Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-11-26
FATE Of SOCIETIES !
TO Be KNOWN SOON
Many Organizations win Act
on Observation-Disclosures in
tuesdays Hearing. 4
TEACHERS PLAN MEETING

Whether or not secret societies are
to be allowed to continue their ex-
istence in the public high schools OF
the District OF Columbia may be
definitely decided this week.
Not only is the special committee
Of the board of education having this
proposition under Amusement to hold
ton Tuesday afternoon NJ o'clock
in the Franklin School. 18th and X
streets northwest. but many civic and
other organizations are contemplating
action on the proposition. Not all of
these Will meet in time to get their
views on the subject before the COM
mittee. headed by William T. GaIliher.
at the hearing. but 1t Is expected they
will have opportunity to present their
arguments in writing. at least, before
before the committee makes its final
decision.
The question Of abofishing the high
school secret societies Is so large, ha.
taken so many angles and has awakened
such wide public interest that II is con-
fdently predicted the committee win re
auire considerable time TO weigh the
numerous arguments for and against the
secret organizations.
majority would A0oltSn.
Rev. DR.. John Van Schaick. president
OF the board Of education. has received
q great number Of communications on
the question. the bulk OF them being op-
posed to the existence Of secret organ
ixations In the public school system
are from prominent persons. who have
asked. however, that their names be
withheld.
Decision as to whether to conduit IN
aggressive campaign against the secret
societies will be made by the High
School Teachers Association tomorrow
High School. The executive ooumit-
tee. following a canvass of the NOM
bers OF the union. has already gone on
record as opposing the continued exist
The question Of conducting a campaign
against them has not yet been consfd-
cred. Such q step can be taken only
upon vote Of the majority Of the NOM
bers OF this organization.
Tomorrow evening the question IL to
be brought before the Mid-Cfty Cftt-
Gems Association. A. J. Drtscoll, preei-
dent of this organization. was one OF
ernoon. He intends to have the body Of
which he is president consider the mat
ter and il possible present its views
Tuesday next.
Women's Federation May Act.
The educational committee Of the
District Of Columbia Federation of
women's Clubs has intimated that the
matter will be brought up at the meet
ing of the federation Tuesday evening.
It is also probable that the question
will be brought before the North Capt.
toll and lexington Citizens Association
at it's meeting Tuesday night. At this
meeting a number OF matters reiatfng
to be considered, and It Is thought prob
able the fraternity question. too. will
be given consideration.
Several other bodies which are 10
of next month are contemplating the
OF the proposition.
According to leaders OF the tight
against the secret societies. the propo-
sition to have faculty advisers and to
regulate the organizations through
them is highly impractical. Some even
claim that to put this scheme into oper-
alton would within a short time bring
about a system Of politics among the
teachers. which Is now alleged to exist
in the case OF the students.
"I cannot see how the board of edu
cation can consistently recognize and
attempt to regulate high school secret
societies." said one opponent of the
who has given the entire
problem careful consideration, yester-
day.
No Personal Feeling.
81 feel that there are certain Difficult
ties which are not now recognized and
realized, perhaps. but which exist, new
ertheless. For instance. it has beer
proposed to have teachers as advisers
to the secret societies. The high school
teachers have taken this matter mp
from an entirely impersonal point of
view; are making their fight against
the societies on the high plane Of their
duties and responsibilities. No personal
feeling has entered.
But even allowing that the teachers
could Il feel certain they could mott
having these undemocratic institutions
by the board of education.
how could that body consistently desig-
nate teachers to small, chosen groups
OF students when the salaries Of the
teachers are paid by the entire public?
Also: the laws Of Congress prohibit
the collection of money on school
premises except for certain specifically
designated purposes, such as the play
grounds. How could the fraternities
get the money with which to carry on
their activities? Would il be done by
an evasion of the law. through some
technical manipulation which would at
Or would the board sanction meetings
being held elsewhere than on school
premises. and yet accept the RESPONSE
1iity for such meetfngs?"