Evening journal., 1918-07-09
1000 SING AS ELKS
OPEN CONVENTION
"Star Spangled Banner"
Launches First Session
in Atlantic City
$4,000 MEMBERS ARE
IN WAR SERVICE

ATLANTIC CITY, July 9.-From
virtually every one Of tho 1858 cities
and towns In the United states, Alaska
Porto Rico and the Philippines. where
there are lodges. Elks poured into Allan
tic City yesterday for the golden jubi-
lee OF the fraternity.
More than 1000 delegates sang the
star Spangled Banner" as the cOnven-
tl0n was called 20 order on the Million
Dollar Pier last night. while more than
600 other members and guests Joined
In the chorun. Delegates and visitors
rose and cheered when a huge service
flag denoting that 10000 Elks are In the
nations lighting services was carried
into the hall.
Governor Edge. OF New Jersey; Mayor
Bacharach, OF Atlantic City. and W.
Frank SOoy. Director OF Public Safety,
all Elks. delivered addresses OF well
come. The voice Of Grand Exalted
Ruler Harper. OF Lynchburg Va, was
drowned by cheers when he referred TO
the fact that an Elk. General Pershing,
from whom a message OF greeting was
flashed across sea 10 Grand Lodge head
quarters, is leading Americas fighting
forces In a holy cause.
Mr.. Harper announced after a meet
Ing OF the war relief commission Of
the Grand Lodge the Elks Of America
have offered 10 the United States Gov
ernment a second great reconstruction
hospital for wounded soldiers. The
commission, which Will carry the pro-
iect into the convention today, com
prises John X. Tener, Joseph r. Fan
ming, Jerome B. Fisher, James r. Mich
olson, Edward RICHTER and Mr.. Harper.
The cornerstone for the Elks' first
reconstruction hospital, which Is to
cost S2J0,OOO was laid In Boston a few
weeks ago. The second is 10 be built
In New Orleans and Will cost S35O,OOO.
It will possess every device known TO
surgical science for the rebuilding OF
the human frame. Colonel John p,
Sullivan, Of New orleans. informed the
commission that Edward C. Schlieder,
OF New Orleans lodge. would give
$4,000 toward the purchase OF the site.
In addition 20 the Boston hospital,
the Elks have given two base hospitals
10 the Government, one at the Uni
versity OF Virginia and the other at the
University Of oregon. They cost 10000
each.
Charles J. McCue. OF Cambridge,
Mass, and William L. Drislane. OF Al
bany, who were appointed to MI vacan-
cies. are candidates for the board OF
grand trustees. Milwaukee put In a
bid for next years convention. It Will
have Atlantic City to fight. Large pla-
cards bearing the signature Of Mayor
Bacharach were posted at the TraymOrt
Headquarters and all the State head
quarters. They read:
1--WE are glad 10 have you In 1915
and we want you again In 1919"
New Jersey delegates will lead 6
movement TO have Atlantic City Sc
lected as a permanent meeting place
for the fraternity, cOntending no other
town is so well equipped to provide
for It,
Nine new lodges In the last year are
at Anchorage, Alaska, 1900 miles from
the nearest sister lodge; Lakewood. o.;
West Palm Beach, Fla; Casper, Wyo.;
Bessemer, Mich; ElwoOd City. Pa;
Union Hill, y. j. Woodward, Okla, and
PennsgrOve, n. ]. Pennsylvania, with
3s .729 Of the .733 total for the eoun-
try. is second among Elk States. New
York is first, with lO,H2; California
has 2s,i2O; Ohio. 32,7ii; Massachusetts,,
% $50; New Jersey, 2i,li9; Michigan,
20,7si; Washington, 1879; Colorado,
ii.72i, and Iowa. 1929. The member
ship increase for the year was 10000.
Mr.. Harper In his annual report will
recommend that the order shall aban-
don antagonism TO the colored order OF
Elks and accord it such consideration
as may be due an organization claiming
TO be engaged in charitable work for a
race which needs and deserves il.