Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-07-25
THE ELKs DISPUTE,

lively dispute is IN progress oNfI
the contemplated pugilstlc entertain
ment, announced TO take place during
the time Of the Elks' Carnival II our
readers have perused the correspond
ence on this subject between the local
executive committee and the Grand
Exalted Ruler" they will understand
the situation so far as It relates TO
The Order and it's regulations a great
effort is being made to suppress, for the
time being at any rate, the prize fight
or boxing contest arranged by Messrs'
Mulyey and Hynes as an attraction OF
the great August gathering. This we
regard as quite proper, and for the benz
eft and reputation OF the y, p. .. ~
we hope II will prevail.
There is q general impression In these
parts and some others, that the order
az Elks Is a rolllcking registering ana
sporting institution; that It is organized
for the special purpose Of giving Its
members what is popularity known as
IA good time" that signifying all Kinds
Of feasting drinking and other diver
sions, some OF them not Of the most
respectable character. However falla-
cious this may be, the idea has gone
abroad, and II the flstlcuhs arrange
ment, billed as feature OF the carni-
val comes off as intended 1t
viii aid very largely in giving
color to the popular notion.
In visiting towns and cities on the
Pacific slope this writer met a number
OF pleasant and most respectable gem
tlemen, moving In the best society, who
expressed their intention Of coming to
Salt Lake 10 attend the carnival A
large number Of them stated that they
were Ellls themselves. and proceeded TO
explain that the term "The best people
on earth" was rightly applied to that
Order. They declared that the sup
posed distinguishing features Of the in
stitutlon were really in opposition to It's
spirit and design; that It is benevolent
and protective in its character and Its
rules are preseryative Of law and order,
and that e does not countenance any
thing Of the kind suggested by persons
unacqualnted with It's spirit. One of the
most gentemanly, respectable and CO.
tlmabe members Of the company, tray
cling as the Utah Press association,
was recognized as an Elk, and he too
dlsclalmed entirely all the features
which have been said TO be character
istlc Of the organization.
Now, in view Of all this, would II not
be advisable for the parties concerned
IN the getting up OF the boxing encoun-
ter seeing that they are members Of
this organization, and that their
connection with 1t Will give |
rise to the impression that the |
contest is really part and |
partial Of the proceedings OF the car
nlval, TO postpone 1t to some other |
time and occasion, and thus relieve the
organization Of the odlum which win /,
attach TO It II the matter Is allowed /
TO go on? Would It not be wise, for
the sake Of the society. that the past
Exalted Ruler" Of the local lodge, |
and other members, should concede a
point or two and thus promote har-
mony among themselves, and save a
contention which is likely TO involve
'he authority OF the civil law as well
os that of the order itself in a national
capacity?
Under the present city ordinances
and the manner of their execution,
boxing contests have been permitted
without cny interference on the part
Of the police, We do not think the pro-
jectors Of the proposed encounter can,
with reason, be forced to forego their
contract and arrangement, unless they
insist upon making Il appear that the
fight is part Of the carnival or under
the auspices OF the Elks. This we un-
derstand they do not claim. Coercion,
therefore, does not seem 10 be the right
method Of procedure in this case, but
wisdom would suggest that the pro-
motors and the DIRECTORS get together
in a friendly way and settle this mat
ter, on a mutual understanding for the
benefit Of their order and the satlsfac-
ton OF the public, large majority Of
whom would be much pleased Il the
hstc encounter were cut out Of the
fcnIiuItIna dining Tho cnrnirnl