--- 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: 23 number: 4 published: 1920-02 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* 23, no. 4 (February 1920): 367–371.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2304unse 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: improvementera2304unse start_page: 367 end_page: 371 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2304unse publication_year: 1920 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 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Passing Events The national prohibition law designed to enforce the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution went into effect Jan. 16. Andrew J. Volstead, of Minnesota, author of the bill, has expressed the opinion that, though its provisions are drastic, the American people will make the law still more stringent when they fully realize the benefits of prohibition. "Take a ship for Cuba" is likely to be the coming slogan of the "wets" of eastern coast states. Anews item s.ays that an old steamer is being re- by New York and Milwaukee capitalists, at a cost of $300,000, to ply fitted between Miami, Fla., and Havana, as a floating bar. "Where there is a will there is a way," it seems. Richard W. Young Post No. 20 is the name unanimously adopted by the Bonneville Post No. 20, in honor of the late Brigadier General Young, who was the first head of the American Legion in Utah. The motion to change the name of the post was made in a meeting, Dec. 30, 1919, and was passed without a dissenting vote. Professor Joseph J. Daynes, for over thirty years organist in the Tabernacle and composer of some well-known hymns and other music, passed away, Jan. 15. He came to Salt Lake in 1862, when eleven years old. He was born in Norwich, England, April 2, 1851, and was chosen organist when the famous organ was first installed in the building. Emil G. Kohler, a faithful Church worker, whose death was announced by the Wasatch Wave, Dec. 12, 1919, was born August 14, 1870, at Sonnenberg, Konz, Bern. He was baptized in Nov., 1883, and came to this country in 1884. Funeral services were held at the stake tabernacle, Heber City, Sunday, Dec. 14, President Murdock conducting the exercises. Two hundred arrests of alleged undesirable citizens and aliens were made in Chicago, Jan. 1, under the direction of State's Attorney Hayne. It is claimed that in Chicago, New York, Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, and Seattle, leading agitators in a criminal conspiracy against the government have established centers of activity that must be broken up. On Jan. 3, 4,500 "radicals" had been arrested in the principal cities of the United States. The Fiftieth anniversary of the completion of the Utah Central railroad was observed in Salt Lake City on Saturday, January 10. The last spike ol the road was driven on that day, fifty years ago, at two o'clock p. m., by President Brigham Young. A banquet was given some three hundred of the veteran workers in the Hotel Utah, and a program of music and speeches was later presented in the Tabernacle where President Heber J. Grant presided. Utah's birth rate for 1917 was the highest of any state in the Union, except North Carolina, being 24.6 per 1,000 inhabitants. The births in Utah for 1917 numbered 13,630, and were 9,015 in excess of the deaths. There were 323 plural births in Utah during that year. Of the total number of births in the state during 1917 there were 6,952 boy babies and 6,678 girl babies. Utah's rate of infant mortality was sixty-nine deaths of every 1,000 children less than 1 year of age. The average of other states in this respect was ninety-four deaths to every 1,000 children of less than 1 year. One hundred and twenty-five deaths, caused by the drinking of wood alcohol, occurred between Christmas and New Year's day in eastern states. 368 IMPROVEMENT ERA The death list, as first reported, was as follows:Chicago, 10; Chicopee, 45 \ Holyoke, Mass., 10; Hadley, Mass., 3; Springfield, Mass., 3; Greenfield, Mass., 1; Hartford, Conn., 13; Meriden, Conn., 2; Thompsonville, Conn., 2; Marinette, Wis., 1; Cleveland, O., 4; New York City, 12; Newark, N. J., 5; Jersey City, N. J., 1; Easton, Pa., 1; Battle Creek, Mich., 1. Four deaths are said to have occurred in Utah from the same cause. Many arrests have been made of persons implicated in the distribution of the deadly poison. Another pyramid has been discovered at Teotikuacan, Mexico, greater it is stated, than those of the Sun and the Moon, in the same locality, and rivaling the famous Egyptian pyramids. It is hoped that relics of historical value will be found in the newly-discovered pyramid. Archaeologists have for years been interested in the two great pyramids at Teotihuacan, a town twenty-seven miles northeast of Mexico City, the name of which means "City of the Gods," in the Aztec tongue. The origin of these buildings is unknown, but they resemble the pyramids