Evening star., 1923-12-31
Too Many Buffalo.
Canadian Government May Turn
1000 Over to the Butcher.
To the Editor Of Tne Star:

To the Editor Of Tne Star:
A short time ago it was stated in
the New York papers that the Dominion
of Canada was about to kill off 2,e00
of the buffalo in the reservation at
Wainwright, Alberta. This seems hardly
oreditable. as the general impression
is that the bison, or buffalo, was rapidly
becoming extinct. One reason for dis
winter is the fact that there had been
a wonderful increase in the herd last
year, which now consists of. S,400
animals, and they find the costs of
maintaining them through the winter
will be a great expense. notwithstand-
ing the low cost of fodder, ETC., in the
northwest. Only two months ago po-
tatoes were selling at IS cents a bushel
in North Dakota. Be that as it may.
1t is also proposed that large num-
Der Of these buffalo are to be turned
over to the packing companies OF Chi
cago, and, after having been slaugh-
tered, to be put on the market. Now,
it Is a tough proposition, when we con-
slider the mastication and digestion of
buffalo meat that has been derived from
buffalo that are over four or five years
of age. as it might be suggestive of
an automobile tire. The only part of
the beast that is really fit for food is
the loin. The buffalo steak. was consid-
cred quite a feature at the game dinners
of the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago.
The tongue of the younger buffalo has
always been considered a great idelicacy.
In the northwest during the sixties
an excellent buffalo coat, lined with red
flannel. could be procured for about
SIS, and an Indian tanned robe could
be had for about the same price. These
were decorated on the under side in
is understood that the Canadian gov
ernment proposes to donate a number
of live buffalo to the Chicago Zoo. The
conditions over the border must be
greatly to the advantage of the bison.
Most authorities refer to this large gre
garious bovine quadruped as nearly ex-
tinct. You sometimes can't most al
ways tell about these statements.
1t is now proposed to ship q number
Of buffalo from Oklahoma to the
geological Gardens of Mexico, where
IL is expected they will continue in a
state of normalcy.
There seems to be an impression that
the buffalo were first discovered by the
southwest. The fact is that in early
days they roamed in large numbers up
and down the Atlantic coast-their
skeletons have been found in Virginia.
These were readily recognized from the
fact that the buffalo has twenty-ei
ribs, while the OK may have twenty
five, more or less. Besides, the stubby
horns are alone peculiar to the buffalo.
A feW years ago tne feature Oh the
Central Park Zoo was a great buffalo
bull, known as the Black Diamond, but
for the reason of his disposition and
evil behavior he was sold by the au-
thorities to a German butcher, and
probably formed component part of
the frankfurters and hot dogs sold. at
Coney Island.
During the convention of the Shriners
last summer, among other exhibits, the
rodeo show had a number of buffalo,
and one of them exhibited such a dan
gerous disposition that it was sent to
the abattoir. where it was cut and
drawn and slaughtered after the man
ner Of other cattle. This meat was
distributed among the occupants of the
rodeo camp, which included number
Of Indians, and surely 1t was only meet
that they should have a taste Of the
flesh of the buffalo. And $50 Il was a
grand feast for them, as it had been
many moons since 10! the poor Indian
had partaken of the buffalo meat es-
teemed SO highly by their ancestors.
AT one time Col. Roosevelt took great
interest in what was known as the
Bison Society. Just what that associa-
ton may think of the slaughter. of the
Canadian buffalo remains to be seen.
/ FRANKLIN STEELE. J.