Evening journal., 1905-09-18
DELAWARE At THE
|. 0. D. F. MEETING
Eighty-hrst Yearly Com
munication of Grand
Lodge Begins
PATRIARCHS IN PRIZE DRILL
speeIaI 70 rhe EvenIng JournaI.

Philadelphia, Sept. 1s.-with formal ex-
ercises in Lu Lu Temple. Broad and
Spring Garden streets, this morning. the
eighty-frst yearly communication of the
Sovereign Grand Lodge, /. o. o. F., was
opened by the Grand Sire. Rober' e.
Wright, of Allentown. At the same time
in the Second Regiment Armory. Broad
street and susquehanna avenue. the first
canton Of the Patriarchs Militant, the uni-
formed rank of the order, lined up to
compete for the prizes offered for those
cantons which shall prove their superior
ity. Both events were Of more than ordi-
nary import TO the Odd Fellows who are
here to attend the communication.
Interest, Of course. was centred IN the
session at Lu Lu Temple Thither most
Of the visitors floclSed and by the time
the Grand Sire declared the session open,
the han was wen filed On the breast
Of each Odd Fellow was pinned the badge
Of the order; its emblems were placed at
every point Of vantage; the national and
municipal colors We're draped everywhere
and the hall presented ap retty and ami
mated sight.
WELCOMED BY THE MAYOR.
In a stirring address. Mayor Weaver. on
behalf Of the city. gave a cordial vel
come to the visitors Addresses we're also
made by Melville f. Chubbuck, Grand
Master; Cleon Gisquelais, Grand Patrl-
arch; Mrs. Anna Morrow. president Of the
Rebekah Assembly. and Major-General
]. Blair Andrews. Department Com
mander
This evening there will be a dress par
ade in front Of the armory. At o'clock
there will be receptions to General NJ. A.
Raney and Major-General j. Blair An
drews. General and Department Com
manders of Pennsylvania. az odd Fellows
Temple. The intermediate time will be oc-
cupied with competitive degree work Of
lodges. encampments and Rebekah lodges
at Lu Lu Temple; exemplihcations OF r.
NJ. degree work at Second Regiment Ar
mory; upper and lower room degrees and
general business.
The principal parade Of the order will
be given tomorrow afternoon.
THE PATRIARcHs' MARCH.
While the opening exercises were TAX
ing place in the Lu Lu Temple. at the
Second Regiment Armory the first Of the
cantons Of the Patriarchs Militant lined
up for their tests of skill Three United
States army officers oniciated as judges.
Several cantons from neighboring States
have entered the lists as contestants and
in consequence there is keen rivalry. To
capture the first prize in the drills is the
cherished ambition Of a canton. And
then. besides the honor, the first prize in
class A is $500.
The prize drills of cantons and competi-
tive degree work for subordinate lodges.
eneampments and Rebekah lodges, make
up fair share of the weeks program
Several thousands Of dollars in cash is
being offered I'm prizes and there is in ad-
dition. the Stokes gold medal which can
only be competed for by the Pennsylvania
cantons. Drills and competitive degree
work go on tomorrow and Wednesday
Keen interest is being centred in the con-
tests. General NJ. A. Raney of Iowa. is
commander Of the military branch OF the
order.
From time to time the Rebekah Drill
Corps. Of California, the company Of
young girss who have come all the way
from San Francisco TO show their Eastern
sisters how to drill. win give exhibitions
They are barred from the prize contests
DEGREE WORK.
The exemplihcation Of degree work will
be under the guidance Of a committee
having the arrangements In charge. The
judges win be selected from among men
well qualified as experts and Of an up
right character.
In the competitive degree work for sub
ordinate lodges. encampments and Re
belxah lodges ratings will be made upon
basis Of 100 points in the following or
der: Ritualitis work % points; unwritten
work. % points; delivery and Impressive
ness of charges. 20 points; dramatic inter-
probation. Is points; floor work. Is points.
The time limit Of a degree has been fixed
at an hour and thirty minutes.
ODD FELLOWS PLANS.
From now on. until the close Of the
communication. Friday, the odd Fellows
win be kept busy. Among the important
questions to come up for discussion be-
fore the Sovereign Grand Lodge. will be
ap roposition to affiliate with the Man
chester Unity. Of England, the parent
body from which sprang odd Fellowship.
For some time there the amalgamaton
of the two bodies has been agitated. and
the Grands Sire who arrived in this city
yesterday afternoon. declared that he full
ly expected to see the question brought
up.
The last Of the visitors are expected to
arrive by tonisht. when the total number
is expected to have been swelled to at
least $1,000.
In his annual report the Grand Sire
places the membership Of subordinate
lodges at 1,2i7145; that OF the encampment
at H. $50 and that of the Rebekah branch
at 414.059.
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