmingham (Ala.) —
Vermont — Secretary, Marcell Conway, A '22, Barre, Vt.
Southern California — Secretary, Harold Viault, O '23, I. W. Helman Bldg., Los Angeles. Luncheon every Wednesday, Uni- versity Club, 12 :oo N. Business meetings first Tuesday of month. University Club, 6:30 p.m.
Washington Eta — Secretary, J. P. Schaefer, H '23, Riverdale, Md. Dinner and meeting. Lambda house, first Monday evening of each month.
THE ALUMNI CLUBS 45
Spokane — Secretary, Clifford V. MacDonald, X^ '27, E 2719 Pacific Ave.
Columbus — Secretary, Charles W. Reeder, 11"^ '06, 412 W. Ninth Ave.
Unchartered Clubs
Dallas — Luncheon every Thursday, i :oo p.m.. Baker Hotel. Butte — Secretary, John Cooney, M^ '25, Cooney Brokerage Co. Luncheon first Tuesday of month, Finlen Hotel.
The Washington Eta Club is much interested in the project of a new house at College Park, and predicts that it will be available in the fall. This club has monthly meetings at the Lambda chapter house, having had dinner with the active chapter before. The Founders' Day banquet was held at the City Club.
From the Chicago Club we get: "We had an unusually good banquet this year, and Brother Ralph J. Watts delivered, 'with- out preparation,' an address upon the foundation and growth of the ideals of the fraternity, which impressed even the most in- cipiently inattentive brothers. To one who is familiar with the customary banquet, this is saying a great deal. However, I should add that, in the opinion of everyone present, the address was an inspiration. President Chappy Burrows, who was also present, expressed a belief that such an address could not be given with- out preparation by a life of devotion to the very subject of the address, without, however, any insinuation as to the honesty of Brother Watts' statement."
The secretary also calls attention to the luncheons as listed on the opposite page and the monthly meetings of the Club in the Engineers' Club the first Tuesday of the month (except March, July and August).
The Southern California Club held a week-end stag party for the Phi Alpha Mu society (petitioners) at Redondo Beach.
The chartered clubs listed but not described on the opposite page are those who for three successive times failed to acknowl- edge our request for information. The assumption is that they are inactive. Often this assumption is wide of the mark, but it represents our best information. It's a rather uncomplimentary record anyway.
PHI SIGS AFIELD
SWEET STILL RUNNING
The San Francisco Chronicle under date of May ii carried a picture of Russell Sweet of Montana, track candidate for the Olympic team, and spoke of him as follows :
It would be rash to predict that Sweet will break any records tomor- row. That world's record of 9 3-5 seconds for the hundred and that of 20 4-5 seconds for the furlong sprint are too good to need immediate im- provement. But we would not be surprised to see Sweet equal the 100- yard mark.
The other day at the Kezar Stadium we saw Sweet spot Norman Dole, a very fair runner, seventeen yards in a lOO-yard dash and catch him at the tape. Sweet was clocked by one watch in 9 2-5 seconds and by another in 9 5-10 seconds. Because of the gentle breeze that blows on the backs of the runners at Kezar, records made there are never taken seriously but on this particular day the wind was negligible and the track was wet and slow. Dole can certainly do a century in eleven seconds. Anyone that concedes him seventeen yards and catches him is certainly stepping.
Sweet, one of the hardest workers on the Olympic Club team, is ap- parently at the peak of his form and he has been busying himself cor- recting the one fault in his running style — a tendency to lengthen his stride and straighten up as he nears the tape. He attributes his defeat by Borah and Draper of U.S.C. in the recent Fresno relays to this fault which is fast disappearing, according to the Olympic flash.
Sweet beat both Borah and Draper earlier this season.
DO CLEAN ATHLETICS PAY?
The following press item relative to the administration of Brother Garey at St. John's will interest many Phi Sigma Kappas.
About four years ago Dr. E. B. Garey became president of St. John's College, Annapolis, Maryland. Immediately he established rigid regulations preventing students from playing on the varsity teams unless they main- tained definitely high scholastic standards. Athletics, though properly recognized, were subordinated to education. And, of course, nothing in the remotest degree suggestive of professionalism was tolerated.
Immediately athletics slumped and much criticism arose.
But soon clean athletes — real sportsmen — sensing the situation, naturally gravitated to St. John's. The student body doubled. Athletics gradually improved to such an extent that this spring to date St. John's with only 250 students defeated in lacrosse by decisive scores the following :
St. John's, 6—0 Harvard.
St. John's II — 5 University of Penn.
St. John's 3 — o New York University.
PHI SIGS AFIELD 47
St, John's 6 — 5 L'Hirondelle.
St. John's 10 — o University of Virginia.
Do clean athletics pay?
ROTARIAN
President Burrows is just completing a year's service as presi- dent of the Urbana, Illinois, Rotary Club.
GETS GUGGENHEIM FELLOWSHIP
Eber Carroll, D.D., assistant professor of history at Duke Uni- versity, has been awarded a Guggenheim fellowship for study in foreign countries, his field of research being the influence of public opinion on the foreign policy of the Third French Republic.
ACE REFERRED TO
In a sketch in Liberty for March 17 reference is made to Ivan A. Roberts, A '20, who lost his life flying for the American avia- tors during the great war. The article says : "His fate is still un- determined."
MACGURRIN AGAIN IN THE LIMELIGHT
Buckley MacGurrin, California, '21, continues to achieve art successes in France. The Paris Times, of October 16, carried prints of two of his pictures, and the following story from the New York (Paris) Herald-Tribune is of much interest.
A painter who will not paint Paris and refuses to go to Brittany because there is no room left for an extra easel, such is Mr. Buckley MacGurrin, painter of portraits and many landscapes of Burgundy, a decidedly less crowded spot than the Breton stamping grounds. He was invited to ex- hibit at the Salon des Tuileries last year and again this year. He has had canvases hung at the Exposition Patriotique and three times at the Salon de I'Escalier, and one of his pictures was bought by the French State.
A bright studio almost overlooking the Porte de Versailles, with a curious jade green homespun Mexican rug as its main decoration, a few water-colors on the wall and the traditional stack of paintings leaning with their faces against the wall — this is his workshop.
"I started to study art when I was thirteen," Mr. MacGurrin explained, "in a small town art school, where we were first taught cartooning and how to draw advertising, and then we graduated to a life class. My youth made the authorities hesitate seriously about admitting me to see the nude models, but finally I overcame their scruples."
The next big step was study in Paris with Bernard Naudin. "I ar- rived with a beautifully-fitted drawing box, filled with everything an artist needs, carefully in its place. Naudin came up to my easel, dug in his pockets and produced several bits of charcoal and started to work."
With such a school, Mr. MacGurrin has been gradually getting down to fundamentals in his work. Some of his work has the imprint of his advertising experience, and two gorgeous Spanish heads in brilliant color and with highly decorative effects testify to his ability along that line. But when he is not drawing and working on line, he plunges frankly into color combinations. His cottages and churches in Burgundy show this
48 THE SIGNET
other side of his work, which has recently taken a still different turn. It is becoming even more a study in colors alone.
"When I want to draw I do these water-colors," and Mr. MacGurrin produced many drawings worked in an unusual way. They are water- colors first drawn with a soft pencil, fixed, and then painted very slightly, just enough to bring out the shadows and to give a feeling of the sub- stance. Especially interesting are a nude and an old doorway. The color is so transparent and yet gives a feeling of solidity. It is an unusual combination of line and paint.
"It has always seemed to me that in painting there are two points of view, which should not be confounded. Either one draws and is on the look-out for line, or one paints and forgets about line and only looks for color effects. The two should not be combined, and I keep them apart by working each in an entirely different medium."
MANAGES CITY PAPER
Karl Wakefield, A '22, has just accepted the position of finan- cial manager of the San Francisco Chronicle, the biggest financial paper on the Pacific Coast.
UNDERSTUDIES GRANGE
"Wild Bill" Kelly, Montana alumnus and all- American men- tion, is back in college after a season of pro-football with Red Grange's New York Yankees. He was called upon to play Red's position in most of the games and actually made the largest num- ber of touchdowns of any man on the team. Pro-football is the toughest game he ever played, says Kelly, and certainly he ought to know.
FOSTER GREETS THE FLIERS
The following from the Hartford Courant relates to Cedric Foster, formerly of Dartmouth,
Letters of congratulation to the famous aviators on their achievement were prepared Tuesday by the chief executives of the state and of the city, requesting the flyers to honor Hartford at their convenience. The invitations will be extended in New York Friday by Cedric Foster, as- sistant telegraph editor of the New Britain Herald and formerly of the Courant staff, who has also a cablegram of congratulation to the flyers from Count Felix von Luckner, who visited Hartford last year and who is now in Germany.
The cablegram which Mr. Foster has for the flyers from Count von Luckner, follows : "Please give my heartiest congratulations to Baron Buenefeld, Captain Koehl. Admiration for what they performed."
Mr. Foster met the count as a result of an acquaintance with Captain Edward Koehler, in Papeete, Island of Tahiti. Captain Koehler was com- mander of the British ship Percy, which was sunk by von Luckner off the coast of Brazil during the war. Captain Koehler and his wife were taken on board the count's ship as prisoners.
PHI SIGS AFIELD 49
DR. GUBERLET HONORED
Lambda Deuteron chapter has another man of whom they are very proud. Dr. John E. Guberlet, professor of zoology at the University of Washington, has been singled out to represent the University of Washington at a meeting of the International Congress of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, to be held at Cairo, Egypt, December 15-22, 1928.
He has been asked to deliver a paper there on "Parasites of Man in the Northwestern United States and their Relationship to Public Health." Dr. Guberlet specializes on the study of para- sites.
The University has granted him a leave of absence for eight months. Before attending the convention in Africa he expects to spend three months in England in Research work and then, after the meeting in Egypt he will return to Europe to carry on studies and research along the lines of parasitology at Naples. Mrs. Guberlet will accompany Dr. Guberlet during his travels.
A few of Dr. Guberlet's more recent publications are "Studies on the Control of Gyrodactylus," University of Washington Col- lege of Fish. Pub. 2:17-29 (1927) ; "Ectoparasitic Infusoria At- tacking Fish of the Northwest," University of Washington Col- lege of Fish. Pub. 2:1-16 (1926) ; and in press, "Studies on the Parasites of Chickens in Hawaii."
CUTTER VISITS AMHERST
Dr. John Ashburton Cutter, the man who nationalized Phi Sigma Kappa, called at his old campus in Amherst on his way back to New York after attending the Beta Reunion elsewhere described. Brother Verbeck, Alpha chapter adviser, took him about the valley and provided an informal meeting at the chap- ter house, which Founder Brooks, among others, attended.
GRIGGS HONORED
Hon. Fred D. Griggs, A '13, was honored by the Academic Activities Board of his college at commencement in the presen- tation of a gold medal in recognition of his promotion of the musical interests of the institution both as an undergraduate and as an alumnus.
50 THE SIGNET
CRAWFORD FOOLS THEM
From The New York Times:
Little, Brown and Company published, not long ago, a book by Nelson Antrim Crawford entitled A Man of Learning. This is a fictitious bi- ography of one Arthur Patrick Redfield, Ph.D., LL.D., who is described as a 100 per cent American college president. But since modern biog- raphies are so often written in a form closely resembling fiction, it is not surprising that some readers took this to be a real biography. Some have tried to locate the college over which Dr. Redfield presides, and one New York bookstore inserted an advertisement in The Publisher's Weekly ask- ing for "any title or entire series of books entitled Little Sermons to Boys, to Girls, etc., by Arthur Patrick Redfield."
RICHARDSON APPOINTED
From The Springfield Republican:
Evan F. Richardson, of Millis, who was appointed today by Governor Fuller as director in the division of animal industry to succeed Frank B. Cummings, resigned, holds various other offices. He is chairman of the county commissioners of Norfolk County, town treasurer of Millis, a member of the advisory board of the state department of agriculture and chairman of the educational aid committee of the Massachusetts state grange. He has been a member of the county commissioners for twenty- two years.
Mr. Richardson's occupation is that of farmer and milk producer. He was born in East Medway, now a part of Millis, on March 9, 1867. He attended the local schools and was graduated from the Medway High School. He was graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College in 1887.
Vol. XX NEW SERIES No. 2
Published by the
Council of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Four Times During the Collegiate Year Publication office: 450 Ahnaip St., Menasha, Wis.
FRANK PRENTICE RAND, M.A., Editor Amherst, Massachusetts
OCTOBER, 1928
Entered as second class matter at the post office at Menasha, Wisconsin.
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS
A — March 15, 1873. Massachusetts Agricultural College. Amherst, Mass.
B — Feb. 2, 1888. Union. Qiapter Houses, 519 Mercer St., Albany, and 201 Seward Place, Schenectady, N.Y.
r — Feb. 26, 1889. Cornell. 702 University Ave., Ithaca, N.Y.
A — Feb. 24, 1891. West Virginia. 672 North High St., Mor- gantown, W.Va.
E — June 3, 1893. Yale. 124 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn.
Z— Dec. 19, 1896. C.C.N.Y. 473 West 140th St., New York City.
H — Jan. 8, 1897. Maryland. Princeton and Dartmouth Sts., College Park, Md.
® — Dec. 16, 1897. Columbia. 550 W. 114th St., New York City.
I — March 15, 1899. Stevens. 810 Hudson St., Hoboken, N.J.
K — June 7, 1899. Perm State. State College, Pa.
A — Oct. 7, 1899. George Washington. 1882 Eye St. N.W., Washington, D.C.
M — March 10, 1900. Pennsylvania. 3618 Locust St., Phila- delphia.
N — March 9, 1901. Lehigh. Third and Cherokee Sts., South Bethlehem, Pa.
fi — April 12, 1902. St. Lawrence. 78 Park St., Canton, N.Y.
O — May 24, 1902. M.I.T. 487 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass.
n — April 18, 1903. Franklin and Marshall. 437 W. James St., Lancaster, Pa.
2, — May 16, 1903. St. John's. Campus, Annapolis, Md.
T — March 25, 1905. Dartmouth. Hanover, N.H.
Y — Feb. 10, 1906. Brown. 406 Brook St., Providence, R.I.
$ — March 24, 1906. Swarthmore. Swarthmore, Pa.
X — June 16, 1906. Williams. Williamstown, Mass.
'if — Jan. 19, 1907. Virginia. Virginia Ave., Charlottesville, Va.
O — Feb. 12, 1909. CaUfornia. 2412 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, Calif.
A^ — May 9, 1910, Illinois. 1004 South Second St., Cham- paign, III.
DIRECTORY 53
B^ — May 12, 1910. Minnesota. 1018 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis.
r^ — April 13, 191 1. Iowa State. 142 Gray St., Ames, Iowa.
A^ — Feb. 27, 191 5. Michigan. 1043 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich.
E^ — June 8, 191 5. W.P.I. 11 Dean St., Worcester, Mass.
7A — Jan. 13, 1917. Wisconsin. 260 Langdon St., Madison, Wis.
H^ — March 4, 1917. Nevada. 737 Lake St., Reno, Nev.
©-^ — Feb. 19, 1 92 1. Oregon Agricultural College. 27 Park Terrace, Corvallis, Ore.
I^ — March 24, 1923. Kansas State. 1630 Humboldt, Man- hattan, Kansas.
K^ — April 7, 1923. Georgia Tech. 132 North Ave., N.W., Atlanta, Ga.
A^ — April 25, 1923. University of Washington. 4554 Six- teenth Ave. N.E., Seattle, Wash.
M^ — April 26, 1923. Montana. lOii Gerald Ave., Missoula, Mont.
NA — yi^y 2, 1923. Stanford University. Lomita Drive and Mayfield Ave., Stanford, Calif.
H^ — Feb. 3, 1925. Tennessee. 1816 West Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn.
O-^ — Feb. 7, 1925. Alabama. 1423 University Ave., Tusca- loosa, Ala.
n^^ — Feb. 21, 1925. Ohio State. 325 Fifteenth Ave., Colum- bus, Ohio.
P^ — March 13, 1925. Gettysburg. Gettysburg, Pa.
%^ — April II, 1925. Nebraska. 348 N. 14th St., Lincoln, Neb.
T^ — Nov. 13, 1926. Carnegie. 4807 Baum Boulevard, Pitts- burgh, Pa.
Y^— Nov. 20, 1926. North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C.
*^ — Nov. 27, 1926. Kentucky. 211 East Maxwell St., Lexing- ton, Ky.
X^ — Dec. 18, 1926. Washington State. Pullman, Wash.
*^ — Dec. 21, 1926. Oregon. Eugene, Ore.
* s K FRATERNITY
OFFICERS I 928- I 930
The Supreme Court William A. McIntyre, M '04, 25 Broadway, New York City. Dr. Joseph E, Root, A '^6, 904 Main St., Hartford, Conn. George J. Vogel, r '91, Torrington, Conn.
Dr. Walter H. Conley, B '91, Welfare Island, New York City. Alvin T. Burrows, A '03, 1 1 1 N. Race St., Urbana, 111. Howard F. Dunham, T 'ii. River Ridge, Hanover, N.H.
The Council President —
Joseph H. Batt, A '16, Insurance Building, Washington, D.C.
Vice Presidents —
Don a. Hamilton, E^ 'ii, 329 Burncoat St., Worcester,
Mass. Raymond G. Lafean, M '19, Box 595, Pittsburgh. Edgar T. Fell, X '13, Calvert Building, Baltimore. Earl A. Schoening, A^ '21, 7400 Crandon Ave., Chicago. William F. Wood, H '10, 238 Bush St., San Francisco.
Secretary-Treasurer —
Ralph J. Watts, A '07, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wis.
Financial Supervisor —
Charles H. Ruedi, A^ '17, 137 E. Main St., Decatur, 111.
Scholarship Supervisor —
Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
Endowment Fund Trustees Donald F. McLean, A '06, 286 N. Broad St., Elizabeth, N.J. Karl W. H. Scholz, M 'ii, Logan Hall, University, Philadelphia. Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
Inspection Deputy Willard F. McCornack, O '28, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wis.
T-^™f L
t Bx^mt
VOL. XX NEW SERIES No. 2
IN DEFENSE OF YOUTH
ROBBINS WOLCOTT BaRSTOW, T 'iI
We call them wrong! God pity us, the blind,
Imputing evil as our grandsires did. When we explored new realms with feet and mind,
Uncovering what old fogies damned and hid ! The dreams, the wanton fantasies are there.
As you and I once knew them, loved them, 'till We came to staleness and to foolish fear
Lest something change, be different, jolt our will! 'Tis life they seek, not sin, no sordid thing,
But joy in health, and beauty, and in all The urge of thrilling bodies that would sing
And freely dance with laughter at earth's call. Let's laugh with them, full knowing that when tried
By Truth or Duty, Youth is on God's side !
BURROWS LOOKS FORWARD
Retiring President Addresses Convention
Standing here today on the shores of the Pacific Ocean and looking back across the continent over which most of us have so recently come, the outstanding feature which appeals to us above all others is the sense of nationality of our fraternity, which we have hitherto talked about but never realized to the full. The mystic chains of brotherhood which in the years gone by bound us so firmly to the eastern shore line of a great nation, have slowly but surely been extended toward the setting sun.
As President of the fraternity it becomes my duty at this time to review briefly the outstanding features of the administration of the past two years, and to discuss as best I may the problems that lie immediately in the future.
Before entering into these details I desire to take this oppor- tunity to thank the chapters and the alumni who have so loyally and so readily co-operated with the efforts of the Council and myself to further the interests of the fraternity. During my four years as President I have personally visited every chapter, and many of the alumni clubs, and without any exception have been received in the kindest way, and accorded every honor which will- ing hearts could think to confer. I have enjoyed the work im- mensely, and have done what I could to advance the interests of Phi Sigma Kappa as I saw them.
The time has come, however, for me to step aside that some other, more worthy and capable than I, should take up these duties, and I therefore desire it to be known at this time that it is my desire to retire from this high ofiice with the closing of this con- vention.
So far as the work undertaken in the past two years is con- cerned, I will leave that to be described by other members of the Council, each of whom has had an important duty to perform and is prepared to render an accounting of his activities. It will suffice for me to state that in my judgment the fraternity is in excellent condition. Its national finances are more than satis- factory. The scholarship of the various chapters is in the main good, and generally improving; the spirit of fellowship and good will abounds beyond measure; there are no pressing problems
BURROWS LOOKS FORWARD 57
upon which there is divided counsel; we are respected by other fraternities, and we are busy doing a great work.
During the biennium the meetings of the Council have been harmonious throughout. Most of the questions brought to its attention have been settled by unanimous vote. I have had the most loyal support of every member of the Council, and no shadow has crossed our path to mar our harmonious and pleasant relations.
It is not so much with the past that I am concerned, but with the future. Although fraternities have had an astounding growth in the last ten years, I am of the opinion that the next decade will see them put to the test as never before.
First and foremost is the growing tendency of colleges and universities alike to increase their dormitory facilities much faster than the enrollment. In many institutions it has become a settled policy to require all freshmen to live in the dormitories, and in a few schools this restriction has been extended to the second year. This threatens to deal a body blow to the ever increasing roll of fraternities. Most chapters have been so conducted that it has not only been customary but necessary to draw heavily upon the Freshman class for pledges, who have helped fill up the house and made possible the expensive homes which so many chapters in our fraternity and others have erected in the past few years. The prospect that in a few years no freshman will be allowed to live in a fraternity house creates a problem which may prove a serious if not disastrous one to some. We must face that problem, and be prepared to meet it when the hour shall strike.
It is not merely alarming that the freshmen may not live in the house. Along with it is the postponement of fraternity training at least one full year. Most chapters thoroughly believe that they should get hold of their men while they are freshmen, and start their fraternity training then. To change the system so that one may have the benefits and privileges of fraternity association only three years out of four, may radically afifect the whole tone of the organization.
Another problem which a view into the future discloses is the tendency of the universities more and more to specialize in gradu- ate work. Within a decade or so it is expected that few of the universities will open their doors to those who cannot qualify with what is now known as junior standing. In other words, the
58 THE SIGNET
colleges, or junior colleges, will give the first two years of the bachelor degree, and the university the balance. That this will also profoundly affect fraternity life, is evident.
Touching elbows with the problems I have just discussed is the very serious one of keeping the chapter house filled. If this is to be done it is evident that the fraternity must look for its new or freshman members more and more to the smaller colleges. Fraternities are not a success in graduate schools, or where the graduate students form a large part of the enrollment. We should therefore begin to fortify ourselves in the smaller colleges, where fraternity life is at its best. Our own experience goes to show that chapters in the small colleges have been universally successful, while those in schools where graduate work predomi- nates find it harder and harder to maintain themselves by pledging satisfactory material. I therefore invite your attention in the strongest language I can summon to the imperative need of recog- nizing this situation and starting now to accommodate the policies of the fraternity to the changing situation in the collegiate world.
As mentioned before the popularity of the Greek-letter fra- ternity is at the crest. Every local club in college or university aspires to affiliation with some national or other. It is a demand that will not take "no" for an answer. This demand has been partly met by the organization of new fraternities. Coupled with it is a constantly increasing pressure on the older and conservative fraternities for admission. This demand can be ignored or denied, but it can not be suppressed or squashed. If these petitioning bodies get no encouragement from the older organizations it is inevitable that they will start new organizations which will before long be found at the institutions where we have chapters compet- ing with our men for pledges. Probably the old-line fraternities can stand this sort of competition, and afford to ignore it, but every active chapter man within the hearing of my voice knows how increasingly difficult it is to get and keep the house filled with the desirable kind of boys. Every new fraternity started on the campus makes that situation harder instead of better. For that reason Phi Sigma Kappa is face to face with the critical problem of whether it is wiser to enlarge its own chapter roll, or refuse to do so and see the faces of new rivals appear on every campus. I leave that problem with you to think out for yourselves.
BURROWS LOOKS FORWARD 59
The problems I have just called to your attention are general. They apply universally. They cannot be met by the individual chapters alone. They will require the earnest thought and atten- tion of the national organization.
Indeed, it is true that the functions of the national organization are to grow, steadily wider as the years roll by. There will not be merely the occasional visit to a chapter by a national officer, but there will be a much closer contact than ever before.
Already in the past two years a beginning has been made in these respects. For the first time we have a national supervisor of scholarship, and a national supervisor of finances. So far the activities of these two have been largely advisory, but in the near future they will assume mandatory form, and chapters will be required to follow the course laid down by these officials.
One of the new jobs which the next Council must take up is that of supervising the erection of fraternity houses. In the past that has been left to the chapters themselves. The result has been surprisingly good, all things considered, but this is a course beset with the gravest dangers. Unless there is an active and strong alumni organization on the job all the time, it is too much to ex- pect that a chapter of undergraduates can intelligently and wisely undertake a financial burden of that size, without having the scheme of financing and in a measure the house plan itself scruti- nized and criticized by those who are in position to give sound advice, and have the power to see that it is followed. I regret to report that already one of our fine houses, builded in enthusi- asm, and financed in prodigality and boundless hope, has met with disaster. We cannot allow such a condition to arise again, and this convention should, in my judgment, empower the Council to oversee the general plans of any chapter which in the future starts to build and finance a home of its own.
During the past year the question of admitting outsiders to hon- orary membership has become acute, in at least one chapter. This chapter feels that it is the best judge of what its needs are in that respect, and would like to have the constitution so changed that it may initiate honorary members upon a unanimous vote of the chapter, and the approval of the Council and the court. While this problem is not a general one, it has meant much to the chapter in question, and the relief it asks should be granted, if possible.
6o THE SIGNET
The Council and the Court can be reUed upon to check any abuse of the privilege, if granted.
Permit me to say just a word to the delegates, especially the younger members of this convention.
A convention may be dominated by the spirit of politics or by a spirit of statesmanship. When it is dominated by a spirit of politics, charter grants, elections and the like are determined by small groups working in lobbies behind closed doors and manipu- lating votes by indirection and compromise agreements known as "deals." The men who guide and inspire such legislation are sometimes impelled by motives of fraternal welfare, but quite as often they are actuated by personal ambition or simply by the ex- citement of political machination. When the spirit of politics pre- vails, whoever may be a winner, the Fraternity is almost certainly the loser.
When the spirit of statesmanship prevails you have open elec- tions, and decisions openly arrived at. No delegate commits him- self to any measure or any candidate until after he has listened to the discussion from the floor, and then he votes independently on each motion upon what seems its merits. This convention pro- vides all the machinery necessary for such legislation. Our com- mittees on recommendation and nomination are appointed not to sift the various suggestions of the brothers but to insure all of them a parliamentary presentation to the assembly. Brothers holding definite opinions upon the various recommendations and candidates are expected to express them before the whole assem- bly. It is assumed that after such discussion, and only after such discussion, the delegates are in a position to vote intelligently.
I therefore adjure the delegates to this convention not to lend themselves of any "arrangements," no matter how innocent they may appear, but to vote sincerely, deliberately and openly upon both recommendations and candidates in the light which general discussion brings to bear.
If we are to stand still as a fraternity the present arrangement respecting our finances for the national body are ample. If the Council and the chapters are to have more intimate contact, which seems absolutely essential to me, very shortly we must make pro- vision for additional funds. A tax on the alumni is out of the question. A small tax on the active members has been proposed,
BURROWS LOOKS FORWARD 6i
but is objected to by many. The only other practical possibility that occurs to me is to increase the Grand Chapter tax charged initiates. It may be the time has not come for this, but I am quite sure that in the very near future it will be necessary.
If we are to have anything more in the way of a fraternity than a loose collection of widely separated chapters, whose common interest and contacts are nominal, we must begin in the near fu- ture to secure a national headquarters. Along with this growing necessity is the imperative need of a larger endowment fund, such as other strong national fraternities are accumulating. These things must happen if we are to change from a confederacy into a national unit.
I have every faith that the national character of this organiza- tion will be strengthened and consolidated in the years to come. The future is bright and alluring, holding forth a great prospect of usefulness. For those of us in authority who are about to retire, the record is written, and we turn over to you unsullied and in shining armor, the great Fraternity which we all love so dearly.
THE HIGHER THINGS
They lift their eyebrows, They heighten their complexions. They tilt their chins, They raise their voices, They elevate their spirits, They build up their heels. They knee-high their skirts !
And yet there are some people who say that the modern girls do not devote any time to thinking about the higher things !
— Kappa Alpha Journal
FROM THE PRESIDENT-ELECT Joseph H. Batt, A 'i6
During the past decade we have grown from a sectional fra- ternity to one that embraces chapters in most of the outstanding institutions of learning in the country. In that short period of time much has been accomplished. But like every organization such as ours, we have our ever present and recurrent problems which seem insoluble. And every so often one of these problems is solved ; generally in some simple and obvious way.
One problem that faced us for many years was closer contact between the Council and chapters and between the chapters them- selves. To a large extent this problem was solved by the addi- tion to our roster of national officers of regional vice-presidents and the institution of regional conclaves of chapter and club representatives and alumni. Notwithstanding the sporadic and more or less cursory functioning of these agencies, much good has been done, and our chapters are now standing erect with new life ; they are filled with the spirit of true nationalism. And realizing and accepting the challenge of that nationalism they are tackling their local problems with that spirit of determination that has solved the "impossible" problems of the world in the past and that will solve the world's problems tomorrow when someone picks up the challenge. To complement the benefits of these contacts, the Council has arranged for chapter visitations by a special deputy, who is its official representative. Not only will he be invaluable in the solution of chapter problems, but through him the Council will obtain a composite picture which will enable it to determine our most pressing national problems and to choose the best and most effectual means of solving them.
I would like to say a word on the responsibility of a college man to his college and to his fraternity and to himself. His first responsibility is to do all those things, and do them well, which are required of him by his alma mater. And it is the policy of our fraternity when necessary to aid in the enforcement of these requirements. His responsibilities to his fraternity are so inter- twined with his responsibilities to himself that they cannot be spo- ken of separately. Just as a chain is as strong as its weakest link, so is a chapter's strength fixed by each of its individual members.
President Joseph H. Batt
FROM THE PRESIDENT-ELECT 63
There are two factors determining the strength or weakness of a chapter which are primary. These are the collective scholastic standing and the state chapter finances. Peculiarly, there is a close relation between these two. It is my observation that those groups standing below the fraternity average of scholarship are also lax in meeting their financial obligations.
For a few years we have been attempting, with considerable success, to raise group scholarship. Yet how vast is the field of needed impovement ! Every man in college is there by reason of the sacrifice of others — a sacrifice of either money or companion- ship or work — and it requires only a very little serious and intelli- gent thought to reach the inevitable conclusion that the best work he can do is not too much to give in return. There are other con- siderations demanding improved scholarship. He who succeeds in business today must not only know; he must also be able to ap- ply what he knows to the best advantage of his particular busi- ness. A better than average scholar is usually able to concentrate upon the subject matter before him and it is to a large extent through concentration that we learn to apply our knowledge to a given set of facts or situation. For selfish reasons alone every student should strive for higher scholarship. And, too, the ele- ment of pride should be a great stimulant ; for one man with poor grades frequently wrecks what would otherwise have been a credi- table group standing. In this matter of scholarship there should be no substitution of explanation for accomplishment.
Does a normally healthy man who allows others to support him, command the respect of the community in which he lives? In every fraternity there are men living in chapter houses who habit- ually disregard their financial obligation to the chapter. And every such man, unless and until he liquidates his indebtedness, is allow- ing his associates to support him, thereby losing their respect and weakening his own character and his credit in the years following his period in college. This is a truth which common sense has placed beyond the reach of contradiction. This is a serious prob- lem to chapters having delinquents, but it is far more serious to the individuals involved. I know of groups which have charged off thousands of dollars of bad debts, and they survived and will continue to survive. And I have repeatedly heard it said that a person under discussion was not entitled to consideration or ere-
64 THE SIGNET
dence because he had neglected to pay his just debts of college days. If it is a question of attending a social function or paying a house debt, do the latter — for the sake of forming a respectable character trait, if for no feeling of responsibility or other idea of decency toward your associates. Here the Council will coun- tenance no substitution of unfulfilled promises for payment.
It is suggested that every active man indulge in a little — perhaps I should say a great deal — of introspection. Hold before you the image of what you consider a good fraternity man, bearing in mind he is a hopeful and cheerful man, facing rough and smooth alike as it comes. With this conception before you tabulate your strength and weakness. Reflect upon that inventory; dwell upon your strength and take courage. Make determined plans to over- come your weakness and push those plans through to certain com- pletion. You will find there is but a narrow margin of difference between a good fraternity man and just an average one, and that just a little more effort and thought and consideration for others will produce a success which might just as easily have been fail- ure.
You old Phi Sigs — I bespeak a continuance and a revival of your interest in your fraternity. All of us cherish the associa- tions of our active days. Many of our dearest and most precious friendships were formed in the days when we were facing to- gether what seemed to be insurmountable problems and they are going hand in hand with us through good times and bad times and all times. We can recall, clearly and with a feeling of thanks- giving, the timely advice and moral support of our chapter broth- ers who had reached the revered status of alumni. Our younger brothers of today should not be asked to face alone the problems which from our store of more mature experience we might aid in solving. Frequent visits of interested alumni are welwomed by the boys, and do much to help keep the chapter mind on its real problems. Make the opportunity now to visit your nearest chap- ter or club. Rekindle the fires of fratemalism upon the altar of service! Labor ipse voluptas.
Your Council realizes and accepts the responsibility imposed upon it. But the full responsibility rests not alone upon the Coun- cil. Wholehearted co-operation of every initiate, active and alum- nus requisite to a full realization of our potential influence. With
FROM THE SECRETARY'S REPORT 65
all our efforts co-ordinated Phi Sigma Kappa will continue to grow in strength and in respect of its contemporaries. Success is in doing, not in saying. There are big jobs and big things to be done — let us do them.
In a fundamental way we are setting about the building of a sounder and more stable fraternity. We are doing a great work. Let us strive to do well our task of equipping our boys as better doers of the world's work. It is my hope and my chief belief they will be better men and truer men and gentlemen for their fra- ternity association. To help in this work is a priceless privilege.
FROM THE SECRETARY'S REPORT
The condition of the several chapters is favorable — 1,365 new members have been initiated since the last convention, 155 of these being charter members of the five newly inducted chapters.
A total of 10,433 have now been initiated into Phi Sigma Kappa of which number it is estimated that 9,800 are still living.
All of our chapters have been visited by President Burrows during his four years of service in this office.
Two special publications have been undertaken by the present Council. Early in 1927 a revised edition of the geographical and alphabetical index was issued. The expense of this publica- tion was $2,031.86, of which $1,978.11 has been received from sales to alumni and chapters. The prize songs, produced in the competition which terminated with the 1926 convention, were printed and the cost met by sales to the chapters and clubs.
Notwithstanding the policy of this Fraternity with respect to expansion, which policy is viewed by some to be conservative, by others to be progressive, and by others to be ruinous, applica- tions for charters are being received in relatively large numbers. During the past two years twenty-eight applications have been made in more or less formal manner .
66 THE SIGNET
The present Council has held six meetings as follows :
August 28, 1926, at Philadelphia.
November 13, 1926, at Pittsburgh, Pa, (Special meeting called by the President following the induction of Tau Deuteron chap- ter.)
February 12, 1927, at Columbus, Ohio.
October 7, 1927, at Boston, Mass.
February 11, 1928, at Madison, Wis.
August 21, 1928, at San Francisco, Calif.
The percentage of students leaving our colleges and univer- sities before graduation is a matter of deep concern to college and fraternity executives alike. For the purpose of determin- ing the extent to which the chapters of Phi Sigma Kappa have lost men and for what reasons, an inquiry was addressed, in the fall of 1927, to each of the thirty-three chapters of this Frater- nity which was in operation in 1921. This inquiry asked for data on the chapter mortality and on causes thereof for the dele- gations in the classes of 1923 to 1927 inclusive. Twenty-five chapters responded, and the information thus furnished was tabu- lated.
In the delegations of this five-year period there were a total of 1,441 initiates. Of this number 4 per cent were in 1927-1928 actively connected with their chapters as undergraduates; 59 per cent had graduated ; and 37 per cent had left their respective in- stitutions without graduating; 532 constituted this 37 per cent of mortality. Of this number 144 were listed as withdrawing on account of poor scholarship, although it may be inferred from the reports that a considerably larger number withdrew for this reason; yy transferred to other institutions; 62 left on account of financial difficulties; 10 because of ill health; and 239 for various other causes.
The four chapters graduating the largest percentage of their initiates of this five year period were, in order: Yale, 84 per cent; Oregon Agricultural College, 80 per cent; Brown, 79 per cent; Williams, 75 per cent. It is interesting to note that among these chapters the following six delegations graduated intact:
a. From Yale, the delegation of 1924 consisting of seven men, and that of 1925 consisting of sixteen men.
b. From the Oregon Agricultural College, the delegation of 1923 consisting of fifteen men.
c. From Brown, the delegation of 1923 consisting of six men, and that of 1924 consisting of eight men.
d. From Williams, the delegation of 1927 consisting of nine men.
. TREASURER'S REPORT
August I, 1926 to July 21, 1928
Summary
August I, 1926, Cash Balance $20,660.05
Receipts August i, 1926 to July 21, 1928 . . . 64,596.12
Total $85,256.17
Disbursements August i, 1926 to July 21, 1928 49,754.32
July 21, 1928, Cash Balance $35,501.85
Analysis of Receipts
Grand Chapter taxes . . . .$34,515.00 Chapter equipment 1,796.14
Pin account 20,418.90
Royalties 1,461.66
Directories, 1924 i4-50
Directories, 1927 1,978.11
Song books Prize songs Histories . . , Rituals
32.10 129.00 408.00
75-00
Interest 1,681.23
Signet 1 18.00
Charter fees 1,040.00
Endowment fund 25.00
Printing petitions 593-84
Travel fund. Southern Dis. 215.00
Miscellaneous 94-64
Total $64,596.12
Analysis of Disbursements
1926 Convention $ 5,174.01
Publication of Signet 5,002.67
Endowment Fund 6,025.00
Inductions 829.65
General administration 8,407,26
Pin account i5,575-6o
Council meetings, travel 1,606.59
Conclaves, travel of Chapter Advisers 1,063.57
Travel and other expenses of the Supreme Court 408.30
1927 Directory: clerical work, printing, and mailing 2,031.86
Chapter equipment 1,638.49
Charters and certificates 521.67
Publication of prize songs of 1926 78.69
Dues to Inter fraternity Conferences 226.50
Printing petitions 659.45
Miscellaneous expenses 505.01
Total $49,754.32
THE FELL SCHOLARSHIP REPORT
At the last General Convention which was held at Philadelphia in 1926 this Fraternity undertook to enter upon a new field of en- deavor. It was felt that the time had been reached when it devolved upon the Fraternity, and particularly its governing body, to devote time, care, and energy to the fostering and development of schol- arship within the active chapters. The move for better scholar- ship was not the idea of this fraternity alone. It was and is a part of a similar general movement throughout the whole college fraternal world. The Interfraternity Conference has undertaken intensive studies of this problem of scholarship in the national social fraternities. A great work is being done there and much helpful information has been obtained. The first compilations proved that one of the charges made by critics of fraternities was true: " fraternity men taken as a whole, do not do as good scholastic work as non- fraternity men." With this fact proved, there remained but two alternatives for the fraternities — either to explain this fact and satisfactorily excuse themselves, or to adopt strong measures to correct it. Explanation and excuses, such as: the large number of bright Jews among non- fraternity men; or that bookworms and intense students are not by nature social animals and hence are not fraternity material; or thirdly, that the aim of fraternities was to produce all-around men, and since they thus required of their members wide and diversified in- terests and activities high as students ; these and other excuses and explanations were of no avail and failed. None could escape the ultimate fact that active chapters are college units, that colleges were established for education and that the primary factor in a college education is scholarship. If it was a fact that the frater- nity did not aid or assist in furthering college scholarship and per- haps, even impaired it, then there was every reason to do away entirely with fraternities as a part of the collegiate system. On the one hand lay the cold figures against us, and on the other, the challenge : "Prove your value !"
At Philadelphia, Phi Sigma Kappa, gave up trying to explain, and adopted the only other choice. The scholarship of this fra- ternity was to be made better than the non- fraternity scholarship. To this end an officer of the Council was appointed national super-
THE FELL SCHOLARSHIP REPORT 69
visor of scholarship and was charged with the duty of accomplish- ing the end in view. I was selected for this work and I now make my report on the progress that has been made in the past two years, 1926 to 1928. Keep in mind that these are only the first two years of the new work and that in this sort of work, progress must necessarily be slow. Surprising results cannot be obtained over-night. You cannot lay down given rules of solution. You cannot install a given system as you would a definite financial plan, and say, "There it is, take it, work it out to the letter and you will come out ahead." No, the object of the office must be to inspire from within. Incentive must be furnished, propaganda must be spread, and understanding and appreciation must be in- stilled in each undergraduate throughout the country. It is a work of many years before the full fruits will be gained.
I am happy to say that having adopted this general plan of operation, I find at the end of the first two years a distinct and appreciable improvement. In the first place the "idea has caught on." The chapters understand that better scholarship is required of them, not as something imposed upon them from higher au- thority, but as an urge coming from within and by virtue of their own initiative. Scholarship has become part of the true spirit of Phi Sigma Kappa and is being passed on to each initiate as he enters into its bonds. The appointment of an assistant supervisor in each of the Five Regions has been made and these men are proving of great assistance.
Lest anyone should misunderstand this call for higher scholar- ship, let me further clarify my own personal ideas and platform as it were. It had no predecessor and no precedents to follow. President Burrows and the Council have given me a wide latitude. I, speaking for myself, and only as the present scholarship super- visor, have no idea of trying to convert Phi Sigma Kappa into a pseudo-Phi Beta Kappa. I am unalterably opposed to the en- actment or establishment of any national law or regulation looking toward the enforcement of any degree of scholarship. Some of the leading fraternities have done this, but I believe it is fundamen- tally wrong in principle and is a mistake. I urge Phi Sigma Kappa never to undertake it. Scholarship can no more be created by law than can religious faith or morality.
Scholarship is an individual thing, and therefore is a matter for
yo THE SIGNET
self-government within the chapters themselves, and even the chapter as a body must be very careful in the exercise of any dis- ciplinary and regularitory — measures. I say to the delegates here, take back to your chapters simply the spirit and will to bet- ter scholarship, preach it to your brothers, repeat it and repeat it, create pride in it, build up a desire to compete in it, and you will ultimately win the day for Phi Sigma Kappa, by your own methods, voluntarily, and according to your own local conditions. You may take back the word that Phi Sigma Kappa has only a very httle further to go to be successful in its first step to high scholarship. Our immediate object was to be at least, equally as good scholars as the non- fraternity men. In two years we have raised the national average from being five points out of a hun- dred under the non-fraternity average, to just one point in a hun- dred under them. I will consider it a happy day when Phi Sigma Kappa crosses the dead-line. Perhaps we even already have done so. The last semester averages for this past year have not yet reached me for the chapters. With the line crossed we can then go ahead with the hearty assurance that all is well and that Phi Sigma Kappa's policy of national supervision of scholarship is a wise and beneficial one.
Austin, Texas, September 30 (AP) — Nolte McElroy, 19, of Houston, University of Texas student and football player, died tonight fifteen min- utes after he was shocked by coming in contact with a live wire during his initiation at the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
District Attorney J. D. Moore began an immediate investigation, and called in members of the fraternity for questioning.
The fraternity issued a statement which said McElroy fainted during a mock initiation ceremony when he was required to crawl through bed- springs to which city light wires had been connected through a rheostat.
. THE ENDOWMENT FUND
(From Trustee Barnes' Report)
I submit for your consideration the following suggestions as to: first, means of increasing the receipts to the Fund; and, secondly, purposes for the use of the Fund.
I. Means of Increasing Receipts to the Fund
A. Annual contributions from alumni members.
B. Annual per capita charge or assessment from each active member.
C. A portion of the initiation fee which is included in the Grand Chapter tax to be paid into the Endowment Fund.
D. A fee to be paid by each pledge. This fee is to be paid as soon after the candidate is pledged as the Council may
decide. A $5.00 fee from four hundred pledges each year would soon amount to a considerable sum. It further has the advantage of interesting the pledge in national affairs of the fraternity immediately upon his accepting the pledge pin. Furthermore a number of men annually, after enjoying the benefits of life as a fraternity pledge, are never initiated and never contribute to our national organization. Personally, I heartily commend this method to your earnest consideration.
E. Charter fees from new chapters. By all means the net proceeds from the charter fees paid by all new chapters should be paid into our Endowment Fund.
F. Life or sustaining memberships — as for example in S. A. E. or Chi Phi.
G. Voluntary contributions from individual members, and from alumni clubs should always be stressed.
H. Bequests should, in time at least, be a real source of in- come.
I, Our life insurance brothers should stress the making of "The Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity Endowment Fund" the beneficiary in life insurance policies.
J. Annuities might be developed as an ultimate source of income.
Whatever plan or plans may be adopted for raising this money it is very evident that much publicity needs to be given to the Fund. The real need for it, the advantages to be derived, and the purposes to which the money will be applied must be appreciated and sold to all the brothers. Once we all get this vision we will meet the challenge, and the Fund will become a reality.
72 THE SIGNET
II. Proposed Purposes for the Use of the Fund
In endeavoring to sell the Fund idea the question naturally arises — do we need such a fund? What is the purpose of it? Those of us who have a broad perspective of the scope of our national work, and those of us who have an insight into the financial and other administrative tasks of our fraternity fully appreciate the need, and the uses to which such a fund might be placed. Some of those practiced by other fraternities, and some suggestions which have come to us are as follows :
A. National headquarters and general administration.
B. Maintenance of a traveling secretary.
C. The endowment of The Signet.
D. Scholarships.
E. Chapter financing, including building loans.
F. Other loans to chapters and students.
A "Treasure House" has been suggested by a few. My thought is that such an institution should be considered under national headquarters.
In any consideration of the purpose of the Fund we must differentiate clearly between what proportion of the fraternity expenses should be borne by current income from the active chap- ters, and what proportion by the interest received from the prin- ciple of the Endowment Fund. This is an important detail which should be studied by a competent group or committee.
Brothers, we have been most fortunate in the caliber of effi- cient administration we have received by our national officers who have had an altogether inadequate supply of money at their disposal. There is no use in mincing words; our annual income is not large enough for a fraternity of our age, size, and stand- ing. We have no justification for increasing the Grand Chapter Tax to meet the expenses of administration. Indeed this tax should be reduced. Now is the time to meet the challenge to put Phi Sigma Kappa on a firm financial basis.
FROM THE CONVENTION ADDRESS Dr. Tully C. Knoles, President of the College of the Pacific
I am not quite sure about the native state of your toastmaster. I understand, however, that he hails from the state of New York ; but he has been associated with Cahfornians a httle, I told him a little while ago that the College of the Pacific is the oldest college in the state of California and he immediately told you that it was the oldest college on the Pacific Coast. If he had been in California a little longer it would have been the oldest one west of the Mississippi.
There have been occasions when I have been very much em- barrassed by the fact that I am the president of the oldest college in the state. One of those occasions was in England, at Oxford University, where I was called upon to respond to an address of welcome given by the chancellor of the university. He told us all about the age of Wadham College, and I was ready to believe all he said about the age and good history and its ancient atmos- phere, because it was very evident. Then, when he asked me to respond he very graciously said that I was the president of the oldest college in the state and then asked me to state how old it was; and when I said seventy-five years, in comparison with the hundreds of years of Wadham College, I felt very cheap and he seemed very much disgusted.
I want to confess to you, after having lived all of my life ex- cepting three years in a college atmosphere, I do not know what education is all about. I have some theories, — not exactly the same ones I had a few years ago. I have some as a parent, I have some as a teacher, I have some as an administrator, I have some as a student. And then I have some theories as a lawyer and^ these theories are almost continually being brought into a clash.
I think about the only thing we can do of real value as educa- tors is to get a pretty fair view of the process of the changes that are taking place before us and then make a few prophecies, realizing the fact that our prophecies may not be of value. Edu- cation changes, I think, a little less frequently than any other acti- vity of life. And the reason for that is that as a rule educators are conservative and I am sure that the undergraduates will agrea
74 THE SIGNET
with me when I say the chief business of an education seems to be changing Hberal people into conservative people. Very often edu- cation seems to have the objective of changing conservative peo- ple into liberal people. But I have noted this as an administrator : that many young men come to me as a teacher who are liberal and find it exceedingly difficult in the profession to remain liberal, for the whole tradition, and most of the activity of college and university education tends to deepen our conservative tendency.
What I am about to say will not appeal to you. But when you are old it will appeal to you: We have not learned how to get along with one another as parents and children. To me as an ex- ecutive this is the most difficult area for adjustment in all our human relationships. This is an age of freedom. This is an age of liberty. We would not have it otherwise. This is an age in which we decry ignorance and superstition. This is an age when we magnify our appreciation of fact and of knowledge and of the seriousness of life and young people are actually knowing more about life and its problems than middle age knew a genera- tion ago; and parents find it exceedingly difficult to adjust them- selves to the life and thought of this age and I have never heard anything that I consider worth quoting upon this subject to an au- dience except a sentence from a little address given by a Portu- guese girl on the night of graduation from high school at Santa Clara. She said many of the things that are usually said, point- ing out to her parents that the young people of her age have not created the conditions in which they were living; had not made films ; had not written the books, and then she said this very im- portant thing which I deem worthy of quotation on every possible occasion. "Do not tell us where not to go and where to go ; but come with us and we will go with you."
I believe that is the greatest direction that can be given for the solution of the problem of the relations between parents and chil- dren.
We think we are rather peaceful in the United States of Amer- ica, and yet last year because we do not know how to get along as employers and employees, it is estimated that we lost four bil- lions of dollars in strikes and lock-outs. We have to mention the international alien problem. Without any argument it is only necessary to suggest to you that we do not know how to get along
FROM THE CONVENTION ADDRESS 75
with the other nations of the world. We are trying to solve all our social problems on the basis of prejudice and not at all upon the basis of fact finding. And I believe that we are going to take all of the technique developed in the solution of our prob- lems in natural science and applied science in particular in the solving of the problem of our human relations, and if we do that we are going to save some, and if we do not we are going to have the same experience in education that the churches have had.
I think you will agree with me that there are enough ignorant and prejudiced folks in the world to wreck civilization — some think it is already wrecked — if it is not adequately guided by knowledge and such wisdom as the race has been able to develop. I am confident that we are doing that because it is very evident to me that men are studying history now not to satisfy their curiosity in idle moments as to how people lived a long time ago, but to know the longitudinal section of the development of the institutions of human life. I have the conviction that men are studying politics not to raise up before their imagination views of the structures of the various governments and the various types of government, but to know those forces and factors which have led humans to govern them satisfactorily. And I am quite sure that men are not studying political economy to know the fine spun theories of men who have sat in their studies and worked out bald theories of life. Men are not studying economics today in any great numbers from teachers such as Karl Marx, although Marx's influence is tremendous in the eastern section of Europe and in the northern section of Asia. But men are not thinking now in terms of well-developed theories of economics. They are study- ing the facts of production and of transportation and of manu- facture and of consumption, and they are studying the laws which govern these in the marts of trade and we are learning some very disquieting facts concerning markets, particularly in recent years here in the state of California and with the farm fraternity in general. Men are beginning to give to their studies and to read- ers of books the facts upon which real judgments may be devel- oped in the realm of politics.
I would like to conclude with a thought which you have all received from Dr. Wells. I have taught history for a great many years and it is fashionable for history students to make fun of
76 THE SIGNET
Dr. Wells. But I remember this : that it is a very difficult thing for a history teacher to get a book published and it is a much more difficult thing to get it read after it is published, and I know it is perfectly easy to say that Dr. Wells as an historian is a great novelist. But it is rather difficult to know exactly why seven hun- dred and fifty thousand copies of his book were sold in various parts of the world. Dr. Wells took two years off to study, then a little more time to write that book, and why ? He wrote because he wanted to satisfy himself as to the direction of human civiliza- tion. He was disgusted with the nations of the world during the progress of the World War, at the man loss, human loss, indus- trial loss, financial loss; and so he tried to get a perspective of the development of humanity to answer some of his own ques- tions. They allowed him to go to Russia. He came back disil- lusioned. He was allowed to go into the trenches. He was dis- satisfied with modern religion. He was thoroughly dissatisfied with modern education. He was out of sympathy with the mod- ern social party and he was looking down upon the world war from a perspective of the development of humanity. He uttered this very significant statement : The future is a race between edu- cation and catastrophe. You will say that statement came out of an English mind, and English determination, backed by English understanding of the problem of education. But I rather think that it comes more out of a human cry than anything else, and I believe with all my heart that America has a magnificent chance to change the direction of education so as to make it forever impos- sible for civilization to reach the catastrophe which he fears, or any other catastrophe, for I am certain of this : that if facts and truths form the basis of our future actions, our theories of life, and relations, that we never can have a catastrophe. But I be- lieve that the brotherhood such as you represent and such as oth- ers represent is to be founded in types of social service organiza- tions which will have a great deal to do with the development of that appreciation of fact, and it is brotherhood which shall save us from plunging ourselves into any sort of domestic or inter- national crisis.
LEGISLATION
As usual the stress of legislation had to do with charter grants. Five were recommended, and after much oratory, four of them were allowed. They are :
a. Phi Alpha Mu, University of Southern California, Los Angeles,
b. Gamma Psi, Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn.
c. Alpha Theta Alpha, Knox College, Galesburg, 111,
d. Hermes Club, University of South Carolina, Columbia, S.C,
As far as the convention could do so, it permitted the chapters, with the consent of their alumni advisers, to initiate graduate and faculty members into their ranks.
Brother Otto presented a formidable memorandum to show that in the eyes of the law everything that has been done during the past six years is null and void. The convention refused to be stampeded, but appointed a committee to verify the alarming charges and if necessary provide a remedy.
The convention authorized a committee to report back on the question of a funeral ritual, a pledging ritual, and the fraternity flower, and directed the Council to "make permanent and available the notes of the fraternity whistle,"
The convention provided for investigation of the possibilities of making fraternity houses exempt from taxation.
Provision was made for a committee of seven to recommend a utilization of the income from the Endowment Fund.
It was ruled hereafter no charters be granted to alumni groups representing a single chapter.
It was voted that the constitution be amended to permit chap- ters having sophomore pledging to vote in convention on the basis of their enrollment the previous June,
Brother Edgar Farr Russell's design for a fraternity flag was accepted.
Officers were unanimously elected as indicated on page 54.
SOME RESOLUTIONS
(As taken from Charlie Huff's minutes)
Marchmount : This is also an unanimous committee. I would
like to offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
Be It Resolved, that the Twenty-fifth Biennial Convention of Phi Sigma Kappa extend to the San Francisco Club an expression of their deep appreciation for their hospitality and the brotherly reception accorded the visiting delegates of our Fraternity.
Furthermore , we heartily commend them for excellence of the arrange- ments and congratulate them on the very efficient service which has made this convention so pronounced a success.
Be It Further Resolved, that this convention express its gratitude to the Ladies Committee of the San Francisco Club for their forethought in making the visit of the ladies of many of our members so pleasant and delightful.
Be It Further Resolved, that the Twenty-third General Convention of Phi Sigma Kappa convey to the management of the Fairmount Hotel our thanks for their care and consideration manifested in the members of the fraternity and their families during this convention.
Batt: I second the resolution. Unanimously Adopted.
Marchmount : I offer the following resolution and move its adoption :
Be It Resolved, by the Twenty-third General Convention of Phi Sigma Kappa that we express our appreciation of the highly efficient work of the chairman of the Convention Committee, Brother Wm. F. Wood.
And Be It Further Resolved, that this convention manifest its recogni- tion of his untiring efforts by a rising vote of thanks.
Chairman : Unanimously Carried. All stand up.
Marchmount : I offer the following resolution and move its adoption :
Be It Resolved, that the Twenty-third General Convention of Phi Sigma Kappa extend to the Secretary and Treasurer of the Council of our Brotherhood the intense and sincere appreciation that we feel for the unceasing effort which he has expended on our behalf.
Be It Further Resolved, that this Convention, in full realization of all that Brother Ralph J. Watts has accomplished in this important office, hereby recommends to the Council its desire that he continue to serve in the office of Secretary and Treasurer.
(Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause)
Chairman: Is there time for a roll call? Unanimously Carried.
Marchmount : I offer the following resolution and move its
adoption :
With this convention the Fraternity loses the official services of a man whose contribution is likely, because of his retiring and modest nature,
SOME RESOLUTIONS 79
to be overlooked. For four years he has served as regional vice-president. His faithfulness in chapter visitation, his attendance at Council meeting and conference, his unassuming but gracious leadership, his judgment and devotion, all have been subject to comment among the few in a position to know. His incidental services as chapter adviser and brother-at-large have also been of inestimable value to this Fraternity.
Be It Therefore Resolved, that this Convention hereby put upon record its appreciation of the labor and love of that incomparable New Englander, Howard F. Dunham, of Tau.
(Applause)
Unanimously Carried.
Marchmount : I offer the following resolution and move its adoption :
Fifty-five years ago there was taken into this fraternity as its third initiate a young man whose passionate devotion to Phi Sigma Kappa was literally to grow with the advancing years. Although he served for a brief term as Vice-President of the Order in the early nineties, it was not until 1910, when he was elected to the Supreme Court, that he began his official and to date uninterrupted career as Councillor and Prophet. Gifted with a fine sense of decorous dignity, eloquent, and impressive in public address, granted to look from a far past, happily and confidently, into a far future, great in his love and loyalty to this Fraternity, a towering incarnation of the spirit of youth and aspiration, he has by his very presence upon innumerable and memorable occasions made articu- late the deep and voiceless devotion of the Brotherhood. Once again his inspiring form is a challenge to us all.
Be It Therefore Highly Resolved, that this Fraternity, in convention assembled, hereby declare its undying and admiring love for that Brother par excellence — Former Chancellor Joseph E. Root. (Applause, Applause, Applause)
Unanimously Adopted.
Marchmount : I offer the following resolution and move its adoption :
Twelve years ago the Phi Sigma Kappa for the first time elected a representative of the West to their national council. For six years he served as vice-president, for two years as a member of the Court, for four years as president of this Fraternity. Throughout this period his service has been distinctive. Definite and outspoken in his idealism, indefatigable in his correspondence and visitation, catholic in his under- standing and sympathy, combining with experience and wisdom both humor and the power of expression, declining on all occasions to exploit his high offices for personal ends, he has given to our Brotherhood a leader- ship of great and lasting value. It is eminently fitting that here assembled for the first time beyond the Rockies, we should pay some tribute to this first and peerless leadership from the West.
Be It Therefore Resolved, that this Fraternity, in convention assembled, hereby declare its proud gratitude to the illustrious brother so lately its president — Alvin T. Burrows.
(Applause, Applause, Applause, Applause)
Unanimously Adopted.
8o THE SIGNET
March MOUNT : I offer the following resolution and move its adoption :
Be It Resolved, that the hearty congratulations of the Twenty-third Biennial Convention of Phi Sigma Kappa be extended to Brothers Fred- erick George Campbell and William Penn Brooks on having attained so many years of service to their country and their fraternity and that they be extended the Brothers' deep feeling of veneration and love for them as Founders and of our pleasure at having them with us on this occasion. The attendance of Brothers Brooks and Campbell sponsors a new feeling of spirit and fraternal love and we pray for many more of these pleasant meetings.
(Applause, Applause, Applause)
Unanimously Carried. Marchmount: That is all.
DARTMOUTH'S GREAT RECORD
Kenneth Hill writes that of the Dartmouth Phi Beta Kappa selections last spring there were no less than ten brothers in Tau. The six varsity baseball men was a thing to be proud of, but surely not comparable with this. Particularly gratifying is the fact that both appeared in the same chapter. The illustrious ten were:
John E. Kinglet John O. Brew
Willsie E. Brisbin Joseph N. Tidd
Roy M. Myers L. Baird Rogers
John Parker Theodore S. Johnson
Joseph C. Golan Kenneth H. Kent
CONVENTION LOBBYING Cedric W. Foster, T '24
The selection of the Fairmont Hotel as the place in which to hold the convention was indeed a fortunate one. A family hotel, and not "commercialized," the Fairmont made an ideal place. Had some of the other San Francisco hotels been chosen the brothers would have been lost in the shuffle of the business world, even with about two-hundred present including guests.
Undoubtedly there were many alumni present but it was not my good fortune to know them all. May I now extend apologies to anyone who might feel slighted by not being mentioned in this rambling bit that Frank Rand suggested I write for him.
It was to be regretted that with the convention in San Fran- cisco more alumni of California and Stanford and Nevada were not able to present. Burl Howell, Omega '22, was supposed to be a delegate from the Southern California club but pressure of busi- ness affairs kept him from attending. He was missed exceedingly as it is doubtful whether our fraternity has within its folds any- one who could better take the part of "glad-hand Charley" than Brother Howell. As a welcomer and "make-you- feel-at-home" artist. Burl is in a class by himself.
Norm Averill, Omega '23, was very much in evidence. Though minus his side-kick, "Heinie" Henson, same chapter, same class, Norm gave a good account of himself in all ways. He was more than elated when Phi Alpha Mu went through by acclamation and he is to be congratulated as the chapter will be a credit to Phi Sigma Kappa.
Johnny Parker, delegate from Tau, spent most of the conven- tion in bed. Struck by a motorcycle in Los Angeles the week preceding the convention, John was lucky to be alive. He suf- fered a slight concussion of the brain but the watchful eyes of Drs. Root and Conley kept him under surveillance until he left for home later in the week.
It is almost impossible to remember the names of all the dele- gates and I early adopted the practice of trying to remember the chapters. Imagine the surprise, therefore, when Parker and I ran into "Schenectady Beta" at the La Salle Street station in Chicago, September i. He had laid over somewhere in Utah, seeing Salt
82 THE SIGNET
Lake, I believe, and happened to get the same train as we did for the East.
Riding out of Chicago we all agreed that we saw Dr. Fell and Brother Baxter, that real southern gentleman, chapter adviser at St. Johns, riding in a Pennsylvania train running beside our tracks on the central. I hope that our illusions won't be shattered and that we won't find out later that we were wrong. Anyway, we get a kick out of it.
The "sessions" in the lobby of the Fairmont as the late evening hours turned to morning were long and numerous. Probably no feature of any convention is more enjoyable than these gather- ings when one sits and talks and listens for hours at a time. Brother "Howie" Burns, of Darthmouth, class of '14, was one of those who enjoyed it.
Away from the East which is his original home, he has been out of touch with Phi Sigma Kappa for some time. One may imagine his pleasure at being able to meet "Deke" Dunham, a Phi Sig in college with him. Years had gone by but the friendship, once re- newed, blossomed forth with the vigor of old.
The insistence of Carol Steiner, Omega '25, in calling "Chap- pie" Burrows, "doctor" was as amusing to many as were the antics of the brother from Alabama who was all hot for "Al" Smith.
To Cyril Frellson, of California, to his wife, to Les Schwimley, of California, and to his wife, should go much credit for the en- tertainment of the wives, daughters, and friends of the Phi Sigs in San Francisco. They were extremely kind throughout the con- vention and their efforts will not be forgotten.
Though not too strong in numbers the women-folks (I'm from New England) were prominent about the lobby. Seraph Root, the inseparable companion of her distinguished and beloved father. Dr. Joseph Root, Alpha 'y6, was bubbling over with her usual en- thusiasm. Though burnt to a frazzle by the scorching rays of the sun in Yellowstone, she carried through in fine style.
I want to take this opportunity of congratulating Brother "Hal" Liner, of Upsilon, for upholding the standards of Phi Sigma Kappa and making away with the daughter of our president, now our retired leader, "Chappie" informed me that his younger daugh- ter doesn't seem to give the boys very much time when around home. Of course I realize there was not much choice of fratemi-
CONVENTION LOBBYING 83
ties for her. at the Fairmont but I'm glad "Hal" prevented her from finding some good looking SAE or Kappa Sig.
Liner, accompanied by "Penn State," would always be waiting for her after the evening sessions. Accompanied also by the charming daughters of Billy Maclntyre, the whole crowd would pile out into a taxi for a dance somewhere in the dark, deep depths of San Francisco, far below us perched on the hill,
Ralph Atkinson, of M.I.T., told me all about the marvelous California climate (though I lived at Omega for some time) and really endeavored to sell it to me. During the fog and rain he as- sured me that it was "the first time in — " — well, you all know the old reliable. But Ralph was certainly in love with California. If anything pleased him, it was to hear its beauties and weather extolled. So much so that when an eastern alumnus (a brother) spoke of it in glowing terms at lunch in the grill, Ralph leaned across the table, forgot his brotherly love and said, "Well, what the hell are you trying to sell it to me for? I live in New Eng- land. I like it there and I don't see why I can't come out here without you trying to have this climate forced upon me morning, noon, and night. As a matter of fact we can get just as much fog in Boston. Yes, it's a nice climate, but you keep it all to yourself."
After the first four minutes of Dr. Tully Knoles's speech at the banquet, Atkinson swooned quietly away. Our brother from West Virginia could not understand it, but Walter Powell, chap- ter adviser of Kappa Deuteron at Tech, told him the reason. Wal- ter sat beside West Virginia all night.
Carl Scholz, Pennsylvania chapter adviser, is wondering who did all the work at the previous conventions. And, at that, he did have considerable to do with his recommendations committee, considering it was the first convention he has attended (mine also). He tells me Brother "Doc" Carris is still turning out championship ball teams at Penn.
For one who has rounded around in Phi Sigma Kappa, as I have, the convention was a wonderful experience. Old faces, new faces, but all Phi Sigs, We hope our next one will be in Boston and then we will, as New Englanders, attempt to show you that California is not the only section of the country in which you can be royally entertained.
CHAPPIE GETS HOME
(An editorial in The Urbana Courier)
Yes, the hunter is home from the hills, and the sailor back from the sea.
For most of us plutocrats vacation time is over and a year more or less of good, old fashioned work lies ahead.
The cinders of the smokeless trains, and the dust of deserts across which the biting torrid winds of a thousand years have blown with little or no surcease, are gradually being eliminated from skin and hair, in response of the comforting but long denied hot bath in the good old tub in the place we call home.
It is a time when fearsome experiences are told to the frankly skeptical neighbor, or to the hired help who must listen with pre- tended interest to tales that contain a modicum of fact, and a ton or so of lurid imagination.
There is ye ed, for instance, a traveled gent of no mean repute, who glibly talks of walking right up to a wild bear and ordering the latter to get out of the way before he gets a swift kick in the ribs, and tells horrifying tales of the wild grizzlies that abound in Yellowstone Park, who can run faster than a horse, and cover more ground in a day than an airplane. There is his daughter Kathryn, sometimes known as Kitty, who together with Katherine Leutwiler, not known as Kitty, braved the terrors of flying in an airplane over a chasm 6,000 feet (or is it miles?) deep, thirteen miles across, and 217 miles from stem to stern, commonly called the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, and lives to tell the tale with offhand assurance as if it were only a very small part of the day's duties. Or sister Dorothy, she who venturesomely spent the sum- mer in Europe, roasting in Italy, without water in Paris, or a rain- coat in dear old Lunnon. Also Mrs. Burrows who doesn't like to have her name in the paper, but who nevertheless boasts that she didn't get train sick once, and that she got so she didn't mind very much, no matter how near the bus driver came to steering his en- tire outfit off into canyons or gulches or other declivities, which seemed to yawn up unexpectedly from most any quarter.
The real way to enjoy a vacation in the West is to charter a special train, get about a hundred of your best friends to go along, appoint a city manager to look after everything from bags to
CHAPPIE GETS HOME 85
sleeping quarters, and devote the time to seeing sights, playing rummy, and cursing the Santa Fe railroad for the prize lot of ob- noxious officials and irritating rules designed to give the hopeless customer the worst possible service he has a right to expect out of what would otherwise be one of the best railway systems in the world.
The Santa Fe railroad system apparently is being run on the old fashioned policy prevalent in Vanderbilt's time, exemplified by that cogent phrase, "the public be damned."
On the other hand there is the Northern Pacific, which seems to have arrived at the conclusion that a satisfied customer is the best advertisement. Its policy seems to be to find out what the traveling public wants and supply it at whatever cost, while the Santa Fe seems to be governed by the principal of finding out what the public wants and seeing that it does not get it. Both roads are eminently successful in achieving their objective.
Well, as we started out to say when we were so rudely inter- rupted, we have been away and we're back, and we are darn glad we went away, and ever so much gladder that we are back in the finest place in the world, among the finest people — Home.
Sunday school is over And we are going home. Good-by, Good-by, Be always kind and true.
Come again next Sunday, And bring your penny too. Good-by, Good by. Be always kind and true.
MUDDLED WATERS The Editor
Since Al Smith has thrown his bottle into the ring, the question of Hquor has become more unsettled than ever. There is a cer- tain admirable Americanism in the governor's action. Drinking under the Volstead Act has become largely an upperclass affair. Mr. Smith sees the poor man looking longingly at his more latitudinous neighbor, and he says, "Go to, this is a free country. One man has just as much right to a drink as another." As a matter of fact it is the poor man, and seldom the rich man, who is inconvenienced by any of the personal conduct laws. So Mr. Smith is attacking a symptom rather than a cause. But his heart is in the right place.
Our interest in this editorial, however, is not political but col- legiate. What should the freshman think of this much mooted subject, and what should he do? Almost every college and almost every fraternity officially condemns drinking, and has already done so before it became a petty crime in the eyes of the law. And yet many college and fraternity officials personally drink. And often the boy comes from a home where liquor is freely served. Are not these institutions ranked with hypocrisy, and is there any reason why he should not regard their rulings as lightly as these officials do their own and their country's law? And are not the social amenities associated with the flowing bowl sufficient to justify occasional indulgence? In brief, when the wise men are thus at odds what should a freshman think?
In the first place, let it be said that drinking as found among the well-to-do is not much a moral issue as a social one; among the lower classes it is largely economic. The adult today has no sym- pathy with the lurid pictures of disaster with which the temper- ance workers used to punctuate their appeals, and the college freshman who has not first-hand remembrance of the days of the saloon simply cannot comprehend them. Certainly prohibition can no longer be justified from the standpoint of the drinker himself. That is passed. It can be justified, if at all, only from the standpoint of the welfare of the community in which he lives. Indeed if it could be clearly demonstrated that prohibition has reduced pauperism, crime, disorder, and domestic unhappiness
MUDDLED WATERS 87
without introducing new and equally serious evils, then, judged as a community measure, it would seem to be justified. We have always interpreted liberty to mean the greatest amount of per- sonal freedom compatible with the common welfare. In other words, prohibition must stand or fall not as a principle of mor- ality but rather as an expediency of community administration. Because the church has of late been the almost universal foe of the drink traffic does not make the issue either religious or ethical. The undergraduate should understand this. Jesus may very well have turned the water into wine; there wasn't any community issue at stake in His day.
Of course there is at stake in America a great governmental principle, that of nullification. Do you believe that it is your privilege, or your duty, to disregard a law of which you dis- approve, «vith the expectation that your disregard will, either legally or virtually, lead to its death? Is defiance the proper prerogative of any disgruntled minority? It is indeed the proper prerogative of a repentant majority? If so, what is likely to become of representative government? For representative gov- ernment is fundamentally a give-and-take affair, a sporting propo- sition, an elaborate game by means of which a community, in this case a very large one, undertakes to run itself without inter- ference from without or dictation from within. Its critics abroad have always said that it asks too much of human nature, that no community will be sufficiently sportsmanlike to make it work- able for any length of time. The nullifier puts his personal in- terest or belief above the law and becomes the intolerable small boy who, dissatisfied with some decision of play, walks oif the field. It is true that if he has sufficient support, either in the form of other players or in that of the only available bat, he may have his own way and the game may go on. But it isn't the same game. Probably it isn't any real game at all. And even as the mere appearance of a game it is in constant peril of collapse. So the question is perhaps really this : how much nullification can a representative government be subjected to and still endure? That question, of course, cannot be answered. But it seems obvious to the writer that every citizen who lends himself to the principle of nullification, regardless of the merit of a particular law, is doing his bit to bring his country into civil war or else
88 THE SIGNET
decay. And the college man should not ignore this phase of a muddled dispute.
Nor should the freshman be misled by the discussion of light wines and beer. As far as his own practice is concerned that ap- proach to the question is largely academic. The college man drinks, when he drinks, in the spirit of adventure, and he did so long before any one ever heard of the Volstead Act. What he wants is the "kick." It might seem ironical that he of all men, with youth already rioting through his veins and filling his days with sensuous exhilaration, should turn to stimulants, permissible perhaps as a solace and tonic for age, to enhance the thrill. But youth craves excitement, and that most readily at hand is usually the primitive and elemental stimulation of the body. So college men drink themselves into all stages of delirium, and as grey- haired alumni seem to recall with proud satisfaction these ex- cesses of their youth. In other words, with the undergraduate it is after all a question of intoxication; and no freshman should kid himself into thinking otherwise. As a matter of fact the same is true of native Americans generally. Governor Smith with his cocktail appetite would be hardly served by a law legalizing light wines and beer. His position so universally praised for its sin- cerity would not seem to be quite free of duplicity after all. Whatever the freshman may do, let him not play politics with his principles.
Because undergraduates drink to become in some degree in- toxicated drinking in college always savors a little of adventure and so refusal, to the freshman mind, might naturally seem to disclose a spiritless and prudential nature. He even thinks that it marks a lack of courage. Of course if his thought is really such and therefore he drinks, he is indisputably a coward, for under the circumstances the more courageous course would be to abstain. As a matter of fact the supposition is largely untrue. College men almost invariably respect the man who does not drink, and the teetotaller can even attend drinking parties, taking ginger ale instead of stronger beverages, without embarrassment. Of course his company will not be sought out for excursions whose purpose is booze, but he will never be excluded from gath- erings where drinking is expected but incidental. The social values of drinking, other than the immediate one of companionable
MUDDLED WATERS 89
tippling, are largely fictional. And when it comes to campus prestige it is "notable that the highest honors almost invariably go to the men who do not drink. Certainly if the freshman has any compunctions on the subject he will lose more socially than he will gain, by compromising them.
There is a feeling rather general among sensitive people that it is bad form to decline a drink that is proffered in the name of hospitality. This is a gracious hypocrisy, which would seem to lead, in the end, to the wreck of hospitality. For by this token no guest may decline any unwelcome attention — olives, for exam- ple, or oysters, or tobacco, or black coffee at bed-time, or repeated helpings. And no host or hostess may feel sure that he is not inflicting upon his considerate guest a very agony of hospitality. If it is bad form for a guest to decline an undesired attention, it is equally bad for form for a host to offer a doubtful attention without an alternative. Good form was the old-time bartender's principal stock-in-trade. Men didn't often get drunk going dutch; they got drunk treating. Every drink carried the social obliga- tion of another. "All right, boys, now let's have one on me." When business began to lag a bit it was the bartender's cue to offer one "on the house." Thus the insidious rounds would con- tinue until next-to-the-last pocket was empty and next-to-the-last patron lay under the table. Let the freshman be assured that for him there is no matter of good form involved. If it ever seems to be involved that is because it has already been violated by the group in which he finds himself. It is never bad form to decline, quietly and without explanation, any intoxicating bev- erage that may be served.
The question of drinking is still, due to the confused state of public opinion, largely a personal one. The teacher would hesi- tate to tell you that you may or may not booze. But the football coach, or the fraternity house manager, or the dean of the col- lege will not hesitate to tell you that you may not booze if you wish to continue as a member of the organization for which he is responsible. The railroad president will not consciously retain a man who drinks, and his reasons are entirely impersonal. The dramatic coach might refuse to retain an actor who drinks for reasons equally so. And there is a suggestion for the freshman in this. For regardless of his rights as a human being and regard-
90 THE SIGNET
less of his honest opinion of legal prohibition, and regardless of certain social pleasantries, the fact remains that the drinker has been fully demonstrated, as a class, to be less dependable and less useful to the community or the organization than the abstainer. There are brilliant exceptions to this rule but every employer of men knows that the rule can be trusted. And that boozing is a habit that grows on one; no one but the victim himself can be found to deny.
"At the punch-bowl's brink Let the thirsty think What they say in Japan :
'First the man takes a drink; Then the drink takes a drink ; Then the drink takes the man.' "
THE CHAPTER AUTHORIAL
By Dr. Robert C. Whitford, Z '12, a sketch, "Pay As You Enter," in The Educational Review for January. An article, "Juvenal in England 1750- 1802," in The Philo- logical Quarterly for January.
An article, "Gleanings of Churchill Bibliography," in the Modern Language N (?) for January.
By Dr. Ralph P. Truitt, H '10, an article, "Community Child Guidance Clinics," published by the Commonwealth Fund Division of Publications, New York City.
Inspection Deputy McCornack
CHAPTER INSPECTIONS
Brother Willard F, McCornack, who will represent the Coun- cil in the special chapter inspections during the coming year, is a graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and has recently returned from a trip to England.
For the past four years he has been one of the most active leaders among the chapters of the East. He has taken an un- usual interest in the larger affairs of the fraternity, has attended the last three conventions, has a wide acquaintance among chap- ters in all parts of the country, and has in other ways demon- strated his fitness for the successful undertaking of the important project of chapter visitations.
Following the Convention he spent a month with the Secre- tary of the Council and with other officers. The latter part of September he started on his inspection schedule, beginning in the New England district. His plan is to spend approximately four days at each chapter during which time he will make a thorough examination of the records, arrange for a demonstration of the secret work of the Fraternity, confer with the local alumni, and where possible meet with alumni clubs. He will endeavor to dis- cover the real problems of each chapter and to aid in their solu- tion.
The inspection of the chapters in the eastern district will be completed by November lo, and for the three months following Brother McCornack will visit the chapters in the Atlantic and Southern regions. From the middle of February to the middle of March he will be in the states of the Midwest; the last half of March and the month of April will be spent on the Pacific Coast. Brother McCornack's permanent address will be 742 East John Street, Appleton, Wisconsin.
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE R. J. W.
Prior to the San Francisco Convention Council Meeting, the retiring Council met at the Fairmont August 21, 1928 Hotel. Reports were received and approved from the Treasurer and the Auditor, $9,000 from the surplus funds in the treasury were by vote transferred to the endowment trustees.
At the request of the officers and chapter adviser of Xi chapter, the initiation of Mr. H. L. Wallace as an honorary member of Xi chapter was approved and recommended to the Supreme Court.
As recommended by Omega chapter the initiation of Professor Richard L. Adams, a graduate of the Massachusetts Agricultural College and now of the University of California, was approved as a faculty member of Omega chapter.
The newly elected Council met at the Council Meeting, Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco, August August 24, 1928 24. The Council reappointed Brother Watts as Secretary and Treasurer of the Council, and Brother Rand as Editor of The Signet. Brother Ruedi was reappointed Financial Supervisor, and Brother Barnes was designated as Scholastic Supervisor. Brother Scholz, of Phila- delphia, alumni adviser for Mu Chapter and for the first time participating actively in the affairs of a national convention, was selected as trustee of the Endowment Fund for a period of six years as successor of Brother C. F. Hirshfeld, whose term ex- pired with the last convention.
Brothers Conley, Batt, and Rand were designated as the official delegates to the next meeting of the Interfraternity Conference, and Brothers Barnes and Ruedi were named as alternates.
It was ordered that before a certificate of membership is fur- nished an initiate, the president of the chapter shall certify to the Secretary of the Council that the initiate has learned those parts of the ritual required by the constitution, and that he has passed a satisfactory examination in the secret work of the Fraternity.
Consideration was given to the proposal of a special inspection of all chapters during the ensuing college year by a deputy of the Council. This project was approved and Brother Willard F. McCornack, Omicron, '28, was chosen to carry out this work.
The Council voted that a standard flag, as adopted by the last Convention, be prepared and presented to each chapter with the compliments of the Council.
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE 93
Brother Lafean was requested to continue to assemble chapter equipment for inductions and for the use of other chapters.
Chapters after Omega Deuteron will, by vote of the Council, be designated as Alpha Triton, etc.
The Council continued its meeting on August 25, in the beauti- ful La Honda Canyon, which was the scene of the barbecue.
The following dates were determined for the inductions of the new chapters :
University of Southern California October 12-13
Wesleyan University October 26-27
Knox College November 2- 3
South Carolina University After January i, 1929
The next meeting of the Council will be held at Galesburg, Illinois, November 3, at the time of the induction of the chapter at Knox College.
_ Every chapter was represented at the Con-
1 HE CONVENTION vcntion by one or more undergraduate dele- gates. Twenty-three chapter advisers were present, and thirteen chartered clubs sent accredited delegates. All members of the Council were present, the Editor of The Signet, one of the En- dowment Fund Trustees, four of the six members of the Supreme Court, and the two living founders.
Mclntyre, Conley, and Root, the influential triumvirate of convention veterans, were on hand to help direct legislation and dignify the occasion. The familiar faces of Gilbert Morgan, the retiring Chancellor of the Supreme Court, and of George Vogel, were missed; for many years both have been regular attendants at conventions always bringing progressive, virile leadership.
Of the national parks to be visited en route to San Francisco and return, the Grand Canyon, the Yellowstone, and Mt. Rainier attracted the largest number of delegates. Other scenic wonders which were viewed were the Canadian Rockies, Lake Tahoe, the Pikes Peak region. Glacier National Park, Yosemite Valley, Crater Lake, Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park, and the Rocky Mountain National Park. Approximately sixty constituted the special party organized by Brother Rockett of the New York Club. This group went out by way of the Yellowstone, Mt. Rainier, and Seattle, and returned via the Grand Canyon and Pikes Peak.
The Council was prepared to spend $20,000 for the travel ex- penses of its ofificers and delegates to the Convention. Not all of this amount was drawn because several chapter advisers from the eastern states did not attend the meeting.
BETWEEN OURSELVES
GILBERT MORGAN'S retirement from the Supreme Court brings to at least a temporary conclusion a long, faithful and intelligent period of service to Phi Sigma Kappa. Brother Morgan, H '07, took up official burdens at the Baltimore Con- vention in 1912, becoming treasurer to the Council ; entering the Supreme Court on the death of Bert Munsell where he served until 1922, when he became vice-president of the Council ; in 1924, becoming auditor; and in 1926, going back onto the Court, where- on he has served to the time of this convention. That means sixteen years of practically uninterrupted service as an officer. Moreover Brother Morgan big-brothered the Maryland chapter constantly from the time of his graduation until it transferred its locale to College Park and for years was the moving spirit in the Baltimore Alumni Club. Indicative of his unflagging in- terest in his Fraternity have been the news items which he has sent to your Editor. He has left undone nothing which has ever come to his attentioii as something a brother should do.
BROTHER BATT'S rise to the presidency of Phi Sigma Kappa has been rapid and is characteristic of the man. He first appeared before the general fraternity in December, 1922, as manager of the Washington convention, on which occasion his capacity for administration was evident to all. So evident was it indeed that Brother Batt was immediately elected to the Council as a regional vice-president and served in that office un- interruptedly until his elevation to the presidency last August. Brother Batt brings to his high office excellent qualifications and loyal backing. Perhaps he owes his training somewhat to the Capitol City, for following McLean and Burrows as he does, he comes third in a Lambda succession. The Signet extends to Brother Batt congratulations and good wishes.
'yO BILLY WOOD, together with Ernest Frellson, Rolla •*- Watt, "Prexy" Hopkins, and the rest of the committee, be- long much credit for the manner in which the convention was handled, and the gratitude of the brothers who enjoyed it. Your Editor is inclined to ignore the contention that, judging from the tender attentions lavished upon Brother Wood by the dancers at the banquet, the chairman at least found some roses among the thorns.
'T'HAT Brother Arnold C. Otto, after serving the Fraternity
■■- as a national officer for eight years, should have terminated
his career under a cloud of unpleasantness is a matter i^r very
great regret. That Brother Otto has rendered substantial and
THE SIGNET 95
laborious service to the Order must never be denied and that he should have aspired to the presidency is both right and proper. Of late, however, he has been playing more and more a lone hand until his associates have come to a point of not understanding his motives and hence of distrusting them, and the convention had no choice but to declare its preference as between him and them.
Brother Otto offered two proposals to the convention: first, that nominations be by ballot instead of through committee; and second, that the Fraternity bring its legal status as a corporate organization up-to-date. Your Editor was inclined to agree with Brother Otto that our elections have sometimes been unduly politi- cal in character but he did not think that Brother Otto's pro- posal struck at the root of the trouble. His second suggestion, had it been more briefly and simply presented, would have won the instant approval of the delegates. It isn't quite clear why the Fraternity needs to be incorporated now; but if it is to be, it certainly ought to be incorporated correctly.
'npHE official attendance at the convention was as follows :
-*■ Founders 2
Delegates 104
Guests 48
Ladies 38
Total 192
"C^IFTY-TWO miles through mist and sunshine, via Palo Alto ■^ and the Stanford chapter house, through redwoods and along ravines to a Shriners' camp where a princely Delta Tau Delt showed us what delicacy there is in barbecue spare ribs — that was the outing of the conventionites on Saturday afternoon. But if you weren't there, there is no use in trying to tell you about it ; and if you were, there isn't either. We'll just spread it upon the records as a happy memory.
npHE outstanding feature of the San Francisco convention is ■■■ to be found in two supplementary meetings held on the after- noon of the first day: one a meeting of the alumni advisers and the other a meeting of the undergraduate delegates, for discussion and better acquaintance. These meetings were admirably con- ducted and are symptomatic of a new earnestness in our Fra- ternity welfare. An alumnus who hadn't attended a convention for twenty years was impressed by the change in spirit since then. The Fraternity is reaching an age of discretion.
THE ALUMNI CLUBS
Directory
Chartered Clubs
New York — Secretary, Harold G. Wentworth, 22 E. 38th St, Luncheon every Thursday, 12 :30, Fraternity Clubs Building, Madison Ave. and Thirty-eight St.
Seattle —
Baltimore — Secretary, W. C. Baxter, 2 '2^, 1163 Calvert Build- ing. Luncheon every Thursday, 12 130, Engineers Club, 6 W. Fayette St.
Pittsburgh —
Detroit —
Philadelphia — Secretary, E. S. Bechtel, K '23, 4912 Knox St., Germantown, Pa. Luncheon every Friday, 12:30, Arcadia Cafe.
Amherst —
Chicago — Secretary, Alfred L. Stoddard, A '15, 900 S. Wabash Ave. Luncheon every Tuesday, 12 :oo n., Mandel Brothers Grill.
Minnesota — Secretary, H. S. Chapin, B^ '13, Concrete Engi- neering Co., 550 Builders' Exchange. Luncheon every Wednes- day, Andrews Hotel, Fourth and Hennepin, Minneapolis.
Springfield —
Northern Ohio —
San Francisco — Secretary, Robert R. Porter, N^ 22, 647 Sev- enth Ave. Luncheon every other Wednesday, Commercial Club, 465 California St., 12:15 p.m.
Milwaukee —
Washington —
Birmingham (Ala.) —
Vermont — Secretary, Marcell Conway, A '22, Barre, Vt.
Southern California — Secretary, Harold Viault, Ci '23, I. W. Helman Bldg., Los Angeles. Luncheon every Wednesday, Uni- versity Club, 12 :oo N. Business meetings first Tuesday of month, University Club, 6:30 p.m.
Washington Eta — Secretary, J. P. Schaefer, H '23, Riverdale, Md. Dinner and meeting, Lambda house, first Monday evening of each month.
THE SIGNET 97
Spokane — Secretary, Clifford V. MacDonald, X^ '27, E 2719 Pacific Ave.
Columbus — Secretary, Charles W. Reeder, 11-^ '06, 412 W. Ninth Ave,
Unchartered Clubs
Dallas — Luncheon every Thursday, i :oo p.m.. Baker Hotel. Butte — Secretary, John Cooney, M^ '25, Cooney Brokerage Co. Luncheon first Tuesday of month, Finlen Hotel.
THE CHAPTER HYMENEAL
Pledges
Dr. Harvey Spencer, X '19, and Margaret Elizabeth Baldwin, of
Amity ville, L.L Dr. William C, Terhune, H '22, and Eugenia A. Eba, of Newark.
Initiates
Julius Kroeck, A '22, and Elsa E. Holmstrom, September 29,
Worcester, Mass. William Clifford McDowell, N^ '28, and Martha Garrett, June 30,
Piedmont, Calif. Neil C. Robinson, A '27, and Marion Ruth Starke, August 18,
Reading, Mass. John H. Marchmont, ® '10, and Gladys Houston, August 8.
Blessed in the Bond
Everett L. Smith, H, 16, July 25 — Barbara Ann.
Dr. Walter B. Clemson, H '21, July 27 — Winifred Buckey.
Joseph Dauksys, A '22, August 16— Marcia.
L. J. Fredley, '19, September 10 — ^Joan Edwards.
Carl W. Rand, X '08, June 19 — Jennie.
Charles Piedmonte, Z '18, March 26 — Janet Lucia.
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
BaLDO J. TUTMAN, N'^ '23
Brother Tutman died early in July at his home in Santa Clara, from an illness which dated from about the time of his graduation.
James Floyd Gardner, K '22
Brother Gardner died on July 3 at Swissvale. He is survived by his wife.
George Terry Curtis, X '14
Brother Curtis died in Canada, rather suddenly, of cancer about June i.
Fred H. Jacobson, A^ Hon.
Fred H. (Pop) Jacobson, of Chicago, beloved honorary mem- ber of Alpha Deupteron chapter, has joined the invisible eternal chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. "Pop" wasn't a college man, ex- cept in spirit, but he was a fraternity man through and through. "Pop" loved Alpha Deuteron chapter; he loved the boys of the Fraternity no matter where they hailed from, and was never happier than in their company. Next to the loving satisfaction which his family gave him, probably no other influence in his life was so pleasant, so thoroughly enjoyable, so precious to him as his connection with the fraternity. Too many honorary mem- bers are interested for a brief period only, but "Pop" had no such limitations. He attended regularly the meetings of the Chi- cago Club, he made periodic visits to Champaign on gala occa- sions, his jewelry office in Chicago was for years a meeting place for the brothers, and "Pop" no matter how busy he might be always found time to make them welcome. Of course he had a big heart. He was that sort of a man's man. Equitable of temper, cheerful of disposition, sohd as gold, he was a great asset to Phi Sigma Kappa, and his departure leaves a vacancy which no successor can ever fill.
Goodbye, "Pop." God has richly blessed us all through you.
A.T.B.
PHI SIGS AFIELD
"Feeds and Feeding," Morrison This clipping is from The Wisconsin Alumni Magazine:
Professor F. B. Morrison, 'ii, former feeds and feeding expert of the College of Agriculture, who resigned about a year ago to take charge of the New York experimental station at Ithaca, New York, has resigned that position to accept the chair of animal husbandry at Cornell University. His new position carries a salary of $10,000, $2,500 of which comes from the cattle breeders of the state. It is thought that this is the first endowed professorship in agriculture.
At the University, Professor Morrison served in a number of positions. He was first in the agricultural chemistry department, and later in the ani- mal husbandry department. He was acting dean of the College of Agri- culture during the absence of Dean Russell in 1918, again in 1924-25, and again in 1925-26. He is an internationally known authority on stock feeding, due largely to the wide circulation and use of his book, Feeds and Feeding.
CORTELYOU'S COMPANY EXPANDS Clipping from The Christian Science Monitor of August 11:
New York, August 11 — Ultimate unification of all the gas service utili- ties in Greater New York is being .discussed here as a sequel to the $1,000,000,000 utility merger of the Consolidated Gas Company and the Brooklyn Edison Company, just approved by the Public Service Com- mission.
Directors of the two companies which are brought together by the con- solidation will meet this month to consider the formation of the Consoli- dated Edison Company, which will act as a holding corporation. Matthew S. Sloan, president of the Brooklyn Edison Company, was mentioned in ofiEicial quarters as the probable selection for the presidency of the new company. Nicholas F. Brady, chairman of the board of directors of the Brooklyn Edison Company, may assume the chairmanship of the new board.
The individual companies, controlled by the holding corporation, will retain their identity, Wall Street advices declare. George B. Cortelyou, president of the Consolidated Gas Company, is expected to keep the same position.
BRETT TAKES HIS PSYCHOLOGY HOME
Under this head the Knoxville News-Sentinel of July i carried nearly a page story, including five pictures, of what Brother Brett, professor at the University of Tennessee is doing in the way of experiment. The following clippings are perhaps suffi- cient :
It is one thing to teach psychology in a classroom. It is quite another thing to take psychology home and try it out on your own children.
lOO THE SIGNET
But that is what Dr. Axel Brett, head of the U. T. psychology depart- ment, does. He is a professor who believes that psychology begins at home, who practices what he teaches.
"You have a right to believe only what can be supported by facts," he says, with rare intellectual honesty.
So, if he must find practical support for his psychological teaching, what better laboratory could he have than the nursery in his own home?
Three children, two girls and one boy, are the subjects of his experi- ments. Astrid, the oldest, is seven. Roland is five, and Elsie-Jane is just twenty months old.
The cardinal principle that Dr. Brett has used in their up-bringing has been that of leading and directing them through the channels of their own volition and not through force or command.
"Appeal to their own wants, point out undesirable consequences, or challenge their sense of responsibility," he directs.
Not always, of course, do one's theories work out, and in dealing with so delicate a thing as human nature the intellect can not always come to a complete understanding of some cases.
Dr. Axel Brett, head of the psychology and philosophy departments of U. T. came to this country from Sweden when a young man. Having been well educated in the secondary schools of Sweden, he was graduated from Gustavus Adolphus college in Minnesota in 1912, taking his M.A. at the University of Minnesota the next year.
Since then he has spent a year in newspaper work, studied on a fellow- ship at the University of Upsala, Sweden, taught in University of Minne- sota, Minneapolis, High School, from 1919 to 1923 in the philosophy department of Illinois, coming to U. T. from there.
While at Illinois his work and his doctorate thesis excited the plaudits of his colleagues, and caused the late Stuart P. Sherman to claim that it placed him in the front rank of critics of aesthetics. Study in literature and philosophy led him almost involuntarily into the fascinating field of psychology.
BEATEN FOR CONGRESS
Frederick D. Griggs, A '13, candidate for Republican nomina- tion for Congress, although beaten in the polls, still had a most creditable backing, including that of the distinguished Spring- field Republican, which said of him, editorially, in part:
Mr. Griggs impresses one as a rather happy blend of the rural and urban types in his personal interests and associations ; his service as a congressman, therefore, could be depended on to find congenial and sympathetic contacts with rural as well as urban aflfairs. This is an admirable qualification for the representative of a district like our own to possess. Mr. Griggs also seems likely, by virtue of his education and experience, to strengthen the delegation from this state in Congress when the farm problem, now assuming so much prominence, is under considera- tion in its broad national aspects.
In his four years of service in the Legislature, Mr. Griggs rose rapidly in the esteem of the leaders of the House. Had he remained in that body another term, he would now be seriously considered for the speaker- ship. The Republican is well aware of the fact that among the out- standing Republican members in the last session who were regarded as good material for the speakership Mr. Griggs ranked up among the first four. This estimate of his ability as a legislator and debater is now important in determining one's choice of a candidate for Congress. Judged by his work in the Legislature, Mr. Griggs may fairly be regarded as well qualified for a congressional career.
PHI SIGS AFIELD loi
CHATTANOOGA'S ENGINEER
The following is from a press report of the resignation of Brother Hooke, N '07, from the headship of the city's engineer- ing corps:
Resignation of Robert Hooke, for thirty years head of the city engineer- ing corps, became effective yesterday. Succeeding him is W. H. Wilson, whose qualifications for the position have met the approval of Mr. Hooke.
In making the announcement of the resignation of Mr. Hooke from active service Commissioner Crox said the city is not to lose the valuable services of this eminent engineer, who practically laid out the city and built the sanitary system. Commissioner Crox is urging Mr. Hooke to remain with the city in an advisory capacity, and while no definite answer has been obtained from the retiring engineer the commissioner expressed the hope yesterday the proposition will receive favorable consideration.
At the city commissioner meeting Tuesday formal resolutions will be adopted extolling the virtues of Mr. Hooke in an endeavor to honor his long years of arduous work on behalf of the city.
AT THE OLYMPICS
Although Russell Sweet, of Montana, and Monty Wells, of Dartmouth, were expected to make the Olympic team, both failed to qualify and the only Phi Sig to go over was Bill Dally, num- ber five on California's victorious crew, which before leaving broke the Hudson River record that has stood for twenty-seven years.
VICE-PRESIDENT OF PACKARD MOTOR COMPANY
He is Merlin A. Cudlip, A^ '19, recently promoted from the secretaryship which he has held for five years.
JUNIOR DEAN AT OHIO
Charles W. Reeder, alumni adviser for our chapter at Ohio State University, has been appointed to the junior deanship in the College of Commerce.
In this connection, he states :
"Ohio State is inaugurating a new humanizing movement for freshman and five large colleges in the union have appointed junior deans as an approach to that acute problem."
Professor Reeder is also a member of the freshman week council.
VITAMINS INTO CEREALS
From the Los Angeles Examiner of July 24 :
Chicago, July 23. — (Universal Service.) — Cereals, irradiated with ultra violet light under the process perfected by Prof. Harry Steenbock, of the University of Wisconsin, were placed on the general food list of four of Chicago's largest child welfare institutions today.
102 THE SIGNET
Through irradiation, Professor Steenbock found, vitamin D can be im- parted to grains. This is the particular food factor which aids the human body, especially that of a growing child, to retain the lime and phosphorus salts needed to build bone and tissue.
Although the discovery was made four years ago by the University of Wisconsin professor, it was only recently that one of the largest cereal manufacturing concerns in the country succeeded in producing sufficient quantities for the immediate needs of institutions caring for undernourished children.
"HIS EYE NOT YET DIMMED"
From one of Dr. Root's inimitable letters: "I think you, or someone else said of a near Founder 'that his eye was not yet dimmed and his strength not yet abated; neither had his hand lost its cunning.' As illustrative of above a near Founder and member of the Camp Fire Club of America at the recent annual field day won a place on the rifle team in a competition of 350 shooters. This same chap won for the third time the grand championship in Indian fire lighting (by friction)." Phi Sigs will also be interested in an excerpt from the Hartford Courant of September 29 (the reference is to a lion hunt by the Grand Canyon on the way home from the convention) :
Dr. Root tells of camping out at night beside water-holes, sleeping in a cowboy's bedroll. He said that one of the thrills of the trip was the sight of the various animals creeping up to the water-hole to drink in the dark. The Kaibab forest, which is sixty miles long and about thirty wide, is literally swarming with black-tail deer, the number estimated between 75,000 and 100,000. He said that when he and his party plunged into the forest, they counted 197 of these animals within a short distance of the canyon.
HARRY MARSH HONORED
The New York papers carried a picture of J. H. Marsh, Z '20, (October 7) receiving a cup for having broken the world's record in sharpshooting. His score was 99%.
GRISWOLD GOES ON
Frederick Griswold, Z '21, is chairman of the legal committee of the Interfraternity Conference and chairman of the Com- mittee of Permanent Organization of the New York Fraternity Clubs.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For assistance in this department : Norman E. Mulone, M '28 ; C. L. Kimball, Z^ '20; Ralph J. Watts; W. B. Bunn, Jr., S^ '21 ; Al Moe; A. McLaren White, A^ '25; W. V. Slatery; Berthold Mulcke, Z '23, Dr. J. E. Root.
Vol. XX NEW SERIES No. 3
®l|f §iaast
Published by the
Council of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Four Times During the Collegiate Year Publication office: 450 Ahnaip St., Menasha, Wis.
FRANK PRENTICE RAND, M.A., Editor Amherst, Massachusetts
January, 1929
Entered as second class matter at the post office at Menasha, Wisconsin.
FRATERNITY ROW
Corinthian columns lend a deeper calm To lawns that lie luxuriantly green; Virginian doorways, airy and serene, Steady the spirit like a vesper psalm; Above the oaks and sycamores there peep The turret-tops of Gothic masonry; A Warwick manor dreams decorously ; And Ptolemaic tombs their silence keep.
You must raise mansions statelier than these. Fraternal architects — not stone, but soul; Their buttresses of honor, self-control. Their towers, idealistic loyalties. The loftiest heights aspiring arches span Are in that noble, mystic temple — Man.
F. P. R.
THE WESLEYAN INDUCTION
The ceremonies by which Gamma Phi formally took her place in the chapter rolls of Phi Sigma Kappa took place Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27. The ceremonies were supervised by Don Hamilton, the regional vice-president, and "Bill" Mc- Cornack, traveling deputy of the fraternity. Fifteen men from the Upsilon chapter at Brown formed the induction team. To these men much credit must be given for the impressive perform- ance of an exceedingly difficult task, the initiation of an entire fraternity.
On Friday morning, the six active officers of Gamma Psi were initiated in their respective positions in Phi Sigma Kappa: Frank R. Cadman, president; William W. Torrey, vice-presi- dent ; Claire B. Crampton, secretary ; William Baldwin, Jr., treas- urer; George F. Wadleigh, auditor; and Robert Tyler Miner, inductor. In the afternoon the returned alumni and undergrad- uates were taken in groups. As the induction ceremonies came the same date as the annual alumni week-end, every one went at nine p.m. to an enthusiastic football rally in the gymnasium. Saturday morning, the first regular meeting of the Alpha Triton chapter was held, and the ritual of the fraternity explained, the constitution read, and the new officers installed. In the afternoon everyone went to the game with Amherst, one of the rivals for the Little Three championship. At nine o'clock, Saturday night, a banquet was held at Stueck's Hall. There were eighty people present, and the meal was followed by speeches and music.
Dr. Joseph E. Root was toastmaster, and anyone who has wit- nessed his enthusiasm at conventions can imagine his enthusiasm in introducing the speakers of the evening, and the wealth of reminiscence upon which he was able to draw to illustrate his re- marks. After congratulating the new chapter, and complimenting the national fraternity on its selection, he introduced Brother Joe Batt, national president, who was the first speaker of the evening. Speaking for the whole organization, he praised Wesleyan, and showed his pleasure at receiving Gamma Psi into the ranks as Alpha Triton. He emphasized the value of correct balance in the relation of the individual to the college and fraternity, and
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emphasized the importance of placing the college first, for with- out it there would be no fraternity.
President McConaughy, of Wesleyan, spoke next. He remarked upon the fact that this was a big day in fraternity history at Wesleyan, marking its connection with a strong and far reaching organization. Ever since his undergraduate days he has always held it in the highest respect and esteem. He congratulated the fraternity on being able to have the two living founders present. He went on to say that the new chapter should consider itself fortunate to belong to a fraternity that was not so old as to be able to trace its origin back to the dim ages, but still had fifty years of prestige behind it. He emphasized the value of things that were still progressing, and took the occasion to welcome Phi Sigma Kappa to the Wesleyan Campus, hoping that it would prosper and thrive there.
It was a piece of good fortune which has been an inspiration to all of the new brothers that Founders W. P. Brooks and F. G. Campbell were able to be present. They brought with them an atmosphere of the pioneering enthusiasm which is essential for a new organization to possess to overcome the obstacles which inevitably arise. Brother Brooks told of some of the early days of the fraternity's existence, commenting on the character of some of the men who made up the group of founders, and re- marked that so vast an organization as now exists, was far beyond their wildest dreams. The seed which they sowed, however, was good seed, and had produced an abundant crop, which, he said was a good lesson for everyone present. He advised the new chapter to sow good seeds of precedent, tradition, and reputation that their future might be assured.
Brother Campbell, after congratulating and welcoming the new chapter said that Brother Brooks had covered nearly all points but as an additional bit of advice, "keep out the weeds from your crop."
Brother G. J. Vogel, Cornell '91, spoke next, giving his hearty indorsement to the induction of Alpha Triton. He compared edu- cation of former days and the recent, and congratulated Wes- leyan on the high standards and high standing which she holds among scholastic circles.
THE WESLEY AN INDUCTION 107
Brother Don Hamilton, regional vice-president, expressed his satisfaction with the events of the week-end, thanking the Brown chapter for its co-operation.
Brother McCornack, deputy inspector, spoke a few words of congratulation and appreciation from his own chapter, and in his official position, emphasizing the value of fraternal life.
Brother Ced Foster, chapter adviser to Alpha Triton, told of what Phi Sigma Kappa meant to him, especially after college. He emphasized the value of acquaintance with other chapters.
There were representatives present from almost all of the New England chapters, who presented the greetings of their respective chapters. Telegrams were read from chapters all over the coun- try, and from alumni of Gamma Psi who were unable to be present.
After several songs and cheers and a walk-around instigated by "Doc" Root and led by Brother Cadman, everyone adjourned to the house and their various rooms, cots, couches, and blankets.
The guests were entertained at the house during the entire week-end, and though things grew a little close at times, and there was probably some interchange of shirts or underwear, everyone concerned seemed to enjoy themselves thoroughly. As for the members of the local chapter, they will never forget it, and the inspiration derived from this event has already made its impress upon the spirit of the entire group.
WYNNE ELEVATED
Dr. Shirley W. Wynne, Columbia '04, lately deputy commis- sioner and director of the hospitals of the health department of New York City, was last summer appointed commissioner of the health department of the same city, a position carrying great responsibility and honor.
OUR WESLEYAN CHAPTER In 1 91 9 the fraternity situation at Wesleyan University reached a point at which, in the eyes of several of the independent under- graduates, there was both the room and the need for another organized group. With a college membership of almost five hundred which was controlled by eleven fraternities, all of which were strong organizations, we looked back upon these visionaries of scarcely a decade ago, and admire their insight into the actual, but far from obvious situation, and we marvel at their courage in founding a new group in the face of such overwhelming odds. It was then necessary, in order to gain the right to exist upon the campus, to obtain recognition from the senate and the college body; both of which were composed almost entirely of fraternity men.
The honor of actual conception and foundation rests with Arthur May and Paul Stanisbury, who with several of their friends met in a room in Observatory Hall, (on the site of which the recently erected dormitory, Harriman Hall, now stands) and, early in the fall, had laid their plans. On October 31, 1919 they initiated twenty-six men. This indicates to some extent the char- acter and personality of these founders, who persuaded so large a group to join with them in an organization built entirely upon plans for the future ; with none of the charm of tradition, or the prestige of a national association, with not even a house in which to live. But they did offer the opportunity to grow, to carve an individual and distinctive place for Gamma Psi on Wesleyan's campus, and of inoculating into the stream of college life the en- thusiasms and confidence of a young and growing organization. Having initiated the twenty-six men, they felt themselves suffi- ciently strong to demand official recognition ; and, contrary to al- most all precedents this recognition was immediate and apparently enthusiastic from both the senate and the college body, and the new fraternity Gamma Psi commenced its career as the twelfth fraternity in Wesleyan.
The early meetings of Gamma Psi were held in Observatory Hall. However, everyone at once perceived it to be imperative that, if they were to compete with any degree of success in the
OUR WESLEYAN CHAPTER 109
fall rushing season, a house must be secured which would be suit- able for their purpose, and yet not be beyond their means. They were fortunate in securing the rental of a house adjacent to Al- pha Delta Phi. Great was the triumph of its members when the year-old fraternity removed itself from its room in O.H. to the unimposing but comfortable quarters on High Street. Their propinquity to the handsome Alpha Delta edifice, with the dis- tinctive domicile of the Betas just across the way, made them realize very soon, that, though their new home was a vast im- provement over their previous situation, it was essential to their future progress and peace of mind that they have a permanent residence in their own possession, of which they might be proud, and which might rank among the best appearing houses on the hill. To this ultimate purpose, a corporation was formed, known as the Gamma Psi Building Association, the bonds being bought up gradually by the undergraduate brothers, and some dozen or so of the alumni. Money accumulated rapidly for the new house, and finally the "Old Allyn Place" on the corner of Lawn Avenue and College Place was decided upon, and eventually secured at a reasonable rate. The assistance of Professor Hoover, faculty adviser to Gamma Psi, whose interest was warm and personal, was invaluable in securing the property, and in obtaining a mortgage from the college on a loan, without which its purchase would have been impossible. The fraternity moved into this house, which is their present home, in the summer of 1924, and during the year made some changes within, which were necessary to adapt it to fraternity use. It was in this year that the formless plans and projects of becoming national began to take tangible shape. The momentum of advance had not as yet given them quite sufficient impetus to make progress in this di- rection. But the plans had their effect upon a gangling, happy- go-lucky freshman, to whose leadership in his junior and senior years the fraternity owes the attainment of their goal. This was Edward Sherborn. After tentative and unsuccessful efforts had been made, with little regard to their practicability, Ed Sherborn, in 1927, began a series of investigations into the standing of the various fraternities and their attitude towards expansion.
In the meantime, conditions on the campus were becoming serious. The regulations concerning rushing season became more
no THE SIGNET
stringent, which favored the houses with the prestige of a national name and support. The fight to obtain desirable freshmen was becoming more difficult with each successive year. Sherborn made up his mind that before he left college Gamma Psi would be well on the way toward her goal. Phi Sigma Kappa offered a name which would rank high among the old and honorable fra- ternities already established upon the hill. It was therefore de- cided to present a petition at once to that organization. Brother Ced Foster, now chapter adviser of Alpha Triton, became at once interested in the petitioning group, and his advice, guidance, and efforts were invaluable. Spurred on by the enthusiasm of Sherborn and several others, the entire local chapter worked to place itself in a ranking position upon the campus. The favor- able votes of the regional conclave, and the national convention/ followed in close succession; great was the surprise of the rest of the college when the news was published this fall that Gamma Psi was soon to become Alpha Triton chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa.
Throughout the nine years of Gamma Psi's history, the name of Professor Hoover, who is head of the chemistry department at Wesleyan, appears continually as adviser, faculty mediator, sym- pathetic and sincere friend, both to the house and to the indi- vidual members.
Gamma Psi has in its short life developed, not only in internal strength, but in external relations and position upon the campus. A fair percentage of letter men in the various sports have been produced in Gamma Psi, as well as editors, managers, senate members, and members of the various extracurricular clubs. The Glee Club has for the past four years owed an eighth of its personnel to Gamma Psi. And in 1924 the Jackson Cup for scholarship, having been won for three consecutive years for scholarship, remained in Gamma Psi's possession. The main- tainance of a high scholarship average, with the exception of only two years, has won the confidence of that important body, the faculty. There has always been friendship and mutual esteem between Gamma Psi and the other fraternities upon the campus. Made stronger by the bond of nationwide brotherhood. Alpha Triton begins its career in Wesleyan with unlimited possibilities opening before it, and possessed of the potentials to realize them.
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FRATERNITIES AT WESLEYAN For years Wesleyan University has borne the reputation of be- ing an exceptionally strong fraternity college; an institution in which the establishment of new undergraduate societies has been encouraged rather than frowned upon, and in which the local fraternities and chapters of national fraternities have been af- forded every opportunity and incentive to build themselves into solid, influential groups. Even at the very time of its foundation, the authorities of the college were quite cognizant of the average undergraduate's need for friendship and fellowship with young men of his own type. They saw that the ordinary friendships formed about the campus were not firm and enduring enough completely to satisfy the need, and consequently they were quite willing to allow the formation of those early secret societies which laid the foundations for our present strong and well-balanced fraternity system. As a result of this ready assent and the steady encouragement of undergraduate societies by the college authori- ties, national fraternities found Wesleyan to be a particularly de- sirable college in which to install a chapter. At present, eleven such national organizations have placed chapters here. Within the past ten years, three of our long-established local fraternities have been admitted as chapters of strong national fraternities — Sigma Nu, Sigma Chi, and Phi Sigma Kappa.
The importance of this fraternity to the Wesleyan man may be seen in the fact that over 80 per cent of those enrolled here belong to one or another of the twelve fraternities. To anyone unacquainted with the situation here, this high percentage might not seem advantageous, for it might be argued that no college could actually have 80 per cent of its undergraduate body eligible for the honor of belonging to a fraternity. It must be remem- bered, however, that because of the faculty ruling which limits the expansion of the undergraduate body to six hundred men, only about one-sixth of the applications submitted for entrance here can be accepted. As a consequence, those who enter the Freshman class are a "hand-picked" group, practically everyone of which is quite eligible for admission to any fraternity. The high caliber of the men who make up the fraternal groups on our campus is a fact which has often been commented upon by
112 THE SIGNET
visitors to Wesleyan. In every case they are well rounded or- ganizations; standing well in scholarship, each contributing its part to the athletic and social standing of the college, and each devoted above all other things to the best interests of Wesleyan.
