1932
The Editor, when he receives these notes on time—even ahead of time—isn't going to understand what happened, at least until he reads the first paragraph. The promptness stems from my leaving on a trip to a number of North Atlantic Treaty countries, flying from New York on December 30. Consequently, these notes are being written, for the first time in history, ahead of the fifth of the month deadline.
The purpose of my trip is to take part in negotiations concerning tax and patent matters affecting our mutual defense relations with other countries. I expect to be back before the end of February, since we have to report on the negotiations when Congress gets ready to look into the budgets for the foreign aid and defense programs for the next fiscal year.
I had to have a new passport picture taken, and for this purpose visited the little photograph shop on Pennsylvania Avenue where I had my pictures taken in 1942. They did such a good job then that I ordered enlargements, fearing that my hairline would never again be worthy of a photograph. Unfortunately, that negative was burned in the enlarging process and I don't have any of the happy results. I may say that the results this time justified my fears. However, as I came out of the back room where the actual photograph was taken, I found the waiting room filled with a lively and handsome family of five, awaiting their turn. When my eyes finally turned to the man of the family, it dawned on me that they were the Donald MacPhails, who were preparing for departure early in January for Paris. Don will be handling productivity matters there for the Office of the Special Representatives in Europe of the Mutual Security Agency, successor to the ECA. The three children, two boys and a girl in the middle, were enthusiastic about leaving for abroad but were apprehensive about the inoculation shots they had to take first. I met them all a few minutes later in the State Department Health Room where the shots are administered, and they put on a far better show than is to be expected from 11,9 and 4 year olds. Don was encouraging them to step up and pay no attention to the needles, while at the same time telling me on the side that the last two times he had been inoculated he had keeled over in a dead faint. I can report, however', that he came through with flying colors, not even pale. I did too, which has not always been the case. We hope to get together in Paris.
I have finally learned what the Jeffereys are doing in Tucumcacori, Arizona, where they have been living for several years. They originally moved out after a visit to another member of the family who was living there showed what a delightful place it is. Jeff has been in the shrimp fishing business, participating in the ownership of a fishing boat which sails the shrimp infested waters to the west of the Mexican coast. I learned all this from Ann Jeffrey (Jeff's and Dot's middle, 17year-old daughter—there's a son, too), who was in Washington for a hectic few days before Christmas, en route from her school at Chambersburg, Pa. Ann's plane flight home was cancelled as a result of the bad weather around December 20, so we had the pleasure of her company for several hours while trying to get her on another plane. Thus I learned for the first time how good it is going to be to get to know that newly arrived group of adults who are the children of our good friends at college. The qualities we found congenial 20 and more years ago—the looks, the personality, the character—still have the same effect when they appear in the next generation. Ann Jeffrey, niece of my roommate Jack Hamel and daughter of Jeff, Andover and Dartmouth classmate, was for me the perfect teacher of that lesson.
I learned more about the way airlines operate during Ann's 24 hours in Washington than I have ever known before, and I think a lot could be done to improve the system. From the point of view of the Dartmouth interest, however, I should like to quote the following passage from the letter Jeff wrote after Ann had arrived home safely:
"This whole experience has produced a question in my mind, or the germ of an idea. Why shouldn't there be in each city of any size, particularly those which are plane terminals, Dallas, for example, a phone number listed under 'Alumni Information' (or, you pick one) at which one's stranded son or daughter could ask for the name (or names) and address of a Dartmouth, Class of '32, alumnus and, upon contacting same, no longer be so alone m a strange city? I should think other institutions' alumni would like the idea, too. Then one need only bring up one's children to be aware of such a helping hand to be used if needed in any strange port. We both probably know someone in Dallas but cannot recall who, offhand."
