Class of 1895

As the roots of '95 intertwine with those of '94, it seems fitting to make mention in this column of the highly successful career of William J. Wallis '94.

In 1896, "Billy" Wallis, as we Dekes used to know him, began his long term of service in the schools of Washington, D. C.

For fuller information as to his admirable service and of his retirement, attention is directed to Secretary Merrill's notes in the '94 column.

On behalf of his '95 friends, congratulations are herewith cordially extended to "Billy" on his remarkably successful career. Mrs. Stevens and I had the pleasure of dining with him and Mrs. Wallis and her sister at his home recently. I have since learned that Mrs. Wallis is seriously ill.

The inveterate traveler of '95 seems to be "Willie" Wilson. He and Mrs. Wilson started on a trip to Mexico on January 26. Here is what he writes about the trip.

"I had read some and heard much about the National Highway from Laredo, Tex. to Mexico, and I was anxious to drive over it, so as to see what is generally spoken of as a 'remarkable' road. I have been and seen, and I agree most emphatically. We left Laredo Feb. 22 and returned to that city March 9. The thrilling part of the road is the part which crosses the mountains. There it is a triumph of engineering and construction, particularly the one hundred miles or so from Tamazunchale to Ixmilquipan, where it is between 4000 and 7500 feet in elevation, with the tops of the mountains running up another 3000 feet. The curves are mostly of the hairpin variety and it behooves one to have his car on his own side of the road and under control at all times. The grade is either up or down. There is no level place. The greatest altitude on this road is 8209 feet.

"Mexico is a very attractive city, with a wide variety of buildings. Mansions for the rich and hovels for the poor. There seems to be no substantial middle class. The public buildings are better than aveage, some new and some very old. The cathedral, of course, heads the list. The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen anywhere. Madero is considered a martyr, and Huerta a traitor. The president's private office in the Presidential Palace where Madero was captured still shows the bullet holes in the furniture and walls, and the blood stains on the carpet. It gives one a queer feeling to see these evidences of strife and lawlessness. Foreigners from the U. S. are treated with courtesy and consideration, but not all the information one gets can be trusted, as one is apt to be told what the informer thinks the questioner wishes to hear. Whether or not it is the truth is of no importance. A thing conspicuous to Americans is the sale of lottery tickets on the streets. Sometimes there will be as many as ten persons, old, young, crippled or indigent, hawking these tickets on a single street corner and thrusting them in the faces of all passers-by. The traffic police are efficient, and those who speak English generally have an American or English flag on their arm.

"We saw only one labor demonstration. There was a parade one Sunday long enough to require three hours to pass a given point, with many banners and bands. The paraders were government employees and their sympathizers, who were demanding that they be given a civil service classification, and not discharged from their positions when a new executive was chosen.

"I am very much interested to see what will be the outcome of the petroleum difficulties in Mexico. I think it may turn out that she has bitten off more than she can chew, but as to that only the future will tell. I noted practically no evidence of intoxication, and very few places where pulque was sold. The beggars were mostly around the entrances to the churches There are no clergy in clerical garb on the and very few in the churches."

Here is news from Fred Cleaveland from St Petersburg, Fla.: "Just a line to let you know that Dartmuth carries on even in Southwestern"florida Mrs. Cleaveland and I are enjoy a our annual vacation here in the land"of perpetual sunshine, The enclosed clipe shows how Dartmouth men here observed. 'Dartmouth Night.' Fine bunch ofmen here. Met Ed Grover '94 for the firsttime in 44 years. I recognized him immediately He could not place me until I toldhim my name. He has just been electedvice president of Rollins College. I have avery urgent invitation to call on him andlook over the college. I hope to be able todo so."

"This is it-trying to grow young againand having a good time sunbathing.

"HARLEY '95."

This is quoted from a postcard—a picture one-showing green grass, luxuriant shrubbery, and brilliant flowers in St. Petersburg in March. Tantalizing!

Condolence to Gerry. He has been having a trying complication of arthritis, infected throat, and boils. He hopes to be back at his job at Princeton soon. He writes: "If one must be in Florida, Winter Parkis quite a good place. There is a good dealof beauty here and none of the atmosphere of Miami and Palm Beach. A lot ofnice people winter here, some of whom Ihave known for many years.

