M.W. CARLTON B. TUCKER

MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND MASTER

Greetings:

Once again it is my pleasure to welcome the officers and members of this jurisdiction and visitors to our 79th. Annual Grand Communication held here in the beautiful city of our state capitol, Olympia, Washington. I am con­fident as I was last year that spirit and brotherly love will prevail throughout our deliberation. I would like to thank each of you for the con­fidence that you’ve bestowed upon me in your nominating and electing me to the Office of the Grand Mastership for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of Washington and Jurisdiction. Now I stand before you to give you an accountability of my stewardship for this jurisdiction. I assure you that it has not been a very easy one, that with the support of my officers and your support, this has been a year that will go down in history as one of the most successful years in the jurisdiction of the State of Washington. I assure each of you that this could not have been done with­out your support.

As I stated last year, I wanted each and every one of you to play a part in making this jurisdiction one of the very best among all jurisdictions. I told you last year that we had a vast amount of talent and I had intended to tap this vast amount of talent that we have in our great organizations by utilizing all Master Masons that were dedicated and had a willingness to function for this great organization of ours. Those of you that, for some reason of your own, felt as though they had nothing to offer to this jurisdiction, I want to thank you too, because within this report, you can be as proud as those that gave a helping hand, that we have accomplished great things in this jurisdiction. I hope that you can accept my leadership ability and whatever foresight that I have for the betterment of this juris­diction, that we as a staff, will continue to make those changes that we feel would be beneficial for this jurisdiction and, most of all, for the majority of our membership. We, once again, have no intention of altering the symbolic traditional values of this organization, but we must make changes——not tomorrow, not next year, but today——to be competitive in today’s world. We thank you for all of the support, the guidance that you have given us over the last twelve months.

NECROLOGY

God is caring for all our dead. They go from us, but not from Him. Life cannot be all sunshine, for we know some rain must fall. Let us now Brethren pay loving tribute to our brothers that have passed on to a better world. We have been saddened by the passing of the following:

·         Bro. Marren Davis                                         -46

·         Bro. Lucious B. Jackson                               -17

·         Bro. Bobby Richardson, Jr.                           -63

·         Bro. William M. Smith                                    -17

·         Bro. Lawrence C. Carter                               -3

·         Bro. Reginald G. Bright                                  -17

·         Bro. Loxie O. Egans                                      -35

·         Bra. Ozzie L. Anderson                                 -45

·         Bra. Bill Wilkins                                              -39

·         Bro. Norman M. Taylor                                   -2

·         Bra. Robert Simmons                                    -44

·         Bro. Alphonzo L. Glenn                                  -44

·         Bro. Edgar L. Brawn                                      -5

·         Bro. John H. Gutter                                        -17

·         Bro. Eugene M. Taylor                                   -17

·         Bro. Rudolph P. Mason                                 -53

·         Bro. Robert F. Jones                                     -53

·         Bro. William L. Alexander                              -53

Whom we loved and cherished. May God’s healing hands be placed on our hearts and may our knowledge of His promise of eternal life lead us ever upward.

STATE OF THE CRAFT

I am pleased to report that the craft is in excellent condition. I do believe that next year I’ll stand before you, and Grand Masters that will come after me, will have problems that we cannot resolve in this jurisdic­tion. I will always believe that the true spirit of Prince Hall Free Masonry is a continuation of our feelings for this jurisdiction.

Okinawa Military Lodge Number 68 and Torii Lodge Number 46 have asked me for permission to consolidate, which was not granted, because they felt as though they had too many organizations, such as the Shrine, the Consistory, as well as the Blue House meetings to make, and they did not have enough brothers to go around.

But as you will see in my official acts, they had set up a Red House that’s on the side of the Heroines of Jericho, and I felt as though, if they had enough time to set up a Red House under the jurisdiction of Maryland, then they certainly could work with two lodges on that particular island. I’m happy to report that the last correspondence I received from them that it was working out very well, and they were pleased with the two lodges working.

We have in this Grand Jurisdiction 34 Blue Lodges. Last year at this time I reported that we had a membership of 1,891, and at the present we have a membership of 2,057, with an increase of 166.

I have also granted three dispensations for three U.D. Lodges, two in the city of Tacoma, Washington--Daniel Chappie James U.D. Lodge with approximately 39 new Masons and Arthur Ury U.D. Lodge with approximately 32 new Masons, and Headquarters U.D. Lodge of Seattle/Tacoma, Washington.

I do believe that both U.D. Lodges in Tacoma will bring growth and membership to this jurisdiction. I will not ask or rather I am not asking for a char­ter f or those two U.D. Lodges. I do believe that they are too new, although they have more members than many of the lodges that have been in existence for some time in this jurisdiction.

