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     As the report indicates, each of the councils of the district has a liberal number of suspensions in the associate class. In comparison with several of the reports of previous years it is noted that practically the same number per council in proportion to the membership were suspended.
     Promptness in suspending members has been encouraged in this District for the reason that it works less of a burden upon the member financially at the time of reinstatement and teaches the membership respect for our Order and its rules and regulations.
     A joint initiation of councils in Districts Five and Six was held at Grand Island April 26th. A large assemblage from all councils in the two districts witnessed a splendid exemplification of the first and second degrees by a team from Lexington Council, Lexington, and the third degree by the District Deputy, John O'Malley, and his team from Greeley. A banquet attended by 500 Knights marked the culmination of an excellently planned day's program.
     Councils for this initiation brought in those on the waiting list or those anxious to join the Order. The Councils contributed in varying numbers from one to ten, Grand Island having the largest, thirty-five. It is pleasing to note that the insurance membership predominated in the recent class by a large margin and coupled with a particular desire on the part of those members to join the Order should mean permanency of good standing.
     Some councils have used effectively certain methods to stimulate and maintain attendance at the regular meetings. It is agreed that communities have their own individual problems and must work out their own solutions.
     I am confident that every council should have one or more objectives or a definite thing for accomplishment during the year. Some means to promote loyalty and fellowship among the members should be provided. Very commendable work is being done throughout the District to accomplish the ends mentioned, and I am convinced that in due course of time a broader and more intensive appreciation of the meaning of the Order will prevail.

To the Honorable State Deputy and Members of the State Council, Knights of Columbus:
     It appears that at this time It would he well for the Knights of Columbus to make a few changes in the manner of receiving new members. It might be well to consider having but a few classes a year and those at some central point where it would be convenient for the greater part of the membership to come for the degree work.
     This has several advantages; we would get a better class of members, the Order would have less expense and the degree work would he of a higher order.
     If the Knights of Columbus is to grow and carry out the purposes for which it was organized it must look more to the quality of the membership and not so much to the numbers. This Order is judged

not by the total membership but by the individual members who make up the Order.
     The councils in this District have during the past year, with the exception of Bishop O'Connor Council, each had a class and have increased their membership over what it was a year ago. Bishop O'Connor Council expects to have a class within two weeks.
     The Knights of Columbus must not only look forward, but the Order as a whole must not rest on laurels already achieved, but must strive for the best not only as to the individual membership but in every undertaking to which they give their support. The individual advancement must not be placed before the good of the Order as it has been in times past. Individual members must forget their own advancement and work for the ideals upon which this Order was founded and upon which it has grown and prospered.

     The 7th District comprises the councils located at Hastings, Orleans, Sutton, Lawrence, Friend and McCook.

To the Other State Deputies and Delegates in State Council Assembled, Hastings, Nebraska:
     I wish to report at this time that the general condition of the councils in my jurisdiction has shown some improvement since last year, also a gratifying increase in membership,
     McCook Council, No. 1123, has grown raipdly (sic) and reports through its Grand Knight, E. C. Kelso, a present insurance membership Of 70, a gain of 19 members in this class; also 153 associate members, a gain of 99 members since last year. There have been 3 suspensions in the insurance class and 12 in the associate class. They also report a cash balance of $2,709.82.
     Orleans Council, No. 2373, located at Orleans, Nebraska, through Hugh McGaffey, Grand Knight, reports a present insurance membership of 38, being no change from last year, and a net associate membership of 51, showing a loss of 1 from this class. No suspensions reported and only 1 withdrawal. Cash on hand, $289.82.
     St. Stephen Council No. 1906, Lawrence, Nebraska, reports through Mathias Friend, Grand Knight, a membership in the insurance class of 50, a loss of 1 from last year, and an associate membership of 85, which is not changed from last year's report. No suspensions reported and one withdrawal from both classes. Cash balance on hand, $379.98.
     Hastings Council, No. 1126, located at Hastings, Nebraska, reports through George Laughlin, Grand Knight, a present membership of 75 in the insurance class, representing a loss of 9, and a prseent (sic) membership in the associate class of 242, showing a loss of 1 member in this class. There have been 12 suspensions in the insurance class and 1 in the associate class.

     June 5, 1925.

