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AUGUST, 1932
VOLUME 35 NUMBER 10
Return Postage Guaranteed Salt Lake City, Utah
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STUDENTS
Will he Welcomed
At the
Utah State Agricultural College
Logan, Utah
Monday, September 26, 1932
♦ ♦ ♦
Life holds much for the young man or woman with a college education.
Prepare now for the future at an extremely low cost.
This is the year for sincere and ambitious students to attend an educational institu- tion. The Utah State Agricultural College is interested in such students. It offers them an education of the highest quality, in an ideal College environment, and for the lowest possible cost. The Institution will continue to maintain the highest standards of schol- arship, and it will also preserve its devoted interest in building the character of students as well as developing their technical skill. The College invites conscientious students to begin or to continue their training for constructive American leadership by attending the Institution in 1932.
Courses are offered in the following Schools:
AGRICULTURE
FORESTRY
ARTS AND SCIENCE
EDUCATION
HOME ECONOMICS
COMMERCE
ENGINEERING AND MECHANIC ARTS
UTAH STATE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
Logan, Utah
Address the President's Office, Logan, Utah, if you wish a catalogue
or any additional information.
*^^<^'*2>^^^^<<0v^uS>*4*^
£?he ^mprovemen't
Vol. 35, No. 10
ERA'
AUGUST, 1932
Organ of the Priesthood Quorums, the Mutual Improvement Associations
and the Department of Education
FORECAST
Prohibition
A~P,HE subject of prohibition will be discussed in the September number of the Improvement Era. Franklin Stewart Harris, president of Brigham Young University, has assembled the opinions of a number of college and university presidents regarding the effect of prohibition upon drinking by col- lege and university students, and C. Frank Stelle, editor of the Lethbridge Daily Herald, Leth- bridge, Canada, has contributed an article dealing with the Can- adian system.
i i i
Greatness in Men
■T\R. RICHARD R. LYMAN, a member of the general superintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A., a member of the Council of the Twelve, will be the subject of the biographical sketch by Pres- ident Bryant S. Hinckley.
i i i
Fiction
npHE PURPLE PITCHER," a baseball story, "Heart Strings," the story of a finely strung musician, and "The Mir- acle," a short short story, will be the September offerings in the field of fiction.
T
The Cover
HE cover this month is a canoeing scene on the Echo River at Banff, Alberta, Canada. Mt. Rundle is shown in the back- ground. We hope it will serve as an invitation to go to the woods and mountains. "We've entitled it — "Dreamy Waters."
For Every Member of the 'Family EDITORIALS
The M. I. A. June Conference Harrison R. Merrill 5 78
What the Organ Sang Harrison R. Merrill 57 8
Accepting the Challenge Harrison R. Merrill 5 78
ARTICLES
Civilization and the New Testament Dr. Elmer G. Peterson 581
Stephen L. Richards Bryant S. Hinckley 584
G. Stanley McAllister Claude C. Cornwall 591
The Heart of Utah Edna I. Asmus 5 92
The Charm of the Incomplete Ruth Muirhead Berry 594
Seeing Through a Glass Eye Walter P. Cottam 5 96
A Hiking We Will Go William C. Wessell 602
Prize Winners 605
Be Your Own Life-Guard Genevieve W. Granzen 606
A Trip Through a Primitive Area Dr. Ray J. Davis 610
Review of the 3 7th Annual M. I. A. June Conference Henry A. Smith 615
Book Reviews „ 619
FICTION
Clipped Wings Florence H. Townsend 5 88
A Fool and His Wager Glynn Bennion 5 98
POETRY
Camper's Supper Cristel Hastings 580
Fishin' Fever Cristel Hastings 580
Waiting G. Selander 601
Top of the World Vesta P. Crawford 600
A Book Wilford D. Lee 619
Two Bits About Youth Virginia Eggertson 614
Stranger Towns Bess Foster Smith 614
"Leave Me My Dreams" Lillian Davidson 614
View of Bear Lake Valley Leone E. McCune 614
Alaskan Summertime Mark Hart 614
Back to My Hills Geo. K. Lewis 614
To Lois Watene Makaia 614
Blue Pastures Jack Falk 614
A Prayer Frances Nuttall 629
Why Do I Live? 630
I Miss You Christie Lund 634
DEPARTMENTS
Church Music 624
Me'.chizedek Priesthood 625
Aaronic Priesthood 626
Mutual Messages
Executive Messages 628
Era and Publicity Messages 630
Let's Talk It Over 640
Published monthly by the GENERAL BOARDS OF THE MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS
Melvin J. Ballard, Business Mgr. Clarissa A. Beesley, Asso. Bus. Mgr. O. B. Peterson, Ass't Bus. Mgr. George Q. Morris, Rachel Grant Taylor,
Chairmen Era and Publicity
EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES: 406 CHURCH OFFICE BLDG., SALT LAKE CITY, UT.
Copyright-, 1932, by the Young Men's Mutual Improvement
Association Corporation of the Church o'f Jesus Christ
of Latter-day Saints. All rights reserved.
Subscription price, $2.00 a year, in advance;
20c a Single Copy.
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October, 1917, authorized July 2, 1918.
Harrison R. Merrill Managing Editor
Heber J. Grant, Editor
Elsie Talmage Brandley Associate Editor
The M. I. A. June Conference
TXESPITE the wide-spread use of the radio and the JS newspaper only those who can assemble in the venerable buildings around which cling the memories and the traditions of three-quarters of a century ,pf Latter-day Saint worship can get the full benefit and meaning of a conference such as that which was held in June by the young people of the Church — the Mu- tual Improvement and the Primary Associations. There is something inspiring about seeing a man and a woman such as Superintendent George Albert Smith and President Ruth May Fox, whose heads have grown gray in the service of the Church, stand before an audience of younger people and declare that they have found complete joy in the service they have given to their fellowmen.
Hardly less inspiring were the youthful faces turned toward the Gospel light not only seeking to know but helping to blaze the way to spirituality and to that abundant living of which the Master so
frequently spoke. Those who had been thrilled by the hopeful spirit of the convention had little dif- ficulty in understanding just what President A. W. Ivins meant when he said that the convention had been (like an oasis in the desert to him. Beset by the troubles of those who have lost much or their all in the falling away of profitable business, harried by those who need help, the First Presidency undoubt- edly found in the shining faces of the youth of this Church a glorious promise of better days.
The special section meetings as well as the general sessions of the conference were bristling with con- structive suggestions ;for the advancement of culture and spirituality among the people of the Church. Both President Heber J. Grant and Superintendent George Albert Smith pronounced it to be among the best at- tended conferences in the history of M. I. A. and also one of the most inspiring ever held.
—H. R. M.
What the Organ Sang
ON one of those rare days in June we stepped into the Great Tabernacle along with about a thou- sand locomotive engineers and their friends to get the message from the tabernacle organ as interpreted by the organist, or, should we say, to get the message of the organist as the organ interpreted it, or would it be (still more correct to say to get the message of the masters as the musician and the organ inter- preted them?
We felt as we -#at under the great pioneer dome that we were receiving the message of God as it was interpreted by the masters, by the huge organ, and its talented player. And, do you know, the old building had much to do .with that marvelous inter- pretation. Personalities, scores of them, perhaps hun- dreds, had come and gone and had left their messages for us. We fancied that even the men who had made the seats and had hung the chandeliers had con- tributed a bit to what the organ sang.
The organist's deft fingers given voice by his vi- brating Isoul and the responsive keys passed through four marvelous, but short numbers, and then the old organ as if given voice by Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff and by all the prophets and -pioneers past and present burst gloriously into that hymn by John Jaques and George Careless, "Softly Beams The Sacred Dawning."
It had ceased to be merely an organ with a mu- sician at the console. — It was Joseph and Hyrum and Oliver, Sidney, and Martin Harris on the banks of the Susquehannah; it was Brigham Young and
Heber C. Kimball in Nauvoo; it was thousands of saints /walking barefoot, pushing carts or riding in prairie schooners across the plains or swinging in an old sailing vessel around the Horn; it was my father and yours and our mothers and grandfathers and in some cases our great grandfathers. It was farmer, mechanic, miner, merchant, missionary all singing — all thrilled by the new vision!;
The old organ, the organist, the great taber- nacle had given new voices to all of them as they sang now robustly as with feet tramping in unison, now softly as if over prairie graves, but always bravely, hopefully, ecstatically!
"Softly beams the sacred dawning
Of the great Millennial morn, And to Saints gives welcome warning
That the day is hasting on.
"Splendid, rising o'er the mountains
Glowing with celestial cheer, Streaming from eternal fountains
Rays of living light appear.
Swiftly flee the clouds of darkness,
Speedily the mists retire; Nature's universal blackness
Is consumed by heavenly fire."
We must go again to hear what the organ is sing- ing. Will you not also go? — H. R. M.
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
579
Accepting the Challenge
rHE present times are a challenge to organizations of all kinds. The even current of life has been rudely changed until many crafts which were sailing along smoothly now find themselves shipping water and threatened with disaster.
In order to find out how leaders of the Church in wards are attempting to meet the problems which unemployment and the depression have faced us with, we selected, more or less at random though we at- tempted to choose some rural and some town or city wards, twenty bishops to whom we sent a letter of inquiry. Nine jhave made reply.
These nine wards reported 113 heads of families unemployed, an average of 12 5/9 to the ward. However, one ward reported no unemployment among heads of families; two others reported two each. Two wards reported 30 each. The bishops of the same wards reported 202 young people who ordinarily are gainfully employed in summer, out of work, or an average of 26 5/9 to the ward. One ward reported 50 young people unemployed.
These figures, of course, throw out a challenge to leadership. Here is a great deal of man-power which could be used if only the proper machinery could be set up for using it. Here, also, is the challenge to the Mutual Improvement Associations. They have responded with a new slogan, "We stand for the enrichment of life through constructive use of leisure and personal service to fellow man." But the leisure time phase of the problem is not our chief concern just now.
When these letters were sent out, we were attempt- ing to discover just how our ward leaders are attempt- ing to cope with the problem of food and shelter for those who have no employment. We are happy to report that the bishops are aware of the situation which confronts the membership of their wards and like Christian leaders are making a definite attempt to forecast their problems and to prepare for their solution.
Summer time is the time to store things away. We get that lesson from the ant and the bee and their kind. Then foodstuffs are cheap and easily obtain- able especially throughout most of the length and the breadth of Church territory extending through the Rocky Mountain region, and in many other sections of the country where Saints have located together in this country and in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia,
South America, and the islands of the sea.
Fortunately, nature has been lavish this year and foodstuffs are plentiful. We all know, however, that winter follows autumn and that during that period foodstuffs will be hard to obtain with anything other than cash.
Many bishops reported that they have assisted in locating sources of food supplies and have encouraged those who otherwise might be unemployed to work for grain, hay, potatoes, carrots, cattle, sheep, or hogs. Grains and vegetables can be pitted; hogs can be killed and cured; beef and mutton can be bottled or fed until needed. Some are planning to fill a ward storehouse now to be used in emergencies, but they are doing their best to make it possible for their people to earn their own food and shelter. One bishop reports: "We have planted extensive gardens and are using the vacant lots. We are obtaining fruit in season for labor." Another writes: "We have been encouraging our people to plant and culti- vate all the ground they can get. They have taken to this suggestion kindly and most of them have good gardens and are raising vegetables that will keep. Now that fruit is coming on we are advising them to put up plenty of it to do them through the winter. There will be some who will not be able to bottle much on account of not having money with which to buy sugar, but we are arranging through our Relief Society and Fast Offering funds to take care of this class. My opinion is that the people of our ward will be better prepared with food this next winter than they were last."
It is refreshing to know that in every ward of the Church there is at least one man to whom the un- employed may go and be certain of finding sympathy and help. If those who have plenty of foodstuffs and need to hire men will remember their neighbors first and will give them an opportunity to work for produce ;if not for cash, and if those who are un- employed will consider the present an emergency, there is no reason why there should be dearth in any home next winter.
Our inquiry was not intended as a survey. We merely thought that what a few bishops are doing might be an indication, in general, of what allare doing. It is to be hoped that all are taking advantage of the summer months to prepare for winter emer- gencies.— H. R. M.
Why Not Shoot? — Contest Announcement
THE Improvement Era is offering cash prizes for the best photographs taken by anuiteurs between July 1 and October 1, 1932. Pictures may be of any subject — scenery, animals, children, adults, oddities. Picture interest only will count.
RULES
1. Anybody except jlhose who make a livelihood from photography is eligible to submit pictures.
2. All pictures must be finished on glossy paper, black and white, and must be mailed flat — not rolled- — ■ on or before twelve o'clock, midnight, October 1.
3. Pictures may be of any size; size will not count.
4. Prizes will be awarded as follows: Five dollars, first; three dollars, second; two dollars, third; and one dollar each for all other pictures used in the Improve- ment Era.
5. No pictures will be returned unless they are ac- companied by stamped, self-addressed container.
6. Each picture must have on the reverse side the name and address of the one submitting it.
7. Judges of the contest shall be George Midgley, Dr. Hopkins, and Walter P. Cottam.
8. Address all photographs to Photograph Contest Editor, The Improvement Era, Church Office Building, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Qamper's Supper
By CRISTEL HASTINGS
D ACON sizzlin' in the pan,
Biscuits well nigh done! Eggs a-sputterin' like mad
Or maybe just in fun! Water boilin' in the pot,
Yellow- jackets near! Blue-jays chatterin' in a tree —
Sunset, golden clear!
On my plate a leaf or two An' a hemlock twig —
Shadows hoverin' in the wood Like somethin' dark an' big!
Cinders in the cookin' stuff — Wood smoke in my eye —
Ashes driftin' lazy-like Where the embers lie.
Sparks that look like shootin' stars —
The river down below Tinkhn' over shadowed rocks
In a tune I know! Dusk — an' trees all wrapped in gloom-
The fire burnin' bright — My shadow on, the canvas wall
Like a thing o' night!
Leaves a-fallin' with a sound O' foot-falls, soft an' light —
Overhead the stars an' God Whisperin' "Good Night!"
By CRISTEL HASTINGS
HPROUT are jumpin' in the stream,
The riffle's runnin' white — There's music down between the rocks
Where the beauties bite! Got to take my rod an' reel
An' a brace o' flies, Tryin' out my luck again
Where the whirlpools rise!
Whippin' upstream, wadin' down,
It's all the same to me, Just so I can have the feel
O' boots against my knee.
Arrow shadows dartin' close —
Silver slippin' by — Nibbles playin' on the hook
An' me a-standin' by
Waitin' for the reel to hum,
Dreamin' as I go — Squintin' down the sparklin' stream — ■
Greatest sport I know! Give me reel an' rod an' creel
An' a cabin door, Wood smoke curlin', meetin' me.
Who could ask for more?
tr^ ivili.
ivilization and
the j\ew Testament
By ELMER G. PETERSON, Ph. D.
President of the Utah State Agricultural College
"America . ... is a religion not a mere political segregation of people and our destiny is sure if we adhere to\the fundamental doc- trine which is the law of our creation as a nation." There may be those who will not agree with that statement from this stimulat- ing article y but Dr. Peterson makes a case for his contention.
WHO can see American chil- dren in com- parative luxury, even in modest homes reveling in the midst of plenty, of food, clothing, education and recreation, often being stultified with ex- cess of things, without being stabbed by the bit- ter consciousness that in China and India and else- where children are starving by the hundreds each day? And parents in these lands have been known to kill their children in order to re- lease them from their misery. Yet here in America our officials are advising farmers to reduce produc- tion. And so with factories and mines, the output is more than we can consume or at least for the time more than we can command the credit to buy. Steel rails, loco- motives and cars can be produced here far beyond our need of rail- ways; ships far beyond our trade necessities; coal mines are closed or run only part time ^because we cannot use more fuel; and workers by the millions are in idleness.
It is quite apparent of course that we have a problem at home without seeking trouble in the Orient. In the midst of our plenty here we have it seems so imperfect a system of economics that actual want exists in the very areas where over-production is most marked. This calls for a quick remedy and it can only he hoped that our statesmanship will be equal to the task of adjustment to prevent the more deplorable aspects of our pres- ent unemployment continuing to
the point of violence. That no other nation of world power pro- portions has solved this difficult problem is an indication of the size of the task which confronts the country. So without mini- mizing the grave nature of our do- mestic situation but for the pur- poses of our present discussion passing it over, what a challenge is presented to Anglo-Saxon and Teutonic peoples by the present tragedy in the Orient. But a deep- er significance than even the tragedy of it, attaches to the fact that less than a third of the people of the world have risen to the command- ing position which north Europe and America occupy today. Over two-thirds of the world is stricken with almost continuous want and misery. Why? These people who welter in distress in India, China, Persia and elsewhere are superior people. Those of them who come to our colleges evidence hereditary strength of a high order and his- tory of course tells the story of great civilizations in these now dis- ease stricken, poverty and war ridden areas. Civilization was cradled on the Euphrates and Ti- gris and further east and portions
of philosophies which come out of these densely populated lands com- mand our great respect.
W1
HAT is it that en- abled Europe and America to take the lead, incomparably so, in world progress? The answer is An a few mat- ters of belief, faith, doc- trine or whatever we wish to call it. Whatever we call it we should not delude ourselves that it is an ephemeral thing. It is of transcendent importance. Whatever it is, it is a pearl of great price which in our orgy of plenty we should seek to remember as men should remember honor and women virtue, priceless although often forgotten. The doctrine is an ancient one which has been brought into bold relief by the occurrences of our own generation, indeed of the last quarter century, because it is during these last few years that civilization has fructi- fied into its present multitude of amazing forms. The decision of an increasing number of our more careful thinkers although as yet admitted by a comparative few, is that European and American civ- ilization is essentially a New Test- ament civilization and is so dis- tinguished, and in no other way distinguishable, from the civiliza- tions built upon other philoso- phies.
What is it that the New Testa- ment gave us that other peoples have not had? I properly exclude from this discussion any analysis, because it hardly admits of such, of
582
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
the mysticism which attaches to Christianity with the passing state- ment only that the so-called mi- raculous portions of the records of Paul and of Jesus can be read by all of us in this modern age of what we call rationalism with very considerable profit, a record which cannot be dismissed as a contribu- tion only to psychology. It is this of course but in our common ac- ceptance of the term it is some- thing else also: a something which differentiates these great events as a piece of dead cop- per wire differs from a copper wire charged from a dynamo with power. The difference is infi- nite although the copper is the same. In our ef- fort t o know what has made northern Europe and America what they are we should read again the story of the journey of Paul to Damascus, not as a treatise on psychology but as a marvelously potential fragment of history.
A^ORTH Europe and therefore America, because America is the child of north Europe, have been distinguished from the rest of the world because of a belief in a God as interpreted by Jesus of Nazareth. This God has been ex- plained to us and our ancestors un- der the designation of Father. The doctrine taught us has been that of love and forbearance as distinguish- ed from the long history of hate, fear and revenge which pathetical- ly makes up the major portion of the record of mankind including that of our own generation. What Christ taught essentially was an ac- tual brotherhood of men. Once the existence of this brotherhood is ad- mitted as a fact as real as brother- hood in the flesh, and infinitely more significant, the world is transformed.
