Passing Events

The total War debt burden of the Allied nations, is given as $130,000,- 000,000.

For famine relief in Europe, the Senate of the United States on Jan- uary 24. passed a bill appropriating one hundred million dollars, as called for by President Wilson; the House passed the measure sometime prior by a vote of 272 to 43.

The value of farm crops for 1918 in the United States, aggregated, ac- cording to a recent estimate, $14,090,000,769. This is five hundred million dollars more than the total of any previous year, according to the estimate of the Department of Agriculture.

The direct cost of the war, according to a London authority, writing in the Daily Telegraph, is two hundred billion. This same authority esti- mates the indirect cost due to diminished trade and financial disturbances at two hundred fifty billion dollars.

The 1919 wheat crop has been guaranteed by the government, and the administration now asks a billion two hundred fifty million dollars to enable the government to carry out its guarantee to the farmers of a pi ice of $2.20 a bushel, for thewheat raised this year.

Connecticut, through its state senate, on February 4, voted 20 to 14 against the ratification of the national prohibition amendment. Connecti- cut is the first state to refuse ratificatibn. New York ratified the amend- ment, January 29, and Vermont on the same date, making 44 states which had ratified up to that date. War casualties of the American forces in France, show a total of deaths, missing, and known prisoners, tabulated up to January 10, for each of the thirty combatant divisions of General Pershing's army, as 56,592, cf whom 17,434 are classified as missing or captured. Approximately 10,000 men remain wholly unaccounted for.

The War Saving Stamps quota, for Utah, for 1919, amounts to $4,368,500. The quota for the twelfth Federal Reserve District, $96,000,000 in thrift and War Saving Stamps, to be sold during this year. The stamps are sold on the same basis of price and on the same condition as to maturity, as prevailed with the earlier issues. Banks and post-offices are supplied with stamps and baby bonds.

The Woman's Suffrage Constitutional Amendment, was rejected by the Senate of the United States, on February 10. The resolution for sub- mission of the amendment failed of adoption, with fifty-five votes in favor of it, and twenty-nine against, just one vote less than the necessary two thirds. Senators Nugent of Idaho, Pittman of Nevada, Smoot of Utah, and King of Utah, were for the measure; Senator Borah of Idaho, voted against it.

458 IMPROVEMENT ERA

© Underwood & Underwood, New York The American Army Crossing the Rhine

The American Army in possession of the Rhine. The above photos show the first American army trucks on the road between Coblenz and Bonn, on the left bank of the Rhine. The lower photo shows the vanguard of the American Army of occu- pation crossing the Rhine at Coblenz, one of the gateways to Germany, occupied by the Allies, in accordance with the terms of the Armistice.

PASSING EVENTS 459

Doctor Alma B. Dunford, the Pioneer dentist of Utah, who came to this state in 1856, when but a boy, died suddenly of heart failure, at a theatre, on Saturday night, February 1. He had an active life and was well known throughout the state. He crossed the plains before the estab- lishment of railroad facilities; he formerly traveled from one end of the state to the other, performing dental work.

The Sinn Fein Assembly, met at the Mansion House, Dublin, Ireland, on January 21, and declared the independence of the Irish republic, passed resolutions demanding the evacuation of Ireland by the British garrison, and chose delegates to the Peace Conference, at Paris, which delegates were later not recognized, and would not be, by the peace conference unless they declared themselves subjects of the British Empire. Govern- ment authorities did not interfere with the Sinn Fein meetings. The first German National Assembly was opened at Weimar, in the Royal Theatre, February 6, the purpose being to establish a Republican form of Government and to elect a president, Herr Fredrich Ebert, Socialist, was elected president of the new republic,Feb. 11. Thirty-six women were elected to the Assembly, and met at Weimar to help in the forma- tion of laws for the New Republic. The Democratic and Spartican sec- tions were almost daily in a clash in Berlin, and there were occassional street-fighting, and rioting in general.

The First Presidency deemed the health condition sufficiently improved to order regular Fast meetings, held on Sunday, February 2, the first s:nce January 6, following this date the resumption of all Church gather- ings began on Sunday, Feburary 9; the Salt Lake Temple opened for regular work. Monday, February 3 ; quarterly conferences were sus- pended, however, until further notice, and it was understood, that where health conditions were not regarded as satisfactory, presiding officers were to exercise their own discretion, in the matter of holding public meetings. President Wilson's Russian program, which has been accepted by the peace conference, recognizes the absolute right of the Russian people to di- rect their own affairs, without dictation or direction of any kind from ootside. The Associated Powers do not wish to exploit or make use of Russia in any way. They recognize the revolution and will not give coun- tenance to any attempt at a counter-revolution. They will not favor or assist any of the organized groups now contending for the leadership and guidance of Russia as against the others. All the groups in Russia were invited to meet with representatives of the Allied Powers in the freest and frankest way, with a view to ascertaining the wishes of all sections of the Russian people, and bringing about, if possible, some understanding and agreement by which Russia may work out her own purposes, and happy co-operative relations be established between her people and the other peoples of the world. The representatives of the Russian groups and the associated powers were to meet at Princess Island, Sea of Marmora, about the middle of February.

