The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1942-06-18
Large Crowd
Attends
Grange Picnic

sunday, June IA, Will be a long
remembered day for those who at
tended the all county picnic spon-
sored by the Lincoln County Po-
mona No S, which was held at Big
Greek near Rexford ITS persons
were in attendance.
State Master Sutherland. Sister
Sutherland, worthy Flora of the Ma
tional Grange; Brother Jessup. mas
ter of the East Side Grange. and
Mrs. Jessup. Brother and Sister
Sutherland Sr., and Brother and
Sister Lenarz. formerly of Eureka,
were in attendance from Flathead
county. A bountiful dinner was
spread on two long tables at noon.
The group stood at attention and
sang God Bless America just be-
fore eating
E. A. Rice, chairman of the pro-
gram committee, introduced Broth
er Fl. P Weydemeyer and Brother
Oneal as candidates in the coming
election. Sister Chappell. Pomona
lecturer, was in charge of the pro-
gram that followed. The group
sang the Star Spangled Banner"
after which Sister Chappell intro
duced Brother Winton Weydemeyer,
master of the Lincoln County Po-
mona, who in turn introduced Mas
ter Sutherland of the Montana State
Grange
Brother Sutherland said, with
all the peace and serenity which
surrounds us here it is hard to real
ize the conditions out in the world,
and we should realize how lucky we
are to live here
Brother and Sister Sutherland at
tended the Washington States 53rd
convention last week which was
held in Wenatchee. There were
1900 persons in attendance. They
had a class of 724 to take the 9th
degree Brother Sutherland said,
In spite of their losses to defense
industries and the armed forces,
Washington Grange had enjoyed a
very substantial growth. Farmers
seemed to feel the need as never
before of cooperation. Washing
ton has perhaps the strongest CO.
operatives of any state. They are as
strong financially as the National
Grange Their State Grange paper
is printed weekly 1t has a very
large list of advertisers which helps
them to put out the paper.
Brother Sutherland quoted the
following from Master Carstensen's
address: Agriculture has recently
been made the object of criticism
by those not in sympthay with our
interests, and the basis for the re-
marks is that agriculture is sac
rificing production for defense in
their attempts to get better prices.
TO this | can only say that it is
cheap and groundless criticism that
could only come from those who
are totally disregarding the welfare
of the farmer and are expecting
him to do one of the nations big
gest jobs with no guarantee of pro-
lection whatsoever.
THE Nations agricultural pro-
gram must be revised from its pres
ent form, and in order to put the
farmer on an equal basis with labor
and industry, the program must be
based on the following.
Il One hundred percent Of pari-
ty loan value computed by mod
ern method and not by an obsolete
standard outdated 80 years ago.
q Parity to cover all farm COM
modities.
g. Crop restriction to be based
on bushels rather than acres, pounds
of butter fat rather than cows; tons
of fruit rather than trees.
a. A farm program more demo-
cratically and producer controlled.
IS. A more extensive soil con-
servation program.
Wages being paid on government
jobs make it impossible for the
farmer to compete with the defense
industries for help said Master
Sutherland in conclusion.
Sister Chappell read several po-
ems during the program which were
much enjoyed Since it was Flag
Day, the program was worked
around that theme.
"A Prayer for the Day, by Sis
ter Weydemeyer.
THE Great Speckled Bird, sang
by Sisters Leighty and Carpenter
and Brother Leighty.
Brother Leighty delighted the
group with several excellent selec-
tons throughout the afternoon.
he First Shall be Last, and the
Last Shall be First" by nellie West
Skit, Brothers Rice, Youngs and
Vanderwood,
ITO our Flag, Sister Rice.
"Oh, Can You Sing, Sister Bee
be.
Meaning of Our Flag, Sister
Matchett
Group singing was much enjoyed
as were several harmonica selec-
tions by Orvil West.
About 4:30 the group began break
ing up and leaving for home hoping
that all present would be able tc
meet together again next year.
GRANGE REPORTER. j. A. e.