CHICAGO ASSOCIATION
The annual banquet of the Dartmouth Alumni Association of Chicago took place at the college room of the University Club, January 17, 1913. It was the greatest affair in the history of the Association, both in enthusiasm and in numbers, there being one hundred and twenty in attendance. In the announcement for the meeting by the executive committee was the following: "In response to a loud and prolonged wail for somethingdifferent, your committee deems advisable to instruct the prospective guests that dress suitswill not be tolerated, at this dinner. We have dress suits and we have shown them. Now let's be comfortable and have a genuine Dartmouth night." With only a very few exceptions these instructions were carried out, and it was a grand occasion. As of late years the singing was a notable feature of the affair. It was led with vim, vigor, and victory by C. H. Hathaway '07, and was ably seconded by a quartette consisting of C. H. Hathaway '07, J. J. Burtch '06, Guy Abbott '02, and E. D. Martin '09. It was good to listen to the room full of enthusiastic alumni singing college songs. George M. Morris '11 assumed the position of cheer-leader, and he certainly did it to the queen's taste.
Wm. H. Gardiner '76, as chairman of the nominating committee, proposed the following list of officers for the ensuing year, and they were unanimously elected: President, Walter E. McCornack '97: vice-president, Howard C. Rumery '95; secretary and treasurer, Eugene M. Prentice '08; executive committee, C. H. Hathaway '07, W. D. Blatner '05, E. R. Palmer '10, E. D. Buell '98, W. C. Agry. '11; delegates from Illinois as members of the General Alumni Council, W. E. McCornack '97. W. T. Abbott '90, R. L. Burnap '94.
Among the incidents of the evening was a cup offered by the class of 1911 to be presented annually to the class having the largest percentage of attendance at the annual banket It was claimed for the class of 1861 by E. D. Redington, who represented 100 per cent The class of 1911 had twelve of its members present at this gathering.
The three members of the class of 1875 present. George A. Butler, Jarvis Dinsmoor and Quincy A. Myers, had all not met together for thirty-seven years, and they certainly had a fine time. At the close of the fathering Hathaway '07 paid a very fine tribute to Hayt 78, for the very faithful and unselfish manner in which he had fulfilled his duties as president of the Association this past year. Hathaway spoke to President Nichols of the increased admiration in which he was held by the alumni and students.
A member of the class of 1911 impersonated Daniel Webster, and made a splendid paraphrase of Webster's speech on the "Union". by weaving into it the good qualities of Dartmouth.
At the close of the dinner, the president of the Association. Walter V. Hayt '78, introduced the guest of the Association, Ernest Fox Nichols, the president of the College. In his introductory remarks, President Hayt told President Nichols the kind of men the College should send to Chicago to fit into the life here, and what Chicago would teach them after they reached here.
President Nichols was greeted with longcontinued applause and wild cheers. His talk was listened to with rapt attention, and not a man left his seat or made a sound during the whole of the address. It is impossible to give in detail every word of the president's address, but the following is an outline of what was said: Two new dormitories have been built during the year; Wentworth Hall renovated for the purpose of recitation rooms; Rollins Chapel enlarged without destroying its beauty. The use of the Hitchcock estate of forty-seven acres to help college property. The number of students in the College, thirty more than last year. The proposed Robinson Hall to be located on the site of the Bank and Sanborn Hall, to be used for student organizations other than athletic. Plans for housing members of the faculty. Proposed new bridge over the Connecticut reaching the town byway of the Hitchcock estate. A new and artistic railroad station at Norwich, Vt. When he took charge he saw two especial needs of the College—first, increased salaries of the faculty, which has been partly accomplished; second, a new library. He made a special strong appeal for the latter and a fund to purchase books for same. Cramped quarters for department of chemistry, so it cannot be used as it ought. Need of addition to biological laboratory. Social conditions in the College. The advisory system resulting in great good and making warm friendships between students and faculty, and same thing being accomplished by the Outing Club. The frater- nity problem and the new plans for chinning and pledging. Considered every alumnus an outpost for the College. Kind of men Dartmouth is looking for. Right to enter and right to remain at College. Certificates and examinations as requisites for entering. Earnestness of purpose on part of student. Student will not fail because of poor fit: it is how he uses his time. If student does not take interest in curriculum, College will have to part with him. Conditions necessary to reinstatement for those who fail. The College not seeking for a larger number of students, but for men who are mentally ambitious. Wants the cream of the students of the various schools in the United States. Dartmouth is in the nature of an investment corporation. Wants that investment in students.
Then followed an interesting vaudeville stunt by "Happy" Wayman '06 and "Ike" Maynard '05, which put all present in a very jolly frame of mind:
Dean Walter T. Sumner '98 gave a talk on "Vocational Schools," in which he commended the technical schools of Chicago. W. E. McCornack made a few brief remarks on athletics, and this was enlarged upon by R. L. Burnap '94. Burnap called attention to a book recently published, entitled DartmouthOut O' Doors. Professor Moore, University of Chicago, a Yale graduate, spoke of the enthusiasm of Dartmouth men for their college. and mentioned reasons for sending men to Dartmouth. Judge Quincy A. Myers '75 spoke on the professional side of Dartmouth men. Jarvis Dinsmoor '75, recalled early days of Chicago Alumni Association.
