Mutual Work

Observing Decoration Day On Decoration Day, May 30, the Boy Scouts decorated the grave of the late Brigadier General Richard W. Young, and also the grave of little Vernon Mitchell, Troop 69. One hundred boy scouts from Pioneer stake held memorial exercises at the city cemetery. The picture shows "taps" heing sounded at the grave of their companion scout, and this exercise was repeated at each grave. Then each lad marched past the resting places of their large and small comrades, placing a single blossom on the greensward. The M. I. A. Boy Scout Band was in the line-up march. At the Church Office Building, N. P. Nielson, member of the stake committee, presented the Boy Scuot Band with a handsome silver-topped batton, bearing the legend, "As a token of appreciation from the scouts of the Pioneer stake

Taps sounded at the grave of Scout Mitchell

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to the M. I. A. Boy Scout Band, May 30, 1921." Victor E. Picco, leader few well-chosen words. Dr. Richard R. of the band, accepted the gift in a Lyman, of the Boy Scout Council Executive Committee, gave a short ad- dress in memory of the late General Young. Following the Scout Band, which played a march, the staunch little line of khaki-wearing youths wended its way to the cemetery where an auto load of iris blossoms awaited them, with which they decorated the graves.

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Murray in the Hands of the Boy Scouts On May 26, the Boy Scouts of Murray, Utah, were granted the privilege by the city officials to run the city government fur one hour. They selected the following officers: Mayor, Blaine Watts; Commissioner, Mervyn Sanders; Commissioner, Arden Thaxton; Aud itor, Glen Wasden; Recorder, Alvin Jones; At torney, Bruce Smith; Marshal, Robert Gei- rard; Fire Chief, Ralph Stone; Judge, Douglas Cutler; Electrician, William Paul; Superin- tendent of Schools, Ralph McClay Engineer. ;

Arthur Gaufin Road Supervisor, Dewayne;

Wright; Health Officer, Walter Wagstaff. Much interest was manifested, both by the scouts and the adult leaders of the community Confidence was expressed that more real knowl- edge was obtained by the boys in city govern- ment and respect for citizen-leadership during this hour, than three months of study might D1 . „, c have brought. A very interesting feature of Blaine Watts Scout , the day g program was a parade through the Mayor o/ Murray business district of the city which was followed by a fire drill, the boy scouts putting on the drill themselves under the

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leadership of the city fire chief. Clearing of the crowd, handling of the traffic, coupling of the hose, running the ladders, directing the help, and the control of fire, was a real inspiration. The boys really demonstrated that they were capable of rendering real public service in an hour of emer- gency.

Scene on Main Street, Murray, on Boy Scouts Day

In the evening a big rally was held in the Murray High School audi- torium. A camp-fire scene with stories, splendid addresses, demonstrations in night signaling and wireless, first aid, etc., completed a very successful day in the interest of scouting.

Resolution of Wild-life Conservation At a separate Y. M. M. I. A. meeting at the June Conference, the fol- lowing statement was made by Charles G. Plummer, M. D., who also gave a talk to the officers on health. After the statement had been read, it was moved that the officers of the convention give their aproval of it, and the motion was unanimously adopted. We hope the Resolution will be read in every Y. M. M. I. A. meeting, at all the summer camps and outings, as well as at scout hikes: Few people realize the great ethical and economic value of all species of wilddife to man. There is a widespread lack of information on this subject. So determined are some communities, expressed in the activities of some individuals, to destroy the balance in Nature created by an all- wise God, that today Americans are being protected from insect ravages

852 IMPROVEMENT ERA by less than 10% of the wild birds that sang their songs on this continent when man first began its settlement. At least 27 species of birds have become extinct because of the cease- less slaughter of these creatures in our America. If such carelessness of man for his own safety continue, untold misery and suffering must be his heritage. We Utahns recognize, in a measure, at least, the inestimable value of the wild birds to us. Witness the saving of the lives of the pioneers by the sacred Seagull when they came and destroyed the hords of crickets which sought to devour the crops of these early settlers. No other com- munity, so far as history relates, has ever erected a monument to the wild birds. With such thoughts urging us to awaken to our needs, it is resolved that it be the sense of this convention of Y. M. M. I. A., composed of Scout masters and Scout workers from their respective communities, in assembly this 11th day of June, 1921, that we take to our home communities the mes- sage of wild life conservation, not in the establishment of preserves for the propagation of wild birds of any species for the purpose later of killing them for pleasure, but to make every effort to create and manfully maintain real sanctuaries for the protection and saving of wild bird life, that it may unmolested pursue its life activities and guard man's every interest with the utmost capacity of its expression.

