Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-31

A level rate plan in which the rates do not increase with age, but are bas- ed upon the age of the member at ad- mission into the order, or upon his cleo ton to pay the rate, was also adopt ed, which is proving to be specially attractive to our younger members.
 It must be borne in mind that there is no guaranty fund assessments for members to pay after they reach 55 years of age. Another most import ant change has been made in the dis bursement of the guaranty fund wh cn will be no longer used to help out the older jurisdictions, but to supply the deficiency caused by fixing the assess ment of members who are now over 55 years of age at the same rate as as those who are only that age. Wh h. ever our grand lodge pays benefit due upon the death of member who is now over 55 years of age, it will receive from the guaranty fundA the amount of the deficiency made good by the payment of the benefit. Tn this manner several thousands of dollars will be paid to our grand lodge out of the guaranty fund every year.
 Accompanying the change in as- easements several options were pro- vided by the supreme lodge, whereby those members who may not be able to pay the increased rates are afforded ample opportunity to pay the same as- sessment they are now paying and re- ceive in return as much of the orders protection as it can furnish consistent with its perpetuity.
 Immediately upon receiving the news of the change of rates, the un- dersigned began a study of the sub- ject and soon came to the conclusion that the new rate should be adopt ed and applied to the membership of the @,der in Connecticut. "A vigorous campaign of education was conduc' ed, during which the membership throughout the state had the benefit of the instruction of the best minds in the order. As result the new plans were adopted at the statel meeting of the grand lodge held ill Bridgeport on October 15, 1903.
 The jurisdictions of Quebec, New York, Maine, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkan- sas. Louisiana, Texas, Colorado, Utah, ATIZOHd dUu NGW 1eAICO, 1NVVdOd dANA California, comprising a membership of 155,00O, have adopted the new plan and will begin business on Januarv1st, 1904, upon solid and substantial ba- sis. The success of the new plan and of the order in adopting it is, there fore, assured.
 We believe that as the new rates become more and more understood they will be cheerfully and promptly paid by the members for the same reason that impelled their adoption by the supreme lodge, because they as- sure the perpetuity of the or'er. Therein lies the reason and the only reason for the change of rates. Here after every member. whether he pays on the classified rate plan or the level rate plan, will contribute not merely the current cost of his protect'on from month to month, but enough to ,en- able the order to protect the homes of all its members for all time to come. The new system not only insures the life of the member: it insures the life of the order. It also insures to the A. O. U. W. the position it has so long occupied, that of the oldest, strongest, and best of all the fraternal benefici- ary societies in this country.
 Dated at New Haven, December 21, 1903.
 HUGH A KEENAN,.
 ASPAH H. HALE.
 JOHN H. MOREHOUSE,
 JAMES A. KNOX.
 JAMES R. SLOANE,
 WILLIAM c. HARD,
 2. JOHN E. BALL. 1 F. CLARENCE RISSELL. 4 CHARLES F. CURTISS.
 RICHARD G. DEMARFST,
 JOHN CURRIER GALLAGHER,
 JOSEPH A. GARDE.
 EDGAR L.. POND.