/ The Vol. 1 Athletic Association Organized. Fully At the second mass meeting of the students on October 13th the Athletic Association was fully. organized. Complete equipment for a foot ball team has been ordered from the Spauld­ ing house in Buffalo. The athletic as­ sociation has warranted this expenditure and it is understood that all expenses are to be defrayed by popular sub­ scription. Some valuable time has been lost but there is yet a good outlook for a foot ball season of considerable in­ terest. Inter-class games will be arranged, and it is hoped that much enthusiasm may be called forth. Per­ haps there is no more valuable aspect of school athletics than this goodnatured rivalry between the classes. It insures the participation of ^ large number of the students and is free from many of the abuses that seem inevitable game scheduled u with the team of the local high school. It is to be played on Tuesday afternoon on the Normal field. The Athletic Association urges every student to be present and to bring his ability to yell with him. The line up will probably be as follows: High School E. S. N. S. Leach................... R. T....................Kline Obert....................R. G................. Skelton Quick.................... R. E.................Skelton Johnson. . ................ C.................. Colvin Williams }..Q. B. . .Deamer Congdon Rickenbrode. . . .L. G.......... Hollebreck Welker................L. T.................... Doing Urban................... L. E.................... Davis Caulki'ns.........R. H. B.................. Sipps Scott............... L. H. B..............Dundon Rough.................... F. B..............Wheeler The Corn Roast. No cnstoih of the fall term has a better standing among the students than the annual corn roast. This welcome event was held on Saturday evening, September 30. Mr. Dundon, the popular steward, was host on this occasion and filled that role to the satisfaction of all. The combination of the nimble air of autumn, a perfect night sky and a roaring fire— well, all that human skill could add to these glories was green corn. And green corn there was in abundance. The occasion was most pleasant in other respects apart from the ever de­ lightful aspect of “eats.” Songs, yells and good talk rounded out the evening. I( was such a froliO as makes for a better EDINBORO SPIRIT. SATURDAY, OCTOljER 14, 1011 The Point of View. Rod Montaville Flowers. Welcome Extended Student Body. are two accounts of -nnr^T. rhr - TV , ^ same event. One is written .Therefim.^^-iveteomethe Middler. the other by a Junior The i ^J Lecture Course on Monday evenfaculty was held Saturday -^eningr Birch Rod offers a liberal reward to the ' ® ^ept. 17th, in the gymnasium. This person who can detectthe authorship of Z repu ation on the lecture platform. reception is given at the beginning of either production. No production of any kind in years has the fall term in order that the new * caused the stir and comment in the students maybecome acquainted with Number 1. lyceum world which is created by Mr. each other and with the members of the On October seventh the members of Flower’s Hamlet. He has found in faculty. The attendance this year was. the Junior class, each provided with a —great drama a new and extremely unusually large, a number of thesmall bottle of milk and soda crackers, message. He presents the essential alumni being present. They spoke of gathered at the postoffice. From that the art of a the increased attendance since they place they were conducted, unde’ / “aster, explains and interprets them, were students at Northwestern Statewatchful care of Miss Ayres ar meets and answers the questions and Normal and they sincerely hoped this Siddell, to Green Point wherbN,^| difficulties, and drives home a moral would continue. The older students were all cautioned to keep well awav ^ He has took great care to introduce the new from the water. The early hours this great masterpiece perfectly students and soon each one began to■ the evening were spent in romping over clear, interesting and attractive for the feel as though he was among friends, the green. At eight o’clock theywer£ masses—and provided an evening’s not strangers. brought back to the school. The even ^ entertainment oVn intellectual and Principal Baker spoke a few words of ing was so pleasant that but three mem^ \, welcome to all. He