New Britain herald., 1929-05-15
DRY LAW SHAFTS BRING APPLAUSE

BRING APPlAUH
 (Con.inued from First Page) was paid to the parade and those who turned out 10 march in the face of adverse weather conditions last night.
 When I learned. the Odd Fellows were coming here for their state I was anxious that everything be done for their comfort even going 50 far as to arrange for good weather. as you know the mayor is responsible for everything that happens, even the weather" the mayor facetiously remarked.
 Later" the mayor continued, T learned that many of the delegates are from the farming districts of Connecticut. where rain is always welcomed. and desiring that all feel at home, We allowed the rain to come. But, l am sorry you had to parade in it.
 Invited to Inspect City
 "While you are here in New Brit ain, we want you to spend some time touring our city. Visit those indus tries of which we are so proud, and take a trip through our beautiful parks. Be sure to visit the World War memorial in Walnut Hill park. In my opinion there ts but one memorial greater than ours and that is far in the west. It is my hope that every city in the country will erect | memorial to those honored men who died for us.
 You are members of . great or- der. l am q fraternal man myself. holding membership in as many lodges as the ordinary man can af- ford.
 Hits at 18th Amendment
 "Every fraternal man should make 1t his aim to make this | better country to live in. Just a few weeks ago. many of you no doubt will re- call reading it, our president, speak, ing to the Associated Press, express ed . view that we have more crime in this country than in almost any other country in the world. Let us unite in an effort to reduce it.
 II am something of an odd fellow myself. l have strong views and do not hesitate to express them. It is my honeEt belief that the 18th amendment has had more to do with this condition of crime than any thing else. Public officials are un- der oath to follow up and enforce every city ordinance. state statute and every rule of the constitution of the United States. but I hold to the claim that ws also have the privilege of expressing our views.
 T do not believe that the 18th amendment has been of beneht to this country!
 Good Whiskey Obtainable
 'To tell the truth, men in public office and politicians have opportu. nifty to get . good glass of whiskey almost any time they want it: can those outside of politics do that! We read daily of men in public life link. cd with liquor scandals, having H. quor in their possession or being sent to prison. We hear of young boya and girls going to dances with hip fiasks. We didn't have any of those things in other days.
 Il read short time ago of . min- ister who arrived in this country from England. When he was told li- quor should not be imbibed in thia country, because it is . sin. he ask ed what made it . sin. He was told it is a sin because it is against the constitution of the United States. and he answered: I drank liquor in Eng land and it wasn't . sin. If it is not q sin in England, it is not here
 If you think prohibition is ( good thing, be outspoken. if you think it is not, be equally outspoken, and then we will return to normal conditions"
 The mayor closed his remarks by repeating his welcome and his well wishes for . successful convention.
 state Membership 3s,31S
 The report of Grand Secretary William s. Hutchison of New Haven showed . total membership in all Odd Fellow lodges on December s1 last of zS,315. net loss of 372. The total assets of the order were 3l,. 43s,44s. . net gain of 324.144. The total invested funds were 3l,13S,s4l the value of regalia 12ss,s0s, tho number of brethren aided z77S fol q total of 7s,040 weeks.
 The Rebekah lodges were e, | gain of one. The number of mall members was 4.54s and of women 1o.37.. . total of 1t,s21. . year, gain of 4z5. The total of Rebekah funds was 3s3,345, . loss of 3z,04i or the year.
 Members of the Odd Fellows .t the number of 17,540 have bought bricks in the new infirmary. this be ing an incidental way of aiding jr this fraternal assistance.
 
 Challenger showed by his repor that the grand lodges credit bal! ance was 31s.ss1. Secretary Hutch. ison in his report asked the frater' nifty to be generous in its contribu tions to the I. O. o. r. home al Fairview. when home day is observ' ed there on June s.
 Green Elected Grand Master
 James Green of Torrington va, elected grand master at the annua state convention of the ]. o. o. F. this afternoon at Odd Fellows hall and following the usual custom. il was voted to hold the next state gathering in the home city of the new grand master. Torrington.
 Mir. Green succeeds Aaron W Carlson Of this city. who complete one year in oflice by presiding at the