The Washington times., 1916-11-21
Board Of Educators Investi-
/ eating Committee Meeting
{ to Consider Question Today.
REPORT WILL BE FOLLOWED
Board Of Education Head Says
He viii Stand by Report Re-
turned.

What result will the executive
F. meeting of Board of Educators in
vestigators this afternoon have on
sthe fraternity question? Hundreds
iof students in high schools, as well
ias many parents and friends, are
!sanxiously awaiting the answer.
DR.. John Van Schaick, jr., president
.of the Board of Education, says that
twhile he is going to follow the course
Recommended by the committee, there
sare certain conditions that make abo-
clifton of the fraternity a more serious
sQuestion than appears at first sight.
At the meeting of high school prin-
scipals last week, there was present
IN principal of a private school in the
tcity. When abolition of the fraternity
twas discussed, he said: "A mother
scame to me some time ago In regard
sto her son. During the discussion,
.she mentioned her sons fraternity, /
promptly told her that her son did
snot belong to a fraternity, since they
swere barred at my school.
Didn't Believe IL Possible.
"she said that she was sure that
sthe boy did belong, but I told her
sthat for fraternity to exist in a
Ischool as small as mine without my
knowledge was practically impossi-
sble.
when she told me that she had
.entertalned her sons fraternity at her
shome several times in the past two
syoars, promptly confronted the
members and they admitted that the
secret society had been In existence
flor years"
- This is a condition that DIR. Van
sSchaick is considering. he stated.
Many admit that without the frater-
nifty school life would be simplihed,
but since the fraternity Is established
It is contended that its abolition Will
attended with much 1iniCultX, II
at all.
Is BIg Subject.
Superintendent Thurston said of the
situation: THE abolition of the fra.
ternity is a big subject, and concerns
too many persons to go about any
changes promiscuously. believe that
It is a subject that demands most
careful consideration. Before any
steps to stamp out the fraternity alb
solutely are taken, the fraternity In
terests will be given an opportunity
to present their case" 80
The fraternity interests have never
boon heard. nor have the teachers OF
the schools. The matter arose at a
meeting of the Eastern High School
Parent-Teacher Association in the
spring. A committee of the associa-
tion compiled voluminous report
which was brought before the Board
of Education. The board referred II
to the present committee. which Is
now hearing all arguments for and
against the societies.
Teachers Are Opposed.
That a majority of the high school
teachers are opposed to the fraterni
tics is evinced by the resolution
passed at a meeting of the executive
committee of the High School Teach
ers Union at Business High school,
yesterday afternoon.
Representatives OF the fraternities
addressed members present and
stated why they thought. the frater
nifty should be recognized. Many
The fraternity members were then eX
cusd and the committee discussed
the evidence.
Resolution Adopted.
The following resolution was
adopted:
"Whereas, since we are, together
with the Board of Education and the
school officials, custodlans of the
ters, we believe it would be disloya
TO our trust to sanction or foster ar
institution which Is in Its nature
neither public nor democratic; and
"Whereas we believe the existence
OF fraternities and sororities in the
high schools 0f the District of Co
lumbia are decidedly injurious to the
best interests of the school system
anu 10 Tic iiAO Ah
and
"Whereas. n careful canvass of the
union members of all the faculties
of the white high and normal schools
has disclosed an overwhelming senti
mont against the continuance of these
organizations; therefore.
Recommend Abolition,
"Be II Resolved, That the High
School Teachers Union OF Washing
ton, d. c., hereby recommends to thu
Board of Education that every effor
be made to abolish the fraternitie
and sorortties in the high schools o
the District OF Columbia"
The vote OF the committee was Il
8, with one member not voting. Priol
to the meeting, members OF the com
mittee made a canvass or faculties o
high schools for an expression o
opinion of the status of the fratrnity
In two schools members OF the unioI
were unanimously opposed to the so
cieties, and in the others, were op
posed by a large majority.
The executive committee Is to b.
represented at the meeting today, t
add its voice against recognition o
the fraternity.