davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
MASONS INSTITUTE
 PRATT CITY LODGE
Dave C. Richards Is Chosen
 Worshipful Master

D. C. Richards lodge No. 849. A. F. and A. M., was instituted Wednes- day night, April 9, at the Masonic hall, Pratt City, by acting Grand Master T. O. Jones, assisted by acting officers of the Grand Lodge of Alabama. The officers were elected and installed as follows: D. G. Richards, worshipful master; F. J. Grain. senior warden |; Charles E. Griffith, junior warden; J. l.. Scarbrough, treasurer; D. G. Blankenhorn, secretary; M. Richards, senior deacon; W. NJ. Custred, junior deacon; R. M. Richards, senior stew ard W. J. Wasley, junior steward ; John Gibson, tiler.
 The charter members were: Louis Merkl, p. D. Lewis, w. c. Barksdale, A. R. Laird, William Bondurant, J. J. Day, W. NJ. Thomas, and Chris Ellis.
 The lodge will meet at the Masonic hall. Pratt City, on the first and third Friday of each month.
 After the installation the lodge held a short meeting and several applica- tions for membership were received.
 Acting Grand Master Jones made a talk and complimented the officers for the proficiency shown and predicted that under their leadership the new lodge would grow and prosper.
 D. G. Richards, the new master, is one of the best informed Masons of the district, having been secretary of Florida lodge No. 450 for the past ten years and also served a term as master
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
ANNUAL MEETING
 KNIGHTS TElMPLAR
Huntsville Prepares For Grand
 Commandery Meeting

Knights Templar of the Birming- ham district are making preparations for the annual convention of the grand commandery of Alabama, which meets in Huntsville April 23-24. The five commanderies of the Birmingham dis trict, namely; Cyrene. Woodlawn, Ems ley, East. Lake and Wahouma, will be represented by the first three officers of each commandery, and in some in- stances additional representatives will attend the convention.
 Birmingham is represented in the list of officers of the grand commandery by J. D. Matlock, who is grand senior warden, and O.. s. Finch, grand stand ard bearer. There are also several past grand commanders residing in Bir- mingham who are members of the grand commandery.
 Grand Commander Woolsey Finnell of Tuscaloosa will preside over the ses- sions and the annual sermon will be preached at the First Methodist church by Dr. Claud R. O'Rear, grand prelate. It is understood that the town will be profusely decorated for the occasion and that a fine program of entertain ment is being arranged for the visitors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
MOOSE TO STAGE
 BEAUTY CONTEST
Dr. Elkourie, Reflected Dictator, To An-
 nOunce Rules

Birmingham lodge, Loyal Order of Moose, will stage beauty contest h accordance to the plan adopted by the supreme lodge of Moose. It is planned to stage these contests in every city in the United States where a Moose lodge is located, with the view of selection of a girl who will be crowned Queen of the Supreme Lodge convention when 1t meets in New York next July. Dr. Elkourie, who was recently unanimously reelected dictator of the Birmingham lodge, states that the con- test will be launched immediately and expressed the hope that the beauty crowned Queen of the Convention would be a Birmingham girl. He said that the queen would be entertained by the supreme officials of the Moose, includ- ing James J. Davis, secretary of labor. and that she would appear in q special film depicting the Moose convention and the activities of the order. The plan of the contest will be announced later, he said.
 There was no meeting of the Moose lodge Wednesday night as the lodge at tended in a body the carnival that is be- ing staged under the auspices of the Moose at Ensley. Notwithstanding the unfavorable weather, it is understood that a handsome sum will be realized from the carnival which will be applied to the building fund of the proposed Moose home.
 Installation night, which is the last meeting night in April, will have some thrillers, the committee on entertain ment promise. Among the features will be the presentation of handsome past dictators jewels to Dictator Elkourie as a token of appreciation for tho work accomplished by him in behalf of the Moose.
 Dictator Elkourie and T. P. Patter- son will attend the supreme convention as representatives of the local lodge and will make a strong effort, with the help of the municipal convention bureau of Birmingham, to land the su- preme convention for Birmingham nsxt year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
JOINT MEETING OF
 PILGRIM KNIGHTS
Gadsden Knights To En- certain Big Fraternal
 Gathering

