The Washington times., 1906-04-14
CORNERSTONE LAID
WITH IMPRESSIVE
MASONIC RITES
Notable Ceremony at the
New House Office
Building.
ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT
Cabinet, Supreme Court.
Diplomats, and Congress-
men Attend.

$A <sttNilO-
The Grand Lodge Of Masons ~ -.
District Of Columbia laid the cor,e-.
stone Of the new House OF Rep-Ase-.s-
tiYes Office building this afternoon AZ
2-3O o'clock q
mere were present at the cerer,o,ga.
Che president Of the United States tbs
speaker or the House, the Cabinet ths
supreme Court, members OF the House
etllo senate, foreign diplomats. ana a
sreat concourse Of famous Masons ana
cltlzens Of the District OF Columbia
speeches were made by the Pres,-
dent and by the Speaker Of the House
IN the air were the strains az IT,
United States Marine Band Ahor+ 49,
spot on top OF Capitol Hill. where nov
stand the foundations OF the building
was scene 10 NIL the eye. Hundre5s
d Aasons. IN their familiar uniforms
STOOD about the cornerstone. The Ma
e-OH greatest men stood by with
Oaieu heAos, while in the near back
ground were the highest ladies az IT,
land giving a touch OF color 70 +he
tableau
With the historic gaveI used II.
years ago by George Wasbfnpton 3,
laying the cornerstone Of the Can,+oI
building. only few yards from tbs
present ONCE site. Grand Master
W aiter A Brown. Of the District Gra73
LOdge OF MasOns. struck the marble
O1Och' the cornerstone, three times
and pronounced II well and truly IaI5
Then followed the addresses by the
PRESIDENT Of the United States ana TIE
Speaker Of the House
Preceded BY an Imrosino par.5.
Preceding the ceremonies AZ tba si..
OF the Office building there vas a s-s-S
shtter1ng parade Of all the Masons az
The District from Tenth and + streA.s
20 the top Of Capitol Hill This i'm
pTesslFe march began at 30 o'clock and
went along Tenth street to Pennsylvania
avenue. down the Avenue 20 First street
west and along that street 70 the north
side Of the Capitol grounds From
thence the parade moved along 20 the
east front Of the Capitol and 10 First
street east and B street south
II was an Inspiring sight, the Knights
Iemplar mounted and in full Uniform.
the Blue Lodge MasOns with their white
aprons and white gloves marching on
foot. the whole Of the Districts flower
or Masonry IN one long. steadily advanc-
ing line Their march was witnessed
by thousands OF the people OF Wash
ington.
A Solemn, Impressive Ceremony.
At the Office site. which is the entire
square southeast OF the Capitol grounds.
ali was orderly and devoid OF confusion.
It was one Of the most impressive. sol
enn events witnessed IN Washington in
many years
At 2;SO Grand Chaplain D. W SkeIlen-
ger invoked the divine blessing. then
Elliott Woods, superintendent Of the
Capitol building and grounds, and under
whose supervision the present structurs
is being erected. made a brief address
He is member Of Federal Lodge, the
one OF which George Washington was
master when he laid the Capitol corner
stone. Mr.. Woods presented Grand Mas
ter Brown with a silver trowel. the gift
Of the District Sons Of the American
Revolution The grand master In receiv-
ing 1t explained the use TO which II was
to be put, ITO spread the cement 10
unite the building in a common mass
outlining the symbolism OF the instru-
ment.
Placing the Stone.
He then turned It over to the stone
masOns. who, after devoting IL 70 the
practical use designed, lowered the cor
nerstOne into position, dropping il over
the bronze box, in which had been placed
various mementos OF the occasion. Su-
perintendent Woods next presented 10
the grand master the implements Of his
craft-the square, level, and plumb.
These were given in turn TO the proper
officers Of the Grand Lodge. who tT71ed
the stone.
then handed the grand master vessel
Of corn This was scattered over the
bespeaking The continua-
ton OF prosperity and manifold bless
Ings." Senior Grand Warden A B. Cool
idge then presented a vessel OF wine.
which the grand master poured over the
stone. so that it might Prosper all un-
dertakings, inspire wisdom and virtue"
Next came Junior Grand Warden Henry
X Simpson with a vessel Of oil. which
vas also poured out. that Health, pros
perity, and peace may pleuteously
abound throughout the length and
breadth of the land"
The grand master, then, in a clear
7Oice. cOnsecrated the edifice and
struck the stone three vigorous blows
With the gavei, which was followed by
he singing Of the National Anthem
Just before the stone had been placed,
Grand Master of Masons Walter A
Brown, in charge OF the Masonic feat
lres of the program. spoke Of the SOL
emn obligation of that organization 10
lid in the erection OF public buildings
whenever called upon to do so.
These ceremonies" he said which
rcu have witnessed, have come down
% US from time immem0rial. In this
temporal building about to be erected
We have proved the chief cornerstone &c
De well formed true. and trusty. This