USA > Iowa > Annals of the Grand Lodge of Iowa > Part 4
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October 16
Mrs. Swartslander and I and the other Grand Of- ficers and their wives were guests of Bluff City Lodge No. 71 at Council Bluffs, the occasion be- ing the visit of Maywood Lodge of Maywood, Illinois. Occupied the East in the Second Sec- tion of a Third Degree and was then received by the Illinois brethren and watched the conferring of a Third Degree Illinois Ritual.
October 18
Attended Moingona Lodge No. 633, Des Moines, the occasion being a reception held for the Deputy Grand Master, Millard D. Thomas, by his own lodge.
October 19
Visited Capital Lodge No. 110, Des Moines, the occasion being the visit of the Grand Officers. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
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October 20
Attended the celebration held by Franklin Lodge No. 14, Bloomfield, commemorating the 100th an- niversary of that lodge. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
October 22
Visited Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 8, Mt. Pleasant. Attended Fellowship Meeting held at Ashlar Lodge No. 111, Fort Dodge, under the auspices of the Iowa Committee on Masonic Education.
October 25
October 26
Guest of the Grand Chapter O.E.S. at the Annual Communication held in Cedar Rapids. Introduced and spoke briefly.
October 27
Spent some time in the office of the Grand Secretary attending to business of the Grand Lodge.
October 28
Attended Belmont Lodge No. 541, Hillsboro, the oc- casion being a reception for the Junior Grand Steward, William A. Hemmings, by his own lodge. Attended Evening Star Lodge No. 43, Winterset, the occasion being a reception for the Grand Treasurer, Glenn Foster, by his own lodge. The speaker of the evening was James P. Irish.
November 1
November 3
Visited Acanthus Lodge No. 632, the occasion being their Annual Past Masters' Night. Spoke briefly. . Attended Hermon Lodge No. 273, Grinnell, the oc- casion being a reception for the Junior Grand Warden, Cecil S. Myers, by his own lodge and a Fellowship Meeting under the auspices of the Iowa Committee on Masonic Education. The speaker was John Thornton.
November 4
Attended a meeting of Waterloo Lodge No. 105 and Martin Lodge No. 624 at Waterloo, the occasion being a Fellowship Meeting under the auspices of the Iowa Committee on Masonic Education. The speaker was Realff Ottesen, P.G.M.
November 5
Attended Oriental Lodge No. 61, Knoxville, the oc- casion being a reception for the Senior Grand Deacon, Dorsey L. Andrews, by his own lodge. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree. (The Senior Grand Deacon closed lodge under the Grand Master's hat.)
November 8
November 9
Attended Tri-Centum Lodge No. 300, Shenandoah, the occasion being a reception for the Junior Grand Deacon, A. F. Driftmier, by his own lodge. Attended Humanity Lodge No. 378, Emerson, the occasion being a reception for the Senior Grand Warden, Frank Oglevie, by his own lodge. Oc- cupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
October 29
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November 11 Visited Equity Lodge No. 131, Janesville. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree. November 12 Visited Fayette Lodge No. 571, Lamoni.
November 15 Past Masters' Night in my own lodge, Warren No. 53, Indianola.
November 16
Opened the Grand Lodge of Iowa and instituted Daylight Lodge, U.D., in the Consistory Temple, Des Moines. Following the close of the Grand Lodge, Daylight Lodge, U.D., was opened and received the Grand Master and his officers. A red letter day for Iowa Masonry in the estab- lishment of the first daylight lodge in the State. Reception of the Grand Officers by William Koch, Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Scot- tish Rite in Iowa, in Des Moines Consistory and the witnessing of the 18th degree.
November 18
November 22 & 23
In charge of a District School of Instruction at Earnest Lodge No. 399, Emmetsburg. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree on the last evening.
November 26
Visited Firm Lodge No. 524, Melcher, the first time a Grand Master had attended this lodge. Oc- cupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
November 27 Visited Pioneer Lodge No. 22, Des Moines. Past Masters' Night. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
December 1 & 2
Attended Regional School of Instruction at Jewel Lodge No. 309, Storm Lake. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
December 3 Visited Auburn Lodge No. 592, Des Moines, this being the annual homecoming night. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
December 6 Visited Delta Lodge No. 356, Dallas Center. Fol- lowing the dinner, spoke briefly to the brethren. December 7 Visited Tyre Lodge No. 185, Columbia. briefly. Spoke
December 8 & 9 Attended Regional School at Arcana Lodge No. 274, New Hampton. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
December 15 Visited Token Lodge No. 304, Stuart. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
December 16 Visited Home Lodge No. 370, Des Moines. Occu- pied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
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1949 January 1 Installed the officers of Pioneer Lodge No. 22, Des Moines.
