Passing Events

A Catholic day of thanksgiving was proclaimed, November 19, 1925. by the pope, to be observed throughout the world, as an expression of grati- tude for the success of the pope's year of jubilee. The eighty -seventh anniversary of the birth of the late President Joseph F. Smith was observed, November 13, by the members of the Smith family association and others, by a special Temple session and ordinance work for the relatives of the Prophet Joseph Smith. A children's party was held in the Bishop's building November 14. The new premier of France is Aristide Briand, who has been at the head of the French government before. He succeeded on November 27 to form a cabinet, after several unsuccessful attempts. Mr. Loucheur, reported to be the wealthiest man in France, was selected for the position of finance minister. The Locarno treaties were ratified by the British House of Commons, November 19, 1925, with overwhelming majority. Mr. Chamberlain, who received almost an ovation, explained that he did not hope that the treaties would make war impossible, but he did claim it would make it difficult for any European power to begin a war of aggression. The Italian war debt to the United States, being $2,042,000,000, is, according to an agreement between the debt commissioners in Washington, November 12, 1925, to be paid in 62 years, in annual installments of from $5,000,000 to $80,000,000. Interest charges graduate from *4 of one per cent, beginning at the end of five years, to 8 per cent the last seven years. An important ruling by the International Court of Justice at the Hague was given November 27, 1925, to the effect that the decision of the Council of the League of Nations regarding the dispute between Great Britain and Turkey over the Mosul question should be binding upon both parties. The Turkish council of ministers under Mustapha Kemal Pasha has decided to refuse com'pulsory arbitration by the League Council on this question. The mummy of Tutankhamen was uncovered, November 13, 1925. It was covered with gold. On the breast were two gold scarabs, and on the head was a large gold crown. Gold-hilted swords and gold-handled knives were among the articles found. The dispatches say that the human-shaped coffin incasing the mummy, and the exquisite workmanship of the orna- ments found inside the solid gold case surpass in value anything ever uncovered by archaelogists. Experts believe that Tutankhamen was only about 1 5 years old at the time of his death. The German Reichstag ratified the Locarno treaties, November 27, 1925, with a decided majority. Germany will now become a member of the League of Nations, and the probability is that a European disarmament conference will be called as soon as practicable. By a rising vote the Reichs- tag adopted a motion submitted by the three middle parties whereby the government is requested to use every effort in the time intervening between now and Germany's formal admission to the League to obtain from the allies a greater measure of alleviation in the Rhineland, and other concessions than already granted. An oil well has come into existence near Moab, Grand Co., Utah. It is situated in the Colorado River, seven miles by airline from Moab._ The nearest railroad station is Thompson, on the D. & R. G. "Blowing-in" of

3 06 IMPROVEMENT ERA the well at a depth of 2,028 feet at 6:15. Dec. 7, in the morning while the crew was at breakfast, and the subsequent development of a flow estimated to be at least 350 barrels of oil daily, and 3,000,000 cubic feet of gas gave an entirely new aspect on the outlook for the oil industry in Utah. Salt Lake men concede that the strike is likely to be one of the most important events in the history of the development of Utah's resources. The Sixty-ninth congress convened December 7, 1925, and immediately settled down to business. Nicholas Longworth, congressman from Ohia. and son-in-law of the late President Roosevelt, was elected Speaker of the House. President Coolidge's message was read December 8, in the senate and house by the clerks. The president recommended tax reduction, strengthening of aviation, power to deal with labor disputes in the coal industry, co- operative marketing as an aid to agriculture, enforcement of the prohibition law, railroad consolidation, the sale of muscle shoals, and adherence to the world court. The president also expressed gratification over the acceptance of the Locarno security treaties, and said he would be willing for the Uniter States to take the lead in any further practical measures for the reduction of armaments. The new Rioerdale ward chapel and recreation hall, Weber stake, were dedicated by President Heber J. Grant Sunday, December 13, at a dedicatory service held in the beautiful chapel. There were 577 persons present. Presi- dent Grant referred to the progress made by Church members through their sacrifices. Bishop Murray K. Jacobs, who presided, reported that the building had been erected in the short time of eighteen months; both members and non-members of the Church had aided in its building, and the biggest factor was the unity of the people, and the generosity of President Grant. The building cost $39,000. President Grant offered the dedicatory prayer at the conclusion of his address. The new building includes a chapel, recreation hall, bishop's office, and a number of class rooms, replacing the smaller building erected in 1900. Earl Egbert Young of Logan has been appointed Rhodes scholar from Utah, as announced December 1 3 by the committee in charge. He won the honor in competition with nine other candidates. The scholarship is effective for three years, beginning in October of next year, and is good at any of the Oxford colleges. The selection was made after an all-day session of the committee held in the offices of Dr. George Thomas, president of the University of Utah. The following are others selected from Western states: Arizona — Carleton B. Wicart. Tucson, Arizona, University of Arizona. Idaho — Harold C. Wymrin, Mead, Washington: University of Idaho. Montana — Paul K. Hennessy, University of Virginia. Nevada — John B. Ocheltree. San Francisco. California, University of Nevada. New Mexico — Milton 0- Bahn, Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania. Wyoming — George T. Ross, Laramie, Wyoming; University of Wyoming. Funeral services for Samuel Orson White, Beaver, were held in the East ward chapel, Sunday, November 22. 