120 OREGON FARMER 



Other Rural Organizations. 



Besides the church with its women's auxiliaries, and other sub- 

 sidiary organizations, Oregon has quite a variety of clubs, societies, 

 and fraternities, which profess to be grappling with the problems 

 of the farmer. 



In the table, "Social Statistics" (B), (page 117), we have condensed 

 a summary of the chief facts concerning such organizations. In 

 the column headed "yes" are indicated the families whose members 

 are affiliated with some such association; while under "no" we have 

 the number of families where no such affiliation exists. An analysis 

 of the figures shows that a large percentage of the families are 

 united with associations for material and mental improvement or 

 social intercourse. 



The dominant rural organizations are the Grange and The Farmer's 

 Educational and Co-operative Union. The former claims upwards 

 of 10,000 members, and the latter about 5,000 members in the state. 

 Both claim economic functions as well as educational activities. 

 In practice, however, the Grange specializes more in educational 

 programs, and meetings for social intercourse; while the Union is 

 predominantly a business organization. Both associations admit 

 women to membership as well as men; and through their harmonious 

 legislative policy, they are coming to be a power in advancing the 

 rural interests of the state. 



Without further description of farmer's organizations, we may 

 close by warning farmers against division in their ranks. If we are 

 to have a strong, progressive rural policy in Oregon, we must have 

 a harmoniously organized rural population. They must stand 

 together as one man for better farming, better business, better rural 

 education. 



Summary. 



In Oregon, then, we find conditions varying all the way from the 

 log hut of the pioneer to the modern farm dwelling which would 

 grace the best residence districts of our cities. Everywhere, we find 

 a sturdy population, above the average in intelligence, and strongly 

 supporting American standards of life and the best American ideals. 



In the furtherance of those ideals, we find them progressive to a 

 degree. Oregon has woman suffrage, and is the home of direct 

 legislation, the initiative, referendum and recall. The progressive 

 spirit of her citizens is further shown in the readiness of Oregon 

 farmers to unite and work together for their mutual improvement, 

 politically, socially, economically, and intellectually. 



Finally, Oregon's population does not lack elbow room in any sense 

 of the word. They have as yet scarcely explored their wonderful 

 natural resources; and they have a climate which neither benumbs 

 by its cold, ennervates by its heat, nor terrifies by earthquake, storm, 

 or flood. 



