The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-22
SUPREME CHANCELLOR's REPORT.
Nonpayment of Dues Suspension Most
ImpOrtant Problem.

Nonpayment of Dues Suspension Most
Important Problem.
The opening session of the convention of
the Supreme Lodge of the knights of
Pythias begins tomorrow in the representa-
tives' chamber in the Statehouse At this
time the reports of all the officers of the
order will be read. Among them will be the
reports of Supreme Chancellor Philip T.
Colgrove. Supreme Keeper of Records and
Seals r. L. C. White, Supreme Master of
Exchequer Thomas D. Meares, Major Cen
cral of the Uniform Rank James R. Carna-
han and the boards of control of the En-
dowment Rank. The reports have been is
sued in pamphlet form, making 1913 pages.
They were given to the Journal last
night by the supreme chancellor for
publication this morning. Among the i'm
portant matters discussed in the report is
that of suspension for nonpayment of dues.
which Supreme Chancellor Colgrove handles
in the following language:
L regard the solution of this problem as
the most important to engage the attention
of the Supreme Lodge at this convention.
The question of our finances is insignificant
as compared with this and is readily
remedied by proper legislation. The ex-
chequer of the Supreme Lodge will gradual
ly increase under proper legislation and two
years hence we shall scarcely know that we
have ever been embarrassed for ready funds
1t requires master mind to successfully
solve the problem now staring the order in
the face neutrality-suspicious. for the
nonpayment OF dues. The Pythian press has
discussed the question in every part of the
supreme domain. Many remedies have been
suggested. Every other fraternal order in
existence has the same problem to solve
Our laws requiring suspension for one years
arrearage in dues have been generally en-
forced 1 know of no organization whose
laws have been more severe or more rigidly
enforced than our own in this respect. The
result in that each year We shave lost a
large army of men who have failed to keep
clear on the books of their respective lodges
lodge should select from its membership
ffnance-a brother generally liked with
pleasing ways, who would personally wait
upon the brethren in arrears and exhaust
every remedy possible to keep them from
becoming amenable to the law ofysuspen-
sion.
During my official visitations have found
various methods adopted by subordinate
lodges calculated to stop the drain upon our
membership. 1t has been suggested. and
indeed many of the subordinate lodges pay
a commission to the master of finance for
collecting dues. In many lodges commit
tee has been appointed when it is asceB-
tanned how manv of the brptnerss are liable
to be suspended with the beginning of the
new year This committee waits upon the
delinquents, ascerIains the cause of arrear-
age and very often a remedy is found to
prevent the suspension. 1 have known of
most splendid results from such committee
L
sonal knowledge the subordinate lodge APP
pointed a committee to wait upon eighteen
brothers who were liable to be suspended.
The next convention of the subordinate
lodge reported every brother but two in
good standing. / discovered a very unique
method in vogue among some of the subor-
dinate lodges in the West Each lodge or
ganized within itself society of brethren
who contributed % cents annually to aid and
assist worthy and deserving brothers who
were not able to pay and thus prevent their
SUSPENSIONS sort of wheel within
wheel. It very often occurs that brother
is suspended simply because it is absolutely
impossible for him to meet his dues, owing
possibly to sickness, disappointment in en-
ployment and many other causes honorable
and legitimate which prevent his carrying
out his desire to retain his membership
II have urged upon the domains every
ton of the Endowment Rank and COM
pany of the Uniform Rank in each subordi-
nate lodge. 1t is almost impossible to find
in the large loss of suspensions for the nom
payment of dues a brother who holds a
certificate of insurance in the Endowment
Rank of the order is a member of the
Uniform Rank / believe it most Important
as soon as a brother has received the ranks
of knighthood, to at once inform and in
terest him in these two branches of our
order / have no doubt that a large num-
Der of our brethren who are suspended for
me nonpayment OF cues were taken IN as
charter members at the institution of new
lodges where the work has been hurriedly
and imperfectly rendered. have known
OF lodges being instituted with thirty or
forty charter members and the work of the
three ranks simply exemplified upon two
members in the presence of the Others who
were silent spectators. 1t is not to be won
dered at that under such circumstances we
have lost a great many members who come
in upon the payment of a small charter fee
and witness the three ranks hurriedly con-
ferred in one night.
THE subject of suspension for the non
payment of dues in my judgment, should
be referred at the opening of the convention
to. the committee on the state of the order
or to a special committee. who should re-
port upon the subject at the earliest posi-
BILE moment. in order that the Supreme
Lodge may give the subject the considera-
UNIFORM RANK RITUAL.
Continuing, the supreme chancellor says:
"Pythianism has found an abiding place
in every part of this great North American
continent While in our upward career we
have not reached the zenith yet have
come to place where our growth numer-
ically must necessarily be less. During the
past ten years our growth has been nothing
short of phenomenal, and we have not been
prepared to confront the fact that our or
der should ever reach the time when its
growth should be less rapid. We cannot de-
ny the fact that we are brought face to
face with a condition that requires the
united effort. the highest intelligence and
the thoughtful consideration OF every mem
Der of this body.
THE record of the Endowment Rank shows
continued progress and success / earn
estly request that the ritual of the Uniform
Rank be legally adopted at this convention
and promulgated TO the rank. The entire
Rathbone monument has been raised and is
in the hands of Supreme Vice Chancellor
Sample. The so-called Improved Order has
practically ceased TO exist, having paid the
penalty of traitors to a sacred obligation
An order founded by men iecreant to their
trust and based upon such principles is
bound to die of its own accord. and needs
but time to work its destruction. The ma
jOrity of the members we have lost by this
secession are such could i'll afford to
retain and the order has been materially
benefited by their Withdrawals large num-
Der OF whom under our present laws could
not hope to gain admittance They have
accomplished for us what we failed to ac-
complish in the courts-ther own destruc-
ton
Since the restoration of the charter to
the loyal members of Germania Lodge, of
Chicago. there have been no complaints
about the use of the German ritual and il
is TO be hoped that this trouble is at last
finally disposed of The Wilmington prop
erty should be advertised for SALE as we
cannot afford TO ray nearly 500 a year in
terest, together with taxes and other neces-
sary expenses. The greatest economy must
be practiced In all departments of the adj
ministration, owing to the falling OFF of
revenues.
The et,n~a.,,e cfo ncafIor c,,hy,ftfod - Io~oa