To the Officers and Members of Nebraska State Council, Knights of Columbus:
     The councils comprising the Ninth District are Alliance Council

No. 972, Alliance; Chadron Council No. 1128, Chadron; and Sidney Council No. 1861 at Sidney. Each of these councils is well officered and in very good condition in every way. Each Council has had a class during the past year and each one shows an increased membership, in both the insurance and associate class.
     The net gain of membership in Alliance Council from April, 1924, to April, 1925, was 26. Net gain in Chadron Council was 20, and in Sidney Council 17. On May 3, 1925, Alliance Council exemplified the three degrees, thereby increasing its membership with reinstatements to 24 more than is shown on the report. Each of the councils in the district either owns its own building or its own council chambers, and is making progress both in quality and quantity of membership. Sidney Council shows a reliable condition in not having to suspend either an insurance or an associate member, and this can be attributed to the interest and attention of our acting State Chaplain, Father Anton Link, Sidney Council anticipates putting on a class this spring and both Chadron and Alliance are planning on classes in the fall.

     The State Deputy at this time read a telegram from the Rt. Rev. Mons. Dunphy, State Chaplain, expressing regret at his inability to be present, and praying God's blessing upon the proceedings of the convention.
     On motion the State Deputy and State Secretary drafted and sent the following reply to the State Chaplain's message:

"Rt. Rev. Mons. L. A. Dunphy, State Chaplain K. of C., Sutton, Nebraska.
     The Nebraska State Council in annual session assembled sends fondest greetings and assures you of our continued prayers and good wishes for every blessing.

FRANCIS P. MATTHEWS, State Deputy.
EDMUND C. ZIMMERER, State Secretary."

     The State Deputy was instructed on motion to reply to the various messages of greeting received from other State Councils.

     At this time the State Deputy received and read a message announcing the defeat of the Oregon School Law in the Supreme Court of the United States. His announcement was followed by a noisy demonstration lasting some twenty minutes.

     Acting Chaplain Rev. Father Link announced that a requiem mass for deceased members of the Order would be celebrated at the church Tuesday morning at 8 o'clock.

     District Deputy Whelan spoke briefly announcing the program for the evening entertainment of the delegates.

     Master of the Fourth degree, Past State Deputy Corcoran, announced the meeting of the District Assembly of the Fourth Degree Immediately following adjournment.

     The first session of the convention was closed with prayer by the Rev. Acting Chaplain, Father Link.

     Adjourned on motion at 5:30 p. m.

     The State Council was reconvened, following a requiem mass for the souls of our departed brothers, at which Rev. Father Link was celebrant, Tuesday morning, June 2.

     The pass-word was taken up by State Warden Dr. J. C. Tighe of Madison, after which prayer was offered by the Acting Chaplain.

     The report of the State Secretary was read, and on motion of John Bogan adopted as follows:

To the State Deputy and Members of the State Council of Nebraska, Knights of Columbus: Brothers:
     I have the honor to submit herewith my report on the membership of the Council for the year ending April 30, 1925. You will be pleased to see that we have evidently passed the crisis in the period of heavy suspensions incident to the readjustment following the war, and while our net gain in membership has been small, we have seen from the report of the Worthy State Deputy and the district deputies that the gain is of that substantial quality which, unlike the less stable membership inducted during and following the war, is likely to measure up to that so desired high standard of Columbianism maintained by our predecessors in this jurisdiction.
     It may be well to report at this time a condition which we have long known to exist, not with any intention of suggesting a remedy, but rather as an explanation of the discrepancy which appears between my report and that of the Supreme Secretary. It is a common custom, it would seem, for councils to carry members who are In arrears on their books and to report them as in good standing to the Supreme Secretary, until the Council is called upon for its per capita assessment, when these members are checked off. Ordinarily, when the State Convention is held in May, it is impossible to check the extent of this practice, but this year I have ascertained by comparison with the reports made to the Supreme Secretary that a majority of the councils permit this, with the result that there is a variation of from one or two to as many as 34 members in a single council between the report sent to the Supreme Secretary and the one sent to me as of the same date.
     Council officers have as a rule been prompt in their reports and the remittance of their assessment, and this year it has been easy, on account of the late date of the convention, to compile rather complete reports. Ordinarily, however, it is almost impossible to secure reports of the condition of the council on April 30 sufficiently early to permit their compilation in time for a meeting held before the middle of May. For this reason I respectfully suggest that the matter of changing the fiscal year for the State Council be given consideration by this body.
     It has repeatedly been brought to our attention that the forms used for reporting the condition of the Council to the various state officers entitled to the information were neither easy to make out nor particularly illuminating once they are completed. Since our present supply is practically exhausted it might be well to appoint a committee to draft a more suitable, concise and practical form before others are printed.
     Following is the detailed report of the membership for the year just closed:

STATE SECRETARY'S REPORT ON MEMBERSHIP--1925

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