Part 693: The Scottish Rite Rivalry between Little Rock and Portland
By 1902, Sosman & Landis studio had delivered Scottish Rite scenery and stage machinery to the Southern Jurisdiction Scottish Rite Valleys in Little Rock Arkansas (1896, 1898, 1902); Oakland, California (1896); Wichita, Kansas (1898); Guthrie, Oklahoma (1900); Fargo, North Dakota (1900); and Salina, Kansas (1901). In 1902 another Scottish Rite scenery collection was contracted for installation the western region of the United States. The Portland, Oregon, Scottish Rite began the construction of their new home that would later be dedicated in 1903. Portland was just one on many Scottish Rite buildings to include a theater with scenery for degrees in the Southern Jurisdiction at this time, yet they are the only one to remain, as installed during this period..
In 1904, New Age Magazine published an article written by Charles E. Rosenbaum about the Albert Pike Consistory Temple in Little Rock, Arkansas. At that point, a rival began between Portland and Little Rock; Little Rock was getting a little too much attention throughout the Southern Jurisdiction.
Here is the article, “Rivalry in Scottish Rite. Mr. C. E. Rosenbaum Speaks for Arkansas and praises Oregon,” as published in the Daily Arkansas Democrat::
The New Age, a splendid new magazine published under the auspices of the Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, at Washington, D. C., contains the following article in its current number:
Fraternal Rivalry.
Our editorial in the November number of this magazine on “Fraternal Rivalry” has brought us a letter from Brother Charles E. Rosenbaum, 33 degree, S.G.I.G. Arkansas.
He says that if the Oregon brother who made a complaint about the statements inn his article about “Albert Pike Consistory” were incorrect had read his article carefully, and had been as familiar with affairs in his own jurisdiction of Oregon as he thought he was, he would have found no ground for complaint.
He declared that his statements were correct and are easily proven. He did not say that Albert Pike Consistory in Little Rock was the largest of the most expensive building in the country, for there are others which are larger and more expensive. What he did say, and he reiterates it, was that their building is the “most perfect in its equipment and in its arrangement,” and that “it is the only building in America erected and used for the sole purpose of Scottish Rite Masonry.”
Commenting on the Oregon brother’s statement that the Scottish Rite building in Portland is “much the largest and most complete yet constructed for the sole use of the Masonic fraternity,” Brother Rosenbaum says, “That it is larger than ours I frankly admit, but it is not the largets yet constructed;” and again he says, “That it is the most complete I beg to dispute, because I know of my own personal knowledge that their equipment is not near so complete as ours either in robing, stage scenery, or other paraphernalia.” Not only this, but he was informed by the “Recognized official head of the government power of the building,” while on a visit as the representative of the Sovereign Grand Commander, that, “the reason for building the auditorium with some of its special features was to permit the renting of it for lectures, concerts, and other high-class entertainment; that the reason for finishing the banquet hall on the plan adopted was that it could be rented for dancing purposes to social clubs and other organizations.”
So, “if it is to be used exclusively for Scottish Rite Masonry, then they have enlarged their plans since June, 1903,” says our contributor, and he adds: “In the light of the statements made to me while in Portland, the statement that I made should not be questioned.”
Our correspondent then continues, paying this handsome tribute to the bodies and to the brethren of the Rite in Oregon:
Now as to the Portland building and the brethren there. After maintaining my position in the article, permit me to say that in Portland they have a building which would be the pride in any city or set of Scottish Rite bodies which might be fortunate enough to possess it.
It is a beautiful building, and larger than ours, much mmore expensive in its construction, I think, and, so far as it had been equipped, the very best that could be produced has been installed. Its furnishings are not only tasteful, but of the highest quality, and it is indeed worthy of a place in the history of progress in the southern jurisdiction. The brethren themselves are enthusiastic, earnest, and energetic. That they are loyal to the organization is evidenced by the fact that the brother so promptly champions their cause in the article which I have referred.
Between Oregon and Arkansas there is no rivalry, not even a friendly one, for there is nothing that we could do to be of any service to Brother Malcom and his associates that we would not cheerfully and promptly try to do. I am sure that he and his loyal and lovable brotherhood would gladly render us any possible service that they could.
I trust that the same kindly feeling may always exist between us, and so far as it is in own power to maintain it we will do so, and I feel sure they too will maintain the same brotherly regard for us.
Another thing, which has no particular bearing on this subject, is well worth noting because it is so very unusual. When we opened the building for the first class we had to initiate in it, we had a bonded debt, all held by our own membership, and which bore interest at four percent. These bonds aggregated nearly forty thousand dollars. We had, in addition, accumulated outstanding open accounts for stage equipment, furnishings, and a balance on various contracts, amounting to about fifteen thousand dollars. We have now called in the last of these bonds, and checks have been drawn for the payments we should be so fortunate as to be able to discharge the last obligation with this magnificent enterprise within a trifle over two years from the time it was completed and opened.
Our contributor has answered clearly and definitely his anonymous critic. The tone of his reply is admirable, and we hope this letter will result in a signed reply from our critic, accompanied by a full description of the Portland Scottish Rite building.”
To be continued…
