1947
GRAND LODGE OF MISSOURI
139
Decisions 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 are approved. Decision number 1 is hereby approved with this understanding: that the Building Supervisory Board does not have any inherent powers as set out in the third paragraph of the Grand Master's decision, but derives its authority from the Grand Lodge By-Laws alone. Decision number 2 is approved but we do not overrule action of the Grand Lodge in approving the report of the Committee on Jurisprudence in 1929. The facts in the two cases are entirely dissimilar and are easily distinguished from each other. We have a happy report to make to you on decision number 3. Pursuant to the orders of the Grand Master, representatives from Valley Lodge No. 413 and Whitesville Lodge No. 162 appeared before your Committee in person with their lodge records, and the brethren have succeeded in settling this matter entirely among themselves and peace and harmony prevails between the two lodges and their members. From all the facts ascertained from the records and the oral statements of the members we, therefore, recommend that the first paragraph of the decision of the Grand Master, found on page 15, be reversed, and John Wayland Todd be, and he is hereby declared to be, a member in good standing of Valley Lodge No. 413. That the officers and members of said Valley Lodge No. 413, having been heretofore reprimanded at the direction of Past Grand Master Bray, that no further penalty be inflicted. As peace and harmony now prevails between the lodges and their members, it is recommended that no further consideration be given to this unfortunate case. As to decision number 11, the same is hereby approved with this limitation: that the Worshipful Master does not have the power to "appoint" any elective officer, but he may request the assistance of any member of the lodge to act temporarily in a vacant office in the conduct of the business of the lodge. Decision number 13 is approved with this proviso: that if the ballot is taken by the usc of the ballot box, then before the voting takes place the ballot box must contain an equal number of white balls and black balls, and must contain enough of each kind so that every member voting shall have his free choice as to the kind of a ballot he shall cast. Decision number 31 presents a situation we desire to call to your attention. Section 251 provides that the Junior Warden shall conduct a trial on behalf of the lodge, and that he shall have authority to choose counsel to assist him. But we further hold that the Grand Master, as was done in this case, has authority to appoint counsel to act with the said Junior Warden, or his counsel, in the prosecution of the charges. Decision No.6. We recommend that decision number 6, of the Grand Master, be approved. In connection with this decision the Grand Master requested the Grand Lodge to establish a policy with respect to the right of lodges to use the services of radio stations to disseminate lodge news. In the case before the Grand Master, it will be noted that the radio stations reserved the right to edit news items furnished by the lodge. It follows, that under su~h an arrangement the lodge would have no control of the actual announcement transmitted over the air. Such an arrangement unquestionably would be bad. Independently of the foregoing facts, however, there Muld be no assurance that notices would be transmitted over the air, as furnished