Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-07-20
THE ELKS.

William }. ~ Brien, Jr., oil bHumore,
was yesterday evening elected Grand
Exalted Ruler of the Elks by MAORI
ty of $40 votes at Cincinnati, where the
Grand Lodge is in session.
j. r.. Tener of Charlevoi, Pa, was elect
ed grand treasurer.
While the delegates were engaged in
the continuous sessions yesterday, there
was much agitation among the visiting
Elks over the exposures in the annual re-
port about the alleged extravaganza in the
expenses of certain general officers and
the discrepancies between the different
reports. The secretary rported the ex-
penses Of the grand exalted ruler of the
grand exalted ruler as IS, 704, and the
treasurer's report of the same was S.,
S5S. The grand secretary reported his
own expenses for the year as Sc, 500,
and the treasurer's report of the same
was SS,S5S. The grand secretary report
ed his own expenses for the year as
SO, SOB and the treasurer's report of the
same was for SS,614. Grand Treasurer
Needs reported his own expenses at $414
while the secretary records the expenses
of needs as only S97. 1t is explained
that these discrepancies are due to the
incomplete condition of the records in
the Office of Grand Secretary Reynolds.
Retiring Grand Exalted Ruler Fan
ming in referring to Grand Secretary
Reynolds, said:
'In attempting prompt and proper
enforcement of business methods, the
grand secretary proved most disappoint-
ed obstacle, so much so that during the
year it became necessary for your grand
exalted ruler, with the help of the board
of grand trustees, to act in entire inde-
pendence Of that official. So fragrant
and continuous has been the grand sec
retary's disregard of duty that, had it
not been for the harmful consequences
inevitable to the order, he would have
been removed from Office"
Grand Treasurer Samuel H. Needs in
his report criticised the financial system
of the order.
Cincinnati, July 20.-The parade
was the feature Of the Elks convention
today. The weather was ideal. The
bands were numerous, and there were
continuous strains of music from the
start to the finish. The parade WIS led
by August Hermann, Exalted Ruler Iof
Cincinnati Lodge, who drove pair Of
tame elks. There were about IS lodges
in line, and their costumes ELECTED un-
stinted applause
Following are some of the features of
the parade: The Covington, KY, lodge
wore the garb of Kentucky colonies.
Four floats, representing the lumber in
dustry of West Virginia, rolled along
under the standards of Huntington
Lodge. The floats were drawn by oxen
and mules. Upon these wheeled barges
were scenes from the lumber industry.
The Philauelphians and Cleveland Elks
wore evening dress. The ''Cotton Pick
ers" from Greenyille, Miss, had the
most unique display in the parade. They
had four floats representing cotton plan
tation scenes; they also had the tallest
Elk in the world as well as the smallest
mule. Each person marching was
BACKED to represent the southern negro Of
the cotton field type This lodge has won
two first prizes and one second in as many
years. Louisville Lodge had l75 men
in line, dressed il "Uncle SAM cos
tunes. The members of Hoboken, n.
j., lodge, were aitired as Jersey farmers
with long chin whiskers and carried hay
rakes. Hoboken also claims the heaviest
Elk in Martin Babb, who tips the scales
at close to 500 pounds. Baltimore
Lodge members we're attired as fremen
and had a fire engine partially ruined by
the great fire last February. The members
from Nashville, Tenn, were attired as
Jockey 5. A float represented book
makers wagon and twenty-four men rode
dummy horses, intending to give sug-
gestiOn of race horse brigade. The
uniform of Tampa, Fla, Lodge was an
outer coat made of genuine Cuban to-
bacco with the original markings.
Costly Panama hats had cigarmaker's
knife in lieu of feather. They carried
walking sticks bound with genuine cigar
wrappers. A live, kicking alligator was
attached to the coat of each marcher.
The men smoked during the parade, and
manufactured imported cigars l6 inches
in length. There were many more at
tractive uniforms and the parade was
voted the best ever held by the order.
Cincinnati, o.. July 20.-The Grand
Lodge adjourned at lilo o'clock We'd
nesday morning until 2 o'clock this
afternoon without completing the cleo
ton of officers. 1t was found to be i'm
possible TO choose a secretary at the
meeting, so an adjournment was taken
until today.