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M
APRIL, 1933
VOLUME 36 NUMBER 6
Return Postage Guaranteed Salt Lake City. Utah
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THE SUMMER SESSION
AT THE
Utah State Agricultural College
June 5 to July 14
Another broad and varied program of summer work will be given at
the 1933 Summer Session of the Utah State Agricultural College. Practic- j
ally the entire resident faculty, including department heads, will offer j
I courses during the period in graduate and under-graduate work. Several j
I brilliant educators from leading colleges and universities will offer courses |
f in various fields. |
j SPECIAL FEATURES j
j BAND AND ORCHESTRA: Superior high school music students, selected |
I from the intermountain region will form a demonstration band, to be |
1 directed by Professor A. R. McAllister of Joliet, Illinois. j
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] SMITH HUGHES: A national authority. !
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j EDUCATION: Special clinic courses, conducted by eminent visiting edu- i
I cators. I
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I COACHING AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION : The College will continue its [
j distinguished program in coaching, physical education and recreation. j
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I LECTURE PROGRAM i
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I Dr. Henry Neumann, Brooklyn, N. Y. Ethics and Literature j
I :
j Dr. William T. Foster, New York City. A leading American j
j Economist, who will analyze our critical times I
Dr. Albert Guerard, Stanford University, English and Speech Professor S. H. Slichter, Harvard University, Economist
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321
APRIL, 193 3 t rC>fflL „ . ^t"\}'^Tll'^^'"'' r..-
%, . , . IBH^ II V^«^»lk Harrison R. Merrill, Managing Editor
Volume Jo, JN umber 6 Elsie Talmage Brandley, Asso. Editor
Organ of the Priesthood Quorums^ the Mutual Improvement Associations
and the Department of Education
FORECAST
pUROPE, right now, holds the center of interest despite the troubles in the Orient, for in Europe great world movements which will affect this and all other countries arc born. Elder John A. Widtsoe, who for sev- eral years as President of the European Mission has been visit- ing the various countries, con- tributes an interesting article on the European situation to our May number.
A MONG other articles of in- terest are, "With the Inter- national Ice Patrol," "The Lion House Social Center," "This Thing of Being Unemployed."
(^ARLA WOLFE will be repre- sented among the fiction with a story, "A Tall Dark Man." Other stories will be "The Cata- logue Mother," "Old Shep," and the second installment of the serial, "Forever or Never."
The Cover
' I ^HE cover picture is a repro- duction of J. T. Harwood's famous painting of Christ on Galilee calling his apostles to service. The original, which hung in the January exhibit at the State Capitol, has won the artist international fame.
For Every Member of the Fafnily EDITORIALS
Welcome April - — 35 2
Apostle Reed Smoot _— — 35 2
Be Not Deceived -_ 352
June Conference Challenges _ 1 353
ARTICLES
Religion As Creative Experience . Adam S. Bennion 3 23
The Frontispiece - - — Alice M. Home 324
Bear Dance - Karl E. Young 328
Governor C. Ben Ross Lamont Johnson 332
Preparing the Soil for Flowers — J. H. Olsen 335
Let's Plant a Flower Garden __: Maud Chegwidden 3 37
Protecting the American Job _!-..____. ._ W. J. Holder 342
Why The Rocky Mountain Faculty Athletic Conference-- Ra/p/j J. Gilmore 346
Christmas Trees Alive at Our Doors J. H. Paul 350
Book Reviews -,- . 351
Silver Linings - j-_____— _„- Claire W. Noall 354
Glancing Through -—Elsie T. Brandley 356
Lights and Shadows on the Screen 358
FICTION
Forever Or Never -- — , - -- True B. Harmsen 3 26
KnoviTs All, Sees All and Tells All -.___-_. - Helen C. Lloyd 338
POETRY
April — — — - — .Donald A. Eraser 325
The Bear Dance — — Olive E. W. Burt 331
Indestructible - Allen Stephenson 344
Prayer . i -— -- Aurelia Pyper 345
Sixteen Sings -- Ardyth Kennelly 348
Evidence - - Alberta H. Christensen 3 62
The Trees ^ Fredrika Borchard 3 74
Friendship : Juanita Pulsipher 35 7
Resignation : Juanita Pulsipher 3 63
Awakening - ^ Juanita Pulsipher 3 70
DEPARTMENTS
Melchizedek Priesthood -- — — .1 3 5 9
Aaronic Priesthood I 3 6 1
Mutual Messages
Executive Department 3 64
Seniors — — 3 67
M Men — Gleaners 368
Gleaner Girls - 3 69
Junior Girls 3 70
Bee-Hive Girls . 371
Vanguards — - 372
Boy Scouts ^ , : 373
Your Page and Ours _— 3 84
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Copyright, 1932, by the Young Men's Mutual Improvement
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DR. ADAM S. BENNION
^K^igion as (Creative experience
The world is growing weary of religions which are passive^ ejfetninate and monotonous ; many sectarian churches are com-par- atively empty and ministers are becoming discouraged. In the fol- lowing article a man^ whose religion long has been the guiding force of his life^ suggests m^ethods for keeping religion alive in the hearts of others. A creative thing Dr. Bennion proves it to be^ and he proves it in his own penetrating style.
TWO circumstances prompt- ed the writing of this ar- ticle. One was the reading of the following article in College Humor:
"What 6iO college students think about religion these days? I shall speak first of my own alma mater because I happen to know it best. When I entered Princeton five years ago, they were just finishing a lovely new chapel.
"Completed in the spring of 1928, the Chapel was rightly re- garded as the most beautiful as well as the largest of its kind among American universities. Mr. Cram, the architect, used a light grey stone throughout and achieved clear simplicity and great dignity of line. The altar carvings and stained glass windows were the best that money could buy. The eagle lectern, a gift from President Hibben, came out of an old church in France. And this and other lovely details were united to in- spire young men, in these icono- clastic times, to a genuine religious faith.
"Has it succeeded? It has not. When I graduated a year ago, there was no more religious feeling at Princje'ton than when I entered. And there was mighty little then. We had 'kein talente dazu,' as our old German professor used to say."
The other was the participation in a convention in Logan, Utah, in which four men stood up under the distinction of having worked as an officer or teacher in a partic-
T)t. Adam S. Bennion
ular organization for more than fifty years. Each man testified with that indefinable radiance in his countenance that he had found satisfaction and joy beyond meas- ure in his service.
Everywhere this difference in point of view is encountered. To one young man, religion appears to be empty formality, or vain speculation, or idle disputation, or unreasoned mythology. To an- other it is the inspiration of his life. It motivates his very being and sets up ideals and aspirations
which give purpose to everything he does.
Almost always when I have en- countered young men out of sym- pathy with religion they have had a quarrel with some one's defini- tion or interpretation of religion. They have taken issue with prac- tices or preachments clearly at variance with Christian principles of living. They have rebelled at arbitrary rulings of orthodoxy or at negative restraints which seemed to strike at their personal liberty.
npO me, Life is a wonderful ad- venture. Religion is a creative interpretation of that adventure in the light of God's revelations and of man's finest thinking. Religion really is the binding of us to God and to one another. It is the most creative of all the pursuits of life, "Religion is man's search for God and the cooperative quest of the society of God upon earth."
What finer challenge to the in- genuity and devotion of young
men
All too frequently, however, we allow the creative aspect of religion to be clouded under its formalism or its restraints. As Harry Emer- son Fosdick says in his "As I See Religion:"
"We defend religion too much. Vital religion, like good music, needs not defense but rendition. A wrangling controversy in sup- port of religion is precisely as if the members of an orchestra should beat folk over the head with their violins to prove that music is
324
The Improvement Era for April^ 1933
beautiful. But such procedure is no way to prove that music is beautiful. Play it!"
Religion, to the man who has really caught its significance, car- ries an idea of re-birth, or re-dedi- cation. In the language of Rau- schenbusch "The fundamental purpose of Jesus was the establish- ment of the kingdom of God, which involved a thorough regen- eration and reconstruction of so- cial life." (From Christianity and the Social Crisis.)
CAUL, on his way to Damascus,
caught the enthusiasm of this
regeneration. The scripture says:
"And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales. And he received sight forthwith and arose, and was baptized." — Acts 9:18. Under the urge of that rebirth this Saul, become Paul, could declare:
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." — Philippians 1:21.
The Master Himself would have appreciated that full hearted response for
"In him was life; and the life was the light of man." — John 1 : 1, 4.
The creative genius of religion, even in worship, is hinted in the hymn:
"Gladly meeting, kindly greeting, As each meeting shall return.
May our minds by study brighten, May our aspirations heighten,
And may grace our souls enlighten While we strive to learn."
When man becomes conscious of the divinity that is in him — when he views every experience as it may affect his eternal development — then his religion has become cre- ative. Then his religious expe- rience becomes an opportunity — not an obligation.
The creative attitude becomes a reality at every turn. Experience comes to be a divine laboratory. Man tries eternity under the kindly supervision of The Great Teacher. Ponder the creative rich- ness of these challenges:
1 . The Glory of The Universe. Did you ever stand alone under a starlit sky and ask How?
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shew- eth his handiwork." Psalms 19:1.
If you have difficulty in satis- fying yourself as to just how God directs the universe try projecting
The Frontispiece
By Alice Merrill Home
ORSON D. CAMPBELL, a well known artist of Utah, slipped on the ice on a walk of his home town, Provo, Utah, and fell fracturing his skull. The fracture resulted in his death ap- proximately twelve hours tifiter. In his passing the State of Utah and art gen- erally has lost a devoted friend. The Improvement Era had planned to use only the paintings of living artists in this se- ries, but since Mr. Campbell's painting was listed to appear, and since his un- timely death cut short his career unex- pectedly, the magazine is showing his painting this month.
"Noonday in the Wasatch," the Front- ispiece for the April Era, is Orson Camp- bell's typical rendition. He thought and painted in terms of Timpanogos, Ameri- can Fork Canyon, and the glacier-fed Provo River.
This early summer lyric pictures a re- cess in the American Fork Canyon, at high noon. Yellow sunlight filters down through leafy sprays of young aspens, and dark pine tree-trunks, spotting patches of lights and shadows over a grass- green carpet, bef lowered with wild mal- low and columbine. It seems but a brief hour ago, that Campbell was painting those two matchless winter pictures of the dark Provo River, in the heart of Utah's giant mountains that were shown in January in the marble gallery of the State Capitol at the 3 1 sf Exhibition of the Utah Art Institute. But death sud- denly stayed the painter's hand; no more pictures can come from his brush. His collection, which we thought but a be- ginning of his great life's work, will be brought together in a memorial exhibition, April 16, 1933.
This lovely collection is a worth-while heritage to the Campbell family, — nay, it is denied none of us who seek joy in its contemplation. We know already, since the passing of John Hafen, George Ottinger, Alfred Lambourne, and Law- rence Squires, that artists are loved best after Death stops their painting.
Already Orson Campbell's Memorial Collection is a reality. This inspires hope that this artist, too, will be appreciated and kept in close remembrance. The little Campbell farm, resting on the spurs of the beautiful mountain will not be planted this spring by Orson's careful hand. The children will miss their tender father, the wife, whose dually round of work con- tributed greatly to what success her de- voted husband wrung from an exacting calling, will discover, on every hand, si- lent witnesses of him who has gone. "This is the mountain he loved best to paint; that the river, the cloud, shadow, the tree, the misty weather, the time of day, the season of the year — he most enjoyed."
And we who have partaken, even scantily of his exalted purpose, have known something of his belief in his gift, and have witnessed, even casually, the courage with which he pursued his life's quest, should take ample time to review his work that is now complete, complete inasmuch as it can never be added to in this life.
the universe without Him. Try to imagine any creation without the personality of the creator. Ask how a piano comes to be made! or a radio, or a temple. How a star?
Or watch a violet announce a new spring. Or stand by while a dahlia or a tulip takes on new life. Just ask how much of certain at- taches to each process. God in life is religion, whether in the field of biology or out across the pulpit.
2. The Quiet of Meditation. Being is a fascinating subject for contemplation. Who Am I? How Did I Become What I Am? What Am I Destined To Become? Sure- ly in these queries lie infinite pos- sibilities for creative thinking. The man who does not regularly with- draw from the routine of daily life to face these major issues fails to sound life to its depths. One of the major functions of religion is to prompt and direct men to an analysis of the status of their soul growth. Even the dullest of ser- mons can stimulate a thoughtful man to take stock of himself. The thought process once under way, only he can set limits to the in- quiries which his mind supplies. To the man who thinks, religion may become one of the most dy- namic and one of the most chal- lenging realities in the world.
3. Friendly Communion. Re- ligion always carries a rich impli- cation of fellowship. Fellowship with God and with our fellow- men. The two Great Commands center in that fellowship. Jesus' constant concern was that his fol- lowers might be bound together in the bonds of friendship. Re- ligion teaches a common father- hood and rests upon a common brotherhood. In a strange way everyone is a part of everyone else. Literally religion has as its great purpose the binding of us all into one great fellowship.
"The Spirit itself beareth wit- ness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together." — Romians 8:16, 17.
It is true, of course, that we can enjoy the comradeship of citizen- ship and the friendliness of social contacts but the heightened fellow- ship of sacred communion tran- scends all others. The group soul
The Improvement Era for April, 1933
325
made possible in worship calls out the best in men as does nothing else in the world.
4, The Search For Truth. In a unique way religion needs the sustaining strength of truth. Re- ligion undertakes to lead men to the full development of their la- tent potentialities. All truth help- ful in the realization of that ideal
the ally of religion. Religion
is
welcomes all inquiry and is eager to adopt newly discovered truths. When a church discourages inves- tigation it is only because some one fails to grasp the all inclu- sive scope of religion. It is really suicidal for a church to proscribe research. Of course, men may well safeguard against the conclusions and theories growing out of that research until all of the evidence is in. When a young man feels hampered in following honest in- quiry he should charge the dif- ficulty to some one's narrow inter- pretation and not to any limita- tion which religion would set. "The Truth Shall Make You Free," is a religious promise.
5. The Heartening Stimulus of History. So often young men feel a sort of historical restraint. They seem to charge the history of their people with compelling them to walk with their heads ever over their shoulder. The shadow of the past seems often to darken the way ahead.
Again, of course, they suffer from misinterpretation. "Our Forefathers never did so and so" should not be the basis of a ne- gation. In what they did lies one of the greatest challenges any gen- eration ever received. Let the young man read again the building of the Salt Lake Temple. Let him recall that its foundations were laid six years after the pioneers reached this valley. Let him see the sagebrush being cleared while dreams of a Holy House were shaping. Let him follow through forty years of sacrifice and devotion. The dedi- cation of a temple will then prompt him to a rededication of his own energies to the cause which his people championed.
Or let him trudge in fancy a thousand miles behind a handcart — let him stand by to see 200 com- rades succumb to the exposure of a cruelly early winter.
Or let him travel in fancy again with those pioneers aboard the Brooklyn as they journeyed 17,- 000 miles through seven months to make a cheaper trip west by water.
Dr. Adam S. Bennion
'^JPHE author of this article, Dr.
-*■ Adam S. Bennion, needs no introduction to the readers of this magazine. As Superintendent of the L. D. S. Church School System and as an active worker in the Church, he has visited practically efery part of the inter-mountain territory. Known everywhere for his charming discourse from the rostrum or pulpit, and for his friendly approach to any subject in which he is interested, he has be- come one of the best known and most loved speakers and writers of the inter-mountain region. Al- though Dr. Bennion is no longer connected with the schools he is a natural teacher and will continue to teach by lecture, sermon, and es- say, for undoubtedly teaching is his "first love."
Let him read the hazards of that trip and couple them with the su- perb faith of those pioneers des- tined to land finally in San Fran- cisco Bay. There need be no dead- ly repetition in the chronicle of the Saints. Creative imagination is heightened more in the realities of that modern exodus than in the pages of the most vivid fiction. "Come, Come Ye Saints" would make any religious body proud of its forebears.
6. The Rhythmic Warmth of Music. The man who has never joined whole-heartedly jinto the singing of a rousing anthem or who has not partaken of the quiet charm of a sacred hymn — that
April
By Donald A. Fraser
TTTHEN April sings her plaintive song, ' ^ And drops her tears along the
way, I know the time will not be long Before I hear the laugh of May!
For April sighs, she knows not why ;
She sheds her tears in gentle pain ; She knows her sorrows are gone by :
She hears Hope whisper her again:
And yet the surge within her breast, Beats moodily upon her heart;
Her pulses throb in wild unrest.
And tears in gushing fountains start!
New Joy is ever quick to thrill. Yet sister is to poignant Grief,
And tears for each the measure fill: To each they bring a sweet relief.
But though her tears are quick to shower, Still, Joy dispels them oftenwhiles,
For when she sees a wayside flower, Her misty eyes break into smiles!
man has never fully caught the power of religious feeling. Music is the great accompaniment to life and sacred music is the refiner of the soul. Listened to or partici- pated in, music does something for men w^hich no other agency can do. Thought turned loose upon a wonderful melody or interwoven with sacred harmonies is led to some of its finest heights. It is in- conceivable that man could listen understandingly to our noblest hymns and not be moved. The appreciation of worthy music is always a creative experience. Per- haps the fault is ours in not open- ing thei souls of youth to such an appreciation.
7. The Sustaining Power of Faith. To every man comes crises. Failure, disappointment, loss, sor- row, death — ^all stalk the land — eager to call even though unbid- den. In the darkened hour of mis- fortunes it is jwonderful to have one refuge of never-failing com- fort. One source of help — kind- ly, wise, all powerful. A Father who always will extend the help- ing hand. Every man in his weakness prays to be sustained. It is a wonderful thing so to estab- lish communion with God that in the hour of need access to Him be- comes as easy ,as it is natural. Making Him the Rock of our Sal- vation is a creative experience of the first magnitude. Nothing of- fers a safer anchor to youth. In Him lies our surest hope.
8. The Assurance of Eternal Life. When Robert S. Ingersoll wrote:
"The sweetest flowers of life grow on the edge of the grave" he projected the creative force of his mind past the curtains of mortal- ity. Every man must upon occa- sion take that long look. Only religion gives an assurance of con- tinued existence. The love of life finds its fondest contemplation in the thought of eternal being. Shakespeare's memorable
"To Be— or Not To Be" echoes still in the theatre of the human soul. Every man ponders that query — and the one hopeful reply is the answer of religion. Eternal life is its promise — and in that promise lies the richest cre- ative thought which crowds across the pages of our contemplation.
If Life is the warp, then religion is the woof of the Universe — a cre- ative reality stamped into the pat- tern of our being.
326
orever
By TRUE
BANHEARDT HARMSEN
NCLE J I M," Louise Stone looked hopefully at the Bishop as they walked home together one Saturday afternoon. She held his hand as she had done from earliest childhood. "We have never asked a favor of the Ward, not even since dad died."
