The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-02
WOODMEN TO HAVE
REFERENDUM ON
INCREASE OF RATES
Officers of WOodmen's De-
Tense Association Call on
Members of Order to
Join in Movement

A referendum as to whether the pro-
posed increase OF assessment rates of the
Woodmen of the World is being agi-
.ated and local members of the order
nave started the movement to submit
The proposition to the several camps of
the state.
The local woodmen have organized a
having for its purpose the defeat of the
proposed measure. and it's officers have
ssued the following statement:
To the Alabama woodmen of the World
and Woodmen Circle:
The Alabama Woodmen Defense asso-
citation formed with headquarters at
birmingham. ana composed of represent
atives of various camps in the state.
which have elected representatives. in the
association, is cooperating with Wood
men of the states of West Virginia, Illi-
nois Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma,
Texas and Florida in fighting the in
crease in rates and the unreasonable
rules and regulations adopted at Chicago
in July, 1918
1t appears that section of the law of
Nebraska authorizes referendum to the
members of the order voting in their
camps upon the question whether or not
said advance in rates shall take effect,
with the provision, that upon a petition
Of 10 per cent of the members of the
order. the taking effect CT the rates shall
DC suspended until they are approved by
majority of all the members of the
order in the VARIOUS states. Referendum
etitons are now being circulated and
are being extensively signed by the mem
ters in the states mentioned, as well as
"A Alabama. and 1t is expected soon to
1eeure enough names to obtain the right
of the members to vote upon the new
rates.
1t is earnestly urged that camps in the
late of Alabama that have not already
begun the process of securing signatures
o a petition should at once correspond
nth the undersigned. who can furnish
hem with forms Of petitions, and in
'tructions how to proceed in obtaining
signatures, and having the same prop
srly certified.
The organizations of the other states
gnder the lead of Missouri have also
decided to file suit in Nebraska, at
aeking the legal validity of the new
rates, and have an investigation of the
affair CT the sovereign camp and its off
cers. The Alabama Woodmen Defense
association will also cooperate in this
s1it The movement is headed by the
lead consul OF the state of Missouri, who
hds called a meeting for November Is,
at Sodalia, Mo-, of the leaders in the
eight against the advanced rates from
III the states hereinabove mentioned, and
the Alabama Defense association will
send representative to attend that
meeting. and get in full touch with the
movement that is now active in the
northwest and southeast.
All camps in sympathy with our efforts
that have not already taken action, are
urged to elect delegates to become mem
oers of the Alabama Defense association.
and to correspond with the officers of
said association. with view to enlisting
the members actively in supporting their
efforts TO defeat the burdensome and I'M
reasonable rates. which threaten great in
jury to the order everywhere and to Sc
cure a referendum to the members
thereon.
Yours respectfully,
ALABAMA WOODMEN DEFENSE AS
SOCIATION
BY DR.. II. A. Elkourie. president
BY Samuel D. Weakley,
Chairman ,of Executive Compittee.