Evening journal., 1916-03-11
A. ]. HYbAND TALKS ON
HEPTASOPHS rates
Prominent Railroad Man
Discusses EffeCtSand Rea-
sons for the Increase
SAYS ORDER IS NOW
ON A SOUND BASIS

A. j. Hyiand. trainmaster at French
Street Station. who is a prominent
member Of the Improved Order OF
Heptasophs. has made, statement TO
THE EVENING JOURNAL. relative
to the recent increase Of rates OF that
fraternity. THE EVENING JOURNAL
recently published an article to the
effect that many Of the older members
OF the order were much dissatisfied
with the change. Mr. Hyland's state
ment follows:
Being a member OF the Improved
Order lieptasophs. / read the article
published in your paper Friday. Feb
ruary 25, relative to the raise Of rates.
and while hesitate to enter into a
debate through the medium of your
widely circulated paper yet ] thought
II would be well for satisfied mem
Der to say something on the other
side of the question. hoping you would
give il the same prominence you did
the previous article. which was sub
staAtially correct. except i'm a few
minor details. ] will not hide my
identity behind letter or q number,
as did the author Of the notice you
published i'm which dissatisfied mem
bers were invited TO address "W-15"
70 learn something to their interest.
but will address you over my own
name"
1T has been my privilege to con-
verse with many OF our members and
explain to them the cause and effect
OF the new table of rates adopted in
the special convention at Harrisburg
Pa. October 2S and 20, 1915. and I
found when they understood the
matter the dissatisfaction was very
much modified. if not entirely elimin-
ated. and IL appeals to me that if the
members who have permitted them
selves to lapse, thus forfeiting their
protection. had taken the trouble to
visit their respective conclaves, or
call upon some member thereof who
was familiar with the subject. their
action would have been entirely diff
ferent. There is no doubt there has
been considerable harsh criticism
from some OF the members, which
was most assuredly brought about by
insufficient knowledge of the question
as we all know Unjust inference
usually follows upon insufficient
knowledge"
Il is not within my province, nor is
il my intention to find fault with the
members who decided to drop the pro-
lection for their families, but non
estlv think those who have done Sc
were not wise. and should have, al
least. placed themselves in a position
10 receive full knowledge Of the az
fairs Of this organization before de
priving their families Of the protec'
tion which had been thrown arounC
them for so many years. at rate O
payment per month which was toe
low to meet the liabilities, and my
sympathy goes out to those deprived
of this protection. Some former mem
Der may say. Il paid all they asked
me-" That IS true But il was no
the fault Of the management OF Tho
improved Order HeptasOphs that d
was not placed on the National Fra
fernal Congress Table OF Rates m
teen years ago. as the supreme Off
GERS. and many Of the representatives
from the subordinate conclaves mad'
every effort within their power &c
have the n f. c. table Of rates adopt
cd i'm 1901 but the represen'
tatives from the subordinate con
claves. who were opposed to this
were so much in the majority that thu
change could not be made in conse
ouence OF which compromise tabl
was adopted. which, as explained b,
the actuaries present, would not b
sufficient to perpetuate the order. AM
that nothing less than the y. f. {
table Of rates would do so. Thi
prophecy came true. and it becam
absolutely necessary to adopt tn
table effective January l. 1916 in
order to place the order on an aC
tuariy sound basis"
"In explaining the different options
which were placed before the mem
bers. with the adoption Of the y. +. {
Table Of Rates, / will give you briefl
the effect on a member with whom
am we'll acquainted: He has a -Four
thousand Dollar policy and. prior
January, 1916, his assessment wa
1854 per month. He found If he az
cepted Option 40. 1. which brougi
him to his attained age (61 years
his rate of payment on the y. F.
table OF rates would be S1S4S pc
month. or. il he accepted Option NJ
>. he would continue to pay his oil
rate Of S7.64 per month, but woul
have lien upon his policy
S1.39332. this amount being the d'
dciency in his payments to meet h
liabilities during the 10 years he wa
a member Of the order. or. he coul
have taken Option No. 3, continue
pay his previous rate of $764 pC
month. which at his age would onl
have paid for S1.3S131 protectio
However. he accepted Option No.
feeling that il was good inves
ment Even better than depositir
this amount of money i'm a Savinj