The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-20
ODD FELLOWS SHOW STEADY GAINS BY
 LODGES OF STATE.
Wearers of Triple Link En- fhuSiaStic Over Plans For
 3O,00O Members.
Grand Master Recommends Ex- tension of Care to Depend
 entS of Order.

ents of Order.
 New Haven. May 2o-Wearers of the triple link emblem delegated to the annual sessien of the grand lodge or Connecticut. I. O. O. F.. gathered in Harmonic Hall <. today. Frank B. Roys. of winsted. Che grand master, when the annual reports of grand officers were presented.
 Grand Masters Report.
 Frank B. Roys. Grand Master, in his annual report said:
 .9rha past year has demonstrated, numerically and financially, what can be accomplished by hard work. per severance unity of sympathy and motive among. our members. With no subordinate lodges instituted. a net gain of 959, the largest in twe1- ty-three years. naturally is very grat- flying. On December 31, 1913, the close of our official year, our mem bership was 23,64S, and I feel con ndent that with a continuation of the same enthusiasm which has prevailed during the past year that the 30, 900 mark by 1919 will be a living reality. Harmony and goodd fellowship pre- vails throughout the Jurisdiction, and with few exceptions the lodges are in creasing in membership, with less suspensions, and financial conditions excellent.
 "AlI lodges brought to my notice where dissensions have arisen have visited at once, and have been suc- cessful in adjusting the existing diff ferances satisfactorily in each case. It is therefore with pride and pleasure I report no appeals to come before this Grand Lodge.
 .sOn April 15, 1914, I attended the state Rebekah meeting at East Hart ford. The Representation was large, and the meeting, which was so ably presided over by the president, Mrs. Sarah Harrison. was very interest ing. 1t has been my pleasure dur ing the past year to visit . number of Rebekah lodges in company with state assembly officers. There has been much good accomplished by these visits. and the interest in this creased The splendid gains which have been made are the results of earnest efforts and hard work on the part of the assembly officers
 Recommendations.
 ssBe1ieying that no Lodge consti- tuting a district by itself (thus losing that fraternal intercourse which ex- ists between Lodges Of the same dis trict1 can exist and prosper in a sat isfactory manner ito this Grand body or the Lodge for in each case brought to my notice there exists a lack of interest and enthusiasm, re su1tinE in a practical standsti1l-ard deendng it to be for the best interest of our Order
 q would recommend that Good Shepherd Lodge, No. 65, constituting District No. 22. be placed in District No. 8.
 .eFor the same reasons as before stated. also recommend that Mid dlesex Lodge, No. 8, constituting Dis trict No. 27, be placed in District No. Is.
 lowing to distance between Lodges and inconvenience existing in District No. 2s, as reported by the District Deputy Grand Master of said district also the lack of interest. showing practically no gain. and it being, as am informed. the desire of both Lodges, would recommend that Ob- webetuck Lodge, No 6, now in Dis- trict No. 2s, be placed in District No. 9, and Wauseon Lodge, No. 32, now in Districe No. 2s, be placed in District No. 31.
 ows. and sisters Of the Rebekah De- gree who are unable to care for themselves and under the existing laws are not eligible to become resi- dents of the I. o. O. F. Home on ap- plication in regular form by a Lodge, be placed, by the management of said Home. in some appropriate instituv ton or suitable place where they can De properly cared for, the expense for such care to be paid in part by the Lodge, the balance by the Grand Lodge, and, if deemed necessary, slight increase in the per capita, tax be laid for this purpose. Exper- fence has, believe. demonstrated the necessity for such legislation.
 As the time when we shall cele- brate the Centennial Anniversary of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows is approaching, it seems wise that some movement in this direction be made. would therefore recom- ment that a committee be appointed at this session of the Grand Lodge, of seven members, to be known as the Centennial Celebration Committee."
 Grsnd secretary's Report The Grand Secretary, William s. Hutchinson, in his report said: T have been pleased to note the word;, tie members seem to be keenIy alive to the fact that it is not a dream, but something that can be accomplished. While we have not made the percentage of gain reQuir- ed for the year 1913, the results have been all that could be expected for the first year. Let our success for 1918 encourage us to still more and better efforts for 1914.A Remember we have only to initiate twelve mem bers each year, for each hundred en- I1912. Look we'll to the members we already have: see that as few as pos sible are lost by the N- F. D. route. If you will do this, and think, talk and work for '.3O, 900 Members, April 26, 1919," victory is sure.