The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-05-05
THE LEGION OF HONOR
Changes in the Method Of Assess.
ments Cause a D crease
O Men hers.
The Expla alton Made by Grand Com
mander Fl b.n-The Grand Sec
retary's Confidence

The first session of the annual conven-
tion of the American Legion OF Honor was
held Yesterday morning in B ne Birth Hal.
There we're presenta full representation OF
the delegates and the following named
grand officers:
Grand commander Thorn as Filben; orator
Frank Ely; past grand commander,
grand secretary, G. o. Burton; grand
treasurer, w. H. Hamilton; grand chaplain,
Rev. s. o. Kelley; grsnd guioe ;c Mafy T. sr nny
sentry, Almena NJ. Moser; grand trustees, Will
liam Me,zner, A. H. Cummings.
PRAYER was offered by Grand Chaplain
Rev. D. 0. Kelley, after which the roll of
representatives was called and the new
members we're admitted and Instructed by
the grand commander.
A letter was read from Grand Vice Com
mander Whitman expressing his inability
TO be present.
The reports OF the grand commander,
grand secretary and grand treasurer and
of the supreme representatives were pre-
sented and referred to committee on de-
liberation composed OF Representatives
K ]. Whats, w. H. J. Bishop and J. M.
Henderson.
The grand commander in his report
says:
From causes well understood we shall have
to report considerable falling OFT in the
membership of the order. However, no such
falling off has been reported in other Juris-
dictions. l consider this is due to the close
touch that has been maintained with the Lead
ing councils and the personal touch OF the
grand officers with the membership OF the
larger OF them.
Comparatively considered, at least. the
state of the order is occasion for gratitude
We have lost membership but our sltaauo ~
in this is not singular, and mistake not IL
the signs OF promise are not evident and en-
Class 4 reported sbout 5000 members on
April 1, AMI this number has been consider
ably increased by this time. The greater part
of the mem bership will be enrolled In TINS
class by July 1. The mem bersnlp Transfers
easily as it ONES to understand all the case,
and confidence is taking the place OF any ques-
lions of the past, and there is large hope OF an
early increase OF numbers.
The Sin preme Council announces Its purpose
to face the question OF extension vigorously.
It proposes to cover unoccupied territory
everywhere, and with the present movement
of success in fraternal insurance, our reason
A BILE share of the business E1ll put US on win
ming ground by turning the tables again.
confidently expect general growth In the
near future.
Grand Secretary Burton in his reports
gives many interesting facts ana hgures
Eight councils having fallen below the
constitutional limit were dissolved and the
members remaining were transferred to
other councils. :,
The following figures give the state OF
the memb ership:
Membership, June 80. 1896 2343; increase
by initia tons 3, bv transfers So, reinstate-
ments % (total 84); grand total, 2427. De
crease, by suspe nsions AGA, transfers "a, with
drawals f. deaths "a (total, 556); making
mem bership on December 81. 1896, OF 1871.
Several resolutions of instruction were
referred TO committee consisting OF
Judge J. H. Seawell, William Henderson.
William bradley, Anna Garden and Il. s.
Stephenson.
At the evening session the report OF the
supreme representatives was CONSIDERED
and adopted,
To-day officers will be elected and, after
the installation, the Grand Council will
adjourn.