No class has been initiated during the year, but undoubtedly the Three Degrees will be exemplified there some time during the coming fall.
     Chadron Council No, 1128 has had the pleasure of exemplifying the Three Degrees to one class during the year, and now is able to report a membership of twenty-seven (27) insurance and sixty-eight (68) associate members. It also reports thirteen suspensions, two withdrawals and one death during the year. Chadron Council has a cash balance on hand in the sum of $1,053.39, which proves the fact so much under discussion at the present time, that a Council, even though small, need have no fear from a financial standpoint.
     Let me add to this report one word concerning the conditions which exist in the western portion of the state and which are hardly appreciated by those living in the more closely populated sections. The membership of the various Councils is usually scattered through a considerably large territory and it is therefore impossible to ever realize a full attendance at meetings or to be so closely in touch with the members as is usually desired. Consequently it is easier to realize why, under such conditions, some might gradually lose interest in their Council and become subject to suspension; and I feel safe in saying that the Councils in my District are observing the suspension rules to the full extent.

Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM P. ROONEY,
District Deputy.

Report of District Deputy Edward F. Leary, Omaha District

Mr. Thomas P. Redmond,
State Deputy,
Omaha, Nebraska.
Dear Sir and Brother: During the past year each of the four
     Councils in the Omaha District has initiated a class, and on May 3, 1914, a new Council was installed at Albion. In this District there are now 1,084 members, of which 266 are insurance and 818 are associate. The Councils are in prosperous condition, having in bank at the date of this report the sum of $2,642.30. All Councils are efficiently officered, Council records are well kept and a spirit of harmony and fraternal good will prevails among the members.

Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD F. LEARY,
District Deputy

Report of District Deputy George F. Corcoran, York District

York, Nebr., May 12, 1914.

Worthy State Deputy and Gentlemen:
     I have the honor to submit for your consideration the annual report of the District Deputy for the Third Nebraska District, covering the period for the year just closed. Owing to unavoidable circumstances I was unable to enter upon the discharge of the duties of the position until during the month of August, or more than two months after receiving the appointment from our State Deputy. I then set about the work of ascertaining the condition of the order in the territory assigned to me, and to meet the demand which seemed to exist for the extension of the good work of our beloved order to places

not heretofore represented by a subordinate Council. Rather late in the autumn of last year the work of organiation (sic) was taken up, and we, hope that the net result may prove to be a lasting benefit, not only to the localities accorded the right to establish a new Council, but to the state jurisdiction as a whole, as well as to the order at large.
      Our District last year comprised four Councils. As a result of the work of the past winter the number of Councils in the District has been doubled, having increased the number from four to eight. The existing Councils have also been active, each Council in the District, with one exception, having within the past six months received a class of candidates for the honors of Knighthood, and two Councils have had two such classes each.
     The following are the new Councils instituted in the District: Leo XIII No. 1708 at York; Tihen No. 1717, at David City; Beatrice No. 1723, at Beatrice, and Father Crowe No. 1737, at Friend. With the organization of these four vigorous young Councils and the additions to the formerly existing Councils, the blessings and privileges of membership in our order have been brought to 400 of the Catholic men of our District who were heretofore groping in the darkness, and knew naught of the great work in which our order is engaged.
     I am aware that many of our honored and beloved members in this state have not fully approved of the policy of this extension work, and have sincerely doubted the wisdom of granting charters to places asking the establishment of new Councils. In the case of the institution of the new Council at David City many such doubts were expressed to me by members and officers of this organization, whose opinions I value highly, and men whose friendship and esteem I have appreciated for a great many years. But let us stop and look at what has actually happened. The Council was instituted in January last, with fifty-six new members and twenty-six transfers of old members. In just three months a second class of fifty-four members were received into the Council, and they are now inquiring as to when in our judgment the weather will permit the initiation of a third class. Not give such men as these a Council! This Council with its great wealth of new material within easy driving distance of its Council chamber and with the splendid men now in charge of its affairs is bound to grow and prosper and will soon, very soon, rival in numbers many of the old and leading Councils of the state.
     The new Councils at York, Beatrice and Friend are composed of progressive and energetic men who may be depended upon to render a good account of the favor extended to them in granting their charters, and will make of each of these new Councils important outposts in the work of our fraternity, adding to and building up their membership rolls as the years go by, and become the real centers of Catholic activity, in all of its good works in their various localities.
     On the occasion of the institution of Father Crowe Council at Friend, we were honored by the presence of the Worthy Supreme Knight, Hon. James A. Flaehrty (sic). The presence of this honored officer added much to the pleasure of those who participated in the affair, and will long be cherished by Nebraska Knights.
     There are still other localities in the territory comprising the District which should be accorded the privilege of coming into our order. I will be pleased to advise with my successor when he is appointed,

giving him such information as I possess upon the subject, and such aid as may be in my power, to the end that every community with sufficient Catholic population to sustain a Council, may have the opportunity to obtain a charter for that purpose.

