fixtures, $600; Knights of Columbus stock in their home, $6,700; total, $7,434.16.
     Count Creighton Council has cash on hand, $2,354.98; fixtures, $300; total, $2,654.98.
     Emerson Council has cash on hand, $791.02; fixtures, $100.00; total, $891.02.
     Hartington Council has cash on hand, $127.95; fixtures, $700.00; stock in Knights of Columbus home, $2,700.00; total, $3,527.95.
     Total property of all the Councils, $14,508.11, an increase of $3,362.62 since last report, which shows the Councils are saving their money, a fact which I am very much pleased to report.
     The four Councils in this district are all in a prosperous condition. The increase in membership has been very satisfactory, each Council having initiated a class in the past year.
     It appears to me the suspensions are more than it should be necessary to make. I wish to urge the Councils in my district to be careful in the selection of candidates and consider quality rather than quantity, and try to have them join as insurance members, the real reason for which candidates should join, as the insurance feature is the foundation of our Order. Then I believe it will not become necessary to suspend so many of its members, and our district will still be in a more prosperous condition than it is at present.

Respectfully submitted,
E. B. HIRSCHMAN, D. D.,
O'Neill District.

     Voted that the report of District Deputy Hirschman be accepted and printed with the proceedings of the meeting.

     At this time Leo A. Hoffman, Grand Knight of Omaha Council, announced that the Omaha Council had provided for lunch to be served at the Commercial Club Cafe, and all were invited to participate, after the lunch automobiles were in waiting to take the delegates through the tornado district.

     At 12:10 p. m. it was voted that we adjourn until 2:00 p. m.

     Meeting reconvened at 3:00 p. m.

Report of Committee on Resolutions

     Voted that the resolutions be read and acted on in the order they come.

Resolutions

     1. BE IT RESOLVED, By the Knights of Columbus, in its ninth annual convention, assembled this 13th day of May, 1913, that our Order is distinctly an American Order; its aims are patriotic from the standpoint of true Americanism and religious from the standpoint of true Christianity; therefore, our Order should use its efforts to set right and give enlightment (sic) on our loyalty and integrity to our country. This is an age of co-operation, men have a tendency to unite for social benefit; when they combine according to the law of our country and the laws of God, they become an immense force for good of our community and the nation. Circulars and papers sent broadcast in our land impugning our motives as an Order and individual members should be condemned by good citizens in and out of the Order. We

take pride in our citizenship, our loyalty to our country, our flag and our Church.
     2. BE IT RESOLVED, That the Nebraska delegation to the national convention support and endorse the movement for the establishing of sub-Councils.
     3. BE IT RESOLVED, That the date of the state report and per capita tax levy be changed from April 1 to January 1.
     4. BE IT RESOLVED, That the State Council set aside a sum not to exceed Ten Dollars ($10.00) for the purpose of purchasing stationery for the use of the Financial Secretary Association of Nebraska.
     5. BE IT RESOLVED, That delegates in convention assembled thank the officers of the National Council for sending a duly authorized requirements and rules toward delinquent members, and we believe Brother Morarity's presence in our state has aided each Council in a material way, and that such policy adopted be continued.
     6. BE IT RESOLVED, That some method be devised whereby each hotel in this state be equipped with a Church directory, instructing transient Catholics as to the time of Mass on Sundays. A blank form could be printed and the hours of Mass filled in by the local Priest, and that Grand Knights of each Council observe and have posted up in the hotels in their Council seat said notices.
     7. BE IT RESOLVED, That the reports of our District Deputies at our annual state convention be made from personal examination of the books of each Council in their respective districts, and that the District Deputy strictly observe and enforce the law relating to the payment of dues.
     8. BE IT RESOLVED, That a vote of thanks be extended by the State Council to the Omaha Council for the entertainment, courtesy and good fellowship extended to the visiting Knights of the State Council.
     9. BE IT RESOLVED, That the committee on resolutions be named as heretofore, at least one month prior to the annual state convention and that said committee assemble and transact business the day prior to the state convention.
     10. BE IT RESOLVED, That the Knights of Columbus, in annual convention assembled, hereby heartily endorse and commend the official career of our state officers and feel that they have served faithfully in a competent and efficient manner, and we take this means of expressing our sincerest appreciation and thanks to State Deputy W. E. Straub and all other state officers.

