The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-10-24
John L. Sunbeam Leader in
Fight Against Woodmen
Rates Speaks in kenosha.
MIIlEMDERS ARE STILL IN DOUBT
Des Moines Judge of the United States
Court Issues Injunction to Prevent
the New Rates Going Into Effect and
Long Fight in Court is on.

| More than two hundred of the mem
| bers of the Modern Woodmen of Ameri-
| ca met at Woodman Hall on Tuesday
night to discuss the question of rates
Of the order and for the first time since
the last meeting Of the head camp the
| Kenosha Woodmen came face to face
with the insurgUnt movement John L.
Sunbeam Of Wahoo, Neb., the real leader
Of the insurgent members of the organi-
cation was on hand to present his side
of the great rate fight and he presented
| it with vigor. He declared that the
| Chicago rate was unfair to the mem
bers in that they should be permitted
to accept the new rates as provided by
| the head camp at the age of entry and
not at the attained age as provided by
| the rules of the head camp. He urged
| the Wocdnten TO stick in Inc order and
| fight the battle as members Of the order.
Judge Max Heck of Racine, spoke for
the Chicago rates. He declared that he
was opposed to politics in the order and
that1for himself he had decided to take
a middle of the road course and remain
| loyal to the head camp and accept the
rates which had been provided He de-
clared that he regarded these rates fair
10 ha Of he O,.I6 4Ea4
they would furnish insurance at rate
| lower than could be offered by any of
| the old line companies. The visit of
5Qndean showed that there were. many
insurgents in the local camp and scores
Of these Joined in giving funds to aid
the fight against the rates, but all were
just as anxious to remain in the organi-
cation.
Judge G. E. Randall who had been the
representative of the local camp at the
meeting of the head camp in Chicago
conducted question box and he man
aged to clean up many of the objec-
tions to the new rates held by members
of the local camp.
The new rates are slated to 60 into
effect for old members the first of Jan
uary, but there is still doubt as to
whether or not the rates will get into
effect without referendum vote of all
the members of the order on them.
Judge Bradshaw in the equity divi-
sion of the District court of the United
States at Des Moines, Iowa, Tuesday,
held that the proposed changes in the
law governing the Modern Woodmen of
America is violation of the vested
contract rights of the members and is
null and void so far as it attempts to
change the rates without the consent
of the members.
The decision was in case brought
by the insurgent wing of the organiza-
ton to annul certain changes in the
articles of the association bylaws adopt
ed by the head camp of the Modern
Woodmen of America at an adjourned
session held in Chicago in January,
1912.
The court held, first, that under a
certificate of this character the holder
occupies toward the society dual re-
lation. AS a member of the corporation
he is bound by all its reasonable by
laws, whether they come into existence
before or after the issuance Of his GER
tifcate. AS person holding a con
tract with the society he stands on the
same footing as any other person MAX
ing contract with it.
"Second, the contract of insurance
consists of the certificate of application
for membership, the articles of asso-
citation, bylaws of the society and the
statutes of the state of Illinois relating
| thereto.
Third, the new law of the society
proposes to change both the rates and
plan Of insurance and both rate and
plan are part Of the members con-
tract
Fourth, there is no difference in
principle between reducing the amount
of benefit and increasing the price
charged for the benefit.
Fifth, the amendments to the arti
cles of Incorporation are illegal and void
because not adopted by a two-thirds
vote of the members. =