The ranch. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1902-1914, 1909-08-01
THE GRANGE AND ITS GROWTH


have been, in the United States, SO
Subordinate Oranges organized, which,
with the 2S5 organized in the two pre-
vious quarters, makes 381 since the
beginning of the National Grange this
year, and, with another quarter to
be heard from, will make this year
the banner one for Grange organ1za-
ton in a term of thirty-fve years.
This indicates that the Grange is
taking a stronger hold on the people
than ever before since the crash that
crippled it so badly in its early days.
The largest number organized in any
previous year was 327, and it will be
noticed that we have already passed
that number this year, and another
quarter will, doubtless bring the num-
Der to at least hundred more than
| that figure.
Washington has had to take a Sec
ond seat this quarter again, as Michi-
gan has excelled us in organization, by
four Oranges. Counting reorganiza-
| ton also Pennsylvania has also out
stripped us, and Ohio is giving us
close race. The numbers are as fol-
| lows: Colorado, 4; Connecticut, 2;
Kansas, g. Maine, 4; Maryland, 4;
Massachusetts, 1; Michigan, 10; New
Hampshire, 1; New Jersey, 2; New
York, 2; Ohio, 10; Oregon, 3; Pennsyl-
vania, IA; South Dakota, s. Washing
ton, Is.
There have been re-organized dur
| ing the quarter: Delaware, 1; Massa-
chusetts, 3; New York, 1; Pennsyl-
| vania, 3; Washington, 1; making
gain in number of Oranges OF lob
for the quarter.
| Washington, although not in the
lead as to numbers, still maintains a
lead when we compare the population
of the state with that of those who
have outstripped us. Both Pennsyl-
vania and Michigan are old, well de-
veloped states, with far denser popu-
lation than we can boast.
Our growth is found mostly In the
closer settled counties, such as Island
and Thurston, but we hope that dur
| ing the coming fall and winter that
we will be able to duplicate the growth
that we have made last year. We
have set our stakes for $4,000 mem
bers by next June, and If we can get
the organizers we will reach it, but
| the Oranges already organized Will
have to show a growth also, or that
number will be difficult to reach.
The Oranges of the state are pitted
against each other in contest for
membership, by counties, Whitman
at the head of one line, and Whatcom
of the other. The lineup is as fol-
lows:
Whitman, Skagit, Spokane, Lewis,
Klickitat, Cowlitz, Kittitas, Pierce,
Clark, Lincoln, Pacific, Wahkiakum
Columbia, Okanogan, Douglas, Frank
| lin, Asotin and Clallam.
Whatcom, Yakima, Kitsap, Thurs
ton. King, Snohomish, Chelan, Stew
ems, Walla Walla, San Juan, Garfield,
Skamania, Island, Ferry, Mason, JET
ferson, Benton, Adams, Chehalis.
The side that shows the greatest
percentage of gain at the time of the
next annual meeting Of the State
Grange to be held at Pullman, June
6-1O. 1910, will be treated to a ban
ouet by the losing side, and we hope
that strong, but friendly rivalry VIII
be carried on by the two parties.
In this case the growth OF the older
Oranges will count as well as organ
izing new Oranges, as 1t Is the per-
centage of gain over the number re-
ported at the meeting at Ellensburg
| that will decide as to who is the win
ming side. Let all patrons take the
matter up and assist in making their
side the winning one. OF course, we
cannot all participate in the banquet,
but our Grange will be represented
there, and the thought that we are on
the winning side should be encourage
ment enough for an earnest worker.
| Our Worthy Master has been ap-
pointed as delegate from this state TO
| tu,o ;n,nortant conferences: Governor