ITEMS OF INTEREST February 3, 1912 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

Three new national bird reservations, two in Alaska and one in Nebraska, have been created by President Taft and placed under the department of agriculture. On Forester island, one of the Alaska reservations, the rhinoceros auklet breeds. This island, which is the most northern home of that bird and one of its few breeding-places, contains one of the most extensive bird collections in southeastern Alaska. "The Nebraska reservation is in the heart of the prairie chicken country and furnishes the only refuge which has been established for this fast disappearing game bird," says Dr. Henshaw, head of the biological survey. "It will be tenanted also by sharp-tailed grouse and quail and offers conditions suitable for a satisfactory range for big game." This makes a total of fifty-five bird reservations established to date, eight of them in Alaska.

Although a further extension of time to Feb. 14 from Jan. 31 has been allowed for hearing the arguments on the demurrers to indictments standing against five officials of the United Shoe Machinery Company on the charge of conspiracy in violating the Sherman act, it probably will not be necessary to go into court on such a proceeding, as the company has practically reached an agreement with Attorney-General Wickersham whereby the criminal charges against the officials of the company and the dissolution suit will be abandoned. It is understood that when the case is finally settled the company will be conducting its business in accordance with the interpretation of the Sherman act.

District Attorney Whitman has decided to investigate the butter business in New York to find out whether or not the men who control the butter market, if there are such, are guilty of a conspiracy in restraint of trade. Witnesses will be called who will tell the grand jury who controls the butter situation in New York. Then an Information will be laid before a police magistrate, as was done last summer when the price of ice went up during the hot spell. The case will be in the same hands as conducted the prosecution of the live poultry trust last summer which resulted in thirteen convictions.

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