The SPHINX | Winter 1918 | Volume 4 | Number 2 191800402

...CONVENTION NUMBER...

®fje QUARTERLY CARL J. MURPHY, Editor in Chief

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DECEMBER, 1918

HOW TO GET THERE ..,j

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All delegates ami visiting Bro 0 the Eleventh Annual Convention should repor Superior Building, 412 Superior Avenue N, leyeland, Ohio, and register or they should report at Brother Weaver's Pharmai and Central avenue, or at Brother Jackson's Pharmacy. 40th and Central Ave. The two latter places may be reached by t. arked '

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GENERAL OFFICERS W. A. POLLARD, President, 15 Co., 154 Depot Brig,, Camp Meade, Md. K. L. CURD, Vice President Douglass Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. N. P. G. ADAMS, Secretary Howard University, Washington, D. C. S. S. BOOKER, Treasurer, __^___1619 Druid Hill Ave., Baltimore, Md. C. J. MURPHY, Editor Sphinx 628 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore, Md. E. B. SMITH, War Secretary 2447 Georgia Ave." Washington, D. C

CHAPTER OFFICERS ALPHA—Suspended during war period.

BETA—H. C. Stratton, President; T. A. Lander, Secretary; Chapter House, 2447 Georgia Avenue, Washington, D. C. GAMMA—H. S. Brown, Pres.; A. D. Price, Secretary; Virginia Union University, Richmond, Virginia.

EPSILON—Harvey D. Shaw, Corresponding Secretary; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

ZETA—J. F. Williams, Secretary, S Garden St., New Haven, Conn.

THETA—O. M. Waller, Cor. Sec, 3763 Wabash Ave., Chicago, 111.

KAPPA—Earl D. Alexander, Chapter Editor, 157 E Eleventh Street, Columbus, Ohio.

MU—Dr. Albert C. Talman, Campus Club, Univ. of Minn., Minn.

NU—Lincoln University. Lincoln. Pa. OMICRON—President, A. V. Stevenson; Secretary, J. E. Beverleigh; Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio.

PI—Convention Seat—Register at 412 Superior Ave., Cleveland, O. RHO—Pres., Jos. W. F. Jerrick, 2219 Oxford St., Philadelphia, Pa. SIGMA—Acting President, M. A. Allen, 24 Holyoke St., Boston, M: TAU—Oscar Peniston. President; Vance Million, Secretary; 506 E. Sloughton street. Champaign, I!).

UPSILON—Secretary. G. L. Jones, 1101 Mississippi St.. I

THE SPHINX VOLUME

IV

DECEMBER

1918

NUMBER 2

A WORD FROM THE GENERAL PRESIDENT TO THE SPHINX: After a year of struggle which has sorely taxed not only the endurance of every chapter but the stamina of every man, we are again summoned to our Annual Convention, to council how we might best rehabilitate our Fraternity and restore her again to herself. There will be many absent, who annually by their presence and guidance, have added much to our success. It is gratifying, however, to learn that in the majority of cases, their services to their country have been as praiseworthy as their contributions to the Fraternity. Imbued with this thought and inspiration, every man will answer the call prepared to devote his entire time and attention to the great work before us.

There are many problems to engage our attention; chiefly among them a r e : 1. A proper settlement of the question concerning our Alumni organization.

2. The institution of a system that would place the General Organization on a better financial basis; and 3. Our proper attitude toward chapters that are struggling for existence.

It is desirous that every Alpha Phi Alpha man who can possibly attend will be present to do his bit.

GENERAL PRESIDENT CORPORAL WILLIAM A. POLLARD Company Clerk, 15th Co. 4 Tr. Battalion Camp Meade, Md.

TENTATIVE PROGRAM 2.

E L E V E N T H A N N U A L CONVENTION OF T H E A L P H A P H I AXPHA

FRATERNITY

AT T H E S E A T O F P I C H A P T E R C L E V E L A N D , OHIO D e c e m b e r 27(li to 3ts(, Inel., 1918.

PROGRAM FRIDAY, DECEMBER

27th

F I R S T SESSION 2 P. M. 1.

2.

3.

Call to order, P r e s i d e n t of Pi C h a p t e r Invocation.

R e m a r k s by Bro. Secretary of I'i Chapter, i n t r o d u c i n g Bro. W. A. Pollard, General President.

4. P r e s i d e n t s Address.

6. A p p o i n t m e n t s <a) Officers of t h e Convention. (b) C o m m i t t e e on K U ; H and Credentials 6. Fifteen m i n u t e s recess.

7. R e p o r t of Committee on Rules a n d Credentials.

8. Roll Call.

9. W e l c o m e Address on behalf Y.M.C.A. 10. Response by General Vice President, B r o t h e r K. L. Curd 11. R e a d i n g of C o m m u n i c a t i o n s .

12. A p p o i n t m e n t of Special Committees.

13.

Adjournment.

Alpha P h i A l p h a and R e c o n s t r u c t i o n .

Five m i n u t e speeches. (2 hours.)

Sunday. Dee. 29—Open Meeting, 3:30 P . M. 1. Invocation.

2. R e m a r k s P r e s i d i n g Officer 3. Vocal So\o.

4. Address "Alpha P h i A l p h a F r a t e r n i t y in W a r . " 5. Address, " T h e Outlook for Our Country After t h e W a r . " 6. Address " T h e American Negro After the War." 7. Pianoforte solo.

8. Address " T h e Outlook for Africa after the war."

9. Address, " A l p h a P h i Alpha F r a t e r n i t y in P e a c e . " Monday, Dec. 30, 4th Session, 9 A. M. 1. Call to order.

2. Invocation.

3. Roll Call, 4. R e a d i n g of Minutes.

5. C o m m u n i c a t i o n s .

G. Meeting of Executive Committees, S t a n d i n g a n d Special Committees.

7. A d j o u r n m e n t .

Monday, Dec. 30, 5 t h Session 2 P . M. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

S a t u r d a y , Doc. 28, 2nd Session, 0 A. M. 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

Call to O r d e r Invocation.

Roll Call.

R e a d i n g of Minutes.

Communications.

Alumni Address Bro R e p o r t of S t a n d i n g Committees.

R e p o r t of Delegates.

Recommendations.

Adjournment.

Monday. D e c e m b e r 30th, 8:30 P . M. Informal

Call to o r d e r Invocation.

Roll Call.

R e a d i n g of Minutes.

Communications.

R e p o r t s of General Officers.

Remarks, and Recommendaltons Delegates and Visiting B r o t h e r s .

8. A d j o u r n m e n t .

Call to order.

Invocation.

Roll Call R e a d i n g of Minutes.

Communications R e p o r t of Auditing Committee.

N o m i n a t i o n a n d Election of Officers.

Short Recess.

A p p o i n t m e n t of S t a n d i n g Committees.

Taxes for 1919.

Selection for Meeting P l a c e of Twelftn A n n u a l Convention.

13. Minutes of Final Session.

14. A d j o u r n m e n t of Convention.

by

S a t u r d a y , D e c e m b e r 28, » P . M. Smoker"

Subject: 1. Effective Negroes.

(and

Symposium

organization

Delegates

Tuesday, Dee. 3 1 , 6th Session, 9 A. M.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

9 6.

7.

Together

Reception in h o n o r of and visiting B r o t h e r s .

1. 'i.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

12.

Saturday, DeoetmlH'i- 28, SvS Session, 2 P . M

"Got

Call to order.

Invocation.

Roll Call.

R e a d i n g of Minutes.

Communications.

R e p o r t s of Special Committees.

Adjournment.

T.iesday, D e c e m b e r 31

among

ANNUAL F R A T E R N I T Y

!

BANQUET.

LETTERS IN THE CASE OF NEGRO COLLEGE MEN vs. WHITE OFFICERS COMMANDING S.A.T.C. 5204 Harlem Ave., N. E., Cleveland, Ohio, October 2, 1918 Mr. W. A. Pollard, 30 Holyoke St., Boston, Mass.

Dear Brother: No doubt a letter from the undersigned, after such a long break in correspondence will come as quite a surprise. We trust that it will be a pleasant one, and that it will find you enjoying health and success.

This letter leaves this community disturbed as it has possibly never been before.

Throughout the length and breadth of the state of Ohio, previously noted for its nondiscriminating tendencies, there is arising a black ghost of prejudice such as only one organization in this country can down. We appeal to you as president of this organization to give us your personal and valuable effort to fight this form of prejudice, which if it is allowed to exist will not only imperil the growth of our fraternity, put wnich will be a smothering blanket on the fire of AfroAmerican intelligence.

White colleges in this district are refusing to accept colored students and are sending them to colored institutions.

We refer specifically to such honorable institutions as Western Reserve, Case School of Applied Science, Oberlln, Ohio State University and Wittenburg College. We take it for granted that you will be with us in this fight.

Kindly accept this suggestion as a plan of action that a number of members possibly six might be delegated as a committee to meet a representative from Cleveland at the earliest possible moment, and together they might institute investigations that would result in the removal of this discrimination. We call your attention to the enclosed letter and telegram, which was the cause of colored men being refused admittance to the colleges mentioned.

