Looking Aft George Slocum, GPYC's 6th Commodore

By Dr. Larry Stephenson, M.D.

The financial turmoil of the Great Depression was at a low point when George Slocum became GPYC commodore in November of 1935. The previous commodore, Burnette Stephenson, had also been serving as treasurer of the Club, a position he retained following his resignation as commodore. For reasons unknown today, the Club hierarchy at that time included three vice commodores and three rear commodores, one of which was George Slocum. Jumping from rear commodore to commodore was certainly unusual, but so were the times.

The last known meeting of the GPYC Board of Directors under Commodore Stephenson had occurred on September 9, 1935. At that meeting, all Club assets were turned over to the Collateral Liquidation Corporation and members were now forbidden access to their Club. Prior to the Depression, George Slocum had been a successful publisher of automotive magazines, and fortunately his business remained viable during the economically troubled times. As the new commodore, he now used his publishing knowledge and assets to establish a monthly newsletter that served to keep members informed as well as retaining a sense of community. In 1938 he gave the newsletter the official name of The Grosse Pointer.

The newsletter kept members up to date on all the financial difficulties and proposed solutions. In 1937 it was announced that agreement had been reached to put all Club property under the friendly terms of Bankruptcy Reorganization, Section 77B, to establish the equities of those who held claims against the property. As this was proceeding, a remarkable set of circumstances led to a very unexpected outcome.

Purely by chance, a local attorney, *Lynn Pierson, learned from a judge that the clubhouse had been put up for sale and the mortgage and all debts could be wiped out for the price of $125,000. Pierson quickly contacted likely investors and informed Commodore Slocum they were prepared to buy the Club. This group of 20 investors included seven who had been previous members. Their first reorganization meeting was held at the clubhouse on May 24, 1938, where George Slocum was re-elected commodore.

The Club reopened with a huge party on July 4, 1938, nine years to the day when the newly constructed clubhouse had been dedicated in 1929. During the event, Commodore Slocum proudly presided over the burning of the clubhouse mortgage. Very soon after, he announced that The Grosse Pointer would continue to be published, now in color, as a monthly news magazine for all Club members. At the Annual Meeting in January 1940, Commodore George Slocum was officially recognized for his leadership contributions and unwavering dedication to the Club.

*Lynn Pierson served as GPYC Commodore in 1942.

~Author’s note: I know of no other GPYC commodore who had to deal with as much prolonged distress as did Commodore Slocum during his tenure in the leadership of our Club, and thankfully presided over a successful outcome.