Nebraska State Council Proceedings Knights of Columbus 1905-1926

T. P. Redmond, State Deputy	1021 South 30th Avenue, Omaha
W. E. Straub, Past State Deputy	1220 P Street, Lincoln
C. J. Pass, State Secretary	302 East A Street, North Platte
John Biglin, State Treasurer	Hastings
P. F. O'Gara, State Advocate	Hartington
Rt. Rev. J. H. Tihen, State Chaplain	Lincoln
Joseph Ryan, State Warden	Creighton
Edward F. Leary, Omaha	Omaha District
Hugh J. Boyle, O'Neill	O'Neill District
George F. Corcoran, York	York District
J. F. Crowley, Hastings	Hastings District
William Rooney, Chadron	North Platte District
John W. Delehant, Beatrice	Beatrice District
Edward W. Simeral, Master Fourth Degree	Omaha

     The Tenth Annual State Council of Knights of Columbus of Nebraska convened in accordance with the Supreme Council Constitution and action of the last State Council.

     The Council was called to order by State Deputy Thomas P. Redmond at 10 a. m. at the Knights of Columbus Club Rooms, 2025 Dodge street. Rt. Rev. Bishop James A. Duffy of Kearney was introduced by the State Deputy. Prayer was offered by Bishop Duffy, presiding in absence of State Chaplain Rt. Rev. J. H. Tihen.

     State Warden Joseph Ryan reported all present qualified to remain during session.

     Roll call of State Officers showed the following present: State Deputy Thomas P. Redmond, State Secretary C. J. Pass, State Treasurer John Biglin, Past State Deputy W. E. Straub, State Warden Joseph Ryan, District Deputies Edward F. Leary, Hugh J. Boyle, George F. Corcoran, J. F. Crowley, William Rooney, Master of Fourth Degree Edward W. Simeral.

     It was moved and seconded that the minutes of the last State Council be dispensed with. Carried.

     The following members were appointed as a Committee on Credentials: J. J. Kennedy, Frank Colfer, R. H. Bushman, Dr. E. A. Watson, John Hirschman. Committee on Audit: F. J. Doran, L. B. Brian, J. N. Remmel. Committee on Mileage: J. J. Delehant, John W. Tyman, Emmet F. Real. Committee on Resolution: George F. Corcoran, James F. Crowley, J. P. Golden, J. H. Mullen, Roscoe Anderson.

     State Deputy Redmond presented E. W. Simeral, Master of Fourth Degree, who addressed the convention, with reference to the Fourth Degree.

     Greetings from thirty-five states and provinces read and replied to by State Deputy T. P. Redmond.

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Report of State Deputy.
Report of State Secretary.

Worthy Brothers and Sir Knights: It affords me much pleasure to welcome the members of this, the Tenth Annual Convention of the State Council of the Knights of Columbus. Great have been the changes wrought among our Catholic people within the last ten years. The numerical growth of our Order has been most encouraging, but far more gratifying has been the unity among the members and their advance in practical Catholicity. Also the Order's potent influence in state and nation for individual and civic honor, and while it has silently and without ostentation accomplished all this and more, its most beneficent blessing has been in drawing us individually closer together in the bonds of brotherly love, that true fraternity which begets and fosters friendships to endure while life lasts.

On April 1, 1913, the membership of the entire order was 291,050. On April 1, 1914, the membership was 315,178, a gain of 24,128 during the past year. The financial statement summarized is as follows:

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Amount paid by the Order in death claims for year 1913. .	$ 726,525.00
Death claims paid since organization up to April 1, 1914	7,100,482.60
Cost of management per capita, 1913	.61
Assessments collected during 1913	1,169,237.59
Assessments collected since organization up to April 1,1914	10,978,735.34
Deaths per thousand (1,000) insurance members, 1913	6.96
Average age of membership of Order, 1913	35
Total amount of insurance in force April 1, 1914	108,510,650.00
Total assets, April 1, 1914	5,169,313.36
Insurance reserve liabilities December 31, 1913, on total amount of insurance then in force as per Actuary's calculation	3.229,393,03
All other liabilities, April 1, 1914	121,000.00

May 1, 1913, there were in Nebraska eighteen Councils with a total membership of 3,969

Associate members	2,903
Insurance members	1,066

There are in Nebraska on this date twenty-four Councils, having an associate membership of 3,239