And this is what north Europe has been thinking for thousands of years because north Europe in all probability carried over the thinking of ancient Israel which
was later amplified and given po- tency in the life and teachings of Jesus. There have been fearful departures from this thinking in the depravity which has grown up in many places and in the wars that have been waged, but a care- ful reading of the history will dis- close this golden thread of thought reaching back into the centuries and disappearing in the darkness of the
President Peterson in his office at the V. S. A. C.
unknown past, — an ideal which men have never abandoned al- though kings and often priests seem to have done their utmost to destroy it.
Christ said to His followers: "You are the children of God." This is the key which solves the mystery of hundreds of years of battle. Humanity has never fal- tered in its struggle to vindicate this great utterance. Other phil- osophies have been based upon brotherhood, love, and forbear- ance but for some reason they have not been efficacious in producing progress, as dead copper wire, to use the figure again, is powerless to operate a factory or move a train.
Once you give humankind this thought, as Christianity has had it, of brotherhood, and make it basic in their thinking, the very foundation of their thinking, they naturally tend to interpret it in the lives they live. If all men are children of God then all potential- ly are not only important in the
plan of life but equal as brothers are equal in rank in the family circle. Therefore all men should be free; the relationship of servant and master is impossible in Chris- tian thinking except as power ac- quired by effort gives one the right to dominion. No one wisely will claim that people as we see them in action in every day life are equal; there is in fact what may be called a law of inequality in ac- tual achievement. But it will not be surprising if sci- ence itself reveals that potentially all men, barring of course excep- tional variations one way or an- other, are very nearly equal. In- deed a school of psychologists is now preaching this very doctrine and however far it may be wrong the facts are ac- cumulating that humankind are generously en- dowed from the bottom to the top with strength and weakness and it is given to each individual, granting grave limitations of en- vironment, to develop his poten- tiality to the farthest possible ex- tent. Our histories are full of the names of great ones drawn into eminence from the lower strata of society by the processes of democ- racy. The quintessence of democ- racy is in the Christian doctrine that "God is no respecter of per- sons."
TF men are equal, if only in rights and opportunities, there is no such thing as the divine right of kings, the people themselves should rule. Christian thinking has in our own time almost finished the destruction of thrones upon which as far back as history goes certain foolish people have sat and per- mitted their hirelings to ascribe to them powers and rights which they did not have and should not have attempted to exercise.
This importance of the indi- vidual is very close to the heart of the something which we are search- ing for in this discussion. Other thinking has sacrificed the indi-
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
583
vidual to the state and considered his welfare comparatively inconse- quential. Anglo-Saxon and Teu- tonic institutions are built upon the foundation of individual rights, what we in America have called inalienable rights. There can be no denying the powerful effect upon the development of so- ciety of this doctrine of individ- ualism. It automatically releases the energies of people and drives them to unending progress which seems to be the law of life. It is this virtue in America which will be called upon to neutralize the dangerously large amount of evil which is manifesting itself in our mercantile civilization. Men with this conception of their high sta- tion became partners in the great enterprise of life instead of unim- portant hirelings to follow the command of a superior. Poten- tially there are no superiors. This freedom, this recognition of high personal status, has produced the discoveries and inventions which, from the slow beginnings of Gal- ileo, Copernicus, Newton, Pasteur, Faraday and others, have flooded the world with a wealth of things ministering to human health, com- fort and educational development. So with this great thought in mind men began to create the civilization of Europe, consciously or uncon- sciously working toward the ideal of the importance of the individ- ual and striking at the degenerate formulae whether of religion, gov- ernment, economics or education which sought to stratify men into upper and lower classes and to oppress and bind down those in the lower classes. Freedom of mind and conscience, under law which the people themselves set up and agree to sustain, became the dominating movement of modern history.
JLJISTORIANS are justified in ascribing to Christianity the achievement of education for all the people. The common schools and the universities are a direct result of this doctrine on the theory that if men are indeed equal in their rights as our basic document stated then each should be given equal opportunity to secure educa- tion and otherwise be given a fair chance in his pursuit of happiness. Furthermore, if men are to rule themselves then as a practical ne- cessity they must be informed. But nothing I believe but a deep re-
ligious conviction, not mere expe- diency however urgent, could ac- count for the nearly four billions spent each year on education in America, taking America as an ex- ample of the working out of the doctrine, and for the corresponding investments in furtherance of an actual brotherhood upon earth. It is the very essence of American idealism.
Let me pause long enough to state a qualification which I think ultimately must express itself in our thinking on evolution. Evolution of course is a fact or rather a tre- mendous concourse of facts; that man is a beast is not a fact. Yet modern philosophy has taken unto itself this generalization based up- on a phase only of the work of science, i. e., the generalization that man is bestial in nature.
Man is essentially a spiritual being; his fleshy attributes are an instrumentality only to express what is greater in him or if not in him what may be expressed through him as a violin made of animal sinew and a bit of hard- wood, to use an ancient figure, may express a symphony. This false interpretation of evolution, that man is essentially a beast, overran
Whoa, Hawses, Whoa!
By H. R. M. Drawing by Harry Nielson
Whoa, Hawses, Whoa! Now don't you
run away — You'll throw me off an' spill my load
of hay!
Next winter hay will be a banquet treat— Whoa, Hawses, Whoa, you'll want this load to eat!
the thinking of the world. An important part of German philoso- phy was unequivocal in its state- ment of the application of the law of the beast to man. If the French had coal, the Roumanians oil or the English trade, take it if you can, that was the German idea, if necessary by force. French, Eng- lish and American philosophy was essentially the same only probably weaker, a larger measure of hypoc- risy entering into the thinking of the enemies of Germany. Our schools and colleges were and are saturated with the doctrine. A more debasing and destructive doc- trine it would be impossible to imagine. It was and is a direct defiance of Christian thinking and; it did its major part I believe in preparing Europe for the World; War. It was a corruption which brought its inevitable penalty as it will bring its future penalties if we continue to adhere to it.
^PHERE is evidence in Christ's teachings that He dissented from the feeling of family pride which would easily express itself in families, particularly aristocratic Jewish families. If the feeling within a family becomes too self- contained, too smug, it is easy to understand how damaging such a point of view would be to the members of the family, separating them as it would from the broad sympathies which are necessary for effective participation in life. Christ undoubtedly sought to have his followers recognize themselves as part of the great human family, necessary bearers of its burdens and sharers in its blessings. There is evidence that He recognized limi- tations in family life; on the other hand there is no evidence that He did not consider it the tremendous factor it has become in civilization. In any case out of His teachings has come the ideal of family in- tegrity as one of its greatest results. If it is a fruitage of Christianity it somehow is in the doctrine itself. Clearly the virtues which family life in its finer forms exemplifies are all virtues which Christ did stress in His teachings. Northern Europe and America have been distinguished by their belief in the sacredness of the home and in the building of government as a bul- wark to protect and preserve this fundamental human relationship. I am one who disagrees sharply (Continued on page 621)
Greatness in Men
Log cabins , close acquaintance with the sturdy soil, pioneering experiences have produced in America many great characters. Among them is that of Stephen L. Rich- ards who is made by President Hinckley to appear to be as tolerant as Nature and as steady as the hills.
Stephen L.Richards
By Bryant S. Hinckley
Stephen L. Richards
STEPHEN L. RICHARDS hails by direct de- scent from Dr. Willard Richards, who was President Brigham Young's counselor, and who was in Carthage Jail on that fatal afternoon of June 27, 1844, when the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother, Hyrum, were martyred, and when his only other companion, John Taylor, was savagely wound- ed, his life being miraculously spared by the assassin's bullet striking a watch which he carried in his vest pocket.
This conversation which took place in the jail a few minutes before the attack reveals the caliber of Willard Richards. Speaking to him Joseph Smith said: "If we go into the cell will you go with us?"
The Doctor answered: "Brother Joseph, you did not ask me to cross the river with you — you did not
ask me to come to Carthage — you did not ask me to come to jail with you — you do not think I will desert you now? But I will tell you what I will do. If you are condemned to be hung for treason I will be hung in your stead and you will go free." Joseph said: "You cannot."
The Doctor replied: "I will."
Willard Richards not only witnessed this terrible tragedy but did all he could to defend the Prophet and Patriarch and to care for John Taylor. Not a drop of Dr. Richards' blood was shed.
■T)R. STEPHEN L. RICHARDS, the father of Apostle Stephen L. Richards, was a quiet man of sterling worth, known for the gentleness of his dis- position and for his universal kindness and con- sideration for the poor. He was highly respected in his profession and greatly beloved by all who knew him. His life was full of unrecorded deeds of mercy and generosity. As a father and husband, a home- maker and friend he had few equals.
The Richards family has been prominent in busi- ness and professional pursuits since the establishment of this commonwealth and were prominent among the early settlers of America. They have been dis- tinguished for their sagacity in business and for their independent thinking. They have been religious people but religion with them is not merely emotion- alism, it must appeal to their reason to claim their allegiance.
His ancestors on his mother's side were also dis- tinguished for their initiative and leadership. His mother, Emma Louise Stayner (Richards) , a daugh- ter of the late Arthur Stayner, who was instrumental in promoting the sugar industry in Utah, is a woman of unusual dignity, rare soundness of judgment and sweetness of character, who has written upon the countenances of her children the stamp of nobility. She is the mother of ten children, six sons and one daughter now living. Her sons, Stephen L., Claude, Dr. G. Gill, Stayner, Willard, and Russell, are all men of intelligence, initiative, and capacity. The devotion and consideration of these boys for their parents has called forth universal respect and ad- miration. Her daughter, Mrs. Grace Richards Warner, is a woman of the same superior type as her mother.
Stephen L. Richards was born in Mendon, Cache
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
585
County, Utah, June 18, 1879, and subsequently moved with his parents to Farmington, Utah. He attended the public school, Davis Stake Academy, L. D. S. Uni- versity, Salt Lake High School and University of Utah.
"LJIS profession- al training was received in the University o^ Michigan and the University o f Chicago. From the latter institu- tion he received the L. L. B. de- gree. He was the first Utah stu- dent to be grad- uated from the law school of the University o f Chicago and was a member of the first class ever graduated in Law from that insti- tution, receiving a Cum-laude de- gree.
He has been active in the Church from his boyhood, serving official- ly in the Sunday School, Mutual Improvement Association, and Re- ligion Class. Following the death of George Reynolds he was appointed second assistant to Pres- ident Joseph F. Smith who was general superintendent of Sunday Schools.
He was principal of the Malad city schools and served for ten years as a member of the Law fac- ulty of the University of Utah and was tendered a professorship in the University of Missouri, which he declined.
Stephen L. Richards was called to the apostleship and set apart to that office by President Joseph F. Smith, January 18, 1917, and has been very active in this service. His training and ability eminently fit him for this high calling. At home he has served on important committees and he has traveled ex- tensively throughout the Church in the discharge of his apostolic duties.
February 21, 1900, he married Irene Merrill, a daughter of Clar- ence Merrill and Bathsheba Smith, a woman of superior intellect, re- fined and artistic in temperament,
devoted and happy in her family, land of magnificent distances. This cooperating with and encouraging cabin was a mile from the nearest her husband in every undertaking, house. Stephen L. was not yet submerging all her interests in the twenty-one, ambitious and eager interests of others. This marriage for adventure, has been blessed with nine chil- Those were heroic but halcyon
days for both of them. It is not the task of a novice to break broncos and milk wild cows. It re- quires not only courage to drive a four horse team over rough can- yon roads hitch- ed to a wagon loaded with logs — -it requires skill, strength, agility and resourceful- ness, all of which Stephen L. had, and he got out of this hard and dangerous work the thrill and sat- isfaction which comes from meet- ing difficult situ- ations and mas- tering them. He did heroically the part of a fron- tiersman and it will remain eter- nally to his credit.
While there is no evidence of those rough and tumble days in his appearance, and while they seem far removed from him as he sits at ease in the council cham- bers of administrators and execu- tors of large affairs, or stands on the platform pleading the cause of justice, or in the pulpit appealing to young people to give their al- legiance to the faith of their fa- thers— still those hard days were highly profitable. Many of those experiences may have been difficult but these young people had brave hearts. Some of the things which they did read like fairy tales.
Picture if you will this young bride reared in the city, unac- quainted with pioneer life, sitting by the fire in a lonely cabin wait- ing through the long hours of the night for the return of her belated husband who was lost in a bliz- zard? Or holding a fractious horse while the young frontiersman cau- tiously harnessed it and skillfully hitched it to the wagon.
Four Generations
Mrs. Richards at play time
dren: Lynn Stephen, Irene Louise. Lois Bathsheba, Alice Leila, Helen Merle, Georgia Gill, Joseph Albert, Philip Longstroth, and Richard
Merrill.
HPHE home life of Brother and
Sister Richards which began
under extraordinary circumstances
"At a rodeo he lassoed a wild horse with the first throw of the lariat."
has never lost any of the romance and adventure that marked its be- ginning. They were married late
in February and early in March *~pHESE may have been hard days moved into a one room log cabin on a ranch in Idaho. Idaho is a
but they were happy ones, and although the wheat which he har-
586
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
vested and hauled by team from Malad to Colliston brought him only forty cents a bushel, and the hay which he stacked on the ranch sold for $3.00 a ton; those were profitable days. They gave him an appreciation of the effort re- quired to produce things, and put him in contact with the soil and in touch with nature, all of which helped to sober his thinking and to solidify his character.
The people of the nearby settlements in Idaho became acquaint- ed with this young rancher and discovered that he was a man of ability and learning and they persuaded him to accept the principalship of the public schools of Malad. He carried this work forward efficiently and won the confidence and esteem, not only of his teachers but of the community. Several
years after when he made a visit there one of his friends remarked: "Steve, you still know everybody; why you know every dog and cat in Malad Valley!"
It was while here that he was inspired with an ambition to become a lawyer. Through his resourcefulness and diligence he ac- cumulated money enough to make a start. He took his wife and children to Ann Arbor and entered the law department of the Univer- sity of Michigan from which many of the leading lawyers of Utah had graduated. In Michigan he was soon recognized for his ability. He became orator of his class and sec- retary of the Webster Debating Society. He went from Michigan to the University of Chicago where he completed his professional train- ing.
'"PO those familiar with his splen- did basic qualifications, his ap- titude, the effectiveness with which he works, his fidelity to the truth, his devotion to duty, his pleasing personality, it is easy to under- stand how he made such rapid progress in building for himself an enviable place in the confidence of the community. Analytical in his mental processes, yet not so technical in his consideration of
legal questions as to lose the proper perspective of the case as a whole, and guided by a high and constant desire to promote justice, there is every assurance that had he con- tinued to devote his great talents to his chosen profession, he would have been a brilliant and outstand- ing member of the bar.* This training and experience have given
Mrs. Irene Merrill Richards at Time of Marriage
him a larger vision and a broader understanding of human affairs. As a result, his judgment in coun- cil and his teachings in public and in private are influenced by the fundamental legal principles which he accepts for his guidance.
From a family chronicle fur- nished by his wife we quote: "Passed the bar — tried his first case January 11, 1905, in Malad, Idaho." In referring to this case his father, Dr. Stephen L. Rich- ards, said: 'The operation was successful but the patient died." Is this a veiled inference that he lost the case?
He is judicially minded. He can quickly analyze the most intricate and complicated problem and state it with an unsurpassed clearness and nicety of diction. His briefs and discourses are models of the best English. As an advocate we
♦Estimate of Jesse R. S. Budge.
do not know his superior. He is an able and conscientious lawyer, eminently successful in his private practice. Of late years such time as he could give has been given to directorship work. He is an offi- cer and director of some of the largest and most important cor- porations of the state and is one of the safest counselors at the Salt Lake Bar. Capacity, versatility and dispatch are among his character- istics.
A'
T the time of his se- lection as an apostle he was senior member of the law firm of Rich- ards, Hart & VanDam and had a lucrative practice, but on receiv- ing this appointment he closed his office and gave his undivided attention to his new calling.
His political experi- ences are interesting. He was elected city attor- ney of Murray, was candidate on the Demo- cratic ticket for a mem- ber of the state legis- lature, candidate on Democratic ticket for the state senate, candi- d a t e on Democratic ticket for city attorney of Salt Lake City, named for governor at the Democratic convention in 1916 after having previously declined to run, and was defeated by Gover- nor Bamberger on the fourth bal- lot, receiving the next highest number of votes.
His business ability is clearly shown by the following: He is vice-president and director of Amalgamated Sugar Company, director and member of executive committee of Utah State National Bank, director of Z. C. M. I., di- rector of Utah Oil Refining Com- pany, vice-president and director of Granite Furniture Company, director of Zion's Securities Cor- poration, Director of Temple Square Hotel, president of Wasatch Land and Improvement Company. Formerly president of Sugar Beet Finance Corporation, an Interme- diary Company lending about $14,000,000 of War Finance Cor- poration funds to local Sugar Companies about 1917 or 18.
The love of home and kindred
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
587
The Farm — Pleasant View, Idaho
The Present Richards Home
is the deep and dominant passion of his life, and he knows how to build a home and his wife knows how to make it an abiding place for one's affections.
gTEPHEN L. RICHARDS has the rare capacity of making dreams realities, of shaking results out of confused situations. While he is practical he is artistic in tem- perament. Things must be beauti- ful in perspective and fine in tech- nique to satisfy his taste. He is a natural builder and has never built anything cheap or shabby. Building is almost a passion witb him. He felled, squared, and haul- ed with a four-horse team from a canyon forty miles away the logs with which his first home was built, a neat and beautiful little one on a ranch in Idaho. There is always a hospitality about his home that is at once chivalrous and warm-hearted.
The bride of his young man- hood has fostered and encouraged this native love for the beautiful which is so strong in him. Whether it was a dirt-roofed cabin on a re- mote ranch or a modern home among the finest residences of the city, Irene Richards would decor- ate it, embellish it, and adorn it with that mystic atmosphere which makes a home. She is an artist in home making and all real art and has the finest feeling in it.
There is a congeniality, a com- radery, a comity of interest be- tween this couple that has made every hour happy. He has the spirit of adventure, tempered with caution: she has confidence in his judgment ,and admiration for his courage — they team beautifully, their married life has been a long romance and their home a center from which has radiated a filial
love which is at once strong and beautiful.
His daughter Alice has voiced in these lines the admiration which the children hold for their father:
"Now give me a father with a brilliant
mind," Said Brother Lynn — "And he must be
kind," Echoed Sister Louise, "and generous too And really unselfish thro and thro." "I want my father to be Kingly great
Stephen L. Richards at Time of Marriage
Whom men will honor and decorate," Said Lois in that great council above. "I vvant a father that 1 can love For all he will surely mean to me," Said Allie — -"Now, Helen, what will your
father be?" "God will choose him and set him apart
on high And his wisdom and glory will reach
the sky." "Yet surely my father must human be,"
said Georgia Gill, "Understanding too," said Joe — "Now,
Phil, Will your father be dark like you And handsome, and gay and charming,
too?" "It's a pretty big order already I see," Shouted young Dick, "but my father
must be
A good friend and a real pal to you and
to me." Now when all our desires were spoken
and through God smiled on us all and sent us to you'.
