CLASS of 1914
Your Secretary has just returned from Hanover, where he attended the annual meeting of the Secretaries Association. Needless to say, this was a most enjoyable occasion, and he had an opportunity to see several of our classmates and picked up some news.
Milton Pomeroy has expressed the opinion that an idea may be prevalent among the ladies of the class, to wit: that they are not welcome at the Seskwee. He was thoroughly disabused on this point, as we are making a strenuous endeavor to get as many of the wives back as possible. So far, we have met with considerable success, as nearly all of the class who will be in Hanover on June 14 to 18 will come properly chaperoned by the head of the family. If any of you fellows hear this same criticism, the committees would greatly appreciate your notifying those members who have gone so far astray as to believe that our class is made up largely of woman-haters
Art Woodies, who was with us only a short time, was among those present as secretary of the Lowell Association. He slipped out of town before I had a chance to exchange much gossip with him, but according to last reports is in the newspaper work in Lowell, being associated with the Lowell Sun
The biggest single news item, which will be referred to later on in this column, has to do with a recent trial in New York city of a hostess of one of the leading night clubs of Broadway, one Texas Guinan. She was given a fair and honest trial before a jury of her peers, and the foreman of said jury was no other than our own George Henry Tilton. I will quote two paragraphs from one of the New York dailies in regard to her acquittal:
"Immediately the verdict was spoken by the sleek, smiling foreman, George H. Tilton, Jr., Texas jumped to her feet shouting in a frenzy of excitement and planted a kiss squarely upon the lips of her deliverer.
" 'Stop! That's my husband.' shrilled an irate female voice somewhere behind."
Let us hope that George has made peace with his family for having discharged his duty as a citizen in a way in which he alone is capable.
Page Junkins paid me a call about two weeks ago while here on business. He reports that he had lunch in New York after leaving me with Mart Remsen and Sig Larmon. Further details of his New York business are given in Chuck Kingsley's usual news contributions.
Great is the rejoicing in Winchester, Mass. On April 27 the stork paid a visit to the home of Sherm and Dorothy Saltmarsh, and left a tiny bundle behind, who will henceforth be known as Sherman Whipple Saltmarsh, Jr., so the class of '46 has a new recruit.
Our Cleveland classmates suffered a loss recently which loss was Boston's gain, one Samuel Augustus Fuller now being the New England district sales manager for the Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation, with headquarters at 131 State St., Boston. This is a leg up for Gus, with whom we all rejoice. He has been so busy getting acclimated that none of us have had a chance to see much of him. We are all looking forward to having him with us.
The following announcement from Sig Larmon, chairman of the banquet committee, has released the following formal notice for publication:
"You may announce in your next Bulletin that Mr. George Henry Tilton Jr.—known along Broadway as 'Bill'—will officiate as toastmaster at our class banquet in Hanover.
"In addition to being a playwright of repute, George Henry is also either a polo or a pogo player—I don't know which.
"Among the recent honors which have come to him has been that of foreman of the jury which tried Texas Guinan in New York last week. Our George Henry brought in a verdict which went on record as another protest to the laws of Volstead and Jones.
"All 1914 sojourners to Hanover may expect a rare treat in scintillating wit with George Henry—otherwise known as 'Bill'— in the toastmaster's chair. The Smalley Club in a body will be there to support the toastmaster.
"President Hopkins will join with us, and there will be other speakers of national and international or perhaps local reputation."
The April dinner of the class of 1914 was held at the Dartmouth Club in New York on the 17th, with Page Junkins down from Rochester en route to Chicago as the guest of honor. Fred Davidson and Page accused each other of adiposity, and both rushed for the scales at the same time. Page was two pounds heavier than Fred, and both were within five points of the present weight of former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey. Jack may have gone back quite a way, but I am afraid that he can still put away both of our classmates with either hand.
Vahan Kalenderian showed up after a long absence to announce that he was opening new offices in the Chanin Building at Lexington Ave. and 42d St., from which point of advantage he anticipates many future sorties to the Club.
Bob Hopkins, Paul Hazelton, Mart Remsen, and Chuck Kingsley comprised the remainder of the party. Telephone solicitation of a number of the others elicited a fine variety of alibis. Everybody promised, however, to show up on May 15, which will be the last dinner before the Seskwee reunion.
Walt Humphrey has been sick with scarlet fever, and in consequence, was seriously delayed in preparing his sketches for the publicity bulletins for the Seskwee. Constance tells us that he finished the last drawing while still propped up in bed.
Hal Pease, with fine Dartmouth spirit, has undertaken the printing of our publicity matter, thereby permitting a more attractive type of bulletin and affecting a substantial economy in the carrying forward of the reunion plans. All the dough thus saved will be utilized in providing bigger and better amusement for the reunioners.
Mart Remsen reports that contributions to the Alumni Fund are coming in slowly. Mart has done wonderful work in the past four years in bringing our class up to quota, and your correspondent knows that a very heavy contribution from his own pockets has been responsible for putting the class over the top on each occasion. If each member of the class subscribes $17, the quota would easily be obtained, but as a goodly proportion are unable to subscribe so much, and as a number never subscribe at all, those who can afford it should subscribe $25 or $30. This seems like a big chunk of mazume, but nearly all of us have dropped as much as that in a poker game or in a social evening with friends. DON'T BE TIGHT WITH AUMA MATES.
Chuck Kingsley announced at the dinner that he had associated himself with the legal department of Ingersoll-Rand Company, 11 Broadway. He will specialize in patent work. Chuck says that, unfortunately, all his friends were young, happily married, and heavily insured, so that the future held no bright prospects for him in private practice. Possibly he was spoofing.
By the time these lines are before you, you will have received all of the publicity prepared for the Seskwee. Opportunity has knocked eight or ten times at your door, and if you have not already signed up you are long overdue. At the present writing, more than a month away from reunion, approximately one hundred men have given their pledge and sent their "jack" as collateral that they are attending what will probably be the best reunion that our class will ever hold. From this point on, time and a rapid accumulation of lead will probably give us gradually diminishing returns, so if any of you who read these lines have not already decided that the best place in the world from June 14 to 18 is the Dartmouth Campus, think twice again before you pass up this wonderful opportunity to go back to Hanover under ideal circumstances with all of our friends of fifteen years in attendance. The mere fact that you have not sent a formal acceptance does not prevent you from coming. Come by plane, motor, railroad, bicycle, kiddie-car, or on foot, but for goodness' sake remove the lead and come.
Secretary, 159 Devonshire St., Boston
