Passing Events

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A new tunnel under the English Channel, from England to France, is under consideration, and will likely soon be started, and completed in the next four or five years. It is said that it will cost about $20,000,000 The length of the tunnel under the sea is twenty-two miles, the total length would be thirty miles. It would enter the ground some two or three miles inland behind Dover. The tunnel's advantages over the channel train ferry, which was the means of a great assistance in war transportation, from England to France, is easily apparent and manifest. Passengers could be carried to France from England in 45 minutes, and Paris would be but six hours from the English shore. The depth of the water, from the bottom of the sea to the surface at the deepest place, would be 180 feet. With this proposed tunnel completed, there would be insured the greatest and fastest method of transportation of men and materials between England and France, which would be of inestimable value in peace as in war.

Members of the Ninety-first Division, including the foremost fighting arm of the 362nd infantry, E, F and G companies, also the 2nd battalion headquarters, and the 216th field signal battalions, arrived in New York from overseas, on April 16th, on the steamship Lancaster. The battalion brought home with it two Utah officers; also three Utah soldiers decorated for exceptional bravery on the battlefield. The officers are Lieutenant Dixon Kappie, of Payson, former star football player with the Utah "Aggies," decorated with the distinguished service cross, and Lieutenant Dean A. Clark of 533 North Second West street, Provo, also decorated with the distinguished service cross. The decorated heroes of the battalion are Sergeant Peter Bosone, of 919 South Thirteenth West street, Salt Lake, who has a distinguished service cross pinned on his breast; First Class Private Edward Reasoner, of 1982 Windsor street, Salt Lake, who is the modest possessor of a croix de guerre, and Sergeant Howard M. Angell, of Brigham, who also has a distinguished service cross. All are members of F company. Others distinguished were Captain John H. Leavell, 816th Engineers, Salt Lake, who won the distinguished service cross; Henry Ramsay, Salt Lake, distinguished service cross and croix de guerre; Peter S. Boone, Salt Lake, croix de guerre.

Thomas B. Evans, president of the Ogden Stake of Zion, died April 4, 1919, of general physical decline. He was one of the best disciplinarians to be found, and a man of sterling character. He was born February 3, 1859, at Trecknon, Wales; was baptized by his father, confirmed by James Boden, August 14, 1867; ordained a deacon in 1869, a priest in 1877, and an elder one year later; came to America in 1878, first going to Wyoming. The active part of his life was spent in Ogden. For a number of years he was employed by early Utah railroads, rising to be engineer and roundhouse foreman. More than 20 years ago he organized the grocery business known as T. B. Evans & Co., which he managed and controlled until its dissolution brought about by his declining health in the fall of 1917. He was one of the organizers and active members of the Home Dramatic Club, which entertained numerous audiences in Northern Utah for a period of more than eight years. He presided over Ogden stake for the past ten years, since the old Weber stake was divided into three, making Ogden, North Weber and Weber. He was formerly a member of the General Sunday School Union board and the Weber e take Sunday School board ; missionary to England and Wales in 1890; a member of the state industrial school board under Governor Cutler; held the position of food administrator for Ogden and Weber county dnring the recent war period, and was a member of the board of the Dee Memorial hospital.

Professor Charles J. Thomas, pioneer musician, died in Salt Lake City, Monday, March 31, 1919. He was born at Burnley, Lancashire, England,

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November 20, 1832, the oldest son of Joseph K. and Margaret S. Thomas. He early exhibited a fondness and natural ability for music, and when nine years old played with his father at the Theatre Royal. Soon after he began the study of harmony in London. He joined the Church, September 1, 1850, being at that time engaged as a musician at one of the pleasure gardens in England. He traveled three seasons with an Italian opera company, published musical compositions in 1854, and played at the Crystal Palace in 1858, filled several engagments in New York, after his arrival in Americ in June 20, 1860. He was the first orchestral leader in the Salt Lake Theatre. He filled a mission in 1885-7 to his native land. He was faithful and active all his days in musical circles in Salt Lake City, and in Church work. His musical compostions are many and important.

The Golden wedding anniversity of Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley and his wife Mrs. Rebecca Nibaur Nibley, was celebrated at Hotel Utah, Saturday evening, March 29. They were married in the Endowment House, Salt Lake City, March 30, 1869, President Daniel H. Wells, performing the ceremony. The bishop at that time, was only 20 years of age, and Mrs. Nibley had just turned 18 on the day of their marriage. Bishop Nibley was born near Edinburgh, Scotland, February 5, 1849, and his estimably wife was born in Salt Lake City, March 30, 1851. Her father was a well known local Hebrew poet and scholar, and one of his beautiful poems is well known and sung frequently in the congregations of the Latter-day Saints. Its beginning line: "Come, thou glorious day of promise," refers to the gatherings of Israel in the latter days. No Church leader is better known than Bishop Charles W. Nibley, whose ability in financial affairs is only equaled by his unshaken testimony in the restored gospel t and his firm belief, seconded by his daily acts, in the great work of the Lord as established in the world by the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Era joins the thousands of friends of the happy couple in hearty congratulations upon the auspicious occasion, and every good wish for their continued welfare and happiness.

