The Freemasons weren’t a big secret or anything, I have a bunch of their weird “code” books I bought at yard sales over the years. The Freemasons was just what the rich weird dudes in your town did to hang out with each other, like the elks lodge but 50-200 years ago. And while there’s really no evidence to suggest they were ever a nationally or internationally powerful force, they could have a large role behind the scenes at the community level, because that was just where all the owners and bosses went to hang out on the weekend, so of course things like anti-union activities were coordinated at Masonic meetings. I think this is where a lot of their sinister reputation as string pullers in American lore comes from. The masons were where the mayor, your state legislators, and the factory owners networked and hung out