The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-09-24

The BIalcoptents Would Rather Have the
Affairs ofthe Institution Remain in the
Hands of the Court-o Officers of the Re
organized Order.
BALTIMORE, Sep. 14-The election of
Freeman B. Somerby for Supreme Justice
Of the Order of Iron Hall at the reorgani-
zation convention here is bitterly com
mented upon by his enemies. After the
election Mr.. Somerby made a short speech
thanking the delegates for the renewed
expression of their confidence in him. lie
then offered his resignation of the Office
to which he had just been elected, saying
he did not wish to continue in the posi-
tion and all he had desired was vindi-
cation of his administration of the affairs
of the Order. This he said, had been
given him by his reelection as Supreme
Justice.
The meeting decided not to accept his
resignation, and therein Mr. Somerby's
enemies again found cause for the state
ment that the convention was packed
with his friends, while the others were
excluded from participation in its pro
ceedings. The latter claim that only
fraction more than half of the old policy
| holders were represe nted at the meeting.
They admit that additional thousands
want the Order reorganized, but they will
| have no part of Somerby and the other
| supreme officers and leaders. The NAL
contents prefer to have the affairs of the
wrecked institution remain in the custody
| of the court instead of again placing
them in the hands of the wreckers.
Mr.. Somberby, however, succeeded in
| having his plan submitted by the reor-
ganization committee and adopted by the
convention. 1t is substantially a scheme
to have the members of the Iron Hall
to hold on to their old certificates, take
out new ones in the new organization and
pay assessments until the court turns over
the funds to the new organization, pro-
vided it can be induced so to act.
The other officers elected are j. Albert
Clark, Exeter N. H., Past Supreme Com
mauder; A II. Hosmer, Supreme Ao-
countant; Joseph Harris, Supreme
Cashier; DIR. c. II. Baker of Philadelphia,
Supreme Medical Director Somerby,
Hosmer and Harris are officers of the old
concern.
The financial plan of the new order is
TO pay 81 600 in seven years for about
$500; or 5000 in seven years for about
S225. Old members going into the new
concern sign q warrant giving the Su-
preme Accountant the power to draw
from the receiver of the old Iron Hall
the amount due them, which is trans
ferred into what is explained to be the
reserve fund of the new order, Old mem
bers will receive new certificates dated at
the time of their entrance into the old
order.
They viii have pay a certain percent
age, about S125 on $1,000. OF this
amount they will pay one-sixth in cash,
give a note for the remainder, which
will be deducted from the amount of the
certificate when paid at maturity. The
one-siXth cash payment goes into the re-
serve fund.
The new officers will be required tC
give heavy bonds, and it is proposed tC
engage the services of an expert accoun mt
ant, not a member of the Order, to ex
anime monthly all accounts and file re
port for publication. Several of the new
officers of the concern, after the plan was
adopted, could not definitely explain how
it could be worked out.
The amounts paid to members by the
receiver and turned over into the new
concern will, of course, be credited to thC
accounts of the respective members. Tht
assessments will be $3.50 each, two a
month, and a third will be levied the first
month on every new member to help To
pay off the claims of members which will
mature in year or two. The member,
who have been in the old Iron Hall five
or six years will be survivors in the new
Iron Hall