1902

Treasurer, 73 Tremont St., Boston 8, Mass

Why the heck didn't you fellows select someone for this job who knew how to write instead of wishing it onto the class "easy mark?" Most of the time I don't know how nor where to begin.

Well, the army has taken young Tom Barnes Clapp '52, our grandson. He is now at Camp Dix, N. J. I suspect his grandparents are more disturbed than is he. This new generation is wonderful, the way they take everything in their stride. Sometimes I think they put it all over our generation.

A card came from George Elder/tin, suggesting that we have an informal reunion in 1954. He says both Wattie and Kennie like the idea. You know that your .secretary quite agrees. We are told that one with God constitutes a majority. How about four with Percy? Will every classmate please send me a card with "yes" or "no" written on it and your name. If you love me, add an item for the class notes regarding you or your family. A grand suggestion, George. Thank you.

A letter came from Arba Irvin in which he wishes he had some "dope" for this column. He goes 011 to say that he spent last summer at Lake Winnepesaukee. One day he drove to Portland and had lunch with Phil and JennieThompson in their lovely and ever-hospitable home. Arba says he is trying to get hold of Dan Gushing who came recently to live in Chicago. Supposedly Arba spent Christmas with his daughter in Wellesley, Mass. Perhaps some of the classmates in that region got in touch with him.

Came a good letter from Frank Drake which r wish I could quote in full in this column. He has just returned from a two months' trip to Europe. He says that there has been considerable economic progress on that continent progress which is in a large degree due to Marshall Plan aid, even though there has undoubtedly been much waste in its expenditure. .. . This aid is tapering off and approaching the time when it will no longer be necessary, a situation devoutly to be hoped for by United States taxpayers. Frank feels that the stabilization of the various currencies is essential if there is to be an improvement in the economic condition of the entire world and a slackening of the progress of "so-called" communism. (Thank you, dear Frank, for that "so-called." Why have we permitted these totalitarian countries to take over a perfectly respectable name like communism. Can't we induce our newspapers to stop using that term and call totalitarian countries ... and peoples by their correct name?) By the way, Frank was at the Hanover Inn during the week of December 12.

Roy Hatch asked me to say that a mistake in proof reading made him say in his class letter that he heard from 7 classmates while in hospital. That should read 37.

"Stevie" Stevens, class secretary of 1901, has sent me a copy of the 1901 directory.

I just received a fine letter from CharlieDudley. Thank you, Charles.

Thanks to everyone who sent us Christmas cards.

Secretary, 210 Columbus Avenue, Coronado Station, New Smyrna Beach, Fla.