Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-06-06
NA5ONS ENJOYED
PHILADELPHIA Trip
Return Home This Morning
After Day Spent on
Pilgrimage.
A HEARTY WELCOME.
Playing of Dixie Causes Great En-
Observation-Disclosures Are Civ
en- Great Ovation.

Tired, but happy, and declaring that
they had never enjoyed trip so great
ly, the Alexandria, Masons who visited
Philadelphia yesterday as the guests
of the William L. Elkin's Lodge of
that city returned home this morning
From start to finish pilgrimage was
most successful and the Alexandrians
were treated with the greatest ,cour-
tesy by their Philadelphia brethren.
The start from Alexandria and
Washington was told in yes
terday afternoons Gazette. The party
was composed of 112 men and the trip
was made in special train over the
Pennsylvania Railroad.
The trip to Philadelphia was char
acterized by the utmost good humor
and the time passed quickly and pleas
antly.
Upon arrival at Philadelphia the
party was met by delegation of the
Elkin's Lodge, headed by Worshipful
Master Mancill. They were first TAX
en- to the store of John Wanamaker,
and as they entered the great court
in the center of the building which oc-
cupies an entire square, the great or
gan burst forth with the strains of
"DiXie" There were at least 5000
people in the store at the time and as
the thrilling melody of the old Confed-
crate battle hymn reechoed through
the corridors the rafters rang with
applause.
The visitors were shown through
all the departments of the magnif-
cent emporium, one of the worlds
show places. They were taken to the
roof where a birds eye view of the
"City of Brotherly Love" was obtain
ed.
After spending an hour in the store
the party was escorted ito the Colon
ade Hotel where luncheon was serv-
ed. 1t was an Informal affair but
greatly enjoyed During the course
of the meal the band played South
ern melodies.
The Masonic Temple, which has no
equal in the world, was next visited,
and the Alexandria Masons were
shown the various rooms used by the
lodges who hold their meetings there.
The custodian described the various
kinds of architecture to be seen in the
building, the Grecian, the Norman, the
Gothic, etc., and explained their sig
nificance.
A tour of Philadelphia was the next
thing on the program, and 80 automo-
biles were used by the party. Inde-
pendence Hall, Carpenters Hall, the
Home of Betty Ross and Christ
Church where Light Horse" Harry
Lee delivered his eulogy on Washing
ton, winding UP with the historic
words, "First in war, first in peace,
first in the hearts of his country.
men" were deeply interesting to the
Aleyandrians as their own town his
tory is so intimately woven with that
of the events of Revolutionary times
The ride was continued for 60 miles
through Fairmont Park, which is un
riyaued among municipal parks fol
Ehe beauty of its scenery and the ex
tent of it's area. All speed regula:
ions were suspended and a squad O
motorcycle policemen accompanied th'
partv. Although speed of 80 mile
an hour was reached there was NJ
accident ito mar the pleasure of tn
ride. The regulations OF Falrnaon
Park which prohibits flags on auto
mobiles was waived and each machln
bore a pennant with lthe name of Elk
ms Lodge inscribed upon it. The ma
chimes were each numbered and 1ol
lowed one another in orderly course.
At the conclusion of the ride IN
visitors retired to the hotel at
o'clock entered the Elkln's iode
room. A speech of welcome was mao
by Past Master Hendricks, OF Penn
sylvania, to which an eloquent repl
was made by Charles H. Callahan,
past master of Alexandria -Washins
ton Lodge, and one of the most ell
ouens speakers on Masonic subjec
in America. Speeches were thsn mat