Bray v. Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias

Taylor, George H., Jr., J.

Desiring to finance in part the building of a temple for lodge and other corporate purposes, the corporate defendant adopted the expedient of compelling each of its 5,000 members, and also each of its subordinate lodges, to purchase a $10 bond; and when the returns were not satisfactory the defendant grand chancellor issued an edict, afterwards approved and ratified by the grand lodge, threatening the non-paying members with suspension “ from all benefits, until the same is paid.” The plaintiff, suing on his own behalf and for those similarly situated as members of…