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man is responsible. Without any further remarks I introduce His Honor John J. Hurley, Mayor of Lawrence."

Three cheers were given by the delegates for the Mayor of Law

rence.

Hon. John J. Hurley, Mayor of Lawrence: "Department Commander and Delegates of this Convention: On behalf of the city government of Lawrence I welcome you to what we consider one of the best cities in New England, and I assure you that the members of the city government of Lawrence will lend every effort in their physical make-up to entertain you to the best of their ability. The keys of the city are at your disposal, and I myself personally will volunteer to do anything I can to make your stay here a pleasant

one.

"No doubt you have heard the unpleasant advertising the city of Lawrence has had, but I feel satisfied that after you are here twenty-four hours more you will realize that it is a law-abiding community. As you go through the streets you will find no better streets in any city in the country, and you will find other things which make it a good place to live in. I assure you that I, as well as the other members of the city government, will do our best to entertain you. In conclusion, City Hall is open, and I will do my share in making your present stay here a pleasant one."

The Department Marshal escorted His Honor John J. Hurley, Mayor of Lawrence, from the platform.

At this time Department Commander Timothy W. Kelly instructed the Department Marshal to escort to the platform Past Commander-in-Chief Edward J. Gihon and Past Department Commanders Henry J. McCammon and Michael J. Murphy.

The Department Commander announced that the next order of business would be the reports of the Department officers and committees. The Department Adjutant read the names of the Committee on Acts and Resolutions, as follows: Edward J. Gihon, P.C.C., Camp 39, Wakefield; Jerome A. Petitti, D.J.A.; Richard R. Flynn, P.D.C., Camp 1, Boston; Albert L. Potter, P.D.C., Camp 8, Gardner; Sanford E. Worthington, P.C., Camp 9, Fitchburg; George Kenney, P.C., Camp 13, Roxbury; Gilbert W. Hunt, P.C., Camp 19, Lowell; Daniel M. Casey, P.C., Camp 26, Gloucester; R. C. Green, P.C., Camp 28, Worcester; Frank A. Sandland, P.C., Camp 29, Taunton; Frank C. Gray, P.C., Camp 39, Wakefield; Sydney H. Cliffe, Commander, Camp 40, Adams; Herbert S. Flint,

P.C., Camp 44, Malden; George H. Fox, P.C., Camp 54, Plymouth; Thomas Todd, Jr., P.C., Camp 55, Concord; Richard A. Plunckett, P.C., Camp 56, Everett.

The Department Commander announced that the Committee on Resolutions would meet at 12 o'clock in the committee room. Senior Vice Department Commander Jere J. Shea was called to the chair, and Department Commander Timothy W. Kelly read his report for the year.

REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT COMMANDER.

LAWRENCE, Mass., April 26, 1919.

To the Officers and Delegates of the Twentieth Department Encampment. COMRADES: - I have the honor to submit my report as your Department Commander, in accordance with the provisions of the by-laws and Rules and Regulations of our organization.

At the time of my installation as your Department Commander in Boston one year ago I promised that with your co-operation I would do everything in my power to advance the interests of this organization, our Comrades and their dependents. I am now before you again to render an account of what has been accomplished during my term of office.

The conditions that had to be met and overcome during my administration have never confronted any of my predecessors, and I sincerely trust that the same conditions will never have to be met by my successors. Our country was still at war. Many Comrades had re-entered the service in the armed forces of the government, and many others were organizing and assisting in organizing a State Guard. Attendance at meetings was falling off, and later on the influenza epidemic was sweeping the country. Boards of health in cities and towns, in the interests of the public, were forbidding all public gatherings. Camps were not permitted to hold meetings. Visitations had to be temporarily suspended. Conditions were abnormal, and some time elapsed before Camps were pursuing their usual course as to meetings. Practically every member of my staff was suffering from the prevailing malady at one time or another, and the Comrades attached to Headquarters who were well were exerting every effort to keep alive the interests and work of the Department.

