The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-08-13
II. II. A. STATEMENT.


quarterly REPORT from state secrc-
tSry Ludlow.
To the State Directors. and Membership at
Large
san Antonio. Texas. August 9.--Gentle-
men: II is with considerable pleasure
that / call your attention to the fact that
our membership instead of decreasing
shows a very comfortable increase over last
year This In the face of existing condi-
tions and the formation of such eomtina-
tons. as have materially decreased the
number of commercial men in our State.
The loss of salary and position naturally
affeds our membership and / speak ad-
vlsefly when l say that many have at con-
their loyalty and confidence In our assoc
citation, by retaining their membership in
Il. This is very clearly shown by the fact
that there are fewer lapses this year than
there were in 1898. We have been COM
PEELED, owing TO the recent changes In the
National constitution and bylaws, TO can
eel several certificates, owing to the fact
that parties holding them were engaged
in such lines of business that they could
not be classed as preferred risks, and
while regretting the necessity of canceling
any certificates. We believe that the best
interests of our division demand that it's
membership shall be made up entirely OF
such members as will come under the
classfeations outlined In our applications
for membership. constitution, etc.
In looking over the names of those who
have lapsed we are considerably sur
prised to find that no less than thirteen
members. who have during the past year
been indemnified, some OF them to the ex-
tent of several hundred dollars. have al
lowed their certificates to run out. We
believe that large percentage of mem
bers who do not renew merely neglect
and forget the notifications that they have
received concerning their dues. This sug-
gestion Is warranted when we recall the
statement OF one gentleman, who told the
writer that he did not recall having re-
coiyed notices. He was sitting at his desk
at the time, and upon our suggestion
looked through two or three pigeon holes
and seemed very much surprised TO And
two notices from ST. Louis. two from the
State secretary and two from the secretary
OF his local post. This gentleman lost no
time in renewing his membership.
The demands made upon us for indemni.
8 ties seem 10 pc more numerous than usual
All have. however. been taken care OF
promptly SO soon as they have filed their
claims In proper form. II IL. however
strange. but nevertheless true. that 1t is
very difficult matter apparently for mem
bcrs to make out their papers correctly
from the start. They seem to lose sight OF
the fact that their own. as we'll as every
other members best interest, can only be
looked after by using one member tsrS same
as another, and asking him to make just al
complete reports on small claim as we
would were II the largest that we pay
The assumption always has been that our
members make honest claims, but could
the average member see some Of the state
\ |msnts thai are made. no would never be
lieye In the settlement OF claims in any
other manner than we now follow, We
would not accuse any member OF tryinG
u work" the association. but when we
I ~ Into eonslde,ation the fact that some