The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1903-11-03
MAY FORM new LODGE.
HARTFORD MEMBERS OF 4. O.
u. ~.
Vow Propa.s to ssesds-Ths numpu.

Vow Propase TO seesds-Ths Rumpus
Over Asseasments.
As a result of the heated session Of
Wadsworth lodge of United Workmen,
Tuesday night, on the question of the
recent adoption by the Connecticut jul
risdiction Of the new assessment rates
promulgated by the supreme body, an
account of which was published in the
Times, the members of the rider in this
city have been plunged into trouble.
The United WOrkmen of the city are
about evenly divided over the question
of the new rates. and since the action
of the grand lodge the subject of the as
sessment plan has been threshed out at
each succeeding meeting. The fraternal
spirit that has characterized the local
sessions has been abandoned each week
for the purpose of renewing the fight.
This, in the face of the fact that the
plan has been definitely decided for
Connecticut unless an extra meeting of
the grand lodge is called and the plan
revoked. This is not likely.
There are at present three lodges OF
United Wnrkmen in Hartford, Wads-
worth, Nathan Hale and Parkville.
Nathan Hale is the second largest
lodge in the state in point of member
ship and influence. There is every
probability that there will soon be an
other lodge in the city, owing to the dis
ruption caused by the new rates. This
prospective lodge will be comprised of
those members of the order who are dis
appointed at the grand lodges action,
and find it no longer possible to dwell in
peace and unity with those who had no
fault to find with the state body's ac-
lion. Prominent members say that the
split is unavoidable.
Like the delegate from Wadsworth
lodge the representative of Nathan Hale
jurisdiction, John c. Trant, was in
structed to vote against the new plan
and withhold his support from nominees
for grand lodge officers who were on re-
| cord as favoring the change of rates.
Nathan Hale lodges representative ig-
| nored the instructions When he made
his report it was rejected, and the dis
senters Kissed, and proposition was
made ito throw him out the Window
Another thing, the delegate is a benefi-
ciary for large amount and the pro-
ject was abandoned. He was also elect
ed as a grand lodge officer and the
| members accused him Of selling his vote
| for the office. Each succeeding meet
| ing the same subject is fought over and
the opinion as expressed by the majori-
| ty Is, IF we wish to keep together we
must separate" For this reason 1t Is
| expected that a new lodge will soon be
the eutgrowth of the perplexing rate
\ question. 4
There are others, mostly members OF
| Wadsworth lodge, who declare that they
| will not stay In the order under the new
plan. Some recommend affixing them
selves to the Massachusetts jurisdiction
1 and the remainder are for seeding out
right and going over in body to the
fraternal league, in which most OF the
l members of the order in New Haven
i concur The objections raised to this
former are that FIRST the permission d
the Massachusetts jurisdiction is neces-
| sary, and also that of the supreme
lodge. AS the dissenters win not be
able to carry any funds with them, 1t Il
deemed improbable that the Massaohu.
sets Jurisdiction will incur the insur-
anee risks of such large body. Agar
| the Massachusetts, jurisdiction does not
| hold its animal session until February
1904, and consequently has taken no ac-
ton on the new rates, and a few think
that a transfer, even if allowed, would
be foolish until the important question
is decided. As a matter Of fact the new
rates have already become law in the
order for the reason that sixteen of the
grand lodges, a strong majority, have
voted their adoption,
Those who favor the new rates are
not concerned over the intentions of thu
dissenters to seeede, for the reason tha
the assets of the jurisdiction over the
liabilities would then be materially in
creased, and also the number of as
sessments decreased. They do not en-
courage secession, however, it is said
but feel satisfied over their victory
leaving to the dissenters the option O
abiding by the plan or dissenting
There are about thirteen thousand Uni
ted Workmen in the state, and thes,
members are almost evenly divided owe
the subject. The reason for the adop
ton Of the plan under these circum
stances is attributive to the fact tina
the delegates, previously elected, vote,
as they pleased, and not according t.
the instructions from their lodges.
In 1878 the grand lodge Of Iowa, hav
ing membership of thirteen thousand
seeded from the supreme jurisdiction
because an increase of ten cents in tn
assessment was levied upon each mem
Der to relieve the people of the fever
stricken district of Tennessee. TIL
same year the supreme body organizes
new grand lodge, which to-day has
membership of over fourteen thousand
This grand lodge has already adopte,
the new rates. In 1902 the secedin
grand lodge had only thirteen hundre,
members left out Of the original thir
teen thousand, and each member paid
total amount of assessment of ninet
dollars on one thousand dollars. In on
instance death claim of two thousan
dollars was settled for eight hundre
dollars. The supporters of the ne1
rates point to this instance as an ex
ample and label it as 1.-THE curse Of Sc
cession.''
The rub in the new rates occur prin
oipally with members who are fift
years old or over. At fifty years of az