Evening journal., 1910-06-13
WOODMEN ORDER
FACES INQUIRIES
Illinois States Attorney In
VeStigateS Report That
Clique Gets Rake-Off
MEMBERS TELL STORY
OF EXTRAVAGANCE

CHICAGO. ILL.,. June 1S-America's
largest fraternal order, the Modern
Woodmen. has been made the sub
ject of an inquiry in States Attorney
Wayman's office.
simultaneously a series Of charges
was framed by a member of the order
before state Insurance Superintendent
Potter. This member Of the order
claims TO have made search Of several
years for evidence and alleges large
Irregularities.
officials Of the order say the man is
making this charge is a distinguished
ex-official and that his allegations have
no serious basis.
States Attorney Magll. Of Rock
Island county, who Is in the midst of
an investigation of various fraternal
societies having headquarters in Hi
nois. has also conferred with States
Attorney Walmsn Of Cook on the de-
velopments as related to the Wood
men.
Charge Interest Rake-off.
Mr.. Wayman's interest in the Mod
ern Woodmen's management has been
stirred by allegations that for several
years a controlling clique in its direc-
tory has not been turning into the
orders treasury all OF the interest on
its big deposits of funds but has been
'raking OFF, interest above per cent.
by special arrangement with certain
banks.
The possible profits in such an ar
rangement are shown by the state
ment of cash on hand on April I, 1910
eu 4fo 3
fund and $500. i5S i'm the general fund.
a total of S3.22l.0lS. on this basis of
average deposits and assuming that
the depository banks paid per cent
the yearly profits in the alleged private
agreements would be $4,000.
Members Of the Woodmen's director
ate deny they have been i'm any way
derelict i'm tHeir duties and have said.
when suspicious circumstances were
called to their attention. that enemies
have been responsible for the stories of
Irregularities.
Promises Thorough Inquiry.
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 thorough investi-
cation Of the accusations viii be made,
Whether other action will follow he is
unable to say.
MI Marshall's inquiry will center on
the complaints regarding interest ON
deposits one charge is that an Of
/ fetal Of the order approached officers
! of two banks i'm Davenport. Ia. anc
notified them they would be expected
to pay I'm an extra per cent. on al
funds of the society which they hel,
on deposit.
Another alleged incident which hal
been called to the attention of th'
States attorney is charge of "A dc
mand made on the officers of a banl
IN Moline. which was designated as
depository The bankers are said e
have informed members of the boar
Of the Woodmen that they had beel
told that by the payment of aQ.eXtri
per cent. interest they probabl,
would be able To get a deposit of $50,
000 The man named as making IN
proposition said he was acting for
close friend Of one Of the trustees. Tn
friend Of the trustees was qucstione
and denied that he had authorized IN
demand Later the Institutions bon
was approved for a deposit of 500 .00l
Second Investigation is On.
The inquiry by the States attorne
has been conducted without knowledg
q that a second investigation was unde
way for the avowed purpose of rid