Class of 1902
The considerable lapse of time between receipt of communications and actual appearance in formal type seems to some of our correspondents to indicate an unhealthy state of affairs, but, aside from the fact that the requirements for editorship and publication of class news necessitate a reasonable period for such duties, there are numerous other circumstances which must be considered. Certain documents received in the Secretary's office require unusual attention and skill to decipher. For instance, when Bob Estabrook turned over to the Secretary various human documents he had received from the class with reference to the attendance at the reunion, he little knew that the note from Dr. Griffin of Brooklyn was so potent. Jack hastily scratched a reply on a prescription blank, which Bob may have read, but it was too much for an academic hermit. We took it to the corner drug store, where the good pharmacist insisted on compounding a marvelous big medicine, which he said was clearly set forth.
Again, Mose Perkins wasn't the only one who sent a much appreciated letter, but the other fellows put down the name of the city and state after the detailed street and number. Still that is not so much of absent-mindedness as that of the man who laid aside a request for news and then forgot to send even the address at all. However, we are going ahead as fast as we can with the stories of the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.
We have received from the press of Allyn and Bacon a most exciting circular purporting to give the full story of the life and actions of Professor Roy W. Hatch, head of the department of social studies, State Teachers College at Montclair, N. J. However, the writer is personally aware that the document fails to cite some of Roy's outstanding achievements of the Isaak Walton kind. Probably the company was afraid that might not help the circulation of "Our World Today," a new book by Stull and Hatch. We can't use these columns for advertising, but Roy did himself proud on this book, even if he did have to get a geographer to do the maps, spell the names of the foreign capitals, and tell how many countries there were at the time of going to press. So far as seen at present this book ought not to be a best seller, because it is not of the proper size to compete with the "Big Joggerfry" behind whose wide extent many an apple has passed down into the little red lane.
We ought to mention also Roy's new house at 584 Highland Ave., Montclair, N. J. That is something to write about, though for purely selfish reasons one man at least wishes that the distinguished professor still had his home in Leonia, N. J. Some time we hope to print one of Roy's fish stories from the wilds of Canada.
Dr. Burr Royce Whitcher sends in an interesting letter, and is good enough to enclose a photograph of Robert Royce, aged four, and Mary Stevens, fifteen months. If these two are as lively as the picture indicates, Burr will be kept on the jump for a long time to come. Burr gives a course on the blood, its diseases and microscopic diagnosis at the New York Post Graduate Medical School, and is busy on research work on secondary anemias of children. How these doctors of ours do stick to the job. Denny Lyons said some years ago that the class ought to be proud of its teachers; we admit that, of course, but our doctors also represent a great contribution of the class to society.
It is a great pleasure to learn that the college men of yesterday have developed into leaders, advisers, and sources of ideas for the benefit of others, but we need also to remember that we are just as much concerned about their private and personal lives. For many college generations your scribe in his countless interviews with students has expressed his personal view that life in general is not so far unlike the college period as some would have us think. For example, the boy who would be active in the extra-curricular phase of his academic career should see to it first that his scholastic standing is not subject to reproach, just as in later life a good citizen first attends to the needs of his own home and dependents and then gives of his efforts to his larger neighborhood.
From such a viewpoint one gets a greater satisfaction to see that all is well with such a large majority of our number in their homes and immediate personal contacts. By and large our college man becomes a good family risk. But lest over much senile philosophy weary you, read what may be called the evidence, and see if it does not please you.
Our fair-haired (or is it, once fairhaired) Allie Adams writes from Minneapolis:
"I am still in the great and gloriousNorthwest, where, in these tough economictimes, the sun still shines smilingly uponpeople who have had adversity in the development of a great territory, and whohave become so used to it that a little moredoes not cause them to fail to enjoy thebeautiful nature which surrounds them,with a resulting favorable effect upon theirtemperaments and dispositions.
"I am still with the American SuretyCompany of New York, struggling withtheir problems, which are no small onesthese tough times, so there has been nochange in my occupation, my connectionwith the American Surety Company having covered a period of twenty-five years.
"My son Milton, now having two children, spent three years at Dartmouth, thentransferred to the University of Minnesota,and is an electrical engineer, with specialleanings toward the development of radio,in which he has received a satisfactoryfundamental education. His three yearsin Dartmouth developed a wonderful background, which coupled with the opportunity to contact with the fine engineeringcourse at the University of Minnesota, will,I hope, mean success for him.
"Two of my daughters had their collegeeducation at the University of Minnesota.The Adams Twins, Betty and Peggy, nowfourteen years old, are in high school, andtheir future is ahead of them. The development of these identical twins, physically and mentally, has been a wonderfullyinteresting study. My battle now is tocomplete their education and see that myremaining unmarried daughters get goodhusbands or enjoy success otherwise. Thisis some job. At the same time, I must findtime to give consideration and attentionto my three grandchildren."
Now one must not think of Allie as any exception to the rule; there is much more testimony even if somewhat more brief. For instance, to the query as to what else he does one man says, "Love my wife andkids, and am content." What a view of life that indicates.
And if you want another intimate picture of the private individual, how is this for a public service contribution:
"I always park next to the curb, driveon the right-hand side of the road, anddim my lights for approaching cars."
That's Ben Riley, and it's a better picture of the kind of business man Ben really is than you can get from all the technical advertising he can possibly get out. Ben also says that he has helped elect several presidents, even though they seem not to have realized it. As far as that goes, Ben, you are not altogether unique, but we like to think that among other things the college man will regard his right of suffrage as a duty rather than as a privilege, even though his vote goes to the minority instead of to the majority.
By the way, we seem not to have made numerous contributions to politics, except for the services of Fat Sawyer to the State of New Hampshire and of Bob Leach to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. But it is not too late yet, though one gathers that our crowd is serving more effectively in a different way. We must not forget, however, that there is another viewpoint. Charlie Goddard, whose literary career has interested all of us, rates his own political success as "magnificent, have succeeded in keeping away."
In our letters there has been more than one reference to the quiet, effective life of Bill Adriance, and we very much appreciate the thoughtfulness of Mrs. Adriance, who has written to tell us of the marriage of the older daughter, Joy. She was married on September 8 to Mr. James Woolley. The ceremony took place at the home in Winchester, Mass., and was performed by the bride's grandfather, Rev. S. Winchester Adriance (Dartmouth '73). The young couple was attended by the bride's younger sister, Elizabeth, and the groom's brother, Charles. H. Woolley. After a wedding trip to Maine they have begun housekeeping at 283 Harvard St., Cambridge. Our best wishes go to the new home.
Elizabeth Adriance has gone back to Mt. Holyoke for her senior year.
Secretary, 130 Woodridge Place, Leonia, N. J.
