The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1907-07-16
PHILADELPHIA o

Ia slow?" It is a base canard. and If
ever again m man makes such a
statement in my presence I will brand
MIN as an unqualified prevaricator, or
maybe / will use a shorter and harsh
er word. l move that each Elk re-
solve himself into a committee of one
to forever squelch and incapacitate
for future duty this baseless ca1umny
on the fair fame of this matchless
city"
The speaker was a fat Elk from
Kansas City. standing On a chair in
the lobby of the Bellevue-Stratford
When the wild cheers that greeted his
u~tterances has subsidized the Piladel-
phia Elks present, with tears of joy
in their eyes, led the way to the bar
where all joined in a toast to "Phila-
delphia, the fastest town on the map"
From all outward appearances, the
sentiments expressed by the man from
Missouri are shared by all of the thou
sands of his fellow Elks gathered here
today from all parts of the country to
take part in the annual convention of
the order. Through all of yesterday
and this morning an army of good fel-
lows poured into the city, to receive
the most enthusiastic greeting ever
extended delegates to an ElkS' conven
ton. Nearly every "BilP' in Philadel-
phia and vicinity aided in the reeep
ton of the visitors n if a single n
vas neglected it was due to an over
signt. Despite the tremendous crowds
all will be cared for comfortably, al
though there is some crowding at the
hotels.
The entertainment of Elks is On a
scale never before attempted in the
City of Brotherly Love. Some $50. 900
has been spent by the city authorities
- arOo+irr q +, npifnnr oolIrf of hon
or and in carrying out a gorgeous
decorative scheme The local lodges
have raised 5000, 900 for the entertain
melt of the visitors while here. and in
addition scores of private individuals
and corporations will take a hand in
giving the Elks the time of their lives
The work of dressing the city com
menced rec ago., has been carried
to completion in the most lavish man
ner imaginable. The electrical dis
plays surpass any yer shown here.
Every business man, from the ~proprie-
tor of a boot black stand to h own
ers of the biggest stores n factories,
has aided in adding a touch of color
to the streets by means of flags n
Elk emblems.
The festivities began today with a
trip of the grand lodge up and down
the Delaware river, visiting Cramps
shipyard, the League island navy
yard and the forts. Luncheon was
served at Washington Park. The for
NAL opening of the grand lodge ses-
sions will take place this evening in
the Grand opera house. Addresses of
welcome will be made by Governor
Stuart and Mayor Reyburn. There
will also be a great band concert in
Independence square,, in which must
cal organizations from all over the
country will take part.
The first business session will be
held at II o'clock tomorrow morning
in the Garrick theater. The greatest
feast ever attempted by the Elks or
any similar order will also TAX place
tomorrow at Washington Park on the
Delaware. An open invitation to
share in the bountifu1 repast has been
rendered to every Elk, beast or human
in the universe. and from the prepare
tons now being made it is evident
that the grub committee thinks they
will all he here. Every variety of fish
and sea food will be served, in addi-
ton to every other good thing on the
market. In addition to the Indepen-
dence square band concert tomorrow
evening. there will be singing by a
great Elk chorus on the City Hall
plaza.
Wednesday there will be a parade of
imassed bands, in which every must
cal organization attending the reunion
is expected to take part. The drill
contests will take place that night.
On Thursday the big parade, the
principal feature of the gathering, will
be held. Thousands of dollars worth
of prizes are offered the participants
and the Examinations all over the cen
trail part of the city in the night will
be spectacular in the extreme.
On Friday the official trip to Valley
Forge will be mad on a special train,
and on Saturday many of the visitors
will go to Atlantic City, while thous-
ands of others will visit the James
town exposition.
Among the numerous prizes offered
is one of $25 for the latest Elk, and
this will almost certainly go to w. T.
Brinson. of Waycross, Ga, whose
claim of being the biggest Elk in the
world is likely to go unchallenged.
Brinso1 weighs $40 pounds and makes
the ordinary fat man look like a shriv
eled shrimp.
Prizes are also offered for the lean
est, talest and smallest Elks and the
competition has brought forward ma
ny contestants who would do honor to
a side show.
In order to protect the health of the
visiting Elks an emergency hospital
has been established, where several
nurses and physicians are ready to
give first aid to the injured and those
who may become suddenly i'll.