We are writing a letter today to every Chapter with this same enclosure and with the request that they advise us of the conditions at their respective institutions.

We know that you will join us in this effort and

we look forward to an early reply.

Yours fraternally, DANIEL D. FOWLER APA The following letter sent by W. H. Hughes to all White College Presidents of this District.

September 19th, 1J18 "To the College Presidents of Ohio: "I have just learned that Wilberforce University, has secured a unit of the S. A. T. C. (Students Army Training Corps) "In consultation with Captain Laigue, Military Director of this region, I learn that there is no reason why a colored boy may not be inducted into the service at any college having an S. A. T. C. While, however, this is true, it is contrary to army regulations for white and colored men to be housed in the same barracks.

"As it would be seriously inconvenient for you to provide separate barracks and also embarrassing for the boys, I would suggest that any colored boy be directed to transfer to Wilberforce prior to October 1st, and secure induction into the service there.

In case they are inducted into the service prior to transfer, it would be very complicated matter and it would be necessary to take it up through Washington to secure their transfer from your University to Wilberforce.

If the transfer Is made before October 1st, it is merely a matter of college transfer, and could be accomplished with very little loss or embarrassment. I believe that such an arrangemen. would be more convenient for the colored boys, and also save considerable difficulty in the colleges a little later. " Sincerely yours, "W. H. HUGHES, "Regional Educational Director.

P. S. The above letter should be taken as an official suggestion rather than any official ruling in the matter.

I am sending it merely with the idea that it may save trouble in some localities."

I

In the absence of definite- orders from Washington, addressed to myself, I can take no official notice of any communication to S. S. Booker any other commnading Officer of an S. A. 1619 Druid Hill Ave., Baltimore, Md. Have wire from Kappa our men refused T. C. Unit.

My own instructions relative to Negro stuadmittance into Students' Training Corps.

General officers requested to protest im- dents were that they were to be quartered separately from the white student. Since the mediately to President W. O. Thompson, Committee on Education and Special TrainOhio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Get ing requires that students be qartered word to Murphy, Sphinx. in large groups and there were only 6 or S NUMA, P. G. ADAMS Negro applicants for admission I advised the Acting President to recommend to such stuMr. Carl J. Murphy, dents that they attend some school where 628 N. Kutaw St., Baltimore, Md. there were a larger number fo Negro stuDear Mr. Murphy: dents.

I return the within telegram. As soon as Later I received a letter from the ComI heard from Mr. George Munday I tele- mittee which read in part as follows: graphed him that the War Department had "Colored men eligible for induction will not endorsed the action referred to in the be inducted in institutions which they atteiegrara, and that word to that effect had tend and will not be required to transfer to been sent to the Ohio schools. other institutions. Use tact and discretion Yours very truly in providing mess and quarters for colored EMMETT J. SCOTT, men and arranging such segregation as may Special Assistant to the Secretary of War. be necessary."

Neither of these instructions seems to me APA Telegram received by Dr. Thwing of to warrant my changing my previous view Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio that Negro students will be better satisfied from Hughes, as the result or agitation by themselves and will be enabled to secure more satisfactory accommodations and colored citizens.

"Committee on Education wires today in treatment at schools where there are more answer to my telegram; Negroes may be than a dozen or so Negro students in the admitted when it is the usuar custom of the institution. In this view no discrimination institution. Please be governed by this ad- against the Negro is intended. It is simply carrying out the general policy of the vice."

Bulletin: — This letter was unsealed to Insert copy of Army, that Negro and white troops are bettelegram Just received from Washington, D. ter satisfied if they were not mixed together.

C. by Capt. Sandford commanding at West- If enough Negroes had applied for admission to this institution, I should have cerern Reserve University.— Colored men are to barracks, mess and tainly advocated the formation of a Negro drill together with the other men.

No Company, messed and quartered by itself, and should have considered it my duty to segregation at all."

Now we must spread this news throughout make sure, by constant inspections, that the the country and see that it is acted upon to Negro students were treated in exactly the same manner as the whites in every respect. the letter. Please reply at once.

This will, I think, inform you in regard —Headquarters S. A. T. C. Unit, to my attitude toward the question. As I have stated above, in the absence of more Oberlin College October, 9, 1918. definite Instructions from Washington, counThe State Committee of Investigation on termanding those I have already received Non-Admittance of Negro Students in no change in my official attitude can be Ohio Universities. made.

Dear Sirs: — In reply to your letter of October 8, IS l g Sincerely yours I can only state the following facts: FRANCIS M. ROOT Captain, Infantry.

Washington, D. C. September 25, 1918

FROM THE GENERAL, SECRETARY -CERTAIN WHITE SCHOOLS WOULD. DISCRIMINATE It is too pathetic to be funny and too hypocritical to be American that certain white colleges and universties in our land. while more than 1.500,000 American soldiers—among whom are more than 150,O00 Negroes—are across the ocean fighting should be PERSUADED into refusing to permit students to enter these Institutions and to become members of the Students Army Training Corps. And thou, too, Oberlin!

These are the foundations from which the youth of the country, the mature citizens of tomorrow are to receive the draughts that mae them dream of deiii.>< racy? If Justice, Liberty and Democracy do not begin at home let us pray positively to God that, for the sake of our position of prominence in world affairs. that they soon be getting here.

APA CERTAIN WHITE SCHOOLS SHALL NOT DISCRIMINATE

the United States Army is sufficient to carry out these orders.

Colored men who have been denied admission to certain schools ought to go back and demand admission. Those who are in should stick and be prepared to take whatever comes. Go through with it even if it means death.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS.

By Lieut.-Colonel John MeRne (Died while on duty in Flanders.)

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; ana in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly, Scarce heard amidst the guns below.

We are the dead. Short aays ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe!

To you from falling hands, we throw The torch. B e yours to hold it hogh!

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.

—From London "Punch."

When word came to the General Secretary stating that colored students were not permitted to enter the Students Army Training Corps in a certain institution in the Middle West, as a citizen of the United States opposed to any form of oppression .Her Husband—Yes. sir! Roosevelt is the and heartily in accord with the principles tor which we stand in this war and after moat bellicose man of this century.

His Wife (absent-mindedly)—Aren't you it, he took the matter up immediately with the proper authorities in Washington in or- thinking of Taft. d-ar?—Nebraska Argwan.

•dsr to be sure of the attitude of the War rtment upon it. It deve:oped that .ill - F R O M SANTA'S G R K K X EXCHANGE.. discrimination came about uninvited by the Department and was promptly reAt Wisconsin, the elaborate Junior Prom pudiatid by it. will be dune away with in favor of a simple The War Department has ruled that col- Liberty Loan dance. ored students are to be admitted to all Placards have been distributed at Radschools attended by colored students be- cliffe warning girls that they will be exfore the establishment of the Students pelled from the dormitories if detected Army Training Corps, that they are to be smoking cigarettes.

The students resem admitted to *he Students Army Training the imputation that they indulge in the Corps provided they measure up to th« practice. qualifications ot t lie corps—and co'or is not one of the qualifications. There is to be -legation, no discrimination.

Every "When was the loose leaf system flrst commanding officer in charge of a unit of used?" the Corps in the United Stated has been "Eve used it t,, keep track of her party ijiven these ORDERS. Th* discipline of gowns."—Cornell Widow

FRATERNITIES DURING THE WAR Report from thi Committee on Publicity consisting of Walter B. Palmer, chairman; William W. Bride, Walter J. Sears, and James B. Curtis, adopted by the Interfraternity Conference, 1917.

In the war against Germany, which makes such great demands upon tne young manhood of the country, college fraternities find themselves in a situation such as they have never before experienced save in the war between the states, which began more than a half century ago. During tne Civil War most colleges in the South Cosed their doors and the attendance at all colleges in the North was greatly decreased, owing to the necessity for college men to take up arms.

Many chapters in the North as well as the South were so weakened by enlistments that they surrendered their charters, and some of them have not yet been reorganized.

When the war was declared ay the United States last April, many chapters wer# panic stricken at the outlook from a fraternity standpoint The situation still looks serious but not so much so as it did last spring. It now appears probable that nothing like so large a proportion of chapters will go down as did sixty-odd years ago, which may in part be explained by the fact that the average attendance at colleges is much larger now than it was then, and that, Âťs a rule, the active membership of chapters is two or three times as large as it was then. During the Civil War many youths eighteen years of age enlisted but the selective conscription act of 1917 does not affect youths under twenty-one. Reports from many institutions this fall indicate that in the majority of them the decrease in attendance is from twenty to forty per cent. At many institutions the number of freshmen nearly counterbalances the decrease in the number of men in the three higher classes of the regular collegiate or academic department.

We do not know how long the war will last, but it seems probable that the incoming freshmen classes will be as large in 1918 as in this year. Coeducational institutions will -suffer little by th e falling off in the attendance of women students. It may be re-

called that President Wilson writing of the importance of continuing the supply of highly trained men, stated that he had "no hesitation in urging colleges and technical schools to endeavor to maintain their full courses as far as posssible on the usual basis.