Elaborate preparations are being made for the joint meeting of Fesbam Pat ace, Pilgrim Knights of Oriental Splen- dour, and Fashoda Palace of Gadsden, which will be held at Gadsden Thurs day, April "A. The program will in clude a stret parade, a banquet and 8 ceremonial session, and it is stated that the Gadsden Knights are spreading themselves to make this the biggest and most enjoyable fraternal event ever held in that city.
 Judge J. :, B. Aird. general chairman in charge of the affair, states that a special train has been secured which will leave Birmingham on the morning of the 24th for Gadsden. with special rates for the Pilgrim Knights. The round trip for members of Fesbam Palace will be S2, for non-members S3.30. The candidates will be given free transportation.
 The announcement IS made that Gadsden will furnish at least 300 can didates, and as an evidence of this fact Appollo lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F.. Gadsden, initiated a class of 7S last Thursday. all prospective candidates for the Pilgrim degrees. Appollo lodge bears the distinction of being the largest lodge, in point of membership, in the state. and of being the home lodge of NJ. c. Sivley, deputy grand master. and grand master elect of the grand lodge of Odd Fellows of Alabama, Birming- ham palace will have at least 100 can didates, making a total of 400.
 In speaking of the affair Judge Aird stated that the Gadsden meeting would be one of the biggest events in the his. tory of the Pilgrim Knights. He stated that Supreme Oriental Knight c. O. Jacobs of Birmingham would be in at tendance and that other supreme off cers from neighboring states are expect ed. Tn reference to the special train that will convey the Birmingham dele gation to Gadsden, the train crew, from engineer to flagman, will be Pilgrim Knights. Transportation may now be secured from N. T. Overall.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
 INSTALL OFFICERS
Silver Service Presented To Re
 tiring Commando

Officers of Wahauma Commandery No. A Knights Templar, were installed Tuesday night following a combined program by the Commandery and Wahauma chapter No. 157, Royal Arch Mason, witnessed by approximately 300 Templars and companians.
 The retiring eminent commander was presented with a silver service in appreciation of his services to the commandery and services as high priest to the chapter. Short speeches were made by Rev. James M. Graham, White Gibson, A. L. Reese, Martin Ringelberg and others. The male quar- tete from the Woodlawn eommandery entertained with several vocal selec- tions.
 The new officers are as follows {: W. W. Whitefield, commander; J. C.. Arthur, generalissimo; M. E. Reaves, captain-generaf; Rev. J. M. Wigley, prelate; J. G. Day, treasurer; c. H. Hartsfield, recorder; J. H. Sachs, senior warden J. c. Statham, junior warden {; H. Heyman, standard bearer; R. l.. Satterwhite, sword bearer; J. T. Mo Laughlin, warden; J. R. Lstimer, sem tinel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
SATAN IN FRONT ROW
"The Red Min," New Franz Molnan
 Play. Has Unusual Thrills

Tn Vienna recently a mild sensation WAS caused by a new three-act play, "The Red Mill" from the pen of Franz Molnan. author of "Liliom," says The Living Age. Part of the scene is laid in hell. and the audience received un- expected-and let us trust not premon- itory-thrills from the entrance of Sa- tan and his court, Reinhardt fasnlon, through the theater itself
 The red mill, from which the play takes its name, is new lnventlon which has been submitted for Mephis- tophelean approval, being guaranteeo to corrupt the most virtuous man Of the most exalted character within a quar- ter of an hour at most. Women are excluded from the experiment, for the cynical owner of the mill believes they are quite mad enough without his min istrations.
 Most of the first act is consumed in vain effort to find a really good man the soul of Diogenes must look on, chortling, from the wings-but hero of sufficiently exemplary character is at length run to earth and submits to experiment. The efficacy of the red mill is amply demonstrated. The high ly moral hero becomes a villain of the very darkest description. The indica- tor attached to the mechanism heralds each new lapse from virtue with a shrill peal from a peculiarly vicious bell.
 The victims deserted wife strives in vain to win her husband back and ecstacy reigns in the front row, where the devil and his disciples have taken their seats to watch the experiment.
 But no machinery is ever quite per feet. After the experiment., its wretch ed subject actually forgives those who have wrought his downfall, and, hay ing failed to exterminate simple kind ness from the human soul, the whole mechanism breaks down, permitting the victim to emerge unscathed in the end.
 In the last scene 1t is even hinted that the whole thing is nothing but a bad dream, and the front row, as might be expected, is extremely depressed.
 The stage pictures are by Remigius Geyling, who-in the huge flight of red steps which lead from the orchestra up to the stage-has apparently borrowed an idea from Leopold Jessner's famous setting for Richard III"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
TOO NOISY FOR COMPOSER
New York Not The Place For Creative
 Work, Siegfried Wagner Says

