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when it should decide that it had completed its work and was ready to have the national organization take charge. This is a matter which I sincerely trust may be worked out in the near future to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. The authority of this executive committee to act, of course, ceases with the meeting of this State Council; and the matter of perpetuating this or some other committee to take charge of the work until it is ultimately turned over to the national officers is a matter which should be passed upon by this body.
     To avoid making this report of too great length, I will simply here refer to and have read for the information of the convention, a communication from the Supreme Secretary covering the activities of the order for the past year. In it, I am sure, are many points of interest which will he gladly received by the membership of this convention.
     I will follow the plan formerly adopted in reports of this character and not attempt to give a detailed statement of the membership and financial condition of the order in this state; but will leave these matters to be covered by the accurate and comprehensive reports of the State Secretary and State Treasurer.
     I deem it proper to again refer to the healthy condition of the order at large, as shown by the recent reports of the Supreme Secretary. In spite of war conditions, which are distracting the people of our country, the growth of our order is shown to be very satisfactory. On April 1 our membership had reached 397,211, as against 378,541 the year previous; or a net gain of 18,670, The number of councils is shown to be 1792--a gain of 22 for the year. Our total insurance membersship (sic) is now 124,547 as compared with 118,929 in 1917. This brings before us the magnitude which the business side of our organization has assumed.
      The amount paid to the beneficiaries of our deceased members for the past year was the very respectable sum of $987,925.62, which sum of money, coming to these families in the very darkest hour of their lives was, in many cases, a veritable God-send; often being the means of keeping the little family together rather than forcing them upon the cold charity of the world. This good work has been going on since the founding of the order, and the total sum it has paid to surviving members of the families of deceased members up to April 1 foots up to the enormous figure of $10,674,651.78.
     We had on April 1 insurance in force in the sum of $132,344,151.33; and on the same day $8,532,967.89 invested in gilt edged interest bearing securities. A large portion of these later investments are in the popular Liberty bonds of the United States. This fund has been accumulated as a protection against our insurance reserve liabilities, which on December 31, 1917, were computed by the actuaries at $6,035,344.
     This great business has been conducted at a cost of 70 cents per member for the year.
     The average age of our insurance members remains at 35, the same as last year; and our death rate is 7.7 per 1,000.
     We still hold our very high rating by the insurance actuaries of the country, who compute our solvency; or ability to pay our death claims, at 132.35 per cent. This rating is certainly very gratifying when it is understood that but one other fraternal organization in this country is rated at a figure above 100 per cent. As will be seen, we continue to occupy the top place in this regard.

     The year just closed proved to be one of the great years of our order in this state. We have accomplished many very good things which will redound (sic) to our credit in the future. We have experienced perhaps, the largest gain in membership of any one year in the past; which gain, I believe, will be shown, if computed up to this time, to be more than 1,000.
     As the official reports made by the councils close at date much earlier than the date of the convention, I recently asked for a special report from the financial secretaries showing the membership at the present time. These reports have now all been received and they show that the Nebraska Knights of Columbus have gone "over the top" in another drive in which few, if any, realized they were engaged. These reports show that at this date we have in Nebraska 5,118 associate members and 2,048 insurance members. The true significance of these figures will be appreciated by the convention when it is understood that they give us two additional representatives in the Supreme Council. Having passed the figure of 5,001 in associate membership, we are entitled to another associate representative; and having at last gained our coveted 2,000 insurance members, we are entitled to a representative from that portion of our membership.
     But one new council has been instituted during the past year, being Liberty Council, No. 1904, instituted on May 12, with a membership of 56. Another new council, however, has been granted a charter and will be instituted early in June at Lawrence in Nucklos (sic) county. Two other localities at least are now considering the advisability of the organization of new councils.
     This is the third and last year of the assessment made by the State Council at O'Neill for the raising of a special fund to aid missionary work in western Nebraska. The work accomplished by this little assessment is now or will be made known to you through the reports of the proper officers. Its results have been splendid in all respects. The cost has been little to each Knight in Nebraska--in fact about the cost of a good cigar each year. Whether the work is to be continued is, of course, a matter entirely in your hands; but I commend it for your approval and consideration in the earnest hope that you will not weary in well doing.
     I desire to specially commend the splendid effort made at Kearney by Professor Patterson and other members of St. James' Council to furnish the club rooms for the Catholic students' association in the State Normal School; and any assistance which the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska can give to this object will be bestowed upon a very worthy cause.
     Some confusion arises at times in arranging for the initiation of classes of canditates (sic) into the order, some council officers having proceeded upon the theory that the whole matter was in their hands. This, of course, is true with respect to the first and second degrees. But the conferring of the third degree is solely in the hands of the District Deputy of the district in which the council is located and no council should arrange to confer this degree without first consulting with the District Deputy. He should be consulted before the date is set, and the arrangements either be made by or through him. If council officers will observe this rule, much confusion will be avoided.
     I took occasion a year ago to recommend that on occasions like dinners and functions given by the order where the public can be ad-

mitted, that a few leading citizens of the community be invited to be present and participate. In most cases it will be found very convenient to invite the mayor, the chairman of the County Council of Defense, the head of the business organization of the city and a few such representative men. This plan has been tried by several councils in the state during the past year and has been found to work out with very satisfactory results. The community, through these men, learn to know us better--to know our real objects--and the after results have been in every case very good.
     The Knights of Columbus of Nebraska I believe should be congratulated upon the fact that in nearly every case the council officers are chosen from among the leading men of the community. The officers of the councils in this state represent as progressive and active men as can be found in any like association in our state. This being true our order has a bright future in Nebraska; we have made an almost phenomenal gain in Nebraska during the past year; and with the present activity in all sections of the state I believe it is a safe prediction that our gain in membership and usefulness will continue to grow as time rolls on.
     I heartily wish you the most prosperous and important year of your experience; and pray the blessings of God be upon your every effort in the years to come.
     All of which is repsectfully (sic) submitted.