"I know," Jim Taylor, tall and portly, smiled and squeezed her hand. "Your mother is the best rustler of all my sisters. She's al- ways found a way out. You're just like her under the surface, but you do take after your father on the outside."
"You mean mc showing off, be-
ing what you old fogies call mod- ernr
"Now, now, Louise, don't let's quarrel about that again. You were speaking of a favor?"
Louise drew a sharp breath, and lifted her blue eyes trustfully to her uncle's face. She was pretty in a modern way.
"John Alder has got to come home."
"That's the first Lve heard of it." Bishop Taylor stopped and looked searchingly at Louise. "He
"John Alder has got to come home.^'
has recently been appointed Pres- ident of the Rotterdam District."
"Yes, I know. But I was just talking to Mrs. Alder," Louise ex- plained, "and she said that they had been sending thirty dollars a month to John. Mr. Alder got a cut in wages, and fifteen dollars is all they can scrape up to send him. Can't the Ward help with the rest of it? Or couldn't you — you own a whole bank? I — I don't want
0rj\eu
ever
Louise Stone was a modern Mormon girl with a fiance on a mission. Her uncle was the Bishop and, naturally, she went to htm for advice and — got it. This installment is the prologue to a story which will appear in several installments in the Improvement Era. It was written by Captain True B. Harmsen, of Arizona, who was himself a missionary at one time. Captain Harmsen knows his missionaries and also the true-blue but independent Mor- mon girl, as well as the many difficulties which arise before a young man and his fiancee who have been separated for long years, the one devoting himself entirely to work for the Church, the other attempting bravety to fit into the home society until he returns.
John to come home before — well, before his time is up. I — I wear his ring — haven't had a date since he went away. Uncle Jim, you call me frivolous, and modern, but you know darn well I'm a true- blue Mormon, and John has be- come a wonderful man since going on his mission. He's an example to other missionaries. He's Dis- trict President!"
"The Ward is helping so many during these hard times, that it is impossible to help John," her uncle looked away from her as he spoke. "As for me helping him, that is out of the question. You are a true-blue Mormon, why don't you dig up the money? After all, you're practically mar- ried."
"I would," Louise's lip trem- bled, "but I got a fifteen dollar a month cut today. I just won't have a penny to give to anybody."
"You just said you were a true- blue Mormon, honey; where is your faith? The Lord will pro- vide!"
Louise looked down, and traced the line in the sidewalk with the toe of a. dainty shoe. She did not look up as she murmured goodbye, and turned to leave.
Bishop Taylor looked after her, a puzzled look in his soft brown eyes. "Now, I wonder if that was the right thing to do after all?" He shook his head, and added: "Fll have to see her mother and give her whatever amount Louise sends to John — if she sends any."
Sunday evening af- ter church. Bishop Taylor called Louise to one side. "What did vou do about John Alder?" he
asked. "Did you consult your mother? What did she advise?"
A determined gleam appeared in Louise's blue eyes. "I didn't say anything to mother about it. Mrs. Alder said John could get along on twenty-five dollars a month, so I gave her a ten spot. Fm going to do so every month until he is re- leased."
"Where are you getting the money?"
"If I only knew!" Louise an- swered, and it sounded like part of a prayer. "It costs me five dol- lars a month for silk stockings, so I know where half of it is coming from. But I sure don't know where the other five is coming from!"
"So that's why you are going without stockings?" her uncle
327
grinned. "Atta girl. The Lord will provide!"
"Yeah? Well He won't pro- vide any silk stockings for the little girl, but He will stick a five spot someplace where I can find it. Good night."
Bishop Taylor nodded his head and grinned. "Now, ain't that sompin'?" he asked.
iHE fifteenth of the month, Biishop Taylor met Louise at the Blue Moon Cafe for lunch as she had breathlessly requested over the telephone. She was all smiles as she sat down beside him. She plopped her purse noisily down upon the little table, then jumped up, kissed the bald spot on his head, and threw her arms around him.
"Hey! Wait a minute!" he protested, unfastening her arms from around his neck.
"Can't wait!" Louise laughed, then startdd crying, and buried her face in her arms on the table.
"Now, now, honey," her uncle slipped an arm around her. "Don't cry over that. I just didn't want you to carry on so here where everybody can see you. You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt your feelings. No! Not for the whole world! Why, you're my favorite niece."
"It isn't that," Louise managed between sobs. "It's this!"
She opened her purse and ex- tracted a long green paper and handed it to her uncle.
"It's a pay check," he said, somewhat puzzled.
"Sure!" Louise gasped.
"It's for thirty-scven-fifty-^- that's only seventy-five per month, thought you got eighty-five?"
"I did, silly," Louise was almost fierce in her explanation. "But I got a fifteen dollar cut in salary — •
see
I"
"But this is only ,a ten dollar cut," her uncle protested.
"Again you're a silly. Uncle Jim," Louise laughed through her tears. "The boss said I would not get less than seventy-five, too. Don't you realize what that is? It's that extra five. I knew the Lord would put it somewhere so I could find it!"
In the next installment John Alder comes home, and John has acquired many ideas in Holland. How does Elder John accept Louise's sacrifice i*
328
"Bear T)ance
By KARL E. YOUNG
Go with Professor Karl E. Young y a lover of tlie American Indian ^ and vieiv with him the Spring Festival of the Utes.
Ute Mother and Papoose at the ''Bear Dance"
EVER since the ice went out on the Green River in
northern Utah the Ute In- dians had been talking Bear Dance. All the first week, during a spell of intoxicating spring weather, they argued about when it should start. But finally the good weather broke; then they came to a con- clusion. For a week thereafter they kept coming in by twos and threes ahorseback, or by family lots in spring wagons, with squaws and papooses piled on bedding and hay behind the drivers' seats. When enough men had assembled to cut willows and build the dance corral, they got at it.
As soon as I heard that the dance was definitely on I set out for the Reservation and penetrated as far as the Uintah River. There the sharp wheels of Indian wagons had cut such deep ruts into the soft dirt road that I had to abandon my car and prcKeed the remaining ten miles afoot.
After an hour's trudging I heard the beat of hoofs behind me and turned to see a young Indian burst out of a side-path among the wil- lows and overtake me at an easy lope. He wore an absurd red stocking-cap and looked anything but a "noble red man." However,
Photo hy Karl E. Young
he was friendly : "Where you goin', Bear Dance?" he grinned a t me. I nod- ded.
"Goin' to get you a new woman?" I told him that I hadn't re- alized the* possibilities in that direc- tion.
"Oh, yeah, yeah, lots pretty school girls; nice clean dresses, nice clean ribbons, nice pretty shawls." His face be- came meditative.
T WAS pondering these allure- ments when, off to the left, someone hailed us. The call was more like the whistle of a quail than a hjiman cry, but glancing off in that direction we caught the gleam of white tarpaulin, and saw a patch of red shawl moving among the willow clumps. An Indian family was camped there. Nearby an old man was hooking a pair of skinny ponies to a buckboard and a squaw was lifting a child up into the vehicle. I asked my companion if he knew them. "I don' know," he answer- ed evasively, as a Ute al- ways does when you question him direct-
ly.
Presently we heard the rattle of a rig behind us. Friend Stocking Cap sniffed
an opportunity. "Ask them to give you ride," he suggested with a sly grin. It struck me that to do so would be no small gratification to Indian self-esteem. However, I was out to make contacts, not to preserve class distinctions, so I agreed. "All right, how do you say it in Indian?" He shrugged his shoulders and murmured again the vague negative, "I don' know." But he was eager to have me get myself obligated to his race. There- fore, presently, without any urging on my part, he pronounced the words — "Muen caro."
As the outfit drew alongside and I perceived that there was room for me I cried out, "Muen carol"
"Muen caro!" the old driver shouted back at me, and he added something else which I should well like to have understood, for it set them all laughing. But he pulled up his team and I climbed into the back to sit on the bare boards of the wagon-bed with a young squaw bearing the redundant name of Stella Star.
CTELLA had two papooses. One, - of about eleven months, was slung in a blanket over her back; a heavy strap, passed under the baby's thighs and buckled over the squaw's breast, held it snugly in
The "Bear Dance" in Progress
Photo by Karl E. Voinig
The Improvement Era for April, 1933
329
place — where it slept. The other papoose, a child of about two years, sprawled on a thin scattering of hay and rested his head on his mother's knees. Stella was friendly and polite and talked to me a little, but I could see she was anxious to hear what the young man on the bronco could tell about me as he shouted across the wheel to the buck and squaw in front.
I succeeded in ingratiating my- self with mother and child by sacri- ficing a five-cent bag of candy to the little! one. And thereby hangs a tale. The bag of candy had been put up for me along with several other similar bags by the keeper of the general store at Duchesne. He had warned me that if I went to the Bear Dance the squaws would ask me to dance with them and I should have to pay for each dance with a quarter. However, I was advised that when the squaws sent their children to dance with me I could get off cheaper by giving them each a five-cent bag of candy. The sack of candy would look big- ger than a nickel — and besides one could not be sure how much the candy had cost.
The scent of willow smoke and the rhythmic drubbing of the mor- aches announced to us that we were approaching the dancing grounds. Our buckboard came to a halt in an uneven clearing where there were several shaggy little teams and weather-beaten wagons. As 1 stepped down to the ground, my friend, the horseman reined his bronco over close and spoke to me confidentially, "I don' know. Meb- be so they'll chase us. You bein' white man, they might make you pay." He looked at me sympa- thetically.
I began to assure him that I should not mind paying to see the Bear Dance, but suddenly, he sighted someone with whom he had a great desire to speak, and, waving me a hasty farewell, he trotted off, winding his way among the willow clumps. I caught a glimpse of him ja moment later in conversation with a tall Indian wearing an enormously high-brimmed black hat set off with a tuft of yellow eagle feathers.
npHEN, in an open space ahead, I beheld the dance gathering. A large willow enclosure had been erected on a piece of ground rising out of the river bottoms. On a tall pole at one end of the enclosure
fluttered a white fiour sack with a crude drawing of a bear standing upright in the middle of it. Out- side of the willow wall was a fringe of Indian ponies, and on every pony an Indian youth leaning for- ward in the saddle to see what was going on inside the ring. From within came the hollow zooming of the moraches and the quavering music of Indian song.
I stepped up to peer between the branches of the \yillow wall. There were two lines of dancers facing each other in the middle of the arena, and dancing at a rather fast pace to the accompaniment of a group of musicians who were working vigorously over a wooden object shaped like a horse-trough. Here and there near the sides of the enclosure were several fires around which groups of ancient squaws and playing infants were gathered. An occasional papoose- board leaned against the barrier with a baby laced up in it fast asleep while the mother danced. One old squaw was warming a baby by rocking the cradle board before the fire and turning it from time to time. All of the women had bright, long-fringed shawls over their shoulders, and the old and very young wore handsome lemon-colored buckskin moccasins ornamented with beads. The men were without decoration except for heavily-beaded gauntlet gloves and bpad bar-bands. Most of tbp vonriCT fellows wore high-heeled cowboy boots with big jingling spurs which they did not remove when they danced.
I felt a hand on my shoulder
'v»'4-l>i -vtj ■r ■■
The Picture of the Bear
and turned around. A tall Indian in an enormously high-brimmed black hat, set off with a tuft of yellow eagle plumes confronted me. "You got ticket?" he demanded.
I shook my head and looked about for my red-capped horseman who had worried for fear I might have to buy one. He was riding very unconcernedly round to the other side of the enclosure, having made sure that old "Yellow Feath- er" would not fail to collect from me.
I paid twenty-five cents for a little piece of green wrapping paper. But it was no sooner in my hand than an aged buck approached me and asked for it, saying, "Me take tickets." I did not relinquish it without misgivings, for how should other ticket- sellers know I had paid? I asked the old fellow his name, intending to refer to it in the event of an argument with subsequent ticket-takers. I might have anticipated his answer. It was the inevitable "I don' know."
When I turned to the wall again the music had stopped. The dancers were going back to the fires, the girls and squaws to the far side of the enclosure, and the men to the fires near the musicians. I now had an opportunity to study faces and dress, so I entered the enclosure and approached a fire around which Stella Star and her family were sitting.
#~iN the opposite side of the dance grounds a severe-looking fel- low, with a purple silk handker- chief knotted loosely over his nose and hanging down over the lower part of his face, was pointing at me and, in evident bad temper, addressing a group of men about him. Presently, a middle-aged fellow in ,3 ragged blue overcoat and much-bedraggled black hat crossed over to me and pointed at a small leather case in which I kept a Leica camera strapped to my belt. "No make 'um pictures," he said, and repeated it emphatically, "They don' wan' you to make pic- tures."
Had "they" all been of a com- plexion with this fellow I should not have considered this much of a denial, for he was the ugliest Indian I have ever seen. His broad, dull face was deeply scarred with pock marks, and his thick nose and heavy lips gave him a negroid ap- pearance to which the muddy color of his skin gave emphasis. He certainly did not look the image of
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The Improvement Era for April, 1933
authority, and consequently I was surprised to see him leave me and proceed directly to the middle of the corral where he began to har- angue the girls ,and women for failing to answer the summons of the orchestra to choose partners for the next dance.
Immediately the squaws began to string across the dance grounds. They made straight for the gentle- men of their choice, each one indi- cating her man by a touch on the shoulder or by waving her shawl directly in his face. Every time an especially attractive or peculiarly unattractive squaw made her selec- tion it was greeted by jests and laughter from the rest of the bucks. Then the women crossed back to their own fires and waited for the orchestral prelude to finish.
The "orchesitra" was composed of fourteen men who sat, close- packed together, around a deep wooden trough made of heavy planks and covered with a broad sheet of zinc. Each man had in his left hand a hardwood stick about eighteen inches long and two inches thick, down one side of which a series of deep notches had been cut. In the other hand was a rounded bone about eight inches long. Music was derived from this in- strument, which is called the mor- ache, by placing one end of the notched stick on the zinc sounding- board , and rubbing the bone over the notches in rhythmic strokes. In the old days the Indians used to make resonators by digging a deep pit in the ground and pegging a skin down very tightly across it. This "cave" or hollow place be- neath the resonator was said "to be connected with the bear," and the deep, rasping noise which issued from the "cave" was said "to imi- tate the sound a bear makes."
XXTHEN all were ready a sharp cry was given, and they be- gan to dance, i. e., the rows surged together, and then they swung back. Forward and back. Two long steps forward, and three short steps back. It was a monotonous, though not ungraceful movement to watch. The dancers kept time and they held their lines, for woe unto him who lost a step! He was immediately detected by the master of the dance, our ugly man, who walked up and down behind the lines with a long, tough willow which he laid sharply across the calves of any offending member. Each dance lasted from ten to
fifteen minutes, too long for some of the older squaws who wobbled visibly before the final "y-hah" of the singers announced that the number was ended. But there was no variation. Every dance was like the one which had preceded it and the one which followed.
During the intermissions I moved about from fire to fire, brib- ing my way among the women and children with bags of candy in an attempt to find an informant. The Utes are a secretive lot as early writers testify (witness Humphre- ville) , but I learned that the for- midable fellow with the purple handkerchief was a medicine-man, and that like Kongra-Tonga, in "The Oregon Trail," he had re- ceived directions in a dream, upon the strict observance of which his success in life depended. He had been warned by his "medicine" never to expose his mouth and chin to the sight of a human being. This restriction he had carefully observed for many years, and his behavior had been accepted by the Indians as being perfectly natural. But the white men who lived on the Reservation had, in their ignor- ance, attempted to give a rational explanation. They said that Yel- low Crane was afflicted with facial paralysis, and that he muffled his face to keep the world from seeing his deformity!
Deer in an open park in the National Forest
As to the significance and origin of the Bear Dance I was unable to find out a ithing by blunt ques- tioning. The; women would say "Ask the mens," and the men would say "I don' know." Evi- dently I must change my tactics. I surmised that the artist who had painted the bear on the flour sack would know something of the his- tory of the dance.
He was a young fellow, not overly superstitious, and, fortu- nately, susceptible to praise. I ad- mired his bear, engaging him to paint me one for two' dollars, and pumped him on the subject of the dance. His information was not copious. I had to supplement it with what I could get from farmers and government agents after the dance had broken up. It seems that the festival, which is given annually to celebrate the advent of the spring, originated in an ex- perience which an old warrior had with a bear one day in the woods.
npHE bear had been wakened from Ms hibernation by a peal of thunder, and upon emerging from his winter den, he had shown his joy at the coming of spring by humming a little song and per- forming a simple dance of greeting to a tree. The Indian learned the bear's song and watched his dance until he could repeat it. Then he taught both to the people of his tribe. The people liked them but did not know why the bear had addressed his attentions to a tree. Some claimed that he had danced to a cedar- tree which is symbolic of long life. Others thought he sang merely as a recognition of flowing sap and swelling buds, and that his dance only meant that he was feeling good.
In any event the Indians im- proved on the bear's celebrations and made a purely social occasion out of it, such as it is today. All the people come to the dance which lasts five days and ends up with a big feast. On the last day a man and woman dress up like bears and chase each other about the en- closure. They pretend to get aw- fully mad and scratch people up if anyone -chances to poke fun at them. This is only an attempt to add color. But everyone enjoys it hugely, and eats excessively and goes home reluctantly to wait until June brings hot weather and the Sun Dance and another excuse to leave home and live like their old nomadic forefathers once again.
331
'Ta-Mati-Na-Cup" — "The Bear Dance"
Photo Courtesy Prof. Win. F. Hanson, B. Y. U.
ance
By OLIVE F. WOOLLEY BURT
(As seen by an Indian girl who has been reared among white people)
npHIS is the Bear Dance, the dance of the spring time.
The love dance delighting my forefathers bold. I stand aloof, a curious stranger,
For these crude displays leave me unmoved and cold. I know from a vague but persistent memory
What measure of favor each symbol wins; Yet I am a stranger, the adopted of white men;
I smile as the dance begins.
Forward and back with rhythmic beat, The men are advancing; the women retreat.
These arc my people. How far I have traveled!
I'm no longer a squaw. I have no desire To dress in their costumes, to lie in a wigwam,
To eat my meals squatting beside their low fire. Those Braves are just Indians; they do not attract me;
There's but one who is handsome, but one I might choose. I see him out yonder. Ah, he is not dancing.
Has nobody asked him, or did he refuse?
Forward and back. The tom-toms beat. The men are advancing; — the women retreat.
His skin is like copper; his black hair is braided;
He is built like an arrow, straight, slender and long; Beneath the dark skin his muscles move swiftly;
He is a runner and beautifully strong. Why should I sit dreaming when I might be dancing.
Retreating before him? Oh, rapturous play! He would advance, never to meet me;
Forward and backward with sensuous sway.
Forward and back; the motions repeat.
The men are advancing; — the women retreat.
