Number 4 2 th e garnet letter AM D S J . PE ASLE E , ’O il INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS LA W Y E R A mos J. Peaslee, ’07 T THE meeting of the Joint Alumni Councils on May 31, 1941, Amos Jenkins Peaslee, ’07, was elected President of the Alumni Association for the coming year. Anna Oppenlander Eberle, ’13, was elected Women’s Vice President; H. Chandlee Turner, ’23, Men’s Vice President; and Esther Howard Allen, ’27, Secretary-Treasurer. A Amos Jenkins Peaslee has the unrivalled distinction of being the first President of the Alumni Association ever suspended from College. After three months in Swarthmore he and six other honorable members of his class were suspended for three weeks, for (according to President Swain) their own good and the good of the College. They had been guilty of tossing a fellow Swarthmorean into the Crum. It is not particularly surprising to find that during the rest of his four years he was an outstanding student, active in many fields. He led the Debating Team and the Literary Society, and entered every public speaking contest there was.. In his senior year he atoned for his earlier "mistake” and received the medal for highest performance in scholarship and char­ acter. No wonder that in later years he was able to enter into a successful legal contest with the government of Germany! He received his law degree from Columbia in 19 11, and practised in New York from that date. In 1920 he married Dorothy Quinby, a graduate of Earlham. Dorothy Peaslee, the eldest of four children, is now a . Senior at Swarthmore. Probably the greatest achievement of Mr. Peaslee’s legal career has been the victory in the Black Tom case. He represented the American interests who were suing the German government for the demolition of munition stores on Black Tom Island in 1916. Although the .case seemed hopeless and the evidence was most difficult to secure, Amos Peaslee persisted and won a settlement of $10,000,000 for the Lehigh Railroad. ^ I SI I J | irl j fc Captain Henry Landau, in his book "The Enemy Within,” published by G. P. Putnam & Sons, has so ably described Amos Peaslee and his qualifications for this work that we are quoting him direct: I p G J tl j j; "Peaslee was extraordinarily fitted to carry on this battle (the Black Tom case) and to organize and search for clues. For fifteen years he has labored tirelessly and patiently to amass the overwhelming evidence which today sheds light on the mysteries of Black Tom and Kingsland. He had had considerable wartime experience as a major in the American Expeditionary Force, both as Judge Advocate of the General Court-Martial at the headquarters of General Harbord and in organizing a trusted band of officers to act as confidential couriers at General Pershing’s headquarters. After the Armistice he had been attached to the American Commission to Negotiate Peace and had proposed several important amendments to the Covenant of the League of Nations. For a number of years he had specialized in cases involving questions of international law, and was Honorary Secretary of the International Law Association in America. Above all, however, he had had considerable experience in handling cases involving German interests. He is short, slight of build, mild-mannered, and a Quaker to boot; but behind all these disarming appearances is the shrewd lawyer and skilled negotiator with an iron determination. Tireless and patient, he has refused to be discouraged by Germany’s campaign of delay and obstruction. Ever ready at a moment’s notice to travel to the most distant countries to collect evidence and follow up clues, he has crossed the ocean more than thirty times in this contest of endurance and wits.” 1 K f< ^ ; ^ j a* 0 al [ st | R h rr / ai j o fl p p 1 Mr. Peaslee now lives in Clarksboro, New Jersey, where he was born, and is doing a lot of things that he has always wanted to do. He has recently been appointed to the Board of Managers of Jeanes Hospital and is a Trustee of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Anna Oppenlander Eberle, Women’s Vice President, was graduated with the Class of 1913. She married Tod (Charles) Eberle of the Class of 1912, and the two Eberle boys (Buzz and Dick) have graduated with the Classes of ’40 and ’41 respectively. Mrs. Eberle has organized parent education and adult edu­ cation classes and is famous for her Story Telling. During the year she gives her program before numerous clubs, schools and churches. She has always been