The Grange Declares Economic War
Washington state farmers and laborers forge a historic alliance to demand fair trade and challenge the monopoly power of the era.
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The Washington State Grange has formally protested the Taft administration's reciprocity treaty with Canada, arguing it forces farmers to sell in a global market while paying monopoly prices for essential goods. The organization is now seeking a permanent working arrangement with the Farmers' Union, the Federation of Labor, and direct legislation groups to block vicious legislation. This coalition successfully secured the passage of initiative, referendum, and recall bills, as well as an employers' liability act. Grange leadership emphasizes that a 'come together' spirit is sweeping away past prejudices, uniting farmers and mechanics to reclaim the wealth they produce from those who reap the profits.
“The producer is coming into his own... the capitalist system has crushed and broken [the brotherhood of men], but it is absolutely vital to the formation of the Co-operative Commonwealth.”
This 1911 report captures the moment the Grange transformed from a social club into a powerful political lobby. Their focus on the 'Co-operative Commonwealth' and aligning labor with agricultural interests mirrors today's ongoing debates regarding the 'missing middle' and the consolidation of economic power in the Pacific Northwest.
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