Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-12-17

classes do not solve the farmer'a
problem UnieSs the Production 81
food can be put On the saAe ouss-
mes basis ~ that Of other indus
tries-that Of cost Of pgoducttCn pso4
fair profit-with peciits enAcaing
| the farmer and his family to have
such comforts and conyeniences -
are enjoyed by those engaged IN
other occupations. the farmer cAnno.
long hold his high standing among
men When selling prices OF farm
products are based upon cost cf Pro-
GUction precisely as are the prices OF
other commodities. then the farmer
win not need the uplifting propaxan-
da that is 50 lavishiy bestowed upon
him
/ Personally I do moi believe that the
/ farmer should ask or accept how rates
| Of interest. special banking privileges
personal credits. exemption from
/ taxes. or any other special privileges
that are not accorded other business
The farmer should resent and re
sist any paternal patronizing attempt
: 10 put him in a separate class ~
caste Let him stand up and do lis
business by the side Of other me-.
, without favor.
Il is the function OF this organiza.-e'--
10 aid II developing the farmer. not tx
farm
Tnis can only be done through PIT.
i-atle agriculture. recognized as an Is
sential and basic industry.
The Grange and the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor
! Following an invitation from Samuel
/ Gcmpers for the National Grange 70
affiliate with the American Federation
Of Labor. much discussion has been
carried On regarding the common inter-
es-s and purposes Of the federation and
/ that of the farmer
: While local unions dealing directly
; with the employer have done much -
improve conditions Of labor, and have
always lad the hearty sympathy sni
| support Of the farmer. can see 40
common grosad for action between tie
Grange and the proposed plans and
purposes of the federation
I On the other hand. the interests of
The farmer ara opposed 10 the propose
ksans CT the American Federation OF
Labor and OF the railroad hrotherhooas
which, il a large measure. are acting
+ together.
/ As has beeR said. the Grange is made
| up CT farmers and their families with
cut distinction as to whether they are
employers, employees or tenants. The
Grange il an outstanding Illustration %
/ that happy relationship that can ami
A should exist between labor and en-
/ picyers Of labor The problems of en-
bicyITaent in agriculture have never re-
qai 81 organizations Ct workmen or or
fa1'zaifons Of employers TO eepouse op-
( posing interests.
: Dcrihg the period OF the war the
Z farmers Of America. BIZ unusual AMI
exfes lie efforts, produced essential
+ farm crops OF foods and textiles he
yond any record ever known, and they
oia his While the number Of farm work
efs was being steadily decreased. not
, Only by the draft. but by the high
wages In rnunition. ordnance and o,hsr
war manufacturing. by long hours an
great sef-sacrifce, by the work Of
women and children. Since the armis-
tee the production OF food and farm
products has been maintained so that
, the COUNCIL OF national defense in An
ohci iai statement issued in October. fsl.
report the food supply as "amp,e
FROM the same authoritative source :,
! 10 learned that production has decline
IN aihost every other industry. We
feei that the record Of declining indus
'r'ai production aicne during the past II
months would account in large mar, for
the Industrial ills which this nation
races and on the record presented h.
the council Of national defense we ca,
sSani entirely confident that neithe,
ncnest opinion nor just criticism ca,
he!d the farmers responsible for ,ha
ccndtt ons now existing.
The industry of agricu,ture ;s s,<
fering at this time from serious dis
turbances and the renresen,ativss -
the American Federation Of I.,o~
sHou'u know that the oranges be-
heVe that not until this industry Of
asricuIture Is rehabilitated and takes
IT'S proper place among the industries
Can the disturbances in Industrial re
LalonsnlpS be satisfactorily adjusted
Inc steady decline in agriculture III.
redoced financial return in farming
the trend OF populatica away from
lhe tarms. the increasing cost of
farm products and the spectacle 81
consumption overcaking production
are more serious economic problems
.han re" more cents per hour. or
less per work in other industries
In Conclusion
During the past four years tho
grange work has suffered from war
conditions as has all other work bnt
at present il is showing a marked
activity. with large numbers Joining
the order
the coming year promises to be
one OF the best in its history. Much
discussion is often carried on as 10
| whether the Grange should aim tn be
a social and educational order. es-
pecially adapting its programs to
| meet the needs Of our large num-
bers Of young members; or whether
it should aim to put directly into op-
Grafton cooperative profit sharing
schemes whereby its members can
buy and sell TO greater advantage, OF
whether II should. through It's or
ganized effort, aim to bring about
| certain social and political changes
such as might reasonably be agreed