Sincerely,
GEORGE F. CORCORAN,
State Deputy.

Report of the State Chaplain

Omaha, Neb., May 21, 1919.

Worthy State Deputy and Brother Knights:
     A year ago at your convention at Grand Island you voted a 25 cent per capita tax for the Western Missions of Nebraska for a period of five years. You acted wisely and did a great charitable work for the scattered members of the fold in western Nebraska.
     Last year your twenty-five cents amounted to a trifle more than $1,560. Properly administered this fund can do a great work, and being properly administered, is doing a grand work. The beneficiaries are grateful, and as evidence I will incorporate here a letter received by your State Treasurer from Rt. Rev, Charles J. O'Reilly, Bishop of Lincoln:

 "Mr. James Burke, State Treasurer of Knights of Columbus, Sutton, Neb.
     "My Dear Mr. Burke:--Your generous check for $780 for the Western Missions of the Diocese of Lincoln was received by me. In the name of God and of Catholics who will he helped by this splendid donation, in testimony of the faith of our Catholic "Knights of Columbus," I tender my and their thanks and pray God to reward the Knights of Columbus for their generosity,

"Yours sincerely in Christ, "
CHARLES J. O'REILLY,
"Bishop of Lincoln."

     The Bishop of Lincoln gave $600 to Rev. Father Blacha to be used in his missions along the C. B. & Q. from Holdrege to Venango. He gave $180 to Father McCollough of McCook to assist in the mission from McCook to the state line. Father Blacha sends pictures of the church which you have helped by your donations in the past three  years. He is more than grateful for your charity. Out of your last donation he has assigned $200 for the chapel at Wellfleet, Lincoln county, where the people of all denominations have subscribed $500, and he expects $500 from the Catholic Church Extension society, He intends to build this chapel 36x24, with a room attached to be used as a sacristy and a room for the priest to sleep in.
     Great work has been done in this territory, and the people are making a generous effort to correspond with your efforts for them.
     Father McCollough has made the best use possible of the amount allotted him. He has applied it where it will give the best results.
     The Rt. Rev. Bishop of Grand Island has written me that the $180 given him will be spent for the best interest of some of the fron-

tier settlements and struggling congregations in the great Nebraska northwest. Churches are springing up. Congregations are organized in a small way, if you will, but they are quickening with life and they are grateful to those who have made it possible for them to have the ministrations of religion brought to them. You are doing incalculable good almost without effort, showing that in "Union there is Strength."
     Where do you find greater union for good than in the great society of the Knights of Columbus? May God bless them. They work quietly, but effectively--when great crises come they are there in the front ranks.
     In the San Francisco disaster they relieved all distress that came to their knowledge and made a record--the first time that money was donated for charity that some was returned. The K. of C. was with our boys on the Mexican border. Their work there cannot be estimated. They provided religious. opportunities for our boys. They supplied them with social amusements which were healthy. They left a train of good work behind them. This, however, was small compared to the work done for boys in the army and navy at home and abroad during the terrible days of our participation in the greatest war in history. Others will I presume to touch upon. Here I will add a few words of warning. Our organization as a unit is the greatest power for good in the world today, in union with the organization of Christ our Lord. The Catholic Church as a unit is wonderful. What of the individuals? Are we individually as progressive as our organization? Have we weak members who are slackers when it comes to our essential duties as Catholics? Are we as members of the grandest society of Catholics giving example by our daily lives that we appreciate the great gift that we have received--Catholic Faith? Are we all as practical as we might be? Be true to Church and God and you will be worthy of membership in the Knights of Columbus.
     Be progressive Catholics, ready to make any and every sacrifice for your faith. Always obedient to all the teachings of the Church. First among the foremost in religious duties and you will make good active Knights of Columbus. Give to our weaker brethren and to our separated brethren an example that will lead them to do what God requires of them.
     The Knights 'of Old were remarkable for loyalty to Mother Church. Let us emulate them and let our watchword be "Christ and Him Crucified."
     Moved and seconded that the report of the State Chaplain as set out above be adopted and spread on the minutes of the convention. Motion carried.

