Arizona republican., 1919-07-14


 in Partnership with the Gov
 ernment in the Vocational
 Training of Disabled Soldiers
 Sailors and Marines.
 This years national convention of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks in Atlantic City, with "Americanism" as its slogan, established a record as the greatest in the history of the order, and prob ably sets a new attendance figure for national fraternal gatherings in this country.
 In spite of war work activities in which nearly all the citizens of the country were engaged, and the un- precedented number of deaths from the epidemic that swept the country during that time the Elks had a net increase in membership during the last year of more than 50.000.
 Various circumstances account for the prosperity of the Order of Elks during the war. It is purely an American institution. It's member ship is limited to white citizens of the United States, and it's subor din ate Lodges are to be found only on United States soil.
 EIks Originate Flag Day.
 Flag Day, which has become na- tional institution through Act of Congress, and which this year was observed and celebrated in practical ly every community in this country, was originated by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Even now, with the day nationalized as it ia, perhaps the most notable celebra- tions of 1t are still held in Elks homes. Thus on June IA last, among the most notable and important ut terances given to the country in ob- servance of Flag Day, was the speech made by Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president of Columbia University. in the Lodge Room of New York Lodge No. l, the Mother Lodge" of Elks.
 Flag Day has been informally ob- served by various subordinate Elks lodges for many years. Its official designation and celebration by the Order was first proposed by Grand Exalted Ruler Henry A. Melvin. now of the supreme court bench of Cali fornia, at the grand lodge conven- tion held in Philadelphia in 1907. This recommendation was imme- diately adopted and the incoming grand exalted ruler, John K. Tener of Pennsylvania, appointed a com mittee on work and ritual to prepare a suitable ritualistic service for such a celebration. This committee was made up of James L. King, state li- brarian of Kansas, chairman, Charles Beecher Lahan of Chicago and Will liam M. largest of Harrisburg, Pa. The ritual for Flag Day was pre pared by MT. King and exemplifed by him at the grand lodge session in Dallas, Texas, in 1908.
 Patriotism ard Charity Taught.
 The ritual of the Elks teaches pa- riotisn above everything else. un- less it is charity. which is perhaps the foundation stone of the Order. At every meeting of an Elks Lodge, the altar is draped with the Ameri- can flag, and newly initiated mem- bers are admonished to love, respect and defend it. This ritualistic teach ing is not of recent origin, but is of nearly fifty years standing.
 1f the leaders of the country in com mercial, political and patriotic work. They have placed the Order in the front rank among those institutions that stand for genuine Americanism, and especially those which stand, not upon the order of their doing, but upon the cardinal principle of doing immediately whatever is to be done either for the country or for the in- dIvidual in distress.
 General Pershing an Elk.
 There is no red tapa in the Elks creed. Ia other respects their creed in expansive enongh to welcome all good American. citizens to member ship, be they Jews, Gentiles, Catho- lies or Protestants. The one proud boast of the Ellzs everywhere is that they possess the genuine fraternal spirit And their desire is to infect other good Americans with 1t.
 General John J. Pershing is proud of his life membership in Ell Paso, Texas, Lodge No. 1S7. A member of the military affairs committee of congress, who knew Pershing when he was a student at West Point but who had not seen him for many years, tells a story worth repeating, about the general and the Elks. This congressman made an official visit to the battle front in France two years ago, and one of the first things Gen. eral Pershing said to him was: Jack, are you an Elk?"
 It Is needless to say that that con- gressman is today one of the proud est and most enthusiastic members of the Order.
 Leaders in War Relief Work.
 With this general understanding of the principles and leadership of the EIks, it is easy to understand why the Order took leading part in