Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-27

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measure creating in Alaska the Mt Nc
InIeN National Park has been favor
ably reported by tho Senate Committee
on territories. II WAS introduced in the
hhhs" by DelcEatc Wickersham Of
Alaska. AS the bill calls for no large
approximations and IS favored hv the
Alaskan Representative. it vii! probably
become law This means that the
greet Alaskan peak and the region sur
rounding II viii be placed under Coyo,u.
ment control tine game protected roads
and trails and hotels built and every
'hinG else done Ia make the place &C.
cessihle and preserve it's primitive char
actor
NJ Mckinley rises 10 the h"igh; nf
2n.3"h feet above sea level is the high
est peak in North America and is ar-
counted hr experienced travellers the
most striking bit OF natural scenery on
IN" Continent, Although there are
mountains IN the world the crests Of
which are higher above sea level there
is none that l!fts SO high above the
surrounding terrain. For Nj. Mckinley
is huge dome Of Gra mite and ice. prc-
sentinS on the southern side Is GnN zee.
OF sheer rise above the grndlia! stone
Al It's foot II is fankcd on either side
ny peaks OF the Alaskan range rising
$4,000 - 5000 fee, above sea level
ana II d"arfs them into insign.fcance
Southern Side n wilderness.
swept by tn" humid pacihc WINDS
the southern side OF Mt Nick inley IL
one OF the most terrible and Images
sib!c wi!dernesses In tho world snow
sometimes falls TO depth of stXty
leet on the level, and the whole noun
talnsid" IS shea ,hed In ice and snow
all the year around. \ number OF
great glaciers creep down its hanks
and IN the summer there are numerous
flashing mountain torrents
From this side the mountain ia alto
slope is protected from the Pacific
wind and moisture By the Alaskan
range. Although It's upper 5000 feet
are here. too covered with snow and
ice. the mountain may be assembled
It's lower slopes range into a beautiful
arctic tundra which !s in summer
great lawn, starred with Wild flowers
in remarka bile abundance and variety.
while the swift streams arc lined with
forests o, spruce and willow. Upon
ines" plains great herds Of caribou
wheel about the pack train OF the
prospector in euiieleSs curiosity. sug-
costing III their primitive abundance
the bison herds Of the early West
Bears OF several kinds are also nu-
merous. while sahi. and fox make the
region II rich one for The trapper on
the upper slopes tho big horn, or
mountain. sheep exists in great mum
hers. one observer having counted 500
.! them in day.
north side Of the mountain is veri-
table garden IN the summer IL is so
near the Arctic Circle that at MIDNIGHT
one can read newspaper without the
aid Of artificial light.
The setting aside OF this wonderful
region as protected park was urged
npon Congress by representatives OF
the Boone and Crockett Club and the
Campfire Club Of America-two ma
tional organizations OF big game hunt
ers. These lovers Of the wilderness
were motivated primarily by the de-
sire to save a bit Of the Alaskan Wild
from the dissertation that civilization
is sure To bring. They were also able
TO cite some very prac,ica! yea sons
for the creation OF the park. however.
Railroad Will Pass Near.
The most important OF these was
that the new government railroad.
which is now being built from Seward
10 the interior of Alaska, viii pass
within twenty miles Of the boundary
of the proposed reservation. This Will
bring Mt. Mckinley within three weeks
Of New York by the comforta BILE means
Of modern travel. Any tourist will be
able 10 hire pony and a guide at
Broad Pass and ride to the foot of
this mountain OF granite and ice
through the lowering tundra country.
This would not only add splendid
trip to the itinerary OF the American
traveller. but it would give the govern
ment railroad an assured tourist bust
ness from the start. IL has been es-
timated that an automobile road could
be BUILT across the tundra to the foot
OF the mountain at an expense OF
about $4,000 mile.
Mr.. Belmore Brown Of the Camp
Fire Club OF America. also pointed out
10 the Senate Committee that the park
would be sort OF game reservoir
from which the surrounding country
would be restocked: and he asserted
that the wild game had been an in
dgpcnsahle factor in the opening up
Of the Alaskan interior. In that coun-
try there Is no agriculture, and trans
portation presents tremendous difficult
ties. But almost everywhere splendid
game animals abound. These have
been almost the solc support Of tho
hardy prospcctors who opened the re-
sources Of Alaska to industry. \ pro-
vision is 10 he included in the bill
making IL possible to issue permits to
prospectors to Kill what game they
need for food.
The prospoctor knows the value OF
tho game. and docs not waste II; but
the coming OF the railroad is sure to
bring class OF mon who will kill for
the pleasure Of killing. This has been
the history OF every railroad in new
country. The railroad was the doom
Of bison and elk In the Wet 1t is
betlevod that by The creation Of this |
park, Alaskan game, which is one OF |
may be saved Sor many generations,