     Voted that the resolutions offered be adopted as read, with the exception of the resolution refering (sic) to the meeting of the committee on resolutions on the day previous to the day of the state meeting, said resolution to be embodied in the by-laws of the State Council.

     The following communication from The True Voice was then read: Worthy State Deputy and Brother Knights:

     The True Voice will celebrate its tenth anniversary next October. And in honor of the event we are going to publish a large edition, which will be in the nature of a historical and biographical number.

     Coming as it does in October, it is our desire to also make it a Columbus day number. It will be in magazine form, size of pages will be 11x16 inches and contain about 100 to 150 pages.
     This will entail considerable expense, and as there has never been anything of the kind gotten out by any paper in this section, It certainly will be a magnificent number and worthy of the support of all Catholicies, and especially Knights of Columbus.
     Therefore, we ask your co-operation and assistance in making this number a success.
     We are asking $70.00 per page.
     We will make a special rate to the Knights of Columbus of a full page for $50.00, or two pages for $70.00.

Respectfully submitted,
THE TRUE VOICE PUBLISHING CO.

     Voted that the State Council of the Knights of Columbus take two pages of The True Voice for advertising at $70.00.

     Voted that the State Deputy have charge of and arrange for the advertising for two pages of The True Voice.

     Motion by Arthur F. Mullen to amend the by-laws of this body by inserting the following as Section 2 of Article I of the by-laws:

     "The State Deputy shall appoint a committee of five members who are entitled to seats in the State Council, at least thirty days prior to the date of holding the state convention, said committee shall be a committee on resolutions and good of the order, and shall meet at least one day before the date of the annual convention for the purpose of preparing a report to be submitted to the convention for indorsement (sic)."

Report of District Deputy William Maloney, North Platte District

To Worthy State Deputy W. E. Straub and Delegates of the Ninth
     Annual State Convention of the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska:
     As District Deputy of the western district, I am pleased to report progress in my district for the past year and submit the following report from the various Councils:
     Chadron Council, No. 1128, Chadron, Neb., reports twenty-eight insurance and seventy-one associate members in good standing, two suspended, two withdrawn, and one deceased. Chadron Council has not increased their membership in the past year, but, are contemplating a class that will add to the dignity and progress of the organization. I find Chadron Council the most prompt of any Council in my district in submitting reports. I find that they are in good financial condition, having a balance of $600.00 to their credit, and complete pharaphernalia (sic).
     This Council, with less than 100 members, and located in the extreme northwestern part of the state, has contributed $208.50 to the University fund, which speaks very highly of the sterling Catholic quality of the members of this Council.
     Alliance Council, No. 975, of Alliance, Neb., has thirty-nine insurance and fifty-seven associate members in good standing, ten having been suspended and one withdrawn. While Alliance Council has suspended ten members, this proves that the law is being observed and

delinquents dealt with according to our constitution. On Sunday, May 25th, Alliance Council will exemplify three degrees to a class and while this class will not be as large as some, I have every reason to believe from the communication received from the officers that they have sought quality before quantity. Alliance Council reports $342.65 cash on hand. They own their own paraphernalia and have a nice sum in the local Building and Loan association.
      I find the officers of this Council to be very agreeable and willing to abide in harmony with their superior officers.
     St. Patrick's Council, No. 1211, of North Platte, Neb., since our last annual report, has initiated a class of thirty on December 1, 1912, which makes the present membership eighty-four insurance and 171 associate members in good standing. This is the largest Council in my district. They own a nice piece of property, valued at $6,000.00, with no indebtedness, with a cash balance on hand of $470.21. A committee of this Council have plans under advisement for the erection of a business block with Knights of Columbus quarters and a public banquet hall in connection. Brother Moriarity, Special Supreme Agent of the Knights of Columbus, visited my district the past week and was very well pleased with conditions generally and especially with the large attendance at the meetings of the different Councils.

