Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

Rhondda's High Death-Rate Some Suggestions. To the Editor of the Rhondda Leader." Sir,—Tiie annual report of the Medical Officer of Health has recently been pub- lished, and considering the power which the Council can use for the prevention of destitution and bettering our environ- ments, the report is very, appalling and falls very short of being satisfactory. The duties that fall within the scope of our local Health Committee seem to have been evaded in the report, and are allowed to pass by without comment. What is the Committee doing in regard to our drainage, the suppression of nuisances, and the inadequate method of scavenging? The drainage system (as at present installed) can only be imperfectly inspected, and is proving a rapid breeding ground for the very germs that account for the heavy death-rate. Ever-increasing nuisances are daily committed and allowed to remain on our streets, and an examina- tion of the refuse collected convinces us that we are daily forced into contact with the birthplace and growth of disease. Such conditions seem to have been over- looked or neglected by our Health Autho- rity, and in view of this, I ask the public's attention to these important and serious matters. The conclusion we arrive at, therefore, is the need of a more thorough and strict inspection of all our surroundings, and the enforcing of the people to maintain clean habits, both inside and outside of their residences, and to prosecute those parents and children that convert our streets and by-roads into refuse and sewerage grounds. So long as these con- ditions prevail, so long will our death- rate maintain at its present high stan- dard. The question "of how we are to prevent so large an infantile mortality, in parti- cular, must arrest our special thoughts; and if we can receive any assistance from other centres, then let us be so guided. Says Sir John Simon :—" A high mortality almost necessarily connotes a prevalence of those causes and conditions which in the long run determine a degeneration of the race." It is stated that the great factors resulting in this large mortality are ignorance, carelessness, and neglect of hygienic laws; therefore, it becomes a necessity that people should receive in- struction in these matters. Statistics prove that the practice of feeding infants with artificial food is chiefly responsible for the terrible wastage of life that is going on, and this opinion has long been endorsed by local practitioners. It is gratifying, however, to learn that a system which is now iiitroduced-tlie appointment of Health Visitors-has already proved beneficial in other well- known centres; still, a further recom- mendation would, I believe, prove highly successful, namely, the equipping and training of voluntary health visitors, who would give every attention to infants up to school age. In conclusion, I should like to make the following Tecommendations:- (1) The adoption of a more scientific method of dealing with refuse, such as destructors, and a more strict inspection of our streets and bv-roads. (2) To instal public baths in all towns, and stop the further use of our rivers for bathing purposes; and further, stop the pollution of the rivers. (3) The acquisition, in all places of a certain population, of good recreation grounds, both for children and adults, inclusive of apparatus for physical exer- cises, under proper supervision. (4) A better method of foods inspec- tion, by giving to our local police officers, whq are more acquainted with local affairs than the casual inspector. (5) A public assistance office, where the public may be able to enter a record of neglect, or where attention is required, &c. A. DAVIES.

The Rev. James Davies, Salem Cwmparc. The many friends of the Rev. James Davies, pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Cwmparc, will be interested to know that he has just received a call from the church at Garn, North Wales, to become their pastor. During his ministry at Cwmparc, a large and beautiful chapel, with vestry and class-rooms underneath, has been built at a cost of over E4,000, of which over £ 2,000, exclusive of interest and other expenses, have been paid, and a prosperous English cause has been insti- tuted in the old chapel, whilst an annually increasing membership totals well-nigh upon 500. Mr. Davies, who has not en- joyed the best of health for some years, may, from health considerations, accept this call to a smaller field of labour, although it is generally hoped that he will decide to remain where his pastorate has been so remarkably successful.

