New Britain herald., 1924-05-21
ODD FELLOWS SHOW
 MEMBERSHIP GAINS
Rebekah Order Also Reports h.
 creaSes During Past Year
ANNUAL SESSIONS TODAY
Plans for New Building at Groton Go to Grand Lodge This Session-Nar- ious Lodges Being Brought Into Closer Touch With One Another.

Thompsonyille, Conn, May 2I.- grand lodge Independent Order of Odd Fellows held it's annual session here today when the grand officers made their reports to the representa- tives from the subordinate lodges on the material and financial condition Of the order during the past year. Grand Master Charles J. Fowler in his review of the term of his office said that fraternally the order was stronger and better than ever before, and Grand Secretary William A. Hutchinson of New Haven, by mem bership figures and
 ment showed that Hu0) 'DIOJ was q substantial ''ldaIr {. order also reporte9lglS ln9,,,,nsi,, bership, and the grau4 ...-- 'r"0"uO tuted two new lodges during ihe year -Colfax at Thompsonville and Mar tha Washington at Wethersfield.
 New Building at Groton.
 Grand Master Fowyer said that the plans for a new building at the home in Groton had been completed and were to be presented to the grand ledge for consideration at this ses- sion. A new movement was the sec retaries' association 10 bring about a closer union between secretaries and uniform method of keeping records An "interlodge activities committee" whose work was started al Bridge port has done much, the grand master said, to bring lodge memberships into closer touch.
 The recommendations of the grand master were as to granting of charters 10 the Rebekah lodges before men iloned. and the establishment os a permanent headquarters in a building to be owned by the order.
 2gi2s Members.
 Grand Secretary Uutehson showed that present active membership is 29.- l2s. net gain for the year of GO. The | iotal assets on December s1 last were A2Sl,30S. The total invested funds are Si,0io,0l0, and there is invested in regalia, etc, s25t.o27. During the year 2,S7S brothers were aided at an outlay Of seG.s5l.
 The numbeT Of Eebekah lodges is 6 with 2 total membership of ia.gAl. The total funds on hand are s3S.2eS, q gain of S1.55s.
 Financial Rcport.
 Grand Treasurer Sidney ". rhai- lenger Of Middletown made q report on moneys paid out and invested. showing the grand lodge balance 10 be si3,536, The report Of the grand to tho sovereign grand lodge was one Of inc longest present. "d in years and showed the state of he order throughout the world. as well as giving q digest of the proceed Ings of that body.
 The report on the home al Groton also was Of some length. and attention s called to the need of immediate -rection Of an ihlrmary. The average lge Of residents al fhe home is 52 years and two months. The oldest nan there is o2.
 Al inc elections this afternoon I, "as expected that officers would be advanced a station by reason of the or the present grand master.
 Cooper Is Elected.
 James Cooper of Mystic was eincf- 'd grand master Of the grand lodge. -thor officers elected were: Deputy ,rand master. Alfred l.. I.illey, Hart- ord; grand warden. Leo Davis. Nor walk; grand secretary. ". \. Hutchi- lon. New Haven; grand treasurer, X. Sidney W. Challenger. Middietown: 'rand representative. Charles ]. Fov- CT, Thom psonville.
 Carlson Appointed.
 The new grand master made these appointments. Grand marshal. Dorr :. Whitney, Bridgeport: grand con luctor. Aaron VI Carlson. New Brit in: grand guardian. IT. C. r. Howell. hartford; grand chaplain. Rev. 'harIes H. smith. Tranby. Mass. .rand herald. James X. Green. Tor ingtOn.
 About 55o members of subordinate odEcs attended the grand lodge Ees- ion.