This last statement might seem rather exaggerated were it not for the almost complete absence of cliques and interfraternity rivalry which usually characterizes the strong fraternity college. The circumstances under which the fraternities exist have been effectual in preventing more than the normal amount of the nar- row rivalry. These circumstances are that the various houses are all situated in such close proximity to each other and to the campus that constant contact and intermingling is inevitable. Moreover, since the undergraduate body at Wesleyan is com- paratively small, it is possible and quite probable that one may have a speaking acquaintance with every man on the campus. Consequently, although the deepest and most lasting friendships are, of course, formed among members of the same house, there is a general spirit of unity and good feeling among the under- graduates, and membership in different fraternities is no bar to friendship. This creates a feeling of interdependence and mutual respect among the various houses, which goes far toward preserving the general ideal of working for Wesleyan above all things.
Moreover, the organization of the college itself tends to pre- serve this general feeling of amity and good will. The college is, of course, self-governing. The governing body, the senate, is composed of two representatives from each house as well as two from the independent group. Thus, no one fraternity is enabled to gain undue ascendancy on the campus by political manipula- tions. These various points: the closeness of social contact, the interdependence of the fraternities upon each other for the smooth maintenance of college activities, and the traditional loy- alty which all college men must have for their Alma Mater, serve to bind all the various groups together as integral parts of the united organization.
The history of fraternities at Wesleyan goes back almost to the founding of the college a century ago, and is fully as interesting as the history of this venerable institution itself. The fraternity
FRATERNITIES AT WESLEYAN 113
men of the modern Wesleyan cannot help experiencing a certain feeling of awe and reverence as they read of the seven seniors who, far back in the almost legendary period of Wesleyan's youth^ met together one evening and resolved to found here a secret so- ciety based upon those others, such as the Flat Hat and the Greek- letter debating clubs, which had already proved to be such suc- cesses at larger institutions of learning. The outcome of this meeting was seen in the formation of the Mystical Seven Society ; an organization which still lives on as a senior honorary society at Wesleyan. At the time of its foundation, however, the per- sonnel of this society was not limited to the Senior class. As the result of this, a scion of the Mystical Seven soon made its ap- pearance, adopting the name of Phi Nu Theta. This time-hon- ored institution, now commonly known as Eclectic, still flourishes here as a local fraternity. But by this action, the ice had been broken, and, encouraged by the approbation of a far-seeing faculty, other national fraternities were not backward in taking advantage of the wonderful opportunity of placing a chapter in this college. Psi Upsilon was the first to enter the field, and in 1843 the first Wesleyan chapter of a national fraternity was in- stalled. Other fraternities followed suit, until at the present time Chi Psi, Delta Upsilon, Alpha Delta Phi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Chi Rho, Sigma Nu, Phi Sigma Kappa, and Sigma Chi can all boast of flourishing chapters at this university.
It is really surprising that, in spite of the eminence of the various fraternities situated here and the consequently inevitable jealousies arising between them, there is so litttle real enmity be- tween them. Perhaps this is due in part to the excellent system of interfraternity athletic contests which is now in operation at Wesleyan. With a silver loving cup as the reward in each sport, elimination contests are held among the fraternities in tennis, swimming, handball, wrestling, basketball, bowling, and baseball. For those less athletically inclined, bridge tournaments and in- terfraternity debates have been instituted, so that practically every man in a fraternity has the opportunity of contending for the honor of his house in at least one of these sports. As a conse- quence of this system of friendly rivalries, interfraternity enmity, instead of being stimulated, is diverted into productive channels
114 THE SIGNET
and often actually allayed. The athletes of a fraternity come to know and to respect those of their opponents who play a clean, hard, sportsmanlike game, and this system of inter fraternity ath- letic contests is, indeed, one of the most efficacious methods of cementing those casual friendships made between men of dif- ferent houses.
The twelve fraternities at Wesleyan are all, at present, in a very, very flourishing condition, due largely to the generosity of their loyal alumni. For those who graduate from Wesleyan can scarcely be otherwise than loyal. The memories of the old cus- toms and traditions which are inevitable in an institution such as this, the thoughts of friendships made and strengthened in the shade of her venerable brownstone walls, and the lifelong re- membrance of fraternity bonds and benefits all combine to make the Wesleyan alumnus not only proud of his Alma Mater, but willing to make sacrifices on its behalf. As a consequence the fraternities here are all well endowed, and because of the fine appearance of their houses and the high caliber of their personnel, they do much to strengthen the reputation of the col- lege. But the alumni are not content to give financial support only. Athletic contests at Wesleyan, particularly those against Amherst and Williams, our traditional rivals in the "Little Three," bring scores of alumni back every year, and the dances and initiations are also well attended by them. Devotion such as this is the general rule rather than the exception at Wesleyan. The "old grad" is assured of a hearty welcome at his house, and his loyalty to his college is due in a large part to his fraternal affiliations. The Wesleyan man is proud of his fraternity, proud of the flourishing condition which it enjoys on the campus, and proud of the forethought of an enlightened faculty which aids and encourages a fraternal group to attain a position of power and influence on the campus.
THE KNOX INDUCTION L. Eugene Crawford, B"^ '29
In spite of the adverse weather conditions, the birth of Beta Triton of Phi Sigma Kappa was a glorious event, never to be forgotten by its members.
Brother Schoening with the able assistance of brother Smith and the team from the University of Illinois took charge of the ceremonies and certainly carried everything off in a most efficient manner.
The induction ceremonies took place on Friday and Saturday, November 2 and 3. Affairs started with a smoker and general meeting of Phi Sigs and future Phi Sigs on Thursday evening. Alumni kept stringing in from eight o'clock in the evening to eight o'clock the next morning. Initiation ceremonies started at nine-thirty, Friday morning, and continued all day with a breath- ing spell for luncheon. At six o'clock, in the evening, the new and old brothers dined at the Galesburg Club and prepared them- selves for the formal ball of the evening. The party seemed to reflect the spirit of all assembled, for even the beginning of the Ball seemed more like a pep meeting than a supposedly dignified formal. Some of the older officers and members of the National Council seemed to regret that they had steadfastly refused offers of dates with the fair co-eds of Knox, and lingered rather wist- fully— probably thinking of days gone by.
In the meanwhile, telegrams from Phi Sig chapters all over the country kept pouring in with their messages of welcome to their new brothers.
On Saturday morning Beta Triton was officially installed as the fifty-first chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. The ceremonies were certainly inspiring and gave to the newly initiated members a feeling of pride and determination to carry on as a unit of this great fraternity. There were twenty- three undergraduate initi- ates, twenty-one alumni, and six honorary.
The National Council held their meeting on Saturday after- noon at Hotel Custer. The presence of the council members at the time of the installation and initiation gave dignity to the en- tire assemblage.
ii6 THE SIGNET
The climax was reached in the installation banquet on Satur- day night. Many guests of honor were present at this affair; besides the national officers of the fraternity, the president of Knox, the deans of both Knox and Lombard Colleges, influential members of the faculty, and citizens of Galesburg took part in the ceremonies of the evening. And so ended the most import- ant celebration that Beta Triton chapter can ever know.
LEGACIES
We asked the chapters to report members who are Phi Sig sons. This is the record:
Father Chapter Son Chapter
Dr. Nicely D. W. Nicely Gettysburg '28
Rev. Rhodes P. H. Rhodes Gettysburg '28
Dr. S. W. Herman.. S. W. Herman Gettysburg '30
Richard H. Bond. ... Mass. Aggie '87 R. D. Bond Mass. Aggie '30
Albert F. Burgess. . . Mass. Aggie '95 Emory P. Burgess. . . Mass. Aggie '29
Geo. A. Drew Mass. Aggie '97 Wm. B. Drew Mass. Aggie '30
Harold L. Frost Mass. Aggie '94 Edmund L. Frost. .. Mass. Aggie '31
Francis S. Howard .. Mass. Aggie '94 Martin S. Howard .. Mass. Aggie '30
F. Civille Pray Mass. Aggie '06 Francis C. Pray Mass. Aggie '30
Evan F. Richardson. Mass. Aggie '87 Evan C. Richardson. Mass. Aggie '29
Henry Korneman .... Stevens '99 Henry Korneman. ... Stevens '29
Robert W. Adams... W. P. I. '04 Winthrop W. Adams W.P.I. '31
W. H. Allen, Jr Lehigh '06 Hamilton F. Allen. . Lehigh '32
Arthur Dean Yale Lyman Dean Washington '31
Austin W. Morrill. . .Mass. Aggie '00 Austin W. Morrill, Jr. Calif ornia '29
Lewis I. Reed California '02 Malcolm Reed California '32
B. E. Lukens Swarthmore '04 Brittain E. Lukens, Jr. Georgia '31
Frank J. Crary St. Lawrence '08. . . . Albert P. Crary St. Lawrence '31
E. W. Hartman F. & M William Hartman F. & M. '30
John S. Miller, Jr., . .Cornell '01 John S. Miller. 3d. . . Cornell '26
Henry M. Bellinger. .Cornell '98 Donald P. Bellinger. , Cornell '31
Amos G. Allen Cornell '06 Amos G. Allen, Jr. ..Cornell '31
Carlos A. Martinez. .Cornell 'OS Cristobel M. Martinez Cornell '31
C. A. Martinez, Jr. . . Cornell '29 Jose C. Martinez .... Cornell '31 Raymond D. Hoyt. . .Cornell Stewart Hoyt Oregon State '29
OUR KNOX CHAPTER L. Eugene Crawford, B't '29
Alpha Theta Alpha, the local fraternity inducted into Phi Sig- ma Kappa as its Beta Triton chapter, was founded March 17, 1 92 1. Some of the faculty members and certain fraternity under- graduates realized that there was need of such an organization on the campus. The faculty of Knox College went on record as favoring the founding of the new fraternity and a charter was granted by the State of Illinois,
The new group was composed of ten actives and eight pledges. Although the fraternity organization was completed late in the school year, it assumed an important position upon the campus before June. Its members as individuals were very active in athletics and debate. The chapter rated first among the various fraternities in scholarship.
The following school year found the fraternity making rapid strides in its upbuilding. In the fall of 1922, a contract was made with the college whereby the fraternity came into posses- sion of the house which it now occupies. It was remodeled and transformed into a most agreeable fraternity house. Every year improvements have been made, such as the installation of hard- wood floors, the remodeling of the dormitory, the purchase of new beds, the re-roofing of the house, and redecoration both in- side and out.
The history of Alpha Theta Alpha has been one of success since the date of its organization. Every year, excepting one, the Senior class of the fraternity has possessed one or two Phi Beta Kappas. Its scholastic record has always been high and one year was the highest ever attained by a group of men on the Knox campus. In athletics. Alpha Theta Alpha has always pro- duced its share of outstanding men. In the year 1925, two major captaincies were held by members of the group. "K" sweaters at the present time are worn by three of its members — achieved in football, basketball, track, and baseball. Financially, the fraternity has made astounding progress, and at the present date is free from debt except for the money owed on the house —
ii8 THE SIGNET
a debt which is being taken care of according to the terms of the contract with the college.
The fraternity has always striven for the ideals of Knox Col- lege and in its seven years of existence has made itself permanent and well established, having successfully overcome the obstacles that always present themselves to new organizations. It has proved itself a credit to its alumni and to Knox College. The time arrived when its alumni and actives, by imanimous vote, decided that they would be justified in petitioning Phi Sigma Kappa for a chapter in its organization. With the aid of Brother Whitford, of Zeta chapter, as our principal spokesman and ad- viser, steps were taken in the fall of 1927 toward our goal. Per- mission to present a petition was granted by the district conclave held at Champaign, Illinois ; then the Supreme Court and the Na- tional Council approved the petition.
It was then presented by Brother Whitford to the National Convention at San Francisco, California, late in the summer of 1928, and there the hopes of the group were realized. The good news seemed to give the fraternity new life. There was only one reason for regret — the fact that Brother Whitford had left Knox and was unable to be present at the induction ceremonies. However, with its honorary members headed by Professor Charles J. Adamec, as chapter adviser, to keep the footsteps of the chapter in the right path, there is every hope that Beta Triton will become a chapter of which Phi Sigma Kappa will feel proud.
Phi Sigma Kappa,
To Thee we sing Fairest of fraternities
To Thee our homage we bring; Long will we cherish Thee
Faithful we'll be Phi Sigma Kappa
Faithful to Thee.
Charles Baleoff, B'^ '29
Out Where the West Begins
Dr. Root at Cody, Wyoming, en route to the Phi Sig
Convention
OUR FOOTBALL TEAM Selecting an all-Phi Sigma Kappa football team this season is a relatively simple matter. There are plenty of candidates from whom to choose and many of them are better than usual. Let us list our selections and then take a look at them.
Left end Stuessy Illinois
Left tackle Squier Michigan
Left guard Carlson Oregon State
Center Barrager Southern California
Right guard Anderson Williams
Right tackle O'Connor Dartmouth
Right end Lewandowski Nebraska
Quarterback Durant Georgia Tech
Left halfback Ryan West Virginia
Fullback Newman California
Right halfback Aspit Southern California
In considering the first placement, let us note the following comment from a letter by A. McLaren White, Michigan '25 :
At the close of the last football season I was inclined to doubt the choice made for quarterback on the all-Phi Sigma Kappa team. At that time I had already seen your second choice, Stuessy of Illinois, play, but had never heard of Durant of Tech. When I got down here at Atlanta I didn't even remember who the first-string man was, and made a bad break on the subject in the presence of Brother Durant at the Phi Sig house. I was promptly informed of the brodie. Yesterday Tech beat Notre Dame. Durant ran the team. He can pass, though Tech uses few passes, but does not run with the ball. His judgment is good, and he is a fine defensive player. He tackles unerringly and is good on pass defense. I still think, however, that Stuessy has something of an edge. Stuessy can run, kick and pass. He seems to me a more inspired player, though I am writing from recollection only.
It would seem to a novice to be a toss-up between these two star quarterbacks. Both men have been rimning their respective teams consistently throughout the season. Georgia Tech has, at this writing, won seven games and not lost a single one; Illi- nois has won seven games (and the Big Ten championship) and lost one. Comparative scores suggest very little as to the relative strength of the two teams. In the Ohio game, however, Stuessy played not quarterback but end, and it occurs to us as a happy
120 THE SIGNET
solution of our problem to place him there on our hypothetical team and give to Durant the same position he held last year.
There are various candidates for the other end. Dartmouth offers two: Mclnnes and Stokes. Dartmouth has taken four lickings this season, but she is always a team to be reckoned with. Of the two men mentioned, Stokes is obviously the prefer- ence. Then there is Haviland, captain-elect for Swarthmore, Taylor, of Nevada, Perrine and Kelley of St, Lawrence, and Dimmitt of Kansas Aggie. Better than any of these, however, is Lewandowski of Nebraska, whom we placed on our second team last year. This year Nebraska has lost only one game out of nine, and Lewandowski rises with the fortunes of his team.
When we come to tackles the picking isn't quite so generous. Squier of Michigan looks pretty good. He started the Michigan State game and played against the Navy ; presumably he got into most of the other games as well. The Detroit News under date of November i6 said: "Joe Truskowski, an end, and George Squier, a tackle, are the best passers on the Michigan squad this year. Both are more accurate than the backfield men and while Simrall may throw a few passes, these two linemen will carry most of the burden." Michigan, by the way, was the only team to defeat Illinois. The other tackles of assured standing are O'Connor of Dartmouth, Newton captain-elect of Nevada, Dem- ing of Williams, and Capello and Stickles of St, Lawrence.
There are several brace of guards. Crehan of Dartmouth seems to have had a part in every game and was, at least once, specifically noted for excellence by the New York Times. Ander- son has been captain of a Williams team that has won seven of its eight games, running up forty points against its ancient rival, Amherst. Crehan and Anderson would seem to be excellent of- ferings. Then there is Kell of Yale, whom we placed on our first team last year. Kell played for a bit in the Dartmouth game, but did not make his letter. Carlson is captain of Oregon Aggie and received honorable mention in the Associated Press Ail- American selections. He is better than Crehan, and possibly Anderson. Then there are Underbill of Worcester Tech, McAn- drews of St. Lawrence, Stockton of Nevada, Bardin of Stanford, Hovis of F. & M,, and Percy of Montana.
There is a scramble around center. Undoubtedly Barragar of
OUR FOOTBALL TEAM 121
Southern California is the strongest man in the field. He was the Associated Press second choice for Ail-American guard, and Warner's first choice for All-Pacific. The Southern Cali- fornian team has won nine games this season, the tenth being a no-score tie with California. In the write-up of that game in the Los Angeles Times we read: "Barragar was a big hero of the day and time after time was down the field with the ends on punts. He played a roving center on the defense, slipping into the line-on-line plunges and going back when passes were in sight." Other attractive centers are Ayre of Lehigh, McAndrews of St. Lawrence, and Farnsworth of Nevada, weak teams this year, and Pearson of Kansas Aggies, who has usually been designated field captain for that team. There seems also to be a Johnson of Washington State, who played in the Oregon Aggie game and Roberts of Tennessee.
We have designated our quarterback, but it is necessary to take a look at the others. McDonough of Dartmouth would seem to be the strongest Phi Sigma Kappa on that team, and cap- tain Chinske of Montana, who received honorable mention in Warner's All-Coast selections, the strongest Phi Sig on his. Finney of Worcester Tech is reported a heady leader. Then there is Anderson of Kansas Aggies, James, who played for Swarthmore against Delaware, Allen, who started at least one game for Cornell, Galvin, captain-elect of St. Lawrence, and Widman, who has been running the Michigan B team this season.
In picking our backfield we find ourselves again at that Cali- fornia-Southern California no-score game. We cannot refrain from quoting at length from the Los Angeles Times:
"The biggest thrill of the day, for both sides, occurred in the fourth period and it almost resulted disastrously for the Trojans. Lloyd Thomas had faded back to throw a forward pass. He was rushed by the Bear forwards [The Bears seem to be California; the Trojans, Southern Cali- fornia.— Ed.] And when he finally got the ball away it was partially blocked, and plopped right into the waiting arms of Phillips, the California right end. Phillips was one of half a dozen Blue and Gold warriors at that particular spot and it looked like curtains for U.S.C. But a young man named Marger Aspit, a substitute half for the injured Edelson, rose to the spirit of the occasion. By a seemingly miraculous effort he threw himself at Phillips' ankles and brought him low with not another U.S.C. man near the scene of action. Had some California man knocked Aspit aside the Bears would have won the game. As it was, Aspit seemed to be the miracle man of the moment. He appeared from out a maze of Blue and Gold jerseys and his tackle was fierce and hard. It is
122 THE SIGNET
doubtful if many of the thousands in the big bowl know who the boy is who saved the day."
It Strikes us that Aspit belongs with our first-string men.
The other halfback is undoubtedly Ryan of West Virginia, a veteran of other years, playing consistently on a team that won eight out of ten. Who the other back should be is not so certain. There are Weller and Barre of Kansas Aggies. There is Stran- ahan of Union, who with less than a minute to play, took the ball on a lateral pass and carried it seventy-four yards for a winning score against Vermont. There is Hughes of Michigan, a promising candidate for fullback, who may or may not have won his letter. There are Kimball and Howard of Massachusetts Aggies, Ambrose of Nevada, Wickens and Dobbs of St. Law- rence, and Chapel and Schutt of Franklin and Marshall, Jeremiah of Dartmouth whose injuries interfered with his season, and the Ekegrens and Mellinger of Montana. And there is Newman of California, to whom we are giving the place. We have to confess that we don't know too much about Newman, His team has won seven games, tied two, and lost one. Newman took part in the Southern California game already described, but entered late. The San Francisco Bulletin has written of him:
"Newman is a veteran in the California ranks and there have been but few of the stars who have been able to keep him on the bench. Speed has the capability of fitting into almost any kind of combination. He is the extra wheel, the balancing power in the backfield. He can play safely, run with the ball, lead in- terference, and play defense."
We offer a second team as follows:
Left end Stokes Dartmouth
Left tackle Newton Nevada
Left guard Pearson Kansas Aggie
Center Ayre Lehigh
Right guard Crehan Darthmouth
Right tackle Deming Williams
Right end Haviland Swarthmore
Quarterback Chinske Montana
Left halfback Jeremiah Dartmouth
Fullback Hughes Michigan
Right halfback. . Stranahan Union
AN ALL-TIME PHI SIG TEAM Come on, you fans. Who are the best football players that Phi Sigma Kappa has ever had? Who are the stars of the first magnitude ? Back beyond our editorial memory perhaps. Beyond the sporting files of The Signet. This is an invitation and a free- for-all. Take as many exceptions to the team outlined below as you please ; then write in and tell us why.
Left end Baston Minnesota '17
Left guard McMahon Penn State '21
Left tackle Youngstrom Dartmouth '18
Center Bailey West Virginia '18
Right guard Walden Yale '16
Right tackle Larkin Swarthmore '20
Right end Goebel Michigan '2^
Quarterback Kelly Montana '26
Left halfback Hoban Lehigh '15
Fullback Mauthe Penn State '13
Right halfback Ryan West Virginia '29
Bert Baston, Walter Camp's Ail-American end in 191 5, was captain of the Minnesota team the following season. "Tiny" McMahon, also mentioned by Camp, was a member of that un- beaten team that defeated Harvard, Georgia Tech, and the Navy. "Swede" Youngstrom, Ail-American guard in 1917, is still re- ferred to by sporting men. Bailey was also, according to some coaches, an All-American. About Walden we know less. He was a 220 pounder and playing regularly for Yale, as a sopho- more, back in the days when Yale was a power in the land. Larkin, the Swarthmore captain, was Bob Maxwell's selection for All-American and other men's for the second team. Paul Goebel captained the Michigan team of 1922, a team which was never beaten and scored on but twice. "Wild Bill" Kelly, the captain of Montana, twice chosen as All-Pacific quarterback and men- tioned for All-American, is still adding spice to professional games on the Coast. Hoban played on a Lehigh team which was rated the sixth best in the East and became its captain the fol- lowing season. Ryan has been starring for West Virginia for several seasons. Mauthe, another All-American, was captain of a team at Penn State which was rated second only to Harvard and went through two seasons without a defeat.
THE SUPREME COURT
The Editor
Has our Supreme Court gone into the state which Theodore Roosevelt used to describe as that of "innocuous desuetude"?
I do not refer to the judges as individuals. I honor them as much as any man "on this side idolatry"; and all of them are rendering very great service to Phi Sigma Kappa, individually. Moreover I have been a member of the Court myself, albeit Dr. Cutter took a circularized exception to my qualifications, as some of you may remember. Still I never doubted my own capacity as a judge. As I look back upon our term, however, I cannot re- call being asked to do anything except to vote on one or two honorary memberships and one or two petitions. Dr. Cutter's apprehensions were thus, happily, to no great degree realized.
Certainly no exception can be taken to the personnel of our present Court. Five of the six judges are the Old Guard, and Howard Dunham combines with his experience as vice-president all of the conscientiousness and conservatism of New England. The question is : are we giving them enough to do ? Or, other- wise expressed, has the Court as an instrument outlived its use- fulness ?
Dr. Cutter records that the considerations leading to the estab- lishment of the Court, back in 1901, were these: factional diffi- culties in West Virginia and George Washington which seemed to demand judicial machinery in their settlement; and the grow- ing need of a place of dignified retirement for councilors whose positions were being eyed enviously by younger men. The second consideration would seem still to apply. There have been a good many men who, like your Editor, have passed honorably into oblivion by way of the Court. What about the first considera- tion?
Personally I feel that the need is as acute as ever, but that it is not being met. Allow me to be illustrative.
At the convention last summer Brother Otto took two or three hours to present to the delegates an analysis of the present legal status of the Fraternity. With the exception of two or three
THE SUPREME COURT 125
lawyers, we hadn't very much idea just what it was all about, but we felt that undoubtedly Brother Otto had a point to his dis- cussion, and we appointed a committee of experts to make a study of the situation. It was obvious to everyone in the hall that the convention was not the proper place to introduce this subject ; it seemed to your Editor that the proper place was really the Supreme Court. If, after a reasonable examination of the evidence, the Court should feel the need of legal opinion, such opinion would be of course available. As a result of this investi- gation, the Court might properly ask the convention or the Council to make such changes in our corporation as changing conditions have made essential. Brother Otto was recorder of the Court; there is nothing to indicate that he ever contemplated raising the question with that body.
Some of us believe that one of the charters granted by the San Francisco convention is unconstitutional. The constitution reads "On petition of twenty or more male students of any col- lege, etc." The petition to which I refer was signed by five men who were not listed under "members," either undergraduate or alumni, in the same petition. In fact there were not the required twenty members listed at all. It is not absolutely clear from the wording that those petitioning for a charter need necessarily be members of the club which is to enjoy it; but the assumption has always been that they were to be. We need a judgment on this point. We need a judgment further on this : in case the petition was unconstitutionally presented to the convention, is the action of the convention thereby null and void? The induction of this chapter has been, we understand, necessarily delayed ; personally I believe that the Council, having belatedly become aware of this technical obstacle, have no right to proceed with that induction without authorization from the Court.
What powers may and should the Council exercise over the administration of individual chapters? This old question of state rights has appeared again. The duly authenticated deputy of the Council has been told plainly by the adviser of one of our chap- ters, he himself a former member of both the Council and the Court, that the books of that chapter are not open to the national officers of the fraternity. I am not sure that the Council has ever asserted, or perhaps even assumed, a right to examine the
126 THE SIGNET
books of an individual chapter; yet certainly such a right was in the minds of those who appointed and prescribed the duties of the deputy inspector. And certainly there is here involved a whole question of authority which the councilors may indeed prefer to ignore but which ought to be answered. Well, what is the Court for anyway, if not to answer just such questions?
Recently an individual in the fraternity disagreed with the Council in regard to certain moneys which he claimed were due him. The amount under dispute was small, but the individual went to law about it. The matter was happily settled out of court, but the question arises as to why the Council and the individual didn't agree to refer it to our own Court? What is our court for, if not to settle disagreements of this kind? There is always recourse to the law of the land as a last resort.
There are some matters in our esoteric ritual about which we do not agree. Your historian was aware of them in 1923 and could find no definite authority anywhere in our records. The Council at that time discussed them, but failed to bring their ideas to conclusion. Undoubtedly councils since then have done the same. Your historian believes that an arbitrary decision in respect to such matters is absolutely imperative. I see no reason why a council might not come to such a decision, but for nearly ten years they have never succeeded in doing so. Possibly the members have felt that, being the younger men in the Third De- gree, they have not had the background essential to a wise con- clusion. Anyway they failed to function in this rather important matter. It seems to me that the Supreme Court might well be asked to consider these questions and render a judgment which shall be final.
At the risk of offending those whose fine sensibilities are shocked by any public reference to matters more human than glorious, I have outlined quite definitely certain current difficul- ties that press for solution. There are undoubtedly others. Of late there has been a growing tendency to handle such questions in Council and spare the Court. The time has come when we ought to decide whether that is a wise policy or not ; and if it is whether it isn't true, as implied above, that the Court has outlived its use- fulness. There is a principle involved and it concerns all of us who are interested in the administrative development of the Order.
THE SUPREME COURT 127
If the character of the Court is to be changed, we all need to be thinking about it, and suggestions, particularly from our lawyers, are in order.
How does a subject such as that outlined above ever get to the Court? Only through the Council. The Court is thus pro- tected against promiscuous requests for service. It would seem, however, that the Council might to its own comfort and advan- tage ask the Court to declare itself upon questions of this kind and then rest upon the judgment of the Court as the undebatable will of the fraternity.
The judges seem to be beginning to think of themselves as dec- orative and honorary merely. George Vogel modestly declined to go to San Francisco on the ground that his presence wasn't worth the expense to the fraternity. His scruples regarding the ex- penditure of our funds are greatly to his credit. But one wonders whether, if the "Czar" had been there, the question of the uncon- stitutionality of that doubtful petition would ever have escaped unanswered. Those of you who have seen the "Czar" in action, tell us in unison. Would it !
SECOND LARGEST IN MEMBERSHIP
You perhaps do not realize the important part the Phi Sigma Kappa club of New York, which is one of the affiliated clubs, has taken in the inter fraternity clubs movement. Today we have the second largest membership of any group represented.
The board of governors hope to be able within the near future to own and operate a club house which will include social and athletic facilities not now available.
As an initial step to that end the clubs are now jointly engaged in an intensive campaign to increase the membership materially.
We hereby extend a cordial invitation to all Phi Sigma Kappa men when in New York to visit the club which is located at 22 East thirty-eighth Street, New York City.
The program for this fall was as follows : October 9, smoker with vaudeville; November 13, athletic smoker, boxing, wrestling; December 8, tea dance; December 11, interfraternity banquet; December 31, New Year's party.
TO PLEDGES
Pledge, stand up there, wipe the smile off your face and in- cline your clean, if any, ear! You are one of 700 just like you in Phi Gamma Delta this year. Down in Virginia you are called a "goat;" out in Ohio your pet name is "Funk;" in Hoosierland you answer to "rhynie" ; elsewhere you are likely to be called al- most anything. Don't worry — "sticks and stones may break your bones," etc., etc. We really like you. Your head is probably awhirl with good advice that your upperclassmen have given you ; we know you'll not mind if we, too, talk to you like a garrulous old Polonius.
If you do nothing else in college, open your books. Believe it or not, it really pays. This idea of a "gentleman's C" is a vicious one. You'll be more likely to make Who's Who if it is an "A." Take this on faith — you will thank us later. Extracurricular ac- tivities are stimulating — if taken in moderation. Otherwise they intoxicate. A lot of meaningless campus "honors" are so many goat feathers. Don't be a Joe College Babbitt.
College first, fraternity second, is one of the slogans of Phi Gamma Delta. We are not afraid to shout it. If you are loyal to your alma mater, it follows, as flunk notice the wasted hours, that you will be loyal to your fraternity.
For seventy-nine years, men have been turning to Phi Gamma Delta as a shrine for inspiration. The white star is the open sesame to a multiude of happy hours. Love your brothers when they provoke you. Forgive them when they make asses of them- selves, and help them to avoid a repetition of the same. Note their achievements with praise. Go in for your fraternity. Ab- sorb its history; read its magazine; learn its songs; make of it more than a hat rack and a restaurant; meet men from other chapters ; strive to get the broad national viewpoint.
Stand up for your rights — ^you have them — if any man tries to inflict barbarous treatment upon you in connection with your pre-initiation stunts. You do not have to be paddled inhumanly to be found worthy of Phi Gamma Delta.
Above all, be yourself. Even the scum of the earth can be itself. — Phi Gamma Delta
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THE CONFERENCE TAKES UP DEBATING
The twentieth annual Interfraternity Conference was called in the Pennsylvania Hotel on November 30. The Phi Sigma Kappa attendance was unusually large. There were Dr. Walter H. Con- ley, member of the Advisory Committee of the Conference; Brothers Batt, Ruedi and Barnes of the Phi Sigma Kappa Coun- cil; Brother Frederick Griswold, who as chairman presented a report of progress for the committee on law ; Brother McCornack, deputy inspector; Brother Minor, chapter adviser for Columbia; your Editor, who was appointed a member of the executive com- mittee of the College Fraternity Editors' Association; and dele- gates to the Undergraduates Conference as follows: Mack of Ohio, Perriot of West Virginia, O'Neill of Maryland, Towne of Worcester Tech, and von Waldenhausen of George Washington.
The outstanding events of this interesting meeting were two debates, as follows:
I. Resolved: that after the opening of the freshman year there should be a period of time during which rushing and pledg- ing to fraternity membership should be prohibited.
Affirmative Negative
Dean Bursley, of the Univer- Dr. Charles A. Tonsor
sity of Michigan, Dean Field, of Georgia Tech.
Dr. Charles W. Gerstenberg
2. Resolved: that rough-house initiation should be abolished.
Affirmative Negative
Lewis D Syester, Ohio Donald Sherbondy, Ohio
Wesleyan, '29 Wesleyan, '30
We may be able to offer you summaries of these debates later.
Officers were elected by the Conference as follows: chairman, Clifford M. Swan, Delta Upsilon; vice-chairman, William L. Phillips, Sigma Phi Epsilon; secretary, Charles W. Gerstenberg; treasurer, Alvan E. Duerr, Delta Tau Delta; executive commit- tee, George H. Bruce, Beta Theta Pi, Oswald C. Hering, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Louis Rouillon, Delta Phi.
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE
RJ.W.
The Council met at Galesburg, Illinois, November, Council 3, 1928, in connection with the induction of Beta Meeting Triton chapter at Knox College. All members were present except Brother Fell, who was detained on ac- count of urgent business and who submitted a written report for consideration by the Council.
Brother Ruedi was appointed auditor for the ensuing two years.
A budget showing estimated receipts and the apportionment of funds for the ensuing year was presented, discussed, and adopted.
President Batt announced the appointment of the following two committees authorized by the 1928 convention:
1. Committee on the legahty of the present organization of the Grand Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa: Earl F. Schoening, Harold G. Wentworth, George M. Swan, Herbert S. Kille, Joseph Baldi, H.
2. Committee on the use of the endowment fund income: Donald H. McLean, endowment trustee; Horace R. Barnes, en- dowment trustee; Karl W. H. Scholz, endowment trustee; William A. Mclntyre, George E. Vogel, Raymond G Lafean, Joseph H. Batt.
The Council unanimously and formally expressed its cordial appreciation to Brother Lafean for his efficient service in assem- bling the induction equipment. Brother Lafean presented a sample, six feet by nine feet, of the official flag prepared in ac- cordance with the vote of the 1928 convention. This design was approved by the Council and the manufacture of half a gross of flags was authorized. From this supply each chapter will be pre- sented a flag with the compliments of the Council.
Each regional vice-president reported on the condition of the chapters within his jurisdiction.
The Council authorized Brother Barnes to call a conference of deputy scholarship supervisors to be paid by the Council.
It was voted that the next general convention of the fraternity be held in New England, in 1930, and Brother Hamilton was re- quested to prepare a program for consideration at the next meet- ing of the Council.
On recommendation of the various regional vice-presidents, chapter advisers were appointed for the ensuing two years.
SCHOLARSHIP
Michigan rightly prides herself upon her scholarship record. During the last twelve years, with the number of competing fraternities increasing from 30 to 61, Delta Deuteron has twice stood first, twice second, twice third, three times fifth, once seventh, once ninth, and once eleventh. We regret that the fol- lowing scholarship summary is so inadequate; possibly the Scholarship Supervisor will have something more complete for the next issue. Chapters not listed have failed to return our questionnaire. Such failure usually means that the chapter isn't very proud of what it has to report.
Chapter Number of Fraternities Our Placement
Dartmouth, Cornell, F. & M no announcement yet
Gettysburg ten first
Mass. Aggie eleven eighth
Williams fifteen second
Michigan sixty-one fifth
C.C.N.Y 77.2 per cent
North Carolina thirty-six twenty-second
W.P.I seven sixth
Lehigh twenty-eight twenty-five
Washington forty-six twenty-three
California sixty-five fourteenth
(approximately)
Iowa forty-eight thirtieth
Oregon twenty first
M.I.T twenty-seven eleventh
Kansas Aggie eighteen fourth
Minnesota fifteen seventh
Washington State thirty-six twenty-first
Swarthmore six fifth
Georgia Tech twenty-three thirteenth
Wesleyan fourteen eleventh
Penn State fifth
Ohio forty-one thirty-eighth
Yale eight third
Virginia thirty-one twelfth
Nevada seven fourth
St. Lawrence six second
Penn State forty thirty-seventh
Carnegie nineteen sixteenth
Oregon State thirty-five tenth
Teimessee eleven fifth
THE INTRAMURALS
More and more the various fraternities are playing together in an organized way, and again we have sought to summarize how Phi Sigma Kappa stands in comparison with her rivals. In some colleges an attempt is made to bring together the several distinctions under one inclusive head, and where this is done our chapters, particularly those at William and Worcester, have won golden honors. The summary is as follows :
All Sports Williams — first Worcester — first Kansas Aggie — third Michigan — eighth
Baseball Dartmouth — first Gettysburg — ^third Mass. Aggie — fourth Washington — semifinals California — quarterfinals Oregon — third in League B Kansas Aggie — first Wash. State — semifinals Georgia Tech — third Wesleyan — fifth Virginia — semifinals Tennessee — sixth
Sing Mass. Aggie — first
Relay Michigan — first W.P.I.— first
Track Michigan — fourth W.P.I. — second Kansas Aggie — fourth Wash. State — second Georgia Tech — third Franklin & Marshall — second
Tennis W.P.I.— first Oregon — semifinals Wesleyan — fourth Nevada — finals Oregon State — semifinals Cornell — fourth Tennessee — fourth
Basketball Dartmouth — semifinals Gettysburg — eighth Mass. Aggie — ^first Michigan — (a) semifinals
(b) quarter-finals W.P.I. — second Lehigh — semifinals California — first Oregon — third in League A M.I.T.— third
Kansas Aggies — second in division Minnesota — semifinals Swarthmore — semifinals Georgia Tech — Wesleyan — third Carnegie — third Tennessee — third Franklin & Marshall — fourth
Handball Oregon — semifinals Wesleyan — sixth
Volleyball Michigan — finals Nevada — finals
Touchball Minnesota — semifinals
Soccer Kansas — second in division Swimming and Water Sports W.P.I. — second Oregon — first Wesleyan — eighth
Boxing Washington State — first
Squash W.P.I. — second
HONORS 133
Horseshoe Bowling
Washington State — first W.P.I. — second
Kansas Aggie — second and third Lehigh — semifinals
Oregon State — first M.I.T. — semifinals
Tennessee — second Minnesota — second
Wesleyan — first
EDITORS-IN-CHIEF
A. G. D. Wiles Gettysburg Spectrum Yearbook
Shepley Cleaves Mass. Aggie Collegian
Frederick Fischer. . .California Blue and Gold (year- book)
Paul Luy Oregon The Web foot
Milton Atkinson Swarthmore Halcyon
Kent Mack Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket
E. J. Blankman St. Lawrence Hill News
John Schupp F. & M Oriflamme
MANAGERS
John Banblitz Gettysburg Spectrum
Jack Willmott Williams Graphic
Jack Thompson Williams News Bureau
Edmund Yerkes Michigan Freshman Handbook
Marvin Evarts Stevens Link
R. L. Towne W. P. I Musical Clubs
James Elam Washington University Play
Ronald Robuet Oregon Musical Clubs
Marcus Woods Oregon Tennis
E. W. Glen M. I. T VooDoo
Joe Anderson Kansas Royal Purple
Alex, McCloskey . . . . Swarthmore Halcyon
Drake Mortimer Swarthmore Lacrosse
Eugene H. Mack .... Ohio Glee Club
Leon Grove Ohio Football
Frank McWhinney . . Ohio Baseball
R. C. Deare Virginia Virginia Reel
R. B. Case St. Lawrence Hill News
Paul Jones F. & M Wrestling
Ivan Flood F. & M Prom
Joe Elliott Tennessee Barnwarmin'
GREEKLETS
The worst waste of breath, next to playing a saxophone, is advising a sophomore. — Magazine of Sigma Chi
Every pledge of Delta Upsilon must pass an examination on the history of the fraternity before he is eligible for initiation — The Phi Gamma Delta
The discovery of the will of a hobo, Edward Summers, who died last winter in a charity hospital in Chicago, brought to light the fact that he had left $40,000 to act as a loan for students of law and medicine at Northwestern University. — Banta's Greek Exchange
The state senate passed a law against freshman pledging at the Uni- versity of Nebraska, but the legislature adjourned before the house passed the measure. — Phi Mu Delta Triangle
The first chapter of a Greek fraternity to appear on the European con- tinent was established last November at the University of Paris by Kappa Beta Pi, legal sorority. — Sickle and Sheaf of Alpha Gamma Rho
If you are looking toward success for your fraternity you will keep your numbers down to twenty-five or thirty in each undergraduate chap- ter.— The Teke of Tau Kappa Epsilon
The freshman pledge has the positive right to learn from the treasurer and his books the exact financial condition of the chapter and he should be encouraged to expect this information. — Delta of Sigma Nu
Most alumni have been approached so frequently for contributions to college activities that they are gun-shy. — Beta Theta Pi
The special library of college fraternity literature bequeathed to Beta Theta Pi by the late William Raymond Baird has been placed in the New York Public Library. — Zeta Beta Tau Quarterly
What is believed to be the oldest fraternity pin in America was recently plowed up in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where Washington out- maneuvered Howe and where Lafayette was wounded; the pin is a Phi Beta Kappa key. — Banta's Greek Exchange
Such arguments as have been introduced in defense of hell week arc, in the light of the best psychological doctrine of the day, pure and un- adulterated bunk. — Prater of Pi Lambda Phi
When we were in Europe five years ago it was still possible to turn a corner, sit in a cafe, or board a train, without seeing a pair of wide pants, a soft shirt, and a fraternity pin. — Chakett of Chi Phi
There is one topic of conversation that ought to be absolutely taboo at a fraternity dining room, women. — The Rattle of Theta Chi
THE CHAPTER HYMENEAL
Initiates
John P. Cooney, M^ '25, and Helen Downs, November 20, Butte, Montana.
John Scott MacMillan, M^ '25, and Maude OechsH, August 18, Butte, Montana.
Duard W. Enoch, I^ '27, and Fern V. Stewart, September 7, Kansas City.
Kenneth B. Bowman, I^ '26, and Ethel L. Williams, October 6, Salina, Kansas.
Howard E. Elkins, I^ '29, and M. Josephine Stevenson, October 27, Paola, Kansas.
Dr. William C. Terhune, H '22, and Eugenia A. Eba, November 23, Orange, New Jersey.
Stanley M. Banfield, Y '12, and Rose Berg, November 8, Nanuet, New York.
James W. Jacobson, A^ '2^, and Mary Clark.
Frank Smith, A'^ '26, and Helen Creamer.
Joseph H. Clevenger, A'^ '24, and Ruth Kinger.
William Schlossbauer, A^ '24, and Anzellette Alton.
Philip H. Haskins, A '22, and Belle W. Graves, October 14.
Richard B. Smith, A '24, and Frances Montana Harvey, Novem- ber 20, San Francisco.
Horace H. Haynes, 12 '29, and Lorraine Drury, July 31, Berkeley, California.
J. A. Beaumont, B '26, and Janice Ronney, September i, Middle- bury, Vermont.
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
William Sanger Hearding, A^ '25
On Saturday morning, October 13, William Sanger Hearding, A'^ '25, was killed while attempting to board a moving train at the Homewood Suburban Railway Station near Pittsburgh, Penn- sylvania. Brother Hearding had, since his graduation, been em- ployed as an electrical engineer by the Brooklyn Edison Com- pany. He had been in Pittsburgh for three months on a special detail to the Westinghouse Company. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, his mother and father, a sister, Virginia, and a brother. Brother John H. Hearding, Delta Deuteron 1920 E. The funeral was held in Duluth, Minnesota.
PHI SIGS AFIELD
CRAWFORD BECOMES DOMESTIC
Nelson Antrim Crawford, for three and a half years director of information for the United States Department of Agriculture, has resigned to become editor of The Household Magazine, with headquarters at Topeka, Kansas.
Secretary Jardine, in announcing Mr. Crawford's resignation, said:
The information service of the Department of Agriculture has been made especially effective under Mr. Crawford's leadership. He worked with me in establishing the department's radio service which reaches several million farm and city families every day.
He has popularized the department's scientific information to make it interesting and more understandable to the farmers of the country. The reorganization of the yearbook, under his editorship, has made that pub- lication one of the most valuable in the field of agriculture.
During our long association at the Kansas State Agricultural College and in the Department of Agriculture, I have always had the highest regard for his ability and service, and I feel that the department is losing one of the most competent editors who have ever headed its information service. In my judgment Mr. Crawford is one of the leading writers and editors of the country and of course his high standing in the field of journalism as a whole is unquestioned.
WHITFORD LEAVES KNOX
"Bob" Whitford, who recently managed the Knox petition so successfully, has been obliged to resign his theme-reading job as professor of English in that college because of eye strain, and has become professor of English and director of personnel at Long Island College of Brooklyn. "Bob" is also secretary of the Modern Language Association of America.
NEELY BEATEN FOR SENATE
Senator M. M. Neely of West Virginia failed of re-election to the Senate by a very narrow margin last November. He is a Democrat and a victim of the Hoover landslide.
THE METZLERS "CRASH THROUGH" Arthur and Ralph Metzler, Illinois 'i6 and '19, in company with their father in the wholesale fruit and vegetable business, have recently conducted a piece of publicity in Decatur that has attracted the attention of business men all through the middle- west. The following press statement will give some impression of its character and success.
The Dartmouth House
Founder Brooks' Residence in Amherst
Worcester Garage Converted into Fraternity Annex
ri ...,A\
4i^?
The New California House
PHI SIGS AFIELD 137
A line of people, two deep, extending from Water Street to Jackson, two blocks, and" another line from the east almost from Broadway to Jackson, were waiting to get in at the Metzler plant at one time on the last night of the opening, Wednesday night.
People who went there in automobiles could not find a place to leave the car within two blocks and drove away to come back late in the night. One of the most congested times was between 9:00 and 9:30, apparently because of people who came out of the first show downtown. Counts indicated that approximately 5,600 people went through the plant the three nights of the opening. The number Wednesday afternoon and evening was estimated at 3,400.
During the entire evening Wednesday the place was just as jammed full of people as it could be. Space for visitors everywhere was crowded and everyone was amazed at the great throng of people.
A number of interesting comments were made by visitors.
J. F. DeZauche, Opelousas, Louisiana, made a trip to Decatur just to see the Metzlers and their new plant and meet those who conceived and put over a twelve page rotogravure section in the fruit and vegetable business.
"I've been in the fruit and vegetable business for many years," said Mr. DeZouche, "and never believed until now that any concern could ever persuade 5,000 people to come and see cabbages, potatoes, and onions. This is the most marvelous plant I've ever seen anywhere."
Charles Adkins said : "There is nothing in Illinois that compares with the Metzler plant. I liked the roto section. The Review always does things in a big way and does them right.
Horace Carman after visiting the plant declared his amazement at the magnitude of the business and said the roto section was the finest piece of publicity he had ever seen.
BECOMES TRUSTEE OF M.A.C
Boston November 28. — Representative Fred D. Griggs of Springfield was nominated by Governor Fuller today as a member of the board of trustees of Massachusetts Agricultural college, to take the place of Atherton Clark, who had resigned.
PASTORS IN DAYTON, OHIO
Earl R. Baublitz, lately of Gettysburg, has become associate pastor of the First Lutheran Church in Dayton, Ohio, the pastor in charge being another Gettysburg Phi Sig, Rev, Charles L. Venable. A feature of their work in Dayton is a weekly church paper of considerable proportions, which Brother Baublitz edits.
FAR AFIELD
Al Moe, the best corresponding secretary Omega ever had, writes entertainingly from S. S. Southern Cross.
I've just returned from South America and in order to escape the wintry weather here, I hope to again visit the Latin American countries.
In Buenos Aires I saw quite a bit of Ceorge Graham Steele from the Omega chapter. He is manager of the Warren Brothers of Argentina
138 THE SIGNET
and is doing quite well. His work is very interesting being wholly con- cerned with paving. Before he is through, I rather expect that a good percentage of Argentina's paved roads will have been built by him.
Another Omega man, Nate Jones, has a mailing address of J, G. White Co., New York City. That is rather misleading as he is far from this country. He has been sent to the Ulen Consortium Company, in Theran, Persia, to represent the J. G. White interests. The project is the building of a railroad of about 1,500 kilometers in length. He has now been there for eight months and, in all probability, will remain there for five or six years or possibly longer. Some time ago he was in Rio de Janeiro where he washed away a mountain or something. After that his work took him to Panama. His family is living in San Francisco.
BATTLING BOVINE T.B.
The reference to Evan Richardson in the following news note will interest Massachusetts Aggie men who have known either him or any of his Phi Sigma Kappa children.
A definite campaign to rid Western Massachusetts of tuberculosis in cattle will start today in Franklin county. More than 4,000 cattle in a block of towns centering around Shelburne will be tested for the disease within the next few weeks. By the time this lot is tested another batch of applications from cattle owners will be in and the testing work can go on unchecked. Similar areas in Hampshire, Hampden and Berkshire counties will be the centers of activity in testing work a little later.
The campaign in Franklin county was preceded by a meeting of the inspectors of animals in all the towns in the county at Greenfield yester- day. They were called together by Evan F. Richardson, director of the state division of animal industry, which has general charge of the bovine tuberculosis eradication work. Each was shown his responsibility in this cleanup campaign.
THE KOLB FOUNDATION
This statement from The Pennsylvania Gazette refers to Colonel Louis J. Kolb, M 'Sy :
A gift of $100,000 for the purchase of a gram of radium and acces- sories for use in the treatment of cancer has been received by the gradu- ate hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the department of radiology of the University's Graduate School of Medicine from Colonel Louis J. Kolb, '87.
In expressing his appreciation of Colonel Kolb's generosity, Dean Meeker characterized his gift as "one of incalculable value to the com- munity as a whole."
Its use in the treatment of cancer makes radium a highly desirable acquisition for any hospital, but unfortunately its cost is such as to be almost prohibitive to an institution not favorably situated financially. As a result, many institutions cannot afford to own an adequate supply.
When it is considered that such a gift as Colonel Kolb has so gen- erously made enables the neediest patient suffering from cancer to re- ceive the best treatment available anywhere, it becomes apparent that the gift is more than a mere benefaction to a hospital. It is one of incalcul- able value to the community as a whole.
The work of the Louis J. Kolb Foundation for the Treatment of Cancer will be in personal charge of Dr. George E. Pfahler, professor of radiology in the Graduate School of Medicine.
Gentlemen, Listen
For several years this department has declared that the least the brothers can do in return for The Signet is to turn in an up- to-date address at the beginning of the year. There are still ob- jectors— a few. They imply that it is putting them to an un- necessary inconvenience. The Editor is sorry for all such and hopes that living and dying will be made sufficiently easy for them. He is very sure that the labor of reading The Signet would also prove unduly arduous. Anyway the rule still applies.
Please note. All addresses — ALL — go into the waste basket after this issue. A postal card or the form you find below will insure your getting the next four numbers. The only one^ who can provide the postal card or the enclosure request are yourself, or your wife, or your stenographer. Let the most de- pendable of that trusty trio get busy at once. Two cents and ninety seconds will turn the trick. It's your move.
Frank Prentice Rand, Editor, Amherst, Massachusetts.
Kindly send The Signet gratuitously for the year 1929 to the following address :
Name (clearly written) . .
Street (if necessary)
City and State. .
$ s K FRATERNITY
OFFICERS 1 928- 1 930
The Supreme Court
William A. McIntyre, M '04, 25 Broadway, New York City. Dr. Joseph E. Root, A '76, 904 Main St., Hartford, Conn. George J. Vogel, r '91, Torrington, Conn. Dr. Walter H. Conley, B '91, Welfare Island, New York City. Alvin T. Burrows, A '03, 1 1 1 N. Race St., Urbana, 111. Howard F. Dunham, T 'ii. River Ridge, Hanover, N.H.
The Council President —
Joseph H. Batt, A '14, Insurance Building, Washington, D.C.
Vice Presidents —
Don a. Hamilton, E^ 'ii, 329 Burncoat St., Worcester,
Mass. Raymond G. Lafean, M '19, Box 595, Pittsburgh. Edgar T. Fell, 2 '13, Calvert Building, Baltimore. Earl A. Schoening, A-^ '21, 7400 Crandon Ave., Chicago. William F. Wood, S '10, 238 Bush St., San Francisco.
Secretary-Treasurer —
Ralph J. Watts, A '07, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wi«5.
Financial Supervisor —
Charles H. Ruedi, A'^ '17, 137 E. Main St., Decatur, 111.
Scholarship Supervisor —
Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
Endowment Fund Trustees
Donald F. McLean, a '06, 286 N. Broad St., Elizabeth, N.J. Karl W. H. Scholz, M 'ii, Logan Hall, University, Philadelphia. Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
Inspection Deputy Willard F. McCornack, O '28, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wis.
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS
A — ^Alpha March 15, 1873. Massachusetts Agricultural Col- lege. Amherst, Mass. Adviser, Roland H. Verbeck.
B — (Albany), February 2, 1888. Union. 519 Mercer St., Al- bany, N.Y. Adviser; appointment pending.
(Schenectady), 201 Seward PI., Schenectady, N.Y. Adviser, H. M. Cregier, R.F.D., Schenectady.
r — February 26, 1889. Cornell. 702 University Ave., Ithaca, N.Y. Adviser, Herman Diederichs, University,
A — February 24, 1891. West Virginia. 672 North High St., Morgantown, W.Va. Adviser, David C. Garrison, 229 Wilson Ave.
E — ^June 3, 1893. Yale. 124 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn. Adviser, Wm. H. Hackett, 38 Lynwood PI.
Z— December 19, 1896. C.C.N.Y. 473 West 140th St., New York City. Adviser, Leo R. Ryan, 2023 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn.
H — January 8, 1897. Maryland. Princeton and Dartmouth Sts., College Park, Md. Adviser, N. Carter Hammond, 543 Calvert Building, Baltimore, Md.
® — December 16, 1897. Columbia. 550 West 114th St., New York City. Adviser, James H. Miner, 550 West 114th St.
I — March 15, 1899. Stevens. 810 Hudson St., Hoboken, N.Y. Adviser, A. B. Waterbury, 103 N. Walnut St., East Orange, N.J.
K — ^June 7, 1899. Penn State. State College, Pa. Adviser, H. H. Havner, College,
A — October 7, 1899. George Washington. 1882 Eye St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Adviser, Norman S. Meese, 8 Valley View, Takoma Park, Md.
M — March 10, 1900. Pennsylvania. 3618 Locust St., Philadel- phia, Pa. Adviser, Karl W. H. Scholz, Logan Hall, University.
N — March 9, 1901. Lehigh. Third and Cherokee Sts., South Bethlehem, Pa. Adviser, J. E. Culliney, 826 Penn. Ave., Bethle- hem, Pa.
H — April 12, 1902. St. Lawrence. 78 Park St., Canton, N.Y. Adviser, Frank R. Maloney, Chase Mills, N.Y.
O — May 24, 1902. M.LT. 487 Commonwealth Ave., Boston,
142 THE SIGNET
Mass. Adviser, Herbert D. Swift, 25 Eaton Court, Wellesley Hills, Mass.
n — ^April 18, 1903. Franklin and Marshall, 437 West James St., Lancaster, Pa. Adviser, J. Shober Barr, 714 West End Ave.
2 — May 16, 1903. St. John's. Campus, Annapolis. Wm. C. Baxter, 1163 Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md.
T — March 25, 1905. Dartmouth. Hanover, N.H. Adviser, John E. Hill, 41 Rockwell St., Dorchester, Mass.
Y — February 10, 1906. Brown. 406 Brook St., Providence, R.I. Adviser, Bruce M. Bigelow, Norwood, R.I.
$ — March 24, 1906. Swarthmore. Swarthmore, Pa. Adviser, Herbert L. Brown, 43 East 23rd St., Chester, Pa.
X — June 16, 1906. Williams. WilUamstown, Mass. Adviser, Allen Hackett, 600 West 122nd St., New York City.
* — ^January 19, 1907. Virginia. Virginia Ave., Charlottes- ville, Va. Adviser, Harvey E. Jordan, University PI., Univer- sity, Va.
Q — February 12, 1909. California. 2412 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, Calif. Adviser, Wayne H. Thornton, 2529 College Ave.
A'^ — May 9, 1910. Illinois. 1004 South Second St., Cham- paign, 111. Adviser, Frank A. Smith, Box 545, Sta. A.
B^ — May 12, 1910. Minnesota. 1018 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, Minn. Adviser, Wm. T. Middlebrook, University.
r^ — April 13, 191 1, Iowa State. 142 Gray St., Ames, Iowa. Adviser, E. F. Graff, 610 Douglas Ave.
