The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-15

VI Y V VA s~4&S iAAOGk4
 Story of the Flag Told Tn
 Song and Speech.
 Flag Day of 1912 is now a ma tier of history, but the memories of yes- terday will long finger with the lgriz- zled old veterans of Post Elias Howe, Jr., as well as with the younger sol- diers comprising the Spanish War Vet erans and the boys whose fathers were members of the gallant band that an- swered the call of Father Abraham way back in the dark days of ante bellum. fs < The Bridgeport Lodge of Elks ob- served Flag Day in accordance with the beautiful custom which the order first inaugurated several years ago but which not untN this year came Into general use. In every American city, in Porto Rico, in far off sManila, way up the frozen fastnesses of Alaska; in fact. wherever the stars and stripes foated as the unchallenged and matchless standard of a free peo- pie the order of Elks which is intense ly patriotic and whose membership is limited to American citizens, observed the day in accordance with it's highest traditions
 The local lodge under the leadership of it's officers early arranged to give the occasion the observance that was it's due. Exalted Ruler Joseph I. Flint and Dr. Philip J. Mclaughlin. John E. McDonough and Daniel J. Clifford, who fill respectively the va rfnrIc RniOhfc oh co-operati0n of the esquire, Charles F. Chadwick. saw to it hat no detail was lacking in the way of preliminary 
 The House committee and the Enter tafnment committee took charge of the social side of the festivities and their work was shown in the fine results they achieved.
 Sixty nine of the Civil War veterans under the leadership of former Com mander F. O. RuggIes met at the G. A. R. hall and marched in full llni- form to the Eks' Home where they were received by the. reception com grill room where they, were made Eat home untils the time arrived fort the commencement Of the exercises in the lodge room. The delegations | from thes Spanish War: Veterans and axhe Sons of Veterans followed the G.. A. sR. and were similar rlys received. ssS < The exercises in the lodge room5 ctn- sisted of patrfotfe selections by the Wheeler & Wilson orch heStra;; sselec- tions by the Crite erfon duartet; recita- tions by Charles Ess Di5lx xersons parrio- tic address by Dr. Ge0fge l.. Porter These were in addition to the ritual exemplified by the officers and smem- bers of the lodge.
 Exalted Ruler Flint opened the ex- kI, <1 a1,<av~e had been seated and the impressive ritual was bhen exemplified which in cluded the building of a huge floral bell crowned with the stars, the. bell In three sections representing the na- tional coaors, the flowers being blood red roses. pure white lilies and deep blue violets
 Tho Criterion quartet sang from the balcony of the organ loft and their rendition of patriotic airs was one of the finest features of the musical side of the festivities. J.. c. Ivers, F. N. R., of Bridgeport lodge, gave the rec ord of the flag most impressively, while William C. Twomley, F. E.. R., of Stamford lodge, held the rapt at bention of his auditors in his 'sTrfb- ute to the Flag"
 The principal address of the even- ing was by Dr. George l.. Porter and 1t was truly most inspiring. sDr. POr- ter was appropriately introduced tol the asse1nblage by Exalted Ruler speaker than whom few living men are better versed in the history of the flag or the principles which it represents, was honored by a most attentive audience throughout the course of his instructive and splen- didly patriotic address. At the con- clueion of. his remarks he was given cc tSl n "a rising as a mark of respect. Just be- fore the close of the exercises pr. Por- ter presented the lodge with a valu- able engraving showing Betsy Ross General Washington the first American flag.
 The recitations of MT. fDickerson, one by Finley Peter Dunne. C1r. DoO- Iey) and the other by George Ade, two of the foremost humorists of the day, made the hit of the evening. They were given by Mr. DickersOn in : a that indicated at once that in his speciality he has few equals and no superiors. Each of the humorisms bristles with the keenest satire, but of course their purpose is we'll under stood and the audience roared their MT. Dfckerson= was never heard to finer advantage than he:was last evening. .st-~ -@- --s<->--.
 The social session which followed was much 0nJOy6Q. The guests dlf sat down to a bountiful repast and there was an impromptu program of songs and story in which members of the lodge and several of the guests took part Rev. A.7C. Thompson for Elias Howe Post; Capt. F. J. Breck1 bill for the Spanish War Veterans and Judge Patrick Kane for the Sons of Veterans responded. Peter Gabler, who is both a veteran and an Elk, told few pleasant stories, and George Finklestone tickled the piano to the delight of the gathering. James Mahoney and MT. Casey sang several appropriate selections. ;.
 Brother Marr of WoonsOcket lodge of Elks, madeNa brief though brilliant speech, at the request of Brothers Bernard Heating and James Egan, whose especial guest he was. Broth er Marr has fine voice. Comrade B. Moore. ubiquitous as usual, was there with an original toast. T
 The order of Elks was toasted bysl the soldiers and the soldiers were cheered and toasted by the antlers, and the evening passed most merrily with the best of feeling throughout and a promise from the boys of '61 that having found the way they would not be strangers in the future to the Elks Home.
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