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     The convention of 1925 was preceded by a three-day retreat given at Immaculate Conception Academy at Hastings, under the direction of the Rev. Adolph J. Kuhlman, S. J. This was the Fourth Laymen's Retreat given under the auspices of the State Council and was attended by 87 officers and delegates to the State Council.
     The convention proper was inaugurated by a solemn high mass celebrated in St. Cecilia's church, at 10 a. m., June 1. The Rev. Anton Link, acting chaplain of the State Council, was the celebrant and was assisted by the Rev. James E. Hahn of Orleans, as deacon; the Rev. James Gilroy of Friend, as subdeacon, and the Rev. Joseph Keany of Hastings, as master of ceremonies. St. Cecilia's choir, directed by Miss Stella Kernan, rendered the Missa Regina Pacis of Pietro Yon. The Rev. Francis O'Brien sang an Ava Maria at the Offertory. The sermon was preached by the Rev. A. J. Kuhlman, S. J., of St. Louis.
     Following this, luncheon was served the delegates at the parochial school hall.

     The State Council was called to order at the City Auditorium at 1:30 p. m., with State Deputy, the Hon. Francis P. Matthews, K. S. G., presiding.

     District Deputy Wm. M. Whelan of Hastings introduced the Hon. H. E. Bowman, President of the City Council, who addressed the convention and presented the symbolic key of the city. A brief response was made by the State Deputy.

     The password was taken up by State Warden Dr. J. C. Tighe.

     The State Deputy announced the appointment of the Rev. Anton Link of Sidney as Acting Chaplain in the absence of the Rt. Rev. Mons. Dunphy, who was prevented by ill health from being present.

     Rev. Father Link offered prayer.

     The State Deputy announced the appointment of the following Committee on Credentials: Dr. E. G. Zimmerer, State Secretary, Chairman; P. J. Mullin of Albion, J. K. Vlach of Wahoo, Wm. McLaughlin of Grand Island, Harry Rump of Fremont.

     The Committee on Credentials reported as follows:

Worthy State Deputy and Members of the State Council of Nebraska, Knights of Columbus:
     Your Committee, having examined the credentials of the delegates to this convention, find the following entitled to be seated:

Francis P. Matthews, K. S. G., State Deputy.
Wm. J. McNichols, Past State Deputy.
Rev. Anton Link, Acting State Chaplain.
Dr. Edmund G. Zimmerer, State Secretary.
J. Howard Heine, State Treasurer.

John Gross, State Advocate.
Dr. J. C. Tighe, State Warden, Absent:
Rev. Mons. L. A. Dunphy, State Chaplain.

Judge George F. Corcoran, Master of Fourth Degree.

Absent: J. W. Trumble, J. W. Delehant.

