The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-14
MOOSeheart Governors Tell OF
Ambitions of Lodge.
Five Big Lodge Men the Guests
of Topeka Today.
AT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Speakers Explain the Aims OF
the Moose Order.
Big Membership Made Up
Largely of LabOring Men.

An organization to build and con-
serve manhood and womanhood
among the laboring classes was des-
cribed today at noon at the Chamber
of Commerce by five governors of
Moosheart, the children's home of the
Loyal Order of Moose, situated at
Mooseheart, Ill. The five governors
are Topeka's guests today. They will
be entertained this evening at the
club rooms of the Topeka chapter of
the Loyal Order of Moose, 623 Jack
son street.
Governor Arthur Capper, of Kansas,
one of the Mooseheart governors, pre-
sided at the meeting and introduced
as speakers John w. Ford, of Phila-
delphia, supreme dictator of the Or
der; Edward Henning, of San Diego.
past supreme dictator; Rodney H.
Brandon, of Mooseheart, Ill, secre-
tary of board governors of Moose
heart, ILL.,; ex-Congressman John j.
Lentz, of Ohio.
Not only did the speakers point to
the nationwide organization as an ad-
vocate of the conservation Of child
hood, womanhood and manhood but
as an advocate of the conservation of
the nations resources. The spirit of
the organization is shown in the teach
ings and method of maintaining the
big Moose home at Mooseheart, ILL.,,
the speakers declared. In fact, the
name Mooseheart was given the insti-
tuition, as symbolical of the real senti-
ments and ambitions of the lodge.
Capper Describes Lodge.
Governor Capper described the
| lodge as one of the most rapidly grow
| ing organizations in the United States.
He told how the first lodge was or
ganized in Pittsburg, Pa, a few years
| ago and how it has grown by leaps
and bonds until ITS membership en-
braces 100000, a majority of whom
are laboring people. He stated that
| the lodge membership in Kansas num-
bered 10000 and that one-tcnth OF
the membership is in Topeka.
John w. Ford, of Philadelphia, su
preme dictator. told members of the
| Chamber of Commerce that the prin
cipal effort of the organization is t.
teach men to provide for themselve:
by conserving their health and then
resources. He described Mooseheart
an institution caring for 3S5 children
maintained by the members of the
lodge who subscribed 81 a year fol
that purpose. And last but not least
of the teachings of the lodge is pa
triotism, the speaker declared
Edward Henning, of San Diego, de-
voted his time to plea for the con-
servation of American energy and re-
sources. Agricultural preparedness
he urged. as the most effectual pre-
paredness for combating a public
enemy.
1.-The present war is one of bushes:
and the country best prepared along
| these lines is the one that will win,
said the speaker. His suggestions were
| to plant an acre" of ground
similar to those contained in a letter
written to the editor of the State
| Journal by NJ. C. Scott of Indianapolis
president of the International Typo
! lished on page IL, column 4 of today:
issue of the State Journal
| Rodney K. Brandon, of MooSeheart
and ex-Congressman Lentz described
more fully the life of the children al
Mooseheart The children are taught
self government and self responsibility
| They do not wear uniforms except
when drilling. Each youth is his own
master. They meet and decide upon
| punishment that shall be accorded
their fellow playmates. They live in
the open, eat wholesome food raised
on the thousand acre farm owned by
| the lodge.
IT venture to say those 3S5 chill
| than three children in an ordinary
| Topeka household" said Brandon.
! Ex-Governor LentZ while a Demo-
crat, declared himself a prohibition
| list, man endeavoring to divorce
| Democracy from the liquor traffic in
his native state, Ohio. He told how
| the sale of liquor in Moose lodges
was becoming less and less each year.
He lauded Governor Capper, for his
stand on food conservation and the
liquor question.