The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-19
ASSESSMENTS NOT DOUBLED
STATEMENT BY THE LOCAL MAN
. AGER OF THE COVENANT
ASSOCIATION.
THOUSANDS OF Policy HOLDERS
INTERESTED IN THIS
STATE

Considerable interest was manifested in
this city over the published telegram from
Bloomington, ILL.,, yesterday, stating that
an organization had been formed there
with exCongressman Rowell as chairman
to Immediately make an investigation of
the Covenant Mutual Benefit Association
OF Galesburg, III. 1t was further stated
this action was taken at a meeting at
which 100000 insurance was represented
and that this course was decided upon be-
cause the report of the association explain
ing why assessments were doubled was
considered unsatisfactory.
There are more than 300 policy-holders
in this association, representing about
So, 100000 in California;, said S. n. Wyck-
Off, manager for California of the associa-
ton, but there has been no demonstra-
ton of the kind experienced East among
the California members, although the
same conditions prevail here as there.
There is really no cause for any dis
satisfaction, and it is very probable that
the trouble in Bloomington was inspired
by interested parties, possibly agents of
the old-line insurance companies.
ITO properly understand the situation a
brief review of the history of the associa-
| ton is necessary. 1t was organized in 1877
| for the purpose of providing insurance for
| Odd Fellows, but in March, 1889, its scope
was widened and insurance was placed on
all who applied for it. providing, of course,
they met the requisite physical qualifca-
| tions. In 1890 certain schedule of rates
was adopted, based on the age of the mem
| Der at the time he became insured. 1t
| slightly raised the former cost of insurance.
but did not apply to new applicants. For
the latter an entirely new schedule was
| adopted at the same time. The rate for
old members was based on groups of ages,
| while for new members it was based on the
exact age of the applicant, the latter being
somewhat higher.
"This year it was decided to place the
| old members upon the same footing as the
| new and to adopt the individual age
| schedule for all, the rate of the old mem
bers being based on their age at the time
| that they were originally insured. The
| effect OF this was to increase the cost to the
| old memb ers and to make the difference
| greater for the more aged members. This
| course had to be pursued in order to
maintain the financial stability of the COM
| pany.
eve have had occasional complaints
| from individuals upon their receiving
notice OF the increase in their rate, but
there has been no general dissatisfaction
! and but very few lapses owing to the adop-
| ton of this new policy.
This association has 100000, 900 of
insurance in force and has always met it's
claims promptly and fully. 1t has $4,000
on deposit with the Illinois insurance
| department and $4,000 with the insurance
department of Canada.
81 may add that in no instance has the
amount of the assessment been doubled
under the new order of things, and in most
cases the increase has been slight. How
| much Importance is to be placed on the
action of the meeting at Bloomington can
be determined by comparing the amount
of insurance represented there with the
| total amount in force"