Oral History Program Henry Aldous Dixon Interviewed by Harold C. Bateman October 1974 Oral History Program Weber State University Stewart Library Ogden, Utah Henry Aldous Dixon Interviewed by Harold C. Bateman Emeritus Professor of History October 1974 Copyright © 2012 by Weber State University, Stewart Library iii Mission Statement The Oral History Program of the Stewart Library was created to preserve the institutional history of Weber State University and the Davis, Ogden and Weber County communities. By conducting carefully researched, recorded, and transcribed interviews, the Oral History Program creates archival oral histories intended for the widest possible use. Interviews are conducted with the goal of eliciting from each participant a full and accurate account of events. The interviews are transcribed, edited for accuracy and clarity, and reviewed by the interviewees (as available), who are encouraged to augment or correct their spoken words. The reviewed and corrected transcripts are indexed, printed, and bound with photographs and illustrative materials as available. The working files, original recording, and archival copies are housed in the University Archives. Project Description The Weber State College Oral History Program was created in the early 1970s to “record and document, through personal reminiscences, the history, growth and development of Weber State College.” Through interviews with administrators, faculty and students, the program’s goal was to expand the documentary holdings on Weber State College and its predecessor entities. From 1970 to 1976, the program conducted some fifteen interviews, under the direction of, and generally conducted by Harold C. Bateman, an emeritus professor of history. In 1979, under the direction of archivist John Sillito, the program was reestablished and six interviews were conducted between 1979 and 1983. Additional interviews were conducted by members of the Weber State community. ____________________________________ Oral history is a method of collecting historical information through recorded interviews between a narrator with firsthand knowledge of historically significant events and a well-informed interviewer, with the goal of preserving substantive additions to the historical record. Because it is primary material, oral history is not intended to present the final, verified, or complete narrative of events. It is a spoken account. It reflects personal opinion offered by the interviewee in response to questioning, and as such it is partisan, deeply involved, and irreplaceable. ____________________________________ Rights Management This work is the property of the Weber State University, Stewart Library Oral History Program. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text. It is recommended that this oral history be cited as follows: Dixon, Henry Aldous, an oral history by Harold C. Bateman, October 1974, WSU Stewart Library Oral History Program, University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University, Ogden, UT. Henry Aldous Dixon circa 1910s Henry Aldous Dixon circa 1930s 1 Abstract: The following recording outlines the life of Dr. Henry Aldous Dixon (born 1890). Dr. Dixon served as president of Weber Normal College from 1919 to 1920 and of Weber College from 1937 to 1953. The recording was made in October 1974 by Dr. Harold C. Bateman in order to record Dr. Dixon’s personal and professional accomplishments at Weber State. Also included are several newspaper articles and excerpts of audio recordings. Note: Dr. Bateman began his recording intending to interview the widow of President Henry Aldous Dixon. Dr. Bateman speaks at length, explaining President Dixon’s personal and professional accomplishments, as well as his achievements at Weber State. Also included are several newspaper articles and excerpts of audio recordings. However, no actual interviews take place. HB: I am Dr. Harold C. Bateman, Professor Emeritus of History, and the Director of the Weber State College Oral History Museum. It is an honor and a pleasure to interview Mrs. Lucille Knowlden Dixon, a cultured and a distinguished wife of the late honorable Henry Aldous Dixon, former president of Weber College and Utah State University, United States Congressman from Utah, prominent civic and church leader, and banker. Dr. Dixon passed away in Ogden January 22, 1967. Before interviewing Mrs. Dixon, I believe it apropos to present some basic information about Dr. Henry Aldous Dixon. I regret deeply that Weber State College failed to interview by tape this able and versatile leader while he was active in the work he loved best: service to mankind. 