The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-21
The Offer Under Consideration Was
One Of 100000 Made by the .Mer-
chants National Bank.
TEDIOUS VOTE TAKEN BY LODGES
THERE WERE ESQ DELEGATES
AGAINST AND 93 IN FAVOR OF 1T.
Prosperous Condition shown by the
Reports Of Observation-Disclosures
of Greensburg Home.

The Odd Fellows building at the corner
of Pennsylvania and Washington streets
Will not be sold-at least for some time to
come. That was settled most decisively
at yesterday afternoons session, when a
vote of all the Indiana lodges was taken
on the proposition. The result was $50 del
egates against the sale of the property and
ninety-three in favor of ii. An offer of
$780, 900, made by the Merchants National
Bank, was the cause of the discussion and
action of yesterday.
Some time ago the trustees of the Grand
Lodge were instructed to consider offers
of not less than $275,OOO, and to contract
for the sale of the corner to the highest
bidder above that amount, subject to the
ratification of the Grand Lodge. When
they reported that a price of 100000 had
been offered there arose a general clamor
of objections from the lodges throughout
the State against selling at that price,
which resulted in the entire afternoon ses-
sion being devoted to discussion of the
question.
Before vote was taken there were
number of able speeches made, both for and
against the sale. John B. Cockrum sounded
the general sentiment when he elected
heavy applause by speech strongly op-
posing the sale. He said the property was
the best property in the State and was
worth more than 100000. His lowest es-
innate was 100000. He further said that
the Odd Fellows were as able to keep Ii
anybody and put up just as good
building. Another point made against its
sale to bank was that it would be a
dark corner-that is, not illuminated at
night. Many Indianapolis members OBJ
jected on this account Will H. Talbot,
past grand master, spoke against the sale.
IN FAVOR OF SALE
The rival party was led by M. A Chip
man, of Anderson, e. G. Hogate, of Dan
vile, and d. b. Shdeler, of this city. They
believed that now is the time to sell and
$500, 600 is a fair price. The hall is not large
enough to accommodate the Grand Lodge
and many believe in selling the present site
and building a finer and larger hall else
where which, they say, could be done for a
sum much under the cost of remodeling the
old building. Three sites, which could be
secured at reasonable figures, were men,
tioned-the First Baptist Church, the north
east corner of Ohio and Alabama streets
and the Pyle House. Various other argu-
ments were made by members of the minor
ity, but they failed to convince the others
of the advisability OF selling. The voting
was done by lodges and was a tedious pro-
ceeding, ending at $50 o'clock.
The morning session, presided over by
Grand Master Eler Z. Pryor, of Martins
VILE was taken up with the reports of
officers. In his report the grand master
said that cf the $1,000 Odd Fellows and
&C, 800 Rebekahs not single lodge was delin-
quent, with no controversies Ito cause even
a lar in the triple wheels Of Friendship
Love and Truth His report on the gem
eral condition of the lodges was full and
gratifying.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
W. H. Leedy, grand secretary, of this
| city, reported that the total membership
of effective lodges in the State is $685.,
the net gain during the past year being
| $685. The total receipts were $3O2, 27411;
total net resources. s2.66l, 704 2S: total relief
fund for 1902, $3.50, 1862; total expenditures,
s2,lS.1O, balance in treasury, s17,557S4. The
report of the trustees, Benjamin Franklin.
| of this city, Enoch G. Hogate, of Danvilie.
| and M. A. Chapman, of Anderson, was
| largely relative to the sale of the hall
which they thought would be wise action
The important question to be dicussed
at the session tomorrow is whether or not
| the Grand Lodge should approve the sug-
| gestion Of the Rebekah Assembly to levy
| a tax of rs cents on the members of the
| subordinate lodges and a tax of so cents
| on the members of the Rebekah lodges
| for the enlargement of the home at Green's
| burg and the construction of a new build
| ing on the ground. A good deal of objec-
| ton is expected.
Last night the past grand officers o the
| Odd Fellows and the Rebekahs had a BAN
quet at the Hotel English. The Grand
| Lodge will adjourn this eevning.