New Britain herald., 1929-10-24
Eagles Celebrate 18th Birthday
 With 500 At Anniversary Dinner;
 Local Aerie Wins Ringing Praise
Grand Worthy President Chenu Speaks on Orders Policy - State Officers Attend Observance.

Over GOO gathered at Odd Fellows Eall last evening to do homage and honor to the New Britain aerie, Fratcrnal Order of Eagles, on the --5th anniversary of it's organization. 1t Was q fitting close to a quarter ot a century of successful work in this city by the Eagles. Joy reigned throughout the evening and the cup ot happiness was increased when it was announced that 145 new mem- bers had been initiated during the afternoon and evening. Practically all of the new Eagles were present at the anniversary banquet. Before yesterday, the aerie had a member ship of 505 which jumped to G5O at the close of the initiation ritual. This was che of the greatest gains in membership ever made by the local order.
 Noted Guests Present
 Present at the banquet to join with the Eagle members in their celebration and day of happiness were Charles Chenu of Sacramento, Cal., grand worthy president of the crder; Thomas Fitzpatrick of Bea- con Falls, state president; Julius C.. Stremlau of Meriden, chairman of the State Old Age Pension commits slon; William r. Kelly of Nausatuck. uePutY organizer; and members of the police and fire commissions.
 The anniversary celebration was started with an elaborate banquet at o'clock after President William E. Tyler had introduced the guests and gwen brief talk on the significance or the gathering. During the ban puet, music was enjoyed and enter tainment provided by the Seeley en- tertalnment bureau. Everybody Semed to be in a happy mood and joy and laughter reigned through out the hall. The past worthy pres ldents of the order were the recip- rents Of numerous congratulations souvenir bill folds were distributed 10 those present. They were in scribcd with a short paragraph tell Ing of the Eagle anniversary.
 Congratulations of City
 Following the singing of a num- Der of popular songs by those pres cnt, President Tyler introduced the speakers on the program. Matthew Callahan, secretary to Mayor Angelo M. Paonessa, represented the city in the absence of the city official who was unable to attend. He extended he congratulations of the entire city to the local order of Eagles and n tn come. He touched on mothers day, a yearly observance that was form ulatcd by the Eagles, and the old age pension bill.
 First Worthy President Speaks
 Edwin A. Parker, the first worthy president of the local order, was loudly applaudcd as he arose to speak. He told the gathering that he looked back with considerable satisfaction to his 25 years in the Eagles and was proud of his record. MT. Parker stated that of the orig inal charter members of the local order, 43 had passed to their reward and when he thought of this, the carly days of the order seemed to be a long ways back. He told how he had watched the aer.e grow year by year and help make the world a bet ter place to live in. The object of the Eagles IS to help their fellow men and he felt that the local order had more than accomplished this. In conclusion, Mr. Parker told his listeners that he hoped to enjoy many more years of success and en- Joymcnt with. the Eagles and hoped to take part in future anniversa ries.
 Michael w. Bannan, chairman of the police board, congratulated the local order on it's 25 years of sue cess and said, although he was not an Eagle, that he had been greatly impressed in the order when he viewed the large gathering and heard of the things that it had ac- Complished. The police commission CT stated that he was convinced that the Eagles meant everything that they stood for and urged the pres cnt members to get out and secure new members. He stressed the point that the Eagles had something to sell and it was up to the present
 
 order. MT. Bannan extended the best wishes of the police commits sion.
 State President Praises Aerie
 Thomas Fitzpatrick, state prcsi- dent, spoke in glowing terms of the wonderful work that has been ac- complished by the New Britain Eagles and said the order was to be congratulated both on it's 18th an- niversary and the admittance of 145 new members. He urged his listen- CTS to do their best to obtain new members, stating that every Eagle present should be able to secure at least one candidate.
 Julius C. Stremlau, chairman of the old age pension commission, told Tn vivid words the work of the Eagles in Connecticut to obtain an cid age pension bill and claimed that the order would some day be proud to state that it had been the cause Of having the bill passed, thereby eliminating the poor houses and giving the old and infirm a chance to spend their last days with their relatives and friends. Like the previous speakers. MT. Stremlau urg- ed the local Eagles to get out and secure more members, for the stronger the Eagle organization in this state, the better the chances were of securing an old age pension bill.
 William r. Kelly deputy organiz- CT, congratulated the local order on it's wonderful work and success since its organization. He also urged the members to work hard for new Eagles.
 Grand Worthy President Chenu said that he was greatly pleased with the work of the local order nd to