The Washington times., 1902-03-16
THE NATIONAL UNION.

Fraternal beneficial societies are, as
general thing, honestly and safely con-
Quoted, and furnish insurance on so
economical basis that they are attract
ing wide attention. While many Of them
deserve commendation and endorsement
the claims of the National Union are
being actively set forth by its officers and
members.
The National Union is a distinctiveiy
American fraternal beneficial society, and
furnishes protection to the families of
its members from 1000 to $1,000 through
the graded system of assessments. In
this plan it differs from the other fra
ternal associations. This plan of assess
ments is based on the positive fact that
the cost Of insurance increases as the
age of the member advances. To ensure
the stability of the order the rate of as
sessment is increased slightly on all mem
bers each year to meet the increasing risk
incident to advancing age, thereby pre-
venting the assessments from increasing
in frequency, which otherwise would fol-
low. to the detriment Of the growth and
safety Of the order as it and the members
grow older.
The vitality of the National Union does
not. therefore, depend upon the admis,
sion of new members, but is preserved
by the increasing rate of assessments on
all its members annually. thus overcom-
ing the common objections urged against
fraternal societies having no reserve
fund. .
This plan was pioneered by the Ma
tional Union when 1t was incorporated
in May. 1881. and the steady and substan-
tial increase Of the order has demon
strated the wisdom Of its founders.
The medical examinations are thorough
and searching, and are made in strict
compliance with the best interests of all
concerned. Only the most competent
physicians are engaged to conduct the
examinations, which are passed upon by
the medical director of the senate. The
national body.
The government of the order is briefly
summarized as follows: "The National
Union seeks to be typical American in
stitution. The government of the order
is purely representative, and has three
departments or bodies-the council, or
local body; the assembly, or state body;
the senate, or national body. The coun-
Gil Is a social BODY, and meets monthly,
semi monthly, or weekly. The assembly
meets biennially and is composed of rep
resentatives sent from councils in the
State. The senate meets annually, and is
composed Of representatives selected by
the assemblies All officers are elected
by the members or their representatives.
and no official term exceeds one year.
The compensation of the officers manag
ing the order is fixed by the senate. Good
and sufficient bonds are required of all
officers entrusted with funds of the order.
All moneys received from the members
must be paid into the treasury of the
council, and cannot he paid out except by
a vote Of its members. Hence each coun-
Gil is the custodian Of its funds, and has
an equal voice in the management of
every department of the order"
The collection and disposition Of the
funds, which are important to all mem
bers of fralernal organizations, is shown
in the following: There are two funds,
one known as the benefit fund, derived |
rom assessment upon the membership
1t certain times. as provided by law, and |
me known as the general fund. derived |
rom the annual per capita from the coun- |
IL to the Senate of 80 cents for each mem |
)er. No part of the benefit fund can be |
to the payment of expenses: |
I is used exclusively for the payment Of /
leath claims. All expenses are paid from
he general fund. Assessments are not
made on the death OF a member (as the |
mount Of one assessment will pay many
Ieath claims), but they are made on the