22 PKOCEEDINGS OF THE 



that they are indeed articles of merit, and that agents fear to 

 compare goods. 



Arrangements are now made by which we can get sugar, 

 molasses, coffee and rice from tli^ Granges in the South at greatly 

 reduced prices from what we pay here, and they will take our 

 grain and other farm products in return. 



Inquiry is often made for a plan for organizing companies 

 that wish to open Grange stores and sample rooms. That we 

 may be able to give the desired information, and that these 

 organizations may be uniform, I would recommend that a 

 committee be appointed to prepare plans, with a form of 

 constitution and by-laws. 



When I was appointed your agent, the Executive Committee 

 promised me §2.50 per day for the time I was employed, and, 

 in addition, m}^ printing, traveling, stationery and postage 

 expenses were to be paid from the funds belonging to the State 

 Grange. I wa • satisfied fi'om the first that the system of pur- 

 chasing adopted would not meet the necessities of the Patrons 

 long, as it had been tried in other places and proved a failure. 

 It became apparent, however, in a very short time, that it would 

 be disastrous to continue the policy throughout the year. In 

 my monthly reports to the Executive Committee, I stated my 

 fears, when I discovered so much dissatisfaction among the 

 manufacturers who gave us terms. We were not furnishing 

 any trade. I was notified that the Committee would meet in 

 Bloomington on the day preceding the meeting of the State 

 Grange in April. I went, and was prepared to recommend what 

 changes I thought necessary, but there was no meeting, for 

 reasons which I presume they Avill explain. In a few weeks I 

 addressed each member a letter, stating the dissatisfaction that 

 was expressed by manufacturers, as well as members of the 

 Order, and urged a meeting of the Committee early in June, 

 and recommended the adoption of the system they have in Iowa, 

 which was working well. I was answered by some that a meeting 

 was not needed. HoAvever, in a fev; weeks I was informed that 

 the meeting was over, and, that among other topics discussed, 

 was that of the business of purchasing. That a resolution was 

 passed appointing me State Purchasing Agent, that I was 

 to fill all orders sent me b}' the Granges, for which I was. to 

 charge the purchaser a commission of five per cent., which was 

 to be full compensation for my services from that date. It is 

 not difficult to see what eftect the charging of five per cent, 

 would have upon the trade. The Granges were not apprised of 

 the fact for several weeks, and consequently, if they had been 

 willing to purchase, they did not know what arrangements 

 were made. In the meantime, I was busy receiving and answer- 

 ing letters from many who were preparing for harvest, and had 



