The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-06-03
Origin And Remarkable Growth Is Revealed In
 History


 has known.
 What Is The shrinef
 Strictly speaking, the Shrine Is not a Masonic organization. It Is not recognized by any Masonic authority nor does it render obedience to any Masonic Grand Ledge. But before a man can apply for memb ership in the Shrine he must have attended the 32 degree In Scottish Rite Masonary or the Knight Templar degree In the York Rite.
 The Shrine originated solely as a social organization, and has been called tho playground of Masonry, where good fellows may meet for fun and good fellowship. Ceremonials are held by each temple several times year when large classes of novices are initiated. At these in itiatory ceremonies frolio and merri : ment hold sway, but there Is nothing that would offend tho sensibilities of any man.
 The formation of the Order of the Mystic Shrine was accomplished in 1878, with 6 few members, but so great has been the appeal to those eligible fer the degrees that at this time they number nearly 6ooo0o members This membership Is di- vided into what is known as Temples of the order. numbering today 156, and these temples are scattered all over North America; in the United States. in Canada, in the Hawaiian Islands and in the Canal Zone. A fraction over 60 per cent of this mem bership belong to temples located east of the Mississippi river,
 Recently temples have been insti- tuted in the Orient for the benefit of American Masons sGJourning there at Manila, Shanghai, and other cities
 It Is estimated that 10000 Shriners will como to Washington, and that tho total number of visitors will exceed 100000 people. About 135 temples have already signified their intention to be present.
 O O O
 Philanthropies.
 The proud boast of the Shrine is It's philanthropio work. Over s1,200,- 900 a year is raised by direct levy upon the members fer the support of group of hospitals for crippled children located at great centers of population. Other contributions greatly increase the annual revenue for this purpose. The Arab Patrol of Algeria Temple, Helena. Mont, donated $1o,000 to the hospital fund In April. The wives of the members of Lu Lu Temple Band. Philadelphia, raised $500 by card party.
 These hospitals are open to crip- pied children of every race, sect or nationality, the treatment being given free. Many of the most fla nous surgeons in the country are en- Enthusiastically giving their services. Thousands of crippled children, who by reason of poverty, heretofore have been unable to obtain surgical skill, are being brought to health and strength in the Shrine hospitals.
 The Mother hospital has been es- tablished at St. Louis. and branches are being erected at Montreal, San Francisco. Shreveport. La., Minnea- polls. St. Paul. in New England, at Portland. Ore. in Virginia. Rocky Mountain region and Pennsylvania.
 At the St. Louis hospital a free clinic has been maintained for eight months with an average of five pa tients a day. New patients number formities due to infantile paralysis
 With all the fun and frolic. the hos pitals for crippled children as kept conspicuously before the hosts of the fez as the great humanitarian objec- tive of Shrinedom.
 Organization.
 Tho first Shrine temple was estab- lished in New York in 1876. took the name Mecca and proved at once success. The Imperial council was organized in 1878 and is composed of four representatives from each temple. This is the governing or law making body of the entire family of temples. The Imperial council Is composed of Imperial officers de- signated by titles similar to those of the temple. The chief officer of the temple is the illustrious poten- tate, while the chief officer of the Imperial council is the imperial po- tentate.
 Items Of Interest.
 The Shrine includes among It's membership. President Harding, two members of his cabinet, several gen senators and 92 congressman.
 Nearly hundred temples are bringing their bands. and among the unique features of the celebration will be Q massed band concert by total of over 5000 instruments, under the baton of Noble John Philip Sousa and Noble William c. White, head of the Army School of Music. Both of these nobles have written marches dedicated to the occasion.
 Mecca temple. New York, Is send ing 12 special trains to the Wash ington conventions; and far away Al Malaikah temple, Los Angeles, Is including band. chanters and patrol.
 Applications for charters will be considered from All Calm temple. Cumberland. Md: Tadmor temple, Akron. O.; Kedra temple. Kansas City. Kan; Makalla temple, Council 1t,lA As k IL bad temple. Danville: Jericho tenn pie. Johnstown. Pa. and Sid Laban temple. Fort Dodge.
 There will be many places In and around Washington of exceptional interest to Masonic visitors: Mount Vernon, the home of George Wash ington. who at one time presided as master of the old lodge now at Alex andria where will be found many relics of Washington's con nection with the fraternity; the new Masonic Memorial being erected at cost of $3.O0O.OO0; the capitol building. the Washington preme Council. Scottish Rite. South ern Jurisdiction. and other great structures whose cornerstones were laid with Masonic ceremonies. etc.
 The Shrine was organized in New York by Billy Florence. the we'll knOWn dctOT, HcH. Lew Walldce, or Ben Hur fame. and number of con genial spirits. Lew Wallace. with his mentality dreaming of the desert and the romantic pictures of the East. as seen in his thrilling tale of Hur, gave the new organization an oriental atmosphere, with its fez. it's charters, it's oriental dress, and other picturesque characteristics of the followers of Allah.
 The present officers of the Shrine