Evening star., 1925-04-16
HIGH SCHOOL FRAT
BAN IS REAFF|RMED
Board, However, May Con-
sent to Conference on
Modification Plan.

Modification Plan.
The Board of Education ended its
sparring with the fraternity question
yesterday afternoon emphatically by
reaf1irming its stand in opposition to
secret societies in the Washington
high schools. At the same time the
board informed school authorities that
II expects prompt and vigorous en-
forcement of the anti-fraternity rule
which has been in force since 1921.
The board also served notice that it
is prepared for the legal fight which
has been threatened against it's au-
thority to control school organizations,
and requested the District Commits
sci to defend il in any action that may
result.
Greenwood Only Dissenter.
The resolution again putting the
board on record as unalterably OPP
posed to high school secret organiza-
tions was introduced by Edwin c.
Graham. and adopted without discus
sion by vote of Z TO l. Ernest Green
wood dissenting. Il realize it is futile
to argue" Mr.. Greenwood said, "but
! want to go on record as opposing
this strongly" Capt. Julius l. Peyser,
who has championed the cause of the
fraternities, was the only member alb
sent.
Mr.. Graham's resolution set forth
that it was the matter OF mature
conclusion in 1921, when the amend
ed rule against the fraternities was
adopted, that the influence of unap-
proved organizations was detrimental
po Of Grh
+. NO new evidence has been pro-
duced to cause the Board of Educa,
ton to feel that the conclusion
reached in June. 1921, was not justi-
fed" the resolution continued. "On
the contrary, the recent disclosures
have tended to convince this board
that many of the charges made con-
corning the influence of unapproved
organiza tions are we'll founded.
Stand Is ,Reafirmed.
Therefore, be it resolved, that the
Board OF Education reaffirms the pro-
visions of rule 81, as amended on June
l, 1921, in regard to the penalties pro.
vided for membership of students in
unapproved organizations.
School officers are notified that the
Board of Education expects efficient
supervision and prompt and vigorous
rule"
After the adoption Of the resolution,
Mr.. Graham indicated that the board,
when convenient" might consider
the modification Of the anti-fraternity
rule along lines proposed by an
alumni committee of Lambda Sigma
Fraternity of Central High School.
1T is my opinion he said. that no
rule can stand forever without modi-
n cbopoipp nonditinpQ
Lambda Signals alumni committee
recommended as a Compromise plan
for the solution of the fraternity con-
troversy that school officials regulate
the secret organizations. 1t also pro-
posed that membership be restricted
to seniors and juniors; that member
of the school faculty be admitted to
membership as an adviser; that the
consent of the parents be a prerequi-
site to membership, and that all meet
ings be held either in the homes of
students or in the schools.
Agrees to Conference.
In reply to lambda Sigmas pro-
posals, the board agreed to confer in
formally and unoff1cially with the fra
ternity's alumni committee at a time
designated by the president. but made
ii clear that it does not plan to enter
tain conferences of any kind on the
fraternity question as long as legal
action is contemplated.
The fraternity question bobbed up
twice sporadically before final action
was taken. At the outset OF the
meeting Mr. Greenwood sQuelched the
reading of a communication from l.. l.
McDonough of the Eastern High
School Alumni Associate applaud
ing the boards stand in opposition
. n hn ha
it was an ex-parte presentation of the
case. Again. when the communication
from Lambda Sigma was read propos
ing a conference with the board, Mr..
Greenwood moved that it be approved,
but his motion died without a second.
Probationary Teachers Win.
DIR. Frank w. Ballou, superintend.
ent of schools, reported to the board
that the District auditor, Daniel j.
Donovan. had reversed q tentative
ruling which held that probationary
teachers are not entitled to salary
placement. Teachers now serving on
a probationary tenure will be credited
with previous training and given a
proper salary, placement. The super
intendent iauded the work of Maj.
Raymond o.. Wilmarth, business man
ager of the school system, for his sue
cess III naNlhB llle duOllol SIaiSe his
opinion.
Miss Anna E. Sullivan, principal Of
a special school under the supervi-
sion of Walter B. Patterson was re-
tired by the board under protest. An
appeal from her attorney, William K.
Leahy, was referred to the committee
on appeals.
The Park View Citizens Associa-
ton notified the board that it is un-
alterably opposed to the erection of
an eight-room third-story addition to
the school, and urged that provisions
be made to give the school a 16.room
extension. Mr.. Greenwood, chairman
of the committee on buildings and
grounds. announced that the commit
tee would hold public hearing on
this protest Saturday afternoon at 3
O'Clock at the Franklin School.
Gymnasiums Are Sought.
A communication, from Miss Alice
Wood of the Western High School
faculty urging that corridors be con-
structed to connect the present build
ing with it's new addition was referred
to the finance committee. A request
from the Columbia Heights Citizens
Association that gymnasiums be
placed in the Central. Wilson Normal
and the proposed new Junior high
schools, was sent to the committee on
buildings and grounds.
At the instance of DR.. j. Hayden
Johnson the board voted to ask the
corporation counsel for an interpreta-
ton of the new compulsory education
and school census law. Members Of
the board were invited by DR.. Ballou
to accompany him on a tour of in