Y. M. M. I. A. EFFICIENCY REPORT, MAY, 1921

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o bo s <~u '•£ 60 U STAKE £ "- 5 ° n (/> .2 u v en 8 a a r2 a-tl Si.gf § u a,

Utah Box Elder Hi 10 10 10 10 10 Cache id 5 30 Hyrum 10 5 5 5 75 Juab in 10 10 10 90 Millard 5 5 5 60 Nebo 1(1 10 1 io 10 90 North Davis. .. 5 5 60 North Weber 1(1 5 10 10 80 Roosevelt 5 5 10 5 60 San Juan 10 5 10 65 Uintah 10 10 5 5 65 Idaho Bingham 10 10 10 10 10 90 Blackfoot 5 10 10 10 5 80 Cassia 10 10 5 5 5 85 Fremont 10 10 10 5 5 80 Raft River 10 10 5 5 5 65 Shelley 10 5 5 10 5 70 Teton 7-9 10 5 5 10 5 70 Arizona St. Joseph 10 5 5 10 5 5 55 Colorado ....

Young 4-5 10 10 10 5 10 75 Canada Taylor 10 5 10 10 55 Union (Ore.) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 90 Juarez (Mex.) 10 10 5 5 70

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Stakes Classified as per Points

Juab 90 North Weber .80 Teton 70 Millard 60 Nebo 90 Blackfoot 80 Juarez 70 Roosevelt 60 Bingham 90 Fremont 80 San Juan 65 St. Joseph 55 Union 90 Hyrum 75 Uintah 65 Taylor 55 Cassia 85 Young 75 Raft River 65 Cache 30 Box Elder 85 Shelley 70

Stakes Not Heard From

\lpine No. Sanpete Wayne Rigby Bear River Ogden Weber Twin Falls Beaver Panguitch Bannock Yellowstone Benson Parowan Bear Lake Maricopa Carbon Pioneer Blaine St. Johns Cottonwood St. George Boise Snowflake Deseret Salt Lake Burley Big Horn Duchesne Sevier Curlew Star Valley Emery So. Davis Idaho Woodruff Ensign So. Sanpete Lost River San Luis Garfield Summit Malad Alberta Granite Tintic Montpelier Moapa Jordan Tooele Oneida North Sevier Kanab Utah Pocatello South Sevier Liberty Wasatch Portneuf Franklin Morgan Remarks

We thank the 22 stakes which held out to the end and all the stakes which have faithfully reported for the past season. These reports have been of great benefit both to stake and general officers. At the June con- ference a new efficiency report, simple yet more elaborate than the one for 1921, was adopted and will be used for 1921-22. This will be explained more fully in the Era, and at the fall conventions. The big point to pro- vide for is a faithful and enthusiastic secretary, in each ward and stake, who will give this interesting part of Mutual work prompt attention, and perform his task accurately and cheerfully. The new report will be a splendid check on the work, and will tend to greatly increased efficiency in our thriving and rapidly advancing organization.

M. I. A. Monthly Activities, 1921-22 October — An Opening Social. — November An Evening in Honor of our Fathers and Mothers. — December A Debate. January— A Drama. February — The Senior Department Entertainment. March— Community Pride Program. April — A Musical Festival. May—M. I. A. Day.

Clever New Ideas for M. I. A. Programs

The California M. I. A. Booster for May, 1921, comes to hand in manu- script sheet with clever suggestions for M. I. A. work. It is published by the California mission. We select the following suggestions from it that are adaptable to Mutual Improvement Associations in stakes and other missions.

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Claude C. Cornwall is the M. I. A. Superintendent, and is doing a most excellent work among the young people of that mission.

"The Success Family" by Leon West, Los Angeles Mutual

Father "Work Mother Ambition 1st Son Common Sense 1st Daughter Character 2nd Son Perseverance 2nd Daughter Cheerfulness 3rd Son Honesty 3rd Daughter Courtesy 4th Son Enthusiasm h Daughter Economy 5th Son Co-operation 5lh Daughter Harmony The Baby Opportunity

Each member of the family speaks for five minutes in alkgorical repre- sentation of his character, e. g. No. 4 boy says, "I am Enthusiasm I drive away the hookworm," etc.

"Yesterday and Today," John Larson, Oakland M. I. A.

