The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-28
ELKS ADJOURN.
Largest and Most successful Meet.
ing of Grand Lodge Ends.

Baltimore. July 23.-What many of
the members of the grand lodge of
Benevolent and Protective Order of
Elks claim to have been the largest and
most successful grand lodge meeting in
the history Of the organization closed
this evening. There were 1864 grand
lodge members in the city, and a great
majority attended every business ses-
sion. The nearest approach to this
number is said to have beer at the
Milwaukee reunion in 1901. when there
were 720 present.
There were two sessions Of the grand
lodge today, at the first of which only
routine matters were discussed. At tn
evening session, it was decided to re-
store its charter to the Macon. Ga,
lodge, the charter committee having
reported favorably on the application
after thorough investigation Of the
charges against the lodge. The COM
mittee on ritual was not prepared to
report all the changes proposed in the
ritual. and the matter was carried over
the committee being instructed to re-
port a complete ritual when it is agree,
upon. A resolution was adopted dis
couraging the throwing of confetti dur
ing future grand lodge meetings. 1t is
SdlQ THAI HldIly VI the more cOnS6rVa-
tive members urge the aoption Of this
resolution.
Resolutions of thanks an commenda-
ton to the local lodge. to the mayor
and city council Of Baltimore, and to
the merchants and people generally
upon "the magnificent reception, cleo
trical and other displays. and for the
hospitality shown visiting Elks during
the week were adopted.
The installation of officers followed,
each outgoing and incoming officer de-
livering a short address. Grand Exalt-
ed Ruler Joseph T. Tanning Of Indian
apolis, then declared ~, grand lodge
adjourned sine die to meet in Cincin-
natl, O., next year, and to the strains
Maryland, My Maryland" the grand
lodge members dispersed nearly all
singing the anthem, as they left the
hall.
Tonight is given up to Notification by
the Elks, visitors and citizens. Bands
are parading the streets and HELLO
Bill" the shibboleth Of the order. is
heard on every side.
Many of the visitors. especially from
the southern and western states will
leave here tomorrow and Saturday for
northern trips. taking in Boston. New
York. Philadelphia m Atlantic City.
Those from different points who de-
sires to see the national capital, have
lSllCu dSlllIlSlol uuIlIlS Tie week.
Today 10000 Elks went tt Rochester
Beach to participate lin a crab feast
which had been prepared for them bv
the local lodge. 1t required five bay
steamers n two sam1ler vessels to
transport the great throng to the
beach. The resort was reserved eXclu-
sively for the visiting Elks< today and
none eXcen+ Elks We're allowed to par
ticipate in the excursion.
The last steamer to arrive from Toll
chester Beach reached her pier at mid
night. General "Cateroy,' Thomas Nc
Nulty, of this city who planned the
feast. stated tonight that the crowd
Of visitors numbered no fewer than
twenty thousand persons many pri-
vate yachts and equipages swelled the
number taken to the beach by the Bal
timOre steamers. Crabs with concomi-
tants were served in every conceivable
style. He estimates that at least Co.
600 dozens of crabs We're eaten during
the day. At midnight nearly all the
strangers in the city retired to their
hotels n streets are practically de-
sorted