The Enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 192?-1930, 1927-07-01

week.
Headed by j. Dalmus Steele,
whom Wilson claims is hostile tow
ard him and himself seeking election
to the highest office in Elkdom, the
delegation from New York City,
swept into the state meeting just as
it was about to close here Wednes-
day and received hearing. At
torney Pope Billups, acting as
spokesman of the delegation, re-
ferred to the grand exalted rulers
proclamation which changed the con-
vention from New York to Cleve-
land, as tyrannical act and one
promoted and inspired by selfish
ness.
The speaker pointed out the in
effectiveness of the Grattan Law,
which is supposed to have caused the
change of place and cited instances
of the grand exalted ruler setting
up lodges in the City of New York
and Brooklyn, in ''full regalia of the
order" We're the law effective the
New Yorker declared this would not
have been possible.
Another indication that the law
would in no way hinder or impede
the workings of the convention was
found in the parade of 10000 Elks
recently, under the escort Of fifteen
policemen. The New Workers. made
eloquent pleas for the support of
the Illinois contingent.
While no declaration was made
openly, there was tacit insinuation
that New York intended to hold a
national convention of the order at
the appointed time and according
TO j. Dalmus Steele, "every Elk with
fifteen cents worth of sense would
be in New York; tHNs
The grand exalted ruler was here
for the opening day and explained
his position in the matter. He de-
clared that there was move on
foot to place him in the tombs IL the
meeting were held in violation of
the law, but the New Workers on the
other hand averred that a guarantee
of $4,000 would be placed to as
sure him against any molestation
whatever.
observers from the inside" de-
clare that New York desires the
grand exalted rulership and went to
the Cleveland convention with the
intention of placing a candidate in
the field, but changed their minds
when the record of establishing
lodges made by the Grand Exalted
Ruler throughout the country be-
fore them and with delegates from
these many new lodges present, they
felt that Wilson's position was in
vincible. With the convention in
New York, however, things might
be little different, the ambition
of the easterners might be realized.
Friends of the Grand Exalted
Ruler openly admit that he, too,
fears that he will be beaten in New
York and intimate that this is the
underlying reason for the change Of
meeting place. Mr.. Wilson has
made an enviable record as head Of
the order and has through the power
gained by his contact with lodges
throughout the country extended the
tenure of office from one year to
an indefinite period. Some of the
easterners are afraid that he plans
to extend this tenure Of office to
life.
The situation is intense through
out the country and prominent Elks
are weighing carefully the case OF
the two groups. Ben Davis In the
far South believes that the grand
exalted ruler has "overstepped his
power" and his action will mean no
good to the order. A bit further
North, in Tennessee, w. L. Porter
believes that for the good Of the
order the convention should not be
held in the State of New York.
The Chicago lodges probably will
go with Wilson, even though many
think that three times in 50 few
years is too often for Cleveland.
Those of the inner circle are say
ing that while many of the promin-
ent members of the order are sup
porting the grand exalted ruler they
are doing so either because he "has
them tied upr or they are doing 50
in order to find out the true motive
of the change.
Three delegations from New York
are touring the country in the I'M
tcrests Of the New York group and
the delegation that attended the
Chicago meeting left immediately
for Gary and other points in the mid
| dicwest, the avowed strongholds Of
the grand exalted ruler.