Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-11
TAFT ADDS PRAISE
President Lays Corner Stone
of University Club Home.
HIGH OFFICIALS ATTEND
Masonic Rites Carried Out by the
Grand Lodge of District.
BUILDING TO COST $685., 900
Foundations Already in Place.
Structure Will Be Completed
About October l..

With impressive Masonic rites carried
out by the Grand Lodge, F. A. A. M, of
the District of Columbia. President Taft
laid the corner stone of the new Univer-
! sity Club home, at 18th and l streets
northwest. yesterday afternoon. The
ceremonies We're performed in the pres
ence of many high officials of the federal
and District governments. and of several
hundred members of the club
President Taft had a personal salts
faction in spreading the mortar that was
to cement the. corner stone of the new
club home in place, for he was the first
president Of the club, and has been one
Of its stanchest supporters and most
optimistic friends.
Praises Objects Of Club.
And after assisting in the adjustment
OF the stone in its place in the corner he
spoke briefly in praise Of the club and it's
objects. saying:
| I'm listening to this interesting cere-
mony of laying the corner stone by the
| Grand Lodge have no doubt you noted,
as did. that the most worshipful master
sought to justify the presence Of the
Grand Lodge by finding out good motive
and a proper public motive for the uni
versity club, its existence and this build
ing. l am here, with my knowledge of
the membership. and with my knowledge
Of the aims Of the club, to assure the
grand master that there will rise before
him no one to question that they are
properly here for this purpose
| "A university club is for the purpose of
furnishing second home to university
men. University men have had in their
college careers, under conditions that can
| hardly be reproduced in after and serious
life, the benefit Of an association with
| In he mr. ro
OF their college or university course. which
| has affected their character, their life
| and their enjoyment Of life from that
| time on, and a university club is formed
| for the purpose of continuing. so far as
may be. the benefits and sweets Of that
| association.
For the Country's Benefit.
'"That is what this university club is
4 for. 1t combines not the wealthiest of
the community, but it combines and
unites in its membership men of high
| ideals. of good education, of patriotic
purpose, and of sane views. Therefore.
the most worshipful grand master is en-
| tirely safe in his assumption that the
the meetings of this club will always be
for the benefit Of the country and for the
| preservation Of our institutions.
| Il congratulate the club on reaching
this epoch in its life. 1 am glad to be
one of those who can look upon this
building. to cost $325.OOO, and say that
we were part of it, however small the
contribution that we each were able to
make to the building. and however large
the mortgage may be that may be neces-
sary for Its continuance and maintenance.
But. speaking with seriousness, I have no
doubt that this is the beginning of new
life for the club. Of a new usefulness, and
may God bless it and all its members"
Masonic Officers Taking Part.
Escorted by the Marine Band, several
hundred members of the club. who had
gathered at the present clubhouse at 18th
and streets. marched around to 10Th
and I streets, where the foundations for
the new home. are already in place. and
where the slender. but strong steel grid
ers are rising up to the heavens. There
they joined the officers of the Grand
Lodge, F. A. A. M. Of the District of
Columbia. President Taft arrived with
in few minutes.
| Besides President Taft on the speak
ers platform were Gardner F. Williams.
present president of the club: Myron NJ
Parker, chairma nof the building commit
| tee; Secretary Charles D. Walcott of the
Smithsonian Institution. former president
OF the club; Commissioners Rudolph.
Johnston and Judson, Secretary of the
Treasury MacVeagh, E. ]. Stellwagen,
treasu Of the building committee; Her.
bert Putnam, librarian Of Congress:
George o. Totten, architect of the new
building; F. T. Nesbit, the building con-
tractor.
Mason;c 0fRcers Takinr Part