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Masonic Commander Obliged to Quit for Aiding Klan

October 31, 1923
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That the Klu Klux Klan has spread its tentodes even to the highest places of the American Masonic Organization, which has been presumed at least semi-officially opposed to the Klan, was revealed here by the sensational forced resignation of Judge George Fleming Moore, past Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, thirty third and last degree of Scottish Rite Masonry, Southern Jurisdiction. This jurisdiction includes the entire South.

The resignation became known at the annual assembly of the Supreme Council, which has just concluded its sessions. It was brought to the attention of the body that since the last assembly a Masonic paper edited by Judge Moore, “The Fellowship Forum”, published in Washington, has become a semi-official organ of the Klan, many articles having appeared there lauding the masked organization.

Judge Moore, it is understood, was severely denounced by members of the Supreme Council for lending the Masonic Organization to furthering the aims of the Klan, and he found so little sympathy from his colleagues that he was obliged to submit his resignation, which was accepted, despite his previous exalted position in the order. This virtually retired Judge Moore in disgrace, an almost unparalelled incident in high Masonic circles, which are exceptionally free from internal dissension.

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