Class of 1914
Last month we promised you a story of the work of Jim Heenehan in connection with his services as counsel to the New York State Banking Department. A brief description of these activities is in a separate column, which is our feature story for the month.
The class had a grand-turnout the night before the Harvard game. We met at the Parker House and were joined by 1915. As in our church supper days, a collation was served and a good time was had by all. Over thirty of the boys showed up. In addition to the usual Boston gang Jack Conners came up from Bridgeport, Bill Taft left his power company at Greenville flat for the evening, and Art Maddalena, who hasn't been around to a class party for years, turned up with promises to come more often. Bill Slater brought a tough cold from Providence, but was able to get into a tenor mood, the orchestra consisting of Bob Hopkins at the piano and Scotty Jones '15 on the accordion.
The next day the class turned out in good style at the game, and among those present, as reported by the class Winchell, was Snatch Wilkinson, accompanying a young lady who we understand hails from Georgia.
Our feature guest at the Harvard game was Paul Wilson, who hasn't seen Dartmouth play for years. Being in reasonably good health and wanting very much to be among those present, it was arranged to take him along. There were many adventures en route, such as getting a truck which carried him through the metropolitan police lines, arrangements with the Harvard people for entrance into the Stadium, Rip Heneage co-operated by furnishing sideline passes, and everyone was certainly most co-operative in making a grand afternoon for Paul.
We picked up Win Snow at the Stadium, who acted as marshal for the occasion and sends a report which he thought the class would like to read:
"You will be interested to know howPaul Wilson enjoyed himself Saturdayafter you left him to my tender mercies inthe bowl end of the Stadium. We had quitea little fun, in fact we had more enjoyment probably than the 30,000 other spectators, who watched Paul's slow trip downthe bowl end. Your idea of keeping himout of the riots was good, but luckily wewere able to get in the riot after all, notonly that, we were able to get part of thegoal post without any trouble; in fact,the kind motor cop assigned to Paulbrought him back about a foot of thecrossbar.
"The trip down by the Dartmouthstands was made without undue nervousness. Paul didn't mind it at all. He had expected to get a photo of himself, with theteam in the background, but we were toldthat kodaks were forbidden. Perhaps someof the official photographers included himin some of the snaps they took and wouldlet us have one. Paid, being a Vermontboy, was quite interested in watchingConti and was one of his most enthusiasticrooters. You would never believe a crippledbody could emit so much noise and thatlong run of Ray's straight toward us wasimmense. Although his vision is limitedto a certain area in front of him, by turning his chair we kept him aimed at theplay, which was much easier in the bowlend than it would have been in the center,where we first had him.
"Well, after the game, when the riot, ifyou could call it such, came close to us inthe form of a goal post aimlessly propelledin several directions at once, you wouldhave laughed to see them obey my handsignal to go in the opposite direction, andright up into the Stadium they went.
"I suggested starting for the gate, butPaul asked—Are they going to have anymore rioting?' 'I'll go over and see.' Andsure enough we were able to stage anotherpretty good riot for him. Then the motorcop on foot preceded us down the field,Herb Austin acting as motive power. Thetruck drove up, we lifted Paul in his carriage into it and the last I saw of themwas on Western Avenue with the motorcop's siren going and Paul getting a greatkick out of it."
Paul himself wrote the class a fine letter and I am giving you a few paragraphs. He puts it in the form of a diary:
"ALL IN FUN BUT ALL TRUE
"(Log written in a Wellesley bed 6 A.M.,Sat., Oct. 1934.)
"I can't sleep, so will scribe. Who withany red blood in him could sleep the nightbefore the big game—Dartmouth vs. Harvard. All night long I have been seeingConti, my fellow Vermonter, making awinning touchdown for Dartmouth. Thenfollowed the picture of me heading thesnake dance, pushed in my wheelchair bymy son Herbert, and the fight for the goal" post. Not an impossibility, for my 1914classmates have obtained sideline passes forthe Stadium and are coming after us bytruck at noon today.
