ANNUAL MEETING OF THE DARTMOUTH SECRETARIES ASSOCIATION

The fourteenth annual meeting of the Secretaries Association was held in Hanover on March 15 and 16. The rollcall showed representatives from sixty classes and alumni associations. Of the more recent classes a larger proportion than usual held proxies for the regular representative, who, in a number of cases, was in active war service. Immediately after the roll-call the president of the association, W. C. Hill '02, appointed the following committees:

Nominations: Dana M. Dustan '80, David M. Blakely '89, Richard Parkhurst '16. Resolutions: William M. Hatch '86, C. D. Adams '77, and A. L. Priddy '15.

After the appointment of committees E. F. Clark 'Ol reported on the editorial policy of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE. He referred to the attempt that was being made in these war times as in normal times to reflect the varied activities of the alumni and showed how the secretaries could be of assistance in keeping this military record up to date and complete.

W. R. Gray '04 reported on the finances of the MAGAZINE. The subscription list as presented showed a net gain of fifty-five names, making a total of 1183 subscribers. The receipts showed a total sum the same as for the previous year but with a gratifying increase of advertising revenue owing largely to the work of the Executive Committee of the Association. Among the disbursements the only item showing a marked change was that for printing and mailing.

After these reports had been accepted by the meeting the chairman called upon C. H. Donahue '99, who spoke on "Class Reports of the Year." In his usual witty vein Mr. Donahue discussed the seventeen class reports that have appeared in the last year. All of them were good and had each its special points of merit though the speaker dwelt especially on the reports of '66 and 1910. From the latter report numerous quotations were made to show the human interest that the right type of letter can contain. The reports of the year show a great improvement over those of any preceding year. The 2300 Dartmouth alumni in classes represented by these reports are getting into intimate touch with the College and each other. The closing sentence might be taken as a motto by class secretaries: "Any class report is a good report."

The next speaker was Dr. D. N. Blakely '89 on the subject of "The Second Generation." The title refers to the sons of Dartmouth men, Dr. Blakely having investigated the question as to whether these boys were coming to Dartmouth in as large numbers as might be expected. The general conclusion reached was that the showing was very creditable but that there was still chance for work by the secretaries. He read several letters from parents of boys who had withdrawn from college and from the boys themselves. These letters contained criticism as well as some commendation. In some instances the criticism was of a type which is common to all American colleges and in others it was directed against Dartmouth specifically. In conclusion, Dr. Blakely said: "Keep alive, intelligently and enthusiastically alive, that which we know as the Dartmouth Spirit in every classmate. Kindle the Dartmouth Spirit in the wives and daughters as well as in the sons of our classmates. In some way or other impress upon the boys that their father's classmates are really interested in their welfare and would like to see them go to college and especially to Dartmouth College and that they stand ready to give them a cordial welcome into active membership in the great Dartmouth family."

This paper was followed by considerable discussion. Professor C. D. Adams, speaking for the faculty, dwelt on the modern theory of education as one based on the use of freedom in the individual, which if it occasionally leads to disaster, much more frequently serves to develop character.

DINNER SESSION

The afternoon meeting adjourned at 6.15 after the announcement had been made that dinner would be served to me secretaries in the Grill at 7.30. Before introducing the speakers after the dinner Mr. Hill spoke briefly on the interdependence of College, secretaries and alumni and urged the co-operation of all the elements in the college life. Mr. Clark then read the following letter which had been sent to Mr. Towler by Dr. Tucker:

"I thank you for your very kind reminder of the annual meeting of the Secretaries' Association. The permanent, though of late unoccupied, seat which was allotted to me by vote of the secretaries gives me the feeling that I am still identified with the active interests of the College. Certainly the Association represents today one of its most active and vital realities.

"Among the far-sighted plans devised by President Hopkins when he was Secretary of the College I know of none of greater significance than the establishment of this Association; but even he could not have foreseen its present service to the College. It is everything in the interest of history at large, as well as of its own history, that the College has a body of trained men capable of making those accurate and appreciative records upon which history must rely. To one who has watched the growing skill and facility with which the secretaries have told the human story of the College from year to year it seems entirely possible to entrust to them the treatment of those great experiences through which our men are now passing.

