Imperial Valley press., 1912-10-12
M|As0Ns BAR SALOON MEN
FROM THEIR MEMBERSHIP

most unanimous vote OF the delegates
attending the sixty-third communica-
tion of the Masonic grand lodge II
California the constitutional amend
ment providing that lodges shall not
receive petitions for the degrees or for
affiliation from men engaged in the
saloon business, and also making il 4
Masonic offense for Masons hereafter
to enter upon that business, was
| passed.
This vote, the most important tran
saction of the Masonic grand lodge
communication, which is holding its
| first meeting in Los Angeles, at the
First Congregational Church, came
after long and dignified argument
in which all delegates were permitted
| to express an opinion.
1t was stated that the discussion of
the proposed amendment was taken up
shortly after 5. The vote which made
| this amendment a Masonic law did not
come until a few minutes before the
| closing time, and it was o'clock when
| the delegates left the meeting.
This action, putting the ban on fu-
| ture membership of saloonkeepers, was
proposed at the communication of the
| grand lodge last year at San Fran
cisco The matter was continued at
| that time and the delegates attending
| the present communication knew the
| discussion of it would be one of the
most important features.
The amendment, as passed, with
1 nearly all delegates voting in its ia
vor. reads as follows:
| No lodge shall receive an applica-
tion for the degrees of Masonry or for
| affiiation, from any one who Is en-
| gagged, either as principal agent or
| employe, in the saloon business, (ex-
| cept in connection with and part
| Of, the operation of bona fide hotel
| or restauranD or who is barkeeper;
| and any Mason who may hereafte en-
ter upon and engage In the saloon
business, either as owner, agent or en-
| ploye, except in connection with and
| as part of the operation of a bona fide
hotel or restaurant, or who shall be-
| come a barkeeper, shall be deemed
| guilty of un-Masonic conduct and shall
| upon due trial and conviction of said
offense forfeit all Masonic rights and
privileges, including membership in
any lodge"
This definite stand against liquor
traffic in California on the part of the
| Masons was the subject of an orderly.
| impressive argument, and the voting g
| was quiet but determined.
| According to Grand Secretary John
| Whicher, the vote was almost unani-
nous and the passage of the amend
ment concluded the days meeting.
Several other events of Importance
marked the meeting. Charters for 10
new Masonic lodges in California were
formally presented early in the meet
ing of yesterday.
The new lodges are York lodge
Watts, Los Angeles county; Exeter
lodge, Exeter, Tulare county; Holtville
lodge, Holtville, Imperial county; Mid
way lodge, Taft Kern county; Chino
Valley lodge. Chino, San Rernardint
county; San Dimas lodge, San Dimas
Los Angeles county: Pittsburg lodge
Pttsbprg, Contra Costa county; Me
Loud lodge. McLoud. Siskiyou county
Alpha lodge. Richmond. Contra Costa
county; and Roseville lodge, R1seVille
Placer county,
Albert G. Burnette. judge of the ap
pellate court, northern district of Cali
fornia, yesterday was elected iunio
grand warden of the grand lodge oi
California, F. & A. NJ. foil lowing a live
l. contest which took up most of tn,
| closing session of the sixty-third com
munication of the grand lodge at the
First Congregational church.
The election was practically unani
nous on the second ballot. the support
ers of George F. Roddin of San Rata el
chief opponent of Judge Burnette
swinging to Judge Burnette after tn,
latter had gained a good lead on III,
first ballot
This places Judge Burnette in line t
become grand master four years hence
/ according to the rule of succession.
AS was expected under the rule o
precedent always recognized in tht
grand lodge, William r. Fillmer ascend
ed from the Office of deputy grand mas
ter to the Office of grand master, AlonZt
J. Monroe, grand master for the pas
year, retiring. With the succession O.
Mr.. Fillmer, John D. Murphy of Bridge
port became deputy grand master ant
Denjamin r. Bledsoe of San Bernardo
no ascended 10 the position of senio
grand warden.
Judge Burnette's election as junio
| grand warden fills out the list of off
GERS.
; Edward Coleman of San Francisct
was reelected grand treasurer; JOIN
; Whicher of San Louis Obispo, secre
tary, and Thomas J. Baker of Sacra
mento was chosen grand orator.
On account of the contest for tn.
office of junior grand warden il wa
nearly l o'clock before the work o
: installing the new officers could b,
t taken up. AlonZo J. Monroe, granC
master of 1911-12, officiated
After discussion which occuDie,
nearly three hours Of Thursday after
} Moons session, the resolution amendinl
the constitution to bar saloon men an,
their agents from joining the lodge an,
. { Geclaring it unmasonic conduct for an,
one now Mason to go into the liquo
business, carried. The debate was owe
the terms of the resolution and not tht
effect. The feeling was unanim Gus tina
saloonkeepers and bartenders shoul,
be barred from joining the order
There were some who declared no ex
ception should be made Of hotel an,
r restaurant keepers who sold liquor il
the conduct of their business but tn,
resolution finally went through will
the clause excepting hotel men am
restaurant keepers attached.
More than 500 wives of delegates at
tended the reception yesterday after
) noon at the Hotel Alexandria, given b,
2 the wives of local Masons Wives o
present and past officers of the gran,
lodge were in line to receive the guest
and following the reception tea wa
served in the main dining room of tb
hotel
Shrine auditorium was well file,
| Thursday night by delegates to tn,
grand lodge and Masons of the city
who gathered as the guests of Vale,
de France lodge to see the exemplifica
ton of first degree work
Wives of the visiting Masons were
entertained at the Scottish Rite tempt,
during the evening, a musicale AM
dance being given by local Masons fol
their benefit
BABY FONDLES SNAKE
SAN BERNARDINO, Oct 12.-Laugb.
ing with glee at her new found play.
| thing. Harriet NJ