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Ft Kappa PIO Nraternitll

Vol. I. FEBRUARY, 1912. No. 2.

Grand Journalist and Business ManagerCHARLES K. Diu.nvoHAm....618 Highland Ave., Newark, N. J.

Associate EditorsHENRY P. WAGENER 6 Green Street, Charleston, S. C.J. DECHERD GUESS Hastoc School, Spartanburg, S. C.D. P. HARDY 1547 Euclid Avenue, Berkely, Cal.T. J. LIPSCOMB, JR. 1621 Marion Street, Columbia, S. C.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

PAGEA Camping Trip in the High Sierra Nevada

Mountains of California 27

"Steamboat Bill" 31

Institution of the North Carolina EpsilonChapter 32

Constitution of the Inter-Fraternity Confer-ence 36

Editorials 37

Chapter Letters 43

Historian's Department 48

Greek 'Clippings 50

Issued in November, February, May and August. Published by TheR. L. ,Bryan Co., Columbia, S. C., Official Printers to the Fraternity.

(Officers of tile Pi Kappa 1111i 3)Traternitg

HEADQUARTERS, CHARLESTON, S. C. ORGANIZED 1904.

Grand President

L. HARRY Mixsox, Alpha...40 Montague St., Charleston, S. C.

Grand Vice President

H. P. WAGERER, Alpha 6 Green St., Charleston, S. C.

Grand Secretary

J. D. CARROLL, Sigma Box 240, Columbia, S. C.

Grand Treasurer

H. L. Lorna, Gamma Fowler, Cal.

Grand Historian

Stsiox Foomrry., ,Ta., Alpha N Broad St., Charleston, S. C.

Grand Journalist

CHAS. K. DILLINGHAM, Sigma, 618 Highland Ave, Newark, N. J.

Grand Chaplain

C. E. BYRD, Delta Hartsville, S. C.

Grand CustodianGus E. REID, Beta Rock Hill, S. C.

Grand CouncilL. HARRY MIRSON, Alpha...40 Montague St., Charleston, S. C.

JOHN D. CARROLL, Sigma Box 240, Columbia, S. C.

W. H. Moxcivrox, JR., Sigma. .803 Richland St., Columbia, S. C.

HERBERT LANGFORD, Zeta Prosperity, S. C.

DAVE P. HARDY, Gamma 1547 Euclid Ave., Berkely, Cal.

011r ftr atth itiampPublished in the interest of and under the authority of the

PI KAPPA Pm FRATERNITY

Vol. 1. FEBRUARY, 1912. No. 2.

A CAMPING TRIP IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUN-TAINS OF CALIFORNIA.

It was on June 29, 1908, that a camping partyof one hundred and fifty' "lovers of nature" leftOakland to spend a month's vacation in the magnifi-cent mountains of the Golden State. This party ofjolly campers—ready and willing to experience allthe inconveniences and hardships of mountaintramping—was made up wholly of membecs of theSierra Club. San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oak-land, Berkeley, San Jose and a few other cities wererepresented.The "Sierra Club" is to California what the

"Appalachian Club" is to New York State. Itsobjects are: "To explore, enjoy and render acces-sible the mountain regions of the Pacific coast; topublish authentic information concerning them; toenlist the support and co-operation of the people andthe Government in preserving the forests and othernatural features of the Sierra Nevada Mountains."

After passing one night on the special train, wearrived at Porterville at 4:40 a. m. Here we foundstages awaiting to transport us to the foothills, adistance of thirty miles. The delightfully cool airof the early morning, enhanced by the fragrance ofthe beautiful orange groves, caused the first half ofthe ride to be most enjoyable. Breakfast was served

0

28 THE STAR AND LAMP.

at Springfield, a small country village, typical of

California, in an old farmhouse, whose appearance

testified of the days of '49. Four hours more of

stage riding through a hot and dusty stretch of

country brought us to the spot from which our tramp

was to begin. A narrow, steep and dusty trail,

encircling and winding back and forth up the low

Sierras, ascended 3,000 feet to the place selected

by the "Outing Committee" for our first camp. It

was with no little exertion and courage that this

first climb—so long (eight miles), so tedious, and

so extremely hot—was slowly made by the "hikers ;"

and it proved to be the most fatiguing of the trip.

At 6 p. m., June 30th, we reached our first camp-

ing spot on the banks of the Tule River. The com-

missary department had arrived earlier on burros,

and arrangements for dinner were nearly completed.

The pack train had brought in the baggage. The

latter consisted of dunnage bags, stamped or tagged

with the owner's name, and containing not over

forty pounds of effects. Upon arrival at camp, each

one rushed to the pile of bags to secure his or her

bag, and then to carry it to a spot selected for a bed.

After the sleeping bags had been arranged, the

party was called to dinner by the beating of a large

tin pan. The description of the camp at meal time

and evening was appropriately expressed by one of

the youthful poets in the party:

"0 hear the call to dinner, and the people rush-

ing upMake a grab, and get a plate, a knife and fork and

cup.Get plenty of potatoes and lots of bread and meat,

And set you down upon a rock, and eat and eat

and eat!

