1905*

At a recent hearing on unemployment compensation problems before a special legislative commission of Massachusetts, Royal Parkinson appeared in behalf of the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, representing over 18,500 employers. He urged the retention of employee contributions suspended by legislative acts last June for twelve months. He argued that if such suspension of payment is continued, the law should be amended to eliminate special features written into it, such as "extended" and "additional" benefits and benefits to those who leave employment voluntarily or are discharged for cause, because of employee contributions. In support of a more simplified computation of benefits, he submitted a table and explanation whereby each worker could quickly determine the amount and duration of his benefits, and by which administration of the act would be facilitated and simplified.

Fred Brown informs me that since his daughter married and moved to Florida, he became more or less a free agent with some spare moments on his hands; so he proceeded to join several fraternal organizations and found himself promptly elected to some of the chairs, with the result that the aforesaid spare moments are rapidly diminishing. Fred continues in his position as principal of one of the Ayer (Mass.) schools, a position he has held most successfully for many years. He has also taken on extra curricula duties in education. All in all, he manages now to get in a full week's work.

At a four o'clock ceremony in the historic First Parish church of Lexington, on Friday, December 30, Katharine Wiswell Smith, daughter of Allen and Mrs. Smith, became the bride of Robert Webb Lewis, son of Dr. and Mrs. James H. Lewis, also of Lexington. Her brother, Dexter Smith, served as one of the ushers.

The bride was graduated from Wellesley in 1935, spent the following year in Europe, and since then has been graduated from the Garland School and the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. Mr. Lewis has an electrical engineering degree from Tufts College, and is now employed in the laboratory of the Boston Edison Company.

Jake Atwood recently wrote a very interesting letter in which he said, "With my. son Robert now at Dartmouth, interest in the College and all that pertains to Hanover is greatly stimulated in my household. I count it a great loss that circumstances, distance, and what-have-you has made it impossible for me to get back to Hanover when class reunions were held. Always hope that there will be a chance to attend, so now it is 1940, I hope!

"Glad to hear that you purchase Florida fruit but cannot lay claim to producing it, as my 'grove' amounts to two rather nice trees in the 'back yard'. Presume you are confusing me with the immense 'Atwood Grape Fruit' groves but, as they would say down here, 'They're no kin of mine'. Have been in the above business since 'the great boom debacle' put us through the vacuum cleaner, and manage to keep out of politics by dint of hard work.

"Why don't you join the tourists Florida-bound and see our fair city? Will guarantee some form of amusement from dog races to dominoes; from sun bathing to surf-boat riding. That hurricane last September put a crimp in Florida plans for many in your part of the country. It really was a terrible disaster, and I can't imagine how so many lovely places must look now with the century-old elms out of the picture.

"Give my regards to the old '05 bunch."

Secretary, Room 703—52 Chauncy St., Boston

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