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AGRICULTURAL RELIEF
concerning the provisions of the bill. But we have with us to-day
and will have in the succeeding days men who, with myself, have
given this considerable thought, the others more than I; and I am
cure the committee would very much prefer to hear these witnesses
who are here and who are very much interested in this proposition.
So I shall not take up any time in making a statement concerning the
provisions of the bill. But I want to take this opportunity to
introduce to the members of the committee Mr. Louis J. Taber, of
Columbus, Ohio, the master of the National Grange. But before
Mr. Taber takes the stand, Mr. Andresen desires to ask a question.

Mr. AnpreseN. Mr. Ketcham, is your bill similar to the Adkins
bill that was considered here during the last session?
~ Mr. Kercaam. The simple idea of H. R. 10568 is the export
debenture plan.

Mr. Swank. Is your bill like that of Mr. Jones, Mr. Ketcham?

Mr. Kercaam. They are along the same lines. I have not had an
opportunity to read carefully Mr. Jones’s bill. But the central idea,
the debenture plan, is the real heart of the so-called Adkins bill,
the Jones bill, and H. R. 10568. We have not included the coopera-
tive features; and then H. R. 10568 is, so far as an equalization fee is
concerned, a substitution for that feature of H. R. 7940.

Mr. AsweLr. What happened to the Adkins bill last year? Did
we ever pass on it?

Mr. Kercaam. I desire to present at this time Mr. Louis J. Taber.
STATEMENT OF LOUIS J. TABER, MASTER NATIONAL GRANGE,

COLUMBUS. OHIO
Mr. Taser. Chairman Haugen and members of the committee, to
save questions later, I will state that I am here representing the
National Grange, a farm organization that commenced its existence
in the city of Washington 61 years ago. It now has approximately
800,000 members; 8,000 subordinate branches, or local organizations,
found in 33 States. I am saying that not boastfully, but with
humility, because it brings responsibility. That organization has
never been dormant, but has always been active in affairs and has
to-day a larger dues-paying membership in good standing than in
any other previous period in the last half century.

We begin with the community unit. These community units have
educational programs and hold regular meetings. Matters of im-
portance are first discussed at these local units. Then they are
referred to the county organization and discussed there. If their
merit is sufficient, they come to the State organization and are
discussed there. Then, if there is sufficient merit in them they are
referred to the national organization. We are a bit more delibera-
tive than some organizations, in that regard. All matters that are
considered in the National Grange must first be read on the floor and
then referred to a committee; hearings held in the committee, and
referred back to the body for passage. We take 10 days to consider
problems of agriculture.

_1 hold in my hands a copy of the Journal of Proceedings of the
National Grange; and in this we are again different from some other
organizations. Our journal of proceedings is printed and distributed