Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-01-03
NATIONAL GRANGE.
Annual Address Of Worthy Master
Bachcder-Total Assets Of the Or
ganization Now Amount to $1o2,921.

| 9anIzation NOW Amount TO SlUE,9E1.
In lis address to the national grange
at its opening session in Hartford,
Conu.. on Nov. IL National Master \.
J. Bachelor said that the mem bership
Of the grange throughout the country
has made a net increase of per cent
for the past year. which is larger than
for over thirty years past. The finan-
cial condition of the Order is good.
The total assets of the national grange
n year ago were S94,G71.04 and on oct.
l, 1907, $1O2,92f.44, which is net gain
of SS249.JO. Although the work of
organization has been more than usu-
ally successful, the Order should be
still further built up in the states of
the central west.
Speaking of the Importance of agri-
culture, the national master said that
the whole total volume of the crops
may be slightly less than the crops of
1906, but their cash farm value will be
greater. The farm products in their
original form or in the form of cattle,
sheep. hogs and horses have overflowed
the great granaries, clogged transpor
tatiOn facilities and brought gold from
foreign countries. These facts warrant
the statement that agriculture is not
only the great industry of the country.
but the most important in the nations
Industrial prosperity. Agriculture pros
pers not because other industries pros
per, but other industries prosper be-
cause agriculture prospers. The pro-
Of mi fbo
highest type of craftsmanship. 1t is
eminently proper to inquire the effect
Of all proposed public policies upon
agriculture when under consideration
In any legislative body.
On the subject of grange mutual life
insurance the worthy master had this
to say: "There has been a demand for
several years for some form of frater
nal life insurance within the organiza-
ton to cover the national field as local
companies cover certain states. Sound,
reliable, full legal reserve life insur
ance furnished by society and con-
trolled by its own members, operated
on the fraternal system, with the Off
GERS directly responsible to the men,
bers, is the foundation to build upon.
What is wanted is the best at the
cheapest price-not cheap life insur-
ance but good life insurance cheap"
Concerning the publication of the ma
tional grange paper the speaker re-
marked that the executive committee
had made arrangements for the pub
LEGATION of a weekly journal upon
terms acceptable to the masters of the
state oranges. He emphasized the fact
that its publication will not come in
competition with agricultural papers.
Its editorial policy will be dictated
solely by desire to promote the Or
ganization. 1t is to be the official or
gan of the grange.
OF the denatured alcohol law, which
took effect Jan. l, 1907, the national
master said that the comparatively
small consumption of denatured alco-
hol during the past six months had
been chiefly due to the fact that our
manufacturers were not ready to fur
nish the alcohol using apparatus, such
as stoves, lamps, etc. None being on
sale in this country, there was no de-
mand for the alcohol. The question Of
dlCOuOl dS d luel III
vehicles, boats and farm engines is
engaging the attention of manufactur-
ers, and it is believed that this alcohol
will be made available for use as a
motor fuel in the near future.
On federal aid for the improvement
Of public highways the speaker said
that the grange had inaugurated a
campaign of education having for its
object the enactment Of legislation by
congress providing for a federal appro-
priation of $5O,O00,OO0, to be divided
into five annual appropriations of So.
100000 each, to be expended for the
Improvement of public highways. The
legislative committee has given close
,, attention to this work and believes that
the time has arrived when the move
ment should be prosecuted vigorously
with the view of securing legislation at
the present session of congress.
. On trusts and the tariff it was re-
marked that the present tariff rates on
a articles produced by trusts are much
o higher than is necessary to cover the
difference in labor cost as between
home and foreign manufacturers and
Il that material reductions could be made
on the duty of such articles and amply
e provide for liberal wages compared
!, with the Swages abroad II these criti-
g cisms are we'll founded there would
= seem to be good reasons for legislation
! that will correct the evident defects on
!. the present tariff schedules without IN
Iuriously affecting our agricultural or
manufacturing industries. These facts
can best be secured through non
partisan tariff commission whose duty
1t shall be to examine carefully into all
i phases of the subject. This commits
sion should include representatives of
n the agricultural, labor, manufacturing,
d transportation and commercial inter
kSts