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     I am advised by the Master of the Fourth Degree that he desires to have an exemplification of this beautiful and patriotic degree of the Order during the present year, possibly on October 11th to celebrate Discovery Day. I believe that in times like the present our Third Degree members should desire to take this advanced step in the Order and become active in the Fourth Degree. I would be pleased if the Master would meet a generous response to his invitation and that every council in Nebraska would be represented in his class in the coming autumn. I suggest that council officers correspond with the Master, Hon. E. W. Simeral, of Omaha, and that arrangements be perfected at once to have as many Third Degree members as possible advanced to the Fourth Degree.
     One of the most delightful features connected with the initiations in the different councils in the state is the system which we have almost universally followed of having a dinner served to the candidates and members after the exemplification of the Third Degree. At these dinners usually is arranged a splendid post prandial feast where many addresses which are really worth while are made. I desire to suggest to the different councils in the state for the future, that they invite to these functions aside from the members of the Order, a few of the representative men of the town regardless of religion; not necessarily a great number, but if possible, ten or twelve, including the mayor and leading professional and business men. Let these representative citizens come and break bread with us, hear and witness what is said and done, and a great step forward will be mad to destroy prejudice in that locality. This feature has been adopted by the Fourth Degree in many states and all speak in the highest praise of the ultimate results. The plan is worth trying and I heartily commend it to your favorable consideration.
     This month closes my two years' service as your State Deputy. I have attempted to discharge the duty placed upon me to the best of my ability. I have, whenever possible, attended the functions of the order in different parts of the state, and to the best of my humble ability, have tried to help along the work of the Order. In this connection I wish to acknowledge my great appreciation of the uniform kindness extended to me by the district deputies, State and Council Officers, and the members generally; and now, in taking leave of you in this capacity, I desire to bespeak for my successor the same kind and courteous treatment at your hands. You are engaged in a noble work; I wish you well; and wish you God's speed for the coming year and for all time.
     All of which is respectfully submitted,

     MOVED, That the Report of the State Deputy be approved, filed and printed in the minutes of the State Council and that the thanks of the State Council be extended to the Worthy State Deputy for the excellent character of said report.
     CARRIED.

Worthy State Deputy and Brother Knights:
     I respectfully submit herewith the report of the work done by the State Secretary during the past year.

     Resolution number eleven adopted at the State Council in 1915, provided for a per capita tax of 25 cents per member, to be levied for the purpose of providing funds to be used by the Bishops of western Nebraska in the propagation of the faith in that section. it is a pleasure to inform you that in 1915, the councils paid $1,215.00 for this work and this year the remittance will reach the sum of $1,515.00, or a total subscribed thus far of $2,730.00. This assessment will run one more year before it is completed. The appreciation of Bishops Duffy and Tihen for this assistance on the part of the Knights of Columbus is most marked and it may interest you to learn that by your generosity two little churches have 'found life in western Nebraska.
     One new Council has been instituted during the year at Sidney and its affairs are in the hands of an excellent staff of officers. This Council is on the firing line, being In the west, and we look for great good to come to us through its efforts in the future.
     I submit herewith a detailed report showing the total membership of our Order in the State. This report shows the increases and decreases of membership specifically indicated. A summary of the report will show:
     Twenty-nine councils with a total membership of 1,712 insurance members, and 4,315 associate members, or a total membership of 6,027. The suspensions during the year are not serious and withal the condition of the various councils is good. This report also shows the individual per capita tax collected from each council and the amount of the same. A total of $1,515.00 was collected for the Western Nebraska Missionary Assessment fund and a detailed report of the amounts collected from the various councils will be found in the printed report of the State Treasurer.

     Per Capita Tax--50c per member.

     Western Nebraska Missionary Assessment for the Year 1916

     Total Assessment for 1916 $1,450.50

     I cannot pass without notice the work of State Deputy George F. Corcoran, under whom I had the pleasure to serve for the Biennium. He has at all times given freely of himself for the cause of our Order and best of all his sterling qualities of Christian manhood have been so in evidence as to reflect great credit on the Order, whose work he heads in this state.
     My work as State Secretary is at its close. It has had its petty worries like all such work, but frankly I shall always recall with deep pleasure the kindly responses of the various officers, State and Subordinate, with whom I have come in contact, and I therefore take this opportunity of expressing to the State Council and the Financial Secretaries my gratitude for the loyal co-operation accorded me as State Secretary. I trust that my successor may have the good fortune to secure the same kindly co-operation as was accorded me and I shall he pleased to aid all possible towards this end.
     I am deeply grateful for the honor you have done me, Brother Knights, in placing me in the position of State Secretary, and I trust that my work has been such as to merit your approval. May God prosper this order and finally may the friendships formed in this State Council ripen and grow more hallowed as the years run on. Respectfully submitted,

     MOVED, That the Report of the State Secretary be approved as read.
     CARRIED.

     The annual reports of the various District Deputies being in order, reports were read to the State Council by the following District Deputies: Dr. F. H. Morrow, District No. 1, Columbus; L. G. Brian, District No. 2, Lincoln; Judge J. H. Mullin, District No. 4, Grand Island; Dr. F. J. McRae, District No. 5, Albion, and Edward H. Whelan, District No. 6, O'Niell (sic).

     The report of Charles J. Pass, District Deputy of District No. 7, was submitted and read to the State Council for Brother Pass by

Brother Frank J. McGovern of North Platte, Brother Pass being unavoidably absent from the State Council. No report was had from District Deputy E. A. Coufal of David City, Brother Coufal being detained from attending the State Council on account of pressing business in court.

     The reports indicated a healthy and flourishing condition of the Councils under the jurisdiction of the various District Deputies, due in no small measure to the zeal and energy displayed by the Deputies in the matter of leadership and supervision.

     Moved that the reports of the various District Deputies be approved by the State Council. Carried.

     Through an unexpected stroke of good fortune, the State Council had the deep pleasure of being the host to Brother William J. McGinley, Supreme Secretary of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. McGinley resides at New Haven, Conn., and is the business administrator of the Order, now numbering nearly four hundred thousand members. Touring the country in the interest of various activities of the Order, our Worthy State Deputy prevailed upon him to take the time to visit the Nebraska State Council in session. Mr. McGinley came to Alliance from Boise, Idaho.
     Brother McGinley was received with marked enthusiasm and spoke at length to the delegates on matters of deep import to the Order at large. Among the disclosures made by him was the statement that the National Board of Directors had provided that no restrictions would be placed on the insurance policies of Knights who were entering the war service and that a further ruling had been made providing that members of the Order taking arms against America would, de facto, forfeit membership in the Order. Brother McGinley is a gentleman of marked ability and deep culture and his remarks were given the closest attention. He is recognized as one of the leading insurance experts in American fraternal circles, and his visit was deeply appreciated. At the conclusion of his talk, a rising vote of thanks was tendered him by the full membership of the State Council. Later Secretary McGinley, in company with state officers and others, was tendered a dinner by certain of the royal good fellows of Alliance Council.

To the Worthy State Deputy:
     We, your Committee on Audit, have examined the books and accounts of Frank M. Colfer, State Secretary, and P. J. O'Donnell, State Treasurer, and have found the same to be correct.

Respectfully submitted,

JAMES E. BURKE, Chairman, Sutton. D. G. O'CONNOR, Lincoln. WM. M. DELANEY, David City.

     Moved that the report of the Committee on Audit be approved. Carried.

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