Milford chronicle., 1905-09-22
BIG TURNOUT OF
ODD FELLOWS
Over $4,000 March Before Multitude
in Philadelphia
REVIEWED BY THE GRAND SIRE

this and every state of the Union par
flcipated. brought to a climax the
S1st annual communication OF the SOW
ereign grand lodge, l. o. o. F., now IN
session in this city. Local lodges ana
those from nearby cities and towns
turned out in full strength. To view
them as they passed down Broad
street and eountermarched north to
Race. thousands of other Odd Eel
lows. the families and friends and the
general public thronged the line OF
march.
A diversity Of color in uniform, ban
ner and regalia combined to make the
whole line one undulating, beautiful
scene. and, viewed in panorama, it was
a sight that will be ever remembered
by those who witnessed it.
Every lodge in the long assemblage
bore its own banner in the procession.
twenty-five bands. the best from
Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Della
ware, and a few from New York,
played every national air dear to the
heart of an American.
The Patriarchs Militant, 2500 strong,
made a beautiful showing. Their
handsomely decorated uniforms, braid
bedecked caps, flashing swords and
shining buttons combined to make
them one of the most beautiful bodies
in line.
But second to none in beauty and
in attraction was the California Drill
Corps. Captain Allie Parker and her
II girls were the observed of all the
observers. From one end of the route
to the other they were the cynosure OF
all eyes. Their marching was splen'
did, and their uniforms more beautiful
than any. It was composed Of the regu-
lation cap. short dark skirt, blouse
shirtwaist, leggings and all bedecked
with shining buttons and gold braid.
The line was reviewed by Robert e.
Wright, of Allentown. grand sire OF
the sovereign grand lodge; its Off
GERS. General NJ. A. Raney. command
ing Patriarchs Militant, and depart
ment commanders, opposite the Belle
Vue-Stratford.
TIE reviewing stand for judges for
prize awards, Odd Fellows of promi-
nence and ladies of Rebekah lodges
was opposite Odd Fellows Temple.
The judiciary committee of the SOW
ereign grand lodge made a report ap-
proving a number of decisions upon
questions of law and procedure made
by the grand sire during the past
wear. One of these was a decision in
volving an Interpretation of the pres
ent law dealing with the eligibility to
membership of those engaged in the
liouor business, to which a proposed
amendment is now pending before the
sovereign grand lodge. The decision
made by the grand sire and approved
with a slight modification by the 1u-
dietary committee has no bearing upon
the proposed amendment, but simply
places an official Interpretation upon
The present law The judiciary COM
mittee's report was not made public.
The proposed amendment will prob
ably come up for consideration to-
morrow.
Toronto is in the lead for the place
of meeting next year.
Annual I6pOIlS VI Siduu oAACs vi anu
Seer etary John B. Goodwin, Grand
Treasurer NJ. Richards Muclle and
General NJ. A. Raney, commanding the
Patriarchs Militant, were the features
of the session. After being presented
they were referred to the committee
on distribution of grand officers re-
ports.
The statistical information for the
year included the following: Candi-
dates initiated, 124.21O; suspended,
54,235; died 1905. Since 1880 the
order has initiated 2,927262 candi-
dates and 292,541 members have died.
The total membership is 1.217145 and
number of subordinate lodges 14,S45.
Revenue last year was s13.698,791 and
relief paid s4.6S3, ,649.O5. Total relief
expended from 1880 to 1904, $1O5, ,425,-
773.56.
The increase in membership of sub
ordinate lodges was 1924; in the en-
campment branch, 1890; in the Re
bekah branch, 26,S91, making a total
increase of 1O2,1O5. The report upon
the various homes for the care of its
orphans and aged brethren shows SS
institutions, seven of them in Penn
svlVania