2 It was my privilege to know rather intimately this kind and great man. He employed me to serve at Weber College in October 1946. I know of no one who loved people, especially students, more than President Dixon did. His presidential door was always open to students, to faculty members, and to others, and they felt welcome to seek counsel and advice at any time. It was inspiring and heartwarming to see his leadership at the College. He could perform in assemblies, and at all functions, with considerable talent in delivering speeches, singing, dramatizing, and debating. He could perform with finesse with the best professional performers. He was truly an outstanding educational and spiritual leader who enjoyed the love of all who knew him. He was, in my opinion, the most able administrator and educational leader under whom I have ever served. Dr. Dixon labored incessantly to improve his faculty and stimulated all to achieve superior work in scholarship, to build character, and also in building leadership. In education, he sought the total maturation of the student, which summarizes the basic objectives of general education, or a liberal arts education. He encouraged many of us to work for and to secure doctorate degrees. With him as President, the faculty simply could not go to seed, for they were kept busy doing worthwhile activities. I recall vividly many struggles the College experienced in attempting to maintain itself as a public institution; including the struggle for a new campus and the need to move away from downtown Ogden. The spadework for a four-year college was also laid at the time. These, as in all 3 efforts to upgrade the school, found President Dixon providing the necessary spark of leadership. He was one of the early pioneers who had clearly sensed the need of a new campus site and worked closely with the Utah State Legislature in securing financial aid for this purpose. Monies were appropriated by the State, to be matched by supporters of Weber College for the purchase of the Mills property. Dr. Dixon, a past President of the Ogden Chamber of Commerce, secured this organization’s support for this money-raising effort. He led out with Frank Browning and other community leaders in securing the pledge by the Ogden Rotary Club to finance a $25,000 flagstone entrance gate for the College. I also recall, in the financial effort, the faculty members were requested to help in, and responded in, donating a percentage of their salaries to the fund to be used in the purchasing of the new campus. This, we willingly did to assist this worthy cause along. President Dixon requested faculty to donate labor for leveling the front campus, adjacent to the Harrison Boulevard, and in cutting through the scrub oak on the east campus for the road area. I well remember assisting personally with my rake in leveling the northwest campus area next to the Edvalson Street road. This campus area was leveled preparatory to planting grass. Soon after the scrub oak area was cleared, road building work commenced. These were wise moves, since all who participated sensed a clear personal ownership and devotion to the College. We have already noted Dr. Dixon’s efforts in seeking a balanced education for the student, He clearly saw the need for a technical and Liberal 4 Arts education. He was appointed a member of President Truman’s committee on higher education. He maintained that institutions of higher learning should teach citizens to live a life and to make a living. I remember the many curriculum meetings we attended and actively participated in the process of finding a balance between a liberal arts, or general education, and technical education. When President Dixon was called to become President of Utah State University in 1953, the faculty was upset, and felt their world toppling. All were sad to see him leave Weber College, but were reconciled to the development since it was apparent his growth as an educational leader continued. He continued to grow and develop in this particular work. It is apropos to read some of the news items concerning his demise. From the Weber College Signpost, we note the following article: 1Weber State College paused to mourn the death of a past President this past week. Dr. Henry Aldous Dixon, 76, a three-term ex-congressman from Utah’s first Congressional District, and former President of Weber State and Utah State University, died Sunday from a heart attack. He became President of Weber College in 1919, serving a one-year term. In 1937, he returned as a President of Weber Junior College, retaining that position until 1953. It was during his later administration that Weber’s 200- acre campus at Harrison Boulevard and 38th Street was purchased, with five buildings, stadium, and stone gateway constructed as part of the campus. During Dr. Dixon’s administration, Weber College was nicely 1 The following indented section is an article published in the Weber College publication The Signpost and here read aloud by Harold Bateman. 5 recognized for its technical education division, establishment of regular evening school, and the organization of community and concert activities. Dr. Dixon first ran for Congress in 1954, when he was drafted by the Utah Republicans to replace Representative Douglas Stringfellow. He was reelected in 1956 and 1958, but declined to serve a fourth term in 1960. Dr. Dixon was a member of the Advisory Committee, United States Office of Education; President Truman’s Commission of Higher Education; Executive Committee on the Northwest Accrediting Association; Director – Association of Junior Colleges, 1950-1954; President of the Utah Conference on Higher Education, 1938; President of Ogden Chamber of Commerce; Advisory Committee for the First Security Bank of Utah; he’s the author of the investigation of permanent school funds and the organization on the development of terminal vocational curricula in junior colleges. HB: In an editorial in the Utah State University Alumnus, dated April 1967, we note the following article concerning President Dixon’s passing: 2Dr. Henry Aldous Dixon, the ninth President of Utah State University, and three-term ex-congressman from Utah’s First Congressional District, died January 22, at the age of seventy-six. Dr. Dixon was a man who loved people for what they were, and perceived in them the potential for what they could become. It was this trait that guided the course of his life. And what a vast following he enjoyed. He was deservedly known for his integrity and nobility of character. He was a man of many interests and 2 The following indented section is a previously-published editorial read aloud by Harold C. Bateman. 