The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-15
ORDER OF ELKS
GRAND L0GDE
GRAND EXALTED RULER DELlv-
ERs ANNUAL ADDRESS.
CIVIC AND MILITARY PARADE
Great Mormon Tabernacle Filled to
Overlooking by People Clad in
Purple and White.

Salt Lake, Aug. 12.-Elks from ev-
cry state in the union, thousands of
them, gathered in the great tabernacle
of the Mormon church this morning
to attend the formal opening Of the
annual reunion of the grand lodge of
Elks. The immense oval structure
seats over 5000 people, but many
more than that, a large portion clad
in the white and purple uniform of
the order, were crowded into the audi
forum when Hon. O.. w. Powers of
Salt Lake, as master of ceremonies,
called the meeting to order and intro
duced Governor Heber M. Wells of
Utah, who delivered the opening
speech of welcome to the visiting
Elks. I
All night long and all day train
leads of Elks continued to arrive, I'M
til the wide streets of the city resem-
bled a kaleidoscope in color, the pur-
pie and white uniforms of the march
ing Elks, the uniformed bands with
the banners, the miles of bunting
in the royal purple of the Elks and
the national colors forming a striking
picture. It vas estimated today that
nearly 10000 visitors were in the city,
Civic and Military Parade.
Preceding the open meeting at the
tabernacle was the civic and military
parade, which marked the formal
opening of the three days reunion.
In this were included a battalion of
the Twelfth United States infantry
and the Twelfth and Twenty-second
batteries of artillery, stationed at
Fort Douglas, in command of Colonel
J.. w. Bubb, a battalion of the First
infantry, troops A, First cavalry and
battery A, light artillery N. G. u, uni
Elks and dozens of other civic, mill
tary and fraternal organizations in
uniform, accompanied by a score of
bands and many picturesque floats.
Perfect weather greeted the visitors.
Last nights rain had laid the dust
and cooled the atmosphere and a
cool breeze from the canyons made
conditions perfect for the parade,
which was witnessed by thousands,
the crowds forming a solid mass on
both sides of the streets along the
whole line of parade.
The exercises at the auditorium
were brief, though impressive. After
prayer and a selection on the immense
auditorium organ, the second largest
in the world. Grand Exalted Ruler
Pickett of Waterloo, Ia, was introduce
ed and delivered his annual address.
He spoke in part as follows:
Pickett's Speech.
after preaching the gospel of Elk
dom at frequent intervals during the
year past, it might seem that the sub
ject would become a trite one. It is
said by those who have been privileg-
ed to gaze upon the works of the
great masters that the longer you be-
hold them, the more you compare
them with other works of art, the
more beauties are unfolded to your
eyes. The more l study the birth
and history and principles of Elkdom,
the more | compare it with other great
civic organizations, the more I see in
1t is not for the passing day. 1t has
a permanent abiding place among the
enduring forces of progress. The CEN
turtles preceding made it possible. 1t
was f~oreordained by the irresistible
logic of human advancement. The
time was ripe for it's birth. Over it's
cradle destiny waved its prophetic
wand and the myriad of invisible
voices Of the future rang forth in
glorious anthem Hail, Hail, Hail.
There is among all the forces of
civilization. an independence and
close relationship. An analysis of
progress reveals a broadening in all
human thought. The definition of
freedom is being enlarged in scope
and comprehension as the years go
by. The emanicipated seem anxious
to atone for the bigotry of former
times. On every side may be seen
the manifestation of a higher life, a
broader thought and a more hu.
name cOncention of the relations of