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meeting this year, I was confronted with the discovery that our State By-Laws were adopted in 1906 and with the exception of one amendment adopted in 1916 they have been unchanged since that time. I find that other State Councils have excellent By-Laws and I believe that ours should be improved and brought down to date. I recommend that the State Deputy be authorized to appoint a committee to prepare and submit a new set of By-Laws for the consideration of the State Council meeting in 1925.
     I believe that you will all agree with me that the records of the various State Council meetings held since 1905 are important to us and that they should be carefully preserved. Yet I find that the minutes of the meetings of 1907, 1908 and 1911 are missing and have been missing from the files of the State Secretary for several years. I believe that each one of us would like to have a copy of the minutes of the various Council meetings in our possession. They would make most interesting and instructive reading. They constitute the written history of our Order in this state and they are important to you and to me as members. I believe that the copies of the minutes for the years that are missing could be secured from some source and with the minutes of this meeting they would all comprise twenty years of State Council history. My thought is that the State Officers should be authorized to arrange for the publication of the minutes of all the first twenty State Council meetings in one volume and that the hook should be dedicated as a memorial to our deceased first and second State Deputies, Brothers Timothy J. Mahoney and Constantine J. Smyth, and I so recommend.
     This is an election year in this state. Already the primary is behind us. Today the city election is being held in Omaha. This fall public officials will be elected from President down. Our members comprehend every political party in the country and it is a wise provision in our laws which absolutely prohibits the introduction of political activity among us. Happily this restriction is most faithfully observed almost without exception and always with careful regard for its spirit and its letter. Occasionally, however, some member unintentionally offends against this rule. Such an instance was called to my attention during the recent primary campaign when political support was sought for a certain candidate under circumstances which amounted to a violation of this article of our laws. This misstep has been corrected and I mention the incident that it may be a warning to us all, lest our zeal for some political aspirant may lead us to employ this tempting, but nevertheless utterly inappropriate and wholly unlawful, manner of helping our friends.
     To District Deputy, Charles J. Thielen, I make due acknowledgement (sic) for a suggestion which I believe will operate to the advantage of Nebraska Councils generally. On March 31st last, Omaha Council broadcasted a radio program from WOAW. The program was successfully rendered and complimentary acknowledgements (sic) came from all over the United States and Canada. At about that time District Deputy Thielen suggested that such programs be broadcasted regularly and that Councils utilize them under the head of "Good of the Order." I am glad to announce that through the co-operation of Grand Knight Maurice B. Griffin, of Omaha Council, and Brother Charles M. Fixa, Chairman of that Council's Radio Committee, programs have been arranged and will be broadcasted from WOAW by

the Knights of Columbus on the following dates: June 5th, September 11th, October 9th, November 6th and December 11th. If their reception indicates sufficient interest they will be continued after that date. I recommend that wherever possible the subordinate Councils of Nebraska tune in on the programs on the dates mentioned and that your opinions of their merit be expressed by proper communication, either letter or telegram, to WOAW at Omaha. If we are to enjoy the privilege of broadcasting from WOAW, it must be apparent that there is sufficient interest evidenced in our programs to justify the assignment of a night each month to us.
     Your attention should be called to an act on the part of the present State Treasurer, Howard Heine of Fremont, which indicates his splendid qualifications for the office which he holds. Promptly upon assuming office in July of last year, the State Treasurer approached me and voluntarily agreed that he should furnish a bond in the amount of $5,000. It was a businesslike proposal on his part and one with which I thoroughly agreed. Accordingly, the bond was secured and is now in possession of the State Deputy, This voluntary action on the part of Brother Heine has set a precedent which I recommend be strictly observed by the State Council in the future.
     During the past year some isolated instances of the circulation of the so-called bogus oath in the state have been called to my attention. In each case use has been made of the assistance available in the office of the Supreme Secretary to counteract the effect of this hostile propaganda and I recommend that wherever this document appears in the state, the State Deputy be advised so that we may take the customary steps to combat it without offering offense to anyone.
     It is customary for the Supreme Knight annually to address a printed communication to the State Deputies of the various jurisdictions of the Order in which he reports on the activities of the Order during the past year and offers such recommendations as he thinks advisable. Such a communication was received by the State Deputies this year and it has been the source of some of the subjects covered in this report. However, it is not possible in a State Deputy's report to include everything of worth appearing in the letter from the Supreme Knight. That letter this year contained much worth-while information and, believing that you should be as fully informed with respect to the matters therein discussed as is your State Deputy, I requested that we be supplied with a copy of this letter for each of the delegates to this Convention. This request of mine was generously responded to by the :Supreme Secretary's office and those letters from the Supreme Knight will be distributed to you during the day. I recommend that you read the Supreme Knight's letter carefully and that you will take advantage of the help which it will afford in estimating the work done by the Supreme Officers on behalf of the Order during the past year.
     In the letter of the Supreme Knight just referred to, under the heading "Boy Activities," the recommendation is set out that each State Council jurisdiction finance a scholarship in the Post Graduate course in "Boy Leadership" at Notre Dame University for each diocese within its jurisdiction. This recommendation assumes that every diocese is ready for such help from the State Council. Personally, I am not sufficiently informed to say whether such is the case

