The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-09
ADJUSTMENT OF RATES
QUESTION THAT WILL GIVE TROU-
BILE TO HEAD CAMP OF WOODMEN.
Controversy May Keep the Convention
Here More Than n Week-Rail-
road Rate War RACES Merrily.

There Is a strong probability that the
coming Head Camp of the Modern Wood
men of America, which will meet in Indi-
annapolis next week. will not complete its
work within the time allotted. The ques-
ton Of rate adjustment. which will come
up for final settlement. will. it is believed.
take up the greater portion of the week,
and officials well informed in the matter
are of opinion that more than one week
will be necessary to settle the matter
That the society's rates will be read
justed Is a settled fact All the state head
camps have voted for readjustment, and
the matter has been In the hands of a CON-
mittee for months past The method of
readjustment, however, has not been sat-
tied. and the fight on this point will be
both hard and long drawn out. There are
two methods Of readjustment under con-
sideration. One is for fiat increase of the
insurance rate, all classes and ages being
treated alike-that is, a level increase of
rates all along the line. This is the plan
advocated by what is thought to be a ma
jority of the society's membership
Another plan. of which the present head
consul, Hon. William A. Northcott Lieu
tenant Governor of Illinois, is the chief
advocate, is that of a step rate-that is. a
rate that increases the age of the in
sured advances: This, it is claimed by its
advocates, is the natural plan and there
are thousands among the younger members
of the society who favor this plan and
who are coming TO Indianapolis to fight
for its adoption. Well-informed persons
among the society's membership say there
is little chance for the adoption of this
plan of readjustment. The Fraternal Mon
itor. which is looked on as the official or
gan OF fraternal insurance societies has
the following TO say regarding the coming
Head Camp and TIE rate readjustment
question::
"A synopsis of the action of the state
camps of the Modern Woodmen of America.
with reference TO readjustment, has been
received by the Monitor, and the deduc-
tons drawn from this are to the effect
that definite action of some nature will be
taken at the coming session of the Head
Camp at Indianapolis this month. The
Monitor does not enter into the politics of
IL has no comments to offer in this direc-
ton. The present management however.
claims that the State camps have sustained
1t, that results are assured, that the refer
endum position has been defeated and that
readtustment in some form will be en-
acted.
The entire fraternal world will watch
with expectancy the proceedings of the
Head Camp of the Modern Woodmen this
year. Really, the representative system
of fraternalism is on trial. and backward
step would mean that the troubles of other
fraternal societies working toward read
justment would be materially increased
Again. it would mean that there would
be at least two years more of agitation and
discussion In the ranks of this organiza
tion-a contamination which ali interested
in the continued progress of the order
earnestly hope will be avoided. Those who
favor adequate rates and the placing OF
the Modern Woodmen upon a stronger and
more enduring basis are in hearty accord
with the efforts of the management which
has certainly done its duty in this direc-
ton
RAGING MERELY.
Offcial notification was received yester-
day from the Head Camp at Rock Island
H.. to the effect that the railroad rate war
in the West and Northwest is raging mer-
rily and that unheard-of concessions are
being made and unheard-of rates offered
from all points In the West and Northwes,
by the different roads that In the figh,
for the Woodmen's business. The Chicago
Rock Island a Pacific last Saturday an.
nounced a rate OF SIS for the round trir
from Lincoln. Neb.. and this rate was met by
cuts by two competing roads. the rate YES.
terday morning reaching sll.5O. with a return
limit of ninety days. and prospects OF fur
xh<r ha Sov fbox,