The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-12-12
Peoples Benea. Assocjn,iou.
The Peoples Benefit Association OF Portland
is located in Cahoon Block. Yesterday the
Lewiston Journal published the following let

The Peoples Benefit Association Of Portland
is located in Cahoon Block. Yesterday the
lewiston Journal published the following let
ter from Insurance Commissioner Nye:
AUGUSTA, Dec 9th.
The Peoples Benefit Association OF Portland is
really an agency for Massachusetts 1npany of
the same name, which was refused authority to do
business here. The officers nearly the same
The Boston Company employed an attorney to start
2 Maine company under chapter 55 Revised
Statutes, to evade our law. The court has praeti-
caly decided that a company cannot do a life in-
surance business ANY one soliciting risk for this
company is liable to ine of $50 for each risk. 1t
is simply scheme for under ground insurance.
FRANK Z. NYE.
Mr.. Clarence Hale, attorney for the corpora
ton, says that the association ia strictly legi-
innate in every way; that it does not pretend
to be an insurance company but a mutual
| benefit association. So far as he knows no
one has been solicited to insure in the associa-
tion but agents have been authorized to solicit
membership. So far as he knows the associa-
tion has paid all legitimate claims. The fol-
| lowing statement has been made by R. J..
Murray, manager, and Fl. M. Raney, general
| agent of the association.
In the issue of the Biddeford Journal of the Goth
1 ult, letter from Frank E. Nye, Esq. Insurance
| Commissioner for the State of Maine appeared, de-
ncuncing tile Peoples Benefit Association of Maine
as fraud, using the strongest of terms. In truth
and fact this association is charitable association
having Tor its purpose. the relief of its members in
time of sickness ard in the event of death. 1t was
duly and truly organized under chapter SO of K. S.
| 1888, Hon. Clarence Hale of Portland, acting as at
torney in the premises 1t is not an insurance
| pany on either the mutual or stock plan, whereby
ii would be under the supervision of the Insurance
| Commissioner provided by the statutes of Maine,
but is charitable association under the statute
| ferred to. and hence under supervision whatever
| by the Commissioners and an, attempt upon his
part control the action OF said association is out
side the duties of his Office and wrong. 1t is bound
| by it's constitution and bylaws, a copy of
which is in the hanos of every member. 1t pays all
its obligations. of every name and nature promptly
and without discount. 1t courts investigation by
the public in the that 1t is what it pre-
| tends to be fully and truly. 1t has no agent in this
or any other district who is fraud. On the con.
| trary they only emp oy men as agents for whose
acts they hold themselves responsible in every par
ticular. Fraud may be practiced upon the assocla-
ton but not by any act connivance of the assoca
tion any of It's officers and never by any of its
agents, in dealing with the public. IL is the interest
of memoer 10 that the association is fair
| and above rel roach in its every act
| (Sigred) X. j. MURRAY, Manager.
II. NJ. RANEY, General Agent,
IS Pine ST. Portland Mo.