Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1914-07-17
THE GRANGE
Conducted by
J. w. BARROW. Chatham, N. Y,
Editor of the New York. State GRANGE
ReutcU
GRANGE POLICY.
Brief Synopsis of National Mas
ter'S Address.
The Order In FIourishing Condition.
How the Organization Stands as to
Conservation, Road Improvement,
Agricultural Credits.

OOAASN aAiOi hOd Improvement
Agricultural Credits.
In his annual address to the national
grange, in session Nov. - at Manches-
ter, n. H, National Master Oliver Viii
son said that the grange is in better
condition today han at any time in it's
history. More is being undertaken and
accomplished along the various lines of
grange endeavor than ever before.
During the fiscal year 431 oranges
have been added throughout twenty
nine states. One new state has been
organized, Wyoming. At the last meet
ing of the national grange at Spokane,
Wash, the executive committee was
authorized to allow the different states
the sum of $1,000 each for o~rganiza-
ton work, provided that did not re-
duce the funds in the treasury below
the $4,000 mark, so that work under
the per diem plan was discontinued in
April and resumed under the former
system, which was not quite 90 profit
able to the organizers. Under plan
No. / there were ninety-ive oranges
organized, at a total cost of $7,S4J.2J,
or an average of $500 per grange.
and under plan No. > there were POP
oranges organized. at a total cost Of
S3.14O, or an average If S1S.J1 per
grange. The national master, fully
alive to the importance If extending
the order, nevertheless believes that it
is Of far greater Importance to
strengthen weak states than to oreau-
ize now ones. The total assets of the
national grange are now. or were ON
oct. 81. the end of the fiscal year.
S~95,923O4 The total expense of the
year was S4G,51534. of which Sll.-cO
was used directly in extension work.
Co-operation.-On this subject the
national master had very pronounced
opinions. He said IN part:
"While the range desires to bring
about Il system Of financial co-opera-
ton for the benefit of the producer it
docs not believe in placing a heavier
burden on the consumer, therefore it
should be fairly understood that the
grange is opposed to any system look
III WV Al' AAtAAllIil= VI lfil'llNlpll VI
arbitrarily fixing prices. This system
is as unjust as if is impractical and
should not I've considered by a true
Patron"
Conservation.-Concerning conserva-
ton, Master Wilson said that every pos
sible precaution for conserving the soil
should be taken, ana the fact that no
nnn- hoe tha right h., ha4orrnn a r1II,t,
Of the soil should be taught in the
home, the school. the church ana the
grange.
Highway Improvement.-The position
of the grange is well known OF the
road question. 1t has long advocated
federal aid for road improvement. 1t
is just as positive as to how and where
this money shall be expended. The
range believes the first consideration
IS the Improvement of the central mar
ket road. We should improve the roads
in all parts of the country so as to en-
able the farmer to market his produce
at a less cost, thereby increasing his
profits and at the same time decreas-
ing the price to the consumer. When
Lnlo ID oOllC IL 10 lhCA TIME " lain VI
the ocean to ocean roads.
Further, the national master said,
now that the principle of federal aid
has been recognized the next step Is
the actual cooperation between the
federal and state governments in the
construction and maintenance of the
more important highways of the coun-
frU loo vino thn rnmoindar Of fhn rOodd |
to the states for state improvement
and to the counties and townships for
Joint improvement.
Agricultural Credits. The speaker
believed that the time had come when
the national grange should be heard
upon this very important question. He
said:
First. - Any rural credit system
should make it easy and safe for a
farmer to borrow money to buy or i'm
prove his land or equipment to operate
same.
"Second.-LOng time credit at the
lowest possible interest for the farmer
who desires it.
"Third.-A rural credit system that
is suited to the needs Of the peasant
conditions existing In many parts Of
Europe must necessarily fail in our
free and Independent country.
"Fourth.-The so called rural credit
commission that went to Europe had
on it but few real representatives OF
agriculture; consequently we can ex-
pect but little If any benefit from its
report.
"Fifth.-Any credit system to be safe
for the people must be under direct
control of or operated by the govern
ment.
"Our Legislative Policies.-Some of
the important measures which the
grange favors are thus summarized: ~
Federal aid for road improvement, ca