     Moved that Council extend to our Worthy State Deputy its thanks for the excellent address and report, and that the same be printed in the proceedings of this convention. Carried.

     The report of the State Secretary being next in order, Frank M. Colfer, State Secretary, rendered his report, which is printed herewith:

Worthy State Deputy and Brother Knights:
     As State Secretary of the Knights of Columbus State Council for Nebraska, I beg to submit the following report of my acts and doings for the year May, 1917, May, 1918.
     The past year has been at once a busy and profitable year for the order in the state: busy in the sense that we have rendered as a body and individually, services to the nation and to humanity of distinct value; and profitable in the sense that in helping others we have helped ourselves, our citizenship and our faith. The call for funds from the National Council with which to carry out the war program of the order has been cheerfully and ardently answered. The responses of the various subordinate councils are now matters of record and need no comment. It is sufficient to say that responsibilities were levied, accepted and finally fulfilled in a manner highly creditable to all concerned. More calls will come; more sacrifices will be requested--yes demanded and from my intimate dealaings (sic) with the councils of Nebraska, I am confident that our membership will again respond to the call, come whenever it may.

     The records of the State Council show that there are twenty-nine subordinate councils in the state, although the thriving little city of Hebron instituted a council on Sunday last, thus raising our number to thirty. Our increase in membership during the past year has been most gratifying, despite the fact that many young men who might have enrolled under our standard, have "gone to the wars." The excellent showing on our last annual report for Nebraska membership must now give place to a new record of 6.541, being a decrease of 106, an increase of 827 and a net increase of 721 during the year.
     This result was not attained by inactive speculation nor vain longings. Rather has the result been attained by concerted endeavor, aabetted (sic) by intelligent direction on the part of the membership and offcers (sic) of the state and subordinate councils. Men have thought, planned and labored and the result is an increased number of Knights striving for the fulfillment of our ideals: the glory of God, the defense of our country and the sanctity and safety of our homes.
     It may be of interest to state that the greatest increase of membership during the year was made by Bishop O'Connor Council, No. 1312, of Greeley, this council having added 122 members to its roll. But to Ave Maria Council of Humphrey must be given the palm when we find that in addition to increasing its membership by 105, this council holds the unique and praiseworthy record of having 138 insurance members and 245 associate members or a ratio of 95 per cent plus of insurance to associate membership. We may safely assume that this council will thrive by reason of the above facts.
     A detailed report of council memberships, together with increases and decreases with statement of per capita taxes paid is appended hereto and made a part of this report.
     I desire to express to the offcers (sic) of the state and subordinate councils my sincere appreciation for the favors shown me and in particular am I grateful to the various Financial Secretaries for the hearty co-operation shown by them in my work as State Secretary.
     Our Worthy State Deputy, Judge George F. Corcoran, has again justified our confidence in his ability and zeal by the work done by him during the year past and I am pleased to publicly attest the pleasure I have experienced in serving under his administration.

     Moved that report of State Secretary be approved and that same be printed in minutes of State Council. Carried.

     Note Per capita tax, Western Missionary Assessment based on membership January 1, 1918. State Council Assessment based on membership March 31, 1918.

     The report of the State Advocate being the next regular order of business, Brother John H. Barry, State Advocate, of Wahoo, rendered a verbal report in which he stated that the office duties had fallen very lightly on his shoulders for the past yea,. no litigation having arisen to mar the serenity of his tenure. With the strife that has characterized the terms of other State Advocates in sister states by reason of unpleasant litigation arising out of the rabid activities of bigots both in voice and by the press, Brother Barry stated that he was indeed pleased to report that Nebraska Knights of Columbus were at peace with their neighbors and whole-heartedly engaged in furthering the cause of God and country without regard to hatred or prejudice.

     Moved that report of State Advocate be approved. Carried.

     Reports of the various District Deputies were read and listened to with much interest. Reoprts (sic) were read by the following Worthy District Deputies: John C. Mullen, Falls City, District No. 2; A. H. Berbig, Kearney, District No. 4; John H. O'Malley, Greeley, District No. 5; Edward H. Whelan, O'Neill, District No. 6, and Charles J. Pass North Platte, District No. 7. The report of District Deputy John A. Bennewitz was presented to the Council and read, Brother Bennewitz being unavoidably absent from the State Council on business matters.
     The reports indicated a healthy condition in the various jurisdictions and it was moved that the thanks of the State Council be voted to the various deputies for their zeal and labors in administering the affairs of the several subordinate districts. Carried.

     The Nebraska Knights of Columbus, represented by a committee of distinctive worth and force in charge of all War Camp Activities in the state and co-operating with the Supreme Council in furthering this very praise worthy work, had the pleasure at the State Council of hearing a full report of the activities of this committee read at the convention. The report was presented by the committee's secretary, Brother William C. Fraser of Omaha, and is printed herewith:

To the Officers and Delegates, State Convention, Knights of Columbus of Nebraska:
     The undersigned as secretary of the committee organized for the purpose of conducting a campaign in the state of Nebraska for raising funds to assist in carrying on the war work outlined by the Knights of Columbus submits the following report:
     You will all recall that the national officers originally decided to raise the sum of $1,000,000.00 to be expended in war activities among the soldiers. This amount was to be raised by an assessment of $2.00 upon each member of the Knights of Columbus in the United States, which would aggregate approximately $700,000.00, and the balance was to be raised by voluntary contributions. It soon became apparent that this fund would be wholly insufficient and at the national convention held in Chicago in the summer of 1917 it was voted to raise a sum of $3,000,000.00. So far as I know there was no general

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