Morse Reports Family
Farms as Dominant
Type of Operation
A preliminary analysis of in
formation from the 1954 Census
of Agriculture indicates that
family farms continue to be the
dominant type of operation, Act
ing Secretary of Agriculture
True D. Morse said this week.
The proportion of family farms
to the total number of farms
in the United States has held
steady in recent years. There has
been no change in the propor
tion of the total number of farms
operated by families in the last
15 years.
The Acting Secretary pointed
out also that family farms pro
duced about the same share—
roughly two-thirds of the total
agricultural output as in 1940;
that family farms controlled
about three-fourths of all land
in farms. The percentage of
farmers who are full or part
owners of farms stood at slight
ly more than 75 percent in 1954,
an increase of two points over
1949. This is an all-time record
high. Farm tenancy is at an all
time record low.
Farms have increased in size
from an average of 174 acres in
1940 to 242 acres in 1954. Each
year over one million acres of
farm land are taken over by ex
panding cities and other non
farm uses. This, plus the grow
ing size of farms, has reduced
the number of farms, he point
ed out.
“Authorities generally agree
that the family farm will contin
ue to dominate American agricul
ture,” the Acting Secretary said
“The family farm is not only be
ing preserved but strengthened.
These census figures confirm
other information we have that
point to the solid foundation of
family farming in the Nation.
“The most recent figures re
ported by the Department show
farmers’ assets at a new high—
.$170 billion (as of Jan. 1, 1956).
This marks a $35 billion in
crease over the previous year.
Assets increased three times as
fast as debts.
“Famers as a whole continue
to maintain their solid record
of only about $1 of debt to $9
'worth of money and property
they own. About seven out of 10
farmers have no mortgage debt.
Farm foreclosures are near rec
ord low.”
Various programs of the De
partment of Agriculture are de
signed to further strengthen
family farming in American agri
culture. Increased research, new
authority for credit, more Ex
tension assistance to small farm
Vesper Service lo
Welcome Newcomers
The annual vesper service of
recognition and welcome to all
teachers, nurses and resident
new' to this community will b<!
held at 3:00 o'clock this Sunday
afternoon, October 7, at the Un
ited Protestant Church. Repre
sentatives of the City of Palmer
the Valley Presbyterian Hospit
al, the Palmer school system and
valley churches will participate
in the program. A social hour
will follow in the downstairs so
cial hall, with refreshments pre
pared and served by women of
the cooperating churches.
Everyone is invited to attend
the service which is sponsored
by the Valley Ministerial Asso
ciation.
UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR
TO VISIT PALMER
During October Mrs. Laura E
Jones, registrar of the University
of Alaska will visit 14 Alaska
high schools and three commun
ity colleges jointly sponsored by
the University and the independ
ent school districts at Anchor
age, Ketchikan and Juneau.
Mrs. Jones will visit Palmer
High School on October 29. She
will show slides and materials to
juniors and seniors of the school
and advise them of the advan
tages of attending their own uni
versity. Parents and others inter
ested in the university are invit
ed to attend the meeting.
ers, increased budgets for con
servation work, and the Soil
Bank, are examples. The new
Rural Development Program is
to help especially the small farm
ers.
"Recent census data and other
economic indicators prove the
real strength of family farms.
New' public programs will help
all family farmers to maintain
their position in American agri
culture,” Morse said.
MEA CREW PREPARING
FOR LINES WINTER USE
Electric power in the Matan
uska Valley area was cut off for
a short period early Sunday
morning while the Matanuska
Electric Association crew work
ed stabilizing temporary repairs
to the main transmission line,
preparing it for winter use. The
power was off for approximately
15 minutes during the hours of
1.00 and 4:00 a.m. which were
chosen to cause the least amount
of inconvenience to subscribers
Chamber Discusses—
(Continued from page 11
transportation (including roads
and education.
A committee consisting oi
James Hurley, Richard Jones and
Luicille Mick will make a study
of proposed land withdrawals
and make recommendations in
dregards to Chamber action.
Rex Ehrhart, Mrs. Shields
Stewart Durrant and Ed Smith
as a committee, will formulate
plans for a highway sign that
will indicate the location of the
business section of Palmer
Among those present at the
meeting were Richard Jones
Chamber member who on Tues
day was elected to the Palmer
school board, and Charles Logs
don who was elected to one oi
the two vacant seats on the City
Council. The other successful
candidate, Ray Lancaster, was
unable to attend.
;■ • Your WINFIELD CHINA
REPRESENTATIVE will
be stopping in Palmer
OCTOBER 6
• GIFT CHINA may be
picked up at Matanuska
Hotel between the hours
M; of 10 A.M. and 4 P.M.
There will also be a
showing of other patterns
You Can Vote For Bob Atwood
NOW
If You Are Going
✓ To Be Away
Election Day, Oct. 9
Vote An Absentee
Ballot
Available At:
Offices of U.S. Commissioners
or Your Local Postmaster
CANDIDATE FOR U.S. SENATE - 4 YEAR TERM
Pd. Adv. .
Don't Let Anyone Kid You
SEWARD ami the ARR
Yes, your shipping dollars stretch farther when you ship
your freight via Seward and the Alaska Railroad. See our
freight agent today for rates and services.
C F. KRAUSE, Agent
ALASKA RAILROAD DEPOT PHONE 3211
New Merchandise at
KOSLOSKY'S
A COMPLETE SELECTION
Samsonite Luggage
BE SURE AND LAY AWAY YOUR CHOICE FOR XMAS
Lined Jeans
for women-boys and girls
While Stag Girls Sportswear
Sizes 7 lo 14
Catalina Sweaters
IN NEW FALL COLORS
Duo Fold Underwear lor men
COMPLETE INSULATION - NO WOOL NEXT TO SKIN
LaSalle Electric Fan Healers
$14.95 & up
Now is the lime lo lay away
for Xmas
Koslosky’s Dept. Store
PILLSBLRY — ASST.
lake Mixes 33c
Large pkg.
BONNIE BRAE
STRAWBERRY JAM
No. 5 $489
Large pail *
SNO FLAKE
CRACKERS 2 lbs.
59c
PALMOLIVE SHAMPOO
Reg. 89c Size 59C
S & W — 1 LB. CELLO
Walnuts shdi 39c
SWIFT’S — 12 OZ.
°""i Franks 49c
MEAT DEPT. SPECIALS
Bnl’s. PORK ROAST
lb.
69c
FRYING CHICKEN
ib. 63c
ROSEDALE
Cream Style CORN
6 2 98c
S & W — PICNIC TINS
GREEN BEANS
5 f.. 98c
SAW KRAUT - 21/2 size
3 b, 98c
LIBBYS .
RIPE OLIVES
3r 98c
PRODUCE SPECIALS
WHITE AND YELLOW
ONIONS .lb. 13«
Tube TOMATOES.. ea. 27e
Sweet Potatoes lb. 29c
Red Hot Peppers .lb. 49c
NEW CROP
Delicious APPLES .. lb. 19c
SUNKIST
ORANGES .lb, I5c
nosiosKy s Dept, store