It seems to me that the idea could be put into effect immediately through the Dartmouth clubs in the various areas. I think we could all tell our children, when they set out on a trip, that, if they get stranded, they should not hesitate to get in touch with the officers of the local Dartmouth club. This would require a "Dartmouth" listing in the phone book with the home and office of someone who can be called in those cities where there is no regular club house. The officers of the club could easily put the traveller in touch with an appropriate classmate or someone in a position to help under the circumstances. For example, one of the officers in the Dartmouth club in Washington, Lowell Haas '35, is with United Airlines, and was able to give, us very helpful advice and assistance in getting Ann Jeffery on a later plane. I will try to follow up this travellers' aid idea through the appropriate channels.
While waiting at the Washington Airport with Ann at 4 o'clock in the morning, we ran into John Milos '31, who had just gotten his wife on a plane going north, and was about to return to Annapolis, where he teaches at the Naval Academy.
I also learned from the Jefferys the good news that Margie Hamel was married a short time ago to William Marsh of Syracuse.
I received a picture that appeared in the Springfield (Mass.) Union on October 26, 1951, showing an attractive secretary sitting at an office desk. On the desk was a large sign saying: "Mr. Lieson," with smaller, somewhat illegible print underneath. It turned out that the sign says that Bill Lieson is out because he is working on the United Fund—Red Cross Campaign. His desk is still at the Union Trust Co., where he is Vice President.
Another clipping shows that Dr. Stan Yudicky is a candidate for the school board in some town in New Hampshire which has a Beech Street. Unfortunately, the clipping does not identify the place where the election is to be held.... John Richardson has become a partner in the New York law firm with which he has been associated for some time (Cahill, Gordon, Zachry & Reindell) Jim Corbett has been made a partner in Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Beane, members of the New York Stock Exchange.
The following is George Hahn's very welcome annual letter, which always staggers me with the volume of activities in which he engages:
"I have been searching the house from top to bottom trying to find a recent ALUMNI MAGAZINE but all are in hiding—each year I try to write you in the fall—and due to the hectic activities of five children in the house—l do not know whether I have written my annual fall letter or not! This may all be repetition—but at any
rate"We had a most enjoyable summer—driving leisurely through the Eastern Shore district—stopping at Accomac, Va.—viewing the debtor's prison and other historic points of interest—thence to Kitty Hawk, N. C.—most interesting dune country-Kill Devil Hill—thence to Marteo—Roanoke Island and the 'Lost Colony'—by Lake Mattaunsheet (good duck hunting in the fall) to Myrtle Beach, N. C., and then to Sea Island, Ga. My activities were not too strenuous—turning over now and then to keep an even tan—polishing up my tennis game and wallowing in the ocean or pool as desired. The children have all become expert swimmers—the twins won medals for their prowess and the others were almost as good.
"Since our return in September we have gradually gotten in the swing of things again. I presented a paper—'Uterine Malignancy'—before the International College of Surgeons at the Palmer House in Chicago on September 13, 1951. Had lunch with Dan Schuyler '34, who teaches at Northwestern Law School—has an active law practice and is active in committees of the American Bar Association. Talked to John Wright on the telephone while in Chicago but did not see any '32ers.
"Have just been appointed consultant in gynecology-obstetrics at the Coatesville V.A. Hospital —about 30 miles from here—2200 beds—the patients I have seen are Wacs, Waves, Nursessome discharged from the recent conflict. Am on the State Post-Graduate Teaching Faculty againwhich involves three hour teaching programs to groups of M.D.'s (mostly General Practitioners) at such places as Wilkes-Barre, Reading, Harrisburg. Have just returned from Harrisburg—the turnpike makes the drive a pleasure.
"The only '32er that I have seen is Bill MacKm-nsy who is doing a fine job as treasurer of the Philadelphia Dartmouth Alumni Association."
Don't forget to plan to get to the reunion in June—with a full contingent of your family.
Secretary, 3909 North sth Street, Arlington, Va. Treasurer, 144 Brixton Rd., Garden City, N. Y. Memorial Fund Chairman, 99 White Plains Rd., Bronxville, N. Y.