active in Swarthmore affairs, and has served on the Alumni Council since it was formed. H. Chandlee Turner, Jr., ’23, Men’s Vice President is a member of the Turner family known to all Swarthmoreans. I1 the garnet 3 letter M W ALUM N I PRESIDENT mtNOWN TO MANY SWARTHMOREANS Chan is named for his father, Henry C. Turner, ’93, and has spent most of his time since graduation with the Turner Con­ struction Company. He has been in the Philadelphia office j of that company since 1938 when he was made Vice President in charge of the Philadelphia branch. Before he was trans­ ferred he was President of the Swarthmore Club of New York. In Florida in 1928 he met Virginia Melick of the Class of 1927, and a member of another famous Swarthmore family. 1 Ginny had gone to Florida to teach school. Five months later £ 1 they were married. They live in Haverford with their two j little girls, Ann and Marlee. This year the position of Secretary-Treasurer will be filled by Esther Howard Allen, ’27, or "Es” to her many friends. "Es” is the permanent Secretary of her Class, and as such is a regular contributor to the Garnet Letter. She is Mrs. George [ Allen and lives in Swarthmore where she takes an active in­ terest in the Home and School Association and serves as \ Chairman of the Mothers’ Group and teaches Sunday School at the Presbyterian Church. The Allens have two children, one of each. 1 | = 3 1 1 i i » 1 - Any commentary on the newly elected officers of the Association would not be complete if we failed to mention the outstanding work done by the retiring officers of the Association. * Ray Denworth, ’l l , the retiring President, and his colleagues have been directly responsible for what has been called "the most active year in the history of the Swarthmore Alumni Association.” During this period the Alumni have successfully launched j and completed the first Annual Giving Campaign, full details of which are reported in another section of the Garnet Letter. | Recently we saw the arrival of the Swarthmore Commemorative Plateware from the Wedgwood factory in England. These plates have aroused no end of interest among the Swarthmore A nna O ppenlander Eberle, ’13 7 Alumni and the original shipment is fast being depleted. A collection of books and works which have been written by former students is now taking shape and will be known in the future as the Alumni Library. In excess of 350 of the works by alumni authors has already been reported and roughly 50% of this number has been collected. The past year brought the formation of five new alumni groups throughout the country and John Nason, in his first year as President, has travelled over 10,000 miles to speak before sixteen alumni audiences. W e have seen the appoint­ ment of three alumni to vacancies on the Board of Managers, and largely through the efforts of Ethel H. Brewster, ’07, retiring Vice President of the Association, there has been a planned reorganization of Somerville Society which will bring it into closer harmony with the Alumni Association at large. During the year two alumni groups (men and women) vis­ ited at the College for several days to study present methods of teaching, to inspect the grounds and buildings and to talk with students about contemporary problems of all kinds. It is hoped that the Alumni will continue such visits annually. Once again the Alumni have taken great interest in the matter of vocational guidance and placement for both men and women, and a men’s committee has met during the year to study how our students should prepare themselves in view of the current draft legislation. On Commencement week-end the Alumni saw for the first time their gift to the College—the joint portrait of Mr. and Mrs. Aydelotte which had been recently completed by the artist Charles Hopkinson. And since Alumni Day the College has enlarged and redecorated the alumni quarters in the West End of Parrish. Again we say, "Ray Denworth, during the past year you and your fellow officers and Council members have done a real job.” H. Chandlee T urner, ’23 Esther Howard A llen , ’27 4 the garnet letter . . from the President . . . . This first year would not be complete without saying some­ thing to all the alumni about the problems that lie behind and ahead. I have tried to express my feelings to indi­ viduals and to groups of alumni, but only The Garnet Letter reaches everyone and goes everywhere— even to the wastebasket, I am told. When Mrs. Nason’s class was celebrating its fifteenth reunion on May 31st