The Washington herald., 1921-06-02
Pupils Must Withdraw or
Lose Activity Privi-
leges.
GIVES DEATH BLOW
TO 21 SOCIETIES
Thousand Students Said
To Be Affected by
Decree.


nities in the District are given the
choice of Withdrawing from mem.
bership in secret organizations OF
losing student activity privileges OF
official recognition other than fol
mere scholastic purposes, in ar
edict issued yesterday by the board
of education in regular session al
the, Franklin school.
Although the decree of the board
rescinds the ruling of 1919 ordering
dismissal from school of all mem
bers of secret organizations, the
terms of the order were received
yesterday by student leaders as q
death blow to high school frater'
mites. 1t is estimated that 81 secret
fraternities are in existence in the
five local high schools, including a
membership of almost 1000 students
Board Takes Action.
The following action was taken
by the board yesterday:
Any pupil. who. after June 1, 1921,
or after October l, 1921, has not dis
his membership in any
oooOSlohioh, VI oAeohA1oNiVhs Nluo' liz
ternity or sorority, which has not
been approved by the superintendent
of schools. shall thereby disqualify
himself, or herself:
l. From holding a commission or
warrant in the high school cadet
brigade.
2. From holding any position
either elective or appointive. on any
school publication.
}. From representing his school on
any team in competitive athletics,
rife matches, inter-scholastic de-
bates or dramatic performances.
4. From being certified as eligible
to stand for election to any class
office.
5. From holding any position in a
high school bank.
6. From holding any office in any
club or activity which
comes under the direction of the
school.
Bars An Honers-
Z. From receiving any form of
honors. other tkan those awarded
for scholarship attainments.
T. From holding any position as
representative of his school.
After September 1, 1921, and at
the beginning of each semester. or
more frequently IL required, each
pupil in a junior high or high school
shall be required to furnish the prin-
cipal of the school with a signed
statement. countersigned by one OF
his or her parents or his or her
guardian, indicating the associa-
tions. organizations, fraternity or
sorority of which he or she is a
member.
1t is not the purpose of this regu-
lstion to debar a pupil from secur-
ing a high school education, but 1t
Is the intention of the above pro-
visions to exclude from representa-
tive honors pupils who continue to
be members of organizations which
exist contrary to the regulations Of
the board of education.
Fear Loss of school Spirit.
School leaders last night ex-
pressed opinions that IL such action
were enforced, 1t would take the
life out of school spirit.
Alvsn Parker, president of the
general organization at Tech High
school. declared the action would
kill Techs school spirit, as most
of the athletes are fraternity men.
1t will not be beneficial to any
school," he said.
Take the frats out of athletics
at Central and the spirit will dis
said James Lemon, presi-
dent of the senior class.
Allan Davis. principal of Busi-
ness high, said the ruling would
have little effect there as the fra
ternities are not active in that
school.
I'VE will have very little trou-
BILE, as We expect to form a fra
ternity council, which will cooper
ate with the school officials and in
crease our spirit" Reginald Con-
rad, president of the senior class
at Western high, said.
After saying that a majority of
cadets at Eastern are fraternity
men, Capt. w. r. Miller, who won
the competitive drill this year. de-
clared that the action would have
a serious affect on the future stand
ard of the cadet corps"
1t is believed that the number
creased 100 per cent since the rul-
ing of expulsion came into effect.
Initiates Beaten with Clubs.
DR.. Frank w. Ballou. superin-end-
ent of schpols. says he intends to
enforce this new ruling. Ia his
report to the boIrd he said:
"One father of a high school boy
who was recently initiated into q
fraternity asserts that the chief
feature of the Initiation was beat
ing him with heavy clubs until the
lower part of his back and hips are
black and blue" from the bruises
He further sayy that two other
/ Cys were initiated It the sane
time and ] und .tapd tha. me #
them tainted twice during the beat
ing. and all of them had 10 be help
ed to bed afterwards He says fur
ther. I am not making any COM
plant against this particular fra
ternity for the reason that am
Informed that this is part of the
initiation with all of the
high school fraternities.'
This father although a member
Of college fraternity. disapproves
Of high school fraternities. He con-
demns this initiation OF his son as
simply brutal. one of the boys
breaking a heavy stick on him He
believes that high school bows are
not able to Judge whether pros
rective victims sre physically able
to witstand such treatment He
thinks there is great danger OF
CONTINUED ON PAGE Two.