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The
1947 Friendship Train in Utah The Friendship Train arrived in Ogden, its only stop in the Beehive state, at noon November 10, 1947. Local bands from Weber College, Ogden High School, and Weber Country High School heralded this unique occasion. Local radio station KLO recorded the ceremony and broadcast it at 7:30 that evening. As was customary, governors and sometimes mayors joined the train in advance of its arrival in the state, thereby enhancing the excitement and personal feeling of the Friendship Train. Mayor Romney, who was also chairman of the Ogden Friendship Train committee, had flown to Reno Sunday evening so that he could ride the train to Ogden. Drew Pearson, also there, speaking through a plethora of microphones, stated that the most important facet of the train was that all donations came from the American people and that Europeans should be make aware of that fact. Gov. Herbert E. Maw presented Utah’s three Friendship Train cars. The contributions included one carload of wheat from the of Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints; one carload of wheat from most of the Lions Clubs within Utah; and one carload of evaporated milk collected from general donations. Also at this stop three boxcars from other states were attached, a carload of what from Burley, ID, a carload of flour from Salem and Halsey, ID, and one of flour from Los Angeles. Collecting food and money for the contributions was problematic as the leaders had had only a 48-hour notice. The chairman of the Ogden committee was S. C. Steward. The assistant chair was Ted Kirkmeyer. The Salt Lake City Jr. Chamber of Commerce had urged citizens to contribute money so that they could purchase a carload of grain before the train arrived. However, they had donated only $333, and according to Campaign Chairman G. Clifford Juhlin, a decision would later be made whether to return the money or use it to purchase Care Packages. The Lions Clubs had lent $3,380 to the Utah districts 28-A and 28- in southern Utah so that they could donate. Other Utah communities seem to have been aware of the train but did not donate or did not even know that their state was included in the national effort. For example, The Reading Eagle of November 13, 1947, reported that the Friendship Train was heading for Green River, Wyoming. The Vernal Express of that same date noted that the train had left Los Angeles and was expected to have 70 or 80 cars by the time it left New York. The Richfield Reaper on the same day stated that the Elsinore Lions Club members would each give $1.00 toward the purchase of wheat. These newspapers reflect a nearly complete detachment from the Friendship Train or at most, a faint interest. The pride and enthusiasm of most, if not all, of other states is absent in almost all of Utah. The reason for the lack of eagerness may be accounted for by the short notice Utah received, but a more cogent point is that the L.D.S. through its welfare organizations had already shipped 85 cars of food and clothing to Europe. This generous donation was conducted earlier than the formation of the Friendship Train and may account for the relatively small campaign in Utah. The author welcomes any additional information which would add to this state's history. |
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