Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-05-12
VOLUME XXXIV, NO. 20
SUPREME LODGE OFFICIALS TRY
To GAG THE PYTH|AN PRESS
ON THE THE COURT OPINION

UGN I'LL. III
The Grand Lodge. knights of py-
tnias Of Missouri, a. w. Lloyd, Grand
Chancellor is preparing to entertain
the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Py-
thias, n. a. S. a., E., n. y. 4 ~. at
st. Louis, Mo, next August and 1T
has appointed Il local committee to
take charge Of the affair. This local
committee is necessarily under the
Grand Lodge and in active co-opera-
ton with the Supreme Lodge and its
officials. who, however have no dl-
rect control over this committee. This
local committee has chosen the st.
Louis Argus rs the Official organ OF
the Committee. The Supreme Lodge
hau revoked the charter of the Grand
Lodge. knights Of Pythias of Virginia
that is expelled it after confirming
the action Of the Supreme Chancellor
in suspending the Grand Lodge FOR
failure to pay all the taxes levied up
OH the individual members OF the
Order, which taX-levy. the Grand
Lodge Of Virginia claimed to be un-
constitutional and in violation of the
Constitution of the Supreme Lodge,
then in force and effect.
WHAT THE SUPREME
COURT DECIDED.
The Supreme Court Of the District
Of Columbia, upon complaint OF the
Grand Lodge, Knights Of Pythias cf
Virginia decided, Mr.. Justice Gould
delivering the opinion that the re-
Vocation % The cnartc:, that is the
rNlE.s.0!t WAC aA,,r cH aTa !:s'"fh :"
restraining order setting the same
aside. The Supreme Lodge attorneys
set up the srccicus 2l"a that this did
not affect the order Of suspension is
sued by Supreme Chancellor and while
the charter was in force and effect
and the revocation Of the same by the
Supreme Lodge was null and void, the
Grand Lodge, X. Of p. of Virginia was
still suspended. The argument in the
case took place in December, 1916
and on April 13, 1917, the Supreme
Court. Mr.. Justice Mccoy delivering
the same handed down an opinion
that the suspension OF the Grand
Lodge, knights Of Pythias Of Virginia
was also unlawful and announcing
that a decree in accord with this opin
ion would be signed by him and is
sued.
ONLY a HEAD LINE IN
A NEWS ITEM.
The ST. Louis Argus published Il
news item concerning f is and in y
hcadli line used the fol wing iangti--
age ''Suprcmc Lodge o, Pythians los
g Suit" For this SuI.cwc Attorney
Watkins threatens to force The local
ccm,1ittcc to Withdraw its official ap
polntmcnt Of that journal us the Of
!iCial organ of the locll committee
and the Supreme Chancellor virtual
~ demands that :hn Managing t.di-
tor. Mr.. j. T.. Mitchell rctrart the
same The correspondence, herewith
appended will make interesting read
ing and show to what extent this syS-
tenn OF czarism is now in vogue in the
Supreme Lodge rs now constituted.
Here is the correspondence:
SUPREME ATTORNEY WRATHY.
Mr.. ]. e Mitchell, Managing Editor,
23il Market St, st. Louis, Mo,
"Chicago, ILL.,. April 2l, 1917.
My dear Sir:--I note your article
that the "Suprcmc Lodge of the Py-
thians loses law suit"
| would not pay only casual attcn-
tion to it ii you did not indicate that
the ST. Louis Argus was the official
organ Of the Supreme Lodge Commit
tee. ETC.
l do not understand why you pub
lished this, without you were fully
advised, Lccausc you note you are the
official organ. I am sure there was
no intention to misstate facts, and
for that reason, l am withholding my
recommendations to the Supreme
Chancellor, to take the matter up with
the local committee regarding your
official capacity cancellation and
thereof
I am now considering by reference
a decree to be entered in the case and
have the opinion Of the Court before
me, which do not justify your bubli-
cation.
Yours very respectfully,
S. A. II. Watkins, Supreme Atty.
Copies to Green, S. c., C. X. Robin
son, p. S. c., Lloyd, G. c., Buckncr,
Chair.
SUPREME CHANCELLOR
CHIMES IN TOO
Mr.. J. IT.. Mitchell, Managing Editor,
2341 Market St, st. Louis, Mo-,
New Orleans, La, April %, 1917
Dear Sir and Brother:-I have