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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 1914)
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND. MAY 3. 1914. 15 MASONIC DENQUNG BODIES E "FAKE" English, Scotch and American Officials of Order Brand "American Federation." SALE OF "RIGHTS" EXPOSED rrosecntion in Canada Results In I'inc and Deportation and Sur prise Expressed That Dupes (Still Arc Being Found. That a coterie of unprincipled men aro victimizing: many who would join the Maeonic order by taking what fees they can collect for admission to a bogus order of Masonry is the charge of Grand Secretary Robinson, of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Oregon. Mr. Robinson says this "confidence game" has been going on for years. Two members of the order, which is styled the "American Masonic Federation." Nathan B. Wineberg and Joseph Men del, were fined 200 each by Magistrate Shaw in Vancouver, B. C. last Decem ber and were deported from Canada. The charge was obtaining money under false pretenses. The grand organizer of these "Clan destine Masons." as they have been called, is McBlain Thomson, of Salt Lake City, who, according to a letter from Alfred A. A. murray. grand secre tary of the grand chapter of Scotland, to Grand Secretary Robinson, is an ev pelled Mason. The organizers of the American Federation in Oregon have been A. E. Lucas and W. H. Lindsay. Lucas began operations in Portland in x910, under authority of McBlain Thompson. He had offices in the North End, where, ac cording to Grand Secretary Robinson, lie pretended to confer three degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry on his victims in the short time of 35 minutes, charg ing a fee of ?a5. HlcH Sold Is Allegation. "After lie had made considerable money peddling his spurious masonry he transferred the business to W. H. Lindsay for $400," said Secretary Rob inson yesterday. "Lindsay operated the business for some time, until he was arrested by the Portland police for contributing to the delinquency of small boys. He was tried in Judge Mc Ginn's court, convicted and paroled. Then he disappeared and has not been heard of since. "After Lindsay's disappearance the business of the American Masonic Fed eration was transferred to A. J. Court, G. B. M. Sommerville. S. H. Haines, J. A. Wheeler, P. A. Johnson and others, who are still, pretending to organize lodges and confer Masonic degrees on anyone they can prevail upon to put up the money. "These self-constituted officials pre tend to confer any degree of masonry from the first to the 33d degree, and many other degrees not recognized by legitimate Masons. As long as their victims have the money, these im postors will give them some kind of de grees and call it masonry. And of course if any of these victims come to any of our lodges we cannot admit them. They cannot be recognized by any Masonic lodge in the country. Portland Victims 2t. "There have been about 20 victims of this bogus Masonry in Portland. T. C. Hunt, who recently was admitted to the bar in this city, is one of them. He sued the organizers for obtaining money under false pretenses. The case was tried before Judge Kavanaugh. The jury stood nine to three for con viction. At a second trial the organ izers were acquitted. It was shown by their attorney that no fraud was In tended, in proof whereof he pointed to a sentence in small printing on the cer tificate which read: This does not give you the right to visit any other rite.' " A stack of letters four inches high in the possession of Grand Secretary Rob inson, most of them from Lucas to Lindsay and some from Thomson to Lindsay, throws some light on the ope rations of the organizers and where tne greater part of the fees went. Following is a letter written by Grand Secretary Robinson in iiwp to an inquiry regarding the "Clandestine .masons : "In reply to your question: "What standing will my friend. Mr. '. have in the Masonic fraternity and will he be permitted to visit the lodges of An cient Free and Accepted Masons in Oregon if he should join a lodge of the American Masonic Federation?" I have to inform you that he will have no smnning in, neitner will he be permit ted to visit