A"^ — February 27, 191 5. Michigan. 1403 Baldwin Ave,, Ann Arbor, Mich. Adviser, P. H. Jeserich.
E^'^ — ^June 8, 191 5. W.P.I. 11 Dean St., Worcester, Mass. Adviser, Richard W. Young, 15 Schussler Rd.
Z^ — January 13, 1917. Wisconsin. 260 Langdon St., Madison, Wis. Adviser, H. W. Stewart, 2010 Monroe St.
H«^ — March 4, 1917. Nevada. 737 Lake St., Reno, Nevada. Adviser, Paul A. Harwood, 237 Hill St.
%^ — February 19, 192 1. Oregon Agricultural College. 27 Park Terrace, Corvallis, Ore. Adviser, Joseph E. Simmons.
jA — March 24, 1923. Kansas State. 1630 Humboldt, Man- hattan, Kansas. Adviser, Robert K. Nabours, College.
K"^ — April 7, 1923. Georgia Tech. 132 North Ave. N.W., Atlanta, Ga, Adviser, Walter Powell, 830 Healy Bldg.
DIRECTORY 143
A^ — April 25, 1923. University of Washington. 4554 Six- teenth Ave. N.E., Seattle, Wash. Adviser, W. E. Allen, 6215 Palatine Ave.
M^ — April 26, 1923. Montana. loii Gerald Ave., Missoula, Mont. Adviser, Thos. C. Spaulding, 414 Edith St.
N'^ — May 2, 1923. Stanford University. Lomita Drive and Mayfield Ave., Stanford, Calif. Adviser, John O. Snyder, Uni- versity.
E^ — February 3, 1925. Tennessee. 1816 West Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. Adviser, Jasper H. Armstrong, Box 507.
O^ — February 7, 1925. Alabama. 1423 University Ave., Tus- caloosa, Ala. Adviser, A. B. Moore, University.
n^ — February 21, 1925. Ohio State. 325 Fifteenth Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Adviser, Chas. W. Reeder, 412 W. 9th St.
P^ — March 13, 1925. Gettysburg. Gettysburg, Pa. Adviser, Samuel F. Snyder.
^ — April II, 1925. Nebraska. 348 N. 14th St., Lincoln, Neb. Adviser, Allen L. Bechter, 2618 Ryons St.
T^ — November 13, 1926. Carnegie. 4807 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pa. Adviser, Geo. M. Swan, 1012 Park Bldg.
Y^ — November 20, 1926. North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C. Adviser, Robert B. Lawson.
^ — November 27, 1926. Kentucky. 435 East Maxwell St., Lexington, Ky. Adviser, R. C. Porter, 435 E. Maxwell St.
X"* — December 18, 1926. Washington State. Pullman, Wash. Adviser, Harry O. Kent, 312 Symons Bldg. Spokane, Wash.
^"^ — December 21, 1926. Oregon. Eugene, Oregon. Adviser, Louis P. Artau, Eugene, Ore.
Q^ — Southern California. Los Angeles, Calif. Adviser, Nor- man Averill, 341 W. i8th St.
A"^ — October 27, 1928. Wesleyan. Wesleyan PI., Middletown, Conn. Adviser, Cedric W. Foster, 167 Whitney St., Hartford, Conn.
BT— November 3, 1928. Knox. 185 W. South St., Galesburg, 111. Adviser, Chas. J. Adamec, 348 North Cedar St.
144 THE SIGNET
ALUMNI CLUBS
New York — Secretary, Harold G. Wentworth, B 'i6, 22 E. 38th St. Luncheon every Thursday, 12 :30, Fraternity Clubs Building, Madison Ave. and 38th St.
Philadelphia — Secretary E. S. Bechtel, K '23, 4912 Knox St., Germantown. Luncheon every Friday 12 :30, Arcadia Cafe,
Chicago — Secretary, Alfred L. Stoddard, A '15, 900 S. Wabash Ave. Luncheon every Tuesday 12:00, Mandel Brothers Grill.
Vermont — Secretary, Marcell Conway, A '22, Barre, Vt.
Southern California — Secretary, Harold Viault, A '23, L W. Helman Bldg., Los Angeles. Luncheon every Wednesday 12 :oo, University Club. Business meeting first Tuesday of month, 6:30 P.M., University Club.
Washington Eta — Secretary, J. P. Schaefer, H '23, Riverdale, Md. Dinner and meeting first Monday evening of the month, Lambda chapter house.
Unchartered
Butte — Secretary, John Cooney, M^ '25, Cooney Brokerage Co. Luncheon first Tuesday of month, Finlen Hotel.
Chartered Clubs Apparently Inactive Seattle, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Amherst, Minnesota, Springfield, Northern Ohio, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Wash- ington, Birmingham, Spokane, Columbus.
ANOTHER BOOK
The bookstores are advertising a new book by Fitzhugh Green, entitled Dick Byrd, Air Explorer, a book for boys telling of the great commander. Brother Green is lecturing this winter upon subjects within his particular field.
Vol. XX NEW SERIES No. 4
Published by the
Council of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Four Times During the Collegiate Year Publication office: 430 Ahnaip St., Menasha, Wis.
FRANK PRENTICE RAND, M.A., Editor Amherst, Massachusetts
AprU, 1929
Entered as second class matter at the post office at Menasha, Wisconsin.
"I am sure you will be glad to learn of a real step forward made by the chap- ter at its regular meeting last Monday evening. Without direct suggestion on my part, it was unanimously agreed to abolish the local version of a 'first de- gree,' a tradition of long standing and ill-repute. This means that hereafter, Eta Deuteron will not 'beat and torture' its pledges before admitting them to full membership.
Paul A. Harwood Chapter Adviser
AT SPOON RIVER UNIVERSITY
Robert Calvin Whitford, Z '12
CHIEF OF DETECTIVES Through his spectacles he peers After facts to prove his fears, Scurrying along the halls, Making unexpected calls, Bustling into poker games. Bursting into righteous flames, Burning in the conflagration Of his comic indignation Wicked boys whose chief offence (Though they fear his grewsome grins) Is that they make small pretence Of repentance for their sins — ■ Sins to which he still aspires In his secret heart's desires.
BEHAVIORIST
Scrawny skill with skin drawn tight O'er bulging forehead — scanty white Wisps of hair combed smooth and smeared Like cats-paws, little blue eyes bleared And lodged in shallow holes behind Bulbous glasses — the gods are blind, For he is a god. He has seen so far Beyond the uttermost spectral star That he has decided the fates of things Eternal once (for "the fool who clings To reasonless creeds" eternal still).
148 THE SIGNET
He has killed them all by his brain's gray skill.
That slit of a mouth, those squinting eyes
Have devastated Paradise.
Love is lust;
Death is followed by
Putrefaction.
Begetting, having been begot,
Man must follow Nature,
Rot!
COACH OF DEBATE
Your study of emotional appeals That Freudian psychology reveals. Your aping of the pyrotechnic glory- That lit the "master minds" or oratory, Your confidential manner, your severe Insistence that a "man must be sincere If he is to succeed with his persuasion", — All these are mere sophistical evasion. To make the worse appear the better part Remains the essence of your ancient art.
EMERITUS
You forgot yourself in serving
All the students who would let you. Your devotion was unswerving.
Can the folk you served forget you ? Can a hero's fame be measured?
Can a fane forget its priest? Surely your name will be treasured —
For a year or two, at least.
FRATERNITY IN THE MAKING William F. McCornack, Deputy Inspector
The life of a chapter depends upon one thing and one thing alone, namely, the proper selection and training of its freshmen. And in spite of the seriousness of this selection and training, many chapters leave it 'almost to chance or at best continue a traditional method without attempting to study and improve it. It is the purpose of this article to give a few hints and sugges- tions which may clarify this part of fraternity life.
First then, the selection of the men who are to make up the personnel of the chapter and are to be its leaders in due time. One can roughly divide a man's qualifications into four divi- sions. They are : scholarship, financial condition, personality and general home environment, and finally, his general sociability as evidenced in his ambitions in college activities and the like.
Fraternity men have long talked about scholarship but as yet no astounding progress has been made. It is only too well realized that over the country as a whole, the average of fra- ternity men is lower than that of non-fraternity men. And is it really any wonder? Statistics have shown that the high school graduates who stand in the upper third of their classes occupy a like position in college. Likewise, the middle group or mediocre scholars in secondary schools fill the middle of the bill in the university. And lastly and saddest of all, the lowest third of the high school class invariably finds itself in the cellar position in the higher institutions. I say saddest of all, because far and away the most desirable fraternity men at first sight come within the limits of this least desirable scholastic group. And as a result, we find a chapter of, say, three-fourths lower third men, attempting to compete scholastically against a non-fraternity group consisting almost entirely of middle and upper third stu- dents.
I say at first sight. Few chapters take the trouble to really examine the prospective brother. They watch externals : how he cuts his hair, the manner in which he eats his salad, the color of his shirt. In short, any clever bunco man who can throw a good line without being too much the "know it all," is judged, by even the experienced men in the chapter, as a real asset and every effort is made to hang the pledge button upon him without
150 THE SIGNET
any real investigation of his personal qualifications. Does it seem extraordinary if it is usually the lower third man who has been sufficiently socially conscious in high school to pay a great deal of attention to these superfluities? A fraternity should not demand this social polish of her freshmen, although it can require it of her seniors.
And then comes the saddest part of all. For by the end of the fourth year, we find a greater part of these lower third men have been dropped from school. We find that the prizes of freshman year have turned out to be the boobies as far as four- year fraternity men are concerned. Luckily, the few men left in power are usually men of ability due to this weeding out by the faculty. But how much better it would be to have an entire delegation of merit in this particular way! How much stronger would be the chapter which had used proper standards in the selection of its men! The prospective fraternity man should, then, possess such scholarship as to assure his four years' pres- ence in the chapter.
Second, let us consider the financial responsibilities which must be met by the prospective brother. Naturally this differs materi- ally depending a great deal upon the particular university in question and the local conditions resulting from its location. How- ever, the least that seems necessary, is that the man is able to meet his monthly house bill regularly. We very often seem to run into the man who is apparently an asset in every way, but who confesses that he is unable to do this. The question of whether this man fills the bill is debatable.
If the chapter feels that it can support this exceptional man, well and good. But it must be remembered that the chapter is supporting him at a correspondingly greater expense to the rest of the members. Here, however, extreme care is necessary not to secure too many of these exceptional men, forgetting that it means greater expense. In short, the chapter finds that very quickly there is no one to pay the bill. It has become entirely a chapter of exceptional men. And while such men may be ideal in theory, in practice, the chapter finds that it is very hard to get along. By this it is not meant to assume that fraternity is only for the wealthy, for that is far from the truth. How- ever it seems to be a more or less necessary luxury. Select, then, men who are able to pay their house bills.
FRATERNITY IN THE MAKING 151
Has the man a pleasing personality? Does he make a good impression? Is he sociable? These questions must be answered affirm'atively if the man is to be acceptable. These are of course the grounds upon which most men are selected so that little comment seems necessary. These then are the qualifications for which we look in a prospective brother. The question imme- diately arises, "Are there such men or enough men in one uni- versity ?" To which we must probably answer that there are not. In a sense this is the ideal, the goal, the standard against which we measure the man. The essential thing is that the standard must be kept in mind in the selection of men. Do not let our passing fancy make us forget that there is an ideal to go by. We must then be satisfied by men who fall somewhat short of this mark. Then it is up to the fraternity to so influence the men it has finally chosen so that they will become, in time, just such men as we want.
Much has been written about the manner in which to carry this into effect. The following suggestions are merely the result of practical experience in some of the chapters of our fraternity. They do not form a complete program of pledge training. In- deed pledge training alone is not sufficient. During every year that a man is connected with the organization, he is learning. In fact, training of the seniors of the chapter to be good alumni is as important as the preliminary course given the freshmen. The difference lies in the method.
Let us assume then, that we have gathered our pledges to- gether for their first pledge meeting. We have a group of men, practically strangers, together for the first time — strangers who in four years' time, or even less, will feel as though they had known each other all their lives. And the one thing that binds them together is their respect for the fraternity. Respect largely through ignorance which must be changed to respect through knowledge. At this meeting then, must we set before them the basic principles of our fraternity in as clear a form as is possible. We must show them, exactly what it is towards which we are working. Namely we must show them the preamble to our con- stitution. Go over it carefully. Explain its meaning. State the principles involved. Invite discussion and questions. Create and foster an interest that will come quickly. Let them learn it by heart so that they may know the fundamentals. Give them a respect for that first of all.
152 THE SIGNET
In later meetings will come the details to fill in this outline. But the important thing is this first meeting. From this respect for the organization comes a natural respect for those who have caused its being. Curiosity is aroused. Cultivate this by telling them of the founders and those who followed them. The rest follows logically. It is a story of development. Thus can the pledge meetings be made interesting.
But the time in pledge meeting represents only a small part of the time during which pledge training should be carried out. Here comes Lehigh's method.
Each pledge is assigned a "grandfather." He is directly re- sponsible to this upperclassman for all his actions. But it is not an uncomfortable responsibility. For the upperclassman be- comes in fact his closest friend. This works both ways. First, the freshman is taught by those most able to do it. Second, the senior finds his closest contacts with persons three years on either side of him. This makes for better unity of your alumni. How much more advantageous is this than the haphazard system of brow- beating by the sophomore class. It becomes a system of mutual respect rather than one-sided paddling.
As early as is possible, the freshman should be given chapter responsibility. Make him feel that he is an active working part of the fraternity machine. When there is a job to be done, offer it to the group as a whole. Let them work out their own or- ganization with the help of their grandfathers.
This is only a bare outline of the possibilities of the organiza- tion of the freshmen into a harmonious body. It can be seen that there are many things which can be added to fill out a com- plete program. It will require some effort to get the thing go- ing. But after the ball has been started, there is no stopping it. You will find that you have a group of men at the end of fresh- man year who are seriously looking forward to their next year in the chapter. They are eager for a chance to use what they have learned. By the end of their junior year they are ready to train the freshmen who 'are entering. They have come to the realization of how important it really is. And they make wise "grandfathers." Only with some carefully thought out plan, will the chapter be able to develop what it is after, a fraternity man.
GOOD-BYE ENGLAND Dr. Stephen Pierce Duggan, Z '90
(Suggested by Henry W. Nevinson's Farewell to America and printed in the New York Times.)
The great liner weighs anchor, casts off her hawsers and noses toward America. Down Southampton Water, past fertile fields and lovely villages, through the Solent and around the Needles into the Channel she steams. My happy stay in Britain is ended. Hospitable welcome, motor trips across parklike landscapes, gen- erous exchange of opinions, sincere adieux are over. Good-bye, England. I'm going home!
Good-bye to the divorce between spelling and speech ; good-bye to Cirencester, called Eirsester; to Davenry, known as Daintry; to Brightlingsea, named Bricksley. Good-bye to rolling plains and gentle valleys that support sheep rather than men. Good- bye to attractive hamlets with streets of thatched houses in which live kindly people ; to curving roads trimmed with fine hedges and dotted with Baby Austins, motorcycles and charabancs. Good-bye to the drab factory towns with their streets of monotonous houses guiltless of sanitation; to third-class compartments devoid of air or conversation, drear as the fog outside. Good-bye to news- papers whose front pages carry nothing but advertisements, but whose editorial sheets command admiration.
Good-bye to London, city of a thousand years and many more memories, where avenues are almost unknown, but where instead are found Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus and Cheyne Walk; city of narrow and historic streets and many parks, of stately yet comfortable clubs, of the Underground, clean and bright, where one pays for a seat and gets it.
I'm going home ! Home to a land where spelling has at least a tenuous connection with sound; where Prairie du Chien is Prairie doo Sheen, Joliet is Joliette, Vincennes is Vincenz; to a land of magnificent distances, with every variety of landscape, across which one can travel by rail for almost a week without meeting a customs officer; to a land covered with towns that differ only in name; towns connected by great cement ribbons garnished by "hot-dog" stands and enormous billboards.
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I'm going home to New York, city of wonderful site, of beau- tiful architecture, of strenuous life, with its subway in which seats are paid for but not secured, in which a myriad faces sug- gest the melting pot and words and actions remind one that the cave man is not extinct.
Good-bye to heavy breakfasts — porridge, kippers, bacon and eggs, strong tea and cold toast; to dinners of meat and pudding, with no fruit and a choice of three vegetables — ^two of which are cabbage; dinners at which no one drinks water because all "prefer Bass." Good-bye to cold houses and miniature hearths which heat by suggestion, and where chilled energy is thawed by afternoon tea. Good-bye to the pubs where drunken men and sodden women squander more wealth than would support the dole. Good-bye, England! Land of political liberty and social snobbery, land of tradition and caste where each class apes the class above, and only the Dukes live free.
I'm going home! Home to the land of bright sunshine and extreme temperatures, made bearable by houses with steam heat and Frigidaires ; to the land where health is a religion and diet a science, to breakfasts of California fruits, cereals, strong coffee and hot toast made by electric percolators and toasters hooked up on the table. I'm going home where the saloon has been abolished and where bootleggers from Eastern and Southern Europe ac- cumulate fortunes by selling in dialect English forbidden rum to law-breaking natives ; to a land where "class" is anathema land where the variant from the general run is a freak; where love of liberty has been displaced by the craze of equality. I'm going home to the women's clubs, to forums and Chautauquas, where all sides of a question are discussed and the question itself re- mains unanswered.
Good-bye, Oxford and Cambridge, seats of traditional learn- ing and teaching! Good-bye to venerable colleges, wonderful courts and beautiful "backs"; to comfortless quarters and at- tendant "scouts," to "high-table" where soup is preceded by an unintelligible prayer and meat is followed by adjournment with napkin to another room for desert and wine and coffee and de- lightful conversation. Good-bye to the rational curriculum which provides for concentration in studies and intercourse with teach- ers and a final examination in the entire field of study. Good-
GOOD-BYE ENGLAND 155
bye to students who scorn to be passmen and to modest dons who fear to dogmatize in their own subjects and profess com- plete ignorance in all others. Good-bye to Isis and Cam, to cricket and delightful days in punts, to sport for the sake of sport and the fun one gets out of it.
I'm going home! Home to colleges with comfortable dormi- tories arranged into delightful suites, with lounging rooms for girl students who smoke; colleges with wonderful gymnasiums, hygienic showers and inviting pools ; true models of efficient ad- ministration and quantity production; where sport is a spectacle and a combat applauded in a stadium that dwarfs the Roman Colosseum, applauded not spontaneously, for applause, like every- thing pertaining to sport, is "organized," and one claps and shouts at the signal of a cheer leader. I'm going home! Home where professors pontificate in all subjects and where the extra-cur- ricular activities form the main interest of student life; where degrees are obtained by accumulating "credits" attached to sub- jects diffused over unrelated fields and elected by students who regard the passing mark as that of a gentleman, and who re- cover from "conditions" by securing additional "credits" at sum- mer sessions — at $10 each.
Good-bye, England, land of grinding taxes and falling wages and disappearing estates ; good-bye to political parties which stand for definite principles and political meetings, where orators dare not talk humbug but are heckled into honest admissions. Good- bye to the tolerance of views that one meets in private homes; good-bye to Hyde Park, where throne and altar are attacked and communism preached and yet no one is afraid. Good-bye, brave men and women who face a dark future with strong hearts and firm wills and who do not whine!
I'm going home ! Home to a land that would have delighted Joshua's spies ; whose infinite resources could supply its men and women according to their deserts and in conformity with their needs. I'm going home, where the difference between Democrats and Republicans is so slender that half the voters do not think it worth while to vote; where mediocrity flourishes under the aegis of 100 per cent Americanism, where teachers must exalt the untarnished virtue and infallible judgment of the Fathers, and where the mild critic of ancient abuses and outgrown insti- tutions is denounced as Bolshevik. I'm going home to Chicago
156 THE SIGNET
to be protected by the blacklists of the Key Men of America and the Daughters of the American Revolution; protected, not against gangsters and gunmen, but against "dangerous thoughts."
Good-bye, England, land of beautiful cathedrals, old-fashioned faiths and steady worshipers; land of peculiar people, burdened by the hardest problems of twentieth century materialist civiliza- tion, yet discussing the metaphysics of the Prayer Book with sixteenth century religious fervor. Good-bye to religious tolera- tion and individual freedom. Thanks, England, for the spiritual heritage you bequeathed us, requited by the affection of our best.
I'm going home ! Home to the land where sects are as the sands of the seashore and no belief is too queer to become a cult ; to the land of sumptuary laws, where your neighbor is your moral censor and may denounce the vice you have possibly acquired of smoking a cigarette every other Wednesday night; I'm going to Boston, original site of the Puritan Commonwealth, where now a Cardinal decides what shall be read; and to Tennessee, native heath of the Fundamentalist, where the Klan determines what shall be taught. I'm going home to the land I love, where, despite luxury and plutocracy, plain men and women are struggling in the spirit of Jefferson and Lincoln to maintain a democracy, not yet with success but not without hope; a democ- racy wherein opportunity will be given to capacity to assume the place in society which its merits justify.
CLASS PRESIDENTS
W, F. Castelon Alabama, 1932
H. R. Weller Kansas State, 1931
John M. Lyons Lehigh, 1931
William B. Robertson Mass. Aggie, 1929
Thomas F. Johnson St. John's, 1930
Walter French Worcester, 1930
J. M. Depue West Virginia, 1929
Charles N. Witmer Georgia Tech, 1930
PHI SIGMA KAPPA SCHOLARSHIP Horace R. Barnes, Council
One year ago our fraternity thought that our regional scholar- ship organization was at least established, if not fully organized. However, the new administration, elected at the San Francisco convention, soon learned this organization had not attained the least semblance of a degree of permanency, 'and our first task has been to re-build the organization.
Your national scholarship supervisor is confident that Brothers Joseph B, Folger, S. F. Snyder, Edgar T. Fell, C. W. Reeder, and Carl Morrow constitute five regional supervisors who will assure results for us. All will recall that Vice-President Fell, dur- ing the past two years in his capacity as national scholarship supervisor, established the foundation of the important work of our Fraternity in such a way as to attest to his efficiency and interest. Brothers Snyder and Morrow had experience as re- gional supervisors during the past administration and all of us who know of their work, are deeply appreciative of the amount and caliber of the work they do. Indeed our Dr. Carl Morrow, dean of men at Washington State, was the first to have the grades, rankings, and other information required from the various chap- ters and institutions in his region in my hands. Four of our five regional supervisors hold responsible positions at institutions where we have chapters.
Scholarship data for the second half of the collegiate year has been assembled with the help of the regional vice-presidents, re- gional scholarship supervisors who held office at the time, Brother McCornack, deputy inspector, and others. Notwithstanding such efforts as have been put forth February i, 1929, reveals a serious weakness in our Fraternity organization. As far as scholarship information is concerned, I do not have grades for the second semester of 1927-1928 from the following chapters : Beta-Albany, Virginia, C.C.N.Y., and George Washington.
Without a doubt, in two or three cases this is due to the re- luctancy of certain universities to give out comparative scholar- ship information; in the other cases there is evidence of an apathy and static condition which retards our efforts to further the standing of our fraternity. May I say in passing that wher- ever the fault lies, it is not with our regional scholarship super-
158 THE SIGNET
visors, for, as I have implied above, some of these have but recently been appointed, and furthermore, it was necessary to clarify the functions and responsibilities of these supervisors. Beginning with the grades for the first term or semester of 1928- 1929, these five men will assemble 'all scholarship information from the institution where we have chapters. I bespeak the co-opera- tion of all chapters in asking their university and college authori- ties to give us this information in complete form as soon as possible, after the close of each term.
I wish to repeat what is probably known by all, namely, the willingness of these five regional scholarship supervisors, and of the writer to do all possible to aid and co-operate with every chapter. Write us, call upon us for visitation, command us, for we stand ever ready to serve.
Scholarship is an individual matter. You can "lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink." Phi Sigma Kappa must not hold a secondary position. We do not want to be in the low level of average mediocracy. Comparisons may be odious, but they are at least helpful. Therefore, we continue the use of the Faschel System of Comparative Evaluation as adopted by the Interfraternity Conference. We fully appreciate the weaknesses of any statistical method of comparison or correla- tion and invite suggestions and criticisms.
In subsequent articles I would like to show how our chapters have bettered their rankings from year to year.
You all may be interested in knowing that at the last meeting of the Council upon motion by our genial and efficient Vice- President, "Bill" Wood, your scholarship supervisors were author- ized to hold a conference. Within a few months these six men will entrain from Pullman, Columbus, Baltimore, Gettysburg, Hanover, and Lancaster to meet in some central city to discuss these matters so vital to all. In the meantime we are assembling all the information we can gather concerning means and methods of improving scholarship in Phi Sigma Kappa.
In analysing the scholarship record for the last semester of the college year, 1927-1928, we note that our leaders with their aver- ages under the Paschel System are:
Gettysburg 96
Oregon 96
Pennsylvania 90
PHI SIGMA KAPPA SCHOLARSHIP 159
St. John's 90
Brown 88
Stanford 85
Kentucky 83
Williams 83
Stevens 83
Yale 81
At the other end of the list we note the chapters which are bringing down our scholarship rating. There are:
Alabama 16
Carnegie 14
Maryland 13
Lehigh 8
Montana 6
Ames 5
Ohio 4
Our other chapters fall between the averages of 21 and 70 with one exception, namely Xi chapter with a rating of 75.
Surely this is not a record to be proud of and it is our earnest wish to see our standing materially raised so that we may keep our Fraternity among the leaders in all respects.
Let us all pull together.
BASKETBALL
Center Hein, Dartmouth
Right forward Grace, Nebraska
Left Forward Rockefeller, St. John's
Right guard McCoy, Michigan
Left guard Plaster, West Virginia
Coach Veenker, Michigan
Substitutes : Lawson of M.LT., Barre and Weller of Kansas State, Kelly of Mass Aggie, Baird of St. John's, Holmes and Smith of Worcester, Bartrug of West Virginia, Fisher and Lewan- doski of Nebraska.
OMEGA DEUTERON CHAPTER
Norman Averill, O^ '23
Phi Alpha Mu Fraternity, inducted October 12, 1928, as our Omega Deuteron chapter, dates back to 1921 for its inception. In the fall of that year, twenty-five Masonic students met for the purpose of forming a Masonic Fraternity. Thus Phi Alpha Mu was organized and continued as a strictly Masonic for one year. Realizing, however, that the limitations of such an organization are great, they reorganized in 1922 as a general social fraternity with the intention to become national as soon as they were strong enough to attract the favorable attention of one of the better national fraternities. Their plans were laid on the solid founda- tion of being able to give value-for-value when the time for peti- tioning might come.
How well this plan was followed is evidenced by the record of achievement of this group during the succeeding five years. They were first in scholarship during the spring semester of 1922, fall of 1922, and spring of 1923. Since they have been among the leaders scholastically at all times, with the exception of one semester when they dropped to eighth place. They have had leaders in all forms of campus activities, including editor-in-chief of the Trojan, the daily publication at U.S.C., managing editor, and several other staff members of the same, five presidents of various campus societies, together with several class presidents and managers in various activities.
In athletics some twenty-one major letter awards have been earned, together with nineteen minor sports letters. They num- ber among their brotherhood the 1925 baseball captain, the 1925, 1926, and 1927 baseball manager, the 1928 ibaseball captain, and now the 1929 football captain-elect. In all lines of athletics they have had good representation at all times. There have been nine captains and one manager of minor sports. In intramural athletics they have won the cup two years in wrestling and placed second two years in swimming, one in baseball, one in basketball.
During all this activity they did not neglect to build up a good financial standing and to run their house in a most business- like manner. It is not to be wondered that they were passed unanimously at the 1928 national convention in San Francisco and later inducted as Omega Deuteron.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS A FRATERNITY
FIELD
Russ Stanfield, qA '29
The University of Southern CaHfornia probably offers one of the most fertile fields for fraternity work that may be found anywhere in the entire category of institutions of higher learn- ing throughout this great country. The university has an im- mense enrollment, probably more than half men; and is not at present over-run with fraternal organizations. There are at pres- ent less than twenty national fraternities on the campus, em- bracing a membership of less than one thousand men. This number is relatively small, being not more than 15 per cent of the entire registration.
One might suppose from a first consideration of the large enrollment, that the entrance requirements, and general standards, of the university were not as high as might be desired, thus making the large majority of the male enrollment undesirable as fraternity men. But such is not the case. The standards of Southern California compare very favorably with all other in- stitutions of the same type, hundreds of students being turned away at each registration because they are unable to fulfill the entrance conditions. The large numbers of new students com- ing every year have been attracted by a combination of several desirable factors. This imiversity offers a wide range of aca- demic as well as technical and professional courses, drawing stu- dents of high caliber from all over the country. New depart- ments and divisions are continually being formed; and the older branches of education are gradually being raised to an even higher standard, so that not only are there large numbers of students brought to this institution's portals for admission but the in- dividuals of that great mass are chiefly of the more intellectual type.
The great strides that Southern California has made in the last few years in athletics have had very favorable effects on the number of enrolled students, also, bringing within its doors, many men of varied athletic abilities who possess a desire to pro- gress and expand with a growing institution, rather than climb to the top of an athletic group that has already reached its prime.
As a result of many contributing factors, the thousands of male students enrolling in the university every year are, for the most
i62 THE SIGNET
part, active, intellectual, and ready to co-operate witli faculty and fellow students, thus offering three qualifications that are ex- tremely essential to the successful existence of fraternal relations. In this large student body there still exist many hundreds and even thousands of men who are not only eligible as fraternity men, but whose membership would be very helpful to the or- ganizations themselves. It needs no further argument then, to show that there is at Southern California a vast amount of eli- gible material from which desirable fraternity men may yet be developed; giving ample opportunity for the expansion of the organizations already established here, as well as the establish- ment of new chapters.
The University of Southern California was established in the year 1879. Its growth has been gradual but steady since 1903, and especially rapid since 1920, leaping 'ahead so rapidly that a great effort has been necessary, on the part of those in charge, to keep pace with the rapid influx of students. So much atten- tion has necessarily been given to the proper development of adequate teaching and educational facilities that not much could be done toward the improvement of social conditions by the university. The fact that, as yet, the institution does not have an official campus of mentioimble size, being located in the heart of a large and rapidly growing city, makes it necessary that the students not residing at established fraternity houses, of necessity are widely scattered throughout the adjacent section of the city. Under these conditions the students practically never meet in a social way, and so are deprived somewhat of that portion of their college training that tends to develop in them the ability to associate harmoniously with other people.
This lack of social contacts within the university proper opens a wide field for fraternity service. Fraternities should strive to maintain not only a brotherly relation within the chapter itself, but also a friendly contact with other fraternities and with those other members of the student body who have not been so fortu- nate as to affiliate themselves with some organization. It may be readily seen then, that in this respect, there is a great field of service open to fraternal groups, and a great deal may be accom- plished that would be of credit to any organization devoted to the development of brotherly love among mankind.
There is one other factor that makes Southern California a
OMEGA DEUTERON 163
desirable field. for fraternal work, and that is the favorable atti- tude and the manifest interest displayed on the part of the Ad- ministration. No difficulty is experienced in obtaining the co- operation of the officials in any movement they feel will be for the general good of all organizations. Advice, both moral and financial, is always available through the advisory board and the Chief Fraternity Adviser. The executives have thought so well of fraternity life and the advantages to be gained from it by both students and university, that they have incorporated means for its proper direction in their administrative machinery. They have even gone so far as to conceive a plan by which the university may be able to assist in financing the building of fraternity houses. Although this idea has had no concrete development as yet, it is hoped that something similar may be developed in the near future. The University of Southern California is an active, growing institution with a vast amoimt of desirable fraternity material, as yet untouched, and presents a great field for fraternity serv- ice, the rendering of which will benefit not only the receiver, but the organization giving it, and what is fully as important, there is practically no strife or friction between the various organiza- tions, and no opposition on the part of the Administration. These favorable points should allow the existing organizations to give a maximum of service, and also permit the entrance of new groups into the field.
INDUCTION OF OMEGA DEUTERON AT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Dick Van Vliet, Q,^ '30
Omega Deuteron was installed on the Southern California campus on Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13. Brother Bill Woods, regional vice-president, conducted the ceremonies. He was assisted by Norman Averill, Omega, '23, who is now our chapter adviser. A team from the Southern California Alumni Club assisted by individuals from the chapters along the coast, performed the induction.
Friday afternoon the installation of the active officers of Phi Alpha Mu took place, they being initiated into their respective positions in Phi Sigma Kappa: president, Robert Scofield; vice-
i64 THE SIGNET
president, John W. Nelson; secretary, Marger Apsit; treasurer, Harold Seley ; auditor, Eugene Thompson ; and inductor, Nathan Barragar. In the evening the alumni and actives were initiated in small groups.
Saturday afternoon everyone went to the football game be- tween Southern California and Saint Mary's College. Imme- diately following the game, an explanation of secret work and ritual was conducted by Brother Bill Woods.
At 8:30 P.M., Saturday night, our formal induction banquet was held. About eighty-five were present, among which were a num- ber of brothers from other chapters. Brother Averill acted as toastmaster, being interrupted at various times by the clamor of the celebration of our entrance into Phi Sigma Kappa. After some commotion by the overjoyed brothers. Brother Averill was able to open with the usual story, and the evening was quite a success. Norm Averill, after holding the floor as long as pos- sible, was finally forced to allow William Wood to expound a little information about the fraternity, and give us some much- needed advice, all of which we new initiates listened to both with intense interest and breathless silence. Brother Wood, always a good fellow and convincing speaker, extended himself fully in the short time allotted him. The toastmaster again assumed the role of "head man," and chose Brother Henson from the Omega chapter, class of '23, to say a few words. "Heine" Henson has worked unceasingly to bring a Phi Sigma Kappa chapter to Southern California and has been a big asset to the chapter. Charley Bowen, president of the Los Angeles Alumni Club, then welcomed us to Phi Sigma Kappa, and wished us success. We were extremely fortunate in having Brother Earl Snell with us, who, though not a national officer, had attended his fourth induc- tion banquet, and was able to give us some highlights from other chapters. Brother Scofield said a few words for the chapter as did Nate Barragar, football captain-elect, and candidate for ail- American honors. Then after a few songs and yells, led by Brothers Nylander and Viault, the toastmaster ended the ban- quet and everyone adjourned to the chapter lodge and private homes for some much needed sleep. There was very little sleep- ing done, but everyone had good intentions anyway.
THE QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE The Editor
When the press of living permits me for the moment to brood upon humanity, the thing which I most poignantly look for and miss is excellence. The doing expertly of a difficult task, how rare that is!' And when occasionally it comes within our own experience, how it chokes the throat with an exquisite delight! In its rarity presumably lies its charm.
Certainly in myself I can find none of it. For years I have been a teacher of young men and women. As I look back upon my performance in this capacity I find it sporadic and super- ficial, acceptable only in a field where the competition is not very keen. As you know, in a small way I have been an editor; I am sure that even my most caustic critics would spare their shafts could they know my emotions upon examining The Signet when it finally comes to me, fresh and irremediable, from the press. In an even smaller way I have imposed myself upon my friends as an author; in spite of some gracious encouragement I have never allowed them to deceive me, or I trust themselves, as to the true quality of my writing. As a young fellow I was periodically a farm-hand; whatever obscure distinction I won then was due not to skill but to a certain youthful vigor. Even today my garden is a sorry matter ; productive sometimes but al- ways graceless. Frequently I am flattered into speaking in pub- lic, but even when my audiences seem most responsive, I my- self am conscious of a stress and strain suggestive of an im- properly oiled or adjusted machine. I have coached plays, but usually in cumbersome and experimental ways. Often I have to conduct conferences, and seldom do I conclude one without a pretty well-defined regret that, in part at least, I had not done it differently. As a husband and neighbor, I have perhaps some of the more negative virtues; perhaps it is not too much to say that I am generally endurable, albeit at times I am an irritant even to my most devoted associates. As I approach what Mark Twain would call Pier Forty, I am reluctantly forced to the realization that in every phase of living, I am third-rate. And somehow the realization fills me with dismay.
Nor do I find excellence abundant in those about me. So rare is it that when we find it in a violinist we pay two, three and four dollars to see and hear him play, when we find it in a
i66 THE SIGNET
ball player, we engage him at the rate of $100,000 a season, and when we find it in a public servant we crucify him. The Lindbergh trans-Atlantic flight was an incomparable instance of the quality of which I write; all of the other trans-Atlantic flights were perhaps its equal in courage, but they lacked finesse.
I find myself looking back over the past twelve months in search for memorable examples of excellence of which I have myself been a spectator, I realize of course that my limited powers of understanding have caused me to overlook a great many that I have actually observed. Still the list may be of interest :
A surgeon on his hospital rounds.
A mother giving her baby its bath,
A clergyman reading an Episcopal prayer.
A missionary address
A girl itaking a lecture course.
Three or four professional entertainers.
A Pullman porter making up his berths.
Each of these artists lingers in my mind as a vivid memory. In time I might be able to think of as many more. But even then, for twelve months of a human experience, the total is not very striking. Everywhere about me I see men and women, like myself, muddling through. Every man must have a certain amount of pride in himself ; otherwise his existence would be- come intolerable. But our pride is usually a little pathetic, so great is the gulf between our actual performance and the one of our dreams. When the discrepancy becomes too ludicrous, men speak of our self-conceit. The conceited man is really much more properly the object of pity than abuse; he is trying so hard to keep up appearances in a formidable world.
To our honor be it said that man has always yearned for human excellence. The story of mythical Hercules and all of his Olym- pian contemporaries is evidence of this fact. The Buddhas of all religions are another. The glory that is Ruth and the gran- deur that was Grange are more evidence still. Even the un- comely rotogravure attachment to Calvin Coolidge is the same. Utopias and millenniums are always lurking about the corner. And we persistently believe that our own poor personal efforts are meeting with some success.
CHICAGO CLUB SCHOLARSHIP CUP 167
And yet, when one considers with detachment our college com- munities, faculty and students, and certainly fraternities, enjoy- ing as they do the optimum conditions for bringing excellence into daily life, one cannot but be disheartened. Only on the athletic field does he find a buoyant and spirited will to excel. And somehow mere physical prowess, admirable as it is, still does not seem to be quite enough. We who are responsible for the dominant mind of the college campus, have much to answer for.
What do you personally require from your fraternity? Ex- cellence? Really excellence? Or comfortable mediocrity? What are you personally contributing to your fraternity? Excellence again? Or "what the rest of the gang are doing"? Excellence comes hard. The football men know that. And the individual has to forget all about himself in the thing he is doing. And often he dies quite unconscious of his success. But it is worth all that it costs. Always. Particularly in the college. Most par- ticularly in the college fraternity. Is Phi Sigma Kappa a torch upon your campus?
THE DEAC DUNHAM CUP
Brother Willard F. McCornack is the generous donor of a cup, to be known as the "Deac Dunham Cup," and dedicated to the high ideals of scholarship for which Howard Dunham has al- ways stood.
According to the wishes of the donor, the cup is to be awarded at each New England Conclave, to that chapter in the New Eng- land Region which has attained the highest relative standing among the fraternities of its respective college. In the event that two or more chapters attain first place in their respective colleges, it will obviously be necessary to consider the number of fraternities competed against in each college concerned.
CHICAGO CLUB SCHOLARSHIP CUP
At the annual Founders' Day banquet of the Chicago Club held March 16 and following an address on scholarship by Brother Horace R. Barnes, national scholarship supervisor, the Club generously donated a scholarship cup to be awarded annually to the chapter in the Mid-West District having the highest scholastic standing. The chapter receiving the honor for two years will be awarded the plaque by the Chicago Club.
i68 THE SIGNET
FRATERNITY PROBLEMS Ralph J. Watts, Council
In response to an invitation from the General Secretary of Phi Sigma Kappa, the executive officers of sixteen of the leading fra- ternities have stated what they consider to be the most important problems now confronting their organizations. These analyses in condensed form are here given.
1. "Scholarship; regulation and limitation of size and cost of chapter houses; the menace of the professional fraternity; whether there is a need for endowment funds; how to impress more emphatically upon the initiates the spiritual side of the Fraternity; more effective rushing and pledging methods; more effective supervision over chapter finances."
2. "The most important problems confronting is a prob- lem which confronts the whole fraternity world. For want of a better title I shall call it the need of developing a clearer con- sciousness throughout our alumni and undergraduate body as to what a fraternity should he.
"We don't want to be running a string of boarding houses. We don't want our men to idle through four years of college us- ing the chapter house as a rendezvous for the aforesaid loafing. We don't want our men to set up 'campus activities' as a fetish, losing sight of the scholastic side which we consider to be all important.
"We want our chapters to discard mediocre standards in every phase of fraternity life and stand for high scholarship, high moral codes, industry, serious-mindedness with due regard for immaturity, and in short for the better and finer instincts.
"I would like to see our chapters throw out all signs of snob- bishness, extravagance, and waste, and develop along lines that would tend to make membership an honor and a privilege."
3. "The lack of compliance of the active members with na- tional and local rules and regulations, individual insubordination to chapter and fraternity interests, and lack of co-operation.
"To this might be added the failure to translate fraternity idealism into personal activities and conduct."
4. "The most important problem confronting our fraternity is the matter of expense to the active members. The tendency in our own, as well as in many other fraternities, has been to in- crease the expense of fraternity life to the members. This is due to more expensive houses, more social activities, increased cost of national administration, endowment funds, etc. I will grant that in many cases, at least, the man is getting more for his money. However, my observation has been that many men who should and would belong to fraternities, are unable to join on account of the expense."
FRATERNITY PROBLEMS 169
5. "Our greatest problem is the usual and lasting problems — that of finances."
6. "The Accounts Receivable of the active chapters."
7. (a) "The housing of every chapter in a home owned by
the fraternity, specially planned, substantially built and equitably financed.
(b) "The establishment of a program of objectives to be realized by the general fraternity, subjected to the following :
1. The creation of a general endowment.
2. The construction of a national headquarters or Grand Chapel temple.
3. The establishment of a charitable foundation of some kind.
4. The endowment of chairs for teaching the hu- manities in those colleges and universities where the fraternity has chapters.
5. The establishment of a Bureau for Vocational Guidance.
(c) "The one sustained issue that constantly faces every fraternity is of course the pledging of proper man power, its competent training, and its efficient ini- tiation and inspiration so that a sustained high degree of conscious, intelligent, and purposeful leadership shall be constantly present, and functioning in our undergraduate chapters."
8. "I believe that the most important problem now confront- ing my Fraternity is that of expansion. We find it very difficult to link up our far western chapters with those extending to the Middle West. Many of the chapters are opposed to further expansion, although after eight years we have finally put a chap- ter in at the University of whereas the Alumni have
generally been in favor of the establishing of new chapters."
9. (a) "The proper handling of chapter finances.
(b) "The building of chapter houses. What bothers us is the trouble we have in curbing the desire of the members of a chapter to build a house before they are prepared. We also find that in building, many give more consideration to the show that the house will make than they do to the practicability of the house.
(c) "The third most important problem with us I think is expansion. It is very difficult to get the various sections of the country to see expansion from the same standpoint. The attitude of the old eastern in- stitutions is what they call conservatism, but the ex- pansionist calls it stagnation. The south and west
170 THE SIGNET
is not as populous with chapters as our members in those sections would like ; therefore, there is a con- stant demand for more chapters in those sections. (d) "The attempt to bring about a better scholastic stand- ing in our chapters, and overcome the feeling of some that we are organized for social purposes only."
10. "The building up of a strong internal organization within each chapter."
11. "Unquestionably, with a very few exceptions, the most important problem which confronts the local chapters of our organization is proper chapter financing."
12. "Our most important problem is to discover a way of bringing to each chapter a full realization of the ideas and purposes of the Fraternity. If we can succeed in doing this, other things will take care of themselves."
13. "The entire abolition of all objectionable initiation prac- tices sometimes grouped under the term 'Hell Week.' "
14. "Our principal problem is scholarship."
15. "Internal development."
16. "The lack of co-operation offered us by university and college authorities."
THE OUTSTANDING MUSICIANS
Carter, Dartmouth leader of band
Stratton, M.I.T leader of glee club
Mann, Iowa State secretary. Phi Mu Alpha
Burgess, Mass. Aggie leader of orchestra
Bull, St. John's soloist
Nickel, Ohio vice-president, glee club
Wagner, Oregon trumpet soloist
Woods, Oregon clarinet soloist
Barron, Oregon piano soloist
Ayres, Oregon piano soloist
Anderson, Oregon State soloist
Poole, Pennsylvania leader of band
Phelps, Knox tenor soloist
Calhoun, Nebraska leader of glee club
Beaver, Gettysburg soloist
THE ZETA LOG
One of the most interesting features of chapter life which Brother McCornack has picked up in his circuit throughout the East and South, is the scrap-book at C.C.N.Y., known locally as The Zeta Log. Apparently it is always available and every brother is expected to contribute, as occasion suggests, pictures, comment, clippings, and anything else that may add to the personal and intimate history of the chapter. Brother McCornack copied a few bits, taken largely at random. For example, this is the dedication to Volume 5 :
Regard this always as the deposit of the most intimate history of old Zeta, for us to fondly muse over as alumni, for the coming generations to learn our tradition therefrom.
Berthold Muecke, Z '23 President June-December, 1922
Other bits of chaff are as follows:
June II at Brother Carruth's:
Eureka, Hurrah, Success — Ted's fallen in love. She won him over so fast, he lost almost all his money and was convinced to buy five (5) pounds of peanuts and 6 lollypops. Who is she? Ah that's the question. She is one of these little soda dolls otherwise known as a waitress. Where? At the corner of 140th St., and B'w'y. I told you so, they all fall sooner or later and harder. Hurrah-Hurrah-Hurrah.
Heff
The foregoing statement leads me to believe that the millenium is only about 2 weeks and 3 minutes away. Wonders will never cease. As Rube Goldberg says "They all flop sooner or later." Behold on Page 24 the portrait of a fallen woman hater.
Apps
Anyhow, Hefsy, you agreed with me that she's the K.K. — didn't you.
Ted Yes, whatever K.K. means.
Heff That was some feed Fred, ole boy. I hear Ted eating yet.
Joy Bauer Sept. ID 7 :oo p.x.
This is the first entry after the summer vacation. Am expecting all the brothers tonight for a snappy meeting. School opens next week and we must therefore prepare for new men. What d'ye say, brothers, are we going to work this year? I know you all say yes. But remember we must work hard and fast but not blindly. Remember, the fellow we want is the fellow whom you expect to call brother!
Heff 9/10 Positively the K.K. as far as good advice goes ! You can't con- tradict me either. I'm just back from Philly in my new hat.
Ted
9/10 Some lid. Brother Ted brought back from Philly. It makes him look like a prince — only you spell it differently.
Ray Hubbard
172 THE SIGNET
Sept. 10 II :45 p.m. To Ted Smits :
Brother, you're leaving Zeta— and there is sure one brother who bids adieu with a real Phi Sig feeling. You know who it is and don't forget, Ted, that that one is not alone but is backed up by all the boys Hearty best wishes, Ted, "ole tawp"
W, H. Resler Sept. 10, 12:00
I may be leaving Zeta in body, brothers all, but 'twill not be so in spirit. Let me assure you that the good feeling that I know exists amongst us will keep me from getting lonesome in what they call Dead City. I hope that this will not mark my last attendance at Zeta.
Sept. 24, Midnight
A mighty fine meeting and the "eats" were fine, thanks to Mrs. Hub- bard.
W. H. Resler
One of the biggest moments in my life found me speechless as per usual.
F. C. Carruth
OUR ACTORS
Baxter, Williams Timson in The Pigeon
Zoechler, West Virginia Joe Hellar in Family Upstairs
Sheriff in The Giant Stairs
Pap Todd in Sun-up
Eaton, Pennsylvania Major Colford in Loyalties
Balcoff, Knox John Hay in Abraham Lincoln
Cyril Mortimer in Thunderbolt Sandeen, Knox StephenMortivaer mThunderbolt
Dennis in Abraham Lincoln
Holt, Nebraska Keith McKenzie in He and She
Tiffany, Nebraska Merton in Merton of the Movies
Higgins, Nebraska Shylock, Merchant of Venice
Herman, Gettysburg John Miller, The Poor Nut
jSeaver, Gettysburg M. Ralston, Nothing But the
Truth Snyder, Gettysburg Claudio, Much Ado about Noth- ing
Drake, Swarthmore Sir Toby, Twelfth Night
Kumpf, Swarthmore. Sebastian, Twelfth Night
Kayser and Parker of M.I.T., Swanson and Dunn of Iowa State, and Matthews and Anderson of Oregon State in parts undesignated.
GREEKLETS
Every kiss has a crimson lining. — Phi Alpha Quarterly
The trouble with too many chapters is that they are more concerned with deals than ideals. — The Phi Gamma Delta
Sigma Chi enters Wesleyan University. — Magazine of Sigma Chi
Does the tying of the nuptial knot cut the fraternal bond? — Alpha Ep- silon Pi Quarterly
You know there is a lot of applesauce in college education the same as there is in all our businesses, so don't take anything too seriously. — Will Rogers in Zeta Beta Tau Quarterly
"Men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it, die for it; anjrthing but live for it," so wrote Colton, the cynical philosopher. — Delta of Sigma Nu
The number of universities and colleges which are proclaimed by their students to be the best in the land proves conclusively that there is plenty of room at the top. — Delta Chi Quarterly
It is unfortunate that the drinking alumnus invariably chooses a major occasion as the time to parade his vices before the college public. — Magazine of Sigma Chi
One of the most important pieces of legislation at the Chicago con- vention was the new statute which forbids any chapter to indulge in "rough house" as a preparatory step to the formal initiation. — Sickle and Sheaf (Alpha Gamma Rho).
We still do not believe that any man has the moral right to identify his ribaldry, his gambling, his libertinism, his smutty stories, or his liquor drinking, with his fraternity. — Rainbow (Delta Tau Delta).
We hope that every chapter which is unfortunate enough to have alumni who have consistently refused to pay old bills, or to show inability to do so, will present the names of such men to the national committee for expulsion. — Phi Mu Delta Triangle
The Yale Chapter of Acacia has disbanded and has turned its charter over to the national council. — The Phi Gamma Delta
A Yale man feels slighted, we are told, if he isn't called upon to help his alma mater in a financial way each year. — The Teke (Tau Kappa Epsilon).
Virginia, once one of the largest universities in America, is now rated as one of the smallest. — Chi Phi Chakett
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE
R. J. W.
The fifteenth of March marks The Anniversary Month the anniversary of the founding
of Phi Sigma Kappa.
Those who are famiHar with the entire history of our order, will again recall the circumstances in which this event took place : an infant college pioneering in an experimental field of education — a basement room plainly furnished — six men yearning for friendship, for intellectual development, for spiritual growth. They will remember the vigorous, persistent, and idealistic personali- ties who for fifteen years labored to lay the secure foundation upon which should be built the superstructure which we today behold. They will meditate upon the vision and faith and loyalty of those few brothers who for a dozen years after nationalization began in 1888 insisted that Phi Sigma Kappa must survive and who by their voluntary toil and sacrifice led this Fraternity to a position of influence and power. They will with satisfaction review the progress of the past thirty years — a proud record of achievement — d. period in which successive generations have reaped the rich heritage provided by the pioneers. Yes, the leaders who have borne the burdens of the past, will on these anniversaries be honored with an ever increasing gratitude and respect.
While no one will look backward without the conviction that the record is a creditable one, neither can anyone be unmind- ful of the responsibilities which are imposed upon the present and future leaders of the Fraternity.
The purpose of our Fraternity and the method whereby it may be attained are set forth in the ritual. These purposes are essen- tially the same in all fraternities. It is because they are worthy and have to a reasonable degree been realized that the fraternity system is now so firmly established.
So much a part of our educational structure has the fraternity become that to most members there appears to be little or no likelihood that it will not endure for all time. Yet a warning frequently emanates from thoughtful and sympathetic undergradu- ates and fraternity officials that the traditional principles of fra- ternalism must be adhered to more closely if this century-old in- stitution is to survive. Whether or not this warning is justified, Phi Sigma Kappa will do well to be guided by the ideals and hopes which in 1873 drew together into the bonds of an enduring brotherhood, Barrett, Brooks, Campbell, Clark, Clay, and Hague.
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE 175
The following chapters observe Founders' Day:
M.I.T. — theater party.
Alabama — banquet and dance.
Lehigh — banquet or dance.
Maryland — Sigma-Lambda-Eta banquet.
Wisconsin — banquet.
C.C.N.Y.— New York Club banquet.
Iowa State — banquet.
Mass Aggie — Aniherst Club supper.
St. John's — Sigma-Lambda-Eta banquet.
Minnesota — ^banquet.
Ohio — banquet.
Oregon — Oregon-Oregon State banquet.
Oregon State — Oregon-Oregon State banquet.
Pennsylvania — ^banquet.
Penn State — ^banquet or dance.
Knox — banquet.
Michigan — banquet.
Kansas — ^banquet.
Illinois — ^banquet.
Nebraska — banquet.
Gettysburg — banquet.
Swarthmore — banquet.
OUR HOCKEY TEAM
Rigbt wing Frost, Mass Aggie
Left wing Jeremiah, Dartmouth
Center Peene, M.I.T.
Right guard Shea, Dartmouth
Left guard Peterson, Minnesota
Goalie Hilken, Minnesota
Substitute Newman, California
NUGGETS
The following items of chapter gossip were picked up by Brother Mc- Cornack, and are of considerable interest.
At St. Lawrence there is the interesting item regarding the "Call of Phi Sigma Kappa." It is a Greek chant to the notes of the whistle. I understand that the whistle is to be removed from the list of the secret work and the notes printed together with this Greek call. The Greek is somewhat as follows:
Spera heymon ton adelphon
pro ageto sun to theo meaning I am told : Let our band of brothers lead onward with (the help and guidance of) God.
There is a special ceremoney when this is used. The porch of the house has inlaid in its floor, the three T's surrounded by the circle. The brothers gather around with their feet on the circumference of the circle and then chant this call. It is really very effective.
On the whole, none of the chapters have a great deal to con- tribute in the line of special items. The principal differences occur at initiation times and here there are only some five or six different special stunts that are particularly effective such for example as the silent dinner which is used at Omicron and I believe Chi.
It might be interesting to note that the best meals so far have been served at Williams, M.I.T., Wesleyan, Worcester, Cornell, and Lehigh. Williams and Wesleyan rank first as to singing at meal time, although Cornell at house party time, is pretty harmoni- ous.
It might be of interest to note that Walt Powell, ZA, and alumni adviser at Georgia Tech, umpired the Georgia-Georgia Tech football game last December. He was mentioned as one possibility for the Rose Bowl game. When the Georgia Tech team had been selected to play in this game, only one Phi Sig, Bob Durant, had been named on the squad of thirty to go to California. At the last minute, however, the number was in- creased to thirty-one and the additional man was a Phi Sig. His last name is Luna, an end. I do not know his first name. He certainly was pretty happy when he found out. I include his picture.
There has been a plaque installed in the front hall of the house at Carnegie Tech on which are to be inscribed the names of the house presidents. I just saw this in passing through.
THE CHAPTER AUTHORIAL
By Paul Prentice Boyd, i^A Fac, — an article "Standards of Ac- crediting" in School and Society, October 6.
By Henry Seidel Canby, E '99, — "The American Scholar Ninety Years Later," in Saturday Review of Literature, June 23.
— "John Burroughs" in Saturday Review of Literature, Novem- ber 24.
— "Too Soon and Too Late" in Saturday Review of Literature,
June 2.
— "Sermon on Style" in Saturday Review of Literature, Decem- ber 22.
By Nelson Antrim Crawford, I A '14, — 3. poem "Literary Ad- venture" in The Nation, June 6.
By Melville Davisson Post, A '91, — a story "Colonel Braxton Hears the Silent Voices" in American Magazine, September.
—"The Straw Man" in Golden Book, July.
— "The Vanished Man" in American Magazine, February.
The Bradmoor Murder, a collection of short stories. J. H. Sears and Co. The New York Times says :
The merit of these stories lies not only in the ingenuity of their plots, but even more in the manner of their telling, for Mr. Post has the rare ability to create an atmosphere of mystery in the opening words of a story and to maintain that atmosphere throughout.
