The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-12-06
FROM SESSIONS OF THE Ma
T|ONAL GRANGE
Finance Report Adopted Recommending Thai
100000 be Retained in Treasury

After a lengthy debate. the Ma
tional Grange voted to reafiirm its
acceptance of the report of the special
committee that conferred with Presi-
dent Wilson prior to his inauguration,
regarding his selection of a Secretary
of Agriculture. The Grange thereby
stands pat on its declaration that the
choice of Secretary Houston was a
distinct shock to the agricultural in
terests of the country
The finance report was adopted, rec
ommending that 100000 be retained
in the treasury for permanent invest
ment, and that such surplus over this
amount be placed at the disposal of the
executive committee, to be used for
extension work as follows: Not ex-
ceeding $4,000 to be expended in each
state entitled to representation at this
session of the National Grange, in co
operation and with the approval of the
Masters of states where used. Not
exceeding $4,000 for extending the or
/ der in states not now entitled to re-
presentation in the National Grange.
/ Several resolutions were introduced.
One was presented by State Master
Gardner of Massachusetts, and pro-
vides that the State Grange elections
be held in November instead of De-
cember, as is the case at the present
time
State Master Pattee of New Hamp-
shire introduced measure calling for
full equal suffrage, while State Mas
ter Smith of Vermont put one in call
ing for governmental prohibition of
the manufacture and sale of intoxicat-
/ ing liquors, the question to be sub
mitted to the several states.
State Master Vary of New York
reported for the committee on as
sessment and taxation, his report in
substance being that the Grange go
on record as advocating uniform tax
laws in all the states, in order that
tax lodging might be done away
with. 1t declared that if the federal
government by reason of the income
tax, can uncover millions that hereto
| fore have been concealed, the states
should likewise take up the matter
and assess such wealth, in order that
the burden placed upon the farmer
might be relieved.
Some of the findings declared:
That each State Grange use its in
| nuence toward securing legislation
which will permit cooperative asso-
Citations being formed.
That the country seems to be going
crazy over conferences, junkets and
upiftngs that are supposed to be for
the good of the farmer, but which are
more likely to do harm if not speedily
changed Whatever is thus accom-
plished must be the work of the rural
people themselves and not that of a
crowd of "uplifters and experts" from
the city.
That the time has come when the
government should exercise rigor-
GUS control of the telephone and tele-
graph companies, in the interests OF
the people.
That roads should be improved. but
not for the purpose of making them
cross-country speedways.
That demand be made upon con-
gress for law preventing the manu-
facture and sale of oleomargarine
for interstate shipment that shall be
of a color initiating that of butter of
any shade of yellow.
The Secretary of the Grange was
instructed to wire President Wilson,
expressing the approval OF the
Grange of his policy in reference to
Mexico and in keeping the country
from going to war.
A report from the committee or
foreign affairs, fayoring free ports al
both ends of the Panama canal and
on the Pacific slope. was adopted
also resolution favoring an increase
in the grades of tax upon incomes. A
resolution was submitted by C. b. keg-
! ley, of the State of Washington, APP
proving the granting of woman suff-
rage by the enactment of federal law.
From Oct. /. 1912, to April Is, 1913
there were organized under regulation
No. /, IS Oranges. at a total cost of
| $784525.
During the same period there were
202 Oranges organized under No. 2