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The strong demand for skilled chemists drew from the Institute in
June, 1918, one of its most capable and popular professors,
Dr. Frederic Bonnet, Jr. His resignation, long to be regretted, was
the outstanding example of the Institute's inability to give even
moderate increases in salaries at a time when the faculty was having
its greatest struggle to meet the cost of living. After Dr. Bonnet
left, Dr. D. F. Calhane was promoted to professor of
Chemistry. Several short-term instructors left for war or industrial
service; several others were appointed. Among new instructors who were
to serve for longer periods were Gleason H. MacCullough, '18, in
Mechanical Engineering, William C. Himmer in German, and Henry
C. Swasey in Physical Education. Gren 0. Pierrel resigned as secretary
of the Student Y. M. C. A. Harland F. Stuart, '12, who succeeded him,
also carried on Professor Butterfield's work as alumni secretary. Miss
Florence I. Denny succeeded Miss Josephine Frost as registrar.
Campus problems constituted only a part of Dr. Hollis' load during
this period. Soon after his election as president of the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers he made the first of several long
trips to visit branches of the society. Due largely to his leadership,
the national engineering organizations formed the United Engineering
Societies, and in July, 1918, he was elected first president of
Engineering Council, with Alfred D. Flinn, '93, as executive
director. Dr. Hollis was also appointed a member of numerous war
emergency boards. In June, 1918, he was elected to the Board of
Overseers of Harvard College, the first non-graduate ever to be
accorded that distinction.
The only change in the personnel of the Corporation was the election
of Mayor Pehr G. Holmes to succeed Mayor Wright in 1917. The Institute
lost, however, two former trustees who had been among its best
friends. Elmer P. Howe, '71, a trustee from 1897 to his resignation in
1915, died June 18, 1918. Rev. Austin S. Garver, ex-officio member
from 1885 to 1913, -died June 20, 1918. Up to the time when ill health
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