The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-14
$ sES!'+s Have Captured the Cig and Have Royal Time
 AN OLD FASHIONED DINNER
Neoro Mammies Serve at the Dinner and Show the Elks What South ern Eating ls-Detroit and
 Los Angeles in-Race.

Dallas, Tex, July 13.AWith the air tempered by last nights storm to the south, Dallas streets today early took on the proper aspect for the reunion and annual convention of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, which began formally tonight.
 Throughout the day and evening the streets were literally lined with marching clubs and brass bands, those attracting the greater attention being Los Angeles, Detroit and Austin. Tex. Beaumont was also very prominent.
 This afternoon nearly a thousand per- sons sat down to a typical southern din- ner in the machinery hall at the Fair grounds. given to members of the grand lodge and members of their families.
 Typical 1t was, this dinner, both in the viands served, in the manner of its serv- ice. and the waitresses who passed the steaming dishes about to allow each guest to "help himself"
 But the most typical of all were the waitresses. There were some two score of old "nigger mammies,' with bandanna turbans on their heads, the sleeves Of their freshly stapched print dresses rolled high above their brown elbows
 First Meeting.
 Tonight in the Fair grounds audito- rum. the first formal function was held
 The Hon. M. T. Lively had charge of this function, and presided tonight. A band of s5 pieces and the convention chorus" of 125 voices rendered the over ture from Wagners Tannhauser and America" and other selections during the evening.
 The invocations were delivered by grand chaplain, the Rev. John Dysart, past exalted ruler of Jamestova ~, Y, lodge, No. 263 followed with the Elks' quartette of Spokane. Wash.
 Hon. William H. AtwelI, past exalted ruler of Dallas lodge, and chairman of the executive committee, delivered the address of welcome on the present execu- tive committee.
 Senator Charles A. Culberson, Mayor Stephen J. Hay, John H. Kirby of Hous- ton. and Governor Campbell, past exalt- ed ruler of Palestine lodge No. S73, also delivered the addresses of welcome. John Tener. grand exalted ruler of the Char leroi (Pa) lodge, responded on the part of Ekdom.
 The benediction, closing tonights pro- gramme, was pronounced by Rev. c. B.. Melbourne of Terrell lodge No 472. Fishing for Convention. Detroit and Los Angeles are apparent ly the only two candidates for the 1909 convention.
 It was but a few hours after daybreak that the steam siren of the Los Angeles delegation, placed on the roof of the Southland hotel, began to tell the gath cred thousands that Los Angeles sought | the next convention.
 1 In almost every place where a banner 1 could be stuck up there appears big | sign. Life is worth living in Detroit. The city Is thronged with visitors from every section of the United States, as we'll as Mexico.
 The programme for tomorrow begins with the grand lodge session at 10 o'clock. At 12 noon will begin undoubtedly the largest barbecue ever given, arrange ments having been made to serve 10000 visitors in the old-fashioned way. This part of the programme closes at D. m. At 10 o'clock tomorrow night a dinner will be given to the visiting press repre- sentatives