Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-10
ASSESSMENT CHANGE
A. O. u. w. Grand officers Will be
Here Next Week.
THEY FAVOR THE GRADED PLAN

THEY FAVOR THE GRADED PLAN
1t is Understood They Are Touring
State in the Interest of Change
Hodge News in GeneraI-k. of P.
Lodge in Good Condition.
The A. o. U. W. members in Iowa
will, it is understood, have chance
to vote in the next grand lodge meet
ing on the question of adopting the
graded assessment plan The plan
is in operation in number of states
and it is reported that wherever it
is in use it gives satisfaction, and es-
pecially to the younger members. The
Iowa Workmen have fought against
the change for many years. and it is
likely they will still oppose it strongly.
The idea of the graded assessment is
to so arrange that each member will
pay such sum per month or per year,
as his insurance actually costs at his
age, figuring by the ''old line tables
OF life and mortality.
The argument in favor of the plan
is that each and every member is fully
protected and assured merely by the
assessments of those who may be in
his class. Each class pays in a sufti-
cient sum, so it is figured, to meet the
death losses which there may be in
that class. The man who enters the
order at Is years. pays the lowest
cost until he reaches the age of 25
years, when he passes into the next
class of five years-25 to 30-and then
upward goes the rate of assessments
until he has completed his 49th year,
when he continues to pay the same
rate until death. The Ottumwa mem
bers of the order say it is cruel and
unjust to saddle the graded assess
ment onto the members of the order
in this or any other state, for it will
make such an increased cost to the
older members, say those who have
passed the age of 50 or 40 years. To
the man who is in the neighborhood
! of SO years, it doubles the rate he is
now paying under the fiat rate plan
| But, it is argued, under the fiat rate
| plan there is no limit to the number
of assessments, while with the graded
| assessment plan, a sufficient amount
| OF money is raised each assessment to
pay the losses for the month for which
| made-and in addition to that it is
positively guaranteed to members that
/ there will be not to exceed twelve as
sessments per year, and possibly less.
In Wisconsin, where the step rate
plan is in effect, the members would
not return to the old plan under any
circumstances. 1t is the same in
many other states.
However, the grand officers of Iowa
i when they come to Ottumwa on the
evening of the 10th inst, will enter
into discussion of the graded assess
ment. plan. and the members here will
be given an opportunity of hearing
time of presenting their objections
1t is hoped that all of the members
! will be present and that the grand
officers will be given royal reception
1t is likely that banquet will be ar
ranged for.
knights of Pythias.
Much activity has been noted in Ply
THAN circles during the week which
CLOSED last night with the installation
of officers for the following year. Dur
ing the week, a committee of K P. lad
les arranged for dance which will bt
given next Monday evening. This i:
expected to be one of the most sue
cessful affairs that will be given b.
this popular lodge during the winter
With desire to show due apprecia
ton Of their presence, and to help tn,
lodge, the members turned over every
thing in connection with the dance t,
it's ladies and they will have charg,
of al arrangements.
1t has been decided to have lad,
floor and reception committees, and al
so a lady prompter. Another thin,
that is to be an innovation in affair
of this kind, is that all dances will b
ladies choice" They may possibl
condescend to have one or two ger
tlemen's choice" dances, but not NOR
/ than that. 1t is said some of tn
members are already buying candle
, for, the ladies of their choice and try
ing to make arrangements to have tn
, latter ask them to dance.
J There was a large attendance las
night. and in addition to the installt
i Etion, large amount of work wa
, transacted. The reports of the ou
Z going officers were submitted and the
, We're indeed aattering. They Shove
: a very healthy increase in member
: ship, while the finances were show
to be in a very good condition. TIL
, attendance, while not SO large as
/ should have been, has, during the pas
war hean satiSfactOry This is On
7 thing that the officers desired to in
: press UPON the members of the lodg,
Unless sufficient interest is taken i
: it, and the members all turn +out t
: it's meetings, it can never hope to b
: successful. With the Inauguration {
t the new regime, it is hoped that til
: attendance will be still better tina
| during the past year
: The installation ceremonies wei
under. the direction of Deputy Gran