^ , V •* A '^ ^0^ 0^ % {^%,^' ^ .^ <^.. \ . ^ ^ "^ / • «^ V . ' /^ 'J i ^ '^^ ^^"'-.. A^ 0(y V^' ^ %. °. % -f <• ' , X // , ^^./■ ■'^ *^^ ^ .\^ -* A %<■ 1/ -%. V V^' -j' y> %. ^ , ,. ■* , •"^^ *-^' .'^^' ■> » o ^ 'C- ^'N- >^'- -' l^ * 9 1 \>^ - '^ v\^ .^^^ '% 'a' .^^. ^' •<• V, ^•^ W ,G^" ^2d^^Congkes8-| house of REPRESENTATIVES j ^""-^l^^P SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND LABOR TRANSMITTING IN RESPONSE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 73, INFORMATION RELAT- ING TO THE SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA July 19, 1911. — Referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Commerce and Labor and ordered to be printed with illustrations WASHINGTON 19U V- 62d Congress \ HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES \ ^^^^^^^f^ Ut Session \ (No. 93 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF CO^MMERCE AND LABOR TRANSMITTING IN RESPONSE TO HOUSE RESOLUTION No. 73, INFORMATION RELAT- ING TO THE SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA I July 19, 1911, — Referred to the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Commerce and Labor and ordered to be printed with illustrations WASHINGTON 1911 n. ftf n. .'V \ o^^^v ^^ .»^ LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. Depaetment of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, June ^4, 1911. Sir : By direction of the President, and in response to House reso- lution No. 73, Sixt3^-secpnd Congress, first session, I have the honor to transmit herewith for the use and information of the House of Representatives copies of all letters, reports, and documents received from agents of the department in charge of the seal islands of Alaska, together with copies of all instructions given to such agents, which relate to the condition and management of the fur-seal herd, the con- duct of the officers of the Government in charge of it, and the conduct of the work of the lessees on the seal islands aforesaid, since January 1, 1904, to date. Since every written communication from the seal agents to the department may be said to be included in the phrase "all letters received, reports, and documents," and since every communication from the department to the agents may be regarded as an ''instruc- tion" to such agents, I considered that it was the intention of the House that I should exercise no discretion in selecting the matter to be furnished on the basis of its materiality or usefulness in any inquiry which may be contemplated, and those assigned to the task of searching the files of the department for the past seven years or more were instructed to omit no communication of either sort men- tioned from the papers to be gathered, copied, and transmitted. If I did not feel justified in withholding any paper, however unimportant, which seemed to be called for, neither did I feel warranted in trans- mitting anything which had not been requested. The result is that the , documents submitted may possibly contain, on the one hand, much material of no value, and may fail to include, on the other hand, some material which would prove useful to a full understanding of the department's course of action in the premises. Such further material I may add, as well as all the files of the department relating to the administration of matters concerning the Alaskan seal fisheries, is at the disposal of the House, or any Member or committee thereof interested in the subject. With reference to comniunicati'ins received from the seal agents relative to their ordinar\' expense accounts, including vouchers for salaries and expenses for traveling, subsistence, and incidentals, it is to be noted that the originals are not in the custody of this depart- ment, haxing been lodged with the Auditor for the State and Other Departments in regulnr course. With reference to such matters, the department retains only duplicates, memoranda, supplemental correspondence, occasional subvouchers, and the like. These are 4 ■ LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. transmitted intact, in order to avoid the expense of copying, arid it is desired that they should eventually be returned to the department, unless their retention by the House is considered necessary. With reference to all other papers, except such as have been printed in public documents, photographic copies have been made, in order to save both the time and expense incident to copying by ordinary methods. The copies transmitted are made from the original or the original copy as contained in the department's files,^ except where such originals were too faint to photograph, in which case typewritten copies were made and photographed, as indicated in each instance. Respectfully, Charles Nagel, Secretary. The Speaker of the House of Representatives. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1904r. Part I. Instructions to Agents and Agents' Reports. July 1, 1903. To wliom it may concern: It is liereb}' ordered tliat the appropriations for "Salaries and traveling expenses of agents at the seal fisheries in Alaska, 1904," "Supplies for native inhabitants of Alaska, 1904," and "Expenses, inspectors of pelagic sealskins, 1904" (Sundry civil act. Mar. 3, 1903), shall be expended under the immediate direction of the chief clerk of the department, subject to the supervision of the Secretary. Geo. B. Cortelyou, Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington, January 8, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Lahor. My Dear Mr. Hitchcock: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, wherein you remind me of a former request for an inventory of the various papers and documents in rooms 301-2, and to reply truthfully that I have no recollection of a request to inventory the entire contents of the room. I remember your asking me to make a list of some papers which came recently from the Treasury, relating to the leasing of fox islands, which I made in due time and have in my room ready for the typewriter. The inventory of the remainder of the rooms' contents will be made at once. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey. January 8, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Fur-Seal Service, Department of Commerce and Lahor. Dear Sir : Tliis is to remind you of the request I made some time ago regarding an inventory of the various papers and documents deposited in the rooms you now occupy (Nos. 301 and 302), so far as these papers and documents relate to the Alaskan Fur-Seal Service. I am anxious to have such an inventory prepared as promptly as is feasible. Very truly, vours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. 5 6 seal islands of alaska. Januaey 9, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Seal Service, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: Inclosed herewith is a copy of a letter, with certain omissions, that was addressed to the Secretary under date of the 8th instant by Mr. Henry W. Elliott, of Cleveland, Ohio, on the subject of the Alaskan fur seals. I shall be obliged if you will examine critically the data presented by Mr. Elliott and let me have your opinion as to their accuracy and as to the force of the arguments on which they are based. As the fur-seal question is now a matter of considerable urgency, owing to the radical nature of certain legislation now pending, such statements as you have to make covering the points raised in Mr. Elliott's letter should be submitted as promptly as possible. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. January 8, 1904. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir : I respectfully submit the following statements of fact, without adding any opinions of my own, as the basis of a proper request for prompt action on your part in order that the fur-seal species of Alaska shall not be completely destroyed, root and branch, on the Pribilof Islands during the coming season, under existing rules and regulations. The commercial ruin of our fur-seal herd was effected at Paris, August 16, 1893. I will not advert to the errors of our own agents in charge of our case which led to this humiliating result. I should say at this point that I did all in my power in 1890 and 1891 to prevent the course mapped out and followed to defeat by these agents. My protests in November, 1890, and in January, 1891, to Mr. Blaine were in vain and I had nothing to say or do with the management of that case after the 6th day of January, 1891 ; my knowledge and understanding of the sub- ject were ignored, and save the tardy and forced adoption of the modus Vivendi of 1891-1893, which I urged in November, 1890, no argument or wish of mine prevailed in the preparation of this case. I am in no way responsible for the wretched conduct of that case of our Government before the Paris tribunal and its resultant shame and misery, to say nothing of the immense loss of public property also following. Again in 1896-97 I urged Dr. Jordan not to make the serious and mischievous blunder of asserting that no excessive land killing of male seals could be done by the lessees; this sad error was first made at Paris by our agents; for him to repeat it later was inexcusable. To-day Dr. Jordan is confronted on these islands by the overwhelm- ing evidence of his mistake — the land killing on the islands has been far more deadly to the existence of the fur-seal herd than has been the pelagic hunters' work; the following indisputable figures prove it. Dr. Jordan's " trampled-pup " theory and his hallucination over the idle work of branding the female seals, so as to destroy the value of their skins for the pelagic hunters, and his unfortunate joint agree- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 7 ment of November 17, 1897, with his British associates, were and are great blunders which have attracted much uncomplimentary attention and have stirred the deep regret of his friends. The figures and facts wliich I heremth present for your information and use declare that the bitter sequel of commercial ruin for our interests on the seal islands of Alaska is right at hand; that sequel is the immediate extermination of this anomalous, valuable, and won- derful marine hfe which must exist on the Pribilof group ; but it can not and -will not exist by its own law of life anywhere else. By way of introduction to the following tabulated statements showing the rapid decline of the fur-seal herd since 1872 permit me to say that I am, fortunately, in possession of the complete and indis- putable proof of my statement that 4,500,000 fur seals — cows, bulls, and pups — were in existence on the rookeries and hauling grounds of St. Paul and St. George Islands, in fine form and condition, during the seasons of 1872-1874, inclusive. I am fortunate in holding afl of this indisputable and self-asserting evidence just as it was secured and recorded in 1872, 1873, and 1874; the original records, surveys in detail, and notes are mine. That point of departure in 1872-1874 enables me to authoritatively and clearly express to you the real loss of life wliich the Government has sustained in this ruin of its industry on the seal islands of Alaska; without it no adequate expression of the truth could be made by myself or anyone else which would be credible and accepted by the judicial mind. The first point to which I desire to draw your attention is the following official record of the loss of life on the seal islands of Alaska from 1872 down to 1903, inclusive : Number of fur seals — males, females, and young. 1872-1874. The survevs of Elliott and Maynard ; act approved Apr. 22, 1874 . 4, 500, 000 1890. The survey of Elliott; act approved Apr. 5, 1890 1, 059, 000 1891. The Canadian- American Joint Commisson survey, "about" 1, 000, 000 1896. The Jordan-Thompson Joint Commission survey (p. 22 of Jordan's preliminary report. Treasury Department Doc. No. 1913) 440, 000 1897. The Jordan-Thompson Joint Commission survey declares that "the rookeries on which the pups were counted show a reduction of 14.4 per cent" (i. e., 14.4 per cent fewer seals than in 1896) 376, 640 1898. Report Secretary of the Treasm-y, page xxxiv, Dec. 6, 1898: "The conditions of the rookeries show a most apparent decrease in the numbers of seal? frequenting the islands." No estimate of per- centage of loss is made, but it can not be "most apparent" unless that loss of life is at least 12 per cent of the figures agreed upon in 1897, or 331,000 1899. Report Secretary of the Treasury, page xxxi, Dec. 5, 1899: "The condition on the rookeries shows a continued decline in the herd." ("The agent in charge reports a decline of 20 per cent" from the figures of 1898. — Report Secretarv of the Treasury, p. xxxii, Dec. 4, 1900) . This gives us ."^ ". 264, 962 1900. Report Secretary of the Treasm-y, page xxxii, Dec. 4, 1900: "The agent in charge reports that the seal life on the islands in 1899 was 20 per cent less than in 1898." "The rookeries were examined dur- ing the past season by an agent of the Fish Commission." "He reports a decrease in the seal life on the rookeries as compared with former years." "Smaller seals were taken this year than ever before." Report United States Fish Commission, 1900, page 165: "The seals have been diminishing upon the breeding grounds for many years, the annual decrease during the past few years amount- ing to about 20 per cent." This testimony reduces the herd in 1900 to 233, 962 8 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1901. Report Secretary of the Treasury, page 38, Dec. 2, 1901: "The enume- ration of live pups shows a marked falling off from the previous years." A "marked falling off" in the number of pups would not be noticed as such unless the percentage of lose was at least 12 per cent, or 204, 887 1902. Report Secretary of the Treasury, page 30, Dec. 3, 1902: No mention or hint of any decrease in the herd in this report; but a set of errone- ous figures is given for the pelagic catch of the year; only one- third of this catch is announced. Upon this false return of that catch is based an allegation that the pelagic hunter is retiring from business, and this retirement puts the "herd in a more stable con- dition," and that "it is not decreasing now as rapidly as here- tofore." Also no reference whatever is made of the new "Japa- nese " sealing fleet which joined the Canadian fleet this season and has been busy all around the islands inside of the "60-mile zone;" no reference is made of this new power for destruction, although the department on Sept. 25, 1902, received an official report declaring that 16 of these vessels were thus engaged. Therefore, since the same forces of destruction which have been at work on the herd since lcS96 have again been all actively employed with the addition of the "16 Japanese" vessels, it is only reasonable to declare a reduction of at least 12 per cent from the number allowed for 1901, and this gives us at the close of the season of 1902 not to exceed 180, 000 Also, in this report of the Treasury Department for 1902 is omitted the statement of the special agent in charge of the islands in his report for this year, that "a careful count of harems made this year shows a falling off of 25 per cent of breeding bulls." The reason why this important fact is omitted is evident to any intelli- gent reader; it would utterly deny the Secretary's assertion that "the herd is in a more stable condition;" it is therefore suppressed. 1903. The Government agent declares that at the close of the season of 1903 • the number of seals alive does not exceed 150, 000 The season he refers to closes Aug. 1, 1903. A recapitulation of the foregoing official record of the rate and progress of the decline of the fur-seal herd of Alaska shows, concisely, that there were in — Males, females, and voimg. 1872-1874 4, 500, 000 1890 1,059,000 1891 1,000,000 1896 440,000 1897 376,000 1898 331,000 1899 264,000 1900 233, 000 1901 204,000 1902 180, 000 1903 150,000 Also, a census of the fur-seal cows alone has been officially recorded since 1896, as follows: 1896 (Jordan's Report) 157, 405 1897 (Jordan's Report) 134, 582 1900 (United States Fish Commissioner's Report) 100, 000 1901 (Special Agent, Treasury Department, Report) 91, 236 1902 (Special Agent, Treasmy Department, Report) ' 94, 882 Certainly true it is that these bulls are "falling off." They are dying of old age on these rookeries and no new blood has been per- mitted to reach these breeding grounds since 1896, so as to fill the ' This increase of some 5 per cent in cows over the figures of 1901 is a self-evident blunder, because its author in his report of 1902 says: "A careful count of harems made this year shows a falling off of 25 per cent of breeding bulls." SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 9 vacancies thus created; and it is equally certain and true that the same annual loss of cows has taken place in 1903 which has marked the preceding seasons, since tliere has been no cessation of the work of slaughter on land and in the sea in all of those years, and there is none to-day. The next point in order is the following analysis of the status of the male life on the rookeries or breeding grounds, which clearly shows the total elimination of this life by 1907 under existing rules and management. In 1872-1874 there were some 90,000 breeding bulls and 1,250,000 cows (primipares, multipares, and nu'biles), showing a birth rate of 1.125,000 pups. In 1890 this herd was reduced to some 14,000 breeding bulls and about 420,000 cows (primipares, multipares, and nubiles), showing a birth rate of 380,000 pups. In 1896 this herd v^as still further reduced to some 5,000 bulls and about 144,000 cows (primipares, multipares, and nubiles). showing a birth rate of 130.000 pups. In 1903 this herd is reduced to some 2,200 bulls and about 75,000 cows (primipares, multipares, and nubiles). showing a birth rate of 68,000 pups. These 2,200 breeding bulls of 1903 are the survivors of those young males which were spared in 1890 and b}^ the modus vivendi of 1891- 1893, and thus allowed to grow up to the age of 6 years, and then take their places in 1894, 1895, and 1896 on the rookeries as 6 and 7 year old "seecatchie." In 1894 and in 1895 a few hundred 4-year-olds may have escaped the club on the killing grounds and thus came in as 6-year-olds in 1896 and 1897. But in 1896 no 3-year-okl seal was passed over the killing grounds which was not killed in 1897 as a 4 year old. And in 1897 and 1898 no 3-year-old seal escaped the killer's club, except to die on the killing grounds as a 4-year-old in 1898 and 1899. And in 1899 no 2-year-old seal was permitted to escape on these grounds unless to die as a 3-year-old in 1900. And in 1900 no well-grown yearling seal was spared on these slaughter fields except to j^erish as a 2-year-old in 1901. And in 1901 every j^earling that came ashore was taken, and if a few escaped they met the club in 1902 sure, as 2 year olds. And in 1902 every young male seal that landed was taken, so that out of 22,199, 16,875 were ''long" and average yearlings, or " 5- pound" or "eyepl aster" skins. In this clear light of the close killing of the young male life as given above, it will be observed that no young or fresh male blood has been permitted to mature and reach the breeding grounds since 1896. The average life of a breeding bull is from 15 to 18 years; he does not keep his place longer for good and obvious reasons. The youngest bulls to-day upon that breeding ground are not less than 12 years old — most of them older. They are now rapidly dying of old age — witness the following: An official report in 1902 declares that these breeding bulls had decreased in number from 1901 to the end of 1902 at least 25 per cent. An official report in 1903 again declares a decrease from 1902 to the end of this season (1903) -of 17 per cent; 42 per cent since 1901. 10 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The close of the season of 1904 will show at least 20 per cent reduc- tion again; and in 1905 again 20 per cent at least, to entirely cease by 1907 unless steps are taken at once to stop the run on this life by land (and sea killing) clubbing in 1904 of the choice young male seals, yearlings and upward, to the end of the season of 1906 — stop it entirely. I now submit a tabulated statement, which is in the form of a prophecy, based upon the foregoing figures of fact, with the reasons guiding my forecast. A table which shows the annual rate of progress in the extermina- tion of the fur-seal herd of Alaska which will take effect under existing rules and regulations by 1907 unless checked in 1904: Pribilof Island seals on the islands. Class. 1905 1908 Old bulls (youngest to-day 12 years) ... 2, 200 Pupping cows, Aug. 1 C5, 000 Virgin cows, Aug. 1 10, 000 Pups, born June and July 65, 000 Male yearlings, Aug. 1 1, 000 Female yearlings, Aug. 1 10, 000 Total 1.53,200 Land catch to Aug. 1 ' 19, 252 Pelagic catch to Nov. 1 ' 25, 000 Total i 44, 252 1,650 56,250 5,000 56, 250 500 6,000 125, 650 16, 000 20, 000 1,165 37,885 3,000 37,885 300 4,000 400 22,825 2,800 20, 000 300 2,000 150 15, 000 500 10, 000 (?) 500 84,235 48, 625 26,250 8,000 15,000 (?) 12, 000 None. 10,000 36,000 23, 000 12, 000 10. 000 (?) None. 5,000 3,000 None. 5, 000 None. None (?) None. 10,000 ! 3,000 '6,'666'i"'None.' 6,000 ' (?) Owing to the fact that the youngest of these old breeding bulls is at least 12 years old in 1903, and that the service imposed upon it, as a rule, ends in the sixteenth and eighteenth year of its age, this life is rapidly dying off and will entirely go by the end of the season of 1907; 42 per cent of its form in 1901 "disappeared by 1903. No young male seal above 2 years of age will appear next season (1904) on the hauling grounds, unless an order prohibiting the killing of all choice male seals above 10 months of age shall be made for the seasons of 1904, 1905, 1906, and 1907, on the seal islands of Alaska; no fresh young male blood can mature quickly enough to come onto the breeding grounds and save the birth rate from total collapse in 1907. Even if this is done, it will be a close call for that life anyhow. To postpone such an order to 1905 would be too late, if the species itself is to be saved from complete extirpa- tion. This result will ensue as sure as fate, unless the killing is at once held up on the seal islands. The full number of old bulls carried on this table from 1903 to 1907 represents all that will be seen in those years and alive on the breeding grounds; but this number is greater every season than the real number of virile or potent sires; for instance, in 1903 we count 2,200 old bulls, but a large number of them lay upon the rookery without cows. Why do they thus lay idle when the bulls in active service around them have more than twice as many cows in 1903 as they should have were the service normal on this field? These bulls were somnolent and idle in 1903 wlien the cows in the harems around them increased horn a normal ratio of 22 females to 1 male sire to 44 cows to the bull. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 11 They were thus idle because they had lost throu,2,h ag'e the vigor to attract and control a harem. I saw this state of affairs on these breeding grounds in 1890 and raised the note of alarm then, for the first time; stopped the killing on July 20, when only 19,000 of the 60.000 quota had been taken, and forced my modus vivendi through, which took effect in 1891, 1892, and 1893. And these bulls which w^e see alive on the breeding grounds now, and will continue to observe until 1907, are the survivors of the young male 2, 3, and 4 year olds which were saved in 1890, 1891, 1892, and 1893, plus a few 3 and 4 year olds which may have slipped through in 1894 and 1895. Since 1896 no fresh young male blood has been permitted to pass the club on the killing grounds of St. Paul and St. George, and the effect of utterly shutting off the birth rate by 1906 and 1907 is plainly exhibited in the analysis tabulated above. In further explanation and justification of the foregoing anticipa- tion of the complete extermination of the male life on the Pribilof Islands by 1907, I submit the following table made up from the annual record of London sales, where all of the Pribilof fur-seal skins have been sold since 1870, which shows how completely the young male fur-seal life has been and is being eliminated; the very dregs of that life composed nine-tenths of the catch of 1902 and fully nine-tenths of the catch of 1903. "Prime" or "Short" or "Eveplas- Year. 8 to 9 pound skins (3 and 5* to 6 pound skins (2-year- ter," 4?, to 5 pound skins Total. Remarks. 4 year olds). olds). (1-year-olds). 1872 100,000 None. None. 100,000 Secured in four working weeks, June and July. 1890 3,588 10,048 7,314 20,950 Lessees tried to get 60,000 prime skins; could not; killing stopped July 20. 1891 2,251 10,000 12,251 Modus Vivendi; killing restricted to 1892 5,549 2,000 7,549 7,500. Do. 1893 7,500 12,000 7, .500 16,031 Do. 1894 4,031 Lessees tried to get 30,000 prime skins; could not. Do. 1895 10,500 4,500 15,000 1896 8,000 16,000 6,000 .30,000 Lessees take full quota, but fail in prime skins. Lessees refuse full quota of 30,000; no 1897 5,000 12,960 3,000 20, 960 prime skins and does not pay to take small ones. 1898 3.000 8,000 7,031 18,031 Prices advance 15 per cent in December. 1899 2,700 5,500 9,000 16,812 Prices advance in London market 20 per cent, so small skins are taken. 1900 2,200 6.000 14,000 22, 470 High prices warrant taking "eye- plasters." 1901 1,826 4,886 16,000 22,672 Do. 1902 1,311 3,903 16,878 22,092 Do. 1903 646 1.500 13,034 15.180 Only 15,180 skins out of 19,212 taken this year were sold Dec. 17, 1903. A de- cline of 10 per cent in the price caused the balance of the catch to be held over for the March sales, 1904. Observe that the '•prime" or 3 and 4 year old niale skins run down from 12,000 in 1894 to 1,311 in 1902, while the "eyeplasters" or year- ling males run up from nothing in 1894 to 16,878 in 1902. These figures show beyond contradiction or argument that nothing of the male life is left on the seal islands of Alaska worth notice, except the pups born last summer, and which will be killed by the lessees in 1904 as '''e\'eplasters." 12 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. In the light of the foregoing statements of fact, am I not warranted in asking that you at once suspend all killing on the islands by the lessees for the seasons of 1904, 1905, and 1906; and that only such young males as may be necessary for natives' food be killed thereon during those seasons, solely under the direction of your agents, the skins of which can be carefully preserved and sold by the Govern- ment — the proceeds thereof turned into the public Treasury ? You can not divide the authority for killing on the islands in the present condition of affairs between your agents and the agents of the lessees, without scandal, confusion, and failure. You have full and ample power to suspend all killing of seals by the lessees under the distinct terms of their lease, whenever the preserva- tion of that life is at stake, and which a^ou are especially charged by Congress to preserve; the lessees have no recourse on the Government, under existmg conditions, if you suspend their operations mdefuiitely, b}^ the express terms of this lease, and which was drawn by Mr. Win- dom in March, 1890, for the very purpose of meeting just such a con- tingenc}' as now arises. I know it, because I was consulted by him when he was drafting it. Again, the lessees have no ground of complaint, legally or morally, if you entirely suspend their work; they have made an enormous profit annually since 1890, even through the short-killing of the modus vivendi in 1891-1893. The entire amount of their capital invested in the plant on these islands is only $67,000. I have detailed figures which declare their annual profits since 1900 to have been simply enormous from a commercial standpoint; the fur trade has recognized the fact that the end of supply from the seal islands is near at hand; and since 1897 a steady, immense rise in price per skin, no matter how small, has taken place up to date, making the profits on the island catches and the pelagic catches way beyond the figures of greatest values ever known to the business since 1900. This step which I ask you to take is provided for by existing law; there are other steps which I think you ought to take, but which you can not take until Congress acts ; of them and about them I desire very much to confer personally with you. I am, very respectfulty. Your friend and servant, Henry W. Elliott, 1228 Uth Street NW., Washington, D. C. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington, January 19, 1904- Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Bepartment of Commerce and Labor. ]\Iy Dear Mr. Hitchcock: As requested in your letter of the 9th instant, I take pleasure in inclosing herewith memoranda containing a critical analysis of a letter addressed to the Secretary of this depart- ment on the 8th instant by Mr. Henry W. Elliott urging the cessa- tation of killing on land of fur seals on the Pribilof Islands. In my desire to make the analysis as succinct as possible, I have been forced to pass over with brief mention statements in his letter that would seem to demand much more ample treatment SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 13 While I have dealt with his communication in detail from the standpoint he assumes — that faulty land killing has been the cause of the decrease of the herd — I desire to state that no argument which alleges this cause of diminution can be substantiated. The killing of female seals at sea is the true reason for the diminution of seal life, and any argument based on any otlier hypothesis must necessarily succumb to the laiown facts at hand. "S^ery truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Memoranda, of comments on statements in letter of Henry W. Elliott, regarding seal life on Prihilof Island. On page 1, paragraph 3, Mr. ElHott states at the outset that he has "complete and indisputable proof" of the existence of 4,500,000 seals during 1872-1874. That this statement is not accepted without challenge is shown by the analysis of Mr. Elliott's estmiate in Dr. Jordan's report. (Fur wSeal Inves. Com., pt. 1, pp. 77 et seq.) Dr. Jordan states (p. 78) that Elliott's estimates were based on "two important assumptions." First, that all animals were present on land between July 10 and 20, and second, that tlie breeding seals were equally distributed on the several breeding grounds. He there- fore measured the breeding area, allotted 2 square feet for each animal and reached his conclusion. Both of tliese assumptions Dr. Jordan states, were "incorrect." As the seals are never all present on land at once and the allotment of 2 square feet for a female seal 4 feet long with a spread of 4 feet, and A\dthout any provision for the space occupied by her pup, is absurd. Dr. Jordan enters into detailed analysis of the esti- mate and finally concludes (p. 89) tliat there was a total of only about 2,000,000 seals of all classes in the herd of 1871-1880, instead of 4,500,000. On page 2 his estimate of 1,059,000 seals in 1890 is stated by Dr. Jordan (idem, p. 84) to be "as bad if not worse" than his estimate of 1870. Although there are only one-fourth the number of animals stated to be present in 1890 as compared to 1872, Mr. Elliott more than doubles all the breeding areas in 1890 on St. George and also portions of the rookery space on St. Paul. As a result of this increased space occupied, Mr. Elliott concludes that the seals on St. Paul liave been decreased to one-fourth and on St. George to one-half. (Jordan, idem, p. 84.) At the time that Mr. Elliott made his estimate of 4,500,000 seals in 1872, his collaborator, Lieut. Maynard, United States Navy, esti- mated 6,000,000 seals present. A million or two one way or the other seemed to make no difference. (Jordan.) The table of diminution of seal life in pages 2 and 3 of Mr. Elliott's letter is apparently a series of deductions, based partially on state- ments in official reports and partially on inferences of the author. By itself it lacks any value. For example, in arriving at the number of seals present in 1898, he quotes the 1898 report of the Secretary of the Treasury, which 14 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. states that "a most apparent decrease in the number of seals fre- quenting the islands is shown." Mr. Elliott concludes that this loss can not be "most apparent" without being at least 12 per cent less than the figures given in 1897. His arbitrary selection of 12 per cent decrease gives a criterion of the value of the whole table. This method is repeated for the year 1901, when the term ''marked falling off" is also translated to mean 12 per cent. For the year 1902 no mention of decrease is made in the Secretary's annual report, from which Mr. Elliott concludes that the herd has decreased 12 per cent, as usual. Mr. Elliott intimates (p. 3) that certain information contained in a letter received by the Treasury Department on September 25, 1902, that 16 Japanese vessels were engaged in pelagic sealing inside the 60-mile zone, was suppressed. A search in the files of the department shows a letter received from the Secretary of State on the date men- tioned, containing a copy of a letter from the governor of Alaska. The inclosure mentions two Japanese vessels fully equipped having been boarded by the revenue cutter Manning, but does not mention the locality in which they were found nor that any Japanese vessels were found within the 60-mile zone. Mr. Elliott appears, therefore, to be in error in asserting that the department on that date was informed of sealing inside the zone by "16 Japanese vessels," and for some reason suppressed the information. Mr. Elliott states further (p. 3) that in the Secretary's report for 1902 no mention is made of the statement in the special agent's report that "a careful count of harems made this year shows a falHng off of 25 per cent of breeding bulls," and that the reason for this omission is that it would utterly controvert the Secretary's assertion that "the herd is in a more stable condition." It was, therefore, according to Mr. Elliott, suppressed. From this it would appear that Mr. Elliott does not believe these two statements to be compatible, or, in other words, that a falHng off in the number of bulls and an increase in the number of cows does not argue a more "stable condition of the rookeries." In this Mr. Elliott either assumes a false position for the purpose of proving his case, or shows a lack of knov/ledge of actual conditions of seal life as demon- strated by the opinions of scientists competent to speak with authority. Because of the highly polj^gamous character of the fur seal and of the fact that the sexes are divided on the breeding rookeries in various ratios from 1 to 50 or more, it has long been decided that the presence of but a small number of bulls is necessary in proportion to the cows present. It is also true that, given a sufficiency of bulls, the more breeding females present the greater the increase of the herd, and vice versa. If the number of breeding bulls on the islands was vastly increased, it would not result in the birth of a single pup more than is born with the same number of cows and the present ratio of bulls. The criterion, therefore, of the rise or fall of the herd must be the increase or decrease of cows and not of bulls. That a large surplus of breeding bulls is a detriment, rather than an advantage, is abundantly proven. Dr. Jordan states that- — Owing to the polygamous habit of the fur seals, the greater portion of the male life born is superfliious. For the 130,000 breeding cows found on the rookeries of St. Paul and St. George Islands in the season of 1897, 4,418 bulls were adequate, or at least out of fully 10,000 adult bulls, ready and willing to serve harems, only this num- SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 15 ber were able to obtain them. Therefore only 1 bull to 30 is absolutely necessary under present conditions. That this limit could be materially lowered without pos- itive danger to the herd is conclusively shown by, etc. (Fur Seal Inves. Com., pt. 1, p. 119.) The removal of this surplus male life is not only possible, but is really beneficial to the herd. When the number of adult males and females was practically equal, the destruction, both among the cows and among the pups, must have been enormous. (Idem, p. 120.) ' Dr. Stejneger says: On the Pribilof Islands the undesirable abundance of superfluous males is due to the mistaken policy of limiting the number of fur seals to be taken. (Idem, pt. 4, p. 221.) If, therefore, the number of pups born on the islands in 1902 shows no decrease in cows from the preceding year, and the number of these surplus and objectionable bulls is shown to have been decreased dur- ing the same period, it would seem proper for the Secretary of the Treasury to have reported a "more stable condition of the herd." On page 4 Mr. Elliott's summary of seal life of all grades, from 1872 to 1903, is appended. As the figures therein have alread}'' been shown to consist mainly of mere deductions and inferences, the sum- mary as a whole is unreliable. On page 4 of Mr. Elliott's letter occurs a census of breeding cows made by the Fur Seal Investigation Commission and by Treasury agents. These figures, with the exception of those in 1900, quoted from the report of the Fish Commission for 1900, were the result of actual counts and are as nearl}' correct as possible. To the count for 1902, however, which shows an increase of cows over that of the preceding year, Mr. Elliott attaches the following note: This increase of some 5 per cent in cows over the figures of 1901 is a self-evident blunder, because its author in his report of 1902 says: "A careful count of harems made this year shows a falling off of 25 per cent of breeding bulls." It is rather a blunder on the part of Mr. Elliott to assume these figures to be incorrect when he was not in possession of the evidence upon which the statistics in question are based. The census of breeding cows on the two islands in 1901 showed 90,236 present; that for 1902 showed the presence of 94,882, an increase of nearly 4 per cent. During that time the breeding bulls decreased from 3,160 to 2,381, or 24.65 per cent. This is simply a statement of the actual conditions found on the island as disclosed by a careful count. If any explanation of this condition is required, it is that the surplus male life on the rookeries had been diminished during this period by close killing, Vthile the bulls occupied with cows had satisfactorily per- formed this function, and the birth rate had exceeded by this small margin the ravages of nature and pelagic sealing. Describing this condition, the agent's report for 1903 says: We find, therefore, that during the four years from 1900 to 1903, during which close killing has been in vogue on the islands, the breeding bulls decreased 42 per cent, the bachelor herd decreased 14 per cent, and the breeding cows increased 9 per cent. It is evident from this 9 per cent increase that the closer killing of bachelors has not, to say the least, injured the herd of breeding cows. Mr. Elliott's intimation, therefore, that an increase in the herd of cows can not exist contemporaneously with a decrease in the number of bulls on the islands, is positively disproved by the actual finding of that condition on the islands during the years mentioned. 16 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. On page 5 Mr. Elliott states that "these bulls are fallmg off — they are dying of old age on the rookeries, and no new blood has been permitted to reach the rookeries since 1896." That no new blood has gone to the rookeries since 1896 is a mis- statement. The summary of the records of killings for 1897 appear on page 210 of part 1 of the report of the Fur Seal Investigation Commission. From this it will appear that the rejections from the killing grounds of young seals too large for killing purposes, but too young to serve on the rookeries, were as follows: 1897 Large rejects. 1897 Large rejects. 1897 I^arge rejects. 1897 Large rejects. June 15 June 18 June 23 June 26 June 30 July 1 July 2 144 130 556 402 376 288 107 July 5 July 6 Julys July 9 .July 12 July 14 July 16 229 301 355 97 140 216 391 July 17 July 19 July 22 July 23 July 24 July 26 July 27 180 377 500 161 352 491 221 .July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug. 2 Aug. 5 Aug. 7 298 383 118 350 159 200 In the annual report of 1899 of Mr. J. M. Morton, agent in charge of the islands, are gathered the statistics of large 3^oung seals rejected from the kilKng grounds in 1898 and 1899, as follows: 1898 I-arge rejects. 1898 lyarge rejects. 1898 Large rejects. 1898 Large reject?. June 1 Do June 10 June 18 June 22 June 25 June 28 June 29 12 28 75 95 102 221 178 151 June 30 Julyl July 2 July 4 July 7 Julys July 13 July 14 199 201 219 116 189 177 94 66 July 15 .July 16 July 18 July 20 July 21 July 22 July 23 July 25 40 101 35 65 67 151 203 85 July 27 July 28 July 29 July 30 Aug. 1 Aug. 4 Aug. 6 Aug. 10 502 54 317 135 213 72 120 42 The statistics for 1899 follow: 1899 Large rejects. 1899 Large reject.s. 1899 Large rejects. 1899 Large rejects. June 15 June 22 June 29 June .30 July] Do Julys 76 31 1.53 211 1.33 75 113 JulyO July 7 Julys July 10 July 12 July 13 July 14 90 34 31 48 69 61 90 July 17 July 19 July 20 July 21 July 22 July 24 July 27 94 11 18 161 43 324 132 July 28 July 29 July 31 Aug. 3 Aug. 5 Aug. 8 25 147 121 69 106 113 The statistics of killing for 1900 are contained in the report of Agent Judge. The number of large young seals turned away from the killing grounds for that year follows: 1900 Large rejects. 1900 Large rejects. 1900 Large rejects. 1900 Large rejects. June 14 July 2 JulyO July 9 July 10 July 11 71 39 18 48 43 10 July 14 July 15 July IS July 19 July 21 20 37 42 53 112 July 23 July 24 July 25 July 27 July 29 37 53 94 124 57 July 30 July 31 Aug. 1 Aug. 6 Aug. 10 114 89 66 34 46 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 17 The statistics of killing on St. Paul for 1901 are found in the report of Agent Lembkey as follows : Dis- 1901 missed, j large, i i June 10 25 June 14 117 June 17 93 June 18 59 June 19 114 June 20 87 June 21 127 June 24 397 June 25 394 1901 June 26 July 2 . July 3.. July 5.. July 6.. July 9.. Do. July 10. July 11. Dis- missed, large. 107 322 131 174 60 46 28 13 84 1901 Dis- missed, large. July 13 July 16 Do July 17 July 18 July 19 July 23 Do July 24 148 69 25 45 101 85 85 23 184 1901 Dis- missed, July 25. July 26. July 29. Do. July 30. July 31. Aug. 5. Aug. 8. Aug. 10 127 116 48 35 128 141 58 15 53 The statistics of killing for 1902 are found in the report for that year of Agent Lembkey, as follows: 1902 Large rejects. 1902 Large rejects. 1 , joQo Large ^^"- I rejects. 1902 Large rejects. June 14 June 23 June 24 June 26 June 27 37 99 162 204 48 61 88 51 Julys July5 July 7 July9 Do 167 i 45 I 70 8 July 16 July 17 July 18 July 21 July 22 July 24 July 26 Do 53 45 38 125 108 125 35 9 July 28 July 29 July 31 Do Aug.2 Aug. 4 Aug. 10 72 83 107 S 20 June 30 July 2 Do July 10 July 11 July 15 16 41 I 38 1 32 18 The killing statistics for 1903, as stated by Agent Lembkey in his report, follow: 1903 Large rejects. 1903 Large rejects. 1903 Large rejects. 1903 Large rejects. June 5 June 17 June 22 June 23 June 25 Do June 27 June 29 July 1 47 34 62 47 59 14 34 30 74 July 2 Do Julv3 July 6 July 8 "Do July 10 July 11 July 13 19 34 31 15 31 12 16 15 6 July 13 July 15 July 16 July 17 July 18 July 21 July 22 July 23 July 24 26 13 7 6 11 23 2 18 6 July 25 July 27 Do July 28 July 29 July 30 July 31 Aug. 4 9 54 4 12 15 44 24 18 It is thus apparent that during the time that Mr. Elliott states that "no new blood has been permitted to reach these breeding grounds" a great number of large young seals, wliich have passed the size of value to the lessee, has constantly been turned away from the killing grounds to swell the ranks of breeding bulls. How many reached the breeding rookeries that did not appear on the Idlling grounds at all is uncertain. That there are some prime killables each year which do not reach the kilhng grounds is proven by these tables of rejections, which represent seals which were ''prime" the year before and wliich, had they appeared even once on the kilhng ground during that period, would have been slaughtered. Their existence a 3^ear or two later proves that they passed the "prime" stage without getting into the drives. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 2 18 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. In the face, therefore, of the statistics shown, Mr. ElUott's state- ment that -"no new blood has been permitted to reacii the breeding grounds since 1896" has no vahie. On page 5 Mr. Elhott gives an "analysis of the status of male Hfe on the rookeries or breeding grounds," which he states "clearly shows the total elimination of this life in 1907." To obtain an idea of the value of the figures given for 1872-1874 and 1890, Dr. Jordan is quoted: In his (Elliott's) final summary of the rookeries of the two islands (report of 1872- 1874) Mr. Elliott finds a total of 3,193,420 "breeding seals and young." This includes, according to his subsequent statement, all adult breeding bulls and coavs, the virgin 2-year-olds, and the pups of the year. On page 102 he tells us that 1,000,000 of these were pups, and by his calculation in the same connection of the survival of 2-year-old8 we find that 225,000 of this class are included. For the million pups there must have been an equal number of breeding cows, or in all 2,225,000 cows and pups. The differ- ence between this- figure and 3,193,420, or 868,420, must have been breeding bulls. Mr. Elliott does not give an estimate of breeding bulls in connection with this report, but in 1890 he tells us that there were 90,000 breeding bulls in 1872-1874. Mr. Elliott would not himself accept what his figures necessarily show. Such a proportion of breeding bulls coidd not have existed on the islands. These discrepancies and others show conclusively that Mr. Elliott's figures are only guesses, multiplied by assump- tions, and his inexact use of them declares that he himself attached no greater value to them at the time they were made. (Seal and Salmon P'isheries, vol. 3, pp. 697-698.) We have here another illustration of the loose use Mr. Elliott makes of figures. He now states that the population of fur seals, "'male and female," is 2,500,000 to 3,000,000. On page 308 it is between 4,000,000 and 5,000,000, which agrees with his completed census — 4,700,000. In our judgment this latest estimate is very near the truth, though unintentionally so. It would, however, be of no more value than the others did it not correspond better to the known history of the herd. We cite it here simply to show the erratic way in which Mr. Elliott uses figures. (Idem, p. 699.) Page 5. Mr. Elliott gives the number of the herd in 1890 to be "some 14,000 breeding bulls and about 420,000 cows." Of this esti- mate Dr. Jordan says: Mr. Elliott gives us here in parentheses his estimate of bulls for 1890, without details as to how it was obtained. The total is 12,500. We may infer that this was an esti- mate, and in the frame of mind in which his investigations have been carried out, must be taken as a minimum. There are then 12,500 bulls for 400,000 cows, 1 bull to about 33 cows, or just the proportion which holds good on the rookeries to-day, when only one-half of the able-bodied adult bulls can obtain harems. It is true that Mr. Elliott charges that these bulls are impotent and worthless. The history of subse- quent years shows plainly enough that this was not true. The condition of the rookeries in 1896 and 1897 shows that no dangerous proportion between males and females existed in 1890. (Idem, p. 709.) The most important piece of work which Mr. Elliott or anyone else in studying the seals has had to do is the making of a census of the breeding herd. That his estimate of 1872-1874 is inaccurate and more than twice too great finds some excuse in the magnitude of the problem then involved. But no such excuse exists for his work of 1890. The herd had been greatly reduced, and parts of it at least were within the reach of exact enumeration. Notwithstanding, his survey and estimate of 1890 are much less satisfactory then the earlier one. (Idem, p. 714.) Page 5. Mr. Elliott estimates the herd in 1896 to consist of "5,000 bulls and about 144,000 cows — primipares, multipares, and nubiles." The actual number of breeding cows, exclusive of yearlings and 2-year-olds, found by the connnission in 1896 is stated to be 157,405, while the number of bulls having cows is stated as 4,932. (Fur Seal Inves. Com., pt. 1, p. 95.) In addition to this number of breeding bulls it is stated that there were over 5,000 active and idle bulls (idem, pt. 1, p. 119), of which latter Mr. Elliott makes no mention. Mr. Elliott's estimate of both cows and bulls is shown, therefore, to be far below the actual number. SEAL ISLANDS OF* ALASKA. 19 Page 5. Mr. Elliott asserts that in 1903 the herd consisted of some 2,200 bulls and about 75,000 cows, including virgins. Our census in that year showed 97,296 breeding cows alone, exclusive of virgins; 1,979 engaged bulls and 418 idle bulls on St. Paul, and some 400 bulls of all classes on St. George, or 97,296 breeding cows and 2,897 bulls. In addition, there were perhaps some 15,000 virgin 2-year-old females and some 22,000 yearlings. Mr. Elliott's estimate of cows in 1903 is about 60,000 too low; his estimate of bulls is about 600 too low. On page 5 Mr. Elliott states that the subjoined analysis clearly shows the total elimination of seal life in 1907. How he reaches that conclusion is absoluteh^ inexplicable. With a herd of 97,000 breeding cows and approximately 2,380 active bulls present in 1903 it is shown that, on the estimated minimum normal ratio of 1 bull to 40 cows, not counting idle bulls, the- required conditions to indefi- nitely perpetuate the seal herd are unmistakably demonstrated. This ratio, in the opinion of scientists, can be very greatly increased. On page 5 Mr. Elliott asseits that "these 2,200 breeding bulls of 1903 are the survivors of those >oang males which were spared in 1890 and by the modus vivendi of 1891-1893." He' admits in the next paragraph, however, that ''in 1894 and 1895 a few hundred 4-year-olds may have escaped the club on the killing grounds and thus came in as 6-year-olds in 1896 and 1897." This is vague. He asserts, in other words, that the bulls in 1903 are the survivors of a vast herd let go in 1890-1893, and follows the statement immediately by another that perhaps onl}^ a few hundred of those released in 1890-1893 escaped the club. This rather argues a doubt in his own mind as to the position he assumes. The series of statements on page 6 to the effect that no young seals escaped the club to reach the rookeries as breeders is negatived by the series of tables of rejections from the killing fields already given. His statement on page 6 that the bulls are now dying rapidly of old age is probably true of the herd at any time. It is a fact that the bulls have decreased 42 per cent since 1901. This decrease, however, affected the accumulation of surplus bulls, which was useless and injurious to the herd. There still was, in 1903, a surplus of 17 per cent of idle bulls on St. Paul. His "prophecy" on page 7 of further reductions of bulls may easily be true, as a steady decrease has been the rule for several 3^ears, due to close killing. His statement, however, of the actual percentage of such reduction can not be proved until the proper time arrives. The "tabulated prophecy " on page 7 is based on the incorrect postu- late that no new male blood has reached the rookeries since 1900. It might, therefore, easily be considered as disposed of by the facts herein given. The tables on pages 9 and 10 of London sales of sealskins, while compiled in a manner which leaves classifications of skins according to age dependent wholly upon the author's opinion of the matter, yet are useful in refuting certain of his statements on page 6 con- cerning the total annihilation on land of certain classes of young males. He asserts, on page 6, that all the 2-year-olds in 1900 perished on the killing field. There should, therefore, be no 3-year-olds in existence in 1901. On page 10, however, we have a record of 1,826 20 SEAL ISL\iSIDS OF ALASKA. 3 and 4 year old seals having been sold in London in 1901. To have been killed in 1901 these 3-year-olds must surely have escaped the club as 2-year-olds in 1900. How many more escaped to reach the rookeries Mr. Elliott does not say, but an idea of their number may be obtained by consulting the table of large rejects in 1902. The same may be said of his statements on page 6 regarding the years 1901 and 1902, as the sales for both of those years show the presence of 3 and 4 year old skins. On page 10 the statement that the catches for 1900 to 1903, both inclusive, are composed in bulk of yearlings is incorrect. The majority of the skins he calls "yearlings" are 2-year-olds. The year- lings are not present on the islands in numbers until the middle of July, and the majority of those appearing then are dismissed from the drives as being too small. On page 11 of Mr. Elliott's letter the proposition that all killing by the lessees be suspended for the seasons of 1904, 1905, and 1906, in support of which he has adduced the foregoing more or less con- fusing data, is reached. Before treating his proposition in detail, it is important to recall the dissenting analysis of his assertions arrived at by a critic of his premises. That there are also obvious fallacies in Ills conclusions, which have been shown to be based upon a distor- tion of facts forming a supposititious basis for them, will be made apparent also. It may be stated with certainty that neither the recognized facts of the case nor Mr. Elliott's presentation of them justify the remedy proposed for such evils surrounding the preservation of the seal herds as may be admitted to call for a remedy. That there has been a sad diminution of the seal herd since Mr. Elliott first viewed that magnificent mass of animal life in 1872 is only too true. That that diminution has been constant from 1880 to 1900, as marked by the lessened number of breeding cows found -on the rookeries, is also true. Since 1900, however, the herd of cows on the islands not only has remained stationary, but has shown a slight increase. This fact has been proven by yearly censuses made by the most careful counts; and this increase has occurred in the very face of the close killing which Mr. Elliott asserts to be the primary cause of the decline of the herd. In his entire argument Mr. Elliott has completely ignored the real and universally accepted cause of the depletion of seal life — the killing of mother seals in the sea by pelagic hunters. Had he ascribed the decrease to this weU-known fact he woidd have arrived at the true solution of the problem — the stoppage of deep-sea killing. In at- tempting to prove, however, that faidty land killing is the cause of the decline he has had to resort to figures based on assumption, "prophecies" which have no value, and to cast aside as untrust- worthy facts which prove his conclusions utterly unfounded. He has had to stigmatize the idle bidls on the islands as "somnolent" and impotent, as otherwise liis theory would be ])roved fallacious. Had he seen in 1890, as is alwa^'s to be seen, these "somnolent" and impotent bulls charging wildly over the breeding grounds and tearing cows to pieces in their efforts to steal them from more fortunate bulls he would be forced to admit that, although idle, they were neither "somnolent" nor impotent. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 21 That Mr. Elliott is not in ignorance of the true cause of the herd's decline, and that he has given it at other times and places its true value can be easily proven. In liis statement before the Ways and Means Committee on February 18, 1902, he states the dechne of the herd to be due to pelagic sealing, and makes no mention of land killing except to pomt out the fallacy of breeding seals on land for the pelagic sealers to kill at sea. That he shoidd claim before the committee that sea killing is the destructive agent and assert so positively before this department that land killing alone is the cause of the herd's decrease does not, to sa.j the least, argue well for the stability of his opinions. When Mr. Elliott incpures, therefore, in the light of his foregoing statements of fact (p. 11), whether he "is not warranted in asking you to at once suspend all killing on the islands by the lessees for the seasons of 1904, 1905, and 1906." he might well be answered in nega- tive, as his facts adduced distinctly do not prove that land killing has been the cause of the loss of seal life. A compliance v/ith his request, furthermore, to suspend all killing on land would be an admission on the part of the Government that it has receded from its w^ell-known position of assuming, as it well may, that pelagic sealing is the true cause of this loss. His further request that only a few young males be killed for natives' food by the Government agents, the skins to be marketed by the Government, would, if complied with, have no warrant in law, and would at once involve the Government in a suit for damages. The Government has neither the facility nor the autliority for taking sking and selling them during the existence of the lease, and outside of the possibility of being sued would require special legislation for the matter. Mr. Elliott's statement that "you can not divide the autliority for killing on the islands in the present condition of affairs without scandal, confusion, and failure" is as incorrect as the converse is true — that the killing has been done for years by the lessee under the supervision of tlie Government agents without any scandal, con- fusion, or failure whatsoever. All regidations imposed upon the lessee by the GoA^Brnment have been and will be carried out to the letter without an}' conflict of authorit}'. Mr. Elliott's statement that the Secretary has power to suspend all land killing and that in that event the lessee has no recourse is a matter that can be decided only in a court of law. Indeed the cir- cuit court of appeals for the first circuit, in the case of the United States against the North American Commercial Co., held that the company, the lessee of the sealing right, had a valid claim against the Government in 1893 (when sealing was suspended by the modus vivendi) for the value of skins which it could have taken at that time, but which it was prevented from securing by the terms of the modus. Mr. Elliott's assertion tliat the lessee has no ground of complaint if you deprive it of the right to take seals, as its profits have been "enormous," is poor logic, since, no matter what its profits have been, they w^ould not deter the company from insisting upon its privileges under its lease. Mr. Elliott's final statement that the step he proposes the depart- ment should take — the deprivation of the lessee of its right to take seals, and the taking of the same by the Government — is provided for 22 SEAX. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. by existing law, is seriously doubted. As said before, no warrant of law exists for the sale of skins by the Government at any time, surely none during the existence of a lease to a private corporation to take the same skins. The taking and selling of these skins by the Govern- ment would amount to a termination of this lease without just cause, which action assuredl}^ can not be sanctioned by law. It may be stated finally that the condition of tlie herd on the islands does not call for any such drastic treatment as Mr. Elliott pre- scribes. In view of the close killing of the last four years it may be well to place some restriction upon the killing of bachelors on land, - such as limiting the kilhng to seals having skins of a certain size. This would be designed to provide against any future contingency of a lack of breeding bulls, and to forestall any future charge b}^ the British, such as has just been made by Mr. Elliott, that too close land killing has wrought an injury to the herd. To totally suspend Idlling, how- ever, is useless and uncalled for, and, besides getting the Government into numberless cliflEiculties, would be an encouragement to the pelagic hunter for which no doubt he would be truly grateful. March 5, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Seal Service, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: The chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, has requested me to procure for the infor- mation of his committee a statement of the manner in wliich the appropriation of $15,000, "to enable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to furnish food, fuel, and clothing and other necessaries of life to the native inhabitants of the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska/' was expended during the past season and also the grounds on which Congress is requested to increase tliis appropriation to $19,500 for the fiscal year encUng June 30, 1905. Please prepare as promptly as possible a memorandum giving the information desired by the committee. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, March 7, 1904- Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Lahor. My Dear Mr. Hitchcock: Acknowledging the receipt of your let- ter of the 5th instant, wherein I am requested to prepare a memoran- dum of the manner in which the natives' appropriation of $15,000 on the seal islands is expended and the grounds on which the Congress is requested to increase this appropriation to $19,500, I take pleasure in stating that the appropriation for natives' supplies is expended in the following manner: (1) From the whole amount appropriated by Congress a sum is deducted sufficient to pay for the annual supply of coal for both islands purchased by the department for use of the natives. SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 23 (2) The remainder is apportioned between the two ishinds on a basis varying with the condition whether the natives' earnings from seal and tox skins on either island are greater or less than usual. (3) The amount apportioned for either island is then added to the amount realized from natives' earnings on that island and the total sum is allotted as follows: (a) An amount of, say, $1,000 is deducted for an "emergency fund," and the remainder is divided into 12 ecjual parts, representing months in the year, or for greater accuracy mto 52 equal parts, rep- resenting weeks. This determines the amount which may be ex- pended each week or month, as the case may be, for the whole island. (b) The total number of natives to be supported by the Govern- ment is then ascertained from the census — two children being con- sidered equal to one adult — and divided into the weekly or monthly allotment for the whole island, thus establisliing a per capita allowance for the week or month. (c) The number of natives in each family is then ascertained from the census, and the per capita amounts are combined to give a basis for the expenditure for each family for the week or month. {d) It having been demonstrated that a large family can live more cheaply per capita than a small one, a rearrangement of amounts is made, deducting a certain sum from the large family allotments and adding it to those for the small families, and a final adjustment is reached, giving— as in the fiscal year 1903 — from about $5.50 per week for a family of two to about $8.50 or $9 a week for a family of seven. (e) Having thus established the amount to wliich each family is entitled, the issues of food and clothing are then made on Saturday of each week to the heads of famihes, each head being given an order for supplies on the lessee by the Government agent, which is filled at the lessee's store. Tliis order must not exceed the family weekly allowance unless sickness or other unusual circumstance intervenes. (/) In case of sickness, death, childbirth, marriage, or other un- usual condition requiring an expenditure not contemplated in the reg- ular allowance, the emergency fund is drawn upon. (g) No expenditure from the appropriation has been allowed until the native head of family has expended his earnings from the taking of skins. (h) Ledger accounts, both of his earnings and the expenditures from the appropriation, are kept on the islands with each head of family, which is credited with his weekly allowance and debited with the amount of his weekly order. Should the native require a suit of clothes Or other necessary article representing more money than his weekly allowance, he is encouraged to save a small amount from each week's allowance until the requisite amount for the purchase of this article has been amassed. The grounds on which Congress is requested to increase the islands' appropriation from $15,000 to $19,500 can be stated briefly as follows : First. The certainty that the seal catch on the islands next year will be much smaller than last year, resulting in a corresponding reduction of the natives' earnings. Second. The fact that there will be no fox skins taken next year on St. Paul, and conse(|uently no income therefrom. Third. The fact that the amount at present available from their earnings, as well as the appropriation, re({uires rigid economy to fur- 24 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. nish support for an entire year, and that a further radical reduction of this sum will result in hardship to the natives. Fourth. That the appropriation made for these natives can not in any sense be regarded as a gratuity to them, when it is considered that through their efforts a revenue of approximately $200,000 per annum from sealskins is turned into the Treasury. I regret that the account books containing a detailed record of these expenditures are on the islands and not available. The stubs of orders issued during the last fiscal year were transmitted to the department in due season, as were also the orders for supplies. I shall be pleased to amplify this statement in any w^ay should it be desired. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands. March 5, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaslcan Fur-Seal Service, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: Under the contract by wliich the Government granted to the North American Commercial Co. the right to take seals on the Pribilof Islands the company agreed, among other things, to "pro- vide the necessaries of life for the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of said islands who are unable to provide for themselves." The regulations of the Treasury Department, as embodied in the last annual letter of instructions to the agent in charge, do not seem to fix a definite basis on which to secure the compliance of the com- pany with the terms of the agreement, nor does it appear that any of the regulations previoush^ issued have established such a basis. So far as I can gather from a careful reading of the regulations, the man- ner of enforcing tliis obligation on the part of the company is left entirely to the discretion of the agent. Such an arrangement is hardly businesslike. The enforcement of the contract could undoubt- edly be accomplished with greater certainty if the regulations pre- scribed definite amounts to be contributed annually by the company for the support of the several classes of persons mentioned. The annual amount per individual that is suflicient to provide "the neces- saries of life" for these classes should be determined in order to fix a proper rate of charge against the company. As the expense of pro- viding for adults is naturally considerably greater than for infants, it would be equitable to adopt a scale of charges, the several rates to be based on the ages of persons to be provided for. If a provision of this nature is incorporated in the regulations, specifying the exact amounts to be contributed in given cases, the enforcement of the company's agreement mil be a much simpler matter, as an accurate account of the "widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants," coupled with certain information as to ages, will show the exact extent of the expenditure to be required. in determining w^hat amounts can be properly demanded of the com- pany under the agreement it will be necessary to compute the average annual cost of living for persons of difl'erent ages on the islands. The SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 25 available statistics regarding tiie earnings of and contributions to the native population other than the classes to be provided for will undoubtedly furnish sufficient data for such a computation. I shall be obliged if you will let me have your views as to the desira- bility of changing the regulations so as to provide in the manner sug- gested for the enforcement of the company's agreement to care for "the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants." Very truh^, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Cliief Clerk. Depaktment of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, WasMngton, March 7, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Labor. My Dear Mr. Hitchcock: Replying to your letter of the 5th irfstant, wherein you request an expression of my opinion as to the desirability of changing the regulations at present in force regarding the obligation of the North American Commercial Co., under the terms of its lease of the right to take seals on the Pribilof Islands, to provide the necessaries of life for the widows ^nd orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants ol said islands who are unable to provide for themselves, in such manner as to fix a definite expenditure which the company shall be required to make in furnishing supplies to each indi\'idual it is obliged to support under this clause of this lease, I take pleasure in making the following statement: In the execution of this particular provision in the lease the com- pany has adopted a system of issues of food and clothing on tlie islands, regulated in accordance with the number of individuals in the families to be supported. These families are divided into large, medium, and small grades, and an issue of staple articles of food is made each week to the families on this basis. Each family receives a weekly ration of tea, sugar, milk, butter, candles, bread, crackers, etc. A monthly issue is made of such bulkier articles as flour, lard (in 5 and 10 pound tins), coal oil, etc. A periodical issue is made of clothing, boots and shoes, household utensils, and cotton stuffs. By a ruling of the Treasury Department made in the early part of the company's lease, and, as I understand it, on the representations of the Government agents, the company's charges were allowed to participate in the issues of coal from the natives' supply, as a means of preventing hardship to the indigents and of removing a fruitful source of bickering and strife between the compaii}^ and the agents. Owing to the peculiar social conditions existing on the islands, a small native child left an orplian is almost immediately adopted into some family, the head of which is a relation of the orphan in some degree or other. In cases of this character the natives almost with- out exception have declined, with some show of pride, the offer of the small amount of food necessary for the support of this child, stating that they had food enough for it in the family. In such cases and because of these peculiar circumstances the company was not 26 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. required to provide food for the orphan, but furnished it with clothing. When the eldest son of a widow whose famil}" has remained intact becomes of the proper age to be placed upon the sealing gang and to participate in the division of the natives' earnings, it has been the practice to take the entire family from the list of company charges and give it the status of a self-supporting family, the son becoming the head of the family. This practice is based upon a construction of the clause in the lease which requires the company to furnish the necessaries of life to the persons named "who are unable to provide for themselves," and the family having an able-bodied workman in it is not considered as coming within this class. In the absence of any regulation on the subject the whole matter of the support of indigents by the company has been left to discretion. While the company has almost invariably dealt fairly witli the natives whom it is called upon to support, this element of discretion is and always has been objectionable, and one which under different circum- stances might result in hardship and abuse. The company's em- ployeeS; in certain instances, have shown a tendency to resent inter- ference on the part of the Government agent with their methods of feeding and clothing the widows and orphans, and I have felt some- times that they might make a native suffer for any complaint against them made to the Government agent. I can positively state that I will welcome an}^ regulation which will leave as little as possible to the dis- cretion either of the Government agents or the company's employees, and which will reduce the feeding and clothing of this class of the popu- lation of the islands to afixed basis. I believe that the plan suggested of agreeing upon a definite rate of expenditure per capita to be re- quired of the company in the discharge of its obligation to support the several classes of persons mentioned in the contract would be a great improvement upon the loose method now practiced. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands. March 5, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaslcan Fur-Seal Service, Dejyartment of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: After a careful study of the fur-seal problem as it now presents itself to the department I am inclined to the opinion that measures of a somewhat radical nature should be adopted to allay the apprehension that apparently exists in certain quarters as regards the condition of the seal herd. As you are doubtless aware resolutions have been introduced in the Senate and in the House of Representa- tives calling upc)n tlie department to suspend altogether the killing on the islands. During the consideration of these resolutions in com- mittee it is not improbable that the department will be called upon to express an opinion as to the necessity of the measure suggested. It therefore seems desirable to reach a decision regarding the measures the department should recommend in substitution for the proposed cessation of killing. It has occurred to me to suggest the adoption of the following regulations as regards the taking of seals during the SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 27 coming season, and I shall be pleased to have an expression of your judgment as to the desirability of these regulations and their probable effectiveness : (1) Prohibit the taking of 4-year-old seals. (2) Cull out from the drives a given number of 3-year-old seals, say, 1,000 in all, marking them in such a manner as to prevent re- counting. (3) Prohibit the taking of yearlings — that is to say, seals under the age of 2 years. As regards the marking of the seals, I have written you another letter of even date making a suggestion, regarding which I desire your opinion. I shall be obliged if you will let me have your responses to both letters as promptly as possible, for it is probable that the department will be called upon in the near future for a statement of its views regarding the proposed seal legislation now pending in Congress. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. March 5, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Fur-Seal Service, Department of Commerce and Lahor. Dear Sir : After a careful study of the statistics presented in your last annual report, compared with the records for previous years, I am of the opinion that positive measures should be taken during the coming season to see that bachelor seals are reserved from the killing in such numbers as will remove all possible danger of the ultimate depletion of the herd from an insufficiency of male life. It seems to me that the most feasible method of accomplishing the desired result is to cull out from the first drives of the season a given number of males and allow them to escape, but in order to be certain that the full number decided upon has been released it is obvious that some means of identifying such of these seals as reappear in sub- sequent drives must be devised, for otherwise they would be counted more than once. While endeavoring to hit upon a plan by which seals once counted can be so marked as to make them readily distinguishable it has occurred to me that possibly the purpose can be obtained by shear- ing off a strip or patcli of fur on the upper portion of the back, where the mark left will be most conspicuous. It would seem that this plan of marking could be carried out quite readily, without any injury to the seal, by employing a pair of modern clipping shears, such as are used for shearing sheep and for clipping dogs, or possibly with shears made upon the same principle, but with longer handles. The removing of a patch of fur with such shears would leave a mark that could be easily discerned throughout the season, thus making it possible to identify the seals that reappeared in later drives after havnig been once counted and allowed to escape. The general opinion now seems to be that it is impracticable to employ branding as a method of marldng seals, particularly when they have attained any considerable size, but the objections that '28 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. hold in the case of branding do not seem to apply to the proposed plan of shearing out a mark in the fur. I shall be glad to have your judgment as to the feasibility of marking the seals after the manner suggested. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Olerk. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, March 8, 1904- Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor. My Dear Mr. Hitchcock: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 5th instant, wherein you outline certain regulations governing the taking of seals on the Pribilof Islands, which, you sug- gest, may be dictated by present conditions, and request an expression of my opinion as to the desirability of these regulations and their probable effectiveness. In reply, I beg to say that the regulations as proposed by you are all designed to insure the immunity from slaughter on land of such number of young male seals as will be adequate to maintain the requisite supply of breeding bulls, and are as follows : (1) Prohibit the taking of 4-year-old seals. (2) Cull out from the drives a given number of 3-year-old seals. Bay, 1,000 in all, marking them in such a manner as to prevent recounting. (3) Prohibit the taking of yearlings — that is to say, seals under the age of 2 years. As to the desirability of such regulations, I will state that the closer killing on the islands of the last few years and the reduction of 42 per cent in the number of breeding bulls on St. Paul Island within the last three years, renders imperative the adoption of some regulation which will insure beyond conjecture against the further depletion of this necessary element on the breeding rookeries. The measures proposed by you, in my judgment, are amply sufficient to accomphsh tliis end. Treating them in detail, the regulations suggested in your letter will have the followmg effect: (1) The prohibition of the killing of 4-year-olds will result in the immunity from land slaughter of all seals which have passed the 3-year-old stage, allowing them to grow up as breeders without further molestation on land. (2) The culling out from the drives of a certain number of 3-year- olds and marking them so as to prevent recounting will insure the certainty that there are at least that number of 3-year-olds in exist- ence at the close of the killing season, and thereafter immune fi'om land killing. (3) The prohibition of the killing of yearlings, while good policy, will have no effect upon the present practice on the islands. No year- lings are killed on land on either island. In view, however, of the positive statements by certain persons that such practice exists, a formal prohibition thereof by the department will be the best method of negativing these criticisms. The killing of yearlings, in my judg- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 29 ment, would be an economic waste, and were it a fact should be pro- hibited if for no other reason. The general effect of these regulations, if promulgated, will be to limit the killing on land entirely to 2 and 3 year olds, and will leave a sufficient number of the latter class to escape to guard against any undue reduction of the supply of breeding bulls. The number of 3-year-olds to be marked for escape, suggested in your letter as 1,000, is, in my opinion, ample. Beyond the actual provision of enough males to serve as breeders it would be unwise to go, in my ^opinion, in view of the activity in the vicinity of the islands of both the Canadian and Japanese sealing fleets. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington , March 28, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: I have to report that the following amount of coal will be required on the seal islands of Alaska during the coming year: Tons. For Government houses 20' For natives' use 155 For natives' use, furnished free under lease 80 Total 255 This should be divided between the two islands as follows: For St. Paul: For Government house 10 For natives' use 80 For lease coal, free 50 Total 140 For St. George: For Government house 10 For natives' use 75 For natives' use, free 30 Total 115 This should be paid for from the following appropriations : Twenty tons for Government houses, appropriation "Fuel, light, and water, 1904'': 1.55 tons from appropriation for "Food, fuel, and clothing for native inhabitants, 1904"; SO tons, free, to be furnished by lessee. Tlie coal for which payment is to be made by the Government has heretofore been furnished by the company at the rate of $20 a ton, to include delivery on the beach at the respective islands. As it usually has been taken by the company on the first trip of its steamer sailing from San Francisco, about May 15, it is suggested that the lessee be requested as soon as practicable to submit bids for the deli\ery of the coal in question. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands. 30 seal islands of alaska. March 28, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Fur-Seal Service, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: I have received your letter of the 2Sth instant, relative to the amount of coal that will be required during the coming year on the seal islands of Alaska. In accordance with your suggestion, the North Anierican Com- mercial Co. will be requested to submit bids for the dehvery of that portion of the coal to be purchased by the Government at the earliest practicable date. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. April 1, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Fur-Seal Service, Deimrtment of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: In a letter dated March 23, 1904, the chief clerk of the Treasurv Department transmits an invoice of ordnance and ordnance toi;ores issued to you by that department and requests to be fur- nished with a receipt for the articles enumerated thereon, as follows : Eighteen magazine rifles, caliber .30; 18 cartridge belts, infantry, caliber .30; 18 gun slings; 18 small-arm oilers; 4 screw drivers; 1 arm chest; 1,500 rifle ball cartridges, caliber .30. I shall be obliged if you wiU inform me if these stores were received by you. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington, April 4, 1904- Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: Aclaiowledging the receipt of your letter of the 1st instant, in which you request information whether certain arms and ammunition, mentioned in a letter dated March 23 last, from the chief clerk of the Treasury Department, were receiA-^ed by me, I will state that the articles enumerated were all received on tlie islands in June, 1902, and distributed as follows: St. Paul Island: Twelve magazine rifles, caliber .30; 18 cartridge belts, infantry, caliber .30; IS gun slings; 12 small-arm oders; 3 screw drivers; 1 arm chest; 1,000 rifle ball cartridges, caliber .30. St. George Island : Six magazine rifles, caliber .30; 6 small-arm oilers; 1 screw driver; 500 rifle ball cartridges, caliber .30. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaska Seal Fisheries. seal islands of alaska. 31 April 12, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of the Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: In compliance with an application received from the North American Commercial Co. in a letter dated the 4th ultimo, the Treasur}^ Department has been this day requested to instruct the collector of customs at San Francisco to permit the company named to ship from said port to the Pribilof Islands during the cur- rent fiscal year liquors, for medicinal purposes only, and ammuni- tion, in the follo\\'ing quantities: St. Paul Island (population — native 160, white 10; total 170): Four barrels beer; 2 cases whisk}^; 6 kegs whisky (30 gallons); 1 keg brandy (5 gallons); 1 keg rum (5 gallons); 1 case gin; 4 cases stiU wine; 2 kegs port mne (5 gallons each); 2 kegs sherry (5 gallons each); 15 gallons alcohol; 1 case champagne; 1,000 cartridges, .22 short; 1,000 cartridges, .22 long; 500 cartridges, .38 caliber; 250 cartridges, .30 cali- ber; 250 cartridges, .44 caliber. St. George Island (population — native 92, white 8; total 100) : Three barrels beer (pints); 2 kegs whisky (5 gallons each); 1 case whisky; 2 kegs brandy (5 gallons each); 3 cases still wine; 1 keg port wine (5 gallons); 1 keg sherry (5 gallons); 1,000 cartridges, .22 long; 1,000 cartridges, .44 caliber; 150 pounds powder. It appears from the records of the fur-seal service, transferred to this department, that the quantities of spirituous liquors and ammu- nition above specified are the same as those covered by permits granted annually for a number of years past by the Treasury Depart- ment in response to similar applications received fi'om the company. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. April 13, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Seal FisTieries, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 4th instant, stating in reply to my inquiry that certain arms and ammunition, mentioned in a letter from the chief clerk of the Treasury Department under date of the 23d ultimo, were all received by you on the Pribilof Islands in June,' 1902, came duly to hand. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington, April 25, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir : I have a letter from the president of the North Ameri- can Commercial Co., San Francisco, stating that the company's 32 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. steamer is expected to sail for the Pribilof Islands from the last- named port on May 21, proximo. In view of this information, it will not be necessary for me to leave Washington before May 12. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Islands. April 25, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, ' Agent for the Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Lahor. Dear Sir: I have received your letter of the 25th instant, stating that in view of the fact that the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer is not expected to sail from San Francisco for the Pribilof Islands until May 21 it will not be necessary for you to leave Wash- ington before May 12. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, (Thief Cleric. April 27, 1904. Mr, W. I. Lembkey, Agent for the Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Lahor. Dear Sir : I inclose herewith a copy of a letter that was addressed to the North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal., under date of the 26th instant, relative to the coal supply for the seal islands during the coming season. You will please note the conditions under wliich tliis coal is to be delivered and will take such steps as are necessary to have them enforced. In view of the impracticability of weigliing the coal at the time of dehvery or for some time thereafter, you are authorized to give the company's agent receipts, subject to weigliing, for the full quantity of coal as soon as the last load thereof is landed, the company agreeing to make good from its own supply any deficiency in weight that may be disclosed when the coal is finally weighed. The receipts given should state specifically that they are "subject to weighing." The assistant agent in charge on St. George Island shovdd be instructed, 'accordingly. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief ClerJc. Department or Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, A^ml 26, 1904- North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Gentlemen: I have received your letter of the 16th instant, stat- ing that you "agree to deliver during the season of 1904, on th& beach at St. Paul Island, 90 tons of coal, and at St. George Island 85 tons of coal, at the rate of S20 per ton; provided: (1) That per- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 33 mission be granted to land a sufficient number of extra laborers and that none of the conditions under which tliis company has hereto- fore handled coal upon the islands be altered; also (2) that the Gov- ernment agent in charge at each island shall give our agent proper receipts and warrants for the full quantity of coal, as above specified, as soon as the last load thereof is landed and before the coal has been weighed, it being agreed between our agents and your agents that this company will make good from its own supply any deficiency in weight, should any there be, when the coal is finally weighed." As regards the landing of extra laborers to assist in handling the coal, you are advised that the department vnll grant the desired permission under similar conditions to those imposed by the Treas- ury Department last season, but it is suggested that a formal appli- cation for the permit be made, stating the maximum number of persons the company wishes to land. In accordance with the practice established by the Treasury'' Depart- ment two seasons ago and continued last season, the Government agent in charge at each island will be instructed to give your agent proper receipts, subject to weighing, for the full quantity of coal, as above specified, as soon as the last load thereof is landed and before the coal has been weighed, with the understanding, however, that if any deficiency in weight is disclosed when the coal is finally weighed, your company will make good from its own supply any" such defi- ciency. As stipidated in the department's letter of April 2, the coal to be delivered must be first quality. With reference to the coal delivered by your company under its contract last season, for which you say no payment has been made, I find upon inquiry at our disbursing office that no bill appears to have been received at this department for such coal. It is possible that the bill went to the Treasury Department and was not for- warded to the Department of Commerce and Labor. If you will be good enough to submit to this department a duplicate bill, steps will be taken to have payment made as promptly as possible. Very truly, 3'ours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington, April 29, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, CTiief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Lahor. Dear Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th instant, wherein I am informed of the action taken in contracting for the supply of coal to be used on the Pribilof Islands during the coming year, and the conditions under which receipts for such coal are to be given. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent for the Seal Islands. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 3 34 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. IklAY 1, 1904. Mr. James Judge, Assistant Agent for Seal Islands, Columbus, Ohio. Sir: You are directed to proceed from your home in Columbus, Oliio, to San Francisco, Cal., where you will report in person, on the 20th instant, to Mr. W. I. Lembkey, agent in charge of the seal islands, in order that you may sail with Mm on the steamer of the North American Commercial Co. which is to leave San Francisco on or about May 21 for the seal islands, Alaska. Respectfully, Geo. B. Cortelyou, Secretary. May 10, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Prihilof Group, Alaslca. Dear Sir: I forward herewith department letter of the 17th instant, which has just been received at my office, prepared to trans- mit to you the 10 Government requests for transportation you desire for use in travehng on official business during the present season. I understand that the requests in question, Nos. 1596-1605, have been already dehvered to you. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. Office of Agent in Charge of Alaska Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaslca, July 28, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Labor. My Dear Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt yesterday of your letter of the 10th of May last, inclosing department letter of the 17th instant, transmitting requests for transportation Nos. 1596-1605 for use of myself and the assistant agents on the seal islands. As inferred in your letter, the requests were delivered to me in person under emergency at the department, and a portion of them have already been used in the transportation of myself and the assistant agents in traveling to and returning from the islands. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. seal islands of alaska. 35 October 20, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, AlasTca. Dear Sir: The letter you addressed to Mr. Hitchcock, under date of the 2Sth of July last, stating that transportation requests Nos. 1596-1605, for the use of yourself and the assistant agents on the seal islands, were delivered to you in person under emergency at the department, has been received at this office, very truly, yours, F. H. Bowen, Chief Cleric. May 12, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: I inclose herewith department letter of May 1, 1904. embodying your instructions for the coming season as agent in charge of the seal islands. Three copies of the letter of instructions are also inclosed, one of which you ^vill please deliver to each of the assistant agents at the islands. By to-day's mail I shall forward a copy of the letter of instructions . to the North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Fran- cisco, Cal. Very truly, vours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerl\ Mat 1, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Lahor. Sir: You are directed to proceed as soon an practicable to the seal islands, Alaska, and resume charge of the interests of the Gov- ernment thereon. Assistant Agent James Judge, who is now at his home in Columbus, Ohio, will be instructed to accompany you, and both of you should take passage to the islands on the steamer of the North American Commercial Co. leaving San Francisco on or about the 21st mstant. You will make such assignment of the assistant agents during the comuig sealing season as in your opinion will subserve the best interests of the service and the welfare of the native inhabitants, notifying the department of your action in this regard. At the close or the sealing season Assistant Agents Ezra W. Clark and H. D. Chichester are to return to their respective homes unless in your opinion the exigencies of the service require either or both of them to remain on the islands during the coming winter, in which event you will instruct them accordingly. Inclosed herewith are copies of the contract between the United States and the North American Commercial Co., and it will be youi duty and that of your assistants to see that its provisions are enforced 36 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. and that the rights of the Government and those of the lessees are duly protected. Should a difference of opinion arise at any time between yourself and the representatives of the company in respect to a matter of admmistration on the islands, your decision must govern; but in all such cases you should request the superintendent of the company to furnish a written statement of his views on the question involved, and this statement should be transmitted to the department, with an expression of your own views, at the earliest practicable moment. QUOTA. If the condition of the herd will permit, the lessees may be allowed to take during the season of 1904 as many as 13,000 male seals of the proper age on the island of St. Paul, and as many as 2,000 on the island of St. George, but not more than the number specified in either case. The numbers to which the quotas of the two islands are thus limited shall be inclusive of any skins accepted by the company from food drives made prior to the present sealing season. (No seals shall be taken that are over 4 years of age, nor shall any seals be taken that are under 2 years of age.) In order to remove all doubt as to the reservation of a sufficient number of male seals for the perpetuation of the herd, you are in- structed to release from among the best seals appearing in the first drives of the season not less than 1,000 3-year-old males and not less than 1,000 2-year-old males. Of the 3-3^ear-olds and 2-year- olds to be reserved, 800 of each shall be released on the island of St. Paul and 200 of each on the island of St. George. The seals thus re- leased are to be marked in such a manner as will make them readily recognizable throughout the season, and under no circumstances are they to be taken by the lessees. KILLING SEASON. The killing season should begin as soon after the 1st of June as the rookeries are in condition for driving. Seals shall not be killed by the lessees later than July 31. No seals whatever shall be taken during the stagey season. The killing of pups for food for the natives or for any other purpose is not to be permitted. SEALS FOR FOOD. The number of seals to be killed by the natives for food during the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1904, shall not exceed 1,700 on the island of St. Paul and 300 on the island of St, George, and no seals shall be taken for this purpose that are over 4 years of age or under 2 years of age, nor any of the 3-year-olds or 2-year-olds reserved during the lessees' killing season under the instructions given above. DRIVING. The representatives of the company on the islands should be required to give notice on the day preceding that on which they desire to make a drive of the seals, stating the name of the rookery selected. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 37 such notice to be subject to your approval. A representative of the Government should be present on the killing grounds in each instance to superintend the killing. If at any time the methods em- ployed in driving or killing appear in your judgment to be faulty or detrimental to the seal herd, you should see that such methods are immediately corrected, indicating to the representatives of the com- pany what changes are to be made. KILLING GROUNDS, As heretofore, you should establish on each of the islands killing grounds that can be reached by the shortest possible drive, provided, however, that such killing grounds must be at places sufficiently distant from the rookeries to prevent .annoyance from the decaying carcasses. ACCEPTANCE OF SKINS. In an opinion dated March 8, 1902, it was held by the Solicitor of the Treasury that the lessees have no right to reject any of the skins taken from the seals they have selected for killing. You will therefore see that all such skins, regardless of condition, are accepted. COUNTING SKINS. All the sealskins should be carefully counted in the salt houses in the presence of the department agent and of the representative of the company, and a receipt in duplicate in the following form should be prepared and signed by said agent and by the representative of the company : St. — Island, , 190~. We certify that there have been placed in the salt house in our presence sealskins. Agent United States Department of Commerce and Labor. Agent North American Commercial Co. The original of the above receipt should be retained by the depart- ment agent and the duplicate given to the representative of the North American Commercial Co. At the close of the season, wlien the sealskins are again counted and sliipped on board the company's steamer, the usual annual receipts should be signed by the captain of the steamer and the repre- sentative of the department. TRADING IN SKINS. The North American Commercial Co. has the exclusive privilege under the contracts of taking sealskins and fox skins on the islands of St. Pa\il and St. George, and you should see that no other company or person is allowed to trade with the natives for such sldns. 38 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. MEASURES TO PREVENT SHIPMENT OF SKINS BY NATIVES. To avoid the possibility of sealskins or fox skins being surrepti- tiously shipped from the islands, you are directed to continue the practice of examining all goods to be sliipped by the natives, includ- ing baggage and personal effects, and where barrels, casks, boxes, or other receptacles are used they should be closed under your super- vision, after an examination of their contents, before being placed in the warehouse. No person shall be admitted to the space reserved for such merchandise in the warehouse without your consent. Any skins found concealed in packages to be shipped by the natives should be seized and held subject to instructions from the department CENSUS OF SEAL HERD. You are expected to make a thorough examination into the con- dition of the seal herd during the coming season and to make a careful count of the number of breeding seals, male and female, on the islands, and also a computation as accurate as possible of the number of seals not breeding, including idle bulls, half bulls, bachelors, and virgin females. A careful enumeration should also be made of the pups found dead at the close of the season, and such information as can be had regarding the causes of death reported. SEALSKINS TO BE WEIGHED. You are instructed to have the skins of the seals taken by the lessees during the coming season carefully weighed and to keep a record of the weights for the information of the department. You should also weigh the skins of seals that are killed to supply food for the natives and record the weights. The natives may be required to assist as far as practicable in the work of weighing. TAKING OF FOXES TO BE RESTRICTED. Proper restrictions should be placed upon the taking of foxes during the coming season. You are directed to see that the number killed is not in excess of the yearly increase in these animals. If there seems to be danger of extermination on either of the islands, all killing on that island should be stopped. KILLING OF SEA LIONS TO BE LIMITED. The preservation of the sea-lion rookeries on the islands is highly important. The Idlling of these animals should be limited to such number as is absolutely necessary in providing for the construction of "bidaras," or skin boats. Sea-lion pups should not be killed for any purpose. CARE OF THE NATIVES. The care and welfare of the natives should receive your cl6se atten- tion, and you are directed to see that the lessees perform all of the obligations of their contract toward such natives. You should ascertain the prices charged at the company's stores, compare them SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 39 with the prices at San Francisco, and report any instances where the natives are compelled to pay unfair prices. You should also inspect the articles supphed as to quality and quantity, and if they are in any manner deficient you should report the fact to the department. COMPENSATION TO NATIVES FOR TAKING SEALSKINS. The compensation to be paid by the company for killing, salting, curing, bundling, and loading the sealskins on the company's steamer will be 50 cents for each skin. The money thus earned is to consti- tute a community fimd for distribution among the natives according to their respective classes. At the close of the seahng season, after a conference with the native chiefs, you will make such division of the fund among the natives, according to their classification, as is deemed fair and just and submit a report of such division, showing the amount apportioned to each native participating in the fund, which report snould be accompanied by an indorsement from the native chiefs and the company's agent certifying that such funds have been credited to such natives on the books of the company. RETURNS TO NATIVES UNDER FOX CONTRACTS. Under the contract executed between the Secretary of the Treas- ury and the North American Commercial Co. on May 2, 1900, the company named was granted the right to propagate the fur-bearing animal kno'svn as the blue fox on the islands of St. Paul and St. George for a term of five years, the company to pay $5 for every blue fox skin and $1 for every white fox skin obtained, these pay- ments to be entered as a credit on the books of the company in favor of the natives and to be available for their support on orders drawn in their favor by the Government agent. The amounts accruing to the natives under this contract are to be added to and form a part of the community fund and are in the same maimer to be credited to the natives on the books of the company. PAYMENT OF NATIVES' EARNINGS. The amounts that are earned from the company by the natives for labor other than sealing and foxing are to be paid to them in cash, and you will instruct the representatives of the company accordingly. The fimds earned in sealing and foxing, however, are to be disbursed upon order, as heretofore. The payment to the natives of money from the appropriation for their maintenance, upon the orders of the Government agent, is strictly prohibited. Articles that do not properly come within the term "necessaries" should not be exposed for sale in the company's stores, nor sold to the natives for the money they earn by labor. SUPPORT OF NATIVES. Congress has appropriated the sum of $19,500 "to enable the Secre- tarA^ of Commerce and Labor to furnish food, fuel, and clothing to the native inhabitants on the islands of Saint Paul and Saint George, Alaska," during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1905, and the greatest 40 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. care and economy should be exercised in the expenditure of this appropriation. Articles of strict necessity only should be issued. No expensive dress goods, boots or other articles are to be provided. The natives should be restricted to one pair of dress shoes each year, and the women to one good dress. Ginghams, calicoes, muslins, and similar inexpensive dress goods may be issued in reasonable quantities. The supply of fuel for the use of the natives is paid for from this appropriation, and the cost of such fuel should not be overlooked in determining how much of the appropriation is available for other purposes. In the distribution of the supplies no distmction is to be made be- tween persons without means and those having small savings from previous years, but the earnings for the current year should be ex- pended for necessaries, other than food, fuel, and clothing, before any allowance is granted from the appropriation. You will continue the plan adopted under previous instructions of issuing orders upon the company for such supplies as are required by the native inhabitants after they have expended their current yearly earnings. At the end of the season, as heretofore, you will submit to the department the stubs of the orders given, for use m verifying the accounts of the company. COAL SUPPLY. In a letter to the department dated April 16, 1904, the North American Commercial Co. has agreed to furnish during the coming season 175 tons of coal for use on the islands at $20 per toQ, including delivery on the beach, 90 tons to be delivered on St. Paul Island and 85 tons on St. George Island. This coal, with the 80 tons additional the company is required to furnish under the terms of its contract, will make available for all purposes a supply of 255 tons, and in its distribution the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands of St. Paul and St. George are to be included. Of the 175 tons purchased from the company, you may make the following distribution : St. Paul Island: Tons. For the Government house 10 For the use of the natives 80 St. George Island: For the Government house 10 For the use of the natives 75 Total 175 Of the 80 tons furnished by the company without charge under its contract, 50 tons may be distributed to the natives of St. Paul and 30 tons to the natives of St. George. DWELLINGS FOR NATIVES. The agreement of the company in its contract to furnish the native inhabitants of the islands a sufficient number of comfortable dwellings and to keep such dwellings m proper repair should be strictly en- forced. You are instructed to obtain from the representatives of the company, as soon after the close of the current fiscal year as practicable a statement of the amount expended during the year in carrying out this requirement of the contract. I SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 41 SCHOOLS FOR THE NATIVES. You will require the schools for the native children to be main- tained from September 1 to May 1, and to be opened five days in each week, the school hours to be from 9 o'clock a. m. to 3 o'clock p. m., with 1 hour recess at noon and 15 minutes recess in the forenoon. It will be your duty to see that the teachers appointed by the company are competent to teach the English language and that they faithfully perform this duty. None but the English language shall be taught in the schools. If the parents of the children on the islands desire to send them to the Jessie Lee School at Unalaska the department has no objection, provided no expenditure of public money is mvolved in their trans- portation to Unalaska or their maintenance and schooling while there. This course will also be permitted under the same conditions in the case of orphan children for whom provision is now made by the com- pany under its contract. The amount expended b}^ the company during the fiscal year for the maintenance of schools in accordance with the requirements of its contract sJiould be ascertained and reported to the department. HOUSE OF WORSHIP AND MEDICAL ATTENDANCE. You will also ascertain the company's expenditures during the year in mamtainmg a suitable house for religious worship and in pro- viding competent ph3^sicians and necessary medicines and medical supplies. WIDOWS, ORPHANS, AGED, AND INFIRM. The companv is required by its contract to provide the necessaries of life for the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands who are unable to provide for themselves, and you will see that this obligation is fully discharged. As soon as practicable after the close of the current fiscal year you will procure from the representatives of the company a statement showing the number of such inhabitants provided for during the year, and also the amount expended in making such provision. Widows and orphans liaving small sums of money to their credit should not be compelled to spend them and become wholly dependent before the}' are allowed to draw supplies under this provision in the company's contract. Such sums, as well as similar accounts held by other natives, may be drawn upon from time to time, however, with the consent and under the direction of the Government agent, for such reasonable articles as will contribute to the comfort of the persons supplying the funds. NATIVES TO RENDER SERVICE. In consideration of the support gratuitously afforded the natives by the Government, you are directed to utilize their services, when not required by the compan}^, in repairing roads, guarding the rook- eries, and performing such other duties as seem desirable. This instruction is not to be regarded, however, as rehe^-ing the company from its obligation to employ the natives, at a fair and just compen- sation, for all such work as they are fitted to perform. 42 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ELECTION OF NATIVE CHIEFS. No interference should be permitted in the selection of their cliiefs by the native inhabitants of the islands. If it should transpire, how- ever, that persons manifestly unsuitable for the position are chosen, it will be your duty to interpose in the interest of good government and require the selection of proper persons, but such action should be taken only in extreme cases. SALE OF INTOXICANTS PROHIBITED. The company agrees in its contract that it will not permit any of its agents to keep, sell, give, or dispose of any distilled spirits or spir- ituous liquors or opium on either of the islands or the waters adjacent thereto to any of the native inhabitants, such person not being a phy- sician and furnisliing the same for use as a medicine. This obligation is to be rigidly enforced. MANUFACTURE OF INTOXICANTS PROHIBITED. The brewing or distilUng of intoxicating beverages on the islands is prohibited. In the enforcement of this provision you are author- ized to discontinue the sale from the company's stores of sugar or of other articles entering into the manufacture of intoxicants to any person who violates this order or who is found to be intoxicated. Should intoxication become so general among the people as to inter- fere with good government and jeopardize the peace, you are author- ized to discontinue altogether the sale of sugar and of other articles entering into the manufacture of intoxicants for such length of time as may appear wise. REMOVAL FOR CAUSE. Should natives or other persons become so unruly or immoral in conduct as to endanger the peace and good government of the people they should be removed from the islands, and the Revenue-Cutter Service will be instructed to render such assistance as may be necessary for that purpose. LANDING ON THE ISLANDS RESTRICTED. No persons other than Government officers, representatives and employees of the North American Commercial Co., and duly accred- ited representatives of the Russian Church shall be allowed to land on the islands except by written authority from the department. The permission granted representatives of the Russian Church to visit the islands may be suspended, however, where its exercise is attempted by an improper person. Visitors to the islands should not be per- mitted to inspect the rookeries except under your supervision. INFORMATION REGARDING AFFAIRS ON THE ISLANDS. No information regarding the seals or as to any other matter per- taining to the seal islands is to be given out by you or by any of the assistant agents. All applications for such information should be referred to the department. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 43 CONCLUSION. Should questions arise involving matters not covered by these instructions it will be your duty to report the facts to the department, and to await instructions, except in cases requiring immediate decision, when you '\\^11 take such action as sound judgment directs. A copy of these instructions should be furnished by you to each of the assistant agents on the seal islands for their information and guidance. Respectfully, Geo. B. Cortelyou, Secretary. Columbia University Hospital, May 12, 1904. Dear Mr. Hitchcock: It has just occurred to me that if that large camera be sent to the islands it will be necessary to have sent with it some plates of suitable size. Hastily, ' W. I. Lembkey. Office of the Chief Clerk, May 12, 1904, Ikir. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir : Dr. Alfred G. Mayer, curator in chief of the Museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, Brooklyn, N. Y., has applied to the department, on behalf of his museum, for the privilege or securing for scientific purposes six skins of fur seals meeting death through accident during the coming season on the Pribilof Islands. The specimens desired are as follows: One old bull, one immature bull, two cows, two pups. If the specimens can be furnished mthout interfering in any manner with the duties of the agents or the rights of the lessees, you are authorized to reserve for the museum the skins specified, provided they are obtainable from seals that have met death through accident or from natural causes. The museum will be informed, however, that any services performed by the natives in preparing specimens are to be properly remunerated, and that it will also be expected to defray the expenses of transportation from the islands. In the museum's apphcation it was requested that Mr. Arthur M. Aten, who has been commissioned by the institution to collect birds and mammals in Alaska during the coming summer, be permitted to obtain the sealskins mentioned above, but this would necessitate the granting to Mr. Aten of a permit to visit the islands, wliich the .department does not think advisable. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, 44 seal islands of alaska. May 12, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Care of North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Dear Sir: Please send me word before sailing as to whether or not the four weighing instruments that were sent from here by registered mail on the 11th instant reached San Francisco in time to be taken with you to the seal islands. Also please let me know if you received the various photographic supplies that were forwarded to San Francisco this morning by registered mail. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. May 12, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands,^ Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: With reference to the provision in your instructions prohibiting the lessees from killing any seals during the coming season that are under 2 years of age, you are directed in the enforcement of this requirement to fix upon 5^ pounds as a minimum limit of weight for the skins to be taken. It will be your duty to see that every possible precaution is exer- cised to prevent the killing of seals that yield skins under the weight mentioned. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. May 14, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent for the Seal Islands, Care North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Dear Sir: The desirability of having the rookeries photographed this summer at the height of the season has besn brought to your attention and you are requested to accomplish what you can in this direction; provided, however, that the work of taking the photo- graphs shall not be allowed to interfere with more imperative duties. In addition to the camera and outfit, with which you were provided before your departure for San Francisco, there will be furnished in time for use at the height of the season a large "Carlton" camera (6^ by 8^) with tlie necessary equipment. Arrangements will be made to forward this latter camera by one of the revenue cutters. It is possible that the plan of having topographic photographs, made of the rookeries during the summer by employees of the Coast and Geodetic Survey can be carried out, in which event it will not be necessary for you to devote much time to photographic work. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. seal islands of alaska. 45 May 14, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent for the Seal Islands, Care of North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Dear Sir: Pending the arrival on the islands of the clipping appa- ratus that is to be provided for experiment in marking the 2-year- old and 3-year-old seals to be reserved from the Idlling, it is expected that you will employ the method agreed upon of singeing out a spot in the fur on the top of the seal's head with the branding irons. In marking the fur by this method care should be taken not to burn into the skin of the animal. Upon the receipt of the clipping apparatus you will please give it a sufficient test to determine its practicability, and if it proves to be successful it should be substituted for the branding irons. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, May I4, 1904- Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent for the Seal Fisheries, Care North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Dear Sir: I desire to remind you of the wish of the department to have a record kept for the coming season of the number of sealskins taken on the islands, as distinct from the number of skins shipped. You may please have separate records made for each island of the number of skins taken from seals killed by the lessees during the season, and also of the sldns taken from seals killed in food drives. The importance of securing fuller statistics regarding the seals on the island of St. George has been already impressed upon you. The assistant agents on that island should be required to exert every pos- sible effort during the coming season to make their counts of seals as accurate and complete as the conditions will permit. The number of idle bulls on the island should be counted, as well as the bulls having harems, and as accurate returns as possible should be made as to the number of breeding cows, and also as to the number of immature seals, including half-bulls, bachelors, and virgin cows. For the proper enforcement of the regulation prohibiting the IdUing of seals during the coming season that are under 2 years of age, it is desirable that the work of weighing skins called for by your instruc- tions be done with great thoroughness and care, one of the objects of such weighing being to see that no skins are taken that weigh less than 5h pounds, which is the minimum limit to be fixed upon in the enforce- ment of the regulation. Your assistants on St. George should be ad- vised as to the importance of this work and directed to comply strictly with the instructions. You will please see that at least two of the six 46 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. weigliing instruments with wliich you have been provided are phiced in the hands of your assistants on St. George. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk, May 14, 1904. Mr. James Judge, Assistant Agent for Seal Islands, Care of North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Col. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 12th instant, inclosing stub of trans- portation request No. 1596, Columbus, Oliio, to San Francisco, C, C, C. & St. L. Kailway, dated May 9, 1904, has been received. You inadvertently neglected to fill in the amount. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. May 14, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent for Seal Islands, Care of North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cat. Dear Sir: I have received your note of the 12th instant, written at the Columbian University Hospital, this city, in which you suggest the necessity of procuring plates for the large camera that has been obtained from the Coast and Geodetic Survey for use on the seal islands this summer. Care will be taken to have a supply of plates, as well as other neces- sary equipment, forwarded with the camera. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. May 14, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent for Seal Islands, Care of North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 12th instant, inclosing stubs of trans- portation requests Nos. 1597, railway fare, Philadelphia to San Fran- cisco, and 1598, Pullman fare, Philadelphia to Chicago, has been received. Note is made of your statement that the Pennsylvania Railroad, over which Hne you travel, charged you $80.25, against your protest, for a ticket from Philadelphia to San Francisco, whereas last fall you paid $77.50 for a ticket from San Francisco to Philadelphia, which latter fare you consider the proper one. The disbursing office will be instructed to look into the matter and ascertain if the charge of $80.25 was excessive; Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerh SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 47 San Francisco, May 20, 1904. Dear Mr. Hitchcock: I have received tliree letters dated the 12th instant and five letters dated the 14th instant, all in relation to the island business. While I have not the opportunity to acknowl- edge them in detail, I beg to say that their contents have been thoroughly digested and proper action will be taken toward their enforcement. I received on the 17th instant five registered packages containing the photographic supplies purchased before my departure. The scales arrived to-day and their arrival removed a potent cause of anxiety lest they be delayed until after my sailing. Upon receipt I communicated the contents of your letter of the 12th instant, fixing a minimum weight on skins, to Mr. Taylor, where- upon he entered an immediate and vigorous protest. When I pointed out that my instructions were not discretionary, he stated that he w^ould at once protest to the department. He requested that I inform liim by official letter of the requirement, which I did, and, at his urgent request, inclosed a copy of your letter. I have taken pains to explain to him the situation that existed in Washington last wmter, and tnat the attitude of the department is not one of hostility to the company but necessary to avoid sinister results. While admitting in one breath a knowledge of the Elliott campaign and anathemizing that individual, he states that the company will lose money this year because of the restriction of his business, and thinks the department has been ''hard" on him. Nevertheless, he will realize the situation when he thinks twice, and he has been informed firmly but pleasantly that your instructions will be carried out to the letter. Will it be too much trouble, Mr. Hitchcock-, to have a files case con- taining private letters, left on my desk on the third floor, wrapped up and placed where it will not be lost ? I overlooked it in the rush of departure. I will say that we look forward to a pleasant season of hard work and that we will work together to make this season's efforts satisfac- tory in every detail. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey. May 28, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Pribilof Group, Alaslca. My Dear Mr. Lembkey: The note you sent me from San Francisco under date of the 20th instant duly arrived, and I was glad to learn that the scales and also the photographic supplies reached you before your sailing. The company's protest regarding the department's decision to fix the minimum weight of skins at 5^ pounds was brought to our atten- tion here at Washington before the sailing of the steamer and was filed for future reference. In accordance with your wish, the file case of private letters you inadvertently left on your desk has been securely wrapped up, properly labeled, and deposited in the file room of the department, where it will be in safe keeping until you return. It is my purpose to ship to the islands by the revenue cutter Perry which is expected to leave Seattle on June 15, the fur-clipping appa- 48 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ratus, with a truck on which to mount it, and two Carlton 8 by 10 camera outfits. One of the camera outfits is to-be used on St. Paul and the other on St. George. I shall also send you a No. 7 Remington typewriter for official use on the islands. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. [Telegram.J Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, May 18, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Care Nortli American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. By telegram of to-day North American Commercial Co. has been authorized to land temporarily on seal islands 12 extra laborers to discharge coal, taking precautionary measures hitherto required against contagion. In event a certain number of native laborers are incapacitated by epidemic, company may land an equal number of temporary laborers, not exceeding 50 in all. Chief Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor. May 18, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Prihilof Growp, Alaska. Dear Sir: This is to confirm my telegram of this afternoon, which was as follows : By telegram of to-day North American Commercial Co. has befen authorized to land temporarily on seal islands 12 extra laborers to discharge coal, taking precautionary measures hitherto required against contagion. In event a certain number of native laborers are incapacitated by epidemic, company may land an equal number of tem- porary laborers, not exceeding 50 in all. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock. Chief Clerk, Office of Agent in Charge of Alaska Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, July 28, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor. My Dear Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt yesterday, by the Thetis, of 3'our letter of May 18 last confirmatory of your telegram of the same date containing authority for the North American Com- mercial Co. to land a certain number of laborers temporarily on the seal islands. In the exercise of this authority the company landed eight laborers, who assisted the native force on this island in bringing: ashore the SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 49 cargo of the company's vessel Krvger, and six of whom departed on, that vessel for Unalaska, where they reside. The remaining two were kept on St. Paul Island to perform laboring work during the employ- ment of the natives on the sealing field, and will return to Unalaska on the Kruger when that vessel arrives here in August for the skins, Ver}^ truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries^ [Copy of original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, October 17, 1904^ Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaslca. Dear Sir : The department has received your letter of July 28 last to Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, stating that in accordance with the authority granted, the North American Commercial Co. landed eight laborers on St. Paul Island for service in assisting the native force employed there. Very truly, yours, (Signed) F. H. Bowen, Chief Cleric. Office of Special Agent Treasury Department, St. Paul Island, AlasJca, June 7, 1904^ Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have to report my arrival here on the 6th instant, after a stay of a few hours on St. George. Wliile badly handicapped for time, I found opportunity on the latter island to explain to Maj. Clark the novel features involved in the current instructions, and to furnish him with extracts from such letters from you as relate to the weight of skins, the marking of bachelors, and the importance of obtaining full statistics on St. George during the coming summer. Mr. Judge and myself also counted the bulls on two rookeries on St. George during our stay there. I found the record of seals on St. George to be as follows : Left over, Sept. 1, 1903 1 Food killings. Oct. 19, 1903, to Mav 31, 1904 497 Killing by lessee, June 1, 1904 ' 26 Total - 524 Average weight, 6^ pounds. Foxes killed on St. George, winter of 1903-4: Blues 471 Whites 15 486 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1—4 50 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The total native population on St. George on my arrival was 94. There have been five births and three deaths during the current fiscal year, an increase of two. Count of seals on St. George, June 5, 1904: North rookery, 102 bulls, 8 immature bulls, 7 bulls in the surf not landed, and 10 bachelors; Staraya Artel, 30 bulls, 18 bachelors, 1 half bull. On June 10, 1903, there were: North rookery, 109 bulls, 8 holu- stiaki; Staraya Artel, 32 bulls, 20 holustiaki. Our counts on St. George would lead us to believe that little or no diminution will appear in the number of breeding bulls. L/ater developments may change this opinion, however. Since our arrival yesterday we have counted the followmg seals on St. Paul: Reef Ardiguen Gorbatch cliflf Gorbatch Ketovl Bulls. Bulls not stationed. 179 9 10 104 36 42 3 11 11 Amphitheater Lukanin Lagoon Tolstoi clifl . . Tolstoi Bulls. 5 41 16 30 120 Bulls not stationed. On June 10, 1903, the following counts were made: Bulls. Half bulls. Bulls. Half bulls. 15 113 13 Ketovl 53 6 51 Amphitheater 3 Lukanin 3 It is probable that there will hs a decrease noted in the breeding bulls on St. Paul, but, perhaps in a smaller degree than noted last year. There were killed for food on St. Paul last winter, 2,065 seals, and this spring, for quota, 179. These, with 312 on hand from last year, make a total of 2,556 in the salt house. Last winter 15 blue and 5 white foxes were taken on St. Paul. There will be no foxing there the ensuing winter. I regret the lack of time necessary to make a more complete state- ment. I have delayed this until within an hour of the ship's sailing in order that I might include additional seal data which Mr. Judge has been collecting. Mr. Chichester will be on St. George for the summer, and I have informed him thoroughly regarding the necessity for good work on St. George. With the promise of a good season's work, I am, believe me. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent, Seal Islands. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 51 Mr. W. I. Lembkey, ^^^^ ^' l^O'^- Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, AlasJca. Dear Sir: The letter you addressed to me from St. Paul Island, under date of June 7, 1904, is received, and I have noted with inter- est what you say regarding conditions on the islands. On June 30, as you have probably learned fi'om other corre- spondents, Hon. George B. Cortelyou resigned the position of Secre- tar}' of Commerce and Labor to become chairman of the Republican national committee. The new Secretary is Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, of California. He took charge of the department on July 1. This change in Secretaries made it impracticable for me to carry out my plan of visiting the seal islands during the present season. I gave up the trip with great reluctance. I am glad to note that you are taking such pains to have the new instructions thoroughly understood by your assistants. I shall await with great interest such further news as you may send me regarding the season's work. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. June 8, 1904. Mr. W . I. Lembkey, ' Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, PribilofGrouj), AlasTca. Dear Sir: In response to an inquiry regarding his experience in photogra])hing the rookeries on the seal islands, Mr. Charles H. Townsend, director of the New York Aquarium, sends me word that the photographs should be finished before July 18 and that they should be taken from the same stations as hitherto. With the reasons for these suggestions you are doubtless familiar, but as a measure of precaution I bring to your attention what Mr. Townsend says. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. Office of Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Alaska, St. Paul Island, Alaslca, July 28, 1904- Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Covfimerce and Lahor. My Dear Sir : I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th of June last, which arrived yesterday by the Thetis, wherein is stated the belief of Mr. C. H. Townsend that photographs of the rookeries should not be taken later than the 18th of July. This belief is well founded on the fact that after the 15th or 16th of July the harem formations lose their compactness, the cows spread out over an area not previously occupied, and that photographs taken after the date mentioned would be misleading in showing the seals to cover a greater area than the}^ do at the height of the breeding season. Unfortunately, however, the camera and supplies did not reach this island until the 27th instant, long after the seals have spread out. It will, therefore, be impossible to take any photographs of the rook- eries this year, much to my regret. Ver}^ truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. 52 seal islands of alaska. October 17, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, AlasJca. Dear Sir: The department has received your letter of July 28 last to Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, stating that the camera and supplies did not reach you in time to permit the taking of photographs of the rookeries this year. Very truly, yours, F. H. Bowen, Chief Cleric. June 8, 1904. Mr. H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent for Seal Islands, St George Island, Prihilof Group, AlasTca. Dear Sir: In response to an inquiry regarding his experience in photographing the rookeries on the seal islands, Mr. Charles H. Townsend, director of the New York Aquarium, sends me word that the photographs should be finished before July 18 and that they should be taken from the same stations as hitherto. With the reasons for these suggestions you are doubtless familiar but as a measure of precaution I bring to your attention what Mr. Townsend says. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric. June 18, 1904. Sir: You are authorized to proceed as soon as practicable to the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, for the purpose of supervising the enforce- ment of the regulations prescribed by the department for the con- duct of the fur-seal service during the present season and also for the purpose of inquiring into the condition of the fur-seal herd and of aifairs in general on the islands. If it seems desirable, you are authorized to return to Washington by the way of San Francisco in order to confer with the officials of the North American Commercial Co. at that city regarding the enforcement of the company's con- tract with the Government. You are also authorized, if the opportunity is presented, to visit Victoria, British Columbia, for the purpose of gaining information regarding the present status of the pelagic sealing industry. Your necessary traveling expenses will be paid from the appro- Eriation for contingent expenses, Department of Commerce and labor. Respectfully, , Secretary. Mr. Frank H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. July 26, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Alaslca. Dear Sir: Mr. Garfield, Commissioner of Corporations, informs me that owing to a recent death that has occurred in the family of Mr. Harry D. Chichester^ one of the assistant agents, there are good SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 53 reasons for permitting him to return to his home as promptly after the close of the season's work as a proper discharge of his duties in connection therewith will permit. While the circumstances do not appear to be such as to warrant his leaving before the active operations of the season are brought to a close, you may allow him to start homeward as promptly there- after as in your judgment appears to be wise. Very truly, yours, F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk. Office of Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 12, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk, Bepartment of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: I have to make the following summarized report of the condition of affairs on the seal islands of Alaska during the sealing season ended July 31, 1904: The following number of seals was killed during the season by the lessee on its quota: St. Paul 8, 732 St. George 1, 500 10, 232 The following number of seals was killed for food before and after the regular sealing season or left on hand from previous seasons: St. Paul St. George 2, 545 496 3,041 The figures for St. Paul include 140 skins taken for food on August 9, 1904. The following shipment of skins will be made by the company this fall: St. Paul 11, 132 St. George 1, 996 13, 128 The lessee's quota of 15,000 skins was not filled for the reason that a sufficient number of seals of proper size was not present. The following number of bachelors was branded this spring: 2-year-olds. 3-year-olds. 4-year-olds. St. Paul 800 200 800 200 50 St. George Total 1,000 1,000 50 Branding was completed on St. Paul on June 25 and on St. George July 2. 54 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The number of breeding bulls with harems, and idle bulls, found this summer on both islands was as follows: Harems. Idle. Total. St. Paul 1,790 312 232 62 2,022 St. George 374 Total 2,102 294 2,396 The counts of pups on both islands at the end of the season of 1904, with a comparison of the counts for the season of 1903, follow: 1904 1903 Decrease. St. Paul 21,309 13,583 24,801 14,647 3,492 1,064 St. George The census of breeding cows and of bulls breeding and idle on the two islands for the seasons of 1903 and 1904 follows: Bulls. Cows. 1903 1904 Decrease. 1903 1904 Decrease. St. Paul 2,402 J 415 2,022 374 382 41 82,649 14,647 74,002 13,583 8,647 1,064 St. George Total 2,396 423 97, 296 87,585 9, 711 I Estimated. The average harem during the past season (1904) was 39.83, as compared with 40.29 during the season of 1903. The lessening of the average harem is caused by the fact that the decrease in breeding cows during the interval between the seasons of 1903-4 was greater than the decrease in bulls. On the area on which pups were counted on St. Paul Island the decrease in harems was found to be 13.99 percent, while the decrease in pups or breeding cows was 14.9 per cent. During the season of 1904 there occurred in the various drives ot the season, and including the food drive on the 9th of August, 641 large rejections, 4,794 small rejections, and 1,888 rejections of branded seals. During the same period in 1903 the rejections were as follows: 912 large and 1,185 small. The increase in rejections from drives in 1904 was the result of the regulations restricting the killing to a minimum of 5+ pounds. All skins taken on St. George during the seaUng season, as reported by Agent Clark, were weighed. On St. Paul all but 145 skins taken during the seahng season were weighed, the latter number being overlooked by the natives who gathered up the skins on the field for weighing. The bulk of the company's catch is skins of 2-year- olds, but a fair number of 3-year-olds also were taken. No yearlings were included in the catch, and but few were seen in the drives. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 55 One yearling was killed by me during the summer to determine the weight of that class of skins. The entire animal — a female — weighed 33 pounds, and its pelt weighed 3| pounds. A detailed report of the season's work will be made as soon as practicable after the departure of the company's vessel. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in CJtarge Seal Fisheries. [Copy of original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, WasMngton, October 17, 1904^ Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in CJiarge of Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, AlasTca. Dear Sir: The department has received your letter of August 12 last, to IVIr. F. H. Hitchcock, making a summarized report of the condition of affairs on the seal islands of Alaska during the sealing season ended July 31, 1904. Very truly, yours, (Signed.) F. H. Bowen, Chief Clerl\ Office of Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaslca, August 13, 1904. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: I have to inclose with this letter, for the information of the department, certificates of the shipment from the sea islands this summer, by the North American Commercial Co., of 13,128 fur- seal skins, representing the quota of the lessee of the sealing right on the Pribilof Islands for the season of 1904. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Two inclosures. [Inclosure 1.] Island of St. Paul, Bering Sea, Alaslca, August, 1904- This is to certify that eleven thousand one hundred thirty-two (11,132) fur-seal skins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer W. H. Kruger, con- signed to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. K. A. Ahlin, Master, Steamer " W. H. Kruger.'^ 56 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, (Inclosure 2. Island of St. George, Bering Sea, Alaska, August 8, 1904. This is to certify that one thousand nine hundred and ninety-six (1,996) fur seal skins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Kruger consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Treasury Agent. K. A. Ahlin, Master, "W. H. Kruger.'' October 17, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska. Dear Sir: The department has received your letter to Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, dated August 13 last, without signature, inclosing certificates of shipments from the seal islands this summer by the North American Commercial Co. of 13,128 fur-seal skins, representing the quota of the lessee of the sealing right on the Pribilof Islands for the season of 1904. Very truly, yours, F. H. Bowen, Chief Clerk. Office of Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 13, 1904- Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: I have to transmit herewith, for suitable action thereon, my account for salary and expenses for the month of June, 1904, the expense representing the cost of my transportation from Columbus, Ohio, to St. Paul Island, Alaska, in pursuance of instructions con- tained in department letter of May 1 last, a copy of which is inclosed also. Very truly, yours, James Judge, Assistant Agent Alaska Seal Fisheries. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, October 17,1904. Mr. James Judge, Assistant Agent Alaska Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska. Dear Sir: The department has received your letter of April 13 last to Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, inclosing 3^our account for salary and expenses for the month of June, 1904. Your voucher will be aj^proved and forwarded to the disbursing derk for action. Very truly, yours, (Signed) F. H. Bowen, Chief Clerk. seal islands of alaska. 57 Office of the Chief Clerk, August 16, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Alaska. Dear Sir: Mr. Henry L. Ward, custodian of the Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, Wis., has applied to the department for a group of fur-seal specimens to be deposited in his museum, and it has been decided to grant his request, provided the desired skins can be ob- tained from seals meeting death from natural causes or through accident. If the s])ecimens can be furnished without interfering in any manner with the duties of the agents or the rights of the lessees, you are authorized to reserve for the Milwaukee Museum one old bull, one immature bull, two cows, and two pups, or such of these specimens as can be found to have met death from natural or accidental causes. The museum vvill^be advised that any services performed by the natives in preparing specimens are to be properly remunerated and that it will also be expected to defra}' the expenses of transportation from the islands. It is to be understood, of course, that the request of the Milwaukee Museum is not to be com})lied with until the specimens desired by the museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, the prior apjilication of Avhich was brought to your attention in my letter of May 12, 1904, have been reserved. Very tnily, vours. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief aerlc. Office of Agent in Charge Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Alaska, May 31, 1905. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Clerk, Department of Cormnerce and Labor. My Dear Sir: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of August 16 last, containing authority to furnish the Milwaukee Public Museum with the skins of one bull seal, one immature male, two cows, and two pups, should such seals be found dead on the rookeries. I wdll state, in reply, that should specimens of this character be found, they will be collected by us, and will be shipped to the institu- tion mentioned, provided the lessee of the islands is willing to under- take the cost of their preparation and shipment and to look to the museum for reimbursement. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., August 26, 1904- F. H. Hitchcock, Care Republican National Committee, 1 Madison Avenue, New York. I arrived here to-day. H. D. ClIICHESi 58 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Telegram.) Department of Commerce and Labor, San Francisco, Cal., August £6, 1904- Secretary Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Arrived here to-day. Kindly note my letter this date. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Seal Agent. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, August 27, 1904. Mr. Ezra W. Clark, San Francisco, Cal. , Dear Sir: The department has received your telegram of the 26th instant, reporting your arrival at San Francisco, Cal., and referring to a letter addressed by you to the Secretary on the date named. Very trulv, yours, (Signed) F. H, Bowen, Acting Chief Cleric. San Francisco, August 26, 1904. Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival by the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Kruger, which reached this port at 8 a. m. tliis day. The Kruger brought the season's take of sealskins, being 11,132 from the island of St. Paul and 1,996 from the island of St. George; a total of 13,128. The passage was attended with good weather and was a quick one. All the people on both islands were well at date of steamer's sailing. I have the honor to request of the department permission to return to Washington by way of Seattle, Wash., which is my legal residence, and to stop at that city for two or three weeks if not inconsistent with the pubhc business. Very respectfully, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, Septemher 1, 1904- Mr. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge AlasJcan Seal Fisheries, San Francisco, Cal. Dear Sir: Your letter to the Secretary, under date of the 26th ultimo, reporting your arrival at San Francisco on that date by the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Kruger, has been received. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 59 Your statement that 11,132 sealskins were taken this season from the island of St. Paul and 1,996 skins from the island of St. George is also noted. By direction of the Secretary you are granted permission to stop at Seattle, Wash., on your way to Washington, for a period of three weeks. Very truly, yours, (Signed) F. H. Bowen, GUef Glerk. Office of the Chief Clerk, August 29, 1904. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Alaska. Dear Sir: I am inclosing herewith for verification, so far as it relates to property in your possession, a statement from the War Department of ordnance and ordnance stores turned over to the Department of Commerce and Labor. Please return the statement with your reply. Very truly, yours, F. H. Bowen, Acting Chief Cleric. [Senate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session.] Annual Report to Department of Commerce and Labor, 1904, of W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Seal Fisheries. St. Paul Island, Alaska, Septemher 7, 1904. Dear Sir: I have to submit the following report of the operations on the seal islands of Alaska during the year ended August 1, 1904: ARRIVAL AT ISLANDS. In conipany with Assistant Agent James Judge, on the lessee's steamer W. II. Kruger, sailing from San Francisco May 24, 1904, I reached St. George Island June 5 and St. Paul Island the following morning, June 6. Agent Chichester, who had passed the preceding winter on St Paul, was requested to take passage for St. George, there to assist Agent Clark in the season's work. At the close of the summer both these gentlemen took passage on the company's steamer Kruger for San Francisco en route for their homes. Agent Judge remained with me on St. Paul during the summer and on August 14 took passage on the Kruger for St. George, where he will be in charge during the ensuing winter. BRANDING OF BACHELORS. The marking of the number of young male seals required by the department's instructions occupied my attention at once upon arrival at the islands. These instructions required the marking and releasing of 1,000 three- year-old males and 1,000 two-year-old males, in the proportion of 800 of each class from St. Paul and 200 of each from St. George. Because of statements made last winter before the Ways and Means Committee 60 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, and differing analyses of the classification of sizes of Pribilof Islands' sealskins exposed for sale in London last year, some doubt existed in my mind whether a greater number of 3-year-old males existed than were required to be marked and released. In order to secure the number of 3-year-old seals to be reserved on St. Paul, therefore, I considered it necessary to obtain them before the company began to kill for its quota. I therefore notified the representative of the company, Mr. Redpath, that I would be obliged to witlihold permission to drive for skins until drives had been made from the several hauling grounds and the requi- site number of each class of bachelors obtained and marked. I was required to take this action also from the fact that by the department's instructions the seals so to be marked were to be of the best animals appearing in the first drives of the season. As the first seals to reach the hauling grounds are always the strongest and finest in appearance, it was obvious that the seals to be branded should be from this class. DRIVES FOR BRANDING. The drives for branding were made as expeditiously as the presence of seals on the hauling grounds justified. On June 11a small drive was secured from the reef, from which were branded 15 two-year-olds, 63 three-year-olds, and 5 four-year-olds. On June 16 another drive from the same rookery was made, from which 188 two-year-olds and 273 three-year-olds were branded, or a total from that rookery of 544 seals, including those branded previously — 203 twos, 336 threes, and 5 fours. As that was considered a sufhcient number to be branded from the reef the branding apparatus was brought to the village. Our next object was to brand at Zapadni, and to take the forges there in boats. As the landings continued too rough to take boats to that point it was determined, for the sake of expedition, to bring what seals could be found on the hauling ground at Zapadni overland as near to the village as possible, and to brand them there. Accordingly, drivers were sent overland on the evening of June 20 to Zapadni, from which })lace they made a drive and brought it during the night to the head of the lagoon, about a mile from the village, and on the morning of June 21 the gang was taken there on foot, the forges being hauled by a team and wagon belonging to the company. As the result of a morning's work 274 two-year-olds and 130 three-year-olds were branded from Zapadni. While the main party was working on these seals, a few drivers were sent to Tolstoi hauling ground near by, and a small drive secured from that rookery. They were kept separate from the Zapadni seals, and after the latter were branded, work on tlie Tolstoi seals was begun. But a heavy rain began to fall about this time, and after branding 31 two-year-olds and 8 three-year-olds from Tolstoi the seals' fur became so saturated with water that the hot irons made no impression on it. We accordingly had to cease branding, and what remained of the Tolstoi drive of a killable size were knocked down and skinned. The branding apparatus and the skins taken, 33 in number, were left on the field, and brought in next day by the company's team. The only remaining hauling ground on the island was Northeast Point, and it was determined to secure the remainder of our quota of branded seal from that place. We were delayed in so doing by the rough weather, which made it impossible- to use our boats to take up SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 61 the branding outfit and the natives, and especially by the reports from the watchmen that only a meager supply of seals was there. Mr. Redpatli, the company's agent, objected to delaying the com- pany's business of taking seals at the point by the branding, but I had no other alternative, being still short over 300 seals of the quota of 800 three-year-olds. He then offered the use of the teams to take the gear to the point, hoping thereby to expedite the work of the company by disposing of the branding. On June 22 the watchmen at Northeast Point reported only 200 seals there. As we needed over 600 it was thought best to defer until more seals had hauled up. On June 23 only 200 were reported pres- ent. On June 24 no increase was reported, but it was determined not to wait longer and to go up and get what was there and to make another drive at that place if necessary to fill the branding quota. On June 24, therefore, with three teams, a start was made to North- east Point, and early the following morning a drive was secured. I was agreeably surprised to find nearly 1,000 seals in the drive instead of onl}' the 200 reported by the watchmen. On June 25 we commenced branding at 7.30 in the morning. It being a warm, dry day, by 10 a. m. the seals were so warm as to show exhaustion and to make it decidedly unwise to work them further. They accordingly were turned into a small lake to cool off and kept there until 3 p. m., when they were driven out. By 4 p. m. they were dry enough to be branded, and the work commenced and continued until 7 p. m., when a total of 292 two-year-olds and 326 three-year-olds had been branded, filling the quota of 800 of each class for this island. As an experiment, 45 four-year-olds were branded and 2 seven-year- old bulls from those of that class found in the drive. The necks of the bulls were so large in proportion to the size of their heads that much trouble was experienced in keeping the snares from slipping over their heads; but they were finally secured and branded, just to show what the gang could do. The four-year-olds were branded because they were of killable size and might, if not marked, be inadvertently clubbed during the season. After finishing branding I notified Mr. Allis, one of the company's agents, that I had branded the number of seals required of this island by the department, and that I would, therefore, turn over the business to the compan}^ to get what skins they could for their quota. As a small number of seals was still left in the drive after branding all that were necessary, such as were of Idllable size were clubbed and skinned and the pelts left on the ground till morning, to be then weighed and salted, it, being too late to do any more work that day. The next morning it was found that 141 skins had been secured the previous evening. The tabulated result of the branding operations on St, Paul follows : Date. Rookeries. 2 years. 3 years. 4 years. 1904. June 11 Reef 15 188 274 31 292 63 273 130 8 326 5 16 do 21 21 Tolstoi 2.5 Northeast Point 4.5 Total 800 800 50 62 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. METHODS USED IN BRANDING. The method of driving bachelors for branding was similar to that used in driving for skins. When the drive reached the appointed place small pods were successively cut out, as in clubbing. The detached pod was surrounded by men provided with poles about 7 feet long, at the end of which was a loop of rope, with both ends fastened to the pole. This noose of rope was passed over the head of the ani- mal and enough turns taken to twist it tight around the seal's neck. The animal was then dragged by means of the noose and pole away from the pod and its head held down securely by a long pole or yoke laid across its neck, the yoke held down by a man on either end. On many occasions, when the animal was especially large or vigorous, it was further secured by having its hind flippers grasped and held off the ground by an extra man, who also put a foot on either fore flipper, rendering the seal incapable of twisting its head clear from the yoke. The animal was then ready for branding, wliich was done by means of a red-hot iron bar, heated in a forge, passed quickly between the eyes to the back of the head, and then across the head forward of the ears, at right angles to the first brand, the whole mark resembling a letter T. BRANDING ON ST. GEORGE. On St. George, as reported by Agent Clark, branding was begun on June 7, when a drive of 17 seals was secured, out of which 8 three-year- olds and 1 two-year-old were branded. From this date the branding was continued by selections made from the drives. Hot irons were used. On the 21st of June rain was falling, rendering the use of the hot irons impossible. Some sheep shears in the possession of the com- pany were then tried for clipping the hair and fur, and, according to Maj . Clark, it was found that an effective mark could be made with the shears even more conspicuous than that made with the hot iron. It was found further that by the use of the shears the work of branding need not be delayed for wet weather, as they could be used with equal facility on wet as on dry seals. The branding on St. George subse- quent to June 21, therefore, was done with shears. The entire quota on St. George of 200 two-year-olds and 200 three-year-olds was obtained by July 2. The list of brandings on that island as reported to me follows : Dates. 3-year- olds. 2-year- olds. June 7 8 4 45 25 122 1 June 11 13 June 16 21 June 21 13 June 23 41 June 28 68 July 2 43 Total 204 200 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 63 DRIVES DURING BRANDING. During the period necessary to obtain the quota of branded seals two small drives were made from Tolstoi to furnish food.for the natives, from wiiich 119 skins were secured. On June 20, having obtained all the seals it was thought advisable to brand from the reef, the company- was authorized to make a drive for skins from that rookery, from which 247 skins were taken. The meat from the carcasses of seals killed on this drive was a welcome addition to the natives' supply of fresh meat, of which they had had but little since the vessel arrived. DRIVES MADE BY THE COMPANY. As soon as 'branding was finished the company began killing for skins, and killed as often during the summer as the numbers of bache- lors on the hauling grounds would justify. Since the 1st of June, 1904, up to and including July 31 following, 33 killings of bachelors were made, including the two on June 21 and 25 from drives made for branding. Of these June killings, however, one was made on Sea Lion Rock on June 4 by the Government officer to furnish food for the natives. As the company by its contract is not allowed to drive from that place, and as the two drives for branding mentioned were made also by direction of the Government agent, and can not, in justice, be charged to the company, it may be said that the company made 30 drives for skins on St. Paul during the period from June 1 to July 31. The company's killing season, however, actually did not commence on St. Paul until after June 25, on which date branding was finished. NUMBER OF FOOD DRIVES BY GOVERNMENT AGENTS. During the fall of 1903 and spring of 1904, 13 drives were made by the Government agent on St. Paul to supply food for the natives and the foxes. Adding to these the 2 killings from drives made for branding, and 1 drive made on August 9 for food during the stagey season, and a total is had of 16 drives under the "management of the Government officers on St. Paul. NUMBER OF SKINS TAKEN. During the drives on St. Paul by Government agents 2,586 skins were taken. During the drives made by the company 8,379 skins were taken, or a total of 10,965 skins taken on St. Paul since the close of the last season. Adding to this number 312 skins left on hand from previous seasons gives a final total of 11,277 skins in salt on arrival of the company's vessel on August 11, 1904. Of these, 11,132 skins were shipped from St. Paul Island, as evi- denced by the shipping receipt forwarded in ni}^ letter of August 13. This would leave 145 skins in the salt house to be applied toward the catch of next season. On St. George 1 skin was left in the salt house from the preceding season. From October 19, 1903, to May 31, 1904, there were 15 64 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. drives made for food by the Government agents, exclusive of 5 killings of 2 skins each by the watchmen at Zapadni. A total of 496 skins was thus secured, including the 1 skin left over. From June 1 to July 31, 1904, 22 drives were made by the company for skins, excluding one killing of 2 seals made at Zapadni for watchmen's food. A total of 1,500 skins was secured during the period allowed the company to kill. At the end of the season 1,996 skins were in salt on St. George, all of which were shipped by the lessee toward its quota of 2,000 for that island. WEIGHTS OF SKINS. On St. Paul Island all skins taken in every killing made since my arrival there this spring were weighed on the scales provided by the department, with the exception of 145 skins overlooked by the natives in gathering up the skins on the field for the purpose of weighing. A detailed summarv of the weights for St. Paul is appended, marked ''Exhibit 4." On St. George, as reported by Agent Clark, all skins taken after the 1st of June last were weighed. His list of weights, marked "Exhibit 16," is attached also. Agent Clark reports that the greatest care was exercised in keeping the weights within the limits specified by the department. A series of measurements was made by Mr. Chichester, showing the average length of a seal the skin of which weighed a given number of pounds. When doubt arose on St. George as to the eligibility of an animal, it was hauled out of the drive by a snare, measured, and killed or rejected as the measurement showed the skin to be within the acceptable class or otherwise. Notwithstanding these precautions, over 5 per cent of the skins taken on St. George, as reported to me by Agent Clark, were under the limit of 5^ pounds. On St. Paul, where sometimes two-thirds as many seals were handled in one day as were killed on St. George during the whole sum- mer, it was not feasible to measure seals or to delay the killing wliile the seal in question was under debate. Dependence was had solely in the judgment of the clubbers to select seals having skins over 5^ pounds. Of the 8,408 skins weighed on St. Paul, 634, or 7 per cent, were under 5^ pounds. These include the road skins, or skins of seals becoming exhausted on the drive and clubbed by the drivers before death in order to save the skins from overheating. They include also seals struck accidentally in clubbing and dispatched to avoid the risk of the animal's dying at sea from the effects of the chance blow. Of the 519 skins taken on St. Paul between 5 and 5^ pounds it may be said that they represent the impossibility of accurately determining in every instance the weight of a skin on a live seal to within a frac- tion of a pound. Note should be taken also of the different metliods of skinning prac- ticed by the native workmen. Some skinners shave the sldn to the very pelt, leaving no blubber adhering. Others leave more or less blubber on the skin, requiring, in some cases, the skin to be "blub- bered" or reflensed. A difference in weight of from an ounce to 2 pounds thus can be made in skinning. A clean 5-pound skin shows underweight, but had half a pound of blubber been left on it it would have been within the limit and its appearance remained unaltered. SEAL. ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 65 WET SKINS. The weight of a sealskin depends hirgely upon the amount of mois- ture present at the time of kilhng. A skin will absorb from half a pound to a pound of water. If the killing is done in a wet place, or in wet grass ^vith the rain falling, or if the animals are driven through water to cool them off, the skins will retain enough moisture to make the weights greater than if dry. On days when absolutely dry seals are killed the weights of the same sized skins will be lighter than on other days when moisture is present and the skins become wet. MEASURES TO AVOID UNDERSIZED SKINS. While I was cognizant of the fact that some skins of necessity must appear in the killings that were outside the prescribed limits, yet I thought it best, for a proper observance of the instructions, to bring to the notice of the clubbers on every kilhng the existence of the regu- lations and to request caution to avoid killing too small or too large seals. On June 29, owing to the presence of small sldns in the catch, I had a conference with the company's general agent, Mr. Redpath, in wliich I asked for instructions to the clubbers enjoining particular care in clubbing to avoid the killing of these smaller animals. These instructions were given cheerfully and in my presence. On July 19, subsequent to a drive made that day from the Reef and Gorbatch, when 76 per cent of the whole number of seals driven were killed and 14 per cent of the skins were either under or over the prescribed weights, I had another conference with Mr. Redpath. I showed him the table of weights compiled from those taken during the various drives made this summer and called liis attention to the number of undersized skins weighed. I stated that I was forced to protest against the presence of these skins in the killings, and had it in mind to make tlie protest in writing in order that a record of my action may be made. Mr. Redpath in reply expressed his surprise that that number of small skins was present and assured me that thereafter the greatest care in clubbing would be exercised. The next morning, in the Idlling from Zapadni, Mr. Redpath made a short but forceful speech to the clubbers, cautioning them to avoid killing any undersized seals at all hazards and instructing them, if there was any doubt as to the size of an animal, to allow the seal to escape. I have no hesitancy in stating that on that and subsequent killings seals were released which would have furnisJied 5^-pound pelts. On the 25th of July I had another talk with Mr. Redpath on the occasion of the appearance of 28 undersized skins in the killing from Zapadni. On this date I furnished liim with a detailed statement of the weights of skins taken since our conference of the 19th. He stated that it was impossible to avoid the killing of some seals in the pro- liibited classes without allowing the escape of a number of eligible seals, but that he would make every effort to keep the weights at the proper standard. He then took from the clubbing gang several young clubbers, leaving the clubs in the hands of old and experienced men only. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 5 66 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. These facts are not cited for the purpose of charging tlie company with any attempt to exceed the regulations, as notliing of that kind was done, but to show that, with all proper care taken, ineligible skins were unavoidably present. On St. Paul, to guard against the killing of 4-year-olds, I placed a limit of 8J to 9 pounds as the maximum weight of skins. Against this action Mr. Redpath, for the company, protested. During the season, however, 171 skins were taken over 9 pounds in weight, wMch is due, so far as I am able to say, to errors in judgment in clubbing and to the other causes which led to the presence of underweight skins in the killings. REJECTIONS FROM DRIVES. The true test, however, of the efficacy of the regulations designed to prevent too close killing is found in the record of seals dismissed as ineligible from the drives made on St. Paul since the time when the regulations were given effect. In order to insure as great accuracy as possible, Mr. Judge and I divided the work of counting the seals dismissed, he keeping a record of the branded seals turned away, wliile I took note of the number of those dismissed that were not branded. Our record of dismissals, therefore, is as nearly accurate as could be made. In 1903, when no restriction was placed on killing, there were 912 large and 1,185 small rejections. Of these small rejections only 723 were made during the lessee's sealing season, the remainder, 426, occurring during the two food drives made by the Government agents on August 4 and 10. During the period of killing by the lessee in 1903, therefore, its agents turned away only 723 small seals as ineligible. In 1904, after the enforcement of the regulations requiring brand- ing and the establishment of a 54-pound minimum limit of weight, there were 641 large dismissals, 4,794 small dismissals, and 1,888 dis- missals of branded seals. As the latter are composed of 2 and 3 year olds — immature seals — they may properly be added to the list of small rejections. There actually occurred, therefore, during the summer of 1904, 641 large and 6,682 small rejections on St. Paul. As only one food drive was made in August, 1904, on St. Paul, when 5 large and 302 small and 11 branded seals were dismissed, it will be seen that the greater portion of the rejections occurred during the lessee's sealing season and were turned away by its agents. The dismissals by the lessee's agents during the lessee's sealing seasons of 1903 and 1904 on St. Paul follow: Years. Ivarge. Small. 