THE BUILDER MAGAZINE
march 1919
volume 5 - number 3
REPORT OF THE MASONIC
OVERSEAS MISSION
BY BRO. TOWNSEND SCUDDER, P.G.M., NEW YORK
Those who have followed closely the argument in various
articles recently appearing in THE BUILDER dealing with Masonry's Duty in the
War, and particularly the report of the Cedar Rapids Masonic Conference in the
January issue, will appreciate the enthralling interest of this story of the
negotiations with the Government to allow Masonry to participate in the War
activities so closely allied to its basic principles of relief.
Everywhere and at all times Masons have been asking why
Masonry was not allowed that participation. Some have criticized our Fraternity
for its seeming indifference. In the report of the Cedar Rapids Conference was
voiced the conclusion of its participants that the only way in which Masonry
might ever hope to receive the recognition which its membership deserved was by
finding for itself a truly National Voice. Having arrived at that conclusion,
the Conference presented to the Grand Lodges of the United States a method by
which this end might be accomplished, for their consideration and adoption, if
they found the plan wise. Already there is evidence, in the affirmative action
of every Grand Lodge which had its Annual Communication subsequent to the Cedar
Rapids Conference, (these Grand Lodges being Georgia, Alabama, Texas, South
Carolina, Minnesota, Florida, North Carolina, Utah, Tennessee, Connecticut and
Louisiana,) that UNITY is the one crying need, and that unity is clearly defined
in the Constitution of the MASONIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES, as
set forth in the January number of THE BUILDER.
The action of the Cedar Rapids Conference was largely
founded upon a verbal report from M.W. Townsend Scudder, P.G.M. of New York,
wherein was fully described the refusal of the Government to recognize
Freemasonry as it had recognized other societies desiring to perform a similar
service, and the reason advanced for that refusal.
That verbal report, with all its supporting documentary
evidence, has now been made in writing to the Grand Masters of the United
States, and is embodied in the Proceedings of the Cedar Rapids Conference.
Because we believe a wider circulation among the Craft is
vital to our individual and collective plans for the future, particularly as
they are to affect the destinies of the proposed MASONIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF
TEXE UNITED STATES, this Society will reproduce in full Judge Scudder's masterly
report in the columns of TIIE BUILDER, and invites the attention of the whole
Craft to a careful study of our position as it is, without some form of
co-operation, as a basis and foundation for future co-ordination of effort alone
educational and relief lines.
To THE M.W. WILLIAM S. FARMER, Grand Master of Masons in
the State of New York, and to all Masonic Grand Jurisdictions in the United
States participating in the efforts to induce our government to consent to
overseas service by the Masonic fraternity in the interest of our forces engaged
in the great war.
BRETHREN, as chairman of the Commission appointed in 1917,
by M.W. Thomas Penney, Grand Master, and confirmed in such appointment by you in
1918, to organize in Europe war relief for the benefit of our men in the army
and navy, and to secure the permission of the government of the United States to
that end, I have the honor to make the following report. Although appointed in
the first instance by the Grand Master of Masons in New York, the Commission was
thereafter, by the Grand Masters of many of our sister jurisdictions, appointed
and designated as their own.
In order that the readers of this report may properly
understand our efforts to engage in overseas work, and trace the steps taken by
us to that end, it is necessary to begin with a conference held in the office of
the Secretary of War in October, 1917. At this conference a large number of
fraternal organizations were represented.
This conference was held at the invitation of the Secretary
of War for the purpose of discussing, and considering the modification of, an
order previously made by him which excluded Freemasons and other fraternities
and associations from engaging in welfare work within military camps and
accorded that privilege exclusively to the Young Men's Christian Association and
the Knights of Columbus. This order had been made without notice to the Masonic
fraternity or opportunity afforded it to be heard in the matter of its desire to
participate in such service, to engage in which it was at all times ready,
willing, and financially able without soliciting outside assistance.
This conference resulted in a statement by the Secretary
that thereafter camps and cantonments of the army would be open for the erection
and use of buildings therein by fraternal, benevolent, or similar societies of
recognized and well-established character, having members in such camps or
cantonments, upon permission first obtained from the officer commanding the camp
or cantonment in question. The Masonic fraternity in New York state thereafter
endeavored to take advantage of the Secretary's announcement, but met with
little encouragement on the part of the military authorities. Balked in these
efforts, the fraternity devoted itself to social work for the benefit of our
soldiers and sailors, in the communities immediately adjacent to the camps, and
also in the large cities visited by the men on leave.
About this time the transatlantic movement of our troops
began, and because of this fact the extension of our fraternity's activities to
foreign lands was determined upon if governmental sanction thereto could be
secured.
Public announcement had been made that the government of
the United States would establish abroad what were described as "leaveareas,"
whither, and whither alone, our soldiers on leave would be permitted to go.
Recalling the obstructions thrown in the way of our previous attempts at service
in camps, and pondering on this announcement relative to the so-called "leaveareas,"
light seemed suddenly shed upon the perplexing problem confronting us, and our
course to the goal of Masonic war relief made plain by the announcement in an
address of the Secretary of War that the major help to be rendered by maternal
societies was in the communities outside of, rather than in, the camps
themselves. Steps were promptly taken to carry this idea into effect, and it was
learned that the Commission on Training Camp Activities, a body within the War
Department, had jurisdiction over all social service activities similar to those
projected by our fraternity. At the head of this Commission on Training Camp
Activities was, and still is, Mr. Raymond B. Fosdick.
I forthwith placed myself in communication with Hon.
William M. Calder, senator from New York, by addressing to him the following
letter:
"April 7, 1918.
“Hon. William M. Calder,
"United States
Senate, Washington, D. C.
"Dear Senator Calder:
"The Freemasons in
New York State have, by reason of many appeals from Europe, become impressed
with the belief that there exists abroad today a new field for helpful service
by the fraternity, and this field lies not in the camps of the United States
armies, but in the cities behind the lines, to which our soldiers go when on
leave.
"These communications
from abroad confirm a statement of the Secretary of War at a meeting held at the
War Department on October 29, 1917, in which he said that he was of the opinion
that the major help to be rendered by fraternal societies is in the communities
outside rather than in the camp itself, from which the soldier wants to go
whenever he has an opportunity.
"The idea in mind is
that we found and maintain in cities in France, to which our soldiers will go
when on leave, quarters in the nature of clubs, open to our men in the service,
where they may receive and entertain their friends, and where they will find
periodicals and newspapers from the United States, stationery for
letter-writing, and modest opportunities for indulging their musical tastes.
"Our object is to
cheer the spirits of the men, to direct, by this instrumentality, into proper
channels the natural longing of the men for amusement and diversion, and to
afford a place for social recreation.
"Similar activities
we contemplate extending to Italy, as occasion shall present.
