1929
We are concluding the Annual Father-Son Issue of 1929 Class Notes with the final batch of reports:
Rollin J. Reading Jr. 57 River St., Jamestown, N. Y.
—Richard P. Reading '55 308 Gile
"I feel honored to be one of the eight members of the Class of '55 with fathers in the Class of '29. These letters will probably help the members of your class to keep track of other members. After finishing my first semester at Dartmouth I can see what is meant by the 'Dartmouth Spirit.' It is really a great feeling and I think that it is the one thing that has impressed me the most about Dartmouth. Although my home is in Western New York, I have become quite accustomed to New Hampshire weather as I attended Kimball Union Academy for four years. While attending Kimball Union, I became interested in the Outing Club and I have continued that interest here at Dartmouth. This past summer I worked at Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, in Warren, N. H., where I helped run Camp Jobildunc. Later in the summer we moved the camp to Wentworth's Location, where the College Grant is located. After camp ended I worked at the Outing Club House on Occom Pond here in Hanover. My younger brother Jack goes to Proctor Academy, and when he came to school this fall Mother and Dad brought him up. After they left him at school, they took a vacation and stayed at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. Dad climbed the mountain and Mother sketched the scenery. Mother and Dad came to Hanover to watch the football team practice and Mother was accused of being a scout for some college when she sketched some of the players and plays. I ana not sure of what I want to major in yet, but I like Geology very much and might go into that field of work. Dick Reading."
Rollin J. Reading '29 speaking: "After a lapse of 23 years without writing to you, it is a little difficult to know just where to begin this family saga that you have requested. But being the father of a full-fledged Dartmouth son, I must admit that I approve, immodestly or not, of your father-son series, so I'll do my best to supply the vital statistics, trying very hard not to be too much of a 'proud papa.'
"My wife, known to some '29ers during house- party days as Reba Persell, and I were married the year after graduation. We have lived in Jamestown, N. Y., continuously for these 22 years where I have been engaged in the chain food store business with the Quality Cash Stores, Inc., the company founded by my father. We operate 60 stores and supermarkets in southwestern New York and northwestern Pennsylvania, and I have performed about all the jobs in the business, having acted as store manager, and eventually reaching my Present position of vice president, which means, all jokes about vice presidents to the contrary, that I work twice as hard doing all the things that nobody else wants to do. I went into the business with my fingers crossed on a year's trial basis, but long before the year was over I was so deeply engrossed with all of the many interesting possibilities of the business that I had completely forgotten about trying anything else. It's a highly competitive, rough-and-tumble business where the rewards sometimes seem small in relation to the time and effort expended. But on the other hand it's a fast-moving, fascinating kind of business that challenges your ingenuity and enterprise, and that gives you a well-founded sense of having justified your economic existence because of making a substantial contribution to a better American standard of living by lowering the cost of distribution. (If the foregoing sounds like too lyrical a description of what probably seems to most people the humdrum task of feeding the mouths of the multitude, just chalk it up to a Freudian compensation for not having made a million or achieved nation-wide fame or notoriety!)
"So much for the old man of '29 and the business of earning a living. In 1937 Reba and 1 bought an old home in the country where we have been busy ever since renovating, decorating, landscaping and raising two boys, Dick and Jack, and assorted Dobermans, Dalmatians, cats, chickens, rabbits, flowers and trees. More recently, since both boys have been away at school, Reba has been developing with great enthusiasm a long sublimated talent for oil painting.
"So far we seem to have avoided, in a most unnaturally modest way, any more than the mention of the name of the real reason of this discourse,—our freshman son. Both Dick and his younger brother Jack, as a result of living in the country from the time they were very young, have developed more than the usual boy's interest in the out-of-doors. At Kimball Union Academy, where Dick went for four years, he had the opportunity of developing these interests further in their fine Outing Club, of which he was president his last year. He also served as manager of their championship ski team. I guess it was at K.U.A. that the granite of New Hampshire and the Dartmouth spirit finally entered his blood-stream, because up until his final year there he had very definite ideas about going to another college. I think you can appreciate, without any elaboration on my part, handsprings and bell-ringing indulged in by his mother and me when this metamorphosis took place, all of its own volition.
Herbert O. Morse South Hampton, N. H.
