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  9:00 A. M.--High Mass, St. Patrick's Church.
11:00 A. M.--Meeting of Financial Secretaries.
11:00 A. M.--Automobile drive as guests of Sidney Chamber of Commerce.
12:00 M.     --Luncheon, Union Pacific Hotel.
1:30 P. M.--Opening Session of Convention.
3:30 P. M.--Entertainment, Courtesy of Sidney Country Club.
3:30 P. M.--Meeting of Financial Secretaries.
6:00 F. M.--Banquet, St. Patrick's Auditorium.
9:00 P. M.--Dance, St. Patrick's Auditorium.

  8:30 A. M.--Solemn High Mass.
  9:30 A. M.--Fourth Degree Assembly, K. of C. Hall.
10:00 A. M.--Second Session of Convention, Auditorium.
10:30 A. M.--Third Session of Financial Secretaries.
   8:00 P. M.--Entertainment, U. S. A. Theatre.

     The nineteenth meeting of the State Council, Knights of Columbus of Nebraska, convened in accordance with the action of the last State Council, at Sidney, Nebraska.

     William J. McNichols, State Deputy, called the Convention to order at 2:00 o'clock p. m., May 21, 1923.

     At this time Brother McNichols announced that before the formal opening of the Convention he wished to read the following telegram:

Hon. W. J. McNichols, Knights of Columbus Convention, Sidney, Nebraska.
      May the virtues of Prudence and Charity bring the deliberations of the Nebraska State Convention to a successful issue.

      Brother George F. Corcoran of York then explained that our beloved State Chaplain, Mons. L. A. Dunphy, was by serious sickness prevented from attending the State Meeting, the first time since the State Council was organized. "The intense silence following the announcement of Father Dunphy's serious illness, would seem that every delegate present had offered up a silent prayer for him they all loved so well."

      The Council was then opened in due form by acting State Chaplain, Rev. Anton Link, of Sidney.

     State Deputy McNichols at this time named the following Brothers as a Committee on Credentials: John J. Bogan, of Lincoln, chairman; W. H. Harty, of O'Neill; Pat. H. Johnson, of Omaha; A. A. Kjar, of Lexington, and Mark Burke.

     While awaiting the report of the Committee on Credentials the State Deputy presented Rev. W. J. Corboy, S. J., of Omaha.

     Father Corboy in a capable talk asked the members of State Council for assistance in building a stadium for Creighton University. He did not ask for an assessment, but for the delegate to take his proposition home with them and ask each member of the various councils for a free will offering.

     Past State Deputy Geo. F. Corcoran, James M. Lannigan of Greeley and Frank M. Colfer of McCook made eloquent talks in favor of Father Corboy's proposition.

     Motion by F. H. Colfer of McCook, seconded by Geo. F. Corcoran of York, that the State Deputy appoint a committee of five to take the matter up with the councils of the state on financing the Creighton University stadium, and a committee of five on the establishing a center for Catholic students at the State University at Lincoln, giving them plenary power to make recommendations to the councils of the state as to how funds could be raised for the two worthy propositions.

     State Deputy McNichols called for a vote of the convention on the above motion and the same was unanimously carried.

     All State Officers answered present, with the exception of State Chaplain, and acting State Chaplain Rev. Anton Link answered to the call.

     To the State Deputy and Members of the State Council: The Credentials Committee beg leave to report the following members entitled to seats in the State Convention:

     The following District Deputies we find entitled to a voice in the Convention, but not entitled to a vote: Francis P. Matthews, John J. Bogan, J. P. Golden, J. Howard Heine, W. F. Kloke, C. J. Thielen, W. M. Whelen, Leo Phelan, John J. O'Malley, J. Donoghoe and J. C. Morrow.

     Voted, that the report of the Committee on Credentials be adopted as read by Chairman John J. Bogan.

     The State Deputy now instructed the State Warden to proceed. State Warden W. H. Laughlin reported all present entitled to remain during the meeting.