Respectfully submitted,
W. K. MALONEY,
District Deputy.

     Voted that the report be accepted, and filed with the State Secretary and included in the printed proceedings of the meeting.

Report of District Deputy James M. Fitzgerald, Omaha District

To the State Council Knights of Columbus:

REPORT FOR THE OMAHA DISTRICT, MAY 13, 1913

     There has been a general retrenchment all along the lines in the Omaha district. No class has been initiated In the third degree since the last annual meeting of the State Council. A class of about forty has been initiated in the first degree in the Omaha Council, which will be followed on next Sunday by the conferring of the second and third degrees.
     This method of conferring the first degree on a class of insufficient numbers to justify holding an initiation in the third degree has been adopted by the Omaha Council, at least temporarily, but if it does not produce satisfactory results may be abandoned at any time.
     The method is open to some objections, chief of which is the fact that first degree and third degree members mingle together and first degree members are very liable to hear discussions of matters that later prove to their serious disadvantage. The Omaha Council has not yet determined whether or not they shall continue the policy as a fixed method.
     All of the Councils in the Omaha district are endeavoring to have all dues paid up and abandon the old policy of permitting men who were once members to continue to hold themselves out as Knights of Columbus and share in the benefits of members of our Order. It is most necessary to press this work of wiping from the records of each Council all names that do not represent active and loyal members.

     Any man who has not sufficient principle to share the burdens of his membership should be cut off and relieve our Order of the stigma and scandal resulting from public offenses that are likely to be committed by such individuals. The charge that one or both of the notorious McNamaras were Knights of Columbus is fresh in the memory of us all.
     Several of the Councils have replaced the old officers with a new line of active members. This is a good thing for the Council and for the Order; but a great part of the good that should result from such change is lost by the withdrawal from activity of these one-time officers. Our Order will not and cannot progress if such a policy is adopted. As the available new timber is exhausted, the Order may sink into the oblivion of many of its predecessors. We will go backward or forward, and activity of our members is absolutely necessary to progress. I would urge all members to activity, and I would call for a termination of the policy so prevalent in Catholic societies of requiring so-called leaders to do all the work. Many men do not wear authority modestly and officers sometimes become dictators.
     The Omaha Council has suspended within the past year thirty of its members, and the Council is stronger since these suspensions. I would, therefore, urge all Councils to continue activity in reducing the membership to loyal brothers and by so doing you will do a great service to your Council, your Order and your country.

Respectfully submitted,
JAMES M. FITZGERALD, D. D.,
Omaha District.

     Voted that the report of District Deputy Fitzgerald be accepted and printed with the proceedings of this meeting.

Report of Committee on Mileage and Per Capita

     We your committee on mileage and per diem respectfully report and recommend the following:

    We, your committee, also recommend a levy of a 25-cent per capita tax for the expenses of the State Council for the next year.

    Voted that the report of the committee on mileage and assessment be accepted as read, and the report included in the proceedings of the meeting, and that the State Treasurer be instructed to draw checks la favor of those recommended by the committee.

Report of Auditing Committee

    Your Committee on Audit have examined the books of the State Secretary and State Treasurer, and find that said books are correct and in order, the balance on hand May 14th, 1912, according to the books of the State Treasurer, and the Committee on Audit for the last annual meeting was $828.83, since that time the Treasurer has paid out on expense bills and mileage $754.13 in accordance with instructions of the last State Council, which leaves a balance on hand of $74.70, which does not include the receipts since the last annual meeting.

     May. 13th, 1913. Committee.

     Voted that the report of the committee be accepted and included in the minutes of this meeting.

