Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-06-22

now cease, making II possible for the
society to at once begin what will OBJ
viously be a long. hard uphill Tight to
regain It's lost prestige in numbers.
While. OF course, we cannot hope
that the troubles of the organization
Will end at once, there is reason to be
lieve that the head camp has aocomp-
lished something in the direction OF
permanent peace and the eventual sat
isfactory settlement of all pending is
| sues.
Laying aside the question as to
whether the head camp was truly rep
resentative there can be no doubt that
It was controlled by a majority OF the
delegates who were lawfully entitled
to seats in 1t. and that the minority
had fair hearing and was enabled to
get its case read into the records, at
least.
To one on the ground, viewing the
proceedings without prejudice, it was
apparent that the great body of dele
gates were safe men, honestly and
sincerely seeking to do the best pos
sible for the society. The proceedings
were in the main orderly and decor
Gus. far more so than might have been
]
The few statements calculated to pro-
long the personal conflict which
slipped into the records were nearly
all eXpunged from them during the
course of the meeting, and there was
manifest disposition by both fac
tons to keep the radicals and hot
heads off the floor, and to suppress
their outbursts. Insurgent leaders
especially deserve great credit for
their success in this direction. The
result should be a better understand
ing all around.
Chance for New Start.
Both sides expressed the belief that
the present rates will suffice till such
time as it is possible to make a perma-
nent revision. The great majority
were opposed to any revision not ade-
quate and it was agreed that the sub
ject was not one for hasty action.
Given three years under the old rates
and with all pulling together it is be-
lieved that the society can regain its
lost members and get in shape to
weather any future storms which are
likely to arise.
The number of doctors" with "ade-
quate" remedies which the rate dis
cussion brought forward was positive
ly appalling and if they had been given
unlimited freedom to deal with the
patient there would have been very lit
tie hope for ii. Men with rate plans
which they had worked out and wished
to present popped up all over the
house. One of them, a typical case,
said: Il have been working on this
table for three years and it is absolute
ly right" He evidently was perfectly
sincere in the belief that none of the
actuaries who have made mortality
tables a life study could teach him |
anything. 1t still remains for the so |
ciety to run the gauntlet of these
home grown experts.
Northcott on Guard.
Insurgents both in the head camp |
assured by the attitude which Past
Head Consul Northcott took. None
who heard him speak question his sin
certify and no one doubts that he is
He watched proceedings
closely from beginning to end, calling
" SNCis punt ne
deemed vital and his advice was heed
ed in nearly every instance. While he
was outspoken for the Chicago rates
he personally had the entire confidence
Of both sides and had it not been that
he is an old man whose span of life
and whose strength are limited there
Is little doubt that he would have been
able to lead both factions into COM
plete accord.
Those who may not be entirely
pleased with the result of the election
If head officers must at least concede
hat the affairs of the society are still
n the hands of men of experience and
who have brought it through other
storms and are responsible for its up
Furthermore. the fact
should not be overlooked that every
hing they do is open to receive the
scrutiny of AZ state insurance depart
nents, any one of which would be
luick to correct any serious deviation
rom honest or safe methods of trans
Icting the business of the organiZa-
ion. II such safeguards as these
mean nothing to the average member
hen, of course, the .Woodmen and :
very other fraternal insurance So
iety has reason to be gravely appre-
Iensive of the future.
Time to Boost.
Rock Island Woodmen have espe
ial cause TO drop their differences ,
nd do what they can to insure the
ociety's perpetuity and to keep this /
ity still the home of the greatest j
insurance organization in /
he world. Even though they may
AXE issue with those conducting c
he society's affairs they should /
ear IN mind the fact that in {
l0st cases their interests as citizens O
( Rock Island in reality outweigh S
heir interests as members of the
fodern Woodmen and for this reason, c
! for no other, they owe it to them a
elves to drop their personal differ C
noes and again become boosters. as h
Z old. a