1925, conducted by Mark Woolley. The deceased was born in Nauvoo, 111., December 17, 1844, the son of Samuel Dennis White and Marv Hannah Burton. He came to Utah with his parents in 1850. and settled in Beaver in 185 9. At the age of 19, in 1864, Mr. White made a trip back to the Missouri river to get a grist mill, and herded cattle for the Church until fall while he awaited the delivery of the mill. During the winter of 1865-66 he .hauled paper from California for the Deseret News, and in the spring made another trip for his father across the plains. On October 5, 1867, he married Mary Ellen Woodhouse in the endowment house at Salt Lake. From this union five daughters and six sons were born. The mother died in 1892. On June 23. 1894, Mr. White was made second counselor to Bishop George Munford, which position

PASSING EVENTS 307 he held until January 4, 1903. In November. 1895, he married Miss Elizabeth Gudgeon, and one son and four daughters were born from this union. Dowager Queen Alexandra of Great Britain died at her home at Sandring- ham, England, November 20, 1925, of heart failure, 81 years old. She was born in Copenhagen. December 1, 1844. the daughter of King Christian IX, of Denmark, and was married to Edward, prince of Wales, March 10, 1863, who afterwards became King Edward VII. She adopted the title of Queen Mother when her son, George V, and Queen Mary ascended the throne. Queen Alexandra was related by blood or marriage to many European royal families. She was a sister of King George of Greece, who was assassinated in 1913; of King Frederick VIII of Denmark, and of the former Dowager Empress, Marie Dagmar of Russia. The Emperor Nicholas II of Russia, who, with his family, was killed by the Bolsheviki, was her nephew, as was also the former Emperor William of Germany, and King Haakon VII of Norway. Another nephew, by marriage, is King Alfonso VIII of Spain, husband of the former British Princess Ena of Battenberg, the daughter of King Edward's sister, Beatrice. Queen Alexandra's younger sister, Dagmar, was married to Alexander III of Russia three years after her own betrothal to the then Prince of Wales. The Swedish-American line motorship "Gripsholm" arrived in New York, November 30, 1925, from Gothenburg, November 21, after a success- ful trip. She is the first large motorboat to cross the Atlantic, and it is thought probable that the voyage marks a new epoch in ocean navigation. She is propelled entirely by Diesel engines. Crude oil is used for combustion. Each engine drives a propeller, and the combined horsepower is about 22,000. The ship is equipped with all the luxuries of modern ocean travel. Hinman D. Folsom passed awau at 554 Sixth Ave., Salt Lake City, November 28. 1925, after several months' illness. He has lived in Canada the last 20 years, but returned to Salt Lake about six months ago. Mr Folsom was born in Keokuk, Iowa, and accompanied his father to Utah when he was 12 years of age. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Gertrude Linard Folsom, and the following children: Minnie, Hinman D., Jr., and Gertrude, and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Frances Wallace. Mrs. Louise Brown. Eliza, Walter G.. Henry G.. William G., Mrs. Oliva Butler, Mrs. Mattie Asper. Mrs. Alice Miles, Rachael, Amy. Edgar, Elvy. Nellie, Eliza- beth, and Mrs. Ruth Wantland. i The Boise Stake Tabernacle, Idaho, was dedicated Dec. 7. 1925. by President Heber J. Grant, in the presence of over 1,000 conference attendants. The building, which has been erected at the cost of about $91,000 is con- sidered one of the finest Church edifices in the city and is situated but two blocks from the state capitol. It provides a large auditorium, has a commo- dious amusement hall, offices for the stake presidency, Relief society quarters and class rooms. It is constructed of art brick trimmed with sandstone and cement, and through an alteration of the original plans cost approximate! / $10,000 more than was at first estimated. Liberal contributions were made by stake members, and a number of donations were received from Boise business houses and banks not connected with the Church. Joseph Don Carlos Young was the architect. President Grant was accompanied to Boise by Presiding Bishop Sylvester Q. Cannon, and both addressed the conference. Members of the stake presidency, the stake high council and some bishops of wards were also speakers. A financial report on the tabernacle was made by President Heber Q. Hale, who presided at both the morning and afternoon services. Special music for the dedication services was furnished by Mrs. Carmen B. Smith. Bessie G. Hale, a male quartet and the stake choir under the direction of Theodore Barraclough. An evening session was conducted under the auspices of the stake M. I. A.

