1930–31 Volume 55 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLLPHI DELTA THETA March, 1931"tombstones." Whether there may bea resurrection in any case, or whetherthe cemetery will be still further enlargedis written on some future page.No chapter chartered since 1887 hasbeen suspended, and no chapters havebeen suspended since 1898. Thetwenty-one contain on their rolls atotal of 1,286 names; none of themhas as many as 200 initiates; 100names would more than cover the rollsof the smallest seven dead chapters.Seven charters were withdrawn inthe four-year period, 1895-98. It isdoubtful if any such wholesale "housecleaning"will again take place althoughsome argue in favor of it. Itis admitted that A 0 made mistakesin entering certain colleges; some assertwe have also made mistakes inwithdrawing from certain colleges.Be that as it may, we need not beashamed of our tombstones. Theyhave given to us many of our mostloyal, energetic Phis. It must be alonesome feeling to realize that one'schapter is gone, but these twelve orthirteen hundred men are as truly Phisas though each had a firmly establishedchapter to which he could now go backfor annual reunions. We need toknow these chapters and the men inthem, to realize that they constitutesilent outposts in the broad domain of^ A 0, to remember that though dormanttheir spirit goes marching on.What Do You Think?Allentown, Pa.February 4, 1931DEAR MR. BANTA:I'll tell you a first-class interfraternity story.Bob Haas is one of the best lawyers at our Bar. At the January session ofmy criminal court (held directly after I was elected W.G.C.) I appointed himto defend a negro who was without counsel. He was charged with assault andbattery, the usual "razor business." Haas spoke to the negro and then addressedme:"Your Honor, the defendant has no defense and enters a plea of guilty. Hethrows himself upon the mercy of the Court and I think he deserves it. Helooks to me like an Alpha Tau!" (You see, trying to get my goat!)My answer: "He may look like an Alpha Tau to you but I'm going to treathim like a Phi Delta; $100 fine and three months."I ask you was I justified?Sincerely,CLAUDE T. RENOWorthy Grand ChiefAlpha Tau Omega[382]