Page:The Fraternity and the College (1915).pdf/105

 able to the old guard. They passed some beautiful resolutions, got out a "hot" letter to the fellows who were back on their notes and all signed it. It is an interesting fact to note that though perhaps a dozen of the men who signed the resolutions and the letter were themselves behind in their payments, not one has sent in any money, and, so far as I can determine, not a dollar has come in as a direct result of the letter. It is easy to urge the other man to do his duty, to do it ourselves is not always so easy.

One who understands the job of making such collections as those which I am discussing may very well be thankful if he has a sense of humor; otherwise his temper may frequently be tried. I have been interested to note the attitude which the negligent alumnus often takes toward the unfortunate officer whose task it is to collect the money for the fraternity. Not a few fellows have the same attitude apparently as they might have if he were asking them for a personal loan or a gratuity. My ancestry and my general character have more than once been called in question, and all sorts of aspersions have been cast upon my reputation, simply because I have insisted on a man's paying what he had agreed to pay.

I have been asked often what percentage of these obligations I have been able to collect. This is a pretty difficult question to answer, since no