"(Log entry of 7 A.M.) I must play theWBZ 'Good Morning' march to awakenthe 'Mealers' in 'Wilson Arms' so that theywill get to work in Boston on time.
"(Log entry 8 A.M. Saturday) A finecold day for the football game. Mrs. Wilsonis going in with another 1914 family,and will not have to bump along in mytruck as she usually does. The brisk windshould make the game a punters' battle.
"(Log entry 7 A.M. Sunday) Fine timeyesterday seeing Dartmouth trim Harvardten to nothing. Herb, always self-consciousabout being stared at, forgot this entirelyduring the excitement of the game, although ours was the only wheelchair in theStadium, and, outside of officials, we werethe only ones who had side-line passes.Also, it was Herbert's first big footballgame. I was very sorry Mrs. Wilson missedout on her auto trip in and consequentlymissed seeing the game. She had better'swing along with me' even if it is a truck.I think Herbert, after standing eightythousand eyes, can go down street with menow without feeling embarrassed. Weparked the wheelchair right in back of thegoal posts which, of course, came downafter the game. Twice the broken posts,fought over by pugilistic Harvard andDartmouth men, came for my wheelchairlike a battering ram, but my good classmate, Herbert Austin, called a hasty retreat. Then a warmhearted Dartmouthgraduate sent down to me, inside a glove, a'wee nipper,' about 'two fingers. "Just towarm an old Dartmouth man up.' I hadto refuse, because I hate to drink in publicand this was very public—l never drink infront of my son—arid finally, Ido not liketo drink anyway because it makes me hiccough and burns my throat and tongue.We filled my wheelchair with splintersfrom the goal posts, and Herbert is goingto make a souvenir treasure box out of it.The Harvard defense of the goal postsafter the game was rather weak. We alsogot quite a thrill at the motorcycle escortpiloting us through the usual 'after thegame' auto jam. How the cop did enjoysounding his siren and showing his authority!
"PAUL F. WILSON."
It is grand to think that Paul had such a swell time at the game, and his keen mind and jovial spirits considering his physical difficulties were an inspiration to everyone who saw him.
We are printing an interesting letter received from Ted Marriner, whom you know is counsellor to the American Embassy in Paris. Perhaps a bit later Ted will write a feature article for us describing some of his activities in the diplomatic field.
"Since the receipt of your letter of August28 I have been away for a few days'leave, visiting friends in the country inPoland, and so am delayed in answering. Iwas very sorry not to be in America thissummer and thus to have missed the reunion.
"I have been kept pretty closely in Parisfor the last two years, with the exceptionof a month at home last spring. During thepast year the offices of the Embassy havebeen installed in the magnificent newbuilding on the Place de la Concorde,where, due to the falling off in foreigntravel, I have not seen as many of the classmatesas I should have wished. Anyone whocomes to Paris can have no excuse for notfinding the building, and still less excusefor not looking me up if they do so. Theywill likewise find among my colleaguesKippy Tuck of the class of 1913.
"We have in Paris the pleasure andhonor of the presence of Mr. Edward Tuckof the class of 1862, who maintains a livelyinterest in the College. Mr. Tuck is also, asit were, an alumnus of the official establishments in Paris, having been vice-consulhere in 1865, and thus having had constantcontact with the Embassy and ConsulateGeneral from the time when Mr. JohnBigelow was minister, through to the present regime, represented by the HonorableJesse I. Straus.
"Only the other day, Wednesday last,September 26, Kippy Tuck arranged,through the kindness of the Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer representatives in Paris, for aprivate showing of a short film on Dartmouth life for the benefit of Mr. EdwardTuck, to which were invited the otherDartmouth men resident in Paris, a filmlargely devoted to the winter carnival, giving many views of the College which Mr.Tuck himself had never seen. The film finished with a triple quartet singing theStein Song in an Outing Club cabin. Thisfilm contained the most comprehensiveviews of the College Mr. Tuck had everseen and was the first sound film he hadever heard, and was most gratifying to allthe Dartmouth men present.
