Published once a week at Palmer, Alaska, for the Matanuska Valley
Farmers’ Cooperating Association for the purpose of giving news of tfco
Associations work, problems and accomplishments.
SUBSCRIPTION RATE C>1.75 per year Ql.00 for six months_10# copy
WHAT IS CUR CO-OP AND WHV ?
At least once every year it is a good idea to stop and think about the
reasons for the establishment of a Co-op in the Matanuska 1alloy> then
when we consider the reasons for the organization we c.an compare the
actual accomplishments with purposes given for its establishment. <ie
can guage our progress by the degree that we have accomplished these
purposes.
Our understanding of the purposes for which the Co-op was first organ
ized, according to the statments made by the founders of the Matanuska
Valley Colony, were: that it would be the organization that would fur
nish the clothing, food, and other supplies to the people at reasoned .e
and moderate prices; that it would develop markets for the products of
the people; furnish the manufacturing facilities; and supervise the
grading, packing and sale of said products of the people.
Most of us know about the difficulties encountered during the time that
this has been going on. Things that seemed to be easy before wo tried
them turned out to'be almost impossible. Some of the failures were caus
ed by the ignorance and negligence of the people in the Galley. Others
can be traced to the incompetence of the bureaucrats, some to intoler
ance and bigoted policies of the big business men of the central part
of Alaska.
At times it seemed as if the Co-op was doomed to failure Itergely because
so many members had so little faith in .themselves and their ability to
solve the many problems that confront any organization of this kind.
Some of our members never have been able to separate the public relief
angle from the purposes for which the Co-op was established. Some of
our members have given aid and encouragement to our worst enemies, in
cluding politicians, financial big shots, and those who wish to divide
everything up that is owned by the Government—always with the thought
that they would be able to gobble up the lions share.
Co-op’s are not welfare organizations. They are chartered for purposes
of conducting businesses just like any other corporation, but instead
of being organized 'for the benefit of the monied classes and for big
speculators Co-op’s are the small farmers and workers organizations to
enable them to secure more of the better things of life in a modest way.
Few people get rich in the average Co-op, but great numbers do benefit
by being' able to utilize returns from their farms or labor to a greater
extent because they are able to eliminate the middleman and- get a great
er portion of the returns, from the results of their labor. Then in the
long run the Co-op member owns the organization. His final share is re
alized on his contribution to the Co-op, that is by the purchases he has
made and the products he has sold to the organization. If ho has not
contributed anything he will not be able to get any of the profit.
In view of these facts it cen be seen that the Co-op is under no obliga
tion to do any more for the community at large than any individual or
c chor group of people. The members of the Co-<yp were not given anything
when the buildings and othor property was acquired by them. They made
a definite agreement to purchase, and obligated themselves by mortgages
and notes bearing interest. During the last eight years payments havo
been met on time.
All taxes applicable to any other business of a similar nature are paid
by che Co-op. In fact, it will probably pay the largest tax paid in the
new school district, and the members will pay taxes on their farms and
property besides.
The cooperative is owned and democratically controlled by the farmers
using it. This cooperative is operated to bring maximum returns to the
asors, and to serve public interest.