The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-18

With the impressive Masonic service.
 the formal laying of the corner stone of
 the new temple of Ensley lodge No. 560
 was held yesterday afternoon in the pres
 ence of large concourse of Masons and
 their friends.
 The grand lodge had charge of the cere-
 monies and the beautiful and impressive
 ceremony was conducted by R. M. Cum
 ningham as grand master. Following the
 exercises Dr. Cunningham addressed the
 gathering in a brief speech. exponding
 the principles and objects of Masonry in
 most comprehensive manner.
 Twenty-six lodges were represented at
 the laying of the cornerstone, a number
 of grand lodge officials being present. as well as visitors from other states. Those taking part officially in the exercises were
 Dr. R. M. Cunningham as grand master, Ben M. Jacobs as deputy grand master, F. A. Hewitt as grand senior warden, Walter Dean as grand junior warden. Sam C.. King as grand treasurer. w. T. Coch- ran as grand secretary, w. l.. Clark as grand marshal, Charles o. Oxnam as grand chaplain. Sam M. Blake as grand senior deacon, Joseph M. Lower as grand junior deacon, F.. J. Jones as grand se-
 
 steward and James Bauer as grand tyler. The new home of the Ensley Masons is a splendid two-story structure of red pressed brick, located at Avenue E and Twenty-third street. The building will soon be ready for occupancy. The lodge rooms are located on the second floor and the ground floors will be used for bus
 mess purposes A joint committee from the Merchants
 Protective association of Ensley and the Retail Grocers' association of Bessemer will have a conference with George Cor don Crawford, president of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company, at his office Friday. As 1t is reported that Mir. Crawford is doing jury duty this week. 1t , may be possible that the conference will
 not take place at the appointed time for l that reason.
 There has been no intimation of what may be done at the conference, but the business men of both Ensley and Besse- mer feel that an amicable adjustment may be reached as to the present check sys- tenn. The matter has been very live issue with the merchants of Ensley for some time and the business interests of the city seems to think that the meet l ing will bring about some change in the
 matter
 Good congregations continue to meet I Dr. J. D. Simpson at the First Metho- dist church, where he is conducting a series of sermons this week. Interest in l the meeting Is growing and Dr. Simp- son is preaching some strong and con- vincing sermons. Special music for the
 meeting has been arranged and is one of the strong features of the meetings. l Enoch lodge No. 57, Knights of Pythias,
 of Pratt City, continues to have some very interesting meetings. At their meet 1 ing last evening two new members were | given the rank of knight. The home com l ing meeting that will take place on Oc- | tober 90 will be one of the most attrac- 1 tive affairs that this secret body has at l tempted in some time. The committee on arrangements has about completed the programme and will be ready for re- port at the next meeting of the order. l The work of installing arc lights on those corners where crossings of the Tide water and Birmingham Railway Light and Power company car lines exist is now l in progress. These lights were requested
 of the commissioners by the Ensley ciut