Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-06-27
PARADES COSTLY
A. 0. H. Would Put Money 10 a
 Better Use.

Members of the A. O. H. in Water bury are not all of one mind regard ing the advisability of the big state parade of the order which 1t is un- derstood will take place in New Ha- ven next year, and which will cost the several divisions a very large amount of money. While 1t Is not likely that anything that might be said at this time would have any in- | fiuence on the management, yet there is no denying the fact that here in | Waterbury prominent members of the order make no bones of stating that 1t doesn't look right for the di- visions of this town to go to New Haven and spend an average of $5 a man while an effort is being made to establish hospital in the city. Be- sides this, they claim, that 1t would be far more practical If all the divi- sions of the state would decide to let the parade go and put the money which it will cost into fund for the founding of home for aged Hiber- nians and their wives. Something similar to the institutions maintain ed by the Masonic order. This is a matter that has come up at every state convention that has been held for the past fifteen or twenty years but nothing ever came of it,although those who favor it think that the proposition is gaining friends right along and in time all will see the | wisdom of such course and give it their hearty support. The number of people who might want to go to sucn place never would be large but 1t would be blessing to those who have no homes when they reach an age where they need attention, and this is the reason why those who look at the question from practical standpoint think parades and other things of that sort should be pushed aside and the home established. But 1t appears to be an uphill job to get some to give the matter serious con- sideration. In fact 1t is much the same with organized bodies as it is with individuals. They fail to see the necessity of making provision for age and wait until both are with them and then it is too late and they are not in position to help them selves or anybody else. The organi- zation has done vast amount of good work for other institutions, but so far as itself is concerned 1t has not shown much foresight. It has not place in Connecticut to-day that 1t can call its own where an old gentle man can be cared for. To be sure the society can and does at times maintain members in hospitals and other places, but that's another mat ter. A society with such member ship should have home in some part of the state where members who grow old and have no suitable place of their own could find rest and quiet and such spiritual and tempor- al care as befits them in the last stages of their existence.
 In the opinion of men who have given the subject a little thought. movement for the establishment of home would be better drawing card than the parade, because 1t would have tendency to attract young men to its ranks who otherwise never might give 1t moments considera- tion. A considerable number belong to the A. o. H. only because of it's which 1t is associated-for what 1t has been rather than on account of what 1t is--but these will be grow ing fewer as the years roll by, and it would be wise move to legislate so that the organization may be in a position to offer such good induce ments as any of the other fraternal institutions. nearly all of which came into existence centuries after the founding of the Ancient Order of Ill., bernians.
 The A. o. H. of Connecticut should have a home of its own instead of al- ways looking to others for a place wherein to rest and die.