1903-04 Volume 28 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

450 THE SCROLL.postponement of initiations until some periods after the opening of the collegeyear mitigates the asperity and avoids the rashness of a maddening contestof a few days in the beginning of the year, in which judgment and carecould scarcely be exercised.Of the 40 chapters, 38 issued circular letters in 1903, avery creditable record. All chapters meet weekly. Underthe head of internal improvements, Mr. Monnette says thatit is absolutely essential that each chapter shall, among otherthings, observe the following:(i) Hold regular and dignified meetings. (2) Observe the constitution,by-laws and laws of the general organization. (3) Enact bv-laws for itsown guidance, and follow their requirements. (4) Conduct meetings withproper decorum and according to the rules of parliamentary law. {5) Keepcarefully and completely the records which are required. (6) Require ofeach chapter officer his strict performance of duty. (7) Maintain the cardindex of membership. (8) Give prompt attention to all correspondence.(9) Undertake that the annual alumni letter shall be compiled and mailedout. (10) Observe that each issue of the Shield ^\i2\\ contain the requiredchapter letter, (ii) Maintain the financial integrity of the chapter, bycompelling each member to pay his obligations promptly, and by economicallysupervising all expenditures, and (12) above all, fulfilling all requirementsof the general fraternity, including prompt remittances to cover allinitiations and assessmentsLove and zeal for ^ K ^ do not consist in giving a lusty cheer on occasionswhere some personal demonstration is called for. Any one can do that.Or, wearing the symbol and insignia of the organization. Any one can dothat. Or, appearing as a participant in all the social functions, where individualitycounts for nothing. Any one can do that. Or, securing the attentionof the world by flaunting in its face the fact of membership. Any onecan do that. Or, joining as a numerical addition merely the forces alreadyprogressing to victorious fields. Any one can do that. Or, simply findingplace upon the great roll of membership, soon to be lost sight of in thethousands gone before. Any one can do that. Or, sluggishly and uncreditablypaying fraternity dues because they are required. Any one can dothat. No! No! ! No! ! ! But, rather, let each ask himself himself thequestion. What am I individually worth to chapter, to organization, to # K^? What do I know about the history, its traditions, its purposes, its activelife, its policy and its government? Let no one think he has the true spiritand the true zeal, unless he has mastered these things.Of the 40 chapters, 14 own houses—Amherst, Cornell,Syracuse, Colgate, Gettysburg, Dickinson, Allegheny, WestVirginia, Michigan, De Pauw, Purdue, Chicago, Wisconsin,Beloit. The Michigan house is valued at $50,000; its furnishingsat $8,000. The Wisconsin house, bought last May,cost ;^2o,ooo, and was remodeled at a cost of §6,800. TheCornell chapter, already possessing ' 'a home with which almostany other chapter of the fraternity might be content, is contemplatinga new structure," which "is intended to surpassanything of the kind in the fraternity world." Mr. Monnettesays that the Purdue chapter has recently acquired "a splen-