The Washington times., 1914-12-22
WOULD PROBE SICK
BENEFIT COMPANIES
Georgetown Citizens Want Pro-
tetcion for Poor in Matters
of Insurance.


surance organizations. demands for a
municipality owned and operated
waste disposal system, and a unani-
nous stand for the present form IF
government in the District. without
hsnge except after careful considera-
ion by a commission especially ap-
'ointed by Congress or the President,
eatured the meeting of the George
own Citizens Association in the Po-
omac Bank building last night
With little debate, the association
cted unanimously on a resolution by
rank P. Leetch, deploring the action
the House in passing the johnson
mendmenI to the District appropria-
on bill. The resolution as passed
d. as follows:
"Resolved: That the Georgetown
'itizen's Association, in public meet
aE assembled, does hereby deplore
nc action of the House of Represen-
ttives in passing the Johnson amend
rent to the District appropriation
III, designed to abrogate the half
I'd half plan and the provisions IF
ne organic act of 1873, and reaffirms
Is position in favor Of the present
orm Of government and desires to so
"a record, as opposed to any chanSe
icing made in the organic act with
aut careful consideration being given
The whole subject by a special COM
mission to be appointed by Congress
by the President"
Suffrage In District.
The question of suffrage in the Dis
,rict ives precipitated By communiac-
on from the committee of forty, ask
ng the association to take action After
lively discussion and some opposition.
his communication was referred to the
legislative committee of the association
or consideration and report at the next
Meeting. The association did not COM
it itself.
- The contract system Of city waste col
cctIon was roundiy scored by DR.. II. z.
mes. L. s. N, retired, who declared
hat no municipality had ever succeed
d under the contract system. DR..
,mes served notice that he would bring
ne matter up for discussion and action
the assoc alton at the next meet
gg. He maintained that the present
ystem was unsatisfactory to citizens
I'D to the Commissioners, and was I'M
uccessful. Officials in the District
.lilding are tied down by the present
i-ws. and We should do our utmost to
elp," he sad, in relieving such an
unsatisfactory situation"
An Investigation of the laws and
harters of certain sick benefit insur-
nee organizations that have an extern
i've patronage among the poor, both
hte and colored. was asked by B. A.
;owles. in a resolution directing the
rEislative committee to take the mat
~ up with the commissioner of in
urance.
Mr.. Bowles alleged that sick benefits
% many unfortunates were defeated be-
rause of lack of understanding on their
art of methods to obtain benefits under
heir contracts or polio es. He cited the
ase of a colored woman, who had been
ARRIVING a sick benefit policy in one
F1TN -.
vas in desperate circumstances" Mr..
'owles said. and. discovering that she
'ad been paid no money on her sick
,eneit policy. ] invest gated and learn
that the association would pay her
or the time she was ILL., but only from
he moment of receipt by the associa-
ion of notice Of Illness"
The woman was too sick to take any
ction. Mr.. Bowles declared. and did
~ know what to do to get the benefits
7onised in her nolicy. I'VE must" he
90 ntinued 10 all IN our power to pro-
lact the less fortunate. who. because
= ignorance. lack of comprehension
nd understanding, fail to get the bene-
Is for which thew paw. 1t seems to
~ that such policy may be the cause
widespread injustice"
ThouFh there was some protest on the
ound that such benefit policies were
rsWn under the law. a resolution was
unanimously passed asking for an in
my ana report BE IHe legislative COM
'ittee. Mr.. Bowles declaring that he
orid do his utmost 10 change the in
rance laws. II necessary
Want Swimming Pool.
Chairman Leetch. Of the executive
,-mmittee. called attention to the fact
lat provision for a swimming pool in
georgetown was not carried IN the Dis
let appropriation bill. and he. with
her members of the executive com
Ittee. were authorized to appear be-
re Congress and make the proper rep
'sentations on behalf Of the associa-
ION. ASKING for the location OF a pool
i the playground at Thirty-third street
nd Volta place.
On motion Of Frank a. Kerr. the as
citation liberation
Re question of the speed Of cars on
'iscorsin avenue hill. Mr. Kerr de-
AIRED the heavy interurban cars rah
WI this hll in all kinds Of weather
a speed of from twenty to twenty
e miles an hour ard asked the as
citation TO take steps looking to 4 cor
elton of this condition. In the dis
rsSion that followed DR. Aues de-
AIRED that only last SUNDAY A. X
3 rris had saved the lives Of three little
liIdren I'm O street b. hating them as
.ey were about to pass from behind
o standing automobiles in front of a
pioly moving motor car.
The proceedings Of the association
re enlivened by much parliamentary
scussion, President Doyle being in
tent strict rTfar9aDr2---