Rock Island Argus., 1896-10-30
In ITS DEFENSE.
Maj. G. w. Hawes Of the NJ. w.
A. Replies to Charges.
TAKES UP THOSE OF B. @. WOOD.

Presents IN Array Of Figures From the |
Omcial Records In Support Of His state |
ment-Gives = the Appearance Of Spite |
work.
Maj. C. w. Hawes, head clerk OF
the N. w. A., has written a reply to
the charges made public through b.
c. Wood, former deputy head consul
Of the order relating to the status OF
the finances of the order. The asser-
sertion made by Moline paper upon
information furnished by Mr.. Wood
was that the actual expense of the
management for the year 1895 was
$4S5 1896. In reply thereto Maj.
Hawes speaks o! the requirement
under the laws Of Illinois, that the
annual statement rendered the in
surance commissioners thereof be
debited with the gross amount paid
by applicants to the deputy head
consul or clerk of camp as adoption
fees. and also the aggregate amount
paid as local and head physician fees.
In the year 1895 the popularity Of
this order was attested by the issue
OF 52,005 certificates to new men,
bers. Under the law the annual
| statement for that year was charged
with 52.005 adoption fees at IS,
$3.50. OPS; 52.005 medical examination
fees at $1.75, s65. 25. a total of
50 25, ,O31.25.
"Not one dollar of which," says
the head clerk, "was received by
this Office, is in no sense chargeable
to the expense of management, aud
in no manner enters into the financial
transactions of the order, except
under the compulsion of the law, as
above set forth. Reference to the
commissioners report will show
these amounts charged as gross, and
under the head of disbursements for
that ear. and deducted in the same
| manner"
The explanation thus given by Maj.
Hawes leaves the actual expenditures
for the year 1895 as being $780,
928. 81, that amount pu blished in all
statements emanating from the head
clerks office. Says Maj. Hawes fur
ther "in arriving at the actual ex-
pense Of management a further de-
duction is made, that for supplies
purchased for resale in 1895, to-wit,
$27, ,404 90. and we further claim as
being no part Of the expense Of man.
agement, that amount paid as mile
age and per diem head and state
camp 1895, $43, ,027.34, leaving the
actual legitimate expense of manage
ment for the year 1895 as being $780,
1918. However, in our statements
we have published the per capita ex-
pense of management with head and
state camp expense included as be-
being $0.95s6, or with same deducted
as being $0.6479, thereby misleading
no one. The correctness Of these
figures will suggest itself to the fair
minded reader who reflects that the
orders only source of revenue is that
derived from its per capita of 81 per
annum. the fee for change made in
certificates and the small profit de-
rived from the sale Of supplies, ag-
gregating $40, ,771.17 for the year
1895, and from which the entire ex-
pense of management was paid, leav-
ing January l, 1896, balance to its
credit of $lO9,Sl2 81, representing
the saving to that fund by the pres
ent management during the five
lyears it had then had charge of the
orders affairs"
Its Business Methods.
The head clerk declares that no
order publishes so freely and in de.
tail its business transactions as does
the Woodmen. refers to the monthly
publication of the order, the Wood.
men, and what it contains OF the pro-
ceedings, the receipts, expenditures,
etc. in detail. and the requirements
as to certiication by the head officer:
of every dollar expended. the duties
Of directors and auditing committees
and the management as the strict
observance of business methods, in
suring safety and security to the
mbership.
Maj. Hawes also enters into a de-
tense OF the head consul, W. A.
Northcott. in replying to the charge;
made against him Of excess expendi-
lures, and in conclusion says: "Ths
sound judgment Of the management
in .discharging an empleye' would
appear to be confirmed as the habi,
for gross Misrepresentation is the re
suit of continued practice. The ami.
mus for the article being discerni
BILE, its value is established"
DIR. Kerns, Of Moline, was in tn,
city today and called at THE ARGU.
ofiide to say that the charges mad,
by Mr.. Wood were absolutely with
out foundation in every particular, a