Perth Amboy evening news., 1905-10-09
C 'RALL7~
TOMORROW
Plans to Induce Former Men,
hers to Join to be Con-
Sidered by State Body.

NEW DhUNo WIN, OcT. D.
The condition of the Catholic Benev-
client Legion, in reference to its f.
nancial condition, the effect of a
large number of Withdrawals be-
cause of the raise in rates, and plans
for inducing new members to join,
will be among the things considered
at the annual session of the state
body of that organization here to-
morrow. 1t is expected that reports
will be made showing tilat the Lee
gion is in better financial shape than
ever before, in spite of the loss of
about thirty per cent. of its mem
bers, and this fact vii be urged as
a reason why there should be an eff
fort made to get in new members.
Since the revision of the insurance
rates of the Legion a year ago,
which revision, amounting to a.
large increase, was declared to be
necessary if the organization was to
continue in existence, there have
been many Withdrawals Of old mem
bers who declined to pay the in
creased rates. The percentage of
Withdrawals throughout the state,
according to Supreme Treasurer
James A. Rowe, has been thirty on
the average, though in individual
councils in some instances it is more
than this. In this city there are
councils where owe seventy-five per
cent. of the members withdraw.
No Need of Worry, Says Mr.. Rowe.
There is some feeling of appre-
hension because of this On the part
of some, but there is no need of
worry, according to Mr.. Rowe, who
SAYS he is convinced that the order
will flourish financially if the mem
bership drops to 500 in this country,
while there will no longer be a ne
cessity for a change of rates If the
membership goes to half a million.
''While we have lost a large num-
Der of members, though the total is
comparatively few" said Mr.. Rowe
today, 1--WE have gained but very
few. We should have gained a large
number, and efforts to this end will
be made at the state meeting. AS
far as our financial condition is con-
cerned we were never better in the
history of the legion. Death claims
are paid almost as 500 as present
ed with the required proofs. In
many cases the money is ready on
the day of the funeral. We lave a
large reserve fund, created by those
old members who cut their insurance
in twain, paying on half their form
er amount of policy, and paying foui
per cent. interest on the remaining
half, which half is deducted from
their death benefit and turned into
the treasury. This sum amounts to
100000 now.
Success of Years Finances.
I'VE are sorry so many old mem
bers withdrew because of an advance
in the rates. 1t has Deen proved that
the advance was necessary. The
legion is now on a firm foundation
and, as the actuary said, we can eX-
list if we drop to 500 in membership.
or we can go as high as 100000
members with no change in rates.
At the state meeting these facts
will be brought out. The supreme
president, Richard B.. Tibbetts, oil
Baltimore, will speak and dwell or
the success of our finances in the
last year. This will be advanced as
an argument why old members
should revive their policies and new
members join. Plans for reaching
and securing new members will
probably be discussed. We want
very much to get our old members
back, not only for the sake of the or
g%anization. but for the benefit of the
members themselves. An old-time
revival will also be planned, where
by a series of meetings will be held
to reach those members who have
withdrawn.
Other prominent members of the
C. b. l.. in this city, commenting to-
day on the situation, said it was true
that there had been a large number
of Withdrawals in local councils. In
some from nearly 200 members
there were now less than fifty. But,
it was added, the financial condition,
which was the vitar question, was
never better. Many admitted the
necessity for getting back the old
members or influencing new ones to
Join, but added that as far as the fl
nances went the organization would
not fail even if no new members
Joined. because, it was pointed out
the rates were now based on a scien-
tifc actuary table that precluded
failure.
Obtained Judgment.