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

Alumni ClubsIndianapolis, IndianaThe annual * A 9 State Founders'Day banquet was held the evening ofMarch 14 at the Athenaeum Club with192 in attendance. The dinner which precededthe meeting was enlivened by avery capable troupe of girl entertainerswith the assistance of a dark-skinnedorchestra. Among the prominent Phispresent were: Hilton U. Brown, ArthurPriest, S. K. Ruick, Leland H. Ridgeway,president of Kappa Province, J. B.Reynolds, Brother Morrison, a descendantof one of the founders.Brother Ridgeway. in reporting on thechapters in Kappa Province, pointed outthe improvement in all chapter gradesbut also indicated room for improvement.The Wabash chapter was commendedfor being first in scholarship in its schooland the Purdue chapter for its excellentfinancial condition.The annual presentation of the IndianapolisAlumni Scholarship cup wasmade to the Hanover chapter. The contestfor this cup is based upon the relativestanding of the chapter to the averagemen's grade in each school. TheFranklin chapter ran a close second toHanover.Robert E. Haas, President of the GeneralCouncil, was introduced as theprincipal speaker of the evening. BrotherHaas traced the national developmentof the organization during the past tenyears. He also explained the use of thePalmer Fund in aiding chapter housebuilding and in giving financial assistanceto undergraduates. The fraternitywas shown to have the lowest dues ofany national fraternity. Brother Haasexpressed great satisfaction in the generalimprovement of chapters in KappaProvince. He stressed the disapprovalof the national organization of hell weekand also the necessity of choosing mencarefully in order to maintain good scholarshipand furthering Americanism. Healso pointed out that the national organization'spolicy was to assist all collegeand university authorities in the enforcementof the l-^ighteenth Amendment.The following officers were elected for[479]the ensuing year: president, Mark Griffin,Indiana, '26; vice-president, Fred T. Geyer,Ohio Wesleyan, '14; treasurer, JohnT. Woodruff, Wabash, '22; reporter, E.H. Taze, Illinois, '25.Announcement was made of the statedance to be held sometime during themonth of April, the tentative date beingApril 17 and the dance to be held at theAntlers Hotel, Indianapolis.The retiring president, Jack Harding,briefly reviewed the national history ofthe fraternity and the meeting then adjournedto be followed by the usualsession of indoor sports.E. H. TAZE, ReporterNew York, New YorkRear Admiral Louis R. de Steiguer,Ohio, '87, a brother Phi and retiringcommandant of the Brooklyn Navy Yardand the Third Naval District, was theprincipal speaker at the Founders' Daybanquet of the New York Alumni ClubMarch 13. The banquet was one of thelast functions which Admiral de Steiguerattended as an active officer of the navy,as only a few days later, having reachedthe age limit, he was retired from activeduty.Drawing on his own experience in commandingthousands of men, Brother deSteiguer pointed out the need of a morewidespread "athletics for all" policy incolleges in order to keep men pliysicallyfit. Poor physical condition may result ina superior fleet losing a battle and poorhealth is a like handicap in civil life, hesaid.Brother Ralph Sockman, pastor of theMadison Avenue Methodist church, wastoastmaster. Three past presidents of thenational fraternity were present andspoke briefly, as did \\'. O. Robinson,president of the New ^'o^k club. Thepast presidents are Frank J. R. Mitchelland Robert P. Brewer, both of NewYork, and Henry K. Urion of Chicago.Brother Mitchell has since been electedpresident of the New York Alumni Clubsucceeding Brother Robinson on the expirationof the latter's term of office.