Letters

"Jocko" Clayton

To THE EDITOR: In the last issue of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE there appears a notice of the death of George H. Clayton, senior janitor of the College.

"Jocko" Clayton had charge of Sanborn Hall, in which I roomed during nearly all of my college course. It was then the newest dormitory, opened for occupancy the autumn of my freshman year. It was the only one that had a bath on every floor, and for this reason, those of us who lived there were regarded as being somewhat effeminate by the sturdy souls who performed their ablutions at the gym., or in the time honored wash tub.

"Jocko" took great pride in the building. The rooms and hallways were always clean. He was the loyal, obliging friend of each one of us. Whatever tricks were played on him—and there were many were without malice, and he took them with good nature and understanding. He gave a long and useful service to the College. I am sorry to hear that he has passed away.

1/8 South Prospect St.Burlington, Vermont

Masculine Carman

To THE EDITOR: Out of a long experience I have learned that people write letters to editors chiefly when in a critical frame of mind and more intent on hurling brickbats than on tossing bouquets—a knowledge which disinclines me to indulge myself in this practice. None the less I feel that while we are celebrating the fame of our Dartmouth laureate, Richard Hovey, we should do a little something for his one-time associate and collaborator, Bliss Carman, whose name appears to have been persistently misspelled in the otherwise very admirable article in your last issue devoted to Mr. Hovey's all too brief career. Very probably the insistence of most people on referring to him as Bliss Carmen" was the sharpest thorn in the side of that gifted Canadian poet. There was nothing effeminate about Carman, and Carmen is perhaps a rather sissy name.

It's a small matter, of course; but it vaguely suggests the irritation one feels on hearing a nice girl make persistent mention of ' John Hopkins University, or "Roberts" College at Constantinople.

Lowell,Mass.May 6

Ornithology

To THE EDITOR Both as a Dartmouth man and as a lover of the outdoors, I was very much interested in the suggestions which appeared in the April issue with regard to recommendations for stories, guides and references for those interested in birds, etc.

I graduated from Dartmouth in 1900, and my twin brother, Paul, who also graduated in the same class, was for seven years Chief of the Biological Survey, which Bureau, as you know, has the direction of the conservation program for mammals and birds in America. I have been very much interested in the subject for

many years and I am sending to Dr. Weaver, naturalist of the College, a sheet of 1939 wildlife stamps. These are published annually for the purpose of raising funds for the National Wildlife Federation. The stamps are said to be about the finest type of color reproductions of wildlife subjects that have been made in these comparatively small sizes. My firm, the Brett Lithographing Cos. in Long Island City, is reproducing on the stamps the paintings made by America's best wildlife artists.

I am very glad to see Dartmouth taking the est in this subject of bird life as is indicated by the amount of space devoted to this subject in the last ALUMNI MAGAZINE. Some day I hope that Dartmouth College will devote more thought and attention to the whole subject of wildlife restoration.

I am convinced that it is about as big a program as this country has and that the study of it may offer a fascinating career for many college men either in forestry or wildlife management. It is generally now probably well understood that restoring for wildlife means restoring for mankind, and that the carrying out of a great program of restoration will mean much for this country socially, economically, morally and recreationally.

Brett Lithographing Co.Long Island City, New York

First Prize

To THE EDITOR: Easiest thing you ever heard of. Carl H. Richardson of Boston, Class of '96. and Harlan C. (Skid) Pearson of Concord, Class of '93

Concord, N. H.

Right Again

To THE EDITOR: "Identification requested," Carl Richardson '96, and Skid Pearson '93, tops and bottom of Psi U chapter of that period.

Jersey City, N. J.

Another Omission

To THE EDITOR: In the February (?) number of your magazine appeared a list of Dartmouth Alumni who have held presidencies of collegiate institutions. I didn't find my name. That didn't surprise me at first because I thought that you were not including teachers colleges in your plan. When I saw, however, that my friend Jenkins was included, I wondered. The fact is that Plymouth Normal School has for a dozen .years been rated and approved by the American Association of Teachers Colleges as a Class A teachers college. You can find it listed as such in U. S. government statistics upon accredited higher institutions.