of this year, a birthday cake was set in front of us with a single candle on it and the words across the top, "the first year is the hardest.” I suppose— and hope— that that is true. And yet this first year has been made immeasurably easier by the way in which you alumni have welcomed us. You have no idea of the comfort your interest in the College has given me or of the many times I have gone to different members of the alumni body for counsel and advice. You have done every­ thing in your power to make a difficult year easy. Mrs. Nason and I are deeply grateful. The success of the first year of the Alumni Fund has sur­ passed everyone’s expectations. It will enable the College to continue many of its activities which would otherwise have been curtailed. The College is indebted to everyone of you who made these results possible and in particular to those who under Frank D ’Olier and his Committees did the greater part of the work. So long as the spirit which made this showing possible survives, Swarthmore will continue as a great small college. As I write, Hitler has declared war on Russia. The Axis con­ suls are being bundled back to their respective countries, and ours have been asked to return home. By the time the College opens in the fall we may be legally at war. It is difficult to tell what that will mean to the life of the College— except that it will complicate existence here as elsewhere. Fortyeight students registered under the Selective Service Act last October, forty-one of them being seniors. Some will receive deferment on the basis of occupation, but more than half will be in service or in Civilian Public Service Camps by next December. Twenty-three juniors and four sophomores will register July first at the time prescribed for all men who have reached twenty-one since last October. It is too early to tell how many of these will not be able to return to College. The Selective Service Board has so far declined to make any further deferments for students in course. Much will probably depend on events in Europe. W e have as large an enrollment for next year as we want, with a full freshman class; but the decision of this country to go to war during the summer could upset our plans as well as those of other colleges. W ar or no war, the next few years will be difficult. There are profound changes at work in American life. The acids of modernity, to use Walter Lippmann’s phrase, are biting deep, and they are different acids from those discussed in A Preface to Morals. Swarthmore College has a role to play. After this year s demonstration of alumni interest in and support of the College I am more convinced than ever that that role will be both important and distinguished. J ohn W . N ason . JOINT ALUMNI COUNCILS FOR 1941-42 MEN Z one 1 Edward M. Bassett, ’05 Herbert L. Brown, ’16 *W . Ralph Gawthrop, T 4 Frank H. Griffin, ’10 Albert L. Hood, Jr., ’31 Charles P. Larkin, ’21 *Edwin A. Lucas, ’14 Z one 2 Edward P. Palmer, ’06 Allin H. Pierce, T9 * Davis W . Shoemaker, ’24 Z one 3 Robert Kintner, ’31 *Thomas R. Taylor, ’12 Z one 4 Jess Halsted, ’18 * James F. McCormack, ’36 Z one 5 Fred G. Young, ’13 WOMEN Z one 1 Ellie Simons Bassett, To Hilda Lang Denworth, ’17 *Virginia Brown Greer, ’26 Reba Camp Hodge, ’15 Jean Walton Noyes, ’32 Helen Carre Turner, ’08 *Sue Thomas Turner, ’35 Z one 2 Elizabeth Biddle Ayars, ’25 * Sarah Percy Rogers, ’27 Anna Miller Smith, ’ 15 Z one 3 Patty Morris Cowie, ’37 ^Catherine W right Donnelly, ’18 Z one 4 Betty Blair Cochran, ’35 * Catherine Bays Parrish, ’36 Z one 5 Mary Walton Irvine, ’29 * Newly elected members Entered, as second-class matter January 1CL 1941, at the post office at Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, under the Act of August 24, 1912. Alumni Day Photos by Ted Goodman, '43. the garnet letter ALUMNI by 5 DAY R ex T ompkins, ’40 along the main walk in the front of the building. The mar­ shals of the parade were the ex- and the new president of the Alumni Association. Following them in an open car with gracious dignity was Lucy Price McIntyre of the class of ’76, accompanied by an escort from the class of ’86, Charles M. Pidgeon of Washington, D. C. The class of ’91 was the first marching group. Twenty strong, they represented a half century of progress. The bal­ ance of the procession was an impressive sight and it was a very close decision that gave the honors of the day to the class of 1921. The winners affected a patriotic motif, decorating themselves with flags of the