FEBRUARY CONVENTION
1936 NUMBER
ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, I n c OFFICIAL DIRECTORY General Officers PRESIDENT Dr. CHARLES H. WESLEY Howard University—Washington, D. C.
TREASURER PERCIVAL R. PIPER 18032 Wexford Avenue—Detroit, Mich.
SOUTHERN VICE-PRES. CHARLES W. GREENE 304 Griffin St. N. W.—Atlanta, Ga.
EDITOR OF THE SPHINX LEWIS O. SWINGLER 390 '/2 Beale Street—Memphis, Term.
EASTERN VICE-PRES. Dr. FARROW ALLEN 337 W. 138th St.—New York City
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION RAYFORD W. LOGAN Atlanta University—Atlanta, Ga. GENERAL COUNSEL THEODORE W. BERRY 415 W. Fifth Street—Cincinnati, Ohio
MTD-WESTERN VICE-PRES. SIDNEY A. JONES, Jr. 3456 S. State—Chicago, Illinois WESTERN VICE- PRES. BERT A. MCDONALD 319 E. 48th Street—Los Angeles, Calif. SECRETARY JOSEPH H. B. EVANS 101 S. Street N. W.—Washington, D. C.
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Dr. B. ANDREW ROSE 402 S. Bank Street—Dayton, Ohio LOWELL H. BENNETT Fisk University, Nashville WILLIAM S. RANDOLPH 426 E. Fifty-First Street—Chicago, 111.
JEWELS Dr
Henry A. Callie, Howard University, Washington, D .
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Robert H . Ogle,
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Washington D. C.
Washington, D . C.
Vertnec W. Tandy, 221 W. 139th St., New York City
CHAPTER 1. A L P H A — I t h a c a , N . Y . — A c t i v e
20. PHI—Athens, Ohio—Pres., 155 W . Washington Street.
thru membership of Jewels.
2. BETA—Washington, D . C—Pres., Third St. N . W .
; S e c , James A . Fairfax, 1 9 1 7
3 . G A M M A — R i c h m o n d , Va.—Pres., David A. Graves. 6 2 2 Judah S e c , W . Russell Chavious, Virginia U n i o n University. 4. D E L T A — M o n t r e a l , 5. E P S I L O N — A n n Sec
Street;
Canada—INACTIVE.
Harbor,
Michigan—Pres.,
6. Z E T A — N e w Haven, Conn.- -Pres., 2 1 6 Dwight Street.
Edwin
C
ROSTER
Thoma»;
C
_; S e c , D r . R. S. Fleming,
John
W.
Gasaway;
2 1 . C H I — N a s h v i l l e . T e n n . — P r e s . , Gregory Pleasants, Jr., 1 0 1 7 Sixteenth A v e n u e N .
A.
Sec
Walt,
Calvin;
C.
2 2 . PSI—Philadelphia, Pa.—Pres., Alton C. Berrv, 3 2 6 5 S e c , J. Gordon Baugh I I I , 1 8 1 9 Bainbridge Street.
Sec
24. A L P H A BETA—Talladega, Alabama—Pres.. Joseph Lawrence Washington; C . S e c , H e n r y Shorter.
A.
Pittman- CL. ' a«.,
Set,
2 5 . A L P H A G A M M A — P r o v i d e n c e , R. I s l a n d — I N A C T I V E ; G. LeCount, 4 2 Westminister Street.
8. T H E T A — C h i c a g o , 111.—Pres., Rev. Archibald J. Carey, Street; S e c , N e l s o n E. W o o d l e y , 4 6 2 6 Michigan Blvd.
46th
2 6 . A L P H A D E L T A — L o s A n g e l e s , Calif.—Pres., Bert M c D o n a l d 49th Street; S e c , Rufus S. N o r m a n , 7 0 8 E. 4 8 t h Street. '
9. I O T A — S y r a c u s e ,
N.
E.
Y.—INACTIVE.
10. K A P P A — C o l u m b u s . O h i o — P r e s . , James A . T i b b s , A v e n u e ; S e c , Edmund O. Oxley, 63 E. Elevenrh Campbell S. Warren, 2 0 9 H i g h l a n d Avenue.
2 3 6 E. Avenue;
Eleventh O Sec,
11. M U — M i n n e a p o l i s , Minn.—Pres., John R. Lawrence, Jr., 536 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul, Minn.; S e c , John M. Patton, 7 7 4 St. Anthony A v e n u e , St. Paul, Minn. 1 2 . N U — L i n c o l n University, Pa.—Pres., Wilfred B. Lloyd; R. S e c , Bush; C. S e c , H . Franklin Brown.
Douglas
1 3 . X I — W i l b e r f o r c e , O h i o — P r e s . , A. Joseph A l l e n ; S»c., Samuel Morria; C. S e c , J o h n Phillips; F. S e c , William W . Brown, P. O . B o x 1 8 2 . 1 4 . O M I C R O N — P i t t s b u r g h , Pa.—Pres., James O . D o u g a n , 2 4 0 0 Webster St.; Felix K. Gobble, 2 2 8 Alpine Street; F. S e c , H e n r y McCullough, 31 Wandlasa Street. 1 3 . P I — C l e v e l a n d , O h i o — P r e s . , Emmason D . Fuller, 2 2 2 3 B. 100th Street; Stc.r Clarence L. Sharpe, 4 6 0 9 Central Ave. 16. R H O — P h i l a d e l p h i a , P a . — P r e s . , D r . W . F. Jerrick, 1843 Christian Street; F. S e c , C. G. Garlick, 5 2 9 S. Nineteenth Street. 17- S I G M A — B o s t o n , Mass.—Pres D r . F. Irving Gray, 6 1 0 Columbus A v e n u e ; S e c , H a r o l d E. James, 161 W . Springfield Street. 18. T A U — C h a m p a i g n , Illinois—Pres., C D . Ashmore; S e c , J o h n E . Sullivan, Jr.; C. S e c , M . Archibald D u m a s , 6 1 3 South Wright Street. 19. U P S I L O N — L a w r e n c e . Kansas—Pres., Ezra Greer; C . .Bruce; R. S e c , Francis H e r n d o n , University of Kansas.
Sec,
Edward, J .
c ^•"et;
2 3 . A L P H A A L P H A — C i n c i n n a t i , O h i o — P r e s . , D r . B. F. Cann, 5221 i » 1 Street; SfC J o h n D e l a n e y , 30 W . 15th St., C o v i n g t o n , Ky • p c"" W . C. Weatherly, 2 3 9 Goodman Street. '' r - « « . ,
7. E T A — N e w York City—Pres., John Morsell. 180 W . 13 5th Street; Cecil Forster, 3 3 4 Green A v e n u e , Brooklyn, N . Y . 57
A. ty
Chancellor
Address
T ' J°«ph 3io Iy
y, E.
2 7 . A L P H A E P S I L O N — B e r k e l e y , Calif.—Pres., J o h n Ware, l o 3 6 w . St., Oakland, Calif.; S e c , James L. A l l e n , 9 5 1 40th Street n u " Calif.; C. S e c , George A . T o w n s , Jr., 2 9 0 0 Harper Street. ' "* 1 °«nd, A L P H A Z E T A — I n s t i t u t e , W . V a . — P r e s . , W i l l i a m C . Rosa- S«o t , H . Thompson, W . Va. State Teachers C o l l e g e . ' '• John 29. A L P H A E T A — C a m b r i d g e ,
Mass.—INACTIVE.
30. A L P H A T H E T A — I o w a Cry, Smith, 8 1 5 S. D u b u q u e Street.
Iowa—Pres.
Bernard
Con;
Sec
t ^mar
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31. A L P H A I O T A — D e n v e r , Colorado—Pres., David N . Howell. lord Street; Sec.
1221 r'* ^T-
32. A L P H A K A P P A — S p r i n g f i e l d , M a s s . — P r e s . , -J Sec. Erne* Dawson, 211 W . 146th St. Apt. 1 0 0 , N e w Y o r k City. ' * * " • * A. 3 3 . A L P H A M U — E v a n s t o n , Illinois—Pres., William C. Pyant A v e n u e ; S e c , Colbert B. Davis, 1 0 1 4 Emerson Street. 3 4 . A L P H A N U — A m e s , I o w a — I N A C T I V E ; Address, 315 Mulberry Street, D e s Moines, Iowa. 33. A L P H A XI—Milwaukee, Wisconsin—INACTIVE.
2021 M "town
Charles P
u ' "°»ard,
3 6 . A L P H A O M I C R O N — C h a r l o t t e , N . CarolinaH u b e r t A t? C . S e c , Claude E . Sloan; F. S e c , H e n r y C . D u g u , Jr., J o h n s o " 0 ^ n Smith University. ' C 37. A L P H A P I — L o u i s v i l l e , K y . — P r e s . , Perry A . Lively, J r . . 3 4 , , „ •. A v e n u e ; S e c , Joseph I. Hackett, 4 6 3 3 Park Blvd. * "«• 38. A L H A R H O — A t l a n t a Georgia—Pres., D i l U r d H . Brown- Sec o . -, D . S a x o n ; C. S e c , Armstead Pierro, Morehouse C o l l e g e . '" v * * r " i
THE SPHINX OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, Inc. . . Published Quarterly VOLUME 22
NUMBER 1
FEBRUARY. 1936
THE STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LEWIS O. SWINGLER 390 Vz Beale Avenue Memphis, Tennessee LITERARY EDITOR HUGH M. GLOS.E3 LeMoyne CoHege Memphis, Tennessee WHO'S WHO EDITOR GEORGE B. KELLEY Troy, New York HISTORY EDITOR CLYDE L. COLE Carver Junior High School Tulsa, Oklahoma FRAT FUN EDITOR DR. O. WILSON WINTERS Norristown, Pa. ART EDITORS IAMES D. PARKS Lincoln University Jefferson City, Mo. FERD:NAND ROUSSEVE New Orleans, La. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS MILTON S. J. WRIGHT Wilberforce, Ohio
CONTENTS Page "The Hitch Hiker"—Cartoon
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_
2
Our Reclamation Program
3
President Wesley's Convention Message
4-5
First Vice President's Convention Report
7-8
Guest Speaker At Silver Convention
_
8
The Hymn
8
Convention Report of Third Vice President
9-10
Conven'ion Report of Directors of Education Ceneral Officers of Alpha Phi Alpha _ Convention Address by Jewels
_
11-12 -
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13 —-
--•-- 14
Soh'nx Editor and Members of Staff
15
HostPS?es Assisting the Silver Convention; Highlights of Silver Convention
16
In'roducing Convention Hosts _
17
Address by Dr. F. D. Patterson
17
Alpha Tau Lambda, McGhee Cup Winner
- 19
James B. Browning
'"
Fraternity Fun
20
WILLIAM H. GRAY Southern University Scotlandville, La.
Nashville and The Undergradua'.e
21
Evening With Negro Composers
22
JOSEPH H. COTTON Memphis, Tennessee
Voice of The Sphinx
23
Hits and Misses
24
VICTOR L. GRAY Baltimore, Md. GRANT W. HAWKINS Indianapolis, Ind.
Pictorial Story of Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Chi, Balfour Cup Winner
24-25 _*
A Graduate Chapter As Agency of Community Uplift CIRCULATION E. OSCAR WOOLFOLK, Jr. Memphis, Tennessee ADVERTISING JOHN L. BRINKLEY, Jr. Memphis, Tennessee
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27 --
33
Opportunity Knocks At Door of Negro Youth
34
To All Chapters In Re: Regional Directors—From General President
36
36
BUSINESS THOMAS H. HAYES, Jr. Memphis, Tennessee
SUBSCRIPTION PRICE - One Dollar and Fifty Cents a Year
february^936
THE SPHINX
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February, 1936
THE SPHINX
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A PROGRAM OF RECLAMATION President Wesley, in his convention message, struck one of the keynotes of the Silver Convention at Nashville, Tenn., when he took cognizance of the large number of brothers delinquent with the fraternity. This problem, having become a major question, was discussed in a serious vein, perhaps more so than in the past, by the delegates. Forces have been at work to contribute to this delinquency problem. Forces that have wreaked havoc in many sections of the country that hitherto had been known as Alpha Phi Alpha strongholds. (While boasting of the additions we have made to the fold, we have, in some instances, failed to retain many of the brothers already in the band. The inspirational address of the president, followed by discussion by the delegates, quickened the consciousness of the Fraternity to the need of a well defined plan to reclaim our delinquent brothers. The creation of the office of Western Vice Presidency was a step in this direction. With this edition the new editor pledges his full support to make this RECLAMATION PROGRAM and every other phase of fraternity activity a success to the end that the course we pursue may lead to a "Greater and Finer Alpha Phi Alpha."
WHY I AM OUT OF THE FOLD By J. E. Oakes (One of the Lost Brothers) Alpha meant something to me in college because it served a definite purpose. 10 years ago a t Atlanta University, a student had to join a frat to get his moneys worth out of college. Not only was the fraternity the best possible source of congenial social contact, but it was a powerful force in stimulating rivalry in the classroom, on the athletic field and in all extra curricular activities. When I entered Fisk in 192 7 for my senior year, this tendency of the Fraternity to play a dominant role in collegiate life was even more evident. The transition period thru which the school was going at that time afforded splendid opportunity for fraternal expression. After college, even as far back as 1928, I found out an important truth which had been told me, but which I hadn't believed. I discovered that America has a place for the Negro on the college campus but no place for him after his college days are over. Since there was no place for me in the broad stream of American life, there was no way for me to correlate and use my fraternal contacts in adjusting myself. In short, since there was no opportunity for me as a personality, there was no expression for Alpha. IMy principal efforts during the past eight years have been directed toward making a living. If making a living had been easier, Alpha would have afforded a pleasant form of diversion. Unfortunately, I have not yet reached the point where I have such leisure. Part of this is due to what we call the depression, but I believe the fundamental reason is that my class-
mates and those after me came on the scene at the end of an era. The beginning of this era was the start of its ultimate doom. 20 years ago and earlier, a majority of our group thought that large numbers of us could be employed in businesses owned and operated by colored people under the loose designation of Negro Business. That premise has been proved fallacious. It was unsound from the start and its death was just hastened by the depression. Aside from the field of insurance, practically all colored business enterprise is comparatively petty, and the rewards are petty. I have come to believe our talent lies close to the line of artistic endeavor and musical accomplishment. Put any other 12 million people in our position and they would be strangled just as we are by sheer force of circumstances. But I am getting my perspective warped. Since we live in essentially a business civilization, I have been thinking rather narrowly of our opportunity in business enterprise. There is a definite place in America for the colored artist, the colored singer, the colored prize-fighter and the colored educator. The first three groups have no color barriers in their path to greatness. The educator lives in a separate and distinct world but he can rise to the top rung in that world. What I should have said is, there is no opportunity for colored people in business. The sensible thing is to realize this and get in another field. Government is gradually opening up chances for our group and this may develop into real outlet for our talent. Of course, there is a definite and secure place for the Negro in this country. I believe that our country and our system offers the greatest opportunity than any other country and any other system. And this goes for Russia where Langston Hughes went, but from where he came back. Nobody would leave a better place to go to a worse, not even a reformer in 1936. What I do say is that special college training fits a man for a place that doesn't exist. I say this, since the fraternity is a college growth, and we are discussing fraternities. Now that I have stated the problem, what about the remedy? What method can be employed to interest the missing brothers is Alphadom? Reclaiming men on the campus should be largely a matter of economics. A college man will join a frat and stay in it if he can afford it. Cutting all costs to the bone will get the undergraduate brother. Reclaiming men off the campus is harder and different. The citizenship move instead of the straight high school-college program is a step in the right direction. I have stated why I am outside of the fold. I have no panacea to offer for reclamation. The job is too big for me, too big for any one man. The only way to arrive at a genuine program is to conduct an open forum thru the Sphinx and crystallize these ideas into a definite procedure.
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THE SPHINX
J[ebruary1_l93g
HIS INSPIRING LEADERSHIP CONTINUES
Dr. Charles H. Wesley, Howard University, who was re-elected to begin his third term as General President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is also author of the fraternity history, the second edition of which is now available.
The President's Convention message, covering e v e r v p h a s e of the fraternity should be studied thought! fully by every brother i n the fraternity,
DR. CHARLES H. WESLEY General President
President Wesley's Convention Message ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL PRESIDENT TO THE TWENTY-FIFTH GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY NASHVILE, TENNESSEE DECEMBER 30, T935 To the Delegates and brothers of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Greetings: We assemble today in one of the most historic conventions in the history of any organization, the Silver Convention. This gathering marks a distinct milestone in the onward march of the first of the organizations among Negro college men. We meet here with a certain measure of pride in ourselves but not to boast of our history or our attainments for when we would be boastful, we are sobered by the consciousness of the responsibilities which we inherit. It was in 1908 when the first Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha assembled at Howard University in Washington, D. C. There were only three active chapters represented by six delegates at this first of our conventions. They were Alpha, Beta and Gamma Chapters. One other chapter, even then inactive, Delta, at the University of Toronto, Canada, had been organized but no delegates were present from it. Fond hopes and great expectations were the dreams of the delegates and brothers who composed this convention. This sentiment was expressed by Brother Lyle of Beta Chapter who opened the convention, when he said that he hoped that "the influence of Alpha Phi Alpha would reach every Negro college and university in the land, to bring together under one bond and with one bond
of fraternal love all the worthy leading college men wherever found, to form as it were a link to bind them togethter." That was said on December 2 8, twenty-five conventions ago. This dream has almost come true. Alpha Phi Alpha has reached into the leading Negr 0 colleges and universities of the nation and brought together the worthy college men. Today in the place of those four chapters embracing both undergraduate and graduate brothers, there are fifty-eight undergraduate chapters and forty-seven graduate chapters. One fourth of the chapters formed the inactive list twenty-five conventions ago, and it is quite probable that in spite of cur depression with its resulting in_ fluence upon organizational life that the report of the inactive chapters will show no greater proportion today. Truly, we have come a long way since 1908. and we know "There are gains for all our losses, There are balms for all our pain." As we undertake the work of this convention, let us do it with the shadows of the past years about us and with the earnest belief that the best days are not behind us, but always before us. This belief, this attitude, will bring to us not only pride of membership in an organization which has held twenty-five conventions of a national type but also a realization of the responsibility which falls upon those of us today are the heirs of the past. As your General President, I come to you today to make my second report of my stewardship. My first report was made in St. Louis in 1933. We did not
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
President Wesley's make false promises then nor did we build up false hopes. We did state with conviction that there were definite objectives before us and we believe that many of these objectives have been attained. The keynote which was sounded again and again at this convention was the responsibility of the fraternity in the promotion of racial advancement. Emphasis in one way or another was placed upon this proposed trend in fraternity development. We came to St. Louis with the conviction that in many respects the fraternities of America had been bowing down to false gods, and that they, like the colleges also, had obligations to the social order. We realized that there were college executives and faculties who were opposing the continuance of the fraternities and advocating their abolition. We knew that the new dormitory development and the inner college plans which provided on the Oxford basis for separate colleges within the college were new obstacles to the fraternity chapter houses. The new college and dormitory system at Yale, and to a lesser degree in other collges has affected the old fraternal life. President Angell of Yale disclaimed any desire to oppose the continuance of the fraternities and he has made it clear that their continuance was entirely in their own hands. The Spectator, the Columbia University Student paper, was bold enough editorially, just prior to our St. Louis Meeting, to demand the abolition of all fraternities. In the face of these criticisms, the fraternities began to swing slowly toward more serious points of view. Their age of "whoopee" had passed. There was to be more emphasis upon study and less upon play. It was not at all unusual during the past few years to find fraternity scholarship above non-fraternity scholarship. The issue is not yet settled for the fraternities and their places in the collegiate process is uncertain. We are still in many places on trial. We must win our spurs in order to keep them. As one scholarly observer says, "after years of easy sailing they (fraternities) are facing their first real test. Will they show themselves such an indispensable feature ef undergraduate life, with such an important contribution of their own to make to the chang ing educational picture that universities will be forced to take them into account? Or will they merely prove to be more excess baggage of an outworn era that can be advantageously discarded as the world moves on into the n e w ? " It was at the St. Louis Convention that this realization came home with greater force to Alpha men. Our Program has always had its serious interest in service to the people in their advancement. But a more general awakening came in 1933 when there was an increased realization of the social responsibility of our fraternity. A more triumphant conclusion of the matter was evidenced at the Special ConvenfTon in Chicago in 1934. Alpha Phi Alpha, however, was not led to this position as a defense aginst criticism, as was so largely true of American fraternities. We arrived at this place through the reflective thinking characteristic of our recent conventions. It can no longer be said that the chief function of Alpha Phi Alpha as a college fraternity is pleasure. Its chief function is still as it was in the first
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mvention Message years to be "servants of all." In spite of the thirty different fraternal and secret organizations, fraternities and sororities which are active in Negro life, it is more than evident that the program of Alpha Phi Alpha is both unique and necessary.
The Passing Of One Of Our Founders Since last we met the ranks of our Jewels have been entered by the Grim Reaper. It is with deep regret and heart-felt grief that we report officially the passing into the Great Beyond of Jewel Chapman, Founder and brother beloved in the bonds of Alpha Phi Alpha. We have been totally unprepared for any break in the links of the chain which for more than two decades has kept together the Founders of our Fraternity. The death of Brother Chapman came as a complete shock to us. We have bowed, however, in humble submission to the will of Him who doeth all things well. Alpha Phi Apha will be the poorer for Ms passing. His name is already enshrined in glorious letters that will not fade upon the pages of our history. The first edition of our history states that he was "an ardent worker in the fraternity's cause." This statement is entirely true both in the early and later years of the fraternity's life. He was the first chairman of the committee on initiations, during the first days of the fraternity at Cornell University in 1906-1907. He was a speaker at the first banquet of the fraternity, using as his subject "Loyalty," which has been an attribute of his life in the after years. He was also chairman of the committee on organization, which created the type of organization which the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has today. Charles H. Chapman was a pioneer in Negro college fraternity history. He was one of the original seven who brought the first Negro College fraternity into being. For us, he has passed all too soon, but his memory will be ever green. Whenever we meet as a national organization, we shall pause in respectful silence while we think of him and of his work and sacrifice for the Alpha Phi Alpha cause and the ideals for which it stands.
"To us from falling- hands he tJhrew The Torch. Be ours to hold it high." The funeral services were held a t the Florida A. & M. College where Jewel Chapman was a teacher. Jewels Callis and Murray were sent by the General organization to represent the other Jewels at these services. Brother Reverend J. Raymond Henderson, pastor of the Wheat Street Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, preached the funeral sermon. Flowers and condolences were sent from the General Organization to the family and were noted at the services. He is gone from earthly scenes but he is not forgotten by those of us who carry on in his place. We shall carry in mind his genial temper, his persistent loyal purpose, his unostentatious service to others, and we shall endeavor to have these qualities live again in us.
Our Financial Status No serious challenge has faced the fraternity's finances since we last met. When we assembled in St. Louis, the General President had to report that the
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February, 193R
THE SPHINX
PRESIDENT WESLEY'S CONVENTION MESSAGE budget of thÂŤ General Officers had to be reduced by action of the Executive Council. We have done well during these years of depression and we have come through on the right side of the ledger. In response to my recommendation at the last convention, it was ordered that a permanent reserve fund be established not only by the segregation of our funds but also by the purchase of at least one thousand dollars in Government securities; and that from time to time additions be made to this amount. By direction of the General President and ir consultation with him, the Treasurer reports to me the purchase of nine hundred ninety-three dollars and seventy-five cents ($993.75) worth of Government bonds which will mature in ten years to thirteen hundred twenty-five dollars ($1,325.00) these bonds should be placed in some safe place, possibly a safe deposit box or in the hands of a Trust officer of a National Bank so that they may not b<* kept around the home of the person holding them where they would be more subject to fire and loss. (When this plan is carried out over a period of years, and we are able to continue the investment of five hundred dollars a year in s w h securities, we can plan for the reduction of the Grand Tax or for programs of larger usefulness to ourselves and to others. It seems desirable, however, at present to plan for the laying of the foundation rather than the diminution of it. The Grand Tax The maintenance of this tax at its present level has enabled us to make the current financial report. In connection with the proposals for the reduction of thÂŤ Grand Tax, I repeat my observations of the last Convention, which are as pertinent now as they were then. Is this the way out? One may doubt that it is. It is asserted that our Grand Tax should remain the same and that the Fraternity should do more for the brothers, and particularly for those who need its service, than it does at present. This attitude and a strong treasury may lead to an insurance plan, to fraternity house financing, to new scholarship ventures, to a National Headquarters with a full-time secretary, to the establishment of permanent contacts with national organizations serving the interests of the Negro and to numerous avenues of endeavor which we may discuss throughout our conventions. A lower Grand Tax means a reduced income and this may mean a necessary reduction in expenditures if we intend to balance the budget. May we not obtain this reduction without the reduction of the General Tax? We can reduce expenditures, keep the budget as it is, .increase the surplus and plan to attain the larger opportunities to serve our group. The General Organization It has been apparent to the General President in the past two years that the connecting links between the General Organization and the chapters are too loose, too uncertain, and too infrequent. The ideal system, if we could support and maintain it, would be the employment of a traveling secretary whose direct and only function would be to stimulate the chapters by direct contacts. Since this seems impracticable at present, it is desirable
that we develop possible substitutes. We ought to p i a n our national work so that no local chapter can ever conclude that it can carry on its activity without connections with the General Organization. To this end, there should be a reorganization and an addition to our vicepresidential system, 'ihe areas are so large today within each jurisdiction and the chapters so numerous that neither the General President nor the vice-presidents can visit all the chapters however desirous the l 0 c a i chapters might be of this relationship. Substitutes can be found, however, in the appointment of several regional directors, who would be assistants to the vicepresidents in each jurisdiction A very small budget. or an increase in the budgets of the vice-president 3 would be necessary, for this work would be in p a r t voluntary and if selected with care, as they would be ample returns would be made for their efforts, W e can go from this convention with this set-up if this Convention will so order. In this same connecton, mere is a pressing n e e d for the re-creation of a far Western Vice-President, that is, a real western Vice-President. The present Western Vice-President would then be known as Mid-Western Vice-President. This was once our system but it was abandoned mainly because the budget of this 0 ffi Ce could be used to better advantages at that time in the educational program. Since then many events have conspired to convince us that this office is necessary. The colleges in the west have attracted our young men in larger and larger numbers. Thousands of Negroes are making their homes in this area and also Alpha men in the professions and in education are settled there. A recent letter from the University of Washington, selected from several letters received describes this need. In Iowa, California, Nebraska and other states the need of supervision and development i s pressing. Your attention is earnestly directed to this matter of connecting the General Organization more closely with the chapters.
THE SPHINX It may be that the time has come for a wider distribution and more frequent circulation of our fraternity organ. Some brothers talk even in terms of a Monthly. This, of course, means money as well as time for editorial duties. And the matter should be considered mainly upon these two bases, t h e funds and the individual with1 the talent and the time to devote to its pioneer development. Otherwise it would be well to have the continuation of the present Sphinx issues. But, let it be understood that these issues should appear regularly and that they should be as good as Alpha ability can make them. Would it not be well also to consider the sending of a t least one issue, especially the one containing the General Convention results to all brothers whose addresses we have irrespective of current Grand Tax payment? Budgetary planning might take care of this distribution and the p i a n s would more than pay the fraternity in the long run, especially if accompanied with an appeal for activity' Some of our brothers tell me that they have not received a copy of the Sphinx in many years. This may result from their own inactivity, but we should en(Continued on p a g e 39)
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
Page 7
First Vice Presidents Convention Report
Bro. Charles W. Greene, prominent insurance man, was reelected as South3rn Vice - President. Chap t e r s in his jurisdiction have shown growth and development.
