Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-14


 Appropriation to Provide Reserva-
 lions For Maintaining Herds e Bas-
 faIo-American Mammals Cemmer-
 ciaI as We'll as Sentimental Value
 to Be Urged.
 Supported by President Roosevelt and by the leading naturalists of the country, the American Bison society was organized recently at meeting In the New York geological gardens. Bronx park. says the New York Post. The object of the founders is to secure government and individual aid in pre- serving the bison, which is rapidly be- coming extinct in the land where once his breed royed the plains by millions.
 After securing as large membership and as many contributions as possible, the society will appeal to congress for an appropriation large enough to pro vide one or more bison reservations great tracts of land on which the anI- mals may flourish and multiply At present there are less than 1000 of them in America outside of geological gardens, and the owners are private citizens without enclosures Of sufficient size to give a buffalo the range hs needs. If the government will under take the solution of the problem, say the naturalists, there will be no diff culty in warding of the destruction Of the finest animals now existing
 At the meeting in the Bronx. Mr- Roosevelt was chosen honorary presi- dent of the society. He had agreed previously to accept the office on con dition the active list should be com posed of the proper men. and ever since the plan was preached to him by Err nest Harold Baynes he has been en- thusiastic over it's outcome. The other officers elected were William F. Horna- day, president: Professor Charles 5 Minot of Harvard university and Presi- dent A. A. Anderson of the Campfire Club of America. vice presidents; Er- nest Harold Baynes, secretary, and Edward Seymour, treasurer.
 Speaking of the reasons for the move ment to save the bison. Mr. Baynes de scribed several experiments he had made to prove that the animals were superior to domestic cattle as draft beasts. He borrowed two baby bulls from the Corbins. who own herd Of 16O head in New Hampshire, and train ed them to the yoke. Within few months they were entirely serviceable and could give points in pulling load to any oxen of their own age. The7 were also drilled in single harness. and throughout their rearing were cared for like ordinary calves.
 Once the government has acquired herd and started to increase its num- bers along proper lines. Mr. Baynes says. the bison's commercial value to the United States will become estab- lished. Besides promising well as draft animal. the buffalo furnishes meat that cannot be surpassed and fur robes that for certain purposes cannot be eoualed by those from any other creature. With the breed systematical- ly maintained there could be large output from time to time for these uses, the animals being distributed throughout the country as fast as they overfowed their reservations.
 Of the sentimental reasons for say ing the bison much has been said but hitherto no practical step has been tak en for his preservation. Every one knows how his progenitors, when there were millions of them. served the west ern pioneers for food when no other food was obtainable and gave winter clothing to the first settlers when bnf. falo hide was the most easily procured and often the only covering to be had. Even if they were of no commercial worth, as Mr. Baynes says. Americans who know of their part in the countrTz history should not Ike to see them ef- faced from the earth.
 The danger that the private herds will disintegrate may not be immedi ate. but it is certain the strength of the breed will gradually diminish unless ' the animals can have the freedom and wide range their natures require. Be sides the herd fin New HampshIre. there are large ones in Montana and Texas and smaller ones in other vest ern states. The Montana herd. oWned | by half Indian named Pablo. is said to be the largest. numbering 225. fk Is not known. however. that these gre all full bIooded. The .'czttaio.r whfch Is half domestic cattle and half wild buffalo. has come to De common ant nal in the herds. and some oWneFs have made 6 special effort to rnisf these crosses. Vfs,eh are noted for theIr valuable hides.
 In addition to the weakening ef the bison from being shut into small la closures. his owners are hasteninr hla end by selling an occasional bead 0K hide. A buffalo robe these days hrfnEs from s150 to &10o A bead. welI mounted, costs SS00 CT So00 in q GAxh dermistis shop. It is no small tamrta= ton to the owner when a buyer drops in once or twice a year and ofrsrz hiin fancy prices for e few of the znimzls
 Mr. Baynes says the appeal to co1s gress for a reservation and an apr1ss priation VIII be made as soon as pos sible- In the meantime a eommiffe9