1930 October - To Dragma

^Alpha Omicron *Pt.

VOL. X X V I OCTOBER, 1930 NO. 1

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ragma

EDITOR

Send all editorial material to
WILMA SMITH LELAND

405 Elm Street,
Menasha, Wisconsin

REGISTRAR

ALICE CULLNANE
Masonic Bldg.

State College, Pa.

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To D R A G M A is published by Alpha Omicron P i fraternity, 405 E l m Street,
Menasha, Wisconsin, and is printed by The George Banta Publishing Company.
Entered at the Post Office at Menasha, Wisconsin, as second class matter under
the Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage pro-
vided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized February 12, 1920.

To DRAGMA is published four times a year, October, January, March and May.
Subscription price, 50 cents per copy, $2 per year, payable in advance; L i f e

Subscription $15.

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t#wfo Colorado
Convention ipji

Vol. 26 OCTOBER, 1930 No. 1

ffirl Reserve Secretary 'Visits

'Belgian Qamp

By L I L A M A Y T H I G P E N , Tau Delta

AMONG the celebrities of Birmingham alumnas chapter of whom
we boast quite frequently is Helen Haggard ('22), who has been
"secretary of the Girl Reserve Organization at the Y.W.C.A. in
Birmingham for three years.

Quite recently I walked into Helen's office to ascertain just what
she manages to do with her time, and she told me while I listened
amazed at the scope of her activity. Helen is a very vital person, and
as she talks of her profession, she fairly radiates enthusiasm and
energy. She is a blond, of medium height, a splendid athlete, and
possessor of a charming smile which includes in its brightness the whole
human race.

As we -e friends of long standing, our conversation was quite
in forma', . ^ j d in talking over college days, we found it somewhat
difficult a t S n e s to keep to the business at hand. However, after re-
suming my proper dignity, I began my questioning.

"What is the origin, meaning, and aim of the Girl Reserve Organiza-
tion?" was my first query to which Helen replied:

"The Girl Reserve Organization is a junior Y.W.C.A., composed
of girls in junior and senior high school ranging in age from twelve
to eighteen. As a movement it had its beginning during the war in
1°18._ 'Reserve' is a military term, but it is not militaristic in its
meaning because it stands for the reserve force of strength in girlhood,
the woman of tomorrow. Though, as you see, the organization is
now twelve years old, it was initiated into Birmingham only six years
ago.

4 To DRAGMA

"The aim of the Girl Reserve Organization is all-embracing—it is
to put into the lives of the girls those experiences that will make them
capable of choosing for themselves right ways of thinking and acting.
I t brings to them an understanding and an appreciation of themselves
and others for they 'learn to do by doing.' To me it is an adventure
in living together with a group of girls who are striving to find better
ways of living, to grow into a realization of their responsibilities as
citizens and their possibilities of development, and to know the mean-
ing of abundant living—'to find and to give the best.' "

"What is the extent of your work in the city?" I asked.
"There are under my supervision ten clubs in the Birmingham schools
and one at the Avondale Mills, with an advisory staff of twenty-six
teachers in the various, schools. The most difficult of all my tasks
is attempting to make myself available at these clubs at the appointed
times. I assure you that keeping in personal touch with over 700
girls is no small order." And Helen spoke with conviction.
"What are your programs in the clubs?" was my next eager ques-
tion.
" I n all the clubs the slogan for the year is 'Gateways,' and under that
heading numerous profitable programs and discussions have been con-
structed such as, 'Gateways to good manners a la Emily Post,' 'Gateways
to new visions,' 'Gateways to world peace' (and some of the solutions
offered on this matter of current importance and divided discussion
might well be considered by our political notables in smoothing out
their difficulties), 'Gateways to the beautiful,' and 'Gateways to friend-
ship.'
"Oh, yes, let me tell you of a new experiment we are undertaking
this year in one high school club." And here Helen waxed more en-
thusiastic, as she is the type of person always seeking improvement in
her work. "We have divided the club into three sub-clubs by segregating
into individual groups the girls of like ages and similar interests."
"And is this experiment proving successful?" I encouraged.
"We find it quite successful particularly for the younger girls who
lose in their own groups the self consciousness and the natural feeling
of inferiority to which they would be subject among the older girls.
They develop initiative that has long been hidden and idle, and they
grow through their own efforts into capable girls."
"Tell me anything else of interest pertaining to your work," I
begged.
" I feel that perhaps we are carrying on our most effective work
with the Avondale Mills girls. This club is comprised of teen-aged
girls who work in the mills from six in the morning to four-thirty in
the afternoon, girls who have little or no opportunity for education
and self-improvement, and whose home surroundings contribute very
inconsiderable encouragement and assistance to their proper development
and growth. We are teaching them to live in the right way by
showing them how to use the abilities they have at their command

OCTOBER, 1930 5

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and how to see" the beautiful in their lives and their surroundings.
These girls are zealous, eager for knowledge, and quite ready to adopt
any suggestions offered for their growth into useful womanhood. They
are striving earnestly and eagerly to live up to the emblem of the
Girl Reserve Movement which is a circle surrounding a triangle in-
scribed with the insignia 'GR' representing the girl in her world endeavor-
ing to grow spiritually, physically, and mentally into a well-rounded
girl. They, as well as the other girls in the city, present an impressive
picture in the Girl Reserve uniform of white middy and skirt and a
blue tie inscribed with the letters 'GR.' So, this is what we are helping
the girls to accomplish by and for themselves."

"Now about your summer," I said, " I ' m sure it was as fascinating
and worth while as your other experiences." Before I could formulate
and utter another word, Helen had burst out enthusiastically in her
own charming manner.

"You don't know half of it! I n the first place, I realized the
ambition which is an innate desire of most of us Americans—to go
abroad—and I went in a most unique capacity. But I'm getting ahead
of my story. I sailed from New York, June 22, on the German ship,
Columbia, and immediately upon landing at Cherbourg, France, my
exciting experiences began. We had to haul down the German flag,
which fact gave me the feeling that we still as nations and individuals
aave far to go to attain the ideal of world peace and friendliness.

" M y itinerary included Paris, where I had a delightful, though
quite bewildering time understanding and being understood. You re-
member that my French was still in its infancy. Then I visited
Switzerland, which to me will ever be the land most defiant of de-
scription—it is surpassingly beautiful. Next came Rome with the
Vatican and its accompanying ceremony, and Florence.

6 To DRAGMA

" I n Oberammergau I witnessed the superb acting in the Passion
Play and encountered men with beards of several years' growth, and
women with amazingly long and abundant tresses, all with a lovely
attitude towards Americans. I n every other place I found tradespeople
attempting to 'pull' us for all we were worth, but here they even
wanted to charge our purchases to us.

"From there I travelled to Brussels where my actual work was
to begin. I was met by an honest-to-goodness countess, the president
of the Belgian Y.W.C.A., who entertained me very hospitably in her
home. I accompanied her to the Belgian Y.W.C.A. Camp in northern
Belgium where I was to act as a counselor with three other young
women—one Prussian, one Dutch, and the other French. I n that part
of Belgium the inhabitants speak the Flemish language, so I had the
unusual experience of speaking through two interpreters, one Flemish
and the other French.

"Though these novel incidents were stimulating, the girls them-
selves furnished the great surprise. I was amazed at their knowledge
and the scope of their reading and, odd though it seems, almost all
of them speak English. I n fact, I had been there sometime before
they discovered my American identity. They lead very simple, un-
hurried lives; they suffer from no bridge club complexes and care little
for dancing; so I ' m sure many of our girls wonder if they have any
fun at all. These Belgian girls rather find their recreation in work
and extensive study. They were exceptionally considerate of my wel-
fare and very anxious lest I fail to enjoy myself.

" I feel that my training in Belgium will be invaluable to me in my
work as a Girl Reserve secretary. I t has already brought me the
realization of the practicability of our project of world peace and fellow-
ship with foreign Y.W.C.A. girls, so I expect to carry on some really
useful work with my girls this year."

One has only to talk with Helen to catch the spirit of her variedly
interesting and beautiful work and to become cognizant of the bene-
ficial results that reward devotion to, and working with, girls. She
loves her vocation whole-heartedly, and therein, we might say, lies
the secret of her success and happiness.

The 'Woman Jfater

By MARY GRANT CHARI.ES, Delta

My neighbor mystery Permeate the evening air
Misanthrope he And on the bank the Lady-slippers
And something of a hermit. Stepping daintily amid the rocks
His collie-guarded gate intimidates me; And Lady-smocks so silvery-white
Yet all about him here Do gently mock his strange aversion;
There somehow clings an atmosphere Often he leans, unseeing, on his spade
Of cloying femininity, As he ponders in his precious garden.
Of Love-in-a-Mist and Rue Of whom, I always wonder,
As though some ghostly Spirit Are his thoughts
Would not out and leave him; Amongst his pansies
Mingling subtly, Mignonette and Violet And Forget-me-nots?

<^4lpha 0 becomes international

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CC Beautiful Hart House
on the University of Toronto Campus Helps to in-
troduce you to our newest Chapter—See next page

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Commons of Hart House

By W I L M A S M I T H L E L A N D , l a it

EED ribbons appeared under pin of every active .Alpha () on
September 27 for on that day Beta Tau Delta, University of
Toronto, became Beta Tau of Alpha Omicron Pi. A red letter
day indeed, for we had carried across the international boundary—Alpha
Omicron Pi, national fraternity, had become international.

I t was a rare privilege to assist in such an important installation.
I'm sure all six of the girls sent to install the chapter felt that privilege.
We were Edith Huntington Anderson (Beta Phi), Grand Secretary;

Toronto

Exterior of Hart House

Alice Cullnane (Beta Phi), Registrar; Pinckney Estes Glantzberg (Psi),
Panhellenic Delegate; Ann Jeter Nichols (Kappa), Assistant Registrar;
Edith Ramsay Collins ( N u ) , adviser to Nu chapter; and Wilma Smith
Leland, your editor.

Installation took place Saturday afternoon in the chapter's apartment
m the Cawthra Mansions. Edith Anderson and Alice Cullnane took
turns initiating the fifteen members of Beta Tau Delta. They were
assisted in the ritual by Adelaide Graham (Omega), that loyal Toronto
girl who has meant so much to Beta Tau during the past months of
preparation; by Betty Hayes Monaghan (Omicron Pi), whose home
>s nearby; and by the other visiting officers. There were three alumna;

10 To DRAGMA

initiated, Florence Goddard, Douglas Milne, and Jessie Grant. The
active members who had been pledged by Alice on Friday evening were
Jean Fraser, Helen Crosby, Isabelle Fraser, Betty Potter, Kay Gleeson,
Jean Downing, Alice Grant, Audrey Thomson, Ida Hinds, Winnifred
Barlow, Nancy Drummond, and Elsie Sumner.

We had just time to congratulate our new sisters and hasten to dress
for the formal banquet to be given at seven o'clock at the Royal York
Hotel. And such a lovely banquet it was! The tables bore great bowls
of red roses and smilax, and we discovered our sheaf of wheat in the
damask of the table linen. Elsie, as president of Beta Tau Delta, intro-
duced our toastmistress, Pinckney Glantzberg, but not until she had
proposed a toast to King George and to the President oi the United
States.

