The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-02-25
The 4. @. u. ". Iowa Casa.

Some years ago the Supreme Lodge of the
A. o. L. ". issued relief call upon all mem
bers as it does now when needed to help
suffering jurisdiction. This was cheerfully and
promptly paid by all the jurisdictions except
Iowa, which claimed it was d separate in
corporated body, etc. and that the Supreme
Lodge had no control over it in matters pro-
posing to collect moneys to relieve parties else
where. All fcaternal means and arguments
were employed TO convince the Iowa brethren
OF their unwise and unfraternal position, but
in vain. The result was that the entire Grand
Lodge of that State, with its 1900 or more
members were expelled, only handful OF
q few hundred remaining loyal to the
Supreme Lodge; these, under the leaderSh Up
OF W. R. Graham, who is past supreme master
workman and has been grand master workman
OF the iurisdi elton ever since said action
continued under the name OF the Grand Lodge
OF Iowa, 10 whith title and action they were
authorized by the Supreme Lodge
Bat the disioyal mem bers also continued I'M
der the same name and title. The few hundred
of the loyals in the last twelve years have pro-
crossed and fourished until they have out
stripped the others in numbers and influence,
but there has always been friction between the
two bodies and several suits at law.
Without going into q detailed statement. suf-
fee il TO say that judgment has been recently
rendered by Judge Hustled in the District Court
OF Dubuque which, ii generally recognized,
would be q sad blow 10 every fraternal order
Judgment the \. 0. Z. W. is an insurance or
ganization and not a fraternity, or, to quote
his own language:
1--WE are satisfied from an examination of the
record that the primary object and purpose OF
the association OF the Ancient Order Of United
Workmen is to provide beneficiary fund to
be paid upon the death OF each member,
and that the aVowed fraternN character
Of the association is merely incidental
thereto. In fact, we go further than this an
from the record find that one OF two things is
true, that is to say, the Traternal objects OF the
association as ayowed have been abandoned, or
never were intended to be enforced. There
fore they must be regarded as life insurance
organization, and within the provisions OF the
statute" etc
1t would seem as if the clear decision given
in the Dickinson case in the courts OF Penn
sylvania. showing the marked difference be-
tween the A. O. L. W. and similar orders, would
have sufficed to disabuse the mind OF the Iowa
jurist on this matter, for there it is plainly
shown that corporation necessarily collects
moneys 10 pay its officials, agents. canvassers
and requisite agents and for n reserve fund
ETC., and that the object Of such corpora
tions is legitimately TO make money for
its stockholders, and being a business
enterprise Tor Profit, should pay GER
nesses do. While on the other hand the A. o.
L. W. is not organized for profit the members
act as agents, officials, etc, without pay or
commission, and nothing more is charged TO
member for the moneys paid to heirs than is
actually required TO discharge the claim for
death losses.
What is held to be the meaning Of the word
"fraternal,' as used by orders, is: To visit the
sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, pro
tect the widow end educate the orphan with
out receiving any compensation for so doing
or. in other words, such services are to be
promptly and willingly given, free, because of
an interest in the member and his family.
II the record OF the A. o. U. w. in Iowa, or
elsewhere, or of any other order, shows that
these things are not done, then the Judge is
correct. As insurance companies do not do
these things, and do not agree to do so. they
are business organizations strictly: fra
ternal societies have these duties incorporated
in their laws and systems, and do perform
them, they are fraternal, and not business
organizations for profit.
If the order in Iowa cannot show that it has
always practieed the aiding of members in
distress, in sickness and disability and honora-
bly, buried its dead, then it is nothing but a
business organization. But if it can show that
il has visited single distressed or sick brother
or by its membership aided a single family by
personal attention. or cared for single orphan
from brotherly motives, then ii can show a
something not to be found or expected in bust
ness organizations and is entitled to the name
that we know it deserves-that of legitimate
fraternal society and not that OF simply an
association for the transaction OF life insur-
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