"Furthermore, in
Switzerland we propose to establish an agency for the amelioration of the
condition of our men taken prisoners of war. We wish, also, to be free to go to
England, for the reason that the establishment of one or more such agencies
there may be deemed advantageous, and because the commission desires to obtain
the benefits, derived from personal conferences as suggested by English
Freemasons, of the experience of English Masons in similar service.
"The commission to
organize this work abroad will consist of four or five members appointed by the
Grand Master of Masons in the state of New York. Four of the members are:
"Townsend Scudder,
Past Grand Master, and Justice of the Supreme Court of New York. Erastus C.
Knight, of Buffalo, N.Y., ex-Mayor of Buffalo and ex-Comptroller of the state of
New York. William C. Prime, of Yonkers, N. Y., a member of the New York bar.
Rougier Thorne, of Glen Cove, N. Y., a New York business man.
"All expenses of this
enterprise will be borne by the fraternity. We are hopeful, however, of
receiving the countenance of the United States authorities.
'I am informed that
Mr. Raymond B. Fosdick, in charge of training camp activities, is the official
to whom such a project should be submitted. Is this so? If it is, will you
kindly arrange that I can have an interview with him when I come to Washington?
If he is not the proper official, who is?
"We would, of course,
require passports. What are the proper steps to take to secure these?
"Your assistance in
all this will be highly appreciated. "Faithfully yours,
"Townsend Scudder."
In reply I received a telegram from Senator Calde as
follows:
"Postal Telegraph
Commercial Cables
TELEGRAM
"167NYDO 37 Govt 830P
St Washn DC Apr 9
"Hon. Townsend
Scudder, Supreme Court Chambers
"16 Court St., Bklyn, N. Y.
"Have made
appointment for you to meet Raymond Fosdick in Washington eleven o'clock
Friday Homing. Come to Willard for breakfast eight thirty.
"Wm. M. Calder."
Accompanied by Bro.
Erastus C. Knight, I journeyed to Washington, met Senator Calder, and with him
called upon Mr. Fosdick. To him was communicated in full our aspirations to
engage in war relief work overseas and the insistent demand therefor coming from
members of our fraternity then in service abroad. Mr. Fosdick then said that,
although he was not a Mason, his grandfather had been, and he, the speaker, was
in sympathy with the ideals of the fraternity, and conversant with its past
history of service in the cause of humanity. He then went on to say that, in
matters of service such as the one under discussion, the United States
government required a responsible head of an organization with which it
contemplated dealing, and pointed out the difficulties in the path of members of
civilian organizations who might seek to engage in war relief abroad. He said
that the government was endeavoring to co-ordinate all such agencies and unite
them in service as far as possible because of the embarrassment due to the
multiplicity of credentials and the burden these placed upon the Allied
governments and our military authorities. He further said that he understood
that the Masonic fraternity in the United States was "a disjointed
organization," every state being a separate jurisdiction, in addition to which
there were numerous other Masonic bodies, none of them in this country owing
allegiance to any one head organization.
"The United States
War Department," he said, "cannot issue 49 separate permits to as many different
Masonic Jurisdictions. The best it could do would be to issue one permit to the
fraternity, under which all would have to come, for which purpose a single head
or committee would be necessary which would represent the entire Masonic
fraternity in this country, with which the government could deal and which it
could hold responsible."
In reply he was told
that, while it was true that there were these various independent Masonic bodies
and Jurisdictions, they were, nevertheless, in complete harmony in the desire
for this service, and would surely unite on a single committee to handle this
work, were governmental approval given to a practical plan of operations which
would meet the fraternity's hopes and desires.
After considerable
discussion of this point, Mr. Fosdick was so far convinced of the future unity
of the fraternity in this matter that we proceeded to a discussion of the
purposes we had in view and of a plan to carry them into execution. At the
outset of this part of the conference he was told that our fraternity stood
ready to adopt any plan of service which the government might desire us to
follow, and at our own exclusive expense. In response, he asked if we had not
some plan formulated to this end. In response to this inquiry, our tentative
plan was outlined to him.
A lengthy discussion
of this plan resulted in his hearty approval, because, as he said, "there could
not be too much of this sort of work." He further stated that if the project
were reduced to writing and sent to him, he would take up the matter with Mr.
Baker (Secretary of War), but that he could now promise the approval of the War
Department thereto.
The foregoing is, it
must be understood, only the substance of the conversations with Mr. Fosdick.
There were two conferences on that day, one in the morning and one in the
afternoon, and the discussion was long and earnest. At these two conferences Mr.
Fosdick displayed a mind open to conviction and a judgment apparently totally
unbiased, so much so that the final impression he made upon us was his evident
desire to avail himself of our proffered services, even to the extent of
thanking the Masons for offering to contribute their personal services and
financial resources to the welfare of our soldiers and sailors.
This interview was
followed by a letter, dated April 16, 1918, addressed to Mr. Fosdick as chairman
of the Commission on Training Camp Activities, outlining the tentative Plan of
the fraternity:
"April 16, 1918.
"Raymond B. Fosdick, Esq.,
"Chairman, Commission on Training Camp Activities,
"War Department, Washington, D. C.
"Dear Mr. Fosdick:
"Agreeable to your suggestion, I have pleasure in outlining
work New York Masons desire to undertake in Europe, to the end that you may
present it to the Secretary of War.
"The Freemasons in New York state have, by reason of many
appeals from Europe, become impressed with the belief that there exists abroad
today a new field for helpful service by the fraternity, and that this field
lies not in the camps of the United States armies, but in the cities behind the
lines, to which our soldiers go when on leave.
"These communications from abroad confirm a statement of
the Secretary of War at a meeting held at the War Department on October the
29th, 1917, in which he said that he was of the opinion that the major help to
be rendered by fraternal societies is in the communities outside rather than in
the camp itself, from which the soldier wants to go whenever he has an
opportunity.
"The idea in mind is that we found and maintain in cities
in France and Great Britain, to which our soldiers will go when on leave,
quarters in the nature of clubs, open to our men in the service, where they may
receive and entertain their friends, and where they will find periodicals and
newspapers from the United States, stationery for letter-writing, and modest
opportunities for indulging their musical tastes.
"Our object is to cheer the spirits of the men, to direct,
by this instrumentality, into proper channels the natural longing of the men for
amusement and diversion, and to afford a place for social recreation.
"Similar activities we contemplate extending to Italy as
occasion shall present.
"Furthermore, in Switzerland we propose to establish an
agency for the amelioration of the condition of our men taken prisoners of war.
We wish, also, to be free to go to England, because, besides the establishment
of such agencies there as may be deemed advantageous, the commission desires to
obtain the benefit derived from personal conferences suggested by English
Freemasons, of the experience of English Masons in similar service.
"The commission to organize this work abroad will consist
of four or five members appointed by the Grand Master of Masons in the State of
New York. Four of the members are: Townsend Shudder, Past Grand Master, and
Justice of the Supreme Court of New York. Erastus C. Knight, of Buffalo, N.Y.,
ex-Mayor of Buffalo and ex-Comptroller of the state of New York. William C.
