1952

Well, you told me to do it and I did it; and I got a slap in the puss.

As dutiful servant of the Class of '52, I wrote President Kemeny, as directed in the class meeting in June, to the effect that we were appalled that the Glee Club was no longer permitted to sing "Eleazar Wheelock." The President's reply set the record straight: The administration didn't have a thing to do with it. The Glee Club members voted against it.

But let me quote President Kemeny's letter: "Here is what happened: the Glee Club was asked by Ron Campion (James Campion, Inc.) to produce a recording of the mixed Glee Club in what was to be Paul Zeller's last opportunity for a recording before his retirement. Apparently, the Glee Club members raised the question of including 'Eleazar' and sent an inquiry to the Native American Council asking for that group's views. The Council responded that they did find the second verse of the song offensive and would prefer that the recording be made without that particular verse, but they also said they appreciated the situation in which the Glee Club found itself and would understand if the Glee Club decided to go ahead and record the second verse. The Glee Club at that point decided to poll its members and they voted not to include the song (amended or otherwise) in the recording. That was a voluntary action on the part of the Glee Club."

The President was desirous that I make this history known to all of you, and because I think it important that you should know the administration is not to blame, I include his answer in this month's notes.

Now on with pleasant business. BillMontgomery has planned two good gettogethers for the fall. First is after the Harvard game (Oct. 15). There'll be a joint cocktail party with '53 at the Harvard Club in Boston. Then, the big weekend in Hanover is October 21, 22, and 23. Friday, the 21st, is Dartmouth Night. Remember? The big bonfire and all the telegrams from 'round the girdled earth. Then the Cornell game on Satruday (a special game since Bob Blackman will return as Cornell's head coach).

Accommodations for the weekend are sold out for miles and miles. But our smart-thinking president, Montgomery, reserved 50 rooms at the Lake Morey Inn, just for '52s. Last year we had a marvelous outing there for the Harvard weekend and we'll expect many of the same folks back. If you haven't signed, do so soon.

As you might imagine, things have happened to some of our classmates. Take Marcel Durot. He's going from president of Gillette Co.'s personal care division to president of Metaframe Corp., an aquarium manufacturing subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. As they say, once a president, always a president.

And there's Jack Foster. He's been named assistant vice president, administration, at the general offices of Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, steel maker. That means Jack and Sally will be coming to the Chicago area and we'll be looking forward to seeing them.

In Connecticut, Ray Buck, erstwhile secretary of our Class, has been appointed associate director of development for communications and chairman of the new editorial review and assignment board at the University of Connecticut. In this job, Ray oversees all publications and informational operations of the University.

And also in education, a superb article about Holderness School in Plymouth, N.H., speaks highly of the enthusiasm of English teacher BillBiddle, who is obviously able to inspire young people in the same manner men like Sidney Cox inspired us. Do it forever, Bill.

And across the river in Vermont, Alden Guild, barrister, has received an honorary degree of doctor of laws from Vermont College. So if you're ever in Montpelier and need a lawyer, you can call on the Doctor.

Way out in California, Hal Morse has been named advertising director of American Soccer magazine. But, hell, when you just get married at his age, you've got more to brag about than a job!

Half way back, in Cleveland, Jim Wright has been named senior vice president, personnel, manpower planning and development at Central National Bank of Cleveland. Jim will now have to leave Boston for the wilds of the Midwest and we think he'll do fine. While we're really not all that accustomed to effite Easterners, we do appreciate their class.

In Meridin, Conn., some fellow named Charles Frederick Day made a keynote speech at the Memorial Day ceremonies at the Choate School field. It took me a while to figure that was just really Doc Day who is guiding the destiny of some of our finer youth as president of Choate Rosemary Hall School. We'll never be confused again, Charles Frederick.

Then, there's Don Eldredge who is having enviable good fun giving lectures about "The Good Old Whaling Days" at Chatham, Cape Cod, Mass. Don is administrator in the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District and associate professor in the Department of Natural Sciences at Massachusetts Maritime Academy.

Of great interest to me, however, is the latest appointment for Dave Neiditz. Amidst much controversy he's been named state bank commissioner by Ella Grasso, governor of Connecticut. It sounds to me as though Dave's been a damned good state senator even though I don't suppose he ever supported Lowell Weicker as McSpadden and I have done all these years.

(What the hell! I'm allowed a personal comment at least every couple of months!) And so with that - adieu.

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