Letters

Parent & Teacher Influence

To THE EDITOR: Congratulations on the article by Professor Elsbree in the December ALUMNI MAGAZINE. It's a corker and says what should have been said out loud long ago. Not that I'm blind to the controversial aspects o£ the theme, for I suppose the issue of parent-and-teacher influence has been argued in every generation without reaching a conclusion. But to contend that teachers at Dartmouth or elsewhere have undermined student "faith" seems to me to run counter to the obvious and to show a lack of understanding of the currents running so deep through our society. Elsbree stated his case effectively. I'm pleased that you wanted to print his article, and I hope that my fellow-alumni have read it with as much interest as I have.

New York Times,New York City.

To THE EDITOR: Professor Elsbree's article on "Student Morale" in your December issue seems to indicate that the majority of the parents of college students are opposed to "novel ideas which most people outside their circle seem to accept." It often happens that the report the parent gets of what is taught, and the report the Professor gets of the parents' attitude, are neither of them lucid. I agree that it is disastrous to have the parent think the professors are impractical idealists and to have the professors think that the parents are selfish reactionaries.

It might be helpful if the department of Political Science would prepare an outline of the desirable extensions of National Government activity which the Constitution would permit and those for which the Constitution should be amended.

Such an outline, with a brief statement of the purpose of the extension, would make understanding by parents possible. For example take such a question as National Housing. Is it constitutional? Is it desirable? Is it possible for the National Government to build and rent good housing for the poorer one-sixth of our population? If so, could we keep the next one-sixth satisfied? If completely accomplished what would be the social results? What does the department teach on this subject?

Chicago.

Danger of Secession

To THE EDITOR: From the very nature of its function an alumni magazine cannot often publish articles of general and permanent value. It is, therefore, peculiarly gratifying to see the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE publish an article of such distinction as Professor Hugh Elsbree's "American Student Morale" which appears in the December issue. It ought to be read by every alumnus, not only of Dartmouth, but of every so-called ivy college.

Of course, as a fellow social scientist, I feel indebted to Professor Elsbree for his valiant defence of the college teacher, but that is a secondary consideration. The really important thing that he points out is the grave danger, as illustrated by recent political passions, that the economic group from which colleges like Dartmouth recruit the majority of their students will let its class prejudices lead it into disgruntled and futile isolation from the bulk of the nation. Probably the nation would survive it: certainly it would sweep away such a secession, just as it swept away another secession nearly a century ago. But the defeat of such a secession, as was the case with that other secession, would tumble into the dust many valuable institutions that had had the misfortune to be too closely associated with the secessionists, very possibly among them colleges of the type of Dartmouth.

Professor Elsbree has done a great service both to the Dartmouth community and to the community of similar colleges to point out this danger. I feel encouraged to hope that the danger may not become critical when I see a Dartmouth professor willing to speak so can didly about it and the Editor of the DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE willing to give such prominence to what he has written.

Swarthmore, Pa.

Question of Authority

To THE EDITOR: We of America—the writer is of the eighth generation—believe profoundly that the essential principles of democracy are fundamental, that they stand for truth, and truth is imperishable. There are certain frills of democracy quite deeply imbedded in the minds of some, who are much disturbed at their apparent failure; they may have served after a fashion for a time but in the nature of things they are transient and must pass. This situation has been well stated by Rauschning, whose observation has been more intimate, more real and personal than only but a very few. He says: "Those features of democracy which are incapable of standing up to the totalitarian onslaught were the forms of life that are as transitory as all mortal things. But the things that are imperishable and which every generation must learn for itself anew are the principles by which our western civilization stands or falls."

There is a thought expressed in this statement that Prof. Elsbree might do well to ponder, "which every generation must learn," it should throw light on the view which he so presumptuously sets forth in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE for December. The years an undergraduate spends in college, usually between the ages of 16 and 24 are, and always have been, years when the mind veers naturally hither and yon like a weathervane. The youth is then just coming face to face with some of the elementary facts of life, and he is groping for evidence by which to form a decision on various matters. It is no wonder that uncertainty and immature views, veering all round the intellectual compass of the undergraduate, find expression. For each individual—with rare exceptions—there is no permanence to this state of mind; decision comes later from more contact with the outside world.

Prof. Elsbree seems to think the varied types and degrees of uncertainty and of transient decision that he notes among the undergraduates of Dartmouth are characteristic solely of the present time; it only becomes so discouragingly evident at times when the public mind is under more than ordinary pressure. If Prof. Elsbree would spend a month in travel keepi ng his ears open, he would find that uncertainty as to which of several courses America should take at the moment, is as prevalent among the general public as among undergraduates.

He dogmatically asserts: "The elders (parents of undergraduates) have firmly implanted in the minds of their children the idea that government is unimportant, generally arbitrary, never to be trusted, and at best a necessary evil." On what authority does he make such apparently unwarranted assertions? Is he acquainted with the home life and influences —schools and otherwise—of the 2400 Dartmouth undergraduates? Has he interviewed the, say, 4500 parents that he may accurately gauge the views they hold on current topics? Otherwise his assertions have no standing as facts, he becomes just a special pleader for his own personal opinion, and should not presume to present his conclusions as facts.