HARRISON F°r WEDDING GROUPS rirninnavii FAMILY GROUPS, FOOT- & BALL GROUPS, PRESENT- FVAftie AT I ON GROUPS, and every EVHnlO, description ot Photography. The Popular PHOTOGRAPHERS Entrantes-At O. S. Evans, Ironmonger, and Eleanor St., near Trinity Church, opposite Lower Tonypandy Post Office. Trams pass door] 4841

New Skating Rink for Pontypridd. On Thursday next, September 30th. 1.909, the new Alexandra Hall Sknting Rink, Church Street, Pontypridd, will be formally opened at 3 p.m. by Mr. Moses Jones. J-P., the chairman of the Ponty- pridd Council. The public are cordially invited to the opening ceremony, admis- sion to which will be free. A special floor has been laid down, which will accommodate 300 to 400 skaters, whilst the gallery provided for onlookers will seat about 150. There are retiring rooms for ladies and gentlemen; also there is a complete installation of fire extinguish- ing appliances and emergency doors. An instructor has been appointed to teach novices the art of graceful skating, whilst a commissionaire and attendants will attend to anything skaters may re- quire. Civility and attention will be the chief characteristics of the management, who will do all in their power to ensure the amusement and comfort of all. After- noon teas and refreshments will be pro- vided, the catering being in the hands of Mr. T. Morgan, Market Square, Ponty- pridd. The capacious hall, which will be lit by electricity, has been designed by Mr. Arthur Ll. Thomas, architect, Ponty- pridd. Winslows, Richardson anNBarney and Berry's skates will be provided; besides, Mr. Norton's military orchestra will be in attendance. For further par- ticulars see our advertising columns.

Treherbert Tag. A holiday club, called the Dandy Holiday Club," has been inaugurated at Treherbert. The Dandies—as they call themselves-are mostly the members of la,st season's Athletic Cricket Club. N.B.— See dictionary for definition of dandy. Since the Dandies have been going, another holiday club has suddenly sprung up under the name of the Dandy Twenty-Fifth." Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. The following was heard on a tramcar lately: Passenger (excitedly): Hi! Stop Stop! A man has fallen off thg car." Conductor It's all right, guv'nor; he's paid his fare." A modernised maxim:—All's "fair" with tram conductors. Now that the harvest thanksgiving is fairly over, the young people seem to be very keen on starting the sowing again. At any rate, by the way that band (!) of young men sang If I should plant a tiny seed," &c., in Bute Street on Satur- day night, we judge that they were remarkably enthusiastic in voicing their agricultural aspirations. Roller skating at the Treorchy Ambu- lance Hall has been for some time the fashionable craze among the young people at the top of the Valley. We advise all people who are superfluously fat to visit the rink occasionally. It is stated that a young fellow who started rinking last week for the first time, became reduced to a state of liquidity, and was taken home in a bottle (!). Then probably he had many a "spill." Our door is the short cut to economy is what we read in the shop window of the solitary bootmaker of Dunraven Street. "Short cut and "economy" seem to go well together. By the way, if you want a practical illustration of economy, you should notice a, small boy when he has occasion to use the soap. A notorious inebriate, who has now reformed, declares that he is so strictly temperate that it gives him pain even to find his collar tight.

"Paisley Flour" scones, cakes, I teabread, &c., may be eaten fresh from the oven without fear of after ill effects. And the remainder reheated in the oven the next day will almost equal the freshly baked. "Paisley Flour "-the sure raising powder-is made by Brown & Poison. MATTHEWS & CO. Tailors & Cutters to the Trade. 18, Tudor Road, Cardiff. Estimates given for Contracts. Large Quantity of Woollens always in stock. Patterns and Price List on application. Uniforms and Liveries made up. Mourning Orders executed in 6 hours. Dr. Barker's Pills FOR FEMALES. The best remedy for Aenemia, Giddiness, Nervousness, Depression, Hysteria, and all similar disorders peculiar to ladies. Full directions with each box. 113 and 2/9 post free. A better medicine cannot be obtained. U- THE BARKER MEDICINE Co. WHOESALE AGENT: W. JENKINS, M.P.S. Dispensing Chemist, 92, Llewellyn St., PENTRE, Glam D. M. WILLIAMS, Accountant and Public Auditor, BRYN GELLI HOUSE, AND LLOYDS BANK CHAMBERS, TONYPANDY. Tradesmen's Accounts written up, Balanced, or Audited. Deeds of Arrangement, Mortgages and Transfers of Properties negotiated. Bankruptcy and Probate of Will Accounts Prepared. Insurance, House and Estate Agent. Rent Collected. 231

Treherbert. The harvest festivals of St. Mary's and St. Alban's Churches were held on Thurs- day and Sunday, the 9th and 12th inst. Both churches were taste- fully and profusely adorned with the fruit and vegetable contributions. Holy Communion was celebrated at the churches on both mornings at 8.30 a.m. At St. Mary's, the Vicar of Glyntaff preached at the evening service on Thursday, and the Vicar of Llwjaiypia preached on Sun- day whilst at the evening service at St. Alban's on Thursday., the Rev. T. Harris, B.A. (vicar of Llanwonno), officiated, and at the Sunday services the Rev. T. D. Griffiths, M.A., St. Peter's, Pentre, preached in the morning and at. noon, followed in the evening by the Rev. 1. J. Williams, M.A., All Saints', Trealaw. The collections taken at the services were in aid of the parochial fund.

