The San Francisco call., 1897-04-06
The ANCIENT WORKMEA
The Grand Lodge Delegates Will
Meet in Convention This
Morning.
An Attempt Will Be Made to Have
Biennial Instead of Annual Sss-
sions-0ther Retrenchments.

The annual convention of the Grand Lodge
of the Ancient Order of United Workmen Of
the jurisdiction of California will be held in
b mai Birth Hall on EDDY street this morning,
commencing at 10 O'Clock.
The committee on credentials will meet an
hour earlier in the same building for the pur-
pose of passing upon the certificates of the
delegates from the various portions of the
State. AS there will be some important legie.
lation TO be transacted by the grand body, 1t
is likely that there will be full representa-
ton of delegates to represent the 304 lodges.
There seems to be a general awakening su
along the line, and lodges which have been dor
mant for many years are giving pronounced signs
During the year 1895 greater number of lodges
show limitations than during any year for seven
or eig ht W ars previous, and he outlook for 1897
is still more encouraging and all indications point
to wonderfully increased M mi mbership by the 1st
of January, 1898. these conditions are attributed
to the new plan of cassified assessments and the
hercu can work performed by the Grand lodge
officers since the adoption of the clasS I'd plan.
The grand master workman and grand oyerseer
have visited large number OF lodges, and the
deputy grand master workman has been busy WIS.,
iting and instituting lodges The grand recorder
has devoted a large amount OF time to the expla-
dresses and in EDITORIAL work for he daily papers
and the official organ of the order The grand re-
ceiyer has made many visitstions and has rem
dered valuable assistance in the forward move
ment. One of the mos efficient workers for the
cause has been the grand lecturer, who has made q
large number of vista. ions and has instructed
lodges in the ritualistic and secret work, with
which he Is entirely familiar
A number Of Past Grand Master Workmen,
among whom be mentioned William IL jor-
dan. James Booth, F. Adams William Ii. Barnes,
j. T. Rogers and j. n Young, have rendered
great assistance
livery hope is expressed that after the meeting
ofthe Grand Lodge there will be such a decided
movement in the Workmen circles In Calnornia
that all previous effor. $ viii be ecIipsed.
Among the N alters that are to come before the
Grand Lodge will be the holding OF biennial In
stead of annual sessions it is believed tnat the
$4,000 which IL costs TO hold session can be used
10 better advantage. An effort will be made
reduce the fees of the grand medical examiner
from 80 to 25 Tha. II carried WILL 1t Is e1-
pected, effect saving OF $500 year. An enort
will also be made 10 raise the per capita tax to
81 so and there Is mUyeme ent to DO away with
the official organ on the ground If economy. 1 he
movement, however, is not popular with the men,
bers, who anxious that it should be main
tanned. for IL is popular piece OF literature for
the M, containing all the official orders.
1t Is expected that supreme Master Work man
Ia will be present during the session.
Last evening there was q special meeting OF
delegates in one of the lodgerooms OF the b. B.
building, which occasion there ferred
num- Der a side degree known as THE Mogul-
lion" 1t Is that Is intended for divertise-
ment.
During the session there will be an examplifica-
tion of the floor and the ritEalistfc work the
ter being given in full f0 m with II ustrations
the screen. That will be given this evening, and
to morrow night William II. Jordan, past su-
preme ster work mai, Will deliver his address
on CUBA" before the delegates. 1t is very ih-
teresting one, tnstwiil be illustrated with srereop-
ticon of the Is and aud, as Mr.. Jordan is
prove treat for those no will listen to il