Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1906-11-13
KNIGHTS OF HIHIAs|
SUPREME HLoDGEt ,MEETsNGs HAS
JUST CLOSED A sEssloMssAT
NEW ORLEANS.

Meeting Was One of the Most Import
ant the Order Has Ever Held in
This Country and Some Important
Changes Were -Made-This is Espe-
cially True Of the Endowment Rank.
Grand Forks Herald: George A.
Bangs reached home yesterday morn
ing from New Orleans, where he att
tended the supreme lodge meeting of
the knights, of Pythias, as one of the
two representatives from this state.
The meeting was one of the most
important in the history of the order,
Mr. Bangs stated that the legislation
enacted will be- far reaching and Of
vast benefit not only to this order but
to all other fraternaI societies. Speak
ing of interesting changes, Mr.. Bangs
said: ., (
The semi-annual password was
abolished and in lieu thereof there
was established the permanent pass
o
word; this saves considerable expense
and the inconvenience attendant up
on frequent changes. Much needed
legislation encouraging the uniform
rank was enacted and it was given
much greater authority in its purely
local affairs. Major General Stod-
dart, who has made an enviable
record, was reelected for the ensuing
two years, after which the election of
officers will be. practically in the sole
power of the rank Taking into con-
sideration the season OF the year and
the great distance, the attendance of
the uniform rank at New Orleans was
most creditable. Seattle company
won the first prize for appearance and
drill as well as the long distance
prize. There was never brought to.
gether fraternal society body OF
men more handsome or better drilled
than this company; it was a credit,
I not alone to the state of Washington,
hut to the entire order.
Endowment Rank.
This rank has increased in i'm
portance until it may be fairly said
now to overtop any other single sub
Sjeet. It has more than 80 900 mem
bers with approximately SIZE, 000, 900
Of benefits outstanding. It has paid
since its organization approximately
$25, 000, 900 to the widows and orphans
of Knights Of Pythias. It's income
last year was over 81, 5000 and the
death losses paid were more than one
and one-half millions OF dollars.
Like all American fraternal insur-
ance companies It had neglected the
lessons furnished by the English so
cfeties. It was furnishing but little
better than temporary insurance and
In the past there have been necessary
readiustments and increases Of rates
about each six years The newly
adopted plans do not in any way dis
turb the old members. Their rates
are neither djnsted, raised nor In
any way altered There is a large
body OF these men who sincerely be.
I lieVe or at least claim so to do. that,
the fraternal society should glory in
Its defiance of the natural laws OF
!. business and should violate the plain
est principles Of fraternity: their
presence must be recognized. No
change has been made In their plans
OF rates. IL they are sincere they may
make as many converts as they wish,
q bringing them into their class and
may also remain there themselves
The mistakes of the old plan are
pointed out to all and they are offered
the additional benefit of an opportuni.
ty to change from the old plan to the
new without medical examination.
This is a valuable benefit for many of
the present members have passed the
age when they can obtain insurance
from other societies or companies, yet
: