1925
This being the season of the year when the '2ser goes out regularly, it appears dumb for Brownie and your humble correspondent to peddle peanuts on the same street at the same time. Accordingly, this column is devoted mainly to one or two items of a different nature than spot news.
I have just finished reading Alex Laing's new book, Way for America. It took Alex two years of research and writing to punch the job out and the effort was well expended. The book tells how the world got into the jam it is in and how the next can be avoided. Through the 380-odd pages, Alex shows that he has become master of a crystal clear style of writing. He knows how to take an idea, or a fact, out of his head and slap it onto the paper so that you can put into your head the same idea or fact without distortion. He has loaded the book with facts. You can't do a skim job of reading. If you really want to find out what the present score is in the world, buy the book, put it at your bedside and digest about fifty pages every night.
In my mind, the writing of this book by Laing, and the definite accomplishments by many other men in our class, now shows clearly that we have reached our age of maturity and production. The next twenty-five years should be rich in results, not only in monetary reward, but in attainment of positions of service and responsibility.
On March 24, Newt Tobey was named president of the Chicago Alumni Association for the coming year. '25ers at the meeting who came to hear President Hopkins and vote for Tobey included Bob Borwell, Cliff Fitzgerald, Chuck Dodd, Hort Conrad, Sherm Barnett, Tige Lyon, Ross Beatty, Hi Russell, Ken Parker, Joe Murphy, Carl Clifton, Gair Tourtellot and Whit Campbell. The 1925 delegation took no chances, for the instant the nominating committee made their report, Barnett, Murphy and Lyon were on their feet yelling, "Move the nominations be closed."
Serious consideration is being given to the appointment of either Frank Shea or Bob Bingham to the judgeship of the Federal District Court of New Hampshire, according to recent newspaper stories. Of course there are other candidates in the field, and by the time you get this MAGAZINE, the appointment will probably have been made. But as of today, it looks as if either Shea or Bingham would be elevated to the Federal Bench. Which would be very, very nice going indeed.
A delayed news story out of New Guinea quotes bits of Max Emerson's diary, written in Papua. Excerpts include, "To-day 17 Jap bombers flew over us passing out to sea. Then the fight began. Shortly afterward, I saw five planes drop flaming into the water. They were all Japanese." .... "Today, while taking photos of dead Japs in a pillbox, Lt. A. Pinkowsky of Clintonville, Wis., and myself were attacked by a sniper in a coconut tree. We finally spotted him and shot him." While rowing in a harbor, Max was strafed by three Zeros. His companion dove overboard and swam ashore. Max dove overboard, but climbed back into the boat after the enemy planes passed and rowed ashore. Seems like a nice quiet corner of the world Max is inhabiting.
They aint much happened here sence the last riting. Spring is so far back that we dread to see summer come, for then winter will be right around the corner. They aint no birds come North yet except a flight of foolish geese that went over yesterday. They were seed flying backwords, full throttle this morning, sounding very disgusted. Wun local genious has a notion he can make a fortune crossing carrier pidgeons and woodpeckers so that the bird can knock at the door when it delivers the message. A delegashun uv sittizens come and ast Pret Smart '24 and me tew run fer the Scule Board. We unanimously sed "No" on account we had awl the men in town hating us fer being Rationning Offishels and we want going to get awl the wimmen in town hating us tew. Feller come into the Rashun Board yessdy morning and ast fer extra oil. We give him an order for an axe and a chast to cut wood on halves. Most Boards up this way wouldn't of even guv him the axe.
Secretary, Center Ossipee, N. H. Class Agent, 820 Graybar Bldg., New York City
