132
Proceedings of the.
[Sept.
From the report sUbmitted, we find that the District Deputy Grand Masters have earnestly endeavored to faithfully perform their important duties; that they have visited the several Lodges in their respective districts, giving helpful advice and instruction in the work, and that they found peace and harmony among the members. All with but a few exceptions visited all, or practically all, the Lodges entrusted to their care officially, and many report other visits. Such attention to business and zeal can not help but be a potential influence for the well being and progress of our exalted Craft. 'Ve note one item of their report and bring- it to your attention. This matter was called to ,the attention of the Craft by 'the Worshipful Grand Master in a very forceful manner in the beginning of the year. It is the item of arrears in dues. From these reports, we learn that the total of arrears in dues is the large sum of $28,383.54. Since practically 40 % of the districts have not reported this item, it is the opInion of your Committee that the actual amount of arrears in dues exceeds the above stated amount. 'Ve learn from this that an enormous sum of money rightfully due the 'various Masonic Lodges of the State and justly theirs is withheld from them. We think we can do no better than to recall ,to your attention the very pertinent and forceful statements of our Grand Master" in his communication, of Jan',y 2, 1915. "Ve further note that thirteen of the reports do not give any information concerning this item. We f路urther note that of those reporting, one Deputy Grand Master reports $4,515.45 arrears in dues, which is the largest amount, and another $60.00 arrears, which is the smallest amount, Those districts having over $1,100.00 in arrears are Districts Nos. 22, 11, 44, 33, 39 and 1. The relative standing of these districts in this regard correspond, respectively, to the numbers as given. In view of these facts, the members of your Committee feel no hesitancy in urging that the District Deputy GrandMasters give this seriously important matter very earnest attention durfng the coming year. We further express the' hope ,that this lan'ientable condition will be materially corrected by the next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge. We further learn that the District Deputy Grand Masters held many Schools of Instruction; that they all agree that the standard of efficiency in giving Masonic teaching is being perceptibly' and effectively raised; they report most harmonious and efficient co-operation on the part of our worthy and competent Grand Lecturer, Right Worshipful Brother McLachlan. Your Committee ex'amined many reports, some long and some short; many were made on the proper form and many were not; a few were typewritten, but many were not typewritten, which "leads the Committee to make the following suggestion and recommendations: We suggest that the District Deputy Grand Masters make every possible effort to have their reports made on the form furnished them for that pUrpose; and we, further recommend that these reports be typewritten. Reasons for this are too numerous to mention. The fact that it would materially lessen the work of the Grand Master and this Committee and would be but little trouble on the part of the