Milford chronicle., 1942-12-04
ACTION BY THE
NATIONAL GRANGE
Taken At The 76th Annual Session
At Wenatchee, Wash, Nov. 11-19

]
The 10th annual session of the
National Grange, just closed at
Wenatchee, Washington, was one
of the most outstanding gatherings
of farm people ever held in the U. S.
With 81 states answering the roll
call, the nine days convention at
tended closely to business, with
three daily sessions and with
strong, clear-cut declarations on
many important national questions,
especially those relating to agricul-
ture and to the welfare of the rural
people.
Above everything else, the Ma
tional Grange stressed the supreme
task of the hour as winning the
war, and in behalf of the farmers
of the nation pledged maximum ef
forts toward that end. Declaring
that a 100 percent .endeavor would
be made to meet whatever food
production goals may be set up,
the Grange vigorously reiterated its
program adopted at the session at
Worcester, Mass, one year ago, re-
lative to a living price for those
expected to produce the food and
fiber so essential in winning the
war. The session solemnly warned
of the danger of a food shortage
next year, unless sufficient farm |
labor and equipment can be as
sured to accomplish the tremen-
dous task now facing Americas
food producers. The Wenatchee
declarations are coneisely summar-
lied as follows:- ISIS
Grange Platform For
l. Winning the war is our su-
preme task and to this accomplish
ment the Grange pledges its maxi
mum resources, both as an organ
ization and through the. individual
efforts of its entire membership.
2. The attainment of this goal
requires immediate action to as
sure farmers man power, ma
chinery and supplies, with prices
for food produced that will give
farmers a reasonable financial re-
turn for their toll, compared with
like effort in other essential indus
tries.
8. If necessary, in winning the
war, the Grange favors universal
service, provided such a program
comprises property, all branches
of industry, capital and labor; but
with assurance of its termination
when hostilities cease.
4. The Grange, approves the Sc
lective Service plan to defer essen
tial farm workers on dairy, live
stock and poultry farms, but urges
its extension to other types OF
farming.
5. A sure way to create a food
shortage will be to continue forcing
farmers to work longer hours and
for lower comparative income than
those engaged in other lines of in
dustry. Fair prices to food pro-
ducers will stimulate adequate
production, be a safeguard against
nation and furnish protection to
consumers.
6. The Grange reiterates its oft
repeated declaration of the past
quarter century concerning farm
parity, now so well expressed in
the words of President Roosevelt
as, "Prices which give the farmer
of purchasing power with
fellow Americans who work in in
iustry," and demands immediate I
revision of the parity formula to
(a) All farm labor in figuring !
cost of production.
(b) Making use of present /
price levels, instead of those
based on conditions of thirty
years ago.
7. Inasmuch as ceilings which
reduce agricultural prices below Z
cost levels will certainly result in
curtailing production, food short
ages and higher prices to con- !
sumers, price ceilings on food crops |:
must be flexible.
s. Efficient transportation is so {
essential to support of the war
effort and the preservation of the !
nations economic life, that neces-
,ary ALLEGATION of materials should
be made to permit all forms of !
to perform their re- .
Iuired functions to maximum de-
gree. No unnecessary restrictions :
should be imposed and a definite
rubber program should be develop .
I'd at once, including the manufac- :
.ure of synthetic rubber, by what
ever process is deemed most eff !
fective.
8. 1t is imperative that floors
lnder farm prices shall be estab- .