Fraternity-Testvériség, 1964 (42. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1964-06-01 / 6. szám
FRATERNITY 23 The few suits instituted against the Federation speak louder than words of the true spirit of fraternalism and brotherly love which our Federation has constantly enjoyed and practiced towards its members. It also speaks well for our Medical Director, who constantly strived to seek elimination of factors in the applications of members which could create controversies in the future. Such a record is excellent when compared with the experience of other fraternal organizations. II. Legal Opinions Since the last Convention, thirty-one separate legal opinions were rendered to the Home Office and to the Bethlen Home for their guidance and determination of policy decisions. Without attempting to go into detail of each, such opinions were designed for the following purposes: (a) To indicate proper action to be taken in any given situation either by the Federation or the Bethlen Home. (b) To eliminate possible legal actions or law suits either against the Federation or by the Federation itself. (c) To preserve or maintain the rights of members as expressed by law, our By-Laws or in the insurance certificates issued. (d) To reject any selfish and illegal or doubtful claims presented by any member of our Federation. (e) To preserve harmonious relationship between members of our Federation. (f) To secure or preserve the assets or investments of our Federation. (g) To preserve or to promote the good name and reputation of our Federation. III. Charter Amendment During the past several years we have been attempting to finalize the long-pending amendment to our Charter. I am happy to report that this matter has been finally resolved by the Congress of the United States, as a result of which we are authorized to issue all types of benefit certificates authorized by the Insurance Code of the District of Columbia. Since the present District Code is quite liberal in this regard, the only limitation placed on us would be the fraternal insurance laws of the respective states wherein we operate. Likewise, we were instrumental in changing the District Code relating to fráternak whereby fraternals were limited in issuing certificates only up to age fifty-five and also eliminating the requirement of medical examinations for life benefits. These two changes mean, simply, that we are now competitive with all fraternals throughout the United States insofar as age restrictions are concerned and that non-medical applications, heretofore declared to be illegal, are now legal. These changes also mean that the responsibility of setting a reasonable age limitation, as