BRO. CHARLES W. GREEN Brother President, Officers, and Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., in Annual Convention assembled December 28, 29th, 30th and 31st, 1935. GREETINGS: I hereby submit a report of activities of the office of the Southern Vice-President as follows: The general routine of circularizing the chapters in the jurisdiction was executed when necessary. The office was required to correspond to a large degree personally with chapter officers and with brothers pertaining to personal affairs with chapters. Personal visits to chapters were limited to almost exact necessities in the effort to economize. Our office however, has been able Co adjust and generally satisfy some special requests that came to our attention from chapters. This office directed the operation of these special requests thereby adjusting the matters to the satisfaction of the fraternity and the chapters. Graduate and Undergraduate Chapters in the Southern jurisdiction a r e making fine progress. I am please to rePort but few irregularities. The office had to intercede to prevent a Graduate Chapter from disrespecting an Undergraduate Chapter's to deny initiation to applicants deemed ineligible by the Undergraduate Chapter that protested the initiation. I made contact and gave service to chapters and brothers in any jurisdiction at the request of the brothers. Being in the territory, I felt it a duty ito serve the fraternity where ever a service could be rendered. A keen spirit of fraternity activity was observed in many sections. Chapters Organized Alpha Upsilon Lambda, Montgomery, Alabama, was organized December 29, 1934, by Brother Chas. W. Greene, 1st General Vice President of Atlanta, Georgia,
assisted by Brother H. C. Trenholm, President of Alabama State College, Montgomery, Alabama. Alpha Chi Lambda, Augusta, Georgia, was organized April 27, 1935, by 1st. Vice President, Chas. W. Greene, of Atlanta, Georgia. Alpha Tau Lambda, Tulsa, Okla., was organized March 18, 1934 by formea- General President, Lucius L. McGhee of Oklahoma City, Okla. Alpha Psi Lambda, Columbia, S. C, was organized May 7, 1935 by Brother A. L. Simpson, President Allen University, Columbia, S. C. All of the above chapters are doing well and fill a great need of the Brothers in their respective localities. Seve.al graduate chapters rendered a great service to their community in civic affairs. Especially significant in community and civic affairs during 1935, was Alpha Mu Lambda at Knoxville, Tennessee. The brothers of this chapter sponsored an organization, San Juan Civic Club, which they too, became ofiicers to oust a municipal judge who used and allowed others in his court, to use, the wordsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; "Nigger," and "Darkey." They caused to be elected a judge who was impartial and respectful to Negroes. Summer camping by the members of Alpha Mu Lambda is another departure of chapter activity to be recommended to graduate chapters to inspire greater chapter interest. Go-To-High School, Go-To-College Campaign The campaign was not as vigorously pushed by most chapters during 1934-'35 as in former years. Good results were obtained where the Go-to-high School Go-to-College Campaign was exercised. Scholarships and prizes were not as numerous as in former years, but were given by a few. chapters. Special emphasis was paid our Education for Citizenship Campaign in many sections of the Southern jurisdiction. Eta Lambda, Alpha Rho and Alpha Phi chapters at Atlanta combined their effort to give an outstanding public program featuring three speakersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Dr. W. E. B. Dubois, Atty. A. T. (Walden, Prof. F. B. Washington in panel discussion to an overflow crowd. Special memorial programs were sponsored by many chapters in the Southern jurisdiction in honor of Brother Jewel, Chas. H. Chapman. Chapters in the Southern jurisdiction contributed to the Sphinx when published. No Southern Conference was held during 1934, because of the Special General Convention a t Chicago, August 19-22. Chapters In Jurisdiction Of 1st Vice President Alpha Chi; Tau Lambda; Beta Omicron, Nashville, Tenn., Alpha Rho; Alpha Phi, and Eta Lambda, Atlanta, Georgia; Alpha Beta, Talladega, Alabama; Alpha Sigma, Marshal, Texas; Apha Sigma Lambda, Dallas, Texas; Alpha Eta Lambda, Houston, Texas; Alpha Nu Lambda, Tuskegee, Alabama; Alpha Delta, Los Angeles, California; Alpha Epsilon, Berkeley, Cal.; Alpha Pi Lambda, Winston Salem, N. C. Alpha Mu Lambda, Knoxville, Tenn., Alpha Delta Lambda, Beta Xi, Memphis, Tenn., Alpha Epsilon Lambda, Jackson, Miss., Beta Delta, Orangeburg, S.C., Beta Epsilon, Greensboro,
Februarv^Q3 e
THE SPHINX
Page 8 FIRST VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT
N. C., Beta Zeta, Austin, Texas, Beta Nu. Tallahassee, 11a., Kappa Lambda, Greensboro, N. C, Omicron, Birmingham, Alabama, Pi Lambda, Little Rock, Ark., Psi Lambda, Chattanooga, Tenn., Sigma Lambda, New OrLans, La., Phi Lambda, R.lei-h, N. C, Beta Eta Columbia, S. C, (Unorganized) Beta Iota. Durham, N. C. (Unorganized) Alpha Upsilon Lambda. Montgomery, Alabama; Alplha Chi Lambda, Augusta, Georgia; Alpha Tau Lambda; Tulsa, Okla., Alpha Psi Lambda, Columbia, S. C. Beta Iota, authorized to be organized at Durham, N. C. has not met requirements, and has not been organized. Beta Eta, authorized to be organized at Columbia, S. C. has net been organized. Reason same as Beta Iota. No definite reason has been given by Beta Eta or Beta Iota for not meeting requirements, therefore, it is assumed that financial conditions of the undergraduates prevent their plans. Several attempts through correspondence failed to bring results. These charters should be canceled. Chapter Activity The activity of the chapters has been generally good, but not exceptional. Most chapters, however, have carried out regular programs, although registering many unt'inancial memberships. The financial status is improving in several chapters, which will assure more normal grand tax payment to the fraternity. The b.others demonstrate the usual spirit, and are adding members of strong character and ability. Some â&#x20AC;˘chapters report progress in their effort to reinstate inactive brothers of their community and appreciate the continuation of the special dispensation of $1.00 on reinstatement. More grand tax has been collected on account of the low reinstatement fee. Joint chapter meetings are continued in cities and communities where more than one chapter is located. These meetings serve to acquaint more thoroughly the graduate and undergraduate brothers and to further the progress of the frate.nity on a combined chapter plan. Meetings of such character are held at Atlanta, Georgia, Nashville, Tennessee, and Memphis. Tennessee. Beta Nu Chapter at Tallahassee, Flo.ida, is continuing to serve ve. y effectively its dual capacity of undergraduate and graduate membership in the absence of full activity of Upsilon Lambda at Jacksonville, Florida. Upsilon Lambda made a grand atttempt to revive the fraternity spirit and retu.n to active membership many of the brothers in Florida through a program known as "The O.ange Blossom Ceremonial." Alpha Delta Lambda, Memphis, was awarded the Balfour Cup by the Chicago convention with 100% rating. Eta Lambda, Atlanta, Georgia, has the distinction of furnishing a fellow, Myron Bumstead Townes, as recipient of a fellowship of $400 for advanced work toward the degree of Doctor of Philsophy in chemistry at the University of Michigan. Two national scholarships won by Southern jurisdiction in 1935. Mr. Henry Alexander Ryan, of LeMoyne College, Memphis, Tennessee, and Mr. Wiley Bowman Daniel, Jr., of Fisk Unive.sity, Nashville, Tennesse were granted one hundred dollars ($100) scholarships.
Alpha Nu Lambda Chapter a t Tuskegee, Alabama, again active, and should be placed on the active \\J New brothers have been inducted and the chapt â&#x20AC;˘ looks forward to old time activity with the b r o t h ^ of the chapter cooperating with their president, w J* Paine. Alpha Phi Chapter, Clark University, Atlant Georgia, holds the spot light for their 8th Anniv *' sary p.ogram. (Please Turn to Page 48)
B of ter John Hoprj is president of Atlanti University, holder of the Phi Beta Kappa Key, and one of the outstanding educators of the country.
BRO. JOHN HOPE Pres. of Atlanta U.
GUEST SPEAKER AT SILVER CONVENTION Dr. John Hope, president of Atlanta University, ^tlanta, Ga., was guest speaker at the Silver Convention in Nashville, lenn. He delivered his address to a pub lie audience at the Fisk University Chapel, Sunday December 29th. His address was a timely message to the coUege youth of today. "THE HYMN" In our dear A. Phi A fraternal spirit binds, All the noble, the true, and courageous; Manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind Are the aims of our fraternity. Chorus Alpha Phi Alpha, the pride of our hearts, And loved by us dearly are thou, We cherish thy precepts, thy banner shall be raised, To thy glory, thy honor and renown. We hold ever aloft noble ideals and aims, Carrying out earth's and Heaven's grand command; Our true hearts ever strive, success' goal to attain', That our fraternity's praises may be sung. College days swiftly pass, imbued And the recollections slowly fade Our renowned A Phi A and dear May they ever abide and with us
with mem'ries fon(1 away, fraternal bond, stay.
THE SPHINX
February, 1936
Page 9
Convention Report of Third Vice-President
Bro. Sidney A. Jones, young Chicago attorney, was re-elected to the position as Midwestern Vice - President of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Brother Jones earned out the responsibilities of his office with success.
BRO. SIDNEY A. JONES Midwestern Vice-President
Report of Sidney A. Jones, Jr., Third Vice-President, Western Jurisdiction To the President, Officers, Delegates, and Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., at the General Convention, Assembled December 28 to 31, 1935, Nashville, Tennessee. I hereby submit a report of the activities of the office of the Third Vice President for the years 1934 and 1935. The following chapters are included in the Western Jurisdiction: Epsilon, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Theta, Chicago, Illinois. Kappa, Columbus, Ohio. Mu, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Xi, Wilberforce, Ohio. Omicron, Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania. Pi, Cleveland, Ohio. Tau, Champaign, Illinois. Upsilon, Lawrence, Kansas. Phi, Athens, Ohio. Alpha Alpha, Cincinnati, Ohio. Alpha Delta, Los Angeles, California. Alpha Epsilon, Berkeley, California. Alpha Theta, Iowa City, Iowa. Alpha Iota, Denver, Colorado. Alpha Mu, Evanston, Illinois. Alpha Xi, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Alpha Tau, Akron, Ohio. Alpha Upsilon Detroit, Michigan. Alpha Psi, Jefferson C'ty, Missouri. Beta Beta, Lincoln, Nebraska Beta Iota, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Alpha Lambda, Louisville, Kentucky.
Beta Lambda, Kansas City, Missouri. Gamma Lambda, Detroit, Michigan. Epsilon Lambda, St. Louis, Missouri. Theta Lambda, Dayton, Ohio. Iota Lambda, Indianapolis, Indiana. Xi Lambda, Chicago, Illinois. Chi Lambda, Wilberforce, Ohio. Alpha Omicron Lambda, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Alpha Rho Lambda, Columbus, Ohio. Alpha Pi, Louisville, Kentucky. Beta Eta, Carbondale, Illinois. Alpha Xi Lambda, Toledo, Ohio. Circular letters were sent to chapters four times during the years 1934 and 1935 urging the chapters to maintain the standard and carry on the work of the fraternity, and also informing them of certain activities and giving information which was needed by all of the chapters as a whole, and which was not contained in other circular letters from other general offices. In May, 1935, personal letters were sent to all of the chapters which had less than seven financial members urging them to get financial and to restore chapter activities. During the two years personal visits were made to the following chapters: Alpha Mu, Evanston, Illinois. Alpha Pi and Alpha Lambda, Louisville, Ky. Beta Eta, Carbondale, Illinois. Tau, Champaign, Illinois, (two visits). Iota Lambda, Indianapolis, Indiana. Theta Lambda, Dayton, Ohio. Xi, Wilberforce, Ohio. Theta Lambda, Dayton, Ohio. Beta Iota, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The visit to Louisville, Kentucky, in May, 1934, was for two purposes. First, to set up Alpha Pi Chapter at the Louisville Municipal College, and to participate in the "Go to High School" campaign of the two chapters of that city where I served as principal speaker of the mass meeting which closed the campaign. At the Alpha Mu Chapter in Evanston visits were necessary to straighten out internal dissensions in the chapter which was successfully done, and the chapter is now working smoothly. The visit to Epsilon Lambda was marked by efforts to encourage fraternity activity and telling of the general work and progress of the fraternity. Visits to Tau Chapter in Champaign, Illinois, were made for the purpose of advising the students there, helping them in their problems, and inquiring into the general status of the members at the University of Illinois. The chapter there at the present time is getting along splendidly with the chapter house in a better financial condition than ever before. The meeting at Iota Lambda in Indianapolis was used to tell of the work and activities of the fraternity and to encourage the brothers to make the chapter an asset in the community. Beta Lambda at Dayton, Ohio, was visited in the fall of 1935. The brothers had arranged a banquet at the country home of Brother Dr. W. G. Huffman of Richmond, Indiana, which was very well planned and quite enjoyable. It was well attended and it was felt that it was most beneficial in increasing the interest of the brothers in that vicinity. At all of the chapters visited the Vice-President at-
Page 10
THE SPHINX
tempted to clearly outline the work of the fraternity and encourage chapter activities and individual activity of all concerned. , a„ „ A large amount of personal correspondence was necessary and this office has corresponded from time to time with every chapter in the entire Western jurisdiction. Many inquiries came in with reference to procedure and in reference to chapter houses, initiations, chapter powers, and the like Frequently a request for information would come by telegraph with a request for an answer by the same means. It is not necessary to enumerate here the types of problems dealt with. This office was always happy to answer any question or t 0 help solve any problem, but it has felt that if the brothers would study more carefully the constitution of the general organization, they could to a very large degree answer more of their own questions involving the rights and powers of a chapter and the rights and powers of the individual members, and other questions of like nature. CHAPTERS ORGANIZED Alpha Pi, Municipal College, Louisville, Kentucky; was established May 5, 1934. Beta Eta, Southern Illinois State Normal College, Carbondale, Illinois; was established May 12, 1934. Beta Iota, Western State Teachers' College, Kalamazoo, Michigan; was established December 6, 1935. (This is the youngest chapter in the fraternity at the present time, it is believed.) All of these chapters were authorized by the last general convention, and it is felt that they are valuable additions to our fraternity. All are doing well and fill a great need of the students in the respective colleges where they are located. CHAPTER ACTIVITY The activity of the chapters has been generally good, but there is room for much improvement. Most of the chapters were prompt in answering the communications and in sending in reports, while it was difficult to hear from others. Beta Beta Chapter at Lincoln, Nebraska, has been reorganized through the splendid cooperation of Brother Walker of St. Louis, who was formerly a member of that chapter; Brother J. R. Lillard, and Brother B. E. Squires. The chapters in Chicago are perhaps the most active in the jurisdiction, having promoted a special convention in the summer of 1934, and purchased and equipped what is said to be the finest fraternity house in the organization. The chapters, working jointly, sponsored many social activities and also public lectures, featuring such men as Brother Hansberry of Howard University, who gave a brilliant address on the history of Ethiopia to a packed audience. Because the special convention heretofore referred to was held in Chicago it was impractical and unnecessary to call a regional convention during the year 1934. THE GO TO HIGH SCHOOL; GO TO COLLEGE CAMPAIGN Brother John W. Davis, National Director of the "Go to High School—Go to College" campaign appointed me director of the campaign in Illinois. All Illinois chapters were contacted and programs outlined for the "Go to High School—Go to College" campaign during the spring of 1935. Unfortunately very few chapters have reported concerning the progress or the results made during the campaign. This office feels that the educational campaign is not -as-i^rtsiv-e 1 and as systematic and helpful as it has been
Februaryjc^
in the past. As a matter of fact, there seems to ^ j . enthusiasm and spirit put into our annual educational Ca '" paign. This office really feels that the c a m p a i g n i s "' sidered by most of the chapters as a joke, and that th." brothers have no qualms of conscience in paying n o att P „ tion at all to our educational program. I feel that th;' lethargic attitude to our educational campaign is the m serious problem facing our fraternity, and that it 8 h j * be dealt with at this convention. «• MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES This office cooperated with Brother Morton of AlDh Mu Chapter in securing information about college nfe which information he used for writing a thesi s f o r *» masters degree in psychology at Northwestern Universit, A form letter was written and mailed to all chapters (at the expense of Brother Morton) asking them to fill
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-
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questionnaires concerning educational achievements a complishments, aims in life, vocational choices before &1 after college, and at present, and things of that SOr t which Brother Morton has said would be available to th' Director of Education, if it is desired. Special thanks is due to Alpha Iota Chapter 0 f DeriVe Colorado, for a copy of the very splendid address m a d e J ' Brother David N. Howell, the president, upon his taki n office in 1935. The address was very brilliant and th* theme was that Alpha men should take an active P a r t . e the problems of the race in the community in which the! live. The president had a complete program for the who) year's work, which if followed by other chapters w * mean a great deal for the fraternity. Brother Howaw Jenkins is secretary of this chapter. Much credit is due Brother Hackley E. Woodford the president of the youngest chapter in the fraternity, g e t Iota Chapter. For two years, 1934 and 1935. there W a , correspondence concerning this chapter about once a w * and Brother Woodford was finally successful i n gettj n ' the chapter established in Kalamazoo on December 6, 193.? Brother Dr. C. A. Alexander of Kalamazoo, Michig ailj j ' also entitled to much credit for assisting this undergr a d Ua . S chapter. Much praise is due Brothers J. R. Lillard, B. E. Squirea and Arnold B. Walker for reviving Beta Beta Chapter ;n' Nebraska. Brothers from Xi Chapter were prompt t 0 answer communications and are carrying on a splendid work. Brothers Frank Stanley, Stewart Pickett, and A. 1 Ramsey are doing good work in the chapters at Louisvi'ue and Brothers H. T- Rielly, George Gray, Tom Horn(Sr' Henry Richardson, and Grant W. Hawkins have worW very hard keeping up the life of the chapter at Indiana*. olis. Space does not allow more individual mention « special activities, and it is felt that many brothers a n d chapters have done outstanding things that would be ,,« much interest if they were known. CONCLUSION This report has been brief and has only intended t give a general idea of the scope of the work and the activ° ties of this office. It can be seen that a detailed statement of everything done in connection with every chapter aild every problem could not possibly be outlined. I have done everything in my power and have giVe much time and energy in an effort to hold up the ideals and forward the program of Alpha Phi Alpha. I w ; S n t o press my sincere thanks for the splendid aid and cooperatj that I have received from the general officers, especial? ? (Please Turn to. Page 48)
THE SPHINX
February, 1936
Page 11
Convention Report of Director of Education Report of the Director of Education TO THE
SILVER CONVENTION OF
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Nashville, Tennessee, December 28-31, 1935 The Director of Education begs leave to submit the following report on the administration of his office: I EDUCATION FOR CITIZENSHIP At the St. Louis Convention in 1933, the conviction was expressed that the "Go to High School—Go to College" campaign had largely outlived its usefulness. Since the Convention did not decide what program should replace it, your Director of Education, after consultation with a number of brothers, decided to inaugurate a campaign of education for citizenship as the major activity of the Fraternity. The reception given by the Chapters and by the public in the first year of the campaign indicated that there was need for such a program and that it would be widely supported. In the second year, therefore, this campaign was continued on a more extensive scale. Because the duties of your Director of Education had become very heavy, he appointed Brother Mack C. Spears, of Kansas City. Kansas, chairman of this phase of the work. Much credit is due Brother Spears and his Regional Chairmen for the success of this campaign during the past year. It is to be regretted that time will not permit a detailed statement of the activities of many of the Chapters. Suffice it t 0 say that public meetings, radio addresses, newspaper publicity, the distribution of handbills, and slogans such as "The Man Without a Vote Is the Public's Goat, the picketing of churches by Brothers with placards. marked the first nation-wide effort in recent years to arouse the interest of the Negro in direct political action. This office sent out large placards to the Chapters based on a drawing by Brother George Shivery showing conditions in a city where Negroes do not vote and the improvements that might be obtained through an intelligent use of the ballot. He also sent out primers that he had drawn up for use in Atlanta to all chapters that wished to use them as a guide in their own campaigns. He spoke in both years over the radio in Atlanta, Georgia, delivered four addresses in Memphis, one in Talladega, a series in Waveland, Mississippi, served as a sub-chairman on the Committee on Citizenship sponsored by the Bureau of Education in the Department of the Interior, of which Brothers W. A. Daniel and Howard H. Lang were co-chairmen, and was one of the speakers at a mass meeting in Atlanta which was conceded by members of rival fraternities to have been the most successful meeting any fraternity in Atlanta had sponsored since the memory of man runneth to the contrary. While it is always difficult to evaluate the extent to which any force contributes to changes, we modestly believe that our campaign contributed in some measure to the following achievements: 1. Adoption by the Washington Conference on Education of the ideas that citizenship means primarily voting and that it is the duty of Negro schools to give courses designed to acquaint Negroes with the value of the ballot.
Bro. RayfordW. Logan, of Atlanta U n i v e r s i t y was returned to office as Director of Education. Our educational p r o gram under Brother L o g a n is making Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity s t a n d o u t as a great influence on the national l i f e of America.
BRO. RAYFORD W. LOGAN Director of Education 2. The fact that Negroes in Petersburg, Virginia, today hold the balance of power. This conclusion is based on a statement by a member of the faculty of Virginia State College, who is not an Alpha man. 3. An actual increase in the number of voters in Atlanta and elsewhere. 4. An increased appreciation on the part of both Brothers and the general public of the importance of direct political action. 5. The fact that the Fraternity will soon be known as favorably for its Citizenship Campaign as it was for its Go to High School—Go to College Campaign. 6. The increased interest as shown by the revival of old Chapters, the establishment of new ones, and the increased membership in existing Chapters. II THE GO-TO-HIGH SCHOOL, GO-TO-COLLEGE CAMPAIGN During the first year of this administration the option was given to each Chapter to conduct a Go to High School —Go to College Campaign if it so desired. As a result, however, of the opinion expressed at the special Chicago Convention that this campaign should be more actively prosecuted, your Director appointed in 1935, Brother Dr. John W. Davis, of Houston, Texas, as director of this campaign. Brother Davis appointed a number of regional and state directors, sent out a bibliography, emphasized the necessity for interviews rather than of public meetings. While his efforts and those of his collaborators met with a fair response, it is clearly evident that the Go to High S c h o o l Go to College Campaign does not have the nation-wide appeal that it formerly had, and that the Campaign of Education for Citizenship received wider Fraternity and Public approval.
THE SPHINX
Page 12 in
FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS As strange as it may seem, the most disappointing p a r t ^ f o u r S o g r a m was that in which the Fraternity offered outright grants to members of the F r a t e r n i t y In suite of the fact that a release was sent in 1934, to all Ch pters six weeks before the date for Cosing applications. only a few applications were received, especially for JchLrships in 1934. None came from the Western Jurisdiction. At Chicago your Director emphasized at length this failure to apply. The December, 1934, issue of the Sphinx reiterated the appeal that applications be made. In 1935, he sent applications to all Chapters. Again, however only a few and none from the Western Jurisdiction. Since no scholarship was awarded in the Western Jurisdiction in 1934, the Committee on Awards deeded m 1935, to give that award to a Brother in another junsd.ction. Since only two applications in 1935 were deemed worthy of awards, the applications were reopened in September, 1935 and the two additional awards have just been announced, one in the Western and one in the Eastern Jurisdiction. Although there was a slight increase in the number of applications, your Director is amazed by the zeal and industry in not making any effort to receive these grants-in-aid. . . In view of the frequently recurring question, what is the National Organization doing, it is pertinent to point out that when the Fraternity offers grants to undergraduates they on the whole fail to take advantage of the offer. There were in both years more applications for the Fellowships open to graduates than for scholarships. The records of the Brothers to whom awards were made fully justify the choice of the committee, for their combined records were about an A-. In 1934, $450.00 was awarded to Brother Joseph Himes for study at Ohio State University; |450.00 to Brother James B. Browning for study at the University of Michigan; $100.00 to Brother John Hope Franklin for study at Fisk University, and $100.00 to brother Evart Guinier for study at City College, New York City. In 1935, $500.00 was awarded to Brother Charles Franklin, Columbia University; $400.00 to Brother Myron Townes, University of Michigan; $100.00 each to Brother W. B. Daniel, Fisk University, Brother Lendor Nesbitt, University of Illinois, Brother David Alfred Graves, Virginia Union University, and Brother Ryan at LeMoyne. IV INVESTIGATION OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES Your Director in a speech which he delivered in NewYork in April, 1935, emphasized the necessity for Negroes to be alert to obtain all they could from the New Deal. At the St. Louis Convention he further emphasized this necessity. At Chicago the Convention approved his proposal for an investigation of Federal Agencies, the first undertaken by any organization. An investigator began work in September, 1934, and visited practically every new federal bureau in Washington, about fifty in all, through February, 1935. His report was carefully checked. Since it seemed to be extremely critical of the New Deal, on the advice of as many members of the Executive Council as could be assembled in Washington at Christmas, 1934, parts of the report were submitted to various members of the New Deal for criticism and reply. One member objected to making any answer. It was only after a long distance telephone call from Atlanta to Washington that this was obtained. An-
February^lq-^
other, instead of sending a prepared statement, s e n t c o p . of some of his speeches and his report had to be prep a r â&#x201A;Ź d from them. Evidence that this checking was not Wasted is seen by the fact that one member of the New De a] threatened to sue us for libel unless we retracted what W e said about him. Your Director replied that if a n y f ^ information was contained in the section about him, h i s request would be granted. Nothing more was heard fr 0Jn him. It is believed that the special issue of the Sphinx W JU live as the first valuable critical, objective survey 0 f the New Deal. Many students in sociology at Atlanta Tjn. versity used it in the preparation of term paper s . Its" objectivity is attested by the following facts: One Brother stated that it appeared to him to be a defense of the Ne w Deal. On the other hand, a leading Negro Republican s a i d that he wanted to use it in order to attack the New Dea[ Even before the report had appeared in The Sphi nx ' it had caused considerable disturbance in Washington' One Federal employee was dismissed, we believe, be caust! ' of information that he had unintentionally given out. We are convinced, moreover, that the report produced s o m e beneficial changes. How much we hesitate t 0 say. Bu( . certain changes have taken place. 1. There is an increased percentage of Negroes in the C. C. C. camps. 2. More Negro Educational Advisers were appointed after our re port came out. 3. Negro Chaplains and Medical Reserve officers have been appointed. Because of the value of this investigation, your Dire c . tor believed after consultation with some of the members of the Executive Council in Washington that it should be continued. I am particularly grateful to Brother Sydney Jones for suggesting that we investigate the National Youth Administration and send out information as to the benefits Negroes might derive from it. This investig a ti on was made and releases sent out in time for many Neg r o students to be informed fully and intelligently a s to how to obtain the aid provided by the National Youth Administration in the continuance of their education. Daily c o n . tact was kept with the headquarters of the National Youth Administration in Washington for the specific purpose of securing releases to be sent to all the chapters immedi. ately after they were sent out from the office 0 f the National Youth Administration to the State Youth Dir e c . tors, thereby assuring the Fraternity of undelayed i m p o r . tant information relating to the activities of the National Youth Administration. This investigation is still being continued. V THE EDUCATION FOUNDATION At St. Louis thirty-seven Brothers pledged fifty o r one hundred dollars each to the Education Foundation. At Chicago the purposes of this Foundation wer e stated to be (1) to assist in the encouragement, maintenance and development of scholarship; (2) to promote research, (3) to aid in the publication of literary, scientific and professional materials prepared by Negroes and (4) to foste r a program of educational guidance and placement. At Chicago additional pledges were made. To the present time, however, only a few Brothers have made any payment oii their pledges; Eta Chapter has paid'$25.00 and Gamma Chapter $20.00. All of the Brothers who made pledges were sent letters, first, by your Director of Education and second, by Brother Piper. The failure to get any material responses show that while the spirit is willing, the effects (Please Turn to Page 25)
February, 1936
Page 13
THE SPHINX
General Officers of Alpha Phi Alpha BROTHER FARROW ALLEN Eastern Vice-President Brother Farrow Allen, distinguished young New York physician, was elected to succeed Brother Henderson as Eastern Vice-President. Revival of fraternity interest in the East will be a duty that young Brother Farrow will carry out with success, according to prediction of brothers in his jurisdiction.
