--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 21 number: 8 published: 1918-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Passing Events," *Improvement Era* 21, no. 8 (June 1918): 748–752.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2108unse 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: improvementera2108unse start_page: 748 end_page: 752 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1918-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2108unse publication_year: 1918 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 1918, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Passing Events IIIHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIirBto tet^llllillllllli|lllillllllTTnTTi £>ASSING EVENTS! - \ .' v-ja :'/"" llllllllll W\ 1 ucs- >>••- John D. Boyd, Jr., died recently at the Naval Hospital at Portsmouth, N. H. Funeral services in his honor were held at Provo on April 12. Among the tributes paid to him was a poem by Professor Alfred Osmond, of the Brigham Young University. The German Long range guns which bombarded Paris at the beginning of the late Western drive, for seventeen days up till April 21, with the figures for two days missing, showed one hundred eighteen persons killed and two hundred and thirty injured. Liberty Cabbage is the title under which sauerkraut may be hereafter known, according to a dispatch from New York, the idea being inspired by the Federal Food Board and local vegetable dealers who assert that the pro- German stigma of the dish has been responsible for a falling off of 75 per cent in consumption since America entered the war. Lee Jensen, the first sailor boy from Bear Lake county, to give his life for his country, was buried with military honors from the city hall at Montpelier on Thursday, April 11. He was the son of Paul Jensen of Montpelier, and enlisted in the aviation corps in February, 1918. He died at Vancouver, Washington, from pneumonia, on Sunday, April 27, and was 22 years of age. James Hughes Weston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Weston, died on the way to France, recently, while in the service of our country. His body was. returned to Logan, arriving on May 6, and that afternoon a military burial was held. Mr. Weston served on the border last summer, and was 22 years of age. Memorial services for him were held, April 28, at Logan, at which time the family had not been advised that his body would be returned home. Mt. Kemmel was taken by storm on April 26, and Berlin claimed that 6,000 prisoners were captured. Fierce fighting continued on the whole Western battle front, the Germans making little headway in their second great drive. However, they were preparing for a new drive, and on May 21, it was looked for at any moment. Americans in large numbers were reported in training behind the British lines in Flanders. Airplane mail service was established on May 15, 1918, between Washington, Philadelphia and New York. At present one trip a day will be made each way. The plane that arrived in Washington from Philadelphia carried 5,000 letters. Rate of postage is 24 cents per ounce, time between New York and Washington about three hours. The large planes may carry about 600 pounds of mail or 24,000 letters. A letter thus transmitted arrived to Gov. Bamberger, May 19. Baron Von Richthofen, one of the greatest, possibly the greatest, German aviators came to his death on Sunday, April 21, while in an aerial combat at the British front. He fell within the English line and was buried with military honor in the graveyard of a little hamlet near Sailly-le-Sac on April 23. At the church of England service, a floral wreath was contributed which bore the thoughts of the British who stood beside the grave. It read, "A worthy foe!" Wilford N. Sargent, son of Amos and Mary Sargent, died at Camp Lewis, American Lake, Washington, April 5, from pneumonia. He was born in Hoytsville, was 22 years of age, and entered the military service September 19, 1917. He was a graduate from the North Summit High School, and at- PASSING EVENTS 749 tended the Agricultural College at Logan for two years. He was a faithful member and active in the work of the Church. Funeral services were held in the Hoytsville meeting house on Thursday, April 11, with nearly four hundred people in attendance. James L. Hendrickson, Gunnison, Utah, a member of F Battery, 145th F. A. (1st Utah) was killed in action on the French front, according to news received in Salt Lake City, April 29. He is among the first soldiers of Utah to be killed in action on the French front. Hendrickson volunteered for action at the front recently while stationed at Camp Kearny, and is said to have been in France only a short time, probably not more than one week. The detachment with which he volunteered was a portion of the April replacement force for the United States army. Harold H. Jenson calls attention