The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-27
Details or Endowment Rank
Knights of Pythias Trouble.
Fund Shortened by Mismanage-
ment of Officers.
STRENGTHENING 1T OUT
Order Pledged to Payment of
All the Losses.
Items of Interest Cleaned
Among Secret Societies.

Ben W Dalzen, general organizer of
the Endowment Rank Knights of Py-
thias in an interview says that he be-
lieves there will be no difficulties
among the lodge members on account
of the recent troubles at Chicago. In
substantiation he gives the following
facts and figures:
ION June 80 we found the affairs of
the Endowment Rank in bad condl-
ton by reason OF Acknowledgement on
the part of John A. Hinsey, president,
and Fl. B.Stolte, secretary, OF the board
of control. Considerable money had
been used and 1890 600 invested in bonds
Of the Lexington hotel
1.-The supreme law distinctly says,
The board shall have power to direct
the investment in readily convertfDie
securities of all such parts of the En-
dowment Fund as it may deem wise
and proper, when the amount in said
fund will justify, provided such invest
ment shall be limited to government,
state and municipal bonds and mort
cages constituting a first or prior lien
on hrst-class improved real estate not
exceeding so per cent Of its market
value
THE investigation made by the In
surance commissioners Of Illinois and
Connecticut, at the invitation of the
new mana cement resulted in this item,
set, on the ground that the hotel was
erected on a. leasehold and the ground
rent takes priority over the ownership
of the hotel building. The deduction of
this item brought US out 1925, 900 short
on June 80, but the facts in addition to
this statement are necessary to show
the concerns actual financial standing.
THE special and regular payments of
June amounted to $254,000 paid and
credited on July, which gives us a sur
plus Of $29, 900. Adding to this, then, the
cash value of the hotel, $4,000 leaves
a surplus of 1929. 900. The supreme
lodge. in. special session, directed the
immediate sale of all securities.
1.-THE membership of the Endowment
Rank is about 81, 600 and that of the or
der over 100000, with assets aggregat
ing nearly $4,000, 600, and at this last
session Of the supreme lodge the fol-
lowing resolution was unanimously
adopted:
81 Resolved, BY the supreme lodge,
Knights of Pythias, that the order
recognizes not only its legal, but also
its moral and fraternal, responsibility
to stand behind and protect every ben
eficial certificate issued and in force in
the Endowment Rank, knights of
Pythias; and we hereby pledge to eV-
cry holder of said certificates all such
legislation as may be needed to fully
protect the holders of said certificates
and produce full and prompt payment
of all claims due thereon
Thus you viii see that the entire
order, with its $10000,0 900 of assets, Is
behind every certificate holder in the
endowment rank. Whether it has a
surplus on hand or not is imma terial
Respecting Pythian abstraction.
so-called, there is none, as the supreme
lodge did not pass or consider a prop
osition to levy a special per capita tax
of so cents.
Mr.. Hinsey resigned from the presi-
dency of the board of control January
%, but remained a member of the
board until ousted by the supreme
lodge July TO- Mr. Neal was appointed
cellor Ogden H. Fethers January %,
and elected to the position by the su-
preme lodge July 10. Theodore La
Hache, of Sherman, Tex, was elected
to fill Mr.. Hinsey's place on the board
There was $135 in the treasury on June
80, but we had just paid $494, 600 out for
death claims. Assessments due July /
amounted to $254, 900, which could be
considered an asset"
A Chicago paper says: Negotiations
for the sale of the knights Of Pythias'
interest in the Lexington hotel prop
erty are now being carried on by the
board of control of the endoW-n ent rank
of the order. The supreme lodge gave
the board permission to sell any of it's
assets at its recent meeting The in
vestment in the hotel under John A
Hinsey's presidency amounted to $780,
600, but only a small portion of this