Class of 1902
Probably you haven't realized it, but this is the place for me to give you, perhaps a bit early, the greeting of the season, "A Merry Christmas to you." And no matter how hard-boiled you may have become, it does give your spirits a lift to have anyone think well enough of you to say that, and mean it.
While my correspondence is privileged, and it ill becomes a class secretary to reveal all he knows, it does seem that two points are clear in studying the general tenor of those letters that I receive. The first is that practically no one in the class is continually basking in the sunlight. Some of us who are still deep in the shadows may have felt that one's own particular brand of gloom was the blackest and the most continuous. My report to you is that we are all in it, and that hard work is the order of the day. My personal faith still holds fast to that old tenet, " 'Tis not so much whether you won or lost, but how you played the game."
The other point is, that however much indifference may have been assumed or acquired, there is nevertheless a far greater amount of class spirit than many have imagined. Perhaps we were of the period of transition between the old and the new, and perhaps we were too numerous to find the proper balance between the tradition of the old college and the plans for the new. I am not attempting to say whether we were or not, but I am definitely stating that, underneath whatever superficial treatment his later personality may have received, not merely the average man but nearly every man of 190 a still cares a great deal about those items which constituted his college life.
From New Britain, Conn., comes word from Al Schilling, contracting engineer for the Berlin Construction Cos. Al is still on the job, but I missed the little side-light on politics that he frequently puts in. How about voting the Democratic ticket for a change, Al?
Louis Fitzpatrick writes from Haileybury, Ontario, as usual. Incidentally, how many of you know where that place is? My guess is that most of you will place it far nearer to the North Pole than it really is. Anyway we are glad to have your greetings, Louis, even if you aren't quite our most northern representative.
David Lamprey, yes "Dieser," is now living at 778 Beach St., Manchester, N. H., and is still teaching in the Central High School in Manchester.
Hall, Edwin Bowley, reports his address at 53 Highland Ave., Haverhill, Mass., and his occupation as salesman.
Arthur Tozzer is still executive vicepresident of the Turner Construction Company in general charge of the operations of the Company, but Toz has been and still is active in many other things.
"During 1933 I was president of the Associated General Contractors of America,and when President Roosevelt handed codesto industry it was my duty to set up a codefor the general contractors Thisnecessitated spending a great amount oftime in Washington and elsewhere throughout the country, trying to unify the industry. While we have become better acquainted with one another in our own lineof business and understand ourselves, thecodes as a whole were an utter failure, andif they had not been blown up by theSupreme Court, I question how long theywould have been maintained in our industry with the government giving us no support on enforcement and refusing to liveup to the provisions forced on us whenthey were doing work on our line. Therehas also been a tremendous amount oflegislation which has seriously affected ourbusiness, in which I have been deeply interested.
"My three daughters are growing oldalong with me. The oldest has finished herfirst year at Smith and will take her sophomore year at the College for Women atGeneva, Switzerland, returning to Smith inthe fall next year. The other two are inschool in Scarsdale, and I hope eventuallythey may get to college."
Not to be accused of concentrating on Smith, Toz has hit on a scheme which is worthy of imitation, he seems to have borrowed a boy who he considers will make good Dartmouth material.
Jack Cannell is back in Everett, with the J. J. Cannell Co., electrical contractors. Jack says that his wife is studying sociology at the University of Chicago. Note Jack's address at 50 A High St., Everett, Mass.
Charles Harrison also sends in a new address, at 1733 S. W. Clifton St., Portland, Oregon, but he is still superintendent of the Congregational Conference of Oregon. Our good preacher had an appendicitis operation in June, and there was plenty of trouble. He is just getting around now, but so far as can be seen between the lines his spirit is unaltered. The best of our wishes to you, old chap.
David Pratt, alias Dr. Pratt of New Bedford, Mass., has several items of interest. His daughter Jean has graduated from Vassar, and son George is preparing to enter Dartmouth, "if it' doesn't interfere with hisfishing." That's all right, George, other people have been in the same boat. You will all be glad to know that Dave has just completed a new wing on the hospital and feels better equipped to care for thyroid patients. But like so many of the rest, he says that it all spells work.
If you aren't tired of reading about doctors, go on with me to the note from another, one of our most traveled classmates, our representative in the Medical Corps of the U. S. Army, Colonel Pillsbury. Busy, but takes time to say among other things that "THE ALUMNI MAGAZINE is goinggreat." And just to prove to you that he is still as human and as much of us as of old, I am delighted to quote the signature
"Good luck! Yours, Cap Pillsbury."
We all thank you, Cap, and here's to you. But again I must remember that my space is budgeted, and if I get too garrulous, some unkind censor will observe that scissors have a real purpose in life. Still I know he won't cut out the season's greeting of 1902 to 1903, and to all the other classes,
"God bless us, every one."
Secretary, 130 Woodridge Place, Leonia, N. J
