The Washington herald., 1908-02-13
SEEK TO STOP RAID
American MaSOns" Ask In
junction Against Police.
MAJOR SYLVESTER IS CITED
Federation Organized Under Laws
of Idaho. Which Instituted Union
Lodge in Washington, Wants 10
BE Let AIOne-TriaI of the Two
Organizers Is Sun Pending.

To enjoin and restrain Maj. Sylvester.
major and superintendent OF police, from
raidlng an alleged Masonic lodge during
its meetings. and from otherwise inter
fering with it, suit was filed yesterday
by members of the lodge in question.
This suit grows out of the arrest OF
A. p. Riedel and Harry F. Kennard in
this city on March 22 last. on a charge
Of soliciting members for American Fed
Grafton degrees at so each. which. the
police claim was obtaining money under
false pretenses.
After their arrest both men were re-
leased on bond. Kennard stayed in the
city and was present when the case was
called for trial. Riedel left the jurisdic-
ton, and in May was located in Phila-
deIphia and brought back.
The trial was held in the Police Court
in December. Kennard was a govern
ment witness
The jury disagreed. Riedel was re-
leased on bond pending a second trial.
Court Orders Answer.
The petition filed yesterday for an in
junction against Mai. Sylvester and Capt.
Boardman. inspector. and assistant su-
perintendent Of police, is signed by \. p.
Riedel. Fred c. Schwartz, Abram Her
man. Herman c. ZoeIler, ana Morris
GarfnkIe.
A rule was signed by Justice Gould
requiring Mai. Sylvester and Capt. Board
man to show cause on February p why
an injunction should not be issued re-
straining and enjoining them from raiding
and otherwise interfering with the de-
/ llberations Of the lodge which Is desig-
mated as Union Lodge. No. l. of the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Ma
/ sons"
/ The petitioners state that they bring the
suit in behalf Of themselves and other
members Of the lodge who may desire 10
participate in the benefits thereof
! The petitioners set forth that on De
/ cember %, 1867, they formed Union Lodge,
/ No. J. under the authority. supervision.
/ and jurisdiction Of the grand officers OF
/ American Masonic Federation a cor
| poTatiOn under the laws OF the State OF
\ Idaho. operating, supervising, and con-
I trolling lodges similar IN character "a
/ Union No !. in the various States Of the
/ Union They allege that the national or
ganizatiOn OF the American Masonic
/ Federation is of long service. we'll and
/ generally recognized over the United
\ States and In foreign countries, with
many existing lodges.
BodEeroOm Rafded.
After the lodge was organized here, it
/ is stated. a room was rented in the Amer
/ lean Home Life Insurance Association
! building, Fifth and G streets The lodge
/ started 10 carry on business. but Mai Syl-
vester and Capt Boardman, through their
| subordlnates on the police force, inspired
/ by malicious and false reports and allie
I cations OF evil-disposed persons, It is de
clared, unlawfully and with force raIded
/ the assembled lodge and placed under ar
/ rest various members. finally holding Rie-
I del under SI.o00 bond 10 appear IN the
/ Police Court upon certain charges Of H.
! legal conduct which have not yet beer
specified.
It is alleged that il is the intention Of
the police TO again raid the lodge. In
junction is asked to prevent this contem-
plated raid
Mai. Sylvester and Capt Boardmau
/ through Corporation Counsel Thomas
viii make a comprehensive reply 10 III,
petition and advance their reasons why
an injunction should not be granted.