304 
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