(Editor's Note: The report of Ogden Morse '55 was received on time and appears in the previous issue of the MAGAZINE! )
"During the weekend I was at Hanover for the Freshman Fathers' Weekend, my son reminded me to write my portion of the Father-Son report, an assignment which I hope is not being completed too late for inclusion. In the first place it goes without saying that it was a great day for the family when we received the welcome news of Ogden's acceptance last April. We had looked forward to it all his life. I had registered him when he was only a few days old and he has grown up with the College in mind. But I was a little worried for fear that he might find I had painted life at Dartmouth as being more interesting than he would find it. However, I asked him at Christmas time how things had shaped up. I was indeed happy when he replied, 'Everything is even better than I had hoped. The life is fine; likewise the fellows. I like the courses and every one of my professors is very interesting.' Well, one couldn't wish for anything better than that! He was speaking of Professors Gazley and Washburn whom he had in History and French. Seemed strange—and rather nice—to look back and realize that I had both of these men in the same courses 25 years ago. While I think of it, I should like to mention meeting President Dickey the day we had an interview with Al Dickerson. He was just coming down the stairs in Parkhurst enjoying what looked like a good anecdote. This lucky meeting gave Ogden a chance to meet him. Afterwards Ogden could not believe that he had met President Dickey. He said, 'Why he looks like an ordinary man and very human, too.' I thought this was a real compliment to John. He had expected to see a gruff gentleman with stiff collar, cane, and a lofty air. I can remember how surprised I was many years ago when I had a chance to meet President Hopkins and talk with him for a bit. It didn't seem possible, I thought, that this could be the President because he was so cordial and interested in the couple of trifles I had to say.
"I would like to mention also the wonderful time we all had in Hanover for the Freshman Fathers' weekend. It was a fine program and gave us fathers a chance to mingle with the college life somewhat leisurely for a couple of days. It was fun sleeping in the dormitories and watching the boys 'at home.' Life seemed quite the same as in the 'olden days.' A rugged hockey game was in progress in the corridor when I got up to the third floor of Richardson where Ogden rooms. I noticed that the doors and walls seemed to be still holding together even over these many years. All of which reminds me that life used to be pretty active in Middle Fayer back in '29. You may remember Fayer was fondly (?) referred to as the 'Kennel' by the snoops in Wheeler at that time. We freshmen strongly suspected it was the degrading influence of the multitude of sophomores living in Fayer which brought our prestige so low! It is rather hard to describe but it sure seemed fine for a father to span a quarter of a century and for a little while be with his son in the same life he used to enjoy."
Arthur B. Rose 71 High Road Newbury, Mass.
—Ronald P. Rose '52 101 Streeter
"I am now in my first year at the Thayer School of Engineering. My course there is directed toward a degree in Mechanical Engineering, which I hope to receive in June 1953. In a sense, I feel the loss of that year of liberal arts education rather deeply, but the work at Thayer School is very interesting and makes up for this loss in part. The Great Issues course also tends to exert a broadening influence at a time when my work is narrowing into the specialization of a professional field. My interest in the Glee Club has remained strong, and I have retained my membership in that organization, as well as becoming a member of the Injunaires Octet. In our tour this spring, we will undoubtedly meet and sing for a large number of Dartmouth alumni, including members of the Class of '29. We of the Glee Club always look forward to these occasions when the undergraduates and the alumni have the opportunity to get together, and we deeply appreciate the warm hospitality which is shown to us. Both Dad and I are looking forward to that big 25th Reunion of the Class of '29.
Ronald Rose '52"
Charlie Goldsmith leaves for London in August to become the number two man for M-G-M Pictures in Great Britain, in anticipation of becoming managing director of Loew's British Subsidiary within a couple of years. This territory represents about 25% of the overseas motion picture market and is one of the most important parts in the entire Company—New York and Culver City included.
The accompanying picture shows RichardF. Barrett with the Massachusetts Tax Commissioner, Henry F. Long, to whom he and coauthor Andrew C. Bailey presented a volume of their monumental work entitled Massachusetts Income Taxes 1952, 750 pages of tax law constituting the only textbook on Massachusetts income taxes. Both Dick and his colleague are recognized specialists whose standing is attested by Commissioner Long's Foreword: "The book is thoroughly worthy in every respect and should find itself constantly at hand by those who wish to be correct at all times in completely responding to the obligations placed upon those subject to the Massachusetts Income Tax Law." In addition to his accomplishments as an author, Dick is a partner in the old Boston firm of Powers & Hall and one of the two managing directors of the Federal Tax Institute of New England, an organization which conducts a series of public forums or clinics in furtherance of its purpose of advancing Federal Tax knowledge and education throughout New England.
At the Boston Dinner for Alumni Fund Agents, our own Squeek Redding, as President of the Class Agents Association, presided with his usual graciousness. Classmen present to hear the words of President Dickey and other Alumni Fund leaders were Nat Barrows and Fred Armstrong, from the fair regions of New Hampshire and Maine respectively, LewSchuh, Hank Stein and Bill Andres.