of Egypt. Elder Hans J. Christiansen returned to his home in Salt Lake City, Dec. 27, from the Scandinavian mission, over which he has presided for 1919, the past six years. Elder Niels F. Green, who for about five years has been the associate editor of Skandinaviens Stjerne, has also been \ onorably released, to return home. His literary work has been very much appreciated by the Saints. Elder A. Jacobsen, Ballerud, has been appointed to assist in the literary work of the mission. There are now only three Utah missionaries in the Scandinavian field— two in Denmark and one in Norway. Elder Carl E. Peterson, of Ogden, has succeeded Elder Christiansen as mission president. General John J. Pershing, with his staff of ten army officers, visited Salt Lake City, Jan. 16. He was greeted at the railroad station by throngs of admiring citizens, and thousands thronged the streets to get a glimpse of the stalwart commander of the American forces in France. A pAade in his honor was led by a large gathering of scouts. On his way to Fort Douglas he stopped at the University and addressed the students. In the afternoon, in the Tabernacle, he met perhaps the largest gathering of school children he had ever seen at one time, and he was very much impressed by the beautiful sight. He said he had never seen more bright-eyed boys or more goodlooking girls anywhere. A mass meeting in the Tabernacle in the evening was another great feature of the day's entertainment. President Heber J. Grant pronounced the benediction. Sir William Osier, professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University from 1888 to 1905 and Regius professor of medicine at Oxford since 1905, died at his home there, Dec. 29. 1919, of pneumonia. He v/as born in Canada in 1849; received his medical degree at the McGill University in 1872, and, within a few years, became an authority in medical science. Sir William is remembered for an address delivered in 1905 at Johns Hopkins University, in which he was reported to have said that men past the age of 40 were of no value in the progress of humanity, and that human beings over 60 ought to be chloroformed. He, of course, did not ^ive utterance to such silly nonsense; his own mother celebrated the one hundreth anniversary of her birth, Dec. 14, 1906; but the garbled report of his speech raced around the world, truth, as usually, failing to overtake it. Brigadier-General Richard W. Young's funeral services were held in the great tabernacle, on Wednesday, December 31. Thousands of people were present, the building being completely filled. It was a very impressive service. President Heber J. Grant presided. General Young was a great and remarkable man, one that the world could ill afford to lose. His splendid record as lawyer, soldier, civilian and churctiman, were well presented by W. W. Ray, for the Utah Bar Association; Major Wesley E. King, for the Legion, and veterans of the Spanish- American war; his former counselor, PASSING EVENTS 369 President John M. Knight, for the Ensign stake; Elder Melvin J. Ballard and President Heber J. Grant, for the Church in general. The Tabernacle choir, the Pyper-Whitney-Spencer-Patrick quartet, and Emma Lucy Gates furnished song and music. General Young was buried with military honors, soldiers from the Fort, the Spanish war veterans and the World war legion taking part. Representatives of about twenty denominations have accepted an irir vitation to a conference in Philadelphia, Feb. 3 to 6, on a proposal for "a national merger of Christian interests under the name of the United Churches of Christ in America." The proposed constitution of the new organization looks forward ultimately to a complete organic union of the Protestant churches. Among denominations concerned are: Presbyterian church in the U. S. A., Methodist Episcopal church, Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America, Methodist Episcopal church, Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, Reformed church union of the United States, Northern Baptist convention, Evangelical Synod of North America, Reformed Episcopal churches, Moravian church in America, United Presbyterian Church of North America, Welsh Presbyterian church, United Brethren and Primitive Methodists. Other denominations which have unofficially approached the proposed organic union with tentative approval are the Society of Friends, United Lutheran church, and Reformed church in America. The peace treaty of Versailles, formally ending the war between Germany and the ratifying allied powers, was signed January 10, at 4:15 p. m. Among the signatory powers, besides Germany, are Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, Poland, Siam, Czecho-Slovakia, and Uruguay. When the ceremony of signing was over, M. Clemenceau rose and said, "The protocol having been signed as well as the minutes recording the exchange of ratifications, I have the honor to declare that the treaty of Versailles is in full effect and that its terms will be executed integrally." By this treaty Germany loses about 35,000 square miles of her territory, including Alsace-Lorraine and Poland. The German colonies in Africa are distributed among the allies. France obtains control over the Saar valley, and Schleswig-Holstein will be given an opportunity to decide its future allegiance by a plebiscite. The League of Nations is called into actual existence by the ratification of the treaty, although the United States is not a member thereof, and the first meeting of the Council of the League was held in Paris, January 16, Great Britain, France, Italy, Japan, Belgium, Brazil, Greece, and Spain being represented. Changes in Stake and Ward Officers, December, 1919.—New Presidency —Parowan stake, Henry W. Lunt, president; Myron D. Higbee, coun-first selor, and Frank B. Wood, second counselor; address Cedar City, Utah. Second counselor, Lost River stake, Ray R. Duke. — New Stake Clerk Granite stake, Milton H. Ross succeeded William Mc- Ewan. Address L. D. S. U., City. — New Bishops Storrs ward, Carbon stake, Albert Richard Peterson succeeded Franklin T. Bennett; address same. Salina Second ward, Sevier stake, Jesse Thornell succeeded Godfrey Lorentzen; address same. Aurora ward, Sevier stake, Levi Sorenson succeeded Calvert M. Ivie; address same. Vermilion ward, Sevier stake, Albert V. Thalman succeeded Elijah M. Jensen; address same. Salina First ward, Sevier stake, Conrad E. Peterson succeeded August Erickson; address same. Thistle branch, Utah stake, Clarence Whiting succeeded Benjamin F. Smith; address same. Trout Creek ward, Bannock stake, Charles W. Hubbard, acting; Michael Mickelson released; address Lago, Idaho. Naf ward, Raft River stake, Thomas S. Johns, acting; Joseph W. Sorenson, released; address Bridge, Idaho. Leslie ward, Lost River stake, Walter F. Hurst, acting; Franklin Salker, released; address 370 IMPROVEMENT ERA same. Gooding ward, Blaine stake, Jesse F. Cooper; address same. Poplar ward, Rigby stake, Joseph Charles Morgan succeeded Andrew A. Anderson; address same. Holbrook ward, Curlew stake, Elbert H. Barlow .succeeded Leo Peck; address same. Davisville ward, Idaho stake, Thos. K. Gunnetl succeeded James Bigler, Alexander, Idaho. A larger degree of self-government for India is the purpose of an act adopted by the British parliament and endorsed by King George in the following proclamation: "Another epoch is reached today in the annals of India. I give royal assent to the act, which takes its place among the great historic measures passed by the parliament of this realm for the better government of India 1 and the greater contentment of her people. "The act, which has now become a law, entrusts elected representatives of the people with a definite share in the government, and points the way to a fully responsible government hereafter. If,, as I confidently hope, the policy which this act inaugurates should achieve its purpose, the results will be momentous in the story of human progress. "I have watched with understanding and sympathy the growing desire of my Indian people for representative institutions. Their scope has been extended, stage by stage, until there now lies before us a definite step on the road to responsible government. "I rely on the new popular assemblies to interpret wisely the wishes of those they represent and not forget the interests of the masses who cannot yet be admitted to the franchise. I rely on the leaders of the people and ministers of the future to face responsibility and endure misrepresentation, and to sacrifice much for the common interest of the state, remembering that true patriotism transcends party and communal boundaries. "A new era is opening. Let it begin with a common determination among my people and my officers to work together for the common purpose." * Earthquake shocks were felt in many parts of Mexico during the evening of Jan. 3. The villages of Teocelo and Couzetlan, in the state of Vera Cruz, were destroyed. The center of the disturbance was near the volcano of Orizaba, but shocks were felt throughout the entire republic. Information secured from the government observatory at Tacubaya show that there were three distinct shocks, the strength of which decentralized the instruments. The first shock, which occurred at 9:45 o'clock Saturday evening, lasted five minutes. The second, at 10:25 p. m., was very brief but of terrific intensity and was accompanied by terrifying subterranean noises. The third shock, at 11:01 o'clock, was not discernible except by the seismograph. The panic in the capital among the ignorant classes was indescribable. Many of the people fled from their homes and flocked to the churches. The Indians in the suburbs hurried to the shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe. On Jan. 6, it was reported, from Mexico City that the city of Coutzlan was destroyed, with 2,000 casualties, including 1,000 dead. Heavy casualties were