The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1911-07-15
Address Of
Thos. B. Wyman.
Secretary OF Northern Forest Protect
I've Association Unable to Ad-
dress GranSers in Person.

Owing to the delay in beginning the
Grange program at L'Anse Tuesday
morning, Thomas B. Wyman, secre-
tary of the Northern Forest Protective
Association, was unable to address the
large audience present. Mr.. Wyman
was compelled to leave on the noon
train for Marquette to attend direct
ors' meeting. Mr.. Wyman left US the
copy of his address, however, and we
print it below, in the hope that it will
benefit you.
"Mr. Chairman, and members of the
Baraga County Grange:-
'It is distinct pleasure to be with
you today and to take part in the work
of your organization. 1t is rarely that
one has an opportunity to combine a
beautiful day and beautiful location
and to speak to an assembly made up
Of individuals all having the same in
terests at heart.
Were unable to proceed further l
would consider the day we'll spent.
Were unable to drive home some
truths which ! have in my mind l
would not complain. Even if had no
motive for appearing before you it
would be none the less delightful to
meet so many fraternal spirits.
had hoped to follow, on this pro-
gram, some of those who have real
message to deliver and from them to
receive inspiration. But since that is
not to be the case, trust you will take
me as am-lacking inspiration, lack
ing elocutionary powers -and permit
me to make very few remarks touch
ing subject which should claim the at
tention of each of Us.
have come today to say just one
thing simply one sentence. But I'm
cot going to say that as yet, for then
/ would be finished, and | am not yet
ready to stop.
We are all attending, today, meet
ing of the Grange Of Baraga County.
Now what do we mean by a meeting Of
the Grange? What is the Gi ange?
The usual definition of the word is "a
farmstead, "a farm home" and some
times "a farmers" organization. 1t
is all of these and the best definition
includes them all. 1t is, in fact, fra
ternal organization of farmers and
those in farming. in farm development,
in farm education, in farm protection.
1 You will doubtless hear today that
the Grange is life insurance company
and again that it is mutual fire insur-
ance company. And so it is. AS a
mutual fire insurance company the
Grange does not carry all the risks of
| its members but is confined to actual
farm risks, farm buildings, etc. 1t
does not include the standing and har-
vested product of the timber man next
door who may or may not be member
of your order. ~
But, you say, he is not a farmer. He
is, however. He is growing the crop
/ designed by nature, cultivated by ma
ture but, sad to say, not protected by
nature. 1t is the timberman who has
invested heavily, logged at heavy ex-
pense, paid heavy taxes, and in many
cases developed splendid farms. Some
of the best farms of our peninsula are
being developed by timbermen. For
instance, H. w. Reed of Escanaba, who
is interested here, the Cleveland Cliffs
Iron Company with it's splendid farm
at Rimely, Thorton A. Green of the
Greenwood Lumber Co. of Ontonagon,
Walter S. Prickett of the Roycroft
farm of Sidnaw and, finally, the West
ern Land Securities Company, which is
undertaking the colonization of 700, 900
acres of our cut over lands.
The properties of these timber-farm-
ers lie close to and often adjoin the
farm clearing of Grange member.
The spirit of fraternalism exists be-
tween the two. The timberman would
not permit fire from his land to burn
the barns or the house of the farmer;
but does the farmer, clearing his land
of brush and stumps, show the same
interest in the adjoining timber? The
careless burning of single brush pile
caused $17, 900 loss to an Alger coun-
ty operator early in May of this year.
What would you have thought had an
operator, burning his slashings, des-
troyed ST., 900 worth of farm buildings
and he had made no attempt to save
the property?
II l am not of critical nature and nc
criticism is here intended, but what
desire to bring out is that necessity fol
fraternsl or brotherly cooperation foI
which the Grange stands. ! realize
that farms must be cleared, and tt
clear to the best advantage fire must
be used Granting this. let US see Il
it can not be done without danger o.