By Charles Sheard, H '03, (with George M. Higgins) — an article
"Parathyroid Glands as Influenced by Selective Solar Radiation" in Science, May.
By Ferdinand Foch, AA Hon., — an interview "Marshal Foch's Story of the Armistice" in Living Age, February.
By William J. Hamilton, BA '10, — an article "Comparison of English and American Prices and Editions of Mark Twain" in Libraries, January.
By John Adams Lowe, X '06, — a book Public Library Adminis- tration published by the American Library Association, Chi- cago.
By G. Lloyd Wilson, ^ '18, — ^an article "Freight Rates" in The Traffic World, December.
By Allen Roger Benham, AA Fac, — a "chapbook" Clio and Croce published by the University of Washington Press. The Spring- field Republican says of it :
No. 20, "Clio and Croce," which has just appeared, is a well-written and seasoned paper on Croce's conception of history. The author. Professor Allen Rogers Benham, finds that, after all, Croce's conception of history is suggestive rather than profound. But it is just this type of examination, clear, crisp and having a background of ideas outside a single field, which steadies and clarifies thought. For Croce is one of the leading figures in contemporary philosophy, and very properly a subject of discussion.
BIRMINGHAM CLUB TO BUILD
"The Phi Sigma Kappa Club, of Birmingham, Alabama, has just completed a most active year. Not alone has it gained wide recognition from the community but has increased its member- ship, enhanced its treasure, and has contracted to build a summer home on the Coosa River.
Our organization does not devote its entire time towards social affairs, but includes community building and financial investing as well. On several occasions the Phi Sigma Kappa Club dis- played brilliant support for the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Once a month, the first Wednesday, a banquet and open session is held for the members at the Bankhead Hotel, one of the lead- ing hotels in Birmingham. The date of our banquet is promi- nently displayed in the lobby of the hotel, in hopes that some visiting brother will take advantage and be with us on that night.
One project, the Phi Sigma Kappa Club Summer Home, met with approval last August. A sinking fund was founded in which each member pays an extra assessment apart from dues at each meeting. The treasurer has already collected a presentable sum towards our immediate realization.
The site has been picked and purchased and is one of the choicest in its territory.
Every week-end during the long summer months the Phi Sigma Kappa Clubhouse will be open to the members, their wives and friends. This feature has clearly promoted a wonderful influ- ence in the spirit of the club, and has received much recognition from other local clubs, both fraternal and social."
The Spokane Club is planning for its annual Founders' Day banquet.
"If there is such a thing as a Northern Ohio Club I do not know of its existence. And it is a pity too."
"The Milwaukee Club occasionally emits a gasp."
The Vermont Club is sponsoring a petition from Norwich University. Marcell Conway, its secretary, was a guest at the Dartmouth initiation banquet this winter.
PHI SIGMA KAPPA CLUBS 179
"To my knowledge the Philadelphia Club has not been ac- tive at all."
In the last Signet, we were pained to note that you have listed the San Francisco Club among those that are apparently inactive. From what source did you gather that information? I sincerely trust that our efforts at entertaining the visiting delegates this past summer were not so poor that you came to the conclusion that we were dead. Please put us back on the active list, meeting every other Wednesday at the Com- mercial Club, Merchants Exchange Building, San Francisco, at 12:15 until death notices are received by you. You have been "put on the pan" pretty severely for classing us among the inactive clubs. We hope it won't happen again!
(After a club secretary has three times in succession ignored our re- quest for news, we assume that the club has become inactive. A con- siderable amount of the club data contained in this issue was secured by applying to brothers, other than the respective secretaries. — Ed.)
The Baltimore, Washington and Washington Eta Clubs held their Founders' Day banquet with Eta, Lambda, and Sigma chap- ters, March 15, at the University Club.
The Amherst Club, co-operating with Alpha chapter, gave a dinner party for Fitzhugh Green on the occasion of his lecturing in Amherst.
The New York Club banqueted at the Astor, March 16, with President Batt and Vice-President Fell as its guests.
"I regret to inform you that the Columbus Club is not active at this time."
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
John A. Carson, S'^ '30
John A. Carson, junior and member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fra- ternity of the University of Tennessee, who was killed in an automobile accident near Oneida on last Saturday, was a favorite among the local students, and his death comes as shock to fraternity brothers and friends here. John had returned to his home Friday and while driving a new car his family had gotten for Christmas, entertaining two local men students for the holidays, he met with the fatal accident in trying to avoid a collision with another car. John regained consciousness and told Clifford ("Fats") Foster, a Phi Sigma, who rushed to his bedside upon hearing of the accident, that he would be all right and was only bothered with a smothering feeling in his chest, but on Saturday night he died from injuries received when a stump crushed his chest as his car rolled over an incline.
Rodney Mori son, M '09
Rodney Morison, Jr., died in New York on Friday, January 11, 1929, after an illness of three months. He was for the past four years a resident of Atlanta and Southern manager for the National Carbon Company, having been transferred there from Cleveland.
Mr. Morison was head of the Red Cross in Atlanta after having been an active head of the Community Chest organization in Cleveland. During the Mississippi Flood, at his own expense, he visited the entire devastated area and obtained first-hand information resulting in a local drive of the Red Cross for Flood Funds, which passed its quota in a few days.
Unusually active in social as well as business life, he has been a leader in civic enterprise. His untiring efforts in behalf of the American Red Cross, the Community Chest and like organizations, stand as a monu- ment to his character and ability.
THE CHAPTER HYMENEAL
Allen Hackett, X '26, and Thelma Suzette Smyth of New York. Xenophen Hunt, H '30, and Katherine Virginia Follis of Trenton, Tennessee.
INITIATES
Dr. John K. Deegan, B '27, and Phyllis Hazard, July, Newport.
BLESSED IN THE BOND
William E. Philbrick, A '12— W. E. Jr.
Frank Armstrong, M, November 2 — ^Joanne.
Harvey Alvin Jacob, H '27, February 20 — Margaret Camille.
fe
Richard K. Irons Rhodes Scholar
PHI SIGS AFIELD
DECLINES A FORTUNE
The following story is taken from the Wisconsin Daily Cardinal and is a striking tribute to the man it features.
Spurning the opportunity to reap a fortune which is expected to run into millions, Harry Steenbock, professor of agricultural chemistry, has designated the Wisconsin Alumni Research foundation, an organization for the protection of the interests of university scientists, as the beneficiary of his newly-discovered process of transmitting the Vitamin D to foods for human consumption.
With the statement that the invention was made while he was in the employ of the university and that scholars make poor business managers, he has given up all rights to the discovery he has made. Even an endeavor on the part of the alumni foundation to get him to accept 15 per cent of the royalties to date, a sum reaching into four figures, resulted in his returning the check which was mailed to him.
That millions of sunlight-deprived persons such as invalids and frail children will be enabled to lead a healthier life as an outcome of the discovery is being brought out to a greater extent daily. Manufacturers of food products throughout the world are inquiring as to the possibilities of incorporating it in their products.
In Germany and England alone twelve factories are already making use of the irradiation process, while American companies are beginning to clamor for its use. A large American breakfast food concern has an- nounced its intention of increasing the vitamin content of their product by Prof. Steenbock's method.
The food product and ergosterol, a by-product, are both able to transmit the properties of the sunlight vitamin, scientifically designated Vitamin D. The latter article is a crystal-like substance from mushrooms, yeast, and fungi which has a greater known storaging the ultraviolet rays than any other known substance.
A small bottle containing two ounces, according to Prof. Steenbock, can when exposed to the ultraviolet machine be diluted and used in canned foods or liquids, excepting milk, to produce a "million days of sunshine for a million people."
The Wisconsin Alumni Research foundation was formed by the alumni Df the university to provide an opportunity for the inventive genius of the miversity faculty to have an outlet in such a manner that royalties, in cases like that of Dr. Steenbock, should be used for furthering future experimentation at the university. Edward I. Haight, '99, of Chicago is A the head of the committee in charge.
ANOTHER RHODES SCHOLAR
Richard K. Irons, Worcester '27, has recently been awarded
r Rhodes Scholarship. In college, "Dick" was for four years on
he tennis team, being captain his senior year; he was an editor
of the college newspaper; and he was a student of the first
rank, being elected to both Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Xi.
I&2 THE SIGNET
TO BECOME A SEA-FARMER
Dr. H. H. Havner, Iowa 'ii, assistant director of Agricultural Extension at Penn State for the last ten years, has resigned to take charge of the service for the Phillip R. Park Company of San Pedro, California, 'a firm manufacturing and selling a live- stock feed composed of food nutrient from the sea. One startling fact in connection with this project is that experiments conducted with the herd of Congressman Ruth Hanna McCormick of Illi- nois, indicate that cows fed upon sea food produce milk which should practically insure users against goiter. Professor Havner has been very prominent as an animal husbandry authority, and livestock judge.
AN EMINENT ENGINEER
The following advertisement statement in the New York Times, is of interest because of the standing of the Ford, Bacon & Davis Company, and because of the fact that Mr. Davis is a Cornell brother, 1892.
New Year's dinners were cooked in Denver with natural gas transported from Texas. Factory wheels turned in Memphis propelled by gas from Louisiana. Motors crossed Lake Pontchartrain on the longest bridge of its type in the world. Electric power was carried to cities and mills and homes innumerable in the southwest. Manufactures from coast to coast were studied and reported upon in the interest of better programs of production, merchandizing or finance. Physical property aggregating in value more than a billion dollars was appraised. Toll roads and toll bridges scattered across the land were measured as enterprises for revenue, and mechanical devices ranging from typewriters to vending machines were scrutinized as sources of profit. And our organization and facilities have been enlarged to care for increasing economic and engineering studies during 1929: All because we worked in 1928.
COMMANDS A BLIMP
This William Flood, Lambda '16, first attracted attention in connection with the "lost balloon" in the James G. Bennett balloon races several years ago. The excerpt is from the Washington Post, of February 6.
Mail from Langley Field, Virginia, was delivered direct to Major General Fechet, chief of the Air Corps, over a 100 per cent air route yesterday.
To accomplish this feat, Capt. William J. Flood, commanding the TC-S, a nonrigid Army balloon, was forced to land on the roof of the Munitions Building.
The landing was made perfectly with the aid of a crew from Boiling Field, but not until the sixth attempt. Brisk winds, coupled with a snow squall and rising currents of warm air from the building, for a time frustrated the efforts of Captain Flood and his crew of five men to bring the blimp near enough to the roof to effect a landing.
The flight was undertaken to demonstrate the practicability of the airship for delivery of messages in the military service.
PHI SIGS AFIELD 183
The letter delivered to General Fechet was from Lieut. Col. J. W. S. Wuerst, commandant of Langley Field, and said:
"This is the first instance in which mail has been carried from an Army post directly to the office of the Chief of Air Corps and I believe it should mark a new epoch in the future use of airships."
JENNEY LEAVES PENNSYLVANIA
The Pennsylvania Gazette tells us that Reverend Ray Freeman Jenney, who has been general director of the staff of the Uni- versity Christian Association, has resigned that position to become pastor of the Park Central Presbyterian Church of Syracuse, New York.
MANAGER OF FORESTRY ASSOCIATION
Fred E. Hornaday, A and M '24, of Washington, D.C., has been named business manager of the American Forestry Association. For several years he was a field secretary for the United States Chamber of Commerce. Since 1926 he has been a member of the advertising staff of the United States Daily.
ANOTHER PHI SIG HEALTH DIRECTOR This is from the Pittsburg Sun-Telegraph for December 31.
Dr. Charles B. Maits school medical inspector for sixteen years, today was named by Mayor Charles Kline to succeed the late Dr. Richard G. Burns as director of the City Department of Health.
Dr. Maits' name was sent to Council where it was tabled for one week because the press of other business.
Dr. Maits is a native Pittsburgher, although his birthplace was Sidney, Nebraska, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Maits visiting in the West at the time he was born on December 20, 1884.
Educated in the public schools of Pittsburgh, Dr. Maits studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, being graduated from the college in 1907 and receiving his degree three years later. Following this. Dr. Maits passed a year in a Philadelphia hospital, coming to Pittsburgh in 1912 to begin a general practice which he has kept up since.
During the World War, Dr. Maits served as captain with Base Hospital No. 27, a University of Pittsburgh medical unit, and participated in the American drives at St. Mihiel and in the Argonne Forest. At the end of the war. Dr. Maits returned to his practice here and maintained private offices in the Highland Building. He is married and has two children.
In addition to his duties as school medical inspector. Dr. Maits is a member of the staff at St. Francis Hospital ; a director of the Allegheny County Medical Society and a member of the medical faculty at the Uni- versity of Pittsburgh.
FORMER "SIGNET" EDITOR HEARD FROM
The following is an excerpt from the Miami Herald under date of February i.
James A. Boehm, mayor of Dania, today was notified by Governor Doyle E. Carlton that he had been appointed motor vehicle superintendent for the Fourth Congressional District, extending from Jacksonville to Key West.
i84 THE SIGNET
Mayor Boehm's new duties will include the supervision of all auto- mobile license bureaus in this district, direction of state automobile in- spectors and other matters in connection with the state automobile license bureau. Other superintendents were appointed in each of the congressional districts in Florida. This is the first time that a Broward County resident has been appointed as superintendent in the Fourth District.
The appointment of Mr. Boehm was a personal one from Governor Carlton and also made in appreciation for the support given the governor by Mr. Boehm during the last gubernatorial race. Mr. Boehm was cam- paign manager for Mrs. Ruth Bryan Owen in her successful race for congressman in the Fourth District.
EARL SNELL CARRIES ON
Harold Viault sent in the following press notice :
Earl Snell has just started his third year as feature comedy writer for Universal. He did not renew his contract, however, but will continue to work for the Laemmle organization on a picture-to-picture basis and also accept assignments from other producers.
OFF TO BORNEO
From the Washington Evening Star of February 8 :
Harry W. Wells of 105 East Thornapple Street, Chevy Chase, Mary- land, has been selected to take charge of the radio communication and research work in connection with the All-American Mohawk Malayasian Expedition which will leave in the near future for the interior of Borneo.
This announcement has been made by Theodore Sellmann of Chicago, noted writer, traveler and explorer, who will head the expedition, which, with other things, will make a study of tropical and equatorial radio problems. The expedition is expected to remain in Borneo from one to two years.
Wells, who is twenty-two years of age, was graduated from the Col- lege of Engineering of the University of Maryland in the class of 1928. He was selected from among 600 applicants. He was chosen for the position because of his accomplishments in radio engineering and also for his experience as a steamship radio operator.
Since 1922, Wells has been operating his own amateur radio station, whose call letters are 3KU. Last summer he served as radio operator on the S. S. Eastern Temple, which runs between New York and Galveston, and since September, 1928, he has been with the Westinghouse Co., engaged on radio development work. During his summers, while an undergraduate at the university, he worked on the construction of the Coolidge Dam in Arizona.
The radio equipment for the expedition, which will consist of both sending and receiving sets, is now being shipped to the University of Maryland, at College Park, where arrangements have been made for its assembly and thorough testing by Wells. The transmitter will employ two 250-watt tubes, and with this hook-up it is expected to communicate from Central Borneo to the United States.
An amateur radio station license is being secured for the university to permit Wells to conduct his experiments at College Park. This work, it is expected, will take about two months.
PHI SIGS AFIELD 185
DARTMOUTH'S ATHLETIC MENTOR
From the New York Times of December 12.
The Dartmouth Athletic Qjuncil voted favorably today on a report from the department of physical education suggesting the addition of an- other wing on the alumni gymnasium. Harry R. Heneage, supervisor of athletics, estimated that the new structure would cost about $250,000. The proposed addition would be used for squash, handball, wrestling, boxing and fencing.
In making the suggestion to the council, Sid Hazelton, chairman of the department of physical education, said that his work was being re- tarded by inadequate equipment and lack of space.
BRINGS BACK A DRAGON
This excerpt is from The Boston Globe of November 2:
Hanover, New Hampshire, November i. — Professor William Patten, director of the evolution course at Dartmouth College, returned to Hanover after a three months' trip to Europe in quest of certain very primitive vertebrates. He spent the first few weeks of his trip in Oesel, a small island in the Baltic Sea, now under Esthonian control, where he unearthed some valuable specimens of the ostracederm, the highest form of life in existence 800,000,000 years ago, according to Professor Patten's figures.
An interesting curio was picked up during the course of the trip. It is a Chinese dragon about five feet long, entirely carved from bone and ivory, with each of its multiple joints separate. It has the body of a reptile but the horns of a deer. This dragon forms the center of a whole series of myths and represents the art of long lost civilizations. It is taken to signify the early conception of evil and good.
This particular dragon is said to have come from the Czar's palace in Russia, and to have been a gift from the Czar to the Dowager Empress of China.
DARTMOUTH ALUMNI ATHLETIC
Kenneth Hill writes of Tau alumni as follows :
"Robert Dalrymple, '27, recently won the New England AA.U. two- mile championship indoors, defeating in a hair-raising finish, the famous Olympic runner, Leo Leonard. Both are running under the colors of the Boston Athletic Association. Just to show it was no mistake Bob last week won the National Junior indoor two-mile title from a field of twenty-five. The following night he went to New York and placed second in the National Two-Mile Steeple Chase to the latest Finn sensation, Perje, in a race which broke the world's record.
"Monty Wells, '28, is staging a come-back this year after injuries which kept him out of the Olympics. Last Friday night he won the National Indoor hurdles title at seventy yards, defeating the country's outstanding stars.
"Franklyn T. Osgood, '25, is an outstanding distance runner for the N.Y.A.C. Last fall he placed third in the National ten-mile race and fourth in the Metropolitan race.
"Albert Fusonie, '27, is coaching at Taft School. He also teaches German and Latin."
i86 THE SIGNET
RADIO PIONEER DISABLED
Harold M. Taylor, Y, '15, who lost his health in the Navy during the late war, has had to give up all outside interests. Although handicapped the last nine or ten years, he made notable progress in the advertising business. He was one of the two first directors of broadcasting in the country and had consider- able to do with the pioneer development of the art. For five years he was advertising manager of the old Amrad Corporation, Medford Hillside, Massachusetts, and the last two years, before his retirement, he was copy and production manager of a Boston advertising agency. He is now engaged in historical and geo- logical work at home.
AN AVIATION LECTURER The following is from The Massachusetts Collegian of March
4:
"The Future of Flying in the United States" was the subject of the talk given by Commander Fitzhugh Green at the Social Union hour last Friday. A brief resume of the history of flying, the types and conditions of aircraft of the present day, and the problems that the construction engineers and the pilots of the future will face were the principal points covered in his discussion. The idea of human flight is as old as man, declared Commander Green, and gave an example of the Eskimo who took the frozen bird and made it soar into the air, only to land gently on the ground again. The Eskimo was convinced that he could construct a pair of wings similar to the bird's, by which he too might fly. Four hundred b.c. saw the first airplane, but development was checked by the lack of motive power. Power was supplied for the first time by Langley, who flew a plane in 1896.
Airplane history in the future will follow the same course taken by the automobile in the last quarter century. As soon as the public learn to accept aircraft in the same way that it does autos at present, the suc- cess of this type of locomotion is assured.
This is what is meant by "air-mindedness." If the man of 1890 were to be set down suddenly in the midst of traffic in a city at the present time, he would be confused, and would even be unable to cross the street, so unaccustomed would he be to gauging the speed of the approaching cars. In the same way the man of the future will have an advantage over the one of today, in that he will be "air-minded," accepting airplanes as naturally as we accept automobiles.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For items in this department we are indebted to: "Billy" Mc- Intyre, Edgar Russell, Harold Viault, Ralph Watts, Willard Mc- Cornack, Walter Brandes, W. V. Slatery, Roland Verbeck, Fred- erick Griswold, Kenneth Hill.
* K s FRATERNITY
OFFICERS 1 928- 1 930
The Supreme Court William A. McIntyre, M '04, 25 Broadway, New York City. Dr. Joseph E. Root, A '76, 904 Main St., Hartford, Conn. George J. Vogel, r '91, Torrington, Conn.
Dr. Walter H. Conley, B '91, Welfare Island, New York City. Alvin T. Burrows, A '03, iii N. Race St., Urbana, 111. Howard F. Dunham, T 'ii. River Ridge, Hanover, N.H.
The Council President —
Joseph H. Batt, A '14, Insurance Bldg., Washington, D.C. Vice Presidents —
Don a. Hamilton, E^ 'ii, 329 Bumcoat St., Worcester,
Mass. Raymond G. Lafean, M '19, Box 595, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edgar T. Fell, S '13, Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md. Earl F. Schoening, A^ '21, 7400 Crandon Ave., Chicago,
111. William F. Wood, S '10, 238 Bush St., San Francisco, Calif. Secretary-Treasurer —
Ralph J. Watts, A '07, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wis. Financial Supervisor —
Charles H. Ruedi, A-^ '17, 137 E. Main St., Decatur, 111. Scholarship Supervisor —
Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
Endowment Fund Trustees Donald F. McLean, A '06, 286 N. Broad St., Elizabeth, N.J. Karl W. H. Scholz, M 'ii, Logan Hall, University, Philadel- phia, Pa. Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
Inspection Deputy Willard F. McCornack, O '28, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wis.
i88 THE SIGNET
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS
A — March 15, 1873. Massachusetts Agricultural College. Am- herst, Mass. Adviser, Roland H. Verbeck.
B — (Albany), February 2, 1888. Union. 519 Mercer St., Al- bany, N.Y. Adviser, appointment pending.
(Schenectady), 201 Seward PI., Schenectady, N.Y. Adviser, H. M. Cregier, R.F.D., Schenectady.
r — February 26, 1899. Cornell. 702 University Ave., Ithaca, N.Y. Adviser, Herman Diederichs, University.
A — February 24, 1891. West Virginia. 672 North High St., Morgantown, W.Va. Adviser, David C. Garrison, 229 Wilson Ave.
E — ^June 3, 1893. Yale. 124 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn. Adviser, Wm. H. Hackett, 38 Lynwood PI.
Z — December 19, 1896. C.C.N.Y. 473 West 140th St., New York City. Adviser, Leo R. Ryan, 2023 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.
H — January 8, 1897. Maryland. Princeton and Dartmouth Sts., College Park, Md. Adviser, N. Carter Hammond, 543 Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md.
© — December 16, 1897. Columbia. 550 West 114th St., New York City. Adviser, James H. Miner, 550 West 114th St., New York City.
I — March 15, 1899. Stevens. 810 Hudson St., Hoboken, N.Y. Adviser, A. B. Waterbury, 103 N. Walnut St., East Orange, N.J.
K — June 7, 1899. Penn State. State College, Pa. Adviser, to be appointed.
A — October 7, 1899. George Washington. 1882 Eye St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Adviser, Norman S. Meese, 8 Valley View, Takoma Park, Md.
M — March 10, 1900. Pennsylvania. 3618 Locust St., Phila- delphia, Pa. Adviser, Karl W. H. Scholz, Logan Hall, Univer- sity.
N — March 9, 1901. Lehigh. Third and Cherokee Sts., South Bethlehem, Pa. Adviser, J. E. Culliney, 826 Penn. Ave., Bethle- hem, Pa. ;
S — April 12, 1902. St. Lawrence. 78 Park St., Canton, N.Y. Adviser, Frank R. Maloney, Chase Mills, N.Y.
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS 189
O — ^May 24, 1.902, M.I.T. 487 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass. Adviser, Herbert D. Swift, 25 Eaton Ct., Wellesley Hills, Mass.
II — ^April 18, 1903. Franklin and Marshall, 437 West James St., Lancaster, Pa. Adviser, J. Shober Barr, 714 West End Ave.
S — May 16, 1903. St. John's. Campus, Annapolis. Wm. C. Baxter, 1163 Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md.
T — March 25, 1905. Dartmouth. Hanover, N.H. Adviser, John E. Hill, 23 Cadman Hill Ave., Dorchester, Mass.
Y — 'February 10, 1906. Brown. 406 Brook St., Providence, R.I. Adviser, Bruce M. Bigelow, Norwood, R.I.
'$ — March 24, 1906. Swarthmore. Swarthmore, Pa. Adviser, Herbert L. Brown, 43 E. 23rd St., Chester, Pa.
X — June 16, 1906. Williams. Williamstown, Mass. Adviser, Allen Hackett, 600 W. 122nd St., New York City.
■* — January 19, 1907. Virginia. Virginia Ave., Charlottes- ville, Va. Adviser, Harvey E. Jordan, University PI., Univer- sity, Va.
Q, — February 12, 1909. California. 2412 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, Calif. Adviser, Wayne H. Thornton, 2529 College Ave.
A'^ — May 9, 1910. Illinois. 1004 S. Second St., Cham- paign, 111. Adviser, Frank A. Smith, Box 545, Sta. A.
,B^ — ^May 12, 1910. Minnesota. 317 Eighteenth Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, Minn. Adviser, Wm. T. Middlebrook, University.
r^ — April 13, 191 1. Iowa State. 142 Gray St., Ames, Iowa. Adviser, E. F. Graff, 610 Douglas Ave.
A^ — February 27, 191 5. Michigan. 1403 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. Adviser, P. H. Jeserich.
E^ — June 8, 191 5. W.P.I. 11 Dean St., Worcester, Mass. Adviser, Richard W. Young, 15 Schussler Rd.
Z^ — ^January 13, 1917. Wisconsin. 260 Langdon St., Madison, Wis. Adviser, H. W. Stewart, 2010 Monroe St.
H^ — ^March 4, 1917. Nevada. 737 Lake St., Reno, Nev. Ad- viser, Paul A. Harwood, 237 Hill St.
®^ — February 19, 1921. Oregon Agricultural College. 27 Park Ter., Corvallis, Ore. Adviser, Joseph E. Simmons.
I-^ — March 24, 1923. Kansas State. 1630 Humboldt, Man- hattan, Kan. Adviser, Robert K. Nabours, College.
I90 THE SIGNET
K^ — ^April 7, 1923. Georgia Tech. 132 North Ave. N.W., Atlanta, Ga. Adviser, Walter Powell, 830 Healy Bldg.
A'^ — April 25, 1923. University of Washington. 4554 Six- teenth Ave. N.E,, Seattle, Wash. Adviser, W. E. Allen, 6215 Palatine Ave.
M^ — April 26, 1923. Montana, ion Gerald Ave., Missoula, Mont. Adviser. Thos C. Spaulding, 414 Edith St.
N'^ — May 2, 1923. Stanford University. Lomita Dr. and May- field Ave., Stanford, Calif. Adviser, John O. Snyder, Univer- sity.
S^ — February 3, 1925. Tennessee. 1816 West Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. Adviser, Jasper H. Armstrong, Box
507.
O^ — February 7, 1925. Alabama. 1423 University Ave., Tus- caloosa, Ala. Adviser, A. B. Moore, University.
n^ — February 21, 1925. Ohio State. 325 Fifteenth Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Adviser, Chas. W. Reeder, 412 W. 9th St.
pA — March 13, 1925. Gettysburg. Gettysburg, Pa. Adviser, Samuel F. Snyder.
X^ — April II, 1925. Nebraska. 348 N. 14th St., Lincoln, Neb. Adviser, Allen L. Bechter, 2618 Ryons St.
T^ — November 13, 1926. Carnegie. 4807 Baum Blvd., Pitts- burgh, Pa. Adviser, Geo. M. Swan, 1012 Park Bldg.
yA — November 20, 1926. North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C. Adviser, Robert B. Lawson.
^ — November 20, 1926. Kentucky. 435 E. Maxwell St., Lexington, Ky. Adviser, R. C. Porter, 435 E. Maxwell St.
X^ — December 18, 1926. Washington State. Pullman, Wash. Adviser, Harry O. Kent, 312 Symons Bldg., Spokane, Wash.
^^ — December 21, 1926. Oregon. Eugene, Ore. Adviser, Louis P. Artau, Eugene, Ore.
Q,^ — October 13, 1928. Southern California. 2671 Magnolia Ave., Los Angeles, Calif, Adviser, Norman Averill, 341 W. i8th St.
A^ — October 27, 1928. Wesleyan. Wesleyan PL, Middletown, Conn. Adviser, Cedric W. Foster, 167 Whitney St., Hartford, Conn.
BT— November 3, 1928. Knox. 185 W. South St., Galesburg, 111. Adviser, Chas. J. Adamec, 348 N. Cedar St.
ALUMNI CLUBS 191
ALUMNI CLUBS
New York — Secretary, Harold G. Wentworth, B '16, 22 E. 38th St. Luncheon every Thursday, 12 130 Fraternity Clubs Bldg., Madison Ave. and 38th St.
Chicago — Secretary, Alfred L. Stoddard, A '15, 900 S. Wabash Ave. Luncheon every Tuesday 12 :oo, Mandel Brothers Grill.
Vermont — Secretary, Marcell Conway, A '22, Barre, Vt.
Southern California — Secretary, Harold Viault, A '23, I. W. Helman Bldg., Los Angeles. Luncheon every Wednesday 12 :oo, University Club. Business meeting first Tuesday of month, 6 130 P.M., University Club.
Washington Eta — Secretary, J. P. Schaefer, H '23, Riverdale, Md. Dinner and meeting first Monday evening of the month, Lambda chapter house.
Washington — Secretary Charles R. Huff, A '20, 734 15th St., N.W.
Spokane — Secretary, Vernon MacMartin, X'^ '28, W. 2325 Boone Ave. Dinner third Monday of every month, University Club, 6:15 P.M.
Minnesota — Secretary, Charles Davis, B^ '16, 536 Plymouth Bldg., Minneapolis, Minn. Luncheon every Wednesday, An- drews Hotel, Minneapolis, Minn.
Baltimore — Secretary, William C. Baxter, S '23, 1163 Calvert Bldg. Luncheon every Thursday, Engineers' Qub, 12 130.
Milwaukee — Secretary, Lloyd Mueller, Z^ '25, Boston Store.
Amherst — Secretary, Phillip H. Smith, A '97, Amherst, Mass.
San Francisco — Secretary, Robert R. Porter, N^ '22, 647 Seventh Ave. Luncheon every other Wednesday, Commercial Club, Merchants' Exchange Bldg, 12:15.
Birmingham — Secretary, Hubert Scruggs, O^ '27, Alabama Power Co. Dinner first Wednesday of every month, Bankhead Hotel.
Unchartered
Butte — Secretary, John Cooney, M^ '25, Cooney Brokerage Co. Luncheon first Tuesday of month, Finlen Hotel.
Chartered Clubs Apparently Inactive
Seattle, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Springfield, Northern Ohio, Colum- bus, Philadelphia.
192 THE SIGNET
ADDENDA
With the thought that some of you will be glad to paste this item into the back cover of your Who's Who in Phi Sigma Kappa, we are giving you a supplementary list of names which through error or ignorance were omitted from the original booklet. It should be repeated for the benefit of the brothers who have sug- gested names not here included that whereas in the field of the Fraternity we assume all responsibility of choice, in the field of professional life we are, with the exception of one recent ap- pointee, resting squarely on the authority of Who's Who in America. Its selections are of course open to much criticism, but they are not as wildly erratic as ours would be.
Burrows, Alvin T., George Washington '03, "Chappie"; vice-president 1916-22; Supreme Court 1922-24, 1928 — ; president 1924-28; patron of Illinois chapter; popular banquet guest and contributor to Signet; editor The Daily Courier; address 11 1 N. Race St., Urbana, III.
Davis, George H., Cornell '92 ; engineer ; member and director firm Ford, Bacon & Davis 1895 — ; vice-president American Cities' Railway and Light Co. 1907-11 ; president American Cities' Co. 1911-13; address IIS Broadway, New York City.
Kolb, Louis J., Pennsylvania '87; president Kolb's Bakeries of Phila- delphia, Duhrkop Oven Co., Pennsylvania Loan Co., Pennsylvania Sugar Co., chairman Executive Committee General Baking Co. ; chair- man Board Real Estate Trust Co. ; director 6th National Bank, Key- stone Telephone Co. ; vice-president Schwarz Wheel Co. ; president trustees Coombs Conservatory of Music; address 1629 Locust St., Philadelphia.
Schoening, Earl A., Illinois '21 ; vice-president 1928 — ; secretary Chicago Club 1926-27; address 7400 Crandon Ave., Chicago.
Steenbock, Harry, Wisconsin '08 ; member department Agricultural Chem- istry Univ. of Wisconsin, except for periods of graduate study, 1908 — ; has made important discoveries relative to availability of vitamins; address 21 17 W. Lawn Ave., Madison, Wis.
Wsmne, Dr. Shirley W., Columbia '04; deputy commissioner and director of hospitals. New York City; Commissioner of Health, New York City 1928—; address 3 E. 53rd St., New York City.
Vol. XXI NEW SERIES No. i
Published by the
Council of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Four Times During the Collegiate Year Publication oiSice: 450 Ahnaip St., Menasha, Wis.
FRANK PRENTICE RAND, M.A., Editor Amherst, Massachusetts
JUNE, 1929
Entered as second class matter at the post office at Menasha, Wisconsin.
Red Grange and Lindbergh came along. The world owes a debt of gratitude to both of those young gentle- men. The example of neither would be quite complete without that of the other. As a team they've done more to make boys and girls grasp nice questions of good taste than all the books ever printed.
A chap came in last week. He'd been offered a hun- dred dollars to sign a testimonial for a well-known com- mercial commodity which was to be run as an advertise- ment along with a photograph of himself in athletic un- dress. Would it affect his eligibility if he did it? Was it wrong to do it? He needed the hundred.
"Of course it isn't wrong, but it would be a mistake."
"Why?"
"Well, it's hard to explain, but you know darn well Red Grange would do it in a minute and that Lindbergh wouldn't do it in a thousand years." — Cornell Alumni News.
THREE POEMS Nelson Antrim Crawford, I^
VERY YOUNG INTELLECTUAL
He sought professedly for harlots in a hundred cities, Intending thus to win the Babbitts' frowns,
But found instead — ah, breathe your violet-scented pities !- Two gestures, seven pale adverbs, twenty virginal nouns.
REALITY
These are the gusts of reality. And these, blown before them, The pale timid respectabilities. Fearfully whirling their oily roundnesses Toward the ancient pool.
PROGRESS OF TERWILLIGER*
Vernon Terwilliger, constructive from his birth.
Studied business administration in college. Seeking culture as seriously as mirth.
And good, clean, wholesome jokes no less than knowledge.
Now he damns the college Rotarianly with euphemistic dog-gones (Culture, he might have known, is a jade, and knowledge a strumpet).
When his luncheon club addresses strike wry tones
Against the uniform blasts of the edifying Service trumpet.
* In The Harp.
SOME LEGAL ASPECTS OF FRATERNALISM
Frederick Griswold, Z '21
Formerly Chairman Legal Committee Inter fraternity Conference
On first thought, one would hardly expect fraternalism to have legal aspects. And yet those who have had experience in conducting the affairs of fraternities have found that they are met, on every hand, with legal questions.
We could readily transact the business of our fraternity as an unincorporated association, and, from the standpoint of effec- tiveness in our internal organization, we would probably meet with no difficulties. But our officers are compelled to enter into contracts with other parties, to handle large sums of money and to incur obligations on behalf of the fraternity. Were we an unincorporated association, our officers would be individually liable for such debts and this is a burden they should not be asked to assume. It is probably for a reason such as this, initially, that the national organizations of many fraternities became incor- porated. Time has shown, however, that other advantages accrue from incorporation which were unforeseen. In many cases, char- ters have been so drawn up as to prevent the fraternities from taking full advantage of their opportunities and the question of reincorporation is uppermost in the minds of many fraternity officials today.
Many factors must be taken into consideration in deciding how and where to incorporate a national fraternity. Those who must do the work of the fraternity, the officers, are busy men. They all have to earn a living and must carry on the affairs of the fra- ternity "on the side." It is imperative, therefore, that the con- duct of the fraternity be made as simple as possible. One way to make it simple is to avoid the necessity of making annual reports, both state and federal. The rendering of reports to the state can be avoided by selecting a state which does not re- quire membership corporations (as distinct from business cor- porations) to render reports and by incorporating in such a state, as a membership corporation, which is not organized for profit. Organizations operating under the lodge system, such as we do, are not required to pay federal income taxes. Their officers are relieved of the burden of making out federal income tax reports and their exchequers are not depleted by federal income taxes.
FREDERICK GRISWOLD
SOME LEGAL ASPECTS OF FRATERNALISM 5
Another very important item to be considered in effecting the incorporation of a national fraternity is the question of state taxes. Of course, each state can levy taxes on any real estate or personal property within its borders that it chooses. Most states exempt from taxation institutions not organized for profit, such as churches and private schools, and in many instances charitable and benevolent orders. Some states even exempt fraternities on the ground that they are adjuncts of educational institutions, although in some states, such as Delaware, the amount of prop- erty exempted is limited. Those states which explicitly exempt fraternity property from taxation by statute are Delaware, Flor- ida, Indiana, Nevada, North Dakota, and Vermont. Exemption has been established by judicial decisions in Kansas, Oklahoma, and West Virginia and by current practice of taxing authorities in Idaho, Mississippi, and Tennessee. In all other states, with the exception of Utah, fraternity property is taxed, although literary and scientific institutions are exempt. In Utah even private educational institutions are taxed.
In choosing a state in which to incorporate nationally, there- fore, we must look to the laws and court decisions of the state to determine whether the fraternity property will be taxed. While the national body may not have much in the way of worldly goods at the time of incorporating, it should anticipate the time when it will have assets, such as building funds, endowments, and a national headquarters in a temple of its own. Of course, fraternity chapters have no choice ; their property holding organ- ization must incorporate in the state in which the chapter is lo- cated. However, even in those states in which benevolent and educational institutions are exempt from taxation, the chapters of some fraternities have failed to obtain exemption due to the faulty manner in which they have incorporated.
During the past year, the necessity for careful incorporation has been illustrated by an attempt of a fraternity in Oregon to escape taxation of real property owned by the chapter and oc- cupied as a college fraternity home. An Oregon statute provides for the exemption from taxation of real estate and personal prop- erty belonging to literary, benevolent, charitable, and scientific institutions incorporated within the state. This statute would seem to exempt the average college fraternity. Difficulty has been experienced, however, by the fraternity in question due,
6 THE SIGNET
in part, at least, to the manner of its incorporation. They have sought this exemption by suit in the Oregon courts to restrain the county authorities from levying taxes on their property. They lost in the lower court and the matter is now on appeal be- fore a higher tribunal. The case may prove unfortunate as it will afford a precedent, which, if decided unfavorably, will hin- der attempts to avoid taxation by other fraternity chapters in the same state.
The chief obstacle met with by that fraternity is the fact that the objects set forth in the articles of incorporation in Oregon are limited to the organization of a fraternal home for students attending the university, and to provide, establish and organize a place where the students of the aforesaid fraternal body may make their homes, eat their meals and, in general, use the prop- erty owned by them as a home for the college year. Such ob- jects do not establish the fraternity to be either a literary, bene- volent, charitable, or scientific institution and yet we emphasize, at the present time, the fact that the college fraternity has for its aim the furthering of the work of higher education "by fos- tering scholarship and right living in our undergraduate mem- bers. Today college fraternities are particularly character build- ers, mind builders, and training centers in citizenship and cul- ture, which, in a broad sense, is the mission of higher educa- tion, and is so recognized by a majority of educators and legisla- tors in most of our states. Some substantiation of this is shown by the fact that of the fraternities in the Interfraternity Con- ference, 98 per cent are found to recognize a Supreme Being or Deity ; 94 per cent require or encourage a normal life ; 98 per cent urge the fundamental virtues of honesty and integrity; 100 per cent teach the duty of service to mankind ; 80 per cent urge the virtue and practice of charity; 71 per cent foster par- ticipation of their members in social service and philanthropic work; and 100 per cent pubHsh periodicals of more or less lit- erary value.
College fraternities nowadays generally, in practice, place the emphasis upon aiding the student in obtaining an education, and as part of the help extended to the student, incidentally provide a home. The chapter homes supplement the college dormitories which, in many instances, are inadequate to accommodate the entire student body. Except at the state institutions.
SOME LEGAL ASPECTS OF FRATERNALISM 7
such college dormitories are privately endowed and frequently furnish living quarters at less than cost. Dormitories, even in private institutions of learning, are exempt from taxation in the majority of states. A parallel can be drawn with the fraternity chapter house and the same exemption should follow. As with the dormitory, the money for the creation of the prop- erty of the chapter, including the purchase of the land, the erection of the house and its furnishing is derived wholly from the gifts or contributions of the alumni of the college who have been members of the active chapter, and, in some cases, their friends and families. The property is maintained out of the rentals charged to the students and from contributions by the alumni. Such rentals are often not adequate to defray the en- tire running expenses of the chapter house and the rentals are supplemented by small annual contributions, precisely as the same alumni and others make annual gifts directly to the college in aid of its running expenses. It is true that the occupants of the chapter house form a self -selected and self -perpetuated group instead of being selected by the college authorities from the entire student body. But even this latter is not entirely true of college dormitories. In some colleges and universities certain dormitories are restricted to occupancy by certain classes, etc., and in addition provide accommodations for self-selected student groups, such as honor societies.
Another legal question affecting the fraternity since the advent of the income tax is the right of a taxpayer to deduct gifts to fraternities in making up his income tax return. In 1926, this question was raised in a protest against a ruling of the commis- sioner of internal revenue disallowing such a deduction. The statute permits the deduction of gifts to any corporation or- ganized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, sci- entific, literary, or educational purposes. The theme of the pro- test was that if contributions to colleges for specific purposes were exempt from taxation and if fraternities served the same purposes, then contributions to such fraternities for such pur- poses should be exempt. The commissioner allowed the deduc- tion. Unfortunately, a recent court decision in Washington this year reverses this ruling and such gifts are now taxable. This may work a hardship on fraternities by discouraging the making of gifts.
8 THE SIGNET
Another big problem which besets the fraternities at the pres- ent time is the protection of the fraternity name and badge from pirating by irresponsible groups or commercial organizations seeking only to capitalize the prestige of the fraternity name. For instance, we have Z.B.T. talcum powder to the confusion of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. We have groups in trade schools and business schools adopting the names of college fraternities and we have even found one such trade school organization with the ignorance or temerity to invite one of the members of the Interfraternity Conference to merge with it. As the laws stand now, we are forced to the conclusion that the only way to protect the fraternity name is to incorporate in every state in the Union. Then, of course, such corporation could prevent any other group in that state from using its name. This is an ex- pensive procedure. To obviate this, one fraternity has prepared a letter with appropriate information, and filed it with the sec- retary of state or corporation office of each state, requesting that the fraternity be heard before the issuance of any charter bearing the fraternity's name, and also asking that that frater- nity be given such protection as may be permissible in their re- spective offices beforehand. This they hope will aid them in avoiding the necessity of injunction suits, with which they have had some success in the past, either under state laws or under the common law right of user.
There are probably few fraternities that have not found other organizations, both black and white, copying their badges. Many fraternities have attempted to protect their insignia by registering the badge as a trademark in the U, S. Patent Office. The ef- fectiveness of this procedure is questionable. A trademark is used in commerce. It is intended to indicate the origin of goods used in trade. These are not the definitions of a fraternity pin. There is really no legal protection for our pins. Thus it is that even our own badge is simulated in the badges of one national fraternity and at least one local, and we are powerless to stop it.
A survey of the laws of the several states will show that the statutes of no one state provide for all of the features found necessary to the successful operation of a fraternity. For in- stance, our own constitution calls for conventions every two years, often held outside of the state of incorporation, and we
SOME LEGAL ASPECTS OF FRATERNALISM g
limit the voting privilege to delegates. The New York Mem- bership Corporation Law refers to annual meetings, while the Illinois law does not. But in Illinois, every member of a cor- poration must have the right to vote, while in a New York corporation delegates may vote. Both states tax fraternities, while Indiana does not. Perhaps the only way in which fra- ternities can acquire all the rights, privileges and immunities vitally necessary in our own eyes is by Federal charter. That is not possible today because there is no Federal act under which we could incorporate. The American Red Cross and the Boy Scouts of America are incorporated by special acts of Con- gress. Possibly if all of the fraternities cooperated, an act might be passed by Congress under which national college fra- ternities could incorporate and attain the required flexibility in their organization, freedom from taxation and the protection of their names and insignia or any near resemblance thereof. The law committee of the Inter fraternity Conference now has this subject under consideration. Let us hope that they will continue their study and devise a bill which all the fraternity men in both houses of Congress can get behind and cause to be enacted. Then with a national charter and with headquarters in the national capital, we shall be able to operate under laws devised especially for national fraternities and be exempt from taxation and can stop the copying of our names and badges by proceedings in the federal courts.
At Iowa, hanging in back of the President's chair in the chapter room, is an organization chart. It shows in exactly what manner the responsi- bihty rests upon the various chapter officers. It illustrates very clearly that the head of the house is very much so. It shows that he is respon- sible to the Council alone. All committee heads are represented on the chart as well as the function of the Alumni Advisor.
OUR PROBLEM
WiLLARD F. McCoRNACK, Inspection Deputy
There was an exceptionally interesting article in the last is- sue of The Signet in which Ralph Watts gave us the results of a questionnaire which he had sent out to the executives of some sixteen of our leading national fraternities. It concerned their most perplexing fraternity problem. And it naturally brings to our mind the query "What is our problem?" And it is the pur- pose of this article to point out what, in the writer's opinion, is our problem.
No, it is not poor scholarship. Nor is it excessive drinking and gambling. It is neither absurd and harmful hell week prac- tices nor loose moral standards. It is not particularly concerned with either alumni or active chapter financing. No, it is none of these and yet — yes, and yet, it is all of these. It is the basic reason for failure along all the lines mentioned above as well as many others. Truly it is the biggest obstruction to fraternity development today and may some day be the cause of its very death. Lest you think the situation purely localized, let me add that it is not limited to any one of our chapters or to our fra- ternity alone but is common to the whole college and fraternity field. It is everywhere in every fraternity. One can read its presence between the lines if not in the very lines themselves of the complaints of the fraternities which responded to Ralph Watts' questionnaire. And after this very broad and sweeping denunci- ation, you may well ask "What is this insidious evil?" And the answer is a simple one, it is — no. Let me illustrate with a few actual incidents.
In one of our chapters not long ago, the vice-president, him- self a former president and one of the strongest and most pop- ular men in the chapter, sent a pledge downtown after liquor. The pledge fulfilled his task and cached the purchase in the back- yard of the house. He then telephoned the upperclassman who had sent him on the mission to inform him of the whereabouts of the liquor. Chance had it that a nearby policeman overheard the conversation and a raiding party was promptly organized which descended upon backyard of the house and did not find the liquor. That was a lucky break.
Again, a few years ago, in the basement of one of our chap-
OUR PROBLEM ii
ter houses, there was a regular business going on. It took the form of buying alcohol and selling gin. The chapter adviser found out about it after several weeks and promptly put a stop to it. One hates to think what might have happened had an officer of the law discovered the affair before the chapter ad- viser.
These are only two illustrations. There are many more. The apparent wrong in both of the above is one of simple law- breaking. But to me, this feature of the case is of minor im- portance compared to the motive behind it all. We cannot always depend upon chance covering up our mistakes. We must have foresight.
Let us look at this fraternity of ours for a moment. For what does it stand? More important, for what did it stand years ago. We find the answer in the preamble to our constitution which states that "In the early part of this century. . . .there was inaugurated a system of secret societies which have become a series of fraternities whose true beneficence is that they are homes. They promote the student's welfare ; keep him up to the work laid out in the curriculum, and save him in many instances from doing rash acts which might jeopardize his college career," Note that last, and ask yourself, in the instances above, has not the fraternity failed?
And we find the reason for this failure further in the pre- amble. "The benefits and responsibilities extend into after-col- lege life." There it is. Responsibilities. Our founders assumed that every brother of the order knew that the backbone of our organization lay in its responsibilities. It was not necessary to state them. But our younger brothers seem to forget that there are very real and important responsibilities which must be as- sumed in order to enjoy the benefits of such a fraternity as ours. It is the cardinal lesson of existence that life is respon-
Perhaps we demand too much of the young college hoys of today. Perhaps in fact we should not demand as much self con- trol and ability as we did of the college men of yesterday. But if we cannot delegate authority in our active chapter and feel assured that such delegated authority will be responsible, if we cannot do that with the certain knowledge that it will be well met, then the beginning of the end is in sight for our fraternity.
12 THE SIGNET
Dean Clark of Illinois attacked this problem not long ago. He issued the ultimatum that the various committee heads and fraternity presidents would be individually responsible for the proper conduct of social functions. This applied as well to the cessation of hell week. And the edict had teeth, as was shown by the fact that several such committee heads were dropped from school for failure to realize their responsibility and justly en- force their authority. Will it be necessary for the Council of our fraternity to demand such responsibility of its chapter pres- idents with the same punishment?
The national organization has always operated on the suppo- sition that each chapter was able to take care of its own respon- sibilities. It has held that interference would be injurious ex- cept when the local officers were unable or unwilling to enforce their own delegated authority. The arbitrary line lies in the judgment of just when local organization is unable to cope with the situation.
When chapter officers feel that chapter discipline is slipping, when they think that individuals are beginning to lose that sense of responsibility to the organization which every man must possess, it is not only their privilege but their duty to take dras- tic measures. If they are unable or unwilling to do this, if the chapter discipline has lapsed so that the officers are not obeyed, it is time to call upon national authority.
It has happened at times in the past, it will probably happen in the future. But too often local officers let the thing slide. Things begin to take care of themselves and soon everyone is a law unto himself. When chapter responsibility is lost, there is little left. And when the situation has reached this stage, it is much more difficult to restore the healthy condition of a well disciplined ac- tive chapter.
Have you ever noticed that the buck private in the rear rank of a crack drill company has more pride in his organization than the sergeant of a company noted for its poor formation? The same principle applies. There is a greater fraternal pride in a well disciplined chapter. And it all lies in that one word, respon- sibility.
The so-called fraternity cycle, roughly estimated at seven years, is probably due to this business of responsibility. Some freshmen have a deeper feeling of duty than others. Some leap
OUR PROBLEM 13
at the idea of fraternity responsibility and obligation and are very much more aware of the old adage that you will get some- thing out of an organization only if you sacrifice something to it. As a result, during their four years stay, they are able to con- tribute this feeling of responsibility. The chapter runs smoothly and obligation of service is passed along. But unless these others take the responsibilty and carry it on as it has been shown to them, the feeling will die out with the men who were fresh- men when these real fraternity leaders were seniors. In short just three years after their graduation. This gives a wax of four years and a wane of three. The tragedy seems to lie in the fact that the real leaders are seldom teachers. They can con- tribute only as long as they themselves are active and are un- able to really pass the feeling of true responsibility to those who are at heart irresponsible persons.
My plea, then, is for a better fraternity. And by a better fra- ternity I mean a more responsible fraternity. And this re- sponsibility must he an individual one. If the day arrives when there is no one willing or able to take the torch, then that day marks the end of Phi Sigma Kappa as a fraternity. It may still exist in name, but it has ceased to exist as a fraternity. May it never come!
In the Kansas Aggie-Nebraska Basketball game this last season, there was one time when there were six Phi Sigs on the floor at once. Three of Nebraska's regulars were in the house and two of the Kansas men and for a short time one of the Kansas subs who was in the house played as well.
TWO PRESIDENTS RESIGN CHARLES SUMNER HOWE FROM CASE
Spread all the way across the front page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer for March 21 was the following headline: Howe Resigns as Case Head. Much of the material which appears below was taken from that issue.
Dr. Howe has had a distinguished record not only as an edu- cator, but also as a Phi Sigma Kappa. He was graduated from Massachusetts Agricultural College in '78. He was the first ed- itor of The Signet, albeit in those days it was simply a manu- script production purely for local use. It was he who suggested our Greek name Phi Sigma Kappa. He does not remember doing this, but the contemporary records are, although not ex- plicit, nevertheless conclusive. He was a member of many com- mittees that functioned in those pioneer days in Amherst. He was, in fact, the first president of the Grand Chapter, serving in that office for three years. From 1924 to 1926 he was a mem- ber of the Supreme Court. He has been active in the Inter- fraternity Conference and has served as chairman of important committees. Every Phi Sigma Kappa should know the story of Charles Sumner Howe.
Dr. Charles Sumner Howe, for the last twenty-seven years president of Case School of Applied Science, yesterday announced his resignation from the leadership oi the school, effective at the end of the present college year, August 31.
Dr. Howe's resignation was tendered to the board of trustees of the school last October, but was not acted upon until yesterday. His de- cision had been carefully guarded.
His retirement removes from the presidency of Case a man universally recognized as an outstanding leader in the field of education. He has been described by his friends as a mellowed Yankee, reared and educated in the traditions of New England, and trained in the educational and in- dustrial ways of the West.
Dr. Howe, now in his seventy-first year, was moved in his resignation, it was said, by a desire to relinquish his exacting and arduous duties as a college president for a quieter life of study, travel and recreation.
After a year spent in New England he will return to Cleveland to make this city his permanent home, he said last night. His long association here, he said, has formed bonds of friendship with the city and its people which he does not wish to sever.
Dr. Howe this year completes forty years as a teacher, twenty-seven of which have been spent as president of Case. He believed that this year — ^his fortieth as a teacher — was the opportune time for retirement.
(Photograph of portrait)
CHARLES SUMNER HOWE
'FUZZY," KENTUCKY'S WILDCAT MASCOT
TWO PRESIDENTS RESIGN 15
His health is greatly improved. An illness two years ago led to reports that he might retire because of ill health, but it is said that he is almost completely recovered. The death of his wife, Mrs. Abbie A. White Howe, two years ago is said to have contributed to his decision to retire this year.
Dr. Howe came to Case in 1889 as professor of mathematics and later was made professor of mathematics and astronomy. He served in that capacity until 1902, when Dr. Cady Staley, the first president of Case, retired. Dr. Howe was made acting president, and at the end of 1903 was elected president. Dr. Staley died only last year, in his eighties.
As president of Case Dr. Howe has earned a position of distinction and affection in the educational and cultural life of the city. He has lent his support to innumerable civic undertakings. His name usually has been found enrolled in support of most of the city's artistic and cultural projects.
Under his leadership Case has made great strides, both materially and scholastically. During his administration Case has climbed to an enviable rank among the engineering schools of the country, being ranked among the first four or five. The physical property of the institution has been enlarged materially, notably by the Charles W. Bingham laboratory.
Dr. Howe was born September 29, 1858, at Nashua, New Hampshire, the son of William R. and Susan D. (Woods) Howe. His early taste for the pure sciences and mathematics led him through the public schools of Bos- ton to the Massachusetts Agricultural College and Boston University. From both of these he received the bachelor of science degree in 1878. He then took a year of postgraduate work in mathematics and physics at Amherst College and Johns Hopkins University.
He began his teaching career as principal of the high school at Long- meadow, Massachusetts, in 1870, but in the same year became principal of the Albuquerque, New Mexico, Academy, where he remained until 1881. During his stay in the West he established an assay office and became interested in the study of ores.
Returning East, he spent a year at Johns Hopkins University. He then came to Ohio to become professor of mathematics in Buchtel Col- lege at Akron. In 1884 he was assigned to the chair of mathematics and astronomy, which he held until 1889, when he came to Case. He was married to Miss Abbie A. Waite of North Amherst, Massachusetts, May 22, 1882.
Dr. Howe's work and influence have been felt to an unusual degree in the education forces of Cleveland. On January i, 1905, he was appointed on a city educational commission "to look into the curricula of our grade and high schools and determine whether teacher and pupil are overbur- dened with subsidiary work and to make such recommendations as their finding of facts would warrant."
Out of the activity of this commission, the technical and commercial high schools, a revised normal school course, night high schools and many other changes in the city school system were evolved.
i6 THE SIGNET
The retiring Case president is almost as devoted to the science of as- tronomy as he is to mathematics. He is a fellow of the Royal Astronomi- cal Society and a member of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. He is the author of many articles dealing with astronomy and allied sub- jects.
He has held the presidency of the Ohio Association of the Teachers of Mathematics and Science, the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education, the Society for the Promotion of Industrial Education, the Ohio chapter of the International Commission on the Teaching of Mathe- matics, the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, the University Club, the Cleveland Engineering Society and many others. He was voted honorary membership in the Cleveland Engineering Society.
