Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-05-06
THE A. o. U. w.
Troubles Of Massachusetts Lodqe Aired
in the Courts.

Boston. May 5.-The Herald says
today:
Inc case of the rival boards of Off
GERS OF the Massachusetts, Grand Lodge
A. y. L. W., was concluded in the su-
preme court before Judge Lathro1
yesterday afternoon. Ten days wera
allowed for filing briefs, and a decision
may not be rendered until June. The
Grand Lodge, with John Simonds. the
new grand master workman, at its
mead, seeks mandamus against Car
ian A. Brown and others of the old
board, to compel them to relinquish
Office. An effort is also on foot to dis
solve connection with the Supreme
Lodge, which Is a Texas corporation.
and. it is said. seeks to hold the sub
ordinate bodies to close financial and
other allegiance.
For the petitioners, Moorfield Storey
and Z. r. Taylor appeared; for the old
| officers and the Supreme Lodge, A. L.
Pillsbury. ]. II. Casey AMI L. H. Water :
man, and also II. G.. y. Sleeper.
p. ]. Finlay, the y. o. u. w. stem
lographer, of Cnarlestowii, said he was
present at the meeting when Mr.. ST.
.nonds moved the resolution to abandon
the payment of contributions to the
Supreme Lodge. At the later sessions,
on Feb. % and "a, he was also present.
When the supreme master made the
announcement everybody rushed to-
ward the platform. Some one cal!el
out: Officers elected, take your seats:
The next thing he saw was Mr.. ST.
r1nnn1s taking Mr.
stallation never had been dispensed
with until that time
Carlan A. Brown, grand master work.
man of the old board of officers, testi-
fled that all circulars of the lodge were
required to have the approval of the
grand master workman. This was the
rule of the supreme lodge.
Mr.. Storey objected. saying that tho
supreme lodge, n Texas corporation
had nothing to do with the Massachu-
sets members.
Mr.. Brown. continuing, said that
when the supreme master workman re-
fused to install the new officers the
grand lodge members remained quiet
for a moment. Then there WAS a rush
for the platform. Mr. Currie. a MEM
Der. nominated Mr.. Simonds as chair
man and declared him elected. He was
then assisted by his friends to the plat
form. Mr.. SimondS took his chair. In
about 10 minutes his party left and
went to another room in the same
building where business was proceeded
with. recess was taken subject to his
call, according to the rules. Witness
knew of no authority authorizing the
claimants to use the name of he
Grand Lodge i'm the present proceed
ings.
Charles c. Fearing, the claimant for
the Office of grand recorder. testified
as to the issuance of the circulars in
regard to meetings. etc. He had re-
ceived 4 notice of his suspension from
tho supreme lodge.
John Simonds. on behalf of the pc
titioners, said he was present at the
meeting when Supreme Master Work
man Miller refused to install the Off
GERS elected. In answer to n question
as to whether he received from the SUI
prcmc lodge 4 notice of his suspension,
Mr. Simonds said: Il received Il pa
pei purporting to be such. put in the
post office at Boston, and bearing the
mark of q lodging house in Cambridge
GERS, said: This controversy arises part
| ly out of the increased rates which were
| found necessary to keep the A. o. L. W.
| order solid. and partly out of the Guaran-
| ~ fund arrangement. which is Il scheme
for establishing Il central fund i'll the
treasury of tn supreme lodge for the
| relief OF any weak jurisdicton-a sort OF
| balance wheel of the whole system While
| 1t il true that Massachusetts has not had
| occasion to receive aid from the fund.
ittgst lt-al. 10 No IN
| need it. The agreement was made be-
| tween the grand lodge and the supreme
| lodge. The supreme lodge has Il right to
| enforce the guaranty fund agreement.
Mr.. Pillsbury maintained that the petit
| ton for mandamus should not be granted.
| moreover. as thu whole matter is now
| evident purpose uf Mr.. SimondS and his
| followers. he said. to do what the other
| suit WAS destined to prevent. lie con-
| cluded by emphasizing these points: The
| petition for mandamus ought not to be
| granted by reason of the pendency of
the federal suit; by reason of the fact that
have been suspended. and, moreover. it
| cannot be maintained in view of the fact
that there has been no appeal.
| Mr.. Storey. for the old board. said the
| Texas corporation made the .'nnonstrous
/ claim that il had the right to draw from
Il Massachusetts. corporation such sums
| of money as it chose. in the way of con-
tributions. and eNpend 1t as it pleased
| Last year, the assessment was doubled.
NO one" declared Mr.. Storey. would
consent to be thus plundered" lie fur
| ther contended that installation was not
| at all necessary to give validity to the
/ new board of officers Mere election by
ballot was all that was required. Con-
/ corning the proceedings in the federal
| court. he said they should lie regarded
as tentative arrangement The supreme
| lodge had exercised unwaIranted and ar
| bitrary power in suspending the Massa-
/ chusetts officers. Neither in its own con-
stitution nor in the statutes of the state
| justification he. fpuDI no S1iI