1926

You lucky men of '26! This is my swan song as your secretary. At the end of his tour of duty Secretary Bob May wrote the definitive farewell sentences for all class secretaries. Ken Weeks quoted it. I requote it herewith, "I close my scribeship I began four years ago with an awed awareness of the many services a good class secretary should try to perform — and with gratitude for the privilege of serving our class." To Bob's comments I only say amen.

Now some general interest items from the chairman of our Memorial Book Committee, Chuck Webster's report to members. Dick Mandel via Seven Gables Book Shop has added several new important items. Fred Rowe, our new committee member in the San Francisco Bay area, has sleuthed out several items for Walter Wright's approval. At the end of his report Fred writes "This is becoming fun."

Caroline Thompson, wife of our Regie, is the latest member of our "Operation Attic" Ladies Committee. A library major at Simmons, Caroline has expressed much interest and is our first member in the Chicago area where we hope many Dartmouth alumni and friends have attics full of old family books they wish to send us.

Also check this valuable tip we can all use in our search for books for our memorial collection of "Illustrated Books Published in New England Prior to 1869." Don't overlook local rummage sales, benefits, fairs and year 'round thrift shops which frequently sell books at very reasonable prices. If there are auction galleries (or auctions) in your area it may be worth your while to keep in touch although many of the "family type books are usually thrown into odd lots."

The last two of Jack Roberts' green slip replies via Hub Harwood read:

Steve Weston - "Still extant, as this will help prove. Haven't joined the retired ranks, in fact find more to do than time to do it in, but it really isn't all that interesting. Being an ordinary practitioner of the legal arts, without pension plan, expect to continue some time to come. Thanks for inquiring and best of luck."

Wee McClintock - "I have retired to 178 Oakland Avenue, Arlington, after 40 years in the ministry. I am happy to be off crutches after a year of same. I struggle along with a cane and get most everywhere, slow but sure. Expect to see you in Hanover for the reunion bit."

Very little concerning '26ers escapes Eagle-eyed Ed Hanlon who sends Wall Street Journal clippings with long-hand notes attached reading in order: "Peter C. Barnes '57 was elected president of H. I. Peet and Co." "This lad is the son of our Frederic P.Barnes who has been the head of this Kansas City investment firm for many years." Congratulations to Barneses. If you don't think the sobriquet "Eagle-eyed" fits Ed, think again.

The April 29 issue of the Wall Street Journal carried the announcement that Carlos E. Allen, recently retired VP of G.M., was elected a director of Miles Laboratories, Elkhart, Ind. April 15 seems to have been the date of Carl's retirement from G.M. but as class notes are not included in G.M.'s press releases I will have to leave to my successor or Smoke Signals details of his distinguished career in banking, finance and commerce. All I know from the Journal of Commerce is that Carl gave up the presidency of the Fed Reserve Bank of Chicago to go with G.M. and on retiring from G.M. apparently left with them to succeed him the same man who succeeded him as the Chicago Fed's head. Considerate fellow, Allen. It is nice to end up with a scoop. Mine is that Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer has turned into a little white furred but still bulbous-nosed polar bear who, from December 26 to December 24 of the next year hibernates somewhere near the North or South Pole, where he can't be reached by avion, helicopter or dog sled. I know because sometime last year Bob May was in Durango, Colo. Naturally he thought of the fellow who made the place famous. So he wrote him a post card. But not knowing Charlie Starrett's address he sent it in a letter to me for forwarding it to Charlie. His letter I found in our mail after our return from Europe early this year. I sent the works, Bob's card, his original envelope, letter to me, etc., all to Charlie, confirming to Bob I had belatedly done so and using Rudolph's address since it was at the head of Bob's letter. My letter came back to me marked "Moved, not forwardable." Mean-while Charlie sends me a greeting from Laguna, Calif., with a bevy of breath-taking beauties on the front and the message "am sending Bob duplicate of this one - scenery here different from Durango but rather nice, don't you think?" Unfortunately Charlie too used Rudolph's address with the same results. So I get another picture of those beauties with this message: "Thanks for your note and kindness in forwarding Bob's card - this is the same sent to him in the enclosed and look what happened! ("Moved, not forwardable") Can you send it to the correct address? Would appreciate that too, as you know it is nice to be remembered."

Can, and did, Charlie, but when I think of that lazy red-nosed chameleon-like little fellow up or down there laughing in his sleep I am mighty glad we did not as once suggested make him the official courier of the Class of '26.

Au revoir, auf Wiedersehen, so long. Honestly fellows the pleasure in this job has been in getting to know more of you better. Write your new secretary.

Remember the 45th. Hanover, June 15-17.

Secretary, 16 R East Trail Darien, Conn. 06820

Class Agent, 12 Roger Williams Ave. Highland Park, Ill. 60035