1953–54 Volume 78 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

SPAN OF GENERATIONS
Presidents of the two undergraduate chapters in Los Angeles area, James Devers (left). President of California Gamma
at U.C.L.A., and Don Daves (right, rear). President of California Delta at Southern California, show lively interest
at presentation of Golden Legion Certificates to half-century Phis. Reading from second from left: Walter LeRoy
Runyan, Wabash '02; Fred LeRoy Barragar, Minnesota '06; Lou Tellner, North Dakota '16, who conducted Golden
Legion ceremony at Los Angeles-Hollywood joint Founders Day ceremony; and Laurens Potter Davis, Hillsdale '97,
of SCROLL Editorial Board, who gave address of welcome to the new Legionnaires,
REPORTS FROM THE CLUBS IN WORDS AND PICTURES
• Los Angeles-Hollywood
The Good Ship Phi sailed a sea of sentiment and enjoyment
with a jolly crew of 246 aboard, at Founders Day
banquet exercises which combined the numbers of the
Los Angeles Alumni Club, the Hollywood Alumni Club,
and the two active chapters of * A 9 in Los Angeles:
California Delta at U.S.C, and California Gamma at
U.C.L.A.
The count of chapters represented was unofficial, some
having 49 chapters represented, and others, 54. But the
enthusiasm was sufficient for all 116 chapters.
The masters of ceremonies worked in relays, the evening
starting at the Statler Hotel banquet table with Tom
Phelan, U.C.CA. '26, executive officer of the Los Angeles
Board of Trade, doing the introductory and explanatory
honors. Later the mike became the prowling point of
Wendell Niles, Montana '27, of television and radio. Niles
regaled humor and good cheer. Stanley Brown, President
of Omicron Province, gave a short talk, and introduced
the chapter advisers and presidents of each of the local
active chapters.
Speaker of the evening was Wilbjir Johns, U.C.L.A.
'25, athletic director at his Alma Mater, and his talk,
including many first hand anecdotes concerning the ever
exciting and ever changing athletic fortunes of the Pacific
Coast varsities, was keyed to a highly responsive chord for
his listeners.
Presidents of the two active chapters, James Devers of
[403]
California Gamma, and Donald Daves of California Delta,
gave brief and highly optimistic reports. California
Gamma, by the way, attended the annual Founders Day
affair in a crescendo of numbers, having almost a round
60 in attendance—everybody in the chapter who was
physically able to come. Southern California's boys were
not far behind in number. When the two undergraduate
groups got to harmonizing on their campus specialties
and their old, time-tried tunes of the Fraternity, the
chandeliers of the Statler's Golden Room blinked happily,
and no Phi who was present envied anybody else in the
world.
Golden Legion ceremonies lent a high spot of sincerity
and interest. The candlelight ceremony was conducted by
Lou Tellner, North Dakota '16, and the ritual of presentation
to Fred Leroy Barragar. Minnesota '06, who was
initiated on Oct. 20, 1903, had a special and memorable
significance. Attending Brother Barragar as he came forward,
beaming, for his certificate, were the Legionnaire's
twin sons, both also members of * A 0: Robert A. and
Walter Barragar, both of the class of 1932, U.C.L.A.
The Golden Legion Award was presented with similar
solemnity to Walter LeRoy Runyan, Wabash '03, who was
initiated on Oct. 18, 1901.
Two Golden Legion candidates were unable to attend
because of recent illness: Walter Harriman Parker, Illinois
'05, who was initiated at Illinois Eta on Sept. 27, 1902;
and George Chittenden Turner, editor of the Los Angeles
Commercial News. Brother Turner, from Columbia Uni-