The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1905-10-11
State ssident Ghegan Says
the Expenses Of the Order
Are to Heavy.
MEMBERSHIP HAS DECREASED
CONDITION OF THE LEGION IS
NEVERTHELESS FAVORABLE.
SAYS Mr.. DUNN FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.

olent Legion at New Brunswick yester-
day. speaking of the new rerating plan
which has now been on trial year,
Mr.. Ghegan, retiring president Of New
Jersey State Council. said it was to be
expected that the first effect would be
large decrease in membership. This
has occurred to the extent of 40 per
cent. He continued
.We were assured, however, that even
if the loss should be very much greater
the remaining members could rest salts
fed of the permanency and stability of
the organization. When the new plan
went in operation we were about $780,
600 behind death claims not being paid
before ninety days from receipt of proofs.
To-day, as you all know. claims are met
promptly ,as is evident from the fact
that there was not single proven un-
paid death claim on hand on the first
of the present month, and this notwilh
standing the fact that about $1,000 have
been withheld from every assessment by
members who took advantage of the op-
ton of paying part of their assessments
in cash and having the balance charged
against their certificates.
in addition to paying our back in
debtedness of 100000, we have accumu-
lated reserve fund of about 100000,
which would indicate an annual gain of
about $500 O00-about one-haIf of which
would be cash accumulation, and the
other half charged against benefit cer-
tiEeates. We should exercise the great
est care in the selection of our represen-
tatives to the Supreme Council Hon
esty ard good intentions are not suf-
fcient.. These qualifications must be
combined with business ability in fnan-
cial matters in order to properly safe
guard and invest our surplus funds.
while on this subject I desire TO call
your attention to the fact that. notwith-
standing the law requiring that a major
ity of the supreme council shall consist of
Representatives from State councils. the
charter members and their successors are
likely to be in the majority, owing to the
present ration of supreme representatives
TO membership. / would, therefore, sug
gest that we instruct our supreme repre-
sentatives to take the proper steps TO
have this important matter remedied at
the earliest possible opportunity.
"Another matter on which | think our
supreme representatives should receive
very positive instructions is the repeal of
the sixteen cents per thousand semi-an-
nual fax. This is most unpopular i'm
position, and should be promptly done
away with.
If they have not money enough to run
the legions without it. let them reduce
expenses in the supreme Office"
The report of the representatives to
the Supreme Council was presented by
Mr.. Dunn, who is assistant supreme see
retary. and thoroughly posted upon the
statistics of the condition of the order
He reviewed the work of the year and
the present condition of the order. In
part. he said
''The condition of the Catholic Benovo-
lent Legion at the present time is most
favorable When the new rates went
in force ON September l. 1904, the legion
IN alNs fo,. ,no,,,cd .l,;,,, ~, +bo ,,,,,
of S1S1, ,592. During the year this indeht-
edness has been wiped out, all claims
during the year, amounting to $3.50, ,000
have been met promptly, and there is not
an adjusted claim unpaid in the office of
the Supreme Council. There is also a
reserve fund of over 1925, 600, drawing
interest at per cent. The plan of paying
half the assessment in cash has been a
boon to many members who would other
wise have been compelled to withdraw
because of inability to pay the increased
rates"
ITO compare the condition of the legion
at the present time with its condition a
year ago, | may say tina there has been
a reduction of membership of about so
or 50 per cent.
''The legion now has 22.246 members
in good standing, scattered through
twenty7six States of the Union and
through Canada. Suspensions have prae-
tically ceased, and during the last week
alone there We're forty applications for
admission. l submit elsewhere table
of assessments collected during the
twenty-three years of the legion's life,
showing that from two assessments the
first year they rose steadily until before
the new rates went into effect thirty-two
assessments were collected each year,
with a prospect of steady increase in
their number Now all that is changed.
we have securely founded order, with
rates based on its own mortality tables,
and able to make good all its promises
OF protection TO its members.
The report of the State secretary. John
J. Richmond, Of Newark, showed that
there are in New Jersey seventy four
subordinate councils with a total mean-
bership of $500. The receipts for the
year wese s2.691.20 and the disburse-
ments S2,4T5.60, leaving a balance on
hand Of S275.60.