Evening star., 1932-05-09
WEEK Of MASONIC
CEREMONIES OPEN;
THOUSANDS ARRIVE
Religious Services Held by
KaHipoIis Grotto at
Sylvan Theater.
WASHINGTON MEMORIAL
DEDICATION THURSDAY
More Than 20 Events Are on Pro-
gram in Observation of
Bicentennial.

Washington and the historic neigh
boring city of Alexandria became the
objectives today of Masons from all
over the United States and abroad as
Masonic week, the fraternial organiza-
tion's part of the George Washington
Bicentennial opened with a series of
meetings in the Capital and the nearby
Virginia city.
The program Of more than 20 events,
to be climaxed Thursday with the dedi-
cation of the new National Masonic
Memorial in Alexandria, was ushered in
with religious services by Kallipolis
Grotto at the Sylvan Theater yesterday
morning.
Service Conclave Opens.s
Today's program led off with the an
nual conclave of the Masonic Service
Association, which met in the Raleigh
Hotel at 10 o'clock This afternoon q
delegation from the Grand Lodge of the
State of Texas will journey to Shooters
Hill, in Alexandria, for a special COM
munication In the new Masonic memo
rial
The annual conference of grand Sec
retaries of the United States in the
Raleigh and the annual meeting Of the
Grand Commandery, knights Templar,
of the District, in the Masonic Temple,
will feature the program tonight.
Representatives of the Texas grand
Lodge arrived in Alexandria by special
train this morning, and the meeting
this afternoon is the first of the Ma
sonic week program to be held in the
new memorial. Other special trains
bearing members of the Masonic fra
ternity from New York. San Francisco,
Rhode Island, Philadelphia and Read
ing, Pa, and from st. Louis and other
parts of Missouri, are expected tomor-
row and Wednesday 1t is expected
100000 Masons will be in the Capital
and vicinity in connection with the
meetings.
President to Attend.
President Hoover will personally at
tend the ceremonies Thursday incident
to the formal dedication of the George
Washington Masonic National Memorial
Temple. With Mrs. Hoover the Presi-
dent will motor to the ceremonies, arriv-
ing there at o'clock in the afternoon,
and will remain for an hour.
Details for his presence at the memo
rial ceremonies were discussed today at
the White House between the President
and the Reception Committee of the
memorial ceremonies. Those compris-
ing this committee were Charles C.
Carlin, former Representative from
Alexandria; Edgar Warfield. John H.
Cowles, Leon M. Abbott and H. w. Wit
cover. Mr.. Cowles is grand commander
of the Masons of the Southern jurisdic-
ton and Mr.. Abbott grand commander
of the Northern Jurisdiction
The President was especially inter-
eSted in meeting Mr. Warfield when it
was explained to hin that the latter
Is 80 years old and has been a Mason
for 81 years. He also is a veteran of
the Civil War and is brigadier general
Of the Confederate Veterans and past
grand commander of the Confederate
Veterans of Virginia.
Parade in Alexandria.
Alexandria was preparing today for
the huge parade. Grandstands are being
erected on every available vacant space
on King street, which will form an i'm
portant part of the parade route A
large reviewing stand for members of
the various lodges has been constructed
on the steps Of the temple itself. The
dedication platform has been decorated
with Masonic colors and places of bust
ing appropriate drapes in connection
with Masonic week.
Tomorrow's program here will be
marked by the annual conference of
grand masters of the United States in
the Willard Hotel, followed by the an
nual dinner of the group.