THE STAR AND LAMP. 29

"The bread-line stretches far away, but amble to the

end,And take your place behind the line, and do the

stunt again.Just jolly up the servers, and get the things you like;

For it's food, and plenty of it, that helps a man to

hike.

"And when you've eaten all you can, and wish to

sit and rest,Just get you to the campfire, for that's the place

that's best.Listen to announcements which are sometimes pretty

long;Then to Hasting's banjo, and a good old-fashioned

song.

"At length, stumble to your sleeping bag, and

endeavor to forget

That the spot you've picked is rocky, or full of ants,

or wet.The mule bells and the clatter may keep you long

awake,But, at last, you get forgetful; and again the march

is at stake!"

Twelve miles of steady climbing the next day

brought us to Fish Creek, where we spent the night.

Off in the morning at five, we arrived at our first

permanent camp, at Kern Lake, the water of which

is so clear and peculiarly deep blue, giving rise to

the distinctive appellation of "Kern Lake blue."

Here we remained a week. Daily side trips were

taken to explore the neighboring country, or to fish

in the lake. Two other permanent camps were

held; one at Kern River Canon, and the other at

Giant Forest.


The scenery throughout the trip was at times pic-turesque and beautiful, at other times grand andimpressively sublime, and oftentimes awe-inspiring.Mere words fall far short in power to picture thebeauties of nature offered to the eye. Passing oversandy foothills, the trail led through wooded slopes

and ravines, across mountain torrents, then ascend-ing to the region of fir and pine, traversing beautifulmountain meadows 8,000 to 10,000 feet in elevation,from which arose high snow-capped peaks. Nowand then was crossed a deep canon with giganticprecipitous walls, showing markedly the effects ofglaciation. A red lava bed of broken rock, theremains of an extinct volcano near by, was traversedwith difficulty.The climb to the top of Mount Whitney, 14,500

feet above sea level, was the most enjoyable andthrilling side-trip taken from Kern River Canon.Spending the night on a plateau, 10,000 feet high,we were awakened at three o'clock in the morningto find the covering of our sleeping bags frozen. Atthis early hour it was dark and bitter cold. A hur-ried breakfast was served around the campfire at

3 :30 a. m., after which the climb began. Thescenery was most entrancing when it became suffi-

ciently bright to see. The sunrise was a picturebeyond description; the coloring, delicate and deepin turn, stood out in bold relief to the dark effect ofthe high snow-covered mountains, interspersed withsmall blue lakes. After a very rocky and steepascent, at times quite dangerous, the summit wasreached at nine o'clock—large patches of snow andice having been crossed on the way. The superbview from the top, on all sides, impressed us forci-bly with the thought of being in the SwitzerlandAlps—jagged mountains rising upon mountains,


rugged and snow-covered extending indefinitely intothe distance. To the east, from the summit, thehighest point in the United States, one can lookdown into "Death Valley," the lowest point, whichis about three hundred feet below sea level.

Briefly, I have tried to enumerate a few of theinteresting and heart-thrilling experiences that maybe met ,on a camping trip in the Sierras. Let meurge all who ever have the opportunity not to missa visit to this wonder-ground of nature.

THEODORE BARN WELL KELLY.Colton, Calif., January 17, 1912.

"STEAMBOAT BILL."

(The editors have received the following letter,and desire to present it to the consideration of thefraternity at large) :"Perhaps it would be of interest to some, espe-

cially to those who attended the convention last sum-mer, to hear a word concerning "Steamboat Bill,"our 'gator mascot. It will be remembered that hewas left with a well known member of our Chapterfor safekeeping until the next convention. Alas, itis too sad about "Steamboat." He was never a veryamiable nor agreeable fellow, as several of thefraters can testify, especially Reid and Jones. So,having been made a trusty by his master and putupon his honor not to leave, he betrayed his trustand made his escape. From that day until this hiswhereabouts has not been learned, although strictsearch has been made for him everywhere. Per-haps he has made his way back to his sunny homein the Land of Flowers, and lies basking in the sunon the bank of some beautiful river, enjoying a quiet


snooze which, I dare say, he never did while in thecustody of his keeper. Wherever he is we wish himpeace and a happy New Year.Taking all into consideration we do not think it

a very great loss, for we do not deem him worthyof being the honorable mascot of Pi Kappa Phi, who

would so basely and wilfully violate his obligation

and trust. R. E. M.

INSTITUTION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA EPSILONCHAPTER.

The North Carolina Epsilon Chapter of the Phi

Kappa Phi Fraternity was instituted at Davidson

College, Davidson, N. C., on the evening of Febru-

ary 3, 1912.

The ceremonies were presided over by Fratres

John D. Carroll, Chief Instituting Officer, and Wil-

liam M. Monckton, Jr., assistant, and Fratres John

D. Hamer, Herbert Langford, D. G. Maxwell,

Robert Macfarlan, and Gus E. Reid participated.

