New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-16
ELKS OPEN CONVENTION
OWN ALL PHILADELPHIA.
G0UernOr Stuart Welcomes Them
and Mayor Giues Them Key to City.
IBy Telegraph to The Tribune. ]


Philadelphia, July 15.-The annual session of
the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks officially began tonight,
Harry J. Walter. exalted ruler of Philadelphia
Lodge, No. 2. making the opening address at
the Grand Opera House. after singing by the
Philadelphia Quartet Club and the Harmonic
Singing Society.
Chester P. Ray welcomed the visitors on be-
half Of the reunion committee. He was followed
by Congressman J. Hampton Moore, who de-
livered the address of welcome on behalf of
Philadelphia Lodge and Wooda N Carr, of
Union, who spoke for the lodges Of the state.
The response for the visitors made by
Judge Henry A Melvin. grand exalted ruler
Miss Nellie c. Brennan. OF Cincinnati. sang I'll
Wait, My Love. for Thee" and two songs were
rendered by the chorus OF Columbus. ONO
Lodge.
The formal welcoming of the Elks to the state
Of Pennsylvania made by Governor stuart
and Mayor Reyburn turned over the key OF
the city to the visitors The exercises were
brought to an end with the singing py the ehtire
audience OF Aud Lang Syne.'
1t is estimated that fully 10000 visitors are
already in the city and that 100000 more VIII De
here from all parts Of the country by IhursoaS'
the day of the big parade.
All the streets In the main part of the city are
crowded with the jolliest throng the city mas
even seen. Not even the Peace Jubilee OF 1890
aroused much enthusiasm and Philadelphlaiis
point to that occasion as one of the events or It's
history of celebrations. not even excepting the
Centennial exposition. which some OF thein sun
remember
The opening feature OF the immense gathering
occurred tonight on the north plaza OF the Guy
Hail, which is covered with over twenty thou-
sand electric lights. To the north ana south VI
x spreads the great white court OF honor. beau
tifuI in its garb Of electric bulbs. Shortly oeiore
II o'clock all the lights went out and the I'M
mense throng waited in silence Al the stroke
OF II the lights suddenly burst forth again. and
while the bands played the air. the great crowd
took up the song OF Aud Lang Syne' the
Eleven O'Clock Toast" The mighty chorus
could be heard for many blocks away. me
ceremony will be repeated each night during the
reunion.
While the Grand Lodge will open its business
session tomorrow morning in the Academy or
Music and consider the numerous problems be-
fore it. the thousands of visitors will begin 10
enjoy the series OF entertainments PROVIDED TOT
them the feature OF which will be the immense
cambake at Washington Park, at which II Is
planned to feast every one Of the army OF visit
crs. There many attractions furnished Tor
the visitors at no expense TO themselves. and
even the men from the Windy City are be-
ginning 10 realize that the pace is swift For the
especial benefit Of the Chicagoans. receptions
are held at Girard College. the University OF
Pennsylvania and the Geological Garden All
the parks with their numberess attractions. are
wide open. Even the baseball grounds are free
TO the women who accompany the Eks.
With Mayor Jacob Haussling marching at
their head over one hundred and fifty Elks from
Newark N j., arrived in the city and went TO
headquarters at the Hotel Normandie this even
ing With them are about nifty Of the wives and
daughters Of the members. and they say they
have never seen such lavish display or warmer
welcome than Philadelphia is showing to It's
guests Paterson, Hoboken and Orange Will be
here tomorrow.
First in the long list of routine work TO be
gone through with is the election Of officers, and
already the headquarters of the grand lodge OF
hcers are filled with boomers urging the merits
of various candidates Generally addressed by
all newcomers as the next Grand Exalted
Ruler Grand Treasurer John K. Tener. or
Chartered Penn, has strong opponent In sam
uel H Needs, of Cleveland. who arrived yester-
day and took personal control OF the campaign
being waged by his friends. John II. Fort OF
Camden with the support OF the New jersey
delegations is also in the night.
Grand Secretary Fred Robinson issued his sta
tisticaI and financial report to-day, In which II
was shown that Al 800 members were received
into the order during the year There were thirty
eight new lodges instituted, and the total mem
bership is now 254. 532. The largest lodge Is
Rrooklyn. No % which has 2.440 members; New
York is second, and New Orleans Philadelphia
and Chicago follow.