Notwithstanding these very great handicaps my report will show that we have very materially increased in membership and also financially. Without the assistance of Department officers, Camps and Comrades the measure of success attained could not have been accomplished; and I take this occasion, before my Comrades assembled in convention, to extend my personal, heartfelt thanks to each and every Comrade within the Department who so generously and ably assisted me.

HEADQUARTERS.

My first act after my installation was to appoint Comrade Dan D. Brothers of Camp 15, Lynn, as Department Adjutant, knowing his ability as an expert stenographer, his secretarial ability and training, and his apparent interest in the welfare of the organization. The work performed by this Comrade has justified his appointment. Under his supervision Headquarters was placed on an actively working basis, and was open for the transaction of business every working day during the year. On May 6, 1918, I appointed Comrade Wallace J. Columbus of Camp 12, Cambridge, First Assistant Department Adjutant. He performed his duties faithfully and efficiently until compelled to resign for business reasons. On Nov. 18, 1918, I appointed as his successor Comrade Charles C. Donoghue of Camp 3. This Comrade has proven, by his constant attendance at Department Headquarters and his ability in handling the affairs of the office to which he was appointed, a tower of strength to the officers with whom he has been associated. During the illness of Department Adjutant Dan D. Brothers he took over his duties and performed them in a highly creditable and satisfactory manner. On June 29, 1918, I appointed George A. Hanna of Camp 56 Second Assistant Department Adjutant. He was given charge of the card index, and personally went over every card and brought the index up to date. The work was tedious and required much of the Comrade's time, but I found him at all times cheerful and willing to perform his duties. I was at my desk at Headquarters every day, and gave the correspondence my personal attention. All communications were answered promptly. Through my daily presence at Headquarters I was able to assist by advice and material help many Comrades who visited to consult me on matters of interest to themselves or the organization.

COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATION.

The Department Council of Administration held four meetings, and one referendum vote was taken and the members co-operated in every way possible. Practically every member being present at the meetings, the most harmonious feeling prevailed. Their advice and suggestions were very beneficial. I believe that the council should be increased by adding the Department Historian and Patriotic Instructor, who are active Department officers. I understand that a resolution is to be introduced along these lines.

GOVERNOR'S RECEPTION AND ANNUAL BANQUET.

This year as Department Commander I appointed a Reunion and Banquet Committee, according to Rules and Regulations, consisting of the Junior Vice Department Commander as chairman, the Department Inspector as secretary, the Department Quartermaster as treasurer, and the commanders of thirty-one camps in and around Boston, both 1918 and 1919 officers. The attendance at the reception to the Governor exceeded all previous years, and was a credit to the organization. After the reception the Comrades adjourned to the armory on Bulfinch Street for lunch. Through a typographical error the tickets read "banquet" instead of "buffet" lunch. This caused considerable comment, and the Junior Vice Depart

ment Commander being confined to his home with illness, the Department Inspector and Department Quartermaster devoted their time to the financial part of the affair, and a temporary chairman took charge. I personally feel that no individual member of the committee should be singled for blame. The Department by-laws now compel a Department commander to appoint a committee to conduct an annual banquet. This by-law, in my opinion, should be changed and allow a Department commander, with the advice of the Council of Administration, to hold a banquet, if deemed advisable.

VISITATIONS AND CEREMONIES.

During the year it was impossible for me, on account of conditions, to visit every camp within the Department, but by corresponding from Headquarters, and with the co-operation of different Camps, joint meetings were held in different sections of the Commonwealth. In this way it was possible for me to talk to members of the following Camps in the Department: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58 and 59.

On account of the serious illness of Mrs. Kelly I was unable to visit Camps 5 and 20. Other Department officers, however, were present. A number of the members of Camp 20 were present with me at the visitation to Camps 47 and 54.

