The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-10

A secret session of the grand council
was held this morning at Security hall
when number of candidates were ini-
| tiated for the benefit of the visiting
brothers, as well as for themselves.
The grand ball which has become one
| of the features of the gatherings OF
the travelling men will be held at the
Auditorium this evening.
The Big Ball Tonight.
The attendance at the ball will be con-
fined strictly to the members of the
United Commercial Travellers and their
ladies as besides the admission card the
password of the order will be taken at
the door. A reception for the ladies was
held at the Elk club rooms this after
noon. The quarters were especially dec
GRATED for the occasion with the colors
of the order while banks of ferns and
cut flowers form a prominent part of the
decorations.
Another secret session of the grand
lodge will be held at Security hall COM
mencing at o'clock tomorrow when
another class of candidates will be in
ftiated. At 1 o'clock Saturday the grand
parade which will be participated in by
the members of Topeka and the visiting
councils will form at the auditorium
headed by Marshalrs Military band.
Following the parade the visitors will
return to the auditorium where the field
sports of the session will take place.
These will consist of nail driving con-
tests open to the travelling men followed
by another for their wives and daugh-
tiers. Sack races for the men and ball
throwing contests for the ladies' baby
racks, ribbon cutting contests and sun
dry other sports for the benefit of the
onlookers.
For the events at the auditorium suit
able prizes ranging from a safety razor
to a workbaSket have been provided, no
participant winning a prize to be per-
mitted to contest in a second event.
There are perhaps 1000 United Com
mercial Travellers in the city today and
that they are out for the time of their
lives is attested by the time they are
having and the event has just COM
menced. The meeting is the largest and
most promising ever held in the state,
a number of councils being represented
which have never before participated in
the annual event.
Saturday morning starting at $50
from the transfer station special car
will carry the visiting ladies over the
city.
They Want Next Meeting.
There were three candidates in the
field this morning for next years meet
ing. Enid. Hutchinson and Salina but
ar an early hour Salina withdrew from
the contest and will probably throw
their strength to Hutchinson They have
a candidate for Grand Sentinel in r.
L. Cooper and they hope that Hutch
inson will assist in landing him in the
National Council in turn for the sup
This leaves the field open for Enid
and Hutchinson and the fight will be a
merry one with the result in doubt I'M
til the vote is taken. Each city has a
delegation of rooters on hand and are
making every effort to land the con-
vention for 1908. For the first time in
the history of the organization in that
city, Lawrence will be represented by
delegation in the parade Saturday.
Lawrence has a band and also a can
didate for grand senior counsellor in
w w. Clelland, who will undoubtedly
be promoted at the next national gath
ering as he is now junior counsellor
Independence arrived this morning in
two special cars accompanied by d
band of 80 pieces. Emporia is here 100
strong arriving over the Santa Fe at
10 O'Clock Leavenworth's delegation
arrived at noon accompanied by a band
and a corps of buglers from the fort in
army uniforms. Salins has a delega-
ton of about 100 accompanied by a
hand.