In the March number you listed Dartmouth alumni in Who's Who. Although my name has been in Who's Who for twenty-eight years, it escaped your list. After losing out a second time, I began to wonder whether I ought to be so bold as to go to Hanover for my fortieth reunion.

Then came the current number wherein I noted that some other forgotten men are squawking at oversight of them. So I join them by means of this note. I really wish to "reune" with '99 next month. Seriously, I should not be concerned about the oversight by reason of any personal pride or resentment, but if it is your desire to have the record straight, this is my contribution.

State Normal SchoolPlymouth, N. H.

[John Gilbert Thompson '86, educator and economist, of Fitchburg, Mass., was also omitted from the list of Dartmouth men in Who's Who as published in our March issue.—ED.]

"Take Mine"

A group of members of the Alumni Association of Chicago pressing invitations on Miss Gertrude Lawrence who was guest of honor at the "Springtime Carnival" held by the alumni at the Drake Hotel, May 13. Left to right: Henry S. Embree '30, Donald McPhail '32, John C. Weisert '31, H. Andrew Dudley '33, and Robert S. Critchell '33.

To THE EDITOR:

There is a great deal of Dartmouth activity out here at the moment in connection with the Dartmouth Springtime Carnival to be held at the Drake on Saturday, May 13, proceeds of which go to the local Scholarship Fund. The enclosed picture appeared in the Chicago Tribune and might be of interest to the readers of the ALUMNI MAGAZINE.

Gertrude Lawrence is appearing here in a new play "Skylark," prior to a New York opening in the fall and accepted our invitation to be present as the guest of honor for the evening.

Hotel AmbassadorChicago, Illinois

D. 0. C. Summit

To THE EDITOR: Many alumni do not know about the Dartmouth Outing Club's Moosilauke Summit Camp, and through the ALUMNI MAGAZINE I should like to call attention to the opening of the camp's 19th season on June 15.

Located on "Dartmouth's own mountain," forty miles north of Hanover, this 79-year-old house, an aged brother to the New Ravine Camp in Jobildunk Ravine, still boasts its sturdy supremity as the oldest summit house in New England. From its 4810-ft. altitude a view into five states and Canada rewards the climber. Because of its southernmost position among the White Mountains one can look across Mt. Lafayette of the Franconia Range to the stately Presidentials and Mt. Washington in the distance.

Since the house was given to the DOC in 1920 by E. K. Woodworth '97 and C. P. Woodworth 'O7, many have been the bootmarks on the numerous trails which lead to the summit. The major trails have been opened since the hurricane and approach from each side of the mountain, varying in length and difficulty so that all ages can enjoy the climb.

The special charm of the mountain is for the Dartmouth man, who finds in the atmosphere and friendliness of the house and its crew a bit of Hanover not far removed. As one climbs out of the heat of the valley into the gnarled sub-alpine growth of stunted and wind-blown spruce, one is met by the freshness of cool mountain air, and then rises above tree-line into the freedom of the mountain top, one sees looming ahead the three-story structure of the Summit House, which beckons from its eminence as a picturesque silhouette against a blue and white sky.

In the house, which has accommodations for sixtyfive, the living room and its fireplace speak comfort and fellowship, while the famous meals of the crew assure good spirits. Sunset time, and its setting in the far away Adirondacks, can only be compared in beauty with a view of Lake Winnepesaukee in moonlight. Night time on the Summit is a gay time of songs with the crew, stories, moving pictures, barn dancing and quiet chats by the fire. Hudson Bay blankets, clean sheets and comfortable cots offer their pleasant conclusion to the day on Moosilauke. The house will be open from June 15th to September 15th. In addition to myself the crew will include Lincoln Wales '4l of North Abbington, Mass., and David Heald '42 of Nashua, N. H.