     Omaha--Maurice B. Griffin, G. K.; John Hopkins, P. G. K.
     Lincoln--John J. Beha, G. K.; John J. Bogan, P. G. K.
     O'Neill--James C. Graham, G. K.; Chas N. Gonderinger, Alt. to P. G. K.
     Columbus--Richard Ragan, Alt, to G. K.; Mark Burke, Alt. to P. G. K.
     Alliance--J. F. O'Conner, G. K.; Wm. H. Buechenstein, P G. K.
     Hastings--George Laughlin, G. K.; P. J. Franey, P. G. K.
     McCook--Frank M. Colfer, Alt. to G. K.
     Chadron--L. Romillard, P. G. K.; H. E. Barrett, Alt, to G. K.
     Grand Island--Wm. H. Laughlin, P. G. K.; W. F. Roney, Alt. to G. K.
     North Platte--John DeRolf, P. G. K.; James T. Keefe, Alt. to G. K.
     Hartington--F. B. Thoman, G. K.; P. M. Thiess, P. G. K.
     Creighton--B. J. Huigens, G. K.; Frank J. Kain, P. G. K.
     Wymore--R. W. McCahale, Alt, to P. G. K.
     Emerson--J. M. Liewer, G. K.
     Greeley--J. M. Lanigan, G. K.; A. J. O'Malley, P. G. K.
     Falls City--H. A. Coupe, G. K.; Dan Chaney, P. G. K.
     Fremont--Harry Rump, G. K.; J. C. Kerrigan, Alt. to G. K.
     Sutton--Frank Weston, G. K.; Thomas A. Burke, Alt. to P. G. K.
     York--O. N. Miller, G. K.; J. T. McCarthy, Alt. to P. G. K.
     David City--Dr. Wm. F. Gilmore, G. K.; R. J. Murphy, Alt. to P. G. K.
     Beatrice--Nick Stienauer, Alt. to G. K.
     Kearney--Rev. Henry Munstermann, Alt. to G. K.; David Lynch, Alt, to P. G. K.
     Friend--John Carlon, Alt. to G. K.; M. J. Murphy, Alt. to P. G. K.
     Albion--P. J. Mullin, G. K.; J. H. Pieper, P. G. K.
     Madison--George Malin, G. K.; Wm. LeFluer, Alt. to P. G. K.
     Norfolk--John A. Erwin, G. K.
     Humphrey--
     Wahoo--J. E. Vlach, G. K.; J. H. Barry, P. G. K.
     Sidney--Francis Herbert, P. G. K.; Dr. L. A. Donahue, Alt. to G. K.
     Hebron--F. W. Mackenzie, G. K.; H. F. Nacke, Alt. to P. G. K.
     Lawrence--Matt. Friend, G. K.; Dr. J. B. Dierker, P. G. K.
     St. Paul--W. J. Lynch, G. K.; Anthony Uphoff, P. G. K.
     Plattsmouth--J. J. Cloidt, G. K.; John Bergman, Alt. to P. G. K.
     Lexington--Thomas M. Reed, G. K.; Albert Kjaar, P. G. K.

     West Point--C. R. Stieren, Alt. to G. K.; Conrad Gerken, Alt. to P.G.K.
     Ord--E. L. Vogeltanz, G. K.; Vincent Kokes, P. G. K.
     Wood River--John M. Nolan, G. K.; John J. Carey, P. G. K.
     Orleans--Rev. J. E. Hahn, G. K.; J. E. Donley, P. G. K.
     Broken Bow--Roy E. Aldrich, G. K.; Frank Kelley, P. G. K.
     Auburn--John McGheehy, G. K.; Thomas A. Engles, P. G. K.
     Elgin--W. H. Henney. G. K.; A. C. Pelster, P. G. K.

Respectfully submitted,

EDMUND G. ZIMMERER,                 Chairman, WM. H. LAUGHLIN, J. E. VLACH, HARRY F. RUMP, P. J. MULLIN

     .The State Deputy announced the appointment of the following committees:

James T. Keefe North Platte, Chairman.
Maurice B. Griffin, Omaha.
Harry J. Reardon, O'Neill.
John J. Beha, Lincoln.
James M. Lannigan, Greeley.

Vincent Kokes, Ord, Chairman,
Wm. J. Puetz, David City.

Mark Burke, Columbus, Chairman.
Geo. Laughlin, Hastings.
Ole N. Miller, York.

John E. Fitzpatrick, Omaha, Chairman.
John Gross, West Point.
Wm. J. Donahue, Albion.

Dr. E. G. Zimmerer, Lincoln, Chairman.
J. Howard Heine, Fremont.
Francis P. Matthews, Omaha.

     Messages of Greeting from the following state councils were received and read: Maine, Montana, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Mexico, Ohio, Quebec, Ontario, South Dakota, Oregon, California, Washington, Arizona, Louisiana.