Insurance members	1,258
Making a total of	4,497

     An increase in the last year of six Councils, 336 associate members and 192 insurance members, a total of 528 increase.
     The Councils are all in good financial condition, many of them already owning their homes, and others have on hand a substantial fund to ultimately be used for building or purchasing their own homes.
     Your Councils and you, the officers, are to be congratulated upon this most encouraging and satisfactory condition, and I know you will not fag in the good work. The District Deputies' reports, which will be submitted to you, will go more into the details of each Council.
      The substantial progress of the order throughout the state would have been impossible had it not been for the loyal and efficient services rendered by the District Deputies and Grand Knights, assisted as they were by all the officers and members of the subordinate Councils. It affords me great pleasure to be able to accord to these officers the full credit their untiring and unselfish efforts on behalf of the Knights of Columbus so richly deserve.
     It is not alone in the increase of Councils and of members that we are to judge of the progress of the order; this was to be expected, and pertains to that self interest which marks any live, active organization. The influence for good in the community where a Council is located is not to be measured alone by dollars and cents, but rather by the high moral tone which such an organization as this will inculcate.
     The establishment of the Councils at York, David City, Friend, Beatrice, Kearney. and Albion during the last year has added new incentives to the Catholics in these cities, with every prospect that the future growth and prosperity of the Councils will he most satisfactory.
     After consultation with the District Deputies and due consideration. I determined to alter somewhat the various districts. I am led

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to believe that the change has proven beneficial. Owing to the increase ill the number of Councils, it has become necessary to re-district the entire state. The National Board of Directors has requested that this action be taken at the earliest possible moment.
Pursuant to the resolution of the state convention of 1913, authorizing the publication in the True Voice of the history of the order in this state, the same was complied with at an expense of $70, which has been paid.
In accordance with the by-laws, I, at the proper time appointed the committee of five on "Resolutions and Good of the Order," of which District Deputy Corcoran is chairman.
The report of this committee will be submitted for your consideration at the proper time.

Of the sixteen Councils in Nebraska, which were in existence when this great work of the order was proposed, fourteen of them passed resolutions authorizing an extra assessment of $2.50 per member, for the purpose of paying their portion of the $500,000.00 endowment.

The following named Councils thus contributed:

Omaha	$1,110.00
Lincoln	754.50
Columbus	546.50
Alliance	358.00
Hastings	708.00
McCook	394.50
Chadron	215.00
Grand Island	542.50
Hartington	361.00
North Platte	295.20
Wymore	234.50
Emerson	185.00
Greeley	295.00
Falls City	120.00
Total	$6,119.70

     All of which has been paid.

     I wish that it were my privilege to chronicle the fact that all had done their duty in this regard. The two non-paying Councils, can and could well afford to be on the honor roll, and I hope that their officers will see to it that before the next State Convention meets, these derelict Councils will have done their share in this particular. There is still over $10,000 due to complete the half million. This $10,000 deficiency was advanced out of the general fund of the order, which must be reimbursed by future contributions.
     Thus the greatest work ever undertaken by the Knights of Columbus has been successfully accomplished.
     This fund founds fifty scholarships in the university to members of the order. The following statement taken from a late issue of the True Voice is of interest:

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     Out of the large number of applications that came in from various parts of the United State for the Knights of Columbus graduate scholarships only sixty were eligible to take the entrance examination.
     The states represented among the eligibles are Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, District of Columbia, North Dakota, Maryland, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Nova Scotia, California, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Vermont.
     Examinations for scholarships will be held May 14, at different places throughout the country, to be selected as yet. As a result of these examinations fifty candidates will be awarded scholarships at the university-to enter September 29, 1914.
     This adds an additional interest and incentive for every Council in Nebraska to contribute its share.

     The order must be judged not alone by the number of members, the owning of their own homes and a satisfactory financial showing, but rather by the practical works undertaken and accomplished, and here the field is almost unlimited.
     It should above all things be the boast of our members to prove their practical Catholicity by their works. One of the most important is that of patronizing Catholic schools-parochial, collegiate and professional and especially should the children be sent to the parish school during their early years, thus laying the foundation for that knowledge of their religion which is so essential to their moral and religious well being in after life.
      The Catholic Encyclopedia, one of the great literary achievements of this century, should be in the library of every one of our Councils. As a hook of reference, its unsurpassed literary and historical worth makes it of the greatest value. And in this connection, permit me to call your attention as Catholics, as well as Knights of Columbus, to a matter of the first importance and that is, every member should be a subscriber to a Catholic paper or periodical (and especially the True Voice). All well informed men keep in touch with worldly affairs and business, through the daily press, and it is certainly of the greatest importance that you should be thoroughly posted upon affairs pertaining to the Church at home and abroad. The Catholic press must, of necessity, depend upon Catholics for support.
     Therefore, do your part in this particular, thereby benefiting yourself and your family.
     A very practical method of overcoming much prejudice against your religion, as well as proving to all men that we are not only Catholics, but also American citizens is in assisting to promote and encourage the due and patriotic observance of the greater national holidays. And there is not a community in this state in which the members of the Council cannot do much along this line.