(^)N the occasion of Brother Rich ards' fifty-second birthday, his son, Lynn, a brilliant young law- yer, wrote to his father: "Dear father: The 18th of this month is a glorious day to me. There are few who have the opportunity to enjoy the intimate association of so noble a character and so fond a parent as I have been privileged to enjoy. My gratefulness to you is only marred by my realization that with such an influence I have failed to attain a position comparable to the opportunities I have enjoyed. But be that as it may, I neverthe- less am grateful to you and to my Heavenly Father for this privilege and opportunity." * * *
Brother Richards replying, said in parr.
"Dear Son: Few things could have been more encouraging and comforting to me than your letter. 1 am sincerely grateful for your devotion and your love. Your life and affection are the realization of one of my fondest aspirations. To have one's eldest son so noble and true with so much promise for the future must ever be the consummation of a man's highest ideals.
"I pray that my other sons may emu- late the example you have set for them. * * *
"The Lord has been most gracious and
merciful to me. I thank him and hope
soon to be able to put forth more effective
effort to show my devotion. * * *
Affectionately,
Father."
VJTE are permitted through the kindness of Mrs. Richards to select from a personal record some very interesting information with reference to Brother Rich- ards' early life. The heroic and humorous are delightfully inter- mingled in these experiences.
(Continued on page 604)
%
*^8&,""::; -%m
■
(flipped
By FLORENCE HARTMANN TOWNSEND
Ah, wings are made ,for birds and adventurous spirits , not for home folks , but wings do look so inviting! Just to soar around up there with the birds and clouds!
1h
HEY had always been called a "magnificent couple," even in their courtship days, and five years of marriage had not served to mar the term's meaning. As they stepped out the back door of the little farmhouse together, heads bare and lifted, faces laugh- ing and happy, the glory of the entire landscape seemed to pale ma- terially in comparison. They were both tall and straight and muscu- lar, their faces, necks and arms tanned, their movements free and rhythmical. The woman, while only slightly less tall than the man, lost none of her feminine charm in size, j Her form was rounded and graceful, and she car- ried herself like a queen, taking
deep breaths of the cool spring air as she walked beside her husband, her fingers clinging to his.
"What a day for plowing!" she exclaimed, her voice vibrant with life. "I envy you! But then it will be a great day for washing too.
"Um huh." Walter's eyes swept the far torquoise sky. It would be a great day for flying. Planes were passing over frequently, now that winter's back was broken, and Walter felt again the old pricking in his shoulders, like sprouting wings. Felt the old yearning in his heart, heard the strange call in his ears that made him to pause in his work so many itimes daily and lift his eyes and listen. He
was like a mi- gratory bird at flight season; restless, uneasy, trying to stay on, yet bound to go at last.
He said nothing of this to Marta, merely giving vent to a twice-broken sigh, of which he was entirely unconscious.
"Why the heavy sigh, dearest?" she laughed. "Surely you don't
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
589
have a weary-Willie feeling on a day like this?"
Walter smiled a trifle ruefully. "I hate to admit it, but I fear such is the case. Remember, I never was a hog for work like you are."
Marta laughed, spreading her arms and flexing her muscles. "My greatest desire is for more worlds to conquer," she said. "Great woolly worlds that need cleaning and planting and plowing — "
"And scouring and polishing
and painting," Walter chanted.
'Yes, you'd actually adore that."
"But as it is I've still my own small world to keep ship-shape, and what with the dishes and the wash waiting I guess I'd better say goodbye." She lifted her face for his kiss. He kissed her solemn- ly, his fingers under her chin, and was about to turn away when she caught him to herself in an im- pulsive embrace. Then she released him and ran toward the house, calling a bright goodbye over her shoulder.
At the kitchen door she stopped and looked back. Walter was un- locking the implement house door. She shook herself a little, mutter- ing, "Don't be a fool, Marta. Walter's as steady as a die. And he's — yours." Pride and the joy of possession spoke in that word.
OUT in the field Walter was running the tractor. Marta loved the hum of its motor; she even loved running the ma- chine, and frequently did so while Walter attended to other matters. She delighted in seeing the furrows fall in sliced folds behind them, and the great disc plow that pre- pared the land for the wheat was her especial pride. When the wheat was in the ear she would gaze upon it with the wonder and anxiety of a mother for her child. Marta was a farmer born.
Walter had not wanted to farm. He had wanted to fly. But Marta shuddered at the sight of a plane; she was afraid of great heights, both for herself and for her lover, and because Walter wanted Marta more than he wanted anything on earth, he had given up his ambi- tion to fly and had promised to farm.
They had been eminently sue-
"How I'd like to pilot that beauty," he cried aloud. "What I wouldn't do with her!"
cessful, because they had carried out to the letter Marta's carefully made plans. It is not to be pre- sumed that Walter was either in- competent or lacking in initiative, but it was a fact that Marta had both to a more striking degree. She was -the more aggressive, and because she so loved taking the reins in her own hands, Walter had allowed it. While Marta planned Walter dreamed, though Marta never suspected it.
She had wanted 200 acres of their 240 in wheat, and it was so. That first crop almost paid for the place. It had been a banner year. And while there had not been an- other quite like it, none had been bad. They had been able to buy a new car. The house and barn had been painted and the imple- ment shed built. Then Marta's father had died and she had fallen heir to a share of his estate. Marta knew exactly what she wanted to do with it — there was the Os- borne 80 on the south.
Walter said noth- ing. How could he? The money was Marta's. But he felt the blows of an invisible hammer that was shaping another shackle for his feet; felt the swish of invisible shears that clipped his equally in- visible wings. It became clearer to himself every day that he had pulled the wool over his own eyes; he had never meant to farm for long. He had meant, though he had been unconscious of it at the time, to bring Marta around to his way of thinking about fly- ing. He would woo her gradu- ally, tactfully to an air-minded at- titude. Gosh, how easy it had looked from that distance! And how completely he had failed! For Walter was not subtle and his at- tempts to lead her gently, to creep up on her blind side, had been awkward and tell-tale in the ex- treme. He remembered that even on their honeymoon he had taken her to the flying field at Graham- ville and tried to persuade her to fly; tried to persuade her to let him fly. Then he had been actually frightened at her white, sick face, and had penitently taken her away, post haste, and had rashly prom- ised to forget flying and be content on the farm. It had rested at that; Marta wedded to the earth, he to the sky, and they to each other. It was mid-morning when the
590
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
plane passed over, flying low, a beautiful two-passenger mono- plane of brilliant blue. Walter stopped the tractor to watch it. It was like a great unearthly bird, making straight into the east. "How I'd love to pilot that beauty!" he cried aloud.. "What I wouldn't do with her!" He shifted gear, his eyes still on the diminishing plane, when he no- ticed that it was turning, was cir- cling back toward the field. How slowly it seemed to come, yet he knew it was making great speed. Now it was dropping incredibly, swooping like a butterfly over a rainpool. And then a hand and the pilot's head appeared over the edge of the cockpit, and Walter returned the -salute with a shout and" a tossed hat. The plane climbed back into the sky and Walter into the tractor seat where he sat, uplifted, until the ship was lost in the distance. He looked at the tractor with disgust, spat on the innocent soil that awaited turning and set the machine going. His lips were set and his fine brow furrowed.
MART A, hanging out the wash, had seen the plane but she had not seen Walter's dem- onstration. She did see, at noon, his preoccupation, and sought to divert him with talk of acquiring the Osborne eighty. Walter scarce- ly heard. The roar of a powerful motor was still sounding in his ears — and it was not a tractor motor. He was visioning, not 80 additional acres to be plowed, but the infinite blue of the heavens to be probed, to be explored, on the blue wings of a mechanical bird. Freedom, happiness — wings!
"Tired, dear?" Marta inquired solicitously.
"Not a bit," he grinned as cheer- fully as he could as he pushed back his chair. After all, Marta couldn't help it if he were miserable. It was just the perversity of his own nature. He would put all thought of airships and flying out of his mind, once and for all. Didn't he have everything any normal man could wish for? Didn't Marta love him and he Marta better than anything on earth? Well, then.
It is possible that Walter might have carried out his well-intended renunciation had not the plane that he had quickly dubbed the Bluebird made daily flights across the 200 acres he was plowing, and
if the pilot had not continued to make friendly advances. But it was as if the very Old Boy Himself had a hand on the control stick, for it not only returned daily, but circled the field again and again, to Walter's unbounded pain and delight.
On the fifth day it lighted not fifty yards from the tractor on the portion of the field not yet plowed. In an instant Walter was running toward it, face glowing like a boy's, all thought of his recent resolution forgotten. He could no more have resisted its appeal than a child could resist a pass to a circus.
The motor was still running when he reached the spot. He talked to the pilot a few minutes above the roar of the engine. They were friends at once, the common tie serving as an introduction and recommendation. The landing had been made solely because the pilot had recognized a fan and knew it would give the farmer a thrill.
After the plane took off Walter did not go back to the tractor for a long time, but stood dreaming, hat in hand, motionless.
Marta had seen the plane make its landing and had strained her eyes to see if there was anything wrong. But when she saw Walter standing so long in what appeared to be merely a friendly conversa- tion, she decided the pilot had probably landed merely to ask for directions. Still she stood in the door waiting, watching. No doubt she would hear all about it when Walter came to the house. A little pucker ridged her brow. She'd just as soon the plane hadn't landed. There was always the possibility of a live spark of air interest still
lying deep within Walter's heart that just such an incident as this might fan to flame. He had been easy to handle when their mar- riage was still new and free from disillusionments, and when he was still more the lover than the hus- band. Now, she recognized, this passion, should it be renewed, would be hard to stem or to turn into a different channel, as she had stemmed it on their honey- moon.
/\.N hour later Walt- er's approach was announced by his whistling as he came up the path. Marta smiled knowingly. He was so overflowing with good spirits and especially with the big news, that it was spilling over in an excess of cheery whistling.
He peeped through the screen at her as he reached for the basin on the back porch shelf, where he al- ways washed up. She did not note that his glance was particular- ly searching. She smiled in good- humored amusement.
" 'Lo, Walt. Hungry?"
'You bet I'm hungry." Under his breath he thanked his lucky stars. Marta hadn't seen the plane or she'd meet him with an anxious look and forty questions. He mumbled additional praises into the towel as he dried his face. This was his lucky day. Marta hated the very thought of flyers and flying, and now she could be spared.
He swung into the kitchen, let- ting the screen slap to behind him while he made tracks to the table.
"Um-m, but things look good, sweet." He tousled her hair as he sat down.
"Any reason why they should- n't, consider who cooked 'em?"
"Quite the contrary, only I think it would have been more be- coming if you'd allowed me to say that."
"But I was afraid you would- n t.
JLJ-E made believe at cutting her fingers with his knife, and fell silent. Marta, momen- tarily expecting the narrative to begin, was silent also, and save for occasional comments on the food or the request to have his glass refilled, the meal passed in silence. Marta stole furtive glances at her husband's face and was frightened (Continued on page 634)
G. Stanley McAllister
By CLAUDE C. CORNWALL
Behind many big move- ments boys from Utah are to be found doing their bit to- ward makmg the world more vocative.
IN the executive offices of the U. S. Lines a meeting was
being held to discuss arrange- ments for a cruise of the S. S. Leviathan to Nova Scotia. The vice president turned to me and said, "Cornwall, get two men as your assistants for this cruise. You know, some of those live young fellows who know how to handle a crowd. I'll leave it to you. Go and get 'em."
A few minutes later I was at the telephone and in touch with two Utah boys, Stanley McAllister, of the Columbia Broadcasting Sys- tem and Lavoir Card, of N. B. C. Both were willing to go and we had a great cruise.
One day after our return I was in McAllister's office ancfhe per- mitted me to take away the accom- panying pictures, one of himself and the other of the new Vertical Aerial of station WABC, the key station of the Columbia Broad- casting system.
A LITTLE over four years ago Stanley McAllister went to New York and started work with "Cushman & Wakefield." His as- signment was office layout and building management. When the Columbia Broadcasting Chain de- cided to erect their new building they appealed to Cushman & Wakefield for help. This was a technical job requiring a skilled de- signer. McAllister was given the task.
Day by day as the building pro- gressed "Mac" was on the job. He followed every detail suggest- ing materials for studio lining, ar- rangement of space and location of apparatus, color schemes, corridors and elevators, reception rooms, wiring, heating and lighting and the thousand other installation re- quirements. It was a great job and when completed a real triumph for
G. Stanley McAllister
Mac's Latest Job. A 665- foot tower "looking not un- like a pointing finger."
this smiling, firey, keen-minded youth from Utah.
QFFICIALS of Columbia had been in daily contact with "Mac." They had become attached to him by his genial, fetching per- sonality. They could see also that he knew his job, that he possessed a rare qualification — an ability to make a decision; to face a hard situation and drive it to a sensible conclusion.
"What are you going to do when you finish this building?" he was asked one day by the Colum- bia director.
"Back to Cushman & Wakefield to see what's next," was Mac's answer.
"Oh no, you're not," was the reply. "You're staying with us for more money than they could ever afford to pay you."
And that was that.
So Stanley McAllister became manager of construction and instal- lation for the Columbia Broad- casting National Chain.
Over in Bound Brook, New Jer- sey, stands a unique tower stretch- ing 665 feet skyward and looking not unlike a pointing finger. It is perched on an 18 inch insulator supported on a concrete base and held in place by four steel guy wires stretching down 350 feet to con- crete anchors. This is "Mac's" latest job. It was no mean task to erect this steel tower on its tiny base, to balance it perfectly and to make it secure against the wind.
DUT there it stands. And radi- ating out from it daily are the programs sent from station WABC the new 50,000 watt installation which is another source of pride to this young man from Utah. And reception, reports have come in from Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, The Philippines, Samoa and from every state in the Union. "Want to see an interesting dra- matic program broadcast?" Mac asked me the other night when I was again visiting with him at the Columbia Building. "Sure I do," I replied. "Well, come with me and I'll get you a pass to 'Time marches on,' then you'll see how it's done in a real studio."
<&flfe&
Panorama of Salt Lake City.
Tkejfi
eart
L/ Bv ED>
THIS is the place!" exclaimed Brigham Young, eighty-five years ago,* when he and 147 Mormon refugees looked down upon a valley of death from the mouth of Emigration Canyon. These immigrants saw but one lone tree in a dry, desolate waste stretching from the rugged range of the Wasatch mountains to the crystalline shores of Great Salt Lake. Yet their leader cried in exultation that this was ;the promised land, and they knelt upon the parched soil in prayerful thanksgiving to a bene- ficent God !
Perhaps to those poor travel-weary souls who had endured all manner of hardships and privations on the long trek across the valleys and plateaus to these mountains of the west, that desolate Salt Lake val- ley by very reason of its desolateness gave promise of a haven secure from intrusion.
Secure from intrusion, indeed! The very dreams of man preclude such security.
HPHE history of Salt Lake City has no counterpart.
The first band of Mormon refugees were "tossed
naked" upon a grim frontier while behind them was
"a flaming sword that turned every way." They
*July 24, 1847.
By EDNA I. ASMUS
were 1000 miles away from any settlement, east or west. The soil of their new sanctuary would produce nothing except through irrigation. Their first crop was a failure. Their second was almost completely destroyed by crickets.
That these brave souls lived through their trials must have been because they had grown superior to distress. But they did live, and — they multiplied! They had disciplined themselves to be content with life's barest necessities. They had few comforts. Luxuries were only a dream.
But just as the ugly duckling of the fairy tale turned into a swan, so has that arid waste between the Wasatch range and Great Salt Lake turned into a beautiful city of lush green shade trees, riotous gar- dens, wide white avenues and sun-drenched spires. And whoever seeks beauty, will, sooner or later, find his way to Salt Lake City — the heart of Utah, the citadel of Mormonism, the gateway to a scenic west, the fountainhead of a loftier living.
It is with this fourth distinguishing aspect of Salt
Lake City that I, as an easterner, am chiefly concerned:
Salt Lake City, the fountainhead of a loftier living.
I use the noun 'living" rather than the noun "life"
advisedly. It limits the possibility of misinterpreta-
of^Ultah
This Chicago woman came and visited Salt Lake City. Is the "heart of Utah" as she describes it, what you have found it to be?
tion. For it is only in the active manner or rule of life as it is exemplified by the folk in and around Salt Lake City that I am interested.
'T^HERE are certain institutions of Salt Lake City with which we are all familiar whether or not we have visited the city; just as there are institutions of other cities which have been made familiar to us by means of newspapers, postcards, moving pictures, etc. By now everyone has become acquainted with the sky-soaring contours of New York City's Empire State building; with Chicago's latest architectural prize-winner, the Palmolive building; with that friendly link of international good will, the bridge uniting Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Canada. Inventions mastering time and space have brought all the world to our threshold. Pisa's leaning tower, Paris's Eiffel tower, London's buildings of Parlia- ment are as familiar to us as the sights of our own neighborhood.
And so, the prospective visitor to Salt Lake City is already prepared to greet on terms of familiarity, the Mormon Temple, the Tabernacle, the recreational Saltair. The visitor is also cognizant of the fact that Salt Lake City is the "Mormon City," and the home of United States Senator Reed Smoot, who is almost constantly in the public eye.
To the uninitiated, however, the Mormon is a strange parcel of humanity whose notorious trans- gression has been polygamy, whose aspect and de- meanor are peculiar and mysterious.
CTRANGE as it may seem in this so-called enlight- ened age, there is a vast amount of ignorance and misinformation about "those strange Mormons" who are nothing more or less than the Latter-day Saints known and recognized the world over!
But I digress. The purpose of this article is not to discuss Mormonism, its ramifications and — its rev- elations. Suffice it to say, however, that he who is purged of bias and prejudice will find much that is exemplary in Mormonism.
What we of the east expect to find in Salt Lake City beyond the already familiar, is impossible to say. I know a few folk who have departed from this famous city disappointed and disillusioned. What caused such a reaction, I know not. Was it due to preconceived ideas not realized in fact? An un- sympathetic mood? Some annoying mishap? Bad weather? Who knows?
All I know is that I arrived in Salt Lake City with an open mind, and that it won my heart com- pletely. (Continued on page 623)
The Qjharm of the
By Ruth Muirhead Berry
incomplete
Some people grow flowers and some — grow homes. Mrs. Berry tells how she and her husband, Raymond A. Berry , the writer, "grew" theirs.
TWO years ago I was faced by a weighty problem in Homebuilding. My hus- band frankly stated that I could have my choice of building a new home, complete but neither the size nor kind for which I longed, or I could start the sort of home which I desired and leave it in- complete until sufficient funds arrived to finish it — let them come when they would.
