The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-11-25
j John 4. Yates Talks of WOOdmen
Of World Moving.
Not at All Certain That 1t viii
Be Done.
SAYS HELIKES TOPEKA
VIII Not Commit Himself About
a New Location.
An Enthusiastic Meeting Of
WOOdmen Is Held.

John T. Yates. sovereign clerk of
the Woodmen of the World, who was
in Topeka Friday night, could give out
no additional information concerning
the possibility of Topeka becoming the
headquarters of the order. He ex-
planned, however. in more detail the
nature of the controversy, and Incl
dentally remarked that he was very
much impressed with Topeka"
At the present time Omaha is the
home and headquarters of the Wood
men of the World. and has been ever
since its inception by Joseph Cullen
Root. It owns there a $4,000 build
ing, employs about 200 clerks, and its
money is a big factor in banking cir
cIes. The Nebraska legislature last
winter passed a law taxing the emer-
gency fund of all fraterna1 orders do
ing business in the state. This viii
compel. if enforced, the Woodmen to
pay annually about 100000 in taxes.
Naturally the order objected. The
matter was taken into court, and then
into the supreme court, where 1t is
still pending. The executive council
decided that if an adverse decision was
rendered that the order would remove
to some other city in some other state,
where there are no laws taxing emer-
gency funds, and where none are liable
to be made. Immediately upon hear
ing Of this Topeka through its local
WOodmen lodges and through the
Commercial club. announced to the
order that it is a candidate for the
location in case a removal is ordered.
The local lodges have been holding
increase meetings" to work UP en-
thusiasm, and last night had one at
AS Kansas avenue VIII ere Mr.. Yates
was the principal speaker.
He submitted to an interview before
the gathering in which he said: ct
know that Topeka is very much inter
ested in getting the headquarters of
the WOodmen of the World in case
they are removed from Omaha. Nat
urally there is considerable sentiment
attached to the city where we now
are, the order having been founded
there, and gradually growing until it
has reached its present trem
proportions. But the last Nebraska
legislature seemed to be death on tax
ing emergency funds of fraternal or
carnations. The law which was pass
ed assesses our entire reserve fund,
while the old line life insurance COM
panies doing business in the state are
simply taxed on their Nebraska, poll
cies. There is q discrimination which
is unfair, and manifestly so.
We'll, we at once took up the matter
with the county board of equalization
which ordered the county clerk to as
to about $4,000, while for next year it
viii jump up to $50 600 We tried to fight
it, but without avail The state board
OF equalization also ruled against us
and ordered us to pay. We at once took
the matter into the supreme court
where it is now pending. The decision
viii only determine whether the equali-
cation boards had right to enforce the
assessment for this year, and will not
settle the main question at issue.
''But the Royal Highlanders of Au-
rora, Neb., another fraternal organiza-
ton have the law itself on the griddle
beNsre the supreme court and that will
settle our case as well as theirs. I do
not know how soon a decision will be
reached by the court in the HIGHLANDER
case In ours, that of this years tax,
We look for a decision probably today.
THAT is about the status of the mat
ter
Naturally know that the people of
this town, interested as they are in the
project, would like to know their
chances of getting the headquarters. I
could not and would not give out an
expression as to that. If the supreme
court rules favorably to us then we will
stay in Omaha, if adverse, we Will
move. There are q number Of towns
bidding for the headquarters, but I can
say we are much impressed with Tope-
ka, especially the enthusiasm of the To-
cal lodges and the interest taken by the
Commercial club. We viii go to a state
where laws are not adverse to US as
they are now being made in Nebraska.
our attorneys are at work investigat-
ing the statutes of various states with
regard to fTateTnal laws. They have
made no report to us as yet, and do
not know how Kansas is on that mat
ter. I understand, however, that a ques-
ton almost like the present one came
up before your supreme court some
years ago and was favorable to the fra
teTnal order. Western states Will have
to learn that they cannot bring oppres-
siVe assessments against fraternaI or
ganizations. They don't do it in east
ern states, there they rather foster or
ders and help them.
"Simmering it all down the matter
stands just as it has for some time
past. We move if the supreme court
! is adverse. we remain if it is favorable.
No location has been settled upon and
none viii be until the final contin-
gency arises. But L do want to say
that I am impressed with Topeka 1t
is a city of homes, and that appeals to
me. I certainly like the town.
Enthusiastic Meeting.
The attendance at the meeting last
night was not large. due to the late an
nouncement of Mr.. Yates presence.
But it made up in enthusiasm what it
I lacked in mum bers. Captain P. H.
! Coney made the address of welcome,
and the special guest, Mr.. Yates, spoke
at some length concerning fraternal
work.
G. w. Floyd of Dallas, Tex, sang a
baritone solo, Down in the Depths
Miss Hazel Kaiser, daughter of State
3 Depuy J. w Kaiser, known as the
/ sweet singer of Kansas" deserves the
title. She sang the 'LeOnora" song
/ from Il Trovatore, and responded to an
! encore with a love ballad.
After the programme reception
/ was held for Mr.. Yates and refresh
mentS were served.