The Washington times., 1906-07-08
Washlngton'S Big Roll of
Men Belonging to Fra
ternal Organizations.
GAINS IN RECENT YEARS
Percentage of Growth In
Last Decade Exceeds All
Former Periods.


Fifty thousand active members,
organized into nearly 40G lodges or
councils, with over zoo scheduled
meetings each and every month, or
an aggregate of nearly $500 meet
i1fgs a year, is the showing made
by fraternalism in the District of
Columbia.
The annual budgets of these or
ganizations will run into the hun
dreds of thousands of dollars, the
rent item alone figuring about $751;
600, which deducting for the cost of
light, heat, and ianitor service, rep
resents a liberal return on an in
vestment of over S1,0OO,OOO. Added
to this is the charity account. which
would double these figures, while
further increase would be found in
the items of salaries, supplies, as
sessments to the grand and supreme
bodies, and the many other items
that are to be considered in the ex-
pense list of all such bodies.
Widespread Influence.
But by far the most interesting feature
Os the subject is the influence exerted
throughout the city by fraternaI organi-
cations, an influence that, directly or In
directly, finds its way into practically |
every home, with results second only 10
those emanating from the church itself. |
Indeed. in at least some Of the lodges OF
the city there are those who contend
that the results attained compare most
favorably with these prevailing in Inc
leading houses OF worship OF this or
other cities.
While an extremely small proportion Of
the orders profess or permit expression
of religious views, there are practically
none OF them but that acknowledges the
sacredness Of the Bible and gives effec-
tive recognition to its teachings. The
practical virtues are especially urged
upon the minds of applicants for honors
and members alike and are never lost
sight Of.
The building Of this mammoth ma |
chine has been the work OF over a CEN /
tury and has enlisted the cooperation /
B of the foremost minds in the cOuntry's 4
history. From the time when the first |
Masonic lodge was instituted, when /
there was a Pennsylvania avenue only /
upon paper and wheA the turning of the /
first spadeful of earth in tho construc- |
tion OF the great building that crowns |
Capitol Hin, was still to be looked for |
ward to, until today when all Of the |
great orders Of the world are repre- /
sented in WashlngtOn's population. and /
when several of these organizations /
have in contemplation the erection OF /
homes that viii outdistance in artistic /
merit, If not IN actual estimated value, /
the one that was then planned for a 4
nation. the growth of fraternaIism has /
been healthful and continuous
Rapid Strides in Recent Years.
1t has remained. however. for the last
decade to see the greatest progress in
every branch of development. IN that
period the greatest activity has pre-
vailed and 10 many orders the member
ship has been doubled in that time.
Many other orders that now number
their members by the thousands were
then unheard Of
This abnormal increase has occas-
ioned no inconsiderable Inconvenience
in the housing of all bodies and 1t is
today difficult for a lodge or council to
find quarters that will in any way meet
not hesitate TO pay a liberal rental for
quarters a committee that was appoint
ed some months ago to arrange for a
more satisfactory meeting place is still
endeavoring TO locate. There are but
few buildings that are suitably fitted
up for the purpose and with these there
Is never a vacant night
For many years Masonic Temple and
Odd Fellows Hall offered satisfactory
quarters for outside bodies. but the re
cent growth Of these orders has rendered
their available space inadequate to their
own needs. Pythian Temple gave prom
Use Of relief, but all Of the halls In this
modern building are now taken and still
there is but little Improvement in the
situation.
Another difficulty that is by no means
uncommon is the lack of available ma
terial to properly officer the lodges. The
work OF practically all of the orders re-
quires considerable time and study and
in this practical work-a-day world where
time Is money there are comparatively
eW men OF sufficient ability 10 accept
ably hll the offices that feel that they
can afford the time. Where they are
induced to undertake the work il is too
often at an actual loss 10 the order, as
following a year of constant attendance
n fulfilling the duties of the office they
more constant scrutiny and their alb
gence Is soon 20 be regretted.
Some Good Individual Work
But in distinction from these men
there is large class who have so identi-
rcd themselves with their orders as TO
become generally known as fraternal
workers. 1t is 20 these men that the
phenomenal growth Of recent years can
he attributed.
Some Of them have. on several Occa-
slons. made records for themselves by I
having classes of fifty or a hundred
Initiated At a single meeting. and by
equally a effective work within the
councl chamber among the regular
members. These men like other cher .
ished possessions. however. are far too J
few and bright man of ability and ad- I
dress will find a hearty welcome from }
any OF the orders if he is willing to
work. IL