The Calumet news., 1912-06-10
THE ELks AND FLAG DAY.

1t was at the forty third annual
session of the Grand lodge of Elks held
| in Philadelphia in 1907, that action
was taken providing for the observ-
ance of Flag Day, June IA, in each
year by all the lodges of the Benevo-
lent and Protective Order of
Elks OF the United States of America.
The beautiful and impressive ritual
for this observance was adopted i'm
July, 1908. In accordance with the us
age thus established the Calumet
lodge of Elks has arranged for Flag
Day celebration at its temple to take
place next Friday night. The Han
cock lodge will be invited to partici-
pate.
In connection with the Elks' flag
day the Evening Wisconsin has the
following concerning the order:
Growing out of convivial society
of members of the theatrical profess
sion known as the Jolly Corks. which
had flourished since the early '4O's,,
the Benevolent and Protective order
of Elks was founded in New York city
in 1865 and has had history marked
by constant expansion of membership
and rising Importance of aspirations
and accomplishments Today it has
$4,000 members of the United States.
The objects OF the ElIs are benevo-
lent, fraternal and patriotic. They are
the best Of good fellows among them
selves, giving aid when needed to
members and relatives Of members, |
with much generosity and little for |
mality or red tape. Their charity long
ago reached out beyond the bounds |
of their order, and for many years |
there have been few If any occasions
OF public calamity in this country in |
which they have not been among tho |
foremost helpers. The sufferers by |
the Chicago and Boston fires of forty |
years ago had reason TO be grateful to
the Elks. The Elks came forward no.
bly, at the time of the Johnstown nood
and AZ the time Of the san Francisco
and conflagratiOn. Att
present the national organization Of
the Elks has under way a Washing
ton memorial and is interesting itself
In the project for the construction OF
a granite fence around the cemetery
which holds the remains of the Con-
dead who perished during the
civil war in the military prison at
Iohnson's Island. Ohio. The Elks are
practical as well as sentimental in
heir benevolent activities. They havt
heart and soul in the Big
Brother movement TO aid in the uplift
If the little brothers of the street.
There are many facets To the excel
encies of this influential organization.
That 30 which it's Flag Day cerc-
nonial calls especial attention is its
'artiotic side. Membership in the
1lks can be acquired only by white
male citizens of the United States who
re OF age and of good moral charac-
er Only one lodge can he instituted
n any one city, and no city can pos
ess a lodge of Elks unless IL has |
opulation OF FIVE thousand. There are
lore than twelve hundred lodges Of
.Iks in the United States. There are
,dges In Alaska and the Hawaiian
stands and the Philippines. one of
he aims OF the Elks is to establish
higher standard OF citizenship for
le present and the future--to in
Dirc love for the American flag and
,r what IL symbolizes. Each member
,ceives a gift OF a silk American nag
: part of the ceremony OF his initia-
on.
When the last of the soldiers who
,ught for the Union in the Civil war
as perished. II is the aim OF the
ks to assist in keeping fresh the u
emory of their patriotism and to
,rticIpate as an organization In the =
.autiful annual ceremony of decorat- 0
z their graves with flowers. %
The history Of the Elks is that OF O
organization casual at its outset :
hich gradually has broadened It's
ope and exalted it's aims. and risen
an enormous potency for good. "