USA > New York > The History of New York State Grange, 1934-1960 > Part 4
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SIVER STAR: 1952-60, 13,364. As of October, 1960 a grand total of 52,768 issued in New York State, 25 year membership.
GOLDEN SHEAF: 3,404, including Past State Master Fred J. Freestone and Dean Liberty Hyde Bailey, outstanding contrib- utors to rural good. The grand total of such fifty year members was 5,642.
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RESEARCH WAS EMPHASIZED with a triple-headed motive:
1. To move farm products and thus increase return to the farmer on commensurate base with other industries, and to find new uses for farm crops.
2. To cooperate with the National Grange in building a better foreign market without disrupting our own price level, and, when practical, reduce tariffs to stimulate trade.
. To use that most powerful weapon, Food, to help win the fight against Communism.
CIVIC WELFARE AND GOVERNMENTAL ECONOMY were deemed important; careful scrutiny of expenditure of public funds urged; action demanded for elimination of excess govern- mental expenditures, in accord with Hoover Commission recom- mendations.
PRIVATE ENTERPRISE was favored rather than public enter- prise, for which the taxpayer always pays the piper.
DAYLIGHT SAVING opposed as costly and unfair to food pro- ducer.
PROMOTION OF UNDERSTANDING advocated through Rural- Urban and Farm-City Open House.
RURAL SAFETY COUNCIL: In response to a call from New York State Grange, representatives of leading rural groups inter- ested in rural safety met for a day-long meeting. The Rural Safety Council was organized, with a program to give special attention to the Grange-backed project of Driver Training in Schools, as well as other vital safety plans for farm, in home, and on highway.
BETTER COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAM: That the public and our membership may be better informed as to our policy as re- gards taxation, legislation, education, conservation and the up- building of youth, an advance was made in this line at the 1960 Watertown session, when the delegates voted to increase dues to enable the Grange to publish the "Empire State Granger." The first issue, for January-February, showed the personnel to be comprised of: Leland D. Smith, Master and Editor; Editorial Board, Clarence E. Johncox, Chairman; Russell S. Curtis, Leonard M. Fuller, Morris J. Halladay, Harold M. Stanley. Robert East- man, Managing Editor. The first number was crammed full of interesting items. We mention briefly a few: Theme for '61, Neighborliness; Mrs. Anna Colgrove, 73 year member of Ulysses Grange No. 419, voted in 1960; Richard Thorne, Monroe County, is the 1961 President of the Pomona Masters' Association; Francis and Rosemary Foy, Denmark Grange members, presented the antique School bell to Grace Episcopal Church, Copenhagen. Fine
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messages from State officers and National Master all added significant values.
EDUCATION: The Grange record for educational progress con- tinued. In 1954, an interdepartmental committee for interchange of counsel and suggestion through the Bureau of Agricultural Education, Department of Education and Pomona Grange Masters, resulted in Regional meetings. These gave consideration to centralization and super-centralization of districts. In 1955 Mr. Smith represented the State Grange at a meeting of the New York State Committee of the White House on Education. Funda- mental facts on Federal Aid to Education, shortage of teachers, expansion of courses, extra-curricular activities, need for more tax money and how to get it, were discussed.
FEDERAL AID TO EDUCATION OPPOSED: "Education is a function for which the primary responsibility rests with local and State governments. The intrusion of the national govern- ment on a major scale would destroy a fundamental right," said State Master Smith.
FARM POLICIES AND RURAL THOUGHT questionnaire was sent by the National Grange with State Grange cooperating. County committees were set up by Pomona Masters, area meet- ings held jointly by Grange and Extension Service. All Granges participated.
EXCHANGE STUDENT PROGRAM of the National Grange was endorsed and received full cooperation.
NATIONAL GRANGE MONTHLY, formerly on subscription basis, in 1955-59 was sent free to all members; in 1960, returned to the subscription basis.
RITUALISM: Any shortening of our beautiful ritual was defin- itely opposed, and such recommendation made to the National Grange. The recommendation was made that the fourth degree pin be presented to all new fourth degree members.
LONG TERM AGRICULTURAL PLANNING was recommended, to give permanency to the farm family farm, seriously threatened by integration practices. At the 1959 Elmira State session, State Master Smith presented the matter of the "insidious creeping paralysis which has attacked family-owned-and-operated farm units." As a result, Elmira delegates authorized the State Master to name a long "Long Range Agricultural Planning Committee." Appointed at the December Executive Committee meeting, the following comprised this committee: Donald Townsend, Rhine- back; Frank Beneway, Ontario; Stanley Earl, Unadilla; Clayton White, Stow; Merton Dean, Bergen; Leland Smith, Brasher Falls. The directive was to study the effect of the present trends in
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agriculture, to make every effort toward security of efficient in- dividual enterprise agriculture, to "fight for the survival of the "Working Farmer."