Prime, of Yonkers, N. Y., a member of the New York bar. Rougier Thorne, of Glen
Cove, N. Y., a New York business man.
"All expenses of this enterprise will be borne by the
fraternity. We are hopeful, however, of receiving the countenance of the United
States authorities.
"New York has in the service about ten thousand Masons.
"Should it happen that other Masonic Jurisdictions care to
join in this work, it is the wish of the New York Masons that they be privileged
so to do on an even footing and in conjunction with New York, or, if such other
jurisdictions have other plans which meet the approval of the Department, New
York will be glad to join in furthering them, our ambition being to serve
usefully.
"I am enclosing a copy of the pledge that is required of
candidates in the service who join the Masonic fraternity through our Military
Lodge. This Lodge is endeavoring to encourage and strengthen the young men and
to cheer fathers giving their sons to the country's service.
"We are open to any suggestion the Secretary of War cares
to make.
"Thanking you for your courtesy, "Sincerely,
"Townsend Scudder."
The pledge referred to in the foregoing letter, and
enclosed with it, is as follows:
SEA AND FIELD LODGE, NO. 1, F. & A. M., NEW YORK
We undertake to maintain our part of the war free from
hatred, brutality or graft, true to the American purpose and ideals.
Aware of the temptations incidental to camp life and the
moral and social wreckage involved, we covenant to gether to live the clean life
and to seek to establish the American uniform as a symbol and guaranty of real
manhood.
We pledge our example and our influence to make these
ideals dominant in the American Army and Navy.
Particular attention is called at this point in the report
to the designedly elastic nature of the plan outlined in the foregoing letter.
This was so drawn up that any Masonic body or Jurisdiction thereafter wishing to
participate in this movement could do so.
It being proposed to open recreation houses in leaveareas,
one in each, the more Masonic bodies participating, contributing their
respective financial resources, the more leaveareas could be covered. This
elasticity of plan was emphasized in the conferences with Mr. Fosdick, and was
thoroughly understood by him when his approval was given. The object was,
obviously, to enable any and all Masonic bodies to participate in the projected
work abroad, and, at the same time, by so uniting them all in one project,
thereby comply with the unalterable decision of our government to grant
permission to Freemasons for overseas service only in case all Masonic bodies
desiring to take part were united in the enterprise.
On April 19th, no word having been received from Mr.
Fosdick, and wishing to impress upon him as strongly as possible the loyalty of
the fraternity to the government, and its purpose to do nothing which might in
the least embarrass the latter, I wrote to Mr. Fosdick, enclosing a letter,
dated October 29, 1917, sent by Grand Master Thomas Penney of New York to the
Grand Masters of the forty-eight other Masonic Jurisdictions in the United
States, the sentiments expressed in. which letter had been approved by our
sister Jurisdictions, and the plan of action therein outlined endorsed.
"April 19. 1918.
"Hon. Raymond B. Fosdick,
"Chairman Committee on Training Camp Activities,
"War Department, Washington, D. C.
"Dear Mr. Fosdick:
"I am enclosing herewith a copy of the letter sent out by
the Grand Lodge of New York in an effort to meet the situation raised by the
decision of the War Department in connection with the activities of non-military
organizations in cantonment camps, etc. It occurred to me that perhaps you would
be interested to know what New York state sought to do and what we believe we
accomplished. We regretted exceedingly that one Jurisdiction seemingly did not
at first see the situation as we did. I am referring to Georgia.
"Sincerely,
"Townsend Scudder."
"Office of the
"GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN THE STATE OF
NEW YORK
"Thomas Penney, Grand Master
"Buffalo, N. Y.
"October 29, 1917.
"Dear Brother Grand Master:
"The fundamental duty of the craft of Masons is loyalty to
the government of the United States. Cooperation with, support of, obedience to
the government must and will mark the fraternity's efforts to do its bit in the
war. Its purpose being to support and to uphold those in authority, and having
no quarrel with any governmental agency nor with any organization equally
zealous to serve, the craft will countenance no controversy nor permit itself to
be drawn into one.
"The present is not a time for criticism. Because danger
lurks in ill-advised action having for purpose the broadening of the
government's rules with reference to fraternal societies' activities in military
establishments, it seems wise that every precaution be taken to prevent what
might place the craft in a false light and blight its hope to be constructively
helpful to the men with the colors, to the people, and to the government.
"Since the scope of Masonic service has not been defined,
an informal meeting of the representatives of our several jurisdictions, or of
as many of them as can conveniently be brought together, seems timely, to the
end that Masonic service in this war crisis, vital to our beloved country, may
be discussed and, if possible, recommendations agreed upon having for object the
efficient co-operation of all Masons in the United States in the service of
government and country.
"With this patriotic object in view, I have pleasure in
offering the hospitality of the Grand Lodge of New York to such a gathering, and
if the response hereto confirms me in my present view, will gladly designate a
time and place. The wisdom of refraining from action or declaration until the
scope of the fraternity's service can be determined, lest its position be
prejudiced, needs no comment.
"With assurances of profound esteem, and hoping for an
expression of your views at no distant date, I am
"Fraternally yours,
"By the Grand Master,
"Robert Judson Kenworthy,
"Grand Secretary."
Thomas Penney,
Grand Master.
Eight days having elapsed without a reply from Mr. Fosdick
to my letter of April 16th, and feeling somewhat nervous at receiving no word, I
took advantage of the kind offer of Senator Calder to assist in forwarding the
enterprise as far as he could do so, and sent him the following letter:
“April 24. 1918.
Honorable William M. Calder,
"U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C.
"Dear Senator:
"Please drop in at the first opportunity and see Mr.
Raymond B. Fosdick and prod him a little on our matter. I do not want to be
importunate, but on the other hand it is
quite important that we get our necessary papers, etc.
"Faithfully yours.
"Townsend Scudder.
“I have sent Mr. Fosdick all the data he requested. Sorry
to trouble you.
T.S.”
The day after the foregoing letter to Senator Calder the
following two letters were received from Mr. Fosdick, both dated April 23, 1918,
one promising the full support of the War Department in the prosecution of our
work, and the other expressing appreciation of the loyal support by the
fraternity to the government in the situation which it had to face two or three
months previously.
By this Mr. Fosdick referred to the situation created by
the Secretary of War's permission to a secret, sectarian society, the Knights of
Columbus, as a recognized relief organization, to do social service work in
camps and cantonments, to the exclusion of the Masonic brotherhood, a
non-sectarian, self-financing society, and other similar bodies.
"WAR DEPARTMENT
"Commission on Training Camp Activities
"Washington, April 23,1918.
"Honorable Townsend Scudder,
"Supreme Court, State of New York,
"Mineola, N. Y.
"My dear Judge Scudder:
"I have your interesting letter of April 16th, outlining
the work which the New York Masons desire to undertake in Europe in connection
with the welfare of our troops. I am gratified to know that your commission is
sailing soon, and I can promise you the full support of the War Department in
the prosecution of your work.
