Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-04-04

by tourists. the game can without
much expense be given all the protec-
ton 1t will need for years to come.
The region will in this way serve as
a reservoir from which game will
overflow In all directions, keeping the
country stocked.
The northern slope of Mount McISin-
ley liz said to be one of the finest game
regions In the world. A great variety
of game and fur-bcaring animals exist
there In abundance, but the most valu-
able ones from the standpoint OF food
supply are the mountain sheep, or big
horn. the moose and the caribou. The
mountain sheep, which Is elsewhere n
rare animal. here exists In grent num-
bers. The caribou range in enormous
herds that are 10 tame they trot along
eide tho packtrains that enter the
country, fascinated by the curious spec
tacle. Moose are found on the lower
slopes I'm great abundance. There are
many bears, and abundant small game.
All this is on the northern slope. for
the southern side In almost devoid of
life. This curious state of affairs is
caused by the fact that the northern
slope of the great mountain Is warmed
by winds blowing off the japanese cur
rent. AS n result 1t has a warm sum-
mer. In winter the thermometer some
times drops far below zero. but the
snow la not very deep nor the climate
difficult to endure.
we are accustomed to think winter
ia cold" said Charles selden. who spent
a whole year alone on Mount Mckinley.
Winter LIS the most delightful season OF
the year" He went on to say that he
did not suffer from the cold even on the
coldest days. and that he wore no more
clothing than he would have In winter
I'm the Adirondack Mountains. Winter,
he says. is the best time for travelling
over the mountain because then the
ground is frozen and tho footing is
good. In the summer there are many
little bogs and marshes.
Qualifications ms Park Site.
This northern slope Is described as
one of the most beautiful regions I'm the
world. rich I'm animal life, full of wild
flowers, healthful all the year round.
The southern slope Is a vast rock slide
where almost nothing can live. covered
In winter with snow. which sometimes
reaches a depth OF so feet.
Mount Mckinley is said by those who
have seen IL to be the most spectacular
peak in the world. IL rises in n great
dome. crowned with Rlittering ice and
snow, to an elevation of II, 900 feet, and
Is fanked by smaller mountains $4,000
to $4,000 feet high, A few hunters and
a few prospectors. most Of whom work
on placer gold deposits, are the only
human beings in the vast wilderness
Although Il IL rich I'm minerals II is
said that no mining Industries have
yet been established within the park
boundaries. The establishment Of the
park will not In any way interfere with
mining and prospecting. IT will. how
ever. prevent private individuals from
getting hold OF the land and controlling
IL. IL means that this region will be-
free to all Americans for all time.
This freedom is perhaps the greatest
boon which is conferred by our whole
system of national parks and forests
and II In ono that will he apprecia ted
more as time goes on. The pity is that
national parks and forests were not also
established I'm the East before all Of It's
wild lands fell into private hands. There