     State Deputy, the Hon. Francis P. Matthews, K. S. G., made his annual report, which was adopted and filed on motion of the State Secretary, as follows:

Worthy Chaplain and Members of the Nebraska State Council:
     Once more by virtue of the office of State Deputy in Nebraska, which I hold, it is my privilege to preside at a meeting of the State

Council of this jurisdiction, and through the authority vested in me as your State Deputy, it is my duty at this moment to declare this the Twenty-first Annual Meeting of the State Council of Knights of Columbus of Nebraska duly convened.
     In entering upon the work which is just ahead of us, we can do no better than observe the practice established by preceding State Council meetings and take an inventory of the achievements of the past twelve months. We should also look into the future and determine, as far as we may be able to do, those things which should guide the conduct of the affairs of our Order in this State during the coming year. Accordingly, with those purposes in mind, I respectfully submit my report as State Deputy.
     The affairs of the Order, so far as we are concerned with them at this time, naturally fall into two divisions, namely, those things properly coming within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Council, and, secondly, those things properly coming within the jurisdiction of the State Council. We shall apply ourselves first to a consideration of what has transpired during the past year under the direction of the Supreme Council.

     During the closing months of 1924, the Supreme Officers, in considering the welfare of the Order, decided to put forth definite and vigorous efforts during the year 1925 to increase the number of insurance members of the Order. A campaign of publicity was conducted, and by mail, through the columns of the Columbia, and through the representatives of the Order, it was endeavored to reach every member and bring home to him the value of the insurance protection offered by the Order. The Supreme Knight, Mr. Flaherty, and the Supreme Secretary, Mr. McGinley, exerted their best abilities to this purpose. Supreme Directors, Special Supreme Agents, State Deputies, District Deputies, Grand Knights and Financial Secretaries were all urged to contribute, so far as they were able, towards securing new insurance members. The experience of the Order has indicated that for a number of reasons an insurance member is more desirable from the standpoint of the Order than a member without insurance. The individual council to which he belongs benefits through him,. the Order itself is stronger and more enduring because of the insurance members, and the insurance policies of these members constitute a guarantee (sic) of protection to their dependents at a time when pecuniary assistance is most needed. During the forty-three years in which the Order has had an insurance department, each year has produced an increase in the number of insured members. During the year 1924 the net increase of insurance members was five thousand three hundred and ninety. By virtue of this addition to the total of our insurance membership the Knights of Columbus has assumed twelfth place among the two hundred fraternal benefit societies operating in the United States, Canada and Newfoundland. This record is gratifying to the Supreme Officers, who are responsible for the success of the Order, and yet the results so far obtained fall far short of what should be realized. During this year, which has been designated as "Insurance Year," a much larger net gain in the insurance membership should be procured. If that is to be done, you and I as individual members of the Order must contribute our share in the endeavor to secure new insurance members.. In this State, you as Grand Knights and Past

Grand Knights of your councils, and I as one of the State Officers. have entrusted to us the responsibility of promoting the welfare of the Order. We as executive officers should set the example by interesting our brother members at home in this commendable work of extending the insurance membership. Most all of us are insurance members and by that fact have demonstrated that we individually appreciate the value of this Order's insurance protection. Let us familiarize ourselves with the details of the insurance feature of the Order, and upon returning home let us set in motion in our respective councils an energetic campaign for extending the insurance feature to those of our brothers whose homes are at this moment without this insurance protection.

     Many of our members are not aware of the fact that the Order conducts a correspondence school department, which is operating on a tuition at cost basis, and the facilities and advantages of which any member is at liberty to enjoy. This correspondence school is an outgrowth of a similar school established for the benefit of war veterans. Correspondence school courses have grown in favor during the past few years and now hold a definite position in the field of education. It may be interesting to you to know that such courses are conducted by some one hundred and twenty-five high-class colleges and universities. There are also more than two hundred and fifty private correspondence school courses which are conducted as commercial enterprises. The Knights of Columbus' correspondence school is not a commercial enterprise. It is operated, as stated before, on a tuition at cost basis and no one derives any profit from it. The enrollment of this correspondence school now exceeds forty-two hundred members. Eighty-five courses are offered to the student and they cover a wide field. The cost of courses averages less than ten dollars each, which expense includes text books and other study materials. Courses equal to those available in the Knights of Columbus' correspondence school if obtained elsewhere would cost all the way from fifteen to one hundred dollars. Our members should be acquainted with this department of our Order and those who could profit thereby should avail themselves of this opportunity for improvement. A letter to the office of the Supreme Secretary will bring to any member full and complete information with respect to all courses offered in the correspondence school.