Bro. Bert McDonald elected to the newly created office of Western Vice-Presidency, came a l l the way from Los Angeles, California, where he is an assistant to the City Attorney, to invite the Fraternity to hold a special Convention on the West Coast this summer.
BRO. BERT McDONALD Western Vice-President as any other remittance stating who is making payment and what for." Fraternally yours, Percival R. Piper.
the
BROTHER PERCIVAL PIPER Treasurer GREETINGS: Although we had heavy snows, severe cold weather and other handicaps, nevertheless the Silver Convention went on permitting more history to be made for Alpha Phi Alpha. It is remarkable to note the sincerity with which the brothers go about their work in the committees and in the convention as a whole. The convention was a marked success and becomes one of the most successful ever held A request has been made that the General officers Put forth a greater effort to reclaim more of the older brothers and bring them back into the fold of active members with the general organization. This challenge is accepted and no delay has occurred in starting on this mission. Results are already beginning to show. Chapters and members please note the following request of the treasurer in sending in remittances: Obtain a cashiers check or bank draft if possible and have it made payable to ALPHA PHI ALPHA PRAT, regardless as to what it is for. If a money order is obtained then have it payable at DETROIT, MICHIGAN and not Washington, D. C. or any place. If you have made a pledge to the Educational Foundation Fund, please keep to that pledge and forward your remittance direct to Bro. Evans the same
BROTHER JOSEPH EVANS General Secretary
TO MY BROTHERS IN ALPHA PHI ALPHA: I have just received my copy of the. Convention picture made at the Silver Convention at Nashville, Tennessee. It is my impression that this photograph (Please Turn to PaÂŁ:e 42)
FebraaryjgsQ
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Convention Message by Jewels Callis and Kelly Memorial Address for Brother Charles H. Chapman Since the first General Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha assembled at Howard University in December, 1908, each new convocation has brought with it the sad duty of memorializing those of our comrades and tjrothers who have passed into the Great Beyond. This year is unusual in that one of our Pounders is numbered among the dead. The Fraternity has enjoyed signal good fortune. For over a quarter of a century there was no break in the smaii band of courageous, far-seeing men who projected this powerful institution into the life of the American Negro. In doing special honor to the memory of Brother Chapman. we do not forget, we do not neglect the memories of other brothers, who since the last General Convention, have made the Supreme Sacrifice. Were Brother Chapman to give me instructions for this address today, he would say something like this, "Tell the Brothers to forget about me and t 0 devote themselves whole-heartedly to the tasks that lie ahead of them." But the passing of Brother Chapman is of unusual significance at this time- This is our Silver Convention. The work of the Pounders has been completed. We strove to build a college fraternity of Negro college men whose personal interests and ambitions should become interwoven with the more significant social weal of a great minority people. Much of the work of the past quarter century, therefore, has been devoted to the moulding of an organization of an old heritage in a new field. Today that work is completed. Neither the life, nor the activity, nor the spirit of Alpha Phi Alpha depends upon any single one of us assembled here. The task of the next twenty-five years is that of fulfilling in larger measure our broad social purpose. That task rests upon the shoulders of those before me, especially the younger brothers. Brother Chapman's passing serves to contrast and yet to link these two periods. He gave of his talent in the building of our foundation. As an older student with successful business ventures he appreciated the need and the opportunity to maintain kinship with those less favorably placed. At Cornell, both colored and white students benefitted from his advice and material aid. In the South, he spent his life building up an intelligent appreciation of the fundamental relationship between our progress and the soil. In death he desired, not that he should be buried in his native state, New York, but that his ashes should mingle with the soil of Florida. He wished to be buried among the people with whom so much of his life had been spent. In his address to us Brother President John Hope pointed out the way in which we must go, when he said, "You are dead,â&#x20AC;&#x201D;unless you find out where the poor Negroes live." Brother Chapman urges us into the same path, not to accomplish our own salvation, but to bring a truer freedom and a measured security to this great, underprivileged group in America, to whom we belong. H. A. CALLIS. Howard University.
Bro. Jewel Geo. W. Kelley, Troy New York, and Bro. Jewel H. A. Callis, How a r d University, added prestige to the Silver Conv e n t i o n with their presence. Both were Convention speakers.
JEWEL GEO. W. KELLY
FOUNDERS' DAY ADDRESS By GEORGE B. KELLEY In 1906 when seven undergraduates at Cornell Un'versity founded the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, we did s with certain ideals and purposes in mind. As one of th seven, I pause to wonder, if after 29 years of existence, th ideals and purposes for which we founded the frater n jt are still present in it. Our main purpose in 1906 was to found a fraternitv composed of groups of undergraduates so chosen in th various colleges and universities that they would r e pre S e n t the best of the Negro youth of that institution, banded together to help each other in the various essentials neces. sary for success in college; successful scholarship, healthfni recreation and clean living. After completing their colleK course, we hoped that they would continue their bonds of brotherhood, not like Jacob and Esau, but rather according to the mythical story of Damon and Pythias. After 29 years, I find that the undergraduates have a very small part in the affairs of the Fraternity and ar so outnumbered by the Alumni and graduate brothers that they are looked upon with tolerance if they venture t raise their voices and protest against the passage of certain laws which they later have to accept. We are s o mn^ surrounded by brothers of deep legal learning, and oratorical ability that the timid undergraduate sits back ofte,, with the idea of the early American Revolutionist that he is a victim of taxation without much representation. Tt is not just that as a founder, I should urge and insist that the undergraduate members of the fraternity be giVen more of an opportunity of shaping the policies and gov e r n . ing the Fraternity which was founded by undergraduates primarily for them. The undergraduates in the Fraternity can help brine(Please Turn to Page 48)
February, 1936
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Page 15
Sphinx Editor and Members of Staff HISTORY EDITOR Brother Clyde Cole , . . Tulsa, Oklahoma, principal of Carver Junior High School of that city. He received his B. S. Degree from Kansas State Teachers College,, M. S. Degree in Education at Kansas State Teachers College. Brother Cole is a charter member of Alpha Tau Lambda Chapter, 1935 winner of the McGhee Cup. He is a native of Pittsburgh, Kansas. FRAT FUN EDITOR Brother O. Wilson Winters. Norristown, Pa., D. D. S., was born in Trappe, Talbot County, Mdâ&#x20AC;&#x17E; son of Rev. and Mrs. James H. Winters. He was educated at Delaware State College, Howard University and Temple University. He is an Odd Fellow, a Past Chief Antler of the Pennsylvania Elks, a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the national Medical Association and the American Dental Association and a Fellow in the Academy of Stomatology. (Taken from Sphinx, February 1930).
BROTHER LEWiS 0. SWINGLER Brother Lewis 0. Swingler, Memphis, Tenn., managing editor of the Memphis World, was elected to succeed Bo-other Arnett G. Lindsay as Editor of The Splhinx. Brother Swingler is a .graduate of Nebraska University and charter member of Beta Beta at Lincoln, Nebr. At present he is serving as president of Alpha Delta Lambda Chapter, Memphis.
INTRODUCING MEMBERS OF THE SPHINX STAFF LITERARY EDITOR Brother Hugh' M. Gloster, Memphis, Tenn., graduated from iMorehouse College and later received his M. A. Degree from Atlanta University. At present he is an English instructor a t LeMoyne College and is studying for his Doctor of Philosophy Degree a t Chicago University. WHO'S WHO EDITOR Jewel B. Kelley, Troy, New York . . . received his early education in the public schools of Troy, his native city and in Troy Academy, a private military institution where he achieved the high honor of a cadet commission. After graduation from Troy Academy, Brother Kelley spent two years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute before entering Cornell University. Cornell bestowed the degree of Civil Engineer upon Brother Kelley in 1908. While a t Cornell, Brother Kelley had the distinction of being one of the founders of Alpha Phi Alpha and the first president of the Fraternity (Alpha Chapter). Following his graduation he worked as an engineer for a while and then entered the service of the New York State Engineering Deparment, engaging in the construction of the Barge Canal from Buffalo to Albany. In 1920 Brother Kelley became an auditor in the Income Tax Bureau of the State of New York. (Taken from Sphinx, Febr. 1930). Brother Kelley delivered the "Founders Day" address a t the Silver Convention.
ART EDITORS Brother James D. Parks, Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Mo.,, who begins his 11th year as Art Editor. Through his high school days at St. Louis and his college days at Bradley Polythenic Institute, Peoria, 111., the Art Institute of Peoria and the Federal Schools of Arts, Minneapolis, Minn., he persisted in achieving honors in his specialty and winning the post of Art Editor of his school and college publications. He was an accomplished athlete in college and is still very interested in athletic activities. At present Brother Parks is secretary of Lincoln University. Space not available to introduce Brothers: Rousseve, Wright, W. Gray, Cotton, Victor Gray, Hawkins, E. Woolfolk, Jr., J. Brinkley, Jr., T. Hayes, Jr.
GENERAL COUNSEL
Rro. Theodore M. Berry, Cincinnati, Ohio, was re-elected General Counsel of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He is also president of the Cincinnati Br. of the N.A.A.C.P.
BR0. THEODORE M. BERRY
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February^g^
Hostesses Assisting the Silver Convention
Miss Grace Harrison, secretary; Mrs. George W. Gore, First row ,(front), left to right: Mrs. E. F Alleyne Mrs Harry Walker, Mrs. Mark Hanna Watkins, Mrs. Urst row I â&#x201E;˘" 1 '. M M p e r r y. Second row: Henrv Allen Boyd, Miss Mary D. Shane, Mrs. Raymond Jr., treasurer; Mrs. H a t t i ^ R . c . c h e e k , Mrs. J Allison, Mrs. C. B. Steele, Miss Mary Hawkins, Mrs. Walker Fourth row: Miss Lizzie D. Young, Miss Preston Taylor, Mrs. Calvin L. McKissack, Mrs. I. T.
HIGHLIGHTS OF GENERAL CONVENTION NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, DEC. 28-31, 1935 By J. EDWARD COTTON Tihe usual "warm" southern hospitality was offset by several inches of snow and ice in the Convention City, but the beauty attendant to by the beautiful young ladies made up for it. Brothers, Brothers from everywhere. All four corners of the country. Some haven't been seen at a convention in years. Hats off to the Brothers from California for making themselves "felt" and heard. Will be seeing you in August. The Host brothers really had a set-up that was commendable for the handling of the convention. May we have the pleasure of coming to your city again. Brother Bishop J. A. Gregg was noticeably missed at the Convention. His ecclesiastical dignity and Brotherly smile are always looked for. We wish him God Speed. Quite a bit of comment has been placed on the in-
cident of Prof. J. W. Hale of Nashville, attempting to "crash" the Alpha closed affair by a number of our weekly papers, but the incident was handled by those in charge in an up-to-date manner. The undue publicity both attendant to the affair and the after gossip was due to those feminine "social thieves" who want to be in on everything. At the affair the crash was hardly noticeable. Brother B. Cassell of Birmingham in Nashville that every brother was him.
had a double mistaking I o r
Brother General President Wesley cannot be excelled as an executive and a gentleman. He knows his "mob psychology." Alpha Alpha Chapter, Cincinnati, was well r e pr e . sented. Believe me, you they really do things at Alpha Alpha. Wonder where was Bro. B. Joy Lackley atl( j Congressman McLain? The younger fellows like Bros. Houston, Delaney and others kept up the good works. " H - 3 " Hull and (Please Turn to Page 24)
February, 1936
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Page 17
R. BARTLEY J. CAMPBELLE Chairman Transportation Committee Chairman Committee On Souvenir Program
DR. F. D. PATTERSON Convention Speaker
ADDRESS BY DR. F. D. PATTERSON, PRESIDENT OF TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE
I. T. CRESWELL Chairman Housing and Registration Committee
In keeping with annual tradition Negro college sororities and fraternities are meeting at this time for the purpose of reliving the many pleasant experiences of their past; to redefine their purposes of existence and to formulate new policies and plans in conformity with these purposes. Almost from their inception, these organizations have emphasized their power for good beyond that of the categorical functions of college organizations by projecting their programs into the constructive phases of Negro life. The achievements of the several bodies in this respect have been their most challenging bid for distinction. Recent years, however, have brought a disquieting note into all previously well organized human endeavor and have engulfed both' individuals and organizations in a maelstrom of confusing currents which have nullified in large degree our efforts In many directions. A few years back when there was ample opportunity for all who were well trained, both moral and financial encouragement could be freely offered in a constructive program. Likewise before the era of the chain store, big business and paid protection, "Negro Business. Week," and other programs could be freely sponsored with little question of their effectiveness. But today the question, for so many of our colleges,
(Continued on page 37)
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M. G. FERGUSON Treasurer-Ch^imanPnblinKelationsCommittee
February : i93 6
C. B. STEELE General Chr. Convention Committee
W. D. HAWKINS, Jr. Purchasing Agent
A. J. ALLISON Corresponding Secretary Chainnan Publicity Committee.
A. A. TAYLOR Co-Chairman Committee On Program and Schedule
G. A. GALVTN Recording Secretary
February, 1936
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Page 19
Alpha Tau Lambda, McGhee Cup Winner
ALPHA TAU LAMBDA, TULSA, OK LAHOMA, FOUNDED MARCH, 1934 Front Row—R. C. Bryant, chr. Board Directors; J. Tyler Smith, secy.; Tolly W. Hams, pres.; F. Melvin Payne, treas.; E. W. South, chap. Middle Row—Wm. A. Elliott, Fred Parker, E. E. Weaver, A. L. Morgan, sgt-at-arms; J. T A. West, director. Back Row— E. W. Clark, J. A. Rouce, Julius Moran a nd Clyde L. Cole, asso. editor to Sphinx.
MEMORANDUM IN RE: BROTHER JAMES B. BROWNING Early Life 1. Born—September 20, 1906; Spartanburg, South Carolina 2. Public School—Catholic Hill School, Asheville, N. C. Academic Education 1. St. Luke's Lutheran School, Spartanburg, S. C. 2. High School—Stephen-Lee High School, Asheville, N. C. 3. College—Knoxville College, 1925-26; Fisk University, 192 6-28. Professional Training 1. Graduate Student, University of Michigan, 1928-30. 2. Graduate Student, University of Chicago, two quarters in 1930. Summer Session of 1933. 3. Graduate Student, University of Michigan, 1934-36. Degrees Received 1. Fisk University, Bachelor of Arts, 1928. 2. University of Michigan, 1934-35. 3. University of Michigan. Master of Arts, 1930. Experience 1. Instructor in History, Howard University,
1930-34. 2. Instructor in History, Ann Arbor High School (S. E. A. R.) 1934-35. 3. Instructor in History, Howard University, 1935-36. Awards 1. Julius Rosenwald Fellowship at the University of Chicago, 1930. 2. Alpha Phi Alpha Research Fellowship a t the University of Michigan, 1934-35. 3. General Education Board Fellowship at the University of Michigan, 1934-35. 4. Alpha Kappa Delta Honorary Sociological Society, The University of Michigan. 5. The Historical Society, Honorary Historical Society, Howard University. 6. Delta Sigma Chi, Honorary Debating Society, Fisk University. Printed Works A, Articles 1. "The North Carolina Black Code, "THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY. 2. "The Negro Companions of the Spanish Explorers," HOWARD UNIVERSITY Studies in History, No. 11, November 1930. (Please Turn To Page 47)
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Februarv^Q ? e
FRATERNITY FUN By Dr. O. Wilson Winters, Frat Fun Editor THE MIGRATION OF A MOTH The Katabasis—Unusual activity in tne wardrobe of my host, the sorting, selecdon and rejection of different garments warned me that something exciting was in the offing. Brother Winters was preparing to go to Nashville to the Silver Convention and I decided that I, too, was goin* along. And I went, and I observed, and I am going to tell you just what I heard and saw during my meanderi n g Ensconsed snugly beneath the lapel of a grey tweed su't we set out for Nashville on the B. & 0. train accompanied by a tall man whom my host frequently called "Spotuas" but whom I later learned was Dr. T. Spotuas Burwell, a co-delegate of Rho Chapter, and a former president of the National Medical Association and a man of prominent parts, civically speaking. The trip down south was uneventful from a Mothian viewpoint There were several tasty-looking fabrics on the beautiful B. & 0. train that took us to Washington, thence to Cincinnati, but I had dined unmolested all summer on the Winters' tuxedo and felt no impulse to indulge m promiscuous gastronomy. In Cincinnati, missed train connection necessitated a seven-hour layover that enabled us to peep into the Y. M. C. A. at Brother Lovelace, visit Brother "Inge" Wilson and disport ourselves sightseeing until train time transported us to the L. & N. Railroad. There, under the auspices of Mr. James Crow, we journeyed "On to Nashville," the Athens of the SouthThe Horizontality—(This is Ferdinand L. Rousseve vernacular)—We arrived in the balmy, sunny South under leaden grey sk : es filled with flying, whirling snow flakes, falling ever falling to join countless others making a s;x-inch mantle of crystalline whiteness. The long journey interspersed with frequent delays and made unpleasant by the stuffy, cramped, exposed sock effluvia in the private r r of Mr. James Crow wooed Morpheus to such effective extent that very soon my habitat hung on a coat hanger and my host was nestling among the sheets. Dawn came at last and we went over to the Bull Session room of M^harry Medical College where convention headquarters were established and there we registered. The very atmosphere radiated efficiency and order. Here two pretty ma ; dens were recording delegates' names in a ledger, tvping names on badges, there Brother Creswell was recording and filing housing records, there Brothers Daniel and Ferguson were passing out large envelopes filled with official programs, identity tickets, invitations and instructions. All the while they were insistingly taking in reams of five dollar bills (positively no cheques) and other currency—the registration equivalent. I saw a swell green woolen dress on one of the fair registerites and I could have had a veritable Lucullan banquet feasting on its woolen stitches but prudence restrained me. even in the face of such a luscious temptation(Don't misunderstand—the moth is still speaking). Presently the air became heavy with smoke as the western rangers began to arrive. In came the fellows the name of whose law firm sounds like a broken phonograph record— Brown. Brown, Brown, Brown, Cyrus, Carey and Brown. Soon there came a rip-snorting, fire-eating he-man from
Los Angeles, Brother Bert McDonald, Assistant Attornev General. In came Brother Piper, as dignified and cut e ever (I flew over and laid six moth eggs in his beautin camel's hair overcoat). Time and space prevent my li s t j the arrival of other notables. However, a tall, talented Tennessean shuffling into the political picture, beamed benignly—'twas Swingler. It was Saturday afternoon and I crawled out fro under the coal lapel and gave President Wesley the on^ over as Brother Steele called the convention to orde** Brother Steele, a shy, quiet spoken man, smelling fainy*' of oil of cloves, and eucalyptus very appropriately started things going- Brother Galvin, verbose, explosive and with an unmistakable cargo of frumenti aboard the Galvin shi served as an accelerator. Wiley Brother Wiley Daniel forensic Brother Campbelle, and Brother Allison add !i charm, dignity and subtle mirth to the formal openin After an extensive, comprehensive, retrospective, introsp e S ' tive and prophetic delivery of an opening address that *~ characteristic of President Wesley the applause finally s u ^ sided and Alpha Phi Alpha was again in formal sessi 0 Committee assignments, communications and friendship ,T newals completed the day. Even a moth had to thrill t the intense drama and the portentious history that was * the making. Don't ask, neither expect me, to say anything a b 0 any of the "formals," my host attended none at all and neither did I, knowing that there are more camphor bal to the square inch at an Alpha "formal" than at any oth ' function. Sunday morning!—Fresh linen, new clothing, p; , Memorial Chapel auditorium, Sorority sprites, inirnjtahi Dr. John Hope, eloquence and philosophy, historic ; 6 peachable Fisk University music, sublimity, awe and"1 resolution of racial service dedication—(Sunday Mornin * Sunday afternoon—'Memorial services—Immacul * Henry Richardson, dignified Brother Morris, an inspir^j Founder Callis, an entrancing, melodic, Chas. Bishop newly discovered Alpha constellation in Brother L. How' J Bennett; dignity, reverence, silence—Sunday afterno i Sunday night—An apoplectic but sincere Keefe w i come—a subsequent train of speeches aided and abett by "ponies" brazenly exposed and frantically clutched the aspir'ng and perspiring orators vied with each o t h ^ Even the invocation was aided by a "pony." Tenness^ State is a wonderful place, very rapidly earning a pla^ in the collegiate sun. The auditorium is perfection itself what with monogrammed seats and rubberoid floors. Ev the flask of corn liquor that bounced several times " that auditorium floor created a chain of circumstanti 1 evidence. Let x equal a certain vice president who wa too ill to read his report when it came up on the conventi 0 8 roster Saturday afternoon; let y equal the alien fraternit" man who unsteadily mounted the rostrum to welcome £h Alphas; let y2 z equal the bouncing flask careening withi* a two seat radius of both x and y. Since x and y p] U s y equals a tittering aud ; ence, find the other V2 of z. I remem* ber the sweet Tennessee State College singers and th perfect rendition of the Alpha song led by gymnasti* dynamic and pantominic Maceo Hill and you can bet I sa ' the curves and the strut of the young lad$ who thrice led
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
the singers into their position on the stage- After that delectation we were in for further joys as we absorbed the operatic excellence and dramatic poise of Miss Zelma M. Watson. (Thou beside me singing in the wilderness, ah wilderness would be paradise, (and how!). Monday I went over to the session and enjoyed a perfect setting for a moth, reports, addresses, parliamentary hot air, points on this, points on that, personal privilege, lex non scripta, fiat accompli, non functus officio, infra dignitatem et infinitum ad nauseum. You can bet I deposited hundreds of moth eggs in that bunch. Watch for the holes at New Orleans. However, out of that cauldron of verbiage there was a noticeable lack of Logan; just one flash across the horizon on Monday, then silence. I could have listened to the Logan lore and his emphatic syllabization indefinitely. The Convention Photograph? Just wait 'till you see it. My host has been trying for years to shuffle up the photograph deck but believe you me, this year the deck was stripped and riffled. You can't find more than two consecutive Adonis' or Beau Brummell's before one of my hosts' type is interposed. The Isaacs', the Lindsays', the Kc-lleys', the Becks', and the Winters' somehow had a constellation of Tureads', Cardozas', Pipers', Hendersons', Rousseves', Anzennes'. Evans', Roses', and Wesleys', forming an orbit around them. Tuesday witnessed the aphelion of the planet Cyrus but the perihelion of the planet Carey who earned the affectiomte nickname of Archie the Red; red of blood, red of head with re-dy wit and ready mind. And even a pestiferous moth is privileged to predict a rosy Alpha future for the barrister—dominie- * * * Tuesday afternoon and later—"I move the adoption," "Please read section one, two, three, etc., etc., over again."—Nominations and election—Brother Ellis almost disfranchised because he wore his Harlom style "Zipper" trousers and the zipper jumped off the track.—Battle of the Marne with the Paris taxicabs reproduced in the taxicab parade to the banquet. * * * Speechless banquet—Callis' clever retort to the beautiful hostess as she felicitated the Founders.—Long, Winters, and Wesley fold'ng up their extemporaneous speeches.— The Alpha Circle and Adjournment. The Anabas : s—Now as one moth to another, or foi that matter as a mo h to a bed bug or to whom it mny concern especially the brothers who remained at home, as we journeyed back up the river many were the expressions coming from Brothers Dickason, Brown, Allen and Burwell as the train sped toward Cincinnati and Philadelphia. Is it worth while? Is there really and truly an Alpha spirit? What makes some brothers return to these conventions year after year? What about the mileage and per diem brothers? Will they always continue to come? Lingering memories—'Cocktail parties—one glass, Evans snores tenor; two glasses, he snores baritone; three glasses, he snores bass; four glasses, he passed out. Now for the benefit of the absent brothers, here is a moth's eye view of convention personalities. Most Popular—Brother Farrow Allen. Most Silent—Brother Matthew Carroll. Busiest—iFrank Wilson, Howard Murphy. Most Promising Rookie—Brother James Williams. Eastern Symbol—Brother Bedford Lawson. Western Symbol—Brother Bert McDonald. Southern Symbol—Brother B- T. Harvey. Profundus Primus—Brother Howard Long. (Please Turn To Page 46)
Page 21 Nashville and The Undergraduate By WILLIAM S. RANDOLPH Member of the Executive Council of Alpha Phi Alpha
