The Denver star., 1914-08-15
ELKS'CRANDL
TO MEET AUG. Is
Selects Norfolk, Va, For AIT
Iers' Big Gathering
FORECAST OF FUTURE PLANS

Large .nd influential Secret Order
We'll PIsassd With Progress Made
Under Grand Exalted Ruler T. q.
Nuttsr Optimistic Outlook For
Adjustment Of Legal Matters.
By r. W. THOMPSON.
Charleston. W. va.-The fifteenth an
nual session of the grand lodge of the
Improved Benevolent and Protective
Order Of Elks of the World, which
opens Aug. Is at Norfolk. Va. bids
fair to mark a distinct epoch in the
history of that very helpful fraternity.
The host of the occasion will be Eu-
reka lodge No. Of Norfolk, one Of
the strongest subordinate bodies In
the order, and the local committees
are sparing neither pains nor expense
to make the visit Of the grand lodge
to tidewater Virginia one that will
long be remembered.
The storm center of interest lies In
the contest for the office of grand ex-
alted ruler. The policies that must
govern the fraternity for the next two
by the personality Of the man named
for the premiership at Norfolk. Last
year, at Atlantic City, the body elect
ed as grand exalted ruler T. Gillis Nut
ter Of West Virginia, who has made
a record that, in the opinion Of the In
fuential men of the order. justifles the
action of the members at the last an
nual meeting.
In the year that Mr.. Nutter has held
the reins he has made and reinstated
more lodges than any Of his predeces-
sors since the reunion Of the Howard
and Atkins factions In 1910. With "in-
crease your membership and establish
new lodges" as the shibboleth Of his
administration and by constant COM
munication with his brethren there has
been a general Strengthening Of the
membership all along the line, some Of
the lodges gaining 100 per cent Proc
lamations have been issued frequently
analyxing conditions and suggesting
valuable reforms, and business letters
have received prompt attention.
For the first time a uniform me-
mortal day was observed this year.
and lodges heretofore without litera-
ture have been supplied. The rules
and regulations governing district dep
uties have been circulated broadcast
For the flrst time in the orders history
the grand treasurer and grand secre-
tary have been bonded in the sum Of
5000. Mr.. Nutter, skilled lawyer.
honor graduate Of Howard university.
has labored earnestly himself to cor
rect the mistakes Of legal advisers In
the Dayton and other important cases
involving the integrity OF the order.
He was not satisfied with the report
at Atlantic City that the Dayton mat
ter had been ably defended. but found
upon investigation that not one ques-
ton had been raised that would give
the order standing in any court. leav
ing practically no defense.
Dischargfng incompetent counsel,
Mr. Nutter associated himself with
two law firms and had the case re-
opened and at the rehearing gave the
order a chance to defend the same on
its merits. with excellent prospect Of
final success. He secured from the
white Elks immunity from interfer-
ence until the case is finally disposed
of. That cordial understanding now
exists between the white and colored
Elks was demonstrated at the famous
harmony banquet at st. Paul. Mimi.
last March.
When called to a second term. as
Mr.. Nutter's friends are confident he
will be. the grand exalted ruler has
definite program Of reforms that he
expects to work out for the uplift Of
the order.
Mr.. Nutter's career of splendid
achievement is Its own answer to the
query as to how he has gained such
flrm footing with the widea wake ele-
ment of Elkdom. Locating at Charles
ton W. Va, after finishing at How
ard In 1899, Mr.. Nutter was later ad-
mitted to the supreme court Of ap-
peals and soon built up practice un-
excelled by any lawyer Of the race
anywhere and won the entire respect
He has appeared In every case Of i'm
portance in his state in the past ten
years in which colored persons were
His practice has been al
most wholly civil. with comparatively
few murder and assault cases where
public duty called him to lend a hand.
Unassisted. he won two notable civil
suits. In which $4,000 and $3O0OO
were involved.
Aside from the Elks. Mr.. Nutter Ia
active in many varied spheres. being
useful and energetic in all Of them.
For six years he has been q member
of the Third district congressional
and has had charge Of cam
paigns in Kanawha county for eight
years. He has been urged to stand
for the legislature and for prosecuting
attorney by white and colored friendA