"Please let me know if at any time I can be of any
assistance.
Cordially yours,
"Raymond B. Fosdick,
"Chairman."
"WAR DEPARTMENT
"Commission on Training Camp Activities
"Washington, April 23, 1918.
"Honorable Townsend Scudder,
"Supreme Court, State of New York,
"Mineola, N. Y.
"My dear Judge Scudder:
"Thank you for your letter of
April 19th enclosmg a copy of the communication sent out by the Grand
Lodge of New York in connection with the situation which we had to face two or
three months ago. I did not realize what loyal support your organization gave us
at that time, and I am confident that it was responsible in no small degree for
the harmonious relations finally established.
"Cordially yours,
"Raymond B. Fosdick,
Chairman."
Because of the receipt of the foregoing letters of April
23d, there was sent to Senator Calder the following letter, dated April 25,
1918, and a telegram dated May 2, 1918, from Senator Calder was received in
reply:
"April 25, 1918.
Honorable William M. Calder,
"U. S. Senate, Washington, D. C.
"Dear Calder:
“I have received word from Mr. Raymond B. Fosdick, Chairman
of the Commission on Training Camp Activities, stating 'I can promise you the
full support of the War Department in the prosecution of your work.'
"The next point is how we should proceed in connection with
passports, and what credentials we ought to have from Fosdick's Committee, or
the Secretary of War, so that when we apply for our passports the evidence that
we are entitled to them or that our work has received this endorsement may be at
hand. Can you make this inquiry and let me know?
"Faithfully,
"Townsend Scudder."
"WESTERN UNION TELEGRAM
"Received at 313 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
"St Washington DC 1156 A M May 21918
"The Hon. Townsend Scudder
"Supreme Court Chambers Bklyn NY
"Mr Fosdick advises you address him at once concerning
Masonic plans for work abroad he will be glad to expedite passports and any
other business that your Commission has in mind
"Wm M Calder 132PM"
About the time of the receipt of the telegram of May 2d
from Senator Calder there reached me the following letter from Mr. Fosdick,
dated April 30, 1918:
"WAR DEPARTMENT
"Commission on Training Camp Activities
"Washington, April 30,1918.
“Honorable Townsend Scudder,
"Supreme Court of the State of New York,
"Mineola, N. Y.
"My dear Judge Scudder:
"Confidentially, I am sailing for France next week, to look
up the whole matter of recreation for the troops both in France and England. Is
there anything that we ought to say to each other before I go? When does your
Mission start, and are there any further plans that have beep developed?
"Cordially yours,
"Raymond B. Fosdick, Chairman."
On May 2, 1918, Mr. Fosdick's communication of April 30th
was answered by the following letter:
"SUPREME COURT OF TEE STATE OF NEW YORK
"Mineola, N. Y., May 2, 1918.
"Hon. Raymond B. Fosdick,
"Chairman Commission on Training Camp Activities,
"Washington, D. C.
"Dear Mr. Fosdick:
"Thank you very much for yours of April the 30th. I should
like to see you before you sail. Do you expect to spend any days in New York?
The Grand Lodge of Masons meets on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week,
May 7th, 8th and 9th, and on the evening of the 9th there is to be a conference
of the Grand Masters of the several states of the Union, which will be held in
New York. At this conference Masonic work along the lines which we have
discussed will be taken up.
"I do not think that we will be able to sail before June,
and I have been wondering whether in order to secure the necessary passports,
etc., I did not require some certificate from your department in a general way
approving our plan, as a supplement perhaps to the letter I received from you
perhaps a week ago.
"My home is 112 Willow Street, Brooklyn; telephone Main
4872, and I will be there every evening. I mention this so perhaps you could
find time to communicate faith me so that I could call upon you. I hope
so.
"Sincerely,
"Townsend Scudder."
Word was received on April 30th or May 1st from Mr. Fosdick
by a long distance telephone that he was to be in New York and could be reached
at the Hotel Prince George or at the Rockefeller Foundation in the Borough of
Manhattan.
Being myself unable to meet Mr. Fosdick at the time set by
him, because I was presiding at a term of the Supreme Court at that time, and
because Mr. Fosdick could not meet me in the evening, I requested Bro. William
C. Prime, a member of the Masonic Overseas Mission, to meet Mr. Fosdick in my
stead, and ascertain from him what information, in addition to that already
given him "concerning our Masonic plans for work abroad," he had in mind, and
which called forth the telegram of May 2d from Senator Calder. I also sought
information as to the form of the Masonic Mission's credentials, and the
necessary steps to be taken to secure from the State Department the proper
passports.
Bro. Prime was received by Mr. Fosdick at the Rockefeller
Foundation, and the salient points of the ensuing conference were transmitted to
me by Bro. Prime by the following letter, dated May 3, 1918:
"R.E. & A.J. PRIME
"25 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, N.Y.
and 2 Rector Street, New York City
"Yonkers, N.Y., May 3, 1918.
"Hon. Townsend Scudder,
"Glen Head, N. Y.
"Dear Judge:
"As you requested on Wednesday, I immediately got hold of
Mr. Fosdick on the telephone at Washington, and found he was coming to New York
on Thursday night, to be here this morning, and he made an appointment with me
at the Rockefeller Foundation, 61 Broadway, where I have just seen him, and gone
over fully with him the business of paving the way for the departure of the
Mission.
"He told me that he had done everything that he thought he
could do, excepting that he would immediately write and send to Mr. McBride, his
assistant, a letter to the State Department, which you could pick up in
Washington, and which he thought would forestall any difficulties, and ensure
the issue of passports. I gave him the personnel of the Mission, of which he
made a note, and told him somewhat of our plan.
"He showed a lively interest in what I said, and discussed
with me at some length the subject of rents in Paris and elsewhere; said that he
would be in Paris early in May, would see Carter, make general inquiry regarding
rents and conditions, and write you fully from Paris. He said that he expected
his trip would be very brief, and he might get back before we left, but would
write in any case, giving you full information as far as he could obtain it.
"He is to be at the Prince George tonight, and I think will
sail tomorrow or next day. I told him that I would write you immediately the
result of our interview, and that it might be that you would endeavor to get in
touch with him later, and before he sailed.
"Very truly yours,
W.C. Prime."
CO-OPERATION OF THE Y.M.C.A. SOUGHT
Upon receipt of the letter of Mr. Fosdick, dated April 23d,
promising us "the full support of the War Department in the prosecution of our
work" overseas, we sought an interview with the International Committee of the
Young Men's Christian Association to secure from them, if possible, their
co-operation in our undertaking in Europe at least to the extent of giving us
the advantage of the facilities of travel enjoyed by them through the courtesy
of the French authorities to enable us more quickly and with the least delay to
pass from one leavearea to another in organizing and prosecuting our work. We
felt the more justified in seeking this co-operation because of the fact that
Freemasons had contributed to the Y.M.C.A. large sums of money to assist the
work of the latter.
