The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-09-02
Grand Elks conven-
ton at Kansas CITY
Parades, Carnivals Balls, Social Affairs
Mark the Five Days Of Hello Bill!''
BOSTON THE NEXT MEETING
CIV Charles A. Starks. \

Hello BilN Hello Bill! was the real
spirit that characterized the conven-
tion week of the Elks. From hence
force now and forever Kansas City
must go down, at least in the minds of
the visitors, as one Of the greatest host
towns on the map. Everyone seemed
to be inoculated with the gayety of the
occasion. The days were bright, the
nights were big, dull moments were
conspicuous by their absence, the whole
week passed in a train Of glorious fun
mid veritable riot of music.
AS early as Friday there was a no
ticeable influx of visitors. The local
scions of Elkdom were highly primed
for the occasion, the boys looked good,
acted better, they were apparently all
that could be required of progressive
hosts to their brothers and the public.
received with due cordiality. Chicago,
New York, Philadelphia, Detroit, Bir-l
mingham and others from Minnesota
and elsewhere sent their Elks here for
the grand celebration. Great interest
was shown in most OF these particularly
for the accompanying bands they
brought. z%ts.E.f
The sessions proper of the conven-
tion have been all that was hoped
for, the affair attracting the big men
of the order through the country to the
call Of the Elks. !,
Perhaps one Of the distinctive fea-
lures that the visitor will remember is
the big carnival. Also, II IL the visitors
had an eye for topography they prob
ably were struck with the strikingly
beautiful location of the show. l, the 10
cation is at the very axis OF great
mass Of colored people. Talk about your
black belts, here's one. And think q
it, the Paseo, part Of grand. boule'i
ward system, with votaries touching g
larger portion of the city, splits this
long black belt into halves, so that our
people, being in closest proximity, have
perpetual JOY Of tree and flower OF
broad, green expanse; OF play GROUNDS
tennis courts, racing course and other.
nuhlic. utilities: Here, mid these happy
surroundings, in this joyous atmosphere
the Elks were highly entertained.
Greatest OF All Parades.
In several noted features the parade
Of Tuesday was the greatest demonstra.
tion we have witnessed in these parts.
Aside from the extraordinary length
the parade was remarkable for the
smacky uniforms worn by the march:
ers. If there was aEything more re-
markable than these, they were the
men themselves. All the favorable
types Of the race were represented.
In the musically intense. moments
some of the more demonstratlye marGn- E,
ers executed some ludicrous steps. The
Drum majors We'd with one another ~
their gyrations while manipulating
their directing sticks. The Gentlemen
from st. Louis is herewith extended the
palm for out gyrating all the other
gyraters. ..... - ~ noroaa
was the spectators themselves. Kansas
CITY was out for gala day and 1t was
az Thousands and thousands STOOD
along the line Of march. The complex,
ion Of the crowd naturally changed
when the parade got to the down town
district. The absence of sneers ana
contempt is probably Indicative Of some
,,rooress in the estimation of others.
"a per schedule the parade ended az
tho Paseo after having passed the re-
w;aw;np stand Of city officials. Inc
dav was climaxed by the S
Grand Bali at Convention Hall.
This affair drew big. soclety Eele
was at it's best. Oppo1tunlty for 1erp, ls
slfao'van offer was accepted accepted BY possibly four
thonsond neople. Dame Fashion was
.hl;ll;antly exploited this night by the
..ann tvped and vari-colored women,
nin , danced and danced. Some Of the
1ad;es ~; were were notably gowned because OF
the th georgeousness Of their apparel, oth.
.sne s ssere notably gowned because OF
the scantiness Of their apparel: ~,
boweyer, how looked clever with variations
~ forms along with an occasional
.aavaninp dress The music was fui-
niehed by the famous Eighth Illinois ?a'
band. = who produced some spicy IN
spirations.