Several of the established fraternities on the hill

made very kind offers of the use of their halls for

the institution, and, while at first it was thought best

to use the unfurnished rooms procured as the home

for the new Chapter, after some consideration the

generous proposal of the Kappa Alphas was accepted

and the ceremonies carried out in their hall.

Owing to a sudden premonition that somehow he

was in imminent danger of losing his beautiful bride

out across the Father of Waters, Grand President

L. Harry Mixson, who was to have been present,made up his mind right on the eve of the institution

that he would put an end to his anxiety by seeking

out the fair lady and settling the matter for all time.


Consequently, at the last moment he wired hisinability to attend the institution.

This institution, therefore, was unique in that itwas the first in the history of the Fraternity not incharge of one of its original founders, and needlessto say there were misgivings and anxiety in theminds of those upon whose shoulders rested theresponsibility of the success of the occasion. Onceunder way, however, each part of the program wasexecuted with clock-like precision, and in an orderlyand fitting manner. There was not a hitch nor aninterruption, and during the tedium of the ritualisticceremonies there was the same characteristic solem-nity and simple impressiveness that has been sopleasantly conspicuous on similar occasions. Abso-lute orderliness and dignity prevailed throughout,and it is with mingled pride and gratitude that thewriter records here that there was not a single visit-ing brother, and, of course, none of the local men,in any way at any time while on the hill under theinfluence of intoxicants—a condition so sadly mis-taken by the average college man as altogether essen-tial to the proper performance of his duties at suchfunctions.At the conclusion of .the ceremonies in the Kappa

Alpha Hall, a return was made to the rooms thatwere to be the future home of the Chapter, wherea generous and elaborate banquet had been provided.To all human appearances, each man seemed to con-sider that it devolved upon him individually todemonstrate his appreciation -of the timely repastthat had been so thoughtfully prepared by takingcare of just a little More of it than the other fellow,Well, yes; it was a right close match, but historyrepeated itself and by general concession the eventwas declared won by Jno. D. Hamer. Short infor-


mal speeches of welcome were then made by FratresLangford, Maxwell and Carroll, following whichFrater John T. Young read several congratulatorytelegrams which he had received during the eveningfrom some of the South Carolina Chapters.Now, a word or two about the men themselves.

Every walk of college life at Davidson is repre-sented. Many of the men are leaders, among thembeing John T. Young, president of Epsilon Chapter;Paul L. Schenk, editor-in-chief of Quips & Cranks,the college annual; Everett L. Booe, captain of the1912 baseball team and best athlete in college; J. L.Smith, junior speaker, 1912, and assistant businessmanager of the annual; George Howard, Jr., on themanagement of the Glee Club, etc. All of themmaintain good standing in their classroom work,and some are active in the Christian life of the col-lege; in a word, they are all men, sturdy, sterlingmen, and that is what the Fraternity most wants.

The faculty does not allow Chapter houses at

Davidson, but they allotted two rooms on the ground

floor of the Phi Hall, which' the Epsilon men all say

is the best location on the hill, and these rooms have

been thrown together and will be used both as meet-

ing place and reception hall. They have been hand-

somely finished in mission and luxuriously furnished

in the same style at considerable expense. All the

fratres are justly proud of their quarters, and well

they may be, for they are fortunate enough to beoutfitted vastly better than some of the larger fra-

ternities wlien they first established Chapters there.All in all, then, the institution of Epsilon Chapter

was a delightfully pleasant occasion, and one that isindelibly impressed on the minds of those who were

present. And many there were, when these had

returned from their pilgrimage to Davidson and

THR STAR AND LAMP. 35

rendered an account of the trip, who were sincerelysorry that they had not attended.

Before closing, the instituting officer, as chair-man of the Committee on Extension, wishes toacknowledge gratefully the untiring efforts of FraterJno. T. Young in behalf of the new Chapter. Itwas he who gave impetus to the movement and who

also rendered invaluable service to the Committeeon Extension while the application for charter wasin their hands. It was in just and fitting apprecia-tion of his labor of love that Epsilon Chapter electedhim their first president.The writer is confident of voicing the sentiment

of all the visitors in heartily thanking the wholeDavidson Chapter for their delightful entertain-ment while on the hill, and to assure them that thetime spent there was very pleasant, indeed.

In conclusion, just a word of lwarning to theChapters who at present feel secure in their ownstrength. The Davidson fratres are all in earnest.They are going to do everything in their power tobuild up in that institution as fine a Chapter in everysense of the word as there is anywhere in the Fra-ternity, and to this end we wish them Godspeed,but to you Chapters in South Carolina especiallywho are proud of your past and your present, I saylook ye to your works, and be on the alert, lestyour zeal be excelled and your efforts surpassed,and the flag for the banner Chapter be flung aloftto the breezes of the Tar Heel State. J. D. C.


CONSTITUTION OF THE INTER-FRATERNITY CON-FERENCE.

