South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-13

OF the most important and far-Teach-
ing undertakings ever put into effect
IN tha history OF the world-that OF
vocational training or reeducation OF
disabled soldiers. sailors and mar
ines Of the great war.
The Elks are unique In one fea-
ture OF their rganization--though
not exclusive among secret frateTnal
Orders-in the fact that only one
subordinate Lodge is permitted in
each city, which permits the resour-
Ces OF each subordinate Lodge to be
centralized. The result IS that prac-
tically every city in the country Of
over 5000 inhabitants has an Eiks
home or club.
During the war hundreds Of these
homes were given over either wholly
or in part for war work activities
carried on in the community by such
organizations as the Red Cross, the
Y. ". G. A, the Knights Of Column
bus. the Salvation Army, the Jewish
Welfare and others that had reason
to appreciate tho patriotic spir.- OF
Elkdom as thus ezempli1ed.
Eks War Relief Commission.
Early in the war the Elks became
especially impressed with the unsol-
fish spirit IN which the Salvation
Army was carrying on its work and
particularly with the fine standing 1t
had with the boys at the front. The
result was that hundreds of Elks
Lodges placed all their resources be-
hind the Salvation Army drives for
funds, and the slogan "Elks Raise
Dollars for Doughnuts" became coun-
trywide.
At the Elks Grand Lodge session
IL Boston in July. 1917, provision
was made for the appointment Of a
special committee TO be known as
the Elks War Relief Commission,
which, together with the grand ex-
allied ruler, would have charge OF the
expenditure of whatever moneys
were raised by the Elks for war
work or war relief purposes. This
commission was made up Of ex-Gov-
ernOr John X. Tener Of Pennsylvan-
ia, Joseph T. Tanning of Indianap-
oils, Jerome B. Fisher Of jamestown,
y. Y, James r. Nicholson Of Boston,
Edward RightOr of New Orleans,
Fred Harper of Virginia, all past
grand exalted rulers, and Grand Ex-
allied Ruler Bruce A. Campbell Of
East st. Louis, Ill
This Commission at once rendered
It's services and resources to the
United States government through
the war department At that time the
University of Virginia and the Univ
ersity Of Oregon were organizing
base hospitals for service in France,
but no provision had beer made for
Quitting and 0quipping them. This
was undertaken by the Elks War
Relief Commission, each hospital be-
ing equipped at a cost Of 100000.
They were operated during the re-
maindar Of the period of the war
under the joint name Of the Elks
and the universities designated, and
made wonderful records for eficien-
cy.
Reclamation Hospital at Boston.
Later there was seen the need Of
a reclamation hospital in this coun-
try 10 rebuild the disabled heroes
who were returning from the battle
fronts. The Elks War Relief Com
mission took the matter in hand and
built what is said to be the finest
hospital OF the kind in this country,
on Parker Hill in Boston. II was
turned over to the government to
be operated, having cost the Com
mission considerably more than
100000 to construct. It's record has
been of the best. The government
medical staff has given it the high
est praise. and it has been operated
at full capacity ever since the day it
was opened.
Camp Sherman Community House.
During the influenza epidemic a
critical situation arose at Camp
sherman, Ohio, where over 10000
boys were in training. There were
not sufficient housing accommoda-
tiOns at Chillicothe, Ohio, near which
the camp was located, to care for tho
parents OF the boys who were Ill in
camp and it was therefore impossible
for many Of these parents to visit
their sons. When this condition was
disclosed to the Elks War Relief
Commission an Elks community
house was built at Chillicothe in rec.
ord time at a cost Of about $4,000.
This house made it possible for hun
dreds of the sick boys TO be visited
and looked after by their mothers,
and the army officials IN charge Of
the camp regarded It as orc OF the
best things done at any Of the train
ing camps during the time Of the
epidemic. 1t was declared that tho
fraternal spirit among the Elks had
as much TO do with speeding up the
laborers and contractors who were
building this community house, as
the money that was paid them for
tho work
At the time of the signing Of the
Grmistice Governor Tener. chairman
OF the Elks War Relief Commission,
was under instructions TO proceed TO
France for the purpose Of rendering
10 General Pershing such assistance
within the war zone as the resources
OF the benevolent and Protective Or
der Of Elks could command.
Elks Help Salvation Army.
The signing Of the armistice and
the ending OF active hostilities found
the Elks War Relief Commission
with q considerable sum Of money on