The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-12-31
OH GOALS OF
.ODCES PASSED
IN LAST YEAR
we've Months of Expan-
sion Give Hope of
Bright Future.

~ Sttl ! QtOi u
Climaxing a year Of expansion
nd improvement, Indianapolis fra
,rnal organizations turn attention
D the promise Of the new twelve
lonths.
Featured by parties ana dances,
membership campaigns, charity
rives, ritualistic observances, the
ear proved successful Dedication
nd corner stone laying ceremonies
gere outstanding mile stones in
uilding activity. Gaiety and action
we're key notes.
Only once did The grim specter
II tragedy loom on the horizon to
larken the spirit Of fraternity.
On the night of Oct. IA truck
md trailer carried a merry crew to
barn dance given by the Blue
Devil drill team of the Sahara
Jrotto. The crowd laughed and
oked and sang. They were happy.
Lay Temple Corner Stone
From the darkness sped an in
terrrban toward the truck on the
track. The vehicle moved slowly
a light-a crash-death shrieks-
then silence. The toll was twenty
dead.
Grotto rallied and helped the vic
Tins families. The memorial re-
lief fund was established for the
benefit of the sufferers. But the
cad lurked in their mem
4y H was done that could be
one 4 the GrOtto is carrying on
outstanding demonstration
VI in indianapolis was the
nd semi-annual convoCa-
--~.4 anu reunion Of the Scottish
Rite, featured by the corner stone
laying ceremonies for the new So
100000 Rite cathedral on Meridian
st. One class of candidates was
taken through the degrees on sue
cessive Wednesday nights for sew
eral weeks, and another class was
given the work during the week
of the convocatiOn, Nov. % to Dec.
2. Both classes united to celebrate
the corner stone rites A banquet
closed the event, and distinguished
Rite visitors went to their homes
in all parts of the United States.
Form Associated Fraternities
More than twenty-five fraternal
bodies took a forward step in the
organization Of the Associated Fra
ternities of Marion County in the
early fall. Their aim was unity and
cooperation. They achieved their
purpose under the leadership of E.
H. Palmer, president. The high
point of their activities was the Fra
ternal day parade ending at Uni
vets'ty Park with entertainment and
drills -, crack teams from various
lodges. w. T. Wright, of the Mod
ern Woodmen Of America, was lead
Ell in arrangements.
Many lodges celebrated with APP
gpropriate retualistic ceremonies theft
founding day anniversaries and
other ritual days"
Scores of conventions we're held in
Indianapolis including a few State
and national gathering and many
district rallies.
Aid Poor on Christmas
Armistice day was observed by the
American Legion and the Veterans
of Foreign Wars with parades and
speeches. Veterans marched through
the downtown district and gathered
on the steps of the Monument to
hear speeches of notables. The Lee
gion assembled in Keith's Theater
for an hours memorial service.
Thanksgiving was the occasion for
several lodge observanceS blended
with the spirit of the day.
The peak of fraternal philan-
thropical endeavor was reached at
Christmas. Hundreds Of baskets
were distributed to the worthy poor
and thousands of dollars was used
in relief work. Shrine sent 419 bas-
kets; Elks, 209; K. of c., 100, and
K. of P. about 100.
But the greatest relief work was
not public Chairr q of relief
boards carried on then work under
the guidance of secret ritualistic
laws. Families who were members of
an order received substantial checks
unannounced. They were aided
in rehabilitation work secretly. The
public never heard and never will
hear of the bulk of fraternal be-
neyolence.
New Years Parties Tonight
In addition to local work, the
lodges entertained guests at their
homes. The Masonic home at
Franklin, Ind, was the scene of
merry making at Christmas, as was
the Pythian home at Lafayette, Ind,
which recently was dedicated. Many
other homes held like demonStra-
tions.
New Years Eve, parties tonight
will close the lodge calendar year.
Looking back they will remember
picnics last summer, outings to
lakes and summer resorts and late
fall barn dances and steak roasts.
But most lodges are not looking
back, but rather turning their heads
and hearts forward to the promise
of the new year.