--- 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: 10 published: 1920-08 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. 10 (August 1920): 945–949.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera23010unse 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: improvementera23010unse start_page: 945 end_page: 949 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera23010unse 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 population of continental United States is estimated at 105,000,000, by J. A. Hill, chief statistician of the census bureau. The increase over the figures of 1910, is 13,000,000. The aggregate population of the 1,406 cities and towns on which the estimate was made is 41,029,354. This is an average gain of 26 per cent, compared with 35 per cent in the previous decade. A Latter-day Saint meetinghouse, erected for the accommodation of Indian members of the Church and their friends in the Birthhold Indian reservation in North Dakota, was recently dedicated by Elder John M. Knight, president of the Western States mission. The new chapel was built largely from donations by the Indians themselves. About 160 were present at the dedication, and the occasion was marked by an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Palestine has great possibilities for development, says Mr. I. Wilkansky, head of the agricultural division of the Zionist world organization at Jerusalem, who arrived in Salt Lake June 21, with I. Gutmann, an irrigation expert, to study agricultural conditions in Utah, and colonization methods of the L. D. S. Church. Mr. Wilkansky said, "Irrigation will be used where needed, and export of tropical fruits and grains will help to assure the success of the colonization." Conditions in Mexico are better under the new government than they were previously. This is the opinion of David E. Johnson, of Colonia Juarez, who arrived in Salt Lake City on June 21. He is quoted, as follows: "The colonists are enlarging their farms, going into the mountain colonies and developing the water resources, especially at Colonia Dublan. The new government has treated the L. D. S. people very fairly, and life seems much safer under the present system and administration." Statistics on churches, published by the Home Mission Council, a Protestant organization, discloses the surprising fact that 31 new denominations have been organized during the last ten years, and that 17 old ones have dropped out of sight. It is also set out that there are now 202 denominations in the United States. Churchmembers in good standing number 41,926,854, including all religious bodies. This is said to be an increase of 6,860,000, or 20 per cent, in ten years. It is also claimed that 43.9 per cent of the church members are male. The cornerstone of a new Latter-day Saint hospital was laid, June 30, at Idaho Falls, Idaho, by Elder Melvin J. Ballard, in the presence of more than 1,000 people. Addresses were made by the mayor of Idaho Falls, President of the Idaho Falls Rotary club and Stake Presidents Mark Austin, Fremont stake; Heber C. Austin, Bingham; James Duckworth, Blackfoot; Don C. Driggs, Teton; John W. Hart, Rigby, and Daniel G. Miller, Yellowstone. Elder Ballard also dedicated a new stake office at Idaho Falls, which, besides containing a baptismal font, will be the stake headquarters. 946 IMPROVEMENT ERA Impressive funeral services for the late Carl J. W. Carlson, the veteran tympanist of the Salt Lake Theater orchestra, were held from the Musicians' Hall in the Macintosh building, June 23. Bishop Charles W. Huhl of the Nineteenth ward officiated. Among those who spoke was Manager George Pyper of the Salt Lake theater. The funeral procession was escorted by a fifty-piece band, furnished by the A. F. of M. R. Owen Sweeten conducted. Mr. Carlson, before coming to this country, was a member of a royal orchestra in Stockholm, Sweden, his native land, and often played 0:1 the famous palace grounds. The death Enos Andrew Wall, Salt Lake City, occurred of Colonel at residence on South Temple Street, June 29, after a long his palatial illness caused by a cancerous growth. Colonel Wall was born at Richmond, Ind., June 21, 1839. He came to Utah in 1868, after having lived for some years in Colorado and Montana. Since 1887 he has been interested in the Bingham mining district where he laid the foundation of the now famous Utah Copper Company. As a successful miner, a public-spirited citizen, and a