The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-09-24
MASONIC GRAND I
COMMANDMENTS
Gen. Lawrence Steps Out TO Make
Way for Barton Smith-Rumors
of Friction Denied. !

There u no mystery In the resi6'
nation OF Gen. Samuel c. Lawrence
AZ most puissant grand commander
OF the supreme council. Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite Masons. TOR
the northern Jurisdiction OF the UNI
ted States, according to men high In
the councils Of the order.
Gen. Lawrence's resignation after
only two years tenure OF the ONCE.
which IL life position. came az q
surprise In the final session OF the
supreme councils present meeting,
Thursday afternoon. BY his action
Lieutenant Grand Commander Barton
Smith. OF Toledo. IL elevated to the
leadership. Rumors OF friction were
current In the Masonic temple follow
ing the announcement, but, rs far as
can be learned, these are without
foundation.
There may have been reasons for
Gen. Lawrences resignation Of which
| know nothing" said Frank 7. Lodge.
an honorary member from Michigan
OF the supreme council. Il do not
believe that Is the case. however. l
know that Gen. Lawrence has been
O great admirer OF Barton Smith.
Noio abO HS Ah0dC VIC pAVaA(bAOh ehas
some day Barton Smith would be
grand commander. and when Gen.
Lawrence succeeded to the position
two years ago. on the death or Judge
Henry l.. Palmer. OF Milwaukee, he
Immediately appointed Mr.. Smith
lieutenant grand commander In his
place. II may be that Gen. Lawrence
feels that he has had honors enough
and that he Is now simply making
way for a man whom he knows To he
competent In every way to discharge
the duties Of that high office. At any
rate. l feel confident that there were
no difficulties OF any kind"
Another surprise was the resigna-
tion Of Abraham T.. Metcalf. of Battle
Creek, the Oldest living active men,
Der of the supreme council from Mich
igan. Mr.. Metcalf gives as his rea-
son the infirmities Of age, which make
II difficult for him to>follow the pro-
ceedings as closely as he would like.
He wanted to make room for young
er and more active man, he said. His
successor will be appointed later.
Grand Commander Smith has not
named his successor as lieutenant
grand commander.
Gen. Lawrence, the retiring grand
commander, Is resident OF Medford.
Mass. and is distinguished figure
in eastern financial circles. He Is n
years old, and the possessor OF for
tune estimated at $15,000.000. He has
| a magnificent estate at Medford, CON-
| prising about 600 acres.
Barton Smith Is a corporation attor-
ney of prominence and Is chief coun-
sci for the Toledo Traction Co. He
has long been a leading figure In Ma
sonic circles.
The Michigan men nominated to
receive the honorary thirty-thfrd de-
gree next year are: Henry M. Leon
ard and Frank p. Wilcox, Detroit:
John A. Stewart, Battle Creek: c.
Henry Patterson. Jackson, and Cor
don Campbell, Calumet.
The Michigan men elevated to the
honorary list In the meeting Just
| closed are:
| Harry j. Walker, William II. Weth-
erbee. Carrot z. Peters, and John
Walker, Detroit: Charles A. Lippin.
cott Flint; George G.. Steketee. Grand
Rapids; James Cow, Muskegon !:
George F. Sinclair, Grand Rapids: Will
liam ID. Hitchcock. Alpena; Joseph c.
Herkner, Grand Rapids.
Honorary members elected to active
membership are: Thomas Kite. Gin
cinnau; Charles NJ. GARDENER. Bridge
port, Conn; Leroy A. Goddard, Chi
cago. and Charles c. Mumford, Provi.
| 6epce n