Woodmen of the World Envelope and Letter, Omaha, N.E., February 24-25, 1936 · Greer Heritage Museum collection

Title

Woodmen of the World Envelope and Letter, Omaha, N.E., February 24-25, 1936

Accession Number

2024.16.2.273.1
2024.16.2.273.2

Accession Date

18 November 2025

Accession Creator

Meadow Knapp

Description

273.1: Envelope from De E. Bradshaw, President, Woodmen of the World
273.2: Letter from De E. Bradshaw regarding refund check and financial statement

Contributor

De E. Bradshaw

Date

February 24-25, 1936

Storage Location

Box 28, Folder #8

Text

273.1:
DE E. BRADSHAW, PRESIDENT
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD
INSURANCE BUILDING
OMAHA, NEBR.
7

OMAHA
FEB 24
1936
NEBR.

273.2:
Front
DE. E. BRADSHAW, PRESIDENT T.E. PATTERSON, VICE PRESIDENT JOHN T. YATES, SECRETARY
SOVEREIGN CAMP
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD
OMAHA, NEBR.

Esteemed Sovereign:
Enclosed find check for your equitable interest in a refund totaling over $1,700,000.00, which we are today making to our membership out of the gains and savings of the Woodmen of the World. If you wish to purchase paid-up insurance, indorse and return the check to us.
While sending this check, may I give you a brief report of my activity as your representative in this great Association.
Shortly after I became President, three years ago, the decline in membership was stopped and we began to move upward. In 1934 we delivered certificates to 68,119 new members, and in 1935 we received applications for membership from over 100,000 persons. From the low of 1933 until the close of business December 31, 1935, the membership was increased 33,510 among our membership in field days, class initiations, picnics, state and national meetings, and productive activity in more than 2,000 of our camps.
Our gross assets have steadily improved, revealing a gain of $12,554,574.58 over the beginning of my administration, and today show the tremendous total of $123,669,715.91, consisting of municipal bonds, home office, hospital, a few local mortgages and cash in banks. Your money is invested in the safest and most liquid type of securities.
During the three years of my stewardship we have sold enough of the bonds purchased since I became President to show a net profit of $634,851.74, and on the bonds purchased and not sold we have a market profit of $975,236.59.
As your President, I have succeeded in reducing the annual cost of principal expense items, such as blanks, printing, adver-tising, supplies, official publication, surety bonds, etc., and in three years have saved the association the sum of $725,135.11, yet at the same time have increased efficiency in the production of business and the handling of securities.
We have loaned money to members on certificates to the amount of $4,526,507.02.
We have greatly improved our tuberculosis hospital. The home office building is up to date ad the equal of any in the country. We occupy about 52% of the building and rent the balance at a profit.
Our Radio Station, WOW, furnishes information and enter-tainment regularly to more than 2,000,000 people, and is a source of favorable advertisement.
I am deeply indebted to my associates on the Board of Directors, to the members of the Sovereign Camp and Head Camps, to our efficient field force and employes, and to the membership generally for increasing cooperation.
This is your Association. You know its officers, and its manner of doing business, and are familiar with its security and stability. Doubtless you need more insurance. Please contact our deputy and, if in good health and within the age limit, increase your coverage in the good old Woodmen of the World.
Cordially yours,
De E. Bradshaw President.
DEB :EW
(For Financial Statement see reverse side)

Back:
WOODMEN OF THE WORLD
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
January 1, 1936
ASSETS
Municipal and government bonds...........$110,802,522.11
(Government, state, county, road, school and city bonds)
Loans on certificates........................ 4,526,507.02
(Loans to members, secured by reserves on cer-tificates)
Loans on real estate......................... 461,343.42
(First liens on well-located, improved city prop-erty in Omaha, Neb.)
Real estate.................................. 1,919,557.71
(Home office building and radio station WOW, Omaha, Neb., and W. O. W. War Memorial hos-pital, San Antonio, Tex.)
Cash in depositories and office.............. 1,447,592.05
(Cash in banks, subject to check for payment of current claims and expenses)
Premiums in hands of financial secretaires.. 766,765.95
(Premiums collected from members to be for-warded to home office)
Interest due and accrued..................... 2,800,289.19
(Interest earned on investments to December 31, 1935, payable at a later date)
Other assets................................. 945,138.46
(Accounts receivable, inventories, postage, etc.)
Total gross assets........................$123,669,715.91
LIABILITIES
Mortuary claims in process of settlement...$ 1,134,920.62
(Claims reported, awaiting proofs of loss)
Commissions, expenses and salaries, due and accrued ................................... 135,000.00
(Reserves for accrued commissions, salaries and expenses)
Other liabilities ......................... 97,778.76
Total .....................................$ 1,367,699.38
Reserves .................................. 122,302,016.53
(Certificate reserves, reserves for fluctuation of values on securities and other contingent reserves)
Total .....................................$123,669,715.91