to a keepsake recently sent by the 17th ward, Salt Lake City, to Elder William Winegar, laboring in the Central States Mission. The thought in sending it was that we should keep in touch with our missionaries and our soldier boys. The keepsake was signed by the bishopric, his quorum members, family and friends, and was highly appreciated by him. Elder Jenson adds that it is a good motto for all who are at home to write a letter today to our missionaries, and to our soldier boys, and let them know they are not forgotten. What Russia lost in the Brest-Litovsk peace treaty is announced by the Petrograd commissioner of Commerce who says that Russia lost 780,000 square kilometers of territory with fifty-six million inhabitants, or 32 per cent of the entire population of the country; one-third of her total mileage of railroads, amounting to 13, 350 miles; eighty-nine per cent of the total coal production; 208 sugar refineries; 918 textile factories; 574 breweries; 133 tobacco factories; 1,685 distilleries; 244 chemical factories, and 615 paper mills, besides, it might be added, their liberty, the greatest loss of all. James Gordon Bennett born, New York, May, 1841, proprietor of the New York Herald since he was 30 years of age, when he inherited the great plant from his father, the elder Bennett, died in Beaulieu, France, May 17, 1918. As managing editor he ordered Henry M. Stanley to Africa to find Livingstone. He sent the ill-fated Jeanette expedition to the North Pole, thus making news for his paper by actions which have since become a part of the world's history. Since 1887, he has resided in France. He established a Paris edition of the New York Herald and edited his paper from France since that date. Zeebrugge, the German U-boat basis, on the Belgian coast, was raided by British sailors on April 23. The cruiser Vindictive was terribly battered by intense German shell fire experienced in the daring raid. On May 11, the Vindictive, having been loaded in the meantime with concrete, was run into the Ostend channel and sunk across the opening. The old ship with her load of concrete came nearly blocking the Channel. It was announced on the 13th of May that the German U-boat danger had practically been squelched. The total British losses in the Zeebrugge and Ostend raids were 588, of whom 188 were killed. At a disastrous fire, at the Bamberger Electric Railroad and the substation of the Utah Power and Light Co., at Ogden, on the morning of May 7, $500,000 worth of property was destroyed. The fire originated from a short circuit causing the lightning arrester to explode. The building containing the generating plant and the car barn was completely destroyed as was also the sub-station of the Utah Power and Light Co., all buildings made of brick and steel. Anumber of cars were also destroyed. Two electric locomotives, ten boiler cars and ten trailers. A few days prior the Bamberger road at Salt Lake suffered a serious fire. 750 IMPROVEMENT ERA Richard Erastus Egan, formerly bishop of South Bountiful ward, for over twenty years, and late patriarch of the Big Horn stake, died at Byron, Wyoming, April 22, 1918. He was born in Salem, Mass., llarch 29, 1842, and was the second son of Major Howard Egan, a well known pioneer of Utah, he having been captain of the ninth ten of the original band of pioneers. The family came to Utah in 1848. Richard was at one time a pony express rider from Salt Lake South to Rush Valley. He lived a part of the time in Ruby Valley, Nevada. He filled a mission to Great Britain in 1869, and had been a patriarch in the Big Horn stake since 1905. A rip-tide, at Ocean Beach, California, on Sunday, May 5, suddenly overtook the bathers among whom were many soldiers from Camp Kearny. Eleven men were caught in the under-tow and carried out to sea, and are missing. A number of the bodies were found, among them Private Ralph R. Braby, Battery A, son of Thomas Braby of Mt. Pleasant, Utah, a former Major in the Utah National Guard. The body of Ralph was found on the 9th and was returned to Utah for burial. Private Braby enlisted in the Utah cavalry, and served on the Mexican border in the summer of 1916. He was twenty-three years old and gave his occupation as a farmer. His brother Orson L. was with him at the time of the tide, but was rescued by a sailor, and later aided in the search for the body of his brother Ralph. Brigadier-General Richard W. Young assumed active command of the 65th Artillery Brigade, Camp Kearny, on Monday morning, May 6, 1918. He announced that there would be no changes in the brigade staff with the exception of the personal aides. George D. Keysor was selected as one of these. Brigadier-General Young expressed his gratification to know that he had been assigned to the 65th artillery brigade, which includes the 145th Field Artillery (Utah) and the 143rd and 144th California regiments, the latter two known respectively, as