The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-11
Governing Body of the Order Seem
ingIy Determined to Punish Mis-
managers of Funds.
PLAN TO MAKE UP DEFICIT
RATES OF INSURANCE MAY BE IN
CREASED so PER CENT.
Every Member of the knights of
Pythias Also May BE Assessed to
Make Up Alleged Losses.

CHICAGO, July 1O.-The Supreme Lodge
of the knights of Pythas. now in session
in Chicago investigating the affairs of the
Endowment Rank of the order. late to-
night accepted the resignation of John III.
Hinsey, ex-president of the Endowment
Rank, as a member of the board of con-
troll. Following this the Supreme Lodge
adopted a resolution which instructed the
supreme chancellor and board OF control
to prosecute civilly and criminally all per-
sons liable for offenses committed against
the Endowment Rank.
This resolution passed by unanimous
vote, as did another which instructed the
chancellor commander and board of con-
troll to proceed with a view toward expul
sion against members of the order in their
respective lodges who might be found gull
ty of violating their obligations in the ham
ding of funds.
After adjournment of to-nights session
it was said that if criminal prosecutions
are instituted, which now seems TO be al
most certain, that a number of men who
were formerly connected with the Endow-
ment Rank and whom the Supreme Lodge
members consider responsible for the pres
ent financial condition will be involved.
The action of the Supreme Lodge in ac-
cepting the resignation of Mr.. Hinsey was
taken after two days session at which the
report of the board of control of the En-
dowment Rank and those of the insurance
commissioners of Illinois, Connecticut and
Kansas had been gone over and fully dis
cussed.
Mr.. Hinsey made good his promise to ap-
pear before the Supreme Council in his
own defense. 1t was said that his explana-
ton regarding the investment of funds
made while he was at the head OF the rank
were far from satisfactory to the Supreme
Lodge representatives. a motion TO adopt
the report of the board of control, which,
by inference, at least, contained some Sc
rious charges against Mr.. Hinsey, was
carried by vote of 130 to 1, the one
being John Burns, of Ohio, who is said to
be the legal representative Of Mr.. Hinsey.
Immediately following this vote reso-
luton was introduced to expel Mr.. Hinsey
from the Supreme Lodge. Then 1T was
found that there were many members who
believed that the laws of the Supreme
Lodge did not give authority to expel a
member without trial. While this discus
sion was going MIR. Hinsey rendered his
resignation, and the Supreme Lodge, see-
ing an easy way out of its dilemma, ac-
oepted the resignation.
The supreme representatives, however,
were not in a disposition to let the matter
of Hinsey's connection with the Supreme
Lodge settle his standing in the order of
the knights of Pythias. The following
resolution was adopted:
Resolved That the supreme chancellor
and the board Of control be and they are
hereby authorized and empowered and di-
rected to prefer charges and prosecute or
cause to be prosecuted before the proper
tribunal or tribunals OF the order all per-
sons heretofore or now connected with the
Endowment Rank for any and all violations
OF their obligation and for any and all Of
fenses under the laws of the order.
Then followed the adoption of the reso.u
ton directing the supreme officers to in
stitute civil and criminal prosecutions. This
resolution was as follows:
Resolved, That the supreme chancellor
and board of control be and they are here
by empowered and directed 10 prosecute
or cause TO be prosecuted criminally in
any court all persons who have embezzled
the funds OF the order. defrauded the or
der. committed perjury or any other of
Tense in connection with the Endowment
Rank. and that they bring or cause TO be
brought civil action against all persons
who are liable 10 the order from any cause
in connection with the Endowment Rank"
The wording OF this resolution is gen
orally regarded containing the charges
under which prosecution is TO be instituted.
Mr. Hinsey Is member OF Inter Domain
Lodge, Of this city. and it is probable that
the supreme officers will prefer their
charges against him in that lodge
AS 10 how 10 reDlenish the funds the
Supreme Lodge has not as yet decided.
There is proposition before It materially
10 increase the monthly payments on in
surance policies. 1t seemed 10 be the opin-
ion of the representatives that this would
be adopted. The proposition is certain,
however, 10 meet with much opposition
rating the monthly dues Of the older MEM
bers OF the rank would be increased 10
such an extent that IL is feared that many
OF them would drop out. There are a num-
ber of amendments TO the laws of the or
der 10 be acted upon. Some OF them are
designed 10 reduce the running expenses
OF the Endowment Rank.
One OF the propositions being consid-
cred is TO raise the rates OF payment
on insurance about 50 per cent. so that
more funds will be provided TO meet death
claims and enough in addition 10 make
good the losses and create a surplus In
the future. IL this additional burden on
benehciaries OF insurance policies shall not
be enough the Supreme Lodge will also
consider plan TO assess all knights of
Pythias 90 cents or 81 each for the bene-
nj OF the rank The lower assessment on
10000 members would brinfg in $4,000
This money would not be paid direct by
the Pythians but would come from the
S4600.ov0 OF reserve cash aud bonds held
by the grand lodges, subtec. 10 the orders
OF the Supreme Lodge. The Supreme