Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-06-15
GRAND LODGE IN SESSION
Grand Master Ballou Deplores
Taxing of the Temple.
Declares That DenevoIences Must he
Curtai!ed ACCOMPLISHMENTS Ma
sons in the Stnte Number 49,
1876 in 1903 Lodges.

Taxation Of the Masonic Temple in this
city, and the decision of the Supreme
Court of Vermont to the effect that such
taxation Is legal. was one of the topics
treated yesterday by Grand Master Henry
L. Ballou of Chester in his address be-
fore the annual communication of the
grand lodge of this State. In his discus
sion of this matter so long disputed, Mr.
Dallou said:
"The litigation which has been in pro-
gress for some years relative to tho taxa
ton of the temple was decided during the
winter by the supreme court In favor of
the city OF Burlington. The decision was
a disappointment, and a feeling of injus-
tice cannot but como to the minds of those
who understand why the temple was To-
Gated in this city. The brethren of Is
years ago were surely deceived. As true
Masons. however, we must obey the law
and suffer our benevolences to be curtailed
to the amount of the tax"
The routine of Masonic week was con-
tinued yesterday with the annual COM
r1unicaton of the grand lodge of Yer
mont, which was opened In the Masonic
Temple at ten O'Clock In the morning,
Grand Master Balou presiding. Tho at
tendance Of resident and visiting Masons
was about 200 In number. The session was
devoted principally to the addresses Of
Grand Master Balou and Grand Lecturer
David A. Elliott of White River juno
ton. Following these the usual business
was taken up. and the various matters
were referred to appropriate committees,
which held sessions during the afternoon.
The communication of the grand lodge
was adjourned at noon. to meet again
tl.is morning at nine o'clock.
In addition to his mention Of the taxa
ton Of the temple by the city Of Burling-
ton, as quoted above, the grand master
spoke in some detail in regard to the visi-
tations, dispense lions and work OF the
past year, and referred briefly to the trou-
bled times of half century ago when a
great war involving this entire nation had
ca st It's shadow also upon the members
and lodges of the order of Freemasonry
He also mentioned the dedication of the
rev Masonic Temple at Brattleboro, and
spoke with reference to the centennial of
the grand lodge of the District OF Column
hia In Washington last February.
Grand Secretary Henry II. Ross Of Bur
l'ngton. in an interesting report, said that
tie total membership of master Masons
in the jurisdiction of Vermont Is 1875,
distributed in 1903 subordinate lodges. In
spite of loss of PA members by death
during the past year. there has been net
gain of 204 in membership. In the past
year six lodges have reached the semi
centennial of their founding. and one
Pownal lodge, has surrendered its char
ter. Mr.. Ross also paid a brief tribute &c
the memory of the late Daniel S. Dan
forth of St. Adams, who died since the
annual communication Of 1910, and who
Vermont grand lodge.
MASONIC VETERAN ASSOCIATION
Last evening was devoted to session
of the knights of the Red Cross of Con-
stantine, which had been Unexpectedly
placed on the program, followed by the
annual meeting of the Vermont Masonic
Veteran association. Venerable Chief
Charles II. IIeaton presiding. The usual
business was transacted, and the follow
ing officers were chosen for the coming
Year:
Venerable chief-W. Scott Nay Of I'm
derlill.
Venerable associate chief-F'rank NJ
| Rood OF Poultney.
Venerable second associate chief
Frederick H. Harrington of Brandon
| Venerao ole treasurer-Chares A. Cal
derwood of st. Johnsbury.
Venerable secretary-IIenry II. Ross OF
Burlington.
Venerable chaplair-Alfred j. Hougl
OF Proctorsvlle.
Venerable marshal-Elroy E. Whitaker
| of Barre
Venerable sentinel-Don C. Pollard Of
Proctorsville.