Epsilon chapter is more than pleased with the prospects of a national publication, and are putting forth earnest efforts to make the publication a success.

The chapter started the year under favorable circumstances, all our officers and members being with us at the opening of the school year. The president of last year, Mr. Roy Young. has returned to take further work in school. The presence of a former president is indeed a great help to the chapter.

Early in the year, a committee was appointed to arranger for a smoker for the juniors. At this smoker we were all able to become much better acquainted with the men and be better fitted to choose our members. A part of the evening was spent at cards and music, after which -several members of the faculty gave us some interesting and helpful talks. A light luncheon was served.

At the present time the chapter has elected the following men to active membership: 

• B. M. Andrews, '16

• H. S. Hagan, ‘16

• Shelby Fell, ’15

• A. H. Ganshird, '15. 

Professor S. L. Simmering and Professor G. B. McNair were elected to honorary membership.

The men elected to membership were initiated into the fraternity on November 17, 1914. Each one passed the various tests incident to their initiation under the new ritual.

There is an abundance of good material in the junior and senior classes from which the chapter expects to fill up their number.

We have at the present time eighteen active members. 

Epsilon chapter is especially honored in having in our midst the Grand Secretary-Treasurer, Mr. F. A. Wirt, also the Associate Editor, Mr. Stanley A. Smith. These men are a source of great help to the chapter.

Last spring the chapter completed a room in the Engi­neering Building for the exclusive use of the members. The faculty gave us permission for the use of the room for that purpose. The decorations of the room, and the furnishings were designed, and a large part was constructed, by the men. A part of the furniture, rugs and the small articles necessary for the equipment of the room were bought and paid for with the help of the alumni. The members have access to this room at all times, and during leisure time from classes the men go there either study or engage in a brotherly chat. The chapter is proud of the room for it belongs to us and it serves io bring the men in contact and closer touch with each other, and in that way we can do better work for Sigma Tau. We have realized more ad­vantage in developing a closer acquaintanceship, in the short time that we have had the room than anything the chapter has done before. The room is not only used as a rest or lounging place, but our meetings take place there. The room is equipped with furnishings so that it is possible to keep all fraternity material there.

We plan io have some form of entertainment at least once a month during the school year, in the form of a smoker, informal dinner or theater party, and will probably give at least one dance during the year.

At the present time the chapter is bending its efforts arouse the interests of the students of Engineering to the Engineering activities of the college and for the ex­tension of the department for a greater enrollment.

In our meetings we have discussed and developed plans for such interest and extension and are pushing these plans with the vigor of Sigma Taus.

Work on the annual letter is progressing slowly but surely. Requests for reports have been sent out to all of the alumni. These reports are all expected in by the first of the year.

Epsilon chapter has loyal alumni and we are proud of them and of the record they have left us.

We are striving to keep up the record and standing of Sigma Tau.

Charles W. Giffin, Corresponding Secretary

The members of Epsilon Chapter wish to add their com­pliments on the first issue of THE PYRAMID. This publica­tion has filled the desire of the alumni for something by which they could keep in touch with their respective chapters and the workings of the National Fraternity. It more than anything else is to serve as a tie between the alumni and those in the active work.

As was said in the first issue, "We have started to build a 'Pyramid'". Thus far an excellent foundation has been laid. From this time on the members collectively and individually can build a worthy structure or a poor one according to the zeal and the energy which they put into the work. Let us then put our shoulders to the task and push the work, ever keeping it alive and progressing.

Since our first letter the chapter has increased the roll to twenty-four active and seven honorary members. Through the work of both the active and honorary members the Engineering Division is being pushed to the front by rapid strides.

On Friday evening, March 5, the chapter gave a smoker in honor of the local chapters of three National Honorary fraternities, The Alpha Psi Veterinary Medicine, Alpha Zeta, and Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture. The evening was spent at cards and general merrymaking. A light luncheon was served. This entertainment brought the men of the different divisions together on more common ground than anything that has been tried before. As is common in colleges of several different divisions there is always a keen rivalry between the divisions. An entertainment of this kind tends to put such rivalry on a more friendly basis, promoting a greater college spirit rather than division spirit.

The idea of an Honorary Pan-Hellenic Council was sug­gested by one of our speakers. This Council is to be similar to the Pan-Hellenic of the Social Fraternities. Up to the present time there has been nothing to hold the Honorary Fraternities together and they have been living to them­selves. This Council will bring all in closer touch with each other and will aid in the nurturing of ideas and schemes for the advancement of the different divisions and of the college as a whole. Plans for the organization of such a council are now in progress, and we hope that in the near future it will be a permanent organization.