Letters to the Editor. Letters on any subject of public interest are cordially invited. The insertion of a letter does not necessarily inean that the Editor agrees with the views ex- pressed therein. Correspondents should write on one side of the paper only, and no letter will be published unless the writer sends his name and address, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarante eof good faith.

The Utah Mormons. To the Editor of the Rhondda Leader." Sir -Kindly allow me space in your valuable columns to warn the public against the insidious efforts of those Utah Mormon elders who are busily engaged in distributing their literature in the neighbourhood. Their tracts contain naught but the simple doctrine of Jesus Christ as taught by the original Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, organised in 1830. That is. they preach Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Layiiig-on of Hands, as did the original church. But they claim that these are the hrst principles, and, therefore, that there are other principles to be taught afterwards. The Reorganised Church of Jesus Christ claim that any departure from the funda- mental principles of the doctrine of Christ, as set forth in Heb. vi. 1, A con- stitute a departure from the faith, since the unfoldment of these principles will not and can not, reveal anything in- harmonious with their essential and intrinsic elements. Hence, there can be no first principles of the Gospel of Christ in the sense that other principles are to be added which are in, and of them- selves independent and fundamental. The Utah Mormons use these funda- mental principles as "first" principles, and after that, those who accept their teaching are introduced to a second instal- ment of fundamentals, and then the first" become ineffectual, in that they become obsolete. In their pamphlet, entitled Character of the Latter Day Saints,' they claim that they have been misrepresented so much that many a fair-minded, honest person has been led to regard them as a corrupt people, unfit to be classed as Christians. Again," they say, it is strange that in this enlightened age a religious community should be so evil spoken of, and that, too, without a just cause. While many an boiest individual may have been led to believe them to be a wicked people, they reanse that this has been the result of the mis- representation of men who have wilruliy defamed their character. lhose who have originated the evil reports con- cerning the Saints (Utah Mormons R.J.) have been in most instances persons who did not have the honour to sign their names to what they published; and those of this class who have attached their names to their writings have been proven to be wholly unreliable in their utter- aiiees." We have met the people who make these statements, and have asked them to meet us on a public platform, that they may prove to the people that our I,utteranoes are not reliable. They have refused to meet us, however. What, then, is their method of proving the unreliability of those who denounce them as a wicked people ? It seems the answer must be patent to all who have read their little leaflet, i.e., that their assertions must be accepted as evidence, no matter what evidence others may have to the contrary. But let us see who the responsible parties are that have misrepresented (?) those would-be innocent people. And we shall also see that it is not so strange as those people would have it appear, that in this enlightened age a religious com- munity should be so evil spoken of, and that, too, not' without a just cause." The first witness that we shall intro- duce in this investigation is Mr. Brigham Young, the founder, of Utah "Mormonism" and first President of the Utah Despotocracy. He says: I have many a time in this stand dared the world to produce as mean devils as we can; we can beat them at anything. We have the greatest and smoothest liars in the world, the cunningeSitand most adroit thieves, and any other shade of characters that you can mention. We can pick out in Israel right here who can beat I the world at gambling; who can handle the cards; can cut and shuffle them with the smartest rogue on God's footstool. I can produce elders here who can shave their smartest shavers, and take their money from them. We can beat the world at any game." Did Brigham Young know what he was talking about? We would rather think so, when we consider that his position was sueh that made him the controller and master of affairs" in Utah. (See Journal of Discourses, vol. i., p. 48). But this is not all. Brigham does not stop with the mere declaration that there exist within the Mormon system of Utah such "mean devils," "smooth liars," "adroit thieves," and "gambles," &c. But he proceeds to give the region why they have so many good (?) things there. Let us hear him We can beat them because we have men here living in the light of the Lord; that have the holy priesthood and hold the keys of the Kingdom of God" (Journal of Discourses, vol. iv., p. '77). I may say right here that this Journal of Discourses was a periodical published by the Utah Mormon Church. Now, who is it that misrepresents? Now, who is it that misrepresents? Does not the testimony of their own "Prophet'" show that they are not what they would have the people believe them to be? We think so. But let us compare one testimony given by these people on page 2 of their pamphlet with facte known to exist in Utah. Paris (near Lake County) has a popu- lation of about 1,500, all Mormons, and there is not a saloon or gambling house, or any other place where intoxicating liquor is sold, and this is_, I am told, the case in all the towns in Idaho where these people have exclusive "control.— Governor Stevenson, of Idaho." The evident purpose of this statement or testimony is to impress the people with the idea that wherever the Mormon people hold exclusive control, there is no intoxicating liquor for sale. But the facts in the case are that the Zion Co- operative Mercantile Institute over the door of which the words Holiness td the

