The Alaska daily empire., 1916-12-19

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 and the Secretary of Agriculture per mits for the shipment of live game animals, birds, and trophies for scien- tnfc purposes.
 Therefore, does 1t not appear that the Alaska game law Is thing won derfully made if not fearfullyl This divided responsibility does not work for efficiency in the enforcement of its provisions and regulations, nor does 1t increase respect for the law on the part of the people. There are other peculiarlties in the Alaska game law For instance, the law classifies the Alaska brown bear as game animal, and he is rigidiy protected, while his inoffensive blood brother the black bear, is a fur-bearlng ami nal, and esteemed not worthy of protection. The latter animal is not vicious. The brown bear is pecul- iarly SO. and a considerable number of people, including both natives and whites, have been his prey. He is rapacious and predacious, and he is esteemed to be worthy of a congressional iron cross, presumably because of his fierce and warlike disposition. This animal should not be given protection, and |, therefore, again wish to renew the recommen- dations carried in my several annual reports that the control of game ami mals of Alaska be vested in the Ter ritorial legislature. which It seems to me 1t manifestly belongs lt is safe to say that an Alaska Leglsla- ture will not protect the brown bear.
 The game law of Alaska IS en- forced as efficiently as is possible under existing conditions. The Ter ritory embraces a large area through out which game is scattered indis- crlminately, and the personnel em- ployed in it's protection IS always insufficient in number. Nevertheless there has been no serious dimlnution of game during the past few years, according to the reports received from game wariens by this office But its disappearance may be expect cd with the gradual settlement Of the Territory The importance. there fore, of conserving it is apparent; and also it should be remembered that Alaska is the last great game section of the United States.
 No increase in the number of game wardens has been made during the year. Nine wardens are employed, and besides, the employees for the suppression of the liquor traffic among the Indians are ex-officio game wardens without pay, and special game wardens are employed from time to time or whenever the funds at the disposal of this office will permit. The appropriation for the fiscal year was S20,000.
 Joint Protection of Game, Etc.
 In June last the Territorial coun- ell of Yukon Territory, Canada, pass !. ed a resolution recommending that some plan of action be mutually un- 1 iertaken by the governments of Can ada. the United States of America, ] and the Province Of British Column Dia for the protection of game ami nals, game birds and fur-bearing lnimals in Yukon Territory, Alaska. md British Columba and it was urther recommended that such pro. ection can be best afforded by the of wolves and coyotes. With respect to the subject matter ,f the resolution of the Yukon Ter ltOrial council. as outlined above.
 have to state that believe if Oint action can be secured on the arts of the governments interested,
 long step forward will be taken n the protection and conservation f the game animals, birds and fur caring animals in the districts ad- oining the boundary lines of Alaska, 'ukon Territory, and British Colum- ia. all of which are geographically and besides have many lterests in common In this con- ection I may add that the Alaska session of 1915, enacted
 law "To preserve the food supply Alaska. placing a bounty on cer- lin wild animals, and providing c ayment for the same" The bounty aid for each wolf pelt is S10 and it
 required that the wolf pet must Q turned over to the Territory, ac- )mpanied by an affidavit certifying lat the animal was not killed by { bison. Apparently this law has fail l of it's purpose. as but few wolf I its have been presented for the , iyment of bounties, perhaps be- use the bounty Qf S1O for each off pelt is considered too small. Id consequently there is no incen-