--- 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: 29 number: 4 published: 1926-02 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* 29, no. 4 (February 1926): 394–399." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2904unse 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: improvementera2904unse start_page: 394 end_page: 399 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2904unse publication_year: 1926 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 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Passing Events A neutrality treaty was signed Dec. 17, 1925, between Turkey and Russia, pledging the two countries to neutrality, if either country is at- tacked. This announcement was made by the Turkish premier, Ismet Pasha, Dec. 22. Aliens in Turkey are barred from making a living there, by an order of the minister of the interior, issued Jan. 11, 1926. The order reserves the occupations of physicians, lawyers, dentists, pharmacists, longshoremen, boat-swains, fishermen, peddlers, porters, shoe blacks and waiters, among others, for- Turks alone. Colonel William Mitchell was found guilty, Dec. 17, 1925, by a court martial, and sentenced "to be suspended from rank, command and duty, with forfeiture of pay and allowance, for five years." The colonel was pro- nounced guilty of insubordination in publicly criticizing the military air service. The trial has lasted since Oct. 28. The United States will join in the preliminary arms parley to be held under the auspices of the League of Nations, if Congress accedes to the request of President Coolidge for an appropriation of $50,000 to cover the expenses. That request was made in a special message, Jan. 4, 1926, in which the President explains the purpose and nature of the preliminary meeting. Japanese troops occupied Mukden, the capitol of Manchuria, Dec. 17, ostensibly for the purpose of protecting nationals and foreign consultates there. It was reported that rival Chinese forces were heavily engaged at Hsin-Min-Fu, a short distance west of Mukden while subordinate Chinese officers <)f the various armies were in telephone communication across the battlefield, seeking a means to induce their commanders to reach a peaceful compromise. Margherita, queen mother of Italy, died at the royal palace at Bordighera, Italy, Jan. 4, 1926, at the age of 74 years. Her son, King Victor Em- manuel, and other members of the royal family were at the bedside when the end came, having been hurriedly summoned when the sudden turn for the worse was first noted. She was the widow of King Humbert, who was assassinated at Monza, July 29, 1900. Margherita celebrated her seventy- fourth birthday anniversay on November 20, 1925. Disarmament is now a live issue, as is evident from the fact that an invitation has been received by our government, as well as other governments, from the Council of the League of Nations, as published Dec. 17, 1925, to participate officially in the proceedings of a commission appointed for the purpose of studying the question of disarmament in all its bearings. The Council realizes that the hope of complete solution lies in its consideration "in its entirety and the cooperation of all nations." Senator Swanson, Dem., of Virginia, brought the World-Court issue before the U. S. Senate, Dec. 17, 1925, in a resolution which provides for- ratification with the reservations recommended by the two Republican pres- idents, Harding and Coolidge. A bitter fight is anticipated. A number of Republicans and almost all the Democrats are in favor of the resolution. Senators Borah, Johnson, and others hope to be able to kill it by arguing that the court is part of the League, although public sentiment now seems to be overwhelmingly in favor of a court of arbitration. PASSING EVENTS 3>5 The new $45,000 chapel of the Manavu Ward, Utah Stake, was opened Sunday, Dec. 20, 1925, with special programs, morning and evening. The morning program was given for the Sunday School children, while the evening session was largely attended by the adult members of the ward. The new meeting house is said to be one of the finest in the Church, and, in addition to the main chapel with its beautiful appointments, the structure contains a large recreation hall with stage and orchestra alcove, a banquet hall, Relief Society hall, class rooms, circle rooms and a modern kitchen. The