straight-foward, honorable business man he has filled an important part in the development of the West. The First Zionist international conference in seven years met in London, July 7, to formulate a political program for the administration of the affairs of Palestine. Associate justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, Louis D. Brandeis, was elected president of the conference. In his address he said, in part: "The great opportunity has come to the Jewish people. The nations of the world. have publicly recognized the Jewish homeland in Palestine. They can do no more. The rest lies with us." It is estimated that 50,000 Jews will take up their residence in Palestine during the next twelve months, and that £ 4,000,000 would be required for the Zionist effort during that time. Ex-Empress Eugenis, widow of the ill-fated Napoleon III., died, July 11, at Madrid, Spain, 94 years of age. She was born at Granada, Spain, Mav 5, 1826, being the second daughter of the Count of Montijo. In 1851 she met Louis Napoleon and was married to him two years later. For a number of years she was the most feted and most influential woman in Europe, but in her political ventures she was ill-advised and unfortunate. After the war with Prussia in 1870 and the downfall of the Napoleonic empire, she narrowly escaped a threatening mob, by precipitate flight across the Channel. In 1873 her husband died, and in 1879 her son was killed by the Zulus. That ended her aspirations for the future. Otto Tulius Poulson, for about three years bishop of Timpanogos ward, Utah stake, and a brother of M. Wilford Poulson of the Brigham Young University, died in Logan, Feb. 3, 1920, of influenza. He was born in Sweden, April 30, 1872, and came to Utah when a boy, and lived for some time with his parents, the late Neils Poulson and Maria Wahlstrom, at Pleasant Grove. During 19024 he filled a mission to his native land, where he presided over the Skoefde and Oscarshamn branches of the Gothenburg conference. Bishop Poulson is spoken of as a faithful worker in both Church and civic affairs and a splendid, enterprising citizen, whose services were highly valued. He leaves a host of friends. Another political party was formed in Chicago. July 13, when the socalled committee of forty-eight voted to join the National Labor party, and members of other groups, such as the nonpartisan league and single taxers, decided to almalgamate. The platform of the new party demands recognition for Ireland and soviet Russia and the establishment of a league PASSING EVENTS 947 of nations "to the end that kings and wars be abolished." It also demands control of industries by the workers and public ownership and operation of public utilities and natural resources. The convention adopted as the name of the new organization, "The Farmer-Labor Party," and nominated Attorney Parley P. Christensen, of Salt Lake City, as the presidential candidate, Senator La Follette, having declined the honor. Utah raised $2,261.87 for "America's Gift to France," according to C. Clarence Neslen, chairman of the state committee. The report has been sent to Myron T. Herrick, national chairman and former ambassador to France. The state quota was only $1,000, and, as usual, Utah more than doubled the sum expected from her people. "America's Gift to France" will probably be a monument on the Marne river, where the German armies were stopped in 1914. It is estimated that $250,000 will be spent. Members of the Utah committee were: C. Clarence Neslen, chairman; G. N. Child, Adam S. Bennion, Hamilton Gardner, Danie! J. Lang, Thomas O'Brien, Herbert Hirschman, R. Q. Cannon, E. A. Smith, Mrs. F. S. Richards Mrs. L. M. Bailey, Mrs. Sheldon I. Clawson, D. W. Moffatt, S. A. Stephens and Mrs. T. W. Arnold. A series of earthquake shocks disturbed the people of Los Angeles, Cal., during the night of June 21st and in the early morning hours of the 22nd. At Inglewood, twenty-one business houses were wholly or partly demolished and nearly every dwelling was damaged to some extent. The disturbance is ascribed to a slipping of the strata in the principal geological fault extending along the coast range mountains from a point on the northern California coast about 200 miles north of San Francisco to the gulf of lower California. This fault, it is said, follows the coast line closely for a distance of about 100 miles south of San Francisco, when it swerves inland approximately twenty miles and gradually extends further