Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-10-29
WITH GRIP AND SIGN
The Members of the Phi Gamma Delta
Society Greet Each Other.
MEETING In ANNUAL CONVENTION.
Attempt to Remove Prejudice Against Col
lege FraternitieS.
PROMINENT PEOPLE FROM A DISTANCE

Grips and signs and fraternal secrets few
around the corridors of the Monongahela
House last night as noiselessly and mys-
teriously as a congregation of ghosts. The
bustIing. business-like convention OF street
railway magnates has given place to digni-
fed college men, who are meeting as the
annual convention of the Phi Gamma Delta
College Fraternity. The opening session
was held last night, but the only business
done was to lay out the programme for the
remainder of the convention.
Phi Gamma Delta is among the strongest
of college secret societies. 1t has chapters
from California and Maine in nearly all the
best known educational institutions Of the
country. 1t was established at old Jefferson
College in 1S4S, and now has Al chapters.
There are 900 active members and over 5000
alumni members. This is the forty-thIrd
annual convention.
REMOVING COLLEGE PREJUDICE
One of the most important things to be
considered is TO devise means for inducing
colleges that will not allow the organization
Of fraternities by their students to change
their decree, and permit Phi Gamma Delta
chapters to be organized. One of the lead
ers in this movement is Frank Keck, Treas
urer of the Grand Chapter, and
prominent LAWYER of New York In speak
ing of the situation Yesterday, he said,
that 'ollege faculties are rapidly beginning
TO se that fraternal societies are not what
c .nic papers picture them, but that they
ave an influence with students that aids In
practical education, instead Of detractlng
from regular college work.
hot will
not allow the formation of secret societies
are Princeton and 0berlin,' continued Mr..
keck. I've Will not organize chapters
where they are not permitted, but we use
honorable means to convince faculties that
a fraternal society is for the good of the
college One institution that has held out
against US thus far has practically given its
consent now, the President saving that if it
was not a good thing it would die. 1 don't
know whether he meant that he would kill
it or that it would die Of its own accord.
BUILDING CHAPTER HOUSES.
"At ten colleges we have what are called
chapter houses at which the members room,
board and have their meetings At the
Pennsylvania College. Gettysburg, the
chapter has Just recently completed Chap
Ter house Of its own On the college campus
Ii is now in fourishing condition. The
system OF having chapter houses is attract
ing the attention of educational men all
over the country"
The majority of the members of the con-
vention will arrive to day. Those |
who came in yesterday retold the |
old stories of the college ''rush." the |
cranky professor and the tricks that carry |
many a student through hard examinations. |
The marks of the hazing process are not |
visible on many of the members, but |
reeollections, either real or studied for the
occasion, are to be had for the asking. They |
will all be brought out in parade at the
banquet Friday night. !
The convention is in charge of the |
chapters at Washington-J Jefferson and Allie
Cheny Colleges Some of the Pittsburg
members who will take an active part are |
Hon. John F. bravo, Adjutant General |
NcClelland, Dr. Dickson, Rev. J. c. Persh- |
ing, Rev. G.. S ellison, Stephen Quinon and |
George H. Welshons.