Omaha daily bee., 1905-08-16
CHECKING Up ERATERNALS
Stats Insurance Department Will Make
Examination Of Books,
YAl HlGHlANOtRs TO Be THE FIRST ONE
State Legal Department waiting Tor
Record of Douglas Board Before
COmmencing Mandumus
Case.
tFrom a Stan Correspondent.)


LINCOLN, Neb, Aug. 15.-(special.)-
surance Deputy Pierce will in the imme-
date future begin an examination of the
books and records OF the fraternAl insurance
companies doing business in Nebraska. In
all probability, owing to the litigation now
going on in the order of Royal High
landers, this lodge will be the iTst to
receive of1cial investigation. Had II not
been that Mr.. Pierce was compelled to go
to New York in connection with the ex-
animation OF the large old line companies
he would have started the examination OF
the Highlanders last week. Special Exami-
ner Virgins will be In Lincoln tomorrow
and unless he Is otherwise engaged the
investigation will begin at once.
1t has been customary for the insur-
ance department 20 make thorough
examination of the fraternal orders in
Nebraska at least once in two years, but
some Of the companies have not been ex-
amined for years. The fact that the in
Vesugations are to be started In no way
means that Z Is suspected that the affairs
Of the various companies are not con-
Quoted Just right, but It is merely to see
that they are being conducted TO the best
advantage OF the members.
October l Mr. Piercs and Mr.. Virgins
will 20 to New York where Mr.. Virgins
VIII coituuDL lne eNafnlnaLlOn OF Lne HTReT
old line companies in conjunction with the
representatives Of six states. The hrst
company to be examined will be the New
York Life which made the request that it
be the first A fee graded according to
the class of company inspected is paid
tho examiner by the company. Mr.. Pierce
will only remain in New York long enough
to see the work started and then will
return TO Nebraska. He does not expect
20 receive a fee though the company will
be expected to pay his expenses going and
coming.
Waiting for Assessment Record.
The state legal department is waiting to
receive from Omaha the minutes of the
Board OF Equalization and the record OF
Assessor Reed relative to the matter OF
the assessment of the Woodmen of the
World, and upon receipt Of this data a
mandamus suit will be started to compel
County Clerk Drexel to assess the order
on its reserve fund. While IL is said the
State Board Of Equalization acted within
the statute n ordering this assessment it
is claimed by lodge men that as the home
old line companies do not have to pay on
tholr reserve, but on their surplus the
State UCard will lose out in the courts.
Commence ON Depot.
Ihr n-Fs OF the brick Work on the new
north wing OF the Burlington depot was
begun yesterday afternoon by William
Workman, the Seward contractor who has
been awarded the Job. One car of pressed
bick was received Monday and is being
unloaded today. Superintendent of Build
ings James Rivett was busy looking after
every detail of the work this morning,
and expressed himself as being we'll
pleased with the start that has been made.
TIE outside, courses are to be of red brick,
laid in cement Of the same hue.
s. Appeals from Assessment.
Three appeals from a ruling OF the
Coprty Board, of Equalization were filed
this Cfternoon in the district court. They
were those in which the three packing com
ranies, Cudahy, Swift and Armour, protest
against their assessment OF 5000 each as
franchise value They assert that they de-
rive their corporate rights from the laws
OF Illinois and nothing Of the kind from
Nebraska.
Trust Company Appeals.
The Lincoln Safe Deposit g. Trust com
pany this afternoon filed an application
for an injunction to prevent County Clerl
w. L. Dawson and County Treasurer B
+. Knight from spreading upon the taJ
books an increase OF its assessment from
Sls,27o to S256. $50 made by County Assessor
Miller. The company claims in it's peti.
tion that Miller made the Increase In
the assessment after the county board anC
tho state board had concluded their labors
and adjourned. That II was an arbitrar!
action on the part OF the assessor. made