The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-09
THE W0ODMEN'S BATTLE
The Pro-readjustment Forces Make
Reply to the 0pposition-Their
Position Stated. ~

w. H. Dawson, representing the pro-
readjustment forces Of the Modern Wood
men Of America, makes reply to the re-
port of the .stafusa OF the REIMBURSEMENT
appeared in T he Journal a few days
ago. Mr. Dawson says:
II notice an article in your issue of
Feb. 5, under the caption Of Fight Among
the M. w. A., which can only serve to
place the society in a, wrong light before
the general public AS well as to nislead
thousands Of it's members who are readers
Of. h e j ourn L. The authority for
the article says: The Modern .Woodmen
of America are in the throes,zof great
battle, and the anti-readjusters seem to
have the best of it, This, of course, de-
ponds upon the point from which the
great battle, is viewed. Il have visited
more than one hundred camps of the Mod,
ern Woodmen in the past few months,
and know that the reverse is true. In
Duluth, where there are nearly /, 400 men,
bers of the Modern Woodmen of America
when the anti resolution was presented
for adoption, it received but five votes.
Five votes out of a membership of 1,400
may seem to indicate to the authority
referred to above that the ANTS have the
best Of it. So far but two Of the nine
teen camps in this city have adopted the
anti resolutions, while camp after camp
throughout the state has turned them
down.
""rhe statement that the opposition is
especially strong in Minnesota is granted
as comparatively true, and that makes
the cause of readjustment doubly sure.
The statement that this is considered by
many as a most inopportune time for a
change has been true of every benefi-
ciary order that has been forced to read
just it's rates. When the necessity for a
change has been apparent to their leaders
the uninformed members have, without
an exception, considered the present as
q most inopportune time for change.
Still, twenty nine of the leading benefi-
ciary societies have been forced to read
Just their rates or suspend operations. The
assertion that at the present rates, any
member could stand two assessments a
month, and still be receiving cheap 1nsur-
ance,' is true; but does it's author believe
for a minute, that young men could be
induced to join our society IT IL were
collecting twenty-four assessments a year.
with not cent being placed In reserve
and does he not know that twenty four
assessments per year would mean great
er cost to 95 per cent Of our members than
the readjustment plan would cause!
I'm answer to the assertion that Last
year it only required eleven assessments
to pay all liabilities, and even With that
a neat surplus was left on hand, the truth
1919 No
may be given: Jan. /, 1902, the benefit
fund had in it over $341, 900. In the year
eleven assessments were collected, and
Jan t. 1903, the benefit fund had In 1t
$9O3,487, with liabilities standing against
it amounting to 6,035, leaving balance
above all liabilities Of $1S7,4b1, or $l53,549
less than Jan. I, 1902. Eight assessments
under the readjustment plan would nave
been sufficient.
''Then the next statement caps the ell
max The amount paid to the head camp
from this state, has, at no time been less
than the amount paid in assessments.
What a discovery! The same is true as
to every other state in the jurisdiction.
Then comes the threat that certain
prominent Woodmen will secede if.the re-
adjustment plan carries. When Mime
sofa secedes it will be for better cause
than that suggested. There Is but one
candidate in the anti ranks for the office
of head CONSUL and that man will go to
the head camp without the support of his
own state delegation, if present indtca-
tions count for anything.
"The attempt is made to injure the
character of Head Consul. Northcott, by
saying, Severe accusations have been
uttered against him. No doubt. No man
has a cleaner record than has Head Con-
sui Northcott, and no man dare make a
specific charge against him of unlawful
or ungentlemanly conduct.
'.The opposition to the administration
plan of reimbursement comes from those
who have not given it sufficient study to
understand 1t, if their argument is any
/ Indication of their understanding Of It.
I have yet to find the man who thorough
lily understands the plan who attempts
| to argue that it is not q scientific, ade-
iquate and equitable PLAN