6 abilities, and assumed many roles in his lifetime. As a community leader, as a businessman, as an author, a banker, a bishop, a civic worker, and as an educator, he placed an indelible stamp on two of Utah’s institutions of higher learning: Utah State University and Weber College. He was President of Weber College for seventeen years; one year in 1919, and sixteen years between 1937 and 1953, when he resigned to become the President of USU. Fifteen months later, he reluctantly left Utah State to receive the Republican draft for the Congressional race. As President of USU, Dr. Dixon demonstrated keen and wise intelligence, bold and vigorous action, a strong and attractive personality, and a spirit that was undaunted by difficulty. Holding public office, either as a lawmaker or as an educator, is a great distinction that carries with it high honor. But the successful service demands a desire to serve. Henry Aldous Dixon proved his willingness to serve and to sacrifice, and Utah is a better state because of him, just as Utah State University is a better school. HB: It is apropos at this juncture of the taping to examine some pertinent personal data concerning Dr. Henry Aldous Dixon since he was one of the chief architects, pioneers, and statesmen who materially assisted in laying the foundation of Weber State College and securing, eventually, a four-year charter at Ogden. First, we note his church experience: from November 1910 to May 1913, he served a Swiss-German speaking mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; from 1914 to 1919, he was Superintendent of Ogden Stake Religion classes; from 1923 to 1930, he was a bishop of the Provo 3rd Ward; from 7 1930 to 1937, he was Superintendent of Provo 3rd Ward Sunday School; from 1937 to 1939, he was a teacher and a High Priest in the Ogden 6th Ward; from 1939 to 1942, he was a teacher of Gospel Doctrine class in the Ogden 5th Ward; from 1942 to his death, he was a member of the Deseret Sunday School Union, barred, and Chairman of the Teacher Training Committee; he was also a member of the Latter-day Saint Church reading committee. And I personally know that from that time forward he was very active with the High Priest group in the Ogden 73rd Ward. Concerning his education: from 1905 to 1906, he attended the Latter-day Saint University in Salt Lake City; in 1909, he graduated from the Brigham Young University High School; in 1914, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Brigham Young University; in 1917, a Master of Arts degree was conferred upon him from the University of Chicago; between 1917 and 1937, Dr. Dixon spent eight quarters of graduate work at the University of Chicago, Stanford University, and the University of Southern California; between 1924 and 1934, he completed eight courses in banking and a certificate in standard banking from the Morgan bank association was received; in 1937, he received his Doctorate degree from the University of Southern California, with a major in School Administration. He was elected to the Phi Kappa Phi honorary scholastic fraternity for the fine work that he conducted as a student. His professional experience: from 1914 to 1919, he was at Weber Academy and Weber Normal College; from 1919 to 1920, he was an instructor at Brigham Young University; between 1920 and 1921, he was appointed President 8 of Weber Normal College; from 1921 to 1924 he served as Superintendent of Schools in Provo City; from 1932 to 1937, he was Superintendent of Provo City Schools; from 1937 until the present time—that is, 1953—he acted as the President of Weber College. His educational experience: in 1920, he was President of Brigham Young University Alumni Association; from 1930 to 1937, he was the Treasurer of the Brigham Young University Alumni Association; between 1940 and 1942, he conducted research on terminal education, through a grant of $9,000 to Weber College by the General Education Board, representing the Rockefeller Foundation; in 1942, he taught summer school at Jared Peabody College, Knoxville Tennessee; in 1943, he taught summer school at the University of California at Los Angeles; in 1945, he taught summer school at the University of Southern California; from 1946 to 1949, he taught summer school at the University of Utah, and the subjects were: higher education, junior college education, and the history of education; June 7-11, 1950 he was scheduled to give six commencement addresses at Washington colleges, namely: Clark College, Olympic Junior College, Grace Harbor Junior College, Centralia Junior College, Yakima Valley Junior College, and Lower Columbia Junior College; in 1950, he was scheduled to teach some classes at the University of Washington, in Seattle; from 1943 to the present, he was a member of the Northwest Association Commission