The convention keynote, and the keynote of our fraternity's most pressing need was at once struck by Jewel Kelly in his Founders' Address and summarily dismissed by the convention with an enthusiastic vote of accord. That has been the history of the past six regular conventions. A general convention without a plea for the undergraduate brother would hardly be a general convention. Neither would it be, if something were done about it- Brother Kelly's address was a direct and earnest appeal by a Founder to the Nashville Convention to give recognition to the undergraduate brother. A review of the election results is mute testimony to the enthusiasm with which this was not done. Being a constant attendant at general conventions; having served this fraternity five years as a general officer while attending school; and being quite familiar with the operation of the general organization as well as of numerous chapters (graduate and undergraduate) by virtue of a somewhat nomadic career, I feel qualified to state, and do state without reserve, that under the present arrangement of things, nothing is going to be done about it. I say this boldly, deliberately, and although a graduate brother and general officer, without apology. For the machinations relative to the election of officers at general conventions has become an involved process, and to espouse the candidacy of the undergraduate brother is to espouse a lost cause. But the loss is greater than mere failure to secure undergraduate representation on the Executive Council; it is a two-fold loss. It is loss likewise of representation on the council of graduate brothers who are honest and sincere in their desire to institute a constructive program for the undergraduate brother, a program which will lighten his financial responsibilities, in particular, to the organization itself. For in championing the undergraduate's cause, such brothers arbitrarily eliminate themselves as cand ; datesIt is true that at some general conventions an officer or two are conceded to the brothers yet attending school. But those of you who attend conventions regularly, and who are frank with yourselves—you know that such concessions in most instances are a result of political expediency rather than true fraternal sympathy. To one who has been fighting the undergraduate's losing battle over a period of nine years, this has become, in turn, disturbing, alarming, and finally, revolting. Out of it all has come only one thing good; that is this: To a limited but everincreasing group of Alpha men has come a deep sense of the injustice being accorded the younger brother. Likewise has come a fixed determination to bring about a change at whatever cost. The experience at Nashville, and at all recent conventions, demonstrates very clearly that the fight now must extend beyond the convention floor; it must reach into the very seat of each undergraduate chapter of our fraternity. We must find a way to make it easy for the undergraduate chapter to exist, and for the undergraduate brother to maintain an active status in the fraternity. Further, we must facilitate his attendance at the general conventions. When this has been accomplished, the younger brother win
Page 22
THE SPHINX
be able to paddle his own canoe both in home waters and in the rough convention tides. All this is meant to serve as an introduction to eertam specific proposals. Like most new ideas involving actual change of policy, they will be opposed and perhaps ridiculed But that does not matter- What does matter, they will provoke thought, and—let us hope—action, also. These proposals will be listed and commented upon only. We shall not indulge the Sphinx editor too much of his space in this issue. The argument for the various proposals will appear in succeeding issues of the Sphinx. Meanwhile, observations and criticisms will be welcomed at this office. It should be understood at the outset that each of these proposals entails direct assistance from the General Organization, and at some cost to it. But, after all, the General Organization is but the undergraduate body which needs assistance, and a graduate body which can give aid and is anxious, in fact, to do so. We believe, first of all, that each undergraduate chapter should be facilitated in the management of its local organization: 1. By providing each active undergraduate chapter with stationery and stamps sufficient to facilitate the secretary's duties in calling chapter meetings and contacting the general organization. 2. By providing each undergraduate chapter with a book of proper form and dimensions for recording the m'nutes of its meetings. 3. By providing each undergraduate chapter with at least two extra copies of each edition of the Sphinx, to be circulated specifically among the inactive brothers of the chapter. 4. By providing each active undergraduate chapter with a new edition of the Alpha Phi Alpha History for the general use of the chapter members. 5. By providing each active undergraduate chapter annually a small sum of money to be used specifically for an annual chapter smoker, or to supply the chapter annually with provisions for a smoker to the extent of the specific sum decided upon. We believe, secondly, that the general organization should encourage the undergraduates as individuals as far as is reasonably possible: L By reducing the initiation fee to a minimum. 2. By reducing the undergraduates' Grand Tax to two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50). 3. By providing round trip railroad fare (coach) of one delegate from each active undergraduate chapter to each regular general convention, the amount not to exceed twenty dollars ($20.00). 4. By soliciting the Host Chapters at each general convention to limit the convention registration fee of undergraduate brothers to a sum not exceeding one dollar ($1.00). 5. By instituting a program under the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation, designed to investigate the significant problem confronting the young Negro student, especially in the professional schools; and to propose, as far as possible, methods of solving these problems. These ten points are proposed to Alpha brothers as (Please Turn To Page 45)
FebruaryjQqg
EVENING WITH NEGRO COMPOSERS The challenge facing every chapter of Alpha p h Alpha is to make itself felt as a real contributor to the civic, social, and social life of the community j which it is located. In an attempt to partially m e ^ this problem, Beta Lambda Chapter, located in KanSi City, Kansas and Missouri, has promoted an activiiia3 ity which has come to be an institution in the cult u rai life of these two cities. The project is given under the significant title "An Evening With Negro Composers," and is a f o r ' mal musical program in every sense of the word. Th ~ guests attend in formal attire, no speeches ar e allo We(1 on the program, it is given in the beautiful T h o m a s A. Edison Hall, Power and Light Building, and start promptly at 8:30. It is timed to close exactly at l o : 0 o S The "Evening With Negro Composers" did not 0 -ginate with the local chapter. The first program Wa~ presented on October 13, 1933, and was sponsored D two local organizations: The Morrison Playe s L i t t i y Theatre, of which Brother J. Oliver Morrison was th Founder and Director; and the Beau Brummel Club ! which Brother Burt A. Mayberry was the President When the original sponsors found that the P r e g of other activities prevented them from presenting th* second annual program in the series. The Beta Lam^ da Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity q u i c k l y took steps to adopt the idea. The original purpose of the series was tT m a , definite contributions to the cultural life of the i 0 c a ! community by stimulating an appreciation f0r t h works of Negro Composers, and giving Negro artist* the opportunity to express themselves under dignifjj surroundings. Quite apart from these original purposes, the p r grams have tended to attract a large following arno the music lovers of both races, and hence, has m a d e 8 contribution to better racial understanding. T h a too, they have stirred up an interest among inacf " brothers, and aided in bringing a number back iZ* the fold. Due to the fact that the Power and Light Compa donates the use of the auditorium, and the services ^ the employees to the chapter, the cost has in no Ca° exceeded fifty dollars ($50.00). The major items of ^ pense are postage, and the printing of the invitatio door cards, and programs The activity tends to give every brother i n t h chapter an interest, in that all are given a dutv on nf the following eomm1t.tp.paone or more of committees: Finance Committee, collects and disburses all fUnd Prnp-ram Committee, selects the numbers numhpro *„ _ Program to — appear arranges the program, and supervises its pr e s e mentation;; tion Invitation Committee, mails and receives the lists, checks for duplications, writes and mails th' invitations; Door Committee, composed of the Past-Presid e n t S and greets the guests as they arrive; ' Executive Committee, made up of the chairmen these subcommittees, and has general supervisi' over the affair as a whole. Effort is made to use the best talent available in (Please Turn to Page 46)
Page 23
THE SPHINX
February, 1936
VOICE OF THE SPHINX ALPHA
DELTA
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA Greetings Brothers: Yes, it is Old Alpha Delta coming back to life to let you know that it is everything but quiet away out here on the Western Front. Many events have taken place in these parts even though we have been a little reluctant informing our dear brothers. It was necessary to delay the ceremony for the installation of officers until two of our officers, who were chosen as delegates, returned from the convention. The ceremony however, took place Sunday, January 12, through the courtesy of Bethel A. M. E. Church of which our good Brother Izaac is pastor. An elaborate program was prepared and presented by the chapter, and seven very effi cient and capable brothers were installed, namely: Brothers Bert McDonald, President; Victor Nickerson, Vice President; Rufas Norman, Secretary; Frank Maxwell, Treasurer; Carl Johnson, Corresponding Secretary; E. Costello Strong, Associate Editor of the Sphinx; Sammy MePherson, Chaplain and Sergeant-at-arms. Because of the most efficient way the officers have conducted the affairs of Alpha Delta in the past, and have kept ever aloft the high ideals of dear old Alpha Phi Alpha, it was the consensus of opinion that the same officers be re-elected to guide our good works for the year of 1936, with the exception of the Associate Editor and Corresponding Secretary. The chapter received the report of the delegates with great enthusiasm. We are always glad to receive news of our Eastern Brothers, their works and activities. Although we were not able to attend en masse our hearts were with you each day of your noble work at the convention. Our delegates, however, brought back a very full report and Painted a very vivid word picture of the activities in Nashville during the three days. We are especially proud of Brother Bert McDonald, our President and Deputy City Attorney, who was elected to the office of Fourth National Vice President, and also_the splendid way in which delegates represented the West Coast. And now good Brothers, let me tell you how glad we were to receive news of the convention convening in our fair City of Los Angeles this summer. Well done Brothers! Preparations are already under way to make this the most enthusiastic, the most pleasant and the most profitable convention ever. And now for the benefit of the Brothers who have never visited the West Coast, I will try and give you a brief description of one of the many beauties in the place you have so wisely selected to come, better known as "God's Country." "Forget for a moment the swirling Maelstrom of life about you. Picture yourself alone at sunset. Behold far off in the distant sky, the sun in all it's glory going to rest. A blaze of light, a dazzling myriad effect of color as the sun, a ball of fire, sinks slowly below the horizon. And then, between the setting of the sun and the falling of the shades of night, the colors fade to tints, remembrance as it were of a former brilliance. Know now the
infinite rest that comes only with the divine quiet of that all too fleeting hour at twilight. Then a little rustle, a movement of the leaves and tree boughs as the breeze rising with the coming of the dusk, sweeps o'er land and sea. An echo here, a reminiscence there, and an answer from all nature in tune, as the sun's last dim rays fade in the distanceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and night falls: A typical California sunset." You will hear more from us later concerning the convention. You can't miss it. Start planning now broth ers, we have much in store for you. The chapter has been active in the reclamation of delinquent brothers. They are constantly coming back to the fold, not stagnant, however, but full of the old punch and enthusiasm of that which characterizes all good Alpha men. Thanks to the Membership Committee. I must make mention of our smooth aggregation of pledges We are proud of the progress they are making under the supervision of their directors, Brothers Perry Parks, Victor Nickerson and E. Costello Strong, Jr. Maybe some day soon they may be permitted to ^Disturb the Peace and Quietude of those who are within." Alpha Delta paid final tribute to the life and wortc of our dear Brother, James W. McGregor, at one time First Vice President. It is with extreme regret that we mention his untimely passing. He was a real Alpha man who carried the torch of Alpha Phi Alpha as far as he could until Omega became envious and claimed him. Again I say it was with regret we relinquish him. His name has been transferred from the roster of Alpha Delta to Omega. He's gone to join the song birds in heaven, He's gone the way we all have to go. We loved himâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;We miss him, The Angels will bless him For the good that he's done here below. He had a smile for everybody, A hand for anyone that was down. Though his skin was brown He'll be winging 'round With all the song birds in heaven. Auf. Wiedersehen. Fraternally yours, E. COSTELLO STRONG, JR., , Associate Editor.
TAU
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS Tau is in the midst of what promises to be its "banner year." It is striving at present to be "tops," or there about, in all campus activities. Scholastically, after being seventh out of over three score of organizations, it is now in the midst of examinations which we hope will give it even better rating. Withsuch material as Brother Freeman and Jeffries of Carbondale Teachers' College, West Virginia State respectively, doing graduate work in mathematics, and Brothers Sullivan and Dickson working in physiology and geography respectively, we have stores of knowledge from which we( may draw. Enough for the graduates. (Please Turn To Page 46)
Page 25
Page 24
THE SPHINX
PRESIDENTS OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY Moses A. Morrison 1909 Roscoe 0. Giles 1910 Frederick H. Miller Charles H. Garvin ""• J ? 1 1 Henry L. Dickason 1912-1913 1914 Henry A. Callis . .. 1915 Howard H. Lon»"" William A. Pollard VaT., J 9 ^ Daniel D. Fowler 1817-1918 1919 Lucius L. McGee S. S. Booker "- J 9 2 0 Raymond W. Cannon tSSl"J252 B. Andrew Rose } J £ 92 Chas. H. Wesley }qo?" 1 9 3 1 TAKEN FROM Sn,\^RJ0NVENTI0NPROGRAM
February, 1936
FebruaryJ93§ HIGHLIGHTS OF GENERAL CONVENTION NASHVILLE, TENN., DEC. 28-31, 1935 j- F- Canns and "Doc" Hubbard lent their dl* t t l t y the" occasion with their charming wives.
Y
°u just can't substitute for two efficient officers !,Uch' a s Bros. Genera] Secretary Evans and General 'easurer P i p e r . Their report was "tops" wihtout a uaw. — Keep up the good works, officers.
to
Tennessee State College should feel honored M» so many Alphas swarm over the campus and <i° tories. Wonder why did the Chicago delegation w i t • ^ v r candidate worn fror Editorship race for the SP 1 Better ask Brother Cyrus, and the Brown BrotW very fine men, to my way of thinking. This w a « „ ~~ , J a ) a 8 proved i l l s was one convention where blind dates P o measure up to all expectations. Ask a number
,
^ro m eals
1
Maceo Hill and myself really " g ^ ^ at the Green Parrot Inn * * £ £ £ * ^
knows the Hymn too.
The fraternity will never forget those Brothers „'^ m "Beale Street" with their headquarters at Bro. ob " Hemingway's on Fisk Campus.
T h e Pint bottle that took a - j ^ - J ^ , n g Q uiet of Bro. Patterson n* been made of unusual glass. It didn t even me know your brand, fellow.
Bro. p . D . Patterson of Tuskegee is a fine example tb -e young leadership t h a t the race needs. His address well attended attended at at the the Sunday Sunday open open session session in in TennTenn"*»s well e s s e ee gState OCollege o l l p £ r e ,,,,„„„, Chapel. College Chapel.
During Convention week, Alphas had the pleasure „f attending a dance where the Great Duke E h n g of auenumg "Duke" is really a ton piayea played. *Swell music. attended The Dukeof our Public ton one polished gentleman. gentleman. we He aattended one of our polished n ^ ^ [n p i s k M e m o r . a l
dul
" ^
Pictorial Story of Alpha Phi Alpha, 2 5tl> Waiversary Convention, Nashville, Tenn. '.'I • • • > I'?'ii/mn;
HITS AND MISSES By J. EDWARD COTTON Most outstanding among the recent accomplishments of Alpha Brothers is the fact that my good friend and brother Atty. Charles Anderson of Louisville was elected to the Kentucky State Legislature. An .outstanding accomplishment. The first Negro to hold such an office since the days of reconstruction Good work, "Dog" Anderson, we're with you. - Dr. J. Aubrey Lane, a true Alpha man, of Wilberforce University, head of the Athletic Dept. of that school, h a s b e e n elected President of the Mid^Western Athletic Association. The Mid-Western Association comprises a number of our largest institutions. His picture and considerable write-ups were carried In a white daily in that section. Missed you at the Convention, 'Doc'
........ i_.™_
, *
Brother Lloyd Gaines of St. Louis, Mo., has sougn admission into Missouri Law School. Prospects 1°°* very good for Bro. Gaines. His case is similiar to th« one in Maryland. Much luck to you, Bro. Gaines. Brother Atty. T. Bectram Hamilton of Pittsburg' has been appointed Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the United States. He will be sworn in a Washington sometime in February. He succeeds Rob4' L. Vann, who held that post. Bro. Hamilton is an old Wilberforcean of l ° n g standing, and w e take notice of his continual riseNice Going, "Slim."
{?' e
Brother Claude Ferebree has to go some to beat his * l f e . also a charming medic. She called on the Presiflent of the U S. recently. Bet Claude doesn't know w ° e r e the White House is. How about it, Claude? See where Bro. Silas Rhodes went to jail recently, Don ' t be alarmed, it was only to carry a group on infection tour. Cincinnati knows better than to accost r °- Rhodes. How-ya-doing, Silas?
FOUNDERS OF THE ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY 1906 rry A. Callis Charles H. Chapman George B. Kelly J as. H. Morton Nathaniel A. Murray Robt. H. Ogle V. W. Tandy
Her
Brother Robert Ratcliff of the Scott Newspaper Syndicate, Atlanta, Ga., was menaced by white officers at the Scottsboro trial in Decatur, Ala., recent-
However Bro. Ratcliff and his assistant outwitted Alabama hoodlums. Careful Bob.
DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION REPORT (Continued From Page 12) of the depression are still curtailing the budget of most' of our Brothers. It should be borne in mind, however, that the Education Foundation has on hand only seventy-fiv* dollars. It can do nothing with such a small sum. Nevertheless, the initiative of the General President ii bringing out the latest edition of the History of Alpha Ph Alpha under The Foundation Publishers has given the Education Foundation a brilliant start. It is hoped that this auspicious beginning will be followed by other similar projects. Your Director of Education wishes finally to e X pres» his sincere appreciation for many timely suggestions and the constant cooperation by many Brothers and Chapters^ RAYFORD W. LOGAN, Director of Education.
THE SPHINX
Page 26 THETA'S
LETTER
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha, GREETINGS: On January 11, Theta and XI Lambda Chapters m Joint session installed their officers for the ensuing year. Theta's new officers, so ably installed by our MidWestern Vice President, Brother Sidney A- Jones,.Jr., wno is a member of Theta, are as follows: Bro. Archibald J. Carey, Jr., President; Bro. William H. Brown, Vice President; Bro. Nelson E. Woodley, Secretary; Bro. Walter rl. Hackley, Assistant Secretary and Editor of the Sphinx, Bro. Herman N. Brown, Treasurer; Bro. Marcus A. Mahone, Sergcant-at-arms, and Bro. Leonidas Berry, Chaplain. Our new President, in his inaugural speech, outlined some of the activities for Theta for the coming year. The program, centered about our beautiful new home at 4432 South Parkway, is to be principally one of increased activity. Already plans are being launched to promote a pool tournament, a bridge tournament, and as soon as the new ping-pong table is purchased, a tournament in that sport. Another plan, which for a long time has been in the minds of Theta men-^that of making Theta the undergraduate Chapter that it rightfully should beâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;will, we feel, in the near future, be an actuality. For, since our Silver Convention at Nashville, at which time Theta's Charter was extended to include four other Colleges of "A" rating in Chicago, Lewis Institute, Armour Institute of Technology, Loyola University, and De Paul University (the Charter originally included only Chicago University and the Northwestern University McKinlock Campus) the Rushing committee has been busy contacting men of worth in these above named schools. Brother Charles H. Wesley is scheduled to lecture here in Chicago at the Church of the Good Shepherd on February 3, and the combined chapters here are planning to entertain in some fitting way. On Friday evening, January 17, brothers in Chicago enjoyed a lecture given by the noted Indian Scholar and English Lord, Mr- T. M. Singha, of India. Mr. Singha has studied in Oxford and at present is working toward a Masters Degree in Sociology and Philosophy at the University of Chicago. He is a disciple of Gandhi. On Sunday afternoon, January 19, Brother Ozzie Simmons (need I say more ?) will be entertained at dinner at the House at which time he will be presented to the brothers, their wives and sweethearts. Brothers in Chicago are proud of their new home and such activities as have just been mentioned are to be frequent occurrences throughout the year. Theta and XI Lambda extend an invitation to all of you to visit us when in Chicago. Fraternally, NELSON E. WOODLEY, Secretary of Theta.
MU LAMBDA
CHAPTER
WASHINGTON, D. C. Brothers, Greetings: Greetings from Mu Lambda here in the Capital of the Nation. In spite of a lengthy period of silence the brothers have been neither inactive nor drifting along a plateau. In fact, the brothers have been showing more interest in various functions than for some years past. The inspiration for this revival of interest has come in large measure
February, 1936
from Brother Jewel Henry A. Callis, our energetic President the earnest prayers of our Chaplin Brother, Jewel Nathaniel A. Murray, and the occasional but stimulating sayings of Brother Jewel Robert H. Ogle. A further national touch to our local meetings has come from the serious efforts for improvement on the part of the local brothers who are outstanding officers of the General Organization. Brothers Charles H. Wesley, Jos. H. B. Evans, Howard H. Long, and B. V. Lawson, who together with the Jewels bring to our meetings the broad outlook so characteristic of a general convention. The best minutes which this associate editor has seen kept of any meetings are those recorded by Brothers Harry McAlpin and Walter G. Daniel and the appealing notices sent out by Brother Gustave Auzenne, Jr., have been instrumental in bringing out an appreciable number of brothers to Mu Lambda's meetings, moreover, the repeated reelection to office of Brother Auzenne indicates the confidence of the chapter in the manner in which he has handled the funds intrusted in his care. Pursuant to the dictates of the Special Convention which were reemphasized at the Silver Convention more attention had been paid to the problems of underprivileged groups not through misguided, unorganized or helterskelter methods of the seekers of cheap notoriety but through support of the fairly well organized groups already established for that purpose. Brothers Wesley and Long helped to secure large appropriations from the National Organization for such organizations as the N. A. A. C. P., the Urban League, The Joint Committee of National Re. covery and the New Negro Alliance. Brothers Dwight 0. W. Holmes and Charles Thompson have wrought significant if inconspicuous service as dispensers of fellowships and scholarships. Brother B. V. Lawson has been in the front ranks of several organizations working for economic improvement and Brother Eugene Holmes is playing a leading role in the organization of groups for the improvement of the position of the "under dogs" of the teaching profession. Supporting our national and local officers and regular in attendance at meetings are such brothers as Brother Dean, James Saunders, whose timely economic aid to the house project should never be forgotten; Brother Edward Howard, whose offices housed our final meeting of the year 1935; Brothers Gandy and Cochran, our outstanding brokers; Brothers Dean Dixon and Professor Kendricks of the Dental School who are striking examples of the fact that good leaders can also be good followers. To this list of names could be added many others but unfortunately space does not permit. Since this column was last published four brothers have left the ranks of Bachelorhood and are now bona fide members of the order of Benedicts. They are Brothers Walter G. Daniel, Charles Gandy, Hylan Lewis, and James B. Browning, and their wives are respectively the former Misses Theadora Williams, Vera Ramos, Leighla Whipp e r , and C. Margaret Alexander. Along this general line, it i a interesting to note that two brothers have recently acquired beautiful homes in one of Washington's most exclusive sections, they are, Brothers Harry McAlpin and Lew Terry. Finally, it can be truly said that here in Washington is a large group of men who sincerely believe that Brother Emory Smith was right when he coined the saying: "Not Alpha for College, but Alpha Phi Alpha for life.'' i venture to say that no other city can boast of such a (Please Turn To Page 46)
February, 1936
Page 27
THE SPHINX
I Alpha Chi Chapter, Balfour Cup Winner
From left to right, bottom row—Wiley B. Daniel, G. Franklin Edwards, Sidney E. Smith, Thomas lor, Charles W. Rhodes, Roy W. Wilson, Wythe F. Co oper, J. Howard Grigsby. Second row—George H. Upshaw, William E. Cash, W. Burrell Davis, Booker W. Carter, Horace W. Jr -> Donald C. Reed, G. Carver Davis, Josepih Bradfi eld. Third row—Arthur Nicholson, William sl o, Samuel W. Allen, James D. Ellison, Cecil T. Adams, L. Howard Bennett, Joseph H. Douglass, Burrell.
IOTA
CHAPTER
KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN U
tv 0
ears
fr ° f [ y °f effort as petitioners to the "greatest" 6 *i q r n i t y i n t h e world were happily realized on December to tt35' W h e n B r o t h e r Sidney A. Jones of Chicago, came Kala m a z o o and established Beta Iota Chapter. Moreov * j r B e t a Iota (the "baby" chapter) announces with pride a plea s u r e the fact that it was represented at the recent c" nve n ti o n by two delegates, Brothers Woolford and one •siting member, Brother Baker. j - ° n t h e r e t u r n of our representatives, plans were me Q .diately inaugurated for a perpetuation of the convenb * ! , m s p i r a t i o n received both from our Jewel and older ers. The many plans and suggestions include the ^rmation of a basketball team, a "rushing" smoker, a mid. l n e r formal, and a Negro history program which is to be « 1Ve n at one of the local churches. The personnel of our charter chapter includes: Brothr s Hackley E. Woodford, president; Wm. F. Goins, vice m «sident; J. T. Tapley, secretary; Wm. C. Foster, assis•^ secretary; Arnold C. Baker, treasurer; Benjamin C. ar field, editor; Thomas F. Briscoe, sergeant-at-arms, and
B. TayMelvin, L. CasHerman
Sherman B. Ford, chaplain. Furthermore, we are pleased to recognize as members Dr. G. A. Alexander who was instrumental in securing a chapter for our city, and Dr. E. D. Harrill, formerly of Chicago. Fraternally yours, C. WARFIELD, Editor.