"1 was charge d'affaires at the time forMr. Tuck's 92d birthday, and attended alunch which he gave on that day at hishome adjoining the part of the Chateaude Malmaison. I was the only Dartmouthman present, Kippy Tuck being absent onleave. The other guests included GeneralPershing, George Blumenthal, DonaldHarper, and Morton Fullerton. The replicaof the Wentworth Punch Bowl, presentedby the College to Mr. Tuck, of which heis very proud, was in evidence.
"With all best wishes and hoping yourpromise to visit Paris still holds good. "TED."
From Howard Potter in Augusta, Me., we hear:
"There's no news about me here that isof interest to anyone. But I do want toapologize for not answering your last verykind letter, but like lots of things it justgot put off, until finally I was ratherashamed to write. Anyway, for anythingyou did to recover my lost goods, I thankyou. But I never did really expect to seethem again. If I ever get money enough tobuy another ship I guess I will be able tofinance some helmet and goggles. I shallbe, over to Hanover sometime this fall, andif you are anywhere about the premisesshall expect to see 'you. My best regards.Always. . . ; . HOD."
Charles Faxon bobs up from Chestertown, N. Y.:
"My neglect of things at Dartmouthwould seem to indicate a complete lack ofinterest, but such is not the case. I'll tryin the future to be a little closer in touch.There is little of interest I can write you.For a great many years I utas situated inthe. South and West, and after serving inthe army during the war I took my A.M.at Columbia. The one little thing I can sayfor myself is that I have been a memberin good standing at the Dartmouth College Club of New York since the Club wasstarted at 38th St. I'm ever hoping to getback to Hanover, and I shall some day.Very best wishes."
We hear from Ed Elkins that he made a motor trip through Colorado and New Mexico this summer, and that he has a son who expects to enter Dartmouth in 1935. Glad to hear from Rudy von Lenz from 235 Trenor, Drive, New Rochelle, N. Y.
"After planning for more than a year tojoin the gang for our 20th I had to call itoff owing to business matters, but I didspend a day and a half there the firstweek in July. The entire village was lockedup tight and I had to call upon my mostvivid imagination to satisfy my two daughters' accumulated curiosity about Dartmouth buildings, college atmosphere, andso forth. With best regards."
Art Maddalena was inquiring for his old roommate at the Harvard game.
Al Richmond sends in a bit of news about a couple of the boys:
"Fred Weed was in and out of my officea good deal this winter and spring. He wasassistant deputy administrator for NRA,giving particular attention to the codes forthe various phases of the construction industry. Late in the spring he resigned andhas returned to his normal field of watersupply engineering. Fred did a splendidjob and received many fine commendationsfrom the men with whom he came in contact through the NRA. I see Jeff Beals occasionally in this neighborhood—lookingwell. Dike Saville is doing an outstandinglygood job as head of the sanitary engineering department at N. Y. U."
VAFFAIRE SNATCH
Ray Larcom Wilkinson, whose home port is Salem in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, has in recent years developed into something of a globe-trotter. We have heard of him in Norway, Vienna, and various other localities which to us are but points on the map.
This past summer we are given to understand the wanderlust took him to England, where he rented a car and toured about so enjoyably that he proceeded to France, there to repeat the automobile tour.
Arriving in Paris he inquired about renting a car and was directed to an etablissement which he found presided over by a quite personable lady, thoroughly French and obviously keen on pleasing her new customer. Her stock of cars was duly inspected, a choice made, terms agreed upon, permits arranged for, and with a cheery "A demain" from la directrice and a grunt from Snatch, he departed to commence the grand tour on the morrow.
By taxi the next day went M. Wilkinson to draw up at the Louer des Autos, where his chosen car waited at the curb. Inside was a blonde vision who was smiling most affably.