on Higher Education—this commission does the accrediting for all the institutions of higher learning in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington; he served as the organization’s chief 9 examiner for many colleges and universities; in 1947 and 1949, he was one of three members in the entire Rocky Mountains and West Coast area to serve President Truman’s Commission on Higher Education; in 1948, he was President of the Utah Conference on Higher Education; in 1950, he was a field coordinator for Utah Phi Delta Kappa Honorary Educational Fraternity; and we should mention, too, that in 1953 he assumed the presidency of Utah State University. His civic and business positions held include: from 1924 to 1932, he was Managing Vice President of Farmers and Merchants Bank in Provo, Utah; from 1943 to 1950, Director of the Salt Lake City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; from 1947 to 1949, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Salt Lake City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco; in 1950, the Director of the First Security Bank of Utah; he was President of the Provo Chamber of Commerce for two terms; he was also President of the Ogden Chamber of Commerce for one term; in 1950, he was a member of the Ogden Charter Commission, and elected to draw a new city charter—he received 1,500 more votes than any of the other thirty candidates for the Commission; in April of 1948, he received the Civic Service award from the Fraternal Order of the Eagles—he was not a member, however; on May 1, 1949, he received the Book of Golden Deeds from the Ogden Exchange Club; in 1948, he was awarded Honorary Life Membership by the Weber County Wildlife Association, and later on this tape I intend to include certain excerpts from his being initiated into the Weber County Hall of Fame, of which was a distinct honor for anybody to become a member. Some of the best members include such distinguished 10 citizens as President David O. McKay, Dr. Edward I. Rich, and Al Warden, who was a very prominent sports commentator. Next, we note here publications. I think we’ve already stated two books that he was author of, and both of the editions which were published sold out within a very short time. He co-authored a teacher’s training manual, which is published by the Deseret Sunday School Union Board. Many articles in professional and church magazines were prepared by President Dixon. Now, some facts about Weber State College or Weber College are worth noting at this point. It was selected by the General Education Board as one of the nine outstanding junior colleges in the United States and given a $9,000 award for its outstanding work in terminal vocational education. Weber College was named by the Look magazine as one of fifteen community colleges that best served its constituency and is among one hundred institutions of higher learning in the United States that best served its area. It grew from 493 students in 1937, to 1,600 in 1950. In addition to this, the night school had grown from nothing to 1,375 students. Having jumped from 800 to 1,375 in one year, with a night school as one of the very best in the entire West. The Weber College is the largest junior college in the entire Northwest Association. California is the only western state that has a larger junior college. During the last thirteen years, Weber College has acquired most of the property on the block where it is located. The community raised $65,000 in eight days to match $50,000 contributed by the State Legislature for the new campus of 180 acres. It’s very certain now that the State Board of Examiners will appropriate one billion dollars for the new buildings 11 on the campus. At the present time thirty different students give voluntary work each afternoon on the new campus, and eighty on Saturdays. Faculty members donated considerable money on the new campus, too. Some personal data, I think, is worth mentioning here, that President Dixon was born on June 9, 1890, son of John DeGray and Sarah Lewis Dixon. He married Lucille Knowlden. To this union were blessed six children: four married daughters—and I might add they are married to very fine outstanding men—and their two sons: one is Dr. John Dixon, who currently is Dean of the Medical College at the University of Utah, and David Dixon, who is a PhD and received his degree in psychology, and is now a psychologist at one of the large hospitals; I believe in Bakersfield, or near Bakersfield, California. President Dixon’s record up-to-date, I believe it’s apropos to say that he was in the Legislature until 1960, when he declined to seek a fourth term in Congress. In retiring from that position, he immediately accepted a part-time teaching position at Brigham Young University in 1960. He was initiated in the Weber County Hall of Fame that same year. In 1967, he passed away, and I believe that we should also mention that President Dixon was awarded an honorary degree—an honorary doctorate from Utah State University Commencement at Logan, Utah and I think I mentioned 1956. In 1970, Weber State College Alumni Association established the H. Aldous Dixon Memorial Award, which is awarded annually at the Founder’s Day Luncheon to an individual at the college who has, in the opinion of the Association, best served 12 the needs and the ideals of the institution. So President Dixon