The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-09-15
RHODE ISLAND woRKMEN

Connecticut Plans.
 Anent the discussion which has been rife in A. O. U. W. circles recently with reference to the proposed assessment plan as given out by the Supreme lodge, the following resolutions were adopted by the Grand lodge of Rhode Island in special session. There is also move ment on foot to have the Grand lodges of Connecticut and Rhode Island act in conjunction against the proposals of the Supreme lodge:
 The executive committee of the vari- ous lodges of the A. O. U. W. of Rhode Island, at meeting held on Thursday, September 3, 1903, at Providence, R. l., unanimously agree and submit the fol- lowing:
 Whereas, For nearly a quarter of century the Jurisdiction of the A. O. U. w.. of which Rhode Island has in the past or does at present form a com- posite or integral part, has bountifully contributed to the relief of non-support- ing jurisdictions; and
 Whereas. The recent legislation of the Supreme lodge, A. O. U. w., of the United States, has, in the case of all members in said order under fiftyf1ve years of age, trebled the amount of our enforced contribution to the guarantee fund, however named: and
 Whereas The rate in the class of
 highest ages is prohibitiye to the great bulk of our membership in New Eng land and Rhode Island now in said class and offers no hope or inducement to those who must enter said class in the near or remote future; and -,... Whereas. A resultant lack of confi- dence in the stability of the order and the principle of fraternal beneficiary as- sociations has accompanied the agita- tion and trepidation attendant on the radical, unequitable and prohibitive in crease in the class of highest ages; and Whereas, Continued entangling alli- ance with high-rate, relief demanding jurisdictions has become not only disas- trous to our reputation as an order and an uncomfortable financial burden, but also menace to our very existence; be it 4,. Resolved That we cannot look with favor upon any plan whereby the guar antee fund. however named, paid by the jurisdiction of t.. A. 0. U. W. in Rhode Island is diverted from said jurisdic- tfon. now or at any future time; be 1t 1 also | Resolved, That we do urge the per manent suspension of the operation of the above noted laws promulgated by the Supreme lodge of the A. O. U. w. of l the United States, so far, at least, as they affect the A. 0. U. W. in the juris- l diction of Rhode Island, in the respects
 and manner enumerated, namely. in re- lation to the guarantee fund, however named, and thes prohibitive increase of
 rates in the class of highest age; be it further Resolved, That in the event of the
 Supreme lodge of the A. o. D. w., or l the executive committee of the same, failing within a reasonable time, not later than October 1, 1903, to consider
 favorably our petition for redress, we
 shall deem it our duty to ourselves and Il to our families to seek withdrawal from said Supreme lodge 40. U. w., of the United States; to declare our independ- ence, or to take other means tokeep i1- violate the rights and privileges essen l tfal to the full protection of those who are dear to us; and, finally, be 1t
 Resolved, That we. the regularly ap-
 pointed committee of the various lodges
 of the jurisdiction in Rhode Island of
 the A. o. U. w, in conference assem-
 bled, do urgently advise the subordinate lodges of the A. Q. U. w. in Rhode Isl
 and to instruct their delegates to the
 Grand lodge. in session assembled, to vote for the complete furtheranee ef the
 resolutions herein submitted.
 i F'raternally submitted,
 lGEoRGE H. TILFORD, Chairman, l Providence, No. 3; f . HI. A. L. DEACON. Secretary, Wan 1 skuck, No. S5; .G... DAVID STEVENS, Ocean, No. z; FRANK E. MANNING, Myrtle, No. 15; l FREDERIC EARLE WHITAKER l Ames, No. 8, I Executive Committee.