The San Francisco call., 1904-09-21
DAY
PRONOUNCED
BIG SUCCESS
Corps Makes
a Splendid
Showing.
Uniformed Ladies
Apt Students
of Tactics.


Mechanics Pavilion was crowded %
its utmost capacity last night during
the reception rendered by the officers
Of Rebekah day. So great did the audi
ence become that AT o'clock the police
were obliged 10 issue orders that no
more persons be allowed in the gal
leries. At that hour there were at least
1000 persons in the galleries and 5000
more on the main floor.
Past Grand Sire Goodwin. who ar
rived early and watched the rapidly
growing crowds with intense interest.
remarked that California always does
things on a large scale. and this at
tendance proves it," Mrs. Dora Gard
ner, State president Of the Rebekah
Assembly, was more than satisfied with
the result OF the efforts OF the ladies OF
the order 10 make Rebekah day a grand
success. Mrs. Gardner said that she
knew that there would be a large at
tendance. but she did not expect 70
have this big building crowded 10 suf-
location"
Sure enough, il was warm and sitting
in the galleries. Several ladies grew
weak from the effects Of the oppressive
one who had TO leave the building But
there is nothing that succeeds like sue
cess, and faint-hearted men and light
headed women did not initiate in the
least against the one result TO be de-
sired. viz, a splendid record for the
women Of Odd Fellowship
The evenings entertainment was
opened with a musical selection by the
orchestra. afJer which President W. ~.
Watson. P. G. NJ. and past grand rep
resentative. called the Rebekahs TO or
der with a few appropriate remarks
about women as a factor in promoting
just such big events as were transpir-
ing. President Watson introduced
State President Mrs. Gardner. who then
addressed the audience and told them
something Of the success Of the Order
of Rebekahs. their mission in life and
the good that they have accomplished,
individually and collectively.
GROWTH OF ORDER
Mrs. Gardner spoke of the beneficiary
system inaugurated by the order. of
the protection afforded the widows ana
orphans and the maintenance of the
home Of the order at GilrOy.
Twenty-Five thousand sisters were
enrolled on the lodge books and in ten
years this number will have been in
creased two fold 1t has been demon
strated in late years that the Rebekahs
have been growing at a much greater
ratio than in the early periods Of their
existence.
Past Grand Sire Gardner was intro
duced after Mrs. Gardner had finished
her address and he played the gallant
very successfully with the ladies.
Some wholesome words Of advice with
a little well-handled fattery won many
a feminine nod OF approval for the
pOrtly gentleman from Atlanta Past
Grand Sire Goodwin spoke OF the CO.
operation of the women OF Odd Fellow
ism. their untiring efforts 10 assist in
prOnul eating the sentiment that has
made Odd Fellowship a permanency
among fraternal societies
Fifty-tl1ree years OF cooperation
have won a distinctive place in the or
der for the women members. the Re
bekahs- Purity Of purpose and ef-
fective legislation have been the out
come Of the assistance Of the hand that
rocks the cradle and rules the world
The speaker referred 10 California
and praised San Francisco ard the
State for their generosity. He spoke
of the splendid reception accorded
members Of the Sovereign Grand Lodge
by the people OF the city and said that
he had heard that San Francisco never
did anything halfway. and now he
was convinced Of the absolute truth or
the statement.
DRILL BY REBEKAHS.
Mrs Caroline A Hoxett Of Gilroy
read an original poem dedicated to the
Rebekahs, and in the meanwhile the
officers OF the day were busy preparing
the guests for the surprise Of the even
ing-the- drill of the San Francisco
Drill Corps. consisting OF twenty-five
uniformed ladies. The officers OF the
day were Mrs. Flora Bergman, Mrs
Mary E. DOnOhO. Mrs Z NJ cyrus ana
Mrs. Bessie D. Moore.
CAPTAIN Allie Parker certainly had
reason TO be proud of her trim looking
SQUAD of cadets The corps entered
,Ipon the main floor in column Of three,
and after passing once around the
building formed company front at the
grand stand, where they executed the
manual OF arms. or swords, Tor the edl-
fcation and amusement OF Past Grand
Sire Goodwin and his attendants The
ladies of the corps were dressed 10
shorr blue dresses trimmed with white
! braid Their cadet caps were OF white
and their high-tOp shoes were laced
with white laces. The effect was very
pleasing. ...
Every movement was executed Win
precision. and the breaking OF the COM
many from column OF threes into col
urnn of skies and back again 10 column
~ tbrees was particularly well done
Right BY files and by the right and
left flank into company 'front.' Drought
forth great applause. but the prettiest
-,.o1-enoonts were those Of the fancy
drill. when the corps showed what II
could do in forming crosses, wheeling
about their right guide and executing
reversing circles
The drill corps held the attention Of
the audience for more than half an
hour. Tonight the Washington and
sacrau,ento cantOns will give exhibition
drills. and judgment may be passed on