Published every Thursday at Palmer, Alaska, for the Matanuska Valley Farmers*
Cooperating Association for the purpose of giving news of the Associations Work,
Problems and Accomplishments,
SUBSCRIPTION BY MAIL $1,75 BOX $1,00 SINGLE COPY 10<f
SHALL m ACCEPT FULL RESPONSIBILITY OF CITIZENSHIP?
M.D. Snodgrass
Are we afraid to let our voice be heard in Congress on an equal basis with the citi
zens of the 48 states of the U.S.A.? Shall we continue to send our Delegate to Con
gress without a vote in the affairs of our nation, to plead and beg for help? Are
you afraid to take your place among free men, and women, of America?
Just now, Alaska stands at’the threshold of the one great opportunity—the challenge
to accept full citizenship. All America is watching us, What will be our answer?
The people of the Philippines have accepted freedom,'when their land and homes lie
in waste, Hawaiians ore asking for full citizenship. Every nation in the old world
is asking for freedom; far the right to manage their own affairs—for self deter
mination. Will we ask our friends in Congress to continue to appropriate large sums
of monies for Alaska development that we ourselves arc afraid to undertake?
Evory fond in the States now lends to Alaska. For the forty years I have lived in
Alaska, I have heard Alaskans"curso their fate of having the Bureaucrats of Washing
ton run the affairs of Alaska. I have watched the coining and going of govornors—
appointed by tho President for some political favor they may have rendered directly
or indirectly by some political friond. Their caning was usually trips of inspection
to learn something of tho Territory they wore to govern. They were usually guidod
and protected by some special Interest—boys anxious for special favors in the
Territory’s industries. Two only, up to tho present adninistration, wore identified
with tho growth of Alaska—each having owned and operated a newspaper in Alaska. One
was outstanding for his independence in action in Alaska affairs; the other was bent
upon his service to the special interests—who placed him there.
Tho present administration must stand upon the records, which aro open to all of us,.
We must make up "our minds for oursolvcs as to its value to Alaska’s development. Timo
alone will tell. War conditions have obscured the real trends of tho administration.
Ooon warfare on the present governor within and without the Party makes it difficult
for real progress or national'legislation. Alaska affairs suffers from kich action.
So long as woraro a Territory, wo can expect tho same sort of government.
With the coming of statehood, vie will eloct our governor. Ho will be an Alaskan. Wc
will elect our representative and two senators to Congress who may vote on national
affairs and for Alaska needed legislation. Until that day comes, we need not expect
very much aid for Alaska except as it effects national defences and socurity.
The development of Alaska resources depends upon the people now living in Alaska and
those who are coming daily from the States. Thousands of people are looking this way.
The Highway is open. Thoy will como. Railway to Alaska is now assured. Air ways
are Stringing people hero every day and many of thorn will stay. A now Frontier is now
open. We, who pioneered must open our eyes—and act today, or wo will be over-run by
the multitude.
It takes pedplc and capital to develop a country—people, who will accomplish in spito
of handicap, hell or high water. Capital is here and will como—as opportunity for
wise investment is offered, Tho best capital is the determination born of ambition
and freedom of action in working out the ovoxy day problems of building a now state—
Alaska.
Have you scon the last Reader’s Digest? If you haven’t, get hold of oho and road tho
article on pago 121 entitled, "Alaska's Gaudiest Gamble—The Ice Pool".’ This is
condensed from the National -Home Monthly and is written by Peggo Parker. Pcggo Parker
gives an account of tho 1946 Nenana lee Pool and calls it e**fantcstic gu%sing game? '
The statement is also made that when tho guessing season is on, Alaskans think, talk,
eat and sleep nothing but ice pool.
Work hard and be polite and fair, and your condition in the- irorld trill improve. No
pills, tablets, philosophies, lotions trill do as much for you as this siraplo formula.
E.M. Houo.