New Business

     Voted that the Financial Secretary of each Subordinate Council in the state attend each meeting of the State Council, at the expense of the State Council, for the purpose of discussing with other secretaries the most efficient means for carrying out the duties of his office.

     Leo. A. Hoffman, Grand Knight of Omaha Council invited all present to be his guests at the Orpheum theatre, and had tickets distributed to all present. An invitation was also extended to the delegates to visit the Elk's Club for lunch after the theatre.

     Voted that a committee of five be appointed by the State Deputy to confer, discuss and arrange if proper, for a course of lectures to begin during the coming year.

Election of Officers

     The State Deupty (sic) appointed A. V. Johnson, of Lincoln, and Mark Burke, of Columbus, as tellers.

STATE DEPUTY

     Thomas P. Redmond of Omaha, and James M. Fitzgerald of Omaha were placed in nomination.

     Voted that the delegates as their names are called, come forward to the station of the State Deputy and cast their ballots.

     The name of P. F. O'Gara of Hartington was called twice, once as a delegate of Hartington Council, and again as State Advocate, and it was decided by vote of the State Council that he was a member of high caste and entitled to two votes.

     The vote for State Deputy resulted in twenty-four for Thomas P. Redmond, and seventeen for James M. Fitzgerald.

     State Deputy Straub declared Thomas P. Redmond elected as State Deputy for the ensuing year.

     Voted that the election of Thomas P. Redmond for State Deputy be made unanimous.

STATE SECRETARY

     The names of C. J. Pass of North Platte, and Mark Burke of Columbus, were presented, and Brother Burke, with the consent of the nominator withdrew, and the nominations were declared closed and C. J. Pass was elected by acclamation.

STATE ADVOCATE

     P. F. O'Gara was nominated, and there being no further nominations Brother O'Gara was elected by the unanimous vote of the convention.

STATE TREASURER

     John T. Biglin of Hastings was nominated, there being no other nominations Brother Biglin was elected by the State Secretary casting the entire vote of the State Council.

STATE WARDEN

     Joseph Ryan of Creighton was nominated and there being no other nominations, it was moved and seconded that the rules be suspended

and the Secretary cast the unanimous vote of the convention for Brother Ryan.

DELEGATE FOR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

     A. V. Johnson, of Lincoln, and Frank M. Colfer, of McCook, were nominated, Brother Johnson being one of the tellers the State Deputy appointed L. G. Brian of Lincoln to act as teller. The vote was taken and Johnson received twenty-one and Colfer nineteen votes, and A. V. Johnson was declared elected.

ALTERNATE FOR PAST STATE DEPUTY

     Frank J, Gerharz of Columbus was nominated. There being no further nominations the State Secretary was instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the State Council for Brother Gerharz.

ALTERNATE FOR STATE DEPUTY

     Joseph H. Schmitt of Omaha was nominated and there being no other nominations the rules were suspended and Brother Schmitt was elected by acclamation.

ALTERNATE FOR DELEGATE OF ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

     Frank M. Colfer of McCook was nominated and there being no other nomination Brother Colfer was elected by acclamation.

Next Meeting Place of State Council

     Voted that it be the sense of this meeting that the next State Council meeting be held in the City of Omaha on the second Tuesday of May, 1914.

     Voted that the State Secretary be authorized to have the proceedings of the meeting, together with the reports of the various officers printed in pamphlet form and distributed pro-rata to the Councils of the State.

     At this time it was announced that State Deputy-elect Thomas P. Redmond was present; after being presented by State Deputy Straub, Brother Redmond in a short and pleasing address expressed his thanks to the State Council for the honor bestowed upon him.

     The newly elected State Officers then met and unanimously elected Right Reverend J. H. Tihen, Bishop of Lincoln, as State Chaplain.

     There being no further business to come before the convention, the State Council of Nebraska was closed in due form.

     To the best of my knowledge the foregoing is a correct and complete copy of the minutes of the proceedings of the Ninth State Council of the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska, held in Omaha on the 13th day of May, 1913, together with reports of all state officers.

