accomplished. In addition to the afternoon meetings, at night
public meetings were held, after which subordinate and Rebekah
degrees were conferred. I feel that these meetings have added
much interest and enthusiasm for Odd Fellowship and our weak
and inactive lodges have received much benefit.

County Meetings.

I have attended eight county meetings during the term. These
meetings were held at Wabash, Huntington, Frankfort, Peru,
Vernon, Greenwood, Monticello and Alexandria. All were well
attended and much interest shown.

Dedications.

Two new lodge halls have been dedicated since the last session
of the Grand Lodge. On February 7th Moltke Lodge, No. 767,
of Hammond dedicated a beautiful hall that cost $13,000. In
honor of the event twenty-nine candidates were initiated. This

2— G 162



9430 PROCEEDINGS OP THE [May.

is a German lodge and the German ritual was used. This was
the first time I had ever witnessed the conferring of a degree
in German and it was very interesting. On April 5th I attended
the dedication of the new $12,000 lodge hall of Dewey Lodge, No.
753, at Jasonville. The beautiful dedication ceremonies were used
and it was very impressive.

Other Meetings.

I also attended meetings of various kinds at the following
places, viz: Holton, Deputy, Elwood, Decatur, Portland, Win-
chester, Geneva, Connersville, Shelburn, Scipio, Knightstown and
LaPorte. In attending all of the foregoing meetings I have vis-
ited fifty-eight counties and seventy-five different cities and towns,
and traveled over 9,000 miles. If my efforts in this respect have
done just a little good I have been fully repaid.

Correspondence.

I have received and answered nearly 1,000 communications
since I was installed as Grand Master. Not a single letter writ-
ten me has been left unanswered. It did not matter whether
it was of much importance or of no importance at all, I answered
every one. While this was an arduous task it was an added
pleasure for the reason that it is gratifying to know that our
membership is interested in the Order to the extent that it
takes up matters pertaining to the best interests of the Order
with the Grand Master by correspondence.

Decisions.

During the past six months I have decided several questions
officially. All that came with the seal of the lodge attached I
answered officially. I received innumerable questions from
brothers on points of law that have heretofore been decided,
and others where the General Laws were plain and decisive. Many
of these questions were the result of arguments in lodges and
the brothers wanting decisions were not satisfied with the action
of the lodge, and to satisfy their personal curiosities applied to
the Grand Master for his decision. In each case I rendered a
decision, but do not report them for the reason that I am of
the opinion that they were of no importance to the Grand Lodge,
having been formally decided, and they were asked only for
the satisfaction of individual members. If the members would
only consult the General Laws and annotations thereto much of
this would be unnecessary. The Questions and Answers I report
will be found attached to this report.



1914.] GRAND LODGE OF INDIANA. 9431

Expelled Members.

During the term I have granted dispensations giving permis-
sion to lodges to restore to membership the following:

By Coal City Lodge, No. 522, to restore Clem Phillips.
By Bicknell Lodge, No. 527, to restore Henry Hoed.
By Gas City Lodge, No. 718, to restore John Good.

In each case they had been expelled for bartending. I re-
fused to grant dispensation to Forest Lodge, No. 546, to restore
a brother who had been expelled for rape.

Petition to Solicit Aid.

I have granted Hatfield Lodge, No. 849, permission to solicit
aid. I visited this place and fully investigated the situation and
deemed the appeal worthy. Fairbanks Lodge, No. 763, and Bor-
der Lodge, No. 224, also asked permission to appeal for aid, but
on investigation I refused to grant dispensation for I did not
deem it worthy at this time.

Charters and Warrants.

I have authorized the Issuance of charters for new Rebekah
Ix)dges at Paoll, Ora, Rossville, Cromwell, Francisco and Posey-
ville and Fargo. The following Rebekah Lodges have been resus-
citated : at Cutler, Royal Center, Youngstowu and Howell.

Warrants have been issued for new subordinate lodges at
Churubusco, New Paris and Smithville.

Charters Arrested.

Subordinate lodge charters have been arrested at Dalton and
Gates. Also Rebekah charters at Glenwood, Marengo, Shannon-
dale, Terhune, Waverly, Milford and Decker. Several other cases
of delinquent Rebekah lodges are pending and if they do not
report in a few days their charters will be arrested. The item-
ized report of the foregoing will be found in the report of the
Grand Secretary.

