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32     WISCONSIN RuRAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION
condition of service for all. Through the office which has been established
in Madison, departmental heads and office assistants, and in the field the
supervisory engineers and the resident engineers, continue to help the
farmers bring their plans to reality and their cherished hope to fruition.
     All electric cooperatives in Wisconsin, with one exception, have
availed themselves of the services obtainable through STATEWIDE. The
(HIPPEWA VALLEY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE had signed an engineering
contract before the organization of this central cooperative, but has since
that time become a member. The municipality of Bangor, although it
cannot become a member, because of the by-law limitations of STATEWIDE,
has nevertheless manifested its confidence in the WRECA by arranging
for its services to supervise the construction of the village's rural extensions.
    Not long ago, Mr. H. 0. Melby, president of the WISCONSIN RURAL
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, voiced the sentiments of the hard.
working, thrifty, clear-thinking farmers of Wisconsin in the following
words:
         "It seems to me that the cooperators who have built these
    electric distribution lines in rural areas, have brought about an
    epoch for the farmers. I believe it is unifying rural and urban
    parts of our country, raising the standard of living, and making
    us all one community of neighbors."