Through the kind offices of R.W. Jacob C. Klinck an
interview was had on April 26, 1918, between Mr. C.V. Hibbard, Associate General
Secretary of the International Committee of the Y.M.C.A., and a Masonic
committee composed of Brothers Townsend Scudder, Rev. Dr. Charles C. Albertson,
Rev. Dr. Clarence A. Barbour, and Rev. Dr. S. Parkes Cadman, at which the plan
and scope of our projected overseas work were laid before Mr. Hibbard and fully
explained and discussed, and we told him we were seeking the co-operation of the
Y.M.C.A., particularly in the matter of travel in Europe, as heretofore set
forth. Mr. Hibbard first inquired if we had government consent, to which we
replied in the affirmative, and he was promised a copy of my letter of April
16,1918, addressed to Raymond B. Fosdick and a copy of Mr. Fosdick's reply
thereto, dated April 23d. These were subsequently duly sent to Mr. Hibbard.
Mr. Hibbard stated to our committee that he was not in a
position to promise us the co-operation we sought, but saw no reason why it
should not be accorded us if we brought ourselves under the rules governing the
Y.M.C.A. in its relations with the Allied governments. He went on to say that
our proposal for cooperation would have to be submitted to Dr. John R. Mott,
General Secretary of the Y.M.C.A., who was abroad, whose return he suggested we
await. As time was a vital element, we suggested that our proposal be cabled to
Dr. Mott. To this he assented, saying he would send the cable upon receipt from
us of the facts in writing. Pursuant to this understanding the following letter,
dated April 27, 1918, with the enclosures therein mentioned, was sent to Mr.
Hibbard, the expense of cabling being duly paid by us:
"April 27,1918.
"C.V. Hibbard, Esq.,
"Overseas Dept., Y.M.C.A.,
"347 Madison Avenue, New York.
"Dear Mr. Hibbard:
"I am enclosing herewith a copy of my letter to Mr. Raymond
B. Fosdick, Chairman of the Commission on Training Camp Activities of the War
Department, and a copy of his reply thereto under date of April the 23rd. My
letter to Mr. Fosdick was a resume of the conversation which I had with him in
Washington when I first presented the hopes of the Masonic fraternity in
connection with war relief service overseas. For your convenience and use, if it
meets with your approval, I am sending a synopsis of our plan to be cabled to
Europe agreeably to the suggestion of yesterday. I am also enclosing the pledge
exacted of the young men in the service, sons of Masons, who join the fraternity
in anticipation of their overseas service.
"Faithfully yours,
"Townsend Scudder.
"112 Willow Street,
"Brooklyn, N. Y.
"Permit me to thank you for your very courteous reneeption
and for your generous donation of time. T. S."
The following is a copy of the proposed cable to Dr. Mott
enclosed in the foregoing letter of April 27th:
IN THE MATTER OF MASONIC OVERSEAS WAR RELIEF WORK
The Masonic fraternity purposes maintaining in cities in
France and Great Britain, and in Italy when time is ripe, to which American
soldiers go when on leave or recuperating, quarters in the nature of clubs, open
to all men in the service, but where Masons in the service will be hosts, may
receive and entertain their friends, reciprocating courtesies received, and
where they will find American literature, amusement and useful information. The
object is to cheer the men and direct into proper channels their natural longing
for amusement and diversion.
In Switzerland it is intended to establish an agency to
reach and ameliorate the condition of Masons, prisoners in Germany.
The War Department has approved this work. The Masonic
committee going to Europe to organize it feel that the facility of movement
enjoyed by the Y.M.C.A., if extended to their committee, will facilitate its
work. To this extent they ask the privilege of working under the Y.M.C.A. Can
this privilege be accorded them?
Subsequently to the sending of the cablegram, numerous
interviews with officials of the Y.M.C.A. were had, and considerable
correspondence exchanged, culminating in the following letter:
"THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN
ASSOCIATIONS
“347 Madison Avenue, New York City
"September 24, 1918.
"Judge Townsend Scudder,
"Glen Head, Long Island, N. Y.
"My dear Judge Scudder:
“I wish to acknowledge your letter setting forth the
desires of the Masonic fraternity to share in those helpful ministries to the
soldiers overseas with which the Y.M.C.A. has been identified, and intimating
that, while you may be moving along independent lines, there will be abundant
opportunities for co-operation, and indeed coordination, between the efforts of
the Masonic fraternity and the Y.M.C.A. Pending the presentation of your
proposals formally to the Committee on Overseas Activities, I have consulted
with Dr. Mott and his associate, Mr. Brockman, and we are altogether certain
that your suggestions will find a hearty response in formal action when the
committee meets.
"As you know, and as is quite natural, we have in the
secretarial staff overseas a considerable number who belong to the Masonic
membership in the United States. It would be perfectly possible, therefore, for
us either to assign or release some of these to specific tasks where you might
desire co-operation. There are individual types of work which we are carrying on
or special areas within which we operate which might likewise be designated as
the sphere of your special interests. I understand, however, that there is
possibility of your being given by the military some special assignment of work.
While it is natural that such work as you undertake will have a peculiar
interest to members of the Masonic fraternity, who are in the army, your plan as
indicated in your letter is in perfect alignment with our own policy, namely, to
minister freely to the needs of all. In every way, therefore, it seems to me
that we shall be able to co-operate heartily, and you may count upon our
organization and our personnel to assist you in every way that is within our
power. Perhaps I ought to call attention, however, to our own limitations which
may appear when we come to discuss definite plans, namely, that we will have to
be subject to existing military regulations, and likewise to the necessities of
practical administration of our work calling for a certain degree of freedom and
elasticity in all special designations and a certain mobility of our personnel
as to their movements under war conditions.
"We shall then await with interest some future word from
you as to the special service that you feel we might render, and the practical
co-operation that we can extend and this will appear more clearly as you
discover the lines along which your activities overseas will move.
"Very cordially yours,
"C. R. Watson."
The further negotiations of the Masonic Mission with the
Y.M.C.A. after the government notwithstanding its former and early approval and
promises, had finally refused us permission for independent service abroad, will
be set forth later in this report.
CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS OF MASONS IN NEW YORK, MAY 9,
1918
Negotiations with the government had now progressed so far
that it was feasible to call the proposed conference of Grand Masters and lay
before them a definite plan for overseas service by the fraternity. The call for
this conference was issued by M.W. Thomas Penney, Grand Master of New York, on
April 17, 1918.
It will be noted that this call was issued after the first
interview with Mr. Fosdick in Washington, in which he had given his oral
approval of our overseas project, but prior to the receipt of his written
approval. This was because of the implicit confidence reposed in Mr. Fosdick's
word, and because also of insistent demands from the many thousands of Masons in
service in Europe for action abroad by the Masonic fraternity at the earliest
possible moment.
