Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-21
MAY PROVIDE A HOME
For Aged Odd Fellows, Widows
and Orphans.
WILL BE CONSIDERED
AT MEETING OF THE DISTRICT
GRAND LODGE TONIGHT.
Interesting Reports Submitted at Semi
Annual Session Of the District
Grand Encampment.
WILL BE CONSIDERED

The semi-annual session Of the Grand
Encampment I. o. O. F., of the District Of
Columbia was held in Odd Fellows Hall in
7th street last evening. Grand Patriarch
John H. Wood submitted his report. show
ing the work done in this branch Of the
order during the last six months.
Thomas w. Fowler, grand representative
Of the Sovereign Grand Lodge Of the order,
Also made report Of the york done at the
session Of that body, held in Des Moines,
Iowa, last September.
THE legislation Of the last session Of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge Mr.. Fowler said.
was along very conservative lines. One
Of the most important acts passed was that
authorizing the issuance to grand secretar-
les. grand scribes, presidents Of Rebekah as
semblies and department commanders Of the
Patriarchs Militant Of copies Of the secret
journals referring to- their particular
branches Of the order These are not, how
ever, under any circumstances to be taken
out Of their keeping, and are to be used
only by those persons whose duties require
them to communicate the secret work to
others"
The grand sire's report as made to the
Sovereign Grand Lodge showed Odd Fellow
ship the largest and wealthiest fraternal
bership in the year 1901 (the last reporD
was Il, S37; total revenue for the year &c.
826. 97068. Expended for relief, So 939. 1855 .6S;
with invested funds amounting to $29,952,-
769.3S. The total membership Of the order,
December 81, 1901, was ,235,027 This was
the date on which reports for last session
Of the Sovereign Grand Lodge closed.
Decisions Of Grand Sire.
Grand Representative Fowler also SUBJ
mitted a report Of all the decisions of the
grand sire approved by the Sovereign Grand
Lodge affecting the encampment branch of
the order.
"On September IT,. he added although
a very inclement day, the great parade OF
the order took place. and 1t was declared
the greatest demonstration Of its kind ever
held in the city Of Des Moines the militants
of the order making magnificent display,
Of which our home canton, Washington,
display made by the lodges and encamp-
ments was also splendid exhibition Of the
strength and the character of the order,
thousands Of our brothers. many appar-
emily just from the farms and workshops,
marching side by side with the merchant
and professional man, each proud to be en-
rolled under the banner Of Odd Fellowship,
thus demonstrating to the world that in
this order the high and the low, the rich
and the poor, all meet on one common level
and work in harmony for the uplifting Of
the human race.
Grand Decoration Of Chivalry.
1.-THE degree of the grand decoration Of
ch!valry was conferred upon two distin-
guished members Of Canton Washington,
No. 1-E. W. Bradford, since promoted to
the rank Of brigader general, and Lieu
tenant Colonel John I. Brown, both of
whom have earned we'll the honors con-
ferred. I cannot close this report without
mentioning the pleasure 1t gave your repre-
sentative in noticing the soldierly and gen.
tlemanly bearing Of Captain D. V. CHS
holm and the chevaliers of Canton Wash
ington No. /, under his command, winning
as they did the respect and praise Of every
one with whom they came in contact"
Will Discuss Proposed Home.
The semi-annual session of the Grand
Lodge, I. o. o. F., will be held tonight An
nual reports will be made by the grand
master and the grand representatives. Odd
Fellows homes for aged members, widows
and orphans have been established in nearly
every state and territory in the United
States and in other countries where the
order exists. 1t Is the expectation of the
members that in the near future such a
home will be established in this District
The subject will be considered tonight.