(I) The Inter-Fraternity Conference shall becomposed of three delegates from each men's gen-eral college Fraternity which has at least five Chap-ters and signifies its intention of participating in theConference. Delegates shall be chosen in such man-ner as their respective fraternities determine. Onroll call in Conference each Fraternity representedshall have one vote.(II) The purpose of the Inter-Fraternity Confer-

ence shall be the discussion of questions of mutualinterest and the presenting to the fraternities repre-sented of such recommendations as the Conferenceshall deem wise, it being understood that the func-tions of such Conference shall be purely advisory.(III) The Inter-Fraternity Conference shall meet

annually at New York on the Saturday followingThanksgiving, unless the place or date shall bechanged by majority vote of the officers. Notice ofall meetings shall be issued by the secretary.(IV) The officers of the Inter-Fraternity Con-

ference shall be a chairman, a secretary and a treas-urer, elected annually by a majority vote.(V) In order to meet the necessary expenses of

postage and printing, each Fraternity participatingin the Conference shall make an annual contributionof fifteen dollars. Expenditures may be made bythe treasurer at any time on the authorization of thechairman.(VI) This Constitution may be amended at any

meeting by a two-thirds vote of the fraternitiesrepresented in the Conference.

0.11r 'tar auIi ampPublished in the interest of and under the authority of the

PI KAPPA PHI FRATERNITY

Grand Journalist and Business Manager

CHARLES K. DimArraitAm....618 Highland Ave., Newark, N. J.Associate Editors

HENRY P. WAGENER 6 Green Street, Charleston, S. C.J. DECHERD GITESS Hastoc School, Spartanburg, S. C.D. P. HARDY 1547 Euclid Avenue, Berkely, Cal.T. J. LIPSCOMB, JR 1621 Marion Street, Columbia, S. C.

EDITORIALS.

It is with a great deal of regret, as well as withconsiderable hesitation, that we once more head thedepartment of editorial comment with a sermon onnonsupport. We have said so much and so oftenupon this question that, to tell the truth, we hardly

know what to say. But the fact remains that

despite the universal endorsement received at the

convention THE STAR AND LAMP has not met withthe same measure of support as was accorded The

Jounal in time past. We assuredly thought for-

mer support was weak enough. Our complaint this

time must include both active Chapters and alumni

members, and must embrace both financial and lit-

erary consideration. We cannot publish the maga-

zine without money; neither can we publish it with-

out material. THE STAR AND LAMP is yours—itbelongs to the Fraternity at large, not to us indi-

vidually. Without money and without matter it

cannot live. Are you going to sign its death war-

rant?


One of the chapters—and to do it justice we mustsay that it is one of our few supporters—has ques-tioned: "When is the next STAR AND LAMP comingout? And will it be fatter than the last?" Theanswers to both these queries lies with all Phi KappaPhi. From the alumni in general we have some-how come to expect nothing—whether from fault ofour own or of theirs is an open question. But fromour Chapters we have ever felt able to ask for newsat least with a fair chance of meeting with a readyacquiescence. For the last half year, however, noth-ing but cold water has been dashed upon our ardentspirits, and we are about to freeze.We do not wish by any means to create the

impression that the Fraternity is dead. Far be itfrom us to say so. For the Fraternity was nevermore alive. Successful efforts for extension havebeen made in excellent and most promising direc-tions. Interest in extension is intense. And eachindividual Chapter spirit seems to be good in theextreme. But in our efforts at growth we arelargely forgetting internal needs and internal prob-lems of organization, and hence we are neglectingone of our most potent influences for bindingtogether alumni and active Chapters, each with eachand each with the other, and for keeping circulatingthe true Pi Kappa Phi spirit and preventing it fromstagnating or from localizing in one particular spotor channel and we are failing to make use of ourmost powerful medium for bringing our Fraternityand its accomplishments before the fraternity world,and for giving to Pi Kappa Phi the advertisementit needs for its proper and successful growth.

Brothers, look into THE STAR AND LAMP. Seeif its purposes and its aims will not appeal to you aswell worth while. Look over the field carefully

THt STAR AND LAMP. 39

and ask yourself whether you can afford to lose the

opportunity of helping the official organ of your

Fraternity to do the work it was intended to do.

Does Pi Kappa Phi need a journal? If so, and

we think there can be but one answer to that ques-

tion, are you not ready to do your share?

We wish to say a word about the method of con-

ducting Chapter meetings. Recently we were pres-

ent at what purposed to be a regular meeting of one

of our Chapters, and we were surprised and disap-

pointed at the manner in which the meeting was con-

ducted. In the first place, the fratres seemed to fail

to realize that their meeting was for a serious pur-

pose, namely, the transacting of the business of the

Chapter. The meeting was characterized fromstart to finish by disorder.The very first thing that attracted our attention

was the failure of the fratres to rise when address-ing the presiding officer. It is certainly expected

that he be so respected, if for no other reason, then

by reason of the office which he holds that the man

rise when they wish to address him, and it is only

courtesy to rise in addressing any body of men.