The Headquarters U.D. Lodge’s purpose, “the work of this lodge shall be limited to locating, investigating, and reinstating brothers who have been dropped from their lodges three years or more for reasons of nonpayment of dues. Discontinuation of military lodges and/or any other honorable reason where our brothers have become separated from their lodges”. I would like to thank Right Worshipful Victor S. Baxter, Henry Smith, Glenwood Buxton, Marvin Blythers, and advisor Past Grand Master Louis R. Solomon, and all of the brothers that are a part of Headquarters U.D. Lodge, for their time to drive from Tacoma to Seattle, and Seattle to Tacoma, for something that we think will pay dividends.

We are very happy to see some of the things that we had, the special commit­tee for the 10-year planning under Past Grand Master Frank Russell, to come about this year. One of the most important things to come out of that was the scholarship committee could turn the names of the winners from the Grand Lodge Scholarship to the various schools. That they could go into the com­mencement programs, where those that would be in attendance would hear the names of the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of the state of Washington and Jurisdiction presenting scholarships.

We had asked the lodges throughout the state of Washington, as well as Europe and the Far East, to work very closely with trying to build up the membership and to try to give a reasonable donation to the United Negro College Fund. am very pleased with the donations f or the United Negro College Fund, as well as about the support that I have received from some of the lodges for the NAACP. On Tuesday night at the banquet you will have an opportunity to hear and witness some of the things that we’ve been trying to bring forth in our various communities throughout the jurisdiction. I’m very pleased to see that some of our lodges certainly come forth realizing that whatever we do, regardless of what community it may take place in, bears the name of Prince Hall Masons for the state of Washington.

This has certainly been a banner year for the jurisdiction of the state of Washington. So many wonderful things have happened during the past twelve months. Past Grand Master James E. Chase was elected to become the first Black Mayor of a major city of the state of Washington. At this particular time I would like for the Deputy Grand Master, Charles D. Stubblefield, to raise this grand lodge and give a round of applause with a hearty grand con­gratulation to the Honorable Mayor James E. Chase. We hope that your mayor-ship will be as smooth as the three years that you served this jurisdiction. I hope that God will bless you and keep you.

I wish to thank District Deputy Grand Masters Daniel L. Lunsford and Joe Benton and all who participated in the car raffle last year. We made a pro­fit of over $8,000.00. I am looking forward to putting on another car raffle next year. Thanks to all the Masonic family.

THE FAR EAST AND EUROPE

Once again, physical condition of our lodges in the Far East and Europe is at its very best. For the lodges in the Far East, as you know, I had an opportunity to travel there in April, and I was very pleased at what I found there. They are very aware of the need and certainly come forth with the support that is needed for our jurisdiction. They are increasing in their membership, the Far East and Europe.

I would like to express my thanks to Right Worshipful James H. Bowser, Deputy at Large for the Far East, as well as Right Worshipful Andrew Morgan, Deputy at Large for Europe. I did not have an opportunity to travel to Europe this particular masonic year, but I’m hoping to visit them on 2 September 1982. Grand Masters of other jurisdictions, will assemble in Frankfurt, Germany to celebrate the founder of Masonry, Prince Hall Day.  This, I believe, will be a first and I’m anxiously awaiting for the visitation.

FRATERNAL RELATIONS

It has been so stated to me that the state of Washington is a very strong jurisdiction, and I’m so happy that you have not let your jurisdiction dawn. The many places that I have traveled, I often see a very large delegation of Master Masons and their lovely wives and from this jurisdiction, and it is true that we are known throughout the world where Prince Hall Masons exist. I’ve tried to be a Grand Master that would stand up and, in an intelligent way, speak on any issue that pertains to the welfare and member­ship of this jurisdiction. I hope that I’ve done it in a manner that you would hold your head up and say that there is a Grand Master that is concerned, not just about his Past Grand Masters, his Grand Lodge Officers, but a concerned Grand Master for the betterment of his membership and Masonry. I, for one, do not believe, if I may take a quotation from Past Grand Master Chase, “that becoming Grand Master has not made me any brighter. It only gave me a bigger responsibility”. I do believe that our inter—Fraternal relationship continues to be harmonious and excellent with our adopted right in concordant appendant bodies. I would hope that we’re all working for the good of our Masonic family.

DISTRICT DEPUTIES

I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my appreciation to all of my District Deputy Grand Masters for the work and dedication that they have f or this jurisdiction. Being a District Deputy Grand Master is not an easy one, but I do believe that all of my District Deputies have tried their very best to do those things that were right and for the good of their districts, hut even doing right, in the eyes of many, you just have to go a little bit further and work just a little bit harder. All of you, as District Deputies, have certainly been faithful workers f or us and this jurisdiction. I want to thank you for your support.

GRAND LODGE OFFICERS

We shall always be greatful to you for your trust, your guidance on behalf of this great jurisdiction of ours. I would like to thank you for your co­operation that you have displayed over the past twelve months. To the Comptroller Board, once again, I would like to thank you for your contri­bution and support that you have given to this grand lodge, f or the many meetings and hours that you have spent to assure this jurisdiction that the finances are in good hands. Your work is not just by the day, nor by the hour, nor just twelve months, but never completed. I, for one, have made it my business to attend those meetings that I may be fully aware of the finances of this jurisdiction. I know the work that you put into your meetings, and, at this time, we would just like to thank you and say--a job well done; keep up the good work. We thank you.

