The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-17

One of the largest state gath erings of members of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks was al- ternately thrilled, cheered and held spellbound with a most inspiring ad- dress on Ainericanism and its rela- tion to Elkdon, based on the prin- ciples of Charity, Benevolence, Brotherly Love and Fidelity, deliy- cred last night by Dr. Edward J. Mccormick of Toledo, Ohis., Grand Exalter Ruler Of 1,500 lodges thruoghout the United Staets.
 Every available seat in the main dining room of the Hotel Elton was filled with more than 400 members of various lodges of Elks through out Connecticut, when the princi- pal speaker was introduced by Postmaster Attorney John Hughes Cassidy, who bid the distinguished guest of honor "a thousand well comes" to you of Celtic name and origin. The occasion was the Fist anniversary of the founding of the B. F.. O. E. in 1868, three years after the Civil War, in connection with which Dr. McCormick made an official visitation as Grand Exalted Ruler to Waterbury Lodge, No. 265.
 Order Misunderstood
 Dr. Mccormick, a native of Michigan, but presently a resident of Toledo, Ohio, informed his lis- teners that Elkdom is greatly mis- understood by the public at large most of which regards the Elks as "the nations playboys." We, as an organization are Fl years of age, and 1t is high time that we secured the general approval of the public of the United States" the grand ex- alted ruler remarked continuing with an outline of the many Elk activities in behalf of crippled chil- dren, college scholarships, social welfare work, aid to tubercular peo- pie, accident preventing programs, and rehabilitation of missions. Out side of our Grand Lodge activities, the Elks of the United States of America to help people in need of help, the speaker stated adding that the Grand Lodge was respon- sible for the establishment of the first base hospital in France, dur ine the World War, has given other hospitals to the U. s. government, arranged for ex-servicemen in need to borrow money, and is always among the first to aid in national catastrophies.
 Comments Salvation Army
 Highly. commenting the Salvation Army, Dr. Mccormick told of a leave of absence which he had dur ing the war, when he reached the south of France, had his leave sud- denly cancelled on order to, return to the trenches. Seeking to bring back cigarettes to his buddies in the trenches, 1t was the Salvation Army whcih provided them with the greeting "help yourself" after his previous efforts to secur cigar cites had failed.
 The New Jersey Elks activity in behalf of crippled children, the work of the Florida members of the B.. P. O. E. the Arizona Elks aid to tuberculars, awards of college schol- arships in Pennsylvania, an expen- allure of $100,000 in North Dakota by Elks in behalf of crippled chil- dren, and various other items of aid and activity sponsored by the organ ization through its lodges was touch- ed upon by the speaker, who then launched into a stirring address on Americanism, part of which fol- lows:
 Elks' Policy
 "Our belief in America is based on the interest of the fortunate in those less fortunate. That has been the Elks policy for 71 years, based on the principles of Charity. Bro therly Love, Justice and Fidelity and we are proud to say that we practice Americanism directly and militantly. The Constitution of the ------------------