Lost Rituals.

Two Rebekah Rituals were reported lost. Roachdale Rebekah
Lodge, No. 509, reported a lost ritual on December 30th. I noti-
fied the District Deputy Grand Master to get busy and find it,
and on January 19th he reported that It had been found. Esther
Rebekah Lodge, No. 684, reported a lost ritual on January 6th.
I advised the District Deputy Grand Master and he used every



9432 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [May,

effort to find it but was not successful. On February 17th 1
Instructed liira to install the officers of this lodge with the under-
standing that if the ritual was not found by June 30 the charter
would be arrested. Too much stress cannot be put on the care
of rituals. Tlie law provides a way to keep them securely and
lodges must observe this law or suffer therefrom.

Legislation.

Our laws are practically complete, and when the next copies
of our General Laws are Issued all laws now in force will
be codified so completely that they will be of much service to
our membership. However, I want to call your attention to a
few features. I find that although the Sovereign Grand Lodge
has enacted a very stringent law against smoking in the lodge
room, some of our lodges do not observe it. Smoking is very
offensive to some of our members, and as it is unlawful to smoke
in the lodge room I trust that our members will observe this law.

I find some of our lodges allow card playing in the lodge room.
We all know that many of our members object to card playing.
This causes trouble and dissension. We should be charitable
in all respects and "do unto others as we would that they under
similar circumstances should do unto us," and if there is any
objection to card playing in the lodge room it should cease. But
I also know that there is no chance for an agreement in matters
of this kind and I would recommend that, if possible, a law be
enacted to govern this matter.

I also find that some of our lodges have conceived the idea
that to be progressive dancing must be indulged in, to the detri-
ment of the lodge. History tells us that no lodge ever prospered
that permitted dancing in the lodge room or in any property be-
longing to the lodge. We meet to carry out the principles of Odd
Fellowship and not for amusement, and I would recommend that
a law be enacted that will cover this point so that every member
will understand that we can not have good, strong working
lodges unless we eradicate this feature from our lodge room.

Much trouble is caused in our lodges on account of the manner
of the election of officers. The present law that provides for
nominations previous to election should be amended by striking
out this provision. I have two reasons for making such a recom-
mendation. First, some thoughtless brother nominates a brother
for an office when all know that this brother will not make an
efficient officer, and no one has the moral courage to nominate
another and consequently you have an officer who is not efficient,
to the great detriment of the lodge.



1914.] ORAND LODGE OF INDIANA. 9433

Second, several brothers are nominated for the same office
and only one can be elected. In many cases this causes heart-
burnings and divisions. While this should not he the result,
the fact remains that this is the exact result. All thisi could be
avoided by electing our officers on the night for election without
the formality of former nominations. This would eradicate the
unpleasant features I have mentioned and would result in the
very best and most efficient members being elected to the various
offices. I therefore recommend that the present law be amended
along these lines.

Rebekah Branch.

I have devoted much of my time to the Rebekah Branch
of the Order and I am pleased to report that Rebekah Odd
Fellowship in Indiana is in a better condition than ever before.
We may not have so many lodges as last year, for the reason that
the charters of many delinquent lodges have been arrested, but
the lodges we now have are in better shape than ever before.
This is due to the untiring efforts of that excellent and efficient
President of the Rebekah Assembly, Sister Ida Sipe Van Dorin.
We have been together at nearly fifty meetings and I have been
in a position to know her worth, and the members of this branch
of the Order are to be congratulated in having had such a sister
as their President during the past year. In addition to the
efforts of this excellent officer this branch of the Order has also
had the services of Sister Florence McGregor as Secretary. It
is due to her untiring efforts that so many of the delinquent lodges
either reported or had their charters arrested. The fact that
Rebekah Odd Fellowship in Indiana is on a higher plane than
ever before is owing to the unceasing efforts of these two officers.

Patriarchal Odd Fellowship.