or be recognized as a. Mo. son by any member of or any lodge of A. F. and A. Masons of Oregon or any other state or country in the woria. "Imitators An Branded.'' "The 'American Masonic Federating ' like many other imitators of Masonic ooaies. are known and branded by all A. F. and A. Masons as clandestine or fake Masons. "None of the persons you name, to wit: McBlain Thompson. A. J. Court, G. B. M. Somerville, S. H. Haines. J. A. Wheeler or P. A. Johnson, have any authority from any lodge or Grand Lodge of A. F. and A. Masons in this or any other country to establish lodges or confer Masonic degrees. "Any person joining the 'American Masonic Federation' expecting they are getting legitimate Masonry or ex pecting to be recognized as 'Masons or permitted to visit or affiliate with lodges of A. F. and A. M. will be badly disappointed. "No. it is not true that the courts of Oregon hare pronounced the 'Ameri can Masoijlc Federation" 'a legitimate body." One of their own victims (F. C. Hunt) when he found that he had been buncoed had them arrested and tried 'for obtaining money under false pretenses.' and they only escaped con viction on a technicality. "On February 1 two of the agents of the 'American Masonic Federation at tempted to foist their spurious Masonry on some persons in Vancouver, B. C They were arrested, tried, convicted and nned $200. and informed bv the judge that a repetition of the offense would be more severely dealt with and punished with a prison sentence.' Any Connection la Denied. "The fraternity or A. F. and A. Ma sons of the world are in no way con nected with or responsible for the claims put forth by the above named clandestine body calling themselves Masons. "These clandestine or fake 'Masons' have been exposed so many times through the public press and otherwls. that it is astonishing any intelligent person can be so shamefully imposed upon by them. "If you will call at this office I will show you letters from one of their members to another of their members where they divided the money ob tained from some of their victims and where one of them bought for 1400 from another of tbelr agents the (pre tended) right to establish lodges in Oregon. "Also. I will show you letters from the Grand Lodge .of Scotland denying that it (the Grand Lodge of Scotland) ever gave the 'American Masonic Fed eration' any charter or authority to establish lodges in America or else where. "No Masonic grand body of Scotland or any other country can legally form Masonio lodges in America. "Hoping I have made this so very plain that any can understand it, I am fraternally yours, "JAMES F. ROBINSON, "Grand Secretary Grand Lodge A. F. and A. M. of Oregon." Following are extracts from and copies of letters from grand secre taries of England , and Scotland bear ing on the standing of McBlain Thom son and others connected with the American Masonic Federation: Extract from letter of Albert A. A. Murray to W. H. Lindsay, a member of the "American Masonic Federation": "Edinburg. Scotland. Feb. 15, 1911. "W. H. Lindsay: I have received your letter of January 27 . . "Fourth Its active, members are. so fas as I know, of no standing what ever. "Fifth The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland, which is the only legitimate Royal Arch body in Scotland, does not recognize the Coun cil of Rites. "The latter has no authority what ever to confer the Royal Arch de gree, either in Scotland or out of it. "In no circumstances will Thomson or his confederates, in my opinion, be recognized by the Grand Priory" (Knights Templar). "They have absolutely no right to confer the degrees. Degrees con ferred by them or by their authority will not be recognized by any of the regular Templar Jurisdictions through out the world. "Neither Spence, Thomson or Jami son have the thirty-third degree. -(Signed) ALFRED A. A. MURRAY, 'Grand Secretary Grand Chapter. Scot land." Authority "Only His Ono.' Copy of letter from grand secretary of grand lodge oi Scotland: "Edinburgh. Scotland, Nov. 5. 