The Boulé Journal Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

EDITORIALS.

Fratribus Fraternitatis Sigma Pi Phi Omnibus Salutem.

In the first issue of the Boule Journal it is the desire of the Grand Boule to extend to all members of this fraternity the heartiest felicitations upon the character and promise of this body. Unique in its origin, slow but sure in its growth, unrivalled in the high material, intellectual and spiritual character of its membership, its influence in the world of Negro-manhood is assured.

It is not the occasion now to go into the history of the origin and subsequent development of the fraternity, nor to set forth in detail the purpose for which it was created.

These subjects are dealt with in other parts of this edition. It is only necessary, therefore, in this comment to extend to each member of this body the good wishes of every other member; to express to him the sincerest hope that it will be his endeavor to advance the interest of Sigma Pi Phi. In the struggle in which we are each and all engaged for the maintenance and constant development of all that is best in the intellectual, spiritual and social world, like the sons of ancient Sparta return with your shields or upon them.

THE JOURNAL AS AN EXCHANGE.

The success of Journalism depends in a very large degree upon three important conditions: First, upon the zeal and faithfulness of the editorial staff; secondly, upon the industry and reliability of the news reporters; thirdly, upon the hearty cooperation of those from whom information may be sought from time to time. It was the purpose of the Grand Boule in founding the Journal to make it a source of information to every member, touching all those things which might be of interest to the fraternity.

Now it is perfectly obvious, that to realize with any degree of success this meritorious intention, each member in the several Boules must not only respond to the local reporter when information is sought from him, but must without solicitation, and upon his own initiative, put into the possession of the reporter whatever news items, personal or general, may interest the whole body. Relying upon the enthusiasm of the local reporters, assured of the deep interest of individual members, and promising the unceasing efforts of the editor in charge to mould this diverse information into interesting and instructive form, the Journal rests its case with the membership at large.

SIGMA PI PHI IN 1913.

Alpha Boule, Philadelphia

Beta Boule, Chicago

Gamma Boule, Baltimore

Delta Boule, Memphis

Epsilon Joule, Washington

Zeta Boule, New York

Eta Boule, St. Louis

Theta Boule, Boston

Iota Boule, Kansas City

Kappa Boule, New Orleans

Lambda Boule, Tide-Water

Mu Boule, Richmond.

A wonderful growth it is true, is here indicated, but it is neither the dream of the visionary nor the theory of a philosopher. It is on the other hand, a cold, scientific calculation, based upon our present size and the loyalty and enthusiasm of the membership.

To the next biennial gathering then, will come much of the best of blood and brain and soul of the darker race. We can pray for no better proof that white, black and yellow men are each and all possible of infinite development; that the day surely is advancing when prejudice must be relegated to the curiousity shop, and lines between classes of men must be horizontal and not perpendicular.

The roster heading this comment, is an entering wedge toward the realization of this ultimate destiny of society.

THE FRATERNITY AND SERVICE.

There is no doubt in the mind of the public that the worth of an organization is determined in a large degree by the efficiency and faithfulness with which its members administer to the wants of society. To state the same thing from another point of view; organizations, like individuals, are rated in proportion to the service they render to the community in which they happen to exist; to the state of which their members are citizens; to the nation which claims them as its' own; finally to the race, all of whose traditions they exemplify, and whose weal or woe depends so largely upon their activities.

Judged in the light of this standard we may well indeed be proud of Sigma Pi Phi. Constituted as it now is, of fewer than one hundred members, it nevertheless contains within its membership a large group of men who stand at or near the head of many of the most important organizations of the race. It might be interesting to mention some of the organizations in whichmembers of this fraternity are important factors.

W. E. B. DuBois, Director of Publicity and Research, N. A. A. C. P.; Editor of Crisis.

H. H. Pace, Delta Boule, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks.

W. Ashbie Hawkins, Gamma Boule, Supreme Chancellor of Knights of Pythias, E. W. H.

R. C. Bruce, Alpha Boule, Assistant Superintendent of Education, Washington.

A. B. Jackson, Aphaa Boule, Surgeon in Chief, Mercy Hospital, Philadelphia.

The Princpals of the two largest high schools, Washington and Baltimore, are member of Epsilon and Gamma Boules respectively.

In addition to these it is interesting at least to call attention to the fact that many of the most important physicians and surgeon, attorneys, deans of colleges or universities, belong to the group of these who have been gathered together in the name of this fraternity.

If, therefore, the future service of this group of workers shall be commensurate with what they have done in the past; if the call of the needs yet to be satisfied shall find them as ready and efficient to serve society, there need be no fear of our rating.

CHICAGO AND THE GRAND BOULE.

It may well be said that the last session of the Grand Boule which was held in Chicago last September 8, 9, 10, marked the beginning of a new epoch in the history of Sigma Pi Phi. Fraternity.

In order that every member of the fraternity may fully appreciate the significance of this statement, a short account of the meetings will be given.

Most of the delegates, together with their wives and visiting members not delegates, arrived on the Sunday preceding the opening of the Grand Convention. They had hardly reached the city before the informal entertainment began, despite the fact that they arrived several days ahead of schedule.

The formal convocation was opened Wednesday morning, September 8, at ten thirty o'clock. This meeting was open to the ladies to whom, along with the visiting delegates and members, a hearty welcome was extended by several members of Beta Boule. Replies were made by at least one member of each of the visiting Boules, and by most of the ladies. Judging from the expressions of all, it cannot be doubted that unbounded welcome was heartily extended and as heartily appreciated.

At the afternoon session, the real business of the convention began. All of the sessions were characterized by a seriousness of purpose, a close attention to business and an abiding faith in the future of the fraternity that was gratifying to every member.

A recounting of all the details of the sessions is unnecesary in view of the fact that full reports have already been given to the several Boules by the delegates who were sent to represent them. Among the most important features however, may be mentioned the plans which were inaugurated for a rapid increase in the number of Boules; the announcement of the securing of a charter under the laws of Pennsylvania. the home of the parent organization; and the establishment of an official journal:

Nor were the social features less satisfying than the business aspects of the meeting. Genuine hospitality-the kind that take possession of one body and soul-was dispensed with lavish hands. Breakfasts, dinners, and receptions for the ladies; banquets and stags for the men; sightseeing automobile tours and vaudeville performances for both men and women; rounded out a program of entertainment which according to the unanimous declaration of all the visitors made Chicago the happy abode of philosophers and Epicureans. There was sufficient for all.

And so to the city as a whole, to the wives, members and friends of Beta Boule, and to the committee who had charge of the arrangements, the delegates and members from other cities and their wives, desire, through the Journal, (to express their appreciation of the unusual courtesies which were extended them; and the further hope that they in turn may have the opportunity to emphasize that appreciation in a more material form.