The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-12
TOOK THEM BY SURPRISE.
Mutual Endowment Order Mem bers
Not In Good Humor.

Not in Good Humor.
The announcement in yesterdays MORN
ING News of the failure of the Mutual En-.
dowment Order was the first news 10 the
majority Of members in Savannah OF its
collapse. A few had received the circular
letter with the proposition to settle
on a basis Of 80 per cent. Of the
amount paid into the endowment
fund, or about 20 per cent Of the total
amount paid into the order. To those who
had not received the circular the announce
ment was a startler.
At an informal conference OF a number
Of members there was a sentiment in favor
OF accepting the compromise, as there is
little hope OF getting any more than the
amount offered. The failure of the order
was also announced In Atlanta Sunday. Its
president, j. NJ. Ponder. made this state
msnt:
"For the past three months the business
has not been at all profitable and we are and
have bsen anxious 20 close out 90 the most
satisfactory basis to all concerned Mr.
Mowery who was for a long time our Sec
rotary, has gone away and after his de-
parture subscriptions to the stock and bust
ness generally have fallen off materially.
We sent out the circular to Savannah offer
INK OF per Ccub., DuL IL tucJ 1Ou Z tAho tudL
we'll do the best we can. We have only
nine members In Savannah and about sixty
here.n
Were tho AtlAntians given the same
noticeT'
mo. l am not prepared now to make a
statement. but will make one tomorrow"
r. g. Hartsfleld, secretary Of the order,
left Atlanta Friday for New York. The
statement of Mr.. Ponder In reference to the
M lsaVz nfR bar Go h 80 inn
rect. Instead Of nine members twenty-five
paid the last assessment The failure OF Mr..
Ponder to make any statement in
reference 10 the Atlanta membership
IL regarded as confirmation of
the belief here that the Atlanta members
have been satisfied either by being paid the
face value Of their certificates or allowed to
withdraw. receiving what they had paid In.
The Savannah members are not at all
satisfied with the explanation contained in
the letter sent out by the supreme officers.
Personal letters received yesterday contain,
in substance, the same story, that the failure
was due 20 lack Of business and q couse-
quent falling off In membership. The su-
prsme officers claim to have lost from 81 900
to $500 apiece, which they put
up TO establish the order. For
lie not plain 10 the members who are cogni-
zant OF the plan upon which the order was
supposed TO be working.
A rigid investigation into the order and
its manner Of conducting business win
be demanded, with what result re-
mains to be seen. A number Of
members were seen Yesterday, but they
could give no information other
than that contained 10 the letter OF the su-
prsme officers. which was signed by J. II.
Ponder, president, and Secretary Hartsfield
The officers of the Savannah branch became
identified with the organization through
the inheuce Of the supreme officers, Hon.
John U. Henderson. Mr.. Cabaniss and
others who were personally known to them,
and who we're regarded as men Of integrity.
Its failure has brought general surprise that
men of the standing OF some of those in the
list Of supreme officers should lend their
names and influence to any organization
concerning which there was any doubt as
to its character and stability.