The Washington times., 1902-04-17
Increasing Popularity of
Exposition Shown in
Attendance.
ALL FORMER RECORDS BROKEN
Acting Grand Master Walker
Extends Greeting to
Brethren of Order.
MUSICAL PROGRAM A FEATURE
Admiral Schley May Visit Convention
Hall Tonight - Doors to Be Opened
Half an Hour Earlier-Expected to Re-
lieve Crush.

Whether it was due to the greater en-
thusiasm of the members OF the blue
lodges that were entertained at the Ma
sonic Fair last night, or to the ever in
creasing popularity of the greatest fair
that has ever been held in this city. there
was further increase in the attendance
at the fair last night of nearly three
hundred. Not only in the number of per-
sons attending, but in the treasurer's re-
port, the remarkable success Of the en-
terprise is evidenced. According to re-
port made to the executive committee last
night by Treasurer Mckenzie. the first
three nights of the fair show an increase
of over 81 600 night over the correspond
ing nights of the former fair held four
years ago.
Blue Lodge Night.
Last night was the last of the blue lodge
nights. and every effort was put forth by
the visitors TO exceed the record attained
the night before by the members of the
other lodges. When Chairman Allison
Nailor, assisted by Messrs. E. II. Pills
bury, G. Hector Clemes, Charles Jacob
sen, and Eugene Corcoran, comprising the
escort committee, met the approaching
column at the entrance to the hall, they
found several hundred more visitors en-
tering the hall than on the previous even
ing, and It was necessary to parade them
in double columns of twos.
As on the preceding evening the work
OF the reception committee was short
and promptly disposed of. After the MEM
bers of the Grand Lodge had ascended
TO the balcony, which had been vacated
by the band, Chairman Allison Nailor pre-
scented Acting Most Worshipful Grand
Master George II. Walker to Mr.. William
c. Henderson, the chairman of the re-
ception committee, who welcomed the as
sembied visitors in the following address:
Greetings to Lodge.
r'Most Worshipful Grand Master, officers
of the Grand Lodge, and Brethren Of the
Fraternity of Free Masons:
Il extend to you a most hearty welcome
TO the grandest fair ever held in the Cap
ital Of the Nation, and in the results of
which you are SO deeply interested. No
more fitting reception could be prepared
for you than the magnifcently decorated
hall in which you are now assembled.
The beautiful colors SO harmoniously
blended and arranged with such artistic
taste are all in keeping with the noblest
sentiments of the best men whose fra
ternity promulgates the teachings that
elevate mankind to the highest plane it
is possible for them to occupy on the ter
restrial globe, and makes of them good
citizens-loyal to their country and to
their God-and whose teachings when
conscientiously followed, prepare them to
enter that celestial lodge above, where
the Supreme Architect of the Universe
presideS.
My brethren. your zeal for the object
which caused this fair to be inaugurated
inspired those whom you selected to di-
rect lis details to present 10 the people
OF Washington fair the equal of which
never before existed.
Temple in Washington.
Your purpose TO have erected in this
Capital City temple worthy Of the great
fraternity OF which you are members has
met with hearty response from your
brethren OF the craft throughout our
whole country, and their words of COM
mendati0n and their deeds Of substantial
contribution show that they with you real
5ze that what you Go here at the home
of the nation must in every particular
reach so far as possible to the dignity
and greatness of the fraternity of which
you and they are members.
Your zeal in the cause has made pos
sible the magnificent scene presented
here tonight, and with that determination
on your part TO succeed in the noble and
lauGable undertaking Of erecting Il temple
to which you can with pride welcome your
brethren from all parts of this broad land
of ours. AMI from all parts of the uni
.c~se insures success in the highest de-
gree.
''Frlsh forward in the good work, and
in the near future you will see a full
realization OF your fondest hopes Your
efforts at home are heartily seconded by
noble women who feel that they cannot
do too much to aid you in the accomplish
ment of the end in view and whose un-
firing efforts in your behalf accentuate
your incentive TO make this undertaking
the grandest success ever attained by hu
man efforts.
Most worshipful sir. and officers OF
the Grand Lodge, congratulate you upon
being the officers OF a grand body whose
constituent lodges are composed of men
of the highest intelligence and whose zeal
in the success of everything that is great
and good knows no failure"
Grand Master Responds.
In response Acting Grand Master
Walker thanked the members of the COM
mittee for the repeated honors which they
had shown the Grand Lodge in extending
to them so hearty welcome, and re-
minded them that the Grand Lodge was
the alma mater OF all of the lodges, and
that in honoring the Grand Lodge they
were honoring themselves. He reminded
them that the entire fraternity was
watching with approving eyes the prog
ress OF the enterprise and extending to
them the best wishes for it's success
Not only the fraternity of this juris-
diction is interested. but by reason of
the cosmopolitan character of the resi-
dents OF the Nations Capital, where Ma
sons from all parts of the country tenn |
porsrily reside from time to time, the Ma |