1912. James F. Robinson. Grand Secretary, Oregon: I have this morning received your letter of 24th ult. making in quiries in regard to the authority of McBlain Thompson to establish lodges and confer degrees within your grand jurisdiction and that of other grand luug-es in America. "That person has no authoritv from the grand lodge at all. Nor has he any authority from any regular and recognized Masonic body. His nefarious work is engineered by himself and a few others of his kind, and the 'authority he relies on is derived from himself." "(Signed) DAVID REED, 'Grand Secretary Grand Lodge of Scot land." Copy of letter from A. A. A. Murrav. grand secretary. Grand Chapter of Scotland: "Edinburgh. Scotland. Nov. 6 1912. .las. jv. n.ooinson, urand Secretary: I beg to acknowledge your letter of 24th October and I beg to reply officially and categorically as follows: The Supreme Grand Roval Arch Chapter of Scotland never did issue any authority to Mathew McBlain Ihompson to organize or to confer any of the degrees urfder its authoritv con form to its constitution. s He did not and does not now, hold either as an individual or as a denutv or in any other capacity whatever. any sucn authority from it to confer such degrees in any part of the world whatever. "He does not possess now. and has never received from any of the bodies recognized as legitimate Masonic bodies by the grand - lodge, or the supreme grand chapter of Scotland any author- icy to corner Masonic degrees. (Signed) "Alfred A. A. MURRAY, "Grand Secretary, Grand Chapter Scot land." Expulsion la Asserted. ' This letter is also of date November 6, isi3, rrom Mr. Murray to Mr. Rob inson: ". . . Nearly all the descriptions you quote in connection with Thomp son are perversions of the truth, in the sense that he is an expelled Mason, and that he is not a member of the recognized Masonic bodies in Scotland bearing the descriptions quoted by you. "I think you should not hesitate to publish as widely as possible the fact or tne expulsion. Copy of letter from grand secretary, grand lodge, England: "London. 24th March, 1914, James F. nuoinaon, urana secretary In reply to your inquiry in your letter of the 10th Inst. The grand lodge of England knows nothing of the body styling it- seir Tne American Masonic Feder ation' and has never recognized or ex- cnanged representatives with it. (Signed) "E. LETCHWORTH, "Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge England." SCATHING REBUKE GIVEN Jndge Stevenson Denounces Man Charged With Stealing Woman. After defining Thomas Whiteside as a "serpent" for his alleged enticing of the wife of R. M. Ewen. a cripple. Municipal Judge Stevenson yesterday sentenced him to 90 days In jail. Ewen testified that he followed his wife until she met Whiteside, and that when he remonstrated with her White side struck him. Assault was charged The three pretty little children of the Ewens were in court. Whiteside announced he would appeal the 'case, and bail was fixed at $1500,- paper, or 1750 cash. FEWER LAWS URGED John Manning Would Retain Only Three Commissions. EIGHT QUERIES ANSWERED CARD OF THANKS. We wish to express our sincere thanks to the many friends for their sympathy and kindness in our sad -eavement M RS. C. L. DUPlTY. M R. AND MRS. J. E. DUPUY. . MARTHA DrPUY. HARRY DUPUY. Adv. HOWARD DUPUY. Democratic Aspirant for Governor Outlines Plan to Reduce Taxa tion and Says Big Need Is to Ignore Faddist. That all state commissions can be reduced to three is tne view of John Manning, candidate for the Democratic nomination lor Governor. Mr. Manning explains his plan in a letter answering eight questions asked of all candidates for Governor by The Oregonlan. He specifies these three commissions and their duties: One in charge of la bor industries. inspection, accident. arbitration and matters relating to this euujeci; anotner on public domain, ad ministering matters relating to land, irrigation, roads, mines and fruit in spection; and the third on corporations, dealing with railways, corporations generally, insurance and related sub jects. Mr. Manning's answers to the nuei. tions follow in full: Portland. Or.. May 2. (To the Edi tor.) I have the honor to acknowl edge receipt of your favor of April 18, requesting an expression upon a series of questions, presumably for the infor mation of the public through your jour nal, r-ermn me to say that I approve of tiie system