in this state. I believe that that recommendation should be acted upon only after complete information has been secured and I, therefore, recommend that the State Deputy be authorized to appoint a committee of three, one from each diocese in Nebraska, to consider the recommendation referred to, investigate the advisability of adopting it in this state, and to report their findings to the State Council meeting in 1925.
     In 1919 the State Council adopted a resolution which provided for the assessment of a twenty-five cents per capita tax for a period of five years, the proceeds of which were to be designated as the Western Missions Fund. This fund has been collected annually and divided equally among the three dioceses of the state. The five-year period of the assessment has now expired. If the collection of this Western Mission Fund is to be continued this State Council meeting must make provision therefor. I recommend that the assessment of this fund be continued for another five years and that proper action be taken by the State Council to so provide.
     The annual retreat which has been conducted at Hastings in recent years, was successfully arranged for in August of 1923. A detailed report will be made on last year's retreat by District Deputy William Whelan. I recommend that this report be given careful consideration and that any requests made by District Deputy Whelan or his committee for help in continuing this annual retreat be promptly and generously granted by this State Council meeting.
     On May 15th next, a new Bishop will be installed in the Lincoln diocese. This is an event of importance to us as individuals and as an Order. I believe that this State Council meeting should take cognizance of that occasion and I recommend that steps be taken to have the Order properly represented at the ceremonies attending the installation of Bishop Beckmann on May 15th.
     Arrangements have been made under the direction of George F. Corcoran, Master of the Fourth Degree, and John E. Fitzpatrick, Faithful Navigator of the Omaha Assembly, for an exemplification of the Fourth Degree at Omaha on May 31st. I recommend that you bring this exemplification to the attention of the members of your Council and that you assist in making the exemplification a success by supplying as many members of the class as possible and by attending the ceremonies yourself.
     The State Convention at Sidney last year, before it was actually convened, adopted a motion which provided that "the State Deputy appoint a committee of five to take the matter up with the Councils of the State on financing the Creighton University Stadium, and a committee of five on the establishment of a center for Catholic students at the State University at Lincoln, giving them plenary power to make recommendations to the Councils of the State as to how funds could be raised for the two worthy propositions."
     Subsequent to the adjournment of the Convention, State Deputy McNichols appointed the following committees, in accordance with the provisions of the motion. For the Nebraska University project: Edward J. Lambe of Beaver City, John C. Mullen, of Falls City, Albert J. Kjar of Lexington, John Gross of West Point and Dr. Edmond G. Zimmerer of Lincoln. For the Creighton project; Geo. A. Keyser of Omaha, James Lanigan of Greeley, John W. Delehant of Beatrice, Father Corboy of Omaha and Francis P. Matthews of Omaha. A