The first alter- native did not appeal. In the eight years of our married life I had seen a number of friends build sta ndardized bungalows, financed by a Building and Loan Company and furnished with installment furniture. Then they would settle down for a ten year program of monthly pay- ments before the place, somewhat worn, would at last be their own. I confess to considerable dissatis- faction at times that we could not do the same. But the wife of a struggling author must turn a deaf ear to voluble salesmen who as- sure her that she can have anything she wants for a paltry ten dollars down.
CO ,we lived on and on in the much down-at-the-heel little house which had been built by my husband's grandfather. But we struggled toward and dreamed of a new home, designed according to our needs, until the idays came when the editors' hearts were opened and checks poured in at a rate which gave us assurance to build.
Frankly I could not endure the thought of having less of a home than I had planned, and the needs of our family demanded a some- what larger dwelling than most of those in the town where we lived.
spurt left our home looking, if anything, worse than before we started. As the old house had neither bath nor conveniences of any kind, we felt that it was im- perative to build the service end first. /I am sure that this was a wise decision from many an- gles, yet it left the front of our home a sorry fig- ure for the nine months that elapsed before we could start on our second spurt.
B'
The Growing Home.
As we were fond of company there must be a large living-room and a separate dining room. Some place must be provided where my hus- band could work — that meant a study. Then there were three children, all under six, to be con- sidered when bedrooms were plan- ned and who must have a large playroom far removed from the study. These items, together with the views to be obtained from the various windows, formed the basis on which we began our plan — a plan that was changed and re- changed in process of construction and many details of which may yet be altered, though the main ideas must remain always.
While 1 said over and over to myself that childhood, spring, edu- cation, and most of the desirable things of life were charming be- cause of their incompleteness, I shall have to own that our first
UT at the end of sixteen months from the day we first tore off the old kitch- en and dining room and pre- pared /or battle, we had completed enough of our plan to settle down, free of debt, to worry through a depression that we had not seen around the corner. Though in- complete our home was far enough advanced at this time to attract the attention of all who came near and to win the prize of a most substantial payment on an electric range through a Better Homes Contest. At this point we now wait, longing for its completion but thankful beyond words for the peace and security we feel without a mortgage in troublous times.
As it now stands the house has six rooms entirely finished without counting one bath, laundry, amuse- ment room in basement, furnace room and vegetable cellar. Those six rooms are two bedrooms up- stairs, one on the main floor, a large living room, dining room and kitchen. Remaining to 'be finished when the halcyon days return again are two more bedrooms and
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
595
Corners in the evolving house.
a bath upstairs and my husband's study downstairs. No one from the outside, however, would guess that these rooms are not quite as done as the rest. Curtains hang at the windows and, unless some curious soul presses his nose against the glass, he is none the wiser. Nor can this deception be detected from the inside when doors are proper- ly closed. Incidentally I might add that an at- tached garage and a closed porch that may be used in winter as a flower room are dreams too far off to assume any visible form at pres- ent.
gECAUSE I wanted a rambling, farm- house type, similar to those built in New Eng- land and the Middle Eastern States in the early part of the eighteenth century and, because the job was a remod- eled one and much limited in many ways, my chances of getting my desires piece meal were perhaps greater than would have been pos- sible with any other type of house. The old home had a main part consisting of four square rooms, two above and two below, each pair divided by a stairway which must have been crossed with a ladder. However the timbers were large and of native cut lumber and
the building solid, even if the cor- ners were none of them square. This home was (dear to me and had, I felt, become a home in the sense that it had already seen "a heap o' livin'," so, against the ad- vice of the lumberman, (carpenters and all concerned, we clung to our original decision and insisted upon remodeling. Here I must own that
The Living Room and Great Old- fashioned Fireplace.
there was no economy in this ex- cept for the fact that we always had a part of a home where we could live without paying rent while work was going on. Al- though this was not always pleas- ant it had its rewards, the chief one being that I was always on hand and could change my ideas about the location of bathroom fixtures, doors, windows and par-
titions before enough nails were driven to make the cost prohibitive. An architect connected with the lumberyard made first plans and blue prints but he was too far away for much consultation. As the work was not done by con- tract and much of our saving was to be made by overseeing the pro- ject ourselves, I hunted through all the magazines deal- ing with home building which I could buy. When I found cup- boards, windows, doors, attractive corners and so on to my liking, I carried these pictures to the Italian carpenter who was bossing the job. As I knew no technical terms and he was unacquainted with the sort of home I de- sired, we had more or less trouble at first get- ting together. But I soon found that he could make positively any- thing to suit me if there was a picture by which he could go. From then on we worked entirely from magazines. When still un- certain, he made forms in miniature to go by, exercising the most won- derful patience with my changing desires. He even constructed rough gables for our dormer windows and set them at various places on the old roof while my husband
(Continued on page 622)
£>\ eeing Ihrough a vjlass C ye
By WALTER P. COTTAM, Ph. D.
Dr. Walter P. Cottam, whose excellent pictures have won prizes and favorable comment from the most fastidious , here gives a few point- ers on how to take pictures. Though he is a scientist^ not a photographer at all except as an amateur ■, his photographs carry so much of his person- ality in them that they have been hung in homes as works of genuine creative art.
FEW modern inven- tions have entered more widely into the economic life and the general enjoyment of mankind than the cam- era. Through this glass eye man records events and things with a speed and precision which far excels the human eye. Through it he peers into a thousand invisible worlds of both heaven and earth; in fact no branch of science or art today could dispense with photography.
But to the average mind a camera is a third eye — a modern inexpens- ive luxury which catches smiles, sunsets, baby's first tooth and a thou- sand aesthetic moments dear to the human heart and preserves them with lasting and unerring fi- delity. Photography is both a science and an art led thousands into a finer appre- ciation of nature and to a wider sympathy and interest in the pro- fessional artist and his message to mankind. Few people can truth- fully say that they care nothing for fine pictures, and fewer per- haps there are who do not carry a secret wish that they knew more about pictorial art.
T7EW really fine photographs are produced by accident, and there is no easy road to efficiency in this art any more than there is to any other worthwhile human accomplishment, despite the fact that in taking a picture one merely releases a mechanical contrivance.
It has
The Pictorial Beauty of this compo- sition was attained by snapping the picture in the direction of the light
source.
One arrives at his photographic goal, if ever, only through careful study and honest application.
There are two phases to pictori- al photography which one must master in order to make good pic- tures. The first is the mechanical and chemical phase which deals with the camera and the photo- graphic film. There are precise rules to follow in the mastery of the mechanics of the camera and any photographic shop will be very happy indeed to help the amateur with these problems.
The second or artistic phase of
picture making has to do with the selection of sub- ject matter with its prop- er highlights and shad- ows. Unfortunately or fortunately there are no precise and mechanical rules to follow in the mastery of this import- ant, more difficult, and highly fascinating phase of photographic art. True there are certain fundamental laws of composition; of rhythm and balance; of light and shade, which govern the artist with his brush, and the successful photo- grapher must learn these; but in the selection and execution of his subject matter, the photographic artist has an opportunity for the expression of his own personality and here lies the real thrill of pic- ture making.
One of the easiest short cuts for the amateur photographer to take in his quest of the knowl- edge of how to make good pic- tures, is to study good pictures. He should attend the numerous exhibitions of art which our state offers each year as well as the per- manent collections to be found in many public buildings throughout the state. The best book on this subject which the writer has seen is one called "Photography and Fine Art," by Henry Turner Bailey, and published by the Davis Press, Worcester, Mass.
A FTER the mastery of the me- chanics of the camera, the first problem which confronts the pho- tographic artist is the selection of
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
597
This picture though good in composition owes much to high-lights and shadows.
Good pictures must carry rhythm and balance in their composition.
his subject matter. Too often one never expects to find this close at home and more often than not there is an opportunity for an ex- cellent picture at your very door- step. When the subject is finally
often the only means at the pho- tographer's command in effecting proper subordination of accessory details in the picture as well as ac- centuating the important ones. In fact every beautiful photograph owes as much or more to highlights and shadows as it does to artistic compo- sition. Since each type of subject matter demands its own lighting, no hard and fast rules can be laid down which the amateur may follow, but there are cer- tain general facts regarding light quality which should always be kept in mind.
1. Distant objects al- ways receive more light and are registered more strongly on the photo-
always be shaded when taking a picture toward the sun, but one must remember that the more and varied the highlights and shadows, other things being equal, the great- er the chances for unusual pictorial beauty.
5. The light is much stronger at noon than in mid-afternoon or morning. The successful amateur watches his camera diaphragm closely and adjusts it to suit the time or condition of day. A mis- take of exposure is certain to ruin any picture no matter how care- fully one has selected his compo- sition.
6. One should not be in a hurry to snap his picture unless the su- preme moment has arrived. It is
A good picture should contain a single interest. The rectangle outlines a scene of rare pictorial quality.
selected there are problems usually of isolating it from a world of conflicting interests. Here the artist with the brush has much simpler problems, for if a tree or shed is in the way, he needs only to omit them from the picture, but the omnipotent glass eye of the camera is sure to record these with disturbing detail. Sometimes by merely shifting the camera a few feet these objectional details are wholly removed or subdued in the foreground.
'HpHE successful landscape photo- grapher is always one who studies carefully the light relation- ships to his subject matter. It is
a good policy to select one's com- position and then note the effect graphic plate than near ob- of light changes on the subject mat- jects. ter. The successful photographer
2. Noonday, especially waits his time even though it re- if the sun is shining bright- quires hours, days, or even a change ly, is a poor time for land- in season, scape pictures because shad-
ows are too heavy in the foreground and too often absent in the background.
3. Misty or partly cloudy days, contrary to popular belief, often offer the finest opportunity to the landscape photogra- pher, and generally furnish the best possible light for portrait study.
4. The general photo- graphic rule never to take a picture with the camera facing the sun is often con- trary to the best pictorial effects. It is true that the lens of the camera should
The amateur photographer often looks "too high for things close by" when it comes to the selection of subject matter.
<iA^Jiool andtlis Wager
By GLYNN BENNION
Illustrations by Harris Weberg
I
_F he had been of a quieter disposition this newcomer from San Pete might easily have won the good will of his older mates at the Bar M, for he was clever and willing enough. But he was full of all the noisy, reckless deviltry natural to a pink-cheeked, blond young cowboy only recently escaped from home restraints to the freedom of man camps.
The consequent disfavor shown him was no sign of a general abhorrence of evil at the Bar M, for that outfit was as tough as any. Rather it was an expression of the impulse normal to all societies, human or otherwise, to reduce youthful conceit and cause the acceptance of the standards of the more experienced. But the San Pete Kid seemed to thrive on hazing.
One of the first things he noticed at the Bar M, and that irked him especially, was an undercurrent of sincere respect for the local sheriff, Jim Thibault. This doubtless was a factor in the Kid's incessant
Wagers are always bad — this one turned out to be desperately serious. Glynn Bennion reaches into early history and gives an pld story a new turn.
and inspired boasting of alarming escapades to the disparagement of all peace officers. Certainly it chal- lenged his irrepressible talent for mischief. And then he made a foolish wager.
But whatever the causes leading to his ruin, on this day the Kid rode down to the post road at the edge of the sand and prepared an ambush for the mail, and a half hour later was spurring wickedlyt his horse lunging mightily, up into the white sym- metrical-crested sand dunes. One hand tightly gripped a package of registered letters. Behind him a flab- bergasted old mail driver was commencing to drag away the obstructions that had been pulled into the road to halt his ancient car.
T
HE hold-up of the mail as he had expected had been ridiculously easy. The thrill of reckless daring still flushed the Kid's exultant face. No glimmer of the enormity of the thing he had just done had yet begun to tug at the corners of his mouth.
Presently the San Pete Kid was out of sight of the road, plunging south- ward in a sea of huge sand billows. Quickly realizing that no horse
could long keep to a gallop in
such soft footing, the kid checked to a trot, and then to a walk when the going was uphill. The horse floundered as if in snow. But the Kid's body was tense with impa- tience to be hurrying on, his spurs flicking ceaselessly, without quite touching his y\
mount's heaving sides.
For he must beat the stage he had held up to the post office at. Six Mile, deposit his loot therein, and escape with- out getting caught in order to collect his bet at the Bar M and later have his laugh at the old mail carrier. His course lay straight across a two-mile-wide cape flung out from the great sand desert, while the road skirting it, which the mail he raced must follow, was at least twenty miles long.
The kid figured to arrive at the post office, where
4
At
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
599
he was unknown, in the drowsy afternoon. No one would notice him deposit the registered mail, and he would quickly be galloping away, with the big laugh on the Bar M and their sheriff.
Noticing a narrow strip of hardpan nearly paral- leling his course for some distance where a freak of the wind had swept the sand clean from the clay underneath it, he turned his grateful horse down into this place of firm footing and spurred into a run. No sooner was he down in the hollow, however, than his eyes were eagerly searching the south end for the easiest ascent back up into the dunes again.
This was a mistake. He should have been vigilant- ly watching the hardpan ahead of his horse's flying hoofs for the badger holes pitting its surface. For suddenly his horse dropped sickeningly from beneath him and he was flying through the air. He landed with a bruising thump on the hard surface and rolled barely clear of the kneeling horse's heels.
OR a little while he was too badly stunned by the fall to do more than fight for the breath knocked out of him. Then the Kid rolled
to a sitting posture and brushed stupidly at the dust in his hair. No need to hope that his horse, now vainly trying to rise, had not broken a leg. The kid had heard a snap like the breaking of a pick handle.
Getting to his feet the youth picked up his fallen revolver and walked back to his horse. For a mo- ment he stroked the doomed animal's soft muzzle. There was only one humane thing to do and as much as it hurt him he did it.
Minute after minute the bare-headed youth stood staring at the quiet horse. He was aging at the rate of a year a minute. All his fun was turned to ashes now. His unseeing eyes for once were turned on his own colossal asininity.
Finally looking around for his hat, he noticed the
packet of regis- W&h tered letters where
they lay scattered and torn. The thickest envelope he saw, with a sick- ening sense of dis-
-OSL,
_-££•« Vis* V<? ///,<..
•. :^Wr.-U ■&■<*■■>
' ->: ■ « . ■ - „■ it
ffs,
But the older man whirled and struck like a coiled rattler.
aster, had brok- en open, displaying a sheaf of bills. No chance now, the Kid knew, to beat the stage with its story of the loot of the mail pouch into Six Mile. Nor any chance to prove that the whole affair was a joke, the result of a reckless wager. Suddenly the Kid realized that he was an outlaw, with the long arm of Uncle Sam after him. In a little over an hour men would be at the scene of the holdup, and fifteen minutes later would find the dead horse.
A storm of frantic emotions swept the Kid's mind — futile assessment of his chances for escape, desperate fear of consequences, self pity and vain regret for the tough break which had killed his horse and left him afoot, without food or water, where every step of attempted escape only added to a plain trail for horseback trackers to follow. What mercy might he expect if he waited and submitted to arrest? No one would believe his story that he didn't mean to keep anything from the mail. They would laugh and say that if his horse hadn't broken its leg he
600
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
would have escaped with the money. The Kid had visions of Fort Leavenworth, the slow torture of hopeless incarceration.
The skin of his face drew tight, baring his teeth in the terrified snarl of a trapped animal, but his eyes gradually became cold and bleak with determination. He had a gun and some cartridges left. He'd fight out his chances to the bitter end.
Finally the Kid's
attention was attracted to the flight of time by the slightly al-. tered direction of his shadow. Glancing toward the lowering sun to estimate the hour he now no- ticed the cloudbank of a small thunderstorm, moving slowly northward some miles west of him. Suddenly he was filled with hope. Familiar with these desert storms, he knew that presently a wind blowing out from the shower would reach him, stirring the dry sand. To get away while the wind drifted over his tracks!
Quickly he was tearing up his saddle blankets and wrapping his feet with the strips to minimize the indentations of his footprints. His prediction of wind proved correct, for even as he was thus occupied a sudden eddying gust whirled away the scattered packet of letters. The kid dropped his work and sprang instinctively af- ter them, a natural reflex driving him to save the money.
Having captured the fluttering bills, the Kid paused to look at them with mixed feelings. Since he had never intended to keep any- thing from the mail, the best thing to do, he thought, was to leave the money with the letters at the saddle for the officers to find. At that moment, however, he was en- veloped in a roaring blast, the backwash from the passing thun- derstorm, smothered in driving, stinging sand that pelted like hail. No time to lose now — such a wind, he knew, might not last more than thirty minutes, and by that time he must be two miles away from there.
Once more he considered the damning money in his hand as he leaned against the blast. The sun had been blotted out in dust. This cross wind, blowing at right angles to the prevailing ones, would prob- ably bury the dead horse. No use leaving the money if it were never found. And the suspicion entered
the Kid's mind that even if it were found by this so virtuous sheriff, perhaps no one else would ever know it. Common sense for once on the side of cupidity, and no time for studied decision, the youth thrust the roll of bills into his pocket and turned into the teeth of the wind.
Unable to see anything, he judged that the only way to keep going toward his hastily chosen objective was to keep the wind in his face. For he was now deter- mined to find the hideout of the Tintic outlaws.
OOON smothering in the blinding, choking welter, he tied his bandanna over his mouth and nose, hoping the rag would filter some of the sand from the air. Then he plodded blindly for-
ward, climbing on hands and knees up the lee sides of the dunes while the moving sand poured on him from above as if in buckets full, and 'then leaning into the screaming, stinging fury as he plunged on over the top and clown the windward sides.
The wind kept up longer than the Kid expected, and under or- dinary circumstances he would have felt himself terribly abused by the experience. The skin of his face and hands was chiseled raw by the driving particles and his clothes and hair were full of it. But now he scarcely noticed the choking agony and bored into its enveloping fury like a wound- ed buck into the safety of a thorny thicket.
Presently, however, the wind slackened noticeably and then
,:■■■,;". i
• ,<
■' "■■'''.;■"■ "■■ ■ 'tf$?ffi$&L
Top of the World
By Vesta Pierce Crawford
FAMILIAR trails are calling me From the sage of the desert gray; My soul-bud bursts with the sap of life I must be up and away!
The trail leads on past fir and spruce
To summits bleak and high, Where forests fade at timber line
And twisted balsams die!
The ewes and bleating lambs will climb
Along the ragged ledge, Far up the savage topmost crag
To sniff its shining edge!
Then I with laden mules will come
To earth's own silver brim, Where we'll be shapes of pulsing joy
Etched on its gleaming rim !
Drawing by Cecil Smith
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
601
gradually died to a whisper. The thunderstorm, having passed sev- eral miles to the westward, was now too far away to affect the at- mosphere. The Kid, exhausted, dropped on the sand, glad of the respite. Then he removed his clothes to the skin, shaking out what sand he could before replac- ing them.
But now another problem pre- sented itself. A posse might be baffled by the covering up of his tracks, but, weatherwise, they would circle the spot of the hold- up until they cut his sign made after the wind subsided. Safety lay only in making no tracks in still weather.
