The Detroit times., 1910-07-11
GRAND ELK PARADE TO
BE IMPOSING SPECTACLE


Detroit Is well prepared for the
grand rush. Her $4,000 worth of
decorations are completed and fully
measure up 20 expectations. The
local committees have the situation
well In hand and there is plenty OF
room for all Corners. Truly, IL is
going to be big week I'm Detroit and
memorable one.
most impressive spectacle was the
turning on Of the lights In the court
OF honor at 2 o'clock Sunday night
Standing on the city hall steps, sur
rounded by an admiring throng, Daniel
O'Connell, Of Owosso, the Oldest Elk
In the ranks, pressed the button which
signalled the men In charge OF the
switchboards. An instant later. thou
sands upon thousands OF lights flashed
up In the downtown section and
Woodward-ave., from Jefferson to
Adams-aves., was transformed into q
fairyland. And not the least interest
ing feature OF the great spectacle was
the crowd. IL stood In wonderment,
unable for n moment TO fully appre-
ciate the sight. Then, when the Wis.
itors and their local brethren could
find words TO express their pleasure
there were expressions OF admiration
on all sides.
The turning on of the lights really
marked the Official opening OF the re-
Union, though the formal welcomes
will not be In order until Monday
evening, the ceremonies taking place
In the Lyceum theater at $3.50 O'CLOCK:
The opening session OF the grand
lodge Is scheduled for Tuesday morn
ing at 10 o'clock. All the sessions VIII
be held In the Lyceum. The election
of officers Is on the program lot
Tuesday. No opposition has developed
as yet TO the candidacy OF Garry
Hermann for grand exalted ruler and
none Is expected. The reelection oil
Grand Secretary Robinson also Is re-
garded as certain.
Searchlights were employed to good
advantage during the formalities at
tending the opening of the reunion.
They played on the crowd, on the
buildings In their resplendent holiday
attire and ON the group of officials
gathered around Uncle Dan" Mayor
Breitmeyer presented the latter to the
crowd.
Mr.. O'Connell stepped forward, bow.
ing to right and left, and a moment
later he touched the button. The In
augural party, comprising prominent
grand lodge officials and officers OF
the local lodge, then adjourned to the
mayors private ofice, where felicia
tions were In order.
"rhis has teen the happiest mo
ment of my life." said F. 8. Burgess,
chairman of the Elks executive com
mittee, addressing Mr.. OConneh'
When you turned on these lights you
sent thrill through my body that
could not have been equalled IL l hau
been presented with the presidency
OF the United States. II marked the
end of untiring work OF many months
In which have put forth my best Ell
forts TO make the convention In De-
troit a complete success. We desire
to thank you, on behalf of the ElkS
Of the world and the people OF TINS
city, for your participation. Inc
mayor also spoke.
II is estimated that fully $1,000 visit
ors reached the city Sunday. They
began coming In delegations, large and
small, early In the morning and they
kept pouring In steadily all day long
Tremendous crowds are still pour
ing into the city. The visitors are
coming by all means OF transporta,
ton, by train, boat, automobile ana
interurban street car.
The arrival OF the big throng Is
keeping the welcoming committees OF
the Detroit Elks on the jump, Dut the
glad hand" men are equal to the oc-
casion and the visitors are taken 10
the respective quarters reserved Tor
them without hitch Of any KIND.
The ease with which the strangers
Ia SVSfnn-
attic work on the part OF the billeting
committee.
Among the Sunday arrivals were
the Los Angeles boys, with their IA
nous drill corps, so strong. They went
TO the St. Charles hotel. Upwards oil
200 came in from New Orleans, while
other parts Of Louisiana were well
represented as well. Oakland and
other places of California also had
large representations in the days ar
rivals. Many of the Californians
stopped OF at Reno on their way
here, but were not very enthusiastic
about what they saw there. They were
there on July 4, when one James JET
fries met his Waterloo and Jack john
son met his watermelon.
Arizona blew in 100 strong, accom-
panied by a generous supply OF canta-
ioupes and ostrich eggs. to show the
natives Of Detroit what Arizona can
produce. They also had many gallons
of the famous Hassaympa water This
was In charge Of Z. B. O'Neill, es-
teemed leading knight OF Phoenix
lodge, No. 335. The cantaloupes are
TO be distributed along the streets
during the Thursday parade.
Texas has delegates on hand from
Beaumont and El Paso. Charles +.
Mention is I'm charge OF the Beaumont
bunch. They are staying at 657 Sec.
ond ave.
IL was soon known when the Port
land. Ore, crowd arrived, for the dele
gates "whooped 'er up" for Portland
ms soon as they set foot on the linton
station platform They want the con-
yention for 1912 and they are going
TO let everybody know II.
Clarksburg and Fairmount. w. Va.