Class of 1917
The class news this month consists entirely of extracts from letters received in answer to a few questionnaires sent out. Sam White's interesting letter of his new job in Alaska is given almost in full, and the others are condensed only because the space is limited.
"Pacific Alaska Airways"Fairbanks, Alaska
"DEAR CHUCK,
"This is sure one hell of a jump from ourfarewell in June in front of '17 headquarters. Although I had expected to leavebefore Reunion, I didn't actually get outof New York until the last day of July.
"During a stop-over in Seattle of twodays, I was lucky enough to sit in at aluncheon meeting of the local Dartmouthoutfit, which made me feel that I hadn'treally left home yet. The trip along thecoast of Canada and Alaska is all that hasbeen written of it, but it makes you seemmuch farther from home than you reallyare, since the steamer winds in and outamong islands, stops several hours at halfa dozen ports, and takes nearly six days forthe trip from Seattle to Seward—a modernplane would do it in around fifteen hours.On the last leg of my trip from Anchorageto Fairbanks, I went by air and saw plentyof both the flat plains and high mountainsof our Uncle Sam's Attic.
"Pan-American Airways have set up thiscompany I am here with (as a sort of officeboy), to take over and operate the principal established air routes in the territorywhich have been going for two years ormore. I am certainly looking forward tothe experience.
"The manager of the new company, aYale man, and myself have set up bachelor quarters on the top floor of a three-story log apartment house. We have electricity, phone, bath, maid service, and evena tailor, who will stop in for our pressing.About the only difference between thisand a small city outside is that nearly allthe houses are one-story bungalow type,about half are built of logs, and not evenat the bank can you get a one- or two-dollar bill. You have to carry your silverdollars evenly divided on each side of yourtrousers to keep from walking cock-eyed.
"Airplane service is accepted by all thepeople here much more casually than it isby most of the people in the rest of theU. S. today. If they want to go places here,they just naturally fly; and the onlytrouble from our point of view is thatthere aren't such a hell of a lot that wantto go places often.
"I believe I am still a member of theDartmouth Secretaries Association, for Igot together with myself when I landedhere, formed the Dartmouth Club of Fair-banks, and have so recorded it with SidHayward. Probably won't be able to joinyou at the meeting next May!!
"Give my best to the gang. Luck to you.
"SAM."
Towler came through with a fine newsy letter. About himself he says that last June he transferred his work from the Curtis Company to the advertising staff of the National Geographic, with the New York office as headquarters, but that a week or so each month is spent in New England. To quote him more at length:
"Have enjoyed spending a few eveningswith that most hospitable Bosto?i gang.Am using Johnny Wheelock's AmericanAirways to Boston. It takes me an hourand a half from, my house to the New Yorkoffice, and only two hours and a half frommy house to Johnny's office at the Statler,Boston. Spent a fine evening with theWheelocks at Newton when last there.Also enjoyed Sanborn's swimming pool atBoston. He is still doing ten miles or sobefore dinner, particularly since his recentreturn from Quebec with Holden.
"Had dinner with the 'Spike' Maclnlyres and the Holdens at Spike's, then wevisited Sanborn's summer estate, whereMr. and Mrs. George Currier also heldforth (George was in dry clothes this time).
"Had a good meeting with Grace andWalter Ferguson at Chestnut Hill, where1 found some cheering for the recent bondmarket and a considerable fund of newstories which are months ahead of theNew York brand.
"1 talked with Pete Olds on the telephone at the Anderson Mfg. Co., wherehe turns out spring-covers used by themajority of good cars. He seemed as chipper as ever, and we're going to have souptogether before long.
"Had lunch with Don Brooks recently.He's working double time turning outpatents on every new wrinkle of the TexasCo., but looks as if he liked the punishment pretty well.
"Most of my conversations with TrottKing are on the sidewalks of New York.He always seems to be working the sameside of the street, and I can't make him getover and give me a chance.
"Ves Whiton mixed some of the lowermasses with his list of big shots amongstwhom he solicits insurance, or perhaps hejust wanted to make me feel better notlong ago. He looks prosperity and sells theidea to others, disclaiming any corner onthe gold supply but says he has lots ofcompany.
"Sincerely,
"GENE."
Since receiving Gene's letter I had a chance to talk to him more at length, getting many details of his Boston trips which might go better in a tabloid than in this journal. Gene himself radiates prosperity and genial hospitality, and from persona] knowledge I can recommend that any member of the class who gets in the vicinity of Cranford would make a great mistake if he did not stop at 18 Madison Ave.
Jimmy Rubel from South Pasadena, Calif., Derry Trenholm from Greenville, Miss., and Rudy Miller from White Plains, N. Y., have also responded with fine let- ters, the details of which I will give you in the December MAGAZINE.
On the Secretary's "black list" are Joseph Myer, Ralph Carpenter, and George Hartshorn. These men have failed to acknowledge the request for information. I hope they will have come through with a word or two before this issue is published. This column is for the class and therefore from the class, so it is up to each one to help when asked, or at any rate when inspired, whether requested to do so or not.
Secretary, Craig House Beacon, N. Y.
