The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-06-17

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Joe E. HEREFORD upon part of the WIS.,
iting Masons, after which the labor
of the session began with a most bril-
liant address from Grand Master
Ricketts,. Grand Master Ricketts,,
during his administration, had set q
fine example in the management of
details and economy of time. 1t had
been his custom to prepare his an
nual addresses in time to furnish an
advance copy to the committee on
was able to study the paper before
going to the meeting. In this way the
various recommendations could be
better distributed and the value of
each point of consideration could be
better presented to the Grand Lodge.
Other work of the body was in like
manner anticipated by the practical
vision of the presiding officer, and
during these three years there was
little of tn ehurry and slackness of
work which in too many cases marks
the labors of grand conventions.
The meeting at Louisiana marked
the close of the service of Grand Mas
ter Ricketts,, and no one could dispute
the fact that it had been one of the
brightest periods in the history of the
organization. He kept close around
him those in whom he could safely
confide and those whose ability he
freely drew upon at all times. He
was strong in his likes and dislikes,
but withal was never severe toward
those who opposed him or differed
from him, simply allowing them to
live in their little world of discomfort
all by themselves and never worried
by their frowns or mutterings.
Two important changes in the work
ings of the Grand Lodge were effect
ed at this session. The first was n
submission of a constitutional amend
ment which abolished the long abused
proxy system. This was accomplish
ed without bitter opposition from
those whose pockets had been made
to carry these valuable papers, but
the majority was strongly against the
OAu oy oNCIuy hDlCn lLldls Slduu JUST
had already discarded. True, it was
a traditional right of each subordi-
nate lodge to be represented in the
Grand Lodge, but it certainly was not
a traditional vestiture in any brother
TO secure authority from a lodge
which he had never seen to cast its
voting strength for his own elevation
to office or for the advancement of
one of his friends. OF course DR..
Ricketts, had for many years used
these proxies himself, and had found
them very handy upon several occa-
sions, but it is a credit to him that
he discovered their iniquitous proper
ties in due time and that he placed
upon them the seal of his personal
and official disapproval. The other
reform came in the change made in
the manner of transferring member
ship from n lodge to another and
was offered by the Grand Master the
year before. 1t provided that a mem
Der might retain his membership in
one lodge until he was assured that
he could enter the roster of another
and was a very sensible bit of legis-
lation.
On the year previous Brothers Daw-
ley, Love and HEREFORD had been con
stituted a special committee to form
ulate a plan of burial expense which
should be borne by the Grand Lodge
instead of the local lodges. This idea
had its strong opponents and for a
while seemed TO have little chance of
success. The committee brought in
a very simple and PRACTICAL plan, all
ready for adoption as a part of the
organic law and the matter was or
dered to be sen to the lodges for
their approval. 1t was afterwards
adopted and is at the present work
ing quite satisfactorily to all.
During all the session great inter
est naturally conferred upon the cleo
ton Of a successor to DR.. Ricketts,.
whose tenure expired by limitation OF
the law. The foremost candidates