Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-08
Legitimate Beneficial and Insurance
Societies Don't Intend to Be
Dragged Down by
THE MUSHROOMS THAT SPRING UP.
An American in Russia Says That Many
Stories of the Siberian Exiles
Are EIaggeratiOns.
AN UYFAILING SIGN OF SPRINGTIME.
Chats cn Various Topics Ficksd Up During Days
Tramp AhOut ToTn.

The investigation into the beneficial
features of the secret orders OF the State by q
Legislative Committee is exciting consider
able interest among outsiders as well as
members ef these organizations. The older
societies whose work is commendable and
who have done great deal OF good in car
ing for widows and orphans, have nothing
to fear in explaining their methods. The old
line insurance companies have never failed
TO wage relentless warfare against
these orders and some of the local leaders
are inclined 10 believe that The present in
veStgation is one of their plans to hamper
their business. If il is, thev are watching
the progress of the work very closely, and
are prepared to fight as soon as the real
enemy, il there be one, shows his face. On
tbe other hand, a number of wildcat
schemes with insurance features attached
have been started all over the State, and the
old organizations do not object TO having
them exposed.
Prepared to Stand Up for Rights.
John Rowan, of the Central Hotel, is a
member o several local orders that guaran-
Tee a sum of money at death. In discussing
the subject Yesterday he said Il think
that established orders like the Heptasophs,
Rcval Arcanium, A. o. Z. w. and some
others l might mention will not be touched.
The investigation is good tline and will
do no harm. Nobody who conducts busi-
ness legitimately should be afraid to have
his methods examined. I understand there
are any number Of wildcat insurance
schemes that have been started in the State
IN recent years. 1t wouldn't surprise Inc
if the number reached 1O0 l heard of
one not long ago mat promises 81 600 al the
end of seven years for about 1925 put in by
the members. I have tried TO figure out
how this sum will make 81 600 in that time,
but failed, and would like to see the man
who can explain how it is done. You know
there are always plenty of people willing to
be dupeG, and a few Shrewd fellows
organized a society for the benefit OF them
selves, and easily get others to join it. l
suppose the fellows who are in the order at
first will secure their shares, but somebody
is bound to suffer in the end.
Benefits of the Fraternal Orders.
The old-line insurance companies have
always been bitter against beneficial
societies. There is no reason why they
should be. These orders take care of tnous-
ands of poor people who couldn't afford
ANYHOW 10 insure in the regular companies.
The rates 0, the A. Q. I. W, Tor example,
are from 81 to 81 50 q month for s., 600. He
is a very poor man, indeed, who couldn't
paw this sum, and his family has something
20 Iall I back at his Geat3.
This order has been doing business for 22
years in this State, and | know personally
OF many families in Pittsburg who would
now be in distress if it were not for such
secret lodges. Il a man is sick his fellow
members pay his dues and keep him in
good standing, beside looking after him.
Here is where the fraternal sides of these
orders show themselves. 1t is true, too,
that beneficial societies do take business
away from insurance companies but 1t is
not 70 any great extent"