Publishing Minutes of Convention

     Moved that the proceedings of this convention be printed in The True Voice of Omaha at such time during the course of a year as may be convenient for the publishers of the paper. Motion carried. Report of State Treasurer
     The report of the State Treasurer then being next in the order of business, State Treasurer James F. Burke rendered his report as follows:

RECEIPTS

DISBURSEMENTS

WESTERN MISSIONARY FUND

     In the Kearney Normal fund I have received $735.75 from the State Secretary, all of which is now on hand.

Respectfully submitted,
(Signed) JAMES F. BURKE,
State Treasurer.

Disbursements by State Treasurer

     On motion the foregoing report was adopted as read and ordered spread on the minutes of the convention.

Report of the Committee on Audits

     The next order of business being the report of the Committee on Audits, the committee's report was rendered as follows:

Omaha, Neb., May 21, 1919.

To the Worthy State Deputy and Members of the State Council:
     We, your committee an Audit, appointed by the State Deputy at this session of the State Council to examine the records of the State Council officers, beg leave to report that we have examined the accounts of Francis P. Matthews, State Secretary, and James F. Burke, State Treasurer, and find same complete and accurate and balanced both as to collection and disbursements of State Council Funds.

(Signed) P. A. TOMEK,
CAS. REILLY,
W. J. KLOKE.

Report of State Secretary

Omaha, Neb., May 21, 1919.

Worthy State Deputy and Gentlemen of the Convention:
     As the State Secretary of the Knights of Columbus State Council for Nebraska, I herewith submit the following report for the year, from May, 1918, to May, 1919:
     The records, of the State Secretary were delivered to me on February 12, 1919, and they show that there are at present thirty-two subordinate councils in Nebraska. Of this number, two councils were instituted during the year just closed, viz.: St. Stevens Council. No. 1906, at Lawrence, Neb., and St. Peter and Paul Council, No. 1918, at St. Paul, Neb. These two councils have a membership of seventy-seven and seventy, respectively. Since rendering its report, however, the council at Lawrence has initiated a class and the council at St. Paul proposes to initiate a class in the near future.
      At the time the reports were rendered by the various councils to the State Secretary, it appears that there were 8,315 members of the Order in good standing in the state. This represents a gross increase

of 1,868 during the year. However, there were 218 members suspended during the year, and 69 who voluntarily withdrew from membership. The various councils also lost 81 members through death. The total loss of membership therefore totaled 368 members, and the net gain In members from January 1, 1918, to January 1, 1919, was exactly 1,500 members, representing by far the largest growth experienced by the Order in a single year in Nebraska and representing just twice the growth experienced from January 1, 1917, to January 1, 1918. There were seven councils in the state who suffered a decrease in membership, according to the reports rendered. All but two of these councils, however, have either initiated classes since their reports were made or will initiate classes within the next few weeks. The largest growth reported by any council is shown by Omaha Council No. 652, which reports 513 new members. Lincoln follows with 137 members; North Platte is third with 103 new members; Wahoo is fourth with 92 new members; Kearney and Norfolk report 87 new members, each, and Greeley reports 86.
     Since the reports were rendered by the financial secretaries there have been a number of initiations in the state and it is safe to say that at this moment our membership in Nebraska is actually in excess of 9,000.
     Sutton Council has the distinction of reporting no change in its membership, except the loss of one brother, who was killed while fighting on the field of battle.
     There are 2,187 insurance members in the state and 5,781 associate members.
      The Secretary's office has collected the state per capita tax totalling $5,500.45. Of this amount $753.75 represents the assessment made for the Kearney State Normal; $1,834.95 represents the assessment made for the Western Missionary Fund, and $2,911.75 represents the assessment made. for the use of the state council.
     There is annexed to this report a detailed statement showing the membership in each council. The increases and decreases, suspensions, withdrawals and deaths, the amount paid by per capita tax by each council, the treasurer's disbursements, and such other information as is available from the records of the State Secretary.
     All of which is respectfully submitted,

FRANCIS P. MATTHEWS,
State Secretary.

     On motion duly made and seconded, the foregoing report of the State Secretary was adopted as read and ordered spread on the minutes of the convention.

Report of the Committee on Resolutions

     At this time in the proceedings of the convention the State Deputy recognized Brother W. C. Fraser of Omaha, who announced that the Committee on Resolutions was ready to report. A report of the committee was then presented to the convention by Brother Fraser, as follows:

To the Officers and Delegates of the Fifteenth Annual State Convention of the Knights of Columbus of Nebraska:
     The Committee on Resolutions begs leave to report as follows:

I.

