Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-16
FRATERNITY BANQUET
ANNUAL GATHERING OF PHI
DELTA THETAs.

Phi Delta Thetas to the number of half
| hundred assembled at the University
Club last evening for their annual alumni
banquet. The occasion proved to be red
letter one In the history Of the local alumni.
Almost half the chapters of the fraternity
were represented.
The cause of the unusual outpouring was
the enthusiasm which has been aroused
among the 'Phis," due to the decision to
hold the biennial convention of the national
fraternity here Thanksgiving week this
year. During the business meeting, in
toasts and songs was heard the one theme
of showing to the 800 visiting ''Phis' that
the national capital is a greater conven-
ton city than is New York. Indianapolis or
Louisville, where recent gatherings Of the
order have been held
At the business meeting formal announce
ment of the acceptance of the invitation of
the local alumni club to the general fra
tetitty to hold the convention here was
read. After the adoption of the report
or the temporary convention committee
Geos5e M. Rommel was elected chairman
OF the permanent convention committee to
have entire charge of the arrangements for
the function He will appoint an execu-
tive committee to assist him. The request
was made that all "Phs" in this city and
vicinity who desire information regarding
Election of Officers.
The following officers were elected: Will
liam N. Compton president: c. B. Sornbor-
ger vice president; Carl D. Sheppard, secre-
tary; Oscar A. Mechlin, treasurer, and DR..
John E. Meisenhelder. reporter.
AT the banquet Frederick II. Austin
served as POSTMASTER. Responses were
made by Gen. John c. Black president of
minis oslo ia tive
Joseph V. Graft of Illinois. Claude n. Ben
nett, retiring president. and George M.
RommeH, retiring secretary. John JOY Ed
son, jr., gave number of representations.
Representative Graft insisted that his
name is not spelled with a It" He was
called upon to explain, however bow he
happened to be member of the appropria-
tons committee of the House. He changed
the subject by remarking that he was in
attendance merely to add TO the gayety of
the occasion, whereupon ]. /. Gayetty de-
manded vindication, claiming he had been
"buncoed."
A group of songsters, seated near the
center of the long table, led by Gilbert S.
Woolworth and loudly supported by r. NJ
Stuart, DR.. p. L. Hodges and Capt. c. D. F.
chandler, Kept up rapid fire of songs
throughout the evening. They improvised
parodies in which douglas, the Dyna-
inter-" always referred to Engineer of
Bridges Walter ]. Douglass
The attendance included Frederick II.
Austin. Gen. John c. Black, Ralph P. Bar
nard, Isaac H. Bryant. Claude n. Bennett.
Hugh II. Bennett, w. ]. Beal, Capt. c. d.
+. Chandler, William N. Compton, L. S.
Doten, Frank w. DeWolf. Albert R. Dyer.
Walter J. Douglas Horace w. Davis, Will
liam E. DeRiemer, John Joy Edison, jr.,
Or. A. d. Forsythe, ]. l. Gayetty, Joseph
V. Graft, Isaac r. Hit, jr., DR.. P. l..
Hodges, Alexander H. Hitler, Dr. E. NJ.
Hasbrouck, William C. Hill, o. w. Lange,
Oscar a. Mechlin. DR.. John E. Meisenhelder,
Marvin NJ. Mclean, George NJ. Prince, jr.,
DR.. Edward F. Plcluord, E. F. Phillips,
George NJ. Rommel, Mai. Edgar Russell,
Milo c. Summers, W. Wolff Smith. c. B.
Sornborger r. NJ. Stuart, Carl D. Sheppard,
Galen L. TAFT, Milton Updegraff, Gilbert s.
Woolworth, n. r. Schumacher, r. M. Nc
Neal, r. J. Williams and W. G. Kimbau.