The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-12-15
Alleged Disgruntled Mem
bers Demand Investigation
of Affairs of the Order
OFFICIALS join IN DEMAND
Have Already Asked the Insurance De-
partnent of Illinois to go Through
the Books and Make a Full Report
to the Members

Local members of the Modern Wood
men of America, fraternal insurance
organization, having a membership Of
over 100000, were dumbfounded to
day when they learned that John D.
Denison, Jr., of Dubuque, Ia, charges
grating among officers of the organi-
cation and has demanded that PC.
Potter. state insurance commissioner
of Illinois, make an investigation. 1t
is charged that millions of dollars Of
the organization have been misused
and also that officers of the organiza-
ton although receiving mileage from
railroads for the advertising placed in
the official publication of the paper,
used the mileage and also charged up
to the order, 8 cents mile for trans
portation for every mile they travelled.
1t is claimed that the income from ad-
vertIsing to the Modern Woodmen is
now more than 100000 a year. Ger
tain members of the order declare they
have evidence against officers that
shows that they used mileage received
at the headquarters at Rock Island,
ILL.,, and also charged up cents a mile.
The charges of graft and misuse of
funds were made in Chicago Friday
by Mr.. Denison at banquet of life
insurance presidents. The charges
caused a sensation and when a demand
was made for an immediate and ex-
haustive investigation Of the affairs of
the fraternal organization State Insur-
ance Commissioner Potter declared that
the investigation would be made.
The following are the charges made
by Mr.. Denison.
That political influence has been
brought to bear to throttle a thorough
investigation.
That an official of the society de-
manded excess interest for himself on
money deposited for the society.
That the board of directors has pur-
chased $2,500,000 worth of bonds, when
by law they were only authorized to
purchase 100000 worth.
That the board of directors APPROX
ed a forged bond of a banker, the fail
ure of whose bank cost the society a
loss of 100000 of funds on deposit.
That the society is now standing
another loss of $4,000 when former
official of Wisconsin is actually respon.
sibIe.
That the now dead banker, whose
failure cost the society 100000 was
In the habit of sending out packages
of money to "certain persons" who
are not named.
That former Lieut.. Gov. w. A.
Northcott, by letters which are produc-
ed is influencing election of officials
who have charge Of the money in the
order.
That a director, who is a member of
the M1cIlgan state Legislature, charg-
ed the society for the days he worked
for the state as working days for the
Woodlnen at $15 a day.
One of the leaders among the Wood
men III Kenosha when shown the ac-
count of the charges that had been
brought against the officials of the
head camp declared that he did not
take them seriously. "You see there
is politics in this order just the same
as III other orders and the head camn
has its enemies among disappointed
office seekers" he said. We have
heard before that this big "bomb',
was to be sprung and some time ago
the officials of the head camp turned
the records Of the order over to the
Illinois officials for an audit. I feel
certain that the examination will show
that the affairs of the order are BEING
carefully and economically administer
ed.n