MEMBERSHIP

     Owing to some inaccuracies in reports or printing the figures, it is not possible to give an exact statement of the membership as compared with last year. But taking the figures as made in the reports last year, and the reports made as of January 1 this year and adding the classes received into the different Councils since the reports were made the membership would appear as follows:

     Allowing for transfers within the District since making the reports or some of them, there still remains a good healthy increase over a year ago.

FINANCIAL

      From the reports and a personal examination of the books of each Council the financial condition of the Councils generally may be said to be good. There remains cash on hand in the treasuries in the sum of $4,675.65.
      By direction of the Worthy State Deputy I visited each Financial Secretary and made personal examination of his books, and found them all, or nearly so, kept in good condition. In fact the Councils in the District are fortunate in their selections of these important officers. Three of the Councils have as financial secretaries men who are hank officers, and their books are kept as neatly and correctly as the books of their several banks. Four others have merchants and intelligent business men acting in this important capacity, and practically the same statement may be made la their cases. The dues and assessments of the members are found to he very generally well paid up. In one or two instances too great a number were found to be in arrears, but the intelligent work of the financial secretary will serve to save many of these good but careless members to the order. One of the large Councils reports suspensions which amount to more than 6 per cent of its total membership. While this fact is much to be regretted, still it shows that the officers of the Council are obeying the law anti doing their duty, and are not carrying members in violation of law who are in arrears. The total losses to the order from lapses in the payment of dues is appalling. Here is a subject which demands the attention and consideration of the ablest men and brightest minds in our ranks, to devise ways and means to stop the leak and hold our membership when we get them into the order.

      In some instances I found that the membership roll was being indifferently kept, many blanks which should contain valuable information were left unfilled. This, I believe, will be corrected now that the attention of the proper offiier (sic) has been directed to its importance.
      During my term I have with two exceptions visited each Council and installed their officers in the same manner provided by the ceremonial. In one case I was prevented from being present for this purpose when requested on account of pressing public duties and in the other case I was not requested or invited to perform the duty. It would be well if the District Deputy would find time to perform this important ceremonial in each Council every year.
      On account of the increase in the number of Councils it will soon be necessary to divide the District which I represent and form perhaps a new District. If not at this time, at the latest by the close of the coming year. As the number of Councils increase the matter of properly looking after the various duties connected with the organization and supervision of the Councils, with the added duty of degree work, all taken together makes the work too great to be well performed by one man. The burden and the honors should be equitably distributed.
      In closing I wish to testify to my deep sense of gratitude to Brothers Edward F. Leary, District Deputy, and W. E. Straub, Past State Deputy, for kindness extended to me by each of them, when I was embarking for the first time upon the trying ordeal of attempting to exemplify degree work. The kind assistance of these brothers made the road easy. It shall not soon be forgotten. And to those true Knights constituting the respective staffs of these officers I am glad to confess that I have been placed under lifelong obligations for the magnificent assistance rendered to me during all of the past winter and up to the present time. These men are indispensable in our work, and if our order has any special favors to shower they should be bestowed upon these splendid gentlemen known as degree officers.

Fraternally and sincerely,
GEORGE F. CORCORAN,
District Deputy.

Report of District Deputy J. F. Crowley, Hastings District

To Worthy State Deputy T. P. Redmond and Delegates of the Tenth Annual State Convention of the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska:
      As District Deputy of the Hastings District I submit the following as my report from said District:
      Hastings Council No. 1123, Hastings, has a total membership of 221, of which forty are insurance members and 181 are associate members. Suspended during the past year, Twenty-two; insurance, one; associate, 21. Withdrawn, six; insurance, three; associate, three. Cash on hand, $273.55; real estate, $6,000.
      McCook Council No. 1126, McCook, has a total membership of 165, of which fifty-three are insurance members and 112 are associate members. Suspended since last report, 26; insurance members, 10; associate, 16. Cash on hand, $621.68.
      St. Mary's Council No. 1159, Grand Island, has a total membership of 314, of which sixty-three are insurance members and 251 as-

sociate members. Suspended during the past year, seventy-eight; insurance members, ten; associate, sixty-eight. Died, three; associate, one; insurance, two. Cash on hand, $4,767.28.
      St. James Council No. 1728, Kearney, instituted March 22, 1914, has a total membership of fifty-three, of which twenty-six are insurance members and twenty-seven associate members. Cash on hand, $295.43.
      The number of suspensions show that the laws are strictly enforced and no delinquent member carried unless through loan fund approved by the Supreme Council.
      Much credit is due the officers and members for their untiring efforts and efficient service.

