Page:The Fraternity and the College (1915).pdf/122

 our meetings, but we do nothing but sit around." Unless it has a definite object which keeps men interested and gives them something to do, the extra-fraternity organization is not only useless but positively harmful. A group of energetic young fellows will not long remain passive. If as an organized body meeting regularly they are not engaged in something active, healthy, and helpful, they will before long drop into the things that are positively harmful and disreputable. If their brains are not busy, their hands must be busy manipulating some sort of gustatory or bibulous contraband or holding the poker deck. IntancesInstances [sic] and illustrations more than sufficient to justify these statements, but too personal to cite here, come to mind as I write these sentences. The possibilities of the evils which I have suggested multiply and are almost certain to occur when, as in some instances, the membership in such organizations is kept secret. Not having the incentive which publicity gives to such matters there is ultimately the tempation to do nothing or to do those things which might not safely or honestly be done in the light of day. With the membership of an organization secret or even uncertain there is the impossibility to fix responsibility, and the organization may easily become a menace. On the whole the fight that has been waged and is now being waged all over the country against Theta