Los Angeles
A kind act of Providence decreed that Dean Laycock should spend an entire week with the Los Angeles alumni. The Pacific Coast alumni see the head men of the college so seldom that the arrival of one of them was nothing less than sensational. As soon as the reception committee conducted the Dean from his boat to Los Angeles early in the morning of March 27th, the alumni began to bid so furiously for the Dean's time that the secretary had to intervene and act as booking agent.
Headquarters were established at the Biltmore Hotel, and then the fun began. Each morning alumni gathered in the Dean's room to chat and to listen to his interesting stories of Dartmouth activities and personalities. The afternoons and evenings were crowded with the following interesting events, arranged and attended by Dartmouth men: the regular Association luncheon; dinner with Dick Baldwin and the scribes; lunch and a tour of the beach cities with Howard Newcomb, father of Howard Jr. '3a; a bridge party arranged by Ed Martin 'O9; lunch and a tour of the movie studios with Charles Starrett '26 and Walter Wanger 'l7; dinner with Ashton Castle '24, and a bridge party at Walter Gibson's '11; lunch with twelve youngsters (those out less than five years); a trip to Pomona College with Ted Redington '9; dinner and bridge at Dave Bradley's '03; a visit to the Huntington Library with Frank Rolfe '24, and Walter Adams '98; dinner and bridge at Vic Salinger's '00; a reception at Jim Norton's '08; dinner at Furb Haight's '21; then out to the MetroGoldwyn-Mayer Studios, at the invitation of Harry Rapf, father of Maurice '35, to attend a special preview of a new Dartmouth winter sports picture; lunch with Atkins Nickerson '10; and on Tuesday evening, the annual dinner.
One hundred and two men came to pay homage to their Dean. The day before, most of them were given that sinking feeling when they received a 24-hour notice bearing Craven's signature; needless to say, the card brought back definite memories.
Spike Hamilton '23 brought his entire orchestra to play Dartmouth music. He played with the same rhythm and inspiration as when he played those tunes on the Commons porch spring evenings.
The Association then presented the Dean with a pipe. Walter Gibson 'll made the presentation speech. He recounted interesting incidents in Craven's career at Dartmouth and then gave a well-rounded eulogy.
Retiring President Jerry Barnes '11, acting as toastmaster, called for an election of officers. The following men were elected:
President, Walter Douglas '3l; VicePresident, Ashton Castle '24; Second VicePresident, Samuel Hobbs 'l2; Secretary, Leon I. Rothschild '24; Asst. Secretary, Robert L. Collins '29; Treasurer, William E. Palmer '3l; Asst. Treasurer, Karl Rodi '3O; Executive Committee: Gerald Barnes 'll, Ray Bennett 'l2, and James Norton 'OB.
The Dean was then introduced by the toastmaster. His talk was informal, inti mate and sympathetic. It made better Dartmouth men of all who heard it. The dinner ended with Wah-Hoo-Wahs and songs. All regretted the fact that Craven's week would soon be over. It is a week that Los Angeles alumni will long remember.
Early Wednesday morning the Dean set
out for San Francisco with Al Shiels '17, driving along the beautiful Pacific Coast Highway. Al was instructed by the Los Angeles alumni to sell California to the Dean—we want him to return.
Secretary.
