The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-13
FUN AT THE ELKS' BANQUET.
The Nineteenth Anniversary Ceie-
brnted at Masonic Temple.

Nearly four hundred members OF the
their guests last night at Masonic Temple
Hall, celebrated the nineteenth anniver-
sary of the formation of that organiza-
ton. With feast. frivolity, and fraternity
the occasion was commemorated and an
other ring was added TO the antlers amid
scene which will make the annual ban
quet Of 1901 long remembered as a brill
liant event in the annals Of the order. The
Elks are Justly famed for their social en-
tertainments and the dinner OF last night
was no exception save that it exceeded
all former efforts.
When the banqueters had seated them
selves about the festal board. and before
the edib!es had begun to disappear. Ex-
allied Ruler Edward J. Shine arose and de-
livered an address Of welcome, and con-
cIuded by calling Brother William Dick
son TO the chair TO act as postmaster. He
started the ball of merriment rolling with
characteristic speech Astounding in good
humor and good fellowship. The first in
novation and interruption OF the meal
came when Brother J. c. Maxwell arose,
and with much seriousness protested
against the ingredients of the chicken
salad Instantly from all over the hall
there we're signs of dsapproval Of his
criticism. and to settle the matter it was
found necessary to bring in a live crow
ing specimen of the poultry yard to con-
Vice the epicure that the concomitanis
of the dish were all that they should be.
While the dinner was still in progress an
other brother distributed comic valentines
appropriate to the shortcomings and
idiosyncrasies Of the diners With SINH
lar innovations the round Of merTlmeut
was made continuous.
The serious part of the programme was
the address of Col. Ed Hay, who spoke to
the toast Our Lodge He referred 10
the organization OF the lodge nineteen
years ago with forty-one charter mem
bers. but nine of whom now remain. Nine
teen years forward. he said, seems long
time but nineteen years backward seems
but as yesterday.
The order. he stated. had numbered
among its members many men of cistinc-
ton SHOW me a man of fraternity he
declared. "and ! will show you an rnsel-
fish man: show me an unselfsh man and l
will show you brave man; show me
brave man and | will show you gallant
man In an unseiiish, brave. and gallant
man you have all the essentials which go
to make the perfect man. This OrEaniza-
ton was formed on the anniversary OF
the natal day of him whose privilege II
was to advance the principles upon when
our forefathers founded the nation. As
Washington was the Father of his Ccun-
try so was Abraham Lincoln. the man
of humble birth. its savior. When the
ledge was organized there were not 5000
members in all the country, now the NOM
bership is more than $4,000. with learly
200 lodges"
Colonel Hay traced the growth aud d.
velopments of the Elks. and lauded the
cardinal principles of the order, charity,
Justice. brotherly love, and fidelity.
As the hour of II was struck and the
strains of 'sAuld Lang Syne' sung by the
entire body died away the toast to the
absent brothers was drunk standing and
in silence. The climax Of fun was reached