The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-10-16
FRATS ON CARPET
Outbreak Causes CONSERVATION
at Topeka High School.
Superintendent Calls "CIub"
Representatives to Task.
SETTLE 1T ONCE AND FOR ALL
Students Will Be Given Chance
to Tell All They Know.
Young Mans Ring Brought
About Investigation.

An outbreak. which it is declared
will settle once and for all time the
smouldering fraternity and sorority
discomfort in the Topeka high school
occurred this morning, when Superin-
tendent Wilson and Principal Stout
sent out a call for all representatives
of the suspected frats to meet with the
school officials. The correct definition
of a high school fraternity" will be
analyzed at that time and an effort
will be made by the authorities to dis
sect whatever thorn might be left in
the fraternity flesh
The explosion rocked the sentiment
in the high school this morning. Ac-
cording to stories told by innocent
bystanders," Clyde Mills, a young stu
dent, was talking to Principal Stout
when he. unthinkingly, ran his hand
through his hair.
Now, a high school principal has
other things to do without paying any
particular attention to the personal pc
culiarities of his 1900 students. But
when Clyde Mills ran his hand through
his hair this morning he uncovered,
the rumors say, the flashing emblem of
a Greek letter society.
The principal said nothing about the
discovery until after his office was
cleared of students and then he sent
for a personal interview with the un-
fortunate yOungster.
1t is not known what was said when
Principal Stout and Superintendent
Wilson questioned Clyde Mills, but it
is known that a conference has been
called for final settlement of the in
ternal high school question.
The high school fellows deny that
they belong to fraternities. The state
law prohibits them and the students
insist that they are living up to the
provisions of the Legislature. They do
admit however, that there are alumni
,,,s,r t.
clare that they in no way call for high
school membership.
The conference will result in the
first action taken by Superintendent
Wilson since assuming charge of the
educational work in Topeka The pen
atty for joining or organizing a high
school fraternity in Kansas is expul-
sion from school work The real reve-
lations of the WilSon-Stout probe will
result in either a tighter lid on high
school clubs and organiza tions or will
call for the dismissal of several stud
ents-sons and daughters in well known
Topeka families.
The high school frat question-al-
though without previous irritation in
Topeka-became a problem when the
legislature decided that the high schools
should not tolerate the Greek letter
organiza tions. Until this law was pass
ed there was little feeling against the
frats. They were conducted by well be-
haved young men and women and in
a general way approved by the parents.
Then came the law and there has been
trouble brewing ever since.
Superintendent Wilson and Professor
Stout refused to make any statement
as regards the situation today. They
said that they preferred to wait until
after the conference. The real sincerity
of the frat organization will be known
at that time and the authorities will
be in a position to prescribe the pen
atty or the remedy.