Arizona republican., 1906-04-15
WITH MASONIC
 HONORS LAID
Cornerstone of a Capitol
 Annex
The Ofice Building of the HouFe Of Representative is Most AuSpi- ciOusly Begun.

Washington, April 14.-The laying of the corner stone of the office build ing for the house of representatives with solemn Masonic ceremonies this afternoon was made notable by the presence of the president of the United States and many of his cabinet, by the supreme court, by representatives of foreign governments, by congress and q large proportion of Washing tons population.
 The day was ideal for such an inn pOrtant ceremonial and without so much as even a trifling delay the im- mense stone which occupied the north east corner of the building was placed in position with the ancient ceremon- ies of the Masonic faith.
 Great attention had been paid to the care and comfort of the thousands who were accorded an opportunity to witness tce exercises.
 Flags and bunting were everywhere. Stand after stand was provided. and high above all the other places was the presidents box overlooking the capf- tol plaza. and fronting the great white capitol building on the west and the library of congress on the east. Palms and growing plants were there and the faint touch of the new green Of
 
 green of the plaza made an inspiring picture. To this add the rich dress Of hundreds of Knights Templar with their waving plumes and the subdued costumes of the Masons with their lambskin aprons and white gloves. the scarlet uniforms of the marine band and the blue of the United States en- gineer band and the picture is com plete.
 President Roosevelt, accomnanied by his members of his cabinet and escort ed by the office building commission. Speaker Joseph G. Cannon. Represent ative w P. Hepburn of Iowa and ex- Representative James D. Richardson of Tennessee, arrived comparativeIy early. When the president came into view of the immense audience. a roar of kindly welcome greeted him. Inn mediately after the arrival of the president, the senate of the United States with Vice President Fairbanks at their head, entered the stand re- served for them, followed by a large membership of the house of represent atives. Vice President Fairbanks took seat to the left of the president. and his presence, too, was loudly indicatel by the assemblage.
 A large number of ladies were on the presidents stand. among them be- ing Mrs Roosevelt Mrs. Nicholas Longworth Mrs COwles, sister of the president, and Mrs Fairbanks.
 Upon the arrival of the grand lodge of Masons If the District of Columbia. with Walter A. Brown, grand master. at their head, the ceremony of laying the corner stone began.
 A Theoretically sealed copper box containing an inside copper box was placed in position so that the stone would completely envelop it. The box contained numerous articles; books. pictures, autographs, etc.
 As tho stone was lowered on its foundation, the marine band played an intermeZzo from Cavaleria Rusticana. The corn, wine and oil were then Tn turn poured upon the stone by the grand master according to ancient custom, while an octette of male voices chanted
 Walter A. Brown then delivered his address. An instrumental selection followed, and then the president and speaker of the house of representatives entered the presidents box. Their an pearance was greeted with round after round of applause. Without so much as waiting for the applause to cease the speaker, waving his hand to siI- ence the audience. said: "Citizens: Ii IS my privilege at this time to intro duce to you one who needs no intro duction-Theodore Roosevelt presi- dent of tha United States"
 The president was in splendid voice and throughout the address hearty and long continued applause greeted his words.