If you are a bit worried about the success of a banquet, get Pinckney
to come as your toastmistress. It's bound to be successful and best of all
inspirational. I shall never forget her own explanation of the Greek
words used-in our ritual. I t was given so simply and so beautifully. The
theme of the toasts was the unfolding of the rose. Elsie told us first
of the history of Beta Tau. Edith Anderson gave the welcome of the
sorority to the new group. I t was my privilege to tell as best I could
the story of our founding. Alice followed by telling of our growth.
Edith Collins brought a message from Nu and again welcomed the group,
and Ann Nichols told of how Alpha O and especially Kappa members
had invaded foreign countries as travelers and missionaries. Adelaide
Graham regretted the fact that Miette Brugnot Denell (Rho), who had
helped the girls so much in nationalizing was no longer in Toronto.
Then she read the many messages of greetings. Pinckney gave each
new member a chance to express herself, and their cups of joy seemed
almost ready to overflow.

Sunday morning we went to the beautiful Metropolitan United
Church. The service was so fine that it seemed an appropriate inclusion
in our installation affairs.

Dinner found us in Jessie and Alice Grant's and Isabelle and Jean
Fraser's apartment. There's no question about their being household
science students. They demonstrated well.

Beta Tau was hostess to about fifty active and alumnae members of
other university sororities on Sunday afternoon at the University
Women's Club on St. George Street. Tea was poured by Winnifred
Barlow and Alice Grant. We were very proud of our sisters when we
saw them among their classmates, and they played the part of well-
poised hostesses. They are true Alpha O's.

Parting time came for Edith Anderson, Edith Collins and Ann, but
the rest of us stayed over until later. Alice and I had supper with the
girls in the apartment on Monday, and Alice stayed for their first
Monday night meeting while I hurried away to my train.

Our first installation in Canada was most impressive; our first chap-
ter worthy of the distinction. Ada Hinds will guide it through its first
year. We wish it every good wish and a glorious future.

OCTOBER, 1930 11

Third row, left to right—Kay Gleeson, Jean Fraser, Helen Crosby. Jessie Grant,
isabelle Fraser, Douglas Milne, Betty Potter. Second row—Jean Downing, Win-
">fred Barlow, Ida Hinds (president), Alice Grant, Audrey Thomson. Front row—
Hancy Drummond, Alice Cullnane (registrar), Wilma Leland (Editor of T o
D R A G M A J , Adelaide Graham (alumna adviser).

Heta Tau Delta Grounded in December 1929

By W I N N I F R E D E . BARLOW, Beta Tau

ETA T A U D E L T A Fraternity was founded at the University of
1 Toronto on December 9, 1929, with the intention of later petition-

ing a National Fraternity.
The group started with a membership of twelve (undergraduates)
and three more have been initiated since then.

t The name, Beta Tau Delta, stands for good fellowship within and
without the group, loyalty to the ideals of the fraternity, and knowledge.
\he organization's colors are violet and yellow, and the flower is the
violet.

In February, 1930, the group was visited by Alpha Omicron Pi
Rational Investigating Committee. The delegates were from Cornell,
A n n »A r b o r Syracuse University, and the alumnas chapter of New York.

The local Panhellenic Association of the University of Toronto ex-
tend an invitation, on January 28, 1930, to Beta Tau Delta, as a rec-
ognized fraternity on this campus, to become one of its members.

In our short existence as an organized group, we have prepared to
Pledge our loyalty to uphold the standards of Alpha Omicron Pi.

12 To DRAGMA

University of Toronto Is IOJ years Old

By W I N N I F R E D E . BARLOW, Beta Tan

IT WAS in 1827 that George I V granted the charter which resulted in
the establishment of the institution of learning now known as the
University of Toronto. The idea of founding this University, how-
ever, was even then not new. As early as 1760, just after the capture
of Quebec by Wolfe, an Oxford poetaster, in a lament on the death of
George I I embodied in blank verse his prophetic vision of a university
on the shores of Lake Ontario;

The time may come when Peace,
Diffusing wide her blessings, on thy shores,'
Romantic Erie, or Ontario's meads,
Where nature revels most, may build a Fane
To Science sacred

Naturally, nothing was done until after Ontario's meads acquired a
population. The first considerable settlements in which is now the
province of Ontario took place at the close of the American Revolution,
when between five and ten thousand United Empire Loyalists were placed
on the land along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, about the
Bay of Quinte, and near Niagara and Detroit. These Loyalists early
felt the need of educational institutions, and in the petitions which they
presented to the government, praying for assistance, are to be found, as
early as 1789, requests for the establishment of schools and colleges.

Colonel John Graves Simcoe, the first lieutenant-governor of the
province of Upper Canada (the U.E.L. colonies west of Montreal) even
before leaving England to assume the government of Upper Canada, had
conceived the idea of founding a university in the province. He was
of the opinion that a university would "have great influence in civilizing
the Indians, and, what is of more importance, those who corrupt them."

Simcoe's proposals had one result. After his departure from the
province in 1796, the legislature of Upper Canada presented a joint
address to the king, praying that a portion of the waste lands of the
Crown might be appropriated for the support of grammar schools and
of a College or University. The report of 1798 suffered the fate of so
many communcations addressed in those days to the Colonial Office;
it was not answered. The executive government of Upper Canada had,
however, its own way of dealing with the immobility of the Colonial
Office. I t did not wait for an answer, but in the dying days of 1798 it
instructed the surveyor-general of the province to set aside, for purposes
of education, twelve townships. In this way the original basis of what
was to be, in part, the endowment of the University of Toronto came into
existence.

In 1825 the time was ripe to bring into operation the long-deferred
plan of establishing a university. I t was proposed that the lands set apart
for the endowment of the university should be exchanged for crown lands
more readily saleable; and in 1826 there was sent to England, for the

OCTOBER, 1930 13

Elsie Sumner was president of Beta Florence L. Goddard CBT '30), was
Tau Delta at tune of tnstallal-on. g u r firs, Canadian initiate.

purpose of negotiating with the Colonial Office in regard to the founding
of a university, an emissary in the person of the Rev. John Strachan,
Archdeacon of York. I f the credit of founding a provincial university
in Upper Canada was due to anyone, it was due to him, just as the credit
of founding in later years the University of Trinity College was due to
him. I t falls to very few men to be the chief agent in the foundation of
two universities during one lifetime.

The first step taken under the charter of 1827 toward the establish-
ment of the new university was the appointment of the council of King's
College. Two of the members of the Council were named in the charter.
The first of these was the lieutenant-govemor of the province. Sir Pere-
grine Maitland, who was ex officio the chancellor of the university; the
second was the Archdeacon of York, the Honorable and Venerable John
Strachan, who was ex officio president. In addition, the charter provided
for seven other councillors, who were to be professors of the university.

The University of Toronto, as distinct from King's College, came
into being on the first day of 1850. Some time elapsed, however, before
the machinery for the government of the university was created; and
it was not until March 23, 1850, that convocation was called together
to elect a chancellor.

The selection of a site was a simple matter, since the establishment
of the lunatic asylum in the Old King's College building left the university
only the site where University College now stands. One beautiful build-

(Continued on page 43)

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Touch of (friendship

» My Work With the Blind

By E T T A P H I L L I P S M A C P H I E , Delta

1N 1923, I became active in the work for the blind people of Lowell,
Mass.,'as chairman of a committee under the Middlesex Women's
Club. There were about twenty.persons whom the club befriended
with occasional visits and at Christmas with cheer boxes. The ladies
on the committee had served for ten years and were very dear to their
blind friends. However, it seemed to me that more, work was really
necessary and the needs very urgent. More money was needed and

more city-wide interest was wanted. Within three years—by means of
hard work and the co-operation of the state, city, and service clubs and
also with the continued help from the woman's club, a large volunteer
working organization was formed and more than one hundred and
twenty blind people were actually reached and made to feel that they
had real friends who stood ready for service. The new organization
is known as the Lowell Association for the Blind. The Lion's Club
was very generous in furnishing and maintaining about sixty radios.
My, what a ray of light these radios gave to people who have been

OCTOBER, 1 9 3 0 15

living in the dark past and who could only catch a few scattered notes
of the active, rushing present day events! Another group of volunteers
undertook the wonderful service of giving monthly sociables, with a
professional program and delicious refreshments, for an average at-
tendance of fifty blind people. Two annual picnics are also given.
These people now call themselves "The Acme Club" and they have devel-
oped hidden talents within themselves. A club song has been written
by them and an orchestra is about to be formed. There is a most
efficient motor corps, which attends to all transportation, which means
that some people are driving most every day. The Association acts as
guardian over three beautiful children at the Perkins Institute for the
Blind, in Watertown, Mass., and they are brought back and forth for
their vacations and their needs are looked after. There are about fifteen
in the sewing class which meets every other week, when they are taught,
by the state teacher and a volunteer, to mend and make saleable articles
for the annual sale which gives them a little income and is a stimulant
for regular occupation. The State Division for the Blind maintains
a workshop for the blind men in Lowell, but there was very little busi-
ness, so the employment committee has created interest and works as
a salesman for these men. When the State Field Worker comes to
town each month, a volunteer takes him about to call on his list of
blind people. Another group of women sees that all are visited at least
once a month. A vacation plan is being attempted, whereby about
fifteen of the most deserving blind people are taken to a beautiful coun-
try home where the fresh vegetables and air put new life into their weary
bodies. I t was a struggle at first to raise money for this new organiza-
tion—but we all worked at it and finally put it across to the community,
and this year, we are a member of the Lowell Community Chest. One
year, a great financial help was rendered by a local club of young women
who gave the association the proceeds from their annual benefit show.
The Lion's Club cannot undertake, any longer, the maintenance of
radios, so this now is run under the association. However, it does in-
vite one or two blind men to their weekly luncheons, and the Middlesex
Woman's Club admits the blind women to their concerts . The writer
of this article has simply been one of the people "behind the guns" with
ahigh aim and with many wonderful and devoted friends to make these
aims and dreams come true. Even though I no longer live in Lowell,
yet each Tuesday is my day there.

I do wish that each AOn, whether active or graduate would take
a few hours and visit some blind person. Do not give to the beggars
on the street, but do some real constructive work in keeping the blind
off the street. Then, too, there is a great need for more books to be
printed in Braille. College women are being urged to learn how to
write Braille and to copy books which the government and Red Cross
will print. Just a word from my heart—seek out some blind child or
lonely adult and be a real and life long friend to that person. You will
never regret i t !

