Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1916-05-18
AMERICANISM 0F ELkS IS HIGHLY
 PRIlED FEATURE None But Citizens of U. S. May Become Members of
 the B. P. O. F..
CHARITY TOTALS
 $500,000 A YEAR
Lodge No. 1, B. r. 0. E., Established in New York on May 24, 1SGS, Idea Growing Out of Sessions
 of the 'JOlly COrks.''

In the conception and birth of the Elks a few men-just seven in number-furnished the genius upon which was built the greatest Ameri- can fraternal order in the country, and one of the greatest orders in the world.
 It was in 1867 that number of singers, dancers and public entertain CTS. including actors, organized them selves in what was known as the Free and Easies, and gave concerts several times week in the lower parts of New York for their own amusement. II was not long before the professionals joined and regular Sunday outings were had. The small aggregation of theatrical artists and others took on the name of Jolly cork It was from this trick that trick was played on the unwaiy. The understanding was that every man was to hold cork in his hand and was not to drop it until a given sig nal. All of the members on to the trick held to their corks and the dupe. anxious not to be stuck for the drinks" quickly dropped the cork, It was from thick trick that the club took its name.
 The Jolly Corks, after numerous meetings and seeing that the idea was a popular one, decided to organ ize permanently. and to make ben evolent organization of it.
 It is not fact which an Elk parades, but few of the governors of states in the American union are members of the order, four-tifths of the members of congress (the house and senate) arc members, and most of the cabinet, and other high officials in Washington are in the order. Ex- President Taft himself belongs. The order includes in it's membership in every community the best of citizens and especially young men who are progressive, militant and always in the forefront in community affairs.
 Established Feb. l6. 1868.
 On February 16. 1S6S was born the Order of E!ks, destined to be oue of tho greatest of all charitable fratern- al orders, and early in it's history the Elks adopted new feature now most highly prized, its Americanism. None but Americans may become members.
 The order endeavors to teach not only the highest moral education but to ineulcate patriotism and devotion to the country and home in it's tcnets. The Star Spangled Banner covers the altar in every lodge room of the B. P. O., F. and no effort is spared to im- press upon candidates the fact of it's American origin and characteristics, both in its ritual and form of govern ment. It initiates no religious rites, but is not antagonistic to any religion and an adjunct to all. A lodge may be legally started only upon territory of the United States.
 On May 24, 1868, the original com mittee on ritual instituted New York lodge No. 1, with two degrees of mem bership and devout elders, the ritual istic work being explained and eXem- plified.
 In less than forty years. the order has grown to 1904 lodges, l0S,2S7 members, property worth $22,S49,569 and charity list of half million dollars per annum.
 Munmery Eliminated.
 The order has very little that is mystic about it. II has the ritual of the average secret organization. with all the mummery eliminated It has no grip or password The faults of cur brothers We write upon the