New Britain herald., 1926-10-19
ANDRES IS CHOSEN
 STATE K. OF P. HEAD
Elected Chancellor Commander
 at Convention Here Today
E. E. ASPINALL IGNORED

ords and Seal-Reports of Officers
 Reveal Increase in Membership
 and Wealth.
 Charles Andres of Bridgeport, was elected grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias at this after noons session of the Connecticut grand lodge in session here. Mir. Andres is a prominent Bridgeport merchant. He began his Pythian career by affiliating with Mirtha lodge of that city. February F, 1903.
 Showing an immediate interest in the order he was advanced through minor offices in the lodge until on January 1, 1903, he became chancel- Tor commander, finishing the unex- pired term of his predecessor. July 19, 1905, he was presented with past chanccllor's jewel. In 1908 he was elected master of eXchequer of NIirtha lodge and has held that po- sitiOn ever since.
 He joined the grand lodge body October Is, 1907 and at conven- ton held in New Britain, October r, 1922. he was elected to the of fee of grand outer guard. October Is, 1923 at New London, he was ad- vanced to the office of grand inner guard. October 21. 1924 at New Haven, he was elevated to the office of grand master at arms. October, 1925, he was advanced to the office of grand vice-chancellor, through the resignation of w. L. Morgan of MiddletoWn.
 Today he attained the peak Of Pythian recognition as supreme head of the domain of Connecticut
 The grand vice chancellor elected this afternoon is Walter R. King of Wilimantic. Edward F. Aspinall of Plainville, who was appointed to be grand keeper of records and seals following the death of George Wright of Hartford, was elected to that position for another term. Will liam N. Potter, who has heen grand master Of eXchequer for the past 27 years was reelected. Louis A. Beehler of New Haven was elected prelate. Other officers had not been elected as the Herald went to press.
 The 5Sth annual convention Of the Grand lodge of Connecticut opened in Odd Fellows with Grand Chan- cellor Arthur r. N. Mitchell of New Britain, presiding. Seventy two past chancellors were made mem- bers of the grand lodge.
 Greeted by Mayor Weld
 At a public opening ceremony, the following address of welcome was delivered by Mayor Weld.
 You have chosen to honor New Britain by holding your convention within its confines, and you have previously honored New Britain by electing Arthur Mitchell of Wash ington L. Morgan lodge as grand l chancellor. Therefore it gives me a great deal of pleasure to bid you hearty welcome.
 "When an organization such as yours chooses New Britain for it's ! convention, it makes we Of the city , realize that you who come from out | of town are aware of the fact that ' New Britain is the industrial leader i of the state, making 75 per cent of | the builders hardware used in the . world, and is also forging rapidly as one of the progressive communities ! of the state.
 ITO attend this meeting and hear ! the name Knights of Pythias brings i to me very pleasant memories, be- i cause several years ago, MT. I Thomas w. Mitchell, one of your officers used to invite my chum, ! Ralph Mitchell, and myself to the 1 public installations, and I was very !, much impressed by watching Mir. | Mitchell walk up and down the aisle, even more impressed by the mount ! aims of pies, cake and ice cream we , consumed.
 Later years have brought me a | fuller realization of the Knights of ! Pythias. Your order founded on the | principles of Damon and Pythias, | with friendship, charity and bonevo- l lence as it's WatChword, cannot help | but be a force for good in every . community. St. Elmo lodge. 56 years ! old, and Washington L. Morgan . lodge. 20 years old, comprises a ! period of service to the community and mankind of 76 years.
 q trust the deliberations of this , convention will be attended ny sue | cess in every sense of the word. I . sincerely hope you who come from , out of town will enjoy being here as much as We enjoy having you with us"
 Initiation Fee Increased
 Among the important resolutions adopted today was that of increas- ing the imitation fee from a mini | mum of S10 to a minimum of $25. | This resolution already has been passed by the supreme lodge and simply came up at the state con- vention for ratification.
 Several minor resolutions affect ing dues and insurance matters were adopted.
 The establishment of junior or ganization to be known as The Princes of Syracuse was approved. This organization consists exclusive ly of sons of members. II will ad- init boys between the ages of 12 and IS years.
 Resolutions in tribute to the mem- ory of former Judge William II.
 (Continued on Page ID
 THE WEATHER