The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-07
WOODMEN AT KANSAS CITY
Reserve Fund Ides is Takin. shape
in Action.

Kansas City. No, June 6-With the
opening session this morning began the
greatest convention Of Modern woodmen
of America in the history of the order.
There were 10000 Woodmen IN the city
when the first gathering met today. With
others rariving by hundreds on every
train. and, will so continue 10 come in Till
the big events scheduled for Thursday.
On that day. when the attractions VIII in
clude the great parade, with twenty-three
brass bands the opening of the team con-
tests. and an address by William J. Bryan,
It is predicted that al least 5000 visitors
viii be here. A committee OF several hun
dred is caring for the visitors. and the
city is decorated in carnival fashion.
Yesterday the state caucuses acted prac-
tically as a unit. and it IS believed that
all the principal officers will be reelected.
Probably the only exception IS the office
Of head banker. for which Iowa, Missouri
and Wisconsin are contending. and the
selection Of a convention city, fought FOR
by St Paul and Grand Rapids. These
matters win be closed later / nths week
The opening session this morning was
entirely routine. and consisted Of welCom-
ing addresses by Governor Stanley Of Kan
sas. Mayor Jones. John Sullivan. on behalf
of the local Woodmen; Attorney james a.
Reed. response by Head Counsel William
A Northcutt Of Illinois. and the appoint
ment Of committees.
At the afternoon session a motion that
the evening gathering be one for business
was adopted without opposition. The pro-
gram committee had decldedon five
speeches. including one BY Head CounSe.
Northcutt The Missouri delegation in
their caucus last night declared for an
amendment OF the bylaws OF the order
establishing a reserve fund. II was the
first gun OF the convention and created 81
much discussion today that II was decided
to abandon the speechmaking and settle
down 10 business.
The reserve fund was suggested ten
years ago. The present national officers
are advocates OF it and have been recon-
mending It at every convention. The op-
position Of the majority Of the delegates
has discouraged recommendations IN this
direction in the annual reports G. W
HAYES, in his report. estimates that Tho
work of deputies will be at standstil
in 1905, and thai they cannot increase the
membership lNdt Will effect Nl+ A'.ttfAa
and keep down the rates Of assessment
The reserve fund IS intended 10 keep the
assessment at low rate. II is Intended
to be an emergency fund in case Of cpl
denies. A resolution 10 vote on the pace
Of the convention OF 1901 Wednesday, was
laid on the table
The question Of expansion caused long
debate but il was finally voted 70 extend
the order to the following states: Cali
fornia. except the city OF San Francisco.
Colorado. Connecticut Delaware. Indian
Territory. Maryland except the city q
Baltimore: Massachusetts,. except the city
Of Boston; Maine New Hampshire. New
Jersey. New York except the cities o.
Rualo and Greater New York; Oklahoma
Rhode Island and Vermont. a proposition
10 extend the order TO the Dominion Of
Canada was voted down.
The entire evening session was taken
I'D with the discussion of the proposition
10 create a reserve fund Finally. BY q
vote Of 2lS to ST. tho resolution offered by
the Missouri delegation. providing that
some form Of emergency or reserve fund
he adopted al this session" Wa sdap'ef.
Head Counsel Northcutt was instrue ted
to appoint a committee 81 five 10 dTatt
i plan and report at tomorrow session.