1903 884 636 723 1904 fi 3fia 1 The whole record of dismissals for the two seasons is as follows : Years . Large. Small. 1903 912 641 1,185 1904 6,682 SEAX. ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 67 The decrease in 1904 in large rejections is due to the lessened num- ber of that class of males on the hauling ground, caused by close killing. The increase in 1904 of 5,497 small dismissals over the pre- ceding year shows at a glance that the condition sought to be allevi- ated has been met. I regret to state that I have been unable to find among the otherwise complete statistics furnished me by Agent Clark of the season's work on St. George a list of seals dismissed. I have taken such steps as I was able, however, to have the data furnished this fall by Agent Judge. Note should be made in passing of the number of branded seals appearing in this summer's drives on St. Paul. The whole number branded on that island was 1,650, composed of 800 two-year-olds, 800 three-year-olds, and 50 four-year-olds. Of the rejections of branded seals, 1.320 were of the two-year class and 568 of the three-year class. Knowing that 800 of the two-year class were in existence, it would appear that there were 520, or 65 per cent, more rejections in that class than the whole number known to exist. Of the 800 three-year- olds branded, only 71 per cent of the whole number returned and were dismissed during the summer. As tliis is the first opportunity given to experiment Avith the percentage of return of a given number of seals, the information is interesting, and shows that the 2-year-old seals haul much more frequently than the 3-vear-olds. A number of wSt. George brands appeared in the drives on St. Paul. The St. Paul brands, as reported by Agents Clark and Chichester, were also present in some number on St. George. It was not thought to keep a record of these seals from the other island until late in the season. It would go to prove, however, that a greater fluctuation exists among bachelors than before supposed. WORK ON ROOKERIES. Counts of seals. — Agent Judge and I made as many intermediate counts of seals on the various rookeries as was possible during the summer, in addition to the regular counts of harems at the height of the season and the count of pups at the end of July. The harem count, which includes idle bulls, and mature young bulls giving ground on our approach, termed by us "quitters," as well as regular bulls occupied with cows, follows: Harems. Idle. Total idle. Total Kookeries. Sta- tioned. "Quit- ters." bulls. Lukanin 51 09 12 24 38 149 46 100 250 12 1.51 286 IS 454 21 40 72 7 6 7 3 2 1 3 14 9 2 6 7 20 8 10 35 1 15 32 1 40 4 6 22 65 78 Amphitheater 14 Ligoon 5 4 20 4 10 31 1 9 22 1 31 2 2 17 30 Tolstoi Clifls 45 Tolstoi 169 Zapadni Ueef 4 54 Little Zapadni 110 Zapadni 4 285 Gorbateh Cliffs : 13 Gorhatch r> 10 166 Reef 318 Ardiaiucn . 16 Northeast Point 9 4 5 494 Little I'olovina 25 Folovina Clifls 46 Polovina 94 Total 1,790 172 CO 232 2,022 68 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The number of idle bulls enumerated does not include "hauling- ground" bulls, or those young bulls found apart from the cows on the areas frequented by the bachelors. Some idea of this class of animals, constantly fluctuating in numbers, may be gathered by a reference to the number of large rejected seals marked in the statistics of kilUng for this year. This record of rejected seals does not contain an accu- rate count of all large seals found on the hauling grounds, as it is the object of the drivers to cut out or dismiss as many large seals as pos- sible between the time when the drive is made and the time it reaches the killing ground. An attempt was made by me this summer to classify the large rejected seals according to their ages. As the seals were turned from the killing ground to make their way back to the rookery, in addition to counting them I made as careful an estimate as I could of the ages of the large seals. As considerable difference of opinion has always existed regarding the ages of bulls and half bulls — and in fact bach- elors — the /classification made by me is given simply as my personal opinion of the ages of the large seals turned away. The table follows: Date. Rookeries. 4 years. 5 years. 6 years. 7 years. 8 years or over. 1904. Tolstoi 7 4 18 6 3 6 25 5 21 6 3 18 5 1 14 8 9 6 23 3 9 5 4 2 2 3 11 4 10 1 3 13 2 15 do 2 6 3 3 8 9 2 1 8 20 Reef .... 21 Tolstoi 25 2 26 27 Reef 29 July 1 2 Tolstoi 2 4 Reef 5 7 3 8 1 2 2 1 4 2 8 Tolstoi 2 7 2 10 2 5 6 9 Reef 4 11 Northeast Point... . 2 2 1 3 14 2 15 Reef 5 1 2 7 1 4 1 16 3 18 Tolstoi 19 Reef 20 4 12 3 6 8 2 6 4 12 4 5 2 1 3 22 Notheast Point 7 1 2 7 1 8 4 12 3 3 6 1 23 Tolstoi 25 i3 11 4 4 2 1 4 2 8 4 3 26 Reef and Gorbatch. 12 27 2 27 9 28 Tolstoi 2 29 1 30 5 7 2 1 31 6 Aug. 9 3 Total 224 156 128 80 53 While the question may be open to discussion whether a seal is 6 or 7 years old, there can be no doubt, at least in my mind, of the fact that the seals marked in the table above as being less than 8 years of age are young animals and not superannuated wrecks, too old to perform the necessary funtions in a harem. Counts of pups. — Beginning July 29, counts of pups were made on the rookery spaces where similar counts have been made for several years. The following table shows the counts so made, with those of 1903 inserted for purposes of comparison: SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 69 1903 1904 Per cent decrease of harems. Per cent Rookeries. Harems. Pups. Average harem. Harems. Pups. Average harem. decrease of pups. 74 26 44 44 52 15 56 57 31 24 85 22 2,350 1,202 1,786 1,320 1,540 575 2,453 2,855 993 1,067 4,472 690 2,923 515 31.75 48.53 40.59 30.00 29.61 38.33 43.80 50.08 32.03 44. 46 52. ()1 31. 36 " ".39.'6i' 69 24 38 46 40 15 51 48 19 21 72 12 12 2,147 1,084 1,571 1,091 1,412 565 2,020 2,312 831 941 3.691 481 2,705 458 31.11 45. 16 41.34 23.71 35.30 37.66 39.60 48.16 43.73 44.80 51.26 40.08 0.067 .076 .136 1.045 .23 0.086 .141 Tolstoi Cliff .12 Zapadni Reef .173 PoTovina Cliff .083 .017 .089 .157 .387 .125 .152 .454 .176 West side Northeast Point .19 East side Northeast Point .193 .118 Polovina .174 Gorbatch Cliff .302 Sea Lion Rock .074 Amphitheater. . . . 13 38. 16 .077 .110 Total.... 543 2-1,801 40.29 467 21,309 39.83 .1399 .149 ' Increase. The count of rookeries made from time to time during the season ^\'ill be found appended as Exhibit 7. DECREASE IN ROOKERY LIFE. Bulls. — The count of bulls this summer on St. Paul, as shown on page 16, was 2,022 bulls, consisting of 1,790 harem masters and 232 idle, while that of the previous season (1903) was 2,402 bulls — 1,984 harems ami 418 idle. Their comparison shows a decrease of 380 bulls of all classes, or 15.8 per cent, as well as a decrease of 194 harem masters^ or 9.7 per cent, and a decrease of 186 idle, or 44.5 per cent. Cows. — As shown by the preceding table, a decrease of 3,492 breeding cows, or 14.9 per cent, on the rookery space on which pups were counted has occurred since 1903 on St. Paul. Counts on St. George. — A summary of tiie counts of breetling bulls made on St. George this summer by Agents Clark and Chichester, as reported to me by Agent Clark, follows : Rookeries. Bulls. Harems. 128 50 21 18 39 56 Idle. North 141 67 24 19 53 70 13 East Cliffs 17 East Reef 3 Little East 1 Staraya Artel. . . 14 14 Total 374 312 62 Estimating 415 bulls — 364 harem masters and 51 idle bulls — on St. George in 1903, there would seem to be a decrease of 41 bulls there since that time. Pups on St. George.^ A\\ actual count of pups on that island in 1904 disclosed 13,583 pups — 13,312 live and 271 dead. By comparison with the count for 1903 — 14,582 live and 65 dead — a tlecrease of 1,064 breeding cows, or 7.2 per cent, is found. 70 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. CENSUS OF BREEDING COWS AND BULLS. The number of breeding seals on St. Paul Island in 1904, as deter- mined by the count of all the harems except those on Sea Lion Rock, where an estimate is made on the basis of the average harem of 39.83, and a count of pups on over one-fourth the rookery area (from which is determined the average harem, on which an estimate of seals on the remaining area was made), was 1,857 active and 232 idle bulls, and 74,002 adult females. On St. George an actual enumeration of all bulls and pups shows 312 active and 62 idle bulls and 13,583 cows. This gives a total for both islands of 2,169 bulls with harems, 294 adult idle bulls, and 87,585 breeding cows. COMPUTATION OF HALF BULLS. In estimating the number of lialf bulls existing, reference is had to the table of Idllings, which shows 588 rejections of seals under 8 years of age, consisting of 224 four-year-olds, 156 five-year-olds, 128 six- year-olds, and 80 seven-year-olds. The rejections of branded seals this year shows that the older the bachelor the less often he will visit the hauHng grounds. In the case of the branded 3-year-olds, not enough returned to the hauling grounds to make the number of sub- sequent rejections equal to the whole number branded. The actual number of rejections in this class was 568, or 71 per cent of the 800 branded. By this we know that in the 3-year-old class the whole number existant is greater than the whole number of rejections, even allowing that the same animal was driven twice in many cases. That the frequency with which young males visit the hauling grounds becomes less as the age of the animal increases is but natural, for as the animal finds an attraction in the female increasing with its age, it assuredly would devote more and more of its time to seeking her. In the case, therefore, of the 4, 5, 6, and 7 year old classes, it is safe to assume that a greater number than 30 per cent was not present on the hauling grounds at any time during the season when drives were made, and that the addition of at least 50 per cent to the number of rejections would be a conservative estimate of the number of that class of animals. This method of computation would increase the number of rejections of young bulls found on the hauling ground on St. Paul — 588 — to 882, as the whole number of that class present on that island. While I have not, at present, a list of the rejections for St. George, it would be safe to estimate the half bulls on that island at one-fifth of the number found on St. Paul, or 176. For the two islands, therefore, according to this method of estimation, we have 1,058 half bulls between the ages of 4 and 7 years, which is more than likely below the number actually in being. NUMBER OF BACHELORS AND VIRGIN COWS. In 1902 the census of breeding cows showed 94,882 to be present on both islands. The offspring of these females are presumed to be equally divided as regards sex. The pups born that year therefore would consist of 47,441 males and an equal number of females. Owing to their extreme youth and their inability to withstand the hardships of their migratory journey and the assaults of their natural enemies, a death rate of 50 per cent is accepted as occurring among SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 71 the pups from the time they leave the islands until they return the following year as yearlings. Assuming this condition to exist, there were, in 1903, 47,441 yearling seals, of which one half, or 23,720, were males and the remaining half females. These seals, having survived the vicissitudes of the winter's jour- ney and being inured to the hardships of the sea, were subject to a much smaller death rate during their migration as yearlings than they were as pups. This diminished death rate would be in the neighbor- hood of 30 per cent. Deducting 30 per cent from the number of year- lings in 1903 to allow for casualties at sea would bring 16,604 two- year-old cows and the same number of 2-year-old bachelors to the islands in 1904. As, approximately, 9,000 two-year-old bachelors were killed this summer by the company, there would be left, at the close of the sea- son of 1904, by this method of computation, 7,604 bachelor 2-year- olds and 16,604 two-year-old females. Account has been taken heretofore only of casualties at sea from natural causes. No deduction has been made for decrease from pelagic sealing. What allowance to make from this cause is mere conjecture. We know that, practically, 6,500 rejections of 2-year-old males occurred on the islands this summer. In the case of the 2-year-old branded rejects, the number of those turned away from the drives exceeded the whole number branded by 65 per cent. Applying this rule to the whole number turned away of the islands, the 6,500 dis- missals would represent practically 4,500 animals. If 7,604 two-year- old males were in being, as shown by the previous computation, it would mean that there were 3,000 of this class that did not haul on the islands at all, or were present on Sea Lion Rock, Otter Island, Zapadni Point, and the other isolated hauling grounds, from which no drives were made. While I know that seals were present on these places last mentioned, the fluctuation shown this summer among branded seals raises a doubt in my mind whether as many as 3,000 animals could avoid being driven at least once (hiring the season. To avoid overestimation, I would rather place this number not driven at all at 1,000, leaving the difference of 2,000 to be accounted for as having been destroyed by the sea hunters. If 2,000 is deducted from the previous estimate of the number of 2-year-old males, it must be taken also from the same estimate of the number of 2-year-old females (16,604), leaving 14,604 of that class in existence this summer. FINAL ESTIMATE OF 2-YEAR-OLDS, It is, therefore, estimated that 5,500 two-year-old males and 14,604 females of the same class were present this summer on the islands at the close of the sealing season. YEARLINGS PRESENT IN 1904. The census of 1903 showed 97,296 pups born. By the method of computation already used, one half, or 4S.64S, were males, and the other half females. "^ As tliey would be reckiced 50 per cent by their first winter's migration, 24,324 females and 24,324 males would return 72 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. to the islands in 1904 as yearlings, not counting the effects of j)elagic sealing. The latter cause, during this spring and summer, probably destroyed 3,000 of each class, leaving 21,324 yearling males and 21,324 yearling females remaining at the close of the summer of 1904. NUMBER OF 3- YEAR-OLD BACHELORS. One thousand of this class of animals were branded this summer on the islands. The killings on St. Paul this summer, as nearly as I can determine, contained 1,037 skins of 3-year-olds, or those above 7^ pounds and under 9 pounds. Approximately 200 were killed on vSt. George. There were, therefore, at least 2,200 three-year-olds handled this summer on both islands. The dismissals of branded 3-year-old seals show only 71 per cent of the whole number present in the drives. It would be proper, therefore, to increase the whole number found present by 30 per cent, or 660, making a total of 2,860 to represent the number of 3-year-olds present this summer. As 1,200 of these were killed, there would be 1 ,660 still in existence. SUMMARY OF SEAL LIFE. A summary of all seal life on the islands, at the close of the season of 1904, based upon such counts as were made, and the preceding calculations, show the following: Active bulls with harems 2, 169 Idle bulls 294 Half bulls 1, 058 Three-year-old bachelors 1, 660 Two-year-old bachelors 5, 500 Yearling bachelors 21, 324 Breeding cows 87, 585 Two-year-old cows 14, 604 Yearling cows 21, 324 Newborn pups 87, 585 Total 243, 103 SHRINKAGE IN ROOKERY SPACE. From the data given it will be seen that a decrease in pups born has occurred since last year of 8,647 on St. Paul and 1,064 on vSt. George, the first marked decrease in pups occurring in the census for several years. This decrease is not due to imperfect fertilization by bulls, but to an actual shrinkage in breeding females. This is apparent in the abandonment of certain portions of rookery space. This shrinkage has occurred on the extremities of the rookeries marked, leaving the central portions as densely populated as here- tofore. For example, that portion of Ketovi rookery consisting of bowlder beach from Black Bluffs to Ketovi Point last year contained 14 harems. This year it contained 4 harems, in all of which were 10 cows. These 4 harems were located immediately adjacent to the point. The remainder of the rooker}^ space mentioned was deserted. The north half of Lukanin rookery is practically deserted. The high soyth portion was as densely populated as heretofore, but that SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 73 portion under the low bluffs — a favored spot of observation for years past — contained only 5 straggling harems of 1 or 2 cows each. At the north end of tlie breeding area several harems of 10 and 12 cows each occurred, but in the whole area mentioned the absence of cows was sadly apparent. On tlie occasion of the landing of freight and passengers from the Thetis on July 27 — the first vessel to visit the islands since the spring trip of the Kruger — it was not safe to take the boat back to East Landing. It was therefore brought around to Lukanin, and landed under the low bluffs mentioned, without disturbing a seal, where sev- eral years ago a succession of thriving families would have been found. Gorbatch Cliffs is the narrow, outlying north end of Gorbatch rook- ery. This summer there were 12 harems there at the height of the season, and 481 pups. Last summer there were 22 harems and 690 pups, showing that a decrease of 30 per cent in cows occurred there. The east side of Northeast Point, from No. 1 to and including Sea Lion Neck, to a mere observer, showed a decided shrinkage in seals. In 1903, 31 harems and 989 pups were counted here. In 1904 only 19 harems were found, and 831 pups. In this case the diminution in harems is more pronounced than in other localities. In 1903 the average harem in this space was 31 + , while in 1904 it was 43 + . On the west side of Northeast Point a most visible shrinkage was noted, the area from the extreme west end to No. 94 being without any seals whatever. The average harem on the west side to No. 84 in 1904 was 48 + , as against 50+ in 1903. Here the decrease in cows was greater than in bulls, hence the lowering of the average harem. It is probable that in several years there will be no seals east of Sea Lion Neck at Northeast Point. These instances, typical in their character, show that by no means the same number of cow^s was present in 1904 as in 1903, and that the decrease in pups noted on St. Paul Island occiuTed from a lack of adult females and not from a failure on the part of bidls last season to impregnate the cows. Had the latter been the case the same number of cows would have been noted, and the first evidence of diminution would have been met with in the count of pups. But the decided visible contraction in space occupied by cows this year shows that a much smaller number of cows was present, and that to this fact alone must be laid the absence of the usual number of pups. PRESENCE OF IDLE BULLS. With the decrease in adult bulls on all the rookeries of 382, or 15.8 per cent, from the number present last year, there were still 232 bulls on the rookeries this year that had no cows at the height of the season out of the 2,022 present, or 11 per cent. These were not superannu- ated bulls, "impotent and somnolent," as they have been stigmatized, but active bulls, eager for the cows that did not come, and much more aggressive and fierce than the bulls which had secured large harems and which had been doing duty as harem masters since the arrival of the females. Our observations have led us to believe that bulls will return to the same position from year to year. If these positions are on rookery areas which are frequented by cows, the bulls occupying them will have large harems. If, on the other hand, the bulls chance to have 74 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. selected spots more or less deserted by cows, their harems will be small or they will have no harems at all. These positions are held by the bulls until at least the height of the season, even if they have been without cows. Then they probably leave their stations for a few days in the water, during which they rest and feed, to return, and, if possible, pick up a harem from the virgin cows and the broken-up harems of other bulls. By the 15th of August the rookeries may be said to be abandoned to these idle bulls, which, even at that late date, show con- siderable energy in the discharge of their duties as breeders. DIMINUTION GREATER AMONG COWS. On the rookery space on St. Paul on which pups were counted as well as bulls and harems — and from the count of which the average harem was established — the decrease in harems was found to be 13.99 per cent, while the decrease in pups was 14.9 per cent. This demon- strates that in this area there was 1 per cent greater decrease in cows than in bulls, with a result of decreasing the average harem from 40.29 in 1903 to 39.83 in 1904. The census of breeding cows for the whole island of St. Paul — using the average harem for estimation on the large rookeries where no count of pups could be made — shows 74,002 cows in 1904 as against 82,649 for 1903, a decrease of 8,647 cows, or only 10.4 per cent. As this whole census, however, involves the ele- ment of estimation noted, the percentage of decrease, obtained from its comparison with the census of the previous year, should, in my judgment, defer to the percentage obtained from an actual count only. CAUSE OF DECREASE IN COWS. As before shown, the diminution in pups was not caused by any insufficiency of adult male life, and that it must be laid to a lessened number of cows present. As absolutely no evidence of an epidemic or unusual death rate among cows or pups was found, the cause must be sought in the onl}'' remaining factor destructive to the herds, namely, pelagic sealing. While I have no means of determining with accuracy what was the catch of the Canadian and Japanese sealing fleets last season and this spring, I am inclined to believe that during those periods their activity in connection with the Pribilof lierd was unusually destructive. If the exact figures of the pelagic catch for the last two seasons could be obtained they would probably show an unusual mortality among seals. FIGHTING AMONG BULLS. During the period of my observations of the islands I have never been able to reconcile existing relations between adult bulls to the statements in the early reports of incessant and deadly fighting among them. The reader of these reports would be led to believe that the landing of an. adult bull is the occasion of desperate fighting between himself and the bulls already stationed, or those coming later; that he must rout other bulls to make place for himself, and, after having obtained this location, he must constantly repel invaders seeldng to land and possess themselves of his preemption. SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 75 While seals were not present in nearly the same numbers during the period of my stay on the islands as they were in the time of the Alaska Commerciaf Co.'s lease, they occupied a much smaller space dur- ing my time than they did when there were thousands more present. Within this smaller area their actions must have been practically the same as they were when there was a greater number present and the space cov^-ed by them was much larger. My observation has been that the first bull to arrive laid down on the spot where he landed and immediately went to sleep, and slept continuously for a week or more unless disturbed by man. If sur- prised by the latter, the bull generally retreated hastily into the water, swimming out a hundred yards from shore, and there waiting until the departure of the disturbing element, when it would return and haul up at the same spot. This occurs in the cases of all early arrivals. While on St. George, in the spring of 1901, I noted one bull that took up his station on top of a sheet of soft ice several feet thick, formed by surf spray splashing over snow, beneath which was a table of lava rock. The bull at once went to sleep, and continued sleeping until the heat of his body had melted the ice beneath him to the solid rock, leaving him in a shallow pit, the sides of which were from 2 to 3 feet high. This shows that the bull had not moved from his original position for some days at least. The other bulls arriving take up their positions among the bulls already there, there being generally enough space between them to allow for another without crowding or disturbance of vested rights. As indicated before, the bulls on first arrival are usually wary and timid, and instead of looking for a fight will slip into the water when alarmed by the approach of man. After being on shore awhile the bulls lose the timidity shown at their landing, and, while hard fighting is not a usual thing to be seen among them, a bull may be noted here and there with a cut hide, the compli- ments of a surly neighbor. But even after the greater number of bulls is stationed, a new bull occasionally can haul up among them, take a favored spot, and meet with little or no opposition. The following quotation from my notes of June 9, 1900, will illustrate this fact: Lukanin perfectly quiet when I approached. Two bulls finning close to shore. One lands, and is savagely attacked by five bulls at once and literally thrown back into the water. He resumed his finning. The incident started a roaring here and there, being taken up by others in the distance, just as the howling of a dog at night is answered by another canine a mile away. It started 10 or 12 bulls to bluffing, but no fighting, and all was quiet in three minutes. The other bull in the water landed while I was counting. He waddled leisurely up among the other bulls and calmly took up a position in their midst. He was challenged by but one bull and met the bluff in a leisurely way without coming to blows. Shaking his mane, he settled himself — resting on his fore flippers — and gazed out at the sea. He soon starts to bluffing his nearest neighbor on his own account. He is large and fat, and e\adently an accomplished beachmaster. It can thus be seen that of these two bulls one landed without ques- tion while the other was repulsed. The latter was probably a young bull. It may be said of these young bulls, or those seeking positions on the rookeries for the first time, that they are subjected to nauch rougher treatment than the older bulls give each other. This is natural, for the young ones lack the courage and assurance necessary to breast up to a rival and make a bold showing, which is really half the battle between bulls. On the contrary, the 3^ounger upon being 76 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. challenged generally turns to retreat or loses his courage and lowers his guard after the other has taken a nip at him. He is then, of course, an easy victim and is severely handled before he reaches the winter or fights back with the desperation of the frightened animal. The timorous landing of a young bull on the water's edge is a signal for the bulls in that vicinity to rush at him, some even following him into the water in his hasty flight. These younger bulls usually land at one or the other ends of a rookery and travel along its rear to the portion of the rookery having the greatest number of cows, where they station themselves far enough back to be out of range of the nearest harem. If the youngster's bravery is equal to it, he will approach near enough to be set upon by the nearest bull, from which encounter he will probably retire with more than one bloody gash in his sleek coat. Sometimes a young bull, either through fright at the approach of man or pther cause, is stampeded, and seeks the water by plunging through the rookery. His coming is a signal for the bulls in his neigh- borhood to gather in a common cause to repel the invader. The latter is set upon by two or three bulls at once, and does not reach the water without a terrific mauling, if he is not killed outright. It is not intended to intimate that these adult bulls pass an entire summer witliout friction between each other or without — in certain cases, at least — serious conflicts. It is simply desired to demonstrate that fighting is not an immediate and necessary consequence of the arriv 1 of these bulls on the islands. While these old males sleep dur- ing tjie greater portion of their time before the arrival of the cows, more or less irritation occurs as the rookery s])ace is filled up and the bulls are brought closer together. This usually finds a vent in bluff- ing, or approaching each other and, just beyond reach, making a feint by striking with the head and emitting several loud "coughs" in the nature of battle cries. These are either treated with uncon- cern by the one on the defensive or answered in kind. Occasionally they come together, but after a bite or two at each other in which fur is pulled out, and perhaps a gasli made, each retires to his position and very likely soon go6s to sleep jigain. A desperate battle sometimes occurs, but is distinctly the exception rather than the rule. Then the teeth are locked in the neck or fore flipper, and the animal having the advantage of superior strength or position "breasts" the other one, seeking to push him over and thus take him at a disadvantage. This sometimes results in a draw, and sometimes in tlie defeat of one, who probably is driven to the water line and leaves the rookery to haul up somewhere else if his wounds are not serious. Very rarely, by reason of some special animosity, bulls keep up a fight for hours. Last summer, on Lukanin, I noted two fine bulls that were covered with wounds when I first saw them, and so ex- hausted and sore that moving about seemed a torture. Yet every few seconds one or the other, with a puff of rage, would make a lightning like pass at his antagonist seeking to get another piece of flesh from him. Both had high courage, and both had fought to a standstill. One of these bulls was so badly injured that, while he did not quit the position he held on the rookery, it was not until a month afterwards that his wounds allowed him any freedom of movement. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 77 While the above incident is extreme as representing the fighting between bulls, yet at one time or another during the summer prob- ably every bull on the rookeries has some disagreement Math his neighbor that leaves its mark, either superficial or otherwise, on his hide. The cows of course are the disturbing element on the rookeries, and the height of the breeding season shows the greatest amount of fighting among the males. PRESENCE OF YOUNG BULLS APPARENT. Among the bulls regularly stationed on the rookeries there was a fair proportion of yo'ung adult males. It was my purpose to make a canvass of the rookeries for the express purpose of judging the age of each bull present, but after attempting it I was obliged to give it up because of the amount of conjecture involved in classifying middle- aged bulls. From my examination, however, I can sa}^ with assurance that all bulls stationed vv'ere vigorous and virile. Probably 4 per cent of them showed signs of being advanced in years, but even these had harems and were as assiduous in discharging their duties as heads of families as any others. The greatest portion of tlie bulls were of middle age, in the lusty prime of their maturity. Young bulls were present at all times — on the rookeries with cows, back of the rookeries, waiting for cows, and on the bachelors' hauling grounds where they rest after futile attempts to secure a station on a rookery. The bulls present last summer were of the best quality, and as a class as good as could be found on the rookeries five years ago when the idle bulls present made it perilous to count the seals. YEARLINGS IN DRIVES. Special attention was paid by me to the presence of yearlings in drives. The first seen was on June 28 in a drive from Za])adm. It was so small tliat it M^as killed to determine its weight. It was a male and weighed only 26 J pounds. It, undoubtedly, was a small example of its class. It was saved for a specimen, and the weight of its skin could not be taken. On July 1 there were 3 yearling seals in the drives at Northeast Point. One of them, a typical specimen, was knocked down at my direction to ascertain the weight of the skin. It was found to be a female. The carcass before sticking weighed 34 pounds, and the skin taken ofi^ hurriedly, with considerable loose blubber adhering, weighed 4} ]>ounds. The removal of this loose blubber left the skin weighing onh' 3| pounds. While no further effort was made to determine the weight of year- ling skins, tliis instance shows that the skins of this class of animals are far below the hmit of weight now prescribed by the department, and are too small to have appeared in the company's catch at any time, except by an accident in clubbing. On July 5, at Zapadni, 5 yearlings appeared in the drive. On July 25, at Zapadni, several yearlings were noted while kilhng. As the season reached its close more of these yearhngs were noted, but it was not possible to enumerate them, in addition to segregating the 2-year- 78 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. olds, branded seals, and half bulls. On the last drive made, on August 9, for food, a larger number of these yearlings was seen than at any time heretofore, and among them was a sprinkling of very small cows, undoubtedly yearlings also. These young animals ap])eared in such small numbers, however, during the killing season, with the exception of the last few drives, that the company's catch would have been augmented but slightly had all been killed. ABSENCE OF COWS IN DRIVES. The comparatively few cows in the drives this year was a matter of note by myself and Agent Judge. On the last drive of the season, August 9, 25 cows were seen. On the drive made on August 10, 1903, 179 cows were counted. During tlie preceding drives this season, the cows found in the drives of bachelors were unusually few. Why this was the case I am unable to state definitely, but my belief is that the bachelors, this year, hauled so far apart from the cows that few of the latter were picked up when the drives were started. PELAGIC SEALING AND PATROL. The patrol tliis summer by the revenue cutter McCulloch has been as thorough as it was possible to be made with one vessel. During the patrolling season the cutter called a number of times at the island and a number of times besides was sighted cruising. Capt. Hodgers, of the McCulloch, is entitled to his full measure of commendation for the vigorous manner in wliich the patrol was maintained. Only one instance of pelagic sealing came under our notice on St. Paul this summer. On August 13, wliile the company's vessel was about to leave the village for Northeast Point to sliip the skins in salt there, a telephone message was received from the watchmen at North- east Point reporting the presence of a schooner there, about half a mile from shore. Mr. Judge at once went on board the company's vessel, taking with him a revenue flag, wliich he requested the captain of the Kruger to hoist and pursue the marauder. The company's agent, Mr. Redpath, however, refused to take this action, on the ground that it would result in a forfeiture of the insurance on the ves- sel. Mr. Judge made the trip to the point on the Kruger, and, on arriving there, coidd barely make out the schooner with glasses, sail- ing to the northeastward. A patrol of the rookery failed to show any evidence of landing. That evening the cutter McCulloch anchored on the east side. As the natives were all on board the Kruger, or in boats landing her cargo on the west side, I could not take a boat out. I therefore hoisted code signals to inform the cutter of the schooner's approach that morning. I was unable to attract the attention of the cutter, how- ever, for nearly an hour, during wliich time I fired a number of shots from a rifle to call attention to the signals. When I finally did get an answer it was nearly dark, and after I had hoisted my second set the officers of the cutter replied that my flags could not be made out. The next morning, after boarding the Kruger several miles from the island and learning from her of the schooner's proximity, the cutter SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 79 steamed to the northward, presumably in search of the marauder. I learn that no schooner was encountered, and that the cutter's officers were inclined to doubt the fact that a seahng vessel was present. On September 16 I patrolled Ketovi and Lukanin rookeries, looking for a dead seal w^th a skin that might be used in experiments to arrive at a suitable clipping device for marking bachelors. I found no dead adult seals. I counted, however, on Ketovi alone 12 pups dead from starvation, each being emaciated to the last degree and exliibiting the tarry faeces incident to death from that cause. I could see also among the live pups a number of starvelings. On the nortli end of Ketovi I found five starving pups together in a little pod back from the beach. They were all lean and wasted, but particularly vicious when handled. Two of them, more vigorous than the others, rushed for the water. The others remained and, soon becoming oblivious to our presence, sat \vdth half-closed eyes, their noses held high and their heads slowly moving from side to side. One of them, hardly able to move, was dispatched at my direction and the skin preserved. I found the organs in tliis animal to be normal, except that the lungs were partially congested. The stomach and intestines were empty, the lower intestine only containing a liighly ofl'ensive matter, nearly black in color. The carcass was without fat. These pups die among the loose rocks of the rookery and can be found only on close search. The finding of 12 dead and at least as many star\ang on one rookery in my hasty examination would indi- cate that the mortality from pelagic sealing tliis summer has been quite large and that a correspondingh^ large death rate among pups from starvation this fall will be encountered. EXPERIMENTS IN WEIGHTS OF SALTED SKINS. In connection with the weigliing of individual sldns on the killing field, it was thought wise to determine whether or not skins gained or lost weight after being salted. Should any discrepancy of this kind occur, the weights of these skins in London would not coincide with those taken on the islands. On July 17, 107 skins taken at Tolstoi were weighed individually, and, after being immersed in salt water to keep them moist during the journey from the field to the salt house, were salted. Their aggregate w^eight on the field before wetting was 705 pounds. On July 23 they were taken out of salt and reweighed, when their aggregate weight was 759| pounds, a gain of 54h pounds on 107 sldns, or h pound a skin. As the salt was thorouglily shaken off these skins, the accretion of water from dipping them in the lagoon may be represented by the gain in weight. On July 26 I weighed 100 skins, nearly dry, on a platform scales at the salt house, finding them to weigh 644^ pounds. The}^ were then salted. On July 30 they were hauled out of salt and reweighed, when their combined weight was 643^ pounds, a loss of 1 poimd on 100 skins. These may be taken as t3^pical to show the effect of salt and v/ater upon skins. I was not able to experiment with perfectly dry skins after the date mentioned, but I believe the latter will show a slight loss of weight after being in salt for a period. 80 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. BRANDING MACHINES. The clipping machine, sent to this island to be used for marking the bachelor seals reserved for breeding, arrived here by the Thetis on July 27, a month after the quota of seals to be branded on tliis island was obtained. I was not able to test it until July 30, when a drive was made from the reef — in a pouring rain. The seals rejected from this drive were herded together, and, a,fter the killing was over and the skins wei^licd, several young bachelors were snared from the band of rejects and brought up to be clipped. The clipping machine, I regiet to state, was found to be not a suc- cess on wet seals. The fur of the animal was thoroughly moist and laid down flat on the seal's body. When the clipper was applied it was able to take off only a few stray hairs, leaving no nuirk whatever of its use. After being tried at varying rates of speed it was jammed down hard into the animal's fur, so that the teeth of the cHpper could be filled. The result was to cramp the plates, breaking oif four teeth from the lower plate and pulling out a line of hair and fur the wdtli of the clipper blade. After testing it in every possible manner it was proved to be of no value in marking wet seals. To determine its capabilities under more favorable conditions, on September 16 1 drove up a few dry seals on Zoltoi and used the clip- per on them. The result was little, if anyj better than that of the former trial. On the first animal secured I worked four minutes before I could get OiT of its head enough hair and fur to make a. mark faintly per- ceptible to a "clubber." This was not clipped off regularly, as would be done in the case of a horse or a dog, but was gouged out in small bunches by the corner of the clipper, after it had cramped on the mass of fur. At the end of the four minutes, with only an indistinct mark made, I found that the seal under experiment was nearly strangled from being held down by the bar of wood laid across its neck to keep its head steady. It was released at once, and, after about two minutes of gasping, recovered and made its way to the water, apparently none the worse for being choked. Had I prolonged the experiment, how- ever, sufficiently to have made a satisfactory mark on its head — if even it were possible to make a satisfactory mark at all — the seal would have been dead from strangulation. Another seal was then secured and held down just long enough to prevent its being choked into insensibility. In that time I was not able to get off enough fur to make any perceptible mark on its head. These trials were sufiicient to determine, to my mind, the fact that the methods used in clipping domestic animals having hair of ordi- nary thickness are of no value when used on the thick fur and hair of the fur seal. I learned recently that during the time of the Alaska Commercial Co.'s lease, when pups were killed for food and pup skins were quite common on the islands, a number of attempts were made to dress pup skins by clipping off the long hair with ordinary hair clippers worked by hand. I understand that none of these attempts were successful, and that every pair of clippers used was wrecked by hav- ing its teeth broken off while they were clogged in the thick fur. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 81 The hair and fur of the seal are exceptionally close and thick and seem to form a mass between the thin teeth of the clippers, which the latter are not strong enough to cut through. To make the machine a success it will be necessary to have constructed specially made clip- pers with teeth short and thick on both upper and lower plates. In order that the department, if it wishes, may carry the experi- ment further, I send with this mail an air-dried pup skin, which, it is suggested, might be sent to the manufacturers of the clipping machine with a request for information whether they have in stock or can construct a set of plates for clippers that will cut through both the hair and fur on the skin submitted. I feel sure that clippers can be made to meet the requirements of this case. It must be remembered that the skin on the live seal is not rigid, such as is the dried specimen submitted, and that on the live animal the skin will pull and wrinkle before the clippers, making it difficult for them to get a satisfactory ''bits" on the hair. CLIPPING SEALS ON ST. GEORGE. On St. George this summer, finding that wet seals could not l)e branded with a hot iron, a couple of ordinary sheep shears that were on the station were used on the wet fur to good advantage. The irons afterwards were discarded and the sheep shears used to mark the remainder of the quota on St. George. Messrs. Clark and Chichester both speak with favor concerning their use. PROTESTS FROM THE COMPANY. While the North American Commercial Co. complied in every particular this summer with the regulations of the department, I received from its officers several protests against the department's action in restricting the catch of the company. Upon receipt of 3^our letter of May 12 last, prescribing a 5^-pound limit on 2-year-old skins, I notified Mr. Taylor, the president of the company, of the contents of the letter. He at once entered a vigorous protest. Upon nw informing him that I had no option in the matter, he appealed directly to the department, and held the company's ves- sel in Sausalito for half a day until the receipt of the department's reply. With that matter, however, you are familiar. Upon arrival at the islands, while discussing the coming season's work with Mr. Redpath, the company's general agent, I mentioned the prohibition against the Idlling of 4-year-olds, and stated that, to give effect to this prohibition, I would place a limit on large skins of from 8^ to 9 pounds. Mr. Redpath at once expressed surprise at the existence of this prohibition and entered a vigorous protest against any interference with the killing of 4-year-olds. He produced a copy of the department's instructions to me and quoted from the clause relating to the restriction of killing in support of his argument. The exact language of that portion of the instructions is as follows: ''No seals shall be taken that are over 4 years of age." Mr. Redpath claimed that a seal could not be over 4 years old without bemg at least 5 years of age; that the phraseology of the instructions could have but one meaning, which was to prohibit the killing of seals 5 years old and over and to allow the killing of 4-year- 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 6 82 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. qlds. He insisted, tl;ierefore, that my ipjunction against killing 4- vearTolds was beyond the scope of the department's instructions, and therefore arbitrary and unjustifiable. I replied that, while there might be a seeming ambiguity in the language of the instructions on this point, I v/as perfectly convinced of the intention of the department to prevent the killing of 4-year- olds. I based this conviction on a knowledge of the department's policy outlined last winter before the Committee on Ways and Means. In fact, I had in my possession a letter from yourself, stating tha,t it was the intention of the department to ''prohibit the kilhng of 4-yeAr- olds." I was sure, therefore, that the restriction was not on my personal responsibility, and therefore arbitrary and unjustifiable, but in strict accord with the wish of the department. I stated, further, that the animals mentioned in the instructions as ''seals over 4 years of age" were simply animals that had reached and passed the 4-year point, and were, therefore, "over" that age. J pointed out to him that a person who had, for instance, reached his twenty-eighth birthday would be "over" that age the number of succeeding days he lived following that birthday until he reached his twenty-ninth. It was also plain, by inference, that 4-year-olds were to be exempted from killing by the fact that it would be useless to save 2 and 3 year olds by branding, only to have them killed when they returned to the islands as 4-year-olds. Mr. Redpath replied that he was convinced that I was making a wrong interpretation of the department's instructions, and that he considered such action arbitrary and liighly injurious to the interests of the company. I offered to reduce the matter to writing in the form of a letter to him, to which he could make a formal protest to the department, if he so desired, but he declined, and the argument closed. In this connection I desire to request, if it is the wish of the depart- ment to prohibit the killing of 4-year-old males, as I understand it is, and should be, that a maximum limit of 8^ pounds be placed on the skins to be taken hereafter. This, in my judgment, includes all, or nearly all, the 3-year-olds, but leaves the 4-year-olds practically untouched. VITAL STATISTICS OF NATIVE POPULATION. The general health of the native population during the year ended June 30, 1904, has been good. On St. Paul 4 deaths and 7 births occurred during that period; on St. George 3 deaths and 6 births occurred. On June 30, 1904, on St. Paul there were 161 natives actually resi- dent, 80 males and 81 females, an increase of 2 over the preceding year. On St. George, on the same date, there were 95 actual residents, 48 males and 47 females, an increase of 3 during the year. The native population on the two islands on June 30, 1904, was 256, composed of 128 males and 128 females. DIVISION OF natives' EARNINGS. On St. Paul, S5,566 was received by the natives at the close of the season of 1904 as their compensation for securing 11,132 sealskins (the number shipped from that island), at 50 cents each. Credits amounting to this sum were divided among them according to their classifications as sealers, and will be expended for their maintenance SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 83 on orders issued by the Government agent. The division of their earnings will be found appended as an exhibit hereto. On St. George, $998 was earned by the natives for taking 1,996 sealskins for the North American Commercial Co. during the past season, and $2,370 for taking 471 blue-fox skins, at $5 a skin, and 15 wiiite-fox skins, at $1 a skin, their total earnings from these sources, as above stated, being $3,368. This amount has been divided according to the statements of division furnished by Agent Clark, hereto appended also as exhibit. APPORTIONMENT OF GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATION. The appropriation of $19,500, made by the Government for the support of the seal-island natives, after deducting $3,500 to pay for coal to be delivered on the islands in the spring of 1905, was appor- tioned between the two islands by allowing St. Paul $9,750 and St. George $6,250. This will be disbursed during the commg winter and spring on orders by the Government agents for food, fuel, and clothing, and in extreme cases for other necessaries of life. DEPORTATION FROM ISLANDS. Upon my arrival at St. Paul this spring I was furnished by Agent Chichester with information of an attempt on his life by Alexander Melovidoff, a native of that island, while the latter was resisting arrest by Mr. Chichester for having committed an alleged assault with a knife upon another native. I immediately called the native in question, with the witnesses, to the Government house and held a hearing. It was developed in the examination that on the night of February 22, 1904, Mr. Chichester was called upon to arrest Alexander Melovi- doff for an alleged assault with a knife on Jacob Kochutm. After finding his man Mr. Chichester, with the assistance of a native, put him in jail, not mtliout a struggle. The prisoner then broke out of the jail and went at once to his home, where he loaded his double- barreled shotgun and placed himself in a dark corner where he could command the door, threatening to shoot Mr. Chichester when the latter should come to rearrest him. The gun, however, was wrested from Melovidoff by his wife and another woman after a desperate struggle, and when Mr. Chichester appeared he was able to handcuff the prisoner and place him in jail. The showing made at the hearing was such that I felt it fitting to order Melo^'idoff to leave the islands, which he did on the company's vessel Kruger, going to Unalaska. company's expenditure under LEASE. Complying with that portion of department's instructions to me which directs me to ascertain from the company and report the amounts of its expenditures for the supjjort of widows and orphans, aged and inlirni on the islands, for maintenance of schools, houses of worsliip, physicians and medical supplies, and native dwellings, under the appropriate provisions of its contract with the Government, I made the request, while in San Francisco, of Mr. Taylor, the presi- dent of the company, for suitable instructions to the company's agents on the islands to furnish me with the statistics desired. He ajrreed to do so. 84 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. On August 10 I requested this information of Mr. Redpath, and on August 12 received a letter from Mm inclosing a statement of expenditures for the items in question, with a verbal statement that the amounts were expended during the company's fiscal year — ending May 31 — and that it was not feasible, in the short time given, to pre- pare the statement to cover the fiscal year ending June 30, A request is made in the letter of Mr. Eedpath that the information therein given be considered confidential. Maj. Clark obtained also and forwarded to me a statement of similar expenditures on St. George. A summary of these expenditures, as furnished me, follows : St. Paul— year ended May 31, 1904: For widows and oi-phans $1, 943. 35 For physicians and medical supplies 2, 373. 86 For repairs to native dwellings 49. 42 For teachers and school supplies 2, 179. 85 Total 6, 546. 48 St. George — year ended June 30, 1904: For widows and orphans 946. 98 For physicians and medical supplies 1, 767. 58 For repairs to native dwellings '. 5. 00 For teachers and school supplies 1, 340. 13 Total 4, 059. 69 As can be seen, the statement for St. George covers the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904. The number of indigents supported by the com- pany on St. Paul, as stated in the company's communication, is 8 widows, 2 spinsters, and 20 orphans. Of the 20 orphans, 10 have been adopted into families of sealers and receive only clothing from the com- pany. On St. George, according to the statement of Agent Clark, the average number of persons supported by the company under this clause of its contract is 13. The company's statement of these expenditures on St. Paul is at- tached as an exhibit. The communications received from Agent Clark on the subject are submitted also. Attention is called to the fact that on St. Paul a charge is made of $13 a week each for board of physician and school-teacher, while on St. George a charge of only $7 a week each for these employees is made. The reason for this difference in these charges is not known. The Russian Church edifices on these islands were, I understand, built by funds contributed by the natives and have never been an item of expense to the company. FOXES. On St. George, during the last winter, 486 blue foxes and 15 white foxes were taken in house and box traps. Agent Clark reports that the apparent condition of the fox herd on that island is favorable. It will be observed that while $2,370 was received on St. George for taking fox skins only $998 was earned by those natives for tak- ing seals. These figures form a striking commentary on the value of preserving and cultivating the fox herd on St. George, and, as well, on the minor part played by the seal herd in furnishing subsistence to the natives of that island. On St. Paul, last winter, the natives were allowed to trap foxes for one week, during which the}^ were able to take only 15 blue and 5 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 85 white foxes. The trapping party at Northeast Point during that week caught only one fox, a wliite one. The foxes sent from the Semedi Islands at the instance of Mr. Byron Andrews, in exchange for an equal number sent from St. George, arrived at Dutch Harbor just after the company's vessel left for the islands on her second spring trip. They were required to wait at Dutch Harbor, therefore, nearly a month, or until the arrival of the company's vessel from San Francisco, on her last trip, during which time all but five died. Three of these died on the vessel before reach- ing St. Paul, and the remaining two were set at Uberfcy on that island. What proportion of the St. George foxes survived the journey to the Semedis is not known, but the transaction, I am sure, was a losing one for the Pribilofs. SEALS FOR BROOKLYN MUSEUM, In our visits to the various rookeries on the island, Mr. Judge and I picked up, from time to time during the summer, such dead seals as we found having skins suitable for museum purposes, and brought them to the village, to be sent to the museum of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, under the permission contained in your letter of May 12 last. In the height of the season's work no attention was paid to the number of carcasses thus brought in, but at the end of the season I was informed by the native making the specimens that he had 10 skins in salt and ready for shipment. The list he furnished me was as follows : One large buU, two half buUs, two j^oung males, two adult females, three black pups. The large buU and one of the half bulls died of exhaustion in drives made from the Reef and Northeast Point, respectively. The other half bull was found dead on the tundra several days after a drive from Tolstoi. The two young males were found dead by us on Ketovi while we were counting pups on that rookery. Both had their skulls crushed. While the idea seems improbable, the only explanation of their presence to be arrived at was that a landing had been made on the rookery by some outsiders and these seals kiUed by them. An undeveloped fetus, probably 8 months old, was found near the same place also with its skull crushed. These facts were at once re- ported to the captain of the McCuUoch, then lying at anchor off the island. The three black pups, dead from natural causes, were also found on this occasion. One of the cows was found on Zapadni Reef by Mr. Judge, having died in giving birth to her pup, as evidenced by the uterus turned inside out and protruding. Another cow, dead from the same cause and exhibiting the same evidence of death, was found on July 29, on Tolstoi Cliffs, while we were counting pups. All of these sldns, with the exception of the black pups, were offered to the agent of the company, Mr. Redpath, who refused to accept them as part of the company's quota. This list, as will be noted, was four in excess of the number requested and stated in your letter. While I had no intention of exceeding the number called for and authorized, we had unwittingly collected this number and the native had performed service in preparing them. It would have been useless to throw them away, neither did I desire to do so, and pay for the jabor out of my own funds. To clear up the matter, the whole collec- 86 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. tion was packed in a barrel and shipped to the museum, the company advancing the charges of the native for his labor. I trust my action will be approved. EVIDENCE OF EPIDEMIC AMONG FOXES. In my supplementary report on foxes, made last winter, I stated it as my opinion that an epidemic of some nature occurred among the foxes on St. Paul and St. George, during the spring of 1903, from the effects of which a number died. I had no eviclence to support my be- lief save an unusual death rate. I was unable to ascribe the cause to starvation, a theory advanced by others on the islands, as on St. Paul a quantity of salt salmon was freshened and tlirown out for them, but was not eaten. I find recently, however, in the Report on Introduction of Domestic Reindeer into Alaska, 1903, page 57, a statement in the report from Dr. H. R. Marsh, of the Point Barrow reindeer station, that a sick- ness called ''mullo-kully," or crazy, existed among all animals there during the period when the large death rate was noted among foxes on the Pribilof Islands. The report states that "dogs died by scores. * * * People out trapping walked around knocking sick foxes on the head." Taken in connection with the loss of so many foxes on the islands, some of which on St. Paul exhibited symptoms of mania, as I noted at the time, this quotation would seem to go toward proving that a sickness or epidemic of some character affected animals in Alaska dur- ing the winter of 1902-3, and that it had a specially mortal effect on the foxes on the Pribilof Islands. The following hst of exhibits attached to this report for fm'ther reference is appended : No. 1. Certificate of shipment of skins, St. Paul. No. 2. Annual statement, fur seals killed, St. Paul. No. 3. Annual statement, fur seals killed, St. George. No. 4. Weights of sealskins, St. Paul. No. 5. Statistics of killings, St. Paul. No. 6. Census of breeding seals, St. Paul. No. 7. Counts of rookeries, St. Paul. No. 8. Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul. No. 9. Census of native inhabitants, St. Paul. No. 10. Statement expenditures of North American Commercial Co., for natives, St. Paul. No. 11. Report of Assistant Agent Chichester, St. Paul. No. 12. Certificate of shipment of skins, St. George. No. 13. Agent Cla,rk's report on year's business, St. George. No. 14. Agent Clark's report on branding bachelors, St. George. No. 15. Agent Clark's report on company's expenditures, St. George. No. 16. Weights of sealskins, St. George. No. 17. Rookery counts, St. George. No. 18. Count of pups, St. George. No. 19. Foxing memoranda, St. George. No. 20. Native census, St. George. No. 21. Seal division, St. George. No. 22. Fox division, St. George. No. 23. Report of food killings, St. George. No. 24. Memoranda of expenditures, St. George. No. 25. School report, St. George. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Labor. I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 87 Exhibit No. 1. certificate of shipment of skins, st. paul. Division Special Agents. 1 Island of St. Paul, Form 17. J Bering Sea, Alaska, August 14, 1904. This is to certify that 11,132 fur-seal skins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer W. H. Kruger, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, K. A. Ahlin, Master, Steamer W. H. Kruger. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. r^ — ' X m -.o -f t- at i t-t . CC ^H C^ 10 . C^ IC rH iO ^^ M t • IN ■* O 00 »0 t^ C^ QO O ^ --H 00 t^ cc r^ i^-^-^co-^w C^CO— 't^COC: CC tH "^rHC^CCC^ f-t r-i CM r-t CO "^ "* CO Jj .S fcj >% s -Q ^ •d "^3 a, A iM ■ I gp. • CO'-'C^lC • C^ ^ i-HiO^^ 1 o ^ 10 10 »o C^l 00M0st^C~O'Ot-t-- oo'Of-c^)oor^'*"-Hoo "-H •* --I C-) CC cq 00 CC Oi I- I^ o to f- (^ CC »0 t^ C^ 00 t^ -^ ^ 00 1-H ^ i-( ra CC ?) rC O 1^ t- O ot-h t^ooo> 03 el 2S m > 3 <= 2^ 2-p s ^ cq cJ-g :5^ :^ ;5^b-c, B_ Oi C CD o o o o o O O O „ c a a-r- o o o^"- .9S C3 O O .- S a R 5 gg2T300»oOo5?;o5'oo(N r-l (N *"* 1 i-!M — ( -' ir^(Noq C«3 « 1 n (N 00 s 'f' 3 "-1 § o in" 1 pf ]c i __ "E 'c ■£ c 'c 1 'c C X 1> c C c c: 1 II 3 >T c ' c :c 'c a J is :i • >■? • =■£ :0 c > >^t 2 ) 5 "o 1 :r-::52; TO'— i-^T^ifc-i ra^JTT C3<*H-^ oT*^ C;**-H-*-3 o**-" ■Ot^XC: — -^lOtOOOOS f5iN(Nc^ec^fS«cocc si 03 o a u o » m > A g O j3 P S 90 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 3. Annual statement of fur seals killed on St. George Island, Alaska, during the year ended July 31, 1904. Date. Rookeries. Number of seals killed for na- tives' food. Number of seals killed by lessees for skins (ac- cepted). Total number Large young seals. Skins ac- cepted by lessees. 1 40 68 2 26 C 36 82 01 2 2 54 22 11 42 2 2 'I 20 2 of seals killed. 1903. Aug. 31 Miscellaneous, left over 1 40 68 2 26 6 36 82 61 2 2 54 22 11 42 2 2 13 4 20 2 1 Oct. 19 Staraya Artel 40 20 North 08 21 Zapadni watchmen o 22 East 26 24 Zapadni (> 26 Staraya Artel ■ 36 29 North 82 31 East 61 Nov. 2 Starava Artel '-> 4 Zapadni watchmen ■-> 5 North 54 8 Zapadni o> 9 East 11 11 Staraya Artel 42 11 Zapadni watchmen 16 do o 17 East and North 13 22 North 4 25 East 20 1904. May 31 Zapadni watchmen 2 June 1 Starava Artel 26 5 26 7 do 11 Zapadni watchmen 2 2 <> 11 Starava Artel and East . . .' 22 29 15 116 209 92 144 46 70 66 73 18 129 111 25 99 93 23 82 5 22 16 Starava Artel and North 29 21 Zapadni 15 23 North, East, and Staraya Artel 116 28 do 209 30 92 July 2 North, East, and Staraya Artel 144 6 do '. 46 7 Zapadni 70 9 66 13 do ■ 73 14 18 16 North, East, and Staraya Artel 129 20 do 111 21 Zapadni 25 23 99 26 do 93 28 23 30 North, East, and Staraya Artel 82 31 Zapadni 5 Deduct 2 skins (see note) 500 2 500 1,498 1.998 Total 498 498 1,498 1,996 SUMMARY. Number on hand at end of season 1, 996 Deduct left from previous season 1 Killed during season of 1904 1, 995 Killed for natives' food by Government agents 498 Killed by company 1, 497 Note. — A discrepancy of two skins was found this spring between the North American Commercial Co.'s record of skins taken and those recorded by me and duly receipted for. The acting company agent claimed that he had by mistake given duplicate receipts on November 4, 1903, for two skins taken by watchmen at Zapadni. A recount of all the skins in salt was made on May 20, 1904, when only 494 skins were found, as against 496 by this record and the receipts. In view of all the facts I think there was an error, as claimed and admitted by the company, and will deduct two skins acoordinglv. — Ezra W. Clark. assistant agent. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 4. 91 Weights oj sealskins taken on St. Paul Island during the sealing season ending August 1, 1904. [Weights in pounds and quarters of pounds.] Date. Rookeries. 4 4} 4i 4f 5 5i « 5f 6 6i 61 1904. Tolstoi 1 1 4 2 36 1 4 2 20 2 22 3 2 23 1 45 44 85 10 45 41 89 20 26 26 32 46 54 11 20 17 34 3 3S 50 45 2 34 13 54 7 ""26' 1.5 ..do 2 20 Reef 21 20 .... -- 2 1 3 21 Tolstoi 1 9 2 33 39 3S 8 28 33 66 10 16 32 33 37 48 15 21 20 38 3 30 19 41 ■■■"4' 27 i'2 59 25 2 8 9 9 1 11 14 n 5 9 10 10 3 10 4 11 12 32 1 14 1 10 19 2 21 49 38 58 30 70 10 30 If 34 34 56 11 17 21 21 1 35 26 33 22 4 32 52 48 6 41 30 70 7 30 19 44 28 43 12 18 15 16 1 25 28 29 1 4 39 44 8 26 4 27 Reef 2 12 14 6 21 7 24 6 10 1 20 9 24 4 6 2 2 40 29 Zapadni 1 1 1 1 5 5 3 1 5 44 July 1 Northeast Point 55 2 Tolstoi 1 10 4 Reef 4 48 5 48 7 Northeast Point 2 7 5 3 1 10 5 4 66 8 Tolstoi 17 9 Reef 2 28 1] Northeast Point 24 14 2 '3' 46 15 Reef 33 16 52 18 Tolstoi \ 7 19 Reef 1 2 1 2 "i' 20 20 Zapadni 36 22 Northeast Point 48 23 Tolstoi ■ 1 6 25 1 2 1 2 7 12 14 3 12 16 14 31 26 Reef and Gorbatch. j 50 27 Northeast Point 64 27 Polovina 1 2 28 Tolstoi 1 4 3 13 2 20 8 27 5 17 15 53 5 29 Zapadni 1 39 30 Reef ' 1 " "s 41 31 48 Total 5 li 32 72 233 286 770 741 951 754 949 Date. Rookeries. 6i 7 'i\ n 7f 8 Si 8i H 9 1904. Tolstoi 6 6 15 1 1 10 3 27 35 41 5 27 40 49 22 41 30 32 55 11 16 18 46 4 32 33 40 1 4 23 23 27 4 4 17 4 2 14 3 5 15 3 5 9 6 6 10 1 6 5 9 ii 3 3 15 do 1 20 Reef 4 20 Road skias 21 Tolstoi 4 5 4 26 31 39 7 29 43 45 8 19 34 20 20 47 8 12 20 40 3 25 36 55 2 7 22 30 31 5 5 7 21 20 22 4 16 22 21 5 14 25 27 24 41 6 8 20 36 5 19 23 39 1 4 21 17 14 3 16 12 24 2 13 16 27 3 14 20 16 21 33 5 5 22 36 5 14 25 35 1 2 19 16 19 """4' 2 10 9 13 3 12 12 16 4 14 6 15 12 29 3 4 10 16 4 2 10 21 7 12 10 4 2 16 10 16 4 10 18 16 3 10 18 8 8 22 4 4 12 25 3 11 14 21 3 6 5 11 3 2 2 6 6 3 2 2 3 1 2 6 8 9 11 3 1 9 11 3 4 9 11 ""\ 4 6 4 2 1 1 9 5 \ 9 9 15 2 ""2 3 5 2 2 4 6 2 1 6 8 1 2 10 6 5 2 2 25 Northeast Point • 26 Polo^'^na 2 7 3 5 ""'5 1 "h' 4 2 1 3 ...... 4 3 2 6 7 "'i' 1 27 Reef 6 29 5 July 1 2 Northeast Point 7 Tolstoi 1 4 Reef 2 5 Zapadni 5 Northeast Point 3 8 Tolstoi 1 9 Reef 4 11 Northeast Point 1 14 15 16 Zapadni Reef Northeast Point 2 5 18 Tolstoi 1 19 Reef 1 20 Zapadni 1 22 Northeast Point 7 23 Tolstoi 2 25 Zapadni 26 Reef and Gorbatch 2 27 Northeast Point 5 27 Polovina 2 28 Tolstoi 2 29 Zapadni 1 30 31 Reef Northeast Point 3 1 Total 731 697 512 455 280 318 147 130 82 80 •92 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Weights of sealskins tahen on St. Paul Island during the sealing season ending August 1, 1904— Continued. Date. Rookeries. 9-1 9J 9i 10 lOi lOJ lOf ""2 11 2 1 2 m lU 1904. June 10 Tolstoi 2 1 1 2 1 3 3 1 1 1 15 do 2 1 1 1 20 Reef 1 21 Tolstoi ■. 1 2 1 1 3 25 1 1 27 Reef 2 3 1 ""2 1 29 Zapadni 2 1 2 1 July 1 2 4 1 5 2 2 1 2 2 Tolstoi 4 Reef ■"3" 1 2 1 1 2 Zapadni. 1 1 7 Northeast Point 1 8 Tolstoi 9 Reef 1 1 11 Northeast Point 1 14 1 15 Reef Northeast Point 1 7 3 2 3 16 1 2 2 1 18 Tolstoi 19 Reef i 1 4 20 i 2 1 1 1 22 Northeast Point 1 7 2 1 23 Tolstoi 25 2 2 1 26 1 4" 2 1 1 1 2 "'i' 1 1 27 Northeast Point 27 28 Tolstoi 29 1 2 3 SO Reef 2 4 2 1 1 Total 63 35 19 25 10 14 4 9 2 Exhibit No. 5. Statistics oj killings, St. Paul Island, 1904. Date. Rookeries. Animals killed. Dismissed. Branded. Per cent Large. Small. 2 years. 3 years. killed. 1904. June 10 Tolstoi do Reef Tolstoi Northeast Point 71 48 247 33 141 38 366 414 477 89 400 386 621 124 270 281 375 349 588 107 180 258 423 50 297 387 483 17 61 301 245 426 140 14 9 45 20 . 28 24 67 11 34 34 9 18 8 14 13 7 13 18 10 12 4 4 8 3 53 15 100 110 204 28 147 194 245 70 66 164 154 135 271 18 43 185 442 17 221 392 559 79 15 78 20 21 92 41 1 10 3 30 28 90 1 22 11 38 6 8 13 23 15 43 8 1 5 20 57 57 25 18 56 26 Polo Vina Reef Zapadni Nortlieast Point 47 27 29 July I 2 .4 09 57 194 3 33 36 61 11 34 39 52 50 88 14 11 23 72 6 48 60 85 58 66 47 Tolstoi Reef 57 65 5 Zapadni 59 7 Northeast Point 64 8 Tolstoi 55 9 Reef 69 11 Northeast Point 55 14 50 15 Reef 61 16 Northeast Point 58 18 Tolstoi 61 19 Reef and Gorbatch 76 20 Zapadni 5 29 4 25 42 35 11 16 25 14 22 5 54 22 Northeast Point 42 23 Tolstoi 64 25 Zapadni 14 20 44 1 4 26 18 20 4 49 26 Reef and Gorbatch 42 27 Northeast Point 40 27 58 28 Tolstoi is 249 133 245 302 5 49 37 66 7 61 29 46 30 Reef and Gorbatch 54 31 Northeast Point 55 Aug. 9 Reef and Gorbatch Total 30 8,693 641 4,794 1,320 508 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 6. Census of breeding bulls and cows, St. Paul Island, 1904. 93 Rookeries. Harems (bulls). Zapadni Little Zapadni. Zapadni Reef. . Tolstoi Tolstoi Cliffs... Lagoon Ketovi Amphitheater. Lukanin Little Polovina 250 100 46 149 38 24 69 12 51 21 Cows (pups). Rookeries. Polovina Cliffs.. Polovina Gorbatch Cliffs. Gorbatch Ardiguen Reef Northeast Point Sea Lion Rock ' Total Harems (bulls). 40 72 12 151 15 286 454 67 Cows (pups). 1,412 3,691 481 6,014 565 11,391 18, 557 2,705 74, 002- 1 Harems were estimated on basis of average harem, 39.83. Pups actually counted on Sea Lion Rock. Exhibit No. 7. Counts of rookeries, St. Paul Island, season of 1904. ARDIGUEN. Date. Bulls. "Quit- ters." Harems. Cows. Date. Bulls. '^^ Harems. Cows. 1904. 9 10 10 11 12 12 12 14 3 1904. July 3 12 13 13 16 14 15 15 2 12 13 13 15 14 13 14 200 July8 328 June 13 1 July 12 July 15 July 17 July 23 July 25 339 June 15 1 June 18 June 19 June 23 June 29 i' 4' 3 3 9 12 3 4 20 96 293 220 190 AMPHITHEATER. 1904. June 7 June 8 Jiuie9 June 10... June 11... June 12... June 13... June 15. . . June 16... June 17... June 18. . . June 19... June 20... June 21... June 22... June 23. . . June 24... June 26... June 27... June 28... June 29... June 30... 5 5 5 8 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 10 11 2 2 3 1 1 1 1 6 8 7 8 9 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 5 14 27 32 51 53 1904, Julyl... July 2. . . Julys... July 4... July 5... July 1 ... Julys... July 9... July 10.. July 12. . July 13 . . July 14.. July 17.. July 18.. July 19.. July 20.. July 22.. July 24.. July 27.. July 29.. July 31 . . 11 9 11 1 10 10 2 10 10 2 10 11 10 11 1 10 12 1 11 12 1 11 12 1 11 12 1 11 12 2 12 12 1 12 12 2 11 13 1 11 14 2 12 13 13 13 i 12 14 13 13 13 13 11 10 1 10 sr 103' 115 137 155 214 244 265 281 267 303 296 234 221 218 220 112 125 147 105 146 GORBATCH. 1904 June 6. . . June 13.. June 19.. 104 117 128 11 13 11 21 25 1904. .Tune 23... July 15... 137 94 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Counts of rookeries, St. Paul Island, season of 1904 — Continued. GORBATCH CLIFFS. Date. Bulls. '[^^}^r Harems. Cows. Date. f Harems. Cows. 1904. June 6 10 3 1904. Julys . . . . 12 10 13 13 13 10 1 i' 12 10 12 11 13 11 267 June 13 11 July 12 July 15 July 17 July 23 July 25 249 June 19 11 1 June23 1 12 2 June29 i 11 3 July3 j 11 1 2 4 10 10 2 9 59 122 247 168 135 KETOVI. 1904, Juno 7 June 8 June 9 June 19... 36 39 42 51 11 18 15 10 1 6 6 1904 June 22.. June 28.. July 9... July 13.. 54 12 58 6 70 6 75 3 LUKANIN. 1904. Jime 7 June 8 June 9 June 10... June 11... June 12... June 13... June 15... June 16... June 17... June 18... June 19... June 20... June 21... June 22... June 23... June 24... June 26... Jime 27 . . . June 28... June 29... June 30... 1 1 4 8 16 23 42 51 106 145 178 260 293 1904 Julyl... July 2... Julys... July 4... July 5... July 7... Julys... July 9... July 10... July 12.. July 13.. July 14.. July 17. . , July 18.. July 19... July 20.., July 22.., July 24... July 27.., July 29... July 31.., August 9. 1 57 8 33 j 55 6 38 56 7 40 58 3 40 60 39 i 60 7 44 59 7 46 58 2 46 57 9 45 61 5 50 58 / 51 58 fi 50 61 5 57 60 4 54 59 5 52 59 4 51 61 2 57 58 2 53 56 5 50 52 3 49 48 2 46 26 LAGOON. 1904 June 7 June 14... June 19... 16 24 26 9 2 2 2 2 1904 July 4... July 8. . . July 13.. 27 2 28 2 29 1 MORJOVI, EAST SIDE NORTHEAST POINT 1904. June 16 17 17 21 3 3 3 1904. July 6 ... 20 22 19 19 308 June 24 June 30 5 12 6 46 July 16 VOSTOSHNI, WEST SIDE NORTHEAST POINT. 1904. June 16 June 24 June 30... 99 6 8 36 is 23 42 3 27 190 1904. July 6 July 16... 48 8 42 52 48 NORTHEAST POINT. 1904. June 16 376 45 1904. July 17.... 454 SEAL ISLiANDS OF ALASKA. 95 Counts of rookeries, St. Paul Island, season of 1904 — Continued. POLO VINA. Date. Bulls. '^"'Harexns. Cows. Date. Bulls. "Quit- ters." Harems. Cows. 1904. June 13 Cv2 5 1,904. July 1 72 89 19 5 39 72 June 24 " 5 17 70 July 16 POLOVINA CLIFFS. 26 29 33 9 1 7 1 4 10 24 1 5't 139 ; 1904. July ■ July 16. 491 LITTLE POLOVINA. 16 21 4 1 9 26 20 3 14 1,46 1904. July 7 356 REEF. 179 42 1 1904. July 15... 308 286 TOLSTOI. 120 4 136 1 1 1904. June 19.. July 13. . . 150 6 18 169 149 33 TOLSTOI CLIFFS. 30 2 33 ' 34 1 4 4 7 1904. July 4 Julys July 13. . . . 390 704 1,201 ZAPADNI. 1C04. June 14 201 9 2 2 1904. July 14 281 4 250 LITTLE ZAPADNI. 1904. June 14 73 10 1 1 1904. July 14 110 100 ZAPADNI REEF. 1904. June 14 37 50 7 2 1 1 1904. July 14 50 4 46 July 5 38 350 96 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. Exhibit No. 8. Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul Island, Alaska, season of 1904. By 11,132 fur-seal skins, at 50 cents $5, 566. 00- I To 21 first-class shares, at $174.50 each 3, 664. 50 To 6 second-class shares, at $139.65 each 837. 90 To 4 third-class shares, at $104.70 each 418. 80 To 5 fourth-class shares, at $69.80 each 349. 00 To 7 special shares 295. 80 5, 566. 00 First-class shares. — Twenty-one men, at $174.50 each, as follows: Nicoli Bogadanoff, Karp Buterin, Jacob Kochutin, Nicoli Krukoff, Simeon Melovidoff, Simeon Nozekoff, Theodore Sedick, Dorafay Stepetin, John Stepetin, Peter Tetoff, A. Bourdukofsky, George Kotchergin, John Kochutin, Alex. Merculieff, Parfiri Pankoff, Necon Shabolin, Elary Stepetin, Neon Tetoff, Rev. John E. Orloff, John Krukoff, George Shisenikoff. Second-class shares.- — Six men, at $139.65 each, as follows: Peter Bourdukofsky, Nicoli Gromoff, Metrofan Krukoff, John Fratis, jr., Innokenty Sedick, Zahar Tetoff. Third-class shares. — Four men, at $104.70 each, as follows: Michael Kushin, Trefan, Kochutin, Stepan Rookavishnikoff, John Merculieff. Fourth-class shares. — Five men, at $69.80 each, as follows: John Fratis, sr., Michael Kozloff, Paul Koshevnikoff, Alex. Galaktioneff, Constantine Buterin. Special-class shares. — Seven men, as follows: Nicoli Kozloff, $30; Vlass Pankoff, $30; Yvanally Kozeroff, $30; Fedor Kochutin, $30; Alexander Melovidoff, $75. SO; Nicoli Krukoff (first chief), $50; Jacob Kochutin (second chief), $50. St. Paul Island, August 10, 1904. I hereby certify that the above division was made by me in the manner detailed above, after conference with the representative of the North American Commercial Co. and the native chiefs on this island. - W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. St. Paul Island, August 10, 1904- I hereby certify that the amounts as above stated, representing the division of St. Paul Island for the season of 1904, will be placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Co. J. C. Redpath, Agent North American Commercial Co. St. Paul Island, August 10, 1904- We hereby approve the division for St. Paul Island for the season of 1904, as above detailed, for and on behalf of the natives of this island. Nicoli Krukoff, First Chief. Jacob Kochutin, Second Chief. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 97 Exhibit No. 9. Census of St. Paul Island, June 30, 1904. Name. BogadanofF, Nicoli Bogadanoff, Uleta BogadanofF, Agraflna. . . Bourdukofsky, ApoUon. Bourdiikofsky, Peter Bourdukofsky, Uleta. . . Buterin, Karp Buterin, Parascovia Buterin, Constant ine Mazeekin, Wassalisa Fratis, John Fratis, Akalina Fratis, John, jr. (by for- mer wife). Fratis, Agrafina Fratis, Simeon Fratis, Ou'.iana Fratis. Martha Galaktionefl, Alexander. Galaktionell, Lukeria. . . Galaktioneff, Anna Galaktionefl, Mary GalaktioneflF, Matrona. . . Gromoff, Nicoli GromofI, Ouliana Stepetin, Pavla Volkoff, Tecon Stepetin, Elary, jr Kochutin, Jacob Kochutin, Alexandra. . . Kochutin, Theodore. . . . Kochutin, Larion Mandregan, Imiokenty.. Mandregan, Nekifer Koshevnikoff, Paul KoshevnikofF, Mary Kochutin, John Kochutin, Claudia Kochutin, Nicanor Kochutin, Erena Vickiloff, Alexander Kochutin, Trefan Kochutin, Parascovia... Kochutin, Eupheme Kotchergin, George Kolchergin, Agafia Emanoff, Mary Kozloff , Michael Kozloil, Parascovia Kozloff, Nicoli Serabrinikofl, Ripsimia. Krukoff , John Dyakanoii", .Andrew Krukoff, Nicoli Krukoff, Catherine Krukoff, Metrofan Krukoff, Eustinia Emanoff, .\lexai Xushin, Michael Kushin, Mary Kushin, Nestor Hanson, John Hopoff, Nekita Melovi'loff, Alexander. . Meloviloff , Salome Melovi cloff, Antone Melovidoff, Alexandra. . Melovidoff , Alfai Melovidoff, Simeon Melovidoff, Alexandra. . Melovidoff, Margaret Melovidoff, Christopher. Relation. Husband . Wife Niece Father.... Son Daughter. Husband. Wife Son Orphan. . , Husband. Wife Son Daughter Son Daughter do Husband Wife Stepdaughter. . Daughter do Husband Wife Ado p t e d daughter. Adopted son . . . do Husband Wife Son do Orphan do Husband Wife Husband Wife Son Daughter Stepson Husband Wife Son Husband Wife Cousin Son Mother Brother Cousin Widower Stepson Husband Wife Son Daughter Nephew Son Mother Nephew do Orphan Husband Wife Son Daughter Son Husband Wife Daughter Son Age (years). 32 36 Name. Melovidoff, Alexander. . Melovidoff, Simeon, jr. . . Melovidoff, Alexandra. . Merculieff, Alexander... Merculieff, Agafia Merculieff, Paul Merculieff, Auxenia Merculieff, Terenty Merculieff, Paul Nozekoff, Simeon Nozekoff, Avdotia Nozekoff, Mar\' Kozeroff, Ivanally Ko^eroff, Sandulia Kozeroff, .Alexandra. . . . Pankoff , Parfiri Pankoff, Vlass Pankoff. Martha Rookavishnikoff, Stepan Rookavishnikoff, Eliza- beth. Sedick, Theodore Sedick, Martha Sedick, Innokenty Sedick, Mary Sedick, Matrona Sedick, John Shabolin. Necon Shabolin, Foecla Shabolin, Agrafina Shabolin, Varvara Shabolin, Matrona Shabolin, Daniel Shane, Elifery Stepetin, Dorofay Stepetin, Luboft" Stepetin, Chionia Stepetin, Auxenia Stepetin, Catherine Stepetin, Elary Stepetin, Anna Stepetin, Agnes Stepetin, Nicoli Stepetin, John Stepetin, Vera Stepetin, Vassili Stepetin, Vassili Shisen koff, George Shisenikoff, Ouliana. . . . Shisenikoff, Mary Tetoff , Neon Tetoff, Agrafina Tetoff, Simeon Tetoff, Mary Tetoff, Demetri Tetoff, Irena Tetotr, Agrafina Tetoff, John Tetoff', Peter Tetoff, Mary Kochutin, Varvara Nedarazo, Mary Tetoff, Zahar Tetoff, Daria .•.. Tetoff, Peter Orloff. Rev. J. E Orloff, Nicoli Orloff, Alexandra Nedarazoff , Catherine . . Merculieff, John Merculieff, Avdotia Relation. Son ....do Niece Husband Wife Son Daughter Son Brother Husband Wife Daughter Half-brother. . . Half-sister ...do Father Son Daughter Husband Wife Husband Wife Son Daughter ....do Son Husband Wife Daughter do ....do Son Stepson Husband Wife Daughter do do Husband Wife Daughter Son., Husband Wife Son Nephew Husband Wife Daughter Husband Wife Son Daughter Sou Daughter . do Son Husband Wife Adopted daughter. Orphan Husband Wife Son Father Son Daughter Widow Husband Wife Age (years). 23 40 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1- 98 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Census of St. Paul Island, June 30, 1904 — Continued. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. Relation. Age (years). Name. Relation. Age (years). Name. 35 "38 7 17 38 '"26 '"44 "3 "a Kochutin, Zenobia Spinster Seduli. Elizabeth Mazeekin, John 63 Kochutin, Irmokenty. . . Son 1 9 Orphan Granddau g h - ter. 14 Kochutini Mark. . . ." KrukofF, Anna Nephew Widow . Stepetin, Marena Artomonoff, Alexandra. 6 Krukoff, Mary Daughter 5n Orphan Adopted daughter. q Krukoflf, Feotesta.. . Widow Balakshin, Matrona Rookavishnikoff, Paras- 00 via. Shaposhnikoff, Paras- 00 via. Krukoff, Condrat Son 14 54 Rmanofl, Mary Widow 15 EmanofT, Eneka Emanoff, Peter Son do 3 37 Peeshnikoflf, Wassalisa.. Widow RESIDING ELSEWHERE. Krukoff, Lukeria. . Mandregan, Mary. . Melovidoff, Marcia. Sedick, Avdotia. . . Zaharoff, Fedosia. . Popofl, Alexandra. Tetoff, Sophia RECAPITULATION. Number of males. . Number of females. Total number of residents. Deaths during fiscal year. . Departures Births during fiscal year. . Arrivals SO 81 161 4 2 7 1 Exhibit No. 10. statement of expenditures of north american commercial co., for natives, st. paul island. North American Commercial Co., St. Paul Island, August 12, 1904. Dear Sir: In compliance with your verbal request of August 10, 1904, we submit you the accompanying statement of amounts expended for maintenance of widows and orphans for year ending May 31, 1904, number of widows and orphans so supported, amounts expended for physician, amounts expended for medical supplies, number of native dwellings, amount expended for repairs of same, amounts expended for maintenance of school, and amount expended for maintenance of place of religious worship. The church building on this island has always been the property of the Russian Church, and that body has always maintained their building. We have made the statement as complete as the time and data at hand will permit, but we believe the figures to be incomplete, and for further information refer you to the North American Commercial Co. at San Francisco. The figures submitted are given the department in confidence. Very respectfully, J. C. Redpath, Agent. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Alaska. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 99 Statement to Mr. W. I. Lembkey of expenditures by North American Commercial Co. on St. Paul Island for the following accounts, for the year ending May 31, 1904. Widows and orphans: Amount expended for support of 8 widows, 2 spinsters, and 20 orphans. |1, 927. 35 40 pounds mixed candy, 1 pound each to each of the 20 orphans on name days and birthdays, at 20 cents 8. 00 40 pounds mixed nuts, 1 pound each to each of the 20 orphans twice a year, i. e., on name days and birthdays, at 25 cents 10. 00 Physicians and medical supplies: Salary of physician 1, 200. 00 Board and lodojino; for physician, 52 weeks, at $13 a week 67G. 00 Medical supplies consumed (at San Francisco cost) 430. 94 SjVt'o ^oi^s coal consumed by dispensary, at $20 a ton 66. 92 Native dwellings: Materials expended for repairs of native dwellings (at San Francisco cost), exclusive of cost of labor and materials derived from demolish- ing a building . 49. 42 School supplies consumed (San Francisco cost) 19. 34 Slh^i tons coal consumed by school, at S20 a ton 75. 85 Salary and mess allowance to school-teacher. (The regular teacher was in San Francisco from Aug. 17, 1903, to June 6, 1904, on vaca- tion) 950. 00 Salary substitute school-teacher for 9 months and 13 days 471. 66 Board and lodging substitute teacher from Aug. 8, 1903, to May 31, 1904, 51 (sic) weeks, at $13 per week 663. 00 Recapitulation: Expended for widows and orphans 1, 943. 35 Expended for physician and medical supplies 2, 373. 86 Expended for repairs, native dwellings 49. 42 Expended for school supplies and teachers 2, 179. 85 Total 6, 546. 48 Exhibit No. 11. report of assistant agent chichester, st. paul. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 5, 1904. Sir: I have the honor to submit my report of the condition of affairs on St. Paul Island during the period of mv administration, which extended from August 17, 1903, to June 5, 1904. Arrival and departure of ressels. — After the departure of the company's steamer on August 17 a number of vessels called at the island. On August 20 H. M. S. Shearwater arrived, and her commander, Capt. Umfreville, in behalf of himself and officers, asked permission to \dsit a rookery. They were shown a portion of Gorbatch. On August 25 U. S. S. Thetis landed Senator Dietrich, of Nebraska, and Mr. Ham- ilton, assistant commissioner of education for Alaska. They remained a day and a night, and were shown as much of the rookeries and island as their brief stay would permit. By the U. S. S. Bear on her August visit there returned here, with your permission, for permanent residence Mr.-. Alexander Artomonof, who has been absent for several years. As she is a widow I at once informed the company's agent that she would have to be supported by the company. He agreed to do so, but filed the following protest with the request that the matter be carried to the department for settlement. This letter I sent you per last mail, November 1, 1903. St. Paul Island, August 29, 190S. Dear Sir: As regards matter of the arbitrary return and placing the burden of sup port upon the company of Mrs. Alexander Artomonof (widow), I hereby enter pro- test for following rea;sons: First. Said -widow (not native of this island), against the wishes of this company, left their support, took all her belongings with her with the avowed purpose of spend- 100 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ing her remaining years elsewhere. (Approved at your office.) After being reported destitute she is returned to us by you. Second. It seems to me under this ruling all natives (former residents) as they become infirm and destitute in other parts of the world may return to the support of the company at will, thereby imposing an unexpected and unjust burden. Third. In my reading of the terms of our lease I am unable to determine on what grounds this action has been taken and desire to be enlightened. We have no desire to evade any of our obligations to the Government, or the people, as therein applied. Yours, faithfully, North American Commercial Co., W. C. Allis, Agent. Mr. H, D. Chichester, Treasury Agent. In addition to a considerable amount of household stuff, Mrs. Artomonof brought back with her $220 in cash. Special thanks are due Capt. Wild, commanding U. S. S. Bear, for many courtesies received. Date of arrival. Names of vessels. Date of depar- ture. Date of arrival. Names of vessels. Date of depar- ture. 1903. Aug. 20 25 H. M. S. Shearwater 1903. Aug. 21 26 27 1903. Sept. 21 Oct. 21 Nov. 1 U. S. S. Bear 1903. Sept. 22 Oct 23 U. S. S. Thetis U. S. S. Manning 26 U. S. S. Bear U. S. S. Bear.. Nov. 1 Branding pups. — Having previously arranged everything for branding, on October 12 I made a drive of pups from the Reef and secured about 700. Work at once began and was pushed forward as rapidly as possible, but when 274 pups had been branded a heavy storm of wet snow and rain came on, soaking the remaining pups and render- ing them unfit for branding. They were reluctantly turned into the sea. From this time on the weather was so wet and unfavorable for branding and the reaching of the more distant rookeries by boat that further operations were abandoned for the season. Count of dead pups. — Late in the fall the rookeries were thoroughly gone over for dead pups, and the following is the result: Date. 1903. Oct. 29 29 29 29 29 30 30 30 Rookeries. Little Zapadni Zapadni Reef. . Zapadni Tolstoi Cliffs... Tolstoi Ketovi Amphitheater. . Lukanin Number of dead. 1 22 152 121 234 17 8 71 Date. 1903 Nov. Rookeries. Gorbatch Ardiguen Reef Polivina Little Polivina Total Number of dead. 213 13 236 54 18 1,160 Killinr/ pups by the natives. — While overhauling Ketovi rookery for dead pups I ran across unmistakable signs that some one had been killing pups on that rookery. Re- turning to the village I called in the chief, told him what I had seen, and turned over to him two pups' heads I found hidden in a crevice of the rock. The skulls were broken and the skin neatly trimmed in a circle behind the ears. There followed a meeting of the people, and later on a committee waited on me, and I was informed that Alexander Galaktenof and Mike Kushin, on the night of October 27 (just one day after a food kill of 150 seals had been made), visited the rookery and killed the pups. Galaktenof and Kushin were both called in and admitted their guilt. They would give no reasons except that they wanted meat. Further questioning soon developed that pup killing has been a common practice with all the natives, and has gone on for years. With one or two exceptions, every native man on the island admitted of having killed from one to two pups each year. None over two. Their testimony was SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 101 extremely conflicting, and being satisfied that the whole truth was not being told, and wishing to obtain accurate information of the amount of damage done, I endeavored to put'^them on oath. They refused to make any sworn statement whatever, were insolent and rebellious. Having no method at my command by which I could punish, them all, except stopping their sugar, I adopted this weak measure. A few days later four men came and asked to be sworn, and a month later the rest fell into line and were put on oath, but as for determining the actual number of pups killed the infor- mation thus obtained was of no more value than that already secured. The following is the number of pups killed by each individual, as stated under oath: Names. Pups killed, 1903. Pups killed, 1902. Names. Pups killed, 1903. Pups killed, 1902. 2 3 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 1 John M. Krukof 2 Mike Kozlof Trefan Xockooten Stepan Kookavislmikof Alexander Galaktenof ZacharTetof 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1 Nekon Shabolin 2 Poriflri Pankof 1 Ilarv Stepetin 1 2 2 1 1 1 Peter Tetof Alexander Merculif (second 1 3 2 1 1 2 2 George Shaisnikof 3 Jolm Merculif 2 Fedor Sedick Total 43 36 School. — The school opened promptly on September 1, 1903, and was maintained until May 1, 1904. Twenty-three boys and 17 girls were in attendance. Mr. Lambert, who conducted the school this year, was painstaking and earnest in his work, and the scholars made good progress under his guidance. I inclose herewith Mr. Lambert's report. Foxing. — Pursuant to your verbal instructions, foxing was allowed for the period of one week and resulted in an entire failure. Fifteen blue and five white skins were obtained. The trapping season opened on November 23 with every condition most favorable for a successful catch. That it was a failure is entirely due to the fact that the blue fox on this island is practically exterminated. What the causes are that led to this extermination I am unable to say. I have tried in every way to obtain information that would throw some light on the subject but to no purpose. After the close of the trapping season up to the present time not a week has gone by without natives visiting nearly all parts of the island, and during this time but two foxes have been seen. They were at Northeast Point. Some tracks have been observed on the Reef and Tolstoi as well as at Zapadni. Fox Division, St. Paul Island, season 1903. Names. Localities. White. Blue. Amount. 1 $1.00 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 5.00 .do 5.00 Village 5.00 do 5.00 do 10.00 do 1 11.00 do 5.00 Noith Shore 5.00 Mike Kozlof Southwe.st Bay 1 1 1.00 1.00 2 10.00 Sim. Nozekof Southwest Bay 1 1.00 2 1 10.00 Neon Tetof Northwest Point 5.00 Total 5 15 80.00 102 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Improvements. — In accordance with your instructions, I moved the Government boathouse. As you left the selection of a new site to me, I placed it alongside of the company's Point warehouse on the south side. This is the best possible place that could be found for it, as it is amply protected from the sea by the warehouse and wharf. I have also built wooden launching ways from the house to deep water, by means of which the boat can be launched at any tide and with little or no difficulty. Government house has been thoroughly renovated ai:id painted inside and out. The boathouse and boat No. 2 have also received a coat of paint. A new calador was also constructed at the rear of the coal house. Early last fall the natives built a substantial addition to their club and library to accommodate a billiard table. Both the materials for the room and the table are a gift from Mr. Taylor of the North American Commerical Co. General health. — The general health of the natives has been remarkably good. No epidemics have occurred, and there has been but four deaths during tlie entire year. ■ Three of these were old chronic cases. Births have outnumbered the deaths by 3, 7 children having been born, 3 males and 4 females. I inclose herewith report of the resident physician. Seals. — Seals were scarce during the fall and early winter. Nine drives for food were made from the various rookeries and 1,853 seals killed. Q^lite a number of carcasses were frozen and put away at Northeast Point, and during the winter this supply of meat was steadily drawn upon. After each killing large numbers of gulls visited the ground and anytliing that was left by the natives in the shape of meat Avas speedily eaten. In fact I was astonished at the short time required for these voracious birds to completely clean up a killing field. A small bunch of bachelors hung about the island all winter despite the fact that the ice shut us in completely for a week. Estates. — By the death of Keonia Bourdukofsky and Zachar Sedick, two estates are to be divided. That of Zachar Sedick, amounting to |109 and interest for one year at 4 per cent, I have divided equally between his two sisters, Elizabeth Rookavishnikof and Avdotia Sedick. Elizabeth having a bank account, her portion has been added to it, while Avdotia 's share has been placed to her credit on the company's books as an open account, they having refused to receive any more interest accounts. Quass.— The usual amount of quass has been brewed this winter — that is to say, nine- tenths of the sugar, three-fourths of the jelly, and one-third to one-half of the flour issued to the natives has gone into the manufacture of intoxicating liquor. The result, as usual, has been deplorable. AVomen have been cruelly beaten, children inhu- manly treated, interior of houses wrecked and endangered by fire from overturning lamps and stoves, and the life of the Government officer jeopardized. In fact, it was by the merest chance that I was not deliberately shot down by a drunken native as I entered his house to take him into custody for a murderous assault upon a neighbor. The following is a detailed account of the affair: I was called out at 1 o'clock in the morning of February 22 by Mrs. Jake Kochooten. She was decidedly drunk and incoherent, but I managed to gather from her wild talk that her husband had either been killed or was being killed by Alexander Meleve- dof. Dressing hastily, I ran to the house and found Jake alone. He had a nasty cut over his eye, was covered with blood and bruises, and presented a sorry -looking spectacle. The house was in the greatest disorder, chairs and tables overturned and broken, lamps smashed, and carpet torn. Jake was exceedingly drunk, and all I could learn from him was that Alex. Melevedof had attempted to kill him with a knife. I immediately went in search of Melevedof, and with the aid of the second chief, who was also drunk, but could walk, I found him at the house of Vasalisa Peesh- nikoff . I attempted to handcuff him, but he resisted so stoutly that in self-defense I was forced to use vigorous measures. During the struggle one of the handcuffs became locked, and in my hurry I had left the key at home. I was therefore able to put the handcuff on one arm only. We then set out with him for the building used as a jail. Stopping a moment at the company's house for the key, I left the prisoner in charge of the second chief. He promptly hit the second chief over the head with the handcuff, broke away, and went home, where he loaded up his double- barreled shotgun, and, placing himself in the dark back room, where I could not see him as I came through the door, swore he would kill me the moment I entered the house. Melevedof's wife, who was also drunk, endeavored to take away the gun, but couldn't. Mary Koshenikof then came in, and between them the two women managed to get the gun away, and set it in the calador just as the second chief and myself came in. I again took Melevedof in charge, handcuffed his loose arm, and locked him up in the temporary jail. He was no sooner left alone than he kicked the sash out of the SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 103 window and made his escape. I then handcuffed him with his hands behind him, secured his legs, and locked him up, and had no further trouble. In the morning I sentenced him to 21 days on bread and water for drunkenness and fighting. His sugir hxd been previously stopped for the same cause. It was not until some days later that I learned of the attempt upon my life. The matter had been carefully hidden from me by the chiefs. I held an investigation and took the testimony of Melevedof's wife, son, and Mary Koshevnikof. All three tell substantially the same story. When drunk Ihis man is perfectly lawless and filled with an insane desire to kill. He is a constant source of danger to the Government officer and the people, and I respectfully request that he be removed from the island permanently. This island stands in great need of a substantial jail. The building kindly loaned by the company for the purpose is entirely inadequate. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent in Charge St. Paul Island. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Special Agent, Department of Comn\erce and Labor, in Charge of Seal Islands. report of resident physician, st. paul, 1904. North American Commercial Co., St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 1, 1904- Sir : In compliance with your request, I respectfully submit the following medical report for St. Paul Island for the year beginning June 1, 1903, and ending May 31, 1904: The general health has been very good, especially when you consider the care, or rather the lack of care, the natives take of themselves, as they will stand bareheaded in a snowstorm to cool immediately after taking a steam bath. During February and March of 1904 there was a slight epidemic of bronchitis, and one new case of pulmonary tuberculosis developed, aside from which there has been no contagious diseases on the island for the past year. Of all cases treated 75 per cent were gastrointestinal, due to the irregular habits of the natives, while the majority of the remaining 25 per cent were of bronchial origin. The record of births and deaths for the year is, respectively, as follows: Births. — Salome Melovidov, son, Alfa, June 13, 1903; Daria Tettoff, daughter, Sophia, September 27, 1903; Maria Emanoff, son, Peter, October 11, 1903; Lukeria Galactionoff, daughter, Martha, October 17, 1903; Luboff Stepetin, daughter, Cath- erine, December 6, 1903; Parascovia Kotchooten, son, Eupheme, January 7, l904; Oulianna Shisenikoff, daughter, Mary, February 25, 1904; Agrifina Tetoff, son, John, May 21, 1904. Total, 8: 4 males, 4 females. Deaths. — Rufus Bourdakofsky, 1 year, acute gastroenteritis, June 8, 1903; Zahar Sedick, 18 years, pulmonary tuberculosis, March 11, 1904; Kionia Bourdakofsky, 43 years, uremia with carcinomatous degeneration of large uterine fibroid and hemorrhage, May 12, 1904; Sophia Tetoff, 8 months, enterocolitis. May 29, 1904; Ellen Krukoff, 28 years, pulmonary tuberculosis. May 31, 1904. Total, 5; 2 males, 3 females. Respectfully, Mark A. Williamson, M. D. Mr. H. D. Chichester, Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, in Charge St. Paul Island. 104 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. SCHOOL REPORT. St. Paul Island, Alaska, April 29, 1904. Dear Sir: Following is the report of St. Paul Island School for the eight months commencing September 1, 1903, and ending April 29, 1904, inclusive: Class. Pupils' names. Fourth do do Third do do Second do do do do do do do do First do do do do First primer... do , do do do do Second primer. do do do do ....do ....do ....do ....do ....do ....do Alphabet ....do ....do Nicoli Kozloff Theodore Kochooten Nekita Hopofl Condrat KriikoflE Elifery Shane Vlass Pankoff Agraphena Fratis Matrona Sedick Pavla Stepetin Parascovia Rookovishnikofl. . Sandulia Kozeroff Ustenia Krukofl Antone Melevidov Paul Murculieff No. 1 Simeon Fratis Alexandra Kozeroff Repsemia Seerebrinikoff John Meezekin Larion Kochooten Nestor Kushin Andrew Diakanofl Mark Kochooten Necoli Orloff Nekifor Maudregan Paul Murculieff No. 2 Alexandra Vekoloff Auxenia Murculiefl Agnia Stepetin Chionia Stepetin Mary EmanoS Marv Nedarezoff Mary Tetoff Oulianna Fratis Vassa Meezekin John Hanson Simeon Tetoff Vassely Stepetin Euphiially Kozeroff Innokentv Ma'idregan Techan Volkoff 155 155 153 152 152 148 151 156 152 I 151 I 77 I 93 ! 156 I 153 I 155 137 1-16 153 156 154 152 65 146 137 145 76 152 156 149 139 149 155 153 153 142 154 156 158 152 148 Total 15,740 484 I 91 Character of pupils' recitations: Marked good, 3; medium, 2; poor, 1; very poor. 0. GENERAL SUMMARY. Number of pupils enrolled (males 23, females 17) 40 Average daily attendance 36-^4 Average daily ab.senecs S-M, Average attendance 92 Number of cases of tardiness 91 Average age of pupils 11 j Number of v/ceks of school [...[[[.".[ 31i Number of days of school ..[..[.[[....[.[ 156 The following is the statement of time of tuition and study throughout the eight school months: 9 o'clock a. m., calling the roll, 5 minutes; time for study, 25 minutes; arithmetic, 25 minutes; spelling, 15 minutes; recess, 15 minutes; fourth reader, 25 minutes; third reader, 25 minutes; second reader, 25 minutes; first reader, 20 minutes. 1 o'clock p. m., primer class, first, 25 minutes; primer class, second, 25 minutes; alphabet, 20 minutes; calisthenics, 10 minutes; slate work, 40 minutes. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 105 Monday and Wednesday, spelling, 40 minutes; Tuesday and Thiursday, writing, 40 minutes; Friday, reviews. Ncnnes ofbools wsed.— Baldwin's Reader, John H. Walsh and Robinson Arithmetics, Sheldon's Speller, California Vertical Copy Books. Respectfully, W. C. Aelis, Agent North American Commercial Agent. W. E. Lambert, Teacher. Exhibit No. 12. certificate shipment sealskins, st. george, 1904. Division Special Agents."! Island of St. George, Form 17. j Bering Sea, Alaska, August 8, 1904- This is to certify that 1,996 fur-seal skins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Kruger, consigned to the North American ■Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent, St. George. K. A. Ahlin, Master "W. H. Kruger." Exhibit No. 13. AGENT Clark's report on year's business, st. george. Office of Special Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, St. George Island, Alaska, August S, 1904. Dear Sir: I forward this day under several covers the following-mentioned reports concerning the business conducted on this island under my supervision during the past year, to wit: Abstract of sealskins taken (in duplicate); weight of each sealskin taken during season; report of food seals killed during year; fox division, commu- nity fund, 1904; seal division, community fund, 1904; census of St. George natives, June 30, 1904; harem counts and rookery statistics, 1904; counts of live pups and dead pups, current season; report of branding of young bachelor seals, 1904; state- ment of expenditm'es of North American Commercial Co. maintaining school for native children the past yeai-; expenditures of North American Commercial Co. for physicians and medicines, 1904; statement of expenditures of North American Commercial Co. in providing for widows, orphans, and infirm, 1903-4; statement of expenditures of North American Commercial Co. for repairs of native dwellings and house of religious worship, 1903—1 ; shipping receipt for sealskins shipped (in duplicate). In transmitting these reports I beg to say that the data embraced in them embodies about all the facts which I would embody in an extended report were I to make one. When I saw you in June I handed you some memoranda regarding the foxing of last winter, and to that I may add here that we were happily disappointed in getting a ^eater number of foxes than we expected to obtain, and especially gi-eater than the indications early in the foxing season led us to expect. The foxes appeai-ed in the autumn to be in an especially healthy and good condition, and that has characterized the condition of the fox herd for the whole year. Very few dead foxes have been observed, although especial attention has been given during the whole year to gath- ering information of casualties to these animals. My own observations and those of the natives, so far as I can ascertain, have been that the young foxes of this year ai-e healthy, and that the litters are larger than were those of the year last passed. Yet in this connection it is proper to add that the number of foxes breeding near the village is fevvcr than last year. This is doubt- less owing to the fact that our first catch and killing of last year was of village foxes, so to speak, and those bun-owing near the village. Also the access to the burrows which they formerly used under the salt house (and other buildings grouped with it) was cut off and the foxes occupying them were killed. The gi-eat majority of the foxes branded last winter, I believe, have their habitat and breeding grounds at remote places on the island. 106 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The young foxes — 10 pairs in niimber — which were desired for transfer to Kadiak or the islands near there were gotten without difficulty. Of the natives, 19 were engaged in catching them under the direction of the chief and second chief. The company agent paid these natives $20 in cash for the 20 foxes taken. The sealing season was concluded without notable incident after the completion of the branding of this island's quota of 200 bachelor 3-year-olds and 200 bachelor 2-year-olds. Every effort was made to adhere in our taking of skins to the limit of 5^ pounds for skins. Naturally the company agent was desirous of getting the full quota allowed the company for the year, but I did not observe on his part any dis- position to do so in disregard of the limit as to size and weight. All tried to keep the selection of the seals knocked down to the limit of 5i pounds; but it was not until near the close of the sealing season that I was able to so manage the selection as to avoid killing any under the size limited. Evidently the com})any would not have gotten its allowance of 2,000 skins on this island had the limit been strictly adhered to. This fact is significant in considering the steady diminution of the seal herd and in connection with the fact that this year's quota was less than two-thirds of the number taken here last year. It is fair to remember, however, that food skins were taken from July 31 to Avigust 10, whereas no seals were killed this year after July 31. The counts of pups and harems, tabulated statements of which are forwarded, fur- nish mournful evidence of the diminution of the breeding herd, irrespective of the falling off in young bachelors or killables. The great scarcity of breeding bulls on this island and the steady falling off in their number is particularly noteworthy. The action of the department in provid- ing, through the branding of 3'oung male seals, for new blood to draw upon to replen- ish the stock of breeding bulls is timely. Yet if the pelagic sealers are permitted to continue their depredations, this measure will fail utterly to accomplish the purpose and will serve only to enrich the spoilers of our industry. The rookeries on this island were driven twice a week during the past season, with the exception of Zapadni. It is a question if this is not too often, especially with the fast driving which the natives are likely to make in rainy weather or when the seals from any cause are lively. On our last drive, which was made in a rainstorm, several of the seals were observed with abraided flippers and testes. This condition was observed by both Mr. Chechester and myself, and he ascribed it at the time to frequent driving. I mention it here to suggest inquiry and the remedy. I will add that the condition named was not noticed until our very last sealing. I must beg you to excuse these hastily prepared remarks. I would cheerfully have made an extended report had I thought it would aid you any in yours. Very respectfully, yours, etc., Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent. W. I. Lembkey, Esq., Agent Seal Fisheries. Exhibit No. 14. AGENT Clark's report on branding bachelors, st. george island. Office of Special Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, St. George Island, Alaska, August 8, 1904. Dear Sir: The branding of seals under department's letter of instructions requir- ing the branding on this island of 200 three-year-old and 200 two-year-old seals, to be selected from the early drives of the season, was begun on June 7, when a drive of 17 seals was obtained, of which 8 three-year-olds and 1 two-year-old were branded, the others in the drive being too large. Hot irons were used for burning off the hair and into the fur on the head; the irons were used by myself. From this date the branding was continued by selections made from the drives. On June 21 rain was falling, rendering the use of hot irons difficult and slow work. Some sheep shears in possession of the company were now tried for clipping the hair and fur, and it was found that an effective mark could be made with the shears, even more conspicuous than that made with the hot irons, also that the wet weather did not interfere with the use of the shears. The subsequent branding was therefore done with shears, this method being deemed a substantial compliance with your directions on this subject. The entire quota of this island was obtained by July 2. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Appended is a memorandum showing the number branded by dates: 107 Dates. Three- year-olJs. 1 Two- year-olds. Dates. Three- ycar-oLIs. Two- year-olds. June 7 8 4 45 25 122 1 13 21 ' 13 41 June 28 68 June 11 July 2 43 Total June 2! 204 ! 200 June 23 The marks remained conspicuous during all the season's drives. Quite a number of seals with the St. Paul brand ( + ) appeared in our drives. Respectfully submitted. Your obedient servant, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Exhibit No. 15. AGENT Clark's report on company's expenditures, st. george. Office of Special Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, St. George Island, August 8, 1904- Dear Sir: Referring to the provision in department's letter of instructions dated May 1, 1904, in which it is required to ascertain from the North American Commercial Co. its expenditures for maintaining schools for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, I beg to state that the agent of the company on the island of St. George has reported, in response to my inquiry on the subject, as follows, to wit: Expense of coal for heating school building $80. 00 Repairs of building, labor, lumber, etc 100. 50 Books, etc 15. 63 Salary of teacher 780. 00 Board, etc 364. 00 Total 1, 340. 13 The agent states further that "all the above statements are incomplete, as the office has charges that do not appear on our books," meaning the office in San Francisco. I have nothing to add to the statement save that the teacher, Mr. C. R. Edson, who is also the company's bookkeeper, appears to me to be a competent and efficient man. Referring to that portion of department's letter of instructions of May 1, 1904, which requires a statement from the North American Commercial Co. showing the expendi- tures made bj' said company during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, in providing medical attendance for the residents on the seal islands, I beg to present below the statement furnished by the company agent for this island, in reply to my request to him in the matter, viz : Dispensary: Doctor's salary $1, 200. 00 Board, etc., of doctor 364. 00 Drugs expended 203. 58 Total 1, 767. 58 "All the above statements are incomplete, as the office has charges that do not appear on our books." "The company's statement is all the information in my possession on the subject. In compliance with that part of the letter of instructions of the department dated May 1, 1904, which directs that a statement of the North American Commercial Co. be iurni.shed in which shall be shown the expenditures of said company in furnishing and keeping in proper repair the dwellings occupied by the natives on the seal islands, and a like statement of expenditures incurred by said company in maintaining a house of religious worship for the natives. I have respectfully to report that in response to 108 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. my request made to the company agent on St. George Island with respect to these two items, he has informed me that the expenditures for repairs to native dwelling houses have been about $5 for the year, which is considerably less in amount than the average annual cost of such repairs. He stated further that the company has done nothing toward maintaining a house of religious worship for the natives. The native church has been painted and kept in repair by the church authorities and the natives. Referring to the requirement of department's letter of instructions of May 1, 1904, that a statement be obtained from the North American Commercial Co. showing the number of widows, orphans, and infirm natives cared for under the terms of its lease, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, and the expenditures in making such provision, I present below the statement furnished upon m}^ request by the company agent here: Widows and orphans: Number of persons, 18 for 2^ months. Number of persons, 12 for 9| months. Average, a little over 13 individuals, $946.98. "All the above statements are incomplete, as the office has charges that do not appear on our books." I respectfully submit the above for the information of the department. Yours, respectfully, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. W. i. Lembkey, Esq., Agent for Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Islands. Exhibit No. 16. Weights of sealskins, St. George Island, 1904. Weights. Num- ber. Weights. Num- ber. Weights. Num- ber. 5 4 12 18 42 135 136 181 151 160 133 7 pounds . . 155 80 75 44 58 24 18 14 22 6 11 9 J pounds 6 2 7J pounds 7 J pounds lOJ pounds 1 101 pounds lOf pounds 4 8 pounds. . ... 1 8i pounds 1 1 pounds 2 114 pounds 11| pounds Total 1 8 J pounds 1 9 pounds expounds 1,502 Exhibit No. 17. Daily counts of rookeries, St. George Island, season 1904. NORTH ROOKERY. Dates of count. Harems. Cows. Bulls in place. Idle bulls. Bulls quitting. June 10 107 122 SO 68 68 52 32 19 17 June 17 ... 9 45 49 59 66 92 111 117 128 10 93 130 2S1 640 1,415 2,382 2,825 3,133 1 June 23 12 June 24 20 16 29 July 2 . 35 July 6 . . . 31 Julys 17 13 July 12 . (2) 1 These include young bulls or half bulls. 2 Idle hulls with holustiak not counted this day. 3 Several bulls in water. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 109 Daily counts of rookeries, St. George Island, season 1904 — Continued. EAST CLIFFS.i Dates of count. Harems. Cows. Bulls in place. Idle bulls. Bulls quitting. June 10 1 42 37 32 21 16 13 14 6 25 5 11 23 27 35 38 40 40 49 50 10 47 163 313 522 941 1,090 1,432 1,422 1,486 2 20 June 20 . ^20 June 24 ^14 June 27 .... 2 20 June 29 2 15 July 2 29 Julv 4 2 16 July 7 2 15 July 9 . .......... 11 17 July 13 EAST REEF. June 10 16 20 20 9 5 2 2 *3 June 17 «7 June 20 *6 June 24 12 16 20 19 18 20 21 20 19 41 63 138 213 337 381 395 *4 June 27 43 June 29 *2 July 2 *2 July 4 «7 July 7 41 July 9 July 13 - 3 1 LITTLE EAST. June 10 16 17 13 7 7 4 2 2 June 17 June 20 4 10 10 14 15" 16 17 17 18 4 17 23 60 138 210 313 351 320 June 24 June 27 1 June 29 July 2 1 Julv 4 1 July 7 2 3 1 July 9 July 13 s I Cliffs very difficult to count; cows lie in among the rocks; count is generally under rather than over. ' These at hauling grounds of the holustiak. 3 Four in place on rookery at holustiak ground. * At the hauling ground. * Harems disintegrating. Staraya Artel Rookery. — The harems on this rookery are so massed together that it is impossible to get among them for counting. An attempt was made on June 13 to count the harems and cows, and 39 harems were found, estimated to contain 1,600 to 1,700 cows. There were 14 idle bulls. Zapadni Rookery. — This rookery is in the same case as Staraya Artel last mentioned. The harems are very much massed. On July 14 tried to count harems and cows. I counted fairly well 28 harems, in which were found 1,162 cows. There were 56 bulls with harems. Giving to the remaining 28 harems a number of cows equal to those in the 28 actually counted, we have 2,324 cows all told, which is the best estimate to be made under existing conditions. There were 14 idle bulls. Recapitulation. Harems. Cows. Idle bulls. North Rookery 128 50 21 18 39 56 3,133 1,486 395 351 1,650 2,324 13 East ReefCliffs 17 East Reef 3 Little East 1 Staraya Artel 14 iJapadnl 14 Aggregates 312 9,339 62: 110 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 18. Rookery counts of live pups, dead pups, cows, etc. Date of Name of rookeries. Number of— Number of dead- count. Live pups. Dead pups. Cows. Bulls. July 28 31 3,151 540 002 2,291 4,284 2,384 82 C 5 45 101 32 4 4 2 1 2 Little East 31 East Reef .... 31 East Cliffs Aug. 1 1 North Staraya VrteL. Total 13,312 271 12 2 1 Falling off is very startling. The counting: of East Cliffs is always unsatisfactory. The rocks under which the pups lie or hide themselves are close to the earth, while at the same time large, so that the refugees are difficult to reach. The count is apt to be under rather than over the true number. A few new-born pups were seen on each rookery. Very little trouble from bulls was met with Very ie.«pectfully, Ezra W. C\auk, Assistant Agent in Charge. August, 1904. Exhibit No. 19. St. George Island, Alaska, foxing season of 1903-4 No. of trapping. First.... Second. . Third . . . Fourth.. Fifth.... Sixth . . . Seventh. Eighth... Ninth.... Tenth. Eleventh Twelfth Thirteenth.. Fourteenth . . Fifteenth Sixteenth . . . Seventeenth. Eighteenth.. Nineteenth. . Fox house do.... .do. do do do (Fox house.. \Villas!e j Fox house . . tallage /Fox house.. \Villag3 Fox house . . llage J Fox \Villa /Fox house. \Village Fox house. \ Village /Fo,\ house. \Village I Fox house. \Village iFox house. Village Fox house. Village (Fox house. \ViIlage /Fox house. \ Village (Fox house. \ Village 1903. Nov. 22 Nov. 29 Dec. 6 Dec. 10 Dec. 14 Dec. 18 ■Dec. 21 'Dec. 23 'Dec. 27 ►Dec. 29 1904. Jan. 1 Jan. 4 Jan. 8 Jan. 10 Jan. 11 Jan. 12 Jan. 14 Jan. 15 ^Jan. 19 Killed. 1^ !^ 50 39 25 I 20 V- Brand- ei. Re- caught. 25\ 3/ ^1 29 Remarks. Cool, favorable weather. High tide. Sloppy. Good "weather. Do. fWeather cold and high \ wind. Weather mild-cahn. 32°. (The females killed were I toothless. Weather, [ mild-windy. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Ill St.. George Island, Alaska, foxing season of 1903-4 — Continued. No. of trapping. Place. Twentieth Twenty-first . . . Twenty-second. Twenty-third !{f^^l^f ''''■ (Fox house. \ Village (Fox house. \ Village /Fox house. ■|\Village. Twenty-fourth \^r':__ Twenty-fifth ^l^^r'.V Twenty-sixth '{^?,^!r''- Twenty-seventh ^i^^r'.: Twenty-eighth {f.^i^ir''-- K Total. Date. 1904. fJan. 20 \3an. 23 I^Jan. 24 "Jan. 25 ►Jan. 28 Killed. •3 ' n Brand- ed. Re- caught. Remarks. 1 Sex not ascertained. Note. — Three were found dead or killed outside of traps and skins taken. One found dead after trap- ping ended , with a good skin. All foxes killed in the later trappings were old. One blue fox found dead after ending of season included. The total number of blue-fox skins secured is 471; the total number of white-fox skins secured is 1-5; total, 480. Exhibit No. 20, Census of St.. George Island, Alaska, June SO, 1904. No. of No. of fam- per- •ly. son. 1 2 1 3 4 5 f 6 2 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 13 14 15 16 17 18 4 19 20 21 22 23 5 24 25 . 26 6 f 27 \ 28 7 / 29 \ 30 Name of individual When born. Galanin, Evan... Galanin, Anna... Galanin, Akalina Galanin, Alexander Galanin, George GorokotI, Cornell Gorokoff, Martha Oustigoff, Alexandra Oustigoff, Stepanida Lekanoff, Stepan Lekanoff, Pelagia Lekanoff, Anatoli Lekanoff, Sergius Lekanoff, Sara. .. Lekanoff, Marina Lekanoff, George Lestenkoff, Dimitri Lestenkoff, Alexandra Lestenkoff, Elizabeth Lestenkoff, Constantine Merculioff, Marke Diakanoff, Katie Lestenkoff, Michael Lestenkoff, Oulita Lestenkoff, Innokenty Lestenkoff, Anna Malavansky, Nicolai Malavansky, Fedosia Merculioff, Evan. . Merculioff, Natalia » This couple married on Aug. 9, 1903. 112 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. Census of St. George Island, Alaska, June 30, 1904 — Continued. No. of fam- ily- No. of per- Name of individual. Merculioff , George MerculiofE, Stepaaida Merculioff, Feter Merculioll, Sophia Merculioff, George, jr Merculioff, Martffa <■ Merculioff, Josepii Merculioff, Marvara Merculioff, John * Merculioff, Helena ^ Merculioff, Nicolai Merculioff', Matrona Merculioff, Lavrenty Merculioff, Gavril Nedarazofi', Nicola^ , Nedarazoff, Efghema Nedarazofl", Isidor Philimonofl, Andronic . . . Philimonoff, Zenobia Philimonoff, Marina Philimonoff, Leonti Philimonoff, Alexandra... Philimonoff, Andronic, jr . Philimonoff, Eofl Philimonoff, Gregory Philimonoff, Malania Philimonoff", Dimitri Nozekoff, Paul Oustigofl, Anfessia 2 Philimonoff, Simeon Philimonoff, Evalotia Philimonoff, Zoya Philimonoff, Joseph Philimonoff, Ignati Philimonoff, Julia Philimonoff, Helena Philimonoff, Pelagia 2 Prokopioff, Peter Prokopioff, Stepanida. Prokopioff, Martha Prokopioff, Marina Prokopioff, Alexander . . . . Prokopioff, Lavrenty Shane, Michael Shane, Raiessa Merculioff, Stepan Swetzoff, Gregory Swetzoff , Paul Galanin, Fevronia Zacharoff, Emanuel Zacharoff, Mary Zacharoff, Daria Zacharoff, Stepan Malavansky, Eipsimia '. . Malavansky, Peter 2 Malavansky, Wassie ^ Malavanskv, Christopher ' Philimonoff, Foekla 2 Merculioff, Wassalis 2. . . . Merculioff, Alexandra 2. . . priest's family. Kashivarofl, Peter (priest j . Kashivaroff , Anna Kashivaroff, Walter Pavloff , Katrina Riazanzoff, Sereflna RESIDING ELSEWHERE. Malavansky, Cleopatra. Family relation. Husband. Wife Son Daughter. Son Sister Husoand. Wife Brother... Sister Husoand. Wife Son do Bachelor.. Mother.. . Brother... Husband. NV ife Dajghter. Son Daughter. Son Ages. Male. Female. 1 3 mo. 2o .ao. Husband Wife Brother Nephew Foster child . . . , Husband Wife Daughter Son do Daughter do Granddaughter Husband Wife Daughter do Son do Bachelor Mother Cousin Bachelor Cousin Widow and cousin. Husband Wife Daughter Son Spinster Son Spinster Son Foster child . Widow Daughter Husband. Wife Son Niece. ... Orphan . . Daughter of Ripsimia. 2 10 mo. 16 6 mo. Inf. 25 20 2 3 mo. 16 27 46 29 53 When bom. Sept. Apr. Dec. Jan. June Oct. Jan. May Nov. 15,1873 Dec. 21,187& July 10,1899 Sept. 29, 1901 Apr. 29,1903 July 8, 1893 Mar. 17, 18(2 May 14,i8i& Jan. 18,1890 May 27,1884 May 19,1880 Jan. 2, 1883 8, 1902 8,1904 18,1877 5,1854 Feb. 15,1891 Oct. 24,1807 Nov. 12,1866 May 12,1890 May 6, 1894 X\iV. 25,1896 Oct. 18, 1898 8, 1902 12, 1872 12, 1874 25, 1886 July 11,1896 Apr. 21,1895 Aug. 3, 1850 Feb. 28,1871 Nov. 12,1892 Feb. 4,1894 Dec. 29,1899 Mar. 12,1902 Apr. 10,1904 Oct. 19,1887 May 29,1864 Nov. 18,1876 Mar. 8, 1896 5, 1898 1,1902 :. 30,1903 . 13,1887 1852 Sept. 27, 1890 Nov. 29,1885 .July 8,1892 June 25,1877 July 1,1880 Apr. 1,1874 Apr. 2,1902 Jan. 8, 1904 1858 Jan. 22,1888 Aue. 14,1874 June 8,1904 Oct. 2,1894 Jan. 20,1851 Apr. 22,1878 Mar May Aug, Oct Mar. Jan. July Dee. July 3,1857 17,1865 2, 1887 2, 1893 1,1887 Oct. 31,1882 1 Clothing furnished by the North American Commercial Co. * Supported by the North American Commercial Co. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 113 RECAPITULATION. Number of native inhabitants at last preceding census, including priest's family 92 Increase by births during past year 6 Decrease by deaths during past year 3 Actual nuraber of native residents 95 SUMMARY. Number of native families 21 Number of native individuals 95 Number of native males 48 Number of native females 47 Number of native males 16 years old or over 24 Number of native males between 6 and 13 years old 11 Number of native males under years old 13 Number of native females 16 years old or over 28 Number of native females between 16 and 6 years old 14 Number of native females under 6 years old 5 Number of males of school a^e 11 Number of females of school age 14 The number of families wholly supported by the company is one. One other family partially supported by the company. Peter Malavansky, now become a sealer, will be furnished food by the coriipany xintil September 1. Eight individuals are now wholly supported by the company and four clothed only. Government agents and comipany employees. — Ezra W. Clark, assistant agent in charge; H. D. Chichester, assistant agent; Mrs. Ezra W. Clark; Dr. L. A. Noyes, company agent; Henry E. Routh, bookkeeper; J. A. Lake, clerk; Clinton R. Edson, school-teacher; Gee Ho, Chinese cook. I certify that the foregoing is a correct copy of the census of St. George Island, Alaska, as made by me on June 30, 1904. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge, St. George Island. Exhibit No. 21. Seal division, St. George Island, 1904. By 1,996 sealskins, at 50 cents each $998. 00 To 14 men of class 1, at $43.95 each 615. 30 To 5 men of class 2, at $35.15 each 175. 75 To 5 men of class 3, at $26.40 each 132. 00 To 2 men of special class, at $40 and $34.95 74. 95 998. 00 First-class shares. — Fourteen men at $49.35 each, as follows: Cornell Gorokoff, Peter Kashivaroff (priest), Stepan Lekanoff, Dimitri Lestenkoff, Michael Lestenkoff, Nick- olai Malavansky, George Merculioff, Joseph Merculioff, Nicolai Merculioff, Andronic Philimoiioff, Gregory Philimonoff, Simeon Philimonoff, Peter Prokopioff, Emanuel Zacharoff. . Second-class shares.— Five men, at $35.15 each, as follows: Evan Galanin, Evan Merculioff, Nicolai Niderezoff, Michael Shane, Gregory Swetzoff. Third-class shares.— Five men, at $26.40 each, as follows: Alexander Galanin, Walter Kashivaroff, Peter Malavansky, Marka Merculioff, and Dimitri Philimonoff. Special-class shares.— Two men, as follows: Stepan Lekanoff, extra as chief, $40; Joseph Merculioff, extra as second chief, $34.95. The foregoing seal division was duly made, and has been placed to the credit, on the books "of the North American Commercial Co., of the natives as designated respectively. (Signed) Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. Dr. L. A. NoYES, Agent North American Commercial Co. Stepan Lekanoff, Chief. Joseph Merculioff, Second Chief. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 8 114 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 22. Fox division, St George Island, Alaska, made June 1, 1904. By 471 blue-fox skins, at $5 each |2, 355. 00 By 15 white-fox skins, at 11 each 15. 00 2, 370. 00 To allowance to hydrant keeper 5. 00 To chief for extra labor 30. 00 To second chief for extra labor 25. 00 60. 00 First-class shares. — Thirteen men at $116.65 each, as follows: Comeil Gorokoff, Stepan Lekanoff, Dimitri Lestenkoff, Michael Lestenkoff, Nicolai Malavansky, George Merculioff, Joseph Merculioff, Nicolai Merculioff, Andronic Philimonoff, Gregory Philimonoff, Simeon Philimonoff, Peter Prokopioff, Peter Kashivaroff (priest) . Second-class shares. — Four men at $93.40 each, as follows: Evan Galanin, Evan Merculioff, Nicolai Niderezoff, Emanuel Zacharoff . Third-class shares. — Six men at $70 each, as follows: Alexander Galanin, Walter Kashivaroff, Marka Merculioff, Dimitri Philimonoff, Michael Shane, Gregory Swet- zoff. I certify that the foregoing is a correct transcript of the fox division as made on June 1, 1904, and that the amounts as designated have been placed to the credit of the natives respectively designated on the North American Commercial Co.'s books. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. Exhibit No. 23. Annual statement of fur seals killed on St. George Island for food of natives. Date. Rookeries. Large young seals. Tota 1. 40 40 68 68 2 2 26 26 C 6 36 36 82 82 61 61 2 2 2 2 54 54 22 22 11 11 42 42 2 2 2 2 13 13 4 4 20 20 2 2 Skins ac- cepted by lessees. "' 1903. Oct. 19 20 21 22 24 26 29 31 Nov. 2 4 5 8 9 11 11 16 17 22 25 1904. May 31 Staraya Artel North ^ Zapadni, watchmen. East Zapadni Staraya Artel North East Staraya Artel Zapadni, watchmen. North Zapadni East Staraya Artel Zapadni, watchmen do East and North North East Zapadni, watchmen Two skins are to be deducted from the foregoing to meet discrepancy explained in note on general statement. The number killed for food is therefore 495. The foregoing is correct. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 115 Exhibit No. 24. Memoranda of expenditures account natives St. George Island for eleven months, 1903-4. Name of head of family. Fox and seal division. Govern- ment ap- propria- tion. Total. Alex. Galanin Evan Galanin Cornell Gorokoff , Peter Kashivaeoff (priest) , Peter Kashivaeoff, jr , Walter Kashivaeoff Stepan Lekanofl (chief) Dimitri Lestenkoff Mike Lestenkoff , George Merculioff John Merculioff , Joseph Merculiofl (second chief). Marka Merculioff Nicolai Malavansky Nicolai Merculiofl Nicolai Niderezofl Andronic Philimonofl Dimitri Philimonofl Gregory Philimonofl Simeon Philimonofl Peter Prokopiofl Michael Shane , Gregory Swetzofl Emanuel Zacharoff , Peter Malavansky , Community fund $113.95 158.00 197. 38 197. 38 74.33 44.20 267. 39 197. 38 197. 38 197. 38 157. 00 257. 38 118. 20 197. 38 197. 38 158. 00 197. 38 118. 40 197. 38 197. 38 197. 38 44.20 133. 23 158.00 Total. $199. 55 195. 30 137. 80 300. 35 216. 50 12.5. 75 288. 95 13.5. 00 154. 48 6.00 127. 60 157. 65 109. 05 309. 10 18.00 121. 05 298. 70 198. 20 256. 92 209. 75 152. 70 9.05 112. 50 $113. 95 357. 55 392. 68 197. 38 74.33 182. 00 567. 74 413. 88 323. 13 486. 33 292. 00 411. 86 124.20 324.98 355. 03 327. 65 506. 48 136. 40 318.43 496. 08 395. 58 301. 12 342. 98 310. 70 9.05 112. 50 7,874.01 Exhibit No. 25. School report, St. George. St. George Island, Alaska, April 29, 1904- Dear Sir: The following is offered as school report for the year 1903-4. A school has been furnished for the native children of St. George Island, as required by the lease of the North American Commercial Co., for eight months, beginning Tuesday, September 1, 1903, and closing Friday, April 29, 1904. Twenty-five scholars have attended this school for the year excepting absences shown below, most of which were occasioned by the prevailing distemper among the natives during March and April. Four of last year's pupils, being beyond the age of required attendance, did not return to the school in September, and their places were partially filled by two very promising beginners, George Lekanoff and Innokenty Lestenkoff, making the school smaller by two than last year. The usual Christmas and church holidays were observed. Number of boys attending school 12 Number of girls attending school 1 13 Total 25 Number of school weeks 35 Number of school days 174 Number of holidays observed 18 Number of days school was in session 156 Absences excused by doctor days. . 84 Absences excused by Government agent do 2^ Absences unexcused do f Absences, total 88 Total attendance 3, 812 Average daily attendance 24y'W C. R. Edson, Teacher. Maj. E. W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge St. George Island. 116 seal islands of alaska. September 16, 1904. Mr. H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent Seal FisJieries in Alaska, 725 Fourteenth Street NW., Washington, D. G. Dear Sir: I return herewith vouchers for your salary from July 1, 1904, to August 31, 1904, inclusive. In your vouchers you have called this period tliree months and computed salary accordingly. As our summer days are not as long as the Alaska days, the disburs- ing clerk would probably disallow anything in excess of two months for the period, above mentioned. Kindly submit corrected vouchers for approval. Very truly, yours, F, H. Bowen, Chief Cleric. St. Paul Island, Alaska, 0 On June 19, Sea Lion Rock had 45 bulls, height of the season. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 11 It was not possible to make a count of harems there at the 162 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The harem count on St. George Island, as furnished by Agent Chichester, follows: Rookeries. Bulls with harems. Idle bulls. Total bulls. East Reef 17 29 47 45 16 104 4' 7 3 8' 17 Staraya Artel 33 East 54 Zapadni 48 Little East 16 North 112 Total 2.58 22 280 DECREASE IN BULLS. By comparison with similar counts made last year, it is found that since 1904 a decrease in harems has occurred of 18 per cent on St. Paul and 14 per cent on St. George. A decrease in idle bulls has occurred since 1904 of 48 per cent on St. Paul and 64 per cent on St. George. CLASSIFICATION OF LARGE SEALS DISMISSED. The large seals dismissed from the drives this summer on St. Paul were divided, as regards age, as follows: Date. Rookeries. 4 years. 5 years. 6 years. 7 years. 8 years or over. 1905. June 19 Tolstoi 8 46 32 38 13 22 32 10 12 25 7 19 28 31 1 7 9 7 7 2 1 4 3 4 10 11 21 Zapadni 23 Northeast Point 26 Reef 30 Northeast Point July 1 Zapadni and Tolstoi 16 5 3 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 4 5 2 1 3 Reef 6 Northeast Point 7 Zapadni 8 Reef 11 Northeast Point 13 Reef 1 1 2 11 13 1 1 1 3 14 Zapadni 16 Northeast Point 1 10 5 17 Reef and Gorbatch 19 Zapadni 21 2 22 Reef and Gorbatch. . . 4 26 8 2 16 22 1 13 5 3 3 3 16 3 31 1 11 9 6 1 3 3 2 14 3 1 2 2 2 2 1 24 26 Northeast Point 3 27 Tolstoi 2 27 Reef ■- 3 28 Zapadni and Little Zapadni . . 31 Reef 1 31 Northeast Point 4 1 7 1 2 Aug. 10 Reef (Food) Total 363 219 98 41 14 The large seals dismissed on St. George were classified by Agent Chichester as follows: Four years, 129; 5 years, 21; 6 years, 27; bulls, 14. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 163 COUNTS OF PUPS. Commencing on July 28, on St. Paul, the usual counts of pups were made on the rookery spaces selected for that purpose. A statement of the count so made, with that of the preceding year, attached for purposes of comparison, follows: Rookeries. Ketovi Lagoon Tolstoi Cliff Zapadni Reef Polovina Cliff Ardiguen Lukanin West side Northeast Point. East side Northeast Point.. Little Polovina Polovina Gorbatch Cliff Amphitheater Sea Li9n Rock 2 Total. 1904 Harems. 467 Pups. 2,147 1,084 1,571 1,091 1,412 565 2,020 2,312 831 941 3,691 481 458 18,604 Average harem. 31.11 45.16 4L34 23.71 35.30 37.66 39.60 48.16 43.73 44.80 51.26 40.08 38.16 Harems. 369 Pups. 1,858 929 1,447 833 1,289 437 1,841 1,793 696 918 3,320 337 361 16,059 Average harem. 34.59 40.39 41.34 27.76 35.80 48.55 42.81 56.03 34.80 76.60 62.64 33.70 30.08 43.52 Per cent harems. 21.7 4.1 7.8 34.7 10.0 40.0 15.6 33.3 15.2 38.0 26.3 16.6 20.77 De- crease pups. 13.4 14.2 7.8 23.6 8.7 22.6 8.8 22.4 16.2 2.4 10. C 29.9 21.1 13.67 1 Increase. 2 On June 19, 1905, Sea Lion Rock had 45 bulls stationed. On July 28 it had 2,565 pups. No count of harems could be made at the proper time. The counts of bulls and of pups, therefore, are omitted in the above table, from which an average harem is obtained, based on actual counts of both harems and pups. On St. George, where pups on all the rookeries are counted each year, the following count was made by Agent Chichester: Date. Rookeries. Live pups. Dead pups. Dead cows. 1905. July 29 Zapadni 2,742 4,047 2,148 2,700 650 412 45 142 14 46 3 3 3 31 North 2 31 Staraya Artel . . 1 31 East 31 East Reef 31 LittleEast Total 12,699 253 6 Contrasted with the count on St. George for 1904, which showed 13,312 live and 271 dead, a decrease of 633 pups on St. George is apparent, or 4.6 per cent. AVERAGE HAREM. The average harem for 1905, taken from the counts of pups just detailed, was 43.52 on St. Paul and 50.2 on St. George. In 1904 the average harem on St. Paul was 39.83; on St. George 43.59. NUMBER OF BREEDING SEALS ON BOTH ISLANDS. From the actual count on St. Paul of pups on certain portions of the rookeries and an estimation of the number on the remaining por- tions, based on the number in the average harems, a total of 1,500 harems and 65,884 breeding cows is obtained. The harems enumer- ated contain 45 estimated for Sea Lion Rock. 164 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. On St. George, b}^ actual count, 258 harems and 12,952 breeding cows were found. The total number of breeding seals on both islands, therefore, is 1,758 bulls with harems, and 78,836 cows. From similar figures obtained in 1904, a decrease of 411 breeding bulls and 8,749 breeding cows is apparent, representing 18 per cent decrease in breeding bulls and 9 per cent decrease in breeding cows. This percentage of decrease in cows, however, is based partially on estimation, as already stated, on St. Paul. The percentage of decrease in cows on that portion of the St. Paul rookeries, where actual counts were made, is 13.67 per cent, and is accepted by us as more accurately representing the rate of decrease than the whole census, which incor- porates an element of uncertainty. IDLE BULLS. In 1905, as already stated, there were 119 idle bulls on St. Paul, and .22 on St. George, of all classes, or 141 for both islands. These include stationed bulls, without cows, as well as those young bulls appearing on the rookeries which leave on our approach, termed by us "quitters." In 1904 232 idle bulls on St. Paul and 62 idle on St. George were found, or 294 for both islands. This comparison shows that there has been a decrease of 153 idle bulls on both islands since 1904, or 52 per cent. . The total number of idle bulls on the two islands in 1905, including those young males found on the rookery space but not stationed, is 7 per cent of the whole number of bulls present. ENUMEEATION OF ALL CLASSES. It has been seen already that 1,758 breeding bulls and 78,836 adulfc cows were present tliis season, together with 141 idle bulls. In addi- tion to tliis number of breeding seals, it is now desired to estimate, in accordance with the direction of the department, the total number of individuals in all classes of seal life on the two islands. NUMBER OF HALS' BULLS. In computing the number of half bulls present on the islands, refer- ence is had, of course, to the table of large seals rejected from the drives during the season. On St. Paul Island last summer 721 rejections occurred between the ages of 4 and 7 years. To these must be added 120 four-year-olds branded the year before and appearing in the drives this year, making a total number of 841 rejections on St. Paul Island of young male seals over 4 years of age. On St. George Island Mr. Chichester noted 177 dismissals of seals between the ages of 4 and 6 years, both inclusive. The number of branded 4-year-olds seen there probably will bring up that number to 185. There were, therefore, on both islands 1,026 rejections of young seals above the age of 4 and under 8 years. It was estimated by me last year that at least 50 per cent more animals of this class were in existence than were seen in the drives. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 165 While the estimate is beheved to be too low, it was adopted because of the desire to be well witliin the actual number in being. On tliis basis the addition of 50 per cent to the number of large young rejec- tions found on both islands would show 1,539 young males present between the ages of 4 and 7 years. The number is nearly 500 in excess of that for the same class of animals present the preceding year. This increase is due directly to the enforcement of the regulations restricting the killing on the islands. NUMBER OF 3-YEAR-OLD BACHELORS. One thousand of tliis class of animals were branded this summer on the islands. The killings on St. Paul contained approximately 1,650 skins, weighing between 7^ and 9 pounds, first inclusive, thus making 2,650 of tliis class handled. By consulting the table of rejections we find that 37 per cent were not present in any subsequent drive. Using tliis percentage as a basis, and increasing the number found tliis summer — 2,650 — by 37 Eer cent, a total is reached of 3,630 three-year-olds present tliis season, deducting the number killed — 1,650 — there would then remain at the close of the setison 1,980 three-year-old males. It was estimated in my report of 1904 that 5,500 two-year-olds were in existence at the close of the season. The fact that only 3,630 three- year-olds are shown by the preceding figures to have been hauled in 1905 would raise the question as to the whereabouts of the difference between these two figures, or nearly 2,000 seals. Disregarding the number of 3-year-old bachelors that may have hauled among the cows tliis summer and were not driven, it must be noted that the 2 and 3 year old skins merge between the weights of 7 and 7^ pounds. On St. Paul 968 skins were taken weighing 7 pounds and 583 weighing 71 pounds. How many of these were 2-year-olds and how many were 3-5^ear-olds can not be determined, but in them possibly lies the solu- tion to the question as to the whereabouts of a portion of the 2,000 three-year-olds not accounted for. The mortality from natural causes, as well as that from pelagic sealing among these animals, must be considered also as having lessened the number. NUMBER OF 2-YEAR-OLDS PRESENT. On St. Paul, in 1905, 800 two-year-olds were branded and released and 1,005 rejections of branded 2-year-olds made during the same time. Tliis would show that the dismissals this year of this class of animals exceeded by 25 per cent the whole number known to be branded. The number of chsniissals of small unbranded seals on St. Paul in 1905 was 5,548, of which probably 500 were yearlings. Tliis leaves practically 5,000 rej ections of two-year-olds. By the proportion of ani- mals present, ascertained by the rejections of branded 2-year-olds, a reduction of 25 per cent from this number should be made to repre- sent the actual number of animals embraced, which would show 3,750 two-year-olds actually present in the class of cUsmissed seals. AdcUng to tliis number the 800 branded, and allowing 1,000 for 2-year-old bachelors not driven, would give a total of 5.550 remaining for St. Paul. 166 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. On St. George 2,077 small rejections occurred. Deducting 25 per cent from the number, gives 1,500 animals actually present. Addmg to these the 200 branded on the island, would make a total of 1,700 two-year-olds on St. George at the close of the season. It will thus be seen that on the two islands 7,200 two-year-olds remain at the end of the season of 1905. It was estimated by me in 1904 that 21,324 yearling bachelors were then present. They would, of course, return to the islands in 1905 as 2-year-olds. An opportunity is had, therefore, of testing the value of the former estimate. The catch this year included approximately 12,000 two-year-old skins. Adding to these the 7,200 two-year-olds estimated as still remaining, would give 19,200 two-year-olds accounted for. The dif- ference between the estimate and the number returning to the islands, as in the case of 3-year-olds, may easily be accounted for when animals not driven are considered, as well as mortality at sea. 2-YEAR-OLD cows. It was estimated last year that 21,324 yearling females were present. By the methods used last year it was estimated also that 30 per cent of the yearlings of one season would perish during the migration which they would make before they would return to the islands as 2-year- olds. Applying this reduction to the 21,324 yearling cows of 1904 would bring back 14,927 two-year-old cows in 1905. I believe this estimate of 2-year-old cows for 1905 to be well within the actual number present. YEARLING SEALS. In 1904 it was estimated that 87,585 pups were born on the two islands. Assuming that they were equally divided as regards sex, and allowing a 50 per cent mortality as having taken place during their first migration, would bring back to the islands in 1905, 21,896 yearling males and 21,896 yearling females. Pelagic sealing, however, is especially destructive to this class of animals, because they spend the greater portion of their time in the water. A deduction for pelagic sealing of 3,000 from each of these classes would leave 18,896 yearling males and 18,896 yearling females present about the islands in 1905. SUMMARY OF ALL CLASSES. From the actual counts made, and from the estimates already detailed, it is safe to state the total number of seals of all classes present on the two islands as follows: Bulls with harems. . Adult idle bulls Half bulls 3-year-old bachelors. 2-year-old bachelors . 758 141 539 980 200 Yearling bachelors 18, 896 Breeding cows 78, 836 2-year-old cows 14, 927 Yearling cows 18, 896 New-born pups 78, 836 Total 223,009 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 167 SCARCITY OF BULLS. Ill connection with the increase in the average harem, from 39.83 on St. Paul and 43.59 on St. George in 1904, to 43.52 on St. Paul and 50.2 on St. George in 1905, owing to the decrease in breeding bulls occurring durmg the interval, it is thought necessary to call the atten- tion of the department to the condition in which the breeding rookeries on St. Paul were found at the height of the season with reference to a sufiiciency of adult males. The presence of a smaller number of bulls on the rookeries was, of course, established early in the season before the advent of the cows by counts made upon the arrival of the bulls and a comparison of the same with those of the preceding season. The question of the sufiiciency of male life received my closest attention, and my observations were ably amplified by those of Agent Judge. SCARCITY OF BULLS ON ROOKERIES. Ap has been stated previously, 1,455 bulls ^^-ith harems were found on St. Paul Island in 1905, as agamst 1,790 in 1904, a decrease of 335 in the number of harems. These figures exclude the harems on wSea Lion Eock. This decrease of 335 breedmg bulls represents a loss of 18 per cent. The decrease in cows on the space actually counted on St. Paul was 13.6 per cent, while the decrease on the final estimated number of cows on the whole island was 10 ])er cent. Since the rate of loss in breeding bulls is larger than that in breed- ing cows, it must follow that the average harem in 1905 would be larger than that of the previous year, or, in plain terms, each surviv- ing bull would be required to serve in 1905 a greater number of cows than in 1904. ABSENCE OF IDLE BULLS ON CERTAIN ROOKERIES. In the intermediate counts made by "Sir. Judge and myself of breed- ing seals it was soon learned that, while there were idle bulls present on certain rookeries in sufficient number to increase proper service of the cows, on other rookeries the bulls stationed were practically all occupied with cow^s, leaving no surplus for emergencies. On Ardiguen, from July 1 to 13, the 9 stationed bulls on the rook- ery all had cows. On July 11, at nearly the height of the season, the cows present on land on that rookery made an average harem, for all bulls stationed, of 29. This does not take into account the cows absent at sea feeding. Durmg this period from 1 to 4 young bulls were present on the rookery, but did not succeed in getting co^^ s and went into the water on the slightest alarm. The average harem for this rookery (Ardiguen) as determined by the count of pups was 48.55. This means, of course, that these cows were not evenl}^ distributed in this exact proportion, but that some bulls had twice this number, while others had correspo]idingly less. The number of cows present in each harem, as determined by my count on July 11, was as follows: 20, 17, 26, 31, 66, 52, 16, 29, 4. 168 SEAL ISLAN-DS OF ALASKA. A "quitter" or young bull was present on the date on which, harems were counted, but was hauled on the extreme end of the rookery apart from the cows. From this count it can be seen that 2 bulls had, respectively, 66 and 52 cows present in their harems at the time of the count. How many cows already served by the bull were al)sent at sea at this date from these large harems is not possible to state, but as our count of pups showed that at the height of the season not over 60 per cent of cows were present on the rookery, the addition of 40 per cent to these large harems would bring the total number of cows served by tliese two harem masters to 72 and 92, respectively. NO IDLE BXJLLS ON AMPHITHEATER. On the Amphitheater of Ketovi, from July 5 to July 23 (after which date no further counts were made by us), there were no bulls stationed that were not employed with cows, except on July 8, when one bull was idle for that day only. During the period from July 8 to 11 three young ''quitters" were present without cows. After that date two of them, so far as we know, obtained cows in independent harems. The tliird either disappeared from the rookery or took the place of an old bull exhausted by rookery work. At the height of the season there were 12 bulls on the rookery, all occupied vdtli cows. On Ketovi rookery during the height of the season not over 3 sta- tioned idle bulls were present. On July 21 all bulls on this rookery were engaged with cows. On July 13 out of the 57 bulls stationed 54 had cows. This rookery, it will be noted, received a steady accession of bulls up to the 19th of July, when 60 bulls were stationed and 59 occupied with cows. On the 16th of June, by which date all bulls, according to the old reports, are expected to have arrived and stationed them themselves, there were only 42 stationed and 7 young "quitters." On Lagoon, on July 1 3, 25 bulls were present and 23 had cows. One 'quitter" was present. On Lukanin, on July 11, 46 bulls were stationed and 43 had harems. On July 13, 45 were stationed and 43 had harems. On the 11th there was one " quitter," and on the 13th 2 " quitters." The greatest num- ber of cows were present on these two days. On Vostoshni, the west side of Northeast Point, when harems were counted on July 16, 32 bulls were present, all of which had cows. On tliis rookery, or rather this end of Northeast Point rookery, the aver- age harem was 56. On Morjovi, the east side of Northeast Point, 20 bulls were stationed, each having a harem. A " quitter " was present on an abandoned por- tion of the rookery. The average harem on this side was 34. On the entire rookery at Northeast Point at the height of the sea- son, July 16, 378 bulls were stationed. Of these 362 were masters of harems, leaving 16 idle. As the shore line of this rookery, the largest on either island, extends over 3 miles, the presence of only 16 idle bulls on this entire stretch of rookery space is significant. At this time 1 1 quitters were noted in addition. These undoubtedly found cows later. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 169 On Poloyina, out of 56 bulls present on July 16, when harems were counted, only 3 were idle. There were 3 quitters or young bulls pres- ent also. Tiie average harem on this rooker}^ was 62.64. On Polovina Cliff, out of 36 bulls present on July 16, none were idle. One young quitter was present m addition. On Little Polovina, on the same date, 12 bulls were stationed and all had cows. There were no quitters. On this rookery the largest average harem on the island was found — 76.5. This, in connection with the fact that no idle bulls were present, emphasizes a scarcity of bulls in tliis localit}^. On the Reef, where harems were counted on July 13, 275 stationed bulls were found. Of these 261 had harems, leaving 14 idle. Had the harems on this rookery been counted three days later a much smaller number of idle bulls probably would have been found. Five quitters were present also. On Tolstoi, out of 143 bulls stationed, 136 were engaged vnth. cows on July 14 and 7 were idle. These idle bulls vrould have been quit- ters on another rookery, but on Tolstoi, being behind the mass and rather far inland, they were not able on our approach to reach the water without traversing the rookery area and being severely handled by bulls. They retreated only a short distance on our approach and were termed "idle bulls." On Tolstoi Cliff 35 bulls were stationed on July 14, and all had cows. Three quitters were present on the water line. On Zapadni 200 bulls were found on July 14, and of these 21 were idle, in addition to 7 quitters. On Little Zapadni, on July 14, 81 bulls were stationed. Of these 78 were occupied with cows and 3 were found idle. There were also 3 quitters. On Zapadni Reef, on the same date, 32 stationed bulls were found, of which only 2 were idle. There were no quitters. On Gorbatch, out of 124 stationed bulls, only 2 were idle on July 13, when harems were counted. Six quitters were present. On Gorbatch Cliff, on July 13, of 10 bulls found, all were occupied with harems. PERCENTAGE OF IDLE BULLS. It will be seen, thus, that of the whole number of bulls present only a very small number were idle, and in the cases of certain rook- eries there were no idle bulls at the height of the season. The quitters at the climax of the sealing season are 3^oung bulls, full of procreative power and desirous of the female, but not yet fully equipped in either weight or courage. I have noted repeatedly .young bulls with harems wliich sometimes would number a dozen cows plunge into the sea at my approach. The possession of cows, how- ever, gives courage, and I have been chased repeatedly by young quitters that previously gave ground, but which had gotten a cow or two and with them the courage to fight for a continuance of their possession. A quitter, however, is not a rookery bull until he is in possession of cows. It is not proper to class as an idle bull a young male that pre- sents liimself only in a place on the rookery where there are no cows, and therefore where there is no rivalry. '^The quitter generally sees no service until after the vigilance of the regular bulls is relaxed, and 170 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the served cows wander almost at will over the rookeries in search of their pups. In determining, therefore, the percentage of idle bulls present at the height of the season no account will be taken of the q^uitters. A list of these, however, is added for the purpose of showmg the full rookery population: Rookeries. Stationed bulls. Idle. Quitters. Per cent idle. Ardiguen 9 12 57 25 45 378 56 36 12 275 35 200 SI 32 124 10 143 Amphi Ketovi 3 2 2 16 3 2 1 2 11 3 1 5 Lagoon g Lukanin . . 4 Northeast Point 4 Polovina 5 Polovina Cliff Little Polovina Reef 14 5 3 7 3 5 Tolstoi Cliff Zapadni 21 3 2 2 10 Little Zapadni 3 Zapadni Reef 6 Gorbatch 6 1 Gorbatch Cliff Tolstoi 7 4 Total 1,530 75 44 4.8 It can be seen, therefore, that without the inclusion of the quitters or young bulls not stationed only 4.8 per cent of all stationed bulls present were idle at the height of the season on St. Paul. If we were to include the 44 quitters, the percentage of idle would be only 7.5. But as these young bulls not stationed can not be counted upon for service until after the season is over, we must accept the percentage of idle bulls during the breeding season as being only 4.8. IDLE BULLS MARK THE SAFETY LIMIT. In my report for 1903 I stated that the presence or absence of idle bulls was the only means of proving whether or not there is a suffi- ciency of male life: With a number of idle bulls present we are certain that the powers of the harem masters are not unduly taxed. Eliminate the idle bulls entirely, however, and we are forced to theorize in the treatment of the question whether the number of bulls is sufficient, and whether all cows are impregnated. The destruction of the supply of idle bulls, therefore, marks the line beyond which it is improper to go with absolute certainty of safety. At the time this was written I was not aware of the presence, in the report of Fur-Seal Investigations on the Pribilof Islands, 1896-7, of a statement by Mr. Frederick W. Lucas of similar effect to that in my report just quoted. The extract from Mr. Lucas's paper is here given, as the statement of a scientist, at a time when the condition under discussion was expected never to occur: _ The size of the harems and the number of surplus bulls is a safe guide to the condi- tion of the rookeries for breeding purposes, the increase or decrease of the total num- ber of seals being naturally quite another thing, although the two should be carefully compared with one another. If the number of surplus bulls is large and the size of harems small, either the rookeries are shrinking or the number of bulls increasing, and immediate steps should be taken to ascertain which is the case, in order to decide whether more seals may be advantageously killed, or whether there is an unexpected SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 17 1 number of deaths among the cows. The total disappearance of the idle, waiting, or reserved bulls, as they have been variously called, would be a warning of the most emphatic nature to immediately lessen the number to be killed, for since the seal herd is for a great portion of the year quite beyond the control of man it will always be necessary to allow a liberal margin of bulls for breeding purposes. It is submitted that "the total disappearance" of idle bulls is imminent when only 4 per cent of tliis class is present. How many of these idle bulls have ph3^sical defects which preclude an active engagement in the duties of a harem master, and consequently force them into the idle class, is not possible to tell. With the probability that some of these idle bulls may be physically incompetent, it is thought that the situation this summer nearly represents a practical disappearance of the reserve or waiting bulls. IDLE BULLS ABSENT ON CERTAIN ROOKERIES. It is certain, at least, that some of the rookeries on the island present the condition of having no idle or reserve bulls. These are Gorbatch CliiT, Ardiguen, Amphitheater of Ketovi, Little Polovina, Polovina Cliff, and Tolstoi Cliif. These are nearly all ends of larger rookeries, and it may be said in their defense, first, that they occupy a narrow shore line under cliffs which do not permit of the stationing of a great number of seals at any time; and, secondly, that as the diminution in seals is most appar- ent on the thinly settled ends of rookeries, it will probably show more plainly on these parts mentioned than on the main rookeries themselves. But when it is remembered that at the season's height only 2 idle bulls were found on Gorbatch, which had an estimated number of 5,309 cows; only 3 idle on Ketovi, with 1,858 breeding cows, actually present, as was shown by a count of pups; only 2 idle on Lukanin, with 1,841 cows present by count; 3 on Little Zapadni, with 3,394 cows estimated; only 3 on Little Polovina, with 3,320 cows counted, and only 7 on Tolstoi, with 5,918 cows estimated, it can be seen that even on the central rookeries, where space for expansion is practically unlimited and where 10 years ago thousands of idle bulls were to be found, the number of idle bulls is so small as to be practically un- serviceable. SUPPLY OF IDLE BULLS NOT MOBILE. The idle bulls present during the summer are stationed, and as a rule do not move from their positions until after the harems have broken up. If they were available, as the reserve corps of an army, to be moved from place to place in support of others hard pressed, greater service from them could be secured. But such is not the case. A mass of 1.000 cows might have but a few bulls in its midst upon whom probably rookery duties fell heavily, while a hundred yards away idle bulls may be found, tenacious of their position, but apparently still waiting for cows to come to them. In this respect the fur seal can not be compared to the wild deer, kine, or horse, the male of which species searches for the female. They can not be compared to an}^ animal, in fact, except that of whicli the male remains in one spot and is sought by the female. 172 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. In view of this immobility of stationed bulls, therefore, a healthy- condition of the rookeries will require, to my mind, enough surplus bulls that they may be stationed at intervals over the entire length of the rookeries to take advantage of the first symptom of wealaiess in a harem master, and by worsting him in battle gain possession of his harem. This, in my opinion, is the normal condition which must exist in nature, and is the condition which as nearly as possible should be maintained on the rookeries under the supervision of man. BACHELORS ON BREEDING GROUNDS. There were so few bulls on certain rookeries on St. Paul Island this summer that, by reason of their scarcity, the harems were broken up before the usual period and bachelors were able to haul among the cows. This occurred at a date when these young seals should have been excluded from the breeding grounds by vigilant bulls, and then forced to haul up, if they desired to haul at all, only on the bachelor's hauling ground. This condition, in our opinion, is due to the scarcity of breeding males on the rookeries generally, and to their being so taxed in special localities with the service of the cows that they were unable or un- willing to drive out the bachelors. Had idle bulls been sufficiently numerous this condition would not have occurred. EVIDENCES OF SCARCITY OF BULLS. The decrease in bulls, as compared with previous seasons, was early known by our daily counts. When harems were counted on St. Paul Island by Mr. Judge and myself this summer, it was noted that less difficulty was experienced by us from vicious bulls than ever before. In counting harems it is necessary often to obtain a position com- manding as well a good view of beach line and plateau. These posi- tions are usually surrounded by bulls with harems. To gain them it is necessary to drive off these bulls, and to hold them away during the few minutes necessary to complete the count in that locality. This is done by means of several agile native men and light bamboo poles about 10 feet in length. In thus going among the bulls, more or less difficulty is encountered. Several 3^ears ago certain vantage points on the Reef, Tolstoi, and Zapadni Points were absolutely unattainable by reason of the number and aggressiveness of bulls present. This year no trouble whatever was experienced in reaching these points. Where hitherto we were obliged to drive bulls off in certain places, none were encountered. In others we went directly into the mass of bulls with the aid of only two boys, and could stand there without any serious danger. In masses little aggressiveness was found. As contrasted with our experience of past years, this condition was so unusual as to cause immediate remark. CONDITION AT NORTHEAST POINT. A large mass of seals has always been present at Northeast Point, under Hutchinson Hill. Harems on this rookery were counted July 16, a date when compactness in the rookery formation should be SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 173 greatest. It was surprisino;, therefore, to see at this time cows scat- tered loosely all over the sand flat under the hill, the disintegrated mass extendino- from the beach line back to the hill. At first glance this was attributed to the heavy rain falling- at the time, creating puddles of filthy slime, and supposedly causing the cows to scatter out in search of firmer ground. As I was taldng photographs of the rookeries, I went ahead to make the necessary exposures before the formation of the cows should be disturbed by the counting of the harems. Mr. Judge followed with two natives and made the count. He stated that the bulls were prac- tically docile and that no trouble was experienced in penetrating the mass of seals. He stated, also, that in his opinion the bulls were taxed to such an extent as to have virtually lost control of the breed- ing grounds, and that tlris was the reason for their unusual amiability. He noted also that a great proportion of the supposed cows scattered about were bachelors. On July 20 we again visited the point to kill seals as well as to ob- serve the mass and to take additional photographs. On that date the mass had the same loose appearance as on the 16th. No bachelors could be seen on the usual hauling grounds on either side of the hill from wliich the drive was to be made the following day. Although a close inspection could not be made without the risk of stampeding what seals were there, from the top of the hill bachelors could be seen among the cows, especially the branded ones, their shaved heads being conspicuous marks. On the next day, July 21, a drive was made from this rookery and no bachelors were gotten from the hauling grounds under Hutchinson Hill. A small drive was secured from two other hauling grounds, from which only 109 skins were taken and 234 seals dismissed. The insignificance of this killing from the largest rookery on the island at a season of the year when small bachelors are supposed to be most plentiful on land, and when a thousand seals in a drive would not have been unusual, was startling. This failure of bachelors on the hauling ground was looked upon as a verification of the result of our observations on the 16th. As the rookery now could be inspected closely without danger of stampeding killable seals, Mr. Judge and Mr. Redpath, the latter going at my request while I counted skins in the salt house, went to Hutchinson Hill to make a critical examination of the body of seals hauled under it. The situation found can best be described by quoting from Mr. Judge's notes: The bachelors could be seen in considerable numbers at the foot of the hill and along both sides of the triangle forming the mass. Bulls were very scarce. Only 1 bull was on the hill. He had a harem of 12 cows. No other bull was within 100 feet of the base of the hill. Cows, pups, and bachelors were huddled together. The bachelors are cleaner than the cows, and generally show silvery breasts, while cows show breasts of dirty yellow. Bachelors play a good deal, while there is very little playing among the cows. Seven branded bachelors were observed among the lot. At close range the bachelors were more easily distinguished. There is no doubt in my mind that the niunber of bachelors mixed with the cows under Hutchinson Hill exceeded those driven this morning, namely, 343 of all sizes. Mr. Redpath was of the opinion that most of the bachelors seen would have been undersize for killing. The result of the investigation by Mr. Judge and Mr. Redpath ver- ified the conclusion reached on the 16th, that the bulls, being few in numbers, were overtaxed, and had lost control of the breeding ground. 174 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Taking advantage of this condition, the bachelors had hauled among the cows, which accounted for the smallness of the drive on the 21st. The absolute necessity for the presence of idle bulls is here empha- sized. Had there been enough of this class present the places of overtaxed bulls would have been usurped, and the rookery discipline maintained with even increased vigor. At tlais particular point, however, there were no idle bulls. CONDITION ON OTHER ROOKERIES. Having found this situation to exist at Northeast Point, it was thought possible that perhaps the same existed at Polovina and Tol- stoi, from which rookeries practically no bachelors have been driven for several years. A stop was made at Polovina on our way from Northeast Point on the 2l£t, and Messrs. Judge and Redpath and myself visited that rookery. We were not able to verify our assumption with regard to this rookery. By reason of the flatness of the approach to it, only the rearmost harems could be inspected, and those only with caution, lest the cows be stampeded. While we found six 2-year old bachelors in two small harems at the rear, we found also the harem formations to be much better preserved than at Hutchinson Hill. The bulls seemed active in preventing the escape of the cows and in rounding them up into their harems. The fact, however, remains that only 3 idle bulls were found on this rookery at the height of the season. That the bulls present with cows were still able to maintain their harems on the 21st is more a tribute to their vitahty than prodf that enough adult males were present. On the 23d Mr. Judge examined Reef rookery. He found that the bachelors there were hauhng by themselves, and did not see any evi- dences of weakness in bulls. On the 24th Mr. Judge visited Tolstoi to discover whether bache- lors were present there among the cows. He found, he stated, at least one-fourth of the supposed cows present to consist of bachelors, which, as we beheve, are permitted to haul among the cows by reason of the absence of idle bulls, which, even at this late date, would be eager to preserve the harems intact. SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS CONDITION. This condition apparent at Hutchinson Hill and at Tolstoi (although in a greater degree at the fii-st-mentioried place) gives us, so far as we know, the first intimation that at certain locahties on the island bulls are not present in sufficient numbers to maintain a fu'st-class rookery service. This situation, in the cases noted, carries with it its own remedy. The scarcity of bulls allows the bachelors and haK bulls to mingle with the cows. These young animals, 3 years of age and over, are compe- tent to perform the functions of procreation. Their presence among the cows, in my opinion, insures service to all cows in heat not reached at once by a bull. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 175 PRESENT REGULATIONS AMPLE. The present scarcity of bulls is attributable directly to close killing on land, from which not enough ])achelors were allowed to escape from the kilhng fields to maintain the requisite proportion of bulls. For the last two years, however, regulations have been in force on the islands as the result of which a considerable number of bachelors are exempted from kilhng and allowed to escape. The animals thus saved are not old enough to appear upon the rookeries. It will be necessary for two more years to elapse before these animals may be counted upon. From that time, however, \vith the continuance of the regulations, it is believed that an ample supply of bulls will be present. PRESENT REGULATIONS SHOULD BE CONTINUED. Since it appears that a scarcity of bulls is threatened on the islands, and, in fact, has occurred actually on several of the rookery spaces on St. Paul, an}^ change in the present regulations looldng to a lessening of the restrictions placed on kilhng on the islands would be wholly unwise. The result of these regulations can not be felt before 1907, as has in effect been stated. During the interval which must elapse before that time a steady decrease in bulls ^^^ll be encountered. The closest kilhng on land occurred during the seasons of 1902 and 1903. In the latter season the lessees released from the drives on St. Paul only 983 small seals. This practical annihilation of bachelors for this year wall be felt on the rookeries four j^ears thereafter, or in 1907. Since w^e are obliged to face in 1906 and 1907 tliis extra heavy decrease occurring from the closer kilhng in 1902 and 1903, no reduc- tion in the number of bachelors now saved on the islands should be made until the rookeries themselves show an influx of male hfe sulh- cient to more than offset the yearly mortahty. SIMILAR CONDITION ON RUSSIAN ISLANDS. The condition of a scarcity of bulls on certain rookeries and the presence of bachelors among the cows has existed on the Russian (^^ommander Islands for years. On the rookeries of Bering Island it has been the practice, in obtain- ing bachelors for kilhng, to drive off the entire rookery in order to pick out the bachelors from among the cows and pups. It is stated b}" Dr. Stejneger, in his report on the Commander Islands (Rept. Fur-Seal Inves., pt. 4, p. 222), that this is no new fea- ture due to the decrease in seals, and that the same thing took place in 1882 and 1883, in the palmiest days of the sealing business. It must not be overlooked, however, that the rookeries on which Dr. Stejneger states this unusual driving occurs in recent years have had few bulls and a large average harem. On page 99 of the report cited it is stated that in the drive of North rookery, August 22, 1895, 3,000 cov/s and only 8 bulls were driven. While this was so late in the season as to form no idea as to the number of bulls present at the season's height, it shows, at least, that buhs there were very scarce. 176 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, On South rookery in July, 1897, on this same island, Dr. Stejneger counted 526 cows and only 2 bulls. 'Wliile not desiring to oppose Dr. Stejneger's theory that a suffi- ciency of bulls were present on these rookeries, I desire to point out that the presence of bachelors among cows is found coincident ■\\dth a scarcity of bulls on both the Commander and the Pribilof Islands. Without hazarding any opinion as to the cause of this condition on the Commander Islands, our judgment is that on the Pribilofs the presence of bachelors among cows in such unusual numbers is due to a scarcity of bulls. LIMIT TO PEOCEEATIVE POWER OF BULLS. Much has been said of the wonderful procreative power of bulls, and the theory has been advanced that a bull can serve mthout dis- comfort as many cows as he is able to get and hold. Our experience this summer has convinced us that there is a limit to a bull's capacity, and that the bulls on the rookeries at the height of the season had come nearer to reaching it than ever before in our knowledge. Wlien it was possible on July 13 to penetrate the mass of breeding seals on theKeef, and on July 14 that on Zapadni, meeting with no more opposition than could be met successfully by two men armed with Kght poles, it must be believed that the bulls at these places were taxed to such a Umit as to be shorn of most of their aggres- siveness. On July 16 I^Ir. Judge with two men went through the mass under Hutchinson Hill on the plateau near the shore hne, and experi- enced but httle trouble. To have done this five years ago with the same mass would have been impossible, ALL COAVS WERE SERVED. There is no intention to convey the meaning that the cows on the Pribilofs suffered from lack of service. No evidence to that effect could be found. The presence of bachelors among the cows is an additional assurance that none were suffered to go without impreg- nation. It is intended to show only that in performing rookery service this year the harem masters were put to greater exertion than before observed by us. This, taken in connection with the lack of a sufficiency of idle bulls, demonstrates that the regulations of the department restricting kill- ing should be rigidly enforced in their present state until such time as the rookeries show a greater proportion of bulls present. CENSUS OF NATIVE INHABITANTS. Censuses of both islands, taken June 30, 1905, are herewith sub- mitted as exhibits. That of St. Paul shows 164 actual residents, of which 82 are males and 82 females. Seven deaths and 8 births occurred during the year. There were 2 departures and 4 arrivals, making a net increase in population on St. Paul of 3 mdividuals. The census of St. George shows 89 actual residents. During the year 5 deaths and no births occurred on the island. One native arrived from St. Paul and 2 natives departed to reside on St. Paul. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 177 The census of St. George therefore shows a net decrease in the popiihition during the year of 6 individuals. The total population of both islands, taken from th? above cen- suses, is 253 actual residents, a decrease of 3 from those of 1904. DIVISION OF NATIVE EARNINGS. The earnings of the St. Paul natives durmg the season ended August, 1905, for taking 13,000 fur-seal skins at 50 cents each, and 8 sea-lion skins at S2 each, were -56,516, which sum was divided among the native sealers in the manner detailed in the exhibit hereto attached, marked "Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul Island, Alaska, season of 1905." The amounts allotted to each sealer, as noted on the division, have been placed to the credit of each, respec- tively, and are being disbursed for the purchase of articles necessary to their maintenance on orders issued by the Government agent. The earnings of the St. George natives for taking 258 blue-fox^skins at $5 each and 10 white-fox skhis at $1 each, during the season of 1904-5, amounted to $1,300. Their earnings during the same season for taking 1,368 sealskins at 50 cents a skin amounted to S684. These amounts are being disbursed for maintenance in the same man- ner as the earnings on St. Paul. A copy of the St. George seal division is submitted herewith as an exhibit. The fox division is to be foimd as an exhibit to Agent eTudge's report, which is also attaclied as an exhibit. APPORTIONMENT OF GOVERXiMENT APPROPRIATION. The appropriation of $19,500 made by the Government for the support of these natives during the fiscal year 1906, after deducting $9,625 for 385 tons of coal to be delivered during that period, was apportioned between the two islands by allotting $5,210 to St. Paul and $4,665 to St. George. The deduction for coal was made at the rate of $25 per ton, at which rate I was instructed by the department to anticipate pay- ment. As I understand, the department has since fixed a rate of $20 a ton, the difference of $1,925 on the amount ordered, caused by the reduction of the rate by $5 a ton, will be used for the purchase of articles needed by the natives, but of wdiich they are now deprived by this threatened increase in the price of coal. In the middle of ]\rarch, 1905, the natives' supply of coal on St. Paul, which was required to last them until the following June, was reduced to about 20 tons. The natives after that date were required to gather driftwood to heat their dwellings until the arrival of the company's vessel in June. company's EXPENDITURES UNDER LEASE. Under that portion of the department's instructions to me whereby I am directed to obtain from the lessee of the sealing right a state- ment of its expenditures in complying with that portion of its con- tract requiring it to provide schools, dwellings, houses of worship, and ph^^sicians and medical attendance for the native inhabitants of. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 12 178 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the seal islands and the necessaries of life for "widows, orphans, aged and infirm inhabitants" of the same, I requested the general agent of the lessee, ^fr. Redpath, to furnish me with tlie necessary data on the subject. That for St. George Island was delivered to Agent Chichester, on that island, and by him transmitted to me. It is lierewith inclosed as an exhibit. The statement for St. Paul was promised. Not being forthcoming at the time of the departure of the company's vessel, in August, I made a second request, in person, for its delivery. I was informed in reply, by Mr. Davis, the lessee company's secretary, who was on St. Paul at the time, that the data necessary to make the statement would be sent to the company's office at San Francisco, and the report furnished me there. Upon my arrival at San Francisco I requested Mr. Taylor to fur- nish me with the information, whicli he agreed to do. He stated that he woldd forward the same at his earliest opportunity. Not having received the data mentioned on October 12,1 addressed a formal letter to the president of the North American Commercial Co., requesting to be furnished with the statement desired by the department, to which no reply has been received. A copy of my letter to the company is hereto attached as an exhibit. PHOTOGRAPHS OF ROOKERIES. Photographs of the rookeries were taken this summer on either island and the plates forwarded to the department. It is regretted that the rain and fog, present to an unusual degree on the islands at the height of the season, interfered witli the quality of some of the negatives obtained. FOXES ON THE ISLANDS. No trapping of foxes was allowed on St. Paul Island during the winter of 1904-5, owing to their extreme scarcity. During the past two winters fox life on St. Paul has undoubtedly been at a lower ebb than at any time in the island's history. War- rens and fox trails are deserted. A solitary fox track was seen here and there in the snow durmg the last winter. No foxes were seen around the village. No feeding could be done, had it been attempted for no foxes were seen to feed. During the summer just passed, however, foxes on St. Paul could be seen in comparatively larger numbers. In our trips to Zapadni and Northeast Point several foxes could be seen on every trip. One white fox shot by me during the winter on the Reef was thickly covered with blubber and had a stomach full of arrie feathers. It is believed that the nucleus remaining on the island has sufficient food and is increasing in numbers. It is not known when trapping on St. Paul can again be taken up. The fox question on St. George is ably dealt with in the report of Agent Judge, herewith submitted. I can do no better than to refer the department to his report for information as to the condition of fox life on that island. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 179 During the early portion of the winter of 1904-5 natives visited Otter Island, and after a week's trapping returned with the pelts of 31 blue foxes and 2 whites. The natives report that they did not kill all the foxes on that island. No trapping has been done on Otter Island since 1894, when, as I understand, all foxes there at that time were killed. Those killed there last winter probably reached there from St. Paul on the northern drift ice. LIST OF EXHIBITS. The following list of exhibits to this report is appended for reference : No. 1. Report of Agent James Judge, St. George, 1905. No. 2. Annual statement seals killed, St. Paul, 1905. No. 3. Certificate of sealskins shipped, St. Paul, 1905. No. 4. Weights of sealskins taken, St. Paul, 1905. No. 5. Counts of rookeries, St. Paul, 1905. No. 6. Statistics of killings, St. Paul, 1905. No. 7. Census of native inhabitants, St. Paul, 1905. No. 8. Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul, 1905. No. 9. Copy of letter requesting statistics, St. Paul, 1905. No. 10. Annual statement seals killed, St. George, 1905. No. 11. Weights of sealskins taken, St. George, 1905. No. 12. Counts of rookeries, St. George, 1905. No. 13. Seals released from drives, St. George, 1905. No. 14. Statistics of branding, St. George, 1905. No. 15. Counts of live pups, St. George, 1905. No. 16. Seal division, natives' earnings, St. George, 1905. No. 17. Census of native inhabitants, St. George, 1905. No. 18. Expenditures by company for support natives, St. George, 1905. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Exhibit 1, report of agent james judge. St. George Island, June 6, 1905. Dear Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of affairs on St. George Island, covering the interval from August 14, 1904, to date: On October 7 Little East rookery was carefully gone over for the purpose of counting dead pups, but none were found. At that season foxes in greater or less numbers are always present on the rookeries and quickly eat the pups or older animals that may happen to die. Pup skulls were frequently found during September in the rear of the rookeries, where they had undoubtedly been left by the foxes, the bodies having been devoured. Further counting of dead pups was therefore not attempted, as it seemed a disturb- ance of the seals to no good purpose. The first food drive was made October 19; killed 59; dismissed 6 large, 197 small, and 6 brands. Two of the latter were from St. Paul. While all brands were very faint, those made with shears were less discernible than those made with hot irons. Just the sliglitest trace of a brand on one of the dead informed us that the wrong animal had been knocked down. The skin weighed 8 pounds. That other S-year-olds branded in the spring, on which the fur had grown out so that the brand had become obliterated, were also killed is more than probable, as 69 per cent of the dead skins weighed 7 pounds and over, the heaviest weighing 9 pounds. 180 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The average of this class of animals killed from the 20th to the 30th of last July was 43 per cent, while that on St. Paul during the entire sealing season was only 34 per cent. The paucity of branded seals in the drive as compared with drives made in July lead to the same conclusion. (See statistics regular killing for quota 1904.) At all subsequent killings I endeavored to restrict the slaughter to 2-year-olds, with considerable success. October 24 a food drive was made from East rookery and 30 killed. Among this lot 2 skins were found that had been branded, but the brands were too faint for detec- tion while the animal was alive. These skins weighed fi^ pounds each. That other branded 2-year-olds on which the brands had entirely disappeared were killed during the autumn is more than probable, but for this there was no apparent remedy without a radical revision of the rules governing sizes. To remove all possibility of killing branded seals in the fall on which the brands have become indistinct it will be necessary to prohibit the slaughter of any animal the skin of which weighs over 6 pounds. This will confine the killing to animals with skins weighing not less than 5^ nor more than 6 pounds. Stich a rule is hardly practicable. In my opinion, however, a relaxation of the minimum rule as regards weights of skins should be permitted at food killings on St. George. Out of 197 small dismissed October 19 only 21, so far as 1 could judge, were yearlings. The natives had had no fresh meat since July 30, and I think that in justice to them they should have been permitted to have killed some of the 176 small 2-year-olds turned off, even if the skins lell somewhat below 5j pounds. None of the meat secured on this island in the fall is wasted; every pound of it is carefully saved. A sharp lookout is kept for all avail- able seals in the vicinity of the village, and in addition the natives make trips to Zapadni, kill what seals are found, and carry the meat on their backs to the village, a distance of over 5 miles. Presuming that branding of bachelors is to continue, a rule fixing a maximum weight of 7 pounds for food skins taken in the fall would save the 3-year-olds, which I take to be the all-important object. The number of seals to be killed by the natives of St. George for food should not be less than 500 per annum, though it is doubtful if such number with merchantable pelts could be secured. The number determined on last year for food for the natives of this island, viz, 300, is inadequate and insufficient. I do not object to limiting the total killing on the island, but simply wish to enlarge the number that may be killed in the fall for autumn and winter use. The natives should be given all the latitude possible for securing a liberal supply of meat, the com.pany taking such number of skins the following summer as will com- Slete its quota if it can be done. Fifty-three skins were taken November 3 and 25 ovember 4. These animals were culled out by the natives from among the cows and pups on the rookeries. Branded bachelors were not observed on either occasion nor at any time thereafter. Small pods of seals were taken at intervals until Novem- ber 23, when 10 were secured at Staraya Artel. The total fall killing was 235, which comprises all seal meat the natives have had since last July. For weights of skins as taken at the different killings, see Exhibit A. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 181 On May 16, after these skins had hiid in salt all winter and were, therefore, in about the condition they will reach market, I reweighed them on a scoop scale and also measured them, with the following results: Skins. Weight. 4. 3 2. 1, 1 4, 4 5 5 8 10 5 3 12 5 4 5 15 3 9 6 8 6 4 7 3 3 o 12 2 8 3 9 1 7 1 7 4 2 4 3 1 1 4 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 Lbs. oz. i 14 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 10 6 11 6 12 6 13 6 14 6 15 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 9 6 6 Lenffth. Inches. 31f 33 37i 34 33 35? 35} 32S 35S 35i 34 35g 34^ 34.1. 36i" .38 37 35^ 36J 35i 35;i 35? 3fii 35| 36 Z7i 351 35 36^ 36 391 35? 36| 35 37? 38 36s 38| 39 38 355 38' 39 39 37| 39 43 38 38 42 41 36s Breadth. Inches. 24} 24J 25 25 25 25 26f 25i 26i 25i 26A 25i 26S 26A 25i 25i 25S 26f\ 27J 2^ 26s 25i 28= 26i 262 26i 27| 263 28 271 29i 28j 25 24i 28' 28? 2Si 27i 27* 29' 28 27 29 271 29 31 28 27 31 31 27i Circum- ference. Inches. 96i 98 107 103 98 104i 105| 100 105 102J 101^ 105 103J 104iV 105 lOSJ 107 104 ft 107 1041 106s 1041 109j 105 1043 1091 107 105 109 108 1121 110^ 109,J 105 108i 106 111^ 112^ llOi 112 109 114 110 113} UOi 112' 125 113 110 126 118 108 The above includes one 5-pound skin taken from an animal found dead in August. In this work I was assisted by the natives. The skins were stretched on an impro- vised table, and in measuring for length a tapeline was run down the middle from the neck to base of tail, for breadth across both flipper holes, and for circumference the outer edge was taken. Considerable disparity is found between the different weights and corresponding circumferences showing that the heavier skin is not always the larger one, nor is it necessarily taken from an older animal. In fact, it appears that the weights of skins as taken on the island only approximate the ages of the animals slaughtered, as it la 3uite possible for the skins of different animals of the same age to vary greatly in weight, epending on the amount of blubber adhering to the pelt. 182 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. The company have a set of linen patterns which profess to represent the average size of the different skins sold in London for four years, ending with 1895, giving weights and trade names. Dr. Mills and I ironed these patterns, and measured them in the same way the skins were measured, with the following results: Trade names. Weights. Leneth. Breadth. Lhs. oz. Inches. Inches. 14 61 34 11 46i 32J 9 4 40 29.i 7 14 39 26J 7 36 26 6 34 24 4 12 30J 22| Circum- ference. Middlings Middlings and small Smalls Large pups Middling pups Small pups Extra small pups. . Inches. 134 127 116 108 104 95 87 By comparing the above measurements with that shown in the tables on pages 4 and 5 it will be seen that in trade nomenclature none of the class which would be designated extra small pups were killed last fall, neither were any so-called middlings, and only two that would go into the class middlings and smalls. More of the latter designation would have been secured had the killing of large animals not been curtailed, as explained on page 2. while the facilities at the salt house for measuring the skins were meager, the gen- eral correctness of the results obtained is verified by the table shown on page 5 and also by a similar table prepared by Lampson & Co. in 1892, to be found in volume 8, page 917, Fur-Seal Arbitration. In assorting fur seals for size the above firm is guided mainly by the measurement. (Ibid., 916.) The total weight of the skins as taken last autumn was 1,531 pounds, that in May 1,488, showing an apparent loss of 43 pounds while in salt. The scales used m the fall were small spring balances registering nothing less than a quarter pound. In taking the weights and measurements in May I wanted to be as correct as possible, and to that end borrowed the store scales, which registered ounces. These scales, however, had been here a long time and, besides needing constant attention to keep them balanced, Avere not very sensitive. Much of the apparent dif- ference in weight is therefore in reality a difference in scales. Early in December the rookeries were deserted, but considerable numbers of seals could be seen in the adjacent water until Christmas. Occasionally during the winter the natives reported having seen a seal in the ocean. The earliest bulls this season arrived — one on North and another on Zapadni — May 2. One arrived on East May 3, one on Little East May 6, and one on Staraya Artel May 7. Two bachelors, the first of the season, hauled on East rookery May 14. The rookery population June 3 was as follows : Bulls. Quitters. Bachelors. Bulls. Quitters. Bachelors. North 73 35 12 6 3 1 20 30 Little East Staraya Artel 14 29 33 East 4 4 10 East Reef At the corresponding date of 1904 North rookery had 100 bulls and East Reef 20. The diminution on the other rookeries is less marked. The regular feeding of foxes began September 15, the food consisting of 1 dozen salmon which had been soaking several days and carried considerable water. Two days later a large tubful of salmon was fed, such tubs being afterwards found to hold about 80 pounds. Later in September this amount was doubled, so that the total for the month was 15 tubs. October 1 the remains of a right whale came ashore, which furnished the foxes with such a supply of food as to render feeding unnecessary during that month. The offal of seals killed during this interval was also eaten by the foxes. November 2 the feeding of soaked salmon was renewed, the amount fed being gradually increased until 4 tubs were fed daily. Beginning with November 20 seal meat was also fed, the total for the SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 183 month comprising 48 tubs of salmon and 57 seal carcasses. During December 366 seal carcasses and 21 tubs of salmon were thrown out for and eaten by the foxes, the carcasses varying in number between 10 and 25 daily. In January the weather became milder, so that 41 tubs of salmon and 115 carcasses were sufficient for that month, while during February 57 tubs and 53 carcasses were fed. The feeding in March consisted of 114 tubs, that of April 82 tubs, that of May 26 tubs and 1 barrel salt beef. May 15, the last day on which the feeding was contemplated, 7 tubs of salmon, all that was in soak, were thrown out. This was eaten within tlie next five days. Beginning with February 4 a supply of whale blubber was continually at the feeding place as an auxiliary to the salmon. Altogether 7,216 pounds of whale blubber were set out for and eaten by the foxes before the middle of May, excepting, perhaps, 200 pounds of tough, fibrous matter which car- ried little or no oil, and was finally burned. The seal meat preserved at Zapadni last summer, amounting to about 50 carcasses, was thrown out March 16. This was also eaten. As will be seen from the foregoing the foxes have been bountifully fed during the entire winter, the feeding being so arranged that with rare exceptions a surplus of food was left over every morning. The total amount which we know to have been eaten by the foxes may be stated as follows: Pounds. 404 tubs of salmon (approximating 80 pounds each) .*. 32, 320 486 seal carcasses 12, 797 155 seal carcasses (approximating 26 pounds each) 4, 030 Offal of 235 seals (approximating 11 pounds each) 2, 585 Whale blubber, 74 pieces 7, 013 Salt beef, 1 barrel 194 One-half barrel codfish and one-half barrel beef tongues. Total 58,939 Trapping was begun by the company agent November 20 and continued vigorously until February 3, two large traps being constantly in use. During this interval foxes were trapped 31 times at fox house and 25 times at stable. In addition to this there were 9 failures at stable and 7 at fox house. Three men were sent to Zapadni, who remained there four days, trapping every night. The trappings and attempts thereat were therefore as follows: At fox house, 38 times; at stable, 34 times; at Zapadni, 3 times. This was not only the most extensive trapping ever carried on here, but the number of hours actually spent in the work greatly exceeded all previous records. On two occasions we remained up all night and on several others until after midnight. Doors that worked from below the surface of the ground were arranged and found to work satisfactorily. They are a decided improvement upon drop doors. Catching sticks were finally abandoned and thrown away. Instead of using the scissors to open the foxes' mouths for dental examination, a soft gag was made upon which it was impossible for the animals to injure their teeth. Masks were made for the use of the man in the trapping room to prevent their being bitten in the face as has occa- sionally occurred. Despite all efforts a few foxes were at large at the close of the season that had escaped the traps. This, however, always occurs. The total catch was 766, that of last year 1,061, showing a diminution, during the interval, of 29 per cent. Of the catch, 244 males and 250 females were branded and 272, including 10 white, killed, 87 of which were females. (For the catch in detail, see Exhibit B.) The males branded and dismissed for the purpose of propagation were prime in every respect. This is also true of about 80 per cent of the females left as breeders. I regretted lea\dng any animals not strictly first class as breeders, but there was no alternative without reducing the breeding quota, which was already low enough. The females left as breeders which are not considered first-class, i. e., about 20 per cent, are only slightly inferior and by no means poor animals. Since the close of the fox season only four deaths were noted. One of these was due to uremic poisoning, another to a hemorrhage of the kidney, another to tubercu-' losis. In the fourth case the cause of death could not be determined, as the body, when found, was too badly decomposed. To my knowledge the only death among foxes known to have occurred from tuberculosis is that found by Dr. Mills and myself May 28, above noted. The animal was a female, 3 years old, carrying one brand. She was void of fat and weighed not m»ore than 4 pounds. The loss in flesh occurred since the time of trap- ping. Tubercular nodules were found in both lungs, so that the case was well defined. 184 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Remaining organs apparently healthy. This disease may, of course, cause many deaths among the foxes. On the whole I feel optimistic, and believe that the fox catch next season will show a decided increase over that of last winter. The animals have, as shown, been abundantly fed. There has been no drift ice during the winter, while the weather has been exceptionally mild, so that the most delicate animal should live until next season, unless attacked by disease. In the exercise of the discretion vested in him, the company's agent rejected 4 blue skins as defective and undesirable. The division, as shown in Exhibit C, was therefore based on 258 blue and 10 white fox skins, which, at current prices, aggregated $1,300. Last year's division amounted to $2,370, being based on a catch of 471 blue and 15 white. The difference in earnings will be felt by the natives. The company's agent says the skins secured are a poor lot. This is true enough, and under the circumstances could not be otherwise. The large shrinkage in the herd made it incumbent on me to examine every fox caught, and as the welafre of the herd demands that only the best be left for breeding pur- poses the company of course got only the residue. With the exception of 16 males and 9 females killed early in the season through a misapprehension on my part and few other medium-size males later on, the skins taken were those of either small or inferior beasts slaughtered because they were so. While foxes were scarcer in the vicinity of the village last fall than ever before in my experience, I had no idea there would be a diminution, and therefore when trap- ping began I determined to brand no male that in my judgment weighed less than 11 pounds, or any female weighing less than 10 pounds. As time wore on, however, it became evident that the standard set would have to be lowered or the breeding quota, while sui:)erior beasts, would not be sufficiently numerous. The weights then determined on were 10 pounds for males and 8 pounds for females, and later on some females v/eighing as little as 7^ pounds were branded. In the early part of the season the m.atter of weights was wholly conjectural, but December 17, I tried an experiment of taking the live weights of the foxes caught, and found that it could be done in a comparatively easy manner. The fox while in the hand of the native was subjected to -the usual dental exami- nation. A piece of soft leather, 2 inches wide, was then looped around the tail, one end of the leather being hooked to a scale suspended from the ceiling, when the weight was quickly ascertained and entered. If it was determined to leave the animal as a breeder, it was branded and liberated; otherwise it was dispatched in the usual manner. When a branded animal was caught more than once it received an additional brand each time, but was not reweighed. ^Vhile the trapping was more extensive than that of two years ago, there was less rebranding. (Compare Exhibit B with exhibit of my report July 10, 1903.) This was due to the fact that separate rooms were provided at the barn and fox house in which the foxes, as caught, were confined until my arrival in order that all foxes caught should pass under my inspection. There being no such rooms two years ago, I was obliged to confine my attention to the fox house, trusting to the natives the work at the village; while the foxes caught at both places were branded and dismissed at once, many of them evidently to return forthwith and be immediately recaptured. My plan was to visit both places every two hours while foxing was on, so that the confinement should in no case exceed that length of time. It was gen- erally shorter. There is nothing cruel in the weighing nor did the full two-hour confinement seem to distress them. The presence of a lantern in the room with the foxes caused them, with very few exceptions, to lie perfectly quiet until the time for handling arrived, when they showed plenty of spirit. Both the age and live weight of every animal caught on and after December IG were noted in the manner indicated and recorded in a book which I opened. The system of feeding and trapping foxes now in vogue has been in operation con- tinuously since 1897. All data concerning the number of foxes that have been killed •or dismissed for breeding purposes since that time is scattered through the different official journals kept in this office, which makes the looking up of those matters a cumbrous and difficult proceeding. The aforesaid book is designed to remedy that defect by providing a permanent and concise record of the essential points in the fox business, and it should, in my judgment, be continued by succeeding agents in this office. It comprises a full statement of foxes caught and killed or dismissed as breeders, together with a record of the approximate ages a.nd weights in each class, the respective data being carefully segregated. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 185 The actual live weights of all males branded and dismissed as breeders since Decem- ber 14 were as follows: Weight Foxes. in pounds. Foxes. Weight in pounds. Foxes. Weight in pounds. Foxes. Weight in pounds. 13 10 i 5 m 9 10.^ 13 10| 1 28 11 6 lU 11 lU ! 11 21 3 15 13 14 5 m 12 12| 13 13i ' 12 1 7 ! 3 1 1 1 13i 13| ' 14 i 14i 14i 15 151 1 2 1 1 1 16 17i m 20 198 Live weights of females branded and dismissed as breeders subsequent to December 14 were as follows: Foxes. Weight in pounds. Foxes. Weight in pounds. Foxes. AVeight in pounds. Foxes. Weight in pounds. 9 9 16 14 24 15 2 7.^ n 8 8i Si 81 lOi G 13 3 8 ! 2 Hi 12 12i 12| 13 18 6 22 11 19 13 1 9 9i II 10 101 ! { 2 1 ! 14i 14i 15 loi Hi Hi 225 Autopsies were held on all foxes killed either at the stable or fox house during the entire season at which the weights of the dead animals were taken. From the data thus obtained compared with the live weights of particular animals I was able to estimate with considerable accuracy the weights of the animals killed prior to Decem- ber 14. Such estimate, together \\-itli the actual weights obtained of the males that were killed after that date, will be found in the followdng table : Foxes. Weight in pounds. Foxes. Weight in pounds. Foxes. Weight in pounds. Weight Foxes. in poimds. 2 5 2 5 2 6 4 16 12 6 7 7i P 8i 8i 8| 5 20 3 19 8 8 25 5 6 9i 9i 91 10 lOi lOJ ' 9 ; lOi 11 1 3 1 3 2 1 1 4 2 Hi 111 Hi 12 m I 13 13i 1 14 4 1 1 1 2 16 16i 18 18i 19i ISO The'actual weights of females killed after December 14, with the estimated weights of those killed prior to that date, were as follows: Weight Weight Weight Weight Foxes. in Foxes. in Foxes. m Foxes. in pounds. pounds. pounds. pounds. 1 5i 3 7i 6 9i 1 12i 9 6 1 6 7i 1 10 1 13J 4 6i 6 8 1 lOi 9 6i 2 8i 3 11 86 3 6f 8 8i 2 Hi 14 7 4 9 2 12 186 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Prior to turning the skins over to the company all were measui-ed, mth the following results in inches: Average length. Average breadth. Average length of tail. ISO blue males 30rsu 29 lit 10| iSi'yw 15iA SO blue females 5 white females 14* Two years ago I measiu-ed the skins of 33 males and 54 females, the average of same being somewhat larger than those herewith presented. (See my report for 1903.) Along toward the end of the season the skins of 11 foxes, of which the age and live weights were known, were marked so that they could be identified when dried. The following table gives the age and weight of those 11, with corresponding measurement: Males. 1 Females. 1 year old. 2 years old. Over 3 years old. 1 year old. i i i s 5 *5 ft 1 5 ■a •3 5 Sao ■a •3 5 4 ■a 8i 71 28 29 30 26 11 12 10 11 8 9i 9i 11 31 31 29 30 12 12 10 11 12 31 13 6i 8i 28 30 10 11 None of these animals was very old. The largest skin was taken from the heaviest animal. Among the yearlings and 2-year-olds the latter generally produced the larger pelt. An 8-pound 2-year-old had a larger skin than one of equal age weighing 11 pounds. The data are, of course, insufficient in quantity for the basing of any gen- eral conclusions as to the relations existing between the live weight of the beast and the size of its skin. Apparently the one is not dependent upon the other. Nor does the largest animal produce the best fur. The company agent assured me that the two skins taken at Zapadni were the best of the catch. Those skins weighed, accord- ing to the natives that killed them, 9 and 9J pounds, and measmed when dried 30 by 12 and 29 by 11 inches, respectively. On the other hand, there can be little doubt that the larger and heavier animals, being well protected with blubber, are better fitted to survive in severe weather than those found to be poor and thin. The latter therefore should be killed off and nothing but the choice animals left as breeders. FOX CENSUS. The ages of the different foxes handled were determined by an examination of their teeth. No claim of absolute accuracy is made, but the ages given approximate, in my opinion, as near the animals' true ages as it is possible to give. They were as follows: Young or approxi- mately 1 year. Middle aged or approx- imately— Old, over Not exam- ined. 2 years. 3 years. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Killed 89 f.S 68 112 15 110 19 49 1 9 3 5 80 1 101 32 3 2 Total ." 169 169 180 125 68 33 9 8 3 2 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 187 From this census it appears that of the yearlings 169 of each sex, or 338 altogether, went through the traps. The mothers of these 338, which comprise all females above the age of 1 year, numbered 166. This would make an average per litter of 2 plus. The season's trapping indicates that the sexes are about equally divided at bu-th. In my fox census, taken two years ago in the same manner that this has been taken, 322 were found that were more than 1 year old. (See my report, July 10, 1903.) The yearlings caught diuing that season numbered 318, 133 males and 185 females, plus a number of runts estimated at 65 (ibid., p. 9), which were dismissed without branding. To these must be added a great number known to have died of starvation and eating of salt meat (ibid., pp. 1 to 6), so that neither the proportion of sexes or yield per mother for that year can be determined with any degree of accuracy. So far as I am aware no census was made last year, but as 250 paii's of foxes were turned off in 1903 and the catch in 1904 was 1,061, the yield was 561 or, approximately, 2\ per female. Divided as to sex, the catch for 1904 was 517 males and 544 females. In these calculations I assume that foxes escaping the traps offset the natural mortality among those branded. As will be observed in looking over the aboA^e census only 9 males and 8 females were caught that v.ould be considered old. In the census taken two years ago this class numbered 16 males and 92 females. The presence of such a large proportion of old females in the catch of two years ago is due to the fact that during the preceding six years females were immune from slaughter while the scarcity of such animals last season indicates that the old have been effectively killed off. STOMACHS AND INTESTINES. The contents of stomachs and intestines as developed on post-mortem examination revealed nothing of especial interest beyond that discovered two years ago and re- ported at that time. Fox fm- was found in the intestines of three early in the season, but at no other time, which is very good e\-idence that the foxes were'fm-nished suffi- cient food, or at least that the living were not devouring the dead, if there were any dead. Evidence of the animals living on the beach was found in 22 instances, the amount being small in every case. There was, owing to the mildness of the winter, but little heavy sm-f, and in con- sequence, perhaps, less marine food was thro\\-n on the teach than usual. Whale blubber was found in 18 stomachs, but whether it was picked up on the beach or around the natives' houses it is impossible to say. Intestinal worms were quite numerous, being found in 76 cases. They were simi- lar to those found two years ago and delivered to you at that time, with the excep- tion that one of the tapeworms was much larger than any heretofore discovered, measuring 12 inches in length. This worm was preserved, and is at your disposal. DECREASE IN FOX LIFE. As already indicated, the total catch was 766; that of the preceding season, 1,061, which shows a diminution of 29 per cent during the interval. This decrease is a serious blow to the fox business. It affects both the number and quality of the skins secm-ed by the company, while the loss to the natives in earnings compared with the preceding year is over $1,000. During the season 1903-4, 285 males and 287 females were dismissed as breeders, together with 18 which were considered too small for branding. According to the present census, 257 of those males and 166 females were caught which, being more than 1 year old, are presumed to represent the breeding quota dismissed the prior year. The loss among the breeders dm-ing the interval, according to the trapping, which is the only safe guide, is 28 males and 121 females. That it was a real loss, and that the animals in question are no longer on the island, no one disjjutes. Neither dying nor dead foxes were observed by anyone on the island, native or white. It follows, of course, that unlike the season of 1902-3, an epidemic among the beasts is neither charged nor suspected. What, then, became of them? There was some ice in the sea which may have caused loss, but whatever such loss was must have been equally divided between the ^exes, or nearly so. My opinion is that, in addition to the loss caused by the ice, whatever that amounted to, the foxes disappearing have perished through the inclemency of the weather or lack of sufficient food, and that the dead were soon after devoured by then- surviving breth- ren. That the females should succumb under adverse conditions in greater numbers than the males seems consonant with fox life if we are to believe that the sexes are equal at birth. During the season of 1895-96, when the steel traps only were used, the 188 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. catch was 151 males and 120 females, and the succeeding season the catch was 193 males and 133 females. (See oflice journal, pp. 50 and 144.) Under the present system of trapping, which began in 1897, the females did not equal in number the males caught until the third season, regardless of the fact that during the interval the females were immune from slaughter while two-thirds of the males caught were dispatched. These facts may not ])rove the proposition that the females are less robust or less fit to survive than the males, but it is certainly evidence in that direction. Just what class of females are the first to perish is difficult to say, but my fii-m opinion is that it comprises the small, poorly nourished ones. FUTUUE PKECAUTION. The innovation adopted in 1902, of pairing animals — i. e., of branding and setting at liberty for breeding purposes an equal number of males and females — has not re- sulted satisfactorily. It was, I presume, thought that such pairing would put the business upon a more substantial footing, and at the same time permit the slaughter of the females that had accumulated while they were immune from killing during the preceding six years, when males only were killed. The trapping of 1903-4 (1,061 aa compared with 1,011 the preceding year) tended to confirm the wisdom of the exper- iment; but last season's experience shows conclusively, to my mind at least, that the slaughter of any healthy female, except for cause, is neither wise nor economic. Unquestionably, fox life on this island was at a lower ebb last autumn than at any other corresponding time during the past eight years. The abstract question as to whether or not the animals are polygamous remains undecided. Evidence as to the sexual habits of the foxes is scanty, but what there is tends toward polygamy. (See my reports for 1900 and 1903.) I have, therefore, the honor to recommend that in future the proportion of males to females to be left for breeding purposes shall be either one to two or one to three, as shall be thought best, and no male weighing less than 10 pounds or female weigh- ing less than 1^ pounds shall be left as breeders. When one thinks what has been effected in recent times by careful and methodical selection, as shown by the diiferent exhibitions of improved quadrupeds and fancy birds, there is every reason to expect an improvement in the size and fur of the blue fox by working along parallel lines. Domestic animals, almost without exception, have undergone improvement in recent years. "By the supply of abundant and nutritious food * * * and by the continuous selection of the heaviest individuals the weight of the larger breeds (rabbits) has been more than doubled." (Animals and Plants under Domestication, Darwin, vol. 1, p. 161.) While the blue fox of St. George Island is not a fully domesticated animal, there can be little doubt that as time goes on the race may be improved and its chance of Rur-\aving adverse climatic or other conditions augmented by raising the standard weights of those left as breeders. The trapping is now so arranged that the depart- ment's agent can with little effort inspect every animal coming into the trap. I would therefore suggest that it be made the specific duty of said agent to personally select the breeding animals. This work, second only to the steady, continuous, and abun- dant feeding of nutritious food, is of great importance, and for obvious reasons should under no circumstances be intrusted to the company agents or employees. SE.A. LIONS. Two sea lions were killed during the winter by the natives and 3 more in May. The animals killed were mature males, the skins of which were saved for bidarras, while the meat formed a welcome addition to the natives' larders. On May 28 I counted 17 bulls, 30 cows, and 4 pups on Sea Lion rookery. School for the native children was in session under a very competent instructor from September 1 to April 28 with the exception of the Christmas, national, and church holidays. The total of such holidays was 18, or nearly the equivalent of one school month. I have no objection to the holidays, but see no reason that the time lost should not be made good. The school year, eight months — in reality only seven — is, in my opinion, too short. While attending school the children receive more care and attention from their parents than they ever do during vacation. I v/ould there- fore request that a definite rule be adopted requiring that all time lost on account of holidays of whatever class be made up, either in advance or at the close of the reg- ular school term, whichever may be most convenient for those concerned. Exhibit D is the report of the teacher, Mr. Edson, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 189 IMPROVEMENTS!. Since my arrival the natives have built a nice picket fence around the Government house, besides constructing a large clubroom for themselves, and a house at East Landing for the Government boat. They also built a boat to be used by the com- munity for hunting and fishing at Garden Cove. Both the boat and club houses are called "barabarras," being built the former entirely and the latter partially of driftwood, surrounded and covered with turf. Still they are very comfortable buildings, being well drained, ligHt. and airy. Much of the driftwood used involved considerable labor in hewing and whipsawing, but the results more than justified it. The homemade billiard table, brought from St. Paul, was in constant use at the clubhouse and afforded the natives an unusual amount of amusement. The general conduct and behavior of the natives were extraordinarily good the entire winter. whai.es. As noted on page 8, the remains of a right whale came ashore October 1. It carried no baleen, the latter having probably been taken out by the whalers who killed the beast. The blubber of this animal is considered very palatable by the natives, who took advantage of its arrival to salt from two to four barrels per family, enough for three years, they said, besides great quantities which were hung up outside of their houses. They had no use for the meat, of which there was an enormous amount. After the people were supplied I had the men save 15 barrels of the blubber, which was tried out later, but yielded only 80 gallons of oil. The latter is very nice, and I trust can be disposed of to advantage for the benefit of the native library about to be started. In my mail of October 17 I received a draft for §120 for the skeletons of two whales found by me near East rookery in June, 1904, and forwarded to the Smithsonian Institute. This money was divided among the natives, as was also .?22 received by me in Seattle for 10 fox skins rejected by the company as worthless two years ago. Respectfully submitted. Jame.^ JriviE, Assistant Agent, Department of Commerce and I.ahnr. Mr. W. I. Leaibkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Exhibits. Exhibit A. Weights of sealskins, autumn 1904. Exhibit B. Foxes caught, season 1904-5. Exhibit C. Fox division. 1905. Exhibit D. Pie])ort of school-teacher, 1905. Exhibit A. — Weights of sealskins taken during autumn of 190-j. Date. Rookeries. Weight (pounds). 4| 5 5J 5i 51 6 6i 6i 6f Oct. 19 North and South Ardiguen 2 2 1 1 1 5 6 3 2 1 3 11 6 4 ■■■■3' 7 3 2 6 7 2 7 22 Zapadni 1 24 East 6 Nov. 3 North and South Ardiguen 1 3 1 2 10 2 4 East 4 Zapadni . . 2 9 North and South Ardiguen 1 3 1 14 East 1 15 North and South Ardiguen 2 3 3 18 Zapadni. . . 1 3 2 ""2 1 ■■5' 22 North 6 1 1 1 1 2 2 2.3 1 Total 1 9 5 21 24 28 21 26 25 190 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit A. — Weights of sealshins taken during autumn of 1904 — Continued. Rookeries. Weight (pounds). Date. 7 7} 7i 7} 8 8i Si 8| 9 Oct 19 9 9 6 1 4 "'i' 1 7 2 2 1 2 1 1 22 1 24 East 5 2 1 Nov 3 2 i 2 1 3 4 1 1 1 1 5 g 14 East . 2 1 1 2 15 18 1 2'> 23 1 Total 1 21 1 17 13 8 11 1 2 1 1 Exhibit B. — Annual statement of foxes caught on St. George Island, and either killed or dismissed as breeders awing season of 190^;-5. Location of traps. Killed. Branded. Rebranded. Date. Blue. White. Blue. 2 brands. 3 brands. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. 1904. Oct 5 Nov 9 Killed by chief ^ 1 4 12 3 2 1 7 1 9 4 21 5 21 3 2 21 Village 1 22 2 1 27 do Dec. 8 11 do 1 5 do 2 5 2 25 2 4 2 1 5 1 5 2 3 11 1 3 12 7 1 2 2 12 13 3 1 3 1 1 1 13 14 2 2 1 1 14 Village 1 16 1 3 3 1 3 2 1 3 ""2 38 10 2 6 4 1 11 20 10 17 6 2 1 1 16 18 : 1 18 26 34 6 1 4 1 2 4 20 8 6 1 10 2 2 1 33 8 5 7 6 2 1 2 1 26 Village. . . 28 28 do 3 1 8 3 9 3 14 8 10 2 8 4 1 8 11 7 10 3 3 ""i" 1 28 Village 1 29 29 3 3 2 2 5 20 14 26 3 2 6 8 6 2 1905. Jan. 2 1 1 2 Village .. 2 3 6 3 2 4 2 5 1 15 do 2 10 3 1 1 1 2 10 7 1 1 8 4 5 6 3 8 3 1 5 2 1 ""2 4 9 1 16 .do 3 2 C 1 5 4 ""'i' 3 2 3 2 2 8 2 1 1 1 2 17 do 17 19 20 do 7 3 5 3 3 8 3 2 3 2 3 20 22 do 2 1 5 22 23 do 1 ■■■■3' 1 23 1 24 Zapadni 2 1 Drowned. ' Injured. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 191 Exhibit B. — Annual statement of foxes catujht on St. George Island, and either lilled or dismissed as breeders during season of 1904-5 — Continued. Location of traps. Killed. Branded. Rebranded. Date. Blue. White. Blue. 2 brands. 3 brands. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. 1905. Jan. 24 1 2 1 2 4 1 5 3 1 3 2 ""'i' 3 2 3 2 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 3 24 Village . ... . 25 .do 1 25 1 29 do 29 i 30 East landing i 1 30 1 7 4 1 2 5 6 1 1 1 8 •i 4 4 2 1 1 9 5 6 5 6 3 6 30 1 4 31 .. . do 1 31 1 2 Feb. 2 3 i 3 15 5 8 4 3 3 Village 4 Total 180 82 5 5 244 250 135 139 68 58 Rebranded. Date. Location of traps. 4 brands. 6 brands. 6 brands. 7 brands. • Male. Fe- male. Male. Jate. Male. Fe- male. Male. Fe- male. 1904. Dec. 14 16 28 28 1 1 do 1 do 1 1 ............ 29 do . 1 2 2 3 1 1905. Jan. 2 3 1 2 Village ! 1 3 Fox house 1 1 1 3 1 1 4 Fo.x house and village 16 1 j 1 . ..! 17 i 20 do 1 1 1 2 ! ::::::::::.:.. 22 2 1 22 Village 23 2 1 1 3 24 .. . do 1 25 Village 25 Fox house 1 2 2 i' 1 1 30 do 1 30 3 1 31 do 31 1 Feb. 3 .. . do 1 1 1 2 3 3 1 1 Total 1 24 22 7 5! 1 2! 1 » Found in spasms. Exhibit C. — Fox division, season 1904-5. St. George Island, June 1, 1905. By 258 blue-fox skins, at $5 $1, 290. 00 By 10 white-fox skins, at $1 10. 00 Total 1, 300. 00 192 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, To 13 first-class men, at $59.10 1768. 30 To 6 second-class men, at $47 .20 283. 20 To 4 third-class men, at $35.40 141. 60 To 2 special class : 60. 11 Material Garden Cove boat 46. 79 Total 1, 300. 00 First-class shares. — Twenty-one men, at $59.10 each, a? follows: Corniel Gorokof, Stephan Lekanof, Demetri Lestenkof, Michael Lestenkof, Nicoli Malavansky, George Merculif, Joseph Merculif, Nicoli Merculif, Andronic Philimonof, Gregory Phili- mouof, Simeon Philimonof, Peter Prokopief, Rev. Peter Kashevarof. Second-class shares. — Six men, at $47.20 each, as follows: John Galanin, Nicoli Nederazof, Manuel Zaharof, Gregory Swetzof, Michael Shane, Walter Kashevarof. Third-class shares. — Four men, at $35.40 each, as follows: Marka Merculif, Demetri Philimonof, Alexander Galanin, Peter Malavansky. Special class. — Two men, as follows: Stephan Lekanof, chief, $30.11; Joseph Mer- culif, second chief, $25; Joseph Merculif, hydrant keeper, $5. The division as above made is hereby approved on behalf of the natives of this island. Stephan Lekanof, First Chief. Joseph Merculief, Second Chief. I certify that the amounts indicated herein have been placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Co. The North American Commercial Co., By J. A. Lake, Agent. I certify that the above division was made by me after conference with the native chiefs. James Judge, Agent, United States Department of Commerce and Labor. Exhibit D. — Report of school-teacher. North American Commercial Co., St. George Island, Alaska, April 28, 1905. Sir: Please accept the following as school report for the year ending this day: School has been in session as usual for the eight month? between Thursday, Sep- tember 1, 1904, and Friday, April 28, 1905, all children of the required age being in attendance. There has been very little absence during the year, save the six weeks of one pupil caused by a broken bone. Three new pupils began the year, and there were none of age to leave school at the end. The progress of the school during the year just ended has been a satisfactory improve- ment upon the two previous years, and in several cases remarkable interest has been taken in the work. Holidays have been observed as usual. I wish to express my thanks for the assistance kindly rendered by Mrs. Judge as musical instructor. Boys attending school 12 Girls attending school 14 Total 26 Weeks in school year 35 School days 172 Holidays 3 Holidays, Christmas recess 10 Holidays, Russian church 5 Total 18 Number days school in session 154 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 193 Absences excused by doctor days. . 41* Absences excused by Government agent do. . . 8^ Absences unexcused do... i Total Mi Attendance for year, 26 times 154, minus 50^ 3, 953^ Attendance, average daily 25 Respectfully submitted. C. R. Edson, School- Teacher, St. George Island. James Judge, Age7it, Department Commerce and Labor, in Charge of St. George Island. Appendix No. 2. Annual statement of fur seals hilled on St. Paul Island, Alaska, during the year ended August, 1905. Nrnnber of seals killed for natives' food. Number of seals killed by lessees for skins. Aggregates. Date. Rookeries. 3 an am (1) (U O to D Aoceptod (prime). Rejected. 3 o Eh ■6 1 .9 a 6 ~ C o o O £ " 1904. Oct. 13 On hand in salt house 143 143 143 165 153 42 55 98 277 69 88 203 30 364 531 14 420 488 534 603 972 485 559 551 504 475 755 333 475 109 514 490 547 142 549 461 220 478 76 192 "1 "'i' ""e ' i 3 6 ""2 1 ""s 3 5 5 2 7 2 5 4 2 "'9' 5 ■■■'6' 4 1 143 20 26 Nov. 6 7 16 Reef and Zoltoi Reef 169 159 42 56 98 283 69 88 204 165 153 42 55 98 277 69 88 203 4 6 169 159 Northeast Point Reef 42 1 56 Northeast Point 98 27 Reef and Tolstoi. 6 283 Dec. 9 Southwest Rav 69 1905. May 13 June 3 19 21 23 26 30 July 1 8 6 7 8 11 13 14 16 Sea Lion Rock 88 do 1 204 Tolstoi 30 364 531 30 367 537 30 Zapadni (branding drive) 3 6 367 Northeast Point (branding drive).. 537 Winter food skins, Northeast Point Reef 14 14 14 420 488 534 603 972 485 559 551 504 475 755 333 475 109 514 490 547 142 549 461 220 478 2 1 422 489 534 611 975 490 564 553 511 477 760 337 477 109 523 495 553 142 555 465 221 478 1 422 Northeast Point. . 489 Zapadni and Tolstoi. 534 Reef 8 3 5 5 2 14 2 5 4 2 611 Northeast Point . . . . 975 Zapadni 490 Reef 564 Northeast Point 553 Reef. 511 Zapadni 477 Northeast Point. . . 760 17 Reef and Gorbateh 337 19 Zapadni 477 21 Northeast Point 109 22 Reef and Gorbateh 9 2 5 'I'Z 1 1 523 24 Zapadni 495 26 Northeast Point. . 553 27 Tolstoi 142 27 Reef 5 4 1 '1 565 28 Zapadni and Little Zapadni 465 31 Reef 221 31 478 Aug. 8 Northeast Point, watch food skins Reef (food) 76 192 70 192 70 10 1 j 1 192 Total 1 1,450 1,432 18 11.732 78 8 11,818 13, 164 104 13,268 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1- -13 194 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 3. Certificate of sealskins shipped, St. Paul, 1905. Div. Special Agents. \ Form 17. J Island op St. Paul, Bering Sea, Alaska, August 13, 1905. This is to certify that 13,000 fur-seal skins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer W. H. Kruger, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. W. I. Lembkey, Agent. M. Martin, Master, Steamer "TT. H. Kruger." Exhibit No. 4, Weights of sealskins taken during the sealing season ended August 10, 1905, on St. Paul Island. Date. Rookeries. 4 4i 4i ^ 5 5i 5i 51 6 <>i 1904. Aug. 9 Reef and Gorbatch 3 1 1 1 ""2 13 6 8 3 2 17 11 15 2 5 10 2 10 4 3 13 19 9 2 9 12 15 11 4 8 13 26 8 7 18 1 49 81 54 54 84 95 130 62 84 76 67 48 93 29 73 11 70 67 78 90 12 37 33 74 11 27 13 Oct. 20 Reef and Zoltoi 1 16 27 Reef 1 10 Nov. 6 Northeast Point 3 7 Reef 1 3 4 2 ""2 7 4 1 3 3 16 Northeast Point 1 3 1 3 4 1 6 10 27 Reef and Tolstoi 25 Dec. 9 Southwest Bay 1 3 1905. May 13 Sea Lion Rock 3 June 3 do 1 3 11 19 Tolstoi 1 21 Zapadni 4 2 6 4 6 4 12 3 6 6 3 6 4 9 3 7 5 7 3 5 5 16 8 7 5 3 5 4 9 4 8 7 6 7 7 7 20 10 10 9 4 7 8 8 6 1 8 2 6 9 6 4 6 10 4 5 10 8 9 6 11 12 15 18 14 8 5 8 14 11 13 3 9 14 16 21 10 10 12 14 6 14 45 55 53 41 86 61 140 61 58 75 55 85 117 77 83 12 63 66 88 113 9 48 ■ 27 57 7 14 46 61 42 49 61 82 134 57 75 77 36 86 130 55 65 12 81 63 87 112 13 45 29 88 8 36 30 23 Northeast Point 41 26 Reef 2 31 30 Northeast Point 45 July 1 3 Zapadni and Tolstoi 40 Reef 3 56 6 Northeast Point 105 7 Zapadni 60 8 Reef 1 1 1 61 11 Northeast Point ... 48 13 Reef 42 14 Zapadni 39 16 Northeast Point 70 17 Reef and Gorbatch 1 2 17 19 Zapadni 66 21 Northeast Point 17 22 Reef and Gorbatch 1 6 8 2 2 5 3 4 9 3 4 ""I' 1 2 79 24 Zapadni 38 26 Northeast Point 2 69 27 Reef 50 27 Tolstoi 22 28 Zapadni and Little Zapadni. . 1 1 40 31 Reef 30 31 Northeast Point 43 Aug. 8 Watch Northeast Point 4 10 Reef (food) 1 30 Total " 33 106 139 203 311 1,678 1,711 1,712 1 ''71 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 195 Weights of sealskins taken during the sealing season ended August 10, 1905, on St. Paul Island — Continued . Date. Rookeries. 6i 61 7 'k n 7i 8 8i 8i 8| 1904. Aug. 9 Oct. 20 16 13 19 3 8 8 33 1 10 15 3 29 44 38 50 51 79 109 58 59 85 93 56 99 39 48 15 02 47 80 32 9 78 15 42 4 14 16 18 21 4 4 10 35 5 10 11 1 23 38 27 41 44 45 79 45 49 47 38 44 84 25 34 4 34 43 27 43 20 49 26 44 1 14 17 13 14 3 2 28 6 9 23 5 23 54 39 45 33 45 69 29 45 34 65 24 40 20 24 2 40 51 25 20 12 37 14 37 3 11 10 15 22 4 6 2 29 3 5 10 1 19 19 11 33 18 25 45 25 26 13 33 14 25 7 13 11 11 26 16 20 7 24 8 16 4 7 10 18 13 3 6 4 11 2 6 16 1 20 21 34 30 23 19 41 13 14 31 41 13 39 12 24 9 17 19 22 14 1 33 8 12 1 8 3 8 9 1 2 2 19 1 3 9 "u 18 11 18 15 23 20 10 15 12 12 7 20 5 4 4 9 11 13 8 5 16 4 22 2 6 4 10 6 3 1 1 11 4 10 1 2 2 1 6 5 3 3 Reef and Zoltoi 6 27 Nov. Reef Northeast Point 1 7 Reef 16 ....^. 27 Reef and Tolstoi 3 Dec. 9 South\vest Bay 1905. May 13 Sea Lion Rock 5 15 2 10 15 13 16 13 12 16 12 10 3 12 6 10 3 9 3 6 5 3 6 2 17 7 7 1 1 4 12 ""'9' 18 7 9 8 5 5 5 4 7 6 4 4 2 2 1 4 7 3 1 6 5 1 2 1 8 8 2 3 11 5 7 8 9 5 5 8 9 4 4 4 6 I June 3 19 do Tolstoi 6 21 Zapadni 2 23 Northeast Point g 26 Reef 5 30 Northeast Point 4 July 1 3 7 Reef 4 6 Northeast Point 4 7 2 8 Reef 1 11 4 13 Reef 2 14 Zapadni 16 Northeast Point 17 Reef and Gorbatch 19 Zapadni 21 Northeast Point 2 8 3 3 2 2 8 2 22 Reef and Gorbatch. 5 24 5 26 Northeast Point 1 27 Reef 27 Tolstoi 2 28 31 Zapadni and Little Zapadni.. Reef 31 Northeast Point 2 1 1 4 Aug. 8 10 Watch Northeast Point Reef (food) 1 Total 1,465 1,103 968 583 609 361 270 173 152 85 Date. Rookeries. 9 9i 9i 9J 10 lOi m lOf 11 Hi Hi 1904. Aug. 9 Reef and Gorbatch 1 3 2 1 Oct. 20 Reef and Zoltoi 2 1 1 ...... 1 2 1 3 1 27 Reef Nov. 6 Northeast Point 1 2 1 "e I 7 4 1 1 1 7 Reef 1 27 Reef and Tolstoi 4 1 1 3 2 5 5 3 3 1 2 1 1 1 3 ...... 3 1 2 2 4 2 ■"■■4" 3 1905. May 13 Sea Lion Rock 1 1 2 2 1 2 June 3 do .. . 6 1 4 7 8 7 4 5 4 2 3 2 1 2 19 Tolstoi 1 21 Zapadni 23 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 1 20 Reef 30 Northeast Point 3 ...... ""2 2 1 3 1 July 1 3 Reef 1 6 Zapadni . 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 8 Reef 1 11 Northeast Point 13 Reef 7 1 1 14 16 17 '1 19 1 3 4 22 24 2 1 1 26 27 Reef 1 27 Tolstoi 28 Zapadni and Little Zapadni.. Total 5 91 40 41 22 27 8 13 13 8 2 1 196 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 5. Counts of rookeries, St. Paul Island, season of 1905. ARDIGUEN. Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Harems. Cows. Date. Bulls. ?e""- °-«-- Cows. 1905. Mav 11 1 2 5 6 7 8 8 8 8 1905. June 25 10 10 10 9 9 9 9 12 i' 4' 1 1 7 7 8 9 9 9 9 11 26 May 16 June 26 34 Mav 25 Jvme28 65 June 2 Julyl 165 July 8 283 July 11 261 July 13 1 4 1 7 July23 206 June 19 AMPHITHEATER. 1905 May 16... May 19. . . Mav 23. . . May 27. . . May 29... June 1 June 4 June 5 June 7 June 9 June 11... June 14... June 16... June 22... 1905. June 24. . June 26. . June 28. . Julyl... July 3. . . July 5. . . July 6... Julys... July 11.. July 13.. July 17. . July 19.. July 21.. Julv 23. . KETOVI. 1905 Mav 5 Mav 6.... Mav 10. . . May 16. . . Mav 23. . . May 27. . - June 5 June 7 June 9 June 11... June 14... June 16... June 19... 1905 June 22. . June 24. . June 28.. Julyl... Julys... July 8. . . Julv 11.. Julv 13.. Julv 17.. Julv 19. . Julv 21. - July 23.- 47 2 13 46 7 24 56 2 31 53 3 38 52 3 46 57 51 57 2 55 57 2 54 60 1 58 60 58 57 57 57 3 56 LAGOON. 1905. Mav 18 3 18 21 1905. June 28 24 20 25 2 1 16 23 23 71 June 2 Julv 9 401 June 9 1 July 13 545 I" , LUKANIN. 1905 Mav 10... Mav 16... May 17. . . Mav 19... May 22. . . May 23. . . Mav 27. . . May 29. . . Jutio 1 June 4 Jun*' 5 Juno 7 June 9 June 11... June 14... June 16... 1 5 6 9 18 IS 21 26 27 38 1 1 4 2 4 ! j ! 36 33 38 38 38 40 1 4 2 2 4 3 1 • 1905 June 19.. June 22. . June 24. . June 26. . June 28. . Julv 1... July 3. . . Julv 5... Julv 6. . . Julv S. . . Julv 11. . July 13.. Julv 17.. Julv 19.. Julv 21. . Jrilv23.. 44 3 5 45 2 11 44 2 21 46 19 45 2 20 46 4 26 47 2 37 47 3 39 50 4 39 47 3 40 46 1 43 45 2 43 48 4 48 50 1 49 45 1 44 47 4 45 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 197 Counts of rookeries, St. Paul Island, season of 1905 — Continued. VOSTOSHNI (WEST SIDE NORTHEAST POINT). Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Harems. Cows. Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Harems. Cows. 1905. June 12 21 28 31 5 2 3 1905. July 10 32 July 16 32 2 31 32 859 June 29 IS 28 126 480 July 5 NORTHEAST POINT. Mays. May 9. 1905. June 13 Julv 6 1 2 1905. June 12.., July 16... 30 338 1905. July 16. . . 272 378 36 362 POLAVINA. 1905. June 13 44 5 , 1 1 1905. July 16 56 3 53 POLAVINA CLIFF. LITTLE POLAVINA. 1905. June 13... July 6 11 13 1 13 330 1905. July 16. . . REEF. 1905. May 1 May 2 May 6 May 11.... May 16 1905. May 2 May 18- . . . June 2 2 2 2 19 43 1 1905. May 25 June 2 June 26 . . . Julv 13- . - . 1905. June 9 . . . July 14. . . 109 173 220 275 102 143 126 261 SEA LION ROCK. 1905. June 3 . . . 32 1905. June 19 45 3 3 TOLSTOL TOLSTOI CLIFF. 1905. Mav 18 11 35 23 32 1905. July 9 34 35 33 1 3 3 34 35 33 744 June 2 July 14 4 1 July 24 427 June 28 21 149 198 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Counts of rookeries, St. Paul Island, season of 1905 — Continued. MORJOVI (EAST SIDE NORTHEAST POINT). Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Harems. Cows. Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Harems. Cows. 1905. June 12 12 18 21 6 3 1905. July 10 21 20 i' 19 20 326 June 29 8 14 32 151 July 16 July 5 ZAPADNI. 1905. June 9 147 11 1905. July 14... 200 LITTLE ZAPADNI. 1905. June 9 1905. July 14. . . 78 ZAPADNI REEF. 1905. June 9 July 7 22 30 6 2 23 325 1905. July 14. . . 32 30 GORBATCH. 1905. Apr 27... April 29.. May 1 May 2.... May 6.... May 11... May 16. . . May 25. . . 1 1 1 3 10 25 52 . ... j 1 7 I 1905. June 2. . . June 7 . . . June 10. . June 12.. June 15 . . June 19. . June 25. . July 13... 96 1 95 4 103 8 104 4 114 2 119 2 121 4 124 6 3 17 58 122 23 239 GORBATCH CLIFF. 1905 May 16. . . May 25... June 2... June 7 . . . June 10.. June 12.. June 15 . . June 19. . 3 6 8 7 7 13 12 9 ■1 2 1 1901 June 25.. June 28 . . July 2... July 8. . . July 11.. July 13.. July 23.. 2 13 71 180 196 • First bull seen on island SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 6. Statistics of killings, St. Paul Island, 1905. 199 Date. Rookeries. Animals killed. Dismissed. Large. Small, New brands. Two years. Three years. 1904 brands. Three years. Four years. Total driven. Per cent killed. 1905. June 19 21 23 26 30 1 3 6 7 July 11 13 14 16 17 19 21 22 24 26 27 27 28 31 31 Aug. 10 Tolstoi Zapadni Northeast Point , Reef Northeast Point Zapadni and Tolstoi. Reef Northeast Point Zapadni Reef , Northeast Point Reef Zapadni Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch. . Zapadni Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch. . Zapadni Northeast Point Tolstoi Reef Zapadni and Little Zapadni Reef Northeast Point Reef (food) Total 30 367 537 422 489 534 611 975 490 564 553 511 477 760 337 477 109 523 495 553 142 555 465 221 478 192 11, 867 1 24 39 71 92 61 86 313 109 122 309 318 234 427 187 243 232 417 349 324 35 406 434 185 297 233 735 5,548 148 71 20 46 45 32 35 33 44 29 48 37 38 8 53 54 59 15 53 71 21 32 13 1,005 52 501 646 823 718 691 842 1,392 679 785 909 903 759 1,272 635 820 351 1,046 959 989 228 1,064 1,069 440 882 468 57 73 83 51 68 77 72 70 72 71 60 56 62 59 53 58 31 50 51 55 62 52 43 50 54 41 511 137 120 19,923 59 Exhibit No. 7. Census of St. Paul Island, June 30, 1905. Relation. Age, years. Names. Relation. Age, years. Names. "a 1 a Bogadanofif, Nicoli BogadanofT, Uleta Husband Wife 33 "38' 8 ■49 "io' "is' ■'sr 14 "9 6 "28 5 3 2 "35 13 Stepetin, Elary, jr Adopted son. . Husband Wife 4 53 Bogadaaoff, Agrafina Niece Kochutin, Ale.xandra Kochutin, Theodore Kochutin, Larion 4S Bourdukofsky, Apollon. . Father Son 51 26 51 Son 17 12 13 9 21 Bourdukofskv, Peter do . . . Buterin, Karp Husband Wife Mandregan, Innokenty . . . Orphan do . .. Buterin, Parascovia Buterin, Constantine Son 19 Koshevnikofif, Paul Koshevnikotf, Mary Husband Wife Mazeekin, Wassilisa Adopted 31 Fratis, John, jr Husband Wife... 19 Husband Wife 34 Fratis, Sandulia Kochutin, Claudia Kochutin, Nikanor ?5 Fratis, John, sr Husband Wife 60 Son 4 Fratis, .4kalina Daughter Fratis, Agrafina Vickiloff. -Vle.xander Kochutin, Trefan Kotchergin, George Kotchergin, Agafia Stepson Widower Husband Wife 7 19 27 Fratis, Simeon Son 11 Fratis, Ouliana Fratis, Martha (io ?Si GalaktionefT, Alexander. . Hii'shand 33 13 Galaktioneff, Lukeria Hanson, Anna Galaktioneff, Mary Galaktioneff, Matrona Gromoff, Nicoli Gromofif, Ouliana Wife Tetoff, Peter Godchild Son 3 19 Stepdaughter. Koxlofl Michael Koxloff, Parascovia Koxloff, Nicoli Mother 46 .. do ... . Brother Cousin 17 Husband Wife 37 Serebrinikoff, Ripsemia . . Krukoff , John 1? Husband Wife 25 A rl r> r> f o f? 12 Krukoff L^leta ?1 daughter. VolkofI, Tecan Orphan Diakanofl, Andrew Krukofl, Nicoli Stepson Husband 11 54 200 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. Census of St. Paul Island, June 30, 1905 — Continued. Names. Krukoff, Catherine Krukotf, Eustenia Emanoff, Alexai Krukofl, Metrofan Krukoff, Pelasia , Philamonoff, FoecJa Kusliin, Michael Kujiiin, Matrona Kusliin, Nestor Hanson, John Hopoft", Nekiter , Kushin, Mary Melovidoff, Alexander Melo vidoff , Salome Melovidoff, Antone Melovidoff, Alexandra. . . Melovidoff, Alfai Melovidoff, Alexander, jr. Nozekoff , Simeon Nozekoff , Avdotia Nozekoff, Mary Kozeroff , Ivanally Kozeroff, Alexandra Melovidoff, Simeon Melovidoff, Alexandra. . . Melovidoff. Margaret Meiovidoff, Christopher. . Melovidoff, Alexander Meiovidoff, Simeon, jr Melovidoff, Alexandra. . . Merculieff, Alexander Merciilieff , .'Vgafia Merculieff, Paul Merculieff, Auxenia Merculieff, Terrenty Merculieff, Paul Merculieff, Dosefai Pankoflf, Parfiri Pankoflf , Vlass Pankoff , Martha Rookavishnikoff, Stepan. Rookavishnikoff, Eliza- beth. Sedick, Theodore Sedick, Innokenty Sedick, Mary Sedick, John Shabolin, Nekon Shabolin, Foecla Shabolin, Agrafina Relation. Wife Daughter. Nephevi'. . . Husband.. Wife Orphan. .. Husband. . Wife Nenhew... ..do Bachelor.. Widow Husband.. Wife Son Daughter. Son ...do.... Husband Wife Daughter Half-brother. , Half-sister Husband Wife Daughter. . .. Son do .. do Niece Husband Wife Son Daughter Son Brother Son of Alex. . Father Son Daughter. . . . ITusband Wife Father Son Daughter. Son Husband . Wife Daughter. Age, years. 24 . 38 12 Names. Shabolin, Varvara... Shabolin, Matrona. . . Shabolin, Daniel Shabolin, Marfa Stepetiii, Dorofay Stepetin, Lubofl Stepetin, Chionia. . . Stepetin, Auxenia... Stepetin, Helena Stepetin, Elary , Stepetin, Anna Stepetin, Agnes Stepetin, Nicoli Stei;etin, John Stepetin, Vera Stepetin, Vassali Stepetin, Larion Stei etin, Vassali Shisenikoff, George.. ShisenikofI, Ouliana. Tetoff, Neon , Tetoff , .Vgrafina , Tetoff, Simeon , Tetoff, Marv Tetoff, Dimitri Tetoff, Erena Teiotf , Agrafina , Tetoff, John , Terofi', Peter Tetoff, Mary Kochutin, Varvara.. Relation. Tetoff, Zahar Tetoff, Daria Tetoff, Paul Orloff. Rev. J. E Orlolf, Olga Orloff, Nadia Orloff, Nicoli Orloff. Alexandra Nedarazoff, ( atherine. Merculieff, John Merculieff, Avdotia. . . Merculieff, Serefima. . . Krukoff, Condrat Krukoff, Feo testa Mazeekin, John Seduli. Elizabeth Stepetin, Marena Daughter do Son Daughter Husband Wife Daughter do do Husband Wife Daughter Son Husband Wife Son .... do Nephew Husband Wife Husband Wife Son Daughter Son Daughter do Son Husband Wife Adopted daughter. Husband Wife Son Father Daughter . .. do Son Daughter Widow Husband Wife Daughter Son Mother Bachelor Widow Daughter of John Step. Age years. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. Kochutin, Zenobia Kochutin, Innokenty . Kochutin, Mark Krukoff, Anna... Krukoff, Mary... Emanoff, Mary. . Emanoff, Eneka. Emanoff, Peter.. Mother Son Nephew (son of John). Widow Daughter Widow Son do 37 Peeshnikoff, Wassalisa. Artomonoff , Alexandra Vickiloflf, .\lexandra .. . Balakshin, Matrona Rookavishnikoff. Paras- covia. Shopishnikoflf, Parasco- Widow do Adopted daughter. Widow Niece Spinster. RESIDING ELSEWHERE. Krukoff, Lukeria. . Mandregan, Mary.. Melovidoff, Marcia. Sedick, Avdotia Zaharoff , Fedosia. . Popoff, Alexandria . Tetoff, Sophia SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 201 RECAPITULATION. Number of males 82 Number of females 82 Total number of residents 164 Deaths during year 7 Departures 2 Births during year t Arrivals 4 Exhibit No. 8. Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul Island, Alaska, season of 1905. By 13,000 fur-seal skins, at 50 cents $6, 500. 00 By 8 sea-lion skins, at $2 16. 00 Total 6, 516. 00 To 21 first-class shares, at $197.95 4, 156. 95 To 6 second-class shares, at $158.40 950. 40 To 5 third-class shares, at $118.80 594. 00 To 5 fourth-class shares, at $79.20 396. 00 To 4 fifth-class shares, at $49.50 198. 00 To 6 special-class shares 220. 65 Total 6, 516. 00 First-class shares. — Twenty-one men, at $197.95, as follows: N. Bogadanoff, Karp Buterin, Jacob Kochutin, Nicoli Krukoff, S. Melovidoff, S. Nozekot'f, Theo. Sedick, D. Stepetin, John Stepetin, Peter Tetoff, A. Bourdukofaky, George Kotchergin, John Kochutin, Alex. Merculieff, P. Pankoff, N. Shabolin, E. Stepetin, Neon Tetoff, J. E. Orloff, John Krukoff, George Shisenikoff. Second-class shares. — Six men, at $158.40, as follows: P. Bourdukofsky, Alex. Melovidoff, Zahar Tetoff, John Fratis, jr., Innokenty Sedick, Metrofan Krukoff. Third-class shares. — Five men, at .$118.80, as follows: Nicoli Gromoff, Michael Kushin, Trefan Kochutin, S. Rookavishnikoff, John Merculieff. Fourth-class shares. — Five men, at $79.20, as follows: John Fratis, sr., Michael Kozloff, P. Koshevnikoff, Alex. Galationeff, Constantine Buterin. Fifth-class shares. — Four men, at $49.50, as follows: Nicoli Kozloff, Ivanally Kozeroff, Vlass Pankoff, Fedor Kochutin. Special-class shares. — Condrat Krukoff, $30.15; Paul Merculieff, $30.15; Nicoli Kru- koff (first chief), $50; Nekiter Hopoff, $30.15; John Mazeekin, $30.20; Jacob Kochu- tin (second chief), $50. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 10, 1905. I hereby certify that the above division was made by me, in the manner detailed above, after conference with the representative of the North American Commercial Co. and the native chiefs on this island. W. I. Lembkey, ' Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 10, 1905. I hereby certify that the amounts as above stated representing the division on St. Paul Island, for the season of 1905, will be placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Co. J. C. Redpath, Agent North American Commercial Co. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 10, 1905. We hereby approve the division for St. Paul Island, for the season of 1905, as detailed above, for and on behalf of the natives of this island. Nicoli Krukoff, First Chief. Jacob Kochutin, Second Chief. 202 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit No. 9. Letter requesting statistics, 1764 WiLLARD Street, Washington, D. C, October 13, 1905. Sir: In compliance with instructions to me dated May 1 last from the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, I have to request that I be furnished with information showing the cost to your company of complying with the provisions of its contract in connec- tion with the following items: Maintenance of dwellings for natives on seal island; maintenance of schools for natives on seal island; maintenance of house of worship on seal island; medical attendance for natives on Seal Island; support of widows, orphans, aged, and infirm on Seal Island. This information is desired for use in my annual report, which I hope to submit in the near future. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Island. Mr. H. H. Taylor, President North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. Exhibit No. 10, Annual statement of fur seals killed on St. George Island, Alaska, during the year ended July 31, 1905. Date. Rookeries. Large young seals killed for natives' food (skins accepted by lessees). Prime seals killed by lessees for skins. Total number of seals kiUed and skins accepted. 1904. Aug. 3 Oct. 19 22 24 Nov. 3 4 5 9 14 15 18 22 23 1905. June 3 10 20 23 26 28 1 5 6 8 11 15 17 19 22 24 26 28 29 31 July Found dead near East Landing. North and Staraya Artel Zapadni East North and Staraya Artel East Z apadni North and Staraya Artel East ." North and Staraya Artel Zapadni North Staraya Artel Zapadni East and Staraj^a Artel East and North East, North, and Staraya Artel. Zapadni Staraya Artel and North do Staraya Artel, North, and East. Zapadni Staraya Artel, North, and East. do Staraya Artel and East Zapadni East and Staraya Artel do Zapadni Staraya Artel and East Zapadni Staraya Artel and East do 2 63 64 3 27 28 57 211 56 60 37 180 45 73 80 20 60 14 22 30 2 63 64 3 27 28 57 211 56 60 :^7 180 45 73 80 20 60 14 22 30 Total . 1,368 H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent in Charge of St. George Island. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 203 Exhibit No. 11. Weights of sealskins taken on St. George Island during season ended July 31, 1905. Weight. Skins. Weight. Skins. Weight. Skins. Weight. Skins. Pounds. 5 5i 5i Si 6 2 31 30 200 160 225 Pounds. i>i 6* Hi 7 7i 7J 105 151 108 129 61 62 Pounds. ? &i 8i 8| 9 32 30 14 8 9 3 Pounds. 9i n 9J 10 Total . . 3 3 1 1,367 The skin found near East Landino; last August was not weighed. Exhibit No. 12. Counts of rookeries, St. George Island, season of 1905. EAST REEF ROOKERY. Date. Ha- rems. Cows. Idle bulls. Quit- ters. Bulls with bache- lors or beyond rook- ery. Date. Ha- rems. Cows. Idle bulls. Quit- ters. Bulls with bache- lors or beyond rook- ery. 1905. May 20.. . 4 10 13 1905. June 21 . . June 23 . . June 26 . . Jime28. . July 4.... Julys.... July 13... July 14... 5 5 13 12 15 16 16 17 8 9 47 55 244 344 396 453 10 9 2 3 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 May 26 June 3 ... June 6. . . . 13 14 14 14 12 June 13. . June 16. .. June 19. .. 2 2 1 Maximum. — Harems, 17; cows, 453; idle bulls, 0; bulls on rookery, 17. STARAYA ARTEL ROOKERY. 1905. May 7. 1 2 3 5 4 11 14 i 1905. 28 29 24 28 23 4 May 9 June 2 3' 6 4 May 12 1 June 10 . . 1 May 14 1 June 14. . June 21.. July 14... 2 6 29 2 6 1,305 5 May 16 1 May 20.. May 26 Jforj majn.— Harems, 29; cows, 1,305 (estimated); idle bulls, 4; bulls on rookery, a3. Note. — For the same reasons that exist at Zapadni this rookery can not be counted. The estimate here given is based on the count of a number of harems, giving an average of 45 cows per harem. 204 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, Counts of rookeries, St. George Island, season of 1905 — Continued. EAST ROOKERY. Date. Ha- rems. Cows. Idle bulls. Quit- ters. Bulls with bache- lors or beyond rook- ery. Date. Ha- rems. Cows. Idle bulls. Quit- ters. Bulls with bache- lors or beyond rook- ery. 1905. May 2 1 2 3 3 4 1905. ' June 9... i June 10. . June 13.. June 16.. June 19.. 1 June 21.. ! June 23.. June 28.. 1 July 4.... 1 Julys.... July 13... July 14... 1 1 2 6 13 19 20 36 47 47 47 47 1 1 2 8 30 78 148 615 1,048 1,502 1,345 1,743 38 39 42 37 31 27 26 14 3 5 4 7 3 i" May 3 7 May 4 . . . . May 5 g May 7 1 5 May 9 5 May 12 5 7 7 11 25 39 35 2 g May 14 1 8 May 16.... May 20.... May 26.... June 1 June 3 3 Jfaijmam.— Harems, 47; cows, 1,743; idle bulls, 7; bulls on rookery, 54. ZAPADNI ROOKERY. 1905. May 2... May 14., June 1 . . June 11. 190."). June 21 . June 26. July 17.. 37 206 1,845 Maximum.— B.a,Tems, 45; cows, 1,845 (estimated): idle bulls, 3; bulls on rookery, 48. Note.— By reason of the massing of the seals and the impossibility of obtaining a view of the entire rookery for any length of time, only the number of harems and idle bulls could be counted. An esti- mate was therefore madeof thenimiber of cows. The estimate is based on the count of a number of harems, giving an average of 41 cows per harem. LITTLE EAST ROOKERY. 1905. May 7 1 1 3 3 3 5 7 14 14 14 14 15 1905. June 13. . 15 16 16 14 13 5 4 May 9 ' June 16. . May 11....' June 19. . May 12 ^ June 21.. June 23.. June 26.. June 28.. July 4.... Julys.... July 13... July 14... 2 3 11 12 16 14 16 16 2 6 33 39 152 202 182 298 May 14 May 16 May 20 Mav 26 j June 1 2 June 3 June 6 June 10 . JI/anmwTO.— Harems, 16; cows, 298; idle hulls, 0; bulls on rookery, 16. NORTH ROOKERY. 1905. May 2 1 1 1 2 5 7 14 19 18 36 57 60 73 79 90 1905 June 10. . Jane 12. . June 14. . June 17. . June 21 . . June 22 . . June 24. . June 28.. June 29.. July 2.... July 6.... July 9.... July 12... July 14... 1 1 5 9 22 32 43 66 71 86 98 103 104 104 1 1 5 10 40 85 169 531 718 1,422 2,121 2,710 2.961 2.687 88 101 89 89 76 65 59 36 37 18 12 8 8 S 3 2 3 2 May 3. 2 May 4 4 Mav 5 4 May 7 9 May 9 May 12 3 3 3 May 14 May 16 2 1 2 May 20 3 2 2 2 May 26.... June 1. . . . June 2 . 6 3 3 i June 5. . . . 1 1 1 1 June 7 Miiimum. — Harems, 104; cows, 2,961; idle bulls, 8: quitters, 2; bulls on rookery, 112. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, Exhibit No. 13. Seals released from drives, St.. George Island, season of 1905. 205 Date. Rookeries. c Oj 3 ft, a J a « . .... 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 4,093 5,384 7,629 3,379 2,612 2,163 n,567 n,267 5,553 5,087 8,809 3,886 2,324 1,702 1,551 1,512 1,1001 11,199 gg2i 11 as^ 7,595 9,567 7,175 4,814 2,470 3,658 3,698 4,352 9,348 13,715 10,338 5,548 2,723 4,503 4,539 4,282 16,943 23,282 17,513 10, 362 5,193 8,161 8,237 8,634 28,142 34,645 35,315 18,895 11,472 12,791 12,922 12,205 20 210 134 1,472 817 1,072 714 857 30 489 74 1,925 523 838 1,076 736 50 699 208 3,397 1,340 1,910 1,790 1,972 201 159 360 28,552 «35,576 1,364 1,268 1,343 765 1,501 792 17,802 8,533 6,279 4,630 4,685 3,571 1 25,523 1,310 1,530 82o!2, 130 1,8013,331 24,422 16,143 14,701 14,712 14,177 \"'" 1 Includes 453 skins taken on northwest coast by a vessel lost at sea. * Includes 232 skins taken on Japan coast, sex of which is not known. 3 Includes 66 skins taken on northwest coast by Mexican schooner Carmencita ( Acapulca) in 1905. * Includes 379 skins taken from Russian Copper Islands by Mexican schooner Acapulca. In reality, this vessel was seen summer off St. Paul Island, and her skins probaoly [original copy mutilated; balance of sentence illegible]. Table 2. — Catch of Japanese pelagic sealing fleet, from 1896 to 1905. [Taken from reports of consuls.] Years. Japan Sea. Japan coast. Robben Island. Com- mander Islands. Bering Sea. North- west coast. Total. 1896 3,319 1897 4,616 1898 4,757 1899 6,518 1900 7,533 1901 7,045 1902 9,780 1903 5,2i2 5,714 449 1,012 3,101 "4,654 3,495 5,095 7,906 2,222 349 11,378 1904 16,824 1905 399 11,406 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 17 258 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Table 1. — Catch of British Columbian sealing fleet, from 1898 to 1905. [Based on official returns from British Government.] Northwest coast. Bering Sea. g 1 Russian or Cop- j- per Islands. Japan coast. Years. B a u i a Eh i "3 1 s fS4 "3 o Total awar Males. 0) i -3 a; ■3 a H g S o i 18981... 1899.... 4,093 5,384 7,629 3,379 2,612 2,163 1,567 1,267 5,553 5,087 8,809 3,886 2,324 1,702 1,551 1,512 1,100 892 1,364 1,268 1,343 765 1,501 792 11, 199 11,363 17,802 8,533 6,279 4, 630 4,685 3,571 7,595 9,567 7,175 4,814 2,470 3,6.58 3,698 4,352 9,348 13,715 10,338 16,943 23,282 17,513 28, 142 20 34,645' 210 35,315 134 30 489 74 50 699 208 3,397 1,340 1,910 1,790 1,972 201 159 360 28,552 -'35,576 35,523 1900.... 1901.... 1902.... 1903.... 5,548 2,723 4, 503 10,302 5,193 8,161 18,895 1,4721,925 11,472 817| 523 12,7911,0721 838 12,922 714 1,076 12,205 857 736 1,310 1,530 820 1,801 2,130 3,331 24,422 16, 143 14, 701 1904 «... 4,539 4,282 8,237 8,634 14, 712 1905 «... 14, 177 1 Includes 453 skins taken on northwest coast by a vessel lost at sea. ^Includes 379 skins taken from Russian Copper Islands by Mexican schooner Acapulca. * Includes 232 skins taken on Japan coast, sex of which is not known. « Includes 66 skins taken on northwest coast by Mexican schooner Carmencita (Acapulca) in 1905. Table 2. — Statement of catch of Japanese sealing fleet. [Based on incomplete returns from consuls.] Years. Japan Sea. Japan coast. Robbin Island. Com- mander Islands. Bering Sea. Total. 1896 ' 3 319 1897 4,616 4 757 1898 1899 1 e^sis 7 533 1900 1 1901 7 045 1902 9,780 1903 5,212 5,714 449 1,012 3,101 3,495 5,095 7,906 2,222 349 >399 11,378 16 824 1904 4,654 1905 11,406 1 These skins were taken from the Pribulof herd, but on the northwest coast and not in Bering Sea. The above statement is compiled from reports from consuls in Japan, the only source of information available. , direction of the alaskan fur-seal service. December 15, 1906. The following order was issued by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, under date of December 15, 1906: Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, December IS, 1906, To whom it may concern: It is hereby ordered that the appropriations for "Salaries, agents at seal fisheries in Alaska, 1907," and "Supplies for native inhabi- tants, Alaska, 1907, "^sundry civil acfapproved June 30, 1906, shall be|expended|under the immediate direction of the Assistant Secre- tary of Commerce and Labor. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. i seal islands of alaska. 259 Office of the Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C, June 21, 1906. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: In reply to your request that I report the annual and sick leave and leave without pay taken by the employees of the Alaskan seal fisheries during the present calendar year, I have the honor to state : I have been unable to discover that any record is kept of the leave taken by the employees of the Alaskan seal fisheries. Under the law and regulations of the department, the employees of this service dis- charge their duties on the Pribilof Islands, Bering Sea, and a very small proportion of the time of any or either of them is spent in Washington. These emplo3^ees usually see two, and sometimes three, years' continual service on the islands. As an illustration: ]\Ir. Lembkey, the chief agent, and Mr. Judge, the assistant agent, who spent 4 or 5 months in Washington dur- ing the past winter, had each been on the islands 18 or 20 months. After they arrived in Washington a considerable portion of their time was consumed in writing their report and discharging other duties in connection with the seal service, made necessary by the fact that the administrative end of this ser\dce at Washington was conducted without any expense to the Government for clerk hire, etc. With the exception of a day or two at a time, which in my opinion did not aggregate more than a week or 10 days, Mr. Lembkey was not absent from the office during his stay in Washington. Mr. Judge, I believe, was out of the city for about 30 days. Very respectfully, Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Washington, June 23, 1906. Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of June 21, in regard to annual and sick leave and leave without pay taken by the employees of the Alaskan seal fisheries, and in reply have to inform you that it is my desire that these employees shall be subject, as far as practica- ble, to the department regulations, and with that end in view I have to request that you submit, as soon as practicable after the close of each calendar year, a statement showing the annual and sick leave and leave without pay taken by such employees. Respectfully, (Signed) Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. The Solicitor. 260 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, November 27, 1906. Sir: Owing to my departure from St. Paul Island last summer nearly a month before I had anticipated, there were left there a number of undeveloped photographic plates of the seal rookeries on that island which I had taken and which I had intended developing and submitting to the department with my report. These plates have since been forwarded by Agent Judge and are now at the department. In addition, Agent Chichester has for- warded a complete set of negatives of the rookeries on St. George Island. In order that the department may have a knowledge of the appear- ance of the seal rookeries at the height of the season of 1906, I nave the honor to request that arrangements be made for the developing of such negatives as require that treatment and for the printing therefrom of at least three positives from each plate. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Alaskan Seal Fisheries. The Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor. Approved. Charles Earl, Solicitor. Annual Report Seal Fisheries of Alaska, 1906. [By W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Alaskan Seal Fisheries.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington, December I4, 1906. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith my report of the con- duct of affairs on the seal islands of Alaska for the season of 1906. I left Washington May 12, 1906, under instructions from the department, took passage on the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer, wliich sailed from Portland, Oreg., May 22, ar- riving at St. George Island June 8 and St. Paul Island June 9. I left St. Paul Island July 20 and proceeded with Japanese prisoners to Unalaska on the U. S. S. McCuUoch. Returning to St. Paul on the same vessel July 26, I left the next morning on her for Unalaska, Kodiak, and Valdez, to attend the United States court at the latter place as a witness in the case of the United States against 12 Jap- anese, arrested for raiding St. Paul Island. I left Valdez September 5 on the Excelsior and arrived in Washington September 20, having stopped en route at Cliicago, as directed by the department, for a coirference with Hon. E. W. Sims, United States attorney. This report lacks the usual count of pups and the various collateral counts made on St. Paul between July 15 and 31, for the reason that this island after July 15 was surrounded by a large fleet of Japa- nese pelagic schooners hunting seals in the immediate vicinity of the island. To have continued counting under these circumstances would have involved the driving off the rookeries of large numbers of SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 261 female breeding seals to fall the prey of pelagic hunters within sight of land. Assistant Agent Judge, in charge on St. Paul, acting on the advice of Mr. Sims, who was then present, accordingly discon- tinued any further activity on the rookeries which would have a tendency to disturb the seals and drive them into the water. RESERVATION OF BACHELORS. The "branding" or marldng of bachelors to be reserved for breed- ing purposes necessarily was the fu'st work of the season. Wliile this was commenced as soon as possible after my arrival, a scarcity of seals prevented its being accomphshed until June 23 on St. Paul and June 30 on St. George. Previous to tliis time young males could not be obtained on the hauhng grounds in sufficient numbers to secure the quota required to be marked. At St. Paul on June 14, a fair number of bachelors having been found on the Keef, a drive was contemplated for tjie day follo\ving. During the night, however, a brisk rain occurred, and the following morning only a few seals were hauled out, the others presumably hav- ing left because of the rain. From the handful secured, however, we marked 69 two-year-olds and 77 three-year-olds. In addition to these, 7 four-year-olds were marked and 10 old brands renewed. After this date seals were not present in sufficient numbers to justify further efforts to mark bachelors until June 22, when a drive was made from the same rookery and 1,243 seals marked — 684 two-5^ear- olds, 538 three-year-olds, and 21 four-year-olds. On the following day, at Zapadni, 116 two-year-olds and 265 three-year-olds were marked, filling the quota of bachelors to be marked for that island. On St. George the marking of bachelors was begun on June 14 and finished June 30. The method of marking seals to be reserved for breeding seals at present in vogue on the islands is humane, and is effective so far as land killing is concerned. The seal is dragged from the "pod" by a noose of rope placed over its head by means of a pole, and held down while the hair and fur on its head are clipped off with sheep shears. This operation is painless and the mark made is readily discernible during the killing season. In the fall, when the new hair grows out, the mark made in the spring is obliterated, but measures have been taken by the agents to avoid including in the fall killings for food the bachelors reserved in the spring as breeders. In 1904, the year in which branding was begun, the agents placed a limit of weight of 6 pounds on all sealskins to be taken in the fall. This was intended to and did absolutely exempt from killing all the 3-year-olds, together with 75 per cent of the 2-year-olds. Of the remaining 25 per cent of this latter class it may be said that there are so many hauhng grounds on the island in the fall that are not driven from at all, which these seals frequent, that few even of the smallest marked bachelors are killed. Furthermore, the 3-year-olds, having passed the age of puberty, are not found on the hauling grounds during the fall, but are hauled among the cows on the rookeries where they can not be driven, ihis is an additional safeguard against their killing and of itself would disprove any allegation that these marked seals are subsequently killed. 262 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The object of marking male seals for breeders primarily was to provide a reserve of 3-year-olds, rendering them immune from slaughter, to pass into the 4-year-old or prohibited class, and thus be allowed to mature as breeders. At the same time a reserve of 2-year- olds was made, as a cumulative measure of safety, to insure a stock of 3-year-olds the next season, and to operate conjointly with the regulations restricting the killing of seals under 5h pounds, to accom- plish the purpose of allowing a safe number of seals to escape club- bing and mature as breeding bulls. When, however, this regulation (restricting the killing of young males to seals having skins weighing over 5| pounds) was enforced, it was found that this operated to release from the killing drives so many 2-year-olds, in addition to those marked and released, that the reservation by marking of any of this class, while undoubtedly wise, was practically a work of supererogation, and that without clipping any of the 2-year-olds enough of that class escaped under the 5i- pound restriction to provide an ample supply of 3-year-olds for the next year. In the light of experience this 5i-pound limit has since been re- duced to 5 pounds, but with this reduction several thousands of 2-year-olds are annually turned away to appear the next year as 3-year-olds, without considering those marked by clipping their heads, as above stated. It follows, therefore, that if a few of the marked 2-year-olds are included in the fall killings, even to 25 per cent of that class, which is not the case, there would still be such a number of 2-year-olds in existence that were not marked at all that no difficulty would be experienced in obtaining the supply of 3-year-olds for clipping the following spring, which is the object desired. A permanent brand could be made only by the use of a hot iron. The mark would also have to be made on top of the head of the seal. As the skull is very thin, it is believed that a severe brand might easily injure the brain and lay the whole practice open to a charge of inhumanity. It never was the intention of the department to make a permanent brand. When hot irons were used the agents were in- structed that in marking the seals care should be taken not to burn into the skin of the animal. Wlien it was found. that hot irons could not be used in wet weather, but that sheep shears were efficacious at any time, the latter were at once used to the exclusion of all other means. The hot irons can be used at any time that it is desired to experi- ment with permanently branded seals. A number of those branded in 1904 on the head with hot irons have appeared in the drives of subse- quent years with a permanent head brand more or less distinct. These seals, which were either 2 or 3 year olds in 1904, can be recog- nized on the rookeries when they secure footing there as bulls, and it is probable that through them some interesting facts' will be discov- ered in connection with the ascertainment of the exact age and longevity ol breeding bulls. Should pelagic sealing be abolished, experiments should be conducted by means of ])ermanent brands on certain bachelors, to establish definite knowledge as to the age of adult males, their length of service on the breeding grounds, and whether they return to the same locality each year. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 263 It must be remembered that pelagic sealing interferes materially with the operation of any methods adopted on land for the saving of seals for purposes of the future and renders them in a measure con- jectural. When it is considered that all of these reserved bachelors are forced to run the gauntlet of the spear and the shotgun while in the water, a wide margin of loss from mortality at sea must be al- lowed before any measures mvolving the saving of seals can be con- sidered efficacious. Undoubtedly it is obligatory upon the Government to insure enough males for future breeding purposes. But it must not be for- gotten at the same time that the Government in so doing aids pelagic sealing through every seal allowed to escape on land which could properly be killed there. In my judgment the practice of saving seals for breeding purposes should be continued only so long as it is probable that a settlement of the pelagic sealing question can be accomplished. But, unless this settlement on a satisfactory basis appears imminent, I would recommend the killing on land oi every seal that can be killed under existing law. KILLING OF SEALS. On St. Paul Island the lessee took during the sealing season of 1906 a total of 10,942 skins, which, added to 1,701 skins taken during the previous fall and spring in food drives or left on hand from the last season, made a total of 12,643 skins in the salt houses on that island at the season's close, July 31, 1906. Of these, 83 small and 23 large skins were outside the limits of weight prescribed by the department (5 pounds to 8| pounds) and are held on the island subject to the de- partment's order. On St. George the lessee took during the regular sealing season 1,685 skins. In addition to these, 315 eligible skins were taken in previous food drives, making a total of 2,000 skins for that island, which was its quota as determined by the department. Of these, 55 small skins and 5 large skins were retamed as being outside the regu- lar weights. The lessee shipped at the close of the season in question 12,536 skins from St. Paul and 1,940 from St. George, a total of 14,476 skins, upon which the stipulated payment of $10.22^ for each skin should be made. FAILURE TO SECURE QUOTA. It will be noted that, while the quota of 2,000 for St. George was obtained, the lessee failed to secure the St. Paul quota of 13,000, not- withstanding the reduction of the limit of weight in skins from 5^ to 5 pounds. This is probably due to a scarcity of seals; but, owing to the fact that the hauling grounds on Northeast Point and Zapadni rookeries were constantly disturbed during the period of July 16 to 20, due to the raids there by Japanese poachers at a time when the hauling grounds should be most fi'equented, it is possible that this cause contributed in a measure to the failure to obtain the whole quota. The total number of seals taken on St. Paul includes 63 skins from female seals killed by Japanese poachers, which they were unable to make awav wdth. 264 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. NUMBER OF DRIVES. During the lessee's season on St. Paul 30 drives were made for skins, including 4 drives in which less than 40 skins were taken in each. In all of the drives the percentage of seals killed varied from a minimum of 43 per cent to a maximum of 69 per cent. On St. George during the lessee's season 14 drives were made, in which the percentage of seals killed to the whole number driven varied from 71 to 23 per cent. EFFECT OF NEW REGULATIONS. The instructions of the department to me, dated March 9, 1906, lowered the limit of weight on sealskins to be taken to a minimum of 5 pounds and provided, also, that skins were not to, be taken weighing more than 8^ pounds. All skins under 5 pounds and over 8^ pounds were not to be delivered to the company, but were to be held by the agents subject to future instructions from the depart- ment. These instructions were promulgated upon my arrival and were properly enforced. During the summer 138 small and 28 large skins were so retained by the agents, and are now on the islands awaiting instructions from the department. The skin of a 4-year-old male is classed as weighing, on the aver- age, over 8§ pounds. The regulation prohibiting the killing of seals over this weight was designed to give additional immunity to those 4-year-old males which, having passed the 2 and 3 year old stages, were desired to mature into adult bulls. The statistics gathered by the agents during the summer show that tliis regula- tion has been effective. In 1905, when there was no prohibition against the shipment of skins over 8 J pounds, but simplj an injunc- tion against the killing of 4-year-olds, there were dismissed on the killing field on St. Paul as the result of this regulation 363 four-year- olds during the summer. In the summer of 1906, when the ship- ment of skins over 8 J pounds was first prohibited, 1 .001 four-year-olds were turned away, a difference in favor of 1906 of 638 dismissals in this class. On St. George 244 large dismissals occurred in 1906, as against 191 in 1905. While, of course, some of the dismissals represent animals which have been driven twice or even more, yet it is known that the per- centage of large animals redriven is much less than in the case of the small ones. The number of 4-year-old dismissals, therefore, must represent to a great extent animals of this class actually in being. The large increase mentioned above in the number of prime males which have passed the stage where they will be Hable to clubbing demonstrates the efficiency of the present regulations. These large animals dismissed, in addition to those branded and released, afford the herd a splendid class of young males each year to mature as breeding bulls. These dismissals occurring from year to year, in the future will supply all the adult male life necessary on the rook- eries and will never again allow the adult male class to become depleted. The reduction in 1906 of the limit of weight on small skins from 5i\]to 5 pounds was made by the department because of the fact that SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 265 the latter weight more nearly represented the dividing line between 1 and 2 year old seals. The young males between 5 and 5^ pounds undoubtedly are 2-year-olds, and the 5i-pound prohibition resulted in arbitrarily turning away from the kiUing fields several thousands of small 2-year-olds that otherwise would be Idlled for quota. This reduction of the limit in weight resulted in the dismissal in 1906 of 3,980 small seals, as against 5,548 in 1905. These 3,980 dis- missals in 1906 are shown elsewhere to represent approximately 3,300 animals. In my opinion, this closer killing among the smaller 2-year-olds is advisable. Present safeguards against too close kilhng are ample. With their strict enforcement, it is the part of wisdom to allow the lessee to take all remaining young males not covered by prohibitory regulation, as in so doing it reduces to a minimum a class of seals upon which the pelagic sealers prey during the summer, and which, if saved, would ofler no further benefit to the herd than that now as- sured under the regulations governing the killing on land. STATISTICS OF KILLINGS. The statistics of killings made on St. Paul Island during the past season show 18,411 animals driven, of wliich 10,942 were killed. This includes the skins of 63 female seals killed and abandoned by the Japanese raiders on Northeast Point rookery July 17. These statistics refer only to the period of summer killing and do not include the dismissals from the fall drives for food, in which cows, bachelors, and yearlings are so intermingled as to make a record of dismissals therefrom of no value. It can be seen from the table, wliich is herewith submitted as an exliibit, that the killings by the lessee on St. Paul comprises 59 per cent of the animals driven. During the season the killings varied from a maximum of 69 per cent to a minimum of 43 per cent. The dismissals on St. Paul of branded 2-year-olds numbered 1,012 out of a total of 869 marked on that island, or 16 per cent more than the whole number of these animals marked at the beginning of the season. Of the 880 branded 3-year-olds 693 dismissals occurred, wliich shows that the dismissals in the 3-year-old class fail by 20 per cent to represent the total num.ber of animals. These statistics of rejections in the 2 and 3 year old classes are valuable in showing approximately the number of small animals rep- resented by the dismissals from the drives of seals not branded. These dismissals in 1906 aggregated 3,980 on St. Paul and were all practically 2-year-olds, too small to render 5-pound skins. So few yearlings were included as to render their consideration of no value. Having found from the dismissals of branded 2-year-olds that they represented 16 per cent more than the number actually branded, and applying the same rule to the dismissals of 2-year-olds that were not branded, we can see that the 3,980 dismissals in tliis class represent approximately 3,300 animals. While, of course, tliis is only an approximation, it is based upon a rule containing so much of the ele- ments of certainty as to give a fair idea of the number of individuals included in the rejected class. These 3,300 2-year-olds, together with the 800 branded of that class on St. Paul, demonstrate that too close killing does not occur at the present time and insures an ample number of 3-year-olds for 1907. 266 ?EAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. CLASSIFICATION OF LARGE SEALS REJECTED. During the summer on St. Paul 1,707 large seals were turned away from the" drives, of which, according to the classification made at the time of dismissal, 1,001 were 4-year-olds, 383 were 5-year-olds, 213 were 6-year-olds, 72 were 7-year-olds, and 38 were mature bulls. The large number of 4-year-olds is significant and demonstrates the effi- cacy of the regulations of the department prohibiting the killing of 4-year-old males, or, if killed, the sliipment of their skins. During the season of 1905 a similar record shows the dismissal of only 363 4-year-olds. A schedule of these classified dismissals is appended as an exhibit. ' ENUMERATION OF SEAL LIFE. An enumeration of breeding bulls on both islands showed a decrease from the previous year. On St. Paul, at the height of the season of 1906, 1,244 adult bulls were found on the rookeries. Of these, 1,205 had harems and 39 were idle. In addition to these were found 41 young bulls present on the rookeries, but not holding their positions when approached. These latter have been termed by us "quitters." On St. George in 1906, 204 adult bulls were found, of which 196 had harems and 8 were idle. In addition there were 13 "quitters." In 1905, 1,455 bulls with harems were found on St. Paul, together with 75 idle bulls and 44 young quitters, while on St. George 258 buUs with harems and 22 idle bulls were noted. A comparison of these figures with the counts made in 1906 shows a decrease in the year in bulls on St. Paul of 286, or 18 per cent, and on St. George of 76, or 27 per cent. Following is given the count of buUs on St. Paul, by rookeries, made in 1906. The column marked "Bulls" does not include those counted as quitters: Count of bulls, St. Paul, 1906.' Date. July 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 16 Rookeries. Gorhatch Cliffs. . Gorbatch Ardiguen Reef Ketovi Amphitheatei . . , Lukanin Little Polovina. Polovina Cliffs.. Polovina Zapadni Little Zapadni.. Zapadni Reef. . . Tolstoi Tolstoi Cliff.'!.-.. La?;oon Northeast Point Total Bulls 111 14 206 43 7 38 12 27 38 169 81 14 112 34 23 305 1,244 ITarems. 7 109 14 201 40 7 36 12 26 38 162 78 14 112 32 21 296 1,205 Idle. 39 Quitters. It will be noted that no idle bulls were found on Ardiguen, Amplii- theater. Little Polovina, Zapadni Reef, and Tolstoi, while only 9 were found on the entire stretch of Northeast Point rookery, the largest SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 267 breeding ground on the entire island, and only 5 were found on Keef rookery and 7 on Zapadni, the two rookeries next largest in size. ' These counts were carefully made by Agent Judge, in company with Mr. Marsh, the naturalist of the Bureau of Fisheries. While I was occupied in the main with photographing the rookeries at the time these counts were made, I participated in several of them, thus furnishing an additional check upon their accuracy. They are not in any sense estimates or approximations based upon superficial observations, but actual enumerations in the strictest sense, embrac- ing every bull present at the height of the season. No locality where bulls were hauled up was overlooked in making these counts. The detailed counts of harems on St. George, made at the height of the season, follows : Bulls on St. George, 1906. Rookeries. Bulls with harems. Idle.bulls. Quitters. North 78 20 34 34 16 8 3 3 2 3 2 3 East Cliffs . 3 East Reef 2 1 Total 196 8 13 These counts, as carefully made by Agents Chichester and Clark, disclose the lack of idle bulls on Staraya Artel, East Reef, and Little East rookeries. . BULLS ON SEA LION ROCK. A breeding rookery exists on Sea Lion Rock, off St. Paul, but it was not possible to reach this islet in a boat at the time harems were counted on the main island. On a visit, however, on June 24, I found 54 bulls hauled there. This early count, made three weeks before the height of the season, will nevertheless serve to show that this isolated breeding ground contains only a normal number of bulls and that it is not the abiding place of such a number of adult males as would disprove the statement that the bulls have decreased greatly. DESERTED HAULING GROUNDS. Such hauhng grounds as Zoltoi Sands, English Bay, and the sand beach west of Hutchinson Hill were devoid of seal life during the summer. No seals of any description were found on them. The same may be said of the beach line adjacent to Halfway Point (or Polovina) rookery and of those beaches or cliffs in the vicinity of each rookery where in former times young bulls were wont to haul up after having failed to enter the breeding area proper. In every instance in which counts were made on the various rookeries during the summer the agents not only covered the rookery itself, but searched the beach line on all sides of it to be sure that no stray "polsikatchie" were overlooked. In offering this count of bulls, therefore, I feel perfectly safe in assuring the department that it rep- resents all bulls present on the islands. 268 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. At the present time the hauling grounds of Zoltoi and EngUsh Bay have no more significance as abiding places for seals than Black Bluffs. They were absolutely destitute of seal life during the past summer. So far as their investigation is concerned, they could not figure in our notes except through the insertion of reiterated statements that there were no seals present. At the close of the season, after the rookery formation has disintegrated, these, as well as other, hauling grounds Erobably offered a resting place for a few former harem masters that ad deserted their rookery stations after a summer's service, and had hauled up there to recuperate ; but as these bulls had previously been counted on the rookeries where they had held harems, their further enumeration after the season's close would serve only to confuse the counts already made. In former years, when there was a superabundance of rookery bulls, young bulls were driven to the bachelors' hauling grounds, and the beaches adjoining breeding rookeries, because the adult bulls would not allow them to haul among the cows, and the youngsters were not strong enough to force their way in. At the present time, however, owing to the small number of rookery bulls present, the young males can find an entrance into almost any rookery and stand a good chance of picking up a cow or two before the season is over. The necessity for their frequenting these former hauling grounds is now lacking, and the young bulls do not resort to the hauling grounds, for the obvious reason that the breedmg rookeries offer more attraction. CONDITION OF ROOKERY BULLS. The number and character of the bulls stationed on the breeding rookeries with cows was given early attention. On my arrival on St. George, June 8, I visited North rookery on that island for the purpose of making a count of bulls. In going from point to point on the rookery, it was soon apparent that the bulls present displayed a larger proportion of fine young animals between 7 and 8 years of age than I had ever before observed. Only a few old bulls, distinguished by their rusty color, worn teeth, and comparative lack of spirit, could be seen. About 50 per cent of the bulls on that rookery were ma^nificient young animals just reaching maturity. The others were middle-aged bulls, showing the marks of previous service on the breeding grounds. An old bull was a rarity. Arrivmg at St. Paul the next day, and having in mind the unusual number of young bulls present on North rookery, I made a careful inspection of the bulls on Gorbatch and found the proportion of fully developed young animals there to be even greater than on St. George. On Gorbatch Cliffs, of 7 bulls found 5 were 3^oung animals fully grown, but not over 8 years of age. On Gorbatch, of the 77 bulls present 54 were not over 8 years. Only 10 bulls were found with broken-down teeth and other marks indicating old age. Only one was found that, on being aroused, did not show fight. Of the old bulls several chased me some distance, showing that their powers were in no wise diminished. The other rookeries were then gone oyer by myself and Agent Judge, and as careful an analysis as possible Avas made of the bulls present with regard to age. On all rookeries this practical absence of old animals was found, as well as the preponderance of young bulls, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 269 although in some instances the proportion of quite young bulls was not so great as that found on Gorbatch and on North rookery. This condition shows not so much an unusual mflux of young ani- mals as the practical disappearance of the old males, and the further significant fact that there were in existence young males to take their places. It is probable that during several years recently past the number of accessions of new bulls on the rookeries was small. This failure of new blood created a hiatus in the succession of rookery masters, which was apparent in the rapid decrease of bulls on the rookeries. This gap has been bridged over by the survival of those bulls already on the rookeries, but has left a sharp line of demarcation between the old and new bulls. The presence of this large proportion of young bulls shows that the crisis has been met and passed successfully. In 1904 the first reservation of 3-year-old males was made and the first prolubition against the Idlhng of 4-year-olds enforced. Of the supposed 3-year-olds reserved in that year some were undoubtedly small 4-3^ear-ords. The survivors of these 4-year-olds released or reserved in 1904 will be 7 years old in 1907, and will appear on the rookeries for the fu'st time as full rooker}^ bulls. It is too much to say that any benefit from these reservations was felt in 1906. It is certainly proper to claim, however, that the first benefits from tins source will accrue in the coming season of 1907; that the decrease in rookery bulls which has been constant for some years wdll be then checked in a measure at least and tliat a steady augmentation of rookery bulls will be noted from that year. There is but one factor that mU possibly operate to defeat this assurance of an increase in bulls, and that is the effect of pelagic seahng upon the reservations of young males. All of these reserved seals are in danger of being killed at sea b}^ pelagic sealers before they fully mature as bulls. How many of them are killed by tliis means can never be known. As before stated, the exemption of any seals that could be killed la^\iully on land is just so much encourage- ment to the pelagic sealer, and subsequent events must determine speedily whether it is the \\aser policy to create a reservation of male seals even for breeders or to kill all on land that can be taken under existing law. ABSENCE OF IDLE BULLS. As can be seen from the tables appended hereto, the scarcity of bulls was even greater in 1906 than in 1905, in which latter year the number of this class present was so small as to amount to a virtual disappearance. On the St. Paul rookeries in 1906 there were only 39 idle mature bulls. In 1905 there were 75 idle. In 1905 there were 44 "quitters" on these rookeries, while in 1906 there were 41, 3 per cent of the entire number of the bulls present. This is a larger percentage of "quit- ters" than was found in former years, and of itself shows that there was a larger percentage of young bulls present in 1906 than formerly. This is additional evidence of the fact, stated elsewhere, that the rook- eries in 1906 contained more young bulls than the year previous. 270 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. YOUNG BULLS IN CHAEGE OF COWS. During the summer a number of young bulls, which at first ran at our approach, afterwards obtained cows and held their ground, and were included by us among the full-grown harem bulls. These young animals were 7-year-olds and were fully capable of serving cows. On July 1 I found a harem on Gorbatch Chffs containing a cow and 2 pups deserted by its bull. There was no idle bull present at the time to fill the vacancy. On July 4 this harem was still without a bull. On July 6 a 7-year-old "quitter" had taken possession of this harem and had under him 2 cows and 3 pups. He ran into the water at my approach. On Juh^ 8 this young bull had 7 cows, over which, wliile I remained hidden, he lorded it with all the precision of a vet- eran, but from which he fled incontinently when I rose up from the liigh grass and showed myself. On July 9 this bull had 2 cows and 6 pups and again fled at my appearance. On July 11 he was still present, but great care had to be exercised in observing him to keep out of sight, as the least movement on my part through the high grass caused Mm to edge toward the water. This incident, typical in character, occurring on a portion of rook- ery space where no idle bulls were present, gives a fair idea of what happens on other rookery areas where a lack of bulls exists. It shows that cows do not escape impregnation, even if their first bull deserts. Had no other bull arrived to take the place of the one which abandoned this harem site, the deserted cows, by moving to either side, could have entered harems where there were bulls anxious to receive them. Whether any of these cows sought other bulls is not known, but it is very possible that some did, leaving their pups in the first harem. This fact is suggested strongly by the harem's containing only 2 cows with 6 pups on July 9. SITUATION AT HUTCHINSON HILL. In my report for 1905, I called attention to the fact that in the mass of seals under Hutchinson Hill at Northeast Point the harem forma- tions broke up at an earlier date than usual, and that on the 16th of July, when the rigidity of harem discipline should be greatest, the cows wandered at will over the sand flat in company with bachelors and half bulls. The reason for this was found in the fact that the large number of cows on the flat were in charge of only a few bulls, while no idle buUs were present. The engaged bulls were each required to serve an unusually large number of cows, causing them to reach the limit of their procreative power before the usual time. The harem forma- tions at this spot, therefore, instead of remaining intact until at least the 15th of July, became broken practically a week earlier. During the past summer (1906) considerable attention was given to the seals in this locality, wdth a view of determining whether the condition noted the year previous would be recurrent. On July 5 I found on the sand flat under the hiU, and exclusive of the beach slope which was obscured, 21 bulls and about 1,500 cows, conservatively estimated. At the eastern end of the mass, sUghtly segregated, were 184 cows with 1 bull. Among the entire SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 271 mass of cows were 11 bulls. In the rear of the mass and detached from it were 10 bulls, 2 of which were idle and the others had harems ranging from 1 to 9 cows. At this early date the 11 bulls in the mass, which was then com- pact, had on an average at least 125 cows each, and only 2 idle bulls were present. One of the latter was a young bull not stationed, wdiile the other was mature. On the 10th I found the mass still compact, with the number of bulls unchanged. A greater number of cows was present than was found on the 5th. At the time of this visit I took photographs of the mass, to contrast them with those to be taken when the cows should spread out over the sand fiat. On July 16 the compact formation had disappeared and the mass was found to have spread out over twice the former area occupied. The harem formation had also gone. The greater number of cows was found at the rear of the flat adjoining the liill when, before the disintegration, they were pressed close to the beach slope. On the flat area, in and immediateh^ adjoining the mass, were 21 bulls, none of which was idle. A number of bachelors was playing on the rocks awash in front of the beach line. While it was impossible at the time to make a thorough examination as to the number of bachelors in the mass, I could easil}^ distinguish several branded bachelors among the cows by their shaved heads, which were conspicuous. The bulls had lost or had relinquished control of the area and the cows moved as they pleased. The recurrence of this condition at this place in 1906 justifies the mention of it in my report for 1905. The significance of this situa- tion was mentioned in my last report. It means simply that in the massed area under Hutchinson Hill the normal number of cows for each bull has been exceeded. While some httle distance on either side of the mass or at the water's edge there were proably a few idle bufls, they retained their positions which the}^ fii'st preempted and did not move in to the cows under the hiU that probably needed them. I am frank to say that tliis condition was noted only at Hutchinson HiU. Undoubtedly, all cows were impregnated in that locality as in all others. I believe the bulls at this particular place had greater demands on their vitality than would have occurred in a state of nature, and it was to relieve a condition of this character that the practice of reserving young males from slaughter was commenced in 1904 and continued thereafter. Unless the greater number of these reserved animals are destroyed by the pelagic sealers, whose efforts to take seals in the immediate vicinity of the islands have been redoubled in the last year, an augmentation of breeding bulls wiU be noted the coming year, which will relieve the condition of a scarcity of buUs. ALL cows SERVED. Particular attention was paid by me during the past summer to determine whether any evidence of failure of impregnation of cows could be found. In no instance was I able to discover that any cow had not received proper service from the bulls. On the contrary, every observation showed that during the season of 1905 aU cows in heat were served and bore young in 1906. 272 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. It was seen plainly last summer that all females landing on the rookeries during the breeding season were gravid, without an excep- tion noted, and that within 24 hours thereafter, generally speaking, they gave birth to their young. These cows, fresh from the water, could be distinguished by their brilliant coats of steel gray. These new arrivals were invariably seen to be gravid or with newborn pups at their sides. The brown cows, those that had been out of the water long enough to have lost the beautiful gray coloration, had pups by their sides. This was an invariable rule during the pupping season and showed conclusively that no lack of virile male life was encountered the previous season. Careful investigation has failed to disclose any evidence showing that the herd of cows has suifered in any way from the reduction in the number of bulls which has occurred for several years past. It is true that this falling off among bulls has been so marked as to justify its being considered at length and to necessitate the adoption of meas- ures to check this decrease; but it is also true that the breeding bulls have not reached that point of decrease where it would result in a lessened number of pups being born because of a scarcity of bulls, and that, with the present regulations in force, this condition can never happen. COUNTS OF PUPS. It has been the yearly practice heretofore to count all the live and dead pups on the St. George rookeries and about one-third of the en- tire number on the St. Paul rookeries, with a view of establishing a correct idea of the increase or decrease in seal life. This counting has been done as near July 31 as possible. It was the intention last summer to carry out this plan as usual. The aspect of affairs, however, was suddenly changed by the arrival around St. Paul Island of a large fleet of Japanese sealing schooners, operating so close to the rookeries as to be constantly in sight of land. Because of their immediate presence it was considered unwise to make any disturbance of the rookeries such as would be involved in a count of pups, thereby driving the female seals into the water to be killed by the pelagic sealers. The usual count of pups, therefore, on St. Paul Island was omitted last summer. Previous to the date of the first raid on the St. Paul rookeries, July 16, the usual daily counts of cows on the various rookeries on that island were made. In this way it was demonstrated that a de- crease had occurred in the number of cows on every rookery counted at the height of the season varying from 10 per cent to 28 per cent. In other words, at the time when the greatest number of cows was present on land on St. Paul in 1906 the counts showed their numbers to be from 10 to 28 per cent less than they were at the same time of the preceding season. This count of cows present has not been used heretofore as a basis for determining the whole number frequenting the rookeries, for the reason that all cows are never present on land at one time. It has been considered of value merely as establishing the rate of influx dur- ing the summer, the determination of the date when the height of the season occurs, and matters of that kind. The entire female popula- tion of a rookery can be ascertained only by a count of pups, as every breeding cow is taken to have a pup on shore. This count should be SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 273 made as soon as possible after the puppinoj season is over and before the pups Jiave learned to swim. By this method the number of adult females can be ascertained correctly. While being less exact than an actual count of pups, by the enumer- ation of cows present on certain rookeries on given dates, and the com- parison of these counts with those made on similar dates the year pre- vious, it can be ascertained with reasonable exactness whether or not ihe herd of cows has decreased or diminished. An accurate idea of the rate of this change, however, can be arrived at only by an enu- meration of the pups. Both the daily counts of cows and the lessened amount of rookery space occupied demonstrate beyond question that a decrease has occurred in the number of cows on the St. Paul rookeries. A con- servative estimate would place tliis decrease in the neighborhood of 20 per cent. The application of tliis rate of decrease to the number of cows present on this island in 1905 (65,884) would show that on August 1 last there were 52,700 breeding females on St. Paul. Tliis is as close an estimation as it is possible to make without an actual count of pups. Since August 1 , however, the seal herd has suffered from the com- bined attacks of both the Japanese and Canadian sealing fleets, with a total strength of probably 50 vessels, operating during the months of August and September and a portion of the month of October, the cateli of wliich represents in the neighborhood of 80 per cent of females. The loss from this source was unusually heavy and is not included in the numbers above given. It will be apparent on the islands in the death of pups from starvation, and reports concerning it will not be received until next spring. On St. George an actual count was made by Agents Cliichester and Clark of all pups born on that island last summer, wliich showed 11,233 hve and 224 dead pups. In 1905, 12,699 hve and 253 dead pups were counted, from wliich it appears that a decrease on that island has occurred in pups born during the year's interval of 11 per cent. Considering the increased activity in pelagic sealing during the past summer, an estimate would place the number in the w1id1# Pribilof Islands herd of seals at 180,000 animals of all classes. DEAD PUPS. A careful search was made during the summer for dead pups, with a view to determining whether any considerable number of deaths resulted before the effects of pelagic sealing became apparent on the rookeries through the presence of starved pups, and also the cause of death of those found. It is known, of course, that on the death of a mother seal the pup on shore dies of starvation, as no other female will suckle it. It fol^ lows, therefore, that for every adult cow killed at sea there is a corresponding death of a pup on shore. Wlien pelagic sealing was practiced only by vessels flying the Canadian flag, it was subject to the regulations of the Paris tribunal, which forbid seal killing between May 1 and August 1 of each year. As from 10 to 15 days are required for a pup to die of starvation, 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 18 274 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the effect of sea killing on the newborn pups was not noticed on land much before August 15 of each year. Prior to this date, the death of pups could not be laid to pelagic sealing and liad to be ascribed to some other agency. Since the advent, however, of the Japanese as a factor in pelagic sealing the date when starved pups should be apparent on the rookeries has changed. The Japanese, as well as all other nations except the United States and Great Britain, are not bound by the Paris award, and they are free to engage in pelagic sealing at any time without regard to the closed season mentioned in the award. As the Japanese actually commence seal killing in Bering Sea previous to the 1st of July, deaths of pups from starvation occur at almost any time during that month. It is therefore impossible to say at the present time that any mor- tality in pups occurring before August 1 must be laid to some other source than pelagic sealing, as starved pups, whose mothers have been killed at sea, should now be found on the islands at any time during' the summer. Inquiries have been made recently of the department concerning the present effect of uncinaria on the seal pups, and it has been strongly intimated by certain persons that thousands of pups die annually from the ravages of tliis parasite, of which no mention is made in the agents' reports. The fact is that uncinaria has not now, nor has had for several years past, any known existence on the islands. This statement is justified by actual and careful examina- tions during the last three years. At the time of the investigations of the Jordan Commission in 1896-97 numbers of dead pups were discovered prior to August 1, the cause of the death of which the commission finally ascribed to uncinaria, an intestinal parasite. From the thousands of dead pups found the commission made 345 dissections in 1897, between the dates of July 25 and September 5, wliich resulted in their ascribing the death of 122 to uncinaria, 177 to starvation, and 46 to other caus,es. Large numbers of these dead pups were found on the flat or sandy areas forming portions of the rookeries of Tolstoi and Zapadni, and on those areas the commission determined that uncinaria was specially deadly. They inferred that the ovum or embryo of the parasite was deposited in the sands or on the surface of these flat areas through the feces of adult seals, and were picked up on the fur of the mother during the breeding season. They were then nursed in by the pup and, lodging in its intestines, there developed and found its host, causing death from anaemia. It was claimed by the commission that uncinaria was actively an agent of death only on these flat areas. On the rocky beaches the ova were washed down between the interstices of the rocks and dis- appeared. The effect of this deadly parasite, therefore, must be looked for only on the flat areas. The conditions wliich were noted by the commission in 1896-97 were probably abnormal. Since that time there has been observed no unusual number of dead pups on the areas described. The report of the commission states that dead pups were so numerous as to be thrown up in windrows on, the sands of English Bay by a storm. Nothing of this character has occurred since. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 275 Whatever may have been the effect from this parasite in former years, tlie fact stands that for several years past neither of the areas wliich have been mentioned as being heavily impregnated with unci- naria was occupied by seals. Tliis is due to the shrinkage in the numbers of the herd and the consequent contraction of the space occu- pied. The flat stretch and gullies on Zapadni, known as the ''death trap," where so many uncinariated pups weie found by the Jordan Commission, do not contain seals at the present time. The seals on tliis, as on other rookeries, resort to the rocky beach. On Tolstoi the sand flat could be traversed almost at will at any time during the past season. The statement that uncinaria has no known existence on the islands at the present time is predicated mainly on the fact that during the. past summer Mr. M. C. Marsh, of the Bureau of Fisheries, an expert microscopist, in connection with the agents, made a careful search for dead pups, with a view of determining the causes of mortality. On Zapadni, as before stated, no pups were found on the area indi- cated by Dr. Jordan as being heavily infected. On Tolstoi a few sparse harems overlapped the sandy area from the beach line, but the number of seals thereon was small, and an observer at any time during the summer could have walked over the sand flat on that rook- ery. Agent Judge, in company with Mr. Marsh, visited the Tolstoi flat on several occasions with a view of determining the presence of dead pups and of ascertaining the cause of death of any found. On July 3 these gentlemen found a number of cows at the northern end of the area in charge of three bulls. About one-third of these cows were on the flat, while the remainder were on the rocky beach slope. In order to ascretain whether any dead pups were among these cows, they purposely stampeded them and drove nearly all into the water. On the rookery space vacated Mr. Judge counted 140 live pups, but found no dead. About 100 of these pups were on the sand. None of them showed signs of illness and when aroused, if sleeping, evinced abundant spirit. On July 4 Mr. Marsh obtained a dead pup on the Reef. On autopsy its lungs were found crushed, indicating trampling. On several other occasions dead pups were found by either Mr. Judge, Mr. Marsh, or myself on other rookeries which, upon dissection, showed that they Were either stillborn or had died immediately after birth. In these cases either the entire placenta or a portion of the umbilical cord still adhered. During the summer I took photographs of the gully on Zapadni to show that no seals were present thereon. Further examinations of dead pups during the period of my stay on the islands were not made, solely for the reason that no specimens other than those already men- tioned could be found. In addition, Mr. Marsh examined a number of specimens of feces of adult seals under the microscope and could find no ova of uncinaria therein. After July 16 the presence of so many sealing schooners in sight of the island made any disturbance of the seals on land decidedly unwise, and all counting or examination of the rookeries of such a nature as to drive the seals from land were discontinued. This is specially re- gretted, as it was contemplated to complete this examination by mak- ing a thorough count of all dead pups on the rookeries on or about 276 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA, August 1, and to examine enough of them to determine whether or not uncinaria caused the death of any of them. It can be stated, however, from such examination as could be made this summer, that uncinaria has no known existence on the islands, and that, if it is present at all, its effects are so slight as to from an inconsiderable feature in the death rate among pups. PELAGIC SEALING. Probably never in the histor}^ of the seal islands has the fur-seal herd suffered such a heavy blow as that which resulted from the oper- ations of the pelagic-sealing fleet during the past summer. This fleet consisted approximately of 15 Canadian and 30 Japanese schooners. The Canadian sealers, by the provisions of the "Paris award," are prohibited from killing seals in Bering Sea at any time with firearms, and are forced to observe a closed season between May 1 and July 31 of each year. They are required also to operate outside of a closed zone with a radius of 60 miles about the Pribilof Islands, inside of which killing of seals is forbidden. No restrictions of this character, however, govern the Japanese vessels, so that in the open ocean they may take seals at any time and by any means. During the greater portion of the summer this latter fleet surrounded St. Paul Island, killing seals just outside the three- mile territorial limit. In some instances these vessels entered this limit, killing seals in violation of our laws. They even made a de- termined raid on the breeding rookeries themselves, in which the crews of four vessels apparently acted in concert. The latter incident may be stated briefly as follows : On the morning of July 16 a boat's crew of 6 Japanese landed at Northeast Point rookery, St. Paul Island, armed with a full equip- ment of clubs and other paraphernalia for seal killing, and were ar- rested by the agents of this department and the native guard before the marauders were able to kill any seals. On the morning of July 17 a boat's crew of 3 Japanese, attempting to land with firearms on the same rookery, were arrested by the na- tive guard and when escaping were fired upon and two of the boat's occupants killed and the third wounded. On the evening of the same day a Japanese schooner, the same one which the morning previous had landed a boat's crew, anchored within 300 yards of the same rookery under cover of a dense fog and, landing its crew by means of small boats, succeeded in killing about 185 breeding seals, all but 2 of which were females in milk, and in securing the skins of about 120. Upon discovery by the agents and the native guard they attempted to escape with their plunder and, refusing to halt and submit to arrest, were fired upon by the native guard and 1 boat captured, containing 6 Japanese, 1 of whom was dead and 1 wounded. The body of another floated in the water and was not recovered by the boats, while the body of another is believed to have been thrown overboard from the schooner upon the return of the boats thereto. In this engagement the agents and the native guards were subjected to rifle fire from the deck of the schooner, without, however, any casualty. In this latter raid the party landed in 6 boats ahd consisted of at least 25 men. The native guard numbered about 15 men, only 6 of whom were armed. The agents were not armed. While only 1 of the SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 277 boats was constrained to return to shore, several others could have been captured had the guard on shore been sufficiently equipped to have taken care of prisoners largely in excess of their own number. In addition to the raids noted above and while they were in prog- ress, on July 17, an attem])t to land under cover of the fog was made at Zapadni rookery, 14 miles away from Northeast Point, by 3 boats containing probably 18 men from another schooner. Upon discovery the native guard at that point, consisting of only 2 men, at once opened fire and continued firing until the boats retreated and were lost in the fog. On July 16, the day previous, a schooner was ob- served so close to Otter Island, whicli is 8 miles from St. Paul and uninhabited, as to make it very probable that a landing was made there. As this island does not contain a breeding rookery and is frequented at this season by only a few male seals, no practical dam- age from a raid there could result. On August 8 this island was again visited by a schooner and three boats' crews were seen to land there. While no further attempts were made to land on the island, sealing schooners were seen almost daily off St. Paul, sometimes close to shore. On quite a few occasions small boats were seen inside the 3-mile limit. On August 1, 2, and 3, during a dense fog, shotgun firing from small boats was heard continuously close to land. An occasional lifting of the fog would show the presence of both schooners *and small boats close to the rookeries. On August 23 seven schooners were visible from the island at one time. From their action it would appear that the schooners took advantage of every foggy day to approach quite close to the island, while on clear days they kept outside the territorial 3-mile limit. The 12 prisoners captured on St. Paul were taken to Unalaska by the U. S. S. McCulloch, and, after being left there a week in the cus- tody of the United States deputy marshal while the revenue cutter took coal and returned to tlie island, were again taken aboard and transported to Kodiak, where they were formally committed before United States Commissioner Kelsey. They were sent thence by the mail steamer Dora to Valdez, where they were indicted. Five of the prisoners pleaded guilty of having killed seals. Six others were con- victed of an attempt to kill seals, while the remaining prisoner, after a trial in which the jury failed to agree, pleaded guilty to the charge of killing seals, and all were sentenced by United States District Judge Royal A. Gunnison to three months' imprisonment in the United States jail at Valdez. At the expiration of their sentences all the prisoners were deported to Japan. Notwithstanding the presence of so man}^ Japanese schooners in the close vicinity of the islands, no actual attempts were made by them to raid the rookeries on St. George Island. One schooner, however, after having approached the St. George village landing the previous day, sent several boats ashore on September 5 at Garden Cove. Upon discovery Agent Chichester and a native guard proceeded to the cove and found only one man from the schooner ashore. On the approach of Agent Chichester's party this man, a Japanese, hailed the ship, which was close inshore, asking the captain of the schooner to come to the beach. The latter, in a small boat manned by three sailors, came ashore in response to the hail, and all were placed under arrest, with the man already ashore. The captain stated to Mr. 278 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Chichester that previous to this several of his boats had landed and taken water and ballast from the shore to the schooner. These prisoners were taken by the revenue cutter Perry to Unalaska and thence by the Dora to Valdez. Upon arrival there, and after examination of prisoners and witnesses by the United States attor- ney, they were released for the reason that that portion of the Revised Statutes which they violated (sec. 1959), which forbids landing on the islands without a permit, unfortunately carried no penalty other than summary removal from the islands. It is the fixed belief of both Agents Chichester and Clark, who were present on the island and supervised the capture of these pris- oners, that had the vessel been allowed to remain undisturbed and her crew permitted to land on the island at will, a serious raid on the rookeries would have resulted. The boats from this schooner landed within 2 miles of East rookery and 3 miles of Zapadni rookery, both of which contained large numbers of breeding seals. Aside from the determined raids made upon the breeding rookeries themselves, the continued killing of seals around the islands during the summer witliin a few miles of where they breed caused an im- mense loss of seal life. Falling, as it does, on a herd already deplete4 to a minimum, there is little question that another year or two of such killing will result in the commercial extermination of the species. Incomplete returns from Victoria show that the spring catch of that fleet was 1,439 skins. I have not at hand at the present time any official statement showing what was the Canadian summer catch in Bering Sea. Their catch, however, can be best judged by the report of the London trade sales this winter, which show that 20,216 Pribi- lof sealskins, known to the trade as ''Northwest coast" skins, were offered for sale by the Canadian seaHng company. A rough esti- mate made by the consular agent at Hakodate places the Japanese summer catch from the Pribilof herd at 7,000. Tliis latter estimate undoubtedly is too low, but, accepting these figures as complete, it would show the pelagic catch from the Pribilof herd for 1906 to have been 27,216, as opposed to a land catch by the lessee of only 14,476. Tliis means that twice as many sealskins were taken in the water by pelagic hunters as were secured on land by the lessee under Govern- ment supervision. It indicates also that the ''monopoly" enjoyed by the lessee of the sealing right on the Pribilofs in effect is merely nominal. In contrasting the land and sea catches it must be remembered that, while the former represents the maximum of animals slain to secure the skins in the catch, the take of skins in the sea indicates on a fair average only one-fourth of the animals slain to secure it. Indeed, it was stated to Mr. Judge last summer by a Japanese castaway that 7 out of every 10 seals shot in the water sink before the boats reach them. In a day's hunting a boat's crew probably fires on 10 seals for every one brought into the boat. Some of these are killed and immediately sink. Others are wounded, some superficially, others fatally. As the head of the seal, with its very thin skull, is usually the only por- tion of the animal exposed when the hunter fires, and as all sealers use heavy buckshot, it is more than probable that if the animal is shot and escapes it has received a dangerous or a fatal wound. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 279 An instance in support of tliis came under my notice tliis summer. At Northeast Point on the morning of July 17 the watchmen heard almost incessant shotgun firing in the fog very close to shore. After tliis had continued for some minutes one of the boats landed and was captured. It contained the body of only one seal. Had all of the shots fired resulted in the capture of a seal the boat would have been swamped. Aside from the great loss in seals wliich are shot and not recover- able, it must be remembered that nearly 80 per cent of all seals taken in Bering Sea are pregnant females having nursing pups ashore, which die of starvation after the loss of the mother. The death of each pregnant female, therefore, means the loss of three lives to the herd, in addition to the great waste incident to the nonrecovery of seals shot in the water, which has just been referred to. In view of the facts just mentioned, it may fairly be believed that the catch of 27,216 skins by the pelagic fleets in 1907 represents a loss to tlie herd of upward of 75,000 animals. They show that to secure 27,000 skins on land only that number of animals need be killed, and they surplus males which can be spared witliout injury, while to secure 27,000 skins in the water practically 75,000 animals must be slaughtered. Stronger proof of the destructiveness of this practice and of the certainty and rapidity with which it reduces the lierd can not be given. The unexpected loss of so many breeding seals from the herd this -ummer shows plainly the necessity for speedy action on the part >f this Government if it w\ould preserve from extinction this val- uable and interesting species. Since 1870 this Government has re- ceived as revenue from the royalty on sealskins the sum of $9,022,- 070.42. Under the present contract with the North American Commercial Co. it receives SI 0.22^ for each sealskin taken and shipped from the islands. With pelagic sealing abolished, it is estimated that in 10 years thereafter the Government will receive in royalty the sum of at least $250,000 per annum, which will be increased as the seals become more plentiful, with a strong proba- bility that even during the period mentioned the income will be greater than stated. Even with the herd in its present depleted condition, the Government will receive for the 14,476 skins taken in 1906 the sum of $148,017.10. Aside from the commercial aspect of the situation, there is the higher one of preserving from extinction this most interesting species of wild animals. From a humane standpoint, if from no other, this Government should exert every effort to save to the world the fur seal, which otherwise will be numbered soon among the buffalo and other practically extinct species. The preservation and increase of the seal herd can be accomplished only by the stoppage of pelagic sealing. The most drastic measures to preserve and increase the seals will be ineffective so long as this practice continues. In view of the wanton waste of life which attends the hunting in the open sea, it would seem that this Government may at any time properly request the cooperation of other nations with the purpose of obtaining a cessation of the practice. As the result of overtures made by this Government to the Govern- ment of Great Britain, a tribunal of arbitration was convened at Paris in 1892, which made an award commonly known as the Paris 280 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. award. This award embodied regulations which prescribed a zone of 60 miles around the Pribilof Islands in which pelagic sealing was prohibited altogether, and a closed season from May 1 to July 31 of each year, during which seal hunting in the sea was to be discon- tinued by both nations. The award also forbids the use of firearms in Bering Sea and provides for a reopening of the question by mutual consent at the end of five years. Experience has shown that the 60-mile zone around the islands is wholly ineffective in protecting the breeding females from slaughter as they pass to and from the islands to their feeding grounds, as the females have been ascertained to go at least 150 miles to the south- ward of the islands to feed. V/hile these regulations undoubtedly have had the effect of checking in a measure the rate of destruction, they have been wholly ineffective in preventing the steady decrease in the numbers of the herd, which is the cause of this Government's anxiety in the matter. An effort to reopen the question before the High joint Commission in 1897 was frustrated by the intervention of the Alaska boundaiy dispute. At the time tliis award was made the United Strites and Great Britain were the only nations whose vessels engaged in pelagic seal- ing. Since that time the United States, by act of Congress, has for- bidden her citizens to hunt seals in the water. Since that time, how- ever, the subjects of Japan, aided by a substantial subsidy from their Government, have begun killing seals at sea and have followed it up with increasing vigor until now their fleet numbers 30 vessels, twice as many as now compose the Canadian fleet. These Japanese hunters, being unhampered by any regulation of their methods of killing seals in the water, absolutely nullify any beneficial effect the Paris award regulations may have had prior to the advent of the Japanese as a factor in pelagic sealing. It can be seen, therefore, that notwithstanding the efforts of this Government to obtain some satisfactory settlement of this question along diplomatic lines no agreement has been reached and the reduc- tion of the seal herd has continued steadily. It must be remem- bered also that the Paris award, inadequate as it has been shown to be, binds only this country and Great Britain, and is inefl'ective as regards Japan or any other nation. Considering the steady decrease in the seal herd, which has occurred each year since the commencement of pelagic sealing, together with the futility of the measures provided by the Paris award and the unusual and deadly menace involved in the operations of the Jap- anese pelagic fleet during the past summer, I urgently recommend that strong efforts be made to secure the abandonment of the practice of pelagic sealing through international agreement, which at least shall bind all nations having seaports on the Pacific. ROOKERY NUMBERS. The numbers painted in 1897 on rocks by the surveying party of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, to mark the approxi- mate boundaries of the various rookeries on the islands, have been renewed from year to year by the agents and are perfectly preserved at the present time. It is a fact, however, owing to the contraction of the area occupied by a fast diminishing herd, that these numbers SEAL ISLAl^DS OF ALASKA. 281 serve little or no purpose in enumerations of seal life at the present time. On rookery stretches lying under abrupt cliffs, where at any time little expansion was possible, the numbers approach closely to the breeding seals at the present time, provided the beach is occupied by seals at all. But oii the flat areas, wliich in populous times gave place to the vast herd that thronged the rookeries, the shrinkage has been so great that the painted numbers are now nowhere near the seals. Tliis is specially true of the Reef, Zapadni, and Tolstoi. On Zapadni, in particular, these numbers are so far back that a person standing near the seals as they are to-day would have great diffi- culty in locating the numbers, which in 1897 were placed to mark the rookery space occupied. Notwithstanding tliis^ these numbers have been carefully preserved, and ^^'ill serve, if for no other purpose, to show approximately the limits of the breeding rookeries at the time when the numbers were first located. Tlie same may be said also of certain arbitrary marks and crosses painted on rocks by Mr. C. H. Townsend when making investigations on the islands under the United States Fish Commission. These crosses and other marks are carefully renewed with white paint each spring. There are certain rookeries on both islands the harems on which have to be counted from the cliffs above. As only portions of the rookery can be viewed at one time, it was formerly difficult in moving from place to place on the cliffs to determine the point where the previous count had ended and where the next count should begin. This has been simplified by divifling tlie rookery space into sections by means of broad lines painted in white on the rocks. B}^ counting the seals in each section separately no confusion is encountered, and the count thereby is made accurate. Tolstoi and Tolstoi Cliff's rookeries on St. Paul and East rookery on St. George have been so treated. PHOTOGRAPHS OF ROOKERIES. In 1906, as in 1905, the rookeries were photographed' by myself on St. Paul and by Mr. Chichester on St. George. To make these photographs of the most value they were taken wherever possible from tlie same stations as those taken by Townsend and Miller in 189.5. thereby allowing a comparison to be made of the aspect of the rookeries at that time with that of the present da}^, after a lapse of 11 years. In view of my early departure from the islands last summer, as a result of the Japanese rai I, Mr. Judge completetl the photograpliing of St. Paul by making exposures on Reef, Gorbatch, Ardiguen, and Zapadni. The seal rookeries are now so much smaller that photographs taken from the stations used by Messrs. Townsend and Miller in 1895 give an inadequate idea of the present breeding grounds. Mr. Chichester on St. George has established a number of new stations, from which to better show the condition of the rookeries to-day. On St. Paul also, wherever possible, new stations were selected for the same reason. ' Photographs not print* d. 282 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA- NATIVE CENSUS. The censuses taken on both isUinds June 30, 1906, show 168 native residents on St. Paul and 91 on St. George, or a total of 259 for both islands. This represents a net increase during the year of 42.indi- viduals for St. Paul and 2 for St. George. On St. Paul there ,^were 10 births and 6 deaths and on St. George there were 6 births, 2 deaths, and 2 removals to the Jesse Lee Home, at Unalaska. The detailed censuses are herewith submitted as exhibits. natives' earnings. On St. Paul there was divided among the native sealers at the close of the season of 1906, for taking 12,536 sealskins, at 75 cents each, the sum of $9,402. On St. George, for taldng 1,940 sealskins in 1906, the natives received $1,455, and for taking 456 blue-fox skins, at $5 each, and 11 wliite-fox sldns, at $1 each, the sum of $2,291. No fox skins were taken on St. Paul. These amounts were available for natives' support during the past winter and were disbursable by means of orders drawn on the company by the Government agents for necessary supplies to the native families. GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATION. In addition to the amounts already detailed as available for natives' support from their earnings in taking skins, the Government appro- priation of $19,500 for the fiscal year 1907 was apportioned to the two islands, at the rate of $8,500 for St. Paul and $5,300 for St. George. The remainder of the appropriation, namely, $5,700, was reserved for the purchase of 285 tons of coal, to be delivered in June, 1907. PERFORMANCE OF CONTRACT BY LESSEE. During the past year the lessee satisfactorily performed the obli- gations of its contract with the Government. Schools with compe- tent teachers were maintained on both islands for the native children during eight months of the year. A physician and medical supphes were also furnished on each island during the entire year without cost to the natives. Such widows and orphans and aged and infirm per- sons as were unable to provide for themselves were furnished with the necessaries of life in sufficient quantity by the lessee, which also pro- vided dwellings for the entire native population and kept the same in repair, and furnished such quantity of salt salmon, salt, and bar- rels for preserving meat as were required by the natives. It also delivered the 80 tons of coal called for by the contract. FOXES. The fox catch on St. George during the j)ast winter, amounting to 456 blues and 11 whites, was a gratifying increase over the number taken the previous winter, namely, 258 blues and 10 whites. During the past several years great attention has been paid by the Govern- ment agents on St. George to the feeding of foxes, everj^ effort being made to furnish them with as large a supply of food as possible. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 283 This undoubtedly has had the effect of increasing the number of ani- mals in the herd and, as weE, the number in the catch. A report by Agent Chichester, who had charge of St. George last winter, may be found appended as an exhibit, in which the condition of the fox herd on that island is gone into in detail. On St. Paul an increased number of foxes was noted on the island during the past summer and the winter previous. It would seem from this that the foxes on St. Paul are gradually recovering from the effects of the disastrous epidemic which occurred several years ago, in which almost all the foxes on St. Paul and a large number on St. George perished. It is possible that during the winter of 1906-7 a small number of foxes will be taken on St. Paul by Agent Judge. DAILY FIELD NOTES. During the past summer Agent Judge and myself kept, as usual, a daily record of our observations of seal life. In the belief that this may be of some value in arriving at a correct understanding of the present conditions on St. Paul Island, a transcript of such is subjoined to this report. It must be remembered that these notes were not made for the purpose of pubUcation, but for our own use, and were hastily jotted down without amplification.' I desire to express my great appreciation of the services of the natives in guarding the rookeries and in repelling raids on the same during the past summer. None could have been more faithful or determined in performing that service. The agents of the lessee also rendered assistance by furnishing their teams gratis in transporting the guard from place to place, and by providing medical attendance, houses, and provisions for the prisoners during their stay on the islands. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. I The dally field notes were submited as Exhibit l to the report, but were omitted in printing. 284 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. o a ois a °^ .-1 W* • C005 30c-i»occor^^co ■ •05^t^c^'^c<) .t-H^»Oi-H QO U^ to t^ t^ i-* 00 (N 11 rt .-I CO tH rt 000500'^»O^CN»C^05CO-fl^'^OasOMOO(MCMt^t!C^f^^'^ 1-1 ■-iTf-T'^.-iiOi-H'* oo^t^oaO'V di-icococo ^ ,="£2 ^s ^ O OJ «oot^oor^:OTt*o'^^occ-io;o*-0'i^r'00?ocOi-ia5co-*-i"tOCTi5O(N00MC3r—E-(N!>'i'5 ^-COiCt>-0'Ji^HtO^HCO^^Q»-l<0(N:DC^^^HCX)00> 00^1^'^ 30-^ c^^cococo ^^^^cc^^oOMOeO 00 »o lo t^ r^ 1-1 00 C^ rH -H rt CO ^ .1 ■-JNU5U3001010O 00 »o "5 1^ t^ ^H as 01 i-(i-l .H CO rH ,-1 00'* 00'^ -HMlOiO00lOlO-£l 00 lO to t^ I^ ^ OS IN 1-1 rH -^ CO —I 1-1 CO O CO C^ t^ CO OS Tt* CO U5 --1 "* CO lO r^ 00 OS o c^ .^1NI^J 1-iiNrt .rtCMco (NiMC^e^caco cotc=or-os-Hco'»**ocot^osoc^ OJ3.S52 ■a.si. SB 3 Co 3-5 ifl' ans^ c3 B « O

