Passing Events

EVENT The toll in life and property, as a re- sult of the breaking of the dam in San Francisquito canyon, near Los Angeles, Cal.. March 13, 1928, was, the follow- ing day, estimated at over 400 lives lost and damage to property at $20,000,000. Five hundred homes were destroyed or damaged, and 20 lineal miles of citrus orchard was buried under mud and silt. About 1500 persons were rendered home- less. Bridges were destroyed, telegraph and telephone lines were broken over a large area, and livestock, total not esti- mated, perished. Mayor Cryer, after a visit to the scene of the disaster, said: "Los Angeles cannot restore the lives lost, but damages should be paid. This disaster was incidental to the operations of the city of Los Angeles in providing a water supply. We of Los Angeles must face the responsi- bility. I do not know how the money can be raised, but the legal technicalities, and the law that must be invoked to do this, shall be invoked." According to C. C. Teague, president of the Santa Clara River Valley Protectors district, the dam was built without permission of the state di- vision of water rights and it was not con- structed to withstand the test that it was subjected to. A liberal Donation for Rome. Cardinal Mundelein from Chicago, on March 12, 1928, handed Pope Pius a check for $1,500.000 — money collected in the United States for the propagation of Ro- manism. The audience lasted over an hour and a half, and it is said to be the most memorable in the history of the Vatican. The cardinal was received with military honors, papal gendarmes standing at attention at the entrance to the palace, in the courtyard and on the marble stairs. In the private library, where the audience took place, the cardinal prostrated himself before the pope, but the latter raised him up and embraced him. Ancient tomb at Ur uncovered. The oldest grave thus far found in the Ur of the Chaldees. the original home of Abra- ham, has been uncovered by archaeologists of the University of Pennsylvania and the British museums, according to an Asso- ciated Press dispatch from Philadelphia. March 11, 1928. The grave is described as a remarkable architectural construction. The explorers found the chambers mostly empty, except for a few objects which former explorers had overlooked. A beau- tiful set of shell plaques engraved with scenes of animals and framed in lapis lazuli came from a broken gaming board; there were many beads; two or three in- laid shell handles of staffs, and a small gold cup. In the farther chamber was a remarkable plaque, originally of wood twenty-three inches long and seven and a half inches wide, covered on both sides with a mosaic in shell, red stone and lapis. Elder F. F. Hintze, for many years prominent in Church work, passed away at his home in the Tenth ward in Salt Lake City, March 9, 1928, after a linger- ing illness). He was born at Roskildc, Denmark. May 13, 1854, and was bap- tized at the age of eight years. In 1864 he came to Utah with his parents, who located in Big Cottonwood. He was quite active in missionary work. He filled three missions in the United States, one in the Scandinavian countries, and one in Turkey. He accompanied President Anthon H. Lund on a trip to Palestine in 1897. Later he supervised the translation and printing of the Book of Mormon in the Turkish language. Rodman Wanamaker, last surviving son of the late John Wanamaker. head of the stores that bear the family name, ended his earthly career at Atlantic City, March 9, 1928, 65 years old. Mr. Wana- maker was interested in many enterprises of a civic and philanthropic nature, not only here and in New York, but abroad as well. He was a generous patron of art and had many examples of the work of great painters and other artists in the New York and Philadelphia stores. He had given Jgytgbly of hi9 wealth to further aviation.

536 IMPROVEMENT ERA He financed the airship "America," which was wrecked in a storm in 1914, when it attempted a transatlantic flight. Byrd's aerial flight to the north pole and his later hop to France were made possible by Mr. Wanamaker's backing. Wm. H. Crane, sometimes referred to as "the last of the great actors," and known as one of the great comedians of the world, passed away at Hollywood. Cal., March 7, 1928, at the age of 83. Mr. Crane ended his stage career of 53 years, in 1918, when he toured the Pa- cific states in a comedy called "The Very Idea." Since then he has lived at the Hollywood hotel and worked on a book recently produced under the title, "Foot- prints and Echoes." U. S. Senator James A. Reed of Mis- souri, delivered a powerful and eloquent address at the Salt Lake Theater. March 5. 