"Dr. Howe has taken an active part in advancing the position of technical education in the United States. His service to technical educa- tion in this connection alone merits recognition by our society," read the citation of the Engineering Society.
As an example of the civic service which Dr. Howe gave the city of Cleveland, he served as president at one time of the Cleveland Bridge Commission and chairman of the Cleveland River and Harbor Commis- sion. He believed enthusiastically in the capacity of trained and educated engineers to aid their home communities.
"The men who build bridges and railroads," he once said, "always be- come involved in community enterprises soon after graduation. Schools that train engineers are training men for public service."
Dr. Howe is a member of the American Mathematical Society, the American Astronomical Society, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, member of the Masonic lodge, a Knight Templar, member of Phi Sigma Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi, honorary scientific fraternity. He is a member of the University Club, the Rowfant Club, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Two years ago he was awarded a distinguished service medal by the Chamber of Commerce for outstanding civic service. He has been a Republican in politics and a communicant of the Congregational Church. In the World War he was a member of the advisory commission of the Council of National Defense. He has three sons, William C, Erie E., and Frances E.
As recognition of his standing in the field of technical education, three colleges and universities have conferred the honorary degree of doctor of laws upon Dr. Howe. They are Mount Union College, Oberlin College and Western Reserve University. He was granted the degree of doctor of science from Armour Institute of Technology in 1905.
Although he has lived twenty-seven years in Cleveland, he has never missed a summer in New England.
"I expect to make my home permanently in Cleveland," he said last night, "although I plan to be away for a year after my retirement at the end of August. My associations in Cleveland have been so close, and I
TWO PRESIDENTS RESIGN 17
have so many dear friends here, that I want to return here to spend my latter days, after I've seen New England again in all her glory.
"I shall spend a full year in New England, unless I decide to go to a warmer climate during the cold season.
"I was born in New England, you know. I love those hills in western Massachusetts, and southern New Hampshire, and Vermont. For many years I've gone back there for the summer, where I could turn my face again toward the hills.
"New Hampshire is my native state. I love the hills thereabouts, es- pecially the scenes that still are vivid in my mind from the days when I was a college student. It has been a great joy to me to go back each summer.
"But I have not seen the autumn in New England in many years. I have not seen the glory of the color in those hills for many years — the color in the trees and on the hillsides in the fall. But when the snows and winds sweep through those hills and it becomes cold and uncomfort- able I may go to a warmer climate, to wait until spring comes again.
"But as soon as spring waves her wand over New England again I'll be found back there in the same hills. I've missed seeing the spring in New England for many years. I want to see it again. There's no place in all the world like New England in the spring, with the warm winds blowing in the hills, with flowers blooming again.
"After I've seen that, after I've seen the glory of all the seasons again in New England, then I'll come back to Cleveland."
ENOCH BARTON GAREY FROM ST. JOHN'S ■
Brother Garey's career has not included such important serv- ice to Phi Sigma Kappa as has Brother Howe's, but is hardly less interesting. The material quoted is from the Baltimore Sun of April 16, most of it being an editorial comment. It is of special interest to us that his predecessor, Dr. Thomas Fell, who was president of St. John's for thirty-seven years and who is father of Edgar Fell of our Council, is also a Phi Sigma Kappa man.
Major Enoch Barton Garey yesterday announced his resignation as president of St. John's College, Annapolis, to become effective at the end of the present scholastic year, explaining that he had been under a "severe strain" and felt the need of a rest.
Coincident with this announcement, the board of visitors and governors for St. John's stated that the former army officer's resignation would be accepted with "great and sincere regret." The board recalled the efforts of Major Garey in advancing the prestige of the college during the last six years.
In order that Major Garey could take his desired rest, the board, which
i8 THE SIGNET
acts in the capacity of trustees, urged him to accept a year's salary at the termination of his term.
When Major Enoch B. Garey gave up his army career to take the presidency of St. John's, that ancient institution was in a precarious con- dition. Its standards of scholarship had deteriorated until it was rated as a Class C college. Its enrollment had declined. It produced fairly good football teams, but there was little else that could be said for it. It had become a sort of pensioner of the state, living on the bounty of the tax- payers, but giving little in return.
When Garey, with his impetuous energy, his single-mindedness, and his utter ruthlessness, stepped into the picture it appeared for a time that he was a mere destroyer. The sentimentalists among the alumni raised their hands in horror as he attacked the status quo on one side after another. They overlooked the fact that removing the debris of years is work not for a pair of tweezers but for a steam shovel.
St. John's emerged from this terrifying process a small, even an atten- uated college. But it emerged as a college with a definite character. The dubious athletic system had been completely cleared away. The college, for the first time in years, was no longer a mere appendage to a football team, but an institution of learning. And in the several years which followed Major Garey saw to it that it should become an institution of such standards that no parent should hesitate to intrust his son to its care. That Garey was no mere wrecker was proven finally when the college was granted the Class A rating.
With this essential firmly established, the same energy which had been used in the clearing away of debris was brought to bear upon the larger educational problem. The faculty was slowly and with care built up until it became comparable to the better grade of faculties elsewhere. Young enthusiasts — some of them imbued with liberal ideas and some of them out and out educational radicals — were invited to contribute to the grow- ing spirit of the place. Brilliant speakers were induced to lecture to the students and to mingle with them on the campus. By degrees, but surely, St. John's came to have a form and a significance to the people of Mary- land and even beyond.
Meanwhile Major Garey had not been overlooking the essential prob- lem of finance. It irked him to feel that the college should depend for almost its whole sustenance upon the magnanimity of the taxpayers of the state. To bring about a differing point of view involved a reor- ganization of the board which controls, but he shrank from that difficult task no more than he had shrunk from the others. St. John's now has a board which compares in strength — and in wealth — with the boards of the best small colleges of the country.
Under the direction of this board a plant worthy of the college has been acquired and is being constantly added to. The most remarkable and picturesque achievement was the acquiring of that group of Georgian houses which gives Annapolis its chief claim to fame. Colonial Annapolis and St. John's now go hand in hand and whatever there is of value in the
TWO PRESIDENTS RESIGN 19
material survivals of the old town is committed to the keeping of the col- lege.
While he was carrying on these various operations, Major Garey con- stantly disclaimed any right to be regarded as an educator. He insisted always that his function was that of an energizer and that when the work of reorganization was completed he would resign forthwith.
There may be some difference of opinion as to whether the time had come for him to put his decision into effect. But there can be do doubt that the man for six years has driven himself to the utmost for the col- lege and that the greater part of his work is permanent and will endure. Maryland is fortunate in that it can still breed men of such courage, en- ergy, and singleness of purpose.
"I am going to take a two or three months rest before I do anything else," Major Enoch B. Garey said today.
"I am going to do that before I do anything else and shall not have any plans about my future to tell until I have done that. We have a cottage at Twin Lakes, Connecticut, and Mrs. Garey and myself are going up there with our five sons and our daughters and just rest.
"I feel that I want to get all the cobwebs out of my brain and after I have had a chance to play there with my children and to rest thoroughly I shall be in a position to talk about what I shall do in the future."
A member of the Iowa chapter, who was present at the induction, became very much enamoured of the date which had been procured for him. As a result he entered into a rather prolonged correspondence. However, his former love back in college heard of the competition and issued her ulti- matum. After much thought, our Iowa brother decided that he wx)uld have to bid his Knox beauty farewell and accordingly had one of his brothers write to her telling sadly of a sudden death while out in a snow- storm. Several weeks later came a letter from Beta Triton extending its sympathy for the sudden decease. The girl had told the boys and they believed it.
FRENCH LIFE AT DARTMOUTH*
Howard F, Dunham, Court
Since in almost every good-sized group of Dartmouth un- dergraduates there are at least two or three men who have either been in France recently or plan to go there soon, it is easier in this year 1929 to arouse campus interest in the study of French than it has probably ever been before, with the pos- sible exception of the brief period when the United States par- ticipated in the World War. At the present moment 700 Dart- mouth undergraduates are enrolled in French courses, and some among them are taking advantage of additional opportunities to learn more about France, its literature and its language.
There are half a dozen ways in which men may now improve their French outside the classroom. They may do any or all of the following things :
(i) Participate in the Thursday evening meetings of the Cercle Frangais.
(2) Act in the French plays.
(3) Eat at the French tables.
(4) Compete in the annual French essay contest.
(5) Listen to the Monday evening talks of the visiting French professor.
(6) Attend the occasional lectures of distinguished French authors who come to Hanover.
The Cercle Frangais meets every Thursday evening in its beautiful rooms on the third floor of Robinson Hall, and it may be proclaimed without any fear whatever of contradiction that no other college in America houses its Cercle so sumptuously as does Dartmouth. Thanks to the financial backing of Edward Tuck, '62, and the artistic eye of Homer Eaton Keyes, '00, this lovely shrine of Jeanne dArc draws exclamations of astonish- ment and admiration from every one who sees it for the first time. At the meetings of the Cercle, undergraduate members read papers in French and members of the faculty give infor- mal talks. Business meetings are conducted entirely in French. Occasionally a soiree musicale is offered, to which members of the faculty and their families and townspeople interested in French are invited. At the recital last year, which was largely
♦ Reprinted from The Dartmouth Alumni Magazine for April.
FRENCH LIFE AT DARTMOUTH 21
attended, Mrs. Silverman, wife of Professor Silverman of the mathematics department, played selections from French com- posers, and French songs were sung by Mrs. Rose, wife of Pro- fessor Rose of the sociology department. Incidentally, nearly every department in the College was represented in the audience. Roy Myers, '28, the live-wire president of the Cercle, who had just returned from spending his junior year at a French uni- versity, welcomed the guests in flawless French. At the con- clusion of the program refreshments were served.
Several plays are performed in French each year on the stage of the Little Theater in Robinson Hall, ladies of the faculty and community and members of the faculty taking part as well as undergraduates. In January 1928, Henri Gheon's miracle play La farce du pendu dependu was very effectively given, and two months later Moliere's famous old comedy Le medecin malgre lui was done unbelievably well. In May a double bill consisting of Labiche's one-act comedy Lalettre chargee and Paul Spaak's one- act comedy in verse Diadeste concluded the semester's activities.
On the evening of December 8, 1928, the largest audience that ever turned out to witness a French play in Hanover completely filled the Little Theater and warmly applauded the performances of Merime's Ine Mendo and Regnard's Attendez-moi sous I'orme, the first of this season's offerings of the Cercle. On the evening of January 18, 1929, De Banville's comedy Gringoire was given, the long and difficult leading part falling to Richard Cleaves, a freshman from Chicago, who did an excellent bit of acting. Preceding the play there was first a delightful recital of French songs by Mrs. Marian Folger with Professor A. H. Knowlton at the piano, then a side-splitting French monologue by Professor Roule disguised as the great flute player, M. Ignace El Ruo, which kept the audience in gales of laughter for a quar- ter of an hour. The Cercle is now rehearsing Moliere's Four- beries de Scapin for a performance some time in April.
During the past two years, thanks to the efforts of Professor Verriest, one of the smaller dining rooms in College Hall has been set aside for freshman tables at which nothing but French is to be spoken. The waiters as well as those waited upon address each other in French, and frequently some member of the faculty joins the group for lunch or for the evening. The freshmen who have participated have done so with the best of
22 THE SIGNET
spirit, and are deriving both amusement and profit from this experiment which they all agree is very much worthwhile.
During the second semester of last year a good-sized group of upperclassmen ate at French tables in one of the local tea rooms, and for a time all went well, but eventually the plan was abandoned because so many of the men preferred to eat here and there about town at different hours, and not to tie themselves down to a fixed schedule in one place.
Each year since 1927 there has been a French essay contest, open to all undergraduates of the College, and in each of these contests ten or a dozen papers have been submitted. The win- ner, after having been selected by a faculty committee of judges, reads his paper to the members of the Cercle at their final meet- ing of the year, and the prize, Lanson's or Bedier and Hazard's History of French Literature, in the beautiful, big, two-volume, illustrated edition, is formally presented to him.
The College is fortunate in having each year a visiting French professor who not only teaches regular courses but also gives a series of public lectures, and speaks occasionally at the meetings of the Cercle. Last year and the year before the visiting French- man was M. Charles Mollon, a teacher from one of the lycees in Lyons. Last winter he delivered in the Little Theater a series of Monday evening lectures on "La Guerre mondiale et le roman frangais contemporian." M. Mollon returned to France with his family last June. His successor is M. Xavier Morfin of the Lycee at Roanne (Loire). M. Morfin is giving this winter a course in advanced composition and conversation, and another advanced course which surveys the literary movements in the nineteenth century as shown in fiction, the drama, criticism and philosophy, with considerable attention to the interchange of influences between France and England.
Each Monday evening M. Morfin delivers a lecture in French, either about some province of France or about some outstanding personality in contemporary French life. Lantern slides and sometimes moving pictures are shown at these lectures which have been attended by undergraduates, faculty members and their families, and teachers and students from the Hanover High School. These causeries hebdomadaires, as M. Morfin modestly calls them, are held in one of the large rooms in the Thayer School building.
FRENCH LIFE AT DARTMOUTH 23
M. Morfin, like his predecessor, is taking a keen interest in Dartmouth affairs, and is to be seen at various college gath- erings, frequently engaged in French conversation with under- graduates and members of the faculty. When he returns to Roanne next June he will be in a position to tell his students there many interesting things about American college life. He hopes to take back with him an adequate collection of lantern slides and a reel or two of films to supplement the talks he is going to give next year about Dartmouth, a type of educational institution which, by the way, is entirely unknown in France.
One of his fond dreams is to see a few bright young French- men come to study at Dartmouth in the near future, but Ameri- can college life is appallingly expensive for a European purse, and practically no French family can afford such an outlay.
Every distinguished French author who comes to Hanover prefaces his talk with a neatly worded tribute to Edward Tuck, who is held in such high esteem in Paris, and whose love for and generosity to France and Dartmouth are so well known. His friend and admirer, the brilliant and witty Edouard Champion, who scored such a hit in Hanover with his causerie on Anatole France and the salon of Mme. de Caillavet, has sent to the de- partment an attractively printed booklet containing the address he delivered in French before the American Club of Paris on March 3, 1927, after his return from the American lecture tour. In this addess M. Champion speaks of the beauty of the Ameri- can colleges, of their spacious buildings and grounds, and of the pleasant life lived in them, whereas the French institutions of higher learning remind him of prisons. And he adds: "Praised be my dear and venerable Edward Tuck, 'Uncle Ned,' who has been working wonders at Dartmouth College, while at the same time he has been bestowing princely gifts upon France."
While being shown about the Dartmouth campus M. Cham- pion exclaimed : "Fortunate American youth, to be able to spend four years amid such lovely surroundings and with so many com- forts and luxuries !"
In November 1927, the well-known biographer Andre Maurois came to Hanover and, as was to be expected, drew a large au- dience to 103 Dartmouth to hear his French lecture, the title of which was "Byron et Shelley." A fortnight or so before, he had lectured at Yale and had attended the Yale-Dartmouth foot-
24 THE SIGNET
ball game at the Bowl. While in Hanover he was entertained one evening by a group of undergraduates, faculty and faculty wives at a dinner at the Inn. M. Maurois expressed a lively curiosity in the doings of the Outing Club and asked not a few questions about it. Soon after his return to Paris he published in Les Annates Politiques et Litteraires a vivid series of American impressions in which he painted a colorful picture of the game at New Haven, the first one he had ever seen, and devoted con- siderable space to the story of the Outing Club and its influence upon Dartmouth life.
In January of this year M. Funck-Brentano, member of the French Institute and distinguished historian of the days of Marie Antoinette, gave an illustrated lecture in Dartmouth Hall, on the subject of "La famille frangaise." M. Funck-Brentano, who is curator of the departments of manuscripts and of engravings at the Arsenal Library in Paris, was greatly impressed by the beautiful Baker Library, and was doubtless flattered to see a col- lection of his books on display there. A faculty delegation turned out in evening dress to tender him a dinner at the Inn, with carnations, Eleazar Wheelock place cards, and its best French brushed up for the occasion. The Inn orchestra never played better. The great scholar was visibly touched by this warm-hearted Dartmouth reception. Just before the lecture he remarked that a glass of cognac and a cigar would taste good. The cigar was immediately produced, but alas — no cognac could be located !
As the years go by, the college is not perhaps going to be able to offer cognac to its illustrious guests, but it hopes to be able to offer to its undergraduates a constantly broader and more varied intellectual life, with ever-increasing advantages and ever- multiplying opportunities. And the French department, along with all the other departments, is quietly trying to make more effective each year its modest contribution to the sum total of that richer and more abundant intellectual life which is to char- acterize the Dartmouth of the future.
THE SPIRIT THAT SAVES Conrad Roser, A '22
The remarks on "Excellence" in The Signet of April made me think again of excellence in a host of efforts which, in the sum, have made the perfect lives that have not only encouraged me but fired me with the enthusiasm, evidently so great a factor in this excellence.
Enthusiasm, it seems to me, if not the major part of ex- cellence, is its chief developer. What example of perfection was not the work of an enthusiast? Real success or excellence in any field of endeavor is enthusiasm crystallized. It is the re- sult achieved by men who have adopted and maintained an attitude that said, 'This is a worth while work ; I will pour into it my all — for I know it means joy and success." How many of us, college men, hesitate to assume this attitude towards a definite line of work; we fail to enthuse, no particular course is chosen, for fear reward will be quicker and richer in some other line, and as a result, we straddle, waste time and effort.
Enthusiasm is zeal, usually for work. It is joy in doing as well as achieving. It is attention to details, knowing full well that accumulated they make for a total of success. It is calm repose in the knowledge that one's job is as worthwhile and compensating in real values as the next. It is glory in the actual work, often to what seems the extent of self privation and ne- gation but really is self forgetting. Enthusiasm is confidence in the future — optimism — it is betting on a long time sound invest- ment, not taking the chance of a speculation on margin. It is not like a prairie fire sweeping in one high flame to die out quickly — but rather — like a forest fire burning always steadily in the undergrowth, frequently flaring to the top of a pine to burn strong and bright.
The world is full of enthusiasm. It spreads like a fierce epi- demic. We can not only catch it but we also can spread it. The professors that inspire are enthusiasts and those that are in- spired have suddenly become enthusiasts. They have been in- fected— ^now others will be — and so on and on and on. We all have heard the voice and felt the spirit of Mr. Walter Dam- rosch over the radio. Repeatedly he uses the same adjectives and we wonder how they always seem new and superlative. Then,
26 THE SIGNET
suddenly we realize that we are catching the spirit of an enthu- siast, who through zeal became excellent and who now is living the joy of seeing others share his ever young enthusiasm.
What a fine thing it would be if all men would adopt and live the motto of the perpetually successful Rothschild family of Europe. Far back in the sixteenth century, a wise old Jew, founder of this family, told his children to remember always this advice, "Moderation in all things — enthusiasm for a few." Enthusiasm has its birth when an individual decides that he will derive his satisfaction, earn his living and help his fellow man along and through a certain specific line of endeavor. From then on it is ever accumulative, for the more one knows about a thing the more interesting it grows — the greater an enthusiast one becomes.
Let us be a fraternity of enthusiasts ! Not boosters, nor ego- ists, not at all self righteous or too proud, but keen-eyed zealots for work, loyal supporters of all things fine — joyful livers. Let us fairly exude enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is not announced by a brass band, nor ushered in by a man in livery ; it walks in quietly and is felt, for it speaks from within, strongly but silently. Once I was trying to secure a sheepish country boy of eighteen a job in a large city through the medium of an employment agency. An old Jew was in charge. He had a position as dishwasher in one of the city's finest clubs to fill. He looked the boy up and down as if words failed him — ^finally he let out this poignant ad- vice, "Speak with your eyes not your mouth."
Come on — let us be buoyantly enthusiastic — fighting the storms on the sea of life as does a bell buoy, joyously welcoming the surge into the depths knowing well its brings us but to another crest — confident that soon we will be resting serenely on the calm, smiling and successful, creators of excellence.
CHARLES H. PHELPS Williams
LAWRENCE HORICK Minnesota
LEE E. FARR Yale
SIDNEY T. PRUITT Georgia Tech
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
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THE SOUTH CAROLINA INDUCTION Edgar T. Fell, Council
The last of the four new chapters authorized by the San Francisco Convention was inducted at the University of South CaroHna on April 19 and 20, 1929. The old Hermes Club of that University has now passed out of existence, and is now known as Gamma Triton chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa.
The induction and its attendant ceremonies and festivities was a most successful and very pleasant one. The following twenty- one men were initiated : C. Y. Reamer, Joseph Norwood, Griffith Thompson Pugh, Jr., Bert Frederick Karick, Thomas Douglas Calk, Arthur Latimer Bradley, Graydon Lee Lonsford, Jim Britt Bradley, William Robards Wetmore, Samuel Lowndes Ready, Carl Caughman Sox, Dennan Albert Sox, Charles Ferguson Lynn, Thomas Evans Cannon, Thomas Parker Davis, Clarence Allen Ashley, Jr., Dan Anderson Browne, Karl Harold Wingard, Joseph Bruce Felton, Kirby Darr Shealy, James Alonzo Daniel. Of these Joseph Norwood is a member of the faculty at the University of South Carolina, and will serve as the alumni adviser of the new chapter. He was a former Rhodes Scholar, and graduate of Oxford University, England.
All of the nine Chapters of the Southern Region were repre- sented at the induction. The University of Alabama, Georgia Tech, and North Carolina each sent a very representative group. The delegates arrived at Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday afternoon, April 19, and during the early evening the Hermes Club entertained with a smoker. Following this the initiation team completed all its arrangements while the Hermes Club held its last business session under the old name. Many of the dele- gates were later taken to a dance at the Country Club.
The actual initiation began at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, and the induction was conducted by Brother Edgar T. Fell, vice- president of the Southern Region, and was attended by the presi- dent, Brother Joseph H. Batt. The initiation and first meeting of the new chapter was completed by late afternoon, and the delegates and new brothers lined up on the beautiful old Southern campus for the official group photograph.
Gamma Triton chapter then, at 8:00 p.m., entertained with a splendid banquet at the Hotel Jefferson. In addition to the new brothers and the older Phi Sigma Kappa men attending the in- duction, the following special guests were present: Dr. D. M. Douglas, president of the University of South Carolina; Ray- mond B. Hildebrand, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, president of the Interf raternity Council of the University ; William Taylor, presi- dent, Alpha Tau Omega chapter; C. H. Burns, president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon ; Gene Stone, president of the Kappa Sigma
28 THE SIGNET
chapter; Pratt Gasque, president of the Sigma Nu chapter; Cur- tis Brack, president of the Hercules Club, now petitioning Sigma Pi Epsilon; James Higgins of the Delta Club now petitioning Sigma Chi ; and Harry Wolfe of the Kismet Club, now petition- ing Phi Delta Theta.
Short addresses were made by Dr. Douglas, Raymond Hilde- brand, Brother Edgar T. Fell, and Brother Joseph H. Batt. The banquet was brought to a close with a very appropriate speech by the toastmaster, Brother Griffith T. Pugh, Jr., the president of Gamma Triton chapter.
The banquet was followed by the induction ball held in the main ballroom of the hotel which had been very attractively decorated in the colors of the fraternity. Six hundred guests at- tended this dance, and made it a very pleasant and successful function.
On Sunday a short final meeting was held and then the de- partures of the delegates and guests were made. Gamma Triton chapter has made a very auspicious start. All of the Southern delegates have reported themselves as being highly gratified with the showing made by the new chapter, and by the splendid spirit and eagerness evidenced by every member of the old Hermes Club.
Phi Sigma Kappa extends her congratulations and best wishes to Gamma Triton chapter.
Joseph S. Eaton of New York City, is playing the part of Jane Brinton, the "leading lady" in "This Way Out !", the forty-first annual production of the Mask and Wig Club of the University of Pennsylvania. Joe is the brother of Mary Eaton, beautiful musical comedy star and Broadway favorite. Last year in "Tarantella" Joe was a member of the Dancing Chorus. He is unquestionably the most beautiful "leading lady" Mask and Wig has ever had.
ESSENTIALS The Editor
As the college fraterniity has become respectable it has be- come the victim of its own virtue. For every troubled execu- tive and ardent reformer has seen in it a possible ally. The dean desires co-operation in matters of scholarship and disci- pline. The Alumni Office expects the fraternity to lend its in- fluence toward getting into football togs various husky but un- enthusiastic underclassmen. The rah-rah graduate looks to his chapter for tickets for the big game and perhaps for unmention- able attentions after the celebration of victory or defeat. Is it any wonder that the poor fraternity is utterly bewildered?
For it is perfectly obvious that the fraternity cannot be every- thing to everybody. It is doubtless versatile in its possibilities, but if it is to do anything well, it must not try to do too much. It would seem to be a great step toward a wise and settled policy if we could agree upon certain objectives which must be reached at all costs and which having been reached would leave all other matters indubitably unimportant. Unfortunately agree- ment of this sort is quite out of the question. It may still be a harmless indoor sport for one who has been intimately in touch with fraternity administration for fifteen years to indicate what seem to him essential considerations.
Beginning negatively let it be said that a palatial house is not an essential. It is often a very gracious and benign feature of fraternity life, something to be enjoyed in residence and trea- sured in recollection. It is frequently an absurd and meaning- less white elephant, a harassing factor in a precarious existence. It is sometimes the pretentious and unmanageable craft in which the innocent and panic-stricken chapter are carried to their doom. It may be anything from a haven to a hell-hole. But it is never an essential.
Well, but if all the other fraternities on the campus have lux- urious houses, what then, you say. In that case a modest house is probably an incomparable blessing. Because in every college there are always young men of sturdy character and undoubted talent, who, either from principle or prudence, distrust the Greek palaces for themselves and will rally happily and even proudly about more humble hearths. Let a group of young men sincerely
30 THE SIGNET
adopt the ideal of a poor man's lodge and its future is assured. Over and over again a materialistically-minded chapter will point with pride to its campus prestige and then in the very next breath declare that unless the alumni come across promptly with a $100,000 house the fraternity is doomed. The price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
And we do not need alumni organization. We need, of course, a goodly number of alumni who because of their interest in young men will give to the fraternity an intelligent and systema- tic oversight as national officers, chapter advisers and the like. And we need a strong alumni sentiment in support of these men. And we need financial committees to serve as trustees of fra- ternity property. But we do not need alumni clubs as social centers, not even to insure the alumni services enumerated above. This is not saying that the alumni club is not desirable. In com- munities where a considerable group of Phi Sigma Kappa can be brought together naturally and happily, it is manifestly to every one's advantage that they be encouraged in their activ- ities. And among more lethargic alumni constituencies it is doubtless a splendid thing for some still loyal soul to issue oc- casionally a clarion banquet call to all true brothers. But in the final analysis the fraternity is an undergraduate affair and can- not be expected to meet the social needs of the great majority of alumni. And there isn't any use in fretting because it doesn't meet them. Alumni organization may be beneficent, but it isn't essential.
Three things are essential, and only three.
In the first place, the chapter is absolutely obligated to cre- ate and consistently maintain a wholesome residential atmos- phere. We offer to impressionistic boys a campus home. We take them into an intimate communion for four crucial years. We are not justified unless we provide for them something bet- ter than is to be found in the dormitories or private lodging houses. Neatness must be insisted upon. Mannerliness must be an order of the day. Booze is contrary to the laws of both coun- try and fraternity and must not be tolerated for a moment. Risque house-parties are even more objectionable than booze. It isn't the cost of the house but the tone of the house that is important. Too many of our houses are veritable pigpens. If a chapter finds that it has among its brothers porcine personal!-
ESSENTIALS 31
ties that crave a place to wallow, let it not hesitate to show them the door, at least as far as residence is concerned. Nowhere else is it the custom to keep a pig in the parlor, and certainly no- where is it accepted that the pig has any right to that particular place of abode.
In the second place, the chapter is obligated to maintain a spirit of intelligent co-operation with the college. It owes its very ex- istence to the college. It stands or falls with the college. But so potent has it become that it is also almost true that the college stands or falls with it. There can be no justification of the fra- ternity as a parasitic organism sapping the life-blood of its host. It needs to be stressed that this essential is not necessarily a pro- gram of assistance; rather it is a state of mind, sympathetically aware of what the college is trying to do. For example, most colleges are trying to stimulate a feeling of broad humanity among their students. In such colleges the fraternity that be- comes cliquish is a. parasite. Many colleges are sincerely trying to stimulate a scholarly enthusiasm and an intellectual curiosity that are indeed their own reward. In such colleges the frater- nity that ridicules the book-lover and patronizes Phi Beta Kappa, is a parasite. Some colleges are bent upon instilling the loftier conceptions of honor into their young men and women. The fraternity, that winks at gang idealism, in examinations, politics and social life, that fraternity is a parasite. The fraternity must be spiritually in harmony with the college. That is essential.
And lastly, the fraternity is obligated to create and maintain a sense of brotherhood among the members. Friendship is al- ways a very precious thing. A generous interest in the welfare of others, a glad satisfaction in being a factor in some one else's success, the glow of whole-hearted co-operation for common ends — these are great objectives in any educational program. And it is for such objectives as these that the fraternity peculiarly stands. We declare it in our preambles and we revel in it in our post-prandial oratory. The glory of the fraternity lies in its sober intent to train young men to live together intimately and amicably. If it can do that it needn't do anything else. If it cannot do that, it is a question whether everything else is enough. Our generation seem to assume that the function of education and the salvation of civilization are to be found adequately if not solely in the realm of the intellect. The pedagog cries, "We
32 THE SIGNET
must teach our young people to think." Well, of course that is important, but it isn't exclusive. We must also teach them to feel. The church used to essay this task, but so strong is the intellect cult today that for the most part the only influential churches are those who fall into line and seek to offer instruc- tion and to stimulate thought. Now it is perfectly obvious that intellect alone isn't going to save the world. Without the heart the brain is a hollow and tuneless instrument. And on the col- lege campus the fraternity has an almost unoccupied field of ser- vice in fostering the social graces and ideals. This is the prime essential.
Since this editorial has been largely written there have come to our desk two manuscripts, both of which we present in this issue, offering two other essentials : enthusiasm and responsi- bility. The former is, however, closely akin to the spiritual life suggested by the term sense of brotherhood. It is a broader term, but it is a heart-trait rather than a brain-trait. The lat- ter is absolutely inherent in the realization of nimibers one and two. It probably should not be referred to as an objective; it is really a means to an end. It is fundamentally a tool. We must keep our tools sharp. We must know how to use them. But we must also keep our objectives clear.
If eucated men do not earn as much money as uneducated men with equal capacities, this may be because the educated men have found some- thing in Hfe more worthwhile than dollar-collecting. The monetary yard- stick is one that should be used only in connection with others, and cau- tiously.— The New Republic.
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Marshal Ferdinand Foch, A^ Hon.
The details of the passing of Marshal Foch are too familiar to our readers to permit inclusion in these columns.
Marshal Foch was of course the most distinguished of our honorary members. The story of his becoming a Phi Sigma Kappa is probably not known to the younger men in the Order, It was while he was making his triumphal tour of America in 1921. He was the guest of the City of Seattle, of which Hugh Caldwell, A '03, was then mayor. At the University of Wash- ington there were a group of undergraduates, all of them war veterans, organized under the name Apres la Guerre. Hugh Caldwell was interested in these young men and as their dele- gate he invited the great marshal to become a member of Apres la Guerre. Marshal Foch was pleased by the French name and the martial record of the young men and readily complied.
The second chapter takes place two years later and in Paris. Apres la Guerre has now become the Lambda Deuteron chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa, and of course it was our hope that Marshal Foch would remember his association with the Washington local and wish to continue it as a member of the national fraternity. Our delegate on this rather delicate mission was Sumner C. Brooks, the son of our distinguished founder. Brother Brooks called upon the marshal at his home in Paris, found him both appreciative and affable, secured his signature on the chapter's constitution book, and presented to him the symbols of the Order. Thus Marshal Foch was as much a Phi Sigma Kappa man as it is possible for an honorary member far distant from an active club to be.
The following Foch items were taken from the New York Times and may be of greater interest than the customary obituary summary.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch's alleged dispatch at the battle of the Marne — "My center is giving way, my right is retiring ; the situation is excellent ; I am attacking" — is likely for long to be under discussion by scholars and readers of history.
Did the Marshal send that message to Marshal Jofifre or did he not? There is no record of it, and records passing between headquarters are usually kept. Shortly before his death the Marshal himself denied having written it, but he admitted that he might have dictated it. Premier Poin- care, with his usual adroit tact, referred to the message in 1920 when wel- coming the French soldier into the company of the Immortals :
"If you did not write those optimistic words, you thought them, and what is better, you translated them into action."
Military critics the world over deny that he ever sent the dispatch, but none has disagreed with the obvious fact that, with the exception of the phrase "the situation is excellent," it was true to the spirit of Foch.
A new angle, however, is presented of this much disputed dispatch. Wil- liam Lowe Bryan, president of Indiana University, in a letter to The New York Times, says :
34 THE SIGNET
"When Marshal Foch was in Indianapolis in 1921 I asked him to write upon parchment for the Indiana University a copy of the telegram which he had written in September, 1914, at the first battle of the Marne. The Marshal graciously complied with my request."
This message, a facsimile of which appears in French on this page, reads as follows :
"My left is giving way, my right is retiring, in consequence I am or- dering a general offensive, a decisive attack from the center."
This message, written in the Marshal's own handwriting, it must be confessed, is an extraordinary document. Although the phrasing of the message are almost numberless this one is entirely new. There is no men- tion of the "excellent situation," for one thing. Marshal Foch, who was not given to humor, was hardly likely to have thought that dreadful situa- tion on the Marne excellent and less likely to have jested about it.
But there is one weakness. All the many translations and versions of the message agree that he reported his center and right as retiring — "Mon centre cede, ma droite recule, situation excellent, j'attaque" (My center is giving way, my right is retiring, the situation is excellent, I am attacking) being the most common version. His left as mentioned in the Indiana version was not retiring in the sense that it was being driven back, as he was deliberately withdrawing it to bolster up the center. How was it that he was able to withdraw his left? Because General Gallieni's offensive in the west had already turned the Germans right and was forcing the whole German army into a retreat. Had not Foch kept on attacking for four bitter days the battle in the west might never have been won, and had not Gallieni turned the Germans' right Foch would probably never have held his position, despite any amount of attacking.
But this message is considered so amazingly in his spirit, so true to his teachings, that it is probable that he gave an oral order to that effect and that was what he remembered in Indianapolis. The records show that during the battle he had said, "If they attack me so hard here, it must be because they are so badly off elsewhere." It is a remarkable instance of the Marshal's prescience, for Gallieni at that time was pressing the Germans hard in the west. As each fresh disaster came Foch's invariable order was to attack, and if his subordinate commanders protested he drove them away with a fierce "Attaquez, attaquez, attaquez !"
At the end of the fourth day the commander of the Eleventh Corps, General Eydoux, told him that an orderly retreat was impossible, to which Foch replied: "You say you cannot hold on and you cannot retreat; so the only thing left is to attack tomorrow morning." With a wave of his hand he dismissed the General. When tomorrow morning had come the Germans had gone.
Foch's_ tact is perhaps best illustrated by an incident connected with the Allied Victory Parade through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, July 14, 1919. Detachments from all the allied armies were to participate, also Foch and Joffre. Who should lead the parade — Joffre or Foch? Joffre as a senior Marshal of France outranked Foch in the French Army, for Foch was not created a Marshal until the year before. Yet Foch was Generalissimo of the Allies. The dispute between partisans of the two soldiers almost became a feud. The night before the parade of victory it was agreed that Foch and Joffre should ride side by side through the Arc de Triomphe and down the Champs Elysees, with Foch, as leader of the Allies, in the place of honor at the right. But this concession to Joffre was not enough for Foch ; for although the latter rode to the right of Joffre he was careful to keep his horse reined three feet behind.
History probably will advance Foch's horse.
Sn' li
V A/p-j
' /'//ru/n/'' 'i I
BURTON A. KINNEY Designer of Our Early Coat-of-Arms
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE 35
Parenthetically, it may be said that when he again visited Morlaix the old housewives hailed him not as Le Marechal, but by the old name of "General Deux-Sbus." He had obtained the nickname in earlier years because he had said he "did not care two cents" whether the local "so- ciety" approved or disapproved of his practice of hailing any one, even tramps, on his long walks in the countryside.
In spite of Foch's generalship on the great stage where fame came to him, he does not seem to belong to the class of professional fighting men. In the French Army there was none more profoundly religious. Often he was seen kneeling among his men at a mass celebrated under the open sky. He used to say that he found inspiration and strength in prayer before a battle. What was said of the Archduke Charles of Austria could have been said of Foch : "His soul belongs to the heroic age; his heart is of gold." On his visit to America he was as much of a hero as at home in France.
Burton A. Kinney, A '82
The following outline has been secured from Brother Kinney's daughter, Dorothy Kinney Martin:
"Burton A. Kinney was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Decem- ber 26, i860. Upon graduation from the Massachusetts Agri- cultural College in '82 he joined the United States Signal Corps and was stationed in Portland, Maine. Later he became a photo- grapher in that city. His marriage to Adelaide Congdon also took place here, and the birth of his only child, a daughter. In 1893 he removed to Minneapolis, where he lived several years. On returning East he became salesman for a paper-box machinery concern and continued in that line for the next fifteen years. In 1913 he removed to California, in the hope that his wife's health would be benefited, but she died in Los Angeles in 191 8. He returned East in 1920, going to live in Washington, D.C., where he later married Miss Mae McCarthy of Georgia. His death occurred on May 5, 1928."
Our interest in Brother Kinney is due primarily to the fact that it was he who designed our original coat-of-arms back in 1882. The history speaks of it as follows: "It contained the original three T's on a black backgrotmd, inscribed in a pearl- studded circle, as a center-piece. This was placed upon an irregu- larly shaped shield, which contained below the center-piece the words 'Founded in 1873' and two small circles containing block crosses ; and which was breasted above by a scroll containing the name Phi Sigma Kappa. Above the shield was a representa- tion of the ring with an owl sitting within it. English ivy leaves aspirant furnished a final touch. When the cut was presented to the chapter, a storm broke. The three T's were not correctly proportioned, the cross bars being in every instance too short. The chapter's funds were low, however, and as a result the char- acters remain more or less out of proportion even to this day. The present coat-of-arms grew directly out of Kinney's a few
36 THE SIGNET
years later It may also be recorded here that the little de- sign which was used for years to head the quarterly reports — the name Phi Sigma Kappa written across an ornate diamond, the Sigma embracing the esoteric symbols of the Grand Chapter — was also Kinney's work."
Haines B. Quimby, E^ '17 This clipping is from the Province Evening Bulletin of March
25.
The funeral of Haines B. Quimby, thirty-four, a member of the faculty of Technical High School and a wounded veteran of the World War, who died at his home, 138 Columbia Avenue, Edgewood, Saturday, follow- ing a three week's illness with pneumonia, was held at the home this afternoon at three o'clock. Burial was at Swan Point.
Since he was invalided home from France during the war Mr. Quimby had been in poor health, and the pneumonia attack was regarded as a development of his service disability.
He was bom at Sandwich, New York, and had lived in Providence the last three years. He served as captain with the Twentieth Field Ar- tillery overseas for eighteen months during the war. After being sent home he was in a veterans' hospital about eighteen months. He was a member of Morningstar Lodge of Masons, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and of the American Legion. He was educated at Worcester Polytechnic Institute at Worcester. He is survived by the widow, Dorothea B. Quimby; his mother, Amy Quimby, and two daughters, Ruth and Virginia ; a brother, Clifton, of Montclair, New Jersey, and a sister, Mrs. Frank Mowatt, of Swampscott, Massachusetts.
Frank King Troutwine, n '12 Brother Troutwine died December 25 of pneumonia at Tyrone, Pennsylvania. He prepared for college at Franklin and Marshall Academy, became a member of Pi chapter, and late did graduate work at Pennsylvania Law School. He was a well known lawyer, treasurer and vestryman of Trinity Episcopal Church, a member of the Masons, Elks, and American Legion. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, his father and mother.
Michael P. Coffey, B '30 Brother Coffey, junior in the civil engineering course at Union, died of bronchial pneumonia January 21. "Mike" was popular among the student body and active in college and fraternity affairs. Last fall he won the interclass scratch cross-country run. He had been secretary of Beta chapter.
Percy Templeman, A^ Brother Templeman was killed in an airplane wreck April 21 at Hardin, Mont.
THE PHI SIG RAMBLER
As sung at Nebraska and Kansas Aggie with some
additions by W. F. M.
(To the tune of "The Son of a Gambolier")
Come all ye Phi Sig's, rally round, hear what we have to say Of all our noble brothers of a bygone day, How they were wont to do their stuff, whenever they did start, How every one would jump right up and nobly do his part.
Now, Adam was an Alpha man and Eden was his farm. He learned about pomology but shortly came to harm, So Gabriel of Lambda helped him to elope With Eve the Delta Gamma maid who never gave up hope,
Caesar was a Phi Sig pledge as fine as you could please. Upon his coat lapel he wore a button with three T's, When Hannibal came over and tried the Alps to cross, Our brother Csesar tackled him and threw him for a loss.
Columbus was a Gamma man and sailed the deep blue seas, Upon his masthead far above, there floated three black T's, Whenever Patrick Henry spoke he pulled his coat apart So that everyone could see the Phi Sig emblem o'er his heart.
Of engineers we have a few who are of great renown For Galileo signed the pledge at Nu without a frown. And Archimemes did his stuff attending Omicron, And when Aristotle went to Yale, he lived at Epsilon.
Of great and famous lovers we'll mention just a few. We'll speak of Casanova who learned his tricks at Mu, Ulysses was a Beta man transferred to Upsilon, And Lochinvar came out of the west from Theta Deuteron.
Now, when we all cash in our checks and mount the golden stair We'll find St. Peter at the gate upon a crested chair. The one thing that will mark him apart from all the rest. Will ibe the Phi Sig emblem that he wears upon his breast.
Now, when we all give up our hopes and go far down below.
We'll find the Devil at the fire apacing to and fro.
The one thing that will place him at the prince of Hell
Will be the well known Phi Sig songs that he can sing so well.
AN ALL-TIME TRACK TEAM
If the records published in The Signet were both accurate and complete, it would be possible to present an all-time track team that is really just that. But we have every reason to dis- trust both the accuracy and completeness of the data, and also the dependability of the editor. Sweet's time of 9% seconds for the century was made recently and with a strong wind. So this aggregation is perhaps a tentative cinder hall of fame.
Event Champion
100 yard dash Sweet
220 yard dash Sweet
Quarter-mile Delphey
Half-mile Offenhauser
Mile Wood
Two-mile Newton
High hurdles Wells
Low hurdles Wells
Broad jump Andrews
High jump Beeson
Pole vault Pond
Shot put Matthews
Discus Shafifer
Hammer Weld
Javelin Peters
Chapter
Montana '27 Montana '27 Oregon State '23 Penn State '27 California '13 Williams '11 Dartmouth '28 Dartmouth '28 Nebraska '27 California '13 Yale '29 California Montana '26 Dartmouth '21 Illinois
Record
9.4 seconds 21.3 seconds 49 seconds i':55" 4':25" 9':29"
14.8 seconds 24 seconds 23-3% feet 6-7^A6 feet 13-1 feet 45 feet 152-8 feet 150 feet 199^ feet
Whether all of these records have any official standing is doubtful, but they probably have some truth back of them. In one or two instances the record is more definite than the individ- ual, and one wonders whether the athlete ever existed in Phi Sigma Kappa at all. We should be glad to receive corrections of all kinds.
AN ALL-TIME BASEBALL NINE
Picking an all-time baseball nine is purely guess-work, but we got away with a football team and perhaps there is no harm in guessing.
George Davis of Williams and Chick Davies of Massachusetts Agricultural College are the only two we know of who actually broke into major league ball and both were primarily pitchers, although Davis was rather more sensationally so and Davies was much more versatile. Davis was for a season or so with the Yankees and then one with the Braves. For the latter he held Philadelphia to a no-hit game and achieved front page newspaper fame, and then his baseball career rather rapidly
AN ALL-TIME BASEBALL NINE
39
sputtered out. Davies was more or less with the Athletics for a bit, spent several years in semi-pro leagues, then staged a come-back and eventually pitched a few games for the Giants. Then he too disappeared. Farrington, we understand, was so- licited by major league scouts but did not try out. The rest of these selections are mostly just captains or the like. Take them or leave them.
Name Chapter Position
Aschenbrener Wisconsin '23 catcher
Davis Williams '12 pitcher
Larkin Swarthmore '21 first base
Woodin Cornell '23 second base
Farrington Wisconsin '21 shortstop
Esrey Swarthmore '22 third base
Casto West Virginia '14 left field
Davies Mass Aggie '14 center field
Coyle Montana '27 right field
It isn't quite so much guess-work picking the current nine; there aren't so many choices. True Dartmouth offers a brace of five lettermen; not all of whom ever play at one time however. And Kusinski, Thorsland, Widdefield, and Gundlich are or have been captains of their respective teams. And both Georgia Tech and Kansas State offer a choice of pitchers with full varsity credentials for both. And still at the present writing there is a dearth of second and third basemen and it is incumbant upon us to manipulate our personnel a little. As thus:
Name Chapter Position
Kusinski Illinois catcher
Powell Georgia Tech )
„.„ T^ _ > pitchers
Gilbert Kansas State j
Widdifield Ohio State first base
Gundlich Illinois second base
Rolfe Dartmouth shortstop
Jeremiah Dartmouth third base
Thorsland Columbia left field
Marvin Brown center field
Parker Dartmouth right field
BETWEEN OURSELVES
BEGINNING with the October number The Signet will be edited by Brother Alvin T. Burrows. The Council and the Fraternity are to be greatly congratulated upon having secured the services of "Chappie" Burrows for this rather important post. Chappie knows the Fraternity of today thoroughly, he is a high- minded idealist, and he has the gift of expression. Moreover, being professionally an editor, he is master of the technique of publication. Lastly, as a former president of the Order he is in a position to speak with authority and not as one of the scribes. There is a modest honorarium associated with the edi- torship, but that is not a consideration with Chappie. He is assuming this purely as a labor of love. It is our business as readers to make his editorial duties so pleasant that he will be glad to continue them indefinitely. That means : first, the habitual sending in of news bits, after the exemplary practice of Walter Brandes, Gilbert Morgan and Billy Mac; second, friendly and complimentary encouragement such as you have given the retiring editor for many years; third, criticism, but always accompanied by a contribution of some sort, for the man who cannot contribute is not qualified to crab. Brother Editor, we greet you upon the threshold of a distinguished, and we trust an extended, career.
THE one feature of our regional administration which fills us with apprehension has to do with the granting of charters. Already it seems to be established as a principle that each region is entitled to present one petition to the Convention, and that it is very bad form for the national officers from any other region to oppose such submission, either in Council or from the floor of the convention. As at present constituted it is a question whether the Council is qualified to have the really decisive vote on chapter petitions, but a special committee would be likely to develop this same regional consciousness. The Supreme Court is the one logical agency to give to the petition recommendations a national authority. This parting shot is to challenge our Coun- cil to assume a national instead of a regional attitude toward the next batch of petitions and to challenge the Court to exercise its prerogative of examination de novo and independent judgment. We certainly ought not to pass the buck along to the under- graduate delegates any longer.
WE TRUST you have noticed the Yale representation among the Distinguished in Scholarship on another page. There are other, but few better, ways of honoring our Order. Con- gratulations, Yale ! We receive word, too, that our chapter at C.C.N.Y. now stands first among the Christian fraternities, being
BETWEEN OURSELVES 41
excelled only by some eight Jewish ones. Well, it is something to be almost as bright as the Jews.
OF "FUZZY," whose picture appears elsewhere in this issue. Brother McCornack has this to say: "She is the mascot of the University of Kentucky and her owner is a member of our house. She is quartered in the garage, with another like her who is too ferocious to permit a picture. She is led on a leash to all football games and is quite a pet. I did not get too close however."
ALPHA BITS, acting upon a suggestion from John B. Lentz, ■^~*- now publishes a personal record of every man in the chap- ter, including his marks and his campus activities. We note with interest that Phil Steere, the chapter president, stood second in scholarship.
' I "'HE revival of the Boston and Detroit Clubs is a wholesome ■*• sign. We have now sixteen really active chartered alumni clubs. It is incredible that the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia Clubs are as dead as they seem. Springfield and the two Ohio organi- zations seem to be pretty far gone. But Don Hamilton will be reviving Springfield soon now (wait and see). Who's going to do it in Columbus and Cleveland?
T N A FEW days the Phi Sigma Kappa badge will be in evi- -^ dence all over the world : on ocean liners, in Parisian cafes, in American cities and on American ranches, officially in our national parks. Remember, dear friends, that it is the mark and talisman of a gentleman. People, even those who do not recognize it, in- stinctively feel that it stands for good breeding. It is a proud privilege to bear that badge out into the affairs of men. Phi Sigma Kappa trusts you to bear it with dignity and honor and good taste. A happy summer to you all ! But don't forget about your badge.
DUE to blundering upon the part of the printers and your Editor four pictures of chapter presidents, duly submitted, have had to be omitted at the last minute to insure getting the magazine out for commencement. We apologize to the chapters and men thus slighted.
PEN PORTRAITS
of Some Retiring Presidents
Columbia Daniel P. O'Grady was born in New York City and received his secondary school training in Leonia, New Jersey. On the Columbia campus he has been active in track, being a varsity letterman and captain of his class team. He is a member of the Intercollegiate Spiked Shoe Society, the sophomore clubs Van Ams and Black Avengers, and the senior society Sachems.
Dartmouth John Parker has carried on the Dartmouth tradition by being both a varsity baseball man and a Phi Beta Kappa.
Franklin and Marshall John A. Hansen, Jr., is certainly "our retiring president," He is one of the most modest boys in the house. His campus activi- ties are varsity soccer, the college newspaper and dramatics. Still he has been a big success as a student and attributes his high grades to the fact that he has always stayed away from the wo- men. John is one fine fellow.
Williams Charles H. Phelps has been prominent in varsity soccer, and swimming and Christian Association boys' work.
C.C.N.Y. William A. McComb is a gentleman and a scholar, always at- tentive to the best interest of the chapter. While a member of Zeta he has held for two quarters each of the following offices: president, vice-president, secretary, inductor, auditor. Under Bill's leadership Zeta held one of the best initiation ceremonies it ever held and he was highly complimented on it.
Oregon
Lawrence Ogle has been on the managerial staff of the year- book and the band, has been president of the Daly Club, and a member of the Greater Oregon Directorate and the Oregon Knights.
Ohio State
Eugene Henry Mack comes from Belle Center, Ohio. He represented the Ohio Interfraternity Council at its annual con- ference in New York last November. He has been a member of the College Senate, manager of the Glee Club, a member of the yearbook staff and dramatic society, and also a member of innumberable committees.
HAROLD A. LINER Brown
ALBERT TOY Oreg-on State
J. KENDALL |
WALTER A. |
FULLERTON |
STERMER |
Worcester |
Carnegie |
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
JAMES W. SCOBIE Cornell
A. E. DRING Kansas State
WESLEY BROWNTON
Washington
FERDINAND MEN- DENHALL
Stanford
CHAPTER PRESIDENTS
PEN PORTRAITS 43
St. Lawrence Abram J. VanDyke at the ibeginning of his junior year was elected treasurer. Then that position was combined with the stewardship and he carried the enlarged obligation. Last fall when we needed someone to reorganize the finances of the chap- ter we elected Abe to the presidency and left the job to him. This year in addition to his work in scholarship and varsity track he has been carrying an instructorship in freshman Latin.
Minnesota Lawrence Horick has had the lead in two major dramatic productions but his contribution to the University has been along organization and managership lines. He was president of Scarab. His contribution to Phi Sigma Kappa has been the organization of the chapter,
Schenectady-Beta Spencer Peets during three seasons has never lost a match in collegiate tennis except in the National Intercollegiates.
Pennsylvania John E. Barnes has been an excellent leader. Besides being one of the most congenial men in the house, he has devoted himself to real work and has done his job thoroughly. His work as chairman of the Rush Committee and Activities Committee has been particularly notable. The Athletic Council picked him from the whole roster of managers as the one most suited to manage the newly established sport of ice hockey. He is ver- satile. He is on the board of the magazine of light literature, a member of the Blue Key society, treasurer of the Arts Associ- ation (which procures outside speakers for the student body), candidate for a place in the crew, Phi Kappa Beta and Friars. The chapter is proud to be able to submit so excellent a record.
Washington Wesley Brownton, although only a junior, has proved to be an able executive. He is active in politics and for two years has been chairman of the class dances. He is junior chairman of intercollegiate Knights of the Hook.
Illinois Clark Hall Miley, Law School, Phi Alpha Delta, campus poli- tician, chairman of various committees, delegate to San Fran- cisco convention.
Gettysburg
A. J. D. Wiles: '29 Spectrum, editor-in-chief Gettyshurgian,
associate editor Mercury, varsity debating team, interfraternity
council, Y Cabinet, Press Club, sophomore play, class baseball,
class honors, Garver Latin prize. Scabbard and Blade prize,
44 THE SIGNET
student representative Fathers' Day, student instructor in Eng- lish for four years, Phi Beta Kappa, president Tau Kappa Alpha, Kappa Phi Kappa, Blue Crocodiles, Pen and Sword, "actions speak louder than words" and hence we present the above list of achievements as a portrayal of the man. Max has won his place through superiority in intellectual gymnastics and not in athletics.
Lehigh Hugh Horner will leave his duties as head of our house to become a partner in a home of his own. He was circulation manager of the Burr and was on the varsity baseball squad for three years. He is a very capable president. His decisions are wise and just. We have no doubt but that his future work will bring honor both to himself and Phi Sigma Kappa.
Brown Harold A. Liner, "Hal," of national Phi Sig fame because of his ability in captivating the heart of "Chappie" Burrows' daugh- ter on the San Francisco special, is greatly admired at Upsilon. His character and integrity are unquestionable. His being well versed in the constitution and affairs of the house has enabled him to make lightning-like and accurate decisions and avoid unnecessary discord. All who know him are attracted by his magnetic personality. "Hal" is neither an athlete nor a Phi Bete, simply a hard-working engineer who has devoted his days to that department and to Phi Sigma Kappa.
Yale
Lee E, Farr leaves behind him an enviable record of scholastic achievement. His course has been largely chemistry and pre- medic. He is a member of Alpha Chi Sigma and Sigma Xi. He has been most active in fraternity affairs, being a delegate to the national convention and our representative on the inter- fraternity council.
Wesleyan
Frank Cadman, a tireless and efficient president, was in office at the time of our long anticipated induction. Efficiency was his one aim and he made it come true.
Georgia Tech Sidney Tupper Pruitt, Jr., is assistant editor of Technique, president of Pi Delta Epsilon, president of Civil Crew and on the honor roll. He is a man of fine character and marked abili- ties. Through his activities he has done much to keep our chap- ter at the top on the Tech campus.
Kansas State A. E. Dring — a half-pint in size but what a power in doing things, a civil engineer whose personality has made him one of
PEN PORTRAITS 45
the most popular men on the campus. He is a member of Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Tau, Scabbard and Blade, Mortar and Ball.
Alabama Frank Durrett is a real Southern gentleman, and outstanding in religious work, being a member of the Y Cabinet and an M.E. junior deacon. Much credit is due him in bringing about ex- tensive improvements in the house.
Massachusetts Aggie Philip B. Steere goes by the nickname of "Red." This name symbolizes the friendly regard we all have for him as well as his temper, the driving force of which he has succeeded in directing along lines of constructive progress. Maybe scholastic ability goes with red hair ; "Red" rounds out his character by taking the role of our leading student.
CLUB NOTES
At the annual Founders' Day banquet, March 16, following an address by Horace R. Barnes, National Scholarship Super- visor, the Chicago Club donated a cup to be awarded annually to the chapter in the Mid-West having the highest standing. The chapter winning the cup for two years will receive a plaque.
The Boston Club has been revived and is co-operating with Vice-president Hamilton in planning for the 1930 convention.
