1921
As last month's blast was going to press, Comdr. Ben Tenney took his pen in hand and airmailed a letter reading as follows:
"I received your postal eventually and was very glad to hear from you. I get the ALUMNI MAGAZINE, tho somewhat late, and enjoy all the news. Certainly our class seems to be pulling its weight.
"My career has been somewhat varied this past year. I have spent 10 months at sea in the South Pacific, including considerable action in the Solomons. At the present time I have been transferred to a mobile hospital on an island. It has been a very interesting year, altho I cannot say it has been too much fun. The whole business is tough and grim, and there is none of the glamor and enthusiasm of the last war. Our boys are doing a swell job, but they have had to learn the hard way. The Japs are tough and it is going to take a long time to lick them.
"I have had a Jot of professional work, altho at sea it was spasmodic. In my present job, we have all that we can do, and then some.
"One thing that has impressed me is the fact that the war will be won or lost in the United States. The problems of supply and material are terrific. Everything is based on these factors. The Army and Navy will do an excellent job, but the results will depend on the 'folks' back home. The boys who are doing their stuff there are the ones who count most, at least at the present time.
"Please give my best to the gang. I do not wish to appear a pessimist, but I really feel that' it is going to take all we have and a little more to pull this one out. Best of luck, Ben."
Already a "veteran" of this war, Everett (Phez) Taylor comes through with an in- teresting letter from Hailey, Idaho, where he has resumed the practice of law. "When I received your earlier letter, of January 22, I was in Boise at the Veterans' Hospital having the steel bands removed from my leg, which operation the Army had recommended but wouldn't do themselves. I was in the hospital until about the middle of February, when I came to Hailey. I am happy to report that the operation was a success, at least the hardware is out and the leg seems to be improving I have rented an office here in Hailey and have hung out my shingle again. Right now [March 10] the Navy is considering taking over Sun Valley as a pre-flight school. In the event this happened, there would be considerable construction work and a great amount of activity in the Valley. If the war should last any length of time, everybody connected with Sun Valley feels that the government will use it for something."
Ernie Earley, the redoubtable scrivener of 'lB, forwards a tear sheet from TheEastern Underwriter for April 2. It seems Bill Barber has resigned as mgr. in Newark for the Connecticut General to go with the home office of Home Life Insurance Co. of New York, where he will assist the mgr. of Sales Planning Div.
Bill Codding passed along some tidbits at the April 3 meeting of Secretaries-Class Agents-Treasurers which were squeezed out of last month's blast by space limitations. Recently, he had seen Bob Daly, who is running a strong track team for Buckley High School in Hartford, and Bill Spencer, teaching the Social Studies in West Hartford High. Also, Bill had seen Walt Lundegren in Manhattan. Covering all New England plus Westchester and Long Island for Harper 8c Brothers' college department, with his operating base in his old home town in North Attleboro, Bill is really getting around these days. He is from now out on the payroll of this department in the capacity of special correspondent. Capt. Rog Wilde telephoned late in April to say that he was being transferred to Army Air Forces in May, when he reports at Officer Training School in Miami, Fla., for indoctrination. The gang around Washington will miss the erstwhile Captain in the Army Service Forces Also up for indoctrination was Maj. Ort Hicks, who buzzed this correspondent April 20 while in Washington en route to Lexington, Va., for a scheduled four weeks' session. Ort opined, however, that duties in Manhattan probably would call him back before he could corral a diploma.
Doing a land-office telephone business, this reporter talked the next day with Maj. Jack Hubbell at the War Department. Jack only recently had returned from a trip to the West Coast, spending his days in Frisco and L. A., and his nights in planes. Said he'd been a slave to duty and had had no time to make any personal contacts.
"Received on April 11, 1943, one shipment of sweetness labeled Christine. Signed for in perfect condition by Skinny Moore; net weight, 6 lbs. 3 oz. Inspection invited after expiration of two weeks," read a Stork Report recently submitted to this department for analysis. Your correspondent gratefully acknowledges receipt of two pamphlets which contain, in whole or in part, the work of Nels Smith. One is a formidable publication called SummaryReport on Study of Interterritorial FreightRates by the Board of Investigation and Research (Transportation Act of 1940), of which Nels is the chairman; the report carries a separate statement of position by Chairman Smith. Nels also has authored the introductory remarks to War Uses andthe Future of Motor Trucks, Buses, andTrailers, published by the Automotive Council for War Production.
Secretary, 201 W. Montgomery Ave., Rockville, Md. Class Agent, 905 First National Bank Bldg., Chicago, Ill.
