Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-18

and the same for all-2o cents apiece
at the death of a member OF the associa-
ton. unless the condition of the treasury
warrants payment without assessment
This association was organized in 1871,
being the happy conception OF Mr.. John w.
Watson. at that time examiner in the
eastern division. and at present the CHIEF
of the southern division. The confidence in
his plan was shown by his associates elect
ing him secretary al the first meeting. ard
later uniting with that the office of treas
urer. Since 1896 Mr.. Watson has held both
offices. and as the secretary from the begin
ming collected all assessments Mr.. Watson
has during his incumbency received ara
disbursed over 10000. The duties Of the
secretary and treasurer laid down by
the constitution are follows: 1t shall
be the duty OF the secretary to keep the
| minutes of the meetings of the board OF
directors of the association: to receive all
| payments of fees and assessments and fur
| nish receipts therefor: to issue notices,
conduct the correspondence. sign all orders
| for drawing money and report on the oper-
| atoms OF the association at each annual
! meeting. The secretary shall be the tie as
| urer of the association. and shall keep all
| money of the association. which shall lie
| invested In building or other association
to be designated by the board of directors;
to draw money therefrom on orders signed
| by the president and secretary. and to pay
! over the benefit at the death of "A MEMBER
| to the person deSignatd (by himD, taking a
receipt for the same
! The secretary and treasurer receives
merely a nominal salary In fact. one Icl-
| son of the association being such a decided
| benefit to Its members is the absence Of
salaries to its officers and the small OK
| perse of running 1t, all working so cheer
fully for its success gratutously.
! Capt William F. Seville. veteran sol
! o!er and employe. made president Of
| the association at its first meeting and still
| holds his office. Messrs. A. W Fisher ana
H. c. Bell We're treasurers for two and
three years. respectively. before the offices
trn3 Cd
Mr.. A. A. Aspinwall was the first vice presr-
dent. and since the second year of the assoc
citation the incumbent. Mr. G.. r. c.
| Phillips has held it. Other members t.
| whom the association is indebted for freely
| given time and labor in shaping its course
! SO wisely in the beginning are: DIR. ]. +.
| Raub. Messrs. Warner White. w. T. Pier
SON w: III. klopfer and Fred. w. Brandes.
| The first benefit paid was on December /.
| 1881. the beneficiary receiving Sill -. Mem
| bership gradually Increased and the beneft
| enlarged until June ?. 1896, when $2taD the
| highest benefit. paid Very soon after
| this payment was made, the directors -
| cided to equalize the benefit to SOD as the
| assessments amounted to sum ranging
| near that amount, sometimes little less.
| sometimes little more and If surplus
! accumulated to pay a benefit without an
| assessment. when the condition of the
| treasury showed balance of more than
| 30 cents for each member in good standing
! The benefit IS to remain at 800 as long as
the membership is in excess of one thou
sand.
| There have been 24G assessments since
organization, 1T costing the original mem
berS to date Sol ~ each or 81 loi, per wear
for its twelve yearS-an insurance of only
5000 per thousand-but when these orig
fnal members think of the good that S6l :.
has done, how it has lessened the burden
of the afflicted and saved the piteOuI APP
peals for help so often made at the dea tn
of the bread winner, they think it is the
best investment they ever made