Respectfully submitted,
J. F. CROWLEY,
District Deputy.

Five State Districts

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

OMAHA DISTRICT--Mr. Edward F. Leary, D. D.

Garfield, Valley, Wheeler, Greeley, Boone, Nance, east one-half 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. F. 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 four east townships; 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, at 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.

Committee on Mileage Reports

We, your Committee on Mileage and Per Diem, respectfully report and recommend the following bills:

     Voted that reports of state officers be accepted and printed in proceedings.

     Voted that report of State Deputy be given to press and also the report of State Chaplain.

     Voted that report of State Chaplain be given to press if deemed expedient.

     Mr. R. B. Bushman, Grand Knight of Omaha Council, announced that the Omaha Council had prepared lunch and extended an invitation to the state officers and delegates to the State Council to be the guests of the Omaha Council.

     Voted that the Council adjourn until 2 p. m.

     Voted that alternate delegates from David City be seated in the State Council.

     Mr. Frank E. Ball, Peter Vanderheiden, Resolution Committee, reports:

     Communication from manager Western Union Telegraph Company received and read. All communication had been answered. No action was necessary.

     Committee on Audit reports:

May 13, 1914.

     We, the Committee on Auditing, beg leave to report the funds received and expended by the State Treasurer of the Knight of Columbus of this state:

     We also examined the State Secretary's book and found it to correspond with State Treasurer's book.

New Business

     Voted that the delegates to the Supreme Convention use their best efforts to have a committee appointed to investigate the cause of so many suspensions and to formulate a plan to stop the heavy loss of members.

     Brother E. B. Hirschman made a strong appeal in favor of the True Voice advocating the taking of same and urging the delegates present to do all in their power to increase the subscriptions.

     Voted that the State Council prepare a copper plate for memorial use to be sold to the Councils.

Re-Districting

     The State of Nebraska has been re-districted as follows:
     The Omaha District will have Mr. Edward Leary as District Deputy. In re-districting have taken away Saunders County from Omaha, and part of Hamilton County from Hastings District. Otherwise the Omaha District remains the same.
     The O'Neill District will have Mr. Hugh Boyle as District Deputy, but there will be no change in the District.
     The Lincoln District, which is District No. 3 now, will be changed to District No. 7.
     To make the division right, I have had to split the Lincoln District in two, putting York, David City, Friend and Sutton in No. 3, They take in the counties of York, Butler, Polk, Saunders, Seward, Saline, Jefferson, Thayer, Fillmore, the four east townships of Clay, and the east half of Hamilton, and Judge Corcoran will be the District Deputy.
     Hastings will be the same as last year, excepting the east half of Hamilton, with Mr. J. F. Crowley as District Deputy.
     The North Platte District will not be changed at all.
     The new District will take in Lincoln, Beatrice, Wymore, and Falls City, with the counties of Lancaster, Gage, Pawnee, Johnson, Richardson, Nemaha, Otoe and Cass.
     I have today appointed John W. Delehant of Beatrice as District Deputy of District No. 7.

THOMAS P. REDMOND, State Deputy.

Election of Officers

     Voted that all the present state officers be re-elected, carried by a unanimous rising vote.

     Voted that the rules be suspended and that Brother Frank M. Colfer be the unanimous choice of the Convention for delegate to the Supreme Council from the associate membership.

     Voted that the Rev. Frank Windolph be the unanimous choice of the Convention as second delegate from the associate membership.

     Voted that Brother J. F. Crowley be the alternate to the State Deputy.

     Voted that Brother E. B. Hirschman be the alternate to the Past State Deputy.

     Voted that Brother E. H. Whalen he the alternate delegate to Brother Colfer.

     Voted that Brother Emmet Real be the alternate delegate to the Rev. Father Windolph.

     Voted that the next place of meeting be at O'Neill, Neb.

