Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-21
FRATS WIN IN
TAX SKIRMISH
Senate Adopts Minority Re.
port FavOring College
Secret Societies.

The whole question of whether q fra
ternity is proper in the life Of Hoosler
college student and whether 1t actually
assists tie man working his way through
school, or whether it is conducive to a
society spirit, was debated in the Sen
ate this morning when an attempt was
made to provide for the taxation Of
fraternity properties.
The move came when a majority re-
port of the Finance Committee reached
the floor with a recommendation that
fraternities be stricken from the list of
those freed from assessments. The prin-
cipal part of the bill exempted the In
dianapolis Salvage Corps from taxation.
A minority report signed by Senators
Joseph Henley, Bloomington, and Rob-
ert l.. Moorhead, Indianapolis, opposed
the report. The Senate accepted the
minority report by a vote Of u to L.
QUESTION OF
BENEFIT RAISED.
The debate was on the subject Of
the benefit of fraternities and sOrOrities
to the student the opinion of the Sena-
tors differing widely. Senator Henly de-
clared fraternity houses take care of
large numbers of students who other
wise would have to be housed by the
State.
Senator Estes Duncan replied by de-
claring that fraternities do not lessen
the expenses of students and that he
could see no reason why such property
should be exempted. He pointed etft that
other houses in which students live are
not freed from taxation and he expressed
doubt that the supervision Of colleges
and universities over tie frats is effec-
tive The Senator ASSERTED that in some
rot ha raflt1
per cent if the Greek letter houses were
assessed.
Senator Moorhead declared that
churches should not be exempted if fra
ternity houses are not, and he dwelt at
length on the accommodations the frat
houses provide for students.
MOORHEAD SAYS
COST Is LESS.
Does it not cost students about 5000
year more to stay in a fraternity
house - Senator William 4. Mccullough,
Rockport asked.
THAT has not been my experience"
replied Senator Moorhead. u know
score Of persons who could not have gone
to college if it had not been for the ira
ternities."
Senator Mccullough then asked If most
Of the members Of fraterniteis Were not
wealthy and society Students Senator
Moorhead declared that half Of the frat
members are students working their way
through collegeS
The idea that only rich students belong
to frateruitIes is wrong, Senator James
H. HUMPHREYS Of Linton told the Sen
.nte He pointed out that members OF
these organizations must make good rec
ords In their studies in order to retain
their membership.
MILLER FANORS
MAJORITY REPORT.
Senator Winfield Miller, indianapolis,
declared the principle OF the majority
report was correct and he commended that
churches. as we'll as the fraternity prop
critics. should be taxed.
senator James J. Nejdl, Whiting, said
that if Greek letter organizations are
not allowed to exist the state would be
required to erect new dormitories at the
educational Institutions
The tax rate is So in Bloomington
largely because Of the exemption Of fra
ternity houses. Senator \. H. Beardsley
of Elkhart told che Senate Senator Lee
J. HartzeL FIT Wayne also took the
stand that the organizations should pay
their share of taxes.
Senator Joseph NJ. Cravens, Madison,
suggested If the fraternities are taxed
they might transfer their property to
the colleges.