Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-31
THE CERNEAU CONTROVERSY.
what Grand Commander Gorgas Says
Members of the Grand Lodge Here.

Dr. Ferdinand J. g. Gorgas of Baltimore, the
sovereign grand commander Of the Scottish
Rite organization known as the Gorgas Cerneau
body, has been interviewed by a representa-
tive Of the Baltimore American. He denies
that his organization has any fraternal rela-
tons whatever with the Grand orient of France,
as is alleged by Harrison Dingman. grand
master Of the Grand lodge of the District of
Columbia, in a recen. edict prohibiting
any relations with the members of the
Gorgas Cerneau body. Gorgas states that
when in Paris in April. 1888, he had an
interview with the council of elaboration"
Of the Grand orient Of France at an informal
meeting, not official, called at his request on
matters relating solely to the history of Scot
fish Rite Masonry and the connection of Joseph
Cerneau, its founder in this country, with the
parent body in France during the period be-
tween 1907 and 1920, and also during q later
period.
Dr. Gorgas says that since his return from
Europe in May, 1888, no communication or
correspondence of any kind has been held BY
his body with the Grand orient of France, as
all his relations with the Grand orient ended
with his visit in 1885, Prof. Alpha o. Munroea
native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and resident of
Paris, was commissioned by Dr. Gorgas when
in Paris to continue the Investigations into the
history of Scottish Rite Masonry, and this is
the only duty that gentleman is required to
perform as the representative of the ''Cerneau
body OF this country. Without such COM
mission Prof. Munroe could not have access
to the archives Of the Grand orient of France.
DR. doRGAs ON GRAND MASTER DINGMAN
DIR. Georges is further credited with saying
that Harrison Dingman, the grand master of
the Grand lodge of the District of Columbia,
was for many years and until quite recently a
member of the 'Cerneau body and commander.
in-chief of one Of its consistories in Washington
city. When Mr.. Dingman became candidate
for the office of grand master of the Grand
lodge of the District he withdrew from the
'Cerneau body his alleged reason for so doing
being that his chances for election would be
improved, owing to the opposition of the men,
bers of a rival Scottish Rite body, of which he
is now a member. Mr.. Dingman's recent edict
against the Cerneau body is based upon state
ments made in printed letter by an ex-
PEELED member of that body and who ia an init
mate friend Of Mr.. Dingman."
THE DISTRICT SIDE OF THE DISPUTE.
1t is stated by members of the Grand lodge
OF the District that there is documentary proof
showing that DIR. Gorgas did establish fraternal
relations with the Grand orient Of France, as
charged in the edict of the grand master. That
Tor this reason many members Of the Cerneau
body in this city withdrew from the organiza-
ton, and that among this number was Mr..
Dlngman. As stated in the edict issued by
the grand master of the District the grand
orient Of France does not acknowledge the ex-
lstence OF God, and on this ground all the Ma
sonic bodies in this country, as well as in all
English-speaking countries, have refused to
hold relations with the Grand orient of France.
This action on the part of the Masonic bodies
OF tins country was taken years ago and the
edict Of the Grand lodge of the District was
issued in accordance Herewith.