The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-09-12
He MEANT II.
Geo. T. Anthony Asked By a
journal" Reporter
1t He Meant to Denounce Fra
ternal Insurance
In the Report Recently Made of
His Department.
HE READS HIS REPORT
And Says That 1t is Exactly
What He Means.
Capt. L. IL. PenwelI Comments
on 4I,o Matte,
HE READS HIS REPORT
Capt. L. III. Penwell Comments
on the Matter.

Geo. i. Anthony was seen by STATE
JOURNAL reporter this morning and was
asked if in his late report when he re-
ferred to certain benevolent insurance
societies as "imposing on a confiding
people," he meant the A. o. Q. W, Mod
ern Woodmen, knights of Pythias and
that class of secert societies. These
societies have criticised him severely for
what they call his attack on them.
In reply to this question Superinten-
dent Anthony said: There can be no
question as to what L meant. The Ian
guage is unmistakable if l understand
the English language, and think do"
"Then you meant just what you said
and nothing more?"
81 meant what 1 said and said what l
meant. Any individual who puts any
other construction on it or is doubtful
about what construction to put on that
language is either densely ignorant or
intensely dishonest, and / am inclined to
think largely the latter
Superintendent Anthony then turned
to his report and read what he had said
| and then added: II am now receiving
scores of letters of congratulation from
men within these orders who are thank
ing me for the information l have given
them concerning this class of frauds.
Men have come into this office and
thanked me personally and have
said that it cost them thirty and forty
dollars to learn what l said in my report,
The records show that hundreds and
hundreds of just this class of societies
have gone to the WALL They cannot
live"
At the conclusion of his task, Superin-
tendent Anthony objected to being quot
ed, but added: ''You can say for me that
1 said in my report just what I meant
and stand by it, and that any individual
who is unable to construe that language
is either ignorant or dishonest"
'EDo you know that if George T. Anth-
ony was candidate today for an elective
office that he couldn't get one of the
5000 votes of the A. 0. Z. w. or Mod
ern Woodman mem ers of Kansas" said
L NJ. Penwell to JOURNAL reporter.
Captain Penwell is one of the most
prominent 'sfraternal society," men of
Kansas and particularly we'll versed in
fraternal insurance matters and it is in
connection with this feature that he, in
connection with thousands of others,
complain of Insurance Commissioner
Anthony.
In his last report State Insurance
Commissioner Anthony went far out of
his way to attack fraternal societies."
said MIR. PenweIl.
"He says: Under the attractive
and deceptive title of Benevolent Insur-
ance' is found disguised the most heart
less and worthless of all pretenses to in
sure against accident and death. Through
an unfortunate omission, not an enact
ment of law, these associations find legal
shield and gather a certain official re-
speciality, which makes them a real
peril, an unjust and unjustifiable impo-
sition upon an over confiding people.
This exemption has been taken adj
vantage of by men who were born
weary and reared in a purpose to neither
toll or spin for a living. AS statesmen
out of job suddenly become oracles,
these men of the meat blossom suddenly
into lords of benevolent insurance as SUI
preme commander in chief, grand mas
ter mogul of the Hoo Hoo, or Great
Black Calf
''Mr. Anthony will find that this out
rageous work will not receive the ap-
prevail of the people. If he meant only
those societies which made a pretense
of being fraternal societies he should
have said So His attention has been
called to this matter.
Il notice he has just returned from the
east where he has probably been confer
ing with the old line insurance COM
panies.
He has placed himself in the position
of one who desired to benefit the. bust
ness OF some great corpOr atlonS by I'M ur-
ing some great fraternities.
''In going out of his way to attack
benevolent institutions, Mr. Anthony has
in spirit violated the law himself. He
has performed service for which the
old line companies would willingly pay
him WELL
''Our fraternities have always had to
fight the old line companies, but never
! before have we found a state officer
whose business it is to simply protect the
state against frauds, arraying himself on
the side of great corporations and de-
nouncing the fraternities which protect
! the poor mans home.
"As matter of fact there is special
exemption law in favor of fraternaI so
cieties and the state insurance commits
sioner has no jurisdiction over them and
that's what hurts Mr. Anthony.
Here is the clause: This act shall not
apply to any association of religious or
/ secret societies now existing under the
supervision of the grand or supreme
/ lodge, formed for the mutual benefit
| thereof
The people believe in fraternal insur :
ance. The man who attempts to injure
this protection will not only fail of his
! purpose but be crushed himself.
"1he members of the fraternities are
mostly poor men or in moderate circum-
stances. Are not their interests as worthy
of care as the capital of great corpora
tions? Mr.Anthony evidently thinks not
| because he has gone beyond the require
ments of the law to make an attack upon
| them.
"You ought to see the way A, P. Rid
| die handles MIR Anthony on this subject.
| He gives statistics and rips the gentle
man in the most approved methods.
Riddles ideas are along the line I have