THE WORKING FARMER holds cooperative membership as- sured by affidavit, has management responsibility and personal financial risk, employs not more than three outside of family, has definitely no Union relationship, and would be exempt from Labor Laws, whereas
BIG AGRICULTURE may have contractual relations with Co- operatives but no membership privilege, may have unlimited em- ployees, should be open to Labor Laws, with anti-trust laws to prevail, and employees with right to unionization.
WARNING: In his graphic report to the 1960 Watertown session, Mr. Townsend emphasized: "The Committee believes that Government subsidy and support to the various segments of our country's economy are unwise and in general should be dis- couraged ... The elimination of the Working Farmer as a measure of efficient food production will allow actual and new production costs to be fully expressed in sizable increases in consumer food costs."
While the real contribution of Agricultural Extension was applauded, it was urged that Extension Service tend toward re- tention of the Working Farmer rather than encouragement of Big Agriculture. The Committee stressed research for improved qual- ity rather than increased surplus. "In general, surplus agri- cultural production in the United States depresses agricultural in- come and makes no favorable contribution to the welfare of the American Farmer. ... We also believe that there is a fast ap- proaching limit to attrition of Working Farmers, a limit beyond which it will be difficult to efficiently serve Working Farmers. even through cooperative effort."
"It is our firm belief, " said Chairman Townsend, "that co- operatives as a strong third element in our national economy make irreplaceable contribution to the free, democratic process of our Country ... . We are confident that cooperative effort can cope with any real factors tending to disadvantage the Working Farmer."
State Master Smith described this Committee as "a very im- portant and hard-working committee."
In April, 1961, the State Grange Executive Committee issued an effective summary which was mailed to all Grange Masters. "The Grange will be the first to recognize and applaud any effort toward the survival of the Working Farmer. We cannot ignore our moral obligation to speak up where we feel abuses occur within Agricultural endeavor," was its conclusion.
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MODERN PRESENTATION of important subjects was intro- duced at the 1960 Watertown session through graphs and slides illustrative of dairy promotion, of Barge Canal values, etc.
GRANGE STRENGTH continued through its program built from the ground up, from Subordinate through higher units. This is democracy in action, our Grange heritage, as the idea or idealism of the Subordinate member grows to fruition through resolution presented finally in State Session, debated in committee and also from the floor before action. State Master Smith voiced approval: "This is as it should be if we are to preserve the God given free- doms upon which this country is founded."
POTENT, EFFECTIVE TEACHERS at the annual Grange Leadership schools include both Mr. and Mrs. Smith. State Master Smith's pupils rarely miss a scheduled class, even though selective rather than mandatory, and equally high esteem attends Mrs. Smith's classes.
WISE ADVICE is found in State Master Smith's annual reports. We give brief excerpts:
"Founded at the outset as a family organization, the Grange has never deviated from that principle and is the only organiza- tion that can rightfully claim that title ... . Never before in the history of our organization have we needed a large membership so much to speak for people interested in agriculture, never have we needed the principles that the Grange teaches of service to our fellow beings, to country and to God as much as today; never before have we needed the all around opportunities that the Grange offers to help young people as we do now."
"The need for more and better research is a must. It would seem to me that the Grange should adopt a three point program in this field which would assure: First, an abundant supply of food and fibre at reasonably stable prices that would enable an efficient farmer to make a good living. Second, less dependence upon government appropriations and more upon market paying value for goods received. Third, provision of a formula for con- verting stocks in government storage into food and fibre."
"We should remind ourselves that the most important fields in which we work are the fields of human minds. It is there that ideas are born and progress made, and only as we contribute of ourselves to each other through the power of cooperation and organization will we be able to maintain our rightful place in this great American Democracy ... . Ours is a country of free men and women where personal liberty is cherished as a fundamental right, but the price of its continued possession is untiring alert- ness .... Our challenge is great. May we meet it as we should by following the teachings and guidance of the great Master of us all."
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Chapter 3
HIGH FIDELITY RECORD
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee is the most important committee in the annuals of New York State Grange. Its members have been men of foresight and authority. Well-educated, cognizant of abili- ties and viewpoints of others, each has stood on his own feet four- square for the good of Agriculture and the welfare of our New York State Farm, the Grange.