Utah's largest concrete bridge, over the Bear river, at Corinne, wai opened on November 11. 1925. Governor Dern and other state officials took part in the ceremony. One thousand persons gathered at the immense structure. The bridge, designed by the State Road Commission, is the joint effort of State and Federal engineers and designers: it is constructed of re- enforced concrete, and is of the girder type, the floor system and railing being prepared on three re-enforced concrete girders. Its total length is 267 feet, over all 330 feet, into five spans. The structure is carried on wood piles driven thirty-five to forty-five feet below the bed of the stream. The total cost will be between $57,000 and $58,000. Governor Dern and his party drove across the birdge and through the paper barrier which carried the legend. "Gateway to the Great Bear River Valley," and the <road was opened to the traveling public. I IMPROVEMENT ERA, JANUARY, 1926 Two Dollars per Annum Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter Heber J. Grant, | P ,. Melvin J. Ballard, Business Mgr. Edward H. Anderson, f Moroni Snow, Assistant. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1 103. Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 2, 1918 CONTENTS One Dozen of the One Thousand Frontispiece Your Boy. A Poem Bertha A. Kleinman 217 The Divinity of Jesus Christ Elder Orson F. Whitney 219 Eternal Hope. A Poem Le Max Saxon 227 Myself and I Elder James E. Talmage 228 When a Man Offers D. C. Retsloff 229 God the Father's Purpose in Creation Elder B. H. Roberts 230 Book of Life. A Poem M. A. Stewart 237 Testimony. Hymn with Music Euan Stephens 238 Bits of Philosophy Nephi Jensen 239 Maneater. A Tale of the Range Albert R. Lyman 240 The Crag. A Poem Ward Evans 242 A Visit to the Home of Hawaii's Leper Patients— .William M. Waddoups 243 A Plea. A Poem Clark Golden 252 The American Falls Dam and Project. Illustrated._//[/rum Kay 253 Why a Temple in Hawaii? Illustrated J. A. Hendrickson 258 Gems of Thought Phineus Tempest 262 Sunday School Song- Writing Contest 263 Obstruction. A Poem Satella Jaques Penman 263 Karl G. Maeser and the Brigham Young University__£Wer Richard R. Lyman 265 Anticipation. A Poem Satella Jaques Penman 265 The Wrong Girl. A Story Agnes Just Reid 266 The Paneled Soul. A Poem D. Jordan Rust 268 Education as a Public Enterprise Milton Bennion 269 Mystery. A Poem Ruth May Fox 271 Why not Abolish Jazz? Fred W. L. Bennett 272 Refining Fires. A Poem Annie G. Lauritzen 273 The Locarno Treaties .J. M. Sjodahl 274 Be Game. A Poem Charles D. Gold 274 Messages from the Missions. Illustrated ; 277 The Home 2 8 6 Fremont Stake Fathers' and Sons' Outing 289 Editors' Table — Greeting from the First Presidency 290 New Year's Greeting Y. M. M. I. A. Superintendency292 A Few Words on Curbing and Constraint 293 Training the Lesser Priesthood 294 Books 295 Priesthood Quorums 296 Mutual Work 2 9 9 Passing Events 305