1929
Although the final results and standing of the Class in the Alumni Fund are not available as I write this early in July, word just received from the Duke characterizes it as " '29's finest year." The full story will be set out in a final issue of " '29 UP," but rn the meantime it is more than appropriate to "give a rouse with a will" to Duke and Beedie and all the boys who helped gather in the contributions. Now that that effort is over, here's hoping that Duke can get back to his telephone lines and straighten out Washington's communication problems and that Beedie can shed his judicial robes for the faded shirt and tattered hat of the fisherman that he so tantalizingly alluded to time and again in his sheet.
Here in Boston in the heat of a sultry summer day, it was refreshing to receive a telephone call from Jack Brabb, Lt. USNR, stationed at Technology for radar duty. Jack's trumpet, unfortunately, had to be left at home in Detroit along with his other precious possessions such as his wife and children.
The other day in the offices of the Regional War Labor Board here in Boston a miniature reunion was held when Dick Clark from Gloucester, Morton Jaquith from Clinton and Boston, and myself chanced to meet. Dick reports a busy and flourishing law practice down Cape Ann way and is as unchanged in appearance as is Judge Jaquith himself.
Jake mentioned the splendid victory which John Dickey had participated in when the Trade Agreements Act was recently renewed by Congress. Since John completed that exciting assignment, he has resumed his old duties in the State Department.
A nice letter from Millicent Dearth from lowa City reports that husband John returned from Chile last October and was inducted last May and is now receiving basic training in Chemical Warfare at Camp Sibert, Alabama.
"Nick" Nichols attended the Medical Field Service School at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., served as Plans and Training Officer with the 92nd General Hospital for several months during its organization and preparation for overseas service, following which he was transferred to the McCloskey General Hospital, Temple, Texas last January where he is serving on the surgical staff. He says: "This appears to be a more or less permanent assignment and if one has to be incarcerated for the duration, it is not exactly an unfortunate set-up, for we have an enormous hospital, 3000 bed capacity with plenty of surgery and an array of most interesting cases, together with a very able and congenial group, of fellow officers. Having seen so many medical officers doing very little actual professional work, I feel fortunate in this assignment for we are able to keep abreast of all the latest medical knowledge and have access to all the new instruments, drugs, etc. Of course, life in the Army is just about the most uncertain thing there is and I may be sent over before the week is over."
It's now Major Ellie Cavanagh, sweating it out under Tallahassee's summer sun which, says the Class Baby's mother, is dreadfully hot—and by the way why doesn't Toughie Keyes, wherever he is, write to the Cavanaghs? Ellie recently got his first vacation which he spent tripping through Southern Florida with the result that he is now a greater booster of Florida than ever except for the summer heat which lasts through October. The Class Baby (who is quite a Buster now) entering high school in the fall, and his kid brother John are at Delahanty's camp, Camp Monomoy, on the Cape.
Charlie Goldsmith, writing from Washington:
"The desire to do something active for the war effort had been growing on me, starting many months ago but somehow or other that final push was lacking until the middle of February when we received news of the death of my youngest brother in action in New Guinea. He was a sergeant in the infantry, and they got him the day Buna was taken. Right then and there was that final incentive to get off my buttocks and really do something. I felt that I could be more useful if I could find a niche where my training and experience of the last 12 years could be put to work, so I accepted a job with the Office of War Information. My official title is Chief of Distribution in the Overseas Branch of the Motion Picture Bureau. The work is mighty interesting and along the same general lines as what I was doing at MGM. This work, of course, has a different objective and a different approach but it's still moving pictures and all that goes with it so it's old stuff to me. I am stationed in New York at 250 West 57th St., but my work is closely tied in with many other government agencies so I have to come down to Washington for a day or two every couple of weeks. Stayed with Hank Stein and his swell little family on my last visit. It's the first time I've seen Hank in several years and he hasn't changed a bit, except that spare chin is becoming a little more noticeable. He's working quite hard at O.P.A. and seems to be doing quite well. Best to all the boys."
A very nice letter from Fred Cook's mother relates that she is getting letters through from Fred from Australia quite regularly now. Fred is Company Commander and writes that he is much impressed by the high type, loyal, cooperative men with whom he works, a highly specialized group doing a very important job, the nature of which cannot be divulged. Australia, he says, and its people are very grand.
Jerry Updyke has been reported safe in Manila where he and his wife are internees of the Japanese. Jerry went to the Philippines in 1934 as a civil engineer for the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Company, receiving the highest rating in an examination for a civil engineer's license in Manila in May, 1936. After getting a C.E. degree from the Thayer School, Jerry got his M.S. in engineering from Rutgers.
Freddie Breithut has been named Associate Physical Director at the Montclair Y.M.C.A. Freddie lives in Verona with his wife and daughter. For the past 12 years he has been a counsellor, athletic director and assistant camp director at the Newark Y.M.C.A. Camp and has also served on the committee of Camp Tom Quick, a camp for underprivileged boys.
From the Mamaroneck (N. Y.) Times we have a clipping reporting that Will Torbert, candidate for election to the Rye Neck Board of Education is advocating the delegation of authority to the superintendent and teachers in the school system, contending that in well organized school systems school employees are recognized as training specialists and after instructions as to their general responsibilities should be left to exert their own initiative and-best judgment in working out details. Will is at present the chief investigator for the Newark District of the O.P.A. Formerly, he taught for 8 years at the Mamaroneck High School and at the High School at Waterloo where he was head of the English department.
Perley Perkins is back in Boston after three years in Springfield with a new job as underwriter for the Century Indemnity Company. He is living with his wife and two children in Swampscott not far from where Millard Tucker lives. He looks as lean and fit as when he used to be the University Club's leading hard-hitting squash player.
DARTMOUTH '28'S 15TH REUNION WAS HELD ALSO IN WASHINGTON, LEFT, AND, RIGHT, IN BOSTON. (SEE 1928 COLUMN)
Secretary 75 Federal St., Boston, Mass.