However else New York may serve art, it cannot, as dwelling place, be an inspiration to the composer of music. The composer must have his ear to the ground 50 that he may hear Natures cadences. If he puts his ear to the ground in New York-aside from hay ing it cut off by a taxicab-he will hear the rumble of the subway, the thunder of great motor vans and the shriek of taxicab horns-but Natures thrilling messages of birds and bees and flowing stream will fail to carry to his soul, says the New York Sun and Globe.
 This is the comment of Siegfried Wagner, son of Richard Wagner and grandson of Franz Liszt. Herr Wag- ner is in New York for a brief visit. All great composers. he said, have lived in quiet places and drawn inspiration from the voices which speak in the quietness of woods and fields.
 And of an noisy places Herr Wagner has found New York the noisiest. He likes it. The people are so pleasant, he finds, and the architecture is so interesting. He himself started life as an architect and speaks of the beauty of buildings with authority.
 But as for noise, New York is worse than Berlin. Herr Wagner himself comes from the quietest of places Bayreuth. It is only when this tiny town-the shrine of music lovers from all parts of the world-welcome strang- CTS to the Bayreuth festivals of Wag- merriam music that it awakes from it's Slumbers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
TOO MANY LAWS
A Writer Points To Ceaseless Flood Of
 II7SisIation As Evil

A4CSASAhOAOA EAS 14RA
 We suffer from a plague of laws. No body knows the number of state and national laws and municipal ordinances that our legislative bodies have ground out: and it is impossible to keep track of the myriads of enactments and ordi- nances that pour from every lawmak- ing machine in America, writes Albert J. Beveridge in the Saturday Evening Post.
 We know only that there are hun dreds of thousands of these products of the busy activity of our lawmakers and that the number of these statutory shalls and shall nots constantly in creases.
 For instance, within two weeks after the converting of the present Congress 6,023 bills and sS joint resolutions were introduced; and like activity is dis played by most state legislatures Though, of course, comparatively few of these proposed laws are enacted, the aggregate of those that are crowded into our statute books, municipal, state and national, is stupendous.
 Indeed, to grasp the extent and null tiplicity of them is beyond the power of the human mind. The most accom- plShed and best informed lawyer in America does not and cannot know the sum of even national legislation, to say nothing of the legal cascades that in- cessantly spout from our state legis- latures and city councils; and there are thousands of statutes to get at the meaning of which requires careful study and delicate judgment.
 Yet the citizen must observe every line of them. Is is not possible that here is one cause of that general indif- ference to law which is the most for bidding development of the times?
 May it not be that our excess of laws so harasses the public that mass psy- chology is produced, impatient of all restraint and tolerant of those who overstep legal requirements? How else are veto account for the leniency of juries, popular sympathy with those ac- cused of lawbreaking, and even sullen antagonism to courts7
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
|KAMRAM GLASS FOR INITIATION
 NUMBERS l,250
Downtown Parade And
 Banquet To Precede Ger emOnial Session

