WQr 1\rarta ~ptrit Vol. XIV
December 15, 1918
No.1
GREETINGS FROM THE GRAND PRES-
THE WAR CONFERENCE.
IDENT.
A special War Confer ence of the Acacia Fraternity was held in the Morrison Hotel, Chicago, on Friday, May 31, 1918 . There was a busy session which lasted a ll day, with the exception of a short hour given to luncheon in the men's restaurant oJl Marshall Field's store. Grand President Harry L. Brown presided and gave the assembly a proper war color by his military uniform. Other members of the Grand Council present were Grand Counselor J . A. Woodward, Grand Secretary J. F . Groves, Grand Treasurer C. S. Huntington, and Associate Grand Edit or Wa_llace Meyer. Chapters were repreChicago: Former sented as follo ws: Grand President Francis W. Shepardson, alumnus, delegate; Chester N. Gould, alumnus, visitor. Columbia: G. Alfred ~awrence, alumnus, delegate, r epresentmg also the New York Alumni Association. Cornell: C. D. Grinnels, active, delegate. Illinois: Former Grand Vice-President W . Elmer Ekblaw, alumnus, delegate; E. C. Christian, active, visitor. Iowa: W. A. Weber, active, delegate. Iowa State : J. C. Cart, alumnus, delegate. Kansas: J . E. Miller, active, delegate. Kansas State : G. C. Gibbons, active, delegate; H. D. Ryan, active, visitor. Michigan: Carroll W. Collins, active, delegat e. Minnesota: A. LeRoy Thomas, active, delegate. Missouri: L. A. Wilson, active, delegate. Ohio: C. I. Reed, active, delegate; M. L. Wright, alumnus, visitor. Purdue : H. B. Collings, active, delegate; visitors were L. Selby, alumnus, G. H. Eddy, alumnus, G. B. Wilson, active, and E. L. Moon, active. Syracuse : W. D. Harris, alumnus, delegate. Wisconsin: M. M. Morris, active, delegate; G. H. Jenkins, alumnus, visitor; a total attendance of 29. Ch apters not represented were California, Colorado, Harvard, Nebraska, P ennsylvania, Pennsylvania State, T exas, Washington, and Yale. Chapters represented, 15; not represented, 9.
To a~l Acacians : In this, my first opportu~lty to greet you, I wish to express my smcere appreciation of the honor your War Conference and Grand Council conferred upon me by choosing me to the le~ders~i_P of ou~ beloved Fraternity in th1s cntlCal penood of our history. I consider it a splendid privilege to be given such an opportunity to serve you all, and if I shall well and truly measure up to the hopes and confidence that you have reposed in me I shall be content; it is my prayer that I may keep the faith. I realize full well that I can accomplish little unless our Fraternity may r eceive from you all the most loyal and devoted support throughout these troublous times that are trying us so sorely. We must work together in the service of our fellows, keeping close sight of the ideals of our Fraternity, the jewels of our brotherhood. Those of us who r emain at home must keep our altar fires burning bright against th e return of those of our brethren .who are far afield in our country's serviCe, and who r ely upon us to safeguard every landmark of Acacia. We must all unite to honor those of our brethren who will n ever return because in their loyal u tmost service they have made the supreme sacrifice. May I ask you all then to stand ever ready to support your Grand Council to the best of your ability and to the utmost of your power. Write to your Grand Officers whenever you feel that you have suggestions or advice or plans that will help Acacia. Maintain a kindly, h elpful connection with your chapter, urging it to a firm adherence to Acacia's ideals and a determined defense of the continuance of all its proper activities in the face of the most untoward circumstances. I greet you cordially and fraternally, W. ELMER EKBLA W, Grand President.