The next thing of which we wish to speak is the

form applied to the presiding officer. At this meet-

ing he was addressed as "Your Honor." If he

were a judge, that form of address would be all

right, but he is not.This meeting of which we write was most impor-

tant, as matters of great import were brought up

and settled, and yet very little semblance of parlia-

mentary order was maintained. Important mat-

ters were brought up and settled with little or no

thought, and no orderly discussion. The way in


which this meeting was conducted was not nearly allthe fault of the president for the fratres themselvesdid not co-operate with him in his efforts to main-tain order.We have a ritual of procedure for the conduct-

ing of Chapter meetings, and the meetings shouldbe conducted in accordance with this ritual. Themeetings should be orderly and thoughtful and tosecure this result the men must observe parlia-mentary usage. Business is business, and must betreated as such. The meetings of the Chapters arefor the purpose of transacting business and thebusiness of the Chapter should be attended to justas carefully as any other business. Let's try andmake our meetings businesslike, and after-our busi-ness, then let us play.

We have noted in several of our recent exchangesreference to and minutes of the third annual sessionof the Inter-Fraternity Conference held at the Uni-versity Club, New York City,lon Saturday, Decem-ber 2, 1911. Twenty-seven fraternities were repre-sented, and many important and enteresting matterswere discussed. We wish that we had space enoughto reproduce all of the discussions and addresses, asthey contain much that would be beneficial in shap-ing and enlarging our ideas as a growing Fraternityand would show us how to meet many of the prob-lems that will inevitably confront us. The discus-sion of the topic, "Chapter Financial Account-ability," would be particularly helpful to us at thepresent time. Other topics of interest were: "TheRelation of Faculties to Fraternities" and "TheTraveling Secretary."

Tlit STAR AND LAMP. 41

Under the head of "Local Inter-Fraternity Coun-cils," the following resolutions were adopted:

"Resolved, That we recommend to our severalChapters that at each college where there is morethan one fraternity represented, they call a confer-ence of representatives of several fraternities andconfer together concerning any evils of the rushingsystem existing at that college; that they devise reg-ulations tending to lesson such rushing evils as theyfind exist, including excessive expense in entertain-ing men."Further Resolved, That we urge upon our sev-

eral Chapters the necessity for acting harmoniouslytogether as members of associations having generousrivalry, but kindred aims, and pledge to the Chap-ters our cordial co-operation and support so far aswe can extend it."One other resolution was presented which we per-

sonally would like to see legislated in our Fraternity."Resolved, That the members of the third Inter-

Fraternity Conference use their influence to haveenacted by the several fraternities represented, legis-lation to the end that on and after July 1, 1914, nofraternity herein represented shall initiate into mem-bership any active college student until such studentshall have been regularly matriculated, and shallhave completed satisfactorily to the rules of his col-lege at least one full term of the freshman curricu-lum."

This resolution was not adopted, but it affordsfertile ground for thought.The officers of the Intra-Fraternity Conference

who will serve for 1912 are: Chairman—Dr. OscarH. Rogers, Sigma Phi, 346 Broadway, New York.Secretary—Francis W. Shepardson, Beta Theta Pi,


the University of Chicago. Treasurer—O. H.

Cheney, Phi Gamma Delta, 78 Madison Ave., New

York.The Constitution of the Inter-Fraternity Confer-

ence is represented in another portion of the journal.

We believe that the Inter-Fraternity Conference

is a potent influence for good in the Fraternity

world, and we sincerely hope that Pi Kappa Phi will

become a member of the Conference and will be

represented at its next session.


Chapter LettersEach and every Chapter of the Fraternity is urgently

requested to send in a Chapter letter for each number of THESTAR AND LAMP. Chapter letters should be in the hands of theeditors at least one month before the date of issue, namely, onthe lath day of October, January, April and July. For furtherinformation on the subject of Chapter letters address:J. Decherd Guess, Hastoc School, Spartanburg, S. C. (East),or D. P. Hardy, 1547 Euclid Avenue, Berkely, Cal. (West).

Alpha.

Since our last letter, the mother Chapter of PiKappi Phi has been leading an existence as happyas its annals must prove short. Founders' Day,falling this year on Sunday, was celebrated on Sat-urday, the ninth of December, by a banquet given inthe private dining room of the Commercial Club.Besides the active members of the Chapter, we hadwith us Fratres Harry Mixson, Simon Fogarty TomMosimann and William Fogarty, and Frater FredJones, of ex-Delta, paid us the compliment of com-ing to the city especially for this occasion. Toastswere given which sounded so clearly" the spirit ofdevotion, which has animated the Fraternity fromits founders on down, that it would have been impos-sible for the young fratres to get out without agreater love for THE STAR AND LAMP and the prin-ciples for which they stand.

Athletics at the college are generally on the waneduring the intermission between the baseball andfootball seasons, but the relay race from Summer-ville to Charleston has been run, with Fratres Mou-zon, Hartz and Abernathy participating, and FraterHartz is playing basketball as a member of thevarsity. The future alone can disclose the secrets


of the baseball team, but we are to send several can-didates into the field and Pi Kappa Phi will doubt-less make a place for herself on the diamond atHampton Park.

