--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Anderson, Edward H. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 12 number: 11 published: 1909-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Edward H. Anderson, "Events and Comments," *Improvement Era* 12, no. 11 (September 1909): 923–928.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera12011unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera12011unse start_page: 923 end_page: 928 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1909-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera12011unse publication_year: 1909 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1909, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Events and Comments EVENTS AND COMMENTS. BY EDWARD H. ANDERSON. Howell on the Committee on Agriculture. — Speaker Cannon has an- nounced Committee appointments for the 61st Congress. The insurgent." his against the House rules were punished, and three of them who held important chairmanships lost their Committees. Among the new appointments to the Com- mittee on Agriculture is Hon. Joseph Howell of Utah. Local Items of Importance.— Dr. E. G. Gowans has been appointed sup- erintendent of the state industrial school vice H. H. Thomas, resigned. —On August 13, the last issue of the Inter- Mountain Republican appeared, and also of the Salt Lake Herald. The two papers appeared as one on the morning of the 14th, and called the Herald Republican. The new paper is Republican in politics. — A convention of county officials and incorporated towns and cities of Utah county, was held in Provo August 11, to discuss uniform prohibition measures by cities of the county. An ordinance was drafted, and adopted, and the city coun- cils will be asked to pass it before October 1, 1909. —Cardinal Gibbons arrived in Salt Lake City August 10, and stayed to take part in the dedication of the great Catholic St. Mary's Cathedral, Sunday, August 15. He was the guest of Thomas Kearns. — Nine Pullman cars left for the Alaska- Yukon- Pacific Exposition, Seat- tle, loaded with the Great Tabernacle choir. The party stopped at Boise, La Grande, Portland and Tacoma, and spent four days at the fair. Airship Flights. —On July 25, Louis Bleriot, a French experimenter of aeroplanes, crossed the English Channel from near Calais, France, to Dover Eng- land in less than half an hjur, at an average speed of 45 miles an hour, and at a height of about 240 feet above sea level. He won a prize of $5,000 for the achievement offered by a London newspaper. His monoplane is 20 feet across the wings and weighs about 400 pounds. Herbert Latham later made an attempt to fly over the Channel. Within two miles of Dover his engine failed, and he dropped into the sea with slight injury. On July 30, Orville Wright made a flight to Shuter's Hill, near Alexandria, with Lieutenant Foulois. The average time made was 42i miles an hour, though on the return trip more than 47 miles an hour was made. With this, and a flight made on the 27th, in which he re- mained in the air for an hour and thirteen minutes, thus establishing a new long- 924 IMPROVEMENT ERA. distance record, the Wright Brothers won the Government specifications and stipulations for an aeroplane. The Government agreed to purchase the aero- plane for $25,000, with a bonus of $2,500 for every mile of speed made over 40 miles an hour. Thus the Wright Brothers got $30,000, and a new record in flying was established. Andrew W. Winberg. — Patriarch A. W. Winberg, one of the most widely known Swedes in Utah, the organizer of the first branch of the Church in Sweden, and foundorof Bikuben, the Danish-Norwegian paper of the Church, died in Salt Lake City, August 9, 1909. He was born in Lund, Swe- den, April 13, 1830, and became a member of the Church in Denmark, in February, 1851. He was shortly after called as a missionary to his native country, and on the 24th of April, 1853, organized the first branch of the Church in Sweden at Skonebak, in the southern part of the country, with 36 members He suffered much persecution in his efforts to establish the gospel in that land, but made a success of his efforts, overcoming many difficulties. He came to Utah in 1854, and has resided in the 19th ward ever since, except while filling a second mission in 1862-5- For 28 years he was a member of the High Council of the Salt Lake stake of Zion, and foi 30 years the president Andrew W. Winberg, Founder of the Scandinavian meetings. In 1875 he of Bikuben. Born April 13, founded Bikuben and was its editor for about 1830, Died August 9, 1909. 20 years. In all his labors he was humble, true to the truth as he saw it, faithful to the work of the Lord, and a man of character and achievement. — Important Events. Prof. Simon Newcomb, our greatest astronomer. native of Nova Scotia,who came to the United States at the age of 18 years, and for 30 years in charge of the U. S. Naval observatory, and director of the Nautical Almanac, died July 11, in his 75th year. He rendered important service to the science of astronomy by his calculations, computations and independent researches. — Charles Crane, a business man of Chicago, has been named by President Taft as Minister to China. — Martial law was declared throughout Spain on July 28, owing to revolutionary uprisings in Barcelona and Catalonia, and mutiny of troops. The cause of the riots and labor-troubles was the drafting of Spanish reservists and sending the best regiments in Spain to fight Moorish tribesmen on the Riff coast of Morocco. —President Taft will on September 15 begin a long journey of 13,000 miles in which he will visit all but eight or ten states. He is expected in Salt Lake City September 24, where he will remain two days. After visiting the Alaska- Yukon- Pacific exposition and the northwestern states he will go via California to EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 925 El Paso where he will meet President Diaz of Mexico, thence via New Orleans through the southern states home. He expects to be at work in the White House on his message to Congress Nov. 21.