Evening star., 1901-07-11
Member Of Board of Control, Endow-
ment Rank, K. P.
BE MAY Be PROSECUTED IN COURT
Strong Resolutions Adopted by the
Supreme Lodge in Chicago.
NOT A DISSENTING VOTE

CHICAGO, July 1.-THE Supreme Lodge
of the knights of Pythias, now In session
in Chicago investigating the affairs Of the
endowment rank of the order, late last
night accepted the resignation OF John H.
Hinsey, ex-president of the endowment
rank, a member of the board Of con-
troll. Following this the Supreme Lodge
adopted resolution which instructed the
supreme chancellor and board Of control
to prosecute civilly and crimnally all per-
sons liable for offenses committed against
the endowment rank.
This resolution was passed by a unani-
nous vote, as was another instructing the
chancellor commander and board of con-
troll to proceed with view to the expuI-
sion of members of the order by their re-
spective lodges who might be found guilty
Of violating their obligations in the hand.
ling OF funds
After adjournment OF last nights session
1t was said that If criminal prosecutions are
instituted, which now seems to be almost
certain, a number OF men who were for
merly connected with the endowment rank
and whom the Supreme Lodge members
consider responsible for the present inan-
cial 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 Before the Council.
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 investments 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 con-
troll which. by inference at least. con-
tained some serious charges against Mr..
Hinsey, was carried by vote of 1870 to 1,
the one being John Burns OF Ohio, who is
said to be legal representative OF Mr.. Hin
Sey.
Immediately following this vote a resolu-
tion was introduced TO eXpel Mr. Hinsey
from the Supreme Lodge. Then il 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 on Mr.. Hinsey rendered his
resignation, and the Supreme Lodge see
ing an easy way out Of its dilemma, ac-
cepted the resignation.
The supreme representatives. however,
were not in a disposition to let the matter
OF Hinseys connection with the Supreme
I Iodge settle his standing in the order of
the knights Of Pythias.
Resolutions to Prosecute.
The following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the supreme chancellor
and the board of control be and they are
hereby authorized and empowered and d.
rected to prefer charges and prosecute or
cause to be prosecuted before the proper
tribunal tribunals OF the order all per-
sons heretofore or now connected with the
endowment rank for any and all violations
far al
offenses under the laws of the order
Resolved, That the supreme chancellor
and board of control be and they are here.
by empowered and directed to 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
fense in connection with the endowment
rank, and that they bring or cause to be
brought civil action against all persons
who are liable to the order from any cause
in connection with the endowment rank"
The wording Of this resolution is gen.
orally regarded as containing the charges
under which prosecution is to be instituted.
Mr. Hinsey is member Of Interdomafn
Lodge of this city, and it is probable that
the supreme officer will prefer their
charges against him In that lodge.
How to Replenish the Fund.
As to how to replenish the fund the SUI
preme Lodge has not as yet decided There
Is a pTOpOSlllOH ptlOIS IL holciioAAs ~ m
crease the monthly payments on insurance
policies 1t seemed to be the opinion OF the
representatives that this would be adopt
ed. The proposition is certain. however,
to meet with much opposition. for the rea-
son that under the proposed rating the
monthly dues of the older members of the
rank would be increased to such an extent
that 1t is feared many of them would drop
out.
the laws of the order to be acted upon.
Some OF them are designed to reduce the
running expenses of the endowment rank.
To Make Good the Loss.
Though $500 600 assets are in bad condi-
ton and though the rank Is almost SJoo,~
600 behindhand in the payment of death
claims, the Supreme Lodge does not pro-
pose that 1t shall lose standing because OF
the troubles that have been disclosed.
In addition to this. a resolution is being
considered T" raise the rates of payments
on insurance about 80 per cent, so that
more funds will be provided to meet death
claims and enough In addition to make
good the losses and create surplus in the
future.
If this additional burden on beneiciaries
Of insurance policies shall not be enough,
the Supreme Lodge will also CONSIDER a
plan to assess all knights OF Pythias 90
cents or 81 each for the benefit of the rank.
The lower assessment on 100000 members
would bring in S25o,OOO.
This money would not be paid directly
by the Pythians, but would come from the
S4 600 600 of reserve cash and bonds held
by the grand lodges, subject to the orders
Of the Supreme Lodge The Supreme Lodge
has over $40, ,000, GOO of property altogether,
and is responsible for all obligations of the
endowment rank.
THE PHILIPPINE SCOUTS.