The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-09
TrOWel of Washington
Used BY President
Roosevelt.
Great ThrOng Present
At Realization of
Aspiration.
eliminating Triumph
of Ten Years of
Effort.

Seldom have more impressive
ucenes been witnessed than those
which attended the laying of the
cornerstone Of the new Masonic
Temple yesterday afternoon at 8
o'clock.
The President of the United
States, himself a Mason, was pres
ent. and delivered the principal ad-
dress.
The trowel with which Grand
Master Woodman spread the mortar
upon the stone was that used by
President George Washington, a
Mason, at the laying of the corner
stone of the Uujted States Capitol,
I'm 1898.
President Roosevelt yesterday
afternoon, following the example Of
his illustrious predecessor. took this
same trowel and applied the mortar
three times TO the cornerstone.
The gavel used in yesterdays cere-
monies was also used by the Father
Of His Country upon the same mem
Orable occasion referred to, while
the Bible used in the ceremony was
the one use.l Dry Frede,s isburg
Lodge No. 4, when Washington was
made a Mason. President Roosevelt
gazed for some moments at the
scared and yellow pages of this his
toric book, published in 1865.
Gathering at Site.
Headed by the Marine Band the Ma
sons marched from the corner Of Tenth
and r streets yesterday at , o'clock TO
the south side OF tine Treasury build
ing, thence up 10 II street and thence
to the intersection Of New York avenue.
Thirteenth and n streets. the site Of
the new temple. Arriving al the covered
stand, upon which were soon assembled
the members Of the Grand Lodge. mem
bers Of the constituent lodges and visit
ing MasOrs. the ceremonies were open
cd by the appearance of President
Roosevelt. ten entire gathering rising
as the Marine Band began the Star
Spangled Banner at the entrance Of the
Chief Executive.
The Rev. Fred p. Williams offered
the Invocation. after which America"
was sung by the Masonic choir and a
number Of those present, President
Roosevelt joining in the singing.
Preliminary Ceremonies.
The Past Grand Master J. H. Small,
president of the Masonic Temple Assoc
citation. advanced and tied about the
waist Of President Roosevelt a white
apron, the emblem Of the Masonic fra
ternity. The cheering was prolonged at
this point, the President smiling happily
during this impressive little ceremony.
Secretary Loeb, who sat next to the
President was next presented with an
apron, and. after stepping back with A
smile as he viewed the result Of his
labors, Mr.. Small began his address.
and formally turned over the ceremonies
to Grand Master Francis J. Woodman.
Taking me historic trowel and gavel
in his hand. Grand Master WooIman
formally declared the ceremonies begun
As Grand Secretary Arvine ". Johnson
read the name OF the various articles to
be deposited in the cornerstone. Grand
Treasurer James A. Sample responded
Deposited" as, amid intense silence.
offerings enumerated in yesterdays
Times were placed in the vault.
Stone Declared Laid.
Then followed the ritualistic presen-
tation of the square, the plumb. and
level by Architect Woody to Grand Mas
ter Noodman. In turn the Grand Mas
ter presented the square to the deputy
grand master. the level to the senior
grand warden and the plumb to the Jun
lor grand warden. These in turn pre-
scented each instrument to different
portions Of the stone, and in response
to solemn inquiries pronounced the stone
perfect The grand master then said:
This cornerstone has been tested By
the proper implements of operative ma
sorry, and I ind that the craftsmen
have faithfully and siSiilfully performed
their duty I therefore declare the stone
to be well formed. true and trusty. and
correctly laid according to the rules of
our ancient craft May the AIl-bounte-
Gus Author of nature assist in the cree
ton and completion of this building
protecting the WOTkmen from every ac-
cident, and may He long preserve the
structure from decay
Amounting the Stone.
Grand Master Woodman was then
presented with a vessel of corn. a YES
sci OF wine. and vessel of oil. which
fGnuffnnpI on