Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1931-09-17
SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD

Today, Thursday, Sept. II, is the
very day that the Askov American
was founded II years ago, and with
this issue we are starting out on
Volume XVIII.
The first few years were trying as
the community was smaller, 1.-THE vii
lage then had about 125 people, now
about 300) and the amount of bust
ness transacted here was not as much
as today. Starting as one man shop
with a press that printed only one
page at a time the American has
grown with the community and gained
a large circulation all over the county
until today the total weekly press run
is $500 or more copies with an or
ganization back of it of a dozen peo-
pie, printing eight or TEN pages, all
home set and printed. Presses, type
casting machines, and other machin-
cry and material was added as the
business grew and in 1926 the large
moderm building which now houses the
American plant was built. The print
ing of several other publications here
and book, catalog, and general COM
mercial printing has added to the vol
ume of business.
While there are plenty of oppor-
tunities for improvement of the news
paper and for greater service to the
public-a goal toward which we are
constantly striving-n nevertheless
there is some feeling of satisfaction
in the work thus far done, and in this
connection we wish to thank the gen.
eral public for its good patronage in
the past and trust that we may merit
a continuance of same. AS is we'll
known to the readers of this paper
the editorial policy is one of indie
pendence-a policy which may not al
ways be to the liking of friends and
acquaintance which we feel will
do the most good to the most people in
the long run. We have erred in the
past and will err again in the flu
ture as humans do, but the express
sions of opinion are candid and our
own, though without jumping at COLI
illusions and indulging in snap judg-
ment.
The rural newspaper has a mission
to perform as we'll as has the big city
daily, the farm papers, trade journals.
and national magazines. It's work is
that of disseminating news-some-
times considered little trivial-how-
ever if well written and not too I'M
important it pictures the community
life, and is easily on a par with some
of the society news in the big city
dailies. Much of the news-especially
that on the front page of we'll or
ganized rural newspapers of enough
importance so that it is eagerly COB
bled up by the daily. The rural news
paper also has a field in feature and
human interest stories, and the edi-
torial and Opinions of others" COL
umns. Last but not least it is a trade
barometer to the communities it
serves. In its columns business men
and farmers can make their wants
known, and will enjoy increased bust
ness by the liberal use of printers
ink when backed up by the right
prices and service.
With subscription renewals especi-
ally the American receives scores of
complimentary letters on its general
news service and editorial policy and
this is gratifying. Now and then some
of those letters have been published.
However only a small part of them
can appear in print and there is not
time to reply to them, but this oppor-
tunity is taken for an expression of
appreciation and to say that we will
strive onward. for the building of
democracy and the kind of govern
ment that will serve the masses best.