Next in the train came 1929, also bearing signs such as "Whose Babies Are We," or "Another Five Year Plan Gone Wrong." They were dressed in orange and white. Next came 1932, dressed in nightshirts and pushing before them a baby carriage in which was a real baby, (Mr. Felton's, we believe) over which towered the sign, "Is This the Class Baby?" Another banner declared "We Do Most of Our Own Work!"
A more dignified note was added to the procession by the blue coats and white pants of the 1910 Class, over 400 strong. They marched at the end of the parade, led by their own band. Last, but not least, came the graduating class (with one member of 1925 staggering in their midst.) The band had made a special circuit of the stadium in order to lead them in.
1935 was dressed in the traditional caps and gowns, looking very scholastic and dignified as they passed in review before the spectators. A note of humor was added by the fact that they carried on their shoulders three young urchins from the Cambridge suburbs, one of whom was sporting a severe black cap.
Gardner Introduces
As soon as all the classes were gathered, Mr. Gardner spoke a few words of introduction, saying in part that the class of 1910 was still able "to totter down to the stadium." He toasted the Class of 1935 with a few well chosen words, declaring "the world is your oyster. Eat it alive, it tastes better that way. The blessings of 1910 are with you."
Gundlach then called for cheers from the Senior Class, who lustily saluted '10, '85, major sports, minor sports, and the ladies. At this point in the exercises the rostrum was turned over to Clarence C. Little '10, permanent class secretary. He declared that the Class of 1910 had several degrees to confer on its members. A diploma was claimed to be the most useless thing in the world, and for this reason fans were presented with the comment that the Class would have to be "like Sally Rand, not Talleyrand." George A. Parker '10 was the first to be honored. Mr. Parker was the head of the state police of Massachusetts, and he was called the guide of 1910 and its sons and their hope for days to come.
Hallowell Honored
Next came Robert C. Hallowell '10, from the board of the New Republic. He was named "a Quaker who wouldn't quake." Further comments by Mr. Little brought out the fact that he was now painting, not writing, and as a result of this he is now painting real faces and not literary faces. Walter Lippmann '10 was next called to the speakers' stand to receive the benediction that "he was a great journalist who refused to be buried on Boston Common." He was further praised by the phrase "his discussions of the Republican and Democratic parties are more interesting than the parties themselves."
Our Congressman, Ham Fish, Jr., was the last to be taken over the bumps. He was termed "the nine-lived Congressman who sees not only over our heads, but through them and is in the infra-red district of politics. Mr. Little's presentation was the best handled part of the program and brought many a hearty laugh from the spectators.
Palmer on Rostrum
Gundlach, after Mr. Little was through, introduced that great Lampooner, Vinny Palmer, who proceeded to give the Ivy Oration, mainly a history of the escapades of the afore-mentioned Lampoon. This was relieved by the action of an effective alarm clock and a bunch of sputtering firecrackers. F. Donovan Bisby, alias fictitious Lampoon character, came in for a good many tributes and was listed as being the blackest member of the Class of 1935.
Palmer also alluded to the great Lampoon fake, when they announced that one, Clarke had been named President of Harvard. He then went on to say that President Conant had in fact been an imposter since that time; now, however, the Senior Class wished to fully instal him in office. At the end of his speech he pointed out that the future of Harvard depended on the activities of Mr. Apted, head of the Yard police. Because of the importance of this office, he raised Mr. Apted to the station of Major-General, and at the close of his speech presented him with a sword and an admiral's hat.
Cheer for Conant
This finished there was a cheer for President Conant and for the University. Conant replied that he felt it was true that he was a pretender because of his inexperience, but that he was glad to be fully installed. He refrained, however, from giving an inaugural address, and contented himself with saying his final farewells to the graduating class and wishing them the greatest success.
This was followed by the singing of Fair Harvard under the leadership of Frank E. Johnson, III, Chorister. Hardly had the last note passed away than the battle of paper began, with great fury. With a strong breeze blowing, everybody was soon covered with bits of paper. The Senior Class with deadly accuracy threw paper bombs at their friend in the stadium, who returned in kind. After this subsided, the Class marched out onto the baseball field and halted in left field, arranged by classes. Then they all marched around the diamond, cheered the Yale team in their dugout periodically and finally made their way to seats in the stands.
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