which you have devised of nterrogatlng candidates UDon Dubllc questions and thank you for the oppor tunity oi oeing neara. MHns Answers suggested. I would suertrest. indeed thstt vmt ca father and retain and file for refer ence the replies which you receive to your letter and inform the public through your columns hereafter what steps the successful candidates take to follow their promises by performance. In this manner you will render a public service which your readers and the voters cannot fail to appreciate, remem- Denng, as they do, the manv and fer vent promises of economy, businesslike administration and the like, of former candidates and present office-holders, and reflecting upon the present multi plicity of offices and the increasing bur den of taxation. Question No. 1 "What reforms In legislation do you advocate that, will tend to bring about reduced ta cation and economy in state affairs?" l must state it as mv conviction that "reforms," such as we have en Joyed during recent years, have pro duced the opposite of economy in most cases, and however richly the reform measures may have been sugarcoated with promises of economy, they seem to nave iniiated the expense account and added to the salary list. Fewer Lawa Needed. We should have fewer laws and de mand rigid obedience to those de tained. It Is the retvrn to slmDler methods, not the multiplication of laws, reform or otherwise, that will onus relief, if anything will, from overtaxation. We must be deaf to the shrill voice of the faddist, the political nariequin. ana aery the demands of local interests for special favors. We must return to the democratic prin ciple of restricting the functions of government to maintaining order, providing for the public safety and .fostering commerce, industry and agri culture oy Keeping it free from un necessary burdens and obstacles rather than loading it with charges, impediments and annoying it with of ficial interference. We must discharge all unnecessary employes in every branch of the public service regardless of pull or standing, place the compensation of all needed employes the same as their services would bring in private employment. We must get as much in mer chandise, labor or service for the state as any private person obtains for the same amount of cost. We must stop building unnecessary or needlessly ex pensive and elaborate buildings and dismiss officials and superintendents whose expenditures exceed the amounts allowed for their work. Finally, it is ourselves, the people, who must firmly resolve 'hat these things must come ta. pass, and then governors, courts and legislatures will reflect their wishes. Three Commissions Needed. Question No. 2 "What slate commis sions are you in favor of abolishing?" I see the need of but three commis sions one in charge of labor, indus tries. Inspection, accident, arbitration and matters relating to this subject; then another on public domain, admin istering matters relating to land, irri gation, roads, mines, stock and fruit Inspection, etc.; the third on corpora tions, dealing with railways, corpora tions generally, insurance and related subjects. The jurisdiction of these should be carefully defined by an act, also their procedure in matters involving import ant rights, and their records should be public, their decisions only upon hear lng of the parties interested. These of ficers should be suitably paid and the functions of the commission in the re spective divisions performed by experts in tnese Drancnes. Question No. 3: "What state com missions ere you In favor of consoli dating? Question No. 4 : "Are you "in favor AN INTERNATIONAL PUZZLE 'IT HP ii eiics w mi ... n k EVERYBODY WILL BE DOING IT! SOL ME IT! You Can't Win by Figuring on This Illustration BUY THE COMPLETE PUZZLE AND GET DIAGRAMS SHOW HOW FIRE ALARM BOXES SHOULD BE OPERATED. i o . m BREAK GLASS ANDTUKN KEY TTfIre alarm box! c gp PULL THE HOOK 'DOWN ONCE AND LET GO i LEFT. CLOSED BOX SHOWING SMALL GI.A CASH I.X fORVGR. RIGHT, BOX OPE"KD, HOWI.G LEVER TO BE PILLED DOWN TO SEXD l.N A LA II M. Believing that serious fires are caused at times by persons not knowing- how to operate fire alarm boxes, Mayor Albee has started a campaign to educate