Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Illinois - University Library

330 JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS [ y Tu ^*3 '
";
1 Nov. IS. 1913.
Dec. 12. Statement.—We have a Subordinate Lodge in this Jurisdiction,
of about three hundred members, which Lodge is without
assets and with an indebtedness of practically one thousand dollars
for weekly benefits and funeral expenses accrued and unpaid. The
members of the Lodge refuse to increase the present rate of dues,
namely, six dollars per year (which is inadequate), or to levy a special
assessment for the purpose of paying the indebtedness. The financial
condition of affairs in the Lodge is constantly growing worse. Sections
2 to 6 of Art. X of our Subordinate Constitution provide what benefits
shall be paid and to whom. Section 1 of Art. VI makes it the duty
of the Noble Grand to draw upon the Treasurer for all sums that have
been voted by the Lodge, or that may be necessary to pay the benefits
provided by the by-laws. Our Grand Lodge has enacted the following
legislation, to-wit:
"A Lodge has the right to provide by its by-laws that special
assessments may be levied on its members for purposes recognized
by the laws of the Order, but has not the right to levy assessments
otherwise than provided in its constitution and by-laws, except in case
of total deficiency of funds, when a specific assessment may be levied
for the payment of benefits and necessary Lodge expenses.
Question.— I submit the question to yon as to whether or not a
Grand Lodge, or its Board of Executive Grand Officers during the
recess between Grand Lodge sessions, has the power to suspend a
Lodge in the condition above cited for failure or neglect to pay weekly
benefits and funeral expenses, where there is no local legislation au-
thorizing such suspension. I enclose a copy of the Constitution of the
Grand Lodge of this Jurisdiction. See Art. I, Sec. 2, and Art. V, Sec. 1.
These sections contain the only law we have relating to the subject
matter.
Answer.—Benefits are a distinguishing characteristic of our Order
and may be regarded as the fundamental principle of Odd Fellowship.
The receipt of such benefits is a right and not a charity, and it is the
duty of subordinates to tax their members in order to pay such benefits.
Busbee's Digest, Sec. 4.
The w T ord "may" in the exception in your Grand Lodge law, above
quoted, should be construed as meaning shall, and the law interpreted
as prohibiting the levy of special assessments by a Subordinate Lodge,
otherwise than provided in its constitution and by-laws, except in case
of total deficiency of funds, when a specific assessment shall be levied
for the payment of benefits and the necessary expenses of the Lodge.
This is my construction of your laws, and I believe as Grand
Master you have the right, with the approval of the Grand Officers, to
direct that Lodge to levy a special assessment sufficient to pay the
benefits it owes, and if it refuses then reclaim its charter.