CO CO 15 i-o -^ X !;c r- ^M 10 '^ *^ cc c^ OOCOrH'^'^ COOOO^'MtN'— ''VCO -^ C4 O ■^ --1 CO CN . CD tCi-H "^ TP COiOCC-^^QO'sOCOt^ '"ii c^ CLfc-,2 -I a> S^o o o So o 3 u «f (,-> <« 11 ^ s I. c3^ J- a Js S-3 ■9ti a- § Mi 286 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 3. — Statistics of killings, St. Paul, season of 1906. Date. Killed. Number dismissed. Total driven. Rookeries. Not branded. New brands. 1904 brands. Per cent Small. Large. Two years. Three years. Four years. Five years. killed. Zapadni 1906. June 23 June 25 June 27 June 28 June 29 June 30 July 2 ...do.... July 3 July 5 July 6 July 7 July 9 July 11 July 13 July 14 July 15 July 16 July 17 July 19 July 20 July 22 ...do July 24 July 25 JulV 27 July 28 ...do.... July 30 July 31 ...do 183 468 457 488 167 566 114 471 14 36 847 412 719 670 836 464 27 248 113 392 302 395 63 483 296 505 425 122 316 246 37 37 86 72 122 9 97 34 107 5 1 256 135 184 243 212 150 5 110 19 163 67 203 61 176 179 136 51 163 42 70 4 30 77 31 50 34 37 31 5 8 32 45 36 18 1 1 185 110 11 20 4 42 3 2 32 39 52 32 85 54 3 4 7 50 25 11 26 4 85 58 9 15 1 33 1 1 15 22 30 14 59 28 2 12 11 36 22 20 « 2 16 3 2 14 1 4 15 3 4 8' 3' 314 766 984 918 249 883 196 726 27 75 1,230 644 1,038 995 1,235 728 42 382 186 686 453 656 58 Northeast Point Reef Zapadni Halfway Point Northeast Point Tolstoi Reef Zapadni Poloyina Northeast Point Reef Zapadni Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch Zapadni Halfway Point 61 46 53 67 63 58 64 61 2 3 1 4" 1 5 1 2 2 2 2 48 68 63 69 67 67 63 64 65 Tolstoi Reef 1 3 60 57 Zapadni Northeast Point Northeast Point (killed by Japanese July 17, 1904) Reef and Gorbatch Zapadni Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch Tolstoi 1 5 4' 66 60 456 248 347 278 4(5 189 89 10 52 61 111 37 17 42 52 19 51 46 42 42 17 34 5 2 44 29 20 45 12 22 9 8 9 3 6 2 6 4' 1,101 683 1,095 829 214 604 403 76 43 43 51 51 57 Zapadni Northeast Point 1 2 52 61 48 Total 10,942 3,980 1,707 1,012 693 76 71 18,411 59 Exhibit 4. — Classification of large seals dismissed, St Paul, season of 1906 Rookeries. Date. Four years. Five years. Six years. Seven years. Eight and over. Total. Zapadni 1906. June 23 June 25 June 27 June 28 June 29 June 30 July 2 ...do 20 87 115 98 27 100 21 42 17 43 41 24 17 30 8 20 21 32 22 10 7 22 3 3 1 6 12 4 7 3 5 1 1 1 6 6 2 3 14 4' i" 61 Northeast Point 176 Reef. 179 136 Halfway Point 51 Northeast Point 11 10 5 3 1 5 163 Tolstoi 42 Reef 70 Zapadni July 3 July 5 July 6 July 7 July 9 July 11 July 13 July 14 July 15 July 16 July 17 July 19 July 20 July 22 July 24 July 25 July 27 July 28 ...do 4 Poloyina • 12 52 23 36 24 28 26 3 6 20 24 23 16 31 37 46 18 8 25 27 6 11 8 4 I 4 1 1 6 8 11 2 15 20 20 13 5 13 14 13 30 77 Reef 31 Zapadni 1 50 Northeast Point 34 Reef 2 1 37 Zapadni 31 Halfway Point 5 Northeast Point 8 Tolstoi . 32 Reef 7 45 Zapadni 36 18 Reef and Gorbatch 4' 22 4 1 4 3 1 ii' 5 ii' 2 3 62 61 Northeast Point 111 Reef and Gorbatch 37 Tolstoi 17 Zapadni July 30 July 31 ...do. . .. 42 Northeast Point 8 52 Polovina 19 Total 1,001 383 213 72 38 1,707 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 287 Exhibit 5. — Counts of breeding rookeries, St. Paul, season of 1906. AMPHITHEATF.R OF KETOVI. Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Ha- rems. Cows. Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Ha- rems. Cows. May 14 1 2 5 5 6 6 6 7 4 5 5 6 June 23 6 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 7 10 3 1 1 i' i' i" 1 2 5 5 7 7 7 8 9 9 9 7 10 23 25 6 26 9 27 16 9 30 37 11 • 1 1 July 2 58 12 104 13 6 145 15 3 3 2 2 8 173 17 11 201 19 13 176 21 1 1 1 23 104 LUKANIN. May 8 14 23 June (i 7 9 11 12 13 15 17 19 1 5 14 32 32 33 35 35 33 33 35 37 ! 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 ■ ■ 1 i i 3 5 1 3 , June 21 23 25 26 27 30 July 2 4 6 8 11 13 37 2 9 34 5 14 36 3 13 35 1 15 36 3 18 35 4 21 36 2 26 37 2 31 36 2 32 36 2 32 38 35 38 2 36 13 31 58 88 111 226 273 487 674 849 921 KETOVI, EXCLUSIVE OF AMPHITHEATER. May 23 June 6 7 9 11 12 13 15 17 19 21 23 4 26 27 24 '24 24 25 22 26 28 29 27 9 9 9 8 12 8 3 7 9 1 8 12 i 8 10 33 3 21 35 2 27 36 1 28 37 1 30 35 7 31 37 4 27 39 6 34 41 5 35 45 4 40 43 3 40 46 2 44 37 49 85 180 281 434 651 846 1,028 950 765 LAGOON. June 11 15 15 18 19 4 3 2 2 July 3 19 23 23 22 4 i' 1 13 20 23 21 177 14 9 365 17 12 450 27 11 42 14 440 TOLSTOI, May 2. 4. 20. June 11. June 14 17 July 12 14 90 6 99 1 13 105 104 112 112 TOLSTOI CLIFFS. June 11 23 24 26 32 3 4 2 1 July 3 32 33 34 2 2 1 26 32 32 384 14 12.. 812 17 2 23 2 105 14 788 27 288 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 5. — Counts of breeding rookeries, St. Paul, season of 1906 — Continued. LITTLE ZAPADNL Date. Bulls. Quit- Ha- I p ters. rems. i '^°^^- 1 1 Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Ha- rems. Cows. Mav 2 2 4 4 7 25 June 10 59 21 62 28 64 July 14 ' 81 5 5 3 18 36 78 35 8 15 . . 20 ZAPADNI. May 4 2 5 10 15 30 1 June 4 1 2 44 162 1 10 103 127 109 5 2 3 2 8 23 July 14 15 20 ZAPADNI REEF. May 20 . . 6 11 14 1 1 . Julv 1.. 14 13 14 1 10 12 14 07 June 10 3 1 9 225 21 3 3 14 254 GORBATCH CLIFFS. June 9 13 16 17 21 22 26 7 7 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 7 6 1 1 7 » June 27 July 1 4 6 13 23 8 6 6 1 8 i' 8 8 7 ( ' 15 47 90 97 145 GORBATCH. May 6 8 17 30 June 5 8 9 1 4 27 35 80 81 71 6 2 8 1 June 13 16 17 21 22 July 13 80 6 5 81 t 6 85 3 6 87 4 27 90 3 35 111 1 109 REEF. May 2 6 8 13 20 June 6 2 1 7 26 48 130 1 5 June 8 9 15 22 July 13 132 1 92 179 1 1 13 5 190 11 53 206 13 201 ! POLOVINA. May 31 39 38 34 June 20 38 39 40 6 4 2 10 21 38 20 5 5 i 3 1 3 29 July 13 15 POLOVINA CLIFFS. June 11 17 16 20 5 8 4 July 5 23 27 3" 21 26 251 15 13 655 28 15 45 » From Reef Point to Mass at No. 18. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 289 Exhibit 5. — Counts of breeding rookeries, St. Paul, season of 1906 — Continued. LITTLE POLOVINA. Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Ha- rems. Cows. Date. Bulls. Quit- ters. Ha- rems. Cows. May 31 5 8 6 June 28 10 10 12 i' 5 9 12 60 July 5 246 15 2 1 1 13 441 NORTHEAST POINT. May 5 20. 31. 1 82 173 June 25. July 16. , 249 305 127 296 NORTHEAST POINT, EAST SIDE. June 25 29 July 5 13 1 3 3 13 2 9 15 14 2 13 92 July 10. 16. 217 SEA LION ROCK. May 5. 6. 3 19 7 May 13. June 21. NORTHEAST POINT, WEST SIDE. June 25 29 July 5 15 2 9 9 18 1 17 87 20 1 18 339 July 10. 16. 21 1 21 21 21 ARDIGUEN. May 8 1 2 10 11 10 11 11 11 12 June 21 11 11 13 13 12 14 14 14 14 2 2 4 5 8 8 9 12 12 14 14 6 20 22 10 June 6 26 41 8 27 43 9 July 1 105 13 2 4 180 15 6 231 16 1 1 1 13 336 17. . . 23 Exhibit 6. — Counts of harems, St. Paul, 1906. Date. Roolcery. Bulls. Harems. Idle. Quitters. July 13 Gorbatch Clifis 8 111 14 206 43 7 38 12 27 46 169 81 14 112 34 23 305 7 109 14 201 40 7 36 12 26 38 162 78 14 112 32 21 296 1 2 13 1 13. .. .13 Reef 5 3 13 13 3 13 1 13 Lukanin 2 2 13 1 13 Polovina Cliffs 1 2 7 3 3 13 2 14 Zapadni . 3 14 14 14 Tolstoi 14 Tolstoi Cliffs . 2 2 9 1 14 1 16 Northeast Point. . . 10 Total 1,244 1,205 39 41 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 19 290 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 7. St. Paul Island, Alaska, July 27, 1906. Dear Mr. Judge: In view of the fact that several schooners are hanging off the islands, I suggest that the count of dead pups and other counts required by the regu- lations be made without disturbing the rookeries any more than is necessary. Under no circumstances do I think the cows should be driven off the rookeries. Respectfully, Edwin W. Sims. Exhibit 8. — Census of dead pup seals, St. Paul Island, Alaska, 1905. Date of count. Rookery. Dead pups. Remarks. Oct. 17 143 15 65 45 8 153 13 17 19 Polovina 19 Polovina Cliffs 19 24 24 Ardiguen 25 The Reef 407 Rainy. 25 Tolstoi 365 200 147 14 473 Light rain. 20 26 Little Zapadni 26 27 Total 2,048 Respectfully, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent, in Charge. Exhibit 9. — Native census, St. Paul Island, Alaska, year ended June 30, 1906. No. of family. Name. Family relation. Birthplace. Date of birth. Bogodanof, Nicoli Bogodanof, Uleta Bogodanofl, Agriflna Burdukofsky, Apollen Burdukofsky , Peter Buterin, Karp Buterin, Parascovia Buterin, Constantine Mazeekin, Wassilisai Fratis, John Fratis, Sandulia Fratis, Gabriel Galaktionef, Alexander Galaktionef, Lukeria Galaktionef, Mary Galaktionef, Matrona Hanson, Anna Gromof, Nicoli Gromof, Oulianna Stepetin, Pavla Volkof , Tecan Stepetin, Elary,,ir Kochutin, Jacob Kochutin, Alexandra Kochutin, Larion Mandrigan , Innokenty Mandrigan, Nekifer Koshevnikof, Paul Koshevnikof, Mary Koshevnikof, Constantine. Kochutin, John Kochutin, Claudia Kochutin, Nikanor Kochutin, Erena Vickilof, Alexander Husband Wife Niece Father Son Husband Wife.- Son Adopted daughter. Husband Wife Son Husband Wife Daughter do Stepdaughter Husband Wife Adopted daughter Orphan Adopted son Husband Wife Son Orphan do Husband Wife Son , Husband , Wife Son , Daughter Stepson 34 39 9 53 27 52 50 20 11 20 16 3mos. 34 29 4 3 6 38 36 14 13 5 54 44 13 14 10 22 32 1 35 26 5 3 St. George. do St. Paul... Unalaska.. St. Paul... ....do Unalaska. . St. Paul... ....do ....do ....do ....do Atka St. Paul... .-..do ....do ....do Attu St. Paul... ....do ....do ....do ....do Unalaska.. St. Paul... ....do do do.... St. George St. Paul... do St. George St. Paul... do.... do June June Nov. June Feb. June Nov. Apr. Jan. May Oct. Aug. June June July Mar. Feb. Apr. Feb. Aug. May Sept 30, 1897 5,1853 22, 1897 2, 1886 10, 1895 14, 1886 15, 1890 7,1906 1,1877 29. 1902 17. 1903 14, 1900 28. 1892 12. 1893 24, 1901 8, 1893 18, 1896 17, 1874 4,1905 , 11,1901 14, 1903 2, 1S97 i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 291 Exhibit 9. — Native census, St. Paul Island, Alaska, year ended June SO, 1906 — Con. Name. Kochutin, Trefan Kochcrgin, George Kochergin, Agafia Emanof, Mary Tetof , Peter Kozlof, Michael Kozlof, Paraseovia Serebrinikof, Ripsimia.. Kozlof, Nicoli Kozlof, Alexandra Krukof, John Krukof , Uleta Krukof, Alexandra Diakanof. Andrew Krukof, Nicoli Krukof, Catherine Krukof, Eustinia Emanof, Alexia Krukof. Metrofan Krukof, Pelegia Philimonof, Fekla Kushin, Michael Kushin, Matrona Kushin, Nestor Hanson , John Kushin, Oulianna Hopof, Nekita Kushin, Mary Melovidov, Alexander.. Melovidov, Salome Melovidov, Anton Melovidov, Alexandra. . Melovidov, Alfai Melovidov, Simoon Melovidov, Alexandra.. Melovidov, Margaret. . . Melovidov, Christopher. Melovidov, Alexander.. Melovidov, Simeon, jr. . Merculieff, Alexander. . . Merculieft", .\gafia. Family relation. Widower Husband Wife Cousin Adopted son... Son Mother Cousin Husband Wife Husband Wife Daughter Stepson Husband Wife Daughter Nephew Husband Wife Sister-in-law. . . Husband Wife Nephew do Daughter Bachelor AVidow Husband Wife Son Daugliter Son Husband Wife Daughter Son do do Husband Wile Merculieff, Paul ! Son. 29 Merculieff, -Vuxenia. Merculieff, Terenty Merculieff, Dorafay Merculieff, Paul Merculieff, John Merculieff, Avdotia Merculieff'. Serefima Nozekof, Simeon Nozekof, Ardotia Nozekof, Mary Kozeroff , Ivanally Kozeroft', Alexandra Orloff, J. E. (Rev.) Orloff , Nadia Orloff, Olga Orloff, Nicoli Orloff. Alexandra Nederazof, Catherine Pankof, Parfiri Pankpf, Martha Pankof, Vlass Pankof, Mary Rookovishnekof, Stepan Rookovishnekof, Elizabeth. Rookovishnekof, Andrew... Sedick, Theodore Sedick, Innokenty Sedick, John. Kochuten . Karp Kochuten , .Mary TCochuten, Theodore Shabolin, Necon Shabolin, Fekla Shabolin, Varvara Shabolin, Matrona Shabolin. Daniel Stepetin, Dorafay Stepetin, Luboff Stepetin, Chionia Stepetin, Auxenia , Stepetin, Helena Daughter Sou ....do Brother Husband Wife Daughter Husband Wife Daughter Half brother Half sister Father Daughter do Son Daughter Housekeeper Father Daughter Son Daushter-in-law Husband Wife Son Father Son do Grandson Daughter Son-in-law Husband Wife Daughter do Son Husband Wife Daughter do do Age. Birthplace. 20 28 26 15 4 20 47 13 18 25 26 22 Inf. 12 55 45 16 8 23 18 11 21 15 13 10 ; mos. 18 51 31 30 12 4 3 38 38 14 12 10 7 30 28 11 10 3 1 16 20 33 2 29 31 8 18 13 48 14 16 12 9 48 43 8 18 19 25 19 1 58 21 9 1 19 18 39 36 8 3 35 30 11 7 1 St. Paul ....do ....do ....do ....do ....do Unalaska , St. Paul ....do ....do ....do ....do ....do ....do Sitka Kamschatka. .. St. Paul do do St. George do St. Paul do do do do do St. George St. Paul do .....do do do do Akutan St. Paul do Date of birth. Oct. Oct. June Mar. Sept Oct. Mar. Jan. Dec. July May 17,1885 12, 1877 14. 1891 24,1902 24, 1885 10. 1892 22, 1888 20. 1881 28, 1880 25, 1884 27,1906 Oct. 15,1889 Nov. Nov. Nov. Apr. Dec. Sept. 21,1884 27.1891 7. 1892 7.1896 24, 1905 27,1888 .do. .do. .do. .do. .do. .do. .do. .do. Sept. 2, 1874 Aug. 15,1875 Dec. 13.1893 Feb. 13,1902 June 13,1903 Mar. 18,1892 Aug. 11.1894 Mav 28. 1896 June 7,1899 Aug. 27,1875 Mav 9.1878 July 4,1894 Apr. 27,1896 Apr. 22, 1903 Feb. 22, 1905 Mar. 11 . 1890 St. Paul St. Michael St. Paul Aug. 10, 1904 Unalaska St. Paul do Mar. July Feb. 20,1898 do 14, 1888 .do 9.1893 Sitka do .do do do .do St. Paul ....do May 12,1898 ....do Feb. 21,1888 do July 31,1886 do Jan. 22.1881 do June 28,1887 do July 17,1905 do do Oct. 4, 1884 do .\pr. Aug. 11,1897 do 25,1905 do July Mar. 13, 1886 do 1,1888 do St. George St. Paul Jan. 18,1898 do Apr. Dec. Dec. 11,1900 .do 23,1902 do do do 9, 1895 do Feb. 6, 1899 do May 14,1905 292 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 9. — Native census, St. Paul Island, Alaska, year ended June SO, 1906 — Con. No. of family. Name. Family relation. Age. Birthplace. Date of birth. Stepetin, Elary Stepetin, Anna Stepetin, Agnes Stepetin, Nicoli Stepetin, Mark Stepetin, John Stepetin, Vera Stepetin, Vassili Stepetin, Larion Stepetin, Vassili Shaisnakof, George... Shaisnakof, Oulianna. Shaisnakof, Sergius... TetofE, Neon Tetoff, Agriflna Tetoff, Mary Tetoff, Demetri Tetoff, Irena TetoS, Agriflna Tetoff, John Tetoff, Peter Tetoff, Mary Kochuten, Varvara. . . Tetoff, Zachar Tetoff, Daria Tetoff, Paul Krukof , Condrat Krukof , Feotesta Mazeekin, John Seduli, Elizabeth Stepetin, Marina WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. Kochutin, Zenobia Kochutin, Innokenty Kochutin, Mark Krukof, Anna Krukof, Mary Emanof , Mary Emanof , Eneka Emanof, Peter Peeshnekof, Wassalisia Artomonof , Alexandra Vikilof , Alexandra Balakshin, Matrona Shaposhnikof , Parascovia B ookovlshnekof , Parascovia. Frates, Akalina Frates, Agrafina Frates, Simeon Frates, Oulianna Frates, Martha Husband Wife Daughter Son do Husband Wife ; Son do Nephew Husband Wife Son Husband Wife Daughter Son Daughter do Son Husband Wife Adopted daughter. Husoand Wife Son do Mother Bachelor Widow Daughter of John . . Mother. Son.... Nephew . Widow.. Daughter , Widow Son , do Widow , do Adopted daughter Widow.. Spinster Niece Widow Daughter Son Daughter do 42 35 10 3 Inf. 27 26 5 2 13 24 18 1 36 31 10 8 6 4 2 41 45 9 27 26 1 16 40 17 65 St. Paul . . . Unalaska . . St. Paul... do do do do do do do do do do do..«.. Unalaska . . St. Paul... do do do do do St. George. St. Paul... do St. George. St. Paul... do do do Unalaska.. St. Paul... do do do do do Atka St. Paul do , do St. Michael. St. Paul.... do , do Unalaska. St. Paul.. do.... do.... do.... Feb. May May July June Jan. Nov. Feb. Apr. Nov. Nov. Sept. June Jan. Nov. Mar. June May 1, 1896 21. 1903 8, 1906 6, 1879 16, 1880 10, 1902 3,1904 8, 1893 23, 1882 1,1888 30, 1905 14, 1869 23, 1885 6. 1896 6. 1897 29, 1900 14, 1902 12. 1904 Dec. 17,1896 May 21,1879 Mar. 31,1880 June 5, 1905 Mar. 22,1890 Sept. 26,1889 Mar. 17,1898 Dec. Nov. 7, 1902 4, 1894 Nov. 1,1901 Oct. 11,1903 Mar. 23,1889 June 13,1891 Feb. 15,1894 Jan. 13,1896 Feb. 19,1899 RECAPITULATION. Hales 85 Females 83 Native population June 30, 1905 164 Births during year ended June 30, 1906 10 Total 174 Deaths during year ended June 30, 1906 6 Native population June 30, 1906 168 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 10. 29a St. Paul Island, Alaska, April 30, 1906. Mr. W. C. Allis, Agent North American Commercial Co. Dear Sir: I herewith submit to you the following school report for the eight months commencing September 4, 1905, and ending April 30, 1906, both inclusive: Pupils' names. be < 1 1 m II C3 o 00 o &§. fig >> 1 1 Eh d a K m t o a) O O 1 1 B ■s 1 Fifth reader. Ludmilla Melovidov Yrs. 14 16 14 14 14 12 12 12 14 10 15 14 14 12 12 11 10 13 14 11 12 10 12 12 11 11 15 11 11 10 10 9 10 7 7 8 10 7 8 8 8 9 9 15 14 153 145 142 148 133 150 153 152 147 147 153 152 152 150 153 149 153 152 153 153 151 152 149 153 152 151 148 153 153 151 144 139 147 148 153 149 152 142 125 150 144 153 148 152 153 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 3 2 3 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 3 1 1 1 3 2 3 2 3 3 2 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 1 2 2 1 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 3 2 3 3 1 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 Olga OrlofE 8 11 5 20 3 3 Nadia Orlofl 3 Fourth reader. Pavla Stepetin 2 Agraphina Fratis Third reader. Simeon Fratis 1 6 6 '"'i' 1 3 "'is' 7 5 Second reader. Nicholai Orlofl Andrew Diakanofl 4 5 2 First reader. Alexander Melovidov 2 2 1 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 3 2 2 2 2 Paul Merculiefl 1 ....„ Vasselv Stepetin . ... John Hansson Mark Kotchooten 2 1 4 "i 2 5 ....„ 9 14 6 5 10 '"io 7 ""s 3 5 2 Agnia Stepetin . . First primer. Vassa Meezekin... Mary Tetofl Second primer. Chionia Stepetin... Feocla Philimonofl Mary Krukofl Agraphina Bogdanofl Mavra Pankofl Varvara Kotchooten Alexandra Orlofl Simeon Melovidov. . Alexia EmanoS 4 1 11 28 3 9 John Sedick Third primer. (f artha Fratis . . Varvara Shabolin Auxenia Stepetin Marina Stepetin Demetry Tetofl... : : Alexander Vikolofl 5 1 Innokenty Mandregan , Techan Volkoff Total 6,702 183 85 The characters of the pupils' recitations marked thus: Good, 3; medium or fair, 2; poor, 1; very poor, 0. 294 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. General summary. Pupils enrolled (males 20, females 25) 45 Average daily attendance 43it| Average daily absences (excused on account of sickness) \\^ Average per cent of attendance 97 + Average age of pupils llj Cases of tardiness 85 Days of school 153 Weeks of school 30f Holidays 13 Days Christmas vacation 5 Number of classes 8 Pupils in — Reading 45 Writing 45 Spelling 29 Arithmetic 29 Geography 9 Grammar 4 United States history 4 The following is the statement of time of tuition and study throughout eight months: 9 o 'clock a. m., calling the roll, 5 minutes; arithmetic, 30 minutes; spelling, 20 minutes; fifth reader, 20 minutes; fourth reader, 15 minutes; slate work, 15 minutes; recess, 15 minutes; third reader, 20 minutes; second reader, 35 minutes; calisthenics, 15 min- utes. 1 o'clock p. m., calling the roll, 5 minutes; first reader, 25 minutes; primer classes, 50 minutes; slate work, 40 minutes. Monday and Wednesday, geography and drawing; Tuesday and Thiusday, penmanship and grammar; Friday, United States history, singing, and reviews. Names of textbooks used: Baldwin's and McGuffy's readers and spellers, Robin- son's and White's arithmetics, Cornell's geography, Swin ton's first lessons in United States history, Swinton's language primer, California vertical copy books. Respectfully, Simeon A. Melovidov, Teacher. Exhibit 11. — Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul Island, Alaska, season of 1906. By 12, 536 fur-seal skins, at 75 cents $9, 402. 00 To 23 first-class shares, at $252.75 .-. |5, 813. 25 To 11 second-class shares, at .|202.20 2, 224. 20 To 5 third-class shares, at 1151.65 758. 25 To 5 fourth-class shares, at 1101.25 506. 25 To 2 special-class shares 100. 05 9,402.00 First-class shares, 23 men, at $252.75, as follows: Alex. Melovidov. George Kochergin. Karp Buterin. John Kochutin. Jacob Kochutin. Alex. Merculieff. Nicoli Krukoff. Parfiri Pankoff. Simeon Melovidov. Elary Stepetin. Simeon Nozekoff. Neon Tetoff. Theo. Sedick. J. E. Orloff. Dorafay Stepetin. John Krukoff. John Stepetin. George Shaisnekoff. ApoUon Burdukofsky. Peter Tetoff. Nicoli Bogodanoff. Necon Shabolin. Zachar Tetoff. Second-class shares, 11 men, at 1202.20, as follows: Peter Burdukofsky. Paul Koshevnikoff. Nicoli Gromoff. Michael Kozloff. Michael Kushin. John Fratis. Innokenty Sedick. Metrofan Krukoff. Stepan Rookavishnikoff. John Merculieff. Trefan Kochutin. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 295 Third-class shares, 5 men, at $151.65, as follows: Alex. Galaktioneff. Nicoli Kozloff. Constantine Buterin. Theo. Kochutin. Vlass Pankoff. Fourth-class shares. 5 men, at $101.25, as follows: Ivanally Kozeroff. Condrat Krukoff. Nekita Hopoff. Paul Merculieff. John Mazeekin. Special-class shares, 2 men, as follows: Karp Buterin, first chief $50. 05 Alex. Merculieff, second chief 50. 00 St. Paul Island, Alaska, Augusts, 1906. I hereby certify that the above division was made by me, in the manner detailed above, after conference with the representative of the North American Commercial Co. and the native chiefs on this island. James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 8, 1906. I hereby certify that the amounts as above stated, representing the division on St. Paul Island for the season of 190G, will be placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Co. The North American Commercl^l Co., By J. C. Redpath, Agent. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 8, 1906. We hereby approve the division for St. Paul Island, for the season of 1906, as detailed above, for and on behalf of the natives of said island. Karp Buterin, First Chief. Nicoli Gromoff, Acting Second Chief. Exhibit 12. Island of St. Paul, Bering Sea, Alaska, A^igust 14, 1906. This is to certify that 12,536 fur sealskins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. Shipper's load and count. A. Donaldson, Master Steamer "Homer." Exhibit 13. St. George Island, Alaska, June 1, 1906. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Special Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, in Charge of the Seal Islands. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith my report on the condition of affairs on St. George Island from August 14, 1905, to the present date. After the departure of the company's vessel W. H. Kruger August 14, 1905, the U. S. S. Manning called here three times, August 17, 26, and September 6, and the U. S. S. Bear, on her way out from the Arctic, August 29, and again on October 7, mak- ing a special trip from Dutch Harbor to bring mail, since which time we have seen no vessels of any kind. On the second trip of the Manning I sent the two little orphans — Alexandria and Stepanida Oustegof— to the Jesse Lee Home at Unalaska, Capt. Fengar kindly giving them passage. Shortly before dark on the 3d of October a schooner was sighted passing the west end of the island. The guard at Zapadni tele]3honed that she was heading in for that place. With an armed guard I immediately went over, arriving after dark. The 296 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA, natives reported her at anchor in the bay. Patrolled the rookery all night, but there was no attempt to raid, and when day dawned there was no vessel in sight. During the winter a part of a boat and considerable wreckage marked S. S. Corwin came ashore at Zapadni. School. — School opened on September 1 and was maintained for the period of eight months. Fourteen boys and 11 girls were in attendance. Mr. Edson, the teacher, carried on the school in a satisfactory manner. His report is inclosed herewith. Dead pups. — At the usual time in the fall I went carefully over the rookeries in search of dead pups, but none were found. The foxes eat them as fast as they die. Seals. — The 300 seals allowed the natives of this island for food during the fall were obtained. One hundred and thirty- three were secured the first drive, which was made on the 19th of October. Among the seals in this drive were 20 of those reserved last summer for breeding purposes, whose heads still bore evidences of clipping. The punch mark which I placed on the hind flipper of every seal branded last summer aided us in recognizing some of these seals, but in a great many instances nature had 80 obliterated the mark in the process of repair that a very minute examination was required to tell whether the flipper had been punched or not, and in some cases it was impossible to tell at all with certainty. Wherever there was any doubt the seal was allowed to go. I think had the punch been smaller, cutting out a small round hole instead of a half moon, the results would have been more satisfactory. Stock raising. — Last summer the natives requested that they be allowed to purchase Bome pigs with a view to stock raising. As the plan, if successful, might result in obtaining a regular supply of much needed fresh meat for the people, as an experiment they were allowed to purchase 4 — 3 sows and a boar, the company kindly furnishing them at cost price. During the summer a snug warm sod house was built for them, and I have been agreeably surprised at the really excellent care the natives have bestowed upon them throughout the entire winter. During the fall a large quantity of dry grass was cut and stored for bedding and slops from the different houses fur- nished the food supply. The whole 4 came through the winter in good shape and have now increased to 13, with still 1 more sow to be heard from. Improvements. — A small addition to the Government house has been built to hold the entire year's supply of coal, and with the aid of the company's donkey engine it can be filled in a very short time, thus doing away with the necessity of having to carry coal up the long hill on the backs of men at intervals during the winter. The natives finished the interior of their clubhouse, which they were unable to do last year on account of lack of lumber. The structure is now complete and has proved a great comfort to the people. Roads have been repaired wherever it was necessary. The lines painted on East rookery last year to aid in the counting of the seals have been repainted and improved upon. General health. — The health of the native inhabitants has been exceptionally good. But 2 deaths have occurred, an adult of tubercular meningitis and a young infant of general debility. There have been 6 births — 2 boys and 4 girls. Foxing. — In accordance with the terms of the new lease I took entire charge of the feeding and trapping of foxes on this island. Feeding. — At the beginning of the season the agent of the North American Com- mercial Co. turned over to me 22,851 pounds of dried salmon, which when soaked up weighed in the neighborhood of 38,000 pounds, and 650 pounds of salted salmon. This, in addition to the 338 seal carcasses put up during the sealing season, constituted the available food supply for eight months. In view of the shortage of food, I delayed feeding in the fall as long as it was possible, beginning October 1 instead of September 15, as IS the rule, and I found it necessary to dole out the food sparingly throughout the entire winter in order that I should have enough to carry through, deeming that a small supply of food all winter was far better than full feeding for four or five months and then nothing for the rest of the time. Where the food supply is practically unlim- ited, as it was the winter of 1904-5, the generous method of feeding as laid down in the "Regulations" can be easily carried out, but with the small amount of food I had at my disposal this year to have adhered closely to the regulations would have resulted in leaving the foxes without food for a period of several months, and at a time, too, when feeding is most essential. It has been the practice for several years past to put the carcasses of the seals killed at Zapadni into a hole in the ground without salt and cover them up with dirt. This method resulted sometimes in saving as much as one-fifth of the amount of meat originally put up, but in most cases it all spoiled. As every pound of meat was needed, I salted all the carcasses of seals killed at Zapadni last summer, amounting in all to 118. In February I sent a number of butter barrels over on sledges, in which, during the months of March and April, the meat was freshened and fed to the foxes. It was all eaten. For a few days toward the end of November vast numbers SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 297 of sea quail gathered about the island. Patches containing an acre or more covered the surface of the water. Numbers of these birds drifted ashore and furnished many meals for the foxes. Trapping. — The company's agent having advised me that after the 20th of November he would accept skins, I began the trapping on November 21, and continued to do so at frequent intervals until February 9, when killing was discontinued, the skins begin- ning to show signs of becoming stagey. Three trappings were made after February 9 for the purpose of ascertaining if there were still any unbranded foxes at large. The result was somewhat surprising, as 33 new ones were caught. They were branded and released. Two regular traps were used — one located at the fox house on the beach, the other at the company's barn — and 65 different trappings were made during the season. The work began usually about 3.30 p. m. and continued until 9 or 10 p. m., and sometimes even later, depending somewhat on the number of foxes hanging about the trap. They were very erratic in entering the trap. At times they came in freely and appar- ently without fear; at others they were timid and would not come in at all. This was especially noticeable when the wind blew through the house into the trap, carrying the scent of the man who is operating the drop. With a hope of doing away with the man- operating trap, I devised one which was sprung and reset automatically by the fox. ^\Tiile it was perfect in its working and proved a valuable aid in the foxing operations, I am sorry to say it did not accomplish the object for which it was built. For some reason, which I was unable to discover, this form of trap never caught more than 8 foxes in a single night, and its usual number was 1 or 2. Three of these machines were installed, 1 at the Government boathouse. East Landing, 1 at the east end of the village, and 1 at the fox house. The one at East Landing did the best work, catching during the season 52 foxes. The other 2 traps caught 31 between them. Three times during the season foxing gangs were sent to Zapadni, remaining a week each time. Seventy-four foxes were taken at this place. On the third trip the weather suddenly became very cold and the men nearly froze to death. A number of foxes were also taken at various parts of the village by the natives iising string traps. The total number of foxes caught was 1,044; of these 463 were killed and 581 released for breeding purposes. The foxes turned away for breeders were in every instance the finest and largest of the catch, and with but few exceptions were personally selected by me after careful examination and weighing. Of those turned away at Zapadni, I of course had to rely on the natives to do the selecting, but they were instructed to brand only first-class animals of standard weight. As the animals they killed were all of more or less inferior quality, judging from the skins, I have good reason to suppose that my instructions were faithfully carried out. The largest fox captiu-ed was an enormous female weighing 21J pounds. Her skin was dark in color, and she was, indeed, a magnificent animal. The weather throughout the entire season was, on the whole, more favorable to the trapping of foxes than to the foxes themselves, for while the early winter was mild and there was but little rain or snow, the latter part was of great severity, and the month of May was ushered in by a blizzard that lasted three days, and covered every- thing deep with wet snow, which must have been very hard on any foxes born at that time. Ice made its appearance on January 25 and remained three days. It did not return again until March 1, when it stayed nine days. Many foxes were observed wandering about over it. Branding. — At Mr. Judge's suggestion all male foxes released for breeding purposes were branded at the tip of the tail and all females close to the body. It was hoped that these distinguishing marks might assist in throwing some light on the subject of whether or not the foxes pair off in the spring. The results were of small value. While these marks made it quite easy to tell at a glance the sex of any fox which had passed through our hands it offered no means by which individual foxes might be recognized. A male and female fox may be seen together for hours and both may enter the same hole, but there is no way of telling that the foxes you see in this same locality to-morrow are the same foxes that you see to-day. It is a common sight in the spring to see foxes in pairs plapng together. It waa always supposed that such were male and female, and this fact has been used as an argument in favor of the pairing theory. In reality, these couples are just as likely to be 2 females or 2 males as male and female. The differential method of branding haa shown this much at least. During the whole of last summer I had an excellent opportunity for daily observing a family of foxes composed of a mother and 11 young ones whose home was under a small culvert within 50 feet of my window. One of the mother's forelegs waa stiff 298 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. and useless and by this deformity could be easily recognized, even at a considerable distance. Never during the three months of my watching did I once see any other fox go under this culvert, bring food for the young or take any interest in them what- ever, except their mother. Neither did I see any fox act toward this female in a manner that would indicate he was her mate. From among the young males and females selected for breeding 50 of each sex were earmarked, a V-shaped section being taken from the left ear of each. Of the number of foxes that remained unbranded at the close of foxing there is no way of knowing, but it is pretty certain that the number must be considerable, for an March 7 out of 17 foxes hanging about the fox house 7 were unbranded, and a fair proportion of those met with about the island bear no marks on their tails. Dead foxes. — From August, 1905, to June, 1906, there have been picked up at vari- ous points about the island 23 dead foxes. Three met death by drowning, 1 was stoned to death by a small boy, 3 died of kidney disease, 1 of tuberculosis, and 3, probably, from eating salted salmon that had not been sufficiently freshened. What caused the death of the others is not known. Whenever it was practicable both Dr. Mills and myself autopsied the dead animals, but out of 16 such autopsies the cause of death in only 5 instances could be definitely ascertained. The extreme degree of emaciation exhibited by some of these dead foxes at once suggests starvation, but does not prove it, for emaciation may be the result of any one of half dozen different disorders. As foxes are afflicted with diseases of various kinds, tuberculosis, affections of the kidneys, intestinal worms, necrosis, and others, I have no doubt, of a more obscure character, it is a grave mistake to assume that all foxes, simply because they happen to be in poor flesh at the time of death, succumbed to starvation. The importance of disease as a factor in the mortality among the foxes I believe has been greatly underestimated if not entirely overlooked. Miscellaneous notes. — On my daily tramps about the island during the summer months I constantly observed that among the litters of young foxes met with there were a number of individuals that were part blue and part white. I counted as many as a dozen of these hybrids in different localities, yet after the month of September, with but one exception, when I saw one hanging about the field during a seal killing, I have never run across one of these animals. The only way that I can account for it is that as winter comes on their parti-colored coats become all white. Before the skins were packed for shipment I went over the whole lot and classified them. I found there were 289 first class, good fur and good color; 144 second class, good fur, slightly off color; 23 third class, poor fur, poor color, of little value. Examination of the bodies of foxes killed in trapping developed the peculiar and interesting fact that the 4-year-old and older foxes were almost without exception very fat. Many of these old foxes had not a tooth in their heads and yet were in prime con- dition. The yearlings were generally the poorest in flesh. I think this indicates that the older foxes are much more adept in the art of obtaining food than the yoiing ones, and that a fox's ability to obtain a good living is not dependent on the condition of his teeth. The young foxes are born in nests on top of the ground, where they remain for a phort time; they are then taken into the burrow, the mother carrying them in her mouth just as a cat does her kittens. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistunt Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, [Inclosure A.] St. George Island, Alaska, February 15, 1906. This is to certify that during the foxing season ended February 9, 1906, the resident agent of the Department of Commerce and Labor has offered me 468 blue and 12 white fox skins, and that, as agent of the North American Commercial Co., I have accepted 456 blue at $5 each and 11 white at |1 each, and rejected as defective and unde.sirable 12 blue and 1 white. The money involved, which is hereby acknowledged as amounting to $2,291, will be entered as a credit on the books of this company in favor of the natives domiciled on this island, and shall be available for the support and maintenance of said natives as the agent of the Department of Commerce and Labor may direct. The North American Commercial Co., By J. A. Lake, Agent. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Inclosure B.) Live weights of foxes killed on St. George Island, season of 1905-6. 299 Weight. Male. Female. Weight. Male. Female. Pounds. 4 ^ 5 5i 5f 6 6i 6i 6f 7 7i 7i 1 1 2 4 3 21 3 23 7 49 29 23 9 25 2 8 6 Pounds. 9 9i 9i 9J 10 lOi lOi 10| 11 Hi Hi 12 13 131 14 30 12 13 1 9 1 3 2 5 1 1 2 2 1 2 11 1 7 1 5 4 1 5 3 5 G 12 t) 11 8 2Q 1 1 2 8i i H 14 218 245 Does not include the foxes found dead. [Inclosure C] Live weights of foxes released for breeding on St. George Island, season of 1905-6. Weight. Male. Female. Weight. Male. Female. Pounds. 7J ? 8i it 9 9i 9i 9f 10 lOi 10* lOf 11 Hi lij 11? 12 12i 12J 32 11 48 25 38 15 23 6 23 7 19 1 6 4 9 Pounds. m 13 13i 13i m 14 14J 14f 15 15J 15? 16 17 17i 17i 20 20i 21? 2 12 2 3 1 6 2 2 4 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 I 7 2 1 1 1 19 64 15 30 16 30 7 16 2 26 1 10 8 2 5 2 4 1 279 302 [Inclosure D.] Approximate ages of foxes hilled on St. George Island, season of 1905-6. Young, or approximately 1 year old Middle aged: 2 years old 3 years old Old, or over 3 years Total Female. 300 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Inclosure E.] Approximate ages of foxes released for breeding on St. George Island, season of 1905-6. Female. Young, or approximately 1 year old Middle aged: 2 years old 3 years old Old, or over 3 years Total [Inclosure F.] Fox division, season 1905-6, St. George Island, June 1, 1906. By 456 blue-fox skins, at $5 $2, 280. 00 By 11 white-fox skins, at $1 11. 00 To 12 first-class men, at $111.75 |1, 341. 00 To 8 second-class men, at $89.35 714.80 To 2 third-class men, at $67.10 134. 20 To 2 special-class men 65. 00 To material for native club, pig house, and waterworks 36. 00 Total 2, 291. 00 2, 291. 00 FIRST CLASS. 1. Stepan Lekanof $111. 75 2. Demetri Lestenkof 111. 75 3. Mike Lestenkof 111. 75 4. Nicoli Malavansky 111. 75 5. George Merculif 111. 75 6. Joseph Merculif 111. 75 7. Nicoli Merculif 111.75 8. Andronic Philamonof 111. 75 9. Gregory Philamonof 111. 75 10. Simeon Philamonof 111. 75 11. Peter Prokopief 111. 75 12. Rev. Peter Kashavarof : IIL 75 SECOND CLASS. 1. Alexander Galanin 89. 35 2. John Galanin 89. 35 3. Walter Kashavarof .' 89. 35 4. Peter Malavansky 89. 35 5. Nicoli Nedarazof 89. 35 6. Mike Shane 89. 35 7. Gregory Swetzof 89. 35 8. Manuel Zaharof 89. 35 THIRD CLASS. 1. Marka Merculif 67. 10 2. Demetri Philamonof 67. 10 SPECIAL CLASS. 1. Stepan Lekanof, chief 35. 00 2. Joseph Merculif, second chief 25. 00 Joseph Merculif, hydrant keeper 5. 00 The division as above made is hereby approved on behalf of the natives of this island. Stepan Lekanoff, First Chief. Joseph Merculiepp, Second Chief. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 301 I certify that the amounts indicated herein have been placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Co. ' The North American Commercial Co., By J. A. Lake, Agent. I certify that the above division was made by me after conference with the native chiefs, H. D. Chichester, Agent, United States Department of Commerce and Labor. [Inclosure G.] School report, 1906. St. George Island, Alaska, April 30, 1906. Mr. H. D. Chichester, Special Agent, United States Department Commerce and Labor, in Charge St. George Island, Alaska: As required by the lease of the seal islands of Alaska, by the North An^rican Com- mercial Co., a school for the native children of St. George Island has been maintained for eight months past, and instruction in the English language has been given to all children between the ages of 6 and 16 years. The school was attended throughout the year by 25 pupils — 14 boys and 11 girls — excepting absences of 25 days, as shown below. The usual vacation of 10 days at Christmas, Thanksgiving Day, Washington's Birth- day, and five "holy days" of the Russian Church has been observed.:/ Boys attending school 14 Girls attending school 11 Total 25 Weeks in school year 35 Days in school. year 171 Holidays: Christmas recess days. . 10 Thanksgiving Day do 1 Washington's Birthday do 1 Church do 5 Total do 17 School actually in session do 154 Absences: Excused by Government agent 1 Excused by doctor 33 Unexcused 16 Total absences 50 Total, days 25 Attendance for the year days. . 3, 825 Average daily attendance 24{f | PC. R. Edson, Teacher Jor North American Commercial Co. 302 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Inclosure H.] Annual statement of foxes caught on St. George Island, season of 1905-6. Location and style of trap. Killed. Released for breeders. Date. Blue. White. Blue. Male. Female. Male. Female. Male. Female. 1905. Aug. 25 to i Found dead 6 12 8 1 1 3 6 8 7 1 2 3 Nov. 20 20 Barn, regular 1 2 17 3 1 24 20 Fox house, regular 12 21 East Landing, automatic do 1 22 23 FoMtiouse, regular 2 23 Barn, regular 2 24 East Landing, automatic Fox house, automatic 1 1 1 24 25 do 1 25 East Landing, automatic Barn, automatic 2 26 2 26 Fox house, automatic 1 26 East Landing, automatic Fox house, regular 1 6 1 1 8 2 1 3 7 2 3 27 12 27 Barn, regular 3 27 East Landing, automatic 1 1 28 do 1 28 Fox house, automatic 1 29 Fox house, regular 6 3 1 6 3 7 1 6 3 15 29 Barn, regular 1 3 30 Fox house, automatic Fox house, regular 1 Dec 1 2 1 4 2 1 2 8 1 Bam, regular 3 1 East Landing, automatic 2 1 Fox house, automatic 1 1 2 East Landing, automatic 1 2 Fox house, automatic 1 1 ■ 3 4 Village, automatic 2 4 East Landing, automatic 1 5 3 3 4 Fox house, regular 5 4 3 1 7 3 2 1 3 7 4 Bam, regular East Landing, automatic Fox house, regular 2 5 6 1 6 Barn, regular 6 Village, automatic 1 6 East Landing, automatic 1 2 6 Found dead 1 2 2 2 9 1 1 9 1 1 2 8 Fox-house, regular 1 1 8 Barn, regular 2 8 East Landing, automatic Fox house, regular 1 10 5 4 1 11 11 East Landing, automatic Fox house, automatic 12 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 12 do 5 2 5 12 Barn, regular 4 13 Fox house, automatic 14 Fox house, regular 3 15 Fox house, automatic 15 East Landing, automatic 1 16 Fox house, automatic 2 11-16 Zapadni 15 1 14 16 13 17 East Landing, automatic Fox house, automatic 17 1 17 Fox house, regular 2 1 2 1 3 2 17 Barn, regular 1 4 18 4 2 1 6 18 Fox house, regular 1 18 Barn, regular 2 19 East Landing, automatic 1 2 19 Village 1 1 4 6 6 19 1 20 2 5 9 2 1 6 9 20 Fox house, regular 5 21 East Landing, automatic 1 21 Village 3 1 1 1 4 1 2 5 21 1 2 22 1 22 East Landing, automatic Village 1 22 1 3 3 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 303 Annual statement of foxes caught on St. George Island, season of 1905-6 — Continued. Location and style of trap. Found dead Fox house, automatic. do Japadni , Found dead, Zapadni. Village Fox house, regular Barn, regular Village Fox house, regular Barn, regular Village Fox house, regular do Bam, regular Village Kox house, regular. . Barn, regular Village Fox house, regular. . Barn, regular Fox house, regular. . Barn, regular Fox, regular Fox house, regular. Village ....do Found dead Fox house, regular. Barn, regular Fox house, regular. Village Fox house, regular. do do Zapadni Village Fox house, regular. Barn, regular Fox house, regular . Barn, regular Fox house, regular. do do do Barn, regular Fox house, regular. do do Village Fox house, regular. do do do Found dead Fox hoase, regular. do Found dead Total. Killed. Blue. Male. Female. 222 White. Male. Female. Released for breeders. Blue. Male. Female. 279 Exhibit 14. St. George Island, Alaska, August 5, 1906. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations on this island from June 8, 1906, to date: , . ., , , Branding of bachelors.— The first drive for branding was made at /apadni on June 14, and 14 three-year-olds, 4 two-year-olds, and 11 four-year-olds were marked and liberated. 304 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. From this date to June 30 drives for branding were made from the various rookeries as often as the number of seals thereon would warrant, and the quota secured. In addi- tion to the 200 three-year-olds and 200 two-year-olds branded we marked 58 four-year- olds. This was done to prevent accidental clubbing. Sheep shears only were used in the branding and no trouble was experienced, either in handling the seals or in clip- ping them after they had been secured. None died during the operations. During the summer the lessee killed 5 of the seals branded this year and to make this loss good I branded 5 more. A summary of the branding is as follows: Date. Kookery. Two-year. Three-year. Four-year. 4 46 68 19 63 14 44 70 36 23 13 11 16 Staraya Artel and North 21 do 21 22 Zapadni 19 25 Staraya Artel, East, and North 4 30 do 3 Total 200 2 200 3 58 Killed by lessee during summer 198 2 197 3 July 16 Total 200 200 58 Drives. — During the summer the lessee made 14 drives and obtained 1,685 skins. This includes 3 drives for branding, from which the lessee was allowed to take 95 Beals in order that the natives should have a necessary supply of fresh meat. In the fall of 1905 and spring of the present year 315 seals were killed by me for native food. Adding these skins to the 1,685 taken by the lessee this summer the quota of 2,000 allowed this island is filled.- Weight of skins. — All sealskins taken on this island during the season just closed have been weighed by me personally. Until July 6 but few under or over weight skins were taken by the lessee, but on that date in a drive from North and Staraya Artel rookeries 14 seals having skins weighing less than 5 pounds were killed. I at once brought the matter to the attention of the lessee's agent, Dr. Noyes, protesting against the killing of these small seals. I also wrote him the letter a copy of which is herewith attached as Exhibit A. On July 21 a killing of 211 seals was made. On weighing in the skins I found that there were 22 underweight. Again I -vdgorously protested against the killing of this class of seals. In subsequent killings no underweight skins were taken. Of the 1,685 skins obtained by the lessee this season, 55 weigh less than 5 pounds and 5 over 8 J pounds. In accordance with instructions contained in departmental letters dated March 9 and May 12, 1906, I have forbidden the shipment of these skins from the island and hold same subject to further orders from the department. A summary in detail of the weights for this island is submitted as Exhibit B. Seals dismissed from drives.— The total number of seals dismissed this summer from the various drives was 1,729. Of these 747 were small, 621 branded this year, 344 large, 9 branded on head with iron, and 8 branded across back with iron. A classifi- cation of the large seals released will be found in the summary submitted herewith as Exhibit C. In the drives made on June 21 and 25 there appeared a young bull with a large T brand across his back. As this form of brand was used only in 1899, this bull must be just 7 years old. On July 12 we found him at the water's edge near No. 17 North rookery, where he had established himself on the flank of a large harem presided over by 3 large bulls, and although they attacked and handled him pretty roughly from time to time they could not drive him away. On July 20 he had hauled out on the terrace back of his first location and had appropriated 11 cows from the large harem already mentioned. On July 29 when we counted pups we found him still in place, but with a considerably larger number of cows. It has been noted by both Maj . Clark and myself that seals which have been branded across the back with a hot iron are generally smaller than unbranded seals of the same age. This seems to be borne out by the fact that two 3-year-old bachelors killed this year, both of which were branded across the back, yielded skins weighing but 5 pounds each. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 305 Percentage of seals killed. — The total number of seals driven on this island during the killing season was 3,260. Of these, 1,685, or 51 per cent, were killed. The statistics of killings is submitted as Exhibit D. Counts of seals. — A large number of harem counts were made by Maj . Clark and myself during the summer. The results of this work is appended as Exhibit E. -^I At the height of the season counts of all the bulls on the island were made. The results are as follows: Count of bulls, St. George Island, 1906. Rookery. BuUs with harems. Idle bulls, stationed. Quit- ters. Total; North 78 26 34 34 16 8 3 3 2 3 3 2 81 26 3 2 37 East Cliffs 36 East Reef 16 8 Total 196 8 13 204 Comparing this with the counts made last year, it will be seen that there is a decrease of 62 harems on this island. The decrease in the idle bulls is quite as startling. Last year there were 22 idle bulls in place on the rookeries. This year there are but 8 — a loss of 63 per cent. Of all the rookeries Little East shows the greatest falling off. Last year there were on this rookery 16 harems, 298 cows, and 415 pups. This year there are but 8 harems, 161 cows, and 239 pups. Counts of pups. — The annual counts of live pups were made on July 29, 31, and August 1, and the results are as follows: Date. Rookery. Live pups. Dead pups. Dead cows. July 29 29 North 3,749 1,958 2,040 967 238 2,281 105 48 29 12 1 29 3 31 31 31 Aug. 1 East Cliffs 1 East Reef Little East 1 Total 11,233 224 5 By reaf?on of the broken character of the ground on East Cliffs and North rookeries it is impossible to make a very accurate count of the pups thereon. \\Tienever it was possible the pups were pulled out of the holes and from under the rocks, but there were places where they could not be reached, and I have no doubt that some were overlooked. A comparison of the counts of this year with those of last show a decrease of 1,495 pups on this island. The average harem, based on the count of live pups, is 58.4. Rookery photographs. — Photographs of the rookeries from the various stations, old and new, have been taken. I have made two sets of Velox prints from the negatives; one set I transmit herewith to you, the other is on file in this office. The negatives have been carefully packed and shipped to j^ou at Washington. Native earnings.— The earnings of the natives of this island for the season of 1906 are as follows: 456 blue-fox skins, at $5 each, and 11 white-fox skins, at |1 each $2, 291 1,940 sealskins, at 75 cents each 1,455 Total 3,746 A copy of the fox division I handed you in June. A copy of the seal division is herewith submitted as Exhibit F. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 20 306 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Expenditures, Government appropriation. — During the fiscal year ended June 30, 1906, I expended for native maintenance the sum of $5,219.65 from the amount of the Government appropriation allotted this island and have forwarded to the department vouchers for that amount. Change in prices. — I have been advised by the agent of the company of a change in price of the following commodities: Potatoes, from 3 cents per pound to 3^ cents per pound; smoking tobacco, from 6 cents per ounce to 7^ cents per ounce; mustard and pepper, from 5 cents per ounce to 3| cents per ounce. The quality of the smoking tobacco furnished this year is superior to that of last year. Schooners. — On July 6 a schooner flying the flag of the Argentine Republic appeared off the village and then changing her coiu'se skirted the shore to the eastward, disap- pearing behind East Point. Several hours later she was again sighted headed to the northward. No attempt at landing by her was made. Armed guards were stationed on all the rookeries on this side of the island. The day following I rehabilitated the old guardhouse at East rookery and have maintained a watch there ever since. This schooner was easily within 2 miles of the land from the time she was sighted until she passed East Point. On July 26 a schooner sighted off East rookery. She was hull down and did not come nearer. On August 4 a Japanese schooner came within 400 yards of the village landing, dipped her flag, and bore away toward East rookery. This schooner I have made the subject of a special report. In view of the concerted raid on St. Paul by the sealers this summer and our own experience with them here, I would strongly urge that more guns and ammunition be furnished this island. Also telephone material sufficient to connect East and Staraya Artel rookeries with Government house. Our present armament consists of 6 modem rifles and 6 old Springfields, with about 300 rounds of ammunition for each. There are a few rifles among the natives, but they are mostly old and of little use. At least 20 more "Krags" are needed. The following amount of telephone material will be necessary to carry out the suggestion made above: Six miles galvanized telephone wire, 300 glass insulators with wooden brackets, 200 feet insulated copper wire, 3 sets telephone receivers and transmitters, and 1 dozen dry batteries. Under the supposition that this material will be furnished, I shall at once collect such driftwood as I can find on the beaches that will be suitable for posts and construct the line. This done it will be but a day's work to string the wire. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent, in Charge St. George. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Exhibit A. St. George Island, Alaska, July 6, 1906. Dr. L. A. Noyes, Agent North American Commercial Co., St. George Island, Alaska. Sir: I beg to call to your attention the fact that in the killing made by you to-day of seals driven from East, Staraya Artel, and North rookeries there were 14 skins vary- ing in weight from 4 to 4| pounds. As the killing of seals of this class is a direct viola- tion of section 8 of departmental instructions dated March 9, 1906, regulating the taking of seals on the Pribilof Islands, which provides that "no seals shall be killed having skins weighing less than 5 poimds or more than 8§ pounds," I have to request that in future killings you adopt such measures as will insure the taking of only such skins the weights of which will be within the limits set by the department. Very truly, yours, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, in Charge of St. George Island. I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 307 [Inclosure 1.] Exhibit B. — Weights of sealskins taken on St. George Island, season of 1905-6. Date. Rookery. Weights (pounds). 3 4i 4i 4J 5 5i 5i 5f 6 6i 6i 1905. Oct. 19 East 1 1 1 1 19 3 11 18 4 14 22 3 1 15 7 19 19 Zapadni 2 Staraya Artel, North, and East. Zflpadni 1 3 { 1 3 3 31 Nov. 7 Staraya Artel 1 10 2 3 8 Zapadni 1 13 do 16 East 1 6 1 2 3 3 8 1 2 1 26 Staraya Artel and North. 1906. May 30 Zapadni June 8 do 11 North 2 1 3 5 1 6 1 1 2 17 33 13 SO 49 13 25 13 30 37 1 8 3 14 Zapadni 16 [staraya Artel and North 1 4 4 2 2 5 8 21 Died on drive 1 22 Zapadni 2 2 14 20 12 33 32 9 12 8 35 15 ■"'3' ""'3" 10 15 4 25 25 1 18 4 25 18 2 4 25 Staraya Artel, North, and East. Zapadni 6 3 17 5 16 9 3 19 5 5 4 5 27 4 15 7 12 14 2 6 17 38 6 9 20 2 13 29 3 19 10 25 5 1 4 7 30 Staraya Artel and East 2 3 7 6 1 1 4 7 35 July 5 Zapadni 10 ^ 6 10 Staraya Artel, North, and East. do 3 4 30 40 12 Zapadni 8 16 Staraya Artel and East ^ 28 19 Zapadni 3 21 Staraya Artel and East 1 5 9 12 25 Staraya Artel, East, and North. Zapadni 25 27 28 North 1 i 3 Total 2 8 14 33 130 150 266 213 341 128 250 Date. Rookery. Weights (pounds). 6i 7 7i 7J 7f 8 8i 8i 8i 9 9i 1905. Oct. 19 East 13 2 1 12 4 3 12 1 2 4 2 5 2 Staraya Artel, North, and East. 27 1 4 1 1 Nov. 7 16 East 1906. une 11 North . 1 14 Zapadni 1 1 16 jstaraya Artel and North 2 1 ■3' 5 3 14 9 1 ...... 6 20 8 26 21 5 17 3 8 19 5 1 '12 "3 11 2 7 "i" 3 4 1 21 25 Staraya Artel, North, and East. 2 2 15 1 6 8 1 9 2 1 8 1 1 ""2 2 2 1 1 3 ...... 1 27 "'i' 2 2 30 Staraya Artel and East ""i" 1 1 July 5 6 Staraya Artel, North, and East. do 1 1 3 "i" 2 3 10 12 16 Staraya Artel and East 15 1 5 8 1 1 6 1 2 5 3 3 1 2 2 1 19 21 25 27 Staraya Artel, East, and North. 1 28 North 2 Total 97 173 59 63 14 27 10 16 2 3 I .. In addition to these there ia the skin of one seal which died on the drive. It weighs 14J pounds.. 308 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Inclosure 2.] Exhibit C. — Seals released from drives, St. George Island, season of 1906. Rookery. m « -a 2 % a m 1 § pq Age. Date. >. •«>« 2 U5 ft t>> 1905. Oct 19 East 419 157 9 20 3 46 7 16 2 4 27 Total 576 9 23 53 28 4 1906. North 9 4 24 20 11 12 15 25 3 10 14 5 5 5 4 1 3 3 3 3 26 10 4 9 11 2 " i" 3 5 6 14 2 3 3 1 16 North 3 24 18 56 46 143 29 42 59 27 32 43 52 44 3 '""i' ""2 2 22 4 8 15 5 4 2 2 1 1 1 21 Staraya Artel and North . 2 22 Zapadnl 3 14 ...... 2 25 3 27 3 30 25 17 42 85 17 69 33 163 250 29 2 July 5 Staraya Artei, East, and North do 1 10 2 2 12 16 19 21 2 25 Staraya Artel, East, and North 1 27 1 Total 747 4 621 8 9 170 89 68 13 [Inclosure 3.] Exhibit D. — Statistics of killings, St. George Island, 1906. Rookery. •6 a Dismissed. § 1 1 Date. i M 1 J2 f 1 M 1,252 ZAPADNI. May 17. ... 12 12 14 27 28 33 33 37 May 18 May 24 * ' ' 3 June22 " . 6 14 34 26 June 27 1 3 223 July 16 U,547 EAST CLIFFS. May 15 . . 7 10 18 27 31 31 33 32 33 32 37 37 36 35 35 36 36 36 May 19 " May23. ... 1 1 2 1 3 1 June 8 June 10 2 3 10 16 17 25 26 28 30 32 32 34 2 June 16.. . 3 June 18 11 June 21 37 June 23 78 June 26 2 3 3 3 2 4 3 265 June 28 396 June 30 531 July 4 972 July 8 1,296 July 10 1,478 July 13 1,522 1 Estimated. 310 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit E. — Counts of rookeries, St. George Island, season of 1906 — Continued. EAST REEF. Date. Bulls. Quitters. Harems. Cows. May 15 4 6 7 8 8 9 11 12 10 12 11 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 16 15 May 19 May 23 1 June 1 June 5 June 8 2 June 10 June 16 1 2 1 June 18 June 21 1 3 5 11 14 12 16 15 15 16 15 1 June 23 3 June 26 7 June 28 31 June 30 73 July 4 171 July 8 370 July 10 1 2 2 469 546 July 15 546 458 LITTLE EAST. May 15. May 19. May 23. June 1 . June 3. June 5. June 9. June 11 June 14 June 16 June 18 June 21 June 23 June 26 June 28 June 30 July 8. . July 10. July 13. July 15. July 18. 1 5 14 35 122 145 161 136 103 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 311 eot^o>os--H'-iC^THTrco CO t>- — < b- -^ ^ -^ 05 t* -M lO N 1$ S®" Tj,m eot»aso>rH.-iN,H^« WCO -CC ■ -^ CO CCt^OaO>THTH01i-H-^CO «t~o»os^i-ie-< t-. o5 c3 ^ ^ Cj W CS3 c» pq csa M N -Wco o»03t»TH>-it^ooeo500 ;i-ti-lMMCO rHi-IN s to r-< iH S N « N (N M ^ ^ -< rH C^ C^ IN IN 2 3 312 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Inclosure 6.] Expenditures of Government appropriation, St. George Island, 1906. Amount allotted St. George Island $4, 665. 00 Amount allotted St. George Island by reduction in price of coal 625. 00 Total 5, 290. 00 EXPENDITUEES. 1905. July, vouchers 1 to 9, inclusive $27. 80 August, vouchers 10 to 55, inclusive 236. 65 September, vouchers 56 to 160, inclusive 510. 45 October, vouchers 161 to 244, inclusive 423. 75 November, vouchers 245 to 326, inclusive 438. 15 December, vouchers 327 to 426, inclusive 509. 95 1906. January, vouchers 427 to 504, inclusive 400. 60 February, vouchers 505 to 581, inclusive 385. 15 March, vouchers 582 to 681, inclusive 530. 55 April, vouchers 682 to 735, inclusive 322. 75 May, vouchers 736 to 810, inclusive 377. 10 June, vouchers 811 to 912, inclusive 1, 056. 75 Total 5, 219. 65 Amount unexpended 70. 35 [Inclosure 7.] S Exhibit F. — Seal division, St. George Island, August 4, 1906. By 1,940 sealskins, at 75 cents $1, 455.00 To 12 first-class men, at $65.40 $784. 80 To 8 second-class men, at $52.30 418. 40 To 4 third-class men, at $39.20 156. 80 To 2 special-class men 75. 00 To 1,000 pounds pig feed 20. 00 Amount expended 1, 455. 00 FIRST CLASS. 1. Stepan Lekanof 65. 40 2. Demetri Lestenkof 65. 40 3. Mike Lestenkof 65. 40 4. Nicoli Malavansky 65. 40 5. George Merculif 65. 40 6. Joseph Merculif 65. 40 7. Nicolai Merculif 65. 40 8. Andronic Philamonof 65. 40 9. Gregory Philamonof 65. 40 10. Simeon Philamonof 65. 40 11. Peter Prokopief 65. 40 12. Rev. Peter Kashavarof 65. 40 SECOND CLASS. 1. Alexander Galanin 52. 30 2. John Galanin 52. 30 3. Walter Kashavarof 52. 30 4. Peter Malavansky 52. 30 5. Nicoli Nedarazof 52. 30 6. Mike Shane 52.30 7. Gregory Swetzof 52. 30 8. Manuel Zaharof 52. 30 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 313 THIRD CLASS. 1. Anatoli Lekanof $39. 20 2. John Merculif 39. 20 3. Marka Merculif 139. 20 4. Demetri Philamonof 39. 20 SPECIAL CLASS. | 1. Stepan Lekanof, chief 40. 00 2.{Jo8eph Merculif, second chief 35. 00 The division as above made is hereby approved on behalf of the natives of this island. Stepan Lekanoff, First Chief. Joseph Mercxjlieff, Second Chief. I certify that the amounts indicated herein have been placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Co. The North American Commercial Co., By Dr. L. A. Notes, Agent. I certify that the above division was made by me after conference with the native chiefs. H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, in Charge St. George Island. Exhibit 15. Island of St. George, Bering Sea, Alaska, August 9, 1906. This is to certify that 1,940 fur-seal skins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, « m Charge St. George Island. Shipper's load and coimt. A. Donaldson, Master Steamship ''Eomer." Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington. Memorandum: In the matter of the increase of prices of com- modities sold to the natives on the Pribilof Islands by the North American Commercial Co. Since the year 1900 the prices charged on St. Paul and St. George Islands by the lessee company for necessaries of life have been increased materially. This action was sought to be justified by the company on the ground of increased wholesale cost to the retailer. As instances, the following items are cited : Coal increased from per ton. . $15.50 to $20.00 Tobacco increased from per pound . . .30 to .50 Hard bread increased from do 05 to .06 Salt beef increased from do 10 to .12^ Butter (reduced in 1905 to $0.70 a square) increased from per square of 1^ poimds. . .60 to .80 Drop shot increased from per povmd. . .10 to .12^ Hosiery (reduced in 1905 to $0.50 a pair) increased from. . .per pair. . .50 to .60 Potatoes increased from per pound. . . 03 to . 03^ Shotgun primers increased from per box of 250 . . .40 to .50 314 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The increased cost to the natives of these articles amounts to approximately $3,500 per annum, representing the income from the labor incident to taking 7,000 sealskms. In 1891 the natives' compensation for taking sealskins was fixed by the Treasury Department at 50 cents per skin. Previous to that date the natives received 40 cents. Since 1891 no change in the rate of compensation has been made. In addition, also, the company has continued for many years to compensate the natives for miscellane- ous labor at the rate of 10 cents per hour, except for handling cargo, when 15 cents per hour is paid. It is understood that the same com- pany pays similar natives at Dutch Harbor for laboring at the rate of $1.50 per day of 10 hours with board. By reason of the rapidly diminishing catch of seals, the earnings of the Pribilof Islands natives will become correspondingly attenuated. The number of sealskins sold in London by the North American Commercial Co. and the average prices obtained since 1890 are appended, (See Hearings before Ways and Means, Mar. 9 and 10, 1904, p. 76.) The catches of 1904 and 1905 have been inserted by me. Years. Number of skins. Average price per skin. 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 28,859 12,040 7,511 7,396 16,270 14,846 30,654 19,200 18,047 16, 812 22,470 22,672 22, 190 19,212 1 13.12S $36.50 30.00 30.00 27.00 20.50 20.25 17.00 15.50 16.00 26.00 32.00 34.00 32.50 29.50 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 . I14!3fi8 1 Inserted. Since 1891 the wages for all classes of labor have increased generally throughout the United States, as a result of the increased cost of living. The wages of the seal-island natives have remained the same, but the lessee has found it necessary, on account of the increased cost of goods, to raise the prices of the same on the islands. It is submitted that an increase in the wages paid by the lessee to the natives should be made to offset the raise in prices. The compensation paid the natives for taking skins should be increased to 75 cents per skin. Based upon an estimated catch of 13,000 seals this would result in a total increase of $3,250, which i8 $250 less than the estimated increase in the total cost of provisions caused by increased prices. W. I. Lembkey. Fall, 1906. J SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 315 Prices of articles sold on Pribilof Islands by North American Commercial Co. Articles. Quantity. Island price. San Fran- cisco retail price. Keduced island price. Apples, dried , Bacon Baking powder Beans, dried Bluing, balls Bread, pilot Butter Candles Canned beef : Roast Corned Canned fruits Canned vegetables: Beans Com Tomatoes Peas Clams Coal oil Coffee Crackers: Soda Sweet, assorted Currants, dried Flour Gunpowder, Black Golden Pheas- ant. Ham Jelly Lard Per pound do For 4 ounces Per pound Box Per pound Per square of IJ pounds. Per set of 6 Per 2-pound tin. do ....do Per can ....do ....do ....do ....do Per gallon . . Per pound . do do do Per i barrel . Per pound . . Matches, California, sulphur,. Milk, Borden's condensed Mustard Onions, fresh Oysters Peaches, dried Pepper Potatoes, fresh Prunes, dried Raisins Rice Salmon Salt beef Salt pork Sardmes, American Sauce, Worcester American Club.. Soap: Kitchen Ivory Soups: Franco- American Columbia Starch: Laundry Com Sugar, cube Sweet oil, American Durand's, cottonseed. Sirup, Crown Drip Tea Tobacco: Leaf D urham Mastiff Vinegar Yeast cakes ..do ..do /Per 2J pounds... \Per 5 pounds Per package Per can Per 4 pound Per pound Per can Per pound Per § pound Per pound do ....do Per 3 pounds Per 2-pound tin . Per pound do Per 2 tins Per bottle For 4 bars. For 2 bars. Per can . do.. Per pound do do Per quart bottle. Per pound. do Per 34 ounces. do Per quart Per package... to. 15 .25 .20 .084 .25 .06 .80 .20 ..30 .30 .30 .20 .20 .20 .20 .25 .40 .36 .10 .20 .15 1.75 .80 .25 .25 .50 .90 .10 .25 .25 .05 .30 .15 .25 .034 .15 .15 .25 .25 .124 .15 .25 .40 .25 .25 .40 .40 .25 .25 .10 .50 .50 .50 .25 .25 .10 .15 $0.10 .194 1.20 .05 . 10 to . 25 .45 .20 .30 .25 . 20 to . 25 .15 .15 .124 .124 . 10 to . 20 . 26 to . 31 .25 .10 .15 .15 L25 .35 . 15 to . 20 ».20 .40 .65 .05 .15 .20 .20 .15 .20 .02i .05 to. 124 . 124 to . 15 .25 .20 .10 L.&P., .25 <.25 ».25 .35 .124 .10 .074 .20 .40 .50 .05 SO. 05 • 6 ounce. * Three for 25 cents. ' For 2 pounds. * 5 bars. » 3 bars. 316 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Prices of articles sold on Pribilof Islands by North American Commercial Co. — Contd. CLOTHING. Articles. Quantity. Island price. San Fran- cisco retail price. Reduced island price. Arctics: Men's short Women's short Misses' short Child's short Boots: Men's leather Youths' leather Boys' leather Buttons: It Dress, metal W White porcelain Calico Canton flannel Carpet, 2-ply ingrain Caps: Men's light Men's heavy Boys' light Clothing: Men's suits Boys' suits, according to size. Men's pants Thread, cotton, O. N. T Denim Dress goods: Mixed wool and cotton Per dozen. do Per yard . . do Per yard . . 3 spools for. Per yard . . . Flannel, according to quality. Gingham Gloves: Men's heavy leather Men's light leather Wool gloves and mittens, heavy . Handkerchiefs: White, men's Red cotton Hooks and eyes Hose: Men's woolen socks Women's woolen hose Misses' woolen hose Child 's woolen hose Babies' cotton hose Leather: Soles and heels Uppers , for skin boots Muslin, barred, for dresses Common, according to quality. . Sheeting, according to width Neckties Oilskin coats Overalls: Pants Blouse Rubber boots: Men's hip Women's knee Rubber shoes: Men's Women's Child's Shirts: Men's woolen Men's white Men's negligee Shoes: Men's Women's Child's, according to size Shoe strings: Cotton Leather Silesia Suspenders White Swiss •Ticking, bed Per yard. Per paper . Per pair. '.'.'.'.do'.'. ....do.. ....do.. do... do... Per yard . do... do... Each do... Per pair . . Per yard. Per pair.. Per yard . ....do... $2.25 1.60 1.25 1.00 6.00 3.00 2.50 .25 .02i .10 .25 LOO .75 LOO 1.50 .50 18.00 5. 00-12. 00 5.00 .25 .20 f .50 .60 [ .75 .15 1.50 1.25 .60 .25 .20 .10 .60 .60 .50 . 40, . 30 .20 .75 .75 .25 .10, . 12J, . 15 .20, .25 . 50, . 75 3.00 1.00 1.25 6.00 2.25 1.00 .90 . 50, . 60, . 75 2.00 1.50 ,75,1.25,1.50 4.50 4.50 1.00-3.00 .05 .10 .20 . 50, . 75 .25 .25 JL75 L25 LOO $0.15 . 05 each .05 .50 .50 .35 .25 .15 5.50 4.00 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 317 Prices of articles sold on Pribilof Islands by North American Commercial Co. — Contd. CLOTHING— Continued. Articles. Quantity. Island price. San Fran- cisco retail price. Reduced island price. Underwear: Men's heavy wool Per garment $1.50 1.50 .15 Yam, Saxony, 12 hanks to iwund . . Per hank MISCELLANEOUS. Chimneys, lamp, all sizes. Cod line Cups Knives and forks (steel).. Spoons Plates Tumblers Nails Needles: Sewing Machine Paints (mixed): Lead , Zinc Saucers Shovels, small fire , Tacks, carpet Washboards Per pound Each Per pair Each 2 for 25 cents, each 3 for 25 cents, each Per pound Per package. 2 for Per pound.. do Each do Per package. Each $0.15 .40 .10 .35 .10 .12i .08 J .10 .10 .05 .15 .20 .10 .25 .10 .50 $0.25 .15 .05 Submitted by North American Commercial Co. Articles. Quantity. Retail island price. Retail San Fran- cisco price. Tea Pound $0.50 .10 .25 .70 .25 .20 .30 .25 .08J .18 .10 .20 .15 1.75 .06 .15 .25 .35 .30 .25 .20 .35 .15 .15 .121 .30 .03* .05' .25 .22J .15 .20 .30 .50 .06i .40 4.50 $0.50 Sugar do .08J .15 ronrlpntsprl millr , Can Butter Roll .70 Canned fruit Can .25 Canned vegetables do .20 Canned beef do .30 Jelly do .25 Rice Pound .06+ Lard do .14 Soda crackers do .10 Assorted crackers do .20 Raisins do .15 Flour J sack 1.25 .08^ .15 Candles do Lobster Can .30 Soup do .35 Clams do .20 Oysters do .25 Sirup .15 Coffee Pound .35 Sardines Box .12* Starch : Pound .12| Dried fruit do .15 Salt beef do .10 Salmon Can .25 Potatoes .02} Onions do .07 Bacon do .20 Ham do .17J Salt pork do .15 Baking powder i pound .15 Sauce Bottle .25 Sweet oil . . . . do .50 Soap Bar .07 Coal oil.. . . ... Gallon .35 Heavy shoes Pair 4.00 318 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Submitted by North American Commercial Co. — Continued. Articles. Quantity. RetaU island price. 1. RetaU San Fran- cisco price. Pair $6.00 2.25 1.50 1.25 2.60 1.00 .80 3.00 5.00 1.25 1.00 .25 .60 .50 1.50 1.50 .75 15.50 do 1.75 do 1.25 do 1.00 do 2.50 do 1.00 do .75 Each 2.25 Pair 4.50 Each .75 Pair .75 do .25 do .50 I^Do ; do .35 Garment 1.25 do 1.25 do .75 St. Paul. Butter cost to company in San Francisco, per pound: Cents. 1890 18 1891 22i 1892 20 1893 20J 1894 21 1895 12i 1896 16 1897 17i 1898 22i 1899 20| 1900 19i 1901 18i 1902 21 1903 24 1904 23 1905 23} Average cost, San Francisco, 1890 to 1902 19j Average cost, San Francisco, 1903 to 1905 23. 41 Advance in San Francisco, 1903 to 1905 over 1890 to 1902, 21yV per cent. Advance on St. Paul, 16f per cent. Flour cost to company in San Francisco, per barrel: 1890 $4. 00 1891 5.25 1893 3. 70 1894 3. 40 ' 1895 2.90 1896 3. 50 1897 4. 10 1898 5. 25 1899 3. 35 1900 3. 15 1901 2.90 1902 3. 15 1903 4. 10 1904 4. 15 1905 4. 35 Average price, 1893 to 1902 3. 54 Average price, 1903 to 1905 4. 20 Advance in San Francisco, 1903 to 1905 over 1893 to 1902, ISy'V per cent. Advance on St. Paul Island, 16j per cent. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 31) Salt beef cost to company in San Francisco, per barrel: 1890 : $10. 50 1891 10. 50 1892 10. 50 1893 11. 00 1894 11. 00 1895 11. 00 1896 11.00 1897 11. 00 1898 12. 00 1899 13. 50 1900 14. 50 1901 12. 50 1902 12. 50 1903 12. 50 1904 12. 50 1905: - 12. 50 Average cost, 1890 to 1898 10. 95 Average cost, 1899 to 1905 12.95 Advance in San Francisco, 1899 to 1905 over 1890 to 1898, ISfV per cent. Advance on St. Paul, 25 per cent. Part II. Communications Relative to Revenue-Cutter Patrol. April 25, 1906. Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, with refer- ence to detaihng vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service to aid in the enforcement of the laws governing the taking of fur seals and to enable this department to make its annual inspection of the Alaskan salmon fisheries. With reference to the fur-seal fisheries, I have the honor to request that arrangements be made for the usual patrol of Bering Sea by vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service, for the enforcement of the laws and regulations in reference to the killing of fur seals. In view of the approaching negotiations to secure an international agreement which will put a. stop to pelagic sealing, the department is desirous of securing full information as to the present condition of the fur-seal fisheries. Accordingly it has been decided to send to the seal islands during the coming season Mr. E. W. Sims, solicitor of the department, who for some time past has had charge of this branch of the service. The department requests, therefore, that if possible arrangements be made to transport Mr. Sims to and from the islands. With reference to the Alaskan salmon fisheries, I have the honor to request that arrangements be made for the usual annual inspec- tion. Detailed information as to the extent of the mspection will be furnished as soon as the matter has been defuiitely determined by the department. In this connection I have the honor to request that arrangements be made to enable Hon. George M. Bowers, Commis- sioner of Fisheries, to make certain investigations with reference to the establishment of fish hatcheries in Alaska and for other purposes. In accordance with your suggestion, Mr. Bowers and Mr. Sims will confer as soon as practicable with the Chief of Division, Revenue- Cutter Service, relative to the route to be taken, time of inspection, etc. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Acting Secretary. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury. 320 seal, islands op alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary. Washington, May 22, 1906. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: There is mclosed to you herewith, for your information, a copy of a letter addressed to this department by Hon. H. A. Taylor, Acting Secretary of the Treasury. RespectfuUy, V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. [Copy.] Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, WasMngton, May 21, 1906. The honorable Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: 1. I have the honor to state that the revenue cutter Thetis has been selected to make the cruise this season to the Arctic Ocean; also that the revenue cutters Perry and Rush have been designated by the President to cruise the present season in the waters of the northern Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea for the enforcement of the act of Congress approved December 29, 1897, and the regulations of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration, decr^sed the loth day of August, 1893, for the preservation of the fur seals. 2. It is intended that the Perry shall perform the regular cruising in Bering Sea and around the Pribilof Islands, and that the Rush, in addition to any duties she may be able to perform in connection with the fur-seal fisheries, is to make the regular cannery cruise in Alaskan waters. 3. I have respectfully to request that if there be any special duties that the Department of Commerce and X-abor desires these vessels to perform in addition to those for which requests have already been made, this department be advised at the earliest possible date. Respectfully, H. A. Taylor, Acting Secretary. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 26, 1906. Capt. F. M. DuNWOODY, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding United States Revenue Cutter '^Perry,'^ Port Townsend, Wash. Sir: 1. You are informed that the President has designated the United States revenue cutter Perry, under your command, to patrol the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, as far as may be practicable, the present season for the purpose of enforcing the act of Congress approved December 29, 1897, and the regulations of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration decreed the 15th of August, 1893 (copies inclosed). SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 321 2. Under the provisions of the act of Congress above referred to, it is unlawful for any citizen or vessel of the United States to engage in pelagic sealing at any time or in any manner in the waters of the Pacific Ocean north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude, in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okliotsk. You are therefore directed to seize any vessel of the United States found navigating the sea as above indicated, in violation of the law, and send the same to the nearest or most accessible port of the United States; upon arrival there to be surrendered to the custody of competent authority having jurisdiction. 3. Since, under the enactment by Congress above referred to and given in full in the "Regulations, Fur-Seal Fishing Season of 1P02" (which apply to the present season), vessels of the United States are prohibited absolutely from engaging in fur-seal fishing within the geographical limits prescribed, it follows that the "Regulations of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration" (given in full herewith), are applicable only to British vessels, and that fur-seal fishing is pro- hibited to subjects of Great Britain at any time or in any manner within a zone of 60 geographic miles around Pribilof Islands, inclu- sive of territorial waters, and from May 1 to July 31, in that part of the Pacific Ocean inclusive of Bering Sea, situated north of the thirty- fifth degree of north latitude and eastward of the one hundred and eightieth degi'ee of longitude from Greenwich, until it strikes the water boundary described in article 1 of the treaty of 1867 between the United States and Russia, and following that line up to Bering Strait. 4. You will arrange with the senior British naval officer at Una- laska engaged in carr^^ing out the provisions of the award, for the mutual delivery of vessels of the one country seized by officers of the other. 5. You will be governed by the following instructions while cruising for the enforcement of the fur-seal regulations : (a) The terms of the award apply only to vessels of the United States and Great Britain. The first duty of the boarding officer is to satisfy himself by an inspection of her documents as to the vessel's nationality. Vessels boarded beyond the legal jurisdiction of the United States and found to be of a nationality not included in the award are not to be searched or detained longer than is necessary to establish the fact. (h) Long chases are not advisable. After a vessel is brought wdthin reach of your guns, if she does not bring to, display the national ensign and open fire. Fire one blank and one solid shot as a warning. If she still neglects to come to the wind, aim to hit, and use the force at your command to compel her to submit to being boarded and searched. (c) A mere cursory or perfunctory search of vessels boarded is strictly forbidden. The search must be made by two commissioned officers, or one commissioned and one petty officer, and the necessary number of men, w^io are required to remain on board until every part of the vessel where a sealskin or a shotgun or rifle could be concealed has been searched. (d) Boarding officers are required to exercise courtesy and for- bearance and avoid all discussions. Offensive remarks or actions by 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 21 322 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. members of the crew or others on board the vessel being searched are under no circumstances to be taken notice of. (e) Should a sealskin be found on board that bears satisfactory evidence of having been shot witliin the Bering Sea, or killed in any manner within the area of the award in the Pacific Ocean between April 30 and August 1, or within 60 miles of the Pribilof Islands at any time, the vessel must be seized. (/) Any vessel of Great Britain found within the area of the award during the closed season engaged in fur-seal fishing or fitted for fur- seal fishing and not being provided with the special sealing license is ordered seized. Or if any licensed vessel shall be found within the area of the award during the closed season haying on board a seal- hunting outfit suitable for taking seal but forbidden then and there to be used she is ordered seized. (g) Only saiHng vessels are permitted to engage in fur-seal fishing during the period of time and m the waters in which fur-seal fishing is allowed. Any vessel propelled in whole or in part by steam or other motive power than sail, found so engaged, is ordered seized. (h) If a vessel which appears to be a seaUng vessel is found witliin the area during the periods of time in which fur-seal fishing is forbid- den, you will ascertain whether she has been engaged m fur-seal fishing; whether she was carried there by stress of weather, by a mistake during foggy or thick weather, or is there in the ordinary course of navigation making the best of her way to any place. You must judge whether such vessel has been engaged in fur-seal fishing from the presence of sealskins or bodies of seals on board, or salt, and from other circumstances and indications. (i) If such vessel is found outside of the area of the award and it is evident that she has been engaged in fur-seal fishing within said area, and has thus committed an offense, you will seize her. A vessel may violate the law by her boats fur-seal fishing within said area wliile the vessel herself is outside of said area. (j) When you make a seizure, you will, at the time thereof, draw up a declaration in writing stating the conditions of the seized vessel, the date and exact place of seizure, giving latitude and longitude and any additional data by which exact location may be determined and circumstances showing guilt. Arms or skins found (the cause of seizure), as well as all papers, must be examined on board the seized vessel and so marked as to be readily identified by the boarding officers when produced in court or elsewhere. This is important and must not be neglected. (k) The seized vessel will be taken or sent, as soon as practicable, with all persons on board thereof, in charge of a suflacient force to insure delivery, together with witnesses and proofs, and the declara- tion of the officer making the seizure, if American, to the most conven- ient port of California, Oregon, Washington, or Alaska, and delivered to the officers of the United States court; and if British, to Unalaska, and there delivered to the senior British naval officer present, or taken to the most convenient port in British Columbia and dehvered to the proper authorities of Great Britain, or deliver her to the com- manding officer of any British vessel authorized to receive her. (?) A signed and certified hst of papers of the seized vessel will be delivered to the master thereof, and a duplicate copy transmitted with the declarations. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 323 (m) Ally British vessel boarded and found not to be subject to seizure will be furnished with a copy of the fur-seal regulations. (n) Each vessel so boarded shall be given a written certificate showing the date and place of examination, the number of fur-seal skins and the number of bodies of seals on board. A duplicate of said certificate shall be preserved. Respectfully, J. B. Reynolds, Assistant Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, May 28, 1906. Approved . Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, August 27, 1906. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir : I have the honor to transmit herewith copies of reports dated the 17th and 28th ultimo from Capt. F. M. Dunwoody, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, commanding the United States revenue cutter Perry, containing information in relation to the recent raid on St. Paul Island by the crews of certain Japanese vessels and the dis- position made of the prisoners, and regarding Japanese vessels engaged in salmon fishing near the island of Attn. Respectfully, J. B. Reynolds, Acting Secretary. [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Steamer "Perry," Unalaslca, Alaska, July 17, 1906. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. O. Sir: I have to report the arrival of the Perry at Unalaska from a cruise in Bering Sea as far to the westward as Attu, returning via seal islands. The object of extending the cruise to Attu was for the purpose of making inquuy mto a report brought to Unalaska by a man by the name of Dirks engaged in trading with natives of that island, and which report was sent by the last mail steamer to be telegraphed to the Associated Press, to the effect that Japanese fishing vessels returned to the islands in September of last year after having been warned away by the Perry, and had traded flour, rice, matches, coal oil, and other articles in violation of law, and to the injury of his busmess enterprises. We also intended to distribute a part of the clothing sent on board by the Woman's National Relief Society to destitute natives of the Aleutian Islands. The Perry left Unalaska at 5.40 a. m., July 5, and when off Cape Cheerful laid course for Bogoslof Islands with a view of verifying the report that a third island had risen in addition to the two which are 324 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. already charted. The weather was overcast and hazy, with Hght westerly wind and smooth sea. At 11 a. m., sighted the smoke and steam from the new volcano. When the islands were bearing WSW. I W. distant about 4^ miles, fell in with a small vessel which was boarded and found to be the Japanese sealing schooner Toktura Maru, of Tokyo, F. Murao, master. She had been out since June 3 and had succeeded in getting only two seals. Tlie Perry then con- tinued on toward Bogoslov, and when within probably a mile and a half of the island stopped and sent the cutter with several of the officers of the vessel to make a landing and investigate the new island. Lieut. Fisher was in charge of the boat and upon his return submitted to me a report of his observation and a rough sketch of the islands as they now appear, both of which are herewith inclosed for the informa- tion of the department, together with photographs taken by Asst. Surg. H. G. Egbert, United States Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service. At 3.25 continued on our course to Attu Island, where we arrived on the afternoon of the 10th, anchoring inSarrana Bay, where the Jap- anese vessels were found engaged in fishing last year. The natives live at this place during the summer engaged in catching and drying their supply of salmon to last them tlu-ough the year. From an interview with Filaret Prokopief, the head chief of the natives, I was able to gather the following information relative to the operations of the Japanese vessels engaged in fishing for salmon in those waters: It appears that of the four vessels warned away last season one returned about a week later to pick up six men who had gone back into the mountains. She left the harbor three or four days later. In September a small Japanese schooner appeared in one of the bays on the south side of the island. Filaret stated that he believed he came for the purpose of fishing, but it was too late in the season and she left a few days later without attempting to fish. This same vessel came into Sarrana Bay this year, remained about ten days, and caught about 3,000 salmon. The chief said he tried to stop them fishing, but was unable to do so until after the arrival of four Japanese sealing vessels, which came into Chigagoff Harbor for water, on board of one of which was a Japanese, whom he was able to make understand that it was unlawful for Japanese to engage in fishing operations, and who wrote and sent a letter to the master of the schooner then engaged in fishing in Sarrana Bay. Filaret told me that he did not know what information the letter contained, but the next day the fishing vessel left the harbor. This is the only vessel engaged in fishmg that had been in the bay this season. It appears that for the assistance rendered the Japanese in fishing by the natives last year the following articles were given the chief, who distributed them among the native families: One thousand two hundred and fifty pounds of flour, 3,200 pounds of rice, 200 packages (10 each) matches, and 30 gallons of coal oil. We found the natives in a very destitute condition as regards cloth- ing, and one-half of the supply sent on board by the W. N. R. S. was distributed among them. We left Attu on the evening of the 11th and arrived at St. Paul Island on morning of the 14th, where we received on board Mr. M. C. Marsh, of the Department of Commerce and Labor, and proceeded to St. George Island, where we arrived at SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 325 9.15 p. m., same date, and anchored. On the morning of the 15th Mr. Marsh left the vessel. We remamed at St. George over Sunday. During the day Mr. Chichester, special agent, called. He informed me that one small schooner, flying the Argentine Republic flag, had been sighted this season within 2 miles of the island, but that no attempt to land or raid the rookeries had been made. I learned that a vessel had also been seen off Northeast Point, St. Paul Island, a short time before the arrival of the Perry. On the morning of the 16th, left St. George and arrived at Unalaska the following morning. As soon as the vessel is coaled and everything in readiness will proceed on a cruise and expect to touch at Chernofsky on the western end of Unalaska Island, where I am informed the natives are in a very destitute condition. To-day, the 18th, the monthly mail steamer arrived, bringing department letter of June 25, relative to investigating and submitting a report upon the third island, which has arisen m addition to the two which are now charted as Bogoslof Islands. Also letter of June 26, inclosmg a copy of act of Congress, approved June 14, 1906 (Public No. 228), entitled ''An act to prohibit aliens from fishing in the waters of Alaska." Respectfully, F. M. Dun woody, Captain, U. S. Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding. [Copy.J United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Steamer " Perry," Dutch Harbor, Alasla, July 28, 1906. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: I respectfully inform the department that the Perry was in readiness to sail from Unalaska for a cruise in Bering Sea on the 21st instant, on which date the U. S. S. McCulloch arrived from the Pribilof Islands, having on board Special Agent Lembkey, of the Department of Commerce and Labor, in charge of 12 Japanese pris- oners who were captured on the 17th and 18th of July, 1906, while in the act of raiding the seal rookeries located at Northeast Point, St. Paul Island. In repelling the raid the guard, under the orders of Mr. Lembkey, fired upon the raiders and killed 5. L^pon the arrival of the McCulloch at St. Paul Island, Mr. Simms and Mr. Bowers, of the Department of Commerce and Labor, were landed, and as it was necessary for the McCulloch to proceed to Unalaska for a supply of coal, it was decided to transfer the prisoners, in charge of Mr. Lembkey, to her for transportation to Unalaska, where they could be put temporarily in the custody of the deputy United States marshal. Soon after the arrival of the McCullocJi I conferred with Capt. Cantwell and Agent Lembkey. As the McCulloch would be delayed several days coaling and making some necessary repairs, it was de- cided that the interests of the Government would be best served if the Perry furnished transportation to Mr. Lembkey to St. Paul Island, and there take on board Mr. Simms and Mr. Bowers to con- 326 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. vey them to St. George Island and thence to Unalaska. The McCullocli would in the meantime have taken coal and have been ready to proceed with prisoners and witnesses to Valdez, where the United States district court is to meet on August 6. On the 22d instant, Mr. Lembkey being ready to return, the Perry got underway and proceeded to Dutch Harbor for the purpose of taking on board the mail for the seal islands. On arriving at Dutch Harbor it was reported necessary to adjust the valve chamber bonnet of main feed pump, which on examination was found to be cracked. The cracked bonnet was removed and replaced by the bonnet of the after feed pump, which was not in use. After a delay of about 20 minutes the main engine was turned over preparatory to getting underway. Only one revolution of the engine had been made when the bonnet of the air pump gave way, disabling the engine com- pletely. The vessel was brought to anchor, Mr. Lembkey and the island mail were transferred to the McCulloch, and I requested Capt. Cantwell to detail Chief Engineer C. M. Green, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, and Second Asst. Engineer C. C. McMillan, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, of his command, to act with Chief Engineer Chas. H. Foote, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, of the Perry, as a board of investigation to examine into the cause and extent of the injuries sustained. The report of this board is for- warded under a separate cover. Suitable material and the use of a small power drill press were found available at Dutch Harbor, and it was considered possible for the engineer's force of the vessel to make a new cover for the air pump. An arrangement was made with the representative of the North American Commercial Co. for the use of the shop wuth power and tools at a cost of $10 a day, and to furnish material necessary for a new cover. The engineer's force made the repairs in accordance with recom- mendations of the board of investigation. The work has been com- pleted and an underway test made with satisfactory results, all parts of the machinery working as efficiently as before the accident occurred. Good weather prevailed most of the time the repairs were being made, giving the deck force an opportunity to touch up paint work on outside of hull, spars, smokestack, and boat davits. A detail of men was employed two days sacking coal for the McCulloch, so as to expedite her departure from Unalaska on her return from the seal islands. She is expected to arrive to-day. As soon as she returns I will confer with the officers representing the Department of Com- merce and Labor in sealing interests and then proceed on a cruise in the Bering Sea for the purpose of enforcing the act of Congress approved December 29, 1897, and the regulations of the Paris Tri- bunal of Arbitration. No British sealing vessels have arrived at Dutch Harbor this season, nor up to this date has any British naval vessel engaged in carrying out the provisions of the award. Respectfully, F. M. DUNWOODY, Captain, JJnited States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. " 327 August 9, 1906. Sir: Referring to two telegrams received from E. W. Sims, solicitor of this department, dated Sitka, Alaska, August 6, 1906, copies of which have been forwarded to you, this department has the honor to request that the captain of the revenue cutter McCulloch be authorized to transport Mr. Sims and Mr. Bowers from Sitka to Ketchikan, and that she proceed thence to Valdez and there take on board Government witnesses now attending court at that place and return them to the Pribilof Islands. It is further requested that the McCulloch be designated to patrol the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea in conjunction with the revenue cutter Perry during the present season, for the enforcement of the laws and regulations in reference to the killing of fur seals, under the same instructions as those issued to the captain of the Perry under date of May 26, 1906. Very respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury. Part III. Communications Relative to Supervision of Seal Herd by Naturalist — Visit and Report of M. C. Marsh. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, February 6, 1906. Sir: I inclose herewith copies of communications addressed to the President by Dr. David Starr Jordan, in which he recommends that a naturalist be sent to the Pribilof Islands for the purpose of making an expert study and inspection of the fur-seal herd. In view of the contents of these communications it is my desire that, if possible, you detail one of the naturalists connected with your bureau to do this work, and that he proceed to the seal islands as early in the spring as practicable. The naturalist should be informed that in case he requires assistance in order to make his investigations thorough and complete he should apply to Mr. Lembkey, the agent in charge. I am informed that some of the appropriations made for your bureau are available for this work. If, however, you have no appro- priation available, or if for any other reason you will be unable to detail a naturalist for this work, please advise me at an early date. This action is taken in pursuance of the authority conferred by the act of March 3, 1893 (27 Stat., 585), which is as follows: The Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries is authorized and required to investigate, under the direction of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and when so requested report annually to him regarding the conditions of seal life upon the rookeries of the Pribilof Islands; and he is also directed to continue the inquiries relative to the life history and migrations of the fur seals frequenting the waters of Bering Sea. Respectfully, V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. The Commissioner of Fisheries. 328 ' SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Copy.] Leland Stanford Junior UNiVERSirr, Office of the President, Stanford University, Col., January 16, 1906. Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, The White House, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: I beg leave to acknowledge the receipt of three docu- ments, sent by Mr. Loeb, bearing on the fur-seal question, viz: (1) A memorandum to the President from Secretary Metcalf, (2) the printed report of the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labor, and (3) a letter addressed to Mr. Loeb by Mr. Henry W. Elliott. As to the first of these I may say that in most respects I concur in the statement of Secretary Metcalf. The sole cause of the decline in the fur-seal herd is found in pelagic sealing, and the abolition of this practice can only be secured by action through diplomatic channels. In saying that "the fur-seal question is now chiefly, almost wholly, biological" I referred solely to its administration on the islands. The abolition of pelagic sealing is, of course, a matter of diplomacy, and the guarding of the protected zone a matter for which the Revenue Service has been thus far responsible. It is true that, as I stated in 1902, I do not believe that any further investigation of the general fur-seal question is necessary. The state- ment quoted by the Secretary was intended to apply to any further inquiry as a basis for international negotiations. It did not apply to the purpose of the present memorandum regarding the subjecting of the herd to constant expert study and investigation with a view to improving its condition and understanding its problems. Such super- vision and study I believe it to be the duty of the Government to pro- vide. Had it been provided for when the herd came into our pos- session in the beginning there probably would not have been a fur-seal question. That the herd should be put in charge of a competent naturalist was the sole important recommendation of the cornmission of 1896-97, as w^ill be seen by reference to Chapter XIX, pages 191-193, of the first volume of the commission's final report. It may be that I have underestimated the completeness of the reports of the local agents. As I look over those of Mr. Lembkey for 1904 and 1905 I find that they are filled with important data. He has evidently done his work well. The figures he gives regarding the condition of the breeding herd as shown by the comparative counts of the rookeries are instructive and show the continued decline of the herd under pelagic sealing. As I look through the reports, however, I see no mention whatever of the eftects of the parasitic worm uncinaria, which we found in 1896-97 to be responsible for the death of upward of 12,000 pups, or practically 10 per cent of the birthrate of that year. This was one of the most important discoveries made by our commission. It is a destructive agency w^hich should be fought. We put in operation certain plans for doing this by covering with rocks certain sandy areas infested by tlie worm. The matter seems not to have been followed up and the only mention I have seen of it is in the statement made by Secretary Metcalf to the effect that "those breeding areas which were especially arranged with rock, foUomng certain recommendations, have never since been visited by the seals." I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 329 This information is highly important. The only phxces thus treated were certain "death traps," sandy depressions aUve with Uncinaria and consequently filled with dead pups, on Zapadni rookery of St. Paul. If, in fact, the seals have avoided these areas, it shows the complete success of the remedy proposed and the value of its adop- tion on all the rookeries havino; similarly infested tracts. The reports do not, however, show that this matter has received the attention of the agents, and Secretary Metcalf's reference to it classes it among the failures of the commission. In all the years of control and investigation this source of loss on the rookeries was unknown, and when the rookeries were crowded it must have been enormous, until it was discovered in 1897 by Mr. F. A. Lucas, of our commission. Another important omission I note in the reports is any mention of the survey of the rookeries made by the Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1897. Under our direction, the rookery boundaries of that season were marked with a view to use in future study of the herd. Appar- ently no use of these markings was made. The plans of fencing and brandmg the seals were suggestions of earlier investigators whicli the commission of 1896-97 merely tested as a part of its duty. They were expected to assist only in the dis- couraging of pelagic sealing should other means of prohibiting it fail. It is true that many suggestions have been barren of practical results, but others arising from scientific sources, as the control of the para- sitic worm, might be made fruitful under competent direction. Other ways of improving conditions on the rookeries would suggest them- selves to a trained investigator. What I meant by the statement that "the need of trained super- vision is forcibly shown by the present confusion and doubt as to present conditions of the rookeries" is well shown by reference to Mr. Lembkey's report for the past year. The one important subject brought out by this re])ort is the fact that of a remarkable diminution of adult male life. He finds the reserve of idle bulls small. He deduces from this a "scarcity" of bulls. The bulls are said to be "amiable" because "overtaxed." On certain rookeries they have "lost control of the breeding grounds," with the result that the bachelors are "hauling among the cows." He states that he is sure "all tlie cows were served," but he finds that the bulls "are not present in sufficient numbers to maintain a first-class rookery service." If this is true, it is a serious matter anti needs careful looldng after. In our recommendations of 1896-97 we classed as first and most im- portant among the subjects to be determined by the naturalist to be placed in charge of the herd a "determination of the proportion of males necessary to attend to the needs of the female breeding herd." Attention was called to the fact that this was a question that could not be "determined in a single season, nor in two, possibly not in five." It is a (juestion that can only be settled by a trained natu- ralist and investigator. All that Mr. Lembkey has contributed to this are certam superficial facts and certain deductions which may or may not be of value. They are as a matter of fact merely a reecho of very similar deductions made by Mr. Henry W. Elliott in 1890. Mr. Lembkey's report settles nothing and leaves only "confusion and doubt." 330 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The inference easily drawn from his fuidings is that there has been too close killing on land. The hasty and unfounded statements of Mr. Henry W. Elliott in 1890 to a similar effect furnished a basis on which the British commissioners were able to claim, by authority of our own agents, that land killing was in part at least responsible for the decline of the herd, our claim being that pelagic seahng was the sole cause. The importance of the agreement of the joint commission in 1897 was that it made pelagic seaUng solely responsible for the decline and freed the methods of land sealing from blame. If the killing is too close on the islands, tliis is a matter that should be brought out clearly; but if it is not true, then in view of the fact that further diplomatic negotiations will be required before the fur-seal question is settled, such inference as Mr. Lembkey makes mthout demonstration only serves to confuse and mislead, and may prove dangerous. In 1896-97 we found 4,500 active bulls on the rookeries, with 5,000 idle bulls waiting for a chance to break in, and 10,000 young bulls approacliing the age of rookery service. Tliis we recognized as an extraordinary condition arising from the restricted killing of males during the modus vivendi of 1891-1893. It was a condition recog- nized by us as detrimental to the best interests of the herd. The data in Mr. Lembkey's report indicate an equally extreme condition in the opposite direction. He finds 1,758 active bulls, 141 idle bulls, and 1,539 young bulls. This is not a condition that can be wholly accounted for by any kilHng of males wliich has occurred on the islands witliin the past four or five years. What the actual cause of this unusual dearth of adult male life may have been is one of the questions wliich a naturalist in charge of the herd since 1897 might easily have determined. The report of the agent does not give the answer. I do not know of any more effective argument in favor of the recom- mendation which I made in 1897, and which I have repeated in my recent memorandum, regarding the need of trained supervision for the herd than the condition presented by this one problem in seal Hfe to-day. There is tliis logical connection between the fur-seal matter and the Bureau of Fisheries, that the problems of the herd are closely allied to those wluch are being dealt with in the division of scientific inquiry of the bureau. It is true that the seal is a mammal and not a fish, but three-fourths of its existence is spent in the sea, and many of its problems, as its feeding and the mortality to wliich it is subject as a natural result of attacks of enemies and from storms, are pelagic problems. With reference to Mr. Elliott's letter, I do not wonder that Mr. Lembkey's conclusions interest him. They are practically identical with those put forward in 1890 by Mr. ElKott and which proved very embarrassing in our negotiation with Great Britain before the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration in 1893. These views of Mr. Elhott are fully discussed in the report of the commission of 1896-97, volume F, pages 126 and following. The proper number of bull fur seals may be considered: (1) The actual number found in nature, (2) a number well within the limit of safety, and (3) the number below wliich female seals fail of impregnation. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 331 In a state of nature, although polygamous, the numbers of male and female fur seals are equal. This has been tested by large counts of pups. In this state each male has from to 50 females in his harem, the average being about 30, those having no female^ lying on the outskirts of the rookeries as idle bulls. It is, therefore, apparent that the male life rnay be greatly reduced without danger to the life of the herd. From Mr. Lembkey's reports for the last two years, if we accept his conclusions, the killing of bulls would seem to have gone beyond the limits of a wise conservatism. It is, however, in my judgment not hkely that such kilhng has reached a point which would involve failure of proper procreation. The situation he describes may be susceptible of other explanation. If the memorandum referred to by Mr. Elliott as the "Hitchcock rules" of 1904 be enforced, as I suppose they have been, the matter wiU soon regulate itself. In any event there is not the slightest evidence that this alleged over- killing of males, if such we may call it, has produced any evil effects. I note that Mr. Elliott states with reference to tJie ''Hitchcock rules" that ''the Department of Commerce and Labor engaged to order them" at his instance. This may be true, but these rules were drawn up by myself in Mr. Hitchcock's office in 1904. They seemed to me to represent a fair conservatism, and it is gratifying to find that for once I was in agreement with Mr. Elliott in a matter involving executive procedure. While saying that I do not feel that the "scarcity" of bulls men- tioned by Mr. Lembkey on page 81 of the report indicates actual danger to the herd, I wish to emphasize the fact that this is an infer- ence merely based on my knowledge of the conditions both of the Pribilof Islands and on the Commander Islands in 1896-97. On the rookery of Poludionnoye, Bering Island, we found three bulls for between 500 and 1,000 females, and we found no reason to assume that aU the cows were not served. On Garbotch rookery, on St. Paul Island, in 1896, we found one buU holding in an isolated position 100 females, and apparently caring for them all, meanwhile warding off at least three idle bulls as active as himself. I do not hold up these cases as representing desirable rookery conditions, but they certainly show that the capacity of the bulls to serve large harems is elastic, and there is nothing in the conditions on the Pribilof rookeries, as shown by Mr. Lembkey's report, that would warrant the assumption tliat the buUs there were overtaxed or unable to meet the needs of the herd. In fact I am of the belief that the condition he describes is possible of very simple explanation. The class of adult males which have been known as "idle" bulls and which have occupied definite locations in the rear of the breeding harems were probably bulls that either had had harems in those locations or in near-by locations in years past, a traditional instinct leading them to occupy these places after the shrinkage of the herd left them far beyond the line of possible harem location. These older bulls are now gradually dying oft". The younger bulls which make their way into the rookeries are doing so from the water front, and failing to do this are shifting about at sea or in locations where they are not conspicuous and have escaped observation. These younger bulls never having seen or held a harem on the hUlside like that of Garbotch, would hardly take up voluntarily a location there, such as did the numerous idle 332 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. bulls we saw in 1896-97 on this slope. The tradition of an actual harem in the particular spot which was the object of their defense must have inspired the actions of these old bulls. The young bulls in those seasons hung about the water front, and sometimes in the rear of the rookeries, but they were not a stable element of rookery population and were hard to estimate. There are doubtless many more than Mr. Lembkey thinks. I notice the notation of Mr. Elliott on the opening page of the report. He avers that the reduction of 58 per cent of male life on the breeding grounds is due alone to close killing on land since 1904. This is simply absurd. There could be no male life on the breeding grounds that was not 8 years old or over. The killing of any season is limited to approximately 3-year old animals. No killing of bachelors within the past three or four years at least on the islands has had anything to do with the decrease of adult bulls. AVhatever the cause, it dates further back and is dependent upon factors and conditions which are not understood by the agents, but which would in all probability have been clearly understood if the herd had been, since 1897, under expert inspection. I may say incidentally, with reference to the concluding remark of Mr. Elliott in his letter, that while I formed a very favorable opinion of Mr. Lembkey during his incumbency of a position in the Treasury Department in 1896-97, it is not just to him to say that ''he owes his appointment" to my nomination. Nor is it fair to hold Mr. Lembkey responsible for the failure to solve these scientific questions. They demand a training which he doubtless has not had, and in any event they could not have been worked out successfully in addition to the ordinary duties and responsibilities of his position. The naturalist who is to understand the herd must spend practically all his time in observation of the rookeries. I wish to emphasize again that in recommending the transfer of the fur-seal matter to the Bureau of Fisheries I had in mind the fact that this bureau. could provide the scientific inspection and control necessary. I do not wish to embarrass the Secretary with suggestions as to the details of administration of the bureau under his charge. This would not be pertinent. If expert knowledge and supervision could be brought to bear on the control of the herd through any other method of administration than the one proposed the essential point would be met. It will be noted that in my memorandum onty two of the four agents need be naturalists or have any connection with the Bureau of Fisheries. The addition of a naturalist to the present staff would answer the purpose if he had power to carry out his plans. The essential point is the expert study and inspection. After our exhaustive investigations of 1896-97, I made what I considered the one important recommendation — that the herd be placed in charge of a competent naturalist. Now, after eight years, during which much of the value of our work has been lost through failure to follow it up properly, I again make the earnest recommendation that the fur-seal herd be placed in charge of a trained naturalist. Very respectfully, yours, David Starr Jordan, Former Commissioner in Charge of Fur-Seal Investigations. seal islands of alaska. 333 Leland Stanford Junior University, Office of the President, Stanford University, CaL, January 26, 1906. Mr. William Loeb, Jr., Secretary to the President, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: I am in receipt of a letter from Secretary Metcalf bear- ing date of January 18 and addressed to yourself. In this he speaks as follows regarding the work of the parasitic worm uncinaria: * * * the reports and statistics on file in tlie department at this time show that during the h\st tliree or four years tliere has been little or no loss of life from this dis- ease. It appears, therefore, that there is no occasion at this time at least to take steps to protect the seal herd from the ravages of uncinaria. This statement, I think, only emphasizes what I said in my letter of the 11th instant regarding this subject. It is true that the report of the agent for 1894 (1904) and 1895 (1905) do not indicate that there has been " any loss of life from this disease," but the significant fact is that the subject is not mentioned at all, and there is no evi- dence that the proper steps were taken to ascertain the facts. In order to determine the matter in 1896 we went on the rookeries with a force of natives, drove off the seals, and made a foot by foot in- spection, with the result that 11,045 dead pups were found, their bodies being gathered together in heaps. This worm uncinaria develops in the small intestine of the young pup, the myriads of threadlike worms sucking out the lifeblood and causing the pup to die of anemia. Wliere the animal dies, perhaps the worms die also; but where the attack is not severe enough to be fatal, the worms fully develop, depositing their eggs, which are voided with the excrement and retained in the sand during the winter, per- ha{)s indefinitely, for they are found to be veiy hardy. The following spring they are taken up on the fur of the mother seal as she lies on the sand, are nursed in by the pup, develop, and so carry on their life history. The various stages of the development of the worm were fully studied b}^ members of our commission during the season of 1897. From the nature of the disease it is useless to say that it has ceased to act or will cease without strenuous efforts to combat it. That this disease was operative prior to 1896 is evident from the bones of innumerable pups on Tolstoi, and we know that in 1892 Mr. Macoun, of the British commission, counted 4,500 dead pups on the sands of this rookery. The cause of their death was not known at that time, but it was plain after the investigations of 1896 and 1897. The situation as shown by the secretary's statement is very similar to that found in 1895, the year before our investigation. In this year Mr. 0. H. Townsend for the United States Fish I'ommission and Mr. F. W. True for the Smithsonian Institution carefully examined the rookeries. Mr. True discussing the question of dead pups speaks as follows in his published report: I saw a number of dead pups during my sojourn, but I do not think that the total would exceed 150 for all the rookeries of St. Paul. The largest number were found at the north end of Tolstoi rookery, where I observed 70 in one small area and about 25 more a little farther south, on August 15. The area referred to was occupied earlier in the season by a great mass of .«eals and I regard the number of dead found here as representing the ordinary mortality of the young. These conclusions were based upon general observations. Mr. True did not go on the rookeries or attempt a close count. In 1896, 334 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. having Mr. True's words in mind, we gave the question of dead pups more or less attention in our observations of the rookeries during July and were unable to say that his estimate did not do the situation entire justice for the season of 1896 as well. In August, when the breeding season was over and we were able to go on the rookeries, we made the careful inspection noted above with the result that we found 11,045 dead pups, the area on Tolstoi rookery which occasioned the remarks made by Mr. True contributing 1,875 of the number. This was the same area on which in 1892 Mr. Macoun of the British commission found the 4,500 dead pups. I cite these examples to show that while the agents may be per- fectly conscientious m making their statements as to the absence of loss from this cause in 1893-1895, they in all probability do not know as to the real condition of the rookeries in this respect. They could not without the close systematic work which we gave to it. It may be safely said that of the 75,000 (approximately) pups born on the rookeries in 1905, probably no less than 5,000 of them died as a result of the ravages of this worm. This matter serves merely again to emphasize the need of definite expert information. I notice that in his report for the past season Mr. Lembkey mentions the epidemic among the blue foxes. He associates it with something similar reported among the reindeer and other animals in other parts of Alaska, He does not seem to have investigated the dead animals. It may have been an epidemic of uncinaria, as the foxes in 1896 were seen to feed on the dead pups. Young dogs and young monkeys in captivity are known to die through attacks of uncinaria. Very truly, yours, David S. Jordan. MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND LABOR IN REPLY TO A MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESIDENT BY DR. DAVID STARR JORDAN, WITH REFERENCE TO THE ALASKAN SEAL SERVICE. BY W. I. LEMBKEY, AGENT ALASKAN SEAL FISHERIES. History of Prihilof Islands seal Tierd. — ^In the latter part of the eighteenth century a profuse migration of fur seals through the Aleutian Passes was noted by the Russian explorers, and efforts were directed to discover their rendezvous. In 1786, after repeated unsuccessful efforts, Gorrasim Pribilof by accident discovered St. George Island, which received the name of his vessel. From the high land of St. George St. Paul was discovered, and was visited shortly afterwards. Settlements on these two islands were at once made by the Rus- sians. Fur seal, sea otter, walrus, sea hon, and foxes were found there in boundless numbers. The kilhng of all of these species of animals proceeded with wanton prodigality from the year 1786 until the year 1835, when the fur-seal herd was reduced to 4,100. (Ven- ianimor de Zapieskie, 1840.) This shrmkage was caused by the indiscriminate killing of both males and females. (Sir George Simp- son, Overland Journey. See also Gen. Resanof [governor's] letter to the Russian Government, July 28, 1805.) A closed season was established on the islands from 1835 to 1845-1850, during which only such seals were killed as were necessary to furnish food and SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 335 clothing for the natives. Kilhng of females on land was also dis- continued after 1835 and was never again resumed. This resulted in a gradual rehabihtation of the Pribilof herd, allowing an increasing number of young male seals to be taken each year after 1850 untfl 1870, the date of the commencement of the first lease of the sealing right to the Alaska Commercial Co. From that year, and during the 20 years of this first lease, 100,000 young male seals were killed annually for commercial purposes and the skms marketed, with the exception of the years 1877 and 1883, when, owing to a glut in the market for skins, only 75,000 seals were killed. This reduction, however, was voluntary on the part of the lessee, and was not the result of a lack of seals. Pelagic sealing. — From evidence adduced before the Tribunal of Arbitration at Paris it would appear that pelagic sealing was nominal from the year 1868 to 1880. From 1881, however, when 10,000 skms were taken by pelagic sealers from the Pribilof herd, the increase in their catch was constant until 1891, when 141,000 skins were taken from the Pribilof and Commander herds, of which 59,568 were from the Pribilofs. Since 1891 the pelagic catch has steadily decreased because of scarcity of seals. During last season (1905) only 15,000 skins, approximately, were taken by the Canadian fleet. The Japa- nese fleet took only 399 seals, last year, from the Pribilof herd. The increase of pelagic sealing has had direct relation to the diminu- tion of seals on the rookeries, and the present attenuated condition of the herd is due solely to the killing of females at sea. Land killing of surplus immature bachelors has had no effect whatever on the decrease. (Joint Statement, International Fur Seal Expert's Report, Fur Seal Investigations, 1896-97, pt. 1, pp. 241 et seq.) The joint statement just referred to was transmitted to the High Joint Commission in 1898, where efforts were made at the time to enter into an agreement with Great Britain to end the pelagic hunting of seals and thereby to rid seal life of the admitted cause of its destruc- tion. The question in all probability would have been settled there but for the interjection before the High Joint Commission of the Alaska boundary dispute, upon the settlement of which the determina- tion of the seal question was made contingent. The boundaiy dispute has since been settled. The seal question, however, has never been reopened for the elimination of the one admitted factor detrimental to the existence of seal life, namely, pelagic sealing. With this brief explanatory outline of conditions affecting the seal herd, it is now proposed to answer, as nearly categorically as possible, the statements contained in the memorandum in question, designed to change existing conditions on the islands. Visits of naturalists, and publications. — The first naturalist to visit the seal islands during American occupation was Henry W. Elliott, m 1872. He also visited the islands in 1874, in 1876, and in 1890. Mr. Elliott's studies were exliaustive, and the reports and books 'WTitten by him are correspondmgly voluminous, the last reprint of his reports covering 538 octavo pages. An exhaustive scientific investigation of seal life was conducted on the islands in 1891-92 by Prof. Mendenhal, Dr. J. Hart Merriam, and Mr. Stanly-Brown, of the United States ; Profs. Macoun and Dawson, of Canada; and Sir George Baden-Powell, of England. The reports of these gentlemen, embrac- ing every phase of seal life, were extensive. Mr. F. W. True, of the 336 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, National Museum, spent tJie summer of 1895 on the seal islands, making afterwards a very compreliensive report. In 1896, and again in 1897, the fur seals and fur-seal islands were the subject of an elaborate investigation under a commission of which Dr. David Starr Jordan was in charge. Associated with him were Dr. Leonhard Stejneger and Frederic A. Lucas, of the National Museum; Jefferson F. Moser, United States Navy: Charles H. Town- send, of the United States Fish Commission; George A. Clark, secretary and stenographer, and Joseph Murray, special agent. The reports of these gentlemen, with special papers by other contributors, filled four large quarto volimies. During both these seasons Prof. Thompson, of the University of Dundee, and Mr. Barret-Hamilton, of the Lon- don Museum, v/ere likewise investigating seal life on belialf of Great Britain, tlio results of whicli are recorded in two quarto volumes. About the year 1884 Mr. C. H. Townsend, of the United States Fish Commission, landed on the seal islands. From the time of his first visit until the year 1900, with few if any exceptions, that gentleman spent his summers on the rookeries of the seal islands, returning in the fall to Wasliington and writing copiously on all matters pertaining to seal life. Many other scientific investigators have spent more or less time on the islands, studying the flora and fauna, whose observations, it is be- lieved, have been published. From these statements it can be seen that the seal islands have not suffered in any way from lack of scientific investigation, and that all conditions found there are fully known. Investigation by Fish Commission. — L'nder the act of March 3, 1893 (27 Stats., U. S., 585, Feb. 14, 1903), the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries is authorized and required to investigate, under the direction of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, the condition of seal life on the rookeries of the Pribilof Islands. LTnder this statute, at various times prior to 1900, the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries dispatched to the seal islands tlie naturahst of his commission, Mr. C. H, Townsend, to investigate the condition of the seal herd. Since 1900, however, although this provision of law still remains in full force, no action of this character has been taken, nor has any effort been made by the Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries to exercise his power under the law to secure any additional information regarding seal life. The rea- son for this is the fact that the principal work of the naturalist so de- tailed for this duty consisted of an enumeration by actual count of the number of seals on the breeding rookeries at the time of his various visits and the taking of photographs which were designed to show any increase or decrease in the area occupied by the breeding seals. In 1900, during the last visit paid to the islands by Mr. Townsend, he stated that in his o))inion further visits by himself or any other natu- ralist to the seal islands were unnecessary, as the work done by him during those visits had been and could be performed as well, if not better, by the Treasury agents on the islands, with whose work he was familiar and whose data he used gladl3^ It is a fact that since 1900 the islands have not been visited by a naturalist and that the work previously done by a naturahst, of ascertaining the condition of seal life from year to year, has been performed by the agents in a manner satisfactory to the department. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 337 Practical regulation hy scientists. — On the occasion of the investi- gation, in 1896-97, by Dr. Jordan's commission, their observation of the seal herd suggested a number of so-called improved methods of handling seals, preventing by the adoption of methods on land the decline of the herd. These methods were put into practice under the direction of the Government agents. A brief outline of several of them is here made: 1. The acce])ted method of killmg seals, adopted through years of practical handhng of the animals, consists in the driving up of a number of bachelors from the hauling grounds, the separation of this "drive'' into small "pods" of from 20 to 40 animals, and the selection of the killables from each pod. The culling is done by expert clubbers who dispatch the Idllables while in the pod by a single blow on the head. The seals ineligible for killing are then driven off into the sea. This method, of course, involves the presence of nonkillable seals in the pod durmg clubbing, side by side with those seals which are to be killed. On rare occasions, by runnmg under the club, or by a glancing blow, some of these ineligibles are injured. To obviate any possible injur}' to nonldllable seals, the commission devised a chute, with entrance wings and two drop gates at the exit worked by pulleys. By driving the seals through the chute, and alternately opening and closing the two gates, it was sought to release the non- killables and retain the eligibles to be killed later. The chute proved a flat failure. In its conception, no account was taken of the stu- pidity of the fur seal and its incapability to choose between two given lines of action. The mere post which separated the two gates at the exit served as a formidable obstacle to the passage of the seals, 'as the animals, after butting against this post, would turn back the way they came, unmindful of the fact that the gates on both sides of this post were open and offered an exit. With the chute full of seals, they sat down and piled over each other several deep. When a forward movement was fuialh^ induced, the animals rushed pell- mell tlirough the gates and appeared on the outside, as innocent of selection as they were before. 2. A method was sought by the commission for the prevention on land of the killing of seals at sea, and the redriving of ineligibles. The plan adopted was the erection by the natives, under direction of the agents, of about 4 miles of wire fencing around a salt lagoon and a fresh-water lake on St. Paul. Into these all bachelors rejected from the killing field were to be driven. After the 1st of August drives were to be made, also from the hauling grounds, and the animals obtained to be incarcerated in the inclosures without food for as long a period as possible, thereby reducing by thousands the available number of animals from which the pelagic sealers made their catches. In evolving this theory, no account v\'as taken by the scientists of the fact that the fur seal is a creature wholly of instinct, and is not able to adjust itself to any new conditions which prevent it from following the course crystallized into habit by generations of reiterated action. The theory of herding these seals involved the necessity of confining them in places which, under normal conditions, they would never frequent, and for this reason could not be put into 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 22 338 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. successful practice. The result of the inclosure of seals was dis- astrous. The animals were impounded by thousands. Once inside the inclosure, finding their return to the rookeries impeded, the animals began following the inside line of fence searching for egi-ess. A path 20 feet wide inside the entire length of lagoon fence was worn bare of vegetation by these traveling seals. This movement was continued until many died of exhaustion. Over 20 carcasses were picked up in one day. They also fell into holes, from which they could not extricate themselves, and perished. That greater numbers of these imprisoned animals did not die was due solely to the fact that they could not be confined in these inclosures over a cla}^ or two. Some climbed over the fence, dis- playing considerable agility m so doing; others, by main strength, tore holes in the stout wire netting and so escaped; others took advantage of depressions in the ground and forced their way out under the fence. I saw one great bull insert his nose among the wire meshes and by a magnificent display of the wonderful power of his neck muscles, tear the wire as though it were rotten yarn. Emerging through the oi>ening thus made, and catching sight of his comrades on the inside of the fence, he as readily tore another hole through the nettmg and stupidly rejomed his fellows on the inside. Had the wire netting been a tight board fence, the efforts of the imprisoned seals to escape would have resulted in the death through exhaustion of all confined. These attempts at incarceration were carried on through several years, resulting in every case in the death of some animals impris- oned and the early escape of the remainder by their own efforts. These facts outlined above have been reported to the department heretofore only by word of mouth, owing to a reluctance on the part of the agents to furnish any documentary evidence which could be used by Great Britain in any future arbitration proceedings that the death of seals was due in any way to methods practiced on land outside of the regular killing of bachelors. 3. The branding of female pups: As the catch of the pelagic sealers consists mainly of females, especially in Bering Sea, it was thought by the Jordan commission that any means adopted whereby the value of the skins so taken could be impaired, would serve to deal the sealing industry a heavy blow. From this idea the practice of branding female pups was evolved. It consisted in herding the new-born pups on the several rookeries, segregating all females therein, and so searing their hides with red- hot irons that the hair follicles under the brand would be destroyed and the branded area be denuded of fur. During the year 1896 branding operations were carried on with vigor. Thousands of nurslings were branded with at least one brand, and a large number with two and sometimes three brands. They continued, but with less rigor, until 1903, when stopped by order of the department. The main reason why branding females was not a success was that if the animal were seared so thoroughly as to destroy the commercial value of the pelt, the animal would die from the effects of the brand- ing; if not branded in this wholesale manner, the value of the skin was not affected materially. In either case no appreciable injury to the pelagic catch resulted. SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 339 How many pups were permanently injured through hranding, and thereby lost their lives in the water through inability to withstand the hardships of their first migration, can never be known. The Indians along the iVleutian chain reported numbers of pups as being so injured by branding as to render their capture by bidarki hunters an easy matter. These reports, while creating a deep impression among outsiders that great nijury to the herd through branding was beingVrought, were not susceptible of confirmation. Complete sta- tistics of the number of branded skins contained in the catches of the pelagic schooners are not obtainable. The number of such skins in the whole catches for 1899 and 1900 did not approximate over 75 sldns each year. It was reported that the brands on these skins did not injure the value of the pelt over the amount of $1. Dr. Jordan'' s remarlis on. foxes. — At page 339, volume 3, fur seal investigation, and following, Dr. Jordan and Mr. Clark print a chap- ter on the blue fox of the Pribilof Islands, in the course of which the conduct of the Treasury agents in providing food for the foxes and making artificial selection of the animals left as breeders is criticised, on the ground that such steps were undertaken without definite knowledge as to the facts and needs of the herd. Time, however, has since proved that the criticism was unwarranted and that the fox herd on St. George Island, while as numerous now as it was then, regardless of the fact that in the interval hundreds of the animals have been Idlled for their furs, has suffered only when the regulations then in operation have not been carried out. On St. Paul Island, where the foxes have not been artificially fed and where nothing has been done for them, the species is about extinct. On one occasion a celebrated naturalist, walking on the rookeries at Northeast Point, discovered what he supposed to be a number of dead seal cows and reported it to the Treasury agent in charge of St. Paul Island. The Treasury agent telephoned to the watchman at Northeast Point and ordered an investigation, and was shortly after amused by a report from the watchman that the dead animals sup- posed to be seal cows were in fact sea lion pups and not fur seals at all. The stor}^ is repeated here not with the intention of ridiculing anyone, but for the purpose of showing that in matters pertaining to seal life practical experience is often of greater importance than abstract biological knowledge. The foregoing facts are not akkiced for the purpose of attaching discredit to anyone. Tlieir citation here is excusable only in showing that, instead of the seal herds suffering from any lack of practical direction by l^iologists, every possible suggestion that could be made by as eminent a body of scientists as can be gathered in this country was adopted, fairly tried, and resulted in each case in the abandon- ment of the idea as impractical if not positively dangerous. In the light of these facts, the position assumed by Dr. Jordan, that the need of such trained supervision of the herd is clearly shown, is plainly untenable. The net result of the investigations of Dr. Jordan and other scien- tists on the islands has been to prove unmistakably that pelagic seal- ing alone is the cause of the decline in seal life. This, as Dr. Jonlan states elsewhere truly, is a question involving international action and is entirely outside the scope of either biologists or Government agents. The killing of mother seals at sea once and forever pro- 340 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. liibited, the seal herd, by force of nature's own laws, will reestablish itself ''on the highly productive commercial basis of two decades ago,'' without aid from scientists or anyone else. (See Report Fur Seal Investigation, pt. 1, p. 241 et seq.) Nature of fur-seal question. — It is with considerable surprise that the statement of Dr. Jordan is encountered in his memorandum, that ''the fur-seal question is now chiefly, almost wholly, biological in character." We are obliged to point out that this statement is totally at variance with Dr. Jordan's last published utterances on the subject, and Avith universally recognized facts. To show that Dr. Jordan heretofore has denied that any biological question concerning the seals was left open to discussion by the com- mission on the islands in 1896-97, it is cited that in a hearing before the Ways and Means Committee on February 18, 1902, on a bill to appoint a commission of two members at salaries of $5,000 each, to investigate seal life on the Pribilof Islands, a letter was read from Dr. Jordan to the chairman of the committee strongly inveighing against the action proposed. Without quoting his letter in full, the following extract therefrom will accurately portray his opinion: As to the provisions of the bill itself, I do not believe that any further investigation is necessary. If you will read the agreement reached by the conference of fur-seal experts (which has already been cited) you will find that all disputed points are settled by the agreement of the joint commissions of investigation. To reopen the question is unnecessary. The agreement fixed the fact of decline, its approximate rate, its cause, and by showing that the continuation of pelagic sealing was incompatible with the maintenance and restoration of the herd, indicated as nearly as need be that the only regulations possible for the protection of the fur-seal herd were such as would abolish absolutely pelagic sealing. This requii-es international action and is purely a diplomatic question. The modus vivendi proposed in section 3 of the bill is unobjectionable, but is need- less, except for diplomatic purposes. The agreement of 3897 specifically declared the methods of killing on land free from responsibility for the decline of the herd . Such killing is strictly confined to the superfluous males. Scientific supervision a failure. — In the light of these statements of the efforts of scientists to prevent the decrease of seals by the appli- cation of methods on land which have been demonstrated unmis- takably faulty. Dr. Jordan's dictum that the present need of these rookeries is the "tramed supervision" which these scientists afford is open to contradiction. As a matter of fact, every suggestion made by scientists who have visited the island, outside the scope of scientific research, and designed to change existing methods on the islands, has resulted in failure. There is nothing complicated about the seal business. In fact, the islands may be compared to a cattle ranch, with the exception that the seals require no feedmg or housing, and are absent in the water seven months in the year. All that is necessary is to msure the perpetuation of the species by the guarding of the females from slaughter and the provision of enough males for breeders. With these essential points safeguarded, the killing of the surplus males is not only not injurious, but is a positive benefit to the herd. This is true of both cattle and seals. On a cattle ranch the proprietor saves his cows and bulls for breeders, and markets his surplus males or steers. This same principle, practically, is observed on the islands. No females are killed, and the sufficiency of male breeders is assured by the branding each year of a certain number of choice bachelors, effectively rendering them immune from slaughter. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 341 ''Confusion" as to present condition. — Dr. Jordan's statement that "confusion and doubt exist as to the condition of the rookeries during the past seven years" is distinctly negatived by the fact that com- plete statistics of the condition of the herd during that period are to be found in the reports of the seal agents. On the recommendations made in these reports, the important action reserving bachelors for breedmg and restricting their killing, was taken two years ago. Pos- sibly these reports were overlooked by Dr. Jordan. Discovery of uncinaria. — During the period from 1884 to 1897, at least one competent scientist was present during the summer of each year on the islands, engaged m a study of seal life. Notwithstanding this fact, the presence of uncinaria as a cause of death of black pups was not discovered by any scientist until the winter of 1896, when Mr. F. A. Lucas submitted to Dr. Stiles, of Washington, alcohohc specimens of seal viscera, in the hope that that expert might find the presence of a parasite hitherto undetermined in seals, causing death to otherwise healthy young. The result was the discovery, in black pups, of the mtestinal worm uncinaria and the ascribing of the death to that agency of thousands of pups which Dr. Jordan had stated to have died from trampling by fighting bulls. The presence of uncinaria was first mdicated by a Treasury agent, J. W. Beaman, in 1879. He made an entry in the island log, under date of August 20, 1879, from which the following is an extract: Three seals were examined by Dr. White. In all cases the foramon ovulo and ductus arteriosus were closed. They were found open only in the 2-months-old pup from Speel. Microscopic examination revealed a probable parasite to the flat parasitic worm that infests the intestines of the seal. Dr. Jordan's comment on this entry is as follows: These observations seem to have approached very closely* the discovery of the parasite uncinaria. (Report of Fur-Seal Investigation, pt. 2, p. 272.) Through the efforts of an agent the presence of a parasitic worm identical wdth uncinaria in the intestines of cliildren on the islands, was recently discovered. Fitness of present agents. — It must be remembered that the present agents of the department have been on the islands for many con- secutive years, that they enjoy excellent health, that seal and fox life appeals to them in all its phases, and that in consequence thereof they have acquired a special training in the matter of seals and foxes equal if not superior to that of any biologist, however eminent, who at best has spent but a few months on the islands. In fact, no biolo- gist on either island has been able to handle bull seals with the ease, dexterity, carefidness, and lack of fear displayed by the department's agents in the past few years. During every sealing season since 1898 the agents of the department at present in the service have made daily counts of cows on certain rookeries, occasional counts of bulls on all rookeries, a careful and accurate count of harems at the height of each season, an accurate count of all bachelors dismissed from the kilUng field, besides a count of all pups born on St. George and about one-tliird of all born on St. Paul. In 1896-97 the commission counted about one-tenth of all pups born on St. Paul and about one-fourteenth of all born on St. George. The extension of the work of counting pups far beyond anything attempted by the commission is due largely to the fact that by their 342 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. increasing experience the agents have been able to entirely discard the crude methods of the commission for the handling of bull seals, insuring thereby both the safety of the seals and of themselves and enabling them to make thorough and accurate examinations. On page 45, Preliminary Report, Fur-Seal Investigation, 1896, is found the following statement by Dr. Jordan: Before the first week in August the ferocity of the bulls was such as to make it impossible to enter the rookeries or even to obtain a dead pup for dissection except on rare occasions when, by means of a fishhook attached to a long pole, a few outlying specimens were secured. On August 5 it was found possible, though with consider- able difficulty, to enter the breeding grounds. On this date the count of dead pups was begun and completed on August 12. On page 96, volume 1, Fur-Seal Investigation, it is stated that the count of pups for 1897 was made between the 2Sth of July and the 30th of August. It thus appears that the 28th of July is the earliest date that any of the gentlemen comprising the commission ever ven- tured on the breeding grounds, and then only for the purpose of counting pups. In their counting of harems, massed portions of the rookeries were counted from whatever point of vantage could be obtained. In making the countings of harems, July 13 to 16, last summer. the agents of the department on the islands actually walked through the thickly massed places on Northeast Point, Reef, Polavina, Tolstoi, and Zapadni, the ''ferocity of the bulls" to the contrary notwith- standing, making without doubt the most accurate count cf harems ever made on the islands. When the present agents need a pup or other dead animal seen by them on the breeding rookeries (and many such are saved for museum purposes), the}' go in- and get^ it without using "a fishhook attached to a long pole." , In a footnote, page 109, volume 1, Fur-Seal Investigation, there is an account regarding a dispute as to an enumeration of pups, in which Dr. Jordan, after deciding in favor of Clark and Macoun, as against Thompson and Lucas, states: There is no work in which experience and adaptability count for more than in the counting of live pups. The original count (that made by Clark and Macoun) there- fore stands to the recount (that made by Lucas and Thompson) as the work of experts to that of amateurs. It must be remembered that both the "experts" and ''amateurs" above referred to had spent, with the exceptionof Macoun, only two summers on the islands, and that Lucas and Thompson, while classed by Dr. Jordan as "amateurs" in this respect, are recognized by the American and British Governments, respectively, as most competent observers, and also that I^ucas was the only man in the commission who made an original biological discovery during the life of the com- mission, nameh^, that of the parasitic worm uncinaria. Dr. Jordan's former view as to agents. — On page 387, volume 2, Fur-Seal Investigation, Dr. Jordan says: The Government should retain its competent agents during good behavior, as the company does. Messrs. Redpath and Webster have been long in the service of the two companies and have a thorough knowledge of every phase of the practice relating to seals. The Government changes its agents every four years, making appointments a matter of political spoils. * * * When the Government agent has become some- what experienced, a change puts a new and untried man in his place. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 343 Dr. Jordan is well aware of the fact that in point of service on the islands the present Government agents rank the entire corps of company employees, with two exceptions, and that no change for political reasons has been made for years. Recommendation impracticahle. — The recommendation of Dr. Jordan that two agents only be retained, to have charge of the natives, is impracticable. By reason of the peculiar conditions surrounding the islands, and especially because of the isolation for eight months at a period, it is absolutely essential that there should be a relief provided for the man who, by virtue of his position, has been locked up for a year with natives whom he must punish and company employees whom he must oppose. The original law, which contemplated a relief every 3^ear, was wise without degree. To keep two men on the islands in the positions outlined, year after year, with no provision for their returning at certain periods to the States, would mean simply that each agent, at the end of a year or two, would be compelled to resign, if he had not already gone crazy or been murdered by the enemies he is forced to make in the faithful discharge of his duties. No logical connection with Fish Commission. — There is no "logical" connection between the Fish Commission and the seal islands. The fur seal is not a fish, but a mammal, and is claimed to be a descendant of the bear. It is slaughtered on land; it breeds on land; it lives on land half the year. In its annual migration the herd is scattered all over the eastern portion of Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean. Its study in the Vv^ater, except through the medium of pelagic sealing, is impossible. The equipment of the Fish Commission for the propagation of fish can not in any way be applied to any condition on the seal rookeries. By the use of none of its paraphernalia, or the appli- cation of any of its present methods, can a single seal life be saved from death or added to the herd. By reason of the fact that the seal islands are a revenue-producing agency (having produced more revenue than enough to pay the purchase price of Alaska), and of the further fact that the cpiestion has been inextricably involved in legal and diplomatic discussion, the service has been attached di- rectly to the Secretary's Office, and no reason is apparent why any change should be made. Dr. Jordan hhnself says: It is absurd that this animal, which in reality is more like a bear, should be called a "seal," thus confounding it with a distinctly different animal. But these names are all so closely identified with the animals and their history that it is useless to attempt to change them, and so we may expect the "sea bears" of the North Pacific to continue to produce "sealskins" which, though originally and properly taken only on land, will remain the product of a "fishery." (Fiu'-Seal Investigation, pt. 1, p. 46.) Revenues from seal islands. — During the lease of the sealing right to the Alaska Commercial Co. from 1870 to 1890, there was turned into the Treasur}^ as income from this lease. $5,981,036.50. The present lessee, the North American Commercial Co., whose lease began in 1890 and expires in 1910, will have paid by April 1, 1906, for sealskins already received by it, $2,852,901.17. Since 1876 to date there have been expended for salaries and expenses of agents on the islands $337,514.89, and for the support of the native inhabitants since 1893, $234,551.49. 344 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The cost of policing the waters of Bering Sea by tiie Navy and Revenue-Cutter Service to 1895 amounted to $1,410,721.96. Since that date a patrol more or less nominal has been maintained by the Revenue-Cutter Service. The vessel on such duty, however, per- formed in each case so much other service in the territory in matters having no relation to the seal islands that it is unfair to charge to the islands more than a small percentage of the cost of operating the patrol vessels. The expense incident to sending the Jordan Com- mission to the seal islands, exclusive of transportation on vessels of the United States, which embraces the detail of the Albatross during at least one summer, was $41,000.31. Conclusion. — The present agents, during the last six ^rears, have devoted themselves assiduously to the faithful administration of their offices. Not only have they performed all duties indicated by the department, but to make their work complete they have taken every further steps prompted by their knowledge of conditions. Their service has not been a perfunctory performance of duties pre- scribed, but an unstinted expenditure of time and energy in carrying on a work in which keen enjoyment of the task and justifiable pride in results have furnished the chief incentive. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, WdsJiington, February 8, 1906. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of 3rour letter of 6th instant, together with two inclosures from Dr. David Starr Jordan, relative to expert study and supervision of the fur-seal herd. Wliile one of the naturahsts of this bureau could be detailed to visit the seal islands and make such study of the problems involved as may be possible during a single season, it is not beheved thai a brief inspection of tliis kind, even by a trained scientist, would prove of material benefit. The scientific questions involved — the proper ratio of old males, bachelors, young males, and females necessary to the maximum efficiency of the herd, the uncinaria and other causes of disease among the, pups and also the adults, the modifications in the char- acter of the rookery grounds which may ameliorate or improve the existing conditions, and many other important questions — can not be solved in a single season. The securing of data for their solution must in the very nature of the problems be a slow process. Whether the observations of one or two seasons prove of permanent value will depend largely upon how often they are repeated and how carefully they are verified. The scientific method should be applied here as elsewhere with problems requiring biological data for their solution, and any rational scheme for the continuous supervision of the herd involves contin- uous attention to and consideration of the life history of the fur seal during its stay on the islands. Even after the data necessary to a scientific and satisfactory method of supervision have been secured, the expert naturalists can not then be dispensed with; they will still be needed, and continuous supervision by them will be essential. To SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 345 then turn the herd over to business ao-ents untrained in the methods of biology would be as fatal as it would be to turn a hospital over to untrained hands after expert physicians and sldlled surgeons had once devised and put in operation a scheme for the care of the inmates. The necessity for expert supervision is readily understood when the past history of the management of the herd is recalled. It is not believed that a single important fact or prbiciple in the care of the herd has been discovered through the observations of the untrained business agents. It is not fair to the busmess agents to hold them responsible for the failure; it is the fault of the system which has continuously neg- lected the biological side of the question. In view of these facts, I would earnestly recommend that the President be requested to transfer to other positions two of the seal agents and thus enable two competent naturalists to be provided. In order to carr}^ out the spirit of act of March 3, 1893 (27 Stat., 585), these naturalists should, of course, be of the personnel of the Bureau of Fisheries, and the supervision and control of the fur-seal herd should be lodged in that bureau. This arrangement would leave two business agents to look after all' matters of a business nature and provide two naturalists to have charge of the herd in accordance with the recommendations of Dr. Jordan, in which I fully concur. If this can be brought about, it is desirable that it be done as soon as practicable. Both of the naturalists should proceed to the islands at the first opportunity, to remain throughout the entire season, and at least one of them should remain there continuously. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, WasMngton, February 10, 1906. Sir: The department is in receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, in which you state that "while one of the naturalists of this bureau could be detailed to visit the seal islands and make such study of the Eroblems involved as may be possible during a single season, it is not elieved that a brief inspection of this Idnd even by a trained scientist would prove of material benefit." You therefore recommend that the President be requested to transfer to two other positions two of the seal agents, and thus enable two competent naturalists connected with the Bureau of Fisheries to be detailed to cany this work on con- tinuously. In reply thereto you are informed that the department deems it advisable to secure the report of a naturahst as to what is needed in the way of further expert investigation before maldng any radical change in connection with the fur-seal service. I am advised that naturalists connected with the Fish Commission visited the seal islands almost annually during the period from 1884 to 1900, and compiled valuable statistics relating to the seal herd. The naturalist who visits the islands the comino- season should familiarize himself 346 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. with these statistics and the data collected by the agents since the expert investigation ceased. If, after carefully analyzing the information on hand and thoroughly investigating the situation at the islands, the naturahst deems it necessary and advisable to have expert investigations continued unin- terruptedly by one or more naturalists, the matter will then receive the attention of the department. Respectfully, V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. The Commissioner of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, March 9, 1906. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir : You are informed that a naturalist connected with the Bureau of Fisheries will, in all probability, be detailed to make an expert investigation and study of the fur-seal herd on the Pribilof Islands during the coming summer. Wliile the investigation to be made will, of course, be wholly independent of the work devolving upon you and your associates, it is desired that you cooperate with him in every way possible in the furtherance of his work. Respectfully, V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, March 28, 1906. Sir: The department has been informed that the chartered steamer Homer of the North American Commercial Co., the lessee of the sealing right on the Pribilof Islands, is expected to sail from San Francisco on her spring trip to the islands on or about May 19, 1906. Owing to the fact that this vessel makes the only passage in the spring to the seal islands, arriving there in ample time for the season's work, it is expected that the department agents on the islands will take passage on her. It is suggested, therefore, that the naturalist connected with the Bureau of Fisheries detailed to inspect the fur- seal rookeries, confer at an early date with Mr. W. I. Lembkey, the agent in charge, with a view to taking the steps necessary to secure passage on the Homer on the trip above referred to. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Acting Secretary. The Commissioner of Fisheries. I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 347 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Was'hingt07i, March 31, 1906. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: Replying to the department's letter of March 28, regarding transportation to the Pribilof Islands, I have the honor to say that the naturahst of the Bureau of Fisheries detailed to inspect the fur- seal rookeries, has been instructed to confer with Mr. Lembkey A\ith a view to taking the steps necessary to secure passage on the Homer. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, April 4, 1906. Mr. M. C. Marsh, Assistant, Bureau of Fisheries, Bayfield, Wis. Sir: A telegram just received from the North American Commer- cial Co. states that their steamer, the Homer, will sail for the seal islands from Portland, Oreg., May 17. Please make your arrange- ments to arrive in Portland in time to take passage on that vessel. Respectfully, - ^ Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, April 28, 1906. llv. M. C. Marsh, Assistant, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: During your coming visit to the Pribilof Islands your work will be concerned \\ith the following subjects and questions, and will be guided bv the following directions : 1. The adequacy of male fur seals for breeding purposes. The recent alleged scarcity of bulls is important, and you will carefully determine the number of idle and half bulls on the rookeries, and by comparison with earlier conditions ascertain any changes that have occurred, and in what direction, if any, the numbers of these classes of seals are changing. 2. Effective methods of reserving each year a sufficient number of young male seals for the future needs of the herd. You will determine whether any plan of reserving males is made nugatory by subsequent kiHing"! as whether 3-year-olds saved one year are killed as 4-year-olds the next, whether those rejected at one drive are killed in the next, and whether food killings are allowed to affect the reserve. You will inquire into the use of branding as a mark of reserved seals, and the question of a convenient and effective method of branding in general. 3. The fact and rate of decline of the herd.— This will form the most important part of your work and will requu-e a census of the breeding 348 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. herd. This census should closely follow the methods of the com- mission of 1896-97, that comparable data may be secured. You will, in fact, duplicate the enumerations made by that commission, at least in so far as it is possible for you to do so. Tliis will involve in detail a count of cows, harem bulls, and pups on the same St. Paul rookeries counted before, a count of other classes of males, idle bulls, half bulls, and wigged bachelors ; and a count of harems on all rooker- ies. The date of counting should correspond as closely as may be with the former dates, and should fall between July 12 and July 20, and the counts on St. Paul between July 13 aind 15. The pups, how- ever, should be counted later, between the 1st and 5th of August, and this count should be made with great care. .0. The mortality of pups. — So far as known pups may die from starvation as well as from natural causes, such as accidents, trampling, etc., and from one disease, caused by the worm uncinaria. . To deter- mine the deaths from other causes than starvation, you will inspect the rookeries between August 1 and 10. Deaths from starvation may be expected as early as August 15, but you need make no more than incidental observations on mortality from this cause. As for natural mortahty, however, you will study, as carefully and as thoroughly as possible and by every means at j^our command, the disease uncinariasis, and elicit any new facts possible, of whatever nature. You will also consider practical means for prevention of the disease, as by disinfection of the rookeries b}^ fire or chemical agents, by covering infected areas to keep the seals away, or by any other method whatever which appears to be of any practical use. You will further endeavor to discover whether any other disease affects the pups, or whether there is at present any unknown cause of mortality. 5. So far as possible and so far as time permits, you will retrace the rookery maps to show their present extent and outline of each, and for comparison with those of 1897, utilizing the marks of the Coast and Geodetic ^Survey set up in 1897. 6. You will duplicate such of the photographs of 1897, or take such additional ones as appear to be useful in throwing fight on the ques- tion of rookery contraction or expansion. 7. The work concerning the fur seal permitting, you will make observations on the blue fox (Arctic fox) of the Pribilofs. These will be directed particularly toward the possibility of their infection with uncinaria (as from eating dead pups), or any other disease, in view of the agent's report of an epidemic among them, and toward any system of cultivation of this animal which will conserve the species and increase the abundance of foxes to become a source of greater revenue to the Government. 8. Your observ^atious need not be limited to the lines cited, which, however, are first in importance. You will constantl}'' endeavor to discover any facts of interest and importance relating to the fur seal or the fox, whether in the directions mentioned above or not; any observations of a natural history or biological nature which time and opportunit}^ permit you to make will doubtless prove of value. Respectfully, - ^ ^ Gommissioner. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 349 [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, April 28, 1906. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Chief Seal Agent, Department of Commerce and, Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: This department is sending Mr. M. C. Marsh, of the Bureau of Fisheries, to the seal islands to enable him to make certain studies of the fur-seal rookeries on those islands. He expects to sail for the north on the steamer of the North American Co., scheduled to leave San Francisco on or about May 19, and remain upon the islands until fall. It is desired that you alTord Mr. Marsh ever\' facility possible to enable him to carry on his investigations, and that you issue similar instructions to your assistants. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, ' Assistant Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Washington, May 1, 1906. Sir: The department is in receipt of a telegram from the North American Commercial Co., intimatmg that on account of the recent disaster at San Francisco the date of the sailing of the company's steamer for the Pribilof Islands may be changed, and stating that the company will notify the department later when the final arrange- ments regarding the steamer have been decided upon. In view of this fact, to avoid possible delay on the coast, it is suggested that Mr. Marsh's departure for the coast be deferred until the receipt of further advice from the company, which will be promptly communicated to you. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. The Commissioner of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Washington, May 4, 1906. Sir: The department has been advised by the North American Commercial Co. that the companj-'s steamer Homer will sail fi'om Portland, Oreg., for the Pribilof Islands on May 17. It is expected that Mr. Marsh, of your bureau, who has been detailed to make a scientific investigation on the islands during the coming season, will take passage on this steamer. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. The Commissioner of Fisheries. 350 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Portland, Oreg., May 24, 1906. Ish. E. L. Goldsborough, Acting Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, I). C. Dear Sir: ^\y address will be, until further notice, "Care North American Coinuiercial Co., Hotel Oregon, Portland, Ores;." I forwarded \^esterday the typewritten copy of the j)ollution article, having noted a few corrections. The steamer Homer arrived here Tuesday night, the 22d, and will sail for the Pribilofs either to-morrow or the 26th. I am in readiness for departure. Very respectfully, M. C. Marsh, Assistant. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Portland, Greg., May 25, 1906. Mr. E. L. Goldsborough, Acting Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry, Bureau of Fisheries. Dear Sir : I leave this afternoon on the steamer Homer for the seal islands. I have not 3"et been informed from the office whether it was able to make definite arrangements for my transj)ortation to and from St. George Island by revenue cutter, about the middle of July. It is understood here tliat a probable visit to the islands may be made by a cutter about July 15. Mail can reach me by this vessel before the second trip of the company's boat, and should be addressed as already advised, care North American Commercial Co., Hotel Oregon, Port- land, Oreg. Very respectfully, M. C. ]\:rARSH, Assistant. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Dutch Harbor, Alaska, June 6, 1906. Mr. E. L. Goldsborough, Acting Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry, Bureau of Fisheries. Dear Sir: I arrived yesterday at Dutch Harbor. The steamer will sail for St. George Island to-morrow, arriving there June 8, and a day or two later will be at St. Paul Island. Verv respectfully, M. C. Marsh, Assistant. seal islands of alaska. 351 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, St. Paul Island, AlasJca, June 20, 1906. Mr. E. L. GOLDSBOROUGH, Acting Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry, _ Bureau of Fisheries, }Vashington, D. C. Sir: I arrived at St. George Island June 8 and at St. Paul Island June 9. .* . . I have visited several times all the seal rookeries on this island save those at Northeast Point, and have made counts of seals. There is a marked decrease in rookery bulls as against the same dates last j'ear. Kitovi and Lukanin had jointly 25 per cent fewer bulls yesterday than on June 19, 1905. The decrease for all rookeries may not be as liigh as this. The steamer Homer will leave to-morrow for Portland, via Dutch Harbor. She will leave Portland on the return tri]) July 26. My address, as before stated, is ''North American Commercial Co.. Hotel Oregon, Portland, Oreg." Very respectfully. M. C. Marsh, Assistant. Department of Commerce and I-iAbor, Bureau of Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaslca, July SI, 1906. Dr. B. W. E verm ANN, In Charge Scientific Inquiry, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. 0. Sir: I went to St. George Island July 14 on the cutter Perry and returned July 26 on tlie McCuUocli. On account of the recent raids on the rookeries the department has directed that the rookeries be not disturbed. This will prevent the pup counts and will considerably curtail my work. I do not see but that it will be best for me to take the company's vessel down in August. She is scheduled to arrive in San Francisco August 28. Accordingly I will do so, an 13.3 per cent reduction of St. George average harem, 1906. SUMMARY OF BREEDING SEALS AND YOUNG. Cows and pups ^^?' ?^ Harem bulls ^.^3 Breeding seals and young 145, 225 368 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Census of fur seals — Continued. PERCENTAGE OF FALLING OFF SINCE 1905. Island. St. Paul St. George.. Both islands Harem bulls. 17.2 23.3 18.1 Cows. 4.6 11.6 5.8 Idle bulls. Breedino seals and young. STATISTICS OF KILLINGS, ST. PAUL ISLAND, 1906. Rookery. Killed. Dismissed. 1906 new- brands. 1904 brands. Total driven. Per cent killed. Large. Small. 2 years. 3 years. 4 years. 5 years. Skins on hand Aug. 16,1905 281 1905. Oct. 20 23 Nov. 2 7 Reef 152 155 175 378 6 115 195 28 154 8 54 183 468 457 488 167 566 114 471 14 36 847 412 719 670 836 464 27 248 113 392 302 395 163 483 296 565 425 122 316 246 37 26 35 98 35 103 117 150 155 do Reef and Tolstoi Northeast Point do 14 16 Reef 22 12 36 208 26 214 29 do 1906. May 13 25 do 67 31 June 4 23 Northeast Point 145 61 176 179 136 51 163 42 70 4 30 77 31 50 34 37 31 5 8 32 38 36 18 43 37 86 72 122 9 97 34 107 5 1 256 135 184 243 212 150 5 110 19 163 67 203 .. . do 1 1 185 110 11 20 4 42 3 2 32 39 52 32 85 54 3 4 7 50 ■ 25 11 26 4 85 68 9 15 1 33 1 1 15 22 30 14 59 28 2 12 11 36 22 20 2 16 3 2 14 1 4 15 3 4 8' 3' 314 766 984 918 249 883 196 726 27 75 1,230 644 1,038 995 1,235 728 42 382 186 679 4.53 656 58 25 27 Northeast Point Reef 61 46 28 53 29 67 30 July 2 2 Northeast Point Tolstoi 63 58 Reef 64 3 51 5 i 1 4' 1 2 1 2 2 5 2 48 6 7 9 Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch 68 63 69 11 13 14 Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch 67 67 63 15 64 16 17 Northeast Point Tolstoi 65 1 3 60 19 Reef 57 20 1 5 4' 66 22 22 Northeast Point Northeast Point (Japa- 60 24 25 Reef and Gorbatch 52 61 111 37 17 42 52 19 456 248 347 278 46 189 89 10 5I 46 42 42 17 34 1 44 29 20 45 12 22 9 8 9 3 6 2 6 4 1,101 683 1,095 829 214 604 403 76 43 43 27 28 28 Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch Tolstoi 51 51 57 30 1 2 52 31 31 Northeast Point 61 48 Total 12,643 2,317 4,855 1,032 693 76 70 18,411. 1,744 1 61 COWS, 2 bachelors. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 369 Census of fur seals — Continued. AGE OF LARGE DISMISSALS ON ST. PAUL ISLAND, 1906. Rookery. Zapadni Northeast Point Reef Zapadni Polovina Northeast Point Tolstoi Reef Zapadni Polovina Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch. . . Zapadni Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch . , . Zapadni Polovina Northeast Point Tolstoi Reef Zapadni Northeast Point Zapadni Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch. . . Tolstoi Zapadni Northeast Point Polovina Total. 4 years. 20 87 115 98 27 100 21 42 5 years. 970 368 6 years. 213 7 years. 8 years and over. 33 SEALS DISMISSED FROM DRIVES, ST. GEORGE ISLAND [Exhibit C, of W. I. Lembkey.] Rookery. Small. Bulls. Brands. Age of large dismissals. Date. 1906 Iron. 4 5 6 7 Back. Head. 1905. Oct 19 East 419 157 9 20 46 7 16 2 4 27 Staraya Artiel and North North 3 576 9 . 2."? 53 18 4 1906. 9 4 24 20 11 12 15 25 3 10 14 5 6 5 4 1 3 3 3 3 26 10 4 9 11 2 ""3 '"'i' 3 5 6 14 1 2 i 1 16 North 1 3 24 18 56 46 143 29 42 59 27 32 43 52 44 3 i" 2 2 22 4 8 15 6 4 2 2 1 1 1 21 1 2 22 3 ' 25 27 Staraya Artiel and East 14 2 2 3 3 30 Staraya Artiel and East Zapadni 25 2 July 5 6 17 i 421 85! 17 69 33 163 250 29 .-. Staraya Artiel, East, and North 1 10 2 2 12 16 Staraya Artiel and East 19 21 25 Straraya Artiel and East Staraya Artiel and North North and Zapadni Total 2 i 27 1 747 j 4 621 8 9 170 89 68 13 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 24 370 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Census of fur seals — Continued. STATISTICS OF KILLINGS, ST. GEORGE ISLAND. [Exhibit D, of W. I. Lembkey.J Date. Rookery. Killed. Dism Large. issed. Small. 1906 new- brands. Iron brands. Total driven. Per cent kUled. Back. Head. 1906. North.... 22 45 31 78 219 71 247 257 49 192 73 211 157 33 12 29 27 44 45 9 13 23 6 7 9 9 8 3 i 34 80 130 168 432 126 344 424 99 300 158 437 459 69 64 16 25 Staraya Artiel and North Staraya Artiel, North, and East 14 25 17 42 85 17 69 33 163 250 29 3 56 46 143 29 42 59 27 32 43 52 44 3 2 3 56 23 27 Zapadni 46 30 Staraya Artiel, East, and North 50 July 5 6 Zapadni 56 Starya Artiel, East, and North 71 10 do 60 12 Zapadni 49 16 Staraya Artiel and East 64 19 46 21 25 Staraya Arliel and East Staraya Artiel, East, and North 2 48 34 28 North and Zapadni 1 47 Total 1,685 244 744 579 5 3 3,260 51 Intermediate counts. KITOVI. . Date. Bulls. Quitters. Harems. Cows. Name. 24 24 22 26 29 29 27 33 36 37 35 37 39 41 45 43 9 9 12 8 3 7 9 3 1 1 7 4 6 5 4 3 12 15 17 19 1 8 12 21 28 30 31 27 34 35 40 40 1 8 16 37 85 180 281 434 651 846 1,028 950 21 23 25 27 30 James Judge. W. I. Lembkey. July 2 4 James Judge. 6 : 8 11 13 W. I. Lembkey. AMPHITHEATER. 6 6 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 8 12 1 3 3 2 2 3 1 15 17 19 21 1 2 5 7 7 7 8 9 9 9 7 I 6 16 37 58 104 145 173 201 176 23 25 27 30 James Judge. July 2 1 W. I. Lembkey. 4 James Judge. 6 1 8 11 1 1 13 W. I. Lembkey. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Intermediate counts — Continued. LUKANIN. 371 Date. BuUs. Quitters. Harems. Cows. Name. June 9 33 35 33 35 37 37 34 36 36 35 36 37 36 36 38 38 2 1 2 2 2 2 5 3 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 12 1 1 3 5 9 14 13 18 21 26 31 32 32 35 36 1 1 3 6 13 31 58 111 226 273 487 627 849 921 855 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 30 James Judge. W. I. Lembkey. James Judge. uly 2 4 6 8 11 13 W. I. Lembkey. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 24, 1906. memorandum to dr. evermann. It is desired to explain the absence from my report, presently to be submitted, of a visit to the seal islands the past summer, of cer- tain data called for by instructions. These are the count of live pups on St. Paul Island and of nearly all information concerning mor- tality and disease of pups after the height of the season. I returned from St. George Island to St. Paul Island by the cutter McCulloch July 26 and met Mr. Sims, the solicitor of the department. It was expected to begin the pup counts in a very few days and to imme- diately look for uncinariated pups. In conversation with Mr. Sims he remarked that the agents intended to count pups on all the rook- eries, but that he thought it unwise to disturb so many and that they should be counted on onlyia few rookeries. He was probably mis- taken as to the intention of the agents, as they never count pups on all St. Paul rookeries. At any rate tliis was satisfactory to me, as my instructions asked for counts only on a few rookeries. Mr. Sims left the island the evening of the 26tli on the McCulloch, the vessel going to Northeast Point. He did not return to the village. The next day Mr. Judge, assistant agent, who had been left in charge, announced that instructions had come over the telephone from Northeast Point to count no pups save in so far as it could be done from the rear of the rookeries. He later obtained the instructions in writing from Mr. Sims. I have no copy of tliis order, though I saw it, but it was in substance as above, directing that no one should go upon the rookeries "unless it can be done without driving the cows into the water," as near as I remember the phraseology, and ending "on no account do I tliink any cows should be driven off." At tliis season the cows flee at the first sight of a moving person. After considerable discussion with Mr. Judge, he construed this as forbidding entering the rookeries for either counting live or dead pups or securing dead pups. I did not tlunk a count from the rear 372 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. of the rookeries was worth making and, in fact, even tliis could not have been made without driving off many cows. Neither Mr. Judge nor myself made any counts of pups. What of value could have been learned concerning the mortality of pups is of course unknown. The count, however, would have given the usual basis for the census of seals. As it is, the census is based on the count of pups on St. George alone, which has probably between one-sixth and one-fifth of the herd, Appl3dng the St. George average harem to St. Paul would show nearly a 6 per cent increase in cows and pups over 1905, and about a 3 per cent increase for the w^hole herd. No such increase is credible. Since for at least the past two years the average harem for St. Paul has been lower than for St. George, Eerhaps the most accurate estimate of pups on St, Paul for 1906 will e obtained by reducing the St. George average harem for 1906 in the same proportion as the St. Paul average harem for 1905 was less than that of St. .George for 1905. It was 13.3 per cent less. This has been done and to this extent the whole census of cows and pups for 1906 is an estimate. It is largely in this matter of pup counts, of not counting them by entering the rookery itself according to the methods of the fur-seal commission of 1896-97, now agreed on all sides to be the only possible way of obtaining the number of pups born, that the statistics of the departmental agents for the early years following the commission are confusing and misleading when it is attempted to compare the annual results, M. C. ISIarsh, Assistant. COMMENTS ON THE REPORT OF MR. M. C. MARSH, OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES, ON HIS VISIT TO THE PRIBILOF ISLANDS IN THE SUM- MER OF 1906. While the instructions in pursuance of which Mr. Marsh visited the Pribilof Islands last summer are not submitted with his report, it must be remembered that Dr. Jordan, of Stanford University, dur- ing the past winter urged with great force the transfer of the seal- island service to the Fish Commission, and the substitution for two of the agents of two biologists, who were to have exclusive charge of the management of the seal herd. In supporting his recommenda- tions. Dr. Jordan took occasion to attack the veracity and correctness of the reports and statistics relating to seal life submitted by the agents on the seal islands during the past few years, as otherwise no reason for the change would be apparent, and to assert that an ob- server of recognized biological ability would find an entirely different condition of affairs to exist. Because of Dr. Jordan's recommenda- tions, and his assertions that the Government's interests on the seal islands were being unskillfully conducted by the present corps of offi- cers, the department detailed Mr. M. C. Marsh to visit the seal islands, to investigate and report upon the conditions present there. In his communications to the President and the Secretary of Com- merce and Labor, Dr. Jordan alleged: (1) That the counts showing a scarcity of adult male life on the rookeries were inaccurate and erroneous, in that the agents overlooked a number of bulls that were SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 373 actually present on distant rookeries and unfrequented hauling grounds, or, in other words, that the condition of a scarcity of male life, as reported by the agents, could not possibly exist; (2) that the agents had ignored the presence of uncinaria as a cause of death among seal pups, and that probably thousands of deaths had resulted from this cause Avhich were entirely overlooked by the agents in their reports; (3) that the rookeries had been charted and numbered dur- ing the investigation by the Jordan commission, and that these num- bers had been allowed to become obliterated through negligence; (4) that the deductions and conclusions of the agents respecting seal life were, in general, incorrect, improbable, and not founded in fact. Mr. Marsh, in his visit to the islands, enjoyed every possible facility for carrying on his work. He was invited by the agents to accompany them on all of their visits to the rookeries, and, as a fact, did not visit the rookeries a half-dozen times except in the company of an agent, while the latter was performing his usual work of counting seals, and what not. In addition to this he was asked to be present at, and allowed to participate in, the work of branding the bachelors, enum- erating the rejected seals, weighing the sldns, and, in fact, in all of the work that falls to the agents during the seahng season. While Mr. Marsh during liis stay on the islands made his head- quarters at the company house, and did not avail himself of the room i)laced at his disposal at the Government house, yet he visited the lat- ter frequently for the ])urpose of obtaining the counts of seals and other statistics gathered by the agents from time to time during the summer, and which he has included in his report as connected counts of the various classes of seals enumerated. Upon his arrival at San Francisco from the seal islands, before re- turnmg to the department, Mr. Marsh visited Dr. Jordan at Stanford University and had an extended conference with that gentleman. It is fair to believe, therefore, that Mr. Marsh's report lias tlie indorse- ment of Dr. Jordan, and can be accepted as voicing his sentiments. With these preliminary statements, attention is called to the con- tents of the report itself. From its examination it will be seen that it contains merely the same class of statistics comphed for years by the agents, and which, in fact, were gathered by them this year during the presence of Mr. Marsh. Without any reflection upon that gentle- man, it can be said that, if he had not been present on the islands last summer, the same statistics would have been collated and sub- mitted to the department by the agents as Mr. Marsh has embodied in his report. The report could easily be dismissed Vsdth the statement that it con- tains nothing on the seal question that has not already been ascer- tained, were it not for the fact that in it Mr. Marsh verifies and con- firms all the statements of the agents which were so uniformly con- demned by Dr. Jordan as being inaccurate and unreliable. Mr. Marsh finds : 1. That the class of idle bulls has been practically eliminated, as reported by the agents. 2. That the methods of the agents in enumerating seal life leave no improvement to be suggested. 3. That there are no "distant rookeries " or hauling grounds which the agents fail to include in their statistics. 4. That the percentage of decrease in breeding bulls is more rapid than among bleed- ing females, as already reported by the agents and questioned by Dr. Jordan. 374 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 5. That, as reported by the agents, the decrease in cows on the two islands is of differ- ing ratios. 6. That it is likely that a smaller harem (hence more bulls, as recommended by the agents) would make the best condition for the increase of the herd. 7. That the method of marking seals for breeding (as established by the agents) is efficient for checking the decrease in male life. 8. That undnaria, which was found by Mr. F. A. Lucas on St. Paul in 1897, and adopted by Dr. Jordan as a potent and important agent in the destruction of infant seal life, notwithstanding the fact that only 122 instances of death from undnaria were discovered by his commission in 1897, and which Dr. Jordan now suggests as a destroying force not taken into account by the agents, has as at present no known existence on the islands. In point of fact, not one of the criticisms against the conduct of the service made by Dr. Jordan was founded in fact, as determined by the investigation of Mr. Marsh. In his investigation of fox life on the islands Mr. Marsh dismisses' the subject without further consideration, after recommending favorably to the department a report on foxes, made in 1903 hj Assistant Agent James Judge, which, as Mr. Marsh justly states, is a valuable contribution to the knowledge of the Pribilof fox herd, from both the natural history and economic standpoints. After vindicating in detail the methods of the agents in their treat- ment of seal life, and not only adopting these methods in his own work, but using their statistics as the basis of his own report, one would fairly think that an honest treatment of the subject would suggest no change in the present methods or personnel. It is, there- fore, a matter of surprise that Mr. Marsh should conclude his report with the recommendations previously urged by Dr. Jordan that two of the agents be replaced by two biologists, who should have charge of the herd. In this matter Mr. Marsh is clearly illogical, in that he approves methods, but thinks they should be abandoned ; he approves the agents, but thinks they should be supplanted; he finds in favor of the present system, but pronounces judgment against it. For an investigator to indorse the work of the officer investigated, adopt that work as his own, and then recommend that the officer be dis- placed without alleging proper grounds therefor, is unreasonable, and suggests the almost inevitable conclusion that the principal object of Mr. Marsh's visit was the reiteration of Dr. Jordan's recom- mendations rather than an impartial ascertainment of facts and con- ditions. There are numerous inconsistencies in the report of Mr. Marsh which might be pointed out. For instance, Mr. Marsh states that "the seal feeds largely on salmon," when it is known that salmon forms an inconsiderable portion of its diet. Since the discovery of the Russian seal islands a good-sized salmon fishery has been main- tained side by side with the largest rookery there, which the seals have never been known either to de]:)lete or disturb. He predicts that the diseases affecting seal life will increase in greater ratio than the seals themselves, when it is known positively that seal rookeries, when left absolutely undisturbed by man, will replete themselves to the point of natural equilibrium m a few years, their "diseases" notwithstanding. He alleges that the investigation by Dr. Jordan's commission established the "general principles which must govern the management of the seal herd to maintain it at its highest pro- ductiveness," when it is a fact that not one of the plans recommended SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 375 by the commission for the conservation of seal life on land has been found in application to have any value. He states that the seal question is a "biological" one, when, in point of fact, it is wholly a diplomatic question and is so admitted by all. It is regretted that Mr. Marsh, in dealing with the question of the diminution of seal life, fails to mention the one admitted and primary cause of the herd's decHne, namely, pelagic sealing. A failure to consider the situation from this standpoint is an omission which must cast doubt upon the accuracy of any conclusion arrived at by a student of the question. Mr. Marsh very properly has concluded that there is nothing in the metliods of treatment which the seals receive on land tending toward their decrease. Having arrived at this conclusion, he could state, with perfect justice to himself and to the facts, that the sole cause of their dimmution is the killing of female seals at sea by pelagic sealers, and that nothing short of the abolition of this practice through international agreement will save them from extermination. Paet IV. Visit and Keport of Edwin W. Sims. [Copy.] June 21, 1906. Edwin W. Sims, Esq., Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: You are hereby detailed and instructed to make a thorough investigation of the fur- seal fisheries of Alaska. To accomphsh the purpose of such investigation, you are directed to examine into the condition of the seal herd on the Pribilof Islands and in adjoining waters; to secure information concerning pelagic seahng; to ascer- tain whether or not the terms of the contract between the United States and the North American Commercial Co., by virtue of which that company is granted exclusive right of taking fur seals on the Pribilof Islands, are being strictly comphed with, particularly in so far as it relates to the natives; to examine into the condition of the schools, churches, and dwelhngs of the natives; to ascertain whether or not the law and the regulations governing the taking of fur seals are being comphed with in all particulars ; and in fact to make a thorough investigation of all the conditions surrounding the fur-seal fisheries of Alaska. To secure a basis for intelligent and official action on the part of the Government, it is important that the department should at an early date be put in possession of complete and comprehensive information concerning all matters relating to the seal herd and the conditions on the Pribitof Islands. I beheve the decrease wliich reports indicate is taking place in the seal hfe on the islands to be directly attributable to pelagic seahng, and have already recommended that strong afforts be made to secure international regulations wliich will but a stop to it. In addition to this, the contract between the United States and the North American Commercial Co. is about to expire, and the depart- ment should be in possession of such information as to conditions in general as will enable it to recommend intelligent action at this time. Your expenses of subsistence and travel will be paid from the appro- priation "Contingent expenses, Department of Commerce and Labor, 376 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. fiscal year 1906 and 1907," and you are authorized to further incur all reasonable and proper expense for other objects necessary and proper for the complete performance of such duties. Respectfully, V. M. Metcalf, Secretary. [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Enderlin, N. Dale., July 4, 1906. Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Sims and I leave Seattle Saturday. Further instructions may be wired Renier Grand Hotel. George L. Bowers. July 5, 1906. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] • [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Wasidngton, July 5, 1906. Edwin W. Sims or George M. Bowers, Renier Grand Hotel, Seattle, Wash.: No further instructions. Impossible for me to go with you. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. [Telegram.] • Department of Commerce and Labor, SitTca, AlasTca, August 9, 1906. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Leaving here commercial steamer to-day. Can be reached Rainier Grand, Seattle, August 12. Have return ticket via San Francisco and will see Secretary if there. Sims. August 10, 1906. [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Seattle, Wash., August 15, 1906. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Please advise me at Chicago whether to send written report of seal raids from there or come to Washington now to report verbally as well. Should reach Chicago August 22. Sims. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 377 [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor. Office of the Secretary, Washington, October 5, 1906. Edwin W. Sims, United States District Attorney, Chicago, III.: Must have your report on fur-seal islands not later than October 8. Report should cover revenue-cutter patrol. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. Department of Justice, Office of United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, October 7, 1906. Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. My Dear Mr. Secretary: I am inclosmo; my report on the con- ditions of the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries. While the document now submitted is a full report and is complete in itself, you will receive in the course of a day or two appendixes which contain tables and statistical information which I believe will be useful to you in the future. The appendixes have been completed by me and I am sending them on by this mail to the solicitor's office to be type- written. As soon as they have been typewritten, they will be de- livered to you. As I have before stated, however, the report which accompanies this letter is complete in itself and can be taken by you as final. I have endeavored to include in the report enough mformation as to the Pribilof Islands, the fur-seal herd, existing laws and treaties and the history thereof, to give you in a few minutes a good working knowledge of the whole subject. When I first took up the matter of the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries I found that in order to get a com- prehensive idea of the subject I had to read what would be equiva- lent to the contents of about 30 volumes of the Supreme Court reports. It has been m}' aim to state in that part of this report which deals with the conditions in general the substance of all essential information with reference to the fisheries. In case the revenue-cutter patrol pleads lack of time as an excuse for not properly guarding the fur-seal fisheries, I suggest that you call for a report as to the number of days the vessels were actually engaged on the patrol as distmguished from the number of days spent in port. It also seems to me that information as to the num- ber of days the vessels are actually being navigated as against the days they spend in port each year would be important as indicating whether or not they have been pressed for time. I have dated this report August 31 and signed it as solicitor, that being the official capacity in which I made the investigation. Very respectfullv, Edwin W. Sims. P. S. — For statements as to revenue-cutter patrol, see pages 5 and 41. 378 seal island.s of alaska. keport of the solicitor of the department of commerce and labor on the alaskan fur-seal fisheries, august 31, 1906. Department of Justice, Office of the Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, August 31, 1906. Sir: I have the honor to submit lierewith a report on the condi- tion of the ALxskan fur-seal fisheries. Very respectfully, Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have the honor to advise you that in accordance with the terms of your letter of June 21, 1906, directing me to investigate the conditions of the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries, I visited St. Paul, St. George, and Otter Islands of the Pribilof group in Bering Sea, Unalaska, Kodiak, Sitka, and other places in Alaska, during the months of July and August, and collected information bearing upon the subject to be investigated. I spent an entire week on the island of St. Paul, during which time I personally visited all of the seal rookeries and witnessed several drives. As the result of my observation and investigation I have the honor to submit the following report : Destruction of the seal herd by pelagic sealers. — The Pribilof fur- seal herd is being rapidly wiped out of existence as the result of pelagic sealing — the killing of seals in the water. The destructive effect of tliis method of taking seals has not been fully realized, and unless prompt measures are taken to stop it the entire herd will soon be annihilated. Estimates as to the number of seals in the Pribilof herd at the time this Goyernment purchased Alaska vary from two to seven millions. The best estimate, in my judgment, is that it consisted of about 4,000,000 seals. To-day the herd numbers less than 180,000 seals. In other words, there are fewer seals in the Pribilof herd to-day than there were in 1835, when the Russian Government felt impelled to adopt drastic measures to prevent its destruction. During the first 20 years of American ownership it was at all times possible to secure 100,000 skins annually on the Pribilof Islands. From 1890 down to the present time the number of skins which could be obtained has steadily decreased. This season the lessee of the seahng privilege was unable to secure even the 15,000 skins which it was authorized to take. Herd is in a most critical condition. — -While it is true that the size of the herd has been steadily decreasing for a number of years, I believe that its existence is more seriously threatened at this time than ever before in its history. The herd is in a most critical condi- tion. The high price paid for sealskins in the London market last year has not only led to renewed activity on the part of the Canadian seal- i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 379 ing fleet, but is unquestionably responsible for the appearance in Bering Sea this year of the largest fleet of Japanese vessels which has ever directed its operations against the Pribilof herd. Authentic reports are to the effect that the Canadian fleet engaged in pelagic seahng the past season numbered upward of 30 vessels. Reports vary as to the size of the Japanese fleet, some placing it at 13 and others at 30 vessels. Fleets of this size can not long prey on the already diminished herd without soon annihilating it. Importance oj the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries. — Since the purchase of Alaska in 1867, the United States has received a revenue from the lease of the sealing privilege on the Pribilof Islands of nearly $9,000,- 000— almost $2,000,000 more than it paid for all Alaska. In addi- tion to this the Government annually collects a large sum in customs revenue on manufactured sealskins which are reimported from Lon- don, where they are sent in their raw state for treatment. The trade in skins taken on these islands by citizens of the United States since the purchase of Alaska, aggregates more than $50,000,000. Treaties and laws violated hy pelagic sealers. — From information furnished me during the course of my investigation, I believe that a part, at least five or six, of the vessels of the Canadian fleet this year continued their pelagic sealing operations in the vicinity of Sitka, and at other points in Alaska, during the months of May and June, in violation of article 2 of the Articles of Award of the Paris Tri- bunal of Arbitration, establishing a vearly closed season from May 1 to July 31. On the other hand, the vessels of the Japanese fleet not only took thousands of seals within the territorial waters of the United States surrounding the Pribilof Islands during the past summer, but during a period of two days — July 16 and 17 — the crews of four of the schooners committed a series of unla^v^ful acts which terrorized the native inhabitants and injuriously disturbed the seal life on the rook- eries of St. Paul Island. Raiding parties from three of these schooners actually landed on the island. One of the parties which landed killed 185 seals and got away with 120 skins before it was discovered. As a result of the raids 5 of the poachers were killed while attempt- ing to escape arrest, and 12, including 2 wounded, were captured. Three small boats and some arms and paraphernaha for killing seals on land were also captured. The force protecting the islands suf- fered no casualties, although it was subject to a rifle fire from the decks of a schooner anchored close inshore, while making arrests on the second day. Existing revenue cutter 'patrol ineifectire. — Tlie patrol for the enforcement of the laws for the protection' of the seal fisheries, nominally maintained by the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service, is wholly, insufiicient to meet the actual needs of the situation. Without doubt it was the known ineft'ectiveness of this patrol that led some of the Canadian schooners to take chances and engage in pelagic sealing during the closed season. I was reliabl}' informed by a man who had this year talked mth a number of the captains of the Canadian seaUng fleet that the}^ have Httle or no fear of the patrol maintained by this Government. It is also apparent that the presence of a revenue cutter in the vicinity of the islands would have prevented the depredations of the Japanese schooners at that point. While nothing short of an absolute cessation of pelagic seahng will 380 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. prevent the iitimate destruction of the seal herd, it is obvious that the strict enforcement of the laws and treaties by an active patrol will do much to preserve its existence. Before going into the details of the operations of the Japanese seaUng fleet during the past season, I shall at this point refer b'iefly to some general facts in connection with the Pribilof Islands and the seal herd in order that you may more fully appreciate existing conditions. Tlie Pribilof Islands. — The Pribilof Islands, which are the home of the fur-seal herd which takes their name, were discovered in 1786 by Gerassim Pribilof, a navigator in the employ of one of the Russian trading companies. They are situated in Bering Sea about 2,000 miles from Seattle by the most direct route. The group consists of St. Paul, St. George, Walrus, and Otter Islands, and Sea Lion Rock. They are completely isolated from other land, the nearest port being Unalaska, which is 214 miles to the southward. The islands are of volcanic origin and are desert islands to the extent that they produce nothing capable of sustaining man. The island of St. Paul, which is the largest of the group, is 13^ miles long and 7 1 miles wide, and has a shore line of 45^ miles. It has a popula- tion of 168. St. George Island, which lies at a distance of about 40 miles southeast of St. Paul, is 12 miles long and 4^ miles wide, with a shore line of 30 miles. It has a population of 91. Otter Island, Walrus Island, and Sea Lion Rock are much smaller and are uninhabited. During a large part of the year the islands and the surrounding sea are enveloped in a dense fog. There are no vessels on the islands capable of being navigated to the mainland or the nearest port, and the only time the residents come in touch with the outside world is when the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer calls there twice each year, and at irregular intervals when a revenue cutter chances to stop for -a few hours. The Pribilof fur-seal herd. — The islands which I have just de- scribed are the natural retreat and the only breeding ground of the Pribilof or American fur-seal herd, which even in its depleted condi- tion is the largest fur-seal herd in the world. The seals of this herd breed upon the islands of St. Paul and St. George during the summer and annually, in the fall, leave them and Proceed through Bermg Sea and the passes between the Aleutian slands into the Pacific Ocean. Some of them go as far south as the Santa Barbara Channel off southern California. Generally speaking, this annual migration of the fur-seal herd may be said to commence in November, and by the latter part of December there are few, if any, animals left on the islands. They remain away until the following spring, the first arrivals usually appearing about the 1st of May and the last the latter part of June or 1st of July. In the interval be- tween their arrival in the spring and tlieir departure in the fall, the offices of reproduction are accomplished. Within a few hours after she arrives on the island the cow gives birth to her pup ; five or six days later she comes in heat and is served by the bull. As the females do not leave the island from the time they first land until after impregnation, it follows that all adult cows whenever found at sea are pregnant. During the period of about six months which the seals annually spend on the islands the females make frequent and regular trips to the feeding grounds, about 150 i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 381 miles to the southward in Bering Sea. After feeding tliey go to sleep on the surface of the water while the food they have taken digests. When rested they return to the islands where they nurse the pup. The female seal gives birth to one pup each year for probably 10 years, commencing the third year of her existence. Variations in the size of the herd. — At the time of the discovery of the islands by the Russians, fur seal, sea otter, walrus, sea lions, and foxes were found on them in almost unlimited numbers. The killing of all these species of animals proceeded with wanton prodigality from the year 1786 until the year 183 5, when the fur-seal herd was reduced to less than 200,000. This shrinkage was caused by the indiscriminate killing of both male and female. A closed season was established on the islands from 1835 to 1845-1850, during wliich period only such seals were killed as were necessary to furnish food and clo tiling for the natives. The killing of females on land was also discontinued after 1835 and was never again resumed. This resulted in a gradual rehabihtation of the herd, allomng an increasing number of young male seals to be taken each year from 1850 until 1870, the date of the commencement of the first lease of the sealing rights to the Alaska Commercial Co. From that year and during the 20 years of tliis first lease, 100,000 young male seals were killed annually for commercial purposes and the skins marketed, with the exception of the years 1877 and 1883, when, owing to a glut in the market for skins, only 75,000 seals were killed. Tliis reduction, however, was voluntary on the part of the lessee, and was not the result of a lack of seals. Methods of securing sealslcins. — The skins of seals for commercial purposes are secured in two ways: (1) By killing the seal on land; (2) by killing the seal in the water, i. e., pelagic sealing. 1. The killing of seals on land is confined to the Pribilof Islands, is engaged in only by those who lease that right from the Government, and is limited to those surplus immature bachelors wliich may be taken without affecting the herd. The proliibition against the killing of females, established by the Russians in 1835, has been embodied in our laws and is always strictly observed. The character and number of the seals to be taken is determined by law and by the regulations of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and the opera- tions of the lessee on the islands are subject to the direct surveillance of Government agents appointed for that purpose. The history of the herd conclusively demonstrates that a rational and carefully regulated land killing is beneficial rather than detrimental to the herd. 2. The killing of seals in the water — pelagic sealing — is engaged in by vessels owned and manned by the citizens of other nations and by Indians dwelling on certain of the coasts of the United States and Canada.^ It is a wantonly destructive method of securing furs. The Indians are allowed to take seals in canoes or undecked boats propelled wholly by paddles, oars, or sails and not transported by or used in connection with other vessels or manned by more than five persons. The vessels of other nations wliich engage in pelagic seal- ing are schooners ranging in size from 25 to 125 tons burden. Each vessel carries a crew of from 10 to 50 men, usually about 30, and carries from 5 to 20 boats or canoes. The schooner cruises about until she comes into sealing territory, when the small boats, which 1 See act of Apr. 6, 1894, 28 Stat., 52, art. 8. 382 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. are usually manned by three men, are lowered. These boats scatter out in search of seals. Seals in motion are shot; seals asleep or resting on the water are usually speared. In the spring the pelagic sealers pick up the herd off northern California and follow it north- ward. In the summer they cruise around the feeding grounds in Bering Sea. The catch at this point is chiefly females which have come to feed, and which, if unmolested, would return to the Pribilof Islands to nourish their young. One of the Japanese sealers of a party which landed on St. Paul Island during the summer stated under oath that 7 or 8 out of every 10 seals taken in Bering Sea by the echooner on which he belonged were females. Pelagic sealing was nominal from the year 1868 to 1880. From 1881, however, when 10,000 skins were taken by pelagic sealers from the Pribilof herd, this catch increased annually until 1894, when 61,838 skins were taken. The pelagic catch for 1905 was 25,320. The decrease in the pelagic catch from 1894 down to the present time is due to a steady decrease in the size of the herd. The increase of the pelagic sealing has had direct relation to the diminution of the number of seals on the rookeries, and the present low condition of the herd is, in my judgment, due solely to the killing of female seals at sea. The rational land killing of surplus, immature bachelors, which has been carried on under lease from this Government, has had nothing to do with the decrease in the size of the herd. Thelcilling of females a wanton destruction of seal life. — The killing of female seals at any time or an;^ place results in wanton destruc- tion of seal life. Those females killed while the herd is on its way northward in the spring are pregnant, and their death results in the loss of two lives to the herd. Those females killed on the feeding grounds in Bering Sea in the summer and early fall are not only preg- nant, but they have a nursing pup on shore, which dies of starvation when they fail to return. Their death thus results in the loss of three lives to the herd. In addition to this, the skins secured by the pelagic sealer represent only about 50 per cent of those he has actually killed. The other half sink and are not recoverable or, when only wounded, escape and die later from their wounds. These facts, coupled with the Imowledge that the pelagic sealer has since 1890 secured almost twice as many skins as have been secured on the islands, fixes beyond question the cause of the depletion of the herd. Terms of the lease from the Government. — Since 1870 the exclusive right to engage in the business of taking fur seals on the Pribilof Islands has been exercised by American companies operating under lease from the Government. From 1870 to 1890 the right was exer- cised by the Alaska Commercial Co. At the present time the North American Commercial Co. is the lessee under a contract which expires in 1910. Under the terms of this contract as construed by the United States Supreme Court (U. S. v. North American Com- mercial Co., 171 U. S., 110) the company pays at the rate of $10.22^ for each skin taken. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor deter- mines by regulation the kind and number of seals to be taken each year and the method of killing. In addition to the sum paid the Government for each skin the company furnishes free to the natives on the islands dried salmon and salt and salt barrels for preserving a supply of meat; 80 tons of coal annually; comfortable dwellings and SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 383 necessary schooUiouses, which it keeps in repair; conipeteiit teachers and a free school for the education of the children eight months of the year; competent physicians, medicines and medical supplies, and the necessaries of life for the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands unable to provide for themselves. The company also employs the natives to perform such work on the islands as they are fitted to perform at a compensation fixed from time to time by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, TJie tribunal of arhitraiion. — As the result of certain differences which had arisen between Great Britain and the United States over the seizures of Canadian vessels and the efforts of this Government to protect the seal herd, these. two nations, on February 29, 1892, con- cluded a treaty whereby they agreed to submit the questions in dispute to a tribunal of arbitration. 1 his tribunal, which concluded its labors in Paris in 1893, is usually spoken of as the Paris Tribunal of Arbi- tration and its findings and award as the award of the Paris tribunal. Generally speaking, the chief contentions of the United States before this tribunal were: (1) That Bering Sea was a closed sea and (2) that it had a property right in the seal herd which justified it in protecting the seals on the high seas. The treaty also provided that in case the determination of the questions submitted as to the ex- clusive jurisdiction of the United States left the subject in such position that the concurrence of Great Britain was necessary to the establishment of regulations for the proper protection of the fur-seal herd, the arbitrators were to determme what concurrent regulations outside of the jurisdictional limit of the respective Governments were necessary, and over what waters such regulations should extend.* The tribunal found that Bering Sea was not a closed sea, and also decided adversely to the United States on the question of its right to protect the seal herd outside of territorial waters, Accordmgly a set of regulations were adopted, the essential features of which were the establishment of. a closed zone of 60 miles in Bering Sea about the Pribilof Islands and a closed season from May 1 to August 1, within which all sealing was prohibited, Wliile the treaty of 1892 provides that " the high contracting parties engage to consider the result of the proceedings of the tribunal of arbitration as a full, perfect, and final settlement of all the questions referred to the arbitrators" (Article XIV), it is in this connection worthy of note that the regulations, which were part of the award, provide in terms that they ''shall be submitted every five years to a new examination, so as to enable both interested Governments to consider whether, in the light of past experience, there is occasion for any modification thereof." (Article IX.) TTie modus vivendi. — For the purpose of avoiding the irritating differences with a view to promoting the friendly settlement of the questions pending between the two Governments, an agreement was entered into on June 15, 1891, for a modus vivendi in relation to the fur-seal fisheries in Bering Sea. By the terms of the modus vivendi, which remained effective until the award of the Paris tribunal, the killing of all seals, with the exception of a limited number for the sus- tenance of the native inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands, was suspended. ' Article VII. 384 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Existing laws and treaties.^ — The substance of existing laws and treaties is as follows: The laws of the United States prohibit American citizens and subjects from killing any seals at any time in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea or on any land or in any of the waters of Alaska subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Indians dwelling on the coast of the United States may, however, kill seals in the water under certain restrictions, and those persons or cor- porations operating under lease from the Government may kill seals on the Pribilof Islands. These are the only exceptions to an absolute and universal prohibition running against citizens and subjects of the United States. Now, while that feature of these laws which prohibits Americans from killing seals in the open ocean — the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea^s not effective as against the citizens and sub- jects of other nations, those provisions which absolutely prohibit the killing of seals on any land or in any water subject to the jurisdic- tion of the United States in Alaska is effective as against all the world, aliens as well as citizens. It follows, therefore, that with the excep- tion of the Indians and those operating under lease from the Govern- ment no person may lawfully kill seals in Alaska or in Alaskan waters. Citizens and subjects of Great Britain and of the United States, in addition to being bound, in common with other people who come within the jurisdiction of the United States, to yield obedience to its laws, are subject to the award of the Paris tribunal. The articles of this award provide for a closed zone of 60 miles around the Pribilof Islands, within which the citizens of both parties are forbidden to kill seals at any time; provide a closed season from May 1 to August 1 each year, during which the citizens of both nations are prohibited from killing seals in the waters of tlie North Pacific Ocean, including Bering Sea, north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude and east of the one hundred and eightieth meridian of longitude, till it strikes the water boundary between the United States and Russia ; forbid the use of firearms in Bering Sea and include other minor regulations. Subsequent to the award, American citizens were, by the act of December 29, 1897, denied the privilege accorded by the Paris aAvard, and are now, as I have before indicated, absolutely forbidden to kill any seals at any time in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean or Bering Sea north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude. This prohibition does not, however, run against Indians dwelling on the coast of the North Pacific Ocean. So far as I am aware Great Britain is the only nation with which we have any treaty regulating the Idlhng of seals from the Pribilof herd.^ The legal situation may therefore be summarized as follows: American citizens, with the exceptions noted, and all others are prohibited from kilhng seals in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean or on any land or in any of the waters of Alaska subject to the juris- diction of the United States. The subjects of Great Britain are prohibited from kilhng seals at any time within a zone of 60 miles surrounding the Pribilof Islands and during the closed season, from the 1st of May to the 1st of August, in those waters of the North Pacific Ocean above described. 1 See vol. 3, Comp. Stat., p. 3003. » For terms of a modus vivendi with Russia respecting killing on the Asiatic side of the Pacific, sec. 28, Stat., 1208. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 385 Citizens of all other nations may, therefore, kill seals at any time and at any place, excepting the land and water areas of Alaska sub- ject to the jurisdiction of the United States. St. Paul and St. George a Government reservation. — The laws of the United States, for the purpose of protecting the seals on their breed- ing rookeries, declare the islands of St. Paul and St. George to be a special reservation for Government purposes,^ on which no one, not even a citizen of the United States, may land or remain except by the authority of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Any per- son found on either of the islands in violation of these laws is directed to be summarily removed, and it is made the duty of the Secretary of War to carry the direction into effect. For some years after they were made a Government reservation the seal rookeries, which are located at widely separated points on the shores of St. George and St. Paul Islands, were guarded by a detachment of United States sokhers. Since the withdrawal of tliis military guard the rookeries have been guarded by armed natives designated for that duty by the agent in charge. This guard is maintained each year during the period when the seals are present on the rookeries and was being maintained at the time of the raids in July. The laws also prohibit the killing of an}^ seals within the Umits of Alaska or the waters thereof, and make it a sepai'ate offense to kill any seals in the w^aters adjacent to St. Paul or St. George, or on the beach, chffs, or rocks of those islands where they haul up from the sea to remain. Other provisions expressh^ proliibit the killing of female seals and make it an offense to kill any seals at any time by the use of firearms or by other means tending to drive them away from the islands. The penalties for violations of these laws include fines ranging from $200 to 1 1,000 or imprisonment, or both line and imprisonment for each offense. Provision is also made for the for- feiture of vessels whose crews are found violating the laws. Supervision and control of the fur-seal fisheries.— The law vests the supervision and control of the fur-seal fisheries in the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and authorizes liim to make all needful regu- lations to carry into full e "ect all of its provisions. The management and supervision of the seal fisheries on the islands are exercised through agents which he is authorized to appoint, and who are charged with the performance of such duties as may be assigned to them by him. Existing regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor advise the agents that the only persons entitled to land on the islands are Government ofhcers, representatives and employees of the North American Commercial Co., and duly accredited repre- sentatives of the Russian Church, and authorize them to remove persons who endanger the peace and good government of the inhabi- tants of the islands. The regulations also authorize the employment of tlie natives in guarding the rookeries, and instruct the agents to take such action as sound judgment directs in case of emergency. At the time of the raids on St. Paul during the past summer the a:fairs of the island were in charge of Mr. W. I. Lembkey, cliief agent, and Mr. James Judge, assistant agent. »R. S., 1959; also see. 176, act of Mar. 3, 1899, 30 Stat., 1280. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 25 386 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. OPERATIONS OF THE JAPANESE FLEET. Seals Mlled dose to the Pribilqf Islands. — The Japanese pelagic sealing fleet wiiicli operated in Bering Sea during the summer con- sisted of at least 13 vessels, each of which carried a crew of about 30 men and from 5 to 7 small boats for sealing. It is evident from the number of vessels sighted from the islands that the entire fleet operated exclusively in the waters surrounding the islands and on many occasions Idlled seals within the 3-mile limit. The seals which breed on these islands have been undisturbed in the waters surroimding them for many years, and they undoubtedly fell an easy prey to this unexpected onslaught. In view of this fact, and in view of the further fact that large numbers of breeding females are continually passing from the islands to the feeding grounds about 150 miles southwest and from there back to the islands, the seal herd has without doubt su-Tered a heavier blow as the result of the operations of this fleet during the past season than has been administered to it for many j^ears past. Wholly aside from the fact that this fleet of vessels engaged in pelagic sealing at the/ very doors of a reserA^ation wliich has been set aside by this Government for breeding purposes, the crews of some of the vessels engaged in a series of high-handed and outrageous depredations withm the land and water territory of the United States, which included repeated violations of express provisions of its laws. They used shotguns to Idll the seals in the water, and used cannon, probably for signaling. The reports of shotgun firing and the boom of cannon, which were continually heard on the shore nearly all of two days, were so close as to disturb injuriously the rookeries. They Idlled seals in the w^ater close to the shore, easil}^ within the 3-mile limit, and landed on St. Paul Island. They killed seals on land, 95 per cent of which were females. At the time of these depredations the entire armament of the 38 men over 21 years of age on St. Paul tsland consisted of 12 rifles. On the other hand, each schooner probably carried a crew of more than 30 men. If the four schooners wliich were seen hovering around the islands on these days, and wliich were undoubtedly acting in concert, had united their crews in a raid, they could have mustered a force of upward of 120 men. Agents 'powerless until poachers landed. — Without water craft the Government agents were unable to do anything to stop the |)oachers from killing seals in the water, using firearms, and engaging in other unlawful operations within the 3-mile limit. It was only when the crews of the schooners landed, or attempted to land, on the islands that they were able to make arrests, and those of the Japanese vvlio were killed belong to parties which were caught red-handed and were attempting to escape arrest. I have made the foregoing general statements at this point in order that you may appreciate the excitement and apprehension under which the residents of the island were laboring, and the courage they displayed when the crew^s of the schooners actually landed and attempted to transfer the scene of their depredations from the waters surrounding the island to the island itself. A more detailed account of the raids on the rookeries on St. Paul Island, July 16 and 17, is as follows: SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 387 Landing of Japanese poachers on St. Paul Island July 16. — About 9 o'clock on the morning of July 16 the native watchmen at North- east Point, St. Paul Island, reported a schooner, about 2 miles out, sailing toward the shore. Upon the receipt of this information Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey and Assistant Agent James Judge, each accom- panied by three or four natives, proceeded to a point on the shore from which the schooner could be seen. These agents and their parties then separated and concealed themselves at points where landings were feasible, close to two of the principal breeding areas, and about half a mile from each other. The schooner, which was easily seen by these parties, continued to cruise parallel with the shore at a distance of about 2 miles out until 10.30, when a small boat put off and approached within a half mile of the shore. This movement was evidently for the purpose of locating the seal rookery, for upon discovering that there were no seals at that particular place, the boat returned to the schooner and was taken about a mile farther on to a point opposite the breeding areas under Hutchinson Hill, where it again put olf from the schooner and headed for the shore. The boat shortly afterwards made a landing about 200 yards east of the largest breeding area on the island — that located under Hutchinson Hill — and a crew of six Japanese disembarked, pulled up the boat, and pro- ceeded to cross the beach to the grassy plateau beyond. A few yards from the water's edge they were surprised by Chief Agent Lembkey and the native guard under his command, and in compliance with his order threw up their hands without resistance. In reply to an inquiry, one of the landing party who spoke some English stated to Mr. Lembkey that they had come ashore for water. It was obvious, however, after investigating the contents of the boat that this statement was untrue. The only receptacle capable of con- taining water carried by the boat was a 5-gallon cask, which was full of fresh water. On the other hand, it was manifest from the presence of sealing clubs, skinning knives, and other paraphernalia for taking seals on land that the purpose of their visit was to raid the rookery. The men were accordingly placed in charge of a native guard and later in the day were taken to the village 12 miles distant on the other end of the island. The party elFecting this capture consisted of Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey and three or four natives. The only arms of the Government agent's force were two rifles carried by the natives. The boat in which the raiders landed was taken charge of by the Government agents, and is now in their keeping. It is of the Otter boat type, about 18 feet long, and in addition to carrying 6 oars, was equipped with a mainsail and jib. The boat and its equipment is typical of the small boats usually carried by the schooners engaged in pelagic sealing. The oars were muffled and the rowlocks wound witli rope, which was greased with tallow, so that the boat might be propelled through the water without noise. The oars were fastened to the boat, so that when suddenly dropped they would not float away, and in front of each seat on both sides of the boat, and within easy reach of the oarsmen, was a canvas knife shield. The boat was also provided with a gun rack. When captured it contained six sealing clubs, two skinning knives, a compass, a cask full of fresh water, some ship's biscuits, a short sealing club for killing seals in the water, and bamboo poles, with iron hooks, for hauling them aboard. 388 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The seal rookeries at Northeast Point, where the raid was attempted, are the largest and most extensive on the island. A conservative estimate, based upon an actual count of seals on certain portions, places the total number of seals on these particular rookeries at the time of the attempted raid at 30,000. Of these, 15,000 were females. During the remainder of the day the schooner from which the boat put off continued to cruise around Northeast Point, sometimes close in shore and at other times farther out, but easily within the 3-mile limit many times. Upon my arrival at St. Paid Island, July 20, I examined, through an interpreter, the men captured, as above described. They at that time stated that the name of the schooner from which they came was the Dai Ni Toyai Maru — i. e., Toyai Maru No. 2 — that she carried a crew of 32 men and had sailed from Hako- date, Japan, May 20, 1906. They stated that she was not a pelagic sealer, and denied that she was one of a regular Japanese sealing fleet, but admitted that since entering Bering Sea she had spoken two or three other Japanese schooners, among which they named the Boso Maru. Other schooners sighted July 16. — At about the same time the Toyai Maru No. 2 was discovered olF Northeast Point on the morning of July 16 another schooner was sighted at the south end of the island. She cruised off the southwest part of the island within the territorial waters of the United States for about two hours. Reef rookery, the second largest breeding rookery on the island, is located at this point. No attempt was made to land, however, and the vessel finally dis- appeared in a fog to the southward. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day still another schooner was sighted cruising oil' Halfway Point, which is on the south side of the island, and about midway between the points where the other schooners were seen. A native guard was placed at this point for the night, but the vessel, which was about 1 mile from shore, was soon obscured by the fog. Lukanin and Polovina rookeries are situated a short distance from where the schooner was seen. The reports of small arms and the boom of cannon, hred a short distance from shore, were heard on different parts of the island during the day. Ja/panese 'poachers Mlled hy native guard July 17. — About 8 o'clock on the morning of July 17 the native guard at Northeast Point heard the report of shotguns, which were evidently being fired at seals in the water a short distance from shore. Ihe guards could not see more than a few yards owing to a dense fog, and at that time were unable to make out any boats. One of the guards went inland to report to Agent Lembkey at the watch house, and the two remaining, Michael Kozlofr and John Fratis, proceeded to a point on the shore opposite the firing, and concealing themselves awaited developments. About half an hour later, during which time the shotgun firing on the water continued at irregular intervals, the guards discovered three boats a short distance out headed for thel shore. The one closest in contained three Japanese, one of whom occupied a position in the bow with a shotgun in his hands. After the occupants of the foremost boat had lowered the sails, and just as they were about to land on the beach, the two watchmen, who had remained concealed, appeared on the scene and shouted ''Hands up." The men in the boat instead of complying with tliis command hur- I I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 389 rieclly turned about and commenced to row the boat awa}^ from the shore. Guard Kozlo.T, who was in charge, motioned with his hands and called to them to come ashore, and when the boat continued on her way three rifle shots were fired in the water close to her. She did not stop, however, and the guards a few seconds later fired six shots in rapid succession directly at the boat. Following this shoot- ing the men ceased to row and dropped into the bottom of the boat, and the boat slowly drifted in toward shore. The two other boats had in the meantime disappeared in the fog. Chief Agent Lembkey, who arrived on the scene shortly after the shooting, recovered the boat and it was hauled up on the beach. Two of its occupants were dead and the other was suiTering from a wound in the shoulder. The boat was of the same type and equipment as the one captured the day before. Among other things it contained a quantity of food, fresh water, two loaded shotguns, and 146 loaded and 9 empty shells. Most of the loaded shells were charged with buckshot, although on subsequent examination some were found to contain a heavy lead slug like a rifle bullet. The shotguns showed evidence of having been recently fired. The boat also contained a seal which apparently had been killed with a charge of buckshot a short time before. I learned from the woimded prisoner, whom I interviewed upon my arrival at the island, that the boat was not from the schooner whose boat had been captured the day previous, but was from another schooner, the Mei Maru. The prisoner further stated that the schooner carried a crew of 30 men and had sailed from Hakodate, Japan, May 23, 1906. At the time the Japanese attempted to land and when ithe shooting occurred, as above described, the entire force on guard at that point consisted of 2 natives, each armed with a rifle. Poachers off' Zapadni roolcery fiird on. — -At Zapadni rooker}^ which is about 12 mOes from Northeast Point, where the events just de- scribed took place, shotgun firing close inshore was heard at frequent intervals during the day and undoubtedly a large number of seals were Idlled in the water. These operations were carried on under the protection of a dense fog, and it was not until 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when it lifted, that tlie native guard discovered three boats a short distance from shore. The boats contained about 18 men and were headed for land. The guards, two in number, who were evidently excited over the shooting which had been going on around them and who believed that the force, whicli greatly out- numbered them, was about to land and raid the rookery, opened fire without del a}'. The boats immediately pulled out of sight and it is not known v.diether any of the marauders were injured. Poachers land and h'dl seals. —Notwithstanding the capture of the boat on the morning of Tuesda3^ July 17. the re])orts of shotguns evi- dently fired at seals in the water were heard oft' different parts of Northeast Point almost incessantly during the day. The boom of cannon, probably used for the purpose of signahng in the fog, was also heard at frequent intervals. The widely separated points at which these shots were heard indicates that several boats were thus engaged. A dense fog which hung over the island partiafly lifted about 8 o'clock p. m. and disclosed a schooner riding at anchor less than 300 yards from the breeding rookery on the west side of Northeast Point. Although the watchmen failed to discover it, owing to the fog, 18 or 390 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 20 men had landed and were at that time killing seals on the rookery- close to the water at a point where their operations could not be seen farther inland. The presence of the schooner was immediately reported to the watch house and Chief Agent Lembkey and Assistant Agent Judge, at the head of a force of about 15 natives, hurried to the scene. In the meantime the raiders, who had evidently been warned of the approach of the native guard by an outpost, hurriedly collected the sealskins already taken and embarked in their boats, and when the guard arrived at the shore they were already a few yards off and rowing for the schooner. Upon their refusing to come ashore in compliance with an order given by the Government agents, the native guard was directed to fire. This fire was returned from the deck of the schooner, but no one of the island guard was injured. The boats soon came to a stop and the order was given to cease firing. The raiding force consisted of a flotilla of five small boats contain- ing about 20 men. It appears that two of the boats were being used to carry away skins. The force under the Government agents consisted of 15 natives, only 6 of whom were armed. As the boats drew inshore and it became apparent that the raiders outnumbered the native force. Agent Judge concluded that it would be dangerous to attempt to capture the entire party with a force armed with only six rifles. In consequence of this the crew of only one of the small boats was allowed to land, and the remaining boats were motioned off and returned to the schooner, which still remained at anchor a short distance from shore. Had the devastation which the raiders had wrought on the rookery been known at this time, none of the boats would have been permitted to return to the schooner. The boat which was compelled to return to shore contained six men, one of whom was dead and one wounded. The body of one man who had evidently fallen overboard when he was shot floated ofl' and was not picked up by the boats. It is believed that the body of a third was thrown overboard when the boats reached the schooner. The boats of the raiding flotilla were of the same general character as those previousl}' captured and which I have heretofore described in detail. Methods of raiders outrageous and cruel. — Upon making an exam- ination of the rookeries at the point where the small boats were first seen, the Government agents discovered that the raiders had prac- tically wiped out of existence one section of a breeding rookery. More than 183 seals had been killed. Of this number 120 had been skinned and the skins loaded into the boats, which had unwittingly been permitted to return to the schooner. It was apparent that the raiders had been frightened away in the midst of their raid, because 63 dead and wounded seals, some partially skinned and others untouched, were found. That part of the rookery which was raided was what is known as a breeding rookery and was occupied by several hundred female seals, new born seal pups, and a few breeding bulls. Bachelor or young male seals do not frequent these breeding grounds. All of the seals killed, with the exception of two, were females. When it is remembered that the killing of female seals is universally condemned, was prohibited by the Russians as early as 1835, and has never been permitted by this Government, the fact that over 95 per cent of the seals killed on the island by the marauders were females stands out as especially malevolent. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 391 The raid was not only in violation of law, but the method of killing proceeded along the most cruel and inhuman lines. At this season of the year female seals have a nursing pup and are also preg- nant. Thus the killing of a female results in the loss oi three lives to the herd. While an actual count had not been made before I left the island, it is estimated that at least 180 pups died of starvation as a result of the raid. Some of the seals were only stunned and not killed before being sldnned. Upon their arrival at the scene shortly after the raid, the Government agents found that some of the 63 seals which had been clubbed by the raiders, and which had been partially skinned, were not yet dead. It also appears that the raiders had been unable to drive away or kill with their clubs some of the large breeding bulls, which stood their ground in an effort to protect the rookery, and in order to render them harmless the raiders had pounded out their eyes with sealing clubs. When the Government agents and natives reached the scene these sightless old fellows still maintained their guard of the rookery. These, as well as the other seals which had been maimed beyond hope of recovery, were soon put out of misery by the natives. About 20 sealing clubs and 4 sealing knives were found on the rookery after the raid. Results of the two days' raids. — It appears, therefore, that so far as is definitely known on the islands, the occurrences above described resulted in the death of 5 of the raiders, the wounding of 2, and the capture of a total of 12 prisoners, including those wounded. The prisoners, in compliance mth an order of the Government agent, buried their dead on Hutchinson Hill on the afternoon of July 18. The wounded were early given medical attention by Dr. F. B. Smith, the physician on the island. On the evening of July 18 a schooner was sighted off Northeast Point, but the Japanese prisoners, who were given an opportunity to examine her through the glasses, seemed to be unable to identify her. Disposition of the captured raiders. — I arrived at St. Paul Island in company with Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, on the afternoon of July 20, 1906, on the Revenue Cutter McCuUoch, Capt. J. C. Cantwell, commanding. The Government agents and the natives were very anxious to get rid of the prisoners, and they were at once turned over to the McCulloch, which proceeded to Unalaska. At that place the 10 uninjured men were turned over to the deputy United States marshal, and the wounded men, who had been placed under the care of Dr. T. B. McClintic, were retained on the cutter. The prisoners were again taken on board the cutter on July 31 and carried from Unalaska to Kodiak, where a prehminarv hearing was had before United States Commissioner Fred D. Kelsey. As a result of this hetiring they were held to the grand jury and were turned over to the custody of United States Marshal L. L. Bowers, at Kodiak, for delivery at Valdez. Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey and the native mtnesses then proceeded to Valdez. Raiders sentenced to imprisonment. — I have since been advised that all of the prisoners were indicted by the grand jury at Valdez, and as a result of subsequent proceedings each of them was sentenced to imprisonment for three months in the Valdez jail. While the pun- ishment meted out to the raiders is hardly commensurate with the 392 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. outrageous character of their acts, still it must not be forgotten that they were merely seamen who, according to their own statements, went ashore in compliance with the orders of their superior oflicers. Many schooners sighted near St. Paul Island.— During the week I spent on St. Paul Island schooners were frequently seen. On July 23 one was sighted cruising about 5 miles to the southeast; on July 24 at 2 p. m. one was seen about the same point, and at 7 o'clock in the evening another was sighted sailing less than 2 miles from shore off the salt liouse at Northeast Point, which at that time contained 3,700 skins. She was standing in toward shore when sighted, and the reg- ular guard of four natives was doubled. On this day a guard of armed natives was also placed at Zapadni rookery. On July 26 a schooner was seen off Zapadni Point m the morning and another off Northeast Point in the evening. As the McCulloch was leaving the island on the morning of July 27 the fog lifted and disclosed a schooner laying to, about 2 miles from Walrus Island. The cutter at once gave chase, but the schooner put on all sail and headed for a fog bank, in which she was soon lost to sight and escaped. On the afternoon of the same day the cutter over- hauled another schooner, the ToMowa Maru. She was outside the 3-mile limit, however, and as there was nothing to indicate that she had jjarticipated in the recent raids she was not even spoken by the cutter. Since my return I have been advised that schooners were frequently seen in the vicinity of the islands during August, and that on the 8th of August a watchman on St. Paul Island saw a schooner make a landing on Otter Island. At the time I visited Otter Island, in the latter part of July, there were only a few seals there. I am informed, however, that later in the season the number of seals on this island increases and that more than 1,000 seals liave been found there on occasions. Raids evidently planned in advance. — It is evident that the four schooners seen around St. Paul Island on the days of the raids were acting in concert in pursuance of plans carefully laid previous to their departure from a Japanese port. At least three of these schooners sailed from the same port in Japan about the same time. They spoke each other after arri^^dng in Bering Sea, and appeared off widely sepa- rated points of the island about the same time. It is improbable that these coincidents were accidental. Government agents entitled, to credit. — ^Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey and Assistant Agent James Judge are entitled to great credit for the intelligent and courageous way they liandled what in my judg- ment was a dangerous and difficult situation. The native guards also demonstrated that they could be relied on in case of emergency, and are entitled to credit for the splendid support they gave the Government agents. The Russian as well as the Amierican islands have always been looked upon with envious eyes by the pelagic sealers. The Govern- ment agents knew that tlie jetxr pre^^ous the crews of schooners, acting in concert, had effected a landing on the Russian seal islands and had Jield off the armed guard at least two weeks, during wliich time both sides suffered many casLialties and many seals were IdUed. At the time of the raids the entire male population of St. Paul Island, including the two Government agents, the company's repre- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 393 sentatives, ami all the natives over 21 years of age, was 38. The combined crews of the schooners which appeared off the island greatly outnumbered this force, and had they once gainetl a foothold there was nothing to prevent their killing an unhmited number of seals, robbing the salt houses, committing other depredations, and saihng away. Knowledge of these facts, coupled with an appreciation of their helplessness and inability to stop the unlawful killing of seals in the water a short distance from shore, undoubtedly prompted the Govern- ment agents to take summary action when the marauders landed and attempted to transfer the^r operations from the water to the land. Manifestly the situation was one which called for such action. While neither tlie law nor the regulations in terms direct the agents to use force in protecting the rookeries, their duty and authority so to do is beyond question. They are sent to the islands for the purpose, among other things, of enforcing the laws; are supplied with arms and ammunition, and are authorized to employ the natives in guarding the rookeries. They were familiar "with the fact that poaching vessels had been seized by the agents and revenue cutters on previous occasions, and that on at least one occasion the native guard had fired on tlie crew of a vessel wliich attempted to raid the rookeries. Lack of cooiyeration on imrt of reveivue-cutter 'patrol. — The unlawful kilhng of seals within the territorial waters surrounding the islands, the landing on St. Paul, and the commission of other depredations, such as those of the past summer, can undoubtedly be prevented by the establishment of an active and ellicient revenue-cutter patrol. It is imperative, however, if the seals are to be protected on their rookeries that a closer and more continuous surveillance of the waters surrounding the islands be maintained permanently in the future. I believe that the ineihciency of the existing patrol is m a large measure due to the fact that the officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service have failed to cooperate with tlie Government agents on the islands. As typical of this lack of cooperation, I refer to the follo\\ing facts: The records of St. Paul Island show that a number of times in the last few years the cutters which appeared off the island, instead of attempting to land or communicate with the Government agents as to the situation, have signaled "Send your letters," "Send a boat," "Make haste," "Can you send boat"; that at times the cutters have sailed away without any further attempt to communicate, and that one cutter left after the agent had signaled a reply "Will send a boat if possible," and while he was engaged in laun(diing it. The people on the island are not in tlie business of navigation. Their business is the protection of the seals. They have no boats to speak of and are not skilled in their navigation, and even if they were, it has not infrequently occurred that all of those able to work were engaged in a seal drive 14 miles distant on the other end of the island when some cutter appeared and raised a signal "Send out a boat" and then sailed away because it was not sent. On other occasions when the Government agents have been able to man a boat and go out to a cutter, they have been informed that the supplies or mail, as the case might be, would be passed down to them, and that thev could not come aboard because she was in a hurry. 394 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. On still another occasion a cutter proceedino; from Unalaska to the islands absolutely refused to carry one of the Government agents who was marooned at that place, notwithstanding the Government agent informed the captain that he was acting under instructions to proceed to the islands as expeditiously as possible. As a result of the refusal of the cutter to carry the agent, he was compelled to waste three weeks at Unalaska during the height of the sealing season wliile waiting for the company's steamer. Should take advantage of the island watch service. — The effectiveness of the revenue-cutter patrol would also be greatly increased if the officers of the cutters availed themselves of such information as the agents possess with reference to the presence of poaching schooners in those waters. The agents maintain a well-organized watch service while the seals are on the islands. Under their direction armed na- tives stand a continuous day and night watch on the high points of land in the vicinity of the principal rookeries and j^romptly report all vessels sighted. It is obvious that this information would be of great assistance to the oflicers of vessels desirous of maintaining an effective patrol. A large part of the year the islands are covered by a dense fog and it often happens that a vessel may be within a few rods of the shore without being able to determine its exact location. No signals have ever been agreed upon and, whiie the Government agents promptly reply, by means of a small cannon, to a vessel's whistle, they have no means of knowing, in the absence of prearranged signals, whether or not their reply has been heard on the vessel. A code of signals, which it seems to me could easily be arranged if taken in hand by the officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service,would obviate this difficulty and facili- tate landings in foggy weather. The necessity for cooperation and the isolated character of the islands can readily be appreciated when it is understood that the only vessels that touch at the islands are the company's steamer, which comes twice a year, and the revenue cutters, which call at irregular intervals. During the period of eight months preceding the arrival of the McCulloch on July 20, 1906, but two vessels had called at the island — the company's steamer, on June 9, and the revenue cutter Perry, for about three hours, on July 14. The Government agents appreciate the desirability of preserving friendly relations with the officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service and, so far as I was able to ascertain, have at all times stood ready and willing to cooperate with them. I presume it is for that reason that the occurrences above referred to were never reported to the depart- ment by them. I have referred to them here, however, because I believe that the situation is one that requires attention. The officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service seem to feel and act as though the seal patrol which they are required to maintain is some- thing outside of their regular line of duties, and that its maintenance by them is in the nature of a favor to the officers charged with the supervision and management of the seal fisheries. A patrol main- tained under these circumstances can not be effective. If the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service can not properly be called upon to render this service, the sooner that point is settled and arrangements made to secure other vessels the better it will be for the seal fisheries. SEAL. ISLANDS Oh' ALASKA. 395 Recommendations as to revenue- cutter patrol. — The patrol maintained by the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service has for a number of years past consisted largely of cruisers around the 60-mile zone in Bering Sea. The vessel detailed on this duty does not, under ordi- nary circumstances, reach the sea until about the 1st of August, that being the time vessels of the Canadian fleet are permitted, by the terms of the award of the Paris tribunal, to enter these waters The nominal purpose of the patrol is to prevent the vessels of the Canadian fleet from sealing inside the 60-mile zone. I recommend that this patrol be reorganized along the following lines: One of the important provisions of the award is that which forbids the citizens and subjects of Great Britain and the United States to kill, capture, or pursue in any manner whatever, during the season extending each year from the 1st of May to the 31st of July, both inclusive, fur seals on the high seas in the North Pacific Ocean or Bering Sea.^ At that time the females are heavy with young and the herd is proceeding northward along the Pacific coast and through the Aleutian Passes to Bering Sea and the Pribilof Islands. It is a most humane provision and should be strictly enforced. I am convinced, however, from the reports I received while in Alaska that at least five or six Canadian schooners failed to bring their operations to a close on the 1st of May last. In view of these facts I recommend that a revenue cutter be required to cruise along the coast of Alaska from the 1st of May until the middle or latter part of June, along the ro te known to be taken by the seal herd. It is possible to ascertain with a icasonable degree of certainty the general location of the herd at that time of the year, Ihe pelagic sealers know where to find the seals and how to follow them up. The cutter detailed on this patrol should also secure that information and pursue the same course as that pursued by the pelagic sealers; that is, in a general way, to follow up the herd. It also developed during the course of my investigation that it is the practice of the vessels of the Canadian fleet to cruise in the waters of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea before the closed season comes to an end, in order that they may be on the ground at the time it opens. It has been persistently reported that some of these vessels do not wait until the season opens before commencing operations. I therefore recommend that the vessel which has been engaged in fol- lowing the herd northward along the coast from the 1st of May cruise around the Aleutian Islands, both outside and inside of Bering Sea, during the month of July. This vessel should then be required to maintain the usual patrol around the confines of the 60-mile zone from the 1st of August until such a time as the vessels of the Canadian fleet cease their operations and leave the sea. From my knowledge of the situation I believe it to be entirely pos- sible for one vessel to maintain the patrol as above outlined. An additional jjatrol should he established.- — In addition to the fore- going, I recommend that a vessel of the Revenue-Cutter Service^ be directed to patrol the waters of Bering Sea in the vicinity of the Pribi- lof Islands continually from the 1st of June as late into October as 1 3 Comp. Slat., p. 3005, art. 3. 396 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the weatJier permits or as the pelagic sealing ileet of any nation,' other than that of Great Britain, is in those waters. This vesse should cruise close to the islands and should be rec{uircd to call at eacii island not less than once every two weeks for the purpose of securing from tlie agent in charge information as to the number and character of vessels sighted from the islands during the time it has been cruising elsewhere. The vessels engaged on the patrol should be required not only to cooperate with the chief agent of the seal fisheries, but to transport him to points in Alaska, to the various islands of the Pribilof group, and to comply with such other requests as he may fmd it necessary to make in connection with the discharge of his duties. Officers should tnake detailed reports. — The olHcers of these vessels should also make a detailed annual report to the Secretary of v.'om- merce and Labor. This report should contain information as to the date the patrol is commenced ; the course or route of the vessel ; the number of days, exclusive of those spent in port, that the vessel was on the patrol; the number of times it called at the seal islands; and the time the patrol came to a close. In view of the fact that one or more vessels of the Revenue-'Giatter Service have for years been engaged on the seal patrol, the carrying out of the foregoing recommendations will not entail any considerable additional expense on the Government. Recommendations as to streiigthening the laws. — The laws for the pro- tection of the seal fisheries are in a very unsatisfactory condition and, in my judgment, are insuflicient to meet existing conditions. As they now stand, they consist of disconnected and wholly unrelated provi- sions, which have been enacted at diiTerent times to meet emergencies, and as some of the later provisions modify or constructively repeal some of the earlier provisions, there is considerable room for confusion and doubt. It is highly desirable that all of the laws with reference to the seal fisheries be embodied in one comprehensive act and that existing ^pro visions be strengthened and supplemented in the follow- ing important particulars: The law should expressly set aside all of tlie islands of the Pribilof group as a special reservation for Government purposes. As it now stands, it in terms includes only the islands of St. Paul and St. George, in consequence of which there is grave doubt as to the status of Otter Island, Walrus Island, and Sea Lion Rock. Thousands of seals fre- quent Sea Lion Rock, and some seasons a considerable number resort to Otter Island. The islands referred to are only a few miles from the island of St. Paul, the largest of the Pribilof group, and it is essential that tliey be included in all laws enacted for the protection and pres- ervation of the seal herd. It should in terms be declared unlawful for aliens, as well as citi- zens, either to enter the Territorial waters surrounding the islands or to land on the islands themselves without a permit so to do from the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, except in cases of stress of weather or for water. Vessels entering the waters for these excepted pur- poses should, however, be required to approach the islands at the villages and not attempt to land at isolated portions of St. Paid or St. George Islands, wjiere are located the principal breeding rooker- ies. Landings on the uninhabited islands of the group should also be prohibited. J SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 397 Those provisions which make it unlawful for any person to kill seals in the water or kill seals by the use of firearms, or by any means tending to drive the seals away from the islands, or to kill female seals should be strengthened and continued in force. No person, of course, should be permitted to kdl seals on land except those oper- ating under lease from the Government. Authority of Government agents should he extended. — The Govern- ment agents on the islands sliould, under the direction of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, be charged with the enforcement of the law and expressly authorized to use force in carrying its provisions into effect and in protecting the rookeries, including the right to make arrests. They should also be expressly authorized to designate, arm, and maintain a native guard to assist them in preserving order, enforcing the law, and in making arrests. The chief agent on the island should be empowered to take action in case of violations of the seal laws similar to that taken by United States commissioners in case of violations of laws of the United States; that is to say, he should be authorized to conduct hearings and bind over to the grand jury, or commit, pending investigation, persons arrested for the violation of those laws. Owing to the isolated situation of the islands, it is highly desirable that some person have authority to conduct an official investigation on the ground, where wdtnesses are available, in cases of arrest sim- ilar to those which were made during the past summer. The act should also contain a provision making it an offense to attempt to do any of the things declared to be unlawful. The pen- alties for violations of the laws should be more severe, and it should be made the duty of the officers of vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service and of the Navy to search any vessel found within the Terri- torial waters surrounding the islands. Authority should also be given to seize and forfeit any vessel found within these waters with seals or sealskins and the parapher- nalia for taldng or ca])turing tlie same. Lack of proper arins and ammunition. — I also recommend that the department give early consideration to the matter of placing at the disposal of the agents on the islands a proper supply of arms and ammunition. Aside from a small brass cannon used for signahng and a few rifles owned by the natives, the entire equipment available for use in protecting the seal rookeries, and the vdlages and salt houses on the islands, consists at the present time of 12 rifles on St. Paul and 6 on St. George. It is obvious that under existing circumstances it would be entirely possible for the combined crews of four or five schooners, such as cruised around the islands during the past summer, or for a crew of pirates, such as that on the Carmencita, which liovered around the islands last year, to land and not only raid the rookeries, but plunder the village and salt houses, where are stored valuable sldns. The handful of people on these islands can not reasonably be expected to successful^ guard seal rookeries worth milhons of dollars, and which the lawless crews of a score of poaching schooners are ever ready to raid, unless they are furnished with tlie proj)er arms. All the world knows that the "United States owns the Prdjilof Islands, and that in the exercise of its sovereign power and for the purpose of pre- serving the seal herd which frequents those islands it has enacted 398 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. laws making it unlawful for any person to land or remain thereon, and all the world should be given to understand in no unmistakable terms that vessels which approach within the 3-niile limit do so at their peril. Recommendations as to arms and other equipment. — In view of the foregoing, I urgently recommend that the islands of St. Paul and St. George be equipped with a sufficient number of small cannon to permit of the placing of one or more at the various points of land and in the vicinity of the principal seal rookeries. To avoid all danger of inter- national compHcations, the cannon suppHed may very properly be limited to guns firing a solid shot and having a maximum range of 3 miles or less. Each island should also be equipped with one or more rapid-fire guns for use in case of an attempt by a landing party to plunder the salt houses or the villages. The supply of rifles and ammunition should also be increased. I found on investigation that those interested in pelagic sealing keep themselves well posted on the measures taken by this Govern- ment to enforce its laws and regulations and the provisions of treaties with other nations. They are, for instance, not slow, as has been demonstrated by the events of the past summer, to take advantage of the unprotected condition of the seal islands or the laxity of the revenue-cutter patrol. In view of this fact, I believe that if it became known that vessels coming within 3 miles of the Pribilof Islands were liable to be fired upon, pelagic sealers would on all occasions give those islands a wide berth. Further than this, it must be remembered that the vessels which frequent these waters are engaged at our very doors in a practice forbidden to our own citizens and frowned upon by our laws — that of pelagic sealing. I can see no reason why any special consideration should be shown them. Vessels engaged in legitimate business do not frequent these waters. No one goes there for pleasure, and as the islands are more than 50 miles out of their course, commercial steamers never call. It is also highly desirable that the Government agent in charge be furnished with a gasoline launch of sufficient size to permit of the mounting of a light gun. A vessel of this kind would be of material assistance in preventing the crews of poaching schooners from using firearms and killing seals in the water within tlie 3-mile limit. The agents on St. Paul Island should also be supplied with a team of horses and a light wagon, and the necessary equipment for main- taining the same. The native village is located on the southern extremity of the island at distances ranging from 3 to 14 miles from the various rookeries. Without means for rapidh^ transporting the agents and native guard from the village to these distant rookeries, it is entirely possible for a boat's crew to land and raid a rookery before the Government agents can reach the spot and stop their operations. Military guard not necessary. — I do not believe it is either neces- sary or desirable to station a marine or military guard on the islands. If the Government agents and native guards are supplied with the necessary arms and ammunition, they will without doubt be able to meet any emergency which may arise. Tliis was conclusively demonstrated by the events of the past summer. Duties of chief agent should he extended. — I also recommend that the chief agent, at least once each season, visit all of the seal islands, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 399 examine into the conditions, and make full report thereof in person to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor at the close of the season. He should also annually investigate and report on the catch of seals by the coast Indians of Alaska. Under existing conditions it is impossible for the chief agent to do any of these things, and in the regular course of events he comes to Washington only every other winter. Tliis is due to the fact that the present force consists of but one chief agent and three assistant agents. At least one assistant agent should be added to the force. The nature of the duties of these agents is such that at least two agents should be present on each island during the summer and at least one agent duruig the remainder of the time. It is imperative that at least one agent be present continually on St. Paul and one on St. George. Under these circum- stances the cliief agent, in addition to supervising and managing the fisheries, must discharge the duties of one of the assistant agents. It is therefore impossible for him to properly supervise the work on any island other than the one on which he is located. It is also impossible for liim to report to and confer with the department at Washington each year, wliich in my judgment is essential. I recom- mend, therefore, that an additional assistant agent be appointed, and that the duties of the chief agent be enlarged as above indicated. Killing of seals by coast Indians should he regulated. — Notwithstand- ing the fact that a large number of seals are killed annually by the coast Indians of Alaska, that branch of the sealing industry has received little attention at the hands of the Government. I recommend that it be investigated, with a view to its regulation and supervision. The department should be advised of the methods of killing and the dis- position of the skins. In this connection I also suggest that the col- lectors and deputy collectors of customs in Alaska be directed to report annually in the fall to the department such information with reference to the taking of seals as may come into their possession during the year. They should also furnish detailed information- as to all shipments of skins. Importance of previous recommendations as to pelagic sealing. — In your last annual report you made the following statement and recom- mendation: "The decrease in seal life on the Pribilof Islands is directly attributable to pelagic sealing, and a strong elfort should be made to secure international regulations which will stop it." The existing condition of the seal herd conclusively demonstrates the correctness of your statement and the wisdom of your recommendation. I am convinced, as a result of the study I have given the subject and the investigation made during the past summer, that the total cessation of pelagic sealing is imperative in order to preserve the herd. Decrease in seal life due solely to pelagic sealing. — That the decrease in seal life, on the Pribilof Islands is due solely to pelagic sealing can not seriously be questioned. "Owing to the polygamous habit of fur seals," states the report of the Jordan commission, "the greater part of the male life born is superfluous for breeding purposes. For the 130,000 breeding cows found on the rookeries of St. Paul and St. George Islands in the season of 1897, 4,418 bulls were adequate, or at least out of fully 10,000 bulls ready and willing to serve harems, only this number were able to obtain them. Therefore, only 1 bull in 30 is absolutely necessary under present conditions. That this limit could be materially lowered without positive danger to the herd is 400 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. conclusively shown by the history of the Russian herd on Bering Island, where the observations of the past three years, as detailed by Dr. Stejnegar, show that a male fur seal is capable of attending to the wants of between 100 and 200 cows." ^ There never has been a time since this Government came into con- trol of the herd when there were no idle bulls on the islands. It is manifest, therefore, that the decrease in the herd is due to the killing of females, which are taken only by pelagic sealers. The number of idle bulls present on the island is a matter which has always been care- fully watched. Three years ago, when it became apparent that there was a decrease in idle bulls, the department established regulations whereby 2,000 choice 2 and 3 year old males were selected, branded, and dismissed from the herd for breeding purposes before the company commenced taldng its quota for commercial purposes. This action was not due to an entire absence of idle bulls, but was taken solely because they were decreasing in numbers. Furthermore, the result of the regulation is already apparent, and as soon as the seals thus reserved reach the breeding age, the number of idle bulls on the island will have again reached a safe margin. Unnecessary and inexpedient to stop land hilling. — Regardless of whether the Government concludes to again lease the sealing privilege or to itself conduct the sealing industry, it is manifest that the land killing of seals should not be stopped. It is neither necesssary nor expedient. It is unnecessary for the reason that there is no abnormal shortage in male seals which are killed on land ; and it is not expedient for the reason that if no sealskins were used, it would result in the substitution of something else for Alaskan fur-seal skins. The two companies which have operated on the islands under lease from the Government have spent thousands of dollars in building up the seal fur trade. The first company which secured this right was for some years unable to profitably dispose of its annual catch because there was no demand for fur-seal skins. Fur-seal skins are now and have been for a number of years past in demand, because it is now and has been the fashion to wear them. The fashion controls the demand. With a view to determining the effect of a rational land killing in the event of a total cessation of pelagic sealing, Mr. W. I. Lembkey, agent in charge and an expert in these matters, at my request prepared a table ^ which I believe is a very conservative estimate of the probable increase in the size of the herd. It is manifest from this table that if pelagic sealing is stopped, a limited number of male seals may be killed on the islands each year in increasing numbers without impeding the natural increase of the herd. It is my judgment, therefore, in view of the foregoing, that the killing on land should not be stopped, but should be permitted to proceed on a rational basis. Reduction of herd to a breeding nucleus undesirable.— The suggestion not infrequently made in recent years that this Government authorize the killing of all save a breeding nucleus of a few hundred seals as a means of stopping pelagic sealing is neither sensible nor humane. In the first place, if left alone the pelagic sealers will accomplish this result in a very short time : and in the second place, it would not settle the question. Just as soon as the herd increased to a size 1 Report of Fiir-Seal Investigations, 1896-97, pt. 1, p. U9. '•'Submitted herewith as Appendix B. m SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 401 sufficient to make land killing permissible and profitable, pelagic sealing would be profitable, and the question would again be an open one. A reconsideration of certain questions desiraMe. — ^At the time the points of difference between the United States and Great Britain with reference to the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries were submitted to the tribunal of arbitration, one of the chief contentions of this Government was that the Pribilof fur-seal lierd was the property of the Ignited States, and therefore that this Government had a right to protect it on the high seas. The decision on this point, in common with that on all other pomts submitted, was adverse to the United States. Wliile it is true that the United States and Great Britain as parties to tlie treaty of February 29, 1S92, "engaged to consider the result of the proceedings of the tribunal of arbitration as a full, perfect, and final settlement of all the questions referred to the arbitrators/' * it is equally true tliat the scientific investigation and exhaustive stud}^ of the subject, which have subsequently been made by commissions and officers of tliis Government, have resulted in the discovery of new and important facts m connection with the points considered. For instance, during the years 1896-97 a commission of eminent scientists and experts made an investigation and study of the whole subject. This commission was under the personal direction of Dr. David Starr Jordan, president of Leland Stanford Junior University, who is generally recognized as one of the leading authorities on fur seals and the fur-seal fisheries. The report of this commission con- tains a great deal of mformation \^dth reference to the life and habits of the seals and with reference to general conditions which were unknown and unappreciated at the time the matter was considered and passed on by the tribunal of arbitration. Furthermore, the citizens and subjects of Japan, which is not a party to the award of the tribunal, have within recent years engaged largely in pelagic sealing in Bering Sea. In view of these facts it seems to hie highly desirable, in the event of steps being taken to secure an international agreement to stop pelagic sealing, that the United States attempt to secure a reconsideration of the question of its property rights in the seals, if it may properly make such an attempt. The fur seals are begotten, born, and reared on the Pribilof Islands, owned by the United States; the}'- make these islands their home and have, so far as is known, always done so ; they spend a large part of each year on the islands, and when they leave on their annual migration it is with the fixed intention of returning to them — this they do with unvarymg regularity, never resorting to any other land. They are domestic in their habits and are subject to the control of man wliile on the islands. The existence of the herd depends upon the care, industry, and forbearance practiced by this Government. Without the protection which the United States furnishes the herd it would soon be destroyed. In fact it is within the power of the United States to absolutely exterminate the herd in one season. The habits of the seals are such that the United States alone can take the natural increase of the herd without mjury to it. This is possible »Artio;exiv^. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 26 402 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. for the reason that owning the islands wliich the herd frequents the Government can, in securing seals for commercial purposes, exercise the necessary discrimination as to sex and ao-e. On the other hand, the taking of seals in the sea is necessarily without discrimination as to sex and age.^ Experiments with hrands and tags suggested. — In this connection permit me to suggest that if, after full consideration, it is linally con- cluded that the newly discovered evidence has not effected a change in the situation sufhcient to warrant tliis Government in asking a reconsideration of the question of its property rights in the seals, I believe that it would be practicable to brand or tag all of the seals born on the islands in the same way that the great herds of cattle which roam the western prairies are branded. In my judgment, action of this kind on the part of tliis Government would reduce the seals to its possession and justify it in protecting them on the high seas. The experience of recent years in annually branding 2,000 young male seals demonstrates, hrst, that a brand of a permanent nature can be placed on the seal mthout injury to the animal; and, second, that the branded animals return to the islands from year to year. In view of the foregoing, I recommend that the department conduct experiments with brands and metal tags. I believe it would be entirely possible to attach to the young seals before they leave the islands a metal tag on which might be stamped the words ''Property of the United States." If this tag was uniformly fastened by means of a wire on the same part of the body of the seal, it would leave a mark on the inner side of the sldn which would be sullicient to identify t in case the seal was killed, even if the tag had in the meantime been i removed. Statistical information. — For your further information I attach hereto, as Appendix A, certain statistical information with reference to the Pribilof fur-seal herd from the time of the discovery of the Pribilof Islands to date, as follows: Table 1. — Number of seals killed on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, from 1786 to 1906, inclusive. Table 2. — Pelagic and land catches from the Pribilof herd from 1868, when the Pribilof Islands came into the possession of the United States, to 1906; the revenue derived by the Government and the average prices obtained for the skins. Table 3. — Size of the Pribilof herd since its discovery, in 1786. Table 4. — Annual quotas allowed lessees of the seal islands and the skins shipped thereunder from 1870 to 1905. Table 5. — Receipts and expenditures in connection with the admin- istration of the fur-seal fisheries. Very respectfully, Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor. ' Washington, August 31, 1906. 1 Final report of Hon. John W. Foster. Proceedings Paris Tribunal, ■■, o'. 1 p. 10. seal islands of alaska. 403 The White House, Washington, October 9, 1906. My Dear Secretary Metcalf: I return the admirable report of the sohcitor of the department on the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries. Please have all the recommendations therein made that can be carried out without the action of Congress so carried out. I have Avritten to the Treasury Department requesting immediate and thorough investigation of the conduct of the Revenue-Cutter Service, and I shall issue to them a warning that any dereliction of duty in this respect in the future will be summarily punished. There is one point upon which I doubt the wisdom of the recommendation. It seems to me that a detachment of marines should be sent to the islands and also that a small United States war vessel should cruise near the islands next summer in addition to the revenue cutters. Please make public my letter of recommendation to the guard which took such summary and efficient action in repulsing the attacks of, and putting ^n end to the depredations of, the seal pirates. Sincerely, yours, Theodore Roosevelt. Instead of sending a guard to the islands, we will send a United States war vessel during the close season, and as long afterwards as may be necessary. Hon. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Treasury Department, Washington, October 13, 1906. My Dear Mr. Murray: Will you be kind enough to hand to Capt. Worth G. Ross, Chief of the Revenue-Cutter Service, a copy of the report made b}^ the solicitor of your department on the x'Uaskan fur-seal fisheries ? Yours, very truly, J. H. Edwards. Hon. Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor. Across the face : Presented to Secty. Metcalf in absence of Secty. Murray. Oct. 13, '06. L. A. C. Gave report to Capt. Ross Sat- urday morning, Oct. 13, 1906. V. H. M. The White House, Washington, October 23, 1906. My Dear Mu. Secretary: The President directs me to send you the inclosed letter from Secretary Shaw, and to ask if the portion of the report referred to can not be held until the investigation the Sec- retary mentions has been completed. Please communicate with Sec- retary Shaw in the matter. Very truly, yours, Wivr. Loeb, Jr., Secretary to the President. Hon. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary of Commerce and Labor, 404 SEAL, ISLANDS OP ALASKA. New York City, October 22, 1906. My Dear Mr. President: I referred briefly last night to a report of someone, I think a Mr. Simms, which contains some strictures against the conduct of the Revenue-Cutter Service in Alaska. I now write to formally request that the report be not printed until the charges can be investigated. I think this is but fair. I say charges, because Mr. Simms, if that is his name, did not make an investigation. He made inquiry of no one connected with the Revenue-Cutter Service. He did not examine the log of any of the vessels. He stated that the cutters did not arrive at the seal islands until August. This year the vessel arrived on June 27, which was the latest date for several years. He says in effect that if they had been in the locahty they could have prevented the capture of seals by the Japa- nese boats. At the time of the incident to wliich he refers, the boat was anchored at one of the islands. He objects that the boats are away from the islands so much. They have to go 250 miles for coal. He objects because the boat went to the "v^est-most island of the group, which is 700 miles from the main island. Last year they found shacks of Japanese poachers on these islands and burned them. Their cruise has always included this island. The cutter's log shows that it sailed over 1 1 ,000 miles during the cruise. He says that the Japanese fleet contained 13 vessels. The cutter's log shows they boarded 16 Japanese vessels, a fact which Mr. Simms does not men- tion, because of course he did not know. He knew nothing about it except from hearsay. If I am rightly advised, his report does not give the testimony, but gives his conclusions. He must have ob- tained it from some source, but fails to give the source. I know of no better source concerning the course of a vessel than the log. But I need not extend this. I wish you would have Mr. Metcalf withhold that part of the report until the matter can be thoroughly investigated. This is being done. The captain of the vessel will be in Washington at an early date. Very truly, yours, L. M. Shaw. The President, The White House. October 25, 1906. My Dear Capt. Ross: I wish you would please hand to my sec- retary a copy of the answer prepared by the Revenue-Cutter Service to Mr. Sims's report on the Alaskan seal fisheries. Very truly, yours, V. H. Metcalf, Secretary, Capt. Worth G. Ross, Chief, Revenue-Cutter Service. seal. islands of alaska. 405 Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, October 25, 1906. My Dear Mr. Metcalf: As you request, I send by your secretary a copy of the memorandum prepared by this office, which I read to you at our recent interview, regarding certain matters in Mr. Sims's report of August 31 on the Alaskan seal fisheries, pertaining to the Bering Sea patrol by the Revenue-Cutter Service the past season. Very truly, yours, Worth G. Ross. Hon. V. H. Metcalf. Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor. [Memorandum relative to report of Solicitor of Department of Commerce and Labor on the Alaskan fur- seal fisheries in so far as it relates to patrol by Revenue-Cutter Service. Pages indicated refer to solicitor's report.] Page 5: Report states: '' Existing revenue-cutter patrol ineffi- cient." (a) The patrol has been maintained strictly in accordance with the requests of the Department of Commerce and Labor. (b) No complaint has heretofore come from that department in relation to the patrol. (c\ The statement that the presence of a revenue cutter in the vicinity of the islands would have prevented the depredations of the Japanese schooners is not true, for, as a matter of fact, the Perry was anchored off the island of St. George on the morning of July 16, the very day when the Japanese hrst landed on St. Paul Island, 40 miles distant. If the Perry had been at St. Paul Island and the raid occurred on St. George, the same criticism might have been made and with an equal lack of justice. (d) This season the Perry was designated for the seal patrol, together with the Rush, the latter vessel being ordered also to make the regular cannery cruise. This arrangement met the approval of the Department of Commerce and Labor, and a careful investigation of the reports of the operations of these vessels shows that they per- formed their duties zealously and efficiently. The Perry cruised during the season 11,127 miles and boarded 21 vessels, of wliich number 16 were Japanese sealers. (Mr. Sims's report, p. 22, states: "The Japanese pelagic sealing fleet which operated in Bering Sea during the summer consisted of at least 13 vessels.") The Perry actually boarded more than this number of Japanese sealers. The Rush made the regular cannery cruise in Alaskan waters, steaming 3,798 miles and boarding 75 vessels, of which number 18 were reported for violations of the navigation laws. (e) Mr. Sims has evidentl}^ obtained no trustworthy information relative to the revenue-cutter patrol and has not examined any official log books, records of cruising, etc., nor made any effort to consult such records. His charges as to laxity are based on seven days' res- idence on the seal islands and interviews with agents, wlio themselves can not know whether the cutters are or are not actively patrolhng in Bering Sea. 406 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. (f) In the summer of 1905 Assistant Secretary Taylor, of the Treas- ury Department, made a trip to the Pribilof Islands on the revenue cutter Manning to investigate the conditions, and no complaint what- ever was made there as to revenue-cutter patrol. Page 22. The raid on the islands this year was unprecedented and entirely unexpected by all concerned. (Mr. Sims's report states, p. 22: "The seals wliich herd on these islands have been undisturbed in the waters surrounding them for many years and they undoubtedly fell an easy prey to this unexpected onslaught.") Page 41. (a) The report refers to alleged lack of cooperation on the part of the revenue-cutter patrol with agents on the Pribilof Islands. As a matter of fact, the cutters have uniformly endeavored to carry out both the official and personal wishes of the agents on those islands. (d) The report states that the records of St. Paul Island show that a number of times in the last few years the cutters which appeared off the island, instead of attempting to land or communicate with the Government agents as to the situation, have signaled "Send your letters," "Send a boat," "Make haste," "Can you send boat?" Such comments indicate ignorance of the conditions affecting navi- gation in the vicinity of the islands. The landing places on the islands are exposed, there are no protected anchorages, and often it is dangerous for a vessel to remain for any length of time on account of the weather conditions. Anyone fainihar with such matters knows that the nature of the surf can be determined more accurately from the shore than from a vessel, and that good seamanship will always dictate that the person on shore determine whether it is safe to send a boat through the surf or not; hence such signals as "Send a boat," "Can you communicate with us?" etc. The report gives no dates when the signals referred to were displayed. They were evidently picked out at random over a period of years. Doubtless each signal can be satisfactorily explained when the circumstances of wind and weather at the particular time are known. During the past season the Perry communicated by personal inter- views with the agents on the Pribilof Islands whenever the vessel was off either island, except on two occasions — August 11 at St. Pau| Island, the sea being too rough to send a boat, and August 17, when the Perry communicated by international code signal with two points on St. Paul Island. These signals were: "Have you seen Japanese vessels ? " and in both cases the signal "No" was displayed on the island. Page 42. (a) Occasions when Government agents have not been allowed to come on board a revenue cutter at the seal islands, unless the weather conditions absolutely forbade, are unknown, and such charges should have been substantiated by giving the date and name of ship when the episode occurred. (b) The report states that on one occasion a cutter, proceeding from Unalaska to the islands, absolutely refused to carry one of the Government agents who was "marooned" at that place. In the 38 years that the Revenue-Cutter Service has operated in Bering Sea no such refusal has ever before been reported to the department, and mere justice demands that the time when such an unprecedented occurrence happened should have been set forth, in order that the department might investigate it. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 407 Page 43. (a) Officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service do avail them- selves of any information given them by the agents on the islands. On July 14, two days prior to the Japanese raid, the Perry visited St. Paul Island and conferred with the agent; also St. George Island the next day. The report of her commanding officer states: "Received no important news at either island and proceeded to Unalaska." Thus two days before the raid the revenue cutter did confer with the agents on both islands and received no news of importance. (b) The report refers to the absence of any prearranged signals for use between the revenue cutters and the islands. Communication has been carried on for years by means of the International Code, which answers every purpose when signals can be seen. The incident mentioned above, where the Perry ascertained by signal from St. Paul Island that no Japanese A^essels had been sighted, shows the feasibility of communicating any important news to a revenue cutter coming within sight of the islands. The Revenue-Cutter Service will under- take the elaboration of an}^ other S3^stem desired. No suggestion as to the necessity of another code of signals has ever been presented to this department. Page 44. (a) The report states that the Perry was at St. Paul Island on July 14 for about three hours. As a matter of fact, the Perry was at anchor at that place on that date from 9.30 a. m. to 3.50 p. m., a period of 6 hours and 20 minutes. This misstatement is in line witli the general untrustworthiness of the report in so far as it concerns the patrol o'f the Revenue-Cutter Service. (b) If the Government agents were cognizant of any neglect of duty on the part of the officers of the revenue cutters, it was their plain duty to report such derelictions. (c) The statement that "the officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service seem to feel and act as though the seal patrol which they are required to maintain is something outside of their regular hne of duties," is entirely untrue and has no foundation in fact. The service has pa- trolled Bering Sea since 1868. A large proportion of the commis- sioned officers now in the service, probably in excess of 60 per cent, have had experience in the Bering Sea fur-seal patrol. The idea thai any officer would feel that his duty did not pertain to the service is ridiculous on its face, and any such statement indicates only an atti- tude of bias and unwarranted criticism. Page 45. (a) The report says : " If the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service can not properl}^ be called upon to render this service, the sooner that point is settled and arrangements made to secure other vessels the better it will be for the seal fisheries." Inasmuch as the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service have by their effective and con- tinuous patrol of the Bering Sea prevented in all probability the entire destruction of the seal herd, no Government official can in good faith question the propriety of their continuing the performance of this duty. (b) The following appears: "The vessel detailed on this duty (fuF- seal patrol) does not under ordinary circumstances reach the sea until about the 1st of August." The following are the dates of arrival in Bering Sea of the revenue cutters detailed for duty in Alaskan waters during the three seasons when the Department of Commerce and Labor has had charge of the protection of the fur-seal industry. 408 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Season of 1904- McCulloch June 25, 1904 Perry July 8, 1904 Thetis July 12, 1904 Season of 1905. Manning June 14, 1905 Perry June 16, 1905 Bear June 16, 1905 Season of 1906. Perry June 27, 1906 Rush June 28, 1906 ■ Thetis June 29, 1906 The statement referred to in the report is therefore entirely untrue. Pages 46 et seq. The recommendations of Mr. Sims regarding the patrol are not new. The s^-stem he proposes was carried out by the Kevenue-Cutter Service when the enforcement of the fur-seal regula- tions was vested in the Treasury Department, and at times on a more extensive scale than he suggests. Since the enforcement of these reg- ulations was transferred to the Department of Commerce and Labor, conditions have changed owing to the enactment of tlie law prohibit- ing American citizens from engaging in pelagic sealing, and in recent years it has not been necessary to assign as many cutters to patrol duty as formerly. Assistant Secretary H. A. T?,ylor, of the Treasury Department, in a report to the Secretary of the Treasury, dated August 12, 1905, says: It does not appear that the necessity for vessels to protect the seals exists as for- merly, as, so far as I was able to learn, there have been no poachers in those waters at this season. The Revenue- Cutter Service has carried out its full duty in handling the patrol in accordance with the requests of the Department of Com- merce and Labor, which has entire control over the matter. No sug- gestions for the improvement of the patrol have been received from that Department, nor has the Revenue-Cutter Service been invited to make recommendations relative thereto. The report recommends (p. 47) that a revenue cutter be directed to cruise continually in the vicinity of the Pribilof Islands, and that this vessel be required also (p. 48) to transport the chief agent of the seal fisheries to points in Alaska and comply with his other requests rel- ative to his duties. It would appear a difficult matter for a revenue cutter to be continually in the vicinity of the Pribilof Islands and also convey the chief agent to other points in Alaska beyond the islands. Mr. Sims apparentlj^ does not take into consideration the necessity for vessels to coal, clean boilers, overhaul machinery, etc. In fact, his whole report, in so far as it relates to the patrol of Bering Sea, dis- plays an entire ignorance of the conditions confronting such a patrol and of the manner in which such conditions have been met with and overcome by the revenue cutters engaged in this duty. Mr. Sims recommends (p. 48) that the officers of the revenue cutters make a detailed annual report to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Full reports of their operations are made and have always been made to their own department, and copies are sent to the Depart- ment of Commerce and Labor for its information. Page 51. In the solicitor's report it is recommended that it should be made the duty of officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service to search SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 409 any vessel witliiii the territorial waters surrounding the islands. Ves- sels are now searched when permissible under the law, in accordance with the following instructions issued to the revenue service: A mere cursory or perfunctory search of vessels boarded is strictly forbidden. The search must be made by two commissioned and one petty officer, and the necessary number of men who are required to remain on board until every part of the vessel where a sealskin or a shotgun or rifle could be concealed has been searched. These instructions relative to boarding vessels received the approval M&j 26. 1906, of the Department of Commerce and Labor. Page 53. Relative to the recommendation that rifles, cannon, and rapid-fire guns be supplied the islands, to be operated by the natives, it may be said that the Revenue-Cutter Service is prepared at any time, at the request of the Department of Commerce and Labor, to place an armed guard under commissioned officers on the Pribilof Islands that will insure against any raids on the rookeries. In former years a guard was detailed from the revenue cutters whenever necessary. The report of the soHcitor contains criticisms and reflections that are entirely unjust to the officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service who for years have preformed with commendable zeal and devotion the duties assigned them in cruising in the waters of Alaska. From 1867 to the present day, excepting only the season of 1876, revenue cutters have cruised actively in Bering Sea and Alaskan waters, where fog and gales of wind prevail, with imperfect charts, and where until very recently no hghthouses, buoys, or other aids to navigation existed. The work of the service in Alaska has been efficiently and earnestly performed. No adverse comments have been made in the past, nor can they justly be made now. No other branch of the Government has been so closely identified with the Territory of Alaska from the day of its acquisition as has the Revenue-Cutter Service. No other body of men under the Gov- ernment are so familiar with the conditions of navigation in the waters of Alaska as are the officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service. No marine patrol could be more effectually carried out with the force at hand than has been the patrol of Bering Sea bv the Revenue-Cutter fleet. After a residence of seven days on the Pribilof Islands and interviews with agents on those islands who can know nothing of the details of the patrol, Mr. Sims takes occasion in his report to criticise the con- duct of the patrol by the Revenue-Cutter Service and to describe it as lax and inefficient. Such an accusation is untrue and entirely unjusti- fiable in anv sense whatever. October 26, 1906. My Dear Mr. Secretary: I am just in receipt, by reference from the White House, of your letter of the 22d instant "to the President relative to the report made by Mr. Sims on the fur-seal islands. As requested by you, I shall withhold and not pubhsh that portion of Mr. Sims's report referring to the Revenue-Cutter Service. Yours, truly, V. H. Metcalf. Hon. Leslie M. Shaw, Secretary of the Treasury, 410 seal islands of alaska. October 26, 1906. My Dear Mr. Loeb : I have your letter of the 23d instant, inclosing letter written to the President by Secretary Shaw. I will see to it that that portion of Mr. Sims's report on the fur-seal islands bearing on the Revenue-Cutter Service is withheld from publication. I have communicated with Secretary Shaw, as you request. Yours, truly, V. H. Metcalf, Hon. William Loeb, Jr., Secretary to the President. Department of Justice, Office of United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, November 10, 1906. Hon. Victor H. Metcalf, Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. My Dear Mr. Secretary : I have the honor to transmit herewith a reply to the memorandum submitted by the Revenue-Cutter Service with reference to my report on the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries. With kindest personal regards, I am. Very sincerely, yours, Edwin W. Sims, United States Attorney, REPLY TO THE MEMORANDUM RELATIVE TO THAT PART OF THE REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES WHICH RELATES TO THE PATROL BY THE REVENUE-CUTTER SERVICE. [Pages indicated refer to solicitor's report; letters refer to paragraph of memorandum.] Page 5. (a) The report submitted by me contains this statement: Existing revenue-cutter patrol ineffective. The patrol for the enforcement of the laws for the protection of the seal fisheries nominally maintained by the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service is wholly insufficient to meet the actual needs of the situation. In reply thereto the memorandum states : The patrol has been maintained strictly in accordance with the requests of the Department of Commerce and Labor. In this connection attention is called to the fact that under date of April 2, 1904, Secretary Cortelyou inquired as to the possibility of assigning "at least one additional cutter to this service in order to determine with greater certainty whether the fur-seal regulations are being violated." He was advised, under date of April 6, 1904, that such an additional assignment could not be made without abandoning some of the regular duties assigned to the Revenue-Cutter Service on the Pacific coast. (c) The memorandum alleges that the statement contained in the report "that the presence of a revenue cutter in the vicinity of the islands would have prevented the depredations of the Japanese SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 411 schooners at that point" is not true. The memorandum then goes on to state: For, as a matter of fact, the Perry was anchored off the island of St. George on the morning of July 16, the very day when the Japanese first landed on St. Paul, 40 miles distant. If the Perry had been off St. Paul and the raid had occurred on St. George, the same criticism might have been made. * * * The same criticism should be made. A vessel at anchor or in port is, in my judgment, not conducting an active and effective patrol. A fleet of four or five Jananese vessels was engaged in the waters sur- rounding St. Paul Island for at least two da;^s, July 16 and 17. If the Perry, instead of lying at anchor or cruising elsewhere, as the memorandum indicates she did, had cruised to St. Paul Island, 40 mUes distant, a run of four hours, on either of those days, she would undoubtedly have frightened away the Japanese schooners. Furthermore, it appears that if the Perry was in fact anchored off St. George Island on the morning of July 16 she failed to communicate with the Government agent at the village. Maj. Clark's log does not show that he had any official communication with the cutter on that date, although it appears that during the day a landing was made on one of the rookeries by a boat from the cutter. {d) I know nothing about the movements of the Rush. I have always understood that she was engaged exclusively on what is Icnown as the ''cannery cruise." It is manifest that a vessel engaged on the cannery cruise can be of no service in connection with the seal patrol. I ha\e not the shghtest doubt as to the truth of the statement con- tained in the memorandum to the effect that the Perry actually boarded more Japanese pelagic sealers than my report indicates oper- ated in Bering Sea during the summer. I concluded my investiga- tions in Bering Sea July 29, and the statement contamed in my report as to the size of tlie Japanese sealing fleet was based upon information secured from the captain of the Perry on July 28 and from other sources previous to that time. At the time of my conference with the captain of the Perry I indicated to him my belief that the situa- tion in Bering Sea was critical and that, in my judgment, it was the duty of the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service to cruise close around the islands and search and seize such Japanese scliooners as were found violating the law within the 3-mile limit. I infer from the information given me by the captain and the statements made in the memorandum that practically aU of the Japanese pelagic sealers boarded by the officers of the Perry were boarded after the date of my interview with him. ie) The memorandum states: Mr. Sims has evidently obtained no trustworthy information relative to the revenue- cutter patrol, and has not examined any official log books, records of cruising, etc., or made any effort to consult such records. His charges as to laxity are based on seven days' residence on the seal islands and interviews with agents, who themselves can not know whether the cutters are or are not actively patrolling in Bering Sea. The best evidence as to whether or not the vessels of the Revenue- Cutter Service were or were not actively and effectively patroUing in Bering Sea is the results accomplished by such patrol. During the past year five or six vessels of the Canadian fleet continued their oper- ations for several weeks into the closed season; a number of Japanese schooners conducted pelagic sealing operations within the 3-mile limit in the vicinity of the Pribilof Islands, and on two or three occasions 412 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. their crews landed and raided, or attempted to raid, the rookeries. It requires no argument to demonstrate that a patrol which fails to discover and prevent occurrences of this kind is neither active nor effective. My report carefully avoids referring to any matter which can not be substantiated. The statements which it contains are statements of fact, based upon record evidence and first-hand information from responsible parties. I did not examine the official log books, records of cruising, etc., of the revenue cutters for the reason that I was not in Alaska for the purpose of investigating tb.e Revenue-Cutter vService. The statements and recommendations embodied in my report affect the Revenue-Cutter Service only in so far as it relates to the condi- tion of the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries. The charges of laxity are not based solely upon a seven days' residence on the islands, but are based upon observations and investigations made during the course of the entire trip. Page 22. The memorandum states that "The raid on the islands this year was unprecedented and entirely unexpected by all con- cerned, " and in support of this statement refers to a sentence in my report to the effect that the seals on the islands had been undisturbed for many years. The fact that the seals had been undisturbed in the waters surround- ing the islands for many years can by no stretch of the imagination justify the inference that the raids on the island ware unprecedented and entirely unexpected by all concerned. On the contrary, the situation in general was such as to put an active and effective patrol on inquiry. The Government agents knew that the year previous the crews of schooners, acting in concert, had effected a landing on the Russian seal islands and had held off the armed guard for two weeks, during wMch time both sides suffered many casualties and many seals were killed. The oificers of the Perry had positive infor- mation early in July that at least four or five Japanese schooners were in Bering Sea. In view of the fact that these Japanese schooners could no longer take fish in Alaskan waters their presence, it seems to me, should have put an active an effective patrol on inquiry as to their intentions. While the raids were, to a certain extent, unex- pected, they are not unprecedented, and it is manifest from what transpired on the island that the Government agents and the native guard were prepared to properly handle the situation. Page 41. (h) The memorandum attributes the criticisms with refer- ence to the use of such signals as "Send your letters, " "Send a boat, " etc., to ignorance as to the conditions affecting navigation in the vicinity of the islands. Such is not the fact. I made most careful inquiry and investigation concerning this matter. I discovered that there were no protected anchorages at the island and that, as stated in the memorandum, the people on shore were in better position to determine whether or not a landing could safely be made than those on a vessel some distance away. I found on inquiry, however, that the Government agents always make an inspection of the landing places and indicate by means of a signal, hoisted at the various land- mgs, at which place a landing may safely be made. If the weather conditions are such that no landing is possible, no signal is hoisted. If one landing is safe and another dangerous, the signal is hoisted at the safe landing. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 413 The official log kept by the Government agents on St. Paul Island indicates that the class of signals I have referred to were given as follows : Date. Name of vessel. Signal displayed. 1900. July 12 25 Rush do Send your letters. Send a boat. 29 do Do. Sept. 4 1902. Oct. 23 do Manning Do. Make haste. 1903. Aug. 3 1904. Aug. 14 19 24 McCuUoch do do do Send a boat with Sinclair. Send a boat. (All the available men were away at the seal rookeries and the cutter sailed away without further communicating with the shore.) Have stores for you. Send a boat. 29 do (Anchored off East Landing. Did not communicate.) Have stores for you. ( Bad landing, but she steamed westward before wait- ing for reply. Landed stores at Northeast Point on the same day.) Have stores for you. (To this signal the island answered "Will send aboat if possible." While boat was being launched the cutter steamed away.) Can vou send boat ? Sept. 3 9 do do 10 .... do Oct. 17 do 1905. July 3 do Have letters for you. Page 42. (a) The memorandum states that — Occasions when Government agents have not been allowed to come on board a reve- nue cutter at the seal islands, unless the weather absolutely forbade, are unknown — • and suggests that such charges be substantiated by giving the date and name of the ship when the episode occurred. On or about August 19, 1904, the McCulloch visited St. George Island. In response to her signal ''Send a boat," a shore boat con- veying Mr. Judge, the Government agent, went out to her. The boat was given mail for the island, but its occupants were mformed by the officer at the gangway that no one would be permitted to come on board, as the cutter was leaving immediately. Consequently she was not boarded, and the Government agent had no opportunity to advise her officers as to the conditions on the islands. Page 42. (6) The statement that— A cutter proceeding from Unalaska to the islands absolutely refused to carry one of the Government agents, who was marooned at that place — is, as requested, herewith substantiated as follows: On or about August 8, 1900, Mr. W. I. Lembkey, then assistant agent, who was. proceeding to the islands in the company's vessel Homer, with important information from the department, growing out of the unexpected death of Chief Agent John M. Morton, was compelled to wait at Dutch Harbor for three weeks until the company's vessel resumed her voyage to the islands. The cutter Rush, Capt. Cusliing, of the Bering Sea seal patrol, was at Dutch Harbor during that time. When the cutter was about to sail for the islands, Mr. Lembkey hired a rowboat, went out to her, and explained to the captain the urgency of his mission and of 414 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the importance of liis reaching the islands at once, and requested passage thereto. The captain refused to take him on board on the ground that he intended to patrol around the islands and would not call in at either village. The cutter, which left Dutch Harbor soon after this refusal, sailed directly for St. Paul, where her officers notified the residents that Mr. Lembkey was at Dutch Harbor, and would arrive at the islands on the company's steamer. It appears, further, that occasions of this kind are not, as claimed in the memorandum, wholly unprecedented, in view of the following occurrence : On or about July 16, 1901, Capt. Buehner, of the Manning, under instructions to take Agent Chichester from St. George to St. Paul to photograph the seal rookeries, called at St. George and took on board Mr. Chichester. This necessitated the stay of Chief Agent Lem])key on St. George Island until tlie return of Mr. Chichester. In pur- suance of an understanding between the agents, Mr. Chichester requested Capt. Buehner to return him to St. George Island about Juty 20, so as to allow Mr. Lembkey to go back to St. Paul Island and resume the discharge of his duties there. Capt. Buehner's reply to Mr. Chichester's request was, in substance, as follows: Do you think I am running a ferryboat for the convenience of the Government agents? The cutter did not, in fact, return Mr. Chichester to his station on St. George, and he was able to get back only through the cour- tesy of the British cruiser Condor, which performed the service at the request of Agent Lembkey. Page 4.3. (a) In reply to the suggestion in my report that ''the effectiveness of the revenue cutter ])atrol would also be largely increased if the officers of the cutters availed themselves of such information as the agent possesses with reference to the presence of poaching schooners in those waters," the memorandum states that tlie officers do avail themselves of any information given them by the agents, and alleges that "on July 14, two days prior to the Japanese raid, the Perry visited St. Paul Island and conferred with the agent; also, St. George Island the next day. The report of her commanding officer states: 'Received no important news at either island and proceeded to Unalaska.' Thus, two days before the raid, the revenue cutter did confer with the agent on both islands and received no news of importance." The fact of the matter is that when the Perry called at St. Paul Island on July 14 she was advised by the Government agent that a sealing schooner had been sighted in close proximity to the island a week before her arrival. While the record I made at the time of my investigation is silent as to whether or not the officers of the Perry held any communication with the Government agent on St. George Island, it is apparent that if they did hold such conference they must have learned that a schooner had been sighted near that island on July 8. It is manifest, therefore, that if the cutter "received no important information at either island" she failed to properly cooperate with the Government agents. Nor can I agree with the correctness of the conclusion reached in the memorandum that tbe news received was "unimportant" and that it justified tlie only revenue cutter in those waters in at once SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 415 jibandoning the patrol and sailing away to Dutch Harbor, 240 miles distant. As I have before stated, the positive information that several Japanese schooners were in Bering Sea, coupled with the information that scliooners had been sighted in close proximity to the islands, should, in my judgment, have been sufficient to have indicated to an active and effective patrol the necessity for maintain- ing a close surveillance of the waters surrounding the reservation. Chief Agent W. I. Lembkey, who during the past summer was sta- tioned on St. Paul, and Assistant Agent Clark, who was stationed on St. George, are both in Washington and will verify the foregoing statement. In this connection I have the honor to suggest that the best evidence as to whether or not there was a proper cooperation and as to whether or not the patrol was active and effective, will be that evidence which shows the exact whereabouts of the Perry from June 27, the date the memorandum alleges she entered Bering Sea until July 29, the day I left those waters. My report does not deal with the condition of the patrol subsequent to July 29. So far as the memorandum sub- mitted for my consideration shows, she is accounted for only on two da^'s — July 14 at St. Paul Island, and at anchor off" St. George Island on the morning of Jvdy 16. Even conceding the correctness of the contention that there is no occasion to maintain a patrol until July 1, I suggest that tlie Perry's log will demonstrate whether the patrol being conducted by her was active and effective. Dutch Harbor, tiie coaling port nearest to the Pribilof Islands is about 240 miles distant. It would, therefore, take a vessel making average speed (10 miles an hour) 24 hours to run from the islands to Dutch Harbor. Vessels having the same coal capacity as revenue cutters on the fur-seal patrol, coal in from 8 to 10 or 12 hours. Allow- ing, therefore, one day to go to Dutch Harbor, one day to coal, and one day to return, the Perry, knowing that a number of Japanese schooners were in Bering Sea and that schooners had been sighted from both St. Paul and St. George Islands, might have been back at the islands on July 19. She was still in Dutch Harbor on July 29 Avhen I passed through there on the McCuUoch. I do not know where she was from the 1st to the 14th of July. There seems to be little dispute, however, that so far as the Government's agents were aware she was in the vicinity of the islands on two days only — July 14 and 16. Where was she the remainder of the month ? Page 43. (h) The paragraph commenting on my recommendation that a code of signals be arranged for foggy weather, refers to the use of the International Code, during fair weather. I am aware that the International Code of Signals has been used with great success. My recommendation, however, was that a code of signals be agreed upon for foggy weather, and in view of the fact that the islands are enveloped in a dense fog a large portion of the time, it was my judgment that the establishment of such a code is highly important. The statement that "no suggestion as to the necessity of another code of signals has ever been presented to this department," in no'wise reflects upon the Government agents or the Department of Commerce and Labor, It is obvious that the establishment of signals, or any other matter whereby landings at the islands may be facilitated, more properly belongs to the Kevenue-Cutter Service than to anyone else. 416 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Page 44. (a) I may be in error in having stated that the Fetrif was at St. Paul Island on July 14 ''for about three hours," instead of having stated precisely and exactly that she was there for "'a period of 6 hours and 20 minutes." Tliis seeming inaccuracy is, however, of no importance as compared with a determination of the location of the Perry from July 1 to July 31. Further than tliis, my information was secured from the most trustworthy sources on the island, and the period of three hours, it will be noted; is qualified by the word "about." Page 45. (6) The memorandum contains a statement of the dates of arrival in Bering Sea of the revenue cutters detailed for duty in Alaskan waters for the last three years. In the statement with reference to the season of 1906, I notice that the Perry is supposed to have arrived in Bering Sea June 27, 1906. In my judgment an arrival at Dutch Harbor or Unalaska is not an arrival at Bering Sea in the sense that the vessel has arrived at the point where she enters upon the discharge of her duties in connection with the fur-seal fisheries patrol. The statement as to the arrival of the Rush on June 28, and the arrival of the Thetis on June 29, has notliing to do with the seal patrol. The Rush was engaged on the cannery cruise, and so far as I am aware the Thetis was engaged in other matters. There is a material discrepancy between the dates of arrival on the patrol as shown by the Government Tog on wSt. Paul Island and the statements contained in the memorandum. This discrepancy will undoubtedly be cleared up by determining just what is meant by the language "arrival in Bering Sea" as used in the memorandum. In any event, it appears that if the vessels entered upon the patrol duties on the dates mentioned, they did not put themselves into communication with the agents on the islands, and therefore did not know the condition of affairs at the islands until a much later date. This is clearly shown by the following tables: Information contained in memorandum Extracts from the log kept by the as to "the dates of arrival in Bering Sea Government agents on St. Paul Island, of the revenue cutters detailed for duty showing the date of the first arrival in the in Alaskan waters " : years mentioned of the vessels referred to: Season of 1904. Season of 1904. McCulloch, June 25, 1904. McCulloch, August 1, 1904. Perry, July 8, 1904. Perry; did not call at St. Paul Island at all. Thetis, July 12, 1904. Thetis, July 27, 1904. (It appears, therefore, that if the Mc- Culloch arrived at Bering Sea on June 25, she did not touch at St. Paul Island until August 1. I presume her log will show whether or not she was in the meantime engaged on the seal patrol.) Season of 1905. Season of 1905. Manning, June 14, 1905. Manning, June 26, 1905. Perry, June 16, 1905. Perry, July 3, 1905. Bear, June — , 1905. Bear, August 28, 1905. (It appears from the foregoing, there- lore, that if the Perry arrived at Bering Sea on June 16, she did not call at St. Paul until Julys.) SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 417 Season of 1906. Season of 1906. Perry, June 27, 1906. Perry, July 14, 1906. Rush, June 28, 1906. Rush; had not called previous to July 27. Thetis, June 29, 1906. Thetis; had not called previous to July 27. (It appears from the foregoing, there- fore, that the Perry had been in Bering Sea 17 days before she placed herself in communication with the Government agents on the Government seal reserva- tion.) The memorandum states on page 8 : Mr. Sims apparently does not take into consideration the necessity for vessels to coal, clean boilers, overhaul machinery, etc. On the contrary, in submitting my report I took all of these things into consideration. As I have before stated, it is usual and customary for vessels the size of the revenue cutters to coal in from 8 to 10 and 12 hours. If it becomes apparent that the vessels of the Revenue- Cutter Service require a longer time to coal, it will, of course, be neces- sary to increase the number of vessels on the patrol. In my judg- ment a vessel can not spend five or six days in port every time she coals and conduct an active and effective patrol of the fur-seal fish eries, at least during the time when the combined Japanese and Cana dian fleets number upward of 50 vessels. As to the matter of cleaning boilers, overhauling machinery, etc., I am not famihar. 1 do know, however, that commercial vessels ply- ing in the Alaskan waters make trips of several thousand miles with- out having to lay up for any extended time, either to clean boilers or overhaul their machinery. But, as I have before stated, I was not sent up to Alaska to investigate the Revenue-Cutter Service. I have no information, therefore, as to whether during the winter months they have the same opportunities as commercial steamers to overhaul their machinery and put themselves in sliipshape for the ensuing sea- son. It seems to me, however, that vessels manned with a large and competent crew of officers and men should have no occasion to spend any more time in port taking on coal, cleaning boilers, and overhaul- ing machinery than do commercial steamers. The memorandum states, page 9, referring to page 53 of report, that the Revenue-Cutter Service is prepared at any time to place an armed guard, under commissioned ofi^lcers, on the Pribilof Islands, and will insure against any raids of the rookeries. So far as I was able to learn, there is at the present time nothing the matter with the armed guard on either of the islands, other than that they should be supplied with additional arms and ammunition. The Government agents and the armed guard promptly and effectively handled the raids on the rookeries. It was the operations of the raiders in the waters surrounding the islands that were carried on unchecked, and this was due not to the absence of a properly armed guard on shore, but to the absence of vessels in the waters surrounding the islands. In my judgment it is neither necessary nor desirable to station a marine or military guard on the islands, and I recommend that the department call for a report from the Government agent as to this matter before taldng any action of that kind. Respectfully submitted. Edwin W. Sims. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 27 418 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. EEJOINDER TO A REPLY SUBMITTED BY MR. EDWIN W. SIMS TO A MEMORANDUM RELATIVE TO A REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR ON THE ALASKAN FUR- SEAL FISHERIES IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO THE PATROL BY THE REVENUE-CUTTER SERVICE. Page. Whereabouts of Perry at time of first landing of Japanese ._ .... 5 Perry boarded more Japanese sealers than original report of Mr. Sims indicates were in Bering Sea - . - 8 The number of sealers changed in Mr. Sims's printed report to accord with information contained in Capt. Ross's memorandum 8 Mr. Sims did not investigate the patrol of the Revenue-Cutter Service 10 Sketch of Mr. Sims's trip on McCulloch 11 Facts in connection with signals referred to in Mr. Sims's reply.. 14-17 Facts in connection with three incidents cited by Mr. Sims (particularly Capt. Cushing's statement) 19-24 Note letter of Agent Clark to Caj)t. Cushing 23 Why did not agents report derelictions of duty when they occurred? 25 Whereabouts of Perry June 27 to July 29, period particularly mentioned by Mr. Sims 27-29 Number of times Perry communicated with islands 29 Relative to Mr. Sims's statement that vessel on seal patrol does not under ordi- nary circumstances reach the sea until about Aug. 1; note table of arrivals.. 32-34 Capt. Ross's efforts to interview Mr. Sims relative to report 36-37 Capt. Ross has thoroughly investigated records of Perry during past season. ... 37 Mr. Sims might have at least conferred with Treasury Department to ascertain facts before making criticisms 38 REJOINDER TO A REPLY SUBMITTED BY MR. EDWIN W. SIMS TO A MEMORANDUM RELATIVE TO A REPORT OF THE SOLICITOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR ON THE ALASKAN FUR-SEAL FISHERIES IN SO FAR AS IT RELATES TO THE PATROL BY THE REVENUE-CUTTER SERVICE. [Paragraphs are numbered to accord with designations in Mr. Sims's reply.] In his reply to the memorandum submitted by me Mr. Sims endeavors to answer only certain of the points set forth in the said memorandum, ignoring other important points which serve to refute his criticisms on the patrol conducted by the Revenue-Cutter Service. The following matters are dealt with in his reply: Page 5. (a) The memorandum stated: The patrol has been maintained strictly in accordance with the requests of the Department of Commerce and Labor. In his reply Mr. Sims states : In this connection attention is called to the fact that under date of April 2, 1904, Secretary Cortelyou inquired as to the possibility of assigning at least one additional cutter to this service in order to determine with greater certainty whether the fur- seal regulations are being violated. He was advised under date of April 6, 1904, that such an additional assignment could not be made without abandoning some of the regular duties assigned to the Revenue-Cutter Service on the Pacific coast. Ill his letter of April 6, 1904, referred to, Secretary vShaw stated as follows: There are in service on the Pacific coast four revenue cutters suitable for the work referred to, and without abandoning all the stations under this department from Sitka, Alaska, to San Diego, Cal., but one vessel for the work indicated can be spared. As a graphic illustration of the patrol of Bering Sea performed by the fleet of revenue cutters while that work was under the jurisdiction of this department, I forward here- SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 419 with a chart showing the tracks made by the fleet of cutters, the work performed by each being indicated by the different colored lines and any one of those lines will show the activity or vigilance of a single cutter. That the Department of Commerce and Labor was convuiced that the presence of one revenue cutter in Bering Sea was sufficient to meet the conditions then existing is to be inferred from the fact that no further communication was received from that department on the matter, and that for the seasons of 1905 and 1906 the Department of Commerce and Labor requested that the Revenue-Cutter Service estabhsh "the usual patrol" in Bering Sea. As indicating that the Revenue-' \itter Service has manifested an interest in the efficiency of the seal patrol it may be remarked that just prior to the season of 1906 the Treasury Department, not hav- ing heard from the Department of Commerce and Labor on the sub- ject, called its attention to the advisability of making an official application for a seal patrol for the ensuing season. The statement in my memorandum that "no complaint has here- tofore come from that dcDartment (Commerce and Labor) in rela- tion to the patrol" is emphatically renewed. There is not on file in this office any communication from the Department of Commerce and Labor that reflects in any manner on the efficiency of tiie patrol of the Revenue-Cutter Service in Bering Sea or that calls in question the zeal and attention to duty of the officers engaged in that work. (c) The original report of Mr. Sims stated: The presence of a revenue cutter in the vicinity of the islands would have pre- vented the depredations of the Japanese schooners at that point. Such an allegation is not true, and my memorandum went on to state: As a matter of fact the Perry was anchored off the island of St. George on the morn- ing of July 16, the very day when the Japanese first landed on St. Paul Island, 40 miles distant. If the Perry had been at St. Paul and the raid occurred on St. George, the same criticism might have been made and with an equal lack of justice. In reply, Mr. Sims says: The same criticism should be made. A vessel at anchor or in port is, in my judg- ment, not conducting an active and effective patrol. * * * if the Perry, instead of lying at anchor or cruising elsewhere, as the memorandum indicates she did, had cruised to St. Paul Island, 40 miles distant, a run of four hours, on either of those days, she would undoubtedly have frightened away the Japanese schooners. The above rejoinder illustrates the injustice of Mr. Sims's general method of attack upon the revenue-cutter patrol in Bering Sea. The facts in the case relative to the movements of the cutter Perry at the time of tlie attempted raid by the Japanese on St. Paul Island are as follows: The first landing of the Japanese on St. Paul Island occurred July 16, 1906. On July 14 the Perry touched at St. Paul Island, sent an officer to communicate with Mr. Ijcmbkey, agent in charge, and learned that nothing unusual had occurred there, only one vessel, supposed to be a sealing schooner — although the identity of the vessel, owing to her distance oft" the island, could not be determined with accu- racy — having been seen oft' Northeast Point a short time before the Perry arrived. On the evening of July 14 the Perry arrived at St. George Island, and on tlie 15th sent an ofiicer to deliver mail and communicate with 420 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the Government and company agents. The officer saw Assistant Agent Clark, who sent his compliments to the commanding officer. During the afternoon of July 15 Assistant Agent Chichester vis- ited the Perry and conferred with the commanding officer. IVIr. Chichester reported that one small schooner, flying the Argentine Republic flag, had been sighted in close proximity to the island, but that no attempt had been made to land or raid the seal rookeries. Similar incidents had occurred in recent years since Japanese vessels had been engaged in pelagic sealing, but at neither island was any fear or apprehension expressed as to any attempt to raid the rookeries. Such bemg the situation at the seal islands on July 16, the Perry left St. George Island and proceeded to Unalaska to replenish her supply of coal. It appears, therefore, that the Perry conferred with the agent at St. Paul Island two days before the landing of the Japanese, that she conferred with the agent at St. George Island one day before the land- ing of the Japanese, and that on the morning of the day the Japanese landed at one of the Pribilof Islands the Perry was at anchor at the other one of those islands. Without actual knowledge of the plans of the Japanese poachers to land at St. Paul Island, and without more than human prescience, the commanding officer of the Perry can not properly be subjected to criticism for his action at this time. Mr. Sims 's original report contains various criticisms of the revenue cutters because they did not cooperate with the agents on the islands; yet in his reply to my memorandum he criticizes the Perry because she was at anchor overnight in the vicinity of the seal rookeries on St. George Island in order that she might confer with the agent on that island. In his reply Mr. Sims states : Furthermore, it appears that if the Perry was in fact anchored off St. George Island on the morning of July 16 she failed to communicate with the Government agent at the village. Maj. Clark's log does not show that he had any official communication with the cutter on that date, although it appears that during the day a landing was made on one of the rookeries by a boat from the cutter. Maj. Clark's log is in error if it appears therein that on July 16 a landing was made on one of the rookeries by a boat from the Perry. The Perry got underway from her anchorage at St. George at 7 a. m. on the morning of July 16 and stood to the eastward, but Maj. Clark's log does show or should show that on Jidy 15 an officer from the Perry did communicate with him, and furthermore that Mr. Chichester on the same day held an official conference with the com- manding officer of the cutter. id) The reply states: I know nothing about the movements of the Rush. I have always understood that she was engaged exclusively on what is known as the " cannery cruise. " It is manifest that a vessel engaged on the cannery cruise can be of no service in connection with the seal patrol. Instructions issued to the Rush relative to her duties in Alaskan waters during the past season contain the following : While in Bering Sea in the course of your regular cruising, should you fall in with a sealing vessel you will be governed by the instructions heretofore sent to the vessels of the service assigned to enforce the rules and regulations regarding fur-seal fishing, as set forth in the copy of department letter herewith transmitted. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 421 The Rush was engaged in the cannery cruise in accordance with the wishes of the Department of Commerce and Labor. This vessel ar- rived at Unahiska June 28 and was in the waters of 'Bering Sea until August 14. The fact that the movements of the Rush did not bring her into that part of Bering Sea where pelagic sealing was in operation is due solely to her duties in connection with the cannery cruise, on which she was engaged at the request of the Department of Commerce and Labor. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, in a letter dated October 23, 1906, and addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury, says: In reply to your favor of the 16th instant, inquiring whether the work of the revenue cutter Rush, which had been detailed to make the Alaskan cannery cruise the past season, with Mr. John N. Cobb, of the Biureau of Fisheries, aboard, was satisfactory, I have the honor to state that I have been advised by Mr. Cobb that the work of the Riish was very satisfactory in every particular, and the thanks of the department are due the officers and men of the cutter for their cordial cooperation and aid in the performance of this trying work. Mr. Sims's reply goes on to state : I have not the slightest doubt as to the truth of the statement contained in the memorandum to the effect that the Perry actually boarded more Japanese pelagic sealers than my report indicates operated in Bering Sea during the summer. The discrepancy in the number of Japanese sealers, as stated in Mr. Sims's original report, which discrepancy he attempts to dismiss in the offhand manner indicated by the above quotation from his reply, has this direct and very pertinent bearing on the case at issue : In ms report he endeavors to discredit the work of the cutter Perry and inti- mates that the officers of the Perry performed their duty in a lax and inefficient manner. He desires his report to be accepted as an em- bodiment of accurate and substantiated facts, which facts he endeav- ors to use to the discredit of the Revenue-Cutter Service, yet the offi- cial reports of the Perry show that that vessel actually boarded and inspected more Japanese sealers than the original report of Mr. Sims — said report being "based upon record evidence, and first-hand infor- mation from responsible parties" — vindicates were in Bering Sea during the summer. Mr. Sims says: And the statement contained in my report as to the size of the Japanese sealing fleet was based upon information secured from the captain of the Perry on July 28 and from other sources previous to that time. As a matter of fact, Mr. Sims received no information from the cap- tain of the Perry relative to the size of the sealing fleet, for at the time of this conference, which consisted of an accidental meeting between Mr. Sims and the commanding officer of the Perry on the wharf at Unalaska, lasting about 10 or 15 minutes, the Perry had sighted but one sealing schooner, which was boarded by her, and did not fall in with another sealing schooner until the 29th of. August, a month after IVIr. Sims left Bering Sea. I observe that the statement as to the size of the sealing fleet, con- ' tained in Mr. Sims's report as originally submitted, has been changed in the printed report (p. 12) to correspond wdth the number of sealers boarded by the Perry, which information he received from my memo- randum. As the Perry boarded 16 Japanese sealers, liis estimate of the number in the sea, she can not justly be charged with having performed patrol duty in a very lax manner, 422 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. (e) The replj^ states: The best evidence as to whether or not the vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service were or were not actively and effectively patrolling in Bering Sea is the results accom- plished by such patrol. During the past year five or six vessels of the Canadian fleet continued their operations for several weeks into the closed season; a number of Japanese schooners conducted pelagic sealing operations within the 3-mile limit in the vicinity of the Pribilof Islands, and on two or three occasions their crews landed and raided or attempted to raid the rookeries. It requires no argument to demon- strate that a patrol which fails to discover and prevent occurrences of this kind is neither active nor effective. The statement contained in the last sentence of the above excerpt from Mr. Sims's reply is denied emphatically and in toto. The patrol of Bering Sea by the revenue cutters for the enforcement of the fur-seal regulations has, since its inception, been exceedingly active and remarkably efficient. During the past season the patrol of the Perry was efficient, active, and energetic, and that it was not sufficient to prevent the unfortunate occurrences cited can not be made justly to reflect upon the performance of duty of the officers of that ship. The most serious of these occurrences was, of course, the landing of the Japanese on St. Paul Island. It has been shown above that two days prior to the first landing of the Japanese the Perry was at St. Paul Island; that one day prior to this landing she was at St. George Island, and that on the morning of the day on which the first landing was made she was at anchor off St. George Island. It must be borne in mind, although the arguments of Mr. Sims tend to obscure this point, that an efficient and proper performance of duty on the part of the commanding officer of a revenue cutter udll operate to prevent his being continually or even a considerable time in the immediate vicinity of the Pribilof Islands. If the Perry during the past season had cruised constantly in close proximity to these islands she would have been liable to criticism for not cruising on the limits of the 60-mile zone, within which zone Canadian vessels are proMbited from sealing by the terms of the Paris award. The orders issued to the revenue cutters for the Bering Sea patrol are officially approved by the Department of Commerce and Labor. To quote further: I did not examine the official log books, records of cruising, etc., of the revenue cutters, for the reason that I was not in Alaska for the purpose of investigating the Revenue-Cutter Service. This statement is accurate, and it is an unfortunate circumstance, in the light of his criticism of the revenue-cutter patrol, that he did not investigate that service, or at least try to obtain more trustworthy information to support his allegations. If Mr. Sims had expressed a desire to investigate the operations of the Revenue-Cutter Service in connection' with the fur-seal fisheries, he would have been accorded every facility to make a thorough investigation. Such an investiga- tion would have been welcome then, and I desire to state that a full and complete investigation of this matter will be welcome now. Mr. Sims did not investigate the Revenue-Cutter Service, but submitted a report seriously reflecting upon that service and clothed in language tending to give the impression that his criticisms were the result of a careful investigation conducted by him. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 423 To quote further: The charges of laxity are not based solely upon a seven clays' residence on the islands, but are based upon observations and investigations made during the course of the entire trip. It may be well at this juncture to give a brief sketch of Mr. Sims's entire trip, excluding his seven days' residence on the islands, wherein he had opportunity for the said observations and investigations. Prior to his departure for Alaska, Mr. Sims called on a number of occasions at this ofhce and had interviews with me relative to his proposed trip. These interviews were of an agreeable nature, and I assured Mr. Sims of the willingness of the Revenue-Cutter Service to aid him in every way on the duty upon which he was to be engaged, and he informed me that the assistance accorded by the Revenue- Cutter Service in this matter was appreciated by him and by the Department of Commerce and Labor. Mr. Sims said nothing to convey in any wa}^ the impression that he proposed to investigate the conduct of the revenue cutters in connection with the seal patrol or that he desired to obtain an}^ information or to be accorded any facilities for obtaining information regarding this matter. He joined the McCvlloch on July 9 at Seattle, and on the after- noon of the same day the vessel left port and proceeded north via Port Townsend and Union Bay, at which latter place she took on a supply of coal. Upon leaving Union Bay the McCulloch steamed up the inside pas- sage out of Queen Charlotte Sound and thence direct to St. Paul Island, where she arrived July 20. Mr. Sims left the vessel at this place. The McCulloch then took on board x\gent Lembkey and 12 Japanese prisoners and proceeded to Unalaska, arriving there July 21. On July 25 she left Unalaska and proceeded to St. George and thence to St. Paul. On July 26 Mr. Sims came on board the McCulloch at St. Paul Island and was landed again on the island on July 27, but returned to the vessel in a few hours. July 27 the McCulloch visited Otter Island and landed Mr. vSims there for a short period, then pro- ceeded to St. George. Mr. Sims visited the island on this day. On the evening of the same da)^ the McCulloch left the islands and proceeded to Unalaska, coaled ship, received Japanese prisoners on board, and at 3 a. m., July 29, left port and proceeded to the eastward. July 31 anchored at Karluk, Kodiak Island. August 1 anchored in Lutnik Bay and later in the day stopped at St. Paul, Kodiak Island. (Mr. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, was a passenger on the McCulloch on this trip, and it is presumed that the vessel stopped at places just mentionecf in order to premit him to make the inspections tie desired.) Agent Lembkey left the McCulloch at Kodiak Island with 4 natives and 12 Japanese prisoners, the latter being put in charge of the United States marshal. August 3 the McCulloch left Kodiak Island and steamed direct to Sitka, arriving there August 6. Mr. Sims left the vessel August 9. It appears, therefore, that Mr. Sims's entire trip was made on the revenue cutter McCulloch, which vessel was cruising for the express purpose of carrying out his wishes and those of Commissioner Bowers. Page 22. My memorandum stated that the raid on the islands this year was unprecedented and entirely unexpected by all concerned, and in support of this assertion I quoted the following from Mr. 424 SEAL ISIiANDS OF ALASKA. Sims's report: "The seals which herd on these islands have been undisturbed in the waters surrounding them for many years and they undoubtedly fell an easy prey to this unexpected onslaught." The reply to the memorandum now seeks to give the impression that the raids were either expected or their probability was suspected by the agents on the islands. It remains only to be said that if such was the case, the agents on both St. Paul and St. George were culpably negligent, in that they failed to inform the commanding officer of the rerry of their suspicions in the matter, or that they suspected the occurrence of a situation which they, according to Mr. Sims, were ''prepared to properly handle." If the Department of Commerce and Labor was apprehensive of a raid, they indicated noth- ing of this kind when orders were issued to the Perry and sent to that department for its approval. Page 41. (&) In connection w^ith the allegation in his report that the revenue cutters fail to cooperate properly with the islands but are in the habit of signaling to the people on shore "Send a boat," "Make haste," etc., Mr. Sims now gives a number of signals, with dates, in support of his charge. Each incident he notes has been carefully examined, with the following results: Date. Signals cited by Mr. Sims. Facts in connection with these signals as obtained from official log books. ' 1900. July 12 Rush— "Send your letters' July 25 July 29 Sept, 4 1902. Oct. 23 1903. Aug. 3 Rush — "Send a boat' Rush—" Send a boat" . Rush—" Send a boat" . Manning— "Make haste".. McCuUoch— "Send a boat with Sinclair." Rush stopped off Southeast Landing, St. Paul, at 9.45 a. m. tMs day and sent officer in boat for mail. Found landing impossi- ble, on account of heavy surf. Boat returned. Received signal from shore, "Send surgeon." Full speed ahead, stood around island into village cove and anchored. Sent officer and surgeon ashore to ascertain what was the trouble and to get the mail; 12.15 p. m., boat from shore came alongside with Agent Judge, who called on commanding officer; 2.10 p. m., boat returned with officer and surgeon; 2.30 p. m., underway and steamed for St. George. (There is no record of the signal, "Send your let- ters," having been displayed from the Rush on this day.) This signal was displayed as noted. (There appears to have been no reason why the people on the islands, whose boats are right on the beach" and who are entirely famiUar with the landing, with the adjacent rocks, kelp, etc., should have not come along- side the Rush in their own boat.) The log of the Rush contains no mention of any signal having been displaved on this day. The Rush anchored at St. Paul at 4.20 p. m.this day, sent an officer ashore for mail and to notify Fish Commissioner Town- send that the vessel would leave in the early morning. Mr. Townsend came on board that night. The Rush left St. Paul 5.35 next morning. Rush anchored at St. Paul 8.55 a. m. this day. Signaled to village, "Send your letters." Received answer, "Everyone sick with measles." Rush waited for opportunity to land, and at 4.15 p. m. signaled village, "Get mail ready." At 4.30 p. m. sent boat ashore in charge of officer for mail; 5.40, boat returned with mail; 9 a. m. next morning, left the island. On this date the Manning was not at either St. Paul or St. George Island. On Oct. 25, at 11.30 a. m., the Manning stopped ofit East Landing, St. Paul Island, and sent in her boat with mail and received mail for the States. She signaled, "Make haste," which message was intended to bring about the speedy return of her own boat. (Weather overcast; frequent snow squalls; moderate to fresh breezes. That night wind increased to moderate gale.) Manning proceeded to St. George. There is no record of such a signal. McCuUoch anchored off St. Paul Island 5.30 p. m. Aug. 3, 1903. Sent an officer ashore to inform special agents of arrival of sena- torial committee and to req uest them to come on board . S pecial Agents Lembkey and Judge came off in McCuUoch 's boat and conferred with thecommittee. DuringSp.m.tomidnight watch landed Special Agents Lembkey and Judge in the ship's boat. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 425 Date. Signals cited by Mr. Sims. Facts in connection with these signals as obtained from ofEcial log books. 1904. Aug. 14 Aug. 19 Aug. 24 Aug. 29 Sept. 3 Sept. 9 Oct. 17 1905. July 3 McCulloch— "Send a boat." "All the available men were away at the seal rook- eries and the cutter sailed away without further com- municating with the shore. ' ' McCulloch — ' ' Have stores for you." McCulloch—' ' Send a boat ' ' . McCulloch ' ' Anchored off East Land- ing. Did not communi- cate." McCulloch — "Have stores for you." "Bad landing but she steamed westward before waiting for reply. Landed stores at Northeast Point on the same day. " McCulloch— "Have stores for you." " To this signal the island answered ' Will send a boat if possible.' While boat was being launched the cut- ter steamed away. ' ' McCulloch— "Send a boat." McCulloch—' ' Have letters for you. ' ' McCulloch arrived off Village Cove, St. Paul Island, about 11 a. m. of this day. At 11.18 stopped and sent a boat to steamer Kruger with mail for St. George Island; 11.50, off Village Cove, set signal, "Send a boat." Stopped until 12.25 p. m., then steamed ahead slow. The vessel was ofl the village for over half an hour, but no an- swer to the signal is noted in the log as having been displayed on shore. If there were not enough men available to man a boat, there certainly must have been one man present to return the McCul- loch 's signal. The individual who read the signal surely could have answered it. This signal was displayed by the McCulloch as stated. This signal is correct. A boat came off from the village and re- ceived the mail. 6.55 a.m. this day, fog lifting somewhat, ship underway and steamed around island. The ship did not anchor off East Landing but in Lukannon Bay, out of signal distance with the village. Weather foggy. 6.35 a. m. this day McCulloch stopped off St. Paul village and signaled, "Have stores for you." Answering pennant dis- played on shore but no signal set. Vessel stopped 45 minutes off Village, but her signal was unanswered. Steamed around to other side of island and anchored under the lee of Northeast Point. Sent boat ashore and communicated with village by telephone regarding landing of mail and stores. The McCulloch did land mail and stores during the afternoon of this day. 12.45 p. m. this day McCulloch stopped off Black Bluff and sig- naled, "Have stores for you." Received in answer, "Will send boat if possible." Vessel rolling deeply and therefore not advisable to lower ship 's boat. Vessel remained off village 45 minutes. Then proceeded to Northeast Point and anchored. On the ne.xt day she returned to Black Blufl, signaled, "Can you send boat?" and received answer, "Will send boat." A boat came off from the shore and received mail and stores. This signal was set as stated and a boat came off from the shore and received and dehvered mail. The McCulloch was in Bering Sea at no time during the season of 1905. While Mr. Sims picks out some 14 signals, covering a period of seven 3^ears, during four of which years the islands were under the control of the Treasury Department, he does not allude in any way to the numerous other times the cutters have communicatee! with and assisted the agents on the seal islands. The signals mentioned above to which he does refer are, as the record shows, not worthy of serious consideration, and are in a number of cases not borne out by the facts. In connection with this matter of the signals displayed by the revenue cutters to "Send a boat," "Have stores for 3'ou/' etc., it may be said that in the majority of cases the boat should be sent out from the island instead of one of the sliip's boats being lowered and sent ashore. If a vessel is rolling deeply, the difficulty and danger of lowering a boat are considerable. On the islands there are boats at hand drawn up on the beach that can be readily launched. The natives are famihar with the rocks that surround the landing and have had years of experience in the work. When supplies are brought to the islands by the company's steamers, they are, as a rule, landed in shore boats manned by the natives. It is not easy to see wliy the obligation should rest upon the cutter to send a boat on every occasion. 426 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Page 42. (a) The following is cited as an alleged incident when Government agents at the seal islands were not allowed to come on board a revenue cutter: On or about August 19, 1904, the McCulloch visited St. George Island. In response to her signal, "Send a boat," a shore boat conveying Mr. Judge, the Government agent, went out to her. The boat was given mail for the island, but its occupants were informed by the officer at the gangway that no one would be permitted to come on board, as the cutter was leaving immediately. Consequently she was not boarded and the Goyernment agent had no opportunity to advise her officers as to the condi- tions on the islands. Tlie official log book of the McCulloch show^s that that vessel was not at St. George Island on August 1 9. On the following day, August 20, she was off the island of St. George, but did not stop. A moderate to fresh gale was blowang, wdth rough confused sea, conditions that w^ould prevent communication wdth the shore, and the log book fails to mention any such communication. I have ascertained, however, probably in reference to this matter, that on one occasion during the summer of 1904 the McCulloch, while en route to St. Paul Island, stopped for a short time at St. George. A boat came off from shore with the mail. The commanding officer of the McCulloch was very anxious to reach St. Paul Island before nightfall; he therefore sent the officer of the deck to present his compliments to the official in charge of the shore boat, with the request that he hasten delivery of his mail, explaining the reason for his desire to proceed as soon as possible in order that he might reach the other island before night. I have learned from the officer, who was officer of the deck at this particular time, the circumstances stated above. He does not recall the fact that the Government agent was denied the right to come on board the ship and is quite sure no such order was given. It is cer- tain that had the agent any matter of importance to communicate he would have been given an opportunity to do so. In his original report Mr. Sims made the statement that — A cutter proceeding from Unalaska to the islands absolutely refused to carry one of the Government agents who was marooned at that place. And in his reply endeavors to substantiate the above statement as follows: On or about August 8, 1900, Mr. W. I. Lembkey, then assistant agent, who was proceeding to the islands in the company's vessel Homer, with important information from the department, growing out of the unexpected death of Chief Agent John M. Morton, was compelled to wait at Dutch Harbor for three weeks until the company's vessel resumed her voyage to the islands. The cutter Rush, Capt. Cushing, of the Bering Sea seal patrol, was at Dutch Harbor during that time, ^\^en the cutter was about to sail for the islands, Mr. Lembkey hired a rowboat, went out to her, and explained to the captain the urgency of his mission and of the importance of his reaching the islands at once, and requested passage thereto. The captain refused to take him on board on the ground that he intended to patrol around the islands and would not call in at either village. The cutter, which left Dutch Harbor soon after this refusal, sailed directly for St. Paul, where her officers notified the residents that Mr. Lembkey was at Dutch Harbor and would arrive at the islands on the company's steamer. I have taken occasion to investigate carefully the facts in con- ^ nection with this occurrence. On August 2, 1900, the Rush was at Dutch Harbor when the si 'earner Homer arrived. At 6.55 a. m. August 5 the Rush left port ar id did not sail directly for St. Paul Island, as stated by Mr. Sims, bu t on the contrary cruised in Bering Sea about the 60-mile limit an( 1 did not arrive at St. Paul Island until 7.30 p. m. August 10. u^ SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 427 Capt. W. H. Gushing, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, who commanded the Rush in 1900, in a letter to me states: Mr. Lembkey asked me if I was going to the islands and when I expected to arrive there. I told him I was not going direct to either one, but intended to cruise con- tinuously around St. George and St. Paul Islands, making the full circle of both at the 60-mile limit. I was anxious to do it at this time, as word had been brought me after I arrived at Dutch Harbor that some sealing schooners had been seen inside the 60-mile limit. Mr. Lembkey never told me about his "important information growing out of the unexpected death of Mr. Morton." If he had done so, I should certainly have landed him at one of the islands, but he seemed to be just as well satisfied to go up on the Homer, and at that time I understood she would be at the islands as soon as we would. I wish to say here that if Mr. Lembkey had shown me or told me of any great urgency, or the importance of his reaching the islands, and I had been obliged to refuse him, I certainly would have considered it important enough to have made an entry in the ship's journal and given a reason. The official log of the Rush contains no entry relative to any application from Mr. Lembkey to be taken on the Rush to the seal islands. On his ])revious cruise Capt. Cusliing was asked by Mr. Town- send, an official of the FisJi Commission, to be taken to the islands. Capt. Cushing acceded at once, received Mr. Townsend in his cabin, and carried him to St. George and St. Paul. After cruising around the islands, the Rush returned to St. Paul for Mr. Townsend on July 29 alid brought him back to Dutch Harbor, 'i his incident is mentioned to show that it is not likely that Capt. Cushing would have made any distinction between Mr. Townsend and Mr. Lembkey. In this connection it would be interesting to know how and at wliat time Mr. Lembkey became aware of the death of Chief Agent Morton and of the "important information from the department" growing out of Mr. Morton's death. Mr. Morton died July 15, 1900, and the department first learned of it on August 14, about 10 days after Mr. Lembkey made his request tO' Capt. Cushing at Dutch Harbor, by a telegram from Special Agent Power at San Francisco. Up to August 5, the date the Rush left port, Mr. Lembkey had certainly received no "important information from the department growing out of the unexpected death of Chief Agent Morton." Mr. Sims says that Mr. Lembkey "was compelled to wait at Dutch Harbor for three weeks until the company's vessel resumed her voy- age to the ishands." The Homer, with Mr. Lembkey on board, arrived at Dutch Harbor August 2, and Capt. Cushing informs me that upon his return to Dutch Harbor, on August 18, he did not see Mr. Lembkey there. Capt. Cushing performed such efficient work with the Rush during the season of 1900 that he received a letter from the then chief of the Revenue-Cutter Service, Capt. Shoemaker, expressing his "sincere appreciation of the fine work of jout (his) command in every direc- tion and relation throughout the season just ended," and continuing,, "better satisfaction could not have been given nor more efficient work performed than that done by the Rush." That Capt. Cushing rendered every assistance and extended every courtesy in his power to the agents on the seal islands seems to be borne out by a letter to him from Agent E. W. Clark, dated August 30, 1900, which states: My Dear Gushing: Mrs. Clark and I are at last on our way to San Francisco. We have to thank you for many kindnesses, and I drop this line to express our acknowl- 428 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. edgments and the wish that you may have a safe and comfortable return trip with the Rush. * * * Remember me kindly to all the gentlernen on board. Should you come East do not fail to look us up. Sincerely, your friend, Ezra W. Clark. The following alleged occurrence is narrated by Mr. Sims : On or about July 16, 1901, Capt. Buhner, of the Manning, imder instructions to take Agent Chichester from St. George to St. Paul to photograph the seal rookeries, called at St. George and took on board Mr. Chichester. This necessitated the stay of Chief Agent Lembkey on St. George Island until the return of Mr. Chichester. In pur- suance of an understanding between the agents, Mr. Chichester requested Capt. Buhner to return him to St. George Island about July 20, so as to allow Mr. Lembkey to go back to St. Paul Island and resume the discharge of his duties there. Capt. Buhner's reply to Mr. Chichester's request was, in substance, as follows: Do you think I am nmning a ferryboat for the convenience of the Government The cutter did not, in fact, retm-n Mr. Chichester to his station on St. George, and he was able to get back only through the courtesy of the British cruiser Condor, which performed the service at the request of Agent Lembkey. The facts in this case are as follows: July 3, Agent Chichester came on board the Manning at St. George Island. He was transported to St. Paul and landed there July' 4. The Manning returned to St. George on the 5th to drag for an anchor, which she had lost there a few days previously, then proceeded to Dutch Harbor. During the remainder of the month in the .course of her cruising in Bering Sea, the Manning sighted St. George Island twice, but did not visit St. Paul until August 14. There is no record in the log of the Manning of any refusal on the part of Capt. Buhner to transport the agents, and I am unable to say whether Mr. Sims has correctly quoted Capt. Buhner's remarks, or whether, in view of the possibly greater importance of the Manning's cruising in Bering Sea, Capt. Buhner was justified in his alleged refusal to return Mr. Chichester to St. George at that time. Knowing as I do that the uniform course of the officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service in Bering Sea for many years has been to do everything in their power for the comfort and convenience of the agents on the seal islands, without orders from the department and without official request from the agents, I confess to a feehng of indig- nation to note these last three alleged occurrences, one six years, one five years, and another two years ago, two of them at a time when the islands were under the control of the Treasury Department, picked out with what appears to be an intention to give an entirely wrong impression as to the bearing of the officers of the service toward these agents. That the cutters have been consistent in complying, whenever pos- sible with the requests of the agents, whether tnose requests were of an official nature or solely for their personal convenience, can be easily and fully proven. The following is a case in point: In a letter dated May 11, 1904, to Capt. Shoemaker, then Chief of the Revenue-Cutter Service, Mr. Lembkey requested "as a personal favor" that his wife be furnished transportation on the Bear from Dutch Harbor to St. Paul Island. In compliance with this request the commanding officer of the Bear was directed to receive Mrs. Lembkey on board and transport her to St. Paul Island as requested. The Bear, however, met with an accident and did not make the cruise, and was therefore not able to take Mrs. Lembkey to St. Paul. SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 429 If the incidents cited by Mr. Sims were such as to imply a hixity in the performance of duty by oihcers of the Revenue-Cutter Service, why did the agents on the seal islands not report the circumstances at the time to the Treasury Department, under which they were then serving ? Page 43. (a) I stated in my memorandum that the commanding officer of the Perry noted in his report that upon conferring with the agents on St. Paul and St. George on July 14 and 15, respectively, he ''received no important news at either island." Mr. Sims states: It is apparent that if they (the officers of the Perry) did hold such conference, they must have learned that a schooner had been sighted near that island (St. George) on July 8. Compare this admission that the Perry possibly did confer with the agent on St. George with the statement on page 2 of the reply: ''Furthermore, it appears that if the Perry was m fact anchored off St. George Island on the morning of July 16 she failed to communi- cate with the Government agent at the village." To quote further: It is manifest, therefore, that if the Perry received no important information at either island, she failed to properly cooperate with the Government agents. It is difficult to conceive how the officers of the Perry can properly be blamed for any failure on the part of the agents to acquaint them with news of importance or of their suspicions of a contemplated raid. The fact that a schooner had been sighted on July 8 near the island, one week before this conference, can by no stretch of the imagination be considered as news of importance bearing on the probabihty of a contemplated raid, and a frank and truthful statement from the agent on St. George will bear out tliis assertion. I call attention to this situation: A vessel had been sighted off St. Paul a few days before the Perry called at that island; one sealing schooner was sighted off St. George a few days before the Perry con- ferred with the agent there. Assuming the knowledge that a raid was imminent, where should the Perry be to prevent such raid? She could not well be at both islands (40 miles apart) at the same time. As a matter of fact, she was at St. George on the morning of the very day the Japanese first landed on St. Paul. Criticism of her course in the matter is as unfounded as it is unjust. The reply of Mr. Sims goes on to state: In this connection I have the honor to suggest that the best evidence as to whether or not there was a proper cooperation and as to whether or not the patrol was active and effective will be that evidence which shows the exact whereabouts of the Perry from July 27, the date the memorandum allegesshe entered Bering Sea, until July 29, the day I left those waters. The criticisms made by Mr. Sims reflect on the conduct of the revenue-cutter patrol for a number of years past (note his strictures on alleged incidents as far back as 1900), yet he asks the whereabouts of the Perry from June 27 to July 29, because he knows that for a con- siderable time during this period the Perry was Xy'mg disabled at Dutch Harbor as the result of an unforeseen and unpreventable ac- cident to her machinery. The implication that his criticisms are based solely on the movements of the Perry during the specific period from June 27 to July 29 is sophistry. 430 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The following shows the whereabouts of the Perry from June 27 to July 29 : June 27, arrived at Unalaska 8.15 p. m., from Seattle. June 28-30, coaling, landing stores, blowing down boiler, etc. July 1, Sunday. July 2-3, cleaning boiler and overhauling machinery. July 4, holiday. July 5-17, cruising in Bering Sea. On the 5th touched at the Bogoslof Islands to examine new island that recently arose from the ocean. (Under date of June 23 the Superintendent of the Coast and Geodetic Survey of the Department of Commerce and Labor requested that a revenue cutter verify the rumor of a third island having arisen, saying: ' 'It is very desirable in the interest of science as well as of navigation that this report be verified.") Extended cruise to the westward as far as Attn Island and retvurned via Pribilof Islands. The object of going to Attn was to inquire into the rumor that Japanese fishing vessels had returned to that place in September, 1905, after having been warned away by the Perry the previous season, and also to distribute to the destitute natives there a portion of the clothing sent on board by the Women's National Relief Society for that purpose. The natives were found in a destitute condition. (The Perry visited Attn in 1905 and Mr. Sims himself expressed the opinion that she did good work on the occasion of that visit.) Touched at St. Paul July 14 and at St. George July 15. Left St. George July 16, returned to Unalaska for coal, arriving July 17. July 18-21, at Unalaska coaling ship. Ready for sea 20th, delayed sailing account of unfavorable weather conditions. July 21 McCulloch arrived with Agent Lembkey and the Japanese prisoners. Con- ierred with Agent Lembkey and commanding officer of McCulloch. It was decided that the Perry should proceed to St. Paul to secure witnesses and pick up Messrs. Sims and Bowers. July 22-28, left Unalaska July 22 and proceeded to Dutch Harbor to take on island mail. When the main engine was again started the air-pump head carried away and disabled the engine completely. The repairs were made as expeditiously as possible "by the force on board and proved to have been made in a satisfactory manner, as the vessel was able to continue her patrol duty until the close of the season. (A board was at once convened to investigate this accident to the engine. The report of this board was submitted to the department and indorsed by the Engineer in Chief as follows: "The repairs to the air pump of the Perry were commenced promptly on the morning of July 23, 1906, immediately after the receipt of the report of the board recommending what repairs were necessary. The engineer's log book for the month shows that all hands were employed on these repairs continuously from July 23 to 10 a. m. July 27, when repairs were finished, the engine turned over, and the pump found to work satisfactorily. That the repairs were properly made at that time is evidenced by the fact that the vessel was enabled to complete her season's work and return to Seattle without further difficulty from that source. In my opinion no other method of repair could have been adopted, considering the very limited resources at hand, which would have enabled the vessel to have proceeded with safety on a Bering Sea cruise any sooner than she did . " ) While the repairs were being made the McCulloch performed the work arranged for the Perry, and in order that the McCulloch should not be unnecessarily delayed on her return to Unalaska the crew of the Perry was employed in sacking coal for use on the McCulloch. The repairs to the Perry's machinery were completed July 27. The McCulloch was due to return the 28th, so the Perry awaited her arrival in order that the commanding officer of the Perry might confer with the commanding officer of the McCulloch and the. officials from the island. July 29, Perry proceeded to sea. In his report Mr. Sims recommended that the vessel on the patrol be required to communicate not less than once in two weeks with the agents on the seal islands. During the past season the commanding officer of the Perry from the date of the arrival of that vessel in Bering Sea, June 27, to the date of the Perry's departure from the sea, Sep- tember 16, communicated with the Government agents either in person, or through an officer, or by means of the International Code of Signals, 16 times, or an average of once in five days. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 431 The reply states : The Perry knowing that a number of Japanese schooners were in Bering Sea and that schooners had been sighted from both St. Paul and St. George Islands, might have been back at the islands on July 19. She was still in Dutch Harbor on July 29 when I passed thi-ough there on the McCulloch. Mr. Sims knows perfectly well that the Perry endeavored to return to the islands and of the accident to her machinery described above. (Mr. Lembkey was on board the Perry when the accident occurred.) Why does he then endeavor to give the impression that the Perry remained in port until July 29 without any valid reason? . Mr. Sims left Dutch Harbor on the McCulloch at 3.30 a. m. on the 29th, and at 6 a. m. the Perry went to sea. Page 43. (h) The arrangement of a code of signals for communica- tion between the islands and the cutters in foggy weather is not a matter for contention, and is mentioned here solely that no point of Mr. Sims's reply may appear to have been overlooked. While the establishment of an effective system of sound signals is, I believe, impracticable, because the islands have no way of sendmg sound signals, the Revenue-Cutter Service is ready to do its part in the elaboration of any system desired. Page 44. (2) Mr. Sims admits the inaccuracy of his statement that the Perry was at St. Paul Island on July 14 ''for about three hours." "This seeming inaccuracy is, however," he says, "of no importance * * *," and he continues: "My information was secured from the most trustworthy sources on the island * * *." The inaccuracy is of this importance: That it indicates that "the most trustworthy sources on the island" have supplied him gener- ally with inaccurate and misleading information relative to the revenue-cutter patrol. The Revenue-Cutter Ser\dce has all the facts bearing on this matter, and, as I stated in my memorandum, Mr. Sims has practically none and has apparently made no effort to secure any. Page 45. (b) The statement in Mr. Sims's report, " the vessel detailed on this duty (seal patrol) does not, under ordinary circum- stances, reach the sea until about the 1st of August," is not true, and was so proven in my memorandum setting forth the dates of arrival of the revenue cutters for the last three seasons. His statement, as quoted, is capable of only one construction, and can not be tAvisted to mean anything else; but, in an effort to avoid the admission of error in this matter, Mr. Sims now advances the ingenious argument that an arrival at the seal islands consti- tutes an arrival in Bering Sea, and says: "In my judgment, an arri- val at Dutch Harbor, or Unalaska, is not an arrival in Bering Sea in the sense that the vessel has arrived at the point where she enters upon the discharge of her duties in connection with the fur-seal fisheries patrol." On the contrary, Dutch Harbor (or Unalaska) is the particular point where a vessel does enter upon the discharge of these duties, and by no deduction can any other point be cliosen the arrival at which would indicate the date upon which a vessel enters upon the performance of her duties. A vessel might leave Dutch Harbor and engage in a most active and energetic patrol in Bering Sea and not touch at the islands until considerably later. 432 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. I give the dates of arrival at Dutch Harbor for the past seven seasons, going back to 1900, which is the earhest season mentioned in Mr. Sims's report: Vessel. Season of 1900: Bear Rush Perry McCulloch Maiming . . Season of 1901: Manning . . Grant Bear Thetis . . . . Season of 1902: Bear Thetis Manning . . Perry McCulloch Season of 1903: Thetis Manning . . Date of arrival at Dutch Harbor. May 23 June 4 June 17 June 14 June 15 June 9 July 10 July 27 July 26 May 30 May 29 June V July 19 July 26 June 5 June 10 Vessel. Season of 1903— Continued McCulloch.;!!!!!;;'.!; Perry Rushi Season of 1904: McCulloch Perry Thetis Rushi Season of 1905: Manning Perry Bear Season of 1906: Perry Rush Thetis McCulloch Date of arrival at Dutch Harbor. July 7 July 16 July 28 Aug. 6 June 25 July 6 July 14 Aug. 15 June 13 June 16 Do. June 27 June 28 June 29 July 21 1 Special cruise with court officials. Not all the vessels mentioned in the foregoing table were on the fur-seal patrol, but all the revenue cutters that cruised in Alaskan waters are included, for the purpose of demonstrating conclusively that the cutters almost invariably "reach the sea," on whatever duty they may be engaged, considerably prior to August 1. The following are the dates of arrival at the seal islands of the revenue cutters, whose particular duty was the fur-seal patrol, for the past seven seasons : , Season. Vessel. Arrival at seal islands. 1900 Rush July 6 June 30 1901 Manning 1902 .. ..do Do. 1903 July 10 Aug. 1 June 26 1904 McCulloch /Manning 1905 \Perry July 3 July 14 1906 do Even if we admit the untenable proposition that an arrival at the Pribilof Islands constitutes an arrival in Bering Sea, Mr. Sims's own statement as to the date on which the revenue cutter detailed for the seal patrol under ordinary circumstances reaches the sea is not borne out by the facts. In my memorandum I stated, referring to certain recommendations he had made concerning the cruising of the revenue cutters in Bering Sea: Mr. Sims apparently does not take into consideration the necessity for vessels to coal, clean boilers, overhaul machinery, etc. SEAL. ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 433 And Ids admission, "As to the matter of cleaning boilers, overhaul- ing machinery, etc., I am not familiar," is clearly borne out by liis statement — I have no information, therefore, as to whether during the winter raonths thoy (the revenue cutters) have the same opportunities as commercial steamers to overhaul their machinery and put themselves in shipshape for the ensuing season — implying, as it apparently does, .his belief that a steam A^essel can leave Port Townsend, Wash., June 16, and return to that place September 24, havmg cruised in the meanwliile 11,000 miles, as the Perry did this last season, without cleaning boilers or overhauling maclmiery. For some reason Mr. Sims does not take kindly to the suggestion made in my memorandum that the Revenue- Jutter Service is pre- pared at any time, at the request of the Department of Commerce and Labor, to place an armed guard on the Pribilof Islands that will insure against any raids on the rookeries — tliis in spite of the fact that he urgently recommends that the islands be supplied with cannon, one or more rapid-fire guns, and an increased supply of rifles and ammunition, to be operated presumably by the natives. Mr. Sims, perhaps voicing the opinions of the agents, does not wish the officers of the Revenue-Clutter Service to have any control what- ever over the affairs on the seal islands; but, on the other hand, he is wiUing that the agents on the islands shall have more or less authority over the movements of the revenue cutters in Bering Sea. The principal facts pertinent to this whole matter may be briefly summarized : Mr. Sims visited Alaska the past season for the^ purpose of investi- gating the fur-seal fisheries, and for the furtherance of his object was accorded every courtesy by this department and by the officers of the revenue cutter McCulloch, on which vessel he made the trip to the seal islands. In his official report to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor he criticized severely the conduct of the revenue-cutter patrol for the enforcement of the fur-seal regulations. He says he \Yas not sent to Alaska to investigate the Revenue-Cutter Service, and I wish to state as forcibly as possible that he did not investigate the revenue- cutter patrol, but the tenor of his report is such as to convey the impression to those not familiar with the situation that his strictures on the Revenue-Cutter Service are the result of careful investigation. Mr. Sims is a man of legal attainments and presumably possessed of a judicial mind. He knows that exception must be taken to conclu- sions derived from an investigation based on ex parte testimony, yet in this matter his information was obtained from the agents on the islands and he does not pretend to have sought any information on the subject from the officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service. His animadversions on the revenue-cutter patrol for the past season have been found, after a careful investigation by this office, to be %\ithout basis in fact. No complaint was ever made by the agents on the islands when they were under the direction of the Treasury Department, nor, in so far as I am aware, was any complaint made when Assistant Secretary Taylor, who had direct supervision of the Revenue-Cutter Service, visited the seal islands in the summer of 1905, nor had any complaints reached this department until Mr. Sims made his report. 2403— H. Doc. 93, (52—1 28 434 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Upon learning the contents of Mr. Sims's report, I made every effort on tfie occasion of two personal visits to the Department of Commerce and Labor to have an interview with him in order that I might ascer- tain upon what information his comments on the patrol were based and lay before him the records of the ships on file in this office, so the matter might be investigated to the bottom. I have never seen him since his return from Alaska, although he has been in this city on at least two occasions since. Secretary Metcalf informed me that he had asked Mr. Sims to call upon me. After reading the original report I thought there might have been inattention to duty on the part of the revenue cutters in Bering Sea during the past season, and I desired to and did investigate the matter thoroughly with the result that I found there was no basis for the charges made. If Mr. Sims had conferred with me and ascertained the truth relative to the seal patrol, he would not have fallen into the error of making statements that the facts do not substantiate. The President desired a full investigation of this matter and I have endeavored earnestly to comply with his directions. It is certain that a fair and complete investigation can not be made unless the oppor- tunity is given this department to question Mr. Sims, with such of his informants as he can produce, for the purpose of ascertaining the facts from which he arrives at his conclusions and statements. When this department became aware of the nature of the report Capt. DunAvoody, the commanding officer of the Perry, was imme- diately ordered to Washington, and Mr. Sims was aware of Capt. Dunwoody's presence in this city. There are also officers of the McCuUoch, now in the vicinity of Washington, who may be able to throw further light upon the subject of Mr. Sims's investigation. At all events, it would seem no more than right and proper, after this department hatl afforded Mr. Sims special consideration for the conduct of his investigation, going so far as to order the McCvlloch from San Francisco to the Pribilof Islands for his personal con- venience, that, when about to submit a report discrediting the work of the tlevenue- Cutter Service in connection with the fur-seal patrol and covering a period when the fur-seal fisheries were under the con- trol of the Treasury, with which he has had no official connection, he should at least have conferred with the officers of this department relative to the facts in the case. Mr. Sims has endeavored to impugn the revenue-cutter patrol, after spending 10 days in Bering Sea, including the time spent on board the McCulloch, and after a trip which he himself informed me, prior to his departure, was to be a flying one. I feel that any further controversy in this matter with Mr. Sims will serve no good purpose, and I submit this rejoinder in reply to his last statement solely in order that it may be made a part of the official record of the case. The Revenue- Cutter Service will welcome the most thorough inves- tigation into the performance of its duties in Bering Sea that it is possible to make. Respectfully submitted. Worth G. Ross, Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Chief of Division. seal islands of alaska. 435 Treasury Department, Washington, December 10, 1906. My Dear Mr. Secretary: You will remember that some time ago Mr. Edward W. Sims, in a report on matters connected with your department, took occasion to submit some strictures concern- mg the Revenue-Cutter Service without, in fact, investigating the matter commented upon by him. Capt. Dunwoody, of the revenue cutter Pen^y, whose official conduct was thus criticized by a subordi- nate of another department without investigation, was promptly or- dered to Washington. The captain's report and the log of the revenue cutter clearly show that Mr. Sims must either have gone out of liis way to submit the criticism, or that he relied upon hearsay evidence. A copy of the captain's report and of the log of the revenue cutter have been submitted to you. I am further advised that you asked Mr. Sims to come to this department to explain. This he declined to do. The published report of Mr. Sims, at the bottom of page 21, says: "The vessel detailed on this duty does not, under ordinary circumstances, reach the sea until about the 1st of August." The log of the vessels that cmise the Bering Sea region show that in 1904 the first one arrived June 25 and the last July 12. In 1905 the first vessel arrived June 14 and the other two on June 16. In 1906 one vessel arrived June 27, one June 28, and the other June 29. If you desire a record of previous 3^ears before the criticism of the Depart- ment of Commerce and Labor I will be very glad to furnish it. If Mr. Sims has evidence that the logs of the revenue cutters have been falsified, I wish you would have liim furnish it. Some one is guilty of falsification, and if it be the revenue-cutter officers I pro- pose to punish them. If it be Mr. Sims, the responsibiHty is not mine. I base my request upon the principle wliich I think you will recog- nize as promptly as I, that clerks in the several departments should be reasonably cautious about calling in question the official integrity of officers of other departments. In tliis instance Mr. Sims undertook to describe the course of a revenue cutter without so much as examining its log. Yours, very truly, L. M. Shaw. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. December 15, 1906. My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 10th instant with reference to that part of the report of Mr. Edwin W. Sims on the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries which relates to the patrol of Bering Sea by the Revenue-Cutter Service. Under date of November 9, 1905, Mr. Sims, who was then Sohcitor of the Department of Commerce and Labor, was placed in charge, subject to the supervision of the Secretary, of certain important matters affecting the fur-seal fisheries of Alaska. In order that the department might bs placed in possession of full information concern- ing this subject, Mr. Sims was detailed by me on July 21, 1906, to make a thorough investigation of all matters relating to the condition of the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries on the Pribilof Islands and the waters of Alaska. 436 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, i His report which was submitted under date of August 31, 1906, was I the result of this visit; but in view of the exception taken to certain ' portions of his report in a memorandum submitted by the Revenue- Cutter Service, Mr. Sims has rendered a supplemental report in reply j thereto, a copy of which is herewith inclosed for your information, i I am confident that after a careful reading of the supplemental report and a consideration of the facts therein contained you will agree with me that it can not be successfully contended that the Revenue-Cutter Service has maintained an efficient patrol in the waters adjacent to the seal islands. Mr. Sims in his supplemental report fully explains his former state- ment as to the dates on which the vessels arrived at the islands, or, as he said, ' ' the sea," and I am of opinion that the mere misapplication of terms is hardly sufficient to discredit the substantial fact contained in the assertion. I regret, Mr. Secretary, that you feel that the "official integrity" of the ofticers of the Revenue-Cutter Service has been called in question, and beg to assure you that it was not the intention of Mr, Sims to do so, and that such was not the case. In conclusion, allow me to state that Mr. Sims is no longer connected with this department, being now United States attorney for the north- ern district of Illinois, During his connection with this department he won the confidence and respect of his superior officers and colleagues by the admirable manner in which he handled the varied important matters assigned to him, and his splendid services can not be lost sight of because a detail of his report has been called in question. Very respectfully, V, H. Metcalf, Secretary. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury. Treasury Department, Washington, January 10, 1907. My Dear Sir: Sometime ago Mr. Edward W, Sims made a report to your department in which he submitted some very severe criticisms of the Revenue-Cutter Service. The report was so specific and so severe that the President felt justified in issuing a most severe repri- mand to the Revenue-Cutter Service. Considerable correspondence has followed, which clearly shows Mr, Sims' statements to have been unwarranted, untrue, and made without any investigation whatever, I am not prepared to criticize the motives of Mr. Sims, He prob- ably relied upon representatives of your department at the Seal Islands. You will quite agree with me, however, that no report of the movement of a ship should be made without first having examined the ship's log. Either the officers of these revenue cutters are deliberately falsifying the record of their movements, or the representative of your department has deliberately and maliciously reported to ]\Ir. Sims what is not true, or Mr. Sims has deliberately reported what he per- haps lioped was true but which was in fact false, I do not feel like letting the matter drop. Several officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service should be dismissed in disgrace or some one else should at least be reprimanded SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 437 I submit herewith a rejoinder to the reply of Mr. Sims concerning his report, prepared by the Chief of the Revenue-Cutter Service. Yours, very truly, L. M. Shaw. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. [Copy.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, January 12, 1907. My Dear Sir: I am just in receipt of your letter of the 10th instant about the report of Mr. Sims, in which he criticized the Revenue-Cutter Service. I know notliing personally of this matter. Of course nothing definite can be tlccomplished by prolonging the correspondence between the Revenue-Cutter Service and Mr. Sims. I notice that Capt. Ross, the Cliief of the Revenue-Cutter Service, suggests that an investigation of the whole matter be made, and this seems to me the best way of getting at something definite. I therefore suggest that we ask the President to designate three men, preferably those who are famihar with Bering Sea and that entire locality, to act as a board, to which we may submit all the papers in this case. Whatever their finding may be we will submit to the President. If, however, you prefer another plan, I would suggest that you name some one in the Treasury Department, and I will name some one in tliis department, and we will ask the Secretary of the Navy to designate some naval officer for the third member of the board, the naval officer to be one who is personally famihar with Alaska and Bering Sea, the report of this proposed board to be submitted to the President. If neither of these plans appeals to you, will you suggest something? My only desire is to have tliis matter of dispute referred to a com- petent, independent commission of three men who have absolutely no prejudice in the matter one way or the other, and abide by their decision. The plans that I have outlined above would seem to be absolutely fair to all parties concerned. Will you please let me know which of the above-outlined plans you prefer, and if neither appeals to you, kindly suggest one in return. I have the honor to be, sir. Your obedient servant, Secretary. Hon. Leslie M. Shaw, Secretary of the Treasury. 438 seal islands of alaska. Tkeasury Department, Washington, February 2, 1907. My Dear Mr. Secretary: Replying to your letter of January 12, relative to the criticism of the Revenue-Cutter Service by a repre- sentative of your department, I quite agree with you that nothing can be accomplished by prolonging the correspondence. You will remember a conversation with you and your predecessor preceding a Cabinet meeting, where the latter laid much stress upon the length of time consumed in coaling. I take the position that no representative of your department could wisely make a report upon the Revenue-Cutter Service without examining the logs of the several vessels, the movements of which are called in question. I have had the record for seven years carefully examined, and these logs explain every delay exceeding the minimum required. In one instance an air pump became defective and inoperative and consid- erable time was consumed in its -repair. In another instance a flange of the screw was broken off on a cake of ice. Your predecessor sug- gested that the representative of your department could ascertain from the records of the port when the vessels arrived and when they departed. Admit this, and it still remains true that the representa- tive did not inquire concerning the reasons for the delay. The rec- ords of the Perry, which was detailed to this patrol for the season 1906, show that with the exception of a period of 10 days in making repairs to the broken air pump referred to, her average time in the port dur- ing the open sealing season was 2h working days. When it is remem- bered that about 80 tons of coal must be taken to the dock by the contracting company and loaded into the cutter by the crew, that is not a long period. My argument against a report of a representative of your depart- ment would be as strong if the facts reported by him were true as it is when the facts reported by him are wholly untrue. I think he should be severely reprimanded for making a report criticizing any department without investigation, and whether his report is true or false makes little difference. Our departments are intimately associated, and if it be deemed appropriate that the one can captiously call in question the other without investigation there will be no end of friction. No represent- ative of your department has any business in this department, and if I were to stay here I would want that distinctly understood. I would dismiss a man instanter who would criticize your department with or without investigation, and most assuredly without investigation. This will need no reply. It is a matter for you to determine. Yours, very truly, L. M. Shaw. The honorable the Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labor. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 439 Part V. — Communications Relative to Raid by Seal Poachers. ITelegram.J Sitka, Alaska, August 6, 1,906. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Fur-seal rookeries, St. Paul Island, were raided by crews Japanese schooners July 16 and 17. About 200 seals were killed, but raiders were eventually repulsed as result courageous action Chief Agent Lembkey and Assistant Agent Judge at head of native guard. Five raiders were killed and 12 captured, 2 of latter being badly wounded. Three boats and some small arms also captured; force protecting rookeries suffered no casualties. The schooners were first observed on July 16 and were close to shore, easily within 3-mile limit. On this day boat's crew of six men, which had landed at Northeast Point, was surprised and captured by Agent Lembkey and native guards without casualty on either side On morning of July 17 two native watchmen shot and killed two and wounded one of an armed landing party Crews of schooner, under protection of dense fog, shot seals in water close to shore most of day. During this time shotgun firing, which could easily be heard from shore, was frequent. Unknown how many seals were killed in this manner, but number must have been considerable. On evening same day crews of at least three schooners made concerted raids on widely separated rook- eries; raid on Seapadni rookery was repulsed by native guard after considerable firing. Raid on Northeast Point was partially suc- cessful. Owing to dense fog raiders there were not discovered until nearly 200 female seals had been killed. This raid, which was apparently participated in by an entire ship's crew in five boats, was repulsed by Agents Lembkey, Judge, and native force only, and three of raiders were killed and five captured. Most of seals killed on shore by raiders were pregnant females with nursing young, few days old, which died of starvation. Large pro- portion of those kid in water also females in search of food for young. Foregoing facts reported to me on arrival at St. Paul Island of cutter McCuUoch, July 20. From investigation made during six days' stay I believe Lembkey and Judge entitled to great credit for intelligent and courageous way they handled difficult situation. Some of raiders taken state the}^ are from schooner Toyai Maru No. 2, and one of captured boats bore that name. Other prisoner states he is from schooner Meimaru. During time I was on island schooners were frequent!}^ sighted less than 3 miles from shore and native guard at all points have been doubled. McGulloch chased schooner sighted on morning July 27, but it escaped in fog. Another flying Japanese flag was sighteVl same day not far from islands, but was outside 3-mile hmit. It is evident that at least 8 or 10 schooners, believed to be Japanese, are sailing in close proximity to islands. The 12 prisoners were taken on cutter McCulloch to Kodiak, and after hear- mg before commander were held jury and taken in charge by mar- shal. Agent Lembkey and four native witnesses accompany marshal to session of court at Valdez commencing August 6. Recommend that district attorney be directed to push cases at this term. I urgentlv recommend" that at least one cutter in addition to Perry, 440 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. now there, be put on Bering Sea seal patrol, with instructions to cruise close to land, and that patrol be continued as late into October as possible. This vessel should stop at Valdez on way to islands and return native witnesses. I believe Rush now in Bering Sea and available. If Attorney General holds landing and killing of seals on island is piracy and that schooners implicated may be seized wherever found on high seas, cutter should be advised, as under present instruc- tions I believe cutters will make no attempt to take raiding schooners unless found violating law within 3-mile limit, which is improbable. While men captured are violators of law, captains who sent them ashore are most guilty. Therefore think they should be taken and schooners seized if possible. Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor. August 7, 1906 — 9 a. m. [Telegram.] Valdez, Alaska, August 9, 1906. Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: District Judge Gunnison, in absence United States attorney, has to-day wired Attorney General requesting instructions as to advis- ability holding Japanese prisoners captured in island raids under indictment for j)iracy or merely for violation section 1956, Revised Statutes. In view of international questions vvhich might arise should charges piracy be proven, Judge Gunnison requests me to ask department to confer with Department of Justice and carefuUy consider advisability indictment for piracy or for lesser offense. Grand jury waiting; request speedy reply. Walter I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. St. George Island, Alaska, August 9, 1906. Dear Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the arrest and detention of five men who landed on tliis island from a Japanese sealing schooner August 5. About 5 p. m., August 4, a small schooner flying the Japanese flag came within 400 yards of the village landing, dipped her flag three times, came about and laid a course for East rookery. Passing along the whole length of that rookery at a distance of half a mile, she soon disappeared around the east end of the island. Fearing a raid, I doubled the guard on East rookery and stationed men on Staraya Artel for the night. The next day, while scouting on the south side of the island, I found the schooner at anchor in Garden Cove about a half mile from the shore. She had, however, already been seen by some of the natives who had carried word back to the village. Maj. Clark immediately armed four men and sent them to the cove. These men I fell in with at the top of the hill which overlooks the cove and with them descended to the beach, where we found one man from the schooner, a Japanese. He was spreading out some clothes SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 441 on the ground. He spoke a few words of English, and from him I gathered that the captain of the schooner would soon come ashore. He then hailed the schooner, and a boat with two men put otT from her and pulled to witliin easy talldng distance of the shore. Some conversation followed in Japanese, and the boat went back to the ship to return almost immediately with four men, one of whom spoke English fairly well and claimed to be the captain of the schooner. On questioning him I ascertained that the schooner's name was the Tokio Wah, of Toldo, Japan, a sealer of 16 tons, carry- ing a crew of 1 6 men. She left Japan on June 3 on a sealing cruise and had on board 35 sealskins, 13 of wliich were taken around Cop- per Island and the balance in the vicinity of tliis island. When asked why he had landed on this island he replied "that he came in for water and ballast." In view of the fact that this man had thoroughly reconnoitered East rookery the day before, and having done so anchored under cover of a heavy fog, in a more or less secluded place within a mile and a half of the rookery, I was convinced that to obtain water and ballast was not his real errand, but that he intended to lie quietly at anchor and a favorable opportunity presenting itself to send liis boats around and raid East rookery. I therefore deemed it necessary in order to protect the rookeries to hold these men until they could be disposed of in such a manner that there would be no further danger from them. With this view Maj. Clark fully concurred. The five men were taken to the village and placed in a house under guard. The next day (August 6) the men left on the schooner sailed her away after having landed and taking the boat in which the captured men came ashore. She has not been seen since. The names of the men are as follows: Ihoo Muras, captain; T. Morata, T. Matsuo, J. Susuki, S. Sanagi. Respectfully H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent in Charge St. George Island. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, Washington, D. C. [Telegram.] Valdez, Alaska, August 18, 1906. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Twelve Japanese indicted to-day for violation section 1956, Revised Statutes. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. August 20, 1906—8.35 a. m. 442 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Oakland, Cal., August 28, 1906. Hon. V. H. Metoalf, Secretary Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival to-day at this place, having left the seal islands on Tuesday, 14th August. I beg to submit the following report concerning certain Japanese prisoners — five in number — taken on St. George Island on the 5th of the present month. These prisoners were kept under confinement on the island at great inconvenience. The company vessel arrived from San Francisco on the 9th August and went to St. Paul on the 10th. I took passage for the latter island with the purpose of securing the services of the revenue cutter Perry to remove the prisoners and transport them to some place where they might be tried or properly committed. On the 13th I was able to go on board the Perry and had a conference with her commander, Capt. Dunwoody, in company with Mr. Judge, the agent in charge of St. Paul Island. Capt. Dunwoody felt that he could not leave Bering Sea, under his orders from the Treasury Department, before the 15th September, but consented to remove the prisoners to Unalaska and leave them with the deputy United States marshal at that place, provided the latter would receive them. The captain had already declined to do this on the application of Assistant Agent Chichester, on St. George Island, having called at that island after I left; but he reconsidered his action upon a somewhat di.'^erent and fuller presentation of the matter. The above arrangement elected on further conference with Agent Judge, I took passage on the cutter Perry for St. George Island. Arriving there on the morning of the 14th August, landing at the village was found impracticable, and signals were made to send the prisoners to Garden Cove, 3 miles distant, for which place we steamed. The prisoners were sent overland and were duly received on board the Perry. On the afternoon of that day she proceeded on her way to Unalaska, at which port she arrived about noon of the 15th. The deputy United States marshal at Unalaska, on presentation of the facts, took charge temporarily of the prisoners until such time as the cutter Perry should be able to leave the sea (about 15th Sep- tember next), when she is to transport them to Seattle, to which port her orders direct that she return. It is therefore expected that the cutter Perry will arrive at Seattle with the five Japanese prisoners soon after the 20th September proximo. Two native witnesses will also be brought by the cutter. If it be competent for these cases to be heard by the United States court at Seattle, I believe the matter may soon be disposed of. In any event, some one in possession of the facts must present the information to the proper officer of the court, in whatever jurisdiction the cases may be properly heard. As I am the only one here per- sonally familiar with the facts, I deem it my duty to acquaint the department with the circumstances as above set forth, ancl await its pleasure in the matter. It would be necessary to remain at Seattle about three weeks pending the arrival of the prisoners. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 443 I understood that Mr. Chichester made a full report of the arrest of these Japanese and forwarded the same to the department. I beg to hope that my action may meet the approval of the depart- ment, and await its further orders. Very respectfully, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, August 28, 1906. Sir: This letter will introduce to you Mr. Masanao Hanihara, second secretary of the Japanese embassy at Washington, who, on behalf of the Japanese Government, is visiting Alaska for the purpose of ascertaining the facts in connection with the recent raid on the seal fisheries. You are directed to afford to Mr: Hanihara all the assistance pos- sible, and to cooperate with him in his endeavors to ascertain the facts in the case. Respectfully, Lawrence 0. Murray, Acting Secretary. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of the Seal Fisheries, Prihilqf Group, Alaska. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction] August 28, 1906. Sir: I am advised by the State Department, under date of the 25th instant, that Mr. Masanao Hanihara, second secretary of the eTapanese embassy at Washington, "wall, in pursuance to instructions from his Government, proceed to Alaska, with a view to ascertaining the facts in connection with the raid made by Japanese on the seal fisheries. Mr. Hanihara will bear a letter of introduction to you from tliis department, and you are requested to show him every courtesy 's\dthin your power and to cooperate with him in his endeavors to ascertain the facts. In this connection you are authorized to disregard section 34 of the instructions issued to you under date of March 9, 1906, and to allow Mr. Hanihara to land on the islands. Respectfully, (Signed) Lawrence O. Murray, Acting Secretary. ^Ir. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of the Seal Fisheries, Prihilqf Group, AlasTca. 444 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Copy.] [Telegram. Valdez, Alaska, August 30, 1906. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Six Japanese convicted yesterday of attempt to kill fur seals, St. Paul Island; five others pleaded guilty to killing seals same place; remaining prisoner tried, and cases before jury. Assistant Attorneys Hubbard and Clegg deserve commendation. Wire whether prison- ers should be deported after expiration term imprisonment, and under what section Revised Statutes. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. The original of this telegram and a ''memo" prepared by Mr. Sar- gent were sent to the files of the Bureau of Immigration November 15, 1906, at request of Mr. Murray. H. N. [Telegram.; Department of Commerce and Labor, Secretary's Office, Washington, August 31, 1906. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries, Valdez, AlasJca. Your telegram of 30th instant. See volume 32, Statutes at Large, chapter 1012, page 1213. Report cases to Kazis Krauczunas, im- migrant inspector in charge at Ketchikan, Alaska, for action in warrant proceedings, giving names of Japanese aliens and particulars as to entry. Deportation to be deferred until term of imprisonment expires. Acting Secretary. [Telegram.] Valdez, Alaskza, September 1, 1906. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Information just cabled here five additional Japanese and two witnesses from St. George Island, in custody United States marshal, en route to Valdez, indicates raid St. George rookeries; details prob- ably to-morrow on arrival steamer Dora. Jury in case twelfth Japanese prisoner disagreed yesterday. New trial Monday; probably finished Wednesday, 5th instant. Important that McCuUoch should not sail for westward until that date, as otherwise witnesses would be without transportation to islands and without funds. In my opinion, necessity additional patrol Bering Sea practically ceased. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. September 2, 1906 — 10.55 a. m. SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 445 [Telegram.] Valdez, Ai>aska, September 2, 1906. Secretary Commerce and Lvbor, Washington, D. C: My telegram 37^esterday steamer Dora arrived to-day with five Japanese prisoners and two native witnesses from St. George. Wit- nesses state that on August 4 a schooner sailed to within 400 yards of St. George village anchorage, dipped flag three times, and then sailed away. Next day she anchored 300 yards off Garden Cove, sending landing party ashore. Upon arrival Agent Chichester and guards, one Japanese was found ashore washing clothes at small stream. Soon afterwards the schooner's captain and three men came ashore and all were apprehended. No seals were killed on island by prisoners, no sealing paraphernalia in small boat, and na landing was made on a rookery. Report from Agent Chichester^ received same steamer, gives additional information as follows: Upon first appearance of schooner guards on rookeries were increased in an anticipation of raid ; that the schooner in question after dipping flag reconnoitered east rooker}^^ and then anchored in heavy fog within mile and a half of samQ rookery; that arrest of party on shore was made to protect rookeries from molestation. Vessel is named ToTcoiwa Maru. Prisoners and witnesses taken b}^ Perry to Unalaska and thence by Dora to Valdez. District attorney's office advises me that facts as disclosed by statements of witnesses will not warrant prosecution, and requests that facts be reported to Attorney General and instructions wired regarding disposition prisoners and witnesses. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, September 3, 1906 — 9.15 a. m. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Solicitor's Office, Washington, September 4, 1906. Ezra W. Clark, Care Hotel Crellin, Oakland, Cal.: Japanese prisoners will not be brought to Seattle for trial. Proceed to Washington. (Signed) Lawrence O. Murray, Acting Secretary.. [Telegram.] Valdez, Alaska, September 4, 1906. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Twelfth Japanese prisoner pleaded guilty to-day. Shall I send native witnesses to island by mail boat which leaves 7th instant for Unalaska or turn them over to cutter ? I leave here 6th instant for Washington. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. September 5, 1906 — 1.25 p. m. 446 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA, [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, ^YasJlington, September 5, 1906. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Valdez, AlasTca: Use your judgment as to best means of returning witnesses to island. Acting Secretary. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, September 19, 1906. W. I. Lembkey, Care United States Attorney , Chicago, lU.: Wire department sentence imposed upon 12 Japanese convicted at Valdez. (Signed) Lawrence O. Murray, Acting Secretary. Part VI. — Communications Relative to Certain Complaints by Henry W. Elliott. Office of the Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C, November 9, 1906. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: The accompanying letters of Henry W. Elliott with reference to the recent raid of Japanese on the seal rookeries of the Pribilof Islands having been referred to me for an examination and report, I have the honor to transmit herewith a memorandum containing (a) brief of the correspondence involved, {b) comments of Mr. Walter I. Lembkey thereon. Respectfully, Charles Earl, Solicitor. MEMORANDUM IN RE LETTERS OF HENRY W, ELLIOTT WITH REFER- ENCE TO RECENT JAPANESE RAID ON SEAL ROOKERIES OF PRIBILOF ISLANDS, (a) brief OF CORRESPONDENCE, (b) COMMENTS OF MR. WALTER I. LEMBKEY, AGENT IN CHARGE, SEAL FISHERIES OF ALASKA. (a) Brief of correspondence. September 13, 1906: Acting Secretary Bacon, State Department, incloses copy of letter and newspaper clipping from Elliott to Secre- tary Loeb, dated September 4, 1906. Letter. — Received August 8, 1906; smuggled off island (St. Paul) by officer of Revenue-Cutter Service; lessees censor all letters; Gov- ernment agents forbidden to write; Japanese hunters squarely on i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 447 shore when shot and captured; raid pkinned in San Francisco and Victoria last spring; seals have dwindled so that when usual harem count was started last summer the natives got together and urged Messrs. Sims and Bowers not to do it; Sims stopped work; natives denounced work of Dr. Jordan, and said Elliott was right; do not know how they plucked up courage to do this unless swiftly vanish- ing herd made them desperate. Clipping. — On July 15 gang of hunters at work on N. E. Point; watchmen reported schooner off western shore; all rushed to Cross Hill to get good view; spied small boat making shoreward; Govern- ment agents went to get rifles; crew landed at N. E. Point, where they were captured, and proved to be six Japs having branches of trees to kill seals with; schooner still hung about waiting for boat to return; next morning two schooners in sight; boat tried to make landing, 2 Japs killed and 1 wounded; at 8 in evening 8 boats from 3 schooners working for landing; 1 boat landed; left when firing commenced; got away with 80 skins; August 8, 1906, cap- tured boat No. 2; got 3 men; killed 2 and wounded 1; third boat captured in evening; got 6 men, killed 1 and wounded 1 ; 2 of Japs killed buried on Hutchinson's bill; schooners reported around islands; Japs say there will be 30 schooners around islands in fall. September 19, 1906: Acting Secretary Murray acknowledges letter of Acting Secretary Bacon. September 20, 1906: Solicitor Earl forwards letter of Elliott and newspaper clipping to E. W. Sims, Chicago, 111., for comments. September 22, 1906: E. W. Sims comments on letter and press clippmg as follow^s: Censorship of letters not true; agents not forbidden to write ; letter might be sent oft" by revenue-cutter officer who chanced to land; information A\ath reference to Japs captured and shot con- tained in dispatch to Secretary of Commerce and Ijabor, dated Sitka, Alaska, August 6, 1906. Heard it suggested at Seattle that raid was planned in San Francisco and Victoria last spring; too vague to refer to department; if Mr. Elliott has information that is authentic he should communicate it to department; did not stop count of harems; only recommended that little disturbance be made as possible, owing to disturbance by Japs and not wishing to drive seals into water while Japs were in vicinity; natives did not denounce work of Jordan nor say that Elliott was right. September 29, 1906: Secretary requests that Mr. Elliott furnish information with reference to raid being planned in San Francisco and Victoria, October 3, 1906: Mr. Elhott replies to Secretary's letter of Septem- ber 29 as follows: Will give the department the information as soon as he has opportunity to visit Victoria and San Francisco; men engaged in tliis work are old and crafty ; have been engaged in it since 1882-1884; until able to get written information from the hands of certain people associated with them no ends of justice or good for people will be gained by publishing information to agents of depart- ment; there is no one in department of Commerce and Ijabor who can use his data safely and effectively; for this reason did not recite details of information in his possession in letter to Secretary Loeb. October 3, 1906: Mr. Elliott writes letter to President, inclosing copy of letter to Secretary of Commerce and Labor of October 3, 1906, 448 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. with reference to raid being ])lanned in San Francisco and Victoria; says notorious Canadian fur-seal pirate lias successfully passed him- self off on department agents as an excellent and worthy citizen since 1892, which fact does not warrant him in placing his data in hands of said agents at this time; says he can place raid where it belongs if given opportunity; no inexperienced or ignorant person can properly and effectively do this. (6) Comments of Mr. Walter I. LemhJcey, agent in charge seal fisheries of AlasTca. The intimation expressed in the inclosed letters from Mr. Henry W. Elliott that he is conversant with facts showing that the recent Japanese raids on the seal islands were the result of a conspiracy on the part of Americans and Canadians in San Francisco and Victoria, respectively, which he is willing to disclose, provided he is given employment by the Government, makes it important that the Presi- dent and the Secretary of Commerce and I^abor be made acquainted with Mr. Elliott's record in connection with the seal question. Since 1872 Mr. Elliott has been identified— officially and other- wise — with matters connected with the management of the seal islands, and since 1890 has displayed great activity in aggressively urging before Congress and the departments a policy adverse to the killing of seals on the islands. When it is known, however, that since 1876 he has been an employee of the Alaska Commercial Co.; that during the preliminary negotia- tions with Great Britain on the Bering Sea question in 1890, into which Elliott forced himself, he was in secret communication with an agent of the British Government, as well as with its minister in Washington, and that when this Government refused to publish a report of his, written in 1890, to prevent Great Britain from knowing that it con- tained charges of mismanagement on the part of this Government, he himself published in the newspapers such a synopsis of his report as to form a basis for a request from the British Government for the report's production, it is believed that tliis Government will hesitate before again employing him in any capacity, and especially in con- nection with the sealing industry. A brief resume of facts in his official history is here given: Henry W^. Elliott was a protege of Prof. Henry of the Smithsonian Institution. He was never on its pay roll, and therefore never formally connected with the Institution, notwithstanding his repeated claims to the contrary. (Plearing before Secretary of Treasury, Apr. 15, 1897.) He was sent to the Pribilof Islands in 1872 as a special agent of the Treasury; he remained on the islands during the winter of 1872, and visited them again in 1874. In 1876 he obtained employment with the Alaska Commercial Co., then the lessee of the sealing riglit, and visited the islands in that year as an employee of that company, and was continuously in its employ from 1876 until, at least, 1890, when that company's lease expired. (House Kept. No. 2027, 48th Cong., Mar. 28, 1884; see also hearing before Secretary of Treasury, Apr. 15, 1897.) Mr. Elliott has denied this connection with the Alaska Commercial Co. at a time when its admission would have given proper color to i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 449 his attitude, as follows (quotation from hearing before Ways and Means Committee, Mar. 9 and 10, 1904, p. 13) : Mr. Faulkner. * * * This was demonstrated by the experience of the Alaska Commercial Co., of which, I think, Mr. Elliott was an employee. Were you not an employee of that company, Mr. Elliott? Mr. Elliott. No, sir; I never was an employee of the Alaska Commercial Co. Mr. Faulkner. I beg your pardon. Mr. Elliott. I know it is a common misunderstanding. You do not want to misrepresent me; I am sure of that. In 1890 the 20-year lease of the Alaska Commercial Co., by whom Elliott was employed, expired, and the new lease for 20 years was obtained by the North American Commercial Co., the present lessee, over the bid of the Alaska Commercial Co. Through Elliott's personal efforts as a lobbyist an appropriation was secured from Congress for an investigation of seal life on the Pribilof Islands, under which Elliott was appointed a special agent of the Treasury and ordered to proceed to the seal islands to conduct the investigation. (Hearing before Secretary of Treasury, Apr. 15, 1897.) Elliott visited the seal islands in 1890 as such agent. While there and through his influence and advice, the killing of seals by the North American Commercial Co., the successful rival of Elliott's company, was stopped on July 20, by order of the agent in charge, when it should have continued under the regulations until August 10. (Hearing before Ways and Means, Mar. 9 and 10, 1904, p. 70.) The report made by Elliott as the result of his investigations of 1890 showed a great decrease in seal life since 1872. It ascribed the cause of this decrease during the period of the lease of tlie Alaska Commercial Co. (Elliott's company) to pelagic sealing, but held that the Nortli American Commercial Co. had, by severe and wanton driving of seals to obtain the quota of 1890, injured the testes of the male seals and rendered them impotent. He therefore recommended a total cessation of killing on the islands at once, as imperative to the safety of the herd. (Oral argument of Hon. E. J. Phelps, vol. 15, Fur-Seal Arbitration, p. 265.) He also recommended a modus vivendi with Great Britain, which would deprive the rival company of their right to take seals. (Hear- ing before Ways and Means, Mar. 9 and 10, 1904, p. 70.) It must be remembered that at the time of Elliott's visit to the islands in 1890 great friction existed between this Government and Great Britain, growing out of the seizure of British schooners in Bering Sea by American revenue cutters, this Government advancing the claim that it had exclusive jurisdiction over Bering Sea east of the one hundred and eightieth meridian, and that it had the right therefore to prohibit British schooners from killing seals in these waters, which practice threatened the extermination of seal life on the islands. It was the purpose of the Government in sending Elliott to the islands in 1890 to obtain accurate data concerning seal life as it was found at that date, upon which this Government might base its case in the pending contention with the British. Upon finding, however, that Elhott's report, instead of containing facts, was devoted mainly to the substantiation of a preconceived theory, and had in it, in addition, the charge of mismanagement and overdriving, which, if made public, would defeat the case of the 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 29 450 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. United States, the Secretary of the Treasury withheld joubHcation of EUiott's report until he could have the charge of mismanagement proved or disapproved by the investigations of other agents. He accordingly sent other agents to the islands, all of whom found that there had been no mismanagement, and that Elliott's theory of overdriving and impotence of bulls was not only fallacious, but posi- tively disproved by the existence of a surplus of active bulls. He therefore refused to make Elliott's report public, on the ground that "it was pervaded with a spirit of aggressive criticism instead of being a dispassionate statement of facts," and that "Mr. Elliott's views had been unduly influenced by his relations toward certain indi- viduals," and that Mr. Elhott had "so used extracts from the records of the islands as to make them appear to substantiate his assertions that mismanagement on the part of the United States had played an important part in the diminution of seal life, which assertions are unsupported by the unabridged records." (Secretary of Treasury to Secretary of State, Feb. 23, 1893, Seal and Salmon Fisheries, vol. 2, p. 30.) Elhott's report of 1890, therefore, was held in the private files of the Treasury Department, and great care was exercised on the part of this Government to prevent its contents being made public. Elliott's connection with the paris tribunal. After the submission, in the fall of 1890, of his report, Elhott remained in Washington, aggressively urging his modus vivendi and the pubhcation of his 1890 report. It can not be overlooked that Mr. Elliott was an agent of the Treasury until April 25, 1891, under salary, and that while under such employment he was persistently furthering the interests of the Alaska Commercial Co., his former employer, by advocating the •adoption of his modus vivendi, which prevented the North American Commercial Co. from taking sealskins. Briefly, his efforts to secure the adoption of his modus vivendi were as follows: He had repeated conferences with Mr. Blaine, then Secretary of State. On September 7, 1891, at Mr. Blaine's house, he urged an agree- ment with Great Britain, which would include a cessation of land killing, at which time Mr. Blaine asked him to draft a modus vivendi with Great Britain, stopping land kilhng, which he did, and carried the draft to Mr. Blaine. On December 17 he learned that Mr. Blaine's program did not include the stoppage of land kiUing, the object of EUiott's modus vivendi. He went to Mr. Blaine and protested "in a state of great excitement," and Mr. Blaine told him to "keep still." On April 4, 1891, he learned that Mr. Blaine intended to allow the lessees to kill seals during the coming season instead of prohibiting the killing, as Elhott had urged, upon the receipt of which informa- tion, while still a special agent of the Government, Elliott published a letter in the New York Evening Post, under date of April 24, 1891, arraigning the pohcy of Mr. Blaine, for which Elhott was dismissed the service April 25, 1891. (The above facts are taken from the hearing before the Secretary of the Treasury, Apr. 15, 1897, in MS.) seal islands of alaska, 451 Elliott's connection with great Britain. In March, 1891, while urging his modus vivendi at IVIr. Blaine's house, Elliott showed Mr. Blaine certain letters to Elhott from Dr. Guille- mard, of the British Museum, who, Elliott states, was in communi- cation with Sir George Baden-Powell, one of the British Bering Sea commissioners, in which ElHott was assured by Guillemard that Lord Salisbury would accept his modus vivendi. This shows conclusively that Elliott, wliile a Government employee, had established a connec- tion with British subjects in charge of the British case, and had car- ried on a correspondence with them, at least in relation to liis modus vivendi,' without knowledge of this Government. (Hearing before Secretary of Treasury, Apr. 15, 1S97.) Elliott further states that when he could get no satisfaction out of Mr. Blaine regarding the adoption of liis modus vivendi he deter- mined to find out if the ''English Government had been doing what was right in the matter" — referring, probably, to his understanding with Guillemard. He accordingly, on March 17, 1891, wliile still a Government employee, visited the British legation in this city, saw the British minister. Sir Julian Pauncefote, and ascertained from him that Sir Julian had made a verbal tender of Elhott's modus vivendi to the British Government, and that Mr. Blaine had not proposed the modus to Sir Julian, but that Sir Julian had advanced it liimself . How the British minister, if not informed by the State Department, could have obtained knowledge of Elliott's modus vivendi except through Elliott's efforts can not be explained. (Hearing before Sec- retary of Treasury, Apr. 15, 1897.) publication of Elliott's report for 1890. For reasons before given, publication of Elliott's report was with- held by the Secretary of the Treasury. Elliott was greatly desirous of getting this report before the pubhc. "I wanted tliis report of mine to be printed." "I had made up my mind and submitted my report, and I wanted others to review it." (Hearing before Secre- tary of Treasury, Apr. 15, 1897.) As tliis report contained charges of mismanagement on the part of this Government, it is assured that no knowledge of its contents would be communicated by this Government to Great' Britain. On the contrary, every effort was made by the agents and counsel of this Government to prevent knowledge of the report and of its contents being obtained by the British Government. But, in his correspond- ence, prior to March, 1891, with Dr. Guillemard, the advisor of Sir George Baden-Powell, the British Bering Sea commissioner, and on March 17, 1891, during his conference with Sir Julian Pauncefote, Elliott undoubtedly must have referred to his report, as it contained the modus vivendi, wliich he was urging. Outside of this, however, there is abundant evidence to show that Elliott liimself made public the contents of his report in such a way that the British Government was fully advised of its contents and used it to its advantage. The liistory of that transaction may be stated briefly, as follows: Elliott was dismissed the service April 25, 1891, for the publication of his letter to the New York Evening Post, appearing April 24, 1891. 452 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. On May 3, 1891, nine days after his dismissal from the Treasury Department, a dispatch from Washington, written by Elliott, ap- peared in the Cleveland Leader of May 4, 1891, containing the first chapter of his 1890 report, which was a synopsis of its entire contents. This issue of the Cleveland Leader containing Elhott's report was transmitted to Lord Salisbury by Sir Juhan Pauncefote on May 11, 1891. (Appendix to case of Great Britain, vol. 5, p. 73, Fur-Seal Arbitration.) Having obtained through this means a knowledge of the report's contents, on April 4, 1893, Sir Charles Russell, of counsel for the British Government before the tribunal, submitted the following motion : That the agent of the United States be called upon to produce the original or a certified copy of the report made by Henry W. Elliott on the subject of fur seals, pur- suant to act of Congress of 1890. Hon. E. J. Phelps, of counsel for the United States, replied: The United States Government denies that Her Britannic Majesty's Government is entitled under the provisions of the treaty to any order by the tribunal for the pro- duction of the document specified in the motion, as a matter of right. The United States Government, however, is willing to waive (so far as it is concerned) its right of objection, and to furnish to the agent of Her Majesty's Government a copy of the document referred to, for such use as evidence as the tribunal may deem proper to allow. Not conceding, however, in so doing, that either party at this or any subsequent stage of the proceedings has a right to introduce any further evidence whatever upon any subject whatever connected with the controversy. And further stipulating that if the document referred to in this motion shall be used in evidence at all, it shall be open to the use of both parties equally in all its points. (Vol. 1, Fur-Seal Arbitration, p. 18.) Of this incident, Hon. John W. Foster, agent of the United States^ makes the following report: A recess was then taken to April 4, when the counsel for Great Britain submitted a motion that the agent of the TJnited States be called upon to produce the report of Henry W. Elliott, made in 1890, to the Government of the United States. The report of Mr. Elliott had never been published by the Government, and had not been used or alluded to in the case of the United States; but, during the joint conference of the commissioners of the two Governments in Washington in February, 1893, it had, at the request of the British commissioners, been laid before them for such use as they saw fit to make of it. The counsel for the United States denied that the British Government was entitled under the treaty to an order of the tribunal for the production of the document; but, waiving their right of objection, and not conceding that either party had the right to introduce any further evidence whatever, they offered to lay a copy of the report in question before the tribunal, upon condition that if it be used in evidence it should be open to the use of both parties equally. The report of Mr. Elliott was therefore produced, and it was printed by the British agent. (Vol. 1, Fur-Seal Arbitration, p. 8.) It is a well-known fact that the strictures against the management on the islands, contained in Elliott's report, had great weight in defeating the contention of the United States that pelagic sealing was the main cause of the decline in seal life. Briefly summed up, Mr. Elliott stands convicted of the following charges: (1) He has held himself out as a scientist of the Smithsonian Institution, when he was never on its pay roll. (2) Having been an agent of the Government, he transferred his services secretly to the Alaska Commercial Co. and acted as an feKAJ_. IfeJLAiNJJiS UJb AJjAblVA. 4:0O employee of that company wliile holding himself out to the public as a disinterested expert on seal life. (3) In 1890, while an employee of the Alaska Commercial Co., he secured by lobbying a position as Government agent to visit the seal islands, and prepared a report ostensibly embodying his conclusions as a scientist, but actually in the interest of the Alaska Commercial Co. (4) His persistent urging of a modus vivendi with Great Britain, the object of which was to stop killing on the islands, while pubUcly held by him to be a measure necessary for the preservation of seal hfe, was actually suggested by his secret connection with the Alaska Commercial Co. He stands, therefore, convicted of tricking the Government into taking action wliich was intended by EUiott solely to further private ends. (5) Having prepared a false, erroneous, and untruthful report, wliich tliis Government refused to pubhsh, by reason of its injurious bearing upon the pending seal controversy, after such refusal he placed himself in secret communication with an agent of this Gov- ernment's adversary in the seal arbitration, as well as with its min- ister in Washington, thereby betraying this Government's interests to its great disadvantage, while yet an officer of this Government. (6) Having violated the confidence of this Government by arraigning in the public press its secret policy at the most critical period of the sealing negotiations, he was dismissed the service for this grave infraction of duty. Whereupon, to force this Govern- ment's hand, he published in the newspapers the contents of his misleading and biased report, thereby accomplishing the object of its being matle public, and, at the same time, knoA^dngly, giving to this Government's adversary an advantage which practically defeated its case before the Paris tribunal. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, September 20, 1906. Hon. Edwin W. Sims, United States Attorney, Chicago, III. Sir: By direction of the Acting Secretary I am inclosing herewith, for your mformation, copy of a letter addressed to the secretary to the President by Henry W. Elliott, of Lakewood, Ohio, also copy of a newspaper clipping embodymg information relating to the Japanese raid on the seal rookeries at St. Paul Island, communicated to him by an employee of the lessees of the island. The copies inclosed were forwarded to this department by the Secretary of State under date of September 13, 1906. As soon as you have finished with the inclosures please return them to this office. Very respectfully, , Solicitor. 454 seal islands of alaska. Department of State, Washington, Septemher 13, 1906. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have the honor to inclose for your information a copy of a letter addressed to the secretary to the President by H. W. Elliott, of Lakewood, Ohio, inclosing a newspaper clipping embodying informa- tion relating to the Japanese raid on the seal rookeries at St. Paul Island, communicated to him by an employee of the lessees of the island, I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, Robert Bacon, Acting Secretary. Lakewood, Ohio, Septemher 4, 1906. Dear Mr, Loeb: I received yesterday a letter written to me by an employee of the lessees on St. Paul Island, dated August 8, 1906. This letter was smuggled off the island by the hand of some officer of the revenue marine; the lessees censor all letters, and the Govern- ment agents are forbidden to write, I have made one extract from this letter anent the Japanese raid and killing, which took place on St. Paul, July 17 last, and gave it to the local paper, as per inclosed clipping. It declares very plainly that the Japanese hunters were squarely on shore when shot and captured. But the writer of this letter to me does not know that this sudden descent of those Japanese hunters last July and their promise to be about the islands all during the fall, 30 vessels strong, was planned in San Francisco and Victoria last spring. He tells me that the seals have dwindled so that when the usual harem count was started last summer the natives all got together and urged Mr. Sims and United States Fish Commissioner Bowers not to do it— that there were so few it was wrong to disturb them, Mr. Sims was so impressed by them that he stopped the work. The natives then denounced the work of Dr. Jordan on the islands, and told Sims and Bowers that I was right. How they plucked up courage to do this I do not know, unless the sight of that swiftly vanishing seal herd made them desperate. Very sincerely, yours, Henry W, Elliott. Wm. Loeb, Jr., Secretary to the President, Oyster Bay, L. I. [Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 1906.] TELLS OF BATTLE IN SEAL COUNTRY — LETTER REACHES CLEVELAND WITH ACCOUNT OP KILLING OF JAP HUNTERS — WRITER SAYS 30 SCHOONERS WILL SCOUR ROOKERIES THIS FALL. A private letter received yesterday in this city from St. Paul Island, Bering Sea, dated August 8, 1906, gives some additional information not hitherto published in regard to the raid on that island July 16. The writer says, anent the raid and killing of Japanese hunters: SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 455 "On the 15th ultimo a gang of sealers went to Northeast Point to seal as usual; we killed seals at 4 o'clock next morning, and completed our work at 10 o'clock. As we were ready to start home again a watchman reported a sealing schooner about 3 miles off thewestern shore at Northeast Point. We all rushed for Cross Hill, where we could get a good view of the schooner. "When we got there we spied a small boat under a sail making shoreward. Two Government agents who were with us went back to the watchhouse to get rifles, and started with a gang of natives for the rookeries. One went with two natives and guns, and three more with seal clubs, to the Northeast Point rookery. The other went with the same number of men to the West Side rookery, where the boat seemed to try to land, but instead this boat landed at the Northeast Point rookery, where its crew was captured as it landed with clubs to kill seals. "As they landed they were ordered to throw up their hands, which they did, and they were captured unhurt; they proved to be six Japs, who came to kill seals. They had branches of trees for clubs. "In the afternoon we started home, marching oiir prisoners. We left men to guard the rookeries, and one Government agent. The schooner was still hanging about the point waiting for the boat to return. , "The next morning the watchman from the Point telephoned to the village that a couple of schooners were in sight, and that a boat was tr^dng to make a landing. A little later they telephoned for more guns and men, and that two Japs were killed and one wounded, and that doctors were needed. This was 9 o'clock a. m. In the evening, about 8 o'clock, eight boats from three schooners were working for the landing; one of the boats succeeded in landing under cover of the fog under a little cliff at Northeast Point rookery, where they killed about 160 female seals. When the firing com- menced to drive off the other boats, their men took to their boats, and got away with about 80 skins. "This morning we captured boat No. 2; we got three men in it, killed two and wounded one. The third boat was captured in the evening. We got six men, killed one and wounded one. The rest of the boats were driven back to their schooners. Two of the Japs that were killed we buried on Hutchinsons Hill. Two days ago a schooner was around Northeast Point; it had three boats out sealing. To-day one is reported around Otter Island. The Japs say that there will be 30 schooners around this island during the fall." Department of Justice, Office of United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, 826-833 Federal Building, Chicago, September 22, 1906. Hon. Charles Earl, Solicitor's Office, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. O. Sir: I am in receipt of your letter, dated September 20, 1906, inclosing for my information a copy of a letter addressed to the secretary of the President by Henry W. Elliott, of Lakewood, Ohio, and also a copy of a newspaper clipping embodying information relating to the Japanese raid on the seal rookeries on St. Paul Island, communicated to liim by an employee of the lessees of the island. Mr. Elhott's statement in his letter to Mr. Loeb that ''the lessees censor all letters and the Government agents are forbidden to write," is not true. So far as I know the lessees do not censor any letters nor are the Government agents forbidden to write. There is nothing to prevent anyone on the island writing a letter and delivering it to some officer of a revenue cutter which chanced to land. The infor- mation that the Japanese hunters were on shore when shot and captured was contained in my dispatch to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, dated Sitka, Alaska, August 6, 1906. If Mr. Elliott has any authentic and reliable information to the effect that the raids on the islands were planned in San Francisco and 456 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Victoria last spring, it would be of value to the department. I heard tliis suggested at Seattle and at San Francisco, but it seemed to be so vague and indefinite and to have so little foundation that I made no statement or recommendation with reference to it to the de- partment. I did not stop the count of the harems wliile on the island. The only recommendation made by me with reference to the count was that in making it the rookeries be disturbed as little as possible. I beheved this particularly advisable during the past season, owing to the fact that the rookeries have been more or less disturbed by the Japanese raids, and for the further reason that it was undesirable to drive any seals off into the water at a time when several Japanese schooners were known to be engaged in pelagic sealing close to the islands. The natives did not denounce the work of Dr. Jordan on the islands, nor did they tell me that Mr. Elliott was right. Having noted the information in the inclosures, they are herewith returned, as requested by you. Very respectfully, Edwin W. Sims. September 29, 1906. Sir: A copy of your letter of the 4th instant, addressed to the secre- tary to the President, to which was attached a copy of a clipping from the Cleveland Plain Dealer of September 4, 1906, embodying informa- tion relating to the recent raid by Japanese poachers on the fur-seal rookeries on St. Paul Island, has been referred to this department. The department notes with interest that portion of your letter which states that ' ' this sudden descent of those Japanese hunters last July, and their promise to be about the islands all during the fall, 30 vessels strong, was planned in San Francisco and Victoria last spring," and will appreciate it if you will furnish any information which you have to the effect that this raid was planned in San Francisco and Victoria. Respectfully, Secretary. Mr. Henry W. Elliott, 17 Grace Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio. 17 Grace Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio, October 3, 1906. Sir : In reply to the request which you make in your letter addressed to me under date of September 29, 1906, and which^I have justreceived, I hasten to say that I will gladly give the department that information as soon as I have the opportunity to visit Victoria and San Francisco. Those men who have planned that raid are old in this illicit business; they have employed Japanese hunters in doing this work on the Pribylov Islands ever since 1882-1884; they are crafty and wary, and until I am able to get certain written statements from the hands of certain persons associated with them no end of justice or good for the public interests will be secured by publishing to your agents those facts bearing on them now in my possession. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 45 i There is no one in the Department of Commerce and Labor who has sufficient knowledge of these men and their operations to safely and effectively use my data. For this reason I did not recite those details of that warrant wdiich I hold in my letter to the secretary of the Presi- dent, and to which vou refer. Respectfully/ Henry W. Elliott. Hon. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary, Department Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. 17 Grace Avenue, LaJcewood, Ohio, October 3, 1906. To the President: I inclose a copy of my letter to Secretary Metcalf . He asks me to give him the information now in my possession, which warrants my informing you on the 4th ultimo that the recent Japanese raid on the Pribylov Islands "was planned in Victoria and San Francisco last spring." The fact that a notorious Canadian fur-seal pirate has successfully passed himself off upon the agents of the Department of State and of Commerce and Labor, as an excellent and worthy American citizen from 1892 down to October, 1905, does not warrant me in putting the data which I hold into such hands at this hour. I can place that raid of last July where it belongs if I have the oppor- tunity, but no ignorant or inexperienced investigator can properly and effectively handle my data. I am, with high regard. Your obedient servant, Henry W. Elliott. The President, White House, Washington, D. C. Department of Commerce and Labor. Office of the Secretary. Washington, December 18, 1906. Sir: I have the Jionor to return herewith the letter of Mr. H. W. Elliott, dated the 10th instant, addressed to the Secretary to the President, wherein certain criticisms are made on tlie report of Hon. E. W. Sims, former solicitor of this department, on the Alaskan fur- seal fisheries. Mr. Elliott is in error in asserting that Mr. Sims was not fully informed as to the method and effect of marking young seals to reserve them for breeding purposes. The term "branding" is a technical one used on the seal islands, and refers to the marking of seals by the use of hot irons, shears, or other means. As this term is used by the agents in their reports in referring to the marking of seals by sheep shears, it would seem that Mr. Sims was perfectly justified in its use in the same connection. It is a fact that hot irons were used to mark young male seals in 1904, and that sheep shears were substituted for this purpose in 1905 and 1906. Of this Mr. Sims, as well as the department, was fully 458 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. advised. The use of the former was discontinued for the reason that the hot-iron brand involved the burning of the flesh on the seal's head, which might easily have a deleterious effect on the animal's brain, and lays the practice open to a charge of inhumanity. The use of shears, on the other hand, accomplishes the object of rendering the animal immune from slaughter during the killing season, while the method is painless and involves no likelihood of future injury to the seal. Mr. Elliott's statement that these 'branded" seals are all killed in the fall for food is wholly erroneous. In 1904, when it was found that it was necessary to take precautions to prevent the subsequent slaughter of these reserved animals, measures were adopted by the agents to that end, by limiting the fall killings to those seals having skins weighing less than 6 pounds. The skins of all 3-year-olds, and most of the 2-year-olds, weigh more than this. Furthermore, the 3-year-olds, as a class, do not frequent the hauling grounds in the fall, but haul among the cows, where they can not be driven. These measures have been found to be effective, as shown by the increasing number of young seals, too large for killing, in the drives each spring. From the foregoing statements it can be seen that Mr. Sims's refer- ence to ''branded" seals was not a "remarkable and serious error," as claimed by Mr. Elliott; that the precautions taken on the islands are adequate to prevent the killing of seals reserved by branding; and that Mr. Sims, on his visit to the islands last summer, was neither imposed upon nor misunderstood the exact situation. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Alaskan Seal Fisheries. Hon. L. O. Murray, Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor. The White House, Washington, December 10, 1906. My Dear Mr. Secretary: The President directs me to refer to you, for your consideration, the inclosed communication from Prof. Henry W. Elliott. Very truly, yours, Wm. Loeb, Jr., Secretary to the President. Hon. V. H. Metcalf, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. [Inclosure.) 1232 Fourteenth Street NW., Washington, D. C, December 9, 1906. Dear Mr. Loeb: I am greatly pleased with the special reference to the fur seals in the President's message. I saw the Sims report yesterday for the first time, and I am moved to quietly yet pointedly draw the attention of the President to a remarkable and serious error of statement made in it by its author, to wit: SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 459 On page 28 Mr. Sims says that ''2,000 choice 2 and 3 year old males were selected, branded, and dismissed from the herd for breeding purposes, " i. e., saved then and thereafter from slaughter by the lessees. Again, on page 29, he says, "the experience of recent years in annually branding 2,000 .young male seals," etc. This dehberate statement of Mr. Sims is not true. These seals have not been branded; they have been sheared. These sheared marks have been put upon those seals in June and July, and they have entirely disappeared from the bodies of those seals by the middle or end of September folloAving, since all fur seals completely shed and then renew their overhair during August and September, annually. Now please observe the significance of what follows: In October and November every one of these spared and sheared seals of June and July which hauls out on St. George and St. Paul Islands is kiUed as a "food seal," and its skin goes into the hands of the lessees. The official proof of this serious charge you will find unwittingly furnished by the seal-island agents themselves; see pages 8, 64, 65 of Senate Document No. 98, Fifty-ninth Congress, first session, and you wiU find it ofhciaUy confessed that the use of the branding irons was partly discontinued in 1904 and wholly discontinued in 1905. On page 86 you wiU fmd the ofhcial declaration that these seals sheared in June and July are killed as "food seals" in October and November, and that the sheared mark has entirely gone. By this improper method of procedure, the President will observe that the lessees annually nullify that pledge given by the Department of Commerce and Labor to the Senatorial Committee, to the Ways and Means Committee of the House, and to myself, March 9-10, 1904. Perhaps Mr. Sims has been imposed upon, but nevertheless he does not understand the real status of the work done on the islands; hence aU of his labored conclusions, based upon tliis fictitious reserva- tion of young male hfe, is utterly idle and unfounded. When we have mercifully, humanely, and sensibly put the land and sea butchers of our fur-seal life out of business, by kilhng that life, down to the small nucleus sufficient alone to preserve the species, then we shall have no difficulty in getting a proper and adequate agreement with Canada for a full restoration and preservation of this most anomalous and valuable fur-bearing hfe. Faithfully, yours, Henry W. Elliott. Wm. Loeb, Jr., Secretary to the President. THE FUR-SEAL HERD — PROF. H. W. ELLIOTT APPROVES PRESIDENT'S RECOMMENDATION— PRONOUNCES THE IDEA OF BRANDING THE SEALS IDLE AND IMPRACTICABLE. The President in his message just submitted to Congress gives the question of pro- tection and preservation of our Alaskan fur-seal herd much attention and urges action by Congress to supplement the efforts of the executive departments. To show the desperate condition of the herd he calls the attention of Congress to the report of E. W. Sims, which was made to the Department of Commerce and Labor last August and only made public yesterday. Arepresentative of The Star asked Prof. Henry W. Elliott this morning for an expres- sion of opinion as to the recommendation of the President's message and the value of the Sims report. Mr. Elliott said: 460 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. "The recommendation of the President that Congress supplement his efforts by the passage of an act which will enable him to put the land and sea butchers of this fur-seal herd out of business at once is a humane, merciful, and sensible one. Such an act should have been passed 10 years ago, and would have been had it not been for the erroneous and mistaken opposition of Richard Olney to the plan. Judge Gresham's death, in June, 1885, prevented the Dingley seal bill from receiving the support of the State Department in March, 1896, after it had passed the House by a unanimous vote and under full debate. It was defeated in the Senate by Secretary Olney, who assured Senator Frye, who had the bill in charge, that he had the fur-seal question well in hand and the passage of the bill would greatly embarrass, if not defeat, his nego- tiations. "The outcome of Olney's work was the abortive and erroneous finding of the Jordan- Thompson commission, which simply made a bad matter worse. It put the Cana- dians in the saddle, and they have been there ever since. "Now, as to Mr. Sims's report, which I have seen to-day for the first time, I have this to say: He is entirely right in saying that the fur-seal herd is in a desperate condi- tion and on the verge of total extermination within a year or two from date. This is what I predicted in 1902 before the Ways and Means Committee, to which I exhibited a table of diminution showing that by the close of the season of 1907 the breeding male life on the islands would be extinct. I reenforced these figures again before the same committee in March, 1904. "But Mr. Sims is utterly wrong in saying that land killing has had no injurious effect on the herd, either to decrease the birth rate or destroy it. He ignores without warrant the testimony of a trusted Russian agent of the old Russian-American Co., who spent the season of 1819 on the Prilbylov Islands. This agent in 1820 declared in a report to the company that unless the close killing of the young male seals was dis- continued on land the species itself would become extinct. The company ignored his advice. What followed? In 1834 the herd was on the verge of total destruction, and all killing was suspended in 1835 by the Russians, and so suspended practically until 1844, then gradually resumed under better care and annually increased so by 1857 the catch of 75,000 to 80,000 young male seals was annually taken up to 1867 without the least injury to the herd or its increase. "If excessive land killing of the young males could destroy thi-s herd in 1819-1834, why has it ceased to be a potent factor of harm? There was no pelagic sealing even dreamed of in those days or even practiced until 1886 so as to be at all significant. Now, when you add to the injurious work of land killing that of the pelagic butcher, you have simply augmented and hastened the work of destruction. This herd of ours has been under the two fires ever since 1886, with the exception of that brief respite from excessive land killing which I gave it through my modus vivendi of 1891-1893. I wanted to make it seven years, but natural science was prostituted at Paris in 1893, and again in 1896-97, and the butchers on the islands were given full swing again. "Mr. Sims has much to say of what he saw during the short week of his experience on the islands with regard to the Japanese raid made then and there. He does not seem to know that these Japanese hunters have been regularly hired and set upon this work by Canadian and American managers since 1882-83. I hold in my hands the indisputable proof of that fact. The fact that these managers, Canadian and American, were careless this summer is the only reason why they were detected and captured as they were. "Again, Mr. Sims makes the error of saying that these seals can be branded, and so branded 'would reduce the seals to its possession.' Why, only think of it! A pelagic hunter would drive his spear and his skinning knife through any brand mark that Mr. Sims could put on a fur seal's hide so thoroughly and so effectively that it would disappear at once from that hide, and as for 'metal tags,' which he wants attached with wire to the bodies of the seals, why the seals would so work and worry under them that either the tags would be worn off or the seals themselves would die from their effort •*. He does not understand the strange, nervous wildness of the fur seal. He has seen hair seals and sea lions put under restraint by man, but he never has seen and never will see a fur seal so controlled and restrained by man. "Such official errors of statement as these destroyed our case at Paris in 1893. They again reappear in the Jordan-Thompson investigations and conclusions of 1896-97, and again we go down to defeat in the Jordan-Thompson agreement of November 17, 1897. "Fortunately the President has ignored this branding and metal-tag nonsense which Mr. Sims has so seriously advised, and the President has been able to see that unless we can get an agreement to stop pelagic sealing it is only merciful and far more humane for us to kill the female fur seals at once, and by so doing instantly end this scandalous business of breeding them for a band of alien butchers to alone inhumanely and inde- cently slaughter into an indefinite future." SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 461 Part VII. — Communications Relative to Supplies and Accounts. March 9, 1906. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: Authority is hereby given for the travel of yourself and Assist- ant Agent James Judge from Washington, D. C., to the Pribilof Islands, in the spring of 1906, and of yourself and either Assistant Agent Clark or Chichester from the Pribilof Islands to Washington, D. C, in the fall of 1906, such travel to be by the most direct routes. If excess baggage is necessary for the travel above authorized, a charge therefore may be included in the traveling expense accounts of yourself and the assistant agents, the sum so included not to exceed $40 for each agent in any one trip. The inclusion, in the expense accounts of yourself and the assistant agents, of charges for board and lodging at San Francisco at a rate not to exceed $5 per diem, during such reasonable time as may be neces- sary for the transaction of official business pending your departure for Alaska, is hereby authorized; but your arrival on the Pacific coast should be so timed as to relieve the department of any charges for detention there for a longer period than required by the exigencies of business. This injunction applies as well to the stay on the Pacific coast of yourself and the assistant agents upon your return from Alaska en route to the department. Respectfully, V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. March 9, 1906. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: In comphance with the request contained in the letter dated February 20, 1906, from the North American Commercial Co., the collectors of customs at San Francisco and Unalaska have been requested to permit the company named to ship from either of said ports to the Pribilof Islands during the current fiscal year hquors, for medicinal purposes only, and arms and ammunition, as follows: St. Paul Island (population, 163 natives, 11 whites). 4 barrels beer. 2 cases whisky. 6 kegs whisky, 5 gallons each. 1 keg brandy, 5 gallons. 2 kegs rum, 5 gallons each. 1 case gin. 4 cases claret. 2 cases still wine. 2 kegs port wine, 5 gallons each. 2 kegs sherry wine, 5 gallons each. 20 gallons alcohol. 1 case champagne. 250 pounds powder. 1 No. 16 Stevens rifle, .22 caliber. 2 30-30 Winchester rifles. 300 soft-nosed Winchester cartridges. 3 Sharps rifles, .22 caliber, single fire. 5,000 Winchester cartridges, .22 short. 2,000 Winchester cartridges, .22 long. 1 Savage rifle, .22 caliber. St. George Island (population, 91 natives, S whites). 3 barrels beer. 2 kegs whisky, 5 gallons each. 1 case whisky. 2 kegs brandy, 5 gallons each. 3 cases still wine. 1 case gin. 1 keg port wine, 5 gallons. 1 keg sherry wine, 5 gallons. 5 gallons alcohol. 125 pounds powder. 10,000 Winchester cartridges, .22 short. 462 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. In respect to the liquors above mentioned the company has been informed that the arbitrary designation of barrels, cases, kegs, etc., may be disregarded, and the liquors shipped in packages different from those mentioned, provided the whole amount of each kind of liquor sliipped does not exceed the amount specified in the foregoing list. Respectfully, V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. Department of Commerce and IjAbor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington. Columbus, Ohio, A'pril 5, 1906. Mr. Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor, Department Commerce and Labor, Washington, B.C. Dear Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith my account for salary for the month of March, 1906, amounting to $243.34. I would thank you to send check in settlement to me at 1167 Neil Avenue, this city. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Islands. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, April 9, 1906. The Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have to report that the following supplies are required for use in the Government houses on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska: St. Paul. 1 carpet (room 15 feet by 31 feet). 4 dozen towels. 8 roller shades for windows. 1 carpet (room 15 feet by 31 feet) . 4 dozen towels. 8 roller shades for windows. 1 Remington typewriter. 500 ball cartridges, caliber .30, for Krag- Jorgensen rifles. 1 small movable cannon. St. George. 500 ball cartridges, caliber .30, for Krag- Jorgensen rifles. 1 small movable cannon. The carpet is designed for use in the large room in each of the houses mentioned, to replace that now on the floors, which is worn out. These rooms, in addition to use by the regular occupants, are visited at least once a week by almost the entire population of the islands to obtain orders for supplies and to transact otner official business. The supply of towels now on the islands is practically exhausted, not having been replenished for years. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 463 The window shades are mteiided to rephxce those now in use, which, by reason of long usage, are ])ractica]ly unserviceable. The Remington typewriter is absohitely necessary for the proper transaction of official business on St. George Island. Tlie machine now on St. George is my own jiroperty and was used by me on St. Paul. l-])on the receipt from the department of a new typewriting machine for St. Paul, I transferred the old machine to St. George, where it is now in use. It is probably 14 years old, and so nearly a complete wreck as to require very careful manipulation to g(?t any results from its use. The work done by it is of so poor a quality as to render handwriting faster and more legible. The replacing of this old machine with a new Remington is urgently requested. The ball cartridges are necessary for defense of the rookeries. Those requested are necessary to replenish the supply of ammunition on the islands, a portion of which, probably, has ])een expended for judicious target j)ractice during the winter. The small movable cannon, one for each island, have been requested heretofore. Their presence on the islands is a necessity, both in the event of a raid on the rookeries by poachers and for signaling pur- poses. In the absence of a patrol vessel, it is entirely feasible for a schooner to lie within a half mile of the islands, taking seals, while the shore guard is powerless to reach the offender. The provision of a portable cannon on each island, having a range of several miles, would meet the contingency. It was reported in the newspapers that Alex. McLean, the master of the poaching schooner Acapulca, which took seals close to the islands all last summer in open sight of land, called for volunteers to land and raid the rookeries, and that none of his crew were willing to take the risk. The possession of a serviceable fieldpiece on each island would have a deterrent influence on persons of this character which would be of great value in keeping the vicinity of the islands free from poachers. Then, again, a cannon is constantly necessary on the islands to signal vessels to an anchorage in the thick fog that is usually present in summer. A tiny brass gun, of the style used for signaling on schooners, heretofore has been borrowed from the lessee to use in cases where a Government boat is seeking the anchorage. It is mani- festly better, however, for the Government to supply a necessary article, of which it has an abundance, than to require its representa- tives to borrow the same when its use becomes necessary for Govern- ment purposes. I have also to state that, in view of anticipated negotiations, photo- graphs of the breeding rookeries this summer, showing their exact condition at the height of the season, will probably be required and will be of great value as evidence. To obtain such photographs, the following supplies will be necessary: St. George. 10 dozen plates, 8 by 10. 2 gross Velox paper,* 8 by 10. 1 ruby lantern. 1 camera spirit level. 6 Carlton plate holders, 8 by 10. Developer and hypo, for 10 dozen plates. Developer and hypo, for Velox paper (2 gross, 8 by 10). 464 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. St. Paul. 10 rolls films, 5 by 4, 12 exposures each, for No. 4 Kodak. 10 dozen plates, 8 by 10. 6 Carlton plate holders, 8 by 10. 1 camera spirit level . 2 gross Velox paper, 8 by 10. Developing powders and hypo, for 10 rolls films. Developer and hypo, for 10 dozen plates, 8 by 10. 2 ruby lanterns. | Developer and hypo, for 2 gross Velox, 2 gross Velox paper, 4 by 5. | 4 by 5, and 2 gross Velox, 8 by 10. Respectfully. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. I have gone carefully over the above, and in my opinion the supplies requested are necessary., E. W. Sims, Solicitor. May 16, 1906. The Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: Referring to my letter of the 9th instant, wherein I reported that certain supplies were required for the Government houses on St. George and St. Paul Islands, Alaska, I have now to state that the following articles are necessary, in addition to those already men- tioned, for the proper conduct of business at the places stated: Two field glasses, one for each island. These glasses, one for each island, are required for use of the armed watchmen stationed at the watch houses remote from the villages to determme the class, and, if possible, the nationality of approaching vessels, and report the information by telephone to the village, from which aid, if required, may be sent. Glasses for use of the watchmen have been long required. The Government agents use glasses of their own. The lessee supplies its agents with glasses. The watchmen have none, and their reports, made from observations with the naked eye, are so often erronepus as to cast doubt upon their statements whenever made. A pair of good glasses in each watch house is a vital necessity, and their provi- sion by the department is respectfully but urgently requested. I have just received word from Agent Judge to the effect that both houses are much in need of wall paper and swiss for window curtains. I had overlooked this matter in my letter of the 9th instant, but now desire to indorse Mr. Judge's statement, and request that authority be given me to purchase, in San Francisco, through the North Ameri- can Commercial Co., 25 double bolts of wall paper, with border, and one bolt of swiss muslin for each island. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Approved. E. W. Sims, Solicitor. « SliAL. JSL,AJNDy OF AIjASKA. 400 Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, April 19, 1906. The Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have respectfully to request that the island of St. Paul, Alaska, be suj^plied with a marine gasohne engine of about 10 horse- power, for installation in a hxrge rowboat now on the island, thereby converting the boat into a gasoline launch. The work of the Government agents on the seal islands has been greatly handicapped for lack of means in transporting themselves, the natives, and paraphernalia from the village to the various rook- eries in performing the work necessary during the sealing season. Dependence has had to be placed solely on the endurance of the men or the kindness of the lessee to enable laborers, branding gear, and other impedimenta to be moved from one place to another. In addition, Otter and Walrus Islands, lying, respectively, about 7 and 14 miles from the village in the open sea, both have seals on them during the summer. In the investigation of seal life by the agents it is necessary that these places should be visited each sum- mer and the conchtions thereon noted. In view of the risk attendant upon these journeys in open rowboats, and the time involved, these islands have been visited only semioccasionally, and little or nothing is known of conditions there. There has been on the island for years an old Government rowboat about 28 feet long, with 6 feet of beam, built in San Francisco on the lines of a surfboat. This was disabled several years after its receipt on the island by the warping of defective stem and stern posts, tear- ing open the planking fore and aft. In 1903, with the permission of the lessee's agent, I had this boat brought up to the lessee's shop, and after a force of natives had worked on it for several months the boat was put into practically as good shape as when new. It is now in commission on the island. It is too heavy to be readily pulled by hand from place to place, and it is this boat into which it is intended to place the engine, if furnished. A suitable gasohne launch, with arrangements for tomng a small boat, would better suit our purpose, as a launch probably would have more beam, and would be decked over sufficiently to protect the engine from the splash when running in a head sea. But should the department feel that a regular launch can not be furnished, I feel sure that, with the aid of the natives and the officers of the company on the islands, the rowboat mentioned could be remodeled and fitted with, a gasoline engine should the purchase of the latter be authorized. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Approved. Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62—1 30 466 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Bureau Req. No. 114. Dep't Req. No. 5672. requisition for supplies. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Seal Fisheries, Office of the Solicitor, April 20, 1906. To the Chief Clerk: Please cause to be furnished to this bureau for official use the supplies specified below: Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor. Approved: Assistant Secretary considers favorably. ■F.R.B., Chief Clerk. Item No. OM. One marine gasoline engine, about 10-horsepower. Ordered shipped direct from manufacturer. ReceiA^ed: W. I. Lembkey. Invoiced June 11, 1906.— J. H. W. Compared. — C. W. R. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington. Columbus, Ohio, May 1, 1906. Mr. Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor, Department Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith my account for salary, for the month of April, 1906, amounting to $243.33. I would thank you to send check in settlement to me at 1167 Neil Avenue, tliis city. Very respectfully, James Jltoge, Assistant Agent Seal Islands. Vouchers approved and forwarded to disbursing clerk, May 2, 1906. E. W. Sims, Solicitor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, May 1, 1906. The Solicitor, Department of Com/merce and Labor. Sir: I have respectful^ to request that I be furnished with a book of transportation blanks for the use of myself and assistant agents in traveUng to and from the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, on Government business. Eespectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Approved. Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor. seal. islands of alaska. 4b < Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, May 4, 1906. The Solicitor, Departinent of Commerce and Lahor. Sir: I have respectfully to report that at your suggestion I visited the War and the Navy Departments for the purpose of ascertaining the form of marine explosive engine adopted by their various services for use in small boats, with the following results: At the Navy Department I was informed by the chief clerk that, while that department had in use a number of gasoline engines of various makes, they had decided upon none of them as being better than the others. They had, in fact, on hand at the moment I called a number of bids from the various manufacturers for engines required by the department, but these bids had not been opened, and until that was done it was stated that the department would be unable to advise me which make of engine was considered the best. He advised me to correspond with the Aolean Co., of which Admiral Burnham was a member, believing that the latter gentleman would be able to give much useful information on the subject. I then called upon the chief clerk of the Quartermaster's Depart- ment of the Army, and was introduced to Mr. Anthony, the naval expert of the War Department. Mr. Anthony showed great famili- arity with the subject of marine explosive engines, and informed me, in fact, that he owned two gasoline lauaches, both of which he built himself. He stated that, after careful examination and considerable testing, the War Department had found the Jaeger engine, manufactured in New York, to be the best for installation in small boats such as the one now on St. Paul Island. He made a full technical statement of its merits as compared with other makes, the details of which I am unable to remember. From his own experience, and that of the de- partment as well, he* strongly advised the purchase of a Jaeger engine for the St. Paul boat. I then asked him his opinion as to the merits of a marine oil engine. He stated frankly that oil engines for small boats, in his opinion, were unsatisfactory. By reason of the great demand for gcasoline engines engineering talent had brought that type to a high state of perfection, to the exclusion of the oil engine, which was little used and which practically was still in its infancy. The trouble with the oil engine, he said, was the fact that before an explosion could be obtained a hollow iron ball had to be heated to a state of incandescence by means of a hydrocarbon lamp. This operation required from 15 to 30 minutes and made the oil engine as slow to get into operation as a steam engine with water-tube boiler. For these and other reasons he believed the oil engine would be unsatisfactory for use on the islands, and again strongly recommended a gasoline engine of the Jaeger pattern. In view of the statements of Mr. Anthony I would respectfully recommend that a Jaeger engine be purchased for vSt. Paul Island. At your suggestion, upon my return from the War Department, I furnished Mr. Fowler, the Chief of the Division of Supphes, with the address of the manufacturers of the engine mentioned. 468 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. I would add that Mr. Anthony stated that, in his opinion, a 10- horsepower engine was not too large for the boat on St. Paul, which is 28 feet over all by 6 feet beam. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Approved. Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor. Bureau Req. No. 119. Dep't Req. No. 5807. REQUISITION FOE SUPPLIES. To the Chief Clerk: Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Seal Fisheries, Office of the Solicitor, May 15, 1906. Please cause to be furnished to this bureau for official use the supplies specified below. Edwin W. Sims, Solicitor. Approved. T. L. W., Acting Chief Clerk. Item No. 91 OM. OM. 751 OM. OM. OM. OM. Quantity. Desired. Issued. Articles. 25 pounds' June 1 Cotton waste (ordered May 28, 1906) 12 I do... Dry batteries, engine size (ordered May 31, 1906) 1 barrel Cylinder oil, 52 gallons, from Lighthouse Establishment at San Francisco, at 40 cents. Oil cans (ordered May 28, 1906) Voltmeter (ordered May 31, 1906) Generator (ordered May 18, 1906), direct from manufacturer Gasoline, from San Francisco, at 15 cents Iron barrels, from San Francisco, at $8.50 21 Junel 11 do... 1 220 gallons 4 Cost. $20.80 33.00 34.00 1 1 box by Adams Express. To be delivered at St. Paul Island, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, with gasoline engine. Invoiced June 11, 1906.— J. H. W. Compared.— C. W. R. Received the above , 190 — . W. I. Lembkey. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, May 16, 1906. The Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: Referring to my letter of the 9th instant, wherein I reported that certain supplies were required for the Government houses on St. George and St. Paul Islands, Alaska, I have now to state that the following articles are necessary, in addition to those already men- tioned, for the proper conduct of business at the places stated: Two field glasses, one for each island. These glasses, one for each island, are required for use of the armed watchmen stationed at the watch houses remote from the villages, to determine the class, and if possible, the nationality of approaching vessels, and report the information by telephone to the village, from which aid, if required, may be sent. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 469 Glasses, for use of the watchmen, have long been required. The Government agents use glasses of their own. The lessee supplies its agents with glasses. The watchmen have none, and their reports, made from observations with the naked eye, are so often erroneous as to cast doubt upon their statements whenever made. A pair of good glasses in each watch house is a vital necessity and their pro- vision by the department is respectfully but urgently requested. I have just received word from Agent Judge to the effect that both houses are much in need of wall paper and swiss for window curtains. I had overlooked this matter in my letter of the 9th instant, but now desire to indorse Mr. Judge's statement, and request that authority be given me to purchase in San Francisco, through the North American Commercial Co., 25 double bolts of wallpaper, with border, and 1 bolt of Swiss muslin, for each island. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal FisJieries. Approved. E. W. Sims, Solicitor. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 22, 1906. To the Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for appropriate action, my account for expenses incurred in travehng on official business, from Wasliington, D. C, to St. Paul Island, Alaska, amount- ing to $78.80. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent'Seal Islands. St. Paul Island, Alaska, October 16, 1906. To the Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith, for appropriate action, my account for salary for the months of May and June, 1906, amounting to $486.67. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Islands. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, November 14-, 1906. vSir: I have the honor to submit herewith my account for traveling expenses from St. Paul Island, Alaska, to Wasliington, D. C, under authority of department letter of March 9, 1906, copy of wliich is attached. I desire to call attention to the fact that my bill for hotel and meals at Seattle, Wash., exceeds the $5 per diem limit prescribed in the inclosed letter, for the reason that I was unable to secure rates on the 470 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. American plan, and the only room I was able to get was at the Hotel Butler, at $2.50 per diem. At the time I arrived there, travelers were going from one hotel to another in search of rooms and were lined up at the hotel counter 15 in a row. I was in Seattle only two days. I have the honor to request, in view of the foregoing explanation, that the excess charges for sub- sistence in Seattle over $5 per diem be allowed. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Alaskan Seal Fisheries. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 1 1907. Part I. — Instructions to Agents and Agents' Reports. April 15, 1907. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir : Section 1 . Order to proceed to islands. — You are directed to proceed to the seal islands in time to arrive there before the beginning of the sealing season of 1907. there to assume charge of the Govern- ment's interest on the islands. Assistant Agent Ezra W. Clark will be instructed to accompau}^ you to the islands, and will report to you for instructions. Sec. 2. Assignment of assistants. — You will make such assign- ment of the assistant agents for the season's work as in your judgment will best subserve the interests of the service and the welfare of the native inhabitants, and vnll notif}^ the department of your action in this regard. Sec. 3. Agents to report to Washington. — At the close of the sealing season, or as soon thereafter as feasible, yourself and Assistant Agent H. D. Cliichester will return to Washington and report for duty at the department. Assistant Agent Clark, as well as Assistant Agent Judge, Mall remain on tlie islands during the coming summer. Sec. 4. Copies of contract inclosed. — Inclosed herewith are copies of the contract between tlie United States and the North American Commercial Co-, and it \\dll be your duty and that of your assistants, to see that its provisions are enforced and the riglits of the Govern- ment and those of the lessee duly protected. Sec. 5. Decision in event of difference. — Should a difference of opinion arise at any time between yourself and tlie representatives of the company in respect to a matter of administration on the islands, your decision must govern, but in all cases you should request the superintendent of the compan}^ to furnish a written statement of liis views on the question involved. Tliis statement should be trans- mitted to the department with an expression of your own views, at the earliest practicable moment. Sec. 6. Quota. — If the condition of the herd will permit, the lessee may be allowed to take dxuing the season of 1907 as man}^ as 13,000 male seals of the proper age on the island of St. Paul, and as many as 2,000 on the island of St. George, but not more than the number specified in either case, pro\aded, however, that in case the number of male seals hauling on St. George Island is so greatly in excess of the number usually hauling there as to convince the Gov- ernment agent in charge on St. George that there has been a material contemporaneous diminution in the number of male seals hauhng on 471 472 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. St. Paul Island, said agent in charge may, in liis discretion, autliorize the taking of a total of not to exceed 3,000 seals on St. George Island. This taldng is, of course, to be subject to all the other requirements and limitations of these regulations. The numbers to wliich the quotas of the two islands are thus limited shall be inclusive of any skins accepted by the company from food drives made prior to the present sealing season. No seals shall be taken tliis season that have reached the age of four years (i. e., seals that have attained their fifth summer), nor shall any seals be taken that are under two years of age. Sec. 7. Reservation of young males.— In order to remove all doubt as to the reservation of a sufficient number of male seals for the perpetuation of the herd, you are instructed to release from among the best seals appearing in the first drives of the season not less than 1,000 three-year-old males and not less than 1,000 two-year-old males. Of the 3-year-olds and 2-year-olds to be reserved, 800 of each shall be released on the island of St. Paul and 200 of each on the island of St. George. The seals thus released are to be marked in such a man- ner as will make them readily recognizable tliroughout the season, and under no circumstances are they to be taken by the lessee. Sec. 8. Sizes ofkillahle seals. — No seals shall be killed having skins weighing less than 5 pounds, nor more than 8h pounds. Skins weighing less than 5 pounds or more than S j pounds shall not be shipped 'from the islands, but shall be held there subject to such instructions as may be furnished you hereafter by the department. Sec. 9. Killing season. — The killing season should begin as soon after the 1st of June as the rookeries are in condition for driving. Seals shall not be killed by the lessee later than July 31. The killing of pups for food for the natives, or for any other purpose, is not to be permitted. Sec. 10. Seals for food. — The number of seals to be killed by the natives for food for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1907, shall not exceed 1,700 on the island of St. Paul and 500 on the island of St. George, subject to the same limitations and restrictions as apply to the killing of seals b}^ the company for its quota. Care should be taken that no branded seals be killed in the drives for food. Sec. 11. Driving. — The representatives of the company on the islands should be required to give notice on the day preceding that on which they desire to make a drive of seals, stating the name of the rookery selected. The time, place, and manner of conducting all drives shall be subject to your approval. A representative of the Government should be present on the killing ground in each instance to superintend the killing. If at any time the methods employed in driving or killing appear in your judgment to be faulty or detrimental to the seal herd, you should see that such methods are immediately corrected, •indicating to the representative of the company what changes are to be made. Sec. 12. Killing grounds. — As heretofore, you should establish on each of the islands killing grounds that can be reached by the shortest possible drive, provided, however, that such Idlling grounds must be at places sufficiently distant from the rookeries to prevent annoyance from the decaying carcasses. Sec. 13. Acceptance of sJcins. — In an opinion dated March 8, 1902, it was held by the Solicitor of the Treasury that the lessee has SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 473 no right to reject any of the skins taken from the seals which it has selected for killing. You will therefore see that all such skins, regard- less of condition, are accepted. Sec. 14. Counting skins. — All the sealskins should be carefully counted in the salt houses in the presence of the department agent and of the representative of the company, and a receipt, in duplicate, m the following form should be prepared and signed by said agent and by the representative of the company: St. Island, , 19 — . We certify that there have been placed in salt in the salt house in our presence, sealskins. > Agent United States Department of Commerce and Labor. Agent North American Commercial Co. Sec. 15. Beceii)ts for sealskins salted. — The original of the above receipt should be retained by the department agent and the duphcate be given to the representative of the North American Commercial Co. At the close of the season, when the sealskins are again counted and shipped on board the company's steamer, the usual annual receipts should be signed by the captain of the steamer and the representa- tive of the department. Sec. 16. Trading in skins. — The North American Commercial Co. has the exclusive privilege under its contract of taking sealskins on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, and you should see that the company is protected in this right. Care shoidd be taken to prevent the disposal of skins by tlie natives to any other company or to any person. All trading in sealskins by the natives is strictly prohibited, nor shall the natives be permitted to do any trading in fox skins. Sec. 17. Measures to i^r event sliijjment of skins hy natives. — To avoid the possibility of sealskins or fox skins being surreptitiously shipped from the islands, you are directed to continue the practice of examining all goods to be sliipped by the natives, including baggrge and personal effects and where barrels, casks, boxes, or other receptacles are used they sliould be closed under your supervision, after an examination of their contents before being placed in the warehouse. Any skins found concealed in packages to be shipped by the natives should be seized and held, subject to instructions from the depart- ment. Sec. 18. Census of seal herd. — You are expected to make a thorough examination into the condition of the seal herd during the coming season and to make a careful count of the number of breeding seals, male and female, on the islands, and also a computa- tion as accurate as possible of the number of seals not breeding, including idle bulls, half bulls, bachelors, and virgin females. A careful enumeration should ^Iso be made of the pups found dead at the close of the season, and such information as can be had regarding the cause of death reported: Provided, however, That in case the presence of pelagic schooners near the islands at any time during the summer should make it unwise to so disturb the rookeries by count- ing as to drive off tlie breeding seals into the water, yourself and the assistant agent in charge on St. George should use your discretion as to what further counts sliould be made, or whether counting should be discontinued altogether for the remainder of the season. 474 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Sec. 19. SealsTcins to he weigTied. — You are instructed to have the skins of the seals taken by the lessee during the coming season carefully weighed and to keep a record of the weights for the infor- mation of the department. You should also weigh the skins of seals that are killed to supply food for the natives and record the weights. The natives may be required to assist as far as practicable in the work of weigliing. Sec. 20. Care of the natives. — The care and welfare of the natives should receive your close attention, and you are directed to see that the lessee performs all of the obhgations of its contract toward such natives. You should ascertain the prices charged at the company's stores, compare them with the prices at San Francisco, and report any instances where the natives are compelled to pay unfair prices. You should also inspect the articles supplied as to quahty and quan- ity, and if they are in any manner deficient you should report the fact to the department. Sec. 21. Compensation to natives for talcing slcins. — In view of the increase of the prices charged the natives on the seal islands for necessaries of life by the lessee, the latter has been informed that the compensation to be paid by the company for killing, salting, curing, bundling, and loading the sealskins on the company's steamers will be 75 cents for each skin, instead of 50 cents a skin, as heretofore. The increase of 25 cents per skin, made last year, is designed to meet the increased cost of necessaries of life on the islands. It is the purpose of the department, to require that the prices of labor in the work of sealing by the natives shall be adjusted to meet, as far as may be, the increased cost of articles required for their subsistence. You are therefore directed to notify the department of any further increase in the prices of goods sold by the company to the natives. The money thus earned is to constitute a community fund for distribution among the natives, according to their respective classes. At the close of the sealing season, after a conference with the native chiefs, you will make such division of the fund among the natives, according to their classification, as is deemed fair and just, and submit a report of such division, showing the amount apportioned to each native partici- pating in the fund. This report should be accompanied with an mdorsement of approval from the native chiefs and a certificate from the company's agent that such funds have been credited to such natives on the books of the company. Sec. 22. Returns to natives under fox contract. — The contract grant- ing the North American Commercial Co. the right to propagate on the islands of St. Paul and St. George the fur-bearing animal known as the blue fox will expire on April 1, proximo. The question of renewing said contract for the ensuing fiscal year is now under con- sideration by the department. If a new contract is concluded, you will be advised in a later communication regarding its terms. Should you fail to receive notice of the execution of such a contract, you are directed to see that no fox skms are taken by the company. In the absence of a contract with the company, you will exercise your judgment as regards permitting any fox skins to be taken by the natives. If you are convinced that it will be advisable to allow the killing of a certain quota of foxes, you may permit a reasonable quota to be taken under the direction of the Government agents, the skins to be delivered into your custody and to be retained by you awaiting SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 475 instructions from the department as to the manner of their disposal. If skins are thus taken, the question of applying the proceeds in whole or in part to the support of the natives mil be given careful consid- eration. Sec. 23. Payment of natives' earnings. — The amounts that are earned from the company by the natives for labor other than sealing and foxing are to be paid to them in cash, and you will instruct the company's representatives accordingly. The funds earned from seal- ing and foxing, however, are to be disbursed on orders, as heretofore. The payment to the natives of money from the appropriation for their maintenance, upon the orders of the Government agent, is strictly prohibited. Articles that do not properly come within the term "necessaries" should not be exposed for sale in the company's stores nor sold to the natives for the money they earn by labor. Sec. 24. Support of natives. — Congress has appropriated the sum of $19,500 "to enable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to furnish food, fuel, and clothing and other necessaries of life to the native inliabitants on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska," during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1908, and the greatest care and economy should be exercised in the expenditure of this appropriation. Articles of strict necessity onl}^ should be issued. No expensive dress goods, boots, or other articles are to be provided. Each of the natives should be restricted to one pair of dress shoes per year, and each of the women to one good dress. Ginghams, calicoes, muslms, and similar inexpensive dress goods may be issued in reasonable quantities. The supply of fuel for the use of the natives is paid for from this appropriation, and the cost of such fuel should not be overlooked in determining how much of the appropriation is available for other purposes. In the distribution of supplies no distinction is to be made between persons without means and those having small sav- ings from previous years. You will continue the plan, adopted under previous instructions, of issuing orders upon the company for such supplies as are required by the native inhabitants. At the end of the season, as heretofore, you will submit to the department the stubs of the orders given, payable from the appropriation, for use in verifying the accounts of the company. Sec. 25. Coal supply. — The A'orth American Commercial Co. has agreed to furnish during the coming season for use on the islands 315 long tons of coal at $20 per ton, including delivery on the beach, 215 tons to be delivered on St. Paul Island and 100 tons on St. George Island. This coal, with the 80 tons additional that the com- pany is required to furnish under the terms of its contract, will make available for all purposes a supply of 395 tons, and in its distribution the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands of St. Paul and St. George are to be included. Of the 315 tons purchased from the company, you may make the following distribution : St. Paul Island: ' Tons. For the Government house 15 For use of the natives 200 St. George Island: For the Government house 15 For use of the natives 85 Total 315 47b SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Of the 80 tons furnished by the company without charge under its contract, 50 tons may be distributed to the natives of St. Paul and • 30 tons to the natives of St. George. Sec. 26. Dwellings for natives. — The agreement of the company in its contract to furnisii the native inhabitants of the islands a suffi- cient number of comfortable dwellings and to keep such dwellings in proper repair should be strictly enforced. Sec. 27. Schools for the natives. — You will require the schools for the native children to be maintained from wSeptember 1 to May 1 and to be open 5 days in each week, the school hours to be from 9 o'clock a. m. to 3 o'clock p. m., with an hour recess at noon and 15 minutes recess in the forenoon. It will be your duty to see that the teachers appointed by the com- pany are competent to teach the English language and that they faithfully perform this duty. None but the English language shall be taught in the schools. If the j)arents of the children on the islands desire to send them to the Jessie Lee Home, at Unalaska, the department has no objection, provided no expenditure of public money is involved in their trans- portation to Unalaska or their maintenance and schooling while there. This course will also be permitted, under the same conditions, in the case of orphan children for whom provision is now made by the company under its contract. Sec. 28. Widows, orphans, aged and infirm. — The company is re- quired by its contract to provide the necessaries of life for the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands who are unable to provide for themselves, and you will see that this obligation is fully enforced. Widows and orphans having small sums of money to their credit should not be compelled to spend them and become wholly dependent before they are allowed to draw sup- plies under this provision in the company's contract. Such sums, as Well as similar accounts held by other natives, may be drawn upon from time to time, however, with the consent and under the direc- tion of the Government agent, for such reasonable articles as will contribute to the comfort of -the persons possessing the funds. Sec. 29. Natives to render service. — In consideration of the sup- port gratuitously afforded the natives by the Government, you are; directed to utilize their services, when not required by the company, < in repairing roads, guarding the rookeries, and performing such othen duties as may seem desirable. This instruction is not to be regarded, [ however, as relieving the company from its obligation to employ thai natives,' at a fair and just compensation, for all such work as theyj are fitted to perform. Sec. 30. Election of native chiefs. — No interference should be per-1 mitted in the selection of their chiefs by the native inhabitants of' the islands. If it should transpire, however, that persons manifestly unsuitable for the position are chosen, it will be 3^our duty to inter- pose in the interest of good government and require the selection of proper persons, 'but such action should be taken only in extreme cases. Sec. 31. Sale of intoxicants prohibited. — The company agrees in its contract that it will not permit any of its agents to keep, sell, give, or dispose of any distilled spirits, or spirituous liquors or opium on either of the islands or the waters adjacent thereto to any of the native inhabitants, such person not being a physician and furnishing the same for use as a medicine. This obligation is to be rigidly enforced. Sec. 32. Manufacture of intoxicants prohibited. — ^The brewing or distilling of intoxicating beverages on the islands is prohibited. In the enforcement of this provision you are authorized to discontinue the sale from the company's stores of sugar, or other articles entering into the manufacture of intoxicants, to any person who violates this order, or who is found to be intoxicated. Should intoxication become so general among the people as to interfere with good government and jeopardize the peace, you are authorized to discontinue alto- gether the sale of sugar and of other articles entering into the manu- facture of intoxicants, for such length of time as may appear wise. Sec. 33. Removal for cause. — Should natives or other persons become so unruly or immoral in conduct as to endanger the peace and good government of the people, they should be removed from the islands, and the Revenue-Cutter Service will be instructed to render such assistance as may be necessary for that purpose. Sec. 34. Landing on the islands restricted. — No persons other than Government officers, representatives and employees of the North American Commercial Co., and duly accredited representatives of the Russian Church shall be allowed to land on the islands except by written authority from the department. The permission granted representatives of the Russian Church to visit the islands may be suspended, however, when its exercise is attempted by an improper person. Visitors to the islands should not be permitted to inspect the rookeries, except under your supervision. Sec. 35. Killing of sea lions to he limited. — The preservation of the sea-lion rookeries on the islands is liiglily important. The kilhng of these animals should be limited to such numbers as are absolutely necessary in providing for the construction of bidarras or skin boats. Sea-hon pups should not be killed for any purpose. Sec. 36. Information regarding affairs on the islands. — No infor- mation regarding the seals, or any other matter pertaining to the seal islands, is to be given out by you or by any of the assistant agents. All applications for such information should be referred to the department. Sec. 37. Conclusion. — The maintenance of guards on isolated rookeries to prevent illegal landings and raids should be continued. Should questions arise involving matters not covered by these instructions it will be your duty to report the facts to the department and to await mstructions, except in cases requiring immediate deci- sion, when you v/ill take such action as sound judgment dictates. The instructions embodied in this letter are to remain in force until they are superseded by later ones, and in the event of your failure to receive revised instructions for a subsequent season, the directions herein given are to be followed for such season so far as they are apphcable. Three additional copies of tliis letter are inclosed herewith, and you are directed to furnish one of these copies to each of the assistant agents for their information and guidance. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. ijTjA.±j xoJU-n-XN J-zo \Ji: n_Lj.n.kJXi..ri« April 15, 1907. Sir: You are hereby authorized to deliver to the North American Commercial Co. the sealskins (166 in number) which weighed less than 5 pounds or more than 8^ pounds, retained on the Pribilof Islands during the season of 1906 under instructions from this department. These skins should be included in the company's quota for the current year. This action is based on the assumption that the number of such prohibited skins is so small as to justify the behef tliat they were taken only through unavoidable accident, mistake, or error in judg- ment. In this connection you are informed that the current instructions against the taking of skins under and over the weights mentioned must be most rigidly enforced. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. April 27, 1907. Mr. E. W. Clark, Assistant Agent, Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: You are hereby directed to proceed to San Francisco in time to take passage for the Pribilof Islands on the vessel of the North American Commercial Co. leaving the above port on or about May 18, proximo. Upon your arrival at San Francisco you will report to Agent W. I. Lembkey, who will take passage on the same vessel for the islands mentioned. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Solicitor, Washington, April 27, 1907. Mr. E. W. Clark, Assistant Agent, Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: You are hereby directed to proceed to San Francisco in time to take passage for the Pribilof Islands on the vessel of the North American Commercial Co. leaving the above ])ort on or about May 18, proximo. Upon your arrival at San Francisco you will report to Agent W. I. Lembkey, who wiU take passage on the same vessel for the islands mentioned. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. Department of Commekce and Labor, Office of Assistant Secretary, Washington, April SO, 1907. Sir: Authority is liereby given for the travel of yourself and Assist- ant Agent E. W. Clark from Washington, D. C, to the Pribilof Islands, in the spring of 1907, and of yourse[f and Assistant Agent H. D. Clii- chester from the Pribilof Islands to Washington, D. C, in the fall of 1907, such travel to be by the most direct and usually traveled routes. If excess baggage is necessary for the travel authorized, charges therefor may be included in amounts not to exceed $30, for each agent, for tlie trip going out. On the return trip, 100 pounds of excess baggage will be allowed, if actually necessary, and not to exceed 250 pounds may be transported as freight direct from San Francisco, Cal., through the Quartermaster's Department, via Ogden The actual necessary expenses of yourself and tlie assistant agents for board and lodging at San Francisco, Cal., not to exceed S5 per diem during such reasonable time as may be necessary for the trans- action of official business pending your departure for Alaska, will be allowed. Your arrival on the Pacific coast should be so timed as to relieve the department of any charges for detention there for a longer period than required for the transaction of official business. This injunction applies as well to the stay on the Pacific coast of yourself and the assistant agent upon your return from Alaska en route to the department. Yours, very respectfully, Assistant Secretary. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, Department of Comraerce and Labor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 12, 1907. Hon. L. O. Murray, Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival, on the 3d instant, on the Pribilof Islands. Conditions on both islands are good. At both villages the births during the past year exceeded the deaths. I found both Agents Judge and Chichester, on St. Paul and St. George, respectively, to be well, and to have administered aft'airs successfully. Agent Judge will remain on St. Paul another year. Agent Chichester and myself will report in the fall for duty at the department. The fox catch on St. George last winter (366 blues and 8 whites) fell nearly 100 from the catch of 1906, when 456 blues and 11 whites were taken. This decrease, however, was due more to an open winter (as was the last one), and the consequent presence of natural food, which kept foxes away from the traps, than to an actual dimi- nution of the fox herd. No foxes were taken last winter on St. 480 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Paul, for the reason that only a few were found on that island, and none could be killed without the danger of the extermination of the species on that island. No female seals have arrived yet on either island. The bulls are here, however, awaiting the arrival of the cows. Preliminary exami- nation indicates that the decrease in bulls during the last winter was more moderate than usual, due to accessions of new bulls as the result of the reservation of marked males. In fact, certain rookeries already show an increase in bulls over last year. Among those present, young bulls preponderate, with a minority of middle-aged males. No old bulls are present. The count of bulls which we will make at the height of the season probably will show only a slight decrease from the number present last year. There was found on the islands last fall a greatly increased number of nursing seal pups dying from starvation, as the result of the killing of their mothers by pelagic sealers. This indicates a heav}^ mortality in breeding females since last season. Revenue cutters already have begun active patrol about the islands. The Perry at present is stationed at St. Paul, with the Manning at St. George. These stations will be alternated during the summer. Capt. Munger, fleet captain, with his staff, is stationed at Unalaska, having arrived there on the Perry while I was at Dutch Harbor. Upon the arrival at St. Paul, on the 8th instant, of the Perry on patrol, Capt. Dunwoody notified me in writing of his intention to patrol the 60-mile limit, as well as the 3-mile territorial limit about the islands, and requested me to communicate with him on every arrival of the cutter, in order that he may be kept advised of the situation. At his request, I went aboard the Perry and arranged a 'code of special signals for use in communicating between the cutters on patrol and the agents on shore. The Perry makes a daily circuit of the 3-mile limit about St. Paul, a steaming distance of over 40 miles, and is communicated with daily from shore by signals or otherwise. No branding or killing of bachelors has occurred since my arrival, there being but few bachelors present as yet. I shall secure the quota of bachelors to be reserved for breeding before killing for skins. Respectfully, W. 1. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 13, 1907. My Dear Mr. Murray: I am sending herewith an official letter regarding affairs on the islands during the past winter and at the time of my arrival. Both Agents Judge and Chichester should be commended for the efficiency of their administrations. There is every indication of a thorough patrol about the islands this summer. A cutter is constantly at each island, either at anchor or patrolling the 3-mile limit. In fact, the continuous presence of the cutter at the village makes me hesitate to visit the rookeries, for fear the cutter should signal during my absence. It is my purpose in every way possible to establish communication with the service on a friendly basis and to cooperate fuUy with all captains on patrol. OI^iAU XOJ_/.lX\ i/O VJ£ -AJ^^iO li.il. The Japanese sealers did not leave the sea last year until the 1st of October. With tlie promise of faithful work during the summer, I am, believe me, Very sincerely, yours, W. I. Lembkey. Hon. Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce arid Labor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 20, 1907 . Hon. L. O. Murray, Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have the honor to report that since the 15th instant, when a schooner was seized by the Perry, two schooners were sighted from this island on the 16th instant and three schooners on the 19th instant, all in close proximity to the shore. Captains of cutters on patrol have been advised. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 20, 1907. Hon. L. O. Murray, Assistant Secretary, Department of Comjnerce and Labor. Sir: I have the honor to inclose a copy of an official letter to me from the captain of the U. S. S. Perry, detailing the seizure of a Japanese schooner for a violation of the laws of the United States prohibiting the killing of seals. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Cliarge Seal Fisheries. [Copy.] Steamer "Perry,'' St. Paul Island, Alaslca, June 15, 1907. To the ("hief Agent in Charge, Fur-Seal Fisheries, Pribilof Islands. Sir: I have to inform you that I have this day seized the Japanese schooner M\ye Maru, Toba, having fallen in with five of her boats, 2403— H. Doc. 93, G2-1— 31 482 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. with three men in each boat, engaged in hunting the fur seal 2 J miles of Otter Island. The boats contained no bodies of seal or sealskins, but each contained an outfit suitable for killing seals, and I have seized the vessel on the ground that she has violated the law by reason of her boats hunting seals within Territorial waters. I will take the prize to Unalaska immediately, stopping at St. George Island to notify Capt. Cantwell, of the Manning, in order that he may guard the waters around both islands during my absence. Eespectfully, F. M. Dun WOODY, Caytain, U. S. R. C. S., Commanding. Department of Commerce and Labor. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., August SI, 1907. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Arrived with Agent Chichester. Fourteen thousand nine hundred sixty-four seal- skins shipped, this year's quota. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisher. 11.05 a. m., September 1, 1907. Preliminary Report of September 9, 1907. By W. L Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Alaskan Seal Fisheries. [From S. Doc. No. 376, 60th Cong., 1st sess.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington, Septemher 9, 1907. Sir : I have the honor to submit the following preliminary report of the administration of affairs on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, reser- vation during the season ended July 31, 1907: fur SEALS killed. The quota of 15,000 fur-sea.1 sldns for both islands was obtained. The number of sealskins taken and shipped hy the lessee of the seahng right follows: St. Paul, 12,384; St. George, 2,580; total, 14,964. There were held on the islands during the season in question as having been taken contrary to the department's regulations the following number of skins: St. Paul, 15; St. George, 20; total, 35. These skins were either larger or smaller than the limit prescribed, and are now retained on the islands subject to further instructions. CHANGE OF QUOTA. The current regulations of the department prescribed as the quotas for the separate islands 13,000 for St. Paul and 2,000 for St. George. By section 6, however, it was permitted, in case the number of SEAX. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 483 3-oung males hauling oil St. George was so large as to lead the agent there to believe that a contemporaneous diminution existed in the seals hauling on St. Paul, to increase the quota of St. George by a number not exceeding 1,000. The hauling grounds last season showed a condition exactly similar to that mentioned in the regulation above cited. The catch on St. Paul, up to the niiddle of July, 1907, fell nearly 2,000 below the number taken during the same period the previous year; while the killable seals were so plentiful on St. George as to allow the quota of 2,000 for that island to be taken practically on July 15. This having been reported to me by Agent Clark in several communica- tions, and he having requested that the St. George quota be raised, accordingly, on July 17, I addressed a letter to him authorizing the taking on St. George of an additional number of 600 skins, at the same time reducing the St. Paul quota by that number. Capt. Dunwoody, of the Perry, brought Maj. Clark's letter to me and returned to St. George with my reply within 24 hours — furnishing probably the quickest communication between the islands on record. After reducing the St. Paid quota, however, killable seals began to pour in upon the hauling grounds of that island and its quota of 12,400 practically was secured by July 28, with three more days of seahiig to spare. At the same time, the number hauling on St. George in nowise diminished and the increased quota on that island practically was secured by July 24, with a week of the sealing period yet to elapse. It is my judgment that had sealing been carried on to July 31, the limit of time fixed by law, at least 1,500 sealskins could have been secured in addition to those taken. DECREASE IN BREEDING FEMALES. Owhig to the presence about the islands all summer of a large fleet of pelagic schooners, some of which were visible daily from land, counts of breedmg seals beyond the enumerations necessary to arrive at an estimate of the number present, were omitted on St. Paul, where the greater number of seals find their habitat. From those counts made, however, it would appear that a large decrease in breedmg cows has occurred since 1906. These estimates show that on St. Paul, at the end of the season of 1907, but 40,000 breeding cows were present as against 52,700 present in 1906, and 65,884 in 1905. On St. George 9,371 breeding cows are estimated for the East season of 1907, as against 11,457 in 1906. This decrease in reeding cows is due directly to pelagic sealing. INCREASE IN BULLS. Notwithstanding the decrease in breeding cows already noted, the condition of the rookeries this summer shows that the decrease in bulls, which has been constant for years past, has been checked. Indeed, an increase in bulls on St. George since last season actually occurred. The counts of adult bulls on St. Paul m 1907 show 1,183 stationed bulls as against 1,244 in 1906 — a decrease in stationed bulls of only 4 per cent, as contrasted with the 18 per cent decrease of the year previous. In addition to the stationed bulls, however, there were noted in 1907, 74 young bulls known as "quitters" (i. e., those run- 484 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ning away at the approach of man), when only 41 were present in 1906. These "quitters" are 6 and 7 year okls that can serve cows, and which in many instances would not desert if they could obtain a cow or two. A comparison of the whole number of stationed bulls and ''quitters" for the two years shows that St. Paul in 1907 is within 28 bulls of equaling the number present in 1906 — an insignificant decrease when compared with the steady annual decreases averaging 20 per cent in the five years last passed. In addition to these, 100 young bulls were noted in 1907 lianging about the rookery water fronts on St. Paul, when not over 25 were seen the previous year, showing that, in spite of increased pelagic sealing and the steady falling off among breeding cows, the number of bulls on St. Paul practically increased in 1907. On St. George, as already stated, an actual increase in stationed bulls occurred — 221 in 1907 as against 208 in 1906. The "quitters" and "water bulls" on that island were not reported. This gratify- ing condition, so far as breeding bulls are concerned, is due directly to the regulations in force limiting killing on land, and demonstrates what could be done toward maintaining ideal conditions on the breeding rookeries were pelagic sealing abolished. PELAGIC SEALING. Pelagic sealing about the islands during tlie sealing season of 1907 was carried on more actively tlian in 1906. Notwithstanding this, no raids were made on any of the rookeries in 1907 — due probably to the active patrol by the Revenue-Cutter Service — and no arrests were made on shore. One boat containing three Japanese from a pelagic schooner landed on St. Paul on July 18, claiming to have been ship- wrecked. These men, on July 20, were delivered to the captain of the cutter Perry, who, at their request, put them on board the first pelagic schooner he fell in with. Pelagic schooners were in sight from St. Paul Island almost daily during the summer. Iheir presence was so much a matter of course that after a week or two the guards at the various watch stations did not make a detailed report of the number seen unless some unusual incident occurred or the number was so large as to make the subject of special moment. On July 6, 12 schooners were apparent from St. Paul, while on July 19 there were in sight 23 schooners and at least 30 small boats, all operating within sight of land. Some of the small boats in the vicinity of Southwest Point were well within the 3-mile limit. On June 25 a landing was made on Otter Island by the crews of two small boats, who also fired a number of shots from shotguns in close proximity to that island. On Jul}^ 25 three warning shots were fired wide by the native guarfl at Northeast Point at the crew of a small boat that approached within one-half mile of the rookery, and which, when the warning was given, was standing directly in for Hutchinson Hill, where the greatest mass of seals is found. The shots made the boat turn hurriedly about and put for the open sea. Other instances occurretl of pelagic sealing within the 3-mile limit which need not be recounted here. 1'he revenue cutter Perry on June 15 seized the Miye Maru, of Toba, Japan, for having five of her boats equipped with sealing para- phernalia within the 3-mile limit surrounding Otter Island. On or SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 485 about July 2 the Manning seized two other Japanese schooners for ha^dng small boats within 3 miles of St. Paul Island with freshly killed seals aboard and a full equipment for sealing. The Miye Maru was released on order of Capt. Munger at Unalaska on the ground of insufficient evidence. The two schooners seized by the Manning were held at Unalaska and their crews taken to Valdez for trial. On St. George Island no instances of violation of our laws by pelagic schooners occurred, and but two schooners were seen from that island during the summer. REVENUE-CLTTTER PATROL. The revenue-cutter patrol about the islands this summer was active and energetic, and by far the best in the history of the islands. There is no question that the captains in command used every effort to pre- vent landings and to capture such schooners as had boats within the 3-mile limit. Such violations of law of this character as did occur took place while the cutters were patrolling other portions of the islands, and can not in any sense be considered as due to any lack of vigilance on the part of the captams commanding the patrolling vessels. RESERVATION OF MALE SEALS. On the islands the reservation of 1,000 2-year-old and 1,000 3-year- old male seals for breeding purposes was made as usual in the pro- portion of 800 of each on St. Paul and 200 of each on St. George. This was accomplished by clipping the fur off the head of each seal so reserved bj^ means of sheep shears, the mark thus made assuring the exemption of the animal when it appeared in the killing drives during the summer. BLUE FOXES. On St. Paul no foxes were taken during the mnter of 1906-7. On St. George, 366 blue and 8 white foxes were taken and the skins deliv- ered to the North American Commercial Co., the latter paying therefor the stipulated price of $5 for eacli blue and $1 for each white fox skin. The fox catch of the last season sliows a falling off from that of the season preceding of approximately 90 skins, which is due, according to Agent Chichester, more to climatic comlitions than to an actual decrease in the fox herd. CONDITION OF NATIVES. During the past year the general health of the natives has been good. The native population of the two islands on July 1, 1907, numbered 263, of which St. Paul had 170 and St. George 93, an increase over the previous annual census of 4 individuals. A more detailed report of the season's work is being prepared and will be submitted at as early a date as possible. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. To Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 486 SEAIi ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Annual Report Seal Fisheries of Alaska. By W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Alaskan Seal Fisheries. [From S. Doc. No. 376, Goth Cong., 1st sess.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, WasMngton, December 1, 1907 . Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the admin- istration of affairs on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, reservation during the season of 1907: MARKING OF BACHELORS. The first marking of bachelors on St. Paul under instruction from the department contained in its letter to me of April 13, 1907, was made on June 19 from Reef rookery. On that date 332 young males were marked — 211 3-year-olds and 121 2-year-olds. The method of marking was wdth sheep shears, with which a patch of hair on the head of each seal was clipped off. On June 24 another drive was made at Zapadni, from which 141 2-year and 138 3-year olds were marked. On June 25 another drive of probably 1,200 seals was made from Reef, from which 424 2-year and 320 3-year olds were marked. From this drive, the seals that w^ere turned away without marking were almost entirely 4 and 5 year olds with a small percentage of 6-year-olds. On June 28 the final drive to obtain the required quota of reserved bachelors was made at North- east Point, where 114 2-year and 131 3-year olds were marked, filling the required number of 800 for each class on St. Paul Island. The efficacy of the regulations is apparent in the presence in the drive made June 25 of the large number of half bulls noted above. These seals are the result of the saving in previous years of killable bachelors arising from restrictions placed upon killing by the depart- ment, and being now past the killable age will mature as breeding bulls unless they fall victims to pelagic sealing. The mark made on the animal by shearing oft' a portion of the hair and fur on top of the head remains readily apparent during the entire summer. In the fall, after the new hair has fully grown, of couree, this mark disappears, but the killing of the animal is then pre- vented by restrictions on the sizes of seals selected for food. On St. George the quota of 200 of each of the classes named to be branded was obtained before any killing by the lessee was made for skins. On this island sheep shears were used as on St. Paul. The mark on the seals' heads on both islands was similar in appearance and therefore it was not possible to note the volume of migration between the islands as it was in 1904 when shears were used only on St. George and hot irons on St. Paul. KILLING OF SEALS, The feature of interest in connection Avith the kilhng of seals during the past summer was the unusually large number of bachelors haul- ing on St. George during the entire summer, coincident with their scarcity on St. Paul during the first half of the season and a rush of 2-year-olds at the latter half. The quota (15,000) was obtained be- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 487 fore the legal end of the lessee's season — on St. George on July 24 and on St. Paul July 28 — and it is believed, had sealing been per- mitted until July 31, at least 1 ,500 skins additional could have been taken. Killing by the lessee began immediately after the completion of the marking of bachelors. Owing to the comparatively large number of seals frequenting St. George the quota for the island fixed by the regulations, namely, 2,000, was obtained practically^ by July 15, while the catch on St. Paul up to July 15 was nearly 2,000 below what it was at the same time the previous year. The abundance of seals on St. George having been reported to me by Maj. Clark with a request that the quota on that island be increased, accordingly, on July 17, I addressed a letter to him, authorizing the taking on St. George of an additional number of 600 skins, by virtue of section 6 of the department's current instructions, at the same time reducing the St. Paul quota by that number. This action was taken on the assumption that by reason of the scarcity of killables on St. Paul the quota for that island would not be obtained. However, shortly after the reduction stated, killable seals began pouring in upon the hauling grounds of St. Paul, and as mentioned before, the quota for that island was obtained practically on July 28. NUMBER OF DRIVES. On St. Paul during the lessee's sealing season 29 drives were made by it for skins, in wliich the percentage of seals killed to the whole number driven was 68 per cent, varying in several drives from a minimum of 30 to a maximum of 85 per cent. Three drives were made in wliich the percentage was between 80 and 85; 9 in wliich the percentage killed was over 70 and under 80; 8 in which the num- ber idlled was over 60 and under 70 per cent; 5 in which the killed was over 50 and under 60; 3 drives in which the killed amounted to under 50 and over 40 per cent, and 1 drive in which only 30 per cent was lulled. On St. Paul on July 15 a drive was made fi'om Northeast Point, where the number killed was 1,224, or 75 per cent of all driven; while on July 22, 1,179 skins were taken from Reef and Gorbatch, amount- ing to 77 per cent of the whole number driven. This is of interest from the fact that not for several years has a drive been made on the islands in which over 1,000 skins were taken. On St. George, during the season of 1907, 15 drives were made by the lessee, exclusive of 1 made on July 25 by the watchmen at Zapadni and East rookery, in which an average of 138 skins for each drive was made. During the whole season the seals killed on St. George averaged 44 per cent of the whole number driven. DISMISSALS FROM DRIVES. During the season of 1907 on St. Paul there were 1,537 small and 2,075 large dismissals from driA^es, not mcluding 1,533 dismissals of marked bachelors. The large seals dismissed since June 28, when the first drive for skins was made by the lessee, mcluded 697 4-year- olds, 454 5-year-olds. 300 6-3^ear-olds, 79 7-year-olds, and 6 adults. 488 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. It is noteworthy that the greatest number of large rejections con- sisted of 4-year-olds (697), all prime skins, which undoubtedly would have been killed by the lessee but for the prohibition contained in the current regulations. In fact, some of the 5-year-olds had prime skins wliich would have brought a high price in London. The marked bachelors dismissed consisted of 869 2-year-olds and 664 3-year-olds. While it is known from the statistics obtamed in prior years that the 2-year-olds hauled more frequently than the 3-year-olds, those for 1907 show that the 2-year-olds hauled in that season less often than heretofore. The number of 2-year-olds reserved by marking on St. Paul each season is 800, and a similar number of 3-year-olds. The rejections in marked bachelors for the four vears 1904 to 1907 follow: Year. Two years. Three years. 1904 1,320 1,005 1,012 869 568 W05 511 I9D6 693 1907 664 It can be seen that in 1907 less of the marked 2-year-olds returned than in any other year since this regulation was adopted. This same peculiarity was noted also in the hauling of killable bachelors not marked — that is to say, the killables on St. Paul hauled very slowly until the middle of July, when they came in in such numbers as to fur- nish the island's quota and to afford two drives in which the number of skins taken was over 1,000 in each case. This, taken in connec- tion with the fact that an unusually large number of bachelors hauled on St. George this summer, indicates that some unusual condition existed which affected the hauling of bachelor seals on the islands. What this condition was is conjectural . Whether it was some pecul- iar attribute of weather existing this summer, or some other factor which made the ocean more desirable for the seals than the hauling grounds, can not be told. Perhaps the presence about St. Paul Island of a large fleet of pelagic schooners operating at an unusually early date close to shore, harassing not only the females as they went back and forth to feed, but the bachelors as they wandered without appar- ent object about the shores of the island, had the effect of changing to a degree their usual hauling habits. I rather inclme to believe the latter cause was potent, in view of the fact that St. George, which was practically free from pelagic vessels in its close vicinity, had more bachelors last year than in its history for some years past. SUFFICIENCY OF RESERVATION FOR BREEDERS. It can be seen from the foregoing data that in addition to the 1,600 2 and 3 year olds marked and released on St. Paul there were over 1,500 dismissals on that island of small seals released from the killing field. It can be shown that these 1,500 dismissals represent practi- cally as many animals. We have shown, therefore, that in addition to those animals not driven at all there were at least 3,000 young males released from St. Paul Island alone from which to recruit candi- dates for vacancies in the present supply of breeding bulls. As our SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 489 statistics show that in 1907 only 1,122 adult bulls were required on St. Paul to serve cows, it is readily apparent that this year's reserva- tion is ample, not only to preserve the number of the present supply of bulls, but actually to increase it. ENUMERATION OF SEAL LIFE. The counting of seals outside of that necessary to determine the number of harems on the rookeries and the size of an average harem on either island ceased upon the appearance in June of pelagic ves- sels about the islands. Immediately after my arrival, however, and before schooners were sighted off the island, I made as careful an examination as possible of the bulls stationed before the arrival of the cows. In this exam- ination no aged bulls were found. The greater proportion of those bulls present were young. Of 56 bulls found on Lukanin and Ketovi on June 3, 18 were middle-aged; the remainder were young — 8 and 9 year olds. On examination made by Mr. Judge on June 5, Gor- batch and Ardiguen showed 60 bulls present, none of which were aged. After June 18, however, schooners appeared about the island and all intermediate counting was discontinued. On July 13, 16 harems and idle bulls on the whole island were carefully counted by Mr. Judge and myself and a party of native assistants, while at the end of July the pups on Ketovi were counted for the purpose of ascertaining an average harem to be used as a basis for estmiating the whole number of seals on the island. Beyond these counts it was thought unwise to further disturb the rookeries by counting. NUMBER OF BULLS PRESENT. From the count made on St. Paul on July 15 the following number of bulls was found: Rookery. Ketovi Amphitheater. . . Lukanin Lagoon Tolstoi Cliffs... - Tolstoi Northeast Foint. Little Polovina. . Polovina Clifls.. Polovina Gorbatch Clifls.. Gorbatcb Reef Zapadni Little Zapadni. . Zapadni Reef. . . Ardiguen Total 1907. Total 1906. Harems. Idle. Quitters. Water bulls. 46 9 5 9 g 1 34 1 1 15 1 1 30 1 .3 9 99 5 12 247 21 18 20 14 1 4 24 1 3 3 33 2 6 8 6 2 105 3 / 6 216 9 14 16 155 9 9 10 68 2 1 4 10 2 1 11 1,122 61 74 100 1,205 39 41 It can be seen from the above table that on St. Paul there was a decrease in harems in the period from 1906 to 1907 of 83, or 6 per cent. There was an increase, however, of 22 idle bulls and 33 "quitters," or young bulls full grown which, withal, will retreat when approached 490 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. by man. In addition to these, 100 bulls were noted along the water front of the rookeries, looking for openings through which they might gain a footing among the cows. While there was, as already stated, a decrease of 6 per cent in the actual number of harems in 1907, there was an increase in the number of idle bulls and quitters, making a total decrease in full-grown buUs, harem masters, idle, and "quitters" 28, or 2 per cent. When it is considered that the annual decrease for several years past has been in the neighborhood of 20 per cent, the insignificance of the 2 per cent decrease of 1907 is apparent. When we consider further the number of water bulls on the rookery fronts, which, as the season closes, gradu- ally force their way into the rookeries and obtain cows, we can see that there was an actual increase in the total of bulls of all classes on the rookeries on St. Paul. On St. George the condition as regards bulls was found to be even better than on St. Paul, as an increase was noted in the number of harem bulls actually stationed. In 1906 there was a total of 208 bulls stationed, harem masters and idle, wliile in 1907 there were 221, an increase of 13 bulls, not counting quitters or the water bulls that flank the rookery from the sea. This result is gratifying, as it is, undoubtedly, the effect of the first reservation (in 1904) of 2 and 3 year old bachelors, coupled Avith the abstention from killing of 4 and 5 year old half buUs, which latter afford in many instances valuable skins and which, but for the prohi- bition of the department, would have been killed by the lessee. The 3-year-olds reserved in 1904 would be 4 years old in 1905, 5 years old in 1906, and 6 years old in 1907. This class of young males is too young to make full rookery buUs and would, in 1907, be appar- ent only as hangers-on about the rookeries, either in the rear or on the water front. That numbers of young buUs were observed in 1907 in the localities stated, is good evidence tliat the 3-year-old reservation of 1904 is present in good numbers and will be stationed on the breed- ing grounds at the proper time. But the young adult bulls found on the rookeries in 1-907 in sufficient numbers to offset the yearly decrease in breeding bulls, and which were at least 7 years old, could not have come from the 3-year-olds of 1904, as they at tliis time could be only 6 years old. They therefore must liave come from the 4 and 5 year olds already mentioned, the killing of which in 1904 was first pro- hibited. There must have been released enough of these to of them- selves meet the annual decrease and to even increase the number of bulls present on St. George. This being the case, a further increase in harem masters may be expected on the rookeries in 1908, when the regular reservation of 1,000 3-year-olds branded with a hot iron in 1904 may be expected on the rookeries. In fact, several of these, undoubtedly 4 or 5 years old when they were branded, were observed on the rookeries with cows last season. It is not too much to believe that a material increase in buUs will be found on the rookeries in 1908, and that annually there- after this increase will be augmented by the accession of the reservation made four years previously. It is regretted that this reservation of young male life for future breeders contains no remedy for the general decrease in seal life, which has been constant for two decades and which furnishes the assurance of a speedy commercial extinction of the animal. It has SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 491 been claimed that the primary cause of this decrease has been the lack of virile adult bulls, which, because of this scarcity, failed to fecundate all the cows, and thereby lessened the number of pups born annually. If this theory be correct, the increase in adult bulls in 1907 will result in an increase in the number of pups born in 1908 — in other words, that the rookeries from this time on will show a condition of increase. If, however, no increase in pups be found, this theory must fall. It is almost unnecessary to state my belief that no increase in pups will be encountered in 1908. DECREASE IN BREEDING COWS. While the number of bulls on the rookeries has increased as the result of the application of regulations of the department, the num- ber of breeding cows has decreased as the result of their being killed at sea b}^ pelagic hunters. It has been proven and is thoroughly understood that the greater number of seals in the pelagic catch in Bering Sea are breeding females. This is shown by the statistics of the catches of both the Canadian and the American sealing fleets when the latter was allowed by our law to operate. The average proportion of females in the Bering Sea catches is in the neighborhood of 75 per cent. This is due to the fact that the breeding cows are constantly pass- ing to and from the rookeries and the feeding grounds, a distance ranging from 100 to 250 miles, and while on these journeys, and especially \\ hile sleeping on the water digesting a mass of fish eaten, they are fair pre}^ for the pelagic hunters. The males, on the con- trary, are either stationed on the rookeries or alternate between the hauling grounds and the sea in the immediate vicinity. Numbers of them do not feed at all during the sealing season; the others feed less freciuently than the females. The large pelagic fleet that has surrounded the islands for years past, and notably in the last two, have been more destructive, for the reasons stated, to the breeding females, and this class of seals has diminished steadily and will diminish so long as the fleet is present and active. COUNTS OMITTED. The regulations of the department give the agents authority to curtail or to omit altogether the counting of seals on the breeding rookeries, the discretion to be exercised in case of unusual activity on the part of the pelagic schooners. The pelagic fleet began operations this year sooner than hereto- fore, vessels entering the sea near June 1 and continuing daily until October. For this reason, as soon as the first schooner was seized (June 15, by the Perry) the intermediate daily counting of cows and bulls on the rookeries ceased, as daily disturbance of the rook- eries was thought to keep more seals in the water than under normal conditions, and thereby to further increase the pelagic catch. So also wdien it became necessary to count live pups near August 1 , to establish a basis for computing an average harem, only the pups on Ketovi were counted, instead of probably one-third of all on the island, as heretofore. The counting of these pups involves the driving into the water of all adult seals on the rookerv, and it was desirable 492 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. that this work should be accomphshed by the least possible disturb- ance of the breeding grounds. While, of course, cows are traveling back and forth from the rookeries to the feeding grounds, under ordi- nary circumstances, there is always a large number of cows on shore. The driving off of the whole rookery en masse would necessarily send into the water those cows which otherwise would remain on shore and would enormously increase their chances of capture by the fleet. Ketovi, however, is a rookery which contains harems of a generally •uniform size, having neither the large conglomerate masses of cows in which the harems can not be distinguished one from another nor a succession of very small harems, such as can be found elsewhere strung along a rocky beach line. It can therefore fairly be considered as practically typical of an average mass of seals and in this sense serves very well for the purpose of ascertaining the size of an average harem. A careful count of all the pups on Ketovi, living and dead, on August 2, 1907, by Mr. Judge, assisted by a corps of natives, showed the following : Ketovi Amphitheater. Total... IJve Dead pups. pups. 1,607 I 43 303 I 6 1,910 The number of harems on this area, as ascertained by the count made near July 15, was 46 on Ketovi and 9 on Amphitheater, or 55 on the entire area. By dividing this number into 1,959, which rep- resents the whole number of pups born in this space in 1907, we obtain an average harem of 35.61 cows, since the whole number of adult cows present is represented by the whole number of pups born. The whole number of harems on the island ascertained by careful coimt on or about July 15, 1907, was 1,122. Applying the average harem of 35.61 to this number we have a total of 39,954 breeding cows estimated for the island of St. Paul for 1907. This, of course, is an estimate, and notliing more is claimed for it. The method used has been the one employed since 1896, and the result is near enough to the actual conditions to give a reliable idea of increase or decrease in seals present. The number actually present will vary in a small degree from that estimated to be present, but that is the drawback in all estimations. We are certain that the counts upon which these estimates are based v/ere made with all possible care and that greater accuracy could not be obtained with the methods used. These figures showing the number of breeding cows on St. Paul are exclusive of the seals on Sea Lion Rock, where probably 45 harems and approximately 1 ,500 cows were present at the height of the season. This islet lies about one-third of a mile from Reef rookery, St. Paul, and was not visited when harems were counted, for the reason that the weather conditions made it unfavor- able for landing there. On St. George, usually, all the live pups found on the rookeries have been actually counted. This year, however, because of the SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 493 increased activity in pelagic sealing, already noted, counting of the entire number of pups was abandoned, and following the method employed on St. Paul only those on North rookery and Little East were enumerated. The number of bulls with cows, of course, was ascertained at the height of the season. On the two St, George rookeries on which pups were counted the following number of harems was found on July 14, 1907: North, 81; Little East, 7; total, 88. The pups found on these rookeries by actual count were: Rookery. Live. Dead. North 4.108 200 77 Little East 2 Total 4,. 308 79 We can see from this that on an area on which there were 88 harems there were born 4,387 pups, 79 of which were dead. This would indi- cate an average harem of 49.85. As there were 188 harems found on the entire island, the application to this number of the average harem of 49.85 would show a total of 9,371 pups born on the island, which number also represents the number of breeding cows. As the number of pups actually counted on St. George represents nearly half of all those found on the island, this average must be con- sidered as very nearly representing actual conditions, and the com- putation made therefrom very close to the number actually present. Like Ketovi, on St. Paul, ]\orth rookery is typical in its character, containing a succession of good-sized harems without either a mass or a large number of small harems, and furnishes facilities beyond those offered by other rookeries for arriving at a fair average harem. By the methods outlined we have in 1907 the following number of breeding cows and pups on both islands, including Sea Lion Rock: St. Paul, 39,954; Sea Lion Rock, 1,500; St. George, 9,371; total, 50,825. DECREASE ON ST. GEORGE SINCE 1906. On St. Paul in 1906, because of the activity displayed in pelagic sealing, no count of pups was made, for which reason it is impossible to maKe a comparison between the number of cows present in that year and in 1907. On St. George, however, in 1906, all pups on the island were counted, as has been the practice for years past. Because of the full count in 1906 and the counting of nearly half the entire number in 1907 we are able to make an estimate for St. George of the rate of decrease in breeding females. The counts for the two years follow: 1906, 11,457; 1907, 9,371; decrease, 2,086. This shows a decrease on St. George in one year of 2,086 breeding cows, or over 18 per cent. Because of the fact that in 1907 the cows on only 2 rookeries were counted, we have not the means at hand for showing where this decrease occurred. There is, however, a complete count for the two years on North and Little East rookeries, and a comparison of the ligures for these two years will prove interesting. 494 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Rookery. 1906 1907 In- crease ( + )or de- crease (-)• North 3,854 239 4,185 202 +331 Little East 1 — 37 1 15 per cent. These counts were made by Agent Chichester in 1906 and by Agent Chirk in 1907. Because of the extremely rough character of North rookery and the numerous hiding phices existing there in which pups secrete themselves and from which they have to be dragged by hand, counts of pups on this rookery must necessarily omit a few that are in unaccessible places. With the most carefid counting a variation of a hundred or two on this rookery would, from the nature of things, be nothing extraordinary. The counts of this rookery (North) in 1906 and 1907 show an increase in the latter year of 331 pups. In view of the difhculties of counting enumerated it may be safe to conclude simply that no material decrease, if any, has occurred on this rookery during the year. To lay more stress upon this apparent increase would be unsafe. The count discloses, however, a decrease of 15 per cent on Little East rookery, which is open enough to insure an accurate count on a small number of pups such as is found there. This shows the same condition that has been noted in years past on St. Paul — namely, that by reason of their gregarious instincts the cows continue to frequent the center or more massed portions of a rookery, abandoning the thinly settled ends. We must conclude from this that the decrease in breeding cows, which undoubtedly has occurred, is apparent on the small, thinly settled rookery areas, leaving the denser portions to suffer in much less degree. PERCENTAGE OF DECREASE ON BOTH ISLANDS. In 1906, because of the activity in pelagic sealing in the close vicinity of St. Paul, counts of pups on the various rookeries of that island were not made, for the first time in years. For this reason accurate data is not at hand to show the number of seals present that year upon which to base a comparison with former years. From the counts of cows, however, made during the season it was ascertained that a decrease had occurred on that island since the previous year of about 20 per cent, and that by this computation there were, in 1906, 52,700 breeding cows present on the St. Paul rookeries. On St. George in 1906 an actual count disclosed the presence of 11,457 newly born pups, indicating an equal number of breeding cows. In 1905, 12,952 pups were counted on the same breeding area on St. George, showing that between 1905 and 1906 a decrease of only 11 per cent in breeding cows had occurred on St. George, while an approximated decrease of 20 per cent had occurred during the same period on St. Paul. Between 1906 and 1907 the figures herein given show a decrease of 24 per cent in breeding cows on St. Paul and 18 per cent on St. George. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 495 This may be tabulated for the sake of additional clarity: Island. Decrease in cows. 1906 1907 St. Paul Per cent. 20 11 Per cent. 24 St. George 18 While there is some difference in the methods of computation of the number of breeding cows in 1906 and 1907, the fact that the rate of decrease in 1907 was greater than in 1906 is perfectly logical when it is considered that the first heavy assault of the Japanese pelagic fleet occurred in the summer of 1906, and the effect of their operations must be apparent in a greater loss in cows than occurred the year previous (1905-6). It is also logical to agree that this loss fell with greater effect upon the St. Paul cows, since the fleet surrounded that island during the whole summer of 1906, while at St. George only 3 pelagic schooners were sighted from land during that whole season. Of course, it must not be claimed that the herds on the two islands are distinct or that they have separate feeding grounds. They undoubtedly mingle on the feeding banks, and there is also more or less of a migration between the two islands. But we must suppose a disposition to return to a certain fixed spot among the cows, which we know to exist among the adult bulls, and as we know that hav- ing left a pup on a rookery a cow will retvirn to it we can see that a direct assault on the breeding cows on St. Paul carried on within sight of land or close to its shores must be more fatal to the cows frequenting that island as they pass to and fro to feed than upon the St. George animals, whose route in traveling to the feedmg banks probably carried them away from the fleet hovering around St. Paul. In truth, I am surprised to And the rate of decrease on the two islands so little different. I was prepared, for the reason stated, to expect a much larger decrease on St. Paul and a smaller one on St. George. The fact that they exhibited a difference of only 6 per cent in the rate of decrease between 1906 and 1907 shows that the effects of pelagic sealing are nearly equal on both islands, notwithstanding that St. Paul was practically surrounded by pelagic vessels during the whole summer. While tJiere are no means at the present time of substantiating any conclusion of that nature, it could happen that the bulk of the Japanese catch was obtained from St. Paul, while the St. George seals contributed in larger degree than their kin on the other island to the catch of the Canadian fleet that operated in 1906 and 1907 mainly to the eastward and about 75 miles away from tlie islands. Why St. George seals should suffer heavily from pelagic sealers operating w^ithin a few miles of St. Paul, unless the seals from the two islands are commingling profusely in the close vicinity of the latter island, is an interesting question. COMPARISON OF AVERAGE HAREMS ON TWO ISLANDS. We have seen that, in 1907, the average harem on St. George was 49.85, while that of St. Paul was 35.61 . Tliis dift'erence in the average harem has been observed in past years, that of St. George always being larger than St. Paul, 496 SEAL ISLANDS OF. ALASKA. This would show that either St. George ptresents conditions more favorable to the cows, thereby attracting thither a larger number in proportion than its neighbor, or that St. Paul for some reason or other attracts more bulls in proportion than St. George. As to the cause of this condition we can only theorize, but whatever the cause it is certain that there is, and has been, a difference between the proportion of cows to bulls on the two islands — that there are more cows to the bull on wSt. George than on St. Paul. ESTIMATED NUMBER IN WHOLE HERD. For various reasons it is desirable to ascertain, as nearly as possible, the number of individuals in the whole herd of seals, and, as the seals are divided by age and sex into various classes, to determine as well the number of individuals in each class. As stated before, it was not wise to disturb the whole mass of breeding cows by counting, in view of the activity in pelagic sealing, and only an estimate of their number was made. There are also other classes, such as yearlings which appear late in the season and mingle with the breeding seals, and bachelors and half bulls which are fluctuating and irregular in their hauling habits, the numbers in which can not be counted. For these reasons it is necessary to simply estimate these latter classes of seals in as careful a manner as possible, basing the estimate on such facts as are at hand relating to their numbers. ESTIMATE OF HALF BULLS. In estimating the half bulls we find that the table of rejections of seals from the drives made for skins contains a record of a considerable number of large half-grown male seals, consisting of those dismissed from the killing drives during the summer. In addition to these there were large numbers of the same kind of seals turned away from the drives made for marking reserved bachelors before the killing season began, of which no record was made, as the time of every one was fully occupied in marking the bachelors. The record of dismissals from the kilhng drives shows 1,536 large young seals turned away from the drives on St. Paul during the sum- mer, all but 85 of which being between the ages of 4 and 6 years, both inclusive. We know from the number of 3-year-old reserved seals dismissed from drives in 1907 that nearly 20 per cent of those so marked failed to return. If this percentage exists among 3-year-old males, it must prevail to even a greater extent among older males which have not reached the condition of full-grown bulls, but which are nearer that status than 3-year-olds. We must believe, therefore, that this number of 1,536 large seals should be increased by more than 20 per cent to obtain a fair estimate of the size of that class. In 1904, m constructing an estimate of this kind, I increased the num- ber of half bulls dismissed by 50 per cent, which I believe is conserA^a- tive. By applying this method we would liave, on August 1, 1907, on St. Paul Island 2,304 half bulls between the ages of 4 and 6 years, botJi inclusive. On St. George, in 1907, 771 large seals were dismissed between the ages of 4 and 6 years, both inclusive. Increasing this by 50 per cent SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 4ftQ in the manner in which the St. Paul rejections were treated, gives us a total of 1,155 half bulls on St. George in 1907. For the two islands there would be an estimated total of 3,459 half bulls in 1907. ESTIMATE OF 2-TEAR-OLDS AND YEARLINGS. Giving to the fact that the yearlings of both sexes and the 2-year- old cows haul among the breeding seals and young on the rookeries, and are so intermingled therewith that counting them would be an impossibihty, even should all be found on land at the same time, there is practically no method of arriving at their numbers save that of following the pups born in preceding years do^\^l to the time when they become yearlings or 2-year-olds, applying at the same time such losses as they may be expected to suffer from natural mortahty and pelagic sealing. In an estimate, therefore, of the yearlings and 2-year- olds present in 1907 we must proceed on the lines indicated above. The loss from natural mortality which pups suffer on their initial migrations is quite heavy, owing to the inexperience of the young animals in obtaining food, and to the further fact that being slow and unaccomplished smmmers they must fall prey to their natural enemies iT" ore easily than the older animals, which have the power to move rapidly through the water and, therefore, the greater ability to escape their pursuers. A death rate of 50 per cent among pups on their ini- tial migration is therefore a reasonable estimate. In the case of yearlings on their second migrations, from which they return to the rookeries as 2-year-olds, the loss from natural causes is less than that suffered by the pups, but of necessity must be greater than that of the great mass of adult seals. These migrating yearlings are still immature animals, wanting in experience and physique to properly cope A\dth or escape from their natural enemies. In their case a death rate of 30 per cent has been considered proper and may be used here. We have next to consider what loss is sustained by migrating pups and yearlings from pelagic sealing. No information on this point could be obtained from the log books of the pelagic sealers, as they make no classification of seals captured save as regards sex. The sealskins taken by them, however, are shipped to London, where, before sale, they are classified in sizes by Lampson & Co., the factors who efi'ect tlie sale by auction of all the pelagic catch. By an analysis of this classification we are able to determine with reasonable accuracy how many yearlings and 2-year-olds are contained in the catch. The catalogue furnished by Lampson & Co, covering the catch for 1907 of the British Columbian sealmg fleet shows 8,607 sealskins ex- posed for sale, classified as regards the size of skin, as follows: Wigs 103 Middlings 179 Middlings and smalls 1, 354 Smalls 2, 587 Large pups 2, 103 Middling pups 1, 259 Small pups 723 Extra small pups 233 Extra extra small pups 11 Black pups 55 Total 8,607 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 32 "^^d^ SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The average weight of these sizes has been determined by Lampson & Co., as well as by the agents on the islands. (See S. Doc. No. 98, 59th Cong., 1st sess., p. 88; also proceedings Fur-Seal Arbitration, vol. 8, pp. 916 et seq.). As certain of the sizes of skins do not occur at all in the islands catch, the weights as given by Lampson & Co., are here used, although they do not correspond in every respect with our idea of the average weights of seals of a given age. Opposite these weights I have placed the age of the animals from which they were taken, based on my judgment after having assisted in weighing thousands of skins : Large wigs Small wigs Middlings Middlings and smalls Smalls Large pups Middling pups Small pups Extra small pups Extra extra small pups Gray pups 1 Four to five months. The ages of seals of a given weight marked in the above table are based on an average and are necessarily only approximate. They are stated here solely for the purpose in hand and not as an effort on my part to fix the correct weight of the skins of seals of a certain age. As it is, however, it is close enough to construct an estimate such as we desire. Of the 8,607 sealskins exposed for sale in London in December, 1907, as the pelagic catch for that year, according to the table given we can see that only 11 skins marked ''extra extra small pups" are found. These can not be gray pups because these latter enjoy a separate classification. They can be only yearlings, and they repre- sent only one-tenth of 1 per cent of the entire pelagic catch. It is seen thus that yearlings really represent such an inconsiderable por- tion of the catch of the sealing schooners that no deduction for the effects of sea killing need be made in an estimate of their number. This is readily explainable. They can not be taken in the sea dur- ing the summer of their birth for the very plain reason that they are on land at that time, or have not yet learned to swim beyond the borders of the rookeries on which they are born. When after- wards in the late fall they do take to the sea for their first migration, pelagic sealing has ceased for the year. They do not encounter it again until the following spring. In the spring, however, the fleet follows the main body of the herd, composed of adult seals, which are accomplished swimmers and which for tliis reason have left the slow-moving yearlings far behind. This is indicated plainly by the fact of the arrival of the yearlings at the rookeries six weeks later than the main body of the herd. Scattered over the eastern portion of the North Pacific, far behind the adults, these youngsters stand in little danger of capture by the sea hunters, who are always in advance of them. That few are so captured is shown by the analysis of the pelagic catch contained in the foregoing table. SEATi ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 499 From tliis it can be seen that practically no deduction from the ejects of pelagic seahng should be made in any estimate of yearlings. It remains to be seen what loss from this cause should be appUed to the estimate of 2-year-olds. The preceding table shows "small pups" with an average weight of 5 pounds 10 ounces and "extra small pups" weighing 4 pounds 11 ounces. These weights, in my judgment, represent the average range of weights in 2-year-old skins. The London trade sales of pelagic skins for 1907 show that of the first there were 723 skins and of the latter 233 skins, or a total of 956. We can see here, as regards 2- year-olds, a distinct loss at sea, due to the fact that larger numbers of them are able to keep pace with the main body of the herd and therefore more liable to capture by the sea hunters. Contrasting this loss with an estimate of the number of 2-year-olds that might rea- sonably be believed to exist would fix it in the neighborhood of 10 per cent. In an estimate of these yearlings and 2-year-olds, there- fore, we can see from the foregoing that no deduction for pelagic seal- ing should be made iji the case of yearlings and a 10 per cent deduc- tion for the same cause in the case of the 2-year-olds. NUMBER OF 2-YEAR-OLD COWS IN 1907. In 1905 it was estimated that 78,836 pups were born that year on the two islands (S. Doc. No. 98, 59th Cong., 1st sess., p. 73). Of these the sexes are accepted to be in equal proportions. Applying the bases of estimation already mentioned, we would first divide the 78,836 pups into 39,418 females and a like number of males. The hardships of the first migration are supposed to cause these animals a loss of 50 per cent, so that in 1906 the number of yearling cows would be one-half of the 39,418 female pups of the preceding year, or 19,709. There would be also an equal number of yearling males. These yearhngs of 1906 on their next migration, as stated, suffer an estimated loss of 30 per cent from natural causes and a 10 per cent loss from pelagic sealing, at the end of which they arrive at the islands as 2-year-olds. By this method we find that in 1907 there were 11,826 2-year-old cows and an equal number of 2-year- old bachelors. NUMBER OF 2- YEAR-OLD MALES. From the above estimate of cows we can see that at the beginning of the season of 1907 approximately 12,000 2-year-old males were in existence, from wliich during the summer as demonstrated by the weights of slvins taken on the islands nearly 10,000 were killed by the lessee. Tliis estimate would show practically 2,000 2-year-old males present at the close of the season of 1907, of which 1,000 had been marked and reserved by the agents. Tliis estimate, however, errs on the side of too great conservatism. As stated elsewhere in tliis report, seals were so plentiful toward the end of the season that probably 1,500 more than the quota could have been taken. Of this 1,500, some undoubtedly would have been 3-year-olds, as the presence of the latter was apparent in the drives in some numbers up to the end of the season. In view of the un- doubted number of 2-year-olds present after sealing was over, I i 500 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. would feel safe in adding to the above estimate of 2-year-old females and males as well 1,000 additional to each class, beheving that this action is justified by the appearance of the bachelor herd at the close of the sealing season of 1907. FINAL ESTIMATE OF 2- YEAR-OLDS. We have therefore as a final estimate of 2-year-olds present at the close of the season of 1907, 12,826 2-year-old females and 3,000 2-year-old males. ESTIMATE OF 3-YEAE-OLDS. In addition to the 1,000 3-year-olds marked and released in 1907 for breeding purposes, an analysis of the catch for that year based on the weights of sealskins taken during the summer shows that over 4,000 3-year-olds were Idlled. This showing indicates that over 5,000 of these animals were handled during the season. The record of dismissals of the marked 3-year-olds on St. Paul Island showed that only four-fifths of the number so marked after- wards hauled out. We are safe in assuming that the 5,000 hauled represent at most only four-fifths of all the 3-year-olds in the herd. By tliis method we could increase the 5,000, which represents 80 per cent of the whole number, by an additional 20 per cent, or 1,250, making 6,250 as an estimate of the whole number of 3-year-olds in the herd at the beginning of the season of 1907. Of these, as we have seen, 4,000 were killed, leaving 2,250 remaining at the close of the season. ESTIMATE OF YEARLINGS. On both islands in 1906, it is estimated, 63,933 pups were born exclusive of those found dead on St. George. These pups of 1906 form the yearlings of 1907. Of the 63,933, a 50 per cent death rate would allow only 31,966 yearhngs to return in 1907, of which one-half, or 15,983, would be females and a similar number males. SUMMARY OF SEAL LIFE IN 1907. From such counts as were made during the summer and the cal- culations based thereon, which have been detailed heretofore, the following summary of seal life on the Pribilof Islands at the close of the season of 1907 may be constructed: Active bulls with harems 1, 210 Idle bulls, including " quitters " 168 Half bulls 3, 459 3-year-old bachelors 2, 250 2-year-old bachelors 3, 000 Yearling bachelors 15, 983 Breeding cows 50, 825 2-year-old cows 12, 826 Yearling cows 31, 966 New-bom pups 50, 825 Total 172, 512 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 501 RELATION OF CATCH TO AVHOLE HERD. It has been shown that the number of breeding females, from which the increment to the herd is derived, has been decreased materially in the last three years as the effects of greater activity in pelagic sealing. With this fact established, it would, on the face of things, raise the question why, in spite of the great reduction of the females, the catch of young males should be maintained at the same figure during these years. This question can be answered readily, and the answer is con- tained in the fact of the enforcement during these years of the department's regulations restricting killing on the islands. Because of these restrictions a number of small seals have been allowed to escape each year, which but for these regulations would have been killed by the lessee. These small seals, returning the next year as prime eligibles, constituted what might be termed an additional increment to the natural one resulting from the maturity into kill- ables of the yearlings of the year previous. In other words, previous to the adoption of these restrictive regu- lations the lessee had been anticipating its next year's catch by killing nearly all those small-sized 2-year-olds, from which the next year the company would obtain its supply of 3-year-old skins. Prior to 1905 it had, in fact, few 3-year-old skins in its catch, because it had killed the 2-year-olds as closely as possible each preceding year. By the restrictive effect of the regulations large numbers of these small 2-year-old male seals are allowed to go over to the following year, when, being killed as 3-year-olds, they cause the presence in the company's catch of some thousands more 3-year-old skins than would be obtained were the 2-year-olds killed closely. This can be seen readily by consulting the following table, com- piled from the statistics of rejections from drives since 1903, the year before the adoption of the so-called restrictive regulations: Year. Large. Small. Marked or "brand- ed." 1903 912 (541 934 2,040 2,941 1,185 8,019 7, (125 14,727 2 2, 483 1904 ^ 2,162 2,663 1905 • 1906 2,490 2,285 1907 ' In 1906 the limit of small skins was reduced from 54 to 5 pounds. 2 On St. Paul in 1907 sealing was practically over on July 27, and on St. George on July 25. Had sealing been carried on until July 31, as usual, the number of small rejections would have been much larger, as these animals were present in large numbers at the end of the season. From a scrutiny of this table it will appear that in the first year of these so-called prohibitive regulations (1904) over 10,000 rejections of small seals occurred, whereas the year before there were less than 1,200. It stands to reason that because of this great number of rejec- tions the lessee's take of skins for that year was curtailed materially. In fact, the catch of 1904 was over 6,000 less than the preceding year. But it is also a fact that in 1904 a large reserve of 2-year-olds was created from which the lessee might expect, and did actually derive, 502 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. a greatly augmented catch of 3-year-olds the following year, or 1905. This same reserve of 2-year-olds was maintained in 1905 — over 10,000 — from which the lessee could get its 3-year-old skins in 1906. In 1906, while the limit of small sealskins to be taken was lowered by the department from 5h to 5 pounds, yet in this year nearly 5,000 small seals were released" in addition to the 2,000 marked as breeders. What number of small seals failed to haul up and be counted during this time we do not know, but we are certain that by means of this reserve derived from the savings of 3^oung males in previous years the company's catch in 1907 was maintained at the same figure, regard- less of the contemporaneous slaughter and diminution occurring among the breeding cows. At first- glance it would appear that the reserve of young seals maintained in previous years was materially lessened in 1907, as in that year the table shows only 2,483 small seals dismissed as against over 4,700 the year previous. While our statistics of killings show that the lessee killed closer in 1907 than in 1906, it must be remembered that sealings in 1907 was practically finished on St. George on July 25 and on St. Paul on July 27. Had the usual number of drives been made on the islands between July 25 and 31, in 1907, thousands of small seals (which come in rapidly at the end of the season) would have been driven up and turned away, with the result not only of materially increasing the record of rejec- tions from drives but of lowering as well the percentage of seals killed during the season. If it is doubted that the regulations of the department since 1904 have been efficacious in providing young male life to replenish the diminishing stock of active bulls on the rookeries, one has only to turn to the table just given to see that the rejections in 1907 of young males too large for killing exceeded those of 1904 by about 360 per cent (641 in 1904, 2,941 in 1907). In addition to this fact it has been shown previously that the decrease in male life on the rookeries prac- tically was checked in 1907, and that there is an estimated breeding reserve at present of over 3,400 young bulls — nearly three times as many as are now occupied with harems. EXPEDIENCY OF PROVIDING LARGE RESERVE OF MALES. It is, of course, true that the number of adult bulls on the rookeries has until 1907 been steadily decreasiij^, due to the fact that the accession of young male life escaping from the killing fields until recently has not been sufficient to offset the loss of old bulls from natural mortality and pelagic sealing. With the existence, however, of a large reserve of young male life created by restrictions placed on the killing of immature bachelors the question is presented whether or not it is good policy to maintain this reserve in larger numbers than necessary to meet the demands of the breeding herd. Enough seals in my opinion should be spared from the killing field to insure against any decrease in bulls. After that is done, however, I would recommend that every seal that can be killed on land under existing law and regulations be taken. From present indications the end of pelagic sealing will be reached only when it is unprofitable for the schooners to longer engage in the business. Under this assumption, the sooner the herd is rexluced to SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 503 a minimum the sooner the question will be settled. It would seem therefore the best policy to reduce the seals which can be killed under existing law to as small a number as advisable. Under no circumstances should it be considered the part of wdsdom to exempt from slaughter a larger number of males than are necessary to keep up the proper proportion in numbers between the breeding males and females. With a rapidly diminishing herd of females, a smaller num- ber of bulls will be required. The releasing on the islands of any killable male not required for future procreative purposes is just so much encouragement for the pelagic hunted' to continue in the business of lulling seals in the wa,ter. Such encouragement should not be offered by this Government. PELAGIC SEALING. The industry of killing seals in the water from small boats trans- ported by schooners of low tonnage was engaged in actively during the past summer. The schooners employed approximated 50, of which about 35 were Japanese and 15 Canadian. Due to the activity of the revenue cutters on patrol duty, and the probable effect of the arrest of raiders on the island the previous summer, no attempts to raid the breeding rookeries on the islands were noted. Three schooners belonging to the Japanese fleet were seized by the revenue cutters Manning and Perry for having small boats within the 3-mile limit taking seals. One of these schooners after being towed to Unalaska was released on the ground of insuffi- cient evidence. T he other two, however, after being taken to Unalaska were held there under guard, while the crews were transported by the revenue cutter Manning to Valdez for trial, at wliich such of the crew were convicted as were concerned in the offense for which they were apprehended. The remainder of the crews were released. In addition to the seizures above mentioned, a pelagic schooner was seized by the revenue cutter Rush in southeastern Alaskan waters for a violation of the provisions of the Paris award. The operations of the pelagic fleet about the islands began earlier this year than formerly. The first vessel sighted from the islands was the one seized by the Perry and towed into the village anchor- age June 15. After that, with but few exceptions, schooners were sighted daily from the islands, on one day 12 and on another 23 schooners being visible from the island of St. Paul. The schooners seemed to be active only in the vicinity of St. Paul, a few only being found around St. George. VIOLATIONS OF LAW. While on the high seas, even in the vicinity of the islands, foreign vessels are not amenable to the laws of the United States, yet within the territorial limit surrounding the islands they are clearly subject to all laws passed by this Government for the protection of the seal fisheries. Notwithstanding the careful and zealous patrol by the United States revenue cutters several instances of violations of law by pelagic sealers came under the notice of the guards at the islands. While the nationality of the persons engaged in these violations was not discovered, there is strong probability that they were Japanese. 504 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. On June 25, during a trip of the patrolling vessel around the island three small boats from pelagic schooners were seen shooting close to Otter Island, 6 miles away from St. Paul. The smoke from their guns at each discharge could plainly be seen through glasses from St. Paul. After shooting for some time and pulling their boats back and forth in the water, the crews of two of the small boats landed on Otter Island, where they remained only a short time, probably finding no seals there. They could be seen to enter the watchhouse on that island. On June 28, during a thick fog, shotgun firing was heard close to shore at Northeast Point. On June 30, with thick fog, gun firing was continuous in South- west Bay from noon until 6 p. m. After that hour until 9 p. m. cannon shots were heard at intervals. From the plainness with which shots could be heard it was evident that a number of small boats were operating close to shore within the 3-mile limit, but, owing to dense fog, neither schooners nor small boats could be seen from shore. On July 1, still in a dense fog, tliis firing was continued close to shore, but nothing of the poachers could be seen. On July 2 seven small boats were operating within one-half mile of Northeast Point. On July 3 a small boat approached within one-half mile of Reef rookery. On July 4 two schooners were seized by the cutter Manning for having boats taking seals witliin the 3-mile limit. On July 18 six boats were found by watchmen well witliin the 3-mile limit at Northeast Point, operating within 400 yards of shore. On discovery by the guard they made off as rapidly as pos- sible. On tliis date three Japanese sailors made their way into the village, having landed on North Shore. They claimed to have been sliipwrecked, but probably were deserters from their schooners. On July 26, two boats were found rowing directly for Northeast Point rookeiy. Their object apparently was to land. They came in so close that the guard fired three warning shots, upon which the boats turned about and pulled away. The fact that these violations of law occurred is no reflection upon the vigilance of the revenue cutters or patrol. It must be remem- bered that St. Paul Island has approximately 50 miles of shore line and to circumnavigate it requires from five to seven hours. Wliile the cutter is at one end of the island on patrol it was no hard matter for the crews of small boats at the other end to slip inside the 3-mile limit and operate there for an hour or two. Then, again, it became necessary at certain times for one cutter to patrol both islands, neces- sitating its absence from one island for a day or two, during which the pelagic sealers could, and on certain occasions did, approach the island closely. Furthermore, in dense fog, which prevails largely in summer, navigation among the reefs and currents about the islands is dangerous in the extreme and patrol vessels must proceed cau- tiously, while a sealing schooner with light tonnage and wooden bot- tom may come in close with little danger. From the action of the pelagic hunters during the summer it must be believed that they watch closely the movements of the vessels on patrol and are quick to take advantage of every move on their part. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 505 LANDING OF THREE JAPANESE. On July 18 three Japanese sailors were found within a mile of the village making their way thereto on the main road leading to and from Northeast Point. They had quite heavy packs on their backs, composed of changes of clothing, ammunition box with shotgun shells loaded and empty, two shotguns, compass, etc. They could not speak English, but made signs to indicate that they had landed on the north shore, and made their way overland thence in the direction of Polo- vina, until finally they reached the village. They made signs that they desired food. With the aid of the Chinese cook, who could partially understand written Japanese characters, it was made out that the three men were from the Japanese schooner Eun Maru, and that they complained of illtreatment on board. They stated that they left their rowboat, in which they landed, on the north shore. They were given a vacant native house in which to live, and provisions and bedding. Watchmen sent to the north shore reported that the boat was there in the place indicated b}^ the Japanese. It contained six oars, six rowlocks, one sail, one water cask (full), one bottle of water, one long pole with three hooks, two raincoats, and one sou'wester. Two days afterwards the revenue cutter Perry came in, and at my request Capt. Dunwoody readily agreed to take the three Japanese off the island, which was done that evening. The cutter afterwards at their request delivered these sailors on board another sealing schooner than the one they stated they belonged to. CATCH OF PELAGIC FLEETS. Statistics received by the State Department indicate that the catch of the British Columbian fleet for the season of 1 907 was 5,397 skins, of which 1,934 were taken on the British Columbian coast, 448 out- side the award area, 2,858 in Bering Sea, and a canoe catch stated at 157. The vessels engaged numbered 15 on the northwest coast, 3 outside the award area, and 9 in Bering Sea. In the above catch 15 branded sealskins were taken. In addition to the sealskins 2 schooners captured 38 sea otters. The British Columbia catches for two years previous, as reported by the State Department, are as follows: 1906 10, 370 1905 14, 177 On December 17, 1907, Lam.pson & Co. exposed for sale in London 8,607 northwest coast sealskins, wliich were classified as stated in a preceding table. The catch as reported to the State Department and the figures of the London trade sales for the northwest coast catch show a differ- ence of 3,210 sealskins. Whether this difference represents skins actually taken by the Canadian sealers not reported to their custom- houses, whether it represents miscellaneous shore catches which are onl^f partially reported, or whether held over from previous years and exposed for sale in 1907 it is impossible to state. Reliable estimates made by United States consular agents in Japan show the Japanese pelagic catch for 1907 to be 10,505 fur-seal skms, as opposed to 10,515 in 1906. In 1907, 36 vessels were engaged, as 506 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. against 31 in 1906. Of the 1907 catch, 1,723 skins were taken in the so-called spring catch off the Asiatic coast, while 8,782 skins were taken in the summer catch in Bering Sea, neariy all of which were from the Pribilof herd. In addition to the catch of sealskins in 1907, 39 sea-otter skins were taken in a raid on the Commander Islands, where, in 1906, 37 were taken by the same methods. The report states further that three Japanese schooners raided the Commander Islands, as a result of which 1 2 Japanese prisoners were taken by the Russians. These prisoners, it is stated, were released to a Japanese cruiser as the result of threats by the latter. It is stated also that a schooner named the Saikai Maru raided the Pribi- lofs, obtaining 62 fur-seal sldns without detection. No knowledge of this raid, however, is had by anyone on either island. On January 24, 1908, Lampson & Co. exposed for sale in London "7,429 salted fm* seal, N. W. Coast, etc.," in addition to those north- west coast skins sold December 17 previous, already mentioned. It is probable that these skins represent the Japanese catch from the Pribilof herd. They were classified according to size, as follows: Wigs 34 Middlings 44 Middlings and smalls 974 Smalls 1, 946 Large pups 1, 875 Middling pups 1 , 390 Small pups 835 Extra small pups 265 Extra extra small pups 14 Black pups 52 Total 7,429 REVENUE-CUTTER PATROL. As before stated, the patrol about the islands by the Revenue- Cutter Service was active and zealous. Wliile at the first part of the season a cutter was on guard at each island, later, when the Manning left for the eastward with her pris- oners, it became necessary for one cutter to patrol both islands while its relief went to Unalaska for coal and water. It is a significant fact that sucli violations of law by pelagic sealei-s as came under our notice occurred while the patrolling vessel was necessarily absent elsewhere, either at the other island or patrolling a different locality of St. Paul. It would indicate the willingness of pelagic sealers to risk capture by approaching shore and sealing in prohibited waters when they believe tlie cutter is far enough away for them to avoid detection. This seeming characteristic of the sealers to take all sorts of chances for a skin or two indicates plainly that but for the pres- ence of the patrol vessels raids on the rookeries would have been attempted. For this reason it is urgently recommended that no decrease in the number of patrolling vessels be made during the coming season, but that, if possible, it be even augmented. The withdrawal of any ves- sel from the number usually on patrol would be simply an invitation to tlie pelagic sealers to raid the rookeries. I desire to express here my appreciation of tlie zeal and efficiency displayed by all of the officers and men engaged in the duty of patrol- ling the seal islands during the past summer. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 507 Considerable difficulty was experienced last summer through the lack of a committing officer of the Department of Justice at Unalaska where any prisoners arrested in Bering Sea for a \dolation of the laws protecting the fur seals necessarily must be taken. In the case of those arrested by the Manning for poaching within the 3-mile limit, it became necessary, for lack of a committing officer, for the Manning to proceed with the prisoners to A'aldez, thereby removing her from the patrol for practically the remainder of the season. I understand, however, that since last summer a commissioner for Unalaska has been appointed. In view of the many delicate points of law arising in the arrests of foreigners and seizures of foreign vessels for violations of our sealing laws, I would recommen.d that an assistant United States attorney be stationed at Unalaska during the summer to advise the United States commissioner and generally to supervise the procuring of evidence against such persons as may be found subject to commit- ment. AFFAIRS OF NATIVE INHABITANTS. The affairs of the native inhabitants on the two islands have been carefully managed during the past winter by the Government agents stationed there. On St. Paul systematic regrading and improve- ment of the roads in the village and vicinity were accomplished under the direction of Agent Judge. Furthermore, a large building was constructed on St. Paul by Mr. Judge and the natives out of lumber taken from the old church when it was demolished, to be used as a shop for the natives, where also they may have their meetings, dances, and other secular gatherings. This building, constructed, as I have said, out of old lumber, is carefully and solidly built, and reflects credit on all concerned. Too much could not be said by both Agents Judge and Chichester, who spent the last winter there, in commendation of the general deportment of the native men and their disposition to observe not only the law, but the social and moral proprieties as well. While, according to time-honored custom, certain of them made ''quass'' on their important church holidays and "name days," they were temperate in its use, and its consumption entailed no disorder. An organization among the native men for the suppression of social disorder was successfully operated during the past winter and marks a distinct step in the advancement of the people. CENSUS OF NATIVE INHABITANTS. The census of native inhabitants on St. Paul, taken June 30, 1907, shows 170 residents, of which 90 were males and 80 females. Dur- ing the year 9 births and 6 deaths occurred. The above figures show a net gain in the population of 3 individuals over the preceding census. On St. George on June 30, 1907, there were present 93 native resi- dents, of which 44 were males and 49 females — a net gain of 2 over the census of the j^ear before. On this island 7 births and 5 deaths occurred during the year. The combined population of both islands for 1907, taken from the foregoing, would be 263, of whom 134 are males and 129 females — a net gain on the two islands over the preceding census of 4 individuals. 508 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. EARNINGS OF NATIVES. On St. Paul for the season ended July 31, 1907, $9,294 was earned from the lessee by the 44 native sealers through their taking and properly curing 12,384 fur-seal skins, at 75 cents each, and 3 sea-lion skins, at $2 each. This sum was divided among the several native workmen according to their respective classifications, and the proper credits therefor entered on the books of the lessee company. On St. George 24 native men earned $1,838 through their taking, during the winter of 1906-7, 366 blue-fox skins, at $5 each, and 8 white-fox skins, at $1 each. At the close of the sealing season of 1907 — July 31 of that year — they had earned $1,835.75 by securing 2,581 fur-seal skins, at 75 cents each. As in the case of St. Paul, these sums were divided among the several natives according to the classifi- cation agreed upon by the natives under the general supervision of the Government agents. GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATION. After deducting the cost of 240 tons of coal, at $20 per ton, to be delivered in the spring of 1908, the remainder of the appropriation of $19,500 for the fiscal year 1908 was divided between the two islands in the proportion of $9,300 for St. Paul and $5,400 for St. George. FOXES. During the winter of 1906-7, 869 blue and 8 white foxes passed through the traps on St. George Island, of which 375 were killed — 226 blue males, 141 blue females, 4 white males, and 4 white females. Of those killed, the lessee accepted 366 blue and 8 white. There were released for breeding purposes 232 blue males and 270 blue females. These latter, as reported by Agent Chichester, were the cream of the herd, no fox being released as a breeder that was over 3 years of age and only 6 animals that were under the standard weight of 10 pounds for males and 7^ pounds for females. These foxes were trapped in a large house trap, having a wire inclosure outside containing food, into which the foxes are induced to enter through a trapdoor sprung at will by the operator. They are then picked up by hand, weighed, and examined for sex, etc., and released or. killed on the judgment of the Government agent. Those released are marked by cutting with scissors a ring around the fur in the animal's brush, the mark of the males differing from that of the females, so that the sexes afterwards may be distinguished when the animals are at large. During the winter, when the natural food for foxes is scarce, artificial food, such as salted fish freshened by soaking in water and carcasses of seals killed during the summer and preserved in pits, are given to them daily in such quantity as will insure a residue after they have eaten their fill. It has been determined by the investigations into fox life on the island by Government agents that, epidemics barred, the food supply regulates the rise and fall of the numbers of the fox herd on St. George. I inclose herewith a report from Assistant Agent Chichester dealing in detail with the fox question on St. George as observed by him during the winter of 1906-7. In this report I desire to call particular atten- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 509 tion not only to the thoroughness of the work incident to handling the foxes, but to the authentic instance cited of paired foxes jointly engaged in feeding and guarding the same litter of young. GUARDING THE ROOKERIES. The three Gatling and five Hotchkiss guns, with the small arms and ammunition, sent by the Government for the better protection of the rookeries, arrived on the islands at the time of my departure there- from last August. I have since learned from Assistant Agent Judge that the artillery has been assembled and prepared for service and that systematic target practice is being engaged in with small arms. DIVISION OF GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATION. The appropriation of $19,500 for natives' support during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1907, was apportioned as follows: St. Paul $9, 300 St. George 5, 400 Coal for both islands 4, 800 Total 19, 500 This sum will be expended for necessaries of life for the native inhabitants upon orders drawn upon the lessee company by the resi- dent Government agents. PRESENCE OF U. S. CRUISER "BUFFALO." The U. S. cruiser Buffalo arrived at the islands on patrol duty during the latter part of August, after my departure for Washington, The cruiser alternately patrolled the 60-mile limit and cruised in the close vicinity of the islands to deter possible raids on the rookeries. While no raids were made, her presence was highly valuable as a restraining influence on the pelagic fleet. I trust that the Govern- ment will insure her return during the coming season. Both Agents Judge and Clark, on St. Paul and St. George, respec- tively, speak highly of the courtesies extended to them by Capt. C. F. Pond, of the Buffalo, in the matter of mail facilities and ofi'ers of transportation, and request that suitable acknowledgment thereof be made to the Navy Department. Respectfully submitted. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Cliarge of Seal Fisheries. To Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 510 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 03 E 60 < Total number of seals killed. c C0C0>O-J5r-ra Tt< T(< r4 M Ol •* iO -< (N >2 .2 >> ■a CO w 03 a> O 3 ^C0COTfcOCO-HCOC0-*locO'!f* OOiOCOiO-^iO^HCMOi-n^iOCMCM ■>»< CMIOIO CM lO .-1 CO ■* CO CM CM tH S J. M '"' CM 09 s o rt rt CMlOCO -H CO CMCM->»"CM t5" CMCM '"' l-( r-l o a P4 r^O^OOCOCD05U30*^COt-,00»-t CO CMiO'O Ol US 1-H CO -* CO CM CM o 1 d 1 c3 o 3 1 a CM CM CMCM .1 CM ^CMr-lCMC^ -HCM O t- CO :D (N C^ c*3 Ol CO 00 CO COCO»OCO O rH IN j-j OJ t-j CO O 2 - '"J c c c p, c 1 "« p! ._ s ._ C 1 d 1 1 0( s < )0 ii> c C > Cv g CT C^ ? 1 ?5 a c c^ > e^ c cc X c c lO SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 511 I t^CC -i*r~twi PQOO O CO .-H ?0 -r-^fN-* ."^T^WlO -^(N t^ CO -^ .-H rH C^ 00 O CO OsC^^Hi-HCD.QOSh- .-iQOC^r*oo»-(r-coou^Oi c?^i5 o o Ja » ^^i 512 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 2. Island of St. Paul, Bering Sea, Alaska, August IS, 1907. This is to certify that 12,384 fur-seal skins have this day been shipped on bo*ard the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. Shipper's load and count. All on board to be discharged. A. Donaldson, Master Steamer "Horner.^' Exhibit 3. — Receipt for lease coal, St. Paul, 1907. St, Paul Island, Alaska, June 13, 1907. Received fiom the North American Commercial Co. 50 tons of coal (2,240 pounds to the ton), as part of the 80 tons which said company, by the terms of its lease dated March 12, 1890, agreed to deliver free each year for use of the native inhabitants of the seal islands. In accepting this receipt, executed in quintuplicate before this coal has been weighed, the said North American Commercial Co. hereby agrees to make good, from its own supply on the islands, any shortage that may appear after said coal has been weighed. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. J. C. Redpath, Agent North American Commercial Co. Exhibit 4. — Receipt for natives' coal, St. Paul, 1907. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 13, 1907. Received from the North American Commercial Co. 200 tons of coal (2,240 pounds to the ton), contracted for by the Department of Commerce and Labor, as per letter of instructions to agent in charge dated April 15, 1907, for use of the natives on St. Paul Island, to be paid for at the rate of $20 per ton from the appropriation for "food, fuel, and clothing and other necessaries of life to the native inhabitants on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska, 1907." In accepting this receipt, executed in quintuplicate before this coal has been weighed, the said North American Commercial Co. hereby agrees to make good, from its own supply on the islands, any shortage that may appear after said coal has been weighed. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. J. C. Redpath, Agent North American Commercial Co. Exhibit 5. — Record of iveights of sealskins taken on St. Paul Island, Alaska, during the season ended July 31, 1907. Weight. Number. Weight. Number. Pounds. Pounds. 3| 1 6i 1,370 4 3 7 1,170 4i 2 n 904 15 7i 852 4J 2 71 554 6 233 8 283 5i 375 8i 199 5i 615 8i 175 5J 1,066 9i 2 6 1,278 9i 3 6i 1,316 10 1 > 3 3 >> ■a .a M .§ P. •a 1 Rejected. "3 o '6 1 1 5 m s .5 S ■3 0) Date. 0) a 13 O > a H 1906. Oct. 19 Starava Artel 220 3 6 6 148 44 6 25 220 3 6 6 148 44 6 25 220 3 6 6 148 44 6 25 220 3 6 6 148 44 6 25 60 10 46 16 32 139 29 298 217 50 281 276 91 227 83 215 36 17 3 '"5" 2 1 3 3 1 1 220 19 Zapadni, watchman 3 23 do 6 30 do 6 31 Staraya Artel 148 Nov. 9 Staraya Artel and North 44 10 1 ! 6 16 North 25 1907. June — Turned over by order of the department under and over 60 10 46 16 32 139 29 303 217 50 281 276 91 227 83 215 36 17 60 10 46 16 32 139 29 298 217 50 281 276 91 227 83 215 36 17 60 — Zapadni, watchman, food skins 10 7 46 17 North 16 21 do 1 32 29 North, Staraya Artel, and East 3 142 July 2 3 Zapadni 29 North and East 2 3. 1 1 1 3 3 -r|....l. 303 8 do 219 10 Zapadni 51 12 North, Staraya Artel, and East 284 16 do 279 19 Zapadni 92 20 North and East 228 22 Staraj'a Artel 83 24 1 215 25 Zapadni and East, watchman. North I 36 29 1 17 Total [ 458 458 458 2,128 11 8 2,147 2,581 19 2,600 Note. — Nineteen skins are retained in salt under control of the Government agent, being over or imder weight, as fixed by the department. Seal division, St. George Island, August 4, 1907. By 2,581 sealskins, at 75 cents II, 935. 75 To 14 men of first class, at $79.35 $1, 110. 90 To 7 men of second class, at $63.45 444. 15 To 2 men of third class, at $47.65 95. 30 To 4 men of third class, at $47.60 190. 40 To 2 men of special class, at $40 and $35 75. 00 To 1,000 pounds of food for piss 20. 00 1,935.75 FIRST CLASS. 1. Galanin. John 79. 35 2. Lekanoff. Stepan 79. 35 3. Lestenkoff. Dimitri 79. 35 4. Lestenkoff. Michael 79. 35 5. Malavansky , Nicolai 79. 35 6. Merculioff, George 79. 35 7. Merculioff, Joseph 79. 35 528 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 8. Merculioff , Nicolai $79. 35 I 9. Philimonoff, Andronic 79. 35 10. Philimonoff, Gregory 79. 35 11. Philimonoff, Simeon 79. 35 12. Prokopioff , Peter 79. 35 13. Zacharoff, Emanuel 79.35 14. Kashivaroff , Peter, priest 79. 35 SECOND CLASS. 1. Galanin, Alexander 63. 45 2. Kashivaroff, Walter 63.45 3. Malavansky, Peter 63. 45 4 . Niderezoff , Nicolai 63. 45 5. Philimonoff, Dimitri 63.45 6. Shane, Michael 63. 45 7. Swetzoff , Gregory 63. 45 THIRD CLASS. 1. Lekanoff , Anatoli 47. 65 2. Merculioff, John 47. 65 3. Lekanoff, Sergius 47. 60 4. Merculioff, Stepan 47. 60 5. Niderezoff, Isidor 47. 60 6. Buterin, Constantine 47. 60 SPECIAL CLASS. Stepan Lakanoff , as chief 40. 00 Joseph Merculioff, as second chief 35. 00 The seal division as above made is hereby approved on behalf of the natives of St George Island. Stepan Lekanoff, First Chief. Joseph Merculioff, Second Chief. I certify that the amounts indicated herein have been placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Co. The North American Commercial Co., By B. Netherland, Agent. I certify that the foregoing seal division was made by me after conference with the native chiefs. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, In Charge St. George Island. Transcript of weights of sealskins, season of 1907, St. George Island, Alaska. Date. Rookery. Weights (pounds). 3i 4J 41 5 5} 5i 4 5| 6 6i 6i 6| 7 7i 7i 71 8 8J 8i 81 9 1906. Oct. 19 Starava Artel 26 9 1 21 4 32 3 24 6 13 2 27 68 2 25 8 2 6 6 12 1 1 1 26 3 8 5 1 1 20 2 3 1 fi ? 19-30 Zapadni, watchman, 31 Staraya Artel . . . 1 1 33 9 1 1 1 Nov. 9 Staraya Artel and North. Zapadni, watchman 1 10 3 1 9 2 2 1 t 16 North 4 2 1 "2 2 6 1 8 6 1 3 1 2 1 11 52 24 7 1907. June 7 Staraya Artel 6 3 1 8 1 1 10 3 3 5 1 3 1 3 17 North 29 Zapadni, watchman 4 21 North 2 23 4 2 20 5 in 2 31 65 56 9 5 3 7 3 1 1 13 34 22 3 1 3 2 6 2 2 5 19 4 1 1 1 4 29 North, East, and Staraya Artel 3 1 1 "i "i 3 7 4 1 July 3 8 14 26 23 i 19 6| 7 37 20 33 i 16 8i 5 1 1 2 1 3 .. .do. . 10 Zapadni SEAL. ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 529 Transcript of weights of sealskins, season of 1907, St. George Island, Alaska — Continued, Date. Rookery. Weights (pounds). 3i ^ 41 5 5i 5i 5i 6 6i 6i Bi 7 7i 7i 7i 8 8i 8i Si 9 1907. July 12 North, Staraya Artel, and East 10 26 7 8 4 25 7 10 3 17 2 29 59 10 35 8 48 7 3 378 3 15 5 13 2 10 4 1 171 75 53 19 59 20 52 9 6 573 6 16 7 21 7 12 6 1 117 50 38 18 38 19 25 "2 329 I 4 10 I J 66 58 22 6 23 15 16 2 2 251 2 3 "2 "2 20 6 5 5 6 2 1 2 "'i 11 1 3 1 2 1 3 1 1 ? 16 do 1 2 19 Zapadni 1 20 North and East 1 ... 1 22 Staraya Artel 24 North and East 20 3 2 2 1 2 1 1 13 25 Zapadni and East, watchman 29 North Total 1 7 ~5 224 178 27 95 20 39 6 3 s Note. — The food skins which are over or under limit of weight are not included in the aggregates above given, as the company agent was not responsible for taking them. Seals dismissed from the drives, St. George Island, season of 1907. Rookery. Marked this year. Too small. 4 years old. 5 years old. 6 years old. 7 years old. Cows, Total dis- missed. Date. Small and marked. Large. June 7 1 Starava Artel _ . 1 17 15 5 64 61 21 83 50 30 89 113 37 53 35 49 10 19 18 5 7 2 2 23 18 99 121 19 72 279 17 137 30 66 12 19 74 10 15 31 61 27 11 41 17 5 17 16 7 18 7 10 3 10 22 25 10 21 15 24 2 43 5 2 9 20 4 9 4 2 3 3 19 22 22 7 66 84 39 182 171 49 161 392 54 190 65 115 22 38 96 17 21 21 25 North 5 5 45 do 25 Staraya Artel East 20 20 13 12 29 12 8 4 12 11 7 4 2 3 6 6 14 78 110 29 North, Staraya Artel, 64 July 2 3 Zapadni 4 24 4 6 6 5 6 3 1 3 3 5 ""'59' 29 North and Staraya Artel 137 7 10 North and East Zapadni 38 21 12 North, Staraya Artel, 36 16 do 53 19 Zapadni 28 20 22 24 25 North and East Staraya Artel North and East Zapadni 37 16 17 12 29 North 1 24 Total 752 946 380 223 168 95 1,689 866 1 The drive of North rookery on July 29 did not include the whole rookery bachelors present, as only 19 seals were required. Seventy-five fine young seals were let go from this drive which were killable. Note. — Many of the seals included in the numbers above given appeared in several drives during the season. The white seal, now 4 or 5 years old, appeared three times and was seen by me afterwards upon the rookery. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1- -34 530 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, Data from rookery counts, St. George Island, season of 1907. LITTLE EAST. Date of count. Bulls in place. Harems. Cows. Bulls idle. June 2 . June 4 . June 10 June 12 June 19 Julys. July 10. July 14, July 16, 142 1183 101 EAST REEF. June 2 11 11 12 10 12 12 14 14 2 June 10 2 June 12 Juue 19 3 Julys 12 14 14 3 July 10 492 1640 4 July 14 6 NORTH. Junes.. June 5.. June 9. June 12, June 18, Julys.. July 9. . July 14. 55 58 58 60 70 71 73 81 9 71 73 81 18 2,492 2 2,889 STARAYA ARTEL. June 5.. June 12. June 15. 8 1,300 ZAPADNI. June 19 24 22 28 June 27 July 15 3 1,400 6 EAST CLIFFS. June 2.. June 4. . June 10, June 12. June 19. July 10. July 14. 17 19 21 23 1 1 23 11 16 30 30 1,203 32 32 11,708 1 Evidently the maximum. s The maximum. s Estimated; impracticable to count. Total number of bulls with harems 188 Idle young bulls 33 Cows, including those estimated, present at maxlnaum of rookeries 8, 120 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Census, St. George Island, on Jane 30, 1907. 531 Name of individual. Family relation. Age. Date of birth. Galanin, Alexander Galanin, Mary Galauin, Akalina Galanin, John Galanin, Anna Galanin, Fevronia Swetzoff, Paul Kashivaroff, Walter KashivaroU, Helena Kashivaroll, Andrew Lekanoff , Stepan LekanoS, Pelagia Lekanoff, Anatoli Lekanofl, Sergius Lekanoff, Sara Lekanoff, Marina Lekanoff, George Lestenkoft", Dimitri Lestenkoflf, Alexandra Lestenkoff, Elizabeth Lestenkoff, Constantine. . Lestenkolf, Michael Lestenkofl, Oulita Lestenkoff, Innokenty Lestenkoff, Anna Malavansky, Nicoli Malavansky, Fedosia Malavansky, Peter Malavansky, Ripsimia... Malavansky, Wassie Malavansky, Christopher. Merculioff , George Merculiofl, Stepanida MerculiolT. Peter Merculiofl', Sophia Merculioff, (Jeorge, jr Merculioff, Nicoli Merculioff, Alexandra Merculioff, Martha Merculioff, Joseph Merculioff, Marvara Merculioff, Parascovia Merculioff, John Merculiofl, Nicoli Merculioff, Matrona Merculioff, La^Tenty Merculioff, Benjamin Merculioff, Elizabeth Merculioff, Wassalis Merculioff, Alexandra Niderezofl, Nicoli Niderezoff. Efghenia Niderezofl, I-klor Philimonofl, Andronic... Philinionofl, Zenobia Philimonofl, Marina Philimonofl, Leonti Philimonofl, Alexandra.. Philimonofl, Eofl Philimonofl. Gregory Philimonofl, Malania Philimonofl, Dimitri Philimonofl, Paul Philimonofl, Simeon Philimonofl, Evadotia... Philimonofl, Zoya Philimonofl, Joseph Philimonofl, Ignati Philimonofl, Julia Philimonofl, Helena Prokopioff, Peter Prokopiofl, Stepanida Prokopioff, Martha Prokopiofl, Marina Prokopioff, Alexander Prokopioff. Lavrenty Prokopiofl, Euphronia... Prokopiofl, Mary Shane, Michael Shane, Raiesse Merculioff, Stepan Oustigofl, Anfessia Husband.. Wife Mother Husband.. Wife Widow Brother... Husband.. Wife Son Husband.. Wffe Son do.... Daughter . Son....'.'.! Husband . Wife Mother Son Husband . Wife Son Daughter. Husband . Wife Bachelor.. Mother. . . Spinster. . Nephew . . Husband . Wife Son Daughter. Son do.... Daughter . Sister Husband. Wife Daughter. Brother... Husband. Wife Son do.... Daughter . Widow. . . Daughter. Bachelor.. Mother. . . Brother . . . Husband. Wife Daughter. Son Daughter. Son Husband. Wife Brother... Nephew . . Husband. Wife Daughter. Son do.... Daughter. Husband . Wife Daughter. Son do.... Daughter. .do. (») (') (') (') Bachelor Mother Cousin Foster daughter. (') Sept. 11,1880 June 22,1891 , 1862 Sept. 30,1881 June July Feb. May Apr. Nov. Oct. Apr. Oct. Aug. Mar. Apr. May May Sept. Sept. Oct. Oct. Sept. Sept. Dec. Apr. Jan. Aug. June Nov. Dec. July Sept. Apr. Nov. Apr. July Mar. May Nov. Jan. May Oct. Sept. Oct. June Jan. Apr. Dec. Jan. Feb. Oct. Nov. May May Apr. June Oct. Jan. May July Aug. Feb. Nov. Feb. Dec. Mar. Apr. May Nov. Mar. Mar. May Aug. July Nov. Oct. Sept. Apr. 25. 1877 8, 1802 2,1887 27,1884 19, 1907 9, 1869 20, 1869 13,1890 6, 1891 30, 1893 9. 1895 7. 1897 27, 1862 5, 1879 16, 1834 29, 1898 12. 1872 20, 1869 25, 1896 30. 1898 18, 1864 15. 1881 22. 1888 — , 1858 22, 1874 8, 1904 15. 1873 21. 1878 10. 1899 29, 1891 29, 1902 26, 1905 3, 1907 8. 1893 17, 1872 14. 1879 8. 1906 18. 1890 19. 1880 28.1883 8, 1902 28. 1905 3. 1907 20,1851 21, 1878 18, 1877 5,1854 15. 1891 24, 1867 12, 1866 12, 1890 6. 1894 25, 1896 8. 1902 18. 1872 12. 1874 25. 1886 11,1896 3, 1850 28, 1871 12. 1892 4, 1894 29, 1899 12. 1902 10, 1904 29, 1864 18,1876 8. 1896 5. 1898 1, 1902 20. 1903 — , 1905 17. 1906 13. 1887 —,1852 27,1890 21, 1895 1 Infant. 532 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Census, St. George Island, on June SO, 1907 — Continued. Name of individual. Family relation. Age. Date of birtb . Swetzoff, Gregory... Swetzoff, Zoe Swetzoff, Agnes Zacharofl, Emanuel. Zacharofl, Mary Zacharofl, Daria Zacharofl, Kate Zacharofl, William.. Husband . Wife Daughter. Husband . Wife Daughter . Son...'."'.! Nov. 29,188.5 (1) « Dec. July Apr. Apr. Dec. Jan. 2, 1906 1, 1880 1,1874 2, 1902 7, 1905 11, 1906 PRIEST'S FAMILY. Kashivarofl, Peter, priest. Kashivarofl, Anna Pavloflf , Katrina Husband . Wife Niece Mar. 3, 1857 Jan. 17,1865 Dec. 2, 1893 1 Infant. Natives entirely supported by the North American Commercial Co 6 Natives furnished with clothing only by North American Commercial Co 2 Marriages during the year 3 Births during the year 7 Deaths during the" year 5 Total native inhabitants now present (males 44, females 49) 93 The foregoing is a correct census of St. George Island, Alaska, on June 30, 1907. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries in Charge. Island op St. George, Bering Sea, Alaska, August 12, 1907. This is to certify that 2,580 fur-seal skins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamship Homer, consigned to the North Ameri- can Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor, in Charge. Shipper's load and count. All on board to be discharged. A. Donaldson, Master Steamer Homer. St. George Island, Alaska, August 7, 1907. Sir: I beg to present the following report of the count of pups on this island for the current season: July 31, North rookery, live pups, 4,108; dead pups, 77; dead cows, 2. July 31, Little East rookery, live pups, 200; dead pups, 2. The counting of pups on the other rookeries was omitted, owing to the presence of the Japanese sealers within the 60-mile zone, and in the near vicinity of the seal islands, as determined upon in our conference on the subject in June last. Very respectfully, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 533 St. George Island, August 14, 1907. Dear Mr. Lembkey: Tt has occurred to me that you may wish a formal statement regarding tlie marking of the young male seals at this island for a breeding reserve. The following is a statement in detail: Date. Rookery. 2 years old. 3 years old. 4 years old. June 12 Staraya Artel 29 14 14 26 68 38 11 32 14 18 28 61 37 12 20 17 North 11 19 15 20 East 15 21 6 25 East 14 27 4 Total . . .. 200 .202 85 While the marking of 4-year-old seals is not enjoined, I deemed it wise to mark those which the natives caught, believing that if they would make the error of taking these seals for tlu'ee years old when we were branding they were likely to make a similar error when we came to killing, and it was a good plan to render such seals immune for the season. Our selection of seals for breeding was of the first class, and the marks remain as conspicuous now as when first applied. Very respectfully, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent in Charge. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary. Washington, December 4, 1907. Hon. Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary Department of Commerce and Lahor. Sir: Referring to the inclosed report of Capt. Dunwoody, Revenue- Cutter Service, concernino; the landing on St. Paul Island in July last of three Japanese sailors from a pelagic schooner, I have the honor to report as follows: These men landed on St. Paul presumably on July 17 last. They reached the village about 9 a. m. on the morning of July 18, being first discovered on the trail from Northeast Point by the company's teamster, who was hauling skins to the salt house from the killing field, about 500 yards from the village, and who ordered the Japanese to get into his wagon, menacing them with a lieavy whip when they demurred. Two of them were of the lowest type of Japanese. The leader, a young man, was brighter, but displayed no more intelligence than could be expected of a boat steerer who could box a compass. The three of them, by turns, fell asleep in my ofiice whilst I was ex- amining them. They had quite heavy packs on their backs when tliey arrived, composed of clothing, ammunition box filled with shotgun shells — some empty and some loaded — two shotguns, and boat compass. They were examined fii'st by Agent Judge, who happened to be near the team on its arrival with the Japanese. Taking them to a chart of the island on the wall of the shop, he indicated to them that he wished them to state the point on the island where they landed. The leader udthout hesitation pointed to a spot on the north shore. He then traced a course with his finger tlience to Plalfway Point, on the south side of the island, and thence along the wagon road to the 534 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. village. Examination by watchmen sent out immediately after showed the boat in which the Japanese landed to be in the place indi- cated by the leader, and the tracks of their sandals plainly visible on the trail proved the course traveled by them to be the same as stated. The place where these men landed was miles away from the nearest rookery and uninhabited. The interior of the island across which they journeyed is also uninhabited, which accounts for their not having been discovered sooner. The natives available for guard duty are so few that they can be stationed only on rookeries. Had these Japanese landed on a rookery it would have been a different matter. The Japanese leader could speak no English, but enunciated plainly the name of his ship — the Eun Maru. He made vigorous motions showdng that he complained of harsh treatment on his ship, holding up his hands as if he were jacked up to the mast, and striking vio- lently to indicate beating. He also made signs that he wanted food. Accordingly they were taken into the company's kitchen, where they were fed, and where they met the Chinese cook, who endeavored by writing Chinese characters on paper and showing them to the Japanese to obtain some information. The Japanese, after reading these characters wrote others in reply, but neither seemed to understand much, if any, of what the other wrote. These men were given quarters in a vacant native house and were fed from the company's kitchen. A guard was placed over them to insure that they did not roam about the village. On the 20th the cutter Perry appeared near the village, and on being signaled came in to the anchorage. After explanation I turned the Japanese over to Capt. Dunwoody, stating that in my opinion they were deserters. In that belief he concurred. On what evidence Capt. Dunwoody now asserts his belief that these men were spies and not deserters I am unable to discover. Had they been spies they could in the fog have made what examina- tion of the island they desired without fear of discovery, so long as they did not show themselves to the watchmen, and could then have returned to the ship. In place of this they hauled up their boat, laid a course directly across the island until they found a beaten road, which they followed to the village, walking in a trail where the soft earth showed plainly their footsteps. This surely is not the action of spies. Furthermore, from an examination of their kits it appeared that they had brought with them about all the clothing they possessed, several suits of clothes apiece and changes of underclothing. Had they desired to return to their ship with information, this action of bringing all their clothing to the village would have been absurd. The best evidence to me, however, that they were not spies is the fact that they came to the village armed. No wide-awake spy would prowl about the heart of the enemy's country and directly into his camp with arms in his hands. Had they blundered upon the island guards stationed on the rookeries, they would have been shot, as these guards take no chances with armed strangers. The rational and natural conclusion, from a consideration of all the circumstances, is that these men, common ignorant sailors, had a difficulty with the officers of the schooner, and finding themselves close to land took a sailor's chance to escape the oppression on board SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 535 ship. No other conclusion is justified by the known facts. At the time when they landed, 23 schooners and over 30 small boats were in sight of the island close to shore, taking seals. Averaging 40 men to a schooner this would indicate a total of 920 men. Out of this number it is easy to believe that there were at least three men ready to desert and willing to take an opportunity when offered. During my service on the islands, one boatload of Japanese and several boatloads of Canadian sealers landed in distress, having, as they claimed, lost their schooner in the fog. These men were care- fully examined on the islands by myself, which examination was sup- plemented by further questioning on board the cutters. In none of these cases did anything appear except that the sailors had lost their schooners, and action in their cases was taken similar to that in the case of the three men under consideration. In July, 1906, however, I arrested a boatload of six Japanese who without any doubt came ashore for the purpose either of killing seals or of finding out where they could be obtained. These men were bright and quick-witted, and upon apprehension produced a story at once plausible and yet so inconsistent with the circumstances of their landing that it proved itself untrue. These men were convicted at Valdez of an attempt to Idll seals. They had no arms or clothing, and intended returning to their vessel as soon as they had finished what they desired to do on land. The Japanese who have been ashore in past years had ample means of finding out what there was on the island of interest to know, and of reporting to the trade. Furthermore, accurate charts of the islands showing the location of rookeries, villages, watch houses, and roads are common property, and are in the hands of every Japanese sealing skipper. It is entirely unnecessary to send men ashore to find out what those charts show with mathematical accuracy. I must conclude that Capt. Dunwoody's belief that these men were spies is not warranted by the facts. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Treasxjey Department, Division of Revenue-Cutter Service, Office of the Secretary, Washington, November 30, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. 0. Sm: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your information copy of a communication dated the 20th instant from Capt. F. M. Dunwoody, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, commandmg the revenue cutter Perry, in relation to three Japanese castaways on St. Paul Island, who are supposed to have been spies. Respectfully, J. H. Edwards, Acting Secretary » 536 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Copy.] United States Revenue Cuttee 'Terry," Port Townseifid, Wash., November 20, 1907. Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Port Townsend, Wash. My Dear Captain : I respectfully call your attention to my report dated July 26, 1907, wherein reference is made to Government Agent Lembkey at St. Paul Island coming on board and reporting that there were three Japanese castaways on shore whom he wished removed from the island; that they were received on board and subsequently transferred to a Japanese sealing schooner. It was difficult to obtain any definite information from the cast- aways as to the name of the vessel to which they belonged. As they were all supplied with bundles containing extra clotliing, it was sup- posed that they were deserters from some sealing vessel. They landed on the northwest side of St. Paul Island, walked along the shore to the northeast, and. crossed over to the east side of the island, stopped over night at the old watchhouse near Halfway Point, and the following day were overtaken on the road by a native driving a team on his way from Northeast Point to the village. The native invited them to get into the wagon, which they did, and were taken to the village, turned over to the Government agent, who took charge of them until the arrival of the Pernj. It is believed now that these supposed castaways were spies, landed for the purpose to reconnoiter and obtain information of existing conditions on the island. They appeared quite anxious to go aboard the first sealing vessel fallen in with by the Perry, two days after they were received on board. The newspapers have reported that raids were made upon the Com- mander Islands by the Japanese sealers, some of whom had equipped their vessels with 3-pounder rapid-fire guns, and that some of the Japanese sealers about the Pribilof Islands were sunilarly equipped. It is believed that it was the intention of the Japanese to raid the rookeries on St. Paul Island during the past season, and that they were only prevented from doing so by the vigilance of the vessels engaged in the patrolling and guarding of the islands. Respectfully, F. M. DUNWOODY, Caijtain, U. S. R. C. S., Commanding. Port Townsend, Wash., November 22, 1907. Respectfully forwarded for the information of the department. F. M. Munger, Captain, U. S. R. C. S. [Memorandum for Mr. Lembkey.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, December 27, 1907, The Secretary wishes to be advised of the action taken in this matter, in connection with which a previous communication on the same subject was referred to you a few days ago. T. L. Weed, Private Secretary. seal, islands of alaska. 537 North American Commercial Co., 832 OcTAViA Street, San Francisco, Cal., December 9, 1907. Sir: I have private information to the effect that, within a few days, the Victoria Seahng Co. will decide whether or not to place a number of its pelagic sealing vessels under the Japanese flag. Very respectfully, H. H. Taylor. To the Honorable Elihu Root, Secretary of State, Washington, D. O. [Memorandum in re the contemplated placing of a number of Canadian sealing schooners under the Japanese flag.] The action stated in the inclosed letter to be contemplated by the Victoria Sealing Co. will be taken for the purpose of evading the pro- visions of the regulations contained in the award of the tribunal of arbitration, constituted under the treaty concluded at Washington February 29, 1892, between the United States and Great Britain (commonly known as the Paris Award). These regulations are binding equally upon the citizens of the United States and the subjects of Great Britain, and provide, in brief: (a) That fur seals shall not be killed, captured, or pursued at any time or in any manner within a zone of 60 miles around the Pribilof Islands. (b) That fur seals shall not be killed, captured, or pursued in any manner between May 1 and July 31 of each j^ear in that part of the Pacific Ocean north of latitude 35 N. and east of longitude 180. (c) Sailing vessels only shall be used. (d) Firearms, nets, and explosives, in capturing fur seal, are for- bidden in Bering Sea. Since the promulgation of the Paris Award, mentioned above, the citizens of Japan have activeh^ engaged in the killing of fur seals in the water. The Japanese fleet in Bering Sea now numbers annually about 35 vessels, as against 9 to 15 vessels in the Canadian fleet. As before stated, the regulations of the Paris tribunal are binding only upon Great Britain and the United States. They do not bind Japan. As a consequence, Japanese hunters pursue seals during the entire year, and where they are most plentiful, namely, just outside the 3-mile limit about the Pribilof Islands, where the breeding rook- eries are situated. In so doing, they have a great advantage over the Canadian hunters, and have seriously interfered with the hitter's catch. By placing their vessels under the Japanese flag, the Canadians evade the regulations of the Paris tribunal in the following matters, against which, as concerns the Canadians, an absolute prohibition is now running : (a) Taking seals in the Bering Sea and North Pacific Ocean between May 1 and July 3 1 . (6) Hunting within 60 miles of the Pribilofs. (c) Using firearms in Bering Sea. Should this transfer be made, the question will arise whether, under international law, the contemplated evasion is of such a nature as would sustain a protest from this Government to Great Britain. W. I. Lembket. December 27, 1907. 538 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. [Memorandum In re the anticipated proposition of the Victoria Sealing Co. to dispose of its fleet to the United States.] Pelagic sealing is the destructive agency in the fur-seal industry, because the pelagic catch is composed mainly of females. Pelagic sealing was nominal from 1868 to 1880. From 1881, how- ever, when 10,000 skins were taken by pelagic hunters, the catch increased annually until 1884, when 61,838 were secured. The increase in pelagic sealing had direct relation to the diminution m the number of seals on the rookeries, because of the killmg of female seals, as above stated. Pelagic sealing was carried on first by Canadian and American sealers. The citizens of no other nation were engaged in the practice until, approximately, 1900, when a few Japanese sealing schooners began frequenting Bering Sea. Efforts by this Government to save the seals led, naturally, to attempts to secure the abandonment of the practice of pelagic sealing. The first step of importance was in 1892, when Great Britain and the United States, by treaty, agreed to submit to arbitration certain differences growmg out of the seizure of Canadian vessels in Bering Sea by United States revenue cutters. Before this tribunal of arbi- tration, known usually as the Paris tribunal, the United States alleged that Bering Sea was a closed sea and that tliis Government had a property right in the fur seals. These questions were decided adversely to the United States, but the tribunal promulgated a series of regulations designed to relieve the practice of unusual cruelty and to afford a protection to the animals while breeding. To this end, among other less essential requirements, a closed season was estab- lished between May 1 and August 1 of each year, during which no seals were to be killed m the water, and a prohibited zone of 60 miles surrounding the Pribilof Islands, m which pelagic sealing was not to be practiced at any time. The tribunal provided also that the regulations made by it — shall be submitted every five years to a new examination so as to enable both interested Governments to consider whether, in the light of past experience, there is occasion for any modification thereof. (Art. IX.) In "the light of past experience" it is apparent that the 60-mile zone about the islands is entirely inadequate for the protection of the breeding seals, as the latter go from 100 to 200 miles away from the islands to known feeding grounds in search of food. Neither has the British Government been willing to allow a reopening of the question, under the regulations of the Paris tribunal, claiming that it saw no reason for a reconsideration of the matter. American citizens, by the act of December 29, 1897, were for- bidden absolutely to kill seals in any portion of the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude. Reduced catches by the Canadian fleet, due to a decided falling off in the seal herd, have been made in recent years. The various Canadian owners formed a company known as the Victoria Sealing Co. (Ltd.), effecting by this merger a reduction in operating expenses of schooners and a small profit out of the business even with smaller catches. The number of the operating schooners also was gradually reduced until the active fleet composes now only about 15 schooners, as opposed to approximately 35 ten years ago. i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 539 The Japanese fleet, however, has increased from year to year until, in 1897, practically 35 of their vessels operated in Bering Sea in 1907. Russia also has seal islands and has suffered from pelagic sealing even more than the United States. Russia, however, never allowed her subjects to engage in pelagic sealing and has always been ready to cooperate with the United States to abolish the practice. As the situation stands, therefore, there are four countries vitally interested in the sealing industry: The United States owns large breeding rookeries (Pribilof Islands) ; prohibits her subjects from engaging in pelagic sealing. Russia owns large breeding rookeries (the Commander Islands) ; prohibits pelagic sealing. Japan owns a small breeding rookery, the Kurile Islands, and permits her subjects to engage in pelagic sealing; her fleet numbers probably 35 vessels. Great Britain owns no breeding rookeries; allows pelagic sealing by her subjects. Operates probably 12 or 15 pelagic schooners. Vitally interested in the dressing and dyeing of sealskins, as all such work is done in London. From the above it can be seen that the two agencies destructive to the life of the seal herd are the two pelagic fleets of Japan and Great Britain, and that, of the two, that of Japan is by far the most destruc- tive, as it numbers over twice that of Canada and operates without any of the restrictions as to time and place that circumscribe the operations of the Canadian fleet. Before Japan became a factor in pelagic sealing, there was a movement by this Government, through the high joint commission, to purchase outright the paraphernalia of the Victoria Sealing Co. and to compensate Canada for the abandonment of her so-called "national right" to engage in pelagic sealing. These efforts were abortive, due to the desire of Canada to reap some substantial advantage in the settlement of the boundary question by with- holding her consent to the settlement of the seal question, even on terms very favorable to her. Since that time the Japanese fleet has sprung into existence and has far outstripped the Canadian fleet in numbers and destructiveness to the herd. It is obvious, therefore, that no lasting advantage would accrue to this Government by the purchase of the Canadian fleet, with the Japanese fleet still in existence. Such action would result merely in increasing the catch of the Japanese fleet and would have no result in saving the seal herd. It could have no advantage, save as a factor in a general settlement among all four great nations involved, in which case each must agree not only to prohibit pelagic sealing by its citizens, but to combine to induce a general agreement to abstain from this practice on the part of the remaining nations that now have no interest in the seals. If Canada should be compensated for the abandonment of the business, it is obvious that Japan also must receive some appropriate remuneration, otherwise she will not agree to prevent her subjects from continuing to take seals. A settlement wdth Canada, which does not at least involve Japan, would be of no advantage to this country and would be simply a waste of money. If, as the inclosed letter states, the representative of the Canadian sealing industry is to sound this'lGovernment on the question of 540 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. ''selling out" to the United States, I would suggest that he be informed — 1. That this Government would not consider any change in the present sealing regulations giving Canada the same advantages as Japan. 2. That it must be obvious to him that no advantage would accrue to the United States by purchasing either the Canadian fleet or their future abstention from pelagic sealing, since this action would give merely a greater advantage to Japan. 3. That the purchase of the Canadian fleet could be considered only in connection with an international settlement of the question of pelagic sealing, in which Japan and Russia, as well as Great Britain and the United States, were involved, and then, only as one of the incidents of settlement, provided a satisfactory under- standing with Japan could be reached. 4. Suggest that the Canadian Government use its weight with Great Britain to obtain such a settlement, which, without doubt, would have in it something of substantial benefit to the Victoria Sealing Co. \ ) Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. September, 1907. December? Part II. Communications Relative to Revenue-Cutter Patrol. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, June 4, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a telegram, dated June 1, received from Capt. D. J. Ainsworth, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, commanding the revenue cutter Rush, in relation to the seizure of the sealing schooner Carlotta G. Cox, of Vic- toria, British Columbia, and the reply of this department to the same. Your attention is called especially to that part of the telegram reporting the taking of 735 fur seals by Japanese sealers. The unre- stricted activity of Japanese sealing vessels in Bering Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, within the prohibited area agreed upon between Great Britain and the United States by the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration, threatens seriously the depletion of the seal herd. It is suggested that the matter be brought to the attention of the Japanese Govern- ment with a view of securing the better protection of the fur seals in that region. Respectfully, J. B. Reynolds, Acting Secretary. i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 541 [Copy of telegram.] Sitka, Alaska, June 1, 1907. Secretary Treasury, WasTiington, D. C: Rush arrived Sitka, having towed Britisli sealing schooner Carlotta G. Cox, of Victoria, from Fairweather Grounds, latitude 59° 10' north, longitude 141° 19' west, Mount St. Elias north 18° west magnetic 68.9 miles. Schooner flies distinguished flag. Has special sealing license, 14 double-barrel shotguns, 1 automatic shotgun, 1 auto- matic rifle, 77 fur-seal skins, 6 of which are very green and bloody in salt brine, evidently taken since May 25 last. Master claims they were all caught not later than April 30 last. He has no official log book, but his notebook shows last seals taken April 27 last. His Victoria clearance, dated January 29, 1907, reads: "Stores and seal- ing outfit," and gives no port of destination. Master claims his vessel bound to Kadaik or the Shamagin Islands for orders. Informed master that his schooner would be detained and towed to Sitka, and the United States Government at Washington telegraphed for instruc- tions. Shall I seize schooner and send or tow to Victoria or deliver to deputy United States marshal at Sitka for him to take to Victoria ? Shall I proceed to Juneau for Cobb cannery cruiser, return in search of two British and one American sealers reported by crew of Cox to be in vicinity where that sealing schooner was found, but they were not sighted by Rush. Three Japanese sealers boarded near vicinity where Cox was found, had total of 735 fur seals on board. Japanese report fur seals very plentiful that vicinity. Await instructions. AiNS WORTH. [Copy of telegram.] Treasury Department, Washington, June 3, 1907. Capt. AiNSWORTH, Revenue Cutter "Rush," Sitka, Alaska: Take seized sealing schooner Cox to Port Simpson and deliver her to British authorities there. If no proper British authorities in Port Simpson, send schooner to Victoria in charge of warrant officer and necessary seamen. Give authorities statement in writing of facts on which you rely to show that seals were taken illegally with names of witnesses. Return immediately and search for other sealers and take Cobb at Juneau June 12, If board of local steamboat inspectors desire to go on Rush, take them. Acknowledge. Beekman Winthrop, Assistant Secretary. December 18, 1907. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, transmitting copy of a letter from Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, relating to the opera- tions of the Canadian pelagic sealing fleet on the northwest coast in 1907. The letter mentioned states the fact of the seizure by the Rush of the Canadian schooner Carlotta G. Cox on May 27 last. I shall be 542 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. grateful for any inforraation regarding the outcome of that case that you may furnish. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. Hon. George B. Cortelyou, Secretary of the Treasury. Treasury Department, Division of Revenue-Cutter Service, Office of the Secretary, Washington, July 1, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a telegram dated Unalaska, Alaska, June 18, 1907, from Capt. F. M. Hunger, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, in charge of the Bering Sea patrol, reporting the bringing in of the Japanese sealer Miya Maru and the release of the vessel. Respectfully, J. B. Reynolds, Acting Secretary. [Copy of telegram.] Unalaska, Alaska, June 18, 1907. Secretary Treasury, Washington, D. C. (via San Francisco) : June 17 Perry brought in Japan sealer Iliya Maru. Found her five boats equipped with sealing outfit territorial waters near St. Paul. No skins or bodies of seals in boats. In my opinion evidence not sufficient to convict. Released Miya Maru. Perry towed her to sea 18th. Letter follows. MUNGER. [Copy.] Unalaska, Alaska, July 6, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to forward report of commanding officer U. S. S. Manning relating to seizure of Japanese sealing schooners Nitto Maru and Kaiwo, for taking fur seals, in territorial waters near St. Paul Island. The Perry, returning for coal, brought the two vessels into port. Considering the evidence sufficient to convict, I held the vessels and turned them and their crews over to the United States deputy marshal. To have an early decision and to prevent unnecessary delay, I will send the crew of both vessels on the Manning, in care of the marshal, to Unga, on the 16th instant; there to appear before the United States commissioner for adjudication. SEAL. ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 543 The seizure was made under authority of Revised Statutes, 1956, 1961, and amendments. The North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer leaves San Francisco July 25; any communication forwarded in their care will reach here about August 5. Respectfully, (Signed) F. M. Munger, Captain, United States Revenue -Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Steamer "Manning," Off St. Paul Island, AlasJca, July 3, 1907. Capt. F. M. MuNGER, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet, Unalaslca, Alaslca. Sir: I have the honor to report the seizure this day of the Japanese schooner Nitto Maru, of Miyako, Satura Watanuki, master, and the Japanese schooner Kaiwo, of Tokyo, legiro Kadata, master, both found engaged in taking seals within 3 geographical miles of St. Paul Island, Alaska, The particulars of said seizure are as foUows : At 12.19 p. m., July 3, 1907, while cruising at an estimated distance of 3 miles from land on the western side of St. Paul Island, three schooners under reduced sail were observed about 5 miles offshore, and we stood to board them. At 12.45 stopped and boarded the Japanese schooner Nitto Maru, Satura Watanuki, master, and was informed by him that he had seven boats away from the vessel engaged in taking seals, some of which were to the westward, some to the southward, and some to the eastward of his position. After giving the master of the Nittu Maru the customary warning not to take seals within 3 miles of land the boarding officer returned to the Manning, and we headed for a schooner bearing southeast from us. At 1.25 p. m. stopped and boarded the Japanese schooner Kompira Maru, of Tokyo, and finding no evidence of illegal sealing on board the customary warning was given the master, and the boarding officer returned to the Manning. At this time two boats were observed between us and Southwest Point, both being pulled hastily away from the land, and as soon as the boarding officer returned from the Kompira Maru we headed in for the boats. At 2.50 p. m. came up with two boats, both belonging to the schooner Nittu Maru and which came alongside at our request. One of the boats was found with one fresh sealskin in it, and the boat was equipped with the usual outfit for taking seals at sea, viz, shotguns, gigs, compass, water keg, and ammunition, in addition to the ordinary boat gear. There were three Japanese men in the boat, their names being given as Shigitero Tanaka, Seizi Higashi, and K. Eragi. The position of the boat when tlie e^ddence of sealing was first noted was at a point at the intersection of a line drawn south-soutlieast i east to 544 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the western tangent of Otter Island and one drawn east by south to the tangent of Southwest Point, St. Paul Island, the said point being distant from the western face of Southwest Point If miles. A sound- ing taken at this moment showed 29 fathoms. In order to test the distance from shore completely, the boats were permitted to proceed to their vessel, the Nitto Maru, and the Manning was headed in for the land, with the patent log registering 22.3 knots. When we had run 1.3 knots the land was less than half a mile distant, showing no doubt that the position where the boats were examined is well within the 3-geographical-mile limit. At this time a third boat was discovered lying in under the cliffs at an estimated distance of less than one-fourth mile from shore. We backed in as close as consistent with safety and blew three short blasts of the whistle. The people in the boat, aware of their being discovered, got out their oars and began pulHng toward us. In a few moments they came alongside, and inquiry elicited the facts that the boat belonged to the Japanese schooner Kaiwo, of Tokyo, legiro Kadata, master, and was engaged in taking seals from the water. Two fresh sealsldns and one dead unskinned fur seal were in the boat. The boat was equipped for sealing, having on board two shotguns, ammunition, gigs, compass, grub box, and water keg, in addition to the usual boat gear. The position in which the Kaiwo' s boat was examined was South- west Point bearing east-northeast f east, distant 1 mile. There were three men in the boat, their names being given as follows: Gentaro Kumainto, lakutaro Magasaki, and Kvojro Matsu. The evidence of illegal sealing being considered complete to estab- lish the guilt of the schooners Nitto Maru and Kaiwo, these vessels were accordingly overhauled and taken in tow. The sealskins and carcass of seal found in the respective boats were brought on board the Manning and properly tagged for identification. The masters of the vessels were also brought on board the Manning as a precautionary measure and made as comfortable as possible. The ships' papers of both schooners were also taken and are forwarded herewith. At 7.10 p. m., all the hunting boats of both schooners having returned, we headed for St. George Island, where it was my intention to turn over the vessels to Capt. Dunwoody, of the Perry, for delivery to you at Unalaska. AU courses and bearings herewith given are magnetic. Respectfully, (Signed) J. C. Cant well, Captain, United States Revenue- Gutter Service, Commanding. P. S. — The positions of the vessels when taken in tow were as follows: Nitto Maru, latitude 57° 12' N., longitude 170° 33' W.; Kaiwo, lati- tude 57° 9' 50" N., longitude 170° 37' W. I would also add that the masters of both vessels were given to understand that their schooners were not seized, but only detained for further decision. The schooners were towed to Unalaska and together with their crews held in custody until my arrival at Unalaska, on August 4, 1907. On August 7, 1907, the following orders were issued relative to the transferring of the Japanese for trial: SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 545 [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Unalaska, Alaska, August 7, 1907. Commanding Officer, United States Revenue Cutter "Manning," In Port. Sir: On August 9, before noon, transfer to the Manning the captain and crew from both Jajjanese sealing schooners, viz, Nitto Maru, 29 men, Kaiwo Maru, 35 men; allow them to bring on board all their personal effects; these men to be transported to Valdez for trial. Do not allow any property belonging to the schooners to be removed from those vessels. Take on board all articles required in evidence — firearms, skins, etc. Proceed to sea at your discretion on the evening of August 9. Mr. Ray, assistant district attorney, has charge of these cases and will accompany you to Valdez; confer with him and be governed by his advice in all matters per- taining thereto; a.ssist him in all possible manner. The district attorney has matters of importance that require a visit to St. Paul, Kodiak Island; on leaving here proceed direct to that place, and thence to Valdez or Seward, as directed by Mr. Ray. In making the passage to and from your destination proceed with all dispatch, using three boilers; returned to Unalaska as soon as possible after your business has been transacted before the court. Advise the department by cable of your arrival at destination. Cable the department result of the trial. Forty-eight hours before sailing cable department probable time of your departure. Respectfully, F. M. MUNGER, Captain, U. S. E. C. S., Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. P. S. — If the district attorney desires to visit Alatak Bay, take him there before going to St. Paul. On August 9, 1907, we left Unalaska for Valdez on the Maiming with the Japanese. On August 10 one of the Japanese died from beriberi and was buried at sea with all due formalities. This man had the best of medical skill and attention, Dr. Gardner, Public Health and Marine- Hospital Service, being detailed from the McCuUocli to the Manning. On August 12 visited Atalak Bay to investigate a reported robbing, pillaging, and burning of a native village there located. The facts found are incorporated in a telegram to the Attorney General, em- bodied herein, and despatched from Seward, at which place the Manning arrived on August 14, 1907. The following is my cable to the Attorney General in regard to the Japanese: July 3 cutter Manning found two small boats containing each three Japanese, within 3-mile limit, off Southwest Point, St. Paul Island; one containing skin of freshly killed seal, other usual sealing equipment only; both belonging to schooner Nitto, which vessel was 5 miles offshore St. Paul Island. While testing distance another small boat with crew of 3 was found one-quarter mile off shore containing two skins from freshly killed seals and carcass of female seal still warm containing foetus. This boat belonged to schooner Kaiivo, then distant 6 miles from shore. Schooner overhauled and Nitto had six boats lowered sealing not within limit; Kaiivo three boats lowered sealing outside limit. Manning took schooners and small boats in custody and turned same over to Perry and thence towed to Unalaska, where I found Kaiwo with crew of 34 and Nitto with crew of 29 on August 4. Waited till August 9, repairs to Manning. Schooners first sighted distant about 8 miles from island, and while Manning was on way to patrol around the island sealers worked in toward limit. Instead of circling island, as was customary, Manning retraced her course directly back from Northeast Point, found schooners near limit, boarded and warned captains, and while so doing di.*tcovered two small boats, as stated, which after developed belonged to schooner Nitto, rowing rapidly from toward shore. Weather conditions foggy and Kaiwo boat 2403 -H. Doc. 93, 62-1 35 546 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, discovered by accident. The unexpected return of Manniiig prevented raid by schooner crews, and these circumstances give rise to deduction that but for interven- tion attempt would have been carried to consummation. Witnesses being officers of Manning have proceeded with her and 63 Japanese to Valdez, where we arrive to-morrow. Have ships' papers, but deemed best to hold schooners at Unalaska, as towage to Valdez hazardous and unnecessary; and should acquittal result Japanese can be placed on schooners and towed to nearest point of seizure. Schooners now in custody United States Deputy Marshal Harman, awaiting issuance monition from district court. Every reasonable care and attention has been given Japanese and the property taken. Evidence as to three small boats conclusive but weak as to other members of crews. One of Kaiwo crew died of beriberi and buried at sea August 10. Ray, Assistant Attorney. Upon our arrival at Valdez we found a session of the district court for the third judicial division, Territory of Alaska, Wickersham, judge, presiding, in progress, with grand jury in attendance. On August 17, 1907, the department was informed by wire that 63 Japanese were indicted under Revised Statutes, 1961. There were two indictments found — one against the captain of the schooner Nitto and his crew, the other against the captain of the schooner Kaiwo and his crew. The following cablegrams give a concise statement of the result of the trials: Valdez, Alaska, August 20, 1907. Attorney General, Washington, D. C: Kaiwo case jury convicts 3 in small boat and acquits 31 who were in schooner outside limit. Instruct as to disposition of acquitted persons and as to schooner. Cutter Manning unable to return Japanese to Unalaska by reason of injury. Trial of Nitto crew proceeding. Ray, Assistant Attorney. Valdez, August 21, 1907 . Attorney General, Washington, D. C: Captain of schooner Nitto and six defendants within jurisdictional limit convicted, Revised Statutes, 1961. Suggest immediate transfer remaining defendants Seattle for deportation. Have instituted proceedings against schooner Nitto. Ray. Washington, D. C, August 22, 1907. Assistant United States Attorney, Valdez, Alaska: Telegram received acquitting. Japanese must be returned to their vessel. Wire best method and probable cost. Charles J. Bonaparte, Attorney General. Following is reply to Attorney General : Valdez, August 22, 1907. Attorney General, Washington, D. C: Recommend approval of forfeiture proceedings against schooner Nitto, transporting 22 acquitted Japanese of this crew Seattle for deportation. Acquitted portion Kaiwo crew, 31 Japanese, transferred to Unalaska via steamer Dora; steerage fare, $39 each passenger. Believe I should accompany to Unalaska to formally release Kaivjo schooner and save costs sending guards. Unless revenue cutter can be procured, advise immediate orders or delay of 30 days before next steamer to Unalaska. Court here adjourned. Ray, Assistant Attorney. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 547 On August 24 the following cablegram came forward : Washington, D. C, August 24, 1907. Ray, Assistant United States Attorney, Valdez, Alaska: Telegram August 22 received. Your recommendation regarding forfeiture proceed- ings approved. You are also authorized to go to Unalaska to formally release Kaiwo schooner, as you request. CooLEY, Acting Attorney General. In view of the conviction of the captain of the schooner Nitto, a libel in admiralty was filed in the United States court at Valdez pray- ing for the condemnation of and a decree of forfeiture to the use of the United States of America against the schooner Nitto, her tackle, furniture, apparel, etc. In accordance with the instructions contained in the cablegram of August 24 from Acting 'Attorney General Cooley, I left Valdez for Unalaska with the acquitted portion of the Kaiwo crew. On my return the following report was sent the Attorney General, which re- port fully covers this aspect of the affair: Seward, September 30, 1907. To the Attorney General, Washington, D. C. Sir: In the matter of the Japanese poaching cases. The department has been advised as to the details in this matter up to the time of the departure of the crew of the Kaiwo from Valdez to Unalaska. In accordance with instructions contained in your telegram of August 24, 1907, I proceeded on that date to Unalaska with the crew of the schooner Kaiwo, arriving there September 8. On September 9 the schooner Kaiwo was formally released to her master, and he proceeded to prepare for sea. The master was asked if he Avished to be towed to St. Paul Island, outside of the 3-mile limit, or out of the harbor. He replied that if he could be towed around the red buoy at Unalaska Harbor he would then be able to sail out of the harbor and desired no further assistance in reaching open water. On September 10 the crew of the revenue cutter Thetis, assisted by residents of Unalaska, warped the Kaiwo down the harbor of Unalaska, around the red buoy, as requested, and the schooner set sail and stood out to sea. During the period from July 3 (the date of seizure) to August 8 (the date when Japanese were transferred from Unalaska to United States Revenue Cutter Service Manning to Valdez) the Japanese furnished their own subsistence from their own stores, even though in custody. Because of this fact, upon my recommendation, the marshal's office at Unalaska furnished coal, water, and provisions to the schooner Kaiwo in lieu of provisions consumed during the period above stated. Thirteen of the crew of the Kaiwo became mutinous and refused to proceed to sea unless American food was furnished them for the voyage to Japan, as they did not want any more Japanese provisions. The captain of the Kaitvo stated that the supplies furnished by the marshal's office were sufficient in quantity, taking into consideration his own stores then unconsumed, to supply all the wants of his crew. After having had some difficulty with his crew, the captain requested protection from these mutineers, as he feared personal violence. In accordance with this request, guards were stationed on the dock next the Kaiwo for the personal protection of the captain. It was fully and satisfactorily explained to the Japanese captain that, as his ship was now ready for sea, the authorities could not take his refractory crew into custody, as requested by him, as it was obligatory upon him to take his men when ready for sea. After the Kaiwo left the dock at Unalaska, 11 of the crew lowered a small boat and attempted to land. The captain called the attention of the officers of the revenue service to these men in the small boat, and at my request the officers compelled the deserting Japanese to return to their vessel. The deserting Japanese stated that they would not proceed with the provisions they had, and that the captain of the Kaiwo was no good. 548 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, Every effort was made to minimize the detention, and the captain of the Kaiwo expressed himself as fully satisfied as to the supplies furnished and as to treatment, and regretted his inability to handle his crew. Instructions previously cabled me have been followed, and every effort made to prevent any just ground of complaint as to treatment of persons or property. Respectfully, L. V. Ray, Assistant United States Attorney. The three convicted members of the Kaiwo crew are now serving their sentence at Valdez, wliich sentence will expire in January, 1908. The captain and six convicted members of the Nitto crew paid their fines at Valdez and were afterwards sent forward to their schooner at Unalaska, sailing from that port on October 16, 1907. At Unalaska supplies and pro^dsions were furnished the Nitto, as in the case of the Kaiwo, by the marshal's office. After some telegraphic correspondence the department deemed it best to revoke the approval of forfeiture proceedings against the schooner Nitto, and, consequently, the libel therefor was dismissed by the district attorney. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Division of Revenue- Cutter Service, Washington, July 25, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copv of a report dated Unalaska, Alaska, June 20, 1907, from Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, in charge of the Bering Sea patrol fleet, relative to matters connected with the operations of the fleet to that date. Respectfully, J. B. Reynolds, Acting Secretary. [Copy.] Unalaska, Alaska, June 20, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: 1. I have the honor to make the following report relating to matters connected with operations of Bering Sea fleet. 2. After leaving Port Townsend, the Perry touched at Victoria, for the purpose of obtaining information regarding Canadian sealers. I made an official call upon the United States consul and the collector of customs at that port. The collector was very kind and courteous, and confidentially gave me all the information he could relating to the sealers and their operations; he also furnished me with a list of vessels to which he had issued seal license for the season 1907. 3. He had been instructed by liis department to look into the matter of the report of Mr. E. W. Sims, as to Canadian sealers being in Alaskan waters in 1906; he had the log of every British sealer, and knew the exact location of every vessel each day, during their absence; the latitude and longitude where every sealskin had been SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 549 taken from time of leaving until their return to Victoria; and there was no record of any vessel being on the coast until their return in the fall. The master of the vessels delivered these documents to the collector under oath; there was no inconsistencies in their log books that would indicate falsification, and he believed the masters were honest in their declaration. After a thorough investigation, the collector was of the opinion that it might be possible, but not prob- able, that any of the Canadian sealers were near the Alaska coast. ■4. All the wdnter seal hunters had returned to port. 5. He had issued, to date, May 20, special sealing license to 15 vessels, and he thought he might issue a license to two or three other vessels; all these vessels were in port, except five, which had cleared to proceed directly beyond the one hundred and eightieth meridian, and on to the coast of Japan. The sealing vessels in port were to leave for Bering Sea about the middle of June. 6. The Perry arrived at Sitka May 23. ■ I visited the collector of customs at that port, who informed me that the Indian seal hunters from Sitka had reported sealing vessels off the coast, but could give no definite information about them; was not near enough to read their names or hailing port. In view of department order relating to Canadian sealers, I deemed it of sufficient importance to wire the information to the department, with recommendation that the Rush be ordered to cruise in search of them. The Perry's officers kept a good lookout across the Fairweather Ground, but observed no vessels or seals. Not one seal was seen during the passage. 7. The Perry arrived here on May 31, and I established head- quarters at the house of the Alaska Commercial Co. Respectfully, (Signed) F. M. Munger, Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary^ Division of Revenue-Cutter Service, Washington, July 29, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your information copies of reports received from Cap t. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, commanding Bering Sea jJatrol fleet, and Capb. J. C. Cantwell, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, commanding the United States revenue cutter Manning, relative to the capture on the 3d instant of the Japanese sealing schooners Nitto Maru and Kaiwo. Respectfully, J. H. Edwards, Acting Secretary. 550 seal islands of alaska. United States Keyenue-Cuttee Service, Steamer '' Manning," Off St. Paul Island, Alaska, July 3, J. 907. Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet, VnalasTca, Alaska. Sir: I have the honor to report the seizure this day of the Japanese schooner Nitto Maru, of Niyako, Satura Watanuki, master, and the Japanese schooner Kaiwo, of Tokyo, legiro Kadata, master, l)oth found engaged in taking seals witliin 3 geographical miles of St. Paul Island, Alaska. The particulars of said seizure are as follows: At 12.19 p. m., July 3, 1907, while cruising at an estimated distance of 3 miles from land on the western side of St. Paul Island, three schooners under reduced sail were observed about 5 miles offshore, and we stood to board them. At 12.45 stopped and boarded the Japanese schooner Nitto Maru, Satura Watanuki, master, and was informed hj him that he had seven boats away from the vessel engaged in taking seals, some of which boats were to the westward, some to the southward, and some to the eastward of his position. After giving the master of the Nitto Maru the customary warning not to take seals witliin 3 miles of land, the boarding officer returned to the Manning and we headed for a schooner bearing southeast from us. At 1.25 p. m. stopped and boarded the Japanese schooner Kompira Maru, of Tokyo, and finding no evidence of illegal sealing on board, the customary warning was given the master, and the boarding officer returned to the Manning. At tliis time two boats were observed between us and Southwest Point, both being pulled hastily away from the land, and as soon as the boarding officer returned from the Kompira Maru we lieaded in for the boats. At 2.50 p. m. came up with two boats, both belonging to the schooner Nitto Maru and wliich came alongside at our request. One of the boats was found with one fresh sealskin in it, and the boat was equipped with the usual outfit for taking seals at sea, viz, shot- guns, gigs, compass, water keg, and ammunition, in addition to the ordinary boat gear. There were three Japanese men in the boat, their names being given as Shigitero Tanaka, Seizi Higaslii, and K. Eragi. The position of the boat when the evidence of sealing was first noted was at a point at the intersection of a line drawn south-southeast one-half east to the western tangent of Otter Island and one drawn east by south to the tangent of Southwest Point, St. Paul Island, the said point being distant from the western face of Southwest Point If miles. A sounding was taken at the moment ; showed 29 fathoms. In order to test the distance from shore completely, the boats were permitted to proceed to their vessel, the Nitto Maru, and the Manning was headed in for the land with the patent log registering 22.8 knots. When we had run 1.3 knots the land was less than a half a mile distant, showing without doubt that the position where the boats were examined is well within the 3-geographical-mile limit. At this time a third boat was discovered lying in under the cliffs at an estimated distance of less than one-fourth mile from shore. We backed in as close as consistent with safety and blew three short blasts of the whistle. The people in the boat, aware of their being dis- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 551 covered, got out their oars and began pulling toward us. In a few moments they came alongside, and inquiry elicited the facts that the boat belonged to the Japanese schooner Kaiwo, of Tokyo, legiro Kadata, master, and was engaged in taking seals from the water. There were two fresh fur-seal skins and one unskinned dead fur seal in the boat. The boat was equipped for sealing, having on board two shotguns, ammunition, gigs, compass, grub box, and water keg, in addition to the usual boat gear. The position in which the Kaiwo' s boat was examined was southwest point bearing east-northeast five-eighths east distant 1 mile. There were three men in the boat, their names being given as follows: Gentaro Kumainoto, lakutaro Nagasaki, and Kvojro Matsu. The evidence of illegal sealing being considered complete to estab- lish the guilt of the schooners Nitto Maru and Kaiwo, these vessels were accordingly overhauled and taken in tow. The sealskins and carcass of seal found in the respective boats were brought on board the Manning and properly tagged for identification. The masters of the vessels were also brought on board the Manning as a precautionary measure, and made as comfortable as possible. The ships' papers of both schooners were also taken apd are forwarded heremth. At 7.10 p. m., all the hunting boats of both schooners having re- turned, we headed for St. George Island, where it was my intention to turn over the vessels to Capt. Dunwoody of the Perry for delivery to you at Unalaska. All courses and bearings heremth given are magnetic. * Respectfully, J. C. Cantwell, Captain, U. S. R. C. S., Commanding. P. S. — The positions of the vessels when taken in tow were as fol- lows: Nitto Maru, latitude 57° 12' N., longitude 170° 33' W; Kaiwo, latitude 57° 9' 50" N., longitude 170° 37' W. I would also add that the masters of both vessels were given to understand that their schooners were not seized, but only detained for your further decision. Treasury Department, Division of Revenue-Cutter Service, Office of the Secretary, Washington, Novenfiber 29, 1907. The honorable Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D, G. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewitli for your information a report dated the 15th instant from Capt. F. i\I. Munger, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, in relation to the lawless acts said to have been committed by the crew of a Japanese sealing schooner at Kadiak Island in June last. Respectfully, J. B. Reynolds, Acting Secretary, 552 seal islands of alaska. United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Port Townsend, Wash., Novemhei^ 15, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have to acknowledge receipt (October 11) of department letter dated August 23, inclosing copy of letter from Joseph A. Silver- man, United States commissioner at Kodiak, also from the deputy collector of customs at that port, relating to certain alleged lawless acts by the crew of a Japanese schooner, and in repl}^ I have the honor to submit the following report : My first information in regard to this matter was received from Assistant United States District Attorney L. V. Ray, who came to Unalaska August 4 in connection with the prosecution of Japanese seal poachers. Mr. Ray had received information on his way to Unalaska, in substance the same as is contained in the letter of J. A. Silverman to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, the original of which is hereby returned. In order that the matter might be immediately investigated, the Manning, being there ready to start for Valdez with Japanese prison- ers, was ordered .to stop in Alitak Bay on the way east in order that Mr. Ray, the district attorney, might himself examine into the alleged depredations. The Manning arrived in Alitak Bay on August 12, and Capt. Cant- well and Mr. Ray went ashore to make inquiry, but they found the village entirely deserted, all the inhabitants being at the cannery some 15 miles inland. As it was necessary to get the Japanese prisoners on board the Manning to Valdez for immediate trial it was considered best not to go inland to the cannery, as this would cause considerable delay, and the Manning therefore left immediately for Valdez. While returning from Valdez, Lieut. Austin had an interview with Capt. Falstad, of the American schooner Alice, of Kodiak, and obtained from him a statement in substance as follows: That he, Capt. Falstad, anchored in Lazy Bay, an arm of Alitak Bay, on or about the 20th of June; that he saw several Japanese boats manned by Japanese pulling out of the harbor on which the village of Ahkiok is situated ; that these boats pulled out to a Japanese schooner which was anchored in the bay, which shortly afterwards got under way and went out to sea; that while beating into the bay he had noticed men ashore evidently on lookout duty, one at Alitak Point, and another up on the hill nearer the village, whom he thinks were Japanese; that he could not read the name of the schooner, as her name was covered either intentionally or otherwise by a piece of canvas hanging over the stem, but that he would recognize her if he should see her again; that he distinctly saw two white men on the schooner, evidently in command of her; that about five weeks later he took the deputy United States marshal of Kodiak to Ahkiok, on the schooner Alice, interviewed the natives through an interpreter, and learned that the marauders had broken into the houses and taken men and women's clothing, trinkets, jewelry, and everything of value they could find; that all articles of furniture, etc., in the church had been collected in one pile, but for some reason had been left in the building; that in his opinion all this was the work of the Japanese SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 553 schooner, whose boats had been seen coming out of the harbor on or about the 20th of June, and which went to sea on that day. To further investigate this matter, I visited AUtak Bay in person on my way from Unahiska to Juneau on the Bush. Tlie Rush anchored in the harbor of Ahkiok village on the evening of October 19, and several natives came off to us immediately. None of them could speak English, but one of them spoke Russian, and by means of an interpreter the following information was obtained. The native, Jacob Ayahgoosha by name, stated that from the 1st of June until about the middle of August the village of Ahkiok had been entirely deserted by its native inhabitants, so that so far as any direct knowledge on their part goes the depredations might have been committed any time from the 1st of June until the middle of August. He stated that the Canadian schooner Casco, of Victoria, was anchored in Lazy Bay in August, after the return of the natives from the cannery, and that he learned from the captain and mate of the Casco that they — the Casco — had been in Lazy Bay in July; that a Japanese schooner called the Toyo Maru was in Lazy Bay at that time. He also stated that the captain and mate of the Casco had told him that this Toijo Maru was the schooner which had committed the robbery. He stated that the only evidence which he had that satis- fied him that there were Japanese ashore was a cigarette holder such as are used by the Japanese. He stated that the robbers had broken open houses, chests, and trunks, and had taken men and women's clothing, watches, jewelry, etc. There is no record of a Japanese sealing schooner named Toyo Maru as having been in Bering Sea; there were two vessels having similar names, viz, Toye Maru No. 1 and Toye Maru No. 2, the first named being boarded by the Perry off Pribilof Islands July 18. Referring to the fourth paragraph of the commissioner and the third paragraph of the letter of the Secretary, Department of Com- merce and Labor, it will be seen they are mistaken, as the McCuIloch did not seize a vessel during the season, and the 3Iiya Maru was seized by the Perry June 13 near the Pribilof Islands, and was released at LTnaiaska June 18, so could not have been at Kodiak Island June 20. It is evident that the lawless acts complained of were committed, but I believe it impossible at this time to name the guilty parties. Respectfully, F. M. MUXGEK, Ca-ptain, U. S. R. C. S. Treasury Department, Division of Revenue-Cutter Service, Office of the Secretary, Washington, December 16, 1907. The honorable Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a letter dated the 29th ultimo from Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, who commanded the Bering Sea patrol fleet the past season, relating to sealing operations in Bering Sea, season of 1907. Respectfully, J. H. Edwards, Acting Secretary. 554 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Port Townsend, WasJi., November 29, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report relating to sealing operations in Bering Sea during the season of 1907: Sealing license was issued to 15 Canadian sealing vessels, and it is thought that all were in Bering Sea; none were seen by the cutter fleet; three were boarded by H. M. S. Shearwater and one by the Buffalo. The catch of fur-seal skins is not known, but it is reported to be small. Several of these vessels remained in the sea as late as October 26. The Canadian sealers operated about 75 miles to the eastward of the Pribilof Islands between the compass points northeast and southeast. It was reported that there were 30 Japanese sealing schooners in the sea; of this number the cutters boarded 25 different vessels, and report a catch of 4,444 fur-seal skins. This, I think, represents a greater part of the number taken. The Japanese sealers came into the sea in May and June and oper- ated about the Pribilof Islands. Eleven Japanese seal-fishing vessels have operated in the vicinity of Attn since 1905. Respectfully, (Signed) F. M. Hunger, Captain, U. S. R. C. S. Treasury Department, Division of Revenue-Cutter Service, Office of the Secretary, Washington, December 16, 1907. The honorable Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a letter dated the 29th ultimo from Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, who commanded the Bering Sea patrol fleet the past season, relating to Canadian sealers operating on the Alaskan coast, season of 1907. Respectfully, J. H. Edwards, Acting Secretary. [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Port Townsend, Wash., November 29, 1907. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to make the following report, relating to Canadian sealing schooners, operating on the Alaskan coast during the closed season May 1 to August 1, 1907. From information received it is undoubtedly true that several Canadian vessels were operating unlawfully; one of them, the Carlotta SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 555 0. Cox, was seized by the Rush May 27. The Rush on that same date boarded the Japanese seahng schooner Kinsie Maru; on June 21, the master of this vessel informed me that he had seen the Canadian sealers Ella G. and Casco, the day of the seizure of the Cox, and that he was quite sure that there were several others operating at that time. The Casco visited Ahtak Bay in July, and again in August, and I was informed by the natives that she was engaged in otter hunting. July 18, the Manning left for a cruise to visit all the harbors on the mainland and outlying islands as far east as Cape St. John to search for Canadian seaUng vessels; returned to Unalaska July 29. The commanding officer reported that he had visited aU the harbors as indicated, and the only mformation obtained was as follows: One Canadian schooner, name unknown, called at Northeast anchorage, Little Koniuski Island, on July 21, watered ship and left same date; that one schooner, supposed to be a sealer, passed through Unalga Pass, 5 a. m., July 28, bound north. Respectfully, (Signed) F. M. Munger, Captain, U. S. R. C. S. Part III. Comments on Certain Charges Made by Henry W. Elliott. [Synopsis of Elliott's charges against North American Commercial Co. before Ways and Means Com- mittee, Jan. 14, 1907.] On December 24, 1899, Secretary Windom issued advertisement for bids sealing right. On February 21, 1890, bids opened by committee. On February 24, 1890, Secretary Windom gave notice that North American Commercial Co. was successful bidder, and unless cause shown, would award lease to it. Whereupon, Geo. R. Tingle, formerly Treasury agent, declared North American Commercial Co.'s bid ineligible because president and stockholders of that company had been and were engaged in pelagic sealing. Upon being notified of this charge, Isaac Liebes, president of North American Commercial Co., under oath, denied charges. March 12, 1890, Tingle then withdrew charges, and Windom executed lease to North American Commercial Co. On April 1, 1890, Tmgle enters employment North American Com- mercial Co. as superintendent. Elliott then produces a copy of a sworn certificate in the custom- house in San Francisco, dated March 29, 1890, by Herman Liebes, brother and partner in the fur business of Isaac Liebes, that said Herman was the owner of a pelagic schooner named J. Hamilton Lewis. Elliott then quotes House Document No. 1 (57th Cong., 2d sess., p. 120, Exhibit A), that Herman Liebes sold to H. Liebes & Co. all interest in the schooner J. Hamilton Lewis, on September 17, 1890. Elliott then quotes the same document, page 203, from a copy of the certificate of registry, sworn to before the collector of customs at San Francisco, on January 10, 1890, to the eftect that Herman Liebes on that date was the sole owner of the schooner mentioned, and that 556 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Alex. McLean was the master and a citizen of the United States. Elhott shows that, in afterward, tliis Alex. McLean, to evade arrest by this Government for piracy, swears that he was and always has been a British subject. Elliott then shows that this schooner, the J. Hamilton Lewis, went to the Russian side of Bering Sea in 1891, was seized by the Russian au- thorities August 10, 1891, and condemned. Whereupon Herman Liebes files an oath in San Francisco before the courts that he was the owner of this vessel when she was seized for lawfully killing seals upon the high seas. A case is made up for submission to The Hague which was so submitted in 1898, in which this Government claimed damages from the Russian Government for the unlawful seizure on the high seas of the /. Hamilton Lewis, in which case H. H. D. Pearce, Assistant Secretary of State, appears as counsel for this Government. As the result of this submission to The Hague an award of $50,000 was made to this Government to be paid by Russia for the unlawful seizure of the J. Hamilton Lewis, in 1902. In 1903, Assistant Secretary Pearce obtains an injunction against the United States Treasurer Roberts re- straining him from paying this amount to the owners of the J. Hamilton Lewis until Pearce's charges for services as counsel before The Hague in the case have been paid to him out of the award. Elliott then charges perjury on the part of the North American Commercial Co. because its first president, Isaac Liebes, swore he had no interest in pelagic schooners in 1890, whereas the record shows that his partner, Herman Liebes, was the owner of the J. Hamilton Lewis at the time Isaac's oath was made. (Note: Elliott does not show any connection of Herman Liebes with the North American Commercial Co.) Elliott then charges perjury against Herman Liebes in swearing in 1890 that Alexander McLean, the captain of the J. Hamilton Lewis, was an American citizen, whereas said McLean, in order to avoid arrest by this Government in 1905 for piracy, swore that he (McLean) was a British subject. (Note: Elliott does not show that Herman Liebes, when he made oath in 1890 to the American citizenship of McLean, knew that said McLean was other than an American citizen.) Upon this episode, Elliott claims that the award of The Hague in the case of the J. Hamilton Lewis was obtained through fraud. Memorandum for Assistant Secretary Murray : You were not present at that afternoon session of the Ways and Means Committee, January 25, 1907, when I proceeded with my reply to the attempt made by the lessees to discredit me in the morning of the same day. You did not, therefore, observe the nervous anxiety of the Hon. Sereno E. Payne, and the feverish interest taken in me by the Hon. Grosvenor. The inclosed statement which I have recently given to Canadian officialism and readers generally explains the painful interest which those gentlemen aforesaid had in me, and, incidentally, the facts may be of service to the Department Commerce and Labor. Henry W. Elliott. 17 Grace Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio, Afril 18, 1907. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 557 For Hon. Oscar Straus, Secretary Commerce and Labor: [Memorandum in re inclosed letter to Toronto Globe.] The main and the leading idea in the minds of Canadian officiahsm at Ottawa with regard to this fur-seal dispute has been, and is, that that award of the Bering Sea tribunal was shaped to Canadian gain entirel}^ by the superior wit and wisdom of the British agents as they made up and presented their case to that court in 1891-1893. In order that Canadians generally, and this officialism at Ottaw^a in particular, may understand the great error of this opinion, and it is important and timely that it be so understood now, I have care- fully prepared this letter to the Toronto Globe, because this newspaper is one of the leading Canadian organs, and it is very widely read in the Dominion. Unless that wholly erroneous idea in the official mind at Ottawa above cited is shaken, that officialism will hold first to those idle and worthless rules of the Paris award; therefore, on account of the politics involved, we will get nothing done in the way of a new and better deal — w^e will be helpless to prevent that complete extermina- tion of the fur-seal herd which is right ahead under existing law and regulations. But by letting the Canadians know the truth in regard to that conduct of our case, they will quickly understand why and how those futile and useless rules and regulations were secured — that, in fact, they were not prepared and ordered by the court in deference to the Canadian argument — far from it. They will understand that this court really desired to save that fur-seal life from excessive killing at sea, and only erred in so doing through the ignorance and the venality of the agents of the United States, who failed to properly and intelli- gently submit all the facts, as they were then, well known to the tribunal; they failed singly because they prostituted the case of the States to private gain and monopolistic interest. Therefore, if we tell the Canadians now the truth, as I have done in this letter, w^e at once disarm that political opposition at Ottawa; we do so by showing the real foundation for that Canadian success before the tribunal at Paris, August 16, 1893. Henry W. Elliott. April 15, 1907. [From the Toronto Globe, Apr. 13, 1907.] HOW TO SAVE THE FUR SEAL. Henry W. Elliott: Would it not be wise, humane, and merciful for the British and American Governments to unite at once in a plan of mutual concession in and joint control of this business of killin, MI 252 m M58y 400 M75 46 16 1.3 22Cc 322 321 ba 322b 290b 396ay 441 46ay 217 216c 238 396 156a 161a 395 208 196 275a 253 258ay 258 379b 393 398 397a 32Sc 325y 2 1 1 2 4 2 24 sheets 1 1 § doz 1 gross ....do ....do ....do 11 2 4 doz 2 ilb 2 1 2 2 2 2 1 i doz 2 doz i doz — do 2 2 4 2 i doz pieces Steel erasers. Desk brush (counter brush). Whisk broom. Waste baskets, wire. Desk bookracks. Cuspidors, iron. Blotters, large sheets, granite. Ream, typewriter, second sheets, 8 x lOJ. Ream, typewriter, continuation sheets, 8 x 10* Boxes, Gem clips. Rubber bands, No. 30. Rubber bands, No. 19. Rubber bands. No. 32. Steel pens, Miller Bros., carbon stub, 4, Paper weights, No. 60. Blotter holders. Blotters for blotter holders. Pincushions. Pins, medium, No. 4. Library paste, 4-ounce. Paper weight, No. 200 W. Inkstands, 2|" square. Sponge cups, reservoir. Shears, 8". Bottles, red ink, 4-ounee. Quart writing fluid. Carter's. Penholders, cork tips. Pencils, black— Mongol, No. 2; Sequoia, medium Pencils, red, Faber's. Pencils, blue. Rulers, boxwood, 18-inch. Letter openers, steel. Bill files. Pin racks, glass base. Ink erasers, rubber, Comet. PencU erasers, rubber. Premier, No. 20. Received the above September 18, 1907. W. I. Lembkey, Per F. C. Hall. MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT*. THE FACTS IN THIS MATTER OP THAT COLLAPSE OF THE LAND KILLING ON THE PRIBYLOV ISLANDS, SEASON OF 1907. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor says on page 53 of his last annual report to the President dated December 1, 1907: During the period from May 12 to June 29, 1907, there were driven on St. Paul Island 16,089 individual seals, of which 10,966, or 68 per cent, were killed. On St. George, from June 7 to July 29, 4,636 animals were driven, and 2,072, or 44 per cent, were killed. When the Secretary says that "16,089 individual seals" were driven on the St. Paul Island last summer, out of which only " 10,966 were killed," thus leaving 5,123 as spared, he makes an utterly un- founded assertion, and for which he has no valid warrant. It seems fairly incredible that his agents on the islands are ignorant of the fol- lowing points, which deny in toto this official statement of the Sec- retary, as above quoted : SEAT. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 573 When the killable seals on the islands are driven up from the several hauUng grounds, say, from Tolstoi, for instance, to the killing grounds, they are looked over before they are clubbed by the natives; if a seal is not large enough, or has a torn skin, etc., that seal is not killed; it is turned away; it goes back soon thereafter to the water; it returns speedily to that place from whence it was driven (Tolstoi), and hauls out there again, along with the others like itself and new arrivals, which have been hauling there ever since this drive was made early in the morning or during the day before; but when that seal was spared, as above described, it was turned off from tlie killing grounds with no mark of any sort placed upon it for identification by the natives. It was, however, counted at the time as one of those "individual seals" thus released and spared during that day's work. There may have been 100, or 200, or 300 such seals thus released on this day, and so recorded as being below or above the standard size ordered taken. After the lapse of three or four days, another, or the second drive of tills season, is made from Tolstoi; in its progress this rejected seal above described, and all the others hke it, are hustled up with the new arrivals, and it is again driven over to the killing grounds; again it is turned away for tlie second time; again it returns to Tolstoi; but it has been counted again as another "individual seal," when it is not so, and it will be recounted again and again in this manner just as often as it shall be redriven from Tolstoi during the entire season. Thus, a single released or spared seal during the season is actually counted into this sum total of spared seals, which the Secretary says were spared, anywhere from at least two, and at the most, 10 or 12 times! In tliis improper citation of 5,123 seals as driven and then spared during the season of 1907 on tlie Pribylov Islands, it is proper to say that not to exceed 1,500 small, "runty" seals were actually saved from the club on St. Paul, and some 200 to 300 such seals left alive on St. George! Of necessity, in the light [of conditions] as above shed, it is impos- sible for anyone to give an accurate sum total of the "individual seals" thus driven and then spared; but, nevertheless, a competent investigator, in reading the lines of this report of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, will quickly read between them correctly. By so doing, he understands at once that really desperate status of our fur-seal herd to-day, and of wliich tins high official report does not even hint. Henry W. Elliott. 17 Grace Avenue, Lakewood, Ohio, January 17, 1907. vSecretary's report contains no statement such as EUiott imputes^ Lembkey. 1908. Part I. Instructions to Agents and Agents' Reports. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Washington, March 4, 1908, The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith the original of a letter from the North American Commercial Co., the lessee of the sealing right on the Pribilof Islands, stating that by reason of their failure to renew the charter of the vessel they have been sending to the islands for some years past, they will have no passenger accommodations for the Government agents on the vessel which they will charter for the coming season of 1908. In view of the probability that Assistant Agent E. W. Clark, who is there already, will not be well enough to stay on the islands during two successive winters, it will be necessary for me to go to the islands this spring prepared to stay for a year, in which case it will be necessary also to take my wife with me. Agent Chichester also will go to the islands to remain a year. Because of the inability of the lessee to take passengers on its vessel, there is no other method for the agents to reach the islands than on one of the Government vessels engaging in the annual patrol about the islands. I have therefore the honor to request that per- mission be requested of the Secretary of the Treasury for accommo- dations from Seattle or San Francisco to the islands on a revenue cutter for myself and wife and Agent Chichester. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheiies. April 1, 1908. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Lahor. Sir: Section 1. Order to Proceed to Islands. — You are directed to proceed to the seal islands in time to arrive there before the beginning of the sealing season of 1908, there to assume charge of the Government's interests on the islands. Assistant Agent H. D. Chichester will be instructed to accompany you to the islands and will report to you for instructions. Sec. 2. "Assignment of Assistants. — You will make such assign- ment of the assistant agents for the season's work as in your judgment will best subserve the interests of the service and the welfare of the native inhabitants, and will notifv the department of your action in this regard. 