Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-05-07

side or the other. Some of the lat
ter proceeds from lack of knowledge,
some from the natural tendency to
suspect motives and some is willfully
melted for political or. other reasons.
All this has been expected from the
start.
The brunt of whatever disaffection
has been caused falls, whether justly
or not, upon the shoulders of the
head officers. One common Charge
is made that the head officers are es-
pecially interested in the adoption of
the proposed system through motives
which are Variously explained. This
imputation has found its way into
the press i'm various parts of the
country, inspired, apparently. by
members of rival societies, which eN-
pect to gain that which the Woodmen
lose. The charge of favoring any
particular plan. however. the head Of
ficers cmphatically deny, citing in
their own defense the resolution on
rate REIMBURSEMENT adopted by the
head camp of last year under which
the plan now before the membership
has been prepared and submitted.
That resolution, it is pointed out,
lays especial stress upon the oppor-
tunitieS that shall be afforded the
membership for a thorough discus
sion, and this is claimed To Justify
the means that have been taken by
the head officers to promote thor
ough discussion of the question
through the sending out of lecturers
who have been especially schooled
s.. 4 l., 4. :. .
there is difference of opinion among
the head officers as to whether the
plan suggested is the best. and some
of them may use their personal in
fluence to prevent its adoption, acting
ON the belief that some other device
will better meet the needs of the So
.cicty. The head officers. however,
are unanimous in the declaration that
they have no more interest in securing
the particular system of rates before
the membership than have other
Woodmen, especially the older mem
bers, for all must be affected alike
for good or ill, according to the for
tunes of the society.
How 1t VIII BE Decided.
Letters are being received at the
laboring under the impression. gained
from hearsay or from bare glimpse
of some article in print. that the re-
vision of rates has already been
adopted, To go into effect in the near
future, or that the proposed system
Will be forced upon the membership
by the head officers without giving
the former any voice in the matter
While this class of members. happily.
do not hold the balance of power. the
serves to INDICATE with
what little ground sensational reports
may gain circulation in this connec-
ton. Some camps have adopted res
olutions against the rates proposed
and others have expressed satisfac-
ton with them. Not enough reports
have been received at the head office
to furnish an accurate basis for iudg-
ing the temper of the entire order on
the question. The fact that a camp
has committed itself at this time does
not settle the matter with that par
ticular camp. for a year will elapse
before definite action can he taken,
and by that time there may lee a gen
cral change of sentiment. In chos-
next April the members are expected
to give instructions for or against the
new rates and this will also he done
when the delegates are selected for
the state camps. and the head camp, |
which will be held in June, 1908. Even
If adopted the plan cannot go into |
effect before Jan. 1, 1904.
Attorney johnson Opposes.
The following six reasons given by |
Head Attorney j. G.. johnson for OPP |
posing the plan and appearing in the
current number of the Modern Wood |
man clearly shows that the head or
flcers are not unanimous in the sup |
port of the rate proposition:
First. Because the rates proposed |
are needlessly high, being founded on
the national fTaternal congress la
bles, which tables Indicate rates too |
high for our society. no matter how |
they may be as to other orders.
Second. Because | am unaltcrably |
to the accumulation of re-
serve fund amounting to millions of |
dollars in this or any other fraternai |
order.
Third. Because the adoption of the |
plan proposed would result in the per-
lapsing of from 150,0O0 to |
200. 900 of our members, and this |
mainly from the active class of our
those We can least at
ford to lose.
Fourth. Because the adoption of |
the plan proposed would kill cur So
ciety as a fratcrnal order and res
urrect il as life insurance company. |
II would destroy our simple. and SO
far successful system of home pro-
lection, and put us into the barking
business. 1t would inauguratc vast
financial responsibility, which means
permanent management and excessive