meeting was held of such members of the committee as could attend in June following their appointment and the incoming State Deputy was made general chairman and Dr. E. G. Zimmerer secretary of both committees. It was proposed then to proceed at once with active preparation of plans to carry out the instructions of the State Convention relative to the two projects. The chairman was authorized to make preliminary arrangements and the committee was to meet again at his call.
     It is not necessary to go into detail here respecting the work done by the chairmen, Father Corboy, Father O'Laughlin of Lincoln and Dr. Zimmerer, who comprised the sub-committee called in to advise and assist. Suffice it to say that in August of last year Father O'Laughlin, speaking for the Lincoln diocese by letter, advised Father Corboy and through him the State Deputy that by suggestion from the Bishops of the State, all action of the Lincoln project should be postponed until the See of Lincoln had been provided with a Bishop. This suggestion was promptly accepted as a command, and the committee respectfully responded to the heirarchy's (sic) wish.
     Efforts were then made to proceed with the Creighton project separately. Little progress was made, however, and though Omaha Council did raise by various activities approximately $4,500 which has since been turned over to Creighton University for its stadium fund, for causes and reasons which need not be related here, except to say that the various local demands and current financial depression confronting many Councils were among the foremost, it became evident that it would not be possible to successfully launch and conduct an organized movement, such as was contemplated by the resolution just read and, at the personal request of Father Corboy representing the officials of Creighton University, your State Deputy discontinued further efforts to promote the Creighton project. At this time, with the approval of Father Corboy and in compliance with the letter from Father O'Laughlin, and further with the possibility of now successfully renewing the promotion of the two mentioned projects in mind, and finally with the best interests of the Order in the State and of all parties concerned uppermost in my consideration, I recommend that both projects be allowed to remain in statu (sic) quo to be reconsidered when, in the judgment of the State Council, it seems advisable.
     This, gentlemen, concludes my all too lengthy report. I trust that its pages, at least in some instances, will reflect a thought which you approve and thus excuse the imposing of it upon you.
     As a closing thought, I desire to voice my gratitude to the members and officers who have so generously assisted in the administration of the Order in this State during the past year. To them is due whatever measure of success this administration has achieved. As is always the case, there have been irksome duties to perform and heavy responsibilities to assume. I feel that every officer in this State has tried to perform his duties faithfully and with success and that each and every one of us has served impartially as he has seen them the interests of the Order as a whole and of every member individually.
     Let us hope that as the years go on the Nebraska State Council of Knights of Columbus will continue to prosper as it has in the past; that the ideals of its early founders, conveyed to us as they have been by their successors in all their original excellence, may be imparted by us to those who follow in our footsteps with no loss of brightness

and no lack of reverence; and that we, and those who succeed us, may ever feel and respond to the potent influence of those ideals and our founders' good example; and, in the language of our ritual, may we, all of us, "by lives of honor, by lives which radiate the sublime principles of our Holy Faith, point out the way that those who grope in darkness may see the light and with hurrying footsteps find the truth."

     At this time Judge George F. Corcoran of York, Master of the Fourth Degree for Nebraska, was presented and spoke about the Fourth Degree Exemplification to be held at Omaha, May 31.

     The report of the State Secretary, as follows, was adopted on motion of Albert Kjaar of Lexington:

     The report of the State Treasurer was accepted as follows, on motion of Brother M. B. Griffin of Omaha:

To the Officers and Members of Nebraska State Council, Knights of Columbus:
     Beg leave to submit my report as State Treasurer for receipts and expenditures during the past year:

     In explaining the item for cost of treasurer's bond, beg to report that our by-laws provide for a bond of $500.00, and believing this to be entirely Inadequate, and that our funds should be properly protected at all times, after consulting our Worthy State Deputy, I purchased a bond for $5,000.00 and same has been placed in the care of the Worthy State Deputy. For the next year, from present indications, this bond may be materially reduced.