Across the green meadow, O heart, I am going.
Slowly, sedately, that he may not know How much of pain and how much of rapture,
What exquisite torture it costs me to go. I nod. With a grunt his answer is given.
I wait, while my pulses keep time with the drums. I saw the light that he hid 'neath his lashes;
I saw his eyes — But how slowly he comes!
Forward and back. Go, happy feet!
The men are advancing; — the women retreat.
I have watched the Pale Faces. The men asked the women.
Approaching them boldly, nor caring who saw. But he whom I've chosen would die ere he sought me
For he is a Brave and I am a squaw. The Americans dance with their arms 'round each other.
Heart upon heart, while strange music rings; Ah, it would kill me before these, my people;
But tonight, 'neath the stars, — ah, how my heart sings!
Forward and back. How my pulses beat! The men are advancing; — the women retreat.
Tonight when the dancers have awakened a frenzy.
When the pantomime courtship has fanned their desire. When the beat of the dance and the urge of the music.
Have filled their wild veins with unconquerable fire; When the grasses are warm with the sweet breath of spring time.
When the moon smiles down softly and the breeze sings its song, When the still night enfolds me and shuts me from others.
He will come! He will come! Ah, the day is too long!
Forward and back. May our love be complete. The men are advancing:- — the women retreat.
332
In this article you are given a close-uf portrait of His Excellency^
Governor
C. Ben Ross
A Qrusader
By LAMONT JOHNSON
"And ninety and nine are with dreams content, But the hope of a world made new Is the hundredth man who is grimly bent On making the dream come true."
THAT inspiring little stanza from the vers€ written by Ted Olsen, of Wyo- ming, makes an appropriate start for a real-life subject.
Governor C. Ben Ross occupies the Idaho state capitol at Boise very largely because in his early youth he resolved that he would some day be there, and he never lost that ambition. That is why he is such an interesting personality. His going from farm boy to governor, or being the first native-born Idahoan to reach that high office, is interesting and inspiring, yet many a man has done that in all the years of United States history. Some have attained higher honors from the same foundation. He did the rarer and bigger thing of holding fast to an idea that came to him when he was still too young to realize what a long tough road he had to travel before he could achieve it.
Ben Ross was only 13 when he decided that he would like to be the governor. As he plowed on the old homestead farm near Parma he thought of the state capitol and of himself as governor there. It was a typical boyhood dream, but the difference was that most boys forget it or get over it, and Ben Ross didn't.
I had heard him tell some of these things in his speeches over the state, so one November day I went up to Boise to ask him about ,it. The election was just over and he had been re-elected with the biggest majority any Idaho governor ever had.
That wtas a quiet morning, but it was in his office at the capitol building that I talked with him. He said then that he was only 1 3 when he first got that idea of being governor. He told his schoolmates in Parma about it, and later, when he rode the range in eastern Oregon and southern Idaho, he told his fellow cowboys that they ought to feel proud because they were riding around with the future governor of Idaho. Maybe they laughed at him then, but some of those ex-cowboys remember now what Ben Ross told them.
tJE had in him something of the crusader even in
those days. He must have had, or he would not
have clung to that idea with such earnestness. An-
Governor C. Ben Ross of Idaho
other ambition he had was to own the farm which his pioneer parents had homesteaded in 1875. His father, J. M. Ross, was a cattleman, and Ben was a cowboy until he reached 18. Then he went to a business school in Portland for three years, because all this time he kept that notion of being governor and he knew he needed to get ready for it. At 21 he started farming and managed the old homestead for 1 7 years, living there on it. Not until he moved to Pocatello in 1921 did he ever live in a town. During those years he took an active part in cooperative farm organizations, and from 1918 to 1923 was secretary, then president of the Idaho State Farm Bureau which has since given way to the farm granges.
With the idea of training sitill in mind as needed preparation for the state capital job, he entered politics in 1915 as commissioner of Canyon County and re- mained in that position six years. So intent was he in wanting to make good in whatever job he had — and to be governor — that he almost made the court- house his home. He has told many a time how he often stayed up there until midnight, studying tax records, valuations and assessments. It was that dili- gence which gave him his first opportunity to demon- strate bis genuine honesty of purpose in governmental
The improvement Era for April, 1933
333
Idaho State Capitol, Boise, Idaho
affairs. There were certain irregularities involving tax funds. Other officials had overlooked them. Ben Ross did not. He found where the money had been misapplied and had the situation corrected.
Those six years not only gave him a valuable foundation in practical economics leading toward the governorship, they increased his respect for the idea of doing service, and provided just the precise oppor- tunity that was needed to reveal and develop the crusader spirit which has become one of his dominant characteristics. He found a wrong and corrected it, and he has kept on trying to correct such wrongs as are inflicted by the few over the many, for Governor Ross's ideals are with the mass of people, heart and soul.
"Everyone must have an ideal," he said that day in the capitol building. "Young people cannot drift and expect to get anywhere. They must want to give service and be willing to sacrifice some of the more alluring things in order to realize their ambition. You've got to forget yourself. As soon as you begin to think only of yourself you lower your ability. It is one of God's laws. Anybody who peacocks around never makes much of a success."
DEFORE that, in the same conversation, he had said: "When I first wanted to be governor I knew I had to prepare myself. There is no mere 'happenstance' about doing worthwhile things. You've got to plan for it. That's why I went to business school, and that's why I stayed up at night in the courthouse at Caldwell. I studied tax records at night and traveled the roads by day to see how things were handled. As a young man I cut out cards and dances and poolhalls. I couldn't waste time on those things when I had something else in mind."
"The name of a great man travels ahead of him," a sage once said, and so the people of Pocatello did not need much time to find out what Ben Ross was like. Just two years after moving there in 1921 he was elected m.ayor, and they kept on re-electing him to that position until he again moved on to a higher place. In 1928, for the first time, he tried to land that job as governor. He did not make it, but in 1930 he tried it again, and that time he achieved the goal he had been aiming at all through the years since he was a 13-year old boy plowing on a farm near Parma.
"One of the most important things in anyone's
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The Improvement Era for April, 1933
life," Governor Ross has said more than once, "is that he must want to give service."
He wasted no time. The first thing was the legis- lature in January, 1931. When that was over he started in studying state business and visiting over Idaho to find out things to be done. He found it rapidly. It was another case of misapplied funds
and where he was born, that at the earliest oppor- tunity he bought the place. He still calls it home and returns there frequently with Mrs. Ross and their daughter, Helen.
They also have two grown sons, Dewey and Earl. Mrs. Ross is a pioneer in her own right, as she was born in Wyoming while her parents were crossing the
As these funds belonged to the people of Idaho, he plains. She grew up in Idaho, was educated in that
went about finding and punishing the guilty like a state, taught school awhile, then married Ben Ross
crusader. and has worked in community affairs wherever they
There is a powerful earnestness about Governor have lived. She has been a good campaigner too, in
Governor C. Ben Ross, right; his son, Detcey, left, as cattle ranchers
Ross when he is cru- sading for such a cause. He literally forgets himself in the fervor of his purpose. As though to get directly into the hearts and minds of his listeners, he often leaves the platform and walks down the aisles where he can talk more persuasively in the midst of his audience.
/^NCE, in a large open gathering, where a microphone and loud speaker were necessary to carry his words even to the front row listeners, he became so enthralled with his subject that, of a sudden, he aban- doned the micro- phone and went directly to the front of the crowd, orat- ing and gesturing. The instant he left the microphone his voice became inaud- ible, as though he had been shut off a radio. The audience laughed and some
called "speech, speech," until it dawned upon him that he was still there because the string of lights kept he was talking to thin air. He lowered his arm, lengthening out along the avenue long after the lamp- grinned and walked back to the "mike" on the rear lighter had disappeared in the darkness. of the platform, where he resumed his talk. The lives of some people are like that. Harry
There arc no animosities in the makeup of Gover- Lauder thought, for the things they say and do nor Ross. In the heat of a political campaign he will continue to lengthen and expand, giving light and apologize if he feels forced to use harsh personalities inspiration even though they are not with us. or criticisms concerning his opponents. He is fond A state is fortunate to have a leader with some-
of using scriptural references to drive home a vital thing more than the ability to supervise the economies point. He pays high and earnest tribute to those who of government; whose idealism and personality pioneered ^the land, because his parents were among throws out an influence that will inspire them in their them. That crusader element makes him fight val- own yearning hopes and ambitions, and whose buoy-
Home of Governor Ross, Parma, Idaho
helping him to be- come (governor and remain governor.
J^ EARING him in one of his fervent moments, when he is extolling the fortitude of his pioneer forebears, or urging upon a 1 1 youth the need for idealism and loyalty towards the worth while things of life, one thinks of the lesson Harry Lauder gave the world. On a lonely afternoon in the city of In- dianapolis, far from his beloved Scot- land, the famous singer strolled out into a park. As he sat on a bench in the evening, a lamp- lighter started light- ing the globes along the street. One after another he reached the posts and the lights flicked on. As the shadows grew deeper in the gath- ering dusk, the lamplighter moved on until he could no longer be seen. But Harry Lauder knew
iantly for what he fights at all. The strength in the things of nature is the strength of people to him be- cause his own career is rooted in the rugged and honest environment of farm life. He cannot get away from it. He so revered the homestead his parents founded,
ant faith and high determination will reflect in a beneficent way upon the institutions of which he is the head.
The wish of that 13-year old lad on a western Idaho farm back in pioneer (Continued on page 360)
335
PREPARING The SOIL For
C T leavers
K^ n
By J. H. OLSEN
Thousands of residents of Utah and tourists from other states have enjoyed the beautiful landscaping at the Utah State Hospital in Provo, Last summer the ^'Old Wom^an Who Lived in a Shoe"^^ was made of flowers and other m^aterials. Mr. John Olsen^ florist at the hospital^ was asked how he succeeded so well with his flowers. He replied with this article.
This bed during all growing months is lovely
START a garden with the best possible plant material, be- cause plants will never attain perfection of form or flower with- out this preparation. The begin- ning of a successful garden, then, lies in getting healthy plants and in preparing the soil to receive them. Purchase good, fresh, seeds that will germinate and come to flower; by so doing you can be pretty well assured of a good healthy start.
The success or failure of the garden depends upon the gardener himself. He must see that his
plants have these four things — nourishing soil, sun, water, and cultivation. These four comprise the necessary factors in creating a right garden environment. From the soil comes two per cent of the plant's substance; the other ninety- eight are drawn from moisture and the air. To furnish that other two per cent, we enrich the soil; in order to furnish the remaining ninety-eight per cent we plant our flowers in spots where they will enjoy the light and warmth of the sun. We cultivate the soil in order to let in air and then we must water
i bed of tulips in front of the hospital
the garden. All of these make up plant life.
There are more plants that love the sun than plants that prefer shade. A sunny spot, then, is the first choice. Avoid planting too close to trees, as they not only shade the garden, but draw off the nourishment in the soil through their vast root systems. A sunny, south, gentle slope is the ideal spot because of the drainage.
The second desirable feature is to locate the garden in order that it can be appreciated from the house; lay out the garden from
336
The hnprovetnent Era for April, 1933
the points of vantage in the house — a group of windows, a door, or a porch. Such a garden is located at a distance from the house and may be reached by a path or across a stretch of lawn. Founda- tion planting is designed to give the house a pleasant and gradual rela- tion to its immediate site. This is usually a shrubbery planting, with occasional pockets of perennials and bulbs to give seasonal color.
AX^HERE your lot is small there ^^ is little choice in locating the garden. Just place it along the property line to frame the picture. On a larger place, with varying levels and different types of soil, the kinds of gardens you can make need be limited only by your purse and your interest in flower grow- ing.
Try to lay out your gardens so they are related to one another. So that you pass easily and gradually from one part to another, then their beauty is concentrated and that, together with the house, makes a beautiful picture. Picture making should be your guide throughout your work. It applies just as much to the large place as to the garden designed for a small place.
If the place is large, make a
East Center Street, Provo, parked and bedded by Mr. Olsen. One of the most beautiful avenues in the West.
garden near the house, and this will be the house garden; whatever else you can afford will be extra luxuries but the house garden is essential.
Flowers are grouped together ac- cording to color, height, and season of bloom for the succeeding weeks of spring, summer and autumn. The other types of gardens, bog, rock and shady, all depend upon the nature of the property and the kinds of flowers native to such environment.
Preparing the Soil for the Perennial Border
Since the perennial border is in- tended to occupy one area for an extended length of time, and since, after it is planted, you cannot dis- turb the roots by seasonal excava- tions, the soil should be made per- manently rich in the beginning and deep, with good drainage, plenty of well decayed manure forked in good and deep. Clayey soil should be worked late in the fall and left rough so the frost will penetrate it, and if too hard use a small amount of lime and horse manure. Be sure the drainage is good for
clay soil. Shallow preparation is the cause of more failure than any other factor. In the bottom of the border scatter broken sod, leaf- mold, manure and broken bone. For the top course rake in lime, bone meal, wood ashes and some sandy soil. This soil preparation will be sufficient for a thickly planted border for five or six years, after which the garden should be dug up and more manure forked in. By that time the average border needs thinning out and the two jobs can be done at the same time.
Preparing Annual Beds and Borders
A S annuals last only one season and most all shallow rooted, there is no necessity for such per- manent preparation. A good sandy loam with well-rotted manure forked in deep will answer the purpose. When the annual bed or border is planted to bulbs in the autumn, and bulbs lifted after they have flowered in the spring, to make room for summer bedding plants, the soil should be enriched between these two crops. Annuals have a short life and require plenty of quick-acting nourishment to keep them going; perennials lead a (Continued on page 3 60)
J^'s ilant a
337
Qfio
wer
Garden
By MAUD CHEGWIDDEN
'A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot!
Rose plot,
Fringed pool,
Ferned grot;
The veriest school
Of peace. And yet the fool
Contends that God is not.
Not God — in gardens — when the eve is
cool? Nay, for I have a sign: 'Tis very sure God walks in mine."
THE Lord God planted the first garden, "eastward in Eden," and yet to this day there are folks who never set foot to a spade, and do not realize their iniquity!
Everybody, to make life com- plete, should possess a flower garden. Out here in the west, where land may be bought so cheaply, where we are not herded into tenements like so many cliff dwellers, we should have gardens that will carry the fame of our rich virgin lands and our marvelous climate to the four corners of the earth.
Cures for all ills abound in a garden. Centuries before the birth
"Here in cool grot and mossy dell The rural fays and fairies dwell,''
of Christ plants were eagerly sought for and nurtured in gardens, mainly for their medicinal qual- ities. Today, although we may scorn these simple herbs and their reputed curative possibilities, we may find health and happiness in a garden.
Professional men who suffer from lack of exercise in this strictly automobile age, need to purchase a plot of ground, to have it plough- ed, and then to take their own good hands and the necessary tools and rake and pulverize the soil (Continued on puge 1>77)
338
Knows ^11, Sees ^11
BRIEFLY (the situation was this: Iris David had been "told by Mme. Yerzini — Knows All, Sees AH, and Tells All; Readings $1.00, Walk In— that the future clearly foretold her marriage to an author. Unfor- tunately Larry Hamilton was not an author. His hobby during the summer months away from school and his prospective profession was the breeding of pedigreed dogs. The Glen Briar Kennels at his father's country place were already being heard tof in connection with blue ribbons at dog shows.
Vainly had Larry argued with Iris that Mme. Yerzini was as apt to have mentioned any other pro- fession, but she felt that to con- tinue being engaged to Larry in the face of such a clear call would only be inviting disaster and had
cited such conclusive examples of the Madame's mysitic powers that even Larry was somewhat con- vinced. In fact, love being what it is, he was at this moment on his way to commune with the Muses of literary composition.
Upon entering the sacred portals of the Iota Beta Chi house he went straightway to his room which he shared with one Digs Burton, It was similar to the other rooms of the house in that it was strewn with a litter of hand towels which had forfeited their heritage, socks wilted by the wayside, and ties relegated to the dishonor of dan- gling over the waste-basket. There was a rhythmic appearance and dis- appearance of these articles begin- ning with their absence on Satur- day when the rooms were given a thorough and purposeful cleaning
/ suppose you're going over to the fair Iris and announce you^ve con- quered the Fates . . .
by Hulda and ending Friday in a delightful array of masculine ap- parel arranged with superb aban- don.
Tc
.ODAY being Wed- nesday, the door could be opened, and was at this moment by Mr. Hamilton. A familiar noise smote his ears: ZZZZZZZZZ-ah, ZZZ- ZZZZZ-ah. Larry hurled the Ad- vance Principles of Organic Chem- istry at the rising and falling abdomen of Digs Burton, whose knees and chest snapped together like a steel trap. The Advanced Principles of Organic Chemistry was returned to its owner viciously accompanied by a remark to the effect that it was a burning shame a man couldn't take a beauty sleep unharmed. Whereupon Larry re- torted that if beauty was the purpose of his nap, Digs would do well to emulate Rip Van Winkle. But within half an hour peace was restored and quiet reigned except for Digs' throaty snoring and the clacking of Larry's portable type- writer.
It was three days before Digs
and Tells oAll
339
By HELEN CARROLL LLOYD
noticed the persistency with which Larry was pounding the type- writer.
"What's the idea of copying your notes so early in the semes- ter?"
"Not copying notes."
"Don't tell me it takes you this long to write home for money after all the practice you've had?"
"Not writing letters."
Silence.
"Well, maybe our hero is writ- ing for a living?"
"You'd be surprised."
Clack-clack, clack, clackety- clack.
Curiosity conquered and Digs satisfied it by employing the simple expedient of peering over his com- panion's shoulder to read: "The night was spun of moonbeams and memories, and Allan sat alone by the fire dreaming of his lost love."
"You mean his last love don't you?" inquired Digs.
"Say, you get out of here. This is none of your business," cried Larry, shielding the page in the typewriter with both arms.
Digs rose gallantly to this chal- lenge, made it his business and soon had the entire tale from his friend. He cursed Mme. Yerzini and all her ilk to an eternal existence in boiling oil and offered to proof-read the masterpiece and give it a thorough criticism.
When it was finally done, Larry systematically made out a list of prospective purchasers including all of the popular magazines; selected the one he would in a few days pick up saying, "Yes, I have a story in this issue," and sent the manuscript out on its maiden voy- age.
It was returned with alarming dispatch. The printed rejection slip held cold comfort as prospect number one was crossed off. A week or two passed and the hateful self-addressed envelopes be- came a bane to Larry's existence. The multi-colored rejection slips made an ironically gay streak on the wall where they had been thumbtacked.
The afternoon mail brought an- other long white envelope with the
Larry was pounding the typewriter.
betraying crease down its middle. A black check appeared against the last name on the list.
"Well!"
"What's up? Another 'scrap of paper r
"Yes. There must be some- thing wrong w!ith my story."