MARK BURKE,
State Secretary

Approved: .
     W. E. STRAUB,
State Deputy.

Report of District Deputy Frank Real, Hastings District

McCook, Nebr., June 11th, 1913.

Worthy State Deputy and Brothers of the State Council:
     I beg to submit the following report on membership and financial condition of the Councils in Hastings District, April 1st, 1913:

     St. Mary's Council No. 1159--Number of Insurance members last report, 72; present membership, 69; associate members last report, 247; present membership, 278. Members suspended, 4; withdrawn, 16; dead, 2. Per capita assessment, $86.75. Notes bearing interest, $3,000.00. Cash on hand, $417.72.
     Hastings Council No. 1123--Number of insurance members last report, 46; present membership, 42; associate members last report, 201; present membership, 198. Members suspended, 23; withdrawn, 57; dead, 2. Per capita assessment, $60.00. Real estate, $5,000.00. Cash on hand, $122.29.
     McCook Council, No. 1126--Number of insurance members last report, 49; present membership, 44; associate members last report, 127; present membership, 98. Members suspended, 31; withdrawn, 3; dead, 1. Per capita assessment, $35.50. Cash on hand, $297.72.

FRANK REAL,
District Deputy.

Five State Districts

     The state is now divided into five districts, comprising eighteen Councils in the following counties:

OMAHA DISTRICT--MR. EDWIN F. LEARY, D. D.

     Garfield, Valley, Wheeler, Greeley, Boone, Nance, east one halt Merrick, Platte, Polk, Butler, Colfax, Dodge, Saunders, Sarpy, Douglas and Washington.
     The following councils are located in this district: Omaha, No. 652; Columbus, No. 938; Bishop O'Connor, No. 1312, at Greeley; Phil Sheridan, No. 1497, at Fremont.

O'NEILL DISTRICT--MR. HUGH J. BOYLE, D. D.

     Keya Paha, Boyd, Rock Holt, Knox, Antelope, Pierce, Madison, Cedar, Wayne, Stanton, Dixon, Dakota, Thurston, Cuming and Burt counties.
      The following councils are located in the O'Neill district: Charles Carroll of Carrollton, No. 701, at O'Neill; Count Creighton, No. 1238, at Creighton; Hartington, No. 1233; Emerson, No. 1309.

LINCOLN DISTRICT--MR. GEO. B. CORCORAN, D. D.

     York, Seward, Lancaster, Cass, Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, Richardson, Pawnee, Gage, Jefferson, Saline, Fillmore, Thayer and the four east townships of Clay county.
     With the following councils: Fitzgerald, No. 833, at Lincoln; Wymore, No. 1295; Falls City, No. 1336; Immaculate Conception, No. 1666, at Sutton.

HASTINGS DISTRICT--MR. J. F. CROWLEY, D. D.

     Blaine, Loup, Custer, Sherman, Howard, west half of Merrick, Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Clay, except the for east township; Nuckolls, Webster, Adams, Kearney, Franklin, Phelps, Harlan, Gosper, Furnas, Frontier, Red Willow, Hayes, Hitchcock, Chase and Dundy counties.
     This district contains the following councils: Hastings, No. 1123; McCook, No. 1126; St. Mary's, No. 1159, Grand Island.

NORTH PLATTE DISTRICT--MR. WM. ROONEY, D. D.

     Sioux, Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan, Cherry, Thomas, Hooker,

Grant, McPherson, Logan, Dawson, Lincoln, Perkins, Keith, Deuel, Cheyenne, Morrill, Kimball, Banner and Scotts Bluff counties.
     With the following councils: Chadron, No. 1128; Alliance, No. 1175; St. Patrick's, No. 1211, at North Platte.