Brookline, Mass.

[iContinued on page 4]

Cony Ford Exposed

To THE EDITOR: I was not aware that I owed Corey Ford five dollars (as reported by him in your last issue) as a result of the Cornell-Dartmouth football game, and I refuse to be bullied into parting with that sum. I am perfectly willing, however, just to show that I am no piker, to donate five dollars for the purchase of adrenalin for his Columbia football team.

I am sorry that we did not meet at Hanover. I imagine that Ford saw to it that you and I did not meet. He was afraid I might tell you a few plain facts about his record. He need not have been afraid. I am not the sort who would peach on a pal. Besides, I think this foible of Ford's—apparently you did not know he is a professional honorary alumnusis quite innocuous, and I do not think he can do Dartmouth any harm, unless you let him get on skis within reaching distance of any of the less sturdy college buildings.

No, I have no desire to spoil Ford's little game. I shall say nothing about the time he came to me, full o£ honeyed words, and told me it was the dream of his life to become an honorary alumnus of Cornell. "Furthermore, Frank," he enthused, "I want to become an honorary member of the finest, the grandest, the handsomest, suavest and most-likely-tosucceediest class that ever graduated from Uncle Ezra's Select Academy For The Developm ent Of The Medulla Oblongata—l want to belong to the Class of 1914!" Well, I simply could not get him in the Class of 1914. We are one of the most clannish classes ever to gradu ate from Cornell and we never take in honorary barbs. There was however a vacancy in the Class of 1869 and I got that for Ford. But when I sent him word to get his beard and cane and appear for his class reunion I found he had already tired of my Alma Mater and was now an honorary alumnus of Syracuse. In the ensuing years it seemed to me that every time I turned around Corey was an alumnus in a new college. Rutgers was taken in by his fine clothes and city ways and so were Bowdoin, Bates, Baylor, Beaver, Beirut, Beloit, Berea, BlufEton, Blue Ridge, Billings Poly and Bessie Tift.

Possibly Ford avoided having us meet because he feared I would tell you about the time he went to the White House and tried to butter the President into making him an honorary alumnus of the Electoral College. Said he liked their campus and admired their spirit. Or the time he wormed his way into the Vatican and in execrable Latin which fooled no one tried to blarney the Rota Tribunal into making him an honorary alumnus of the College of Cardinals. Or the time the mysterious, dark "woman," calling "herself" Cora Fjord appeared at Vassar and tried to sugar that college into making "her" an hono rary alumna. 0

Ask Tuskegee about Corey Ford.

As I say, I do not think Corey is vicious. I think he's just careless and full of beans and does these things because of youthful exuberance. I really like the tyke. I think it very likely that association with a sturdy institution like Dartmouth will do much to steady Corey. I hope so, because I would like to have him come to Saratoga oftener, only I never dare invite him here while Skidmore is in session.

I'm sure everything will be all right and I don't think you'll have any trouble with Ford, if you keep him off skis. (Oh, by the way, I wouldn't let him have anything to do with the Alumni Fund, if I were you.) At the same time, I do regret that as long as you were tapping outlanders for honorary allegiance to Dartmouth you did not consider one who, while unwavering in his loyalty to the noble pile above Cayuga's waters, certainly fell hard for Eleazar Wheelock's academy on the occasion of his first visit for that game, November 16. You know, I might make a passable Dartmouth alumnus, provided you didn't put me too far ahead in the nineteenth century classes. I'm a little mildewed around the edges and dented in a few places by the buffetings of fate, but I can ski, if I stay on level ground, and I know several of the student body at Skidmore College here in Saratoga. I admit they refer to me as "Gramps" but hell, you can't have everything at forty-eight!

Saratoga Springs, N. Y.

Crow-Eating

To THE EDITOR: While I join heartily in appreciation of the fine sportsmanship so characteristically displayed by the Cornell authorities in giving Dartmouth credit for a victory in that historic contest on November 16, I can't help wonderi ng why a similar attitude was not displayed on the field at the time by their football team.

It is possible that the Cornell captain did protest the obviously erroneous decision which gave his team a chance to score, but if so it seems odd that no mention of such protest has been made in any of the press comments nor in the masterly account of the game in your December issue.

We expect and condone unscrupulous opportunism in professional sport, but in amateur games there is, or should be, a code of ethics. Just as a tennis player who has been given the advantage of a wrong decision often double faults intentionally, so could the Cornell team, which of course knew just as well as did Dartmouth that the referee's ruling was definitely contrary to the facts, have intentionally failed to make its distance on that fifth down play.

It was only the fact that there was no time for further plays which made it possible later to correct the error. Had the situation arisen earlier in the game there could have been no redress, except by the above suggested action of the Cornell team at the time.

lAs it was, this would have been the perfect sportsmanlike gesture to give honor where honor was due without the crow-eating made necessary by the delayed adjudication of the game.

