Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois - University Library

2QO JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS .
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by vote revoked the card. This also is immaterial as the Lodge under
many decisions had jurisdiction during the life of the card.
Complaint was made to the Noble Grand of America Lodge and
charges and specifications were preferred.
The appellant Lodge abandoned all the specificatiuns except the
following: "'That said K. A. Flagg did, while acting as Trustee of said
Lodge, rent said hall in his own right and give notice to America Lodge
and the members thereof that he had so done and he then and there
proceeded to collect rents from other Lodges using said hall. By
means whereof your committee charge that K. A. Flagg did attempt to
defraud America Lodge No. 920 of its hall and the uses and privileges
thereof, as aforesaid."
On this Brother Flagg went to trial. Change of venue was granted
to the accused and the case was sent to Springfield Lodge No. 465.
On July 14, 1913, the case was tried. There were eighteen members
present and entitled to vote. The result was eight for conviction and
ten for acquittal. From this decision this appeal has been taken by
three members of America Lodge No. 920.
The record in this case is very large, there being 141 pages. It
is proper to say, however, that it all comes in excellent shape. Though
there is a mass .of evidence, objections and counter objections, many
technicalities and trifling contentions, yet the issue is a simple one.
Fortunately there is practically no disagreement between litigants and
counsel as to the facts as shown by the evidence.
Your Committee has gone over the entire record thoroughly and
has given attorneys unlimited time for oral argument. A single ques-
tion is involved. Did Brother K. A. Flagg, while a Trustee and agent
af America Lodge, violate "the principles of the Order or of its special
obligations?" It is clear from the record that Brother Flagg sought by
sharp practice to oust the Lodge from the room it had occupied for
about three years and secure possession and control of the same for
himself. By deception and misrepresentation he succeeded in doing
this for two months. He would have continued in possession and con-
trol if Mr. Maurer had not acted upon principles of fairness and justice.
As one who is not an Odd Fellow his action is in striking contrast with
the scheme of deception and double dealing practiced by the accused
who professed to act with the Lodge in "Friendship, Love and Truth."
(See record page 70.) He said this in connection with his demand
for the keys.
Again Brother Flagg said (See page 71) "that they (the Lodge)
could use the room Monday night just the same as heretofore and