Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-06
PRES|DENT-ELECT
FINDS INSPIRATION
| IN LOVING MEMORY
Leading Members From
All Over Nation Gather
at Elks' Home.
VIRGINiANS REPRESENTED
BY MANY DELEGATIONS
Senator and Party Leave Train
at IL O'clock for
Ride.
RECEPTION is ENTHUSIASTIC
Reaches Washington Shortly Be-
REPRESENTED
BY MANY DELEGATIONS
RECEPTION is ENTHUSIASTIC
Reaches Washington Shortly Be-
fore Midnight-Plans Visit
to Senate Today.
by }. FREDERICK EssARY,
Stan Correspondent of The Tines
DisDntch


BEDFORD. VA. Dec. 5-President-
Elect Warren G.. Harding today laid
aside politics and the affairs of state
while he joined more than 1000 fell
low members OF the Benevolent and
Protective Order OF E.ks in paying
final tribute to memory OF their dead.
He journcyed from Norfolk overnight
to this mountain city and devoted the
last day Of his vacation to the tender
duty OF mcmoriailzing the little group
OF fourteen forever absent residents
Of the National Home of the Elks
In an address OF perhaps half
an hour the prcsident-clect poured
forth the sentiments that moved him
on SO solemn an OCCASION, concluding
with the thought that fraternity.
strikes the common chords and tho
world needs moro of tho fraternity
OF peoples and nations"
Lending EsIks Present.
Leading Elks came to Bedford today
from all sections of tho country. They
came in private cars. on special trains
and in smaller groups. They felt
honored that tho President elect
should give TO them the last day be-
fore he resumes his seat in the Senate
and before he plungcs deep into the
important business OF Cabinet and
policy making preparatory to his In
auguration on March L.
Virginia Eiks and their friends
were here by the hundreds Rich
mond. Norfolk. Newport News and
Bristol sent representative delegas
tions. I-yachburg and Roanoke. near
By. sent special trains. Nearly
score came here from Baltimore OH
a special car. and others from more
remote States made the pilgrimage
TO this shrine OF Elkdom. The Bal
timore party arrived early this morn
ing. headed by Past Exalted Ruler
John u. Berger and Henry w. Mears.
past grand trustee, and one of the
men who founded this national instt.
tuition.
Senator Harding and his Official
party left their special train at IL
o'clock and were driven by motor
through the streets Of the city. From
every house American flags were
waved, and men and women and chill
dren poured forth to do honor to
their distinguished guest. In the
center OF the city the corps OF cadets
OF the Randolph Macon Academy was
soldierly fashion the party as it passed.
The drive took the party later
through the campus OF the academy
and the cadets were once more mt
attention to receive the President.
elect.
Greeted by Cheers.
Al the national home the 100 or
more resident members. some Of them
them almost TOO feeble to be about,
were assembled in front of the main
building. But they gave the Senator
a mighty cheer as ho stepped from
his car and Immediately surrounded
him. almost overwhelming him with
their fraternal greetings.
With Senator Harding were Charles
w. Fairbanks. Carl Postie and Major
Geren. three past exalted rulers of
the Marion. Ohio, lodge, who came
here as 4 special compliment to the
Senator. In addition there were Fred
Robinson. OF Iowa. grand secretary;
Z. j. brennan, Texas: Grand Trustees
Charles +. ]. McCuc. Massachusetts;
Patrick Powers. New Jersey; John
Halp!n, Missouri. and w. e. Dr!slane,
New York; Past Grand Exalted Rulers
James T. Tanning. Mayor John Gail
win. OF Cincinnati and Fred Harper.
of Lynchburg. Va.
Luncheon was served at the home.
Early IN the afternoon the Roanoke
delegation arrived. accompanied by
the Shriners' band of that city and
by the KAHN Temple chanters. The
Lynehburg contingent detrained and
marched to the home about the same
tine. The formal exercises opened
with a prelude by the Bedford or
chestra and the Invocation by the
Rev. H. c. Smith. The KAHN chant
ers sang. as did Miss Prestwich and
Lewis Campbell. both OF Lynchburg.
Tho memorial service OF the order
was followed BY tho Introduction OF
Senator Harding at tho hands of
Grand Exalted Ruler william N. Alb
bott. y
The crowd was too great for tho I
auditorium and shsSwina sesned toe