The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-04

charters have been surrendered and the property taken up. There are four old lodges, the charters of which have been suspended temporarily by the grand chan cellor. These were delinquent last year, Three delinquent lodges have been or ganized The actual net gain in member ship at this time as compared to the same time last year. Is shown to be 67s.
 The finances of the grand lodge are In excellent condition, the net balance being something over s11500. a gain of about 5000 over last year. A year ago a gain of s1,Ss0.1S was shown over the previous year.
 The report shows that Grand Chancellor Garber made forty official visits and or ganized two new lodges. Grand Keeper of Records and Seal Miles made forty eight official visits and organized three new lodges. There are TT lodges fin the state in good standing. The grand keeper of records and seal says that a better class of work and more of 1t has been done during the past year than heretofore, and there is much enthusiasm among the members everywhere.
 The report then told of official circu- lars issued during the past term.
 The report next touched on the bonds of officers printing committee, dispensa- tions granted, bylaws and amendments to bylaws approved, opinions and rulings and official visits made. Under this head the grand chancellor says "The field work in this domain demands greater attention and consideration from the grand lodge. I believe our future growth in Alabama will depend largely upon your action con oerning this important subject The adop- ton of more expansive policy should receive serious thought at your hands,
 Recommendation Made.
 The following recommendations were made in the report of the grand chancel- Tor:
 That the act incorporating the grand lodge, Knights of Pythas of Alabama, approved November 21, 1896, be amended and additional powers be conferred upon the grand lodge as soon as practicable.
 That the surplus funds on hand at pres ent be invested in Alabama bonds or government bonds and that the commit 
 purchase such bonds at the market price, with the approval of the grand chaneel- | Tor.
 | That the care and collection of the secret paraphernalia of defunct lodges be made the duty of the committee on the state of the order'' and committee make q report every year to the grand lodge.
 That $500 be appropriated annually for field work and that $500 be added to tho present annual appropriation of $500 for the grand chancelors office.
 That committee on credentials, mile age and per diem be added to the stand ing committees.
 That a division of the state into dis tricts, on the plan of the congressional districts, be made.
 On motion a committee on distribution of work including the reports of officers was appointed as follows: Past Grand Chancellor James B. Ellis, Steinhart and Tyler Goodwin.
 A committee on necrology was named as follows Past Grand Chancellor w. II. Wilder, Brothers Watkins and Gordon Phares.
 Revised Report.
 According to the revised report of the grand keeper of records and seal the grand total of membership of the domain is S656 including a report received yester- day morning.
 The grand keeper of records and seal recommended division of the state into districts and the holding of district meet ings at stated times. A subdivision on the plan of congressional districts was suggested
 He recommended that the grand lodge meetings be held on the second Tuesday in May instead of first Tuesday
 He paid tribute to Grand Chancellor Garber
 The report of the grand master of ex- chequer was submitted. It shows a bal ance of s11, ,623sS the receipts from all sources being $2O,607.12. There is bal ance in the budget of $4645O
 The report was referred to the ways and means committee.
 Hours of Session.
 The hours of the session of the grand lodge were fixed as follows: a. m. to 1 D. m. 2;30 D. m. to wish of grand lodge. The committee on distribution of work met at noon at the Hillman hotel.
 A resolution was offered providing for committee on credentials, mileage and per diem, and also an auditing committee whose duties shall be not only to audit books, but to make the Investments au- thorized by the grand lodge. It was re- ferred to committee.
 The grand chancellor asked that repre- sentatives recommend the lodge grand deputies.
 Past Grand Chancellor Rivers Carter presided after Grand Chancellor Garber completed his report.
 The grand lodge then took recess until I:30 D. m.
 Last night the rank of knight was ex- .nrlIH Hol In fa1 foacra