Palmor, Alaska Dorothy 1’. Bell, Editor
Published every rock at ^almer, Alaska, for the Matanuska Valley Farmers’ Cooperating
Association for'the.?p^rposo of giving no ns of the Associations ^ork, Problems and
Aocomplislynents; and for the dissemination of no-s of a oublic character. \ i
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SUBSCRIPTION rRATJEl [ $1.75 per year. _j I JSingld po?y\ log
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. ji THE MERRY LIFE OF AN EDITOR
Only persons who have worked on a newspaper staff or have been connected with the work
of publishing a newspaper have any idea of the vast amount of time it takes to do the
job. Sure the paper comes out and you can read it in 10 minutes—it must not have
taken much time to have put that together. It makes one feel that all the work spent
in setting up ads, collecting news, printing it etc* was a mere waste of time*—
especially when the grapevine has carried it around the community fairly well before it
can get in print. <
The work part of publishing a paper is only part of the grief, ’"o are dealing with -
and trying to please human beings. After a story is printed, there are at least a
dozen people who can tell you twice as much as you had in yOur story, but at the time
you were out collecting that story they didn’t know a things Then we have the type
of person who expects to make the news every time he turns around- He wouldn't bother
to let you know a thing that he is doing. Oh no—that is your job to find out—but
you should find out. On the other hand there is another individual who objects to
having his name in print under any circumstances. These newspaper people are just
old busy bodies—sticking their noses into everyone’s business and never minding their
own. Now—the wise editor should know which is which.• •
Newspaper work would certainly be dull indeed if we did not have another type. T’is
-ast mentioned person makes it a point to see that any news pertaining to him or his
family gets to the paper correctly and as he would like to have is printed. This co
operation is greatly appreciated—especially in a country where telephones have not
teen generally installed throughout the area covered. Many times'it is impossible to
reach people who'should be contacted to get a story more complete.
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Te do try our best to get all facts straight, avoid scandal, and cover all news of
general interest to the public. News is news—but as one country editor wrote one
time-there is much news that goes unprinted in a small community which might be a
good story in a larger place. The 35'ers can ferlfy that as they were hounded all the
way across the continent and into Alaska. If we tried to please everyone, we would
be as foolish as the old man and his son who were taking their donkey to market. They,
decided one of thflm might as well ride. Then the old man rode, he was criticil*c) for '
making his poor son walk and when the son rode, he was likewise criticised. Therefore,
they took the donkey and tied his feet to a pole and carried him. As they were carry
ing him across a bridge, the pole broke and the donkey was lost.
There is always one consolation to.fall back on when criticism flies your way too
thick and fast. The person who is never criticised and has no.enemies, never dees
anything worthwhile or that is important enough to be noticed.
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CO-OPS IN AQRICULTURt
TTe have stated several times that Cooperative* are relatively new in Alaska, but they
are an old institution in the States. They play a very important part.in the A erican
farm. According to literature put out by the 573A there are more than 15.0C0 farmer
owned and farmer controlled cooperative associations and mutual companies operating
in the States. Of this number 10,752 are engaged in marketing of farm pro ducts, pur.- .
chasing farm supplies, •or performing related services, M’tual irrigation companies
number approximately 2,500 and farmers' mutual fire insurance companies number 1,900*
On the basis of reported membership and patronage data, it is estimated that more than
three million persons hold membership in these organizations and at least a half mil
lion more patronize them without accepting the responsibilities of manbership. Sales
of farm products and farm supplies by cooperatives now exceed two billion dollars
annually, with 295 associations reporting sales of more than one million dollars each,
and 34 associations reporting sales in excess of ten million dollars each.
These figures are from a K.-tion-wide canvass of farmer-owned organ iz at ions' of a few
years back and probably much less than current figures^ were they available.. Tods
study was made by the 5'arm Credit Administration, District 3--nks for Cooperatives and
about 30 State Agricultural Colleges,
5'T’ e fundamental characteristic of ^n agricultural cooperative is that it is operated
fcr the mutual benefit of Its members as producers-nob us stockholders,v
Ireneh It. Hyre