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C[ What J£appened at District (Conventions

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At Southern District convention we find: Front row: Elisabeth Frasier (MO),
Martha Rodcn ( N O ) , Margaret Whiteman (NO), Mary B. Allison (NO), Mary A Hie
Taylor ( K O ) , Minnie Lundy ( K 0 ) , Harriet Shepherd ( K O ) , Rebecca Wright ( K ) ,
Virginia Boggess ( K ) , Marguerite Collens ( K ) . Middle roiv: Frances Ewing (NO),
Mildred Cisco (NO), Louise Perry ( 0 ) , Dorothy Adams ( 0 ) , Elisabeth Smith ( T A ) ,
L i n d a flejf Terry ( K ) , Z/e/en Johnston ( T A ) , Elisabeth Markey ( A l l ) , Edif/t Walthall
( K ) , Eleanor Powell ( K ) , LiV/ian Morris ( 0 ) , Elisabeth Williams ( K O ) . Boc* roa/:
/ante PnV<? (IT), Beverly Walton ( I I ) , £ / J I > Morrison ( T A ) , Gertrude Moore ( T A ) ,
Jfamfc H . Baskervill ( K ) , £ / / e n Bamett Timmons ( T A ) , R n m M SWtfc ( T A ) ,
£ ' / c » Goodman ( K O ) , Rosebud de Milly ( A l l ) , Margaret Baskervill Green ( A l l ) ,

Caroline McKellar ( K O ) , L i / y Meadors ( 0 ) .

Southern Qhapters ^quest a
Pledge ^Manual

By GERTRUDE MOORE, TOM De/fa

Tn
H E business of the convention of the Southern District of Alpha
Omicron Pi was discussed in five morning meetings under the
leadership of Mrs. Baskervill, District Superintendent, and Mrs.
Terry, substituting for Alumnae District Superintendent.

National feeling as a fraternity was discussed. A l l chapters agreed
that there is a continued increase in national consciousness. The fact
that the welfare or misfortune of one chapter concerns all others,
especially in the district, was stressed.

The various means by which each chapter seeks to attain high
standards of scholarship, such as by posted grades, supervised study
hours, special coaches in certain subjects and fines for failure, were

OCTOBER, 1930 19

Marguerite Collens
(K), and Mary Al-
lie Taylor (KO),
were two of the
pledges initiated at
Southern District

convention.
Irma Orr (O), was
the third initiate
in the South.

thoroughly reviewed. I t was suggested that scholarship be emphasized
when a girl is pledged.

Under the head of finances it was recommended that a letter should
be written to the parents of each pledge explaining as far as possible
the meaning of fraternity and outlining all financial obligations for the
four years. As a result the parents would be more co-operative in every
way. j

A motion was passed that the southern chapters recommend to the
Executive Committee that a manual for the pledges be written.

Under the question of the rating of a chapter, it was agreed that
co-operation with the college authorities and a friendly relationship
with other groups, both fraternity and non-fraternity, were important
determining factors.

Nearly all chapters, both active and alumnae, reported some definite
annual philanthropic work. I t was found that several of the chapters
had begun some form of library work, which was initiated by Memphis
Alumnae and is the suggestion of Miss Wyman for a national philan-
thropic unit.

All delegates praised highly the magazine, especially approving the
number of pictures and pointing out its value in rushing, both as a
source of suggestions for parties and as a means of interesting rushees in
Alpha Omicron Pi.

In the course of the meetings several articles from recent issues
of Banta's Greek Exchange were reviewed and discussed. I t was pointed
out that a careful reading of Banta's was a help to the chapters in
keeping them in touch with what was being done and thought in the
fraternity world. I t offers a rich field for alumnae chapters to use
in planning programs.

The social side of Southern District Convention was well told in
a Bristol newspaper:

20 To DRAGMA

Thirty-four members of the seven chapters of the southern district of Alpha
Omicron Pi national sorority are meeting in convention June 20-25 at Camp
Sequoya on Sycamore Lake. Mrs. Maud W. Boggess is the director of the camp.
Kappa chapter of the sorority at Randolph-Macon College is the hostess chapter.
Mrs. George B. Baskervill of Birmingham, southern district superintendent, is
in charge of the meetings, Mrs. W. L . Terry of Memphis is the acting almuna? dis-
trict superintendent. Both Mrs. Baskervill and Mrs. Terry are members from
the chapter at Randolph-Macon College at Lynchburg, Va.

The mornings at the camp are devoted to business sessions while the afternoons
arc given over to canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, and other sports. On
Sunday evening the girls were entertained with a picnic supper on the banks of
Lake Sycamore. This was followed by a formal initiation service held by Mrs.
Baskervill for two pledges to the sorority, Mary Allie Taylor from the South-
western chapter and Marguerite Collens from the Randolph-Macon chapter.

Stunt night is always a feature of- convention, and this was staged on Monday
night in the camp recreation hall. The chapter of the University of Tennessee
presented to the convention a new son<; written by one of their members entitled,
"The Sweetheart of A O Pi". The other chapters each gave a cleverly planned
skit. Another charming custom of the convention was the after-dinner "sings"
on the lake.

The final event of convention will be a formal banquet on Tuesday night.
Rebecca Wright of Mobile. Ala., the president of the hostess chapter, will be
toastmistress. The toasts will be given in the form of a radio broadcast, and the
girls from the various chapters will toast the national organization, the southern
chapters, the alumna?, the initiates, and Mrs. Baskervill. Suitable decorations will
be arranged by the decoration committee in charge of Beverly Wilson of New
Orleans. Those who will serve on her committee are Kllen Goodman of Memphis
and Edith Walthall of Atlanta. The place cards will be in the shape of loud
speakers each broadcasting a girl's name. At the banquet a prize will be given
by Mrs. Baskervill to the chapter which has the greatest representation in propor-
tion to the distance they have travelled to Bristol. (Kappa Omicron won the
prize, a pair of AOI1 book ends such as Birmingham alumna: chapter gives for
wedding presents.)

— — •I p
t

!I

•

Thcta uas hostess to Ohio Valley.

OCTOBER, 1930 21

Those who were present at the convention from the chapter at Sophie Newcomb
College in New Orleans were Janie Price of Gulfport, Miss., and Beverly Walton
of New Orleans.

From the University of Tennessee chapter there were Lillian Morris of Col-
lierville, Term., Louise Perry of Clarksville, Tenn., Lily Meadors of Nashville,
and Dorothy Adams of Shelbyville, Tenn.

The delegates from the chapter at Randolph-Macon College were Rebecca
Wright of Mobile, Ala., Eleanor Powell of Richmond, Va., Edith Walthall of
Atlanta, Virginia Boggess of Macon, Miss., and Marguerite Collens of Monroe,
La.

Those who were present from Vanderbilt University were Martha Roden of
Mayficld, K y . , Elizabeth Frazier, Mildred Cisco, Mary B. Allison. Margaret
Wightman, and Frances Ewing, all of Nashville.

The delegates from Birmingham-Southern College are all from Birmingham.
They are Gertrude Moore, Elsie Morrison, Helen Johnston, Elizabeth Smith, Rowena
Smith, and Ellen Timmons.

The members from Kappa Omicron chapter at Southwe;tern are all Memphis
girls. They are Harriet Shepherd, Elizabeth Williams, Carolyn McKellar, Ellen
Goodman, Minnie Lundy, and Mary Allie Taylor.

Three members from the chapter at Florida State College for Women were pres-
ent. They are Rose D'Milly of Lakeland, Fla., Margaret Green of Memphis, Tenn.,
and Elizabeth Markey of Tampa, Fla.

Ohio ^Valley ^tresses Scholarship

By MARGARET G A M B L E , HI eta

OHIO Valley District Convention met with Theta chapter, DePauw
University, Greencastle, Ind., May 16. The delegates were: Beta
Phi, Virginia Gentry; Theta Eta, Pauline Clark; Beta Theta,
Gladys Hawickhorst; Iota, Mary Fernholz; Omega, Martina Brenner;
Theta, Imogene Cooper.

Then, of course, we had many guests besides the official delegates.
There was an unusual number of alumnae present. Among them were:
Ethel Mallock, Indianapolis; Hannah Blair Xeal, Bloomington; Eliza-
beth Proud, Greencastle; Rozelle Ross, Greencastle; Musette Hammond,
Greencastle; Vivian Smith, Indianapolis; Frances Rich, Cincinnati; and,
Louise Rogers, Bloomington.

The first arrivals were the girls from Cincinnati who drove up
Thursday night about eleven o'clock. They were the largest group in
attendance. Delegates and guests continued to arrive all the next day.

Friday and Saturday mornings and afternoons were spent in busi-
ness sessions. The meetings were in the form of round-table discus-
sions. Mary Gertrude Manley, District Superintendent, presided. Ac-
tives and alumnae held separate meetings, later having joint meetings
which were very helpful. The importance of the advisory committee
and local alumnae to a chapter was brought out. Scholarship was
stressed.

Friday night we had an informal party in the "dorm" of the chap-
ter house. The big room was "rigged" out like a ship. Everybody
dressed in costume, adding much to the fun and informality of the

22 To DRAGMA

r:

Great Lakes District posed on the terrace at Eta's house. I

affair. We played bridge. Girls dressed as sailors served "beer"
(lemonade) and pretzels.

Saturday evening there was an informal dinner at the chapter house
with a musical program afterwards. By that time we had a house-
ful of guests.

Sunday morning was the climax of the convention when we formally
pledged Mary McCord and Esther McCord of Theta, and initiated a
pledge of Beta Theta. I t was a wonderful way to end this district con-
vention; and it sent us all back to our work filled with the spirit of
Alpha Omicron Pi.

Qreat J^akes Discusses Sxtension

By MARGARET MELAAS SPENGLER, Eta

ETA was hostess to the Great Lakes district convention, which met
at the house June 18 to 21. Very attractive red programs of the
whole convention were distributed the first morning. These in-
cluded the hours of each meeting, the hours of all meals, the hours of
parties planned by the hostess chapter, the banquet menu and the
program of toasts and speeches for the banquet. Irma Jean Corlies,
Eta's president, was official hostess and to her and Marian Bain, re-
tiring president, and Florence Anderson, chapter adviser, goes much
credit for the smoothness with which things proceeded.

The delegates and visitors, of whom there were about twenty-five
or thirty registered on Wednesday, and were entertained by the chapter

OCTOBER, 1930 23

at a buffet supper, followed by bridge. Later in the evening, dates were
provided for those who wished to dance, while others were taken for
drives about the city or to the movies. Tau chapter sent their presi-
dent, Harriet Spencer, as their delegate, and Grace Moore also came
as a visitor. Albertina Maslen, Omicron Pi's president, was the only
Michigan representative. We were sorry Ann Arbor alumna? and De-
troit alumnae did not send delegates. This was the first year the alumnae
met in convention with the actives and we wanted to hear from all the
groups. Grace Shinnick, Rho's peaches and cream blonde president,
had a whole corps of her sisters to help her in the discussions. Rita
Biondi represented Alice Thomson as Rho's alumna adviser and the
other girls were Norma Coe, last year's president, Mary Lou Wake-
field, Lois Dickie, Harriet Manley, Dee Vogel, Jessie Lou Butler, Avis»
Martel, Totsie Clarkson, Leona Bloomquist, and Peggy Parker.

Mary Dee Drummond, District Superintendent of the alumnae groups,
was present, and after conducting her own discussion of alumnae prob-
lems, she helped us in the solution of some of ours. Dorothy Dietz
Bowman, an Eta graduate, represented the Chicago alumnae group, and
Mrs. Dorner, Mrs. Ball and Helen Patterson Crouch were with us from
Milwaukee. Alice Knauf Jackson, president of Madison alumnae, Mar-
ian Whitemore Lange, Mary Rennebohn and Florence Anderson were
present at most of the meetings. Florence also spoke for Eta chapter,
as she was their last adviser. The business sessions opened with a short
formal ritual for conventions and was called to order by Peg Spengler,
District Superintendent. Albertina Maslen was elected secretary and
the first morning was spent discussing pledging, and scholarship. Just
after a nice luncheon at the house the convention picture was taken
and another round table discussion conducted until four o'clock.