But it might not blow again, the Kid knew, for a long time. Already he was very thirsty, and knew that he must have water be- fore long if he lived. Far to the northwestward the peaks of the Tintics, blue with distance, beck- oned with their promise of safety. But to reach them, he knew, he must have food and water.
Thus for an hour [or more the Kid sweated under the fierce pres- sure of the sun in the now sultry stillness of the late afternoon strug- gling with his indecision. Mostly he shielded his eyes from the pain- ful glare cast up by the whitish sand, but every once in awhile his eyes focused wistfully on the dim, faraway peaks.
But presently the swiftly falling sun relented, and the sand became comfortable. The Kid, wearied by stress of mind and body, yielded to a pleasant drowsiness and islept, forgetting the torture of fear and thirst.
HOURS later when rest and the cold of a desert night had cleared his brain of fatigue, the devils of fear returned to their business and he awoke in a sweaty panic. Whereas the (day before, the desert had gathered him under its wings with a rough mother- liness, now, in the ghostly star- light, his surroundings seemed re- motely withdrawn, coldly aloof.
Again jhe was urged toward the safety of the mountains while moisture and strength remained in his body, but again he was deterred by the fear of making and leaving his tell-tale tracks. The hope of a morning wind was on the side of remaining, so he burrowed to a warmer depth and waited.
At last the dragging hours
brought daylight and the sun, but no wind. He remembered that during the haying season on the ranch the wind, nightmare of hay pitchers, usually started up about mid-forenoon. Thus all morning he hoped for a track-obliterating wind and watched for a sheriff's posse. He could see only a short distance in that sea of billowing dunes. Every half hour brought an increase of heat from the mount- ing sun and his dried throat and thickening tongue told him he was commencing to choke to death.
Then he was startled suddenly by the brief whinny of a horse and dropped low in a hollow he had scooped in the sand to hide himself. Presently he ventured to look out and instantly forgot his scare in the sight of a band of wild horses trailing through the sand. No need to worry now about a posse. If horsemen were anywhere in sight, he knew, those horses would be aware of it and run away.
The horses were moving toward the nearest water, doubtless, and the kid wished he were astride one of them. They were isoon lost to view as they followed slowly their sinuous trail through the dunes, but presently came in sight again on the north slope of a big dune. The Kid was surprised to see them halt there, scatter about and commence pawing in the sand. Then some of them thrust their noses into the holes they had pawed as though they found some- thing there to eat, and the more aggressive ones began to whip some of these away from their holes with much squealing and kicking.
Snow! i
Th
LHE Kid had heard be- fore of winter snowbanks being
"Waiting"
By G. Selandec
A LONE, and evening shadows creep, *■*■ I want a little time to think and weep.
I'm lonesome, and the sun's last ray Has closed to human eyes, a dreary day Alone, and night birds seek their waiting
mate. While I may sigh and long and only
wait: — So sad this twilight hour without your
kiss, I seek the haven of your arms, but get —
just this!
buried in the shifting sands and of their being uncovered by thirsty mustangs as late as July. Thought- lessly obeying the impulse of his thirst he arose at once and started eagerly toward the horses. Al- most instantly, however, he check- ed himself and sought to hide again, for he realized that by the same token that the preoccupied mustangs proclaimed the absence of a visible posse, the sudden flight of the horses might arouse possible hidden watchers. But brief as was his exposure, he was seen by the watchful, suspicious animals and the stallion snorted his alarm. Im- mediately the whole band broke into flight.
There being now no good reason for delaying, and driven by a cruel need, the Kid quickly moved to the place vacated by the horses and began scraping away the sand from the coarse snow. It took a long time to jslake his thirst. Finally satisfied, he stood up to survey the situation and decide what to do. Then his body suddenly stif- fened, for his first sweeping glance picked up the form of a rider, lead- ing a pack horse, slowly plodding through the sand toward him. In- stantly checking the impulse to jump out of sight, for he realized that he had already been seen, the Kid stood still, steadying his bad- ly shaken nerves with a great ef- fort, grimly watching the progress of the newcomer.
As the horseman approached, the Kid's hopes revived. This lone pilgrim was surely not connected with a posse of pursuit. His rough clothes and stubbled face proclaim- ed him no town dweller, the Kid judged; he must be a desert pros- pector.
Then the Kid's spirits rose in a great surge of hope. This tough- looking wanderer could be none other than Black Darmstaedter, the hardbitten outcast he had hoped to join somewhere in the Tintics, in whose jdomain he would find sanctuary. The man's appearance fitted exactly the image of the no- torious, almost legendary, charac- ter carried in the Kid's mind, built partly by the Kid's own fancy and partly by description by those who claimed to have seen the outlaw. The Kid was suddenly buoyant, large as life.
"Howdy, Blackie, travelin' or jist goin' somewheres?" he greeted (Continued on page 63 O
^Tliking IV e Will Qo
By WILLIAM C. WESSELL
FROM the wide open spaces everywhere, comes the call of the forest, the dell and the glade, the majestic mountain and the wide open plain. Kipling expresses this call in, "Something Hidden. Go and find it. Go and look "behind the ranges — something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go!"
When this irresistible call is answered by the irrepres- sible urge called "Wander- lust," is it any wonder that we hit for the trail with the foot striking fire at every step? The air tastes like a new and fine mixture and we accumulate force and gladness as we tramp along. Whither to? It matters not. For my part, I travel not to go any- where, but to go. Distance is not an aim.
Sing as You Go
Let us open our hearts by W singing an appropriate tune. The Campers' Song expresses our sentiments:
Follow the trail to the open air, Alone with the hills and sky;
A pack on your back and never a care, Letting the days slip by.
Healing fragrance of pines in the dark
Glow from; the camper's fire; Starlight and shadow and music of waves,
While the grey smoke curls high'r.
Follow the trail to the open air,
Letting the days slip by, A smile on your lips, a song in your heart,
One with the hills and sky.
— Agatha Deming.
A SONG on the trail lightens the heart and also the pack. European boys and girls are known for their happy songs as they hike along the way. The mouth organ as well as the guitar with all of its many colored ribbons appear to be inseparable items on every trip. I have seen them playing violin and accordion while hiking through the
forest. No jazz, but folk songs, songs of the outdoors, happy songs of youth. There are a number of songs which are especially appro- priate for hiking, such as: The Far Northland; Three Good Turns;
Equipment
On highways someone travels ahead on turns as a safeguard. Likewise, someone trails the party at some little distance.
Scout Marching Song; and Church in the Wildwood, all written in tour-beat measure. These along with other fine songs can be found in "Songs Scouts Sing."
Of course, the happy song dies down when the shoes don't fit. Try as hard as you like to sing; "Hike along — hike along — hike along with stride so free." The rest of the rhyme is likely to be: "But when you get a blister, you can't let the old fellow be," and that brings up to the subject of personal gear.
AN army with sore feet is half defeated. It is sound advice to wear shoes before you put them on — for a hike. New shoes should be thoroughly broken in be- fore using them for hiking. Tennis shoes are good for resting one's feet at the end of the trip, but are not of sufficient heft to protect the feet against bruising. Princess heels are in a class with stilts when it comes to hiking. Take your choice, but do not come with me. Wear sensi- ble, sturdy shoes and enjoy the trip.
Woolen socks are generally recommended for those who can wear them. They cushion the feet and carry off perspira- tion better than other ma- terials, such as cotton, silk, or various mixtures. It is ad- visable, at best to take an extra pair of socks or stock- ings in a pocket or small can- vas bag, suspended over one shoulder, for a restful change on a long tramp.
All clothing should be loose and fit comfortably, in- cluding the belt; let that be a broad one. Knickers, or shorts are most comfortable and permit the greatest ease of leg movement. ' An extra sweater or wool shirt should be carried in the canvas bag and slip- ped on while resting.
The kit bag should contain a few items like: matches, a small candle or flashlight, map, pencil, knife, compass, shoe lace, and first aid kit. The woodsman carries these in a ditty bag, the seaman in the slop chest.
How to Hike
TN the event you are taking the first hike of the season, take it easy. Get limbered up. The first few hikes with young people should be rambles, short trips on which to practice the technique of hiking.
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
603
The Author (left) and Oscar A. Kirk- ham (right), camping in England.
Trail's end and everybody happy — and everybody brought an extra wrap.
Remind them to keep their shoulders down and chest up, and look straight ahead. The stride is long and free. Put the feet down flat, heel first, toes pointed straight ahead, and the swing in alternate rhythm with the legs; breathing in deep and long. Weston, who hiked 45 miles ja day for 77 days, ad- vised not to lift the weight of the body a fraction of an inch above the height necessary to swing the other foot forward.
First Aid
COMEONE said that the best place to have a blister is to have it under your foot so no one else can step on it. Better still, let's avoid this encumbrance altogether, if possible. Blisters usually an- nounce their arrival by causing an irritation where the shoe presses or rubs against the foot. A piece of adhesive tape plastered over the irritation will protect the skin against further irritation and thus forestall the blister.
Do not open a blister, it will go down of itself after new skin is formed underneath. A vial con- taining boracic acid powder comes in handy to sooth a broken blister after which it should be padded with clean gauze.
Foot burn resulting after a long hike can be eased with a hot soap bath after which the feet are sprin- kled with foot powder.
Vinegar sopped on with a bit of cotton is a good protection against sunburn. A wash with yellow soap is an effective treatment after being exposed to poison ivy. Space
will not permit us to go into some of the more important phases of first aid.
Food
A SIDE from the regular trail
lunch, wrapped and tucked in
the canvas bag, carry a drinking
OH
GRQUHD
cup and a few snacks for munch- ing such as dried raisins or prunes, Swedish rye-crisp, hikers' chocolate and some fresh fruit. Wise hikers wait until they are cooled off be- fore drinking water. Lest we for- get, water is the best thirst quench- er.
Leadership
A LEADER should consider a number of important things while planning a hike for young people. It is advisable, for in- stance, that two adults should go on the trip, so that one can take care of the group while the other takes care of the particular emer- gency case in question.
Definite instructions should be issued in advance of a hike as to permission, date, time and place
for starting, destination, food to be brought, cooking equipment (if necessary) and expenses for possi- ble return fare necessary in the event of unexpected weather con- ditions or delays. Also an an- nouncement of the approximate time for return. Allow for extra time so as to keep on schedule when returning.
All foot-gear is inspected before starting. The slowest hiker, espe- cially on the return trip, heads the column. A periodic check is made of all hikers, a roll-call is made at the time of dispersal, else the hikers are checked off as they leave the party.
Program
T? VERY trip for groups should be planned, however informal it may be. One or two miles is usually enough for a green group of youngsters. Keep a record of every trip taken with a photo- graph, sketch and an account for future reference. This information should include: date, time required, distance, cost, things observed, good turns, permission from own- er, hazards, improvements, historic interest, geological data, nature study notes, program and recom- mendations. A narrative account, or an original bit of poetry about the trip written by a member of the party might be included while on the trip — and that is the in- teresting part of it — play a game or two such as roadside cribbage. One leader reported having his group look for white horse hairs along the road.
604
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
'Marshniallow Time"
Every hike might call for some special emphasis according to the season of the year and acquaintance with the territory in which it is conducted. Take your choice : his- toric trips to old land marks, ad- venture and exploration trips, col- lecting minerals or fossils, identify- ing birds, trees, flowers; studying animal tracks in winter, catching aquatic life in the spring. A star- vation hike in the fall, calls for knowledge of plants and herbs, since you are expected to cook at least one complete meal from edible plant foods, collected on the trip. Barefooted hikes; bad weather and storm hikes, as a challenge to the
seasoned hiker. Physically strong hikes as a test of what can be accomplished, if need be. Emer- gency cross-country hikes, pre- paredness hikes to solve problems, obstacle hikes to overcome barriers, mobilization hikes for assembly at given time and place. Hikes for speed, using Scouts' pace with 50 paces for walking and 50 for run- ning alternately. This serves as a measure of time and distance, namely one mile in twelve minutes. This is just the beginning of what might be done, for there are com- pass hikes, which follow given dis- tances and directions; sealed-order hikes in which new situations are
*>—
«lt^§i!Jfcofr—
-*•
^[Stephen L. Richards
"Cut four teeth at four months," and may we add, all of his wisdom teeth early.
"When ten years of age he drove a wagon with a hayrack loaded with fur- niture from Farmington to Sugar House and led a cow. Good for a ten-year-old boy.
'While sleigh- riding on an avenue in the city he was run into by a horse com- ing out of an alley which cut his leg badly. While they were sewing up the wound he got the other leg free and kicked the Doctor across the room.' He probably would have starred as a 'soccer' player.
developed along the way; good turn hikes to help or to protect the next wayfarer in some way which he or anyone else may never know of; early morning strolls for na- ture study, late evening outings to study stars, Harvest Hikes, Conser- vation Hikes; educational and Industrial Hikes. Whatever they be, let's hike for the sheer joy and exhilaration. The Scout Handbook says: "One can walk the woods for a half century and still find new joys therein" — and so it is.
May every bend in the trail urge you on to the next, and the next, and the next I
Continued from page 5 87
"While in a canyon one day he saw a fisherman with his line hooked in a tree. Seeing the difficulty Stephen said: 'Shall I shoot that limb off for you?' 'No, you can't hit it,' the worried fisher- man answered. In a little while again Stephen said: 'Better let me shoot the limb off.' The man answered: 'Go away, boy, you can't do it.' But Steve per- sisted and finally the exasperated man said: 'Fire away, you can't hit it.' Steve knew he could and he did. 'By jove, kid, you've got a good eye. Thanks.'
"At a rodeo he lassoed a wild horse with the first throw of the lariat," — an echo of his ranch days.
"He drove the second auto south of Provo through Bear Valley and Pan- guitch." That was before the days of highways or self starters. "Farmers for twenty miles around brought their families to see the auto pass on the road." It was a real curiosity in those days.
"He has since driven by auto from Boston to San Francisco."
We regret that the limits of this article are such that we cannot in- clude numerous other experiences.
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
605
QTEPHEN L. RICHARDS is an eloquent preacher. He is log- ical and philosophical in his think- ing, with a poetic imagination, rare descriptive powers, and a clear, well modulated, oratund voice. His sermons are compact with meaning and convincing in argument. One never hears or reads his discourses on such subjects as "The Home," "The Power of Resistance," "Per- sonality of God," "Youth," and kindred topics without being lifted up and impressed with his magni- ficent interpretation of "Mormon- ism" and his tolerant, appealing attitude toward humanity. We quote from his discourse on "Youth":
"Youth should know that obedience is not bondage but liberty — liberty un- der law; that the only real freedom is freedom from our weaknesses, from the vices, the remorse of conscience and the infraction of law. When youth under- stands that the bending of the will in obedience tends to liberty and joy, then lawlessness, disrespect, and irreverence will wane. * * *
"What a glorious age of promise youth is, when life is in the bud and early blossom, when each experience is fresh with curiosity and adventure. I think that if we may envy anything it is the life and vitality of youth. I would not rob it of its joy and its sparkle; I would only add to its richness by securing its enjoyment through the passing years. I know that a real appreciation of the gospel will do that. Gospel truth will also quicken the impulses of the spirit, and the spirit is the life of 'man. It unfolds new visions as knowledge increases and these new visions keep life ever new, so in the gospel life there is youth even in old age.
"God bless youth that they may un- derstand truth and us, and God bless us that we may understand youth."
"P\IGNIFIED in appearance, gra- cious in manner, loyal to his friends and admired by them, a lover of the great outdoors and all nature, himself well educated and a devotee of education, modest and unobtrusive but with faith in the soundness and rectitude of his con- victions, bringing a quiet self-as- surance, devoted and supremely happy in his domestic life, success- ful in his work, an able lawyer, an eloquent preacher, a sagacious and far-sighted business man with a taste for politics land a talent for statesmanship and diplomacy —he is indeed a leader of men.
He belongs to the intellectual and ethical aristocracy of the world. His full allegiance and all his splendid powers are, without reserve, dedicated to the service of the great Church of which he is a chosen apostle.
rize
tnners
T) ABIES, Indian and white, are an important crop of the vast empire known as the Uintah Basin, according to Erastus Peterson, County Agricultural Agent who has been one of the organizers of the Uintah Basin Industrial Con- ference which is held each summer at Fort Duchesne.
We are showing here the two prize winners of last year, one rep- resenting each race. Delsa Durfee, the little white champion seems to enjoy her popularity. She has a regular screen-star smile. But little Alfred Otto Root seems to be won- dering what it is all about.
Both babies were presented to an interested multitude last sum- ■ mer after competent judges had given their decisions. The Daddy of Alfred Otto, a young Ute hus- band, seemed to be as proud of his dusky son as any of the white men could be. Who could blame him, for the little chap weighed 19 pounds at six months and was a fine speci- men of young babyhood.
The U. B. I. C— You Bet I Can — some say the initials stand for — will be held this year at Fort Duchesne early in August. People from all over the vast basin and
Delsa Durfee Born March 14, 1931.
Alfred Otto Root 19 lbs. 6 Months.
old-timers who now reside in other places but can't resist the urge to return "home," gather to enjoy the three days conference on the shady parade ground at the old fort. Most of them take their tents and pitch them around the square making the place look like an old time tent city. Professors from the various colleges and state officials usually have the speaking parts on the pro- gram while the various communi- ties of the Basin furnish the musical and entertain- ment program. The eve- ning with the White Rocks Indian School pu- pils is always one of keen delight.
Everybody is welcome and lodging is free — pro- vided you take your own tent and bed. Board is cheap if you have to buy it, but you are permitted to build your fire and get out the old fry pan if you care to.
gap
sSBm
W
&m
■f-f:-:^^:
BE YOUR OWN
"Buddies9
[fe Quard
By Genevieve Wessel Granzen
THIS does not mean a sun- tanned brawny life guard necessarily, with a large emblem on his suit, but one who plays absolutely safe in the water at all times. It is universally rec- ognized that swimming is a very important item in the education of every man, woman and child, be- cause it teaches self preservation. In addition, swimming is a most beneficial form of all 'round exer- cise, besides being loads of fun.
First of all, go to your doctor and have him check up on your heart and lungs. Many swimming accidents have been due to a heart condition. Then make sure you can swim. It is best to prove that to another fellow who can swim well.
When the first warm day ar- rives and you visit the ole swim- min' hole, don't dive right in.
Wade in first and find out whether the bottom is clear of old tree stumps and submerged floatsam. Can you imagine what would hap- pen if you were to dive in on top of a rock? You may learn a valu- able lesson, but it will not be of much use to you. Play safe, and be your own life guard.
The good old picnic lunches, consisting of assorted sandwiches, eggs, pickles and tomatoes, is oft- times the cause of cramps. My advice is to eat very lightly, wait two hours after eating and then swim to your heart's desire. After you come out you may finish those delicious sandwiches as a reward for exercising your sense of cau- tion. The genuine appetite, which comes after a good swim will more than make up for the slight delay.