     During the period of time known as the school year for 1924 and 1925 the Order operated fifty-two evening schools for ex-service men. Thirty-eight of these schools were maintained and supervised directly from the New Haven office; fourteen were council schools conducted by local councils or chapters. The enrollment in these schools was forty-seven thousand one hundred and twenty-nine. Seventy-two per cent of this number were ex-service men and twenty-eight per cent were civilians. Classes were conducted in eighty subjects. All of these schools have now been closed.

     In addition to the evening schools conducted by the Order, there have been instituted four hundred and three scholarships for service men in American colleges and universities. Two hundred and seventy-nine of this number were graduated by September 1924, one hun-

dred withdrew from school or forfeited their rights, and three are yet in school and will graduate during the course of this month. With their graduation the scholarship activities of the Order will be brought to a close.
     Since February 1922, when the correspondence courses were instituted for former service men, seventy thousand ex-service men have been enrolled in one or more of our correspondence courses. Eleven thousand of those students have graduated and received their certificates. At the present time twenty-two thousand four hundred active students are pursuing their studies in this branch of the Or educational work. The twenty-two thousand four hundred students are enrolled in eighty-seven different courses of study.

     During the past year the Order has continued its hospital welfare work in behalf of disabled ex-service men. Knights of Columbus secretaries are rendering personal service and making a free distribution of creature comforts, furnishing entertainments and providing athletic equipment for ex-service men undergoing treatment in five hundred and fourteen hospitals throughout the country. At the present time there are forty-one thousand three hundred and eighty-two ex-service men in these hospitals all of whom are enjoying the benefits which the war camp fund of the Order makes it possible for us to confer upon them. During the past year the Order contributed fifty thousand dollars to the American Legion to enable that organization to assist in extending material relief to non-compensable and inadequately compensated ex-service men who migrated to the southwestern states. In January, 1925, approximately forty thousand dollars of this fund remained on hand. This amount, with an additional thirty-five thousand dollars contributed by the Order, will now be used by the American Legion for carrying out the rehabilitation program. The Knights of Columbus have also given seventy-five thousand dollars to the Disabled American Veterans of the World War. This money is used by that organization to maintain its office in Washington and to pay the salaries of executive officers there and in district offices in various parts of the United States. Through this contribution from our Order that organization will be enabled to continue its various offices in operation until July of this year. A sum of fifteen thousand dollars has also been contributed by the Order to the veterans of foreign wars to enable that organization to carry on its work for the benefit of its membership.

     The time is rapidly approaching when the so-called war camp fund of the Order will be exhausted. With the close of this month there will be approximately two million dollars of the war camp fund remaining on hand. This amount has been budgeted to care for the continuation of the hospital work referred to a moment ago, and to the providing of free courses in our correspondence school for ex-service men. The time is not far distant when the largest, portion of this great fund will be completely exhausted and the trust with which the Order has been charged since 1917 will then have been executed.

