Verhovayak Lapja, 1940. július-december (23. évfolyam, 27-52. szám)
1940-11-14 / 46. szám
Page 4 November 14, 1940 We Are Americans .Verhovayak Lapja. In the thirty days of this November, event crowds upon event; history vies with news. To begin with, as early as the fifth of the month, the people of the nation crowd the pols to solve a riddle which has been uppermost in their minds for months past. We exercise our rights as free men to determine who shall be our leader for the four years to come. Both sides to the contest believe they are endorsing the stronger leader. But when it is over the winning side feels vindicated in its opinion, the losing side shrugs its shoulders and says, “Well, so what, let’s get behind the President and by constructive criticism and the right kind of cooperation get the job done in the best way possible, for after all we are Americans first and last and all the time.” Then six days later we collectively lay a wreath on the tomb of a World War soldier, “known but to God.” It gives us pause, particularly in this year of 1940. We recollect those days nearly a quarter of a century on their road to history, when emotions were pitched to tramping feet and martial airs; when father, son, and brother rallied to a cause of freedom. Some of those same emotions stir within us again and we think of our sons, then unborn, who may be called upon now for a similar cause and a similar sacrifice, but after all we are Americans first and last and all the time. Within this same month of November, just a little way beyond Armistice Day, we stand by to witness those sons, those who have been first selected or have elected of themselves, go to the nation’s cantonments for a year’s military training in time of peace. We know in our hearts that this decision is not of our own making. We are not the military-minded people who love and live that life of pomp and circumstance. Yet we send them off to their camps with a smile and a heartache, too, because we have been forced by foreign dictators to remember that we are Americans first, last and all the time. We go on living each day as it dawns. In this kaleidoscopic world of change we do not know when a rumbling of today will break forth on some tomorrow to add another chapter to world history in the making. But in our typical American way we go about our business and pleasure, fitting them to the daily scheme of things and preserving a saving equilibrium. So we come to a day set apart for Thanksgiving. It is a holiday of family reunion, of worship and joy and feasting, handed down to us from that first Thanksgiving when our forefathers, wresting from new soil their first harvest, devoutly gave thanks that they, in this land of their adoption, had been strong enough to endure. They, who fled other shores, risked the rigors of voyage, climate and savage warfare for something greater than any sacrifice they might be called upon to make for a land of freedom, gave thanks. They were capable even of making friends with some of the native Americans who brought to the first Thanksgiving board corn and venison as their tokens of friendship. They were hardy pioneers, the weak could not survive. They endowed us with a tradition which typifies America. Since that day peoples of every nation have come to these shores because of that great tradition. They have longed for the land that gave a full measure of freedom and opportunity. They, too, cure Americans in the true sense. As metals must be blended to gain the strength that is steel, this nation, blended of many nationalities, has become strong in ideals and purpose. This people, regardless of its isolated subversive groups, is essentially strong. So on this Thanksgiving Day, with the murk of war on every horizon, we again sit down and in all humility, bow our heads as we give thanks that we are Americans first, last and all the time. SUPERVISION OF FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES By WALTER BASYE Editor The Fraternal Age PAST The Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association looks back upon more than a HALF OF A CENTURY of substantial well-rounded progress. '‘QUALITY, SER VICE AND SAFETY, FIRST” has characterized its growth. PRESENT With over $25,000,000.00 of insurance in force, Verhovay is the largest legal reserve society of Hungarian origin since 1886. The society enjoys a high place among the finest quality societies of the nation. FUTURE With a splendid past, a strong present position, complete life insurance service including sales plans, helpful home office cooperation, policies for all ages including children from birth and adults to age 60 the future for the society and the men who represent it is most promising. Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association 346 FOURTH AVENUE PITTSBURGH, PA. Why should fraternal benefi societies be supervised? Wh should supervise them? Is th' supervision to which they ar< subject adequate to protect th members? The answers to these question determine to a great extent th■onfidence which people have r he societies and the protectio they provide for families an< homes. When the National Fraterna Congress was organized in 188*° the first purpose was to secur; laws in the various states b regulate the societies. That mean' supervision. The early fraterna leaders realized that the tremendous sums in actual dollars paid into the homes of members should have regulation. Certain high standards had to be maintained. The public had to be protected against illegitimate organizations run by unscrupulous persons that posed as fraternal societies. Therefore laws were obtained in all of the states. Those laws specified that fraternal benefit societies were to be supervised by the state insurance department in each state. They are so supervised and regulated today. The important fact about this historical