The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1943-02-05
n, Y T. SHORT

OF NoN. arthur IankiS
legislative program will re-
call 10 many old timers some
previous and spectacular
Grange battles n Olympia.
The Grange began 10 take an
active interes, In legislative at.
fairs about 20 years aEo. The
frat hlg fights we're for the over
throw Of the several rings OF
shloess when directed the leK.
islstive program and psrceled
out the highway pork barrel"
Another live i.sae ~ that
time Va. election Of United
States senator. by direct vote
Of the people instead Of the
legislature. Through the ef-
ferts Of the Grange. Washing
ton was among the first Of the
states - several years before
the provision wss pai In the
United state. eonstitutien--ts
require An advisory vote On
United States senators In the
primary election.
Naturally there was strong and
sometimes nelliserent opposition
10 the Grange. but thu movement
vas headed by two Changers who
wouldn't be scared. One Of these
was c. p. k-sley. state master.
and the other was Fred Chamber
lain. of puyallup. chairman Of
the legislative committee.
kesies and Chamberlain had
made some accusations that
the votes Of certain members Of
the legislature were controlled
by money cheats Of the SAW
dust and whisky rings" AZ the
charges were reiterated keg-
lev and Chamberlain were or
dered 10 re, out Of olympia
and stay out. and = deadiine
for their departure was fixed.
IA the hour drew near = coun.
ell of war was held In kegisys
hotel room.
What do you think We had
better do7" Chamberlain asked.
do ?" replied kefley. Were
going To stay right here"
That's all right with me-"
Chamberlain replied. I'm In this
fight 10 stay. but what are you
going 10 do II those fellows get
rough and attempt 10 carry out
their threats"
Here's shat well d." Neg
ley replied A. he went 10 his
grip and pulled nut . sl.-
shooter thai he carried when
riding the trails In Eastern
Washington.
We don't want any trouble.
Fred" keglsy continued. but
were here exercising The rights
of American citizens. and a. far
As I'm concerned I'm going TO
stay. II can't get protection
any other way I'll protect my
self
That goes for me. too
/ Chamberlain replied. "Tll stay
with you
A. the clock struck the hour
marked for their departure. ksE.
ley. with the sls-shootsr In .
holster al his belt. and Cham
btrlain went down 10 the hotel
lobby and over 10 ths old CAPT.
tai building where . night ses-
sion gas 10 BE- held. There were
some angry glancss and few
remarks that wouldn't pass the
censor today. but that was all.
BY showing that they couldn't
be soarsd ksElsy and Chamber
lain won q number Of supporters
and were able 10 switch enough
votes TO prevent passage Of
couple Of the bills they wsrs
fighting
That Vas The beginning Of ths
Grange legislative eommlttss.
Chamberlain il attn a member
II he committee but isn't ~
active "a he vas Nnsn M ard
ksslsy established tina right Of
citizens 10 SPEAK out at Oiym.
pia There are winter chores on
MA tsn-acrs Derry ranch Al olyn-
pla. and he also hss part Of the
care Of ths wife. now an invalid.
VINO helped him through some Of
the hard fights At Olympus. BIT
he viii b. assn 81 the capital
occasionally.
There Il question In the
minds Of soms persons about the
deHlrablilty Of some Of the
Grange legislative programs. but
record speaks for Itself. To the
credit Of ths Grange is the lni-
stlys and referendum: fhs mile
age tan for the supper, Of In
situations Of higher education,
/ the railroad commission. pfsdsc-
sor Of the ttAts public service
commission. the credit union and
{ faFm-to-msfket road bills. the
blanket primary ana ths district
+ power 6llls