The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-12-16
TOWN CRlERS' SECOND MIN
STREL SHOW MADE BIG HIT


the conditions that brought the Grange
into being, and have only described in
limited way some Of the principles
for which the grange has always stood
and as proof of the popularity of its
position, and as further proof Of the
confidence the people imposed in the
organization, at the end of the fourth
year after birth there had been 25,OOO
subordinate oranges organized in Is
states. And so the grange continued
to function with the ever increasing
confidence and support of the farmers
until the reconstruction period was
over and the country was again restor-
ed to normal conditions. And then
came the critical time in the life of
this great farmers organization, some
of the would-be progressive leaders
in the central states, thinking there
was no other way to procure legisla-
tion that was just and equitable for
the farmer, plunged the Grange INTO
politics, which proved to be very fatal,
and for time threatened it's de-
struction. 1t was through the most
strenuous efforts on the part of some
Of the most conservative members,
acts of some of the state oranges, by
the National Grange that the organic
alton was saved.
Beginning with the early nincties
the Grange has had continuous and
steady growth, until today the organ
ization covers wider territory and
has a larger membership than at any
time in it's history.
The Grange having been in exist
ence fifty years, it will only be natural
for some to ask. what has th.. Grange
accomplished? There is no way in
which the great work of the Grange
along educational and social lines can
be readily measured; some Of The CO.
operative work of the order we can
measure in dollars and cents; but
some Of the greatest achievements in
Grange history are along Legislative
lines. Space will not permit me to
go into detail in discussing tne var
ious laws that have been enacted as
a result Of Grange activity, or the
number of bills defeated through the
fight that has been led by the Grange,
but / shall only mention few laws
that have been placed upon our stat
ute, by first having the attention tf
The people called to their importance
by the Grange itself.
Through the efforts of the Grange
the agricultural colleges tea h agri-
culture. Before the Grange turned
its attention to them they were ayri-
cultural in name only.
'Nhe Hatch law that provided for
agricultural experiment stations was
made possible by the grange.
The Grange led the fight that de-
fta:ed the bill to reissue the patents
on sewing machines.
1t was through the work of the
Grange that the Secretary Of Agrlcul-
ture was made member Of the Presi-
dents cabinet, thus giving agriculture
a voice in the councils Of the President
and his cabinet.
In the early days the transportation
problems were only Strengthened out
by the persistent efforts of the Grange,
and the Granger laws" would ill vol
umes. AS a result Of this fight in
congress and the state legislatures. the
courts decreed that the cerature is
not greater than the creator. The
work Of the Grange in the fights over
transportation problems has been of
inestimable value to the farmers and
shippers of the nation.
The Grange was one of the creates.
factors in securing the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
The Grange has always been a
champion of pure food and honest
dairy products, and as result of its
work most of the states now have 4
dairy and food department. 1t was
also through its work that the Nation
al law taxing oleo 10c per pound when
colored as butter, was enacted.
The Grange was one of the greatest
factors in securing the following leg
islation:
The National pure food law. Par
eel post legislation. These two meas
ures are of direct benefit both to the
producer and the consumer.
Provision for postal savings bank
system.
Direct election of United States SEN
ators.
Federal aid in road construction.
Rural credit act.
The Grange has always been an
advocate of a more equitable system
of taxation and has been the farmers
staunchest friend in the fights on the
problems of taxation. And re-af-
frning their position taken at former
sessions. We now give you a few
basic principles upon which the grange
stands:
Since taxation is necessary for the
enforcement of laws for the protec-
ton Of property, individual or corpor-
ate, therefore no property, either real
or personal, which is protected by law,
should be exempt from taxation, ex-
cept such property as may be specifi-
cally exempt by state constitutions.
Exemption by reason Of debt ap-
piled equally to real and personal pro-
perty
Mortgages to be taxed as real prop
erty assessed against owner of mort
gage in district where land is located,
and owner of land given exemption
in amount of mortgage.
Corporation property both real and
personal to be taxed the same as pri-
vately owned property.
Tax on railroad property to be bas-
ed on valuation equal to total market
CONTINUED on last page)