The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-08-13

the brown bear kill and eat deer. They are very destructive After the salmon start to run up the creeks to their spawning grounds, they live almost entirely on fish. But the lawns are killed before they are old enough to take care of themselves.
 People in Sou h e a st Alaska would rather have the deer than to see the brown bear protected
 Makes Investigation
 Wishing to know why, for the first time in eight years, the brown bears were coming down out of the hills and going out to the islands, I decided to take a trip to the mountain tops to see what was causing the migration to the lower iavels and to the islands.
 The morning was ideal for the trip, so, taking a lunch, l set out bright and early. Along the rocky beach the bluebells were wide open. Yellow water-lillies were blooming in the ponds and lakes along the way. Grouse with their young ones were feeding on the berries in the parks Higher up the ptarmigan ran across the trail to hide under the dwarf trees, or flew a short distance and called for their young.
 Bear Sign Abundant
 Sign of the brown bear was everywhere. More than had ever seen before. Their feed was plen- tiful, even like a Land flowing with milk and honey A promised land possessed by the bear, the deer and the birds.
 Soon I was above the timber line, and such view. Silvery threads traced their way down the steep cliffs and joined the creeks which flowed through the deep canyons. Lakes could be seen in the lower grounds and then the beach line of the islands and the rocks where the breakers sent spray fly ing high in the noon-day sun. Further out a passenger steamer was bringing tourists to this, the land of plenty Trolling boats were coming and going-turning and crossing as they fished for salmon.
 Near the summit three ridges joined, an ideal place from which to watch the surrounding country Game trails were everywhere. It must be the home of the bear. Something loomed up white and shiny where the trails from the three ridges converged. From my hiding place could not tell what it was. It was too white to be a rock and the snow was all gone.
 Cause Is Discovered
 "A big brown bear came, and another, and still more and each would stop and look at that white thing. whatever it was. How many came I do not know. But the trails were worn deep and wide. At times deer could be seen, but they did not stop. It seemed queer. But that white patch held an attraction for the brown bear even as the magnetic pole attracts the com pass needle.
 At last when no bear were in sight I made my way to the place to see what it was.
 There, spread out for all to see, was the article by Stewart Edward White, in the Saturday Evening Post on, Give Alaska to the Brown Bear We expect more trouble from the bear now"
 Hearing Is Suggested
 The Chamber today approved the recommendation of the Executive Committee that further study be given the proposal of MT. White for a Southeast Alaska national park and that before any definite action is taken hearing ought to be held here to determine the best To- cation.
 Serious objections exist to making Chichagof Island the site. the board said. A study will be made to aS- certain the most feasible and con- Venient site.