"What the hell?" "Oh no—You are surprised, Yes?" It was Mme. la directrice, who rapidly explained that she had thoughtfully provided a driver—French drivers are so stupid—Yes? And it gets lonesome alone and Fifi drives so very well. ....
Here was a situation which must be met and severely. Snatch then, in his Chesterfieldian manner, began to explain that he could drive, preferred to go alone, in fact his doctor had sol decreed.
Mais, non—how droll, and again he must listen to the voluble, diverse, and even intriguing advantages of a lady chauffeur, Fifi, the while, gazing hopefully toward her prospective employer in her best Parisian style.
Again the repeated line that above all he wished to travel alone, which was as completely misunderstood as before.
Now she, the manager, draws Snatch aside with a new and bright idea. Perhaps Mademoiselle who had been chosen was not just the type? If so, it would be but a matter of minutes—even seconds—and others could be found, one of which would be sure to please.
Tiens, dite-done fils de cochon, and a couple of qu'et-ce-que-c'est-que-cas, what was to be done? Snatch was red, collar drooping, a crowd was gathering, a couple of gendarmes were attracted. The honor of France seemed to be at stake. Even Fif sensed a climax and eased herself from back of the wheel.
Snatch fumed, all hot and bothered. Madame entreated but to no avail. It was an impasse. With one final gesture she begged him not to proceed alone. In fact, she herself would go—the country air would do her good
This was too much! With a fling his bags were inside, and jumping in he was off with a roar, leaving Madame and Fifi, the gendarmes and the inevitable Parisian sidewalk crowd explaining to each other the inexplicable ways of les hommesAricains.
Everyone will be glad to know that Jack Delinger has fully recovered from his serious illness of last spring, and we are glad to print his recent note to John Piane:
"This is not to break in print but justto say a personal hello while sitting here inmy shirt-sleeves on a sultry October afternoon. Remember when you sent me thoseposters several years ago in St. Louist Inever acknowledged them, or if I did ittook me a damn long while, for it is on myconscience. They added greatly to a Dartmouth party in my basement after wehad had a business meeting upstairs. Wehad the old Hanover chow, and Jane Stilesand my wife were the hashers dressed up asa couple of Hanover mamselles. Saw Junka few weeks ago in Chi, and he told meabout seeing you in Hanover.
"Went to the Texas U.-Okla. U. footballgame last Saturday with Wag Green.It commenced to rain after the secondquarter, and the 35,000 spectators desertedin mass formation. Can you imagine a rainstorm clearing the stands at a football gamein Hanover?
"Best of luck." We hear that P. P. Lincoln is now city editor of the Boston Record.
Dick Barlow writes to John Piane in characteristic vein:
"This is one check for dues that I don'tmind sending because everyone likes to geta run for their money and you certainlyget it here.
"Haven't done very much since my return from our reunion, but did have a fewweek-ends at the shore. Don't believe Ihave seen a Dartmouth man since returning from Hanover, so you can see I haven'tmuch news for you.
"Of course, the Morro Castle has causedlots of excitement around here the lastweek and I took the family down lastMonday to look it over. A great numberof my friends were at the scene of the accident long before any of the survivorscame ashore, and their different storieswould make wonderful reading."
Hope to see you at the Princeton game, Dick.
We had a pleasant note from George Gilbert, who regrets he was not able to be at reunion, and says:
"Have been keeping busy with schooland allied work. Ours is one of the largestand best equipped suburban senior highschools—1300 pupils. Partly because of thisis due my membership on the College Entrance Exam. Board, representing the Middle States Association. And because of ourfrequent championship teams (last yearfootball, tennis, basketball; previous yearall the major sports) I am on the DistrictBoard of Control, also president of Suburban High School Principals Association."Sorry to miss you this summer."
L. D. White has an extensive article in the November Fortune. He is, as you know, a United States Civil Service commissioner in Washington, and describes at length the New Deal policies of civil service
Merry Christmas!
