Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-09
RUM Charge SPURS
FIGHT IN FRATERNITY.
Virginia Chapter Of Delta Tau
Delta Faces Action by
Governing Group.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

CHARLOTTESVILLE va, April ~
Beta Iota Chapter, the University Of
Virginia organization of the Delta Tau
Delta national fraternity, is facing pos
sible disciplinary action by the arch
chapter for alleged dry-law violations.
The fight, however, is entirely between
the local body and the national fra
ternity, with the university itself a
neutral observer, according to Mclean
Tilden, alumni secretary.
A month ago, Beta Iota Chapter re-
fused to sign an agreement prepared by
university authorities to abide by
long-standing regulation not to drink
or make intoxicating liquor on the
campus. The same action. however,
was taken by Is of the 30 fraternities at
Charlottesville.
Tllden Cites Compromise.
All compromised by signing a substi-
tute agreement which is entirely salts
factory to the college authorities. Mr..
Tilden said. although the matter is not
finally concluded.
The fraternity members objected to
clause which, they felt, might obli-
gate them to act as shoppers" on other
students and preferred statement
which they could obey to the letter
rather than stricter agreement which
might result in hypocritcal evasions.
The correspondence Of the Delta Tau
Delta leaders with the University. Mr..
Tilden said, was marked throughout by
q manly determination to agree to
nothing to which they could not con-
scientiously abide and at the same time
to cooperate with the university to the
utmost in It's efforts to uphold the
dry law. This attitude was appreciated,
and the substitute agreement accepted
in the spirit in which it was offered.
The matter was concluded. says Mr..
Tilden, to the entire satisfaction Of the
university about q month ago, and. so
far as college officials know. the be-
havior of Delta Tau Delta members
has been exemplary. Only IA OF the 80
fraternities signed the agreement ex-
actly as it was first submitted by the
university.
Cuddy II silent.
The situation between Beta 1ota
Chapter and the arch chapter remained
obscure this morning, with no state
ment forthcoming from G. Z. Cuddy,
president Of the chapter. Local Delta
Tau Delta alumni, it was learned, are
rallying to the support of the Beta Iota
members in their determination to make
no pledge which they do not feel that
they can keep without hypocrisy.
University of Virginia officials and
alumni do not deny that there is drink
ing in the fraternity houses, but insist
that it is no greater than at other COL
leges and that drunkenness. while not
regarded as the deadliest Of sins at
college. which still abides by the liberal
philosophy OF Thomas Jefferson, is dealt
with severely when brought to the at
tention OF the authorities.
One Of the leading figures under dis
cussion by both students and faculty is
the Rev David Hepburn, superintendent
OF the Virginia Anti-Saloon League. who
is blamed for giving the public a false
picture OF student life at Charlottes-
vile.
Conditions Called Scandal.
Following the Thanksgiving foot ball
game attended by President and Mrs
Coolidge, Rev. Mr.. Hepburn character
lied conditions at the school as "a
State scandal" He demanded that Gov
Harry F. Byrd order an investigation.
Gov. Byrd referred the letter to PreSi-
dent Edward A. Alderman, who replied
that drinking among the students was
less now than ever before.
Then. OH January %, the administra-
tive council OF the university called at
tention of the students to an Official
ban on liquor which has been in force
for years. This provides that 1.-The use
or possession Of Intoxicating liquor by
students in any of the dormitories or
other university buildings, or otherwise
In nj ~
or the permitting by occupants of the
dormitorieS of such use or possession
within the dormitories. is forbidden"
1t has been the practice, Mr.. Tilden
says, to call this to the attention of
the students every few years. This
time, however, "gentleman's agree
ment" was drawn up. Mr. T1lden, rep
resenting the university alumni called
the attention of The Star this morn
ing to the fact that no penalty is pre-
scribed for violation Of the rule and
intimated that this was by no means
the result of carelessness. A regulation
without q penalty, he said, usually is
accepted at its face value.
Cavalier Traditions Prevail.
At the University of Virginia, how
ever, the words "gentleman's agree
menb NlSHLlS a ROOQ UEdl. MuC1 VI
the Cavalier tradition has been pre-
served in the university atmosphere.
A gentleman's word Is his bond, ac-
cording to the campus ethics. Students
are cautious about making promises
they do not intend to keep.
The issue between Beta Tota Chapter
and the Arch Chapter was revealed
in a copyright story in the Baltimore
Sun this morning According to this
article. upon which the chapter men,
beers are silent, the travelling secretary
of the Arch Chapter visited the Char
lottesville chapter house q few weeks
ago in the course of his official duties.
He was shocked to find the boys not
only drinking but making liquor In the
cellar. According to G. +. Cuddy, preSi-
dent of the chapter, the latter charge Is
untrue.
OHicials Recognise Affair.
Dean j. L. Newcomb OF the Univer-
sity. according to an Associated Press
dispatch, today issued statement to
the effect that the university authori-
ties would give immediate considera-
ton to the reported trouble between
the local chapter Of the Delta Tau
Delta and the national organization.
The trouble came to a head. 1t de-
veloped today, early this week, when
Frank s, Hemmick, national secretary
| of the fraternity, wrote to the Local
chapter stating that proceedings were
contemplated for Withdrawing the char.
ter because of alleged dry-law violations
in the chapter house.