The Alaska daily empire., 1917-05-21
Grand Lodge Session in Boston Will See the
 Fraternity Decide
 Upon Measures.
CIRCULAR IS ISSUED
First Publication of the Kind Is Sent Out by the Grand Exalted
 Ruler.

For the purpose of framing the part to be played by the Benevo- lent and Protective Order Of Elks in the war program of America, representatives from every lodge of the organization will meet at Boston late in July at the annual grand lodge session of the order. That the war will not interrupt the proceed ings of the meeting, but rather will stimulate delegates to more vital ac- tion, is the opinion of Grand Ex- alted Ruler Edward Rightor of New Orleans, expressed in the first Elk circular ever given out for publica- ton.
 A copy of the circular as received in Juneau, follows:
 My dear Brothers: Since the United States has declared that state of war exists with Germany, SO many members of the order have written this office and inquired what would be the effect thereof upon the coming grand lodge session in July that it is the duty of the grand ex- alted ruler to communicate to the order in general what, after consul 1 tation and deliberation, has been concluded.
 Stimulates Character. "It has now been the unbroken precedent of half a century for the order to annually assemble, and nothing has done more than this to cement us together and to strength en the distinctly national character of the order. Local or statewide Elk reunions, beneficial though they are in some features, take from rather than add to this result.
 "If the Boston meeting was a det- riment at this time to the nation at large. whatever good it might do the Order of Elks, it should not be held. Our country comes before our order. 'It is perfectly clear that while the nation is the richest and the most powerful in the world, and that the patriotism of it's people is great, this patriotism is not now thoroughly aroused and those riches and power are not fully prepared to certainly prevail in a struggle with other strong nations. Hence 1 it is that our cOuntrys leaders are devoting their energies to arousing dormant patriotism into action and making it's resources fitted for the tasks that lie before us.
 "The Order of Elks is not only a great American order, but it is a great practical order. and we should respond to the line of action sug- gested by the leaders of the nation. The task, however, is one of many months, and not of few days. But two months will pass before the Boston meeting and by it much good can be done in this direction.
 Lodge Duty Is Clear. Our duty is clear--we should more than ever meet this year, be- cauce we have a higher task to do. 1 The social and fraternal features should me lessened and the practical and patriotic features brought to | the front.
 Not as summer pleasure, but as real duty. all good Elks should assemble this year and help to con- slider and wisely determine what the order in the future should under take.
 Should we devote our energies to encouraging enlistment? Should we aid the Red Cross in its noble work. Should we bend our efforts to prevent lack of food supply? What is the problem we are best fitted to help to solve? I do not know.
 "The grand lodge should deter mine it. All good Elks should sit at l it's council board.
 "The scene for this great epoch in