The Washington times., 1912-04-11
PRESIDENT HELPS
|. LAY CORNERSTONE
OF NEW CLUBHOUSE
Full Masonic Ritual for Cere-
mony At New Home Of
University Club.

With the full Masonic ritual, the cor
ncrstone of the new home OF the UNI
versity club, at Fifteenth and streets.
was laid yesterday afternoon at
o clock, President Taft taking part in
the ceremonies. The President laid
tie first trowelful Of mortar, and deliv-
cred the principal address at the ex-
ercises, which were conducted by the
Grand Lodge, A. r. and A, NJ. VI the
District. A section Of the Marine Band
had escorted irst the Grand Lodge
and then the members OF the University
Club to the scene. Two hundred club
men marched from 'he old club houss
in Sixteenth street. circling in by way
or Vermont avenue.
Ems asmuch as this building is to be
used for the propagation OF sciencs
and learning, and secondarily as a
home for men engaged in scientific,
professional. and political pursuits. this
presence OF the Grand Lodge on this
occasion is fitting," said Grand Master
Ben ". Murch. nt the beginning OF
the ceremony.
The grand chaplain, the Rev. j. Rus
sell Verbrycke. then offered prayer, and
ITresthcnt Taft stepped forward the
| grand master handing him a new silver
trowcl. an inscription on which told
| of the use to which 10 was being put:
The President spread one trowelful OF
| mortar, returned tho trowel to the grant
| master anil then stepped back to his
dqnt OF the University Club Building
| Company. and Gardiner Williams, presi-
dent OF the club.
Box Inclosed.
A copper box containing the usual
articles was sealed up and laid on the
stone on which the cornerstone was to
drop, the copper box being so laid as
| to At a carved-out hollow In the de-
scending stone.
The grand lodge then went through
its ritual, testing the stone with square
level, and plumb and scattering corn
and pouring wine and oil on the stone
| of prosperity, refreshrnent, and peace
Colonel Parker then made brief ad-
dress, saying that the University Club
and its building company hope to add
more stories to the building in time to
come. Colonel Parker referred in COM
plimentary fashion to the President,
verging on political theme in declaring
that prosperity would be sure to follow
| the Presidents reelection. President
al have no doubt you noted as I
| noted, that the most worshipful master
sought TO justify the presence of the
grand lodge by finding. out q good mo
tive and a proper public motive for the
University Club. its existence. and this
building. ] am here with my knowledge
of the aims of the club TO assure the
grand master that here will. arise none
to question that they are properly here
for this purpose.
"a university club Is for the purposs
Of furnishing second home ,h 70 sni. uni.
thiest men OF the community, bct COM
hines and unites In It's membership men
OF good education. Of high ideals, OF
tatt. ~
Congratulates Club.
II congratulate the club on reaching
this epoch of its life. I am glad to be
one OF those who look upon this build.
ing, to cost S325. .OG0. and to say that we
were part of it, however small the con-
tribution we each were able TO make.
ed the President with a emile, thai
may be necessary for the continuance
and maintenance of the building prof.
Asinning of a new life for the club Of
greater usefulness, and may Goo
bless it and all It's members"
| Besides Grand Master Murch. the foi
lowing officers OF the lodge took par
Ut uty 'ns srsni S1de master: T. John. Newton
senior grand warden; alexander Grant
ston, grand secretary: j. A. Sample
grand treasurer: Thomas II. Young
| grand lecturer; ]. Russell Nerbrycke
Erand chaplain: ]. Henning Neims. as
, sistant grand chaplain; w. w. Jer
name, grand marshal: ]. w. Wilton
) senior grand deacon: Lem Towers; 1r,
Junior grand deacon; Joseph ii. Milans
, grand swordhearcr: j. Harry Cunning
ham grand pursuivant: Charles ]
O'Eiell. senior grand steward: Charlie
=. Coombs. Junior grand steward: War
rem c. Bickford, grand tiler: Aiber
F. Fox, Samuel r. Bend, and James A
, | NXetmore, grand trustees.