San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-02-09
NEWSY T. P. A. LETTER
THE MEMBERSHIP LIST Is RAPIDLY
ON THE INCREASE.
Several New Posts Organized = Officers
Elected = Amount of Indemni-
ties Paid Last Year.
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS,
st Louis, Feb. z, 1896.

OU LOUIS, CeD. !, loJos
The time for the payment of
January dues expired February
| LIST and a member who has failed
to pay up and whose membership
| has elapsed cannot now come in
except as a new member and upon
a new application and by pay.
ment OF two dollars membership
fee.
The loss of membership by
lapsing will not exceed seven per
cent, which, in consideration of
the fact that over eight thousand
renewals were due on January LIST,
1896, is a quite satisfactory show
ing.
Three hundred and fifty new
applications were received and
accepted during the month of
January, 1896. 1t is anticipated
that the months of February,
March and April will show heavy
number of applications and that
the membership at the next Ma
tional convention at Terre Haute
will number at least, twelve
thousand.
The finances of the National
Association are in excellent con-
dition. The statement for Feb
ruary 1st, 1896, will show forty
thousand dollars in the bank and
no allowed claim unpaid. This is
fifteen thousand dollars more
than was in the treasury on Feb
ruary LIST, 1895.
So far during the fiscal year pay
ments for indemnities for disabili.
ty have averaged about $3,750.00
per month and two death losses
Of 100000 each hage been paid.
Allowing for anot.r death loss
before the end of the fiscal year,
and the same average of disability
payments per month, the dis
bursements will be kept we'll
within the limit of collections.
1t is quite likely that the in
demnity fund will be REINFORCED
by transfer of funds from the ex-
pense fund in which there has
accumulated quite. a surplus so
far the expenses Of conducting the
association have been less than the
year Of 1S93-9f, though on &C.,
count of an Increased membership
collections for that fund nave been
greater. The accupIulated surplus
from the expense fund can, at any
time, be-; by act of the National
DIRECTORS, properly used to increase
the indemnity fund, though the
indemnity fund cannot bestouch-
ed for expenses.
Close economy has been adhered
to by the national board OF d.
rectors in the matter Of expenses,
and the organizing work has been
largely left to the divisions and
posts. The result has been
much smaller number of appli-
cations than for the same period
Of last year, but the lapses OF
membership have been proper
tionately less. The increase Of
membership always takes place,
however, after January lst. This
has been the case since the asso-
citation has been organized.
There is a provision for the Or
ganization of new posts which
does not seem to be closely under
stood by officers and members.
The board of national directors,
sometime since passed resolution
providing for the payment of the
actual expenses Of organizing new
posts anywhere in the United
States. The posts were to consist
of not less than fifteen new
members and the actual expenses,
not to exceed two officers, were
to be paid, all not to exceed $4,000,
and an itemized account of the
actual expenses were to be sent to
the national secretary. No ex-
penses were to be paid unless the
post was actually organized and
the required number OF applica-
tions taken and the money proper
ly accompanying them sent in.
1t is thought by many that a
payment OF all dues and a remit
lance Of all renewals direct to the
national secretary at national
headquarters would greatly sim
plify and expedite the business OF
the association. The national
: secretary could then remit direct
to the divisions and the divisions
, to the posts, their part Of the COL
2 lections. Much complaint is con-
stantly occasioned by the delay
n making payments through the
State secretaries and the delay in
l returning receipt cards through
= that source, is annoying to many
members. All other important
=, organizations OF commercial
! travellers make all collections OF
: dues through their national secre-
3 tary and treasurer. An amend
{ ment providing for such a change
= will be offered at the Nationa
convention next June, at Terre
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