It will always be to the credit of the fraternity men of the United States, as well as those of Canada, that when the war came the number of volunteers for service was greater among college men than among other young men, and that it was. much greater among fraternity men than among any other class of college students. This, however, is exactly what might have been anticipated in such a crisis, for the fraternity men are the leaders in the activities of the college world. They have inherited the lofty ideals and the zealous patriotism of the ancient Greeks. The records of fraternity men in this war, as in the Civil War, will b e to their everlasting honor.

Since the last annual meeting of the Interfraternity Conference th e antifraternit/ crusade has made no headway.

It was feared that bills to prohibit the existence of fraternities in state institutions would be introduced in a number of States, particularly Ohio, Alabama, Texas, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota and California If, however, such a bill was introduced in any of the legislatures during 1917, it received little if any support. In the Miscouri legislature, where last January it seemed most probable that anti-fraternity laws would be urged, a strong interfraternity committee was quickly organized, and it so effectively presented arguments in favor of college fraternities before members of the legislature and the public in general that the proposed prohibitory law was killed at the very outset of the legislative session.

An excellent resume of the anti-fraternity in the West, and written by Mr. Pierson W. Banning, a member of Delta Chi, appeared in Bantu's Greek Excliange for March, 1917.

It may be recalled with some satisfaction that one enemy of the Greeks, the Gover-

of representatives by a narrow majority, 68 nor of Texas, who had attacked the fraterto 59, but about this time the faculty of nities at the University of Texas, as well the university made an additional require- as the university itself, has been impeached, ment that no chapter could initiate its removed from office, and disqualified from pledges unless the scholastic grades of its holding any office of honor, trust or profit members should equal the average of the in Texas.

There is some comfort in the belief that grades of students in the university. An excellent artic'.e on "Some causes of Anti- fraternities will be let alone while the war fraternity Legislation and How to Combat continues. In comparison with the winning them," by Mr. Ernest O. Thompson, of the of the war against Germany, every other class of 1913 at the University of Texas was material thing is now of absolute insignipublished in The Shield of Phi Kappa Psi cance, and while this war lasts, the legisafter it had been read at a district council latures of States will have a plenty to do of the Fraternity. He attributed the anti- without prohibiting or proscribing college Any legislator aspiring to fraternity campaign in Texas IO the follow- fraternities. ing causes: "First, petty politics on the make reputation by attacking college frapart of some fraternities; second, snobbish- ternities will simply make himself ridiculous ness among younger fraternity men; third, before the public in this time of national poor scholarship among fraternities; fourth trial and crisis. It is very gratifying to note the outsider's erroueous conception of a fra- that at a number of institutions, including ternity." It may be observed that these are Ohio State University, University of Texas, always the principal charges that are made Iowa State College, and Whitman College. against fraternities. Mr. Thompson admits the faculties, recognizing the difficulties unall counts in the indictments, but claims that der which the fraternities w:ti labor in mainfor each there is a remedy, and that, by the taining their chaptets and chapter houses action of both the faculty and the fraterni- during 1917-18, have voted to moderate the ties at the University of Texas, the evils strict rushing requirements or to permit complained of have been remledied or re- pledged freshmen to live in the chapter houses. On the contrary, the rules have moved. He says: been made more rigid at the University of I insist that if we wish to steer clear of the rock of agitation, which will surely North Carolina, where for years fraternities wreck our institution, we must not tiade have not been allowed to initiate students and "swap" votes, or do those petty things until they had entered sophomore class which go against the grain of an American with a high scholastic gradeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;about 85 per people. In our political activities we must participate as individual students of a com- cent. The new rule, which is a great hardmon school. I believe that when two stu- ship, especially at this time, abolished middents are seeking an office that every stu- year initiations and provides that a man dent should vote for the man he thinks to not eligible at the first of the year cannot be the better qualified. And if the better be initiated until the fall of the following pualified man happen to be a nonfraternity man, I maintain that it is the duty of the year even though he may meanwhile pass fraternity man, as a citizen of the student enough work to meet the scholastic requirecommunity, to lend his support to that man. ments.

This may seem on first thought, to be a bit It may be recalled that a Bill to prohibit strange, or even disloyal to fraternities.

But let me call your attention to the fact fraternities in state institutions, introduced that we are discussing the causes of anti- in the legislature of Texas in 1913, was not fraternity legislation, and how to remedy acted upon favorably by the committee to them. I claim that our fraternity life is incidental to our college careers, and that which it was referred, but the faculty of we must keep the fraternity's activity with- the university adopted the sophomore iniin its proper realm in order to get the tiation plan, by which freshmen might be most good out of our order; yes, even to pledged but not initiated until the beginning maintain our very existence in state-supof the sophomore year. Anotner bill to proported institutions.

Mr. Thompson further says: "Enter in- hibit fraternities, introduced in the legisto the political affairs of the college as in- lature of 1915, was defeated in the house 7

veil of mystery and tell them something about our national rules against drinking, about our house rules on gambling, bringing women into chapter houses, and the like.

If we show the people just where we stand, I feel sure that only praise will result.

In connection with the suggestion that the public should be enlightened as to the advantages and benefits of fraternities, attention may be called to an admirable custom of the fraternities at the "Washington University. The Washington Newspaper Institute meets at Seattle for three days every year, and the editors are invited by the fraternities there to be their guests throughout the convention. The editors have been thus entertained twice, and, as said by the News Bulletin of the Fraternity Reference Bureau Mr. William C. Levere, Secretary, after the convention of 1916: The editors had a great time, and, when they returned to their homes, they had a lot of first hand knowledge about college fraternities. They had had an opportunity to see the societies at close range, and to see that the fraternities were making college homes for their members, that the upperclassmen were looking after the scholarship, comfort, and morals of the younger men, and that the atmosphere of a fraternity-house is wholesome. The fraternities made a lot of friends througn the unusual opportunity.

dividuals and not as a fraternity clique or party. The one great cause of the agitation at our university was the custom of holding caucuses by the fraternity men to> decide upon a fraternity ticket to run against the men put out by the non-fraternty students." Such a ngnt between thefraternity faction and the non-fraternity element, he says, 'paves the way for an anti-fraternity bill in the legislature." He says that "We have changed this by refraning from holding any caucuses whatever, and by striving to get each fraternity to have its members vote for tne man who. is best qualified for the office," and adds thrt "The fraternities must so conduct themselves that there can be no cause for agitation. It is much easier to prevent legislation by fighting the cause and staving- oft the introduction of the bill in the legislature than it is to kill a bill once Introduced*' Referring to the matter of scholarship, he says: It could be formerly laic: at our door at the University of Texas and against fraternities generally that we were poor students, or rather that we were content with medium grades. The men in fraternities were at the bottom of the groups in scholarship. But this has been reversed by a. faculty regulation., requiring each chapter to have, as an organization, a grade at least equal to the grade of the average student before the particular chapter can ii its pledges. This, combined with the fourcourse freshman requirement for eligibility, has made the fraternity men get down to work, and they now lead in scholarship I commend the rule heartily. It lays stress. upon the real object of the student's being in collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to studyâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;ana makes a fraternity more careful in the S e c t i o n of its prospective members. If w e , as students and frtternity men who c:a:m to be selected from a larger group, cannot equal the average student in scholarship, then we are not living up to our fraternity's ideals and should not be permitted to exist.

When antifraternity legislation is put forward and talked about, we learn Just what the public knows, or thinks, of fraternities I have found that some people have the idea that we are banded togetner for drinking, gambling, and having a good time generally. others know that we have good aims, but think that our banding together is not conducive to the best results in our studies. The remedy here is to inform the public, as best we can, or tne real nature of a fraternity, and to come out from the

It is not only in state institutions that fraternities may be barred or onerous restrictions imposed upon th*m, as is shown by their exclusion from the College of Wooster and other institutions. The restrictions may be of varying grades of severity: 1.

Rushing may be allowed on matriculation but initiation may be prohibited until freshmen have successfully passed the mid-year examinations. 2. Neither rushing or initiation is permitted until such examinations have been passed. 3. The same as No. 1, except that initiation is not allowed until sophomore year. 4. The same as No. 2 except that both rushing and initiation must be deferred until sophomore year. Any of these four conditions may be accompanied with the rule that freshman pledges may not live in chapter houses. 5. The authorities may go so far, as to have those at Texas, where they forbid initiations by any chapter whose members rank lower in scholarship than the average of the student body.

S

"We are persuaded that it is now the concensus of opinion among fraternities that they are benefitted by a rule which permits rushing but prohibits the initiation of freshmen until they have made a passing grade in their mid-year examinations. This rule we believe is advantageous to fraternities provided that the pledges are permitted to live in the chapter houses. It is advantageous because it protects fraternities from the results of an indiscriminate, mad rush in the fall and from the initiation of men that will flunk out of college in one short semester. But to exclude freshmen from the chapter houses is to deprive them of a wholesome experience. To separate them entirely from fraternities until sophomore year is to separate them from influences that would be beneficial in the formation of their characters. If a boy is under no social restraints during his first year in college, he may acquire pernicious habits that will not be eradicated during the next three years even amid fraternity surroundings.