"I have but one suggestion to otter in response to your request. The Secretaries Association has become a powerful body for creating and affecting the sentiment of the College. I believe it to be our duty in this tremendous trial of strength, in which so many of our men are so actively engaged, for us to stand individually and collectively for such firmness, courage, and unconquerable faith as shall hold the sentiment of the College in unflinching support and in glowing zeal. If this is a war of peoples as well as of armies it is a matter of infinite concern not only what any one of us says, but also what every one of us thinks.

"Most sincerely yours, "WILLIAM JEWETT TUCKER"

The main theme running through the evening program was naturally the war and as the first speaker, Mr. H. M. Tibbetts '00 was given the subject, "War Times in Hanover." He presented many interesting figures relative to the enrollment of the College and student enlistments. 750 men who were undergraduates last year are now in the service, and of these at least 150 have already been commissioned. Of last year s senior class 73% are now in service and about the same percentage of the present senior class. He stated that the vacation periods resulted in the greatest number of withdrawals from College and the plan now in operation of omitting all vacations for this semester should have a beneficial effect on holding the College together for the rest of the semester. In closing he suggested the propriety of starting a memorial tablet to contain the names of men who should die in service.

The next speaker introduced was Mr. H. E. Keyes '00 on the "Alumni Council." The Council differs from the Secretaries' Association in that its basis is largely, though not entirely, geographical. It is a most vigorous child of the alumni, with its varied functions ranging from the duty of passing upon appeals to the alumni for money and the nomination of candidates for alumni trustee to its present main task, that of liquidating the war deficit of the College. This deficit, which will amount this year to approximately $60,000, can be wiped out if each alumnus contributes $10. or omitting those in the service, $12. The spirit of the response that is being made is most gratifying, one of the first checks to be received being the traveling [allowance from the Government of a newly-commissioned officer from a recent class. Another touching contribution was a five dollar check from a private in the National Army with the statement that the donor was planning to assign a similar amount to the College from his pay check each month.

Mr. H. G. Pender '97, Graduate Manager; of athletic and non-athletic activities. was then called upon to speak on "Undergraduate Activities." He described the organization and spirit of the Dartmouth Regiment last spring, showing how all athletic ambitions were cast away and everything subordinated to the purpose of making the training a success. Even inter-company baseball was not able to arouse any interest. It was the same in non-athletic activities as well. Everything was suspended to be reorganized last fall on a much reduced scale. Naturally the financial condition of both councils was badly affected but Mr. Pender felt that the carrying on of organized activities had been more than justified in this crisis by the type of leader which was being produced and his ready response to the country's call.

Dr. J. M. Gile 'B7, speaking for the trustees, on "War Time Administration," stated it to be the. intention of the Board of Trustees to maintain the present type of democratic institutions to be ready for the students when they come back. How this was to be done financially the trustees did not know, but they were following the maxim of Dr. Tucker that if a thing was right to do the way would be found. The trustees propose that the College shall be kept intact throughout the period of the war in every depart- ment so that our boys may return and see an institution of humanitarian cul- ture which shall be the final answer of the philosophy and culture of Germany.

By a fortunate chance President Hop- kins was able to be in Hanover during the secretaries' meetings and he ap- peared as the final speaker at the din- ner. Coming directly from Washington he was naturally led to talk of some of his recent experiences and especially of the contribution Dartmouth was making in all branches of work in Washington. A serious trouble in this country is the difficulty in comprehending the situation as a whole so that activities can be correlated. In its own field Dartmouth has been correlating its forces with an understanding of its mission and a desire to accomplish its higher ideals. It is hopeless to assume that we will later return to pre-war conditions as we do not know the conclusions that will be reached, but it is certain that affairs will be dominated by men of intellect. The most successful college must teach the doctrine of coordinate effort. As a practical illustration he referred to the extremely valuable services for the war contributed by Mr. H. B. Thayer '79 of the Board of Trustees, whose organizing work in the field of physical investigation has resulted in epoch-making dis- coveries. For the rendering of such service a man must go from college with a mind attuned to the needs of the world.