Some "Interesting Indemnities" "Homer Y. Englestead, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brady Englestead, Mt. Carmel, Kane county, Utah, recently wrote his sister to the effect that when he comes home he will bring two little comrades who were not in his company when they went across to France last July," writes D. D. Rust, of Kanab. "After training at Camp Lewis, Corporal Englestead crossed the At- lantic in thirteen days with a convoy of thirteen ships, reaching Europe

460 IMPROVEMENT ERA

without a sign of a submarine to molest. He is a member of the 348th Field Artillery. They were put in training for three months in France, and then, October 26, were ordered forward. On November 6, they arrived in Brocourt "Woods, and on the 11th were ordered to the Front lines. At eleven o'clock they were ready to move when the message came that the Armistice had been signed. If the war had continued 36 hours longer they would have been firing on the 'boche.' " 'We have visited the Argonne Forest,' writes Corporal Englestead, 'and many other places on the front. "We will certainly have to hand it to the boys who drove the Germans out of these places. They had been there since 1914, and some of the dugouts were forty to fifty feet deep with regu- lar towns under the ground, with electric lights,, steam heat, and railroads connected with the barracks. They never intended to be run out. " 'I was at Verdun. That is nothing but a ruin, on top. The under- ground city has not been damaged. They have enough supplies there t last 30,000 men two years. You cannot wonder that the Germans tried so hard to take it. " 'We next move to Germany. We go up through Belgium to within fifty miles of Cologne. I have often wished that I might get to see the great Rhine river. Now I have the privilege.' "Many soldiers returning home will tell a similar story, they were ready to fight, but the Armistice came before they had a chance to get in. But they must be content that their duty was completely done. If they cannot bring back the 'helmet,' they will bring other 'indemnities' quite as interesting. The splendid development from their training and the experience that can only come from travel among places and peoples of — the world, these are some of the indemnities. And the esteem and affection for our neighbors across the sea will be of everlasting value, and above all, the little children, such as Corporal Englestead is bring- ing home. Their father gave all he had to give for his country; they have no near relatives who can take care of them, all are gone. They are glad to come with the big-hearted Yankee soldier, and this is his greatest 'indemnity,' the affection of little children."

Corpal Homer Y. Englestead, Bat. D. 348th F. A. American E. F., and his "Living Indemnities"

PASSING EVENTS 461 i

The Railroad situation in the United States may be judged from the fact that Walker D. Hines, the new Director-General of railroads, asked for a supplementary appropriation by Congress of seven hundred fifty million dollars, to enable the railroad administration to finance the Federal railroads, until the end of 1919. The railroads, in 1918, under government ownership and unusual war conditions, earned two hundred fifty million dollars less than in 1917, and about the same as in 1915, says a Washington dispatch. Six hundred and thirty six million dollars chiefly due to wage increases, were added to operating expenses.

President Woodrow Wilson, left France on the fifteenth of February for the United States, on the steamship George Washington. He spent Sunday, 16th at rest, and in reading wireless digests of newspaper opin- ions and expressions in congressional circles, regarding the constitution of the League of Nations, which had been made public a day or two, before his departure from France, and printed in full in the papers, February 14. The executive council of the proposed League of Nations, will consist of representatives of the United States, Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan, together with representatives of four other states.

Two Utah service flags were presented to the state, at exercises, held at the State Capitol on Lincoln's birthday. The one flag represented the army, and the other, the navy and marines. The leading address was made by Chaplain Brigham H. Roberts; the flags were presented by the War Mothers of Utah, to the state, to perpetuate the spirit of devotion, honor, partiotism, and sacrifice which the state heroes displayed in answering our Country's call to arms. Mrs. Annie Wells Cannon, president of the War Mothers Society, made the presentation speech, followed by Governor Bamberger, who made an address of acceptance on behalf of the state. The legislature, on the same day, the 110th anniversary of Lincoln's birth- day, convened in joint session in memory of the martyred president, and were addressed by Will G. Farrell, president of the Salt Lake Rotary Club.

— Composition of Utah Irrigation Waters The Utah Agricultural Experi- ment Station has just issued a publication, Bulletin No. 163, entitled, Com- position of the Irrigation Waters of Utah, by Dr. J. E. Greaves and Prof. Hirst. In the 44 pages of the pamphlet, 254 analyses are given representing the important sources of irrigation waters throughout the State. Thirteen streams, eleven wells, and two reservoirs, were found to contain soluble fialts reaching the danger point. Nearly all streams at their source are ideal for irrigation purposes, but the total amount and kind of salt is greatly augmented by the influx of drainage waters as the stream proceeds down- ward. Some soils are already heavily charged with alkali salts, and waters containing soluble salts must be used on such soils with extreme care. Thir- teen streams, including Sevier, Price, and Emery rivers must be used with care on all soils to prevent the accumulation of the alkali salts. The work of analysis is characterized by the usual thoroughness of Dr. Greaves and Prof. Hirst, recognized as authorities in their line. Utah has been in need of just such information for many years. Valuable suggestions as to the best methods of handling injurious waters are also given. Free copies of this publication may be obtained from the Experiment Station, Logan, Utah.

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The MEMORIAL MONUMENT of Joseph Smith the Prophet is made of Dark Barre Granite. It is the largest and

finest specimen of that stone, all polished,

in America. It was furnished by the BOUTWELL, MILNE & VARNUM CO., Montpelier, Vt.

The many thousands of visitors that have seen it are unanimous in their ad- miration of the superb material and workmanship.

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The Joseph Smith Monument, Sharon, Vermont, the day of its dedication, December 23, 1905.

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