Evening star., 1921-05-13
PRESIDENT LAUDS
AIMS Of MASONS
Tells Brothers World Needs
Same Principles at Ban
quet Closing Convention.

Speaking as a Master Mason. the
President of the United States made
an Impressive address during the six
teenth annual banquet of the Ma
tonal League of Masonic Clubs at
the willard Hotel last night, in which
he lauded the aims and principles of
the order, and declared with much
emphasis that there would be no fur
ther conflict among the nations of the
world if this same fraternal spirit
prevailed among them.
The principles of fraternalism.
with its understanding of Justice,
Kindness and righteousness and char
ity, cannot help but mean the crea-
tion of better citizens and should be
applied to the nations of the world
AS well as to mankind President
Harding stated FRATERNITY is the one
thing needed in world peace and for
the development of friendlier rela-
tiOnS and better understanding among
the peoples of these nations, if those
men who are in responsible positions
in the various governments of the
world only would face each other
mcn--as fricnds-and with that same
feeling Of fairness and understand
that applies to the principles upon
" hiNI NiIF- = Hdi ollti di =
founded. there would be no fear of
bloodShed or strife"
Hall Decorated Lnvishly.
This banquet. which was looked
upon as one of the real great features
of the convention of the League of
Masonic Clubs and which brought
these interesting sessions to "A sue
cessful climax. was attended by more
than 700 men. The large banquet
hall was artisti1lly and lavishly be-
decked with tho national colors. and
the tables We're beautifully decorate
with cut flowers Throughout the
evening there was an unmiStakable
spirit Of mirth and good cheer
The majority of those present were
from out-of-town, many of whom
had either never seen nor heard the
chief executive, and his presence and
his utterances were a great delight.
Turning seriously to his audience
as Mason as well as the
executive when he stated that he
wanted each "brOther" to study care
fully and seriously the principles OF
the order and to make it point to
carry those principles INTO all walks
Of life He said this country needs
their help. The nation looks to their
patriotism and their intelligence IN It's
endeaVofS to overcome the many
problems it is facing.
Reconstruction Foremost.
"rhe problems of reconstruction"
he declared, are even greater than
those of warfare and we need your
help in facing thees problems. You
must contribute your share in placing
your country on the straight path of
peace-everlaStinG peace. l have yet
to see or hear or to know anything in
Masonry that has not helped to make
me a better man and my great regret
tc at BIO u q
cluded in the fraternity.
In conclusion. he stated. Il am ad-
dressing and welcoming you as good
MasonS and good Americans fu' we
know that a good Mason must be .
good American. You men gathered
here have frightened the atmosphere
of Washington by your sessions here
and | wish to greet and to thank you
as a fellow Mason"
The speech of the President made a
deep impression and it was with the
same feeling of sincerity and emotion
that Roe Fulkerson, who presided
during the evening, responded. He
stated that he could speak for the
order by assuring the President that
the order was proud of him and that
more than 100000 members in this
country were pledged to him and their
nation to the man. This great body
of men stands behind you with its
fullest support" Chairman Fulkerson
said. "but | pray to God that these
10000 men will never be called
upon to give their support except in
the advancement of peace and in fac
ing the problems of the day"
Baliinston Booth Speaks.
Gen. Ballington Booth, commander
of the Volunteers of America, made
the only other address. Among the
prominent persons present, who were
singled out by the chairman, were:
Brig. Gen. Charles f. Sawyer, George
b. Christian, Jr. secretary to the
President; Gen. Pershing, Rear Ad-
miral CoOntZ, l.. S N; Senators Bur-
ton of Ohio and Townsend Of Michi-
gan, Representative Ireland of Hi
nois, James w. Wittcn, past grand
master of the District; Joseph Fl. Mi
| lans, George Fleming Moore soVer-
eign grand master of the Southern
Jurisdiction of tho Scottish Rite, and