Published once a week in Palmer, Alaska, for the Mat
anuska Valley Farmers' Co-operating Association, for
the purpose of giving news of the Association's work,
problems and accomplishments.
SO THE PEOPLE MAY KNOW
Most of the people of the V/orld aro sick and tired of war and its
attendont miseries. They wonder why this has to be. Anything but war
seems to be desirable to people who havo actually been in the path of
a blitzkrieg. Friends and relatives slain or carried off to capitivity
homes and business places destroyed, and all human progress stopped.
It surely doesn't make sense, but it happens over and over. When any
curious individual questions the noed of such carnage ho is called a
traitor to his country and is regarded as a sub-normal human being,
which ho really is. One of the finest things that a normal human being
can indulge in, is religion. Practically all religions arc based on
the Golden Rule, and most any thinking person will agreo that if human
beings lived up to the standards of their religion, that this world
v/ould bo a wonderful place to live in. But alas, human beings cannot
or will not follow the teachings that they profess tobeliovc.
So, instead of a peaceful, kind, hunn.no world, wo have a world full
of trouble, and people grasping at each others throat. Little things
that really don't amount to anything, arc magnified, and a furor is
raised because someone doesn't agree with scmconc else. Most of tho
trouble is laid to misunderstandings, some to selfishness and over
grown egos. However, the average individual doesn't spend much time in
such antics. He is too busy making a living and can't spend tho time
that ;Ls necessary to investigate and find out for sure what it is all
about. So, they divide into groups and become followers of the more
forceful individuals, who make history.
Nov/, it is easy to understand why great nations can have these mis
understandings; especially where there is a difference in languages,
loligions, national customs and traditions. It is more difficult to
understand why the various states in a country like ours'can develop
and perpetuate hatred, confusion and misunderstanding when we arc all
eo closely related. We all speak tho sane language; have a common her
bage In general and our laws and traditions are similar, but still we
have continual trouble. Why?
The most perplexing thing of all, is why a small ccrinunity like Palm
er can't avoid this and get together and make the best of things that
we can have. Wo have little or no religious differences; our business
non get together and have a good time on occasion, without much trouble.
Even the regular brand of politics is a scarce article in this commun
ity. We give a candidate on one ticket a big vote on one election, and
furn around and do tho same for his rival at the next election and
think nothing of it. Now, if we can see eye to eye on Territorial and
National problems, why can't we do tho sane thing with tho problems
that have to be faced in Palmer? It seems queer that we can agree on
most everything except the things that face us right here in PaLmor.
jMjr ino uanuu ; v/n^ uu wu uavu ty uuiiu.ui.iJi uuuii uuiiui. uu^i u <-*j. ^
certain details that must he worked out by.both sides on the v/atcr sit
uation in Palmer? Doesn't every individual have the right to agree or
disagree on every issue presented? V7h.cn the time comes that someone
has tho right and power to tell each one of us how wo nay think or do,
it will bo a sorfy day for all of us. The Co-op and it's officials
v/cre against incorporation of the town of Palmer, and did all they
could to present their side to the voters before the election. But, as
wo said then, if the people decided to incorporate we would cease our
opposition and try to work with the newly elected government of the
City; v/c still say that we have tried to do that. But we ask you, the
City Council and the Mayor, have you tried to work with us, or have you
tried to dictate to us as to what will bo done with our water system,
oven though we own and arc operating it?- Are you more interested in
securing an immediate water supply for the City of Palmer or in trying
to force plans on us that would work to our disadvantage? We have a
record of tho events that have taken place and they are available to
any citizen who v/ants to see them. „