The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-15
GRANGE, FARM UPLIFT.
State Master Says Agriculturists Must
Work Out Own salvation.

Olathe, Kan, Dec. 15.-"Our or
ganization is going to work industri-
ously next year for two important OBJ
jects," George Black, master of the
said this afternoon. zone object is
to organize the farmers of the state;
the other to give the farmers better
markets for their products. The
grange is an old organization of farm
ers. The task of getting farmers into
a cooperative scheme has been diff
cult.
"Our organization is not accomplish
ing the results it should, because of
our small membership, and we will
work with the intention of increasing
it. We have about $4,000 in the treas
ury. Already we have men employed
to go into the field and organize new
oranges. We have deputies at every
grange who will be urged to extend
the number of local organizations
All other lines of activity are organ
lied, but the farmer, who has the big
gest and most vital calling of them ALL
remains for some unaccountable rea-
son practically unprotected. Organi-
cation is the new order of things to-
day. Men no longer are doing things
single handed. The farmer must get
busy.
';The farmer must work out his own
salvation. No country life commission
can do it for him. The grange must
become big organization. We must
make life brighter and happier on the
farm. We must look after our inter-
ests in marketing our products. We
suffer tremendous waste that would
not exist if we took care of the mar
ket end of our business.
I'VE are going to try to establish a
system which will do something at
least toward eliminating this loss"
The Kansas Grange is an integral
part of the National Grange. The Kan
SaS Grange recognizes women as equal
in membership with the men. Fne So
cial feature is made a distinctive part
of the organization. Last summer the
experiment of having Grange picnies
was tried and was found so successful
that this feature will in all probabilit
become a live part of the policy of the
order.
Mr. Black, in his opening address at
tackled the new Kansas tax law. He
said:
1.-THE question of equitable taxation is
about as old as civilization. 1t hobs to
the surface and claims the attention
of our people and our legislators about
as often as the tariff question, and
with about as satisfactory results. The
| last change in our taxation in this
state in the election of assessors and
in the valuation of property has been
given fair trial and the air seems to
be full of dissatisfaction. 1t is not the
| intention of this address to make any
| recommendations along this line, but
we anticipate that number of reso-
| lutions win be offered and referred 20
our committee on needed legislation,
and we ought to give the question our
earnest and careful thought. Farm pro-
perty has always borne the burden be-
cause it is visible, and we presume il
always will, and while we seriously fee
| the weight, We must be very careful iI
| it's consideration and only take such ac-
ton as will be to our interest
This subject of taxation is being
/ worked out by various committees. An
| other subject is the preservation of the
Kansas game birds. The COMMITTEES
probably will recommend that the Kan
/ sas legislature enact a law forbiddins
4 the shooting of quail in the state 70
five years.