New Britain herald., 1920-01-13
FARMERS URGED TO
 SUPPORT DRY LAWS
State Grange Also FayorS Day.
 light Savings Repeal

JldTllOfu, Jan. l l0.--An appear to every Granger to aid the federal gov crnmcnt in it's enforcement of the prohibitory amendment was made by Frank F.. Blakeman, of Stratford, to- day in his annual address to the State Grange which began it's 35th an nual session. He also called for enactment of laws which will protect farmers against the evil of robbery of crops, and asked the Grange to take d definite stand on daylight say ing a matter of legislation.
 The Grange session in Foot Guard hall opened with the conferrinS of the fifth degree upon candidates, the routine organization for business, re- ception of resolutions and reports, and at the afternoon session the reviews of the year by the grange officers.
 Master Blakeman said that the year had been d successful one although it had not been all sunshine" the high cost of living having invaded the eX- pense account of the Grange as it had private affairs. The treasurer's re- port showed a decreased balance at tributable to this condition. Money had been judiciously expended, how ever. Three charters had been re- turned due to conditions and several
 
 Concerning Prohibition.
 Master Blakeman said on the sub ject of prohibition: Our Connecti- cut senate voted to place the disgrace of refusing to ratify the prohibition on the state, although forty-fiVe states, and congress and tho highest courts of our nation hav4 sustained every measure for it's adop- ton and enforcement. Fortunately our delegation in congress and those senators who refused to accede to demand for a higher and better civil lization are not permitted to deprive our state of the advantages of a sa- loonless nation in 1920.
 Therefore it becomes the duty of every patron to use his utmost en- deavor to aid the federal government in the enforcement of the law. The apid growth of our cities in recent 'ears, populated very largely by people of foreign birth and foreign ideals 1as carried the sentiment of our state ar from its reputation of being the and of steady habits.' Therefore it )ehooves every home-loving patron 0 stand firm for those principles of integrity and sobriety upon which the solid foundations of our state govern nent were laid"
 Daylight Saving Law.
 Master Blakeman said that early | n the year a request was sent. out rom the masters office for an ex- 1ressi~n regarding the daylight say ng law and nearly every Grange voted in favor of its repeal. This session he said. should take some dear action which will express the policy of the Grange in a clear and manner.
 Country Thieving.
 iOne of the problems which confront he farmer. Master Blakeman said, vas that of protecting his crops from hieVeS. After successfully combat ng drouth, storms, winds. hail, blight ougs, caterpillars and fungus" said Ir. Blakeman, the worst rodents of III are the city thieves. They descend lpon our crops just before maturity md, in the cunning of their malicious less and destruction, exceed all others. Dur eXperim ent station, or our agri- cultural college, has not devised a practical method of eXtermnating hem. This is a rapidly growing evil md while the last General Assem- bly, a law with a very severe
  The former must be watchful of sus- )icious persons and be willing to ap- pear as witnesses in court whenever hey are in possession of evidence which might lead to conviction. It would be well if this session could q plan, which our legisla- i've committee could urge before the leXt legislature as a possible remedy"
 Highways.
 MT. Blakeman in referring to high way developments said that there should be some further development of the so-called feeder roads that the armerS may be more easily in touch with the centers of trade at all sea- sons of the year. Many of the best farms are not being operated at a of their producing capacity because of the highways leading to them four months of the year. He urged the Grange to adopt a definite policy to be placed before the legisla- -ure whereby state aid can be used 70 improve feeder roads. This would increase the value of farm lands and SO increase the amount of food pro- 1uced to assist in feeding our own people.
 Relations With Labor.
 In reviewing the session of the Ma ional Grange Mr. Blakcman analysed he matter of Grange utilization with he Federation of Labor. He said: Wherever efforts have been made to bring organized labor and the farm ers together it has always resulted in the labor unions wanting shorter lours. higher wa ges and cheaper food; put when the problem of what labor would do to help the farmer produce cheaper food the came up the unions