The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-28
Official Work of Phi Delta Theta Meetings Will Begin
 This Morning
PRESIDENT BENTON
 LIKES BIRMINGHAM
States Meeting This Week Is of the Greatest Importance and Urges Good Attendance-More Del
 egates to Arrive Today

Birmingham is in the hands of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
 With the arrival yesterday and last night of more than 200 members it may be said that the biennial convention has opened although the official work will not start until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock
 On the Seminole limited yesterday after noon there came more than 50 members of the fraternity from Chicago, ses tile, Tacoma, San Francisco, Butte and other places of the far west. In fact, one dele- gate said that he had been travelling so long to this convention in Birmingham that he had lost sight of distances. There also arrived on the Birmingham special yesterday afternoon quite few members from eastern points.
 Immediately upon their arrival the members were shown to their rooms and subsequently, Robert c. Thach, general chairman of the arrangements committee. furnished the visitors with badges and other officials information. This was done informally for the regular registration 6. offices will be opened on the second floor of the Tutwiler hotel.
 President Benton Arrives Last night Dr. Guy Potter Benton, pres- ident of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, and president of the University of Yer l ncnt, arrived. He headed a delegation of over 100 members that came on special train over the Alabama Great Southern from Cincinnati. Dr. Benton was due here yesterday morning early but when he reached Chattanooga he found the Cincinnati contingent there and he left his train and spent the day with the party.
 pr. Benton went immediately to the Tut wier with Mrs. Benton and their daugh- ters, where the state suit had been en- gagged for the general officers He said that he did not have any statement to make except that the meeting was des- tined to be one of the best ever held by the Phi Delta Theta fraternity and that some work of a most important nature would be transacted.
 When l was here at the meeting of the general council held the latter part
 
 with this city, said Dr. Benton. 'The re- suit was that ] asked Mrs. Benton and our daughters to come along to this con- vention. I was impressed with the en- thusiasm that characterized the members of the various committees having in hand the work of welcoming us and entertain ing us, and l was duly impressed with the cordiality of the people of Birming- ham. l hope that this convention will be the very best that we have ever held, and l am sure that will be the case. We hmave met here because the south is growing in popularity and esteem all over the country. and am very much inclined to believe that we have some very fmpor- tant work to do in this section, and for l this section. There can be no doubt of the fact that this meeting in Birmingham will be of great importance, and I want every delegate to attend the meetings as they are scheduled. This fraternity is engaged in a serious work, and I am sure that the delegates will not be prone to neglect what is to be transacted at this meeting'
 Other Officers Coming 1r addition to Dr. Benton. other mer- bers of the general council to arrive yes- terday included Frederick Cox, secretary or the fraternity; Mir. and Mrs, Alexander Henderson with the two Henderson chil dren. This morning Alexander Pope of Dallas, Tex, treasurer of the general council will arrive. MT. Henderson also IS historian for the fraternity. He said that the trip to Birmingham was exceed ingly pleasant and he looked for a most successful and profitable meeting.
 Everything is in readiness for tho convention. The Tutwiler hotel lobby and mezzanine was decorated yesterday afternoon with huge pennants Of the various colleges of the country. Alex ander Dearborn, Jr., with Steel An drews. Lonnie Munger Ali Smith and other local members of this fraternity were busy all the afternoon hanging banners. E The various committeeman have made all arrangements about the ball and other forms of entertainment. They already made engagements with the ladies to attend the tea-d dansant Wednesday to facilitate the visitors getting acquainted. At the tea-dansant 1t Is expected that each chapter rep- resentative If he has not already done so will make himself known to the sponsor for his chapter. The commit tee in charge of the hall, which will be the only formal affair, has deter mined not to invite any local boys