livestock coliseum at Ogden was dedicated, Jan. 5, 1926, by Governor Dern in the presence of a thousand citizens, including many leading cattlemen of the West. The governor spoke from a platform in the center of a huge structure, which has been erected at the cost of $100,000, and on all sides of him were the most highly prized pure-bred cattle, sheep and hogs that could be gathered in Utah, Idaho, Montana, Colorado and Wyoming, with top herds in each breed from as far distant as Chicago on the east and California on the west. Byron F. Tanner, son of Annie Pingree Karren, of Magrath, Alta, Canada, is the sixth member of the "Mormon" Church to be admitted to the Bar in Canada. He graduated at the University of Alberta, where he obtained his degree. He is a talented singer, having sung at many notable functions, also accompanied the Ogden Tabernacle Choir to Sjan Francisco a few years ago when the Exhibition was on. It was largely through the encouragement and assistance of his mother that he took up the pro- fession of law and went through the university. Mr Tanner is practicing in Cardston. — E. P. T. Bitter cold weather from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic sea- board was reported from Chicago, Dec. 28, 1925. Thirty-five deaths in various parts were attributed to the icy blasts, while property to the value of millions was destroyed by fire. From Canada 24 to 26 degrees below zero was reported. Severe earthquakes were felt in Vera Cruz, Mexico. As a contrast it is noted that here in Utah the most delightful sunshine, with the thermometer at from 40 to 50 degrees above zero, was the rule for several weeks, until a beautiful blanket of snow fell, Jan. 15. The theory of evolution is not contrary to the doctrine of creation, in the view of Sir Oliver Lodge. He regards the process of evolution as the mode of creation. "I would urge," he says, "that creation is a continuous process. 'We are faced, not with a succession, but an eternal now. All things last forever, if what I have been saying is true. But, while physical things last by cyclical change, spiritual things can advance through higher and higher stages toward perfection. That is the meaning of evolution. That is a real aim and purpose of the ultimate and infinite term God." The Little Hotel, 167 Main St., Salt Lake City, was sold, Jan. 11, 1926, to Joseph B. Arnovitz and James L. White for $180,000. The Little Hotel building is a five-story building with full basement. The structure was erected in 1907 as the home of the Salt Lake Herald by the Utah Realty company, owned by the late Senator Thomas Kearns, the late Senator W. A. Clark, the late David Keith and the late R. C. Kerens of St. Louis, who were also owners of the Herald. The ground floor and basement of the building were used by the Herald and the upper stories were divided into general offices. The L. D. S. chapel in Atlanta, Ga., 'was dedicated Nov. 29, 1925, Elder George F. Richards officiating. The cost of the building including street improvements, new sidewalks, driveways, brick partition wall, seats and organ was $44,005.51. The seating capacity, without extra seats, is 250. Col. Willard Young was the architect, L. H. Brimhall was the building superintendent. The outside wall is brick with an inside wall of hollow tile. 396 IMPROVEMENT ERA The chapel stands on a prominent corner of North Boulevard, one of the main thoroughfares of the city. Elder S. G. Carter and Elder L. W. Parr did all the exterior and interior painting. William C. McDonald died suddenly Dec. 21, 1925, at a Salt Lake hospital, after an operation. As head salesman of the chocolate and cocoa department of the J. G. McDonald Candy Company, he was widely known in business circles. He was born in Salt Lake, Dec. 7, 1868. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Annie Stromberg McDonald; three daughters, Mrs. Roy Schyler, Salt Lake; Mrs. Robert Lawson, Los Angeles, and Mrs. Jack Woolley, Seattle, and the following brothers and sisters, John McDonald, Mrs. George B. Margetts, Mrs. F. E. Margetts, J. G. McDonald and Mrs. Richard Chamberlin, all of Salt Lake, and George McDonald of San Bernadino, Cal. Lyman R. Martineau, prominent in Utah religious, political and busi- ness circles, died Jan. 4 at his home in Salt Lake City, after a long illness. Mr. Martineau was born in Parowan April 21, 1859. In 1881 he married Alley Preston, who died in 1907 at Salt Lake, and the following children survive from that union; Mrs. Alley M. Crimson, Los Angeles; Mrs. Harriet A. Gowans, L. R. Martineau, Jr., and Mrs. Martha C. Snow, Salt Lake; Preston Martineau, Spokane, and Dr. Allen S. Martineau, New York. Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Emmeline Cannon Martineau, whom he mar- ried September 30, 1913, and four children by the surviving wife as follows: Jeanne, Emma, Vilate and Marion Martineau. The Mosul dispute was decided in favor of Great Britain, by the Council of the League of Nations at Geneva, Dec. 16, 1925. In announcing the decision, Signor Scialoia urgently recommended that these two nations reach an amicable arrangement of the difficulty so as to solidify that peace which is essential to the aims of the League of Nations. Sir Austen Chamber- lain said, "Great Britain desires to live on terms of peace and amity with Tur- key and will gladly lend itself to conversations to determine whether it would be possible to improve relations between the two countries." The Turkish representative, who declined to attend the session, entered a protest and said, Turkey absolutely refuses to abandon its sovereignty over Mosul "until you give your assent that our rights in totality in Mosul remain intact." Dr. John Newport Langley, Professor of Physiology at Cambridge University since 1903, died at his residence, in Cambridge, Mass., on Thurs- day, Nov. 5, 1925, at the age of 73 years. Dr. Langley was educated at Exeter Grammar School and St. John's College, going to Cambridge in 1871, where he decided to adopt a scientific career. He was editor for many years of the Journal of Physiology; the author of several scientific books; the recipient of many medals and honors from American and Euro- pean institutions; and a member of various academies and learned societies of physiology. He was renowned as an investigator and experimentalist and made some important discoveries; he was known as one of the leading physiologists of the world. Frank A. Munsey, famous publisher of magazines and newspapers, died Dec. 22, 1925, at Lenox Hill hospital, New York, after an operation for appendicitis, 71 years old, leaving an estate valued at several millions. Mr. Munsey's climb to success was very romantic. Leaving the farm to become a postoffice clerk and later a telegraph operator, the boy Munsey came in contact with newspaper publishers and from them received his am- bition to become a publisher himself. Coming to New York with a suitcase full of manuscripts and $40 in cash, he induced a publishing house to issue the Golden Argosy, a magazine for juvenile readers, of which Mr. Munsey became editor. Upon the failure of his publisher, Mr. Munsey received the good will of the magazine in lieu of unpaid wages, and with that as a stepping stone began his climb toward fortune and fame. The name of the PASSING EVENTS ^397 Golden Argosy Magazine was changed to the Argosy All-Story Magazine, and another magazine, Munsey's Monthly, was brought out. A controversy concerning Jesus of Nazareth arose among the American Jews, when Rabbi Stephen S. Wise on Sunday, Dec. 20, 1925, said, in an address, that Jesus was not a myth, but a man and a great Jew. Protests from "orthodox" sources came in immediately, and Dr. Wise sent in his resignation as chairman of the campaign for funds for Palestine colonization. The protests called forth numerous counter protests. Dr. Straus, in an address at Temple Emanuel, New York, maintained that Rabbi Wise has a right to his opinion, and Samuel Untermeyer came out in his support. Even many orthodox rabbis joined the Zionist leaders in urging the campaign com- mittee not to accept the resignation of Dr. Wise. The controversy was settled, Jan. 3, 1926, when representatives of the Zionists of America and the execu- tive committee of the "drive" for funds met at Pennsylvania hotel, New York, and almost unanimously decided not to accept Rabbi Wise's resignation. When the Rabbi appeared in the meeting, he was received with great enthusiasm. He said in part: "I cannot tell you of the pain I felt when my faith as a Jew was questioned. I have always at all times cried shame against every manner of Jewish disloyalty, and most of all against the deep dishonoring sin of apostasy." Angus McKay died Jan. 13. 