1928, in which he savagely attacked the Republican party leaders. A reception to which all residents of Salt Lake City were invited was held the following day for Senator and Mrs. Reed at the New- house hotel. The Missouri senator, it is understood, is a candidate for the Demo- cratic nomination for president of the United States. A statue of Mrs. Emmeline B. Welts was unveiled and accepted on behalf of the state, by Governor Dern, Wednesday. Feb. 29, 1928, in the state capitol. The ro- tunda of the capitol had been decorated for the occasion with numerous plants and flowers. The bust is the gift of the wom- en of Utah and will find a permanent resting place in the northwest niche that faces into the rotunda of the state capitol. It is the first statuary of a Utah char- acter that is to find a place in the state's hall of fame. President Heber J. Grant offered the invocation. Dr. Jane W. Skolfield made the presentation of the statue to the state. The bust was un- veiled by Mrs. Emmeline C. Martineau and was accepted on behalf of the state by Governor George H. Dern. Anastasia dead. A woman, Mme, Tchaikovsky, now in the United States,, claims to be Anastasia. the daughter of the murdered czar and czarina of Russia. Her claim has elicited a statement by Fedor Fe- dorovich Siromolotov, formerly a million- aire lumber king who was chairman of the Ural mountain district executive committee in 1918. responsible for the massacre. He says, through Universal Service, that he, with three others, signed the death war- rant and saw it executed. The whole im- perial family, he says, were shot to death. Anastasia was killed, he asserts, with a 45- caliber German army revolver, still in his possession! The statement continues: "Mme. Tchaikovsky's story of a bayonet thrust breaking her jaw is absolutely false, because no bayonets were used. The whole family were shot with revolvers. Members of the committee visited the villa at Ekater- inburg after the executions and saw the bodies. A physician pronounced them dead." As to the fate of the members of the committee, we are told that one died; a second. Peter Voikoff. Soviet ambassador to Poland, was shot dead by an assassin at Warsaw, and the third. Beloberodov, is languishing in exile as a member of the Trotsky opposition. Pres. John E. Magelbu of South Sevier stake, has been appointed to preside over the New Zealand mission, according to an announcement from the President's of- fice, March 1, 1928. He succeeds Presi- dent Howard Jenkins, who has been honorably released. President Magelbv has filled two missions to New Zealand, one in 1885-89 and one in 1898-1902. President and Mrs. Magelby were honored with a farewell party at Monroe, Febru- ary 29. General Armando Diaz, commander of the Italian forces during the world war. passed away Feb. 29, 67 years old. In- fluenza developing into pneumonia is given as the cause of death. Diaz took command of Italy's armies after the Caporetto disaster, when the Italians suf- fered great losses. He was a tenacious fighter, and, aided by the British and French, drove the invading Austrians back. After completely reorganizing and re- aligning his troops, Diaz broke through the Austrian front in 1918 and in- flicted a disastrous defeat on the Austrian army. He was appointed minister of war

PASSING EVENTS 537 in Mussolini's cabinet in 1922, resigning in 1924. He was elevated to the rank of marshal in 1924. Wounded in Nicaragua. A 16-year-old youth from Payson, Utah. Raymond B. Carter, was wounded, February 25, 1928. in a skirmish between American marines and Sandino's followers. He was shot down when a patrol ran into a machine gun fire directed from ambush. The youth is the son of Wm. Carter, of Payson. He enlisted at the age of 15, because he de- sired "adventure." and left California with the other marines who were sent to Nic- aragua to "get" Sandino. A New Vitamen, the sixth known to science, is said to have been discovered by Dr. Herbert M. Evans, head of the de- partment of anatomy of the University of California. Dr. Evans calls it Vitamin F. He says it is an essential food element for the normal growth of animals and espe- cially for the development of the qualities necessary to reproduction. Lettuce and liver are said to be especially potent, but it is not to be assumed, we are told, that the vitamin in question can be manufac- tured and sold as certain glandular extracts have been. Volcanic eruption in Idaho? Accord- ing to an Associated Press dispatch from Boise, Idaho, Feb. 25. 1928, the possi- bility of a new eruption in the craters of the Moon National Monument in Butte and Blaine counties is being discussed be- cause of a report from Aberdeen stating that steam had been observed shooting up from the lava crevices, accompanied by hissing and rumbling noises. Dean Francis A. Thompson, director of the state bureau of mines and geology, declared here last fall another eruption in the craters was not only possible but even might be regarded as likely because of the new stage of geological formation there. Dean Thom- son's prediction was made after an investi- gation of the crater country. Indian turning white. A Winnebago Indian, Louis Armell, living on the reser- vation, is said to be the object of scientific observation because for many years his skin has gradually been turning white. He is now 54 years old. He still has "cop- per patches" but physicians believe that if he lives a few more years he will become entirely white. Across the Atlantic in one day is the ambition of an inventor in Philadelphia, Mr. Louis Sher, who has invented a ship which, he believes, will plow the water at the rate of 100 miles an hour. The prin- cipal feature of his device is a method of propulsion by means of springs, brought under tension either through expansion or compression and released to oscillate a series of pedals mounted on an axle. The pedals dip in the water, one following the other in quick succession as the springs are re- leased, driving the boat forward. The famous Moffat tunnel was of- ficially opened. Feb. 26, 1928, by Gov- ernor \V. H. Adams of Colorado, in the presence of 2.500 persons, who came to the east mouth of the tunnel by special train from Denver. The governor and Ex-Governor Oliver H. Shoup drove the gold spike into a tie just at the entrance to the tunnel amid loud cheers. Short addresses were made by Ex-Governor Shoup. Governor Adams, and Mayor John F. Bowman of Salt Lake City. W. P. Robinson formally transferred the owner- ship of the tunnel to the Denver ft Salt Lake railroad, and W. R. Freeman, pres- ident of the railroad, accepted on behalf of the road. The tunnel. 