— A general strike of 300,000 laborers was ordered in Sweden, August 4, which has resulted in almost complete cessation of industry throughout that country and great hardship to all classes. Stockholm went short of food in two days, and all provisions went up to famine prices. Chancellor Von Buelow of Germany has resigned and Emperor William has ap- pointed in his stead Dr. Bethman Hollweg to succed him. — The city Acapulco, western coast of Mexico, early in August suffered from many earthquake shocks, and from draught. The country is also having political trouble. Netherlands-Belgium Mission President.— Elder B. G. Thatcher, who has recently been called to preside over the Netherlands-Belgium mission, was born in Logan, Utah, September 10, 1870. His parents moved to Salt Lake City a few months after his birth, but returned to Logan in 1877. Brother Thatcher attended the district schools of Logan, and graduated from the Brigham Young College in 1889. In 1891, he was married to Miss Florence Beatie, daughter of H. S. Beatie and Marion Mumford. As a business man he has had a varied and valuable experience.He was mad«a manager of the Logan Power, Light and Heating Company, in the spring of 1891, which posi- tion he held until the summer of 1897. In the fall of 1893, he took the management of the Thatcher Opera House, which position he held until the summer of 1897. His ex- perience in Church work has been no less varied and educational to him. In August, 1897, he was calif d on a mission to the Netherlands, in company with his wife, returning home in the summer of 1900, when B. G. Thatcher, the new President of the he was called to act as first counse- Netherlands-Belgium Mission. lor to Bishop Joseph E. Cordon. In August, 1906, he was made bishop of the Logan first ward, and in all these posi- tions, both in business life and religious activities, has proved himself competent and worthy of the trust imposed in him. Sister Thatcher has been called to ac- company her husband on his present mission The G. A. R. Encampment.— Salt Lake City enjoyed a grand holiday on Wednesday, August 11, the occasion being in honor of the visiting members of 926 IMPROVEMENT ERA the Grand Army of the Republic who were in town in numbers approaching 20,000 with their friends who doubled that number. The festivities began on Monday, 9th, and ended on Saturday. The main streets were elegantly decor- ated, and it is doubtful if ever a more glorious scene was beheld than that which was witnessed as the parade marched and countermarched on Main street from the Brigham Young monument to the bleachers at Seventh South and Main where the living flag of fifteen hundred children intercepted the veterans in their march. The windows and roofs of all the building were full of people in holiday attire, and as the veterans marched, th«y were greeted by rounds of cheers Martial and bras3 bands, many from different parts of Utah, were in line, all team and street car traffic was stopped on that street for the day, and the busy thoroughfare resounded with music and the voice of festivity. Ensign Peak was ablaze at night with fireworks. The great taberncale was beautifully decorated and was used during the week for semi-official gatherings. Meetings were held in many halls, and it was a week of concerts, reunions and campfire department gatherings and general pleasure. General Henry M. Nevius, Commander-in- Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic was succeeded by Samuel R. Van Sant, of Minneapolis, Minn. The department of Utah nominated W. M. Bostaph, of Ogden, for Senior Vice-Commander-in-Chief, and he was elected without opposi tion. Mary E. Lacy was chosen President of the National Association of Army Nurses of the Civil War. The welcome tendered by Salt Lake City and her citi- zens, as well as by the residents of Utah in general, to the old boys in blue wa g hearty and sincere, and the veterans and their friends were not slow in express- ing their appreciation personally and by resolutions. Our country owes its exist- ence to these old heroes, and their coming to the state has been a grand, patri- otic inspiration to all who saw them. It has been a pleasure and a delight to do them honor. The Living Flag of 1,500 children, that will be remembered by the G. A. R. veterans while life shall last. Wm. A. Wetzell, Director. EVENTS AND COMMENTS. 927 George Reynolds. — Shortly after 2 o'clock on Monday, August 9, 1909, Elder George Reynolds died at his home in Salt Lake City. With his passing, a great and noble life was brought to a close. He acted as secretary to each of the presidents of the Church, from President Brigham Young to President Joseph F. Smith, inclusive. Besides being one of the First Couucil of Seventy, he was one of the oldest members of the Deseret Sunday School Union Board, the author of many valuable books, and a general and faithful Church worker, all his life. Elder Reynolds was born in London, England, January 1, 1842, and joined the Church May 4, 1856, being confirmed by the late Elder George Teasdale. He immediately became an earnest worker, filling many positions of honor while he remained in England. He came to Utah in July, 1865, and about the close of that year secured a position in the office of President Young, and since then, with very brief exceptions, he has been