Douglas Island news., 1919-07-25
EXPLORER TELLS
 ABOUT REINDEER
stefanmon Tells Seattle Folks That Reindeer Industry Can Be
 Developed


 Daily Times oi July lS. Viihialmur sioiansson tells about tho Arctic re- gIons and the possibilities Of tho couliry os a matchmaking district. The article follows.
 Development of a project Che rai1- ing 1f reindeer meat in Che Far North. which n ten ycara would bring at least SS.000.000 into thc port of Seattle. is now Che chief in- torcst Of vuhialmur stelaasson. greatest living Arctic explorer who h in Seattle, Che guosi Of horiH Thomson. 9i6 Terry Ave
 Mir. stcansson bascs his niih in Che industry In which be now Ia re- coivine encouraromcnt from tho Cam adian government upon Che fact-- which he has done more than any man of any age Co bring homo Co Che world that Che polar region is a productive country suitable foe Che Raising of livestock.
 "Tho Far North Is much better adapted than Montana or Alberta. for instance. for Che raising Of live stock or foodstuds." Mr. stoianslon said this morning. "This region usually pictured as land or barren frlgdity In reality is covered half tho year with vegetation which abounds for Che reindeer and musk OK oll Che way Co tho Arctic ocean. The winter Of course tho plain country ls cold and covered with less snow than are Che Dakota prairios"
 Mr. Stcfansson called attention to Che fact that in many of Che chief agricultural areas of Che United States and Canada. livestock are de- privcd oi their food by drought or by blizzards Neither Of these elo- mental Irregularities eyor prevents Che growth of vegetation in Che Northlaud. Mr. stcianaon said.
 Mr. steiansson pointed out that in lS92 when Che Alaskan Eskimos in tho vicinity Of Boring strait had destroyed au Che animals upon which they had lived. Che Bureau Of Education tor One Natives of Alas- ka originated Che plan of importing reindeer for a number Of years from Siberia and Lapland training Che native Eskimos In tho care ot the animals. From Che original i,2S0 reindeer imported from Siberia there are now ii0.O0O In Alaska and So.- ooO have been killed for meat and thcir hides.
 "Thc reindeer is moat-produc- nr. mIlk-givIug animal whose hide can be used for leather" Mr. Ste ausson wont on as he spoke ot Che profit In thc industry "Tho musk OK also can be profltably hordod and pasturcd in thc Far North This animal bears about three tlmcs as much wool as a sheep"
 In May Of this year Mr. stofans- son was Invited by Che minister ot the interior Of thc Canadian govern mont to address joint meeting of Che upper and lower houses of narlia- ment upon ,nc possibility of domes- icouon of Che musk-ox and Che in- roduction Of Che reindeer with view Co making Canada a great meat-producing country. A com- mittce was appointed to serve with Mr. stefansson and act upon his suggestions With this encourage ment he is now trying to get cooper ation in Che development of tho rcin- deer industry In the Far North.
 'If tho reindeer business becomes firmly established as a profitable in- dustry in Che North. Seattle win be the Import point throcgh which thc meat is shipped. & stefansson said. "ln Che last year S25o.oo0 worth of reindeer meat passed thru this port This figure win double with Che growth of the Industry every two or every two and one-hali years. This means that within i5 years more than S5o.000,oO0 worth of Che meat win pass through this port"
 "I want Co SO back Co Che North Just because like it as one likes Seattle or New York according to his preference" Mr. Steiansson said. "The grass is green and tho sky is blue In tho North just as it is here Do
 If he does make another trip North he win plan his expedition just as he has iu tho past. Mir. Ste fansson said. Hc said that he would mot use any mechanical aids to ox- plor-tion.
 orc has been said Chat ] thought Of using airplanes on some future expedition" Mr. stoianaon cont.n- ued. "This is not truo; have not considered travelling by airplauo. Tboro is no part of tho Northern regions that can not be reached on foot or by dog-s'odsc and without ! discomfort should SO just as always have done should ] make an- other trip"
 Mr. Stofansson win remain in Sc.
 atuo a week or ton days and then