The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-02
.ELKS ARE AT HOME TIRED AND HAPPY Pronounce It Greatest Trip
 from the South TREATED LIKE PRINCES Members Were Everywhere Extended courteses and Chicago Apologies For Not Being Notified In
 Advance.

the ElkS Cotton States Special travellers pulled into Birmingham yesterday after noon over the Illinois Central, after hay- ing completed the grandest tour ever pulled out of the south.
 This party left Birmingham just a. month ago. joining the special at Me ridian, where the Queen and Crescent route, through the courtesy of President D. D. Curran. had a train of six coaches an observation car, baggage car and diner ready for the troop of 16S Elks and their families.
 It was Indeed remarkable trip. Dur ing the 30 days the party visited nearly every big city in the west, passed through the grandest scenery in Amer ica, and some consider 1t superior to the Alps, covering a distance of 5000 miles. passing through twenty-eight railroad di- visions, travelling in r states Of the union and three provinces of Canada.
 During thls time the train was man. aged by John Wood, the travelling pas senger agent from Meridian. who sue eessfully accomplished every detail, and besides planning a perfect trip. handled the enormous task of rushing it through with unusual skill.
 Jack Grove, who had charge of the dining car, served, during this time. 40 meals, some of them three times a dav to each of the 16S passengers, or a total or nearly R,00O meals In all The train made the entire trip without uncouplinR a single pin, and was drawn by at least 70 engines, three and four being used at a crossing and recrossing the Rockies.
 My part of the trip" said J. E. sheI- by the representative of the Birmingham m lodge to the grand lodge, was one of the most enjoyable of my life. The west ern manner of entertainment cannot be matched. Los Angeles, under perfect weather conditions, covered herself with glory, and impressed her visitors as few other cities could have done. The trib to the west is something everyone will enjoy, but to make 1t on an Elk train is the best and happiest way. I was highly satisfied with the work accomplished at the lodge, and believe that Semmes will make us fine president
 c. NJ Tardy, one of the most active members of the Birmingham delegation. said: From Dallas to Vancouver this train has been dined and entertained fin such a manner as I had never dreamed 1 Of From Walsenberg. Col, the prince l of little towns, to Chicago, the fourth 1 city of the worl1, we have been received i with open arms, given auto rides. boat
 rides, showered with fruit and flowers and met with the glad hand which is
 proverbial in the west. We have enjoyed
 ourselves immensely and the Queen and
 Crescent railroad Is to be congratulated upon the successful termination of this
 big project"
 Cleon B. Rogers, Tom Shields, Dr. John
 Perkins, Frank Grey and Lee Wellman, are among the others who spoke enthu-
 siastically of their trip. Throughout, ,"
 said MT Rogers. i've made 1t Bir- l mngham boost, as far as possible We 1 feel that we have come home to the best
 place on earth, and have given the west
 erners something to think about. Mo-
 where have we seen any better general system of roads than has Jefferson coun- ty, any more progressive citizenship, nor 1 any prettier residence sections" While in Chicago the newspaper repre- sentatives visited the Association of Com merce and there immediately resulted @ | hurried attempt to arrange an entertain ment The officers were profuse with their apologies. fearing that Birmingham
 would take afrront. Attempts to gather the party were futile, but Just before | leaving this letter reached the train: Chicago, July 30, 1909. 1 Chairman of the Birmingham Delega-
 tion Special Train. Union Station, Chi
 cago.
 My Dear Sir:-We learned this after noon at 3:90 o'clock that your party is in town, the notice coming to us at headquarters in the way of telephone message from a reporter of the Chicago Daily Tribune.
 Since then up to o'clock the time this letter Is written, we have been en- deavoring to locate your party and have just learned that your train Is to leave the city at 11:3O D. m. Unfortunately, however, we cannot find out where your party will be for dinner or what your plans are.
 It is matter of very much regret that we were not informed in advance of your coming. as our association would have been very glad indeed to have ex- tended to our southern friends the court esy of luncheon, an automobile ride, a trip on the lake, visit to the Coliseum Garden or some other form of entertain ment available at this season.
 We remember with much pleasure the visit of our delegation to Birmingham ,, last November, and 1t would have been a source of genuine satisfaction If we could have had this opportunity of pay ing attention to the members of your party. ..9 We understand your train is somewhere in the yards near the Union station, and will make every possible effort to get this message to you, and hope when you come this way again you will notify us and in ample time, Sincerely yours, THE CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF COMMERCE.,
 By EDWARD NJ. SKINNER, Prest