XI LAMBDA
NEWS
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS After serving for two years as President of XI Lambda Chapter, Brother Howard Shepard retired January l l . His administration was outstanding because of its many notable accomplishments. Beginning with planning for the Special Convention of 1934, many of the wayfaring 250 Alpha brothers in Chicago were brought back into the fold; the old Alpha Phi Alpha spirit was revived; and its power concentrated into the purchase of a magnificent building at 4432 South Parkway for the home of Theta and XI Lambda Chapters. This palatial chapter house furnished harmoniously and comfortably according to an approved
Page 28
THE SPHINX
plan of interior decoration is known in Chicago as THE ALPHA HOUSE. It is our most substantial and important undertaking of recent years. _ Theta and XI Lambda continue to meet jointly, t n couragement is being given to Thetas plan to develop once more into a strong undergraduate chapterNotable features of our joint cultural and social program for the last year were: The purchase of a suitable and attractive chapter house in April. The opening of a dining room service in the ALPHA HOUSE for members and guests June 1. A brilliant dance given in June by Brother Noble Sissle and his orchestra for the local Alpha Phi Alpha chapters at which 150 Alpha brothers were present together with about 1,000 guests to enjoy the strange elusive music which has made Brother Sissle pre-eminent in his field. The formal dedication of the ALPHA HOUSE, July 14, at which a beautiful gold wrist watch was presented to Brother Oscar Brown, chairman of the board of directors of the Theta-XI Lambda Foundation as a token of appreciation of the invaluable services he has given to insure the security of our business venture and to promote the general welfare of the two chapters. The illustrated lecture on ancient, medieval, and modern Ethiopia by Brother W. Leo Hansberry of Howard University, at one of our large churches to whch the poWfc were invited as guests of Aliha Phi Alpha. To say that the capacity audience was impressed profoundly is conservative. The Alpha Ethiopian Clansman smoker given in honor of the brothers attending the Negro History Association meeting in September at which Brothers Charles H. Wesley, General President; Rayford W. Logan, Director of the Educational Fou-dation gave inspirational and instructive talks. The installation of a pool table of standard size in the recreation room of ALPHA HOUSE. The bridge party for the wives and sweethearts of brothers who had contributed to ALPHA HOUSE. The Harvest dance complimenting Alpha Phi Alpha brothers visiting Chicago for the TuskegeeWilberforce football game. Theta entertainment of New Students of Armour Tech, Chicago, Illinois, Loyola, Lewis Institute, and Northwestern at a smoker at which time Theta "showed off" prominent Alpha men; too long to catalogue. The CARNIVAL where fun and beauty reigned, sponsored by Theta but assisted actively by XI Lambda, given in November at the Eighth Regiment Armory was one of the most enjoyable and successful events of the season. It was a night to be remembered. Mrs. Addison Mosely, wife of Brother Mosely, was general chairman of the group of wives and sweethearts who worked hard for the success of the Carnival. Brother Marcus Mahone was general chairman of the committee in charge of the Carnival. Many brothers of Chicagoland not actively affiliated with our chapters have contributed generously to the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation, the organization responsible
FebruarvMc^
for our chapter house. The names of the charter m e m b e of this foundation who contributed to our chapter ho Usp fund are included on a testimonial plaque. Beautif ul ' valuable gifts of lamps, paintings, and other articles ha v ! been donated to the chapter house by many brothers a n q their wives. Since opening the ALPHA House we have entertained many distinguished brothers including Brother Charle s ji Wesley, General President; Brother Rayford L 0 ' Atlanta University; Brother Frederick Patterson, p ' dent of Tuskegee; Brother Alphonse Henninberg 0 f T u ' kegee- Brother W. Leo Hansberry, Howard Univer s i t v ' Brother J. L. Johnson, Washington, D. C ; Brother ]J' A Gregg, Bishop of the A. M. E. Church; Brother Bert McDonald, Western Vice President, and many o t h When you visit Chicago, we welcome you to m a k e t h ' ALPHA HOUSE your headquarters. Dinner i s Se * daily at 6:00, and on Sunday from 3 to 6 p. m . A l Phi Alpha brothers are invited to bring their wives anrf sweethearts at that time. Phone or write Brother C T Longmire for dinner or lodging reservations. So many brothers in Chicago are doing outstandin th : ngs in their respective fields that we cannot mention all of them; however, it is interesting to note that Bi 0 ' n Q John Lawler, M. D., has been appointed assistant superin tendent of Provident Hospital and Brother James L. Ha]1" M. D., Head of Cl:nics, Provident Hospital. We in Chicago are particularly fortunate in that m a n , former general officers of the fraternity including Brothel Ro'coe Giles, Walter Cardoza, Oscar Brown, the p r e s J ° Th'rd General Vice President Sidney Jon-s; brothers Who have attended many general conventions of the fraternity a-, d legates, like Brothers Sidney Brown and A. WaynVl' W r d meet with us regularly and g've us couniel and guidance. Brother Lloyd Hall, consulting chemist a forn, prcs-'dent of XI Lambda, installed the newly rioted off cers of XI Lambda for the ensu'ng year at the Januar meeting of the chapter. The officers are: Pres'dont—Brother Luther Peck, D. V. M., Penn. '17. Vice President—Bother E. K. McDonald, M. D . Fisk, '17: Northwestern Med, '23. Secretary—Brother Lawrence Young, Oh'o State. '25. Treasurer—Brother Homer R. Lewis, Illino's, ex. '21. Sergeantatarms—Brother Henry M. Trammel, M. D., Michigan, '13.; Northwestern, '18. Chaplain—Brother Frank Plummer, M. D., Cornell, '11; Howard, '16; Chicago Medical, '2o! Assistant Secretary and Associate Editor of Sphinx—Brother Frederick L. Parker, Minn., '13. Brother Sidney Jones, Third Vice President of the general organization, and a former president of Theta installed the officers of Theta immediately after the XI Lambda installation. Most of Theta's officers were r e . elected. They are: President—Brother Archibald J. Carey. Vice President—Brother William Brown. Secretary—Brother Nelson Woodley. Treasurer—Brother Herman Brown. Sergeant-at-arms—Brother Marcus Mahone. Chaplain—Brother Leonidas Berry. Assistant Secretary—Brother Walter Hackley
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
ALPHA PI LAMBDA NEWS WINSTON-SALEM, N. C. Greetings, Brothers: It is with much pleasure that we take this opportunity (and a rare one it has become) of greeting the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha throughout the land. May our short letter prove of interest to you. Our hearts were somewhat saddened recently due to the loss of three stalwart members of our local chapter, Brothers J. B. Jefferies, C. R. Robinson and E. E. Henderson. Bro. Jeffries, fo.mer Corresponding Secty., left us to enroll as a graduate student at the University of Illinois to pursue work leading to the M. A. degree. Bro. Robinson returned to Boston, Mass., where he has entered the business world. Bro. Henderson, who left us only recently, January 2 5, has enrolled in the Graduate School of the University of Iowa where he will pursue a two-year course in Social Service work. Although we will miss these brothers, we can not but congratulate them and wish them every success in their respective undertakings. We commend them to the tender care of the chapters in their new surroundings. Our sadness at losing these brothers was somewhat lightened by the addition of two new brothers. Brother W. E. Harrison, formerly of Alpha Rho, Morehouse College, has assumed the position of Assistant .Manager 째i the local office of the N. C. Mutual Life Insurance Co. As a member of his staff of agents, he brings with him Brother E. S. Johnson, formerly of Alpha Omicron, J - C. Smith University. We consider these brothers splendid additions to our small but mighty group and take this opportunity of formally welcoming them into our midst. In addition to a regular monthly business meeting, Alpha Pi Lambda has continued the practice of having a monthly social meeting at the home of some brother. The October meeting was held at the home of Bro. Carter, the chapter being the guests of Bros. Carter and Wright. Bros. Anderson and Taylor entertained the brothers in November at the home of tin former. i n December, Bros. Cary and Hill were the hosts and in January Bros. Ellis and Newell. These social meetings are stag affairs and are enjoyed immensely by all the brothers. At the November meetlng we were pleased to have as our guests Brothers Ty u s and Morton who are special representatives of th e Rumford Baking Powder Company. These brothers w ho have their headquarters in Richmond were in our mi d s t nearly a month and we were glad to extend to the. m the glad hand of fellowship. In conclusion, let us introduce to you the members Alpha Pi Lambda chapter. , B l ' 째 - J- O. Ellis, President Teacher of English, Atkins High School. Assistant Coach of Football Team. He's a Benedict. Bro. w . E. Pitts, Vice President Manual Training Teacher, Kimberley Park School. Married, has a daughter 2 years old. Bro - Leander Hill, Treasurer District Manager of Southern Fidelity Insurance Co. He's in circulation. r 째- E. S. Wright, Financial Secretary of
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A successful practicing physician. A Benedict. Bro. J. L. Cary, Recording Secretary Teacher of mathematics and Head Coach of Football and Baseball, Atkins High School. A Bachelor. Bro. A. H. Henderson, Corresponding Secretary Principal of Columbian Heights School and PartTime Instructor at Winston-Salem Teachers College. Married, one daughter nearly two years old. Bro. J. A. Carter Principal of Atkins High School. Married, has a daughter and a son, ages 7 and 4 respectively. Bro. E. A. Cox Instructor in Chemistry and Director of Extension Winston-Salem Teachers College. Married and has one daughter, age 7 years. Bro. J. W. Holmes Instructor in English at Winston-Salem Teachers College. A much sought-after bachelor. Bro. W. E. Harrison Assistant Mgr. N. C. Mutual Life Insurance Company. Another Bachelor. Bro. E. S. Johnson Agent, N. C. Mutual Life Ins. Co. Also a Bachelor. Bro. Harold Taylor Instructor in Social Science and Basketball Coach Winston-Salem Teachers College. Married and has a daughter 3 years old. More news next time. Sincerely and fraternally yours, Albert H. Anderson, Corresponding secretary.
MU CHAPTER ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA Mu Chapter of the Twin Cities is glad to once more join the active list in the Sphinx. It has been some time since the brothers have heard from us, but here we are, and watch us go. Brother John Lawrence, Jr., returned from the Silver Convention with still more enthusiasm and is working to get the chapter program in line with that of the fraternity as outlined at the Convention. The Convention report was given at the last meeting which was held at the beautiful home of Bro. and Mrs. Charles Washington. Bro. Washington until recently was a bachelor along with Bros. Ray Cannon, Lawrence, and Leon Smith. In August of last year he was united in holy matrimony to Miss Johnnie Frances Kelley of Atlanta, Georgia. Bro. John Patton is a Relief Worker at the Selby station in St. Paul. Bro. and Mrs. Patton have just returned from a sad trip to Birmingham, Alabama occasioned by the death of Mrs. Patton's grandmother. Bro. Lafayette Fields has opened a fine Drug Store in St. Paul. We extend our best wishes to him for this progressive step. Bro. Ollie Griffin, formerly of Beta Beta, plans to return to school next fall. Bros. Lawrence and John Thomas are enrolled at the University of Minnesota. Bro. Ernest St. John Simms, Mu's newest brother,
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THE SPHINX
has returned to his home in St. Louis; he will return to Minnesota next fall. Bro Herbert Foster and his family are workin Q and residing at White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Bros Raymond and Homer Cannon are the eminences of Jurisprudence" in the Mill City Bro. Raymond Cannon is still very active in Chapter affairs and is looking forward to the California Convention with great zest. Bro. Jasper Gibbs is so busy with his laundry that he is not able to make every meeting, but is still interested in Alpha. Bro. Earl Weber is in his sixteenth year of Dentistry practice in St. Paul. He is very active in musical circles as well as with the Chapter. Mu has six promising pledges. They are William Simms, who is very active in extra-curricular activities on the Minnesota campus and is President of the Sphinx Club; Norman Lyght of Lutsen, Minnesota; Horace Bell, who distinguished himself on the Freshman football team last fall and will no doubt be with the National Champs next September; Turner Dennard, student in Pharmacy; Urlin Clark of Evanston, Illinois and Henry Thomas of Omaha. Mu extends to all the General Officers congratulations and promises to support the Alpha program "until the mind of man runneth not to the contrary" (apologies to Bro. Rayford Logan). Fraternally yours, John R .Lawrence Jr. (President).
OMICRON CHAPTER PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha, GREETINGS: Under a heavy blanket of snow and the thermometer below zero, Omicron is broadcasting the history that some of her brothers are making. Dr. Loraine J. Jones better known as "Bus," is head of the science department at Tenn. State College. Last year "Bus" dropped his bachelorhood and added unto himself a wife. The lovely lady's name was Ruth Conyers. Dr. Walter Talbot is now teaching mathematics at Lincoln University at Jefferson City, Missouri. What Bro. Talbot doesn't know about "math" is not worth knowing. His love affairs are concentrated around Cincinnati, Ohio. Bro. Frank Bolden is an assistant instructor in Biology at the University of Pittsburgh. Anytime any man makes all A's in his College work, I take my hat off to him. Bro. Orville Fleming, one of the fastest human beings in the country in the 100 yd. and 220 yd. dash, made the highest honorary fraternity at Pitt. He is now a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. In order to make this high society one must be outstanding in extra curriculum activities and maintain a B average in their studies. Bro. Melvin Goode is still our ambassador of good will. Don't be surprised if you see "Mel" anytime in your town. Our first meeting of the year found Bro. James Dougan sitting in the president's chair, "Jimmie"
J^ebruOTyjggg
Burns, vice-president, Felix Gobble, secretary, j Bryan Davis who made Kappa Phi Kappa honor/ 0 ' Educational Fraternity, treasurer, Bro. George fttaso^ Sgt-at-Arms and Bro. Bud Leftridge, associate e d i ^ ' of The Sphinx. Bro. James Dougan outlines his P r ° r gram and by its contents we are looking forward T a big year.
THINGS SAID, BUT NEVER DONE "I'm going to attend every meeting this year" "I'm (Bro. Hairston) going to bring a brown- s igirl to an affair this year." * "I'm going to pay my grand tax and also ke 9 up my local obligations." "I'll give my right arm for dear old Alpha." "I'm going to keep up the standards of Alp.has making all B's in my studies." ' y "I'm (Bro. "Wait' Water) going to recall m y from a certain lady at Wellesley College." "I'm (Bro 'Max' Thompson) going to stop S e e . girls who live across from each other on the s a S street." "I'm (Bro. 'Bill' Poole) going to act 21 yra o f and mold my life to suit myself." "I'm (Bro. Geo. Mason) going to settle dow on Lowell street and stop jibing other girls. "I'm (Bro. Howard Jordan) going to stip s a y n n H m r c tthat h a t rlnp t o the t h e fap.t in the meetings due to fact th'nf that TI am neophyte, etc." "I'm (Bro. Frank Bolden) going to stop c o n v . f f n i r c unattached unattached." to affairs "I'm (Bro 'Mel' Goode) going to stop runni 11. „„,•,+ n n n t l i n i i r l n r a c t Q n n orn n cr + « Vi ™ 4. north, east, south and west and going to be true the girl wearing my engagement ring." And as for myself, I'm going to stop "woofing" Until next time. Omicron wishes a great deal success to our brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha. Cordially and fraternally yours, William (Bud) Leftridge Associate Editor of The Sphi
NEWS OF ALPHA SIGMA WILEY COLLEGE Since the time of the last publication, there h been much ado aboard the good ship, Alpha Sigm The most significant one is the appointment of sp e c i Research Agent in the Department of Economics the United States Government received by a graduat Brother, Joseph R. Houchins, former professor of Ee nomics at Wiley College. We are proud to welco m " once more aboard the noble craft, graduate Brothe Wendell P. Sweatt who has been appointed as instru tor of Biology here at his Alma Mater, and Brother Lawrence King, who has re-entered school after absence of one year. Among the thirteen undergraduates Brothers, m a n of them have won honors in their respective fields Brothers Mcintosh, Boswell, and Feltenberg won U n told laurels on the gridiron. Brother Baldwin Burroughs is outstanding in the field of dramatics; Brother Jarrett is probably the most active man on the campus, and is outstanding in the field of debateBrother William Pendergraff did his part in the field of scholarship by making the highest average of any man on the campus last quarter. Another outstand-
February, 1936
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THE SPHINX
Ing Brother is Isaac Glasco In the field of mathematics and physics. The Sphinx Club is made up of seventeen young deck hands, two of whom have started their long and gruesome journey over the burning sands. The officers aboard the ship are: Bros. Hobart Jarrett, president; James Cabell, vice-president; Dixon Mcintosh, secretary; Joseph Sample, corresponding secretary; iWilliam Pedergraff, treasurer, and Warren Boswell, editor of The Sphinx. We take this opportunity to congratulate the general officers who were elected at the recent annual convention. May success be yours throughout the coming year. Fraternally yours, Warren A. Boswell, Editor to Sphinx.
SIGMA LAMBDA CHAPTER NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA Greetings Brothers! Since last you heard from Sigma Lambda, much has been done in developing the Chapter's activities, and furthering the standards of Alpha Phi Alpha. With the opening of Dillard University and the opening of another school year at Xavier University, Sigma Lambda welcomed a large number of Brothers. At Dillard University, the new Brothers are: Clarence T. Mason, Ph. D., who heads the Chemistry Dept, Charles W. Buggs, Ph. D., who heads the Biological Dept, Frederick Hall, Director of Music; Clyde L.Reynolds, Bursar; Lamar Jones, the Horticulturist, and three under-graduate Brothers, James D. Browne, Traverse Crawford, and Elmaurice Miller. At Xavier University the new Brothers are: Herman Washington, Field Work Supervisor of the school of Social Work; Giles o. Wright, Physical Education Director; and °ne under-graduate Brother, Numa J. Rousseve. Sigma Lambda is to be commended for having such Brethren affiliate with her, for truly they have added zest and enthusiasm to the Chapter's activities. On the other hand, Sigma Lambda wishes to express gratitude to the Chapters that these Brothers were previously affiliated with for the choice of selection of them. Each has fallen in line with the other stalwart Brothers of Sigma Lambda in the continuity of promoting Alpha Phi Alpha in these surroundings. Brother Herman Washington has recently been elected to serve a three year term as a member of the Local Y. M - C. A.'s Board of Directors. He also was appointed chairman of the Boys' Work Committee. Of others tr om the Chapter Roster, who are also holding high the banner of Alpha Phi Alpha, we shall have to s Peak another time. The following Neophytes were welcomed into our fold on November 16, 1935: Brother Louis A. G. Blanchet, who is a member of the faculty a t the McDonough No. 35 High school; Brother Oscar A. Bouise, Professor of English at Xavier University; Brother Charles B. Rousseve, who is a member of the faculty of the City Normal School; and Brother Rene J. Rousseve a Social Worker. Each of these Brothers will be an asset to Sigma Lambda and Alpha Phi Alpha, for each is very outstanding in his respective field of endeavor.
The newly inaugurated officers of Sigma Lambda for the year 1936 are as follows: Brother W. E. Belton, President; Brother Walter King, Vice-President; Brother Ferdinand L. Rousseve, Recording Secretary; I. Benj. Ross, Corresponding Secretary; Brother Whit ney Haydell, Treasurer; Brother Rudolph Moses, Chaplain, and Brother A. P. Tureaud, Sergeant-at-arms. At the time of installation, the officers pledged themselves to become better servants of the chapter and proposed to make this year's administration transcend all previous accomplishments. At our last meeting on January 2 3, the members of Sigma Lambda were happy to be the guest of Brother Belton, the newly elected president. The meeeting served a two fold purpose, namely: to familiarize the Brothers of the untiring efforts of our delegates while at the Silver Convention; and to celebrate Founders Week. The thirty-two members present at this meeting were greatly inspired after listening to the report of the convention delegates. Brother A. P. Tureaud, who was chairman of the committee gave a very extensive report of all activities of the Silver Convention. After business was disposed of, refreshments were served which were enjoyed by all present. Sigma Lambda salutes you her guest chapters and fellow Brethren, as she is very proud to be your host of the 1937 Convention for two reasons: First, Sigma Lambda realizes the great honor that has been bestowed upon her as the host of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity; and Second, the convening of the Fraternity in New Orleans, "the Crescent City" will mark the first time the coming of a National Greek Letter Organization of collegiate rank for Negroes to the city. For the two reasons mentioned Sigma Lambda has already begun to formulate plans to make the 1937 Convention—THE MOST EVENTFUL AND INTERESTING CONVENTION IN AMERICA'S MOST INTERESTING CITY—NEW ORLEANS, LA. Fraternally yours, I. Benj. Ross, Cor. Sec. of Sigma Lambda Chapter.
TAU LAMBDA NEWS NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE Tau Lambda begins the new year with a heightened spirit and considerable enthusiasm. Inspired by contacts of fellowship at the Silver Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha, to which it was one of the host chapters, Tau Lambda looks forward to a year of constructive work. The year's agendum includes the following activities: (a) As the major administrative measure, plans have been made for the establishment of an Alpha Phi Alpha club house for Nashville brothers. The general idea is to have an institution similiar to a university club. It will include dormitory space for CM Chapter men, unmarried Alpha men in the city, and visiting brothers. Dining facilities will be provided for the general public, as well. Club conveniences afforded will include space for various recreational activities, such-as, a billiards room, card room, salon for small private dances and parties, a lounging room, and library facilities. The club will be financed on a sound business basis, as by incorporation, the issuing of stocks or floating of bonds.
THE SPHINX
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For this undertaking, a committee has been appointed to formulate definite plans and a program „ the Plans reported by this committee aie adoptod by the graduate chapter, they will be submitted to the other local chapters for consideration _ . a t l o n (b) A second important item is the formulation of a general program of activities which will chaUen all Alpha men in Nashville. To this end, a committee has been appointed and is at work. (c) Cultural programs for chapter meetings a.e be ing provided, in which brothers and distinguished local men are presented. Social features, in which Alpha wives and sweethearts will participate, are planned for the spring.
Some Activities Of Tau Lambda Brothers Brother Charles S. Johnson is directing the White Collar Project" in Tennessee. This work involves the collection of social data which will be utilized in a program for improving the general welfare of Negroes in the state. Brother George W. Gore, who has been studying at Columbia University in pursuance of the P h D . degree will resume his duties as Dean of Instruction at Tennessee A .and I. College in February. Brother A. A. Taylor, chapter president, is the Negro History Week speaker at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri. Brother Taylor reviewed Dr. W. E. B D u B o i . BLACK RECONSTRUCTION for the NEW ENGLAND QUARTERLY, December, 1935. Brother L. E. Alexander, whose field of interest is the biological sciences, has completed his thesis for the Ph. D. degree at the University of Rochester.
Officers Of Tau Lambda Brother A. A. Taylor, President; Brother R. Hernandez, Vice President; Brother J. K. Anderson, Secretary; Brother W. D. Hawkins, Jr:, Assistant Secretary; Brother I. T. Creswell, Treasurer; Brother C. F. Lewis, Chaplain; Brother George W. Gore, Parliamentarian; Brother William May, Sergeant-at-arms; Brother Mark Hanna Watkins, Associate Editor of The Sphinx.
February^lo^
brothers, when brother James Williams died last D e cember. Brother Williams was graduated from the rj n i " versity of Kansas last June. He had the distinction 0f being one of the few Negroes to be elected to P s i Ch> honorary psychological fraternity. Members of xjPal1' Ion were present at the last rites of brother Wilii Willi atrig " The following brothers acted as pallbearers: Donal,} Do u Beatty, Clifford Spottsville, Byron Mason, Hor Murdock, John Wiley and Sphinxman William Sp e a r man. As the Father of the Catholic Church in Lawrman. dust du thnn <>,.+ „.. ence uttered, "and remember man, thou art an,. dust thou shall retumeth the brothers of Upsilon tu r ed and left their friend buried in Calvary cemetery Though Ms grave site is many miles away, the cam pus of K. U., which he loved so well, can be s e e n ^ the distance. And as the great buildings stand m a j e a tically silhouetted against the horizon, they se eni t o say, "Well done, my little man. Well done. Upsilon Chapter gave its Founders Day Banquet 0 „ December 14, 1935, at the chapter house, with Brother F. C. Heariold a founder of Upsilon Chapter as th principal speaker. Visiting brothers who attended the banquet were: Rev. H. B. Burton, Jefferson city. Professors J. H. Bluford, B. Mayberry and M. E. Car 0'i of Lincoln High School, K. C. Mo., Professor Hem l a n T. Jones, Western University; Thomas Webster, exe _ cutive secretary of the Urban League, K. C, Mo.; A t [ torney Elmer Jackson, K. C , Kan.; Attorney j a r n e 8 Davis, Topeka, Kansas; Dr. A. C. Wilson, K. &. Mo • Robert Snow, and Guy Davis of K. C , Mo.; also P e r c y Caruthers of Western University. Upsilon regrets that Edwa d V. Williams, their brother who made Phi Beta Kappa last year, is not with them this year. Brother Donald Beatty recently passed his o r a l examinations for his Master's degree, which he win receive shortly. Upsilon has three brothers in the K U. School of Law. They are Edward J. Bruce. Ken (Please Turn to Page 43)
UPSILON CHAPTER KANSAS UNIVERSITY Upsilon has elected the following officers for the year: President, Ezra R. Greer; Vice-President, Ralph Rodgers; Recording Secretary, Francis W. Herndon; Corresponding Secretary, Edward Bruce; Steward, Horace D. Murdock; King of Freshmen, Dowdall H. Davis Jr.; Sergeant-at-Arms, Donald Beatty; Associate Editor of the Sphinx, John Wiley. .Members of the chapter are: John Bluford, Prentice A. Townsend, Guion Bluford, Ernest Brown, Donald Ferguson, Thomas Jackson, Robert Jordan, Cordell Meeks, Byron Mason, Hamilton Perkins, Arthur Pullam, Kenneth Smith, Willard Smith, Clifford Spottsville and Joseph Spotts. Sphinx Members are: Maurice Abernathy. Floyd Love, Noel Alsbrook, Ralph Busch, Ephriam Ewing, William Fowler, Lloyd Groves, Weldon Groves, LaVerne Graves, Thomas McLaurin, Arthur McLendon, William Spearman, James Tribue. Upsilon Chapter lost one of its most outstanding
G. W. GORE, JR. Vice Chairman Convention Co-Chairman Committee On Program and Schedule
THE SPHINX
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ALPHA DELTA LAMBDA CHAPTEK
A GRADUATE CHAPTER AS AN AGENCY OF COMMUNITY UPLIFT By HUGH M. GLOSTER ALPHA DELTA LAMBDA Memphis, Tennessee Negro collegiate fraternities and sororities have borne the brunt and burden of much adverse criticism during the Past decade. Many individuals have asserted that racial Greek letter groups have neither immediate nor ultimate Personal and social value, and that they are seriously detrimental both to harmonious campus life and to civic cooperation after college days. It has even been frequently stated that these organizations should be abolished because they are not rendering useful and estimable service. For example, the writer distinctly remembers a student article which was published by him during his editorship of the undergraduate student paper of Morehouse College and which applied the following lines from Milton's Paradise Lost to express an opinion of the lowly status of Negro fraternities and of the lengthy and difficult road before them: Long is the way and hard, That out of Hell leads up to Light. No observing person who has been or is well acquainted with the operations of fraternities and sororities, whether graduate or undergraduate, can deny that there are 째ften existent certain ideas and attitudes which do not evince reason, propriety, and good sense. It should be bor n e in mind, however, that it is generally the individual 째r chapter and not the national policy of a fraternity to sanction or defend errors in speech and conduct which engender discord and disorganization. It is evident that reek letter groups could do excellent work in the betterWent of racial and national life if they would adopt and observe their nationally formulated policies and aims.
A few chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha have become aware of the important role for the promotion of general progress which they may play in these days of social restlessness and economic depression. These bodies have vigorously set themselves to work, have decided to spend as little time as possible on trifling and petty matters, and have undertaken to tackle the problems of contemporary society, especially as they affect Negroes. One particular chapter, Alpha Delta Lambda, a graduate group of thirty members in Memphis, has taken upon itself the job of showing that fraternal bonds are provocative of worthwhile accomplishments and. has essayed to implant itself firmly in the community as an agency of uplift. This chapter is proving by accomplishments that fraternity chapters may bring matters to successful issues by concerted and persistent effort. The remainder of this article will be a brief survey of the recent activities of Alpha Delta Lambda, which was awarded the Balfour Cup in 1934 mainly because of its effective budget system. To begin, Alpha Delta Lambda, working in association with Beta XI, undergraduate body at LeMoyne College, exerted an extensive and socially helpful influence in its execution of the national campaigns of "Go to High School, Go to College" and "Education for Citizenship." During the final week of last April, a program was arranged and enacted which reached the pastors and members of the principal churches of Memphis, the readers of local daily and weekly periodicals, as well as the faculties and- students of the schools and colleges in the city. Through the churches, the press, and pamphlets, a fruitful attempt was made to reach the masses of the people and to instruct them in the fundamentals of good citizenship and in the benefits which were derivable from the New Deal. In the schools the value of a good education and the need for adequate vocational guidance were stressed, and results have proven that this phase of the program was encouragingly successful. Next spring an even greater observance of the fraternity's national campaigns
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February,
THE SPHINX
will be held: first, hundreds of Negroes within the radius of 100 miles of Memphis will be reached either by mimeographed releases or by public speakers, and secondly, a radio broadcast will be available through the kindness of T. H. Hayes and Sons, funeral directors, who are brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha and who now sponsor over Station WNBR weekly programs dealing with the lives and achievements of eminent Negro citizens of the Bluff City. Besides giving attention to the best possible observance of the Fraternity's national campaigns, Alpha Delta Lambda has always been alert to support the interests of the race in matters of general importance. For examples, a wire was sent to Congressman Ed Crump of Memphis in 1934 asking his support of the "DePriest Resolution" for equal accommodations for colored members of the House of Representatives, a petition was sent to Washington last year urging the immediate passage of the Costigan-Wagner Anti-Lynching Bill, and tangible interest was manifested in the recent University of Maryland case. At present, the chapter is considering in what ways it may aid Negro war veterans in deriving full benefits from the soldier's bonus bill. At this point it might also be interesting to note that many of the members of the chapter contribute to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Association for the (Please Turn to Page 47)
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AT DOOR OF NEGRO YOUTH STRIKING OPPORTUNITY FOR NEGRO YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE IN FOUR FEDERAL YOUTH PROJECTS JUST ANNOUNCED On January 3, 1936, the National Youth Administration announced (NYA Bulletin No. i) the procedure for development and operation of four NYA Federal Projects which provide ten million dollars for the employment of young persons from relief families. The four projects are as follows:
ATTORNEY CHARLES H. HOUSTON, Special Counsel for the N.A.A.C.P., and an eminent Alpha brother, released this article to the fraternity and sorority chapers of the country for discussion on the National Youth Administration.
"2 PROJECTS FOR RURAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT under Official Project Number 65-1712; "To provide part-time employment of young De pie from relief families in rural communities i n in ° itnproving and beautifying school grounds, minor r e p a i ring of public buildings, aiding in reforestation, aiding aidi r in°work of state experimental farms and a g r i c U i t u r work; development of county or community centersspreading better farming, sanitation, and health p r a c ' tices in rural communities; vocational agricmturJ maintaining and enlarging rural library services; \ ^ ing recreational and community activities.
