The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1922-02-09
BY a Granger
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By Granger =
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The Grange. or Order of Patrons of
Husbandry, is one of the oldest, if not
the oldest farm organization in exist
ance in the United States. For over
sixty years it has stood like Gibralter
while other organizations have risen
and fallen like waves on storm tossed
sea, it has stood the test of time, the
only true test. The Grange holds out
to the farmer many opportunities for
social, educational and financial bet
terment
The price of the dues in the Grange
is so low considering the many adj
vantages it affords that it is a decided
folly for any farmer to refrain from
enrolling as member. The social
features of the Grange alone are
worth more to any farmer than the
small dues charged.
VI
By affiliating with the subordinate
or local Grange one avails himself of
the opportunity of meeting in social
way the majority of farmers in q rad
Jus of several miles and by taking the
9th degree, or attending the Pomona
Grange he meets and mingles with
people thruout the county. In this
way lasting friendships are formed
and acquaintance are made that
would otherwise never have come
about, and furthermore, should one
have the occasion to be in distant
part of the county from his own home
he will be among friends and well
coined with fraternal good fellowship.
As E. E. Faville, editor of the West
ern Farmer says: "The Grange is the
farmers greatest fraternal order, and
one of Importance"
During the business session of the
order such matters as good roads, state
and national issues that are of inter-
est to farmers, and cooperative buying
and selling are discussed. The dis
cussions that take place during the
business session, together with the lee
ture hour, is where the educational ad-
vantages Of the Grange are presented.
One not only learns. whatis going on
from members who take part in the
discussion, but he also trains himself
in the ability to express himself be-
fore an assembly, to think on his
feet" as it were, If he embraces the
opportunity. Young men and women
who have aspirations above day labor
or hum-drum work will find wonderful
opportunities in the business and lee
ture hours Of the Grange to develop
themselves in extemporaneous speak
ing, essay work, reading, defamation,
singing, instrumental music, amatuer
acting, etc. The lecture hour pro-
gram at the Pomona or county Grange
is usually better, and is always more
varied, than the entertainment furn-
ished by travelling troops charging .
high price for admission. Pomona lee
ture hour programs are always open
to the public and free to all.
Another feature of the Grange is
the fire insurance which is cheaper to
the Grange member than old line In
surance even if his Grange dues be
added to his insurance assessments.
Some farmers join the Grange for this
feature alone and because Of distance
and lack of travelling facilities sell
dom attend the meetings, yet they
keep their dues paid up in order to
hold their insurance.
The cooperative buying end Of the
Grange is, of course, handled thru
the Grange Warehouse, which is a CO.
operative store owned by members Of
the Grange and kept in thoro working
order by state Grange auditing sys-
tenn.
A movement is now on foot in con-
nection with the Grange store to al
low Grange members to pay in ten
dollars a year to apply on stock in
the Grange Warehouse. This money
would not be used to pay salaries or
for organization work but would all
be used as working capital.
The Grange, as a national institu-
tion strives to secure harmony and
good will, endeavors to suppress per-
sonal, local, sectional and national pre-
JUDGES, all unhealthy rivalry, all self
ish ambition. It seeks the greatest
good to the greatest number and in
morals the highest possible standard
is sought. The organization being
peculiarly farmers institution, can
not admit all to its ranks. Many are
excluded by the nature Of the organic
alton, not because they follow other
vacations, but because they have not
sufficient direct interest in tilling
the soil. But the Grange appeals to