has certainly been honored in many, many ways. His charming and friendly wife has had a great influence in his life; I have never heard anyone ever say anything unkind about this extraordinary lady. She has supported and assisted Dr. Dixon throughout his life of leadership. She has been poised and has been an outstanding leader also. People who know her have been impressed with her strength of character and her sound judgment. She has been a tower of strength to her husband and to her family throughout life. On December 7, 1970, the following letter was sent to Mrs. Lucille Knowlden Dixon by this office: 3Dear Mrs. Dixon, Pursuant to our conversation a short time ago relative to the history of Dr. Henry Aldous Dixon for the newly established Oral History Museum at Weber State College, I am enclosing a questionnaire which it would be very much appreciated if you would fill out in depth. This form calls for personal data. Also enclosed, is some useful data which needs to be brought up-to-date for our files. We would appreciate receiving these records just as soon as they can be prepared. A more detailed history will require more time to prepare, and we look forward to receiving it on its being completed. If a full history is prepared of this great man’s achievements, and his contributions to college, church, community, state, and nation, it would indeed fill a large book. We do hope it will be a complete record. The more detailed report will be filled in over a period of 3 The following indented selection is a personal correspondence, here read aloud by Harold Bateman. 13 time. Some have requested guidelines, but I feel few will be needed for your guidance, since you know far better than anyone else just what should be included. I would suggest that as much personal data about Dr. Dixon, yourself, and the family be included as you care to offer. The information about early childhood is, in fact, influential in his selection of education and career. Education will be included in the questionnaire, but personal stories may also prove useful. His teaching and administrative assignments are pertinent. He came to Weber in 1916 and later became the President. He resigned to go on to banking in Provo, and was Superintendent of Schools there. He returned to Weber in 1937 and charted the course of this institution until 1953. He struggled to get the college on a new campus. The land for this was bought from Fred M. Mills, Ezra Fjelstead, and others. The Chamber of Commerce helped with the securing of the donations to match the state monies for this project. The effort to get a four-year college was vetoed by the governor, and then the struggle ensued to keep the institution from being turned over to the LDS church. The securing of four new buildings and the preparing of the campus, the securing of the $25,000 flagstone entrance, and many other details were part of the story. In 1953, he resigned to become the President of Utah State University, where he started over from chaos. Soon thereafter, he became the U.S. Congressman from Utah and served several terms in Washington until his 14 health forced his decision to retire. Next, he taught at Brigham Young University for some years. These are but a few of the salient facts. I do feel that the history of this extraordinary educator and humanitarian constitutes some of the most important material which can be assembled for the Library’s historical room. I have emphasized to members of the faculty that I am dedicated to the task of telling, in as full detail as possible, the significant contributions of this great man to the College. He looms as a giant and the greatest architect of vision in the history of the College. He has left his imprint here, which can never be erased. It is for this reason that we want to do justice to his record. With your kind assistance, we can achieve this objective. I suggest that his and your story be prepared in numbers for the members of your fine family. I also want to emphasize that his numerous contributions and history will be largely remembered through the media of oral, written, and pictorial records being prepared for the Oral History Museum. Your kind cooperation is appreciated. Signed, sincerely, Harold C. Bateman, Director of the Oral History Museum. HB: Since this tape was made, I have contacted members of President Henry Aldous Dixon’s family. I gathered that they felt it would be a little more apropos to have one of the daughters furnish some information concerning President Dixon. Since Phyllis Shaw has been doing very exhaustive research in getting together a history of this great man, she probably should be the one to be interviewed. So I 15 thought it would be well to mention that particular fact, at this point in the taping, even though Mrs. Lucille Dixon was announced as being the one that we would interview. I felt that it would be very appropriate to record the voice of President Henry Aldous Dixon, as well as his lovely wife, upon this tape, since we did not get any tapings of his voice personally while he was still with us. We felt it would be appropriate to extract a taping of his speech at the final rites of Professor Lorenzo E. Peterson several years ago. We feel that this speech was particularly useful, since he gave considerable history concerning Weber State College. So, we will encode this speech on this tape as extracted from the one giving the final services of Professor Peterson. We will also include a tape of President Dixon’s speech and some extracts from his being initiated into the Weber County Hall of Fame. In this particular recording, we will also include the voice of Lucille Knowlden Dixon, President Dixon’s very accomplished wife. So, we will proceed in this order. LD: 4I am most happy to recognize the presence of the Honorable George Dewey Clyde, Governor of the State of Utah. The family has asked, impromptu, that he take a moment or two and express his feelings, sympathy to the family, and a few words relative to the close contact he had with Brother Peterson. May we proceed with the program as announced, with more to be announced at that point. President H. Aldous Dixon. 