Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-20
ELKs' TOOTH CONTENTION.
Feature of Closing Hours of Reunion.
Attendance Figures.

PHILADELPHIA. July 2O--The Grand
Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Or
der of Elks closed it's business sessions yes
terday and the convention. which has drawn
many thousands of visitors to this city Is
at an end A feature of the proceedings in
the Grand Lodge session was the discussion
Of the movement to prevent the slaughter
of elk, that their teeth might be secured for
emblems. A committee was appointed to
request members of the order to cease
wearing elks teeth as emblems.
Past Exalted Ruler Melvin of California.
in spirited speech. favored formation
of the committee. Members from Wyoming.
the measure. contendng that the pulling
of elk teeth caused no pain and that the
animal was not killed in large numbers. as
only tourists and amateur hunters hunted
the animal.
Before adjourning the lodge elected Col
Albert j. Holley of Hackensack. N. j.,
grand trustee. to fill the vacancy caused
by the death of John D. q shea, who died
Thursday
Judge Henry Melvin, the retiring grand
exalted ruler. was presented at the session
with a handsome portrait of himself. The
portrait was the gift of the Philadelphia
lodge.
Prior to the regular session a sorrow
meeting was held at WHICH a eulogy on
Grand Trustee John d. OShea was de-
livered by William ]. OBrien, past exalted
ruler. of Baltimore.
While the railroad officials anticipated
that there would be a general rush from
all points on their lines THURSDAY of per-
sons coming to see the big parade the NUM-
beers far exceeded their expectations The
railroad men were so busy that 1t was not
until yesterday afternoon that they could
begin to compute the number of persons
and. a result neariy be es-
carried and. as a result, as nearly as can
be estimated. 5000 persons other than
regular patrons were brought in by the
Pennsylvania. the Reading and the Balti-
more and Ohio.
The Reading, for instance brought into
the Reading Terminal 4S1 extra cars. On
the basis of 60 persons to each car this
brings the total to 2S.S60 assengers. In
addition to this it is estimated conserva-
lively that 6.0OO persons other than regular
riders were brought in from the Readings
lines in New Jersey
The Pennsylvania officials figure the to-
tai of extra passengers carried from all
lines at $4,000, with regular traffic OF 20, 600
more.
The Baltimore and Ohio had compare
more than 1900 persons were brought to
2ith and Chestnut streets to participate in
or witness the parade.
Totaled up. the three roads therefore
carried $4,000 extra passengers. Add to
this persons counted in among the regular
patrons. but who would not have other
wise come in Thursday. the total of Elks.
their friends and sightseers carried In
Fully 900 Elks and LADY Elks" assem-
bled in Valley Forge Park yesterday to
hear a secret. 1t was the last big day of
the Elks' convention. so far as Philadel-
phia Is concerned.
For weeks and months there have been
hints about the significance of the meeting
at Valley Forge but 10 one was let in on
the secret until the speaking began.
1t was proposed by Frank s. Brant. one
OF the most active members of the ex-
ecutive committee Of Philadelphia Lodge,
No. 2 that the order. as a great and dis
tinctively American fraternal Organization
which has its foundation stone good citi-
Zensl1ip. should erect at Valley Forge a
suitable memorial to the first great Amer
lean. George Washington.
The plan. as conceived by Mr.. Brant is
to raise by subscription among all the
lodges of the country a fund of $50 900.
Senator Phiander c. Knox. who was the
orator of the day and who lives within
gunshot of the World-famed camping ground
of Washington's army. was most enthu-
siastic over the project
Il think that is splendid" he said.
What surprises me Is that the Elks. or
any secret society, could be so magnan-
imous as to think of raising fund of such
should be more interested than the
whole American people This Is the finest
commentary / have heard upon the broad
mindedness and noble aims of the Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of Elks.
j. p. Hale Jenkins. past exalted ruler of
the NorrstOwn Lodge after stating the
plan. said that it had been deemed best
under the circumstances. to postpone ar
engagements for the fund.
Senator Knox suggested that instead of
erecting a monument to Washington the
order might build one to the Spirit of Amer
lean Liberty. and this suggestion will be
taken into consideration when the pro-
motors of the project get together