1905-06 Volume 30 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

THE SCROLL. 211ternity, if it has any proofs to show its connection with amediaeval European order, does not produce them, are entirelybeyond our powers of comprehension.* K * is kicking about its write-up in "American CollegeFraternities," by W. R. Baird, editor of the Beta Theta Pi.The following, headed "Baird's Biased Book," is the firsteditorial in the Shield for October.In the next issue of the Shield will appear a discussion of the latest editionof Baird's ''American Fraternities." The character of the discussionhas been foreshadowed by the action of the executive council at Chatauqua.It is sufficient at this time to say that the governing body of the fraternitycomplains of unfair and discourteous treatment at Mr. Baird's hands. Wedo not know what is ailing the gentleman, but during the entire period ofthe present Shield editor's familiarity with the exceptionally uninterestingfraternity journal edited by Mr. Baird, occasional evidence has been givenof an attitude unmistakably unfriendly toward the * K 4' fraternity. In sofar as his "American Fraternities" is a Beta spiking book. The Shield hasno fault to find with it, but its statement concerning Phi Psi affairs has beencharacterized by the executive council as unworthy of a publication whichassumes to be impartial in its attitude.In the December Shield we are much surprised to find, nota discussion or review of IVIr. Baird's book, but instead aparagraph which says: "The Shield was instructed by theexecutive council to print a review of thelastest (sic) editionof Baird's 'American College Fraternities From a Beta View-. point,' but has been unable to find anyone who believes thepublication worth the time and effort required to point out itsshortcomings." It appears to us that * K * should not havemade such a charge unless it could prove its case, or at anyrate without an attempt to prove it. .And it seems to us that,after making such a threat as the Shield made, the statementthat it could find no one to prepare an exposure of the delinquenciesof the book from a •!> K * standpoint is a weak confessionthat the charge of partisanship could not be madegood. The task appears to have been too much, though wefeel sure that, if any real discrimination against 4> K * hadbeen shown by the author, members of that fraternity wouldhave rushed to its defense. We do not know what complaint* K * has against IMr. Baird's remarkably complete, veryvaluable and really indispensable book about college fraternities.Probably no fraternity has as flattering an article in thebook as it would like to have, but we do not believe that acharge of partisanship can be established against the author.We know that he intended to be fair and impartial, and wethink he succeeded wonderfully well. Our understanding is