The Madison alumnae entertained the convention at a picnic supper
at Garnet Eleven Lowe's cottage on Lake Mendota.

Friday morning was spent in more deliberation of fraternity prob-
lems. The convention was so happy to welcome the new chapter
at Toronto, and voted to send a request to our executive committee
to include our new chapter in this district i f they felt it was practical.
It was also decided to send them a gift from the four chapters in our
district when the chapter is installed in the fall. During a discussion of
fraternity expansion it was disclosed that the convention was most
unanimous in the opinion that expansion should be carried out in the
states where no chapters of AOI1 already exist, especially in those states
between Minnesota and Nebraska and the western coast.

After Friday's luncheon at the house the convention met to com-
plete the discussion of the questions outlined by the Executive Com-
mittee, and at four-thirty the convention closed. Rho chapter initiated
Jesse Lou Butler, in a very beautifully conducted service.

Jesse's initiation banquet and the convention formal banquet was held
a t the Madison Club following the ritual. The tables were lovely, the
speaker's table especially, for at each place there was a corsage of
spring flowers in pastel shades, besides the centerpieces and candles

24 To DRAGMA

8i

ILL

Midwestern convention was attended by: front row—Ruth Costcllo (XA), Violetlc
Ward (XA), Elisabeth Pepple (KK), Lucille Haertel (T), Valborg Swenson (Kan-
sas City), Frances Thompson (•&), Irma Mattingly ('I), Mildred Paine (XA).
Second row—Eugena Wilkenson (XA), Elizabeth Lamont (XA), Geraldine Bowden
CA<1>>, Elsie Ford Piper (Lincoln), Florence White (Denver), Ruth Stewart (XA),
Eileen Cudginton (Z), Edna Mae Lloyd (HZ) Vivian Gingle (XA), Rachel Ents-
mingcr (XA), Frances Raynolds (XA). Third row—Lcatrice Smith, Ruth Thomp-
son, Mary Orr, li'inifred Ralph, Hcspcr Tucker, Hazel Lee, Geneva Woodward,
Julia Scilly, Harriette Burke, and Christine Gustafson, all of XA.

like those of the smaller tables. Peg Spengler was toastmistress and
introduced Irma Jean Corlies, who spoke for the hostesses; Albertina
Maslen, who spoke for the guests; Mary Rennebohn, who represented
the Madison alumnae hostesses, and Mary Dee Drummond, who brought
the convention to a real climax and also end with her humorous tales
of her experiences in the medical school, her interesting experiences
as an active in three chapters and her most inspiring«nessage of Alpha
Omicron Pi's background and significance in the world today. Jesse
was still too much elated to say much, but she did make her bow and
also thanked Eta for a gift they gave her in remembrance of her initia-
tion in their chapter house. Grace Schimmick, Harriet Spencer, and
Dorothy Bowman responded to impromptu calls, and more songs brought
the banquet to a close.

Qii Delta Jfostess to ^Midwestern

J>y E L I Z A B E T H PEPPLE, NU Kappa

D ELEGATES from the Midwestern District are to be envied for a
most wonderful time that was had April 12 and 13 at Chi Delta,
Boulder, Colo. The new house is beautiful and so complete.
Mrs. Haertel, our District Superintendent was chairman of the con-

OCTOBER, 1930 25

vention meetings, and for the first time delegates both from active and
alumnae chapters were present. Valborg Swenson presided as chairman
of the alumnae meetings. The first meeting was a separate meeting
while the others were joint meetings.

The delegates attending were: Irma Mattingly, Zeta; Frances
Thompson, Phi; Edna Mae Lloyd, X i , Frances Raynolds, Chi Delta;
Geraldine Bowden, Alpha Phi; and Elizabeth Pepple, Nu Kappa. Other
guests were Alliene Crudgington, X i ; and Elsie Ford Piper from Lincoln
alumnae.

Saturday morning was set for business, but there seemed nothing
further to take care of, and the time was spent informally until noon,
when most of the "goodbyes'' took place and many hopes were ex-
pressed that we all could meet in Colorado next June at our Xational
Convention.

At ten o'clock Saturday morning the first business meeting was held
in (he large chapter room in the basement. During this meeting the
theme of this convention was discussed. I t was the, "Development of
a National Consciousness." Scholarship, Finances, Rushing, Records
and other general questions were discussed. After this meeting we had
lunch and then immediately resumed our meeting. This meeting in-
cluded the actives and alumnae. The relation and attitude of actives
to alumnae was discussed.

From four to six Saturday afternoon a tea was held for representa-
tives of other sororities, their house mothers and outside friends. After
dinner a meeting began again in which questions of importance were
discussed every chapter giving its opinion. After this meeting Ludle
Haertel and Valborg Swenson had a spread in their room for all of the
girls.

1

' !"' delegates to Pacific District Convention are seated in the second row—Mrs. fans
piZ , ' • '"h ,h ''"H'-rson (A), Elisabeth Plummer (AX), Grace Summerbcll (KG), Lilian
etcner (superintendent), Rose G. Marx, Helen Hallcr (alumna: superintendent), Doris
Linger (X), Marian Elder (T). The last two were not delegates.

26 To DRAGMA

The Southern district
chapter presidents are
(back row), Martha Ro-
den (NO), Mamie Basker-
vill (superintendent), Ja-
nie Price (II), Littian
Morris (0), Rebecca
Wright (K). Front row.
Rose De Milly (vice
president, All), Helen
Johnston (7&), and Har-
riet Shepherd (KO).

Mary B. Allison (Nash-
ville), Ellen Barnett Tim-
mons (Birmingham) Min-
nie Lundy (Memphis),
and Edith Waltha'l (rep-
resenting Lynchburg)
were the alumna chapter
presidents attending Camp
Sequoya.

Sunday morning we all enjoyed a tour of the campus. Boulder is an
ideal college town, and the university has beautiful buildings with a
very picturesque campus. A picnic lunch in the mountain was enjoyed
very much, especially by those girls who are not familiar with mountains.
A business meeting was held from two until four after which initiation
was held for three of Chi Delta's girls. These girls were Leatrice Smith,
Ruth Swabenland and Julia Scilly.

The formal banquet given in the large dining room of the house
was enjoyed immensely. Speeches were made by the delegates and
alumnae representatives.

I t is my opportunity to extend for the district the sheerest apprecia-
tion to Chi Delta. We shall always cherish the unequalled hospitality
and shall feel indebted to her for such a perfect time.

'Pacific Qroup Jfears of Cjfraternity

Illations

By E L I Z A B E T H P L U M M E R , Alpha Sigma

ALPHA SIGMA was the hostess for the Pacific Coast District Con-
vention from June 18 to 21. Lilian Fletcher, District Superin-
L tendent, Rose Marx, (Sigma), arrived the day before, and were
here to help us to welcome the delegates who represented Lambda,
Sigma, Upsilon, Alpha Rho, Kappa Theta, and Alpha Sigma. Within
a few hours we felt like old friends.

OCTOBER, 1930 27

The first evening was a get-together picnic. Although we were all
much chagrined at the loss of the car containing the potato salad, it
finally arrived and caused much rejoicing. We sang songs we all knew,
and the various chapters sang their own songs until we concluded with
"Our Red Rose Goodnight."

The convention was opened with a formal ceremony the next morn-
ing. The discussion was led by Lilian Fletcher, and the topics were:
"What makes a chapter rate," and "Sponsorship." I n the afternoon
Virginia Judy Esterly, dean of women at the University of Oregon,
talked on "Relations of the University and the Fraternity." The rest
of the afternoon was spent in exploring the campus or canoeing and
swimming in the Mill Race. That evening Dr. Arnold Bennett Hall,
president of the University of Oregon was the guest of honor at dinner
and afterwards gave a short address.

The next day was again taken up with business meetings. I n the
morning, Helen Haller led a very interesting discussion concerning alum-
nae problems. I n the afternoon there was a meeting of the official chap-
ter delegates. That evening Rose Marx conducted initiation for
Constance Ellis (Upsilon), and Reina Egersdorff (Alpha Sigma). I t
was a very sincere and beautiful ceremony.

The following morning the last meeting of the convention was opened
by Rose Marx who spoke of the ritual and symbols of the fraternity.
That afternoon a bridge party was held in the house after which we had
tea in Dora Miner's garden.

And the banquet of the last night—there was something truly beauti-
ful about the spirit of it that none of us will ever forget. The central
theme of the addresses was the comparison of the fraternity to a high-
way. We were glad that our roads had crossed and sorry that they
must part so soon.

•' •

•

i

The eastern chapters were guests of Gamma in Maine.

23 To DRAGMA

Atlantic ^Meets in <^Maine

By JOYCE C H E N E Y STEVENS, Gamma

A T L A N T I C District Convention, June 20, and a representative
j f \ from every chapter arrived. Perhaps this is nothing to boast of.

Possibly the other three districts, defying fire and blood and
peculiar "acts of God," managed this, but I ' l l wager no other convention
had a Grand Vice President. Yessir! Octavia Chapin was here. Having
cinched the matter of superiority over all other conventions with that
fact, here are mere details:

A banquet at the Penobscot Valley Country Club on Friday night—
roses—red candles—pretty girls (aren't girls prettier than they used to be
or is my memory dimming?) Terrific thunderstorms to drench arriving
banqueters. Bridge was supposed to follow, but these AO IPs seemed to
find each other more interesting than cards.

Informal round tables sprang up before the ones planned for next
day. All day Saturday round table discussions were held. Alice Spear
(Delta), heading a group of alumnae on the porch and the actives in the
livingroom of old M t . Vernon. Ruth Miles was a very able secretary.
I must just comment on what appeared to be the most engrossing topic
of discussion. Rushing! and I do believe the interchange of ideas on
the subject may help the year's season a great deal. Another topic that
still needs solving was the failure to make commuters—girls who live
off campus or out of the sorority house—feel as though they belonged
as much as those living on campus and in the house.

Saturday afternoon we all drove to Marni Fellowes's camp below
Bucksfort, for a picnic. Interesting, a really old farmhouse for a camp,
also an amazing house that Marni built on the water's edge. Snapping
fire in the open fireplace of the farmhouse—glorious view over the water
and two nice parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fellowes.

Bar Harbor Sunday and dinner at the Tea Cup Inn. From its upper
windows you can see Mr. A. A. Atwater Kent's roof-tops, and roof-
tops and the harbor where gold.plated yachts are wont to ride. Back
to M t . Vernon with Anne Warner in the front seat with me this time
(aren't girls prettier than they used to be?), supper and convention was
over.

I can't say AOII's have a certain type, but it's surely true, they're
bound to be nice.

As to the business of the convention we might say that the high spots
were found in suggestions and resolutions such as alumnae letters to keep
alumnae interested, that 2 per cent be added to a girl's unpaid bill if not
paid by summer; that it be compulsory to pay dues along with tuition;
that no woman over sixty-five be allowed to chaperon; that clubs be
organized for nonsorority girls; that often a one-year girl may be splendid
material; that national officers visit more often; and that the chapter
vice president take charge of pledges.

