Milford chronicle., 1938-12-09
ACTION BY The NATIONAL GRANGE
TAKEN BY THE 72ND ANNUAL SESSION AT PORTLAND OREGON
NOVEMBER 1924 1888

states we're represented, the larges
number in the entire history OF the
organization. Well toward 10000
alert farm people we're present and
a class of nearly 1000 candidates
were initiated into the Seventh De-
gree, the highest ritualism in this
farmers fraternity.
Strict attention to business for the
entire nine days session enabled the
Grange to formulate a comprehen-
sive farm program for the year
ahead and to declare itself on many
Of the outstanding issues before the
nation.
The keynote of the Portland ses-
sion was courage for the future in
rural life, and a determination to
rely upon self-help rather than gov
ernment aid. In forceful language
the National Grange emphasized the
almost unlimited natural resources
within the United States, and sound
ed a real challenge to the people OF
today to exhibit the pioneer spirit
which SO effectively built the nation.
Applying that spirit to present-day
anu HGCub W0n hGOAoANA ~
be the challenge of the hour.
With every section of the nation
represented in the Portland conven-
tion, and with naturally wide differ
ences of opinion, nevertheless the
program finally adopted represented
the give and take" characteristic Of
the Grange, and the various view
points of the delegates were success
fully fused into a workable policy,
that will command uniform support
regardless of locality. Most Of the
Grange prOnouneements we're adopt,
ed by unanimous vote, wholly with
out bitterness in debate, and without
a single roll-call taken during the
entire deliberations. II is very doubt
full IL any American convention OF
equal size ever faced such multi
tude Of proposals and resolutions
and emerged with so harmonious a
program, yet one speaking clearly
and emphatically upon every consid-
cred question.
Above everything else the Grange
policy puts the vast membership
sduarely on record ti) in favor of a
reasonable profit upon the cost of
agricultural production, exactly as
all other lines of business demand;
but -(2) a positive denial Of farm
regimentation as solution Of pres
ent problems, with an insistence
that Individual farmers be allowed
20 work out their own affairs With
out government interference or re-
strictions.
The Grange vigorously urged the
extension of rural electrifcation to
the greatest possible number of
farm homes; the building of more
good roads for the farmers, made
increasingly possible by the stern
refusal in every state to permit
building, maintenance and policing
of highways. The Grange continues
its firm belief that the best insur-
ance for peace is in taking the prof
its out of war, and again its voice is
raised against reciprocal trade trea-
ties with other nations which dimin-
ish the American farmers market
and flood the country with products
from other soil, while idle farms and
idle workers constitute the chief
problem in this nation.
Extension of the cooperative sys-
tenn, wider means of transportation.
lower interest rates on farm mort
cages and protection Of the dairy in
dustry against the competition OF
imported dairy products are among
other significant pronouncements OF
the Portland session.
This was not election year In the
National Grange but the keynote ad-
dress of National Master Louis J.
Taber. and the unanimous endorse
ment which 1t received from the del
egate body. indicated very signifi-
cantly how united is this far-fiung
Grange organization In support of
sturdy policies to benefit the Ameri-
can farmer and to improve rural
life.
Below will be found the program
Of the Grange, as adopted at Port
and, and the pronouncements Of the
body will find hearty sup
,ort by the almost 5000 subordinate
lnits and the 100000 membership
throughout the land.
rhe Grange Program for Agriculture
Stressing the independence Of the
armer and his right to equality Of
'eward for his labors, without gov
RECOMMENDATION or interfer-
nee, the National Grange insists
lpon such revision of the present
farm Act as will afford the farmer
his opportunity, with reasonable
fitting of farm prices certain to be
by genuine national recov-
ry. The National Grange platform
IS adopted at Portland contains is
planks," which are concisely sum-
larized as follows:
Give the farmer equality of op-
and a fair share Of the
ational income.
ENACT provisions assuring the
armer reasonable profit above. the
ost Of operating his farm. This can I
e accomplished by:
(a) Amendments to and simplifi- /,
alton Of the present Farm Act. VI
(b) Development Of a longtime {
ubstitute program.
(c) Cooperation with other farm {
rganizations and with the agencies I
government.
3-Assure 8 the American market to {
le American farmer. up TO the linz
of his ability to produce eficient- q
by:
(a) Prices consistent with the Am
-ican standard of living. v
(b) Requiring that all trade tres-
es be subject TO ratification by the '
snate. giving opportunity for study v
their provisions. a
(c) Barring importation OF farm