The Alaska daily empire., 1917-03-05
Area of 2,2OO Sq. Miles Set Apart for a Play Ground for People
 in Alaska.
WAS NEED OF ACTION
Wild Life Especially Is Benefited, According to Bill Which
 Authorized.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 27. - (By maiD-The bill making the Mount 1 Mckinley region in Alaska a national park only awaits the Presidents sig mature to become a law. ThrOugl the act 2,2OO square miles of country rich in forests and wild life and characterized by wonderful scenery are set apart for all time as ref uge for wild life and a playground for the people.
 The Mount Mckinley bill was i strongly advocated by the Boone and | Crockett Camp Fire Clubs and the American Game Protective Associa. ton. It also had the support Of Sec retary Franklin K. Lane and the department of the interior. Senator Key Pittmau and Representatives 1 James McClnuc and James Wicker sham led the fight for the bill in | Congress-
 Wild Life Benefited
 Among the species of wild life that will be specially benefited by the action of Congress are mountain sheep. moose and caribou. Mount i Mckinley is the first game refuge tc | be set aside in Alaska. but it is hoped another will be established shortly in the Kenai Peninsula, the home Of the giant moose.
 There was urgent need of action in the present instance, as the re zion now given protection was men. acted by a large increase of popula ton Of the town of Neuana, nearby. and also by the approach of the gov. ernmcnt railroad,
 Most high mountains rise by such gradual steps that the height ceases to be either appreciated or so cfIec, tive in its grandeur. This mountain altitude of 2O,3OO feet, is covered by perpetual snow for a distance O' about 1S.OOO feet below the summit Inc is studded with many large glac. l icrs. and it's sides are cut with tor. rental mountain streams. The south. eru exposure is a mass Of ice O. glaciers for thirty.fiye miles, while lis walls are so precipitous that it cannot be ascendcd from that side To the north the slope, while prccipi tous, is more easy of ascent, and the 1 base of the mountain at an altitude of two or three thousand feet con. sists of beautiful parkIke steps dot. ted by sparkling mountain streams and rich wild flowers and flora.
 Opened By Railroad
 At the present time the region is practically inaccessible to tourists but with the advent Of the govern. mcut railroad it will be easily reach ed from Broad Pass, From Broad ! Pass Co the boundary of the park will be approximately fifteen to twcn i ty miles. and from such boundary .o the base of the mountain ap proximatcly fifty miles farther.
 The report of those familiar witl the region shows that the country between Broad Pass and the noun ! tain is an open bench covered wi,h a hard foundation that may be tra vcrscd in nearly any direction during the summer months upon horseback without the necessity of trails,
 The construction of wagon ant automobile roads in such country would be very simple and econo mical.
 At the present time there are nc accommodations for tourists in tho park and such accommodations can not be satisfactorily provided eX cept under the supervision of ma
 tionsl park service.
 The region embraced in the boun darics, particularly to the north o i Mount Mckinley. is a natural breed l ing and feeding ground for all char acter Of game. The game in thi!
 vicinity is more abundant than any
 where in the United States. It i the home of the moose, the cari bou. and the mountain sheep, whicl now are almost as gentle as do nestle animals. The preservation O this game will not only be de flight of the tourist who may yisi the park, but it almost is essentia to the life of the hardy prospectors : the advance guard of civilization : who for years have been attempting : to develop the great territory These people realize the value O : game and are never wanton in tn : destruction of animal life, but wit : the building of railroads and wago' roads and the influx of tourists hunters and adventurers, game ref ruges in Alaska will be absolutel !: necessary. Recognizing the neCes sity for game for the existence o
 the prospector, it is provided tha
 prospectors and miners engaged il prospecting and mining in the par may take and kill game therein fo their actual necessities when shor of food, but that in no case shal animals or birds be killed in sail park fwor sale or for removal there from or wantOnly.