The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-06-16
INTERESTS kENOSHA MEMBERS
Members Frame Charges to be Laid Be
fore the Insurance Department of the
State of Illinois Alleging IRREGULAR
ties.

America IS largest fraternal order, the
Modern Woodmen, was made the sub
ject of an inquiry in State s Attorney
Wayman IS Office in Cook County, Ill.
on last Saturday.
simultaneously series of charges
was framed by "a member of the order
before State Insurance Superintendent
Potter of that state. This member
of the order claims to have made d
search of several years for evidence
and alleges large Irregularities.
Officials of the order say the man
making this charge is a distinguished
ex-oficial and that his allegations have
no serious basis.
States Attorney Magill Of Rock Is
land county, who is in the midst of an
investigation of various fraternal So
cieties having headquarters in Illinois,
has also conferred with States Attor-
ney Wayman on the developments as
related to the Woodmen.
Mr.. Wayman's interest in the Mod
ern Woodmen s management has been
stirred by allegations that for several
years controlling clique in its direc-
tory has not been turning into the or
der streasury all Of the interest on
it's big deposits Of funds but has been
"raking Off interest above 2 per cent
by special arrangements with certain
banks.
The possible profits in such an ar
rangement are shown by the statement
of cash on hand on April l, 1910, when
there was $2,418,055 in the benefit fund
and 1902, 15S in the general fund total
of 1921 13. On this basis of aver
age deposits and assuming that the de-
pository banks paid 3 per cent the
yearly profits in the alleged private
agreements would be $4,000.
Members of the Woodmen s director
ate deny that they been in any way
derelict in their duties and have said,
when suspicious circumstances were
called to their attention, that enemies
have been responsible for the stories
of Irregularities
Assistant States Attorney Thomas
Marshall, however, has received some
information on the charges regarding
the management of the order and has
promised members Of the insurance
brotherhood that q thorough investiga-
ton of the accusations will be made.
Whether other action will follow he is
unable to say.
Mr.. MARSHALL s inquiry will center on
the complaints regarding interest on de-
posits. One charge is that an official
of the order approached officers of two
banks in Davenport, Iowa, and notified
them they would be expected to pay
in an extra 1 per cent on all funds Of
the society which they held on deposit.
Another alleged incident which has
been called to the attention of the
states attorney is a. charge of a de-
mand made on the officers of a bank
in Moline, which was designated as
depository. The bankers are said to
have informed members of the board
of the Woodmen that they had been
told that by the payment of an extra
per cent they probably would be able to
get a deposit of $15O,OO0 The man
named as making the proposition said
he was acting for close friend of one
of the trustees. The friend of the
trustee was questioned and denied that
he had authorized the demand. Later
the institution s bond was approved
for a deposit of 100000.
The inquiry by the states attorney
has been conducted without knowledge
that a second investigation was under
way FOR the avowed purpose of Kidding
the order Of certain men who are al
legged to have used it for their personal
advantage. F. S. Webb, of Chicago.
who for several years was advertising
manager of the official paper of the
society, is the leader in this investiga-
tion and says he is associated with a.
scores of other members.
Extravaganza is the main charge
brought by Mr.. Webb.