The Alaska daily empire., 1920-11-15
FIND THAT EAGLES ARE DESTRUCTIVE

That the Audubon Societies National Associate las discovered that pretty strong case against u eagle in Alasak has been made is freely admitted the New York Times in commenting upon lette that have been received by the Secretary of the Ass ciation The fight to save the American eagle Alaska tby compelling the repeal of the bounty eagles vas started by pr. w. T. Hornaday, and the taken up by the Audubon Societies National Assocl tion This organization is discovering that u people of Alaska had for their action in payr fer reduction of the number of eagles though it not yet convinced of its sufficency.
 The New York Times recently, among oh things contained the following concerning Il situation:
 American eagles in Alaska frequently kill ful-grown deer and devastators ofpSheep and other livestock, fur-bearing animals, do mestic and wild fowl, salmon and other food fish according to Alaskans who have been writing the subject to T. Gilbert Pearson Secretary of the Audubon Societies National Association at 1.974 Broadway.
 MT. Pearson has been directing from the New York offices of the association an agta tion to save the American eagles in Alaska by. removing the price of fifty cents head, which was ploced their heads by the Alaska Legislature in 1917 which made them outlaws because of their supposed de- structiveness The aecusers of the bird of freedom in Alaska have made out very black prima facie case against him, but the bird experts of the Audubon Societies gen orally believe that the eagle has been convict ed hearsay evidence and without much of trial. By way of giving the bird his day in court, the Department of Agriculture has sent scientist to Alaska to make close study of ways and habits of the de fondant.
 The number of eagles killed in Alaska since the bounty law went into effect is not less than 12,ooo according to estimates.
 One of the letters upholding the bounty law of Alaska is from Wright Wenrich, of Juneau, who said:
 Strange 1t may to you, most of us here shoot the American eagles whenever we can whether bounty exists not, feeling that every eagle killed means the annual saving of many, many valuable, at least harmless, birds. beasts and fishes. We feel has right to feel when public service has been performed At least, the lives of many innocent creatures have been spared
 How many eagles exist in this Terri ritory comprising equal to fifth of the United States, l would venture to estimate On Aug. , was discussing the salmon propagation situation with the man in charge of the Territorial Fish Commits sions work at Ketchikan Alaska Among other things he told me of seeing eagles ill hocks numbering 800 along the salmon spawning streams The birds were busily engaged in picking out the eyes first, and then heshing the bones of the salmon so killed. Nor these spent salmon, fer they had but recently entered the streams do not doubt his story Then, too. many other men have estimated the number of eagles seen in favorable localities along sal mon streams at even greater numbers.
 Another phase of the situation was brought 10 my attention by a carefully ob- serving forest ranger, who has been in this section many ears-that the eagles are be- coming gunwise and gunshy Others have observed this fact. So have l.
 "A second phase seems to be developing that the eagles to be congregatmg in cut-of-the-way places, where they are not so apt to be disturbed. The places where they 70, and where man never goes, certainly numerous enough in Alaska.
 'lt is because know them 10 be so numerous and to be taking such heavy toll of ducks, grouse and other birds fur-bearers fish and even -grown deer, that We feel they should be reduced in number until the harm they do is negligible
 As l write. | have before Iuc notes of ten instances where eagles have killed not only lawns. but fu-grown deer Should the occasion require it, do not doubt could secure hundreds Of ahidayits to the effect that eagles have been observed killing deer. How many deer they kill out of sight of human witnesses only be sur missed by those who are in a position to com prehend the vast unsettled areas in Alaska