Moose "Pap"

Philadelphia bustled and tumbled with the 39th convention of the Loyal Order of Moose--membership, 650,000; slogan, "Pap." Some 50,000 delegates attended, together with 1,200 women auxiliaries who were last week admitted to a men's session for the first time.

The mood of the convention was described by Editor Donald F. Stewart* of the Mooseheart Magazine (monthly circulation, 763,000). "The most significant aspect," he said, ". . . is that it marks the end of... shoulder-slapping, grips and passwords and the beginning of a new fraternalism at work on a concrete program of social service for the welfare of the entire community."

Nevertheless, shoulder-slapping, grips and the password, "Howdy, Pap!" were not entirely laid aside before the Mooses sat down to discuss their concrete program. The word "pap" does not connote, to Mooses, a bland sort of mush or gruel fed to infants. When Moose greets Moose he merely pronounces the initials of "Purity, Aid, Progress." There was, of course, a gorgeous parade, which rain could not discourage, through streets which the Philadelphia Moose lodge (the largest, with 30,000 members) had spent some $35,000 to decorate becomingly with moose statues on pedestals, an arch of loyalty, flags, bunting, etc.

U. S. Secretary of Labor James J. Davis, director general of the order, made an oration to the effect that men should not be "scrapped" at 50 but preserved by society for a useful old age. He described Moosehaven, the order's Florida home for aged Mooses, as a place "to live, labor and love" instead of "to loaf, linger and die." He went on for two hours--when a page brought him a note from his wife that it was time to stop.

The man whose secretary Mrs. Davis (Jean Rodenbaugh) was before her marriage, Rodney H. Brandon, Moose executive secre- tary, explained the order's new concrete program. "Let's broaden our horizon!" he declared. "Let's remember other people's children as well as those who are children of Moose!" To do so, thought Mr. Brandon, would stamp out crime.

At Mooseheart, Ill., is a home for orphaned Moose boys and girls. They are taught trades, educated through high school, afforded college scholarships. Director General Davis suggested that Moose children may be admitted in future at the death of their mother only, provided their fathers pay tuition.

Sir John Daniel, "Biscuit king of Great Britain" and Cardiff shipbuilder, headed a delegation of Welsh Moose; handed Director General Davis a gavel made of wood from the house where Mr. Davis was born, in Tredegar, Wales.

To succeed Norman G. Heyd of Toronto as Supreme Dictator, the Moose elected Ethelred M. Stafford of New Orleans.

Black Elks

Harlem, Manhattan Negro city, was full of noise and shouting, wind and rain. Flags, strung across thronged streets, dropped in a cold summer storm. A chilly wind blew around corners, where people talked and laughed, lifting the sound of their voices and blowing it into a high gusty silence. Before long a parade came down the street. The drums sounded brisk and forlorn, the loud trumpets and cymbals quavered in the wind. The gay strident uniforms had dulled to a streaky brown, but the paraders shouted and did a Charleston all the same. Watchers laughed when a big, fat, black bandsman dropped his plumed hat and had to sit down on the street before he could pick it up again. They laughed when a young woman marcher tried to do a high kick and fell down on her back. Every now and then someone would dash out from the sidewalk to shake hands with a friend in the merry, moving lines. The two would mumble or shout their greetings, intricately clasp big fists, then scuffle apart, embarrassed by cheering. Finally the paraders reached the New York Oval, turned their coat collars up and scuttled for speak easies or for home.

This was on the second day of the I. B. P. O. E. of W.* convention.

On the first day Acting Mayor McKeef had welcomed Negro Elks to the City with these words: "This is the greatest city for Negroes in the world!" On ensuing days the behavior of members of the I. B. P. O. E. of W. became less extravagantly conventional. Harlem newspapers made comments, elections were held, plans were discussed, speeches were made.

Advice. Advertisement inserted in the New York Amsterdam News (Negro weekly published daily during the convention:)

TIMELY "DON'TS" FOR VISITORS

Safety First

DON'T forget your residence, floor and apartment, and don't forget to go to it.

DON'T stick your head or arms out of train or trolley windows.

DON'T try to board a car when it is moving, or get off before it stops.

DON'T sleep in trolley, elevated or subway trains.

DON'T fall for every man or woman who looks good to you.

Care of Your Money

DON'T display large bills or show your pocketbook in public. Have small change for getting about town.

DON'T let it be known that you carry large sums of money on you.

DON'T make change for any body; let him get it elsewhere.

DON'T ask strangers for change; have nothing to do with them, especially if they try to work the old pocketbook trick on you.

Manners

DON'T argue with conductors or motormen.

DON'T smoke in cars, trains or stations unless there is a place especially provided for it.

DON'T fail to give your seat to elderly people.

DON'T wear turbans or other insignia of your order in public, except in a parade or other official occasion.

Drinks

DON'T drink too much at one time.

DON'T carry liquor in your pocket.

DON'T leave your drinks exposed.

Amsterdam News

DON'T fail to visit the Amsterdam News.

Elections. J. Finley Wilson of Washington, D. C., was re-elected for the sixth time Grand Exalted Ruler of the Improved Benevolent Protective order of Elks of the world. Other officers were elected: Grand Secretary, Grand Esteemed Leading Knight, Grand Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Grand Treasurer.

Plans. Next year's convention will be held in Chicago. More lodges, more temples will be erected, more Elks will be initiated.

Speeches. Said Dr. William J. Thompkins of Kansas City: "Negro health conditions . . . are worse than ever before. . . ."

Said J. Finley Wilson, Grand Exalted Ruler: "I am a native of Tennessee. Came from the ranks--bellboy, newsboy, bootblack, hotel waiter, head waiter, cowboy, miner, newspaper reporter, editor, publisher, president of the Negro Press Association, and was elected four times by acclamation. ... I put in our splendid education and health programs. I stand on my record. Let others climb on the bandwagon! Organization is my slogan!"

Said J. Dalmus Steele, Harlem's defeated candidate for Grand Exalted Ruler: "I was quadruple crossed. My future in Elkdom is practically blighted and my faith in the order is virtually under- mined. . . ."

Snip

In Belmar, N. J., one Ralph Berardi clanged his bell and cried his cry in front of the house of a Mrs. Minnie Levine. Out came Mrs. Levine with a pair of scissors. Mr. Berardi ground them for her on his scissors-grinder as expertly as he could. Mrs. Levine eyed the result, her lips in a purse of doubt. Suddenly she seized Mr. Berardi by his baggy trousers. Snip! Before you could say "Spaghetti" she had sliced a gaping moon out of one trouser, right at the knee. Ventilated, humilitated Mr. Berardi rushed to court.

Stain

In Manhattan, a corpulent blackamoor was apprehended for picking pockets. In court, as soon as the culprit's name was mentioned, the judge recalled him as a citizen with a prior blot on his record, dating back to 1920. (The corpulent culprit's name was Juice Stain.)

* Not to be confused with Author Donald Ogden Stewart (Parody Outline of History, Mr. and Mrs. Haddock Abroad, etc.) *Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World. /-Mayor Walker was in Europe (See p 10).