The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-08-17
WALCOTT URGES
 NATIONAL PARK AT GLACIER BAY
Most Logical Site in South east Alaska, Says Sen
 ator Promising Aid GAME COMMISSION OF TERRITORYCOMMENDED North Does in 30 Years What New England
 Needed 100 For

Creation of a national park in Southeast Alaska is viewed with favor by Senator Frederick walcott, Connecticutt, Republican, who left here Sunday morning for the States after having spent six weeks in the Territory.
 The ideal site, in his opinion. is in the Glacier Bay region and westerly from there. In an inter- view given The Empire Saturday afternoon, Senator Walcott review ed his impressions of the wild life resources of the Territory and other matters studied by him dur ing his tour.
 Is Fayorably Impressed
 We have considered the desira- bility of a national park in South east Alaska, and believe one should be created" he said and added. We see great possibilities in this con- nection in the Glacier Bay section, the Fairweather and St. Elias mountain ranges. We believe that all of the departments of the Gov ernment interested can get back of this proposal"
 Such park, he pointed out would serve a number of purposes. It would constitute reservoir of wild life, give another big sane tuary for the Alaska brown bear, and with its glaciers. great mcs It. aims and other natural phenomena would act as a magnet to attract many thousands of tourists to the northland.
 Brown Bear Protection
 As a member of the Special Senate Committee on Wild Life Conservation, Senator Walcott said he, Senator Peter Norbeck, who was with him most of the trip, and Carl Shoemaker. Secretary of the committee, had given special attention to the question of brown bear, it's status generally and whether or not the species is be- coming depleted.
 Generally, he said, they agreed that the species is not in danger of extermination. Kodiak Island, he said could easily be hunted. There, and on the Alaska Peninsula, the Committee was informed that the numbers had not been reduced in the past five or more years.
 In other sections such as South east Alaska, no apparent shortage was found. and information was given the Committee that the ani- mals were unusually plentiful in some districts.
 Is Of Great Value
 The brown bear, said Senator is valuable to Alaska for two reasons. It is the worlds larg- est carnivorous animal, and is unique from scientific standpoint. It constitutes Alaska's biggest at- traction for big game hunters, and brings considerable revenue to the Territory each year
 Its extermination would be a disaster scientifically, and a blow to the Territory, itself, from a financial standpoint, he pointed put. It is, therfore, entitled to to insure the perpetuity ,f the species for the sake of science, and in numbers adequate o maintain big game hunting on ! substantial scale.
 Finds Commission Sane
 He unreservedly commended the Alaska Game Commission for it's policy of affording this sort of protection Of course, the Senate Committee does not have anything Q do with the regulation of game in Alaska, 2 he said. The Alaska Game Commission Is charg- d by law with this duty, and is performing it saneiy and well. Tt has some problems to solve n which we hope to assist it. But ts policy of permitting as much | Utilization of all game and fur ,earing animals as is consistant with the preservation and main