Gloucester County Democrat., 1909-01-14
BAY STATE GRANGE.
Membership Over $4,000 State Master
Richardson Re elected.

Pittsfeld, Mass. entertained the an
nual session of the Massachusetts state
grange this year, and it proved to be a
worthy host. Lieutenant Governor
Draper represented the state at the
public reception and the mayor of Pitts
field the CITY, According to Secretary
Howard's report, the grange member
ship of the Old Bay State has increased
1,126 the past year and now numbers
%, 100 in PIP subordinate oranges. The
treasurer reported $S,093.72 in the treas
ury. In his annual address State Mas
ter Richardson said ta&t the agricultur-
al conditions are becoming more COM
plex daily and there must be more
complete form of cooperation in order
to obtain and hold what are the just
rights of the farmer While the Order
is not business organization, yet it
places proper emphasis on cooperation,
but not to neglect the educational eff
forts or the social side of the farmers
life. There is general demand for
some modification of the conservatism
which colleges are throwing around
the subject Of education, demand for
practical study of those subjects most
directly pertaining to the farmers life.
We favor, said he, that kind of school
work best adapted to fit the pupil to
live a larger and better life.
Concerning taxation Mr. Richardson
recommended that the grange select
committee from their ablest students
on the problem and invest them with
power to carry forward an investiga-
tion in the different methods of taxa
tion, so that they may present concise
ly and clearly the just claims of the
rural taxpayer.
Speaking of highway improvements,
he remarked that, among other things,
the farmer living away from the di-
rect channel of traffic has rights that
must not be overlooked. The influence
of the grange may well be directed to-
ward the extension of the state roads
away from the main thoroughfares.
Legislation was also demanded to pro-
tect the public against accidents caused
by the reckless driving of automobiles.
Relative to matters of legislation he
said the grange was no political or
ganization and yet is vitality interested
in good government and yet more in the
quality of the men who shall make the
laws. He urged upon each and every
Patron the necessity for earnest and
continued activity in his own political
party in behalf Of just laws. OF the
7, ;%c DO.
our best success would be impossible,
and it's service should be recognized
State Lecturer Charles NJ. Gardner
presented a very comprehensive statis-
tical report of the literary work done
in the subordinate oranges during the
year. 1t is briefly summarized as fol
lows: One thousand three hundred and
fifty-six discussions and debates were
held, S,730 persons participated in
same, 1,402 papers were read by mem
bers, 2,401 persons discussed these pa
pers, 1,1S1 speakers gave addresses on
various topics, 5202 persons rendered
vocal selections, 5,240 persons gave
readings, 415 dramatic features were
carried out, 3,0S7 persons participated
in same, 1886 other lecture hour fea-
lures given, 14.607 persons furnished
these features. Total number of per-
sons contributing something to the lee
ture hour of the year in Massachusetts
oranges were 1876; total combined
audience at the grange meetings of the
year in the state 245,S95. There were
"a grange meetings devoted to the in
terests of the public schools and 1873
grange meetings devoted to patriotic
themes. Many grange meetings were
devoted to town and village improve
ment
A question that called for consider
able discussion was that relative to
the establishment of grange depart
ment stores throughout the state, which
should be controlled by members of
the Order but should be open for sup
plying Patrons and the general public
with merchandise The proposition did
not meet with favor, and other plans
were suggested to the same end, one
being that a special purchasing agent
be appointed to buy goods in bulk
duQ ulStIlDutG IuCuus W llSDlUGlS VI tuc
Order. Another plan contemplated an
with dealers in grain,
feed and general farm supplies by
which the lowest price might be Sc
cured. The whole matter was referred
to committee of three, of which the
overseer of the state grange, John e.
Clifford, was appointed chairman.
Among the resolutions adopted were
those favoring the organization of To-
cal COW testing associations among
dairymen in order that only profitable
cows may be kept, favoring a uniform
standard for milk, demanding total
Of 1914 per cent Of solids, of which
1856 per cent should be butter fat, in
dorsing the good roads movement and
opposing the reckless driving of auto
mobiles on public highways. The sixth
dnpron Uas noufarrpd on a class of