People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1894 — INDIANA STATE ALLIANCE. [ARTICLE]

INDIANA STATE ALLIANCE.

Business Address to the Order by the Executive Officers. Ta t’i:‘A’Hance Brotherhood in the Statapf Indiana.—Greeting. The executive officers of the State Alliance having a deep sense of the responsibility of 7 the positions entrusted to them b . by the last state council, unite in this personal and official address to the membership, and we request that each one receiving a copy will call the attention of other friends to this letter. We have been able to secure the addresses of only a portion of the former secretaries, and hence, especially urge that you call a meeting of all your former Alliance members and lay before them this communication for their action and reply. r A definite and clearly understood plan for action is necessary for a re organization, and if we would find a suitable plan, it is necessary that we understand the causes for the present state of disorganization. The chief cause (and it may almost be said, the only cause) for the present unsatisfactory condition of our order in this state, is a failure to avail ourselves of the beneficial features 'of the order that are within our reach. These may be briefly summarized as follows: 1. The purchasing agency, by which many times the cost of membership may be saved to every active member. This is now in operation and members can obtain full particulars by addressing the state secretary. 2. The “Aid Degree” or life insurance and beneficiary department, through which a safe and sound life insurance is placed within the reach of a large mail -jority of members that are now unable to obtain insurance on J , account of its excessive cost,

and also to reduce the cost to j those now carrying insurance I policies. 3. A mutual Fire and Stock I Insurance under the direction i and control of the State Alliance, i This feature is now in operation •in some states and is giving enj tire satisfaction, making a sav- : ing of fully three-fourths of the : amount that is usually paid for I fire and stock insurance. This i feature will be introduced in Indiana as soon as the ordeois re- ; instated with a fair portion of I its former strength. Regarding the Aid Degree, a I short explanation is desirable ■ for the information of those w’ho I are in good standing and also * for those who have allowed their j membership to lapse. The National Alliance aid has been operating under the control of the National Alliance for nearly two years (since March, 1892) and the membership of the degree has increased in this time from 784 to more than 3,500, and they have paid death and accident benefits during 1893 amounting to 813,250. The entire expense of collecting and distributing this sum and the expense of pushing the work into new fields has been, all told, but about sl.lO per member, while the old line eastern companies cost their members in the one item of “operating expenses” alone about SIO.OO per SI,OOO of insurance or $20.00 per member on the average. Following is a statement showing the comparative cost of life insurance in the three Old Line companies, and the Aid Degree. The report are for 1892 as the returns for 1893 are not yet complied. Cost of carrying Age of Members. SI,OOO 25 yrs. 35 yrs. 45 yrs. New York Mutual S2O 20 $27 10 $39 10 Equitableof N. Y. 20 50 27 10 39 10 , Northwestern Mutual 19 03 20 49 38 46 I Nat. Alliance Aid 550 (J 75 875 (In ’92-93)

With this most satisfactory showing in the way of practical results your officers are desirous of placing these benefits, in all the departments referred to above, within the reach of all the farmers in the state, and to secure this, we ask the personal co-operation of every man and woman in the state who reads this address. We desire to inaugurate a system of county meetings where all may come, and meet a special lecturer who will explain more fully the manner of securing to the fullest extent the advantages offered. YOU are requested to cut outthe blank attached below, answer the questions asked so far as you can do so, and mail it the next time you visit the post office, to C. Vincent, 371 West Market street, Indianapolis. Ind. Mr. Vincent is the state organizer, and when the answers are all in he -will take the necessary steps to organize or reorganize all the localities calling for it, and as rapidly as it can be done. In carrying out this plan the membership are expected to see tly/ the expenses of the lecturer Anorganizer are provided, and Jso some renumeration for his ti'ie. The questions are not intended alone for those who are or who have been officers of the Alliance, but answers are asked from all persons that have the welfare of the farmers at heart, and are willing to assist in restoring the former prosperity of the order. Under the present constitution, we may organize in towns of less than 5,000 population, and we trust that our membership will remember this and avail themselves of the opportunity wherever it can be done. The financial gains are not the only benefits to be obtained. In meeting together we shall have a constant opportunity to improve our intellectual and social condition.