SATURDAY MORNING

The first business of the day was the report of the Executive Committee presented by N. W. Emerson '00. Chairman. After announcing that L. R. Chamberlin 'OS had been appointed to the committee in place of C. E. Snow '12, who had entered military service, he discussed the matters which had been referred to the committee at the last meeting of secretaries. The committee recommended that in the election of a member of the Alumni Council the Association should choose a member from its own body as it was desirable that this representative should be able to explain clearly the aims of the Association and enable the two bodies to work in unison. Progress in obtaining new subscriptions and advertising for the ALUMNI MAGAZINE were also reported with even better prospects for the future. The importance of class lieutenants, especially in the later classes was explained and nine classes were reported as having already appointed such aides. Secretaries were informed 'that both the Dartmouth Press and the Milford Press were prepared to quote satisfactory prices for class reports and were familiar with the nature of the work desired. When the reports are printed secretaries are requested to file them as follows:

Dartmouth College Library, 2 copies. New Hampshire State Library, 1 copy. Dartmouth Club of Boston, 1 copy. T. M. Comstock, Editor, 1 copy. Secretary of Alumni Association, 1 copy.

The committee reported co-operation with the Alumni Council in its campaign for funds and in the search for class agents. With special reference to work for the future the importance of Dr. Blakely's paper on "The Second Generation," was discussed as well as the peculiar opportunities that devolve upon the secretaries at the present time of war. Possible and desirable expansion in Dartmouth club organizations was treated and the suggestion made that a speaking trip among such clubs as now exist and the exhibition of slides by a college representative would be very desirable. Finally the importance of a reunion manual was explained and its preparation and distribution in mimeograph form urged.

The discussion of the report turned chiefly on the question of the advisability of having reunions this year, the point being raised by one of the younger classes. This brought out from the committee the expression of opinion that if the men did not want a formal reunion, an effort should be made to hold the class together in some simple way. The chairman of the committee also suggested that all class reports be listed in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE and that the best ones be reviewed.

Referring to a definite recommendation of the committee it was voted: That future representatives on the Alumni Council be selected from members at the time being, of the Secretaries Association.

The suggestion having been made that it would "be well to send copies of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE to members of the various classes there represented, who were not already subscribers, it was voted to make a canvass of the secretaries for that purpose.

L. R. Chamberlin 'O5 then spoke on "The Reunion Manual." Although it had been deemed inadvisable to print such a manual at this time much thought had been given to the matter. The existing organization of the class should be extended for the purpose of ensuring a good reunion, the more men working the better. The reunion should be run on the budget system which may be met either by taxes or by contributions. Advertising is essential, directed by a publicity committee but personal letters bring the best results. The lighter side of the reunion spirit can, in normal times, be centered around some costume which may recall an event of undergraduate days and the more serious and inspirational element may be furnished at the class dinner and the memorial service. In closing: Mr. Chamberlin emphasized the fact that the College wants the reunions to be held'as usual this year.

Discussion developed on the significance of holding reunions, especially those outside of Hanover. The question of the celebration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the College was raised and Mr. Keves was asked to speak on this point. He stated that no definite plans had as yet been prepared and that the whole matter depended on the future course of the war.

It was then voted: That the secretaries of classes holding reunions in Hanover during the war do all in their power to hold these reunions, and that mimeograph copies of the material for a reunion manual be gotten out by the Secretaries' Association and sent to the secretaries for their use, the expenses to be borne by the Association.

It was also voted: That the matter of the relation of the Secretaries' Association to the one hundred and fiftieth "anniversary of the College be referred to the Executive Committee of the Association.

The final topic of the session was "War Time Opportunities," the first speaker being W. Wilkins '13. He showed how secretaries might keep in touch with their classmates in war service by means of post-cards and letters to the families of the men, and the services which the class might also render by sending boxes of gifts at Christmas or other times and satisfying the longing for College and class news which all the men felt. He also emphasized the importance of collecting pictures that had to do with the activities of the class members in the war.

A. I. Charron '04 then spoke on the same subject. The college elements are now learning the value of co-operation which is bound to react on the College for good, and the secretaries have a special responsibility for holding the classes together. The sources of information for a secretary may be the first sergeant or a superior officer or the chaplain of the regiment. If a classmate is wounded the secretary should see about having him met when he returns to this country, should write him and keep in close touch with his family.

In treating the same subject. C. F. Emerson '68 approached it more from the standpoint of the College records of the Civil War. He referred to the work of preparing the Honor Roll of that war and suggested that the secretaries should consult this work as a reference book. He closed by drawing a parallel between the results of the present war and those of the Civil War, prophesying that as a result of the present conflict we would obtain personal freedom and liberty on a higher plane.

