Evening star., 1935-06-27
ALASKA PIONEERS
LIST GRIEVANCES
Complaints of CoIonists to
Be Given to F. {. R. A.
"TroubIe- Shooter"
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PALMER, Alaska, June 27.-Colo-
nists who haven't found the Mata-
nuska Valley the promised land"
they expected listed their grievances
last night for presentation TO Eugene
Carr, trouble shooter" from the Fed
eral Emergency Relief Administra-
lion.
What changes might result from
Cars investigation was a matter Of
eager speculation in the colony. He
announced the protests would get mo
sympathy" unless found justified.
In Washington, Relief Administra-
tor Harry L. Hopkins. reporting to
the Senate, admitted construction here
was about three weeks behind sched-
ule. Hopkins reported, however, that
there was no illness; that medical
supplies were adequate and that build
ing material now was arriving sat-
isfactorily."
Grievances Enumerated.
The group loudest in protest
headed by Patrick Hemmer and Mrs.
I. M. Sandvik-enumerated their
grievances in detail. They said:
/. Many Of the coloniSts feel that
the project was miSrepreSented to
them, saying they expected homes TO
be ready for them upon their arrival.
and they are not satisfied with tent
life.
2. Many protest against medical IA
cilities. claiming that the doctor sent
here was primarily <or the transient
laborerS. The coloniSts heard he had
never taken care of women and chill
dren before and alarm grew after the
death Of O small boy from pneumonia
last week. In reply, colony ofncials
said many colonists to whom cod
liver oil was given to build up their
health for the long Winter nights
ahead, refuse to give It to their chill
dren, emptying it on the ground.
3. A group, their numbers not ex-
actly known, want pay for all the
work they do, including the clearing
Of their own land. They are refusing
to cut logs and help build their homes,
saying the corporation agreed to build
the log homes. Some Of them are re-
ported to have voted to strike for pay
on July 2. A rumored strike Of p. Z.
r. A. transient workers has been
halted by the payment Of wages TO
them last Monday and Tuesday.
Jealous Over Farms.
4. Jealousy exists among some Of the
coIonists over the farms they were
given.
S. The protest Is heard that old
seeds, which will not grow, have been
distributed; that cutworms in the
ground and insects are hurting crops.
One man reported finding frost in the
ground in the woods and said he be-
neved it never left the ground there.
6. 1t Is feared the climate will cause
much sickness.
7. Many are worried over the school
situation. particularly those living
eight miles or more away where no
roads are yet built or under con-
struction to the school house site.
9. Some families from Michigan and
Wisconsin say they came north With
insufficient Winter clothing. In reply
ofIicials say the corporation Is under
no obligation to clothe the families.
Dissatisfied With Labor.
0. The colonists are generally dis
satisfied with the r. z. r. A. transient
labor sent north and the way they
are handled. saying many lined the
streets for days doing nothing. One
colonist reports having seen IS men
in q field with a tractor having difi-
Guilty handling 1t.
10. The Matanuska River has been
running high and lowlands have beer
flooded from the thawing Of snow and
q glacier in the nearby mountains,
causing coloniSts TO fear possible
floods.
IL. The prices Of groceries and
articles at the store are declared to be
exorbitant. -
WOMAN COLONIST CHEERFUL. .