"I see a good deal of Grover, who is asyoung and enthusiastic as he was fortyyears ago. Hamilton Gibson '517 is over inOrlando, retired from a very successfulbusiness career but still going strong. Hehas built for himself a very charming houseand he runs a little business on the sideto give himself occupation and to providea job for one of his sons."

Prof. Colby has had a long illness at Dick's House. Austin writes as follows:

"Maybe our classmates and members ofother classes will be interested to hearabout Professor Colby. Your writer calledto see Professor Colby at Dick's House andhad a most delightful visit with him. Professor Colby is recovering from the effectsof a broken shoulder, the result of a fall,and is mentally actively alert. Borrowingfrom his own legal language, the writerventures he is still of 'sound and disposingmind and memory.'

He states he is very happily situatedand well cared for in Dick's House; is allowed to sit up during one-half the day,and takes his daily dozen by walks alongthe corridors.

We arranged for our next visit to lakePlace on some street (not definitely named)in Hanover, in the near future."

Dr. George B. Coon writes as follows: "I beg pardon for not answering yourletter, but I had so little to report that Ihad failed to even write to my own classagent.

"I can think of nothing new that has notalready been reported. I lost my wife .ayear ago last November, have no children,and am on my eighth year in this hospitalof over six thousand patients.

"Although but an hour's ride from NewYork City I only run in about once in sixweeks, so you can see that my life is veryuneventful. When I really have anythingworth reporting I shall promptly notifyyou."

Dr. West writes as follows

"Don't the months lap on each otherthese latter years! Saw in the last ALUMNI MAG. of Thompson's visit to Moline. Itwas on a Sunday afternoon, and wife andI had returned from a drive and on ourreturn found his card. We only missedhim, so neighbors said, by about ten minutes. I would stay in for months ratherthan to miss him or any other call of theboys. It seems strange that will all theglobe-trotters in our class (Stevens, Wilson,at al) so seldom do I ever hear the rustle oftheir wings!

"I called on Rumery about a month agoin Chicago and had a good long talk, exulted on the great triumphs of our greatfootball team, and recalled the old dayswhen he and I played on second elevenand triumphed at Saxtons River, Woodstock, etc. Then I went to see Wallie McCornack in his office and had a great going-over of the past and present. He is thesame enthusiast as of yore.

"This June, deo volente, we will makeour usual visit East, and intend to be inHanover about the middle of June."

Continuing the Questionnaire: 1. What did you and yours do during the Christmas holidays? 2. What do you think caused the socalled business recession now current? 3. What do you suggest as a means of restoring business prosperity? Answers: "No. 1. We were invited out for dinner, and went. "No. 2. President Roosevelt's meddling in business, with his 'planned economy.' I suppose he planned it that way. "No. 3. Less politics in business. "Them's my sentiments."

"My Christmas holidays were mostly spent by the side of my radio listening to holiday programs.

"2. The continued uncertainty of the attitude of the administration toward business.

"3. A more tolerant attitude toward business and the passage of laws and regulations of a constructive nature."

"1. I spent Christmas with my sister in Gardner, Mass. "2. Pres. Roosevelt. "3. Change of administration."

"Cause of business recession: "1. Timidity, no confidence in the future. "2. Too liberal financing on new cars and perishable goods. (Too liberal sales on partial payment.) "To resore normal business prosperity: "1. Stop stirring up Class Hatred. "2. Get business and labor to work their problems out, without Government Interference."

"I did not do much during the holidays. Had a cold and stayed close at home.

"2. I think the recession is a continuation of the depression. The pump-priming failed a little.

"3. Change the administration, if possible."

"1. We spent the Christmas holidays very quietly and pleasantly at home.

"2. During the present administration so many plans to help business have been tried and have failed that the elements of fear and distrust seem to have displaced those of hope and confidence.

"3. I still have hope that our President may be guided in finding a solution of these trying business problems."

Secretary, White River Junction, Vt.