Twelve hundred and fifty candidates were balloted on and elected to take tho Grotto degrees, at the business meeting of Kamram Grotto, Mystic Order of Yelled Prophets, held Monday night, April z. This huge class will be inflated at the ceremonial session sched- uled for April 2 at the Masonic audi torium.
 While not the largest class initiated by Kamram Grotto, it ranks among the biggest in numbers and is composed of applicants from cities and communities in northern Alabama where Grottc clubs are formed. The big ma ajorty, how. ever, comes from Birmingham and lief ferson count.
 Grotto Is 6310, and with the addition of the new class will reach 7,560 Another ceremonial session will be held in May, and it is confidentally expected that by the time the supreme council meets in Indianapolis in June, the membership will have passed the 5000 mark.
 Jesse l.. Hagy, monarch of Kamram Grotto Is 6,310, and with the addition tions are being made for the big cere- naonial, and that a record breaking crowd is expected. The program fol the day will commence with registration at the Masonic temple of the candidates at 80 o'clock. Each candidate must present his receipt for his Blue lodge dues for the current year.
 A grand parade will be staged dur ing the afternoon, in which the Grotto band, Fred Weigand leader, will make It's first appearance, and lead the parade. It is expected that several other bands will be engaged for the occasion Officers of the Grotto drum corps patrol, other uniformed bodies, Grottc clubs, members and candidates will par. ticipate in the parade.
 Parade Director Headley Jordan, an. nounces that the parade will assemble at Capitol park at 8 80 o'clock, and move promptly at 4 o'clock. He urges every unit of the parade to report or time as owing to the length of the pro gram it is imperative that it moves according to the scheduled time. Dinner swin be served in the dining rooms ot the temple at o'clock, and the cere nnonial session will commence at o'clock sharp.
 Monarch Hagy states that he ex pected to carry the largest delegation to Indianapolis than of any othel Grotto in the country, and states that special trains have been arranged fol and hotel accommoda tions at the con. rention city been secured.
 Reservations now can be made al 1920 American Trust building for the Indianapolis trip. Total cost of round trip including R, R. fare. Pullman fare Sur charge and use of Pullman as hotel at Indianapolis
 Drawing room (three persons), }, d41.75, $47.25 each; lower berth Gone person), $45.55 each: upper berth berth Gone person), $41.25 each.
 F. B. Keiser, chairman transporta- tion committee, and Coke Wright, secre- tary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
CHAPTER TO HOLD ANCIENT SERVICE
Rose CrOix MaSOns To Ex.
 tinguish Lights At Ceremony

Maundy Thursday and Easter convo- cations of Birmingham chapter Rose Croix, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Free masonry for the southern jurisdiction of the United States, will be held Thursday, April IT, and Sun- day, April 20, respectively, at the Ma sonic Temple. Both meetings are ob- ligatory.
 The following greeting has been sent out by H. H. K. Jefferson, wise master:
 'To all Knights Rose Croix:
 Greeting: Birmingham chapter Rose Croix will perform the ancient ceremony of extinguishing the lights at the Masonic Temple, corner of Sixth avenue and Nineteenth street, on Thurs day, April IF, 1924, at 6 80 p. m., in the large auditorium. The banquet will be served in the dining room.
 "This meeting is obligatory. You are expected therefore, to set aside all other matters and to be present on this occasion, illness alone preventing.
 "'Even if a knight be alone in place he must in spirit at least, feast on this day with his brethren "A cordial invitation is extended all visiting knights. Fraternally,
 "H. H. K. JEFFERSON, 33,0.
 Wise Master" Program Thursday The program for the Maundy-Thurs- day convocation follows:
 Invocation, Rev. J. R. Hobbs, thirty second degree.
 Seek Ye the Lord" (Roberts), Scot tish Rite choir.
 "A Door We Dare Not Shut" Dr. Robert N. Simpson, thirtieth degree.
 '@The Lord is Exalted" (West), Scot tish Rite choir.
 To our departed brethren, roll call, silence.
 To Albert Pike, Betram Jacobs, thirty-third degree.
 Ceremony of exdnguishing the lights, H. H. K. Jefferson, N. W. Proctor, Jr.,
 W. H. Woolverton, H. c. Crelly, Si- mon Klotz, Albert l.. Reese, W. w Ransom, D. T. Feildelson, T. G. Brab- ston, John B. Bethea, Jr., M. Ringel' berg.
 Banquet.
 Easter Sunday
 The ceremony of relighting the tapers VIII LakG pldC6 SuHuay mOIuAukS ApIA 20, at g o'clock at the Masonic Temple, of which the following announcement is made:
 LUX Tenebris, relighting the tapers. The doctrine that the love of God for His children is infinite and that true religion is to love our brother. rises like the blessed sun triumphantly from the darkness
 "This meeting is also obligatory. Again you are expected to set aside all other matters and to be present on this occasion, illness alone preventing.
 Following the ceremony of relighting the lights, an address will be made by Hugh A. Locke, thirty-second degree. Maundy Thursday will be celebrated at the following places. Members of the Rose Croix may attend the services at either place, but must notify the chairman in advance of such intention.
 Anniston, H. F. Williamson, thirty l second degree, chairman; Cullman. W. B.. James, thirty-second degree, chair man; Decatur, Thomas Hodson. thirty second degree, chairman; Sheffield, Harry Spielberger, thirty second degree, chairman; Gadsden, M. M. Turner thirty-second degree, chairman; Tusca- loosa, Woolsey Finnell, thirty-third de gree, chairman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
SURPRISE PROGRAM
 FOR JUNIOR ORDER
Large Class To Be Initiated At
 Next Regular Meeting

