Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-18
KNIGHTS OF MALTA
Supreme Commandery Begins
It's Sessions.
COMMANDERS REPORT
CONDITION OF ORDER AT IT'S 21sT
ANNUAL CoNvocATIoN.
Other Reports Submitted-Last Nights
l1r s- A.
COMMANDERS REPORT
Other Reports Submitted-Last Nights
Smoker an Enjoyable One
Pleasant Speeches Made

The opening session of the twenty-first
annual convocation of the Supreme Com
mandery, Ancient and Illustrious Order
Knights of Malta, was held today, begin
ming at 10 o'clock. in Malta Hall, $40 Penn
sylvania avenue northwest. The scene In
the hall was a picturesque one, as the
knights wore their full dress uniforms
with their many golden decorations and
nodding plumes of brightest red as requir.
ed by the laws of the ancient order. There
were representatives present from Pennsyl-
vania. New Jersey, Massachusetts. Mime
sofa, Maryland, New Hampshire. Virginia
and the District of Columbia The hall was
prettiiy decorated with the colors of Malta,
black and red. and American flags IN pro-
fusion. besides several floral pieces
The first business transacted today was
the appointment by Supreme Commander
David r. Melville of the Supreme Conn
mandery press committee, as follows: Rich
ard h. Buckley. =. q. c.. of this city
chairman; Daniel Baker, p. G. c.. of Phila-
delphla and Harry n. Mills, P. G. c., of
Reading, Pa.
Supreme Commanders Report
Then followed the report of the committee
on credentials and the admission of repre-
sentatives. after which the supreme COM
mander Sir David F. Melville, read his an
AS has been our custom in the past ia
meet annually and review the work of each
succeeding year, we are at this time call
ed together for the purpose of holding our
twenty-tirst annual convocation. so that we
may In retrospective manner consider
what has been done during the past year
toward furthering the interests and prin-
ciples of our ancient and noble fraternity.
Also that we may enact such legislation
and adopt such plans for the further ad-
n rrin ipla hell
will be for the best interests of the order
For such a purpose 1t would seem to be
hardly possible to have selected a city more
suited than the one In which we are now
assembled. the fountain head of our nation
al government, and in which are located the
halls of our national congresses, from which
has gone forth such legislation as has made
our country to be recognized and ranked
first among the nations of the world. Meet
ing in such a city as this. we surely ought
to be inspired to the most faithful perform
ance of every duty.
During the year some progress has been
made. as is shown by the number of new
Communicates and the large number of
classes received, yet with the addition that
has been made to our ranks through these
sources I cannot say that / am altogether
satisfied that we have made as great a
gain as we should"
The supreme commander read the report
TO the Imperial Grand Black Encampment
of the Universe, Glasgow. Scotland. from
the Supreme Commandery of the United
Communicates which were instituted during
the year in Pennsylvania. West Virginia,
New Hampshire and at Washington.
ID. C., known as Constantine. No. BAT
Aid for Fever-Stricken City.
Commander Melville noted an appeal
which was promulgated among members of
the order asking for contributions for the
citizens of Butler. Pa especially those who
were Knights of Malta and their families.
1t was stated in the appeal that Butler. a
prosperous city in the western part of Penn
syIvania is scourged with an epidemic of
typhoid fever. is well known all over the
civilized world.
'SThe state board of health statement Is
to the effect that there are ], 400 cases In the
CITY: that II cannot be eradicated before
spring. and that 1t will require 100000 to
do so.
II be so liberal that the world Will know or
the existence of such n fraternal organiza-
tion as the knights of Malta"
AS the result of this appeal the report
states that members OF the ORGANIZATION
contributed 81 1850 for the Butler relief
fund. In conclusion the report states:
Now that the time has arrived when,
according TO the customs of our order. L
am required to hand over to my successor
In Office the gavel of authority with which
have been intrusted during the year. 1
very much regret that 1t has not been pos
sible for me to devote more OF my time ana
attention to the establishment of the order
to a greater extent May the deliberations
Of this supreme session be pleasant and
harmonious, and may such legislation be
effected Will rebound to our lasting credit
and the orders good"
Recorders Report.
Mr.. Frank Gray. supreme recorder, read
his annual report for the year just ended
He stated that the past year was a success
both financially and in the matter of mem
bership. Financially" says Mr.. Gray, I'VE
"a array ahead Of anything ever expe-