U. S.A. HE following is a bit of contemporary history, not soul­ searing history of the type that hits us so much these days, but nice comfortable history of the type that refreshes all Swarthmoreans. T Alumni Day dawned cool and inviting. In scarcely no time at all, as the mind counts the hours, the formal meetings were over and Amos J. Peaslee, ’07, was the new president of the Alumni Association. Promptly at 12 :15 the American Friends Service Committee opened the doors of Clothier to admit the first of almost 800 luncheon guests. The menu was a delightful combination of chicken salad, ham and nut bread sandwiches, salad, cool drinks and ice cream. On coming from the serving tables the guests scattered themselves comfortably under the trees on the front lawn, choosing their, own company for the hilarious laughter that floods the endless succession of stories that are new each year only because time adds immeasurably to their stature. In keeping with the time-honored tradition, Swarthmore Alumni went parading at two o’clock. Bubbling with astound­ ing enthusiasm, but still well-disciplined— John Nason was on the wagon (with the class of ’2 6 ) — the reunion classes started around Parrish and wound up in full glory stepping smartly In the intra-Swarthmore battle of physical skills the rain caused a stalemate. W ith the alumni and varsity tennis teams tied in their match at three to three, old Jupe Pluvius broke into tears at the thought of having to choose between age and youth, and so the dreaded decision was postponed until another year. In baseball the visiting team from Drexel was being most polite to the alumni patrons right up to the eighth inning. But then they roared from their batting stupor with a ven­ geance, not stopping until they had paraded seven runs across the plate. This Beclouded what would have been an afternoon of glory for the home team in which they had scored four runs as the result of some timely hitting and had executed some brilliant plays afield. Despite the showers cast down at dusk a large group of celebrants showed up for the Alumni Dance in the evening. In some years the younger members have not responded to the occasion, but this year they packed the dining rooms to capacity. And there were also quite a few there who knew "shag” only as slang for catching fly balls in baseball. But all enjoyed themselves, not a little of which may be attributed to the attractive decorations that were supplied by the student social committee. Ten-thirty saw the climax of the day with the college sing. The weather had cleared and in the cool of the evening four hundred voices joined in singing college songs. 6 the garnet ALUMNA ELECTED TD BOARD OF MANAGERS letter PROMINENT ALUMNUS DIES SUDDENLY T On June 30 at his home in Swarthmore, Hugh F. Denworth died, as a result of a coronary thrombosis. Until two days before his death, he had been well and vigorous, attending to business and his many outside activities with all his usual dynamic ability and enthusiasm. He was forty-nine years old and in the prime of his power and usefulness. His father was a leading lawyer in Williamsport, Pennsyl­ vania, and throughout his life Hugh Denworth’s interests have been strongly in the educational field. For a time he taught at the West Chester State Teachers’ College, then left that work to go to Swarthmore College from which he was graduated in the Class of 1916. He won his Masters degree at the Wharton School (o f the University of Pennsylvania) and was preparing for his Ph.D. when, during the W orld War, he was called to serve as Executive Secretary in the Philadelphia District for the Federal Food Administration. A nne Engle Taylor , ’25 Anne Engle Taylor, ’25, who has just been elected to fill the vacancy of Lucy Biddle Lewis on the Board of Managers, is by several years its youngest member. Before studying at Swarthmore she attended Moorestown Friends School. Immediately after leaving College she went to Friends Central School where she worked for five years as a secretary. There she was equally popular with faculty and students. Robert E. Lamb, a member of the Friends Central and Swarth­ more Boards, reports that when Anne Engle left to marry Thomas T. Taylor, ’24, it was a real loss for Friends Central. Tom and Anne lived first in Jenkintown, where Anne moved her membership to Abington Friends Meeting. Before her own children were born, she was frequently called in to Abington Friends School when they met an emergency. When Tommy, now