The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-12-19
LODGE
DEPRIVED OF
CHARTER
CONTINUED from FIRST Pase,)

tanning to the secret work of the order.
has never before been seriously ob-
Jected to, and Is, in fact, a common
practise throughout the country, many
newspapers printing Masonic depart
ments regularly, some of them filling
columns of space.
The suspended lodge cannot do bust
ness until its charter is restored. It
can do nothing except to appeal to
the grand lodge, but that body does
not meet until next April. unless Grand
Master McGregor reconsiders his dras-
tic action in the meantime. AS this
action Furnishes $50 men for alleged
violation of an edict they did not know
existed, 1t is probable that he will re-
consider his action.
Members of the lodge this morning
held several meetings to discuss the
situation, but they refused to give any
information regarding their plans. nor
would they make any comment on the
grand masters action.
When Grand Master McGregor was asked
by an EVENING STAR reporter for a
statement this morning he replied:
ut is none OF your business"
This was not said in any manner OF curt
ness. and he went on to explain that he
meant no impoliteness.
II trust that you will understand me-"
he continued. ~ merely var to impress
upon you that Masonic business is not a
matter OF public interest.
Asking me such a question is much like
lnquirlng of a priest as to the transactions
of the confessional. It would be none of
%your-thit is. the public's business.
Some time ago the Grand Lodge passed
a resolution d~eprecating publicity and
holding tina nothing dealing with lodge
matters should be made public, whether
routine, ceremonial or what not,
This resolution Is by no means new.
It has been lived up to all over the State,
except IN Essex County.
"You Won't find the papers of Hudson or
Union or any other county publishing the
result of lodge elections, or anything else
that belongs to the lodge or the order
alone. Th.re seems to be some men here
who are so proud Of being elected to IN
office that the first thing they do is to run
to the papers"
He was asked II there was less propriety
in publishing the list of officers elected by
a lodge than in publishing those of n
church or corporate ton, and il that wat con-
sidered a part of their secret work. when
even the ceremonial of installation Is
printed and can be read by non-Masons.
'It is not secret work, maybe" replied
the grand master, except in the sense
that all Is secret work. The ethics of the
order are opposed to publicity or ndver-
Using of any kind. In matters that effect
the public, like funeral ceremonies, laying
| OF corner-stones and lodges of sorrow, II
is all right.
1--WE are not to say that we are in favor
| of n. even then. but in these matters the
| public take more or less part, and are
therefore entitled to the facts IL they want
them.
''When 1t comes down to the business OF
pate, 1t Is none Of their business.
pate, it is one of their business.
Mr.. McGregor declined to discuss the
meeting last night, or the troubles that
have risen In Triluminar Lodge, or refer
to that organisation in any way. lie
spoke merely of the order as a whole, ana
| said he would esteem 1t a great favor, ofh-
| cially and personally, If the papers would
cease publishing Masonic news of any
kind.
An election of officers took place at a
meeting of Cosmos Lodge OF Masons last
night. but owing to the attitude of the
grand master, no list of the new officers
could be obtained today. Mr.. LeMassena,
i the retiring master, was seen, and ne
| referred the reporter to Deputy Grand
Master Henry A. Brous, saying that he
could not make the result of the election
puDnc WITHOUT perhi9Sioh AiV"i "eHSt q"
thority.
II am very sorry said Mr.. Brous. when
seen, but l cannot do it,"
He would not discuss the matter.
A Mason who is not n member of Tri-
luminar Lodge, said today:
Enforcement of this old edict will be
a serious blow TO the social side of ma
sorry, for publication of news of the
elections, entertainments. etc. has en-
couraged the Masons to contribute some
| positively interesting events for the en-
joyment of the Newark public.
at is likely that this subject will be
made an issue at the next meeting of the
Grand Lodge and advocates of a more
liberal policy will present their case. That
the edict has never before been enforced
shows that II was never regarded SER
iously."