The Detroit times., 1910-12-09
C. 4. BLACK NAMED
FOR LIBRARY BOARD
Receives IL Votes; Choice Is Later
Made Unaniinous-High School
"Frats" To Be Investigated.

- Clarence A. Black was chosen
library commissioner to succeed Her
bert Bowen in Thursday nights meet
ing of the board OF education. On
the roll call, Mr.. Black received IL
votes, Alanson s. Brooks, four, and
Arthur A. Jones, two. Mr.. Black s
election was then made unanimous.
A request from the local Red Cross
society for permission TO sell Christ
mas stamps In the schools was denied
by the board. This is in line with
the boards former action In refusing
TO let the Sunshine society take up
a penny collection In the schools.
The application of the Jewish Wo-
mans club for the privilege OF sell
ing penny lunches in the schools re-
ceived more favorable consideration.
Miss Blanche Hart. superintendent OF
the Jewish Charities, was granted the
floor and explained that the object
was to provide food to children who
came to school, I'm some instances.
without any breakfast. The club, she
said, would undertake TO provide the
children with wholesome food at from
enc to Ave cents. In Cincinnati the
plan had proven a success, she point
ed out. The board finally decided 10
try the plan out In the Bishop school,
against the objection OF Inspector
Burton.
Under the weight of evidence forth
coming from pupils in the high
schools, showing that there was real
demand for a Spanish course, Inspect
or Mumford withdrew his objection to
the Inauguration of such a course and
the text book committees recon-
mendation that this be done was unan-
imously concurred in
The real estate committee Will
again go on a still hunt for school
site in the Eighteenth ward. The com.
mittee some time ago, again recon-
mended the purchase of the Ferndale
site. after the mayor had once vetoed
a resolution to buy It, The recon.
mendation was taken from the table,
Thursday night, and, on motion OF
Inspector Cary. the whole matter was
once more referred back to the com.
mittee.
With the consent OF the BOARD,
President Kuhn appointed a special
committee, composed OF Inspectors
Robertson. Burton. Goldberg and
Wiedeman. to investigate the high
school fraternities.
In submitting the matter the presi-
dent said that IL had occurred to Ger.
I. I members that secret societies,
or fraternities. in connection with the
high schools are not conducive to any
practical benefit, either moral, physi-
cal or intellectual; that they frequent.
ly are a bad feature OF public school
life, In that they encourage class dis
tinction, late hours and detraction
from the regular curriculum
Two young men, representing the
beet element in the Central High
school, who were on hand to watch
developments, declared after the
meeting that the attack on the high
school fraternities was unjust. The
high school organizations, they said,
had been confused in the minds of
many people with Greek letter fra
ternities organized by young men for
purely social purposes, entirely out
side the high schools, and having no
connection with the latter. These
outside "frats" give frequent dances
and hold midnight orgies and the
high school ''frats" are obliged 10
share In the odium that goes with
such carvings on. The school or
carnations. the young men claimed,
are a real help to members and make
for a better scholarship and higher
moral tone. On their rolls are many
members of the faculty.
Inspector Burton arose to inquire.
just before the adjournment, If writ