The future growth and influence of the order is in the keeping of its present membership, and all depends upon them to maintain the high standard of excellence to which we aspire. This can only be

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done by the fearless and conscientious use of the black ball, and the rejection of the undesirable candidates by investigating committees, a duty, which at times may be unpleasant, but nevertheless one we must ever keep in mind.
With the good of the order at heart, I feel confident that your deliberations, and resolutions in this convention will reflect honor upon you as delegates, and upon the Knights of Columbus lasting benefit.

To the State Council, Knights of Columbus, State of Nebraska:
     Worthy Sirs:---
     Since receiving the books and paraphernalia connected with the office of State Secretary, October 3, 1913, have made every effort to give the best of attention to all matters coming under the care of the office.
     The Councils, while some a little slow in attending to correspondence and particularly slow in remitting, have all showed a friendly and fraternal spirit.
     The one Council deserving special mention for their prompt and strict attention to all business is McCook No. 1126, McCook, Neb. The per capita tax from this Council was paid before the call was sent out.
     The following is a list of the receipts from the various Councils for per capita tax as ordered by the last State Council of 25 cents per member in good standing January 1, 1914:

Councli (sic)	Ins.	Assn.	Date Pd.	Amt. Pd.
Hastings	40	181	3-11-14	$ 55.25
McCook	51	109	2-18-14	40.00
Columbus	45	193	2 25-14	59.50
Lincoln	78	306	3- 6-14	96.00
North Platte	82	153	5- 9-14	58.75
Grand Island	63	251	4-10-14	78.50
Omaha	108	423	3-27-14	132.75
York	27	28	4- 1-14	13.75
David City	43	39	3-28-14	20.50
Beatrice	25	25	4- 1-14	9.25
Creighton	97	168	3-23-14	66.25
O'Neill	115	265	5-13-14	95.00
Emerson	44	128	3-26-14	43.00
Falls City	56	91	3-30-14	36,75
Sutton	35	93	4- 1-14	32.00
Alliance	53	81	5- 4-14	33.50
Chadron	27	68	5-13-14	23.75
Hartington	62	188	5-13-14	62.50
Wymore	42	62	5-13-14	25.50
Greeley	86	147	5- 1-14	59.00
Fremont	24	55	5- 1-14	19.75
Kearney	26	27	4-30-14	11.25
Friend	28	28	5-13-14	10.00
Albion	37	15	5-13-14	13.00

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The Auditing Committee found the above correct and balanced with the State Treasurer.

Received from J. P. Boler, former Treasurer	$ 144.76
Omaha, per capita for 1913	141.50
Omaha, per capita for 1914	132.75
McCook	40.00
Columbus	59.50
Lincoln	96.00
Hastings	55.25
Creighton	66.25
Emerson	43.00
Falls City	36.75
David City	20.50
York	13.75
Beatrice	9.25
Sutton	32.00
Greeley	59.00
Kearney	11.25
Grand Island	78.50
Fremont	19.75
Alliance	33.50
North Platte	58.75
Wymore	25.50
Hartington	62.50
Friend	10.00
Chadron	23.75
Albion	13.00
O'Neill	95.00
Total	$1,381.76
DISBURSEMENTS
N. C. Leary Printing Company	$ 46.50
Columbus Telegram	172.50
P. M. Thies for Financial Secretary Association stationery	10.00
True Voice Publishing Company	70.00
John W. Delehant	8.80
W. E. Mulcahay	8.80
J. W. Tyman	31.54
W. H. Bueshsenstein	31.54
F. M. Colfer	21.36
J. L. Rice	21.36
E. P. Curran	11.94
J. M. Remmel	3.80
W. C. Ryan	6.80
John Hirschman	12.00
E. B, Hirschman	12.00
Dr. A. B. Watson	14.50
Rt. Rev, James A. Duffy	14.50

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S. Swigle	16.08
J. McKenna	16.08
Roscoe Anderson	9.34
John Gagnon	9.34
F. J. McRae	15.00
F. P. Uerling	16.51
J. T. Biglin	16.51
E. F. Real	9.00
Karl Kreizinger	3.50
Thomas Fahey	3.50
Rev. G. Boll	8.32
Peter Vanderheider	8.32
George F. Corcoran	14.94
H. J. Boyle	19.00
Joseph Ryan	15.00
William Rooney	32,84
P. Hyde	32.84
P. M. Thies	9.00
H. J. Hammond	19.00
Joseph E. Long	6.80
M. E. Fleming	14.90
E. B. Daugherty	14.50
J. W. Ahern	6.92
W. H. Laughlin	10.00
Aug. Zimmerer	6.00
C. Skalla	21.36
L. P. Wirth	7.50
J. F. Crowley	16.51
W. B. Straub	6.00
F. J. Doran	21.00
C. E. Ell	21.00
J. W. Herrod	6.50
F. H. Morrow	6.50
J. J. Kennedy	15.00
J. P. Golden	19.00
E. H. Whelan	19.00
Theodore A. Helmig	8.70
Frank Mock	8.70
P. J. Mullen	10.85
L. G. Brian	6.00
D. G. O'Connor	6.00
J. H. Mullen	13.00
Pat Fagan	13.00
Rev. M. E. Dolan	32.84
T. W. Lanigan	17.75
P. J. Kerrigan	17.75
F. E. Weston	14.90
Luke Mundy	2.50
G. M. Mullen	15.00
E. F. Shields	31.80
C. J. Pass, State Secretary	112.85
J. C. Daugherty	17.18
T. P. Redmond	27.50
Total	$1,346.87