Morover, to exclude freshmen from fraternities during the whole of freshman year is to inflict a hardship financially on the chapters.

General attention, we believe, should be culled to a letter that President flay Lyman Wilbur, President of Le!and Stanford Junior University, addressed to all the chapters there, in the fall of liH6, in terms as follows: Stanford University is constantly in receipt of severe criticism because the members of its fraternities as a whole have lower scholarship records than the non-fraternity groups, and because of debts contracted by some of the fraternity houses.

When asked, as I often am, why Stanford tolerates the fraternities when it stands for high scholarship and they as university organizations, at least in individual instances, stand for inferior scholarship, I am forced to answer that the fault does not lie in the fraternity system, other institutions being free from it, but does lie in the conditions existing locally in some of the Stanford fraternities, conditions which we shall endeavor to correct. Such correction must take place As Stanford men we desire to nave all our rraternities on a high plane, free from debt and ranking as high, if not higher, in scholarship, than the rest of tne student body.

The real test of the value of a fraternity to its members and to the university lies B

in its ability to graduate Its fair proportion of men each year. Failure to do so means that the fraternity is a disintegrating influence in the university; tliat membership In it is not advantageous to the student in regard to the real purpose ror which he comes to Stanford. The fine showing and real improvement made by some of the fraternities last year proves what can bo done by attention to scholarship.

In order to help the fraternities and Stanford I wish to inform you that it is my intention at the end of two years, through the national organizations or otherwise, to arrange for the disbanding of any fraternity at Stanford that is in debt for current expenses, or markedly deficient in scholarship, I am sure that such action will be of great benefit to every earnest fraternity now located at the university. I ask your cooperation in this endeavor to put the fraternities in the high position they should occupy at Stanford. Fraternities living up to the university requirements and with satisfactory scholarship have nothing to fear and much to gain from this action.

I am deeply interesteu in removing all grounds for legitimate criticism of fraternity conditions at Stanford and because of this I am planning eventually to urge a one-year residence rule before admission to fraternity membership.

It is a matter of much importance and is extreme'y gratifying that sine? September 5, 11)17, President Wilbur wrote to the chairman of this committee as follows: I think that the letter did- a considerable amount of good, because it brought our fraternities to a study of th? conditions into which they had drifted. Had they gone on they soon would have obliterated themsi Ivi -â&#x20AC;˘ through debt and poor scholarship. There has been a marked improvement, which we anticipate will continue.

We desire to renew some of the suggestions or recommendations that were made to the Interfraternity Conference last year and that were adopted by the conference, among them the following: 1. Believing that good scholarship has been promoted by the healthy rivalry among chapters created by the posting of the average grade of the student body and the average grade of each chapter, we recommend that the Secretary of the Conference shall inform the President of each institution where two or more chapters exist that the conference approves of the posting of the grades for the purpose of stimulating scholarship. We further recommend that a re-

quest be made for copies of the grades, and that, when the Secretary shall receive them, he shall send mimeographed copies to the journal of each fraternity, so far as they relate to institutions where it has chapters.

In an effort to improve the classroom standing of the members, a scholarship cup is offered in some fraternities to the chapter with the best record, for scholarship in the whole fraternity, or such cups are provided for the chapters with the best records in their respective districts. In most instances the cup has been provided by an alumnus.

In some institutions there is an inter-fraternity scholarship cup which is awarded annually to the chapter with the highest grade, to hold for one year, and a chapter that is awarded it for three successive years becomes its permanent owner. The incentive under the latter plan is as great as, if not greater than, under the former plan, and it has the added advantage of the award being made according to one standard, instead of according to many standards, as in the case of determining the chapter with the highest scholarship in a fraternity with many chapters.

2. We again commend the plan for cooperating of buying of chapter house supplies under the direction of an inter-fraternity auditor, introduced by Mr. A. D. Weller Fraternity Auditor at Cornell University, and adopted at the University of "Wisconsin and other institutions. By this plan chapters have been able to liquidate large indebtednesses and even pay off mortgages on chapter houses. We recommend that the conference authorize an explanatory pamphlet on the subject to be printed and distributed to all chapters where there are two or more chapters in any institution.

Business prudence suggests that chapter house building be suspended during the war period, on a c o u n t of the high cost of building materials, in many cases 100 per cent above prices that prevailed three years ago.

Some chapters that owe money on their houses, and many do, will find it difficult to meet payments during the war, and this can be done by the exercise of rigid econoomy. In some colleges the depleted attendance and reduced membership have driven

cnapters of two or three fraternities to combine in conducting one house and one dining table, and under present untoward circumstances this is a very commendable arrangement. " It is of the highest importance that fraternities should recognize the patriotic spirit which in' this period of national stress condemns any form of waste or extravagance. Even the wealthiest chapters with no debts hanging over them should reduce their expenditures to necessities.

Fraternity men should set an example in economy to other students. No matter what may be the decision in regard to omitting or limiting the junior promenade, sophomore cotillion, and other customary student entertainments, the fraternities should omit chapter receptions that involve expense. If there ever was a time for chapters to live in a state of monastic simplicity it is the present time when food shortage and fuel shortage stare us in the face.

Rushing parties or expense of any kind for rushing should be entirely eliminated. Asceticism will be commended, display condemned by the public.

3. We again suggest that the Interfraternity Conference recommnd to th chapters of the various fraternities the Chapterhouse Rules that were prepared in 1915, by Dr. Henry Suzzallo, President of the University of Washington. They appeared in Santa's Greek Exchange for July, 1916, and were appended to the report of this committee last year. The completeness of the rules is indicated by their division under the following heads: Study hours, Rough house, Table rules, Clothes, and Books; Tobacco, liquor, cards and gambling, Profanity and vulgarity. Honor System, and Rules governing the conduct of members outside tho house. In the interest of more elemplary deportment of fraternity men, we suggest that these house rules be printed for distribution to our members.

4. We again recommend the appointment of chapter advisers, nominated by local chapters and confirmed by general fraternity officers. These responsible local officers can keep the general officers advised of the condition of chapters and of the need for executive action when necessary. The advice of an alumnus adviser will in many 10

cases prevent a chapter from making serin,.,.- mistakes. His counsel will restrain some members inclined to be wayward from committing excesses that w;.l discredit them and the chapter. His influence will often compose differences between members or difficulties between members and outsiders.

5. To the end that the charge of snobbishness made against fraternities be removed, nonfraternity men snould receive recognition that will convince them that the Greeks have no intention of discriminating against them socially or otherwise. They should be invited to the chapter housfi, welcomed with as much cordiality as is shown to men that wear Greek-letter badges. Fair dealing and friendly relations between fraternity men and non-fraternity men will remove the causes of friction between them. If any Greek shows signs of being a snob let him be firmly, if need be forcibly impressed until he learns better manners.

6. To the end of extending democracy in the college world, w e again recommend more chapters in American institutions. The growth of educational institutions has been at a greater rate than the multiplication of chapters or the increase in membership, so that, generally speaking, the proportion that non-fraternity students are of the total attendance generaly larger now, in many institutions very much larger, than it was during previous college generations. It is we believe, advisable and for the best interests of fraternities that chapters encourage the formation of local societies, encourage them to apply to national fraternities for charters, and, if charters are granted. assist them in organizing upon a permanent basis. The more Greeks in the colleges the less opposition there will be to the Greek-letter fraternity system. Owins to the decreased attendance during war time, there will not be as many opportunities for new chapters as in previous years, but, as a general policy, fraternity expansion should be encouraged In American colleges, to remove the ground for the charge so frequently made, that fraternities are undemocratic associations.

consideration for fraternity men to realize in this fateful year 1917 is that we are in the midst of the greatest war in the history of the world, the students in colleges of the United States and Canada owe a duty to their respective countries and to our allies, and this duty requires that everyone shall practice self-denial and make whatever sacrifice may be necessary to win this war.

Patriotism should animate every American and inspire th e soul of every youth.

The severest economy should be practiced. Fraternities and fraternity men should be s>Âť loyal and discreet in their conduct that it will be approved by the public during the war and afterward. No one is wise enough to fortell the time when the war shall end, no one can discern what will follow the war, but there are unmistakable signs that in all the warring countries, including our own America, there will be, after peace is declared, social reforms, and some of them may be radical reforms. College fraternities, by their fairness and liberality, and by the exemplary conduct of their members, should cultivate the good opinion of nonfraternity people, both in and out of college, and make all the friends they can, in preparation for the day of change th;:t awaits us after peace comes, it may be dies irae.

Meanwhile during the progress of the war let all Greeks demean themselves so that no approach will attach to the Greek cause, let them eschew fraternity bickerings, let them act generously, never harboring a sinpie selfish thought, let them put the claims of the college ahead of fraternity claims, and the country's welfare above any other interest. Paraphrasing the slogan of Tale, let them be "For God, for Country, and for Alma Mater!"