eastward, traversing Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties. Another series of earthquake shocks visited Los Angeles on July 16, and threw the people into a panic. Tha boy Scout caravan to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park left Salt Lake City, July 10, about 10 o'clock a. m. There were 270 in the company. The cars were secured through the Utah State Automobile association, but notwithstanding all efforts to secure enough vehicles, between 20 and 30 boys were left behind for lack of accommodations. W. B. Jenkins was the commander-in-chief of the train. The itinerary included Mt. Pleasant, Richfield, Bryce Canyon, Cedar City, Zion National Park, St. George, Beaver City, and Nephi, and return to Salt Lake City on July 18. The annual convention of the National Education Association was opened by a session in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, June 5. Addresses of welcome were made by City Superintendent George N. Child and Governor Bamberger. Dr. A. E. Winship, of Boston, responded on behalf of the Association. Dr. E. A. Smith, former superintendent of Salt Lake City schools, introduced the chairman, George D. Strayer. The concluding session was held on June 9, with the adoption of the reorganization plan endorsed by a majority of the Utah representation, and the election of officers for the next year. Prof. M. Wilford Poulsen, of the Brigham Young University, and author of "Conditions and needs of secondary school libraries in Utah,"was appointed vice president of the librarv department of the N. E. A. During the convention he presented a report on "Methods in operation for stimulating and guarding the home reading of boys and girls," among which was the M. I. A. course of reading plan. 948 IMPROVEMENT ERA Old Folks day ivas observed at Saltair, June 22, when close to 1,800 persons over years of age enjoyed the program prepared for them.- 70 At noon luncheon was served at the pavilion hy the various wards. In the afternoon addresses were given by President Charles W. Penrose, B. F. Grant of the Old Folks central committee; Dr. George Wharton James, of Pasadena, Cal., and Joseph Nelson. John Redmond, 97 years of age, and Elizabeth Gentry and Ann Erskine, both 96 years of age, were the oldest guests present and were awarded rocking chairs as prizes. Music was furnished by the Old Folks choir, under the direction of Thomas Butler, and Sweeten's military band. Mrs. Amelia Margetts Croft rendered a solo. The Old Folks central committee, who had charge of general arrangements, consisted of Bishop Charles W. Nibley, Andrew Jenson, George B. Margetts, Joshua B. Bean, George E. Bourne, George L. Savage, Oscar F. Hunter, Heber C. Iverson, and William B. Barton. Gavernor James M. Cox, of Ohio, was nominated for President of the United States, by the Democratic convention in San Francisco, July 6, 1920, on the forty-fourth ballot. Mr. Cox was born near Jacksonburg, 0., March 31, 1870. He has been a member of Congress for three terms, and governor of Ohio for an equal number of terms. Franklin D. Roosevelt, assistant secretary of the navy and a distant relative of the late ex-president, Theodore Roosevelt, was nominated for the second place on the ticket. The platform adopted covers many subjects. It endorses the policy of President Wilson on the peace treaty of Versailles and declares in favor of its ratification without reservations which would impair its essential integrity; it pledges the party to a policy of economy and the prosecution of profiteers; it favors the settlement of industrial disputes by peaceful means, endorses the proposed woman suffrage constitutional amendment, declares in favor of legislation to aid disabled soldiers in becoming independent owners of homes, and promises ample appropriations for the reclamation of arid lands. Sympathy is expressed for the aspirations of Ireland, and for the new nations liberated by the war, but the platform is silent on the question of prohibition. The funeral of George Fames Budd, a boy scout of Bob White Patrol, Troupe 56, and son of Geo. H. and Edith Fames Budd, was held at the Wasatch Ward meetinghouse, Saturday, May 29, with full military — honors the first time, it is said, that such tribute of respect has been paid to any departed member of the scout organization in Salt Lake. Bishop M. O. Ashton of Wasatch and Bishop C. E. Davey of Cannon Ward were in charge. Herbert Van Dam, Jr. and N. G. Morgan of the