Southern California
It worked fine. Leon Rothschild '24 knew he'd probably get the traditional retiring-officer's Dartmouth weathervane, but the big secret was so well kept that he breezed into the Hotel Roosevelt banquet room on the evening of April 28 with no notion that his retirement after 25 years as secretary would combine with the appearance of John Sloan Dickey to bring out the largest crowd of alumni in local history. I honestly think the first realization that he was being featured hit Leon when President Frank Danzig '37 began to bring on the procession of past presidents whom Leon had carried through office on his shoulders over the years. Your correspondent opened the deal with a stack of congratulatory telegrams from Honolulu to Washington, from Prexy Hopkins to Sherm Adams to Leon's barber and fellow fisherman, Jerry Dodd. President Dickey delivered his telegram in person, expressing the wish shared by every one of us that one day we may be held in the same regard by our fellows.
John Lyman '28 presented Leon with a Stereo Realist outfit inscribed with the truth that "seldom in the history of Dartmouth have so many owed so much for so long to one man." Bill Adams '34 topped him with a gift that Leon will prize even more, a scroll inked with the autographed sentiments of everybody present, and Bob Williams '26 wound things up by leading the loudest Wah-Hoo-Wah Rothschild ever heard west of the Connecticut. We let Leon get his breath back, and maybe settle the lump in his throat, while Danzig ran off the election of new officers, but Leon's nomination as Alumni Councillor from this district brought him to the mike for his simple and very moving expression of gratitude.
The one speaker who could "follow" the demonstration for Leon was the very man we had on hand, President John Sloan Dickey. He was on the Coast for his first visit since that memorable big weekend back in 1946, and a proof of his success in office is that, after seven years of his leadership, we were just as glad to see him, and to listen to his forthright and cogent remarks. He spoke first of Dartmouth, naturally; the Place, the People, and the Problems. But he moved on from this to establish the broader point that a prime duty of the College is to develop alumni with maturity in the home communities, men equipped and conditioned to confront evil and remain undismayed, men resolute to achieve peace with principle. And he left us with the clearly set forth personal obligation to meet the problems of our time, great and small, with patience, coolness, and resolution. I wish it were possible to reprint his speech. though those of us who heard it need no printed reminder.
Here is the slate of new officers for the '53-'54 season. President, Dave Boyle '41; Vices, Bill Eldridge '34 and Bob Purvis '49 Secretary (for the usual 25-year term, of course), Bill Adams '34; Treasurer, Wes Hadden '41; Assistant Secretary, Lee Abbott '46; Assistant Treasurer, Ken Schaefer '48; Directors for two years, Stuart Durkee '33, Harry Ackerman '35, Frank Danzig '37, and Jack Rourke '40; Directors for one year, Bob Williams '26, Rudy Pacht '35, Garth Jones '40, and Ed McMillan '41. Note the infusion of new blood. And speaking of new blood reminds me, and doubtless others, that it is high time somebody with a fresh style took over my own reporting job. Anyway, I've got a better offer from Cornell. So goodbye, everybody, and thanks for listening.
CAP PALMER '23
Secretary, 6399 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 48, Calif