the public in the handling: of the boxes as found throughout the city on the streets and in buildings. In turning in an alarm at a box the first operation, as shown by accompanying drawing, is to break the glass in the small box on the face of the larger alarm box. Inside the glass is a key which, upon being turned, opens the door of the alarm box. Near the upper left hand corner of the inside of the main box is a lever which turns in the alarm upon being pulled down. The person sending in the alarm is directed to remain at the box until the fire department arrives so as to direct the firemen to the fire. Mayor Albee ays persons often run to an' alarm box and not being able to operate it run for a telephone, thus delaying the sending in of the alarm and allowing the fire to gain much headway. A i jvuYp2 Ci a, i 1 11 1 TIT IS SETTING THE I CO V N YCJN ri RE J" JL I - rvr ly 1 - WYftftHtf m ill $l(O(0)i IN GOLD Start from the center. Mexico, ana add vp the numbered barricade. If you a;et out on the road to Par 1m, Japan, Monte Carlo or South America In an even hundred you In. The auentloa mark a In this lllunlrn tion ink-e the place of the final nura hrm that appear on the poke Ira that 11 111 be on aale this neck. Every problem that the world has ever known, from Sam Lloyd's "Pigs in Clover" to "How Old Is Ann?" is overshad owed by the puzzle of HOW TO GET HUERTAOUT OF MEXICO PRESIDENT WILSON IS TRYING HIS BEST TO SOLVE IT. EARN $100 WORK OUT THE PROBLEM Presidents, Kings, Diplomats, Generals and Admirals are taking the puzzle to bed with them How to get Huerta out that's it! Get Huerta out. Count him out in an even hundred. Get your answer in first and get one hundred dollars in gold! The inventor of the puzzle has made an affidavit to the genuineness of the sealed solution, This affidavit has been attached to the sealed solution, and this solution has been deposited with The Oregonian. One hundred dollars in gold has been deposited with The Oregonian. This one hundred dol lars will be paid to the first person sending in the correct solution. The postmark time on the letters will determine the question of the FIRST solution. WATCH THE OREGONIAN FOR FURTHER DETAILS The puzzles will be put on the market this week. You will find that it is ten cents' worth of amusement. . AND YOU MAY EARN THAT $100 ADDRESS: "BEAT IT, HUERTA," PUZZLE G-953, OREGONIAN OFFICE of retaining or abolishing the State Tax Commission?" These remarks also dispose of your third and fourth questions. The func tions of the Tax Commission should be performed by the Governor, faecretary of State and State Treasurer. Quarterly Tax Payments Urgred. Question No. 6: "How should taxes be paid, annually, semi-annually or Quarterly?" I should say pay the taxes Quarterly, with 8 per cent interest on overdue payments, penalty arter aeiinQuency oi the fourth payment Question No. 6 (a): "Are you in favor of the state issuing bonds for good roads?" (b): "What are your ideas as to state aid for good roads?" Your cuestlon is not easy io answer In a few words. Many of the counties have undertaken heavy obligations and expended great sums in road-building, while some have done much less. The equitable adjustment of the burden of state-wide roads becomes therefore quite perplexing- Nevertheless the main highways should oe oum unaer sine supervision and with state aid, as it seems just that the larger cities should pay a share towards highway construc tion, as the roads all lead to them. Where bonds are Issued this should be done on the district plan and under the supervision, in all cases, of trained men. Rrrlalmioc Land Favored. Question No. 7 "Are you in favor of the state issuing bonds or appropri ating money for reclaiming arid lands within the state?" Question No. 8 "What are your Ideas as to state aid for reclaiming arid lands?" As to the bonding of the state for morovement of arid lands, your last question, I believe tnax tne state snouia lend the benefit of its credit and or ganization for meritorious farming and land development enterprises, em bracing in that policy all tillable land. as needed. Bonds should always be a charge upon the territory benefited and such land should be sufficient se curity