1905

A letter dated early in December from Royal Parkinson told of the pleasant visit he and Ida had had with Bertha, widow of Bill Clough, together with Rhoda, wife of their son Dr. Joseph Clough '31. The latter is an eye specialist in Boston.

From another source I received a clipping from the Boston Herald of a letter to the editor written by Royal. It is on the subject of compulsory union membership. He asks whether it is fair, democratic or Christian to compel employees to pay union dues against their wills or surrender their jobs. "Compulsory unionism," he writes, "is not a favor to union members. Its favor is to a union's officers and to the union treasury." After a clear and logical statement of the disadvantages of such compulsion, he concludes: "Being neither employer nor employee. I have no personal advantage in the elimination of compulsory union membership, and I don't approve of employers being a' party to strengthening opposition to themselves." I'm sure many of us are in sympathy with Royal's views.

I regret to have to report that mid-December news of Royal was that he had been taken suddenly ill at his office and had had to be taken directly to the Massachusetts General Hospital. A late report from Ida gives the encouraging news that, after three weeks in the hospital, Royal was home and gaining strength. He had even taken two or three walks.

From his somewhat remote abode in New Mexico, Shirley Cunningham keeps an eye on our local scene. It was he who sent me that clipping from the Herald. He also forwarded me interesting notes that he had received from Stanley Besse and Henry Norton, in response to birthday cards. Further, he sent me a booklet announcing Nat Leverone's '04 book, "We Believe in Prayer," and containing Nat's own thoughtful statement. I trust Shirley will not object to my quoting his closing sentence, to which I heartily subscribe: "As the journey's end approaches, the men of '05 grow decidedly nearer and dearer to me."

Generally well and able to carry on mv different activities with reasonable vigor, I mention my own three illnesses this year, none serious, only because of the rather odd coincidence that in each case they interfered with plans for some celebration: first, of my 75th birthday last February, then of Thanksgiving Day, and finally of Christmas. Mildred shared the doubtful honor of being ill at the same time these last two occasions.

An interesting note from Chet Lawrence gives the information that he and Jane drove to Oregon by the southern route in the fall of '57 and arrived at Tillamook two days before Christmas. The following May 5 they left, after attending the first piano recital of their oldest granddaughter, Margaret, aged 15. Experienced drivers both, - the trip back made their seventh by car across the continent — they left Portland, Ore., at 2:30 P.M. on one Monday, and, taking turns in relieving each other at the wheel, they reached home in Woodstock, Vt., at 3:00 P.M. on the following Monday, a distance of 3496 miles.

On January 3, Walter May died at the Concord (N. H.) Hospital, after a few weeks' illness. Some years ago he had served as secretary and treasurer of our class and had steadfastly maintained an active interest in the class. Ruth, his wife, had died last April. The sympathy of the class goes to his daugh- ter, Judith, and the other surviving members of his family. Roger and Jane Brown attended the funeral service on January 5.

Secretary, 358 North Fullerton Ave. Upper Montclair, N. J.

Treasurer, Box 91, Cambridge 40, Mass.

Bequest Chairman,