Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-01-23
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
MARRIAGE Insurance.
The Methods by Which Young Couples !;
Defrauded of Their Money.

Defrauded of Their Money.
Reading Dispatch TO New York Sun.
Suits are abont to be instituted by three
young married couples residing near
Reamstown. which will expose the
methods of the marriage insurance COM
panies, in which the complainants are ill.,
terested. The plaintiffs were married
just thirteen months ago. Prior to their
marriage they were approached by three
agents, who, it is alleged, promised that
the companies would pay each member $3.50
one year after their marriage. The young
people paid $40 apiece for their policies or
certificates, and 81 annual dues. Two
weeks after their policies were received they
were married and hopefully looked for
ward to the time when they would receive
their money. The three couples live near
together, and the numbers OF their ceTtiti .
Gates ran up from 475 to 4S9 inclusive.
Three.weeks ago they sent the companies
notice that their year was up, and that
they wanted their money as promised.
They received word that the companies
were paying off as fast as possible
and that they would have to wait until
their turn came. The next days
mail brought six envelopes, each Of
them containing fifteen notices of assess
ment, amounting in each case to S1S Is.
The very next week another batch of
notices were received, and they continued
to come 50 fast that before 4 month had
passed their assessments called for $50
each. They refused to pay, and consulted
an ex-agent of another company. He told
them that they would either have to pay
their assessments or forfeit their policies.
Said he "And that is not the worst of it,
either. Your policies are exceedingly
high numbered. l dare say that out of
the AIS persons who are ahead OF you at
least $50 are married now and waiting for
their money, just as you all are.
Before your turns come to get your
money each of you will have to pay at
least $50 assessments of S1.25 each so
you see the very best thing you can do is
to stop right where you are and go no
the time you will have paid your $50 as
after you will be utterly unable to keep
up the drain on their purses, and you can
not get your money. DO not invest any
have already paid out is lost forever, and
thank your stars it is not more. The
companies you are in are perfectly willing
w SeAAy OuO SASi pow vi oAio SoAoA"So1
provided you are. Your certificate plainly
shows that you must pay up all assess
ments that tie company calls for in order
to satisfy the just claims of those whose
policies are ahead of yours. If you do not
comply you cease to be member and
your policy becomes null and void"
The young people declare that they bad
no such understanding, and that they
were insured to get $3.50 one year after
their marriage. A number of lawyers are
examining into this matter with view of
beginning a war against these marriage
insurance companies if there is any possi-
bic legal way to get at it. They are
aware that hundreds of young persons
have been induced to become insured
prior to their weddings. The Pennsylva-
mia courts now positively refuse to charter
any more of the companies, on the ground
that their business is corrupt and fraudu-
lent and the probabilities are that the
next important move will be made against
those who have been chartered, but whose
duped members are waiting in vain for
their money. Very many officers are
quietly withdrawing. anticipating the i'm
pending conflict. Other companies are
quietly consolidating and transferring their
business.