The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-10
MEETING OF CATHOLICS
WILL CONVENE IN CINCINNATI
 TODAY.
To Organize Central Combination of All Catholic Societies in the United States-Distinguish-
 ed Men to Attend.

Cincinnati, O., Dec. 9.-Much interest was taken here today among the offi- cers and such delegates as have arrived for the convention tomorrow of the American Federation of Catholic Socie- ties. The permanent organization of central combination of all the Catholic Societies is regarded as one of the most important steps that has ever been taken Tor the Catholic Church in America.
 Although the Federation has the ap- royal of distinguished prelates, 1t was hought there would be strong opposi- ion to such an organization, but so far he indications are to the contrary. The leaders say it Is not proposed to in- terfere with the autonomy of the Iii- sernians the Knights of St. John.s the American Catholic Union, ,y the, German Catholic Verein, the Catholic Knights of America, or any other Catholic so- .ieties, but to form a Federation in which they will all be represented for a common purpose without changing the lid organza tion in any manner. The romoters of this movement are giving heir best efforts in advance of the con 'ention to the revision of their funda- mental laws, so that the Federation will lot interfere with the rights, or even the individuality, of the organizations that are to be represented in it.
 Bishop McFaul of Trenton, N. J., has been working on plans for the combina- lion for some time. and now he is joined by the officers and leading delegates in perfecting the organization. At Long Branch last August the following ini- tial organization was made:
 President, Henry J. Fries, Erie, Pa. ; Vice President M. P. Mooley. Cleveland; Secretary, John ORourke, Philadelphia
 Executive Board-John J. Coyle,. Phil, adelphia: John c. McGure, Brooklyn: L. J. Kautmann. New York; E. D. Reardon, Anderson, Ind, and P. J. Flatle. Boston.
 Soon after the meeting at Long Branch last August the officers issued the formal call to all Catholic societies to join in the convention here this week. This call rrJ, AI Irg takrA aoV. afNf Green Bay, Wis. and Bishop McFaui of Trenton, N. J. Later a circular let ter was sent by the officers of the Fed eration to the officers of the Catholic organizations in all the States. enclosing credential blanks for delegates, stating that the fee for the membership of any society was $5 These circulars gave a copy of the proceedings of the meeting at Long Branch and also stated that the objects of the Federation are:
 ''The ce uenting of the bonds of frater- nal union among the Catholic laity and Catholic societies of the United States; the fostering of Catholic interests and the works of religion. especially educa- tion and charity; the study of conditions in social life, the dissemination of the truth and the encouragement of the spread of Catholic literature and the cir culation ot the Catholic press"
 The national officers are in Phtladel- and he reports that there will be large attendance of delegates. especially from { the Eastern States, Ohio, Kentucky, llli- nois and Indiana.
 In addition to the prelates and promi- nent officers of the different societies Secretary O'Rourke expects some of the most prominent speakers in the country here as representatives of the Laity. There were important conferences today, but they were mostly devoted to the preparation of reports that are to be submitted to the convention at It's sec ond session on Tuesday afternoon. The morning session tomorrow after ser wees at the Cathedral will oe devoted 10 welcome addresses and responses and other public business.