4 The following is a recording of a speech made previously. Note the speakers are Lucille Dixon, Henry Dixon. 16 HD: Dear brethren, sisters, and friends, about twenty-five years ago, this time of the year, I received a long-distance telephone call. Over the phone I heard the voice say, “This is Lorenzo Peterson. I know you’ve never met me, but could I see you a few minutes after State Board Meeting at the State Capitol Building?” Little did I realize, when I met this prospective teacher of carpenter work, the influence that he would have on my life. In fact, when I look back upon important activities in my life, almost invariably Ren Peterson was there. I can’t think of my own history without including him almost all the way. In fact, Lucille and I thought that it’d be fine for him to talk at my funeral, if he outlived me, which we naturally expected. This dear man, although quiet, friendly, sympathetic and unassuming, was a power—a constructive power—and a real builder if we ever had one in this community. It won’t hurt to review just a few instances of his great foresight and capacity to do constructive things. We looked forward with such great enthusiasm to the opening of our vocation education building. That was before he came to us. And much to our disappointment, it was an out and out failure. We had hardly any students. The parents and the academicians had the feeling that there was no status in teaching a man to become a skilled workman. The academicians said that vocational education wasn’t academically respectable. We still have too much of a hangover of that undemocratic notion, much to the discouragement and thwarting of our youth, where fifty percent are eliminated by the end of their sophomore year. I’ve seen so much of this 17 status idea, and this phony notion. In India, where we have PhDs, unemployed philosophers by the hundreds, with hardly a soul to conduct the work of the country, where they have to import people with know-how in the economy. Other countries are the same way. I hope we soon get rid of this bias—racial bias—and bias in occupations and in status. It’s not the Spirit of the Lord. Ren Peterson had the philosophy; he had the vision. He loved the common people, and they knew it. Not only that, but he was an unmitigated blessing to them. Well, after the first year he came to us as a teacher of carpentry. He said, “I’ll get you some students.” The State had just bought the old central buildings. He said, “Why don’t we employ these boys”—that was during the Depression—“to remodel, to build a Domestic Science Department for Mrs. Tanner, a Domestic Art Department, to make these buildings suitable to our use. Pay these boys. We don’t have to pay them much, they’d work for almost nothing just to be employed.” Half the community was unemployed at that time. And he did. He did that remodeling. He brought us twenty lovely young men, future carpenters. He saved my financial life by suggesting that I ask the Board to let me live in the old house next to the gym. He said, “We can make a kitchen there and make it quite livable for very little money.” The Board was delighted because I was struggling along trying to keep a family of six, in a manner becoming to a president of an institution on $3,400 a year. Many of our 18 faculty weren’t getting $1,200 a year. The most pitiful situation you ever saw. Well, that’s what he did. His department grew like a weed. He had the love like Lincoln did when he signed the bill for the land grant colleges dedicated to the practical and cultural growth of the common man. He helped create that image for Weber College, which makes it such a beloved institution. We started out about that time the night school, our beloved John Benson was the founder, but he was soon taken from us, and Ren was given that responsibility. I can remember years when the night school registration, without the defense training program, would run seventeen and eighteen hundred students right along with the day school registration. He—Dr. Clarke—and I visited Colonel Burman out of Hill Field. Only two or three little shacks on the sand hill. Colonel Burman and Colonel Mindy were sitting by a little coal stove, an old-fashioned stove. They said, our two great problems are to train airplane mechanics—there are only two in the state of Utah as far as we know; and the second problem was to get housing for all the people that were coming to work. We didn’t realize how many were coming to work and what it would involve. But it wasn’t long before Dr. Clarke and Ren were working with Colonel Burman, who later became