     The Worthy State Deputy then announced the appointment of Convention committees, as follows:
     Resolutions--John J. Barry, chairman; P. A. Tomek, J. E. Hugg, John Gross and John Mullen.
     Audit--J. Howard Heine, chairman; W. F. Kloke, Frank J. Kain.
     Finance--Dr. Leo Phelan, chairman; P. J. Franey, Anthony Uphoff.

     The report of the State Deputy being next in the regular order of business, Worthy State Deputy William J. McNichols rendered his report. Voted that the report of State Deputy William J. McNichols be accepted and published with the proceedings of the State Convention.

State Deputy, Knights of Columbus, Nebraska Jurisdiction--Year 1922-1923--Assembled at Sidney, Nebraska
     Gentlemen of the Convention:
     As is the custom in the Knights of Columbus for the State Deputy to report the activities of the organization during the year just coming to a close, I take this opportunity of expressing my sincere appreciation of the loyal support given me by the officers and members of the councils in Nebraska jurisdiction. So many matters of interest to the membership are before us at this time, I will only touch briefly those matters which I deem of most importance.
      On March 31, 1923, a total of $43,867,494.70 had been paid into the war fund and at the present time more than $37,715,000.00 has been paid out exclusively for the benefit of the ex-service men. On March 1, 1923, $6,152,289.94 still remained in the treasury and this amount will be used exclusively for the benefit of the ex-service men in the hospitals, evening schools, college scholarships and for those taking correspondence courses. The hospital welfare work is now handled by 193 secretaries in 457 hospitals. The work consists in developing appropriate types of recreation, furnishing athletic supplies, comfort articles, personal service to bed patients, furnishing transportation for patients to athletic events and the theatres, automobile rides and

providing concerts, vaudeville shows, boxing exhibitions and various athletic contests.. Nearly 30,000 ex-service men are receiving the benefits of this service. On February 28, 1923, sixty-nine evening schools were being conducted with an enrollment of over 45,000 ex-service men, 440 scholarships were awarded and 403 were actually enrolled, and of this number 160 are continuing their education in the various colleges. Almost 20,000 applicants have been enrolled in the seventy-five diflerent (sic) correspondence schools and have been receiving instruction. We are informed from the supreme officer that hundreds of inquiries and applications are being received daily.

     A sum of $50,000.00 has been appropriated from the war fund and paid over to the American Legion to assist in caring for the non-compensable (sic) or inadequately compensated tubercular ex-service men who have migrated to the southwest. The administration and disbursement of this fund is left to the American Legion and in connection therewith National Commander Owsley wrote to the Supreme Office as follows:
     "It is my desire to extend to the Knights of Columbus the profound thanks and appreciation of every legionaire for the sum of $50,000.00, which the Knights of Columbus have paid over to the American Legion for the relief of the non-compensable (sic) or insufficiently compensated migratory tubercular veterans in the southwest.
     "In expressing the gratitude of the disabled men directly concerned and of the American Legion, I wish further to say that through your organization the unfortuate (sic) situation which now exists will be relieved materially."

     In the press you have probably noticed attacks made on the Order's administration of its War Fund emanating from notoriously anti-Catholic sources. They charge in substance that no accounting has been made of expenditures from the War Fund, that the Italian welfare work is being financed out of the War Fund, and that the balance is being retained by the Order for some ulterior purpose.
     Since the Order assumed the administration of this trust detailed reports covering all expenditures from this fund have been rendered annually by the Supreme Board. These annual reports have been furnished to the Hierarchy, members of the Supreme Council, the Government and to members and all other inquirers generally. These annual reports have also been published in "Columbia" and they have given full and complete information as to the character and scope of the activities with statements of receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year reported and also from June 16, 1917, to date of the annual report. Under the direction of the Supreme Board the War Fund has been audited semi-annually by certified public accountants, who found the expenditures to be regular and supported by properly approved vouchers.

