The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-09-28
BIC ELkS Are HERE
B. r. O. e. Grand Lodge On
cials in Topeka To-day.
Local sHello Bill" Men Hold
Important Meeting Tonight.

A number Of big Ells, including
grand lodge officials. and large num-
Der Of little Elks arc in Topeka today.
and many more will be here tonight
to attend a special meeting OF the To-
peka lodge.
Raymond BENJAMIN of Napa. Cal.
supreme exalted ruler: James b. Mich
olson of Boston, chairman OF the
board Of trustees OF the supreme
lodge. and Fritz E. Robinson OF Du-
buQue, Ia, supreme lodge secretary.
are the officers who are being enter
tanned today. They arrived here just
before noon from Kansas City and
were met at the station by commit
tee Of the local lodge composed OF
James L. King, formerly a supreme
lodge offfcer: e. L. Fowler. exalted
ruler Of the Topeka lodge; w. H. Da-
Wis and w. J. Curtis, q member OF the
local lodge and president OF tho grand
lodge OF Kansas. The party was on
tertained at luncheon and this after
noon was shown the principal places
Of interest in the city. They were
taken to the city hall in the afternoon
to meet the city oficials and to the
capitol, where they met the state Of
icers.
Tonight a reception and meeting
will be held in the Elks' club rooms
at Seventh and jackson streets. NJ
which the supreme and grand lodge
officers will deliver short addresses,
following which extemporaneous ad-
dresses will be made by members OF
the local lodge and visitors from the
different lodges Of the state.
The officers will talk in behalf of
the order and its workings, and will
impart much valuable Information to
the members Of the local lodge. This
is the first official visit OF the supreme
lodge officers to Topeka in several
years.
Discuss Christmas Ship.
Among the things that will be dis
cussed at the meeting tonight 10 a pro-
posed Christmas ship for the benefit OF
the children who live in the countries OF
Europe now involved in war. The
Benevolent and Protective Order Of
Elks is strictly an American organi-
zation. It has no connection with SIM
liar organizations in Europe. The Star
spangled banner is one of the emblems
Of the organization and the members
honor it above all flags. but this does
not prevent them remembering the little
tots in the countries involved in war.
who might be denied a Christmas pres
emit under conditions as they now exist
in Europe.
1t is proposed to charter a big ship
and load it, to the guards with toys.
clothing and other suitable Christmas
offerings which will be taken to Europe
to be distributed among these children.
The members of the Elks were the first
to decide to send. q Christmas ship to
Europe but 1t is reported that other
organizations are considering similar
plans.
The reception tonight will begin at
$3.50 o'clock. Following the reception
and addresses q luncheon and smoker
will be enjoyed. An orchestra will be
on hand to furnish music for the &C.
casion.
Delegations are expected to be here
from Lawrence. Atchison, Salina,
Hutchinson. Emporia. Junction City,
and other places. The supreme lodge
officers visited Atchison Saturday night
and spent Sunday in Kansas City. They
will go to Wichita to spend Tuesday
night. william r. Washer. Of Atchi-
son, deputy grand lodge president of the
northwestern part Of the state, will be
among those present tonight.