During this period of Grange history, thirteen men have served as Executive Committee members, They have co-operated with the State Master, and have been ably assisted by the Secre- tary and Overseer as members Ex Officio.
Plato said: "Only he is free who realizes the divine order within himself, the true standard by which a man can steer and measure himself." The members of this committee have been marked by that freedom by which each has been enabled to "steer and measure himself", and hold true to the pattern of freedom set by the Founders of our Order.
By such dimensions these dedicated men, while human like the rest of us, have gone far beyond the little hills of personal ambition and petty jealousies to the steeper Grange heights. Be- yond themselves they have visioned the greater good of our Grange Farm. Open-minded to the boundless acres to which we hold title, they have likewise proved fair-minded to the welfare of those outside our gates who nevertheless "diligently scrutinize each act."
We have listed these men chronologically with a brief back- ground snap-shot. Each has his own treasure trove of Grange contribution, the details of which are barely hinted here.
NO.1. EDSON J. WALRATH, hometown, Evans Mills, was a former Jefferson County Deputy. When Ira Sharp, Lowville, 25 year Chairman of the Executive Committee, died in 1921, a worthy successor was found in Edson J. Walrath. Mr. Walrath was Chairman 1924-39, sixteen years. He was President of the Board of Directors of the Evans Mills Bank. 1922-46 he repre- sented New York State Grange on the G. L. F. Board of Directors, was Secretary-Treasurer for thirteen years, as well as Vice-Presi- dent of the G. L. F. Holding Corporation. A member of the National Grange Mutual Liability Board of Directors, he was also Secretary-Treasurer of the Farmers and Traders Life Insurance
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Company. In 1931 Governor Franklin Roosevelt appointed Mr. Walrath to the Governor's Commission on Housing and Home Building. He was prominent in Masonic circles.
After his death, May 12, 1949, State Master Henry Sherwood said: "Edson Walrath was admired and loved by all. Loyal and true to the things he believed in, he loved to work with people. A stanch supporter of the church, a good business man, his advice and counsel were always the best. His many friends will mourn his passing. His spirit will live on."
NO. 2. E. REYNOLDS FARLEY, Goshen, in 1918-19 Master, 1936- 60 Treasurer of Hamptonburgh Grange No. 950, he is a Golden Sheaf member. 1928-29 Orange County Deputy Grange Master, in 1930 he was Pomona Master. From 1930-35 he served on the State Grange Executive Committee. In 1933, Governor Herbert Lehman presented his certificate at the "Master Farmer" banquet at Cornell University, February Farm and Home Week.
E. Reynolds Farley married Grace Tuthill. They had six children of whom five are living. He "has settled down to enjoy his work, his family and six grandchildren." He has given much to the Grange, our State Farm.
NO.3. GEORGE RITTER of Edmeston, for five years Master of Wharton Valley Grange No. 991, in 1920-21 and 1924-25 he was Otsego County Deputy. He organized nine Otsego Granges, and three outside that county. 1928-32 he was State Grange Gate- keeper; 1932-35 an Executive Committee member. Serious eye trouble prevented further service in the forefront of Grange work. On his 60th birthday, 500 Grange members gave him a party. He heard from forty Granges. In 1959, when 84 years young, he wrote: "I still remain active, and am able to be of a little service to others, which has been my life ambition."
..
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No. 4. DAVID C. KIDD, is owner of a 211 acre dairy-sheep-general purpose farm near Dansville. In Dansville Grange No. 178 he was Lecturer 1913-14, Secretary 1920, Master 1917-18 and 1921-22; in 1924-25 he was Steward Livingston County Pomona, 1927-36 Deputy. In 1931 he organized Hunt Grange No. 1512. A member of the State Grange Executive Committee 1935-43, 1944-47 placed him in the State Grange Overseer's chair, and then his service as a member of the Executive Committee was considered so valu- able that he was returned to this responsible post, and served until 1959. David Kidd was the first Overseer to act as a member ex officio of the Executive Committee.
At the 1956 Buffalo session, State Master Leland D. Smith expressed appreciation of this Patron's untiring Grange zeal: "I want to pay special tribute to the Chairman of our Executive Committee, David Kidd, who had charge of all the arrangements for the special session trip. There just wasn't one thing that was overlooked, and everything went along without a hitch. Dave deserves our wholehearted thanks for his untiring efforts."