"Really? Which side of the family did your Uncle Sherlock belong to?"
"Cut the gags Digs. This is serious. Iris went to see that greasy wop again yesterday and she told her the same line. But Iris says that if I could get just one story published it would be enough to be called a sure enough author and then everything would be creamy."
"Yes and if Caesar's mother had lived in England I wouldn't be breaking in new brain paths on this Latin grammar."
"What about Caesar's father? But lay off the dead languages, Digs, and help me put some life in this."
"Ask me something hard," pleaded Digs as he deserted the mighty Roman Ruler.
After a lengthy consultation it was decided that the root of the undesirability of the manuscript
Iris David was told by a fortune teller that she was to marry an author; harry was not an author^ and therefore this story.
lay in the fact that Larry was try- ing to write about something of which he knew nothing. In cor- recting this mistake it was but natural that he should choose dogs for the subject of his next literary portrayal. The result was a de- cided improvement. Even hanging participles and split infinitives could not hide the charm of new- born, blind, wriggling puppies. It was filled with sparkling bits of quaint canine philosophy and in- cidents Larry had garnered from his long association with dogs. Digs pronounced it unequalled but Larry was a bit skeptical over the success of his labor for love. How- ever, the next morning a second manuscript set sail over a chartered route of ten or more editorial of- fices.
The sun rose and set, and with as fateful regularity appeared black checks on the second list of "pros- pects."
Larry was in a frightful mood which even Digs could not pene- trate.
"Look here, I ask you to read this rot," Larry demanded one night flinging down a popular weekly publication. "If that man knows dogs then I'm, an author — ha, ha, ha. Business of laughing hollowly."
"Listen, Vacuum, don't run a temperature. It's hot enough in here. Let's see what the thorn in your side has to say." Digs picked up the magazine and read the "rot" under discussion. "And to think he gets paid for it!" he said won- deringly as he finished.
Th
LHERE followed a criti- cism which would have put to shame the most vitriolic literary critic. In complete disgust Larry strode to the desk to attack a lengthy Economic assignment. He read belligerently for almost an hour when he stopped midway in a page to ponder over the follow-
340
The Improvement Era for April, 1933
ing words: "The value of any product is directly dependent upon the supply and demand." He read them again. "H'm," he mused, funny the idea had never struck him before.
"Hey Digs, what do you think of this for a sales idea?" He had pounced on the bed and was talk- ing excitedly.
The next morning the sound of a portable typewriter awakened several of the less ambitious mem- bers of the Iota Beta Chi as it was heard on the early morning air. Instead of its usual sandwich of two sheets of white and one sheet of carbon paper, the typewriter was being fed dignified slices of heavy manila decorated with the Iota Beta Chi seal. When the twenty- fourth letter was finished, en- velopes were served to the machine. Whereupon they were stamped and the letters inserted. But along with every letter bearing the fra- ternity's insignia, went another missive already sealed and stamped. Each of these envelopes was dif- ferent and although everyone bore the same address, they appeared to have been written by 24 different persons. This task completed, Larry sealed the large envelopes containing their double message and grinned broadly.
Tt
HE Big Gun was finishing his weekly conference with the staff of the Plots and Plans short story magazine. He cleared his throat for the twentieth time that morning and continued: "And I would like to remind you again that we are all one great big family working to give our pub- lic the best short stories written. We must appeal to the tired busi- ness man and woman, the vaca- tionist, the sportsman, the house- wife and farmer. Plots and Plans must be a finger on the pulse of the great American masses. The correspondence department must have an alert ear attuned to the de- sires of our readers and such re- quests as they make, we must try to fulfill. Ar-umph. That will be all until next Wednesday."
The staff of Plots and Plans scattered to their posts, with ears alert to the wishes of the masses and the welcomje sound of the noon gong.
That afternoon the Big Gun was sitting in a haze of smoke, pleasantly ruminating on the fu- ture of Plots and Plans when a cautious cough broke in on his
reverie. He swiveled around slowly.
"What is it Miss Peterson?"
"I beg your pardon for inter- rupting, Mr. Stone, but the cor- respondence department has had numerous requests for more dog stories. They have been coming in from all over the country."
The Big Gun was immediately alert to the demands of his public.
"Well, what about Mr. Wiley who has been writing dog stories for us — "
"He has gone to Canada to do special articles for the Home and Family," apologized Miss Peter- son faintly.
"The Home! and Family? Ar- umph! Well, well, well. Let's see. Haven't we any other con- tributing authors who could give us something along that line?"
"Mr. Jackson would be the only one, sir, and his last story was not — er — er exactly well received you remember."
"Yes, yes, I remember," asserted Mr. Stone, and he shuddered slightly. Several derogatory com- ments had been received by the correspondence department follow- ing its publication.
"But, Mr. Stone, I have here a story that was submitted by a new author which seems to fill the bill, if you will allow me to use that expression?"
"Well now, let's see the story. How many letters did you say we had received asking for another dog story?"
"I should say about twenty, Mr.
Stone. Would you like to see them?"
"No, no, not just now. I'll read this manuscript tonight and let you know in the morning what to do about it. And, Miss Peter- son, I appreciate your interest in keeping your ear attuned to the wishes of our readers."
"Yes sir, thank you sir," and the door closed softly.
Di
'URING the next day four more letters came to the attention of the correspondence editor of Plots and Plans stating their preference for dog stories very similar to the one submitted by Mr. Larry Hamilton, only of course they did not mention that young man.
The fact that the twenty-four letters were from the twenty-four cities in the United States boasting chapters of the Iota Beta Chi was lost entirely upon Mr. Stone when the letters were laid before him. He was conscious only that his readers wanted dog stories and he blessed Mr. Hamilton for having stepped so aptly into the breach left by the departure of Mr. Wiley to the ranks of Home and Family and the unfortunate reception of Mr. Jackson's tale. This was not a bad story either. Full of heart interest to dog-lovers and a rather interesting style withal. So it was not strange that a few days later a check and letter of acceptance was dispatched to the author of the manuscript.
DiGS! Digs! Would you, could you, believe it. Bite this and see if it's real." Larry exploded into the room waving a white slip of paper above his head like a banner of victory.
"What's the song and dance this time?" said Digs, eyeing the paper suspiciously, "We have read your story with interest but regret that it does not fill any immediate need of this magazine?"
"I'll say not. Words and music by First National playing the march of fifty iron men — and see here's the letter they wrote accept- ing the story."
"There, there, now just lie down and relax. It'll go away pretty soon. Digs' I'il roommate been studying too hard."
"Oh yeah? Well it hadn't bet- ter go away until I show Iris. I hope this convinces Mme. Yerzini that you can't keep a good man down and that love will out. Gee,
The Improvement Era for April, 1933
341
to think that plan worked Uke it did. Here, gimme the letter and check. I'm going over to see Iris now." Larry was prancing around like a young colt, eager to be off.
"Listen fever, 'becalmed, be- calmed' as the seamen cried when the wind left the sails, I suppose you're going over and present yourself before the fair Iris and announce that you've conquered the Fates and all's well again with the cards and crystals?"
"Well why not?" What do you think I've been plunking that portable for? What do you think I wrote to all the other chapters for, asking them to forward those letters at certain dates if it wasn't to square myself with Iris? Now c'mon, give me that check and letter."
"Yes, that's just it. Square yourself with Iris, but for how long will you stay squared? Well I'll tell you. Exactly up to but not including the time that Iris visits another fortune teller or numerologist. She's bugs on 'em and will believe anything they tell her." Djigs was warming to his subject. "How many of these fakes do you think will tell her that she is destined to be the soul mate of Mr. Laurence Hamilton. ■How many, I'm just asking you, how many?"
TTELEN CARROLL LLOYD ■*- -* comes by her writing natur- ally, as she is a daughter of Elsie Chamberlain Carroll, one of the best known writers in the Church. Mrs. Lloyd is the wife of Don Lloyd and is making her home in Salt Lake City. Both Mts. Lloyd and her husband uKre graduated from Brigham Young University and since that time have spent tuM or three years in Washington, D. C.
"Oh tell her you went to visit Mme. Yerzini yourself, then hand her a big line of hooey about your future prospects."
As the scowl on Larry's face did not lift at this suggestion Digs went on pityingly, "You don't catch on so quick do you? Well I'll go over it once more. Now concentrate."
Tv.
Ai
.S Larry started to give the results of his computations as to "how many" would give this answer he was silenced by Digs' waving finger.
"You just keep quiet until I get through and then if you still want to go and make a fool of yourself, why go ahead; I won't lift my finger to stop you. You finally sold a story by pulling off a regular sales campaign. How long do you think it would have taken you if you hadn't written all those let- ters? No, I'm not through yet. If I gave you a chance to talk you'd say, 'Well, I sold a story and that's all I bargained to do, wasn't it? I'm an author.' But was that all you bargained for? What if Mme. Yerzini had said "archi- tect" or "artist" instead of "au- thor?" You were just lucky the first time. When Iris goes mystic again what'U prevent the All- Powerful Crystal Gazer from an- swering her when she asks 'what kind of man am I going to marry?' by saying that she is destined to become the wife of an aviator or sea captain. I can see you sailing
the high seas or lofty clouds when a merry-go-round makes you lose interest in food. I'm telling you this for your own good, old pal. You've gotta cure her of that medium complex. You've gotta show her who's boss, and that she can't run you around from one profession to another, depending on how the cards lie. All this I'm telling you hurts you more than it does me, but it's what you need. Now if you still wantjo go trotting over to Iris and tell her you've slain the three-headed dra- gon and what's next on the pro- gram, why go ahead and blessing on you, little man." Digs pulled a handkerchief of questionable color from his nether pocket and mopped his brow. As he did so he stole a glance at Larry who was standing silent with a sharp pucker between his eyes. Finally he spoke :
"You — you mean Iris would — would ask another fortune teller that same question after — after this?"
"Sure."
"But why. You said yourself she believed in such things. Why would she ask again after I'd made the first prediction come true?"
"Don't ask me. Just the nature of the species. They've always asked that question — and they al- ways will," he added prophetically.
Larry sank to the edge of the bed, the thrilling letter and check forgotten in the face of new ob- stacles.
"Aw cheer up. The case isn't hopeless. It's just like I was tell- ing you — you've gotta cure her of believing in these fortune tellers and crystal gazers."
"Well what would you suggest. Should I write a book disclosing their evil practices?" Larry offered sarcastically.
"Now that you mention it — no!" brightly responded Digs, "Why don't you try playing her at her own game?"
"How?"
.HE sun was almost history for the day by the time Digs felt that Larry was well forti- fied enough to brave an interview with Miss Iris David. He accom- panied him down the steps to the community telephone booth, talk- ing to him earnestly, and waited without while Larry made certain that young lady was at home and would welcome his appearance. Then the two boys departed from the fraternity house and started down the street.
"Do you think you can remem- ber all that?" Digs questioned.
"Sure," replied Larry, "and probably a lot more I make up on the scene." His eyes were alight with conspiracy.
"That's right, lay it on thick. You can't tell her too much. Well, I'll leave you here. Got to go up to the library — remember, get started before she does and good luck."
Digs swung off at right angles after giving Larry a hearty slap on his broad sweatered back.
Presently Larry sauntering up the walk of the House of David spied Iris clad in white organdie and looking lovely as she sat idly swaying the porch swing.
"Hi there," he called, "you look as cool as a snow princess."
"Then I'm downright deceit- ful," she laughed as she made room for him beside her on the swing. "But what did you have to tell me Larry. I've been simply consumed with curiosity ever since you phoned. Is — is it something about your being an — an author?" she asked expectantly, her eyes shining up at him.
"Well sort of," Larry drew an envelope from the fold in his sweater and handed it to her. The lamp light from the window en- abled her to read its contents and when she had finished she breathed softly.
{Continued on page 378)
342
In this article a man who has suffered from the invasion of the m^achine^ as all have suffered directly or indirectly y comes to the support of the machine y but insists that in- telligent people should m^ake the m^achine support them^ rather than be compelled to support the machine. Above ally he believes the Am-eri- can^s Job should be protected.
A REPORT of a group of American Engineers, esti- mated that there would be 11,000,000 wage-earners out of employment during the winter. The Engineers also predicted that 20,000,000 wage-earners would be jobless within two years.
The engineers' survey was not concerned with the problem of starving men, women and children, but was the result of ten years' effort and study of technological
^i
mertcan
By
W. J. HOLDER
unemployment — unemployment which resulted when machines dis- placed men.
They said nothing the govern- ment had proposed constituted a constructive policy. "Such a pol- icy must involve an industrial solution, some method of solving the unemployment problem. Some system must be achieved with the widest dispensation of benefits and the least incidental misery.
"The 'five-day week, the Recon- struction Finance Corporation, low cost housing projects, and similar measures enlisted in the fight to bring back prosperity will have little or no effect on the steady growth in the number of wage- earners displaced by machines," they said.
This being the case, some feas- ible method must be devised to protect the American job, for if the workers are not employed, we cannot build up an adequate pur- chasing power for our nation's business.
M
Before we can really understand a method of protecting the Amer- ican job, we must understand a little of what has happened to cause the American job to need protection, and how it has come about. We must know a little about the workings of machinery and how it is employed to displace workers, and why it is employed to displace workers in many cases. We must understand that we have two classes of machinery: one, a progressive class, the other a retro- gressive type; or, in other words, one that produces labor and creates jobs, the other that absorbs labor and abolishes jobs. Until one un- derstands the difference between these two classes of machines, it is difficult to understand how a job- protecting system could work. So we shall begin first by learning why and how machines displace men, and if this displacement is al- ways for the welfare of our nation and the good of the people gener- ally, or, if it is most generally for the greed of a few profit-mad in- dividuals.
The Improvement Era for April, 1933
343
T TP until the beginning of the twentieth century, machinery was in a stage of more or less ex- perimentation. It took many men to build machines, and many more to operate them. The automatic device and remote control systems were unheard of. But from the beginning of the twentieth century rapid gains have been made in the progress of labor saving machinery, not with the intention of lighten- ing the work of 'the people gener- ally, but for the sole purpose of obtaining high profits and low labor costs. Each year conditions have grown worse, until now, we are on the brink of an unemploy- ment disaster. Some call it a busi- ness depression.
According to the National In- dustrial Conference Board, for the average of all manufacturing in- dustries, an output that required 109 workers in 1900, was pro- duced by 100 workers in 1914, and by only 71 workers in 1925. Later statistics are not now avail-
able, but it is certain that the figures for the present time are con- siderably smaller. Some estimate them to be as low as 40 workers.
Before going further into the discussion of protecting the Amer- ican job, let us look up a few sta- tistics which can be found at most any public library.
One American automobile worker in 1929 did as much work as 14 such workers did 25 years before. This is shown by the re- searches of a group of scientists In the industrial engineering depart- ment of Columbia University. They back the astounding state- ments with figures, as follows:
A man-hour in their discussion is one man working for one hour.
"In 1904, it took 1,291 man- hours to make a car. In 1919, it took 313 man-hours to make a car. In 1929, it took 92 man-hours to make a car — incidentally, a much better car.
"In 1919, the auto plants of the United States employed 606,410,- 000 man-hours to make 1,600,- 000 automobiles.
"Ten years later, in 1929, it took only 521,469,000 man-hours to make 5,600,000 automobiles. In ten years, the output had been multiplied by three and a half, while the employment had drop- ped 14 per cent."
TN another research in the coal fields, we find, that in 1919, it took an average of 1600 man- hours to produce 1200 tons of coal. While in 1931, it took an average of 320 man-hours to pro- duce 1800 tons of coal.
We read from The Literary Di- gest, March 7, 1931, page 30:
"A new era in sugar-cane har- vesting dawned in Florida today.
"Seven huge harvesting-ma- chines, each designed to cut 500 tons a day, took to the undulating fields of the Southern Sugar Com- pany in the Everglades, near here, for the first time in the history of the industry, and eight more sim- ilar harvesters are to be put to work shortly.
"Each miachine is capable of doing the work of 200 hand-la- borers. Sugar-men say they expect the harvesters to do for the cane- growers what 'the combines have done for the wheat-farmer In the Middle West.
"P. G. Bishop, receiver for the sugar company, estimated that with the machines In operation, the company could reap a net profit of $1,500,000 from this year's crop."
From the Musicians' Magazine, we read: "More than 300,000 musicians have lost their jobs in the picture show houses since the advent of the talking pictures."
From The Literary Digest, April 25, 1931, page 19, we read:
"This 'piano' -type control key- board was designed by the com- pany so that one person can easily control a large number of auxiliary mill drives."
From The Electrical Journal, we read: "Gone are the days when the traveling public and railway employees take chances on flaws occurring in the rails over which our transcontinental trains whiz along at the rate of 60 miles an hour, all because a robot investi- gator is employed to detect the flaws In the rails as well as paint the rail at the location of the flaw — thereby relegating the track walker with his keen eye to the ranks of the unemployed."
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The Improvement Era for April, 1933
'"pHIS robot, operated by two men, will travel over 160 miles of track daily, thus doing the work that formerly required 8 men to watch. No doubt the machine can do this job better, but why should the machine not be made respons- ible for the support of a part of the six men whose jobs it has taken permanently. The two men, who remain to operate it, will most likely be assessed a small percentage of their wages to help support the unemployed. But what will the machine that has taken their jobs be assessed? So far nothing has ever been paid by the machines, for supporting the unemployed, whose jobs they have taken.
The Telephone Company has displaced many thousands of girl- operators at their switchboards with the dial, or rather an auto- matic system. The newspapers carried a news item stating that 3,000 girls had been displaced in one city. That was a few years ago, and at that time we thought it a great and clever labor-saving scheme; but today we are begin- ning to see the folly lof the scheme. For such schemes have put millions of people out of work, and left us without a purchasing power.
One could go on indefinitely citing cases where industrial and manufacturing concerns have dis- placed many workers with me- chanical contrivances; some, for the betterment of mankind, but far in the majority for the sole purpose of high profit and low labor costs.
We are told that the depression began in 1929. This may be when big business began to feel it; but to the working class, it has existed ever since the end of the late World War.
There were no jobs waiting for the returning soldiers as they ar- rived home from the military camps. From that date, one could find hundreds of men at the gates of the industrial plants of our na- tion, every morning, looking for jobs. Each year it has grown worse, until today men know there are no jobs left, and so we find them now walking the streets, cry- ing for bonuses, doles, charity, or whatever they can get, which isn't much. They will continue to walk the streets, if they don't do some- thing worse, until we have pro- tection for the American jobs. After that there will be no cry for bonuses or doles. Men will be at work with the machine and there
will be no need for bonuses or charity.
We hear daily the plea for the creation of more jobs for our workers, in order to get them back to work. Of what use is there in creating more jobs, until some method is worked out to protect the jobs that are already created? If a job is created, it is no time until some labor-saving scheme for high profit is devised to do the work mechanically, and the ma- jority of the men employed are forced to rejoin the ranks of the unemployed.