A stomach cramp is very often brought on by entering the water
too soon after a meal. Muscle cramps are not serious and can be broken up by grasping the cramped muscle tightly with both hands. In any event, keep cool and con- serve your strength and swim to- wards shore.
t-JERE'S another quite simple rule for self-saving life savers. Never, never go in swimming alone, not even if you are the world's best swimmer. Supposing you suddenly became tired or got a cramp or got mixed up with some snag or slimy sea weeds, there would be no one present to lend a hand or call for help. So- swim with a friend, who will be your buddy and swim side by side never letting him get out of your sight or call.
It is an accomplishment to be able to swim across a lake, say
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
607
Days of Real Sport
about a mile or so, but what hap- pens when your strength gives out. Remember, there are no floats in the middle of the lake and you have to keep going or drown.
Of course, one never swims any distance at all unless accompanied by a boat, manned by two people, one to row and the other to watch the swimmer and if you should become tired you may hang on to the boat. Don't show off to your friends by swimming out farther than your ability calls for. Be safe, allow for a margin of strength to meet the unexpected.
If you happen to get caught in a swift current, ,do not try to fight it but go with it and work your way to shore. In an under- tow such as we have in ocean bath- ing, do the same thing, surrender to it and gradually work back with the breakers.
Most everyone likes to get a healthy sun tan, but some of us acquire it too suddenly, by staying in the sun too long, and what an uncomfortable, painful thing it can be. Don't expose yourself too long the first time but acquire it gradually. Vinegar! There's an -old standby for treating sunburn before and after. If you are going to stay in the sun any length of time, take some cotton and soak it with plain cider vinegar and dab it over your face, neck, arms and legs and let it dry.
Do you know that many people lose their lives while swimming on the various beaches and lakes dur- ing the summer months, just be- cause they do not heed a few sim- ple rules and because they lose their heads. There is absolutely no reason under the sun why peo- ple should drown, if they would
The Author's Own Lake
only keep their wits about them. Practically everybody can float if he remains calm. And, of course, if you can float, you cannot sink. All you have to do in order to float is to lie on your back in the water letting your head go as far back as it will and keeping your chest up. Extend the arms side- ways, turn the palms down on the water and relax. Imagine that you are lying stretched out upon a bed. It is the softest bed you ever reclined upon. Don't become frightened if a little water washes over your face, it will soon run off. If it gets into your mouth, swallow it or expel it, just as you like. In the meantime, hold your breath until the body rectifies its position and your face will come clear and remain above the surface. Breathe in and breathe out very quickly, then hold the breath for a brief period. You cannot sink when the lungs are filled with air. If you happen to be one of those extremely rare persons who find it
Oh! Swallowed a Bit
difficult to float while lying mo- tionless, paddle very slowly with your hands, being very careful not to lift your hands or arms out of the water any more than is neces- sary.
REMEMBER, the minute you throw your arms above the head you sink yourself, because of
the extra weight of the arms out of the water.
A GREAT many drowning acci- dents are caused by the fact that many swimmers have not been taught how to turn around in the water or to get from a vertical po- sition to a horizontal position. A person who finds himself in such a predicament, should reach ror- ward and drop his face into the water, which brings him back into a swimming position.
In the event that you are obliged to hike quite a distance before reaching the swimming hole, you are probably hot and tired and the first thing you want to do is to hang your clothes on a hickory tree and dive into the cool water. Swimming immediately after strenuous exercise or when the body is very warm is not a sensible thing to do, for it causes shock, chills and cramps and the conse- quences may prove serious. So wait until you have cooled off and while waiting you might want to make out the call of a certain bird. This will help to pass the time away.
And now, we come to another Safety Code whereby everyone can be his own Life Guard. In the first place a non-swimmer has no business in a canoe because in case of an upset he will not be trained to meet the emergency, but, if this should happen, hang on to the canoe, do not leave it.. It will support you and three other per- sons until help arrives.
A great many canoes, especially the older ones, have seats level with the gunwales and this makes them unsteady. Take out all seats and sit or kneel on the bottom of the
(Continued on page 621)
1 875>@*©=0=0*0=0=0*©<
Education
Linked to a glorious past, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERS: devoted to the Service of the Church, in training leaders for Latter-d; field, and in providing a spiritual and intellectual sanctuary for Moi
The University consecrates itself to CARRYING ON this n faculty, trained in the leading universities of the world; its well-eqi riculum; the marvelous natural setting for its campus; its high acac versity, admirably qualify it for its obligation as the leadership trail
Plan to Enroll for ti
President
Brigham
Young
L. D. S. EDUCATION FOUNDED
On October 16, 1875, Brigham Young, then President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, executed the now historic "Deed of Trust" which re- sulted in the establishment of Brigham Young Academy.
Dr. Karl G. Maeser, who had received his training in German Universities, became the first administrative head of the school, and occupied that position until 1891.
The essential fact in the mind of the Founder was that this school should be devoted to teaching the secular branches of learning under the direction of the Spirit of God. In addition, the students should be taught the tenets of the Church, and imbued with a spirit of devotion and loyalty thereto.
Ths foundation of L. D. S. Education, which the Founders so well laid, has cul- minated in the present Church University, which throughout its history has come to epitomize EDUCATION AT ITS BEST.
Dr. Karl G. Maeser
First President of Brigham Young
University
The Maeser Memorial Building Built in memory of Karl G. Maeser by loving alumni and now used as the
Administration Building
REGISTRATION COM*
Address alt
24 n ivt
P R O V C
PREPARE FOR 1940
Every period of economic recovery has been characterized by a shortage of man- power, especially in the "upper brackets." In the past, the depressions have slowed up the educational processes with the harmful result that the nation was "caught short" in the matter of leadership when the revival period began.
The young man or woman entering college this fall will not graduate until 1936. Nobody supposes that the present economic crisis will last anywhere near that long. This year's crop of high school graduates will not begin to make their leadership felt until 1940. That look ahead should be sufficient to con- vince parents that their children should lose no time in securing adequate prepara- tion for the great tasks that will face them as individuals and as members of society in the next decade.
NOW IS THE TIME to go to college.
A well-rounded education, that will emphasize spiritual values along with training in the secular branches, will best qualify young men and women for suc- cessful and happy living in the world to- morrow.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY,
the friendly school, invites you to study in its halls.
O
a
TRAINING FOR SCHOLAI
at its Best
[TY faces a future of prophetic promise. For fifty-six years it has been ly Saint communities, preparing men and women for the missionary rmon scholarship.
ispiring tradition of social and intellectual leadership. Its excellent lipped laboratories and lecture rooms; its great library; its broad cur- lemic rating in the nation; and its unique position as the Church Uni- ling center of the Church.
he School Year 1932-33 FENCES SEPTEMBER 23 ' Inquiries to
nydung
President
Heber J.
Grant
CARRYING ON THE "Y" TRADITION
The subtle influence of BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY in molding the characters of its students has come to be known as "The Spirit of the *Y'." The many thousands of those who have come under its beneficent power, testify to the virtues of B. Y. U. education. The ad- ministrative heads, President Heber J. Grant, the present president of the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Franklin Stewart Harris, president of the University, are carrying on the great tradition of spirit- ualized education. Under their direction, Brigham Young University has been great- ly expanded in its organization ; the train- ing of the faculty has been greatly en- hanced ; the campus has been enlarged and beautified ; the new library building, has been built, and the number of volumes DR. FRANKLIN S. HARRIS increased from 17,000 to more than 75,000.
Present President of Brigham Young mSai growth* of^the^UnfvSy! &the
University present administration considers the deep-
ening and the steady expansion of the spiritual foundation of the school.
> , UTAH O
THE COST OF EDUCATION
The location of Brigham Young
University in the leading agricultural
county of Utah makes for reasonable
boarding costs for B. Y. U. students.
Proportionately reasonable rents for
student quarters make actual subsist- ence expenses at least as low as — if not
lower than — that which can be secured
in any other intermountain city. Student expenses, other than living
costs, are what the student makes them.
The "SOCIAL UNIT" organizations
are under joint faculty and student
control, and no extravagant social practices are tolerated either by the faculty or the students themselves.
The University is always ready to aid the deserving student to find part time employ- ment. Fully a third of the student-body pay part or all of their expense.
But even if Brigham Young University education cost more than that to be had in other schools — although it probably is even less costly — it would be well worth paying a premium to obtain. EDUCATION AT ITS BEST is found at the CHURCH UNI- VERSITY. This means that the student is able to secure standard training in all funda- mental fields of secular knowledge, plus the advantages of sympathetic and friendly coun- sel and aid in solving the spiritual and ethical problems which demand solution on the part of every young man and woman of college age. The "Y" extends a cordial welcome to you!
=1 S H I P AND CHARACTER"
Heber J. Grant Library Since 1921 its volumes have increased from 17,000 fo more than 75,000
zATrip
'Primitive Area
By DR. RAY J. DAVIS
IN the last century man has made many changes in west- ern America. These altera- tions inaugurated by civilization have in general been helpful to mankind, but some have been de- vastating and hurtful to nature. When the pioneers first came West they found the country in its rug- ged natural state. The majestic forests, the waving grass, the pro- fusion of flowers, and the bounti- ful supply of fish and game were the heritage of the early settlers. Now the abundance of these things lives only in the memory of the few remaining pioneers.
Realizing the irreparable loss that the West has suffered, our Federal Government cast about to find a tract of land that most re- sembled the primeval conditions. After careful investigation they se- lected a large area in central Idaho that, due to its inaccesibility, had scarcely been touched by man. This section chosen includes roughly the water shed of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, and lies in the heart of the moun- tains of Central Idaho. It con- tains about a million acres of wild, undeveloped land.
A FTER selecting the region, ac- tion was taken to set it aside as a primitive area, and guard it in its natural state. All rights of settlement, lumbering, farming, grazing, etc., in this section have been withdrawn. There are no roads in this territory at present, nor will any likely be authorized in the near future. The Govern- ment has gone to considerable ex- pense to protect this region from all destructive influences. Thus, this beautiful spot will be kept in its primitive condition as a fu- ture heritage for the people who love nature.
Through the courtesy of the U. S. Forest Service, a trip through this area was planned for four of us faculty members, from the Uni-
versity of Idaho, Southern Branch, of Pocatello, and what a pleasant experience it proved to be.
The rendezvous for the trip was the Idaho National Forest Office at McCall. This town lies on the shore of the beautiful Big Pay- ette Lake, and is on the outskirts of the settled portion of Idaho. We arrived late July 17th. Since this was to be a camping trip we rejected all sophisticated beds and the dignified Executive Dean of the University and two of his pro- fessors went to sleep on a straw stack. I was on the lower side to begin with, but before day- light I had several turns at this location as well as both the others. Incidentally we picked chaff out of our blankets for the next two weeks.
HPHE following day we were to proceed to the entrance of the Primitive Area proper, only ninety miles away. This seemed a short journey in an auto, and we sup- posed that we would soon be there. To our surprise, however, the trip took the greater part of a day on account of the difficulty of ap- proach to the region. We arrived
at Big Creek Ranger Station at the end of the road, and the beginning of the Primitive Area just at dark.
From that time on we realized that we were indeed guests, for a sumptuous supper waited for us. This courtesy was afforded us at each ranger station on the trip, for a message was telephoned ahead and meals were prepared for our party. The finest horses, pack outfits and camp equipment in the region were also furnished us. The supervisor of the forest, Mr. S. C. Scribner, personally accompanied us as our guide, and Art Francis, the best packer in the service, went along with a string of mules to care for our bedding and supplies.
After a good night's rest, we arose early, ate a generous break- fast, .and each one prepared his personal belongings for the trip. I was detained some time getting my presses ready for collecting plants and when I finally came out of the station house, Art had most of the material packed on the mules. The other members of the party were busy adjusting saddles.
When we started Chief took the lead, and behind him he led Jigs, his mule, carrying an emer-
iAnd so tve rode through the forest9
The Improvement Era for July, 1932
611
Resting in camp after a hard day ride
Our Pack train crossing Big Creek
gency pack so in case of a fire outbreak the Supervisor could leave the party. Vic followed, waving an insect net over his head, giving the onlookers the impres- sion that he was an entomologist. I came next with my plant case hanging across my shoulders; how- ever this served varied purposes later. Rhody followed with two large saddle bags fastened on his horse to carry rock specimens that he alleged he was going to collect. Immediately behind him , was a visitor from Oregon, Andy, whis- tling to the top of his voice, and anticipating nothing but a good time, which he faithfully carried out. However, in ,his unpreten- tious way, as we traveled, he kept us informed on the bird life of the region. Art was next in line with his dog, and leading ten mules all packed to the limit. Dean, who had temporarily fallen out of line to take a moving picture strip of the start, came racing up using all his knowledge of psychology in attempting to pass each of us in order to get one place nearer the head of the procession.
So we rode, not always of course in the above arrangement, but on we went through the forest. Some- times up hill, then down, some- times along a dashing mountain stream: in a deep canyon, or high up along a small creek, but always we rode between the majestic trees. Sometimes these were firs, some- times spruces, but more often they were some specie of pine. Some of the trees were small and some were very large, but always the forest was with us.
Late in the afternoon we came to our first camping place, Mos- quito Spring, and it was named correctly. Dean and I had mos-
quito nets for our heads which we were glad to bring into use. As Dean wore his he remarked at in- tervals, "Gall Dern, this is the first joke I ever had on a mosquito." However, this was the only time we had occasion to wear these nets on the trip.
Upon our arrival at this place we began preparations for the night.
QEAN, Vic, and I made us a "pine bough" bed under the direction of everyone present. A heavy foot log and two side logs were put in place. Spruce branches were then cut. After due argu- mentation the majority agreed these made the best bed. These boughs were carefully placed until they were almost a foot deep and only the tips of the branches were exposed. Our bedding was spread out on top. We three then ex- pressed ourselves that the bed could not be improved, but there was some difference of opinion the next morning, however.
The second day out, we came to Fish Lake and it was suggested that Vic and I try to catch a mess of fish for supper. We put our tackles together and went down to the lake. Upon casting in we be- gan pulling out mountain trout from eight to twelve inches long. We remarked to each other that it would have been great to have been a pioneer and had fishing like this everywhere. In a half hour of angling we became ashamed of ourselves and quit, for we had caught fifty-six speckled beauties. Upon our return to camp the vari- ous members of the party gave us their honest opinion of each of us for supplying the camp for several days with fish, thereby making it
impossible for them to fish until the present supply had been eaten.
The next day we rode to Cham- berlain Basin, the "Mecca" of game hunters. We had seen pre- viously an abundance of small game, and an occasional elk and herd of deer. To our surprise, however, we saw tracks of these animals everywhere in this local- ity, and in places the earth had been beaten into dust by their hoofs. The next morning Art awoke us at daylight in order to see the animals that had collected about our camp during the night. We were surprised to see deer in all directions, but as soon as we began moving about most of them bounded away. A few of the more daring ones, however, stood around and watched us prepare breakfast. Incidentally I might add that scarcely a night passed that we did not have game come into our camp. Elk and deer were very plentiful, while we occasion- ally saw a mountain sheep or goat. Bears and especially cougars were also numerous enough to make life uncertain for the other animals of the region.
We all decided that the govern- ment had made no mistake in se- lecting this area to be set aside as best representing the wild life of the early days when game was plentiful.
gEFORE leaving Chamberlain Basin we remarked that we would like to catch one of those huge salmon that we had heard so much about. Slim, the assistant ranger located at this place, pro- vided us with two spears for this purpose. These salmon spears appeared to be a cross between a pitchfork and a garden spade, ex-
612
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
cept they had extra long poles for handles. With these implements and our moving picture camera we fishermen proceeded to the creek a short distance away. A large hole was selected under whose banks it was thought salmon lurked. Dean agreed to film the catch, while Vic and I were elected to wield the spears. The others were to keep out of the water and take long poles and urge the fish from under the banks out into the open.
One of us two spear men was located in the middle of the stream at each end of the hole and action began. After plenty of exercise on the part of the polemen and much shivering by us in the creek, a nice salmon was chased out and came straight for me. I stood ad- miring his size and speed so much that my fishing was neglected, which drew disgusted remarks from the other fellows. Mr-. Fish darted back under the bank and the process had to be started all over. When a fish was frightened out again there was a din of direc- tions shouted at Vic and me regard- ing the art of spearing. Amid the excitement Vic took a shot and missed, but turned the salmon in my direction. I too tried, but all I accomplished was a neat dive in- to the center of the hole and a hasty swim out again.
Someone on the bank yelled that the fish was starting down over a long riffle. Off we went pell mell after him. Everyone, in- cluding the photographer, jumped into the creek clothes and all and tried to stop him. Some began hitting with their clubs, others used their hands, while Vic and 1, through great skill and greater good luck, managed to miss the fellows and also the fish. How- ever, our numbers were too great and we were able to close in on him and catch him just before he got down into the next hole.
TOURING this process we lost one salmon spear and only by good fortune saved the other. Of course we spear men maintained that it was not due to excitement, but bad luck that the spears had escaped us. There was an im- mediate difference of opinion on this point, but the argument stopped suddenly when it was dis- covered that Dean had become so interested in the fishing that _ he had forgotten to run the moving picture camera. However, he soon
retrieved his loss of standing with most of the crowd by filming me as I was taking an innocent bath in the creek.
We guessed the fish's weight all the way from eighteen to thirty pounds, but some of us were dis- appointed later when we reached the station and weighed him to find that he was only a nineteen and three-fourths pounder. How- ever, our enthusiasm returned when we started eating the meat for it was the finest salmon steak I had ever tasted.
After several days more travel into the heart of the territory we saw no less than twenty-five of these fish in one hole, some of which dwarfed our previous catch. Since we could supply our need of fish with trout most any place, and could not keep these large fish fresh for any length of time, we only looked and longed that we could try the excitement over again.
After leaving Chamberlain Basin we traveled three days be- fore coming to the Black Butte "Look-Out." We ! had passed several of these stations before, but this one was of especial interest. It was located on the highest peak in the vicinity and commanded a view of most of the Middle Fork section. Consequently, we spent some time visiting with the man located at this place.
T\7"HILE here the system for fighting forest fires was ex- plained to us. We were told that the men stationed at these "Look- Outs" were on constant duty and never left their post. In the event smoke lis ,seen they immediately telephone the information t o
Jest For Fun
By Aubrey J. Parker
I
Gandhi, according to his early life story was a real boy. It is said that just before leaving for school he would say
to his mother, "Where's 'ma hat ma?' '
* * *
The Boy Scout after having performed his daily good turn was surprised to hear the recipient of it say, "Thanks a lot, with
a house on it."
* * *
At an Idaho L. D. S. Church Priest- hood meeting, the following was given: The question was, "Where is Hell and where is Paradise?"
