Evening journal., 1891-01-30
Is THIS ANOTHER FRAUD?
BOTTOM KNOCKED OUT OF A So
CALLED BENEFICIAL oRCeR.

The Philadelphia Times Exposes the
Methods of the Advance Beneficial
Order, which Has Forty Members In
This city.
The Philadelphia Times Of to day ex-
poses the purpose OF a so called beneficial
society called the Advances Beneficial
Order, established in Philadelphia about
four months ago. Investigations hv an
EVENING JOURNAL reporter discovered a
branch of the order in this cityand located
its headquarters at No 606l Market street
f. Marcus is the district presi
dent but he was not in when the
reporter called A young woman had
charge of the offices, and the solicitude
she svinced to induce him. whom she
mistook for customer, to call again
proved that the offieera of the society
are anxious FOR a larger number of mem
bers.
Further investigation resulted In
locating President Of one Of the local
lodges. He was very willing to talk and
give any information he possessed On
being shown the Times article. he was
astonished at the large salary
paid to the supreme officers.
be stated that soon after
joining the organization ne began to
doubt its honesty, but not until now did
ne fully comprehend the depths Of Gun
ming Of which its promoters had been
capable. They offer for an investment or
less than s4O 70 pay 500 ia a year. and
then after having taken $9.sO for their
own use, they assert that they can make
this 800 from the remainder
The first money paid Is SO as at
mutation fee and ~ for benefit cert6-
cate. Fifteen assessments of So only
will be required 10 secure 800 The
circular which Is rosy colored Is all tn. n
could be desired 10 catch the ignoran,
and unwary. Investors are told that If
they surrender their certificate at any
time after six months they will receive
ninety per cent OF what they shall have
paid in Sick benefits Of SIS a week
are promised to all members who have
been In the order sixty days. The circular
does not tell chat Secretary Balderson who
organized the order gets 81 for each
mem Der initiated and rs there are now
q 300 members, his salary for the last
four months has been 81. 800, or AL the
rate Of $25,0 year. About 500 600
has been spent IN paying canvassers
$1,000 for supplies to new lodges So 600
Tor Office expenses, SO 500 f8r advertis
ing, leaving balance OF $40 800 to be
divided among the officers.
Tie company asserts that it will be
able to meet its engagement by the aid
of lapses and the unsuspecting victim
who does not understand the proportion
of lsDses believes this. At their rate Of |
ejaculation four out of every five invest
ments would quire TO lapse 20 meet de- |
mands. Experience has own that the |
of lapses in similar concerns |
never exceeds ten per cent, and some |
times is only five percent so on that item
alone the absurdity of the affair is appar |
ent.
The constitution Of the concern Is said
to be unique but no body will see ii until |
ne is smember for some time. The /
president Of the local lodge referred to
says he has not seen one yet The fact
that So SO 20 to the supreme officer il
nowhere told, but in the constitution
There are three lodges with a member
ship Of forty in this city, and ithe latter /
has been on the Increase
What do you propose doinggn asked |
the reporter Of the member
II viii investigate IT, aud IL find il a |
fraud az ! suspect 1t Is | will drop out
and advise ali others to do the same. |
cannot afford to lose either my fortune |
or reputation in fraudulent scheme. I
am glad the matter has been brought to /
my notice, as / have entertained strong 4
doubts about its honestly. Now will |
have all explanation on some questions
Or drop it