The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-06-03


benefit fund of SOFAS, or OBS per average
member more than has actually been re-
quired This shows that our association
has a safe margin for its benefit fund, and
as the constitution now provides mat II
the benefit fund. through extraordinary
causes, should be reduced below $4,000 an
assessment can be levied upon the MEM
bers, 1t can be said that we are in an alb
solutely secure and reliable condition.
No claims against our association which
are regarded as Just by your directors re-
main unpaid There are several suits
pending against the association, which your
National attorney, Hon. Henry Il. Kent,
will make report of to the convention.
During the past year he has defeated two
suits fer death losses for which no just
claim existed against the Travellers Pro-
tective Association of America.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. gain in member
ship or loss of each State division viii be
shown by the report Of the National secre-
tnry, of which copies will be furnished to
the delegates. The lapses for the year have
been Z2iO, which hardly goes to snow that
the collection of a membership fee tends
to pi event lapslng, but do not recommend
a change In that respect, as our benefits
are now very cheap. and place stability
and perpetuity In importance Ley0nd that
of great numbers aud am inclined to ad-
wise against radical changes or expert
mental legislation.
NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
! beg to advise you that your National
directors have faithfully performed the du-
ties required of them by the constitution,
giving their time and work freely and 10y
ally, without remuneration. and that they
are entitled to your gratitude. beg 10
thank them for their courtesies 20 me per-
aonally.
THE NATIONAL SECRETARY AND
TREASU RER-This officer has during tho
past year given faithful attention to the
duties OF his position. serving the associa
ton with zeal, integrity and watchful care
His books and accounts have been examined
by the auditing committee provided for in
the constitution, and by an expert ac-
countant employed by the National board
OF directors for that purpose. and you are
respectfully referred 10 those reports for
further information
STATE AND POST OFl1ICERS--I havs
during my administration of this office had
the earnest cooperation of State and post
officers, and beg to thank them for uni
form Kindness shown me. Reports from
the various divisions Will be read to you,
and you will thereby be informed in detail
of the state OF affairs throughout the en-
tire organization.
/ am greatly gratified TO be able TO state
that no condition OF acrimonious dissersion
exists In any OF our divisions or posts so
far as ] am advised, and that the true
spirit OF fraternity prevails throughout our
membership.
have during the year. In response to
special invitations, visited the posts To-
Gated at Chicago, Peoria. Marion. Ind.
Quincy, H.. and in other localities. and
find that our association and its members
fully enjoy the esteem and regard Of the
public wherever a local organization exists.
LEGISLATIVE COMMUNICATION Jno.
S. Harwood. chairman OF your National
legislative committee. will make a report
to you, to which respectfully refer you.
RAILROAD COMMITTEE - MIR. Il. f.
Smith. chairman OF your rgilroad commit
tee, will make most interesting report.
He has kindly submitted to me a copy az
the report and / would request for ii your
careful consideration and attention TO the
recommendations therein contained. lie
very thoroughly covers the entire field Of
effort during the past year. and is to be
congratulated upon the activity. industry
and earnestncss with which he mas handled
his department.
TIE PRESS COMMITTEE-Mr. J. NJ.
Benish. Chairman OF your National press
committee, has Loyalty and faithfully rep
resented the interests OF our association In
his DEPARTMENT. aud has well maintained
that cordial and friendly relation which
has always existed between our association
ana the press, and has materially assisted
In the editing of the News Letter and Or
ganizer. the official paper of tn, associa-
ton, which was started by authority of
your board of directors. 1t would surprise
one not familiar with the matter 10 note
the very extensive publication of news in
relation TO our association throughout the
country and In all classes OF publications.
much Of which public interest | attribute
to Mr.. Benish's hard and thorough WORK.
man Of the National hotel committee Will
make report as TO his work during the
year to which | respectfully refer you
THE EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE-Th
chairman of your National employment
committee will doubtless make n report
explaining the difficulties he has expe-
ricnced in fulfilling the duties OF his posi-
ton. 1t was a serious mistake to locate
the charmanship Of this committee In any
other than one OF the largest cities whore
opportunities of securing employment for
our members are greater. | would suggest
that it be located in Philadelphia, as penn
sylNania division is entitled, because of lis
excellent progress, TO National office
This department is one of the most prac-
ticahle and valuable of all. and should be
thoroughly reorganiaed and put into rvs
tematic operation. IN appropriation should
he made especially for its use, ana a well
organized. Systematic and energetic effort
made to show excellent results next year
The obtaining of employment for worthy
members is MS much n work of humonity
and fraternity as the paying OF indemnity
TO the injured, An ambitious and ener-
geue man should be chosen as chairman
of this department, and he should be thor
nushly sustained and co-operated with by
cur National beard OF directors. \ man
with good practical ideas and systematic
methods can make an en'iable record for
himself and this department. especially
one who can obtain the corporation of the
employment committee of the various State
divisions
ORR FUTURE AND OUR PCLlCY-Not
being candidate for reelection as presl- |
dent of the association. it is but rirhi maj
should thank all the members and officers
for their support and courtesy to me during
me -FOUR years Of my administration Of his !
AFFAIRS regret that have not been able
to do more than have done for the organ |
lEation, and have sometimes wished I'm,
could have devoted my entire aims ana |
energies n hp u