in the employ of the Church. He was amember of the Territorial militia, a member of the legislative assem- bly of 1869, a member of the Board of Regents University of Deseret (now Utah), director of Z. C. M.I., Zion's Savings Bank, and the Deseret Telegraph Co., treasurer and manager of the Salt Lake theatre, and a city councilman of Salt Lake City from 1875 to '79. In 1871 he was associate editor of the Millen- nial Star. In the polygamy test case he was chosen to stand in the gap while the law of 1862 was tested as to its constitutionality, being finally sent to prison June 14, 1879, from which he was released Jan. 20, 1881. While in prison he pursued his literary labors. In the Sunday schools he did much active work, and in Nov., 1900, was chosen second assistant general superintendent, and on the death of General Superintendent George Q. Cannon, in 1901, was made first assis- tant, which place he held up to a few months ago, when he was compelled to give up this work owing to ill health. In 1890, at the April conference, he was chosen a member of the First Council of Seventy, which place he held until his death. In writing he was very active, and was for a long time associate editor of the Juvenile Instructor. His books Story and Dictionary of the Book of Mormon are well known, also his treatise on the Book of Abraham and Are we oj Israeli and his last work, begun in prison, is thecrowning effort of a patient and painstaking life, A Concordance of the Book of Mormon, for which students of the Nephite scripture will bless and gratefully remember him for ages to ome. Well might President Joseph F. Smith say at his funeral services, which were held in Barratt Hall on the morning of August 12, that the Church in losing George Reynolds had 'lost a great man ' and a great helper. He has kept every law, ordinance, covenant and revel i- tion, and to him was given every key and gift and authority bestowed upon the H)ly Priesthood in any dispensation known in time." Elder Reynolds was faithful in every calling, and his only failing wa3 that he took upon himself more responsi- bility and work than he should have taken for his own physical welfare and strength. He was buried in the city cemetery. Besides President Smith, who presided at the services, other speakers were his associates in the First Council of Seventy, Dr. Seymour B. Young, Elders B. H. Roberts, Rulon S. Wells, and Joseph W. McMurrin, also President John R. Winder and Elder Heber J. Grant. 928 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Payne Tariff Law. — A special session of Congress was called for March this year, just after the inauguration of President Taft. On March 16, the Presi- dent sent a message to Congress concerning the proposed revision of the tariff, which was the purpose of the special session. On the next day Chairman Sereno E. Payne, of the Ways and Means Committee of the House, introduced a.tariff bill which had been for some time in preparation, and for which he. more than any- ; other member of the Committee was responsible. , The House disposed ©f the measure in due time, but the bill has been under discussion in the Senate most of the summer. A conference Committee was finally appointed; to adjust the differ- ences of the two branches of Congress. With the amendments the bill passed the House, and on the 5th of August, the Senate, and three hours later, 5:05 p.m., was signed by President Taft, and the special session then adjourned. The final vote was 47 to 31. Seven Republicans, as follows, were counted in the negative: — — Iowa Dolliver and Cummins; Minnesota Clapp and Nelson; Kansas Brestow; — Indiana —Beveridge; Wisconsin — La Follette. Senator Smoot of Utah took an important part in the making of the bill, and he saw that western raw material received its share of protection. President Taft issued a statement on the day he signed the bill which clearly indicates that the revision on the whole has been downward, especially on iron ore, coal, hide3, manufactured foot wear, print paper, lumber, leather, and cotton goods. He said in part: "I have signed the Payne tariff bill because I believe it to be the result of a sincere effort on the part of the Republican party to make a downward revision and to comply with the promises of the platform as they have been generally understood and as I interpreted them in the campaign before election. "The bill is not a perfect tariff bill or a complete compliance with the prom ises made, strictly interpreted, but a fulfilment free from criticism in respect to a subject matter involving many schedules and thousands of articles could not be expected. It suffices to say that except with regard to whiskey, liquors and wines, — and in regard to silks and as to some high classes of cottons all of which may — be treated as luxuries and proper subjects of a revenue tariff there have been very few increases in rates. There have been a great number of real decreases in rates, and they constitute a sufficient amount to justify the statement that this bill is a substantial downward revision and a reduction of excessive rates." The bill provides for maximum and minimum duties, a customs court, and a corporation tax of 1 per cent on net earnings above $5, 000, and also a permanent tariff commission who will make that subject a special study. Harper s Weekly denies that this commission has been provided for, and also denies that the tariff revision is downward. Congress has referred for the vote of the states an amendment to the national constitution legalizing a federal tax on personal in- comes. This will receive consideration at the next legislative sessions. Panama canal bonds in the sum of $300,000,000 were also authorized.