was pleased withi bers of the class fell asleep befcrf ------------ the manner in whicheachonehadbeseven o’clock and several cried when i An Assembly Room gun his work and he hoped a strong; was time to go home. ^ ‘school spirit” would be developed. '' ""** ‘—i'■ -ar:^, ^ ‘ ^ I I ^^-^iss Houser’s reading, “The Judgc The Junior class held its first out>.g lo^g^forward to a beUe^^olTi^ H^^vlr - on October 7th. The scene of the\ If any one thing has stood in the way hope at some future time she will re­ elaborate festival was the rollini of their enjoying the excellent hall peat “My Symphony” for us The merg'd S other numbers on the program were men and ladies of the class spent! the absence of a commons room. Such a equally entertaining. They were as. happy evening in conversation, anjf new room is to occupy some space on follows* participated in sumptuous rerfeshmentu the first floor. It is to be a good place Solo—Mr. Gleason that had been prepared by a skille? for the after dinner song and the talk Reading___Mrs. Walk. caterer. Miss Ayres and Mr. SiddeH that ever appears when students come Quartette—Miss Thomas Miss Pnwpir who were the guests of the evening together. Mr GlTason declared the occasion most deli^htful| The residents of Reeder Hall, through Duet-Mi’ss Thomas, Mr. Gleason. : * the principal, presented a plea to the Class Officers. trustees for this privilege. The trustees Out of heated campaigns, some voti readily assented and soon it is expected The Open Shelf System, selling and much political confusiou rooms will be in comthe following class officers have coma mission. Just what they may come to The Open Shelf System has beem from chaos to lead the way for their school can only recently adopted in our library, giving respective henchmen. i’® imagined. The Birch Rod anticigreater access to the twelve thousand . pates that the assembly room with its Looks and the one hundred periodicals,; Senior. comfortable chairs and good reading including newspapers. President . ........................... V. A. Snapp vt^ill be one of the centers of interest When the question of open shelves Vice President..............Florence Russell about the old normal. was brought up at the International Secretary. .Mabel '___________ Congress of 1871 the chief objection Treasurer................Claud Whiftenberger Tennis increased loss and Editor of Vita.................... Cyrus Quick ' mutilation of books that would be "sure Assistant Editor. ...... .GlennieGrant The tennis courts of the school are to follow, and here today lies the crux Middle Year. attracting a great deal of attention. of the whole matter. If the losses are More interest has been shown for tennis greater, what do we lose by them? President ;,••••••• this term than in the past years. The There are two sides to this, the financial Vice President. .. .Lillian Christenson indications are that the game ought to and the moral. The financial was ........................ ...Nina Swift become one of the popular sports of the formerly more considered than it is Treasurer. . . ........................... John Scott school- Next fall there ought to be at „ow. for two resaons. First, it now apJunior. least two good teams to represent the pears that the money losses are seldom President.............................Paul Harvey ®eLpol in tennis contests. great; second, bceause it is coming to Vice President.. .Mildred Williamson Secretary........................ .Ester Averill Treasurer.................... .Silvan Hilliard The class of 1911 has twenty members engaged, in teaching work in Warren county. B th W be recognized that a heavy moneyless ^ ® is less serious than the moral responsiAny remarks in the editorial column bility of fostering crime in a comin regard to subscribing to this paper munity. apply to all persons. Don’t let the The open shelf system aims to make fact of your being a faculty member or ----------------- -------------------------------- -® trustee deter you from a real joy. Continued on Page Fouv ■ ■ ■. -f. Page Two THE 3IRCH ROD THE BIRCH ROD A fortnightly newspaper edited by the students of The Northwestern State Normal School, and published at the printing shop of the Edinboro Independent. TERMS The newspaper will be supplied for the school year, (fifteen numbers for 1911-1912) for the sum of fifty cents, or five cents the copy. The paper is entered as