     Voted that the per capita as recommended in the Mileage Committee's report be changed.

     Voted that the per capita for 1915 be 40 cents per member.

     Prayer was offered by Rev. M. L. Dolan of Chadron.

     There being no further business the Council adjourned.

     Approved:

THOMAS P. REDMOND, State Deputy.

C. J. PASS, State Secretary.

Resolutions

Adopted by the Tenth Annual State Convention of the Knights of Columbus of the State of Nebraska, Omaha, May 13, 1914:

     BE IT RESOLVED, That we advocate the strict observance of the boundary lines of our subordinate Councils, and when for any reason it becomes necessary for a candidate living within the boundary lines of one Council, to be initiated in another Council, said candidate shall pay his initiation fee into the treasury of the Council in the territory in which he resides. Said initiation fee to be the regular initiation fee of said Council located in the territory where the candidate resides.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That the Nebraska delegation to the Supreme Council support and endorse the movement for the establishment by the Supreme Council of one or more missionaries, to work among non-Catholic people.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That a committee of three be appointed by the State Deputy to arrange for a lecture course for the Councils of the state, of at least six numbers, upon fifteen Councils signifying their willingness and intention to support such a course.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That owing to the greatly increased work occasioned by the increase in the number of Councils in the state, that the compensation of the State Secretary be increased from $50 to $100 per annum.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That the Recorder of each Council be required to furnish to the State Secretary a list of the Council officers after each election of such officers.
     BE IT RESOLVED, that this Convention extend to Rev. Peter Gannan, editor of the True Voice, its appreciation of the noble work he is accomplishing for the Catholic cause in Nebraska, and that the Knights of Columbus in Nebraska spare no effort to have the True Voice placed in every Catholic home in the state.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That, inasmuch as the Sunday Visitor is an overflowing fountain of practical information on Catholic history and questions of current interest, and retaliates in a most effective way the

spread of false knowledge by anti-Catholic publications and pamphlets, that each Council in Nebraska make every effort to encourage its that each Council in Nebraska make every effort possible to encourage its circulations.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That we fully appreciate the kindly interest in the work of our order so generally manifested by our worthy chaplain, Rt. Rev. J. Henry Tihen, Bishop of Lincoln, and desire by this method to express the thanks of the Knights of the state for the splendid service rendered to our order on so many occasions during the past year.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska in annual convention assembled, hereby heartily endorse and commend the official career of our present state officers and district deputies, and feel that they have served faithfully in a competent and efficient manner, and we take this means of expressing our appreciation and thanks to our worthy State Deputy, T. P. Redmond, and all other state officers.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That this State Council ask the Supreme Council that, if possible, our order become affiliated with the American Federation of Catholic Societies.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That we gratefully acknowledge the splendid hospitality so magnificently extended to the members of this Convention by Omaha Council No. 652.

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGE F. CORCORAN, JAMES F. CROWLEY, J. P. GOLDEN, J. H. MULLIN, ROSCOE ANDERSON, Committee

     The following additional resolutions were also adopted:

     WHEREAS, It appears by the report of our worthy State Deputy and the reports of the various District Deputies that the loss of membership by suspension during the past year continues in about the came ratio that it has maintained in recent years; and
     WHEREAS, It is necessary to ascertain the cause of said evil and, if possible, formulate a remedy to prevent this order from losing such a large percentage of its membership by suspensions.
     THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the delegates from this Convention to the Supreme Council be instructed to present and support a resolution in that body, providing for the appointment of a committee, said committee to have power to make full investigation of the causes of suspension, and report the facts found and outline a plan that will remedy the evil resulting to the order from such heavy losses in membership by reason of suspensions.
     BE IT RESOLVED, That the delegates from this state to the Supreme Council be instructed to present the question of altering and supplementing the ceremonial as well as the order of business of Council meetings, so that degree work may be more emphasized, and that Council meetings may be made more important and interesting, and by requiring especially that some appropriate parts of the degree

work may be rehearsed or repeated by the members present at each Council meeting.
     The following Amendment was made to State By-laws, adopted May 8, 1906.
     That there be a strict observance of the boundary lines of our Sub-Councils, and when for any reason it becomes necessary for a candidate living within the boundary lines of one Council, to he Initiated in another Council, said candidate shall pay his initiation fee into the treasury of the Council in the territory in which he resides; said initiation fee to be the regular initiation fee of the Council located in the territory where the candidate resides.

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