Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-02-23
Closing scenes In the Notable JASON. masohic
Gatherins-Grand Banquet tefmin-
.tes tbe celebration Of Washingtops
nJrfhday.

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| Alexandria Washington Lodge o
Masons and the George Washington Na
ii nal Ms 80 tic Memo rial Association
which, was formed in this city or
Tuesday went on pilgrimage to Mount
Vernon in special trains after yes
to-day afternoon and placed wreath
mon the tomb Of Washington. Inc
trim was made without incident, ano
mon their return the association 70
paired to Alexandria Washington
Lodge room where they became the
guests of that historic body.
About FIVE O'Clock the members OF
the lodge and their visitors repaired to
the Elks' Hall, where they were 10 re-
ceive President Taft and where the de-
gree team OF Michigan vas to confer
the Master Mason's degree upon Will
liam H. Pettus, OF Petersburg, stu
dent at the Episcopal Theological Semi
nary.
A large crowd OF mon, women ana
children had in the meantime gathered
in front OF the Elks' Hail for the pur-
pose OF seeing the president. About
$50 O'Clock the palace car Mount YER
non arrived in front Of the hall. Presl-
dent Taft, accompanied by Senators
Martin and Swanson, Representative
Carlin, Capt. A. W. Butt, aid to the
president and others. President King
and Superintendent Cliff, of the cleo
trio railway, were also on the car.
When President Taft alighted he was
greeted with an outburst OF applause.
to which he responded by raising his
hat.
Upon entering the hall the president
received an ovation from the members
of Alexandria-Was hington Lodge,
Andrew Jackson Lodge and the visit
ors from tho several grand jurisdic-
tians OF the United States. He was
welcomed il an appropriated address
by Worshipful Master Callahan and
the president made suitable re-
Spouse.
The lodge subsequently resumed
labor and the introduction OF the can
didate followed, the work having been
turned over to the Michigan MasonS.
The members OF the Michigan team
we're evidently at their best, and the
degree was conferred in q most i'm.
pressivc and dramatic manner, ana
the proceedings from The beginning
to the end were witnessed and listened
to with the closest attention. The
electrical feature was perfect, rs was
the lecture.
II was about $50 O'Clock when the
last feature OF the initiation was COM
pleted when the president held an IN.
formal reception and was introduced
to most of those present whom ne
cordially greeted.
Worshipful Master Callahan then
directed the company to repair TO tho
west gate" (Armory HalD where the
banquet had been prepared. IN, a
short time the lodge and the visitors
we're at the tables, and after the COM
papy had teen called to order by the
worshipful master, who asted as toast
master, Rev. w. J. Morton, OF Christ
Church, invoked blessing.
Tho hall had been beautifully and
tastefully decorated. and life SIZE
picture OF George Washington was in
the east, suggesting to the assemblage
that while absent in the body, the
father OF tho country was present IN
spirit.
The banquet had been prepared by
ladies-wives, aud daughters and
sisters OF Masons. They were attired
| in colonial costumes, and it was the
concensus Of opinion that more en-.
ioyable banquet had never been pre-
pared in Alexandria nor had guests
ever had more attention paid them.
There we're no luls in the service, the
wishes Of the guests being anticipated
and a fair waiter seemed to be Away:
at every elbow furnishing the rlands
with remarkable alacrity. The follow
ing was the menu:
| Lynnhsvens Celery Radishes
Olives Sailed Almonds Midget Pickle:
Pattie Terrapene. Ia Maryland
| Cold Roast Turkey Cranberry Sauce
Old Virginia Ham Cold Tongue
Lobster Mayonase Chicken Mt Vernon
| Oranges Bananas Malaga Grapes
Ice Cream Assorted Cakes
Roquefort Water Cracker!
! Cafe Noir Fatlmas
Washington Perfectos
The feast had continued until 9:3(
O'Clock, when Worsbiplul Master
Callahan called the company TO order
and after formally welcoming thu
guests stated that as President Taft va:
compelled to return to Washington
early, bis excellency would be i'm
mediately introduced.
The President arose amid much
applause, the company rising anc
sending forth many hurrahs. Mr.
TAFT never appeared to be more \
home in any gathering, and be cyl
IDENTIFY enjoyed the company as muel
as any in which he has found himsel
! since President Of the United States
He srase with q bread srn!ls en- hi
teee, aad his weriasvers uttered !a .
marprr whieh evidenced the satisfaction
) hs espstseHeed In beins ameng AlsH
andria Masops.
He began by addressing The com
pany as brethren, and, CHANGING at tn
bevy OF heavy in colonia! attira, h
! added and sisters" which brough
forth hearty laugh from all present
Continuing Mr.. Taft said:
1t is great pleasure to come TO tb
city OF Alexandria aud find such We
! come, because ! do not deserve it,