Class of 1926
You are now reading the last of my ravings for the current year. I am pleased at the thought of a three months' vacation, and I am sure that you will be pleased not to be subjected to my poor attempt at rhetoric until the fall. However, I; Should like to express at this time my appreciation to those loyal members of the class who have kept me posted during the past fall and winter. It has been very enjoyable to correspond with you, and my only wish is that you will continue next autumn, and also that you will be joined by many others who read this column but from whom we seldom hear.
Al Louer writes that he has his Alumni Fund organization hard at work, and I am sure that you are backing them up with generous contributions. Among those who are assisting on this fine job but not mentioned last month are Marty Brand for Washington, D. C., and the Southeast, and Bill Nigh for the Pacific Coast. As you read this column, remember the time is shorts If you have not already contributed, send something to Hanover NOW!
During the first week in April Jack Cannon was in Des Moines, at which time he sent me news gathered en route. Unfortunately the welcome missive arrived too late for the May issue, so I shall quote from it now.
"Just returned from Sioux City, and there saw George Avery ex '26 and Herm Davidson. George is living alone on a 225-acre estate, but can still rub shoulders with us proletariats and when necessary assume the bourgeois attitude. He was very interested in hearing about the '26 crowd, and I did my best to give him accurate information. Herm is the local department store tycoon. The business is telling, however, for the once golden locks are beginning to thin. He has been married these seven years and has a daughter. Being a bachelor (thus far), I hesitate to record this observation for fear of its being misconstrued, but regardless I must say he has a very attractive wife.
"The Dartmouth Musical Club party last Saturday was quite an affair. Our crowd made a good showing as usual. I could enumerate them but the list would be too long. You notice the word 'could' infers my memory was and still is not beclouded. Gunthorp was around with his candid camera, so when he starts to blackmail people with blowups I'll try to snare a few so you can print same. Perhaps we can make a percentage deal with him.
"Anyone that has been following these ramblings of mine might have deduced something was in the offing. Well, the inevitable has happened. Ted Parker is engaged to one Caryl Bloomingston—the ravishing and mysterious blonde of my past notes. The marriage is sometime in June—you know, the month of soft breezes, romantic nights, and velvet skies, when the earth feels the creative urge and becomes prolific with its bounty. Or do you? Anyway, both. Ted and Caryl are and should be sincerely congratulated.
"Bill Nigh and wife were in town a couple of weeks ago, returning from the East after a business trip. Spent some time with them and can say Bill has not changed much. Perhaps a little more subdued and insists on having dinner where he can see a 'floor show.' Don't they have those things on the Coast?
"Al Louer is working like hell on the Alumni Fund, and if energy and application mean anything, watch out!
"Hope things are great with you, Charley, and why not put Chicago on the visiting list soon?"
Thanks again, Jack, for your untiring efforts to keep me informed.
Here is one from our big railroad equipment magnate, Don Hoffman.
"Sorry not to have written sooner, but have been in the throes of moving, and you probably know what that means.
"Have heard indirectly that Ritchie Smith has bought himself a home in Orinda, Calif., and for your own information, Betty has taken full command of that twosome.
"Bumped into Ed Chaffin here several weeks ago. Ed had just returned from California. and was here spending a day with his family. Carl Blunt is also home, and understand he had several visits with Charlie Starrett. Will try to get full dope for later publication.
"Dick Gunthorp was out playing golf recently, and in the few holes I saw him play think he was on the fairway twice. However, he was getting plenty of exercise.
"Had quite a vacation in Florida in February, and came back here with a desire to do not much of anything except wait for spring. However, it hasn't been possible, and I went back to work. Will be in New York within the month and will give you a call then. Will probably be around there for four or five weeks, so prepare yourself for trouble."
Sid Hayward accompanied Prexy to the West Coast this spring, and reports as follows:
"You might be interested in a few recollections of a trip I have just returned from when I accompanied Mr. Hopkins to the West Coast.
"In Southern California I saw Les McFadden and also his brother Thede, who peered out at me through thick glasses for the first time I think since our sophomore year at Hanover, when Thede left college. Ted Greeley was at the meeting in Los Angeles, and I enjoyed a good visit with him about his school, with which he is working hard and from all accounts going places.
"In San Francisco Bill Nigh was the official chairman of the entertainment committee, and he surely did a good job. 'Boo Boo' Stanley was at the dinner, having recently located out there. Did you know, by the way, that he was named by Jeff Tesreau to his all-Dartmouth star baseball team? Up in the Northwest I found Gob DesMarais in fine shape, as one of the leading citizens of Portland. Gob drove us up to Seattle, and another passenger on the trip was Ritchie Smith, who, with Wife Betty, was traveling in that section as Ginn and Company's ambassador. We had a further reunion at the Seattle dinner, when we discovered Morse Lake in attendance."