second class mail matter at the Postoffice at Edinboro. EDITORIAL STAFF Editer-in-Chief Associate Editor Literary Editor Athletic Editor Exchange Editor Alumni Editor Class Editor Manager Publisher THE - F. L. La bounty LEE H. ABBEY, ’12 LILLIAN CRISTENSON, ’13 CHA^ CAULKINS, ’12^ - MARIAN R. JUDD, ’13 - MARY A. AGNEW, ’13 CHAS. SCOTT, ’13 J, BLAINE WILLIAMS, ’13 EDINBOROINDEPENDENT The Birch Rod. The Birch Rod purposes to be a news­ paper. In it it is hoped that the students and their friends will find something of a chronicle of the events of the daily life in the Northwestern State Normal School. In no sense will it be a literary journal. There will be no flourishes about it. What little it has to say will be said simply and, we hope, clearly. The name seems appropriate for the paper of a teachers’ training school. In earlier times the schoolmaster’s most vigorous ideas found expression in the birch rod. When the teacher was tremendously iri earnest and fp ^ not j»an«- to ' pres^2*°1fiimself by this traditional ' symbol of his dominion. So it is that the amateur teachers, the students, at Edinboro expect that the Birch Rod will be public demonstrator of their genuine ideas and emotions. This paper, then, is the students’ paper. It will reflect students’ thought. Nothing in it is to ibe construed as the expression of the faculty unless so designated. It ex­ pects, in the main, to be at peace with ;all men. If occasion should arise, however, the editors expect that their work shall be worthy of the time “honored sentiment embodied in the - name of their publication. The Alumni and the Birch Rod. material for poets. From these notable facts we infer that students should have some peculiar method of vocali­ zation. One quaint philosopher puts it thus: “He that bloweth not his own horn, his horn shall not be blown."" So the editors of The Birch Rod urge upon the students the need of new yells and songs. Some things are best ex­ pressed by a good student yell; there is a sense of finish to a ‘ ‘gingery ’ ’ school yell. Song on the other hand soothes the soul, fosters spirit and makethglad the heart of man. May we have manj? new yells and songs. ' The Editor. Our Advertisers. Those who have advertised in The Birch Rod have been generous. They have simply opened their pncket-books and given the paper money, as the ad­ vertising value of such a school paper is not a matter of dollars and cents. Of our readers we make the request that they read the advertisements and make a business of buying of those who have supported us. When you buy say, “Mr. Merchant, you gave us a lift on our paper, I shall help your business all I ‘ If the students will do this they will help make the prosperity of their paper more certain. A student editor of this paper will be elected as soon as enough material has Book Room Notes. been presented to form the basis of an Mr. Gleason, of the faculty, is in accurate judgment of worth. Until that* charge of the book room for the current time it has fallen to the lot of a mem­ year. He is ably assisted by Messrs. ber of the faculty to direct the fortunes- Marsh and Snapp. of The Birch Rod. It is to be understood On account of the need of more room that he does so with the distinct under- ^ -for the Model School, the book room standing that he is not acting in the ; /“has been moved to Commercial Hall. capacity of a member of the teaching ®f’tudents are requested to make a deposit force. As editor he will play the role ^us ^ ^eir books at the beginning of each of student, and. so have the righto^ term, for which they receive a receipt, saying many things that woul(J-^j)6""(m- When books ate returned they receive becoming to a faculty^^.'ember. In the deposit with rental deducted, other words the ^m^^pbrary editor i^/«^£f*urcha8es under 25c are not charged on responsible to no^'ghe except the adver- books, tisers and thei^ jjjterests.