The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-10-23
INTEREST C[NTERfD
IN ELECTION
FOUR ACTIVE MEMBERS CHOSEN
FOR THE SUPREME couN-
Gil OF MASoNS.

Washington. Oct. ss.-Interest in to-
days WORK of the supreme council
for the southern jurisdiction Scottish
Rite Masons ceatcred in the election
Of four active members to fill va
cancies created by death Grand
Commander Richardson this after
aeon. in consistorial session. conferred
upon William Hayes Laird. of Win
sona. Mimi. and Benjamin r.. Allen of
Nashville, Tenn. the insignia of the
order of the Grand Cross. This order
was conferred for distinguished serv
ice i'm the course of Scottish Rite
Masonry.
Another event of interest was tn.
recognition Of representatives Of other
supreme councils near the supreme
council for the southern jurisdiction,
all Of the 33rd degree Masons. active.
These representatives Of other Scot
fish Rite bodies were received by the
grand commander and asked If they
had any message to present to the
council Mr.. Moore. representing It
among the higher Masonic bodies of
that country.
About one year ago." he said
there was a schism in the ranks of
Italian Masonry, brought about by
the action of certain members of the
supreme council. who were also MEM
bers of the italian parliament. There
was pending In the parliament a bill
providing for non-sectarian schools
and an amendment was offered to the
bill. Eight members of the supreme
council voted against the amendment
and therenpon il was attempted to
discipline them for their votes.
Take Sides.
This mode of using Masonry in re-
lisious and political matters was dis
puted by the supreme council over
which Cheyalier Saverio Fera pre-
sides. and thcreupon several members
withdrew and took sides with the
grand orient of Italy. which is some
what active in the politics of the
kingdom. The supreme council recog-
nizcs by the supreme council for the
southern jurisdiction of the United
States, by its recognition nf today has
reaffirmcd the Masonic doctrine that
Masonry does not i'm any of its de-
srees interfere with the religious or
political convictions of any man."
a. {. Stewart, representing the SUI
premc council for Brazil. said he
brought love and greetings from Il
daughter recognizing the supreme
council for the southern Jurisdiction
as the mother council of the world to
which she pledged loyalty and fealty
This evning the S3rd degree honor
airy of Masonry was conferred upon
the following, among others:
Utah. j. II. Brown. salt Lake City:
Washington. w. $. McCrea, Spo-
kane.
The comforting Of this degree nccu-
pied three hours. 1t is looked upon
by Scottish Ride Masons as the highest
honor in Masonry with the single ex-
ception of being an active member of
the supreme council and by it's action
today was increased to IS by the cleo
ton of four new members. William
Bnsby Of McAlester. for Oklahoma:
John II. cowies. of Louisville, for Ken
lucky: Melville T. Grant Of Meridian
for Mississippi and Alonzo Chase
Stewart of St Louis for Missouri
These newly elected active members
will be crowned in executive session
In the house of the temple tomorrow
While the supreme council was In
secret session today DIR. +. ]. WOOL
man, Washington, ID. e.. acting junior
grand warden of the royal order of
Scotland. communicated the degree of
the royal order to the eight Masons
of high degree. including John w.
Howerth OF Dallas. Tex. and Henry
l.. Pittock. Portland, Ore.