The Washington bee., 1910-12-10
THE ELKS
COLUMBIA LODGE OF ELKS
HONORS ITS DEAD.

Hundreds Turned Away-Howard
Theater Crowded-A Representa-
tive Audience Present-The How
ard Orchestra Does Honor to the
Occasion.
The new Howard Theater was tax
ed 10 its utmost capacity last Sun
dav evening. Every available space
was occupied, and hundreds were
tutned Taway because they could not
gain admittance. The theater was
brilliantly Illuminated by electric
lights At the northeast corner of the
stage was arranged on an inclined
staff the number of those who had
passed away: In 1907, R. D. Griffin,
| c. D. Whitfield and Joseph Harris;
c. S. T. Brooks and Reuben Hill, in
1908; Lewis Reed, Reuben Hill and
| George Hamilton, in 1900, and Henry
HarristOn, in 1910.
There were many well-known mem
| bers of the Order present, including
| specially-invited guests, seated upon
| the platform, among whom were A. J.
Gaskins, James Jackson, Moses Dade,
Henry W. Hunter, DR.. Gates, Judge
| Robert H. Terrell, John w. Freeman,
R F. Horner, w. Calvin Chase, DR..
| James E Mills, Grand Exalted Ruler,
and many others. In the private boxes
| were the wives, daughters and friends
and other invited guests of the mem
bers. Among the distinguished cIti-
zens in the orchestra were Mr.. Charles
R Douglass, A w Barton and others.
| The members of the organization oc-
cupied seats in the center of the or
chestra, and they were faultlessly
| dressed in full black Prince Albert
suits and black silk hats. They pre-
sented the appearance of dignity and
Ineatness. The Howard Orchestra, un-
der the leadership of Prof. VIM. H
Vodery, rendered several excellent Sc
Elections which electrified the vast audi
ence present. Mr. Charles II. Thomas
the Exalted Ruler and master of Cere-
monies, was at his best He presided
with dignity and precision. The first
speaker was Mr.. r. r. HOrner, a mem
Der of the bar and a member of the
Board of Education, who had selected
for his subject "The Relation of Fra
Iternal Organizations as It Affects the
Race" The address was eloquent and
illogical. He paid high compliment tC
the organization as being represented
by fine body of men. He said among
other things, further, that such body
as Columbia Lodge of Elks was able
to do a great deal of good for the up
lift of the race.
DR.. James E. Mills was the next
speaker, who delivered the eulogy. Il
\ was a masterly effort At the conclu.
IsiOn of the program Attorney John E
Collins, on part of the management o.
|Howard Theater, stated that he hac
Ibeen directed to say the report thai
has been circulated to the effect thai
there is to be discrimination IN the
Iseating Of colored patrons was untrue
that the house was erected and dedi
Gated to the people irrespective o.
color, and that the colored people vii
get any seat in the house they pay for
1t was the consensus Of opinion tha
this meeting was the greatest that ha:
ever been held by Columbia Lodge, IS
g. B. ?. 0. Z. of w The following /!
the order of exercises:
Overture, Strodella, Howard Or
chestra.
Elks March. Columbia Lodge, No
is" Vodery. Howard Orchestra.
Hymn, "The Close of Day." Parks
Elks Glee Club.
; Invocation, Chaplain.
Opening ceremonies, the Lodge
Hymn, Lead, Kindly Light" Buck
Elks Glee Club.
, Prayer, Chaplain
Hymn, Just Beyond" Parks, Elk
Glee Club.
Address, "The Relation of Frater
nal Organizations as 1t Affects tn
Race" R. r. Horner, Esq.