     Be it Resolved, That the thanks of the State Convention he extended to the officers and members of Omaha Council and to the citizens of the City of Omaha for their cordial reception of the delegates of this convention, and especially to Reverend Bernard Sinne, pastor of St. Mary Magdalene church, for his co-operation and assistance.

II.

     Resolved, That this convention go on record as extending to State Deputy Honorable George F. Corcoran our thanks for his untiring efforts in the upbuilding of our order in Nebraska, and that we especially commend the manner in which he has participated on behalf of the Nebraska Knights of Columbus and other organizations engaged in war work in the numerous war activities carried on during the past year and particularly in connection with the work of the National Catholic War Council.

III.

     Resolved, That this convention extend to Reverend Peter Gannon, editor of the True Voice, and his associates, the thanks of the members of the order for the assistance and support he has rendered to the Knights of Columbus in Nebraska in the past, and this convention recommends that every member of the Knights of Columbus in Nebraska become a reader of the True Voice.

IV.

     Resolved, That this convention urge upon each and every council in the state the proper observance in their respective communities of the major national holidays set apart by our President and by the laws of the state of Nebraska, and that such holidays be observed by appropriate celebrations in order that the Knights of Columbus may publicly demonstrate and emphasize our love of country and its institutions as emphasized by the designation of such holidays.

V.

     Resolved, That this body heartily recommend in compliance with the expressed wish of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XV, frequent attendance at Holy Communion, and that the membership of the Knights of Columbus in Nebraska be urged to receive Holy Communion more frequently than is required by the strict law of the Church.

VI.

     Resolved, That the convention extend to the Supreme Officers of the order their hearty congratulations on the very efficient manner in which the war work carried on by the Knights of Columbus and under the auspices of the National Catholic War Council was handled, and that we particularly emphasize our gratification on account of the lasting impression created among the soldiers and sailors of our government, by the great work done by the National Catholic War Council, through the Knights of Columbus, Chaplains and Secretaries, which stands out as a practical demonstration of the principles which this order advocates.

VII.

     Resolved, That we heartily endorse the campaign of the Supreme Directors, having for its goal a million members by January 1, 1920,

and that we urge upon the membership of the different councils throughout the state, their support and co-operation in this ambition, keeping in mind at all times the quality of applicants who are permitted to join our ranks.
     That this convention extend its congratulations to the officers and members of the Omaha council on account of the splendid record it has made during the past six months in its support of the membership drive.

VIII.

     Resolved, That we heartily commend the employment department conducted under the auspices of the order, having for its object the securing of employment for returned soldiers and sailors; that we urge upon the public generally the prosecution of all possible public works and Improvements at the earliest possible moment so as to ,furnish employment to all returning soldiers and sailors, and that men who have been in the service be given first preference in such employment.
     That we particularly urge upon all employers the important and patriotic duty of restoring to his former position every man who has been absent in the service of his country.

IX.

     Resolved, That we endorse the social reconstruction program of the National Catholic War Council; that we are agreed with the Hierarchy of the Church in America that "a living wage is not necessarily the full measure of justice," We declare that "this is only the minimum' of justice.
     We demand a legal minimum wage high enough to provide not only for present needs of workers and families, but a surplus that shall be sufficient for adequate savings.
      "We believe that the laborer is a human being, not merely an instrument of production, and that the laborer's right to a decent living is the first moral charge on industry."

X.

     Resolved, That this convention go on record as favoring the deportation from the country of all aliens who withdrew their application for citizenship in order to claim exemption as aliens under the Selective Service Act, and that we favor the deportation of all aliens who were convicted of espionage, sabotage and other offenses against the government tending to militate against the war program of our country.

XI.

     Resolved, That we approve of the legislation enacted by the last session of the Nebraska legislature with reference to private and parochial schools.
     That we, however, condemn the attempted legislation in the last session of the legislature of Nebraska seeking to abolish private and parochial schools and undertaking, under the guise of regulation, to practically destroy such institutions.

XII.

     Resolved, That this convention go on record as favoring a League of Nations seeking the prevention of war and that we commend the efforts now being made at the Peace Conference toward that end.

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