The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-05-22
SHOULD THE ORGANIZATION BE
CHANGED?

SHOULD THE ORGANIZATION BE
@s CHANGED?
THE SECRET WORK OF THE ALL
ANCE.-ITS LIFE INSURANCE
FEATURE.
To the Editor:
Interviewing the organized efforts of
the farmers for the past five years and
carefully considering the present con-
dition of the Alliance in this state,
am led to believe, the present form of
pact enough to enable the farmers to
accomplish what they set out to accom-
plish by organization.
While the Alliance has accomplished
much more directly than is usually
credited to it, and has also been a great
educator. setting the farmers think
shop" running; causing him to awaken
to the point of reading and thinking
for himself; yet, in view of present
conditions, I feel we must have an or
ganization more in line of those organi-
cations that are depressing the farm
erS.
I believe there are enough farmers in
the state of Minnesota who are thor
Oughly enough aroused to their condi-
lions and necessities, and free from re-
ligious prejudices against secret socie-
ties, to form an organization of the 1. u
in this state that will prove effective
in securing our rights and maintaining
them after once secured. l also be-
lieve there are enough in this state who
believe in fraternal mutual life insur-
ance to establish a jurisdiction of the
National Alliance Aid in this state that
will prove the cheapest and safest life
insurance ever carried, at the same time
establishing the most thorough and eff
fective organization yet devised.
l wish every farmer who carries a
life insurance policy would carefully
examine the annual report of the COM
pany they are insured in, made to the
state insurance commissioner; compare
it with previous reports, notice the de-
probation of investments, compare
lapses with policies written, remember
ing the strength of all companies rests
entirely upon securing new members in
excess of death loss and lapses, and
not in surplus, etc.; notice the enorm-
Gus expense of commissions to agents
and the management it requires in these
times to keep the membership up; and
bear in mind that all this expense comes
from the insured.
After carefully examining the reports
of some ten or twelve companies max
ing reports in this state, 1 am positive
in my convictions that If present condi-
/,o
likely toy, old-line and mutual life in
surance companies are good companies
to keep out of.
On the other hand, fraternal brother
hood insurance is the most safe and secure
insurance under a continuance of these
times that can be devised. as expenses
can be kept to the lowest possible point.
The enormous expense of commissions
is almost entirely eliminated-just what
present conditions demand.
The Alliances Aid has increased its
membership over 1000 since Jan. 1, and
is gaining fast; wherever it is explain
A Jurisdiction of the Alliance Aid es-
tab,ished in this state would prove the
nearest to a perfect organization yet de-
viscd, as 1t furnishes an object to CEN
traliZe upon that lasts as long as the
individual members live. The A. o. U.
w is good illustration of the perma-
neuce and effectiveness of such form of
organization that has proven effective
and long-lived.
There is, l know, objection on the
part of some earnest men against secret
organization; and also honest convic-
tions that the open Alliance will prove
all that is needed. To such l hold no
antagonism, and see no reason for any
on the part Of honest, earnest men, but
say each and every one work hard and
earnestly upon such lines as honest con-
viction prompts. There is no question
Of the necessity of every effort being
made at this time to organize upon every
line that will assist in placing the farm
ers in condition to save their homes, as
they are fast losing them. Could exict-
ed farmers be brought to the notice of
the public as easily as evicted tenants
in thickly-populated cities, the facts
would be astonishing. The public will
awaken to the true condition that is
robbing farmers of their homes in the
near future, when it is too late. 1t is
for the farmers themselves to stand to-
gether and fight any Unjust condition
that robs one honest, hard working
farmer of his home, if long continued,
will rob all of their homes. So let us
all work earnestly together to change
unjust conditions. l see no other rea-
sonable way in which it can be done.
EAMI.IN " POORE