Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-28
THE NATIONAL GRANGE.
By FREDERIC ]. HASKIN

A council meeting Of the Nationa
Grange will be held in GAINESVILLE. Ohio
today in connection with the convention
Of the Ohio State Grange. The matters
under consideration are strengthening
the interests of the farmer toward reel
procity. securing better circulated sys.
tenn of crop reporting and the establish.
ment of a national syndication of agri-
cultural resources. This last measure
provides that agricultural resources may
be available at any time as assets to Sc.
cure needed capital upon cash basis
In several Of the states the grange Is
now successfully operating a fruit and
produce association upon tho syndication
basis, and it's work could be greatly en-
larged if the circuit were increased.
The national grange is the agricultural
| trade union of America. 1t operates SO
quietly and unobtrusive-
Established in ly that it is seldom
c. heard of outside of
homegrown. farming circles. Yet its
influence is farreaching and potent. Its
existence Of less than half century has
been beneficial not only to the farmer.
but to the general public. In 1873 o. H.
Kelly, clerk in the Agricultural De-
partment. established the first perma nent
grange organization at Georgetown. D. c.
Afterward he gave himself up to extend
ing the organization, travelling from state
to state and organizing branches every
where.
The original society provided for seven
progressive degrees, although the offices
were filled chiefly by election Women
have had equal part with men in grange
movement from the beginning. and have
been quite as useful in promoting its
growth. There have been a number of
changes in detail in the organization
since its inception. but the objects and
principles have never wavered. The
grange is the only national farmers or
ganiza ton in existence, and it's objects
are the education, development and adj
vancement of the rural population.
Acting upon it's motto, ''In essentials.
unity: in non-essentials. liberty: in all
things. charity the policy of the grange
is to be absolutely non-partisan in poll
tics. Its members are urged, however,
to be active in the support of the politi-
cal parties with which they are affiliated.
The loyalty of the farmer to his political
party makes him power in the COM
munity worthy Of the consideration of
the politician. Many of the most i'm
portant laws affecting the welfare of the
country have been brought about chiefly
through the influence of the National
Grange.
X
The interstate commerce law establish
ing interstate commerce, which regulates
transportation on the
Supported BY basis of equality be-
~ n- tween shippers and To-
'ne NAo"6e' calfties and prevents
discrimination: the Hatch act providing
for the establishment Of the experimental
agricultural station. and the Grout bill,
protecting dairy interests and prohibiting
oleomargarine being sold as butter, and
appeal to the general public and have
been supported by the grange. The pure
food law Of 1905, the prohibition of false
branding of foods, the rural mail de-
livery, the provision that denatured al
cohol be sold for art and Industrial pur-
poses free from tax, are also among the
legislative measures forwarded by the
national grange during the past ten
years.
There are about 1000, 600 adults affiliated
with the national grange through its
state and local branches. These include
farmers and their wives, besides most of
the professors of the agricultural col
leges. In addition to these, there are
becoming interested in grange activities.
Young peoples contests have become
popular. The Wisconsin State Grange in
augurated a rain-growing contest among
school children three years ago. The prizs
winners were given a week a. the Wis
consin College of Agriculture. where a
special course of instruction was provided
for them at the expense of the state In
| 1908, 5000 young people were protited by
this. In 1909 there were FOOD. and in
| 1910 no less than 10000 applications were
made for these special scholarships
| Other oranges have taken up the mat
| ter, and Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio
| have arranged for special lessons in agri-
| culture for public school children who
show an interest in the subject. but have
not had the privilege of college lectures
These young peoples contests have ere.
ated much interest in the betterment OF
| farm seeds. and boys and girls vie witt
! one another in securing conditions tina,
will make their grains of superior quail.
ity as we'll as of increased quantity.
The grange aims to benefit the farmer