General Burman, and Colonel Mindy on the Hill Field program. They built a beautiful program for the training of airplane mechanics and other mechanics. We brought George Sanders 19 from Washington, D.C., at government expense to help us, a fine Utah boy. Much to our disappointment, when it was submitted to the top Utah echelons and the military, it received rather a cool reception. We laid it aside, but one night two months later, Colonel Burman got orders to put the Hill Field training program into operation full blast. We took 500 men off relief and started them out. The government paid them fifty dollars a month. They weren’t near enough. We filled all our buildings. We moved over to the armory. We went to every vacant space we could find to teach. The government pressured us so much that we commenced two shifts, and then three shifts. The lights were never turned off for years. Then they needed so much more help that they told us to develop an onthe- job training program. Dr. Clarke and Ren did that. It ended up with us having 145 in the faculty, teaching all these new people, on the job, how to do the work that the government expected of them. Then we went out for a four-year charter. We got it through the House and the Senate, but were heartbroken to have it vetoed. Then we asked the Legislature for a little money for a larger campus. We had a committee of eighty-five fine people of Ogden examine our situation. They said, “The way you’re growing, you never can stay downtown. It’s the wrong environment anyway.” The Legislature wasn’t favorable. The Chamber of Commerce sent Ezra Fjelstead to underwrite $50,000 if the Legislature would give us $50,000. The Legislature couldn’t turn us down, and they said they would match us. We organized the drive and started it 20 for the $50,000. The pressure of the work with the Legislature, the terrible disappointment of losing our four-year bill, the work of organizing the drive, put me on my back with a partial breakdown. But Ren and Dr. Clarke, and the Chamber of Commerce went ahead, and they raised $68,000 in eight days. Four thousand five hundred subscribers in this wonderful community contributed. I don’t think there’s a subscription that reached $1,000. It was the little people that did that work. Well, we trudged through the snow looking for a campus. The real estate people wanted it down at the end of Washington, and we didn’t. They started the rumor that we were speculating in real estate. So they sent a committee to investigate us. Ren had a lot, I had a lot, and six other members of the faculty had a lot up on 36th Street. I’m glad we hadn’t tried to speculate in real estate, or the college wouldn’t have been where it is today. That wonderful man, John M. Mills, gave us an option of 175 acres for $75,000. It was against his best interest, contrary to the feelings of his family and all of his advisors. But we’d given him work when he had been dropped from the city schools for advocating vocational education, and he was appreciative. I’m glad to have an opportunity to say this publicly. He died the day before we took the money to the bank to pay off the contract of sale. So, he personally didn’t benefit by it. We were so poor; when I say “we,” I mean members of the faculty—seven of us had these lots and we were afraid to borrow a dime. Ren said, “We all ought to build homes on those lots.” We paid $400 for 21 the lots, and I think they’re worth $7,500 now. “We all ought to build homes on them.” But we were frightened to death of debt. He says, “I can build a home so cheap it’d astonish you. Start out, and Eddy and I, we’ll help you. You can work Saturdays, you can work in the summertime, on your off hours. It’ll surprise you what you can do.” He not only helped us, but I think we owe to him the fact that we have homes of our own today. We bought one horse, common property, and we plowed—we helped each other dig out the big rocks, and blasted out the large ones. All for one and one for all. We practically lived the United Order. And that same feeling of love and unity and warmth still pervades every household in our neighborhood. I wish that the neighbors had this privilege to express their affection for him today, but I’ll have to do it for him. Well, these are a few of the accomplishments of a great builder. Not only of buildings, of campuses, but of great movements for the common man, throughout Utah and the United States. A builder who received national recognition, was placed as President of the Association for Technical Education for the whole United States, and how justly deserved this honor came to him. The former President of our High Priests’ Quorum said well: Ren was the product of a great home. Meaning his father and mother and brothers and sisters. And he says “Yes, and the result of the work of a dedicated, wonderful wife, and a united family. An unswerving testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and a light of Christian living, which brought love and warmth and happiness to 22 thousands of people.” May our Father in Heaven bless Alma and the children, and all the relatives. May he bless us too, so that we might continue to bestow our affections upon Ren’s lovely home and family is my prayer in Jesus’ name, Amen. HB: This next recording will be wherein President Henry Aldous Dixon was initiated in the Weber County Hall of Fame. We