ASHBROOK^ — THE FUR TRADE 
3 
An industry the finished product of which is so much in demand 
scarcely needs any further argument for permanent existence. Large 
industries always have important problems to meet and solve and the 
fur business is by no means an exception. During the past year the 
fur trade has been confronted with a number of very important issues. 
It has been demonstrated that the American fur supply can not be 
controlled by any single interest, that wild speculation meets with dis- 
aster, and that unhealthy competition has no place in the fur business. 
An all-important question still remaining unanswered concerns the 
future of the fur supply. 
PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED 
If the fur industry is to progress along safe and sane lines, the source 
of supply should be more definitely assured. This is indeed a very 
difficult problem, but not impossible of solution; while it is mainly an 
economic problem, it can not be solved by the trade alone. Neither 
will the utterances of radical conservationists of wild life assist very 
greatly in solving the problem. Conservationists of this class generally 
have a few pet fur bearers in mind and are prejudiced regarding the 
others. They are satisfied with saying that the future of the fur trade 
rests entirely with those engaged in the industry. It is foolish to be- 
lieve that a business of such proportions as the fur industry is not in- 
terested in conserving the source of the raw product. A number of 
raw-fur concerns have been for some time talking conservation and 
correct legislation for the protection of the fur bearers. Practically 
all believe that an educational campaign is the only means of bring- 
ing results. Some raw-fur dealers have argued the question before 
their state legislatures only to have their propositions defeated. Others 
have sent literature to farmers and trappers in various sections of the 
United States, with a view of educating them to protect and conserve 
the fur-bearing animals. 
The Federal Government, state legislatures, agricultural colleges, and 
societies interested in the preservation of fur bearers should all lend 
assistance along practical lines in bringing together the interested 
parties to solve the problems regarding the source of supply. Intelli- 
gent work and cooperation of everyone concerned is necessary to re- 
tain permanently all species of fur bearers and not to jeopardize the fur 
industry. 
