Arizona republican., 1919-07-14

The Elks are unique in one fea- ture of their organization-though not exclusive among secret fraternal orders-in the fact that only one subordinate Lodge is permitted in each city. which permits the resour- ces of each subordinate Lodga to be centralized. The result is that prac- tically every city in the country of over 5000 inhabitants has an Elks 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. M. c. A., the Knights of Colum- bus. the Salvation Army, the Jewish Welfare and others that had reason to appreciate the patriotic spirit of Elkdom as thus exemplifed.
 Erks War Relief Commission.
 Early in the war the Elks became especially impressed with the unsel- fish spirit in which the Salvation Army was carrying on it's work and particularly with the fine standing it 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 in 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- alted 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 K. Tener of Pennsylvan- ia. Joseph T. Tanning of Indianap- olis, Jerome B. Fisher of Jamestown, N. r., James R. Nicholson of Boston, Edward Rightor of New Orleans, Fred Harper of Virginia, all past grand exalted rulers, and Grand Ex- alted Ruler Bruce A. Campbell of East St. Louis, III.
 This Commission at once rendered it's services and resource 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 been made for outftting and equipping them. This was undertaken by the Elks War Relief Commission, each hospital be- ing equipped at a cost of $60,oO0. They were operated during the re- mainder of the period of the war under the joint name of the Elks and the universities designated, and made wonderful records for efficien- cy.
 Reclamation Hospital st Boston.
 Later there was seen the need of a reclamation hospital in this coun- try to rebuild the disabled heroes who were returning from the battle fronts. The Elks War Relief Con- 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 fin Boston. It was turned over to the government to be operated. having cost the Con- mission considerably moro than s300,000 to construct Its 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 40,000 boys were in training. There were not sufficient housing accommoda- tions at Chillicothe, Ohio, near which the camp was located, to care for the parents of the boys who were i'll 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 cost of about s40.000. 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 1t as orc of the best things done at any of the train- ing camps during the time of the epidemic. It was declared that the 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 the work.
 At the time of the signing of the armistice Governor Tener, chairman of the Elks War Relief Commission, was under instructions to proceed to France for the purpose of rendering to 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 considerable sum of money on hand. This money had been raised exclusively among the membership of the Order, total of s2.000,000 in assessments having been authorized, although it was not all called. In- vestigation was at once begun, how ever. for the purpose of determining a suitable use to make of the balance on hand, all of which had been given for war relief work.
 On January 1 last Chairman Tener, Secretary Tanning and Grand Exalted Ruler Campbell, on behalf of the EIks War Relief Commission, called on Evangelina C. Booth, com