The Ely miner., 1943-08-12
AFU to Observe 45th
Birthday Here Sunday
ROgeIj, Kress to Speak at
Banquet Celebrating
Unions Inception.

The American Fraternal
Union will observe its 45th
birthday Sunday with an an
niversary banquet in the Com
munity Center cafeteria.
A 45th anniversary meeting Will be
conducted Monday by the combined
membership of the supreme board ana
the supreme judiciary committee.
The Semi-annual audit Of the orga-
nization was begun yesterday.
The banquet Will commemorate the
founding of the organization here in
1893, and viii honor the II living Ely
charter members. Servicemen men,
bers home this weekend are invited to
attend as guest OF the union.
Principal speakers are j. N RogelI,
Cleveland, supreme president, who viii
give an address in Slovenian, and F.
j. Kress, Pittsburgh, trustee, who VIII
speak in English. Joseph Kovach OF
this city, third vice president, viii act
as POSTMASTER The dinner is set for
6 o'clock.
The society was organized under the
name OF South Slavonic Catholic Un-
ion on July 1s. 1898, by approximately
400 Ely Slovene miners.
In the As years that followed the
membership grew to its present Is, ,486,
Of whom about 5000 are juveniles. Its
total assets of s3,224,572.67, and claims
paia since its organization total over
$1,000, 900.
It is the second Oldest Slovene fra
ternal society in the nation and the
third largest. II is comprised of 178
subordinate lodges and operates in q
states. The society admits persons OF
the white race up to SIS years Of age,
regardless of their nationality or creed.
In Ely there are seven subordinate
lodges with a membership of well
over $500.
The first officers, now deceased,
were Joseph Agnich, president; John
Cove, secretary, and Matt Agnicn,
treasurer. all of this city.
Approximately Is founders, IL OF
them residing here, are still living.
The local founders are Joseph Skala,
Martin Skala, Joseph Pluth, Joseph
Zobec. Joseph L Peshel, John Skufca,
John Gnidica, Frank Zgonc, Steve
Banovetz, ST., Mike Sterk, and Joseph
Mantel, Sr.
The society owns its own home office
building at the corner Of Fourth ave-
nue. and Harvey street, erected in 1888
at a cost of $4,000 It publishes its
own official organ, known as Nova
Doba, which was established Jan. l,
1925.
Seventeen regular conventions were
conducted since the society's inception,
the first two and the thirteenth, in
1928, being held here. The next con-
vention is scheduled for August, 1914,
in Rock Springs, Wyo.
Present officers are: President, Mr.
Rogelj; first vice president, Frank
Okoren, Denver, Colo; second vice
president, Paul j. Oblock, Center, Pa;
third vice president, Mr.. Kovach;
fourth vice president. Anton Krapenc
Chicago; fifth vice president, Joseph
Sneler, Pittsburgh: sixth vice president
Mary Predovich, Butte, Mont.
Secretary, Anton Zbasnlk; assistant
secretary, Frank Tomsich, Jr., and
Treasurer, Louis Champa, all Of this
city; medical examiner, DR.. 2. j. Arch
Pittsburgh; editor Of official organ
Anton j. Terbovec, Cleveland.
Trustees: John Kumse, Lorraine
Ohio; Frank E. Vranichar, Joliet, H.;
Matt Anzelc, Aurora, Mimi; Andrew
Milavec, Jr., Houston, Pa; Frank j
Kress, Pittsburgh. Judiciary commit
tee members, Anton Okolish, Barber
ton, Ohio; Frank Mikec, Strabane
Pa; Rose Svetich, Ely; Steve Mauser
Denver, Colo, Ignatz zajc, Brooklyn