January 4
Installed the officers of Marble Lodge No. 368, Carlisle, the Senior Grand Deacon, Dorsey L. Andrews, acting as Marshal.
January 5
Installed the officers of Neophyte Lodge No. 301, New Virginia, Senior Grand Deacon, Dorsey L. Andrews, acting as Marshal.
January 6
Installed the officers of Welfare Lodge No. 628, Norwalk, the Senior Grand Deacon, Dorsey L. Andrews, acting as Marshal.
January 7 Installed the officers of Oriental Lodge No. 61, Knoxville. The Deputy Grand Master, Millard D. Thomas, acted as Marshal.
January 10
Installed the officers of my own lodge, Warren No. 53, Indianola.
January 15
Attended a meeting of the Iowa Committee on Ma- sonic Education at the Fort Des Moines Hotel, Des Moines.
January 20
Guest of the Waterloo Consistory Club and addressed the brethren following the dinner.
January 26 & 27
Attended the Regional School of Instruction at Burlington and occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree the last evening.
February 1 & 2
Attended the Regional School of Instruction at Council Bluffs and occupied the East in the Sec- ond Section of a Third Degree on the last evening. Visited Osceola Lodge No. 77, Osceola. Spoke to the brethren.
February 7
Visited Black Oak Lodge No. 491, Leighton. Spoke to brethren.
February 9
Visited Nodaway Lodge No. 140, Clarinda, the oc- casion being a reception for our Grand Secretary, Earl B. Delzell, who was raised in Nodaway Lodge. The brethren presented Earl with a token.
February 10
Visited Armistice Lodge No. 642, Bridgewater. Oc- cupied the East in a Second Section of a Third Degree.
February 11
Mrs. Swartslander and I and the other Grand Offi- cers and their wives were guests of the High Twelve Club of Des Moines at a banquet at the Consistory Temple in Des Moines. The National Past President, E. C Wolcott, was the speaker of the evening.
February 15
Visited Gavel Lodge No. 229, Attica. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
February 4
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February 17 Attended Regional School of Instruction at New- ton. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
February 19 to 24
Attended the Annual Conference of Grand Masters of North America in Washington, D. C.
March 1
Opened Grand Lodge to conduct the funeral ser- vices of Frank Oglevie, the Senior Grand Warden, at Emerson.
March 2
Visited Ancient Craft Lodge No. 647, Des Moines. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
March 8
Visited Iroquois Lodge No. 590, Nodaway. Occu- pied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
March 9 Guest of Za-Ga-Zig Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., Des Moines, at dinner and meeting honoring the Im- perial Potentate.
March 15
Visited Adelphic Lodge No. 509, Des Moines. Occu- pied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
March 17 & 18
Attended Special School of Instruction held by the Board of Custodians in the Consistory Temple in Des Moines.
March 22, 23, 24
Attended the Grand Lodge of Minnesota at St. Paul in company with the Senior Grand Deacon, Dorsey L. Andrews.
March 26
With Mrs. Swartslander and Senior Grand Deacon and Mrs. Dorsey L. Andrews, spent Sunday after- noon and evening with Perry L. Davis, the rep- resentative of the Masonic Service Association of the United States stationed at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines and assisted in his pro- gram for the Masons in the hospital-a wonder- ful work being done by Brother and Mrs. Davis. Visited Volunteer Lodge No. 582 at Tabor. Occu- pied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
March 31
April 7
April 9
Visited Ruby Lodge No. 415, Macedonia. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree. Met with Iowa Committee on Masonic Education at the Library in Cedar Rapids at 9:00 A. M. Visited the three lodges at Dubuque in the even- ing and occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
April 10
Met with the Trustees of the Grand Lodge and the Committee on Finance at the Library at 9:00 A. M.
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April 11
Visited Hazel Lodge No. 573, Peru, another lodge that had never before had a visit from a Grand Master. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
April 12
Visited Rose Lodge No. 506, Gowrie. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree. Visited South Gate Lodge No. 657, Fort Des Moines.
April 14
Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
April 19
April 20
Visited Grace Lodge No. 519, Laurens. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree. Attended the mortgage burning of Bellefontaine Lodge No. 163, Tracy. Assisted in the ceremony and spoke briefly.
