Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1905-03-03
THE GRANGE
Conducted By
}. W. BARROW. Chatham. N. r..
Press Correspondent Neu York State
Grunge
AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT.
The Grange and the Press Discussed
by Miss Clara McDermid.

Especial Correspondence
II has long been my conviction that
the grange does not half appreciate the
value OF bright, judicious and persist
ent newspaper reporting In my very
| limited experience | have been much
! impressed with the large returns for
the labor expended. | have many times
been surprised at the number Of people
outside the order who tell me that they
regularly read the grange reports and
at the interest displayed in quarters
where least expected il. In interest
ing people in the grange or I'm anything
else we have at heart the personal
touch is Indispensable, but II alone is
too slow and laborious to accomplish
all that we need 10 accomplish. We
need the publicity which only the
newspaper can give US and this. sup
plemented by the warm human touch,
will awaken a friendly interest which
! will, believe, in time draw TO us the
men and women whom we need and
who need our order
But in emphasizing the value OF
press work | must insist on the high
quality OF that work. Nothing should
be reported which IS not interesting 10
the public and creditabe 10 the grange.
The reports must not be commonplace
either in style or In subject matter.
They must be clear, concise and bright.
Some one says that selection is one OF
the highest mental qualities. Certainly
II is one which is peculiarly necessary
TO the grange reporter. The ability 10
seize the salient points and state them
clearly and forcibly, ignoring those OF
less Importance, is prime requisite.
II addresses or discussions are TO be
reported 1t is imperative that the
speaker be not misquoted nor his
views misrepresented. IL the subject
Is an achievement OF the grange. exag-
gerated statements or any attempt at
fine writing is 10 be studiously avoid
ed Overstatement and bombast will
bring the grange into ridicule and dis
repute.
Systematic press work on large
scale is a recent development and
promising one. Very efficient work Is
being done I'm New York, whose state
grange maintains press correspond
ent who sends out a monthly bulletin
OF grange news 10 400 newspapers OF
that state. Without doubt this wide
spread advertising contributes much
to the success OF this leading grange
state. The correspondent also furnish
es TO the American Press Association n
grange page which is used by about
100 papers in various parts Of the
United States The same correspond
ent supplies grange matter TO a syndi-
cate OF some fifty daily papers carry
ing daily agricultural department
and having n combined circulation OF
about 100000, as stated in the re-
port of the correspondent TO the nation.
al grange Grange leaders everywhere
recognize the great value to the Order
OF this service, and II seems only a
question OF time when IL will become
even more far reaching and valuable
in the extension of the Order. But
while this systematic work covers the
field more easily and completely than
any other agency can II will always
need to be supplemented by the bright
prompt, clearly expressed local CORE
spondence.
Perhaps some mention should be
made OF the grange departments OF
various farm papers. Many Of these
are OF little interest to the general
public or indeed to the grange. because
they are 30 evidently conducted In a