the "He-men" and the "Grizzlies." He said, "No other assignment could have pleased me better, and I am glad to know that I will be among men I am acquainted with, instead of in a strange organization." Raymond Franklin Crow, son of Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Crow, 415 Ramona avenue, Waterloo ward, Salt Lake City, was killed in battle on the French front, April 26. He was born in Salt Lake City, October 10, 1896, attended the Whittier School, the L. D. S. University, worked for a while at the Pantages theatre, and later at the Utah Motor Company. He enlisted in the U. S. Marines, May 7, 1917, went to the Mare Island Training Camp, California, then to Virginia, and left for Europe on January 19, 1918. He was the grandson of the late Charles H. Crow, one of the early pioneers of Utah, who crossed the plains with an ox-team. Raymond was a member of the 78th company, 6th regiment of marines, with the American Expeditionary Forces. Liberty Day was proclaimed by the President of the United States for Friday, April 26, and generally observed in every state of the Union. The purpose was to stimulate the sale of the United States bonds of the Third Liberty Loan issue. Parades, meetings, public and patriotic addresses, were given in most cities of the country. These were held universally in Utah. The people of the cities, towns and country districts, joined in appropriate excersises in assisting the authorized committees to increase the sale of the bonds. Thousands of workmen from the mines in the neighborhood of Salt Lake City took part in the parade which was held here. Utah's allotment was $10,315,000, and the sales to 77,000 subscribers totaled in round numbers $12,500,000. Since Charles H. Schwab was recently made Director General of ship construction, the building of ships by Uncle Sam is speeding up. On May PASSING EVENTS 751 5, the Collier Tuckaho was launched. The building of this ship set a world's record for speedy ship construction. Just twenty-seven days, two hours and forty-three minutes, after the work of laying the keel commenced, the Tuckaho slid into the water. The upper structure was so nearly finished before the boat left the ways that it will take but a little time before the collier is ready for service. New ships are coming off the ways at a rapid rate. In the week ending April 29, 40,000 tons were launched, making a total tonnage of 1,405,000 since the program got under way. Nearly 50,000 tons of completed ships were delivered during the week named. Four of the ships launched were wooden. Charles R. Wilson, a volunteer, Company B., 2nd Battalion, U. S. G. N. A. Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, writes to one of his friends assuring him that if any good people of the various wards or stakes send him any Church literature, such literature will be carefully read and disseminated among his comrades. He says he has many friends among the people in the West. He makes this personal appeal, therefore, that they send any Church publication that will be of interest. Also, any letters or cards from Church members, and especially from returned missionaries from the Ohio, Indiana and Virginia states conferences, will be answered and very much appreciated. He asks his friends to pray for his safety, and steadfastness in the faith. He volunteered some time ago again to don the uniform and defend Old Glory, notwithstanding he has a wife and family of six children. A second war fund for the American Red Cross has been called for. The amount is $100,000,000. By proclamation of President Wilson the week beginning May 20 was made Red Cross week, and the people of the United States contributed generously to this fund for the alleviation of suffering among American troops in France, their dependents at home, and the fighting forces and civilian population of the allied countries. The first war fund of 1917 has been practically exhausted, and this new fund is therefore called for that it may continue the important work of relieving distress, restoring the wastes of war, and assisting in maintaining the morale of our own troops and the troops of our allies by the manifestation of efforts and sacrifice on the part of those who, though not privileged to bear arms, are of one spirit, purpose and determination with our warriors. There is no doubt that every state will more than contribute their allotment to this noble purpose. Utah's allotment was $500,000. Private Albert G. Clayton, of Co. B, 161st Inf., now in France, writes to Howard B. Anderson of Richards ward, that he knew a number of Utah boys who were in the 361st infantry and would like to know if they are all in France. He writes futher, "I have certainly had my eyes opened by being over here in sunny France. We ought all to be glad to see the United States help out the French people. They have had many trials. Few families who are not seriously affected by