Cornerstone Laid for Magnificent New Home of Los Angeles, Calif., Lodge

Unusual festivities, in which several thousand members of the Order took part, recently marked the laying of the cornerstone by Los Angeles, Calif., Lodge No. 99. of the new $2,500,000 Home which it is building at the corner of Park View Avenue and West Sixth Street. The entire Westlake district of the city was beautifully decorated with flags and Elk colors by the Westlake Merchants' Association who joined in celebrating the event. A parade, in which the United States Marine Band from Fort McArthur, a company of Marines, and the ^bands, Glee Clubs, drill teams, drum corps and members of Lodges throughout southern California took part, preceded the exercises. Many prominent members of the Order were present, among them being Past Grand Exalted Ruler William M. Abbott; Michael F. Shannon. Member of the Grand Lodge Committee on Judiciary; Edgar F. Davis, President of the California State Elks Association; and District Deputy Grand Exalted Rulers W. C. Crandall, Horace Quimby and Clarence Staples. The exercises were conducted by the officers of Los Angeles Lodge and appropriate remarks were made by one of the Past District Deputies of California, Eugene Daney, who drew an interesting comparison between his visit to Los Angeles Lodge as District Deputy in 1888 and the present. Hon. R. W. Pridham, a member of No. 99 and President of Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, commented on the fact that the entire city looked upon the new building with pride owing to the many great things the Lodge had accomplished for the community. Hon. Isidore Dockweiler, who is a member of Los Angeles Lodge, made the address of the day and was most enthusiastically received. Harry Sheehan, President of the Westlake Business Men's Association, welcomed the Lodge to the Westlake district, making reference to the able assistance each organization could and would give to the other. After the exercises the members inspected the interior of the first two floors of the building and voiced hearty approval of the progress being made. The new Home will be one of the outstanding buildings of the Order, embodying all fraternal, gymnastic and club features, with 175 living-rooms, each equipped with private bath.

More News from May, 1925