The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-08-28
THE rRATERNAL SCRAP
Fight Between .New Era. and Other
Beneficial Societies Renewed

DtutnttAt Iottttto sst"t WV
Michigan has been the battle ground
for the past two years of an interest
ing fight between a society known as
the New Era" and the other benefi-
cial organizations such as the Macca-
bees. woodmen, Yeomen. etc.
The fraternalists claim that the
New Era" is backed by the old line
insurance companies and that its at
tempts to put the beneficial organiza-
tiofs in the hole is the result OF war
declared against fraternal beneficiary
societies by the old line companies. To
do this the companies dare not come
out in the open but fight behind the
New Era.
The first move was made by the
New Era in the constitutional amend
ment which would practically anul
the Mobile law which puts fraternal
beneficiary societies under the control
OF the state, that was beaten last
spring after the fraternals had formed
an organization and made a close can
vass OF the state.
The fraternals made the next move
In law enacted by the last legisla-
ture to forbid any society doing bust
ness as a fraternal beneficiary unless
1t had ritual This hit at the New
Eta which is said to have no such a
condition.
The New Era Immediately got busy
and sought referendum and they
have been successful in getting the
requisite number OF signatures for
when the time limit expired Monday
afternoon. 1t had on file more than
enough names 10 send the law to the
people at the next general election.
Secretary Vaughn will promulgate
the order for the public staying the
operation OF the law, unless the courts
stop him. The enemies OF the New
Era are preparing court papers to In
validate the petitions.
This is the first time the referen-
dunn has been tiled in Michigan and
everybody is doubtful how to pro-
coed Secretary Vaughn. with the as
sistance OF the attorney generals de-
partment. will draw up the notice to
the people AS It is the first TO be
drawn under the constitutional amend
ment passed in April, 1913. great care
will be exercised
More than likely the courts may be
called upon to prohibit the issuance OF
that proclamation. The objections OF
the New Era foes are TO the petitions
from Kent and Wayne counties and
the methods by which they were Sc
cured. In letters TO Mr. Vaughn, those
lighting for the law have insisted that
the petitions from Kent county are
full OF forgeries, that they contain the
names OF voters who do not reside In
Kent county and that the election pre-
cincts on the petitions were filled In by
persons other than the original
signers. whereas the law says the
signer must hll in everything
The Wayne county petitions, II is
said. are open to the same objections
and the plan now will be TO starr some
court action by which the petitions In
their entirety can be reviewed. One
way to do this would be to ask for
restraining order against the secretary
OF state to prevent his issuing the
proclamation.
Clerks In the secretary OF states
Office counted about 24.6OO names. or
practically 200 more than the number
required This was done in order 10
make allowance for Implications.
This Is the first time the New Era
people have won anything in the wide
spread fight between the fraternal in
surance societies.