1924
By the time these words appear in print Chick Austin and his expanded corps of assistant agents will be in the thick of the greatest, and most important, Alumni Fund campaign that has ever challenged the alumni of Dartmouth College. As we all know, the Alumni Fund drive has for years enabled the College to operate "in the black" and as such has been a powerful factor in the growth and well-being of Dartmouth. This year, because of the anticipated reduction in the size of the student body, an even greater deficit looms ahead, despite all the economies that can, and are, being made. This year every independent college and university throughout the country faces a grim financial problem. Can these colleges continue to exist as independent institutions, or must they be forced to accept government aid, with the inevitable corollary of governmental interference and political dictation? This is a mighty serious question, and one which is disturbing both the educators and the alumni of every independent institution of higher learning. It is imperative that Dartmouth, and her sister schools, be kept free, for the loss of academic freedom would be disastrous to the cause of democracy in our country today.
The over-all quota has been set this year at $500,000, an increase of 25%, but none-the-less, the minimum amount deemed necessary to keep Dartmouth operating on a sound financial basis. We have no doubt that this imposing sum will be raised, for without question the men of Dartmouth will accept the challenge, and keep their beloved College free of political entanglement.
It is most important that we of 1924 should willingly accept our full share of this financial load. Our tentative quota has been set at $16,575. In view of the fact that we have never yet made our quota, our problem is twofold. We must absorb our deficit of last year, and in addition, provide the necessary increase of 25%. This is a task of no mean proportions, but the greater the goal, the more satisfying is the achievement. It has been truly said that one gives according to the heart, rather than the pocketbook. When Chick, or his assistants, call on us, may we ponder the matter thoughtfully in our hearts, and give to the best of our abilities. Then, and only then, will success be achieved.
Snow,-which is rapidly becoming a rare and much sought-after commodity in New England these winters, did not provide many days of good skiing this past season, but when conditions were right the devotees of this hardy sport were out in force. Ralph Miller, son of our Ralph Miller, and presently a student at Hanover High School, led his team to victory in the New England Interscholastic ski meet, held at Middlebury, Vt., in February. Young Ralph turned in an outstanding individual performance, winning the downhill and slalom, placing second in the cross country, and finishing nth in the jump. What a record! Very naturally, he walked off with the individual combined four-event title, and was largely responsible for the victory of Hanover High over the best interscholastic competition in New England. Our congratulations to the Millers, young and old.
A most informative and entertaining letter came in from Dick Fagin some months ago, and we must admit dereliction of duty in failing to publish it long since. Dick has been a career man in the Marine Corps, and finally retired, a full Colonel, in November, 1946, after a losing bout with the fox holes on Iwo Jima. He writes,
"I have been in and out of several Naval Hospitals since retirement, but I think I am nearly a normal human being again now—the Naval Retirement Board to the contrary notwithstanding. The Korean situation infuriates me because it is the first scrap the U. S. M. C. has been in in the last 29 years where participation has been denied me. Volunteered to return to active duty but 'the services of senior officers of your grade are not required at the present time,' etc. etc. ad nauseum.
"I returned to the State of my birth (Editor's Note: Texas) in March, 1949, and remained in Dallas until last fall, when I came to Houston with the Clary Multiplier Corporation. Joined them originally in June. Did some spade work learning the business machines industry in Dallas, and am doing more along different lines here. Am supposed to get some sort of managerial assignment this spring."
Dick is one of the gang that we haven't heard from in a long time, and it is a particular pleasure to welcome him back, and to wish him well in his new occupation. Just how a Leatherneck will get along punching adding machine keys we'll never know, but perhaps he will enlighten us one of these days.
By an odd twist of Fate we have just received a follow-up on Dick Fagin in a swell letter from Nels Newcomb, in Cleveland. Nels says "Dick Fagin came to Cleveland to live about two months ago, as the representative for this area of the Clary Multiplier Corporation. Charley French called a class meeting to be held at the weekly Dartmouth Lunch at the Mid-day Club at which Bob Branson, RussTreadway, Charley and I cross-examined him across Martini glasses. He made the grade." That's the very latest in the saga of Dick Fagin, and brings his history right up to date.
Like so many others, it took Nels a long time to get away from home plate in this letter writing business, but once he got at it, he really scored. Our friend is in the meat packing business in Cleveland, and mystifies your Secretary by saying, "It is sheer lunacy on your part to anticipate a newsworthy letter from anyone idiotic enough to be in the meat packing business. In the first place any person so foolishly employed is too damned busy working his head off in order to lose money to have time to write." With ordinary sirloin selling at $1.45 a pound it is hard to understand how a meat packer can be losing money. Perhaps that's what he means, it's hard work to lose money at those pricesl From just an ordinary customer's viewpoint it would seem that our friends in the meat business had a Grade A concession on a gold mine!
Nels very thoughtfully included some information on several of the lads in and around Cleveland. We learn that, "Paul Gordon is still clucking at the ticker tape in Bache & Co.'s office here and apparently is scratching up more than tape, because in his spare time he is building a swell new home and artificial lake on his estate in Brecksville. Russ Treadway, also in the brokerage business, with Ball, Burge & Krause, is currently spending a three weeks' vacation at Sea Island. Do you see what I mean about us dumb meat packers? DougGorton, who, when he has a little spare time for it between vacations, runs an insurance agency with Chuck Calder '23, is now soaking his corns in the sunny waters of the Bahamas. I should go soak my head!"
After each fearful day at the Cleveland Provision Company, Nels staggers home to his understanding wife, Francine and their daughter Barbara, a student at Rocky River High School, who sympathetically welcome him to the family homestead, at 1202 Homeland Drive, Cleveland 16, Ohio. It's really all very touching. Thanks a million for the news, Nels, and for your marvelous letter.
We have a number of other interesting letters at hand, but space will not permit their publication this month. It's time to wind things up, but before we do we would again call your attention to the 1951 Alumni Fund. Its importance to Dartmouth cannot be overemphasized. Think it over seriously. Then do your part generously. Get behind Chick and help make 1951 a banner year in the history of our Class. See you later.
Secretary, 328 Orchard PL, Ridgewood, N. J Treasurer, 1312 Greenleaf Blvd., Elkhart, Ind. Class Agent, 185 Franklin St., Boston, Mass.
