1929

A very nice guy named George Nickum '31 sent the following news clipping from "The Seattle Times" on the debonair JimHodson:

It isn't every Irishman holding a high and lofty regard for every Englishman. But then, Superior Court Judge James W. Hodson is a long way from being an average Irishman, no more than the late, great Winston Churchill was a run-of-the-mine Britisher. As the New Year goes into high gear, there is no better time for having a detailed look at what Seattle men are wearing - and surely Judge Hodson in a Churchillian hat is at the very peak of men's style news at the moment. The Judge's skimmer is an exact replica of Churchill's famous hat with its round crown and wide, rolling brim - and the jurist wears it in tribute to the memory of one of England's greatest statesmen. From time to time, these columns dutifully report item-by-item description of what Seattle men are wearing, and it is only appropriate to say that Jim Hodson on the street commands as much dignity as he does on the bench, in traditional black robes. Example: Black wingtip shoes - the perforations modified; a three-button, gray topcoat with set-in sleeves; white shirt with semi-spread collar; black tie with figures of silver and gold; gray herringbone suit; gloves of just the precise shade of brown to go with all that gray, and a vest of Dartmouth green, complete with Dartmouth seal on the gold buttons; a cane which belonged to the judge's father . . . all topped by the Churchillian plug hat.

Although the hat is the physical embodiment of Judge Hodson's dream of a personal memorial to Churchill, it suprisingly causes little head-turning or eye-staring as he rides the shuttle bus to frequent lunches at Dublin House, his favorite not only because he likes the good food prepared and served there, but because it sets off his Irish ancestry. Nonetheless, Judge Hodson long has held the Englishman - the great prime minister — as his personal hero. He admired Churchill the man and now reveres Churchill the memory as a soldier, a journalist, and accomplished horseman, a breath-taking orator — "a master of the English language."

The judge, too, is a horse-lover; has a mount on his Diamond S Ranch near Bellevue, is a gifted speaker and a talented weaver of the written word. Not long after Churchill's death almost a year ago, Judge Hodson had an idea his hat as well as his memory should be perpetuated. The jurist wrote to the John B. Stetson Company suggesting they create a hat in the Churchill manner. He got a polite but non-committal reply, and wrote again. Once more a long silence. Then, just before Christmas, Judge Hodson received a hat, copied exactly from Churchill's individual headpiece, and built to the Hodson head-size. He's been wearing is, on special occasions through the holidays with much of an air - both sentimental and sartorial. "After 50 years, I think the plug hat should be revived and worn generally," Judge Hodson says. So much for the hat, but there's one more thought on Judge Hodson's cane. He was glad when umbrellas returned to style, and carried one much as a walking stick, until a fellow jurist — Frank James — put the facts squarely before him. "Come on, Jim," said Judge James, "You're only carrying that thing as a stick. Why don't you admit you're old enough for a real cane?" The judge assented."

. . . Our own Edward Darling has written a book "Old Quotes At Home" and the reviewer says of it "This book is for the man or woman who has everything, especially a sense of humor." . . . Adolph O. Berger, Regional Director, Bureau of Labor Statistics, recently commented on the high cost of living in the Chicago area. . . . Harry Merson, Superintendent of Schools and chairman of the Baha'i Assembly in Falmouth, spoke on his adopted religion at the third session of the Adult Education Institute on Contemporary Religion in Worcester, Mass. . . . Bill Keyes, Los Angeles broker and investment banker, was elected a director of the Lytton Financial Corporation. . . . Bill Andres announces the removal of his office to the State Street Bank Building in Boston, where you can bring all your habeas corpuses.

Here is a delightful letter from our whimsical old friend Joe Ruff "July 14 - that's a hell of a long time to reply to a letter from my old buddy from Topliff! Let me blame a separation after 30 years of marriage - things have been a little upset; The silly part is that we are both happier now and I'm getting along fine. I've had this lamp shop for almost 20 years after knocking around in several other jobs and hope that all our classmates are as happy in their work as I am! I'm afraid I'd die if someone made me retire - it's too much fun this way. My health is excellent - play a lot of golf at a 10 handicap. A daughter is married and has two children. My son was just elected president of his third year law class at Berkeley and will join Federal Judge Carter in San Diego as his clerk next year. Nice of you to write, Gene."

Duke Barto writes that even though he has nothing to add after all these years, he would be happy to cooperate in any way. I would like to tell Duke that he is always news at any time. . . . Saw Mai Mather at the very successful Blackman Night Dinner at the Wampanaug Country Club in West Hartford. Mai is leaving for California for a quick business junket.

Secretary, 320 Main St. Manchester, Conn. 06040

Treasurer, 60 East 42nd, New York, N. Y. 10047

Bequest Chairman,