Evening star., 1898-01-20
There Are Two Branches of the Great
Hebrew Organization.
THE INDEPENDENT and IMPROVED
Mr.. Simoh Wolf Explains the Diff
ferences Between Them.
AN INTERESTING INTERVIEW


sonic Temple next Sunday. has been herald
ed with much interest that Star report
er called on Mr.. Simon Wolf this morning
to get information of something like a def
mite character regarding the aims, objects
and the history of the order with which he
is SO intimately connected When the re-
porter's object was announced Mr.. Wolf
stated that he not in any way connect
ed or associated with the organization to
convene here next Sunday. The reporter
stated his surprise at this, remarking that
his recollection was that Mr.. Wolf had
time and again delivered lectures in behalf
of the organization, and that he was under
the impression that Mr.. Wolf was the vice
president of the executive committee of the
order
You clearly in error" said Mr.. Wolf,
land for the purpose of giving a clear in
sight into this matter, beg leave to state
to you that the organization which has
its meeting here on Sunday next is an off,
shoot: that the Independent Order of B'nai
Birth has absolutely nothing in common
with the Improved Order. / have no de-
sire or intention to speak dsrespectfully of
any organization, be it Jewish or Christian.
This is country of possibilities. and each
and every one is permitted. under the Con-
stitution, 10 worship according to the die
tates of their conscience, and, further, to
institute many societies as can be ere
ated. Therefore. 4 wish ii to be distinctly
understood that whatever 1 state is not
made in the nature of criticism, but
cital of absolute facts
The reporter stated that was what he
wanted and that was what the public was
most anxious doubtless to know.
The Independent Order.
1.-THE Independent Order of Bnai Birth
has been in existence for the last ifty-four
.-ears; now numbers ten districts-seven in
the United States, three in Europe, with
lodges in Egypt and Jerusalem said Mr..
Wolf. 1T embraces the largest number of
influential. cultured and intellectual Jews
of any organization in the history of Juda-
ism. 1t has endowed hospitals, orphan asy
luns homes for the aged. technical schools
and agricultural schools. and today abso-
lutely controls and is the sponsor for some
of the most prosperous and progressive
philanthropic institutions of the country,
notably that of the Yonkers Home for the
Aged in the state of New York. the Mai
monedes Library of the city of New York,
the Cleveland. Ohio Orphan Asylum, which
has. ct present, over 200 orphan chill
dren; the Atlanta. Georgia. Orphan
Asylum. not to speak of institu-
tions such as the Foster Home OF the
city of Philadelphia. the Baltimore Jewish
Orphan Asylum, the San Francisco Hebrew
Orphan Asylum, the Mt. Sinai Hospital, all
of which were inspired by and mainly ad-
vocated for by the Order Of B'nai Birth;
also similar institutions in Europe This
order presented to the United States the
magnificent statue of Religious Liberty,
executed by the artist Ezekiel a member
of the order. and which today stands in
Fairmount Park. in the city of Philadel-
phia an immortal testimonial of the love
of the Jew for the priceless boon of liberty
an American citizen.'--.
Helped Emancipation of Jews.
This same order" he continued "con-
tributed vast sums of money in furthering
the noble mission of benjamin F. Peixotto.
consul general at Roumania, and which
81 ifaSfi he ar,ciu lon of he
Jews at that time. 1t has endowed and
at present maintains agricultural schools
at Jaffa and Jerusalem, and has brought
together. within the pale of determination.
in Europe. the most cultured refined and
Intellectual Jews of their respective coun-
tries, aiming at all times, from the begin
Ding as well as today, to unity Israel and
TO make them realize the allegiance they
owe 70 the governments in which they
reside, to elevate their mental and moral
status. and TO aid each ard every one in
their pursuit of happiness, breaking down
the barriers that haze heretofore existed
between jew and Jew, bringing them closer
and closer together, SO as to aid the gen
eral community. ard to bring about that
kinship among all men without which Or
Plantations and associations would be a
barren iueaiity.'---.-.
The Head of the Order.
who is at the head of this organiza-
tioG?' inquired the reporter.
Mr.. Julius Bien of the city of New
York, who has, for the last thirty years
been the head-a man known throughout
the world. not Only for his eminent ability
hut also for ,he noble philanthropy which
has marked every stage of his life. Mr..
Bien is III. president of the Lithographic
Association Of the United States. who has
for forty years been identified with the
scientific branches of the United States
government in the production of maps and
autographs. and whose products were
crowned with first prizes in the worlds
pariS i.ie
cGSO- With him are coupled in every city
Of this country and of Europe the most
eminent nlen in their respective communi-
Ties, fhilanthropists. lawyers, doctors,
jurists SCIENTISTS statesmen. bankers.
merchants and mechanics Of high degree
ana men of all degrees
Who are identified with this organiza-
ticA IN this ci.y! -. r'+--'..
The representative Jews Of this city
have been and are identified with the order
ever since its organization
His Views of the Improved Order.
Then what does the Improved Order of
B'nai Birth stand for? What is its object?"
1T stands simply for cheaper insurance
solely" replied Mr.. Wolf. "The only thing
the Improved Order claims is the improved
endowment insurance feature. The mail
contents who. at the time. were in the city
OF Baltimore, deprecated wholesome.
healthy legislation in the matter of the
safety for endowment insurance. Time
and experience have-rrOYen the fallacy of
their claims and the wisdom Of those who
cid not aS,res-with- them.
Thus the only stock in trade OF this i'm
proved Order is-pSonises on the line CT
cheaper insurance. They have not a single
thing 10 point to for which they can claim
credit: no hcmes, no asyums, no hospitals
TO libraries no history no organizat ton
outside of the trivial one that they lay SO
much stress on, and therefore cannot see
how, with any degree of fairness, they can
come before the public and arroyate to
themselves name apd aim to which they
are not entitled. and dignity which they
have usurped without warrant or author
!ty."
Alleged Fflibusterer Cleared