WALTER P. PALMER. APA E. M. A. Chandler, Beta Alumnus, writes to the Sphinx: "I am chemist for the Dicks David and Heller Company.

We manufacture some very valuable silk and wool dye. Our products come up in every way to the German products that were imported before the war. I am doing both research work and control work at the plant and find it very interesting and fascinating.

I am doing nrcery and have What we believe to be of the most vitf.l every opportunity for advancement."

CHAPTER LETTERS. ord made in former years. Both president BETA CHAPTKR and vice president are in the service ot Great as have been the accomplishments their country. Bro. Campbell, the newly of Beta Chapter, still greater are predicted elected president, has done wonderful work for the future. Although the war situation for the chapter during his administra affected the chapter material.y, it, to be sure Several of the brothers are stationed nearhas not caused any lack of interest in by and frequently join us. Last spring Cuspirit for A. P. A. pid stole the heart of Bro. R. H. Johnson.

The chapter was exceedingly fortunate in The establishment of the S. A. T..C. at Howard University made it necessary for having such excellent material from which most of the brothers to live in camp; the to secure her candidates for the first initiahouse, however has been kept and main- tion. Nine men were chosen as candidate?. tained with the same degree of care and Bro. Davis, last years editor, is in thâ&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ pride, In compliance with the request of Navy.

Bro. Brown our president is stathe War Department the chapter was placed tioned at Camp Dix, while vice presidenr, on a war basis. This resulted in the curb- Bro. Wright, joined the "Y" forces. inn of all business and social activities Gamma, like many of the other chapters, which tended to put a clamper on the mor- has contributed heavily in supplying men ale of the military establishment, with to make autocracy a thing of the past and which most of the brothers were connected. to insure the future and interrupted reign Beta Chapter will b e well represented at of peace and democracy. She has only the convention which is to be held at Cleve- shown the same spirit that has been disland, Ohio.

Brother Walker, the senior played by other chapters of the A. P, A. delegate, Brother Wilson, the junior. .In Fraternity. fact all the brothers are looking forward to a successful convention in spite of the APA unfavorable circumstances. "On to Cleveland" is the watchword.

XI CHAPTKR. The annual Thanksgiving Reception of Wilberforoe, Ohio.

Beta Chapter was a pronounced success. The feature of the occasion was the A. 1'. A. Dear Brothers: cake, having on it lighted candles to the It is with no small degree of pleasure number of ten (10) signifying the number of years Beta Chapter has been organized that Xi Chapter contributes its bit of news and typifying the shining light which Beta to the Alpha Phi Alpha's official organ.

With the Students' Army Training ( Chapter semis forth. all fraternal functions and Collegreiate The addition of brothers from Gamma, here, have been practically paralyzed.

Xn and Pi Chapters has strengthened the activities Quite a bit of this inactivity has been due chapter and brought new life and ideas to the "IHu" scare, and other circumstances within the organization. Brothers Temple, uncontrollable by us.

Jones and Malone, all recently made offiAs a result of a project initiated last cers of the army, favored the chapter with spring, we have a very. comfortable and visits during their absence from camp. arranged home. Coupled with that Beta Chapter, finally is holding its own. snugly project were financial obligations, which It, moreover, is in a prosperous, progressive obligations were promptly and willingly condition. It bids fair to equal if not sur- met. pass records of past years. The entire ChapOur first luncheon was enjoyed on Sep;. ter extends greetings to the other chapters, wishing and praying for their con- 81, at which luncheon Lieutenant Percival C. Piper shared with us the "real fruit tinued success. from the real gods." The courses were inFraternally terlaced with the. wit and humor of camp A. G. LINDSAY. life. After lunch, Bro. Piper addressed us.

Bro. Piper also is the commanding officer A PA of the detachment here. He is assisted by Lieut. Curtis. Both are of Howard UniverGAMMA CHAPTER sity.

We are fortunate to have with us as inVirginia Union University. structors in the College of Science and Arts Gamma, after being, heavily hit by the Bros. Charles Burch, of Xi, and A. C. war, is yet alive and the remaining mem- Beckham, of Kappa.

Brother C. S. Spivy, who nas Been doing bers are hard at work maintaining the rec,-[

"T" work a tCamp Taylor, was with us on October 22, to say "Howdy GO"' and "goodbye."

He goes to Yale University. Bro. Spivy is one of the most energetic, enthusiastic, resourceful and brilliant students to graduate from Wilberforce.

Brother I. E. Steady has also matriculated at Yale. Bro. Steady possesses a very keen intellect and agile mind, and a very commanding personality.

We could not say too much that is commendatory of these representatives of A. P. A. Our election was held last spring and the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Brother Robert L. Lynon; vice president. Brother J. E. Beverleigh; secretary, Brother Charles Logan; corresponding secretary, Brother P. B. West treasurer, Bror. D. A. Barrow; steward, Bro. Laconia Crosby; chapter editor, Bro. David Vines.

We regret very much the attitude of the northern colleges toward the Afro-Americans during the organization of th e S.A.T.C. We exerted our influence to arrest it as much as we could, in our ijeculiar locality. and we ar e quite confident that the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has gained a signal honor because of its attitude toward such an outrage—to discountenance the evil.

ROBERT L. LYONS. A PA EPSILON CHAPTER University

of

Roughly speaking, the ent:re personel of the chapter is distributed in about as many different camps as there are brothers.

What can b e done, even in the face of this one fact?

Our Chapter House in which we were so conveniently and comfortably housed, an 1 where we held our meetings and conducted our initiations, had to be given up as a Fraternity house as such. Bro. J. S. Price, Lit. '17, and wife have the house, but the two of us who are left. Bra M. (!. McCall and 1, have rooms here. The rest of the brothers have either been taken into the S.A.T.c. or have been called to various camps. Bro, McCall is a medic, and as has nnt been taken into this branch of the service.

I, -as a Dent ami a member of the M. I-;. R. c , have likewise been dem.d the privilege of enlistment in th ganizal ion.

In view of th. -i- farts tn.-n and that of our present unsettle.

Dn and our future whereabouts, l should saj thai in cases like Epsilon whet ias been such marked depletion i i abers and , live officers th. H I M - . ]••., ,s 'ike > i attempt to send 0 a com >n of course not not taking into account the ; ruling in suc:i matters, I do think, however that so long as there is a i i . ft, an,I may 1 that ii ,,!,, o r D( men 1m'""'' " te Sphinx

Michigan.

I am hastening to answer your letter that you might have it by the time this issue of the Spinx goes to press. It will -prove difficult for me to combine an explanatory letter to you and one more or less conventional for publication in the Sphinx. However, you may make such disposition of this communication as you see fit.

To begin with, our President, Bro. A. L. Evans suddenly left us, taking leave this morning for his home. A much needed rest was the reason for his leaving. His interest, however, is never lacking and you may get in touch with him thru the addresses which 1 .shall enclose herewith.

In the capacity of corresponding secretary, I venture my own opinion and ideas in my subsequent remarks, trusting that they will not be averse to the concensus of the absent brothers.

Speaking frankly, Epsilon seems now to be facing a crisis unprecedented in her history. The chapter per se, is virtually on the verge of disintegration and inactivity. This state of affairs is not the result of a lagging interest on the part of the individual brothers, but due solely to a chain of circumstances centering around- the present universal crisis.

1 's, sho ,o\ e -ill •• It is tin- fondesl hope of the writer ••""' I know I voice the se unit of all ,1 " • ' " ' " hers, that some means will b, Phi Alpha wil main a banded o • during ; , (.Vpn al times -IN,i aftei this period of uncertainty and strife it «r:il b e renewed with a vigor ye1 unknown in fraterni y circles.

Yours for the perpetuity of the A. P \ HARVKY D. SHAW P-S.—It becomes at once my dutv and pleasure to announce my engagement to Miss Georgia R. Underwood, of Ann Arbor.

Miss Underwood was th,. sole colored graduate of th, ix , , r A n n A r b ( ) r H i g h School. she aspin s to pursue further work in the University of Michigan.

This item might properly have appeared in the last issue.

H . D. S.

A PA— SIGMA

CHAPTER

Sigma Chapter will be present year in January, being due to the various to which the men were

organized for the 1919. This delay S. A. T. C. units connected. Many

gro and w h i t e t r o o p s together, a n d secondly: t h e q u a r t e r i n g of less m a n forty m e n in one building, it would be impossible for t h e m to be enrolled in th:s unit.

Against this injustice, a c a m p a i g n of n a tion-wide scope w a s begun u n d e r t h e leadership of K a p p a men which resulted in a signal victory. Regional Director H u g h e s of the S. A. T. C. categorically denied all t h e c h a r g e s m a d e a n d requested to be n o tified of any discrimination m t h e future.

We regret to say, however, m a t m a n y of our pledges w i t h d r e w and entered Wilberforce.

But t h e r e was o n e — B r o t h e r R o m e F e r g u s o n — w h o did not come back this year.

H e h a s fallen a victim to the White plague " b a r t e r i n g dull age for i m m o r t a l i t y . " K a p pa m o u r n s him deeply but realizes t h a t what is our loss is heaven-s gain.

