The weekly Alaska citizen., 1918-06-17

There is a hazy idea that it is only Arctic regions. There are those, however who know this useful ami. nal and fully realize that the time is soaring rapidly when 1t will become a friend, indeed. to the American people, should the food problem be- come more acute. Yes. even remain as today.
 The reindeer, since it's introduc- tion or advent in Alaska. is making itself at home. Its home has always been in snowy and cold countries, that produces lichens and whitish moss upon which it feeds and lives. Occasionally grass and willow sprouts. but not if the others are plentiful Summer and winter it provides it's own fodder.
 little more than two decades ago the United States imported, from the years 1892 to 1902, 1,2S0 reindeer and this number has grow n until an approximate estimate on June 30. 1917. there were in Alaska 95000. Of this number the natives own something like 56,045, which at $25 per reindeer, gives a valuation of $1,401.125. Now the total income of the natives from 1893 to 1916. inclusive. in this reindeer industry was $47O,S37.
 Then there are 26,106 reindeer owned by various religious missions, Laplanders, white men and the gov ernment, which on the last census of 1916 had valuation Of $652.650. Their total income from 1893 to 1916 was s146,926 The total valuation of all the foregoing animals stands $2,671,53S. Now minus the sum the government appropriated. namely, $312,000, from 1892 to 1916, leaves a balance and net gain of $2,359,53S. Truly gratifying show ing for this young industry.
 On June 30, 1916, the ownership of the reindeer of Alaska stood something like the following: United States government, 3.390; missions, 5,1S6; Laplanders, 17,530; natives. 56045, making total of S2,151 rein. deer and this has increased for 1917 to 95,O0O.
 The government has devised unique and splendid workable sys. tenn of distribution of reindeer. Un- der the system there is an appren. ticeship-each native apprentice re. ceives 6. 8, and 10 reindeer by the end of the first, second and third years, and an additional ten at the end of the fourth year. If at this time he shows capability he assumes entire charge of his herd. Then he must employ and similarly distribute reindeer among his apprentices. Gov ernment regulations forbid natives to dispose of female reindeer to white people.
 The Lapp herders, who trained the native herders. were and are allowed certain percentage of the increase of their herds. The Lapps may and do sell female reindeer to the whites.
 It Is now year since an in- corporated company of white men and women at Nome purchased 5000 reindeer from the Lapps and are to- day in full swing in this coming great industry. From reliable in. formation said company proposes to place the business on commercial basis and then ship, annually, car casses by car lots to the markets of the States.
 Every year that the writer of this article travels over Alaska he is more and more impressed with the fact that Alaska one day will become one of the greatest meat supply markets in the world.
 Last winter another company waa organized in Anchorage to take up the same line. A wider publicity of this industry should be given by the government, and the laws regu- lating ownership and sale and feed. ing grounds should be such that the industry will not fall into the hands of monopoly. The poor man of fam lily should be encouraged to come to Alaska and engage in the profitable industry.
 In Lapland on an area of 14,000 square miles, there are 100000 rein deer, sustaining in the comforts of life about 3O,000 people. Think what Alaska could do with her millions of acres of the finest of reindeer-cari- bou moss.covered grazing grounds! Lapland sends to market about 22,- 900 head of reindeer per year--a surplus which at an average weight per carcass dress about 150 pounds and equalling 1860 tons. This is a surplus over and above the wants of the population.
 The coming great economic value of th;u ;pd.,otrv in uoar dov ac a