OCTOBER, 1930 29

J^efs Jfctoe a <^Matriarch Called

tALTJitA 0 To

Alpha 0, we call our town,
The finest one you've been around;
With doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief,
We have no need of male relief.

YES, indeed we could have a town of our own, populated by Alpha
O's, with all the business run by Alpha O's, professional ones and
we wouldn't lack a thing.
Our statistically minded Registrar saw a story in figures when she
checked over the directory cards, and so she forwarded the results
to us. Hence this make-believe!

This town of ours has three apartment houses with its own manager,
just around the corner from our civic center where we find our great
library; sixteen librarians we have there. Then comes our clinic and
hospital. Three nurses, five doctors, a dental hygienist, a chemist,
a dietitian, and a bacteriologist look after those. Across the street
we find our city hall with its matriarchal magistrates. We have thirteen
lawyers to guide us in our Constitution.

Then down the block we find our center of learning, a university
with at least four Deans of women, its nineteen graduate students,
its music school with ten musicians, the dormitory and its manager,
and the vocational counselor. Of course, we have teachers too, there
being 172 of them in our schools. In our church we find three
missionaries. Twelve of our girls are in banks or other business enter-
prises. Four of them are personnel directors, and three are in depart-
ment stores. Five statisticians and fifty-five secretaries attend our
offices.

' Nor are we without the shops which are so important to a town
of real worth. One photographer's studio, one florist, two book shops, a
magazine agency, a drug store with its registered pharmacist fill the
shops in our arcade. Two architects plan our city and our homes; three
stylists see that we look well in our clothes; six girls are our artists,
and fourteen run our newspapers and attend our advertising. A psy-
chologist keeps our minds straight and nine social workers attend our
needs. Four writers supply us with all sorts of books and articles as
well as poems. Two "bums" keep us informed on the world at large.

But what's a town without some home-makers? Oh, yes we have
jnem 262 strong. And then the jolly "do-nothings" keep life merry,
^wo hundred and ninety-one of them teach all of us to play contract

" theatricals.b n g U S t h e n e w s o f P a r i s a s w e l 1 a s a m a t e u r
Why don't you come to live in Alpha O town next time directory
cards go round?

30 To DRAGMA

S^tLESJU^NSHI'P

••

Out of eleven thousand short stories submitted in the
"Pictorial Review" Short Story Contest, Mary Ellen
Chase's "Salesmanship" was selected as the best. She was
awarded the first prize of $2,500.

*

MR. H E N R Y STAPLES felt a new spring in his knees as he des-
cended the apartment-house steps and started down-town.
Something of the sprightliness of his dreams the preceding night
seemed to have gotten into his feet as well as into his mind. Funny
how things worked out, he told himself, if you just gave yourself a
chance. And fifteen dollars was little enough to pay for such a chance
as he had just given himself.

To be sure, the full prophecy of his new course on salesmanship
had yet to be realized. He had still to be called within the glass doors
of the manager's office, to be met with a firm hand-clasp and the genial
proffer of a doubled salary. But with his Saturday's advance from
boys' underwear and stockings to suits things were well on their way.

He took a new and delighted interest in the sounds that issued from
nearly every opened window. I n their tight little living-room Nora
was at last listening to the morning's radio talk on housekeeping hints
and recipes for the day. Extremely satisfying to him was the knowledge
that she might enjoy this outward and visible sign of his new discovery
of powers latent within himself!

He smiled as he recalled Charley's hurried and unwilling exit to
school, his earlier participation with his father in the morning exercises
which were to make them both "more manly, more fit for this game of
living and of life."

Once in the store, his benevolence diffused itself among his fellow
employees. He beamed upon floor-walkers, floor-polishers, and ste-
nographers. He commented on the weather to M r . Nesbit, still in the
underwear; to Mr. Sims, who had sold belts and suspenders for years. I t
seemed impossible, now that he was so gloriously ready, to wait for
his first customers.

These he saw before the white coverings were fully removed from
the counters, and with that peculiar divination which his course had
promised, he marked them as his own. They stood without the en-
trance-doors waiting for nine o'clock. There was a difference in their
attitudes which M r . Staples, now that such telling things had been
called to his attention, noted at once.

OCTOBER, 1930 31

<3Wary Sllen Qhase

.....

!l I.XI-I

ri I F . SHORT SHOUT s i-Ki/r

Dl S2.3O0.O0 IN I'M l i i l U A I . k l . V l l . W > C O N T K S 1

S A L E S M A N S H I P II. MAkV I I.IK N CIIASF.

V I l.h- ^ • • » » i ii i,. <U !, |ki Mil •< .-
.*->.' J'---1!. >»•>-•
,....
..V,. t- ..I
. ..

- ... •i.. ; are
kid
•• «-l U ^ .... ... . . ... :.
Ml - - M

This is the first page of the "Pictorial Review," July, 1930, showing the
illustration used with "Salesmanship"

t The woman, small and inconspicuously dressed, stood close to the
window, staring with a rapt expression upon the boys' apparel dis-
played there, Summer things—blazers, flannels, gay shirts—interspersed
W l t h tennis-rackets and golf-sticks. The man stood nearer the outer
doorway, his hands in his pockets, and stared, sulkily, M r . Staples de-
clared to himself, into the street.

Obviously the woman was to be the purchaser, a conclusion im-
mensely reassuring to M r . Staples, since from the careful analysis of

To DRAGMA

temperament provided by his course the truth had been borne in upon
him that he had been expressly fashioned to deal with women rather than
with men.

He was not at all surprized when five minutes later they came down
the aisle, the man several paces behind. And Mr. Staples's cordiality
knew no reserves. He gave it full swing, partly because he felt cordial,
partly because he sensed an air of determination in the somewhat set
face of his customer, a determination which he must combat with all
the forces of persuasion and gallantry at his command.

" I n selling there is no asset like extreme politeness," he quoted to
himself. "Keep your reservoir filled to the brim."

Seemingly unimpressed by his welcome, the woman came to the
point at once.

" I am looking for a blue suit—for a boy—twelve years old."
"Certainly," said Mr. Staples. "Our stock, I may say, is excellent.
Were you thinking of serge or cheviot?"

" I hadn't thought very much of—the material."
" I see. It's color you want. Hut material's important; take my
word for that. There's a lot to be said for both. Serge may be dressier,
but cheviot won't take a shine or show spots like serge. And it's newer.
It's sure to be worn now by boys and men for two seasons straight."

" I see," said the woman.

Mr. Staples felt vaguely troubled as he turned toward the cases. He
always liked interest in his customers. I t made things go better even
if they were fussy and hard to suit. He groped about in his mind for
something to liven up things a bit.

"You said twelve years old? Now, that's an age to keep you guess-
ing, isn't it? I've a boy twelve myself. They're alive to everything at
twelve."

The woman did not answer. Mr. Staples did not resent her neglect
of his allusion to Charley, but he had thought his last remark original.
Queer how some folks expected the salesman to do it all, and yet he had
been forewarned by his course of just such an atitude. Undaunted, he
started on another and more direct course.

"How big a boy is he? Large for his age or small?"
" I think you'd say average," said the woman.
"It's always more satisfactory," said M r . Staples, "to bring them
along. But of course, there's school."

"Yes," replied the woman.

Funny, thought M r . Staples, as he spread out four suits for her
inspection, funny how little help her husband offered. He stood at the
extreme end of the counter, fumbling with the buckles and straps of some
knickers piled there. Perhaps he was a professor from the college on
the hill. They always behaved in that absent-minded fashion, their
heads deep in some crazy notion or another.

"You wouldn't want me to lay these aside now, and bring him in,
say at four to try them on?"

"No," she said. " I think not. I'll choose myself."

OCTOBER, 1930 33

" I know how 'tis," remarked M r . Staples genially. " T r y to catch
a twelve-year-old after school and there's something doing. Funny how
when they get older "

"This looks about right to me," interrupted the woman, "this cheviot
one."

"You can't go wrong on that," assured M r . Staples, "no matter
what. That's genuine Scotch cheviot, all wool to a thread. M y word
on it, Madam, and the store's guaranty. That suit'll wear the toughest
youngster in this town a good two years—one year for Sunday-school
and the like of that, and one for common. And being cheviot, it's
not going to show every spot on earth or take the shine that serge is
bound to."

He lifted the suit from the counter, hoping thereby to attract the
attention of the man; but he still fumbled at the buckles and straps.
The woman fingered the cloth, and then with a sudden, impulsive gesture
put her hand in one of the pockets of the coat.

Mr. Staples laughed aloud.
" I see," he said knowingly. " A boy does always raise Ned with
pockets. But these are tough ones and lined with the best. He won't
sag these, no matter what he fills 'em w i t h ! "

For a long time, it seemed to M r . Staples she kept her hand in that
pocket. He began to feel foolish standing there holding the suit up on
its hanger.

"It's good and roomy, too," he said at last, a little loudly so that
she withdrew her hand. "But there's one drawback. There's only one
pair of pants to this suit. Most have knickers and longs, but this has
only the longs. Most of the kids now, though, wear longs. You see in
a sort of dressy suit like this they don't "

He stopped, surprised at the sudden movement of the man, who
walked quickly from the knickers toward the door. But he paused
after a moment and, to M r . Staple's relief, came nearer his wife. She
put her arm in his and drew him closer.

" I believe," she said to Mr. Staples, and as she raised her eyes
he was surprised again by the brightness of them, " I believe I ' l l take
this very suit. He's always wanted long trousers, but I've thought
them rather silly for small boys."

"They're all the rage, Madam," said M r . Staples, relieved alike
by her decision and by her increased interest, though withal puzzled
a bit in that she did not seem to be speaking to him at all. "And
°nce he wears them through, you can just combine the coat with
sports knickers or flannels, and presto! he's fixed as good as new."

He was not prepared for the silence which greeted his words. A
customer might at least acquiesce, he thought, in such an economical
suggestion. For just the fraction of a minute he envied men of lesser
estate, Mr. Nesbit in the underwear and M r . Sims in belts and sus-
Penders, the sale of whose wares required less tact.

'Successful salesmen," he quoted to himself, "learn to create the
atmosphere in which their customers move."

34 To PRAGMA

Vaguely conscious though he was that he himself was moving, how-
ever blindly, in an atmosphere not of his own creating, he strove to
readjust himself, to be "master of the situation."

"He'll be some surprized this noon when he comes home and finds
his longs," he said with what his book would have termed an attractive
chuckle.

"We're in somewhat of a hurry," said the man bruskly, startling
Mr. Staples by the first and unexpected sound of his voice. " I f you'll
do the suit up, please."

