Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-12-21
Benevolent Order Will
Make Pilgrimages
There
Final Act Of Mayor McAIeer Is to Set
Aside Reservation Dedicated
to Antlered organiza-
ton


Of the administration of Mayor owen
McAleer.
TO make known his ambitious plans
and to give the members of the Elks
order a chance to see more of the land
scape beauties around. Los Angeles the
city's executive had sixty members as
his guests yesterday.
In tallyhos and autos they made the
trip to and from the woodland and
mountain park, heard the speeches ex-
planatory of the new movement and by
their enthusiasm alone indicated that
the idea would be an instant and grow
ing success.
The National Eks' park, with it's
many acres of fenced-in hills, can
yons, runways, shrubbery and grass,
makes an ideal home for the noble ami
NAL, a place where nature has given
the proper environment, where an in
crease in the herd may be anticipated
and close by the biggest city on the
Pacific coast and stronghold of Elk
dom.
Park a Landmark
Griffith park is the largest park in
the world in or near a big city.
1t has higher and bigger mountains
and hills than any.
1t is in the heart of the tourists
country, near railroads and trolley
cars, reached by picturesque drives
and destined to be a wonder spot of
California.
All that the park needs is the devil
opment of roads and other park i'm
provements which have been neglected
because the park system nearer the
heart of Los Angeles has engrossed the
attention and funds of the department
Standing amid rugged oaks, gnarled
mesquite trees with Big Rock frowning
down and the wonderful vista of val
leys, river and hills beyond, the three
score Elks beheld yesterday a scene
which had a most poetic setting for so
historic an occasion.
When they heard the plans an
nounced in the presence of the retiring
mayor, the mayor-elect and prominent
city officials they cheered to the echo.
And as a finale Mayor McAleer an
nounced that he would join the order,
now that he was done with office and
it could no longer be looked upon as a
political act
Idea Well Received
Mayor McAleer made hit with his
hearers when he told them how, back
in Ohio the order had eXerted a strong
influence over the mayors brother, now
Il baseball club owner, when he lived
in Youngstown, Ohio. He asked the
members to support his successor in
making his administration successful.
Then getting down to the question of
a national herd he said:
Here with these 5000 acres avail
able, we have the nucleus of a herd of
elk that should've national attrac-
ton.
San Francisco has given us four
specimens, one of which, unfortunately
died after the "trip by train was made
With your assistance more can be do
mated to u.s. We have about 1000 acres
of tillable land here, most of which will
furnish support for the animals. All
we need is the elk.
with the support of your order we
can make this paddock an institution
of worldwide fame. The paddock can
accommodate 200 and the time may
come when we can supply other lodges
with elk.
Nov | want you to agree to support
my successor, Mr. Harper, himself an
Elk, in getting this elk movement well
established. Do not let this be your
last trip to the park Come often"
Mayor-eIect Harper Talks
Secretary Walter Moore of the Elks
Arthur c. Harper.
Mr.. Harper, who had just eaten
heartily of the open-air barbecued
viands, mounted the bench and amid
cheers said:
81 don't have to call on you brother
Elks for help. You are all sworn to do
so. Gaughter.) Now, | am not here
to outline the policy of my administra-
tion-that may come later. My friend
McAleer perverts the truth when he
saws he hoped a Republican would sue
coed him. (Cries of He voted for YOU'D
1 was on the anxious seat not so long
ago. l needed all the sympathy and
aid I could get. Now the other fellow
needs it.
but / have a, warm spot in my
heart for Griffith park. AS a young
man | visited this place and romped
under the trees with the little lady
who afterwards became my wife.
II for one shall always be glad to
come here and to look into your faces.
81 promise, as mayor, to do the best
! can do-all that is in me-"
Philadelphia Jack o'Brien was called
forward then by Secretary Moore. He
was brief, but made hit.
II do not think prize fighter should
stand on the same platform with
mayor and mayor-elect, so l Will
speak to you from the ground. l feel
highly honored to be called on to speak
and l, too, like MaYor McAleer, am
sorry I am not an Elk.
IF make my home in Southern Cali
fornia, as 1 hope to some day, / want
to be acclaimed among you and not re-
eeive black ball
IT hope to see you all again when
| win the championship in Fiesta
week"
Brief. though eloquent. addresses
were also made, by Park Commissioner
M. j. McGarry Chief of Police Ed
Kern, Park superintendent John Nor
ley, Police Commissioner Frank
James and Exalted Ruler Byron
oliver.
The party then paid it's respects to
the three elks I'm the paddock, one of
them being a doe They seemed con-
tent and met the gaze Of their friends
In an unabashed way.