Palmer,Alaska Dorothy M. Pell-Edltor_
Published every v/eek at Palme r, Alaska, for the Matanuska vallry
Farmers' Coope rating Association for the purpose of Riving news of the
Associations Aork, Problems and Accomplishments and dissemination of
news of a public, c-haracter. >
SUBSCRIPTION RATE J 5l»75 per year _ Single copy- >, 10 gf
"riHG OUT THE OLD;
in the neiii.
We learn from Juneau that 39 'Native Village Sf ores in Inte rior Alaska
have formed a company to be known is the "Alaska Native Industries Co
operatl ve Association." Mr. Don C. 1’oster of the Native Service stated
tha t the1 Company would ro into business in Seattle January lj 1?M-*
This newest /ilaskan Cooperative has been organized for the purpose of
marke ti net’furs , ivories, baskets and other Native Craft "Outside" and
will also buy- fbr the Native Stores. The formation of this cooperative
has been’unde-rway for two years, Mr. 1 ostcr Sal dp
Cooperative Enterprises are relatively new in Ala ska and we watch vl th
interest all new developments of this nature. Generally, Cooperatives
have arisen out of a need felt'bv those involved for such an organiza
tion. It orows out. of economic nepessi ty . and. .because. .of this is bound
.to' succeed. " . ... . .... ...
Unfortunately Jour ov»n Cooperative was organized, witb the cart in front
of the.horse. Hew settlers coming into, the Valley look a,t the "origi
nal Colonists"' In astonishment when they are. informed that all colonists
living oil t/ he eo'lorty farms were forced, to join the Co-op. Very f.ew saw
any necessity-in joining--arid those who did happened to be former Co-op
members df* organizations in the States and knew their .value. They did
not actually '■* feel an economic need here at the time any more
•than the -bthers/'* -d" -vr: a . ?’• •
This 'one mistake has a great, deal to do .wi th out present difficulties.
Forcing free Americans toado something which they do not choose to do
never works. The*. Vfcry idea'of coercion forms a poison that is hard to
'eradicate', regardless of economic necessities v/hich may .aiise later.
• ;•?./ ***>.. ;T; f %r *" ■ * . • .• . . .....
In an article v/ rotten several-years back, J.F, Yae.Pter,. v/ho was v/i th the
Farm'Bureau1 in Michigan, states that occasionally they, have dis couraged
■the1 establishment of Cooperat.ives until such time a s the people under
stand and hav'd-‘analyzed the: need for one in the Community. Mr. Yaeger
believes that an educational program should be launched prior to the
forming of a Coopera tive. Then v/hen the people thor6ur,hly understand
the‘:Cooperative system' and know what-k'nd of a Cooperative they want and
r need, one: can tfc. • established suitable to th^ir needs, ' ...
A Cooperative is a democratic organization, and it has answered the nee/M
of the-fanner bettor than any Other type of organization yet conceived#
t7 e> have1 many important decisions to be made during .this nev' year. If ’.ve
can face them with the welfare of the organization and farmers needs in
mind—rather than personality prejudices--we v/i 11 have gone a long way
tov/ard w orking out' sdme- solution to-our present problems. Maybe you
fion't like- the v/av Mr.-' Jones combs his hair or wears his tie — that has
nothing to do with bu'r'msrrketing -problems,... > .
w iv • • 1
J . .' ....... .... ., .... v,,
,Here's to a good start in the New Year with the ri^ht foot ’forward.
. ; Your Editor,
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