"Certainly."
Again he made an attempt at livening matters, at disseminating
that quality called "homelike" by his course-book.
"Well, we sure must trust each other. Here, I entirely forgot to
tell you the price or you to ask!"
" I t doesn't matter," said the man, taking out his purse.
"Cash or charge?" asked M r . Staples, seemingly unconscious of the
pocketbook.
" I ' l l pay for i t , " said the man.
Mr. Staples consulted the price-tag.
"Twenty-nine f i f t y , " he announced. "And I know that seems a
bit steep for a growing boy. But I ' l l guarantee your money's worth, and
if he outgrows it quick, send him in. Alteration's free. And here's
my card."
From his inner pocket he secured and extended a bit of new, fresh
pasteboard. The man ignored it, but the woman took it.
"Thank you," she said, and smiled suddenly at him, a strange
smile which M r . Staples was at a loss to interpret. "You've been
very kind, I'm sure."
"Not at a l l , " said Mr. Staples, now secure in her thanks and in
the consciousness of a good sale. "Not at all. We aim to please. I ' l l
tell you what, Madam. With a sale like this we like to throw in a
bit of a gift. This Spring it's a baseball, a good league number, none
of your twine-and-sawdust balls. I f you'll just show your slip in the
sports and my card they'll give you one. Present it to the young man
with my compliments."
He felt magnanimous as he began to secure the box with stout
twine and wrap it in brown paper.
For a moment only the crackling of the paper broke the silence.
"We're late, Margaret," the man said then, his voice high and tense,
his hand pulling at her arm. "Come, darling."

M r . Staples stared. The word of endearment seemed to him so at
variance with the tone and gesture. Little as he was given to calling
Nora such loving names, he rarely spoke to her in that tone or treated
her to such roughness.

Perhaps the woman had not heard his offer of the baseball. He
started to repeat i t , and then decided not to. I f these queer customers
did not want something for nothing—why, the store was but the gainer.

OCTOBER, 1930 35

He looked after them as they walked hurriedly arm in arm toward
the door. I t had been a good enough sale, but a queer one, one hard
to dominate by his own personality.

Then he suddenly recalled an omission which must be rectified,
and he hurried after them, book in hand. As he reached them the man
was speaking, still in a tense, almost angry voice.

" I told you, Margaret, 'twas crazy to do it yourself."

"Don't worry, dear," said the woman. " I wanted to. And I ' m
pleased about the long trousers. He's always wanted them."

" I beg your pardon," said M r . Staples to her as he intercepted
them at the door. "Even with cash sales like this the store asks for
names and addresses so we can keep track of our patrons. I hope
I may have the pleasure of fitting out that youngster again."

He colored a bit under the resentful gaze of the man, but recovered
himself when the woman smiled again at him. The course-book was
right. His temperament was made for dealing with women.

"Of course," she said, laying her hand upon her husband's arm quite
as though she were curbing a restless child. " M r . and Mrs. Charles
Seymour, 100 Forest Avenue. And thank you again."

That evening Mr. Staples stretched out luxuriously upon the green
davenport with his paper under the bridge-lamp. He had had a good
day, had earned his relaxation.

Charley was fussing with the dial of the radio. Nora was washing
the dishes in the kitchenette. Mr. Staples was a thorough reader of
his paper. Immersed in sports, in the society columns, where he often
found the names of his patrons, he was oblivious of Charley's im-
patience.

"Say, Dad, I wish you'd help a fellow. I keep gettin' this correct-
English stuff when I want baseball. Don't I get enough English in
school? I'll say I do!"

"Henry!" called Nora from the sink. "Henry! What's the use of
the new radio if you can't help Charley get what he wants?"

But Mr. Staples's eyes were all at once concentrated on one spot,
m the last column, on the next to the last page.

SEYMOUR—On Sunday, Charles, aged twelve, only son of
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Seymour, 100 Forest Avenue.

( Funeral Tuesday at two o'clock.

« o4tvh.i D, a d'" c alled Charley again. "This thing's funny. I can't do
n n' with
it."

. Henry!" suPPlemented Nora, appearing now from the kitchenette

ana snatching the paper from his hands. " M y word! You're reading

even the deaths. Don't you hear Charley?"

Yes," said M r . Staples,

of fh .g 0 t up irom ^ e d a v e n p o r t and began fussing with the dial

som ? J a d i ° ' Q >u e e r he bought, how you couldn't tell some folks

me things even after you'd lived years with them. Funny!

(Continued on page 63)

3o To DRAGMA

*

Miss Chase, author of Pictorial Review's prise-
winning story, "Salesmanship," in this issue, is pro-
fessor of English language and literature at Smith
College, Northampton, Mass. She was born at Blue
Hill, Me., a seacoast village east of Penobscot Bay.

Educated in the country schools and in the Acad-
emy of Blue Hill, she was trained in the Greek and
Latin classics, and in 1909 was graduated from the
University of Maine. She then started to teach.

Her first short stories were published in 1918
and 1919. Recently she has turned her efforts to the
essay, and five of these have appeared in magazines
within the last four years. She has five books to
her credit, and the sixth, "The Silver Shell," zvas
published this Summer.

• *• "

Jfow & "Won the 'Pictorial

%eview $2,500 'Prize

By M A R Y E L L E N C H A S E

Written for "Writer's Digest" .

THIS article about a prize story is written in deplorable haste while
Henry Fielding and Laurence Sterne (who really could and did
write in an age when prizes were unknown!) reluctantly are set
aside, and preparation for a college class in Eighteen Century Fiction
is pushed for an hour into the background.

At the outset I may say that the thought of writing a prize story
never once entered my imagination, sanguine as it is about lesser
matters. I t was, in fact, almost by chance that I wrote the story
at all, for of late years my literary efforts, always of necessity curtailed
by the rightful demands of an academic life, have been directed to
essays and reviews. I had, indeed, proclaimed, to myself at least, that
my mind was not a story one, and this assertion had been ably seconded,
I regret to say, by various editors. I had written and sold stories,
it is true, during the last ten years, but they were in almost every case
stories motivated by character or by thesis rather than by situation.

I received Pictorial Review's announcement of its contest sometime

OCTOBER, 1930 37

last fall, but themes to be read and criticized, lectures to be prepared,
books to be reviewed, demanded that i t be set aside. Moreover, my
own lack of faith in my ability to write fiction of the kind obviously
desired by the editors and the judges of the contest did not tend either
to strengthen my confidence or to heighten my desire. M y mind,
as I have said, is not a plot-forming one, and the very term "situation
story" was frightening. "Now if it were only an essay or a sketch or
a narrative without plot!" I said to myself a bit wistfully as I re-
turned to Tom Jones and to Thomas De Quincey on Literature of
Knowledge and Literature of Power. But it was a story that was
wanted and, moreover, a story of plot or at least of situation. Where-
upon I very wisely put the announcement entirely from my head and
did not resurrect it until one cold morning in February just five days
before the contest closed. By the beneficent Goddess of Chance that
morning was free, and since I keep house as well as teach in Smith
College, I determined to enjoy a purely domestic existence. M y silver
being in a sadly obscure condition, I prepared to clean and polish it,
and I set about the operation. When lo! in the midst of brightening
my great-grandmother's tea service, the story popped into my head
from that mysterious place where stories wait to be born. There it
was! And I abandoned forks and spoons, trays and sugar-bowls, and
sat down at eleven A.M. i n my apron to write i t .

I can not honestly say that the task was a hard one or that I
counted and recounted the words to secure just the twenty-five hundred
allowed. As a matter of fact, I finished with 2474 and found cutting
unnecessary. And I finished at two o'clock, ate a bowl of cereal, and
completed my silver polishing, wondering meanwhile (1) i f it really
was a "situation story" and (2) if it was at all a good one.

That it dealt with a situation and certainly a not uncommon one
I knew, for a child does sometimes die without a new suit to be buried
m and some one must buy such a suit. Indeed, i t is but fair to say
that a friend had told me months before of just such a circumstance.
Why, ! said to myself, has not such a situation occurred to hundreds
of writers? And yet, search as I would, I could not recall an instance.

That it had unity I knew, too, for some kind and guiding spirit
had shown me devices to secure i t ; a radio in the beginning and in
the end; a baseball which was presented by a stupid clerk to a dead
P°y and which at the same time was the chief subject of interest
to a living one of the same age; two blue suits, one worn by a living
P?.v, the other to be placed upon a boy that was dead. Such repetitions

i ya s t o r together, I well knew, into a consistent whole.
That the dialogue was real and good, I hoped, grateful that I had
tudied and tried to teach and to practice the fine dialogue of Galsworthy,
Hemingway, Willa Cather, O. Henry.

rt. r ^ ye s t o r was human in the best sense, I must believe, and,

^erefore, that it was true.

'Does it have plot?" I asked. Well, it moved along, I told myself,

» To DRAGMA

without a stop. And it did have suspense, especially on a second reading.

And as for characterization I honestly believed it possessed one
of the best means of characterization—that of contrast in motive.

Twice I read it aloud in my quiet kitchen while the kettle boiled
for rinsing the silver. As I read, I visualized every movement of each
of the characters, and listened acutely to what each said, for I knew
that my voice would detect for me errors which silent reading would
miss. Then, after the silver was dried and put away, I copied "Sales-
manship" and sent it out on the next post. That is all.

Such an account is what I have been asked to give, and I have
given it as honestly as I can. To some writers it will be disappointing for
it does not have to do with conception or much with execution. But
I can not go into detail about such things for I was not particularly
conscious of them. I tried only to tell the story, which is in itself
tragic and heart-breaking and, therefore, demands few trimmings, as
simply as I could; that is, I was conscious only of telling a story,
not my story, but a story which should be objective.

To this day I have only Pictorial Review's affirmation that I have told
it as it should be told. But if I have done so, then any ability which
I may have must come from the study through many years of
story-tellers insuperably greater than I . I believe and always shall
that an acquaintance with the works of the greatest writers the world
has known is an incomparable preparation for writing of any kind.
The swing of Greek hexameters, the beautifully rounded vowels of
Vergil, the clear, perfect prose of Seneca and Pliny—what substitute
can there be for such as these? And how could hours be better spent
by high school and college students who long to write than in the
attempt to put into the best of English prose the thoughts and the
incidents which these chronicle? Stories of situation? Petronius, who
died in 66 A.D., wrote one that has never been surpassed, "The Matron
of Ephesus"; Lucius Apuleius wrote many. And what of Ovid and
of Vergil himself, whose two thousandth anniversary we celebrate this
very year?

I t is after all no far cry from a Pictorial Review contest in 1930
to those who wrote at and before the beginning of the Christian era.
For art is art in whatever century it flourishes just as human nature
is human nature—from Isaac and Rebekah at the well even unto now.

So, to whoever is interested in the writing of stories of any kind
whatsoever, I would echo Stevenson and Hazlitt, his great model, and
say that the only way to learn to write is to learn to read—to read
the best of every century since writing began, to learn from such
reading to interpret the thousands of circumstances and incidents which
nudge us on every side, and then to follow on in the footsteps and,
as nearly as may be, after the manner of the most gifted of every age,
from Homer to Thomas Hardy.

OCTOBER, 1930 39

What tAbout Qhild intelligence?