In some instances of joint meetings Comrades of other Camps, invited to be present by the local Camp, attended in small numbers, and it was deemed advisable to have other Department officers visit their Camps. In addition to this I have in many cases visited some Camps more than once. I have had the pleasure, I believe, of installing the officers, of a larger number of Camps than any of my predecessors during their term of office. I also had charge of the Spanish War Veterans' division in the short parade preceding the Boston Municipal Council memorial field service. These services are conducted by the council annually, and are deserving of the greatest praise, and the interest of the public is increasing each year. I would advise all members of this Department who have never attended to be present at the next one, and they will feel amply repaid for their effort. I was also asked to represent the Department at the annual "Maine" memorial services conducted by the council in Faneuil Hall, Boston, Feb. 15, 1919. The presence of General Edwards who had just returned from France at the exercises with other notables present shows the character of the services. I also paraded with the Boston Municipal Council, U. S. W. V., July 4. On June 10, with the Department Adjutant, Dan D. Brothers, I attended the annual field day and banquet of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. On June 22 I attended and acted as judge at the annual prize drill and field day of St. Paul's Cadets, Dorchester. On July 19 I was tendered a reception, jointly with my wife, Department President of the Department of Massachusetts, Auxiliary United Spanish War Veterans, by the Maj. P. J. Grady Camp 3 and the Alice C. Grady Auxiliary 1. On September 3, 4 and 5 I attended the Twentieth Annual National Encampment of our organization at Baltimore, Md. I have also attended many Crawls of the Military Order of the Serpent (Snaix). On Jan. 2, 1919, by invitation, I attended the Inaugural of His Excellency Governor Calvin Coolidge. On Jan. 26 I attended the exercises at the Soldiers' Home, Chelsea, under the direction of our Soldiers' Home Committee. Later in the evening I attended a meeting

held by Camp 12 for the purpose of assisting in forming a Post of the American Legion. I have also been invited to and attended many other affairs, social and patriotic, including memorial exercises, church exercises, flag raisings, balls, banquets, parties, parades, etc., conducted by Camps, Auxiliaries, Posts of the Grand Army of the Republic, Woman's Relief Corps, Sons and Daughters of Veterans and other organizations. I was also appointed by His Excellency Governor Samuel W. McCall on the Massachusetts Soldiers Welcoming Home Committee, and was retained on this committee by the present governor, Calvin Coolidge. I have attended its meetings and assisted in the welcoming home celebrations to the veterans by many trips down the harbor and in many other ways.

AUXILIARY.

Our relations with the Auxiliary have been most cordial, I having received many invitations and attended many of their affairs, including installations, Flag Day exercises, memorial exercises, Comrades' nights, whists and other patriotic and social events too numerous to be detailed here.

DEPARTMENT SHOOT.

While this appeared to be an off year for the shoot, many Camps were represented, and Comrades attending were formed into teams. The personnel of the shoot was made up as follows: executive officer, the Department Commander; chief range officer, Comrade Richard R. Flynn, P.D.C.; range officer, 200 yards, Junior Vice Department Commander Edward T. MacNeill; range officer, 500 yards, Department Historian Fred R. Hesse; statistical officer, Department Adjutant Dan D. Brothers; supervisors, Comrade Edward J. Gihon, P.C.C., and Department Chaplain Rev. William F. Dusseault; officer in charge of pit, 200yard range, Department Quartermaster George P. Field; officer in charge of pit, 500-yard range, Department Surgeon, Dr. Edwin D. Towle. The first team prize was won by Camp 27, Brighton; first individual prize, by Comrade G. E. Dwelley, Camp 27, Brighton; second individual prize, by Comrade G. E. Wentworth, Camp 15, Lynn; third individual prize, by Comrade M. J. Driscoll, Camp 3, East Boston; fourth individual prize, by Comrade C. W. Parker, Camp 39, Wakefield; fifth individual prize, by Comrade F. W. Northup, Camp 45, Attleboro; sixth individual prize, by Comrade H. E. Gilson, Camp 41, Somerville; seventh individual prize, by Comrade Fred R. Hesse, Camp 24, Chelsea. I earnestly recommend that Camps and Comrades take a greater interest in this annual shoot.

FINANCIAL.

I believe an examination of the accounts will show that we have conducted the affairs of the Department with the greatest economy. Notwithstanding that the volume of mail has been greater and the cost of postage advanced one-third, our postage expense is lower than most of the previous administrations. Considering the general high cost of everything we have kept well within our treasury, and at this time I ask the privilege of completing my report of the financial affairs of the Department to-morrow.

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