The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-03-10
|SOLONS TO TACKLE
SCHOOL ''FRAIS'
PRINCIPALS AT WITS END OVER
VExING PROBLEM.
Tendency of Greek Societies to Stimu-
late Social Rather than Scholastic
Zeal, and Roistering Habits of Some
Students, Lead to Suggestions of
Drastic Measures. VIZ e#

"A OIL pfoElouHg GHaU StdSe dAu 6nesiA
be withheld from all high schools which
permit fraternities among their stu
dents is in preparation for presentation
to the next legislature. This is only
another evidence of a problem which
has been sorely -perplexing various
school authorities of Minnesota for
many years. There has been feeling
that while the student secret society
was not necessarily a bad thing Tor the
older students in the university, the
mature balance and dignity which
bounds were apt to be lacking among
the high-school students. .r-.s.. .s .s..r.. l.
AT the same time, the school men ap--
preciate fully that it is beyond their
province to dictate what forms of social
amusement may be enjoyed by students
outside Of school hours or what organi-
cations they may form. There is no
disposition to pass sweeping condemna-
ton upon the secret society, but the
school authorities have almost come to
the conclusion that rather than counte-
nance certain doings it would be easier
to abolish the fraternities, were such a
thing possible. While the high school
principals are slow to discuss specific Of
lenses which have been reported to
them, there are many instances which
they admit they have investigated and
on which they base their opposition to
secret societies as at present. operated.
What One Principal saw: 80
It is related that one high school
principal, who was in St. Paul some
ing the city in a large automobile,
alighting frequently at saloons and
| several of them showing evidences Of
intoxication. Another Initiation cere-
mony which was pulled off at Mime
| tonAa is said to have been the occa-
sion Of two days spree, while poker
parties are reported to have reached a
stage where as much as 800 is staked
upon the outcome of single jackpot.
Evidences Of such tendencies are be-
lieved to have influenced the CONNER
the club rooms to high school students
for frat banquets and meetings.
| These conditions naturally appear to
be most aggravated at Central high
school, because it is the largest in the
city and the students have more money.
Some of the parents living in that dis
trict have placed SO much reliance in
reports they have heard that they have
sent their children to other high schools
even at the expense of additional car
I fare and Inconvenience.
Other Side of Case.
There is, Of course, another side to
the case. The fraternity men argue
that the entire fraternity system should
not be condemned for the wrongdoine
Of few harum- scarum youths whose
tendencies in that direction have moth
Ting whatever to do with the fact thai
they happen to be fraternity members
1t is also urged In behalf Of the frater
mites that inasmuch as they are secret
any lapses on the part of members are
exaggerated grossly in order to bring
the entire system into disrepute. It i
a fact that some Of the brightest stu
dents in the high schools, girls anG
boys, belong to the Greek letter so
cieties and it is also admitted by al
that, these societies have great posi-
bilities for encouraging good worl
among students.
1t is proving an extremely delicat,
matter to handle and even the legis
lative bill proposed can do nothins
more than has already been done b.
the school authorities, inasmuch as tn
measure would simply "put it up' t,
them. In reality the situation is III
to the Greek letter society member
themselves, and while no absolute pro
hibition of frats is likely to be an
nounced, 1t is probable that the hig]
school principals will redouble thei
personal efforts to arouse public senti
ment among the Greeks to keep thei
records clear.