Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-03
FACULTY CONTROL 4
OF FRATS UNLIKELY
Hearing on Subject of High
School Secret Society to
Resume Tomorrow.
PARENTS ARE TO BE. HEARD

That faculty supervision OF high
school fraternities and sororities 10
now impossible, and therefore can no
longer he regarded as the solution or
the secret society problem. is the be-
lief of persons in close touch with the
entire situation. as expressed last
night In view of the fact that repre-
sentatiyes of the fraternities and so
rorities at the hearing recently asked
for faculty supervision. this is regard
ed as being particularly significant.
The hearing is to be continued tomor-
row afternoon at o'clock at the
Thomson School. 18th and l. streets
northwest. Both sides will have an cp-
portuui,. to be heard. and IL Is ex-
pccted that in view of the fact the
meeti4.., . open to the public large
number of persons will be present.
Faculty supervision had been sug-
rested by certain of the high school
the principals and the special commit
tee of the board of education which IS
considering the ACCESSIBILITY OF ABOLISH
ing these organizations Ais" oers
of the committee had minated that
faculty supervision might be suggested
as the remedy of existing conditions.
Plan Deemed Not Feasible.
From the fact that the great
majority of the high school teach
ers. including some of the strongest
men and women in the school sys-
TEN, have taken strong stand In
opposition to the continued existence
of the secret societies. it is declared that
faculty supervision no longer is a feas-
ible plan In one high school at least the
faculty has suffered serious split and
it is believed the breach can be healed
only with great difficulty. A proposition
cmbodying faculty supervision. particu-
larlv under pressure. will result in a most
serious condition in the high schools. ac-
cording to persons in position to know
the various factors involved
Opponents of the secret societies
probably will present the claim to-
morrow at the continuance of the hear
ing that the defenders of the societies
have entirely failed to meet the big
issue involved in the fight on ira
ternities and sororities. namely. the
question of the good of the entire
student body opposed to the good OF
the fSw.
Sorority Abolished Easily.
Emphasis also probably will be
placed on the fact that a sorority was
started at the Wilson Normal School;
was believed to be detrimental to the
best interests of the school. and was
successfully abolished by the faculty
of the school without any serious diff
ficulties being met. The sentiment of
the faculty of that school is over
whelmingiy opposed to secret societies.
as indeed. is the sentiment iii the five
white high schools.
number of parents. some on each
side probably. are expected to appear
at the hearing tomorrow. While all
will be given an opportunity to be
heard. one of the leaders in the fight
on the frats last night declared that
the arguments of the high school
teachers should carry the greatest
weight.
This teacher pointed out that the
| great number of high school teachers
existence of the secret societies and
! that of those opposing the organiza-
! tons a large percentage are members
of college fraternities and sororities.
Parents See Only One Side, Claim.
The teachers are the only large body
of persons who can possibly measure the
effects of fraternties and sororities on
the public school spstem a whole"
declared this educator. The parents.
possibly. are least able to do SO. since
they are in a position in most cases to
see only one side of the question,
whether they he for or against the 90
cieties.
A plan of semester organizations may
be suggested as a remedy. 1t was eS-
planned that the semester system-that
is, the promotion Of students on a half
yearly Dasis-had done much to break
up class spirit. This may be remedied
and at the same time remedy offered
for the secret society problem by the
formation of each semester into a
group. with its own officers.
In this manner, it is pointed out,
group spirit. in which all students may
have a part. will be developed. and the
social life of all the students will be
encouraged through semester group ac-
Invites. intersemester debates and
other contests.