ANYONE doubting the asser- tion, in regard to machines being built rapidly to displace men, has but to turn to the weekly news magazine, "Time," of June 15, 1931, page 5 1 . There he will find an advertisement by an engineering company, offering to build any kind of a machine needed to dis- place the "slow, costly hand la- bor." But as slow and costly as the hand labor may seem, it gives to us something that the swift moving machine can never give us. It gives us a purchasing power, a power, that the machinery of the labor saving class can never give us, without which all machinery is worthless.
We do not wish to abolish the machine age, as some writers have suggested; we just want to use it intelligently. Everyone knows, who has studied, that we must use machinery if we are to progress. But we must not try to use it con- trary to the laws of nature. It must be used to help all mankind, and not used for the sole purpose
Indestructible
By Alien Stephenson
COMMON table salt Can be broken up Into sodium and chlorine. The sodium exists And the chlorine exists And nothing is lost.
The beauty of a sunset, too,
Is broken up
Into a thousand
Constituent parts
That fade
And seem as nothing.
But that beauty exists
* * * (Somewhere * ♦ * And glows again — • Always and ever again —
* * * Somewhere * * * In a human 'Soul!
of high profits and low labor costs, to help just a few people create great wealth.
We must learn that a permanent prosperity of any part of our peo- ple was conditioned upon the pros- perity of all; and that on the other hand any effort to raise the general level of happiness by striking at the well-being of a portion of the peo- ple could not be but in the end disastrous to all.
We readily see the necessity of the emigration laws, to protect the people against the invasion of for- eign labor; but so far we have failed to see the necessity of a law protecting our people against the invasion of certain kinds of ma- chines, without paying part of the price of displacement of the laborer.
At the beginning of this article I showed how the automobile in- dustry had lowered the amount of man-hours to produce a car. Yet, the automobile in itself is the great- est producer of labor that we have. It produces almost one-fourth of the labor in our country. Accord- ing to the National Automobile Chamber of Commerce, there were more than 8,000,000 workers di- rectly employed in making auto- mobiles and parts, at one time in 1926. There were another 4,- 000,000 workers employed by in- dustries created by the automobile, such as road building and supply- ing of raw materials, details of equipment, oil, gasoline, and serv- ices of various kinds. This must all be figured as produce of the automobile.
'"pHE automobile in itself, takes no man's job, but is constant- ly creating jobs. Although there have been many labor saving schemes used in the automobile) in- dustry that would come under the job protection system, the auto- mobile in itself would not be in- cluded in this class. The auto- mobile is now taxed from 4 to 17 times more than any other piece of machinery of the same valuation in the country. The taxes on the automobile should be drastically lowered, and shifted on to the ma- chines that are used for high profit. In this way we would create a better market for the automobile, and it would create still more jobs. The radio, if used in the home, is a job producer; but when used in a public place for profit, it be- comes a labor saving scheme, if it takes the place of musicians in pub- lic performances. The same is true
The Improvement Era for April, 1933
345
of the phonograph, or any mechan- ical form of music. And when used for public performances, for profit, it should come under the job protection system.
Under our present laws, if used in a public performance for profit, it is privately taxed, by a group of individuals, known as The Amer- ican Society of Composers and Publishers.
Any device used in the medical profession, if used in any way to heal the sick, cannot be classed as a labor saving scheme, for it is not used for the sole purpose of dis- placing other people in the profes- sion or for high profits for the people who use it. Such a device is of the real progressive type of machinery.
The telephone, when not con- nected with an automatic device, is a labor producer; but when it be- comes an automatic system, it be- comes a dangerous labor saving scheme.
When the telephone company built an automatic system in one of the large eastern cities, at the cost of $5,000,000 many people wondered how they could get their investment returned to them in any reasonable length of time. This automatic system was built to dis- place 3,000 girl telephone oper- ators who welre receiving an aver- age wage of $18 a week at that time. Now if we figure for a minute, we shall find that the wages saved by using the auto- matic system for 22 months will be $5,148,000. From this date on the wages saved by using the machine are practically clear profits, as the expense of maintenance is very small.
There are many of these labor saving schemes being used, through the nation, that have gradually broken down the pur- chasing power of our country, and must be stopped if we are to regain the purchasing power that is neces- sary to keep business functioning properly.
'M'O thinking person should be opposed to machine labor, but every patriotic citizen should be opposed to the profits which ma- chine labor has created the last few years at the expense of the working people.
I might cite the effects of a few more of the machines that can be classed as of the dangerous labor- saving type. For instance, let me refer to the "cane-harvester" that
is being used at present in Florida.
Each machine displaces 200 men who were formerly paid $3.00 per day. These men received $600 per day for wages. The machine that has displaced them cost $15,- 000. By using the machine for only 25 days, the original cost of the machine can be met from money saved in wages. The 200 men who were formerly employed in the cane-fields are now jobless, and have ceased to have a purchas- ing power. The $18,000 per month that was formerly paid in wages, to be spent by the workers for the necessities of life, which created a purchasing power for the nation, are now paid as profits to a few people. But, if we remem- ber there are 1 5 machines at work, each displacing 200 men, for a total of 3000 harvest hands, the savings in wages for the sugar company amounts to $270,000 per month. This money no longer is used as a purchasing power for our nation, but is used to divert wealth into the hands of a few people.
Mr. Bishop, receiver for the sugar company, was not far wrong in his estimating, that the com- pany would reap a net profit of $1,500,000 from the year's labor saving scheme.
We find, on investigation, that very few firms will invest more than $2500 per man displaced, for machinery. They must be pretty sure that their investment will be returned within two years or they will not take the chance of the investment. Many will not go beyond $1500 per man-cost-dis- placement, and others must be as- sured that the machine will save its price in wages the first year, before
Prayer
By Aurelia Pyper
TT'S such a simple thing, -* A prayer —
A few words breathed in faith and trust, A plea for help when someone must. And it is there.
It's such a humble thing,
A prayer^ — Sincerely asked on bended knee, From hearts in deep humility;
And souls laid bare.
It's such a precious thing,
A prayer — A talk with God across the veil, The knowledge that He will not fail His love to share.
they will buy. After that, very little of the money goes to the public as a purchasing power for the nation, but goes into the banks as created wealth.
It is this kind of labor-saving scheme introduced during the last 1 5 years, that has given the nation so many unemployed people, and so small a purchasing power.
TX7HEN a mining company in- stalled a car-dumping ma- chine at one of their concentrate mills at a cost of $125,000, they received no little mention in the state papers where the work was done, commenting upon the won- derful device. One paper even stated how the company was look- ing out for the welfare of its em- ployees, by making their plant all modern. Here is the inside story of that change from man to ma- chine. It required 30 men on a shift to dump cars and break up the rocks that were too large to go into the crushers. By installing the dumper and a larger rock crusher two men on a shift could do the work that was before re- quiring 30 men. The outlay for the change would be $125,000. The men at that time received $4.50 per day. The machine dis- placed 84 men (28 on each shift) . We find that the saving in wages of $4.50 pejr day, on 84 men will a little more than pay for the change in 331 days.
There are countless numbers of these labor saving schemes being used today to displace workers.
Ten years ago, these men, dis- placed by machines, stood a pretty good chance of being absorbed in other lines of industry; but the scheme of using machines has grown to such large proportions that today there is very little op- portunity of men's getting jobs. Efiiciency has increased on the average so rapidly that new activ- ities are not sufficient to care for the growing number of workers displaced by machines. That's why we must have "Protection for the American Job" if we want a purchasing power for our country.
A protective labor system, which could be made very effective in protecting the workers against unemployment, would work some- thing like this: If a firm was employing 200 men on a job, and a machine was invented that would displace 100 workers, the firm could be compelled to use the ma- (Continued on page 380)
34S
WHY THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN FACULTY
<^thletic (onference
By RALPH J. GILMORE
Since the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference includes the most thickly -populated area of the Churchy and since thousands of young men of this region^ including a high percentage of Latter-day Saint men^ participate in athletics in one or the other of these in- stitutions of higher learning^ this article by Professor R . J. Gilm^ore, ■ secretary of the Conference ought to be of paramount interest.
THE widespread interest in college athletics is one of the most striking developments of modern times. With this inter- est has come the obligation of edu- cational institutions to so control and direct athletic activities that they might prevent too serious in- terference with the academic pro- gram and to develop and safeguard any educational values peculiar to organized games.
Individual colleges sought to establish their own rules and to control their own athletic affairs. A few of the larger stronger ones succeeded rather well. But the great majority, however strong, found it highly desirable to pool their several experiences and to evolve common codes under which all should operate. And so de- veloped the idea of the athletic con- ference. The first of these to be organized, the Western Intercol- legiate Athletic Conference, came into existence in 1895. Since then ^7 have been organized with a
membership of nearly four hun- dred universities and colleges.
The Rocky Mountain Faculty Athletic Conference organized 1909 is now listed among the ten most prominent and best operated conferences in the United States.
r^N January 30, 1909, represen- tatives of the University of Colorado, Colorado College, and the Colorado Agricultural College organized the Colorado Faculty Athletic Conference. A constitu- tion land eligibility rules were formally adopted. The first rules were chiefly a codification of the generally accepted unwritten rules under which intercollegiate con- tests had been held in the Rocky Mountain region up to that time. Representatives from the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Denver attended conference sessions as guests from the begin- ning, while a representative from the University of Utah was pres- ent at the December meeting of
TACVVTY
REPRESEJ\.
TATIVES
Front rotv, left to right: H. L, Marshall, V. of v.; Ralph J. Giltnore, C, C; A. C. Nelson, D, v.; A, IS. Sorenson, JJ. S.
A. Ci C. Hen-
ry Smith, C.
v. Back row,
left to right :
C. E. Davis, W. S. C; S. H. Knight, Wyoming I/.; D. B.
Swingle, M. S.; J. C. Fitterer, C. Mines, Parley A.
Christenson, B. Y. V,
1909 and one from Utah State Agricultural College at the meet- ings of 1911-12-13. The Colo- rado School of Mines joined the conference November 4, 1909, University of Utah March 26, 1910, University of Denver May 7, 1910. At this latter date the name was changed to the Rocky Mountain Faculty Athletic Con- ference.
Utah State Agricultural College was admitted February 28, 1914, Montana State College January 6, 1917, Brigham Young University January 12, 1918, University of Wyoming January 8, 1921, West- ern State College and Colorado State Teachers College, December 6, 1924; the University of New Mexico was affiliated with the con- ference from 1910 until 1931, when the Border States Athletic Conference was organized; Mt. St. Charles has been affiliated since 1927.
Each institution is represented in the conference by a member of
COACHES R. M. A. C.
Front row, left to right: T. L. Mead, W. S, C; Fred IF. Dixon (Asst, Coach), B. Y. f/. ; Harry Hughes, C. A. C. ; Ike Arm- strong, JJ. of U ; Myron E. Witham (For- nt e r Coach), C. JJ.', ISewelt J. Cravath, D» JJ. Back row, left to right : J. R. Rhodes, W. JJ. ; C. H. Allen, C. M.; W. H. Saunders, C. JJ.; E. L. Romney, JJ. S, A. C,; G. O. Romney, B. Y. JJ. ; V under graaf, C. C.
The Improvement Era for April., 1933
347
Brighani Young University
the faculty of professorial rank and entrusted with power to act. An organization of Athletic Direc- tors consisting of one representative from each conference institution works with the faculty group.
r^URING the twenty-three years of its active existence the con- ference has built up an elaborate code of rules and machinery for enforcement. A large group of
UTAH MEMBERS R. M. F. A. C. Utah State Agricultural College
rules affect the eligibility of the student to participate in intercol- legiate contests. Such rules include regulations as to registration and residence, scholarship previous to participation, scholarship during participation, absence from college, migration, transfers from junior college, extent of participation, and compensation. All questions of eligibility are referred to a com- mittee of three conference members
University of Utah
who make recommendations to the institutions involved. During the past 10 years 125 decisions have been recorded. Many questions are settled without committee ac- tion. Where literal enforcement works a clear injustice an appeal to the conference may be made. This is known as the "manifest hard- ship" rule.
Another group of rules deal with (Continued on page 382)
ADMimSTRATlON BUILDINGS OF UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES BELONGING TO R. M. F. A. C.
Top row, left to right: Colorado School of Mines, Colorado Teachers College, Colorado A. C.
Center: Montana State College, Wyoming University.
Bottom row, left to right: Colorado College, Colorado University, Western State College.
34S
■"•"%.,
IXTEEN
too ^ •'^atf «o». *»ooti' .°«o. ^^«*
'^^^.T
«ee J
My Birthday Comes
JT'S sweet, now that I'm this old.
I can do my hair up when it grows longer. I can buy some pink fingernail polish. And go to dances in long dresses.
I can have high heels and bright buckles.
In my heart I can call David my Beau, Though now he's just the boy next door.
How happy and surprising, how sweet Everything is — now that I'm this old.
%
^V
Idea of Ambition
nnHERE is in me something •^ That tugs and pushes.* * *
I want to go very far away. And get very rich and famous. And be kind to people, And have people love me And think I am beautiful.
I can't sleep when there's a moon. I stand by the window and dream
There is In nic something That tugs and pushes. * * *
mice
^UNICE died last night.
She was a Senior, and tall, And seventeen. She debated And wrote poetry sometimes.
She had a lot of things:
A notebook with all our names scrawled
Every which way, and an agate ring,
And many linen collars and cuflFs.
I remember her scarf with the red dots
And her dark blue coat and tarn.
I remember the way she laughed And how smooth her hair was.
I didn't think she could die.
Party
HTHE girls talk all day about the party. They talk warmly about their dresses. "What are you going to wear?" they say To me. "What are you going to wear?"
"My green," I say. "Oh, my green dress,"
Carelessly.
I bought it yesterday.
I never had a Formal before.
I'm so happy I could cry easy as laughing. It's sewed all over with little petals, my dress. And my slippers pose and tilt and twinkle.
349
Decorations by^-^ C. NELSON WHITE
And Now
J THINK I'd like to be an actress,
A sweet tall blonde one with a wide mouth
I think I'd like to be a dancer.
Bright, gold-slippered, loved by a Prince.
I think I'd like to write a book.
Brilliant, tender, thatpeople would cry over.
I think I'd like to be 'John's mother. He is all over pink and his eyelashes Curl and touch his silky eyebrows. Hisjnouth is queer and soft.
He hugged me today with his small arms jl And cried -against my throat. -^
°f|f|gj|c^
Orientation Process
/fi^^y^ T ^EPT today because Life was futile. And strange and disappointing.
I wept because I have freckles,
And because an actor that I love has died.
, I wept because nobody understands me, / _ Or loves me, or realizes about me.
But in the afternoon I walked with David And in the nice sun felt kind and lovely. '<
'—/' We had a chocolate malt together.
And in the cool drug store we talked a long time.
The world is beautiful. It puzzles me.
^/
Episode
/<^
ii
A
U
T SIT in the shadows and stare
At the good Librarian. She is old and thin And her glasses tilt. Her hair goes wispy And her neck looks very soft and loose.
I feel as' if, suddenly, I could weep for her.
I feel as if she needs me to Weep for what is gone.
Outside th^re is a sky all amazingly gilt
And a bright-curled girl blows by in a blue dress.
'0»
m
^^,i
Crush
^HE Latin teacher is beautiful and sweet. He wears glasses and has white teeth.
I put the lace collar on my red dress
This morning, and combed my hair a new way.
I think it looks like Norma Shearer.
I think he'll look at me some morning soon. And I'll look back, and look, and smile. And he'll see how important, how nice, I am. He will say, "This — why, this is my soul mate!'
\ ©'©
People Go Talking
^N old man sat in the sun and rocked.
His eyes smiling and blinking. He told me I could get anything at all — by waiting.
Once there was a lecturer at school. He stopped, me on the stairs and said, "Be surprised forever at things. Then you'll be always young."
Mrs. Carroll, across the street, leaned And looked at her big-eyed Baby John.. vShe said Love was the dearest thing in life.
The girl with chrysanthemum-colored hair, Working down at the drug store, said not To live with what is finished and done.
Once David, in a queer mood by the lilacs. Told me I had a pretty nose. Told me be loved my hair. * * *
Scatter-Brained
J STAND and look at Miss Baum.
She teaches History. Her eyes. Behind glass, have near tears;
She is cross because my notebook Isn't in today, nor was yesterday.
I look at her and think, "Did anyone Ever love you a great deal? Have you Cried yourself to sleep over anyone, ever.'" And, "Do you have a dress with little petals? Do you go singing inside yourself?"
' She says, "I don t know what's come over you. Can't you keep your mind on anything? "
350
Qhristmas Trees ^live at Our T)oors
A little early to be talking about Christmas trees? Head the article and see.
By J. H. PAUL
SHALL we not halt the muti- lation of Western Forests and rtijake beautiful our parks, lanes, and gardens? This project for scout leaders, and all citizens, would put a stop to the enormous destruction at Christmas time of the evergreen trees in Western for- ests. Endless trainloads of young conifers, each averaging 30 years in growth, roll into market every De- cember for use as Christmas trees. The waste is monumental. Sup- posing that ten million trees are thus cut each year, we have a total of ten million times thirty years or 300 million years of growth sacrificed — that much of the labor of nature annually "slaughtered to make a Roman holiday," ^as Byron puts it; but not so, for the Romans perpetrated no such prodigal waste of potential wealth as we permit; they didn't have it to throw away. Shall we not preserve these free gifts of the bounty of nature, many of them irreplaceable after even thirty years of waiting for them to grow again after replanting? Wantonly wasted by a thoughtless public, though in a most worthy cause — the cause of Christmas cheer — shall we never succeed in making an end of this supreme folly?
In all canyons of the Rocky Mountains the cutting of native evergreens for Christmas trees should be prohibited by law and discountenanced by public senti- ment. These continuous yearly raids for millions of trees from our Western forests will yet be our undoing. We have no coniferous trees to spare. We need them all in their place on the mountains. Only as Western forest trees are replaced by systematic re-planting, should any of the immature trees ever be cut down. Nor should they in any way be injured by needless and preventable practices.
Christmas trees should be ob- tained from nurseries only, where they are grown for this purpose, as in Oregon, and people of the Rocky
Eternal Christtiias Trees
Mountain states should plant and rear as many native evergreens as possible, both to beautify parks and private grounds, to make screens for out-buildings, wind- breaks about cattle and sheep en- closures, and to serve as Christmas trees for the market when they re- quire to be thinned out.
npHE conifers are marvelous for midwinter decoration. These cone-bearers, green foliaged in win- ter, impart a background of beauty to any landscape, especially to a landscape of ice and snow. Yet some kinds are more attractive than others; and it is to call attention to these that this article is written.
