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

FRAMING OF OLSaDleu SOIOleIS
Sailors and Marines.
This years national convention
bf 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-
pTecedented number Of deaths from
the epidemic that swept the country
during that time. tho Elks had net
increase in membership during the
last year OF more than $4,000.
Various circumstances account for
the prosperity OF the Order Of Elks
during the war. II is purely an
American institution. It's member
ship is limited to white citizens Of
the United States, and its subordin-
ate Lodges are TO be found only on
United States soil.
Elks Originate Flag Day.
Flag Day, which has become a ma
sional institution through Act OF
Congress, and which this year was
observed and celebrated in practical
~ every community in this country,
was originated by the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks. Even
now, with the day natiOnalized as It
Is, perhaps the most notable celebra-
tiOns OF u are still held IN Elks
homes. Thus on June II last, among
The most notable ard important ut
terances given to the country in OBJ
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 !, the Mother Lodge" Of Elks
Flag Day has been informally OBJ
served by various subordinate Elks
lodges for many years. It's 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-
zion held in Philadelphia in 1907.
diately adopted and the incoming
grand exalted ruler. John X. 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 Ii
brarian OF Kansas. chairman, Charles
Beecher Lahan OF Chicago and Will
liam NJ. largest Of !f5 rrisburg. Pa.
The ritual for, Flag Day was pre-
pared by Mr.. King and exemplified
by him at the grand lodge session in
Dallas. Texas, In 1908.
Patriotism and Charity Taught.
The ritual OF the Elks teaches pa
sriotism above everything else, IN
less Il Is chESity, 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 10 love, respect
and defend it. This ritualisttc teach
Ing is not Of recent origin, but is Of
nearly fifty years standing.
The leaders OF the Elks are among
the leaders OF the country IN COM
merc ial. 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 10 be done
either for the country OF for the IN
diyidual IN distress.
General Persh1ng an Elk.
There IS no red tape IN the Elks
creed In other respects their creed
In expansive enough 70 welcome all
good American citizens 10 member
chip. be they Jews, Gentiles, Catho-
lies or PrOtestants. The one proud
boast OF the Elks everywhere IS that
they possess the genuine fraternal
spirit. And their desire is 10 infect
ether good Americans with It.
General John J. Pershing Is proud
OF hts life membership IN 81 Paso,
Texas. Lodge No. 1S7. a member OF
The military affairs committee Of
congress. who knew PersAing when
ka was a student at West Point, but
e-ho had not seen him FOR many
rears. tells 9 story worth repeating,
about the general and the Elks This
Congressman made az official visit 10
Ihe battle front in France two years
40. and one OF the first things Gen
Pal Pershing said 20 him was:
lack, are you an Elk
II Is needless TO say that that con
-essnan 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
che Elks. IL is easy 70 ui'isrstand
M The Order took q LEADING part IN