ASSOCIATION OF THE PACIFIC COAST
Last year about this time a two day holiday was granted all Dartmouth men, and we went to a barbecue put on by our vice-president, Bill Wright '18, at his ranch, "Rancho Tularcitos", in Monterey County. It was a part of our annual meeting, and everyone said, "The best ever or ever to be", but what a poor prophecy. This year we had the "best meeting ever", with President Hopkins again with us. And let me say right here that President Hopkins brought the college of today nearer to our hearts than ever before, and aroused a greater interest and respect for Dartmouth in the minds of this whole community.
The annual dinner was held on Thursday evening, March 11, at the Clift Hotel in San Francisco. About fifty alumni and paenes feasted between songs and cheers. The orchestra employed for the occasion had a bit of University of California blood in it, and at one time branched out into a California song. However, it didn't take Selden Smith '97 long to show them the way to bigger and better music.
A business meeting was called early in the evening, during which the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: president, Lincoln S. Wilson '13; vice-president, W. W. Washburn '14; secretary-treasurer, B. L. Winslow '20.
The following telegram was sent to the Exeter Club, who at the same time had gathered at the University Club for their annual dinner:
"Dartmouth in appreciation of her indebtedness to Exeter for fine delegations past and future sends greetings and best wishes to her New Hampshire sister and high regards to Professor Tufts." (Signed) President Hopkins And the Dartmouth Alumni Association At the Clift Hotel.
We were without 'the presence of Wayne Perkins '04 because of the attraction of the Exeter dinner.
Fred S. Stripp '08, who has been president for the past year, played a perfect role as toastmaster for the evening. President Hopkins was called upon, and he cleared the room of smoke in a very short time, as within five minutes every cigar and cigarette had naturally died—forgotten. His talk was only another real heart to heart talk such as the President, steeped in Dartmouth traditions, is capable of.
After this vivid description of conditions at Hanover we adjourned to the theatre room of the hotel to witness moving pictures of Dartmouth football and winter sports. When those long pigskin passes were shown in slow movies every alumnus tuned in. Did they follow the ball? Well, if there weren't some sore muscles the next day it was because "Doc" Washburn got around to massage all of them. "Doc" did his share of hitting the line, while "Line" Wilson, it is said, threw the longest pass.
The following men sent in letters of regrets at not being able to be with us because of sickness: George H. Hoyt '07, D. O. Bean '85, G. E. Davis '71, C. N. Flanders '71, N. B. Colman '66 Med., S. H. Jackman '60, Roger S. Greene '59.
Many alumni were unable to be present at this year's dinner because of business engage- ments out of town. The call of the East has taken away indefinitely three men who were always in attendance at weekly and monthly lunches: Paul G. Redington '00 to Washington, D. C., F. J. Reagan '09 to Albany, N. Y., and H. D. Stillman '17 (secretary of the Association for the past year) to the home town of Nashua, N. H. W. M. Hawkins '19, another "regular," has moved to Chula Vista, Cal.
President Hopkins' short stay in the San Francisco Bay area was greatly appreciated by I everyone. Especial enthusiastic comment has been made by members and guests of the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco since the talk given by President Hopkins at the Club's luncheon on March 12 at the Palace Hotel. His subject was, "The College and Athletics." An audience of several hundred crowded the hall to capacity, and many of the regular attendants remarked that they never had seen their members so pleased with the speaker of the day. In words of the San Francisco Chronicle. "At the close of his talk he was tendered an ovation such as has been accorded few men who address the organization."
While in this vicinity, President Hopkins attended the opening exercises of the Graduate School of Business established at Stanford University, Palo Alto, March 13. On Monday, March 15, he was invited to sit in at the meet- ing of the trustees of Stanford University. On Monday evening President Campbell of the University of California gave a dinner at his home in honor of President Hopkins. We wonder how long a man can last when the demands on his- time and energy are so great. After all, the President seemed fully rested when he left us for the South, where I know he made the same impression. One of our younger alumni mentioned a few days ago words to this effect: "Do you know, 'Prexy' gave us lots to think about in that dinner talk at the Clift. I believe the lives of some of us will be changed somewhat because of those thoughts too."
Come again, President Hopkins.
Secretary.
