Bound Volumes, Hometown History

May 30, 2024

90 YEARS AGO

When goods are scarce there is no need to exert any effort in selling them, for the buyer seeks out the seller. It is only necessary for the vendor to post information as to his whereabouts, the nature of his merchandise, and its price. But things are different now. We have power plants, laboratories, and factories, capable of turning out a vastly greater amount of desirable goods than we have ever used. And we could all use more than we have ever had. The problem now is not how to make more things but how to distribute those we make. There are two necessary elements for bringing about faster distribution. The first is persuasion to bring people to the market place to buy those products that will bring them satisfaction. The second is the return to the same people of the income arising from increased production, in a constant flow of wages and dividends. These two essential factors must go hand in hand—salesmanship and buying power.

May 1934

50 YEARS AGO

Ross McClelland, a retired U.S. Ambassador, told a Memorial Day gathering at Morris that Americans should “dedicate ourselves to a return to the best of American traditions.” “We have an enviable tradition of rectitude, self-reliance and resourcefulness.” McClelland was U.S. Ambassador to Niger from 1970 to 1973. McClelland now resides on a farm near New Lisbon. McClelland urged a crowd of several hundred Memorial Day parade participants and onlookers to fashion a better, more meaningful society worthy of the men who have died in this nation’s wars. McClelland contrasted the $100 billion spent annually on defense to the less than one percent of that spent for U.S. State Department operations and programs. “Can’t we devote just 10 percent (of the defense spending) to efforts toward peace,” he asked, noting that the expenditure would go far in heading off conflicts around the world. “If such an effort succeeded in heading off even one small war, it would be worth the price,” he said. McClelland noted that life in America is infinitely better than in any other part of the world, I’ve been in. But, he criticized Americans as having an “almost obsessive preoccupation with material consumption.” “At a time when we’re beginning to learn our earth’s resources are limited, this is disturbing,” he said. McClelland warned that Americans should not fall into a pattern where “we cannot do without.”

May 1974

30 YEARS AGO

Major Joseph F. Loszynski said that slain state police investigator Ricky J. Parisian will have his name inscribed on the bronze plaque at Troop C headquarters honoring members who have died in the line of duty. Although Parisian was assigned to the White Plains special investigations unit at the time of his death, Parisian, who began his law enforcement career as an Oneonta patrolman, was also initially stationed with Troop C. Parisian’s inscription will join the names of twelve other troopers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

May 1994

20 YEARS AGO

The Green Earth’s promised move is finally happening. The health food store in Oneonta is moving from 7 Elm Street to 4 Market Street this weekend according to store manager Annie Avery. “It’s a bigger store, and it’s a beauteous building,” Avery said Tuesday. “We’re excited about being in a new building.” The Green Earth’s selections will expand once the move is complete. “We’re probably going to have a working kitchen,” she said. “The idea of food service is in our minds.” Green Earth plans to carry a better selection of produce and frozen local meat. The deli and juice bar will remain. “It’ll be more roomy,” Avery said. The store will open in its new location on Tuesday after Memorial Day.

May 2004