The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-12-28
USED MASON'S NAME
DR." Riedel Arrested OH a
Fake Lodge Charge.
ASPIRANTS PAID $500 EACH
Police Raid Room in Home Life In
suranee Building Rented by Man
Hger G. W. Cave for Meetings of
"BricISlayers-M UniOn- - c-
cuseG Man Arrested Last March.

Alexander p. Riedel was arrested last
night on charge of obtaining money under
false pretenses. The specific accusation
| is that he conducted a fake Masonic
lodge in this city
! A raid was made on a lodgeroom, occu-
pied by Redel, in the American Home
Life Insurance Building, last night and
eighteen alleged members" of the or
ganization were taken into custody. This
number, il is said comprises less that
half OF the membership.
/ Riedel was put under 5000 bail. and as
he was unable to obtain il up to a late
hour last night, he spent the night in
the Sixth Precinct Station House
Wanted Room for Fridays.
'Dr." Riedel, as he calls himself. ap-
piled TO the manager Of the American
Home Life Insurance Company. G. w.
Cave, for the use Of a room in the building
on Friday nights about month ago. The
building is located at Fifth and G streets
northwest. He stated. Mr. Cave SAYS.
that he was president OF the "Bricklayers-
Masons Union" and wanted the room
to use for union meetings
Some time after this. Cave says. he was
approached by members or Masonic or
ders in this city. OF which he is also a
member. and was told a fraudulent order
was being conducted in the building
Cave investigated, and says he found the
statements true. Then ne notified the DO
! lice.
The statement that entrance to a Ma
sonic order was so easy attracted many
men, and they paid the initiation fee
/ Last night sixteen more men. with s.
bills in thelr pockets. assembled in the
'1odgerOom" and waited for the cere-
monies to begin. Before the opening ex-
| ercises had proceeded far a knock on the
door was heard. When il was opened. in
walked a big person. surrounded by a
gTuf voice, who said in the best Sherlock
Holmes style: 1t Is a pleasant evening
I gentlemen. You are all under arrest"
A panic followed. Everybody in the
room made for the door. windows, and
I fire escape. But at the door were those
guardians OF the peace-Detectives Evans,
Hartigan. and Mullen.
G. W. Cave. manager of the building
3. F. Locraft. clerk of the District
court, and J. H. Cation We're nearby.
The panic suddenly ended. As meek
as the lambs of Wall street, sixteen men
under the care Of six other men wendell
their way TO police headquarters. With
them was DR." Alexander p Riedel
Arrested Last March.
The men were taken before Sergeant
Carter, who Immediately recognized
Riedel as a man who was arrested last
March. The police say Riedel was ar
rested for conspiracy. and the case is
now pending, Riedel being out on bail
Riedel is said to have admitted to the
police that he had initiated nearly
thirty members in his lodge, and first
five paid s.. and the rest so each.
Riedel. the police say. called his or
ganization the Free. Ancient and Ac-
cepted York Masons, Union No. L."
Most Of the members Of the lodge still
believe they are members of a real order,
or that the secrets Of the Masons have
been revealed 20 them. but Masons de-
clare this is not true.
The members OF the lodge were released
on their rec0gnizance. but viii be sum-
moned at the trial as witnesses. G. W.
Cave. who IS a Mason, says he has rea-
son to believe Riedel has been working
the game in other cities
A gaVel. two or three robes OF a cheap
sort, ballot box, and some alleged fake
Masonic literature were found in the
room. sword was also found.