In 1959 Mr. Kidd served his twenty-third year out of forty- eight years of Grange service in some official capacity, including representation on the Council of Rural Education.
In his 1947 annual report, Mr. Kidd spoke of the closing year: "Its last record is being written; its books will soon be closed- and its balance carried forward. .. The influence of its passing days will also be carried forward; each year strikes an inevitable balance for good or ill. If we build into each new year augmented loyalty to our Grange, cooperation with our officers, joyous de- velopment of our spiritual life, and sincere service to mankind, a Happy New Year is assured."
At the 1959 Elmira session, the State Grange presented David and Beatrice Kidd with gifts in token of his twenty-fifth year of State Grange contribution.
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No. 5. Frank J. Riley, Sennett: Originally a farmer, former Secretary Weedsport Grange No. 995, charter member of Sennett Grange No. 1054, its Secretary for 35 years, he attained fifty-two years of Grange loyalty, and his wife, Grace, was a Grange worker. 1912-14 Frank Riley was State Grange Assistant Steward; 1914-20, Steward, 1920-34 he carried the Secretary's arduous duties. We are told "it took a two-ton truck, well loaded, to trans- fer records, supplies and equipment from Sennett to Skaneateles, their new home. 1935-38 he was a member of the Executive Com- mittee. His demise occurred November 8, 1958. He had many friends, for his was always a smiling face.
No. 6. LELAND D. SMITH, Brasher Falls, 1939-46.
No. 7. RAYMOND COOPER, Hannibal, 1939-42.
No. 8. CLARENCE E. JOHNCOX, Corfu: With his son he owns and operates a 340 acre dairy farm, purebreds, and raises beans, wheat and canning crops. In 1934 he was Genesee County Pomona Master; 1937-40, County Deputy; 1943-51 Executive Committee Member; 1951-53 State Grange Steward; 1953-57 Over- seer, then returned to this post of trust he filled so very well. In 1954 Governor Thomas E. Dewey appointed Mr. Johncox a dele- gate to represent Agriculture at President Elisenhower's Highway Safety Conference, Washington, D. C.
Mr. Johncox represented the State Grange at Ithaca in the first organization meeting of the Empire Livestock Marketing Cooperative, of which he is Vice-President. He is serving his fifth term as President of the Niagara Frontier Cooperative Milk Producers Bargaining Agency; he is Chairman of Governor Rockerfeller's Milk Committee, and in 1959 took a flying trip to five European countries where he studied the dairy business. He is a Director of the Manufacturers' and Farmers' Trust Company, Corfu. His wife, Margaret, is a loyal co-worker and Grange enthusiast.
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No. 9. WILLIAM JOSEPH RICH, Salem, December 1943-49.
No. 10. CLYDE HITCHCOCK, Bainbridge, was Master Chenango Pomona Grange 1945-46; Deputy Grange Master 1946-49, a mem- ber of the State Executive Committee 1949-52. 1951-53 saw him Master of Algonquin Grange No. 1570; in 1958 its Lecturer, 1959- 60 its Secretary. Oliver Hudson Kelley once wrote: "We have a glorious work before us and must be active." Mr. Hitchcock is among the loyal Patrons who realize that activity in the Subor- dinate is a prerequisite to the glory possible in our Grange Farm. Keeping on working is a must.
No. 11. HENRY D. SHERWOOD, Pine Plains, 1951-57.
No. 12. LEONARD M. FULLER, Edwards, lives on his farm and is a rural mail carrier,-hobby, the skills of a television technician. Formerly he raised sheep, owned a herd of high producing cows, and operated a large sugarbush. Because of lack of help the herd was sold; land is now used for grazing and hay production. Master of Edwards Grange No. 968, 1935-37 and 1959-60; St. Law- rence County Pomona Master 1941-43; Deputy Master 1945-52, in October 1952 he was elected State Executive Committee mem- ber, and is serving his third term. While Deputy, Nicholville Grange No. 797 and Fort Jackson Grange No. 537 chartered two buses and journeyed to Edwards Grange to surprise their faithful leader. The National Grange Monthly, in telling this incident, stated that for once the good Deputy was speechless. It was also while Deputy that Harold Arthur, Master of Vermont State Grange, requested State Master Leland D. Smith to send someone to Vermont to conduct his Deputy Master School. State Master Smith sent Leonard Fuller. Jean Fuller, his wife, a former Juve- nile Grange Deputy is very active in home, County and State Granges, and they are faithful in their church work.
Mr. Fuller is Past Master of Wild- wood Lodge No. 477 F. & A.M. He has served on Central School Board and is active in Community affairs.
During World War II he was awarded three Citations by the U. S. Treasury Dept. for selling a greater number of War Bonds than any other Carrier in the County.
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No. 13. MORRIS J. HALLADAY and his wife, Catherine, live on an 122 acre tree and crop farm near Groton. They have three children, Edward, Annette and Carl, and three grandchildren. Associated with the Post Office Department for 15 years, he is active in church, civic and farm organizations, and now Vice President of the Tompkins County Fair Association. He has filled nearly all men's offices in East Lansing Grange No. 792, and also Pomona, including Master. Deputy Grange Master in 1948-51, in 1957 he was Special Deputy Grange Master. Chairman of the State Grange Mileage and Credential Committee 1954-58, at the 1959 Elmira session he was elected to the Executive Committee. When installed, he was acting simultaneously in that capacity for East Lansing Grange, Tompkins County Pomona, Cornell Grange No. 1577 and State Grange. He is the 1961 East Lansing Master.
CHAIRMAN (1934-1961) Edson Walrath, David Kidd, Leland Smith, Clarence Johncox.
SECRETARY (1934-1961) David Kidd, Clarence Johncox, Leland Smith, Clyde Hitchcock, Henry Sherwood, Leonard Fuller.
RESPONSIBILITIES: This committee has always carried out the grave responsibilities reposed upon all Executive Committees by the Installing Officers: "As an Executive Committee, but always and only in conjunction with the Worthy Master, you are authorized, between regular meetings of your Grange, in time of emergency or need, to act for and in the name of the Grange itself."
MEMBERS EX OFFICIO: Harold M. Stanley, Secretary; David Kidd, Leland Smith, Ralph Young, Clarence Johncox and Russell Curtis, in respective terms as Overseer.
RALPH YOUNG, Endicott, has a farm and Grange background. His father was State Gatekeeper for one term (1922-24) and was a Director of the State Farm Bureau Federation. Ralph himself,
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while taking the Cornell Short Course, became interested in the Grange when he chose "The Grange" as his topic for a speech. Like most Grange members, he is a "church-going man," and has the distinction of twenty of his family, children and grand- children, in church nearly every Sunday.
He has held most Subordinate and Pomona offices including Master; he has not missed a meeting of Broome County Pomona in over thirty years. While Pomona Master he headed the rural electrification committee, and so helped light the way for many Broome County farmers. 1938-43 he was Deputy; 1943-47, State Grange Gatekeeper; 1951-52, State Grange Overseer.
RNSSELL CURTIS, Cazenovia, is in partnership with his father- in-law; they operate over 350 acres with nearly one hundred purebred Holsteins. He joined New Woodstock Grange No. 1253 at fifteen years, at seventeen transferred to Owahgena Grange No. 1358, Master 1935-38, from 1943-49 he was Madison County Deputy, and organized a county degree team with a member from every Grange. This team conferred the third and fourth degrees on one class of 145. He has installed over two hundred sets of officers. In 1949 he was elected State Grange Assistant Steward, 1954-57 Steward, in 1957 Overseer. His father and mother are Golden Sheaf members, his seven children are Juvenile or Subor- dinate members, his daughter Barbara a member of the State Youth Committee. His wife, Florence, helps keep Grange wheels turning.
Every one of these Patrons had an early beginning wherein they learned to love and serve the Grange from the roots up. The resultant knowledge acquired of agriculture and the Grange equipped each with insight into Grange needs and principles. They have more than a superficial approach to the heavy respon- sibilities of Grange leadership. Because of an intimate contact with the farm, they have been enabled to render priceless service to Agriculture as a whole.
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If we paraphrase a description of four kinds of Christians, who have been classified as: "tired, retired, tiresome and tireless," those who are tired, feel the weight of the world upon them. The retired are willing to let George do it, then spend their time chewing the cud of old memories; the tiresome think Grange is "a dull dud", but the tireless-you have guessed it. They have a wholesome twinkle, a ready chuckle, a light in the eye, and some- thing alive and electric in the way they tackle work. To our Ex- ecutive Committee life is an adventure in greatness available to rural people.
They possess a common sense type of humor, and well have they needed it, as a release from many weighty problems. In the past twenty-seven years this committee has met no less than 266 times, an average of 9.86 per year. This has ranged from four meetings in earlier years for two or three days each (which none the less counted as one, although adjourned from day to day) to nineteen in 1956 prior to the Rochester session of National Grange.
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