THERE is only By uttered the words
one disadvan- that now make me
tage in being RUTH O'BRIEN break out in goose
considered a special- MCCARN, flesh: "Are there any
ist in the field of questions that you
child psychology: Tau would like to ask
one is supposed to Mrs. McCarn? I
be able to give Above—Ruth McCarn dis- know she will be
brief, infallible ad- plays Sarah, aged six months. glad to answer them.
vice—patient un- Below—Davis and Sarah She knows a great
seen. deal about children.
She has one of her
The first time I own." (That last is
addressed a group wrong too; I have
of mothers i n Chi- two children.) Three
cago I took as my of them spoke at
subject, "How Can once, but I was firm
I Gauge the Intelli- about answering
gence of M y Child?" only one at a time.
I developed i t beau- "What can you do
tifully I thought: it with a fourteen-year-
was scholarly but old boy who won't
not pedantic, accu- change his under-
rate but not statisti- wear nor take
cal. They listened baths?" " M y little
with flattering at- boy is afraid of
tention and I was germs and won't
stimulated thereby touch a dish that
to offer further i l - anyone else has han-
lustrations of the dled." "What would
Points I wanted them you do with a child
o understand. And that eats her
« e n came the time clothes?" The only
w h e n the chairman

seem healthy and happy.

40 To DRAGMA

one who asked a question about intelligence did so in order to enter
upon a lengthy recital of how brilliant her seven-year-old son is.

The group was typical of many mothers who have had far more
schooling. I may labor the point that what I try to offer is a point
of view—not a panacea; that children are all different, and the mother
must make for herself her own application of the principles we develop;
that what is wrong in most problems of discipline is the parent, not
the child. But what these mothers want to know is what shall I do
with Johnny. Mothers, it seems, have almost unconquerable difficulty
in thinking of children i n general terms. For this very reason they
sometimes find help in attending a child study class for it means some-
thing to a woman to discover that most children are just like hers: that
her problems are the problems of every mother, no matter whether she
is rich or poor, schooled or unschooled.

One of the nice things about the job I have—I have the ponderous
title of lecturer and field worker for the Chicago Association for Child
Study and Parent Education—is that monotony is unknown. Every
group is different and interesting in its own rights. The only common
element in the wide variety of women who attend my classes is their
desire to rear their children so that they will be better equipped to
meet life than they themselves were. I n one class last winter I had
one member with a master's degree in psychology, and a Jewish doctor,
very intelligent, but handicapped by her difficulties with English. The
rest of the class included women with all kinds of schooling or lack
of it, and one negro man, a volunteer worker in the Juvenile Court,
with a mania for taking courses and a surprising list of long words up
his sleeve. I always knew that someone, before the hour was over,
would propound a question that would cause an audible intake of
breath—always a question that needed some solid thinking.

I shall not soon forget the intelligent, quiet-voiced woman who
began so innocently and ended by exploding a bombshell. She ex-
plained that in her home they had no religion, and its sanctions or prohi-
bitions carried no weight. Then, "What argument, apart from re-
ligion, could you give a sixteen-year-old girl to keep her from sexual
experience until her marriage?" The bomb came when I , in order to
be sure that I understood the woman correctly asked, "Are you con-
vinced that you want your daughter to come to her wedding with no
previous sexual experience?" and she answered simply, "No, I ' m not."
Now I submit that that is a question of fundamental importance. I
can't tell you all the answers she got—most of them beside the point
—and I certainly shan't tell you what I said. (Send stamped and
self-addressed envelop for reply. Better yet, read chapter X I V in
Walter Lippmann's A Preface to Morals).

But not all my classes are of so heterogeneous a composition as
this one. Three are composed of women who have all gone to college
and have as a requirement for admission, at least one child of pre-

(Continued on page 61)

OCTOBER, 1930 41

3\ew Albany Organizes Qity

By K A T H E R I N E DAVIS, ^Panhellenic

lit eta
A LPHA OMICRON P I has the presidency of
a newly Organized Panhellenic association
in New Albany, Ind. There are three

AOII's eligible, but two of these—Mary Hester

Diehl and Helen Wells Cooper (both of Theta),

—are very much occupied with young and very

young babies respectively. Alone I hold, up

AOI1 standards in Panhellenic and serve the as-

sociation as president.

Upon suggestion from the state Panhellenic
secretary-treasurer I invited to my home all the
fraternity women I knew, and we organized on
n December 10, 1929. I t was amusing to note, as
I telephoned the girls to see if they were inter-
ested, that those just out of school were gloriously enthusiastic, those
out as long as I were a bit luke-warm and those out longer were "just
too busy with other things"—with some exceptions, of course. But
when we all got together the youngsters' enthusiasm spread, and now
we have rather a thriving organization, I believe.

There are fifty women in New Albany eligible to Panhellenic, but
only about half are active. Some are still away at school, others away
teaching, and the remainder of the inactives belong to too many other
organizations to participate in Panhellenic. But the twenty-five actives
have plenty of pep and are planning big things.

^Fifteen sororities are represented: AXQ, AA n , ATA, AOII, A * ,
AHA, XQ, AAA, A r , K A 0 , KKT, * M , *QTI, TIB*, ZTA. The girls
come from ten schools—Indiana, Purdue, DePauw, Butler, Franklin
and Hanover (all in Indiana), Ohio State, Wisconsin, Millikin (Illinois),
and Allegheny (Pennsylvania).

The work of organization and drawing up a constitution and by-
laws over, we began to learn something of each of the organizations
represented. Three short fraternity talks are being made at each meet-
ing until the list is completed. These are made by girls representing

Jjtheiewr fraternities. We have had a talk on the Panhellenic House in
York, and at the one meeting there was a report of the National
anhellenic Congress in Denver. The program committee has planned
o have talks on various prominent fraternity women, one to be made
°y a member of TIB*' on Mrs. Calvin Coolidge, the first fraternity
woman to occupy the White House.

We meet once a month, with three girls as hostesses. Since the
ssociation is small, all members attend the Council meetings, although

y the representatives have official votes.

42 To DRAGMA

Qharlestown Tanhellenic Jfeaded by zAlpha 0

CHARLESTON, W. Va., Panhellenic
has suffered the troubles of this
busy age. There are over a hun-

dred women eligible for membership, and

only forty have joined it. The average

attendance is about twenty-five. So the

problem of getting people interested is

Hazel Stephen Bodenschatz's (Iota), trial

this year as president of the organization.

She will attempt to do it by having varied

programs at the meetings.

The organization was started in 1920

with Annetta Stephens Shute (Iota), a

sister of Hazel, as one of the founders.

The monthly meetings may be in form

of luncheons, teas, or buffet suppers with

either bridge or literary programs as en-

tertainment. Each year the group sub-

scribes to the Community Chest, and this

year they hope to do big things. A benefit

Hazel Bodenschatz and her bridge in the early fall provides funds for
twin sons, John Stephen and the enterprise.

A. H., Jr.

The following sororities are represented: Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha

Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi

Beta, Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Alpha X i Delta, Chi Omega,

Sigma Kappa, Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Zeta, Phi M u ,

Kappa Delta, and, AOII. We have two girls besides Hazel. Annetta

Stephens Shute (Iota '10), lives in Owens, W.Va., and Nelle Campbell

(Rho), comes from St. Albans.

J^os ^Angeles ^Panhellenic sponsors J^oan Cfund

By H E L E N M . H A L L E R , Omega, President of
Los Angeles City Panhellenic

FOR 1930-31 the Los Angeles City Panhellenic is planning no startling
departures from the program carried out last year. We shall con-
tinue to increase our loan funds at the University of California at
Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, the money to be
obtained by a bridge benefit to be given January 17. The social com-
mittee, under the chairmanship of Alpha Delta Pi, is already making
plans for this event. We are also continuing the custom begun last year
of presenting a trophy to the Panhellenic sorority which has the highest
scholarship average for the year at each of these universities. Last
year Pi Beta Phi of Southern California and Alpha Delta Theta of

A OCTOBER, 1930 43

0 U.C.L.A. received trays. The gifts this year will be awarded at a tea in
October. Representatives of the active chapters will be guests.

c We shall also continue our round table discussions on alumnae prob-
s lems. We had two such discussions last year, and they met with much
- favor. The organizations realize that we all have problems in common,

and the fact that we belong to different groups does not prevent our
e discussing them very frankly.

In December we plan to have a bridge tea at the new Alpha O house
in Westwood in order to further the friendship between the delegates and
alternates from the different organizations. We are hoping to draw
the associate members of National Panhellenic into our group, and with
short business meetings only once a month it is impossible to become
thoroughly acquainted with one another.

Los Angeles City Panhellenic has been criticized for not justifying
its existence. I t is somewhat difficult to know just what functions a
city Panhellenic should perform. I n many cities it exists merely as a
social organization. Where there is a city university, Panhellenic might
be of assistance to the local Panhellenic groups. I n Los Angeles, how-
ever, each national has a strong alumnae chapter which is able to render
assistance when needed, and such assistance is more appreciated than
that coming from a city Panhellenic organization. Consequently, the
need for a city group to aid in university affairs is not felt. I f a local
Panhellenic is weak, it may be because of its youth, and with delegates
carefully chosen, it can by its own experience, grow into an organization
sufficiently strong to handle its own problems. Music and art clubs,
and so forth, in a city of this size exist in sufficient number to satisfy
those so inclined. I f during the coming year the Los Angeles City Pan-
hellenic can increase its loan fund, attempt to stimulate interest in
scholarship, and promote intersorority friendships among the alumnae,
I shall feel that we have more than justified our existence.

Toronto University IOJ Rjears Old

d (Continued from page 13)

mg which we now know as University College was completed in the
autumn of 1859.

From the earliest days of King's College, the problem of higher edu-

j cation in the province of Ontario, or Upper Canada has been complicated
by the existence of other universities or colleges, dependent on denomina-

tional support. First Victoria University, then Trinity University and

faint Michael's College obtained charters which entitled them to give

m s t r u c t i o n , not only in theology, but in Arts subjects as well,

t j . p h e federation of the Canadian provinces in 1867 served to familiarize

, e Canadian people with the advantages of the federal idea. This alone

An t 0 p a v e t l l e w a y f o r ^ ^ e r s i t y federation in Ontario,
th <5 ^ e ^ 8c o e e s approved of the general scheme of federation; and
ask H v t e °* University of Toronto approved of the plan proposed, and

dK e that legislation should be introduced to give it effect.

The Boy Scouts worked unceasingly for the success of the Folk
School. The Scout bugler announced the time for each activity
by marching around the school grounds, blowing his bugle,

followed by a Scout carrying a standard of the activity
about to commence.

Cjfolk ^chool Turns Qray to Ityse

WE H E L D our first Richland Parish Folk School last summer
in Rayville. I t was so successful that we are busy planning
another one for this summer, and expect from now on that
it will be a yearly event. Perhaps I had better go back and tell how
it started. I almost said, "Once upon a time," and I am not sure but
that this would be a good way, for on looking back it does seem almost
like a fairy tale come true.

So, once upon a time nearly three years ago a class started under
the leadership of a professor of psychology and sociology from the ex-
tension department of the state university. After the completion of
the second year, the class organized itself into a sort of deliberating
group in which we discussed conditions, needs and ideals for our parish.
We decided upon three aims:

First, to bring about more liveable conditions on our farms. A
questionnaire had been passed among our high school seniors, asking
what vocation they chose to enter. Although our Parish is an agricul-

By I N N E S MORRIS E L L I S , Pi

This is the crowd that had gathered an hour before the opening
of the Folk School on the first day. Within the school the

auditorium is already well filled.

