The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-04-25
AN INFORMAL RECEPTION
Vice President Palmer Welcomes the
Order of Elks in the Name Of the Re-
ception Committee-Exalted Ruler
Harper Responds.

1Opkips, past grand master OF the
knights Templars Of the United States,
and tho good fellowship of a generous
delegation OF the Elks added TO the pleas
ure of the evening and money flowed into
the Golfers OF The fair committee in un-
precedcnted amounts.
Ii was the most successful night that
has yet been experienced at the fair.
The fair seems TO have been taken up
as a fad by the people of the city. and
each night they stream to the great
buildings in immense numbers. The ef-
feet of the continued drafts of the money
spenGers is beginning to be evident at
many of the booths. and the vacancies that
have been caused by the sale of the vari-
GUS articles are being filled in with re-
freshmen counters and other devices.
Commissioners Early Arrivals.
Last night, from the time the doors
opened until well toward midnight, there
was a constant fotsam and jetsam. The
Commissioners of the District were
among the early arrivals, and were re-
ceived in the room in the annex set apart
for that purpose.
After an exchange of courtesies. under
the escort OF the president, the director
general. Harry Stamford; the assistant
director general. General johnson. and
many OF the members of the reception
and executive committees. they were es-
corted through the buildings. In every
thing they saw they evidenced the great
est interest and readily responded 10 the
entreaties OF the many beautiful young
women who importuned them to take a
chance in this or give vote for this or
that article.
Commissioner Henry B. +. mcfarland
was in the lead of the party. with Com
missioner John W. Ross following and
Engineer Commissioner Major John Bid
die completing the triumyirate of the
District government.
They visited the Mount Vernon Ma
sonic Museum and inspected that liberal
assortment OF nade-to-order freaks
gaZed upon the moving pictures as Of
fered by y. b. French Lodge at the ad-
Joining space. and were liberal patrons at
2 number of the booths As they halted
at the booth of the director general the
hremen on duty at the hall were drawn
up In line by Senior Assistant Chief Belt
and remained at attention Till the Com
missioners had passed.
From there they went to the dancing
palace of Harmony Lodge, in the annex,
where they witnessed an excellent cake
walk by the ducky members of the TWEEN
tieth Century Cakewalk Club that have
been brought direct from Youngs pier at
Atlantic City for the engagement at the
palace. The Commissioners were much
pleased with the entertainment.
During the evening they were also es-
corted 10 the baDdstsnd, where they were
given the opportunity to get good view
OF the hall and Of the interesting crowd
below. There were no formalities of any
kind and no speechmaking.
Escorted by Haley's Band.
The EIks arrived at the hall about $50
O'Clock, and were escorted about the hall
by Haleys Band, after which the officers
Of the order assembled the platform and
were met by Vice President Samuel C.
Palmer, of the executive committee who
In the absence of Col Z. B. Hay, the ora
tor of the evening. in his capacity as act
ing chairman OF the reception committee
extended the welcome. Mr.. Palmer's re-
marks were short, but to the point. He
said:
Exalted Ruler and members OF the Be-
ney0lent and Protective Order of Elks:
In the absence OF Past Exalted Ruler Ed
ward B. Hay. who was deputized to per-
form the duty OF welcoming you to the
hall, il becomes my duty as acting chair
man OF the committee on reception of Wis
itors to welcome you to the Masonic fair
ard exposition of 1902.
I'VE hope that you gentlemen will carry
away with you pleasant remembrance of
the evening. and that your pocketbooks
will be lightened by the Efforts of the at
tendants."
The remarks were listened TO attentive
ly by those who were near enough TO
catch the sound OF Mr.. Palmer's voice
above the din of the conglomorate noises
on the floor of the hall. In response
Exalted Ruler 7. ID. Harper. OF the Wash
ington Lodge of Elks, stepped forward
and said
We thank you for the kind invitation
in response TO which we are here in
goodly numbers tonight. and assure you
that we are pleased to be with you this
evening. II viii be our pleasure to add
our mite TO the noble cause in which you
are engaged.
Permit me 20 decorate you with a
ladge Of the Order OF E1lks and to again
thank you
With this Mr. Harper stepped forward
and pinned a neat blue ribbon suitably in
scribed for the occasion uporsl he lapel of
Mr.. Palmer's coat. This concluded the
ceremonies, and after an exchange of
friendly greeting the members OF the or
der scattered through the crowd and set
themselves about the task of emptying
their pockets OF all available cash. In this
effort they are said to have been most
successful.
Among the officers OF the order upon
the stand in addition 10 Exalted Ruler
Harper. was Esteemed Leading knight
Robert z. Mitchell. Assistant Loyal
knight Charles Utermehle. Assistant Lee
turing knight Jesse Jackson, Treasurer
II. G. Mccormick. Secretary Richard A.
o'Brien, Tyler Benjamin Whitney, Inner
Guard James Watson, Chaplain Rev.
Joseph Specbt, and Esquire Jacob Held.
Colonel Urell George 4. Mason. and
Joseph Burkhardt were also upon the re-
ceiying stand with the party.
Reception to Grand Master Hopkins.
Following the reception to the Elks
the members OF the receiving committee
were called TO the reception room, where
they Joined with the members of the
Grand Lodge In extending n cordial well
come TO Hon. James II. Hopkins. the past
grand master Of the knights Templars of
the United States. Mr.. Hopkins was es-
corted about the hall by the several
committees. and Joined in the festivities
OF the evening with unconcealed pleasure.
The Houdon life mask Of Gen. George
Washington was an exhibit of great In
room discussing the relic and its his
Tory with Mr.. c. W Edwards, the owner
OF the mask, for some time.
Much interest is evidenced In the pro- |
gram for this evening. The Odd Fellows
n Al. NJ JAIN Eah xr-,n I.aI