The San Francisco call., 1896-03-04
BIC INCREASE IN A YEAR,
The Junior Order of American
Mechanics Opens Its State
Convention.
A FUND TO ASSIST MEMBERS.
Exclusively for Those Who Lose Their
Positions Because of Joining
the Order.
A FUND TO ASSIST MEMBERS
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, !

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
9QS Broadway, March 8.
The State Council of the Junior Order of
American Mechanics convened in Festi-
val Hall this morning. The State officers
present were: Councillor Fl. G. Schaertzer,
Vice-C Councillor E. F. Howe, Junior Past
Councillor L. S. Butler, Secretary George
E. Terry, Treasurer c. N. Wilson, Conduc-
tor w. S. Post, Warden G. NJ. Baily, In
side Sentinel l.. G.. Judkins, Outside Sem
tinel c. II. Thomas.
The first business of the session was to
give the State Council degree to those who
had never taken it. After this the State
Councillor read his.report. 1t was very
lengthy and gave the details of the history
OF the order IN this State.
1.-THE officers of the State Council" said
the councillor, 'have assisted in many
ways. l can find no adequate words in
which TO express my thanks to our State
Council Secretary, Brother George E..
Terry, and our State Council Treasurer,
Brother C. n. Wilson. Every task i'm
posed on either was cheerfuIly and quickly
performed, and l owe them q debt of graf
itude for their assistance and uni form
courtesy which it will be hard to repay
the subordinate councils has steadily in
creased and we have to-day over 2300
Americans in this State pledged to main
tain the principles OF our order"
The closing of the report recommends
that provisions be made in the constitu-
ton for chaplain in the State and subor-
dinate councils; the requirement for a
charter TO be raised from fifteen to twenty
six applicants, with twenty applicants
present on the night of institution; COM
pensation for the incoming State Coun-
cllOr; increase OF salary for State secre-
tary to $780, and several minor matters.
The report OF the secretary shows the
number of councils in the State to be
25, charters issued during the year and
numb ber of members 1863. With an esti-
mated gain of members OF 275 since De-
Gem ber 81 makes the gain for the year
1884.
In closing the report the secretary says:
Noting with regret that many of our
members have hesitated about joining with
parades when celebrating Washingtons
birthday and the Fourth of July through
fear OF losing their positions, | would rec
ommend that this State Council suggest to
the subordinate councils of this State the
advisability of the several councils creating
a sinking fund for the purpose of assisting
mem bers of this order who may lose their
positions on account of their mem bership
therein until another position may be found
for them. Such fund to be raised by regu-
lar monthly dues of 25 cents or such an
amount as each council may determine
Regarding the order in Alameda County
the State councillor said: About the lat
ter part OF November the councils of Ala
media County took up the matter of bring
ing the mem mbers more closely together and
organized a county union committee.
That committee, under the efficient lead
ership of Brother P. Salisbury, the chair
man, has outlined plan of work which,
if closely pursued and ,persevered in, will
ere long make Alameda County the ban
ner Jr. o. U. A. county in California.
They are providing for union meetings OF
councils and the placing of council in
each town of that county which can sup
port one.''
Tomorrow there will be three sessions
and an election of officers. At noon the
delegates will be given a lunch by the local
branch OF the Daughters of Liberty.