Proctor Martin, senior master of the De-Veaux school, Niagara Falls, N. Y., is starting his summer day camp for children from 8 to 12 years of age at the old family property on Lotus Lake, Williamstown. Proctor has done a grand job at DeVeaux these many years, making time for many extra-curricular activitiesRecently, he was guest organist at St. Paul'sMethodist church during a special Lentenprogram, and was also conductor of the massedchorus in the Junior Choir festival sponsoredby the Niagara Falls chapter of the AmericanGuild of Organists. He regularly performs asorganist of the First Unitarian Church of Niagara Falls.
Dave Martin, Republican State Chairmanof the State of Nebraska, was recently appointed one of four Regional Advisors to theRepublican Committee Chairman.
Herb Fish, writing from Tokyo, Japan lastmonth, boasts of receiving regularly andpromptly the MAGAZINE. He goes on:
"Resigned from the Regular Army here in Oct. '48 after a two-year experiment and resumed civilian status by joining Caltex Oil (Japan), Ltd. After a short stay in Hankow, China, returned here and am now graced with the titles of Asst. Gen. Mgr. and a director of one of the two refining companies in which we have half "interest. It has been extremely interesting and promises to continue to be so. Our oldest daughter Betty returned as a freshman to Bates this year since she encountered difficulty with the Admissions Board at Dartmouth. As a matter of fact, with the advent of our latest, Christine, age 2, it would appear that my only hope of continuing the Dartmouth heritage will be to marry off our four daughters to Dartmouth men. Never have been able to understand the predominance of female offspring in '29. Our predominant interest at the moment is planning our home leave. Plans are finalized to leave Japan early May by ship to Marseille with short stopovers along the way. Betty will join us after school at Cannes with a new car so we can motor along the Riviera thru Italy, Switzerland, France and England. We arrive New York via Mauretania July 20, thence to Chatham, Cape Cod, where we have rented a home thru Oct. until we return to Japan. Our address at the Cape will be Queen Anne Rd., Chatham, and we hope to renew Dartmouth acquaintances there. Peggy has been teaching kindergarten here, but we both hope to relax at golf, sailing and swimming this summer. Will see you all soon."
Phil Hoffman, recently returned from vacationing in Barbados and Trinidad:
"I'm still practicing law at 50 Broadway, N. Y., mainly corporate and estates with a substantial smattering of anti-trust work thrown in. I have still got the same nice wife and two children. David is 15. He's at the Newark Academy now and is looking forward to Dartmouth, commencing probably in September of '54, having visited Hanover on several occasions for football games, etc. Lynn is 12 and goes to Beard School in Orange. Extra-curricular activities in the field of philanthropy—particularly in human relations and the combatting of prejudices —absorb a substantial part of my time. In addition, I have recently been appointed to the post of Hearing Commissioner for the National Production Authority. This involves a part-time commitment to hear and decide administrative proceedings involving violation of National Production Authority regulations. Some work on Bar Association committees and the normal round of parties and other social activities just about round out the life of this particular Joe Doaks."
From the coverage this fellow Earl Fyler gets you'd think he was a newsman, not a steelman:
"While in Washington to observe the hearings before the WSB Steel Panel, we phoned DukeBarto. He reported with due modesty but with justifiable pride that his son and Johnny Parkers son were elected to Phi Beta Kappa at Dartmouth in their junior year. Also, that Bob Lyle is a new papa. A few days later, in New York, we saw Jerry Swope having breakfast at the Commodore. He looked as though he could still run the quarter in less than 50 seconds. He was just about to fly to Germany on business—as you know he is General Counsel for International General Electric. On Fifth Avenue we ran into Herb Ball and chatted for a moment. I believe he told me that he is an attorney for U. S. Gypsum.
"We had occasion to visit some relatives in Vermont, a few miles north of Hanover, and spent about an hour in Hanover. It was the weekend before Carnival and the campus was practically deserted. I dropped in at the S.A.E. house hoping I might see Jack Brabb's son. They told me he graduated last year! How time does fly, children!!! We had the pleasure of seeing John (Dickey) at the time of is annual visit to Chicago for the Hanover Holiday. The John Laffeys, Johnny Clements and Bob Drakes were there but most of the other braves were evidently in Florida. I presume the recent newspaper picture of Barbara Wollison is of Herb Wollison's daughter. You probably remember that Mrs. Wollison was a Carnival queen. It looks as though we might have another if she looks half as well in ski clothes as she does in an evening gown."
Secretary, 75 Federal St., Boston 10, Mass.
Treasurer, 1728 Beechwood Blvd., Pittsburgh 17, Pa.
Class Agent, 10 Cranston Rd„ Winchester, Mass