To the writer's taste, the finest of all our local evergreens for Christmas-time decoration is the white fir (the "black balsam" of early days) , Abies concolor of the books. It is a noble species, with broad base and tall top, tapering and sharp-pointed while young. Its needles, long and more or less silvery, not very sharp but rather blunt and soft, are close together in feathery plumes — altogether a
thing of beauty. Its cones, about the size of a large man's fist, are apple green in color, rarely borne, and occurring in small erect clusters at the very tip of the pointed spire in which the tree culminates.
The strength, the grace, the sil- very hue, make this species striking and elegant. As a Christmas tree it has the further advantage of holding its leaves long after being brought into use for decorative purposes. But my thought is that it should rarely be cut down and placed inside the house, but should be planted in the garden in little clumps where it will not obstruct the view from and to (the windows. Decorated as it stands alive in the open, it would be an object of in- describable beauty, typical of last- ing life rather than of the wither- ing and decay that trees cut down signify all too soon.
This tree, the writer has long since ventured to maintain, should be cultivated in gardens and parks, and used to elevate the taste of tree lovers, besides being suitably dec- orated as a symbol of the life eternal during Christmas celebra- tions. Only a few specimens, it seems, have ever been grown in the valleys of Utah; but wherever grown, they look rich and ornate, with a fulness of life and beauty that distinguish this glorious tree from all its noble kindred in West- ern forests. Far south, the yellow pine, majestic and bright green, with its long needles imparting a fox-tail aspect to the branches of younger trees, should become the living Christmas tree of the south- ern counties, as the white fir should be in the northern belt.
'\X7'ILL they grow in cultivation? The yellow pine is of easy growth in garden culture. The white fir has been so little tried that its adaptability to general valley culture is not yet established. Nevertheless, foresters with whom the writer has consulted agree that (Continued on page 381)
351
l^kws
"There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention the page of whatever book we read becomes luminous with manifold allusions. Every sentence is doubly significant, and the sense of our author is as broad as the world. We then see, what is always true, that as the seer's hour is short and rare among heavy days and months, so is its record, perchance, the least part of his volume." — Emerson.
"The Truth of Christianity''
By LT.-COL. W. H. TRUXTON, D. S. O.
Late Royal Engineers
(Wells Gardmer, Datton ^ Co., Ltd., Paternoster Buildings, E. C. 4., Lon- don, England)
HERE is a book that many peo- ple interested in convincing arguments with which to bolster their faith will wel- come. Colonel Truxton has a logical mind and has lined up his arguments in marching formation, one sup- porting the other admirably.
The Colonel is not content with de- bating the truth of Christianity, but goes back to natural religion in order to establish, without doubt, a God in the heavens. After that he argues that God might make some revelations to man and that, indeed, it is entirely credible that God would use miraculous revelations.
From that point the author takes up the Jewish religion and presents logical arguments which, to him, prove that the Jewish religion as found in the Old Testament is not only credible, but really convincing.
From the Jewish religion the author passes to Christianity. He examines the evidence which supports the claims of Jesus and his followers, including the examination of the Four Gospels. He arrives at the conclusion that the character of Christ confirms the truth of Christianity; that the history of Christianity confirms its truth; and that the truth of Christianity is extremely probable.
On the whole, the argument set forth in the book is most interesting and convincing. The Latter-day Saint will not agree with some of the Colo- nel's conclusions, but he will heartily endorse much of what is found in the book.
A letter from Dr. John A, Widtsoc, President of the European Mission, to Colonel Truxton says this of the vol- ume: "Your book. The Truth of Christianity, is a splendid presentation of the evidences for Christianity, clear- ly and forcefully written. You have had unusual success, while developing your argument for Christianity in
avoiding secondary, controversial mat- ters. I have recommended the book freely to my fellow-believers. You are at full liberty to use this letter as you may desire.
With the best of wishes, Sincerely, John A. Widtsoe.
Mission President."
Games and Game Leadership
By CHARLES F. SMITH
(Dodd, Mead and Co., New York)
/^F particular interest to recreation ^^ leaders is a new six hundred and fifty page book of games and leader- ship now off the press. Compiled by a man whose experience and ability in these fields is well known, it contains the fundamental information in lead- ership and new, delightful suggestions and details in play ways. The first chapter is on leadership of games and recreations, and under such headings as ''Be Enthusiastic," "Overlook Mis- takes," "An'llacipate Blunders," "Be Lenient," "Develop Confidence Through Preparedness," "Lead Just Enough," "Expect The Best," Disci- pline Positively," "Know Your Peo- ple," etc., he gives in terse, crisp style, the basic qualifications of a good leader in a manner to inspire such leadership. Following this, several chapters are de- voted to games for children- — home, school, outdoor, gymnasium, and men- tal recreation for schools, camps and clubs.
Chapter 14 goes again into leader- ship principles, this time for social rec- reation. Stunts, party games, social mixers, musical games, dances, relays, paper and pencil games, fun games, in- formal dramatics and stunts for parties, clubs and camps, are the subjects con- sidered next. Chapter 23 takes the reader into picnic and other outdoor forms of play, treasure hunts, woodsy activities, fire-building and cooking, Scout and club activities being the con- cluding part. Needless to say, leaders of all departments in the M. I. A. will find immeasurable help in the pages of this volume. It will cause a little happy pride to know that considerable material on Home Recreation, Dancing, and Parties is quoted from the liter- ature of the M. I. A. A number of
other reference books are given, also.
It is impossible to describe in detail many of the games and plays suggested, but one, a word-building game, chal- lenged the interest of the reviewer and several other people, who devoted much time to the playing of it, which should have been devoted to other things. It is a chain of words, made by changing one letter of the preceding word in the following word, and this going from one thing to another. For example: from Rain to Hail is accomplished by changing the n in rain to /, making Rail; the r in rail is changed to h, mak- ing hail. From Boy to Man goes: Boy, Bay, May, Man. Notice that the letter which is changed must hold the exact position of the one above.
Other suggested chains are: from Cot to Bed; from Soup to Nuts; from Flour to Bread; from Brown to Bread; from Black to White; from Wet to Dry; from Eye to Lid; from Sad to Fun; from Pig to Sty; Pen to Ink; Poor to Rich; Tears to Smile; Wheat to Bread; Bread to Toast; Tree to Wood; Elm to Oak; Call to Help; Eye to Era; Fat to Pig; Joy to Woe; Mole to Hill; Seed to Bean; Ring to Hand; Ham to Fry; Wash to Line; Head to Tail; Hock to Shop; Kiss to Girl; Mail to Home; Wind to Gale. It is suggest- ed that if any member of a group does this too fast, put him on "Right to Wrong," which cannot be done — that is, in word-building. Black to White requires seven intermediate words, thus: black, clack, crack, track, trace, trice, trite, write, white. The game is great fun, especially for a literary group or a vocabulary-building class.
The book sells for $2.50.
Books Others Have Recommended
Y)R. N. A. PEDERSEN. dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Utah State Agricultural College, says: "The best book I have read for many a day is Abbe Dimnet's 'What We Live By.' It shows clearly what is worth while in life."
"Climbing Manward," by F. H. Cheley, is highly recommended by Scout Executive Russell Scott, of Twin Falls, Idaho.
What good book have you read re- cently?
352
Lmi^^uil
We/come, April
/JPRIL is more than the first month of spring to the Latter-day Saint — it is the month of the birth of Christ, the Lord, as well as of the organization of the Church. It, in all probabil- ity, is also the month of the resurrection.
How appropriate and how welcome were all of those events! April, the month of new life, when all things are made over, when the old de- cayed things — the things of corruption — have been laid aside or have become food out of which new life springs, is the month of hope.
Jesus found a world pinned to the soil by superstition and fear and the mismanagement of man. He swept away superstition; he did his best to instill in his followers a faith that would conquer fear; and he struck at the mismanagement of mian. Then he departed leaving men to build upon His foundation.
Men struggled, in some cases nobly. The faith of which Jesus spoke worked miracles in lives. Men were able to endure ignominy and painful death for ideals. But selfishness still remained, therefore, Christ came again, a new witness, this time accompanied by the Father, to start man out once more, imbued with a new and conquering faith. His Church was organized. Men went out with new zeal proclaiming the old truths of the Gospels and the epistles now clothed in new light.
And so — welcome fair Spring! As the sap drawn up by the sun will conquer apparent death in trees and shrubs and flowers, the power of ever recurring faith will conquer the grave, and many of our dead hopes will rise again to walk forth in newness of life this April.
Apostle Reed Smoot
Jp^OR more than a quarter of a century Elder Reed Smoot, of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, has been a member of the senate of the United States. During that period he has become known wherever civilized men meet and converse. In fact, his name has come to represent devotion to duty as he saw it, and to unceasing effort to change the world to harmonize with his ideas. For those characteristics he has been honored everywhere and his name has been a power in the world.
With this conference Elder Smoot returns to his people to give his life and his great powers to the welfare of the Church for which he has stood in season and out of season. Never, even when his connection with the Church seemed to mitigate against his success, has he attempted in any way to excuse himself publicly or privately for being a follower of the lowly Jesus and a believer in the mission of the unpopular Joseph Smith. His fearless stand has done much to allay prejudice against the Church and to bring it recognition as a power for good among men.
Now that his time will not be divided, between
the Church and the Nation, both dear to his heart. Elder Smoot will undoubtedly be able to assist very materially in furthering the progress of his organization. His acquaintance with national and international affairs, his knowledge of the workings of political bodies, his understanding of the needs of humanity will all be of use in the Councils of the Church.
Though we have no way of knowing just how Elder Smoot's talents will be put to work, we feel certain that they will be used in a manner which will be pleasing to his people and to his brethren, the other authorities of the Church.
To Senator Smoot this conference will, indeed, be a home-coming. He will feel a welcome on every side; will be proud once more to take up his labors for the Church, knowing that he can give his undivided attention to them.
Thirty years ago he went away in honor to represent his state at the nation's capital when his people were unpopular; now he returns with honor after honor heaped upon his head and with the full knowledge that he has been true to his state and his people as well as to his nation, and with the added knowledge that he has been instrumental in giving his Church a hearing be- fore the mighty.
Be Not Deceived
TOURING these times many schemes are being concocted to separate those with a little hard- earned savings from their property and cash. Many men and women instead of living the Christian law have gone back to that which maintained ip primitive times — the Survival of the Fittest. To them the Fittest are those who are strong enough or crafty enough to obtain that which they desire regardless of the heart-breaks or suffering which might ensue.
Some of these people masquerade as spiritually- minded persons with the welfare of their brothers and sisters and of the Church at heart. Even the dead are not spared by them, as frequently they declare they have received manifestations that if certain people will put money at their disposal that work for the dead will be furthered.
Often, stocks of concerns, and especially of mines, are sold with the statement that money which is certain to accrue from the investments is to be used for the benefit of the Church. These people frequently declare that they have been shown the rich veins in vision.
Here are some paragraphs taken from a letter from one "sister" to another. The writer of the letter was financially interested in the sale of stock:
"Three very faithful men of mining experience were told by the Spirit to go out to the mine and help bring it forth. One was shown the hill previously in a dream, and a, regi- ment of Nephite soldiers who were guarding the mine and were anxiously Waiting for the time when those who were worthy would come to take out the treasure hidden there.
"When they arrived at the mine the men there had be- come discouraged, but after fasting and prayer were plainly told to go back some distance and follow a vein. After
^^VjiF^mi-
353
continued supplication a Nephite, who had sealed the mine when his people had become wicked previous to their com- plete destruction, came and pointed the way. After going eight feet in the direction he pointed they came into the main vein. . . .
"We have not come into an ore body yet but we will as soon as we are prepared. This had been definitely shown to us. It is very near and one of our men said he was told that the Nephite who sealed the treasures is waiting to unlock the treasure house as soon as we are ready to receive it. About thirty of us are fasting today and will meet to- night with our men from the mine who tell us they have much to tell us that is very sacred that has been given to them in the past six weeks. They went out about the middle of February and have received wonderful manifesta- tions on that sacred hill. ..."
If Space would permit the whole of the letter would make most interesting reading.
A few excerpts must be given, however, as they are typical of much that is being circulated.
"You see, after the stock has been dedicated to the Lord it becomes sacred and cannot be speculated with and used for ordinary commercial purposes.
"A complete stewardship can be purchased for $1,000.00 if purchased soon before the ore body is reached, after that there will be but little for sale. ..."
"Now, sister dear, I pray that you might feel the spirit of this work and that your way will open up to partici- pate fully with us and be able to accomplish all the good that is in your big generous heart and the work you desire to accomplish will continue throughout the ages." She goes on — ■"! have dedicated two hundred thousand shares for the redemption of the seed of Lehi . . ." And then, sad news . . . "You have received notice of the one half cent assessment. This was made necessary because so many lost faith and did not pay their last assessment."
But there is a postscript to the letter: "Tell only those whom you are impressed will understand."
These people who advance these schemes are so apparently sincere and in some cases are so sincere in their approach that sometimes they deceive intelligent people.
Years ago the First Presidency of the Church said:
"We feel it our duty to warn the Latter-day Saints against fake mining schemes which have no warrant for success beyond the professed spiritual manifestations of their projectors and the influence gained over the excited minds of their victims. We caution the saints against investing money or property in shares of stock which bring no profit to any one but those who issue and trade in them. ..."
"Fanciful schemes to make money for the alleged pur- pose of 'redeeming Zion' or providing means for the 'Sal- vation of the dead' or other seeming worthy objects, should not deceive anyone acquainted with the order of the Church, and will result only in waste of time and labor, which might be devoted now to doing something tangible and worthy of record on earth and in heaven.
"Be not led by any spirit or influence that discredits established authority, contradicts true scientific principles and discoveries, or leads away from the direct revelations of God for the government of the Church." .
These paragraphs were taken from a statement issued and signed by the First Presidency then composed of Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose. The present First Pres- idency of the Church has reaffirmed tHat stand on the matter. ,
A safe rule to follow would be to h^ve nothing to do with schemes that are presented with an air
of mystery, and promising great things to the Church, for against all such the people have been repeatedly warned by their spiritual leaders.
~H. R. M.
June Conference Challenges
'J^HE coming of April makes one think of grassy lanes, apple blossoms, and — June Conference! And June Conference makes one think of culmi- nating programs, — of eight thousand amateur ac- tors, twenty thousand dancers, two thousand pub- lic speakers — ^finalists for wards — as many re-told story tellers, scores of archers. Boy Scouts, Junior Girls, Gleaner Girls, M Men, Vanguards, Seniors and Adults.
What a program it is that will mobilize tens of thousands of people from the age of twelve to the four score mark ! Throughout the world dur- ing these spring weeks young people and old are finishing up their winter programs. They have had Gold and Green Balls, dramas, archery con- tests, debates, socials, class work, projects, in a rnighty effort to enrich life, to use leisure construc- tively, and to be of use to fellow men.
In June all of the various groups will assemble in Salt Lake City to participate in one grand finale, a magnificent Commencement. To many a young person that June Conference is worth a year of sacrifice. The inspirational meetings, the thrilling contests, the unusual social opportunity, the mag- nificent weather, the matchless City of the Saints and the Salten Sea — everything offers attractions in June.
Two months now, and then the finals. The best brains of the Church, the most fluent tongues, the most graceful bodies will be pitted against one another in a fine, friendly competition for honors. The flower of the Church will be pres- ent to hear the story of the Gospel repeated and to carry away new ideas for another year of worth- while struggle toward higher levels of living.
June Conference Challenges!
To the Legislators
I
F tobacco is injurious, and it is; if tobacco adds a dangerous fire hazard to our arid country, and it does; if tobacco is "smelly" and disagree- able, and it is; if tobacco is especially injurious to growing and impressionable young people, and it is; if tobacco makes for unsightly litter in pub- lic and private places, and it does; if tobacco is expensive, and it is; if tobacco adds to burdens of the human race, and it does; then, why should any legislator vote to have it flaunted in lying colors before the eyes of children and adults alike? Every legislator from every county in the state should be asked by his constituents to say how he voted and if he voted for repeal of the law prohibiting tobacco advertising on billboards, why he voted as he did.
354
H.W.
(Silver cQnings
Tricky Mr. Debit and Stingy Mr. Credit
By CLAIRE W. NOALL
HAVE you ever been on the toboggan of Spendthrift
Hill, sliding swiftly down, gay, thoughtless, and free from care? Have you known what it means to toil up Inch-by- I n c h Mountain, parsimonious, care-worn, and full of fears? Per- haps you have had both experi- ences. No matter! Though the past may have held plenty of money or too little, too many in- stallments to meet, or savings that went down to destruction in stocks, bonds, and banks, we are all facing new economic conditions now. Whether our earnings be large or small, or we are receiving relief as- sistance, there is a tool which will help everyone to solve his financial problems, and make the most of what income he has — the budget.
The chief purpose of this tool is to give you exact information as to your income and expenditures and to enable you to use your money to the greatest possible advantage. By keeping careful accounts you can estimate accurately just how to make the most efficient use of your resources and thus wisely appor- tion your distribution for neces- sities, luxuries, and savings. With credit and debit chanting a duet on the low-ebbing tide of finance, how
is one to live in a world where money is the basis of exchange? The illusion of the rich Joneses, your opulent selves, your wealthy neighbors to the left, and all the easy plenty of the past, has van- ished along with the balance in the bank, for a time at least. But knowing how to use what money you have will make the difference between a happy and a miserable existence. For money, or the lack of it, will master you if you don't gain the upper hand of it. No matter what the income, there is a way of living on it if one has the courage and the stamina. Hard times do not support palaces, but budgets can keep one out of bank- ruptcy and the debtor's prison.
In this period of post-prosperity false pride must hide its face with lost credit. Time-honored qual- ities such as sincerity, self-suffi- ciency, unadulterated genuineness, and old fashioned simplicity must be relied upon to give a feeling of security and self-respect. The tin- sel and baubles by which people have been wont to set their stan- dards are now as passe as the in- stallment plan for buying unneces- sary luxuries.
Moreover, order in financial af- fairs facilitates domestic peace and happiness. Intelligent use of
money is one of the first essentials to good home-making. One of Reno's sad disclosures is, that about one-half of ,all unhappy marriages crash on the rcKks of financial de- spair. Apparently many people do not face facts in their spending. Seemingly oblivious that one dol- lar won't buy la dollar's worth of goods or fun for each member of the family, too often, father, mother and children all clamor for its use at one time. The miracle of having the siame greenback buy an overcoat for each of them has not yet come to pass, but trans- forming financial chaos into order is at the command of everyone who intelligently plans his spending.
jpVERY family should have an adequate spending scheme of its own, an entirely individualistic plan, for there is no feasible average in budgeting to suit different peo- ple's needs. Tastes and expenses vary as surely as statures and com- plexions. No sample budget, de- voted to typical percentages, will be effective for any one family's requirements, because food, shelter, and clothing items differ tremen- dously for families of equal size. Thrift, which is desirable to one person, is odious to another. Some people save for trips, others to own
The Improvement Era for April, 1933
3SS
a home, some to buy la yacht, and some to replace the kitchen lino- leum. But one thing should be common to all spending schemes, a good system for recording receipts and disbursements. And herein lies the value of the budget! It gives you a general view of your classified accounts, and it makes possible a fairly accurate estimate of your future expenses. It pro- vides a factual basis which enables you to equalize your income and outgo, and it reveals the true status of your bank account — no more cross-eyed squinting at a lean bal- ance on the first of the month when you have been expecting a fat one.
