Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-30

Holds Many Thousand Members in the
United statea-systems
Moderpised.

European methods OF safeguarding the
interests OF It's people by insurance and old
are pensions have been dealt with at some
length In these pages and show the pa
ternal regard for a people by a nation, but
Il II In the United States that We find the
democratic spirit working itself out with
out government interference in one Of the
greatest questions OF the age-insurance.
How successfully this has been accomp-
lished can be conveyed by the citation OF
the single fact that the mutual beneficiary
secret fraternities involved number 3,5Oo0oo
members.
This gigantic American movement dis
plays its perfect management in its ex-
pense list, which is less than one-twenti-
eth that OF the great insurance companies
having the same membership, and In its
power OF organization. which, In one
fraternal order, keeps together 10000 men,
bers.
The 400 mutual beneficiary insurance or
CARNATIONS had their origin some forty
years ago, in the transplanted English
friendly societies. of which the Independent
Order OF odd Fellows the Ancient Order
of Foresters and the United Ancient Order
OF Druids were the most important. Be-
! ing at the start friendly societies, the
fraternai organizations paid, by assess
ments or dues sick benefits only, or sums
due on account of disabilities. but event.
ualiy they became assessment Insurance or
CARNATIONS.
Thirty-four orders were formed or be-
came mutual beneficiary orders between
1S5S and 1870 thirty-six similar organlza-
| tons we're born between 1880 and 1890, and,
IL there remained any doubt OF the popu-
larity or efficiency Of this movement. II
would be only necessary 10 record that
seventy-four societies have appeared since
1890.
| 1t was only natural that the system Of
assessment Insurance originally adopted
should prove crude, and the assessment
Of 81 per capita to pay the s1OoO Insurance
on the death OF a member indicates this.
But the step-rate, which has since gone
| into use, based on the idea OF an increns-
ing rate for increasing age. completely met
the difficulty.
With few exceptions. the best types
among the fraternel orders confine them
selves to paying death benefits. although
| there are many land among the strongesD
which furnish partial. total or permanent
disability benefits, and in some instances
burial plot, funeral and monument This
last is quite an important item Of attrac-
| ton, and there Is a considerable induce
ment in the offer of one society to erect
500 monument on the grave of the MEM
Der when he deceases."
Profiting by another mistake In the past,
the fraternai orders have hedged them
selves about with restrictions calculated
to maintain a low death rate. precisely
after the manner OF the regular insurance
companies, and confine their field OF opera
ton and solicitation for new members to
the more healthful localities, and to the
country districts. Membership Is often
withheld from those engaged in hazardous
occupations.
II there Is any dissatisfaction over assess
ments 1t is more than counterbaianced by
| the cohesive power of the other features
Of the orders; they furnish something de-
sirabie In addition to the insurance-fretcr-
nifty club and social reunions. In the
mysticism which plays an important role
In secret society life one finds the key
note OF the success of the lodge system
over the open mutual assessment insurance
| society.
/ Without the fraternal order and its sys-
tenn of insurance thousands upon thou
sands, In the event OF their own death,
would be unable to protect those nearest
and dearest to them. And the energy and
enterprise OF American women in this field
IL, proven by their work In one organiza-
ton, where the increase In business last
year was s1i, 10000. Philadelphia Press.