1916

I am sorry not to have gotten to New York to the January meeting of the 1916 group to hear the story of Leigh Rogers' experiences in Russia. I should like to have been there, especially for the purpose of settling once and for all the question if it was really Leigh's pants that was the seat of all the trouble. I dislike most cordially to disagree with my fellow war correspondent, Stirling Wilson, who intimated recently in a Class Letter that it might have been Leigh's sweat shirt or some other article of apparel that the Russkies pilfered. I realize that a sweat shirt might well break up a happy home - every erstwhile freshman in our Class recalls his howls of anguish when he found that Mom had surreptitiously washed his sweat shirt during spring vacation and just when he had gotten a good crust on it. But I submit that a sweat shirt could not be the basis of a cause cetebre. Also I must state that I do not wish to be drawn into a controversy over this matter and run the risk of it being blown up again into an international incident. I insist that this is my one and final pronouncement on the subject. I quote the Houston (Texas) Chronicle of a fairly recent date:

REDS MAKE MISTAKE TAKING BANKER'S PANTS

When the Communists, sweeping to power in 1916-17, took over the Petrograd branch of an American bank run by Leighton Rogers, they made him mad. When they tossed him into jail, they made him madder. But when they stole his pants, they made a mortal enemy. Rogers has been fighting communism, no holds barred, ever since. The 62-year-old Rogers was in Houston, on personal business — he's a writer — but also on behalf of his battle. A member of the board of directors of the American Friends of Russian Freedom, Inc., Rogers is contacting some 40 members of the A.F.R.F. here in a fund-raising campaign. The Greenwich, Conn., writer said the A.F.R.F. currently needs $50,000 to pay for the distribution of anti-Communist propaganda here and abroad, and to help pay the cost of maintaining refugee centers in West Germany for those who are fleeing the U.S.S.R. daily. Rogers, an ex-State Department expert on Russian affairs, said it is impossible for Russia to abolish the slave labor camps in that country because "their whole economy is based on forced labor." "There are 14,000,000 to 17,000,000 slave laborers in Russia now," Rogers said. He said the Russians are bent on a third world war. But he said a war might be averted by a revolution inside Russia. "Such a revolution is possible," said Rogers, "because the people are much more stirred up now than they have been at any time since World War II."

The recent events in Hungary, Poland and the satellite countries would seem to make Leigh the "complete prophet." Be on the lookout for George Dock's fine account of the meeting and of Leigh's talk, which should appear in an early Class Letter.

I have heard on all sides the great job that Dutch Doenecke is doing in reviving the 1916 dinners in New York. He can usually count on several out-of-towners to swell the number of regulars present. At the February meeting Charlie Brundage will talk on investments; at the March 7 get-together, Ros Magill covers taxes, and the April 4 meeting features Stew Paul's war experiences. New Yorkers are lucky. Heavens! All this and dinner too!

I am told that Burt Lowe and the missus are on a leisurely, four-month trip around the world aboard the "President Polk." Incidentally, they will round the Cape of Good Hope instead of attempting to talk Nasser into permitting them to traverse the Suez.

Pike Larmon has been hospitalized on Long Island. That doesn't sound a bit like you, Pike, and I hope they soon turned you loose, as fit as ever.

Rumor hath it that John Stearns is planning to spend his forthcoming sabbatical in Asia. If U. S. News and World Report has not signed him up for a series of exclusive articles, some letters from the Far East would be of immense interest and would be gratefully received by the Class.

It is nice to hear that Gene McQuesten is back on the job after a cataract operation.

Someone tells me of Charlie Brundage taking off over the ice in his four-wheel drive jeep for his annual pre-Christmas visit to his cabin in New Canaan, N. H., there to cut down spruce, pine and hemlock to bring back to his neighbors and the local churches for Christmas decorations. The roads might have been clogged with stalled vehicles, but Charlie's "jeep, loaded with greenery, went "serenely" on its way.

I am delighted to have a letter from Ken Henderson stating that he is back in Chicago after a month in the Arizona desert. He is now completely recovered and in general circulation. . ,

Stew Paul was a guest of honor, along with President Dickey, at the Alumni Dinner in Philadelphia on January 8. I had planned to be there but missed out at the last minute.

Now is the time to double that regular contribution to the piggy bank in preparation for the big Yale weekend come November. Jake Mensel and Jack Curtin, major domos in charge, are canvassing the area from New York to New Haven looking for the best accommodations for the gang which will surely be there.

John Pelletier is with Sanderson and Porter, 52 Williams St., New York, and is able to get to most of the doings in that vicinity, much to the gratification of the New York group,

John Rogers of Dallas has written a book, The Lusty Texans of Dallas, published by Dutton. Leigh Rogers visited him this past summer.

Jack English sends me a clipping from the Boston Herald, a picture of our own Edward Howland (Tom) Lawson, assistant design engineer at Stone and Webster, being congratulated by other officials during a dinner given Tom at Patton's restaurant. Tom is retiring after more than 30 years with the engineering firm. The best wishes of the Class go with you, Tom, in your retirement, and may you have many happy years of rest and relaxation.

Dan Coakley is looking for a 1916 Aegis. He didn't say how he happened to lose his, but if anyone in the Class knows of an extra copy, or if perhaps one of the widows of the Class would allow hers to go to Dan, I know it would make that lonesome '1Ger in Los Angeles very happy. His address there is 111 West 7th Street.

Wedding Belles: Hugh and Mrs. Cole announce the marriage of their daughter, Mary Deneen, to David Thomas Ormesher at Beverly Hills, Chicago on December 29. Felicitations to the happy young folks.

Don't neglect to send in to H. Burton Lowe, c/o Reinhold Publishing Co., 430 Park Ave., New York 22, your name, address, occupation, business connection and address and phone. Burt's kind offer to do so much for the Class should entitle him to receive an answer from EVERYONE in the Class and enable him to compile a complete directory.

I have held these notes open hoping to hear of Stirling's progress to Florida and how he stood the trip. Jack and Kay English must be down there by this time. I know I will have word from them soon which I will pass on to the Class.

Gil Swett '17, chairman of 1917's 40th Reunion this June, with his wife Marie, who will be in charge of the ladies' program.

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