West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-01-01

address 20 the national
grSEge. In sAsion Nov. IL at Manches.
ter. n. H., National Master oliver VIII
son said ~ the grange is in better
condition ttday than NJ any time In its
history. More Is being undertaken and
accomplished along the various lines Of
grange endeavor than ever before.
During the fiscal year 1871 oranges
have been added throughout tS,enty-
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 10 allow the different states
the sum OF $1,000 each for ~organiza-
ton work. provided that did not re-
duce the funds in the treasury below
the 100000 mark. so that work under
the per diem plan was discontinued I'm
April and resumed under the former
sya1 A.. which was not quite SO profit.
o the organizers. Under plan
there were ninety-five
lied. ut n total cost Of S7.Si525.
average of $500 per grange,
under plan No. . there were 202
ngcs organized. at a total cost OF
40. or an average of 1851 per
hge. The national master. fully
he 10 the Importance OF extending
Order, nevertheless believes that It
OF far greater Importance TO
trengthen weak states than To organ
re new ones. The total assets Of the
RATIONAL grange are now. or were on
Oct 81. the end Of the fiscal year.
S95.923.0t. The total expense OF the
hear was S4G.Ji5.34. OF which Sli.500
was nsed 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 n system of financial
ton for the benefit of the producer it
does not believe in placing n heavier
burden on the consumer. therefore It
should be fairly understood that the
grange Is opposed to any system look.
ing toward limiting of production or
arbitrarily fixing prices. This system
is as unjust as IL is impractical and
should not be considered by n true
Patron
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES conserva-
ton. Master Wilson said that every pos
%precaution for conserving the soil
should be taken. and the fact that no
n has the right to become n robber
Of the soil should be taught in the
home, the school. the church and the
grange.
Highway lmproyement.-The position
OF the grange is well known on the
road question. II has long advocated
federal aid for road Improvement. Ii
is just as positive rs 10 how and where
this money shall be expended. The
grange 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 rs TO en-
able the farmer 10 market his produce
at a less cost, thereby increasing his
profits and at the same time decreas-
ing the price TO the consumer. When
this Is done 1t is then time to talk of
the ocean to ocean roads.
Further. the national master said.
now that the principle Of federal aid
has been recognized the mex step Is
the actual cooperation between tine
federal and state governments i'm the
construction and maintenance OF the
more important highways OF the coun-
try. leaving the remainder of the roads
to the states for state improvement
n TO the counties and townships for
joint Improvement.
Agricultural Credits. The speaker
believed that the time had come when
the national grange should he heard
upon this very important question. lie.
said:
First. Any rural credit system
should make il 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 ut the
lowest possible interest for the farmer
who desires It.
"Third.-A rural credit system that
5 suited 70 the needs OF the peasant
conditions existing ia many parts Of
Europe must necessarily fail in orr
free and independent country.
hf ~ tnNffW NNfdl fEtNAf
commission that went 10 Europe had
on II but few real representatives Of
agriculture: consequently we can ex-
pect but little " any benefit from its
report
"Fifth.-Any credit systaul TO be safe
for the people mnss he under direct
control QEoE-operated by the govern
~b3enT
"Our Legislative policies-Some Of
the important measures which the
grange favOrs are thus summarized: o.
Federal aid for road Improvement. e.
conservation OF orr natural resources.
CD a Just ana equitable system ~
financial cooperation. a. effective reg
uiation and control Of railroads and
express companies, % n rational md
feir system Of agricultural credits. fG.
international peace