— Mission Changes. It was announced, on April 18, that John M. Knight, of Salt Lake City, a member of the Ensign stake presidency, has been called to preside over the Western States mission instead of President John L. Herrick, who is to be released soon. Winslow Smith, a brother of Elder George Albert Smith of the Council of the Twelve, and son of the late President John Henry Smith, will become presiding authority of the Northern States mission, releasing President German E. Ellsworth. Announcement of the change in the California mission, by which Elder Joseph W. McMurrin succeeds President Joseph E. Robinson; Bishop Heber C. Iverson, as president of the Northwestern states mission, succeeds Elder Melvin J. Ballard; E. Wesley Smith, president of the Hawaiian mission succeeds President S. E. Woolley, and Elder George Albert Smith of the Council of the Twelve is to succeed Elder George F. Richards, in the Presidency of the British mission, has been printed heretofore in the Era, and will receive further notice as we get the sketches of the new presidents ready. Elder Joseph W. McMurrin was set apart on April 17, by President Heber J. Grant, assisted by the Council of Twelve, to be the President of the California mission. Elder Elias Wesley Smith plans to go to the Sandwich Islands in time to take charge of the dedication ceremonies of the Hawaiian temple. It is also announced that Elder Duncan M. McAlister will soon leave for the Hawaiian Islands to take charge of the work in the new temple.

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Elder McAllister was 77 years of age on the 18th of April. For about 20 years he was recorder of the Salt Lake temple, and later at the St. George temple. Elder McAllister is wide and well known throughout the Church and thousands of his friends will congratulate him upon his anniversary and his new appointment, in which the Era heartily joins.

Premier Lloyd-George, in an eloquent speech, lasting an hour and a half, before the House of Commons, on April 16, reported that the Allies at Paris had reached an amicable understanding. He stated that there would be no intervention in Russia, and no recognition of Bolshivism, and further that he had fulfilled his election promises, including those relating to indemnity from the enemy powers, and punishment of the former German emperor. "I am here to say that every pledge we hive given is incorporated in the demands put forward by the Allies," he asserted. "We stand by them because we believe they are just. We want a peace that is just, not vindictive. We want a stern peace, because the occasion demands it, but it must be designed not to gratify vengeance, but to vindicate justice. Every clause and every term in the conditions must be justified. Above all, we want t protect the future against a repetition of the horrors i

of this war." He sharply criticized certain newspaper attacks made in connection with the peace conference, saying: "When this kind of disease is carried to the point of sowing dissension between great allies whose unity is essential for the peace of the world, when an attempt is made to make France distrust Great Britain, France to hate America and America to dislike France and Italy, not even that kind of a disease is justification for so black a crime against humanity." Referring to the necessity of returning peace and reducing armaments, the premier said that the forces of the country which had kept Europe in arms for forty years were to be reduced to an army which would be only adequate enough to police her cities and protect her commerce. There were suggestions that there might be a war recrudescence in Germany. That was not a danger, because only with difficulty could Germanv raise 80,000 men to preserve order. The danger, he said, was of the world going to pieces, adding: "A real danger— the gaunt specter of hunger—is stalking through the land." He pleaded to all "not to soil this triumph of right by indulging in the angry passions of mankind, but to consecrate the sacrifices of millions to the redemption of the human race from the scourge and agony of war." He pleaded that "those who were trying to do their best be let alone."

Celebration of Washington's Birthday at St. George, Utah. Wash- — ington's birthday was fittingly celebrated at St. George, under the direction of the Soldiers' Entertainment Committee. The celebration was gotten up in honor of all returned soldiers of Washington county. Memorial services were held in honor of the following Washington county boys who laid down their lives in the cause of Liberty and for whom the celebration was especially held: Lester Keate, Lynn McNeill, George D. Felter, of St. George; Sterling Russell, Grafton; Wallace Gray, Cleon J. Reber, of Santa Clara; Isaac Heber Langston, Jr., Rockville; Moroni Kleinman, Toquerville; Alton Hyatt, Enterprise. At sunrise, the Stars and Stripes were hoisted, accompanied by military salute. The largest parade ever held in the county, formed on Main Street at 10 o'clock, and after marching through the principal streets, drew up at the public square, where an exhibition drill was given by the soldier boys under the direction of Lieutenant W. J. Graybill. Some special features of the parade were: General Washington

