1935

WOW! Since the last column was written, the responses to my survey letter have shown a heartening increase, percentagewise, leaving me with a tough winnowing task for this issue. One consequence is that many who have responded will not be mentioned in this column but they'll be in the "Life After 55 Years" book, which should be ready by September. If you'd like a copy, drop me a line I can't afford a mass distribution!

Fred Haley encloses a formidable portfolio of civic, educational, and elective activities, both past and present, which leaves me wondering how he has found time for such a successful business career. BillMathers comments that he is "depressed to watch the politicians worry about reelection rather than the national debt, foreign trade deficit, environment, etc. ... what a shame it is so costly to be elected and so compromising to get anything done in Congress!" Doug Ley thinks there is a "vast misconception about the role of government spending a failure to see the difference between expense and investing. Spending on education, highways, and bridges, and a better life for kids, is investing, not expense, and deserves tax dollars now to avoid more tax dollars later."

Sel Hannah, about whose ski-related activities you have already read, comments on the College: "The Trustees and the administration do not understand what was the unusual essence of Dartmouth. The quest to make it a little Harvard has small merit

. . ."Dick Montgomery remains "concerned that the essential character of Dartmouth is threatened by the university project." A different viewpoint comes from Howie Kaiser, who sees "only new and improved learning opportunities from new and enlarged graduate schools," and BobMcClellan is "disturbed with Dartmouth alumni who feel President Freedman is making changes ... without recognizing that he is doing exactly what the Trustees want him to do." Gordy Hamlin is "satisfied the College is in good hands" but does believe that "current alumni activity is healthy" in raising questions re Alumni Council and Trustee membership. Jim Berkey feels that "what is happening in Hanover seems like a microcosm or the basic unsolved problems in today's overall American society." And Prexy Yank Price writes from a ringside seat that he is "sorry indeed that some alumni are disenchanted with the College due to incidents and activities that are blown out of context and proportion" by biased or uninformed media.

Deadline for this column falls two days after our 55th, so you'll have to get your dope on Reunion from The Tear Bag. It's my last column I've had an interesting five years. Thanks for your help; to quote Duke Ellington, I love y'all dearly all y'all!

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