The Indianapolis journal., 1884-01-14
ON THE ASSESSMENT PLAN.
The Scheme Of the United States Reel
procity Annuity Association.
A Successor to the Lately Deceased Assess
ment Insurance COmpanies-What
One of Its officers Says of It.

Inc l lllltu states AeClpOCltN AuuullE ESSOtl-
alton, of Chicago, is the the imposing syllable ag
gregation which appears at the head III four dis
play lines, of gingerly looking circular setting
forth in badly constructed English new plan
for enriching the impoverished. The associ-
alton was organized in July, 1882, as the circu-
lar artfully states, "by the adoption of articles
of association, the selection of officers, and
the issuing of association bonds" The
officers, according to the advertisement, are j.
l.. Whetston. president; DIR. r. H. Bigger, vice
president; Dr. O. Pierre Barbour, secretary; S.
BurdsaI treasurer; Prof. r. n Todd NJ. D..
and Prof. R. E. Haughton. NJ D., medical
officers, and DR.. J. C. Lewis, general agent
These men also constitute the board of directors
All the officers, with the exception of S. Burdsall
who is druggist in Cincinnati, were at the time
of the organization of the association, or
now are, residents of this city, and
have been regarded as reputable citizens
Since the organization, DR.. Todd has died, Dr.
Haughton mas withdrawn from the ASSOCIATION,
and DR.. Lewis is no longer connected with it, so
that its affairs now in the hands of four of
ficerS.
Branch offices are located at st. Louis, Detroit
and Pttsburg.
A letter was received in this city from Toledo
a few days ago, making inquiries ''aS to the
soliditv and moral standing of the association or
its officers" The letter further states that Dr. O.
p. Barbour, claiming to be from this city,
and bearing a letter of membership from
the Church of Disciples, had been in Toledo for
three weeks representing himself as the general
manager of the association, and had sold bonds
to several members of the Church of Disciples
there. Rev. o. J. Britton, Disciple minister
was one of the purchasers of these bonds, and
he claims to have received information through
the Postoffce Department, as the letter
states that the association is not reliable
The suspicious of the writer of the letter had been
aroused and he desired information regarding
the reliability of the association.
Rev. David Walk, pastor Of the Central Chris
tian Church, in referring to the inquiries relating
to Barbour which had come to him says: 80. p.
Barbour was for "a short time member of our
church, but representing to us that he was
going to move to Chicago, he applied for the
usual letters of dismissal, and there being then
no reason known to us why he should not have
it, it was granted. 1t now appears that he is
trading on this letter. We will take such steps
as we can to dsown all responsibility as to him.
THE ASSOCIATIONS PLAN.
Dr. Barbour is the head and front of the asso-
citation. 1t was organized by him and the prac-
teal, as we'll as the theoretical business is
under his management. The association, the
prospectus perspiciousy explains, is an associa-
bonds covenant and agree to extend to each other
mutual reciprocal aid, trust and cooperative eff
fort to the end that they by so doing may be
benefciaries in reciprocal annuties.' 1t
claims that by its mutual reciprocal aid, trust
and cooperative effort. l." its members are enabled
to secure Ito themselves and to their heirs"
a sum of money at less risk and
cost than by any other mode of investment
The assurance is given that ''the member need
not be in doubt as to whether his savings are to
bp rncpi ixrn1 Inv and
or be frittered away in deprecated stocks real
estate securities, and i'll litigations resulting
therefrom."
The beauties of. the association are kaleidio-
scopic Iii better than bitters 1t is, in fact, a
panacea for ali the evils that frail flesh
is susceptible tot is a kind of regulator for
the liver of the universe. The prospectus an
nounces that "by it industry, frugalty
economy and self reliance are stimulated; moral
ity encouraged; virtue protected and shielded
from that depressing and corrupting Pandora's
box of evil-poverty." No man. with the re-
sponsibihty of wife, can afford to be without
this sort of thing.
''As an evidence that the plan of the associa-
ton is practicable and reliable" the
advertisement says, lit is only neces-
sary to cite the fact that the
principles underlying it are among the oldest re-
corded in history. wide Rollins Ancient The
principle of associative, reciprocal and co opera
tive action has been and is being utilized ia al
most every branch of business-eommeree agri
culture manufacture, education, etc, are its
benefciaIies." Certainly, can there be no doubt
after reading this, about the practicabiity and
reliability of the association.
An association bond of class A, it is explained.
entities the holder to ten consecutive annrIities
of $500 each, while bond of class entities the
holder to a consecutive annuity for the same
period of $500, ''or their pro rata amount of the
contributions paid in at the time that annuities
on bonds fall due and are to be paid off. = Annu-
titles commence to fall due three years
f1a do4a af ko.,H HAT
or as soon thereafter as the holders
of bonds number 5000 contributions will be
called for and within ninety days thereafter paid
off. Association bonds are Cancelled every ten
years and new bonds issued in their stead" If
bond has been kept up three years and the holder
should, through disability, be unable to make
the payment of dues after that it will be carried
by the association without interest, and only the
amount actually paid will be deducted.
WHAT WILL BE DONE WHEN BARBOUR RETURNS.
DIR. r. H. Bigger, of this city, the vice-presi-
dent of the association. and the largest bond
holder, was called upon by Journal reporter
and questioned regarding the plan of operation.
1--WE issue bonds he said, 'to all who become
members of the association, in two classes If a
man takes a bond for s., 000 he is required to
pay fee of $40 when it is issued to him. and
then the semi annual dues for paying
expenses are 81. The fees and dues go to the
secretary to pay all expenses Of management
The contributions to pay off the annuities are
separate. The bond is for ten years, and enti
ties the holder to an annuity Of $780,
Have any payments been made yet?'
''N0. We don't calculate to pay any annui--
ties for year more yet, not until there is
a membership of J, 900.
How long has the association been organ
izedl7
1T was organized year ago last July"
''Wsere are the articles of Incorporation filedl"
''None have been filed yet, but we intend to
do that Just as soon as DR.. Barbour returns from
his present trip. He has been away for about
two months organizing agencies, and will return
on the 10th.
''Do you know DR. Barbour we9'
Il know him pretty well. and regard him as
an upright Christian gentleman. He is not a
man of any wealth. but l believe he intends to
do the right thing"
s.Who are the other offirnTsqr