____________________ Every Young Man And Young Woman Can be fitted here with shoes to meet every re­ quirement. OUR PRICES will continue to be as low as the high standard of our shoes will allow. OUR STORE SERVICE as to perfect fit and special attention is yours. Shoes from $3 to $6 T rost Lacey Home of Good Shoes Fifty Cents. (Seldom it is that only a small sum h»~ij mil ----- T f liilrtfW and his neart’s desire. Such is the case at Edinboro at this time. For that sum any student, regardless of family, political views, or church afliiliation may become a subscriber to The Birch Rod. Life without this publicaton will be dull, stale and un­ profitable indeed; with it life will know a solace for every grief and a balm for every wound. Confidentally the manager says that the supply of papers printed is limited. Any student who wants to be sure of the paper will do well to see that he is enrolled at once or he may have to suffer the shame of reading the paper over his neighbor’s shoulder. Chapel Singing. Next to serving the students in the Speaking of singing recalls Mr. way of giving a transcript of student Baker’s request that chapel singing be life, the Birch Rod will endeavor to made an event. Good rousing singing ^serve the Alumni. The pages of the -Will—jneaJL-^evftiything that paper -ate open ^tt-any^trtire-to those who suggests. All that detracts from the ■have attended school in Edinboro in chapel songs is the occasional lack of learlier years. We hope many of the volume. The school body is large yAlumni wiU become regular subenough to make the old room ring. «cribers. It would seem that a fort­ We do it sometimes; let’s do it every nightly publication need not be un­ welcome to those who know the Edin­ time. boro Normal school and care for her. Our Enemies. The receipt of fifty cents from any We may naturally expect that The alumnus will be convincing proof of Birch Rod will fall into the hands of his abiding loyalty. those who will not like it. We shall endeavor to make the paper bad enough Songs and Yells. for these, our enemies, that they will A cat fight conducted without sound take pleasure in marking its flaws. Is a failure. Dogs in their misunder­ There is a very genuine delight in standings make noises in order to insure quarrelling with the thing which we do an audience. The yell of the Rebel not like. We hope to be able to make •cavalry made battle interesting. The The Birch Rod unlikable enough to be battle cry of antiquity at least made a source of joy even to its enemies. J GROCERIES CANDIES STATIONERY BAKED GOODS Prices right and goods right EDINBORO, PA. 'He laughs best who laughs last” heiiKMie>t>u tkiure iL out. the more>ou smile. ferKingQua.|i^ Shoes sd\e>ou much cold c&shr ejid the maji who sawes wld caish has IbeLastJyajigl Sold Onl]) bi^ H. G. GILLASPIE EDINBORO, PA. Is Your Carving Set a Pride or an Eyesore ? All Meridan Brand Carving Sets are handsome. That is, their looks are in keeping with their quality. The best steel for the purpose is shaped and tempered, forged and ground by men whose life work has been to do these things well. Many of them are sons and grandsons of former Meridan workmen. The stag handles are real stag, of fast color, and so frmly put on that they can be removed only by prolonged boil­ ing. The fittings are exactly as they purport to be, and the silver plate is thick enough to stand a lifetime of wear and take deep engravings. - Evrry^erhlarrBrzmd Carving-Set; tcr^ pa.ss inspection, must be good enough to make you, the most particular of house­ keepers, proud of it as an owner as we, the most particular of manufacturers, are proud of it as makers. Send for booklet, “Carvers and Carving’’ It is filled with useful information about the best way of carving all sorts of viands and the proper treatment of cut­ lery. Better than a Gillette. Palace Hardware House SHAVED WHILE YOU WAIT ERIE, PA. Shreve, the Barber THE BIRCH ROD Page Three + Literary Societies. The Philo Everett Literary Society. This society was organized on August 22, 1864, by a few students. From that time it prospered and is now one of the best. It meets once a week in Philo Hall, the purpose being to develop literary talents. At the beginning of this fall term, 1911, twenty members were ready to begin their wo^k for the year. But by their earnest efforts our number has increased to thirty eight, the majority of whom are Seniors. And we hope within a short time to increase our number to fifty. The society is composed of good members who are endeavoring to make it the best. Our program which consists of essays, orations, debates, recitations, readings, impromptu, speeches and musical selections are interesting and profitable. Our aim is to enable the members to express their ideas before nn audience. The following is the program for Oct. 14. ’ll: Quotations from Lomellow. Essay............. ................. Therese