Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-09-22
THE GRANGE
Conducted by
j. w. BARROW. Chatham. N. Y.
Press Correspondent Ne1 York State
Grange
GRANGE LIFE INSURANCE,
Worthy Master Hill of Pennsylvania
Favors 1t.

Worthy Master Hill of Pennsylvania
Favors 1t.
Especial Correspondence
The grange came into existence to
meet the wants of rural people. 1t con-
tinues to exist because it has been
meeting the wants of the farmers
Should it fail to meet the wants Of
the farmers and their families the
grange would either vanish entirely or
give way to different organization
that would meet existing needs.
Changing conditions Of civilization are
constantly bringing forward new
wants. The luxuries of even ten years
ago are now wanted-not always as
luxuries, more frequently as necessa-
ries
Less than ten years ago free rural
delivery of mail was enjoyed as a
luxury by the few. Today it is en-
joyed by over 12,500,o0o people in
rural districts as a necessary factor
to make farm life more satisfying. In
which class shall we place life insur-
ance?
Business rules and custom are fast
making life insurance another of the
necessaries of our age. Policies are
now treated as negotiable paper in the
business world, and they represent
definite form Of property. If they We're
all put together it is estimated that
policies now ia force would represent
nearly $4,000, 000,000 Policies in the
old line companies number 100000,
while 5000 900 members Of fraternal
orders have the balance. | presume
that 100000 Of our population have
an interest in this property, as shown
in the policies carried by one or more
members Of the family Talk about
cooperation! Here it is developed to
the greatest success and having more
money and people connected with it
than any other private enterprise that
know anything about.
Life insurance is increasing at ire
mendous rate. l will not risk to give
the number of millions of dollars worth
Of it that are said to be taken out in
new insurance each week. 1t makes
the capitalization of the trusts look
small Thousands Of farmers are now
carrying insurance. Many more want
to do So They want insurance that
will be within reach of their pocket
books, safe and suited to their condi-
tons. The grange has a chance to pro-
vide the medium for life insurance of
such of it's members as want to take
1t just as it has so successfully pro-
vided fire insurance for them Then it
will no longer be necessary for farm
ers to join other orders or to go outside
Of the grange to get either form Of
insurance.
But, like any commercial enterprise,
this must be established on a sound
basis, have a simple, safe working
plan and be intelligently directed local
" to insure its supremacy. The ma
tional grange in 1902 provided for
committee to take this subject up, but
it is ERobable that its work will be only
OF a suggestive character 1t has not
been the policy of the national grange
to itself conduct an enterprise. 1t can,
however. blaze the way SO that mem
bers of the Order in different states
and Pomona grange districts Will be
able to establish companies based upon
such ideas and suggestions as are put
out to the membership with the in
dorsement of the national grange
W. f. HILL,
Master Pennsylvania State Grange.