The Alaska daily empire., 1916-01-19
GOVERNOR STRONG
 DESCRIBES REINDEER
 INDUSTRY IN ALASKA

of few reindeer from Siberia has long been a demonstrated success in many sections says Governor Strong, in his annual report to Secretary of the Interior Lane. The industry has placed the native inhabitants beyond the reach of grim want which always faced them during the long winter seasons. The natives, and especially the Eskimos. who were the first bene- ficiarles of tho introduction of rein deer, were always improvident. This, however, is characteristic of all abor- iginal peoples. But wherever the rein deer have been Introduced in Alaska the industry has had a beneficial ef- feet upon the native people. It has taught them to assume responsibili- ties, increased their activities, and raised them materially in the ways of civilized life. There is still need of the extension of the industry. There are thousands of natives In the delta country between the Yukon and Kus- kokwim rivers, and in the Aleutian Islands who can be saved from pos sible extinction by introducing the reindeer among them and teaching them how to care for the animals and themselves. In this way their habits of living will be gradually changed from miserable dugouts or igloos which they now inhabit to more sani- tary and comfortable dwellings, In the Aleutian group of islands there are probably 1.5OO Aleuts; in the Yu- kon-Kuskokwim delta there are prob ably 5000 natives Of the Boring Sea Eskimo tribes.
 Should Give Aleuts Animals
 The Aleuts are reported to be in destitute condition at nearly all times. Their means of livelihood large. ly passed when an inhibition was put upon the killing of sea otter and fur seals. and this. with the gradual pass ing of other fur-bearlng animals. has added to the miserles of their condi- tion. Although reindeer have been introduced in some of the islands of the Aleutian Archipelago. these ani- mals should be more widely distribut- ed, and no time should be lost in in- structing the Aleuts to care for them as well as to teach them the uses to which they may be put
 The reports from the reindeer sta tions for the fiscal year 1914 shows total of 57.S72 reindeer distributed among 65 herds. Of this number 37.S2S or 66 per cent. were owned by 9SO natives; 4.liS. or [ per cent, were owned by the United States; 5,924. or 10 per cent. were owned by Laplanders. The total income of the natives from the reindeer industry for this fiscal year. exclusive of meat and hides used by the natives them selves, was S77,9S4. The total num- Der. 57.S72. is a net increase Of % per cent. during the fiscal year. not wlthstanding the fact that nearly G. 900 reindeer were killed for their meat and skins during that year
 Industry ls Extending
 The reindeer industry is now ex- tending from the mainland to the out lying groups During August. 1914, upon the request of the Department of the Interior, the revenue cutter Manning conveyed a herd of reindeer from Ugashik. on the Alaska Penin- sula. to Atka. remote island in the Aeutian chain, where the deer will be valuable factor in alleviat'ng the deplorable conditions which have heretofore prevailed on the desolate island. The extension of the reindeer industry into Southeastern Alaska was begun by Q shipment to Metla- kahtla. on Annette Island. of eight reindeer from the herd In the vic nifty of Nome.
 In August. 1911. 70 reindeer were delivered to the Department of Com merce for use in stocking St. Paul and St. George Islands. in Boring Sea, and In June, 1914. the number of rein deer on those islands had Increased to 1lS. of which 75 were on St. Paul Island and 5S on St. George. By exc cutiye order of March 8. 1913. the Aleutian Islands were set aside as a reservation under the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce for the conservation of fish and fur-bearing annals and for the raising of reindeer. In compliance with the request of the Department of Agriculture 55 reindeer were de. livered to the that department during September. 1918. from one of the herds of the Department of the In- terlor on the Alaska Peninsula, of which 19 were landed on Amaknak Island and S6 on Unimak Island, of the Aleutian chain.
 Heretofore no special endeayor has been made to foster the exDortation of reindeer meat from Alaska in view of the fact that most of the reindeer butchered has been required to sup ply the local markets in Northwest- ern Alaska. It appears that such ex- portation is now desirable. The last steamer to leave Nome before the close of navigation in 1918 brought to Seattle. Wash. 25 carcasses of reindeer.
 First Reindeer Meat Sold
 These were placed on sale in that city. retailing at from 20 to S5 cents per pound. Exportation on O larger scale is expected this fall, when corporation. which was organized in the summer of 1914 in Nome and which purchased I.200 reindeer from