K a p p a has given generously to the war.

B r o t h e r E m m e t t Saunders, an assistant in t h e College of A g r i c u l t u r e last year, is now a sergeant a t C a m p S h e r m a n ; B r o t h e r Tillm a n T h o m p s o n is in t h e S. A. T. C ; f o r m e r president Daniel F e r g u s o n h a s been commissioned a second lieutenant a t C a m p G r a n t ; B r o t h e r L i e u t e n a n t H o p k i n s is in F r a n c e ; a n d B r o t h e r W m . A. Mason is still in Y. M. C. A. service a t C a m p S h e r m a n .

T h e following b r o t h e r s were g r a d u a t e d in J u n e : B r o t h e r D u n b a r from t h e College of Dentistry, who h a s been certified by t h e State B o a r d ; B r o t h e r Carl B a r n e t t , of the College of Arts, now in t h e College of Medicine. B r o t h e r A. S. B e c k h a m , w h o r e ceived his M. A. in 1917 a n d continued In t h e G r a d u a t e School d u r i n g t h e previous year, has accepted a position as instructor in t h e S. A. T. C. a t Wilberforce.

In B r o t h e r P r e s i d e n t G. A. Mundy, w h o went to Western Reserve aue to t h e closing of t h e O. S. U's Law School, K a p p a lost an efficient officer and a t r u e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of Alpha P h i Alpha. He recently m a d e a p plication for t h e Officers T r a i n i n g C a m p but was rejected on account of defective vision.

K a p p a is of t h e opinion t h a t t h e General Convention would be able to r e n d e r service of especial value this year in h e l p ing to rehabilitate our depleted c h a p t e r s .

She h o p e s also to be host to t h e Convention and, t h o u g h reduced in n u m b e r s , she can give a m p l e a s s u r a n c e t h a t t h e r e will be no diminuition in spirit and hospitality.

E A R L D. A L E X A N D E R .

o t h e r s a r e daily r e t u r n i n g from c a m p a n d a s t r o n g organization is expected.

B r o t h e r H. E . Moore, Beta, is t a k i n g his Master's course in law a t t h e Boston University Law School. K e h a s secured a very i m p o r t a n t position in t h e law offices of t h e Boston Elevated Railway Company.

B r o t h e r Westheimer, of Nu and A l p h a is a f r e s h m a n a t t h e H a r v a r d University School of Medicine.

B r o t h e r Clair was recently commissioned a first lieutenant, chaplain, a t C a m p Taylor, Louisville, Ky. Bro. W. F . Brown, D. M. D., has opened a very a t t r a c t i v e office on T r e m o n t street, Roxbury.

Bros. J. C. Hixson, W. A. Dart. L. C. T y r e e a n d A. L. T a v a n i e r passed t h e Massa c h u s e t t e s Law Board in J u n e last.

Bro. W. L. W h i t e h e a d , Tufts Med., 1910, w a s house physician at a New Bedford Hospital d u r i n g t h e recent epidemic.

Bro. J. F r a n k l i n Meyers, H a r v a r d Medical School, 1918, has o p e n e J a m o d e r n l y equipped office a t 4 Marble street, Roxbury Mass.

Bros. W. L. W h i t e h e a d , Tufts Med. 1919 a n d E. B. B u r r o u g h s , Boston University Med. School, 1919, will receive their degrees HI F e b r u a r y , 1919, due to extensive s u m m e r work in 1918.

Bro. E. B. B u r r o u g h s , Jr., in accordance with the rules and regulations of t h e F r a ternity, a n n o u n c e s t h a t Miss Maudestine M. Dangerfield, now teaching at Hartshor.i College, Richmond, Va., is w e a r i n g his pin.

Of course all of us know just w h a t such an a n n o u n c e m e n t signifies An u n a u t h o r i z e d s t a t e m e n t comes to us t h a t Bro. White, president, was a victim of influenza.

Trust t h e convention to be held at Cleveland, will be a g r a n d success.

Expect Sigma to do h e r p a r t after she is r e o r g a n ized.

Fraternal'y M. A. Allen, Vice P r e s i d e n t .

24 Holyoke Street.

APA K A P P A CHAPTER Columbus, Obio.

E d i t o r of the Sphinx, D e a r Sir:— Under c i r c u m s t a n c e s u n c e r t a i n a n d u n prorpitious, most of t h e memDers of K a p p a C h a p t e r r e t u r n e d with high hopes of cont i n u i n g their education a n d a t t h e s a m e time p r e p a r i n g themselves t h r o u g h t h e S. A. T. C , for effectual service to their count r y in its g r e a t crusade against a u t o c r a c y .

W h a t , then, was their surprise a n d indignation on being told tliat, due to laws which forbid, first: t h e b a r r a c k i n g or Ne-

APA TAU C H A P T r . n .

University of Illinois.

Dear B r o t h e r : — Since you last h e a r d rrom us, m a n y c h a n g e s have t a k e n place, t h e most imp o r t a n t of which is in r e g a r d to our n u m 14

:

bers. T h e draft last May took two of our pioneers in t h e persons of B r o t h e r s Lewis Giles a n d Ross Taylor. To offset t h i s disa d v a n t a g e we pledged and initiated six men n a m e l y : Oscar Randall, of W a s h i n g t o n , D. C.; E l s m e r e Marshall, of t h e s a m e place; Oscar P e r u s t o n , of K a n s a s City, K a n s a s ; Vance Mullon, of New Orleans; E d w a r d H o w a r d , of Mounds, 111., a n a R i c h a r d H a r e wood, of Chicago. T h e first four were s o p h omores, a n d t h e last two freshmen.

We did not know w h a t t h e new school y e a r would bring, but come a s it may, we would be p r e p a r e d for it. Oscar Peniston was elected president; Oscar Randall, vice president; Vance Mullon secretary and E l s m e r e Marshall, treasurer. This ended t h e school y e a r of 1917.

S u m m e r h a s its s h o r t c o m i n g s as well a s it assets. Checking up things the first week of t h e new school year, we found t h a t we h a d lost by war, Benjamin Duster, one of T a u s pioneers and expresident; Oscar P e n iston, our president, a n d our t r e a s u r e r . We had also lost one of t h e freshmen.

This left us with only four men to s t a r t things going with. We have all w o r k e d like T r o j a n s and have done r e m a r k a b l y well. We have pledged ten freshmen, most of which a r e S. A. T. C. men, and hope to initiate t h e m soon. By so doing, we have penet r a t e d t h e seemingly i m p r e g n a b l e s t r o n g hold of our rival fraternity, t h e K a p p a A l p h a Psi, getting four of the pledges from St. Louis.

The other m a t t e r of interest concerns our C h a p t e r House. Because or war conditions, we p e r m i t t e d some of t h e m e n of t h e other fraternity to live with us t h e l a t t e r p a r t of t h e school year. T h e r e was so m u c h discord, however, t h a t we decided to give up t h e house until n o r m a l times, w h e n we would be able to s u p p o r t it ourselves. Please a d d r e s s all mail to me a t our t e m p o r a r y a d dress, t h e above, and until you h e a r from m e I shall r e m a i n , Your affectionate brother, RICHARD HAREWOOD C h a p t e r Editor.

It will be recalled by those who a t t e n d e d the last Convention t h a t Iseta men paid in their g r a n d taxes even t h o u g h their c h a p ter was inactive. W e intend to do t h e s a m e thing this year and I shall m a k e a personal effort to get these into the h a n d s of t h e Secretary by t h e end of this m o n t h or soon thereafter.

T h e r e a r e a t p r e s e n t approximately seven A. P. A. in t h e city at this time. Some a r e g r a d u a t e s who r e t u r n e d to a r r a n g e fut u r e studies but h a v e to date been unable to do a s they planned, o t h e r s a r e holding responsible positions in essential industries, while one is in t h e u n d e r g r a d u a t e d e p a r t ment. By informal g a t h e r i n g s and m e e t ings we hope to keep the fires of Z e t a b u r n i n g while we a r e here. The cloud of u n c e r t a i n t y overhead envelopes Zeta too a n d we a r e u n a b l e to count upon t h e perm a n e n c y of a n y t h i n g or any B r o t h e r ' s stay with us. It a p p e a r s to be t h e concensus of opinion here t h a t t h e r e should be a small scale convention, minus, for instance, t h e banquet -and all social functions. One of about t h r e e day's duration, to which each c h a p t e r m i g h t send one (instead of two) delegate. We believe the idea of carrying t h e Convention into t h e South for purposes already mentioned, should be a b a n d o n e d for this year and t h e convention held in t h e most centrally located place possible. We a r e in favor of a strict compliance with t h e advice of the military establishment, conc e r n i n g initiations of new men, as would be consistent with t h e integrity of t h e F r a ternity. We suggest putting t h e F r a t e r n i t y on a war basis, relative to t h e constitutionality of C h a p t e r s , etc. We believe the time h a s come when t h e G r a n c Tax m u s t be raised.

