LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
"This Is the Truth"
If a Negro had not been initiated into Beta Theta Pi at Kenyon College as long ago as 1954-1955, and if there were not currently Negro pledges in three different Beta Chapters (including Williams College), the abuse which the fraternity has suffered from some Dartmouth students and, more recently, in college publications, might be justified.
Under the circumstances, however, there appears to be no excuse for irresponsible journalism and the perpetuation of a scurrilous falsehood.
McCarthyism is characterized by the "big lie" and the "smear." That these tactics should, consciously or otherwise, be used by Dartmouth students and administration is appalling.
A year ago I wrote to the Dartmouth Chapter of Beta Theta Pi and, on April 4, 1960, to Dean Seymour, to state that Beta Theta Pi has included among its membership men of every race, religion, and color. It does today.
This is the truth.
What more does Dartmouth want?
J. MOREAU BROWN '39 General Secretary, Beta Theta Pi Former President, Alpha Omega Chapter
Ossining, N. Y.
Mr. Moreau's letter is occasioned by thenews story in last month's issue which reported that Beta Theta Pi had gone localand repeated some of the reasons, as publicly stated by the chapter officers, for thebreak with the national fraternity. If thestudent officers, now on vacation, have anycomment to make after Mr. Moreau's letter, it will appear next month.
Another Nugget Story
To THE EDITOR:
George O'Connell's sprightly story on the Nugget recalls one of the incidents, in the early thirties which I witnessed personally.
It was during an evening showing of Henry the Eighth, a supercolossal of its day. Just after Anne Boleyn's beheading a quartet stood up in the front row and in perfect harmony sang the title line of the then-current hit, "Annie Doesn't Live Here Any More." Needless to say, it brought down the house.
No one doubts that these fellows planned this ahead of time and paid a second 35¢ each to contribute to Nugget lore.
Hanover, N. H.
"Give Him a Hand"
To THE EDITOR:
C. A. (Cap) Pierce '06 has come forth with a luminous idea - a game on the Pacific Coast between an All-star Ivy League team and the top dog team on the West Coast.
If this could be arranged, it would present a new angle in intercoastal competition and bring favorable publicity to Ivy League football - provided, of course, its team acquitted itself with credit on the gridiron.
The football glory that used to belong to the East, during the reign of Walter Camp, has since been taken over by other schools that, mayhap, place an overemphasis on the importance of the game. I won't say that the powerful aggregations have been recruited from the ranks of young men whose objectives are, first, to improve their minds, and, secondly, to indulge in athletics; rather, let us say that, in the Ivy League, emphasis is still placed on scholarship and good sportsmanship in developing teams, if possible, that reflect credit on the institutions they represent.
Let's get behind good old Cap Pierce and give him a hand.
Aurora, Ohio
