1915*
The entry of this country into the war has brought a couple of letters from classmates of particular interest, and without doubt from now on the number will increase and let me ask each classmate to write any all such letters which may have news of service classmates, for I know all will welcome such news.
The first letter came from Al Livingston, our V. P. in charge of the Pacific Coast, and from San Francisco he gives us a graphic account of air-raid alarms and blackouts and all that goes with modern defense. He says in part: "A complete blackout is really quite an affair, particularly if one is caught on the street in his automobile or on a street car, and has to wait for a period as long as two hours. It is unbelievable how quickly the sounds that constitute the total noise for a city of this size can cease, and how everything becomes as still as the night is black It is apparent, however, that we are subject to possible attack when submarines can come within one-half mile of our shore and sink our coast-wise ships as they have been doing the past few days. We feel now that if such an event takes place we are prepared and will give a proper accounting of ourselves I am convinced, however, that I shall take a more active part and shall be glad when that day comes."
Al also reports an addition to the '15 group in San Francisco in the person of Voyle Rector and is greatly welcome to the Dartmouth boys on the coast. And, says Al, with the new order of things, there may be a number of '15ers who may be sent out to the coast, and if so, Al is most anxious to do anything he can for them. Al's address is c/o The Prudential Insurance ,Cos., Room 540 California-Commercial Union Building, San Francisco.
Then from another important link in our national defenses, comes a letter from Bernie O'Day from the Canal Zone, where Bernie is now up and about after a stay in the hospital. He's been in the Canal Zone for six years, and now in Cristobal, he says "everyone in the Canal Zone is on the alert if you get 8 hours sleep you are lucky what with blackouts, sirens, planes roaring overhead and the inevitable rumors and rumors." Bernie says that there are many college men in the Zone, and all read his DARTMOUTH ALUMNI MAGAZINE with the comment that it is a "prize," and they "never saw anything like it" for a college alumni publication.
Eben Clough made his annual pilgrimage to my home Christmas eve, and spent an all-too-short time with us before leaving for New Hampshire for the holiday. He reports that the last smoker at the University Club in Boston was attended by himself, along with Kike Richardson, Earl McAndrews, Walt Meader and Leon Tuck.
Jack Mason, after a seige from pneumonia contracted through over-work and sheer exhaustion, is again on his feet, and is now located in a fine hew position in Millville, New Jersey, where he has become Vice President of both the Millville Manufacturing Cos. and the May's Landing Water Power Company of New Jersey. It's in the textile field, in which there is no one more proficient than Jack, and in which he has devoted all his many active years of business. The net result of it all is a distinct loss to us in the Boston area who have known Jack as one of our most loyal and consistent attendants at all Boston gatherings. I know of no one who would be missed more than will Jack. We are hoping that the type of business he is in will bring him to New England at such frequent periods that we won't need to feel we have lost him permanently. A fine write-up on Jack appeared in the American Wool and Cotton Reporter of December 4, 1941. Every '15er in Boston, while missing Jack, rejoice that he has found a fine connection, and we all wish him the best of luck.
I have also another fine letter from Marguerite Priddy, and our own cherished Al and Marguerite have two fine boys at Dartmouth who are keeping up all the Priddy traditions of 26 odd years ago. Al Jr., is a real sailor—and last June won the MacMillan cup, which is the highlight of intercollegiate racing and as a result the College gave him a letter. The Dartmouth Yacht Club members elected him their new Commodore at their November meeting. "Stan" is a real hockey player, first string most of the time, and got a "D" last year, and this year is on a western trip with the hockey team where all the big teams will be met. Christmas day found Marguerite, Stan and Allan in Michigan on the homeward end of Stan's trip. And both of the boys are taking defense courses at college in preparation for the duties they fully expect to be called for as this war business rolls on.
Secretary, Box 697, Lawrence, Mass.
