The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-08-30
WAR ON FRATERNAL
INSURANCE
oLD-LlNE COMPANIES UNITED TO
FIGHT ORDERS - PLANS
FOR REIMBURSEMENT.

Chicago. Aug ga battle royal is
on between fraternal insurance inter
ests of the National Fraternal con-
gress with over $4,000, 600, 900 of
outstanding insurance and old line
industrial insurance with some ST.
800 900 900 of outstanding Insurance,
The election Of Thomas III. Cannon of
Chicago. high chief ranger of the
Catholic order OF Foresters, and a
declaration adopted By the congress
to actively oppose group insurance"
bills which, under various DISCUSSES,
were passed by legislatures of several
states last winter. now prove to be
significant of a united front present
ed by the adequate rate fraternal sos
cieties in fight for existence against
insurance interests.
At the conclusion Of the Boston con-
ference. from which western delegates
are returning, the firm declaration
last year of the congress in favor Of
REIMBURSEMENT of rates by all fraternal
societies on a basis that viii provide
sound insurance and assets sufficient
TO meet all outstanding contracts was
found to have resulted in gains. The
cheap rate societies, which have re-
fused to increase their rates suf-
ficiently to provide for the future
claims that mortality experience shows
To be inevitable. have been put on
the defensive, with insurance COM
missioncrS of many of the states
pointing out the calamity which con-
fronts their membership. 4 letter from
Insurance Commissioner Mccomh Of
oklahoma has been made public by
Charles $. Hardy of the knights of
Pithias concerning the situation:
Il would he glad to give you any
information in this department in re-
gard to fraternal beneficiary associa-
tinns. as | have watched with great
deal of interest the efforts of leading
societies to adjust their business to
an adequate basis. Fraternal insur-
ance fills Il want. carries protection
in the homes of Il great many people
that otherwise would not be protected.
This itself Is sufficient argument and
justification for fraternal insurance:
not only this, the system of fraterna,
insurance i'm collecting premiums or
assessments monthly makes IL easier
for poor people tn pay than if they
were required To pay annually in adj
vance
1T Is said that no one is SO blind
a. he who will not see, and | hope
that the arrangements of the various
societies will prove themselves big
IN uI
sound insurance, To argue for sound
insurance does not argue against
fratcrnal insurance. Those who con-
tend that man is an enemy of fra
ternal insurance because he advo-
Gates adequate rates does not correct
Is state the faces In fact. the AIDE
uuate rate man Is the true friend of
fraternal insurance, and not the man
that advocates Il continuation Of
business at an Inadequate rate. Ger
tainly the man who is fortunate
enough to live many years and VIII
has contributed all these years to
societies has the right To expect the
payment of his policy when it be-
comes a claim just as much as the
man who unfortunately died early.
Has not the gray-haired woman in
black as much moral right to expect
her money as the woman whose hus-
hand died in early htec Equity be-
tween policy holders cannot be main
tanned unless both are paid when the
policies become claims, trust and
believe that Il system for the right
will soon result i'm such Improvements
i'm fraternal Insurance that the peo-
pie who purchase policies in fraternal
orders will do 50 advisedly. with IA
justified feeling that their insurance
ance phase of fraternal societies is
simply a business proposition. no more
nor less, and should be treated as
such. The nature Of the organizatios
of fratcrnal societies makes it possible
for them tn conduct their business
i'm n different way. tn Il certain eN-
tent from that of insurance companies.
cess of monthly premium business
and il is doubtful whether or not in
surance companies can compete with
fraternals on monthly premium bust
ness. The expense of an honestly
managed fraternal society should be.
and naturally will be. reasonable. and
| believe that the system is here to
stay. | shall watch with great deal
of interest the result of the meeting
of your congress this year. and sin
ccrely believe that n gradual but n
sur, evolution for the better is being
manifested among the fraternals."