Passing Events

Passing Events

Roland G. Garros, French aviator, recently crossed the Mediter- ranean Sea from Frejus near Cannes, France, to Bizerta, near Tunis in Africa. This is one of the record breaking feats of French aviators, and will bring nearer the time that someone will try to fly across the Atlantic ocean. There were no ships to help him in case of accident, since he refused their aid. His flying time for the 550 miles was seven hours and forty-five minutes. Garros flew in the United States in 1910-11.

The Underwood tariff bill was signed by President Wilson at 9:09 o'clock, October 3. Simultaneously, telegrams were sent to custom collectors throughout the country by the treasury department, putting into actual operation the first Democratic tariff revision since 1894. The president signed the legislation with two gold pens and presented Representative Underwood with the one with which he had written the word "Woodrow," and the one with which he completed his name, he gave to Senator Simmons, both of whom bowed their appreciation.

New express rates went into effect October 15, and are to remain in force two years. This new rate, which applies only to interstate business, was ordered by the Interstate Commerce commission, Au- gust 4. The express companies have adopted a block, or zone system in fixing charges, and a general reduction in rates is adopted that amount to an average of about 16 per cent. For packages of more than four pounds, going more than two hundred miles and less than two thousand miles, the new rates will be actually lower than the parcel post charges.

Francis B. Harrison, member of Congress of New York, was nom- inated Governor-general of the Philippines August 20, and Governor- general Wm. Cameron Forbes, who has occupied the office since No- vember, 1909, vacated the office September 1, and left at once for the United States. The new Governor-general is the son of the late Burton Harrison of Virginia, private secretary to Jefferson Davis, born in New York, 1873, educated at Yale and the New York School of Law. He served in the Spanish War and was elected to Congress in 1902.

"Volturno," on a voyage from Rotterdam to New York, was de- stroyed by fire in mid-Atlantic, on October 9-11, with a loss of 136 passengers and crew. Ten ocean liners came to the rescue of the burning ship by call of the wireless, but were impotent at first to

PASSING EVENTS 93

avert the tragedy owing to mountainous seas. However, the saving of 521 lives on board the Voltumo is due to the call of the wireless and the prompt response of the liners. Not since the Titanic sank has the civilized world been thrilled as through the burning of this steamer. The oil tank steamer Narragansett scattered tons of oil on the raging sea, thus greatly aiding the rescue work.

William A. Rossiter, a well-known business man of Salt Lake City, died on September 25. He was born in London, England, Feb- ruary 26, 1843. He joined the Church at the age of seventeen, coming to Utah driving an ox team across the plains. He was an employee of Brigham Young, and through his fidelity and trustworthiness be- came one of Young's trusted men, and later one of the executors of the Brigham Young estate. He was constantly engaged in business, being associated with the Zion's Savings Bank and Trust Company since 1906. He was a true Latter-day Saint, though not actively before the Church in public affairs. One of his chief characteristics was his absolute impartiality in business affairs.

August Bebel, a most distinguished Socialist leader of the German Reichstag since 1867, died August 13, at the age of seventy-three years. He devoted his whole life to improving the condition of the working- men of his country, and many of the reforms brought about are said to be due to his agitation. He was extreme in his methods, and often came in conflict with the law, serving, all told, fifty-seven months be- hind the bars, which enforced idleness he used to improve his educa- tion. He called the prison his university. He founded a party which grew from nothing until it cast about four million votes at the last election, it being the largest single political party in Germany. His estate is valued at about $100,000 of which he bequeathed $5,000 to the Social Democratic party, and $2,500 to the Labor party.

The National Copper Bank potato contest prize was awarded this year to Horace Cannell, 17 years old, Smithfield, Utah. The other winners in the contest were Merle Hyer, 16 years, Lewiston, Utah, and Delmar Gillins, 15 years, Minersville, Utah. The first prize as stated in the Era in the advertisement in May was for $100, second 50, and third $25. The name of the first-prize winner is engraved each year on the National Copper Bank potato trophy. Judge Eugene H. Grubb, potato expert, stated that the potato exhibit this year sur- passed any held in former years. One hundred sixty boys were in the contest this year. To be eligible for this contest the boy must be under eighteen, and he must raise a half acre of potatoes during the year, fifty pounds of the crop of each boy being sent to the contest exhibit.