1926. at his home in Huntsville, 88 years of age. He was born in Kirtonv. Scotland, June 3. 1838, the son of William and Grace Gunn McKay, and came to Utah in 1863, and to Ogden in 1864. The following year he purchased some land in Huntsville and had since been a leading figure in that community. For nineteen years he was a member of the Huntsville school board, serving as its chairman. He was organizer of the Ogden Valley Creamery, road supervisor, and justice of the peace, and a member of the second Utah Legislature, where he acted as chairman of the committee on roads and bridges, and a member of the committees on fish and game, public lands and appropriations. At the call of President Brigham Young. Mr. McKay did missionary work in Arizona in 1873. In 1882 he went on a mission to the Southern states, and, without returning home, went to Scotland, where he filled another mission. In 1866 Mr. McKay married Wilhelmina McKay. Ten children were born to them, of whom the following are now living: Mrs. E. A. Barnes, Mrs. John McFar- land, A. W. McKay, Mrs. E. F. Emley, Mrs. J. Christensen of Ogden, and Donald D. McKay, James Gunn McKay and Ernest R. McKay, all of Huntsville. Thirty-one grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren also survive. The International Grain and Hay Show of the International Exposition in Chicago, recently held, was represented by an educational exhibit in the name of the Agricultural College of Utah, by about fifty seed entries which competed for prizes. George Stewart, Agronomist of the Utah Agricultural College and Experiment Station, was in charge of the exhibit, and has just completed his official report of what was accomplished in Chicago. Utah's recent development in Grimm alfalfa-seed growing, and the relia- bility of Utah's certification methods were emphasized. A giant alfalfa plant with a top growth eight feet eleven inches long, enclosed in a glass case, was conspicuous to nearly all passersby. By means of pictures and charts attention was brought to the new alfalfa-seed experimental farm in the Uintah Basin, to the need of some control on our public domain, and to the methods by which alfalfa seed is grown, harvested, cleaned and marketed. While the education exhibit featured alfalfa seed production, and emphasized the high quality of seed grown in Utah, some corn was on display and caused considerable favorable comment, and several hundred copies of cir- culars furnished by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and by the Utah Agricultural College Experiment Station were distributed. At the alfalfa seed exhibition, opened to the world, there was a total of 135 entries, 34 of which were from Utah, and Utah claimed a total of fifteen prizes, as follows: 398 IMPROVEMENT ERA Prize Owner Address 1st Wade Krebbs Myton, Utah 2d George Walters Salt Lake City, Utah 3d Wall 3 Alexander Jensen, Utah 4 th George Roberts Cedarview, Utah 5 th A. A. Hinckley Hinckley, Utah 6 th H. L. Lower Aberdeen, Idaho 7 th S. H. Bober Newell, South Dakota 8 th J. C. Butcher Vernal, Utah 9 th O. E. Rasmussen Roosevelt, Utah 10th George Croft Deseret, Utah 11th P. Alkire Ioka, Utah 12th F. A. Gross K Garcia Fort Duchesne, Utah 13th Nels Nielsen Cedarview, Utah 14th R. E. Robinson, Jr. Oasis, Utah 15th Bigelow Brothers LaPoint, Utah Reserve L. E. Potter Myton, Utah "M" Men's Annual Banquet, Granite Stake The annual banquet of the M Men of Granite stake was held on the evening of the 13th of January in the Granite high school building. For several years past, the Granite M Men have held these functions, and it is safe to say that the one held this year surpassed them all, both in interest and attendance. There were two hundred plates in the banquet hall: tables beautifully decorated, and a feast fit for kings, prepared and served under direction of Miss Lindquist, president of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improve- ment Associations of the stake, with a corps of young lady waitresses. The company gathered at the assembly hall of the high school, where they sang songs and were introduced to President Frank Y. Taylor and other officers of the stake. Speeches of welcome were made by William Featherstone, retiring president, and by Stayner Frederickson, reporter. After a pleasant half hour, the congregation adjourned to the banquet hall. Here they were seated in groups from the nine wards. The