Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1920-12-16
KANSAS STATE GRANGE OPENS
FORTY-NINTH ANNUAL SESSION

towns within the county In the up
keep and maintenance Of the fine
system Of practical schools, sur
rounded by productive well kept well
titled farms, being essentially typi-
cal agriculture service station, is es-
pecially well fitted by industry and
by environment to be our host upon
this occasion. Coming to this part
Of the state will surely be a profitable
and enjoyable occasion, especially to
those who have never been In this
section before"
/ Farmers Of Kansas are receiving
only half Of the production price for
corn raised this year, Mr.. Needham
declared in his address. Market
prices Of every large staple agricul-
tural product have been driven down
below the first cost Of the producer:
he asserted. Decline in prices Of
commodities which farmers must
buy, was not in proportion with cuts
which farmers were forced to take on
the products they had for sale.
Better organization among farm
ers to obtain favorable legislation
and to create pools for marketing Of
farm products was suggested by the
state master. He reviewed at length
the work Of the state grange during
the last year and urged the organi-
zation to take an active part in
pressing farm measures at the next
session Of the state legislature.
"Just Is Left Out
"Never since the early days Of the
order, have we met in time COM
parable with the present" said Mr..
Needham. "Readjustment with the
Just left out) of prices of farm pro-
ducts has been active, violent, al
most unrepecedented. Defation Of
prices If those supplies which the
farmer must buy has not been in pro-
portion.
According to the government re-
port on July 1 the corn crop OF the
country for this year was estimated
at 2,779, 100000 bushels, and was
worth for December delivery $1.57
per bushel, or total value Of $4,-
363, 100000 On December 1 the
government estimated the crop at
3.199,126,OOO bushels and it was
worth for December delivery 6S
cents bushel, or a total value of
Salts, ,4O5,6SO. Within period of
Ave months the estimated yield in-.
creased 100000, 900 bushels while
the total value Of the crop to the
producer decreased $2,1S7 ,534 900,
or more than one-half.
"Corn upon the farms of Kansas,
is only bringing about one-half the
cost of production. There is not
single large staple agricultural pro-
duct of Kansas that is bringing the
producer first cost, and few others
are probably as far short Of paying
basis as is corn"
Business conditions were so un-
settled that no capitalized business
associations were urged by the or
ganization during the last year, he
said.
Defeated Tax Amendment
"Our outstanding work and ac-
complishment of the year has been
our opposition and defeat Of the
tax amendment to our state consti-
tuition" he continued. "Yes, the
Grange is the one organization that
has stood out squarely and consist
antly for retaining in our state con-
stitution that clause which says:
the legislature shall provide for
uniform and equal rate Of assess
ment and taxation
"The year ahead is full Of oppor-
tunity for grange work and accom-
plishment. Every subordinate grange
either within their own organization,
or in association with others around
common shipping point should
perfect shipping pool for the mar
keting Of their livestock and grain.
"The margins being taken by the
shippers Of both livestock and grain
are out Of all proportion to the ser