April 21
Visited Ivy Lodge No. 483, Truro. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
April 22
Visited Beaver Lodge No. 472, New Hartford. Oc- cupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
April 23
Spent Sunday evening at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines calling on Masonic brethren with the hospital visitor, Brother Perry L. Davis.
April 25
Visited Patmos Lodge No. 155, Mechanicsville. Oc- cupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
April 26
Visited Trojan Lodge No. 548, Marion. Past Mas- ters' Night and the presentation of a Fifty-Year Certificate. Harry A. Palmer, P.G.M., was the speaker.
April 28
Visited Faithful Lodge No. 448, Runnells. Spoke to the brethren.
April 29
Opened Grand Lodge for the purpose of dedication of the Temple of Oak Lodge No. 531, at Dayton. Our Grand Chaplain, C. B. Wittstruck, was the speaker of the evening.
May 4
Opened Grand Lodge for the purpose of dedicating the Temple of Gnemeth Lodge No. 577, West Des Moines. Brother O. H. Bimson was the speaker of the evening.
May 6
May 13
Attended meeting of Waveland Park Assembly of Order of Rainbow. Introduced and spoke briefly. Visited Lebanon Lodge No. 227, Lynnville. Occu- pied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
May 17
Visited Bethel Lodge No. 319, Garner. Group meet- ing.
May 18
Visited Paul Revere Lodge No. 638, Lucas.
1949]
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May 19
Attended the 90th anniversary of Fontanelle Lodge No. 138, Fontanelle. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree.
May 25 June 2
Visited Hesperia Lodge No. 340, Traer. Occupied the East in the Second Section of a Third Degree. Visited Hartford Lodge No. 83, Hartford. Occupied the East in the Second Section of the Third De- gree.
June 7 Attended Grand Lodge of Nebraska at Omaha in company with Senior Grand Deacon Dorsey L. Andrews.
June 7 Attended the 50th anniversary of Morro Lodge No. 559, Walnut.
June 9
Visited Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 263, Cedar Rapids.
Chartered Lodges
The report of the Committee on Lodges Chartered and Under Dispensation and the report of the Grand Secretary will show that the lodges over the State are now in the best condition, numerically, that they have ever been. While this is an evidence of Masonic progress in Iowa, we should not and must not be satisfied entirely by growth in num- bers. There are many other sides to Masonry: Ritual, Masonic Education, Charity, and Fellowship.
Each officer of a lodge must realize that it is his duty to continually strive to instill in the members of his par- ticular lodge the great lessons inculcated in Masonry and thus raise the standards of their communities.
There have been but few violations of Masonic law called to my attention during the year. In one or two cases it has been necessary for me to call upon the officers of the lodges and request that they comply with the Code, which I am happy to say they have cheerfully consented to do.
One particular violation that came to my attention was that of examining candidates for proficiency on the First and Second Degrees before a committee and having the committee report, and the lodge accept that as evidence of proficiency. The Code provides that each brother must be examined as to his proficiency in open lodge. This method of procedure led to the report that candidates were not being examined on the First and Second Degree lec-
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tures but advanced without. The lodge at fault agreed to abide by the Code and examine every brother in open lodge.
Lodge Secretaries' Conferences
As has been done for the past several years, the Grand Secretary scheduled a Secretaries' Conference on the last afternoon of each Regional School. I was privileged to sit in at least part of the time on each of these five con- ferences and speak briefly.
I am of the opinion that this is one of the most important meetings held during the year. The Secretary becomes acquainted with the Grand Secretary and talks over his own personal problems with him. In the discussions dur- ing the meetings, he learns much that will help him be a better Secretary and in the end lighten the load in the Grand Secretary's office by sending in prompt and correct Re- turns. These meetings should be continued and enlarged and more Secretaries urged to attend.
Grand Secretary's Office
Until one has been Grand Master, he cannot fully realize the GRAND Secretary we have in Brother Earl B. Delzell. He and his very efficient staff fairly jump to anticipate the wishes of the Grand Master. He takes a load from the Grand Master in his very excellent and timely counsel.
Outside Iowa, bur Grand Secretary is regarded just as highly as he is in his own jurisdiction.
I can only say in this very ineffectual way, THANKS.
Recommendations
It is my duty under Section 41a (5) of the Masonic Code to make such recommendations to this Grand Lodge as I believe will be of benefit to it and to the brethren of Iowa.
