CLASS OF 1905
Ayame, an opera of old Japan, the first opera by a Japanese composer to be produced \in the Occident, will have its premiere at the Theatre Pigalle, the new Rothschild playhouse, in Paris, said to be the finest in the world, early in June. The composition is the work of Koscak Yamada, to the original libertto of Percy Noel 'OS. This libretto is written in English verse, but for Paris, Percy Noel has made a French translation in verse, in collaboration with the French poet, Leon Limozin. This is the second work by Percy Noel for Koscak Yamada. The first, entitled "Black Ships," also in English verse, has not yet been produced in the Occident, although it is quite possible that it will be heard in New York or Chicago early in 1932. Noel and Yamada have been asked to write a light opera for production in London during the coming season. One of the features of Japanese music evidently is the quartertone. Mr. Yamada intends to teach the singers who will perform his opera to sing in quarter-tones—spaced half as far apart as the chromatic half tones of the ordinary scale. He has no hopes of reforming the keyed instruments, but counts on the violin and the 'cello, the notes of which may be spaced as the artist wishes.
Joseph A. Wallace, submaster in the Durfee High School, was appointed by Governor Ely as resident member of the Fall River Board of Finance on April 24, and the appointment was confirmed by the Governor's Council on the same date. The Transcript says, among other things: "After a brief conference with Governor Ely, Mr. Wallace left for Fall River in company with Chairman Donahue, prepared to take up his duties with the board created by the present Legislature to adjust the financial difficulties of the mill city. The board consists of three members, the third member being James Jackson, former state treasurer."
In the issue of the Yale Review numbered "Spring 1931," there is a group of poems by Elizabeth Hollister Frost, the wife of our late classmate, Elliott P. Frost. There are four poems, together covering two pages.
Early in April Allen Smith wrote that he and Doc Loder and Dick Tolman and their wives were planning a trip to the Cape for a few days, "to see who plays the best golf." He seemed sure enough about it to justify the inference that by the time we go to print they will have returned home after a most enjoyable peerade.
Lew Wallis reports a new address: 58 Anderson St., Boston, Mass. Why and wherelore we have not learned, but we intend to find out.
Hugh W. Mac Lean has also either moved or acquired an additional address: Room 3204, LaSalle-Wacker Bldg., Chicago, 111.
Vernon Biggs, occupation real estate, and living in California, seems to have moved again, both business and residence, as follows: business, 706 S. Hill St., care of Frank Meline Co., Los Angeles, Calif., and residence, 405 W. California St., Glendale, Calif.
The annual meeting of the Secretaries Association at Hanover on May 1 and 2 was eminently successful, and was all that Fred Chase promised it would be. There were about 75 of us there as guests of the College, enjoying a happy combination of pleasant work and entertainment. We were made to feel that the alumni are important members of the college organization, and that the secretaries of the classes and alumni associations have a real mission to perform, in keeping their respective constituents in proper contact with the life and problems of the College. Naturally, Hoppy's address Friday evening was one of the high spots. He gave us some of the details of the contemplated building program, which included the removal of the church to the site of Rollins Chapel, thus making a proper arrangement of the group around Dartmouth Hall, and opening up the space in front of the library. The plan for a social center on the site of the Inn and Bissell Hall is in keeping with the growth of the College and will fill a long-felt need. Meeting the secretaries of our neighboring classes, whom we knew years ago, getting acquainted with others of the older and younger classes, visiting with Professor Colby and others of the faculty whom we knew in college, seeing the College in its normal atmosphere, instead of the much different atmosphere of Commencement; noting again the various changes from the old to the new, learning from others how the job of a secretary can best be handled, seeing Dartmouth beat Harvard in a fast game; all these things and others made this meeting a most delightful occasion. Added to this was the joy of being in Hanover with a certain freshman, rooming with him for one night, eating with him at the Commons occasionally, meeting his friends, etc.; also meeting Jim Adams and Bob Wilmot, two '05 sons, and some sons of other Dartmouth men of our time.
C. C. Hills attended some of the sessions, and we had a delightful ride among the Norwich hills Sunday afternoon, with Mary and Nelson. If you could only see the view of Hanover and the hills beyond which C. C. has for his daily diet, you would envy him. The old tower and also the new Baker Library tower stand out in relief against the blue hills beyond, with just enough of the rest of Hanover showing up above the trees so that you-know it is really there.
Rufus Day was in Hanover for the weekend, May 2 and 3, motoring back to New York with Mrs. Day, who had been in Hanover for some time.
Doctor Bill Clough came up for the Harvard game, and most likely saw his two boys. The Secretary was glad to see Bill and Rufus and C. C., thus making a sort of in-between reunion.
One of the biggest kicks for your Secretary out of this meeting was finding on his return home an invitation to give a report of the meeting to the Dartmouth Club of Syracuse on May 23. We knew that Dean Laycock sometimes substituted for Hoppy, but this is the first opportunity we have had along this line. Unfortunately the invitation had to be declined, but with much regret, as you may well imagine.
Shirley Cunningham travels the country over, and picks up New England news from as far west as Norman, Okla., whence this letter: "Dear Mac: Father sent me the enclosed clipping from the Boston Globe of April 24, on J. A. Wallace. Recently in Fort Worth, Texas, an oil man told me it was almost impossible to get a clear title in the new East Texas oil fields. 'Gas' is selling at the filling stations here for 9, 11, and 13 cents. In some places in the oil fields it is selling for 19 cents a barrel. I guess the barrel is worth more than its contents. Sincerely, S. B. Cunningham."
Fat Peirce and family have spent the winter in Boston, as usual.
The Lillard and Chase families had a joint picnic on the shore of Buzzards Bay in Marion on Sunday, April 19. Later they attended the school vesper service and had supper with the boys at the commons in Lillard Hall.
Lillard is coaching the Tabor Academy baseball team this spring, along with his many other duties.
Announcement has been made by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace of the appointment of Henry K. Norton to study political and economic developments in principal South American countries. He will report to the trustees of the endowment what additional steps may be taken by them to promote international understanding and international co-operation. Henry was scheduled to sail on the Grace liner Santa Clara on May 9 to begin his research. He will pass most of his time in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, making short visits to Uruguay and Paraguay.
As we understand it, we are now signing off until September. Have you enjoyed reading letters from your classmates? You know there is an old saying about its being more blessed to give than to receive, which, translated into the purposes of this column, means that you might, by spending just a few minutes of your time, give some of your classmates a bit of pleasure in the reading of a similar letter from you. Tell about your recent doings, trivial or serious—especially about your summer vacation. Tell us about classmates. Tell us all about your children, except their bright sayings, which may be assumed. Especially welcome will be reminiscences of college days. Each of you knows at least one good story about something funny or interesting which happened then which would make good reading. Write it up, and if it gets by the censor, we'll find a place for it in this column. And so, until next September—Good Night.
Secretary, Malone, N. Y.
