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

AoNbI VI uAH hAAN MAO AoNAA~N
great order and in doing so wrought
much good"
The natal day OF Elkdom IS Febru-
airy Is. 1858. This is the date OF the
first charter issued. as well as the
date on the original old first banner
Of New York Lodge No. l, still pre-
served.
AS constituted today. however. the
order OF Elks dates from 1871, on
January l OF which year a resolution
was reported founding the grand
Lodge This was ratified IN New
York on January 20 and on March
10 the legislature OF New York grant
ed the newly formed grand lodge,
Benevolent and Protective Order Of
Elks, power 10 grant charters 70 sub
ordinate lodges throughout the cou1-
try. That year the grand lodge held
three regular communications, or
conventions, and New York Lodge.
No. l. was rejoicing In its e. eat pras-
parity, with S53S.S1 in its treasury.
Charity a Cardinal Principle.
As illustrating a spirit that has
always actuated the Elks, on Octo-
Der IS, 1871, a great benefit was
staged by New York Lodge No. l, 20
aid the sufferers from the great Chi
cago fra And in 1906 at the time
OF the San Francisco disaster Grand
Exalted Ruler Bob" Brown rushed
out TO the Pacific Coast metropolis
where the barks were closed and
money was needed. and planked
down five thousand dollars in cash
as a starter on what the Elks pro
posed 10 do. Afterwards Brown had
so much Elks money at San Fran
cisco that he could not spend II all
and the EIks IN addition sent out 400
car loads OF food TO the stricken city.
The foregoing are incidents OF a
public character, but the favOrito
method Of the Elks in disbursing
thousands Of dollars annually in
charity is not TO invite any public
ity whatever in regard TO II. II is
known, however, that no poor chill
dren are allowed TO miss a proper
Christmas celebration where there IS
an Elks lodge located, and thousands
Of poor families are cared for every
year by the practical charity Of the
Elks.
1t was back in 1858 that the Eleven
O'Clock Toast OF the Elks was start
ed by George +. Mcdonald, who
launched the "To Our Absent Broth
ers" that has since ripened into ten
der significance with all members Of
the order.
Elks Home in Virginia.
The order OF Elks has established a
beautiful home for aged and INDECENT
members at the base Of the famous
Peaks of Otter at Bedford City, Va.
On this site OF 100 acres has been
erected home costing S1,000.00O, all
operating expenses Of which are
borne by the grand lodge An Elk in
good standing, upon proper certifca-
tion OF his lodge that he is infirm, or
INDECENT, and consequently unable 20
care for himself, is entitled TO tho
home, Is admitted TO it with tEa
minimum OF red tape, and + mcGJ
heartily and humaply comfortable
for his remaining days.
Strengthened By Vicissitudes.
At the end Of 1870 the Benevolent
and Protective Order OF Elks had a
membership OF 149, and it has gone
through many vicissitudes in reach
ing its present pinnacle Of prosper
fly and popularity. But II has
emerged from every internal dis
sention apparently stronger in par
pose and determination because OF
them. In 1890, when the grand
lodge was called TO meet IN Clevor
land, Ohio, the New York lodge dis.
puted the right Of the grand lodge to
hold its sessions outside Of the stats
Of New York. Tha New York char.
ter was suspended and not restored
in 1893 In 1894 a split resulted
over a question Of authority as be-
tween the grand exalted ruler and
the grand trustees. but the breach
was completely healed at the grand
lodge session Of 1895 IN Atlantic
City. At the Cincinnati session in
1896 the fig, Bible and antlars were
formally designated at the altar dra-
perry. In 1909 the official emblem OF
the order, comprising an Elk head
across the face OF a clock marking
the hour Of II, was adopted and pat
ented
EIks for "Americanism.
The present rallying cry Of ths
Benevolent and Protective Order Of
Elks is "Americanism.' It's respon-
sible officers have made 1t plain that
e will occupy no neutral or doubt
full position on this issue. No man
with Bolshevik sentiments or beliefs
viii be eligible 10 membership IN Il.
and its influence and resources will
be everywhere available 10 the con-
stituted authorities IN backing up
and building up real American sen
timent. Everywhere, also. tue ElkE
as an organization arc tRk.ag nora
and more interest IA civic affairs N
their respective communities Aad
while the discussion OF some real or
alleged or fancied crisis IS at nearly
ell times rife IN this country. tho
progressive order c: Eiks may be 10
pended upon TO discuss and help