     In July, 1924, Columbia, the official magazine of the Order, be-

came a fifty-two page publication. With that increase in size it became the largest Catholic magazine published anywhere, and by virtue of its composition and contents it assumed its place as one of the foremost magazines in the English speaking world. The cost of publication of Columbia is paid out of the Supreme Council per capita received from members. Each member therefore is entitled to receive a copy of the magazine each month.
     It is not necessary to point out the merits of this publication to any members who have taken the time to analyze its contents and estimate its quality. We need not hestitate (sic) to circulate Columbia among members and non-members of the Order. The magazine is at once entertaining, wholesome, instructive, thought-provoking and vigorous. Men of prominence and standing in all fields of life contribute to its pages. It has no superior in the diversity and excellency of the articles it offers, and is rapidly on its way to become one of the greatest shapers of public opinion' in the country.
     Grand Knights should take occasion from time to time, to call Columbia to the attention of the members in Council Meetings until it is definitely ascertained that every member is not only receiving his copy of the magazine regularly, but is also reaping the benefit of a faithful reading of its pages each month.

     It is a proud name that the Order is making for itself by the work it is doing in Rome. Four years have passed since the Knights of Columbus were summoned to the City of the Caesars by the Supreme Pontiff Himself, and today under the direction of Past Supreme Knight Edward L. Hearn, the Knights of Columbus activities are in full swing in the buildings and playgrounds belonging to the Order in Rome. This fact will be productive of great good to the Order.
     As you know, this is Holy Year and pilgrims by the hundreds of thousands are journeying to Italy. Bishops, priests and laymen and women who are visiting the Vatican can obtain at first hand full information as to the worth of our Roman work. They cannot view what is being done under the direction of Brother Hearn without a feeling of enthusiasm and a warmer regard for our Order.
     The initial cost of the Roman work has all been paid and before we meet again in State Council meeting the one million dollars endowment fund to finance and maintain the Roman work will all have been raised. Thus it is assured that the great work undertaken by the Supreme Council at the behest of the Sovereign Pontiff Himself will endure. No project that has ever been undertaken by the Order has greater potentialities than this work for the youth of the city, that is the center of Christendom. Those of America, who will return from the Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome, will speak of this work to us; while pilgrims in Rome, from other parts of the world, will be inspired by the evidence at hand of the interest of Knights of Columbus in promoting the welfare of those who are so close to the Holy Father by reason of the fact that as Bishop of Rome they are His children.

     The program of welfare work for boys of America is being rapidly developed. The post graduate course in Boy Guidance opened last fall in the University of Notre Dame. Twenty-five college graduates

are now pursuing this two-year course. The cost is one thousand dollars per year, which includes board and tuition.
     The Columbian Squire program is practically completed and will be presented to the Supreme Council meeting for its approval in Duluth next August. It is expected that immediately thereafter, Councils having men properly qualified by training and experience to take charge of the Columbian Squire program may begin organization of units of the Junior Order, such units to be known as circles.

     As stated in a preceding paragraph, the Order made a net gain of five thousand three hundred and ninety insured members in 1924. However, it suffered a net loss of eighteen thousand four hundred and ninety-four associate members, and an actual net loss in membership of thirteen thousand one hundred and four. Fifty-nine thousand four hundred and eight associate members were added to the Order last year. That means that seventy-seven thousand nine hundred and two, or approximately one out of every ten men who were members of the Order a year ago are n longer Knights of Columbus. These figures reflect conditions which while serious do not necessarily mean disaster. Strenuous efforts are being made everywhere to reclaim the worthwhile members who have left the Order, and the situation in Nebraska will be considered later in this respect.
     This concludes that portion of my report to be devoted to the national affairs of the Order. There are many other items of interest which might be referred to with profit, but time will not permit even a mention of them. I must hasten on to a consideration of those things and events which have made up our history in the State for the past year and which reflect the local circumstances in which we find ourselves today.
      The past twelve months have been busy ones for Nebraska Knights of Columbus. The State Council, meeting at Kearney imposed upon the State Officers certain special duties to be performed and of our fulfillment of those commissions we wish to give an accounting.
     Shortly after the close of the State Council meeting a year ago the State Deputy appointed a committee to attend the ceremonies coincident with the Installation of Bishop Beckman at Lincoln. This committee was present on that occasion and presented the Order's felicitations to His Lordship. That this dutiful and courteous act on our part was appreciated by Bishop Beckman is indicated to some extent by the fact that he later in the year accepted membership in Fitzgerald Council at Lincoln.
     The committee appointed by the State Deputy to present new By-Laws for the State Council will present its report later.
     The committee appointed to investigate the advisability of Nebraska State Council paying. for the education of a student in the course of Boy Guidance at Notre Dame University will also report separately later.

