The Washington herald., 1911-02-21

annexation on the head with lew
plain words, and intirnated strongly
that members of the House who
had seriously considered the prop
Usition were actuated by motives of
political chicanery, in brief speech
at the banquet of the District of
Columbia Grand Lodge, F. A.
y. NJ, at the New Willard Hotel
iast night.
In addition, the President, in a
particularly happy mood, poked fun
at the dignity and deliberateness Of
the Senate. Being a Mason, and
therefore an optimist, he said he
hoped that body would, after due
consideration, properly consider and
promptly pass the measure laid be-
fore them. This, he inferred, was
the basis for any optimism he
might feel in regard to his legisla
ton in general, and the Canadian
reciprocity treaty in particular.
PRESIDENT CAME LATE.
The President who came late, arrived
\. hie Grand Master Henry S. Bridges, OF
-Iew Brunswick, Canada, was speaking.
and the latter's references to Canadian
reciprocity and the talk OF annexation
furnished the President with his theme
He plunged into the two questions imme-
diately he had gained his feet. and con-
fined his remarks almost exclusively to
the treaty. the annexation talk. and the
chances of the treaty passing the Senate
in regular session.
Mr. Taft let Speaker-to-be Champ
Clark, who first mentioned annexation in
the House, down softly, good-naturedly
ascribing his utterances as the dream of
q gentleman of high imagination. He
was less gentle with House members who
are charged with trying to kill the treaty
N the Senate by hanging a jingoism cam
Eaign on Mr.. Clark's remark
Il do not look forward to the an
neXation of Canada or the drying I'D of
the St. Johns River he said Neither
have l any Of those dreams that af1ict
gentlemen of high imagination. some of
whom are innocent in their flights and
others of whom have a little different
motive in their talk of territorial ag-
grandizement."
After telling Of previous trips and sum-
mers spent in Canada, President Taft
said he had come to know the Canadian
people, and also to know that they be-
lieve sincerely in their independence
and their future as an independent gov
eminent"
Compliments to the Senate.
Referring to the chances Of the reci-
procity treaty in the Senate, the Pres
ident dwelt humorously, and to some
length, on the deliberations of that body.
Sometimes" he said. ''it seems as
though they are too deliberate to reach
anything" But the President. remarking
that he was Mason. and, therefore. an
opttmist. allowed there had been acts
passed in the history of that body. and
that there had been measures acted upon.
But" said he, in a yelled threat at
extra sessioning." time passes, and "A
stitch in time saves nine.''
With the proud record of 100 years OF
progress and attainment behind it, the
District of Columbia Grand Lodge of
Masons ushered itself into a new CEN |
tury most auspiciously With what
President Taft characterized as the op- !
timism OF Masonry, when the last strains |
of the orchestra brought to a close the |
first centennial anniversary celebration. |
members Of the Grand Lodge and visitors |
lob MoSnT,fn
had prophesied even greater at
tainments for succeeding generations in |
the Grand Lodge and the affiliated blue |
lodges of this Jurisdiction than had
marked the first century of its existence.
Masonry at Its Best.
Masonry, which unites men of every
sect and opinion" was repre-
sented at its best, and the spirit which
moved the ancient Israelite sage. in the
midst of heated religious discussion, to
between thee and me, for, we are broth
ers." was typified in the spirit of the ac-
casion.
1t was a genial crowd that gathered
around the long tables in the big Willard
ballroom Ushered into a scene of ex-
decorative beauty-a yeritabIe
DOmSi VI lSiuSs STSSIlS, ana VarlCOlQred
cut fowers-the diners were in joviaI
mood from the beginning. The musical
numbers, by members of the Centennial
Quartet, orchestra, and instrumental solo,
lists, were encored repeatedly, the decora-
tons were : audibIy complimented to :
Brother ]. Henry Small, and the speakers
were heartily AID vociferously greeted
and applauded. When the President OF
The United States, whom Grand Master
KEEPER introduced as Brother William II
Taft" entered the room, he entered into
he spirit Of the occasion with evident
zest
Following the invocation by Grand
Chaplain j. Russell Verbrycke, E. st.
Clair Thompson, chairman of the CEN
ennial committee, opened the festiyi- ,
les with brief speech, in which he j
'aid the committee would discharge its {
ask mindful of 'the forgetfulness OF
he pleased and the anathemas of the
iispleased' in the craft. Mr. Thomp-
ion- hs8oTo Introducing the toastmas- /