the war. In one of the regiments in our camp, the men have adopted an orphan and the little fellow is sure taken good care of now. They have had a uniform made for him. Every man puts money in a fund for him once a month. Some day in the future that boy may be a real American. He says that America is the place for him. He speaks English fairly well now, and he is decidedly a lively little fellow when it comes to making the fellows forget their troubles. Some of these days I will return to Salt Lake, and then I will tell you a few very interesting stories which I cannot tell you now, for I can only say a very little. I have heard all kinds of rumors about the happenings in Salt Lake, but you cannot tell what to believe or what not to believe." Coach E. L. Roberts, of the Brigham Young University, will not be associated with the Y. M. C. A. as a physical and social director as was 752 IMPROVEMENT ERA anticipated some months ago. Last January he was asked to accept the appointment, arranged with the University for a furlough, and notified Mr. George J. Fisher, Y. M. C. A. director, that he was ready to accept the position. The matter was brought to the attention of several men of national prominence acquainted with Mr. Roberts, and the work he would be called upon to do, and they took up the matter with the Y. M. C. A. officers. E. N. Hibbard, Associate Secretary of the Y. M. C. A., who appears to have had the final dispositionof the question, finally wrote that his constituency would not permit him to accept the services of a "Mormon." This, of course, will end the matter, and is disappointing to Mr. Roberts, as well as to the faculty and students of the Univeristy who felt honored by the invitation exended to Mr. Roberts who is a popular and capable coach. Mr. Roberts states that the Y. M. C. A. action will not change his disposition to support the Y. M. C. A., the good work of which he recognizes and appreciates, nor is it likely that the University's attitude will change towards the Y. M. C. A. A short time before the invitation came to Mr. Roberts the students of that institution contributed over $2,000 to the Y. M. C. A. for its army work. In the words of Dr. A. E. Winship, "When the 'Mormon' University students at Provo, Utah, contribute $2,000 or more to the Y. M. C. A. work, in France, we can but feel disgusted at any attempt to commercialize prejudices against Utahns; whoever does so, is disloyal to every patriotic requirement of the hour." — Died in Service. From M. J. Stringham, Battery A, 148th U. S. F. A., A. E. F., in a letter to a friend, dated April 5, 1918, from somewhere in France we gather that the 148th Field Artillery Latter-day Saints boys are organized and trying to carry on the work of the Lord in that part of the world. "In the camp where we are now located, we are privileged to hold our meetings in the Y. M. C. A. building. Our first meeting was held on the ship while we were crossing the Atlantic. We formed an organization, and the brethren chose the following as their respective leaders: Parnell Hinckley, as presiident, Willard C. Smith and J. B. Stewart counselors, M. J. Stringham, secretary, and J. B. Sharp, chorister. We are holding our regular sacrament meeting every Sunday, and Bible class during the week. Our meetings are not only attended by our own members, but many of our soldier friends and comrades seem to be interested in our message. All the boys are anxious to teach the gospel, not only by precept but by example as well, which has caused considerable comment in our camp. We all have the same desires to lift our arm in fulfilment of our calling as soldiers of Uncle Sam. Camp life seems to agree with us all, for our health in general has been very good. We are very sorry to state that Brother J. D. Lambert, of Granger, Utah, who has been with us ever since we left Zion, passed away on March 25, 1918, from pneumonia. We held memorial services for him Sunday, March 31. Brother J. B. Sharp, of Salt Lake City, who was well acquainted with the young man, was the principal speaker. He spoke of the good character of the young man and our belief in the hereafter. Brother Lambert's body was interred at , France, under the supervision of the Chaplain of the 148th Field Artillery. The pall bearers were: Gooding, Salvavold, Earl Kennedy, June B. Sharp, M. J. Stringham, and Stanley E. Tuckfield. The last four named are boys from Utah. The grave was dedicated by Elder M. J. Stringham. We all mourn the loss of our co-laborer, and join in sympathy with the parents and loved ones at home. "We send best wishes to all, from the L. D. S. boys of the 148th U. S. Field Artillery in France. "P. S. All back numbers of the Improvement Era, Juvenile, magazines, or reading material of any kind would be greatly appreciated, and distributed equally among the boys, by sending them to M. J. Stringham, Battery A, 148th U. S. F. A., A. E. F."