The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-27

MasoH6 from all BeCLlOnB or Vn0 state gathered In Birmingham yester- day to attend the ceremonies of the Masons. The temple is being con structed at . cost of moro than s1.000.Oo0.
 The grand lodge of Alabama, An cient, Free and Accepted Masons, ad charge of tho laying of the corner stone. and Ben M. Jacobs, past grand master, conducted the ceremonies. He was appointed by Percy B. Dixon of Mobile, grand master. who was un- able to be present. Mir. Jacobs, who acted as most worshipful grand mas ter, was assisted In laying the cor nerstone in due and ancient form. the ceremonies being most impress i've. He was assisted in the ceremo- nies by Dr. Morris Newfleld, deputy grand master, pro tenn; R. r. Love- lady. grand senior warden, pro tenn; o. D. Street. grand junior warden; John W. Perry, grand treasurer; tary; T. O. Jones. grand chaplain. pro tenn; J. D. Matlock. grand senior deacon; Jacob Bley, grand junior ea- son, and c. J. Walker, grand tyler.
 President Harding was presented with a lambsKin apron bearing his name. the name and number of the lodge and referring to the laying of the corner stone of the new Masonic temple, together with the date. This he wore in assisting In the laying of the stone, and which he will keep as a souvenir of the occasion. In addition MT. Jacobs presented the President with a miniature gold trowel, on which was the name of the Dec Aok ~4r as a souvenir of his visit to Bir- mingham during the emi-centennial celebration.
 The presentation of these gifts was most informal and very brief. as MT. Jacobs did not care to delay the cere- monies longer than was necessary.
 The corn. wine and oil which was poured on the corner stone was car ried to the officers by little Mary Frances Copeland, daughter of Mrs. Margaret Copeland; Lucille Reese, daughter of MT. and Mrs Albert Reese. and Maybeth Sheppard, daugh- ter of MT. and Mrs. F. c. Sheppard, Jr. When they completed their duty President Harding shook hands with each of them.
 Gov. Thomas E. Kilby made brief talk, in which he expressed delight at being here on this occasion and at the privilege of introducing President Harding. He was given an ovation, but when President Harding arose and walked to the middle of the plat form there was deafening applause and cheers from the Masons on the inside and yells and cheers from the spectators crowding the streets on the outside, and 1t was several min utes before they could be quieted.
 When the President completed his speech he received an ovation. and there were cries from the audience of 'Underwood," underwood" and brief talk, in which he stated 1t was his pleasure to be in Birmingham on this suspicious occasion.
 He stated that he had been ap- pointed recently by President Hard ing to represent the people at ,'on- ference and he was glad to follow a fellow Mason like him. He appealed to all Masons to give their assistance and cooperation to President Hard ing during the months that are Just ahead.
 President Harding spoke to each member of the Masonic Home band of 35 pieces, which had come to Bir- mingham for the occasion. Several songs were rendered by the T. c. I. male chorus and the chanters of.Za- mora temple. the programme being concluded with the singing of The End of a Perfect Day"
 The speech of President Harding as reported by Stallings, Brazelton and Hale, court reporters. Is as fol- lows:
 Presidents Speech
 Most worshipful grand master. la dies and gentlemen of the Masonic orders, my countrymen. all;
 There Is not very much to be said after the ritualistic work of the Ma sonic order Is dsne at the laying of a corner stone. Have you never stopped to think that from the day