The Alaska citizen., 1917-04-23
OUR MEAT SUPPLY.


 Advices from Washington state that President Wilson has asked the various cham berS of commerce throughout the country to assist the government in every way to furth- CT the campaign for more food supplies and conservation ot all supplies during the war and has announced that he will depend large ly on their assistance. In line with this an nOunCement, the Fairbanks Commercial Club yesterday took up the question of securing changes and notifications of the present game regulations so that in the interior we may be permitted to obtain large portion of what meat we need, thus releasing hun dreds of tons of beef and other meats which otherwise would have to be shipped into the country, for the needs of the States.
 The club at a meeting yesterday took Up the matter with Delegate Sulzer, and ask ed that he use his best efforts to have the dates on the big game season changed to open on September and close on January 10. On ducks, geese and other birds he is asked to have the season advanced to open on August 15. The change of the opening of the big game season from the present time of Ali gust 1 will not affect the local market con d1tlonS to any great extent, as the weather at this time of the year is too warm to per init the shipment of game killed at any dis tance, and thus hundreds of pounds of meat are lost every year We are of the opinion that the change will work to a betterment of conditions. It will not affect the miner or prospector on the creeks at all, as he is al lowed to kill what meat IS necessary for his subsistence at any time.
 The most important suggested change, and one that should have been in force long ago, is the tagging system, This will allow persons having game in their possession be- fore January 10 to exhibit it to marshals or game wardens and have it tagged. Any meat bearing these tags upon which the date and any other necessary data IS stamped, can be disposed of at any time.
 There is plenty of game in the country to furnish all the meat that we need. There is no fear that it will all be killed off Now that the country is facing serious shortage in all kinds of food supplies, and a conse- quent reign of high prices, if we can only get rid of the shackles of hindering regula tions Alaska will go far toward becoming self-sustaining. Preparations are being made to raise all the vegetables that we need and can use. If congress will make the suggest ed changes in the game laws we will kill our own meat.
 As usual, the Commercial club is in the van of the movement that looks toward betterment of Alaskan conditions. This time if their idea is carried out it will not only mean help for the States in being able to keep their supplies at home, but it will mean thousands of dollars that have formerly been sent Outside will be kept in Fairbanks at time when 1t is most needed. Line up behind the Commercial club and let's push this thing through.
 WE predict that of the members of the pres territorial legislature this division find that they have lost of their popularity when they home if they persist in continuing their present tactics in regard school matters
 IN view of information recently received here that he has been busily engaged in cleaning up the gam bers in his bailiwick the ditarod deputy of the shals office is evidently paving the for another
 NO you valiant woman's tighter. General Maude, who captured Bagdad Jeanette Rankin fighting in another, but glorious field"