presidents were introduced to the assembly. A program of songs, music and humorous speeches, intermixed with stunts and yells, entertained the feasters. The male chorus of Highland Park sang: there were piano duets- male quartettes and a piano solo by members of Sugar House: male quartette by Nibley Park: musicale by Emerson: and jokes galore by all. Stake Superintendent Defoe Wolf awarded the trophies to the wards, which during the past year, were earned in debates, songs, basketball, etc. Speeches followed by different stake supervisors and central committeemen. Parley's ward was given a big box of candy for 100% of its members in attendance. President Frank Y. Taylor, Elder H. C. Iverson of the General Board, and Oscar A. Kirkham, Executive Director Y. M. M. I. A., delivered short and telling addresses. Stayner Frederickson acted as master of ceremonies; Shelby McGhie as toastmaster, and Lisle Smith as song master. It was a red-letter event of the nine splendid associations of M Men of the Granite stake, and a delight to everyone who attended. The Old Friends The old friends are the best friends. And down through the toil and care Of life's great highway, they glitter, — You'll always find them there; Eager and willing to pay the price That only a friend can pay. God watch and keep our old friends, And bless them in their day. Helena, Montana. LE MAX SAXON. His Greatest Gift The rose of dawn in eastern blue, The ocean deep and mountain high, The soaring bird, its note so true, The gentle breeze and clear blue sky, The glorious sun with warming light, The clouds that float and give us rain, And Time with ever onward flight, The season's wealth that comes again, Are gifts, the measure none can know. The moonbeams through the wid'ning rifts They're sent by him who gifts bestow — Are all from him — most precious gifts — But these are not his greatest gifts. But these are not his greatest gifts. Dear Mother Earth who deals with care The life that taught the better way, To all her children — rich and rare — The light that gave the perfect day, The dainty rose, the silken corn, Oh Death! that ransomed the first sin, The blossoms sweet the trees adorn, Oh Life again! with love therein — The staunch old oak, the velvet grass, Are gifts divine through God's own Son- Are gifts that stay, and come and pass — He is of all — His greatest gift. But these are not his greatest gifts. CARRIE TANNER. IMPROVEMENT ERA, FEBRUARY, 1926 Two Dollars per Annum Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter Hebcr J. Grant, J P ,. Melvin J. Ballard, Business Mgr. Edward H. Anderson. \ Moroni Snow, Assistant. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103. Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 2, 1918 CONTENTS The Arizona Temple, Mesa, Arizona Frontispiece The Heralds. A Poem Timothy C. Hoyt 309 Valuable Counsel on Important Subjects Prest. Charles W. Nibley 311 Compensation. A Poem Olive Maiben Nicholes 315 Why Thank Them? Orson F. Whitney 316 Deacons' Hike to Box Canyon Clifton N. Ottosen 3 1 8 Sylvia's Valentine. A Story Elizabeth Cannon Porter 319 Evening. A Poem * A. B. Christenson 322 You are a Child of God Joseph S. Peery 323 Joseph Smith and the Great West I. K. Russell _-324 Life's Game. A Poem Ida R. Alldredge 330 A Day at Krupp's Prest Hugh J. Cannon 331 Those Melancholy Times. A Poem Alan C. Reidpath 334 "A Conversation Between Father and Son." Illus- trated Joseph R. Porter 33 5 Beautiful Old Age James H. Moore 341 Two Genealogies of Jesus J. M. Sjodahl 343 How the Heart Teaches Us a Law of God Harold L. Snoiv 345 St. Valentine's Day George D. Kirby 346 Youth, Today. A Poem Fawn Hunt Woolley 349 A Constant Reminder Glen Perrins 350 New Books 3 5 2 Prayer. A Poem Robert H. Walker 354 The Home 3 5 5 Suitable Sacred Solos Church Music Committee 362 Life Weaving A. C. Dean Hewer 365 Dream On, O Youth. A Poem Helen Kimball Orgill 366 Thomas Daniels Brown. With Portrait A. D. Brown 367 Lyman Royal Martineau. With Portrait ■ 368 Messages from the Missions. Illustrated 370 I Thank Thee. A Poem William M. Waddoups 382 Editors' Table — The Spirit of Thrift and Saving 380 Choir Leaders, Attention ! 3 8 2 Music -r 3 8 2 Priesthood Quorums ' 8 3 Mutual Work 3 8 7 Passing Events 394 M Men's Annual Banquet, Granite Stake 398 The Old Friends. A Poem Le Max Saxon 398 His Greatest Gift. A Poem Carrie Tanner 399