Yesterday Today Choir, Officers, etc. Old song from hymn book Newest song in Songs of Zion Songs my mother used to sing — solo What mother sings today— solo The one hoss shay Auto and areo Excerpts from old newspaper Modern newspaper article The town crier Modern advertising Organ solo Piano duet Exodus 21:24-25 Matt. 5:38-44. Old hymn New anthem Poem, "Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud."

"The World Round Table" Jos. F. Dorius, Los Angeles Mutual A table is placed on the stand and the "World" sits at the head. He asks his cabinet to help him solve the problems of the "World's" unrest. The young men and women who sit at the table represent Labor, Capital, The Press, Art, Science, The Christian Pulpit, and Society. Each in turn presents his solution. Finally the "World" turns to the young man at the end representing "The Gospel" and obtains the true solution to his prob- lem.

News Items and Suggestions

— Four new songs liave come to the office they are: "The Douglas M. I. A.," "The Arizona Slogan," "The Wonderful M. I. A.," and "The M. I. A. of San Jose." Send us .your new song. Scouting conference at San Diego. Oscar A. Kirkham, John H. Taylor, and D. E. Hammond, of Salt Lake; G. E. Goates, of Ogden, J. Karl Woods of Logan, and C. C. Cornwall of Los Angeles, were delegates to the com- vention. Reports made indicate that the M. I. A. is the best organization in America for Scouting. Every Latter-day Saint boy should have the privilege of this training. Your Mutual needs scouting. Send 15c for a copy of the Y. M. M. I. A. Scout Bulletin. Douglas M. I. A. conducts spring celebration. This was an outdoor gathering at Slaughter's Ranch. They report a delightful picnic, games and sports. Prizes were given to the winners.

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Oakland mutual hikes to Boy Scout camp. Forty-eight members of the M. I. A. had a view of the San Francisco Bay, and the bordering cities from the hilltops, April 22. They built a big bonfire and toasted marsh- mallows and weenies. Reporters: il Get on the Job." Every Mutual should have a news writer. Some of these scribes have sent in mighty clever stories of the Mutual activities. Let us know about the big things you are doing. D'iJ you conduct a Fathers and Sons' Outing last year? If you did, of course you will be anxious for another this summer. If you did not, then here is an opportunity to do a wonderful thing. This can be made the one big event of the season. If you cannot conduct an outing, why not have a dinner where each boy brings his father? Then they can all sit around the table together, and each father will have the privilege of introducing his son. (See program, p. 730, June Era.)

Medal Awarded Boy Scout for Life Saving

The following account of a life saved is sent to the Era by Calvin Christensen, Scoutmaster of Troop No. 2, Mt. Pleasant, Utah: On May 21, 1921, Scout Willie Barton, of Troop No. 2, Mt. Pleasant South ward Boy Scouts, was awarded a bronze medal by the National Court of Honor, be- cause of his courage and quick action in saving the life of Scout George Wagstaff. The heroic act was performed last summer at Rain Bow Fishery where ten or twelve of the scouts had been in swimming. Scout Wagstaff was alone in the swimming pool and was walking near the edge of the water, when he fell into a hole over his head, and in his confusion he got near the center of the pool, strangled, and went under. He became fright- ened when he found he was unable to touch bottom, lost control of himself, and went to the bottom twice. Just as he was going down the third time, Scout Barton, who was going to his rescue^ made a dive and caught him by the legs, lifting him to the surface, and swam to shore with him. Scout Barton is Senior Patrol leader in his troop, and a veteran scout. H.3 was the first boy in the stake to qualify for the 2nd class, 1st class, merit, and veteran scout tests. Since the 1st of March, Troop No. 2 has had boys qualify for seventy-four badges. Daniel Carter Beard, chairman of the National Court of Honor wrote Barton a personal letter complimenting him, and reminding him that he is one of few boys to receive this medal. Troop 1 and 2 are planning on a trip to Bryce canyon this summer, leaving about the 23rd of July.

M. I. A. Reading Course, 1921-22

The Restoration, by Osborne J. P. Widtsoe, 75c. Mormon Settlement in Arizona, published by the State of Arizona, $2.00. A Man for the Ages, by Irving Bachellor, $2.00. Fire-side Stories for Girls, by Margaret W. Eggleston, $1.50. — Woods and Waters, by Clarence Hawkes, $1.60 Total, $7.85. Trails to As supplementary reading, these books which have been on former reading courses: The Strength of Being Clean, by Jordan. The Promised Land, by Mary Antin