To be successful, budgeting re- quires the earnest cooperation of the whole family. Gone are the days when the father is the sole breadwinner and also the single- voiced dictator of the family ex- chequer. Often there are several earners in a family, and all the members, except the infants, should be the spenders. Heretofore chil- dren have been taught almost ex- clusively how to save.
"Here's a penny. Run put it in your savings bank!" and Johnny would jingle the coins in his bank with complacent satisfaction as he completed the command. That was the thing to do.
Now Johnny is supposed to learn at an early age the meaning of profit and loss, and he should know how to use his allowance, what proportion of it should be saved, and how to receive the great- est value for what he spends. All this takes instruction and experi- ence. As the allowance increases with added years, the responsibility for an intelligent use of it should increase. Buying powers should be enlarged gradually from the small child's random spending of the nickel or dime for anything he wants to the eight or nine year old's use of his margin on his earn- ings for some desired object.
TXTHERE practicable the adoles- cent should have an allow- ance which covers clothing costs, school expenses, amusements, and sundries. If family accounts have been kept carefully the parents should have a fair idea of what an adolescent's yearly expenses amount to. Exclusive of room and board, at least to begin with, young peo- ple should be allowed to handle cheir own accounts. One twelfth of the estimated annual sum could
be given as a regular monthly al- lowance, and boys and girls could be responsible for all personal ex- penses. They would soon learn the approximate cost of various items, and they could get some fine experience in planning their ex- penditures and in learning to avoid treasury leaks and extravagances. Coming out ahead one month is not the same as having a good sum to one's credit at the end of a year. It would not take long to learn that any excess money over the current month's expenses should not be squandered, but should be consistently saved in order to take care of heavier expenses at some future time. Such knowledge and experience, gained in budgeting, is helpful in developing a general sense of proportion and balance. To be successful this work requires a good deal of practice and self- restraint, but if a child has been taught from his earliest years how to spend and save wisely, and to take pleasure in delayed rewards, he will not find the financial re- sponsibilities of his adolescence too great. In taking over such re- sponsibilities, he will gain some splendid preparation for his adult life.
The college student who lives away from home should also bud- get his allowance and assume the responsibility of planning his ex- penses. He should know the exact cost of his room and board, his tu- ition fees, club dues, etc., and knowing the amount of his allow- ance, hel should be able to estimate the available percentage for clothes, amusements, and miscellaneous ex- penses. These suggestions also apply to girls, and therefore, as a matter of being fitted for life, every child should be taught how to budget, and the whole family should plan and support its spend- ing scheme.
'T^HE matter of recording the in- come and expenditures is not difficult. You can easily make your own account book in a loose- leaf tablet, or a five cent notebook; you can purchase one for a small sum, or you can send to the Cities Service Corporation, 60 Wall St., New York City, and a nice one will be forwarded ito you free of charge. Your record should be sufficiently detailed to give you an accurate picture of all your receipts and disbursements. Your appor- tionment and spending scheme
should be sufficiently elastic to al- low for constant readjustment if necessary, and for unforeseen ex- penses, and also for replacements in personal and household equip- ment. If you are making your own account book, you might in- clude any or all the following clas- sifications: Food, with the subdivi- sions of groceries, meat and milk ; shelter, including all maintenance for home, rent, or the monthly payment towards owning a home; laundry, cleaning and service; household equipment; carfare; auto expenses; education, church, books, and magazines; amusements and recreation; miscellaneous; and sav- ings.
The surest and easiest way to keep your accounts is to enter all your expenses in your daily record every night. Never fail to do this! When forming a habit, allow no exceptions to occur; so if you are just commencing the budget habit, never fail to make your entries be- fore retiring. Having done this for a month or two, and having duly considered your balances, you will be prepared to shape your budget to your ends and to answer your own questions in regard to what should be spent in different ways. Your needs and desires are entirely individualistic, and no one can plan your spending as well as you can. Do not be discouraged if your balance shows some dis- crepancies. They are bound to oc- cur, due to some' oversight in the entries. Place their amount in your miscellaneous column, and be watchful that they do not become too large or disproportionate. Set a goal for saving a certain amount for future needs. Whether the un- foreseen should prove to be a rainy day or ja. glowing experience, it is best to he prepared for cnr'rgencies.
BUDGETING is one game in which the safe play is abso- lutely the only successful play. You can't take chances on dollars you haven't got, nor should you spend them, trusting that the charge account will be paid. One valuable thing about the budget is that it reveals the fact that a debt is a debt, and that it is just as hard to pay for an article in a month or two as it is at the current mo- ment.
The usual reaction to anyone's first attempt at budgeting is a long drawn out sigh, and an exclama- tion to the effect that it just can't (Continued on page 3 60)
356
A Home For $130
By KATRINA HINCKS
(March, 1932. Forum)
DURING the summer of 1932 a sturdy little gray stone house was built on a Connecticut hillside, by Bill and Ann Car- ter, two years out of college and tem- porarily out of a job. The little house represents a new way of tackling 1933. Before they were married, Bill and Ann decided that the Carter farm would be a lovely place to build a little shack for weekends; then last April when Bill was told that he wouldn't be needed in his job, they began to make plans for the house which was to be much more than a summer plaything.
I can hardly picture Ann living the rugged country life, for at school she lived the gardenia and house-party life, studying advanced art and other things little calculated to make a country- dweller of her. But I know she does live the simple life, for I visited their home and found out for myself. Ann was waiting for me at the top of the hill, an oil lantern alight to point our way; Bill was chopping wood — that being the only fuel they used. He had been most energetic at it, for we had to climb over a great pile of it which he had stacked in front of the door.
Inside, I found a warm, stone- walled room with a big fire crackling and steam coming out of a kettle hung on the crane over the open fire. Opposite the hearth was a wide double-bunk, built in. Ann lighted two kerosene lamps, and the room sprang into re- lief. She and Bill began preparations for supper, cooking over the open fire, which, they assured me, was simple, once one was used to it. "I can boil anything by hanging pots and kettles from the crane. I can broil anything by resting a broiler on an iron frame we had made; and I can bake things in my pet oven." The only difficulty was, it appeared, that dinner might be at 6:30 or at 8, depending upon the particular fire of the evening.
After a delicious meal, they ex- plained how they managed about liv- ing expenses- — ^and how they had built the house. The latter had been ac- complished by such means as dragging stones from an old wall above the pas-
ture, beams and floor-planks and tim- bers from an old barn belonging to the place; the rest of the material, as well as the furnishing, had been obtained by fair means or foul.
It took six months to build, the mornings being spent in gathering ma- terials and the afternoons in actual con- struction. Ann's version of the build- ing of the house was somewhat less ac- tive than Bill's but interesting (and she but two years away from the study of manuscript illumination in col- lege) . At first, she said she simply sat around on the edge of the excavation and made idle remarks; later she ran back and forth looking for small rocks to fill in between the large ones. From there she was promoted to stone-crack- er, for which occupation she soon learned to close her eyes. She even learned to mix concrete. When they reached the roof. Bill put up the rafters and roof-boards, and Ann followed with shingles. When the floor was to be laid. Bill put the boards down and Ann followed on hand and knees to plane and scrape — a back-breaking job which she soon relinquished in favor of staining rafters and ceiling. Together they made the tables and bunks, and then brightened up the place with ar- ticles purchased at the five and ten cent store. The total cost of the house was as follows:
Building materials $ 34.15
Tools 13.71
Cement, lime, sand 26.15
Hardware 19.37
Furnishings 36.43
Total -$129.81
Since they did not have to buy the land, they were able to do the thing much more cheaply than other couples who were less fortunate in the be- ginning. But there are still in Amer- ica millions of acres of land to be bought cheap.
Living expenses they summed up as follows: Light (kerosene for lamps and
lanterns) $ .80
Food (including staples the
first month) 26.00
Heat (wood chopped by Bill
and gathered from the place) 0.00 Cooking expense 0.00
Total - $26.80
Travel, mostly by way of Bill's Ford, comes very reasonably. So far almost no clothes have been purchased. Bill has earned the necessary milk and eggs by helping with the work on the farm.
Bill is not working for someone else at a job he might hate, and yet would feel he should be grateful for in times like these. He and Ann have an ob- ject which is their own, and fascinat- ing— they are fighting tangible diffi- culties like the frozen spring, endless wood to be cut and food cooked. Their solution is not one that everyone could attempt, but it represents courage and gaity. They are finding a way out, and having fun in doing it.
The Forgotten Man to His
President
By WILSON FOLLETT
(Atlantic Monthly for Mar., 1933)
TTT'E have given you what you asked ^ ^ for — our votes. Millions of us have helped you to the office to which you aspired — thousands who never had cast a ballot before. You go to your office as the choice of all parties, social classes and sections of country in a way and to a degree never granted to any man in America before. It would be natural for you to surrender yourself to the elation of victor in a partisan contest, but we want you to see your- self in a different light than that. Rather than a victorious general, a conquer- ing hero in plumed and gilded coach, as you might be human enough to re- gard yourself, we should like you to go to your task clothed in the sack- cloth of an invulnerable humility, not arrayed in self-confidence and pride, or vestured in the illusion of power, glory and importance to which we might succumb in your place.
We have given you the votes you wanted, but along with them goes a de- mand that you gain a simple under- standing of what we meant when we voted for you. To whom can you turn for this urgently necessary under- standing? Not your late campaign managers and workers — their game is not truth, but flattery. Their interpre- tation is that we gave you a stupendous demonstration of our confidence in you — and therein you have the measure of
The Improvement Era for April, 1933
357
their hopeless remoteness from us plain, non-political folk and our mental post- ure. It was an inevitable bit of comedy that they should make you that hollow declaration, but if you believe a word of it, you will become a victim of tragedy. To gain a true knowledge of what has really been happening in the minds of Americans, there is only one quarter to which you can turn — the quarter occupied by the "Forgotten man" made memorable in the phrase you borrowed from William Graham Sumner for your campaign. By the forgotten man we think you mean as — the forgotten people of America — the plain folk, distrustful of politics and politicians, who put you where you are. If, having once understood that we really exist, you are resolved to keep us in mind and work for the ad- vancement of our legitimate hopes, all advice to the contrary notwithstanding, then you possess the first and greatest qualification for becoming the Presi- dent of all the people, and you can have any degree of support from the people that you will ever require. If, on the other hand, you lose touch with us; if you let politicians sell you their polit- ical interpretations of our extremely non-political state of mind, then you are primed for the disaster which over- took your predecessor in office. We hope that since your election, you have been mlealsuring and collecting your merely human powers against the ap- palling demands ahead, studying to make yourself a better man than we elected. We hope you have been feel- ing out the spirit of the country, striv- ing to penetrate the smoke screen of mere party strategy to the realities of your forgotten man. You will find in these pages the voice and spirit of the forgotten man trying to speak to you. There is nothing here which does not faithfully represent the thoughts of unnumbered Americans — clerks and sales persons trying to get along on a third of a job apiece; fore- closed ranchers; ruined farmers and planters; newspaper men who revile the policies of their managing editors; mechanics in garages; waiters in res- taurants; mill operatives; fishermen; those on charity and those giving char- ity to their neighbors; movie extras; librarians, teachers, writers, mining en- gineers of closed mines — -in short — us. We are the only ones from whom you will hear the actual truth, for we arc the only ones who ask nothing for themselves and who expect nothing ex- cept the common good.
You must not mistake our vote for a vote of confidence. It was a vote of hope. What we really gave you was a chance to earn our confidence. Your opponents elected you — it was not so much that they chose you as they re- jected the others who had taken ad- vantage of every major opportunity to be wrong since 1919, as one of them said, and our cumulative realization of
that wrong defeated them. You be- came the beneficiary of our conviction that a change of administration might possibly improve our condition, and could not possibly make it worse. You were elected by our universal belief that the worst possible calamity which could befall us was four years more of what we had just had.
About you personally, we know lit- tle. We think you are a good fellow, and that you are a good man. We can imagine that you would make personal sacrifice to relieve sufi^ering among your fellows. We do not think you will use your ofiice to further self-in- terest. We admire you as a man who confronts his work with the healthy gusto which a good many persons de- vote only to play, and who does his work better for finding in it a pleasur- able excitement.
If you had had the destitute marchers in the bonus army on your hands last summer, we suspect that you would have gone to them informally, talked companionably with them, had a grand time yourself, and gone away leaving them with the feeling that you were their friend. If you had found it ne- cessary to put them out, your tact and candor would have made it easy for you to show them why — and they would have left cheering you. You have the great gift of making it easy for all sorts of people to like you. It will give you the advantage of doing the thing which is politically advan- tageous and morally g|enuine. Our only question is how many wrong, evasive things are you capable of do- ing to win support?
We see clearly that it will take a very great President indeed to bring about any positive betterment during the next few years. We do not believe that any party caused the depression, nor that any party can end it. All we can really demand of the political sys- tem is that it shall keep out of our light while we ourselves take the steps which will end the depression which we our- selves brought about.
You see how it is. We expect of you the great things for which the emergency calls — things greater than have been required of any President since Lincoln — and yet we have been led to wonder if there is enough sheer power in your composition to meet with inspired energy the stupendous demands of the time. We want to see that you are a leader — let us see that, and there is no length to which we would not go to support you. But
Friendship
By Juanita Pulsipher
'T^HE glow of friendship is to me -*• Like moonlight on a gnarled old tree, lUum'ing the whole, soft'ning each scar, Gilding each day-time blemish and mar, Transforming the common to majesty.
if, as President, you try to please everyone; if you substitute policy and diplomacy for uncompromising cour- age, we can only then heave the old familiar sigh of relief for wasted votes. We shall have asked for the bread of leadership only to be given the cut- glass of graceful forensic diction. Are you a savior for our country or only an attractive and facile man, an able poli- tician, a fluent compromiser whose im- portance to history in the long run will be that he called attention to the neglected works of Sumner who spoke of the "Forgotten Man"?
We could forgive you many political errors if you show the fight necessary to win along lines of your own con- victions. It is your spirit which will count. You cannot give us prosper- ity, but you can help to create the at- mosphere in which real prosperity breeds. You can lay the basis for a new definition of prosperity to take the place of the wrong one we have had. Many of us realize that true prosperity is not the thing we had before 1929, but that it is based on security, continuity, thrift — values which will last longer. What we arc awaiting is the assurance that you share in the realization — and that bankers, financiers, wild-cat promoters, members of the Stock exchange, and every ven- dor of insecurities share it, also. We can stand any length of dark passage, if we are assured of coming out into the light at the end. What we cannot stand is much more false encourage- ment. If there is ever a social revolu- tion in this country, it will be the product of unfulfillable reactionary promises made to keep us quiet.
If you want us to support you in 1936, lead us now. Grasp and use the elements of unity and serenity un- derlying the troubled surface of Amer- ican life today. What a magnificent, what an unparalleled opportunity is yours to be the President of all the people. No President of modern times has been more free to respond to the changing demands of current facts and fixed demands of his own principles. When the knowing ones suggest to you, as they will, that the Presidency is not social philosophy or generalizationls, however inspiring, but simply the oil- ing of an incredibly complicate ma- chine, and that anything else is dis- loyalty to the party, think of that im- mense majority who voted for you — think of us. We shall not bother you much; we do not clamor at officials, nor hound them. You will wonder, sometimes, if we really exist, for we shall be so quiet compared with those at your very ears. But we do exist; and we are watching you. We will be here when you have need of us. Work for us and we will stand by you. Let us feel that you believe in us and nothing can undo our belief in you. Remem- ber the forgotten man and he will make you a remembered President!
358
Destination Unknown
Another attempt to suggest the crea- tion of a Christ as an actual participant in human affairs. This time it takes place on a rum-running ship. Not very convincing, niot highly entertaining. Only passable. Adults.
The Great Jasper
Story of a lovable, fun-loving Irish- man, married to a narrow-minded woman and taking his fun where he finds it. Plot and treatment out of the ordinary. Direction excellent. Adults.
Humanity
Tale of a doctor in New York who sacrifices himself to save his son and redeem him to the realities of his work. Family. The Keyhole
Romance of a lady and private de- tective— not very strong in dramatic values and not particularly well played. Fair entertainment for Adults. Life of Jimmie Dolan
Farm life, child interests, the lifting of the mortgage and prize-fighting all combined. Fair, in a rough way, though not outstanding. Family. Men Must Fight
Picture of woman's futile battle against war spirit. Excellent acting. Not interesting to children. Adults. Man Hunt
Junior Durkin appears as an am- ateur detective in a small-town crime. Clean, cheerful, fairly amusing. Fam- ily. Rome Express
The thief of a famous painting boards the train and the lives of several people are changed. Good photography and characterizations. Adults and young people.
Secrets of Madame Blanche
Old story of sacrifice of mother love. Acceptably played. Fair for adults who like the type.
Secrets
Delightful beginning leaps disap- pointingly into western, politics, old age and other things which produce a curiously discontinuous story, with some parts excellently done. Family.
State Fair
Humor, romance, popular stars and
genuine interest will make State Fair a winner. Some suggestive details — one scene in particular — detract from the production and lets down the Gay- nor and Rogers standards. Because of this, it cannot be recommended. Crime of the Century
Well handled murder mystery. Adults and young people. Employees Entrance
The marriage of a young department store head and a beautiful girl is almost wrecked through the schemes of the store-manager, an immoral man who tries to dominate the lives of his em- ployees. Well directed and well- acted. Recommendation necessarily withheld because of drinking scenes and other unwholesome details.
The following plays are not recom- mended by any of the groups preview- ing and reporting:
Child of Manhattan, Sailor Be Good, Wax Museum, What, No Beer!
A list of pictures chosen as suitable for children is herewith submitted:
Pictures Suitable for Children Between the Ages of 8-12 Years
1. Amateur Daddy Fox
2. Beyond the Rockies RKO
3. The Big Broadcast Paramount
4. The Big Stampede Warner
5. Bring 'Em Back Alive RKO
6. Business and Pleasxire Fox
7. Come On, Danger RKO
8. Come On, Tarzan_-_World Wide
9. Congorilla Fox
10. Cornered Columbia
11. Crooked Circle World Wide
12. Dangers of the Arctic
Explorers Film Co.
