Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-20
AMONG THE LODGES.
All Fraternalists Interested in
Changing the Plans
EVERY ORDER HAS ITS TROUBLES.
Ancient Order of United Workmen and
Modern Woodmen of America Fig
urins on the Reserve Fund Proposi-
tion--A Week of Lodge Work.

1t appears that the question of fra
ternal Insurance will never be sue
cessfully and satisfactorily solved.
on existing conditions, and conditions
are always changing. An order will
commence business on certain plan,
/ less time than that, it will be found
that the plan is far from being a sue
cess. And then there must be a
change.
Ten years later there is usually an
other change, and SO on. 1t is in
most cases found necessary to ''raise
the rates. about once in every five or
seven years. 1t is usually the case
that the man who dies first gets the
most benefit out of the order.
Orders that are founded without
that very important factor a reserve
fund, usually find it necessary to fall
into line with the older and more sue
cessful orders in that respect, and in
stitute one. The Workmen are figur-
ing to drop the relief plan and to tax
each member additionally in order to.
institute the reserve fund that it now
thinks it needs The Modern Woodmen
voted down the reserve fund proposi-
ton and now prominent member of
the order expresses fears for it's safe
ty. The Royal Arcanum had violent
internal rupture few years ago, and
when the smoke of battle was cleared
away it was found that the rate had
been increased and that the members
had better assurance than ever be-
fore that their death claims would be
paid when due.
The Independent Foresters, one OF
the strongest and best orders in exist
ence. found two or three years ago
that its rate was too far below the old
line rate, and it started to increase it
by taxing members 5 cents per month
on each $500 Of insurance carried,
this. however, being designated 'the
extension of the order tax" About
a year ago the supreme court met at
Ontario, the home city of the supreme
chief ranger with the unpronouncc,
able name, and raised the rates of in
surance. Those who were members
previous to that time continue to pay
the old rate but those who go in now
have the positive assurance that they
have just as good, some think better,
insurance as that provided by the "old
liners"
Every member of fraternal insur-
ance order is interested in discus
sion of rates. plans, etc, and the lodge
that keeps the questions before its
members for discussion has the larg-
est attendance. 1t is well that every
fraternalist keep himself posted on
: nj <,fl a. NH
many who do not know anything about
IT, except that they continue to pay
the collector when he calls. Those
who do not attend meetings will prob
ably be interested in rate discussions
which appear from time to time in the
Courier columns.
X. o. T. M.
The idea of giving prizes for the
fancy maskers which was originated
at the last dance which was given by
this popular organization Tuesday
night, appears to have been very sue
cessful. There was an attendance of
over 400 and many elegant masks
were worn. After much deliberation
a committee consisting of Mrs. era.
!. ham, Mrs. Quinlan and Mart Fouts
distributed the prizes, which were as
follows: Miss Lizzie Keegan and
Dave Ninemeyer, the best dressed;
Carl Hooyer and Chas. Lerche, the
most comical; Trent Ballagh and
Miss Arnold, the best cake walkers.
[. o. T. M.
There will be special meeting of
Ottumwa Hive No 20, Saturday. De-
ceniber %, at 4 o'clock, in Uniform
Rank X. 0. T. M. hall, corner Mclean
and Second streets.
Royal Arch Mssons.
At the last regular meeting Of Gin
ton chapter No. 9, R. A. NJ, the install
lation of the following officers took
place: Fl. p, George Withall; K. ].
B. McCarroll; scribe, Geo. T. Slayens:
g. H., S. H. Loring; P. j., C. A. Burk-
land; r. A. c., B. Dimmitt; G M. Sd,
", A. Lowenberg; G. M. I'd ", C. e.
Ford; G. M. LIST ", L. ]. Ragsdale; ty-
Ter, p. B. Hill; treasurer, D. A. Emery;
secretary, HI P. Colt.
Woodmen Circle.
Mountain Grove No. AZ will meet to-
night in Foresters' hall for the pur-
pose of reading the laws, and for team
drill. The work will be followed by
SUcidi Llme. Inc LADIES Will have
boxes of food on sale, and men wish
ing partners will find the information
desired, in the box he buys.
Woodmen of the World.
All members of Hickory Camp No.
81 have been invited to attend meet
ing of Hustler Camp No. 294, in Red
mems hall, Friday evening, December
81. Sovereign Manager c. G. Farmer
and Special Deputy Henning will be
present to talk to those in attendance
On the matter of perfected woodcraft.
The Redmen's hall is over Hale's shoe
store.
A. o. U. w.
The supreme officers of the An
Gent Order of United Workmen are
busily at work upon a plan that is
creating a great amount of interest
among the members of the fraternity
in Ottumwa. The plan, if carried into
effect, will revolutionize the insur.
ance feature of the order, and it is
liable also to result in another frater-
nal insurance organizations following
the lead.
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