Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-05

had found the secret societies to have
good effects He said that objections
could not fairly be based on youth, AZ
he knew many boys at fourteen or If
teen years to have moro common sense
than some college graduates This is e
young age. he said. I'VE must. we shall
have these societies Irrespective" he
said, in ending.
Mrs. F. L. Ransome, another parent.
opposed the societies. Reference has
been made here to the philanthropies
of the fraternities and sororitieS" she
said Philanthropy should begin at
home. 1t means the love Of man and
true philanthropy should not cause Bit
terness in childhood days. I wish to
protect those near and dear to me from
this unhappiness. My children have not
yet reached the age when they are to
go into high school I am in q dilemma
1 feel that would be unhappy If they
ed by the idea of my children joining
anything so undemocratic"
James O'Connell, a fraternity alum
nus. urged that the board of education
should make a clear-eut decision-ei-
Their to abolish entirely or to provide
strong supervision. He declared it a
right of persons in a democratic coun-
try to choose their own associates.
Good Effect on Daughters.
Mrs. Miles Taylor, mother of two So
rority girls, said the effect Of secret So
cieties had been good on her daughters
Traits for good were developed in
them and certain characteristics of
mind that did not know existed" she
said. "They did not limit their friend
ships to the members of the sororities,
however" She cited various charitabl
work in which the girls had engaged.
Mrs. c. Viola Fellows spoke in favor
of the frats. She said the expense had
been SO small as not to be worthy of
mention. Lots of boys would never
come to the front if they didn't have a
gang back of them to push them for
ward" she said, commenting upon the
ways in which the frats developed
character
George P. Tucker, president of the
eastern High School Home and School
association. when the fraternity ques-
ton came up in that body, declared that
these societies do not help those with
out, although they may help those with
in their ranks. Their influence is of
no assistance to the school," he said
Ihelr influence tends to narrow the
horizon of the boy. They are not ex-
tended enough to be of lasting help
or broad enough to help all. Our school
system should be jealousy guarded
Their most Objectionable factor is they
are exclusive" He also spoke as a
parent, saying that one of his daugh-
tiers had been invited to join a sorority
but had decided not to do so.
Mrs. Ida E. Kebler. president of the
Parents League of the Third Division,
/strongly opposed the societies. I'VE
want every boy and girl to have a
place." she said. land we want them
to be made happy. The greatest eff
ficiency is attained while we are happy
In our work. Glass distinction causes
unhappiness. We want the greatest
good to the greatest number"
Parent Gives Appreciation.
w. H. Richardson spoke as a parent
in favor of the organization, and also
of the help given by the boys to one
knew something Of the activities of
fraternity members, as he had seen
them not only in his own home, but
had followed his son and a number of
occasions and found he had always told
the truth as to wh.re he was going
He said non-frat organizations develop
cliques just much as the societies
T. E. Mattingly, non-frat student,
declared the fraternities neglect the
God side" in their consideration of the
question. He spoke of the distinction
made because of religion. and termed
them selfish institutions. The fraterni-
ties, he said, were monopolies.
Roy c. Claflin. president of the High
School Teachers Union. summed up the
caseeof the fraternity opponents. He
said that the societies are undemocrat-
ic inasmuch as they have a system by
which elections may be prevented by
one vote or blackbal1. Democratic in
situations. he said. are ruled by ma
tority vote. He said the case as made
against the frats showed them to be
undemocratic.. unsocial; that they pro-
mote unhappiness and that they are
uncharitable in the largest sense of the
word.