1930*

First prize for the month goes to Cliff Williams, who got the draft serial number 1930, up in Oswego, N. Y. Unless other Thirtymen received the same number, no more will be said in this column about serial or order numbers, but it will be greatly appreciated if members of the class who are drafted for a year of training will pass the information along, not only that the rest of the class may keep up with the military progress of their pals, but also for the sake of up to date and accurate records for the Secretary.

All of you will be pleased to hear that Kel Clow was promoted to a captaincy early in October, and he is now in command of Headquarters Troop of the Sixth Cavalry down at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. This is a Corps Reconnaissance Regiment, according to Kel, of which three-eighths is horse and five-eighths mechanized, with "my general angle merchanization and my particular angle, radio communication." .... Ed Conklin, who volunteered last August, was called to Fort Hancock for active duty with the Coast Artillery last month, but to his deep regret his eyesight kept him out of the service and he returned to his wife and three children.

The October 3rd issue of the Lynn, Massachusetts Item carried a success story about Roland C. Booma, president of Booma- Breed, Inc., at the age of 34, complete with a picture and life history, under the heading, "Local Leaders." After a brief resume of Roly's early career, the article goes on to describe how he and his partner organized the firm in 1934, starting with one truck and a couple of assistants in the distribution of fuel oil. Now there is a fleet of over fifty trucks and the concern is regarded as one of the fastest growing in the county.

A nice letter from Kel Richards reports encouraging news of continual progress toward better use of his joints. A recent check showed a gain of an inch and one half in height, which Kel says gives him a good chance of getting back to near-normal. Kel's presence at reunion was ample evidence of his grit, and progress, and everyone will be rooting for his complete recovery.

The files are becoming pretty well loaded with press clippings and pictures of Nelson Rockefeller, who recently was appointed by Secretary of Commerce Jesse Jones as chairman of the Inter-American Development Commission. Nelson is too busy with his two posts in the national capitol to accept Al Dickerson's invitation to open a conference in Hanover this month on Defense of the Americas, but Carl Spaeth '29, his righthand man as Executive Assistant to the Coordinator, will do the doings.

Fortunately for the class executive committee, Nelson was able to act as host at its meeting on October 18 at the University Club in New York. The gathering as- sembled for a delicious dinner at 7:30, with Borella, Chandler, Embree, Haffenreffer, Jessup, Rockefeller, Tragle and the Secretary present. It was the first meeting in ten years that our former secretary-chairman has missed, while Charlie Raymond and Sam Adams were unable to make the trip at the time. A resolution to transfer the class funds to the District National Bank of Chicago was passed and Treasurer Embree reported that payments of class dues were coming in slowly, with quite a few taking advantage of the saving under the five-year payment plan. Tom Longnecker's father, who has maintained an active interest in '30 affairs, was elected an honorary member of the class, but for obvious reasons will not be put on the mailing list.

The most important item on the agenda, from the standpoint of the College and the class, was the selection of a new Alumni Fund class agent. It is a very great pleasure to announce that our outstanding candidate for this post was unanimously chosen and thereby automatically becomes a member of the executive committee, in accordance with the amendment to our constitution passed at our reunion banquet. As executive secretary of the Fund, Al Dickerson has expressed complete approval and happiness. In accepting the job, Alex admitted that he is highly flattered and hopes to justify his selection, adding, "The opportunity of service to the class and of help to the College which the position of class agent offers is a real challenge. I know that the Class of 1930 will continue to evidence its spirit and unity and its interest in the welfare of the College with a real record for the Alumni Fund, and that we will be satisfied with a record of nothing short of 100% of contributors." With that attitude and his previous record of participation in class affairs, we are confident that 1930 will attain new heights with Alex at the helm.

The committee expressed wholehearted approval of the suggestion that the class hold an annual summer meeting in Hanover, with wives invited, for the purpose of furthering the interest and loyalty of the class toward the College and to cement the unity of the class between our quinquennial reunions.

It has been a long time since word was received from Hal Knight, due, by his own admission, to laziness and not to lack of interest. His address is changed to 14 Norwood Road, Charleston, West Virginia, but the size of his family remains the same as last reported, one son, now eleven years old Just when it appeared that there was only one blessed event to report, word came via Hank Embree of another baby for the Al Hayes', Philip Knox Hayes, born June 30, 1940 The event intimated above was the arrival, October 24th, of David Ellis French, whose parents seem to be following the same pattern as the Dickersons, with two sons.

From Richmond, Virginia, Kip Chase sends in his biennial letter, and puts in a plea for a football game at one of the six principal colleges in that state. "The reorganization of the Baughman Company shows progress," writes Kip, "and during the year I have been a committeeman in the Associated Gas reorganization, and have gone on the board of the Bank of Commerce and Trusts, of Richmond."

Charlie Rauch sent in excerpts of a letter from Ben Finch, in London, which vividly describes his activities, most of which take place in air raid shelters at the bank and near his dwelling place. Space does not permit including the extracts here, unfortunately, as these intimate accounts are mighty interesting. Ben's family, incidentally, is back in U. S. A.

The New York class dinner last month brought out one of our slimmest gatherings, twenty-eight, but the same old spirit was there just the same. Apparently the political and various suburban community chest campaigns, which were at their height, affected the attendance. The next one will be held about the end of January, with another one in the spring.

Once more we remind you camera-men who took movies at reunion that Joe Golan is waiting for your films so that he can complete the reels of our historic affair. Please send them in without delay, as the demand for these for class dinners is increasing right along.

Some of the news items this month accompanied checks for the class dues, to the delight of the secretary and treasurer respectively. Both of us recommend that the rest of you adopt the same method, pronto, in order to preserve the solvency of the treasury and this column.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

Secretary, Simons & French Co., Inc. 99 Hudson St., New York, N. Y.

Treasurer, 3500 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, I11.