Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-30
DECLINE TO INTERFERE
COMMISSIONERS PERMIT CON-
STRUCTION OF X. OF P. TEMPLE.

The Commissioners today declined to
officially interfere with the erection of the
proposed Knights of Pythias hall at 1912
9th street northwest, and the contractors
were authorized to continue the cOnstruc-
ton of the building. The decision of the
Commissioners was announced shortly af-
ter noon today at the close of a public
hearing on the question as to whether or
not the District authorities should revoke
the permit for the erection of the hall.
About a week ago property owners and
representatives of two churches in the vi
cinity of the proposed hall appeared before
the Commissioners and protested against
the erection of the hall, urging the Com
missioners to revoke the permit.
In order that both sides might be heard
in the matter a public hearing was set for
this morning at II o'clock. when members
of the Knights of Pythias order and the
DIRECTORS presented their arguments for
and against the erection of the building.
Among the Pythians present were John
w. Hardell, past grand chancellor, and
chairman of the Pythian Hall Association
and Past Grand Chancellors D. E. Weber
and A. ]. Cunning of the association, be-
sides the following representatives of the
Grand Lodge of the order in the District:
Grand Chancellor Thomas A. Bynum, H.
J. Gasson. grand keeper of records and
Wagner and Frank Fl. Hosford; Col Harry
Coggins of the uniform rank; Past Cham
cellor John I. Clark and w. A Kimmel,
the latter the contractor of the new temple.
F. u. Atkinson. the architect of the build
ing. was also present.
Those present in opposition to the erec-
efence to the charges against the order
president OF the board of trustees of Nc
kendree Church, and Philip Lederer, also
OF that church; Mrs Virginia w. Middle
ton, Drs. George and w. H. Heron proper
ty owners, and Attorney Clayton Emig,
representing DR.. Heron. F~...
Mr.. Cummings Statement.
Mr.. Cunning. the first speaker on behalf
OF the lodge, stated that the members of
the order had anticipated opposition to the
erection of the hall from protests which
had been made several years ago. The
permit for the construction of the hall,
however, has already been granted and
work has commenced on the structure, and
contracts involving an expenditure of about
$4,000 have been entered into. With ref
erence to the charges against the order,
with reference to its former hall, made at
the hearing held last week. Mr.. Cunning
stated that the laws of the order prohibit
the use Of wine or malt liquors at any of
Its banquets or in any of it's lodge rooms,
and that gamblers and liquor dealers can
not remain members of the order
Mr.. Cunning told the Cen missioners that
the order has about 600 900 members In this
country and that it is estimated that about
90 per cent of the members of Congress are
affiliated with the fraternity.
President Mckinley was a member of
the order" said Mr.. Cunning. land Mr..
Bryan, who perhaps aspires to be Presi-
dent, and who by some chance may be, Is
affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and
many other men of prominence are Pyth-
ians."
Commissioner Macfarland stated that
there is no question to the high char
acter of the order or of the high standing
of its members.
Mr.. Cunning also argued that it Is not to
be supposed that law-abiding citizens and
men of high standing, personally and Of
ficially, will consent to the use or renting
of the hall for Objectionable purposes.
Major Sylvester. he said. Is a member of
the order here. and. surely. the superin-
tendent of police would not allow the order
to the community. He cited instances in the
city where public halls are located In close
proximity to private dwellings and church
es. and which have not been complained
against
Mrs. Middleton told the Commissioners
that the neighborhood was considerably
disturbed several years ago by the noises
emanating from the temporary one-story
hall of the order which was then on the
site.
Free of Objectionable Features.
DR.. Weber declared that it would be the
hall free from any objections He stated
that the bowling carried on in the Y. NJ. C..
A. building constitutes a greater nuisance.
in his opinion. than anything that would be
carried on in the K. of p. hall. In closing
Dr. Weber presented a letter from Rev.
DIR. z. L. Hubbard. pastor of McKendree
NJ E. Church. in which the clergyman stat
ed that he does not doubt the high integrity
of the men composing the Knights Of
thof ho M yfoh IN, an
pose their purposes or antagonize them He
asserted his willingness to withdraw his
protest against the erection of the hall IL
the order will appoint committee to meet
with q committee from the McKendree
Church, to arbitrate any differences that
might arise in the future.
The Other View.
DIR. George Heron said that the order
applied for a permit to build lodge room.
and that 1t now proposes to erect a public
hall to be rented for public entertainments
He said it is to be presumed that dances
and other entertainments will be held there,
and he said he wished to protest against
the erection of public hall. and not
against the Knights of Pythias or the erec-
ton of building to be used as a lodge
room.
Mr.. Emig also disclaimed any Intention
of rejecting upon the standing of tine or
der. but said he feared the hall might be
rented to some club or other organization
which would serve liquor at its functions or
conduct noisy entertainments.
Mr.. Hosford in reply stated that he con-
sidered the standing of the order in this
city should be sufficient guarantee that
the proceedings In the hall will be proper
and orderly. and Mr.. Bynum also assured
the Commissioners that the order will care
fully guard against disorderly assemblies
and liquor drinking In the hall.
At the close OF the arguments Mr.. Mac
In ria nd NJ atet3 that the Commissioners r,eS,-
ognizing that the Knights Of Pyth.as IL =
highly respectable organization. do not an
ticipate that anything objectionable win
be carried or in the hall.