1912–13 Volume 37 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

232 THE SCROLLDon't misunderstand me! I heard no wild clamoring for individualself-improvement, nor for help, aid -and assistance to raise anychapter to a higher moral plane. There did exist a clearly definedsentiment for chapter advancement, differing with the individualin degree even as it differed as to direction. This instinct is as oldas the human race, for 'tis naught but the pride of the primevalman in his tribe, of the present day gangster in his gang, the desirethat that organization of which he happens to be a member excel othersimilar organizations in his vicinity.If we, the Greek World, recognizing this instinctive desire fortribal exaltation, direct it into proper channels and proceed to educatethe members of our faculties so that they, too, may work through thishuman instinct instead of opposing or ignoring it, the problems whichtoday confront all college fraternities will prove easy of solution."W. S. FERRIS^ Williams, '85.NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS ON THE CONVENTIONThe following editorial, under the heading "Greek-letter SocietyReforms" was published in the Indianapolis News of January 6,1913:School authorities are to have the help of college fraternities in suppressingthe class secret societies in preparatory and high schools. Help from this quarterwill be effective as the high school fraternities are imitations of the realthing and particularly of the bad features of college Greek-letter societies.The Phi Delta Theta, in its national convention last week in Chicago, adopteda resolution setting out "that no person shall be eligible to initiation to membershipin this fraternity who shall have been a member of any general orclass secret society in'any public preparatory school or high school; and anyperson who, prior to the adoption of this rule, has joined such society, shall beeligible only upon his resignation from such society and the presentation ofproof that such resignation has been in good faith."This, doubtless, is only the beginning of action of college fraternities in thisdirection. At the same convention referred to above, interfraternity co-operationwas indicated by the presence of representatives of the Sigma Chi andBeta Theta Pi fraternities. These three are among the largest and best knownof the national fraternities of western origin. They have not only set out toeliminate this high school evil, but others that are charged against modern fraternitylife. The ban was put on the use of liquor in all conventions andchapter houses; there was a demand for improvement in scholarship, and apledge of loyalty to college discipline.The election of one of the distinguished alumni, Guy Potter Benton, whowas president of Miami and is now president of the University of Vermont,to the chief office in the fraternity indicates that it proposes to adhere to thereform spirit which seems to be taking possession of the Greek-letter world.In commenting on the struggle now going on between the schoolboard of Chicago and fraternities in the city high schools and inreporting a large dance given by one of the sororities, the ChicagoInter-Ocean of January 18, 1913, says: