Passing Events

A third Liberty loan is likely to be asked for in March.

Vilhjalmar Stefanson, the Arctic explorer, arrived at Fort Yukon, Alaska,

December 26, 1917. He has been in the Arctic regions since June 13, 1913.

Conscription was adopted in Canada, while Australia voted with em-

phasis against it. The ballots in the referendum were 938,000 against and

764,000 for conscription, not including the soldiers whose vote it is said will

not materially change the situation.

Wilhelmina Mousley Cannon, wife of David H. Cannon, president of the

St. George temple, died in St. George, Utah, January 16, 1918. She was

born in Centerville, Delaware, October 11, 1840, and came to Utah in 1857,

was married in 1860, and shortly after removed to St. George where she has

resided ever since.

Private Edward J. Crawford, twenty-one years old, Signal Corps, whose

father is R. W. Crawford, Castle Gate, Utah, was reported dead on January

1, 1918. He was with General Pershing's Expeditionary Force in France

and died Dec. 27, 1917, in one of the American Base Hospitals, in that

country, of wounds received some time previous.

The rainfall, or rather snowfall, up to January 16, for the ten days

previous amounted to 3.3 inches of precipitated water, the highest on

record. The normal for the month is 1.35, the heaviest fall previously being

3.07 for the month in 1890. Reports from over the district about Salt Lake

City showed a heavy fall of snow in the mountains.

Vice Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss has been appointed first sea lord in

succession to Sir Admiral John R. Jellicoe, according to an official announce-

ment from London, December 26. Admiral Jellicoe has been elevated to

the peerage in recognition of his very distinguished services. It is said that

his experience may later be uitilized in another important post.

Cold weather in New York was unprecedented. The thermometer stood

13 degrees below zero on December 30, and death and much suffering re-

sulted from shortage of coal. On January 1, 1918, the mercury stood 86 de

grees below zero in Dawson City. At the same time four persons were

overcome by heat at Pasadena, Cal., in a crowd of 42,000 persons who wit-

nessed the Army and Navy football game. The storms in Utah began early

in January, up to which time the weather was very dry and mild.

The second conscription, under which nearly nine million men through-

out the United States were to be classified, began in January. Copies of

complicated printed questions which all registered men are required to

answer, were sent out by the local boards. The Government has arranged

for thousands of lawyers to give their services in aiding men who are at a

loss to know how themselves, to answer all the sixteen pages of complicated

questions. Then will follow physical and medical examinations, as in the

first conscription.

A shut-down of industries was ordered by the Government on January

16, to begin on the 18th, as a drastic measure to relieve the fuel famine.

It applied to the manufacturing enterprises with few exceptions east of the

372 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Mississippi river. It was also ordered that all normal activities requiring

heated buildings observe as a holiday every Monday for the next ten weeks.

This will close in the restricted district factories, places of amusements, and

nearly all office buildings. The action was taken to provide fuel for ship-

ping food and war supplies for the Allies and for American soldiers in

France.

The War. — The expected great German drive on the west has not mate-

rialized at this writing. It is now set for February. Minor though furious

attacks were made in different sectors without success, but sometimes with

great loss. In Italy heavy fighting occurred in the efforts of the Austrians

and Germans to break through to the Venetian plains. The Italians in

numerous aggressive onslaughts drove the enemy from their positions. Snow

in the mountains prevented normal activity and generally resulted in favor

of the Italians.

Guatamala City, which has three times been resurrected, after being

destroyed by earthquakes, was wiped out again by a series of shocks, during

the latter part of December. The city was completely destroyed; not a

building, including the United States Legation, was left standing in the city

after the final shock of the series, that reaped havoc and death in all direc-

tions. Thousands of people became homeless and much suffering was en-

dured. The city is now nothing but a mass of ruins, and many people are

known or believed to have been buried under the ruins.

Senator James H. Brady, of Idaho, died of heart disease, in Washington,

Jan. 13, 1918. His body was cremated and the ashes were taken to Idaho

for burial. He was born in Pennsylvania 56 years ago, moved early to Kan-

sas, was educated at the Leavenworth Normal College, taught school, en-

gaged in newspaper work, moved to Idaho in 1895, was elected Governor in

1908, and in 1912 was elected U. S. Senator by the Legislature of Idaho,

and reelected by the people in 1914. His death will require the choosing of

two U. S. senators in Idaho at the next fall election.

Woman Suffrage, by Federal Constitutional amendment, was adopted on

January 10, in the lower house of Congress, by a vote of 274 to 136. The

resolution provides for submission to the states of the socalled Susan B.

Anthony Amendment for National Enfranchisement of Woman. The vote

was so close that a single vote to the opposition would have meant defeat.

The champions for Woman Suffrage feel sure of securing a vote in the Senate

before the present session ends, in favor of the resolution. On the passage

of the act, women in the galleries of the House literally fell upon each

other's necks, kissing and embracing, and shouting, "Glory, glory, Halle-

lujah."

Vern Gardner, with the United States Army in Texas, writes to his

sister, Annie G. Lauritzen, Short Creek, Ariz., stating: "If my dreams

come true, I will one day carry our beloved flag through the lines of the

Kaiser." He expresses his appreciation of his sister's letter, and says

further, "Just think what it would mean to every soldier in the United

States Army if he could receive just such a letter as that from a mother

or a sister." He sends his photograph to his sister and says that the

horse by which he is standing is a pet horse, the fastest in eighteen hundred

head in the camp where he is located.

Jonathan S. Page, Jr., President of the Nebo stake of Zion, and one of

the leading citizens of Utah county, died at his home in Payson on Tuesday

morning, January 8, 1918. He was born in Salt Lake City, May 14, 1850, and

with his parents early moved to Payson. He was made bishop of the

Payson Second ward in 1891; and in 1901, when the Nebo stake was organ-

iegd, was made president and has served in that capacity ever since. He

PASSING EVENTS 373

was one of the first promoters of the Strawberry Project. When farmers

organized the Strawberry High Line Company, he was made president and

held that office at the time of his death. During his life-time he filled two

missions, before being called to be Bishop of Payson.

Three temperance steps. — On December 21, General Pershing issued an

order prohibiting the use or purchase of distilled spirits and all alcoholic

beverages, except light wine and beer, by members of the American Army

in Europe, and providing punishment for all who violate the rule. Ex-

President Roosevelt has urged prohibition during the war to soldiers,

sailors, and all men doing vital war work in railroads, factories, mines or

shipyards. The Canadian government prohibited the importation of in-

toxicating liquors into the Dominion, beginning Dec. 24, 1917. It is con-

sidering also the question of prohibiting the manufacture of such liquors in

Canada during the war and for a year following the return of peace.

All the railroads in the United States and territories, with their auxiliary

water lines, were taken over for national government control and operation

on December 28, 1917, but for accounting purposes from December 31, mid-

night, under authority bestowed upon the President by the law of August

29, 1917. The roads were placed under the general direction of William

Gibbs McAdoo with the title Director-General of Railroads, who retained

meanwhile his office as Secretary of the Treasury. The gigantic under-

taking of the Government was regarded with general satisfaction by the

railroad heads, as well as by financiers, manufacturers, shippers, and the

industrial and commercial world generally. The railroads comprise 230,906

miles with a net operating income, averaged in the last three fiscal years, of

$947,267,472 per year. After the war the roads will be returned to the

owners in as good condition as when they were taken, and the Government

has guaranteed to them an income equal to their average net operating

income for the three fiscal years ended June 30, 1917.

David L. Basinger, Co. H, 353rd Regt., Camp Funston, Kansas, writes

that he has received the Era and that he likes it very much. He is at

present in the Infantry, but would like to be transferred to the Aviation

Corps, preferring that service. He expresses an abiding faith in God and

says: "In the air, or on the water, or on the land, our main and only pro-

tection comes from God Almighty. There is safety in the performance of

duty, and a person who will live according to the gospel and keep virtuous,

I have no doubt, will get through this war all right. Pray for us that we

might escape the temptation of camp-life and that we will keep true to

ourselves, true to our teachings, and to our God. The work here in the

infantry is very strenuous. We dig trenches and drill, having two lines of

trenches even as they are said to have on the genuine battlefield. I realize

that great things can be accomplished by the aeroplane, and therefore I

would like to join that service. I like mechanical work the best. As to

our moral conditions, I like the religion of the Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints, for it is reasonable and practical. In every-day life, it stands

for high ideals, and that is what every man should strive for."

Patriarch John Neff, for many years bishop of East Mill Creek, a pioneer

of 1847, and recently a temple worker, died at his residence in East Mill

Creek on Sunday morning, January 6, 1918. He was the son of John Neff

and Mary Barr and was born in Pennsylvania, December 28, 1837, and was

the youngest of five Neff sons who settled in Mill Creek in early days. His

parents joined the Church in 1842, and went to Illinois in May, 1844, and

in 1846 the family started for the Rocky Mountains. They arrived in Salt

Lake Valley, October. 1847. His father, John Neff, built the first grist mill

in Utah, installing the plant at East Mill Creek, and it was here that his

son John began his struggles of pioneer life. When East Mill Creek ward

374 IMPROVEMENT ERA

was organized, July 15, 1877, he was made bishop and held that position

until 1912, when he was ordained a Patriarch by President Joseph F. Smith.

He did his part well, both for the development of the commonwealth and

for the growth of the Church. His was a devoted life, he was honest, indus-

trious and pure, holding all evil and vice in contempt. The last days of

his life were devoted to the labors of the Temple of God, where he enjoyed

his declining days in working for the dead with as much love and enthu-

siasm as he had devoted to the living, in the years that God granted him

upon earth.

Nation-wide Prohibition received a great impetus on December 17 and

18. On the former date, the House of Representatives by a vote of 282 to

128, and on the latter, the Senate by a vote of 47 to 8, adopted, for sub-

mission to the states for ratification, a proposed amendment to the Federal

Constitution, forbidding the manufacture, sale, transportation, importation

or exportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes. The various

state governments have been officially notified of the action of Congress,

and affirmative action by thirty-six states will be necessary to ratify the

amendment. Twenty-seven states have already adopted state-wide prohibi-

tion, and we may assume that these will promptly adopt the Federal amend-

ment, in which case only nine more states will have to be secured for ratifi-

cation. But doubt is felt that some of the prohibition states of the South

will approve, owing to their being wedded to the principle of State rights

which they argue a national prohibition law would violate. It is expected

that some legislatures will ratify the amendment at this year's sessions, and

Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado and other western states at the very first

opportunity.

Condition in the Army Camps of the United States caused disquiet by

reports of unfavorable sanitary conditions in the training camps. On De-

cember 14, it was stated that in the week preceding, one hundred and seven

ty-one, out of the three hundred thousand National Guard men in camp, had

died of pneumonia. On the other hand, among sixTiundred thousand men in

the National Army, only forty-seven died of that disease. The difference was

chiefly due to the fact that the guardsmen were living in tents and the

army in substantial wooden barracks. On the other hand, it was also stated

that in addition to living in tents, the guardsmen were suffering from lack

of fuel and insufficient clothing. All these difficulties have now been over-

come, and the fact that the government has taken over the railroads, will

insure proper transportation facilities and a meeting of all wants. Up to

the latter part of December there had been distributed to the troops about

six million blankets, two million overcoats, eight million pair of shoes, and

more than twelve million winter undershirts, and other articles in propor-

tion. Notwithstanding this, however, it was learned later that the tents

in many instances were overcrowded in such a way as to induce the spread

of disease. Hospital facilities were poor or incomplete, and many of the

shoes provided were too short for men to wear with comfort. The sequel

to these reports was the recalling of Major General George W. Goethals to

active service and the appointment of him to be acting quartermaster gen-

eral in place of General Sharp.

Ogden experienced for the first time in its history, at least its history

for the past forty years, complete freedom during the recent holidays from

arrests for drunkenness, according to press reports. The state prohibition

law was the cause of this happy feature of the past Christmas. "It was also

observed that in many homes where Christmas cheer had never entered in

the past, because of the ravages of the demon drink, there were many happy

children enjoying the first real Christmas," says the report.

Thos. W. Sloan, a well known young man in business and religious

circles of Salt Lake City, died at his home on New Year's Day, 1918, after

a short illness of five days of bronchial pneumonia. He was born in Salt

Lake City, April 17, 1868, a son of the late Edward L. Sloan, one of the

founders of the Salt Lake Herald, and Phoebe Watkins Sloan. For manv

years in boyhood he was connected with Heber J. Grant & Co., and later

became manager of the Sloan Corporation, which position he held at the

time of his death. He was a man of sterling integrity, a lover of the truths

of the gospel, and a faithful worker in the organizations of the Church.

His labors for the Mutual Improvement Associations are well known. In

the ward in which he lived and in every capacity which he filled, he was

energetic, true and full of integrity. His son, Lt. Lawrence Wells Sloan,

obtained a leave of absence from Camp Kearney to visit his home, just

before his father's death, and was at home at the time.

Night Photo Showing an Incendiary Grenade Attock. — This wonderful

night war photo was taken on the western front showing an incendiary

grenade attack. The entire front is a splurge of bursting shells and ex-

Co py right, Underwood & Undenvood, New York

plosions, turning the black night into day. Night attacks of this kind are

extremely frequent. The barbed wire entanglements can be seen. Under a

barrage of this sort the troops often advance to attack.

Statements for the Income Tax, for the year 1917, must be ready for

reporting to the Government before March 1, 1918. It devolves upon every

tax-payer whose income is one thousand dollars or over, to make the proper

reports to the government. Unless returns are made as required, by March

1, the neglectful citizens may have a penalty to pay ranging from twenty to

a thousand dollars, or may go to jail. Unmarried persons who have net

incomes of one thousand dollars or over, and married persons living with

husband or wife who have net incomes of two thousand or over, must make

reports. The gross income must be given in all cases, the expenses to be

deducted. Expenses, however, do not include family "expenses or money

used to pay the principal of a debt, new machinery, buildings or any thing

of that kind. Expenses include interest, taxes paid, hired help, amounts

paid for goods sold, seed, stock purchased for feed, rent (except for your

dwelling), etc. Your income includes about every dollar you receive.

General Efficiency Report of Y. M. M. I. A. for December, 1917

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A stake report must be sent to the Secretary of the General Board, 21 Bishop's

Building, Salt Lake City, Utah, by the 10th of each month, to be published monthly in

the Era. When the report shows that the requirements in General Efficiency have been

reached, it is indicated by placing 10 in the proper space; if half, place 5. When stakes

are below half General Efficiency requirements, it is indicated by a blank. (See Y. M.

M. I. A. Hand Book, pp. 17, 18, for regulations.)

Helping Him to Choose Wisely

A few years ago a young man gradu-

ated from the law school of a noted uni-

versity. He had a host of friends, he had

inherited a modest fortune and every-

body predicted a brilliant career. But

he didn't succeed. Why? Simply because

he disliked office work and had no taste

for the law and therefore he never even

attempted to begin practice.

Having nothing definite to do, he be-

came discouraged and finally started on

the downward path of dissipation. For-

tunately, however, a wise friend, who un-

derstood the principles of "vocational

guidance" took hold of the young man.

He found that the boy loved outdoor life

and that he was interested in horses and

machinery. Accordingly the boy was

urged to purchase a farm and to study

scientific agriculture.

Today that young man is one of the

most successful farmers and stockmen in

America. And his success is due to

proper "vocational guidance," or the se-

lection of the work for which he was

best adapted.

Statistics show that 763 out of every

1000 persons in gainful occupations feel

that they are in the wrong vocations. In

other words, they are "square pegs in

round holes" and therefore the chances

for their success are very slim. And the

sad part of it all is that such failures are

unnecessary.

"The Man of Tomorrow"

a wonderful new book on "Vocational Guidance"

By

Claude Richards

a successful business man,

will help every young man and woman in the selection of their life work. It is

suited for young and old, and should be read by every parent.

"Vocational Guidance," as outlined in Claude Richards' book, is insurance against

failure and a short cut to success.

The book is substantially bound in red vellum; it is printed on good paper, is

profusely illustrated and has 296 pages. The price is extremely low — ONLY $1, post-

paid $1.10.

This book should be in every home. Mail your order today to the

Improvement Era Office

20-23 Bishop's Building,

Salt Lake City, Utah