Class of 1917
From the Boston Transcript via Sunny Sanborn we learn that Roy Halloran has been appointed superintendent of the Metropolitan State Hospital, a promotion from his position of assistant commissioner of State Department of Mental Diseases. This is an achievement of note, and the congratulations of the class are very much in order.
Gene Towler reports a most enthusiastic and peppy meeting of the Dartmouth Club of Northern New Jersey, of which Karl Koeniger is president. Other members of the class present were Cliff O'Neill, Mai Switzer, Gil Swett, Arch Earle, Joe Myer, and our esteemed president, Slats Baxter. Having attended a dinner party at Gene's last week, I can report that the Towler family is functioning in fine order, and that any member of the class who goes near Cranford without calling on them is making a most serious mistake.
From the communications sent to Don Brooks and myself this month, we have collected a fine supply of news items. Hal Tobin, for instance, writes most interestingly from Geneva:
"Your letter just arrived, and I am sittingdown immediately to answer. The first partis quite simple. Business: I am trying to assemble material sufficient to warrant somearticles or a book on the position occupiedby the League of Nations according to theviews of various governments. I have hadno marriages or children. My diversionalactivities are a rare game of poker, theopera occasionally, the movies a bit oftener,and walkmg. My health is exceedingly 'good, all things considered, and mystomach is taking kindly to a variety ofnational diets.
"As to the second part concerning recent activities, I've been in Geneva allwinter. The disarmament conference hasbeen going on in what appears to be intelligible fashion when one is in Geneva,but which looks less so when one goes elsewhere. No one has stopped thinking interms of ultimate resort to war, yet everyone I believe is honestly anxious to reducehis expenses if he can maintain his position of relative strength vis-a-vis the otherpowers. At best it will take a long time,and the most that can be hoped for is areduction in the means of attack, givingdefensive weapons a better chance, thusreducing the fears of the states. The technical means of doing these two things atthe same time is what occupies the timeand efforts of the negotiators.
"The Manchurian affair has kept theLeague busy meanwhile, and seems to haveproved that even a big power cannot keepthe League from giving moral condemnation of flagrant violations of internationalobligations. But it's very difficult to get upenough enthusiasm for any action beyondthat, and Japanese enthusiasm for carryingthrough what she has started is greaterthan any which is apt to be exerted to prevent her.
"I went down to Rome a short time ago,and saw the Fascist ten-year exposition.Unquestionably the Fascist regime haswidespread support even among those whoearlier opposed it. Financial difficultieshave caused the state to interfere withbusiness to such an extent that most of theimportant concerns are now tied up withthe state in some way.
"I expect to be in Berlin over the elections. The National Socialists are rushingthrough so many decrees crippling theother parties that it will be difficult to prevent them from getting a majority in thenext Reichstag, which may meati a suspension of popular government for a considerable period. The burning of the Reichstag building has given the government anexcuse to take very strong measures againstits opponents. Though there have been arrests of important persons, the streets arevery calm.
"I just received a letter from Sam Whitein Fairbanks, Alaska. It sounds delightful,though the prices appear pretty high. Heis certainly delighted with his work."I expect to be home in May, and perhaps will have a chance to see you.
"HAROLD TOBIN."
Bob Stickney of Beverly, Mass., reports that for the past twelve years he has specialized in diseases of children, being connected with the Beverly Hospital and the North Shore Baby Hospital. He confesses he is still married to the same wife and has two children, 9 and 5 years old. His principal recreation is sailing, golf having been abandoned in disgust.
Walt Sisson's letter runs lightly through the story of his troubles with the spirit and courage which we would expect from him:
"I hardly know just how to go aboutanswering the questions in your recent letter, but will give you a short sketch of myups and downs, which just at present likethe majority, are 'downs.'
"Fortunately I had a family business todrift into after the war, and I had mychoice of lumber or paper. I took lumber,and after ruining that business by 1931, Iswitched to the paper business, and fromall present pictures have made a good holein that. I have hopes that the 'new deal'will save my business career. Florida, WallStreet, and a side line in the automobilebusiness found me a willing student, sothat now with my college education complete, I, like others, am ready for a freshstart.
"Now for the brighter side of life. Youask about marriages, why the plural, Idon't know. I made one attempt andthose of you who met my wife, Ruth, mustknow that it was a very successful andhappy one. Three children have comealong to make things more perfect: Carol,S years; Joe Emery, 41/%; and Sylvia (calledPolly), 2½.
"Golf with a little hunting in the fallform my chief diversional activities.
"My chief regret is that my locationmakes it impossible for me to contact moreoften with the members of the class. Ourhome at Potsdam has a 'Big Welcome'awaiting any of the 'Seventeeners,' shouldthey happen to pass this way.
"WALTER."
From Mai Switzer we learn that he is in the trust department of the Bankers' Trust Cos. of New York City and resides in East Orange. For recreation he depends upon golf and fishing, although he gives us no information as to where or how well he does either one. Jane, aged 10, constitutes his present contribution to posterity.
This month we are able to add the following names to our "Active List": Donald Aldrich, Waltman Walters, Hugo Friedrichs, Frank Huntress, Carl Colby, Hobart Ford, Donald Brooks, Payson Barber, John W. White, Leonard Shea, Walter Sisson, Norman McCulloch, T. C. Lonnquest, Karl Koeniger, Mott D. Brown Jr., Karl Stillman, Leon Cone, Fred Gates, Donald Norton, A. P. Maclntyre, C. A. Steiger, Roy Halloran, Ralph Wells, John W. Saladine, George E. Clark, W. D. Fleming, Derille Trenholm, and H. W. Mason.
Secretary, Craig House, Beacon, N. Y.
