Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-09-10
A. o. U. W: CIRCULARS.

Grand Master Demorest Warns
 Lodge Against Secession. At the meeting held in New Haven August % of representatives of the evtata Hodges of A. o. U. W, chairman and secretary were appointed as fol- lows: J. I. Howard and Frank F. Ty- Ter. These gentlemen sent out cir eT1lar letter to the various lodges throughout the state asking coopera~ ton in efforts to secure enlightenment regarding the assessment plan which the supreme body has forwarded to the Connecticut jurisdiction. This circular has stirred up Grand Master Workman R. e. DemoEest, who has sent the following communication to members of the lodges and their ofi- cerS:
 ~You have doubtless received by mail circular headed, CThe Conven- ton of Representatives of the A. O. U. W. Lodges in Connecticut, dated New Haven, Conn, September i, 1903, signed, John J. Howard, chairman, and Frank F. Tyler, secretary, and ad- ~ dressed STo Our Brothers This cir c1llar is clearly intended for general [ITCufSAIfUu TIbG LO lodges in this jurisdiction to be read and acted upon by thenr. and should have been submitted to me.
 'Tts issuanlce without the endorse ment thereon of my official approval is a direct and fragrant violation of General Law A. Had this circular, containing untruthfuI and misleading statements, a gratnitous insult to Past Supreme Master McNan and soAci- t2tion tor money to aid in the disor- ganizatiop of the A. O. U. ". tn Con necticut, been submitted to me fl would have received my most unquaf flied disapproval and heartiest con. dennation. therefore swarn you and your lodge against taking any part in this secession movement You will 7 do me a personal favor by sending tc me the circular and envelope contain ing the same, as I desire to preSen1 this to the coming session of the grand lodge as fully and completely as possi hle.''
 1n answer to the grand masters communication the officers Of the con. vention have sent out the following:
 ssThe graDd master workman by his approval of the circular calling thu convention of representa- atives from A o. U. w. lodges in this state ap proved of the meeting and by his at tending said convention as representa- tive from his lodge and remaining during the executive session with tht representatives of forty-efgfrt othe, lodges and taking part by being pres enE in the action of the aforesaid con vention, silently endorsed the same.
 @The resolutions being adopted a that meeting without the oppoSinI VOte of single brother present ceE tafnly gives this convention lega status that cannot be disputed. w are not advocating secession, but ar. endeavoring in a fair way to give th, brothers all the light possible on fhl relations of this grand lodge with tn, supreme lodge and the proposed new plans. We are not traitors torthe wG fare of the members of the A. O. D W. in Connecticut but the authorfzet servants of the convention of reure Bentatives from forty-efght lodges il this state.
 "We have never intentionally insult ed anyone, except to tell the truth, an, believe it is the wish of the rank am file of our membership to know some thing 8bout what is proposed and no be led b11ndly on, as though we had n, minds of our own and were not cana ble of understanding our own affairs This is what caused the, convention f, be held August %. and this is w]1- we are giving OUT time without hon of fee or reward ?
 At the grand lodge session to be hei, in Bridgeport on October 15 the eratir matter of the assessments will b. fought out.