The Secretary then read a letter from Major E. D. Redington '61 on the preparation of the Honor Roll, which is here given in part:

"For many years after the close of the Civil War there seems to have been no effort to gather data in reference to the service of Dartmouth men in that conflict. In 1881 the late Professor Pollens, Librarian of the College, addressed circulars to the Alumni, asking certain questions concerning the military service of the Alumni which he desired to incorporate in a 'Roll of Honor.' His replies to this circular were fragmentary and answers to a few definite questions and were in no sense complete records of the services of the Alumni. They were .preserved, however, in the library and were of considerable value afterwards in compiling the sketches which appeared in the Roll of Honor published by the College in 1907. In 1883 the subject was brought to the attention of the General Association of the Alumni bv Chaplain Jonas B. Clark, of the Class of 1839 at Commencement time and a Committee of five was appointed, of which I was a member. This Committee divided the classes by periods and each member of the Committee took the names of such graduates and non-graduates as either were in college in his time or near such times, for the purpose of procuring- sketches as fully as possible for insertion in The Dartmouth. which I think then was published weekly. The Committee did very good work and a large number of sketches (but by no means a complete list) were procured. As I remember no effort was made at that time to pet the record of the men from the Medical College. Nothing further was done until 1894. and all the members of the Committee, save myself. had passed away by that time. A resolution was passed putting the whole matter into mv hands, and in mv spare time, for a number of years. I compiled what is now the Roll of Honor. There was a good deal of work attached to it and I made use of all such methods as would enable me to get the fullest information concerning the men of Dartmouth who had served in the Union Army. I corresponded with the men who were then alive, with the families of those deceased, with the Adjutant Generals of the various States from which the men had entered the service and was enabled to procure more or less information according to the sources from which it was obtained.

"I enjoyed the work—which was purely a labor of love—and was only too glad to do it for my love for the college.

"I am sure that the spirit of Old Dartmouth still lives in the present generation and that these men who have offered themselves in the service of humanity will make an equally good record with the men of the Revolution who aided in establishing the Government and the men who were in the Union Army in the Civil War who did so much to preserve and perpetuate the Union of these States.

"Yours very truly, "E. D. REDINGTON"

J. P. Richardson '99 spoke briefly deprecating the lack of contact between faculty and alumni and it was voted:

That the Executive Committee bring in a recommendation upon the relationship of the Secretaries' Association to the Faculty for consideration at the next meeting.

The Committee on Resolutions then presented the following report in the form of four resolutions which were adopted by the meeting:

Resolved: that the Association has learned with profound regret of the serious illness from pneumonia of exGovernor. Samuel E. Pingree. Secretary of the Class of 1857, which prevents this honored alumnus, eighty-five years young, from being present to represent his class in person at this session: and with sincere pleasure that he has survived the crisis and is now out of danger; and we extend to him our best wishes for his early recovery.

Resolved: that the Secretaries Association hereby express its appreciation of the faithful and efficient services of Eugene D. Towler as Secretary for the past year. And further: that it extend to him its best wishes in the patriotic service which he is entering.

Resolved: that the Class Secretaries in annual meeting assembled express to President Hopkins their profound satisfaction in the large part that the College is taking in the great struggle in which the nation is engaged.

The Dartmouth men of today are proving themselves worthy sons of the men of the Revolution and the Civil War. And the Secretaries congratulate President Hopkins upon his own ability to fill a place of critical importance in the national defense, and upon the unselfish devotion with which he is giving himself to this difficult work. They pledge to him and to the College their most loyal support in all the difficult problems which are forced upon the College by the war.

Resolved: that the thanks of the Association be extended to the College for its hospitable entertainment so generously provided. In expressing our thanks we are not unmindful of the critical period through which the College is passing, and we voice our hope of rendering to it every helpful service possible.

The nominating committee presented a report nominating the following officers for the ensuing year:

President, C. C. Davis '79; vice-president. William S. Dana '71; secretary, Eugene F. Clark '01 ; treasurer. W. R. Grav '04; editor ALUMNI MAGAZINE, Homer E. Keves '00: directing editor, ALUMNI MAGAZINE, E. E. Clark '01; executive committer- G. G. Clark '99, E. H. Kenerson '03. L. R. Chamberlin '05, A. I. Charron '04: member Alumni Council, William D. Parkinson '78.

The report was adopted and the meeting was then declared adjourned.