Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-08
Fiftieth Anniversary Of
Order Brings Hundreds
to Atlantic City
BIG PARADE THURSDAY
Secretary Daniels and Hun.
dred Congressman to Be
Guests of Shore Lodge

Inc golden jubilee convention of the
beneVolent and Protective Order Of Elks
VIII open tonight on the Million-Dollar
Pier. The fifteth anniversary of the
oirth OF the order, which. founded more
OF less In jest by a small group of actors
mas grown to be a nationwide organi-
zation, with lodges in virtually every city
and town In the United States. will be
celebrated In impressive fashion
The initial session will be called to
order at o'clock by Mayor Harry Bach
arach, of Atlantic City. chairman of the
executive committee of the grand lodge.
Governor Walter f. Edge, of New Jersey.
VIII welcome the delegates. Exalted
Ruler W. Frank Sooy, of Atlantic City,
viii also speak The response for the
grand lodge will be made by Grand E;x-
alted Ruler Fred Harper, of Lynchburg,
Va,
Tonight's meeting will be open to the
Elks. their friends and to the general
public, but the business sessions. which
begin on Tuesday morning. will be closed
TO all save properly accredited delegates
tomorrow will be given over to the
presentation of reports of the grand
lodge officers and to the election of a
grand exalted ruler, grand secretary
ana grand treasurer, besides number
of minor offices. =
Wednesdays session Is likely to be
only brief and perfunctory affair, while
all of Thursday will be devoted to tuning
up for the parade. the big spectacular
feature of convention week. The process
sion VIII take place in the afternoon this
year. decided innovation, brought
about by the pleas of the lodges from
Pennsylvania and New Jersey towns
anxious to take part in the pageant. but
still more anxious to make the trip from
home to the shore and back In the same
day.
Elks Hit Hard by War
The high cost of living and the in
crease in railroad fares hit the Elks
hard. and it was felt that as a. measure
of wartime economy the visiting lodges
should not be required to stay over
night
Secretary of the Navy Daniels, who is
expected to arrive here either Wednes-
day night or Thursday morning. will
review the parade from grand stand
erected on Atlantic City's public plaza,
Indiana avenue and the Boardwalk. and
Will make an address after the marchers
have broken ranks. Secretary Daniels
VIII come as the personal representative
of President Wilson, the nations Chief
Executive finding it impossible to get
away from Washington long enough to
make the trip here.
The parade. in all probability, will be
the climax of the convention, and it is
not likely that any session will be held
on Thursday morning.
Many events of a social nature have
been arranged for the week and every
amusement Atlantic City has on tap will
be pressed into service for the entertain
ment of the visitors A special boxing
show will be staged at the arena of the
local Sporting Club. New Hampshire and
Madison avenues, on Thursday night,
while theatres, movies, piers and cafes
will contribute their share to the jollif-
cation.
Hundred COngressmen Coming
4 hundred congressman will arrive
tere Wednesday night and will be the
guests of the local lodge until Thursday
night. They will'have to be on their toes
every minute IL they are to take in all
the stunts arranged for their amusement
The program includes a dinner, smoker.
bathing party, lunch at the Atlantic
city Yacht Club, reviewing the parade
and the boxing exhibition in the evening
The members OF the Grand Lodge Of
ncers, executive committeeman and past
exalted rulers are holding forth at the
Traymore. The rank and file are at the
Blackstone and nearby hotels. The local
Elks Home will keep open house all week
with members OF both the mems and the
women's reception committee on hand to
greet all visitors
According to the gossip around the
various headquarters Bruce A. Camp
bell. a leading attorney of East St.
Louis, Ill, will be elected grand ex-
alted ruler at tomorrow's session with
out opposition. He will succeed Fred
Harper, of Virginia, the incumbent All
factions. apparently, are agreed on Mr.
Campbell and it is expected that he will
be the unanimous choice of the conven-
tion.
Candidate Is Well Known
Mr.. Campbell Is widely known and
popular member Of the order. He is
1hirty-nine years old. was born in AL
bion. Ill. is a graduate of the Uni
versity of Illinois, was admitted to the
bar In 1901 and was city attorney of,
Albion for two-year term. The fol-
lowing year he was a member of the
General Assembly of Illinois and was a
candidate for Congress in 1910.
But there promises to be a lively tilt
over tne election or secretary and treas
urer, while the Pennsylvania DELEGATION
Is working hard to elect Thomas F.
Fleming. of Philadelphia, to the office
Of grand lecturing knight Grand
Lodge post. Not for twenty years has
Philadelphia held an important posi-
tion and the feeling of the Pennsylvania
contingent is that 1t is about time to
put one across.
Message from Pershing
A cablegram was received at Grand
Lodge headquarters today from General
Pershing, who is member of the order
The message will be read at the Grand
Lodge meeting tomorrow and then made
public.
The Atlantic City lodge has started
a campaign to have the resort made the
permanent convention city for the l1lks
Milwaukee, however. will make 4 strong
fight to secure next years convention.