The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-05-17

l.
intelligible form in any Of the COM
nany's books; in fact, the books make
no mention whatever Of salaries, al
though it is claimed that the aggre-
gate amounts paid on account thereof
are included under the general item Of
Expenses. The only reference that
can be found anywhere to these salar-
les is an account kept BY one 81 the
members Of the Supreme Council IN 4
small note book. his own private
book tsee McJilton, ans. to int, 4I)--
in which the amount paid to the sev-
eral officers are kept, but which book
contains no other accounts Of the or
der. To this book it is not contended
that anyone outside Of the six had ac-
cess; and it was frankly admitted that
the reason the fact Of the payments Of
salaries and their amounts was thus
concealed was because the officers did
not want airy one to know what they
were getting, as they considered their
salaries private to themselves.
ALLOWANCE OF SALARIES.
The only authority for the allow
ance Of those salaries was that they
were mutually agreed on by an inform
al understanding kept closely to them
selves arrived at quite early in the ex-
istence Of the order, at time whenits
membership was inconsiderablea and its
fund little or nothing. There was a
want of candor-a concealment- about
this whole matter of salaries which
affords ground for apprehension as to
the future, when it is remembered that
the six officers are in no way response
BILE to the members and show no. dis
position to become so.
Notwithstanding the secret allow
ance to themselves Of these liberal and,
in some instances, exorbitant salaries,
and Notwithstanding the fact that there
is no service of any kind rendered by
members or agents which is not paid
for out Of the general fund, there has
been actual misrepresentation Of the
true state of affairs.
"The officers in their prospectus
have assured the public that the lar
lgest part Of the business Of the ordel
is performed by its members gratMtous
" and not By paid agents. Exhibit G.
page 10.) When the supreme chancellor
was confronted with this statement
his only reply was: I really cannot &C.
plai, that. Redirect, interrog. 49,
!" In view Of these circumstances and
Of Others to be noticed, there is too
much reason for the charge that the
fraternal, benevolent, moral, social
and educational purposes claimed in
the certificate Of incorporation and in
circulars are mere pretense, and that
the company is simply business con-
cern, run mainly in the interest Of the
managers.
''The public was also assured that
all persons having charge Of any funds
of the order are under good and suf-
ficient bond Surety companies for the
amount they win at any time have in
their possession Exhibit G, p. g.
Gleaner, p. 81 The treasurer had
about Sc. 900 deposited at j. j. Mich
olson & Sons in his own name, as
treasurer, when his bond was only
$4,000
ATTRACTION OF MEMBERS.
.This was material representation
made to inspire confidence and attract
members. 1t should have been scrup
ulously true. In point Of fact it was,
to say the least, an exaggeration.
When it is considered that the object
was to bring new members under an
iron yoke, and to subject their CON
tracts and their contributions to the
absolute control Of the people making
those statements, such exaggerations
deserve to be sternly dealt with. It
will next be seen how much value
there was in this assurance when an
opportunity offered to make it good.
"The incident now to be mentioned
affords also another striking instance
Of concealment we refer to the Banks
defalcation. The fact Of the abb
straction by supreme secretary Of
over $40, 900 from the benefit and relief
fund was one Of great interest to every
member. No attempt was made to-
sue Banks bond. but the defalcation
was quietly covered up by the other
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