1914*

From time to time we have attempted to keep you appraised of developments in the ramified sport or industry of the ski, and have pointed out somewhat sketchily, perhaps, and certainly incompletely, what our efficient treasurer and entrepreneur (see Taussig) John Piane has told us about the effect of snow on wax, Christies, joring, and the like. We little realized, however, the national implications involved, although we were conscious of subtle repercussions here and there from certain of John's customers, but not being directly involved we passed the matter over.

Further light, however, has been thrown on the situation as a result of a recent government meeting of the advisory committee of hydrology (H2O to you) one member being Thorndike Saville '14, ex-Thayer School, now a New York University professor.

The general idea is this—railroads and newspapers broadcast snow conditions, and their terminology is all screwy. Par exemple: You hear that excellent "corn" snow exists at Sun Valley. You wire John Piane for the works for "corn" snow. You get the works, hie to Sun Valley, and find the snow is "mealy." Now the merest tyro knows you can't do your stuff on "corn" flakes (2/3 of a pun—PU) with "mealy" equipment, so you double back to check with Loudon in Minneapolis, only to find that "corn" has a "Finnish" name no broadcaster can pronounce, and so on back to New York. Well, you get the idea. How are they going to do it if they can't even spell it? Confusing no end, what?

Professor Saville, presiding, thought finally . . . it was important that this job of describing the conditions of snow should not get mixed up with the forecasting of the run-off of existing snow." There being no objections the thought stood. Sensible judgment, say we.

Now, Mr. Piane, just what is "corn" snow?

Lester Little's many friends—which is another way of saying the entire class-will be glad to know he is on his way back to this country and is probably here by this time. In a letter to John Burleigh which we recently saw, Lester relates that February of this year after a spell of ill health, he had been ordered by the doctors to take a trip out of the war area. Because of the bombings he was traveling in a large motor launch through China's inland waterways one night, and because of the combination of a sore throat, the noise of the engine, and the continued shouting of the crew there was no sleep to be had. From the corner of the cabin he picked up a Flongkong paper, which he proceeded to read thoroughly as a pastime, rarely seeing this paper anyway, and dictated by boredom he even went through the obituary column, where listed under deaths of prominent people in England he discovered an account of the passing of our classmate, Henry Koelsch, which of course came as a great shock And proves again how small a world this really is.

Lester's son, incidentally, is a junior at Hanover this year.

Joe Batchelder will be at the Twenty-fifth Reunion not alone for the Reunion's sake but because Joseph Jr. is graduating.

If we are not mistaken, Clyde Buckley likewise has a son in 1939. If there are any others please drop a line to the Secretary.

REUNION NEWS!!

EXTRA.... Violet is coming to Reunion! We have it straight from her manager that Violet will be present. Like Amherst's famous Sabrina—Violet will make a personal appearance. When and how? .... Ah, there's a question and what a surprise. If you have been wavering, plan now to come and see Violet pop in. Betternot miss it.

The Class Dinner at Reunion is another surprise. The locale, the environment? .... No class dinner has ever been held in such surroundings; this we can swear. The dinner will be a ten-strike, just another item in the best Reunion ever. You'll say so too!

The College is expanding its photographic files of alumni, we understand, both still and movie. So far as our class is concerned, will the men who have class movies or any good candid shots of Fourteeners or other Dartmouth men communicate with Jack Conners at the American Tube and Stamping Co., Bridgeport, Conn. Jack has agreed to edit our own photographic library, and would like to get in touch with owners of movie candid cameras who plan to be at Reunion in order to make the best possible photographic record.

Returning from vacation this year, we have discovered a new neighbor, Myron Files, who has moved in across the street from us. Myron, as you know, is professor of English at Tufts College, has a son entering Tufts Engineering this year, likewise another son and one daughter.

We had some trying moments the night of the hurricane, hoping that giant oak immediately in front of Myron's piazza would not crash upon the house. Fortunately it fell into the street and his house escaped safely.

Incidentally, we have heard through the Boston office of Jackson and Curtis that all of the Slater family came through the hurricane safely in Providence.

We had a pleasant call from Bino Knight the other day. The Reverend Walter is traveling about the country as field secretary for the Presbyterian church. He told us of his interesting financial adventures in erecting a large church in upper New York City, which was his last pastorate. He tells us that Lize Wheelock is likewise in the midst of building a new church at White Plains, N. Y.

Al Humphries has a son in the junior class at Hanover.

H. L. Bartlett, we learn, is divisional merchandise manager for the May Company in Los Angeles.

We haven't heard from these two fellows in a long time.

We learn that Fred Davidson is occupying himself in engineering work, covering all sorts of interesting industrial assignments for Coverdale and Colpitts, industrial engineers of New York City. Incidentally, Gordon Sleeper and Chuck Kingsley and Fred all have offices in the same building.

From letters to John Burleigh we have a new address for Stan Stratton—lvenora Paper Mills, Ltd., Kenora, Ontario, Canada.

Art Estep is secretary-treasurer of the Whitacre Greer Fireproofing Company of Waynesburg, Ohio.

Davey Davidson wants to know why George Boggs doesn't answer his letters???

We have just learned that Charlie Batchelder has been elected commander of the Wollaston Post 295, American Legion. He was installed into that office at a well-attended ceremony held at the Armory, Quincy, Mass., October 15.

Which just about brings us to the point of filling our allotted space, and wishing you all a very happy Thanks- giving.

Secretary, 367 Boylston St., Boston

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