The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-08-16
SCORES MERGERS OF a
FRATERNAL SOCIETIES



less the societies would agree, legis-
lation In the nature OF a force bin
would be pressed by the insurance
commissioners.
The outcome of the New York con-
ference was a compromise rendered
by some OF the representatives OF the
fraternal societies, which In brief, pro-
vided that those societies at present
not having adequate rates OF contribu-
ton. might be allowed. within a rea-
sonable time, TO progress to a condi-
tion OF solvency. This compromise Is
Incorporated In the revised tentative
I'll, which will be- before this con-
gress for discussion and action.
Your executive committee stood
firmly Tor the principles of the Ma
tional Fraternal Congress, as hereto
fore enunciated. They decided, how.
ever, TO report upon the compromise
sections OF the bill to this congress
and are agreed that the revised ten
tative bill, under the circumstances.
Is the best that can be secured and
Will insure the united cooperation OF
all fraternals In the enactment into
law OF uniform bill"
High Finance 10 drilled.
Concerning the mergers Of fraternal
societies, which he referred to as
"scandalous transactions" President
Cannon said: Regardless OF the
rights Of members. promoters Of high
finance have undertaken to merge
the memberships of different orgapiza-
lions. The main object seemingly has
been TO gobble the funds Of these so
cieties, pay large commissions TO the
merger promoters and entirely ignore
the rights Of the members. These
transactions have been ventilated In
the courts with no credit to the par
ties concerned and have given occa-
sion to the enemies of the fraternal
system to decry the whole system as
unsafe and unsound. AS conse-
quence, the good name of the frater-
nails In general has been assailed and
1t Is my opinion, therefore, that this
congress should take some action or
give some expression as to Its posi-
ton on the merging of fraternal so
cieties."
Cooperation between the congress
and the Associated Fraternities In It'll
CATION affecting fraternal insurance In
general was mentioned by President
Cannon. Important decisions In New
York, Iowa and Texas were reviewed:
The organization OF an association or
the general counsel of fraternal So
cieties in both the N. F. G. and A. r.
Of A. camps was announced.
commensurate Mr-GoMer,
stands for adequate rates to proper
ly finance a fraternal society, and the
lodges which belong to the congress
are anxious for such regulation. On
the other hand, the Associated Fra
ternities of America Is composed OF
lodges which want to be left alone
lodges which do not want any change
in their financial system. Until the
Associated Fraternities OF America
sees It's way clear to come around
to our way of running affairs l do
not see much chance for the proposed
union"
The congress had the honor Of
opening the new convention hall OF
tho Pontchartrain. 1t 10 q large, airy
and we'll ventilated hall, beautifully
decorated in pleasing tints and colors,
and provided with individual. gold
tinted chairs. The acoustic proper
ties OF the hall are also all that could
be desired.
Congress Has Fat Balance.
The report of the secretary treas
urer, c. A. Cover, of Lansing, show
ed that the congress has a balance
of $3,125.70 on hand. During the past
year the disbursements were $6,-
31454.
The secretary also reported that
the Knights OF the Modern Macca-
bees, the w. o. w, Pacific jurisdic-
tion) and the Union Fraternal league
had withdrawn from the congress
during the year; also that, inasmuch
as nothing had been heard from the
Woodmen circle, 1t was presumed
that that body was no longer in the
congress.
Speaking with Times reporter
before the convention opened, Mr..
Cover said he didn't think there was
any immediate likelihood of the Ma
tional Fraternal congress and the As
ISOLATED Fraternities of America be-
ing amalgamated, az suggested.
Bill Wide In Scope.
The regulative bill to which Presi.
dent Cannon referred Is one pre-
pared by committee of State In
surance commissioners for the con
troll of the fraternal societies. f.
nances. The bill Is wide In its scope
and tends to protect the members of
all fraternal societies In every re-
spect. Among its provisions are the
following:
That after Dec. 81. 1918, every so
ciety shall file an annual report with
the insurance commissioner, showing
the net value of outstanding certif
Gates, copy OF which shall be fur
nished each member or published In
the lodge paper.
That IL the valuation of certificates
In force in any society on Dec. 81
1917, shows a degree Of solvency less
than 70 per cent, such society Alall
be required within q year to take such
action as will raise its assets to &c
per cent Of It's liabilities.
That every society which shows less
than 80 per cent of solvency shall be
obliged to show a reduction OF its de
fciency of not less than five per cen,
of It's total deficiency at each trienniaI
valuation thereafter.
That II any society fails to show the
improvement required in any succeed
Inc txf ~