Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-01-21
WO0DMEN RATE INCREASE WILL
AWAIT ACTION NEXT HEAD CAMP


question and advise the society and
its members of the right of the soci-
ETY. to readjust it's rates and the limi
tations, if any, that are placed upon
H. by the law.
The executive council keenly ap-
preciates the fact of unrest in our
society, occasioned by the action of
the Chicago head camp in adopting
| the new rate bylaws based upon our
own experience, and that our member
ship is divided upon the necessity for,
and the extent of an Increase of rates.
| The next head camp must necessarily
consider this vital proposition.
/ The strong, progressive men with
unbiased minds, and steady purpose
to do equity and justice, who shall
/ constitute the next head camp, will
be able to so. legislate and provide
a feasible plan of operation touch
ing our mortuary contributions, as
shall promote the general welfare and
make permanent our great society.
Your head officers have always con-
tended that the members have a right
to contro. the society, and this is true
whether the act of control is express
ed in relation to rates or other mat
ters concerning the welfare of the
society. This control has always bcan
effective through our representative
form of government, enabling the
views of the membership to be re-
f1ected by the action of the head camp
delegates through our system of coun-
~ and state camps. The executive
council confidently believes that the
supreme court of Illinois viii reverse
the decree entered by the circuit
court of Sangamon county, Ill, gener-
ally known as the decree of Judge
Shirley, and hold that the revision as
made by the head camp is reasonable
and necessary and that the action TAX
en- was authorized by law 1t is ap-
parent. however. from what has al
ready been said, that it will only be
short time between the reaching of
a decision by the supreme court of
Illinois and the converting of the 1914
head camp The executive council
does not believe that the society can
= be benefited by attempting to put
the new rates into force even though
the decision Of the supreme court
would authorize that action, in view
Of the fact that the head camp of 1914,
which would convene shortly after,
would have full power to repeal the
bylaws fixing those rates and Gdopt
an entirely new schedule and classi-
fcation This could only result in
large expenditure of money by the
society in employing a force in the
head Office necessary to transfer the
members and make proper arrange
ments for the enforcement of the
rates, and would also result in much
/ confusion and misunderstanding on
the part of the members.
AWAIT HIGH COURT.
This being the situation, the ex,
ecutive council, by this statement, ad-
, vises the membership that if the de
cision OF Judge Shirley is carried to
the appellate court and from there to
the supreme court. there will be no
attempt by the executive council to
put the rates adopted at the Chicago
the meeting OF the 1914 head camp
. although the decision of the supreme
, court of Illinois may have the effect
of reversing the decree and uphOlding
the right of the society TO readjust
=. the rates. This decision having beer
reached by the executive council, moth
ing can be accomplished except the
Of hz- hrin Gin n
other suits 10 restrain the putting into
. effect Of the Chicago rates, and any
member who brings such action, mus
necessarily do so, not from a desire
:. to benefit the society, but must bt
!, actuated by other motives. /: Is i'm
portant that the membership give care
:, full consideration to the condition o
. the society and especially its assess
: ment rates, between now and th'
. time when delegates are selected fo
the county. state and head camp
Of 1914, and the executive council
\ urges upon the membership that thi
= be done and after a study of the stu
>, alton and rates. that the membership
% advise their delegates fully and expliC
. lily as to the action that should b.
taken regarding the readjustment o
:, rates at that head camp. The decision
: OF the Illinois supreme court will VI
% doubtedly advise the society and tn
a membership Of the right and power o
. the head camp to readjust the rate
n and with this, information, and tn
!, delegates coming direct from the mem
bership with knowledge Of thei
=, wishes. the action taken by the mex
n head camp ought TO reflect the vii
=. and desire Of the membership and b
=, within the law as announced by tn
= supreme court OF Illinois.
With this statement, all discussion
regarding the wisdom OF the actio
taken by the Chicago head camp an
the abuse OF those with differer
< opinions, ought to end, and every men
- Der of the society should give som
= time 10 a study Of its condition an
~ needs. and put forth every effort t
build up the society by the acquisitiO
of new members. and let US all 90 I
- the 1914 head camp united in our el
deavors to do what we believe is fC
81, hrE a. - y hur