PAIM5R, ALASKA
Dorothy M. Bell, Editor
Published every neelc at Palmer, Alaska for the Matanuska Valley Farmers* Cooperating
Association for the purpose of giving news of the Associations '"ork, Problems and
Accomplishments as v;ell as nev/s of general interest to the Valley
SUBSCRIPTION RITE $1.75 per yetpr
10<f per copy
April 20 to May 1.
Just a gentle reminder that'Clean up for Palmer begins
this next week. All ready there is evidence of much
improvement around the town. Let's keep the good work
up and by May the 1st we should have a spick and span
town.
The boys and girls in the Palmer School have made some
very attractive and clevgr posters which you will prob
> hbly see around town soon.
Let*3 make it more than a "spick and span" town
Let's make it a "spick and swan" VALLEY.
"THE. GARDEN' SPOT OF ALASKA"
HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN ALASKA HANDLE ? •
Durir: the last week several articles have appeared in Newspapers of the Territory
concerning incoming travelers over, the Canadian-Alaska Highway. In one of these
articles we read that there are "Indications of a looming problem of destitute fami
lies arriving in Alaska from over the highway were contained in a-report received .
this week by Joe McCann, in charge of the local U.S. Customs Service office from
Jerry Ahlin, customs officer stationed at Tok.
"People are arriving there with funds exhausfed and others with a limited amount of
money. _ Many are sleeping in their'cars because they lack funds for paying for over
night acconaodations.and some are selling their equipment to car dealers in order to
raise money to take them to their destinations."
Jk’on another article we read-—"The influx of new people into Fairbanks from over the
Highwy expecting to go to work at good jobs immediately without having made previous
inquiries into Conditions here is creating a problem for the-local Territorial Em
ployment Service and the local carpenters’ union. *
"Milton T.'ar, manager of the Em loynent Service, reports that many skilled workers
are a plying for jobs'that do .pot exist, and the Carpenters’ Union is becoming alarm*
ed."
On top of this the Edmonton Traffic Control Board-is receiving 700 letters a day in
quiring about travel 'over the highway, ■ • .
The above; exerpts all'too plainly, tell a stbry for themselves. That we can do about
it, is another matter. , Alaska has been publicized over the nation-all .toooften as a
"land of promise". Of course we want Alaska developed and it takes more people -
but we cannot handle a sudden influx. 'There should be a little more .publicity on the
high cost of living in Alaska—along-with the attractive v;ages. Feople should be
warned not to make the trip without plenty of money. Then if they do not find a
place for themselves or work, they can return.
There is also a limit to the number of tourists we can handle at the present time. tTe
are not nrewared to take care of any number—especially if they need housing. Those
who come in trailer "houses wil"1 be wise—or even if they Dring tents and bedding.
Too many tourists could even tax food situation—especially if we have to endure
any more striiSuu. 17e hear rumors that "Alaskans are going to have to take it on the
chin again". •
So—let’s be'careful about painting our pictures of Alaska in too gloving colors -
and be sure to warn them—not to come unless they have money or some place to go
when they arfive.