Evening star., 1921-12-30

In the unique contest for the posi-
tion of illustrious potentate of Almas
Temple of the Mystic Shrine, which
was held at the New Willard yes
terday, in which one of the con-
testants was 1.-The only nominee" and
the other was forced into the race
lin the hands of his friends" Leonard
p. Steuart. the nominee. was declared
elected by vote of 1.013. as against
693 for Henry Lansburgh, who re-
tires after two years of service in the
office.
Two years ago. when Mr. Lans-
burgh was first elected as potentate
of AlmaS Temple. it was explained,
he declared hiself in favor of rota-
tion in Office and expressed the in
tention to retire at the close of his
term that his then chief rabban might
tempt the fates. When the election
day drew near last year Mr. Steuart
declared he was not yet ready for
the contest. and supported Mr.. LarS-
burgh for the second term. for which
he was elected by a substantial ma
Iority. This year AIR. Steuart felt
that his time had come. and he was
an avowed candidate and conducted a
vigorous campaign. Mr. LanSburgh
then stepped aside and refused to be
candidate against him. His friends
in the temple. however. insisted that
he had no say in the matter and that
if the temple desired his continuance
in Office he must accept the inevita-
BILE. 1t was substantially under these
conditions. it was said. that a vigor-
Gus campaign was conducted which
terminated last evening in the cleo
tion of Mr.. Steuart.
Prominent in Masonry.
II
prominent in Masonry and for the past
two years he has been chief rabban of
AlmaS Temple. He is a successful
young business man who has risen in
the world. it is said, through mis- own
efforts and probity of character that
has commanded attention and made him
a wide circle of friends
Before the polls We're closed last
evening Potentate Lansburgh. after
asking if all had voted who desired and
it everybody was satisfied. declared the
contest closed and the count began.
Other Officers Elected.
Other officers elected We're Wisdom d.
Brown, chief rabban. advanced in Office
from assistant rabban: H. f. Carey, as
sistant rabban: George Duval. jr., high
priest and prophet tre-elected) j.
Walter karsner, oriental guide (re-
elected,; Arthur f. Cook. treasurer (re-
elected). and F. Lawrence Walker, re-
corder Ge-eIected). Four representa-
tiveS to the session of the Imperial
Council, to be held in San Francisco,
Cahf., next June. were elected as follows:
Leonard p. Steuart. the new potentate
Colin T. L. Flather. Recorder F. Law
renee Walker and Henry LansburSh,
the retiring pctentate.
The annual business session of AL
mas Temple was opened at $3.50
o'clock in the afternoon and the an
nual reports of the officers were re-
ceived and acted upon. Following its
adjournment. the canvassing for votes
for the various contestants was CON
Quoted with extraordinary zeal, and
continued until the close of the polls
at $3.50 o'clock.
Entertained by Vaudeville.
While the count of the votes was in
progress lively vaudeville enter
tainnent enlivened the large audi
ence, under the management of Noble
John j. Mullane.
The new potentate, Leonard p
Steuart. naturally elated over his sue
cess and the desire to celebrate if
with his many friends. had but little
time to give expression to his policies
Tor the coming year. 1t appeared to
be the general impression thar he
would receive the hearty and undi-
vided support of all the mobiles o.:
Almas Temple in his avowed purpose
10 Keep Aimas on the Shrine man
ana TO push her to further s,ories."