Class of 1902
Only a little more than a month now! Not for the first time am I wishing that the time between my writing and your reading were much shorter. The story of the New York alumni dinner would have been much more like news a month ago, but some of it may cheer you even after this lapse of time. Ten men present, a larger number than for years. And, note this, every man of that number promised his best to be in Hanover in June.
Who were they? First of all, Percy Door came down from Springfield to give added dignity and charm to the reckless New Yorkers; Pearl Edson and George Hubbard, without whom no New York alumni dinner is complete, next on the list; Arthur Tozzer, erect and efficient, who won't give you any real occasion to say "How youhave changed"; Fitzy Fitzgerald, a welcome figure, who may make you look twice; Leslie Farr, a good man and true, and readily recognizable; Roy Hatch, perhaps touched by the silver-tipped fingers of time, but still very much Roy; Ruggles, A. V., a little thinner might one guess, but you'll know him easily, or you should: and Bob Goodell, a man of achievement, whom some of you will need to study carefully or you may have to guess. That's nine, and I counted ten, now isn't that peculiar. Anyway, they are all for Hanover in June.
And I won't tell you any more about them, for one thing I don't get a lot out of a fellow when he's trying to eat his soup, and for another this second-hand stuff is just no good. But I can tell you this, every one of those nine has done a good job, and has a lot of good story in him. Now you go after it, even if it takes some of your best to draw it out.
Don't think I am trying to sell New Yorkers to you, but this is just the sample that I have most recently seen, and if what I have remarked about this tableful is correct, it is just as true about the class W general.
I haven't yet acknowledged a delightful letter from Howard Harris, which is much too long for including here. I can sum up his considerable remarks anent the New Deal by using the words of Calvin Coolidge, when he had to report what the minister said in his sermon on "Sin," "He was against it." Howard visited the Baker Library last fall and for the first time saw the much-discussed frescoes. I gathered that he viewed them in much the same attitude as he looks at the New Deal, only more so. But finally he quieted down as becomes a country gentleman, and began to speak about fishing and other respectable subjects. I owe a lot to various roommates of mine, and Howard put me still more in his debt by giving me a fascinating picture of a quiet spot in New England where one can evolve a sane philosophy of life.
By the way, how did you like that Christmas present from Soap Davis? Wasn't that an idea? I've heard from several, who spoke kind words about both the package and the sender. Perhaps the right sort of encouragement would produce a bigger package, but I must refrain, or some of you fellows will get me transferred to the business rather than correspondents' department.
Avery Lambert, professor of histology and microscopic anatomy at the School of Medicine, State University of lowa, certainly has a busy family. Son Hersom is a practising physician in Winthrop, Me.; daughter Mary, a high school student, plays the flute in a national championship high school band; son Bud in junior high, is coming along with piano and violin. Father preaches occasionally, and reads his own poetry over the radio. He doesn't say what he does in his spare time, but it is safe to say that he isn't twirling his thumbs.
Duke Anguera sends in a good report. Oldest daughter married, second daughter studying music, and the third is a senior in high school. Duke lives so near my place of business that I haven't seen him, that's the kind of secretary I am. But Duke has been so far away from us most of the time, that perhaps some of us think he is still in South America. He is hoping to get back to this reunion, and we are all hoping that the same spirit is aroused behind some of the other faces we haven't seen in Hanover for some time.
I had not known until recently that Bill Mahoney lost his daughter in 1934, nor that Mrs. Mahoney died some years before. But I do know that a number of fflen said that Bill was one of the men they wanted to see in Hanover. I had promised myself I wouldn't tell names on those returns, but I think Bill should know we Want to see him.
Sewall Newman wrote last fall that his boy expected to marry in October. I could hardly believe it. You see that's the chap Who came up to reunion with his father and brought along a baseball so he could have some fun. I caught a few of his perceptible curves, and when I read this news, I was sure that baseball incident was only a year or so ago. Maybe it was fifteen, instead. Well, Sewell, bring him up again, if he'll come. But never mind the baseball.
Carroll Hill was much more prompt in answering my letter than I am in acknowledging. He was at the time engaged in an endeavor which was more successful locally than nationally, if you know what I mean. And if you don't follow such subtlety, just reread some of the item re Howard Harris. Robert Hill is a senior in Newton High.
Harry MacKinnon, still in Springfield, Ohio, writes that his son, Harry Lachlan '34, is now more than half-way through medical college. Oh, yes! Harry Mac is the fellow who asked me, "Where is Leonia?" Now I thought everybody knew the answer to that one. Yet it isn't such a bad idea if I do give the answer. The west end of the George Washington bridge (N. Y. to N. J.) lands on top of the Palisades in the borough of Fort Lee, and the borough just west of Fort Lee on the west slope of the Palisades ridge is Leonia.
See you in June!
Secretary, 130 Woodridge Place, Leonia, N. J
