The San Francisco call., 1899-04-27

distinctly American organization upon
seeding from the English branch of
which it was a part, at a session of the
High Court of Minneap polls, August 13,
1889, by vote of 6S3 to }, because the
parent order declined to strike out the
word white" from that portion of the
constitution relating to the eligibility of
members. 1t then adopted the name Of
Ancient Order of American Order of For
esters," but subsequently the name was
changed to thatGby which it is now
known, the Foresters Of America. 1t has
twenty-one grand courts, nearly 1900 sub
ordinate courts and a membership in eX-
cess of 15O, ,OGO
The Grand Court of California was in
stituted by Major Fred c. Hensley of this
city, who is known as the father of the
California branch of the ord5r, Califor-
MIA has a membership of L, ,SS3, and Of this
number nearly 5000 and thirty-three courts
are located in San Francisco. Since the
session Of the previous grand court
twelve new courts have been instituted
and benefits to the amount of $95 $50 paid
to members, who are entitled to medical
attendance, medicine, donations in case
Of need and funeral benefits. There is
in the funds of the courts an aggregate
Of 1852 ,260, which is in excess of $S0JU above
what there was the previous year. The
order is, at this time, in better condition
numerically and financially, than it has
ever been before.
At the approaching session, which is to
commence on Tuesday next, there
will be great deal of legisla-
ton proposed. Another effort will be
made to have biennial sessions instead of
yearly ones, on the ground of economy;
there will be proposition to recognize
an official organ and to vote it subsidy
for the purpose of carrying it on; a move
in the direction of securing headquarters
for the order in San Francisco; the sub
loo of annOintinR SnPcial IN
work for the extension of the order will
be taken up; there will be some discus
sion on the proposition of creating a spe-
cal extension fund. and that may affect
the per capita tax; there will also be pre-
sented proposition to extend the junior
branch of the order and the question of
securing medical men to attend to the
courts will be brought up, as it appears
that in some sections of the State there
is difficulty in securing the services of
physicians at such rates as the courts are
willing to allow.
The supreme representatives will be in
structed to use their influence to bring
a bout a modification of the ritual now in
use as 1t has not met with the general
approval of the membership of this State
They will also be asked to induce the
Supreme Court to add to the secret work
a clause creating pass words and grips
that may be used by the members of the
order and members of the Companions
of the Forest of America in case of dis
tress or need for assistance on the same
lines as between Masons and the Eastern
Star. Ancient Order of Workmen and the
Degree Of Honor, knights of the Mac
cabees and Ladies of the Maccabees and
other orders.
The selection of officers for the next
term has for some time past been occupy
ing the attention of delegates. 1t is gen
w. Hughes Of Sacramento at present
grand sub chief ranger, will be promoted
to the position of grand chief ranger now
held by j. Samuels of this city. The most
prominent candidate for second position in