Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-09-26
Editorial Comment
School Eraternities,
(Portland Evening Express

cortland Evening EXpress,)
Apparently the members of the
School Board have decided that the
school "frats" must go. The agitation
against them has been brewing for
months, but the action of school OFF,
Gals in other cities and the general
sentiment against the secret societies
have at last evidently brought about
the climax of the discussion.
Educators all over the country
have for some time been agitated
over the subject of secret Greek let
ter societies in the secondary or
preparatory schools. 1t is generally
understood that this agitation bears
no relation to the Greek letter soeie-
ties in the colleges, which have for
many years ffourished with benefit to
the members, and which have from
long usage, become almost neces-
sity. 1t is the establishment of
these societies in steadily increasing
numbers, and the dangers arising
from their rapid propagation and
rise in power in the college prepare
tory schools. seminaries and public
high schools that is now agitating
educators and all those interested in
the welfare of the youth of our land
attending this class of educational in
stitutions. The problem is very dif-
fcult of solution and there have been
many opinions expressed and argll-
ments advanced for both sides of the
question, by prominent educators and
school officials in every part of the
country It is generally admitted,
however. that the influence exerted,
I'D 81 ff
the schools wherein these fraterni-
ties have flourished. has been detrl-
mental rather than beneficial
There are in Portland Is secret So
cieties or chapters, eight in the city
proper, and eight in the Deerlns DIS
trict They include the Alpha Delta
Sigma, Alpha Phi, Sigma Epsilon. IL
NJ. Club. Pi Phi, Inner Treu, Kappa
Phi. Iota Delta Phi, Delta Epsilon
Zeta Phi, Delta Alpha Kappa, ri Kap-
pa. Epsilon, Tau Sigma, Alpha Delta
Phi. etc. The total membership OF
these secret societies and sororties IS
in the neighborhood of 200, which IS
proportionately a very small part OF
the enrolment of the two High
schools.
Here is the way one Portland moth
er expresses herself about the sorori-
ties:
''Fhe whole system is wrong that per-
mits such a thing. There Is nothing ap-
solutely wrong in having few girls OF
congenial tastes form little club to
have a good time together. but most
schools have plenty OF clubs To meet
each rational fad-camera, or books, or
sports and so on But when club Is
formed deliberately for social purposes,
intending to exclude the ones VINO can can
not spend freely and entertain iaVisnly,
and dress conspicuously-then the spirit
of democracy, of universal free educa-
ton and of ordinary grlhood' Is ruined ca.
There should not be any segreSalihiS. 10.
social purposes among mere cf1idren
who are too young anyhow to be ailowen
to hold social affairs of their own. 'IDlnh
of youngsters OF i6 giving theaIer pa,
ties, dances in hired halls, elaborate
|luncheons provided by caterer; II Is
absurd, and 1t is dangerous TO the fhef
feelings of such malleable things as nm
mature minds. Great big gatherings TO
which everyone in class or schooi y
invited are different. Little old-fashloned
parties in the girls own homes, with
their mothers as we'll as faeulty mem
her or two are all right and very pleas
ant and harmless. But typical frat lie
[ believe it is responsible for a lot OF
ful flirting aud all the snobbery that are
together spelling the spirit and the best
effects of public education.
The action Of the School Board has
been the one subject discussed BY
members of the fraternities today ana
there can be no denying that there IS
a great deal Of feeling in the matter.
Undoubtedly many boys and girls
have graduated from the high schools
uninjured by fraternity ASSOCIATIONS
and principles. 1t must be remem-
bered however, that some boys ana
girls. like some men and women rise
superior to all baneful influences. Ii
is the general effect of secret soeie-
ties upon the school membership as
whole that the school officials OF the
country have been considering. The
local officials have not and will not
act hurriedly and without giving poth
sides of the question careful consla-
Grafton. We should say, however,
from the sentiment of last nights
meeting that the days of the "trat
are numbered in the local schools.