Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-07-20
ELks IN SESSION.
Holding Forth in ANIMAL Convention at
Cincinnati.


ness sessions OF the grand lodge of the
Benevolent and Protective Order Of
Elks began here, today. There was an
organ recital for an hour in Music hall
preceding the opening session. There
were also many parades in escorting
visitors from the depot and the grand
exalted officers and others to Music
hall.
The public session at which addresses
were made by August Hermann. ex-
allied ruler Of the Cincinnati Lodge and
chairman Of the committee on arrange
mepts. Mayor Fleischmann and Gov.
Herrick with a response by Grand Ex-
allied Ruler Joseph T. flaming. Of In
dianapolis. were also largely composed
OF musical numbers.
There are a number Of contests for
oflicial positions.
The annual address of Grand Exalted
Ruler Tanning was a strong appeal for
q conservative policy for elevatins
rather than increasing the membership.
for sincerity rather than display in be-
nevolence, and for energetic protective
work.
The grand treasurer reported $133, 900
on hand at the end of the fiscal year.
June 1, with other assets making 10
tai Of 3140.s3s.
The grand secretary reported 316.354
raised for the Baltimore lodge. but Bal
tfmore did not want it and it was re-
turned to the contributors.
Last year there were five lodges with
over 1000 members. This year there are
six-Brooklyn. New York, Detroit. Phil
adelphia, Louisville and Chicago in The
order named. There are lodges now In
S34 cities, IS dispensations having been
granted the past year. The state of
New York made the greatest gain In
membership, although Illinois institut-
ed the largest number Of new lodges.
There has been various rumors re-
Rarding the absence Of Grand Secre-
tary Reynolds of Saginaw. and his an
nouncement that he was not candi-
date for reelection, but the climax
came, this afternoon. previous to the
election. when Retiring Exalted Ruler.
Tanning most severely criticised his adj
ministration Of the Office and caused
a sensation In denouncing certain fea-
lures of it. The retiring exalted ruler
In referring to Grand Secretary Rey-
nolds said:
In attempting prompt and proper
enforcement of business methods the
grand secretary proved most disap-
pointing obstacle, so much SO that dur
ing the year 1t became necessary for
your grand exalted ruler, with the help
OF the board or trustees, to act In en-
tire independence Of that official. This.
in truth, was the only thing to be done,
and by adopting such means, while
conditions were none the less to be de-
plOred our interests were protected to
the extent Of our ability and the au-
thority vested in the grand exalted rul-
er and grand trustees. In instances
that cannot be reached and controlled
by US, business was inexcusably al
lowed to stagnate, written instructions
were ignored and expenditures were
unnecessarily increased. Some two
weeks ago, or about July 5. upon infor-
nation of the grand secretary, who was
still unqualified for duty. and realizing
that the interests OF the order SC de-
manded. the grand exalted ruler. act
ing with the grand trustees in empow-
ering the chairman Of the auditing
committee to proceed to Saginaw and
there render all necessary assistance in
completing and arranging the records
and accounts and other official papers
In the grand seCretary's Office in form
for report to this session Of the grand
lodge.
so fragrant and continuous has been
the grand secretary's disregard Of duty.
that had 1t not been for the harmful
consequence inevitable to the order.
he would have been removed from Of
fee"
Grand Treasurer Samuel H. Needs, in
his report. criticised the financial sys-
tenn Of the order. He suggested that
the various committees should be called
together by the grand exalted ruler.
who should be held responsible for the
business transacted and expense COM
ing from such meetings.
The treasurer referred to banquet
rendered the grand exalted ruler by the
New York Lodge. No. 1. Feb. is. On
that occasion IA members of the Grand
Lodge attended the meeting and turned
in bills amounting to 1850. The treas
urer also criticised the statement of in
dividual expenses of those who attend
ed the Baltimore reunion.