Evening star., 1939-10-16
Scottish Rite Masons
Open Sessions With
Memorial Service
Grond Commander Paws
Tribute to Deceased
Of Lost Two Years

The Supreme Council, 33d Degree,
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
of the Southern Jurisdiction. U. S.
A.. representing more than 100000
Scottish Rite Masons, opened its
biennial session today in the House
Of the Temple, Sixteenth and S
streets NV.
Grand Comdr. John H. Cowles
read excerpts from his allocution,
regarding activities of the Scottish
Rite Masons in the Jurisdiction and
paid tribute to those who have died
during the last two years. Miss
Gertrude Lyons. local singer, sang
Taps" to organ and bugle accom-
paniment in connection with a me-
mortal service.
Among distinguished visitors at
the opening session were Melvin
M. johnson, of Boston, the sover-
elgn grand commander of the North
ern Supreme Council, and William
H. WARDROBE, Hamilton, Ontario.
grand commander of the Supreme
Council of Canada.
After luncheon at the temple
early this afternoon the council
was to journey to Mount Vernon,
where a wreath was to be placed
on Washington's Tomb. It has been
a custom of the council for many
years to make the trip to the home
OF the First President, who was a
Mason on the first day of the bien-
MEL session.
Reception Set Tonight,
A reception and musicale will he
held In the temple at 8 o'clock to-
night. The program will include
organ selections by Edward C.
ODell, Baltimore, and vocal num-
bers by the Chevy Chase Chanters'
Male Chorus.
An executive session of the Su-
preme Council will be held tomor-
row, at which time those who have
been elected to receive the 33d de-
gree in Masonry and those elected to
De invested with the rank of knight
commander. Court of Honor, will be
announced.
Sessions will be held each dav
through Friday. Council officers are
elected for life. Their Office is
changed only when vacancies have
TO be filled because of death or
resignation. At the present sessions
the offices of grand chancellor and
grand almoner are to be filled.
Memorial Service Held.
Yesterday memorial services were
neld at the temple for five noted
Masons and council members, who
are buried in local cemeteries. Fol-
lowing the temple service, which
included an address by Grand Com
mander Cowles, an organ recital and
vocal solos by Newton T. Hammer
committees placed wreaths on the
graves of those honored. The list
included: '
Albert Pike, who was eighth grand
commander of the Supreme Council
lS59-9l, who died in April, 1891. upon
whose grave in Oak Hill Cemetery
wreath was placed by John Hess.
Dr. Albert Gallatin Mackey, secre-
tary general of the Supreme Coun-
Gu, l844-81; noted physician and
Masonic historian, who died in June
1881, upon whose grave in Glenwood
cemetery a wreath was placed by
Louis Marks and Paul S. Kremer
Benjamin B. French, who served
1or many years as grand master of
Masons in the District of Columbia
and who was lieutenant grand COM
mander OF the Supreme Council
when he died in 1870. upon whose
grave IN Congressional Cemetery a
Wreth was placed by William p.
Jacobs. jr., and Donald w. Graffius
AS grand master of Masons Mr.
French laid the cornerstone of the
Smithsonian Institution and of the
Washington Monument.
Former Surgeon General of Navv
John Mills Browne, who was treas.
urer general of the Supreme Coun-
Gil, 1864, upon whose grave in
Arlington National Cemetery a
wreath was placed by Lesley Waud-
by and DR.. Albert r. Merz.
H. Wallace Witcover, secretary
general of the Supreme Council
l923-34. upon whose grave in Fort
Lincoln Cemetery a wreath was
placed by Frederic B. Blackburn and
G. Leon Smithson.
Health Group to Meet