New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1919-01-31
FARMERS HAVE
GOTTEN into LOBBY
GAME THEMSELVES
WILL OPPOSE PATERNAL1sM
INCLUDING GOVERNMENT
OPERATION OF RAILROADS
AND DEMAND PRACTICAL
FARMER FOR SECRETARY
Special to State Record.

spI'ttiti " StdtC NCNOI
Washington, Jan. 29-The Nation
al Grange, which is the leading or
ganization of American farmers, is
opposed to government ownership
OF railroads but favors private own
erShip and operation under str;ct
government regula ton This at
titude was made definitely known at
the recent meeting OF the National
Grange, when several resolutions
were adopted manifesting a general
opposition to the paternalistic drfe
of the administration. The Grange
has opened headquarters in WASH
ington and indicates an intention to
combat much of the socialistic pro-
paganda OF other organizations re-
presenting or claiming to represent
the farmers OF the country. T. c.
:Atkeson, OF West Virginia, has been
placed in charge of the National
Headquarters.
On the subject Of the future OF the
Railroads. the Grange adopted a re-
solution reading as follows:
For IS years the National Grange
has advocated the strictest govern
mental regulation of all public uti-
lties, We demand that when the
railroads are returned to their own
crs in accordance with act of Con-
gress that the abuses of the past,
arising from ovcr-capitalization and
mismanagement, be corrected We
favor cooperation between rail-
roads, that necessary economies in
management may be accomplished
and the most efficient service rem
dcred to the public.
One of the plans OF the National
Grange is campaign for tho ap-
noin'mert of a practical farmer as
Secretary of Agriculture. The or
ranlzation intends to ask every can
didate for the presidency how he
stands upon the issue they have
raised and they will cndcavor
TO. exact from each candidate pro-
mise that if he is elected he will
appoint at the head of the Depart-
mcnt of Agriculture man who is
not only a practical farmer and in
sympathy with farmers but so idcnti.
fled with them in vocation, ideas and
effort that farmers will recognize
him as one of themselves. No
paper or professional farmers will
be acceptable.
The censorship instituted BY the
present administration came in for
a strong denunciation. as expressed
in resolution which declares that
in anv democracy free press and free
speech are admittedly fundamental
principles of human protection and
human welfare. We hold that the
censorship of both should be re-
moved at the earliest possible mo-
ment.
Although the Grange is for pro
lection. it asks no special considera-
tion for agr: cultural products in the
framing of tariff schedules That
sheep will be driven from American
farms unless there is a protective
tariff on wool has been demonstrate
ed so conclusively that the Grange
has no doubt on that subject. But
the organization asks no special
favors. 1t declared that reaffirming
the Grange position of former
years, we demand that in the read
iustment OF tariff schedules, agricut-
tural products be given the same
protection as other commodities.
Maintaining headquarters at the
National Capital will be one OF the
permanent policies OF the Grange.
is essential for proper
rural recon Struction, is asserted ia
the resolutions adopted. Business
and Labor interests are now orga-
nized and equipped with the Shrew-
dest representatives that can he
found to defend their interests dur
ing the coming readiustmentS. A.
griculture must also have strong.
well d sciplined fraternities whick
ran speak for it and develop
from its own ranks 4 loyal. capable
and aggressive leadership.