     In the absence of Rt. Rev. Msgr. L. A. Dunphy, State Chaplain, the Rev. Anton Link of Sidney, acting State Chaplain, stated that whereas he had no report to make it might be appropriate to take occasion to adderss (sic) a few words of admonition and instruction to th (sic) meembers (sic) of the State Council. He expressed the hope that the recommendations of the State Deputy as expressed in his annual report might be heeded exactly.

     At this time Grand Knight Patterson of Kearney presented to the State Council a walnut gavel, made at the Industrial School of Kearney, and inscribed as follows:

     "Compliments of St. James Council to Nebraska State Council, K. of C., Kearney, 1924."

     State Deputy Mattthews (sic) in a few well-chosen words thanked Brother Patterson and the brothers of Kearney Council for their gift.

     On motion of Brother John O'Malley of Greeley the reading of the reports of the District Deputies as hereto appended, was dispensed with.

To the Honorable State Council, Knights of Columbus, of Nebraska. Gentlemen:
     I wish to submit the following reports for the councils of Kearney, Grand Island, St. Paul, Wood River, Ord and Greeley.
     St. Peters and Paul Council of St. Paul reports a membership of 274, 83 of those being insurance members and 191 associate members. This Council reports a cash balance consisting of cash and government bonds amounting to $2,330.90.
     Bishop O'Connor, Council of Greeley, reports a membership of 365, of whom 122 carry insurance and 243 are in the associate class. This council also received new members on Sunday, May 4th, numbering 67. They also report cash on hand of $4,282.87 and have just purchased a new club house valued at $20,000.00.
     St. Mary's Council, Grand Island, reports a membership of 222, of whom 73 carry insurance in our order and 153 are associate mem-

bers. This council also reports cash on hand to the amount of $846.92, and this council is also going to receive another class during the month of May.
     St. James Council of Kearney reports a membership of 200, 76 of these being insurance members and 124 associate members. This council also reports cash on hand to the amount of $496.59 and other securities to the amount of $3,381.52.
     Wood River Council of Wood River reports a membership of 87, 40 being insurance members and 47 associate members. This council reports cash on hand to the amount of $458.77.
     Ord Council of Ord, Nebr., reports a membership of 130. Of this number 56 are insurance members and 74 associate members. This council also reports cash on hand to the amount of $91.51. They are also making arrangements for a new class within a few weeks.

To the Worthy State Deputy and Officers and Members of Nebraska State Council, Knights of Columbus, Assembled at Kearney, May 6, 1924.

Worthy Sirs:
     The councils comprising the Sixth District, while having gone through a period of depression, due to different causes, are now in a healthy condition and I think the outlook for the future is bright in the western part of the state. Like all other councils (with a very few exceptions) there has been little or no gain in membership during the past year but since the dates of the reports from the Financial Secretary, Alliance Council had a class of twenty-two actual initiates on April 27th, and Lexington Council, jointly with Kearney Council, will have a class of forty or more candidates on May 11th; St. Patrick's Council of North Platte will initiate a large class on May 18th, and Chadron Council plans a4 class before July 1st. Sidney Council has, I believe, held one or more classes every year since it was established and I am sure that Broken Bow will have another class before the year is over. Alliance Council has been the hardest hit in loss of membership of any in the District, but before the year ends I am certain will show a larger membership than two years ago. Broken Bow Council shows the largest gain and is entitled to much credit. I visited every council in the District since October 1st last and installed the new officers and found each one in the hands of capable and competent officers working harmoniously and their efforts are bound to produce good results for our order. The total insurance membership in the District a year ago was 381 and April 1st was 376, a net loss of live, which, since that date has been overcome by taking in 10 insurance members at Alliance, and will show a further net gain when the classes at Lexington nad (sic) North Platte are initiated this month. The total associate membership last year was 676, while April 1st it was 616, a loss of 60, of which seven died. This loss will be more than overcome before June 1st.
     I desire to thank most sincerely all of the officers, particularly the Grand Knight, for the many courtesies shown me since acting

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