The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-12

qusnt Interruptions Of applause. II
reads In part:
'-rne gain In membership for the
year was 5.7s7. This gain was dis
tributed among twenty-nine State
divisions. One new division offered
no opportunity for comparisons. and
six divisions showed q loss aggre-
eating lis members.
THE work OF increasing the mem
bership during the year was partici-
pated In by hundreds of our men,
bers was well organized, and con-
Quoted at a very low per capita cost.
"A new division was created in the
State of Washington with q member
ship on April 80 OF II. There Is rea-
son to believe this number will be
increased to 500 during the current
year. On May /. 1918. the member
ship Of Oregon Washington division
was 664 On May l. 1915, the COM
bined membership OF the two divisions
was 776. gain OF 112.
Six new posts were organized dur
Ing the year In the following cities:
Rockhill. South Carolina. X: Con-
nersville, Ind. &C: Kinston. North
Carolina, W; Newbern, North Caro-
lima, w; Washington. North Caro-
lima, *; Brownsville, Tex. "A
Finances Good.
. "Our financial condition at the close
of the year was eminently satisfac-
tory.
The reserve fund has Increased
$7.888.15 as compared with s6.S31.36
the previous year. Not a dollar from
a temporary purpose.
The benefit fund on May / was
over $4,000. and was further aug
mented by the transfer OF $4,000
from the expense fund-the largest
transfer OF unused expense money in
the history OF the association.
THE net increase in assets for the
year as shown by the secretary's re-
port was s5s.616.s4, and the total
quick assets belonging to the associa-
ton was s2ss.l26.ss.
Per Capita Expense.
Fifteen years ago the per capita
expense was Isl l-3; ten years ago
1874: FIVE years ago 1.61 Ia. For the
year Just ended It was Las liam
other record br saker. The clerical
forces of the national once Ia now
efficiently serving $1,000 members at
practically the same salary expense
as when the membership was around
10000.
The claim department has been
handled in a manner that has pleased
those members who have been direct
ly interested. Promptness has been
the rule. delay the exception. and no
delay without cause. Indemnities
and death claims paid amounted to
1891. goo, or $50 per capita. as COM
pared with sss2.ooo the previous
year and 7.23 per capita
I'm November last 1t was our mis-
fortune to lose the services OF Ma
tional Director E. W. Rose, of st.
Louis. on account OF his removal to
Cleveland. This vacancy was prompt
~ Allied by the election Of Harry NJ.
M1ddagh, Of Post A. Missouri divt-
sion.
THE death of one of our national
officers Thomas r. Rhoades. of
Bloomington. Ill. nth national vice
regret during the year. In the pass
ing of our friend the association has
lost a member OF twenty-one years
standing. a man of sterling charac-
ter and Of unselfish service.
The finest expression of the years
work has not been the increase in
our membership and assets. but the
unity of purpose that made these re-
suits possible. It is almost literally
true that the concentrated wisdom of
the entire association was placed at
our disposal, and was freely used by
the officers with whom you placed the
responsibility OF caring for great
trust
Richmonders who attended the ma
tionai convention were: w. p. Grid
lin. W. l.. Brinkiey, r. P. Shifett. r.
NJ. Hunter. D. p. Powell. represent
ing Post A. and Sidney Fl. Ellarson.
besides Secretary Harvey L. HARDWOOD.
They inspected the famous stock
farm OF J. Crouch 4 Son at Lafayette,
and were greatly pleased with their
trip. Mr.. Crouch is an old virginian.
The farm is one of the greatest in
H.