1905
Your new secretary takes up his duties with considerable trepidation and realization of his great responsibilities. He is also aware of his lack of qualifications for the assignment, but with the helpful assistance of his better-half and the cooperation that has been promised by so many, he hopes to muddle through. With this editorial comment we will get on with our job.
I wish in this first communication to you to make an urgent plea for news, and if you haven't any news, write just the same. Urge other members of the class with whom you come in contact to do the same. This is the only way I can give you any kind of news in the MAGAZINE. It is natural as we grow older and see old friends pass on, to want to draw closer to those who are left to us, and where can we find better friends than in our family group of 1905? I think no one of us realizes how eager each member of the class is to hear and know about every other member. A striking example of this took place at Reunion and to many of us was one of the highlights. At our first dinner Friday night, C. C. Hills read a sheaf of letters and telegrams sent by you fellows. It made a great impression and caused a lot of comment. I could sense right there the desire and thirst for news about each and every one of you. So don't be hesitant, take up your pen and let yourself go.
I have thought many times these weeks since Reunion of what a happy time it was. I felt closer to classmates and felt I knew them better than ever before. There was a good deal of sitting together in quiet talk and the chief topic was generally about members of the class who were not there. We missed every one of you and were sorry you could not join the circle.
One thing that made the Reunion better was the fact that 1903, 1904 and 1906 were also holding their reunions. We were all housed in dormitories close together. There was a good deal of visiting back and forth and it was good to see so many old friends after forty years or more.
A very happy occasion was the reception at the President's home on Friday evening. President Dickey and his charming wife were hosts to a great group of Alumni. The setting and weather were perfect. It was a delightful party.
The climax of Reunion was the picnic dinner held in Norwich under the auspices of and by the arrangements of C. C. He did a fine piece of work and the fifty who sat down to lobster and chicken were a happy crowd. Reluctantly, as night fell, we took our way back to the College. There was real regret on Sunday, after our impressive Memorial Service, conducted by Judge Jim Donnelly, when we had to say goodbye and realized that another Reunion had all too swiftly come and gone.
Congratulations and a vote of thanks to Sliver Hatch for his fine work in raising the money for the class contribution to the Alumni Fund. The final report has just come in and the magnificent sum of $416,677.55 was contributed by loyal Alumni. It makes one proud to belong to the Dartmouth family.
Norman Stevenson was in Hanover and a guest at the Inn from May 17 to May 20. A letter from Fred Chase gives the following two news items, thus keeping the promise he made at Reunion:—
Dr. John Gilbert is serving as intern at the Mary Hitchcock Hospital this year. Dr. Gilbert is the son o£ our own Oscar Gilbert.
Walter Lillard, now a colonel, is in Vienna as Resident Representative of the Displaced Persons Division of the Intergovernmental Committee on Refugees.
Letters from Shirley Cunningham and Stanley Besse tell of a very pleasant luncheon in New York with Sliver Hatch, Bill Knibbs and Walt Conley. Tubby says Walt looks fine after his recent hospitalization.
Bill Knibbs, at this writing, is vacationing in Belfast, Me. Bill is resting up in preparation for a trip to the hospital. By the time this is in your hands, it will all be a thing of the past. We shall be rooting for you, Bill, as we did in those good old football days.
Three cheers and a vote of thanks to Walter May for carrying the burden of this column and all the other chores of class secretary for the last six years. I am beginning to realize what it means.
Don't forget to write me and send along any pictures you may have.
Secretary and Treasurer, 8027 Seminole Ave., Philadelphia 18, Pa.