Frater Mouzon, the orator and all-round "shark"of our Chapter, has already commenced work on amasterpiece which he intends to deliver in competi-tion for the Bingham medal, and for the right torepresent the college at the S. C. IntercollegiateOratorical Contest.

Recently Alpha, with the other Chapters, votedon the establishment of a new branch of the Frater-nity at Davidson College, N. C. We should all beproud of the extension of our sphere of activity, notmerely as growth, but as a reward of the generousactivity which has been displayed by those who areat our head, and as an expression of respect andapproval which has been created in those who lookupon us impartially from the outside.

Fraternally, T. P. ABERNETHY.

CHAPTER NOTES.

Alpha Chapter is fortunate in having FraterHefron added to the list of city alumni. He hasgone into business here and frequently visits ourhall.

Frater "Si" Fogarty has recently obtained theposition of assistant principal in the Simonton pub-lic school of this city.

Both of our alumni of the class of '11 are teach-ing; Frater Scherer being assistant principal andinstructor in English in the high school at Elberton,Ga., and Frater Guess, instructor in English in theHaston school at Spartanburg, S. C.


Sigma.

Sigma Chapter is keeping up the good work whichshe started this year. Since our last letter, we haveinitiated two neophytes. They are both splendidmen; one is a star varsity half back. We have alsoaffiliated with us a charter member of Beta Chap-ter. Only two of our fratres failed to return tocollege after the holidays.Sigma celebrated Pi Kappa Phi's birthday by an

initiation and a banquet, at which the greatestamount of brotherly love was displayed.Many Sigma men went to Davidson for the insti-

tution of Epsilon Chapter. Every man who wentcame back deeply impressed with the fine bunch thatcomprise Epsilon.Sigma wishes, through THE STAR AND LAMP, to

congratulate again our E. S. A. on his winning sucha charming wife. Our fratres here had the goodfortune of seeing her when she and the E. S. A.passed through our city. Every Sigma man washappy that he was able to give the sister grip to sucha charming young lady. May they both live longand prosper.We are all looking forward with the greatest of

anticipations to the convention in July. You cancount on Sigma's being well represented by a livebunch of representatives, and each with a "fairdame" for the house party afterwards.

W. H. M., JR.

Zeta.

Nineteen hundred and twelve finds Zeta in thebest condition she has ever enjoyed. First of allshe has leased rooms for this year so that no longer


will she have to resort to hotels for a meeting place.We have engaged two nice rooms, and we expect tosoon have them arranged in an attractive manner.We have adopted a set of comprehensive ChapterBy-Laws, and expect to hold from now on regularweekly meetings.We have initiated three new men since Thanks-

giving. Several others are pledged and we expectto soon bring them into the fold. Most of our oldfraters will leave us in June because of graduationand consequently we are watching with eager eyesfor good men in the lower classes.The spirit of the Chapter is still fine and every

man seems to be enthusiastic for the welfare andsuccess of the Fraternity at large. By the time thisletter goes to press a new set of officers will havebeen installed, and under their leadership the Chapterexpects to continue to prosper. R. E. M.

North qarolina Epsilon.Though only a month old, we are glad to report

to all interested brothers the best of conditions anda prosperous outlook. It was through the untir-ing efforts of Brother Young, formerly of S. C.Beta, that on the 3d of February, 1912, a newcharter was granted the N. C. Epsilon Chapter ofPi Kappa Phi. Fratres Carroll, Monckton, McFar-land, Hamer, Reid, Maxwell and Langford cameup to attend the installation. Much has been accom-plished in the past month, and our new hall will beready for occupancy by March 9th.

We are much grieved to report the departure ofFrater Booe to Pittsburg, where he will join thebig leaguers for this season. Frater Booe was cap-


tam n of last year's football team, and is pronouncedone of the best players in the South beyond a doubt.Brother Schenk, editor-in-chief of the 1912 Annual,has just completed his labors and the book is now atthe press. Brother Smith, assistant manager of theAnnual, is still busily engaged helping to straightenthe accounts.As soon as it was known that the Chapter was to

be installed, the Sigma Alpha Epsilons, togetherwith the Kappa Sigmas, gave a reception in theKappa Sigma Hall. There followed in quick suc-cession similar attentions from the Pi Kappa Alpha,then from the Kappa Alpha and Beta Theta Pitogether in the Kappa Alpha Hall.Our welcome to the Fraternity ranks at David-

son has been most hearty and cordial—not a singleopportunity has been lost by the Sigma Alpha Epsi-lons for extending to us those little courtesies whichmake life a pleasure.We recently initiated into our ranks Brother

McWhirter, of Jonesville, S. C.We are all looking forward with keenest expecta-

tions to the spread of Pi Kappa Phi in North Caro-lina since its introduction into Davidson.


