Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-01-28
MEET OF THE PATRONS
Reports Of Important Commit
tees of the National Grange.

The Position Of the National Grange
on Important Public Questions In
deatea BY Resolutions and Reports
Adopted--Les isIation Favored.
Mr.. Black of Kansas submitted the
report for the standing committee on
cooperation. our Order. said he, is
peculiarly adapted TO advancing CO.
operative interests. The grange should
take steps TO investigate all co-opera-
tive enterprises and formulate rules Of
government for, practical cooperation
I and place them I'm the hands of every
subordinate grange, bud the grange
should never become financially re-
sponsible for the operation Of any
cooperative enterprise. Cooperation
should be furthered along the lines of
distribution of supplies for farm and
home, establishing banks cooperative
creameries, elevators. mills, grange
fire and life insurance companies and
other such lines Of work.
On Education.
II. ]. Patterson OF Maryland pre-
scented the report Of the committee on
education. He recommended that the
proper authorities have school text
books prepared so that they would be
OF more practical value TO the people
who are TO use them. For instance,
arithmetics for the rural children
should contain problems which per
tain to rural life; text books for
mining and mechanical communities
should pertain TO their respective ac-
tivities. This idea should be injected
into most all Of the subjects taught in
public schools. The committee further
recommended the teaching Of domestic
science and manual training by itin-
crate teachers in rural schools wher-
ever practicable; also the training OF
Industrial teachers in normal schools
and the establishment and national
support Of Industrial county or district
high schools: also that these rural
schools should be so organized that
they would serve as local bureaus for
agricultural information and places for
demonstration work.
On Foreign Relations.
Mr.. Kegley of Washington submit
ted the report of the standing commit
tee on foreign relations The recon-
mendations Of the committee may be
summarized as follows. First that the
granting of ship subsidies in whatever
form be resolutely opposed; second,
that the e@ lative committee be in
structed TO demand of congress that
the raw materials Of manufacture OF
all monopolistic combinations be plac-
ed on the free list and that all manu-
featured products sold abroad cheaper
than at home be also placed on the
free list; third. that a special commit
tee be appointed to open negotiations
with the farmers Of the Canadian
northwest with a view TO establishing
closer fraternal relations; fourth, that
a special committee be appointed with
a view to cooperating with other
peace associations in all worthy efforts
to advance universal peace.
On Good Of the Order.
The committee on the good of the
Order recommended the establishing
of a lecturers bureau in charge of the
national lecturer, who shall prepare
list Of grange speakers, with the CO.
operation of state masters; also suit
able grange literature should be pro-
vided as a help In the extension of the
Order. They also favored the Davis in
dustrial school bill providing for the
establishment of county agricultural
schools.
On Transportation.
The report of the committee on trans
portation was submitted by Mr.. Alike
son of West Virginia. He said: I'VE
favor reasonable improvement of our
waterways by the national govern
ment, the principle OF governmental
control Of railways to the extent
that such control shall be exercised
as win secure equal justice to all
shippers as well as TO the railroads.
we favor a general inventory property
tax on the physical property Of rail
roads and a limitation on their capital
lzation; we demand the enlargement Of
the powers of the interstate commerce
commissions: we oppose all ship sub
sidy schemes. and we congratulate the
government on the progress made In
the construction Of the Panama canal. ="
On Tariff Revision.
Following is the substance OF the
report of the committee on tariff re-
vision: We believe II 20 be the duty OF
the government 10 protect agriculture
Of such unjust burdens as are placed
upon IL by the exactions of combina-
lions and so called trusts. made posi-
BILE by the double advantage given
them by excessive duties and rebates
Of duties paid on raw material used in
manufactured articles exported We
believe the duty upon any article
should be and never exceed the diff
ference in the cost Of labor In this
country and In foreign countries I'm the
production Of such articles. We be
lieve that the product of the forest.
coal and iron ore should be placed on
the undutiable list. We believe this
would give relief TO agriculture and be
an aid I'm conserving the natural re-
sources OF our country.
On Taxation.
The report Of the committee on tax.
alton was adopted after lengthy dis
cussion and by very close vote Is
follows: 1--WE recommend to the con
, think IL is fun to stir M the animals.