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EXHIBITION DRILL. By the soldiers of W ashington county, on the Tabernacle Square, St. George, Utah.

in full Revolutionary military uniform; 100 soldiers, in squard formation; St. George silver band; aeroplane; supply trucks; supply wagons, drawn by four mules each; heavy artillery, drawn by six coal black horses, each near horse being ridden by a soldier; St. George martial band; Red Cross i'.'oat; Y. M. C. A. overseas huts; Salvation Army truck; ambulance, with

lady driver in uniform; mothers of soldier boys in cars decorated with the national colors. The aeroplane was driven under its own power by Brigham Jarvis, Jr., of St. George, who constructed it after the plan of an army scout plane. The Salvation Army entertained the crowd on the square with special music and singing, and passed dough-nuts to the boys immediately aiier they had finished. At 2 o'clock, memorial services were held in the tabernacle for the departed soldiers. Special places had been reserved in the tabernacle for the returned soldiers. The building was packed to over-flowing. As the boys entered to occupy their reserved seats, every person voluntarily rose to his feet and stood until the boys were seated. The services were un- usually impressive, and will be long remembered by the immense audience which listened to them. A large service flag hung above the speakers' stand containing 320 stars, with a beautiful shield just above it, holding a gold star for each boy who had met death in service. At 5 p. m. the soldiers formed and passed in review before Captain J. X. Gardner of Pine Valley, after which they stood retreat while the band played the national anthem and the colors were lowered. At 8:30 p. m. a reception was held in the gaily decorated Gymnasium building of the Dixie Normal College, where a short and appropriate pro- gram was rendered in welcome to the returned boys, after which the evening was spent in dancing. The Soldiers' Entertainment Committee, who arranged the program for the day, deserves much credit for the interest taken. The membership of this committee was appointed by Mayor Albert E. Miller, of St. George, shortly after the first registration day, in 1917, and the committee has given a farewell party for each soldier, or group of soldiers, as they left for the training camps, from that time until the armistice was signed. The committee is composed of the following members: William Brooks, chairman; E. M. Hall, Urie MacFarlane, W. O. Bently, Jr., A. Y. Milnes, R. A. Morris, Jr., and William M. Mace.

650 IMPROVEMENT ERA

William Budge, former president of the Logan temple, and a well-known resident of Cache Valley, and prominent for many years in Church and civic work in northern Utah and southern Idaho, died at his home in Logan, March 18, 1919, of old age. He was born at Lanark, Lanarkshire, Scotland, May 1, 1828, thus being nearly ninety-one years of age at the time of his death. He was a son of William Budge and Mary Scott; joined the Church December 31, 1848, laboring fo/ ten years as a local missionary, beginning February, 1851, his field of labor extending over Scotland and England. He also did missionary work in Italy, Switzerland, and Germany. He came to Utah in 1860, being captain of a company of 400, while crossing the plains. He first settled at Farmington, then in Providence, Cache county; and, in 1870, he went to Paris, Idaho, being sent by President Brigham Young, and was made presiding bishop of the Bear Lake settlements. Later, in 1877, he was chosen first president of the Bear Lake stake. He was appointed president of the European mission, in 1878, and did missionary work abroad until 1880; returning home he was elected Bear Lake county's first member in the Council of the Idaho legislature, and later served in the Idaho State Senate. In 1906, he was called to Cache county to preside over the Logan temple and remained in that service until about a year ago, when, because of his advanced years, he was succeeded by President Joseph R. Sheppard. He held many positions of honor, both in the Church and in the state. He was a father of 34 children, twenty-five of whom are living, and the family are among the most prominent residents of Utah and southern Idaho, including Churchmen, physicians, lawyers and other professional men. He and President Charles W. Penrose married sisters, and have been life-long friends. In President William Budge, the Church and State had a man of genuine stability and stalwart character.

Study for the Priesthood Quorums for 1919

By action of the General Committee on Coures of Study for the Priesthood, taken at a meeting October 10, 1918 it was decided that a book to contain selections from the doctrinal writings and sayings of President Joseph F. Smith would be used as a text for the Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Classes for the year 1919. It was also decided by the committee that it would not be the best policy to prepare a special text book for the Priests for 1919, since most of the Priests are in military service. It wa9 therefore recommended that a book entitled, The Ancient Apostles, by Elder David O. McKay, be the Priests' text book for the year 1919. It was also decided that the text book for the teachers for the year 1919 be the same book as that for the Priests; namely, The Ancient Apostles, by Elder David O. McKay. The text book adopted for the Deacons for the year 1919, it was decided, would be Incidents from the Lives of our Leaders. It is designed by the committee to prepare an outline or guide for the study of the book containing the doctrinal writings and sayings of President Joseph F. Smith, for the use of class teachers and students.