Putnam patriot., 1911-08-11
President Will Attend Fair

The management of the Connecticut Fair has been receiving congratulations on all sides on it's success in securing, through Senator Mclean and Con- gressman Hill, & promise from Presi- dent Taft to be present next month at this great gathering This announce ment alone assures the success of the fair this year. In the midst of these congratulations, made regardless of party lines in the thought that a presi- dent of the United States was to honor the occasion by his presence, President Charles Soby of the fair organization received word that the managers of state grange, in order to attest their op- position to the reciprocity agreement, had decided to call off the proposed Grange Day. Notwithstanding the at titude of the grangers President Taft is coming to Connecticut and will at- tend the fair and receive hearty well come. His popularity has increased enormously recently and he is stronger
 
 Connecticut's choice for President in 1912.
 At recent meeting of the grange delegates at Lake Compounce pri- vate session was held and 1t leaked out that things were said in nowise com plimentary to the nations ehet exeeu- tive. State Master l.. II. Healey was quoted as saying that the grange had nor use for President Taft either as a president or man. Mr. Healey de- nies emphatieally that he made such a statement and states his position and that of the grange to be one of consis- tency in view of their attitude toward reciprocity with Canada. He says, ac- cording to the Hartford Tines, that he admires President Taft in great many ways and that no one has greater respect for the office than he has. He says that Secretary Butterfield made the suggestion of a grange day at the fair and that the grange should select any speaker it might choose for the oc- easion, provided that he was man of national importance, and that the fair would pay his expenses.
 Master Healey is quoted as saying that, personally, it struck him as a good idea, but before he could call a meeting of the executive committee to consider the offer, the announcement 
 was made that President Taft had been secured as a speaker of the day and, upon receipt of thIs news, the execu- tive committee decided to withdraw from the arrangement, as the grange Is opposed to President Taft's, reciprocity program.
 Master Healey is quoted as saying:- "This is not personal matter. We simply feel that the grange, as an or der, would be inconsistent in making public demonstration, with our farm CTS feeling as we know they do.h
 Do you think that the majority of your members feel this the same way" was asked.
 "All those who are not free traders, and think that this Is a. beginning, and those who are not city people, who think that they will be able to buy the products of the farm at much lower price,"
 That the grangers about the state do not all agree with the officers of the State grange in their action against President Taft, in declining to arrange for grange field day at the Connecti- cut Fair on the date of the Presidents visit here, is becoming more and more evident. Many do not mince words at all and declare that it is all intended as a snub to the President. Many are surprised that the Connecticut State grange officials should take such an attitude towards the President, and these officials are receiving but little sympathy from most parts Of the state. Some believe that the subordinate granges will express their disapproval by adopting resolutions conforming the action of the State grange officials