United Friends Of Michigan In Trouble

A ínovernent is on foot to cause a disruption of the Order of the United Priends of Michigan by the secession of all the Germán cornrnanderies. It was started in tbe Schiller Commandery, of Detroit, the largest in the order, whicb bas about 700 members, and, it is claimed, was originated by a disappoiuted office-seeker, who cansed the split in the Order of Cbosen Friends four years ago, the secessioniscs organizing themselves as the United Fiiends. The latter have a membersnip of about 7,000, one-fourth of whom are Germans. The would-be secoders claim that the recent action of the supreme commandery, reduciDg the assessments of new members, is an injnstice to the old members. In order to increase tbe rnernbersbip the supreme body decided to levy only 12 assessments the first year and 15 the second on new meUbers, white the old ones are liable to hfe called npon for 24 assessments during the vear. The society is very strong in ih s neighborhood and bas long beet one oí the really prosperous Germa&ï societies in the oity. The present sohism is greatly to be regretted. I Since the above was put in type we notice that the 11 Germán lodges f the United Friends of Michigan at Detroit met Satnrday and perfected arangements for withdrawing from thfe order. The plan flnally adopted was that au entirely new and separate organizarion be effected by the Germán lodges of Detroit; this will be known as the Schiller Bnnd Their plan of insnlanee is to cover polices of $500 aud 11,000, nothing to be written above the latter figure. Details of various character pertaining to the plan of insurance were adopted. There are about 2,400 Germán members of the United Friends in Detroit.