The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-15

It fe now just about a year since the school authorities here in Washington started an investigation of the high school fraternities The matter was taken up not because there was feel ing among the authorities that there were glaring evils exhisting among the fraternities. but rather because 1t was considered that an ounce of prevention was worth a pound of cure.
 The newspapers at the time were de- voting much space to the many troubles caused by fraternities in other large cities. and this had made the authori- ties here cautious.
 It appeared that in several large cities the laxity of parents and of the schooi authorities in these matters had led to disastrous results, so the investigation was started, not with the feeling of hostility toward the fraternities, but rather with the idea of understanding local conditions fully, so that the 1ra- ternities could do the best work pos sibie and not come to an unfortunate end.
 I am aware that this statement will be read with considerable skepticism by many members of fraternities anu to some extent they are justified in this attitude. There are some teachers who are bitterly opposed to fraterni- tie, others who condemn certain features of them. while the rest either approve or are indifferent.
 The result Is that the members usual ly have a "shaky" feeling as regards their societies and fear co discuss their side of the question frankly lest they meet with speedy disapproval The whole situation rises from a lack oi sympathy and understanding on the one side and e lack of confidence on the r3- know practically, nothing of the local situa- ton and are prejucied by their know ledge of conditions in other cities. on the other hand, do the fraternities real ly try as they should to gain this much needed sympathy and so promote har- fnonious conditions?
 For a number of years there have been fraternities here in Washington, and their origin Is easy to understand
 With all of us the social instinct Is a strong one. Why should 1t be strange. then. that this is also the case with children?
 One of the main objections used against fraternities. however, and es- pecially to those in public schools. is that they are undemocratic, and foster nobbishness.
 How much truth Is there in this?
 To be sure the fraternities are ex- elusive because their very foundation in congenial. Were they to take in uncongenial persons the very ad- vantntages aimed at would be lost.
 Whether or not they be members of sororities and fraternities. the girls and boys who are congenial will natur- ally associate with each other.
 Where is the harm If those most suited to one another unite for their common benefit?
 The fraternities are interested in ideals. They seek persons whose aims and ideas are similer and they select them from all classes.
 The result is that girls and boys from all ranks are. brought together, and the fraternity, instead of being un- democratic. is really most democratic.
 The members of a fraternity spend much time together. yet why shouldn't they. since they have joined the so- cfety for this purpose? This does not nessarily mean that the fraternity members refuse to associate with the non-fraternity student.
 AS for the charge of snobbishness in some cases that is true. At the same time this is not the fault of the fra ternity, but that of certain individ- uals. "Snobs' are frequently found outside the fraternities. Moreover the fraternities. as I happen to know do all in their power to discourage this attitude
 The charge that fraternities are dan gerous to the school is due largely to the feeling among some teachers that any body which they cannot control directly must be inimical to the school.
 In reality, the truth is just the op- posite. If the fraternities were on this order they would lose the respect of the best class of students whose membership in the societies is desired
 Moreover, since fraternities have been given a good deal of considera- ton by the authorities here, they would hardly permit any acts on the part df their members which would call forth the hostility of those in charge of the schools.
 The general attitude of our fraterni- ties here at the present time is a good one. That there have been fraterni- ties here that have made mistakes many of us know. That Is only nat ural; members of most fraternities are human and have human frailties
 However, what has been the fate of fraternities on this order? Let me give you an instance.
 About eight years ago there was a certain fraternity in this city in a
 
 lack of proper management the fra ternity by very gradual process, be- came one in which the boys were what I shall call. for lack of more suitable name. of the cigarette smoking" type
 But what was the result?
 In proportion as the members grew less and less desirable, the fraternity lost prestige, and some time ago 1t died a natural death.
 But aside from giving a girl or boy agreeable and congenial companions what other advantages do the fraterni- ties offer? Well. fraternities help to develop strength of character. self consciousness, self-sacrafice. and self control. Let me tell you of a case which came to me directly.
 A number of years ago there was young girl who entered one of our high schools wasted her time, and fall ed. A second year she came back and repeated the performance. At the end of the second years failure fraternity girl came to me and said:
 Miss Smith, it's a shame that Mary doesn't get along. She's fine girl, only she's so weak. We've taken her Into our frat, and we're just going to see if we can't help her"
 The third year came, and again the girl started in with the first year work. You may say that she would naturally have succeeded this time as she had been over the ground so of- ten before. Not nessariIy. The work might have grown so monotonous that all interest would heve been lacking.
 But what was the result?
 Through the combined efforts of n 10 frat