IOWA Chamberlin, Harold C., Pvt., Amb. Corps Clearman, Ray C., Y. M. C. A. Service Hill, Glenn R., 1st Lieut., Aerial Observation Martin, Tom., 1st Lieut., Inf. Mountain, Ray C., 1st Lieut., Aerial Observation Richard, Paul B., 1st Lieut., Inf. Roberts, Ernest, Mechanics Tr. School Rogers, John D., Pvt., Med. Reserve Smith Norvin E., 1st Lieut., Inf. Swan, Harry B., Recommended for Comm. Inf. AMES Awtry, Harry N., Rakes Army School, Kansas City, Mo., Aviation Bacon, Max E., 2nd Lieut., Aviation, San Diego Bacon, Oliver G., Aviation, Rich Field, Waco, Tex. Bemis, Harold E., Major, V. O. R. C., Camp Lee, Va. Bradford, Bernice L., Aviation, Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas Hilleary, Harry L., R. O. T. C., Camp Dodge, Ia. Hoyt, Roland S., 1st Lieut., Gen. Beach's Staff, Camp Dodge, Ia. McDuffie, Philip G., Navy Manning, Truman W., 2nd Lieut., 338 F. A., Hdqrs. Div., Camp Dodge, Ia. Marriott, Walter S., 2nd Lieut., Eng., Camp Pike, Ark. Nichols, Wayne C., N. A. Nunn, Paul S., N. A., Jefferson Barracks, Mo. Pontius, Robert W., Corp., 109 Eng., A. E. F., France Porter, Clyde H., Motor Truck Co. 313, Train 404, Ft. Benj. Harrison, Ind. Raeder, Irving B., Q. M. C. Roland, Homer G., N. A., A. E. F., France Wallis, Leonard J., 2nd Lieut., 348 F. A., Camp Lewis, Wash. Wilson, Charles P., 2nd Lieut., V. O. R. C., Decorah, Ia. Wilson, Ralph E., N. A., Camp Dodge, Ia. EDITORIALS Since it is quite possible that no one but the Editor will read with care all that is written in all the chapter letters, it may be worth while to call attention to the uniform spirit of cheerful optimism with which the chapters are looking forward to next year. Every chapter faced a hard situation last fall; some opened the season without enough men to fill all the offices; they have all lost heavily during the year, and all realize that the summer may bring still heavier drafts on their manpower. But all have come through a hard season triumphantly; what they have done to keep together and move forward under the difficulties this year has given them spirit and determination to face new problems with new zeal. As in the twilight of this college year they watch the stars come out upon their service flags, they are filled with confidence for the morrow. F. W. S. Scholastic records of fraternity men are likely to show up badly this year as compared with the records of other college men not in fraternities. For years fraternities have been pounding away at scholarship until they have produced a gradual rise in grades. The slump that is sure to follow may be attributed to conditions brought on by the war. Upper classmen have in the past been responsible for the control of the fraternity and for keeping the under classmen at work. Fraternity men have gone into the war more generally than other men, thus leaving the chapters with few upper classmen. With the necessity of pledging a large number of young men in order to keep the chapter roll full, the proportion of upper classmen to under classmen has been very much decreased, and the problem of control made more difficult. Freshmen have not worked because they have not been made to do so. It has not yet occurred to the freshmen that in these strenuous times the man who has a job to do and hangs back until he is forced to work is not much of a patriot; that the freshman who has a college task to accomplish and who loafs on the job is dealing a death blow to fraternities. Our fraternity men in the service are giving a glorious account of themselves; our under classmen in the active chapters too often are finding it difficult to get down to work, are wasting their time in useless loafing and are bringing down the scholastic average. Instead of girding up their intellectual loins and going to work; instead of getting behind things and doing their best, they still expect some one to get them up in the morning and to get them at their books at night. Unless they are willing at once to play the part of men, the fraternity will suffer, for it is going to be judged not by what its men in the service are doing but by what its men in the active chapters are accomplishing in intellectual matters. T. A. C. Speaking of loafing reminds us that crises like the present are always excuses in the minds of the lethargic for increase in the number of undergraduate furniture polishers and chair warmers. The men sit about the fire and smoke and talk, and in their imaginations wipe Germany off the map. As fireside fighters they are something fierce. These men who wear out their trousers by much sitting before the fire are as great enemies to democracy as the Huns whom they profess a desire to fight. There is one thing for the man in college to do which will more than anything else help to win the war, and that is to go at his work as he would storm a German trench. There is absolutely no place today in college, or anywhere else for that matter, for the loafer. The only able-bodied man who can justify his existence is the one who is working at the job before him like the devil. T. A. C. The establishing of a central office of the Fraternity makes possible the collecting of photographs, books, and other material related to the Fraternity and its members. It is now hoped that in this office there may be gathered photographs of all the Congresses, of all the grand officers and chiefs of provinces, from the beginning, of all chapter houses owned by the chapters, and of all other note-worthy persons, events, and things connected with the history of the Fraternity, and the achievements of its members. In this last category naturally are included all books written by members of the Fraternity. A complete file of the Palm is already on hand, and some other books and pamphlets, as a nucleus of Alpha Tau Omega literature. To this should be added a copy of every book written by a member. Brothers who have any material of any of the kinds mentioned that they are willing to place in the central office are invited to write to the Executive Secretary about it. F. W. S. In what ways can fraternity men, members of an organization intent upon moral and spiritual values, capitalize the tremendous sacrifices being made by our Brothers in the service of our country? Of all the pictures printed since the beginning of the war, none are more significant than those depicting the awkward, slouching, ill-kempt gangs of recruits of May transformed into trim, erect, alert squads of soldiers by June. It is more than a change of clothing, a hair-cut, and a shave; it is more than a mere physical freshening, cleansing, and stiffening that has taken place. The pose of the head and the look of the eye show that some dormant and hidden thing of the spirit in these men has been stirred to new life. This visible improvement has come, of course in the main to those less fortunately placed than members of fraternities are. What is there in the life so new to the thousands of fraternity men in the service that will bring to them an inner change, less easily observable than the other, but one even more vital? There is something in the mental, moral, and spiritual experiences of camp and army life that will exert upon them an influence for good to compensate them and society in some measure for their sacrifices. Let us recognize it and make sure its full utilization. F. W. S. THE ALUMNI VITAL STATISTICS BIRTHS To Mr. and Mrs. Grant C. Caywood (Iowa State), a son Grant Dodd, on April 3, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. George Hooliston (Oregon Agricultural) a daughter. To Lieut. and Mrs. John Peterson (Wyoming) a son. To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Roach (Ohio) a son, Edward, Jr., April 5, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. R. W. McKinney (Wittenberg) a daughter, Katherine William, January 27, 1918. ENGAGEMENTS John J. Joseph (Ohio Wesleyan) and Miss Cecil Brooks, Delaware, Ohio. Burton Marston (Wyoming) and Miss Beatrice Dana, of Sheridan, Wyo. Frank Johnson (Oregon Agricultural) and Miss Charlotte Moody, of Pasadena, Calif. Clarence Wiles (Oregon Agricultural) and Miss Lee Fortmiller, of Albany, Oregon. MARRIAGES Willard Lewis (Oregon Agricultural) and Miss Edith Howe, of Eugene, Ore. Leon Hawkins (Oregon Agricultural) and Miss Alice Schrader, of Ashland, Ore. Robert Russling (Muhlenberg) and Miss Pearl Yeakel, Allentown, Penn. Edwin E. Payson (Wyoming) and Miss Lois Butler, of Laramie, Wyo. Elton D. Ketch (Wittenberg) and Miss Nell Reynolds. |