Gradus Ad Parnassian
FIRST REPORTS from Florida fishing waters of Palm Beach were that President Hopkins had hooked, played, fought, captured and brought to shore a seven-foot sail-fish. He was the guest at the time, in respect to boat, fishing tackle, captain, and good company, of Frank L. Boyden, headmaster of Deerfield Academy. The following note reached the editor shortly after the first reports:
"In the interest of accuracy here is acorrection on my sail-fish story. The captain says it was 6' 9½" and weighed 45pounds. I get a certificate eventually fromthe 'Sail-Fish Club' and perhaps it willshrink still more but this is truthful up todate. Having been blessed with good luckin catching this denizen of the deep at all, Idon't want to appear grasping in my statistics.
"E. M. H."
One of his fishing pals in town observes that now the native trout will look very small, perhaps not worth the trouble, to a fisherman who brings home seven-foot (roughly) fish.
PALAEOPITUS HAS distinguished itself in affairs of student leadership and government this year. The president and secretary, James M. Mathes Jr. and Kenneth A. MacDonald, and other members of the senior group, are giving the College full evidence of the important role that Palaeopitus can and should play in undergraduate life. The numerous details and duties traditionally cared for have been supplemented by thoughtful and vigorous action on other matters of vital interest on the campus. Open forums have been held to discuss questions of policy, to the advantage of all concerned. Within the month the group has taken the initiative in exploring the desirability, and possibility, of bringing student refugees from Germany to Hanover.
At the very beginning of discussion on this question of refugee students President Hopkins expressed to the student committee formed by Palaeopitus his opinion that the move would be "a valuable gesture by Dartmouth". A student poll resulted in about a 2-1 vote favorable to the adoption of some practical plan to that end. It was obvious, however, and a fact fully appreciated by everyone, that the limitations of academic work in an undergraduate college could not accommodate German students to anywhere near the extent that would be true of a university. The generous plan at Harvard provides for inviting some number of advanced students who may profit greatly from graduate work there, for which they are well qualified. Even though Dartmouth students might raise a sum comparable to the $10,000, which has been done at Harvard without great difficulty, there would not be any comparable facilities or opportunities for the refugees in Hanover.
Recognition of this situation has made the Palaeopitus program one of modest proportions. The administration offered free tuition to the limited number of German students who can be supplied with living expenses through contributions to the student fund. A minimum of $600 was sought and the quota has been oversubscribed.
In commenting on the plan Prof. John Hurd '32 of the faculty was quoted by TheDartmouth as saying: "Because the United States and Dartmouth have such serious problems needing to be solved which receive scant attention from undergraduates here, I cannot take very seriously their desire to bring in two German refugees. If our crusaders are willing to support the refugees both financially and morally during the entire length of their stay and not merely dump them on the College, I see no reason why they should not allow themselves the luxury of this sentimental gesture."
Another point of view was expressed to The Dartmouth by Prof. Malcolm Keir: "Any gesture that Americans can make to show their contempt of Hitler's anti-Jewish policies is well worth expression."
Both statements doubtless reflect considered opinion among undergraduates and alumni. Both men emphasize the move, if made, as a gesture. Obviously what Dartmouth can do will not help substantially in solving the horribly difficult problem of Hitler persecutions. But for those who are concerned, for any one of many reasons, as Professor Hurd clearly and truly says, action should be based on willingness to go the whole distance in making the plan stand on its own feet.
TREMENDOUS RESERVE strength and physical fitness throughout life were characteristic of Dr. John W. Bowler, Emeritus Professor of Physical Education. He recovered from an attack of heart trouble which would have made an invalid out of the ordinary elderly man. His recovery from that first warning of serious trouble progressed to the point where two years ago he accepted an invitation from the Boston alumni to be present at their annual dinner and actually got up from his bed at Dick's House to go to Boston. On that occasion he was given a great ovation. It proved to be the last opportunity for the alumni to honor his long and distinctive career with the College.
Doc Bowler's death after 37 years of leadership in physical education and athletic work in the College is a great loss to the community and to his far flung host of friends. To them he was a real force and a never to be forgotten influence in the College. To them he was a lovable figure—one whom they always enjoyed seeing in coming back to Hanover.
Mr. Lewis Parkhurst '78, senior member of the Board of Trustees, paid a fitting and very fine tribute to Dr. Bowler when he journeyed up from his home in Boston, on a bitter cold day, to attend the funeral services. He might have stayed home by his fire. But Mr. Parkhurst in that act truly reflected the devotion of alumni and their obligation to Doc Bowler for the clean, virile influence of his life on many generations of Dartmouth men.
THE EXPERIENCE OF last year seemed to show that Hanover Holiday has a definite and useful place in the life of the College. Two years ago it was an experiment. Last June it was still an experiment but with all the earmarks of success, and more firmly established as an important factor in relations between the faculty and alumni. Plans for this year's program, announced in this issue, promise a varied and attractive speaking and discussion program June 19-24. There is always the satisfaction, in addition, that men and their families find in spending a week in Hanover, in June. Recreation, leisure, and loafing abound. There is no home work required in this curriculum.
The committee in charge of the Hanover Holiday program has the good fortune of having Prof. Herbert W. Hill as its chairman. His conviction that the Holiday has a real and useful place in the Dartmouth scene is strong. It was largely due to his efforts that attendance so greatly increased last year. He is assiduous in making preparations and carrying through with every detail of the "alumni college" week. For all of this he has earned the merited sobriquet of "Dean" Hill.
But primarily the project is not academic in its nature. It is designed to present members of the faculty to the alumni, to renew or form friendships between the two groups. It is meant to stimulate the thinking of those who attend, along a variety of lines. It is an excellent reason for spending a period of time in Hanover, when there is time and opportunity to get acquainted with the place again. Hanover Holiday bears the stamp of approval of the past and promise of good things to come.
A GREAT MANY of us miss Earle Gordon, of the class of 1911, for many years assistant treasurer of the College. His sudden death separates the institution from one of its most faithful and devoted servants. Few realize the extent of his love for Dartmouth, to what extremes he went in sublimating all personal desires or interests the better to perform his duties. He was as faithful to the College as the elm trees around the campus. He was as solicitous of its welfare as the verses of Richard Hovey's songs.
E. A. Robinson in "Walt Whitman" said:
"No names are dead names. When we write Men's letters on proud marble or on sand, We write them there forever".
Earle Gordon's name may not be cut in the granite of a cap-stone of some towering arch. But let us mark it on the soft snow that blankets Hanover Plain, and know that it will not be forgotten.