Pontygwaith Pottage. Once more we have to appeal, to the Brachi-opods (see Dictionary) to refrain from causing obstructions on the pave- ment. Such sights are characteristic of an East End pub. Judging from the amount of time some of the Brachi-opods spend in the neigh- bourhood of the ice-cream shop, they ought to be well adapted to undertake an expedition to the Pole. We re-echo our appeal that some steps should be taken towards the formation of a Library and Institute anything where young people could spend their time more profitably than in an ice-cream shop. You are mistaken, sir. The "cooing" does not come from the Pontygwaith Young Musicians, but from the pigeons' cot in the neighbourhood of your house. This week, another traveller has been interviewed. He says that certain parts of Llewellyn Street resemble a street in San Francisco after the great earthquake. The same traveller it was who mistook the station for Paddington. We respectfully inform young M- that we have heard quite enough of his summer holiday adventures, to which we have listened with interest second only to the story of Tom Thumb or Jack and the Beanstalk." He reminds one of that old rhyme: It On the first day we had bread and dripping, On the next day we had dripping and bread, On the third day we had dripping and toast; Well, that's only dripping and bread." On reading our Limerick last week, one gentle reader exclaimed, What a fall was there, my countrymen! (Shakes- peare). How are the mighty fallen," quoth another. In the centre of a field not a thousand miles from Pontygwaith is the following sign —" Anyone found trespassing in this field will be prosecuted." The sign arouses curiosity, and many people go into the field to read it.

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Lord are found, has intoxicating liquors for sale. President Joseph F. Smith, of the Utah Mormon Church, is also presi- dent of this Z.C.M.I., and made the fol- lowing excuse for having intoxicating drinks or liquors for sale there Have I made myself a sot because liquor was kept for sale by Z.O.M.I. ? I am not the worse for it, thank the Lord. And who else is? No one, except the pious Mor- mons (?) who in open day or under the cover of night would go into the drug- stores and buy liquor to drink. If he could not get it there, he would not patronise Z.C'.M.I. at all, but would go somewhere else to deal (from sermoneof Joseph F. Smith in Salt Lake Taber- nacle, April 6th, 1898; Official Report of Conference, p. 11; Herald, vol. 56, p. 305). Moreover, President Joseph Fielding Smith delivered a lecture not very long ago in favour of prohibition, and Senator Reed Smoot, who is also an Apostle of the Mormon Church, remarked in another speech delivered immediately. after Presi- dent J. F. Smith, that every word that President Smith said sounded good to me, way down in my soul." Yet Senator Reed Smoot iSI the principal stockholder in the Smoot Drug Store, at Provo, Utah, before which (store) there was a sign, reading: Family wines and liquors for sale." And just before Christmas the following notice was published in the "Enquirer":—"Wines and liquors for Christmas; Smoot Drug Company". (Herald, v. 56, p. 305). These men can lecture in favour of temperance and testify how good the words against in- toxicating liquor sound way down in their souls," and at the same time sell the "cursed stuff." Consistent Mormons! In view of these facts, we" believe Brigham Young knew what he was about when he said that they had the greatest and smoothest liars in the world.—Yours for truth, REES JENKINS.