The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-24
SUPREME PYThIANS
NOW IN BIENNIAL SESSION AT
INDIANAPOLIS
Bad Condition Of Finances VIII Cause
a Fight Against Men Now
Holding Office

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Aug. D.-The
Supreme Lodge, Knights Of Pythias. began
its biennial session in the Hall Of the House
Of Representatives at the State Capitol this
morning. The rooms were beautifully dec
grated with the Pythian colors and em-
blems of the orders and the galleries were
crowded with the wealth and fashion Of the
city.
Chairman Of the Citizens Executive Com
mittee, called the meeting to order.
Mayor Taggart and Governor James A.
Mount welcomed the lodge, and on behalf
of the Grand Lodge OF Indiana. Grand
Chancellor Union B. Hunt made an ad-
dress OF welcome. Supreme Chancellor
Colgrove replied in a speech Of about ten
minutes. At II o'clock, the Supreme Lodge
settled down to business after the galleries
had been cleared.
The Supreme Lodge is in poor financial
condition. having less than SO 1000 on hand.
This fact caused some of the members to
severely criticise the present supreme off,
GERS. and some of the charges found their
way into the public press, causing great
sensation. The Supreme Lodge, late this
afternoon, appointed an investigating
committee to ascertain who furnished the
charges to the papers, and 1t is the inten
ton to expel the offending member, not
only from the Supreme Lodge but from the
order, and there is talk of suits against
the papers which presented the charges.
The condition of affairs has caused a de-
termination on the part of the Supreme
Lodge to change the manner of raising
revenues. 1t is the intention to have passed
at the beginning OF each Supreme Lodge
meeting an appropriation bill similar to
the bills passed by Congress and the State
Legislatures. and to raise this money tax
will be levied on each member of the order.
There Is considerable opposition to this
plan and a hot fight is anticipated. The
officers of the Supreme Lodge will be elect
ed Thursday morning. A hard fight Is
being made against the present incum-
bents. but it Is thought they will be re-
elected, except that Charles e. Shipley of
Richmond, Ind, il leading for the position
of Vice-Chancellor.
There are about $1,000 strangers in the
city. of whom 1900 are in uniform. More
than 5000 members of subordinate lodges
are in attendance. The Pythian parade
this afternoon was witnessed by 5000 peo-
rank and 5000 members Of the subordinate
lodges participated. The parade was re-
viewed by the supreme and grand officers
of the State and city. 1t was the largest
secret society parade ever held In this city.
There is a strong fight between Louis
vile and Detroit for the next session OF
the Supreme Lodge.
The annual reports of the supreme off,
GERS were read this afternoon, after which
the lodge adjourned to witness the parade.
The encampment, in point Of attendance,
Is successful beyond expectations. Careful
estimates secured from all railroad officials
show that since Saturday 5000 people have
been brought to the city.
The most important feature of today's
program was the big parade, participated
in by all the uniform rank and subordinate
lodges. Careful estimates place the num-
Der Of men in line at 49, 900, of whom 10 900
were members of the uniform rank, led by
Major Gen. Carnahan. Twenty-Five states
were represented in the pageant by brig
AIDES.
Next to the parade, the most important
event today was the converting of the su-
preme lodge.
In the executive session the supreme
keeper of records and seals. R. l.. White,
asked for hearing, on the ground of per-
sonal privilege. He said that the officers
Of the supreme lodge had been attacked
and charges made against them, which
should be investigated. If these charges
were true, then the men holding office were
not fit for their positions. If the charges
were not true. then the man or men who
had made them were not fit to be Pythians
Or members Of the supreme lodge. Mr..
White was followed by others on this SUBJ
|ect. A committee was appointed TO inves-
tigate, and, pending report, no officer Will
be elected. During the business session the
reports of officers were distributed.
The Rathbone Sisters held their first BUSH
ness session today, with a full attendance.
and the reports of officers were received.
This evening reception was given at
Hotel English by Supreme Chief ida M
Weaver.
During the day there was competitive ex-
application of rituallstic work.
A