New-York tribune., 1907-11-14
NATIONAL GRANGE OPEN
Masters REPORT Tells Of Gro7oihv
Tariff and the Trusts.
IBv TeIsEraph 70 The Tribune. ]

Hartford Nov. 13.-TEree hundred delegates,
representing twenty-sx states, were present this
forenoon when former Governor n ]. Bachel-
der. of New Hampshire. master. called to order
the forty-first annual convention Of the National
Grange in Foot Guard Hall. The Connecticut
State Grange had public reception tonight to
the National Grange, and Orson 5. Wood. master
OF the Connecticut Grange. welcomed the Ma
1lonal Grange to Connecticut. Governor Wood
ruff also extended a welcome to the state
James Wilson. Secretary of Agriculture and
President Meen Of the New Haven Railroad
made addresses. Ex-GoYerror Bachelor, i'm his
report as master Of the National Grange, said:
The membership of The grange in the country
has made a net gain during the year over all
losses Of : per cent, a larger net gain than mas
been recorded for moro than thirty years II.
eclober 1906 the total assets Of the National
Grange were Sq4 G7I 81. and on October |. 1907.
they were SlO292l A. making q net gain during
the year Of SS.249 10 Agriculture represents
more capital and gives direct employ n'il TO a
greater number Of people than any other single
industry i'm the country The ,toNtht' pe"p'
cisssed under the head of agricultural people
produced last year crops 10 the Ntlue "l '''oiI
81 o00. 0.0O0.WD-au amount 5" great as 70 pe
almost beyond comprehension. The total vol
uIne Of crops this year may he SilGhtlY less thail
The crops of 1906. but the Casn farm value VIII
The farm labor problem Is one of the most
serious problems that farmers have 10 solve n
Vast number Of immigrants are annually com
ing 10 this country 10 obtain work IL - eSt-
Austria 10000 from Hungary. 10000 from Ger
many 600 from Italy. 10000 from the sean
dinavian peninsula and 10000 from ireland, max
ing with the arrivals from other European
countries. more than 100000 annually. Many
of these immigrants come from farms IL their
bonl, country hut when they reach our shores
the attraction Of city life and the wages pald
IN other industries result in their locating In
cities.
Tho Department of Commerce and Labor has
roceu1lv begun a movement for advertising
abroad the demand for agricultural laborers i'm
this country, giving specific requests for the
same. which may be Of advantage
The influences that have contributed 10 the
existence Of monopoeS known as trusts, have
very frequently assigned the foundation of
the trouble is the protective tariff. in that sched
lIlos that were adapted to the industrial develop
lncnt of the country when the present rates OF
duty were established are unfair and unreason-
able under existing conditions
Tho people making this claim include as ar
dent advocates of the protective principle as can
lpc found In the country. well as people op-
posed 10 any form Of protection by duties upon
imports The tariff itself has been so prominent
as 4 political issue to make its discussion in
2 non partisan organization like the grange an
impoSsibility but the subject OF its revision in
= Wsv 10 meet existing conditions. and especially
IS il may contribute to the formation Of trusts,
IS q nom partisan question This position has
been taken at various sessions of the National
Grange and l. becoming the prevailing senu-
1nent among the thinking people of the country,
irrespective of political affiliaton.