The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-12-19
behalf of the local division.

Raymond O'Keefe opened the pro-
gram with an instrumental solo,
"Come Back to Erin" which was
thoroughly appreciated by all present.
Mrs. Leo Ball sang the kerry Dance"
and for an encore, "rhe Harp That
Once Through Tara's Halls John
Floyd, of the division, gave two
songs, which were we'll received.
Robert ]. Clarke, president of the
A. o. Fl. insurance fund, then adj
dressed the meeting. He compliment
ed the Duluth Hibernians and the
Ladies' auxiliary on the work accom-
plished in st. Louis county. The A.
o. H., he said, has been in existence
for hundreds of years all over the
world. To-day it has membership of
over 100000. 1t is fraternal society,
and the insurance plan to-day in this
state is second to none in the United
States. The insurance fund of the
order was established in 1885 at
Winona, MINI. The convention of
that year, seeing the wisdom of having
insurance connected with the order,
tried the assessment plan of SO cents
for each DEATH The organization has
grown since that date, and to-day, in
the state of Minnesota, has reserve
fund of $4,000 to back up it's claims.
Over 100000 has been collected since
that period, of which $3.50, 900 has been
paid out to the widows and orphans of
deceased members of this state The
insurance rates are as low as are con-
sistent with good business methods,
there being no high salaried officers
connected with the order. Every dol
lar goes into government bonds, until
to-day the A. o. II. of Minnesota has
over $4,000 invested in government
bonds, which are perfectly safe. Every
safeguard is thrown around the funds
from the insurance secretary of the
division until they reach the state Of
ficer and are converted into govern
ment bonds. There are $500 members
in the state of Minnesota, and 50 cents
per capita pays the expenses of run
ming the insurance feature of the
order. In 1900 there were thirty-two
deaths, and at the close of the year
not one claim remained unpaid, every
one having beeh paid promptly, many
within three days after the death was
reported.
President Ryan explained the sick
benefit fund connected with the local
division of the order, showing the pro-
lection that is afforded to members in
case of sickness or distress.
David Evans favored the meeting
with a solo, Come Back to Erin" and
in response to hearty applause, gave
as an encore, plain Molly o.
Rev. T. Corbett gave few interest
ing remarks for the good of the order,
which were heartily applauded.
State President Regain, Of st. Paul,
was unable to reach Duluth on &C.
count Of business in Brainerd. ]. l.
Farley, of Division No: 4, St. Paul
which has 100 members, represented
the state president. He delivered q
forceful address on the work of the
order and highly colnplimented the
state officers on the work which they
had accomplished since the last state
convention in 1902. He said tina,
nearly 1000 members had been mi
tiated into the order, the majority o.
which We're young men under % year.
of age. He urged the local member.
Of the order to aid their officers IL
every possible manner and to continu,
the good work of building up the or
der. Duluth he said, had goot
reputation with theI state officers, ant
he hoped that by the next convention