I have given careful consideration to the following sug- gested amendments to the Code and to the recommenda- tions of procedure suggested in those not proposed as amendments.
It is the privilege and duty of the Grand Master to re- quest the Grand Officers to attend Emergent Sessions of
See Pp 86,89
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the Grand Lodge, for such purposes as Grand Lodge Funer- als, Laying of Corner Stones, and Dedications of Masonic Halls. These trips, entailing many miles of travel and, at times, hotel and meal expenses, are not provided for from Grand Lodge funds.
It would seem to me that on such occasions as this, the Grand Officers should receive their necessary expenses in- asmuch as all other trips and visits to lodges are at their own expense.
Therefore, I propose that Chapter XI of the Masonic Code of Iowa be changed by adding the following :
See Pp. 58, 89,190
Sec. 90-a. Expenses of Grand Officers at Emergent Com- munications. Each Grand Officer in attendance at an Emer- gent Communication of the Grand Lodge shall receive his actual and necessary expenses, subject to the approval of the Grand Master.
It has been the custom for many years past for the Com- mittee on Finance to include in its recommendations an ap- propriation of a sum for the expenses of the Grand Master to the Annual Grand Masters' Conference at Washington, D. C., in February.
The amount has been insufficient to cover the expenses on the trip, and while we do not expect our Grand Master to accumulate money during the year, I do believe that his expenses on this trip should be paid in full.
Therefore, I submit the following amendment to the Ma- sonic Code of Iowa :
Sec. 90-b. Grand Master's Expense to Washington, D.C. The actual and necessary expenses of the Grand Master to the Annual Conference of Grand Masters in Washington, D. C., shall be paid upon receipt of the proper voucher in the office of the Grand Secretary.
During the year as mentioned before in this report, it was necessary for me to deny a group of Masons in Iowa City a Dispensation to form a lodge of research because the Masonic Code of Iowa does not provide for such a lodge.
Therefore, after due thought and consultation with in- formed brethren, I am submitting the following proposed amendments to the Code:
See Pp. 58, 89,191
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Section 101. DEFINITIONS.
c. Lodge of Research. A Lodge of Research shall not have the power or authority to receive petitions for or confer the degrees. Its representatives shall not have a vote in Grand Lodge nor be entitled to receive mileage or per diem, as such: nor shall such lodge be liable for or required to pay per capita tax or assessments to the Grand Lodge; and in lieu of Annual Returns it shall make an annual report to the Grand Lodge. By-laws and regulations for operation shall be approved by the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence.
Section 105. LODGES UNDER DISPENSATION.
d. Twenty or more Master Masons, members of any Iowa lodge in good standing, may petition the Grand Master for a Dispensation to form a Lodge of Research, for the purpose of promoting Masonic research and study and the spreading of Masonic knowledge; and a Charter may be issued to such a lodge without compliance with the usual requirements prescribed for forming a regular lodge; upon approval of the Grand Lodge at an Annual Communication.
Active membership in such lodge shall not continue unless regular membership in good standing is maintained by such member in a subordinate lodge of this jurisdiction.
Because of the personal reaction by members of the lodge toward the Secretary, who under our present laws must send a notice by registered mail to each member whose dues have become delinquent, I am proposing that Iowa adopt an Automatic Suspension Law, thus relieving the Secretary of an unpleasant duty and the ire of the brethren who have allowed themselves to become delinquent.
I, therefore, propose that Sections 326, 327, and 329 of the Masonic Code of Iowa be stricken out and the follow- ing section be inserted in lieu thereof :
Sec. 326. NON-PAYMENT OF DUES. When a member shall fail to pay his dues on or before the first day of Sep- tember in any year, it shall be the duty of the Secretary to notify him within ten days, in writing, of his delinquency, and if the member shall fail to pay his dues on or before the stated communication in November of that year he shall, without action by the lodge, be automatically dropped from the roll as of that date and such action shall be recorded in the minutes of that meeting.
Notification as above shall be by mailing a written notice to said member at his last known address by United States mail in a sealed envelope with sufficient postage thereon, on a form procured from the office of the Grand Secretary.
Believing that after a member has continued in our Order for a period of fifty years and is entitled to a Fifty-
See Pp. 58, 89, 191
See Pp. 58,89,192
See Pp. 58, 89,195
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Year Certificate and is exempt from further payment of dues, he would be proud to wear a suitable emblem sig- nifying such length of membership. I recommend that in addition to the Certificate and dues card furnished him, he shall also receive from the Grand Lodge of Iowa, one of the fifty-year buttons now available at the office of the Grand Secretary. I have found that other jurisdictions present such emblems to their fifty-year members and they proudly wear them. Surely Iowa would do no less.
