The Washington times., 1901-07-31
REJECTED BY THE MASONS
Conditions Under Which a Lot
Was Offered Not Acceptable.
The Question of Liquor Licenses Fig
urcs In the Cnse-A Deed Made by
Christian Heurich Returned by
the Lodge at TenIeytoNn.


The plot of ground rendered to the VIII
liam X. Singleton Lodge, +. A. A. M, of
Tenieytown, by Christian Heurich, as the
site for Masonic Hall. has been rejected
by the lodge. because of certain iimita-
tions included in the proffered deed of
gift IN Offering to convey the property
to the Masons Mr.. Heurich insisted that
the present trustees of the lodge and their
SUCCESSORS forever should bind them
selves to endorse Tenleytown applications
for liquor licenses in which MIR. Heurich
should be directly or indirectly interest
ed. This. 1t seems. the laws of the grand
lodge Of the District OF Columbia would
not permit the Tenleytown lodge to
do.
Last April the William R Singleton
Lodge decided that Tenieytown Free Ma
sonry should have hall of it's own, and
the lodge went to work and began to
estimate how much money was needed
1t was agreed that the Masons OF Tenley-
town could control about $1,000. with
which to erect a building. The following
committee was appointed to undertake
the task: DIR. A. NJ Ray. J. f. Shoemaker,
and w. l.. Conway. The committee call
ed on Mr. Heurich, who owns much land
the lot which they had selected for the
proposed hall. Mr.. Heurich said he would
consider the matter and later he inform
ed the committee that he was willing to
give them the desired lot deed was
drawn up and signed by Mr.. and Mrs.
Heurich. and sent to the lodge for ac-
ceptance. This deed was rejected because
of its containing the following provision,
to which the lodge objected:
And the trustees and their successors
will at all times hereafter. whenever re-
quired by the said Christian Heurich. his
heirs or assigns. sign all applications for
license to conduct or carry on the liquor
business upon such property. adjacent,
adjoining. abutting. contiguous. opposite
or in the neighborhood of such conveyed
real estate as may be owned or controlled
by the said Christ:7n Heurich. his heirs
or assigns, and will not object to or op-
pose the granting or issuance of said IL
cense; and that the said William R
Singleton Lodge. IL the law in force shall
require its consent to the granting OF
such license or licenses. will by its prop
er officer or officers signify such consent
in such manner and such form as may be
required by law
The lodge drew up deed obligating its
officers not to oppose Tenleytown liquor
licenses, but this deed. it is said, Mr..
Heurich refused to sign. AS a result of
further consideration of the matter by
the Masons. the inability OF the lodge to
accept the site under the conditions i'm
posed was expressed in the following
letter:
"Mr. Christian Heurich:
Dear sir: regret very much to inform
you that the deed was not accepted by
the William r. Singleton Lodge at our
meeting. July 16. 1901. it being impossible
to have done so under the laws of the
Grand Lodge of District of Columbia.
Again thanking you for the courtesy
you have extended to the committee
when we called at your office,
Il am, very respectfully,
ANTHONY NJ RAY, NJ. D.,
Chairman of Committee
The lot which Mr.. Heurich proposed to
donate to the lodge is valued at about
5000. 1t is located on the main road in
a most advantageous situation. Nearly
opposite is the only liquor saloon in town,
the license to which is said to be con-
trolled by Mr.. Heurich. The property is
part of several acres purchased some time
ago by Mr.. Heurich. Several houses have
been erected along the road on contigu-
Gus land. and DR.. Ray. the chairman of
the committee. is one of Mr.. Heurich's
tenants occupying the house Immediately
adjoining the lot under discussion.
When asked about the subject of the lot
yesterday. Mr.. Heurich stated that he had
been waited upon by committee from the
lodge. headed by DR.. Ray, and that the
request was then made of him to donate
the lot upon which to erect the proposed
hall. He informed the committee that he
would take the matter under considera-
ton
The lot in question, he stated. he had
purchased in conjunction with adjoining
property. in order to be able to control
the license of the saloon on the opposite
side of the road. 7 his license had at one
time been abrogated. and Mr.. Heurich
states that he had a difficult task recov-
ering it. This he had finally accomplish
ed. and in order TO protect himself in the
future. he said. had secured the adjacent
property.
Considering the request Of the Masons
he finally concluded that he would be
pleased to assist them and gain their good
will, and notified them of his willingness
to donate the lot. He had. however, no
intention of losing the advantage that he
held as owner of the property in protect
ing the license OF the saloon. and which
han cost him considerable effort to Sc
cure. While perfectly willing to donate the
Site he proposed that the new owners
should obigate themselves to the inter-
ests which his own ownership insured.