Changes to the Ancient Order of the United Workmen

On the first of July, 1897, there will be a change in the system of assessment of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Heretofore, the assessment was the same for all ages, men entering at 20 years of age paying the same as those entering at fifty. It has been sought to obviate this unfairness by reducing the maximum age at which men were allowed to join. The agitation for a more equitable assessment has been carried on for years in the face of strong opposition among the older members, as the assessment of the latter class will be considerably increased, whilst that of the younger members will experience a corresponding decrease. In future, young men will be able to join the A.O.U.W. at low rates and this should have a tendency to boom the membership, and especially so as no more assessments are to be allowed in behalf of the American membership. There are 25,000 Canadian members of the order, and each of these had to pay $2, or $50,000 in all, to keep the American assessment from exceeding the limit. If the Canadian Contingent had broken off a year ago, the $50,000 would form a fine surplus with which to commence under the new order of things. Upon the whole the change in the rates should prove a good thing, and it certainly will be if an effort is made to secure a large number of young men to join the order, for young lives are necessary to the existence of an insurance order.