Spacht Reading...........................Helen Loomis ■Continued Story Chapter II ............................... Minnie Pierson Piano Duet. Misses Mills and Richardson Select Reading..................Jennie Perry Song by Society Debate:—Resolved, that children under fourteen years of age should be .. Jffljj^]i^^ed_frorn_wrnjdj£g_iii factories. Affirmative, Norris McQuiston, Silvan Hilliard; negative, Mont Hanna, Vincent Hayes. Impromptu........................... Harry Taylor A cordial welcome is extended to all. FLORA McDaniel, Sec. Clionian Literary Society. Motto: - Adorn the mind; colors, blue und white. This society has twentyeight members at present. The specific aim is to acquire readiness in public speaking. The following is the program for Oct. 23, ’ll: Devotional Exercises............. Mr. Snapp Roll call answered by quotations from Booker T. Washington. Oration on Noted Indian Chiefs ...................................... Mr. Harvey Oornet Solo................. __.Mr. Howland Debate;—Resolved, that the white man has done more for the negro than he has for the Indian. Affirmative, ' "Miss Martha Sayre, Miss Cora Durfee; negative, Mr. Frank McEntire, Mr. Fay Daley. President................Mr. Frank McEntire ' Vice President.............. Miss Edith Cook ■Secretary....................... Miss Cora Durfee Treasurer.................. Miss Martha Sayre make it- belter than it has ever been before. The program for Saturday, October 14. is as follows: Opening exercises. Roll call answered by quotations from the faculty. Vocal Solo....................... Mary Crossman Reading........................................AdalineKelley Vocal Solo................................. Ora Kopf Debate—Resolved, That woman suffrage should be adopted in the United States. Affirmative. Alice Woods, Lillian Wiard; negative, Charles Kough, Forest Knapp. Violin Solo.................................... GroverCongdon Impromptu Speeches—Knight Smith, Morley Leach. for poung men embodp everpVocal Duet—Mrs. Etha Burdick, Nina thing new thafs good. Swift. Piano Solo. ..................... Leah Crandall Young Men Want Snappp Shoes Howard &, Foster Shoes Alumni Notes. The officers of the General Alumni Association as elected in the meeting of last June were as follows: President, Fred P. Stafford, 1893; vice president, Ned H. Goodell, 1891; secretary, Harry L. Cooper, 1890; treasurer. Miss Alice Hanson, 1895. Victor Bigler, Ex. ’12, is engaged with the State Highway Department. He is at present located at Meadville. The president of the Warren County Alumni Association is Harry Weaver of the class of 1911. At the last some fifty members were present. It is said that the Old Home V/eek of last spring has done much to crystalize Edinboro Spirit. Several hundred alumni registered as visitors during the week; many were present who failed to register. Hereafter much more extended notes from the Alumni are desired for The Birch Rod. Miss Nina McKrell Is readg to supplg the latest styles in The first meeting of the Potter Literary '.Sociey this term was held in Potter Hall on September 18. There were only thirteen members present, but the society has grown very rapidly this term and its present membership is thirtyTCight. The Potter Society is the ■oldest society of the school, and has always had the reputation of doing :good work. Our aim this year is to Rates $1.50 per dap. Restaurant in connection. Centraiip iocated. Ail students welcome. Open Evenings A. H. HANSON ing Store The very latest styles are seen first at this store. Also the prices are the lowest. j------------- PENNANTS From the small paper one^ to large felt pennants 6 feet long. Specialties in READY-TO-WEAR COATS, SUITS EURS, SWEATERS, WAISTS, Suit case pennants two for 5c. Felt pennants 25c to $1.25. The Cole Store Carriages and Harness GO TO Erie’s Fastest Grow­ ERIE, PA. EDINBORO, PA. FOR NORMAN CO. 924 State Landing near Keystone Mills E. J. Swanson, Prop. Potter Literary Society. MAJESTIC SHOE SHOP Dundon’s Boat Livery Edinboro Hotel OSBORNE- $3.50 to $5 MILLINERY Best Boats on Lake ERIE, PA. W. B. COLE, “99" GLOVES OSBORNENORMAN CO. 1024-26-28 State Street Cor. 11th and State 'ERIE, PA. THE ;;1RCH Page Four JOHN DOING Everyth!ne in GROCERIES FRESH OUR BAKING BY OWN BAKER F. F. WALKER SELLS Sealshipt Opsters And the Choicest of Meats C. K. HENRY Will mend any