ten, and Jacky, going on nine, were old enough to go to Abington, where Tom and his ancestors had gone for generations, Anne was put on the school committee. For the past two years she has been its secretary. He has taken an active part in the life of various financial institutions, serving as Assistant to the President of the Bank of North America, later as President of the United Security Life Insurance and Trust Company, and as Assistant Manager of the R. F. C. in Philadelphia. Since 1934 he has been VicePresident of the Land Title Bank & Trust Company, as well as director of the Quaker City Federal Savings & Loan Asso­ ciation. In addition to his busy life in the financial world he was useful and active in many other fields. He helped organize and was one of the moving spirits in the Economics Discussion Group here in Swarthmore. Since 1936 he has been a member in I j 1 be te be re th ce p< H in If (Continued on Next Page) T In 1936 Tom and Anne built a stone Pennsylvania farm­ house connecting with the grounds of Father and Mother Taylor. Their address is 8240 Fairview Road, Elkins Park, Pa. Anyone who could see the inside of their lovely home would realize how well Anne is qualified to work on the House Committee of the Board of Managers. The carved mantel at the living room fireplace is the one from an old family place, in front of which Anne’s parents were married. The house >s filled with antiques, oriental rugs, collections of miniature pitchers, colorful old family china, mellow coppers, and all the plants which somehow grow for Anne. Below the living room, but with full sized windows for light, since it is built on a little hill, is the most perfect rumpus room we have seen. Its paneled walls and beamed (Continued on Next Page) \ pa ^ | pr ^ H ugh F. D enworth , T 6 t he garnet 1 letter ALUMNI FUND DRIVE SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDED HROUGH the generous efforts of 1751 Swarthmoreans and friends of the College, our first annual Alumni Fund Cam­ paign has been brought to a highly satisfactory conclusion. More important than the $17,454.89 which this drive has produced for the College is the spirit manifested by the con­ tributors in this remarkably successful enterprise. T It must be remembered that annual giving campaigns are to Swarthmoreans a new idea. To most colleges and univer­ sities however, such a plan has been traditionally established in their individual programs of alumni activities for a period of many years. For this very reason our Swarthmore effort has been all the more commendable. Individual gifts ranged from ten cents to $1000.00. The women "outgave” the men in num­ bers 1009 to 683. The men "outgave” the women in amount received, $9648.69 to $6946.81. The contributors’ list shows that of the donors 1401 were graduates of the College and ANNE ENGLE TAYLOR, ’25 (Continued from Page 6) ceilings, its Bermuda type fireplace, pine furniture, and ping pong table, all make it the most useful room in the house. Here the children entertain, and so do Tom and Anne. In her sizeable home Anne does most of the work. Her in-laws, who have been spying on her for years, report they’ve never found the house when it wasn’t in perfect order. In addition to this, Tom and Anne keep a vegetable garden and a flower garden, the latter banked against an informal stone wall, just beyond thé awninged terrace where they eat and live in summer. The religious training of their children began early. When Tommy was a little more than a year one of the Overseers of Abington Meeting came to call. Little Tommy, without aid or abetment, offered the visitor first the latest number of the Friends Intelligencer, followed by a copy of the Bible. Anne is a capable hostess and a good cook. She and Tom like to entertain informally at Brother Herb’s (’27) cabin along the Neshaminy Creek. They belong to two or three day­ time or evening bridge groups, largely composed of Swarthmore people. And in between Anne serves as a useful member of the board of the Jenkintown Day Nursery. Her youthful outlook combined with her experience and ability will make her a valuable addition to the Board of Managers. By M ary S ullivan Patterson, ’28 As has been our custom, this July issue of the "Garnet Letter” contains no Class Notes. They will be continued as usual in the October number. 