"3. PUBLIC SERVICE PROJECTS, under Official p r o ject Number 65-1713: "To provide part-time employment of young m and women from relief families as assistants in v a r i , ^ public services to conduct activities outside of the n o / mal, budgeted scope of these local governmental a g e ^ cies, such as traffic checks and control, sanitation" health and investigation of local and state governmental records.
"4. RESEARCH PROJECTS, Number 65-1714:
under
Official
Proj ect
"To provide part-time employment of young ni and women from relief families in a variety 0 f lo^"! research projects in local history, tax records, safe* campaigns, biological and agricultural experimental a y sistance, and other types of research." Preparation of Projects A detailed statement governing the preparation projects may be obtained from the National Youth Ad ministration by asking for NYA Bulletin No. 4, i Ss „ " January 3, 1936. The Application Blank is NYA p 0 No. 5. The State Youth Director should be able T furnish these forms and supplementary informati ° In case there is any delay on the part of the stat Director, write to Miss Juanita Saddler, Administraf & Assistant in Charge of Negro Activities, or to ^ Richard R. Brown, Asst. Executive Dir. of the Nan Youth Administration, 1734 New York Avenue, N. xp' Washington, D. C. Preparation of projects should begin at once a be vigorously pushed to completion. LET US SHow KEEN AND ACTIVE INTEREST IN OUR OWN YQUNG PEOPLE.
Cost of Project and Selection of Personnel " 1 . PROJECTS FOR YOUTH COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT and RECREATIONAL LEADERSHIP, under Official Project Number 65-1711: "To provide part-time employment of young people from relief families as leaders and assistants in the establishment, organization and conduct of recreational and community activities in playgrounds, athletic fields, water sports areas, camps, parks, community houses, indoor recreation centers, gymnasiums, public institutions, schools, and community centers; to develop, particularly in backward communities, community activities, arts and crafts, manual activities; to improve existing recreational areas and facilities, beaches, pools, playgrounds, playfields on school ground; to extend knowledge of improved health, sanitation, and domestic science practices to groups not reached through local governmental services; to engage in safety campaigns to prevent loss of life.
At least 75% of the money allocated to the stat for works projects must be expended for the wages young people from relief families. Of the total nu ber of persons employed on all projects in the stat i" at least 90% must be taken from the relief rolls; i<w of all youth and adult workers, either supervisory ° regular employees may be of a non-relief status. Su Pe visory and administrative employees are not subject the security wage schedule. All other workers, excent those exempted by the State Administrator, are to K paid wages in accordance with the monthly earnin schedule for adult workers or for young workers a the case may be. We quote Section 6, Pre-Selection of Personnel-
"The pre-selection of young people for employ ment on NYA sponsored Federal Projects is th" joint responsibility of the State Youth Directn6 and the State Director of Intake and Certified
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
tion of the Works Progress Administration. In each State these officials will establish procedure for the pre-selection of the number of young people that are to be employed on NYA projects. "The provisions of Administrative Order No. 19 shall govern pre-selection. YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED FOR PRE-SELECTION SHALL NOT BE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ON ANY GROUND WHATSOEVER. "Ilhe procedure worked out by the State Youth Director and the State Director of Intake and Certification shall be used by the NYA project supervisors and the District Supervisor of Intake and Certification for the pre-selection of young people for local project employment. This means that an immediate drive should be made to get all Negroes who are proper subjects for relief on the relief rolls, and all young Negroes of relief families certified by the WPA. The local press should work out the detailed procedure required to get on relief and publish the same as soon as possible, so that Negroes may know the exact steps necessary to qualify for relief. (The same for certification by the WPA,) Cases of discrimination in relief should be given the widest possible publicity. The churches, labor unions, and fraternal societies are urged to appoint special committees to cooperate with the local relief and iWPA administrations. Appeals should be made promptly from the local relief and WPA administrations to the state administrations. If the state administrations are still guilty of discrimination, the appeal should be made to the federal adminisrations In Washington and to the National Office of the N.A.A. C.P. advised. Sponsors In order for the project to receive more sympathetic consideration, it should have sponsors. The text °f the regulation governing sponsors is as follows: "COOPERATING SPONSOR— The official sponsor for the four Federal projects is the National Youth Administration. It is desirable, but not mandatory, that some public, quasi-public, or non-profit private agency indicate local interest in each work project. Such local agencies cooperating with the youth Director in developing work projects will be called Cooperating Sponsors. Cooperating sponsors should be urged to make contributions which may be in the nature of supervision, services, or the provision of equipment." Under these regulations, N.A.A.C.P. Branches, churches, fraternities and sororities, and charitable •nstitutions, etc., are qualified to act as sponsors. Obviously the more sponsors that can be united behind a single project, the more chances that project has of receiving favorable consideration. Approval of Project Determination and approval of works projects to be operated in t h State is the responsibility of the e State Youth Director, who has the power of final approval. Nevertheless, the N.A.A.C.P. advises its ranches, the fraternities and sororities, the Negro ess and other organizations, that wherever any race
Page 35
discrimination is evidenced, appeal should be taken from the State Youth Director to the National Youth Administration in Washington, and the National Office of the N.A.A.C.P. should be furnished with copies of all papers so that it may assist in the work in Washington. A list of the National Youth Administrators is attached hereto. Speed Speed is of the essence. Formulate your project; prepare it in proper technical form according to the regulations; get all the sponsors possible; submit the project, and then vigorously follow it up. Don't feel that your work is completed when the project is submitted. You must keep up pressure not only until the project is approved but until the personnel has been selected and work actually begun. NATIONAL YOUTH ADMINISTRATION STATE DIRECTORS AND FIELD REPRESENTATIVES ALABAMA—Mr. T.had Holt, Alabama Youth Administration, 326 First National Bank Building, Montgomery. ARIZONA—Miss Jane Rider, Arizona Youth Administration, 603 Heard Bldg., Phoenix. ARKANSAS—Mr. J. IW. Hull, Arkansas Youth Administration, Russellville. CALIFORNIA—Mrs. Anne Treadwell, Cal. Youth Administration, 4 9 Fourth Street, San Francisco. COLORADO—Mr. H. G. Blue, Colo. Youth Administration, 810 14th Street, Denver. CONNECTICUT—Mr. Thos. J. Todd, Conn. Youth Administration, 125 Munson Street, New Haven. DELAWARE—Mr. Bankson Holcomb, Del. Youth Administration, 354 Delaware Trust Bldg., Wilmington. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA—Mr. Geo. E. Allen, D. C. Youth Admin., District Bldg., Washington. FLORIDA—Mr. R. C. Beaty, Fla. Youth Admin., Roberts Bldg., Jacksonville. GEORGIA—Mr. Raymond Paty, Ga. Youth Admin., 10 Forsythe St. Bldg., Atlanta. ILLINOIS—Mr. Wm. J. Campbell, 111. Youth Admin., 1319 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. INDIANA—Mr. Edward E. Edwards, Ind. Youth Administration, 308 West Ohio Street, Indianapolis. IOWA—Mr. P. C. Packer, Iowa Youth Admin., cfo WPA, Des Moines. KANSAS—Miss Anne Laughlin, Kans. Youth Admin., 912 Kansas Ave., Topeka. KENTUCKY—Mr. F. D. Peterson, Ky. Youth Admin., 9th & Broadway, Louisville. LOUISIANA—Mr. W. B. Hatcher, La. Youth Admin., P. O. Box 829, Baton Rouge. MAINE—Mr. Donald Merriam, Me. Youth Admin., Congress Bldg., Portland. MARYLAND—Mr. J. J. Seidel, Md. Youth' Admin., 950 Baltimore Trust Bldg., Baltimore. MASSACHUSETTS—(Mr. E. L. Casey, Mass. Youth Administration, 31 St. James Ave., Boston. MICHIGAN—Mr. Wm. Haber, Mich. Youth Admin., 609 City National Bldg., Lansing. MINNESOTA—Mr. Geo. A. Selke, Minn. Youth Admin., Minnesota Bldg., 4th & Cedar Streets, St. Paul.
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Page 36 TO ALL CHAPTERS
Your attention is invited to the following appointments for the current year in connection with he various activities of the Office of the Directoi of Bdu ^ B r o t h e r Dr. John W. Davis. Jr., 419% Milam St Houston, Texas, has kindly consented to serve agam as Chairman of the "Go-to-High School-Go-to-Collee campaign. You will receive detailed information_from him concerning the conduct of this campaign in the near future. „ Second, we regret that we are not able to avail ourselves of the services of our very efficient Chairman of the "Education for Citizenship" campaign last year, Brother Mack Spears of Kansas City, Kansas and as a consequence I have asked Brother Karl Downs Gammon Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Cafe serve in that capacity. Brother Downs did a splendid job last year as southeastern director and the experience he gained in that capacity assures us a most successful campaign under his direction this year. Third Brother Dr. William S. Randolph, the Provident Hospital, 42 6 East Fifty-first Street, Chicago Illinois is Chairman of the Committer on Student Advice. This committee is designed to help students in tare professional schools, especially medicine, dentistry pharmacy, and law. Brother Randolph has appointed a number of chairmen for these respective divisions and he will send you detailed information in the near future concerning his plans. We hope that you will avail yourself to the fullest of the opportunities that this committee will offer.
I hereby designate the week of April 27-May 3, 1936, as our week of educational activities. We hope you will begin now to lay your plans and get in toucj with the chairman of the various activities mentioned above. Your Director of Education will always be available for any suggestions or advice that he may be able to render. You will receive in the next few days application blanks for scholarships and fellowships. I hope that your delegate to the Nashville convention reminded you of the fact that I again pointed out the extraordinary zeal with which brothers do NOT apply for these scholarships and fellowships. Please bring this to the attention of every interested brother so that the members of the fraternity may avail themselves of this opportunity to receive some of the money that the general organization turns back to its members. Fraternally yours, Rayford W. Logan.
MEMORANDUM IN RE: REGIONAL DIRECTORS FROM: THE GENERAL PRESIDENT 1. The Regional Directors are to work within their jurisdictions with the chapters assigned to them, under the authority and direction of the Vice Presidents. They are directly responsible, however, as are the Vice Presidents also, to the General President. 2. The specific duties of the Regional Directors are to represent the General Organization within the special territory assigned to them. They are expected to contact the chapters within this territory if pos-
February^
sible in person at some time between the Q„ Conventions. This means that between nowV a-n d 1937 the Regional Directors will endeavor to visit Person, me ncoi""»' —- *"=»soua> ly the several chapters which have been assigned '" them. In some cases there are chapters which n , not had in their history any contact with a repres e V* tive of the General Organization. The Regional r ^ rectors are not supervisors. They have no authority ' m w i — ~ with local chapter organization and activit* •Hiilvjt^0 interfere They are really Contact Officials. Matters which Se to need adjustment should be reported both to T General President and to the Vice President 0f t h e jurisdiction concerned. In a sense the Regional Dj * ector is an "ambassador" of the General Presided and a "commissioner" of the Vice President. T h directors will need to seek the assistance of the (Je^ eral Secretary in contacting Alpha men and in revivin" chapters. This program can be worked in part thr 0 U s v his office. The directors should seek his cooperatig in these endeavors. The Regional Directors represent the General ganization in its absence. The need of bringing J~ chapters into closer contact with the General O r g a n 6 zation was the main reason for their a p p o i n t m '" These directors should be tactful and cooperative a should be more interested in the program than ^ honor for themselves. If any director feels that ^ cannot render this type of service, he should step a s i ( J e and permit some one who is willing to exercise the * Bft qualities to take his place.
3. The one outstanding' duty of the Regional Directs is a two-fold one and a most important dual task (1) to revive inactive chapters; (2) to assist chapters in reclaiming the m, financial and inactive members of th" fte Fraternity. Each Regional Director should submit h i s p r o g r a for achieving these purposes to the Vice Preside" 1 and work with him towards success. Their real j^h in the vernacular, is to "SELL" Alpha Phi Alpha t Alpha men. If such a brother is not "SOLD" on AlPh° Phi Alpha first himself, he cannot be effective h, "selling" it to others. 4. Talk up the Conventions, Los Angeles in 193 6 New Orleans in 1937 or write about them. T e ,. all of the brothers directly or by letter about our program. Of course, find out what the program | first. To this end, read the report of the General Presidlent at Nashville. See that all brothers, financi infinancial, have obtained copies of the. Sphi n and un in February, send their names to the General Seer tary so that they can be forwarded to the Editor 0] the Sphinx; and then follow this up with an a pp ea i *.— „ „ _ - appeai for support, the Grand Tax and local chapter loyalty and activity. 5. The budgets of the Vice President are too small to suggest any division of them as they are quite i n . adequate at present. However, the Vice President^ may find it possible to plan that legitimate expend!. tures for postage, etc., and small assistance otherwise, may be granted.
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
Page 37
Patterson's Address to Silver Convention has become, after college what? The development of constructive programs beyond the purely social by our sororities and fraternities was due to an appreciation of the fact that the most pressing problem to be met by the Negro was that of racial adjustment in an environment ever changing in its material, mental and even physical aspects. If this pressure of adjustment was felt during so-called normal times, it is readily apparent that these organizations must goad themselves to greater effort now in the task of not merely facilitating adjustments in the usual sense but also in the formulation of plans and policies which, if need be, will effect a change in the course of events. There was never a time more urgent or propitious when college trained men and women should bend themselves seriously, and without reservation to the sane consideration of the problems of human welfare as they affect the Negro in America today. If we who have had the opportunities of superior training and advantages are unable to meet this challenge there is little to be hoped for otherwise. I am convinced that this challenge can and will be met, and met without difficulty, in proportion as we decide to frankly submit our socio-economic relationship to an unbiased scrutiny and formulate a program in keeping with our findings. College trained Negroes have not been free to ignore or give scant thought to the problems primarily involving those of less scholastic or professional standing than they, for mass pressure due entirely to race has often far outweighed the privileges accruing from Personal attainments. It is not my purpose to philosophize on this point in an attempt to indicate that the effect of this on the group has been either good, bad 째r indifferent. I do think, however, that regardless of the estimate, its factual nature cannot be gainsaid; and because this is true I believe it should be squarely faced and dealt with. Approach this point selfishly or with the broadest of humanitarian views and the result is the same. Satisfactory adjustment for the college trained man or woman involves, to an exceptional degree, in the case of the Negro, a program that must be projected on the basis of mass adjustment. The problems which confront us as members of a given stratum of society or specific professional S''oups are dwarfed when compared to those which confront us as members of a definitely circumscribed group seeking an equitable adjustment in the economic and social structure of America. This being the case We must be conscious not alone of those factors which etermine the. gross national economy but also the intergroup reactions which are often devastating in their intensity. Labor unions as they involve American life ai 'e serious, but as they react on the Negro are a lite less than a distinct menace. The cotton situation 18 at present the concern of the country at large because of its relationship as one of our most important export commodities. The South as a whole has been temporarily helped by pegged prices though the future world markets is uncertain. The Negro, however, on the cotton plantations is faring worse, at the prese t time, than ever before in his history. These are
but examples; wherever the porportion of Negroes to the population at large is significant, like disparity involves the socio-economic pattern of the groups, white and black. So much has been said on this point in conferences and so much has been written that it should be emphasized that this is offered neither as an expose or as a tirade against an importuning state of affairs. Nothing seems more hopeless or futile than mere wailing over conditions. If, however, there can come from the consideration of these conditions a program designed to eliminate some of the unfortunate relationships involved, this consideration is an activity well worth our most careful attention. This, I believe, is possible. If we succeed it will be necessary ' to blaze trails. Trite and time worn concepts regarding our limitations must be abandoned. Selfish ego must be exchanged for a sense of values based on a true appreciation of group needs. The question is, can we stand the test? Can we put aside odious comparisons long enough to appreciate and submerge differences? Are we able to overlook the temporary advantage accruing to one group long enough to see the great good belonging to the whole? If we cannot perhaps the worst we can plead guilty to is being just human. Is it too much to hope that we as Negroes in America can work out our problems when the world today showing such exemplary evidence of lust and greed? Certainly the task we have before us is not an easy one; and all are justified in looking with disdain upon any pet formula. We have had too many of those nebulous schemes presented that would quickly and surely transform us from poverty to riches. All of us know, or should know, that substantial progress in human affairs is a matter of social evolution. This evolution involving as it does the mores of the people and the necessity for abandoning behavior patterns which have for centuries been a part of the. survival technic cannot be rapid. Every instance of fundamental change of lasting benefit has come by a slow methodical and orderly process of building the unknown on the known. Appreciation of this fact is of prime importance. Certain barriers and experiences cannot be hurdled, for in the very nature of the process comes the knowledge needed for the next step. The next step for us as college trained Negroes is, in my opinion, a conscious sense of responsibility to furnish the leadership and to share in all efforts dealing with problems which affect the Negro as a group. Whether or not we expect to be employed at menial or service occupations the fact that fifty per cent of employable Negroes are in these occupations should make any serious disruption in employment opportunities in this class a matter of vital concern to us all. As the color line fades from these jobs in the sense that the Negro will have no priority right to them based on color, and thousands of Negroes lose out in these occupations, not only do the professional groups lose their financial support but the children of these families lose their meagre chance for education and betterment. Add to this picture the fact that Negro farmers lost more than a million
Page 38
THE SPHINX
acres of land during the ten year period ^ ™ 1 9 2 J * 1930 This represented an area of more than four S u s a n d sauare miles or more than twice the Un be found in the state of Delaware and the District Columbia combined. Nor is this the whole stor^ ,or the Negro is losing in a serious way his hold on even the lowest scale of farming namely, tenancy Unquestionably, serious consideration must be given to efforts designed to aid the Negro to h 1 ^ to those occupations and opportumt.es which h . a l r e a d y has. I repeat that more and more these problem* which if agriculture is included, involving more than ninety per cent of the employable P ° P u l a t l o n ° f fCg groes, must be the concern of those with training and vision, who can and should advise and prepare not in terms of temporary expediency, but in terms of a program of race building. The conditions Just cited should have been in the process of correction thirty years ago. The most that L be hoped for now is to stem the tide. Those now dislodged from these services, and those trained in our schools and colleges must find opportunity. Much of this opportunity we must create. Doubtless this seems an impractical proposal in view of the struggle for survival now being carried on by the chain stores and big businesses. Yet it is proposed because I can see no other way out, and because the crisis through which we are passing is a problem of distribution not of production and need. If the cotton which we have refused to grow or the food which we have refused to produce were available to clothe and feed the poor and undernourished millions in the world today, there would still be a scarcity. I also suggest this way out because of my belief in the power of cooperation in the accomplishment of objectives otherwise unattainable. The value of land and buildings of eight hundred thousand Negro farmers in 1930 was one billion four hundred million dollars. It is reasonable to suppose that some few opportunities for employment could be created if the buying power of these eight hundred thousand operators were harnessed and focused. As ten percent of the population we do but two tenths of one per cent of the retail business. In 192 6 thirtyseven thousand Negro churches were valued at three hundred millions of dollars. This last figure represents contributions from the small earnings of five millions of people. Numerous other examples of wealth or potential wealth could be cited. These in my opinion simply await those of training and vision to yield through progressive programs of cooperation a much needed revenue. The successful ventures in consumer cooperation now being launched in Philadelphia and Gary, Indiana, are suggestions of the results to be had from this type of effort. It is easy to focus our attention on the inequalities of the whole and overlook certain facts of maladjustment which are entirely within the group. Compare, if you will, the fact that the Orientals (Chinese and Japanese) in this country numbering only 213,788 in 1930, were doing $88,578,405 worth of business with $10,165,470 worth of stock on hand at the end of the year, while Negroes numbering twelve millions were doing $lO , l,146,043 worth of business with $10,657,000 worth of stock on hand at the end of the year. These Orientals representing 1.7% of our Negro popu-
Zebruary^ggg
lation have done 75% of °ur gross business. The great need of the masses of Negroes for fessional services of all kinds indicates that the P a *[0~ of opportunity now exisiting in the professional r a n v is relative to the inability of the rank and m e to B port these needs. Change this economic pict U r e Up~ the demand for professional services will i m m e d i a t 7 increase. Let us re-assess our values so that ^ thei much needed services in tire entrepreneur ST0Xi^ «e be supplied by the best trained men and w o m e n ^ have. One of the most hopeful signs for Negro devei * ' ment today is the group of young men and Ul coming out of colleges wiho are willing to t*-'n th»academic and formal training into any usefm chat,. nel. Likewise the most discouraging thing i s t h o g e an older generation who not only cling to an errij' and outmoded sense of values but have nothing D e , y to suggest than an academic oblivion to these y 0 u Sr sters otherwise pulsating with vigor and fiii ed ° ^ the determination to succeed. Let us aid, if W g ^ ttl but certainly do nothing to stifle the initiative T' genuity and resourcefulness of the youth of tod ** There are more than twenty-two thousand y 0 U n g ayand women in our colleges today. The teaching j , 6 " fession of fifty four thousand members will hardly ^ sorb more than ten per cent or five thousand dm-; the next four years. Less than this number w i l ] " s absorbed by all other professions combined. Grant that all of this twenty thousand will not grad Uat most of them will live and therefore need adjustment Outside of the professions there is an almost total d regard of training levels in the occupational e X peri e '*" of Negroes. In Iowa, for example, recent data s h o ^ that the occupational expei erience of Negroes Negroes with win, t **"0 years of college training is the same as that 0 with only a second grade education. This will be recT fied in proportion as we are able to establish the ° ployer group among Negroes where intelligent cons!!! eration can be given to the varying degrees of P e r s o fitness. Further quotation from or recitation of st" 1 ' ies showing the poverty and inequalities of N e g r o ^' in America would be both trite and uninteresting J * lutions will not be attained by railing at these j equalities, but must come from a virile shaniless p."' gram designed to strike at the heart of the probl'° New trails must be blazed; and we must wrest f m ' the frontiers of employment barriers, economic c^" 1 era, and a none too wise assessment of values, the'111 sources needed in a well organized program of , " ' race develpment. The importance of statesmanlike leadership 8 n o not be overlooked. All of life has not been reduop^!'b,1 oeen reduced a predictable basis. (Much, unfortunately, still depend upon the prejudices and emotions involving hum ' an. relations. As we as Negroes seek an equitable adj„ ment in American life we must strive to overco^ among ourselves the smallness which in others h* victimized us. Any permanently satisfactory adju^ ment must be one that looks to human as well as r *" ial betterment. As we point out Inequalities; a g a<S seek social and economic parity, let us convince o*' selves as well as others, that in so doing we are tributing to the betterment of civilization. i n t?°" way and only in this way can we successful/ promote the evolution of s o c i e t y , which tri *
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
occur if mankind is to cast off those vicious practices too much in evidence now that savor of the dark ages. The Negro in America has shown through his three hundred yea:s of existence great strength and fortitude. He has done this for the most part while in ignorance and great proverty. The possibilities today should be far greater now that we can focus the combined and understanding intelligence of thousands of well trained men and women on the prolems of contemporary Negro life. Huxley in his definition of an educated man speaks of one whose body can be made the ready servant of his mind and whose passions can be brought to heel by a vigorous will. 'We who consider ourselves in some degree educated should meet the challenge now facing the Negro by deliberately directing our efforts into channels of constructive service and by bringing to heel our passions for the ephemeral and intangible msignia of erudition in order that the Negro may early fulfill his destiny as a great people who have not simply been able to absorb American culture, but who in addition are contributors to Western civilization.
PRESIDENT WESLEY'S CONVENTION MESSAGE (Continued from p a g e 6) deavor to remedy the lack of contact, especially so far as w e are concerned. The Director of Education, the Editor of the Sphinx and our Unknown Investigator are to be congratulated upon the Special Issue of the Sphinx treating the New Deal agencies in their relation to the Negro population. Prior to this publication - ; no effort had been made by the Negro to survey and consider in detail his, relations with the National Government under its new set-up. There is stiir need for additional surveys of both national and state set-ups and more publicity is desirable m order to eradicate, the injustices. This Sphinx issue was variously quoted and commendatory statements nave been sent to my office concerning it. On one occasion it was rumored that we would be threatened wi t h a suit on account of observations made in this issue concerning the type of work performed by a Negro Governmental employee. We were able, however, to avoid any legal clash in this connection. The Sphinx should continue to be a journal of high v Pe, issued regularly, of attractive format and with interesting subject-matter. The Second Edition Of Our History At the St- Louis Convention, it was announced that the first edition of our history would be exhausted by th e meeting of our Convention in 1935 and that plans should be made to correct errors, make additions and t i s s u e the history. We were instructed to proceed w i t h the second edition as soon as the first edition was exhausted and funds were alloted in the budget for the Purposes of publication. I am happy to announce that 째ur second edition has been published and is a similar volume in appearance to the first edition. Some of these copies are at this Convention and should be noted V the brothers. The second edition embraces 352 Pages, whereas the first edition included 294 pages. There are additional illustrations in the second edill on, together with the music of the Alpha Song, which
Page 39
had to be set up under difficult conditons as we could not find the original music type, We had purchased the type from the Howard University Press, so that we could produce a second edition at reduced cost, and we were fortunate in doing so, for since the publication of the first edition, the Howard University Press has been abolished. With this type in our possession we employed the printers who issue the Journal of Negro History to bring out the second edition of our History. The cost will be less than one-half the cost of the first edition, in spite of the fact that in the first edition the work was performed by a school press and in the second edition by a commercial press, whose prices are always higher than the former. We still pioneer with our history and in this respect we are still "first of all." It is the first volume issued by the Foundation Publishers. Here again we are pioneering and making history. The Educational Foundation The establishment of the Alpha Phi Alpha Educational Foundation represented the expansion of the limited program of Education of former years. It was the development of the Go-to-High School, Go-ToCoTIege Movement and of the Alpha Phi Alpha Scholarship Commission into the field of Education In the larger meaning of the term and the addition of the feature of permanent maintenance and support. The Go-to-High School Go-to-College Movement is still carried on in some parts of the country, at the choice of the chapters, and the enlarged program in other parts of the country. "Education for Citizenship" has replaced the older slogans in some parts of the fraternity's jurisdictions. The Foundation was created to aid in meeting the expanding economic, political arid educational needs of Negroes today. Its purposes are to assist in the encouragement, maintenance and development of scholarship among Negroes in the high schools, colleges and universities and in the preparation of a leadership of character and attainments. These purposes were to be operated through (1) collegiate scholarships (2) research fellowships, (3) publication, (4) vocational direction and guidance. The Special Convention in Chicago in August, 1934, devoted most of its time to the discussion of these objectives and the detailed explanation of these was described at length in a later issue of the Sphinx. In pursuance of the project of publication, there has been constituted "THE FOUNDATION PUBLISHERS." This is intended to be the channel through which the Foundation may advance the cause of scholarship and letters by the publication of works which possess permanent value and interest. The second edition of our History bears on its title page the designation, "The Foundation Publishers," and on the inner page under the line "First Printing, Howard University Press, 1929," there is the line, "Second Printing, The Alpha Phi Alpha Educational Foundation, 1935." One of the provisions passed by the 21st Annual Convention a t Cleveland, Ohio on recommendation of the Historical Commission, was that the net proceeds from the sale of the histories should be used to establish an Alpha Phi Apha Literary Fund, which1 would be applied to the publication of books by Alpha brothers. Since we decided to purchase the type used in the first
THE SPHINX
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Febraqryjjsg
annual appropriation which we give to it.