     You are aware that the Supreme Council at its annual meeting in San. Francisco in August, 1921, voted unanimously to raise an endowment fund of one million dollars to carry on the Italian welfare

work which has been successfully initiated in Rome under the auspices of the Holy See.
     In brief, this work comprises recreational activities primarily for the youth of Rome, the children so dear to the heart of the Holy Father, and it is calculated and intended to offset the pernicious proselytizing and propaganda of the various evangelical sets that, as stated by the Holy Father, are trying to rob the children nearest to him of the most precious heritage left them by their forefathers, the Catholic faith.
     Of course it is ridiculous, to say nothing of it being libelous, for any person to assert that the War Fund, a sacred trust undertaken by the Order for the men who saw service during the late World War, is being devoted to any purpose other than that which accrues to the benefit of ex-service men. The Italian Welfare Work Endowment Fund, as you know, is being raised by a semiannual per capita tax levied on the membership of the Order.
     The vicious and malicious statements that have appeared in the public press have been refuted at every opportunity. It should be sufficient for every loyal member of the Knights of Columbus to know that the head of the Church has commissioned us to carry on this Italian welfare work.

     The past year has also witnessed a recrudescence of the so-called "bogus oath" and the springing up of societies that are fundamentally hostile to the Catholic Church and particularly to the Knights of Columbus. So acute had the condition become in several states that is was deemed advisable to take positive action and accordingly in a number of jurisdictions $5,000 was deposited in each of various banks as a reward offered to any person proving that the said alleged "oath" is taken or subscribed to, or ever was taken or subscribed to, by the Knights of Columbus, or that Protestants or Masons are or ever were referred to directly or indirectly in the ceremonials or pledges of the Knights of Columbus. From our experience thus far I am satisfied that the offering of these rewards and the publication of the offer in the press has been an effective means of counteracting this stale and vicious propaganda.

     If the Knights of Columbus Historical Commission has accomplished nothing more than the publication of the prize-winning essay, "Jay's Treaty," by Samuel Flagg Bemis, professor of American Diplomatic History, Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash., its existence and labors would have been amply justified, and in saying this I am merely expressing the opinion of recognized historians.
     The purpose of the Commission, as outlined at the convention la San Francisco, was to offset organized propaganda obviously designed to undermine the spirit of American nationality; to encourage investigation into the origins, the achievements and the problems of the United States; to interpret and perpetuate the American principles of liberty, popular sovereignty and government by consent; to promote American oslidarity (sic) and to exalt the American ideal.
     In addition to the major prize awarded Professor Bemis, the prize to undergraduate students was awarded to Mr. Louis Morton Hacker, of Columbia University, New York City, for his study. "The Genesis

of the Interstate Commerce Act." The winners of these prizes are non-Catholics.
     A non-competitive program was arranged, under which were published "The Monroe Doctrine," by Thomas H. Mahoney; "Charters of Liberty," by Frederick Joseph Kinsman, LL. D.; and "Origins of the Propaganda Movement," by Charles Edward Russel. One of the best contributions is a monograph, "History Curricula in Elementary Schools as Co-ordinated with Aims in Citizenship," by Mother General Mary Marcella, St. Agnes Convent, Fond du Lac, Wis. This monograph will also be published.
      To the stimulating program of the Knights of Columbus Historical Commission is due the awakening of public opinion and educators to the relation between national history and patriotism, and the cooperation of patriotic societies in this movement has been most gratifying.

     At the last meeting of the Supreme Council the laws were amended to provide for the regulation of athletics within the Order. A great majority of the younger members, while appreciating the fraternal, social, educational and patriotic work of the Order, have naturally addressed themselves to participation in athletic activities of various kinds. Hundreds of councils are engaged in athletic competitions under the name and emblem of the Order. In some places the athletic attraction which these younger members require was not provided by the Knights of Columbus and many of our boys have drifted into organizations providing such attractions, combined with other activities which, unfortunately, in some cases, led to loss of faith. Confronted with this condition, a definite program should be provided, preferably by each subordinate council, for the proper supervision and encouragement of athletic activities on the part of members of the Order.

     This last appears to be nearing a reality, as the board of directors now have a committee appointed, working to obtain the opinion of the different state jurisdictions. This idea of taking care of the boys and organizing boy clubs first came into prominence through the efforts of a member of the Nebraska jurisdiction, Mr. J. P. O'Furey of Council 1233, of Hartington, Nebr. This question is without a doubt, one of the most important and one of the most far-reaching propositions ever placed before a body of men. It is hoped that this convention will consider the boy question from every angle, considering its possibilities and problems, and arrive at a definite conclusion as to the concensus (sic) of opinion among the Knights of Columbus in Nebraska.