<$n t^Many a Country Jfeart

tural one, only a small number chose farming. As a matter of fact 85
per cent would be farmers eventually. Why? Only because they would
not have the money to train for the vocations they had chosen. Can
you not imagine the young graduate returning to the farm, forced
back into a thing he does not want to do, disillusioned, discouraged,
disheartened, his youthful hope blighted? Is it any wonder that failure
would greet his efforts? We felt that we must arrive at the reason for
the fact that most of these boys and girls desired to leave the farms,
isolation was once the answer, but with good roads nearly everywhere,
"lis reason now seemed somewhat inadequate. Just a glimpse of the
cabin homes would suggest a reason—unpainted, unpapered, for the
most part unscreened, unbeautified, a sense of ugliness, drabness, apathy
pervading everywhere; they present a most unwelcome sight. When
tney look day after day at the tired mother drudging from dawn until

ark at her ceaseless duties, or the worn father plodding along in his
trained, unsuccessful way, is it any wonder that life on the farm would

ave no appeal to their youthful spirits. We felt we must do some-
gl n to better living conditions on the farms, so that in the future,
r boys and girls would turn cheerfully toward agriculture.

46 To DRAGMA

Our second aim was to help those boys and girls, men and women on
the farms, to a better adjustment. We felt something must be done
to arouse in these people a wholesome respect for their occupation—a
feeling that their job was worth while. We must give them an inspira-
tion and vision of things as they could be—beautiful, successful, happy.
Then after they were awakened, we must give them information on
modern methods so that these newly glimpsed goals would seem possible.

Then, there was still a third aim, to erase all dividing lines. There
must no longer be a class of "country boobs" on one hand and "city
guys" on the other, but all must be regarded as fellow workers at dif-
ferent parts of the same machinery.

I t was about this time that our state community worker came to
us and suggested the Folk School as a solution to our problems. At
this school, country and town folk could become acquainted, and old
barriers and prejudices would be forgotten in these newly formed friend-
ships. We could bring to this school speakers who would inspire our
folk, dispel their apathy and awaken in them the old high purpose.
After this was accomplished, our people would then readily avail them-
selves of information about modern methods, which we would also pro-
vide in other departments.

So we laid plans; we would hold this school five days during July
after the crops were laid by. The women would be taught home-making,
the men more efficient farming, and the children, for, of course, the
children were included, as their parents could not come without them,
would have games, social contacts and exposure to activities that their
lives ordinarily lacked. We planned our program with our needs in
mind. A reference to the program will show talks to the men on soil
fertility, permanent pastures, commercial fertilizers, cow testing, cotton,
marketing, dairy products. For the women there were talks on beauti-
fying the home grounds, homecraft and home reading, the profession
of motherhood and increasing the home income, besides many inspira-
tional talks by men and women who had made good in agricultural
and other lines. (We had come to believe that one reason for the dearth
of ideas in our rural communities was due to lack of contact with stim-
ulating personalities.) We planned rather an extensive program for
the children. There were trained nurses for the babies; for the tots,
a nursery school and kindergarten; for the older children, trained play-
ground workers, professional story tellers and art craft experts, a con-
ductor for the rhythm orchestra, and playground apparatus, which would
tempt the most timid as well as the most blase!

Perhaps you will want to know something about how we carried out
this plan into the farthest parts of the parish. Whenever we heard of any
organization meeting, some member of the committee was there to tell
about "Folk School," and the definite part that they could take in
helping foster i t . Within six weeks every organization in the parish
was not only acquainted with the plan, but had made it their own.
Many of these organizations helped with the attendance. In each com-
munity the leaders were made acquainted with the plan, local attendance

OCTOBER, 1930 47

committees were organized, and a house-to-house campaign conducted.
Not the least of the things attained, we believe, was a knowledge and
an insight that these leaders gained into the lives of the people of their
own communities.

School transfers brought the people who had no other means of
getting there. The drivers lent their busses and gave their services.
We paid for the gas and oil. One bus came forty-five miles. I t was
midnight when this driver got to bed—a shocking hour for a weary
farmer.

As for financing this project, I may say it was accomplished on
a very meager amount, which testified to a spirit of service that actuated
so many and made the Folk School possible. The small amount that
was raised was prorated among the communities. These communities
raised their portion by donation, dramatic activities, and so forth. A
Folk School edition of our paper was published, and advertisements were
secured, which not only paid for the edition, but accrued a little for
our fund.

Do not imagine that we did not have some discouragements. Had
we not been dubbed idealists, impracticable to the nth degree? We
had been given to understand by "those who knew," that the country-
man was so deeply rooted in his backwoods environment that never could
we uproot him sufficiently to come to town and mix with the "city
guys" and attend "School." Now the day had arrived! I t was a
breath-taking moment! What would the program avail i f the folk
just didn't come? But we need not have worried! Two-thirty o'clock
was the stated time, and by noon they began to arrive, walking, in
wagons, on mule back, loaded in school busses, crowded in cars, some
of which were a little the worse for wear, others washed shiny for the
occasion. Here the people came, great ones, small ones, lean ones,
brawny ones, grave old plodders, gay young friskers, fathers, mothers,
husbands, wives—nearly two thousand strong. We had aimed at 1,000,
but there were one thousand children! Do you wonder that we were
utterly oblivious to the July sun, but flew around, hither and thither
on feet made light by happy hearts? When I tell you that five days

•nr' **?e losing day the crowd topped the three thousand mark, you
will believe with us that there must have been some other motive than
idle curiosity back of it all!

The costumes may have been of interest to a collector of odd bits
0 apparel, but the eager, hungry, expectant faces made it impossible
o see anything else. Some of these women had not left their homes
o r a number of years. One woman said she did not take a paper nor

magazine. She didn't have a car to go anywhere. She did not have
i n ^ V e s t 0 wear; somehow she'd lost the desire. Such stagnation
k^tnis hurlyburly day of speed; such hopelessness in this day of thrills

ings a pang. When we realize that this woman is no gloomy, isolated
ception—that she is almost typical of a certain class, that pang re-
i n " . 5 * , She had had her day of youth and romance. I t was then she

led the country boy who became a farmer, not because he had a

48 To DRAGMA

talent for farming; not because he was educated for i t , but because
he was not educated for anything else. He used the methods he had
seen used by his father and grandfather before him. When this youth-
ful country girl and boy started out, no doubt their horizon was rosy,
dreams of a bright future buoyed their spirits, but as time went on a
drab gray replaced the rose, the brightness of the dream became so dim
that it utterly faded. Somehow they had lost that path which had seemed
so clear in youth. Oh! the pathos of this thing that is happening every
day among us!

Of course, we sent for this woman and many others like her. God
grant that they received a spark to lighten their darkness.

But oh, the joy of the children! A l l of life was before them, and
they seemed to feel that they must crowd each moment full. I f you
could have heard those young voices lustily singing "America" or "John
Brown's Baby has a Cold upon his Chest," so that the very rafters
seemed to quiver, you would have thought, "Here's whole-souled en-
thusiasm that seemingly can accomplish anything. Surely discourage-
ments can never blight this. Will these young faces too, become leathery
and weatherbeaten? Will those glowing eyes lose their luster and be
the tired eyes of the future? We must prevent that change!"

Perhaps the handcraft hour would appeal to you, and you'd climb
the stairs of the school house, for in the second floor nearly every room
had some phase of handcraft activity in progress. Such a buzzing of
saws and tap-tapping of hammers, punctuated by happy laughter. As
you peeped at the toy makers, you could almost imagine they were a
band of busy little leprechaums. Or perhaps you might look in at
the book shelf department, or the belt makers, or the rooms full of
busy basket weavers, or the art class happily painting. I know you'd
love the rustic bird houses the older boys were making. I f you were
a woman, I am convinced you'd have stopped where the raffia purses
were being made. Perhaps you'd do what a number of other women
did—immediately get some material and go to work, even though you
knew it was planned for girls only. Perhaps you'd linger where
they were making cypress hanging baskets. D i d you ever hear of such
a thing? Cypress knees going to waste by the thousands, and we didn't
dream they could be made into porch ornaments!

You musn't pass the rope-makers without looking in on them, for
I don't believe I ' m more proud of any department! The little Boy
Scout teacher had come to me when we were laying our plans and
said with seeming reticence, " I won a prize at the Boy Scout Camp
for my rope making machine—and say, it's lots of fun making rope—
don't you want me to show some boy at Folk School how?" The second
day his class grew to sixteen, and he handled them like a general. The
third day the machines were completed, and the first strands of rope
were made. At the end of that day the young teacher brought me six-
teen strands tied together—the first efforts of the class. When I ad-
mired it he said, " I t is yours, we wanted you to have the first we made!
Can't you wear i t around your waist?" I was proud of this youngster.

OCTOBER, 1930 40

I exclaimed, "You are going to make a fine man some day," and he
answered with very little modesty, but with a good deal of confidence,
"Yes'm."

All the time we've been up here in the handcraft department, the
playground apparatus has been in constant use. The swings have never
stopped, even though the rain tried to persuade the children on one
occasion to seek shelter. The seats of many young trousers were thinner
than when they first were tempted by those fascinating slides! Sug-
gestions of the sand pile still remain in many a tousled head. The
"Ocean Wave" was positive proof that there is nothing dizzyheaded
about your younger generation.

Oh! and the day nursery! Babies everywhere! Several mothers
deposited three each day, one, two and three years old. Can't you
imagine the relief to hear a talk without one baby in arms, one under-
foot, the third, goodness knows where, but some place where he shouldn't
be, no doubt! Some babies are asleep in the kiddie coops, some crawling
on the floor, some playing with toys, having such a good time that they
were oblivious of visitors. The first day a tot who undoubtedly never
before had had the combination of a doll, a bed and a chair, spent the
entire three hours rocking the doll, putting it to bed and smoothing
up the bed again. She was in a world of her own, and one she seemed
to love.

Do I seem about to omit the playground games—volleyball, basket-
ball, contests of all sorts? No country complexes existed here, no com-
munity lines drawn here; only democratic good fellowship reigned.

Almost immediately we began to feel results. The man at the feed
store, which also sells fertilizers, told of one farmer who said, "That
Folk School taught me I must raise my own foodstuff, and by golly,
I'm going to, but you won't need to worry, I ' l l spend more on fertilizer."
Another said, " I ' l l never read another book of fiction till I've read every
book on farming you have in this library. The Folk School showed me
I ought to know more about farming." The women asked for books on
how to raise children, books on turkeys, chickens, and so forth.

We wondered if these were straws that told which way the wind
was blowing, but now after nearly a year we feel that they were real
indications.

As a result of the Folk School we now have a supervisor of public
school music in our Parish. We have a school band of forty in one of
our largest high schools, and a smaller one in another high school.

e have a choral club of about forty which lately rendered quite credit-
s' ly an Easter cantata. All the playground apparatus that was put on

H a h ° ^ ° bought for our Rayville-
nStration a t e F o l k Sch o1 h a s b e e n

th School. We have a tennis club organized in one community,
. pothers of another are going to supervise the games and play of the
com n - * n k 't e r neighborhood during this summer. In still another
^ . ym u m t a dramatic club has been organized. There are several

a
evement clubs. They have bird houses, rustic benches, cypress

(Continued on page 89)