Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-13
Delta PI
Alumni Will Appear Be-
fore School Board
To Ask That Cony Frat May
Continue Existence.
Board OF Education Sends Letter to
Parents of Students.

Much interest is being manifested
among the alumni and student mem
bers of the Delta Pi fraternity, a Sc
cret organization existing in Cony High
school, in regard to the hearing which
| is to be held at 7.3O p. NJ, Tuesday.
before the Board of Education upon
the petition of the alumni for a recon-
sideration of the action of the board
| of votes passed at a recent meeting.
ordering that the society either cease
to exist as a secret society after 1915,
or else go out of existence entirely,
and also that the Delta ri rooms at
the Cony High building be thrown
open to the whole school.
This action was taken after the
school board had given a hearing to
the petition of John Phelan ana other
High school students, asking for the
organization of another fraternity.
Much opposition is felt among the
members in regard to that part of the
order throwing open the Delta Pi
rooms to the entire High school and
some of the older members say that
ii that is done they wifi take out the
furniture and fit up rooms elsewhere.
Those who are opposed to the Delta
Pi fraternity claim that lis members
exercise an undue influence n school
matters and seek to control the High
school assembly and thus get control
of athletics, the school paper and the
Chizzle- Wizzle fair. The members, in
replying to this charge, ask how it is
possible for group of Is boys to con-
troll the votes and acts of $50 boys
and girls.
The Delta Pi fraternity mas been a
part of the school life of Cony High
for Is years. 1t was organized in 1897
and among its charter members are
Frank Hewins, John Dunton, Niles l..
Perkins. James Martin, Cup p. GAN
nett Calvin Johnson and Harold S.
Hiehborn.
The constitution of the, fraternity
states that it was formed for the pur-
pose of promoting efficiency in par
| liamentary law. in debating and to
bring the members together IN social
and literary work.
Up to the time that the new Cony
High school building was built, the
| fraternity always kept standing fund
| of 5000 but part of this money was
Expended in furnishing the new room.
which was provided for them by the
Board of Education and only about
$70 is now left for fund. The trus-
tees of this fund are Frank Hewins
Daniel Haskell and the president of
the fraternity. who is at present. Ed
| win Blanchard.
The Board of Education is now TAX
| ing steps to secure some information
| in regard to the views of the parents
of the students now in Cony High
school in regard to the Delta ri fra
ternity and for that purpose the fol-
lowing letter is being sent out
My Dear Sir: In view of the recent
agitation which has arisen concern
ing the advisabiity of retaining the
school, the Board of Education is de-
sirous of obtaining some information
upon the attitude of the parents to-
wards this fraternity. win you please
answer the following questions and
return in the stamped envelope en-
closed at your earliest possible OPP
portunity? 1t is very desirab BILE to get
these replies before the morning, of
Tuesday. May IA.
1. Do you think that your son has
been benefited individually by his
membership in the Fraternity? If So
please state how.
2. Do you think it advisable to
maintain, in a free High school sup
ported by public taxation, a fraterni-