1915

Things in the news line seemed to pick up a bit this month, perhaps with the advent of Spring, better news from the war fronts and forgiveness (perhaps) of at least some of the socking you got on your 1942 taxes. Even if, at this writing, Beards Ruml's plan didn't click in its entirety, he sure started something, and the principle has been retained. And by this time most everyone who reads knows that Beards was a 1915er.

On April 10, the other half of the annual meeting of Secretaries, Treasurers and Class Agents was held in Boston—two groups this year; Boston and New York to save transportation to Hanover, and as all three of your class officers live near Boston, that is where we were. It was a good meeting, well attended, and many plans were discussed for the keeping up of contacts with the classes and the College during the war. Of course the biggest problem is with the younger classes, for the percentages of service men in these classes run up almost to 100% in some instances.

In our own class, we have a number who have gone back to the service, mostly in specialized fields, with a few in the combat end of the scrap. In the specialized field, is Ralph Sawyer—Lieut. Commander Sawyer USN, if you please—and a note from him a week or so ago was most welcome. He is at the U. S. Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Va., in what he describes as "what is probably the noisiest station, if nothing else." Accompanying the letter is a photostat of a page in the New York Times of April 6, which, in describing guns, projectiles and what not that are tested there and the importance of the work in evolving bigger and better ammunition to aim at the Axis, the article says: "In the heart of the reservation is the Armor and ProjectilexLaboratory, presided over by Lieut. Comndr. R. A. Sawyer, formerly Professor of Physics at the University of Michigan." They didn't say "and Dartmouth 1915" —but it's our own Ralph, and he's doing a swell war job. And Mrs. Sawyer is in Washington as a Principal Public Relations Officer in the Information Division of the OPA.

Russ Durgin goes on apace addressing various civic groups around the country on his experiences in Japan where, in 25 years, he came closer to learning all about the Japs than most anyone in this country. Russ is assisting in the raising of funds for the World Service Program of the Y.M.C.A.

A clipping from the Marblehead (Mass.) Messenger advises us that Greg Lyon has culminated a long service on the School Committee of that town by being made chairman of the committee, succeeding a man who held the spot for many years. Greg also has been a member of the Board of Selectmen in the town at odd times, and had a term as chairman.

A letter from Bill Huntress in New York tells of seeing Shrimp Williams over there the middle of April, and, sez Bill, "He's doing a good job on the Alumni Fund." Of course, none of the class officers except Bill were around for the New York Secretaries-Treasurers-Agents meeting on April 3, for as above, we all live near Boston, but Bill keeps in close touch with all the New Yorkers, and reports regularly. His latest letter tells of talking with Red Folan on the phone, and seeing Win Davis in person at the Dartmouth Club.

Our sympathy to Norv Milmore on the death of his father in Plaistow, N. H., on April 11.

Now comes Charlie Griffith, with a fine long letter dated April 17, and he wrote at some length regarding his close association with Gov. Jordan, and recalled many incidents of undergraduate days when Gov was so active in interesting the college body in the reading of poems and in other activities of The Arts.

Charlie, too, like Russ Durgin, saw many things in the Far East over the years, and today many of the events he felt were foreshadowed have come to pass despite the then-inclination of those who heard him to regard him as an alarmist. Charlie, as soon as the war started, enlisted in the New Jersey State Guard—as he says, "One cannot talk without backing up words with action"—and today, as a commanding officer in the Guard, he is not only in the first line of home defense in that important area in Jersey, but also is training men who, in many cases, are later called for active Army service and find themselves well prepared for promotion as the result of the training received from Charlie's hands. And, typical of the Charlie Griffith we all know so well, he says, "These are days when one can be forgiven for a little sentiment, even bordering on the sentimental. As I read the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, I find myself harking back to the old associations and dwelling on them with affectionate remembrance. What a wonderful bunch our class was and is, and as the years have gone on we have in many ways been drawn nearer together in spirit while passing our

separate and often remote ways."

And then, just before press time, Fannie and I got a real thrill when a phone call from Boston brought news that Jack and Kay Mason were in town; and Boston seems the same again. Jack went right on to New Brunswick for some salmon fishing and a good rest from his many duties, but Kay came out to the house with a wealth of news from many of our class seen in and around New York and Philadelphia in the past eight months since I have seen them. Jack will stop by on his return from fishing.

Among those whom Jack and Kay have seen and been with recently are Kel Rose, Bill Huntress, Red Folan, Carl Gish. Both hear from Howie Fuller at regular intervals, and both have a regular system of keeping in touch with the boys in the service—not only our class, but also with many of the younger classes. Jack also sees Jim Mowry now and then Jim of Hartsville, S. C., and a textile operator of parts. Jack, by the way, if you don't know it, has become a real expert in the field of Labor Regulations—and, it is rumored that he will shortly become affiliated with an important federal board. We hope to have the actual name and details for the next class notes—but anyway, congratulations to Jack.

This month, just a few changes of address from the College office for your information—Fred Lowe, Howard National Bank and Trust Cos., Burlington, Vt Voyle Rector, 1900 F. Street, Lincoln, Neb.; Franklin H. Rohrs, 1301 York, Denver, Colo.; Hubert E. Sargent, 231 Elm St., Montpeher, Vt.

Keep the news coming—the next issue is August and we'll need the news not later than July 5th to assure publication.

Has Shrimp Williams received yourAlumni Fund check?

CAPTAIN PHILIP W. STACKPOLE 'l6

Secretary, Box 697, Lawrence, Mass. Class Agent, Berkshire Road, Framingham, Mass.