Recalling the requirement by the government that all Masons
participating in this projected overseas service be united so that one
permission could be granted to them collectively, and because it was desirable
that this work be performed by as many Masonic bodies as possible, and not by
the Masons of New York only, such a conference of Grand Masters became at this
point in the progress of our enterprise imperative. The following is the letter
of April 17, 1918, calling such conference, and the printed outline of subjects
for discussion thereat enclosed in such letter of call:
"Office of the
"GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
"866 Ellicott Square, Buffalo
April 17, 1918.
"Thomas Penney,
"Grand Master.
"Dear Brother Grand Master:
'In November last I addressed the Grand Masters of the
several Masonic Jurisdictions in the United States, touching upon the war
conditions and the opportunities and responsibilities resting upon Free Masonry
in that connection, with particular reference to the desirability of a
conference of Grand Masters for consideration of war problems and concerted
constructive action im that regard.
"The letter was issued to all of our Sister Jurisdictions,
and responses were received from more than a majority, so patriotically
spontaneous that I felt impelled to follow up my suggestion by calling a
conference. Owing, however, to the suggestions from a number, of pending
sessions of their respective Grand Lodges, to which they desired the subject
referred, or of early termination of their term of office, and therefore
authority, and desire that the matter be taken in hand by their successors, I
have withheld action until now it seems appropriate that the call should issue.
"I therefore suggest that a conference of the
representatives of the several Grand Jurisdictions be held at the Masonic Hall,
New York City, on the evening of Thursday, May 9, 1918, at 8:00 o'clock, to
continue from day to day until the necessary business of such conference can
properly be canvassed and transacted, and its purposes at least put in the way
of accomplishment.
"Merely as a suggestion, and in order that you may have an
opportunity of considering before we get together the scope of such a session, I
have thought it well to outline somewhat the subjects for discussion, and
accompanying this letter you will see printed the agenda, so far as it can now
be formulated. It will be helpful if you will give this outline your careful
consideration as promptly as convenient, and advise me in ample time of any
additional suggestions that you have to make for business, or subjects to be
considered.
"May I hope for a prompt response, assuring your
cooperation and representation?
"Sincerely and fraternally,
"Thomas Penney,
Grand Master."
OUTLINE OF SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION AND CONSIDERATION AT
CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS TO BE HELD AT NEW YORK CITY, MAY 9, 1918
1. It is ascertained that in the near future the government
will bring home those men who have been so severely injured as to be incapable
of useful service abroad. They will be blind, crippled, deaf, demented.
Extensive hospitals on the seaboard and elsewhere are in process of
establishment for their reception, classification and separation according to
their needs, and other hospitals are also in process of establishment for the
special treatment of other particular ills.
It is planned to establish instrumentalities for
reconstruction and re-education of derelicts.
This important business is already undertaken and carried
on both in France and in England. It will naturally be largely, if not wholly,
under government control and maintenance.
Query: What can Free Masonry do for its own and others and
what should it do, and how, in connection with this important business?
2. Various stations will be established throughout the
country for the reception and treatment of convalescents. In this work women can
be of inestimable service, and the opportunity both for men and women to
minister to our wounded, to entertain and occupy their minds, will be enormous.
Query: What can Free Masonry do and how, in this important
busimess?
3. The Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., Y.M.H.A., and K. of C. are
performing valiant service at camps and at the front in connection with the
welfare of the men, moral and otherwise.
Query: Are these instrumentalities sufficient or all that
can usefully be employed for the moral stabilizing of the men at the front or in
camps, particularly the men engaged in the service?
4. The employment by Free Masonry of chaplains or other
agencies at home and abroad, in camps and elsewhere in connection with the
maintenance of moral standards and close touch between the men in the service
and their friends at home.
5. The Grand Lodge of New York is about to despatch R.W.
Erastus C. Knight, who will be joined later by M.W. Townsend Scudder, as its
representative to France. They are commissioned to organize such agency or
agencies as the circumstances require to minister to Free Masons in the service
generally, save as respects supplying them with funds. Their instructions cover
duties which will demand constant touch with members of the Craft, and keeping
them in touch with friends and relatives at home.
Query: Will other jurisdictions participate in this
service, either in respect of independent agencies or co-operation in the
expense of one representative or set of representatives?
6. Certain camps, such as Camp Merritt at Tenafly, N. J.,
are being employed for concentration and embarkation of soldiers. Men frequently
are despatched thither for immediate transportation abroad, who have not been
home or in touch with friends.or kin for considerable periods. They are
disheartened, home-sick, low-spirited.
Query: Should Masonic agents, working independently or
under the wing of the Y.M.C.A. or Red Cross, be employed at such camps to cheer,
assist, and otherwise minister to Free Masons who may be thus situated, and if
so, with what scope of authority as to funds, and how maintained?
7. An inevitable consequence of the war will be the human
wrecks or partial wrecks of middle age, or less than middle age, most of them
comparative youths. Also men physically fit, but requiring aid and employment.
They will require assistance to maintain themselves, and
their dependents also will require assistance financially and otherwise.
Query: Ways and means to cope with this problem. Should it
be nation-wide, co-operative, strong jurisdictions assisting weak, or should
each jurisdiction arrange to take care of its own?
If the former, should a general Masonic fund be
accumulated? If so, how and how administered?
8. What are the several Grand Jurisdictions in the United
States now doing?
This conference met on May 9, 1918, and continue its
sittings over May 10th, and was actually attended by twelve Grand Jurisdictions.
In addition, letters ax proving the purpose of the conference and promising
support and co-operation were received from many others, making a participation,
in person or by letter, by 37 Masonic Jurisdictions in the United States.
The following resolution was adopted by the conference:
RESOLUTION ADOPTED AT A CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS AND
REPRESENTATIVES OF GRAND JURISDICTIONS OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS IN THE UNITED
STATES, HELD ON MAY 10, 1918.
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Brethren here
assembled, hailing from the following Grand Jurisdictions - Massachusetts,
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode
Island, Oregon, New Hampshire and New York - that there is present need for
Masonic service overseas to minister to Masons with the colors in the forces of
the United States; that some service lies in the cities, the recreation centers
to which the boys go in large numbers while on leave, in work that may be
approved by the War Department; that in such cities, seemingly, there should be
established general Masonic headquarters where Masons may receive Masonic
welcome, comfort and encouragement, and where our boys may be hosts at home;
that the duplication of such headquarters in one and the same town would be a
waste of energy and funds; that such headquarters be manned from time to time by
workers from any or all of our Jurisdictions as circumstances permit; that the
espense thereof be paid so far as possible out of a general fund; that the fund
be dedicated to Masonic Fraternal Service Overseas; that the several Masonic
jurisdictions be invited to contribute to this fund on an annual basis for each
member; that the management of the fund be entrusted to a committee composed of
representatives of the several contributing jurisdictions selected as each
jurisdiction sees fit; that each such jurisdiction cast one vote; that this
service be in no wise exclusive, but rather a tribute to and token of Masonic
brotherhood without regard to territorial divisions; that we recommend that the
several Grand Lodges in the United States create War Boards ready to engage in
this work as demand may appear, and we also recommend the presentation of this
plan to our several jurisdictions.
