The Coconino sun., 1919-07-11
AMERICANISM IS THE
 SLOGAN OF THE ELkS
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Continued from Page 12.) Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, power to grant charters to sub ordinate lodges throughout the coun- try. That year the Grand Lodge held three regular communications, or con- ventions, and New York Lodge, No. 1, was rejoicing in its great pros perity, with $53S.S1 in its treasury. Charity a Cardinal Principle
 As illustrating a spirit that has always actuated the Elks, on October 26, 1871, a great benefit was staged by New York Lodge No. 1, to aid the sufferers from the great Chicago fire. 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 banks were closed and money was badly needed, and planked down five thousand dollars in cash as starter on what the Elks proposed to do. Afterwards Brown had so much Elks money at San Francisco that he could not spend it all, and the Elks in addi- tion sent out 400 carloads of food to the stricken city. -. The foregoing are incidents of public character; but the favorite method of the Elks in dsbursing of thousands of dollars annually in char ity is not to invite any publicity whatever in regard to it. It is now known, however, that no poor children are allowed to miss proper Christ mas 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. It was back in 1868 that the Eleven O'Clock Toast of the Elks was started by George F. Mcdonald, who launch ed the "To Our Absent Brothers" that has since ripened into tender signifi- canoe with all members of the order.
 Elks Home in Virginia
 The order of Elks has established a beautiful home for aged and indigent members at the base of the famous Peaks of Otter, at Bedford City, Va. On this site of 100 acres has been erected a home costing S1 ,00O, ,OO0, all operating expenses of which are borne by the Grand Lodge. An Elk in good standing, upon proper certification of his lodge that he is infirm,, or indi- gent, and consequently unable to care | for himself, is entitled to the home, is admitted to it with the minimum of red tape, and is made heartily and hu- namely 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 reaching it's present pinnacle of prosperity and popularity. But it has emerged from every internal dissention apparently stronger in purpose and determination because of them. In 1890, when the Grand Lodge was called to meet in Cleveland, Ohio, the New York Lodge disputed the right of the Grand Lodge to hold it's sessions outside of the state of New York. The New York char ter was suspended and not restored until the lodge returned to the fold in 1893. In 1894 a split resulted over question of authority as between the Grand Exalted Ruler and the Grand Trustees; but the breach was com pletely healed at the Grand Lodge ses- sion of 1895 in Atlantic City At the Cincinnati session in 1896, the flag, the Bible and antlers were formally designated as the altar drapery. Tn 1909 the official emblem of the order, comprising an Elk head across the face of clock marking the hour of II, was adopted and patented.
 Elks for "Americanism"
 The present rallying cry of the Ben-I evolent and Protective Order of Elks is "Americanism." Its responsible of fcers have made it plain that it will occupy no neutral or doubtful position on this issue. No man with Bolshevik sentiments or beliefs will be eligible to membership in it, and its influence and resources will be everywhere available to the constituted authorities in backing up and building up real American sentiment. Everywhere also, the Elks as an organization are taking more and more interest in civic affairs in their respective communi- ties. And while the discussion of some real or alleged or fancied crisis is at nearly all times rife in this country, the progressive order of Elks may be depended upon to discuss and help solve such problems in the inter- est of law, or order, of right and de- f A