13. Destry Rides Again Universal
14. Fast Companions Universal
15. Fireman Save My Child Warner
1 6. Ghost Valley RKO
1 7. The Golden West Fox
18. Hell Fire Austin Tiffany
19. Haunted Gold Warner
20. Heritage of the Desert._Paramount
21. Heroes of the West Universal
22. Hidden Gold Universal
23. Hold 'Em Jail RKO
24. Little Orphan Annie RKO
25. McKenna of the Mounted
Columbia
26. Make Me a Star Paramount
2 7. The Man from Mexico
Monogram
28. Marked Men Universal
29. Movie Crazy Paramount
30. Mr. Robinson Crusoe
United Artists
31. My Pal, The King Universal
32. Pack Up Your Troubles M-G-M
33. Partners RKO
34. The Phantom President
Paramount
35. Racing Youth Universal
36. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Fox
3 7. Renegades of the West RKO
38. Ride 'Em, Cowboy Warner
39. Rider of Death Valley__Universal
40. Robbers' Roost Fox
41. The Saddle Buster RKO
42. Texas Cyclone Columbia
43. Tom Brown at Culver-Universal
44. Too Busy to Work Fox
45. Trailing the Killer__„ World Wide
46. The Vanishing Frontier
Paramount
47. When a Feller Needs a Friend 1 M-G-M
48. Wild Horse Mesa Paramount
49. Wild Horse Stampede„Columbia
50. With Williamson Beneath the Sea Principal
51. You Said a Mouthful Warner
The Best of the Short Subjects
Aesop Fables RKO-Pathe
Cannibals of the Deep Educational
Fisherman's Paradise M-G-M
Fitzpatrick Traveltalks M-G-M
Hodge-Podge, by Lyman Howe
Educational
The Magic Carpet Series Fox
Mickey Mouse
Columbia and United Artists
E. M. Newman Travel Talks
Vitaphone
Silly Symphonies United Artists
Vagabond Adventure Series RKO
359
<iJKelchizedek 'Priesthood
The Talkie Goes to Church
"And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another, they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes around about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; never- theless, and notwithstanding it being a small voice, it did pierce them that did hear to the center, so much that there was no part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn." Ill Nephi, Chapter II, Verse 3.
PRIOR to the year 1930 many M^ards of the church purchased motion picture equipment which was used not only for the purpose of adding to the recreational program of the ward by presenting wholesome motion pictures to the members, but at the same time provid- ing maintenance funds for the upkeep of the church property without levying a direct tax upon members of the ward for this purpose. With the develop- ment of the sound motion picture, the bishops of these wards discovered that it was difficult to secure suitable pictures to meet their purposes. They found expensive equipment on hand, in some cases not fully paid for, and yet useless. A few enterprising wards, feeling the need of modern equipment with which to carry on their recreational program, entered into contracts for sound equip- ment. In many cases this equipment was largely experimental because it was found the better equipment was too expensive for use in the wards. In a few cases after only a few months some of this equipment first purchased became obsolete, and the matter was called to the attention of the Presidency of the Church who felt that some effort should be made to protect wards from salesmen who had equipment to sell and whose only interest apparently was the profit to be had through such sale. After nearly a year of investigation during which the purposes for which sound picture equipment could be used were considered, and also the cost of purchase, maintenance, and operation of such equipment, the committee
By DAVID A. SMITH F/rsr Counselor to the Presiding Bishop
recommended to the First Presidency that if a favorable contract could be entered into with one company to pro- vide equipment for wards, this should be done. The committee was instruct- ed to continue their negotiations for the purpose of getting for the wards a con- tract which would permit them to make purchase on an easy payment plan. Af- ter months of negotiations, a contract with one of the largest producers of sound picture equipment in the world was accepted. This contract provided that such equipment could be purchased by the wards on a monthly payment plan which it was thought by the com- mittee would make it possible for members of the church in the outlying sections especially to enjoy modern en- tertainment while paying for that priv- ilege. This plan provided for the com- plete ownership of such equipment after the contract price had been paid.
Many wards have taken advantage of this opportunity and are finding the sound equipment not only entertain- ing, but educational. With non-syn- chronous equipment, music of the best kind can be furnished for entertain- ments, music for the dance, as well as for concert purposes, but they are now finding the most valuable feature of such equipment is its educational possi- bilities. As an experiment, a picture was taken of President Grant, President Ivins, and some other church leaders. This picture has been used by some of the wards.
One bishop announced that President Grant would meet with them on a cer- tain night and deliver an address. The meeting house was filled, but Presi- dent Grant did not make an appearance. The services were carried on in the usual manner. Finally the lights were turned off, the picture was thrown up- on the screen, and before this group of church members and invited guests stood President Grant. His voice was heard as he delivered a message to the audience he could not see.
Another ward reported the follow- ing: "Since the installation of our picture machine about a month ago.
we have been fortunate in securing a number of reels which we used on each Sunday night at sacrament meeting. Our children for the first time saw and heard President Grant, President Ivins, David O. McKay, Bishop Sylvester Q. Cannon. They saw and heard the great organ with Edward P. Kimball at the console, and next Sunday night we will hear the tabernacle choir in 'Let the Mountains Shout for Joy.* I doubt if you realize the true value these church films are going to bring to the outlying wards. Religious or educational pictures are going to do much to help bring out the attendance. Last night we had an outside brother 65 years of age who had never heard a sound picture."
While this is only the beginning of a great modern educational enterprise, we hardly need pause to realize the great possibilities which are before us and the opportunity afforded for the Presidency of the Church, who now be- cause of the great amount of detail work required of them, find it almost impossible to visit the members of the church as was the custom in earlier days.
As the radio with its modern de- velopments has made the whole world almost as one small community, how long will it be until the Gospel mes- sage delivered by our leaders as if in person will be delivered to the church often through the medium of the sound motion picture? What an opportunity for taking to the remote places the art of teacher training and the demonstra- tion of class work to strengthen the work of the Sabbath Schools, for a study of the drama, opera, or the sweet tones of the symphony — contests for the M. I. A., music of sweet tones and a rhythm that will encourage the graceful dance, the rhythm of motion to music, harmonious — suggesting grace and refinement — subjects of in- terest to the M Men, the Vanguards, Scouts, Bee Hive Girls, and even those of the Primary Organization. Marvel- ous is the work of the Lord, and won- derful are His ways.
Weekly Thoughts On Tithing
nnHE payment of tithing weekly or monthly according to the system by which one's income is paid makes tithe- paying easier.
April 2. The paying of tithing
By DR. FRANKLIN MADSEN
induces the habit of obedience not only to that law but to allied laws.
April 9. The paying of tithing is often a fortification against a dark, sinful life.
April 16. The law of tithing is a fundamental principle of progressive and dynamic sociology.
April 23, The paying of tith- ing is a preparation against judgments
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and calamities that arc to come upon the earth in the last days. This is definitely stated in Verse 23, Section 64 of the "Doctrine and Covenants" as follows:
"Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming,"
April 30. One of the purposes of paying tithing is to build a house unto God for the perfecting of the saints. This is declared in the "Doc- trine and Covenants," Section 119, Verse 2.
Suggested Ward Teachers' Message
APPLICATION OF THE GOLDEN RULE
Partly as an economy measure and partly because the Improvement Era goes into practically all of the homes of ward teachers, or should do, the monthly suggestion for ward teachers is to be printed in these pages. This will obviate the necessity of having them printed by the various stakes.
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: For this is the law and the prophets." Matthew, 7:12.
' I *HERE never was a time when the consistent application of this divine rule of conduct as between men was more greatly needed than the present.
People everywhere today are urging more than ever before the observance of the second great commandment of the Savior: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." A most effective means of approach to the observance of this great commandment is to cultivate the practice of the Golden Rule in lit- tle, as well as in greater, things. The Latter-day Saints accept this teaching fully. Our example is most potent in its influence upon others.
How may we manifest our accept- ance of this principle in our daily as- sociation with our fellows? By dem- onstration, the possession and applica- tion of various qualities, among which are the following:
Courfest/.— One of the most im- portant qualities in our daily contacts.
Self-control, whereby we retain mastery over our feelings and actions, and thus avoid those things which breed strife.
Judgment, whereby we resist fault- finding and carping criticism; and pro- mote constructive, helpful suggestions.
Consideration, the prevention of nuisances; the spread of contagion; care in prevention of accidents, injuries, etc.
Charity, the true spirit of helpful- ness and the promotion of the real welfare of others.
Tolerance, in which we show proper respect for the opinions and feelings of others.
Let us each keep these things con- stantly in our minds. Let us develop the habit of reviewing our acts of each day to determine if they have conform-
ed to the spirit of this great principle.
Let us go further and develop the habit of analyzing our motives as we plan our actions, to be sure they arc in harmony with this commandment.
Thus, we shall be learning day by day, to manifest by our acts our love for our fellowmen more fully, and pro- viding a leaven that will spread its beneficial effects to others.
^Preparing' the Soil for Flowers-
slow life and a steady one and are not quick eaters like the annuals.
In addition plants require sun and air. From the air they take carbon dioxide, which mixed with the water from the soil, forms car- bohydrates in which the plant cells live. They need nitrogen to build up the leaf and woody parts, phos- phoric acid to stimulate root de- velopment and to hasten ripening. Since this is the way plants get their food they then must have sunlight, agreeable temperature and plenty of water*
^Silver Linings-
Continued from page 33 6
"The three cardinal rules of Land- scaping; Preserve open lawn center, Avoid straight lines, Plant in masses, not isolated."
"The best things are nearest — breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain common work as it conies, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things of life," — Lord Houghton.
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be done! Your income doesn't allow for your necessities! Well, what are you going to do about it? Pursue a running train all your life, or be forever financially wor- ried ? The wise and thrifty person will face his money facts, using the pruning knife quite heartlessly where necessary to balance his bud- get. He may have a case of wounded pride for having placed himself on the rightful rung of the ladder of standards which his in- come indicates, but this will not be as serious or as hard to cure as an acute or chronic case of financial distress. There are many saving graces to offset rigid economies, and the person who succeeds in bud- getary matters can attain his goal and live within his income, for that's what the budget says to do.
It's best to heed its warning at all times, but especially so in these uncertain days.
One more satisfaction that bud- geting makes possible is thei ac- cumulation of a few savings. Savings spent for travel or in gaining some long desired experi- ence may bring lasting satisfaction as a means of enriching your life. Rational economy, and neither hoarding nor unnecessary stinting, is the thing that is needed at this time. So, if you can succeed in sav- ing some money, why not put it to the best use that you can possibly imagine? Would it not be splen- did if everyone could plan a budget which would enable him to know financial peace and to realize some dream of happiness!
^Governor C. Ben Ross-
days, when he wanted to be the governor, has developed into the fighting zeal of a man who wants to go on serving his people; who has advanced into the position of doing it through sheer ambition
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and determination, and by exercis- ing the qualities he was bom with. But nobody has a monopoly on those qualities, and that is what Governor Ross tells young people whenever he gets the chance.
(LAaronic rriesthood
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Sacrament Service in Highland Park Ward, Granite Stake
Highland Park Ward Sacra- ment Service
By EARL JAY GLADE, JR.
WHITE shirts and black bow ties play an important part in the sacrament system of the Highland Park Ward of Granite Stake. Dark trousers complete the boy's costumes. This has been the customary Sunday attire of the younger Lesser Priesthood members in this ward for over four years.
The immediate reason for adopting this uniform dress was to do away with the motley array of vividly colored sweaters, seldom pressed coats, and shirt sleeves of varying degrees of color and cleanliness.
No opposition was found in intro- ducing the plan. The boys were con- sulted one Sunday. A week later eigh- teen of their number turned out prop- erly attired. The ward members at once expressed their approval. Parents of sons who were not properly equip- ped, provided white shirts and black ties immediately.
Younger boys in the ward wait anx- iously for their twelfth birthdays so they can take part in the passing of the sacrament. Many of them appear in their shirts and ties long before they are eligible for ordination. In some cases, when a boy is financially unable to get the required clothing, the ward Relief Society has cooperated.
The system of passing the sacra- ment in Highland Park Ward, has a number of additional features. The 18 or 20 deacons who pass are ar- ranged according to their height around the sacrament table. Each dea- con is assigned a definite section. This is done in such a way that they all finish their sections at the same time. Arriving at their positions, the dea- cons stand at attention until the signal is given by the supervisor. When all are through the signal is again given and the deacons return to the Sacra- ment table.
An important result of the white
shirt-black tie system has been a no- ticeable increase of boys in attendance at Sunday School, and Sacrament meet- ing and in the number participating in the passing of the sacrament. The members of the ward have expressed themselves as being greatly impressed with the sacredness of the ordinance by the solemnity of administration.
The deacons have been encouraged by many prominent church leaders who have visited the Ward and expressed their approval of their method of con- ducting the sacrament service.
The four deacons' quorums com- pete for an annual award which is pre- sented by the bishop. The award is made on a point basis. Points are given by the supervisor for attendance at Sunday School and sacrament meet- ing, filling assignments (passing sac- rament, speaking, praying, lesson par- ticipation) , behavior, etc.
Quorum officers have charge of their meetings, making of assignments and seeing that they are filled. The class leaders supervise these activities. These leaders are James Hodgson, Jack Sal- mon, Dr. J. T. Robinson and Charles Burnette.
The ward Lesser Priesthood commit- tee has an office in the chapel basement where the records are kept and meetings are held.
Ward Teaching and Public Speaking Urged by Priests
Thoughts Suggested
By BISHOP DAVID A. SMITH
TT is the duty of the Priest to preach, teach, exhort, and baptize. Occa- sionally, the question is raised as to the wisdom of placing such a respon- sibility upon young men between 1 7 and 20 years of age. If we turn to section 84 of the Doctrine and Cove- nants, we find that the Aaronic Priest- hood is a preparatory Priesthood, that according to the plan of the Priesthood, those holding the higher Priesthood are instructed to send before them, the les-
ser priests to prepare the way for them.
Some remarkable incidents, as a re- sult of literally carrying out this in- struction, are coming to the attention of the Presiding Bishopric. Through the present plan of correlating our work, the spirit of service is growing. We feel more than ever before that the greatest protection which can come to a young man is to have placed upon him some responsibility which requires of him not only studious thought, but action. Anything that will help cause these young men to realize that God is the Father of all, is in reality our Father, whom we may approach when we have learned the meaning of the Gospel message, with every assurance that we may converse with Him and receive a reply to our supplication is de- sirable. To do this, we must, of course, so live that we arc susceptible to the actions of the Holy Spirit, which moves upon us in devious ways and helps to control our actions, our thoughts, our habits, in harmony with the princi- ples of the Gospel. If not, there must be some discord, and where there is discord, there can be no communica- tion with our Heavenly Father.
With these facts before the young man and clearly understood, he is equipped to enter the homes of mem- bers of the church to there kneel in prayer with them, to deliver a simple message, reminding them of the acti- vities of the ward in which he re- sides, and of which he is at the time a representative. If members of a family are neglecting their duties, a kind invitation to join with those who are engaged in such activities will ac- complish more than to remind de- linquent members of their delinquency. Such action on the part of a young man will develop the spirit of toler- ance, of brotherly love, and such a visit is bound to leave that same feeling in the home, and thus they preach not through sermons, but through actions which are sermons without words.
If this Aaronic Priesthood is a pre- paratory priesthood; if it is the duty of the Priest to preach, teach, exhort, and baptize, is it not the duty of all officers to provide a means for such training, and the duty of church mem- bers to look upon such efforts in a spirit of appreciation and kindness? To assist both ward officers and young men called to this office, a course of study for the Priests has been arranged to provide a sermon for each Sabbath sacramental meeting. The subject matter is not extensive. It is not ex- pected that they speak for more than five minutes, and where this is being done, young men of the church are
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The Improvement Era for April, 1933
not only developing through this ex- perience afforded them, the art of ad- dressing a congregation, but every speech delivered helps to establish in the soul of the young man so favored, if his efforts have been received kind- ly, a desire to increase his powers to do and thus he is unconsciously de- veloping faith and a knowledge of Gos- pel principles, which go before him as a guiding star all his days.
The Priesthood meeting is the train- ing school. Here he should discuss these problems with his associates. He should ask questions on matters he does not understand, and he should be ever ready to give others the benefit of his knowledge. And so if we follow day by day the Lord's plan, we are led in our youth to the fountain of knowl- edge, which gives strength not only to the mind, but to the body, and power to withstand the ravages of a tem- poral world destined to decay.
Use of Lesson Outlines
"C^VERY quorum of Aaronic Priest- hood in the Church is urged to use the lesson outlines prepared by the Presiding Bishopric. These outlines contain the complete program for training young men in Priesthood ac- tivity. In wards where the quorum meeting is merged with the Sunday School class, if the Sunday School les- son is used instead of the Priesthood lesson each quorum member should be urged to secure the quorum lesson out- line and the lessons should be assigned each week by the supervisor for home reading. It is important that every quorum supervisor have the lesson out- line as it contains instructions and suggestions for carrying forward the quorum work.
Outstanding Success in the Correlation Plan
By PHILO T. FARNSWORTH,
Chairman Aaronic Priesthood Com- mittee of Grant Stake
T AM reminded of a class of mid- shipmen at a naval academy who were taking examinations. The ques- tion had been placed on the board. One boy looked at it, wrote hastily on his paper and handed it in. The in- structor had been watching him and shook his head, thinking that the boy must not have given the question mucli attention. The question was: "Why did the Spanish Armada fail?" The boy had answered the question as fol- lows: "The Spanish Armada failed because it lacked three ships — mark- manship, seamanship and leadership." The work in which you are engaged is dependent upon its success for leader- ship. If there has been anything ac- complished in Grant Stake, it has been
because of the leadership we have had. We have a united stake presidency back of the correlation work. We have a second counselor in the presidency who eats, breathes, sleeps and dreams cor- relation work. No small share of our success is due to the stake correlation secretary. Brother Leonard Aamodt has been untiring in seeing that the reports are prepared and sent in. The bishops of our wards have been out- standing in their support of this work. I have outlined six items that seem to be paramount in the success of this work.
First, we attempted to organize, to bring our boy leadership together, to inform them and to convert them, if need be, to this work. In these meet- ings we have attempted to bring in- spiration to them. We have tried to follow the plan of organization printed in the Deseret News on January 22, 1932.
As the second principle, we have set out to get the facts. The surveys we have made have been for the purpose of giving us information. We found out that 181 boys in our stake have not been ordained to any office in the Priest- hood. This is an appalling thing. We spend thousands of dollars to send mis- sionaries abroad to convert others but we have in our own back yard a fruit- ful field. We have given the names of these 181 boys to our bishops and they are working with them. We found out that some 48% of our Priesthood groups are over age. We found by go- ing to Scout headquarters that we had 356 Scouts registered. Brother Nich- oUs, who has been in charge of our Scout work, said,