The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-26
SICK BENEFITS.
Suit BrOughtAgainst ElmwOOd
Lodge, X. of P.
Lodge Cut Down the Benefits and
Changed the Constitution.

In lodges OF nearly every order which
pays sick and death benefits there is In
the constitution an article to the effect
that every member when incapacltated by
sickness or accident from following his
usual business or OF otherwise earning his
livelihood, providing, however, that such
sickness or disability does not proceed
from immoral conduct on the part OF the
member, shall be entitled 10 receive from
the funds OF the lodge certain sum OF
money. In some OF the orders this provi-
sion applies TO the case where a member
dies. Just how far this law OF the secret
societies will stand with the United
States courts has never been tested, but
there is at present every prospect that u
will, for a man named Harper, or his
guardian, has brought suit against Elm
wood Lodge, Knights OF Pythias, for
$500, which he or his guardian claims is
due him for sick benefits.
Nearly seven years ago Harper was
taken sick and he was paid from the
lodge regularly the sum of IS per week
until he had received nearly $500 He is
also a member of Crescent Lodge OF Odd
Fellows and Wamsitta Tribe of Red Men,
and each of these lodges paid him like
sum. Harper, physically, appeared
to enjoy the best OF health was on the
streets much of the time, and, as some
entitled to sick benefits. This feeling
became 80 pronouced that the three
bodies deemed IL wise to declare him
"off" the sick list The lodges concerned
are among the best in their respective
orders and pride themselves in caring
for their sick, and are inclined to add TO
instead OF reducing the sum paid to sick
members and they are amply able to do
SO.
Harper was declared well, and then he
engaged a lawyer who called upon the
different bodies, and u compromise was
made on the basis that Harper should
get S3 a week. This was paid from March
Il, 1898, to October is, 1894 by Eimwood
Lodge. This lodge recently changed its
laws, having, up to the time, paid
continuous benefit, the new law pro-
viding that s. per week shall be paid for
only a certain number of weeks, and then
the sum OF II per week shall be paid so
long as any member shall continue on
the sick list. Crescent Lodge and Wam-
sitta Tribe adopted the same course but
neither Harper nor his guardian would
accept this sum. This suit has been
brought to recover the sum claimed to
be due Harper at the rate of % week
and interest.
Crescent Lodge has paid the So and is
still paying 1t. The 81 per week has
been drawn regularly from the funds of
Elmwood Lodge, and the sum OF Sl15 is
now on the hands of the officers OF that
body to be paid over at any time.
AT the meeting OF Elmwood Lodge last
evening Benjamin 4. Harrington, George
ii. Fisher were appointed a committee to
see what can be done in the matter and
the committee has decided TO get legal ad-
vice and IL there is the slightest prospect
OF winning will contest the case and carry
IL to the higher court, with the assis-
tance of experienced counsel. The Off
GERS of Elmwood Lodge say that Harper
is at present In Butler Asylum.
Should the case go to court, and be de-
cided I'm Harper's favor, he will be
entitled to and receive sl5 week so long
as he lives Tor the case OF Elmwood
affect the others.