Public Law 53–119

That George B. Shaw, of the city of Eau Claire, State of Wisconsin; William W. Blackwell, of the city of Henderson, State of Kentucky; Walter B. Richie, of the city of Lima, State of Ohio: Robert L. C. White, of the city of Nashville, State of Tennessee; Philip T. Colgrove, of the city of Hastings, State of Michigan; and Tracy R. Bangs, of the city of Grand Forks, State of North Dakota, officers and members of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, and their successors, be, and they are hereby, incorporated and made a body politic and corporate in the District of Columbia by the name of “The Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias;” and by that name it may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded in any court of law or equity, and may have and use a common seal, and change the same at pleasure, and be entitled to use and exercise all the powers, rights, and privileges incidental to fraternal and benevolent corporations within the District of Columbia.

Sec. 2.

That the said corporation shall have the power to take and

Property limit.

hold real and personal estate, not exceeding in value one hundred thousand dollars, which shall not be divided among the members of the corporation, but shall descend to their successors for the promotion of the fraternal and benevolent purposes of said corporation.

Sec. 3.

That all claims, accounts, debts, things in action, or other

Succession.

matters of business of whatever nature now existing for or against the present Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, mentioned in section one of this Act, shall survive and succeed to and against the body corporate and politic hereby created: Provided, That nothing contained herein

Proviso.

Time limit not affected.

shall be construed to extend the operation of any law which provides for the extinguishing of claims or contracts by limitations of time.

Sec. 4.

That said corporation shall have a constitution, and shall

Constitution.

Proviso.

Not to conflict with laws.

have power to amend the same at pleasure: Provided, That such constitution or amendments thereof do not conflict with the laws of the United States or of any State.

Sec. 5.

That said corporation shall not engage in any business for

Limitation.

gain; the purposes of said corporation being fraternal and benevolent.

Sec. 6.

That Congress may at any time amend, alter, or repeal this

Amendment, etc.

Act.