Hutmaster

Robinson HallHanover, N. H.

Dartmouth Might Suggestion

To THE EDITOR: Any anniversary has a value and meaning to the man who actively takes a part in its celebration, especially when this active part coincides with a personal interest. This is the basis for my suggestion that a Dartmouth alumnus will celebrate Dartmouth Night in a vital way by writing letters to distant classmates or friends to whom personal letters are long overdue.

I regard highly the local alumni dinners and class reunions being held on this occasion, but I offer my suggestion by way of additional celebration. It will renew dormant correspondence among Dartmouth men and bring them closer in a way the reader will appreciate; the qualities of friendship are appreciated more easily than described.

Last Dartmouth Night, to some close friends of mine in my undergraduate days I wrote letters, and to others I sent a wire of greeting; and have received their heart-warming answers. They appreciated my thought and returned me dividends of fellowship in their replies. Thus, I speak from experience as a corresponding celebrant. I address this to all alumni, and particularly to alumni officers for consideration as a matter to be promoted among members of the various local associations.

i North La Salle StreetChicagoj Illinois

Plea for Science Survey

To THE EDITOR: Recently I heard about an interesting study which one American college is carrying on. The institution to which I refer is considering certain curriculum changes, and with this in mind it is asking its alumni whether they found their college courses useful to them after graduation, or whether, in the light of their subsequent experience, they would have chosen other subjects. What, in other words, have the graduates concluded about the correlation between their college experience and their life experience?

It was at about this same time that I read the series of articles in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE about the three Divisions of the Dartmouth faculty. The coincidence set me to thinking. Have you ever asked yourself how your studies at Dartmouth have fitted in with your activities since graduation?

One must, of course, be cautious in attempting any such inventory. Dartmouth doesn't set itself up to provide vocational training. On the contrary it undertakes to provide what is commonly designated as a liberal education. Nowadays we hear much controversy about the idea of a liberal education. In some quarters it is considered to have been handed down from on high with about the same authority as the ten commandments, and to be almost as sacred. In others it is boldly attacked as being too much like the nostrums that are advertised as good for any ailment of man or beast. Personally, I am convinced that the Dartmouth version of liberal education gave me two things which have been not only precious but useful. These are, first, the ability—if not to understand—at least to think hard and openmindedly about the astounding world in which I found myself; and second, the beginnings of a lively intellectual curiosity.

I must confess, however, that these good things came to me as a result of a rather one-sided participation in the tripartite College curriculum. They came almost entirely from the courses I had in the Social Sciences and in the Humanities. In fact, the only Sciences course which opened any windows for me was the required freshman course in evolution. I can think of a number of more or less valid reasons for this situation. I may not have had sufficient background in science when I came to college. Save for the course in evolution, I took only the two semi-required science courses and didn't go beyond the first year in either of them. I didn't work hard enough. And so forth.

SEEKING A HABIT OF MIND

Shall I conclude, then, that I would have done better to have omitted the science courses—had the choice been mine? As far as what I got out of them is concerned—yes. But I'm not content to leave it at that. I still want what I think I might have got out of them. And I can see right now that I am going to have to be more specific about what I wanted that I didn't get. Well, I wanted—and still want—two things. First, I want what is usually designated as a scientific habit of mind. Like most things which we think we ought to have but haven't, this concept is a bit hard to define but I'll be willing to say that the scientific habit of mind which I want should consist of a dogged pursuit of the truth, coupled with a healthy skepticism and a willingness to defer judgment till all the facts are in. I should like to think that it would also include the abilities to reason, to analyze, and to generalize. Perhaps these facilities are likely to derive quite as much from the Social Sciences as from the pure Sciences. Second, I want to be able to understand and to enjoy popularized scientific reading. Here I refer to such matters as the science pages in Time Magazine and to such books as Jeans' The Universe Around Us, Hogben's Mathematics For the Million, Einstein's (with Infeld) Evolution of Physics, and others of the like. Scientists may shake their heads over what I here designate as "scientific reading." But if they do, they have neither conception of nor sympathy for the difficulties with which we poor unscientific devils have to cope. Let them read James Harvey Robinson's The Human-izing of Knowledge.

