The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-07-17
ESSEX LODGES
THREATEN TO
PULL OUT
Newarker Gives New Im-
petuS to Jr. 0. U. A. NJ. War
in Funeral Benefit Assn.

Each succeeding day witnesses the
widening Of the breech between the local
councils of the Jr. o. u. A. NJ. and the
Funeral Benefit Association Of the United
States. Yesterday nine councils in this
county were taking steps to withdraw
from the national order. Today the an
nouncement comes that two more councils
Monroe and vglant-are contemplating
severing their connections with the as
ISOLATION.
Insurance commissioners In twenty six
of the States In which the funeral asso-
citation Is doing business have been notified
Of the conditions said to exist, and from
the returns. so far investigations into the
methods of the company will be begun
simultaneously In several States Commits
sioner Kelsey, of New York, has already
signified his intention to begin an I'm
mediate investigation. The suit begun II
the Philadelphia Court of Common Plea
for $3.50 by Marcus l.. Ward Council Il
slated to come up In September, when
the funeral associatio will be fought In
Its own State for the recovery of an un-
paid claim to Ward Council. State Coun-
cilor Frank Sharp is working day and
night to divorce the various councils OF
the State from the United States Associa-
tion. In Hudson County he has met, IL Is
claimed, with unusual success, and the
agitation among the councils of Jersey
City and Hoboken bid fair to make the
breach in those places as wide as In Essex.
A circular to be circulated throughout
the State, drawn by the orders local
counsel, Theodore ID. Gottlieb, OF S26 Broad
street, is In part as follows:
Docs your council hold membership in
the Funeral Benefit Association OF the
United States?
If so You should be vltally interested
In It and give careful consideration to the
following undisputed facts:
1t is a voluntary unincorporated associa-
tlon of the State of Pennsylvania.
II denies and challenges the jurisdiction
of any court and will not consent to be
sued In any State but PennsylVanla, De,
spite the fact that thousands OF councl
members are insured by IL IN tWenty-sif
States OF the Union.
DO you realize that il 1t becomes neces.
sary to ste the association, your council
would have to follow II to Pennsylvania
and could not compel the attendance OF I
single witness there Against his will?
Do you realize that checks for assess
ments are made payable TO C. IL Cadwal-
lander, secretary, and not to the associa-
ton and that checks drawn to the order
of the association have been returned by
him with Instructions to make them pay
able to himself? Is this careful, wise
prudent or otherwise
subject TO the courts OF New Jersey foi
purposes of suit nor has tho Commissioner
of Insurance any jurisdiction or super
vision over It, and that II does not file
reports Of its business as 1t would were
it corporated?
DO you realize that its acts are otter
arbitrarily unreasonable and oppressive
and that. in operation. 1t violates one o.
the essential features Of death benefit
promptness paying claims?
Do YOU realize that the association 1:
conducted by a machine ring" self
perpetuating ollgarchy2
Halsey Council will vote Friday nigh
for or against separation from the asso-
ciation: Irvlngton win take similar action
soon. Newark Council. Seth Boyden Coun-
ell Fraternity Council and other councils
are all considering similar act on.
In the meantime the local Essex County
Funeral Association is gaining by the
changes. sharing with the older New
Jersey association, which In the past en-
joyed the patronage in company with the
United States Association.
The trouble specifically, as has been told
in the EVENING STAR, is over the al
legged refusal of the United States Associa-
ton to pay death claim to Ward Coun-
Gil although the New Jersey Associa ion
did so without a bubble.
The Local orders claim to be able ia
prove that the United States Association
has violated It's rights in this State by
soliciting business despite claims TO tbs
contrary.