The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-04-08
WEED OUT FRATS
Fraternity Question Checked
Up to the Parents.
High School Authorities Send
Out Circular Letter.
SECRET SOCIETIES MUST GO
And the Parents Are Now
Asked to Take a Hand.
Teachers Give Their Views on
the Fraternity Problem.

The question of the wedding out OF
fraternities and sororities at the To
peka high school, which are KEEP
alive contrary to law, was checked VI
to the parents and guardians of al
high school students today, when g
letter was sent out from the public
school office by H. B. Wilson, super
intendent, and A. j. Stout, principal
of the high school, which asked for
their cooperation in bringing the
| question to an immediate head.
The. general letter sent out sets
forth in detail the various phases OF
the fraternity, question. There is no
threat made; the idea was to appeal
to the good Judgment of the parents
| 1t is understood that the board of edu-
cation and the school officials can, in
face of the law, take no other course
than that of Graduating the secret or
| CARNATIONS. 1t was preferred to take
a polite method of handling the prop
oSitiOn rather than to resort at this
time to some drastic measure. But
the school authorities are serious;
! they mean business. The school board
fully expects that the ''frats'' will be
thing of the past this semester, and
it is hoped that the parents will take
immediate action.
The letter sent out today quotes the
law and states that the law has been
upheld in Kansas and other states sub
sequent to action by school boards.
Attitude of College Fraternities.
The letter states the fact that lead
ing college fraternities of the country
will not take in students who have
been members of high school '-fratS''
The fact that such membership is
declared unlawful places a heavy re-
sponsibility upon the board to elm
mate the breaking of the law reads
tie letter. THE further fact thai the
existence of such organizations en-
rolling high school students is con-
s!dered to be detriment to the best
interests of the entire student body
likewise obligates those in authority to
eliminate this as well as other detri-
mertal influences. In a meeting of
The high school faculty touching this
matter, one of the faculty presented
tie following statement upon his own
initiative, which, after careful consi6-
Grafton and discussion, was unani-
mously adopted:
Opinion of High School Teachers.
1t is the consensus of opinion of
the teachers of the Topeka high
school that the holding of membership
IN fraternlties and sororities by boys
and girls is inimicaI to the best inter
ests of the school 1t lowers schoI.
arship by diverting the attention of
pupils from the serious pursuit of
study. The public school, supported
oy puphc taxation, stands for democ-
tends to destroy this vital and essen
tai CHARACTERISTIC by stimulating a
clannish, exclusive spirit, which is
sometimes carried even to the point of
snopplShness. wholesome school
spirit demands unquestioned loyalty to
the school from all the pupils The
fraternity tends to destroy this loyalty
by placing the interests of the frater-
NIFTY, In the minds of immature pupils,
above the interests of the school: and
the gang spirit may become so DOM
1nant as to disregard and oppose
rightful school authority Worst of all
Is the possible effect upon the puniJ |
himself. The high school boy mas Just |
reached the most patent period of his |
life so far as character-buildine is |
concerned, when a comparatively in
significant force may change the en-
tire course of his career. His judg- |
nent and moral strength are still |
those of child, while his Iongings
and ambitions are dimly those of a |
man. AT this critical period the fra
tern1ty throws him into company
where, adult advice and direction be-
ing lacking, ne INDUCES in pleasures
and practices inimical to his own wei
fare; and, being held in restaint only
by the moral strength of a bow he is
likely to fall into harmful excuses
Summary of Situation.
In the light of the reasons given /
against membership on the part of |
l.
cations and in light of the RESPONSE
o1l1ty placed upon the board of educa-
ton by the law and by the pertinent 1
court decisions, there remains no rea- Il
5onable ground for doubt as to the Il
course the board of education should
pursue in this matter in the case of
students who persist in maintaining
membership in organizations contrary
10 the letter or spirit of the law" con.
-inueS the letter.
Those who are in a position to reg
1Iate this matter with least embar-
and evil effects to the stu
ients concerned are the parents of |
hose children. 1t is with the thought |
of placing the same adequately and 1
alrly before parents that this COM
is sent. Not only should L
parents and school authorities COOP
crate to secure what is best for our
high school students while they are
n high school, but we should likewise
prevent these students from doing
Kings now which will handicap them
ater in their college or other relations
ships
If it's Devoe it's all you need know