Plans for more social events are being made which promise good things for the chapter.

Very good reports are coming in from the graduates of last year. All are holding good positions and are “making good” as the saying goes.

The writer has had an idea brought to his mind which if worked out will be an immense help to the editorial staff in securing interesting articles for publication, and at the same time bring to light the writing ability of the men in a way that will help the individual chapters. The idea is this: To have each new man during the time he is a pledge prepare a short article or thesis on some engineering subject of his own choosing. This paper will then be pre­sented to the chapter at the time of his initiation. The chapter will then send the article in to the editor of the fra­ternity publication and those articles published which in his judgment merit it. This will bring to the hands of the editor interesting articles which at times can be used to ad­vantage.

Epsilon Chapter wishes to extend their heartiest greet­ings to their brothers although many miles may intervene between ns. We hope that the second issue will add another solid well-placed rock in the foundation of THE PYRAMID. 

C. W. Giffin,

Corresponding Secretary

Epsilon Chapter began this fall under very favorable cir­cumstances, all of the officers elected last spring and all of the junior members of last year having returned.

We consider ourselves very fortunate in having in our midst the Grand Secretary-Treasurer, Brother F. A. Wirt, and the Editor of The Pyramid, Brother Stanley A. Smith, also Brothers W. A. Buck, R. L. Swenson and I. E. Taylor who are taking advanced work in  the college.

We have had a comparatively large number of men from which to choose material for the chapter this fall, and have, so far, elected seven men to membership, whose names are:

• R. H. Oliver

• O. K. Rumbel

• A. E. Dyatt

• G. A. Sellers

• E. T. Whitcomb

• W. K. Harvey

• C. D. Hultgren.

Early in the term a smoker was given in the chapter room, to the men eligible for membership, so that we could become better acquainted with these men and put ourselves in a position to select our pledges wisely.

On the evening of October 8 the Manhattan Alumni Club of Sigma Tau entertained the local chapter at the home of Mr. Stanley Smith. Among other things a contest was held in which those present were to guess the names of the col­leges having Sigma Tau chapters and the Greek letters of these chapters represented by suggestive pictures on the wall. 

President Hagan won the prize. Everyone present reported a very good time.

D. C. Tate,

Historian

Several changes have been made in the membership of Epsilon Chapter since the last letter was written. Joe A. Novak, milling engineer, '17; William C. Ernsting, E.E,, '17; and William E. Paterson, M.E., ’17, have been taken in lately, while Chas. C. Brown, M.E., ’17, is a pledge and will be initiated April 21. We regret that E.T. Whitcomb, M.E., '17, and A.E. Dyatt, C.E., '17, have been compelled to withdraw from college this spring term. T.E. Taylor, C.E., ’13, who was taking Postgraduate work, has also left college, having obtained a position as superintendent with The A. Jaicks Paving Construction Company of Newton, Kansas.

Epsilon Chapter members going from here to the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co., arc Hagan, Linscott, Harvey and Knowles while Rathbun, Rawson, and Zimmerman are going to the Westinghouse Machine Co. Andrews is going to the General Electric Co., at Schenectady; Vincent, to the International Harvester Co., at Kansas City; Butcher, to the Denver Gas and Electric Co., and Deal and Tate, to the Western Electric Co., at Chicago.

On the evening of February 11, the Alpha Psi Honorary Veteri­nary Fraternity entertained the local chapter of Sigma Tau together with the Honorary Agricultural Fraternities, Alpha Zeta and Gamma Sigma Delta. Entertainments of this kind promote good-fellowship between those different divisions and everyone present was indebted to Alpha Psi for a very enjoyable evening.

The condition of the chapter is good; its affairs are being carried forward as well as possible and its financial condition is fair. The standing of the local chapter with regard to the other Honorary Societies at K.S.A.C, may be seen from the following table which was made for the fall term of 1915.

Omicron Nu, Domestic Science Sorority........................... 1.50

Alpha Zeta, Agricultural Fraternity..................................... 1.16

Sigma Tau, Engineering Fraternity..................................... 1.01

Gamma Sigma Delta, Agricultural Fraternity.................... 0.96

Alpha Psi, Veterinary Fraternity......................................... 0.73

Regardless of the fact that Sigma Tau ranked only third in the list, the grades of the members averaged 212% above those of the other students enrolled in the division of engineering.

