New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-03
DLSCORD " 4 MUTUAL I'D SOCIETY.

lFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.
Dies MONIES, Iowa, April pa serious con-
ct OF Jurisdiction has in the Ancient Order Of
United Wornon which is creating considerable trouble
and exciting much interest throughout the country The
order orr inated Penns lvania in 1872 and its mem
ber-hip counted by the million. Its present
bershp in iowa il twelve thousand III 1875 tie
Iowa Grand Lodge given independent jurisdiction
with the right to collect It's revenues ana d5buse its
own funds. It was, however, to the ritual, and be
entitled 10, and to receive the semiannual password
from the Supreme Lodge utilization, and to receive
members OF other Jurisdictions and give them relief
when necessary When the yellow fever scOurged the
South there several States in which the enbershp
had not reached rumber requisite to onte them TO
independent jurisdiction, and in them the Supreme
Lodge was the custodian Of all benefit funds and paid
the death losses The deaths were so numerous as to
bankrupt the treasury. subsequently q compromise
was effected by which n certain amount agreed to
be paid benehciaries in nsallments. The Supreme
Iodceiade an assessment upon independent Jurisdictions
10 meet ii deficit All paid except the Grand Lodge OF
Iowa. which claimed that power existed in the Grand
Lodge or elsewhere to levy such assessments. The
Supreme Lodge receded FROM its peremptOry demand,
and asked the payment charitable DONATION which
was also denied The Supreme Lodge then amended its
constitution include the Whole order In lite bene
fciary assessments. mortality rate upon a sliding
scale was fixed for the jurisdictions. For all
deaths above these rates Supreme Lodge given
mortality falls below the rate fixed, the fund
raised by assessments is TO go to the Supreme
Lodge. In this way the Supreme Lodge expected
to repenish its treasury TINS measure Iowa oI-
posed and did several other grand lodges bot they
were oycrrued by the maioity Iowa has steadily and
firmly refused to surrender
Among the reasons adduced for this refusal OF Iowa
is one legal aspect The Insurance Department o.
the Government holds that the supreme Lodge and
the Iowa Grand Lodge, Incorporated under the state
avs are s iio h S control of the insurance. laws the
Mo - mi ~
premises this order referred the question to the Al
General who decided that, under the constitution
and regulations Of the Order IL life assurance as
socation and therefore could not transact business In
mis- state without first complying with the statue, which
reauires il to be body corporate and 10 have
cash capital OF 100000 security fund or TO post
viii he Auditor of this 100000 security for
payment Of losses TO members within the state The
Grand Lodge OF Iowa was also put in the same legal pO
sition This decision is binding upon the State Auditor
until reversed aside by court vi competent iuris
dcLon As the supreme Grand Lodge has no rem sly at
law compel obedience by the Iowa Grand Lodge re-
ago the Supreme Grand Master deposed the Grand Mas
ter and the Grand Secretary Of Iowa Grand Lodge and
IEr'' has also refused to transmit to the
Grand Lodge the password, ana requested subordinate
lodges refuse to recognize anyone except his ap-
pontees Several subordinate lodges have acqueisced
In this demand. The Grand Lodges OF ILLINOIS, ana
Missouri have given notice that no subordinate lodge
within their jurisdiction viii be permitted to affiliate
with members OF the Iowa Grand Lodge The situation
is assuming considerable gravity, as the members are
anxious ~ know 10 whom they shall rlGhtfuy pay their
current assurance payments.
letter from the ieposed Grand Master Of the Iowa
Lodge dated April ;, says the Grand Lodge OF Iowa
will adhere to the policy adopted AZ It's last meeting ana
will submit to power to compel 1t to pay for dcAth
losses outside OF It's jurisdiction As an Insurance COM
pany its risks confined to Iowa men, and Is pro
The Supreme Lodge bases its assumption on the
ground first. that in collecting assessments IN iowa 10
nav losses in other states not doing business OF III
ayauce n Iowa second that the setting apart OF the
Iowa Grand Lodge as independent Jurisdiction did
moi free II from subordnaton to the supreme Lodge
and liz duty to conform 10 all lawful attachments
HEREOF Beng an integral part Of the Order, II was
bound by all par1s OF the constitution, whether 1t had
gwen assent thereto or not.
ifnes- some adjustment Is made the Grand Lodge OF
Iowa will resolve Itself into state life assurance COM
pany