Knights of Columbus, Financial Secretaries Association of Nebraska

     The Second Annual meeting of the Knights of Columbus, Financial Secretaries of Nebraska, was called to order by Chairman Mark Burke.
      Secretary P. M. Thies called the roll of the Secretaries of the State and the following answered present: E. J. Water of Omaha, H. J. Hammond of O'Neill, Mark Burke of Columbus, E. F. Shields of Alliance, F. P. Uerling of Hastings, Chas. Skalla of McCook, W. H. Laughlin of Grand Island, P. M. Thies of Hartington, Jos. P. Ryan of Creighton, J. M. Liewer of Emerson, J. F. Coupe of Fall City and M. E. Fleming of Sutton.
     After some discussion it was decided that the temporary organization of last year should be made permanent by election of officers as the first business of the meeting, but after hearing a good many excuses from Brother Burke, W. H. Laughlin was nominated and elected without opposition as chairman for the ensuing year, and Brother P. M. Thies was elected as secretary for the ensuing year.
     After spending some time in open discussion of the duties of Financial Secretary, it was found that by this means we all gained new and valuable ideas in regard to the handling of the office.
     It was unanimously decided to adhere strictly to the laws of the order in regard to the payment of dues and assessments, and that each Secretary would endeavor to impress upon all the members of his Council the necesity (sic) of getting in the habit of paying in advance, instead of following the practice of many careless members and not paying until they were subject to and threatened with suspension.
     All the Secretaries that had the pleasure of meeting Brother William J. Moriarity, Supreme Special Agent, were loud in his praises and thankful for the good advice received from him, and the relieved expression that came over the faces of many of the Secretaries when the remark of Brother Moriarity was mentioned that the member himself does the suspending by his neglect or carelessness in making payments, and that it is not optional but compulsory with the Secretary to report all members who allow themselves to become deliquent (sic).

     Moved and seconded that a committee of three on by-laws be appointed and the committee to report at the evening session.

     The following were appointed the by-laws committee: W. H. Laughlin, P. M. Thies and Mark Burke.

     The following resolutions were adopted, to be handed to the Committee on Resolutions of the State Council:

     I. RESOLVED: That the date of report of local Councils to the State Council be changed from April 1st to January 1st of each year and the State per capita tax be levied on the basis of said report.

     II. RESOLVED: That we request of the State Council, the sum of ten dollars to be used by the Financial Secretary to provide for stationery.

     III. BE IT RESOLVED that a vote of thanks be extended to the

State Council for the courtesy shown to the Secretaries, also that we extend our thanks to the Omaha Council for the entertainment and brotherly spirit shown, and for the use of their beautiful club rooms for our meetings.

     Moved and seconded that we adjourn until seven-thirty. Adjourned at 5:55. Meeting reconvened at 7:55.

     The committee on by-laws then reported and the following by-laws were read and adopted:

Article I

THE NAME

     Section 1. This organization shall be known as the Knights of Columbus Financial Secretaries Association of Nebraska.

WHO COMPOSE

     Sec. 2. The membership shall be composed of the Financial Secretaries of the subordinate councils of the Knights of Columbus of the State of Nebraska.

OFFICERS

     Sec. 3. The Officers of the Financial Secretaries Association shall be a Chairman and Secretary, to hold office for a term of one year and until their successor has been elected and qualified.

DUTY OF OFFICERS

     Sec. 4. The Chairman shall act as President of the Secretaries Association and it will be his duty to preside at all meetings.
     The duty of the Secretary shall be to keep a record of all meetings and to notify all members of the time and place of the meetings.

THE OBJECT

Sec. 5. The object of this organization shall be the meeting of the Financial Secretaries for the purpose of considering matters of vital importance to the Local Councils and of uniform action regarding the betterment of collections, and assisting each other in keeping members in good standing at all times.

TIME AND PLACE OF MEETING

     Sec. 6. The meetings shall be held annually and at the same time and place of the meeting of the State Council.

     After spending some time in discussion of the various ways of keeping up the membership, the meeting adjourned to next year.

P. M. TRIES,
Secretary

Approved: .
     W. H. LAUGHLIN, Chairman.

© 2003 for the NEGenWeb Project by Pam Rietsch, Ted & Carole Miller