Answer: Hell is the middle of Shelley; Paradise (Dance Hall) is five miles to the south.
headquarters. Besides these men at the Look-Outs, other men called "Smoke Chasers" were lo- cated all through the forest. The closest one of these chasers is tele- phoned if smoke is seen. It is his duty to survey the fire and put it out by himself if possible. In the event the fire is too large he is to gather all information concerning it and report this fact to headquar- ters. The Forest i Ranger on whose district the fire is located, then summons the help necessary and starts for the scene. The closest "Packer" is also given this same information and it is his duty to get tents, bedding, food, and equipment from the closest cache and pack them to the fire locality. The supplies in these caches are brought in as early in the season as possible and stored for such emergencies.
We had also noted a single tele- phone wire following along most of the trails, and by means of a portable telephone, the chief was able to keep in constant touch with men in all parts of the forest. During stormy periods the em- ployees were noted to always be on a tension. Chief often paced back and forth during a thunder shower and in anxiety would say, "I, wonder if a fire has started." Each man seemed to feel it his per- sonal obligation to preserve this area from all destructive forces. Later, at the close of our trip, we learned that several fires had been started that day. A month after this we were still reading of two of the same fires; the thousands of acres they had burned over; the hundreds of men employed to fight them; and the tremendous expense the government had to go to in order to keep them from spread- ing over the entire country.
We were anxious to see the box canyon of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, for we had been informed that only two parties had ever traversed its forty mile length. The problem, however, arose of getting there, for the country was very rough, and there were no well defined trails. The Chief said, there had been a trail mapped down Goat Creek to Big Creek that would be passable, and from this point we would have to walk the remaining five miles to the canyon proper.
At last we came to the rim of the canyon and could see Big
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
613
Creek, our next camping place, several miles below us in a deep canyon. We started down but soon found that we had a harder job than we had imagined. The can- yon wall was too steep to descend directly, so we had to zig zag back and forth for a mile or so to keep our horses upright. Soon we came to a series of ledges that, looked im- possible for horses to descend. The Chief spent some time reconnoit- ering; then leading his mount, started down a small crevice be- tween two ledges that appeared impossible to us. We dismounted and followed with great misgiv- ings. The horses showed the re- sults of their previous training, however, for they readily jumped from ledge to ledge, climbed around jagged points and occasion- ally slid down steep loose places. Once or twice their weight caved off slender projections and they had to right themselves as they fell, but they always managed to take care of themselves about as well as we did. Late in the after- noon, after one of the wildest and most exciting trips I have ever taken on horse back, we reached the bottom. Surely Goat Creek was named correctly for only a wild mountain goat ought ever to try the descent.
HPHE next day some of the group planned on walking the five miles down to the Middle Fork to see the box canyon. Dean packed up the food, Andy, the fishing tackle, and I carried the moving picture camera. The other members of the party climbed down part way with us, then we three went on alone. After al- most four hours of strenuous hik- ing we came to the junction of Big Creek and the Middle Fork. Dean stopped at this point to fish, while Andy and I, went on down into the box canyon. The water was extremely low, so we were able to travel for a couple of miles without much difficulty. Finally we came to a sharp bend in the canyon where the river formed a whirl pool against a large cliff. By removing my clothes I was able to wade along a narrow ledge and go on around the bend. My progress was soon stopped unless I wanted to risk swimming down the dash- ing stream. I could see no break in the canyon walls for some miles, and since my clothes were already a half mile behind me I decided it
was time to stop. I contented my- self with taking some three hun- dred feet of moving picture film of the gigantic yellow pines, the perpendicular towering cliffs over- head, the long deep canyon down- stream, and the enchanting river.
As I strained my eyes to see through the purple haze in the dis- tance, a title, 'The River of No Return," which I had previously heard applied to this stream, sank deeper and deeper into my con- sciousness, and I sat and dreamed. I longed to explore its fascinating length and to see the massive walls that stood guard over it, but I had to be content with imagining the sights to be seen and the excitement to be experienced should I try those dangerous rapids. I drank in the stillness and solitude of it all, for I was alone with nature as the cre- ator had left it.
I came to my senses with a start as I noticed the sun well on its way towards the western rim of the canyon, and hunger made me real- ize that I had had nothing to eat since before sunrise. I hastily re- turned to my clothes, dressed, and in company with Andy, who had made a nice catch of fish in my absence, returned to the mouth of Big Creek where we had left Dean. Upon asking him where the food was he said Vic was carrying it the last time he saw it, but that he thought one of us had brought it on when the other members of the party stopped. The result was that we each had three half apri- cots from a small individual sized can that Andy had slipped in his pocket that morning. Since the day was terrifically hot we con- cluded the repast with a cool drink of water before commencing the return climb.
W
E had not gone far when I slipped and twisted my knee
Photo by Ruth Baker, Boulder, Utah. "On Boulder Mountain"
that had been previously injured, and this accompanied with the heat made me sick. There was nothing to do, however, but to go as best we could. Andy hastened ahead to tell the others that nothing se- rious was wrong and that we would be in later. To make bad matters worse we had to keep a sharp look-out for rattle snakes. We had killed an occasional one during the day, but as evening came on they seemed to come out in all their hideousness. In less than a half a mile in one section we killed six that lay coiled up in our path ready to strike. We .also saw the remains of the car- casses of two deer that had been killed and partially eaten by cou- gars. I was becoming more and more aware that there was another side to being out alone with nature.
I realized that if I got much worse we would have to spend the night out. Although I had no particular fear of this, especially with Dean as company, yet I would have been glad, under the conditions, to have been in a less primitive area. The exaltation ex- perienced earlier in the day was all gone and in its place was a tem- porary longing to get away from mountains, trees, and rivers, and quietly lie down on my bed at home and enjoy the comforts of civilization.
Our return trip to headquarters at McCall was uneventful. Upon arrival we began loading our per- sonal belongings into the car pre- paratory to the trip home. Many valuable specimens of rocks, insects and plants that we had collected during the trip were also carefully packed. The whole trip had given us some idea of the physical en- durance that the Pioneers must have possessed to push into the West.
The Forest Service is certainly doing a fine piece of work. We departed after expressing these sen- timents to Chief Scribner and Art, along with some personal remarks of appreciation for the delightful trip. Surely our government is to be congratulated on its move to protect, in its primitive condition, some place that shows the heritage of the Pioneers, even though the area set aside is comparatively small.
Two Bits About Youth
By Virginia Eggertson
1
\70UTH stands with her face ■*- Pressed against a pane
That chills her cheek,
And tries to see the awful splendor
Of the storm without.
But she cannot see
Through the mist
Her warm breath makes.
The nowness of this will be
thenness, soon ; New romance comes with each change
of the moon, And one can dance to any old tune.
•ic^ejfftsii-
Stranger Towns
By Bess Foster Smith
IXfHEN we pass through some little
" * stranger town, I look about and say with fretful frown, "My, such a lonely, dreary little berg! Uninteresting and dull, Upon my Word!"
And then I feel a homesick little tear,
And sigh, "I'm very glad I don't live here!"
Then you just smile, and never say a word,
As though you, too, knew of a spot pre- ferred.
It isn't that I'm city bred, Ah no!
Our home town is as small, I guess, but
Oh— It seems to me a thousand times more
fair — Because with you — I have contentment
there.
"Leave Me My Dreams"
By Lillian Davidson
T EAVE me my dreams. Whatever else J-J I lose
Will never leave my life as bare as this — ■ To lose the dreams from which I daily choose The things, which I, in life, each day must miss.
My dreams of greatness — honor — joy — or love — That takes away the dreary, common things. My dreams, when I forget this sad old earth, To lift my heart, and gaily, gladly sing.
Oh life without my dreams — What would it be? An empty void. Dull, drab, and com- mon-place. I want to keep them all, 'til I shall see My dreams all meet me — somewhere — face to face.
View of Bear Lake Valley
By Leone E. McCune
f)PAL hills!
^^ A lake of indigo.
White stretch of sandy shore,
Green grassy slopes, tree studded mounds,
Gardens, fields and little towns,
And mountains, rising, on and on.
"- -"in^ej^i"-
Alaskan Summertime
JBy Mark Hart
1
TN this northern polar garden "■ Let me muse throughout the day; See the salmon berries blooming,
Like the rare wild rose in May; Hear the fish ducks honking gaily,
Whistling o'er the mirrored bay, Watch them skim the placid channel,
Making undulations play.
Let me wind on .trailing pathways,
With the smooth brook gliding by; Brooks that once were singing cascades,
Thrown from 'pending cliffs on high; Torn by rocks to shreds and ribbons, — -
To a tapestry of foam Slowly falling like the snowflakes.
To its summer haunts to roam.
Let me climb the towering mountains
Where the spruce and hemlocks grow; Paths adorn'd with ferns and lilies,
Flowering moss and shrubs enow; Then above the green-garbed ^ills,
Into fields of light blue snow; Glaciers wrapped in mists of silver.
Lightly tinged with indigo.
On Great Salt Lake
Back to My Hills
By Geo. K. Lewis
T'M riding back to the hills again, ■*■ Back to the wakening hills again; A touch of frost is in the air, faint mist is in the sky To dim the ragged, broken crest Of summits towering in the west; — I'm riding to the misted hills kissed by a springtime sky.
I'm riding the same trails I roved In sun and rain, the trails I loved,
Trails that lead me back !to where I learned of wind and sky: Sunrise, sunset, twilight trails, Dusky, moon and noon-bright trails Are springtime morning trails as I ride out to find the sky.
Each turn brings back old memories, There is a sound of bird and breeze Where towering pine and budding aspen reach to greet the sky. I'll follow on past grove and ledge To where, beyond the saddle's edge, On some high ridge whet by the wind I'll stand and meet the sky!
To Lois . . .
By Watene Makaia
\f OU ask me, dear, to write a verse for -* you;
But where are words can tell my thoughts
so true Of you, who iskyward soars as bird on
wing, Too high above to hear the song I'd
sing?
Yet, though I cannot reach you midst
the spheres, Still melodies of night rise to your ears And soft winds sigh the age-old song of
sea These and my silence, dearest, speak for
me!
Blue Pastures
By Jack Falk
T/f/ E counted the sheep, my mother VV and I.
The sheep were little white clouds in the
sky. The shepherd, she said, was the wind from
the West, Who pressed his flock to the East for rest.
We counted the wolves, my mother and I. The wolves were clouds in a lowering sky. The shepherd became an angry gale And drove off the wolves with volleys of hail.
There are no wolves in the sky today. While the sheep are grazing, lambkins play At the skirts of a thin and silvery cloud. "She shepherds them now," drones the wind half aloud.
eview of the 37th Annual
M. I. A. June (Conference
By HENRY A. SMITH
"This conference to we is as an oasis in the desert to a weary traveler."
IN these words, President An- thony W. Ivins gave a most
perfect description of the thir- ty-seventh annual June conference, of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement As- sociations, held in Salt Lake City Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, June 10, 1 1 and 12.
From the first song to the final benediction the M. I. A. confer- ence just past was a spiritual feast. Truly it was an oasis where offi- cers and members of the vast Mu- tual organizations were gathered to refresh their minds and spirits and to acquire anew the courage and determination to "carry on" to still higher goals.
As a spring bubbles forth clear cool water to refresh the weary traveler, the June conference of 1932 radiated the elixir of life — food ■■■■ for the mind, food for the spirit and food for the body.
The first, food for the mind, was had in abundance in the many education- al meetings where last year's problems and this year's pro- gram were the top- ics of discussion. Here the lofty edu- cational ideals of the entire M. I. A. were to be seen at their best, for here assembled, were the
"Come to the Rally of the Nations" — Ireland and Holland.
leaders whose responsibility it is to uphold these ideals and to inspire their associates and followers to still greater efforts.
A/I ANY were the spiritual feasts of the conference, where the individual spirit was bolstered and strengthened. Each person whether young or old, returned to his or
Flag Ceremony at the Planting of the Washington Memorial Tree.
her home following the final ses- sion of the conference, with a stronger and more abiding faith in the guiding hand of their Father in Heaven, and knowing that His Holy Spirit had indeed been with and had inspired all.
Never before have the activity and entertainment features of an M. I. A. June conference been so heartily received and so universally participated in. From the recep tion at Saltair to the grand music festival the recreation program of the conference was complete.
In almost every resepect the three day event was the most out- standing and inspirational in the history of M. I. A.
It would be a difficult task to segregate the major influences con- tributing to the success of the con- ference, much less point to one which stood out above anything else, unless one might say it was the characteristic loyalty of M. I. A. workers and members through- out the Church. These faithful ones attended their meet- ings by the thou- sands, giving inspi- ration to the lead- ers.
^pHERE was hardly a meet- ing of the confer- ence but that had a record attendance. From the first ses- sion held Friday, June 10, at 10 a. m. in the Assembly Hall, attendance
Vanguard, M Men, and Gleaner Girl Public Speakers and Junior Retold Story Tellers who came to the Church Finals.
616
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
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Dramatic casts of Blackfoot (above) and Carbon who were runners up in the finals.
(below) Stakes
records were broken. Superintend- ent George Albert Smith who, with President Ruth May Fox, presided at the conference, remark- ed that the attendance at the first meeting was by far the largest ever to gather for an opening session of an annual M. I. A. conference.
These two leaders, Superintend- ent Smith and President Fox, have never before been so enthusiastic and inspiring in their presiding ca- pacities. With such leadership in these two and their assistants, Richard R. Lyman, Melvin J. Bal- lard, Lucy Grant Cannon and Clar- issa A. Beesley, together with the splendid corps of men and women composing the two general boards, all were made to feel the wonder- ful future in store for their or- ganization.
Another contributing factor to the success of the June conference was the presence of President Heber J. Grant at a number of the ses- sions. President Grant spoke briefly at two earlier meetings of the conference and was one of four principal speakers at the Sunday afternoon services in the Taber- nacle.
PRESIDENT GRANT has long been a member and official of the Y. M. M. I. A. and now holds the distinction of being one of the two surviving members of the first Mutual Improvement Associ- ation organized for the young men of the Church. The other man is Hyrum H. Goddard, of Ogden, who was also in attendance at the conference.
The counsel and advice given by
The high spot in cultural his- tory of the M. I. A. as well as one of the outstanding accomplish- ments in all Church history, was attained in the presentation of a mass chorus of 2,852 voices, in the Tabernacle, Saturday evening, June 1 1.
It is impossible adequately to express in words the impression made upon the thousands of con- ference visitors who crowded the famous building to capacity, and were literally thrilled with the singing of the young men and women. These singers were the "cream of the crop" throughout the Church. It was an impressive sight and one that will never be forgotten in M. I. A. annals.
The entire choir section of the Tabernacle was filled with male singers, and the ladies were appor- tioned to the two tiers of seats on each side of the pulpit and to the
President Grant were encouraging balcony on each side nearly half and inspiring to the thousands way to the back of the building, within hearing of his voice. It was an awe-inspiring sight.
M. I. A. GENERAL BOARDS
Seated: Center, President Heber J. Grant; left, George Albert Smith, General Superin- tendent of the Y. M. M. I. A.; right, Melvin J. Ballard, Second Assistant General Superintendent, (Richard R. Lyman, First Assistant General Superintendent, was absent from the city).
Standing (left to right) : Oscar A. Kirkham, executive secretary of the Y. M. M. I. A., Alma C. Clayton, Homer C. Warner, Franklin S. Harris, Ephraim E. Erfcksen, John D. Giles, George R. Hill, Lewis T. Cannon, Nicholas G. Morgan, George Q. Morris, Heber C. Iverson^ Thomas Hull, Harrison R. Merrill, Hebert B. Maw, LeRoi C, Snow, Nicholas G. Smith, Thomas A. Beal, Ernest P. Horsley, D. E Hammond, Don C. Wood, Axel A. Madsen, John H. Taylor, Stringham A. Stevens, John F. Bowman, James Gunn McKay, Joseph F. Smith, W. O. Robin- son, Wilford Owen Woodruff.
Seated: Center, Ruth May Fox, General President of the Y. L. M. I. A.; left, Lucy Grant Cannon, First Counselor; right, Clarissa A. Beesley, Second Counselor.
Standing (left to right) : Emily C. Adams, Rachel G. Taylor, Elsie T. Brandley, Katie C. Jensen, Sarah R. Cannon, Marie C. Thomas, Charlotte Stewart, Augusta W. Grant, Catherine Folsom, Evangeline T. Beesley, Ann M. Cannon, Elsie Hogan, Rose W. Bennett, Vida F. Clawson, Emily H. Higgs.
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
617
Five other outstanding features of the conference, without any at- tempt to place them in order of importance, were the officers' luncheon Friday noon in the his- toric Bee-Hive house; the general board's reception and dance finals at Saltair Friday afternoon and evening; the testimony meeting Sunday morning; the 2 p. m. 'Sun- day services in the Tabernacle un- der the direction of Presidents Grant and Ivins, and the inspiring Sunday evening meeting, which concluded the conference.
Throughout all these meetings and into the department and group sessions, the theme of the confer- ence was carried out. The theme, "The Opportunity of the Hour, to Enrich Leisure, To Spiritualize Recreation," is more than appro- ' priate at the present time — it is really necessary, as was pointed out by speakers and department leaders.
Superintendent George Albert Smith called the conference to or- der at 10 a. m. Friday morning. He declared it was with a heart filled with gratitude that he viewed the presence of so many with smil- Above: Ready for the Archery Contest, June Conference. ing faces despite conditions. He
Below, left to right: Elliott Airmet, Church Champion Archer, Dr. L. D. expressed pleasure at the response Pfoutz, Fteld Captain, Phdhp Thompson, Winner of Clout Shoot. Qf^ L £. officers and members
, during the past year stating that
a solo number won the praise of never before had such loyal support
Mr. Cam and all associated with the been given. His important mes- concert and the apprecia- tion of the audience.
Too much credit cannot be giv- en to the music directors of the M. I. A., J. Spencer Cornwall, Evangeline T. Beesley and Ethel S. Anderson and to Noble Cain, who came to Salt Lake from Chi- cago as the guest conductor of the chorus. In the two days that these leaders had the gigantic chorus in hand for rehearsal and training,
A
wonderful tribute was paid the singers and the entire M. I. A, organiza- tion, when the final four numbers including the two mentioned, were sent out over the entire nation
they molded them into the near
perfect singing organization that by means of a large na presented one of the finest concerts tional radio hookup, ever held in the Tabernacle
^pHE program Hvas one of pleas- ing variety culminating in the heavier and more impressive selec- tions, "Sanctus" and "An Ode to Youth." This latter selection was a composition especially prepared for the concert by J. Spencer Corn- wall with text by Elsie Talmage Brandley, associate editor of the Improvement Era. It took the audience of nearly ten thousand people by storm and the /applause at the conclusion was deafening.
Alexander Schreiner, Tabernacle Organist, who accompanied the
The chorus of singers revealed a true picture of months of hard and care- ful training in their vari- ous wards and stakes during the past season, and too much credit can- not be given the stake and ward directors for their excellent work and untiring effort for the assurance of success at this grand final under- taking. It was an epoch- making event and many are looking forward for it to be scheduled again
chorus on the organ and who played in some future conference
President A. W. Ivins, presenting to General Superintendent George Albert Smith, historic Indian stone spearhead from old Mexican ruins to be presented to Champion Archer.
