The Washington times., 1906-10-28
Has More Than Doubled
Its Membership in
Five Years.
STEP RATE ASSESSMENT
Object of Body IS to Be and
Remain a Typical Ameri-
can Institution.


spective pause brings prominently into
view an organization that in less than
five years has more than doubled its
membership in the District of Columbia
paid benehciaries Sl.6lS,750. attained an
unprecedented record as TO the num-
Der OF councils, and inspired an enthusi-
asm and loyalty on the part of nearly
1850 members that has not been ex-
ceeded IN the fraternaI history OF the
city.
This organization is the National
Union. which bases its peculiar claim
TO practical usefulness on It's step-Tate
plan of assessment. This system
which IL Is claimed is the most eQuita-
BILE plan devised for pure life insur-
ance, is based on the fact that the cost
OF insurance increases as the age of
the member advances. The rate of as
sessment. in conformity thereto, is in
creased slightly each year to meet this
advance in cost. AT the age of sixty
five the rate becomes stationary. the
increases beyond that age being pro-
Vided for by the equalization fund. ac-
cumulated by a slight loading OF the
rate of assessment in the earlier years
Of membership.
Low Cost Early in Life.
This plan provides for low cost a.
the time when il is considered that a
low cost is most desirable, namely.
when the family Is entirely dependent
and the children must be red. clothed.
and educated by the head of the family
The National Union is a representa-
It.. American Iraternal beneficial So
cie.l IL is one OF the many societies
THAI furnish life insurance to their
members on a cooperative basis. The
union has more than $1,000 members,
with over SI5GO00OO0 Of insurance in
force; II has paid more than 81. 900, 900
10 benenciaries, and yields TO no So
elety for promptness Of settlement.
class OF membership. OF spirit OF fra
ternity. Il was organized and incOr-
porated in 1881, and is now operating
under the provisions of the Ohio law
governing fraternal beneficiary assOcia-
tons
The National Union was Organized
and is operated for the benefit of its
members and their families II aims
10 advance its members morally. So
cially, and intellectually, TO provide for
the relief of sick and distressed mem
bers and their families. and 10 provide
fund, from which, upon the death of
a member, a sum not exceeding 5000
may have been named. These benehci-
aries may. under the law, be only the
families, blood relatives. or persons de-
pendent upon the member. and certin-
Gates are written for 81 600. 1000. g. 600.
5000, or 5000, as the member. prefers.
Typical American Institution.
The National Union seeks 10 be a
typical American institution. The gov
eminent of the order is purely repre-
sentative and has three departments or
bodies; the council. or local body: the
assembl OF state body: the senate. or
national body. The council is a social
body and meets monthly. semi-monthly.
or weekly The assembly meets bien-
nlally and is composed of representa-
uVes sent from councils in the State
The senate meets biennialIy and is com
posed of Representatives selected by the
assemblies. All omcers are elected by
the members or their representatives
and no official term exceeds one wear
The compensation of the officers man
aging the order is fixed by the senate.
Each council is the custodian OF its
funds and has an equal voice in the
management of every department OF
The social features are upheld bv reg
ular meetings of the members. at which
friendly Intercourse plays "a conspicuous
part. while the government the titles ~
the various bodies and officers. its cere-
monies. and teachings strongly appeal
10 an Americana love of home and
country The secret features are intro
duced 10 increase its economy and eff
cheney and % protect its members
socially and financially. Nothing of a
political or sectarian character can be
introduced.
Restricts Location of Councils.
The National Union does not admit as
a beneficial member any one whose oc-
cupation is considered to be dangerous
TO life or health, nor do its laws allow
the formation OF councils in those dis
tricts of the country that are known to
be subject TO epldemics of any kind.
These two facts have been important
factors in the low cost Of protection in
the National Union during the past and
viii continue important safeguards in
tho future.
The senate. the supreme body of the
order, is composed Of senators elected
by the assembly and ex-presidents (who
have no vote. The present senator's
from this jurisdiction are William
Briggs. who is presidens Of the body;
II. T. Brian. Jesse B. X. Lee. Martin S
Decker. and Joseph Dierken.
District of Columbia Cabinet.
District OF Columbia Cabinet. COM
posed of delegates from the various
councils Of the National Union, was or
sanized July g. 1856. with the follow of,
heers: President. Wilson Vance; vice
president T. f. Storm; secretary, T. /
l.. De Land; treasurer. Z. c. Ford:
usher w L. Crounse; doorkeeper. !
Charles II. Calvert.
The Following have been presidents
or the Cabinet since its organization:
Wilson Vance, T. E. Storm. \. T
Tracy, b. Piekman Mann. w p Chal- !
lice. Z. G. Ford. William r Reu1v
William H Fisher, James p. BIrrfU. !
James Z, Bright, Charles T. Hendler,
James a. Healy
Organization of Councils.
Since the original move, in 1SSs. toward |
the establishment of the organic, ior IN |