THE VALLEY SETTLER is published
every Friday by the Mathnuska Val
ley Farmer's Cooperating Associa
tion at Palmer, Alaska,
Mng, Editor: Mrs, Marie Wilson
Typist: Ina Belle Irwin
Subscription rates: $1.00 yoar
by mails 1,50 year
mailed anywhere : 10jz? copy
This paper Is issued for the pur
pose of giving information and
news of the Matanuska Valley Farm
er's Cooperating Association's
work, problems, accomplishments,
and also news of local and general
interest; and to help foster the
coopera.tive spirit of the farmers
of the Matanuska Valley,
The first credit unions were es
tablished in Germany by Frederick
"ilheln Raifeiaen about, the middle
of the nineteenth century. These
were organized among farmers and
proved of great assistance during
the dirricult famine years of that
pe riod.
Later, a prominent American became
greatly impressed with the possi
bilities of credit unions and has
spent much tine and money in spons
oring credit unions throughout the
United States, The first ^State
credit union law passed in Massa
chusetts in 1909,
The number of credit unions in
creased slowly during the twenty
years from 1901 to 1929. Luring
the last 5 depression years, how
ever, the growth has been very rap
id. Approximately 3,000 credit
unions were in operation on Decem
ber 31, 1934,
THE SECRET OF THE WEEK
Discovered- that Miss. DeArmond
was able to withstand all ordin
ary tactics of wooing and love
making by: richly Alaskan gentlemen
but when attacted by the cave-man
type, who chase fair maidens with
pocket knives and cut off their
ears to obtain obedience, it is
instantly understood that her
highly developed sense of refinement
was shocked into submission.
* •
As time passws, great strides
mr.terir.lizo. in the devolopcmcnt
of the valley and agricultural
progress, yot we have not reach
ed a well oiled working level in
every department. Tine, patience
thought and con'oinod engory will
force poopor adjustment.
Nov/ ideas are required and appre
ciated in every field of civiliz
ed life; Workable plans based
on conscientious thought, not
howling complaints from radical
peanut-brained, scIf-assuming,
glory-hunters. The man with a
good idea for improvement, will
ing to conscientiously assist, is
an asset. Such men are invited
to contribute feasible plans and
cooperate to substantiate our
future.
After nil, any pernancnt lasting
developpment v/111 bo shared by
all and likewise should receive
ceir ernest efforts. Benefits arc
usually in comparison with the
honest efforts expended.
In this farmers cooperative or
ganization, all must first con
sider changes that will benefit
the majority of people.
Exthomely prosperous communities
.are founded on these foundations
and essentials. All thought of
individual gain only must be dis
carded and a.in for the success
of many.
In achieving those ideals we need
not fear rumored conpction from
nearby territory, as-yet-undevcl
oped.
Many States have their outstand
ing examples of cooperative or
ganizations and we need only fall
in line and continue to do our
best, to ’become one of them.
The greatest pleasure I know is
to do a good action by stealth
and have it found out by accident.
Charles Lamb