My report would not be complete unless I made mention of
Patriarchal Odd Fellowship. The fact that during the past six
months subordinate and Patriarchal Odd Fellowship have been
walking hand in hand and doing everything possible for the best
interests of all branches of the Order compels me to give It
notice. I have received much assistance in my work from Bro.
Stephen O. Sharp, Grand Patriarch. We have traveled over the
entire State together, doing the things we honestly thought best
for this great Order of ours. This much Is true; if Subordinate
Odd Fellowship is to grow and prosper in Indiana as it should
it must work in conjunction with the Patriarchal branch, and
Bro. Sharp has rendered this Grand Lodge much service by



9434 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [May,

giving the Grand Master his assistance and advice. I shall
never forgot the kindnesses he has shown me and the pleasant
journeys we have had in traveling over the State together. I
feel that the work of what is known throughout Indiana as
"Bro. Leedy's Troupe," which consisted of the Grand Master,
Grand Patriarch and the President of the Rebekah Assembly,
that held forty-three Joint Round Table meetings, will result In
getting the membership of all branches of the Order to under-
stand that to keep Indiana Odd Fellowship to the front and
to move along to a higher worth and strength all branches of
the Order must continue to work in conjunction.

The Home.

The Odd Fellows Home at Greensburg is in a better financial
condition than ever before. The directors are efficient and pains-
taking In their management. There is no complaint and all the
guests are pleased with the way it is superintended by Bro.
Lockhart and wife. I have visited the Home and found all con-
ditions ideal. The time of Bro. W. H. Bradshaw as a director
having expired, I have reappointed him for a term of three
years, and I ask for your approval of my action.

The Talisman.

The Talisman has been the mouthpiece of the Grand Master
during the past six months. In my communications to this Fra-
ternal Journal each mouth I attempted to inform the Odd Fellows
of the State of my actions and recite to them the things of inter-
est that had happened during each month. It is to be deplored
that more of our membership do not grasp this opportunity
of keeping in touch with the things pertaining to the Order by
reading this valuable journal. It Is the only way the Grand
Master has to reach the membership, and I earnestly urge our
members to have the Talisman visit their homes each month.
They will know the things done by the Grand Master and also
the things of interest throughout the state and everywhere.

Our Grand Secretary.

If my administration as Grand Master has so far been a suc-
cess, a greater part of the credit must go to our Grand Secretary,
Bro. W. H. Leedy. Without his wise counsel my hands would
have been practically tied. He was always ready and willing to
advise and assist me In any undertaking, and while his health
would not permit him to accompany me on many visits, he was



1914.] GRAND LODGE OF INDIANA. 9435

constantiy encouraging me and urging me on to greater efforts.
I can never repay him for the kind favors he has extended to
me, and the membership throughout the State is to be congratu-
lated on having such an able, enthusiastic and energetic brother
as their Grand Secretary.

Congratulations.

I want to congratulate the lodges on the excellent manner
in whicli they are conferring the degrees. I find that our small
country lodges confer the degrees in as able a manner as do our
large city lodges. In nearly all the degrees that I have witnessed
the ritual was strictly adhered to. No jurisdiction is conferring
the degree better than is Indiana. I am sorry to say, however,
that a few lodges have thought it best to add special features
to the work to the detriment of the beauty of the degi'ees. On
one occasion I would not allow a degree to be conferred for
the reason that the staff insisted on adding a feature not in the
ritual. If we want to initiate men and make them Odd Fellows
and not merely members we must adhere strictly to the ritual.
Brothers, for the good of Odd Fellowship, stick strictly to the
ritual.

Thanks.

I feel that I would be considered an ingrate if I would not
extend my heartfelt thanks to all of those who have aided me
in my work during this term. All of my District Deputies have
performed every task imposed on them promptly and gladly, and
the fulfillment of their duties has been of much material aid to
the Grand Master. I feel thankful to every one of them and
assure them that their loyalty is appreciated.

To Grand Secretary W. H. Leedy I extend my most sincere
thanks for all the assistance he has given me. His advice and
encouragement was an adjunct of much importance to me, and I
know that without his services my accomplishments would have
been few, and I therefore thank this greatest living Indiana Odd
Fellow for all that he has done for me.

I also want to thank the entire oflQce force of the Grand Sec-
retary. They have all been very kind and considerate and have
given me much assistance.

