Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-06-05
ROCK ISLANDERS
FIRST At JOLIET
Local Delegation Leads Those
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Headquarters.
FOUR CITIES CoNTENDERS
Delegates From This City Send Tele-
gram Appealing for Many
Boosters.

That the fight for the 1913 state con-
vention Of the Elks will be strenuous
one which will require all the boost
ing resources at the command Of Rock
Island was ascertained by the advance
delegation OF local Elks who reached
the state convention at Joliet yester-
day morning and obtained temporary
advantage by reason Of the fact that
they were the first on the ground.
They Immediately got busy and pro-
ceeded 70 bill the town with placards'
unfurl the Rock Island banners and let
everyone know that this city will be
one Of the strong contenders for the
1913 meet. The following telegram
was received from the local skirmish'
ers late yesterday afternoon:
Delegation arrived safely and were
the first ones on the ground Opposi-
ton is hot, but we are going strong.
We plastered the town with placards,
and they all know we are after the big
doings. Make that delegation $50
Rock Island boosters Thursday.
II w. COZAD."
Never before in the history OF an
Elks' state convention have the Bills
come in such numbers on the first day
as yesterday. Joliet was crowded with
visiting delegates and every train
brought in fresh recruits.
ROCK ISLAND FIRST.
The Rock Island lodge was the
first 70 invade the city, the
first to hoist a banner announcing
Rock Island. 1913" and the first TO
register. They established headquar-
ters at Hotel Monroe, and following
breakfast they emblazoned on the side
walk canopy their big banner. Then
the boosters with handfuls of badges
jOurneyed over the city. visited the
newspaper Offices, and tackled a Rock
Island badge on everyone who looked
susceptible In the party are Exalted
Ruler II. W Cozad. the first one to
sign a registration book; Treasurer L,
VI. Casteel. Secretary Sam Ryerson,
George r. Stephenson, James w.
MauCker and J. W Waddell
The streets of Joliet are one mass
OF purple and white decorations, and
a riot OF color greets the eye OF all
visitors in the business district
MNNY WANT 1913 MEET.
Thus far the ccntenders for the con
veutigu are Rock Island, Monmouth
and Rockford. II is also understood
that Nation will make a strong bid
for the honors next year. But little
business was transacted yesterday.
Today at s O'Clock there was a meet
ing Of the exalted rulers and secretar
les OF the represented lodges At s
o'clock the business meeting of the
convention was held. including an ad
dress OF welcome by Mayor F. NJ. Al
len and response by ]. w Faulkner
of East St Louis. The convention
was then formally declared open by
the state president. Bruce Campbell.
NEED LOCAL BOOSTERS.
From the advance dope which 1:
coming from Joliet, Rock Island is ex
pected to furnish practically the larg
est delegation in the state with tn,
possible exception of Chicago, and vii
in all probability be the only city whicl
has chartered a special train for III,
trip. In view OF these facts. and mas
much as a great . is expected o
Rock Island, IL Is the local buncl
TO descend upon let Thursday a
least $50 strong. Every additions
booster who makes the trip will IN
crease Rock Islands chances for LAND
ing the convention.