The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-11-06
The Order Of Elks
 Was Instituted Half Century Ago

Inere, IS much Of romance, SOcia- bility and good fellowship in connec- ton with the founding of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Eilks of the United States of America. In these later years B. P. O. E. has como to mean in the. popular mind Best People on Earth, and it is as such like to be known.
 The order of Elks owes its exist ence and it's name to Charles Alger- and son of preacher. Vivian land ed on these shores Nov. IS, 1887. He was an actor anr his first engage ment was at Buffers American Theatre, New York city.
 Vivian was a convivial soul, and his boarding house was a popular gathering place for theatrical folks. Hardly Sunday passed without a big Sometimes there were midweekly ses- sfons as well.
 As the fame of these meetings spread their popularity increased, so much so that it was decided finally to- organize a club. Committees were named, a tentative society formed and Vivian was placed at its head At. first it was confined to actors but soon writers, artists and others began to be included in the circle.
 With the growth of the club it
 
 name than any which had been sug- gested should be selected and a com mittee was named for that purpose. On Feb. Is, 1868, the committee re- and Protective Order of Elks" and "BuffaIoes."t There were Is pres ent at the committee meeting at which decision was to be made.
 Seven voted for the name "Elks." The other seven favored "Buffaloes." vivian's name was the last on the "Elks," and that is now the wonder ful organization came into existence
 Up to 1S90sthe order had two de- grees.. one the first, designated as Elders" They had separate pass words, words of recognition as well as handclasps. These degrees were abol- ished at the 1890 session of the
 In 1868 Vivian was elected Right Honorable Prime, which was then the same as Grand Exalted Ruler to- day. The story of the Elks reads like a romance. At the end of the first year it had 79 members, and one lodge, New York, No. l, the mother lodge of Elkdom. which today has a magnificent home, cub and temple on Forty-Third Street, just east of Broadway.
 On March 12, 1870, Elkdom began It's countrywide spread. On that date a charter was granted to Phil adelphia Lodge, No. 2, That year also saw the election of the first Grand Exalted Ruler. He was Broth CT George J. Green, and when the ti- tie was first given to the office he was the Right Honorable Primo of the single body of Elks.
 The B. P. O. Elks consisted of two that year, the Grand Lodge, meeting in New York, went across the con- tsnent and granted d charter Gtira to aa San the fourth city to have lodge, and since that time it has grown with tremendous activity. Today the Or in every State in the Union and in most of the territorial possessions, and the antelered herd numbers about 100000 members. It is one of the really great fraternities of the coun-
 Representatives from the subordi- nate lodges meet once each year in Grand Lodge sessions, at which na- tional policies of the organization are shaped. Requirements for admis- sion have been changed from time to time, but there are three essen tials. The first is American citizen ship, the second a belief in a Su- preme Being and the third, good moral character. The Elks recog- nize no creed or sect; no race except that its members must be white, and the order is nonpolitical.
 It is the only fraternal organiza- }tion recognizing Flag Day, June IA,
 
 z American flag, and it macs para mount the principles of. Americanism patriotism and the four cardinal ideals of the order, charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. It is only natural, in view of those who ori- ginally formed the Elks, that nearly all actors and other professional per formers should be included in its membership. That is one reason why gatherings of it's members are always enjoyable.
 But, while the Elks make much of the social life and sociabihty, it is even more than a meres ocial body. It is a tremendous force in the life of tthe country and an organizatio that regards it's obligations as sacred as duty to country, love of home, and maintenance of freedom and institu- tfons under the Constitution.
 Growth of the orGcr has brought with it a magnificent national home in Bedford, Va Here an Elk may ass his declining years in the com pany of his fellows, CT if unable to care for himself he will receive the best of medical attention. It is a real home and is for every Elk. no matter what his circumstances. There is d spacious lodge room, magnificent sleeping rooms and apartments. li- brsiry, immense dining room, and the appointments of a hotel of the finest class. reduced to terms of club and home There are wide sweeps of lawn. groves and drives. It is just another phase of the greater Elkdom that is so appealing.