Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-14


Ior one of the cities that is after the con
Vention for 1910 OF 1911.
The lowering clouds shaded the bus,
workers from the hot rays of the sun an,
gave them a cool day for the fight wbic,
was waged all day In the lobby of tn,
Paxton hotel. Visiting delegations wer,
pabbed aa soon as they arrived and sub
Bected to the buttonholing process.
But politics was not the only thing tina
was doing around the hotel The CROWD
larly resolved itself into an Informal re.
eeption committee with the Omaha Eagle.
as the prime movers and the visitors were
given a hearty welcome untinged by any
Flavor OF partlsanship.
Hello, Bill" Hello, Jack we're the
pass words most used at the informal re
seption. Delegates from San Francisco re-
hewed mountaineering with members from
Now York begun at some previous conven-
bon Of the order.
BELL Principal Figure.
Past Grand Worthy President Theodore
A. Bell of San Francisco was the principal
figure in the lobby during the morning
Mr.. Bell, whose reputation is national in
democratic politics. reached Omaha late
Sunday night and was early mixing with
the leaders Of the order, most of whom he
called by their first names. Mr.. Bell nat
urally was much interested in the move
ment for state autonomy which will be one
u the most important propositions to come
Sefore the convention.
Il expect to see a change in the direction
81 state autonomy at this session of the
convention he said, "but anything like
full autonomy win not be adopted this
year or next year, in my opinion.
The order is growing and as it increases
size II will gradually work into some
uch a system, but the time is not yet ripe
tor the adoption of the plan. / am not
enough of a prophet to predict when the
change will come. but 1t will not be at the
Present session."
Mr.. Bell was early working at his hobby
ef boosting for the order in general. Es-
pecially emphatic was he when combating
he idea which he says prevails at some
points that the Eagles is an order with
ow ideals.
Omaha VIII BE Proud.
after Omaha has finished entertaining
this convention" he declared, ut will be
proud of the fact II had the gathering
here. Any city may deem it a privilege to
entertain the Eagles. When 1 was occupy
Ing the presidents office l made it a par
ticular point to do all l could to overcome
the prejudice that has grown up against
the order at some places due to ignorance
Of its true purpose.
IF l have money and by spending 1t
freely build up an aristocratic society for
wealthy men, OF course. 1 could have peo-
pie bowling and scraping before the. order.
But because we have here an organization
for people who work for wages, many of
them getting barely enough to support
their families and because in the order
there are some b~artenders and saloon
keepers. about 3 or 4 per cent of the whole
membership. some people are inclined to
get out the hammers and knock.
II have been at the head Of this order
and in this position have Travelled over the
entire country and have come in contact
with the rank and file of the order and 1
know its spirit and the temperament OF
it's members, and 1 want to say It is one
OF the g~randest orders in existence. 1t is
not. as some seem to believe. a society
formed for ribald pleasure. 1t pays doctor
bills and sick benefits and 1t gives to the
stricken widow money for funeral bene-
fits. II takes care Of members when they
need to be taken care of. 1t is organized
for the rank and file who need it's help,
and I want to say 1t is today doing the
noblest work OF any fraternal society Of
its kind"
judiciary Committee Rt Work.
The judiciary committee lie hard at work
on the report on new legislation and will
be ready to report to the convention in a
day or two.
1t is now pretty definitely known that