Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-21
ECHOES OF The ANTE ROOM

The first step toward the construction of
a new Masonic temple in Omaha has been
taken, but when the final steps will be
reached is a matter which time alone can
tell. The first step was when the Masonic
Temple Craft of Omaha increased its cap
ltal stock from $15O,OOO to 100000 last week.
The Masonic Temple Craft is composed of
delegates from a number of the Masonic
lodges of the city who own the present Ma
sonic building at Sixteenth street and Cap
tol avenue. This building was erected
many years ago and at the time of It's con-
struction was one of the models of build
lngs of it's character in the west. 1t has
been a good investment, but with the in
crease in the membership of the lodges it
has come to be accepted as fact that the
present building is not suited to the re-
ouirements of the order and that a modern
lodge building, which will, probably, elm
mate all features except those necessary
for lodge work and assemblies, should be
erected as soon as the necessary funds can
be raised.
The present property of the Temple Craft
has Increased In value since II was bought
and could be disposed of, perhaps, at a
figure which would give the association a
good start toward the constructions of the
sort of a home the lodges desire 1t would
be easy to raise the rest of the money
either among the members of the order as
individuals or among the various societies
of the order But the Temple Graft Is con-
servative and 1t may be year or more pe-
fore any further advance is made In the
direction OF the new Masonic temple
The stockholders of the Masonic Home
will meet tomorrow at the office OF the
grand secretary, Francis e. White, In this
city. for the purpose of taking action look
ing 10 the establishment of a home. The
proposition for the purchase of home al
| Plattsmouth is about the only tangible
proposition so far discussed.
| Tho nrogram of entertainment of the
| tVventv-ninth annual session Of the I'm
nerial council Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine
| v,bicb will be at Saratoga Springs, N. "
| IuIv 7 to 10 inclusive, under the direction
| of Oriental temple of Troy, N. Y, has
been received The caravans of mobiles will
begin TO arrive July Z, the special train
| from Omaha bearing Imperial Potentate
Henry c. Akin. arriving at IL o'clock In
| the morning. Immediately after the ar
rival of the train there will be an Informal
reception and the imperial party will be
conducted to the United States hotel, which
| Will be headquarters huAiAb tiiO S''Si'ii
! From to IL o'clock that night there will
be n reception to the visiting women al
the Grand Union hotel. This reception will
be under the management of thirteeT
women, who will be in charge of the en-
tertainment of the visitors at the three
hotels, the United States, Grand Union anC
Congress Hall.
At 8 o'clock, July 8, the uniformed Arai
Patrols will form I'm line of march to escor
the imperial potentate from the United
States hotel to the Broadway theateT
where the opening session will be held a
10 o'clock. California will once more en-
tertain the mobiles, for beginning at
o'clock and continuing until 8, Al Malaikal
temple of Los Angeles will receive tn
delegates at the grand ball room of tn
United States hotel. At $50 ir the evening
, the illuminated parade will take place
Thursday afternoon the competitive dri
of the Arab Patrols will take place. an
that night there will be a progressive bal
. during which the participants will dane
} at all OF the hotels where balls are 4
progress.
. The new organ which the Masonic tempt
E Craft is placing in the large hall in IN
! building is almost complete and will b
e dedicated some time next month. tn
I electric motor which Is to furnish the powe
has not been installed, but some 0f tn