The Coconino sun., 1919-07-11


 abled Soldiers, Sailors and Marines
 This years national convention of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Atlantic City, with "Ameri- canism" as its slogan, established record as the greatest in the history of the order, and probably sets new attendance figure for national frater- nal gatherings in this country.
 In spite of war work activities in which nearly all the citizens of the country were engaged, and the unpre- cedented number of deaths from the epidemic that swept the country dur ing that time, the Elks had a net in- crease 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 Amer ican institution. Its membership is limited to white citizens of the United States, and it's subordinate lodges are to be found only on United States soil.
 Elks Originate Flag Day
 Flag Day, which has become na- tional institution through an act of Congress, and which this year was ob- served and celebrated in practically every community in this country, was originated by the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. Even now, with the day nationalized as it is, per haps the most notable celebrations of it are still held in Elks' homes. Thus on June IA last, among the most nota- ble and important utterances given to the country in observance 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 convention held in Philadelphia in 1907. This recommendation was immediately adopted and the incoming grand ex- alted ruler, John K. Tener, of Pennsyl- vania, appointed committee on work and ritual to prepare a suitable ritu- alistic service for such a celebration. This committee was made up of James L. King, state librarian of Kansas, chairman; Charles Beecher Lahan, of Chicago; and William M. Largest, of Harrisburg, Pa. The ritual for Flag Day was prepared by MT. King and exemplified by him at the grand lodge session in Dallas, Tex, in 1908.
 
 The ritual of the Elks teaches pa- triotism above everything else, unless 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 American flag, and newly initiated members are admonished to love, respect and de- fend it. This ritualistic teaching is not of recent origin, but is of nearly 50 years standing.
 The leaders of the Elks are among the leaders of the country in conner cial, political and patriotic work. They have placed the Order in the front rank among those inbtitutions that stand for genuine Americanism, and especially those which stand, not upon the order of their doing, but upon the cardinal principle of doing immediate ly whatever is to be done either for the country or for the individual in distress.
 General Pershing An Elk
 There is no red tape in the Elks creed. In other respects their creed is expansive enough to welcome all good American citizens to member ship, be they Jews, Gentiles, Catholics, or Protestants. The one proud boast of the Elks everywhere is that they possess the genuine fraternal spirit. And their desire is to infect other good Americans with it.
 of his life membership in Fl Paso, Tex, Lodge No. 187. A member of the military affairs committee of Con- gress, 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 congress- man made an official visit to the battle front in France two years ago, and one of the first things General Persh- ing 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 Elks, it is easy to understand why the Order took leading part in war &C., tivities, and why it is today in actual, exclusive partnership with the United States government in one of the most important and far-reaching undertak- ings ever put into effect in the history of the world--that of vocational train ing or re-educatiOn of disabled sol diers, sailors and marines of the great world war.
 The Elks are unique in one feature of their organization-though not ex- elusive among secret fraternal orders in the fact that only one subordinate Lodge is permitted in each city, which