September 27, 1917

At the beginning of the school year, when it became known that the annual hair-clipping festivity had been postponed indefinitely, there was a feeling of general regret, for it almost seemed that the shearing of the Freshmen had become a part of the institution. During the first few days, the campus was but a dim memory of formrer years. No rough and tumble scraps to decide if crops of hair were to be or not to be; no missing of dessert in mess hall, when things became lively outside during meal; no shining domes in evidence’ no yells for help or clippers. Instead of all was calm and peaceful.

But there was something in the air, something that decree that such a state could not long exist. The something began to materialize on Wednesday evening, when the South Hall Freshmen discovered that their beds had been, what is technically known as ‘dumped.”” The conclusion was of course, that the Sophomores were the guilty parties, and at once a search was made for the originators of the deed. This being barren of results it was decided that any Sophomores might do, and so the searching party made their way to the lawn in front of Arizona Hall, and made their wised known the toe crowd of upper classmen and Sophomores who soon collected.

As there was no direct evidence, and the Freshmen were several times a numrous as the Sophomores, the upper classmen suggested that if any scrapping was to be done, they would like to be included. This not being favorably received, there was much discussion, during which some of the Freshmen made bold to remark that “”Yes sir, we can clean up on the whole school.”” After more talk, the crowd broke up, and at once plans were laid to allow the Freshmen to give a practical demonstration of their “”cleaning”” ability. The plans were, that the following evening, the Sophomores were to tackle and tie up what Freshmen they could find outside of South Hall and the noise of battle should bring out the rest of them. Then, if the “”Sophs”” could handle the situation, well and good, otherwise the Juniors would jump in, and the Seniors were to be on deck to see that the rules of the game were followed. Another part of the evening’s entertainment was to be green paint, skillfully applied, but of that we will speak later.

Everything went off as per schedule. At the first calls for help, the Freshmen swarmed from their dormitory, and at once it became evident that the “”Sophs”” were hopelessly outnumbered, so with a yell the Juniors were on the scene. It was a typical scrap; hard on the Freshmen perhaps, but the experience was find, for the learned a great deal concerning the “”scissors,”” hammerlock,”” and other wrestling holds. But even then, the Freshmen were so numerous, that it was some time before they were all tied.

After that the rest was easy. They were lined up, and with the “”Sophs”” as shampoo artists, green paint was applied in copious quantities to their heads. Gentle reader, did you ever have your hair filled with nice, sticky paint and running down your face and neck in little streaks? Take it from the Freshmen, they are pleasant sensations.

But you will have to concede to the Freshmen that they are good sports, and are certainly game. At the first of the scrap some of them managed to get back to the dormitory in safety, but they all came back knowing what the result would be.

So now, the Freshmen have been initiated into college life. No one was hurt, and even paint will wear off in time. With the burial of the hatchet, class differences and personal grudges should be forgotten and all should get busy and put in the best they have for a Gerater Arizona.