for the bonds: if they cannot be sold at par with the security of the improved land behind it, they should not be issued. Tours very truly, JOHN MANNING. PERS0NAL MENTION. E. B. Hanley is registered at the Ben son. fr. C. F. Cathey, of Condon, is at the Carlton. E. A. Taylor, of Astoria, is at the Oregon. M. S. Pittman. of Monmouth, is at the Saward. W. G. Swart, of Denver, is registered at the Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. s. Hodges, of Chicago, are at the Carlton. Mrs. G. W. Green, of The ralles.,is at the ashington. . George F. McLaughlin, of Grants Pass, is registered at the Imperial with Mrs. McLaughlin. Dr. J. V. Wilhelm, of Condon, is reg istered at the Carlton. Mr. and Mrs. Vernon A. Forbes, of Bend, are at the Benson. Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Parker, of Chi cago, are at the Washington. W. Edwin Tribble. of Woodland, Wash., is at the Multnomah. W. O. Smith is registered at the Ore gon from Urangevllle, Idaho. C. V. Ely registered at the Seward yesterday from Walla Walla. Dr. Frank E. Doran. of Seaside, is registered at the Multnomah. N. L. Ward, of Goldendale. Wash., is registered at the Washington. Miss, Margaret Hanson, of Spokane, is registered at the Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan M. McLeod. of Forest Grove, are at the Seward. W. J. Bowman, of 'San Francisco, reg istered at the Carlton yesterday. P. A. Baillargeon, of Seattle,' Is at the Benson. He is anrchitect. B. R. Westbrook. manager of the St. Francis Hotel at Albany, Or., Is regis ter d at the Seward. Mrs. M. Knighton and Mrs. Roy Faul coner, of Sheridan, are at the Imperial. Sol a-sd Charles G. FriedenthaL Se attle business raon, are at the Oregon. fr. and Mrs. W. H. Wilson are reg istered at the Multnomah from Eugene. Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Webb and children, of Mount Angel, are at the Multnomah. B. C. Berryman. of Chicago, owner of the Jose Vila cigar factory at Tampa, ta registered at the Imperial. Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Flanders, of Den ver, are at the imperial. Mr. Flanders is an official of the Indian service. ' Dr. ard Mrs. N. B. Leggett. of New York, with Miss Russell and N. B. Leg gett, Jr, are at the Benson, en route home from California. -Dr. E. D. Johnson ana Dr. Cjorge A. Cathey, who have been practicing physicians in Portland for a number of years, left the city yesterday for a three weeks' hunting and fishing trip, after which they will take up the practice of their profession at Klam at.. Falls. Dr. Johnson has been prac ticing in Portland 17 years and Dr Cathey four. CHICAGO, May2-(Special.) N. A. Colman, of Portland. Or., is registered at the Congress Hotel. MOTHER AND BABE BURIED Funeral Services Held Over Mrs. William G. Zlegler. With her dead baby in her arms. Mrs. Edna Anna Ziegler, 13 East Eighth street, was buried yesterday In Mount Scott Cemetery. Mrs. Ziegler and her new-born child died Thursday. Funeral services were held in the Laurel wood Congregational Church. Mrs. Ziegler was 29 years old. She la survived by her husband, William G. Ziegler. and four sisters, the Misses Alta. Ravella and Mary Horn, and Mrs. Cloa Doyle. As-Cap So for headache. Adv. ff : A Carload of Bath Tubs at $13.50 Absolutely the biggest value in Bath Tubs ever known in the Northwest! We bought a car load of them from an independ ent factory. Guaranteed castiron. White Enamel Tubs, with three inch roll rim. Complete with fittings from the floor tip. We challenge the plumbing trust to produce a Tub that approaches this for the price. 4t O Ctfl ee them Monday K10t3U TRUST PRICES SMASHED ON PLUMBING SUPPLIES We sell direct to anyone at wholesale prices. Estlmatrs gladly furnished. Every article guaranteed first-class. Our other low trust-busting prices Include Hlwfc Tafc Toilet- 810.50 Golden Oak Law-Uows Tolleta Two-Part Cement Laaadry Trn th at on W 811.00 at only 9G.OO laat Iroa White Eaaafl l.ava- lx34 OM-Plrre Malta. 1T KO ton, oaly 3.10 SO-fiallon Boliera Visit our salesroom tomorrow. Take "S" car going south on Third street. Out-of-town people, send for complete price list. J. Simon & Brother Front and Grant treet THE TRUST BCSTERS" Phone Mio '-'Oirj.