New land in the Arctic Ocean has been discovered by Commander

94 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Wilkitzky of the Russian navy, a son of the famous hydrographer who died last year. The new land extends in a narrow strip from about sixty miles north of Northeast Cape, the northern termination of the Asiatic continent, to 81 degrees north. It lias been named Nicholas II Land, and the discovery is regarded as having most important bearing on ice conditions in the Kara sea. Polar bears, and birds, were found in plentiful numbers, and there was much evidence of the presence of reindeer. The vegetation was pronounced scanty. The discovery has excited interest the world over, and is a confirmation of an idea expressed in an article that appeared some two or three years ago in the Improvement Era, by President C. W. Penrose, in which it was pointed out that in all probability there is yet land in the north un- discovered.

Governor William Sulzer of New York was found guilty by the High Court of Impeachment, October 16, in Albany, and formally re- moved from office on the 17th. The court decided that the executive was guilty of falsification, perjury, and an attempt to suppress evidence against him. He was declared innocent of all other charges and the judges decided not to disqualify him fremi holding office in the future. Martin H. Glynn, Lieutenant-Governor, who has been acting-gov- ernor since the impeachment of Sulzer, becomes the chief executive of the state. Mr. Sulzer has held public office almost continually since 1890, having been a member of Congress from New York for twenty years before being elected governor last November. He was born in New Jersey, in 1863, and lived on the east side of New York among the foreign born population during his entire political career. He is the first governor of the state to be impeached. In a statement Sulzer characterizes his trial as "political lynching" by "Murphy's high court of infamy."

The Gamboa Dyke in the Panama Canal was exploded at 2:02 p. m. on the afternoon of October 10, and the opening of the canal from sea to sea was successfully accomplished. The explosion was accomplished by President Wilson pressing a button in the White House which sent an electric current thousands of miles over land and sea, blew up the dyke in the canal, and removed the last practical obstacle in the great inter-ocean water-way, by igniting the immense charge of dynamite under the dam. This dyke was built in 1908 to hold the Chagres river in check during its turbulent periods and to prevent its waters from entering the nine-mile section of Culebra cut. In Salt Lake City the event was celebrated at high noon by the blow- ing of whistles and ringing of bells, and by a large meeting at night in the Tabernacle, where addresses were made by Congressman Joseph Howell, Governor Wm. Spry, and Mayor Park.

Governor E. M. Ammonfe of Colorado comes to Utah on the invi- tation of Governor William Spry to attend the Farmers' Round-Up and Housekeepers' Conference, at the Utah Agricultural College, at Logan, January 26 to February 6. Through the success that has come by methods employed at the extension division this annual farmers' gathering has come to be considered one of the greatest agricultural conventions of the inter-mountain region. In addition to agricultural studies that will be presented at this round-up, there will be an elab- orate poultry exhibit, and a meeting of poultry-men, beginning Tues- day, January 26. The purpose of this poultry show is to begin a move- ment to make Utah one of the most important poultry states in the West. Utah is said to consume over $1,000,000 worth of chickens and eggs shipped in from other states, and there is no reason why this state should not produce enough for itself and for other communities besides. The high altitude and sunshine of this state are especially conducive to the health of birds. All interested are invited to attend the Farmers' Round-Up.

OLSEN & GRIFFITH CO. Inc.

