Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-11-14
Extracts Speech
Master Nat. Grange
At the 1925 Session


farmer is in better condition than for
years. Prices are advancing, the pur-
chasing power of the farmers dollar
IS increasing and the firm tone in mar
ket conditions indicates that the fu-
ture offers sufficient encouragement to
enable our farmers to plan with hope
of reward. Crop failure at home and
abroad has been a factor in absorbing
our food surplus and in bringing bet
ter marketing conditions. In addition,
necessity has compelled a reduction of
acreage, and development of better
marketing and distribution machinery.
which have been to a small degree at
least, sustaining factors in price ad-
justments.
The American farmer IS the worlds
most efficient food producer In about
200 years we have changed from ma
ton in which over 80 per cent of our
population were farmers-and that 80
per cent had struggle to feed them
selves and the other 10 per cent In
towns and cities-until today less
than 80 per cent are farmers, and that
80 per cent are feeding themselves and
the 70 per cent in towns and cities as
no people have ever been fed before,
and they are producing an exportable-
surplus to ease hunger beyond the
seas. Yet with this efficiency, with
the wealth invested in agriculture sim
ply staggering in it's amazing total
We find, sadly, that America has neg
lected to build permanent type of
agricultural civilization on this con-
tinent.
Education, finance, transportation,
marketing methods, taxation and a
host of intricate and difficult problems
confront the modern farmer on every
turn. Our desire must be, not that
the consuming public shall pay more,
because the American consumer has
his own serious burdens to bear, but
that by eliminating waste, by short
ening the route, by avoiding duplica-
ton, and by substituting modern busi-
ness methods both in production and
distribution, the plain, everyday
farmer-in other words. the last man
back on the last farm-shall receive a
little larger share Of the consumer s
dollar than he receives today. This Is
the task before us.
1t is we'll occasionally to remember
the farmers opportunities in 1850 or
in 1900, but 1t is much more important
to realize that 1925 will soon be upon
us, that 1850 will find changed
world, and that agriculture must go
forward and keep step, or fail.
There is no agency that holds more
of promise to agriculture than the de-
velopment of sound marketing meth
DDS. The farmer is understanding the
dangers and limitations Of coopera-
tive marketing as never before, as
we'll as approaching the financial pos
sibilities that it offers. Better market
ing methods, development of farmer
owned and farmer controlled commod-
ity marketing agencies can mean
much to future rural prosperity. How
ever. marketing is only one of the
steps that agriculture will need to
take. We are beginning to understand
that It is only as our cooperatives de-
velop equal or superior marketing and
distribution machinery, that We can
replace present day agencies. We al
so recognize that unless economies
and savings are possible, It is eco
nomically unsound to seek to disturb
present machinery. The goal of the
American farmer, however. should be
to take into his own hands as largely
as possible during the next half CEN
tury the handling of the product of
his own toll.
The program of the Grange may or
may not have been in small degree,
but it has furnished a basis for the
discussion of many of our rural prob
lens, and brings to our membership
clearer understanding of their i'm
portance. We have everything to gain
and nothing to lose by frank dis
cussion of our problems and the con-
sideration of how they affect those in
other callings. 1t is only as we UNI
derstand each other, that we can work
together to bring about better condi-
tions.s The average business man, the
average financial and labor leader are
actuated by desires similar to our own.
When we meet to discuss our prob
lens, when we understand each other
difficulties, we will find that distrust
will frequently give place to conf
dence and good will.
It is a privilege to be able to report
the Grange in satisfactory and
healthy condition in every state In the
Union. One hundred and forty-seven
Oranges have been organized, 81 re-
organized and 129 Juveniles have been
added. This sets a high water mark
in organization since the depression
of 1921, and indicates a Ssound and
healthful condition. More important
than the number Of new Oranges and
congratulations. however, IS their wide
distribution. Every Grange state in
the nation reports a new Grange, re-
organization or a Juvenile, showing
remarkable life and vitality.
1t Is significant that more Juveniles
were organized this year than in any
other similar period in our history.
This indicates that 1t has proven its
worth and is here to stay. The Juve-
nile has wonderful potential value and
possibilities for our Order.
During thA year IL GrangA halls