Published once a week in Palmor, Alaska, for the Mat
anuska Valley Farmers' Co-operating Association, for
tho purpose of giving news of the Association's work,
problems and accomplishments.
nil si-laced mm
By the action of the District Court of Appeals in San Francisco last
week, another serious threat to the well-being of our Association was
removed. The caso of Roach vs the Co-op over the Anchorage Daif’y Build
ing. The Court of Appeals upheld the decision of Judge Dimond in the
Third District Court in Anchorage last winter, refusing to allow Mr.
Roach, acting as guardian for Arnold Leibschnor, now doceased, to take
possession of the building for violation of contract and other technic
al reasons. Loss of this building would have been a serious blow to
the Co-op at this time as it is necessary for doing business in Anchor
age .
The history of the case shows that the Co-op leased a lot from the
Guardian of Mr. Leibschnor in I9I4.O for a period of 15 years. Permiss
ion was granted to the Co-op to build on the lot, with the understand
ing that the building would become the property of the owner of the lot
at the expiration of the leaso. A building was constructed that cost
about $30,000 at that time. In iolj.0 Anchorage was a town of about I4.OOO
and, while it was‘growing a little, there was no reason to think that
it would have such an abnormal growth as we have seen in tho last ton
years. Rents wero low in comparison to now, and it scorned like tho
deal that had been mado was a good one for both the Co-op and Mr. Leib
schner. Taxos on the lot wore only a few dollars per.year, and tho
prospects for a boom were slim.
Then cams the war. People poured in. Property wont sky-high, and
taxes accordingly. The’original deal on this lot was not so good, as
the taxos ate up the rentals. About three years ago, Mr. Roach became
guardian and took charge of tho property. He called the attention of
the Co-op officials to the matter, and asked them to pay these taxes
in addition to the rental. Our association agreed that it u/as a bad
situation, but felt that wo were not obligated to make an adjustment
without some compensation. Mr. Roach refused to make any adjustment;
demanding moro money and refusing to make any compromise at all. When
it became clear to Mr. Roach that the Co-op officials would not accept
his demands, he started suit to force the Co-op to relinquish possess
ion, on various grounds. Co-op officials were charged with using im
proper means in getting tho lease, and just about everything in tho
book was thrown at them. In fact it was a very complicated case, or
would have been, if tho court hadn't thrown most of it out. When the
Court in Anchorage held that tho Co-op had not violated its contract
and that the lease was O.K., Mr. Roach appealed tho case and lost again
in the Court of Appeals, It has been an oxponsivo deal for both part
ies, but it is settled now, and wo hope that Mr. Roach is satisfied.
However, wo still feel that it was a lot of misplaced onergy.
C.R.R.
PLANS FOR CO LOW DAY DRAWN UP
Jim Hurley, Don Irwin and Carl Ras
mussen, throe members of the Colony
Day committee, met in the ARRC off
ice to draw plans for the Annual
Celebration to be held on May 26th
and 27th. A proposed budget was
drawn up and the means for the fi
nancing was provided for. This pro
gram may be changed if circumstanc
es require, but the following e
vonts v/ere proposed and the chair
man has boon appointed. Tho North
land Pioneer Grange will give a
danco on May 26th*, at which a
queen contest will be featurod. On
May 27th., at 1 o'clock there.will
be a kid's parade, featuring a pot
parade, animals and fowls of all
kinds; bicycle and clov/n section,
as well as cowboys and cowgirls.
Prizes for all soctions will be
given with a grand prizo for the
best in all divisions. Gcno Kirsch
is Director. Ray McCartney will bo
in charge of the basoball game,
which will be followed by horse
racing in charge of Clair Stock. A
barbecue will finish the events of
the day, with beef, bakod spuds and
buttermilk. Carl Rasmussen v/as ask
ed to tako charge of the barbocue,
but bocame ill when the announce
ment was made. Ho may recovor in
time to help out some. Wm. Head is
in charge of finances, Steve Ward
will have charge of the collection
of funds and A1 DeJulio will handlo
advertising.
Taxes could-bo worse* Suppose wo
paid what wo think we’re worth?