Palmer, Alaska
Editor.Dorothy M. Bell
_Advertising....Harriet Z. Bell
Published once a week at Palmer, Alaska, for the Matenuska Valley Farm
ers' Cooperating Association for the purpose of giving news of the
Associations' work, problems and accomplishments.
SUBSCRIPTION RATE $1.75 $1.00 for six months 100 a copy
» BUSINESS WITH A CONSCIENCE
The Cocrpcrr.t'lve- idol is being accepted in the Philippine “Isl~nd3 ’with .a
greet de-1 'pf enthusiasm. The Ihilippinc LIF3 News ' cg'zihocarries
many articles' on the subject which show the general attitude of the
people toward Cooperative .enterprise. The following is written by t
mqnbcr of the wrier lean Institute of Cooperation.
Human values must be considered along with gains. The world has just .
emerged from a period of sacrifice, torture and humiliation in an at
tempt to resotre- mankind to a level of higher values. It was learned
that this could only be accomplished by cooperative endeavor, regardless
of its application. Whenever it was honestly applied, its achievements
v;ere worth-while. This will continue to be true, as it always had been.
Cnlv when it is neglected will it fail those it has been designed to
servo. It is such that it cannot lierdormant, it must move forward to
be lost. Such is the case when therea?e human values to be considered.
Cooperation has succeeded in greatly improving the position of millions.
Its system of marketing and merchandising has established an organized
economy. The. paying back of savings it has afforded has been an incen
tive to thrift. It has contributed to a dignity that otherwise could
not have been experienced. It has provided the paying of mortgages,
sending of young people to college, paying of hospital bills, improving
living conditions for the farmer and his family. It has provided re
sources that have been spent with all linos of"business. It has in
creased the individual's power to help others and to make his enterprise
helor'ul to the less fortunate. He has learned of new frontiers and has
Iicnoered them.
The importance of material things has been removed and instead he has
come to regard his life as dependent upon others. Thousands have ' .
learned much through their business training in working with their co
operatives. Women have been given an equal opportunity with men. The
family has been given a more prominent place in society’s program. The
activities of its young people have been directed in the ways'of great
est good, it has given a new vision of life. It has established a
training for citizenship and democracy arid the supporting of good govern
ment .
From all of these we have developed a consciousness and feel an obliga
tion with a responsibility to the future development of an insititution
that has had its foundation embedded in the experiences of people who
have paid the price to bring about such an attainment. This attainment
should require a greater regard and a more careful consideration.
It is rocongnized that there are certain requirements for business cor
porations and cooperatives alike, and those being employed arc questioned
relative to their eligibility and qualifications for the jobs they are
hired to fill. The success of that business depends upon such capabil
ities and their adapting themselves to the requirements at -hand.- It is
expected that they be interested, with a regard for the business, as
well as to show a loyalty to it. The buying public will question a busi
ness, that is not conducted in such a manner. It is part of the employ
ee’s obligation.
In the case of a cooperative, we may expect all of these commendable
traits in those who work for us as our managers end employees. Then,too
often as directors and members we do not show the same regard for our
ownv*busincss, at the same time breaking down the moral force of those
we employ in expecting them to build up a paying business when we our
selves have neglected to support our own business.
This article was taken from the Philippine life News Magazines
U.S.Kreider is president of the Farmers Equity Union, Illinois.
***** •
STATUS of PHILIPPINE TR.DE-Statistics show that Fhilippine post-war
trade, both domestic and foreign, amounts to about two billions of peso?
_Cnffti on page 3 .1