The Republican journal., 1914-12-24
The Maine State Grange
Holds its Annual Meeting in Lewiston.

and executive committee. The report of the
secretary. E. H. Libby of Auburn, showed
that the Grange in Maine has membership
of over $1,000. The treasurer. E. =. Addition
OF Greene, reported that the order had cash
| balance at the end of the fiscal year, October
l, of $55742l
The executive committee, through the chair
man, Edward Evans of Belfast. reported that
during the year they had received but one ap-
peal from the ruling of the deputy and In that
| case after hearing the ruling of Deputy E.
i. Clifford was sustained They had received
for maintenance of the Grange cottage at
Bigelow Farm during the year $50, and no ex-
pense had been incurred. They had appointed
| a legislative committee composed OF John E.
Abbott, L. E. Mcintyre and Edward Evans,
which had sent to the members of the Legis-
lature queries to their stand on various
questions Replies to these had been made pub
lie.
The resources of the Maine State Grange,
Oct. l, 1914. were cooperative store shares,
$5e4O; cash balance $5574.21; supplies on hand
So. '''''' - '>>''
The forenoon meeting was closed with de-
llghtful musical entertainment by Frank Cy-
rome, blind violinist, member OF one of the
Hancock County Oranges, who was accompan-
led by Miss Elsie Lunt of Eureka Grange,
South Durham. Following the forenoon ses-
sion meetings of many of the more important
committees were called at which considerable
business was done,
STATE MASTERS REPORT.
The report of State Master Stetson made at
the afternoon session, urged proper conserva-
tlon of water power, more equitable dstrlbu-
tion of State school fund, highway improves
ment and equal suffrage.
In the course of his remarks on the subject,
"What Can the Grange Do to Develop the
Resources of Mane?" Mr.. Stetson said:
First, we have the organization.
"Second, we have the membership, vitalized
by an abiding sense of responsibility and
keen sense of desire to make the organization
leader in big constructive work.
"Third, the Grange is farmers organiza-
tion, the members being men and women who
are the promoters of the basic and also the
greatest industry in our State. Given these
conditions the Grange may become mighty
factor in developing Names resources.
agriculture is Names greatest industry.
In the area controlled. amount invested, peo-
pie employed. value of products, intelligence
and quality of citizenship and the number of
leaders it furnishes to the other walks of life,
the farmers outrank all other classes. We
feel the need of better homes, more serviceable
roads. more efficient schools, a more helpful
community spirit and warmer zeal for life at
it's best estate, Better methods in agriculture
will contribute largely in giving US these
blessings.
"In developing agriculture in Maine the same
keen business foresight and methods are nec
essary as are employed in successfully devel-
oping any other trade or business. When we
know where we are at. when make the
most of our conditions, when we employ
know so instead of guess method, when
by business principles we find that we are in
business for the profit and not for the fun of
it, we may be absolutely certain that we can
amplify and develop business indefinitely,
and with the clear assurance that the earnings
will keep pace with the development.
1--WE are at the beginning of our possibilities
for agricultural development. Maine is great
in area and its agricultural resources, proper
ly developed, will place US in the forefront ag
rculturally. To do this must "buy less
and produce more in order to make our farms
profitable. We must diversity our crops and
crop more than we cultivate. We must be
able to systematiZe our work and calculate in
telligently on possibilities. We must discoun-
tenance the credit system and every system
tending toward prodigaity and waste, and the
Grange may become leader in directing this
work.
"Intelligent co operative buying and selling
is a fundamental principle in our Grange work.
1t is a term applied to system of united effort
for commercial and industrial purposes. 1t is
the association of people tor the management
of commercial interests and for the benefit of
those SO associated. The advantages of active
cooperation come in the lower prices paid fer
articles used in the home and on the farm and
1Or Cne Increased price TecelVeQ Dy Seilng Lne
product of the farm directly to the consumer.
1.-The transportati) IN question is Ct vital i'm
portanc5 to the farmer, and SO far the get
ting of products of the farm to the customer
is concerned, it begins at the farmers front
gate. Therefore, better roads are necessary
in the developing of Names undeveloped re-
sources. The Grange has an important part
to play in the work of improving our roads.
The obtaining of intelligent and competent
help upon the farm is problem which must
be solved. Electrical power must be made the
servant of the farmer in performing the work
formerly delegated to and performed by hand
labor"
At the Wednesday morning session resolu-
tion condemning the idea of State building
advertising and scenic roads and calling on the
Legislature to provide business thoroughfares
was adopted. Likewise resolution asking the
distribution of school funds according to school
attendance instead of according to municipal
valuation, as at present, was passed. The
Grange again declared for equal suffrage. The
Grange further adopted resolution request
ing the President of the United States to
order Federal investigation for the purpose
of finding if any good reason exists for the
great difference in price of some farm pro
ducts between producer and customer.
The Wednesday afternoon session was taken
up by reading of reports of committees and
the conferring of the fifth degree by the
officers of Androscoggin Pomona. This was
10 dCCOulAOOdtc HSmDeIS VI LIE Suoo1 ulAdLc
Oranges who wished to take the sixth degree
in the evening. The classes for both degrees
were large. o. J. Hoffman presented the re-
port on temperance. which reiterated the we'll
known position of the State Grange upon the
sale of liquors in the State, which is strong
for prohibition. The Lecturer in his report
said: Through the lecturers department our
membership is led and encouraged to study
and take part in solving the great problems of
the day that are pressing for solution" He
expressed regret that only few more than
half of the oranges reported the result of
their lecture work the past year. Androscog
gin ranked the highest in perez ntage, 75 and
Waldo next to the lowest, 80 per cent. Aroos-
took was lowest with 18 per cent. The work
done by the subordinate oranges as reported
by the lecturers is follows: Total number of
topics discussed. 280; total number of recita-
tions, Alta; total number of papers, 1,04S
total number of debates, 40; total number of
songs, 4645; total number of other exercises,
4,373 total number of patrons taking part in
program. 2O,246; total attendance at all meet
ings, l25,411
At the evening session Wednesday the sixth
degree was conferred on a class of 300 patrons,
the work being exempified by the State Off
GERS, the court being made up of the wives of
Pomona masters.
At the closing session Thursday reports of
committees on taxation and agricultural extern
sion were given. The Grange went on record
as being opposed to the postmaster generals
proposition that the R. F. D. carrier be rem0v
ed from civil service and placed under the con-
tract system A resolution was also adopted