Arizona republican., 1919-07-14

"CharIes Algernon Sidney Vivian. Founder of the Order of Elks. Died March 20, 1880, aged S4 years. A lover of his kind who founded 8 great order and in doing so wrought much good"
 Tho natal day of Elkdom is Febru- ary Is, 1888. 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 of which year a resolution was reported founding the grand lodge This was ratified in New York on January 29 and on March 10 the legislature of New York grant ed the newly formed grand lodge, 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 conventions, and New York Lodge. No. 1, was rejoicing in its great pras- perity. with s53S.S1 in Its treasury.
 Charity a Cardinal Principle.
 As illustrating a spirit that has always actuated the Elks, on Octo- Der 26, 1871, a great benefit was staged by New York Lodge No. l. to aid the sufferers from the great Chi cago fira And in 1906 st 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 to do. Afterwards Brown had so much Elks money at San Fran cisco that he could not spend 1t all and the Elks in addition sent out 400 car loads of food to the stricken city
 The foregoing are incidents of a public character, but the favorite method of the Elks in disbursing thousands of dollars annually in charity is not to invite any public ity whatever in regard to 1t. It is known, however, that no poor chil- dren are allowed to miss a proper Christmas celebration where there is an EIks 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 start ed by George F. Mcdonald, who launched the '"To Our Absent Broth CTS" that has since ripened into ten der significance with all members Of the order.
 Elks Home in Virginia.
 The order of Elks has established 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 home costing S1,000,000, 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 indigent, and consequently unable to care for himself, is entitled to tho home, Is admitted to 1t with the minimum of red tape, and is madc heartily and humanly comforts for his remaining days.
 Strengthened by Vicissitudes.
 At the end of 1870 the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks had membership of 14s, and 1t has gone through many vicissitudes in reach ing its present pinnacle of prosper ity and popularity. But 1t has emerged from every internal dis sention apparently stronger in pur- pose and determination because of them. In 1890, when the grand lodge was called to meet in Clever land, Ohio, the New York lodge dis puted the right of the grand lodge to hold its 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 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 flag, Bible and antle-s were formally designated at the altar dra- pery. 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 the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is "Americanism.' Its respon- sible officers have made 1t plain that 1t will occupy no neutral or doubt ful 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 con. stituted authorities in backing up and building up real American sen timent. Everywhere, also, the Elks as an organization are taking more and more interest in civic affairs in their respective communities. 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 de pended upon to discuss and help solve such problems in the interest of law, or order, of right and decen- cy-of true Americanism.