6.2 miles long, is the longest railroad bore in North Amer- ica. It will cut off twenty-seven miles of travel over the Continental divide and the road, when completed to Salt Lake City, will cut the distance between Denver and the Pacific coast by 1 8 1 miles. Coloradoans declare that its completion opens up a hitherto inaccessible region as large as the state of Pennsylvania. Earthauake in Palestine. Anoth?r earthquake was reported in a dispatch from Jerusalem. Feb. 23. 1928. Two shocks occurred, one at 3 a. m. and one at 7:50 p. m. The tremors were felt all over the country, and damage was done in Jeru- salem. Jericho, and Tel-Aviv. Several walls of the Hebrew university building at Mount Scopus were cracked. The Allenbv bridge across the river Jordan was

538 IMPROVEMENT ERA damaged. All traffic across the bridge was stopped because of its weakened con- dition. Thus far no casualties have been reported. The sixth congress of the Pan-American Union, in session at Havana since Jan. 18, 1928, convened Feb. 20. A number of subjects were considered. Among these can be mentioned the adoption of a com- mercial aviation convention, plans for an inter-American .automobile highway ex- pected some day to extend from Canada to Patagonia, a Pan-American railway, better river navigation, improved cable, telegraph and radio communications also were outstanding among the recommenda- tions. Reports of the committee on in- tellectual cooperation adopted included recommendations for the protection of the rights of authors and artists, the pension- ing of journalists, prohibition of publica- tion or communication of false or exag- gerated news relating to any American country. Aspects of American immigra- tion and emigration problems were touched upon, but the subject was referred to the international immigration conference meet- ing here next month. The first construc- tive conclusion toward codification of pri vate international law was reached at the conference. Perhaps the most important matter disposed of was the agreement re- garding the basis for arbitration treaty to be held in Washington within one year for the purpose of drawing up a collec- tive Pan-American covenant providing for the settlement of international disputes. Aggressive warfare condemned. Charles E. Hughes, head of the American delega- tion to the congress of the Pan-American Union, in session at Havana, pledged the United States to a policy of non-aggression in this hemisphere, Feb. 17, 1928, in dis- cussing the committee report on the Pacific settlement of international disputes. Fer- nando Gonzales Roa, of Mexico, intro- duced a resolution, declaring all aggres- sive war illegal and providing that inter- national disputes should be settled by pa- cific means. Mr. Hughes, in support of the resolution, said: "The United States joins most heartily in the declaration that there shall be no more war of aggression in America. We must show that this hemisphere is dedicated to peace and seeks pacific solution of difficulties." Then he pledged all his own energy and strength to promote the pacific settlement of dis- putes. Mr. Hughes pointed out that all means to that end falls under three head- ings— periodical conferences or meetings for candid exchange of views on contro- versial subjects; (measures of conciliation, or provision whereby "reason may have play before force takes the field; and judicial settlement for which definite in- stitutions would be necessary. Mr. Hughes was, the accounts say, the object of a great ovation while pledging his country and himself for peace. The preliminary security conference con- vened at Geneva, Feb. 20, 1928. Its pur- pose is to promote disarmament. The Japanese delegate. Viscount Saito, declared that, owing to changed world conditions, the Japanese arbitration treaties may have to be revised, and the question is how fat the United States would go to meet any Japanese proposal calculated to make the new treaty a more effective instrument against war. A draft convention for dis- armament was deposited with the League of Nations by the Russian observer at the conference, Mr. Boris Stein. It is similar to the proposals of Maxim Litvinoff, pre- sented at the last meeting of the prepara- tory disarmament conference. The British delegate, Lord Cuchendun, on Feb. 23, spoke against "multilateral arbitration treaties." Maggie Ivins Bentley, daughter of Israel and Julia Hill Ivins, and sister of Pres- ident Anthony W. Ivins, passed away on January 14, 1928. in Colonia Juarez, Mexico, where she has lived for more than thirty-six years. She was born in St. George. Utah, March 31, 1871. She was married to Joseph C. Bentley, and the union was blessed with nine children, six of whom survive her. During her life she was a devoted wife and mother, and an active worker in the L. D. S. Church, being president of the Primary associa- tions in the Juarez stake, and a member of the Relief Society stake board. She had a beautiful character and was talented in both music and art.