F o r t h e B r o t h e r s at Zeta F r a t e r n a l l y yours, J. F R A N C I S WILLIAMS. N. B.—No new colored u n d e r g r a d u a t e s or g r a d u a t e s not A. P. A. a r e at Yale &o we a r e unaffected by order.

APA OMICRON C H A P T E R University of P i t t s b u r g h .

rAPA

Z E T A AT N E W H A V E N .

E d i t o r of t h e S p h i n x : — Omicron extends greetings to t h e o t h e r c h a p t e r s of the F r a t e r n i t y and h a s the- sincere desire t h a t all links or our powerful chain m a y be able to continue active, n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h a t t h e r a n k s of each c h a p t e r have been greatly depleted by t h e w a r .

Those of us who a r e yet in P i t t s b u r g h , intend to m a k e every effort 10 t h e end t h a t Omicron may not only continue as an active c h a p t e r but t h a t we may be able to assist o t h e r c h a p t e r s to stem the tide of misfortune.

Owing to t h e unsettled condition of af-

My dear B r o t h e r M u r p h y : — I a m in receipt of your recent c o m m u n i cation and a m h e r e w i t h complying witli y o u r request. I only regret to h a v e k e p t you waiting so long. I dont think t h a t this can be called a c h a p t e r letter for I a m u n der t h e impression t h a t Zeta h a s become automatically inactive; a n y w a y t h e r e is no officered organization h e r e a t this time.

However, I s p e a k for t h e several B r o t h e r s h e r e at this seat having talked with each about t h e affairs and s t a t u s of t h e f r a t e r n i ty.

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fairs at the University of Pittsburgh, due to the institution having been taken over by the Government, it is not possible at this writing to state definitely as to our prospects for the year's work, We wish to assure the general officers and members of the Fraternity that it is our purpose, to further the interest of the organization and to work zealously to make possible the assembling of the delegates and brothers at the Eleventh Annual Convention.

Realizing the sacrifices which each chapter will necessarily have to make in order to be represented at the next annual convention, I do not hesitate to say that it is absolutely essential that we should strive energetically to assure a gathering of the brothers in an annual session. There is difficulty enough in securing funds to finance the general organization by means of the payment of grand tax. The approach of the annual convention seems to spur each •chapter on and each awakens to the fact that it is necessary to meet this obligation in order to be in good standing. The effect of the war might be so great in the case of individual chapters that they could not possibly remit, but provisions could be made for emergencies of this nature.

The Sphinx, the official organ, must continue to be published. This quarterly source of information could hardly maintain itself by individual subscriptions.

Grand Tax may be paid without an annual convention, but It is my opinion that the majority of the chapters would contend that to discontinue the annual gathering would mean the suspension of business for the time being.

The additional privileges granted to the alumni at the Tenth Annual Convention, gives us another source of support and in order to encourage these brothers to greater effort, we need to meet and exchange ideas as to the progress made during the year and to plan for the further fostering and expansion of the plan which brings the alumni and the undergraduates into a closer relationship and makes the transition from an undergraduate to an alumnus of very small import as r^s-ards ones attitude and allegiance to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

The Brothers in the service look forward to hearing of constructive measures adopted by the Fraternity.

These measures can best be formulated and approved at our annual ouventiou. our representatives who are conducting themselves so gallantly in service and who are carrying the Alpha Phi Alpha spirit and ideals to various distant points of civilization need the encouragement and confidence that is possible to b e derived wnen tidings reach them that their beloved Fraternity is constant and can endure even though a world war prevails.

Omicron is represented in the National Army by the following brothers: Lieutenants James M. Burwell, W. Robert Smalls, John Robinson, Wm. Curtis, Wilson Primes and Donald Jefferson; Privates Walter Cole 351st Field Artillery, J. Nathaniel Browne, Camp Grant, and Thomas uarton. Camp Upton. Brothers W .Roderick Brown and John H. Eckles are in the Medical Reserve Corps. Brother Arthur Richmond is in the S. A. T. C. Brother Otto V. Greene is in the School of Chemistry and Brother Wilbur Chalfant Douglass is in the School of Law. Other brothers are expected to return to school in the near future.

Brother Arthur D. Stevenson, B. S., LL. B. has been admitted to the bar and intends to practice in the near future in the city of Pittsburgh.

Hoping that this communication is in compliance with your request for information. I am Yours fraternally ARTHUR D. STEVENSON President of Omicron Chapter APA PI CHAPTER, CLEVELAND, OHIO Editor of the Sphinx Greetings to you and to all who have the interest of Alpha Phi Alpha at heart.

Shall the annual convention be held during the war? Yes, most assuredly. Pi Chapter has thot the matter over seriously and believes that by all means the convention should be held, if a chapter has to send alumni as delegates.

Why? Because we are now passing thru a crisis in the development of the world, when the "old order changeth," when thrj undergraduates of today are the leaders of tomorrow, when new and progressive thot is demanded, when great racial problems ari awaiting solution.

As a great and national organization (secret), scattered all over the country, yet united by a common purpose.—to uplift; Alpha Phi Alpha can be of the greatest service to humanity by striving to "carry on" that those principles, for which our loved ones have died or will die, may be secured to all peoples no matter what their color may be.

Therefore it is highly Imperative that the annual convention be held so that great problems can be thrashed out in. seer. I meetings, thus enabling the Fraternity to present a united front to the world. !•'. :• instance, the endeavor of Mr. Hughes, J regional director of the S. A. T. C. to hare all Ohio colored students go to Wilberfur •• : if the matter had not been satisfactorily settled it would have been detrimental to Alpha Phi Alpha principles.

But who knows when dil crimination may not crop l"

out h e r e or t h e r e ? So it behooves t h e n a t i o n a l organization to get ready and be p r e p a r e d to fight any effort to get colored stude n t s out of white colleges or any similar discrimination.

-Students at W. R. U. were urged to go to Wilberforce to avcid transfer and e m b a r r a s s m e n t , but they questioned the a u t h o r ity, t h e colored citizens got busy with t h e result t h a t t h e r e was found to be no a u t h o r i zation for separation of colored s t u d e n t s from white s t u d e n t s in the S. A. T. C. It was merely a suggestion.

W. R. U. s t u d e n t s stick it out even tho Oberlin, Wittenbery and o t h e r s t u d e n t s left t h e i r respective colleges.—their a l m a m a t e r s .

Bro. Daniel J. S t e w a r t is e n t e r i n g upon his senior year a t t h e W. R. Dental School.

Bro. Robt. S. Martin our live secretary is a s o p h o m o r e in t h e s a m e d e p a r t m e n t .

The latter deserves especial credit for his perseverance as he not only s u p p o r t s himse'.f b u t also d e p e n d e n t s upon what he e a r n s at night. E v e r y o n e w o n d e r s when he studies but he never fails a course. H e goes to w o r k at 5:30 P. M. works eight hours, •comes h o m e to sleep gets up In time to go to school a t 8:30 A. M. and stays t h e r e until 5:00 P. M. Can you beat it?

Bro. Geo. P. Hinton, f o r m e r national sec r e t a r y is now Regt. Sgt. Major, 317th engineers, A. E. F .

Pi seems to have the call on Sgt. Majors Bro. R a y m o n d S. J a c k s o n , our vice president. was m a d e Regt. Sgt. Major of t h e 814th P i o n e e r Inf. A. E. F . after only a m o n t h in c a m p . H e is now e n r o u t e to France.

Our president also, has left us in the person of Bro. Fred. C. Seelig. He is now i hing t e l e g r a p h y at t h e State College I i s. Carolina at which place Bro. A r d e n e L e a t h e r m a n is teaching radio.

Bro. E l m e r J. C h e e k s who until recently had c h a r g e of the Detroit office, for naval inspection, is now stationed at Ottawa, Canada. T h e Canadian Government quested an electrical engineer and Bro. C h e e k s was f o r t u n a t e enough to get the ion.

If ever an A. P . A. m a n should get in trouble in Cleveland, he need h a v e no fear, for he can call upon Attorney Selmo C. Glenn for legal assistance. Bro. Glenn retly passed the bar examination and is rapidly a c q u i r i n g a good practice.

Bro. Mundy of Kappa is now enrolled r vv. u. i/,w Sehool. Ohio s t a t e closed down its law school and Bro. Mundy decided to c o m e here.

While we a r e informed a great many of t h e colored s t u d e n t s have left Ohio Stale. yet Pi still votes for the convention to be held at ColumbUS or Wilberforce if it is .held in t h e west.

Pi has appointed a committee with Bro. 17

Dan Fowler, F a t h e r of our C h a p t e r as c h a i r m a n , which c o m m i t t e e is to act in conjunction with all o t h e r citizens and c h a p t e r committees in fighting discrimination of all kinds. B r o t h e r F o w l e r is a race fighter.

His a d d r e s s is 5202 H a r l e m avenue, Cleveland, Ohio.

A general w a r n i n g should be sounded lest c h a p t e r s desiring to keep their r a n k s filled might be less careful in electing new m e m b e r s . R e m e m b e r th A. P. A. s t a n d s for quality. We want men, at least those who can be m a d e into men. Pi expects to be more careful t h a n ever this year.

