CLASS OF 1909

Sam Bell was elected in April as president of the Pemigewasset Valley Railroad, succeeding the late Judge Nathan P. Hunt. Sam has been a factor in railroad management as a director for some time, and his election is merely another evidence of the regard for his ability held generally by his business associates.

Bob Burns returned early in May from a trip to Havana and Bermuda, taken as a means of recuperating from his recent appendicitis operation. Bob expects to be playing golf again by June first, which is good news financially for Phil Avery and myself.

We have asked some of the members of the class to write us of one or more incidents of their college course outstanding in their recollection, and expect to publish some of them from time to time. One of the few things that the class would agree on unanimously is our universal regard for President Tucker, and Art Sporborg writes about a call upon President Tucker that was characteristic of the experiences all of us had.

"I remember when I called upon President Tucker. It was toward the end of senior year and the thought occurred to me that I would greatly desire an autographed picture of President Tucker. I bought one at the College Book Store and brought it to the office of the President. I asked the President's secretary if I might see Mr. Tucker. I remember being greatly impressed with the ease with which I was ushered in to his presence. There was no asking of names, no formality, no red tape. I was simply told that I might walk in. President Tucker received me with a gracious smile and extended his hand. I told him the purpose of my visit, he took the picture, said that it was his favorite photograph, and immediately affixed his signature. He then asked me where I lived, what I intended to do after graduation, commented upon what I told him, and seemed as much interested in my future as though I had been the only student in the senior class.

"Great as had been my love for President Tucker during my four years at college, I left his office that morning with an increased reverence. He was the kind of man whom one had to meet but once to be conscious of the splendid and noble traits that went to make up the gentleman, William Jewett Tucker."

Probably most of the members of the class are either broke or badly dented financially. Nevertheless this is the year for those of us who are broke to make sure that we send a check to Hal Foreman for the Alumni Fund, no matter how small, and for those members of the class who are still solvent and able to do so, to send a larger check than usual to help make up the difference. It is easy to give when you are flush and hard to give when you are broke, but it is the spirit that counts most, in either event. Send your check.

I attended the annual Secretaries Meeting, which was both enjoyable and instructive, as usual. We watched Sid Hazelton in action, directing his freshman baseball team against the Harvard freshmen, which consisted largely in determining which one of his freshmen could hit the ball farthest over the Harvard outfielders' heads. Marion says that Sid will probably be at Harold Osborne's place again this summer. Marion was looking well and Phyllis is quite grown up.

We note the election of Craig Thorn, Jr., as permanent class treasurer of the senior class, and of Wallie Ross as president of the Newton alumni.

Secretary, 100 Milk St., Boston