291 were ex-students. The Class of 19 16 had both the largest percentage of contributors and the largest amount contributed. A special word of thanks should be extended to Francis W . D’Olier, ’07, General Chairman of the Campaign and to the members of his committees who worked so diligently at great sacrifice of time. Many letters have been received at the College commending the manner in which this drive has been con­ ducted— a few were critical— but all were helpful. Countless suggestions have been turned over to the Alumni Councils and to the Administration about the "running” of the College. A permanent manual of these written suggestions has been prepared and due consideration will be given each proposal in the weeks to come. A chart on the next page gives a graphic story of the results. Swarthmoreans should pride themselves on a job well done— one which was described by a recent visitor from another college as "a magnificent accomplishment.” HUGH F. DENWORTH, T 6 of the Board of Managers of Swarthmore College, and through his thorough knowledge of investments, contributed much to the Trust Committee of that Board. Of late years he has been increasingly interested in the Society of Friends. He joined the Swarthmore Monthly Meet­ ing, where he has done valuable work as chairman of the local Friends Service Committee and he has also served as a member of the Corporation of Trustees for the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of Friends. For the past year he and his wife have taken into their home, as a member of the family, a little girl from Oxford, England who has been a happy and loved companion for their own daughter Dorothy. His life has been strong and vital and rich in accomplish­ ment. Many people in many walks o f life will miss him and feel his loss deeply. The first shipment of Swarthmore Commemorative plateware (which we thought would last a year) has been virtually depleted in a period of six weeks. An additional thirty dozen, ordered from Josiah Wedgwood & Sons, Ltd., has just arrived in this country. W e are hopeful that the English factories will be able to com­ plete the remaining order, including single plates of Parrish, and that safe shipment to this country will be made during the early fall months. The Alumni Office will continue to take orders for immediate delivery as long as the present supply is available. the garnet letter FINAL RESULTS OF FIRST ANNUAL GIVING CAMPAIGN Class 1876 1877 1878 1879 1880 1881 1882 1883 1884 1885 1886 1887 1888 No. Living Alumni 2 7 12 10 10 10 10 19 16 12 16 27 42 1889 1890 24 1891 1892 39 39 37 50 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 38 53 51 48 Percent of Graduates Contributing 100.0 100.0 Percent of Total Class 50.0 28.4 8.3 30.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 25.0 18.7 8.3 50.0 22.2 23.8 25.0 42.1 33.3 25.0 40.0 100.0 75.0 14.2 30.0 42.8 42.3 30.7 23.5 23.0 12.8 15.3 13.5 22.2 33.3 27.2 22.6 32.1 25.5 18.7 12.7 Total Amount Contributed $2.00 15.00 10.00 625.00 10.00 4.50 12.00 35.50 100.00 1.00 173.00 90.00 143.88 37.00 335.10 158.33 1105.00 187.00 119.00 175.50 260.00 129.34 47 20.7 26.6 1899 1900 38 23.5 15.7 38.00 46 30.0 139.00 1901 1902 53 67 1903 1904 53 47 61 35.7 44.7 37.1 25.8 19.5 22.6 31.3 30.2 21.2 416.00 173.00 137.00 82 39-3 44.2 24.5 29.2 312.50 291.50 83 62 67.8 42.8 56.6 29.0 716.00 158.00 1905 1906 1907 1908 100.00 89.50 Class 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 Percent of Graduates Contributing 42.1 38.4 153 182 171 186 192 158 167 203 218 196 220 37.3 30.5 50.8 32.8 34.2 30.0 30.7 28.1 31.7 38.5 34.5 37.6 51.2 Percent of Total Class 33.0 / 30.1 20.5 22.8 20.8 30.0 30.0 59.0 30.0 28.1 25.4 21.7 25.7 18.9 26.5 20.4 25.5 20.7 28.5 < 22.0 22.0 43.1 30.7 25.1 22.0 23.9 23.4 22.7 30.1 28.4 32.1 38.6 6202* 36.6 27.3 No. Living Alumni 103 83 117 96 125 123 115 117 130 121 134 120 190 184 158 171 149 179 182 177 161 30.3 33.3 47.3 4 0.8 32.1 80.2 40.4 37.6 35.7 30.5 37.0 29.5 34.3 28.5 31.4 29.5 35.2 * Does not include Prep School Alumni or Ex ’41, ’42, ’43. CONTRIBUTORS 1692 45 14 Alumni . . . .......................................................................... $16,595.50 Prep School Alumni and Ex ’41, ’42, ’4 3 ................ 168.35 Faculty and Friends.......................................................... 317.50 Balance in Alumni Ass’n Treasury......................... .. . 373.54 Total $17,454.89 Total Amount Contributed $375.50 481.50 463.00 146.00 262.50 421.50 349.00 1346.00 424.00 213.50 356.00 149.00 286.00 411.12 309.50 277.50 213.50 214.50 279.50 277.00 240.50 239.88 252.00 284.25 201.50 180.00 202.00 164.50 295.50 241.35 334.85 404.40 $16,595.50