B r o t h e r Rufus C a r r is with an hospital d e t a c h m e n t overseas.

B r o t h e r David Fairfax, who s t a r r e d at football a t Reserve, is now t h e happy father of a bouncing baby learning to say "da-da."

Pi u r g e s every c h a p t e r before accepting men coming from other c h a p t e r s to institute secret inquiries so as to find out w h e t h er men posing a s A. P . A. men a r e really in good standing.

The w a r d e m a n d s new things of us; let us not be found wanting. Let us set ourselves to the new t a s k s and settle t h e m once for all. Lets do al we can to secure an early Allied complete victory; lets do still m o r e to secure t h e blessings of such a victory to ALL people.

Yours for Victory P e r P e r r y B. J a c k s o n .

APA U N I V E R S I T Y OK I L L I N O I S Dear B r o t h e r : — Last May, d u r i n g my initiation into t h e organization I was requested to compose the words of a song which was to be s u n g to the ar of some well known song. I chose the air of the Russian natonal a n t h e m , the words of wheh a r e "God ever sign of nations," etc. T h e that 1 wrote pleased t h e boys so well t h a t t h e y requested me to submit ' t h e m to t h e air of some well known SOUK. 1 ture. They are as fellows: FOR OUR A. P. A. Hail! our fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Leaders, scholars, wherever they be H e r cry is unity, with loving h e a r t s ih must be We'll always love and live for Our A. P. A. .

Sweet bond Of unity. Alpha Phi Alpha Teachers, helpers, so that all may see Uvr n a m e will ever ring her presence we will all sing T h r e e cheers for (Illinois) and for A.P.A. T h e n a m e of the local university or colmaj be substituted in t h e place of Illinois.

I hope that you will give it due consideration.

Remaining, f o u r s fraternally R I C H A R D HAUWOOD, C h a p t e r Editor.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. / APPROVES EXTENSION Editor of Sphinx: Tour letter and also follow up received and am sorry I was so negligent in answering with my dollar and encouragement. I don't believe I have been without the Sphinx since its inception and look forward with pleasure to its arrival. There is one thing that I would recommend, not in the form of criticism but which I firmly believe would make it more popular with the alumni. It is that each chapter should be constantly reminded to send in notes for each issue. My own chapter, Kappa, has been very negligent in this and altho thtalumni are glad to know of what other chapters are doing, we also are desirous of information of our own chapters. If the Editor of the Sphinx would keep this before the heads of the different chapters I believe We would have more variety of news in its columns.

To a larger and greater fraternity and my sincere approval of the movement to extend our scope to the largest and best of our colored colleges in the South.

I remain, fraternally yours J. C. KINGSLON, Bluefie:d, W. Va. APA THE WAY TO DO IT. Editor Sphinx: Enclosed find check for $5.00 for past subscriptions and about two years in advance. Give best fellowship to the Brothers Your brother S. FRANCIS COPPAGE. APA Boston, Mass.

Editor Sphinx: On account of the Influenza, the schools of Boston are just opening. At present we are not able to know how many of the fellows, or rather brothers, will be back.

"We may not be able to have an active chapter this school year, but will know in a few weeks. As the schools open, our brothers are getting into the S. A. T. C. Fraternally yours MARION A. ALLEN. Vice President of Sigma Chapter.

President and Secretary are in camp.

APA Editor Sphinx: The spirit of "Old Alpha" is burning just as bright as ever. But Brother Chippi-y and myself are swamped with work here.

One of the proofs of my loyalty to the Frat is as follows: Three weeks after I was made principal of this institution I had an

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Alpha man heie as my assistant (Arthur P. Chippey.) Next yÂŤar as I make further changes I am planning for at least another brother. And for each change I make you can know that a brother will go into the vacant place.

The Fraternity means more to us out of school than it could possib:y have meant while in. When things clear up just a little better here, I shall get off a real letter to you, letting you know a little of the spirit that grows wit hyears with every brother that leaves the Alpha Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Enclosed find a personal check' to the amount for which you asked.

Yours forever in A. P. A. H. RAY WOOTEN, Paducah, Ky. APA Field Hospital, No. 365, 317th Sanitary Train, A.P.O. 766, A. E. F., France.

Editor of the Sphinx: When I left America I did so with the resolution to keep in touch with the Fraternity, but work on this side made it well nigh impossible.

It is my wish that I could give news for publication about the brothers over here but we are near and yet so far from each other. However I can say that Alpha Phi Alpha here, is as everywhere, holding its own.

I am sure that the following brothers whose addresses I know join with me in a request that each issue of the Sphinx be mailed to us: Captain Charles H. Garvin, M. C, Ambulance Co. 366, 317 Sanitary Train A P O 766, A.E.F. France.

Lieut. Arthur Curtis, M. C, Field Hospifal No. 367, 317th Sanitary Train, A. P.O. 766 A.E.F. i> ranee.

Lieut. Edgar A. Draker, a t C. (same as Lieut. Curtis.

Lieut. Joseph C. Bradfield, M. C. Field Hospital No. 365, 317 Sanitary Train A P O 766 A.E.F., France.

I may add that our soldiers are living up to the traditions of their fathers.

Fraternally DeHaven HinTison, 1st Lieut. M. C. (Rho) APA Boston University at the annual exercises last year graduated in Theology, Brothers M. W. Clair and Earl H. Crampton. In law, Brothers William A. Dort and Judson C. Hickson, batchelors, and William A. Pollard, master.

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ELECTION OF OFFICERS HOW ONE FRATERNITY BtTILD3 On April 11, Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity elected the following of- To all Members of Pi Delta Theta: ficers: College and Fraternity conditions next President, Brother H. C. Stratton; Vice President, Brother L. A. Tancil; Secretary, fall promise to be unusually trying and seBrother T. A. Lander; Assistant Secrstary, vere on all our chapters. YOU can help Brother I. Wilson; Treasurer, Brother J. S. many chapters by sending In the following Sampson; Chaplain, Brother A. G. Lindsay: House Manager, Brother J. B. Walker; information about young men of your viSteward, Brother E. B. Stone; Assistant cinity who will attend some college this Steward, Brother N. L. McGhee; Members fall. Do not neglect giving mis help. of Board, Brothers T. B. D. Dyett, J. K. WAR TIME RUSHING BLANK. Jones and E. K. Downing.

College will attend .; course APA GAMMA ELECTS Name Home Address Gamma Chapter held her election at the General Appearance last regular meeting and the following officers were elected: President: H. S. Bro.vn School or College attended Vice President, J. E. Wright; Secretary; A. Scholastic record D. Price; Coresponding Secretary, C. H. Special talent—social, musical, athletic Shelton; Assistant Secretary, C. P. Franklin; Treasurer, W. A. Young; Chaplain, T. Father's name and occupation financial W. Crowder; Chapter Editor, T. P. Turner, Family standing—social Jr. Other fraternities that might rush him APA Do you heartily recommend him for memPERSONALS bership into the fraternity Cornelius P. Dawson is a student at ttu> Philadelphia Divinity Schoo:, Philadelphia. Name and chapter of sender APA Please mail this sheet to Fred R. Cowles.

Rufus J .Hawkins, Beta Alumnus, is a Phi Delta Theta House, Oxford, Ohio, who teacher at Florida Agricultural Mechanical will forward information to the chapters College, Tallahassee, Fla. at the colleges which the men will enter.

A PA J. W. Anderson, a teacher of mathematics has rounded out his CSUrC year In APA St. Paul Normal and Industrial School, Lawrencevilie, Va. STEPHEN LANE FOGER APA A. C. Falman, acting secretary for Mu Chapter, inactive, is residing now at the OFFICIAN JEWELER Be'nap Hotel, 4th Street and University Ave1. S. E. Minnesota.

TO APA Raymond W. Cannon, first editor of the ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY Snhinx, was drafted and sent to Camp Dodge, Iowa.

APA 160 BROADWAY N. Y. Through Brother Frederick L. Parker, a brother was placed in a position in con- CLUB AND COLLEGE PINS AND RING! nection with a State College at Dover, Deiaware, to work under Smith-Hughes act.

The positino pays from $1200 to $1500.

• APA Owen M. Waller Jr., Come;; 1917, Alpha THE SPHINX QUARTERLY Alumnus, is now affiliated with the Bureau of Animal Industries as Inspector at the Published for the Alpha Phi Alpha Fra Union Stockyaids, Chicago, 111. While in the Windy City he is acting corresponding ternity Inc., at the seat of Beta Chapte secretary for Theta Chapter.

Washington, D. C. Subscription $1.

APA Printing Committee—Thos. B. D. Dyet' The demobilization of the S. A. T. C. automatically does away wun the "request ' Sidnsy Brown, Charles Wesley, Carl J. Mu: of the War Department that Fraternities suspend activities as far as they affect mem- phy, Editor in Chief, 628 North Eutaw St., bers of Students Army Training Corps.

Baltimore, Md. 19

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