Perhaps I should be content with stating what I wanted and didn't get, leaving it up to the science men to ascertain whether my complaint is a reasonable and a representative one and whether they can do anything toward curing its origin. But there is at least one statement in the March ALUMNI MAGAZINE'S article, "Division of the Sciences," upon which I should like to comment, namely, the decision not to offer a general survey course in the Sciences. This, I know, is worse than presumption on my part. The decision was reached not only by men who have debated every angle of the question, who have seen survey courses at work in other institutions, who are, in short, fully qualified to make the decision. It was also reached by a committee of students. This ought to silence all objectors. But I am still not convinced.

ALTERNATIVES NOT VALID

I see little validity in the alternatives. One of these alternatives would be to drop the science requirement altogether. I don't see how Dartmouth could do this. A liberal education with no introduction to science belies its name.

A second alternative, the one which I understand is now in operation at the College, requires all students to take at least one year of work in two of the six Departments which comprise the Division of the Sciences. This requirement was, as I recall, in effect when I went to Hanover some fifteen years ago, and it failed to give me any understanding or appreciation of the two fields of science which I elected, let alone of those which such election left out. The Division is obviously alert to the importance of a student's first contact with his chosen areas of science, for Professor Brown states in the above-mentioned article that the best men in the Division teach these first year courses. This is all to the good but it is often the expert who sees every new science student as a potential scientist —and teaches accordingly—whereas the truth of the matter is, I believe, that the concepts of science needed by a future scientist are not at all the same as the concepts needed by a future layman.

A third alternative would be to require more than two first year science courses. This would not be unreasonable, but with what number of courses would such a requirement stop? It would certainly be practically impossible for a student who is concentrating in another Division to include all the first year science courses in his schedule.

Obviously, the present science requirement is simply a compromise between the Scylla of no science at all and the Charybdis of more science than a student who is majoring in another Division can work into his program. In theory it is not a bad compromise but in practice it seems to me to break down completely. The student who is concentrating in another Division gets two first year science courses, and heaven only knows what process of eeny meeny miny mo governs his choice. He neglects some or all of the other areas of science. And, if he is as nit-witted as I was, he gets nothing tangible out of the two he takes—mainly, I think, because they are taught as vestibules to a career in science rather than simply as aids to intelligent thinking and living.

PLEA FOR SURVEY COURSE

As a possible solution to some of these problems, why not permit a student who is concentrating in the Social Sciences or in the Humanities to take, instead of a straight first year course in two of the Sciences, a two-year general survey course in the Sciences? It seems to me that this change would have several advantages.

First, it would assure some contact with science. Second, it would permit acquaintance with all six of the Sciences. Third, it would consume no more of a student's time than does the present requirement. Fourth, it seems probable that a survey coursemore than a straight first year course—could be taught as an orientation in science for laymen rather than as a stepping stone to a career in science. And last, it seems to me that such a course could readily be pointed in the direction of the objectives I have suggested for men who are not specializing in science, namely, the cultivation of a scientific habit of mind and the stimulation of intelligent reading of popularized scientific literature. I do not know whether these objectives would commend themselves to the faculty of the Division of the Sciences or to a committee of science students. I have a hunch they would commend themselves to many an alumnus.

U. of MinnesotaMinneapolis[In the quiz published in the April issue of the MAGAZINE the science survey course proposed by a studentcommittee and rejected by the Division of the Sciencesshould have been described as a one-year course ratherthan a two-year course. The two-year proposal wasmade editorially by The Dartmouth in November, 1937,and led directly to the formation of the student committee,which felt that the present first-year requirements shouldbe retained and that the survey course should be availablefor juniors.—ED.]

[Mr. Johnston's correct identification of the above picture, as requested in the last issue, is correct and was the first answer received—ED.]