1889

It is the sad duty of the secretary to report the death of our president Henry P. Blair, in Washington, D. C., October 3. He passed away at the Episcopal Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital where he had been a patient since September 7.

The first news1 that your secretary had of the serious illnes of Blair came from an article in the Washington Times-Herald reporting that honorary membership in the American Hospital Association had been conferred upon him at Atlantic City, September 21, in recognition of his years of service to Washington hospitals. It stated that the honorary membership was received in absentia, the recipient at the time being a patient in one of the hospitals he had long served—the Episcopal, of which he was chairman of the board of governors. In answer to an immediate inquiry sent to the hospital, the acting superintendent replied:

"Mr. Blair has been ill for some time. His condition became critical during the spring and summer, but he did not enter the hospital until September 7. At the present time his condition is very grave. With a man of Mr. Blair's age any illness becomes very serious. He has devoted over fifty years to this hospital, and we are deeply grateful for his unfailingservice and devotion. He has been a tower ofstrength to many people." Flowers were ordered sent to our stricken class president inbehalf of the class, and all members werenotified of his condition.

Blair was nominated to honorary membership in the American Hospital Association byseveral Washington hospital officials. Honorary membership in the Association was presented to Blair by its president, Graham L.Davis, with the following citation:

"Mr. Blair: Acclaimed by several hospitals in Washington for your distinguished services through the years, your contributions to the improvement of hospital care and the maintenance of high standards of hospital treatment justify the formal recognition we are proud to accord you at this time. Your knowledge of human nature, coupled with your seasoned judgment, have made your services as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Columbia Hospital and chairman of the Board of the Episcopal Eye and Ear Hospital singularly outstanding. In addition, your appointment as the representative of the Episcopal Eye and-Ear Hospital when the Hospital Council was formulated three years ago afforded you another opportunity to demonstrate your faculty for loyal, competent service. In your many contributions to united effort in the development of hospital facilities in the metropolitan area of Washington, you have proved yourself outstanding. Your appearance before committees of the Congress and before the Commissioners of the District of Columbia in of adequate reimbursement for the care of the indigent, and assistance in the construction of new and much needed expansion, has further attested to your sincerity and interest in hospitals' problems. For your outstanding contributions to health and hospitals, on behalf of the American Hospital Association and by virtue of the power vested in me by the House of Delegates, I welcome you to Honorary Membership, according to the testimonial you are about to receive."

An In Memoriam notice will appear in the next issue of the MAGAZINE.

Mrs. David Newton Blakely, early in September, announced the marriage of her daughter Elizabeth to Mr. Robert Bates Taylor on September 1 at Brookline, Mass. The former Miss Blakely is a graduate of Lee School and Vassar College, class of 1930. Mr. Taylor is a son of Mrs. Herbert Taylor of Scituate, Mass., and was graduated from Harvard University in 1929. They will reside in Andover, Mass., where Mr. Taylor is an instructor in Phillips Academy.

News has come indirectly that "Sully" recently was stricken with coronary thrombosis. He now is reported to be under the care of his son-in-law, Dr. George A. Carden Jr. of New York, with a night nurse in attendance, and to be quite comfortable. He is said to find it difficult to write letters, yet he appreciates very much receiving them.

"Doc" Warden, who observed his 83rd birthday on August 19, was due in New York City on October 5 to attend a meeting of the Directors of the Associated Press, according to a recent letter from him.

Secretary and Treasurer, 108 Mt. Vernon St., Boston 8, Mass.