watch that is mendable. He will also sell ROD The Open Shelf System. Continued from Page One the library the grand rendezvous of the Normal for the teacher and the pupil. This cannot be done with meagre collection of books, indiscrimi­ nately selected, with an unsuitable apartment. The open shelf system arrangement is easy and attractive. All books used for reference are kept in open cases in the central portion of the library always free and accessible to any one. The general catalogue _sf-the4tv5E»y~ is on cards, complete and always up to date: author, subject and title are arranged in alphabetic order. So the student has an opportunity to study classification of books and acquire knowledge at the cases. The use of a catalogue suggests the importance of an index. All that class of books whose titles are so general that they do not suggest the nature of the contents, require an index. This is true not only of periodical literature but of collections of essays on miscellaneous subjects. The intimate personal acquaintance and natural influence of a teacher will enable him to do what the public librarian could not do, he may urge the use of good books where the tendency is toward worthless ones. He may direct the student so that the freedom of the cases shall not lead to the dissipating The largest and finest equipped clothing store between New York and Chicago. Young Men’s Clothes that will guarantee your pres­ ence at the 7:45 class. How about the hat pin or belt buckle for her Christmas? Steadman’s Dry Goods Store Is readg to care for the most "^acting student needs. The Little White Store on the corner is conducted bi; Miss Proud It is a good place for Edinboro Students. bui .at of reguib. and systematic work. The results of the open shelf system are shown, after twelve years of etperience, by new discussion of tie problem as to whether any shelves m the libraries ought to be closed. Tie policy of having no shelves open to anybody is now dead, if it ever wis alive. The policy of having sone shelves open to all, and all shelves open to some is generally adopted; tie question of having all shelves free to all is the only open question. It is realized in these days that the handlipg of many books is an important part of polite education, and how to manage it best is the problem. In the smaller libraries the undergraduate is often given free run of the whole collection, except a few rarities and reserved books. C. M. NEGUS. rpHE BOSTON STORE has been a factor in this locality for more than a quarter of a centurp, and it has, through strict and con­ scientious business princi­ ples, grown to be the largest department store in North­ western Pennsplvania. For the convenience of out of town shoppers we have provided manp innovatiors such as Bureau of In­ formation,^ Rest Rooms in basement- and ^n Mlerp, and a Dining Room, which was primarilp instituted for the benefit of our out of town customers, and which has come to be the best res­ taurant in or around Erie. Copyriglit 1911 The House of KuppenhomoC Chicaso The latest fashion crea­ tions from the most fa­ mous clothes makers in the world at attractivelp low prices. ---- EjccliSnle^ Like our own, most school papers are not organized during the first school month. At this time we have received only a few papers. We have on our exchange table the following: The Oberlin Review. The School Journal (Public Schools of Grove City.) The Courier (College of Music, Cin­ cinnati.) “The Oberlin Review” is a college newspaper, published weekly. All the affairs of the academy, conservatory and college are discussed. The pleasant social life of Oberlin and the great amount of work accomplished are very noticeable. Store We are indeed glad to merit the patronage of cus­ tomers in towns adjacent to Erie, and hope our out of town friends will alwaps look upon this as their home store. you An Alarm Clock Greater Erie’s Greater Store ^Boston SEE OUR WINDOWS Isaac Baker & Son We claim supremacp in the merchandise line, as we are alwaps on the alert that no one undersells us or of­ fers better selections than we do. We trust that pour pur­ chases in this store are almdU§ entirejp satisfactorp^ If otherwise we would thank pou to report the same so that we map rectifp anp er­ rors which might creep into a business the size of this. . Erie Dry Goods Go. and State Streets ERIE, PA. State St., Erie, Pa.