The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-22
A "RING, ALLEGED.
Charges of Gross Mismanagement in
Supreme Lodge.


The biennial encampment of the Supreme
Lodge of the knights of Pythias. which is
to convene at the Statehouse in the Hall of
Representatives tomorrow morning, prom
ises TO be marked by some stormy scenes.
All day yesterday the earliest delegates to
arrive were discussing the financial condi-
tion of the Supreme Lodge, and quite a
number were alleging that it was in fact
bankrupt. 1t was asserted by men who
claimed to be in position to know that the
officers of the Supreme Lodge had found 1t
necessary to borrow $4,000 to pay the ex-
penses of the present convention. 1t was
openly asserted that the Supreme Lodge is
in the hands of a clique which is RESPONSE
BILE for this state of affairs, and which is
proposing to control the convention and
perpetuate itself in the management in order
to cover up mismanagement that has run
back since 1890 About that time, it is al
legged, clique got in control, and has since
been guilty of gross Extravaganza. 1t was
claimed by those who discussed the subject
that illegal expense accounts miscellaneous
expenditures, unlawfully padded, and high
salaries have prevailed to such an extent
that the surplus has been exhausted and the
Supreme Lodge had to go into debt for the
expenses of this convention, pledging the flu
ture income of the order to pay it off later.
In connection with the charge that the
ring was making desperate attempt TO
perpetuate itself il was declared that one
man had taken $50 rooms at hotel which
were to be filled with his friends whose ex-
penseS he is bearing. These friends, it was
said are to pack the convention and as
sist the ring ir putting through its slate,
innocently enough, OF course, being I'M
aware of the scheme they were unconscious
~ furthering. The claim was made that the
proposition to levy a direct per capita tax
OF 20 eerts on the half million members is
advanced with view of partially retriev-
ing money that has been unlawfully ex-
pended and to a certain extent replenishing
q depleted exchequer.
In support of the claim that the ring
has wasted large sums of money the report
of r. l.. c. White, supreme keeper of rec
Ords and seals embraced in the report of
the supreme chancellor is quoted. 1t shows
that the balance of cash on hand March 81,
1892, was $5s,lSl This, the report shows.
Meantime, Il is asserted by those who are
against the present management of the or
DER the ~ aiS ~ ersnip mas aouDieui FROM
ought Il, have. increased proportionately.
The convention will be in session some
ten DAYS or two weeks. The struggle will
come when the election of officers is
reached 1t was charged that those now in
control Nave a SLATE" which they propose
to put through IF it is not scotched," as
one member of the order put it. According
TO the REPORTS about the corridors or the
Denison Hotel Ogden II. Fethers. of Wis
a member Of the finance committee, is to
head tie slate" and to be elected supreme
vice chancellor. A friend of the alleged
ring is to be placed on the finance COM
Tniftee in his stead. Thomas ID. Means, of
North Carolina. is booked TO be reelected
supreme master of the exchequer and Rob-
ert L. c. White of Tennessee, supreme
keeper of the records and seals. is also to
be reelected. Both have held office for a
number of years. Supreme Prelate Albert
Steinheart of Alabama, those say who
name the SLATE" is TO be thrown overheard
and another elected in his stead who would
be more friendly.
LARGE AMOUNTS LOST.
Three of the men who claim TO have OBJ
served how things we're drifting. in discuss
ing the scheme all eyed TO be on foot. said to
a Journal reporter that the support which
the ring" is giving Judge Stanton L. Car
ter. OF California, is not sincere and that at
the last moment he is TO be defeated for SUI
preme vice chancellor. Discussing the con-
ditions which the Supreme Lodge has
reached, they said that the endowment fund
had oeen very badly entangied through the
acknowledgement OF the board OF control II
Is claimed some 100000 was transferred
from safe bank in Chicago to a bank in
Texas, which afterward liQuidated. a
kuIaner charge is that i loan or