Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1916-01-26
WIDE EFFECT IN
/ HOUSE PROBE OF
BENEFIT FUNDS
Many FraternaI Organizations
Would BE Investigated Un-
der Berry Resolution.

From "A stan Correspondent.
TRENTON, Jan. 26.-Hith the time
limit for the Introduction or bills in
the legislature moved up to the geek
of February IA, total of 154 measures
have made their appearance in the
Assembly. Thirteen bills were depos-
tied in the hopper at yesterday after
moons session. while two measures.
} Nos. 10 and 81. were reported and
passed on second readings
No. 10 is the second of the series of
bills offered by the Municipal Financ-
ing Commission through its chairman,
Assemblyman Arthur n. Pierson. 1t
would impose a penalty upon munich
politics for failing to pay their county
taxes on December %, the same as in
dividuals are fined for neglecting to
pay their muicipal taxes when due.
No. 81 was sponsored by Assembly
man Emmor Roberts, of Burlington.
II regulates the sale of agricultural
seeds, requiring that the manufac-
turer show in the label the amount OF
goods contained in the package. 1t
also gives the managers of the New
Jersey Agricultural and Experiment
Station the power to appoint State
seed analyst, appropriating $4,000 for
that purpose.
A bill introduced by Assemblyman
George !. Brackner increases the sala-
lies of freeholders from Sl.500 to $4,000,
with an additional $500 for the direc-
tor. The county supervisor is raised
from $500 to $4,000
Alexander Simpson introduced the
perennial bill to license cats. Carlton
+. Godfrey introduced a bill designed
TO distribute State funds more equit-
ably among the banks. In view of
The fact that the Republicans are
about to take hold of the State treas
urer's office, this bill created some
comment. A number of other bills of
more than passing interest were in
troduced.
To Probe FraternaI Societies.
Assemblyman William p Berry
RESOLUTIONS for the investigation OF
fraternal beneficial societies are eX
pected to create wide interest Mr..
Berry declares that only societies not
properly conducted would be hit. The
resolutions follow:
Whereas, Complaint has frequently
been made that certain organizations,
societies, associations and corpora
lions organized under the act of the
Legislature concerning corporations
not for pecuniary profit and other
acts of the Legislature, are transact
ing and engaging in the business of
insurance, issuing health, accident and
life insurance policies or certificates
: br by means of feigned r1tual1stlc
or lodge form of organization are ac-
lively engaged in the business of in
surance, and are making but a color
able compliance with the acts OF the
Legislature Incorporating them, and
Whereas, Such business is trans
acted and conducted without any of
the statutory safeguards placed
around insurance companies, and
hence does not furnish adequate pro-
lection to the policy-holders and bene-
ficiaries under such certificates. and
Whereas, Great advantage has been
taken by individuals and organiza-
'eions of the failure of the Legislature
TO properly provide for a system OF
supervising and controlling funeral
benefit associations, benefit societies
and insurance associations. and
Whereas, Many of the policy-hold-
ers in such associations or organiza-
tions believe that the incorporation OF
such bodies is an incorporation in
regular form to write insurance, ana
that the companies, therefore, are
under the regulation and control of
the department of banking and insur-
ance, and hence feel degree of safety
not warranted by the facts, the said
dassociation not being under any ade-
quate supervision, regulation or con-
troll and
Whereas, Frequent scandals have
arisen as a result of the lack of proper
regulation, supervision and control.
and the further exercise of powers not
granted them by the Legislature by
virtue of their incorporation as an
association mot for pecuniary proflt,
or ritualistic body. and
whereas, most of these associa-
tions operate in the poorer sections of
our cities and among the poorer people
and have no proper resources,
4 Resolved, by the House of Assem-
bly, (the Senate concurring), that
committee of five members of the
House of Assembly be appointed by
the speaker to make a thorough in
Vestigation into the matters and
things mentioned in the foregoing pre-
amb1e. to examine into the methods
Of conducting business by the funeral
benefit associations. the benefit soci-
cites or organizations, and the organ
zations assuming to do business un-
der ritpalistic form of government.
The committee shall have power to
sit during the sessions of the House
Of Assembly. and after tho adjourn
ment thereof, to subpoena witnesses
and to require the production of
books. records, documents vouchers
and all papers necessary or conYen-
lent to the prosecution of this inquiry;
and to compel the attendance of such
witnesses and the production of such
books, records, documents. vouchers
and papers by subpoena served upon
the secretary of state, or upon the
proper officers Of such organizations,
associations, or societies when no re-
port is made to or filed with the said
secretary of state. The committee
shall further have power to compel
the proper production of original
books. records, documents. or papers
belonging to insurance associations
or societies admitted to do business in
this State, but kept out of the State,
and to appoint counsel and other