IMPERIAL COUNCIL

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARABIC ORDER NOBLES OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE OF NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA AND JURISDICTION

Last August, I had an opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the Imperial Council’s Session. I was very pleased to see so many nobles from this jurisdiction of the state of Washington in attendance. I would like to thank the Past Imperial Deputy, Alexander Reed, Sr., for the transportation he had reserved for me for the parade and for the whole nobility for the kindness that was bestowed upon me during my visit to Washington, D.C.

UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL

ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE OF FREE MASONRY (PHA)

NORTHERN JURISDICTION, U. S. A. INC.

I would imagine one of the most thrilling things to happen to me was my visit to Jackson, Mississippi to attend the summit meeting of Grand Masters. The Southern Jurisdiction was having their United Supreme Council Session.

I’m very thankful for the Sovereign Grand Commander, Honorable Sir Russell S. Gideon, for the opportunity to be received with the delegation of the cabinet of the officers of the United Supreme Council of the Northern Jurisdiction. I traveled to Freeport in the Bahamas to attend the Northern Spring Council. As I have so stated many times today, we had a large delegation from the state of Washington in attendance. I hope that we can continue to give support to our Illustrious Leader, Honorable Sir Russell S. Gideon. Congratulations to the selection as Deputy of the year.

CONFERENCE OF GRAND MASTERS

The summit meeting of all Grand Masters and other Prince hall Masonic Leaders met in Jackson, Mississippi last October to discuss ways in which to help advance the socio—economic conditions of Blacks and other minorities. The subject of the agenda was called “A Plan for Action”. The purpose of this “Action Plan” was to unify the Prince Hall Masonic Family.

The conference held in Richmond, Virginia in May, we talked about many things to help our jurisdictions establish goals for membership. The Rights of a Grand Master and his jurisdiction working with other Prince Hall Masonic leaders to mobilize as never before.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1.         That a Charter be issued to Headquarters Lodge U.D. and Headquarters Lodge U.D. be given the number one (1).

2.         That the Headquarters for the Prince Hall Grand Chapter, O.E.S., and Prince Hall Grand High Court, Heroines of Jericho, be 306 24th. Ave­nue South, Seattle, Washington 98144.

3.         That no Master Mason who may petition for membership in the Prince Hall Grand Chapter, O.E.S., and Prince Hall Grand High Court, Heroines of Jericho, working under this jurisdiction, be balloted on, but must be voted on for entry herein with a majority vote.

4.         That all funds from the sale of the property known as the Cherry Street property that was located in Seattle, Washington, be placed in a fin­ancial institution for the next three (3) years in order to pay off all dividends and Debenture bonds that will be recalled by December 31, 1982.

5.         That all lodges working under the jurisdiction of the state of Washing­ton pay their one dollar per year per member for Prince Hall Day, by the 20th. of January of each calendar year.

6.         That Brothers Isiah Simon of Harmony Lodge #2 and Gerald L. Baldwin of Cassia Lodge #5 be given a Life Membership in this Grand Lodge for ser­vices rendered.

7.         That no Master Mason, after this Masonic year, who is the recipient of a Life Membership in this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, receive any financial assistance because of their Life Membership position in the Grand Lodge.

8.         That any member can become a life member of his Blue House Lodge for a fee of $500.00. This $500.00 will be sent to the Grand Lodge and placed in a trust fund for that particular lodge. Each year the interest that has accumulated from the $500.00 will be sent back to that particular lodge. The only way a lodge can withdraw these funds from the trust fund is upon death of the member, or a request to the Grand Lodge.

9.         That recommendation number 8 be turned over to a special committee to be resolved at this communication if possible, if not, the committee will continue working to bring back a solution next year.  Those brothers desiring to work on that committee will have an opportunity to do so. 

10.     That no Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Stars, nor any Court of the Heroines of Jericho, may hold any function over seas without going through the District Deputy

CONCLUSION

I asked of you last year to take a good look and ask yourselves, from your present office, whatever contribution you may have for the betterment and the progress of this Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the state of Washington and Jurisdiction. I hope that you have fulfilled that request. Our responsibility as leaders has not diminished. It grows each day. I hope that those things that I have done have been in a way that has been good for this jurisdiction. I am thankful to each of you for the confidence, the leadership, and the support that we have received. My brethren, the affairs of this Annual Communication are now in your hands. I do express the joy and the fine spirit of cooperation and the brotherly love. As you Grand Master, again, I say the privilege of serving has been mine. Thank you, and I do hope that peace and harmony prevail for the next three days. Thank you.

Humbly and Fraternally Submitted:

CARLTON B. TUCKER