Gradus Ad Parnassum
AN EDITORIAL from a recent issue of the New York Herald Tribune, titled "The Decline in Endowments" is reprinted below. The ominous note that it sounds in respect to the future of endowed institutions is based on fact. The situation holds at Dartmouth. Colleges cannot exist in a status quo. They must make steady forward progress. There can be no acceptance of a situation wherein Dartmouth stands still, failing to keep up with what its officers, alumni, and students feel should be its steady rate of progress. Yet this is what we are faced with should gifts be stopped, or inflation set in, or any other adverse factor upset the fine balance that exists between income and expense.
The Herald Tribune editorial follows: "Hugh S. Johnson in his syndicated column in "The World-Telegram" discusses an aspect of the Administration's fiscal policy which receives all too little consideration today. The column was written after he had paid a visit to Yale University and discovered that the "incredibly magnificent" Mason collection of Frankliniana was being largely wasted from an educational standpoint for the reason that it required cataloguing and the services of a curator and two assistants—and that the university had not the funds for these purposes.
"This is a striking example of a condition which today is nation-wide. It arises from three sources. In the first place, there has been a heavy shrinkage in educational and charitable endowments in recent years. A study by George Oliver Tamblyn, made for the United States Office of Education, and published a few weeks ago, showed that in the school year 1929-'30 private institutions of higher learning received $130,617,348 from private benefactors, but in 1935-'36 they received only $24,914,473, a decrease of 80.9 per cent. Most of this decrease had been recorded by 1933, but the fact that such income did not rise with the recovery in income as a whole is, it is fair to presume, mainly the result of the prevailing high estate and gift taxes, coupled with state income taxes.
"But this, as General Johnson reminds us, is only the beginning. Like the dependents of a man with a life insurance policy, our universities, hospitals, research foundations and charity institutions find that they can obtain interest on their bonds amounting but one-half or one-third what they normally could expect. And finally, hovering in the background—as a result of the refusal of the Administration to face the budget problem realistically (or, for that matter, even to relinquish its emergency inflation privileges) is the possibility of an inflationary rise in prices and living costs which would further reduce the real income of these institutions. General Johnson rightly observes that 'that double danger—reduced income and the reduced buying power of what it left—today hangs over every endowed institution in the country.' "
THERE HAS never been a Carnival quite so good from every point of view as the 27 th annual festive weekend sponsored by the Outing Club. The weather was practically perfect; it was possible to sit down and enjoy the outdoor evening program without freezing to death; more visitors than ever before, including a record number of Carnival girl friends (every one a Queen); the noticeable absence of the "lunatic fringe" both among out-of-town visitors and others; and the finest sort of competition in the skiing and other athletic events.
The question had been raised earlier in the year as to whether or not the skiing events could be keenly contested owing to the presence of three Olympians on the Dartmouth squad and also a number of other first-rate skiers. When it was announced that a Swiss team would enter the meet, the shoe was changed to the other foot. Formidable opposition from the Swiss, from McGill, and from other colleges was promised. Record crowds turned out to see the spectacular down-mountain and slalom races and the jumping. The final result was close—only a few points separated the winning Dartmouth team from McGill and a notch lower stood the Swiss. With good snow conditions and ideal weather for spectators, the keen competition provided what was for Hanover the high point of skiing during the Outing- Club's long experience.
Under the direction of Dan Hatch '28 and Jack Feth '34 the Outing Club reached a new high in efficiency and capable handling of large crowds and the execution of a varied program, but as always it is to the undergraduates in the D. O. C. and to the aoo or more volunteer student helpers that one must award the palm of praise. Granted that able and experienced direction is given to all D. O. C. projects, it is a fact that the undergraduate officers and personnel of the Club are largely responsible for success or failure in any one of the Club's several activities. The D. O. C. has attempted to safeguard its well established tradition of student participation and initiative. The continuity and guidance is provided by two older officers and a board of trustees who continue from year to year. But it is gratifying to watch the student group throw themselves into planning and carrying through a great Carnival weekend and doing it to everyone's satisfaction.
PUBLICITY FOR Carnival this year, both before and after, seemed to be more widespread and better done than usual, perhaps because of the current boom in interest in winter sports throughout the country.
Numbered among photographers in town were a representative from Life-, Victor Coty, producer of 16 mm. movie films; and a crew' of movie cameramen representing Ted Husing and J. E. MacPherson '10, producers of short subjects for commercial use in theaters throughout the country. The clicking of cameras was almost constant. Bright sun made skiers and crowds stand out in striking contrast to the snow-covered landscape.
ANOTHER EDITION of the North Country Fair which has entertained Hanover in two previous years will appear early this month as a week-end event within the spacious limits of the Alumni Gymnasium. It was in 1934 that Mrs. Hopkins first headed a committee that devised the idea of a community social event of large proportions that would combine a pleasant occasion and the production of income to be made available to the Hitch- cock Hospital for application against annual operating costs.
Needs of the hospital in Hanover have been very much in the forefront of community affairs during recent months owing to the drive for funds made by the trustees of the hospital in the fall. The drive was successful in securing enough subscriptions to go ahead with a $300,000.00 building program although the goal of that amount was not reached. Under conditions of over-crowding and lack of space the hospital has handled an amazing amount of work for people throughout the northern sections of Vermont and New Hampshire. The service it gives in these rural communities is tremendous. It is hardly realized by any except those who come into intimate association with hospital affairs.
From the point of view of the College it would not be possible to operate Dick's House without the facilities that are available in the adjoining buildings of the hospital; the very competent and complete staff of doctors included in the member- ship of the Hitchcock Clinic would not be on call for the student body if the hospital and medical school were not going concerns. From any angle the wide-spread support and participation which North Country Fair calls for will be well worthwhile.
Although a major contribution from the community to the hospital is the immediate objective of the Fair; a further result of the event and one that has been fully enjoyed in the past is the mixture of undergraduates and residents from Hanover, Lebanon, and other communities who mingle together on this unique social occasion.
THE COVER this month is a picture by an unknown photographer who stood on the south summit of Moosilauke at the start of a down-mountain ski race. The figure about to disappear over the south shoulder of the mountain will traverse some four miles of twisting and steep trail before arriving at the finish line, Camp Misery, near the base of the mountain.
Skeptics may say that the cover is some low variety of fake and that "there ain't no such thing" this winter. But the fact is that skiing on Moosilauke is excellent. Late reports are that Hell's Highway is covered with something up toward two feet of snow.
DATES FOR the annual meetings of the Dartmouth Secretaries Association are announced to be May 14 and 15 this year. Secretaries will, as usual, convene in Hanover at that time and will be housed at the Hanover Inn as guests of the College. The week-end meetings will begin Friday afternoon, May 14. The annual dinner will be held that evening and a second business session will be held Saturday morning, May 15. In the afternoon there will be a varsity baseball game with Harvard. C. J. Spaulding '24 of Worcester, Mass., is president of the Association.
CAN ANYONE IDENTIFY UNKNOWN MEMBERS OF THE BICYCLE CLUB? The photo is the property of Clarence E. Moulton '89 of Montpelier, Vermont, who canname most of the men pictured but there are two missing names. Identification is neededfor the gentleman at the extreme left and for the cyclist standing in the center holdingwhat looks like one of Jess Hawley's sun helmets. The others are, left to right: backrow, Messrs. Dearborn '90, Mann '90, Anderson '89, Cobb '88, Sparhawk '90, Oilman '91,and Barrett '89. Front row, Messrs. Cheney '90, Moulton '89, Blanchard '89, Currier '89,Frost '89, and Hutchinson '90.