     There is now under consideration an undertaking looking to the assistance of the members of the Order in a practical, material way. From the experience of the Order in conducting its free correspondence school for ex-service men it would seem that correspondence courses could he provided members desiring same at a cost that would be less than cost of similar courses elsewhere. The benefits would seem to be immeasurable, not only to the members, but to the Order

itself. The following action in regard to this matter was taken at the last regular quarterly meeting of the board.

     Voted--That plans be formulated at the earliest possible moment to extend the scope of the work of the free correspondence schools and make the courses available at cost to every member of the Order who desires to secure for himself the benefits to be derived therefrom, and that a committee of the board be appointed to get data, formulate plans and report at the next meeting of the board.

     It was voted upon and beaten by a very small majority, at the last supreme convention. It will again be discussed and considered at the supreme convention to be held at Montreal in August. An expression from this body during the convention is desired on this subject. We listened to very strong appeals at the last supreme convention made in behalf of men suffering from this plague.

     In speaking of the order, generally, I will say that it has been unusually lax during the past few months due to various causes. March, however, turned in an increase over previous months due, no doubt, to the drive made at that time. The councils of the Nebraska jurisdiction have all endeavored to initiate classes since the last convention and I am pleased to say that the majority of councils have succeeded in holding at least one initiation. The work of Special Agent Albert Kjar, who travels in the states of North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas, has received many complimentary expressions from subordinate councils and the officers as they all feel that his work has been very helpful. Brother Kjar is also Grand Knight of Council No. 2040 at Lexington, Nebr., and that council as well as the balance of the state councils should feel proud of the service rendered by him to this state and to the order at large.

     In my report last year I called your attention to the high-class Catholic paper which we, Catholics of Nebraska, have the honor and privilege to call our own. In that report I made an appeal to the delegates of the convention to give this paper their united support and to furnish them with its news items from their council. I sincerely regret that the councils of this state have not taken advantage of the space offered by The True Voice to tell of the council events. This paper is ably edited by Rev. Peter C. Gannon and he is ably assisted by the Rev. Patrick J. Moran as assistant editor. This paper has at all times given its support to the Knights of Columbus and we in return ought to gladly give a word of encouragement to them. I received Information from that office that only one of the councils in the state at the present time is paying its subscriptions to them. Now, Brothers, may I suggest that the least we can do is to have every council in the Nebraska jurisdiction a subscriber to this sheet. Every Catholic home in the state of Nebraska should be receiving this paper, together with the Columbia which is sent to every member of the Order. I am sure we all deeply appreciate the need of Catholic literature in our homes. Four councils in the state are now publishing a monthly paper. Fitzgerald Council of Lincoln, No. 833, pub-

lishes the paper known as "The Calendar." Hastings Council, No. 1123, publishes a sheet known as "The Log Book." Omaha Council publishes the "Clarion," and Humphrey Council publishes the "Ave Marie." These papers do much towards creating enthusiasm and keeping up the spirit of the councils. I am informed that many of our councils are now making quarterly Communions in a body. Open demonstration such as this will receive its reward.
      As to the lecturer, I am glad to say that all reports from the various councils have been very flattering and the many forms of amusements have been provided.
      A new council was instituted at Broken Bow on May 28, 1922, and several applications for new councils are now pending.
      In laying down my gavel and placing the cloak of office on my worthy successor, I say to you now that I will never forget the wonderful treatment accorded me or the whole-souled help furnished me in the administration of my official duties. I am not unmindful of the signal honor bestowed upon me by two consecutive elections to this high office and the remembrance of the years of service as State Deputy will always remain as a bright spot in my life and membership in the Knights of Columbus. And to the membership at large, I desire to express my thanks for the splendid co-operation always given me in the exemplification of the several degrees. May the Knights of Columbus continue their good work for Holy Mother Church, good government and humanity, steadfast as the Church herself and guided by her teachers.

     The next order of business was the report of State Treasurer, James F. Burke, who rendered his report as follows:

      Disbursements from General Fund as follows:

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