New Britain herald., 1926-07-13
CHAMELEON ELECTED
 LEADER OF ELKDON
New Exalted Ruler Urges Every
 Lodge Be Made Civic Center
MEMBERS LISTED
Assets of Fraternity $95,OOO,00O - S2,f07,00S Given To Charity In Ycar-150,OOO Visitors At Chicago Attending Convention.


 Grakelow Of Philadelphia was unan- imously elected grand exalted ruler of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks by inc grand lodge today. He succeeds Judge William Hawley Atwell of Dallas, Texas.
 Grakelow. director of public vel fare of his city, was nominated by w. Freeland Kendrick, mayor of Philadelphia and was elected with out opposition. He has been a mem Ter of the Philadelphia lodge since 1907, has served as exalted ruler six terms and has been president of the Pennsylvania Elks association. He was grand esquire Of the order for three years and has been member of the grand lodge committee on membership.
 Acknowledging his election, Nr Grakelow urged that "every Elks lodge be directly known as the civic center of it's community. the one great meeting place where all pa triouc and charitable activities con- verge and where the unfortunate comes for succoT"
 Assemble From Far Away
 "Bill,' from Cordoya. Alaska, shook hands with Bill" from Pana- ma Canal Zone and Bills from Hawaii and California mingled with Bills from Maine and Tlorida-all brothers under purple and white hat bands as Chicago was trans formed into the metropolis of Elk dom,
 To the tune of 100 hands the best people on earth" had moved into the city. to be welcomed at pub lie meeting last night and prepared today for an extensive program of amusements, and sessions of the grand lodge at which a new exalted ruler will be named.
 To the gathered multitudes and to those who welcomed the visitors, Judge William Hawley Atwell, of Dallas, Texas. the retiring grand eX- alted ruler, delivered this philosophy of Elkdom;
 Philosophy of Elkdom
 "The Elks is not a political order. It is not religious order. 1t is not q selfish order. It takes thought neither of ambitions, nor success, nor riches.
 Tt knows the fires of love. It lives for the future. It is the so- cfoty of the sincere and seeks de- liverance from the deceitful; the so- cietv of service seeking deliverance from selfshness.
 Its philosophy Is for men. It is grateful for life, for opportunity for nation and for every diversity that makes men stronger"
 15O,O0O at Convention
 A roll call of cities and towns the nation was presented on the hat bands of the visitors, who swelled the population of Chicago by more than 150,o00.
 Many delegates wore the hanh- ments of their native communities as they swarmed the streets, More han lOD IbSdS NbN DDN H ''' '- chaps, red shirts, four gallon som breros and long barrelod six shooters added q dash of color to stald MlCh- igan avenue.
 sa6,504 On Rolls They were the representatives or -he Se6.To4 members of the order' the total named in annual reports made public today. These reports also showed that the fraternity had ssets of sq5,oOO,OOO and had spent sa 4o7.ooS for charity in the last
 Public playgrounds, camps for poor children, fuel and rent TOT ! needy families. the Boy scouts medical work. Thanksgiving baskets, | hospital donations and public relie' york were the principal benehciaries ! 1f the welfare fund.