The San Francisco call., 1909-10-15
APPROVES REPORT
ON DECOTO HOME
Masonic Grand Lodge Sanctions
Management as Carried on
by the Trustees
Delegates Pay Visit to the Menu
bers of the Fraternity in
Oakland

The special order of business at the
morning session of the grand lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons of California
yesterday was the consideration of the
report of William S. Wells. Thomas
Flint, Ralph Lowe, William H. Waste
and Elmer E. Stone. trustees of the
Masonic home at Decoto, Alameda
county. This shows that at date of the
report, October 4, there was on hand
s21,SS9, of which amount s2,422 is due
residents of the home, and after de-
Quoting the permanent Improvement
fund the retiring board will turn
1886 to the new board for operating
expenses.
During the year there were received
a number of donations, the largest be-
ing $4,000 from the Abrahams' bequest
and $1,000 from an insurance pollcy on
the life of Mrs. Kempthorn, resident
of the home, who died there last March.
These sums were credited to the per-
manent improvement fund, which now
has a total of s11,740.
DISCONTINUE PRINTING
The trustees discontinued the print
ing plant at the home on account Of
ing of no material benefit to any one.
The board recommended doing away
with the present plant for furnishing
heat and hot water in the buildings
and establishing a central one instead
of five, and using crude oil instead OF
coal. The home needs enlarged hos
pital facilities and better water
supply
During the holidays the Masonic
aaf friH iH.ffa
s1,s43 which was expended in the pur-
chase of gifts for the residents and to
gladden. the hearts of the children.
The trustees reported that they had
considered the question of segregating
the young from the aged, and last Sep
tember transferred the children, 13
boys and like number of girls, to the
southern California Masonic home at
San Gabriel.
HOW TO RAISE REVENUE
The trustees say that they have given
much thought to the future manage
rnent of the home and the manner of
raising revenue therefor, but confess
that they have not agreed upon any
definite plan, and that no plan has yet
been suggested that meets their ap-
proval. They say: "It is a grave and
serious question, and we suggest and
urge that no radical change be made
until careful thought and study has
been given to the entire subject mat
ter. The usual per capita tax of 81
will, in our judgment, be sufficient to
run both homes, with the exception of
necessary repairs and improvements"
The total receipts during the year
were s4S.3s0. and the disbursements for
supplies, current expenses. farm and
barn repairs and improvements. taxes
interest and funerals, 27,7S9, and
s12,212 for salaries.
There are now so male and 80 female
residents at the Decoto home and 26
children at the Gabriel home.
The report, after being fully dis
cussed, was adopted, except as to two
matters requiring the expenditure of
money, which was referred to the
finance committee.
PAY VISIT TO OAKLAND
During the afternoon session Grand
Orator BENJAMIN F. Bledsoe delivered
an oration. which was received with
marks of approval.
The members of the grand lodge at
the close of business went to Oakland,
where they were given a reception by
members of the fraternity there.
Today the grand lodge will select
new officers, and tomorrow morning
the session will close with the installa-
tion of the new officers.