Evening star., 1923-06-04
Plays Big Role Convention Acting as Host Shriners

The scimitar and crescent OF Almas
Temple. swinging through the fraternal
armament of the nations capital for
thirty years, flash this week INTO
meteoric brilliance, with entertainment
of the Imperial Council and its gorgeous
carayans-a brilliance destined long to
be remembered as well worthy of the
name "Almas," which being interpreted
means diamond"
Almas, looking backward over a ven
cradle and honored past, no doubt will
seize upon the brightness of these days
for inspiration 10 even greater achieve
ment, that her name may be written
large among the 154 temples of North
America. for which today she plays the
distinguished role of host.
With "A membership of more than
5000, headed by Leonard L. Steuart
potentate. Almas this week is carrying
out in splendid fashion truly gigantic
program, conceived in vision as d mag
nlticent and spectacular dream and
through great effort and business-like
management brought to reality.
For more than year Washington has
been looking forward to this conven
tion. first as probability through thu
L.
Almas worked hard to send delegation
10 San Francisco last year to ask the
Imperial Council for the next conven-
tion. Since that vote for Washington
Al San Francisco the temple organiza-
tion has been busy preparing for this
great week.
I023 Shrine Committee.
To carry the business burden of the
organization the Almas Temple, Wash
ington, u. c., 1928 Shrine Committee
was incorporated, with Leonard T..
Steuart, potentate, as general chairman.
D. Brown, first vice chairman: Harry
+. Cary, second vice chairman; Arthur
T.. Cook, treasurer; Harrison Dingman,
past imperial potentate, as honorary
general chairman, and this executive
committee: Z. i. Andrews. l.. Whiting
Estes. James c. HoyIe. Thomas e.
darrell, Carter b. keene, Elwood T..
Morey. +. Lawrence Walker. with Harry
Standlford as executive secretary.
Although of more than 5000 members,
Almas still is without a mosque of her
own. But since the charter was granted,
January Z, 1885, the twenty fourth is
sued in America. Almas consistently
mas fourished while moving quarters
from ono place to another. and gathered
into the fold enthusiastic novitiates. in
Guiding many noted figures in American
national life.
situated in the Capital, it. was but
inevitable with loyal support that AImas
should gradually assume the place now
achleVed. Dreams for the future in
Guide not only spectacular growth, a
magnificent temple some great day but
also. II is hoped by some of the most
enthusiastic with far vision the launch :
ing of a proposal for erection here in
the headquarters of the nation. the
headquarters of the Imperial Council Of
the Mystic Shrine for North America
Lhe latter proposal has not as yet as
of hf1ff
Almas Mosque Planned.
Plans for an Almas Mosque are still
nebulouS, but growing. The United
Masonic Temple committee. compris-
ing all Masonic bodies in the District
9f Columbia, continues it's campaign
toward realization of the Masonic
building group on Temple Heights, a
'pIot of ground magnificentlY located
Al Connecticut and Florida avenues
&nd overlooking the city.
The plot of ground obtained. IL is
tue hope that there will be erected
thereon either a series of glorious
structures by various Masonic hodies
or one supertemple, In which may be
housed all branches of Masonry, and
which may assume proportions ap-
propriate to such a noble purpose. 10
the imposing heights and to the capi-
tai OF the nation.
In fact, the acquisition of Temple
Heights by Masonry was considered
such an achievement of itself that
the future plans are being allowed
time to assume shape commensurate
with the Importance of the project
in which is included, of course, a
home for AlmaS Temple
Temple Heights. the potential site
OF mosque in the nations capital
no doubt will be visited this week
by thousands of Shriners with the
vision in mind. Standing on the
wooded slope overlooking the city
with stretches of the Potomac in the
distance, the visiting Shriner as well
AS the Almas noble may we'll picture
in his minds eye the majestic archi-
lecture which in the future, not too
far away, may rise to the glory OF
Masonry.
Possible National Mosque.
Possibility of the Imperial Council
considering Temple Heights when ii
takes up the matter some time of a
national mosque as headquarters for
the Mystic Shrine of North America
naturally looms as a matter of
transcendent interest and Importance
TO Almas Temple membership as well
s the thousands of Shriners here
this week.
AS vet Almas had not decided to
take the momentouS step of propos-
ing to the Imperial Council that a
national mosque be erected on Temple
Heights. But the thought has risen
uppermost in the minds of many en-
thusiastic Masons here and no doubt
will be discussed informally by thou
sands during, this great convention.
Established in 1856 as No "A in
America. Almas goes well back into
the early days of the order. receiving
the charter only ten years after the
establishment of the Imperial Grand