The Seattle Club resents being classified as "inactive," and re- ports not only a weekly luncheon but a Founders' Day banquet with an attendance of sixty-three. The speakers were Brothers Allen, Couden and Kinne.
On April 6 the Birmingham Club were the guests of Brother Dan Dimick at his American Casting Company. After inspecting the plant they had dinner on the grounds.
The Detroit Club is again alive, due to the interest of James J. Ferris, and plans to hold monthly meetings. Alumni within fifty miles of Detroit are eligible and asked to get in touch with the secretary as indicated in our directory in the back of this issue.
The New York Club held its annual banquet in the Astor March 16, with President Batt and Vice-president Fell as its guests of honor.
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE
RJ.W.
The Council met in Washington, D.C., Council Meeting April 12 and 13, with headquarters at the April 12 and 13 University Club, as guests of President Batt. All members of the Council were pres- ent except Brother Wood.
Reports were received from each member of the Council, and discussion was given to the various problems revealed by them.
Brother Schoening made a comprehensive report for the special committee authorized by the 1928 Convention to review the legal status of the Grand Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa. This report indicated that certain changes should be made in the pres- ent constitution in order satisfactorily to meet the requirements of the New York state law under which the Grand Chapter was incorporated in 1894. It is expected that the Council and the Supreme Court will soon hold a joint meeting for the further consideration of this subject.
An application for a charter to be granted to the Phi Sigma Kappa Club of Boston, Massachusetts, was received, approved, and recommended to the Supreme Court for its indorsement.
Preliminary petitions were considered from four local frater- nities. The applications from Woiford College, Spartansburg, South Carolina, and from DePauw University, Greencastle, Indi- ana, were laid on the table. Petitions from Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont, and Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana, were referred for further consideration to the conclaves of the districts in which these petitioners are located.
Plans for the 1930 Convention to be held in the New England District were considered. The desirability of making it possible for all delegates to visit the birthplace of the fraternity at Am- herst, Massachusetts, resulted in the decision of the Council that the 1930 Convention should convene at Amherst, on the morning of August 19, at which time an appropriate program will be ar- ranged. Later in the day the delegates will proceed by auto- mobile to Boston, where the business sessions of the Convention will be continued.
It was reported that all chapters have now received as a gift from the Council an official flag made from the design submitted at the last Convention by Brother E. F. Russell. It was agreed that Brother Lafean should obtain prices for the manufacture of official banners in sizes suitable for use in student rooms.
The resignation of Brother Rand as Editor of The Signet was accepted reluctantly. The Council appointed Brother Alvin T. Burrows as Editor of The Signet, effective July i, 1929.
In harmony with the practice followed by a number of other fraternities, and in order to aid chapters in the development of
THE SIGNET
47
their house building plans, and financing, the Council voted that in the future architectural and financial plans for the construction of new chapter houses are to be approved by the Council before financial obligations for any ^such project are incurred by a chapter.
At the close of the session, April 13, the members of the Coun- cil were hospitaibly entertained at dinner by the members of Lambda chapter at their chapter house.
DISTINGUISHED IN SCHOLARSHIP
The latest edition of Baird's Manual lists the national scholastic honorary societies as follows : Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, Phi Kappa Phi, Coif, and Alpha Omega Alpha. Phi Sigma Kappa men are being elected to these societies as listed below.
Walter H. French Worcester Tau Beta Pi
Donald P. Cruise Brown Sigma Xi
Lee E. Farr Yale Sigma Xi
Robert B. Whittredge Yale Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi
Arthur K. Wing Yale Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi
Stedman T. Hitchcock Yale Tau Beta Pi
Frank H. Eastman .Yale Tau Beta Pi
Landon C. Lodge Yale Tau Beta Pi
Warren P. Spining Yale Tau Beta Pi
Carl R. Webster Yale Tau Beta Pi
William Baldwin Wesleyan Phi Beta Kappa
Claire Crampton Wesleyan Phi Beta Kappa
Arnold K. Bohren Oregon State Tau Beta Pi
A. G. D. Wiles Gettysburg Phi Beta Kappa
J. G. Hlubb Gettysburg Phi Beta Kappa
Edward J. Blankman .... St. Lawrence Phi Beta Kappa
Frederick A. Scott Lehigh Sigma Xi
Frank Horn Illinois Tau Beta Pi
A. E. Dring Kansas State Phi Kappa Phi
Lester A. Mersf elder Stevens Tau Beta Pi
R. C. Barton Carnegie Tau Beta Pi
John K. Reeves Williams Phi Beta Kappa
Fritz E. Loeffler Cornell Phi Beta Kappa
Jan Eraser Columbia Phi Beta Kappa
John Jarker Dartmouth Phi Beta Kappa
Milton Taylor Nevada Phi Kappa Phi
Douglas Ford Nevada Phi Kappa Phi
PHI SIGS AFIELD
RALPH DEPREZ
The following is from the Washington Evening Star for April 17:
Washington has many thriving banks and the managers of such offices hold decidedly important positions. One of these managers is Ralph R. DePrez, who guides the destinies of the Dupont Circle branch of the Riggs National.
Born in Washington and educated in the public schools here, Mr. De- Prez left George Washington University Law School in May, 1917, in his junior year, to enter one of the naval aviation units, serving overseas in ground work both in England and France. Receiving his discharge in 1919, he joined the staff of Riggs. From that time until May, 1922, he was in the note department of the main office.
When the Dupont Circle branch was established in 1922 Mr. DePrez was transferred and made assistant manager. Three years ago he was advanced to manager, and at the beginning of the present year the direc- tors elected him an assistant cashier. To show the responsibility resting upon his shoulders it is only necessary to mention the fact that deposits in this branch consistently average over $1,750,000, with the volume steadily increasing.
Manager DePrez is connected with Washington Chapter, American Institute of Banking, and incidentally belongs to the Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity.
A TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP
This clipping refers to a '26 brother in Virginia :
Ralph Gulley, who taught in the Architecture Department last year and who is going to Harvard on a scholarship which he won, has been given the Sheldon Traveling Fellowship Award and will spend a year in traveling and studying abroad. This honor is not usually bestowed upon an architect unless he is exceptionally good. Usually an engineer receives the Fellowship, but Ralph Gulley has made such an excellent record for himself that he has been given the trip abroad.
DR. CONLEY TRANSFERRED
Dr. Walter H. Conley, for the past five years general medical superin- tendent of the Department of Public Welfare with headquarters in the Municipal Building, is transferred to other duties today. This was an- nounced by Dr. William Schroeder, Jr., commissioner of the Department of Hospitals.
The order said that the transfer of Dr. Conley was made "for the good of the service." He will be in charge of the Metropolitan Hospital, City Hospital, Neurological Hospital, Cancer Hospital and the Home for De- pendents.
INVENTS NEW BATTERY SWITCH Monroe Merritt has invented and tested a new circuit battery- generator transfer switch. This switch will cut cost and show more accurately any trouble along high tension lines. The test being successful, patents have been filed for recognition.
In an interview, Merritt said : "This switch will be a necessity for all lines carrying high tension electrical current. The Ala-
THE SIGNET 49
bama Power Company has supplied me with available experi- mental material, and they will after the patent is closed, use this switch over their entire circuit.
"With such a start, this venture may prove to be of great suc- cess, not only to myself, but the electrical industry in general."
THE TAMMANY LEADERSHIP
Although Senator Wagner declined to have anything to do with the leadership of Tammany Hall, this clipping from the New York Times of March 24 is of some interest to us:
Who the new leader will be is still very uncertain. Mr. Smith has no candidate, it was learned, and the only suggestion that seemed to have any substance was that the leadership be "wished" upon Senator Wagner, who does not want it. This suggestion, however, was the only one made which seemed possible or plausible, and it was said that there would be an effort to get Senator Wagner to take the place.
The suggestion of Senator Wagner was reached by a process of elimina- tion. By their action in referring the leadership squabble to Messrs. Smith, Walker, Wagner, and Foley, the executive committee established the quartet as the four leading members of Tammany. Mr. Foley has refused definitely to take the leadership and his refusal has been accepted as final. Mr. Smith does not want the place and Mayor Walker, who is a candidate for renomination, could not take it and remain a candidate for mayor.
That leaves only Senator Wagner among the new "Big Four" of Tam- many who is regarded at the moment as available. It is assumed that his election would be certain if he should be recommended by the other three of the "Big Four" and the committee of seven, as there is believed to be a sufficient number of the members of the Tammany executive com- mittee ready to vote for the winner, once they know who he is, to elect almost any candidate so recommended. The difficulty is that Senator Wagner is satisfied with his present position, which enables him to carry on his private law practice when not engaged with his senatorial duties. He would not, of course, have to resign as senator, since many members of the upper house of Congress have held positions of high party leader- ship. It was said that he would be reluctant to assume the responsibilities of the leadership, but that he might be "drafted" for the place.
A DISTINGUISHED CONDUCTOR
Psi Deuteron takes pride in the career of its brother Willem J. Van Hoogstraten, director of the Portland Symphony Orches- tra. He has tourned Europe with the Elley Ney Trio, has been guest conductor for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and famous groups in Europe. In IQ26 he was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Oregon.
THE CHAPTER HYMENEAL
Initiates Frederick Z. Filbert, P^ '26, and Doris Emily Hess, June 23, Philadelphia.
H, Watson Tietze, I '24 and Mary Evelyn Keim, April 2J, Newark, New Jersey.
Lewis R. Ferguson, M '05, and Elizabeth Cowan, April 30, Crawfordsville, Ind.
Blessed in the Bond R. B. Cruise, Y '21, January 14 — Carolyn Ida. J. T. Finnegan, A '12, November 28 — ^John T., Jr. C. S. Adams, P^ '20, April o.'j — David.
FROM THE ARGENTINE This clipping is from the Buenos Aires Herald and refers to Graham Steele.
Mr. Steele came to Buenos Aires as treasurer of the Warren Bros. Company of Argentina, coming from the Western Coast of the United States after some years of construction and executive experience with the company, broken by two years' absence in the U. S. Army during the World War, serving there as a major of engineers.
Mr. Steele has been closely connected with the development of the business in both Argentina and the Republic of Chile and with the forma- tion of Warren Bros, of Chile become one of its officers.
THE CHAPTER AUTHORIAL By Austin W. Morrill, A '00, an article "The Anomalous Fresh
Tomato Tariff Question," in the Market Growers Journal
for March i. By Sidney C. Hazelton, T '09, an article "Making Athletes out
of Freshmen," in the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine for April. By Ralph J. Watts, A '07, an article "Fraternity Problems" in
Banta's Greek Exchange for April. By Robert C. Whitford, Z '12, a book "The Autobiography of
Charles Darwin" published by Appleton with an introduction
by the editor. By Stephen P. Duggan, Z '90, a communication "Our Books
Abroad" in the New York Times for April 28.
INHERITS A FORTUNE
New York, May 2 — Robert H. Heighe, of Belair, Maryland, is named as the principal legatee in the will of his aunt, Mrs. Ellen W. Duryea, widow of Hermanns S. Duryea, a leading American owner and breeder of race horses.
Mr. Duryea died on December 23, 1927, leaving a gross estate of $2,144,030 and $1,986,870 net.
WILLARD ON UNEMPLOYMENT An editorial in the New York ''Times/' May 5;
In the address made last week by Mr. Daniel Willard before the National Institute of Social Sciences, he had some suggestive things to say about the problems of unemployment in the United States. As will be seen by reading the report of his remarks printed elsewhere in the Times today, Mr. Willard is convinced that there are more men and women out of work at present in this country than the public generally is aware of. One of the points he makes with great force is the need of more accurate and com- prehensive statistics on the subject. Lack of trustworthy and com- plete information about unemployment has long been felt to be a serious hindrance to the studies of economists and social re- formers in the United States. We are far behind other countries in this respect. The figures published from time to time by the Department of Labor at Washington are fragmentary and incon- clusive. State reports are usually belated and often cover only part of the field. Mr. Willard rightly calls for joint action by the Federal and State Governments in collecting and tabulating the actual facts and in explaining, so far as possible, the causes of unemployment at any particular time or in given localities.
The other five of the six points made by Mr. Willard in his address deserve serious attention. He emphasized our collective social responsibility in seeing that the advantages of our modern industrial system are made inclusive. Everything than can be done to make life on the farm more attractive and to develop foreign trade so as to increase the demand for our products abroad should be made a part of our fixed social program. So should be also the efforts of private industry to stabilize employment, and of those in charge of public works to conduct them so as to take up the slack of employment in a seasonable and helpful way. This latter suggestion has now become commonplace. It is favored, in a general way, by municipal and State authorities, and has the endorsement of President Hoover. The entire problem needs sharper definition, but it still more needs the good-will and co- operation for which Mr. Willard urgently calls.
CRAWFORD DISCUSSES THE COLLEGE From The Kansas Industrialist
Mr. Crawford, who is now editor of the Household magazine of the Capper group, made the charge that students are "taught facts, many of which are useless."
"We hear much of 'necking' in college," he said. "It is certain- ly a natural, normal human impulse. The same impulse causes people to want to paint pictures, build bridges, and grow flowers. We should train in the sublimation and redirection of these natural energies."
$ K S FRATERNITY
OFFICERS I 928- I 930
The Supreme Court William A. McIntyre, M '04, 25 Broadway, New York City. Dr. Joseph E. Root, A '76, 904 Main St., Hartford, Conn. George J. Vogel, r '91, Torrington, Conn. Dr. Walter H. Conley, B '91, Welfare Island, New York City. Alvin T. Burrows, A '03, 11 1 N. Race St., Urbana, 111. Howard F. Dunham, T 'ii, River Ridge, Hanover, N.H.
The Council President —
Joseph H. Batt, A '14, Insurance Bldg., Washington, D.C. Vice Presidents —
Don a. Hamilton, E^ 'ii, 329 Burncoat St., Worcester,
Mass. Raymond G. Lafean, M '19, Box 595, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edgar T. Fell, X '13, Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md. Earl F. Schoening, A^ '21, 7400 Crandon Ave., Chicago,
111. William F. Wood, H '10, 238 Bush St., San Francisco, Calif. Secretary-Treasurer —
Ralph J. Watts, A '07, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wis. Financial Supervisor —
Charles H. Ruedi, A'^ '17, 137 E. Main St., Decatur, 111. Scholarship Supervisor —
Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
Endowment Fund Trustees Donald F. McLean, A '06, 286 N. Broad St., EHzabeth, N.J. Karl W. H. Scholz, M 'ii, Logan Hall, University, Philadel- phia, Pa. Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
Inspection Deputy WiLLARD F. McCornack, O '28, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wis.
THE SIGNET 53
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS
A — March 15, 1873. Massachusetts Agricultural College. Am- herst, Mass. Adviser, Roland H. Verbeck.
B — (Albany), February 2, 1888. Union. 519 Mercer St., Al- bany, N.Y. Adviser, appointment pending.
(Schenectady), 201 Seward PI., Schenectady, N.Y. Adviser, H. M. Cregier, R.F.D., Schenectady.
r — February 26, 1899. Cornell. 702 University Ave., Ithaca, N.Y. Adviser, Herman Diederichs, University.
A — February 24, 1891. West Virginia. 672 North High St., Morgantown, W.Va. Adviser, David C. Garrison, 229 Wilson Ave.
E — ^June 3, 1893. Yale. 124 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn, Adviser, Wm. H. Hackett, 38 Lynwood PI.
Z — December 19, 1896. C.C.N.Y. 473 West 140th St., New York City. Adviser, Leo R. Ryan, 2023 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn.
H — January 8, 1897. Maryland. Princeton and Dartmouth Sts., College Park, Md. Adviser, N. Carter Hammond, 543 Calvert Bldg., Baltimore^ Md.
® — December 16, 1897. Columbia. 550 West 114th St., New York City. Adviser, James H. Miner, 550 West 114th St., New York City.
I — March 15, 1899. Stevens. 810 Hudson St., Hoboken, N.Y. Adviser, A. B. Waterbury, 103 N. Walnut St., East Orange, N.J.
K — ^June 7, 1899. Penn State. State College, Pa. Adviser, to be appointed.
A — October 7, 1899. George Washington. 1822 Eye St. N.W., Washington, D.C. Adviser, Norman S. Meese, 8 Valley View, Takoma Park, Md.
M — March 10, 1900. Pennsylvania. 3618 Locust St., Phila- delphia, Pa. Adviser, Karl W. H. Scholz, Logan Hall, Univer- sity.
N — March 9, 1901. Lehigh. Third and Cherokee Sts., South Bethlehem, Pa. Adviser, J. E. Culliney, 826 Penn. Ave., Bethle- hem, Pa.
S — April 12, 1902. St. Lawrence. 78 Park St., Canton, N.Y. Adviser, Frank R. Maloney, Chase Mills, N.Y.
O — ^May 24, 1902. M.LT. 487 Commonwealth Ave., Boston,
54 THE SIGNET
Mass. Adviser, Herbert D. Swift, 25 Eaton Ct., Wellesley Hills, Mass.
II — ^April 18, 1903. Franklin and Marshall, 437 West James St., Lancaster, Pa. Adviser, J. Shober Barr, 714 West End Ave.
X — May 16, 1903. St. John's. Campus, Annapolis. Wm. C. Baxter, 1163 Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md.
T — March 25, 1905. Dartmouth. Hanover, N.H. Adviser, John E. Hill, 23 Cadman Hill Ave., Dorchester, Mass.
Y — ^February 10, 1906. Brown. 406 Brook St., Providence, R.I. Adviser, Bruce M. Bigelow, Norwood, R.I.
1$ — March 24, 1906. Swarthmore. Swarthmore, Pa. Adviser, Herbert L. Brown, 43 E. 23rd St., Chester, Pa.
X — June 16, 1906. Williams. Williamstown, Mass. Adviser, Allen Hackett, 600 W. 122nd St., New York City.
^ — ^January 19, 1907. Virginia. Virginia Ave., Charlottes- ville, Va. Adviser, Harvey E. Jordan, University R., Univer- sity, Va,
fi — February 12, 1909. California. 2412 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley, Calif. Adviser, Wayne H. Thornton, 2529 College Ave.
A^ — May 9, 1910. Illinois. 1004 S. Second St., Cham- paign, 111. Adviser, Frank A. Smith, Box 545, Sta. A.
,B^ — ^May 12, 1910. Minnesota. 317 Eighteenth Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, Minn. Adviser, Wm. T. Middlebrook, University.
,1^ — April 13, 191 1. Iowa State. 142 Gray St., Ames, Iowa. Adviser, E. F. Graff, 610 Douglas Ave.
A"^ — February 27, 191 5. Michigan. 1403 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. Adviser, P. H. Jeserich.
E^ — June 8, 191 5. W.P.I. 11 Dean St., Worcester, Mass. Adviser, Richard W. Young, 15 Schussler Rd.
Z^ — ^January 13, 1917. Wisconsin. 260 Langdon St., Madison, Wis. Adviser, H. W. Stewart, 2010 Monroe St.
H^ — ^March 4, 1917. Nevada. 737 Lake St., Reno, Nev. Ad- viser, Paul A. Harwood, 237 Hill St.
®^ — February 19, 1921. Oregon Agricultural College. 27 Park Ter., Corvallis, Ore. Adviser, Joseph E. Simmons.
jA — March 24, 1923. Kansas State. 1630 Humboldt, Man- hattan, Kan. Adviser, Robert K. Nabours, College.
K^ — ^April 7, 1923. Georgia Tech. 132 North Ave. N.W., Atlanta, Ga. Adviser, Walter Powell, 830 Healy Bldg.
THE SIGNET 55
A'^'^ — April 25, 1923. University of Washington. 4536 Eight- eenth Ave. N.E.; Seattle, Wash. Adviser, W. E. Allen, 6215 Palatine Ave.
M^ — April 26, 1923. Montana. loii Gerald Ave., Missoula, Mont. Adviser. Thos C. Spaulding, 414 Edith St.
N^ — May 2, 1923. Stanford University. Lomita Dr. and May- field Ave., Stanford, Calif. Adviser, John O. Snyder, Univer- sity.
U^ — February 3, 1925. Tennessee. 1816 West Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. Adviser, J. H. Armstrong, Box 507.
O^ — February 7, 1925. Alabama. 1423 University Ave., Tus- caloosa, Ala. Adviser, A, B. Moore, University.
n^ — February 21, 1925. Ohio State. 325 Fifteenth Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Adviser, Chas. W. Reeder, 412 W. 9th St.
P^ — March 13, 1925. Gettysburg. Gettysburg, Pa. Adviser, Samuel F. Snyder.
%^ — April II, 1925. Nebraska. 348 N. 14th St., Lincoln, Neb. Adviser, Allen L. Bechter, 2618 Ryons St.
T^ — November 13, 1926. Carnegie. 4807 Baum Blvd., Pitts- burgh, Pa. Adviser, Geo. M. Swan, 1012 Park Bldg.
Y^ — November 20, 1926. North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C. Adviser, Robert B. Lawson.
^ — November 20, 1926. Kentucky. 435 E. Maxwell St., Lexington, Ky. Adviser, R. C. Porter, 435 E. Maxwell St.
X-^^ — December 18, 1926. Washington State. Pullman, Wash. Adviser, Harry O. Kent, 312 Symons Bldg., Spokane, Wash.
^■^ — December 21, 1926. Oregon. Eugene, Ore. Adviser, Louis P. Artau, Eugene, Ore.
fl^^ — ^October 13, 1928. Southern Calfornia. 2671 Magnolia Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Adviser, Norman Averill, 341 W. i8th St.
A"^ — October 27, 1928. Wesleyan. Wesleyan PL, Middletown, Conn. Adviser, Cedric W. Foster, 167 Whitney St., Hartford, Conn.
BT — November 3, 1928. Knox. 185 W. South St., Galesburg, 111. Adviser, Chas. J. Adamec, 348 N. Cedar St.
r"^ — April 20, 1929. South Carolina, Columbia, S.C.
56 THE SIGNET
ALUMNI CLUBS
New York — Secretary, Harold G. Wentworth, B 'i6, 22 E. 38th St. Luncheon every Thursday, 12 :30 Fraternity Clubs Bldg., Madison Ave. and 38th St.
Chicago — Secretary, D. O. Leighton, B"^ '26, Marshall Field Co. Store for men. Luncheon every Tuesday 12:15, Mandel Brothers Grill.
Vermont — Secretary, Marcell Conway, A '22, Barre, Vt.
Southern California — Secretary, Harold Viault, A '23, I. W. Helman Bldg., Los Angeles. Luncheon every Wednesday 12 :oo, University Club, Business meeting first Tuesday of month, 6:30 P.M., University Club.
Washington Eta — Secretary, J. P. Schaefer, H '23, Riverdale, Md. Dinner and meeting first Monday evening of the month, Lambda chapter house.
Washington — Secretary Charles R. Huff, A '20, 734 15th St., N.W.
Spokane — Secretary, Vernon MacMartin, X^ '28, W. 2325 Boone Ave. Dinner third Monday of every month, University Club, 6:15 P.M.
Minnesota — Secretary, Charles Davis, B^ '16, 536 Plymouth Bldg., Minneapolis, Minn. Luncheon every Wednesday, An- drews Hotel, Minneapolis, Minn.
Baltimore — Secretary, Mason C. Albrittain, H '23, 408 Lexing- ton Bldg. Luncheon every Thursday, Engineers' Club, 12 130.
Milwaukee — Secretary, Lloyd Mueller, Z^ '25, Boston Store.
Amherst — Secretary, Phillip H. Smith, A '97, Amherst, Mass.
San Francisco — Secretary, Robert R. Porter, N'^ '22, 647 Seventh Ave. Luncheon every other Wednesday, Commercial Club, Merchants' Exchange Bldg, 12:15.
Birmingham — Secretary, Hubert Scruggs, O^ '27, Alabama Power Co. Dinner first Wednesday of month, Bankhead Hotel.
Seattle — Secretary A. V. Beveridge, A'^ '24, 1272 Dexter Hor- ton Bldg. Luncheon every Friday at 12, College Club.
Boston — Secretary Arthur K. Brown, M '26, 99 Bedford St.
Detroit — Secretary, Arthur J. Bufhngton, A^ '28, Research Dept. of Detroit News. Meetings second Friday of month.
Unchartered Butte — Secretary, John Cooney, M^ '25, Cooney Brokerage Co. Luncheon first Tuesday of month, Finlen Hotel.
Vol. XXI NEW SERIES No. 2
®I}^ #tgttrt
Published by the
Council of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
Four Times During the Collegiate Year
Publication office: 111 N. Race Street, Urbana, III.
A T. BURROWS, Editor Urbana, Illinois
OCTOBER, 1929
Entered as second-class matter at the postoffice at Urbana, III.
KLINGENBURG WINS UNUSUAL HONOR
To Robert John Klingenburg, Sigma '30, has come the signal honor of being awarded the first senior fellowship to be bestowed by St. John's college, where he is a student. This fellowship gives him the right to attend such classes as he may select, or none, and at the end of the college year he will receive his degree just the same.
Under the terms of the award the holder is to be the guest of the college during his senior year. The only requirement is that of residence at the college. The terms of the fellow- ship are revocable only if he commit a crime under the laws of Maryland, or becomes insane.
Klingenburg originally entered Columbia university where he completed his Freshman year with distinction in his courses. Obliged to withdraw from college for a while after the completion of his first year, Klingenburg decided to continue his college work at a smaller college, where he felt he could better pursue the intellectual life. It is stated that the very combination of qualities in Klingenburg, which led him to transfer to St. John's, are now recognized by the faculty members under whom he has studied as the charac- teristics which made him the outstanding choice as senior fellow next year at the college.
DEFERRED PLEDGING
By THOMAS ARKLE CLARK, Dean of Men, U. of I., Urbana, 111. President, Alpha Tau Omega
There are a number of topics being discussed generally by fra- ternity men all over the country — active and alumni — and among these the pros and cons of deferred pledging come up for serious consideration.
In the majority of colleges there is no restriction as to when a mian may be pledged to a fraternity. In many institutions incom- ing freshmen are met at the train bringing them into the college town, rushed, and bid and the pledge button attached before the confused and unsophisticated newcomer has even set foot upon the campus. In many instances the situation is even worse than this. Young boys are pledged in high school and sometimes al- most in the cradle before they have had a chance to see the col- lege, to make any comparison between different organizations and the men who make up the active chapters, and so before they can possibly form a just estimate of the character and personal- ity of the men with whom they propose to live in the most inti- mate relationships during the four years of their college course. It is like a marriage contract, as these are sometimes made in a foreign country, between children who have never met and who know nothing about each other, and the results are likely to be quite unsatisfactory.
The relation which exists between the active members of a Greek letter fraternity is a very close relation. Under ideal con- ditions it presents a situation very much like home where daily personal contact is close, where constant concessions must be made, and where unselfishness, rather than one's own personal desires must dominate action. Discontent and unhappiness result if such companions are not carefully chosen. The choice of a fraternity brother should be made almost as carefully as the choice of a life companion, for in fact there is no human relationship other than marriage — which is closer than that which develops or should develop in the Greek letter college fraternity.
My own institution offers a fairly good illustration of the so-
6o THE SIGNET
called "open" system of pledging, as it is conservatively followed. No prospective freshman may be pledged until he has reached the campus. At present he must have been on the campus twenty- four hours at least before a pledge button may be attached to his lapel. He may not be initiated until he has passed a certain num- ber of credit hours. An overwhelming majority of new men are pledged within ten days after they reach college, and many of these men before they reached the campus knew nothing of the active chapter to which they became pledged, nor of the national fraternity of which it is a part, nor of the college fraternity at all for that matter. They not infrequently appear wearing a pledge button before they are fully aware of what pledging involves. Their action is something like getting engaged to a young woman within twenty-four hours or a week after one has first been in- troduced to her. Such engagements occur, I suppose, at times in these days of rapid business procedure, but the possibilities of permanent happiness in such cases are not very flattering. Life long friendships are commonly based upon character and com- munity of interest, and similarity of tastes and ideals and these matters are not likely to be safely determined during an acquaint- anceship of a few hours or even through personal contact for a week or ten days. Love at first sight is not wholly a fictional de- tail, but it is not a very dependable basis of an intimate and life- long association. It is better to have a reasonable time for ob- servation and more mature judgment. Our first impressions of people are not infrequently proved to be quite different from the conclusions we reach after we have had time to form a more inti- mate acquaintance.
I met two men on my first day out of San Francisco on my way to Honolulu. Peterson at first meeting seemed rough, crude, unpolished. His clothes were just a little ill-chosen, his voice rather harsh, and occasionally he slipped in the choice of proper verb forms. He just missed getting on my nerves. If I had been on the rushing committee of a fraternity and he had been one of the prospects, I should have been thumbs down on him at once. He wouldn't have done at all. Porter, on the other hand, showed at the beginning all the external marks of a well-bred gentleman.
THE SIGNET 6i
He was carefully dressed, his voice well modulated, his manners polished. He met one with a graciousness that was quite appeal- ing. It would have seemed safe, if he had been a rushee to have slipped the button upon him without delay.
It so happened that circumstances threw the three of us to- gether over a period of some weeks. Before our paths diverged I had quite modified my estimate of the two men. Porter proved to be selfish, superficial, insincere. Beneath his external suavity and polish, he was really vulgar, profane, and unprincipled. He had no real stability of character, and was too much concerned with his own comfort and profit ever to make a good friend. Peterson soon revealed the fact that he was unselfish, generous, and, beneath his rough exterior, refined, clean-minded, and whole- some. He had determination, a keen appreciation of what is right, and force of character sufficient to hold him in the straight path. My first impressions of the two men were wholly in error. Porter was the sort of fellow who the more we see of him the less we care for him, and Peterson was a man of whom one might easily make a life-long friend. But it took time and ex- perience to discover these facts, as it does ordinarily to recognize the true qualities of any newly-made acquaintance.
There are many arguments in favor of a system of open or im- mediate pledging. Perhaps the most convincing one is that it has been the general custom in most institutions since fraternities were established, to pledge a new man as soon as he appeared on the horizon.
"We've always done it that way," seems usually in the under- graduate mind to settle at once and with entire satisfaction every mooted question which may arise. Even if conditions change it is difficult to bring about any change in procedure. There is a certain inertia in the young mind which makes change difficult.
It is easier to do the rushing and the pledging immediately up- on the opening of college and get it over with as soon as possible. The job at best is not an enjoyable one to most young fellows, and to delay its accomplishment is only to postpone a duty that becomes more and more distasteful as it is delayed. The sooner the new men are pledged and the active members can get down to
62 THE SIGNET
work — or play as the case may be — the better for all concerned.
There is distrust, also, of a system which involves delay. There is a certain confidence in fair play and a square contest in an open system of pledging and distrust of a system which involves delay as deferred pledging necessarily would do.
"You couldn't trust 'em," the opponent to a system of deferred pledging always avers. He is convinced that there would cer- tainly be some under-handed work, some skullduggery, some dirty trick worked by the chapters other than his own that would re- sult in the Dekes or the Betas or the A. T. O.'s or one of the or- ganizations to which he does not belong secretly pledging all the good men before the regular time for doing the business had ar- rived. If the men of some of the active chapters did not them- selves do it, then the alumni, for whom no one can make or at least enforce regulations, would come in and pick up all the good men. And then will ensue a tale of when the Psi U's or the Phi Sigs or some unscrupulous gang went in a body to a neighboring city and pledged all the good men before they got to town in spite of the college regulations. When pushed for dates and details no one knows just when it was and who was pledged, but it was done all right they are sure.
"And if we had deferred pledging" they always end up with, "it would be a lot worst than it is now."
It never seems to occur to these objectors that the members of other fraternities are probably quite as honest and dependable as they themselves are.
There is the serious question, also, of filling the house. Frater- nity houses all over the country these days are growing larger and larger and consequently demanding an increasingly larger chapter roll in order that house bills may be kept from mounting to the clouds. A larger chapter roll in a big house is the only known method of keeping the house bills within reach of a moderately filled purse. A few weeks or a few months delay in getting the house full would put the exchequer upon the rocks, and such a situation is not to be thought of. The house problem is really the only serious one to be considered in facing a system of deferred pledging, but even that difficulty is not insoluble.
THE SIGNET 63
There is the subject of "freshman training" also to be consider- ed if deferred pledging is to be favorably considered, and the beneficent results which come to the chapter from the discipline which freshmen pledges undergo loom big in the eyes of many active men. In point of fact most young fellows are quite defin- itely settled in their tendencies and their characters before they enter college, and not much is accomplished by the "ragging" and the "fagging" which they undergo as freshmen. They come out from under it with about the same characteristics as they had when they went in. One could omit all the so-called training which the freshman undergoes during his period of probation preceding initiation without the chapter's losing much of any- thing worth while.
"But if we had deferred pledging" some wise mathematician speaks out, "we should have our active men only three years. Isn't it better to have a man in the chapter four years rather than three?"
No doubt of it, for the men who are longest in the chapter are in almost every case of most value to it both in loyalty and in the actual contribution which they make to the chapter's development and progress. You might be surprised, however, if you would go over the history of your own chapter, as I have done with mine, and estimate just what the active period of active membership is. I recently studied the records of ten of our most outstanding fra- ternities over a period of ten years, and I discovered what I had expected, that the length of active membership under our present system of open bidding was considerably less than two years. The number of men who left college for good, usually for poor scholarship or because they had no interest in the work of college, was quite appalling. With a system of deferred pledging, most of these men would have proved ineligible or have been eliminat- ed before they could have been pledged.
It is true that the chapter that can keep its active members for four years and see them graduated is the strongest of any group. The member who is of little use and who in many cases is even a distinct detriment is the one who hangs on in college just long
64 THE SIGNET
enough to be pledged and initiated and then to go back home dec- orated with a jeweled pin.
One of the greatest difficulties with the fraternity groups with which I am best acquainted now have to meet, is to maintain a well balanced group. With a chapter roll of nearly forty men last spring one group which I have in mind is opening the house this fall with scarcely more than a dozen men with whom to be- gin the year. Their freshmen and sophomores, who constituted the greater part of the chapter roll, have flunked out, or have de- cided that they do not like college. Deferred pledging would modify such a situation very considerably.
It is impossible either adequately or justly to estimate the character of men with only a few hours or a few days in which to form a judgment. The pretty large number of ciphers or mis- fits in our fraternities who take no active part in the chapter life or who are out of sympathy with the management indisputably proves this. In a system of open bidding the freshman seldom has adequate time fairly to judge the group which is bidding him and the chapter is quite as completely handicapped in judging him. A system of deferred bidding would very largely obviate this diffi- culty, for it would give time for a little better acquaintance, for a more careful judgment each of the other's character, and scholarship. Time would in a great measure reveal if it did not eliminate the flunker, and the indifferent, and the disinterested, and so the average life of the active member would be increased and the chapter to that extent strengthened.
With deferred pledging many worth while men who do not on such a brief acquaintance as a system of open pledging permits stand very little chance of being bid would be given a good deal more attention than they now receive, A friend of mine not long ago was going over the records of his fraternity for a considerable number of years back. The secretary's book revealed to him the names of the freshmen who had been considered for membership but rejected because for one reason or another they did not measure up to the personal requirements of one active member or another.
"Here are the men we did not bid," he explained to me. "I
THE SIGNET 65
wish you would tell me something about what they amounted to and what became of them."
They had been in many cases, these rejected men, the most in- fluential, the most active, the most respected men in college, and if there had been more time to recognize their strong qualities they might very well have added strength to a fraternity which at the time their names were up for consideration, needed just such men as they proved themselves to be to give it stability.
The problem of keeping up the chapter membership is not even with a system of deferred pledging an insoluble one. In my own institution, and relatively the same situation obtains in most others, only a minority of the new men coming to college can hope to be pledged to a fraternity. With us when one third of the new men are pledged the chapter rolls are full. There are hundreds of new men who never have a show of membership because there are not fraternities enough to take them in. If a change from a system of open to a system of deferred pledging were announced in any institution a year ahead of the time in which the new sys- tem were to go into effect there would he plenty of time to pledge enough sophomores to keep the chapter roll up to the desired number, and in every institution with which I am familiar there would be adequate material to do this satisfactorily. The result, I feel sure, would be a more permanent membership because the men selected would have more firmly established themselves and so would be much more likely to complete their college course. There would he more time to make careful selections and so great- er unity in the active group. The scholastic standing of frater- nities would be raised for a good percentage of the chronic flunk- ers would already have been eliminated by the college machine be- fore they were eligible for pledging. In time I believe fraternit- ies will see all these things and will come to their own initiative to a system of deferred pledging.
"It is better to own a comfortable modest chapter house of fair size that can be carried without effont than to be burdened with the maintenance of a lavish clubhouse from which poor men's sons are barred." — The Journal of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
66 THE SIGNET
FREDERICK GEORGE CAMPBELL, FOUNDER
On the afternoon of June 13, after having taken a walk with his wife and daughter in the Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts, Brother Frederick George Campbell, founder, dropped dead in the pathway not far from his residence-. Brother Campbell had been for several years subject to spells of coma, and his death seems to have come in much the same way.
The burial took place in his home town, Westminister West, Vermont, on the afternoon of June 15. Dr. William Penn Brooks, now the single surviving founder, officially represented the fra- ternity at the funeral, and was accompanied by his grandson, Wil- liam Brooks Drew, A '30. The local Congregational minister con- ducted the service with impressive simplicity, making no personal eulogy but using particularly appropriate readings. Brother Camp- bell is survived by his wife, Emma Harlow Campbell, four sons, two daughters, and several grandchildren.
Brother Campbell's share in the founding of Phi Sigma Kappa was not of the spectacular type. He was nineteen years old at the time of the founding, a quiet country boy from Mr. Coolidge's native state, Vermont. His father had an international reputation as a breeder of Merino sheep, and Campbell was at M.A.C. for training along similar lines. He was a good student, standing fifth in his class at the time of graduation. He was popular among his mates, being elected both vice-president and treasurer of his class. And although he does not seem to have been athletic in the sports sense of the word. Dr. Root has described how, when a group of sophomores undertook to haze him, he threw one of them down stairs, a second through the window, and held the rest at bay. His associates seem to have liked him and respected him, but they did not look to him for leadership.
Thus while Clay was inspiring the little group to undertake a brotherhood, and Clark was bringing his mathematical mind to bear upon its symbolism, and Dr. Brooks was making suggestions in regard to its constitution, and Barrett was allowing his rare humor to play about the project, and Hague was incarnating the spirit of gentle but manly affection, Campbell seems to have
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stood in the background, a tower of strength and loyalty, a de- pendable worker and a quaintly philosophic friend. The Signet of March, 1923, memorializing the foundation upon our fiftieth birthday, acclaimed Brother Campbell as follows :
Hail, Campbell — Bulwark firm! Behind the spirit must be sinsw still. To stiffen under stress and strain until The moving m>inds at last have wrought their zvill.
Hail, Campbell!
After his graduation from college Campbell returned to his home in Vermont to continue his father's notable career as a breeder of sheep. By virtue of his comparative isolation and his temperamental reticence he took no active part in the affairs of Phi Sigma Kappa for many years. After his retirement from active life, however, he came to live with a daughter outside of Boston and was happily drawn back into the fraternity circle. For several years it has been a common and pleasant sight to see him sitting complacently at the speakers' table, greeting old friends and meeting new ones, and eventually responding briefly but sin- cerely to a toast.
Dr. Brooks has been largely instrumental in his essaying the longer trips. Together they attended the Philadelphia Conven- tion in 1926, the San Francisco Convention in 1928, and the Wes- leyan induction the same year. They were in California for nearly a month, staying much of the time at the home of Dr. Sumner C. Brooks A '10 ,and visiting a common classmate at Carmel. Brother Campbell enjoyed every minute of that trip. And the presence of these two gracious founders at so many of our recent assemblies continues as a blessed memory with all of us who were permitted to share it.
So Campbell is gone. But the Phi Sigma Kappa are united in paying a proud and an affectionate tribute to his name. — F.P.R.
Dr. John Ashburton Cutter, A '82, in writing to Brother Brooks, the surviving founder of the fraternity, has the following to say of Brother Campbell :
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"MY DEAR BROOKS—
"Watts informs me that Campbell passed on last June — ^which grieves me. I met him but once at Commencement years ago — must have been ere I began my expansion w^ork and later constitution writ- ing. We dined at Frank Wood's place and Howe made a great sipeech on the lot which Watts later built. Campbell very quiet.
"It has been said that no distinguished men have been founders of fraternities. What one means as to 'distinguished' comes in. In our own crowd — Clay and Clark would have been distinguished if they had lived. Hague and Barrett could not be in the ordinary sense.
"But you and Campbell have international reputations: the latter in the sheep industry, and you in administrative and class-room pedag- ogics; as an official of experiment stations and by your writings."
Fraternity affiliations of members of Herbert Hoover's cabinet are as follows, according to the Phi Gamma Delta: Secretary of State Stimson, Psi Upsilon, Yale; Secretary of Navy Adams, Delta Kappa Epsilon and Alpha Delta Phi, Harvard; Secretary of Agriculture Hyde, Delta Upsilon, Michigan; Attorney General Mitchell, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Minnesota; Secretary of War Good, Phi Delta Phi, legal, Michigan; Secretary of Labor Davis, honorary member of Delta Sigma Phi. Mrs. Hoover is a member of the Stanford chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma and the secretary to the president, George Akersion, is a member of Phi Kappa Psi from Allegheny.
Courageously, Beta Theta Pi proceeds with hetr housecleaning. At the 89th General Convention the explusion was reported of 27 men found unworthy to wear the badge and bear the name of the frater- nity. Thirteen members of one chapter alone were ousted for refusal to meet their financial obligations.
FREDERICK G. CAMPBELL
Founder Died June, 1929
H. P. VANDERCOOK
President Phi Sigma Kappa Building Association of Illinois
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FINANCING A CHAPTER HOME
PEIRCE VANDERCOOK, A^ '14 President Phi Sigma Kappa Building Association of Illinois
Why is it that many chapters of national fraternities are ad- equately housed in substantial chapter homes, properly financed ; while others are living in cheaply constructed show places that have 'been foreclosed with the chapter as tenant rather than land- lord? In adequate and careful financing lies the difference.
During my several years association with the fraternity build- ing situation at the University of Illinois, I have seen many cases of the latter and a few, happily of which Alpha Deuteron is the outstanding example, of the former. Americans are noted the world over for show and nowhere is this reflected more vividly than in fraternity chapter houses. A local fraternity, organized for a year or two, goes after and gets a charter from a national fraternity. Immediately they must have a new house. Without it, they feel that they cannot get their share of the athletes and campus politicians and gain their rightful place on the campus.
Here is the proper setup for the professional real estate pro- moter, if the university is located in a large city, or the building contractor that flourishes as an adjunct to smaller university and college towns. With the new enthusiasm of the national charter, and the help of a few of the limited alumni the chapter has, and the dads of two or three well-to-do actives, a few thousand dol- lars is raised. This is promptly grabbed on to by the promoter or contractor as commission, or profit, and a so-called chapter house is built.
More often than not the new structure is poorly planned, poor- ly constructed, and not adequate to the needs of the chapter. When we advertised for bids for the new Alpha Deuteron chap- ter home, one local contractor submitted two figures, one of which was more than a thousand dollars lower than the other. The lower bid was his figure, if we would be satisfied with the kind of construction that he stated was the usual thing in fraternity houses at Illinois. We accepted neither figure.
The chapter moves in and the new house is dedicated with ap-
70 THE SIGNET
propriate ceremonies. In a few months the first interest and principal payments are due and sufficient funds are not at hand. The local alumni are appealed to and a sufficient amount is rais- ed or borrowed to satisfy the immediate needs. Meanwhile, the house is not filled up. With the new chapter home, the dues of those that would be called brothers are raised so high that few on the campus can meet them. Soon another six months rolls around and the same trouble faces the chapter. This time, by raking, scraping and appealing, sufficient funds are raised to meet the interest due, but not any principal payment.
Ahout this time, discord breaks out in the chapter and the few loyal alumni, who have given and given, quit. The third payment date usually marks the crash. The chapter is fortunate if it weathers the storm and lives and can rent the house on a month to month basis from the contractor or the first mortgage holder. We need not go outside our own fraternity for proof of this.
This dismal picture is not the worst that can happen. Frater- nity houses have been built at Illinois for chapters which were never able to move into them as they could not even raise suffi- cient funds to make the initial payment.
However, there is another story that is a brighter one. There is the picture of a well-organized chapter, free from cliques, with adequate chapter funds, living in a well-fbuilt home and backed up by a strong and active alumni organization. Financing and building a chapter house is like marriage, something that should not be gone into quickly, else the proverb will be equally true, build in haste, repent at leisure.
There are many steps necessary to the successful financing of a permanent chapter home. The most important is a well thought out plan and courage to carry it through and not build until ad- equate finances are at hand. The urge to build too soon ir al- ways present, both from the active chapter and alumni alike
The burden of financing and building a chapter home must rest upon the alumni and not the active chapter. The latter is a temporary, constantly changing organization with plenty of en- thusiasm but lacking in mature judgment and the necessary con- servativeness. The alumni of a chapter are constantly being added
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to in numbers. If a chapter is contemplating the building of a new home and does not have an active, interested alumni organ- ization, it had best put in its time and effort towards creating one. The number of alumni who will take interest and work may not be large at first, but there are always some that will carry on and the number will grow.
With an organized, and better an incorporated, alumni body, then and then only thoughts can turn to the new chapter home that some day is to be. With a comparatively new chapter, it should early be decided that at least ten years shall elapse before the new house is actually to be built. That may seem a long time, but meantime there are always desirable fraternity houses, that have been vacated by older fraternities, who have recently built, that can be rented. If the proper spirit is present in the chapter, it need not suffer in comparison with the older fraternities on the campus. It probably took them as long, or longer to reach their present goal.
The ten years must not be years of inactivity, however. They must be years of saving and planning. The future building fund should be the first step. Some means of accumulating money that is not used up in the current expenses of the chapter must be worked out. The hundred dollar building fund note signed at initiation has proved most successful at Illinois. At first this was made payable in ten equal installments, the first payable four years after date, when the signer's class had graduated. The col- lections on this plan, however, proved difficult on account of the loss of interest and the financial difficulties that even college men run into when they are on their own. At the present time initiates at Illinois sign a hundred dollar note and pay ten dollars on it as part of their initiation fee. Three dollars is then added to the monthly house bill for the ten months of the college year. If the signer graduates, his note is paid in full at the middle of his sen- ior year. If he drops out of college, the balance of the note is due on demand and is collected as soon as possible.
Brotherly love must not outweigh reason in the matter of these notes. At Illinois collection attorneys and even suit have been re-
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sorted to to collect from those who entirely forgot their obliga- tion and who investigation showed were well able to pay.
Before a chapter house can be built, land must be provided and this should early occupy the attention of the alumni organization. Trends in the future fraternity district must be studied. The fra- ternity district of ten years hence may be in what is a prairie or a farm at present. So much the better if it is, as land values will be low. Sometimes a co-operative project for a future fraternity quadrangle can be entered into and acreage purchased at a nom- inal sum.
After a building fund has been established, and two or three years have shown a certain income, it is good judgment to contract for the purchase of the necessary land and make a down payment with some of the funds available. There will then be an actual need for money and if the future building site has been wisely selected, it will enhance in value suffiently to make a splendid profit on the investment. Several years effort in paying for the lot will test the mettle of the alumni organization and the chapter will always have something to show to rushees as the site of the future home.
When the lots are paid for in full and this should not take longer than five years, thoughts can turn to actual construction. The accumulation of the building fund must be going on all the time and the amount added to it from year to year should increase. The first thought of the building committee' should be what the chapter can afford and not what is necessary to outdo everything else on the campus. Years after, a smaller fireproof house will be a better monument than a big hotel, poorly constructed, that needs a chap- ter of fifty or more to fill it.
A budget is the best means of assuring a successful financing plan. The budget should be well depreciated for safety sake. Cut at least ten percent of f of the actual income that can be counted on and figure the needs not on the basis of the house being filled at all times, but at ninety percent, or better, eighty percent capacity. Once the needs are determined the actual funds for building must be found. It may be possible to borrow up to eighty percent, or even more of the value of the building and lot, if an outrageous
THE SIGNET 73
commission is paid. It is far better to borrow less and pay only a fair commission.
If it were possible for every fraternity house to be built on only a first mortgage loan for not more than three-fifths to two-thirds of the value of the house and land, every fraternity house project would probably be successful and there never would be any fore- closures. This would not only keep the expenditure within bounds, but assure a proposition that can be handled. It is the basis of the success of the Alpha Deuteron Chapter House. If a second mortgage loan is necessary, it should only be taken care of by the sale of bonds to alumni, who should be distinctly told that it is in the nature of a temporary gift and that neither interest nor principal will be paid until the first mortgage is reduced to the point where refinancing at the depreciated value of the house will be a simple matter.
Provision should be made in the first mortgage loan for annual or semi annual payments on the principal so that the entire indebtedness is not passed on to the next generation. When the first mortgage gets down to the point where the interest charges are only reasonable rent, it is well to keep it at this amount rather than to pay it off in its entirety. The alumni second mortgage bondholders can then be taken care of.
In planning for the new home, the question of furnishing must be considered. The chapter that has to move old, broken furni- ture into a new home will feel that the job is only half done. At Illinois, the initiation fee, above the Grand Chapter and pin tax, is put into a furniture fund. This has proved sufficient for addi- tions and replacements and will provide a fund that will make it possible to refurnish the house completely every ten or twelve years.
The Council took a forward looking step in deciding that they would pass on all proposed building projects and approve them before they could be undertaken. If they will follow the conserv- ative lines that are laid down here, there will be no further chap- ter mortality, caused by poorly conceived and poorly financed building plans, in Phi Sigma Kappa.
74 THE SIGNET
WISCONSIN CHARTER SUSPENDED
On May 15, 1929 the Council voted to suspend the charter of Zeta Deuteron at the University of Wisconsin. The charter, rit- ual and records are in the custody of Secretary Watts until such time as in the judgment of the Council conditions at Madison, so far as Phi Sigma Kappa is concerned, have altered materially from those which have prevailed for some years past.
The trouble in the Wisconsin chapter dates back to the period when the alumni decided to sell the old house, which was partly paid for, and embark on a building program designed to place the Zeta Deuteron chapter on a material plane equal to if not superior to that of any other fraternity maintaining a chapter at Wiscon- sin. The outgrowth of this ambition involved the sale of the old property, the purchase of an expensive lot, and the building of a palatial home, to finance which the chapter and the alumni as- sumed obligations in the neighborhood of $90,000, with only a very small equity of their own included.
The site was secured, plans for the building were submitted and accepted, a contractor was secured to erect the building, and the funds were supplied thru floating a bond issue taken by an investment house doing business in Madison, and familiar with similar transactions.
By the time the house was finished and furniture in keeping with the exterior supplied, in addition to the first mortgage, a second mortgage was written.
While it is clear now that the chapter and the alumni never should have incurred such extensive obligations, compared with their resources, if the plan of operation and management which was adopted had been carried out, the obligations might easily have been met out of the current revenue.
The house was built to accommodate 38 men, and the budget which was prepared contemplated that no less than 32 men would be in the house thruout the school year.
It was at this point that the first weakness developed. The house was not filled the first year of its occupancy, nor the sec- ond, nor the third, nor at any time.
THE SIGNET 75
Instead of 38 as contemplated, the average number in the house rarely exceeded 24, and often fell to as few as 20. It was obvi- ously impossible to meet the current obligations out of a revenue derived from 24 who paid no more per man into the treasury than the 38 were expected to pay. The inevitable consequence was that from the very first the chapter ran behind. It has never been able to meet its bills, or interest and bond payments. Instead of improving with the years the situation steadily grew worse.
The chapter was told time and again to get more men in the house — ^to fill it up and keep it filled — 'but this was never done, the excuse being that there were not enough men of the proper type available on the campus, altho more than 60% of the Wis- consin students are without fraternity connection. During the last year or so, when word passed around the campus that the house was in financial difficulties it became ever harder to obtain pledges, if the latter knew the impossible burden which confront- ed them once they accepted membership.
The consequence was that neither taxes, interest, bonds nor even current bills were paid, and there was no prospect that they ever could be paid. The mortgage holders became concerned, and eventually the holder of the second deed of trust brought suit, and the title to the house passed out of the hands of the as- sociation which had been organized to conduct its affairs and hold title. Along with the house went the furniture, and with it all semblance of an organization capable of maintaining itself.
Let it not be supposed that the Council was inactive or indiffer- ent to the chaotic state of affairs at Zeta Deuteron. From the very first it was cognizant that things were not going right. It wrote numerous letters to the chapter and the alumni. Its offi- cers visited Madison repeatedly and held many conferences. One meeting of the Council was held in Madison in the hope that a renewed interest might be aroused and the situation saved.
Last fall the Council ordered Willard F. McCornack, inspec- tion deputy, to go to Madison and remain there until the chapter was either on a paying basis or until all hope had perished. Mc- Cornack labored faithfully and with zeal, but the situation had gone too far, and his efforts were as futile as those of the
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Council as a whole. Last spring conditions became hopeless and at its May meeting the Council ordered suspension of the chapter and directed Secretary Watts to take up the charter, the ritual, and the records.
In explaining its action to the chapter and alumni of Zeta Deuteron the Council sent out the following letter :
THE LETTER OF THE COUNCIL
May 29, 1929. To Members of Zeta Deuteron Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa :
On May 15, 1929, under a ruling of the Council, the charter of Phi Sigma Kappa at the University of Wisconsin was suspended.
In view of the communications issued since December i, 1928, by the officers of the Phi Sigma Kappa Corporation of Wiscon- sin, this announcement has doubtless been anticipated by you.
For nearly four years the situation at Madison has been under the close scrutiny of the Council, whose sympathetic investigation of conditions at the chapter and at the University has led to the conclusion that at this time the University of Wisconsin does not present a field where a chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa can be main- tained on a basis creditable to the fraternity. This conviction has been reached with sincere reluctance, and only after careful de- liberation.
The immediate occasion for the suspension of the chapter is its financial involvements, its inability to secure members, and the lack of effective alumni leadership and support.
In 191 6, when Kappa Phi Gamma was granted its petition for a charter from Phi Sigma Kappa, there was every promise of a relationship at the University of Wisconsin which would be mut- ually advantageous. Following the induction of the chapter early in 1917 these expectations were realized, and a satisfactory record was maintained during the critical years of the war and of the immediate subsequent reconstruction.
The events of 1923 appear to have determined the ultimate fi- nancial collapse of this chapter. In this year the program of competitive and expensive house building by Madison fraternit- ies was well established, and the undergraduates of Phi Sigma Kappa, influenced by the prevailing spirit of the campus, demand- ed a house which would compare favorably with any there.
A group of alumni, incorporated as the Phi Sigma Kappa Realty Company, were persuaded to sponsor the project; plans for a new house were speedily prepared, and contracts awarded
THE SIGNET yy
before adequate financial backing was assured. A canvass for funds ensued,- and eventually the total equity in the property amounted to approximately $23,000. This included the equity in the chapter house previously owned, and represented barely 25% of the investment in the new land, house, and equipment. All of this equity has now been lost through foreclosure, and the chapter is heavily in debt to local merchants and to other creditors.
The house building project was at no time submitted to the Council for its review and advice ; it was regarded by some of the older alumni to be premature and unsound. Therefore, it failed to enlist the financial and moral support which was essential to the success of such an ambitious undertaking.
The successful financial operation of the property was depend- ent upon the chapter maintaining a membership sufficiently large to keep well over thirty men constantly in the house. This result was at no time achieved, and economic reverses began with the occupation of the new home early in 1925.
Facing such a difficult situation, and in the absence of aggres- sive and united support of its alumni, the chapter soon lost its morale. One detrimental feature of chapter life followed an- other, and soon its condition was perilous. Poor scholarship, lack of individual responsibility, internal conduct of a disrupting na- ture, ineffective leadership among both graduates and under- graduates contributed to the progressive weakening of the chap- ter, until it became apparent that the chapter could neither sur- vive nor be reorganized.
The success of any chapter is largely determined by its en- vironment. The unfortunate experience of this chapter is mani- festly a reflection of the spirit of the University, where in our opinion there appears to be, to a greater degree than in similar institutions, a lack of student responsibility, disregard for whole- some traditions and ideals, an overemphasis on social activities, an extravagant scale of living, and a low personal morale.