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Balance on hand	34.89
Total receipts	$1,381.76
Total disbursements	1,346.87
Balance on hand	$ 34.89

     Charles Carroll of Carrollton Council No. 701, O'Neill, has a total membership of 370, of which 116 are in the insurance class and 254 in the associate class. During the past year of the insurance class, four were suspended; of the associate class thirty-one were suspended and one died.
     Count Creighton Council No. 1238, Creighton, has a total membership of 279, of which 102 are in the insurance class and 177 in the associate class. During the year, of the insurance class, one was suspended; of the association class, eighteen were suspended and four died.
     Emerson Council No. 1309, Emerson, has a total membership of 173, of which forty-three are in the insurance class, and 133 in the associate class. During the year there were none suspended in the insurance class and six in the associate class. There was also one death in the associate class.
     Hartington Council No. 1233, Hartington, has a total membership of 250, of which sixty-two are in the insurance class and 188 in the associate class. During the year, of the insurance class five were suspended and in the associate class fifteen were suspended.
     The total membership of the District is 1,072 of which 323 are in the insurance class and 749 in the associate class, an increase in the membership of 100 in the past year.
      Emerson Council is going to initiate a class May 24 and the O'Neill Council is making preparations for a big class early in the fall and I have information that Hartington is expecting to initiate a big class some time in the near future.

     Charles Carroll of Carrollton Council has cash on hand, $450; fixtures, $1,500; Knights of Columbus stock in their home, $7,400. Total, $9,350.
     Count Creighton Council has cash on hand, $2,402.31; fixtures, $300. Total, $2,702.31.
     Emerson Council has cash on hand, $814.67; fixtures, $300. Total, $1,114.67. Hartington Council has cash on hand, $353.56; fixtures, $1,000; stock in Knights of Columbus home, $3,300. Total, $4,663.56. Total property of all the Councils, $17,830.54, an increase of $3,322.42 since last report, which shows the Councils are saving their money and are getting in better financial condition each year, which is a pleasing fact to report.

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The only suggestion that I would care to make at this time through this Convention is that the Councils in the O'Neill District should be very careful in the selection of their candidates and look rather for quality than quantity. Small councils with men of character can be of a great deal more benefit to the community and to the principles which actuated the institution of this order than larger Councils where they lack the above. Councils are not judged by a few individuals who are members, but rather by the total membership, and if a few who should not be Knights are members it detracts a great deal from the Council, and I would again urge that the Councils in this District would look for quality rather than quantity and become convinced of the fact that the size of a Council in numbers is no indication of the strength permanency or standing of that Council.. I believe that an extraordinary effort should be made to induce the members to come out to Council meetings and that this proposition should be taken up by either the State Convention as a whole, or the Committee on Resolutions and fully discussed with an aim and view of devising some means whereby interest will be taken by all members and they will feel that it is their duty and will consider it a pleasure to attend Council meetings.

To the Worthy State Deputy, Thomas P. Redmond, and the Delegates of the Tenth Annual State Convention:
     It is with much gratification that I am able to submit the following report of the various Councils in my District for the year ending April 1, 1914:
     Alliance Council No. 975, has fifty-three insurance members and eighty-one associate members in good standing which shows an increase during the year of fourteen (14) insurance and twenty-four (24) associate members. The council also reports thirteen (13) suspensions, two withdrawals and one death during the year, from which it may be concluded that Alliance Council is observing the regulation of the order in regard to delinquent members.
     Alliance Council has exemplified the Three Degrees of the Order to one class during the year.
     Alliance Council reports: cash on hand, $1,024.10, showing an increase of nearly $700 during the year, and I feel able to report prospects for a good future for Council No. 975.
     Alliance Council is now planning on a new home building which will be commenced as soon as the proper papers are drafted. Alliance Council will exemplify the Three Degrees on Sunday, May 24, and in general shows marked progress.
     St. Patrick's Council No. 1211 of North Platte, Neb., is one of the most substantial Councils in the state, considering Its comparative small number of membership, its financial showing deserves very much credit; it reports a cash balance on hand amounting to $482.70 and owns real estate valued at $6,000.
     The membership of the Council is eighty-three (83) insurance and one hundred and sixty-two (162) associate members in good standing.