OPPOSITE HOTEL UTAH

"The Photographers in Salt Lake City"

(A SPECIAL RATE FOR MISSIONARIES;

Special Notice to Garment Users

It is recommended and advised by the most particular and careful buyers of L. D. S. Gar- ments that TEMPLE BRAND GARMENTS be used exclusively, because of their superior quality, fit and finish. Be sure when mak- ing your purchases to look carefully in the neck of garments for the words TEMPLE BRAND, found immediately below the ap- proved label. If they are not there, the gar- ment is not the APPROVED TEMPLE BRAND, manufactured exclusively by the Salt Lake Knitting Works for the better class of trade and discriminating purchasers.. If your local dealer does not handle TEMPLE BRAND Garments send your orders to SALT LAKE KNITTING STORE, 70 Main Street, Salt Lake City. Postage free to all parts of the United States. Prices as follows: Best grade of combed cotton, Best Grade Sea Island Mercer- gauze wei-rht $1.00 ized, light weight 2.00

Best grade of combed cotton, light weight 1.25

Superior cotton, unbleached, medium weight 1.25

Superior cotton, bleached, me- dium weight 1.50

Superior cotton, unbleached, ex- tra heavy weight 1.50

Best Grade Sea Island Lisle, gauze weight 1.50

Best grade combed cotton, heavy welch*, fleeced 1.75

Wash Shrunk Part Wool, me- dium weight 2.00

Wash Shrunk Merino Wool, heavy weight 2.25

Wash Shrunk Utah Wool, extra heavy weight 3.00

Wash Shrunk Imported Part Wool, light weight, extra fine 3.00

Pure Australian Wool, medium weight 4.00

Remember that postage is free, also that there is no substitution for Temle Brand Garments, and if you are not wearing them now you will some day. Then regret not having done so before.

SALf LAKE KNITTING STORE, 70 Main Street, Salt Lake City When You Order, Please Mention the ERA.

President O. D. Romney of the New Zealand Mission writes September 21: "You can hardly imagine the good that the Improvement Era does to us mis- sionaries away out in these South Sea islands. May your mission with that most worthy paper continue to progress and the blessings of the Lord ever attend you."

The music for the Junior Boys' Chorus contest, and the title of the mixed double quartet number, will be printed in the December Era. The suggestive list of stories and orations are also promised for that number.

The December number will have a lively scout article by Preston Nibley on '"Jim Bridger, Our First Citizen." "A Peculiar Japanese Religion," by Presi- dent Ivins of the Japan mission, and other lively articles, with stories, will attract the reader.

Second session of Normal Course for Scout Masters. — This course opened on Monday night, at the Deseret Gymnasium, October 13, and sessions are held every Monday evening, from 8 to 9 o'clock. All Scout Masters and others in- terested in this work arefinvited to be present. The program for October 20 was: Roll call by stakes and wards; "Hand Wrestling," and "The Scout Yell," by Oscar A. Kirkham; "The Scout Law," by John D. Bowers; "Scouts' Annual Membership Fee," and "The 12-to-14-year old Scout," by Dr. John H. Taylor; "Knot Tying," Captain Eberhart of city fire department.

Improvement Era, November, 1913

Two Dollars per Annum with Manual Free Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter

Joseph F. Smith, ) pfi;tors Heber J. Grant, Business Manager

Edward H. Anderson, ) ' Moroni Snow, Assistant

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Portrait of Franklin D. Richards Frontispiece

Sermonets 1

Belated Emigrants of 1856. Illustrated Sclcmcn F. Kimball 3

Why I Am. A Poem George H. Brimhall 15

A Question of Conversion. A Story D. W. Cummings 16

Voice of the Intangible. XVII-XVIII. Illus- trated Albert R. Lyman 32

Courage Anthcny W. Ivins 44

Discoveries on the Colorado. I. Illustrated. .Joseph F. Anderson 48

"For the Strength of the Hills" Prcf. J. C. Hogenson 55

The Dead Gods. A Poem Alfred Lambourne 56

From the Far North Elias N. Erickson 58

Priesthood Quorums' Table Rudger Clawson 60

The Gull Monument. Illustrated 65

Early Thanksgiving Days Lee A. Snow 74

Editor's Table — Tobacco, Drink and Infamous

Fashions Prest. Joseph F. Smith .... 77

President Smith's Address 86

Appreciates the Talk 87

The Word of Wisdom, a Command 88

Messages from the Missions 88

Mutual Work— M. I. A, Stake Finals— Points for Judgment — Grading of Contestants- Nucleus for a Library 90

Passing Events 92