1924
There is nothing quite so exhilarating to a Dartmouth man as the opportunity to go back to the Hanover plain, and gaze, with nostalgic eye, at the scenes that mean so much to all of us. No pharmacist could possibly prepare a more potent tonic. For taut nerves and jaded spirits there is nothing like it. Take it from one who knows! Your Secretary has just returned from a week-end up Hanover way, the Annual 1924 Father and Son Dinner providing all that was necessary by way of excuse. The dinner was a great success, but Dick Morin has already covered it thoroughly in his recent '24 Hour Notice, so we will refrain from doing a rewrite, other than to extend our sincere thanks, in behalf of all those present, to Ed Winsor and the aforementioned Dick Morin for the grand job they did in handling the affair for us. Everything went according to schedule, and DonBartlett, the featured speaker, adhered strictly to his advertised promise not to touch on serious matters. His talk was short, hu- morous and entirely effective.
Reference to Hanover brings us very naturally to a subject which, measured by any method, is of paramount importance to the Class at this time. Yes, you've guessed it! The 1950 Alumni Fundi We shall not attempt to expound on the background of the Fund, nor to pontificate on the vital importance of the money thus raised in the life of the College. You all know the story by this time, and if you don't, it will be spread before you again by writers whose prose is far more fluent and soul-stirring than that of your correspondent.
Ordinarily, in writing these notes, we hide as gracefully as possible behind the editorial "we." In this case, however, I would like to depart from customary procedure, and make a straightforward, personal appeal to every member of the Class to get behind the drive this year, and really make a record of which we may all feel justly proud.
Just as a starting point, let me give you the results for 1949- We finished last in our section of the Green Derby. We had contributions from 293 men, which represented only 68% of our Class. These men gave a total of $8,797.19 or 73% of our assigned goal. This was 6% lower in participation and 13% lower in dollars than the next lowest class in our group. Surely that is not an enviable record! It is my belief that the primary cause of our difficulty last year was the Memorial Fund which, of necessity, was run simultaneously with the Alumni Fund campaign.
That competition for the elusive buck will be missing this year, so we may all turn our undivided attention to regaining lost ground, and attaining a more favorable position commensurate with our standing among the classes. I recently had the opportunity to talk at some length with Chick Austin, and I know that he is working hard to perfect his organization. His most earnest efforts, and those of his Assistant Agents, will come to naught, however, unless every Mother's son of you gets behind him and participates. You can help in these three ways: (1) Make your own gift early; (2) If at all possible, increase your gift this year; and (31) appoint yourself an Assistant Agent, and campaign actively among the classmates you may see to secure their support in our 1950 effort. These three things are not hard to do, yet they will mean so much if you will follow through. As your new Secretary I can honestly tell you that nothing would encourage me more than to see our Class come back strong this year and really make a good showing in the Alumni Fund. It can easily be done if you will do YOUR share, and I am counting on your support. Let's go, '24!
Last month we made reference to the skiing exploits of Wes Blake Jr. who has been busy this winter racking up points for the varsity ski team in the cross-country event. Word reaches us that Wes Jr. is not the only son of '24 who has developed a high degree of proficiency on skis. Ruff Miller's son, Ralph, scored a double win in the New England Interscholastic meet, held in Lyndonville, Vt., on February 18. Young Ralph was the individual winner of the downhill race, and came back to take first honors in the slalom as well. Ralph represented Hanover High School, which finished third in the team competition. Bill White, Jim White's son, is number one man for Deerfield Academy in the cross-country event, and Spud Spaulding's son, Lincoln, won the Massachusetts State Junior Ski Championship in the downhill event early in February. The championship was held at Mt. Wachusett, and Link's time was the best of all the representatives in the four age groups from 11 to 17. Doubtless there are, other sons with comparable abilities of which we have not heard, but nonetheless these Dads have reason to be proud that their sons are already following Dartmouth tradition and have attained such marked proficiency in winter sports. Now, if we could just arrange to get them all in Hanover at the same time, what a ski team we would have! Congratulations to them all.
Red Newell sent us a letter not too long ago which is of considerable general interest to the Class. Red writes:
"This part of the world is altogether too much in the news these days, and we don't like it. Not that a certain amount of publicity is out of order, but the situation out here almost anywhere you can mention is definitely stinko. We are even feeling a bit of the draft at close quarters in this carefully-run Colony in the form of strikes and general Communist agitation. Up until recently it has been a case of sitting more or less on the side-lines and the rest of the Orient smash itself around. I still think things in Hongkong will be kept under reasonable control, but it won't pay to. be too complacent. There is no point in trying to write another book on the China mess, so I'll say no more.
"Although we have been back only five months, it seems as though we were never away. Life is such a monotony of work, cocktail and dinner parties that it is amazing time seems to pass so quickly. I suppose it is the old story of age creeping on, as the weeks now are just about equivalent to a day in the early '20's. The youngsters are coming along nicely, Ralph Jr. being 8 and in the 4th Form at the Peak School, while Emily was 4 on Lincoln's Birthday and is quite a character as kids usually are at that age. We all keep broke, but healthy, which is the main thing. All the best to the brethren."
Red, it was mighty good to hear from you, and you may be sure we're all thinking of you, and hoping that things will "stay put" out there in Hongkong. The best of luck to you and your family.
News reaches us that Harland Stockwell, executive secretary of the Civic Federation of Illinois, is becoming much sought after as an authority on taxation and Government spending. He recently appeared as the principal speaker at the Story County Republicans' Lincoln Day dinner at Atlantic, lowa. Harland is the big gear in the Civic Federation, a citizens' non-political agency for promoting efficiency and economy in the public business and guarding against wasteful expenditures and excessive taxation. After reading the daily papers, with their tales of waste and corruption, it is apparent that what this country needs, more than anything else, is more Harland Stockwells. May his tribe increase!
That seems to wind things up for this month. Keep those letters coming in. They're very helpful. And above all—get behind Chick Austin and his crew on the Alumni Fund. The College is counting on you! See you later.
DINNER CHAIRMAN: Ed Winsor '24, who directed the successful Annual Father and Son Banquet, with young Ed '51, who was there to enjoy it.
Secretary, 328 Orchard PL, Ridgewood, N. J. Treasurer, 1312 Greenleaf Blvd., Elkhart, Ind. Class Agent, 12 Ellis Farm Lane, Melrose, Mass.
