The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-03-23

he flag of the nation is a recent addi- t whether the visitors were EIks of ew England, or of the Pacific coast, re provincial in bodily residence alone. e, but the mind and the all embrac-
 And so all of the Elks were one in road smile. Each felt the same joy an, which it is the prime purpose of hey have all Of them. The parade ing the exaltations of faith, and hope.
 beginning; an object lesson in CO., cd, upon which 3O,oOO people,. abroad ooked. and were rejoiced. themselves having done such work in other cities. knew critically how much labor, planning. and executive ability of a high type had been exerted to
 make the opening and dedication of the home of Bridgeport lodge the event that it undoubtedly became. Following the banquet the mem bers of the local lodge were assembled in Court street where they were mar
 shalled by Esquise J. l. Flint assisted
 by his aides John A. Shea. Fullerton
 Morrison, Victor Beckman and W. H.
 O'Hara- Headed by the Wheeler &
 Wilson band with Lieut.. Walter Sta
 pleton as grand marshal followed by
 his mounted aides the procession nov
 l.,
 Main street to Fairfield avenue to the
 depot where the incoming delegations were picked up. As soon as the last
 of the visiting delegations arrived the parade was formed and marched through Fairfield avenue to Main St., to Congress street where the line coun- termarched to State street to the New Home. The order was as follows:
 Lieut.. Walter Suspicion, grand mar shall mounted aides; Wheeler & Will son band. Capt. John Neaphey, drum major; Bridgeport lodge. 400 strong, Esquire, Joseph Flint, marshall; Queensborough lodge, Long Island strong; South Norwalk lodge 30 strong; Governors Foot Guard Band of New Haven, New Haven and Hart ford lodges, 30 strong; Ansonia band. Derby and Waterbury lodges, togeth- marched. A line of eight open ba- rouches containing the guests of the evening brought up the rear
 The speeches which followed prais- ed in the highest terms Exalted Rul- CT Ivers for his work in bringing about the completion of the building and through him congratulated Bridgeport Lodge upon having com pleted such a beautiful structure for the enshrinement of Elkdom. Grand Esteemed Leading Knight John D. Shea. of Wilkesbarre, Pa, member ot Hartford lodge, dweIt at length up- On the progress which the Elks had made throughout the United States in building their ranks and providing homes for their members. He told how Connecticut had taken a ranks and providing homes for their mem bers. He told how Connecticut had taken a rank ahead of other states by the home it's lodges have provided for themselves.
 Grand Marshal Walter Stapleton halted the parade at Court and State @Iz AI,1 After the bands were consolidated The EIks sank, "Auld Lang Syne," with heads uncovered as they passed the old hall in the Staples building.
 Arriving at the home, as many of the visitors as could secured seats in the new lodge room, where the floor had been crashed for the occasion. AL though there were in the neighbOrhood of 3-c0c people in the building not over 800 gained entrance to the dedication 
 District Deputy James T. Smith. act ing iu the capacity of Grand Exalted Ruler. and other members of the grand odge in the other chairs proceeded to conduct the ceremony according to- the ritual of the order. The Build ng up of the Altar by the grand of 1cers proved a very beautiful part of the exercises.
 The dedicatory address, which was 0 have been delivered by Judge Will jam J. Malone of Bristol lodge, was by Brother William A. Red len of Bridgeport lodge. Word was received yesterday afternoon that fudge Malone was ill and MT. Redden stepped into the breach in very short lotice, preparing and delivering an ad- iress that will always be remembered l IS jewel in the crown of Elkdom. | He said:
 Grand Treasurer Edward Leach of ! New York lodge. No. l. complimented | Bridgeport lodge upon the homelike | appearance of it's building and con- ,luded his remarks by singing the | inal stanza of Home Sweet Home"
 Bridgeport lodge was greeted with If gifts from visiting lodges. Brother anes E. Madigan, who acted as Grand Esteemed Leading Knight. presented he lodge. in behalf of Waterbury ooge, with massive silver punch ,ewl. The bowl which is gold lined, 1 viii hold about five gallons. It is suit lbly engraved and it stands upon a luge salver with glasses in silver ho d. ITS. and a ladle to match the bowl.
 Exalted Ruler Joseph A. Gray in be- lalf of Derby lodge, presented Bridge 'ort lodge with a magnificent silver owing cup.
 The gift of New Haven lodge was a luge silver punch bowl. with ebony andles. and silver cuos to match. The presentation speech was made by Exalted Ruler Twombley.
 In behalf of Danbury lodge Exalted suler Martin Cunningham presented he local lodge with a beautiful pie ure. In behalf of Edward Tobfn. New Ha- en lodge. Dr. Edward F. McGovern resented Bridgeport lodge with a , andsome picture of 'sThe Wooers.' From Edward J. Naylor. esteemed ,yal knight of Bridgeport lodge. the 'dge received a very sandsomely i,