1932
A fight talk for the Alumni Fund does not really belong in this column, but the results of some soul-searching in my own case might start a little thought here and there on the way to action in some of your check books. Much study has been given to the question of why '32 comes out so badly in relation to other classes in the Green Derby. The answer is evidently found in the low percentage of contributors and, even more, in the small size of the average gift, combined with the small number of large gifts. The average gift aspect struck me particularly, because I found that my own contributions have been both below the average and below the per capita contribution needed to meet our objective. Although I am not sure where my income stands in relation to the class average, taking into consideration the number of mouths to be fed and feet to be shod therefrom, still I shouldn't be surprised if the unadjusted amount exceeds the average. So I have clearly been one of those contributing to the class deficiency. In trying to chart a personal course of action, I had to approach the problem from two angles, namely, how can I afford to give more at a time when prices drain dry every pay check and savings account, and why should I give more? You have to cross the second bridge first. You get across it if you are convinced that a college like Dartmouth is an important part of the kind of country you want. You can become convinced of that if you feel that the world will be a better place to live in if more people are turned out with the habits of thought that Dartmouth seeks to implant. Dean Neidlinger, in his talk to the Washington Alumni in April, said that Dartmouth seeks to turn out men who are wise rather than learned, the product of a college that recognizes that its responsibility is to human society. If the existence of such a college seems likely to increase the chances for the kind of world you want to be attained, then it is worth while for you to help the college to continue to produce, with a faculty paid enough to hold the right kind of men. The Alumni Fund contributions are important in maintaining the faculty salaries.
It was easy for me to cross the second bridge, easier than the first. Some of us go out on the town of a Saturday night now and then. Giving that up just once should save what it takes for Dartmouth, but it's easier to propose than to do. All work and no play makes Dad go nuts, and the same goes for wives who spend endless hours over steaming sinks and damp diapers. Congress, over Mr. Truman's veto, gave me a clue, however, in the form of the tax reduction. If I add to my last year's contribution the amount by which each pay check will increase as a result of the new tax law, I'll be over the top for this year. At any rate, it's an idea for how to cross the first bridge, and I intend to use it.
The four members of '32 who attended the Dartmouth Dinner in Washington in AprilJoe Fanelli, Brandy Marsh, Don MacPhail and I—were undistinguished by all having the three children that seem so typical of our class. The rendezvous was effectively immortalized by an itinerant photographer. The result will be available for a collection of class pictures, when it materializes.
The New York Times in February carried the news that Dick Cleaves has been named manager of the export division of George Wood, Sons & Co., manufacturers of textiles. The item, which was accompanied by a picture, also stated that Dick is the president of the Stanley-Richard Company. The only other thing I know about that company is that it recently moved its offices to 350 Broadway. If all classmates who break into print will send me copies of the clippings along with fill-in information, I'll promise not to tell where I got the dope. Then we could all know more about all of us.
Tom Curtis is practicing law in St. Louis, and now he is acting as campaign manager for Senator Taft's race for the Republican nomination in the eastern half of Missouri. Tom is a member of the St. Louis County Republican Central Committee. Assuming that Senator Taft has at least someone to the right of him, and that Henry Wallace (supported by Sam Allen) is outflanked on the left by someone, it cannot be said that these two classmates prove that the class runs the whole length of the political picture. But it comes pretty close.
Jim North, who last appeared in this column when he was helping the Luckman effort to conserve food last fall, is now reported to be supervisor of food accounts in the San Francisco office of Foote, Cone and Belding.
I was surprised to learn of the existence of The Dartmouth Outing Club of NewYork. It even won a ski meet at Manchester, Vermont, in February, according to reports, and it is not surprising, under the circumstances, to learn that Marv Chandler is an active member. He came in tenth in the race, ahead of some others, anyway. This at least proves that we have no right to feel old yet, even though Bo W.entworth warns that we all look older in the movies he took at Reunion last summer than we thought we looked at the time. It's that rose-colored atmosphere at Hanover, I guess, which deceives the naked eye, but a camera just won't lie. Bo was in Italy just before Christmas, but returned in time to hang his stocking here. He may be on the way back again any time, political conditions permitting. I'm sure they will.
Maybe it was professional jealousy that led me to withhold news of Milt Alpert's part in codifying the New York Employee's Retirement Law until I could point with pride to my part in the legislation authorizing the European Recovery Program. Milt said that he had been assigned to put his law into understandable language. My job for eight months has been to help do the same thing for ERP, but the finished product as signed by the President on April 3, is a truly complex piece of legislation. I have every confidence however, that it can be made to work.
NO. 1 DARTMOUTH ALUMNUS, so far as the Dartmouth crew is concerned, is Joe Robinson '32 (second from left, back row), who threw this memorable party for the Green oarsmen on their spring trip to Winter Park, Florida. Credit for valuable assistance goes, of course, to the Rollins co-eds shown above.
Secretary, 3909 North 5th Street, Arlington, Va. Treasurer, 607,Front Street, Hempstead, N. Y. Class Agent, 388 Berkeley Rd., Winnetka, 111.