PRESIDENT WESLEY'S CONVENTION MESSAGE edition as well as pay for the printing the first cost did not allow any net proceeds and so there has not been any fund available to carry out these purposes. Moreover, some of the first edition books were lost in their transportation to us and could not be located, so that our records for sales are incomplete. Fifteen hundred copies were ordered printed but it appears ^ that sales account for less than one thousand copies The transportation of and the records for the sales of the second edition should be more carefully safeguarded and it should be the duty of this convention to take this action. Duplicate receipts should be issued one to the purchasers along with the volume itself and the carbon receipt to the Treasurer for his records This is the best way to keep track of these sales, and 'it is a method followed by large book concerns. The original publication purposes, as expressed by the 21st Convention shou.d be remembered. We -hould not v olate these aims by using these proceeds if there are to he any from the histories, for varied current exl ndLres The Grand Tax collections should carry pe u . t l l o r-raternity and not the sale of the maintenance o f f t * F i a t r m t y recommending, the histories. I am sugge&uuo n re'ore, that the future income from ^ e sales of the histories shall constitute a revolving f u n d J o r tte pub lication of books of significance by Alpha b r o t h e r . This fund once estabished could be used over and^over a gain, without ever needing any continued a p p o p n a tion from the fraternity's general funds. Of course, when there were no funds, there would be no publ ca tions. Brother George Arthur of the Rosenwald Fund made similar suggestions to us at Chicago Under the supervision and direction of the Dnectors of the Alpha Phi Alpha Foundation, no worthy contribution to knowledge by Alpha brothers should fan receive consideration towards publication. I trust tnai your earnest consideration may be devoted to this project, which will create another distinctive service to Negro scholarship not performed by any organized effort among Negroes today. Here again let us pioneer.
Student Loans A great deal has been said and written through the years concerning loans to students. I initiated the discussion in my report to the last convention and suggested its consideration. In this convention, as in every convention where the matter has come up, the delegates have carefully and deliberately considered the proposal and preferred to maintain the system of scholarship awards rather than student loans. The St. Louis Convention voted directly and flatly against loans. Since the chapters have been circularized on the matter, it is likely to come up again a t this convention. I trust that the delegates will "not be led to accept the first proposals on this matter. Let us continue to act wisely, continue to dig deep and build strong, and above all, let us not raid the treasury without the confident assurance of the return of our funds. Because of the policy followed in the past, we have perhaps one of the most solid foundations among fraternities and sororities. It should be our desire that the Alha Phi Alpha Educational Foundation should become and remain a permanent insfitution in spite of the
The Committee on PuWic Opinion This Committee composed of Brothers H. H. Long Henry J. Richardson, Jr., Charles H. Houston, Rayford' W. Logan, B. Andrew Rose, the General Secretary a n f l the General President, has been active through the tw 0 year period of its existence. It is one of the agenc i e s of the Foundation. I t rendered direct aid in the seg r e gation issue raised by Congressman DePriest i n t h 6 National Capitol Restaurant. In a subsequent letter Mr De Priest expressed his gratitude for the support an< j interest rendered by Alpha Phi Alpha to the cause. l n the effort to pass the Anti-Lynching Bill and in the various activities of the National Recovery Progr a m this Committee, has rendered signal service. The Special Convention Alpha Phi Alpha made a distinctly progressive step in August, 1934, when the first Special Convention was held. This grew out of two demands, one W a s for annual conventions and the other was to dis CUss and agree upon a definite program for the Foundation. This covention was unique in its organization a s W e l l as in its work. All brothers without reference to chapter representation were active members of the convention with voice and vote. The call of the President issued on April 27, 1934, stated that there were thr e e matters which would come before the convention. 0 n e was the relation of the New Deal to the Negro P o p u . lation and to Negro college men in particular. Another was a more detailed consideration of the Alpha p h 1 Alpha Educational Foundation and the third was the continuation of business matters presented at the st. Louis Convention. The Special Convention endeavored to interpret the ideals of the fraternity into service for the race. This was the most significant development of the meeting. The Educational Foundation and the Committee on Public Opinion received the major attention of the convention. Thoughtful consideration was given to each of these agencies, their scope was broadened and increased support was given to them. The University of Maryland Case For a number of years the National Assn. f0r the Advancement of Colored People had been planning definitely to test by legal processes the inequitable and discriminatory school laws of the Southern states. About 1927 the Association received a grant from the Garland Fund to prosecute this effort. The program did not get under way until 1933, when a test case was made through the application for admission to the University of North Carolina by a Negro graduate 0f the North Carolina College for Negroes. The denial of a mandamus to the applicant merely postponed the issue and the abortive effort to pass a scholarship appropriation for the graduate and professional studies in Northern universities were weak endeavors to sidestep the main issue. Plans were then made by the Association to enter other states with their program. In the meantime, through the suggestion of Brother T E Berry and Brother B. V. Lawson, Jr., it w a s proposed to the General President that with the collaboration of three organizations, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the District Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
PRESIDENT WESLEY'S CONVENTION MESSAGE New Negro Alliance t h a t the admission of Negroes to the Southeastern universities be sought, including the University of Maryland, the University of Virginia, the University of North Carolina and the Catholic University of America. The General President referred the matter to the Special Convention, which agreed that "the General Counsel in association with the Educational Foundation be authorized to take appropriate legal action regarding the admission of Negro students to state colleges and universities where admission is now denied." A budget of $ 125.C'O, which was onethi.d of the total amount estimated for the preparation of the case, the other two-thirds were to be paid by the other two associations. Drafts were made for some of this amount, details of which will be reported by the General Counsel. Conferences were held for the purpose of mapping the strategy in the case. During this period, the N. A. A. C. P., began to Plan through its national office for the same project and Brother Charles H. Houston of Washington and Brcther Thurgood Marshall of Baltimore, both brothers in Alpha Phi Alpha, were selected to p o j e c u t e the case. Here then were two projects to do the same thing. After conferences and correspondence, the conclusion was reached by the General President that the N - A. A. C. P., was in S better position both by resources and experience to carry the case from the lower to the higher courts than we were, although we had begun to initiate plans for the conduct of the case. This has been carried out to the successful point that Donald G. Murray, a graduate of Amherst College is n ° w attending the law classes at the University of Maryland. I am informed that he is having some difficulty with the payment of Ms tuition. Surely a pioneer °f such courage deserves our support! The case is n ° t yet a closed one and an appeal is still pending. It >s interesting that the attorneys In this case were Alpha men, Brothers Houston, Marshall and Gosnell. All of this gives me the opportunity to express to you my interpretation of the raison d'etre and the Polity of our fraternity. We are not another National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, nor an Urban League, nor a Y. M. C. A., nor any similar welfare, advancement and uplift organization. On n o account should we attempt to rival them or to do the same work which they are organized to do. Our w ork h a s been and is to be a stimulation of these organizations and of the race by personal effort and association, moral support and material aid. We are neither to usurp their places nor their work. This is the value of the Alpha Spirit. Its impulses and its motivation are spiritual and mental. They are to move the minds and spirits of individuals who may use. their efforts in the established organizations to accomplish the desired good. We send brothers to school and we support them there, but the task of education is left to the hands to those whose business it is. So too, we send our brothers into these organizations and we supPort them there, but the task of fighting the battles must be in the hands of those organizations whose business it is. Any other alternative, living as we do in th e midst of other fraternities and sororities, would
Page 41
mean the beginning of jealousy, fraternal plotting. In tense competitive endeavor and perhaps death to the cause for which we labor. A Distignished Award for Eminent Achievement Among the Alpha membership, there are numerous brothers who have been rendering meritorious service through the years of our existence. The fraternity has not honored these men in any definite way. Personally, I recall with real pleasure the gift of a beautiful watch which was made to me in Cincinnati in 1931. It is one of my cherished possessions. Why not carry this idea to its logical conclusion? It has been frequently said by many brothers that we should begin this work of recognition by the award at infrequent intervals of a bronze medal or plaque as a permanent recognition of eminent achievement especially in the arts and sciences. The award should be unique , and not at every convention necessarily. The medal should also be unique. I have asked Brother Rousseve of Sigma Lambda Chapter, Professor of Pine Arts at Xavier University, t o u r i n g a design to this convention. A special committee will be appointed to consider the proposal. There could be added to this, the Fellowship t e n u r e so that the recipient's name could be carried on the Fellowship. I am suggesting that consideration be given to the following statement regarding the award: "On account of the difficulty of appraising the full value of leadersh'p and attainment in a democracy and in order to determine some standard of selection, the following conditions for the award must he met— The recipient and successful candidate shall have FIRSr, the courage, vision, wisdom and independence of tlilmght and action which have characteiised the b e s t leadership in American life; SECOND, he shall be representative of the intellectual and spiritual attainments and loyal to the high ideals of liberal culture for which Alpha Flu Alpha has stood through the years; THIRD, he shall have attained distinctive place in productive scholarship and professional activity in his chosen field; FOURTH, he shall have carried in his heart and life the welfare of the desccndents of Africa; and FIFTH, he shall have made life for them fuller of opportunity and richer with d i g n i t y and inspiration through his ideas, his ideals and his work." This places the standards rather high, just as they should be, and assures us that we shall not have just another Spingarn Medal or Harmon Award imitation. Our Initiation Ceremonies We have been made to hang our heads with shame and confusion when friends of other fraternities have spoken about the brutalities practised in our initiation ceremonies. Are we a group of barbarians from the forests or hoodlums from the streets or college men? The answer to this question is obvious — we are college men. But are we, in reality? When a professional man is initiated and then must remain in bed for several days away from his daily routine and pursuits en account of his treatment at our hands, are we college men, or are we even cultured men? When undergraduates are initiated and the next day on e or
THE SPHINX
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PRESIDENT WESLEY'S CONVENTION MESSAGE more must be sent to the hospital or a ******* «"£ to inspect the back, the spine or other parts of the body of one or more initiates, do we call ourselves loyal to Alpha ideals with such practices? I made an appeal at the St. [Louis Convent.on against cruel and brutal initiations. This appeal was couched in general terms. -I have specific cases in mind as I speak today. It is to be regretted that these evidences have not ceased and more to be regretted that persons outside of the fraternity have spoken of these matters. The Jewels have joined in a unanimous appeal to me for action and I am reporting to you and not tradition, not vengeance u g i „ ^ that the Ritual, shall °be our rule and guide. It seems that it is necessary to enact some legislation, just as was done by c o l l e t autno.ities, in the case of hazing in order to control the details of initiation and some penalty should be attached to the extremists who insist upon being morons rathe, than real Alpha brothers. Your attention is respectfully directed to this matter as it is of serious concern inside as well as outside of fraternity.
The Ritual Our Ritual should be changed a t only infrequent periods ana then only when absolutely necessary. At the last convention, a committee was appointed to continue its study of the Ritual. After making a report of progress, several important historical errors were disclosed as well as errors of procedure. The ItaloKthiopian War has brought new light upon the clans of Ethiopia and this new knowledge deserves consideration. While we think of it, our Committee on Resolutions should not be unmindful of the situation in Ethiopia and our views should be registered in some definite way.
Our Program and Policy Th.ough the years since the establishment of our fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha has a policy and a program. These are best expressed in the words, "Servants of all." We along with other fraternities have been variously criticised for inactivity. Just the other day, I heard a criticism in a collegiate week of prayer in the nature of a wise-crack, which ran to the effect that we are greatly mistaken in thinking that something of significance for Negro life can come out of frivolity. It is quite evident that our program is not understood by one who speaks in this way. He sees only the froth and the foam but not the body which makes these possible. The general purposes of Alpha Phi Alpha have been to strengthen the intellectual and spiritual life of its members and to increase their usefulness in their communities. Its secret lies in the fact that it attracts to itself men who learn of its ideas and its ideals, and it sends them forth Into the wo.ld of life with their influence magnified through fraternal Associations. This type of influence is greatly needed in a people whose cultural heritage is still in process of formation and recognition. It may be difficult to appraise the full value of the contributions of Alpha Phi Alpha as an organization and an entity In itself, but it is not so difficult to measure the value of the contributions of its membership among Negroes in the United States.
February 1 lQ3 6
Above and beyond the institution, there are the ffietl The work and genius of our membership, if W e c h o a e wisely, will continue to affect .the progress of the co Un try for many years- Alpha Phi Alpha has a role o f to fulfill in the maintenanc sspecial p c u i » i osignificance *o"" —"G Q J . .. _ -i u < . « « J . f t n l t n r n l nrftPTPeQ the intellectual life and cultural progress. Our program looks forward to another great advance. Its extent and effect will depend upon o u r r e " sources and our visions. Our fraternity is more t h a n frivolity, more than unrestrained fun. It is an instit u . tion animated by those ideals which form the b e s t tion aiin"ii- c u «j — -"c uest motivation for the promotion of knowledge,Dlle scholar. se men ship, service and character among Negro college men ui im.e lucwu. »—* —on of of like ideals. May we be as wise in our selection men in the future as we Now atld » i „Trt have n o v o in i n the t h o past! r*o <at t \T always, as we have the opportunity, let us p i a n t Q bring to Alpha Phi Alpha a more vital energy, a w i d e r scope and the unconquerable quality of holding faat ^ •the best of our heritage while we acquire the habit of moving forward. To this task, members of this cconvention and brothers of Alpha, your General Presidlent cordially invites your cooperation.
AN EXPRESSION OF THANKS As the newly elected Editor of the Sphinx, I W a n { to express my sincere appreciation to the brothers for their many letters of congratulations. Also to the General Officers who have so kindly pledged their full support and cooperation. My election to the Editorship of the Sphinx has been referred to as a challenge....a challenge to m a k e the Sphinx confirm to all that good journalism c a n s for and to all that the fraternity demands of its offi C j al organ. I accept the challenge and herewith assume my duty with thanks for the confidence the Fraternity reposed i n me, and a sense of pride that this o p P o r . tunity has been given to serve.
GENERAL OFFFICERS OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA (Continue From Page 13)
of these loyal brothers give a very definite indication of the type of Convention we had at Nashville. First of all, It was well attended and there c a r n e brothers who, while wishing to enjoy the fine fellowship that permeates Alpha meetings, had also that high se/iousness of purpose that made them join i n the business activities and make a real contribution to the program of Alpha Phi Alpha. The chapters at Nashville can feel that they g a v e us a royal entertainment and comments that I have heard on every hand are ones of high appreciation for the efforts of the Convention Committee. We start on a new year which can be one dedicated to restoring to activity those brothers whose counsel and advice are so necessary to the successful work in their chapters. And in this effort, the office of the General Secretary is a t your services. Fraternally yours, Jos. H. B. EVANS, General Secretary.
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
UPSILON CHAPTEK KANSAS UNTV. neth Smith and Prentice Townsend. Brother John Bluford Jr., has just completed the course that leads to the first degree in Business. Upsilon has two men in the K. U. School of Engineering. They are brother Guion Bluford and Sphinxman William Noel Alsbrook. Upsilon Chapter recently received a card from brother Nicholas Gerren, who is studying the violin at the Moscow Conservatory of Music, U. S. S. Russia. John Wiley, Associate Editor of the Sphinx.
ALPHA ALPHA CHAPTER CINCINNATI, OHIO Alpha Alpha Chapter has again added prestige to her already envied position as leader in the intellectual, social, and the political life of Cincinnati, through the successful election of the city council of Cincinnati, our renowned brother, Dr. R. P. McClain, late representative in the Ohio assembly. We feel doubly proud of Brother McClain's success, knowing that his qualifications fit him peculiarly for a seat among the Fathers of the city. His unselfish, untiring efforts, we know, wi H go far in the way of accomplishing something worthwhile for the Negro populace of Cincinnati. Brother McClain was tendered an elaborate formal dinner, and later entertained a t a dance on December 2 3, by the Alpha Alpha Chapter. Alpha Alpha Chapter faces the New Year with a new hope and added zest. We are out to discharge our duties to the very best of our ability, and to make A p h i A stand for the acme of accomplishment.
GOOD SHIP BETA XI MEMPHIS. TENNESSEE After a most enoyable Yule season, the brothers have again settled down to real work, both scholasticly and fraternally. We have just emerged from semester exams, and feel confident that our marks as individuals, and as a group are well worthy of real Alpha brothers. Beta Xi points with justifiable pride to the achieverae nts of her brothers on the gridiron during the last season. Probably the most brilliant back LeMoyne has ever seen, and surely one of the most outstanding backs of the south, is Bro. William "Bull" Owens who Played his last game of collegiate football last Thanksgiving against Lane College of Jackson, Tenn. Brother Owens climbed within three years from football obscuru > to a place in football history that will long be 'emembered. We sincerely hope that he will run as Well > after he has left these sacred walls, and faces th e team of "Swamp College." Fr o m the fullback position, brother Clyde '"Sol" T urpin handled the task as signal barker. His long Passes bring once again LeMoyne's immortal Robert ^ee before our field of vision. Brother Lee is now assistant coach. As captain blocking half, Brother Walter onner stands head and shoulder above the crowd. t was perhaps his blocking that sent Brother Owens streaking across opponents' goal line so often. In the forward wall, Capt. elect Brother James Portray and Brother Henry "Rosie" Ryan stood out as two of the
Page 43
greatest forwards of last season. Although the brothers have achieved well, we find it impossible to close this article without mentioning our own "little brother," "Bo" Spearman. Little brother Spearman has inscribed his name on the pages of football history as a great end, and on the hearts of his many fans as a gentleman, and on our hearts as a student. So much for football. Brothers in Beta Xi have not contented themselves with such temporary glory, but move as a body to meet the challenge of a new semester with that same confidence to what we hope will be our banner year in scholarship. We would do each and every brother an injustice to point to any particular brother as an outstanding student, because we feel, with all modesty, that we all stand out in this phase of work. However, you will hear more from this angle next time. Inspired by the good achieved at our silver convention, Beta Xi is planning to stage her greatest Citizenship Program and to emulate deeds of our graduate brothers here in Memphis, by reclaiming every delinquent brother, and keeping them reclaimed. Until the next issue of the Sphinx, we wish you all "happy dreams." Jesse L. Williams.
GAMMA CHAPTER VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Gamma Chapter got under way at the beginning of the New Year in its usual forceful manner. The chapter has plans which will make this the banner year in the history of Gamma. At the first meeting of the year, which was held at the home of Brothers James B. and Spingarn D. Brinkley, plans were formulated for the spring dance and banquet. At the same meeting Brother C. Ralph Jones, a member of Gamma who has been residing in the "City of Brotherly Love" for the past six months gave a very inspirational installation address. The newly elected officers who were inducted into office were Brothers David C. Graves, President. Daniel Douglass, Vice President; James H. Williams, Financial Secretary; Aubrey J. Taylor Jr., Recording Secretary; Dechue Lankford, Treasurer; Samuel B. Jenkins, Serg.-atArms; Roland D. Ealey, Chaplain; and Allen H. Ve3sells, Editor to The Sphinx. Gamma Chapter continues to hold its place in the sun on the campus of Virginia Union University. Brother David A. Graves was one of the recipients of the A Phi A scholarships. Brother A. H. Vessells and pledge-brother Joseph A. Sheppard were the recipients of two of three scholarships awarded by the State of Maryland to Virginia Union University. Brother Samuel B. Jenkins has recently been added to the football coaching staff here at the University. B. other James C. Gray was recently honored by taking unto himself a wife*â&#x20AC;&#x201D;nee Miss Odessa Johnson of Richmond and Farmville, solemnly pledged that within the next three years he and Mrs. Gray will be infanticipating. Hooray for Alphaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;some more potential Sphinxes. Friday night, Jan. 14, Gamma Chapter encountered, combated, and slaughtered Alpha Gamma Chapter
THE SPHINX
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of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity by a score of 2 6 to 13 in a rip-snorting, devastating, cruciating basket-ball game at the Community Gym here. The game was the preliminary to the Hampton-Union Game. As the result of the game Brother Dan Douglass still has his head in the clouds—he shot a basket. Till next issue, I remain, Fraternally yours, Allen H. Vessells.
ALPHA OMICRON LAMBDA CHAPTER PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Alpha Omicron Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha sends greetings and congratulations to the new editor of The Sphinx. The highlights of the Chapter's activities for 1935, executed by an active roster of twenty-five members including the re-instatement of Brother William S. Howell of the Pittsburg Coal Company, Drs. Ira W. Cornelius, A. N. Levy, and Edward H. Robinson, and the addition of Dr. W. W. Gittens of McKeesport, embraced both the public and the social fields. Socially, the brothers entertained visiting brothers to the Urban League Regional Convention including Brothers John Dancey, of Detroit, T. Arnell Hill of New York City, Nimrod Allen of Columbus, and William A. A3hley of Youngstown. The Chapter also cooperated with the local Chapter of the A. K. A. in entertaining the delegates to its Regional Convention. Citations for individual honors are merited by Brothers Herbert T. Miller, Executive Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. for his efficient work in the Y. ,M. C. A. Campaign for membership in Pittsburg, Philadelphia, and Buffalo; to Brother R. Maurice Ross, Executive Secretary of the Urban League, for the successful celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the National Urban League; to the Rev. Brother Robert D. Brown, Rector of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church, whose return to health, aided by a visit to the British Isles and Continental Europe, was a source of gratification to all; and to Brother Theron B. Hamilton, who has been appointed as successor to Brother Robert L. Vann, to the highest national office....that of Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the United States. The officers of the Chapter re-elected for 1936 are, Attorney Joseph W. Givens, President; Harry D. Primas, Vice-President; Wilbur C. Douglass, Secretary; Dr. Royal W. Taylor.Treasurer, and W. Wendell Stanton, Associate Editor. Fraternally yours, Wendall Stanton.
ALPHA MU LAMBDA KNOXVILLE COLLEGE The brothers of Alpha Mu Lambda chapter were honored to have as their guest our General President, Dr. Chas. H. Wesley, one evening last November. On the same evening, he was a guest speaker of the East Tenn. Teacher's Association, at one of their public meetings, which' was held at Knoxville College. All acclaimed his address as being one of the most masterful and informative ever heard in this section. Brother Monroe D. Senter was at that time President of the East Tenn. Teacher's Association. At the close of the
Februai
session, Brother J. I. Seals was elected President for the ensuing year. Every two or three months we are fortu n have with u s our first Vice-President, B r o t h e r ^ *° W. Green, who always gives us words of enco ****" a ment and advice. S«We miss our former President, Brother N ^ Iie 1 derson, M. D., who is specializing in Internal Aiedi ed - j ' C studying for one year at Bellevue Hospital and'iuft« e York University on a Rosenwald scholarship, g * Henderson was an indefatigable worker in this °^T ter, giving it his time and money in order - *>" that might be representative of Alpha Phi Alpha. Brother J. Herman Daves is back as head Department of Sociology and Economics at Kno ;v the absence He st ille College, after a year's leave of absence. at the University of Wisconsin, Doctor's degree in sociology and economics on a arship from the General Education Board, g r S C h ° U him on efficiency and scholarship. While there ^ ^ e w an Instructor in Sociology. as We nominate for Omega Chapter our u e c brother, Felix J. Banks, who departed this l i f 6 ^ December 2, 1935. Brother Banks was the Mana» e .° n the Knoxville branch of the Atlanta Life ingy,6' of Co. He was a loyal Alpha man and his lo s s i s k a n niy felt. Brother Geo. W. McDade, Atty. President o f San Juan Ind. Civic Club, seems to have fully r e c t h e ed from an illness due to the giving of almost a ^ of his blood in attempt to save the life 0 f Br9*'41'1 er Banks. Brother Louie McDade has been appointed s visor in the Custodial service of the TVA locateT^" at Knoxville. We have a Neophyte Brother in the. p e i . S o of Everette. S. Cary, who "saw the light" last fall. Brother Carl A. Cowan, Atty., Secretary 0 f t] Juan Ind. Civic Club was State Director of Tenn for both the Go-To-High School, Go-To-College c(. paign and the Education for Citizenship Campaig am* The following brothers have been chosen as off cers to serve for the year 1936: Monroe D. Senter, President 2134 E. Vine Ave., Knoxville Dr. P. M. Alexander, Vice-President 0. T. Hogue, Secretary 217 S. Chestnut St., Knoxville Atty. Geo. W. McDade, Treasurer J. I. Seals, Financial Secretary T. C. Needam, Chaplain Geo. (Dusty) Lennon, Sergeant-At-Arms Atty. C. A. Cowan, Assoc. Editor of the SnhFraternally yours, "X' Carl A. Cowan.
BETA BETA LINCOLN. NEBRASKA Greetings, Brother Alphas: We are hardily at work on making thi s our D year. We have been thoroughly motivated by the ^ port which was brought us by our delegate to the s T ver Convention, Brother J. R. Lilliard. We also sh Alpha Delta Lambda's delight in the election of Broth6
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
er Lewis Swingler as editor of The Sphinx. Brother Swingler is a charter member of Beta Beta. January found Beta Beta in the midst of her first semester examination. There are many laurels which she must strive to uphold. Brother Merle Herriford, a freshman honor student is out to repeat the same for his sophomore year. Pledge William Glenn has been re-elected to the State Y. M. C. A. Board. Brother J- R. Lilliard is a member of the University Players, and also has a high scholastic standing. Brother Hill JS an honor student in the college of Dentistry, and Brother Hatter is outstanding the Pre. Med. Field. Beta Beta has always been in the upper 25</r in the fraternity scholastic rating and is out for higher Placing this year. Word has just been received from Brother Sidney A - Jones of the appointment of Brotner J. R. Lilliard as one of his assistant Regional Directors. We are certain Brother Lilliard U more than worthy of his appointment. Beta Beta also wishes to give its appreciation to Brother Joseph Evans for his loyal and splendid cooperation in bringing the chapter to life again. We feel hat Brother Evans has not only successfully carried out the duties of his office, but he has also exempli16d t h e t r u e Alpha spirit which is to the undergraduate Alpha, the same a s th'e beam of a lighthouse to a ship in distress. When we have been at our lowest e b it has always been a letter from Brother Evans r Brother Jones which has prompted us to throw off Du r yoke of despondency. So Beta Beta takes this opportunity to express its heart-felt appreciation and S'atitude to Brother Joseph Evans and B.other Sidney ' Jones. Fraternally yours, Howard Hatter, Corres. Sec. J. R. Lilliard, President.
BETA LAMBDA BULLETIN ANNIVERSARY •Beta Lambda celebrated its seventeenth annivery with a Founders Day Program and Banquet at e home of its newly elected president, Burt A. May„ ry' instructor of social sciences, Lfncoln High ,c °ol. Due respect was paid to the two founders sent, J. Oliver Morrison, instructor of dramatic art Lincoln High School, and Attorney I. Franklin ^laclley, j , - . , o f t h e f i r m Qf B r a d l e y a n d Bradley. 'other Morrison is the senior Alpha west of the Mississippi and one of the founders of Beta chapter. Prin'Pal John A. Hodge of Sumner High School gave the •incipal address. Dean Herman T. Jones of Western "Wverslty was toastmaster. T h e program was completed by the installation ^eremony of these officers: Burt A. Mayberry, presi• Br. A . C. Wilson, vice president; Roosevelt Butler, i ecording secretary; H. O. Cook, treasurer; James S corres roll ' P ° n d i n g secretary; Matthew E. Car^ • financial secretary; G. Robert Cotton, sergeant-at*•»•; Herman T. Jones, chaplain; S. H. Thompson Jr., 'toPr l n x e d ' t o r ; and Mack C. Spears, educational direcB
Fete
eta Lambda met the cultural demand of the comunity with the third annual "Evening With Negro
Page 45
Composers" featuring instrumental music. This formal affair was presented in the auditorium of the Kansas City Power and Light Building. It is the consensus of opinion here that this annual function is the "piece de resistance" of the social season. It is anticipated quite as much by the public general as by the chapter itself.
