Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-29
ORDER UNDER BAN|FOUR DEAD IN FIRE
License of True Reformers' Woman, Two Children and
Society Suspended. Servant Incnerated. (,
INSURANCE ITS PURPOSE HOUSE is BURNED UP
Forbidden Continue Business Another Woman Jump
Virginia and the District ing From Window
INVESTIGATION WAY POST OFFICE IN BUILDING
Upon Showing Made Following Money Not Yet
Inquiry at mond.
INSURANCE ITS PURPOSE
Forbidden to Continue Business in
Virginia and the District.
INVESTIGATION UNDER WAY
Restoration Of License to Depend
Upon Showing Made Following
Inquiry at Richmond.

The United Order Of True Reformers,
said to be the largest colored fraternal
insurance organization in the world, own
ing an $4,000 building at 18th and l.
streets In this city, and having 60,0W
members throughout the United States,
has had its license suspended in the Dis
trict of Columbia by Daniel Curry act
ing superintendent of insurance Mr.
Curry's action followed quickly the re-
receipt of a copy of a similar order from
the insurance department of Virginia. the
grand fountain Of the order, having its
offices in Richmond.
Until the troubles with the state bank
ing and insurance officials of Virginia are
cleared up, no business may be
solicited in the District Of Columbia
Alleged Origin of Trouble.
The origin Of the trouble is stated to be
that the organization has been running a
bank of its own and depositing its own
money in its own bank, and also financing
a mercantile company with a chain of
stores.
Mr.. Curry has been following the af-
fairs Of the True Reformers very closely
ever since he learned that the order had
bank OF its own In Richmond. into
which the refOrmers' money was deposit
ed. When the bank went into the hands
or receiver October 2f he Immediately
started the wheels In motion. which re-
suited yesterday in a telegram to Joseph
Button. commissioner of insurance Of Vir-
ginia- Mr.. Button replied, confirming Mr.
Curry's views of the situation
Grand Fountain Notified.
Mr. Curry sent the following telegram
at once to the Grand Fountain at Rich
mond
This is to notify you that the license
OF the Grand Fountain. United Order Of
True Reformers, to transact business in
the District Of Columbia as fraternal
beneficial association is suspended pend
ing restoration of your license by the bu-
reau of insurance of Virginia You must
therefore cease transacting business for
said corporation in the District Of Column
must not under any circumstances initiate
members until your license is restored by
this department"
Before sending the Telegram, Mr. Curry
dolph. who told Mr.. Curry TO go right
ahead in anything that would protect
the people of the District
Strength of Order in District.
The United Order. Of True Reformers
has seventy-eight lodges in the District
and 1878 members. It owns property in
the city, according to the last statement
filed at the District building amounting
to $sOO0n. The order has been estab-
lished here great many years. Previous
to 1903 it did business in Washington al
though it was not licensed In that wear
a Ennr r.,
report made by Mr.. Curry as examiner
at that time he said the order was doing
business in twenty-five states. and vet
no insurance report Of any state made
any reference to it. He attributes that
state Of affairs to the fact that Virginia,
the state where the main office Is located.
had no insurance department at that
time. The fact that a bank was being
conducted in connection with the order
was mentioned in the report, and it was
advised that the exact relationship be-
tween the bank and the insurance busi-
ness should be ascertained
Copy of Virginia Order.
The copy of the order OF suspension
which reached Mr.. Curry from Rich
mond read as follows:
ITO the Grand United Order OF True
RefOrmers, W. P. BureI secretary.
Richmond. Va: This is to notify you
that the license Of the Grand United
Order OF True ReformerS to do business
in this state as a fraternal beneficiary
organization is suspended on account Of
the gross mismanagement. if not GRIM
inal negligence. of it's present and for
mer management in safeguarding it's
funds. The fees and dues for all ap-
plicantS for beneficial membership who
are initiated into the organization on
or after this date in lodges located in
the state OF Virginia must be immedi-
ately returned to the applicants.
mo application for beneficial member
ship in any branch of the association
must be considered nor any limitations
permitted within this state while this
order is effective. This order will re-
main effective until the affairs of the
Savings Bank Of the True Reformers and
Of the Reformers' Mercantile and Indus
trial Association are liquidated, either by
order OF the court or otherwise or until
the money on deposit in said bank and
other assets of the Grand United Order
of True Reformers in the possession of
said bank have returned to the associa-
ton. J. n. Brenaman, deputy commits
sinoer of insurance"
Statement by Supt Curry.
Mr.. Curry's statement as to his tele-
gram of suspension is in part as follows:
This action was taken as result of
similar action Of the Virginia insurance
department Oh the 18th ultimo after a de-
tailed investigation by the Virginia in
surance department and the state banking
authorities. The assistance of the bank
ing authorities was made necessary he
cause Of the fact that the insurance as
ISOLATION was operating the True Reform
ers' Savings Bank. a large financial instt-
tuition. 1t appears that the lack of knowl-
edge of banking methods was primarily
responsible for the troubles of the insur-
ance association
AT the local ofi1ce Of the True Reform
ers. at 18th and L streets northwest, the
janitor was found in charge this morning
W. r. Griffin. the general manager of the
organization for this district, being in
Richmond to attend meeting this morn
ing of the directors of the organization
He is expected to return home late this
afternoon.
Appointments in Postal Service.
Probationary aDnOintmenfS were ON