To the Talisman and its editor. Bro. R. H. Hollywood, I ex-
tend thanks for the many personal considerations extended to me.
It is impossible for me to say how much I appreciate the kind
words spoken and the many things this able editor and good
Odd Fellow has done for me.



9436 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [May,

An added pleasure lias been the assistiuice given me by my
co-workers, Grand Patriarch Stephen O. Sharp and President
Ida Sipe Van Dorin. They have given me every consideration
and assisted me in every undertaking when called upon, and I
wish to thank them from the bottom of my heart.

Conclusion.

In conclusion, let me add that if my efforts during the past
six months have been worth while, if I have done anything to
cause this great Institution of ours to grow and become more
essential to our members, if I have spread the thought success-
fully that by creating a better Odd Fellowship we will have a
bigger, better and stronger Odd Fellowship, I have done no more
than my duty, and I hope to continue this course during the
next six months. To be successful I must have the co-operation
of the entire membership, and I urge you. Representatives, to
go back to your home lodges and use your best efforts to do
your part in this great work and create in the membership of
your home lodge that interest and enthusiasm that will result
in causing your lodge to be the most prominent and influential
institution in your community and your members to be better
Odd Fellows, to the end that they will know that to be an
Odd Fellow in spirit and in truth they must act and live like
Odd Fellows.

Fraternally submitted,



Grand Master.

APPENDIX.

Decisions.

(Approved when not otherwise indicated.)

1. Question. — Is a sister who is nominated for the Vice Grand
chair and is holding an appointive office and who has been present
four and absent six meeting nights up to the night of election
eligible to be voted on?

Answer. — Yes. However, before she can be installed into her
office she must have served a majority of the meeting nights in
her appointive office.

2. Q. — On a regular meeting of Rebekah Lodge, there being
just a quorum present, namely four sisters and one Subordinate



1914.] GttA-^D LODGE OF INDIANA. 9437

brother who \vas a Past Grand in subordinate lodge and also a
member of Rebekah Lodge in good standing In both, there being
no Rebekali Vice Grand, Noble Grand or Past Grand present,
could this subordinate Past Grand open and close lodge and
legally transact business?
A.— No.

3. Q. — If a brother who fails to pay his dues on or before
the last meeting night in the quarter, and takes down sick after
tlie last meeting night in the quarter and before the end of the
quarter, does he become delinquent immediately after the last
meeting night in the quarter?

A.— Yes.

Committee report : For the reason that the brother was not deliquent
until the first day of October, and having' become sick before that time,
while not delinquent, he could not become delinquent during the continua-
tion of such sickness.

4. Q. — Can we donate any of our funds in the treasury to
erect a hospital for the Kings Daughters

A. — No. See proceedings Grand Lodge, 1902, page 2822.

5. Statement: The Rebekah Lodge here appointed a com-
mittee to confer with the subordinate lodge as to the purchase of
a second-hand organ to be used by both lodges and both lodges
to have an interest in it.

Q. — Have the members of the subordinate lodge who are also
members of the Rebekah Lodge a right to vote on this question?

A. — Yes. The fact that a subordinate member is also a mem-
ber of the Rebekah branch of the Order does not take away any
of his privilege on questions of this character.

6. Statement: In June, 1913, our District Deputy Grand
Master called a meeting of Odd Fellows In the community for
the purpose of organizing an Odd Fellows lodge. About five
Odd Fellows attended the meeting. A number of questions were
asked, among which was whether or not old members would have
to pay for depositing their withdrawal cards. The District
Deputy Grand Master's answer was that members were never
charged for depositing their cards when used for organizing new
lodges. Some members said if they had to pay to get away from
their old lodge to a new one which would necessarily be weak
for a while, they would remain in their old lodge. Again, the
District Deputy Grand Master said that the fee was never charged
for instituting new lodges. In July, the District Deputy Grand
Master again called a meeting and about 10 or 12 old membei"s
attteuded and quite a number of proposed members were present.



9438 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [May,



The District Deputy Grand Master again explained that the old
members would not be charged for depositing their cards and on
the strength of this eleven old members signed the petition for
the dispensation, which was granted. Now^ some of the new
members claim that the old members are not in good standing or
not eligible to hold office. They have been misled and are not
responsible and claim that they are in good standing and are
eligible to hold office. They have not paid for depositing their
cards and claim that they do not have to.

