1952

A column on yesterday's Boston Globe editorial page lambasting Dartmouth's "prejudice" in the Professor Cole matter served as an abrupt reminder during a short August vacation at Lake Sunapee that my October column is due. It also gives me a chance to devote a few words to the subject at a time when my class news in-box is nearly empty. Like previous Globe articles, the column takes the College to task for its alleged racist, kangaroo-court action in expelling the white students who confronted Professor Cole after the critical Review article about his classroom work was published. It poses the question: "If the races had been reversed, and black students had publicly criticized a white professor, would the same harsh discipline have been imposed?" The law suit filed recently against the College by these white student editors seeks an injunction against such racial discrimination. It isn't difficult for me to imagine that the College will take a licking in the courts on the issues of free speech and

racial discrimination, another apparent victory for the radical and divisive Review. But are these the real issues in considering the relationship between the Review and the College it purports by its name and actions to represent? During my recent years of renewed closeness to Dartmouth (two daughters graduated in the eighties and this role as class news writer), I have searched unsuccessfully for evidence of a balance of positive, constructive purpose of the Review and found mostly an overaccentuation of the negative. That is why I requested sometime ago to have my name removed from the Review's mailing list.

As for the racial issue, which I consider a sidelight, I am reminded of the refrains by the great black jazz singer, Joe Williams: "It's not easy being white. It's a struggle just to get your rhythm right. Can pick you out too easy in the night. Don't look like each other. Only called a brother by your mother's other son. . ." Incidentally my daughter Elaine '83 and I heard Joe Williams perform last summer; he's still going strong at near 70.

During a visit with the Breeds at Hastings Landing, we heard Bill's plans to consolidate his Johnson & Dix oil operation into a new building in Lebanon. During the visit Bill Jr., still recovering from major knee surgery following a ski mishap, donned his knee brace and windsurfed all the way across the lake. This gave Bill the opportunity to demonstrate his new Century speed boat. I swear he hit 50. MPH on the way over to the yacht club where Bill Jr. had landed.

Chuck and Alison are gearing up for the fall weddings of their two oldest, Christine and Chip. More immediately, Chuck is getting psyched to defend his senior golf championship at Lake Sunapee Country Club and the Curtises are sweating out their son Scott's chances of sticking with the Philadelphia Eagles. Even if he doesn't make the final cut, Scott will have the satisfaction of beating all the linebackers and tight ends in the training camp bench press competition.

I know you've seen these names and others whom I routinely encounter in the New England area in this column not too far back. It would be great to include some news about you, so please drop me a line.

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