Gloucester, Mass.

[Note: In reply to Mr. Brooks and otherswho have the same question in mind—therewas no opportunity given by the referee forprotests or testimony of other officials or theCornell captain on the disputed series ofdowns. Movies show Capt. Young of Dartmouth attempting with no success to get theattention of the referee. Capt. Matuszczakcould have done no more in those final hectic,exhausting, unbelievable seconds of climax ofa great game.—ED.]

Student Opinions

To THE EDITOR: I have just received the following paragraph from one of my friends at the University of Chicago. As we feel there is much that is alike in the educational policies of our institutions he frequently posts me on what they are doing and results obtained. The quotation follows:

"Those who feel that college instructors (particularly those who are supposed to be in any slight degree 'radical') have a great influence in formulating the opinions of their students should remember that: Most students do not listen; of those who do listen and understand, most forget; of those who do listen, do understand, and do not forget, most do not agree; of those who do listen, do unstand, do not forget, and do agree, most later change their minds."

Chicago.

CI Renew My Love . .

To THE EDITOR This isn't a vox-pop about the war. It isn't a vox-pop about the financial situation of our country, or about new governments. It's a voxpop about Dartmouth, myself, the Cornell game and all other Dartmouth men who may have experienced what I did this afternoon.

I renewed my love for Dartmouth and all things Dartmouth this afternoon. Not at a reunion, not at a football game did this occur but in a tent, a very dusty tent at March Field, California.

It all started the day after Cornell conceded the victory to Dartmouth and I staged my own small rally in the company tent to the amazement of the entire platoon. The next step in the buildup was a letter from Harold Rugg describing briefly the outburst on the Monday night following the game. A few days ago clippings from the New York papers arrived from home, yesterday the ALUMNI MAG AZINE arrived and I annoyed my uninterested tent mates by quoting from it for more than an hour; and today I received copies of TheDartmouth from Saturday morning through Tuesday after the game which touched off the spark that kindled the burning desire just to communicate with Dartmouth again

Not just the fact of the victory and the tremendous emotional outburst that kept the rallies going in Hanover for three days was brought home by the stories in those priceless issues. Memories of other rallies flooded back to me; my first, best, and most uninhibited rally the Friday night before the Holy Cross game in the fall of 1936; the Cornell rally in the fall of '3B when the team was escorted to the Norwich station by the band and a peerade of students while I stood atop the bluff in the field behind Thayer School, above Ledyard Bridge and watched the stream of lights flow across the river and heard the band playing "Men of Dartmouth" as the train chugged off for Ithaca. And other memories of those four years came flying back and with them that futile, poignant, sad and at the same time beautiful desire that all alumni must at sometime have experienced to be back in Hanover sharing once again those moments of triumph, of defeats, of hardships and of pleasures with all Dartmouth men.

Yes, today standing retreat with the C. A.'s anti-aircraft guns silhouetted against the suntipped San Bernardino Mountains, 3,500 miles from Hanover Plain, the dreaming, gleaming walls of Dartmouth were miraculously builded in my dreams.

First Weather Squadron,March Field, Calif.[From The Dartmouth of December 10.]

Famous Football

To THE EDITOR: The day after my recent profession of Dartmouth faith ran in the Boston Post, one of our printers, a white haired veteran of 50 years in Newspaper Row, said in his fuzzy Scotch burr, "Ye missed a great opportunity in that fine paragraph about Dartmouth yesterday, lad. Where ye said ye hoped they'd lift yair dyin' head for a shot o' brandy, so ye could gie a last wah-hoo-wah, ye should hae written, 'creme de menthe,' for the color o' that is green!"

Ask Whitey Fuller, or somebody, to tell me what to do with that football Krieger kicked the three points against Cornell with. In case you don't read New England's Favorite Breakfast Table Paper faithfully, some young lady at the now world famous game with her escort was sitting squarely behind the uprights when Krieger made the place kick. The ball landed squarely in her lap. She hastily covered it with a blanket she had over her knees. Nobody apparently saw the happening for some excited reason, and after looking for a while for the ball, they apparently gave up and got another.

She bore the historic ball proudly home as a souvenir but when she read of Cornell's magnanimous gesture in handing the game back to the Indians her conscience began to pain her over the fact that maybe she ought to do the same with the football. She mailed it, complete with her seat stubs as evidence to, of all persons, me. If neither Dartmouth, nor Krieger wants the ball, she says she'd like to keep it. Will some of you gents kindly advise me what you want to do. I wrote all this once in the paper, but apparently nobody in Hanover read the Post that day

NOTE: See below for Bill Cunningham'sprofession of failh. Coach Blaik has acceptedthe football in behalf of the team.—EDITOR.

In the Service

To THE EDITOR: I suggest you run a column in the ALUMNI MAGAZINE entitled "Service News."

When you include members of Selective Service Boards, what used to be called "$1 a year men," in addition to those in the service, you'll have an interesting column.

Fort Ethan Allen, Vt.