At the beginning of my term of office I was presented with the "Hutchinson Ring," which has been the custom for some thirty-five years. Through so many years the ring has become thin and fragile and I believe should be preserved in the archives. I, therefore, recommend that this custom be discontinued and the Grand Secretary in- structed to place the ring in a suitable container in the Grand Lodge Library, with a placard attached explaining the history of the ring.
There are several items in the appropriations that are recommended by the Committee on Finance each year for the approval of the Grand Lodge, and it is my recommenda- tion to this committee that the following adjustments in them be made over previous years :
Committee on Fraternal Review-It is my belief that this committee should have an increase of $300.00. The amount now appropriated could not by any matter of deduction cover the hours of work of our Reviewer, and his labor is certainly worthy of more than a token allowance.
Grand Secretary's Salary-Other jurisdictions, with no library to be responsible for, pay their Grand Secretary a larger salary than we do. I therefore recommend that the salary of our Grand Secretary be increased by $500.00 per year.
Contingent Fund of the Grand Master-Here again we do not allow our Grand Master a contingent fund comparable to other jurisdictions. With the increase in the cost of travel, hotels, and meals, an adjustment should be made. I, there- fore, recommend that this appropriation be increased by $500.00.
Library Building-I am sure that when the delegates see the outward appearance of our Library they will be disap- pointed. It is my recommendation that immediate action be taken by the Grand Lodge authorizing our Grand Lodge
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Trustees to proceed with plans for a suitable building to house and protect our valuable possessions and report at the annual session in 1950, showing probable cost and plans and a defin- ite date to begin construction, subject to the approval of that session.
Conclusion
Again, I wish to express my gratitude and appreciation for the honor you have conferred upon me in permitting me to serve as your Grand Master during the past year. It has given me the opportunity to enjoy the friendship of brethren all over the State, and I shall always cherish the recollection of the pleasant hours spent in your service.
I hope that I have, at least in part, lived up to your ex- pectations and fulfilled the confidence you placed in me. During the year it has been my purpose to be of service to you, and if my efforts have met your approval I have been adequately compensated for time spent. My only hope is that I may be able to continue to serve Masonry in Iowa better because of the experiences of the past year.
Fraternally submitted, Quy Swartslander Grand Master of Masons in Iowa.
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DOCUMENTS PRESENTED AND REFERRED
George E. Farmer (25), Deputy Grand Secretary, re- ported that several documents referring to the law had been filed with the Grand Secretary in accordance with the pro- visions of Section 515 that all proposed amendments to the Code be filed with the Grand Secretary not later than May 10 prior to the regular communication of the Grand Lodge at which said proposed amendments are to be acted upon. When presented to the Grand Lodge, the sponsor of each proposed amendment is named. The following were pre- sented and referred :
Section 90a sponsored by Grand Master J. Guy Swartslander. Section 90b sponsored by Grand Master J. Guy Swartslander. Section 101c sponsored by Grand Master J. Guy Swartslander. Section 105d sponsored by Grand Master J. Guy Swartslander.
Section 154c sponsored by R. E. Good, Secretary of Auburn Lodge No. 592, Des Moines.
Section 228b sponsored by Masters and Wardens Council, Des Moines. Section 228h sponsored by Masters and Wardens Council, Des Moines. Section 238 sponsored by Masters and Wardens Council, Des Moines. Section 326 sponsored by Grand Master J. Guy Swartslander.
Section 327a (3) sponsored by Grand Master J. Guy Swartslander. Section 346 sponsored by the Grand Lodge Trustees.
Section 4051/2 sponsored by the Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence. See page 190 for text of amendments and action thereon.
See Pp. 54, 89,190
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REPORT OF GRAND SECRETARY AND GRAND LIBRARIAN
Earl B. Delzell presented his printed report as Grand Secretary and Librarian, together with his financial report.
To the Grand Lodge of Iowa :
I herewith submit my fourth annual report as Grand Secretary and Librarian.
A. SECRETARY'S REPORT
Fraternal Dead
The more complete report will be presented by the Com- mittee on Fraternal Dead, but I want to refer in passing to the death of two outstanding Grand Secretaries of other Grand Jurisdictions and the present and Past Grand Of- ficers of the Grand Lodge of Iowa.
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