Wives Mobilize Formation of an auxiliary by Beta Lambda wives has strengthened the forces of the local chapter. This organization of approximately twenty active members is headed by Mrs. Thomas A. Webster. Other officers are: Mrs. A. C. Wilson, vice president; Mrs W. H. Towe s, secretary; Mrs. G. B. Buster, assistant secretary; Mrs. J. H. Bluford, treasurer; Mrs. I. F. Bradley, reporter . On January eleventh the auxiliary inaugurated its campaign for community service with a benefit bridge luncheon in the salon of the Kansas City Power and Light Building. This initial event was unusually successful, and has added momentum to their already courageous efforts. Proceeds are being used to further Beta Lambda's program of assisting Upsilon chapter. Brother Richard Tillmon terminated the events of 1935 for local Alpha men when he married Miss Dolores Frye on December 2 6. Mr. Tillmon is instructor at Tyler College, Texas. Mrs. Tillmon is a former social worker in Kansas City, Mo. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. G. Robert Cotton in the latter part of October.
IN MEMORIAM Brother McGregor of Califo.nia was snatched away from us during the Xmas holidays. Word was received at the Convention. At one time a General Officer, the fraternity mourns the loss of B other McGregor. Brother Orthel Roberts of St. Louis, Mo., died very suddenly, shortly after the New Year came in, from an attack of double pneumonia. He had been recently appointed principal of one of the public schools in the St. Louis system. He was appointed a Regional Director at the last convention to work with Bro. Vice Pres. Sidney Jones. His manner at Nashville lives fresh in our memory the splendid type of Brothers we have. —We miss you. NASHVILLE AND THE UNDERGRADUTE a definite means of assisting the younger men of the fraternity. Very obviously they fit in very well with any new efforts we may put forth toward reclamation. I believe, frankly, that they will serve to test the s'ncerity of those brothers who find the "undergraduate issue" a political expediency. As ws shall demonstrate in succeeding issues of the Sphinx, the adoption of these proposals- would not entail the expense that might at first seem apparent, As brothers thinking in the interests of Alpha Phi Alpha, let us review these points, reflsct upon them and discuss them at the chapter meetings. But do not 1st us stop there. Let the Sphinx speak for you. WM. S. RANDOLPH, Mem. Ex. Council.
THE SPHINX
Page 46 NEWS OF ALPHA CHI CHAPTER FISK UNIVERSITY
The Alpha Chi Chapter at its first meeting In January changed administrations. The new officers of the chapter are: Brothers-Thomas B T a y ^ o r president; Charles W. Rhodes, vice-president; Wythe F. Cooper, Jr., secretary; G. Carver Davis, treasurer; Donald C Reed, associate editor to Sphinx. (We are happy to welcome to our folds nine neophyte brother, They are: B l o t t e r . : - Samuel A lien. Herman Burrell, William L. Cassio, Booker W. Carter, Wythe F. Cooper, Jr., William Burnell Davis, Jr James D. Ellison, Walter S. Houston, and George H. Upshaw. The Alpha Chi Chapter, one of the hosts to the last convention, was the winner of the Balfour Cup, and also the winner of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Cup. Fraternally yours, Donald C. Reed. Associate Editor to Sphinx.
TAU NEWS (Continued From Page 23) Among the undergraduates, Brother Taylor, former Wiley College athlete and scholar, is making his presence felt as he completes his senior year before entering the Law School. In Campus Activities, Brother Charles D. Ashmore has been very instrumental in the organization of a cooperative eating establishment, which is the only place on the campus where white and colored eat together. Brother William A. Attaway has written a play which was staged by Cenacle, a society of Negro arts and letters, recognized by the University. In athletics, we are now preparing for the opening of intramurals, where we are going to bid for honors. With such Brothers as Perry, Taylor, Pitts, and Pelkey, and such pledgees as Johnson, Smith, Campbell and Matthews, we should make a valiant fight. The chapter considers itself honored to have connected with it Brother West of MeHarry, who was recently initiated into Sigma XI for outstanding work in chemistry, the field in which he is working for his Ph. D. Congratulations to the out-going staff of the Sphinx— Success to the new staff. Fraternally yours, JOHN S. LOVELESS, Associate Editor of SpMnx. MTJ LAMBDA (Continued From Page 26) large number of brothers who are convinced that fraternities do not represent a childish activity of men whose development has been arrested, but who, on the contrary, think in terms of the fraternities as a medium for the expression of opinion on public affairs, giving aid for economic and social achievement and offering an excellent opportunity for fellowship and reaction. Fraternally yours, JAMES B. BROWNING, Associate Editor of The SpMnx.
Febri
AN EVENING WITH NEGRO COMPOSERS community, and each program emphasizes sonie of music. The first program, given on Octobe 1933, featured solo work, vocal and instrumental' l 3 ' second, presented on February 22, 1935, stressed ' t h 6 ensemble work, and was dedicated to Wra. L n 0Cal son; the third program, which is to be gj V e a*~ February 21, 1936, will feature instrumental nuJ!. ° n both solo and ensemble, and be dedicated to th la N. Clark Smith. te To all chapters looking for a vitalized p r o which can easily be adapted to all types of c o m m ^ ' ties, one which can be made as simple or elabo iuni. rate the chapter cares to make it, cheap or expensive i t Beta Lambda Chapter recommends "An Evening ^ t I l e 5 w Negro Composers." ith Submitted by, Burt A. Mayberry, Preside^ Beta Lambda Chapter. FRATERNITY FUN (Continued From Page 21) Profundus Secundus—Brother Rayford Lo K a Best Dressed—Brother Cardoza. Best Hair—Brother Charles Wesley. Tallest—Brother Thorogood Marshall. Shortest—Brother "London" Edwards. Most Loquacious—Brother Henry Richardson Baldest Heads!—Brothers Rose and Creu z a t Most Amusing—Brother J. B. St. Felix I s a a acs. Perhaps you think I have forgotten somethingdoubtless think I forgot the Monday afternoon sess^°U Well, we started to have a session but it resolved i n t ° n ' reunion of some lawyer friends. While the mere doct° ** dentists, ministers, undergrads, professors and coll^3' presidents looked on in jealous awe, the Car e y s > Cyr U g g6 Sidney and Oscar Browns', Ted Berries, Richardson3' Marshalls, and other court luminaries gleefully . J| (mirabile dictu) a public side-bar conference. May i please the court not to hold me in contumely or conten, ! or whatever they say when they want to give y o u a Je p t cussing. I declare those Blackstone experts, while hold^' their little quiz classes which they frequently staged f"8 our barbaric enlightment, reminded me of the two de a c o quarreling for the honor of praying at the big camp m^".S ing services. Brother Smith's adherents claimed t^-^ . would pray so loud and so long that the Lord immediately answer his prayer. But Brother Jackson' :son'8 friends retorted that he was so "eddicated" he wouL the Lord for things Brother Smith didn't know he hask Eventually Brother Wesley through his long associatf1' with Brother Charles Houston remembered enough 1^, nomenclature to bluff the session back into the del e g a t g , possession. Here, brothers, is the Illiad of the Silver Conventio '*<uuon Anabasis and the Katabasis. If anything is— miggj the Anabasis Katabasis. If anything missing j ' the narrative and justtheattribute it to mothian is fraility. :t attribute it to mothian fraility. T" those who attended I hope this hastohelped recreate convention in your memory while those to who stayedthet a
home this has been a pleasing recital for you. So until later, Yours for smaller and fewer moth balls, LEPIDOPTERA TINEA TELLIONELLA.
February, 1936
THE SPHINX
MEMORANDUM IN RE: JAMES B. BROWNING (Continued From Page 19) 3. "The Religions of the American Negro Prior to 1861," THE CHURCH School Herald-Journal, Vol. Ill, No. 11, June 1931. 4. "The Effect of the Present Economic Depression Upon Summer School Attendance," (notes contributed to the) JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION. 5. "William Wilberforce" a biographical sketch. THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO EDUCATION, Vol. Ill, No. 2, April, 1934. 6. "Students Manual of European History, coauthor, The Howard University Press, 1932. 7. "Negro Business in the South, 1830-1860" THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL Vol., IV, No. 1, April 1934. 8. "Trade Unionism in England" THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL, Vol., JV, H and III, April-July 1935. 9. "Some of Our Historians," THE SPHINX, XXII. B. Book Reviews 1. "THE RURAL NEGRO, THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY, Vol., XVI, No. 2, 2. EDMUND RUFFIN, SOUTHERNER, THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY, Vol. XVIII, No. 4, October 1933. .3. PRINCESS MALAH, THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY, Vol. XIX, No. 1, January 1934. 4. THE ANTI-SLAVERY IMPULSE, THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY, Vol. XX. 5. PEDRO deALVARADO, THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY. 6. CABEZA de Vaca, THE JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY. 7. THE EMANCIPATION OF SOUTH AMERICA, THE CHICAGO DEFENDER, March 2, 1935. 8. THORSTEIN VEBLEN, OPPORTUNITY, XIII. 9. Perfiro Diaz, Dictator of Mexico. JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY, Vol. XX. 10-. Impressions of South America, JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY, Vol. XX. 11. United States on the Caribbean Sea, Area, JOURNAL OF NEGRO HISTORY, Vol. XX.
^ofessional Conferences *â&#x20AC;˘ The Annual Meeting of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Washington, D. C. 2 - The Annual Meeting of Che Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, 1933, Atlanta, Georgia. 3- The Annual Meeting of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, 1935, Chicago, Illinois. 4 - The Initial Conference of Social Science Teachers, 1935, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Page 47
A GRADUATE CHAPTER AS AN AGENT OF COMMUNITY UPLIFT Study of Negro Life and History, the National Urban League, and several other similar agencies. The best work of Alpha Delta Lambda, however, is performed in Memphis and in the surrounding Tri-State area. First of all, an effort is constantly put forth to develop the brothers themselves and to keep them abreast of these rapidly changing times. Toward this end, valuable and informative lectures have been presented by prepared brothers to the chapter on subjects including "The ItaloEthiopian Crisis," "New Deal Agencies and the Negro/j and "Tennessee Valley Authority Policies and the Negro." These talks have been entertaining and helpful, and the open discussion following them has been stimulating and has brought out further pertinent material on the topics considered. In the community proper, Alpha Delta Lambda maintains a fine relationship with fraternal and sororal groups, and holds membership in the local Pan-Hellenic Council. The chapter tries to indorse and sustain any constructive projects by other Greek letter groups, and lends its advice and cooperation on general problems and enterprises which are sponsored by the Council. The Council, by the way, was organized following a study of similar bodies in other cities, and its membership now consists of two members from each chapter of a national Negro fraternity or sorority in Memphis. As an agency for the handling of mutual difficulties and for the sponsorship of big programs, the Council is now helpful and will doubtless be even more serviceable in the future. Besides its inter-Greek relationships, Alpha Delta Lambda has other civic connections which promote community uplift. The members of the chapter have given financial aid to the colored Boy Scouts of Memphis and have paid a considerable sum to the local Community Fund. In addition, they have made significant contributions to the current $150,000 building program of LeMoyne College, a young and rapidly growing institution of higher education. " At this place, it is well to note that the chapter has awarded a full tuition scholarship to a student of this school. At present under consideration by the chapter for future projects are the establishment of a Y. M. C. A. building for colored men, the reduction of the high homicide rate of Memphis, and the procuring of positions for Negroes in the local colored housing project which is now under construction. It must not be thought that the members of Alpha Delta Lambda are so completely engulfed in serious matters that they neglect and forget the lighter side of life. Each year they sponsor a grand invitational ball as well as an attractive closed dance. At both of these affairs exists that indefinable and heartfelt spirit of mirth and conviviality which is characteristic of all genuine Alpha events, and an impression is always made on guests and hosts which pleasantly lingers and is always delightful to rememberIn conclusion, let it be said that this article was not written in a boastful spirit of illustrating the superiority of one chapter over any other chapter or chapters, but to publish what Alpha Delta Lambda is doing as an agency of civic uplift in order that brothers in Alphadom throughout the land may know what one of their chapters is doing to ameliorate community life and to disprove the theory that fraternity chapters are more destructive than constructive in contemporary Negro society.
February, lg 3 6
THE SPHINX
Page 48
1st VICE-PRESIDENT S REPORT THIRD VICE PRESIDENTS REPORT
(Continued From Page 8)
Brother Wesley, our president, and Brother Evans, our general secretary. They have always taken time to answer immediately my many inquiries and to help straighten out any problem which was referred to them. I also wish to thank all of the chapter officers and the brothers that it was mv privilege to deal with during the past two years for their assistance. I am happy to say that every matter that was submitted to me was promptly dealt with to the best of my ability, and no letter or other communication went unanswered.
Conclusion: I have intentionally made a brief report to the con. vention but tried to give some of the extra Poi n t g covered during the term of office. I have done e v ery, th'ing practicable to hold high the ideals of Alpha p h ( Alpha and bring clean results to the fraternity. Through this report, I wish to express my si n c e i . thanks and appreciation to the General Officers, Chap! ter Officers and Brothers for the splendid eoop e r a tion and support given me during my term of 0 ffi Ce Attached to and serving as a part of this report , the financial statement of the office for 1934-'35. Sincerely and fraternally submitted, CHAS. W. GREENS, 1st Vice President. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity i n c
Sincerely and fraternally submitted, SIDNEY A. JONES, JR., Third Vice-President (Western Jurisdiction) ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, IXC.
FOUNDER'S DAY ADDRESS (Continued From Page 14) these conditions to a quicker solution if they try to uphold the ideals of Alpha Phi Alpha. They should be very careful in the selection of brothers, refrain from petty jealousies which often result in keeping a good man out of the fraternity and accepting one less desirable As a founder, I would rather see Alpha Phi Alpha of the future composed of fewer men of the proper selection than a grea number chos'n because of their popularity, good looks or financial backing. May I repeat my slogan of years ago that "Alpha Phi Alpha needs quality rather than quantity." As the years pass on, the founders note more and more that the Fraternity is the victim of politics which is becoming a dangerous menace without our realization. The ambition of the brothers for office, the maneuvering for place and the jockeying for position is booming alarming and will soon make us lose sight cf the ideal of service for all which is one of our tenets. May I point out this danger in a fatherly way and ask for a better understanding among the brothers and a deeper realization that the office seeks the man rather than the man the office. Before I close, I wish to urge upon all the brothers the necessity for a broader bond of brotherhood in the communities where you res : de. After allegiance to your God, family and country, let nothing shake your love for the fraternity and its ideals. Let every brother be truly a BROTHER, promote his interest as if it were yours and show to the world that ALPHA PHI ALPHA stands for more than mere words.
The KADGK T h e badge of your fraternity w j r n over your heart is a distinguished e m b l e m . Let it e x p r e s s i n t r i n s i c a l l y a value like the ideals it s o b e a u t i f u l l y r e p r e s e n t s ; Write for Price List
L.G. Balfour Company Attleboro
Massachusetts
Compliment?
E. D. NEAL 409 So. Second StreÂŤ t MEMPHIS. TENNESSEE
CHAPTER
ROSTE R - C o n t i n u e d
39. ALPHA SIGMA—Marshall, Texas—Pres. James Taylor; Sec, B. Burroughs; C. S e c , C. A. Taylor, Wiley College. 40. ALPHA TAU—Akron, Ohio—Pres., Charles L. Nunn, Street; Sec, N. O. Chestnut, 441 Pine Street.
152
Chestnut
41. ALPHA UPSILON—Detroit, Mich.—Pres., John Teague, 5873 Street; Sec, T. C Hollis, 6620 Scotten Avenue. 42
Begole
' d - ^ A PHI—Atlanta, Georgia—Pres., Edward B. Wallace; S e c , Edward L>. McGowan, Clark University.
43. ALPHA CHI—Nashville, Tenn.—Pres., Thomas B. Taylor; Sec, Wythe hooper, Jr., Fisk University. 44
' r ^ ^ A P S I — J e f f e r s o n C i t y ' M o ~ P r e » - F 1 °V d L - Rob>n«°n; Sec. Robert L. Clark; C. S e c , Joseph T. Johnson, Lincoln University.
45. BETA ALPHA—Baltimore, Md.—Pres., J. Wilbur Gordan, Morgan Col•ege; Sec, James D . Browne, Morgan College. 46. BETA BETA—Lincoln, Nebraska—Pres., J. R. Lillard; S e c , C. Hill; <-• b e e , Howard H. Hatter, 1929 You Street. 47. BETA GAMMA—Ettrick, Virginia—Pres., Thomas D . Pawley, Jr.; Cor. a e c , Charles E. Shields, Jr.; Rec S e c , Leon M. Snead. 48. BETA DELTA—Orangeburg, *red J. Pride, State College.
S. Carolina—Pres.,
Jiles Edwards;
9. | E T A PSILON—Greensboro, N. Carolina—Pres., W. C Sec., Robert Haith, Jr., A. DC T. CoUege.
Sec,
Davenport;
50. BETA ZETA—Austin, Texas—Pres., Albert Slaughter; Sec, Robert E. Fields, Samuel Huston CoUege. 51. BETA ETA—Carbondale, Illinois—Pres., Arnold C. Banister, Jr., 412 S. Illinois Avenue; Sec, Gaffery Taylor, Colp, Illinois. 52 BETA THETA—Bluefield. W. Virginia—Pres., John W. Flippen, Sec, ' Arthur M. Mitchell, Jr., Bluefield State Teachers CoUege. 53 BETA IOTA— Kalamazoo, Michigan—Pres., Hackley E. Woodford, North Park Street; Sec, John T. Tapley, 1331 W. Michigan.
114
54. BETA KAPPA—Langston, Oklahoma—Pres., Frank Whitlow, Jr.; Sec, Lee Edward Lewis, Langston University. 5"5. BETA MU—Frankfort, Kentucky—Pres., Francis E. Whitney; Sec, Thomas A. West, Kentucky State College. 56. BETA MU—Tallahassee, Florida—Pres., Lucius T. Wilson; Sec, William T. Harper, Florida A « M College. 57. BETA XI—Memphis, Tennessee—Pres ; Sec, Henry A. Ryan, 16 East Street. 58 BETA OMICRON—Nashville, Tenn.—Pres., Harold D . Mac Adoo; Sec. Elijah J. Smith, Tennessee State College. 59. BETA PI—Jackson, Tenn.—To be set up. 60. BETA RHO—Raleigh, N. C — T o be set up. 61. BETA SIGMA—Scotlandville, La.—To be set up. 62. BETA TAU—New Orleans, La.—To be set up. 63. BETA UPSILON—Montgomery, Alabama—To be set up.
c^s-s^o CHAPTER R O S T E R - G r a d u a t e 01. 02. 03. 04. 05.
06.
W ^ ? H A < . L A M B D A — L o u i s v i l l e , Ky.—Pres. Dr. P. O. Sweeney. 601 W. w »'nut St.; S e c . Lee L. Brown, 1012 W. Chestnut S t H ™ A ^ M B D A — K a n s a s City, Mo.—Pres. Burt A. Mayb«ry, nson S t r * e t ; C - Sec, James A. Jeffrees, 1824 Paseo.
2446
F W , M M A LAMBDA—Detroit, Michigan—Pres., E. R. Carney. »>ner; bee, Rollio C McMahon, 6463 Van Court Street.
"69
T
AMBD
M!^ M\L A — B a l t i m o r e - , Md.—Pres., Fruman L. Templeton, 1502 •«.uiioh Street; Sec, C. C. Jackson, Jr., 1325 Madison Avenue. S
L0
|f i . LAMBDA—St. Louis, Mo.—Prea., F. Luther Merry, 4300 4224 W " * n d Street; C S e c , H . Von Avery; F. Sec, Louie P. Woodson, 1 " 4 - W N - Market Street.
7.
St l G M , A , LAMBDA—New Orleans, La—Pre.., WiUiam E. Belton, 2216 • mmp Street; Sec, Ferdinand L. Rousseve, Xavier University. 8. S e c U LAMBDA—Nashville, Tenn.—Pres., A. A. Taylor, Fisk University; •• J- K. Anderson, 1027 18th Avenue N . 9. 426 X 1 p 0 t i .LAMBDA—Jacksonville, Florida—Pres.. Capers Bradham. Ashley Street; S e c , Dr. C M. Thompson, 823 Davis Street. 0. Sec 1 f ^ ^ 8 0 A — R a l e i g h . N . C—Pres.. B. C. Hereon, Shaw University; • Uiarle. H. Boyer. St. Augustine'. CoUege. 1.
23.
AfPHA GAMMA LAMBDA—New York City—Pres., Dr. Farrow R. Aufn » 7 ^ 13ith SnTet; Sec, Ewart G. Quinier, 254 Decatur Street, Brooklyn, New York. Alpha DELTA.LAMBDA-Memphis, ^ n n ^ e - P r e . Lewi. O.^wingler, 390V4- Beale Street; Sec, Thomas M. nayes, jr., v~ .>«., j Cotton, 346 N. Manassas Street, ^ e ^ S ^ ^ ^
N
f ^ c r J - A M B D A — N e w p o r t News, Virginia—Pres., J. J. BaUoo, 1364 Street; Sec, R. H. Pree, 2411 Jefferson Avenue. 07. THETA LAMBDA—Dayton, Ohio—Pres., Dr. H. E. CampbeU, 12 SunAvenue; C. Sec, F. L. Alexander, 1013 Card Avenue. 08. ETA LAMBDA—Atlanta, Georgia—Pres., J. P. Brawley. Clark Univery. s e c , LeRoy E. Carter, 1012 Palmetto Avenue, S. W. 09. 2 6 2 ^ eaLAMBDA—Indianapolis. Indiana—Pres.. Grant W. Hawkins, " / Shnver Avenue; S e c , Thomas L. Horner. 1647 Bellefontaine St. 0. A P A Jr - c! LAMBDA—Greensboro, N. Carolina—Pres.. W. B. Beavers, Jr -> Sec, B. H. Crutcher, A flc T College. 1. F W l A M B D A — W a s h i n g t o n , D . C—Pres., Dr. Henry CaUis; Sec, "T s. McAIpin, 2904 Park Place, N. W. 2. R e i h . L A M B P , A ~ E t , r i c t : ' Virginia—Pres., Thomaa W. Cotman; Sec, " " b e n R. McDaniel, Box 185 State CoUege. 3. A v e L , A M B P A — C n i c a g o . Illinois—Pres., Luther S. Peck, 4927 Michigan Sec, Lawrence T. Young, 417 E. 47th Street. 4. A. D. Shores, MICRON LAMBDA—Birmingham, Alabama—Pres! R " 1. Box 755; S e c , H . Dovell Mosely, 1304. _ Fi.irst Court W. 5. W N A M k B I 2 A ~Little Rock, Arkansas—Pres., Dr. J. V. Jordan, 6 1 0 H • iNinth Street; Sec, C. Franklin Brown, 1019 Cross Street. 6. P U M . LAMBDA—Buffalo, N . Y.—Address W. B. Holland, 53 A d .
22.
Chapters
* H LAMBDA—Wilberforce, Ohio—Pres., Raymond O. Dickerson. BUdcL^SPA—Chattanooga, Tenn.—Pres., Prof. B. T. Scruggs, 1909 ' " o f d Street; S e c , G. A. Key, 1211 Poplar Sewet.
M U > r H . A ^ A L ^ H A LAMBDA—Newark, New Jersey—Prw., Dr. Charles "am? ^ , 5 0 1 B e r « , n Avenue, Jersey City. N . J.i See., Arthur C Wil' l36 Lincoln Street, Montdair, N. J. 24. W S ^ k ^ A LAMBDA—Lexington, Ky.—Pre*., H. M. Chenault. 226 oum > Street; S e c , Dr. H . A. Merchant, 128 DeWe.se Sere«.
S S S f e S S ^ ^ r 7 . H r R e e v ^ P ^ r Vifw. ° c i ^ P r ^ View, Texas. ALPHA THETA LAMBDA-Atlantic Cry, N . J . - I N A C T I V B ; Address: C. M. Cain, Arctic Ave. YMCA. ALPHA IOTA LAMBDA-^harleston W. Virpnia-Prei... ^ojeph^R. Jones, 909 Washingtoon Street; Sec, J. Kermit Hall, \>ii warn gw Street E « . m. -. rt DownfnA.KBAoPoPkA S
^
t
^
^
i
^
*
ALPHA N U LAMBDA-Tuskegee, A l » t » m * - P r . . . . W. H. Payne; Sec. Hollis F. Price, Tuskegee Insntute. ALPHA XI LAMBDA-Toledo O h i o - P r e . . . INACTIVE; Actg. Sec. Charles Hi CUrke. Jr.. 669 Indiana Avenue. W ALPHA OMICRON LAMBDA—Pittsburgh. £»•—£»«•. J ° " P h ' C i v e n , . E s q . ? Sec. Wilbur C. Douglass. 518 Fourth Avenue. AIPHA PI LAMBDA—Winston-Salem, N. C—Pres., James O. Bllis, A i. WiJh School- C Sec, A. H. Anderson, Columbian Heights S t W ; F . * L ^ E. Shepard Wright, Bruce Building. ALPHA RHO LAMBDA—Columbus, Ohio—Pre. Dr. H . Sherman Manuel, 275 S. Grant Avenue; Sec, Charl« F. Blackburn, 53 North 21st Street. ATPHA SIGMA LAMBDA—DaUas, Texas—Pres., H I . HoUand, 3910 D^fJond s £ e c ? £ c . James W. White. 2700 Flora Street. ALPHA T A U LAMBDA—Tulsa, Oklahoma—Pre.., T. W. Harris, 101 N Greenwood Street; Sec, J. Tyler Smith, 124 Greenwood Street. A I D H A ITPSILON LAMBDA—Montgomery, Alabama—Pres., C. H. Lock"art. * a « T e a c h ^ r T c o l l e g . ; *Z N.thsn L^ghorne 910 E « t & o v . Street? A**- S ~ . . J- Carrick Hardy, Stat. Teacher. Colleg.. ALPHA PHI LAMBDA—Norfolk, Va.—Pres., G. W. C Brown, 1619 Covert S«4et; ^ C 7 P . Bernard Young, Jr. 721 Chapel Street; Aast. Sec, Thomas W. Young, 2509 Brosd Creek Road. ALPHA CHI LAMBDA—Augusta, G..—Pre.., M. Tutt, Rainea SchooL
; Sec, John
ALPHA PSI LAMBDA—Columbia, S. Carolina—Pres., Abram Simpson, Allen University; Sec. Harry B. Rutherford. 1330 Gregg Street. RFTA GAMMA LAMBDA—Richmond, Va.—Pre.., Wiley A. Hall, 1106 North BrstStfeetTS*c. Walker H. Quarle.. 743 North Fifth Street.
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C^ 16
CLy^