Higtorian's Department

Several weeks ago, as historian, I sent to all theChapters a letter requesting them to furnish me alist of all the men on their rolls. So far I have hadonly three replies. As was stated in the letter, Iam preparing a catalogue which I hope to make acomplete list of all Pi Kappa Phi men. No suchrecord has ever been compiled, and it is of greatimportance that this work be gotten up as soon aspossible. Every year men are going out into busi-ness and thereby separating themselves from theircollege friends. With this catalogue, a copy ofwhich will be sent to each frater, we shall all knowthe names of our Fraternity brothers and their pres-ent addresses. It will be useful in assisting the Con-vention Committees in sending notices of conven-tions, and as a matter of record its value willincrease each year. I want to impress upon thehistorians of each Chapter the absolute necessity oftheir complying with my request. Any news at allconcerning a member will be received and noted, butthe following are the essential points: Full nameand address of each member, the town he comesfrom, and the date of his initiation. Then, if pos-sible, such data as his age, his achievements at col-lege, and his present occupation. Also if he shouldbe married, whom did he marry and when, and anyother information. With this at my command, Icould easily give any frater any information hemight desire concerning any other frater. At pres-ent we do not even know who belong to Pi KappaPhi, and such a state of affairs should not be allowedto continue. Necessarily my information from the


Chapters in some cases will be incomplete. Toremedy this I would like to have some of the older

members, who are out of college, send me the desired

data concerning themselves. This will not take up

much of their time and will assist me materially. I

hope the Chapters will realize the situation and send

in their lists at once.SIMON FOGARTY, JR.


Greek ClippingsIt is the desire and purpose of THE STAB AND LAMP to

exchange with all Fraternity publications, and the staff willappreciate any assistance towards the extension of its exchangelist. Exchanges should be sent to J. Decherd Guess, HastocSchool, Spartanburg, S. C., and Henry P. Wagener, 6 GreenStreet, Charleston, S. C.

For several years it has been the fashion amongthe faculties or presidents of some of the largeruniversities to attack the fraternities and to chargethem with exerting an unwholesome influence ontheir members. The charges more specifically arethat: 1. Fraternities are not democratic. 2. Theyare expensive. 3. They exercise a detrimental effecton scholarship. 4. Some students, through theirFraternity associations, are led into dissipation. Itappears probable that certain university professorsand presidents have jumped to these conclusionswithout making sufficient investigations. Theyhave seen develop in the last quarter of a centuryconditions which they deprecate. Without examin-ing the causes of the changed conditions, and aftertaking a superficial view of present conditions, theyplace the blame on the fraternities. Such a judg-ment is as unjust as it is illogical. The accusationthat fraternities are responsible for the evils appar-ent in student life today cannot be substantiated.On the contrary, it can be shown that these evils areas prevalent, and probably more pronounced, atinstitutions where there are no fraternities, or wherefraternity influence is admittedly weak, as at theuniversities which have many fraternity chapters.—Scroll of Phi Delta Theta.


Secrets of Greek Letter Societies.

The following paragraphs are clipped from acopyrighted and newspaper syndicated article byGeorge Fitch:The Greek letter society was invented over one

hundred years ago in an American college and thereare now so many of them that the Greek alphabetis becoming sadly overworked and. must soon beenlarged to take care of the rush of business.Greek letter societies are harmless, and, moreover,are of great good. Many a collegian has, throughthem, learned the Greek alphabet so thoroughly thathe has remembered it long after French and trigo-nometry have cantered from his memory. Con-trary to popular supposition, the members of thesesocieties do not spend their time writing letters inGreek. No doubt they could if they chose, but thekind of letter that father understands and answersmost kindly must be written in English, and theGreek letter member is usually a most faithful cor-respondent as far as his father is concerned. AGreek letter society is secret and its members aresupposed never, no never, to reveal what has hap-pened behind the black curtain with the cross boneson it. Anything secret is suspicious, as John D.Rockefeller has found out. But we are about todivulge the four principal secrets of the Greek lettersociety. (Turn down the lights, please). They areas follows: 1. The rent of the chapter house is nowtwo months overdue, and tomorrow the high priestof Delta Flush Chapter is going to try to jolly thelandlord along another month. 2. If a certain tow-headed freshman is made president of his class hecan be snagged away from the other frats and intoour noble order. Vote, brothers, vote. 3. On thethird of next month an informal dance will be given

52 THE STA.? AND LAMP.

with an imported orchestra, and when the Eli Gam-mas hear of it they will expire with envy. 4. Onnext Saturday night at midnight three shudderingneophites will be inducted into the awful mysteriesof our mighty band. Let no brother forget to bringa barrel stave. There are a few other dark secrets,but none as black as these.

