The Topeka state journal., 1919-12-24
Attorney General Files Drastic
Action Here Today.
Alleges Missouri National
American fnsOlvenf.i
A PLAN TO RAISE SALARIES
Charge That Merger Was to
Benefit Big Officers.
Asks For Call National LegisIa-
tive Body In June.

Suit to set aside the merger of tbs
knights and Ladies of Security with
the National American of Missouri
was filed late this afternoon in the
supreme court by Richard J. Hopkins.
attorney general 1t is alleged that
the merger OF the giant Topeka fra
ternal organization was With an in
solvent organization. The combina-
ton was effected, it is charged. mere
ly to permit increases in salaries to
officers of the knights and Ladies
and to evade assembling the Iegisia-
tive body of the Security order as re-
quired under the law.
Call legislative Body.
Charges against knights & Ladies
organization also assert that evasion
of duty is sought in the combination
which Hopkins would set aside under
court decree. The supreme court
is asked to direct that the national
legislative body OF the knights &
Ladies Of Security be called for next
June, and that the court further re-
fuse to recognize any detail OF the
merger
1t is asserted that all arrange
ments connected with the consolida-
ton scheme were for the purpose of
benefiting officers in extending their
powers, increasing their salaries and
to retain control of the society.
Other Efforts Made.
The petition is filed by Hopkins as
attorney general. Thru this course
the state is plaintiff in the suit against
the Knights & Ladies. The action is
tiled against the Knights & Ladies' and
not against the Security Benefit ssso-
citation. the new name assumed when
the merger was effected several weeks
ago.
Action today followed various ef-
iorts on the part of the attorney gen
eral TO block a merger plan of the
knights e. Ladies' OF Security with ar.
other society
No Chance for Individual.
Last spring Hopkins refused TO ap-
prove plan which would have re-
suited in a merger of the knights and
Ladies and the FrateTnal Aid, biz
fraternai organization with headquar-
ters in Lawrence. This action aroused
much feeling in ranks of officers of
the Topeka organization.
In his petition today Hopkins as
serts that the individual members of
the Knights and Ladies have had no
voice In the proceedings which re
suited in the amalgamation. He asks
that before any merger be completed
that referendum vote be taken.
i Local Council Endangered.
! Suit was fastened this afternoon. r.
was stated. in order to protect the
charter of local branch of the
knights and Ladies. This organiza tion
/ known as Chapter No. /. was threat
ened with loss of its charter tonight.
according to reports sent to the attor-
ney generals office.
The law under which the merger
was effected is declared by Hopkins
| to be invalid. This position is taken
, in view of the fact that no referendum
= vote is provided.
Salaries to $4,000 Yearly.
tits also stated I'm the petition that
the next regular meeting of the Sc
! curity Legislative body would be held
| in June, 1920. Under the merger. IT
! is charged that efforts are being made
! to forestall the 1920 meeting and TO
set the date ahead at least three years.
\ thus permitting existing officers TO re-
main in control.
I It is also charged that salaries OF
secretary and president of the Secur-
/ ity society have been increased IL
legally from $1,000 to $500 a year.
! and under the assumed new charter
might be increased to $4,000 year.
This action is asserted te be in strict
| vfolatian of the state laws affecting
! fraternal organizations and their man
agement.
Salaries of trustees and executiys
committee members have been prac-
tfcalIy doubled, it is charged Former
pay was IS to $40 a day. Now these
officers receive SIS day, the petition
recites.
The entire proceedings surrounding
I the merger is declared to have been
| for the purpose Of violating the will %
the individual membership of the So
J cfetv and is in bad faith.