The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-20
THE BUILDING TO GO UP
GRAND LODGE, i. o. o. F., DECIDES
TO ERECT A $25O,OOO STRUCTURE.
A Long Night Session and Debate
Over the Matter-RepOrts as to
Condition of Order.

After a session of five hours last night
the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows deter
mined to erect a great Office building upon
its real estate at the corner of Pennsylvania
and Washington streets. vote was taken
by lodges, resulting 264 to 211 in favor of
the project. The real estate, which is re-
garded one of the most, if not the most
valuable corner in the city, is unincumbered
and it is the intention to bond the property
for $2500O0 and erect building of ten
stories. The first and second floors will be
let for retail business purposes and all the
other floors, except the ninth and tenth, for
Offices The ninth floor will be occupied by
two subordinate lodge halls, which will be
sufficient to accommodate all the subordi-
nate lodges in the city, and the tenth floor
will be devoted to the use of the Grand
Lodge. The present building is somewhat
historic, as the leading spirits in it's cree
ton were Oliver P. Morton and Robert
Dale Owen. 1t was built when there were
but 5000 Odd Fellows in the State, and they
borrowed $43, 900 to build it.
The property upon which the proposed
building is to be erected will be turned over
to the association which was Incorporated
last week. after the election of a trustee
which occurs to-day. Two-thlrds OF the
stock is held by the Grand Lodge and the
remainder by the Grand Emcampment and
subordinate lodges in the State.
To-day the legislative committee will
recommend changes as follows in the initia-
ton fees: $40 for applicants thirty-five
years old or under, SIC from thirty-tve to
forty-five years, $24 above forty-five 80 fifty
years, and above fifty years the fee is to
be fixed by the subordinate lodge into
which the applicant seeks admission.
The siXty-second convocation OF the
Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows is now in ses-
sion in the Grand Lodge Hall, at the corner
of Pennsylvania and Washington streets.
The sessions began yesterday morning with
mittees. Grand Master G.. L. Reinhard de-
voted most of his report to the proposed
new building. He said that he and the
special building committee were heartily IN
favor of the proposition but there were
grave obstacles in the way of the project
He was heartily in favor OF the proposition
to erect a new building, and hoped plan
would be devised for the accomplishment OF
the purpose He suggested that perhaps an
arrangement might be made with the Grand
Lodge Hall Association and with individual
members of the lodge whereby the building
might be erected without leap In the
dark by the Grand Lodge
The grand master also suggested that the
fees for initiation in subordinate lodges
ought to be reduced. The present minimum
fee is $19. Lodges may make this Zee great
provision in the rules whereby 1T may be
made less. The grand master suggests that
there are thousands of worthy men
throughout the State who would make good
Odd Fellows, and who would come into the
order if the initiation fees were less.
The grand secretary's report showed that
there are now 625 subordinate lodges effect
i've, having a membership of 1888. This is
a net loss for the year of 2O4 members. Dur
ing the year there were 1921 members re re-
lieVed, involving an expenditure OF $l62,
11155 The total expenses of the subordi-
nate lodges, including relief, was 1887 500 I'll.
There are at present AL Rebekah lodges,
of which twenty-eight were instituted dur
ing the year 1886; The total membership
Dec. 81 1896 was 1884. The present men,
bership is 2S,629 showing net gain for the
year of 5,735. The total expenses of the Re
bekah lodges was $39. S67.54, of which 3d.
011.72 was spent for relief.
The report of Grand Treasurer James A.
Wildman showed the total receipts of the
Grand Lodge to have been $23, 1884 includ-
ing balance left oyer from last report Of
So 833. AZ. part of this was a loan of $500,
which has been paid. Orders paid during
the year amounted to So, 5.35 leaving
balance in the treasury of 81, 962.99.
The report of the trustees showed the bal
ance on hand in the grand hall fund
amounted to $3.066.72. against a balance on
hand Nov. l of "a 1924.