     On June 21st in Rome occurred the beatification of eight Jesuit martyrs, who were among the early Jesuit missionaries to North America, who were put to death for their faith by the Iroquois Indians. This is a momentous event for us as Catholics and Knights of Columbus. The great Jesuit missionaries who were the subject

of the solemn beatification services are eulogized by all writers of early American history regardless of creed. It is not possible in this report to name these men and point out their virtues. However, we are indebted to Rev. John J. Wynne of New York City for a supply of pamphlets descriptive of the lives and work of these blessed men and by a perusal of those leaflets you can familiarize yourself more thoroughly with their merits. Throughout the country the Order is very generally taking cognizance of the beatification of these pioneer churchmen, and Nebraska should pay its tribute to' their memory. Accordingly, I recommend that at some appropriate time during the course of the year a fitting program be arranged in each council in honor of the celebrated priests and missionaries. As Catholics and Americans we have profited by the labors which they put forth among the savages who inhabited this continent at the time of its discovery and the least we can do at this time is pay our respects to them in some fitting manner.

     During the present year two National conventions of ex-service men will be held in the City of Omaha in this State. During this month the Convention of the Disabled American Veterans of the World War will convene at Omaha. In October the convention of the American Legion will also be held in the same city. These two important, events will impose upon the Order heavy burdens and responsibilities.
     In the past it has been customary for the Knights of Columbus to contribute its share towards making the annual conventions of these two organizations a success. This practice will be strictly observed this year by the Order. Already arrangements have been made to see that the welfare work of the Order is made available to those attending the Disabled American Veterans' Convention. The Supreme Secretary and the officers of Omaha Council have the work in charge and will see that the faithful service rendered to these heroes of the present generation at previous conventions will be offered them when they are the guests of this State. Similar arrangements will be made when the American Legion Posts come to Omaha in the fall. It may be that calls will be made on outside councils for assistance, and if such a request comes I am sure that an enthusiastic and generous response will be returned.

     During the year which is closed the Nebraska jurisdiction has been favored by visits from the Supreme Knight, the Supreme Advocate and the Supreme Secretary. In June of last year the Supreme Advocate, Mr. Luke Hart, attended an exemplification of the Fourth Degree at Omaha. In November of last year the Supreme Knight, Mr. Flaherty, made a special trip from his home in Philadelphia to honor Fitzgerald Council at Lincoln and the Knights of Columbus in Nebraska by attending in person the exemplification of the degree work by Fitzgerald Council at the time when His Lordship, Francis J. Beckman, became a member of the Order. A few weeks ago the Supreme Secretary, Mr. McGinley, was also a guest of Fitzgerald Council at Lincoln and addressed the members who were fortunate enough to be in attendance. This attention and consideration from

the men who rank high in the Order contributed materially to the enthusiasm and interest of the members fortunate enough to come in contact with them while they were our guests, and the messages which they delivered furnished inspiration and enthusiasm that has been productive of lasting and beneficial effects.
     I trust that each of these Supreme Officers and other leaders in the Order will favor us with their presence at more frequent intervals in the future.