event is that THE FRATERNAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES ASKED FOR SUPERVISION. They asked for the laws which placed their insurance departments on the same standards as commercial life insurance. They have ever been diligent in upholding the laws and obeying the laws. Therefore the fraternal society to which you belong is supervised by the state insurance department of your state. And during the depression it was demonstrated that state supervision and regulation of all lines of insurance was a positive thing. The institution of insurance came through much better than did any other financial institution. That was due to two things: a high sense of duty among the managers of insurance concerns of all types; and the careful and painstaking supervision of the state insurance departments. How does such supervision operate? How may a fraternal benefit society come under the supervision of the state? In the first place, a fraternal benefit society may not collect one dollar of insurance dues in your state unless it is licensed by your state insurance department. It must have a license before a deputy representative may solicit any person to join. If the society has its home office in another state, it is licensed by the insurance department in that state. To operate in your state it must apply to the state insurance department at the capital of your state. The license is not issued as a 'natter of form or detail. The inurance department must satisfy itself that the society operates a. i fraternal society according tc he provisions of the state lav/, hat it is in good standing in it/ wn state, that its finances at <: i good order and that the insut - nce plans are sound and backed ' y the required reserves. The iciety making application sup'ies this information. In addi on, the state has the books and 'counts of the society examined Satisfied that the society > onstituted according to law an' ts finances and insurance sound he license is issued. That license oust be renewed each year. And i ch year the society must subnit a complete financial statement and detailed reports of it; transactions during the preceding year. Once in three years an examination is held, every transaction checked and the condition of the benefit fund studied, by examiners from a group of states. Other states accept the reports of these group examinations. Such supervision places fraternal benefit societies on the same standard as that of commercial life insurance companies. Relations of the fraternal societies with the state insurance departments are very cordial. Leaders of the fraternal societies and the departments co-operate continually to improve the laws. Fraternal leaders, engaged in one of the finest of public enterprises, that of protecting homes and families, are sticklers for law observance. They set the example by obeying the law themselves and by having their societies obey the law. The insurance departments appreciate this. Hence the close co-operation. The fraternal benefit societies appreciate state supervision of insurance. They find the departments anxious to protect the citizens of their states in all of their dealings with insurance institutions. And it is pleasant and promotes efficiency to deal with the department in the state rather than with some far-off govern ment bureau. This spirit is reflected in the address of Insurance Superin tendent Louis H. Pink of the State of New York, saying in his speech at the Baltimore convention of the National Fraternal Congress of America: ‘‘Through the lessons of experience, the closer supervision of the state departments, uniform laws and improved methods developed at the instance of the fratemals themselves, and, by no means least, because of the enlightened leadership of the National Fraternal Congress, Fraternal Insurance now enjoys an enviable record for financial stability and efficient service.” BRANCH 366 WHIRLPOOL Cleveland, Ohio Our regular monthly meeting was called to order Friday, November 1st. I am sorry to say that among our large membership few have been responding to these meetings. We find it necessary to depend on a few regularly attending members and the officers. Perhaps you members do not realize the importance and value of each meeting. There are two interesting important facts: (1) To stand firm and united in order to produce the greatest values; (2) To provide., entertainment ..for he members and their friends. We would greatly appreciate your kindness in being present at the meetings and giving us your moral and material support. This way ,ve could also determine betér future events and cerainly improve our business ituation. It was a pleasant sight to cee Mr. Eddie Torda at the meeting. It was decided thatBranch 366 will have an American flag displayed at all meetings, or any events other than meetings. Mr. Bill Moses suggested that we should have a club color to represent our Branch. Several colors were thought of but as yet no decision has been reached, because of varied opinions. This was tabled until the next meeting. Branch 366 will soon discuss its picnic plans for the 1941 season. It will be necessary that there be an aggressive chairman for these events. Somewhat Disappointing News We are sorry to hear that we may lose Mr. Paul Bolesic to the Selective Service of Uncle Sam. Mr. J. J. Horvath, present president of Branch 366, was hoping that Mr. Bolesic would be our president of 1941. SPECIAL NOTICE Our annual Christmas Party date has been set for Saturday, December 21st. All members ©f Branch 366 are entitled to come. Last year everybody had a good time, so be sure to mark this on your “must” list. Be sure to attend our next meeting on Friday, December 6th. This meeting will be very important as the elections of new officers for 1941 will take place. Fraternally, BILL TORDA Publicity Director,