The minutes of the proceedings of the conference of Grand
Masters of May 9th were duly printed, and a copy thereof, including said
resolution, in book form, sent to every sister Jurisdiction in the United
States.
Publicity of the projected plan of Masonic Service abroad,
as approved by the government, was given through the medium of the Associated
Press, and this news was enthusiastically received by the Masonic fraternity,
which promptly commenced raising among its members the funds to meet the
expenses of the enterprise. Many members of the fraternity now volunteered their
services. Our plan having thus received governmental approval and endorsement,
and the Masons standing ready to meet the other requirements of the Department,
willing to give their personal services, and able of themselves to meet all
financial demands, nothing seemed now necessary save the issuance of formal
passports by the State Department.
EFFORTS TO SECURE PASSPORTS
Mr. Fosdick had notified us that, to expedite the securing
of our passports, he had written a letter, addressed to the Secretary of State,
which we could procure by calling at the office of the Commission on Training
Camp Activities, in the War Department, Washington. It will be recalled that
this is the Commission of which Mr. Fosdick is chairman.
Mr. Fosdick had previously advised us that it would be
necessary for us to present to the Secretary of State, in addition to his
above-mentioned letter, a certificate from the Grand Master of Masons in New
York of the appointment of the personnel of the Masonic Overseas Mission.
A few days were allowed to elapse after the adjournment of
the New York conference above described to enable those attending, after their
return home, to communicate the names of any whom they might wish to have
included in the personnel of the mission, it being understood that if none were
so designated, the mission as then constituted was to proceed.
On May 19th, no such designation having been received, your
chairman and Bro. Erastus C. Knight went to Washington and duly called at the
office of the Commission on Training Camp Activities, where we were received by
Mr. Malcolm L. McBride, acting chairman in the absence of Mr. Fosdick, who
delivered to us the letter signed by Mr. Fosdick, and addressed to the Secretary
of State. The following is a copy of this letter:
“WAR DEPARTMENT
"Commission on Training Camp Activities
Washington, May 6, 1918.
"The Honorable the Secretary of State,
"Washington.
"Sir:
"Mr. Justice Scudder, of the Supreme Court of New York, is
the chairman of a commission of five men representing the Masons of New York who
are applying for passports to study the situation overseas as far as the leisure
time activities of our troops is concerned, with the idea of providing whatever
may be necessary both for their own constituent membership and others in the
army who may need their services. We have already approved the issuance of
passports to two other fraternal organizations, and I am sincerely hopeful that
no objection will be interposed in the case of Judge Scudder's commission.
"Respectfully yours,
"Raymond B. Fosdick,
"Chairman."
We had with us our letter of credentials signed by Grand
Master William S. Farmer, dated May 6, 1918, addressed to Hon. Robert Lansing,
Secretary of State, a copy of which follows:
"Office of the
"GRAND MASTER OF MASONS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
"Masonic Temple,
"Syracuse, May 6, 1918.
"Hon. Robert Lansing,
"Secretary of State,
"Washington, D. C.
"My dear Sir:
"I beg to inform you that I have appointed Hon. Townsend
Scudder, Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Hon. Erastus C.
Knight, one-time Mayor of the city of Buffalo and one-time Comptroller of the
state of New York; Rev. Oscar F.R. Treder, Dean of Garden City Cathedral, Garden
City, L.I.; Mr. Rougier Thorne, of Glen Cove, L.I., and Mr. William C. Prime, of
Yonkers, N.Y., to constitute a mission to Freemasons in the United States forces
overseas, whose particular duties are to visit France, Italy, Switzerland and
Great Britain, and to establish and maintain such agencies for the comfort and
cheer of Freemasons in particular in the military and naval service of the
United States in the present war, as seem possible and practicable.
“To the end that they may have free and safe conduct, as
far as is possible in the circumstances, I beg to request that their journey be
facilitated by all means in your power, and that passports and other necessary
credentials in the name of the United States government be issued to them with
all convenient speed.
"The duration of their stay is uncertain, but it is likely
that Mr. Knight will remain abroad longer than the others.
“Respectfully yours,
"William S. Farmer,
"Grand Master."
Upon receiving from the acting chairman, Mr. McBride; Mr.
Fosdick's letter to Secretary of State, we inquired where it should be
presented, and if an appointment for that purpose was necessary. He replied
that, while we might, as a matter of courtesy, take our letters to the office of
the Secretary of State, we would doubtless be referred directly to the passport
bureau, where the letters would be received and filed. He further invited us,
should we there encounter any delays, to communicate with him, when he would
take care of the matter.
With a feeling of confidence we left Mr. McBride and
carried our letters to the office of the Secretary of State, and presented
ourselves at the office of Mr. Polk, counsellor to the Secretary. Mr. Polk was
absent, ill, and the person in charge of his office directed us to take our
letters to the passport bureau, saying: "I will call them up and tell them you
are coming so as to obviate any delay and the matter will be given immediate
attention." We stood there while the passport bureau was called up. I heard the
conversation, and could supply the rest. It seems the head of the bureau was not
in, and would not be in, but his deputy was a gentleman by the name of Walsh or
Welch. He was told that we were coming to take up the passports, and to
facilitate in every way that he could.
We went over to the passport bureau, which we found filled
with people. I sent in my card; a man eame out, asked who we were. I told him
that we were the men about whom the Secretary of State's office had spoken to
him a few moments before over the telephone. He said, "What can I do to serve
you ?" I said, "It will probably take a few moments. Shall we sit down? I see
you have some people in your private office, and we will gladly await our turn."
He said, "That is very kind of you, and I will get rid of them as soon as I
can."
REFUSAL TO ISSUE PASSPORTS
I did not care to announce our business out in the main
anteroom, thus crowded with people. In a few moments we were shown into his
office. "Now," he said, "what is it you wish?" I said, "We are here to obtain
passports for the Masonic Mission going overseas to engage in war relief work in
the recreation centers of our soldiers." "I am opposed to it," were the laconic
words which greeted us. Of course, he was but a clerk in an office, seemingly
vested with no great discretion. I said to him, "But the War Department has
passed upon this. Are you conscious of that fact?" "Oh," he said, "the War
Department does not finally decide these things." I said, "Who does?" He said,
"We do." I said, "Who are 'we'?" "Why," he said, "it is decided here in the
first instance." I said, "Where is it decided in the last instance?" "Well," he
said, "of course, ultimately it may get to the Secretary of State if appeal is
taken to him." I said, "Then you are the tribunal to whom this matter must now
be presented ?" "Yes," he replied. I said, "Very well, then. We will sit down
and I will go over it gladly with you." He said, "It is quite unnecessary."
"But," said I, "my dear sir, you certainly want to have the facts, do you not?"