Boy Scout Council, Oscar A. Kirkham, Scout Executive; D. E. Hammond, assistant; Dr. J. Leo Shepard and C. C. Friel of the local organization represented the boy scouts of America. The speakers were Principals Coombs and Kessler of the Uintah and Riverside schools. Dr. Shepard, ward scoutmaster, Scout Commissioner Oscar Kirkham, and President Cannon of Pioneer stake. A unique fetature was the conferring of the honor of a first class scout on the departed. In doing so. Dr. Shepard spoke feelingly of the devotion of Georgie to scout ideals. N. G. Morgan, scout executive, then pinned the scout medal on the breast of the body. He was the first scout in Salt Lake to be so decorated after death. At the open grave scout exercises were Iield. As the casket was lowered in the grave one of the buglers blew taps, and with the scout prayer on the lid of the flag-draped casket the mortal remains of Georgie Budd were solemnly consigned to Mother Earth. Elder German E. Ellsworth, former president of the Northern States mission, dedicated the grave. In this life the deceased was known for his courage and optimism. After death he has the enviable reputation of having lived and died a "good scout." PASSING EVENTS 949 Elder Oscar A. Kirkham left Salt Lake City, June 27, to accompany America's delegation of boy scouts to the international gathering in London, July 25 to August 7. The government chartered the steamship Pocahontas for the accommodation of the delegates, which left New York, July 5, for England. The American scout delegation is headed by Chas. F. Smith as director of activities and executive officer. Mr. Smith has for ten years been interested in scouting and is head of the work at Teachers' College, Columbia university. Others on the supervisory committee are scout commissioners from Denver and Rnoxville, superintendent of the Culver Military academy, superintendent of the Shenandoah Valley school for boys and the assistant superintendent of schools at Pittsburg. Mr. Kirkham's official duties as morale officer is to keep up the spirit of the American scouts, including those from Hawaii and Cuba. During the contests the champion boy scout of the world will be chosen. By means of a fund raised by the boy scouts in Salt Lake City, Reed Vetterli, of troop 35, and Francis Goeltz, of troop 51, have been enabled to represent the capital of Utah at the international jamboree. The boys thus honored are charter members of the troops to which they belong; both are senior patrol leaders. Scout Vetterli is the son of Bishop and Mrs. John Vetterli, 923 East Seventh South, of Emigration ward, and Scout Goeltz is son of Dr. and Mrs. Francis A. Goeltz of 1150 East Second South. Scout Vetterli besides holding a high record in scouting, has never been absent or tardy from the public or East high school from which he graduated. Since December, 1916, he has studied scouting under the direction of Scoutmaster Tom S. Green. Scout Goeltz has been in scouting since March, 1917, under the tutelage of Scoutmaster E. B. Heisler. Oscar A. Kirkham, before sailing for Europe, June 28, wrote: "The boys from California who are with us are splendid Scouts. One little fellow, Sam, is a wonderful boy. His parents are dead. He is alive ?nd able to do many worth-while things. His companion is a millionaire's son of San Francisco. This is one of the wonderful things in scouting." A Successful Conference Held at Gridley, California "The second semi-annual conference was held at Gridley, May 7, 8, 9. Jos. W. McMurrin, president of the California mission; President Wm. N. Hodges, of the Gridley conference; President W. W. Richards, of the San Francisco conference ;Claude C. Cornwall, president of the Sunday schools and mutuals of the mission; Sister Jones, president of the mission Relief Societies, and thirty-two elders and ten lady missionaries, were present. Eight meetings were held, and the total attendance was 1,966. Most of the elders were afforded the opportunity of addressing the Saints and they spoke upon the various subjects with zeal and conviction. Many testimonies were born and the spirit of the gospel was enjoyed exceedingly by those in attendance. The Saints received all visitors with the greatest kindness and hospitality. It was evident that all were benefited by the associations of the day and the elders left for their various fields of labor with a new — determination to do good and spread the gospel truth." Elder Ove Inkley, Conference Clerk.