will hear his voice as well as that of his good wife, Lucille Knowlden Dixon. Some very pertinent history of President Dixon appears on this particular tape, whereon he was initiated into the Weber County Hall of Fame. The mayor, Verl Dixon, a relative of President Dixon, spoke on this program, and it is suggested that if additional information is desired about this great man, that this particular tape be referred to, and we do have it catalogued in the Weber State College Library. It should have been noted that President Dixon’s remarks at Lorenzo Peterson’s final service were made in January—I think 24th—1964. He was ushered into the Hall of Fame on April 26, 1966. The first voice that you will hear is that of Bud Favero, Chairman of the Weber County Board of Commissioners. BF: 5President Dixon, on behalf of the Weber County citizens and also the County Commission, we want to honor you this morning. We have this plaque, and we honor you in the Hall of Fame. Congratulations. 5 Note that the following is a speech made previously. The speakers are Bud Favero, Henry Dixon, and Lucille Dixon. 23 HD: Folks, I’m a bit shaken up, and I wonder, Bud, if it would be all right if Lucille just said a word? BF: It would be wonderful. HD: She started all this out. I earned $900 the first year I taught here in 1914, and saved $300 to go on a honeymoon. She said nothing to it, we can go back to Chicago with $300. LD: This occasion was not to honor me, but I want to tell you that I like him, too. Next month, we’ve been married fifty-one years. As I told some friends when we were asked to be the sweethearts of the stake, if you’ll just give us a little time, I’ll find out for sure—we’ll know then whether it’s true love or infatuation. We thank you so much for coming today. It’s certainly a fine feeling to have people come who have been your friends through all these years and are still your friends. We do appreciate you taking time out of your busy life to do it. We’re grateful to all of you for coming today. I’m so happy to think that Daddy’s well enough to come here today, and just hope that he’ll have many years ahead. Things like this come and people say such fine things about him. It just makes me feel bad to think that some people have to get old. Thank you. HD: I feel a little more composed now, but still I don’t know what to call you, or how to address you. So many associates, dear friends, and members of my own family. I just happened to think that I was invited to St. David’s Day banquet in Washington, and was that a gala occasion. Reverend Evans wanted to tell us how much he loved us. He said, “Ladies and 24 gentlemen, I shan’t call you friends, I know you too well!” I’ve written a speech here, which I think is pretty good, but it’s getting quite late, and in Congress when our time runs out we say, Mr. Chairman, I’d like to ask unanimous consent to have my speech included in the record, if that’s agreeable. I must, however, say that my roots are extremely deep in Ogden. We’ve moved away and returned to Ogden eighteen times. That indicates a little of how much we think of you folks, and how wonderful you’ve been to us. Our cousin, Elroy Nelson, met Lucille not long ago; that’s while we were still moving. He says, “Lucille, what are you doing now?” She says, “I’m a career woman.” “Oh? What’s your career?” She says, “I’m a professional mover.” She’s not only that, but so very much more. Behind the wheat is the flour; behind the flour is the mill; and the sun, and the rain, and the Father’s will. I think it’s the Father’s will that I’ve been directed, many times, against my will, to the work that I’ve been called to do. To the friends that I love so much. To the leadership here in Ogden that has been such an inspiration; President McKay, my first employer, among what I’ve learned from him and through his wonderful example. James says lives based on having are much less free than lives based upon doing and being. That surely is true. Lanier says, As long as thine art love shall love, As long as thy science truth shall know, As long as thine eagle shall harm no dove, 25 As long as thy law by law shall grow. HB: How appropriate. As long as thy God is God above, Thy brother every man here below, So long, dear land of all my love, Thy name shall shine, and thy fame shall glow. I see before me people here who are carrying that out with all their heart. Bless them, and may they continue. I’m so appreciative for this honor. Honest, it really touches my heart. It will possibly be the crowning feature of my life, although I hope to do a lot more other things. I had a wonderful music teacher, Tony Lund, later led the Tabernacle Choir, and I met him on the street in Salt Lake. He’d been terribly sick, he could hardly walk. I said, “My, Tony, I’m glad to see you.” He said, “Guess where I’ve been?” I said, “I don’t know.” He said, “Well, they had me for dead, didn’t they.” I said, “Yes.” “Well, I’ve been to the Tribune and the news to see what they wrote about me. Neither of the darn fools’d let me read it.” HB: This is about all to be included. Concluding, is a special tape tribute to President Dixon from Mr. Curtis, of the station KSL: “… distinguished public servant this week, in the death of Henry Aldous Dixon. Here was a man who lived life successfully because he loved it. He loved people, and was a keen student of human nature.”