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Update regarding PGM Frank Haas/ GL West Virginia case

Raymond Walters

Premium Member
The link below is to an article that ran on the front page of Charleston's Friday newspaper.

Brethren, I am posting a link that was sent to me by PGM Frank Haas regarding his case against the Grand Lodge of West Virginia.


"Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will eat you." -- Benjamin Franklin

Subject: Jury to be selected in Masonic law case - Kanawha County - Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports -


http://dailymail.com/News/Kanawha/201012021382


"Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will eat you." -- Benjamin Franklin
 

LDSpears

Premium Member
Does anyone know of any black masons in our grand lodge juristiction? I have never seen any and was wondering if any one else had. I know it is not against the rules, and just figured the black men would rather join the PH lodge. I am not opposed to them joining either.

Also, is there any recourse that could have been taken by PGM Haas? Like maybe he could have gone to the Grand Lodge that gave WV it's charter to start with. Just wondering if there was any other way he could have had his day in court.
 
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Casey

Mandalorian
Premium Member
I met an outstanding brother who was African-American from a DFW area lodge at a floor work meeting in Lindale, Tx earlier this year. Even among masons it was an honor to meet a brother of such courage and commitment to "our" obligations.
 

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
Does anyone know of any black masons in our grand lodge juristiction? I have never seen any and was wondering if any one else had. I know it is not against the rules, and just figured the black men would rather join the PH lodge. I am not opposed to them joining either.
Why would you think that, Brother?
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
Does anyone know of any black masons in our grand lodge juristiction? I have never seen any and was wondering if any one else had. I know it is not against the rules, and just figured the black men would rather join the PH lodge. I am not opposed to them joining either.

We have several at Fort Worth 148 and Tarrant 942. I know Stockyards Lodge has one. There are many black men in AF&AM. Just like I know several white men in PHA. Mainly military men but none the less.
 

LDSpears

Premium Member
Less Controversy. I have never seen one and that is why I figured I had not. Like I said before, I am not opposed. Just have yet to meet a black brother.
 
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Dave in Waco

Premium Member
Anyway back on subject, I believe that PGM Haas brought his case to court, because he was denied his that right by his Grand Lodge. He didn't have a chance to defend himself by a Masonic trial or grievance hearing, he was just expelled by the sitting GM, which is contradicts their Grand Law. That's why he can bring it before a civil court. Civil court doesn't have the authority in private organizations in forcing practices on them, but civil court can force a private organization to follow its own rules and laws. In other words the court can't clear PGM Haas, but they can lift the expellation and force the proper proceedings according to GL if the PGM who improperly expelled him chooses to bring charges.
 

Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
Does anyone know of any black masons in our grand lodge juristiction? I have never seen any and was wondering if any one else had.

There are quite a few, including Bro. Adolph Thomas, a PM of Lyons #195 in Schulenberg, who just finished his term as DDGM of Masonic District #33. A good man & a great Mason.
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
The trial ended today at about 6pm, and deliberations will begin tomorrow morning. The judge gave a summary judgement today that the Grand Lodge did breach its contract, and did not follow its own rules in the way Haas was expelled. The jury will deliberate on compensatory damages concerning defamation of Haas, and about four other items.

Looks like the GLoWV acted inproperly.
 

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
It certainly looks that way.
<sigh>
And all this contention over the idea that skin color should not be an issue that divides Masons. The irony is overwhelming.
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
And all this contention over the idea that skin color should not be an issue that divides Masons. The irony is overwhelming.

It is sad, but technically, this could be far from over. Because of the GM that acted improperly against Haas and the other Mason, they could now technically bring masonic charges against the now PGM who expelled them without having properly followed GL Law along with the other PGM who reappealed GL Law by eddict, depending of course on the law for the GLoWV. So the tables could completely turn in this case.

I guess this should be a lesson to all of us to carefully guard our own West Gates and remember that although we may not always agree, we are still all brothers and friends at the end of the day.
 

JohnnyFlotsam

Premium Member
It is sad, but technically, this could be far from over. Because of the GM that acted improperly against Haas and the other Mason, they could now technically bring masonic charges against the now PGM who expelled them without having properly followed GL Law along with the other PGM who reappealed GL Law by eddict, depending of course on the law for the GLoWV. So the tables could completely turn in this case.

I guess this should be a lesson to all of us to carefully guard our own West Gates and remember that although we may not always agree, we are still all brothers and friends at the end of the day.

You are absolutely right about this being far from over. The racists will continue to insist that their actions were justified on this or that procedural technicality, when it still really boils down to them (the racists) not wanting to admit people with the "wrong" skin color into their lodge and a few misguided (if not also racist) "leaders" wanting to "preserve harmony" by supporting the racist Lodges.

The whole thing is just the most visible sore on the surface of a sickness that has been allowed to go on for far too long.
 

Robert G

Premium Member
Verdict Information: Kanawha Circuit Court Judge Carrie Webster ruled on Tuesday that the Grand Lodge violated its own internal rules in the manner in which PGM Frank Haas was expelled without a Masonic trial. However, today the jury awarded NO remedy or damages on the breach of contract. The upshot: Grand Lodge was wrong to expel Haas in the manner it did, but there are no legal penalties of any kind against them for breaking those internal rules. Haas was not reinstated as a Mason by the Court. His lifetime membership in West Virginia remains forfeited.

Haas was made a Mason on April 17th in Steubenville Lodge No. 45 in Ohio, where he has since been installed as Senior Deacon. As a result of that action, the Grand Lodge of West Virginia has unrecognized the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and West Virginia Masons risk expulsion by visiting Ohio lodges. -- Source http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/
 
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Dave in Waco

Premium Member
I would say that should have been the correct ruling by the court. Now I believe it would take someone in the GLoWV to file charges on the PGM who failed to follow the rules and request that his actions be voided. Of course, there would be some battlelines that would be drawn if they did that. The ruling could be used behind the scenes to force the GLoWV to withdrawn PGM Haas' expellation and/or re-recognize the GLoO. At this point, things would be best handled by rational Masons, meeting and acting as Masons should.
 
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