June 1921 is a heady time for America and Hawaii. The US, pivotal in ending the World War, has reaped rewards and responsibilities. Warren G. Harding is President. Elk and Past Pres. William H. Taft is Supreme Court Chief Justice. Albert Einstein is lecturing at Columbia University on his new theory of relativity. Samuel Gompers is re-elected AFL President. Leases for oil reserves at Teapot Dome, Wyoming, were signed, a quiet start to a national scandal. Confidence in national finances is based in a rising stock market and oversight by a new Budget Bureau and General Accounting Office. New immigration laws restrict access to America’s shores.
In Hawaii, the Governorship of Elk Charles J. McCarthy is closing. He is proud to have engineered the Territory’s purchase of Washington Place. Johnny Wilson is Mayor. Congressional Delegate Kuhio Kalanianaole looks to July’s signing of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. Work begins on the Ala Wai canal. The economy is growing, having weathered several strikes in 1920; tourists are back after a war slump; and of course Kilauea is erupting!
Honolulu Elks Lodge 616 doubtlessly began Flag Day ceremonies with pride and satisfaction. This was the first Flag Day in the sumptuous new Lodge – the Castle Home.
Chaplain A. J. Matthews leads the assembled crowd of 500 following the pledge of allegiance to the flag. PER F. M. Brooks (1902-1903) spoke on the “History of the Flag.” After Esquire D. A. Turner, ER G. S. Leithead, and other Lodge officers built a floral Liberty Bell, PER H. E. Murray (1906-1907) gave an “Elks’ Tribute to the Flag.”
Music is always part of Elks Flag Day services: Our Emblem was sung by Mrs. C. E. Miller, Mrs. W. E. Deveraux on the piano. Bro Walter Cannon’s singing led the participants in Auld Lang Syne. Piano music by Mrs. R. A. Bruce provided an interlude before Bro. N. R. Slattery sang America, I Love You[1]. The Honolulu Symphony Orchestra provided music for the audience sing-along of Star Spangled Banner to start, and America for a rousing program ending. The Advertiser called the symphony music welcome “after the feast of jazz which has flooded the island.”
The main address was by Governor and PER Charles James McCarthy (ER 1915-1916). His words still provide a thought provoking challenge for citizens, 86 years later: “The American Flag is not, and will not be, any more than you and I make it. We are the spirit of the Flag, and what we are, it is.”
Anita Manning, 616 Lodge Historian
References:
616 Minutes 1921
Advertiser 1921 June 14, 15
Star Bulletin 1921 June 13
[1] 1915 A. Gottler, Composer; E. Leslie, Lyrics. You can see the sheet music cover and listen to the music of this 1915 “monster hit,” a tribute written by an immigrant:
http://parlorsongs.com/issues/1998-3/mar98feature.aspScroll down to this item, click on the sheet music cover.
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