Ottumwa semi-weekly courier., 1903-05-14

deputy a commission of the entire
membership fee. and while in meas
ure that may stimulate to greater ac-
ton on the part of the deputies, we be-
lieve the system is pernicious as 1T
tends to make the fee the first consld-
Grafton on the part of the deputy rath-
er than quality of membership. While
We arc very desirous Of seeing our
quantity increased. we must ever keep
in view the question of quality, thel
very best risks: and a good conscien-)
tious deputy; paid a stipulated salary
and his expenses will incline more to
efficient work than under the other
plan, and the results prove more salts
factory in the end To increase thel
field force may mean increased ie2t
| pense, which should be provided for
by this grand lodge.
l wish to repeat what was said one
| year ago, that we found it very advan-|
| tageous at times during the year to bel
in a position to employ some enthusias-
| tic local member to perform fewI
weeks or months work for his own
] lodge at nominal salary, he devoting
| all his time for that period to this
! work. The grand master workman
! ought to be given that privilege for the
| ensuing year; in fact, the extension
/ work, should, as heretofore, remain
!! under his charge.
Decisions.
Among the decisions made during
the year Mr. Narvis regards the fol-
lowing as the most important:
4 /. Can a member be suspended for
non-payment Of a funeral fine? Answer
No. 1t is the duty of every member
to pay the last respects to deceased
brother, but lodge cannot compel a
brother to attend funeral.
2. Can the children of an adopted
daughter be named as beneficiaries?
Answer-No.
8. What time is the proper time to
report members for reinstatements?
Answer-No special rule is laid down
for this, but usually the reinstate-
ments are reported under the head of
New Business"
a. Can member make his lodge
beneficiary if his parents are living? ?
Answer-No. AS long as he has any
relatives living he cannot make his
certificate payable to his lodge.
Mr.. Narvis thinks that some rule
should be laid down for the members
: of the order who die under Christian
: Science treatment. The attendant in
such cases cannot sign The death GER
: tificate because they have no authority
to practice under the laws of the state.
He cites case that occurred in Sioux
l City, where the cause of death had to
be judged from a statement made by
: the regular physician who last had the
person in charge.
Drill Teams.
4 1--WE believe in the theory that a
q drill team, says the master work
e man, "a wide awake organization OF
l. young men, is strong card or factor
0 for lodge We therefore believe we
ought to encourage this more than we
n have in the past. If we could have ir
Q each lodge that could rally the number
S company of young men uniformed
d say of forty-eight men, or even twenty
it four, who will and can appear in publi
r. parade on occasions that may be of
D. fered, it would advertise the order an
n help the brothers just that much
q. These brothers would all take pride il
t. the work and be of material aid al
D along. In order to encourage team
n. money well invested if this grand lodg
At would set aside fund of about $25,
w to be offered in prizes for drill con
tests at the times and places of meet
is ing of the grand lodge, said teams t
G. be on hand for public parade at som
time fixed by the local committees"
at Grievance Committee.
r Mr.. Narvis suggests that the commit
at tee on grievances and appeals is a
= unnecessary expense, for he think
that all the cases handled by this con
mittee could as well be cared for b
the committee on laws.
~ Reinstatements.
r A table of comparative ages of men
at bers contained in the report show
he that the average age of members ha
m very materially decreased, which is II
ID garded as very hopeful sign of tn
adj orders prosperity. The average las
n year was 6S2.years, less than it has e.
at er been before In 1895 the averag
IN was "a years, and it has continued
lr. decrease ever since that time.
is "In the mater of renistatements
ch Mr.. Narvis goes on to say, where
brother is under suspension for pc
he Iiod of less than three months, OF
he laws. seems to me. are little too la
"a We provide now that if the membe
rk be living and in good health and hi
TO- not during the time of his suspensio
ell received any bodily injury that wou
on render him ineligible to membersh
sh- in the order upon payment of AREA
M ages and the necessary vote of the lods
cir he may be reinstated. 1t seems to N
he that a brother who suspends ought
sor be required to certify that he is
MT. good health, and if he be out thir
tut days ought to also have physician
he certificate to that effect. We owe th
ne to those who are faithful and be