*THE BOND PLAN AS A METHOD FOR PURCHASING A FRATERNITY HOUSE

W

S. J. HARBRECHT, Lambda

HEN one is called upon to institute a discussion, conduct a symposium or write a dissertation on a subject that will be of universal interest to all chapters of the fraternity, his field of choice is of limited dimensions. Nay, might I say there is but one question that is of vital importance to all of us. And so it is that I take up the old, old story-the chapter-house. But, though the field be small, the different aspects from which we view this one subject are several. And since we of Lambda come near to the actual experiencing of each phase of the situation I feel that we can speak with some authority. Lambda, since the receipt of its charter in 1903 has had the experience of being without a house (for a very short time, it is true) holding meetings at intervals in halls rented for the purpose; she has rented part of a house from a landlady who conducted a boarding house; she has rented an entire house and conducted her own table; and she has rented a house and boarded elsewhere, and through it all she has had before her, like the pot of gold at the rainbow's end-the final goal-her own chapter-house.

Of course that is the ambition of every active chapter-and what chapter of Phi Beta Pi is not active? But owing to the vicissitudes that are contingent upon our student career, this hope remains as it is born, a mere hope, a vagary, an ambition to be realized when halcyon days shall dawn, "But trial maketh a rugged man" and Lambda, after a tempestuous year, during which she saw herself at her lowest depths and her most glorious heights, has hit upon a plan which will bring her within a few short years to the threshold of her fondest hope. And this plan is her message to all her sister chapters which are similarly situated.

Briefly the plan follows: Beginning with the present year each outgoing senior pledges himself to take not less than three bonds of twenty dollars denomination, the same to be payable when contracted for or on time as suits the buyer's convenience. Since the majority of outgoing men are not overly blessed with funds it is assumed that they will be paid for on time and in order that there be no difficulties added to the duties of the chapter secretary or treasurer, the payments will be made to and collected by the fraternity's bank.

We have received the hearty support of our alumni in this movement. They have all volunteered to buy bonds. That brings us even nearer to our hope. But, merely relying on the senior quota of each year we have calculated that a very few years will see Lambda on a firmly independent basis, freed from obligations. incumbent upon a "renter," freed from the task of "house hunting," of storing furniture, and enjoying the bliss which can only result from complete possession. *Read at the Cenetral Provincial Assembly, St. Louis, Mo., May 8-9, 1919.

This is Lambda's message. It can be done: there is but one requisite-true Phi Bet Pi spirit. If we have started one sister chapter on the same quest this paper has accomplished its purpose.

"OTHER WAYS TO HELP KILL A FRATERNITY"

Always cherish the thought that you have bestowed an honor upon the Fraternity by condescending to become a member.

Ever consider that the chapter-house is only a boarding and lodging place.

If a brother proves to be somewhat of a disappointment or below the usual standard, knock him and never extend the brotherly arm to pull him up to the proper level.

Curse all you can and use as much obscene language as possible around the chapter-house as it will make your parents and friends proud of your vocabulary and delivery when they drop in unexpectedly. Especially take pains to enter the house with a bound and an oath, as probably some of the mothers have dropped in and will enjoy the novel greeting.

Always hang your clothes in the middle of the floor so that your room will look well decorated, and be sure to leave your dirty B. V. D.'s, socks, etc., in the bathroom.

If the above suggestions are carried out they will set a good example for the freshmen who will quickly learn to follow suit. Other fraternity men will also take notice," so you will have added rushing assets another year.- TA via Purple, Green and Gold of A X A.

THE NORTHERN PROVINCE ASSEMBLY

TH

ARNO R. LANGJAHR, Alpha Pi-Delta

HE initial convention of the Northern Province held in Chicago on May 16 and 17 was to all intents and purposes a grand success. If all the provincial assemblies fulfill their purpose as well as this did, we know the innovation is with us to stay.

Supreme Editor Brother Fansler ably lead the assembly for us because of the recent resignation of Grand Northern Praetor B. Parker Beeson who found his fraternal duties incompatible with his rapidly growing practice. Brother Fansler arrived on the scene on the thirteenth and prepared the grounds for the assembly. The delegates arrived on Thursday evening and Friday morning, and those who did not miss their scheduled trains (beg pardon, Brother Brooks) were met at the station by representatives of the Chicago chapters. The one regrettable feature of the convention was the absence of a representative from Alpha Mu.

Inasmuch as there are three chapters in the city, all of the delegates were taken care of in the chapter-houses.

The business sessions which were held at the La Salle Hotel, were started on Friday morning, continued on Friday afternoon, and concluded on Saturday morning. Although the minutes of the meetings are not a part of this report, it may be mentioned here that Bro. G. S. Van Alstyne of Theta Chapter was elected Grand Northern Praetor, and Detroit selected as the place of the Northern Province convention in 1921.

On Friday evening all the delegates and active and alumni members of the Chicago chapters assembled at Theta's chapter-house where they were wonderfully entertained in various ways. The jazz music furnished by Iota's orchestra made all of us almost believe that a mistake had been made in arranging a party as a stag affair, since we could scarcely keep our feet quiet when they played. Theta's impersonator, Brother Chyne, and Delta's warbler, Brother Butin, likewise kept the assembly enthused with their choicest selections. Brother Fansler, who presided at a banquet which followed the entertainment, called upon several of the delegates, a number of the alumni, and representatives of the Chicago chapters, each of whom made a suitable response. When we adjourned in the early hours of the morning, we agreed that we had participated in a mighty fine time.

