Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-06-25
TELLS WHAT THE GRANGE CAN DO FOR THE
FARMER If HE WILL BECOME INTERESTED

An address delivered at the meeting
of the White Grange in Richland town.
ship Thursday by Mrs. Elmer Moore,
Is an excellent presentation of what
the Grange seeks to do for the farmer
in his own behalf as a member of the
organization. The address Is given in
full as follows:
"The Grange And The Farmer"
You farmers who have ridden the
Grange goat in the Wilson church and
held on with difficulty as it stumbled
over the various distractions with
which the pathway was beset, know
that the Grange Is good thing.
They know that the farmer needs
the Grange, and now as never before.
The Grange needs the influence and
support of all fair-minded, honest far
mers. Why? Because while with the
force behind it the Grange has accom-
plished much for the farmer, it today
meets the opposition of an organized
force in its effort to secure certain
legislation, which necessitates all the
power, and influence 1t can WELD. 1t
meets opposition from those who bring
with them all the arts of delay and
obstruction which money can buy or
influence, and to secure for the farmer
these acts which it believes to be right
it requires more help, more strength,
and more support.
It is ancient history to speak Of the
Grange having secured the oleo legis-
lation, the interstate commerce COM
mission, the placing of a farmer In the
No
livery the removal of the tax on de-
natured alcohol, and kindred acts.
These are too we'll known to require
comment. The Grange and the farmer
fell down on the reciprocity monstros-
ity and they fell down on parcel post.
We lost parcel post by parliamentary
trick which permitted your congress-
man and mine to slip out without com.
ing to a vote so we could not know
where he stands and what to do about
It in November.
Why did we lose these things? Just
because nothing is ever. given the far
mer until he comes after it strong
enough to demand it and with the mum.
bers which are guarantee of strength
Votes are the one thing to which
our politicians bow and food of Pc
titions on the desk Of a congressman
means votes at the next election; votes
he must and will respect. What does
the farmer get out of the Grange?
What does the banker get out of his
club? The merchant out OF his assoc
iation, the coal dealer out of his trust,
the lumber man out Of the Black Cats,
the commission man out of the organ
ization, the painter, the laborer, the
miner out of the union?
The farmer gets all the others do
and in addition his wife gets associa-
ton with her kind. The pleasure OF
talking over methods and plans with
those engaged in kindred occupation,
the advantages which accrue from
such discussion, more profit from the
same acres; more time to enjoy higher
ideals-this makes us better men ana
women.
The Grange develops a feeling OF
fraternity, among farmers, shows them
that while they may seem to be COM
petitors in reality they are 'cooperat.
ors, with the job of feeding the rest
of mankind. 1t teaches that on the
way they conduct themselves and
their farm operations depends the re.
suits to themselves and their children;
that they can so run their farms that
they will leave their children an i'm
and barren Inheritance, in.
stead of one more highly developed
than they received.
The mission of the Grange is educa-
tional All Oranges may not have de-
veloped these things but the POSSIBLE