The Daily Alaska empire., 1937-08-03


 with the highest development in legislation ,of this character. It af- lords representation to Alaska in wildlife protection and utilization by providing for the appointment of a commission of five members, four of whom are required to be residents of the Territory, one to be selected from each of the four judicial divisions of the Territory.
 ii How Regulations Adopted
 Tn administering this law it has been the practice to select as com missioners these who are specially qualified by their knowledge of the wildlife resources of their respective districts. The fifth member, who lis the Executive Officer of the commission, is the -chief represen- tative of the Bureau of Biological Survey, resident in Alaska, and is so designated by virtue of his spec ial knowledge of wildlife conditions in the Territory. Upon the recom- mendation of the commission, the Secretary of Agriculture adopts regulations under the general pro- visions of the law prescribing open seasons, bag limits, and restrictions on methods of taking game and ur-bearing animals in the Ter ritory.
 Work for Conservation
 "The commission with it's warden service enforces and administers the law and regulations through out the Territory The commission keeps closely in touch with the wildlife conditions of the Territory, as well as the economic conditions of residents and natives, and each year when necessary makes recom- mendations for modifications in the regulations to meet emergencies and to provide for the welfare of those dependent upon these re- sources, with due consideration for proper conservation of the several species of wildlife.
 Through the efforts of the members of the commission and the enforcement personnel of that organization, very wholesome re- spect has been developed in most sections of the Territory for proper conservation, and no effort has been spared to educate the people of Alaska along these lines.
 This commission continuously has been deeply interested in the conservation of the wildlife re- sources of the Territory and condi- tions have steadily improved since its inception in 1925, while at the same time the greatest possible use of these resources has been allowed the natives and other people of Alaska
 All to Aid Indians
 The depletion of the wildlife resources in Alaska is fraught with grave consequences. Native Indians Eskimos and halfbreeds comprise slightly more than half of the population of the Territory, and a great proportion of these natives are largely dependent upon these resources for their food and cloth ing. and if these resources should he seriously impaired it would have the effect practically of pauperizing large numbers of these peoples, with the result that they would become a tremendous burden upon the Federal Treasury as wards of the Government Because of this, the continuation of Federal con- trol of these resources is considered advisable; and it is believed that the United States is in better posi- tion than the Territory of Alaska would be to deal with transient exploiters.
 Not Self disappearing
 Administration of the wildlife resources in Alaska is not self supporting. Fees from the sale of licenses and penalties assessed are