We regret that a number of Alumni of Epsilon Chapter have been a little careless in their duties in so far as the annual letter to the chapter is concerned. 

Epsilon Chapter wishes to express its stand as being in favor of retaining the eligibility of architects in schools where the Archi­tectural Course is under the Engineering division; and of exempting honorary members from the payment of the National Counts fee.

April 11,1916.

O.K. Rumbel,

Delegate

The Epsilon Chapter started in after the conclave last spring to put into actual test the resolutions and recommendations which had been adopted. The momentum of the fresh start has had a positive acceleration up to the present time and from the present indications will keep up throughout the year.

The co-operation of* the fraternity with the engineering division is one of the particular hobbies right now. A committee has been appointed and is doing good work along this line at the present time in connection with the seminars of the various divisions and the engineering association. We are working to make this a big thing at the college.

A big mixer and smoker was given late last spring to get Sigma Tau before some of the representative sophomores who would be eligible to Sigma Tau this fall and to get better ac­quainted with these men. We think it proved a big success and probably something similar will be tried again this year.

For the year 1916-17 the following officers were elected: O. K. Rumbel, president; G. A. Sellers, vice president; W. E. Patterson secretary; R. H. Oliver, treasurer; A. E Dyatt. cor­responding secretary, C. C. Brown, historian.

The president called a meeting the first day college opened and we were very much elated at finding all our members present. E. T. Whitcomb and A. E. Dyatt coming back after being out spring term. About the first thing the Chapter did this fall was to get incorporated. This puts it on a sound bus­iness basis and gives more freedom for our outside dealings. 

Thus far our meetings have been marked with good lively discussions. The chapter pledged a number of men as soon as they could be passed upon so that they might be initiated into the: fraternity as soon as possible and get the Sigma Tau spirit and help push the good work along the remainder of the year.

C. F. Zeigler (C. E.) and M. A. Durlaud (E. E.) were initiated­ on: October 3; M. H. Russell (E. E.), I. O. Mall (M. E.), R. S, Kirk (E. E.), R. A. Van Trine (E. E.), L. G. Hudson (Ar­chitect), and H. J. Helemcamp (Milling), initiated October 31.

The resolution adopted at the conclave of having the pledges go to all the members of Sigma Tau in college, active, honorary and alumni, and secure their signatures, was put into effect this fall with very satisfactory results. A short informal chat white alone with the individual gives a better acquaintance than any mixer ever does, and one will remember the man enough to know him at the next meeting. Freshmen members are required to learn the obligations so that they can repeat them at any time if called upon to do so.

Brother W. A. Buck is one of our active alumni members and is of great assistance to the chapter with the knowledge gained from his long connection with the Fraternity. Brother Stanley Smith also an alumni and editor of the Pyramid at­tends our meetings often and gives views from the faculty side of the engineering division.

There are now eighteen active members in the Epsilon Chapter and several more good men are under consideration;

C. C. .Brown, 

Historian

The Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Tau has been working quietly this winter term and although it has not done much which stands out distinctly, yet the engineering faculty and Sigma Tau have co-operated in pushing the good things of the engineering division. Every member is an enthusiastic worker for the fraternity and for everything for which it stands.

At present, we have a good, strong bunch of twenty-three active members. The following have been initiated into the fraternity since the last issue of the Pyramid. T. G. Tubbs, E. E., December 5, 1916; C. A. Frankenhoff, M. E., February 20; T. G. Alfred, E. E., and J. C. Puckett, E. E., March 20; H. T. Dunham, C. E. April 17, 1917.

We were very sorry to have Brother Whitcomb leave us this spring. His health would not permit him to stay in college for a while but we hope that he will be back next fall stronger than ever.

The chapter is at present putting all its energy into making a good showing on Engineers' Day, which is to be May 1.

An improptu lunch was given April 12, in honor of ex-Grand President Chase, who spent a few hours at K. S. A. C. on that date.

The chapter will give its annual banquet on May 12, which is the fifth anniversary of Sigma Tau at K. S. A. C., and it has been decided that hereafter this annual affair will be given on that date.

C. C. Brown,

Historian.

Since the last issue of the Pyramid, Epsilon Chapter has changed considerably. Nine of our members left us at the end of school in June to "shift for themselves" and their absence was decidedly felt by those remaining this fall, but we are now past this critical first period and have learned to assume some of the duties they left to us.

