The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1919-05-22
The Grange is Sane.

The National Grange, which is the lead
ing organization of American farmers, is
opposed to government ownership of rail-
roads and favors private ownership and
operation under strict government regu-
lation. This attitude was made definitely
known at the last meeting of the National
Grange, when several resolutions were
adopted manifesting a general opposition
to the paterna1istic drift of the admins
tration. The Grange has opened head
quarters in Washington and indicates an
intention to combat much of the social
istic propaganda of other organizations
representing or claiming to represent the
farmers of the country. T. &. Atkeson,
of West Virginia, has been placed in
charge of the National Headquarters.
On the subject of the future of the rail-
roads, the Grange adopted resolution
reading as follows:
For IS years the National Grange has
advocated the strictest governmental
regulations of all public utilities. We
demand that when the railroads are re-
turned to their owners in accordance with
act of Congress, that the abuses of the
past arising from overcapitalization and
mismanagement, be corrected. We favor
cooperation between railroads, that nee
essary economies IN management may be
accomplished and the most efficient SER
vice rendered to the public.
One of the plans of the National Grange
is campaign for the appointment of a
practical farmer as Secretary of Agricul-
ture. The organization intends to ask
every candidate for the presidency how
he stands upon the issue they have raised
and they will endeavor to exact from each
candidate a promise that if he is elected
he will appoint at the head of the Depart
ment of Agriculture a man who is not
only practical farmer and in sympathy
with farmers but $50 identified with them
in vocation, ideas and effort that farmers
will recognize him as one of themselves. J"
No paper or professional farmers will be
acceptab BILE.
The censorship instituted by the pres
ent administration came in for strong
denunciation, as expressed in resolution
which declares that ''in any democracy
free press and free speech are admittedly
fundamental principles of human protec-
ton and human welfare.
Although the Grange is for protection,
it asks no special consideration for agri-
cultural products in the framing of tariff
schedules That the sheep will be driven
from lAmerican farms unless there is a
protective tariff on wool has been DEM
onstrated so conclusively that the Grange
has no doubt on that subject. But the
organization asks no special favors 1t
declared that reaffirming the Grange po-
sition of former years, we demand that
in the readjustment of tariff schedules,
agricultural products be given the same
protection as other commodities"
Maintaining headquarters at the Ma
tional Capital will be one of the perma-
nent policies of the Grange. "Organiza-
ton is essential for proper rural recon-
struction," is asserted in the resolutions
adopted. Business ana labor interests
are now organized and equipped with the
shrewdest representatives that can be
found to defend their interests during
the coming readiustmerts. Agriculture
must also have strong, we'll disciplined
lraternities which can SPEAK for it and
develop from its own ranks loyal, cap
able and aggressive leadership"