Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-16
TRY TO ENLIST
FRAT BROTHERS
TO AID WATSON
Michigan Phi Psi Sends Out
Appeals to Alumni in
Indiana.
WILSON ALSO MEMBER

Incensed at what they term an attempt
TO make use of their fraternity for selfish
purposes, members of the Phi Kappa Psi,
a Greek letter fraternity that includes
among its members President Wilson, are
condemning In no uncertain tone the at
tempt of VIII A. Gavin Of Sturgis, Mich,
to campaign for Senator James E. Wat
son under the name of the fraternity.
Hoosier members have received the fol-
lowing letter from Mr. Gavin:
WILL A GAVIN.
Lumber and Building Material.
General Contracting and Building.
Sturgis, Michigan.
Mr. f. Fl Knight. eO1 State Life Bldg,
Dear Brother Knight@It may seem
peculiar to you that a Michigan man is
Interesting himself in Indiana politics.
Well, politics is really not the message
offered you in this letter. l was born.
bred and educated as Hoosier and am
Justly proud of it. 1 am still Hoosier
Phi Kappa Psi and more interested than
ever in all that makes for the good Of
the fraternity.
Brother James E. Watson is. as you
we'll know, a candidate for reelection to
the United States Senate. No Indiana
Phi Psi who has kept in touch with -the
fraternity during the past twenty five
years can question his royalty to his
chapter or to the Indiana Alumni Asso-
citation Almost without exception Sena-
tor Watson has been among those pres
ent at the annual Thanksgiving banquets,
reveling in the JOY of meeting old college
friends and giving Of himself each time
the best that WAS in him ia the way Of
5ratory and Entertainment He loves the
Phi Psi fraternity for what he can give
It much more than for what it can give
him. There are very prominent Phi psf
IN Indiana, as you well know, who take
al they can get from the fraternity and
give it nothing.
Do not let political prejudice prevent
you from working and voting for Brother
watson. Phi Psi means more to you
than the election of Tom Taggart in In
dlana-nOw be hOnest-fess up-it does
of course.
You will be mighty glad to read In the
PAL er the day after election that Jim, /"
your brother, was elected now won't
youy IT he is defeated and you helped
do 1t, either by voting against him or by
not doing anything for him-God pity
you-I know you'll he ashamed.
This appeal goes to you frcm me per
soDally, not at the request or knowledge
or Brother Watson. Won't YOU helm out
some way-in your community to make
Phi Psi In Indiana prouder than ever Of
ner favored SON.. Brother Watson: Write
sincerely and fraternally.
WILL A. GAVIN,
nAC. y Ind. A. 'Os. +.
on POLITICAL ISSUES.
Following are some Of the replies that
nave been sent to Mr.. Gavin:
indianapolis, Ind, Oct 1, 1920.
IT. VII a. Gavin, Sturgis, Mich.
Dear Brother Cavin-Your letter Of Oct
4 Just received, conveys the reason for
Sour recent request for list of the
alumni Of my chapter residing in Indi.
request would still have furnished Won
ZEE list as a courtesy to both Won and
broLner Watson, but at the same time
would have entered a vigorous disclaimer
brother Watson's political ambitions.
am a Democrat, and with the great
Issues before US in this campaign nv
democracy is more deeprooted than ever
reference to individual candidates. and
have frequently voted for Republican
candidates, even for, high offices.
PERSONALITY entertain a sincere friend.
snip and regard for Brother Watson and
would go as far as any person to render
him personal favor.
Politically, absolutely cannot see him.
he IS not of my kind, nor of my way of
tnlnking, when the interests Of the coun-
try are at stake. I would state this as
freely to Brother Watson as | do to you
II IS not a question of choice between
bsrotner watson and Mr.. Taggart, as in
sIy1duals, but the overshadOWing issue is
the principle for which they stand in this
campaign.
In politics. Brother Watson has unfor
ennately always been aligned with the
worst reactionaries in his party.
In his primer OF political principles the
word progress" is written in the small
st available type.
In the present campaign be has placed
political expedieney above national hon
Eety. AS the chairman of the resolutions
semmittee at the Republican convention,
% was instrumental In adopting a plank
% the League Of Nations issue which was
deliberately intended to be ambiguous and
eyEsive and was a deliberate surrender
OF the position he and the majority of
his party took in the Senate.
In his speeches in this campaign he
has announced that he is in favor of de-
eerting our associates In the war who
held back the German hoard until we
were ready to enter the contest, and he
proposes separate peace with Germany
he has also practically Endorsed the
position or Senator Johnson and what
seens = ow to be the position where Sen.
etor Harding will finally settle, whereby
the League of Nations and the Versailles
iseaty win be wholly scrapped.
Into such course OF national dishonor
Z cannot follow him 1er the mere sake Of
personal and fraternal friendship.
| am satisfied also that many Repub-
hcan Phi Psis in this State will place
their cOuntry's honor above fraternal
feaIty.
: With the above reasons before you, you
can easily infer, despite your injunction
to the contrary, that / believe that in
Brother Watson's defeat God win not
pity his opponents. but will exult in the
triumph of His principles among man
kind, and 1 certainly viii not be ashamed
If my vote and voice aid in the accom-
plishment of that end.
With my kindest personal regards. but
regretting that your vision Is still up
among the clouds, / am. fraternally yours,
EDW. H. KNIGHT.
R-C
ADSuREs WATSON AS
HAN, NOT AS POLITICIAN.
Rockville Ind, Oct. 6, 1920.
Mr.. VIII A. Gavin,
Sturcis, Mich
Dear Brother Cavin--I have your letter