     At the present time the Supreme Agent assigned to this jurisdiction is Brother Thos. P. Downs, Past State Deputy of Kansas. In the performance of his duties Brother Downs has already visited many councils in Nebraska, and his itinerary for the balance of the State is already scheduled. Following each visit he has forwarded me a copy of the written report submitted to the office of the Supreme Secretary. These reports reflect accurately the condition of each council which he has visited and will prove of material value in the administration of the affairs of the Order in Nebraska during the coming year. From these reports, and from other sources, it is evident that there are some councils in the State which need supervision and assistance. It is the purpose of the Supreme Board of Directors to arrange that Supreme Agents in the future will devote more of their time to the councils which are in an embarrassed or weakened condition, with an idea of building them up. In Nebraska we will have the advantage of this helpful co-operation daring the coming year and we may feel some assurance that before another State convention is convened all the councils in the State will be in a vigorous and healthy condition.
      In this connection, if you are aware of any help which can be extended to your particular council by the Special Supreme Agent, do not hesitate to call upon the State Deputy for this aid. It is being provided by the Supreme Officers with the idea of producing beneficial results. We as individual executive officers of our respective councils must co-operate with this effort on the part of the National Officers if that work is to be made effective.

     The State Convention at Kearney last year instructed the State Officers to publish in book form, in one volume, the minutes of the first twenty annual State Council meetings of the Nebraska State jurisdiction. Promptly following the close of the convention, the State Deputy, with the cooperation of the State Secretary, set about carrying out this important undertaking. As indicated in my report a year ago, the minutes of two of the State council meetings were missing from the files of the State Secretary. Notations in the records supplied the information that the copies of these minutes had not been in the possession of any State Secretary for fifteen years. Of course, it was impossible to proceed with the actual publication of the minutes until copies of those missing had been obtained. Finally, after several months' search and a vast amount of letter writing, the missing records were secured and they are now, together with the records for the other seventeen years, in the possession of the printer, and the hook is about ready for publication.

     There is yet some work to be done in connection with it, however, and it would seem advisable to include in the book a publication of the minutes of this State Council meeting. By so doing, we will avoid the expense of publishing the minutes separately, which amounts to something in the neighborhood of three hundred dollars.
      In connection with the publication of this book of minutes the State Deputy has tried diligently to proceed so that a copy would be available for every member of the Order who desired to secure one. Lists of the members of each council were requested from the Financial Secretaries. Twelve Financial Secretaries failed to furnish lists of their councils' membership. To those whose names were furnished us we sent a letter advising them of the publication of this book of minutes, with the request that if a copy were desired an order be returned immediately. So far less than one hundred members have, sent in their order, and it is suggested that the Grand Knight of each council call this matter to the attention of their members at an early meeting and urge them to mail their orders if they intend to purchase a book.
     The book of minutes will comprise about six hundred pages of printed matter and will reflect the history of the Order in the State since the State Council was established here. In order to bring this work to a conclusion it will be necessary that the authority given the State Deputy at the last State Convention be continued. This work should be completed by those State Officers who now have it in charge, and before the close of the convention specific authority should be given to them to complete the book and have it published and distributed.

     In the face of the figures mentioned in the early part of this report, which indicated a substantial loss in membership in the Order at large, it is gratifying to consider the latest reports available as to the membership in the State of Nebraska. On April 1st of 1924 we had in this jurisdiction three thousand one hundred and three insurance members and seven thousand two hundred and ninety-five associate members, or a total membership of ten thousand three hundred and ninety-eight. On April 1st of this year, according to the official report from the office of the Supreme Secretary, we had three thousand two hundred and sixty-nine insurance members and seven thousand one hundred and ninety-eight associate members, or a total membership of ten thousand four hundred and sixty-seven. These figures represent a net gain of sixty-nine in the membership in Nebraska. That is a record to be proud of in view of the fact that we are located in that part of the country which has been most seriously affected by the prevalent financial distress which has hampered all development of every kind in the country for the past few years. Our State membership is beginning once more to grow. Every officer in the State should put forth his best efforts not only to maintain the present increase in membership, but to give the movement added momentum, so that within a reasonable time every available prospective member will be numbered among our ranks.
     Although we have experienced a growth in membership in the State during the past year, there have been a number of lapsations which might have been avoided. One of the most serious contributors to the loss of membership is the failure of financial secretaries to

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