Little, Brown & Co. have published "At GoodOld Siwash," a compilation in book form of theSiwash stories by George Fitch, which were pub-lished originally in the Saturday Evening Post.He is a member of B 0 H, was graduated from

Knox College in 1897, and is managing editor of

the Peoria Herald-Transcript. The Beta Theta Picalls him "the proprietor and faculty of Siwash Col-lege." In a letter to the editor of that journal, hesays:You may be interested to know that the first

Siwash story was written about ten years ago forthe Beta Theta Phi magazine. However, in those

days "literature" was a side line, and in the press

and turmoil of getting out a weekly paper in two

days and journeying around on an annual pass the

other five, I never revised it. Three or four years

ago I rewrote it and the desire for a stack of hard

dollars at that time led me to send it to the Satur-day Evening Post.The stories are not photographic of any college.

Of course Knox people recognize some things inthem. But so do Kansas University students andMinnesota men and Michigan men. Most of theincidents are not true, but might have been. OleSkajarssen happened, but not in that dialect. As amatter of fact I think he happens in almost everycollege, for I have heard of not less than a score of

him since he made his bow.—Scroll of Phi DeltaTheta.


George Ade Makes an Appeal.

That George Ade is a whole lot wiser than he is

foolish is illustrated probably better by his writings

on Fraternity topics than in any other way. Here

is one of his latest very pertinent utterances as

reported in the Sigma Chi Quarterly:

"It seems to me that the most significant fact of

.the present Fraternity situation is the growing

desire of the Chapters to co-operate with college

faculties so as to promote a good standard of

scholarship and a clean and businesslike government

of Chapter houses. The average Chapter no longer

regards the faculty as an intrenched enemy, and the

average faculty no longer favors sending a man to

the gallows because he is caught smoking a pipe.

College authorities seem to have learned, as witnessrecent important reports, that the Greek lettersociety is to be an abiding institution; that it exertsa wholesome influence, and that discretion shouldprompt them to deal with it tolerantly rather than

in a spirit of blind opposition.

"As for the Greek letter men, an overwhelming

majority of them want to stand high in scholarship

and acquire credit in other ways. They are will-

ing to work in harmony with college authorities, if

these authorities will concede the reasonable • fact

that a young man of twenty or thereabouts who is

getting ready to engage in a tussle with belligerent

circumstances and meet all kinds of men without

fear or handicap, should not be coddled as an infant

nor propped up as an irresponsible.

"I have a kindly feeling and a measure of respect

for the typical college professor. He is usually

learned, often kindly, sometimes just, and nearly

always sincere. But his environment and the close

11;


angle at which he views men and affairs are quitedifferent from those of the mercantile or profes-sional alumnus, who is in the thick of a fightingcareer. His estimates are too often adjusted to theshort range of the campus. I have known men whowere given the stamp and seal of faculty approval,who did not amount to a whoop when they becameengaged in the real mix-up of life. Also I haveknown men who took the double degree of N. G.,and G. B., who later became highly successful, evenwhen success is measured by a strict Presbyterianstandard."You could pick out twenty scholarship stars and

put them together in a Chapter house and resultmight be a dreary bunch of misfits. Conversely, Ican imagine twenty men, all of them hanging onthe ragged edge of faculty disfavor, who wouldsquirm their way into your inmost affections andwarm the cockles of your heart before you hadknown them for twenty minutes. I can imaginesuch a Chapter because I have known it."—K. A.Journal.

Careers of Firtit Scholars.

The college man who ranks highest in his classhas often been a subject of doubious speculation.He has been a "dig," a "grind," or even a "greasygrind." He was a precocious child, and will sufferan early dulling of his mental powers. Or, he hasundermined his health by too much study, and willsuccumb to the first epidemic that comes his way.At any rate, his subsequent career will not be bril-liant. He will not fulfill the expectations of hisfriends. Most college men can recall cases of class-mates who attained high rank, and after graduation

1

•

TIM STAR AND LAMP. 55

drifted into obscurity. Is this the rule with first

scholars?The Harvard Graduates' Magazine says it is not

the rule. It reprints and augments the list in King's

"Harvard Register," of 113 first scholars in Har-

vard's classes during the century from 1777 to 1888.

Only nineteen became parsons, and of these sixteen

were graduated before 1848. Very nearly half of

them, fifty-five, were lawyers, of whom five became

United States senators, ten were congressmen,

three members of President's cabinets, two ministers

to Great Britain, and three more ministers to other

countries. One first scholar became a justice of

the United States supreme court and six were judges

of the United States courts and of State supreme

courts. Then there were two presidents of Har-

vard and one acting president, many who became

educators of high rank, and a large number of law-

yers whose work has associated their names with

great industrial affairs. Few were bookworms or

invalids.They did not die at thirty. The average age of

Harvard's first scholars at death has been over fifty-

eight and one-half years. The "American Tables

of Mortality" show an "expectation of life" at

twenty-two the age of college graduation, to be

40.85 years, representing a longevity of 62.85 years.

But that is the present average, not the average of a

century or even of fifty years ago. The twenty-

five first scholars of this list who are now living

average 59.70 years each, and will die at the normal

age or older.—New York Times, through Phi Delta

Theta Scroll.

1912_1_feb

Documents

grand custodiangus

grand chaplainc

grand councill

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grand journalistchas

grand presidentl

camyl gut