The Washington times., 1920-09-28
FRIENDS RUSH
T0FRATS' AID
Prominent Washingtonians De-
plore Move to Ban Societies
From D. C. Schools.

SIVsu ". ". oOttOOv0.
Revival OF the fight on secret So
cieties among the Washington high
school pupils In the near future, an
nounced by the school authorities yes-
terday. haz aroused much excite
ment among members OF the alumni
OF such frsternities and sororities and
parents OF present pupil members as
well As among the pupils themselves.
The statement OF DR.. Frank w. Bal
lou. new superintendent OF schools.
that the school authorities are plan
ming to enforce the regulation against
such societies in the five local high
schools, which was adopted by the
Board OF Education four years ago,
caused a sensation among those who
viii be affected by the proposed
action. II brought an immediate
storm OF protest In which many
prominent Washingtoniansj Joined.
DEFEND FRATERNITIEs.
The defenders OF the societies deny
they are detrimental to the welfare Of
the pupils by inculcating class feel
ing. giving rise to ciiques. and caus-
ing humiliation to children whose
families are not able to afford the
even trivial expense membership in
the fraternities or sororities entail.
They contend rather that the societie
serve praiseworthy purpose by
providing proper social and mental
environment for the members who
also are aided by the counsel OF the
alumni who are kept in close touch
with them through fraternal associa-
ton.
William F. GUIDE, the florist. who
was one of the leaders in the night
to prevent the edict banishing of the
societies four years ago. again was
one OF the first to take up the cudgels
In their defense now. Mr.. GUIDE has
several children who are members OF
fraternities and is vehement in urg-
ing that such societies be encouraged
rather than banned.
CLAIM GOOD INFLUENCE.
There is no reason for barring
fraternities or sororities from the
high schools" he declared today"
They offer the best possible influence
on the pupils. The members are
scholastic work and they furnish a
valuable means for the interchange
OF IDEAS as well as excellent social
environment"
Characterizing the proposed action
II the school authorities as a great
mistake" Edward d. Rheem, of the
real estate firm Of Swatzell, Rheem
and Hensey Company, and an alumnus
of the Lamba Sigma National Fra
local high schools, today also cam.
out As q champion of these bodies
II shall never regret my member
ship in q high school fraternity" said
Mr. Rheem today. "The society wa
conducted then, as it is now. by the
alumni, and the members were guided
in all Of their actions by the advice Of
| their elders
I'm the days / attended Central High
SCHOOL, / belonged to many organiza-
tons. But out of none of them did -
derive a benefit equal to that which [
got as a member of Lamba Sigma.
My older fraternity, brother. were
constantly urging me, and others also.
to make my scholastic record one that
l would be proud Of.
The society inspired me to do only
things which would be a credit to my
self and TO my school. think the
Board of Education will make 4 greal
mistake by barring the fraternities.
They have so much to do with pro-
noting better manhood. and inspiring
their members to do everything well,
and to make a proud showing for
their school"
Another member of the Lambda
Sigma Fraternity, Tudor Morseli. OF
Shannon G. Luchs. today declared him
self heartily in favor with the secret
societies and opposed to the proposed
action TO bar these organizations.
INSPIRES GOOD.
| ;nR nf fro
a boy is such that it inspires him to
make good in everything he under
takes" said Mr.. Morsell. "The fra =
ternity can reach the boy and guide
him on the right path. where other
means fail.
Being a member Of a high school
fraternity helped me in a great num-
Der of ways. From the time was
admitted TO Lambda Sigma / was
guided by the advice of the older and
experienced members. They i'm
pressed upon me the need CT my
/ scholastic education and did many
other things for me which makes me
proud that I was q member"
Edwin Joyce. member of the Delta
Sigma Phi National Fraternity, one
of the largest in the high schools, is
heartily in favor of the fraternities
in tho schools. Joyce was formerly at
Business High School and one time
national president of his fraternity.
There are now more than twelve
secret societies in the schools. Some
OF them are in their infancy, but
others have existed for ten and NJ
teen years.
II the school board takes any sc-
ton the organizations, in ell probs-
bfity, will send representatives to
appear before the board members and
appeal the cause OF the secret socie-
ties. Efforts OF the board several
years ago to abolish the organiza-
tions were fruitless
RED CROSS TO CONDUCT