618
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
sage to the M. I. A. was for them to love the Lord, keep His com- mandments, promising them bless- ings [as leaders in Zion if they would so do.
President Fox in her address of welcome urged simple faith upon the people, telling them above all to hold on to that foremost prin- ciple of the Gospel. She review- ed the work of the Y. L M. I. A. departments stating that each had experienced its greatest year in ac- tivities and accomplishments. Pres- ident Fox concluded with an ap- peal ifor (Continued faith, saying, "God ;has given us leaders, watch- men in Zion, to counsel and guide us. Let us support them and take the counsel of the leaders of the Church."
Oscar A. Kirkham, executive secretary of the M. I. A., intro- duced the conference theme, saying that it had been in the course of preparation for several months by a committee of general board mem- bers. He stated that the M. I. A. had been given a distinctive work to do as a Church auxiliary, hence the adoption of the theme for the conference. )
'I am a convert to the belief that real happiness is in service,' President Grant declared. He said he did not believe he would stand in his present position as head of the Church had he not had a desire to give service when fifty odd years ago he was made an officer of the Mutual Improvement Associa- tion.
HPHE beloved Church leader stressed the importance of ser- vice and of knowing what is pleasing in the sight of the Lord, saying if he could implant the spirit of humility in the young people of the Church and the desire to serve and honor their parents, he knew they would grow in the spirit of God. When such is not the case they are walking on dan- gerous ground, he concluded.
The remainder of the first ses- sion was given over to the presen- tation of a playlet, "The Improve- ment Era, the Voice of the M. I. A.," a winning road show act by the Sugar House ward of the Gran- its stake.
At Saltair Friday evening, all present subdivided into groups by nationality and headed by a cos- tumed member of the general board, more than 1,200 M. I. A.
workers enjoyed the "rally of the nations" and the luncheon provid- ed on the occasion by the M. I. A. Then all went to the dance floor of the resort for the annual dance finals.
Here eighteen couples gathered from all parts of the Church, par- ticipated in one of the most color- ful finals ever held. They repre- sented the following stakes and missions, Utah, Oquirrh, North Davis, Boxelder, Grant, Nebo, Parowan, Sevier, Benson, Pocatel- lo, Fremont, Boise, Los Angeles, San Luis, Taylor, Carbon, San Francisco stakes and the North- western States mission.
Score one for the missions, for the only mission group represented in the dance walked off with first place honors. They were William Y. Powell and Nellie Baker of Portland, Ore., representing the Northwestern States mission. The decision was universally well re- ceived and the young couple were congratulated on every hand. The introduction of the new Gold and Green Fox Trot, contest dance for next year, by W. O. Robinson, field secretary of the M. I. A. and Miss Hales, was the conclusion of a very successful evening.
Dancing was then enjoyed by many hundreds of M. I. A. visi- tors.
CATURDAY, June 11, was a busy day for everyone. It be- gan with a general session in the Assembly Hall at 9 a. m. After singing of two selections by the Bee-Hive girls of Liberty stake, Clarissa A. Beesley, second coun- selor to President Fox, in the Y. L. M. I. A. general presidency, gave a brief but thorough discus- sion of the 1932-33 community activity program. She discussed the several important changes in organization and activity as out- lined in the supplement to the M. I. A. handbook, and urged that all make careful study and prepara- tion for carrying on the work. The coming season will see the M. I. A. launched upon the second year of its three year educational recrea- tion program, and its successful completion was urged.
Following this discussion, an M. I. A. "sing," introducing Gold and Green and M. I. A. songs was held under the direction of J. Spencer Cornwall, Evangeline T. Beesley, W. O. Robinson, and Al- fred M. Durham.
This general session was fol- lowed by department meetings.
ONE of the most interesting de- partment meetings was that of the Era and Publicity group, held
(Continued on page 628)
National Broadcasting Co., Inc. Chicago, Illinois.
Dear Mr. Kirkham:
After having had time to absorb the aftermath of the singing the other evening I feel that I am now in as calm a frame of mind as possible and perhaps ready to say a few things to you and the singers which will be taken at their face value and not charged to recent enthusiasm.
To say that I was inspired by their work is putting it mildly. Every night since then I have gone through many of those numbers in my memory and I can still hear the way they sounded. ..They lifted me up to great heights into a glory that is not of this world and which only those who experience it can understand.
Will you thank all of those fine people who joined in with us for their work and tell them that I bear \them in my heart with earnest good wishes. I hope they will have been perhaps moved to continue the work and that all that is good and constructive will contribute to their efforts.
I should like to have grasped the hand of many hundreds whom I saw looking back into my face as I swept my glance over the group. Let not any of them feel that they were unimportant and not worth my time to stop and talk with and know them. They -are all dear souls and I have learned to love them individually and collectively. The contact established will, I am sure, not be broken in. this world or the next. I feel their presence with me many times and my heart goes back to them.
All good wishes to you
(Signed) NOBLE CAIN.
"There is no frigate like a book to bear us lands aivay ..."
— Emily Dickinson,
Compiled and Edited by Bess Foster Smith
(The Caxton Printers, Ltd., Caldwell, Idaho)
SUNLIT PEAKS, Idaho's first anthology of verse, is a volume containing one hundred sixty poems written by ninety-eight Gem State poets, edited and compiled by Bess Foster Smith, herself a poet of Weiser, Idaho.
In addition to the poems, the vol- ume contains short biographical sketch- es of the authors. This feature alone makes the book unusually interesting and worthwhile to those interested in western culture.
Mrs. Smith has surveyed her field and has selected what she considers to be representative poems from the pens of Idahoans regardless of the age of the
Sunlit Peaks
An Anthology of Idaho Verse
authors. There are poems from peo- ple well over seventy and others from sophomores in college.
Either because the Boise valley has produced more poetry than other sec- tions of the state or because Mrs. Smith was able to secure poetry more easily from the more or less "local" writers, that section of the country is best rep- resented. Much of the verse has made its appearance before in other publica- tions including newspapers and maga- zines of the West as well as a few so- phisticated eastern publications.
The verse in general is good, but it lacks that sophistication which some people like in poetry. It will, how- ever, have a definite appeal to those who enjoy regular verse form and rhymed philosophy. Mrs. Smith quotes William Dean Howell in her foreword as saying, "What is unpretentious and
true is always beautiful and good, and nothing else is so." These poems, in the main, are "unpretentious and true."
The Caxton Printers, Ltd., have done a splendid job of bookmaking. The little volume is attractively print- ed and bound and appears in a most striking blue and gold jacket.
We quote the title poem by Bess Foster Smith:
SUNLIT PEAKS
When red men saw
The sunlit peaks aglow,
Their cry arose,
"Behold! our Ed-dah-how!"
Now to their cry
An answering echo speaks, To tell to all
We, too, love sunlit peaks.
—H. R. Merrill.
Twenty-five Best Short Stories
By CLAYTON JENKINS
|"T would be much easier to choose one hundred stories or even fifty than to select only twenty-five and say: these are the best. Such a limited list eliminates many of the finest stories, but if the twenty-five I have picked are not the "best" in the world, no one, I think, will dispute the fact that they are all great stories and among the best that were ever written.
A story to be great must give a true interpretation of life in a manner or form that makes it interesting and satisfying; it should have lasting qual- ities in order that it can be understood and enjoyed in any period of time. Such a story is "The Matron of Ephesus" written over eighteen hun- dred years ago by Petronius as a part of his Satyricon.
Such a story, also, is Chekov's mod- ern masterpiece "The Darling." The experiences of the characters in these stories are understandable and inter- esting to us now as they were to read-
ers two thousand years ago in Petro- nius's time. They are "timeless" and a true "criticism of life."
A Book
By Wilford D. Lee
A MAGIC chest lies here, each crim- ■** son lid
A horizon, two ruby tinted lines Stretching away into eternity; Each page a mile of road, each line a deed, Each word a friendly figure of romance To bless my lonesome hour. Oh let me sail away to the isle of dreams Where honey-scented flowers fill the air With magic perfume; Or let me creep with shivery delight Through caverns of mystery Breath-taking intrigue; Or let me pace the solemn haunts of life With gentle tread, unfolding visions of
delights Or plumbing depths of sorrow Walking with Kings and fools into the
infinite.
My list is made after reading thou- sands of stories, dating back to 3000 B. C. to the anonymous Egyptian tale "Anpu and Bata," one of the finest examples of the short story in exist- ence and covering literature from every language down to contemporary Gals- worthy and Kipling. I have recently re-read a hundred or so of these fa- mous stories.
The first group, by English writers, includes Kipling's, "The Phantom Rickshaw," the best of many superb stories by this master story teller. Hardy is represented with "The Three Strangers" and Stevenson by "A Lodging for the Night" — both grand stories that have justly earned their fame and popularity. Hudson's "El Ombu" is not so well known but this tale of the Buenos Ayres Pampas, sym- bolized by a tree, like his matchless novel, "Green Mansions," ranks as the best of its kind. It is said that Theodore Roosevelt considered "El Ombu" the finest short story ever written. "The First and the Last" by Galsworthy I like even better than
620
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
"Quality" or "The Apple Tree" and that is high praise indeed. "The Fly," by Katherine Mansfield, a bril- liant writer who died too soon, is a powerful little story that you may try to forget but probably will not. Conrad rounds out the British authors with "The Secret Sharer." There is so little difference in merit between this story and "Youth" or "Heart of Darkness" that you can take your choice.
The French list is headed by Mau- passant's "Boule de Suif," better, I think, than the more famous "Neck- lace" or "The Piece of String." There are few stories, if any, that surpass this tale of Tallow Ball, the French girl who received such shabby reward for her generous sacrifice. Next is Prosper Merimee's faultless story "Ma- teo Falcone" often called the cruelest story in the world and told with the reticence and detachment that charac- terize this gifted Frenchman. Anatole France contributes the unique "Procu- rator of Juda" done in his cultured, sophisticated style with the inimitable ending: "Pontius Pilate contracted his brows — 'Jesus'? he murmured, 'Jesus of Nazareth? I cannot call him to mind.' " Villier de lisle Adam's "The Torture by Hope" depicts ex- pertly the refined cruelty of the Spanish Inquisition. Balzac's "best" is hard to choose because he has several about equally good, but "An Episode Under the Terror" is a first-rank story. So also is Flaubert's "A Simple Soul."
Russia has supplied a galaxy of short story writers: Garshin, Push- kin, Tolstoy, Kuprin, Korolenko, though not represented here, all have important stories to their credit. Gogol with "The Cloak" was the first to "truly strike the Russian note of deep sympathy for the disinherited" and to set the pattern for subsequent writers, but it was Anton Chekov who per- fected the art and became the supreme master in Russia and one of the great- est short story writers in the world.
"The Darling," I think, is the best of Chekov's stories. Little known is Andreyev's "Abyss" and not a pleas- ant story, but it is powerful, masterful writing and once read will never be forgotten. Turgenev's, "The District Doctor," is a poignant story, typically Russian and beautifully written. "Twenty-Six Men and a Girl" by Maxim Gorky tells how rosy, radiant Tanya brought sunshine and joy to the "little prisoners" in the baker's cellar and how they misjudged and reviled her so that "the sun never peeped in the windows and Tanya came no more."
Rome and Germany are represented each with one story. Petronius with the immortal "Matron of Ephesus;" and Germany with "The Fury" by Paul Heyse which is perhaps the best story in the German language.
Six stories from the United States complete the list and the first is by Edgar Allan Poe who set the style for modern short stories and brought them to a point of perfection that has never been surpassed. "The Tell Tale Heart" is the best of many master tales by Poe. Hawthorne is an inevitable choice and "Ethan Brand" is the best of his many excellent tales. "An Oc- currence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Pierce rates a first place for its perfection in both substance and form. "Benito Cereno" by Herman Melville, for seventy-five years, was little known but due to the revival of interest in Melville and especially to the spot-lighting of this story by Ed- ward J. O'Brien, who regards it as the best short story in American literature, recently it has been more widely read and recognized. It is an interesting tale marvelously told and deserves to rank among the best. Twenty-one years ago when I first read Katherine Fullerton Gerould's "Vain Oblations" in Scribner's magazine I was convinced it was a short story masterpiece — nu- merous re-readings since that time have not changed my mind and I submit it
with enthusiasm among this illustrious list of the world's best.
TWENTY-FIVE BEST SHORT STORIES
England
"The Phantom Rickshaw," Rudyard Kipling.
"The Three Strangers," Thomas Hardy.
"A Lodging for the Night," R. L. Stev- enson.
"The First and the Last," John Gals- worthy.
"The Fly," Katherine Masefield.
"El Ombu," W. H. Hudson.
"The Secret Sharer," Joseph Conrad.
France
"Boule De Suif," Guy de Maupassant. "Mateo Falcone," Prosper Merimee. "The Torture by Hope," Villiers de lisle
Adam. "The Procurator of Judea," Anatole
France. "A Simple Heart," Gustave Flaubert. "An Episode Under the Terror," Honore
Balzac.
Germany
"The Fury," Paul Heyse.
Rome
"The Matron of Ephesus," Petronius.
Russia
"The Darling," Anton Chekov. "The Abyss," Leonid Andreyev. "The District Doctor," Ivan Turgenev. "The Cloak," Gogol. "Twenty-Six Men and a Girl," Maxim Gorky.
United States
"The Tell Tale Heart," Edgar Allan
Poe. "Ethan Brand," Nathaniel Hawthorne. "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge,"
Ambrose Pierce. "Benito Cereno," Herman Melville. "Vain Oblations," K. F. Gerould.
By Charles L. Goodell (The Abingdon Press, Chicago)
HpHIS volume of thirteen chapters and one hundred eight pages is de- voted to a eulogy of the "book we love," the Bible. It contains some in- formation concerning [the holy scrip- tures, but devotes its space mainly to the pleasant task of endearing The Book to its readers. While very little definite information concerning the Bible is given, the .reader of "The Book We Love" will catch glimpses of the scriptures that he has probably never caught before. The author, Dr. Charles L. Goodell, is a graduate of Boston University and has had a varied
The Book We Love
and wide experience as a preacher. His radio speeches have been many and well received. This book springs from rich emotional and intellectual soil.
"Time hangs heavy on my hands," said the furniture remover as he stood holding up an old Grandfather Clock off the floor.
Sign in a Barber Shop — facing a bunch
of chairs — He that endures to the end shall
be shaved.
* * *
"That means me," said Mr. Common Man, as he looked at the ad on the railing at the side of the road. It Read Dy An Shine.
The chapter headings may give the prospective reader some idea of what the book contains: 1, The Greatest Story In The World; 2, The Book Itself; 3, The Psalmists and the Proph- ets; 4, The Message of the New Tes- tament; 5, Paul's Letters; 6, The Rev- elation; 7, Tributes To Its Value; 8, The Bible In Wartime; 9, The Bible in History; 10, The Bible As Inspi- ration; 11, Testimony of Martyrs and Saints; 12, Its Power and Pop- ularity; 13, The Bible and Personal Experience.
If Dr. Goodell is a bit oratorical, he is also sincere and convincing. His readers will know and love the Bible when they get through a little better than ever before. — H. R. Merrill.
The Improvement Era for August, 1932
621
$ Civilization and the New Testament
with much of the sociology which has characterized Great Britain, but I am one of millions who know that the integrity of England has resulted largely from her glorifi- cation of the home. Many think she has failed in her interpretation of brotherhood through a stratifi- cation of society dangerously ap- proaching caste; none can deny her the glory which comes from the establishment of the English home as the altar of the Empire. The doctrine of the home presumes in its best development the finest qual- ities in those who are part of it. Father, mother and children, — this is the unit of Anglo-Saxon and Teutonic culture.
And Christianity has made of women, whether it was specifically in the doctrine or not, the crown and glory of the race, rather than, as other important civilizations have tended to make her, mere chattel or a beast of burden. It is interesting to remember in this ad- vanced age that only a short time ago women were denied access to schools. Sir Thomas Moore was apparently the first in England to advance the idea of the desirability of education for women. The idea was first openly proclaimed in Erasmus' Institutio Matrmonii Christiani" and Lucovico Vives' "De Institutuioni Feminae Chris- tiana?" in 1523.
The real beginning of educa- tion for girls on a substantial basis began with the establishment of Queen's College, London, in 1848. There is a pathetic picture even in American history of girls sitting outside near the windows of school houses to catch what they could of the teaching being given within to the boys. The inevitable logic of Christian thinking however has
destroyed the barriers to the pro- gress of woman and has in our own generation brought her up to the high place which she now oc- cupies. The advance of women is a distinctive achievement which sets us widely apart from pagan or present day oriental thinking. Our spiritual progress in interpret- ing the place of women in society is more significant than the pro- gress from hand carts and ox teams to automobiles and airplanes.
ET us not forget that these great ideas: the importance of the individual, every one of us a participant in a world-wide broth- erhood; the inherent, God-given right to liberty of mind and con- science under law which we our- selves set up; the resulting never- ending efFort to interpret and ex- press human rights through law and through processes of education and economics, the ultimate goal being equality of opportunity for all alike without respect to hereditary, financial, social and other influ- ences; individual initiative the ba- sis of progress; the sanctity of the family relationship and the fash- ioning of government to protect this union and make it the fruitful expression it may be of the greater virtues of mind and spirit;- — -these great ideas are not social, political, or educational theories; they are religious ideals, direct results of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth if not direct teachings themselves. Anglo-Saxon and Teutonic coun- tries to the extent that they ex- emplify these doctrines are there- fore religious efforts. Indeed that is what they essentially are. Amer- ica in this tremendously important sense is a religion not a mere po- litical segregation of people and
oc^^slg^i*
-<-
^Be Your Own Life Guard-
Continued from
page 583
our destiny is sure if we adhere to the fundamental doctrine which is the law of our creation as a nation.
This explains in part the Amer- ican vote and attitude on such is- sues as slavery, prohibition and the traffic in sex. No one will main- tain that we have actually con- ferred upon the negro the full rights of citizenship; indeed we de- liberately in the south prevent him exercising this privilege. No one will maintain that the eighteenth amendment effectively ended the traffic in liquor; our violation of the very amendment we voted into the Constitution is one of the no- torious scandals of modern history. Our laws regarding traffic in sex have not prevented prostitution both professional and otherwise; indeed the present moral attitude in society is nothing short of a major hypocrisy so widespread in its acceptance as to contribute probably the outstanding menace to our civilization. But while in actual practice all this is true we have obeyed in our raising of these standards the law of our creation. Centuries of heredity and of en- vironmental influence prevent us voting what our Christian inheri- tance tells us is an immorality even if we immediately go out from the voting booth and practice the im- morality. I think with all its la- mentable and tragic consequences, we are committing the less deadly of the two evils. If we ever vote into our sacred documents a denial of the spiritual law of our creation we shall have committed a major sin and be no longer a legitimate beneficiary of the heritage of our race. We are, let it be repeated, custodians of Christian civilization and shall not fail as long as