The Washington herald., 1907-08-28

GOoC-telloWShtp between brothers, and
charity to the distressed are the moving
principles Of the Benevolent and Protec-
tive Order of Elks, a fraternity that orr
ginated in New York less than forty years
ago. and now has lodges from the Allan
Tic seaboard TO Manila AS a doer Of
charities and as doer Of stunts the
Elks hold an unbeaten record, ard their
annual conventions are sought for and
fought for by the largest cities in Amer
lea, because Of the thousands of persons,
outsiders as well as members, who are at
tracted by them. Dallas, with 100000
guaranteed, has secured the next con-
ventiou, and already plans are under way
TO repave and improve thoroughfares over
which the great parade will pass.
The original Elk is W Lloyd Bowuon.
who holds card No. In Lodge No. !, New
York City. He is an Englishman who
came 10 America 10 live, and who, in
1857, renewed old London associations
with Charles Vivian, when that actor
came 10 New York These two friends,
with other congenial spirits, formed the
habit Of spending their evenings together,
and the question Of who should order the
refreshments was settled by what is
known as the cork trick. Each candidate
Tor membership in this informal club was
given cork as soon as he entered the
room. With the other men he placed his
cork on a table, and at the word &c" 4"
each tried to pick up his cork The last
man TO accomplish this feat paid for the
efr1-a
fellows soon came TO be known as the
Jolly Corks."
one evening an actor from Tony Pas
tors Theater, himself a Jolly Cork, pro-
posed that something more than a purely
social club be made Of the organization
and as a result the Order Of EIks came
into existence in 1868, meeting at Mill
tlry Hail, on the Bowery The Jolly
C0rks continued their meetings In their
quarters On Delaney street until Vivian.
the moving spirit, went TO Philadelphia
10 MI professional engagement. Then
the interest died out All of the original
Elks, however, were Jolly Corks, and il
the name had any influence on the life OF
lhe order it finds reflection in the lives
or the members and in their annual con-
Venuons-c0nventions that are marked by
elaborate expenditures. unique features,
and a general Iiveliness hardly equaIed
by any other events Of similar proper
tions
But goOd-fellOwship is merely one char
acteristic OF the Elks. Since the organl-
zatlOn OF that first lodge in New York
The order has been noted for lis charitys
that runs the whole scale Of generosity.
from small contribution toward indi.
Vidual needs TO a systematic benevolence
on Il large basis. TX was the Elks that
beat the whole world into San Francisco
when the great earthquake brought devas-
tatlcn 10 the city, Robert W Brown,
managing editor Of the Louisville Times,
got the nrst wire into the stricken city
II read: Five thousand 70 your credit.
II bad reports true, spend FIVE more. Not
for Elks. For everybody" This man was
an Elk, who knew the philanthropic
spirit Of his brothers. He was not rich
man, nor had he authority 10 offer these
funds but knowing the need OF the city.
and knowing the mettle Of the Elks. he
fought for right OF way over the wires
and made the pledge, which the order so
sloriously made good. New York lodge
alone has in the period of its existence
given away nearly S2l0,0OO and the gen
Only white citizens OF the United States
and its possessions are eligible to mem
bership in the Elks, and the candidates
must be Of age and good moral stand
Ing. Lodges can be established only in
cities Of population of 5,C00 and over.
and the membership of over 225,000 is
distributed not only among the leading
cities and towns Of the United States. but
n generous share goes to Juneau Alaska
Honolulu, and Hilo. Hawaii. and Ma
Mia. BrOtherliness is deeply rooted. and
4 key Of reverence is struck when this
order holds its annual sacred session
the first Sunday in each December, and
prayers are made for the absent broth
ers. Another bit OF bTotherIiness ap-
plies to the living. It is the Il o'clock
evening toast drunk always TO the alb
sent ones whenever two or three Elks
are gathered together.
Although the first members OF the Be-
aevolent and Protective Order OF Elks
were actors and the friends Of actors
the membership rolls include men of
prominence in all walks of life Presi-
dent Mckinley was an Elk. Vice Presi-
dent Fairbanks belongs 10 the Order. as
does also William Jennings Bryan. Other
we'll known men who are Elks are:
Senators Bailey. Tillman, La Follotte,
Guggenheim; Governors Beckham. OF
Kentucky, Higgins. OF Rhode Island,
Cummings, of Iowa, and johnson, of
Minnesota, John Sharp Williams, Of
Mississippi; Col. ". F. Cody, Of the Wild
West Show, and Perry Belmont. the
New YORK capitalist.
The recent Elks' convention in Phila-
delphia was an admirable illustration Of
the orders willingness 10 put forth any
amount Of energy and enterprise in order
that the national meetings may be made
attractive to outsiders as we'll as cred
liable TO the members. Under a tropical
sun half million spectators in Philadel-
pnia saw a parade that was fifteen miles
long. required four hours TO pass q given
point. and was more vaTigated than any
circus parade thai p, T. Barnum ever.
dreamed Of There were from $500 to
5000 men In line, and every lodge was in
Individual uniform. The badges were as
widely divergent in design as the points
OF the compass, the bunch Of cherries
for the Toledo Cherry Pickers." the
small wooden collins for Deadwood, S.
Oak, and the tiny bean pots for Boston
making a distinct BID for popularity
An enthusiastic member from New Or
leans had his badge painted on his bald
head as the best means OF keeping it
safe lAOlH COlieClOfs One DaoBe col
lectOr. eager 10 acquire all he wanted.
traded a small burro for badge. and
thought he had made a good bargain
The question Of expense seemed 10 have
cut little figure with the lodges when
they were preparing to make a good show
for their city. The FL Paso lodge, win
neT Of three prizes. headed its procession
with the famous Mexican band. and the
members cheerfuIly separated themselves
from 5000 in order that they might sue
oessfully present q body of mounted bull
fighters. gorgeously arrayed, and car
liages filled with dark-aved sennrltas :