Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-07-18
Wild West Show and Indian Exhibit
Among the Features
I8ANO LODGE HOLDS FIRST SESSION
Rapid Growth Of Organization Brings Up
Many New Questions
CHANGE IN THE FORM or GOVERNMENT
Constitution Of order May he Amended
and Race Problem VIII Give
Delegates some Hard
work.

DENVER, July 17.-About 5000 Elks and
women accompanying them IN attendance
at the twentieth annual reunion OF the or
der have registered al the local headquar-
ters and others are still coming on every
train bound for Denver. The weather is
superb. the city in gala attire and all in
dications point to a most enjoyable and
memorable reunion. Entertainment suited
to all tastes has been provided for the
visitors, wild west show and Indian ex-
hibitions are among the special features
and Elitch's gardens weer thrown open
free to Elks today Women who had reg
istered were shown about the city In auto
mobiles. From o'clock until noon a re-
cepton TO visiting Elks and their families
was held in the park and Elks' rooms at
st. Anthony's hospital The band contest,
a feature Of the Elks' reunions, began to-
day. The Boston and Montana band uf
Butte won the prize by default Twelve
other bands entered. but failed to qualify,
as they did not have thirty-two pieces
The grand lodge held its first business
session at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Re
vision of the constitution Is one OF the
most important matters to come before the
convention. The order was established as a
social organization and good fellowship"
was one OF the prerogatives for member
ship. So rapid has been the growth OF the
order that II has been found necessary to
broaden its scope and place 1t upon a more
solid foundation.
New Form of Government.
With the adoption of a new form OF gov
ernment along the lines laid down In the
American constitution members believe the
order will be strengthened to such an ex-
tent that it will become in fact. as well as
In name, the leading benevolent organfEa-
tion In the world
BY the adoption of the proposed new con-
stitution three forms of government will
be stablished-executive, judicial and leg
islative. This will put all the executive
power In the hands of the grand exalted
ruler while the judicial duties. such as the
arbitration OF all questions pertaining TO
the order, will be placed in the hands Of
board Of governors or similar body The
iegielat tive y9wse, ~ eosirse win deuoiSx
upeii ah deiesates IN sbhytptlon.
| A new ritual has also been nreporod
which is said to be so far superior TO the
| old that there is no question of its ultimate
adoption.
Race Question to Fore.
Henry ]. Darwood, a member OF the Phil.
adelphia delegation. will introduce a resolu.
ton condemning the use of the Elks' badge
by the Fraternal, Benevolent and Protec-
tive order of Elks Of America, an organiza-
tion of negroes, and recommending the
adoption OF an oficial emblem. The en-
tire negro question will be thoroughly gone
over and It is expected that steps will be
taken TO attempt TO prevent the colored
organization from using the Elk head.
Election of omcers.
There was an active contest for each
Office and the counting OF ballots was not
completed until tonight. The following were
declared the officers of the grand lodge for
the ensuing year:
Grand Exalted Ruler, Henry A. Melvin,
Oakland, Cal
Grand Esteemed Leading Knight. r. L.
Queisser, GAINESVILLE, o.
Grand Esteemed Loyal Knight, Edward
| Mclaughlin, Boston.
Grand Esteemed Lecturing Knight W, w
| Mcclellan, Pittsburg.
Grand Trustee. Or. W. II. Haviland,
| Butte. Mont.
Grand Secretary. Fred c. Robinson, Du-
| buque, Ia.
Grand Treasurer, John X Tener, Charlie
roi, Pa.
There was 1.2s5 delegates to the grand
lodge present. this being the second largest
meeting ever held.
The matter Of changes in the constitution
was taken up. but was not completed 10.
night. During the day Baltimore forged tC
the front as the meeting place OF the mex
grand lodge and the contest is now be-
tween that city and Philadelphia The vot,
on the convention city will be held to-
morrow.
Tonight the downtown streets are giver
over TO a jollhcation OF the newly elected
officers.