The Arbeiter Verein

THE ARBEITER VEREIN

Five Hundred and Seventy-Six Members in County

THE GOOD IT HAS DONE

Semi-Annual Report of the State Society

Made by State Treasurer Oesterlin,Who Gets Five Dollars for Handling $72000.-Some Facts Concerning the Ann Arbor Society.

The Ann Arbor Arbeiter Unterstuetzungs-Verein (German Workingnien's Association) is the oldest German society in this city, having been organizad on Nov. 2, 1866. The incitement to such organization was chiefly brought about by a fatal accident, in the autumn of that year, to a certain German laborer, who fell from a wagon laden with straw, breaking his neck instantly, and leaving a widow with several small children in destitute circumstances. Two of the sons of the unfortunate father are prominent business men of this city today.

The object of this society is to render all possible aid to its members in good standing in case of sickness, accident or death, and to look after the welfare of widows and orphans of deceased members.

The founders of this organization were Messrs. Angnst Wideumann, John Eisele, Frauz Nebel, deceased; Geo.F. Lutz,  Frederick Schmid, .John Haarer, John Walz, Daniel Mayer, Henry Apfel. Frederick Knhn. Christ ian Braun, Christian Haebich, Geo  Mueller, Wm. Schleede, Christopher Roehm, Philip J. Katz, Christian Walz, Karl Sturm, Karl Dose, Thos. Rauschenberger, John G. Grossmann, Jolm Mayer I. , John F. Henne, Fred J. Schleecle, John Kuebler, Anton Teufel, George Schlimmer, Anton Schaeberle, Ludwig Walz, Albert Glatzel and John Karberg, who are still living.

In1875, the Ann Arbor society joined the state organization, thereby securing the payment, in case of death of a member, of $500 from the state organization, to his widow, orphans or next of kin, Since 1891 this sum has been paid to the families of 15 deceased members here. So far this year three members of the local society have died, viz : Franz Kapp, Charles Binder and Cari Haeuser.

Any German of good report, from the age of 18 to 45, may join this society. Dues and assessments are the lowest of any and every kind of life insurance.

In case of sickness of a local member, the Ann Arbor society pays him four dollars per week for six months, if he is unable to work during that time. In case of death of a member, the local society pays to his widow $75 out of its own funds, outside of the 500 paid by the state organization. In case of death of the wife of a member, the society here also pays $75 to such member, in either case to defray funeral expenses.

The monthly dues in this city are 60 cents. Extra contributions, in case of a local death, 50 cents.

In Washtenaw county there are six of these societies, which are part of the state organization, with membership in good standing at present as follows: Ann Arbor, 164; Manchester, 147; Chelsea, 99; Saline, 78; Ypsilanti, 69; Dexter, 19.

Mr. Eugene Oesterlin, of this city, has been treasurer of the state organization since June 1, 1897. From his semi-annual report just printed from the Argus presses, covering the period from June 1, to Dec. 1, of this year, we glean the following:

Whole number of societies belonging to the state organization, 78; total membership, about 9,000. Total receipts for the period above given, $29,209.90; cash on hand June 1, 1898, $5,849.92, making a total of $35,059.82. Total expenditures, $28,523.76, leaving a balance on hand Dec. 1, 1898, of $6,536.06.

Each member in good standing of any local society is assessed 10 cents for each and every two deaths out of three, the third death being paid every time out of the fund of the state organization.

In the Wonderland catastrophe in Detroit, Nov. 8 last, four men belonging to different societies of this order in tliat city met their death.

The different societies in this state, in conjunction with the state organization, have since their formation paid out about $1,500,000 for certified deaths and sick benefits.

The treasurer's report for last year gave his receipts as $64,107.80; turned over to him by the retiring treasurer, June 1, 1897. $7,012.03; making total receipts, $71,719.33; total expenditures, $65,869.41 : leaving a balance on hand. June 1, 1898, of $5,849.92,- all of which went through Mr. Oesterlin's hands, he having to give bonds in the sum of $10,000 for proper accounting of the funds. As compensation for all this work and care he receives from the state organization five dollars per year - it being an office of honor and trust.