Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-08-17

invited to Omaha for an Ak-sar- Ben even
ing and they are thus given an opportunity
to see what Omaha is doing and to get &C
quainted with the business men Of Omaha.
This results in closer relation between
Omaha and the citizens of Nebraska both
in friendship and In business
The fall festival is tho big time of the
year Commencing the last week in Sep
TENDER, this year 1t is September Is to
October s, Omaha blossoms forth in gala
attire and ten days Of unalloyed fun and
pleasure is served out to all corners. The
festival annually attracts to the city thou
sands upon thousands OF visitors, from out
in Nebraska and from other states, and
the city profits UNNECESSARILY from the
advertising it receives.
Board of Governors.
The controlling power of the organlza-
ton is in the hands of a board Of governors
consisting of twelve men chosen from the
members for a term of three years. The
present members of the board are: Gould
Dietz, w. L. Yetter, c. H, Pickens, IL. j.
Penfold, A. c. Smith, Emil Brandeis, c. d.
Beaton. c. r. Courtney ]. c. Root e
Buckingham. c. E. Black and Joseph
Barker
Secretary Penfold has an up-to-date office
in the new Brandeis Theater building
Four assistants are required to handle the
business and correspondence which must
be transacted daily Thousands of letters
are being continually sent out to all parts
of Nebraska and to all parts of the country,
spreading far and wide information con-
corning the city of Omaha.
Trouble takes wings and flies away when
the knights of Ak-Sar-Ben get together,
Following the Monday evening inidatory
ceremonies a theatrical production embody-
ing every known phase Of the dramatic
art is given by the Ak-Sar-Ben troupe
Every actor is a show by himself.
Speaking or special features OF entertain
ment, the serious part of the program,
follow the show. II there chances to be a
speaker among the guests he seldom gets
out without making talk. One good thing
about the speeches, for the speaker, at
least, is that they are limited to four min
utes.
AS the present season moves forward
and the end comes in sight 1t can readily
be seen that last years record has been
far outdone. The total membership for 1909
was 1910. Already this year it has reached
over 1855, and total Of 1900 is confidently
looked forward to.
Last year from memberships alone $13 100
was paid into the treasury, This year the
memberships have brought in s13650, or
whereabouts, with more yet to come.
Expenses this year will be heavier than
for many years probably the heaviest in
the history of the organization. For the
big military tournament about 5000 United
States troops will be in the city, the larg-
est body of soldiers which has ever ap-
pesred here in a similar production. To
bring them to Omaha, as many come from
forts far away, a great expense in trans
portation will be incurred which Ak-Sar-
Ben has agreed to pay.
The first red letter day OF the fall sea-
son will be September 2, when the den
will be turned over for the evening to
Theodore Roosevelt. On September 2S the
fall festival opens, lasting until October
s, From September to October will be
the army maneuvers, in which the soldiers
will go through all the various drills and
movements known to their profession.