The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-26
GREAT SLASH IN EXPENSES.
Finance Committees Report just as
Anticipated.

The standing finance committee of the
convention of the Supreme Lodge knights
of PythiaS recommended great re-
trenchments all along the line in its re-
port laid on the desks of the supreme rep
resentatives yesterday morning. One rec
ommendation of the finance committee af-
fects every representative. 1t is that the
per diem of the officers and representatives
be cut from S day to SO day for attend
ing the convention, and that their allow
ance for mileage be reduced from to
cents There is also a horizontal cut,
amounting to about 80 per cent, in the sal
aries and office expenses of supreme Off
GERS recommended. A few figures will dem
onstrate what the reductions are. For in
stance it is recommended that the salary
of the supreme chancellor be reduced from
$4,000 to $1,000 for two years and clerk hire
from $1,000 to 81 800 Travelling and office ex
penses and office rent are cut in the recon-
mendation from 50, 800 to 5000. The salary of
the supreme keeper of records and seal is
reduced to $1,000, from 5000, for two years.
and travelling expenses are reduced to $500
for the same period. The report and it's rec
concentrations will come up for considera-
ton later in the session. Many of the new
representatives want to go on record as
favoring economy and it would not be sur
prising. many say, if the report were
adopted. The lobbyists and those interested
personally in keeping the salaries at their
present high figure say that If the recon-
mendatiOn Is followed. the delegates two
years from now will be tumbing over them
selves to restore the figures to their present
standing. From the discussion that was
heard yesterday 1t is quite evident that
many believe that if the policy of curtail-
ing official salaries, office. travelling and
incidental expenses had been resorted TO
some time ago. say in 1892, when there was
surplus of over $4,000 in the treasury the Su-
preme Lodge would not be bankrupt at this
time. The report of the supreme chancel-
lor shows that the receipts for 1897 were
$42, S59.S2 and the expenditures $39,964 40: 1898
receipts $37 ,716, and disbursements $3S 1856 AZ
The disbursements do not include the cost
of holding the biennial convention. His sup
Elemental report shows very large gain
in membership for the last six months
Those who are disposed to sustain the rec
mittee say that, with the expenses OF the
Supreme Lodge cut to $33.500 there should
be no necessity for per capita tax The
timated expenses for the coming two years,
which amounts to recommendation for ap-
preparations, as placed before the conven-
ITO the Supreme Lodge, Knights of
Pythias-Your committee on finance beg
expenses for. the ensuing two years, in pur-
suance of the resolution adopted by your
honorable body, and recommend that APP
preparation be made to cover them as item
lied:
Salary of supreme chancellor. two
years ......... $1,000
Salary of clerical force, two years.. 1900
Office rent at actual cost and not to
exceed 1.-TWO years. ..................... 800
Postage, telephone, kilograms, station
cry, eXpreSSage removal or furnl-
ture from Hastings Mich. all at
actual cost and not to exceed 1.-TWO
years. 1890. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 4OU
travelling expenses at actual cost and
Salary Supreme k. of r. and S.. two
years -. ....................... 1000
Office rent, heating, lighting. janitor,
telephone, postage, packing boxes,
wrapping paper and other Incl
dentalS at actual cost. not to exceed. 1900
Travelling expenses S. K. r. and S. at
years. .... ...... 300
Salary of S. NJ. of Elk. two years.. 1850
Travelling expenses at actual cost and
not TO exceed OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. 40
Expenses of the Supreme Tribunal,
TWO years ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 3,UOU
to exceed ... .. 5000
Allowance to Daughters of Founders. 400
Travelling expenses of the finance
committee ......... .................... 1900
Interest on mortgages ................... $50
Supreme chancellors iewel.............. $50
Total ........ ...................S3 $50. 500
In view of the present condition of the
Supreme Lodge funds. we suggest that the
per diem and mileage of the officers and
members OF this Supreme Lodge be reduced
TO IS a day and 3 cents mile.
I'VE also recommend that all bills, before