Secretary, 367 Boylston St., Boston
JAMES T. HEENEHAN, class of 1914, who recently returned to the private practice of law in New York City, spent four stirring and eventful years as counsel to the New York State Banking Department. Even in normal times, the task of advising on legal matters a department having supervision over banking institutions with resources of approximately $14,000,000,000 one fourth of all the banking resources of the nation, is one of unusual responsibility. Mr. Heenehan filled the position during a period when new problems vitally affecting the financial structure of the country were being presented nearly every day. His chief was Joseph A. Broderick, one time secretary of the Federal Reserve Board and later a high executive in a large New York City bank. In appointing Mr. Heenehan deputy superintendent and counsel, Mr. Broderick promised him that he would find the work always interesting and often exciting. Upon assuming office in May, 1930, Mr. Heenehan set out to reorganize the department's legal division. The work of adding to a library, setting up indices and files, and arranging for the presentation of legal questions was interesting, if not exciting. Excitement, however, was not long in coming. The Bank of United States, a bank in New York City with over four hundred thousand depositors, fifty-seven branch offices, and $188,000,000 in deposits, was rapidly becoming a serious problem in the banking department. Protection of depositors required that the bank be saved, and to that end the department directed its efforts. Extended negotiations with financial interests, often carried on in conferences which lasted until the early hours of the morning, were continued for weeks. In those trying days, Mr. Heenehan learned that the concern which a lawyer has for the affairs of a private client is not half as nerve-racking and troublesome as that which he can have for the well-being of countless unseen depositors whose savings are in danger. The closing of the bank on December 11, 1930, merely served to add to Mr. Heenehan's duties. To him fell the task of supervising the work in connection with converting the bank's assets into cash with which to repay depositors. This phase of his duties multiplied many times as the number of closed banks mounted with the increasing severity of the depression. During his term of office, more than $330,000,000 were paid by the department to depositors of closed banks. Vast as the duties of counsel were in connection with closed bank liquidations, it was necessary for him to find time every day to solve innumerable problems relating to institutions which were striving to weather the economic storm. Plans for the recapitalization of banks involving novel questions of law were continuously being presented. Methods of reorganization, often originating with Mr. Heenehan, enabled many banks to remain open which otherwise would have been compelled to close their doors. The climax o£ Mr. Heenehan's experience in the banking department came with the bank holiday of March, 1933. The wave of fear among depositors, which had already closed many banks throughout the West, finally struck the great state of New York, and again there were conferences that lasted through days and nights. While the holiday, declared first by the Governor and later by the President, gave the banks a breathing spell, it merely intensified the duties of the banking department. Reopening the banks was a far more difficult task than closing them by proclamation. Legislation conferring broad emergency powers upon the State Banking Board was immediately passed. The exercise of such powers by the board, to facilitate the reopening of banks and prevent hoarding thereafter, required constant advice from Mr. Heenehan on legal matters, as did all action taken by the department in connection with the reopening of banks. When the holiday had terminated, the banks of New York state, with few exceptions, had been reopened. It seemed for a time that the duties of the department would return to normal. However, while the holiday was still fresh in the public mind, Congress enacted the Banking Act of 1933, effecting vital and far-reaching amendments to the federal banking laws. Among other things, that act provided for the insurance of bank deposits for institutions which were able to comply with specified requirements. Again, it was necessary for the department to review the condition of all institutions, in some cases promote reorganizations, and take other action to enable the banks under its supervision to obtain deposit insurance. After six months of such work, all the banks in New York, with two exceptions, qualified on January 1, 1934, for membership in the insurance fund. From that time until Mr. Heenehan resigned from the department, on August 1, 1934, his concern was primarily with efforts directed toward the recapitalization of institutions. It was not until this work was practically completed and the banks of the state had been restored to stable condition and had regained the confidence of the public that Mr. Heenehan felt free to resign his duties and re-enter the private practice of law.
