1920

If we were writing one of those capsule newspapers for round-the-world wartime distribution, the headlines this month would read as follows: DOW WINS BRONZE STAR. SWEZEY EMPORIUM GUTTED BY FIRE NEWTON NOW EX-R.R. PREX. But that approaches the Variety style of journalism, and it would be well for the Department of Amplification to take over.

Major Bob Dow is safely out of the Army; will be back at New York University giving part time to English teaching and part to administration by the time this bulletin sees the light of day; is hopeful that his personal housing shortage will be solved, as promised, in one of New York's remodeled apartment buildings. It was only when pushed into a corner by the Inquiring Reporter that Bob admitted the existence of his Bronze Star. The record shows that he earned it in a private-to majo rcareer, commenced and carried out the hard way when he was past forty.

"Notice!" says the postcard from Swezey & Newins of Patchogue, N. Y. "Our store burned down We were completely covered by insurance, our records were saved and bills will be paid promptly as usual." To which Carroll adds, "It takes more than a fire to knock out a 51-year-old store." A January 9 dispatch to the New York Herald Tribune had chilled the blood of the Swezey customers by telling dramatically of the 1200,000 conflagration, featured by loss of the four-faced clock that had kept the whole village on time for 30 years. The clock ran for more than an hour after the fire started, finally stopped, but recovered to peal two last notes before it was "engulfed by flames."

Carl Newton did the ALUMNI MAGAZINE dirt by announcing his resignation from the presidency of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway on the very day that the MAGAZINE reported to his classmates the grandeur of his office and the hectic life he led. In a "Dear Bob" letter to the chairman of the C & O board, Carl expressed his feeling that the time had come, effective April 23, "to relinquish the presidency and return to my profession." That means that he will be back in New York soon thereafter, to resume law practice with his former associates, Donovan, Leisure and Lumbard, all now safely back from "their respective war services."

There are still other recent instances wherein 1920 has made the headlines. Telling about the speech Grosvernor Plowman made January 3 at the annual Industrial Night meeting of the Junior Traffic Club of Chicago, the Daily News adds these welcome details about the Plowman career which we've all been waiting some years to collect. This vice president of U. S. Steel got a Master's degree from University of Denver in 1936 and a Ph.D. from University of Chicago in 1937. Taught economics at M. I. T. and Boston University; served as professor of business management at University of Denver. As recently as 1943 Grosvenor made his connection with Big Steel, taking over the post in charge of transportation that was created for him then. But here'something the News didn't know and couldn't report: G. Plowman has gladdened the heart of Collector Stan Newcomer by being the first member of the Class to make a post-campaign contribution to 1920's Memorial Fund.

Also Among Our Speechmakers there is always Charlie McGoughran to be reckoned with. Charlie told Cincinnati's Exchange Club about "Oil, the Handmaiden of Progress" on January 10 and the local Enquirer devoted three columns to his "significant address."

Next we make our bow to the magazines, just as they make theirs to Twenty. "Tide .... leads on to Fortune." Tide ran a nice photo of Paul Richter in the January 18 issue, showing him glass in- hand enjoying a Christmas party of Public Relations people.

Fortune's piece (November issue), dealing with the extensive operations of General Motors Overseas, presented the smiling countenance of Bud Phillips. The old-time fullback is wearing glasses and also a mustache. International trade," sezze, "is a two-way street.'' Referring to Bud in a familiar way as "Harry," Fortune reports that "in his able hands are the complex supply, distribution and engineering service functions of Overseas' home office." His background, quite properly described as "cosmopolitan," includes service as director of the GM office in Shanghai, as managing director of General Motors Japan, as regional director for the Far East with headquarters in Bombay, as director of the former north European region, and finally as regional director in the Pacific. With that the defense rests.

Soldier stuff for this issue includes good reports on Hib Richter, Charlie Crathern and Charlie Ashton. When last heard from, Hib was still serving as Staff Judge Advocate to Major General Gaffey, Commandant of the Armored School at Fort Knox. He had been promoted to full Colonel in December, joining Max Moyer in that elevated rank, and was hoping to send word soon of his retirement from the service and his plans for the future. Major Crathern, writing while on the run, says he's likely to be "anywhere east of the Mississippi River on 34 hours' notice." Charlie has been declared "essential to the service" in terminating radar and radio contracts, but still cherishes the thought that one of these day he'll be a civilian again.

Charlie Ashton, now holding the title of full Commander, is another whose release from the armed services remains problematical. He is Personnel Officer in command of the Receiving Station at the Philadelphia Naval Base. That came about late last summer, just when he was expecting release, and it followed a succession of jobs in Naval Officer Procurement. He went up the ladder of rank all the way from lieutenant to commander, but his many applications for sea duty brought him nothing damper than an assignment in Oklahoma City.

And that brings us to some notes on the second generation. Charlie Ashton the 3d, Lt. (jg) in Japan at the moment, looks forward to discharge by summer and a probable return to Dartmouth Phillips Roland Jr. is said to have taken the marriage vows on January 19, but details are still awaited from Bung the Elder Art Earle writes that his oldest boy, Scott, "having fought his way into the ski troops with a face partly paralyzed and no hearing in one ear as a result of scarlet fever years ago, is now a second lieutenant in infantry, holding down some spot in northern Japan for the occupation detail." The other Earle boy, Brooks, now finishing at Tilton School, is talking of Dartmouth, unless conscription takes him into Naval aviation. In line with that, Art himself is spending what he calls his second childhood learning to fly.

Appeal of the Month: PLEASE keep thinking about and planning for 25th Reunion, June 28-29-30. Chairman Bill Carter will keep you posted through A 1 Foley's Twenty, and the pressure will get constantly hotter from month to month.

Secretary, Blind Brook Lodge, Rye, N. Y. Treasurer, 1 Windmill Lane, Arlington, Mass.