He answered, "You told them to me and I understand it all. You are a Masonic
Mission seeking to go overseas to engage in war relief work. We do not approve
of such activities by secret societies. If you are permitted to have your
passports to engage in this work, then we have got to permit every other secret
society to engage in the same work, which would include every Greek letter
society. We will not permit it. We cannot do it." I told him that our work
overseas was in no way identified with our usual activities as a secret society,
that our service was to be of the same general nature as that of the Y.M.C.A.
and the Knights of Columbus, and that a ruling which would be applicable to
college secret societies could not hold good with us. To which he replied that
"The principle is the same." I said, "I hardly anticipated this situation. I
could not myself render judgment upon a matter coming before me on as little
evidence as you have here, and I really feel it should be more deliberately
presented and considered." He said, "That is quite unnecessary, quite
unnecessary. If you want to file your papers here, you can, of course." I said,
"We have our papers and were told to file them here, so I will file them, but do
not act upon them. I will take the matter up in other quarters, for I think
there must be some misunderstanding." He said, "We won't act upon them until we
hear from higher up," or something of that kind, and we parted.
We immediately returned to the office of the Commission on
Training Camp Activities, and related to Mr. McBride our experience at the
passport bureau. He showed considerable astonishment and annoyance over our
treatment, and said that he would at once place himself in communication with
the Secretary of War and arrange for a meeting between us. After some
telephoning by Mr. McBride, he told us that he could not arrange for an
interview with Secretary Baker, but had instructions to take us to Mr. Keppel,
the Third Assistant Secretary of War, under whose jurisdiction our matter came.
Accompanied by Mr. McBride, we then repaired to the office
of the Third Assistant Secretary of War, Mr. F.P. Keppel, by whom we were most
courteously received. The object of our call having been briefly stated by Mr.
McBride, Mr. Keppel asked me to tell him in detail everything which had
transpired in the passport bureau, which I did. He listened with great
attention, occasionally asking questions, inquiring specifically for the name of
the man with whom we had had the conversation. When I had finished Mr. Keppel
said, in substance, "This is very extraordinary, and I do not understand it at
all. Conditions are changing from day to day, and it may be that the State
Department has instructions regarding passports not communicated to the War
Department. I will take up the matter with Secretary Baker and the Secretary of
State, and advise you what to do."
I drew attention to the fact that, before going to the
passport bureau, we had called at the office of Mr. Polk, counsellor to the
Secretary of State, where we had been instructed how to proceed and what to do
with our letters, and this office made the appointment for us with the passport
bureau, a proceeding not necessary had the bureau instructions not to issue
passports in a case such as ours, approved by the War Department. Upon his
saying, "The matter will be fully looked into," we took our leave.
Bro. Knight and I at once returned to Mr. Polk's office,
where we saw his secretary, a gentleman by the name of, I think, Howell to whom
I related all the steps taken by us in our enterprise from the time we made
known to Mr. Fosdick our ambitions to the conversation with Mr. Keppel, just
concluded. We asked him to call the matter to the attention of Mr. Polk as soon
as he saw him, saying we would like to see Mr. Polk personally. I then and
there, also, for the first time voiced my suspicion that there might be at work
influences hostile to the Masonic fraternity in its endeavor to serve the
soldiers overseas. Feeling that the utmost plain speaking was now needed to
avoid a superficial consideration and hasty decision in this passport matter,
and that, if our matter were taken up in earnest with the State Department, it
would come before Mr. Polk, I addressed Mr. Howell in substance as follows:
That our fraternity had an active membership of nearly
2,000,000, that it had been identified with every great work of service in the
history of our country, that it had been wounded by its exclusion from
participation in war relief work in camps and cantonments in the United States,
that announcement of the consent of the War Department had been received by the
fraternity with enthusiasm, that all over our country Masons were making
financial arrangements to meet the expense oi! the overseas work, to engage in
which permission had been received from the government, and that, if at this
stage of our progress, we should find ourselves confronted by an insuperable
obstacle to carrying out our projected service work, great and widespread
resentment might well be aroused. For these reasons I urged that these facts be
laid before Mr. Polk to the end that, when the matter came before him he might
be fully apprised of its importance and give it his personal consideration.
In all these conversations and efforts to achieve our aims
it was also my firm endeavor not to embarrass the government in the war crisis
in which our country then found itself, knowing that such a course was the only
one to meet with the fraternity's approval, while, at the same time, leaving no
stone unturned to reach the goal of our ambitions.
We now returned to New York to await the promised advices
from the Third Assistant Secretary of War.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH WAR DEPARTMENT DURING MR. FOSDICK'S
ABSENCE
Shortly after our return from Washington, a letter dated
May 23,1918, was received from Mr. F. P. Keppel, Third Assistant Secretary of
War, of which the following is a copy:
"WAR DEPARTMENT
"Office of the
"Third Assistant Secretary.
"Washington, May 23,1918.
"Honorable Townsend Scudder,
"112 Willow Street,
"Brooklyn, N. Y.
"Dear Judge Scudder:
“I took up with the Secretary ot War the proposed trip of
yourself and your associates to France, and Mr. Baker feels with regard to this
suggestion, and that of several others now before him, that, as Mr. Fosdick is
now in France himself, it would be better for all such proposals to await his
return before a definite decision is made.
"I am asking Mr. McBride to bring the case of the proposed
visits of the representatives of the Masons to Mr. Fosdick's attention by cable,
so that he will be prepared to give a prompt reply upon his return.
"Yours very truly,
"F. P. Keppel,
"Third Assistant Secretary."
The foregoing letter of May 23rd was followed by another
letter from Mr. Keppel, dated June 1, 1918, of which the following is a copy:
“WAR DEPARTMENT
"Office of the
"Third Assistant Secretary.
"Washington, June 1, 1918.
"Dear Judge Scudder:
"Pursuant to the understanding reached at our talk a few
days ago, I took up with Mr. Fosdick by cable the question of your plans for a
trip to Europe. I have just received from him, through the courtesy of General
Pershing, a cable recommending that the matter of your visit be held up until
Mr. Fosdick's return, in view of his doubt that there is adequate opportunity
for you to accomplish independently in France what you have in mind. "Yours very
truly,
"F. P. Keppel,
"Hon. Townsend Scudder,
Third Assistant Secretary.
"10 Wall Street,
"New York City, N. Y."
In view of Mr. Fosdick's doubt that there was adequate
opportunity for us to accomplish independently in France what we had in mind, as
stated in Mr. Keppel's letter of June 1st, we began to press the officers of the
Y.M.C.A. for an early decision on our suggestion of co-operation between them
and the Masonic fraternity, as hereinbefore set forth.
Attention is here called to the fact that in this letter of
June 1st the word "independently" for the first time is emphasized in the
correspondence with Washington.
Not hearing anything further from Mr. Keppel up to June
17th, I on that date addressed to him the following letter:
"June 17, 1918.
"Honorable F. P. Keppel,
“Third Assistant Secretary, War Department,
"Washington, D.C.
"Dear Mr. Keppel:
"Replying to your f |
