Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-18

What is regarded perhaps the most
notable gathering Of the Masonic fra
ternity ever held in Washington assem-
bled this morning at the House Of the
Temple, corner of Sd and E streets north
| west, when Sovereign Grand Commander
James d. Richardson, in due and ancient
| form, opened the biennial session of the
Supreme Council of the Ancient and Ac-
cepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for
the Southern Jurisdiction of the United
States of America. In addition to the
regular officers of the Supreme Council.
all Of whom were in attendance except
Grand Prior w. Frank Pierce of Cali
fornia and Grand Minister of State Rich
ard j. Num- of Savannah, Ga, the Su-
preme Council had its distinguished
guests Gen. Samuel Crocker Lawrence,
sovereign grand commander of the north
ern Jurisdiction, and his grand secretary
general. James Codding. together with
DR.. John M. Gibson. K. c., sovereign
grand commander of the Supreme Coun-
Gil of Canada, and his grand secretary
general William H. Ballard
The proceedings Of the Supreme Coun-
Gil are secret, but the reading of Sow
ereign Grand Commander Richardson's
allocution, which consumed the morning
hours of the session. was open to all
Scottish Rite Masons of the fourteenth
American Genius Lauded.
With other things the allocution re-
ferred to the superb triumph of Amer
ican genius and enterprise coupled with
American spirit and daring, which have
solved the mystery of all the centuries
since the creation of man. the discovery
and bringing to light of the northernmost
spot of the globe and the most useful
In, Iln nir1,,
full aerial navigation
These achievements said the grand
commander, add fresh chapters of glory
to the prowess of our country, already
university renowned for the invaluable
inventions Of her citizens. such as the
steamship, the telegraph, the electric
light, the telephone. the sewing machine
and the reaper, each epoch marking and
all supplying contributions to the worlds
progress and mans usefulness far be-
yond computation"
Referring to the commercial and finan-
cial depression which came upon the
country recently. the grand commander,
after recounting its Injurious effects, said:
Since that period the land has recuper-
ated. and We now meet as the harvest
grows ripe. The fruitful fields are plen-
teousiy responding to the magic-like
touch of the husbandman our Industrial
and economic conditions are vastly inn
proved and gratifying prosperity is once
again smiling upon happy and contented
people,
Mention was feelingly made of the death OF
distinguished members Of the order hero
and elsewhere, including Allison Nailor.
jr.. who was secretary-general of the Su-
preme Council at the time of his death
Tribute was paid to each in eloquent
terms NO less than five supreme coun-
ellis, he SAID. have suffered by the death
of their sovereign grand commander since
the last session.
Appointments Announced.
He announced the following appoint
ments as representatives of other SUI
preme councils near that of the southern
Jurisdiction of this Jurisdiction: Charles
F. Buck for Belgium. Adolphus L. Fitz-
gerald for Ireland, Henry c. Alverson for
Uruguay, former Senator Henry NJ.
ler for Colon. and for the Supreme
Council of the northern jurisdiction, Unit
ed States Of America: Admiral w. s.
Schley for Mexico. Ernest B. Hussey for
Canada, and ]. w. Cortland for Para
quay.
The total membership of Scottish Rite
bodies in the southern jurisdiction. he
said, is 3l.8S3. During the period since
his last report 5.441 received the four
teenth degree; ,469 the thirty-second de-
gree. in 1905 and 55s2 received the four
teenth degree. and 4.693 received the
thirty second degree in 1909. At the pres
ent time there are 409SD members in
Rose Croix, "a. .14S in Councils of Kadosh,
and 35OO5 in particular and grand con-
sistories.
An order was made. he said, February
TO- 1908. transferring the jurisdiction OF
the District Of Columbia to Inspector
General Charles E. Rosenbaum. 33d de-
gree and an agreement reached with
Sovereign Grand Commander Lawrence OF
the northern jurisdiction whereby the ex-
elusive jurisdiction heretofore exercised in
Scottish Rite matters over the army and
navy would hereafter be jointly shared
by the northern and southern jurisdic-
tions.
He highly commended William L. Boy
den. librarian. and Stirling Kerr Of this