The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-22

of it was s3Oo,O0 which they fur nished without other help.
 These are a few of the big things the Elks have done during the war. and they have performed innumerable hosts of lesser deeds that have con- tributed wonderfully to the we'll being and progress of the nation. For in- stance, at Camp Sherman, near Chilli cothe, Ohio, the run of visitors and relatives of the soldiers was too great for the limited facilities of the town; so. in answer to an appeal from the local Elks, the national board appro- priated a sum for the erection and equipment of a large and comfortable building, where the visitors wee housed and fed at cost.
 SALVATION ARMY
 And now for the really big thing the Elks accomplished. That is. the way the Elks and the Salvation Army goi together and helped win the war oy> helping the winners.
 We realize subconsciously, maybe. that we have nevsr been a little both cred with appeals from the Salvation Army No glaring placards, inviting us to give to the boys through the Salva ton Army have struck our re- tina in all the time the war was on. and when we take time to think about it, we are, surprised at the fact
 Why didn't the Salvation Army ad- vertise? Why didn't they send us duns? Because they went out and worked on their merit. quietly and un- obtrusively-and also because of the assistance of the Elks.
 The Salvation Army workers always have gone about their business in just such a fashion, but there came a time in the spring of 1918 when they just had to raise s5.000, 900, and the only way to-ebtain this sum was by a well organized and carefully planned drive. But the. Salvation Army leaders had never directed such a campaign before. They were at loss as to how to pro- ceed. And then the Elks stepped in.
 CARRIED OUT DRIVE
 In something over 50 cities-large cities. mind you-the Elks directed and carried out this drive. They used cv- cry method known to the business. and they raised the money.
 'They saw us through" said Col W. A. Mcintyre. who is at the head of the army's New York office. Were still a little dazed by all they did for us We never could have got the money we did without them. We couldn't ask them for anything they didn't give us Usually we didn't have d chance to ASK. Iney IOOk HOlu Ol our drive magnificiently, There aren't words strong enough to praise the Elks.
 They're a wonderful lot It's not quite a new thing for them to help us. remember once, year ago, they held their grand lodge in Buffalo, And at the same time we were having a fes- tival and trying to raise some money. We had a hurdy -gurdy among other i, ;,1rr xran 1~t &f cf took that hurdy-gurdy away from us. They kept it going for three days and nights! They charged a dollar a ride, and every Elk must have ridden dozen times. They went all over town in it. We'd never seen as much money as they handed over to us"
 SAN FRANCISCO DISASTER And this way they have bobbed up when help is needed is no new trait either. In 1906, when news of the Frisco disaster reached the east. Bob Brown then exalted ruler immediately lined his handbag with $10,o0o in cash and beat it to the rescue. The Elks also sent 400 carloads of food into the stricken city, alleviating much suffering.
 They helped out in the same manner at the time of the Dayton flood in 191i and in the recent Minnesota fores. fires.
 And many are the homes where bright memories of Christmas morn ing, and Santa Claus were rendered possible only by the kind work of these same Elks. These many happy kiddies may not realize now who the iovial Santa Claus was who visited their houses, but some day they will understand and appreciate the worb | these big-hearted men are doing.