also reported from Barvanca Grande, and many other towns and villages. At Port Barranea del Agua the water level rose 25 meters. The village of Calcahualco was engulfed and totally destroyed. The total number of deaths cannot be ascertained, but at least a dozen towns and villages in Vera Cruz have been destroyed. — — Anarchists two hundred and forty-nine all counted were deported from the United States, Dec. 21, 1919, on the U. S. army transport Buford. Among the exiles were Emma Goldman and her boon companion Alexander Berkman. The latter was defiant to the last. While some were sobbing and others cursing, as they stepped from the hospitable soil of the United States, he said to the secret service men, "We are coming back and we will get you." The ship left New York under sealed orders. The supposition is that its destination is some port from which "undesirable citizens" can be PASSING EVENTS 371 sent into Russia. Most of them were well supplied with money. An explanation of the reasons for the deportation was issued by the State Department to the various foreign capitals, Dec. 23, as follows: "There are being deported from the United States to soviet Russia about 250 citizens of Russia, who are undesirable here. These persons, while enjoying the hospitality of this country, have conducted themselves in a most obnoxious manner; and while enjoying the benefits! and living under the protection of this government, have plotted its overthrow. They are a menace to law and order. They hold theories which are antagonistic to the orderly processes of modern civilization. They have indulged in practices which tend to subvert the right which the constitution of the United States guarantees to its citizens. They are arrayed in opposition to government, to decency, to justice. They plan to apply their destructive theories by violence in derogation of law. "They are anarchists. They are persons of such character as to be undesirable in the United States of America, and are being sent whence they came. The deportation is in accordance with the law. "Precaution has been taken to request for them safe conduct and humane treatment at the hands of the authorities under whose jurisdiction they will pass en route to soviet Russia." On January 19, the deported reds arrived on the border of Soviet Russia, through Finland, and were received with great acclaim by Bolsheviki fellows. Emma Goldman said it was the happiest day of her life. She was sorry for the people of the United States, but expected to return. Alfred Lambourne writes of the recent production of Messiah in the Salt Lake Tabernacle: "It is with diffidence that I ask you to record my impression of the rendering on New Year's morning by the Salt Lake Oratorio society of Handel's masterpiece, the Messiah. If I mistake not, the two oratorios, the Creation and the Messiah are those that have for their themes the most important, the very grandest statements of Holy Writ. In the Messiah we have the very heart and soul of the New Testament. It is a wonderful sermon; indeed a 'concoase of sweet sounds' where in is expressed with utmost beauty and force the faith and hope of Christianity. The divisions of the mighty — musical work the Prophecy, the Fulfilment, the Passion and the Resurrec- — tion from the overture to the amen, are a magnificent exaltation of the life-purpose and the death-purpose of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Could a more direct sermon be preached than that which is delivered to the combined words of the Bible, the harmonies of the solos, the chorus and the orchestra in the Messiah? There is a beauty, force and power in the masterpiece of the high-minded Handel that make it radiant and superb among the musical masterpieces of the world. But I did not intend to write) a generic upon that truth which must be known to all who worship at the shrine of the Divine art. Rather this was my purpose: an appreciation of the special rendition of the oratorio in the Tabernacle on Ne«v Year's morning. With my limited knowledge, I endeavored to appreciate the production as a whole. There was, indeed, a harmony established between those who sang or played and those who listened. The religious sentiment was stirred to the depths, and after the oratorio had been given the day appeared more beautiful to those who had heard the voices and instruments of the living, the thoughts and master work of the dead. There is a dramatic power in the musical compositions, the methods of Handel, that makes a universal appeal. Those who might not have heard the words of the oratorio could feel the message it conveyed. There we have the source of praise due to the — ability and work of the soloists, chorus and orchestra nor must we forget the grand organ. It was an impressive background to the individual beauty of sounds. Therefore, I wish to make known a most sincere admiration of ' the rendering of the oratorio the Messiah, upon New Year's morning.'