![]() In 1945 the Association per capita dues was $00.10 per member and with a total of 4,545 statewide members the annual income of $454.50 didn’t go very far. They also had very little money to use to reimburse the officers for their expenses. Also, they usually had only a half day to drive home to be ready for work the next day. Brother Tony said it was often difficult to get the delegates together due to travel costs, distances involved and means of transportation. At this time the State Conventions were held on Saturday and Sunday. During this time he became a very close friend of John Pulice of Carlsbad and also Don Dickason of Albuquerque who were also Presidents of the Association. Tony and Earl and their wives would drive from El Paso to Carlsbad for dances and other activities at the Carlsbad Lodge. In discussing this period it was apparent that Tony became very close to other Elks in the State and especially Earl Brown in El Paso. He was able to continue his duties as President as he was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso and was able to get a 3 day pass to attend some of the meetings. In reminiscing about his experiences he stated that he was elected President and then entered the Army four months later. To quote Brother Tony, “Joe Gribbin and Arthur Carr, they run the show”. He also indicated the leadership of the New Mexico Elks in those days rested with Arthur Carr of Santa Fe and J. He also indicated the leadership of the New Mexico President. He felt the formation of the Association was strongly influenced by the Gallup lodge who provided the first President. He was not a member of the Elks for several years after the Association was formed but did remember many of the original presidents. Tony, who is 83 years young at this writing, joined the Elks Lodge in Raton in 1932 at the urging of Ollie Jones, a friend who also started him on his political career. (Tony) Vigil, who was State President in 1943-44 it was possible to gain some insight into the early days of the State Association. ![]()
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