Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-13
IS NO OPPOSITION IN CONVENTION
Chosen Grand Exalted Ruler Of Grand
Lodge by AcClamatisp.
KENTUCKY NAN GRAND LEADING KNIGHT
Denver Nan Elected to Position Of Grand
Loyal Knight
FIGHT FOR NEXT PLACE OF MEETING
Contest NRrrOws Down 70 Baltimore
ana Saratoga Springs, with
Chances Seemingly in
Baltimore'a Favor.

nalthnure-a EaNoEs
SALT LAKE CITY. Aug. i9.--Utah and
Salt Lake City extended a royal welcome to
the hosts of visiting Elks at the Mormon
tabernacle today. Facing many thousands
Of faces Of that fraternity. representatives
OF every section OF the country. Judge o.
W. Powers Of Salt Lake City bade them
welcome to the city and ell It contained,
while Governor Heber M. Wells laid e..iSre
them as their own the state OF UtGA and
the riches thereof. The meeting which fol-
lowed an immense military and civic parade
marked the formal opening OF the annual
reunion of the grand lodge Of Elks and was
attended by Elks in such numbers that even
the capacity of the great hall Of worship was
taxed to the utmost. Eiks were present
from practically every state in the union
and even the Hawaiian islands we're repre-
sented. Probably $4,000 visiting Elks are
in Salt Iase City tonight. forming, accord
ing to EXALTED Grand Ruler Pickett one of
the brat and most representative gather
ings OF the fraternity he had ever seen.
The meeting of the grand lodge was held
in assembly hall this afternoon and after
the annual report of Grand Exalted Ruler
Pickett had been delivered and other re-
pOIlb pINncHlbN Nut citCtlOu Oh kTduu uin-
GERS for the ensuing year was taken up,
This resulted as follows;
Grand Exalted Ruler-George p. cronk,
Omaha.
Grand Leading xnight~-w. B. Brock,
Lexington, KY.
Grand Loyal KnIght--Judge A. H. PiAN-
ems. Denver.
Grand Lecturing Knight--Joseph E. Hen
ming, Anderson. Ind
Grand secretary--George Reynolds, Sag
inaw. Mich.
oraad Treasurer--E. S. orris, Msadville.
Pa.
Grand Tylor-4Charlss Kaufman. HobOken.
N. J.
Grand Trustee--J. d. o'shea, Boston.
Most OF the elections were by acclama-
tion. there being contests for only one OF
the minor Offices.
Grand Exalted Ruler Pickett took strong
grounds against the growing practice Of
holding street carnivals and fairs. These
enterprises. he held, we're more prodactivs
Of harm than good to the crdei and he rec
cmmended that they be either regulated or
altogether prohibited.
The report of the secretary showed the
order TO be in an exceedingly prosperous
condition. An increase In membership OF
bUOul <OtVOO uuIluk hlnb Qbbl year was
shown. bringing the total up to about 1885,
900. The number Of Elk lodges in the
United States was reported at e06, an in
crease Of eighty-hve during the year. This
without effort to increase either the mem
bership or number Of lodges. The treas
urer's report showed the organization to
be very prosperous financially.
An adjourned session Of the grand lodge
was held this evening at which a number
OF minor reports were heard and other
routine business disposed Of
At tomorrow afternoons meeting Of the
grand lodge the most interesting hght OF
the reunion viii take place. whom the the
question OF the zext annual meeting place
win be decided. Baltimore and Saratoga
Springs are making vigorous fight for the
honor and the result cannot be forecasted.
Visiting Elks not members OF the grand
lodge spent the day in sightseeing. Thou
sands journeyed to saltair and bathed In
the brine of that inland sea. while other
pleasure resorts were congested with the
numbers that visited them.
Speech of Grand Exalted Ruler.
The exercises at the Auditorium were
brief. though impressive. After prayer and
q selection on the great organ Grand Ex-
allied Ruler Pickett Of Waterloo, la, deliv-
cred his annual address. He spoke In part
as follows:
There Is among all the forces of civiliza-
ton an Independence ana close relation
ship. An analysis of progress reveals a
broadening In all human thought. The
definition or freedom is being enlarged In
scope and comprehension AZ the years go
by. The emancipated seem anxious 10
atone for the bigotry OF former times. On
every side may be seen the manifestation
OF a higher life, a broader thought, more
humane conception Of the dutiea OF man to
man.
In perfect harmony and sympathy with
the Influences that have wrou ght these
wonderful changes, and keeping step with
the grand army of progress, stands today
the Benevolent and Protective Order OF
Elks. Blkdom should commend itself to
many-Alded order. 1t has no prototype. II
Is an American order Born beneath the
stars and stripes OF our own republic, I'm
every instinct Il Is American. tta tAra-
mount principles are symbolical OF our poo-
pie. Charity without ostentation Is the
a higher charity. Charity In speech. In
conduct, in friendship In love, IN all the
relations OF man to man.
The portals OF Elkdom are thrown wide
20 all manly applicants. IL draws no dis
tinctions. In the republicanism OF our gov
all are equal Our order Is constructive
and not destructive. The spirit OF icono-
ciasm dwells not within It's circle. Il mo-
Tests no temple, -deaecrates no altar, pro-
fanes no sanctuary. IL robs no man OF It's
faith, attacks no creed. criticises no sect
! friendship, lie golden rule the love or fell
! lowmen, which embraces and includes
within itself the best the nobloat the
truest impulses OF the human heart