Q. — Are the card members in good standing and eligible to
hold office, or must they pay for depositing their withdrawal
cards?

A. — They are in good standing and are eligible to hold office.
The fact that they were misled and had no intention on their
part to evade the law does not deprive them of their privilege as
Odd Fellows.

7. Q. — If a third degree member who has not been a member
of our Order six months is injured or becomes sick, can the
lodge donate him money which for all purposes becomes sick
benefits?

A. — In an emergency such as this and the brother being In
good standing and in distress, for' the good of the Order and for
relief, I would say, Yes.

8. Statement: A little more than a year ago a man sent in
his application and paid the required fee to our Rebekah Lodge
and was duly elected, he living in our jurisdiction at that time.
Shortly after he moved quite a distance away and circumstances
have been such that it was impossible for him to take the degree.
Now he is asking to be initiated. The lodge did not annul the
election at the end of six months.

Q. — Can he be initiated on application or will he have to
pay another fee and make new application?

A. — He can be initiated on his former application, it not hav-
ing been annulled.

9. Q. — Is it necessary for treasurer to make report at each
meeting under head of report of Committee on Finance.

A.— No.

10. Q. — Is it necessary for a lodge to advertise the election
of Trustees. If so, how many times?

A. — It is not necessary to advertise the election of trustees
except for trustees of a newly-instituted lodge. See Grand Lodge
proceedings. 1t)09, G42S, and 1910, 704G.



1914.] GRAND LODGE OF INDIANA. 9439

11. Q. — Is it the'law that a lodge shall elect trustees with
open doors of the lodge?

A.— No.

12. Q. — Is a claim of a lodge trying a case sent to it on change
of venue, said claim being sent to the lodge where proceedings
of trial started, legal? Must we pay it?

A. — Yes. The necessary costs must be paid by the lodge where
trial commenced. See General Laws, 1913, Sec. 197, page 136.

13. Q. — Do members of a Rebekah Lodge have to pay dues
in advance to be entitled to the term pass word?

A.— No.

14. Statement : A brother who failed to pay his dues on last
meeting night in June but paid them on July 20th to Oct. 1st,
and on Sept. 16th met with an accident that kept him from doing
any work until Nov. 19th, when he began work, but on Sept. 24th
he paid dues to Jan. 1, 1914.

Q. — Is he entitled to benefits and if so from what date should
benefits begin?

A. — Yes. After Oct. 1st, 1913. See Grand Lodge proceedings,
1889, page 229.

15. Q. — Must a lodge be open in the third degree during the
trial of a brother under charges.

A.— No. See Sec. 210, page 142 of 1913, General Laws. Also
Grand Lodge proceedings of 1897, page 404.

16. Q. — Can a P. G. officer of subordinate lodge legally be
elected to hold two offices, recording and financial secretary?

A. — Yes, if the by-laws so provide.

17. Statement: We had a brother to go delinquent in Sep-
tember. He paid his quarterly dues November 20th and also a
year's dues in advance for 1914.

Q. — When does his penalty end and when will he become in
good standing in the lodge?

A. — At the expiration of thirteen weeks after the time for
the payment of dues in September.

Committee report : In our opinion the Grand Master erred in respect
to the time at which the penalty against the brother ceases, and the an-
swer should be as follows :

"At the last day of the quarter or term-, as when a brother pays dues
for the quarter or term he pays up to and including the last day thereof,
and not only to the last meeting night in the term, the delinquency affect-
ing the current term in this case and not the thirteen weeks therein
alone."



9440 PROCEEDINGS OF THE [May,

18. Q. — Can tlie District Deputy Grand Master of his district
legally be elected recording and financial secretary or both of his
home lodge in said district?

A.— Yes. See Busbee's Digest, Sec. 1310, page 364. Also Pro-
ceedings Grand Lodge, May 1912, page 8243, Question No. 38.

19. Q. — The law provides that a person must be a contributing
member for six months before he is entitled to benefits. Suppose
when one becomes a member he pays his dues for six months in
advance, does that constitute him a contributing member for such
six months of actual existence in the Order before he is entitled
to benefits?

A. — No. The law fixes the period of six months as 'a proba-