At the meeting of Birmingham coun- cil No. q, Junior Order United Amer ican Mechanics, last Monday several applications were vote don and large class is expected for next Monday night All members of the degree team are urged to be present. The commit tee in charge of programs announced that on Monday week there will be . program rendered which will be big surprise.
 State Secretary E. R. Calhoun has been visiting the various councils tn the northern part of the state during the week, speaking at several mass meetings held under the auspices of the Jr. o. U. A. NJ. He will have something of interest to tell at the next regular meeting.
 Financial Secretary Blake has re- ceived several samples of the new ben eficiary certificates, which are the latest in insurance. He will be glad to explain them to any member inter- ested
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
ILLTTERACY FIGHT
 PLAN OF CHAPTER
Eastern Star To Conduct Pro-
 gram In Tennessee

WASHINGTON, D. C.,-To aid in bringing the blessings of education to the mountaineers, the Eastern Star in Tennessee, through its grand chapter, has evolved a program. This is sent to all subordinate chapters for their action and cooperation.
 The recommendations of the grand chapter are:
 1. Beach chapter to devote the time of one of it's early stated meetings to general discussion of the subject of education x the worthy matron in ad- vance of the meeting to appoint one or two speakers who can deal wiCA it.
 2. At the meeting Q special con- mittee on education to be appointed :; the duties of this committee to be:
 (a) To ascertain the number of schools within the jurisdiction of the chapter, with the number of pupils at tending each school, the number of teachers, the number of annual days school time, and, if possible, ascertain the number of children not attending any school.
 (b) To confer with the superin- tendant of education having these particular schools in charge, to as- III Nudl ulGCLHOut III uIo opinion, the influence of the chapter can best be directed.
 (c) The appointment of the schools within the chapters jurisdic- tion among a sufficient number of suhcommittees. to insure a personal visit to every school. at least once in each two months.
 (d) These subcommittees to report at each stated meeting as a regular order of business. the conditions of the schools in their charge, with any suggestion for their improvement which may be apparent.
 Gel To seek a conference with the worshipful master and wardens of the Masonic lodges in their immediate jurisdiction, offering their assistance in such educational work as the lodge may have in mind and certainly to endeavor to coordinate the two
 (f) The same offer of assistance to be made to any chapter of Royal Arch Masons which may bc within their territorial limits.
 (g) The subcommittee to cooper ate with any parent teacher associa- tion which may he in existence. or, if none, to attempt an organization of that sort.
 (h) The worthy matrons to write to the grand matron at the end of each three months, what has been done and what progress made.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-13
ELKS' CLUB NAMES
 NEW COMMITTEES
Chairman For New Year Are
 Appointed Tuesday

Chairman of the standing committees for the year were named Tuesday night at the regular meeting of Birmingham lodge No. @, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, by Exalted Ruler Joe K. Saks. The occasion was the initial meeting with Mir. Saks as presiding of ficer. There was a good attendance, and three attendance prizes were awarded.
 The meeting was featured by the presentation of a beautiful silk United States flag, for use on the altar, by Dr. B. A. member of the board of trustees. Exalted Ruler Saks received the flag on behalf of the lodge and ex- pressed the appreciation and thanks of the lodge for the handsome gift. Chairmen of committees for the com ing term, each chairman to select the members of his committee, were named as follows: House committee, Dr. John w. Perkins; finance, Harry l.. White ; entertainment, Louis Sterene; degree team, Clarence Hiltbruner; publicity, Leon W. Friedman; standing inves- tigation, John F. Antwine; auditing. John F. Andrews; recreation, Thomas w. Morgan; sickness and relief, Zac P, Smith, Jr.; new membership, Thomas J. Crlttenden; welfare and community, W. H. Anderson ladies' auxiliary, J. W. Allen. Special com mittees will be appointed later.
 At the next regular meeting Tues day night, April 1J. business session will be held and g number of applied tions for membership balloted on. At the following meeting a class of candi- dates will be initiated.
 Much interest is centered on the annual meeting of the State Elks' as- sociation which convenes in Mont gomery on the second Tuesday in May for a two days session. A program of interest is being arranged and a large delegation from the Birmingham dis trict is expected to attend. Dr. H. J. Tippett of Dothan is president and Hugh M Bagley of Birmingham, secre- tary,