Saturday noon the delegates had luncheon at Delta's chapter-house, and in the afternoon went sight-seeing around the city in automobiles kindly placed at our disposal by our alumni. Several hospitals and schools, as well as other points of less professional interest, were visited. Saturday evening the delegates had dinner at Iota's chapter-house, where they were further entertained until later in the evening when they attended The Passing Show of 1918 at the Palace Theater. While we are not in the habit of writing free advertisements, we suggest that an opportunity to see The Passing Show be considered seriously before turning it down. After the show, the delegates informally discussed the convention as a

whole, and all were agreed that it was a huge success. With fraternal words of farewell and a final handshake, we then parted, most of the delegates proceeding to their respective railroad stations, and the convention passed into history.

SIDELIGHTS ON THE CONVENTION

We are in doubt as to whether the fraternity should pay more than 25% of Brother Leake's (Alpha Pi) expenses, for although he attended all of the business sessions, he spent the other three-fourths of his time locating his fraternity pin on the south side. According to latest reports he was successful.

Strangely enough Brother Brooks (Alpha Epsilon) who had the shortest distance to come to the convention was the last to arrive. He claims that he missed his train. Well, conditions will change after July 1, Brother Brooks, and there will probably be no such things as "night before parties" in Milwaukee to detain you from the next convention.

Brother Burton brought a photograph of the newly acquired house of Alpha Zeta. All the delegates are agreed that Alpha Zeta is to be congratulated on her beautiful new home.

Brother Dunlap (Omicron) gave us the real dope concerning alumni associations. Indiana has a State Alumni Association to be proud of. It would be fine if all chapters could boast of such beneficial and splendid organizations.

The two delegates from Michigan, Brother Graff (Beta) and Brother Brush (Kappa), indulged in two especially interesting arguments. In the first place, each accused the other of indulging too freely and too frequently in certain exhilarating beverages. In the second each claimed for himself the greater capacity and tolerance without losing his inhibition. How about it, boys, were the questions settled on the way home?

The next time we consent to attend a show like The Passing Show with Brother Irvine (Iota), we are going to tie him down. Only the height of the seats prevented him from hurdling them all on his way to the stage.

Brothers Fansler and Zech tried to "slip one over" on the delegates Saturday morning. The business session was scheduled to commence at 9:00 A. M., but for some reason or other these two celebrities were not able to find the hotel for quite a while. When they arrived, an hour late, they swore they had been trying to locate the rest of the crowd all that time. That's all right, Brothers Fansler and Zech, neither did we get to bed so early on Friday evening.

We have the "dope" on Brother Gambee (Delta) who made such a splurge with the wonderful paper he read at the convention and again by request on Friday evening. Brother Tartar, Gambee's roommate, informs us that he is the author of a not insignificant part of that paper.

Here's a good one we must get out of our system, although we'll not divulge the name of the author. One of the younger members present overheard a physician discussing an appendectomy with the removal of pus tubes on one of his female patients. A short time later this embryo medic volunteered the information that his appendix had been removed lately, but he was unable to say as to whether or not the surgeon had removed his pus tubes.

D

OUR NEW PRAETORS

DR. D. M. NIGRO,

Grand Central Praetor

R. DOMINIC M. NIGRO, was born in Italy, April 2, 1893, but came to America with his parents while still a child. His preliminary training was received in the Kansas City public schools and he was later graduated from the Kearney Military Academy. After completing his "prep" work at Kearney he entered Notre Dame University from which institution he received his B.S. degree in 1914. While at Notre Dame Brother Nigro took a prominent part in athletics, playing both football and baseball. In the fall of 1914 Brother Nigro entered the medical department of John A. Creighton University and was there initiated into Phi Beta Pi. He was archon of Alpha Alpha Chapter for two years and was graduated in 1918. He served interneships at St. Mary's Hospital, Duluth, and the Kansas City General Hospital. During the late war he was a first lieutenant in the U. S. M. R. C. and is at present a major in the Medical Corps of the Missouri National Guard. Brother Nigro has always been a live Phi Beta and is living up to his past reputation in this respect. He is now in practice and is located at 611-13 Sharp Building, Kansas City, Mo.

D

DR. GUY S. VAN ALSTINE, Theta

Grand Northern Praetor

R. GUY S. VAN ALSTINE, our new Grand Northern Praetor, was born June 15, 1886, in Dakota Territory (now Mitchell, South Dakota). His early schooling was received in the schools of the district. In 1907 he graduated with the B.S. Degree from Dakota Wesleyan University. The following year he entered the Medical Department of Northwestern University, from which institution he received his M.D. degree in 1912. Brother Van Alstine was initiated into Phi Beta Pi in 1908, before the National Convention which was being held in Chicago. He was student assistant in histology and embryology during 1910-11 and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha in his junior year. His interneship was served in Cook County Hospital and followed by three years' practice at Anchor, Illinois. In 1916 he returned to Chicago and was assistant to Dr. Wm. E. Schroeder, chief of surgical staff of Wesley Memorial Hospital, until 1918. Since then he has held the following appointments: attending surgeon to Cook County Hospital, 1918-19; clinical assistant in surgery, Northwestern, 1918-19; instructor in surgery, Northwestern, 1919 to the present.

Dr. Van Alstine is especially interested in surgery as his activities would indicate, but as yet he has not limited his practice. He also informs me that he has one wife and three children-all girls. The Editor thinks that this is about all any physician of his age should have-especially as to wives. It can be easily seen by the above sketch that our new Praetor is a regular fellow and a hard worker. We expect him to equal the record of Dr. Beeson, who is always held up as perfection in matters praetorial.