Page 14 - 1913 November - To Dragma

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 19

itself silly enough to stand for them—for which we can suggest no
cure—or it will kill them with wholesome ridicule.

The practice of Pi Chapter in welcoming non-fraternity or other
fraternity girls into its open door at all times is a good example of
how easily remediable is any impression of secrecy or aloofness.

And let us be glad to tell those things that it can possibly be any-
body's business to know.

V.—The charge is made that fraternities dabble in politics.
This may once have been generally true. I t is rarely or never
true now of women's fraternities. I t has cured itself as all evils must
in a system that is in itself idealistic. I f anything, the contrary is
true. Sometimes the fraternities are so upright that they lean over
backward, are so self-conscious in their desire for virtue that they
hesitate to support their members for college offices for which they are
fit. This is perhaps, a charge in itself. But both phases,—electioneer-
ing and over-conscientiousness,—should they occur, can easily be
remedied. I t is well known that the national governing board of any
national fraternity need only be notified by anyone that a chapter is
playing politics to investigate the situation immediately and punish
where a true bill is found. Every national board is immovably op-
posed to such delinquency and ready to act drastically upon it.
Indeed the fraternities have a supervision here beyond that of other
groups and societies. As to the extreme of over-conscientiousness,
that would soon bring about the fraternity's own loss, and good sense
ought in time to remedy it. At any rate, it could scarcely deprive
the college of the services of a strong girl who was really wanted
for any office; for in that case the general vote would certainly over-
come the votes of the relatively small number of her too cautious
sisters.

VI.—Most of these charges have not, we have seen, a very real
foundation, or at worst, a partial truth. But here follows one more
serious because it is deserved. Charges are made that pledge-day,
rushing and such competitive activities bring with them a good deal of
hauling and pulling and backbiting and over-excitement and even
impolite behavior; that they are undignified.

We must admit that these evils are found. They are not all found
in the same place, perhaps; they are not always found at all. But
that they exist, who will deny?

However, we can cure them by milder measures than giving up our
lives. That would be like abandoning a garden of beautiful flowers
because a few weeds had sprung up. Impoliteness we can tear up
immediately by a little pull of self-control and kindness. The lack
of dignity in rushing is deeper rooted, but a little healthy gardening