The Washington times., 1902-02-11
MASONIC EXPOSITION
PLANS DISCUSSED
Initial Step Toward Accusing
Popular Interest.
CENTENNIAL Lodge ENTERTAINS
Scope and Purpose of Plan Looking
Toward Erection Of n National
Temple of Masonry Explained by
General Secretary Ryder.

General Secretary Ryder.
The initial step in the general plan for
srousing popular interest ard instituting
active preparations for the great Masonic
Fair and Exposition to be held in Con-
vention Hall during the month OF April,
was taken Icy Washington Centennial
Lodge at an entertainment given last
night for the purpose of bringing together
the leading spirits of the LEGAL Masonic
body and securing their active support
and cooperation.
The fir will have as IT'S object the rais-
ing of funds wherewi;h to build i mag
nlficent temple of Masonry in the Ma
tional Capital. The Masonic bodies of
Washington have been looking forward
for years to the building Of a national
Masonic temple in Washington. and now
that their goal is in sight they propose to
bend every effort to reach speedy and
successful solution Of the final faan ,ial
problem.
ACair n Decided Success.
The affair of last night was a decided
success, and stride forward was made in
the matter OF increasing the already great
and growing interest in the Masonic pro-
ject. Plans were discussed for making
the proposed exposition the greatest in
the history of Masonry. exceeding in size
duration. and, in fact. every other at
tribute the great fair of 1898. by which
over $50 oO0 was raised for the purchase
of hn viii In
National Temple of Masonry.
Mr.. John Speed Smith, a high official of
the Pension Bureau, and a prominent
figure in Kentucky politics, who is grand
master of the Centennial Lodge, and I'M
der whose direction the affair CT last
night was given, made an Introductory ad
dress expressive of the sentiment of the
gathering relative TO the proposed fair,
and introduced S. NJ. Ryde-. general sec
the active arrangements for the expo
sition.
Explained Scope aad Purpose.
Mr.. Ryder explained the scope and pur-
pose of the plan for National Temple
of Masonry. and described the steps that
make possible the fuiillment CT its ends
and aims. He referred to the fair of
1898, which, he said, held the record as the
greatest undertaking of its kind ever en-
gineered by the Masonic fraternity, and
expressed the belief that the exposition
which it is proposed TO hold in the COM
ing spring will be as far ahead CT that
of four years ago as the latter was SUI
perior to previous efforts.
All that was desired, he said, was the
cooperation of the citizens of Washing
ton. The interest in the project should
not be confined to members of the Ma
sonic fraternity, their families. ami
friends. The temple which ii was pro-
posed to erect would he. he said, the
greatest Masonic ediice in the world. the
envy of Masonic fraternities in other
cities, and INTELLECTUALLY a credit to the
city OF Washington.
Wish TO Secure UnencuE:bcrcd Title.
Mr. Ryder said that with the $4,000
raised by the fair of 1898 and the addi-
tional sum then available for the pur-
pose the plot of ground at New York Ave
nue., Thirteenth Street, and II Street had
been purchased. Thirty thousand dollars
still remained TO be paid, however, and
the object of the proposed exposition was
10 secure an unencuInbered title to the
ground, and. if possible, have a surplus
toward the erection OF the immense edi-
fee which it is proposed to build at
cost of several hundred thousand dollars
The Temple will be the headquarters
for the Masonic body of the United States
and of the District OF Columbia, a proper
and convenient place at which to hold ma
tional conventions, and where the Grand
Lodge and general bodies of the order
can meet for the transaction of their
business.
The sum remaining after the title to
the ground has been secured and the con-
mittee having the work in charge has made
a statement of its accounts will be de-
voted toward the erection of the struc-
ture, and the additional amount needed
will be subscribed by the various Ma
sonic bodies IN the United States. Mr..
Ryder closed with an earnest plea for the
hearty support and cooperation of those
present to make the coming exposition
the success it was intended
Masonic Goat Breaks Loose.
Just as Mr. Ryder concluded his remarks
a big billy goat with eilded horns, from
which hung streaners of red and blue
ribbon, the colors OF the order, charged
down the aisle toward the stage. Grand
Master Speed Smith mounted the platform
and with gravity beiitting the occasion ex-
planned that the latest arrival was the
goat which was used In limitations, and
that the animal must have broken out of
q lodge room across the hall where a num-
Der of rev members were being initiated
into the secrets Of the order
The goat was secured and led away cap
tive, and the feminine contingent among
the guests were fully convinced that they
had stumbled unawares upon the secret
OF one of the mysterious rites of the
Masons.
Among the guests were prominent
Masons from many OF the local lodges,
who declared their enthusiastic support
of the proposed exposition. At the con-
clusion of the business of the evening
an interesting musical programme was
rendered, and supper was served to the
GOO guests present.