The present officers of the chapter are: President, I. O. Mall; Vice Pres., M. A. Durland; Secretary, M. H. Rusell; Treasurer, C. A. Frankenhoff; Cor. Sec'y., R. A. Van Trine; Historian, L. G. Alford.

At the beginning of College in September, the chapter started with ten active members and plans were immediately made for obtaining new brothers. A "Mixer" was held at the Sigma Tau room for the purpose of getting better acquainted with the "possible eligibles"; later, these men were voted upon, and as a result the following men were pledged:

• J. S. Painter, (EE-19)

• G. W. McCracken, (EE-19)

• L. N. Miller, (EE-18)

• O. R. Miller, (EE-18)

• H. F. Laubert, (Architect-19)

• G. W. Hamilton, (ME-19)

• M. G. Schults, (EE-19)

• W. E. Dickerson, (Milling-19)

• S. P. Hunt, (ME-19)

Also, K. J. T. Ekblaw, of the Department of Farm Machinery; Prof. C. E. Pearce, of the Applied Mechanics Department; Prof. C. E. Baker, of the Department of Architecture; and Asst. Prof. F. F. Frazier of the Civil Engineering Department, were pledged as honorary members.

We are well represented in Government service by several of our members: Lieutenant W. A. Buck is a paymaster in the Navy. Lieutenant H. A. Dunham is with the Quartermasters Corps at Camp Funston, Kansas. Also, T. K. Vincent and others are in the various branches of government work.

We are also well represented in college activities: Brothers Dickerson, Frankenhoff and Van Trine being owners of Athletic "K's", Brothers Mall and Frankenhoff being on the College Annual Staff, and Sigma Tau's holding the majority of offices in the engineering societies as well as being active in most all other college organizations.

Our scholarship has not been neglected either, for our ranking among all the college organizations for last year was third place among forty.

Our efficiency as an organization is also strengthened by having as alumni members Brother S. A. Smith and H. H. Fenton, who are well acquainted with Sigma Tau standards thru the grand council. However, Brother F. A. Wirt has left us to engage in commercial business.

At this time Epsilon Chapter has eighteen active members and twelve honorary members. We have several good ideas for the chapter to work upon and, on the whole, things are going fine. We look forward to increased activity for the advancement of our Alma Mater and of Sigma Tau.

L. G. Alford,

Historian.

Since our last report, Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Tau, as well as all other organizations of this college , has been rather affected by the general unrest due to the war situation. At first a good many of the men were worried as to whether or not they would be allowed to finish school before being drafted, but the Engineer's Reserve made all of Sigma Tau members sure they would be allowed to finish. We have eight members in the Engineer's Reserve, two in the Naval Reserve and nine belong to neither since they have not been required to register.

That the chapter has kept up its scholastic record is evidenced by the fact the Brothers Durland, Russell and Hudson have recently been elected to the national honorary fraternity of Phi Kappa Phi. Also, the general average of the fraternity among other organizations, has increased.

Our president, Brother Mall, who was just recently married, is enlisted in the aviation section of the Navy and expects to be called to service immediately upon finishing school this spring. Brother Dickerson left us at the end of the semester, to enter the Marine Corps of the United States. Prof. R. A. Seaton, who is a charter honorary member of Epsilon Chapter, left us in April to accept a commission as Captain of Ordinance at Washington, D. C. Dean A. A. Potter has recently been appointed by the war department to be head of a department for extending Engineering Education.

Several times of late the chapter has been favored by treats given by men who have lost their Sigma Tau jewelry. The habit seems to be quite catching, for we will have several more treats in view.

Mr. E. T. Williamson E. E. ('19) was initiated on April 23. He expects to work during the summer for the G. E. Co. at Schenectady. Several more of the men, especially the seniors are figuring on going to the G. E. Co.

The following men are to be the chapter officers for the coming school year:

President.........................Gordon Hamilton

Vice President................ J. S. Painter

Secretary......................... E. T. Williamson

Cor. Secretary................. S. P. Hunt

Treasurer......................... H. F. Laubert

Historian......................... G. W. McCracken

Guide............................... E. G. Schultz

At present we are planning to entertain the prospective eligible sophomores with a party. There are quite a few good men in the Sophomore class who, we feel sure, will make excellent members of this fraternity and take the places of those of us who are leaving this year.

L. G. Alford,

Historian.