Admittedly the policy of the University officials has been non- paternalistic. In our opinion, in recent years no constructive or effective steps have been taken to control fraternity house build- ing activities, to require satisfactory scholarship from delinquent organizations, to promote student responsibility within the fra- ternities, or to direct the social program of the University.
The suspension of this charter does not, of course, affect your membership in Phi Sigma Kappa. We trust that your interest will
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continue, that you will cooperate with your nearest chapter, and affiliate with a conveniently located alumni club. By direction of the Council.
Fraternally yours,
Joseph H. Batt, President.
Earl F. Schoening, Vice-President.
Ralph J. Watts^ Secretary.
LAMBDA LEADERSHIP
A scholarship cup has been awarded by George Washington University only since 1921, and during this period of eight years Lambda has won the cup five times, including 1926-27 and 1927- 28. This has been done in competition with ten other chapters of national Greek letter fraternities.
In addition to the above Lambda chapter won the basketball cup during the past year, finished second in bowling and baseball and won the track meet and the tennis tournament.
On the campus Lambda supplies the president of the Inter-fra- ternity Council, the president of the Drama club, the author and stage manager of the University Musical comedy, two officers of the junior class, and one in the freshman, members of the editor- ial staff of each of the three publications, four members in an honorary fraternity, two regulars of the varsity basketball team, a member of the tennis squad, and a member of the Freshman honorary society.
It would be interesting to know if any other chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa can make an equally good showing.
Kappa Sigma has established a full-time executive Secretary in charge ofi its Central Office.
Phi Beta Kappa reports approximately 55,000 living members. This is the oldest college fraternity in existence, being organized in 1776.
After negotiation extending over a period of several months the Rho chapter of Beta Kappa at Illinois Wesleyan initiated a large per- centage of the active and alumni members of a competing local fra- ternity, Theta Delta Rho.
Roy Riegels, the California football player who ran the wrong way in the Tournament of Roses football game last winter, is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He is gifted with a sense of humor, for on attending a social event the night of this memorable game he was in- troduced to some guests who did not catch his name and said so. "It doesn't matter," replied Riegels. "I'm the fellow who ran the wrong way this afternoon. The name isn't important any more."
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THE PHILOSOPHY OF DISCIPLINE MORGAN B. COX, in the Shield of Phi Kappa Psi
It is not so much a question of abolition as of application. If Hell week were beneficial, just so much would the strengthened morale of a chapter be increased. If it is beneficial, however, it is not Hell week as the term is usually understood. Hell week — with all that the term connotes in a majority of cases throughout the fraternity world — is detrimental to the morale of a chapter. But it isn't the name that needs to be changed : it's the system.
Nothing in life worth obtaining is won easily — a bromide that was understood by our prehistoric ancestors. And that being self-^evident, when man first began to form special organizations, he made their membership dependent upon the powers and abilit- ies of those who aspired to these select circles. For example, among our own American Indians even the sons of the tribesmen had to pass the tribal ordeals if they were to become warriors.
Such a test in that day served two purposes : it proved the can- didate's fitness as a fighter, and it forced the individual to sub- scribe to the customs of a group; and so, today, the same pur- poses underlie the obstacle that a fraternity places in the path of its novitiates — but the emphasis, with the corresponding requisites to membership, has changed !
A fraternity rushes a man not because he possesses the possibil- ities of becoming a better killer of enemies than his fellows, but because he gives promise of being able to think faster and to bet- ter purpose. (Thinker, in this sense, is neither synonymous with Einstein nor Phi Beta Kappa, but is understood to mean the suc- cess of any man among his fellows, due to his use of his natural abilities.)
If a fraternity spends much money and time rushing such men, why then apply to these prospective members methods that were devised to meet the problems of a totally different type of living? Hell week as a week of physical torture weakens morale. Hell week is only constructive when it is so conducted that it teaches the initiate respect for the fraternity into which he is soon to be- come a member. It is destructive when it engenders hate and fear. Morale is based upon respect, not fear, and it is this un- derstanding of how to build morale that I like to term the Philos- ophy of Discipline.
But what is morale? Morale, to the group, is what mentality is to the individual. It is the respect of the individual member for the customs and the laws of the group ; the loyalty of that member to group ideals.
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Group ideals, however, differ from the ideals of the individual because the individual is a homogeneous unit, while in the group the ideal is homogeneous in its effect but the units are heterogen- ous. The moral individual disciplines himself — and in this abil- ity lies his morale. The group disciplines its individual members — and in this ability lies its morale.
Thus a group, like a chain, can only be as strong as its weakest member, and thus the disciplining of the individual, so as better to meet the requirements of the group, is identical with the forg- ing of a chain. If the metal is pure, it is the fault of the smith should the chain prove weak. If the pledge is morally sound and endowed with normal intelligence, it is the fault of the chapter should he develop into a weak member.
The conclusion is at once apparent. To discipline a pledge cor- rectly is at least to insure the group of a link — sufficiently strong in itself — that will not weaken the total combined efficiency of the chain. And such discipline develops the prospective member by a union of two aspects of his character that are diametrically opposite.
The voluntary sacrifice on the part of the individual of a cer- tain portion of his individuality for the good of the group should be the primary aim of this discipline. But this foundation should only ibe laid so as better to develop the individual as such by his participation in the activities of the group. The most valuable member of any organization to that organization is the member who is the most individualistic, provided this individualism is the expression of one who conforms, not because he is forced to do so, but because he desires to do so.
Furthermore, the reason why Hell week is a failure is to be found in the lack of balance maintained between primary and secondary discipline. Hell week concerns itself with the subor- dination of individuality — if not voluntarily, then by force — ^but the delicate mutation that occurs when the butterfly frees itself from the cocoon, that last change which makes or mars the final beauty of the whole, — is left, all too often, to circumstance and luck.
The intelligentsia may chorus anathemas at the heresy of the individual submitting to the ignominy of dictation by a group, but the fact remains that man is essentially gregarious, essentially so- cial, essentially conventional, and it makes little difference whether or not his life is so ordered because of a pragmatic neces- sity, as Hobbes would have us believe, or because such a tendency is fundamental to all knowledge, as Durkheim advocated. What does matter is that men, from the earliest times, formed them-
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selves into groups with special interests — ^groups that were per- petuated because they trained their members to adhere to their laws and customs. In all groups that desire perpetuation of mem- bership it is the training of members that accomplishes this.
But the present-day controversy over Hell week indicates de- finitely that the present disciplinary system is either wrong or misunderstood.
Discipline, in order to create a healthy group-morale, should manifest itself in two phases. Primary discipline should be plan- ned to orient the pledge into the habit of obedience to those laws which are imposed upon him, and, at the same time, develop with- in him a respect for these laws and those who administer them. This discipline should be so conducted that it never degenerates into whim or unmotivated punishment but, by just administration, slowly develops within the pledge a realization of the worth in his effort, not only to the organization but to himself. When this stage of development has been reached — a stage synonymous with the freshman year — the new initiate is now ready for secondary discipline.
But, in the interim, he has been initiated : he has survived Hell week ; he proudly wears his badge, and feels that a new vista has been opened to him due to a confused impression of music, color and words, vaguely beautiful but only dimly remembered, that he terms Ritual — with a capital "R." He will later grow to under- stand and appreciate this ritual, but if he has been the victim of a brutal, unexplained, apparently unmotivated preinitiation he •mill never understand the true worth of chapter discipline.
If Hell week is used as a final mould, whereby the rough edges are polished off by a mental rather than a physical ordeal, it is beneficial, for it tends to amalgamate the pledge-class prior to formal initiation, thereby enriching their relationship and strengthening their respect for their fraternity. Any excess, how- ever, is fatal, and the success of such a routine is dependent upon three factors : the attitude of the chapter, the man in charge, and the previous disciplining of the men.
Secondary discipline thus becomes a matter of course. It should begin after the men have been initiated, and its aim should be the awakening of the realization within the initiate that his subordina- tion of individuality has only been because he has not been fit to conduct himself as an individual according to the standards of his brothers. When this lesson has been learned ; when the man real- izes that he, himself, is the important cog in the fraternal machine, that only so far as he extends himself, self-urged, does the frat- ernity prosper because of his membership, then, and not until
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then, is he capable of fulfilHng the oath of brotherhood. Then,' and not until then, is he capable of understanding such a social process — and of evaluating it correctly. Then, and not until then, is he capable of disciplining others.
Sixteen of the social fraternities have fifty chapters or more, ac- cording to the Purple, Green and Gold of Lambda Chi Alpha, as fol- lows: Kappa Sigma, 108; Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 103; Phi Delta Theta, 97; Sigma Nu, 94; Alpha Tau Omega, 90; Sigma Ohi, °S; Beta Theta Pi, 86; Lambda Chi Alpha, 77; Delta Tau Delta, 75; Pi Kappa Alpha, 74; Phi Gamma Delta, 69; Kappa Alpha, 65; Sigma Phi Epsilon, 57; Delta Upsilon, 54; Phi Kappa Psi, 50; Phi Sigma Kappa, 50.
It is claimed that the University of Illinois leads all universities in the country as regards total number of chapters of social fraternities, liaving 88 social fraternities, and Cornell is second with 82. Every national social fraternity of any standing has a chapter at Illinois except Sigma Phi, ultra conservative Eastern frateirnity, and Kappa Alpha, which restricts its chapters to points south of the Mason-Dixon line.
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MONTANA SCHOOL OFFERS NEW PLAN FOR FRATERNITIES
A proposal to solve the problem of satisfactorily and economic- ally housing and boarding the students in fraternity houses has been made to the Greek letter social organizations by the Univer- sity of Montana.
The problem is one concerning which Universities receive many criticisms from parents, taxpayers, members of the legislature, and others. As the burden is ordinarily assumed by students, aided somewhat by alumni members and national officers, the business management is deficient in a large percentage of houses in the supervision of expenditures.
The fact that after 15 or 20 years, during which time many of the local fraternities have been in existence, only a few have really satisfactory houses, is evidence of the need of better management.
Following is the proposal as submitted to the fraternities by C. H. Clapp, president of the University of Montana.
Collections : Reports of grades or diplomas of students owing board and room bills to fraternities will be withheld upon written notice to the registrar by a responsible officer of the fraternity. This procedure prevents transfer to another college, or obtaining evidence of graduation. If requested, registration of the student owing the bill will be denied during the succeeding quarter, until the bill is paid or satisfactory adjustment has been made.
Budget system and auditing : The university is willing to aid the fraternities in establishing these standards by means of audit through the business office and advice as to budgets.
An alumni or faculty representative of each fraternity will actively assist in establishing and building up the proposed budget and auditing plans. Periodic conferences will be held weekly or monthly concerning purchases, menus and other details. The busi- ness office will audit the financial books presumably for a small charge. This service requires keeping by the house manager or other officer of the fraternity an accurate record of charges, in- come and payment of bills.
Under this plan the business office would prepare monthly and annually financial statements with copies for the fraternity alumni
84 THE SIGNET
or faculty representative. These statements will contain data showing how closely the budget is followed, supplies on hand and possibly supplementary information about the scholarship stand- ing of members of the fraternity.
The plan would give the alumni advisers, as well as fraternity officers, reliable data to guide them in the management of the chapter, President Clapp believes.
CHICAGO CLUB GIVES SCHOLARSHIP TROPHY
At their Founders' Day Banquet last March, the Chicago Club of Phi Sigma Kappa followed Brother Barnes' speech on scholar- ship with a resolution that the Chicago Club appropriate the sum of $50.00 for the purpose of a scholarship trophy for Region Four.
President Hough appointed Brothers Vandercook and Schoen- ing a committee to purchase a trophy. The cup which they chose was presented by Brother Vandercook to the Chicago Club at the annual rushing dinner given by the Club on September 5.
The trophy is a graceful silver loving cup 35 inches high, bear- ing on one face the "three T's" and the inscription "Phi Sigma Kappa Club of Chicago Region Four Scholarship Trophy" and on the other face is space for the names of the holders of the award.
The trophy will be awarded to that chapter in Region Four which shows the greatest increase in scholarship for the last academic year and will pass annually to such chapters as qualify. Should a chapter win the award two years in succession it will be given a plaque for its achievement.
Brothers Hough. Vandercook and Schoening compose the Award Committee.
During the past year Sigma Alpha Epsilon received payments total- ing $21,650.46 to their National Endowment Fund, in addition to a bequest of $25,000.00 from the estate of William C. Levere, former Supreme Eminent Recorder of the fraternity. The total amount now available in their National Endowment Fund is $164,919.78, and in ad- dition they have $183,250.13 in the Life Subscription Fund to The Record.
I have never seen a man who could do real work except under the stimulus of encouragement and enthusiasm and the approval of the people for whom he is working. — Charles M. Schwab.
Offered for improved
TROPHY CUP
scholarship by the Ch!ca,uo CUib i'1 its district
the chapters
FRANK RAND Who has resigned as editor of the Signet
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FRANK RAND
THE EDITOR
As was noted in the June issue of The Signet, Frank Rand has resigned the editorship of this pubHcation, after many years of faithful and invaluable service. Frank Rand has made out of The Signet something more than a tiresome recording of unim- portant details of fraternity life. It was his conception of a fraternity magazine that it should reflect the real purposes and aims of the institution of which it was the mouthpiece, and in do- ing so he filled its pages with contributions that had point and value, and without question created a fraternity magazine known the length and breadth of the land for its excellence.
A man of letters himself, he brought to it a real genius for in- terpretation of the finer things for which his fraternity stands, and caused his publication to take high rank among similar peri- odicals.
It would be too much to expect that any one else can step into his shoes and produce the high calibre magazine which seemed so easy for him to do.
The present editor takes up his task with many misgivings and with acute reluctance. He will, so far as he is able, follow in the footsteps of his illustrious master, but the readers of The Signet should view his efforts from the mantle of charity, realizing as does the present editor, how far his work must fall short of the genius that preceded him.
It may be that Frank, after he has had a well earned rest from his labors of editor, may be persuaded later on to resume the task he has done so well and take up once more the work for which he is so pre-eminently fitted.
In the meantime bear with the understudy, who, like the piano player in the resort of questionable fame, is doing the best he knows how.
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THE WISCONSIN DEBACLE
Elsewhere in this issue will be found a notice of the suspension of the charter of Zeta Deuteron chapter, located at the Univer- sity of Wisconsin.
Its suspension is directly traceable to the craze for obtaining a palatial fraternity house that will compare favorably with the most pretentious on the campus — an obsession that is manifest in many other institutions of learning besides Wisconsin.
The truth is that fraternities in general have embarked, or have allowed their chapters to embark, on a program of building ex- pensive houses. Obligations have been incurred that often run up close to the hundred thousand mark, and in some cases exceed that. In many cases the equity which the holding organization possesses is little more than a shoe string, and the wonder is that there has not been a general failure of such enterprises instead of the surprisingly few that have occurred thus far.
In the case of Phi Sigma Kappa the national organization has not been charged with the duty of supervising and giving ap- proval to such undertakings on the part of the chapters and their alumni. The latter have done as they pleased, and there has neither been national supervision nor the power to enforce such supervision. It is obvious that the time has come in this frater- nity, at least, for the national governing body to step in and pass on all such projects before any attempt to build is made.
Many of the chapters of Phi Sigma Kappa, as is the case with other national fraternities, have undertaken building projects of large proportions, and some of them are carrying for the burdens they have assumed in a most satisfactory fashion. Pennsylvania and Illinois are outstanding examples of chapters which have built pretentious homes and have successfully financed them. However, where such undertakings have been blessed with suc- cess it is invariably true that there has been a strong, active, well organized alumni association, which has taken over the manage- ment of the enterprise, and which has made it its business not merely to get the enterprise started but to see it thru year after year.
Where the alumni have not done this the active chapter, as a
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rule, is struggling along as best it may, its affairs in none too satisfactory condition.
The experience of Phi Sigma Kappa has been that where a chapter is loaded down with a financial burden greater than it can carry without hardship, that the general morale of that chap- ter is low. There is not a chapter in this fraternity whose finan- ces are in a precarious condition that does not rate unsatisfactory so far as its scholarship is concerned. Failure in one line tends to cause failure in other lines, and if great and intelligent care is not exercised the complete disruption of the chapter is likely to occur. This was the experience of Wisconsin. It is the situation in several other chapters of the fraternity that find themselves involved in undertakings too large for their immature ability.
It should be the function of the alumni association to build fraternity homes, and to see that the obligations thus incurred are met as they come due. If the alumni can not or will not do this, then the active chapter would better rent a home that it is capable of maintaining rather than to attempt the impossible and have to give up the struggle.
Out in the.' middle west the chapter at Illinois has been unusu- ally successful in solving its housing problem. Inducted in the spring of 1910, it built its first home in 1915, and ten years later sold the house for a handsome profit and put the money in a new and finer home. Altogether it invested something like $100,000 in its latest enterprise, and thanks to the strong alumni organization, it has kept its house filled year after year, and met its obligations as fast as they came due, and has a reserve fund of nearly $10,- 000 to be used in an emergency, should any occur. How that re- markable feat was accomplished will be sensed by a perusal of an article in this issue by H. P. Vandercook, president of the Illi- nois alumni association.
It will be seen from this that it is not so much the plan that is adopted, but the men who are backing the enterprise which deter- mines whether there shall be success or failure.
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SHALL THE COLLEGE GRADUATE BE A SNOB ?
It has remained for a prominent faculty member of the Massa- chusetts Institute of Technology to emphasize a new angle in his talk before the graduating class of that institution.
In brief, Prof. Rogers advises his young friends just starting out in the world to be a snob, and not to allow oneself to be on the level of the common crowd.
"Have plenty of clothes and keep them pressed. Have your shoes shined every day, and shave every day. Dress, speak, act like a gentleman and you will be surprised at the amount of 'mur- der' you can get away with.
"Found a family that will be successful. Seek the leadership of the ruling class. The ambitious, aspiring men are always mar- rying a little higher in the social scale. Do that yourself. It is just as easy to marry the boss's daughter as the stenographer, and more profitable.
"You have got to make up your minds that you are superior people, and that you are out to get the better jobs, and the money to finance the things that are worth while.
"You can not go on the assumption that you are as good as other people. You should take the attitude that you are a damned sight better. Belong to a club, even if you can't afford it, demand good service, and, above all, be a gentleman.
"Some believe that to be a real college man one should be a vulgarian — take part in rows. In plain, just to raise hell, in a gross and vulgar manner. If you have that feeling and take it out with you, you will remain on that common level."
There is a lot that is sound in what the professor says, and a lot more that is neither sound, good sense, nor gentlemanly. There are times and occasions where one must assert himself, but for the college graduate, standing hat in hand before the man who has the power to hire or reject him, to exhibit even a slight touch of so-called snobbishness might easily prove fatal. It is well enough for one to have a goodly opinion of oneself. Most peo- ple rate "A's" in that at every examination, and those who do not can easily be coached up to that point.
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If Professor Rogers means that one should start out from col- lege with a "know-it-all" manner, and rely upon that to the ex- clusion of real ability to force his way toward recognition of his superior worth, one fancies that not all who sail out into the sea of destiny will return as captain of the ship.
It pays to advertise, but then there are ways and ways in which to do it. There are just as many different kinds of advertising as there are women. Some kinds of advertising suit one case but would fail utterly under some other circumstances. It may be that in Boston the road to success is to be achieved quickest and easiest thru the avenue of being a "snob," but many people will agree that the price is altogether out of proportion to the gains to be secured.
It is important, of course, to make a good impression, not only on possible employers but upon the public at large. A pleasant manner, good clothes, well shined shoes, and a decent modesty of deportment, are all recommendations most anywhere. One does not have to be a snob to use them to advantage, and the use of them does not make one a snob, or anything like a snob.
Every young man who aspires to success does well to take stock of his resources and marshal them before the public in such a way that he can make his good points count for the most. Yet he is a poor stick indeed who must needs marry the boss's daughter in order to succeed, or who would permanently lower his chances of preferment because he selected the office stenographer for his life companion.
It is a good rule, of course, for any young man to marry a girl who is smarter than he is. Most of us who are older have done this, and most of those who are not yet married will do so in time.
Professor Rogers has done a service when he emphasizes the benefits of a decent polish and a desire to mix only with the best, but with these should be a humble heart and true merit.
It may be possible to succeed without the polish, but no worth while success is likely without real merit tack of it.
90 THE SIGNET
ETA'S NEW HOUSE
After about a month of negotiation, the Eta Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa recently purchased the residence of Burton A. Ford, located on Dartmouth Avenue, in College Park, to become the new Eta house in place of the old house- maintained on Prince- ton Street for the past several years.
The house is a large red brick structure, situated on a good- sized plot of ground, and surrounded by very attractive shrubs and flowers.
A shady archway is formed by trees planted on both sides of a newly constructed pavement, which passes directly in front of the house and leads to the main boulevard. A double garage in the rear is reached by a crushed stone driveway, leading under the porte-cochere on the south.
One enters through a colonial doorway and small porch into a large reception hall. The downstairs is made up of a parlor, a dining room, telephone room, a kitchen, butler's pantry, and sun room. The parlor, with a fireplace on the south wall, measures about 24x14, and is connected by two large double doors with the sun room. The latter, with dimensions of approximately 20x10, is entirely enclosed by Freoch windows, which are equipped with adjustable canvas sunshades. Both of these rooms are illuminated by means of electric candles, fastened to the wall in sets of two. The telephone room, being about ten feet square, has already been decided upon as a den and lounging room, for which purpose it appears to be excellently suited.
Upstairs are to be found four bedrooms, two tile baths ; one with tub and one with shower; a good-sized sleeping porch, and a small room which could very well be used as the steward's of- fice. According to present plans, the bedrooms will each be shared by several men as study and dressing rooms, with all beds located on the third floor, where there is ample room to accom- modate about thirty beds. Each of the rooms contains a closet where clothes may be kept. In the sleeping porch probably will be put a suite of older furniture, and the room turned into a sort of club room where the boys may spend spare hours in reading, talking, etc.
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A partition in the basement is situated so as to furnish an ideal chapter room, for meetings and initiations. This room, which has dimensions of about 35x15, will be fitted out for that pur- pose upon return to school this fall.
Oak floors of a very good quality are found in all the rooms, on both floors. Hot water is the type of heating system employed.
To Brother Carter Hammond, chapter advisor, is due a large part of the credit for securing the new house. Brother Ham- mond carried on all the negotiations for, and handled the legal end of the transaction.
SEE WHAT ELSE ETA IS DOING
That Eta chapter stands well on the Maryland campus is evidenced by the fact that Brother John O'Neill has been elected president of the Student Government Association for the current collegiate year. This office, the highest that can be held by any student on the campus, is now in the hands of Phi Sig for the second time in three years.
O'Neill has become one of the most outstanding men of his class, on account of his versatility and the other offices and hon- ors which he holds. He was vice-president of the Interf raternity Council for the past year, in charge of all social events, was elect- ed this Spring to Omicron Delta Kappa, honorary leadership and activities fraternity, is a member of Scabbard and Blade, military honor society, and will serve next year as treasurer of New Mercer Literary Society.
Brother Al Guertler was the leader in this year's graduating class. He was manager of football, vice-president of the Student Assembly, secretary of Omricon Delta Kappa.
It seems that Phi Sig will have a strangle-hold this year on The Diamondback, the weekly newspaper of the University. Brother Jerry Powers, who was News Editor for the past year, has been chosen to serve as Editor-in-chief for 1929-30, and Arley Unger, a member of the business staff, was elected to be his running-mate as Business Manager.
Brother Powers was a founder, was secretary during the past year, and will be vice-president next year of Gamma Alpha Nu,
92 THE SIGNET
honorary journalism fraternity. He was recently chosen to mem- bership in O. D. K., and will serve as president of Sigma Delta Pi, Spanish honor society, during 1929-30. Brother Unger was a member of the Interfraternity Council, which he will retain next year, along with the vice-presidency of the Rossbourg Club. Several Managerships Won
Athletic managerships seemed to fall our way in the Spring" elections, with Phi Sigs winning out in two majors and one minor sport. Brothers Franklin, Dixon, and Bischoff, all sophomores, are assistant managers this year of football, lacrosse, and tennis respectively, automatically becoming managers the year after.
Brother Tansill, who was the chapter president for the Fall and Winter quarters, and a member of the Junior Prom commit- tee this Spring, was overwhelmingly reelected treasurer of the class of 1930 for next year. Roy was also an outfielder on the varsity baseball team. Brother John Roth will again be vice- president of the class of 1932 during the coming year. His of- fice carries with it a seat on the Student Executive Council.
The chapter was well represented in the Glee Club last year, with Brother Bradley as assistant manager, Brother Ladson as publicity manager, and Brother Buckingham also a member. Bill Bradley, who was a Diamondback reporter last year, is assistant manager for the Glee Club, and vice-president of Sigma Delta Pi.
Pledge Irving Linger, a junior who transferred from Lehigh, was recently elected 2nd Lieutenant of Scabbard and Blade for 1929-30.
SWEET WINS FROM WORLD FAMOUS SPRINTERS Russel Sweet, Mu Deuteron '27, whose athletic prowess while a student at the University of Montana, attracted nation-wide at- tention, gained new laurels for himself August 12, when he met and defeated two of the world's greatest sprinters, Frank Wy- koff, of Glendale, Calif., and Claude Bracey, Texas flyer from Houston. Running on a soft, slow track. Sweet stepped the 75 yard distance in 0:07 5-10 and finished a foot and a half ahead of Wykof f, who was second. Bracey, getting off to a poor start, ran a disappointing third.
THE SIGNET 93
Although the race resulted in the defeat of two sprinters who rate among the. best in the world, the outcome was not more than a mild surprise, since Sweet is quite a sprinter in his own name and almost unbeatable at 75 yards. In virtually every race he has started in this season he has been out in front for the first eighty yards, only to lose out at the tape. This time, however, the dis- tance was made to order for Sweet and the former Montanan more than vindicated the judgment of his admirers, who insist that he can beat anything in the country at 75 yards.
Sweet ran a pretty race. Always a fast starter, he was out of his marks at the bark of the gun and in less than twenty yards he had established a clear lead over Wykoff, who was also away fast. Wykoff gave all he had, but his best was not good enough to catch the powerful Olympic Club runner. Indeed, it is doubt- ful whether the Glendale boy could have overtaken Sweet had the distance been over the usual 100-yard route. Bracey certainly could not have made up the six feet which separated him from Sweet at the 75-yard mark.
One watch caught Sweet in 7 3-10 seconds, which is just a tenth of a second slower than the world's record. Another showed 7.4, but the two watches recorded 7.5 and this was the accepted offi- cial time . Later in the afternoon Sweet completed one of the biggest days in his athletic career by again outrunning Bracey in the first lap of a half mile relay which was won by an Olympic Club team composed of Sweet, Coggeshall, Les Hables and Bill Storie.
Obviously not in his best from and unaccustomed to the sharp turns on the tiny Fairfax track, Bracey gave Sweet little compe- tition in the relay, who finished the lap a good five yards ahead of the Texas ace. Eldred Merrill, Clyde Blanchard and Wykoff, who completed Bracey's team, fell far short of reducing the lead Sweet had given the O. C. squad.
Tau Beta Pi and Sigma Tau, honorary engineering fraternities, voted against merging atPter considerable negotiations had been car- ried on between the ttwo organizations. Although Tau Beta Pi sug- gested a consideration of possibility of a merger their convention voted against it.
94 THE SIGNET
PHI SIGS AFIELD
Dr. A. H. Flickwir, Mu 'oi, former city health officer of Hous- ton, Texas, has accepted the position of director of health and welfare, Fort Worth, Texas . Dr. Flickwir served for three terms as president of the Texas Association of Sanitarians. He has been a vice-president of the Texas State Medical association and holds a commission as surgeon of the United States public health service. He is a fellow of the American Public Health associa- tion and a member of its governing council. Dr. Flickwir attend- ed the University of Illinois and was graduated from the medical school of the University of Pennslyvania in 1901. Following his graduation he went to England and Ireland as a member of a boating crew and attended lectures in English and Irish medical colleges. After serving for a time as interne in various hospitals, he was made a medical examiner for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad.
Dr. Charles Sheard, Xi '13, of the Mayo clinic at Rochester, Minn., gave one of the principal addresses of the American So- ciety of Clinical Pathologists held at Portland, Ore., recently, at which he described at some length a new instrument for the ac- curate estimate of hemoglobin on the blood. This innovation is a sort of "mechanical eye" which, Dr. Sheard says, never gets tired. "It has an accuracy variant of less than 2% and can handle as high as 500 cases a day."
Bob Gray, of Lambda chapter, is a whole athletic team in him- self. At the George Washington track meet Bob scored 15 points to take first place, and his fraternity team mates five more to win the cup. Bob was first in the 100-yard dash, high jump, and broad jump, and was anchor man in the victorious relay team.
At a meeting of the New York State Board of Social Welfare, formerly the State Board of Charities, Victor F. Ridder, Theta '13, was elected president of the board, and Dr. J. Richard Kevin of Brooklyn,, vice-president.
When Senator Bingham, while at Hampton, Va., received an urgent call to return to Washington to participate in an import- ant meeting of the Senate finance committee, he commandeered
THE SIGNET 95
an army blimp, which under the command of Captain William J. Flood, Lambda '19, successfully landed him in front of the capi- tol steps, 140 miles away, in three hours time. This is the first time such a feat has been attempted.
T. D. Lynch, Delta '91, consulting metallurgical engineer for the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing company, is the newly elected president of the American Society for Testing Materials.
"Billy" Wood, Xi '10, vice-president of the Pacific Coast reg- ion, has changed his insurance agency, and is now located at 433 California street, San Francisco, Calif.
Robert K. Nabours, adviser. Iota Deuteron chapter, will be Research Associate in the department of Genetics, Carnegie In- stitution of Washington, Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island, New York, for the year 'beginning September i, 1929, while on sab- batical leave from the Kansas State Agricultural college.
Dr. D. C. Wilson, Psi '12, has been elected Professor of Psy- chiatry at the University of Virginia. For several years Brother Wilson has been connected with the medical staff at the Clifton Springs, New York, Sanitarium.
Dr. Shirley W. Wynn, Theta '04, Health Commissioner of New- York city, was recently the subject of a feature article in the Sunday edition of the New York Times, in which some of his improved methods of preserving health and preventing disease were outlined. The same issue of the Times contained an account of his crusade against abuses arising thru the use of harmful cosmetics, and his intention to prosecute three New York beauty parlors, for the use of poisonous ingredients in lip sticks and other cosmetics.
The Washington Post of August 9 contains a news story to the effect that M. M. Neeley, Delta '01, will probably be a candi- date on the Democratic ticket next year for senator from West Virginia. Brother Neely has served one term in the senate, but was beaten for reelection last year by a narrow margin. Altho Al Smith lost the state by more than 100,000 votes, Neeley, run- ning on the same ticket, came within 9,000 votes of success. His personal popularity is expected to win him victory next year.
96 THE SIGNET
THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Antonio S. Andretta, Hon.
Tau Chapter suffered a distinct loss in the death on July 2 of Antonio S. Andretta, banker and prominent figure in the busi- ness and municipal affairs of Hartford, who was an honorary- member of that chapter, of which his son, Salvatore, was a mem- ber. As a man he was a prince of good fellows, while his gen- erosity and continuing interest endeared him to the chapter whose membership roll he honored.
Brother Andretta's career is synonymous of America. Born in Forenza, Italy, he came to America and located at Hartford in 1896, being at that time unable to speak English.
He secured a position in the office of the municipal bridge commission, using his spare time in study. He was shortly after- ward married to Felicia Maria Pallotti, whose father was an Ital- ian-American of means. The latter took the young man into his office where he very shortly showed evidence of that remarkable business ability which was destined to make him one of the most successful business men of his city.
He leaves, besides his wife, Mrs. Felicia M. Andretta, three sons : Salvatore Andretta, lawyer and head of the trust depart- ment of the Riverside Trust company ; Nicholas Andretta, as- sistant cashier of the Riverside Trust company; and Henry An- dretta, assistant manager of Pallotti, Andretta and company ; and a daughter, Miss Mary Angela Andretta.
The following tribute to him appeared in the Hartford Daily
Times :
"Tony Andretta, as he was better known, came to this country, comparatively unknown and perhaps little did he dream that some day he would rise to the loftiest position that any poor boy covdd ever dream to aspire to, and at the same time, perhaps, (realizing that his vision of the land of opportunity would within a short time become a reality. Tony Andretta was one of Hartford's leading Italian bank- ers, whose reputaJtion was built upon his fair dealing to his clientele, ever faithful to that trust that was placed in his hands in the handling of the funds of the poor Italians of the city of Hartford.
"Starting his business career in the humble and meek fashion, ever mindful of the surrounding hardships and difficulties connected with such a business career, because in the early days people who desired to transmit money to their families in Italy were inclined to be skep- tical as to whether the money would be transmitted or not; but being possessed of that fairness he soon obtained the respect of all of his clients, who began to love him and who soon realized that he was a real true friend. His business success and wonderful reputation,
THE SIGNET 97
which he had built up, were predicated upon the fact that his fellow- man had faith in him.
"Outside of his business dealings and conducting his bank, Tony Andretta showed the people of Hartofrd that he had a real heart; was a real man, and throughout his associations he had always been willing to extend a helping hand to the needy and upon his counten- ance there was always that everlasting smile, and his heart was pos- sessed with an everready willingness to guide other struggling youth."
James T. Hutchins, A '89
James T. Hutchins, A 1889, died August 17. He was vice- president of the United Gas Improvement company of Philadel- phia. Previous to his associating himself vi^ith this work, he was president of the Rochester, New York, Gas and Electric corpora- tion. During the World War he was power expert of the ord- nance department.
Brother Hutchins always maintained an active interest in Al- pha chapter, visiting the chapter house on his frequent visits to the college and responding generously to the frequent appeals for financial assistance which the chapter made.
Lieut. John R. Streett, Jr., S '21 Lieut. John R. Street, Jr., 2 '21, who was an officer in the marine corps, was found dead in the marine corps base at San Diego, Calif., recently, with a bullet hole in his head. An of- cicial inquiry is in progress to determine the cause.
Dr. Joseph W. Holland Dr. Joseph W. Holland H '96, while returning to America from London, died from a hemorrhage on August 31. Following his graduation from the University of Maryland he became an assistant surgeon at the university hospital, and later became assistant superintendent. In 1899 he occupied the position as assistant physician at Bay view hospital, and in 1920 joined the staff of the University of Maryland as lecturer in anatomy and surgery. In 1920 he was appointed senior clinical professor of surgery. He was a member of a number of professional societies and a director of the Alumni Association of the University of Maryland. He was a faithful fraternity man and maintained to the last a keen interest in his home chapter. His wife survives him.
98 THE SIGNET
THE CHAPTER HYMENEAL
Paul A. Harwood, Eta Deuteron '24, chapter adviser for Eta Deuteron, and Jacqueline Collette, of Logan, Wash., May 18.
William Nicholas Ryerson, Nu '20, and Dorothy May Browne, June 22, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Kenneth Hale Colvin, Upsilon '25, and Bernice May Bailey, June 22, Worcester, Mass.
Barton Wright Brown, Lambda Deuteron '23, and Helen Eve- lyn de Nyse Nichols, May 20, Del Monte, Calif.
Cornelius P. Robinson, Beta '25, and Mildred Weaver, June 29, Mansfield, Ohio.
BLESSED IN THE BOND Dudley A. Hoover, Nu '27, June 25 — ^Audrey Ann.
IMPRESSIONS OF A RECENT INITIATE (From the Star and Crescent of Epsilon Deuteron)
Just recently seven other fellows and myself have had an experi- ence which not one of us vnll ever forget as long as we live, and "though others may come and others may go, this one will linger for- ever."
The official initiation lasted an entire week and it certainly was a momentous one. One has no idea what the suspense was like before the first day. We had heard weird tales from unknown sources, and I'll bet that Macbeth never had any more "horrible imaginings" than the eight timid souls who filed through the front door at eleven Dean street that first day.
Nothing, however happened immediately . It happened gradually, so to speak but what "it" did there was no mistake about it. We de- scended to the lowest form of animal life, and answered to the call of "worms." But such unusual worms! Did one ever hear of worms who played tennis, golf, fireman, who shoots cannons, assumes angles, sits on infinity, or wrestles vdth temptation? Honestly, one would have died when one had to do the thing himself, but just to watch the others was worth the price of a few whacks. Yet there was a lesson back of every deed, and while it was very tiring at times, the impres- sions will all take root and grow as we find ourselves more thought- ful, considerate, congenial and unselfish. The serious part of the ritual and other ceremonies were most impressive and the banquet we had at the close sure was a gala occasion. It's a wonderful feeling to be "one of the gang" — especially a Phi Sigma Kappa brother. Our pins are the best looking ones on the Hill, we think, and we are very proud of them.
Every once in a while, some of the freshmen get together in the dormitory and reminisce over that glorious week and we never tire of telling over and over again the humorous incidents which befell us.
THE SIGNET 99
SCHOLARSHIP CONFERENCE DOES GOOD WORK At a meeting, of the regional scholarship supervisors held at Piney Mountain Inn during July under the direction of Horace Barnes, national supervisor of scholarship, after an intensive study of conditions surrounding scholarship in the chapters of Phi Sigma Kappa, it was decided that in order to maintain a bet- ter scholastic record the following practices be adopted by the various chapters of Phi Sigma Kappa :
1. Before pledging it is strongly urged that the pledging committee carefully investigate the scholarship ability of each individual by con- sulting his complelte preparatory school record prior to his entrance in the college where he is to be initiated, scores of objective tests, or any other records which may be available in the university or college offices. It is recommended that any man who shows low capacity for scholastic work be immediately eliminated from further consideration, regardless of other facts that may be brought to bear in his favor by friends.
2. It is recommended that a scholarship committee of two men from the junior and senior classes be promptly appointed by tt'he chapter president at the beginning of the academic year.
(a) These men should act with a faculty member if possible or alumnus in case there be no faculty member available.
(b) One oif the student members of the commititee should act as a scholarship supervisor of the pledge group and shall act immediately to encourage the new men to maintain a high sclholastic record.
(c) This committee should make monthly or frequent reports in chapter meeting regarding the scholastic standing of every man in the chapter. It should also cooperate with and assist the regional deputy supervisor.
(d) The committee should, in preparation of published reports, have had individual conference witih men who are reported unfavorably by their instructors. These conferences may be based upon information already in the hands of the scholarship committee or upon informa- tion presented by the individuol at the time of or prior to the confer- ence. (A simple card may be prepared for Ithis purpose.) The committee should advise means of improvement and should not hesi- tate to state frankly to any pledge or member of the fraternity his peculiar failings.
Typewritten reports showing the standing of every man should be posted when available on the chapter bulletin board. It is believed that chapter publicity is necessary and desirable.
3. It is urged that every possible effort be made ito establish and perpetuate a feeling of appreciation for sound scholarship. If prizes, cups, or symbols are awarded, they should be left in permanent possession of the chapter, thereby forming conspicuous evidence of a desirable tradition. Full publicity should be given Ito all scholastic distinctions in the chapter publications, in the Signet, in the college newspaper, and in the home newspapers of the chapter member who has been so distinguished.
4. It is felt that eadh chapter as a unit should appreciate its re- sponsibility to the event that, if necessary, it should take disciplinary
lOo THE SIGNET
steps to regain or attain a satisfactory standing. Such siteps may in- clude the penalizing of individual members or the curtailing of the social and extra curricula activities of the chapter as a whole in the interests of the good name of the chapter individually and collectively. SIGNED:
Joseph Folger,
Dartmouth College, Hanover, N. H. Samuel F. Snyder,
Gettysburg, Pa. Edgar F. Russell,
Washington, D. C. Dean C W. Reeder,
Ohio State University. Dean Carl Morrow,
Washington State,
Deputy Scholarsihip Supervisor. Horace R. Barnes,
Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa.
Supervisor, Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. National Scholarship
Beta Theta Pi recently revived its Mississippi chapter, which now gives (them a total of 86 active chapters.
Sigma Nu recently celebrated its sixtieth birthday. It was founded on January 1, 1869, and now has more than 23,000 members.
iSigma Nu reports that its Permanent Endowment Fund has re- ceived a total of 9,668 subscriptions of $50 each, totaling $483,000.00. On these, 1,419 have been paid in full, and partial paymnts on the others brings the total amount of cash paid in to this fund $194,813.35.
The four oldest local fraternities in America aire Lambda Iota (1856) at Vermont; Phi Nu Theta (1837) at Wesleyan; Kappa Kappa Kappa (1842) at Dartmouth, and Berzelius (1848) at Yale.
THE SIGNET loi
THE SECRETARY'S PAGE R. J. W.
The next General Convention of Phi Sigma Kappa is scheduled to meet in Boston, in August 1930.
In order that the delegates may most conveniently visit the birthplace of the Fraternity and Alpha Chapter, the first session of the Convention will convene at Amherst on the morning of Tuesday, August 19th. Following a leisurely visit there, which will include a brief program appropriate to the occasion, the dele- gates will proceed by automobile to Boston, where the business sessions of the Convention will be held at the Statler Hotel.
To the delegates coming from the more distant states, the opportunity thus offered to visit picturesque and historic New England, as well as some of the well known points of interest west of the Hudson River, the holding of a convention in Boston will be especially attractive.
The last Convention to meet in New England was that of 1916. Worcester and the New England chapters were then the hosts. That Convention was significant for at least two reasons. One was that Brother Burrows was for the first time elected to the Council ; his election represented the initial official recognition of a sb-called "westerner." The second decision of importance was the selection of Chicago as the next Convention city; the con- servatives favored New York City, but the progressives headed by Chappie Burrows and Joe Root, with their united enthusiasm and eloquence carried the day. Thus were gratified the earnest desires of the small group of four chapters located in what is now organized as the Mid West district.
The Boston Club is cooperating with the chapters in the New England district in plans for the 1930 Convention, which is as- sumed to be a notable one.
102 THE SIGNET
* 2 K FRATERNITY
Officers 1928-1930
The Supreme Court
Alvin T. Burrows, Chancellor, A '03, iii N. Race St., Urbana,
111. William A. McIntyre, M '04, 25 Broadway, New York City. Dr. Joseph E. Root, A '76, 904 Main St., Hartford, Conn. George J. Vogel, r '91, Torrington, Conn.
Dr. Walter H. Conley, B '91, Welfare Island, New York City. Howard F. Dunham, Recorder, T '11, River Ridge, Hanover, N. H.
The Council President —
Joseph H. Batt, A '14, Insurance Bldg., Washington, D. C. Vice-Presidents —
Don a. Hamilton, E^ 'ii, 329 Burncoat St., Worcester,
Mass. Raymond G. Lafean, M '19, Box 595, Pittsburgh, Pa. Edgar T. Fell, 2 '13, Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md. Earl F. Schoening, A"^ '21, 7400 Crandon Ave., Chicago,
111. William F. Wood, H '10, 433 California St., SanFrancisco, CaHf. Secretary-Treasurer —
Ralph J. Watts, A '07, 742 E. John St., Appleton, Wis. Financial Supervisor —
Charles H. Ruedi, A^ '17, 137 E. Main St., Decatur, 111. Scholarship Supervisor —
Horace R. Barnes, M ii, 928 Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa. Endowment Fund Trustees Donald H. McLean, A '06, 286 N. Broad St., Elizabeth, N. J. Karl W. H. Scholz, M 'ii, Logan Hall, University, Philadel- phia, Pa. Horace R. Barnes, M 'ii, 928, Virginia Ave., Lancaster, Pa.
THE SIGNET 103
DIRECTORY OF CHAPTERS
A — ^March 15,. 1873. Massachusetts Agricultural College. Am- herst, Mass. Adviser,, Roland H. Verbeck.
B — (Albany), February 2, 1888. Union. 519 Mercer St., Al- bany, N.Y. Adviser, John J. Lyons, 14 Ash Grove Place.
(Schenectady), 201 Seward PI., Schenectady, N.Y. Adviser, H. M. Cregier, R.F.D., Schenectady.
r — February 26, 1889. Cornell. 702 University Ave., Ithaca, N.Y. Adviser, Herman Diederichs, University.
A — ^February 24, 1891. West Virginia. 672 North High St., Morgantown, W. Va. Adviser, David C. Garrison, 229 Wilson Ave.
E — ^June 3, 1893. Yale. 124 Prospect St., New Haven, Conn. Adviser, Wm. H. Hackett, 38 Lynwood PI.
Z — December 19, 1896. C.C.N.Y. 473 West 140th St., New York City. Adviser, Leo R. Ryan, 2023 Ocean Ave., Brooklyn.
H — ^January 8, 1897. Maryland. Princeton and Dartmouth Sts., College Park, Md. Adviser, N. Carter Hammond, 543 Cal- vert Bldg., Baltimore, Md.
© — December 16, 1897. Columbia. 550 West 114th St., New York City. Adviser, James H. Miner, ,550 West 114th St. New York City.
I — March 15, 1899. Stevens. 810 Hudson St., Hoboken, N.Y. Adviser to be appointed.
K — June 7, 1899. Penn State. State College, Pa. Adviser, to be appointed.
A — ^October 7, 1899. George Washington. 1822 Eye St., N.W., Washington, D.C. Adviser, Norman S. Meese, 8 Valley View, Takoma Park, Md.
M — March 10, 1900. Pennsylvania. 3618 Locust St., Phila- delphia, Pa. Adviser, Karl W. H. Scholz, Logan Hall, Univer- sity.
N — March 9, 1901. Lehigh. Third and Cherokee Sts., South Bethlehem, Pa. Adviser, J. E. Culliney, 826 Penn. Ave., Bethle- hem, Pa.
I04 THE SIGNET
H — ^April 12, 1902. St. Lawrence. 78 Park St., Canton, N.Y. Adviser, Frank R. Maloney, Chase Mills, N.Y.
O — ^May 24, 1902. M.I.T. 487 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Mass. Adviser, Herbert D. Swift, 25 Eaton Ct., Wdlesley Hills, Mass.
n — April 18, 1903. Franklin and Marshall, 437 W^st James St., Lancaster, Pa. Adviser, J. Shober Barr, 714 West End Ave.
S — May 16, 1903. St. John's. Campus, Annapolis. Adviser Wm. C. Baxter, 1163 Calvert Bldg., Baltimore, Md.
T — March 25, 1905. Dartmouth. Hanover, N. H. Adviser, John E. Hill, 23 Cadman Hill Ave., Dorchester, Mass.
Y — February 10, 1906. Brown. 406 Brook St., Providence, R.L Adviser, Bruce M. Bigelow, Norwood, R.L
$ — March 24, 1906. Swarthmore. Swarthmore, Pa. Adviser, Herbert L. Brown, 43 E. 23rd St., Chester, Pa.
X — ^June 16, 1906. Williams. Williamstown, Mass. Adviser, Allen Hackett, 600 W. 122nd St., New York City.
* — ^January 19, 1907. Virginia. Virginia Ave., Charlottes- ville, Va. Adviser, Harvey E. Jordan, University PL, Univer- sity, Va.
O — February 12, 1909. California. 2412 Piedmont Ave., Berk- eley, Calif. Adviser, Wayne H. Thornton, 2529 College Ave.
A^ — May 9, 1910. Illinois. 1004 S. Second St., Champaign, 111. Adviser, Frank A. Smith, Box 545, Sta. A.
B^ — May 12, 1910. Minnesota. 317 Eighteenth Ave., S.E., Minneapolis, Minn. Adviser, Wm. T. Middlebrook, University.
r^ — ^April 13, 191 1. Iowa State. 142 Gray St., Ames, Iowa. Adviser, E. F. Graff, 610 Douglas Ave.
A''^ — ^February 27, 191 5. Michigan. 1403 Baldwin Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. Adviser, P. H. Jeserich.
E^ — ^June 8, 1915. W.P.I. 11 Dean St., Worcester, Mass. Adviser, Richard W. Young, 15 Schussler Rd.
H — March 4, 191 7. Nevada. 737 Lake St., Reno, Nev. Ad- viser, Paul A. Harwood, 237 Hill St.
©^ — February 19, 1921. Oregon Agricultural College. 27 Park Ter., Corvallis, Ore. Adviser, Joseph E. Simmons.
THE SIGNET 105
I'^ — March 24, 1923. Kansas State. 1630 Humboldt, Man- hattan, Kan. Adviser, Robert K. Nabours, College.
K-^ — April 7, 1923. Georgia Tech. 132 North Ave. N. W., Atlanta, Ga. Adviser, Walter Powell, 830 Healy Bldg.
A"^ — ^April 25, 1923. University of Washington. 4536 Eigh- teenth Ave. N. E., Seattle, Wash. Adviser, W. E. Allen, 6215 Palatine Ave.
M-^ — ^April 26, 1923. Montana. loii Gerald Ave., Missoula, Mont. Adviser, Thos. C. Spaulding, 414 Edith St.
N'^ — May 2, 1923. Stanford University. Lomita Dr. and May- field Ave., Stanford, Calif. Adviser, John O. Snyder, University.
H^ — February 3, 1925. Tennessee. 181 6 West Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. Adviser, J. H. Armstrong, Box 507.
O^ — February 7, 1925. Alabama. 1423 University Ave., Tus- caloosa, Ala. Adviser, A. B. Moore, University.
11'^ — February 21, 1925. Ohio State. 325 Fifteenth Ave., Columbus, Ohio. Adviser, Ed. S. Drake, Ohio Union, O.S.U.
P''^ — ^March 13, 1925. Gettysburg. Gettysburg, Pa. Adviser, Samuel F. Snyder.
"^^ — April II, 1925. Nebraska. 348 N. 14th St., Lincoln,, Neb. Adviser, Allen L. Bechter, 2618 Ryons St.
T^ — November 13, 1926. Carnegie. 4807 Baum Blvd., Pitts- burgh, Pa. Adviser, Geo. M. Swan, 1012 Park Bldg.
Y-^ — ^November 20, 1926. North Carolina. Chapel Hill, N.C. Adviser, Robert B. Lawson.
$A — November 27, 1926. Kentucky. 435 E. Maxwell St., Lexington, Ky, Adviser, R. C. Porter, 435 E. Maxwell St.
X''^ — December 18, 1926. Washington State, Pullman, Wash. Adviser, Harry O. Kent, 312 Symons Bldg., Spokane, Wash.
^^ — December 21, 1926. Oregon. Eugene, Ore. Adviser, Louis P. Artau, Eugene, Ore.
Q^ — October 13, 1928. Southern California. 2671 Magnolia Ave., Los Angeles, Calif. Adviser, Norman Averill, 341 W. i8th St.
A'^ — October 27, 1928. Wesleyan. Wesleyan PL, Middletown, Conn. Adviser, Cedric W. Foster, 167 Whitney St., Hartford, Conn.
io6 THE SIGNET
B^ — November 3, 1928. Knox. 185 W. South St., Galesburg, 111. Adviser, Chas. J. Adamec, 348 N. Cedar St.
r'^ — ^April 20, 1929. South Carolina, Columbia, S. C. Adviser Jospeh E. Norwood.
ALUMNI CLUBS
New York — Secretary, Harold G. Wentworth, B '16, 22 E. 38th St, Luncheon every Thursday, 12:30 Fraternity Clubs Bldg., Madison Ave. and 38th St.
Chicago — Secretary, D. O. Leighton, B'^ '26, Marshall Field Co. Store for men. Luncheon every Tuesday 12:15, Mandel Bros. Grill.
Vermont — Secretary, Marcell Conway A '22, Barre, Vt.
Southern California — Secretary, Harold Viault, A '23, I. W. Helman Bldg., Los Angeles. Luncheon every Wednesday I2:(X), University Club. Business meeting first Tuesday of month, 6:30 P.M. University Club.
Washington Eta — ^Secretary, J. P. Schaefer, H '23, Riverdale, Md. Dinner and meeting first Monday evening of the month. Lambda chapter house.
Washington — Secretary Charles R. Huff, A '20, 734 15th St., N. W.
Spokane — Secretary, Vernon MacMartin, X^ '28, W. 2325 Boone Ave. Dinner third Monday of every month, University Club, 6:15 p. M.
Minnesota — Secretary, Charles Davis, B"^ '16, 536 Plymouth Bldg., Minneapolis, Minn. Luncheon every Wednesday, An- drews Hotel, Minneapolis, Minn.
Baltimore — ^Secretary, Mason C. Albrittain, H '23, 408 Lexing- ton Bldg. Luncheon every Thursday, Engineers' Club, 12:30.
Milwaukee — Secretary, Lloyd Mueller, Z^ '25, Boston Store.
Amherst — Secretary, Phillip H. Smith, A '97, Amherst, Mass.
San Francisco — ^Secretary, Robert R. Porter, N'^ '22, 647 Seventh Ave. Luncheon every other Wednesday, Commercial Club, Merchants' Exchange Bldg., 12:15.
Birmingham — Secretary, Hubert Scruggs, O"^ '27, Alabama Power Co. Dinner first Wednesday of month, Bankhead Hotel.
THE SIGNET 107
Seattle — Secretary A. V. Beveridge, A^ '24, 1272 Dexter Hor- ton Bldg. Luncheon every Friday at 12, College Club.
Boston — Orville H. Spencer, Spencer Furniture Co., 27 Hay- market Square, Boston, Mass. Luncheon first and third Wednes- day of every month at 12 :30, Chamber of Commerce Dining hall on the 14th floor of the Boston Chamber of Commerce Bldg.
Detroit — Secretary, Arthur J. Buffington, A^ '28, Research Dept. of Detroit News. Meetings second Friday of month.
Unchartered Butte — Secretary, John Cooney, M'^ '25, Cooney Brokerage Co. Luncheon first Tuesday of month, Finlen Hotel.
The most stupid thing about a fraternity chapter is its passion for conformity. Almost anything, no matter how assinine, will be adopted by a group if it is the thing that is done by other chapters on the campus. — George Starr Lasher in the Rattle of Theta Chi.
When one of the founders of Alpha Tau Omega died /recently, he left a gift of $5,000.00 to his fraiternity, the largest gift ever received by them. A member of Sigma Alpha Ensilon left a bequest of $25,- 000.00 to this fraternity.
io8 THE SIGNET
"TOO LATE TO CLASSIFY"
Brother Lawrence Foster S'^ '29, last year's president of Xi Deuteron wed Miss Katherine James '29, who was president of the Alpha Delta Pi ; July at Morristown, Tenn.
Brother Leland Rogers H^ '29, wed Miss Mabel Vinson, April at Lenior City, Tenn.
Blessed in the Bond. W. J. Evans E^ '28 — Jack.
Funeral services were held the last Sunday in June for Brother James Brice Groom, University of Tennessee, pre-medical stu- dent, who died at the University infirmary after a brief illness.
The young man took two years of pre-medical work at the Uni- versity where he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity.
He then went to Memphis for further work and was pledged to Alpha Kappa Kappa Medical Fraternity. He recently returned to the university, where he was taking an advanced pre-medical course.
ACTIVITIES OF XI DEUTERON
Bro. Joe Elliott has been named General Manager of the "Barn warming," an annual affair sponsored by the Ag students.
Bro. William Bunn was elected to Alpha Chi Sigma, honorary chemical Frat.
Bro. Truman Benedict was elected president of Engineering Society for the coming year. He was also appointed Editor-in- chief of the Tennessee Engineer.
Bro. Lawrence Foster as President of The Nahheelayli Club, led the Grand March at the Final Dances with Miss Katherine James.
Phi Sig won the Fraternity League Basketball Championship, and was runner-up in the Inter-Frat. basketball tournament.
Brothers Joe Elliott and Truman Benedict were elected to the Scarabean Senior Society. Eight men were elected. Phi Sig re- ceived two.
The Fifth Annual Conclave of the Pacific region will be held at the Omega chapter house, Berkeley, Saturday, November i6th. All alumni within reach are urged to attend. The California- Washington football game occurs that afternoon in the Berkeley bowl.
The Mid-West conclave will be held Nov. i, 2 and 3, at the La Salle hotel, Chicago- Business sessions Friday and Saturday. Football game Saturday afternoon, Illinois vs Northwestern. Theatre dinner party for ladies, Friday night. Banquet Saturday night.