At this point we print for your consumption a self-explanatory letter from Bob Cleary, treasurer of our Tenth Re" union last June.
"Enclosed with this letter are final exhibits pertaining to our Tenth Reunion. They include statements of receipts and disbursements, of the treatment of reunion deficit, and a balance sheet as of May 1, 1937.
"Many of the men wonder why this report was not rendered more promptly. As you full well know, however, the small attendance at Reunion and the resulting deficit was so discouraging to the committee, after the work expended, that we all decided to let the entire matter drop for the time being.
"The question will also occur as to why such a sizable deficit was incurred, and why we, as a committee, could not have prevented it. You will remember that the Reunion budget was prepared only after careful study. Cards were sent out to the entire class, and one hundred and fortyfive men definitely said that they could be back for Reunion.
ADVANCE ORDERS
"In addition to that response, we used two other bases on which to prepare our estimate of the probable turn-out. One hundred and twenty-five men sent in their measurements and ordered costumes. The classes from 1923-1925 inclusive had an average attendance at their Tenth Reunions of 150 men.
"Accordingly, our budget was prepared in the expectation that at least 110 men and 20 wives would return, which seemed at the time a most conservative estimate. "Even on that basis we were able to include in our Reunion budget the cost of the Tenth Year Report. Ordinarily the Report is paid out of general class funds, but we had reason to believe that we could underwrite the Report and still keep the reunion tax at a normal figure.
"It will be remembered that the cost of our Fifth Year Report was defrayed from the class treasury and that it took three years to pay the bills.
"The actual attendance at our Tenth last June knocked our careful budget into a cocked hat. Aside from the committee there were 81 men and 14 girls back who paid all or a portion of the reunion tax. Had we had our anticipated minimum attendance, our revenues would have increased $553, which would more than cover the final deficit.
"Another unpleasant memory is that fact that there were a few men who returned to Hanover but who refused, were unable, or did not feel called upon, to pay the full tax. And this was despite the fact that even then it was obvious that the disappointing turn-out would result in a sizable deficit.
"Immediately after Reunion, the committee and Tiny Marsans got together and decided that no matter what we might ultimately recover, we would pay all bills immediately. This was done and you, Brant, Lester, Tiny, and I provided the necessary funds. Not only did Tiny do a Trojan's job in helping to prepare for Reunion, but he insisted on assuming a share of the deficit.
"Once our bills were paid and our records straightened, we endeavored to salvage as much as possible. Men who indicated their return and ordered costumes were approached and a majority of them helpfully accepted their share of the general expenses. Furthermore, we wrote the men who did not pay the full tax in Hanover in a partially successful effort to obtain the balances due. Aside from the funds advanced by the committee and Tiny Marsans, three other fellows in the class stepped forward and voluntarily contributed to the cause.
"From an entirely unexpected and unsought source we received noteworthy help. Mr. Waggener, with his customary loyalty, forwarded his check in the amount of $100 towards the deficit, and to him should go the appreciation of the entire class."
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS
A. Receipts Deposits in advance of Reunion $ 289.00 Payments in Hanover 1,202.00 $1,491.00 B. Disbursements Printing and postage $ 151.65 Telephone, telegraph 32.42 Costumes 654.43 Beer, mugs, service 202.15 Food 318.00 Music, prizes 62.50 Entertainment of wives 38.00 Use of camp for picnic 78.00 Total miscellaneous 86.78 Damage 41.53 Tenth year report (Loudmouth) 265.78 1,931.24 Excess of expenditures over receipts (paid by Reunion Committee and R. L. Marsans) $ 440.24 Treatment of Reunion Deficit Reunion deficit $ 440.24 Subsequent collections $ 44.00 Class treatury 7.53 Contributions towards deficit by others than committee 132.50 184.03 Balance still to be raised 256.21 BALANCE SHEET AS OF 5/1/37 Assets Cash in bank $ 100.58 Liabilities Due committee a/c deficit $ 349.29 Due a/c refund 7.50 $ 356.79 Deficit $ 256.21
MR. WAGGENER'S GENEROSITY
The above speaks for itself but I should like you to read the last paragraph of Bob's letter again to impress you with the unselfish loyalty of our honorary classmate, Mr. Leslie Waggener, who continually demonstrates his interest in, and love for all of us.
It would be very refreshing to your class officers if those of you who have not helped the reunion committee with their financial problem come through to some extent as an indication of your appreciation of what Mr. Waggener has done.
Best wishes for a very happy summer. You'll hear from me in October.
Secretary, Edward B. Smith Co., 31 Nassau St., New York
