The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-05-22

Dc Done to Stop This Dratn-Ihe Ike
 port of Secretary Botsford.
 New London, May 21.--The annua
 meeting of the grand lodge of Odd Eel.
 lows was held here to-day. There was
 a big attendance.
 GRAND MASTERS REPORT.
 Report of William $. Hutchinson
 grand master Of the odd Fellows. ot
 South Manchester, was as follows;
 After reviewing the condition of the lodges as shown by the reports of the grand secretary and calling attention tc the growth of the order in fourteen years during which $951 ,736.St had been spent for relief, he said: II am pleased to report a gain in funds and member ship during the year. l have been deeply impressed by the visits to the lodges and am convinced that such offi- cial visits are source of good
 'I have been surprised at the appli- cation to change the hour of meeting and they have been refused. l have been impressed with the lack of uni formity in comforting degrees I would suggest in addition to the school of in- struction for deputies district meetings in which the deputies and officers of lodges should be present and receive in struction ill the secret work from the state instructor.
 "I regret to note that the suspensions for non-payment of dues for the year is too large, Some plan should be de- vised to stop this drain on our member ship. I have come to the conclusion that it could be remedied by little personal work on the part ofthesecreta- ries.
 It is with pleasure that l report the Rebekah lodges in the Jurisdiction in a prosperous condition. All are laborinG, hard to see the orphanage established and no doubt success will crown their efforts"
 The report notes the appointments made during the year, meetings of the executive council, appeals pending from members from subordinate lodge deci- sions. Then followed a detailed ac- count of despensations granted during the year and exercises held at the Odd Fellows home a t Fairview. The obser- vance of Memorial day was general many lodges report interesting exer- ciSeS.
 Among the 232 deaths special men ton is made of the following Mater zunder, Germania lodge, No. IS, New Haven, and many years member of the legislative committee of the grand lodge; Henry F. Andrus, Quinnipiac lodge, New Haven; John B. F'reysin- ger, Humboldt lodge, New Haven, and c. Fred Barnes of Waterbury, past grand patriarch and grand representa- tive of the grand encampment
 The Rebekah lodge added during the year was Lady F'enwick lodge of Essex, which was resuscitated and instituted.
 A list of the proclamation and let ters issued during the year is given and the detailed report made of sixty-seven visitations.
 The report closes with words of thanks and appreciation of the honor and for the kindness and consideration shown the office.
 Accompanying the report is detailed report of the work of the various dis triet deputies for the year.
 Frederick Botsford, grand secretary of the Odd Fellows, reported as fol- lows:
 The total number of lodges is eighty eight. The total receipts of subordi- nate lodges to January 1, 1902, was $169 ,130.16. The amount paid for relief was $77, ,99232, and for expenses $71,19S.- 47, a total expense of $149, 19079. This | leaves balance of $199 939.37 which | with cash on hand January 1, 1901, | s4s4, GIFTS, makes the total $504, 4,557.15.
 The total membership January 1, | 1902, is 176S1, a net gain of 14O for the | year There were initiated S46, admit ted by card 39 and reinstated 36. There | were withdrawn by card 7S, suspended | for non-payment of dues 473, expellel 3, | and deceased 232, a total loss of 781.
 During the past year there have been some lodges that have reduced excess sive benefits, for their own good, and gradually all will reach a more perfect adjustment than exists at present.
 The expenses are entirely too heavy and unnecessarily so. This is an ex- travagent age and with funds contrlbu- ted and held under the law sacred to the purposes of relief, etc., it would seem that all true Odd Fellows would guard it's disbursement with strictest economy. We recommend this to the committee on state of the order for careful consideration.
 The total number of Rebekah lodges is forty mine, a gain of one during the year. The membership of 5,933 a gain fo 157, there having been 497 admitted and a loss of $40 during the year. The receipts were 10,42S.O1, and expenses $9 453 .65 leaving balance of $969.S6.
 The receipts of the grand lodge for the year were $3,621.57,
 The year 1901 shows the smallest of initiates and the largest number of suspension for non payment of dues in ten years. After careful examination of the reports for three years we are convinced that the con- dition is chargeable to the reduction of the initiation bee to the minimum by large and strong lodges some three years ago, thereby forcing many of the smaller lodges to do the same against their judgment. Some of our members are dazzled by cheap schemes without ( the result, The l. O. o. F. should take a firm stand to do business 1n sound business principles; and 1t Is not necessary for our order to descend to cheap rates to gain members. The reports of subordinate lodges was more prompt and accurate than usual i