574 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 575 Sec. 3. Agents to Report to Washington. — At the close of the sealing season, or as soon thereafter as feasible, Assistant Agents James Judge and E. W. Clark will return to Washington and report for duty at the department. Assistant Agent Chichester, as well as yourself, will remam on the islands during the coming winter. Sec. 4. Copies of Contract Inclosed. — Inclosed herewith are copies of the contract between the United States and the North American Commercial Co., and it will be your duty and that of your assistants to see that its provisions are enforced and the rights of the Government and those of the lessee duly protected. Sec. 5. Decision in Event of Difference. — Should a difference of opinion arise at any time between yoiu'self and the representatives of the company in respect to a matter of administration on the islands, your decision must govern, but in all cases you should request the superintendent of the company to furnish a written statement of his views on the question involved. This statement should be trans- mitted to the dei^artment with an ex])ression of your own views at the earliest practicable moment. Sec. 6. Quota. — If the condition of the herd will ])ermit, the lessee may be allowed to take during the season of 1908 as many as 13,000 male seals of the proper age on the island of St. Paul, and as many as 2,000 on the island of St. George, but not more than the number spec- ified in either case: Provided, however, That in case the number of male seals hauling on St. George Island is so greatly in excess of the number usually hauling there as to convince the Government agent in charge on St. George that there has been a material contemporaneous diminution in the number of male seals hauling on St. Paul Island, said agent in charge may, in his discretion, authorize the taking of a total of not to exceed 3,000 seals on St. George Island. This taking is, of course, to be subject to all the other requirements and limita- tions of these regulations. The numbers to which the quotas of the two islands are thus limited shall be inclusive of any skins accepted by the company from food drives made ])rior to the present sealing season. No seals shall be taken this season that have reached the age of 4 years (i. e., seals that have attained their fifth summer), nor shall any seals be taken that are under 2 years of age. Sec. 7. Reservation of Young Males. — In order to remove all doubt as to the reservation of a sufficient number of male seals for the perpetuation of the herd, you are instructed to- release from among the best seals a])pearing in the first drives of the season not less than 1,000 3-year-old males and not less than 1,000 2- year-old males. Of the 3-year-olds and 2-year-olds to be reserved, 800 of each shall be released on the island of St. Paul and 200 of each on the island of St. George. Ihe seals thus released are to be marked in such a manner as will make them readily recognizable throughout the sea- son, and under no circumstances are they to be taken by the lessee. Sec. 8. Sizes of Killable Seals. — No seals shall be killed having skins weighing less than 5 ])ounds nor more than 8| pounds. Skins weighing less than 5 pounas or more than 8J pounds shall not be shipped from the islands, but shall be held there subject to such instructions as may be furnished 3^ou hereafter by the department. wSec. 9. Killing Season. — The killing season should begin as soon after the 1st of June as the rookeries are in condition for driving. 576 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Seals shall not be killed by the lessee later tlian July 31 . The killing of pups for food for tlie natives or for any other purpose is not to be permitted. Sec. 10. Seals for Food. — The number of seals to be killed by the natives for food for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1908, shall not exceed 1,700 on the island of St. Paul and 500 on the island of St. George, subject to the same limitations and restrictions as apply to the killing of seals by the compan}^ for its quota. Care should be taken that no branded seals be killed in tlie drives for food. Sec. 11. Driving. — The representatives of the company on the islands should be required to give notice on the day preceding that on wliicli they desire to make a drive of seals, stating the name of the rookery selected. The time, place, tod manner of conducting all drives shall be subject to your approval. A representative of the Government should be present on the killing ground in each instance to superintend the kilHng. If at any time the methods employed in driving or killing appear in your judgment to be faulty or detrimental to the seal herd you should see that such methods are immediately corrected, indicating to the representative of the company what changes are to be made. Sec. 12. Killing Grounds. — As heretofore, you should establish on each of the islands killing grounds that can be reached by the shortest possible drive: Provided, however, That such killing grounds must be at places sufficiently distant from the rookeries to prevent annoyance from the deca3dng carcasses. Sec. 13. Acceptance of Skins. — In an opinion dated March 8, 1902, it was held by the Solicitor of the Treasury that the lessee has no right to reject any of the skins taken from the seals which it has selected for killing. You will therefore see that all such skins, regardless of condition, are accepted. Sec. 14. Counting Skins. — All the sealskins should be carefully counted into the salt houses in the presence of the department agent and of the representative of the company, and a receipt, in dupli- cate, in the following form should be prepared and signed by said agent and by the representative of the company: St. Island, , 190—. We certify that there have been placed in salt in the salt house in our presence sealskins. Agent, United States Department of Commerce and Labor. Agent, North American Commercial Co. Sec. 15. Receipts for Sealskins Salted. — The original of the above receipt should be retained by the department agent and the duplicate be given to the representative of the North American Com- mercial Co. At the close of the season, when the sealsldns are again counted and sliipped on board the company's steamer, the usual ai^nual receipts should be signed by the captain of the steamer and the representative of the department. Sec. 16. Trading in Skins. — The North American Commercial Co. has tlie exclusive privilege under its contract of taking sealskins on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, and you should see that SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 577 the Company is protected in this right. Care should be taken to prevent the disposal of skins by the natives to any other company or to any person. All trading in sealskins by the natives is stiictly proliibited, nor shall the natives be permitted to do any trading in rox skins. Sec. 17. Measures to Prevent Shipment of Skins by Natives. — To avoid the possibility of sealskins or fox sldns being surreptitiously sliipped from the islands, you are directed to continue the practice of examining all goods to be shipped by the natives, including baggage and personal eli'ects, and wliere barrels, casks, boxes, or other recep- tacles are used, they should be closed under your supervision, after an examination of their contents, before being placed in the warehouse. Any skins found concealed in packages to be sliipped by the natives should be seized and held, subject to instructions from the department. Sec. 18. Census of Seal Herd. — You are expected to make a. thorough examination into the condition of the seal herd during the coming season, and to make a careful count of the number of breeding seals, male and female, on the islands, and also a computation as accurate as possible, of the number of seals not breeding, including idle bulls, half bulls, bachelors, and virgin females. A careful enu- meration should also be made of the pups found dead at the close of the season, and such information as can be had regarding the cause of death reported; provided, however, that in case the presence of pelagic schooners near the islands at any time during the summer should make it unwise to so disturb the rookeries by counting as to drive off the breeding seals into the water, yourself, and the assistant agent in charge on St. George should use j^our discretion as to what further counts should be made, or wliether coiinting shoukl be dis- continued altogether for the remainder of the season. Sec. 19. vSealskins to be Weighed. — You are instructed to have the skins of the seals taken b)^ the lessee during the coming sea- son carefully weighed, and to keep a record of tlie weights for the information of the department. You should also weigh the skins of seals that are killed to supply food for the natives, and record the weights. The natives may be required to assist as far as practicable in the work of weighing. Sec. 20. Care of the Natives. — The care and welfare of the na- tives should receive your close attention, and you are directed to see that the lessee performs all of the obligations of its contract toward such natives. You should ascertain the prices charged at the com- pany's stores, compare them with the prices at San Francisco, and report any instances where the natiA^es are compelled to pay unfair prices. You should also inspect the articles supplied as to quality and c[uantity, and if they are in any manner deficient you should re])ort the fact to the department. Sec. 21. Compensation to Natives for Taking Skins. — In view of the increase of the prices charged the natives on the seal islands for necessaries of life by the lessee, the latter has been informed that the compensation to be paid by the company for killing, salting, curing, bundling, and loading the sealskins on the company's steamers will be 75 cents for each skin, instead of 50 cents a skin as heretofore. The increase of 25 cents per skin is designed to meet the increased cost of necessaries of life on the islands. It is the purpose of the 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 ^87 578 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. department to require that the prices of labor in the work of seahng by the natives shall be adjusted to meet as far as may be the increased cost of articles required for their subsistence. You are therefore directed to notify the department of any further increase in the prices of goods sold by the company to the natives. 'The money thus earned is to constitute a community fund for distribution among the natives according to their respective classes. At the close of the sealing season, after a conference with the native chiefs, yo\i will make such division of the fund among the natives according to their classification as is deemed fair and just and submit a report of such division, showing the amoimt apportioned to each native partici])at- ing in the fund. This report should be accompanied with an indorse- ment of approval from the native chiefs and a certificate from the company's agent that such funds have been credited to such natives on the books of the company. Sec. 22. Returns to Natives Under Fox Contract. — The con- tract granting the North American Commercial Co. the right to prop- agate on the islands of wSt. Paul and St. George the fur-bearing animal known as the blue fox will expire on April 1 instant. The ques- tion of renewing said contract for the ensuing fiscal year is now under consideration by the department. If a new contract is concluded, you will be advised in a later communication regarding its terms. Should you fail to receiA''e notice of the execution of such a contract, you are directed to see that no fox skins are taken by the company. In the absence of a contract with the company you will exercise your judgment as regards permitting any fox skins to be taken by the natives. If you are convinced that it will be advisable to allow the lolling of a certain quota of foxes, you may permit a reasonable quota to be taken under the direction of the Government agents, the skins to be delivered into your custody and to be retained by you awaiting instructions from the department as to the manner of their disposal. ■ If skins are thus taken, the question of applying the proceeds in whole or in part to the support of the natives will be given careful consideration. Sec. 23. Payment of Natives' Earnings. — The amounts that are earned from the compan}^ by the natives for labor other than sealing and foxing are to be paid to them in cash, and you will instruct the company's representatives accordingly. The funds earned from sealing and foxing, however, are to be disbursed on orders as heretofore. The payment to the natives of money from the appropriation for their maintenance, upon the orders of the Government agent, is strictly prohibited. Articles that do not properly come within the term "necessaries" should not be exposed for sale in the company's stores nor sold to the natives for the money they earn by labor. Sec. 24. Support of Natives. — Congress has been requested to appropriate the sum of $19,500 "to enable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to furnish food, fuel, and clothing, and other necessaries of life to the native inhabitants on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska," during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1909. Should . this appropriation be made the greatest care and economy should be exercised in its expenditure. Articles of strict necessity only should be issued. No expensive dress goods, boots, or other articles are to be provided. Each of the natives should be restricted to one pair of SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 579 dress shoes per year, and each of the women to one good dress. Ginghams, cahcoes, mushns, and similar inexpensive dress goods may be issued in reasonable quantities. The supply of fuel for the use of the natives is paid for from this appropriation, and the cost of such fuel should not be overlooked in determining how much of the appropriation is available for other pur- Eoses. In the distribution of supplies, no distinction is to be made etween persons without means and those having small savings from previous years. You will continue the plan adopted under previous instructions of issuing orders upon the company for such supplies as are required by the native inhabitants. At the end of the season, as heretofore, you will submit to the department the stubs of the orders given, payable from the appropriation, for use in verifying the accounts of the company. Sec. 25. Coal Supply. — The North American Commercial Co. has agreed to furnish during the coming season for use on the islands 285 long tons of coal at $20 per ton, including delivery on the beach, 185 tons to be delivered on St. Paul Island and 100 tons on St. George Island. This coal, with the 80 tons additional that the company is required to furnish under the terms of its contract, will make available for all purposes a supply of 365 tons, and in its distribution the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands of St. Paul and St. George are to be included. Of the 285 tons purchased from the company you may make the following distribution: St Paul Island: Tons. For the Government house 15 For use of the natives 170 St. George Island: For the Government house 15 For use of the natives 85 Total 285 Of the 80 tons furnished by the company without charge under its contract, 50 tons may be distributed to the natives of St. Paul and 30 tons to the natives of St. George. Sec. 26. Dw^ellings for Natives. — The agreement of the com- pany in its contract to furnish the native inhabitants of the islands a sufficient number of comfortable dwellings and to keep such dwell- ings in proper repair should be strictly enforced. Sec. 27. Schools for the Natives. — You will require the schools for the native children to be maintained from September 1 to May 1, and to be open five days in each week, the school hours to be from 9 o'clock a. m. to 3 o'clock p. m., with an hour recess at noon, and 15 minutes recess in the forenoon. It will be your duty to see that the teachers appointed by the com- pany are competent to teach the English language, and that they faithfully perform this duty. None but the English language shall be taught in the schools. If parents of the children on the islands desire to send them to the Jessie Lee Home at Unalaska, the department has no objection, pro- vided no expenditure of public money is involved in their transpor- tation to Unalaska, or their maintenjince and schooling while there. 580 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. This course will also be permitted, under the same conditions, in the case of orphan children for whom provision is now made by the com- pany under its contract. Sec. 28. Widows, Orphans, Aged, and Infirm. — The company is required by its contract to provide the necessaries of life for the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands who are unable to provide for themselves, and you will see that this obligation is fully enforced. Widows and orphans having small sums of money to their credit should not be compelled to spend them and become wholly dependent before they are allowed to draw sup- plies under this provision in the company's contract. Such sums, as well as similar accounts held by other natives, may be drawn uj)on from time to time, ho\\ ever, with the consent and under the direction of the Government agent, for such reasonable articles as will con- tribute to the comfort of the persons possessing the funds. Sec. 29. Natives to Render Service. — In consideration of the support gratuitously afi'orded the natives by the Government, you are directed to utilize their services, when not required by the company, in repairing roads, guarding the rookeries, and performing such other duties as may seem desirable. This instruction is not to be regarded, however, as relieving the company from its obligation to employ the natives at a fair and just compensation for all such work as they are fitted to perform. Sec. 30. Election of Native Chiefs. — No interference should be permitted in the selection of their chiefs by the native inhabitants of the islands. If it should transpire, however, that persons manifestly unsuitable for the position are chosen, it will l)e your duty to interpose in the interest of good government and require the selection of proper persons, but such action should be taken only in extreme cases. Sec. 31. Sale of Intoxicants Prohibited. — The company agrees in its contract that it will not permit any of its agents to keep, sell, give, or dispose of any distilled spirits or spirituous liquors or opium on either of the islands or the waters adjacent thereto to any of the native inhabitants, such person not being a physician and furnishing the same for use as a medicine. This obligation is to be rigidly enforced. Sec. 32. Manufacture of Intoxicants Prohibited. — The brew- ing or distilling of intoxicating beverages on the islands is prohibited. In the enforcement of this provision you are authorized to discontinue the sale from the company's stores of sugar or other articles entering into the manufacture of intoxicants to any person who violates this order or who is found to be intoxicated. Should intoxication become so general among the people as to interfere with good government and jeopardize the peace, you are authorized to discontinue altogether the sale of sugar and of other articles entering into the manufacture of intoxicants for such length of time as may appear wise. Sec. 33. Removal for Cause. — Should natives or other pers^ons become so unruly or immoral in conduct as to endanger the peace and good government of the people, they should be removed from the islands, and the Revenue-Cutter Service will be instructed to render such assistance as may be necessary for that purpose. Sec. 34. Landing on the Islands Restricted. — No persons other than Government officers, representatives, and employees of the North Am?rican Commercial Co., and duly accredited representatives SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 581 of the Russian Church shall be allowed to land on the islands except by written authority from the department. The permission granted representatives of the Russian Church to visit the islands ma}^ be suspended, however, when its exercise is attempted by an improper person. Visitors to the islands should not be permitted to inspect the rookeries except under your supervision. Sec. 35. Killing of Sea Lions to be Limited. — The preservation of the sea-lion rookeries on the islands is highly important. The kill- ing of these animals should be limited to such numbers as are abso- lutely necessary in providing for the construction of bidarras or skin boats. Sea-lion pups should not be killed for any purpose. Sec. 36. Information Regarding Affairs on the Islands. — No information regarding the seals, or any other matter pertaining to the seal islands, is to be given out by you or by any of the assistant agents. All applications for such information should be referred to the department. Sec. 37. Conclusion. — The maintenance of guards on isolated rookeries, to prevent illegal landings and raids, should be continued. Should questions arise involving matters not covered by these instructions it will be your duty to report the facts to the department and to await instructions, except in cases requiring immediate deci- sion, when you will take such action as sound judgment dictates. The instructions embodied in this letter are to remain in force until thej^ are superseded by later ones, and in the event of your failure to receive revised instructions for a subsequent season, the directions herein given are to be followed for such season so far as they are applicable. Three additional copies of this letter are inclosed herewith, and you are directed to furnish one of these copies to each of the assistant agents for their information and guidance. Respectfully, Lawrence O. Murray, Assistant Secretary. April 30, 1908. Sir: Authority is hereby given for the travel of yourself and Assistant Agent H. D. Chichester from Washington, D. C, to the Pribilof Islands, in the spring of 1908, and of Assistant Agents James Judge and E. W. Clark from the Pribilof Islands to Washington, D. C., in the fall of 1908, such travel to be by the most direct and usually traveled routes. If excess baggage is necessary for the travel authorized, charges therefor may be mcluded in amounts not to exceed $30 for each agent for the trip going out. On the return trip 100 pounds of excess baggage will be allowed, if actually neces- sary, and not to exceed 250 pounds may be transported as freight direct from San Francisco, Cal., through the Quartermaster's Depart- ment via Ogden. The actual necessary expenses of yourself and the assistant agents for board and lodging at San Francisco, Cal., not to exceed $5 per diem, during such reasonable time as may be necessary for the trans- action of official business pending your departure for Alaska, wdll be allowed. Your arrival on the Pacific coast should be so timed as to relieve the department of any charges for detention there for a longer period than required for the transaction of official busmess. This 682 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. injunction applies as well to the stay on the Pacific coast of yourself and the assistant agents upon your return from Alaska en route to the department. Yours, respectfully, " Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, Department of Commerce and Lnhor. [Memorandum in re printing a new edition of the pamplilet containing the Paris award (fur-seal fisheries).] Since the transfer from the Treasury Department of the fur-seal service it is not known that an}^ applications have been made to this department for copies of the document in question. Furthermore, there is no apparent need in this department for pamphlet copies of the award. So far as I can see, the printing of the award in pam- phlet form will meet no necessity in this depa,rtment. W. I. Lembkey. May 4, 1908. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., May 20, 190S. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sailing delayed until 24th. Address Hotel Jefferson. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. May 22, 1908. Sir: I have given a letter, of which the inclosed is a copy, to Hon. Francis W. Cushman, M. C., granting permission to Capt. A. M. Baber, the concessionary of the Eskimo village at the Alaska- Yukon- Pacific Exposition, to taking moving pictures of the natives and scenery on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska. My purpose is to permit him to photograph anything he finds of interest, excepting the actual killing of the seals. The President agrees with me that to take moving pictures of the actual killing of the seals and to exhibit them promiscuously, which, of course, would be done, would have a brutalizing effect, and it is not in the interest of public morals that such should be done. Therefore, I have care- fully eliminated any permission to photograph the process of killing. I have also reserved in you the right to supervise the permission, knowing that you will use your good judgment in the matter, as I see no objection whatever to taking pictures which will illustrate the scenery and the life, customs, habits, and dwelling places of the natives. Views of this kind are not only interesting, but instructive from an anthropological point of view. In this connection I also beg to advise you that I brought the subject of your letter, recommending the sending of a gunboat, to the attention of the President, and he directed the Secretary of the Navy to send the same. It is very important that you use good and calm judgment, and I also desire to warn you against any mis- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 583 understandings or conflict of authority. All of this kind of disa- ojreenients can be easily avoided, and I am sure you will avoid them by the use of tact and good judgment. Such conflicts always dis- credit the service, are harmful to the best interests of the Govern- ment, and defeat the very purposes intended to be served. I tnist nothing untoward will happen this season, and that the gunboat will prove to be the ounce of prevention. Respectfully, Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. Mr. Walter. I. Lemkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries of Alasl'a, Prihilof Islands, Alaslca, Care North American Coramercial Co., San Francisco, Col. [Copy.] May 22, 1908. Sir: I be^ to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, advising me that between June and October, 1909, there Avill be held at Seattle, Wash., the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposi- tion, and that one of the great features of this exposition is designed to be not only an exhibit of the resources of Alaska, but also numerous exhibits showing the life and customs of the natives; and further, that Capt. A. W. Lewis, director of the division of conces- sions of said fair, has written you that one Capt. A. W. Baber, a resident of vSeattle, has been granted a concession by the fair to place therein an exhibit showing the ''Eskimo village;" that a part of this exhibit is intended to be a moving-picture theater, and that Capt. Baber expects to secure the pictures for this exhibit, or a part of them, on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, comprising the group known as the Pribilof Islands, located in Bering Sea; and that Capt. Baber owns the schooner Sophia Johnson, and intends to leave Seattle for the islands on May 25. You ask that Capt. Baber be given a permit to land upon these islands, and that written authority be sent you which will enable him to do so, and that it will be perfectly sat- isfactory if such documents contain any and all restrictions which I may wish to incorporate therein. Authority is hereby given to Capt. Baber to land on the Pribilof Islands, namely, St. Paul and St. George, and to take pictures of the natives and of the scenery, under such restrictions and conditions as may be imposed by the department's agent in charge of said islands.- It is. expressly understood, however, that Capt. Baber shall not take pictures of the killing of the seals, for the reason that I deem it contrary to the public interest to exhibit the slaughtering of these animals before promiscuous audiences who can not be familiar with the cir- cumstances and conditions which permit such slaughtering to be done under carefully guarded limitations and supervision. A copy of this letter will be forwarded to Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, agent in charge of seal fisheries of Alaska, Pribilof Islands, care of North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. Respectfully, (Signed) Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. Hon. Francis W. Cushman, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. 684 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August I4, 1908. Sir : I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of yoiir letter of May 22 last, kindly inclosing for my information a copy of your letter to Hon. F. W. Cushman of even date, granting permission to Capt. A. W. Baber, of Seattle, to take photographs on the seal islands for exhibition in a moving-picture theater at the Alaska- Yukon Exposition. In this connection I have the honor to report that Capt. Baber landed on St. Paul July 1 on the gasoline schooner Sophia Johnson. While I did not have at that time the copy of the letter to which you refer, I carefully scrutinized his letter of authority furnished by you, and informed him that he was welcome to photograph anything he might see on the island except the actual killing of seals, which, how- ever, was not then in progress. Accompanied by a guide furnished by me, therefore, he visited a rookeiy and remained there for nearly two hours taking photographs of seals. He also photographed agents, natives, dwellings, boats, etc., after which he returned aboard and set out for Nome. Adverting to that portion of your letter enjoining the avoidance of misunderstanding and conflict of authority by the use of tact and good judgment, it gives me pleasure to say tliat I have endeavored sedulously during the past summer and before to establish relations of cordiality with all whose duty connects them witli this reservation, and especially with the commanders of patrolling vessels. Outside of any ethical reason, harmony is essential from a practical stand- point, as the islands are dependent upon these vessels for protection and assistance, and the best measure of each can not be obtained without good will. That I have been more or less successful in main- taining this relation is shown by the readiness with which each sug- gestion for the furtherance of the islands' interests was acted upon this summer by the Cutter Service. It is only fair to state, however, that in this endeavor I have been more than met by the revenue- cutter captains, who have overlooked no opportunity to cooperate in conserving the interests of the Government. ' I feel very grateful to them. I had no opportunit}^ of communicating with the captain of the 'Yorktown, which arrived off this island about July 7, and approached the village but twice, when she remained only a short time. On each of these occasions I was absent at Northeast Point on official business, and upon my return to the village the YorMown had steamed away. None of the officers or men from the Yorktovm came ashore. During the remainder of the season I apprehend no serious com- plication in connection with the pelagic fleet oif the island. Very respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of •Seal Fisheries. To Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Lahor. seal islands of alaska. 585 Hotel Jefferson, San Francisco. Dear Mr. Secretary: We leave to-morrow at 6.30 a. m., hoping to reach the islands before June 15. I will report my arrival there together with a brief resume of conditions as foimd upon arrival. I have your telegram announcing the detail of a gunboat. ^ Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey. Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries. June 15, 1908. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have the honor to request information as to what arrange- ments, if any, have been made to transport Agents Judge and Clark, with their A\ives, from the seal islands to the States. The agents' travel heretofore has been on the steamer of the North American Commercial Co., lea^-ing the islands near August 15 of each year. This jeav, however, the company is unable to haul any of the agents from the islands because its steamer has no passenger accommodations and space enough to carry only its own emploj^ees. It is really necessary for the agetits tliis fall to avail themselves of the means of transportation afforded by the revenue cutters now on patrol. The sealing season on the islands closes on July 31, after wdiich the agents mentioned desire to return to the States. Agent Judge and his vrdQ have spent two successive winters on the islands and Agent Clark and Ms wife one year. The cutters, under their instructions, will not leave the sea until November 1 or thereabouts. Even under this arrangement, should transportation on cutters be furnished them, it is obvious that it would be in the nature of a hardship to require Agents Judge and Clark to remain on the islands for over two months after their work has been completed solely for lack of trans- portation, especially when they have spent already two and one 3'ears, respectively, at their stations. This would result in taking that amount of time from the short period they have to remain in the States. At the time of my departure from Wasliington in May the question of the transportation of the agents from the islands this fall was being discussed between Acting Secretary Earl and Capt. Ross, of the Revenue-C/Utter Service, but no definite arrangement had been made when I left. If it is not feasible for a cutter to take the agents mentioned from the islands directly to Seattle near the 1st of August, I have the honor to suggest that arrangements be made for a cutter to call for them at the islands at that time and take them to Valdez, where they ma}' take a steamer for Seattle. Tliis latter arrangement will meet the situation and will not result in taking a cutter off the patrol for any extended period. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. 586 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor. Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 17, 1908. Sir: I have the honor to report my arrival, on the 12th instant, at this station. I left San Francisco May 24 on the McCulloch and arrived at Unalaska, via Sitka, on June 10. On the Uth instant I left Una- laska on the Rush, landing on St. Paul the following day. Agent Chichester, who came with me, was landed on St, George b}^ the Rush on June 14. I was unable to land on the latter island because of bad weather. Conditions on St. Paul were found to be good. Agent Judge is entitled to commendation for his efficient management of affairs during the winter. Reports received from St. George from Agent Clark indicate favorable conditions there. No seals have been killed this spring except a few for food. The salt house on St. Paul Island contained, on my arrival, 1,192 seal- skins. No marking of bachelors has occurred on St. Paul, because few seals of that character have hauled as yet. A critical exammation of the breeding bulls found on the rookeries of this island indicates that the number of this class will be as large as last year, and probably greater. Numbers of yoi ng bulls, sta- tioned for the first time, are noted, demonstrating the efficacy of the regulations reserving bachelors for breeding purposes. Only a few cows have arrived, and no opportunity has been afforded for judging what decrease in their numbers has occurred during past year. No sealing schooners thus far have been sighted in the sea. The cutter patrol, however, already is active. Two vessels are con- stantly about St. Paul, and a third visits St. George at intervals of about two days, spending the remaining time at St. Paul, around which the whole sealing fleet gathers. In their journey to Unalaska, all of the cutters followed the coast line of Alaska, but only two sealing schooners — both Japanese — were encountered during that cruising. A sealing schooner of the nationality mentioned is reported to have landed a portion of its crew near Sicka, in the close vicinity of the naval station at that port, who were engaged in fishing and killing game out of season until they were apprehended by a posse comitatus under the direction of the United wStates deputy marshal at Sitka. I will report conditions here during the summer at every oppor- tunity. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. seal islands of alaska. 587 Department of Coaimerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan. Fisheries. Washington. June 17, 1908. My Dear Mr. Bo wen: May I ask you to forward to me at St. Paul Island about 25 copies of my recent report on the seal fisheries? I had mailed several to the islands, but they went astray in the mails. If they were mailed soon after the receipt of tliis letter, in care of the North American Commercial Co., Mills feuilding, San Francisco, they would reach us by the vessel of that company sailing from the port named on Jul}^ 25. We had a rather rough passage to the islands, but arrived safely, and find conditions on the island everything that might be expected. We have two cutters constantly about St. Paul Island, while one devotes a portion of her time about St . George. No sealing schooners have been seen in tlie sea so far, but 38 Japanese are known to be on their way. With the efficient patrol, we do not anticipate any raids, although the artillery is planted, the small arms ready for use, and guards placed on the rookeries. Mr. Judge and Maj. Clark will be witli you during the winter, but when they will arrive I can not say, as they will have to depend upon cutters for passage down, and the cutters do not leave until November. With thanks in advance for the favor involved in the above request and with my personal regards. I am, belicA^e me. Very sincerely, yoiu's, W. I. Lembkey. Mr. F. H. Bowen, Chief Clerk. July 6, 1908. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Chief Agent, St. Paul Island, Prihilof Group, Alaska. My Dear Mr. Lembkey: I have received your letter of June 17, and in accordance with your request am sending you 50 copies of your last report on the seal fisheries. I find that we have a large number of copies of the report, so have taken the liberty of sending the addi- tional copies also. The packages containing these reports slioidd reach you on the same boat that brings tliis letter. I am very glad lo get your letter and to loiow that everything is in good shape on and around the islands so far as the protection of the seals is concerned. I trust \vith the additional cutters on patrol and with your shore armament the Japanese or other pirates will not attack the rookeries this year. I Avish you might be Avith us during the com- ing winter, but I shall do all that I can to assist Maj. Clark and Mi'. Judge wliile they are here. I suppose there is one consolation about staying on the islands, namely, that letters from friend Elliott are not as frequent as they are here in Wasliington. I think we have not heard from him since your departure from Washington. With kindest regards and very best wishes for your health and com- fort, I remain. Very truly, yours, Frank H. Bowen, Chief Clerk. 588 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., June 30, 1908. William L. Soleau, Disbursing Cleric, Dejjartment Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Vouchers for salary for fiscal year ended June 30, 1907, on way to Washington. Please prevent amount of same going back into Treas- ury under one-year rule. James Judge, Assistant Agent, Seal Islands. July 27, 1908. Sir: The department is in receipt of your letter of June 15, 1908, advising it that this year the North American Commercial Co. is unable to ' ' haul any of the agents from the islands because its steamer has no passenger accommodations and space enough to carry only its own employees," and requesting that arrangements be made for the use of a revenue cutter to transport Agents Judge and Clark from the islands at the termination of their services, about August 1, 1908. In reply thereto you are advised that orders have been issued by the Treasury Department to Capt. Munger, of the Revenue-Cutter Service, to transfer Agents Judge and Clark, with their wives, from the islands to Unalaska, thus enabling them to connect with the steamer Dora for the United States. The Treasury Department was requested to furnish a cutter to transport the agents, with then- wives, from the islands to Seattle, *but upon consideration it was determined that this request could not be granted, as no cutter was available for the trip except those now patrolling the waters in the vicinit^T- of the islands, and the vessels engaged in the patrol could not be spared for that length of time. The department trusts that the arrangement finally agreed upon, as above indicated, will prove satisfactory, as it is the best that could be done under the circumstances. Very respectfully, Wm. R. Wheeler, Assistant Secretary. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Chief Agent, St. Paul Island, Pribilof Group, Alaslca. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries. St. Paul Island, Alaska, Octobers, 1908. Sir: In view of the fact that the North American Commercial Co. now has no facilities for carrying the Government agents from the seal islands to the States, I have the honor to request that the Treas- ury Department be asked to authorize a cutter to take myself and wife to St. Michaels next summer, where I may take passage either on a river steamboat going up the Yukon to connect with the White Pass Railroad at White Horse Rapids, or on an ocean steamer going SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 589 to Seattle. As it is the practice for a revenue cutter to report at St, Michaels every two weeks during the summer to communicate by wireless with the department, such journey will entail no extra service on the cutter's part, nor will it result in taking the cutter off patrol duty. In view of the advantage which the journey on the Yukon will afford in acquainting myself with conditions in Alaska, of which, at the present time I am unfamiliar, I urgently request that I may be authorized to return to Washington next summer by way of the Yukon River. The slight extra expense involved, in my opinion, will be justified. I infer that Agent Chichester, also, will be willing to take the same journey. Very respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Lahor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 13, 1908. Sir: I have the honor to report that the lessee of the sealing con- cession on the Pribilof Islands secured, during the season ended July 31, 1908, its full designated quota of 15,000 sealskins, of which 2,500 were taken on St. George and 12,500 on St. Paul. Of the whole number taken, the company will ship to San Francisco on its steamer Grace Dollar, 14,964 skins. From its catch during the season men- tioned there were retained on the islands by the Government agents 33 small and 4 large skins taken by the company, the weights of which failed to conform to the regulation requiring that skins taken should weigh over 5 and under 8^ pounds. The count of breeding bulls stationed on the rookeries of St. Paul Island during the season of 1908 is as follows: Bulls with harems, 1,062: idle bulls, 90; young bulls, ''quitters," 45; water bulls, 68. The above figures, which represent an accurate count of all bulls on the island, show a decrease of 81 stationed bulls from the count of the preceding year, 1907. On St. George Island the count of bulls stationed in 1908 shows the following: Bulls with harems, 241; idle bulls, 34; "quitters," 27. The foregoing count for St. George indicates an increase of 54 stationed bulls over the number present in 1907. The counts for both islands show that, notwithstanding the heavy killing of seals in the water, a slight increase in the number of breeding bulls on the two islands has occurred. The fact that the number of bulls found on St. Paul indicates a decrease, while that on St. George an increase is due, in my opinion, to the presence of practically the whole pelagic fleet about St. Paul, operating so close to land that on several instances the noise of their gunfire drove oft' the young male seals from their hauling grounds. This constant disturbance in the water and on land has had the effect during this and the preceding year of forcing bachelors to St. 690 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. George, where there is Httle disturbance, and, undoubtedly, of diminishing the number of bulls that normally would have hauled on St, Paul. How many of these males perished in the waters about the islands through the agency of pelagic sealing can not be known. Because of the constant presence of pelagic schooners about the islands and the counter effort on our part to avoid all possible dis- turbance of the rookeries beyond that absolutely necessary, the counting of pups to determine the number of cows present was limited to one rookery on each island — Ketovi on St. Paul and North on St. George. These counts, while approximately accurate, are unsatisfactory in that they show the condition of these rookeries to be practically the same as last year, without indicating that any decrease has occurred as the result of the steady destruction of seals in the water. While this decrease is visually apparent on the rook- eries when taken as a whole, Ketovi and North rookeries for some reason unknown at present neither present this diminution to the eye nor disclose it when an actual count of seals present thereon is made. Under ordinaiy circumstances it would have been desirable to extend this counting to other rookeries, but to do so would have entailed the driving into the water of all breeding seals on such rookeries, a practice which would have merited the favorable indorse- ment of the whole pelagic fleet. liather than make these further counts for the purpose of determining not that a decrease had occurred but merely the rate or volume of such decrease, I deemed it to be for the best interests of the service to allow the matter to rest with the enumeration of but one rookeiy on either island. Pelagic sealing about the islands has been more active than hitherto, and, if anything, the sealers have been more aggressive than before. This summer instances have been noted repeatedly at Northeast Point on St. Paul of the boats from half a dozen schooners advancing abreast on that rookery until within a short distance of shore, when their occupants would begin a fusillade from their shotguns which would have the effect of disturbing the seals and of driving many of those ashore into the water. The boats then would withdraw to a safe distance from shore and their crews proceed to kill those seals which they had just frightened off the land. This practice has had the effect of materially decreasing the catch of sealskins from Northeast Point rookeiy, the largest on the islands, and un- doubtedly of augmenting the pelagic catch. On several occasions boats from the schooners came so close to shore shooting seals that the native guards were obliged to fire off their rifles to warn the marauders away. No landings were made on either of the two islands in the reservation, although a boat's party from the Saikai Maru was observed to land on Walrus Island, an islet unfrequented by seals in numbers and uninhabited by man. The remains of a seal carcass were found on this island after the boat's party had departed. Two Japanese schooners were seized this summer, on July 22, both by the U. S. S. Bear. On this occasion both schooners were found kdling seals inside the 3-mile limit and had not breeze enough to escape upon the approach of the cutter. They were named respec- tively the Saikai Maru and the Kinsei Maru. The schooners were towed to Unalaska by the U. S. S. Rush, whence later the crews were taken by the Bear to Unga for commitment proceedings before a United States commissioner. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 591 The patrol by vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service durmg the past summer has been the best m the history of the islands. The com- manders of these vessels have spared no effort to prevent violations of our laws and protect the rooKeries from raids. Furthermore, all the captains have not been sparing in. offers of transportation to the agents, company employees, and natives of the islands, and of assist- ance in every wa}^. I desire to express here my deep appreciation of the value of the services rendered this summer to the islands by the Revenue-Cutter Service. There were marked and released on the islands this spring the 2,000 young male seals recj[uired by the regulations to be reserved for future breeding purposes. The blue fox catch on St. George Island last winter aggregated 438 blues and 8 whites, in addition to 2 small blues taken for museum pur- poses. No foxes were taken on St. Paul because there were not enough foxes on that island to justify trapping any. A detailed report of the summer's work will be submitted to you as soon as it can be prepared. Very respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Age7it in Cliarge of Seal Fisheries. To Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. ' Seattle, Wash., August 25, 1908. The honorable the Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have respectfully to report my arrival in this city this day, via Seward and Valdez, Alaska, per mail steamers. I left the island of St. George on the 31st of July. The sealing quota of that island was completed on the 25th of July, to wit, 2,500 skins. The Japanese poachers, 58 m number, which were arrested by the cutter Bear about the middle of July, were at Unga undergomg a pre- liminary trial when I passed that place the 7tli of August on the mail steamer. I request a leave of absence for 10 days before leaving for East, if consistent with the public interest. Very respectfully, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, September 1, 1908. Ezra W. Clark, Agent Fur-Seal Fisheries, Seattle, Wash.: Leave of absence granted by Secretaiy as requested. Report here 15th instant. Frank H. Bowen, Chief Cleric. 592 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, San Francisco, 'Cal., August 26, 1908. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Report arrival with cargo of sealskins. Quota this season 14,964. Request that I be allowed until October 1 before reporting at depart- ment. Jas. Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Island. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, D. C, September 1, 1908. James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries, Care American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. Leave of absence until October 1 is granted by Secretary. (Signed) Frank H. Bowen, Chief Cleric. Official business: (Signed) Frank H. Bowen, Chief Cleric. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Seattle, Wash., September 9, 1908. F. H. Bowen, Esq., Chief Cleric, Department of Commerce and Labor. My Dear Sir: I have been detained here longer than I expected,, owing to two holidays, and I shall feel compelled, when I reach Chicago, to ask for three days' additional delay in reporting at the- department. I have a couple of sons in Chicago whom I have not seen for 16 months, and I could not go through without stopping. Besides, my wife will probably be there to join me. Kindly look out for my request for three days' delay. Yours, very truly, Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent, etc^ SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 593 [Teiegrain.J DzrARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LaBOR. 19WU UF.E. 30 Collect GR. Chicago, III., September 15, 190S. Secretary of Commerce and Labor Department, Washington, D. C: Request delay reporting at Wasliington until 19tli instant. Ezra W. Clark, Asst. Fur Seal Agent, Care American-Sistering Railway, Exchange Building, Chicago. Department of Commerce and Labor^ Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington. Request for extension of four days' leave beyond amount granted September 1. If Secretary does not need to see Clark personally, I Know of no objection. Has been on islands two winters and three summers. F. H. B. [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, September 15, 1908. Ezra W. Clark, Care American-Sistering Railway, Exchange Building, Hyde ParJc, Chicago, III. Replying your telegram to-day extension until 19th. granted. Straus, Secretary. Official business: Frank H. Bowen, Chief Cleric. Annual Report Seal Fisheries of Alaska, 1908. By Walter I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, September 15, 1908. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following annual report of the administration of affairs on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, reservation during the season of 1908: Under instructions from you I departed from Washington on May 13 for San Francisco, where, on May 23, I took passage on the U. S. S. McCulloch for Unalaska, arriving there June 9. On June 10, 1 embarked on the U. S. S. Rush for St. Paul Island, arriving there the following day, June 11. 2403— H. Doc. 9.3, 62-1 38 594 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. RESERVATION OF BACHELORS FOR BREEDING PURPOSES. Notwithstanding the fact that it is desirable to dispose as expedi- tiously as possible of the work of marking bachelors for the annual breeding reservation, this duty could not be begun on St. Paul until June 24, because seals enough were not hauled on shore. Beginning on this date, however, the marking was carried on as expeditiously as possible and was finished June 27. A list of the drives made for this purpose, and the number of seals marked from each, follows: Bachelors marked on St. Paul Island, 1908. Date. Rookery. 2 years. 3 years. June 24 Reef 572 119 109 380 25 Zapadni 163 27 Northeast Point 257 Total 800 800 The methods used in marking these bachelors so that they might be distinguished when appearing in subsequent drives, were the same as have been described m previous reports, and need not be detailed here. Sheep shears were used to cut a patch of hair off the head of each seal reserved. On St. George the marking of bachelors was begun on June 12 and was completed on the 24th of the same month. The quota for that island was 400. KILLING OF SEALS. The killing of seals by the lessee began immediately after the mark- ing of bachelors was completed, and continued until the end of the season, July 31, except on St. George, where the quota of 2,500 was obtained on July 25. Drives were made from all the hauling grounds on both islands as often as the number of seals hauled there justified. The entire quota of 15,000 seals was obtained. INCREASE OF ST. GEORGE QUOTA. It was found that, proportionately, more seals were hauling on St. George than usual, as was the case last year. The stipulated quota for that island of 2,000 was obtained by July 16. In view of this fact, and by vntue of the appropriate clause in my instructions from the department, I increased the St. George quota by a further amount of 500 skins, reducing at the same time the St. Paul quota by that num- ber. This made the St. George quota 2,500 and that of St. Paul 12,500. NUMBER KILLED ON ST. PAUL. During the season of 1908, beginning June 27, there were taken by the lessee on the island mentioned 11,308 skins. These, added to 16 skins left on hand from the preceding season and 1,176 killed for food during the previous fall and spring, made a total of 12,500, the quota assigned for that island. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 595 From tliis number there were deducted 32 skins retained by the Government agents as being either over or under the weights pre- scribed by the reguhitions. The remaining skins, 12,468, were placed on board the lessee's steamer Grace Dollar on August 14, 1908, lor shipment to San Francisco. NUMBER OF DRIVES ON ST. RAUL. During the season of 1908, on St. Paul Island, 29 drives were made by the lessee for skins, not including 1 made at Northeast Point to furnish bachelors for marking, from whicli drive the residue of seals driven, after the number to be marked had been obtained, furnished 236 skins. In this list of drives made, 2 drives were often recorded from 1 killing, as, on quite a few instances, 2 rookeries were driven on the same day and the seals therefrom properly could have been merged as 1 drive; they were kept distinct, however, for the purpose of more careful scrutin}^. For instance, a drive would be made from Tolstoi on the same day as one also from the Reef. Both these rookeries lie close to the village, and the seals from each rookery would reach the sam.e killing ground at the same time. They would not be allowed to intermingle, however, but would be kept apart for the purpose of obtaining segregated data from each rookery. By a reference to the statistics for 1907, it will be found that only 10,755 seals were actually taken during the lessee's sealing season, the remainder of the quota of 12,400 for that year being made up of 1,645 seals taken for food or left on hand from the season of 1906. As the lessee in 1908 obtained 11,308 skins, it follows that there were actually killed on St. Paul during the lessee's killing season of 1908 553 more seals than were taken during their preceding season in the same number of drives. As it was, tlie lessee made no special effort to obtain its quota in 1908, and had in reserTC a drive at Northeast Point, which it could have made on the 31st, had a scarcity of seals at the village made it necessary. This drive, however, was not made. PERCENTAGE OF SEALS KILLED ON ST. PAUL, 1908. On St. Paul the percentage of seals killed to the whole number driven averaged 65 per cent, the several killings ranging from 41 to 82 per cent. Three drives only were made in which the percentage killed exceeded 80 per cent, and two of these were small drives. Contrasting this with the preceding season, we find that the average •percentage killed in 1908 was 5 per cent lower than in 1907. KILLING ON ST. GEORGE. On St. George 13 drives— 2 drives less than the preceding year — were made, in which were taken 2,500 skins, an average of 192 skins for each drive. Of this number 2,496 were shipped on August 11 on the Grace Dollar. It is stated by Agent rhichester, on St. George, that 5 skins were retained as being outside the prescribed weights, which number added to the 2,496 shipped would make a total of 2,501 skins taken during the season. 596 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The percentage of seals killed from the whole number driven by the lessee on St. George varied from 31 to 62 per cent for the season, an average which exceeds that of the previous season 2 per cent. STATISTICS OF KILLINGS, 1908. An examination of the killing record for the year mentioned for St. Paul during the lessee's killing season shows that 17,149 male seals appeared in the drives made by it, from which 11,308, or 65 per cent, were killed. During the preceding season of 1907, in the period during which the lessee killed seals, 15,355 seals appeared, and 10,335, or 70 per cent, were killed. This shows that while 553 more seals were killed on St. Paul than in 1907 the percentage released in 1908 was greater by 5 per cent. In 1907 sealing on St. Paul was fmished practically on July 27, all but 57 of tlie legal quota having been obtained on that date. Had it been necessary, additional drives could have been made in that year from Keef, Zapadni, Tolstoi, Northeast Point, and Halfway Point, from which, in all probability, 1,000 more skins could have been secured. In 1908, while sealing was prolonged until July 31, additional drives could liave been made at Zapadni and Northeast Point hiid such action been necessary to secure tlie quota. In 1907, 29 drives, and in 1908 tlie same number, excluding one made for branding, were made, indicating that even if in the latter year sealing were carried on until the end of the season the drives numbered practicall}'' the same in both years. Attention is called here to the fact that in 1908, 3 drives were made from Reef, in each of wliich over 1,000 seals were killed. In one of the drives, on July 17, 1,458 seals were killed out of 2,081 appearing in the drive, the largest drive and the largest killing for some years. On St. George, the record shows that during the lessee's sealing sea- son (June and July, 1908) 2,000 sldns were secured, to obtain wliich 4,292 were driven. The number killed in these drives represents 46 per cent of the whole number driven. In 1908, 13 drives were made as against 17 in 1907. The seahng season of 1908 on St. George ended on July 25, with 6 lawful killing days remaining. Had sealing on St. George been continued until July 31, undoubtedly several hundred mora skins could have been taken, DISMISSALS FROM DRIVES. On vSt. Paul, during the lessee's sealing season of 1908, there were 2,091 small and 1,526 large dismissals from drives made by it. In addition, there were 2,224 dismissals of seals marked that year for breeders. The large seals dismissed were composed of 375 4-year-olds, 515 5-year-olds, 441 6-year-olds, and 233 7-year-olds and adult bulls. Concerning these latter animals (the 7-year-olds and adult bulls), it should be said that prior to July 15 those dismissed of tliis class were young bulls that had not succeeded up to this time in obtaining stations on the rookeries. Some of these bore wounds which showed that they had made the attempt to estabhsh themselves among the cows, but had been driven off by the rookery bulls already stationed, after which they liad hauled among the bai^iielors to rest before I SEAL ISLAXDS OF ALASKA. 597 Mf^ain maldng the attr^mpt to secure a liarem. After the date men- tioned, however, wliile yoiin<< bulls still apjjcared among the rejected seiils some mature bulls were noted also, which evidently had finished their period of service on the breeding rookeries and had liauled up among the bachelors to sleep and rest. These old bulls could be distinguishsd easily by their gaunt and emaciated a]:)peai-ance and their generally dejected bearing, although some of them still showed spirit and resented the lack of ceremony with which they were hustled thi'ough tlie killing drives. On St. George, during the season mentioned, there were dismissed 831 large and 089 small seals, and 788 of the young seals marked in the spring. Of tlie large turned awav from the .St. George drive,;;, 160 were 4-Year-olds, 311 5-3-ear-olds,'211 6-year-olds, and"l43 bulls eitlier young or mature. The dismissals fi'om both islands, compiled from the foregoing, are as follows: Dismissals from drives, 1908, large, 2,360; small, 3,080; branded, 3,012. The large dismissals from St. George include those ineligible seals turned away from the drives made for marldng bachelors. The statistics for St. Paul exclude those drives. Had note been taken on St. Paul of those seals dismissed from the drives made by the agents for securing the quota of reserved bachelors, a much larger record of large young seals turned away woidd have resulted. By consulting the table of dismissals for 1907 we find that 7,709 seals of all classes were turned away in that year, while 8,452 were dismissed in 1908. As fewer drives were made in 1908, it would follow that seals hauled more plentifully in that than in the preceding year. It can not be claimed that an}^ increase in the number of bachelors present has occurred. CHANGE IN HAULING HABITS OF BACHELORS. Bachelors were present on St. George the last summer in larger numbers even than in 1907, when the number hauling there was so much more than usual as to require a readjustment of the quotas for the two islands. In both years the allotted quota of 2,000 for St. George was obtained by the middle of July, with two weeks of the best part of the sealing season remaining. The increased quota of '2,500 for that island was secured in 1908 on July 25, six days before the legal end of the sealing season. Furthermore, from the very beginning of the season of 1908 bachelors hauled on St. George so plentifully as to justify the prediction that the St. George quota would be obtained early in the season. In addition to tliis, the average number of seals in each drive Idlled on St. George was increased from 138 in 1907 to 192 in 1908. From the early date on which the St. George was obtained in 1908 it was apparent that at least 500 more skins could have been secured had kilhng been con- tinued until the end of the season. In contrast to this the change in the hauling habits of bachelors on St. Paul was marked. The largest breeding rookery on that island. Northeast Point, heretofore has furnished more sldns than any other rookery. There was, in other words, a proper relation between the number of breeding seals on the rookery and the number 598 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. of bachelors frequenting its hauling grounds. The largest drives to be made were expected from Northeast Point. The annual catch of skins from tliis large rookery, however, has diminished steadily from 4,454 in 1905 to 2,768 in 1908. Zapadni, another large rookery, has also fallen off in its yield from 3,305 in 1905 to 1,699 in 1908. Polavina and Tolstoi rookeries have con- tinued practically without change to furnish only a few skins to the quota. As contrasted with tliis, Reef rookery, including Gorbatch, has increased its catch of skins from 3,744 in 1905 to 5,911 in 1908, wliile the breecUng seals thereon at the same time were steadily diminisliing in numbers as they were on all the other rookeries. It can be seen from this that the yield of skins from all of the large hauling grounds of St. Paul has been reduced materially with the sole exception of Reef, which has had its catch augmented 63 per cent. On the other hand, enough additional bachelors frequent St. George, as already shown, as to be able in an emergency to increase its conventional quota of 2,000 by 50 per cent. We have next to consider the cause of this reversal of conditions and we find that tliis change has been contemporaneous with the establishment of a cordon of Japanese schooners about St. Paul Island, operating within sight of land and using the noisy shotgun exclusively to capture seals. When we realize that tliis firing is close to land, and is practically continuous about St. Paul during the entire summer, we can easily infer that it has a direct influence upon the bachelors as they haul up from the water. "V\Qien we know also that bachelors have become more plentiful on St. George, an island that is almost free from disturbance by the seal hunters, we have an additional fact that would point to the conclusion that pelagic sealing close to St. Paul lias changed the hauling habits of tlie baclielors. These baclielors have no fixed habitat, but loiter about the rook- eries, hauling up when they desire to sleep or rest. When in the water they pass close to shore from one rookery to another. They are migratory in their habits, as bachelors found on Reef rookery to-day, for example, may be on Northeast Point to-morrow, while S"t. Paul bachelors often are found on St. George, and vice versa. This has been shown clearly by observations made of the marked bachelors. It is well laiown, also, that bachelors are the most timid and elusive members of the species. Breeding seals can not be driven away from a locality during the ruttmg season, and, at that time, display little fear of man. The bachelors, on the other hand, go hurriedly into the water upon sight of a man, and can be startled even by the scent of man coming down on the wind from quite a distance. The daily visitation by man of a hauhng ground would prevent bachelors remaining there at all. It is easily conceivable, therefore, that the constant firing of guns in the w^ater close to the rookeries and hauling grounds would tend to disturb these bachelors, and change, to a degree, their hauling habits. The same reason why bachelors should frequent St. George in greater numbers since the coming of the Japanese fleet to the islands applies in the case of their hauling in greater numbers on Reef rookery on St. Paul. The reason is that tJiey seem to seek a locality SE-4.L ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 599 wliere they may be removed from tlie rattle and bang of tlie shotgun ileet. This fleet, as will be stated later, when olT St. Paul is com- posed of two divisions. One, and by far the greater, has its rendez- vous off Northeast Point, while the other and smaller division oper- ates off West Point. The ebb and flow of the tides cause swift cur- rents about tlie reefs of St. Paul, which are strongest at Northeast Point, West Point, and Reef Point. At these places tide rips are formed, and for these rips the seals seem to have a preference, as num- bers of seals are found in tliese rips at all times. Undoubtedly they make use, either voluntarily or otherwise, of these currents in passing from one point of the island to another, and, as these currents con- verge at the places stated, tins might form a reason why tJiese rips contain a large number of seals. In or near these rips at West and Northeast Points the sealers' small boats work, daily shooting at seals found tliere and creating that noise and disturbance winch can not but have tlie effect of driving seals away from those localities, just as a constant disturbance on a hauhng ground would cause tlie seals to abandon that place. Reef Point, on the other hand, is approximately midway between these two extremes of the island. It is near the village, and there- fore free from marauders, as any attempt to approach it unlawfully would be detected easily and punished. It has large and attractive hauling grounds of its own, in addition to its being only a short dis- tance from Sea Lit)n Rock, which men seldom visit. With all its natural advantages it has the added and grateful one of being so far removed from the fleet that the noise of the shooting never penetrates its mossy shoals and seductive currents. In these the bachelors may ]>lay uiiharmed and undisturbed. It is not hard to believe that bacli- elors resort here after being constantly disturbed by the incessant sea hunting at the two extremes of the island. On this In'pothesis. also, one can readil}^ infer why bachelors fre- quent St. George in greater numbers than before the Jai)anese fleet closed in on St. Paul. Wiiile several schooners hovered about St. George during tlie summer, as before stated, their presence was not continuous, and with one or two excepted occasions their l)oats ke])t well oft' land. That condition of quiet, desired by seal life, was present about St. George, and it is not surprising that the bachelors should have congregated tliere, as they did on Reef, after having been fright- ened and harassed by the continued discharge of firearms in the areas where the fleet hunted. I beheve it safe to conclude that bachelor seals gathered in certain localities in unusual numbers within the last two j^ears to escape tlic disturbance from sea hunting to which they were subjected in other localities where, normally, the}' resort. ENUMERATION OF SEAL LIFE. Counts erf hreeding seals. — Between the dates of July 13-16 tltc breeding bulls on St. Paul were carefully counted by Agent Judge and myself. As the result of this enumeration 1,062 harems were found, together with 90 idle ]>ulls, 48 so-called ''quitters," and C^S water bulls. The young bulls on the hauling grounds, where the bachelors congregate, wjiile quite a few in number, were not counted 600 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. with the breeding seals, as they had been noted from time to time during the summer among the seals dismissed from the killing drives. The harem bulls and idle bulls are those stationed on the rookeries among tJie cows. The quitters are those young bulls which are among the cows also, but which run away at our approach. The water bulls are those found on the beach line in front of the rookery spaces. A comparison of this count with the number present in 1907 follows : Breeding bulls, St. Paul Island. Years. Bulls with harems. Idle bulls. Quitters. Water hulls. 1907 1,122 1,062 61 90 74 48 100 1908 68 Decrease 60 129 26 32 ' Increase. The foregoing comparison between the statistics of the two years shows that a decrease in every class of bulls has occurred on St. Paul except in tliat of the idle bulls, in which an increase of 29 is noted. On St, George the breeding bulls were counted ])y Assistant Agents Chichester and Clark on July 12 and 13, 1908, when they found 241 bulls with harems, 34 idle bulls, and 27 quitters. A comparison of this count with that of 1907 follows: Breeding bulls, St. George. Year. Bulls with ha- rems. Idle bulls. * Quitters. 1907.... 1908.... Increase 188 241 3.3 34 27 53 1 The quitters were not counted in 1907. We can see from the foregoing that an increase of 53 bulls having harems occurred in 1908 on St. George, wliile the idle bulls remained practically the same as in the year before. From the foregoing statistics, we may make a comj^arison of the number of stationed bulls on l^oth islands in the two years. The term ''stationed bulls" includes harem masters and idle bulls, ex- cluding quitters and water bulls: Stationed bulls— 1907, 1,404; 1908, 1,427; increase, 23. This shows that, oven with pelagic sealing more active than ever before in the history of tlie islands, the number of bulls on the rook- eries has increased slightly. Tiiis lias occurred in the face of incessant shotgun firing about one of the islands, concentrated on the rookery front of one of our largest rookeries. Tliis increas«.\ however, has occurred entirelv on St. George around which island pelagic sealing has been very slight. I have no doubt that, had St. Paul not suf- fered in tile degree that it Jias from the killing of its seals in the water, J SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 601 a siibstantiiil increase in tlie number of bulls on its rookeries Avoiild Jiave been noted. Fi)U' condition of roolcery hulls.- — The inspection of the rookeries made at tlie time the harems were counted showed strongly the fact that the stationed rookery bulls were young animals to 95 per cent of their whole number. ^lany harems were found in charge of 7- year-old bulls so apj^rehensive of approach by man that they de- serted their harems in our presence and fled into the water. Of course, these animals would return on our departure and again resume tlieir places as harem masters. This inspection, however, disclosed tlie fact that there had been a heavy decrease in bulls during the last migration period, to offset which on St. Paul the incoming of young bulls from the reservations of previous years was insufficient. It is regretted that, since the inauguration of the practice of reserving bachelors each year to mature as breeding bulls, pelagic sealing has been so active as practically to prevent that increase of male breeders wliich otherwise would occur. That salutary condi- tions have resulted from this reservation, none can deny. The checking of the stead\^ diminution of breeding bulls, the elimination of old bulls from the rookeries, and the filling of their places with young vigorous animals, the large increase in the number of half bulls found in the drives of bachelors, and, more tlian all, the actual increase of the number of breeding bulls on St. George, where the need has been greatest, are sufficient to demonstrate the efficiency and the benefit of these reservations of young males. The experience of the last two years, however, has made it apparent that the full measure of good from the reservation of young males can not be derived while pelagic sealing is as active as at present. Not only does the reservation of young males ackl to the catch of the sea hunters, but the normal hauling habits of seals have been dis- arranged. Nor in my judgment can this be remedied by the provision of a larger reservation of immune bachelors. The evidence is plain to me that sea killing destroys a large number of these young reserved males, and the increasing of the reservation would increase the pelagic catch and nothing more. But for the presence of the Japanese fleet there would have been tliis year a decided increase in bulls on St. Paul instead of the slight decrease already mentioned. As this sur- plus created by the yearly reservation of young males seems to be diverted to the fleet's catch and not to the breeding rookeries, ordi- nary prudence would dictate that the yearly reservation of bachelors should not be enlarged so long as this fleet remains in the sea. Counts of pujys. — Because of the activity in pelagic seahng already mentioned, the enumeration of black pups on the rookeries, to arrive at an idea of the number of breeding cows, was confined to one rook- ery on each island — Ketovi on St. Paul and North on St. George. Indeed, it was with hesitation that these counts were authorized, as the counting of these pups necessitates the driving oft' of all breeding seals into the water where. A^^tliin plain sight, the pelagic fleet is waiting to slaughter those that make their way through the territory covered by its boats. However, as it was desired specially to secure some basis upon which a correct idea might be formed as to the num- 602 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ber of breeding cows present, this disturbance of the rookeries men- tioned was considered justifiable. On St. Paul the count of Ketovi, including Amphitheater, was made on August 4, 1908, as follows: Rookery. Live pups. Dead pups. Ketovi . 1,628 24« 79 4 Amphitheater Total 1,877 83 On St. George the count of pups on North rookery was made on August 12, 1908, and disclosed the following: Live pups, 3,969; dead pups, 154. In both counts conditions were most favorable, as the pups had not yet taken to the water. These counts can be considered as nearly accurate as possible. Contrasting the result obtained in 1908 with that in 1907, when similar counts were made on the same rookeries, we find the following totals : Year. Ketovi. North. 1908. . . . 1907. . . . 1,920 1,95C) 4,123 4,185 ' 1 2 02 1 Increase. 2 Decrease. The difference between the counts of pups made in the two years is so slight as to indicate on their face that practically no change in the number of breeding cows has occurred. If these counts were taken as a criterion of the condition of all the rookeries on the two islands, we would have to beheve that there has been no decrease in breeding female seals during the past year. Tliis conclusion, how- ever, would be hard to accept. If the number of breeding seals has not decreased, as these figures would lead one to believe, where, then, could the catches of the pelagic fleets have been obtained? It is known that in 1907 some 17,000 sealskins were marketed by the two fleets — Canadians and Japanese — most of which were those of female seals. This, of course, is m addition to the 15,000 young male skins taken in 1907 on the islands by the lessee. A total of 32,000 skins, therefore, was taken from the herd in 1907, which, in that year, was composed approx- imately of 175,000 animal?, of which only 65,000 were adult and virgin cows. In addition to this slaughter in 1907, the catch of the pelagic fleets in 1908 has been as heavy as in the preceding year. The Canadian fleet, it is true, contains fewer vessels tliis year than ever before, 8 in all. As against tliis, however, we have an increased Japanese fleet, composed approximately of 38 vessels. Tliose pelagic schooners that have been spoken this year b}^ the })a trolling vessels were found to SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 603 have been quite successful. The 2 schooners captured last July by the U. S. S. Bear had over 700 skins between them. With all this activity, it is impossible to believe that so many seals could have been taken out of the Pribilof herd — now onl}^ a skeleton — ■ without decreasing the size of the herd. With so many agencies con- suming the life of the herd, there is only one factor to offset tliis decrease, namely, the annual increment of virgin cows. If we are to accept the conclusion that no decrease occurred between 1907 and 1908, we must believe that the increment of virgin cow^s during the period mentioned was as large as the catch of the schooners, added to the land killing, the loss from natural causes, and the waste from seals killed in the water and not recovered. Such a conclusion can not be justified by conditions. Visually the rookeries showed that a decrease among cows had occurred during the last yenj. Wliile the change was not readily apparent on the massed portions of the rookeries, the sparse ends either are tliinner than before or practically bare of seal life. Tolstoi Cliffs and Zapadni Reef, for example, are virtually eliminated, each containing only a few harems of several cows each. The north end of Lukanin and the south end of Ketovi also show more bare space than before. Lagoon contains fewer cows and fewer harems, while Polavina, from one end of its line of cliffs to tlie other, shows a de- cided tliinning out among the cows. Little East, on St. George, is almost wiped out, having less than 150 cows last year. In view of this contraction in the space occupied by the breeding cows, we must disregard the apparent showing of the tables of counts of pups on the two rookeries, and conclude instead that a decrease has occurred in the whole herd, which decrease, however, for some unexplainable reason was not apparent on the two rookeries on which pups were counted this year', but which w^ould have been shown on the other rookeries had our counting been extended to them. To have disturbed other rookeries by driving off all the breeding seals in an endeavor to find out how many seals were lacking from the count of the ]H-evious year would have been decidedly unwise, to say the least. Many of these seals, had they been driven off, would have found their way to the boats of the palegic fleet, stationed as close to the 3-mile limit as possible, and undoubtedly would have been shot. Tliis, in my judgment, would have been too great a price to pay for the mere satisfaction of determining the rate at wliich the seal herd had diminished, when we already knew that a decrease had occurred. Furthermore, the driving off of these seals would have been in direct line with the tactics of the sealing fleet, which were deliberatel}' to drive off the land as many seals as possible, so that they might be sliot in the water. For these reasons, I deemed it advisable to relin- quish the attempt to enumerate the breeding seals, and to allow the latter to rest without further disturbance. Estimate of whole herd in 1908. — In 1907, it was found tliat the breeding females on St. Paul had decreased 24 per cent and those on St. George 18 per cent, a mean of 21 per cent. This shrinkage had occurred through the combined agencies of pelagic sealing and natural mortality. In 1908 these agencies were as active as they were in 1907, and it is reasonable to believe that the same rate of diminution occurred in the latter year as in 1907. This mortahty, however, which we have mentioned, has relation only to the breeding cows 604 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. which comprise the larger part of the pelagic catch, and does not refer to the males and nonbreeding seals, which are not affected so heavily by sea killing. However, numbers of these animals are taken in the water, and allowance for the effect of sea killing on them needs to be made. An estimated decrease, therefore, of 15 per cent, which will apply to the whole herd, nonbreeding as well as breeding seals, in my opinion would be a rational estimate of the diminution occurring since 1907. In 1907 the whole herd was estimated at 172,512. A deduction of 15 per cent from this number would leave 146,636 as the estimated number of animals in the Pribilof herd at the close of the season of 1908. PELAGIC SEALING. The entire Japanese fleet of 38 schooners surrounded St. Paul Island during the months of Juh^ and August last. While an occa- sional schooner was sighted from St. George during the summer, in tlie main this latter island was practically free from the near presence of the fleet. The first pelagic schooner was sighted from St. Paul June 19, and almost daily thereafter schooners and small boats could be seen from shore until September 8, when the last vessej of the Japanese fleet is supposed to have left for home. The patrol of the islands this summer furnished by the Govern- ment consisted of the four revenue cutters McCulloch, Bear, Rush, and Perry, and the gunboat YorMown. The lu-st of the patrolling fleet to arrive was the Perry on June 7, followed by the Rush and Bear on June 11, and on June 15 by the McCulloch. The YorJctoivn was reported first about the islands on July 7, on which date she was sighted at anchor at Northeast Point. She left the islands September •4, her period of cruising being completed. The fleet of revenue cutters cruised continuously about the islands until all sealing in the sea had ceased. The first of the cutters to leave the islands was the Bear, on September 3, when she left to attend court at Valdez, and to transport thither as prisoners the crews of the two schooners captured by her at Northeast Point. The re- jnaining cutters patrolled actively until October. EFFICIENCY OF PATROL. The patrol was conducted this summer not only with energy but with the exercise of good sense and judgment. One or another of the vessels usually would be anchored at the village, where it could be communicated with hourly, if necessary. Other of the vessels made Northeast Point a base and operated from there. In addition the cutters called regularly at St. George and patrolled about that island. No portion of the area in which any violations of our laws might occur was left open by cutters, but, in fact, was constantly visited and guarded. In addition to this, the captains of the cutters were kind enough to furnish transportation to the agents, company officials, and natives to and from the islands. On their biweekly journeys to Unalaska for coal, if some of the officers did not come ashore, the cutters would invariably signal their intention to leave, and offer to take mail and, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 605 passengers either to the other island or to Unalaska. As a matter of fact, about 20 native men were taken to Unalaska from St. Paul and returned by the cutters, together with 8 men from this island who visited St. George. They brought, also, an entire family from Una- laska to St. Paul, with their household effects. This is in addition to the transportation afforded natives of St. George to Unalaska or St. Paul, and to the Unalaska natives who visited the islands. The cutters also rendered assistance to the poverty-stricken natives of Akutan, distributing clothing sent up by charitable' institutions and transporting the natives and their priest to and from Unalaska. I am indebted also to the captain and engineer officers of the Bear for the duplication of certain parts of the engine of our gasoline launch, that had been broken through use, the lack of which would have caused the launch to be useless for a year until new parts could have been received from the factory. I desire to report here my deep appreciation of the help and assistance rendered during the summer by the officers of the cutters. THE PELAGIC FLEET. The Japanese pelagic fleet in Bering Sea in 1908 consisted of 38 vessels, as already stated. Eight of these are reported to have engaged in seal hunting during the spring on the British Columbian coast, while the remaining vessels, with the exception of several that remained in the vicinity of the Aleutian chain hunting sea otter as well as seals, came directly into the sea after having followed the Commander Islands herd north along the Asiatic coast. Of these vessels, 6 are reported to have had white masters or navi- gators aboard, in addition to a number of white Canadian hunters, who formerly worked on Canadian vessels, but who shipped on Jap- anese vessels last year because the latter have privileges in taking seals which are denied the Canadians under international agreement. The following white men in the Japanese fleet this year have been reported : Kinsei Maru. Capt. Richardson, has Bill Williams aboard. Toro Maru. Capt. Hagaman, a Bonin Island sealer. Kaiwo Maru. Was seized by the Perry in 1907, but released. Aitoku Maru. Capt. Thompson; arrested by the Russians in 1905. Matsu Maru. Has Fred Cochrane aboard, a former Canadian sealer. Toyai Maru. Capt. Harry Jacobsen; from Victoria. Has tlie fol- lowing former Canadian sealers aboard: Edward McNeil, Edward Harris, Ned Burke. Because of the international restrictions running against Canadian vessels under the Paris award, there is a strong desire on the part of he Canadian sealers to operate their vessels under the flag of Japan, which country is not restricted in any way in taking seals save by the operation of our own laws applicable to our territory and the sur- rounding territorial waters, it is reported that at least one Canadian sealing schooner changed her registry to Japanese last spring, with a strong probability that othei-s will follow her example. The greatest portion of the Japanese fleet hunted seals in the imme- diate vicinity of St. Paul Island. On one occasion 29 vessels were seen in one day by a patroUing vessel within sight of St. Paul. Because 01 the comparatively small number of seals on St. George few schoon- 606 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ers worked in that locality. One or two were sighted almost daily from that island during the latter part of July and early August, but the body of the fleet, as before stated, was off St. Paul. METHODS OF OPERATION. The two localities about St. Paul where seals in the water seemed most plentiful were those off Northeast and West Points, respectively. This was due probably to the fact that the tide currents converge at these points, carrying thither the seals that are swimming about the island. The Japanese fleet therefore divided itself naturally into two divisions, one operating oft' West Point and the other and larger ren- dezvousing at Northeast Point. The fleet off West Point was constantly in sight from the village and necessarily in that of the patrolling vessel that made that station her base. Consequently, although in sight of land, these vessels kept well offshore and at no time under my observation did they come within the 3-mile limit or commit any violation of our laws. Tne Northeast Point fleet, on the other hand, was the larger and by far the more aggressive. At Northeast Point rookery a shore guard of four native men, with rifles and revolvers and a Hotchkiss cannon, was maintained constantly from the 1st of June until well into Octo- ber. This guard was changed weekly and was in communication with the village by telephone. Reports were made regularly each morning, and oftener when occasion required. This rookery is 12 miles from the village, on the extreme northeastern end of the island. In addition to being the largest rookery on the island, there is located there a salt house, containing, in the summer time, some thousands of sealskins. Within a radius of 10 or 15 miles lay the greater portion of the Japanese pelagic fleet. Here, also, during the latter part of the sum- m3r, lay one or more vessels of the patrolling fleet, and in the first part of the summer a cutter visited daily. While the cutters were at anchor there or in sight the schooners and small boats kept well offshore, but if for any reason the cutter should be absent, even for a short while, the schooners and their flotilla of small boats would move in close to shore, sometimes within range of the rifles of the shore guard, while the crews of the small boats would shoot at seals in the water. After this policy of aggression was discovered, however, a cutter was stationed constantly at the Point, the presence of which had a restraining effect upon the cupidity of the sealers, although they continued to hunt seals as close to the limit as possible. During the summer probably 25 rifle shots were fired by the native guard from shore at approaching small boats to warn them away. In addition to this, the Hotchkiss was fired twice on one occasion at a schooner that stood into shore with the presumable purpose of making a landing on the rookery. These shots had the effect of making the approaching boats turn hurriedly and stand offshore. These instances of aggression occurred while the patrolling vessels were at the village or p-t other portions of the island. The information when signaled to them had the immediate effect of causing a cutter to steam in haste to Northeast Point, but by the time she arrived there the marauders had retreated outside the 3-mile limit. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 607 EVIDENCE OF CONCERTED ACTION. The watchmen on guard at Northeast Point reported on half a dozen occasions that they had observed the small boats from the schooners to form a line a mile or so in length and, in that formation, advance abreast on the rookery. When close to shore, the occupants of the boats would begin a fusillade with their shotguns, the noise of which would drive off a number of seals from the rookeries and hauling grounds. The boats would then withdraw to a safe distance from shore and there pursue and seek to capture those seals which had just been driven off the land by them. On other occasions, when a dozen or more schooners would be near the Point, one of them, anchoring on or close to the 3-mile limit, would display a light at night and presumably act as a lightship, while the others would have their lights extinguished. This action of the schooners in combining their forces is significant. Heretofore, with the exception of the raids in 1906, the schooners and boats have operated individually, covering a wide territor}^, but with large inter- vals between the boats. Now, however, when boats from several schooners advance in line a mile or two long, sweeping the water clear of seals as they advance, the destruction caused must be greater and the chance for seals to escape correspondingly less. Clearly, the danger point, as regards raids and other infractions of our laws by deep-sea sealers, is at Northeast Point, and a revenue cutter or other patrolling vessel should be stationed there at all times during the summer. Wliile these schooners are there in force, the absence of a patrolling vessel is a signal for their entry into forbidden waters to kill seals close to shore. On the other hand, they keep well offshore when a cutter is near. CAPTURE OF TWO SCHOONERS. On July 22 the Bear made a midnight voyage to Northeast Point from the village, arriving there at 4 a. m. The morning was foggy, but rifts in the fog allowed inspection of the sea at intervals. At the time of her arrival at the Point shotgun firing from small boats was so incessant as to sound like a battle being fought just offshore. The Bear found several schooners and a number of small boats all inside the limit shooting seals. She was able to capture two of the schooners, the Saikai Maru and the Kinsei Maru, both of which were towed to the village whence, the following day, they were towed by the Rush to Unalaska. Later the Bear took the crews of both schooners to Unga for commitment proceedings before a United States commis- sioner, and on September 3 left Bering Sea to again transport these prisoners from Unga to Valdez for trial. The Saikai Maru is the schooner that is reported to have raided the Pribilofs last year, obtaining 62 skins, although nothing is known of such a raid if committed. This year several boats from this vessel were seen to land on Walrus Island, almost immediately after she had arrived -in the sea. The Kinsei Maru, Capt. Richardson, probably has been more aggressive in approaching shore this summer than any other vessel in the fleet, and her master has been known to express contempt for the shore guard as well as for the cutter patrol. It is believed that no vessels in the fleet deserved capture more than the 608 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. two taken by the Bear, and that their apprehension had a restraining effect upon the remainder of the fleet. The %£c Cnlloch, at nearly the same time, also detained a number of small boats in a dense fog off West Point. "When, however, the fog lifted, it was found that the position in which the boats were taken was just outside the 3-mile limit, and the boats, therefore, were released. THE CANADIAN FLEET. The Canadian fleet in 1908 was composed of only eight vessels. How many of these entered Bering Sea is not known. So far as my knowledge goes, none of the Canadian schooners were seen by patrol- ling vessels. It is certain that the weather in Bering Sea after August 25 was so boisterous as to prevent large catches by any pelagic schooners. As the Canadians began killing on August 1, they had only a short time in which to take seals in Bering Sea. schooners' PLAN OF OPERATION. After a careful study of the situation as regards the location, dis- tribution, and methods of operation of the pelagic fleets, I believe that it may be stated as follows : First. That the entire Japanese fleet in Bering Sea lies off St. Paul Island during the summer, without disturbing St. George Island in any appreciable degree. Second. Tliat this fleet is divided mto two divisions, one of which has its rendezvous off West Point, the other and larger off Northeast Point. Third. Any or all of these vessels have no apparent scruples about approaching shore inside the 3-mile limit, provided no patrolling vessels are present. Fourth. That on the approach of a patrolling vessel the schooners retire to a safe distance from shore, on her departure they work in agam to the land. Fifth. That the small boats from these vessels by combming and forming a line at Northeast Point approach close to shore and frighten seals off the rookeries by shotgun firing, then kill those seals which they have caused to leave the shore. Sixth. That the Canadian fleet is now so small as to be no longer a factor of importance in the killing of seals. To meet these conditions the vessels on patrol about the islands should be stationed (a) at the village, from wliich point they can oversee that division of the pelagic fleet off West Point and where they can be communicated with from shore; and (b) at Northeast Point, where the larger portion of the fleet gathers and where the presence of a patrolling vessel is necessary to curb the propensity of the sealers to close in on the shore. Such an arrangement was adopted during the latter portion of the last summer, and, in my opinion, should be adhered to next season. CONTINUOUS STEAMING UNNECESSARY. The foregoing dispositions would furnish the best protection to the Government's interests on the islands that could be secured. Con- tinuous steaming about the islands is unnecessary, and invites inva- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 609 sion of our territorial waters. Should a cutter, for instance, make a circuit of St. Paul daily, this fact would become known at once to the sea hunters, and the}" at once would arrange their plans to approach the shore closely when the cutter would be at a distant pomt and to draw out agam on her approach. This has occurred repeatedly in my observation during the last two years and is w^ell Iviiown to the native guards. Furthermore, a cutter under way steaming about the islands some miles off shore can not be communicated with by signals or otherwise for hours or even days, and it usually occurs when the cut- ters are thus cruising, that the guards begin telephoning to the village that boats or schooners are approaching. There is no remedy for this except the one already suggested, namely, of having the cutters station themselves at anchor at the points named, where their continued presence would deter boats from coming in close, or cause the capture of these boats if they would so approach. PRESENT LAW SHOLTLD BE CHANGED. I urgently recommend that if possible an act be passed by the Con- gress making it as much of a misdemeanor for sealing boats to be found inside our 3-mile limit, having aboard the paraphernalia for killing seals, as it is for their actually killing them there. As the matter now stands, small boats from sealing schooners are not liable to seizure when found inside our 3-mile limit unless they actually are detected in the act of killing seals there or have on board the carcasses or skins of seals killed. This procedure is the result of a ruling of Capt. Munger, the fleet captain, and is substantiated, I u;aderstand, by an opinion of the Attorney General, in which it was held that the waters covered by our territorial 3-mile limit are open to navigation by vessels of friendly nations, and that the mere presence therein of vessels or boats, even with all the implements for taking seals on board is not an incriminating act sufficient to convince an impartial jury that an offense has been committed or attempted. This has proved a great handicap to the officers of the patrolling fleet. If, for example, a schooner or small boat is found within the 3-mile limit about the islands, without seals or sealskins therein, it must be released on the plea of the occupants that they were unaware of their position, or were making a passage, or what not, when, as a matter of fact, these same boats had been hunting seals in prohibited waters, but, on the approach of the cutter, probably had heaved overboard what skins it had captured just before it was apprehended. This condition can be relieved by the passage of a law such as has been mentioned, which action, as well as a general readjustment of the laws relating to the protection of seals, I urgently recommend. SHORE GUARD OF MARINES UNNECESSARY. I understand that, as the result of the summer's patrolling, it will be the purpose of at least one captain to recommend the stationing on the islands of a regular marine guard during the entire season. Such action, however, would be unnecessary and useless, provided the cut- ters on patrol would station themselves at the points already men- tioned, and would anchor there. If such disposition of patrolling 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 39 610 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. vessels be made — such, in fact, as was made during the latter half of this summer — there would be no need of the presence of a marine guard on shore, or, in fact, of any guard beyond the usual watchmen required to report conditions. A guard would be unnecessary for the very obvious reason that, with a cutter or other guard vessel stationed at each of the places mentioned, in plain sight at all times of the schooners, none of the latter would send their crews inshore, or even allow them to come within 3 miles of the island. Such being the case, a shore guard would be useless. Besides being unnecessary, the question of a guard of marines or sailors on shore would present other points of difficulty. Guards of sailors have been stationed on the islands in former times. These guards were quartered in the village. The rookeries in any danger from raids are from 6 to 12 miles from the village. Because of this distance, and notwithstanding the presence of the sailors, natives had to be stationed on the rookeries just as though no guard were on the island. Should a rookery be threatened, the natives there would have to return to the village to report and the marine guard then pro- ceed to the seat of disturbance. This procedure would consume from 4 to 8 hours, according to the distances to be traversed, and, in that time, the rookery could be raided and the raiders make away with as many skins as they could carry. I can not see that this arrangement contributed in any marked degree toward additional safety of the rookeries, nor would it, in my opinion, if again adopted. If a marine guard were stationed on the islands, with headqua,rters on the rookeries and not in the village, it would result in my judg- ment in so disturbing the seals as to prevent those rookeries on which the guard is stationed from affording the usual number of bachelors from which the catch of skins is secured. As these bachelors are wary and elusive, it requires caution on the part of those perfectly familiar with seal life and the arrangement of a rookery to visit it without driving off the bachelors that may have hauled there. If the rookery were to be visited daily by strangers unacquainted with seals and their habits, and having no interest in securing the catch, it is more than probable that bachelors constantly would be driven off these hauling grounds, and the catch materially interfered with. The natives take pride in performmg watch duty during the sum- mer, and have shown that they are competent to maintain an effec- tive and dependable guard. With an active patrol by Government vessels such as was maintained in 1908, there will be no occasion for the stationing of an additional guard on the islands, and I recom- mend strongly that any proposition to this effect be not entertained. CATCH OF BLUE FOXES. During the. winter of 1907-8, the take of blue foxes on St. George Island aggregated 438 blue and 8 white fox skins, in addition to 2 small blue skins taken for museum purp)oses and shipped by the lessee to the museum of the Brooklyn Institute. On bemg delivered to the North American Commercial Co., under its contract for that privilege, the lessee paid to the natives for these skins $2,208, at the rate of $5 for each blue skin and $1 for each white skin delivered and accepted. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 611 On my visit to St. George Island, June 26 last, I was informed by Agent Clark that 1,005 blue foxes and 8 whites passed through the traps during the winter, of which 446 were killed or were found dead afterwards on the beaches. Of these, all the white skins and 438 of the blues were accepted and paid for by the lessee, as already men- tioned, while the remainder either were mangy or other\vise unfit for the market. During the winter, 267 male and 272 female blue foxes, all prime animals, were released for breeding purposes. On St. Paul foxes were not trapped or killed during the winter. It is certain, however, that the number of foxes on this island is increasing slowly, as more are seen each year than in the one before. Not enough of them are present, however, to justify trapping. CENSUS OF NATIVE INHABITANTS. St. Paul Island, on June 30, 1908, had 177 native residents, com- posed of 93 males and 84 females. During the year ended on the date mentioned, 8 births and 6 deaths occurred, \\dth a net increase in the population of 7, of which 5 were through accessions from other localities. On St. George, the census taken on June 30, 1908, showed 88 native residents — 45 female and 43 male — a decrease of 5 from the preceding annual census. During the year 2 births and 6 deaths occurred, while 1 of the St. George people removed to St. Paul. The total native population of the two islands on June 30, 1908, was 265, of which 136 were males and 129 females, a net increase of 2 over the preceding census. EARNINGS OF NATIVES. On St. Paul, during the sealing season ended June 30, 1908, $9,351 was earned from the taking of 12,468 sealskins at 75 cents each, which sum was divided among 46 native sealers. On. St George, the $2,208 earned fi'om taking foxes, already mentioned, and $1,871.25 from taking 2,495 seal skins, were divided among 25 native men, all to be disbursed for the maintenance of the native inhabitants not charges on the lessee. APPORTIONMENT OF APPROPRIATION. The appropriation by Congress of $19,500 for natives' support during the year ending tJune 30, 1909, was apportioned as follows: St. Paul $9, 460 St. George 4, 340 Coal, both islands. 5, 700 Total 19, 500 I desire to report that the lessee of the sealing concession performed faithfully all the obligations of its contract with the Government, in relation both to the interests of the Government and the native inhabitants. Very respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. To Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 612 SEAL. ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 1 <1 Total number of seals killed. ^ S2| o Mrt c 5 n — Cl i 204 253 458 108 182 1.031 1 rtCO-JS-Wt^COOC.-HOC — cscocii^oocooo'OO'Wr- ■W CO>CW 0-9"C^-«< 417 1,070 42 348 •r; aji3 03 £ lO c^ d I-H .-H »C CCiCCtC CJ rt CO CI CI CO lOCO rH rjl o toco d ■ a ft . •3 £^iS .-^ i-H M-HM -*C-\^C*<^-«^^ai-i-V CO«Ol^ Ol'0>M-«< ■«<0 CO 3 ■2 1 (>> IS 3 O 3 o lO-H U5C>5TI«(NIM-0<^rtO--l-<>1 C0>0?: ClTj.C)-<)< TCOtO i o CO rtTO w ^ ■o ■"* o — 1 CO IM ^^ CO *o w rH CI cjirjic M ' o o«>90ooiM- ;h O 3 (U O 3 ■d 3 a' ' ^ a ' ^ C-J rH -M — (-* rt S ft^S iC T-i iO Oi -^ WJ* ro T-t i-i C^ f-H CI ^ "3 o ^ rH C) — CI -^ ICr^lOO^OCJ-^ Tf, § s X c c 3 -c C i E p: c a c c c 3 t: c c 1 5 c C- %■ a c Z a. M c c pi C _c a OC o 13 c c o 1 Pi O C3 c o a. a o 12; "S Ph > c C3 § c o cs P5 o ■4J c "o Ph i o "3 Ph ts '3 Ph 1 o 2; P o Ph o C8 o O •0 c CS "c 'S Ph cr 1 C ■3 Ph "5 C3 ce s: Xi ■e 5 Pi '5 E- g ■3 Ph ;z; ii c TT C c^ > c Cl 00 2 s c CO > S 1-1 CO CO to t^ t^ 05 Ol ^ CO lt5 lO to t^ t^ S ci CI CO CI co CI g SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 613 oi c-i ^ »-i CO ec 1-H O -^ -^ CO cc OS 00 ^ ooco 1-^ •f ^ ■^ CO CO ■q O '. ', o P-O ; :^ t»T3 ■._;-o ^2. S-§ rt 3 o tzx '-N23e- o r- [^ X. -H ,— e^ ?i M N « « 614 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 2. Statistics of killings, 190S. Date. July 1908. June 27 29 30 1 3 3 6 7 7 Rookery. Northeast Point... Reef Tolstoi Zapadni Northeast Point... Halfway point Zapadni Reef and Gorbateh, Tolstoi Northeast Point... Halfway Point Zapadni Reef Northeast Point. . . Halfway Point Zapadni Reef and Gorbateh Tolstoi Northeast Point. . . Halfway Point Zapadni Reef and Gorbateh Tolstoi Northeast Point. . . Halfway Point Reef and Gorbateh Tolstoi Zapadni Reef and Gorbateh Tolstoi Total Seals killed. 236 583 204 253 458 108 182 1,031 148 491 33 326 574 787 30 280 1,458 201 448 71 417 1,070 42 348 19 562 41 241 633 33 11,; Dismissed. Branded. 2 years. 3 years, 140 29 54 86 4 10 51 5 20 1 28 95 40 3 38 153 17 55 4 47 81 2 28 1 115 9 30 91 6 1,243 138 19 38 98 11 4 64 7 12 3 8 24 19 2 12 71 12 65 12 26 161 20 19 4 61 18 16 41 6 Not branded. Small. Large, 6 32 19 23 34 11 10 113 46 152 107 2 28 328 32 29 5 77 251 67 2 144 3 63 453 23 2,091 64 213 108 67 76 81 14 104 31 40 15 10 25 21 3 15 71 27 57 19 23 100 35 20 9 99 26 36 106 11 1,526 Total driven. 306 1,106 379 435 752 215 220 1,363 198 597 52 418 870 974 40 373 2,081 289 654 111 590 1,653 99 472 35 981 97 386 1,324 79 17, 149 Per cent kiUed. 1 What remained of a drive for branding. Exhibit 3. Count of harems and bulls, St. Paul Island, 1908. Rookery. Harems. Idle. Quitters. Water bulls. 8 200 42 6 44 88 20 13 237 16 24 36 148 64 10 103 3 1 20 5 2 1 6 Reef 10 2 2 3 2 2 1 17 2 6 17 2 Tolstoi 10 Tolstoi Cliffs 1 27 2 Northeast Point 13 3 3 12 4 1 3 4 4 i 1 1 2 6 8 Total 1908 1,062 1,122 90 61 48 74 68 Total 1907 100 I 60 2 29 126 1 32 1 Decrease. ' Increase. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 4. Classification of large rejects, 190S. 615 Date. Rookery. 4 years. 5 years. 6 years. 7 years. Julv June 27 29 30 I 3 3 6 7 7 Northeast Point Reef Tolstoi Zapadni Northeast Point Halfway Point Zapadni Reef and Gorbatch. Tolstoi Northeast Point Halfway Point Zapadni Reef Northeast Point Halfway Point Zapadni Reef and Gorbatch . Tolstoi Northeast Point Halfway Point Zapadni Reef and Gorbatch . Tolstoi Northeast Point Halfway Point Tolstoi Reef and Gorbatch . Zapadni Reef and Gorbatch . Tolstoi Total. 375 372 515 502 441 430 233 224 Exhibit 5, Weights of sealskins, St. Paul Island, 1908 {Aug. 10, 1907, to July 81, 1908). Weights. Number. Weights. Number. 4 5 6| 1,079 4i 17 7 1,089 ^i^ 13 7i 801 4| 3 7J 894 5 541 ^l 489 5i 524 8 451 5i 951 8i 313 5i 1,109 8i 249 6 1,276 9f 3 6i 1,051 lOi 1 6i 1,577 11 1 Exhibit 6. Island of St. Paul, Bering Sea, Alaska, August I4, 1908. This is to certify that 12,468 fur-seal skins have tliis day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Grace Dollar, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. John S. Hagen, Master Steamer "Grace Dollar." 616 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Exhibit 7. Division of natives' earnings, St. Paul Island, Alaska, season of 1908. By 12,468 sealskins, at 75 cents |9 351 To 23 first-class shares, at $250 |5, 750 To 8 second-class shares, at $200 l' 600 To 9 third-class shares, at $150 l| 350 To 4 fourth-class shares, at $100.25 ' 401 To 8 special shares 250 ■ Total 9 351 Alex. Melovidoff. Karp Biiterin. Jacob Kochutin. Nicoli Krukoff. Simeon Melovidoff. Simeon Nozekoff. Theo. Sedick. Dorofay Stepetin. John John Stepetin. A. Bourdukofsky. N. Bogadanoff. Nicoli Gromoff. P. Bourdukofsky. Michael Kushin. Innokenty Sedick. Zahar Tetoff. Alex. Galaktioneff. Constantine Buterin. Vlass Pankoff. Paul Koshevnikoff. Stepan Rookavishnikoff. First-class shares, 23 men, at $250 each. George Kotchergin. John Kochutin. Alex. Merculieff. Parfiri Pankoff. Elary Stepetin. Noon Tetoff. J. E. Orloff. John Krukoff. George Shisenikoff. Peter Tetoff. Necon Shabolin. Second-class shares, 8 men, at $200 each. Michael Kozloff. Metrofan Krukoff. John Merculieff. Trefan Kochutin. Third-class shares, 9 men, at §150 each. Nekita Hopoff. Nicoli Kozloff. Theo. Kochutin. John Fratis. Ivanally Kozeroff. John Mazeekin. Fourth-class shares, 4 men, at $100.25 each. Condrat Krukoff. Paul Merculieff. Special class, 8 men. Alex. Merculieff, first chief, $J J. Kochutin, shopkeeper, $15. N. Tetoff, boatkeeper, |15. Peter Oustigoff, $50. John Stepetin, gunner, $10. John Stepetin, second chief, $50. G. Shisenikoff, assistant shopkeeper, S. Nozekoff, librarian, $5. Innokenty Mandregan, $50. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 8, 1908, I hereby certify that the foregoing division was made by me, in the manner detailed, after conference with the native chiefs on this island. W. I. Lembkey, • Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 617 St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 8, 1908. I hereby certify that the amounts, as before stated, representing the division of natives' earnings on St. Paul Island for the season of 1908 will be placed to the credit of the respective natives on the books of the North American Commercial Co. The North American Commercial Co., By J. C. Redpath, Superintendent. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 8, 1908. We hereby approve the foregoing division of natives' earnings for St. Paul Island for the season of 1908, for and on behalf of the natives of that island. Alex. Merculief, First GJiief. John vStepetin, Second Chief. Exhibit 8. Census of native inhabitants, St. Paul Island, Alaska, year ended June SO, 1908. Age. Bogadanoff, Nicoli, husband 36 Bogadanoff, Uleta, wife 41 Bogadanoff, Agrafina, niece 11 Bourdukofsky, Apollon, father 55 Bourdukofsky, Peter, son 29 Buterin, Karp, husband 54 Buterin, Parascovia, wife 52 Mazeekin, Wassalisia, adopted daughter 13 Buterin, ('onstantine, son 22 Buterin, Marina, wife 18 Fratis, John, husband 22 Fratis, Sandulia, wife 18 Fratis, Gavriel, son 2 Fratis, Christopher, son Infant. Galaktionefi, Alexander, husband . 36 Galaktioneff, Lukeria, wife 31 Galaktioneff, Mary, daughter 6 Galaktioneff, Matrona, daughter... 5 Galaktioneff, Aggie, son 2 Hansen, Anna, stepdaughter 8 Gromoff, Nicoli, husband 40 Gromoff, Oulianna, wife 38 Stepetin, Pavla, adopted daughter. 16 Stepetin, Elary, jr., adopted son. . 7 Volkoff, Tecan, orphan 15 Krukoff , Mary, orphan 11 Kochutin, Jacob, husband 56 Kochutin, Alexandria, wife 46 Mandregan, Innokenty, orphan. .. 17 Mandregan, Nekifer, orphan 12 Kochutin, John, husband , Kochutin, Claudia, wife Kochutin, Nikanor, son Kochutin, Erena, daughter Kochutin, Nicoli, son Vickalof, Alexander, stepson Kochutin, Theodore, husband.. Kochutin, Mary, wife Kochutin, Karp, son Kochutin, Trefan, husband Kochutin, Natalia, wife Kochutin, Larion, adopted son. Hopoff, Nekita, husband Hopoff, Parascovia, wife. Age. 20 22 3 23 28 15 20 19 Hopoff, John, son Infant. Kochergin, George, husband 30 Kochergin, Agafia, wife 28 Tetoff, Peter, adopted son 6 Koxloff , Michael, husband 22 Koxloff, Akalina, wife 18 Kozloff , Nicoli, husband 20 Kozloff, Alexandria, wife 27 Melovidov, Alexandria, niece 6 Koshevnikoff, Paul, husband 24 Koshevnikoff , Mary, wife 34 Krukoff, John, husband 28 Krukoff, Uleta, wife 24 Krukoff, Alexandra, daughter 2 Krukoff, Condrat, brother 18 Diakanoff, Andrew, stepson 14 Krukoff, Metrof an, husband 25 Krukoff, Pelagia, wife 20 Philamonoff, Feokla, sister-in-law. 13 Krukoff, Nicoli, husband 57 Krukoff, Katherine, wife 50 Krukoff, Eustinia, daughter 18 Emanof , Alexia, nephew 9 Tetoff, Agrafina, adopted daughter. 6 Kushin, Michael, husband 24 Kushin, Matrona, wife 18 Kushin, Yamali, son 1 Mazeekin, John, husband 19 Mazeekin , N atalia, wife 22 618 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Census of native inhabitants, St. Paul Island, Alaska, year ended June 30, 1908 — Con. Age. Melovidov, Alexander, husband. . 33 Melovidov, Salome, wife 32 Melovidov, An tone, son 14 Melovidov, Alf ai, son 5 Melovidov, Joseph, son 1 Melovidov, Simeon, husband 40 Melovidov, Alexandra, wife 40 Melovidov, Margaret, daughter. . . 16 MeloAddov, Christopher, son 14 Melovidov, Alexander, son 12 Melovidov, Simeon, jr., son 9 Merculief , Alexander, husband ... 33 Merculief, Agafia, wife 30 Merculief, Auxenia, daughter 12 Merculief, Terenty , son 5 Merculief, Dosofai, son 3 Merculief, Paul, brother 18 Merculief, John, husband 22 Merculief, Avdotia, wife 33 Merculief, Serefima, daughter 4 Merculief, Leonti, son 1 Nozekof, Simeon, husband 31 Nozekof , Avdotia, wife 33 Nozekof, Mary, daughter 10 Tetoff, John, adopted sou 4 Kozerof , Ivanally , half brother 20 Kozerof , Alexandria, half sister .... 15 Orlof-, J. E. (Rev.), father 50 Orlof , Olga, daughter 18 Orlof, Nadia, daughter 16 Orlof, Nicoli, son 14 Orlof, Alexandria, daughter 11 Pankof , Parfiri, husband 45 Pankof, Varvara, wife 29 Pankof, Martha, daughter 10 Pankof, Vlass, husband 20 Pankof, Agrafina, wife 20 Rookavishnikof, Stepan, husband. 27 Rookavishnikof, Elizabeth, wife.. 21 Rookavishnikof, Andrew, son 3 Rookavishnikof, Karathenia, daughter 1 Sedick, Theodore, father 60 Sedick, Innokenty, son 23 Sedick, John, son 11 Shabolin, Necon, husband 41 Shabolin, Feokla, wife 38 Shabolin, Varvara, daughter 10 Shabolin, Matrona, daughter 8 Shabolin, Daniel, son 5 Shisenikof, George, husband 26 Shisenikof, Evdotia, wife 17 Shisenikof, Sergius, son 3 Stepetin, Dorofai, husband 37 Age. Stepetin, Luboff, wife 32 Stepetin, Auxenia, daughter 9 Stepetin, Helena, daughter 3 Stepetin, Auxenty, son Infant. Stepetin, Vassili, son. Stepetin, Elary, husband Stepetin, Anna, wife Stepetin, Agnes, daughter Stepetin, Nicoli, son Stepetin, Mark, son Stepetin, John, husband Stepetin , Vera, wife Stepetin, Marina, daughter Stepetin, Vassili, son Stepetin, Larion, son Stepetin, Olga, daughter Tetof , Neon, husband Tetof , Agrafina, wife Tetof, Mary, daughter Tetof, Dimitri, son Tetof, Irena, daughter Tetof, Anna, daughter Tetof, Peter, husband Tetof, Mary, wife Tetof, Varvara, adopted daughter. Stepetin, Chionia, adopted daughter Tetof, Zahar, husband Tetof, Daria, wife Tetof, Paul, son Tetof, Benedic, son WIDOWS AND ORPHANS. Balakshin, Matrona, widow Shaposhnikof , Parascovia, spinster. Emenof , Mary, widow Emenof , Eneka, son Emenof, Peter, son Emenof, Mammoth, son Fratis, Akalina, widow Fratis, Agrafina, daughter Fratis, Simeon, son Fratis, Oulianna, daughter Fratis, Martha, daughter Kochutin, Zenobia, mother Kochutin, Innokenty, son Kozlof , Parascovia, widow Serebrinikof, Ripsimia, niece Kushin, Mary, widow Kushin, Nestor, grandson Hansen, John, grandson Peeshnikof, Wassalisa, widow Nedarazof, Catherine, widow 15 44 37 12 5 2 28 28 10 7 3 2 38 33 12 10 8 1 43 47 12 13 29 28 3 1 58 41 30 7 5 2 34 17 14 12 9 40 5 49 15 53 15 12 48 50 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 619 RECAPITULATION. Number of males 93 Number of females 84 Total of residents 177 Total native population, June 30, 1907 170 Arrivals during the year ended June 30, 1908 5 Births during year ended June 30, 1908 8 183 Deaths during year ended June 30, 1908 6 Total native population, June 30. 1908 177 Exhibit 9. Daily record of events, St. Paul Island, season of 1908. [Until otherwise Indicated, the following notes are by Walter I. Lembkoy.] June 12, 1908. — Wind northeast, thick fog. Strong breeze. At about 8 a. m. a boat from the Rush brought ashore Mr. Lemb- key's baggage. Owing to a misunderstanding as to the course to be steered from the cutter to the landing, the boat, which left the ship at 5.30, rowed all around English Bay before finally reaching the west landing at about 8 a. m. They w^ere given breakfast by Mr. Redpath, after which they returned to the cutter. All 3 cutters left the anchorage in the morning, the Perry to return to Unalaska to coal. One of the cutters began whistling in the fog at about 7 a. m., and, believing that it w^as the company's ship trying to reach the anchorage, one of our Hotchkiss was taken up to the flagstaff and fired several times as a signal, in accordance w^ith long-established custom. It was later ascertained that the Bush was whistling to guide its boat, which had gotten astray in the fog. In the afternoon Capt. Bertholf and Lieut. Hinckley of the Bear came ashore and paid a visit to the Government and company houses. On liis visit to the Government house, the captain inquired particu- larly as to the cause of the firing on the hill this morning, and stated that he was at a loss to know whether or not it was the result of a raid on the island. The matter was explained as outlined above. June 13, 1908. — Wind northeast ; moderately strong breeze. Thick fog. The Bear remained at anchor on the west side all day. In the afternoon the whistle of a vessel blowing fog signals was heard, pre- sumably to the southwest, faintly audible. In the afternoon, also, Mr. Judge and I w^ent to Gorbatch and counted the bulls there, as well as examining them for age, and as to w^hether an}^ bulls were present on stations occupied by them the year previous. We found on Gorbatch Cliffs, 1 bull stationed and 2 quitters; Gorbatch. 68 bulls and 14 quitters; and on Ardiguen, 6 bulls. The bulls w^ere all voung, magnificent animals, with the excep- tion of several on Gorbatch that were middle-aged, but the latter were fat, vigorous, and aggressive. Two bulls, branded in 1904 on the liead wdth irons, were found stationed on Gorbatch and holding their positions tenaciously. One bull w^as covered with fresh wounds, 620 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. while another to the rear of the one injured had his nose slit and his muzzle torn. One bull at the extreme west end of the cinder slope was recognized as having occupied that station last year. He was easily recognized because of his extreme viciousness and his position on the jutting end of a rock that overhung the rocky beach. His teeth are yellow and partiall}^ broken, but he is fat, active, and full of fight, driving us back up the slope, as was his custom last year. Another very troublesome middle-aged bull fronting the cinder slope last year, which persistently charged an observer, is not present this year so far. Ardiguen had 6 bulls. The greater portion of the rookery surface adjoining the water line is covered with drifts of snow that has not yet melted, and on this several of the bulls are stationed. It appar- ently interferes with the hauling back of several of the bulls that are squatting in the sea wash. On Reef there are about 400 bachelors on the hauling ground, the greater number of which being 4 and 5 year olds. It is hoped that a drive for branding can be made soon from that rookery. The number of bulls present on the several rookeries gone over this afternoon indicates that the numbers of last year will be reached if not exceeded. July 14, 1908. — Wind southeast, light breeze; weather, thick fog. Surf breaking on east side. Both cutters Rush and Bear were at anchor a part of the day on the west side, but fog prevented observing whether they remained there until evening. In the afternoon Mr. Judge and I walked to Ketovi. That rookery has 29 bulls and 13 quitters. The entire east front of the rookery is bare of seals, whereas last year there were several young bulls stationed on the point and westward toward Black Bluffs. As a contrast to this, however, I found at No. 10 a mass of 6 young bulls hauled back on the lava shelf that for years past has been bare of seal life. The presence of young bulls is marked, as evidenced by the number of quitters as well as by the number of young bulls that held stations. This is certainly encouraging, as it shows that beneficial results have been gained from the saving of bachelors in the last four years and justifies the wisdom of the regulations that require that action. The presence of several old friends among the bulls was noted. The branded bull at No. 8, Ketovi, is in the place he has occupied since 1906, when he appeared as a hesitating quitter. He is not a quitter now, however, and roars lustily when one goes near him, although he is not aggressive to the point of charging. He is now 9 years old, and there is little about his appearance that would indicate that he was passing through the period of his youth, except his teeth, which are yellow and partially broken down. His right lower canine is broken off short, while the other is not pointed as acutely as it should be. Plis whiskers, however, are short and do not indicate age. This case is interesting in that it offers means of comparison whereby the ages of other bulls might be computed. On the typical harem space there was last year a bull with one eye, or rather a, blind eye, showing a cataract or white cast. We called him for purposes of identification "One-eyed Riley." Riley is present this year in the samej space, lying about 5 yards from SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 621 the place that marked last year the center of his harem. He is pugnacious and aggressive, and evidently regrets that he can not climb the bluff to drive us away. The old yellow bull at the north end of Amphitheater is present, and roars, but is not vicious. He has been in this position with the intermission of a year or two since 1902 or thereabouts. He is toothless, and that, coupled with the high yellow cast of his hide, makes him conspicuous. His neighbor, however, the toothless bull that for several years occupied the gully on the south end of the theater, has not made an appearance thus far. • The Amphitheater has 4 bulls and 2 quitters. Lukanin has 32 bulls, 3 quitters, and 1 cow, the latter bemg the first observed this season. She has no pup, but has been out of the water at least 36 hours, as her coat is dry and turning brown. This rookery presents a very promising appearance as regards bulls, as the young 7-year-olds are hauled among the rocks at the high south end, well toward the crest of the elevation. In contrast to this, however, the rocky beach under the low bluffs along the rookery is bare of bulls with the exception of a 6-year-old that has taken a temporary station under the most northerly bluff. Tne arrival ei^ masse of a considerable number of young bulls upon a depleted rookery contains features of interest and can be observed this year. The gregarious instincts of the seal are promi- nent. Large spaces of vacant rookery present themselves to the new arrivals as apparently desirable places to occupy and form a harem. The bowlder-strewn beaches unoccupied last year are admirably fitted for rookery purposes, but these without exception are avoided, and the young bulls take stations back of or adjacent to the most thickty settled portions of the rookery, where competition necessarily must be keenest and where they can not hope to prevail over the older and stronger bulls in the struggle for females. There they will staj^ until they have been driven off in bloody encounters or finally shift their positions as the breeding season wanes. On Ketovi rookeiy the young bulls are massed in the rear of the space that contained last the fullest harems. On Lukanin the new arrivals are likewise gathered back of the space where cows were so thick that harem lines were obliterated and cows and bulls together formed one great family. What unerring instinct guides these young bulls in entering a harem for the first year of their breeding service to haul up at the very place that cows are the most plentiful at a time when there are no cows on shore and nothing to indicate that when they do arrive they will haul there in numbers ? Unlike the old bulls, they are not drawn to the place by the fact of their having occupied it the previous year, as the previous year they were not stationed, but oscillated between the hauling grounds and the rookery water fronts. It would seem that when the time arrives for them to take up stations on a rookery as breeders they turn naturally to the place where when the season opens the cows will be thickest and fiom which place the rookery expands. June 15, 1908. — Wmd northeast, fresh breeze; weather, rain in forenoon, then thick fog. Rush and Bear at anchor until 11 a. m., when Rush left. Bear steamed out in afternoon. The McCulloch anchored at west side about 2 p. m. She signaled about 3 p. m., but fog too thick to distinguish signals. I then went out in steam 622 SBAIi ISIANDS OF ALASKA. launch, trying to find her, but she could not be located in the fog. The company's steamer Grace Dollar anchored about 2 p. m., and unloading began at once, continuing until 9 p. m. Mr. Judge and I, in company with Messrs. Hinckley and Ward, and Dr. Hurley, of the Bear, went to Tolstoi tliis morning, we to count Tolstoi and they to locate surveyor's old marks with a view of running lines to be used in making soundings about Reef. The count of bulls was as follows: Lagoon has 10 bulls and 2 quitters, the same as at this date last year. Tolstoi has 78 bulls and 3 cows. Last year at this date she had 78 bulls and 1 quitter. The bulls on this rookery seem to have hauled farther back and to the eye would seem to have increased in numbers. Tolstoi Cliffs has 17 bulls and 2 quitters, a decrease of 6 from this date last year. On Tolstoi hauling ground there were about 100 bachelors, among which were 12 full-grown bulls. June 16, 1908. — Wind northeast, light breeze; weather fair. Capts. Manger, De Otte, and Daniels came ashore for a visit. The Rush and McCulloch at anchor all day. The company's vessel dis- charging cargo all day, and everyone attending to aorrespondence to go below. June 17, 1908. — Wind east, light breeze; weather clear. The Eusli left for Unalaska with Capt. Munger, fleet captain. The McCuUocli left her anchorage this a. m, steaming to the westward. The Bear at anchor all day. Capt. Bertholf came ashore and took luncheon. Mr. Hinckley established a beacon on Tolstoi. Mr. Judge made the following counts: Gorbatch Cliff had 1 bull and 2 quitters. Gorbatch, 74 bulls, 16 quitters, 1 cow. Ardiguen, 7 bulls; 200 bachelors on Reef; 2 large pods on Sea Lion Rock. At 10 p. m. the company's steamer, Grace Dollar, left St. Paul for San Francisco, carrying Dr. Williamson and Mr. Allis to St. George. June 18, 1908. — The Bear lay at anchor at the -village all day. The McCulloch anchored at the village in the evening and signalled for news, to which I replied that there was nothing of importance to report. Mr. Judge counted to-day: Ketovi, 33 bulls, 10 quitters, 1 cow and pup. Ampliitheater, 4 bulls, 2 quitters. Lukanin, 35 bulls, 4 quitters, 5 cows, and 3 pups. June 19, 1908. — Wind east, light breeze; weather fair in a. m., thick fog in p. m. Worked all day with Mr. Judge and Mr. Redpath repairing the gasoline launch. In the morning the Bear steamed toward Northeast Point on the east side. At 8 a. m. a schooner was sighted sailing between Walrus Island and Northeast Point. At about the same time the McCullocTi signaled for news, and was informed that a schooner was at Northeast Point. She steamed at once around West Point. In the evening the Bear returned to west anchorage and Mr. Hinckley came ashore with two officers, reporting that he had boarded the Saikai Maru near Northeast Point and that the Mc OullocJi was at SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 623 anchor at that place. About the same time the Northeast Point watch reported that several boats were "a little over a mile from shore. ' ' I informed Mr. Hinckley, who waited ashore for half an hour, but the men at the Point had all left the watch house for the rookery, and we could obtain no further news from that place. The officers then went aboard, taking with them a bronze fitting off the gasohne launch which they will repair on board. The captain of the Bear sent in word that that vessel would leave on the 22d for Unalaska, and that all passengers for that port or St, George should go aboard on that date. Later in the evening the chief telephoned to the Point and was told by the watchmen that four boats from the schooner had landed on Walrus Island. The McCuUoch anchored on the west side of North- east Point. June 20, 1908. — Wind north, light breeze; weather fair. At 8 a. m. the Bear signaled for news. I signaled the fact that boats from a schooner had landed on Walrus Island j^esterday. The Bear asked the whereabouts of the McCulloch, and after telephoning to Northeast Point, I replied that the McCuUoch left Northeast Point at 2 a. m. The Bear got under way immediately and went by the east side to Northeast Point. In the evening both the Bear and the McCuUoch anchored on the west side at the village and the McCuUoch signaled for news at 6 p. m, I rephed that nothing of importance had occurred. The Bear then signaled, asking the time yesterday when the watchmen had seen the boats land on Walrus Island, Before I could signal in reply, the sun got into my line of ^dsion and I was unable to distinguish the last hoist from the Bear. I then took out a boat and explained to the captain of the Bear verbally the incidents of the landing as reported to me. He doubted that the watchmen had seen the boats at the hour stated, as he was in thick fog at that time. I then called the cliief, who was on board with me, and who had first received the telephonic message from the Point, and had him repeat what the watchmen had stated. The captain, however, could not be convinced that the watch could have seen boats land at Walrus Island from the position of the watch at Northeast Point, The captain agreed to tow a natives' boat to Walrus Island in the morning for eggs, and also to turn out another piece of bronze for the launch. With the boat to-morrow I will send to Northeast Point a Hotchkiss gun and ammunition. After returning from the Bear I found that the watch from North- east Point, returning from their service, had come to the Government house and made a statement to Mr, Judge. The statement is appended: ' Statement of Alex. Galaktioneff, watchman: On June 19, as soon as the Bear had left the schooner, the schooner put six boats into the water, four of which go straight to Walrus Island, coming within 1 mile of Northeast Point, and two boats came close to the Sea Lion rookeries at Northeast Point. These two boats fired at least four shots, and before it got foggy I saw one man in each boat stand up and examine the shore with glasses. Two of the four boats had reached Walrus Island and the other two were very close to it when the fog shut in. At that time the McCulloch came around West Point, which was about 5 o'clock in the evening. When the schooner sent the boats to the eastward, the schooner followed them close. I watched all day and all night. At 2 a. m. the fog lifted a little and I saw that the McCulloch had gone awav from the Point. 624 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. June 21, 1908. — Wind west, light breeze ; weather bright and warm, occasional fog. The McCullocJi weighed anclior at 7 a. m. and stood to the south- west, after having been signaled by the Bear. The Bear signaled soon afterwards for the egg hunters to come off, and 10 natives, in two boats, went to her. The boats were hoisted aboard, and the Bear got under way. I sent to the Bear the portion of the steam launch shaft, for which Chief Wood will kindly make a fitting. Soon afterwards a schooner appeared on the east side, and as the Bear got around to her she overhauled the schooner and then pro- ceeded to Northeast Point, where she agreed to land a Hotchkiss gun sent out from the village in the natives' boats. She then went over to Walrus Island. She returned at 7 p. m., bringing a boatload of eggs, and returning the launch shaft, with the fitting made, and also a duplicate for emergencies, for all of which I desire to state here that we are under great obligations. Had this fitting not been made, and it could not be made ashore, as we had no lathe, the launch would have been out of commission for a year, until fittings could have been received from the States. The Bear on arrival signaled for news and asked if the RusJi had been reported. I replied that there was no news, and that we had not seen the Rush. The natives returning from Otter Island reported having found a seal skull there, freshly skinned, the remains of a recent fire, and seal bones, thus furnishing strong corroborative evidence of the correctness of the watchmen's report that boats from the SaiJcai Maru had landed there on the 19th. Officers from the Bear also went ashore, saw the evidence above detailed, and admitted that the watchmen were correct in their report. The SaiJcai Maru was reported to have raided the Pribilofs last year, obtaining over 60 skins. The schooner overhauled to-day by the Bear was the Toyai Maru No. 2, the one which, in 1906, raided Northeast Point. June 22, 1908. — Wind east, strong breeze; weather rain and fog. The Bear cruised to Halfway Point and returned to the west anchorage. The McCulloch is reported to be at anchor at Northeast Point. The Rush came to anchor on the west side at about 2 p. m. Messrs. Hinckley, Wood, and Dr. HurJey, from the Bear, came ashore and set up hydrographic marks on the Reef. Mr. Judge and I spent the greater part of the day repairing the launch. Two natives and the priest and his daughter went aboard the Bear this evening, expecting to sail to Unalaska in the early morning. June 23, 1908. — Wind southeast, fresh breeze; weather foggy, with occasional sunshine and light rain. The Bear left her anchorage early this morning. The Rush and McCuIlocJi were at anclior on the west side in the morning, and the latter signaled for news. I replied that there was nothing, and sig- naled the captain for permission for passage for myself to St. George. He replied that he would take me when he left. No report was received from the M^atch at Northeast Point. Messrs. Judge, Redpath, and I finished work on the launch. A drive for branding will be made to-morrow from the Reef, where a small drive is on foot. News received by the Rush shows that seals are hauling there in proportionately larger numbers than on this island, as was the case last year. SfiAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ^ 625 June 24, 1908. — Wind east, light breeze; weather fair in a. m.; thick fog in evening. A drive of seals from the Reef for branding reached the village killing ground at 4 a. m. The marking of the eligible bachelors therein began at 6 and continued until about 8.30, when 572 2-year- olds and 380 3-year-olds were marked by clipping the hair and fur from the tops of their heads with sheep shears. At least 150 large half bulls were included in the drive and turned away. During the progress of the w^ork the Rusli signaled for news and was answered with the signal, "Nothing of importance," etc. The McCuUoch signaled in the afternoon, stating that the captain would leave for St. George the folknving morning and would take me over if convenient to me. I replied that it was perfectly convenient, and asked whether I should come aboard to-night. The captain replied that I should, if convenient. I then thanked him. At 7 p. m. I took a boat out in thick fog and boarded the McCvUoch. Before leaving I arranged with Mr. Judge to brand at Zapadni in the morning, if the conditions were favorable. June 25, 1908. — Calm, thick fog. The McCuUoch, on account of the fog, did not get under weigh until after 9 a. m., then steamed slowly in the direction of St. George. After running her distance she w^as unable to make a landfall because of the unusually thick fog and stood off and on all night. The following notes for vSt. Paul Island were made by Mr. Judge: No wind, thick fog. At 5 a. m., pulled over to Zapadni with all hands and branded 119 2-year-olds and 163 3-year-olds. On our return, between 9 and 10 o'clock, the fog lifted for a while, showing the McCullocJi at her anchorage. At 11.30 she had taken her departure. Northeast Point guards report hearing shooting all day offshore, but that they could see nothing on account of the fog. June 26, 1908 (on board the McCullocli). — Made St. George about 6 a. m. after standing off and on all night. Fog prevented picking up the anchorage until 8 a. m. I went ashore in a ship 's boat about 9, landing under tlie bluff instead of the usual West Landing, because or low water. I found Major and Mi's. Clark well and with reports of having spent a pleasant winter. The whole branding quota for St. George this spring has been obtained and 132 skins in addition secured by the lessee, in addition to those seals killed in the fall for food. There were several drives of about 100 each hauled up on each of the 3 rookeries on the north side, from which drives will be made to-morrow. An inspection of North rookery only could be made, and only a portion of that, as about 150 bachelors were hauled up on the northern central portion of that rookery. A large proportion of young sta- tioned bulls was noted, and I was informed by Mr. Chichester that already there is an increase in stationed bulls over the number stationed at the height of the preceding season. Quite a few 7-year- old bulls were present on the rookery as quitters, which condition, I was informed, was apparent on other rookeries. An increase in bulls on this island over last year is an apparent certainty. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 40 626 • SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, Lack of time and the presence of bachelors prevented an inspec- tion of the other rookeries. Little East, the outlying flank of East rookery, is practically gone, only 2 or 3 bulls occupying stations there. Foxes appear plentiful on St. George this summer. The statistics of fox killing on that island last winter follow : Foxes, St. George, 1907-8. Blue, killed or found dead 446 Died, not included in above 13 Killed, mangy 7 Total 466 Skins accepted, blue 438 Skins accepted, white 8 Total 446 Released for breeders, males 267 Released for breeders, females 272 Total 539 Total trapped, killed, and released, 1,005 blues, 8 whites. The pigs, owned in community by the natives, suffered a distinct loss during the winter, between 55 and 60 dying of natural causes. From what I could gather those that died were generally young pigs littered during the winter and perishing for the most part through inability to withstand the winter's cold. There remain on the island about 22 pigs, old and young, divided among the several native families and the priest, and these will receive probably more careful attention than when they ran at large and were a charge on the entire community. The native "town hall" contains a beautiful billiard table, built by Stepan Lekanoff, the workmanship in which can hardly be excelled by an expert workman. Altogether the village is in a prosperous condition apparently. I received a request from the natives that they be allowed to receive from their earnings the sum of $10 cash at Christmas. It was rather difficult to refuse such a request, con-^'dering the fact that the natives' earnings in gross are all taken by the Government officers and expended for necessaries without the native being consulted. ^, However, as a cash contribution of this size would seriously cripple A the available resources of the island, I was forced to tell them that ™'' $10 each, in my opinion, would be more than they could afford, in my judgment, but that I would speak to Mr. Chichester and ask him to give them such amount as, in his judgment, the resources would allow. A request was also made by George Merculieff and Peter Prokopieff that their houses be enlarged. They occupy small 2-room houses, in which their families of 8 and 9 members, respectively, reside. I stated that I would bring the matter to the attention of Mr. Redpath and request that additional room be provided in the houses occupied by these families. Capt. Daniels came ashore in the afternoon, and at his request I returned aboard the McCulloch at 7.30 p. m. I SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 627 The following notes for this day are by Mr. Judge: Wind north. Issued orders for natives' supplies. Shortly after noon 1 boat loaded with provisions and coal and 3 wagons loaded with men left for Northeast Point. On arriving there at 4 p. m., 1 schooner and the Rush were visible 7 or 8 miles out and as far apart. In the evening a schooner was sighted off West Point. The Hotchkiss recently sent to Northeast Point was mounted on Hutchinson Hill, the ammunition for the same being stored in the church house at the point. June 27, 1908. — After lying at St. George all night the McCulloch left her anchorage there, steaming slowly for St. Paul about 6 a. m. Thick fog at intervals. Arrived at St. Paul anchorage at 12.30 p. m. and signaled for a boat. A shore boat came alongside soon after- wards, in which I returned to the village. I brought ashore the ship's dog, which seems unable to withstand the cruising. He is to be returned on demand. The following notes for this day are by Mr. Judge : At 4 a. m. all hands at the point turned to and marked 109 2-year- olds and 257 3-year-olds, bachelors, thereby completing the quota for breeding purposes to be reserved during the season of 1908. After breakfast the remainder of the drive was gone over and 230 skins secured. There were 6 food skins on hand, which were added to to day's catch, ma,king the entry 236. Two cut and 1 bitten were rejected. Dismissed 64 large and 6 small. The former consisted of 22 fours, 10 fives, 16 sixes, and 16 mature seals. June 28, 1908. — Wind north; strong breeze; weather clear. The McCulloch and Rush are at anchor at the village west anchor- age. Several native boats went aboard, on one of which I sent a note to Capt. Daniels of the McCulloch, stating that I found a record on the island log, made during my recent absence at St. George, to the effect that on June 2.5 the watch at Northeast Point reported that they heard firing offshore all of that day, but could see nothing because of the fog. Ca])t. Daniels replied later with a note stating that the firing mentioned was target practice on the Rush, anchored that day at the Point. Four schooners are in sight to the westward. The natives on watch at the flagstaff reported to me that eight boats could be seen in the water and that one of them approached within a mile of West Point. This latter fact was not reported to me until some time after the boat had approached shore and gone off again. The Rush left her anchorage in the afternoon to take a look about. A drive will be made to-morrow morning from Reef. June 29, 1908. — Wind northwest; weather clear and bright. McCulloch left this morning for Unalaska. Rush anchored on east side. Capt. de Otte came tishore for dinner. The Bear arrived at East Landing at 8.30 p. m. and signaled ''Have mail." A boat was taken out from the east side and the mail brought in, along with the two natives who went on her to Unalaska along witli the priest and his daughter. A drive from the Reef reached the village at 4 a. m. Kilhng began at 5. There were killed 583 seals. Of these there were 9 cut and 3 bitten rejected and 14 small skins retained as being under the 5-pound 628 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. limit prescribed by the department. A count was then made of the retained skins accumulated during last season and fall as being under and over weight, and 26 were found which were turned over to the company as a part of its quota under the instructions contained in department letter of April 27, 1908. There were dismissed from the drive 32 small and 213 large not branded and 140 twos and 138 threes branded. The large seals dis- missed consisted of 30 fours, 83 fives, 71 sixes, and 29 sevens. A drive mil be made to-morrow morning from Tolstoi. June 30, 1908.- — Wind northwest; light breeze; weather fair and warm. A beautiful day. The Bear and Rush were anchored on the east side until 11.15 a. m., when the Bear steamed to the westward and the Rush to the eastward. The Bear returned to the same anchorage in the after- noon and at 4.50 p. m. signaled for news, to which answer was made that there was nothing to report. A drive was made this morning from Tolstoi, the drive being left at the head of the Lagoon, the warm weather preventing the seals being driven farther. At that it was necessary to dip the seals in the small lake there before they could be worked over. One large 7-year-old seal died on the drive from overheating. There were killed 204 seals, the skins of all of which were accepted. There were dismissed from the drive 29 twos and 19 threes of branded seals and 19 small and 108 large not branded, the large seals consist- ing of 19 fours, 35 fives, 34 sixes, and 20 sevens. A drive will be made to-morrow from Zapadni. July 1, 1908. — Wind northeast; moderate fresh breeze; weather clear until 8 a. m., then foggy. The Rush is anchored on the west side. The Bear got under weigh at about 8 a. m. A gasoline schooner came in from the westward and anchored about 8.30 a. m. alongside the Rush. It was found to be the Sophia Johnson, from Seattle, calling at the island with permission from the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to take photographs of seals, to be used in biograph exhibitions at the Seattle-Yukon Exposition. Capt. Bieber, the charterer of the schooner, and Capt. Quirk, the master, came ashore and, under escort of a native, visited Gorbatch rookery, where they took a series of photographs. They went aboard the schooner about 5 in the afternoon with the intention of proceeding at once to Nome. A drive was made this morning from Zapadni, the gang proceeding there in boats towed by the steam launch. There were killed 253 seals, of which 252 skins were accepted and 1 large retained as being over weight. There were dismissed from the drive 54 branded twos and 38 branded threes. Of seals not branded there were turned away 23 small and 67 large, the latter being 18 fours, 18 fives, 13 sixes, and 18 sevens. A start for Northeast Point will be made to-morrow morning. July 2, 1908. — Wind northeast, fight breeze; weather, thick fog. The Bear was at anchor all night on the east side. The Rush can not be heard on the west side, and presumably has gone to Northeast Point. It is too foggy to tell whether the gasoline schooner has left. A start for Northeast Point was made with three teams at 9.30 a. m. The point was reached at 1.30. A drive will be made from that rookery early to-morrow morning. The telephone at the point was repaired, an instrument belonging to the Government being placed in I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 629 the watch house. Another instrument was taken up with the inten- tion of running the line to Hutchinson Hill, where the guard may tele- phone to tlie village without making the mile trip from the hill to the watch house. July 3, 1908. — Wind east, light breeze; weather warm, with thick fog. The drive at Northeast Point reached the killing ground at 3 a, m., and killing began at 4. From this 458 seals were killed, of which 3 were rejected— 2 cut and 1 bitten. There were dismissed from the drive, of the branded seals, 86 two-year-olds and 98 three-year-olds, of the branded seals. Of those not branded, there were turned away 34 small and 76 large, the latter consisting of 18 fours, 26 fives, 21 sixes, and 11 sevens. In returning to the village, a stop was made at Halfway Point and 108 seals killed. There were dismissed from the drive 15 branded seals — 4 twos and 1 1 threes. Of seals not branded, there were turned away 11 small and 81 large, the latter consisting of 7 fours, 41 fives, 25 sixes, and 8 sevens. No drive is contemplated for to-morrow. July 4, 1908. — Wind south, very light breeze; weather fair, occa- sional heavy fog. The Bear and Rush are anchored on the east side. The Rush sig- naled "Send your letters" in the afternoon. Before tliis signal had been received, however, I took the gasoline launch out from the west side around to the Rush with letters. Returning, the launch towed in five fishing boats. July 5, 1908. — Wind south, hght breeze; weather fair. The Bear was at anchor on the east side all day. The Rush left for Unalaska in the morning. The Perry anchored about 5 p. m., on the west side, bringing mail from vSt. George. The captain of the Bear came ashore in the afternoon. A boatload of sailors from the Perry came ashore in the evening. A drive will be made in the morning from Zapadni. July 6, 1908. — Wind east, fresh breeze; weather cloudy. The drive from Zapadni tlds morning resulted in securing 182 skins, all acceptable. Dismissed from the drive, of branded seals, 10 twos and 4 threes; of seals not branded, 10 small and 14 large, the latter being 6 fours, 5 fives, and 3 sevens. A drive will be made in the morning from Reef and Gorbatch. The Bear remained at anchor on the east side until 1 p. m., when she steamed to the east side and anchored. The Perry left her anchorage on the west side and came around to east anchorage. At 12 noon a message was received from Northeast Point that six boats were to be seen there, two of which were close to shore. A signal was hoisted at once to the Bear, "Two boats northeast close in." wShe replied that our signal was so abbreviated as to be unintelligible and asked us to repeat. We then hoisted the special signal N. E,, indicating the presence of suspicious craft at Northeast Point. The Bear then hailed the Perry, and the latter went at once to Northeast Point. Two schooners in sight on the west side. No schooner was in sight from Northeast Point, notwithstanding that six boats could be seen by the watch there. July 7, 1908. — Wind northeast, fresh breeze. Weather cloudy, with fog. Rain in a. m. 630 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Drives were made in early morning from Reef and Gorbatch, and Tolstoi. From Reef and Gorbatch there were killed 1,031 seals, of which 1,029 were accepted and 2 small retained. There were dismissed from the drive, of branded seals, 51 twos and 64 threes. Of seals not branded, there were turned away 113 small and 104 large, the latter being 59 fours, 35 fives, 7 sixes, and 3 sevens. The Tolstoi drive yielded 148 skins, all acceptable. There were dismissed from the drive, branded, 5 twos and 7 threes. Of seals not branded, there were turned away 7 small and 31 large, the latter being 6 fours, 14 fives, 8 sixes, and 3 sevens. At a signal hoisted that killing was in progress, four officers from the Bear and a number of sailors came ashore and witnessed the kilfing, which lasted from 5 to 9 a. m. The Bear then left west anchorage. The Perry anchored there sometime during the day. The YorTctown is reported at anchor at Northeast Point. Yamili, the year-old son of Michael Kushin, died this morning of spinal meningitis. July 8, 1908. — Wind northwest, fresh breeze. Weather cloudy. All hands went to Northeast Point at 9 a. m., arriving tliere after 1 p. m. The Perry left west anchorage in the morning and stood toward St. George, The Yorlctown left her anchorage at Northeast Point and steamed toward East Landing, where she was joined by the Bear. The watchmen at Northeast Point report that two days ago two boats came so close in to Hutchinson Hill shooting seals that the bachelors were frightened off the hauling grounds there. The watchmen abstained from firing on the boats. This was the occur- rence reported to tlie Bear on the 6th instant, on which occasion the Perry proceeded at once to the point. The watchmen state that when the Perry arrived here the boats made away and could not be seen by the cutter. July 9, 1908. — Light northwest breeze. Weather warm and foggy- The killing at Northeast Point resulted in 491 skins, 2 of which were not acceptable, 1 being cut and 1 (large) retained. There were dismissed, branded, 20 twos and 12 threes; not branded, 34 small and 40 large, the latter being 19 fours, 5 fives, 13 sixes, and 3 sevens. On our way, returning to the village, a small drive was secured at Halfway Point, from which 33 skins were taken. From this drive there were dismissed 1 branded two and 2 'threes. Of seals not branded there were turned away 15 large, consisting of 9 fives, 4 sixes, and 2 sevens. No small seals were dismissed, only several of them appearing in tlie drive. At Northeast Point firing offshore was heard at infrequent intervals from 4 a. m. until we left there. No schooners could be seen, but one boat was in sight, probably inside the 3-mile limit, on the north side of Hutchinson Hill. At 9 a. m. I asked Mr. Proctor by telephone to send a note to the captain of the Bear informing him of the firing and the presence of the boat. Within an hour after the receipt of this note the Bear steamed to Northeast Point, followed by the Yorlctown. In the evening the Bear anchored on the west side of the village and the Yorlctown on the east side. The SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 631 Perry is stated to have gone to the westward tliis morning and boarded several schooners. Five schooners in sight during the day on the west side. Two small boats could be seen also; all outside the limit. Julij to, 190S. — Wind west, light breeze, weather cloudy, with fog. The Yorldown left East Landing at about 9 a. m. and anchored at North Shore, near Northeast Point. The Bear signaled for news in the morning, and, after having the chief telephone to Northeast Point, I replied that there was nothing to report. The Bear after- wards changed her anchorage to the east side. A hearing was given this morning to Nestor Kushin, a 15-year- old boy, who struck Innokenty Mandregan, a 16-year-old boy, with a club, nearly putting out his eye. The Kushin boy is a bully, while the other is a quiet, harmless body, v/ithout sense enough to take care of himself. After developing through witnesses that the attack was without provocation I requested the two chiefs to take the Kushin boy to the sliop and thrash him in the presence of witnesses. This was done, 20 strokes being administered with a cod line. After that, the boy being still sulky and defiant, 8 more "licks" were given him with more severity, upon which the culprit admitted he had had enough. The Kushin boy is something of a hooligan and leads the gang of lialf -grown boys in the village. Wlien the chief went for him this morning to bring him to the Government house for a hearing, the boy refused to come and picked up a pair of shears, with which he proposed to resist any attempt to punish him. The chief relieved him of the shears and afterwards brouglit him to the house. A son was born this morning to Elary and Anna Stepetin, to be called Peter. July 11, 1908. — Wind southeast, fresh breeze, weather cloudy, with A drive was made this morning from Zapadni, the gang going overland in teams and meeting the drive at Little Za()adni. There were taken 326 skins, of wliich 3 were rejected, cut. There were dismissed 23 twos and 8 threes of branded seals and 46 small and 10 large of seals not branded, the large being 7 fours, 1 six, and 2 sevens. The Bear signaled in the morning that she would go to St. George to-morrow morning and that she would take mail, for which kind offer I set a signal thanking the cai^tain. Shortly after noon, however, after the Rusli had arrived and anchored on the west side, the Bear signaled that slie was ready to sail and to hurry with the mail. I replied that a boat would go to her shortly. Soon after she again signaled to liasten. A boat b}^ that time had started, taking what few letters we had, for St. George, and the ^mr at oiice got, under weigh. In the evening the Rush and Perry were seen at anchor on the west side. The Vor-Jcfown is anchored on the north shore, near Northeast Point. I sent a letter to-day to Agent Cliichester, at vSt. George, increasing the quota of that island 500 seals, making it 2,500 in all, and reducing the quota of this island to 12, .500. July 12, ^90:'?. -Wind east, light breeze, weather fair in morning, foggy in afternoon. A boat from the Perry came ashore in the morning, bringing mail from St. George. Both the Perry and Rush 632 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. left in the morning, the Perry returning in the afternoon to the west side. A drive will be made to-morrow from Reef. July 13, 1908. — Wind light, variable; weather warm and clear, with thick fog at intervals. A drive was made this morning from the Reef, from which there were secured 574 skins, of which 569 were accepted and 5 rejected, cut. There were dismissed from the drive of branded seals 95 twos and 24 threes. Of seals not branded, there were turned away 152 small and 25 large, the latter consisting of 15 fours, 4 fives, 3 sixes, and 3 sevens. After the completion of the drive and killing, Mr. Judge and I began the annual count of harems. We were precluded from finish- ing the count of Gorbatch, because of the discovery there of several hundred bachelors well hauled up, which the drivers this morning had overlooked. We therefore discontinued our count at a point midway of the rookery, and will finish it when the bachelors nave been driven. An inspection of the rookeries shows to the eye a decided shrinkage in cows, due to pelagic sealing. There is not, also, that increase m bulls which was expected and which we had reason to believe would occur this year. There are large numbers of young bulls on the rookeries in charge of cows, some of them so young that they run away from their harems when approached. But there seems also to have l^.een a large falling off m bulls during the last winter, as against which the incoming of young bulls was scarcely sufficient to meet it. The count of harems as made to-day follows : Rookery. Harems. Idle. Quitters. Water bulls. 8 200 42 1 6 1 44 1 88 1 20 1. 13 1 20 5 2 1 6 Reef 1 10 2 2 3 2 2 1 5 17 2 10 1 ». I 20 bulls on hauling ground. A drive will be made to-morrow from Northeast Point. July 14, 1908. — Wind northwest, fresh ])reeze; weather cloudy. All hands went to Northeast Point this morning, arriving there about 1 p. m. A drive will be made early to-morrow morning. July 15, 1908. — Wind northeast; weather, thick fog in morning, dear in late forenoon and afternoon. A drive was made this morning from Northeast Point, from which there were secured 787 skins, of which 784 were accepted and 3 rejected— 2 cut and 1 bitten. There were released from the drive 40 twos and 19 threes of branded seals, and of seals not branded, 107 small and 21 large, the latter being 10 fours, 7 fives, 2 sixes, and 2 sevens. After the killing, Mr. Judge and I counted the harems on that rookery, finding 237 harems, 17 quitters, 27 idle, and 13 water bulls. Previous to our count the guard at that point made a patrol of the SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 633 entire rookery front, some suspicious noises having been heard in the early morning. This patrol probably drove off some quitters and water bulls that had hauled up. The mass at Hutchinson Hill is compact at this date and shows no signs of disintegration, such as has occurred at this time during the two last seasons. This would argue more ability on the part of the bulls or more bulls. The count of the rookery follows : Bulls with harems, 237; quitters, 17; idle bulls, 27; 13 water bulls. Between 75 and 100 sea lions were on their rookery. An iron anchor buo}^ was found on the east side of Sea Lion Neck. At Halfway Point 30 skins were secured. There were also driven up 3 twos and 2 threes of branded seals and 2 small and 3 large seals that were not branded. While there, Mr. Judge and I counted the harems on the Polavina rookeries, finding as follows: Rookery. ; Bulls. Idle. Quit- ters. Water bulls. Little Polavina i 16 2 2 Polavina Cliffs . .. ! 24 Polavina 1 36 3 1 4 The Perry is at Northeast Point. The Rush is anchored at the village on the west side. In the evening several officers came ashore and visited Reef rookery in company of Mr. Judge. A drive will be made in the morning from Zapadni. July 16, 1908. — Wind northeast, fresh breeze; weather, foggy in early morning, then clear and bright. The drive at Zapadni resulted in securing 280 skins, of which 279 were accepted and 1 rejected, cut. There were turned away from the drive of branded seals 38 twos and 12 threes. Of seals not branded, there were dismissed 28 small and 15 large, the latter con- sisting of 6 fours, 5 fives, and 4 sixes. After the killing Mr. Judge and I counted the harems on the Zapad- nis. We were assisted by two natives, but required their services only on Zapadni proper, and then only in several instances. Cows are scarce. Zapadni Reef is but a skeleton rookery. While 10 harems are noted, half of these were 1-cow harems and appeared to have been caused by the accidental meeting of a young bull and a cow on an unfrequented portion of the beach. The entire bowlder beach is deserted except in two spots, where five sparse harems of a half a dozen cows each huddle. Our count follows : Rookery. Ha- rems. Quit- ters. Water buUs. Zapadni 148 Little Zapadni \ 64 Zapadni Reef 10 634 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The Rush remained at anchor on the west side all day. The Perry returned from Northeast Point because of an easterly swell and anchored also on the west side. Four officers from the Rush came ashore in the afternoon and climbed Bogaslov Hill. A drive will be made in the morning from Reef and Gorbatch. July 17^ 1908. — Wind northwest; strong breeze; weather overcast, with light rain, increasing to a moderately heavy rain during the day. The first rain on the islands this summer. A drive was made this morning from Reef and Gorbatch and from Tolstoi. From Reef and Gorbatch there were secured 1,458 skins, 1,454 of which were accepted and 4 rejected, cut and bitten. There were dismissed from the drive, of branded seals, 153 twos and 71 threes, and of seals not branded 328 small and 71 large, the latter being 21 fours, 24 fives, 11 sixes, and 15 sevens. From the Tolstoi drive there were killed 201 seals, all acceptable skins. Of branded seals there were released 17 twos and 12 threes, while of seals not branded there were turned away 32 small and 27 large, the latter being 10 fours, 9 fives, 4 sixes, and 4 sevens. Two officers from the Rush attended the Idlling. The Perry remained at anchor at the village. The Rush steamed to the westward about 10 a. m. There will be no drive to-morrow. July 18, 1908. — Wind northeast; fresh breeze; weather fair. Eight schooners were in sight from Northeast Point this morning, and three could be seen from the village flagstaff. All of them were outside the limit. The Rush, after we had informed her that there was nothing of importance to report, steamed along the east side of the island beyond Walrus Island, and afterwards returned to the village. The schooners at Northeast Point were all on the west side. The Bear came to anchor on the west side and signaled "Send a boat." I took out the launch soon after and boarded the Bear, finding there Peter Oustigoif, wife, and two children, from Unalaska. Peter was deported from this island several years ago for bad conduct, and has been at Unalaska ever since. At Unalaska this spring I gave him permission to return. The Bear reports that the Republican presidential nominees are Taft and Sherman. The Thetis, that was reported to be jammed in the ice near Nome and sinking, was not in danger at all, and has given assistance while there to several vessels. The McCulloch and Yorlc- town are at Unalaska. The duty of the latter is to communicate via Nome with the department every two weeks. In the afternoon Mr. Judge and I completed the count of harems on Gorbatch rookery, which was interrupted on the 13th by the discovery there of a good-sized bunch of bachelors. The completed count of that rookery follows: Harems, 103; idle, 6; quitters, 1 ; water bulls, 8. From 15 to 20 young bulls were found on the hauling ground of that rookery. July 19, 1908. — Wind east-northeast; fresh breeze; weather fair. In the morning I signaled to the Bear, "Northeast Point reports eight schooners in sight outside the limit." The Bear replied, "Thanks." Later the Bear made a circuit of the island, returning to west anchorage in the evening. I went aboard the Rush in the afternoon and the Bear in the evening. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 635 July 20, 1908. — Wind northwest; fresh breeze; weather cloudy. The teams started for Northeast Point at 9 a. m. A drive is to be made there to-morrow. July 21, 1908. — Wind northwest, Ught breeze. Weather fair and warm. The drive at Northeast Point resulted in securing 448 skins, all of which were accepted. There were turned away from the drive of branded seals 55 twos and 65 threes. Of seals not branded there were dismissed 29 small and 59 large, the latter being 2 fours, 19 fives, 23 sixes, and 15 sevens. The telephone line from Northeast Point to the village is out of order. The point has 9 schooners in sight this morning, and a num- ber of small boats are in the water. Wliile killmg, the guard reported that one schooner was coming in well within the limit and standing in for the rookery. The guard fired a warning cannon shot, at which the schooner altered her course. A stop was made at Halfway Point, where 71 skins were taken. There were dismissed from that drive 4 twos and 12 threes, branded seals, and 5 small and 19 large of seals not branded, the latter being 2 fours, 5 fives, 4 sixes, and 8 sevens. The Bear signaled in the evening for news. At 7 p. m. I went aboard and informed the captain of the number of schooners at Northeast Point and that the telephone is not working. A drive will be made m the morning from Zapadni. About 11.30 p.m. a runner came in from Northeast Point and was brought to the Government house by the tw^o chiefs. The runner's name was Theodore Kochutiu. He was so exhausted that he could hardly stand, and so out of breath that he could speak with difhculty only. He stated that at about 9.30 p. m. he went from the watch- house at the point in the direction of Hutchinson Hill, whither the three watchmen had preceded him. When he reached the north shore of Webster Lake lie beheld the three watchmen confronted by six strangers, presumably Ja})anese, from one of the schooners in that vicinit3^ One of the watchmen then walked in his direction, Theodore said, and "signaled" by waving his arms. Theodore took this to mean that the watchmen desired him to summon aid from the village. Theodore immcdiateh^ started for the village on a dead run, carry- ing '>vith him his rifle and revolver, which he did not desire to fall into the hands of the raiders in case they should have over]iowered the guard. He made the 12 mihs in 1 hour and 30 minutes, carrying a rifle, revolver, and belt full of ammunition. As the tele]:)hone was not working, I decided, in view of the state- ments of the runner, that it would be well not to take chances on his statements being inaccurate, but to take up some men to the point to relieve the guard there. Accordingly, I asked the chief to detail four men for the pur]wse. Mr. Judge, who was aroused also by the report, took a boat and went at once to the Bear, lying off the west side, acquainting the ca])tain with the facts as stated, and requesting him to proceed to the point as soon as possible. July 22, 1908. — Myself, the second chief John Stepetin, and John Fratis, Innokenty Sedick, and Trefan Kochution, armed with rifles — all but myself — started for Northeast Point at 12.30 midnight. The night was calm and foggy. We reached the point at 4 a. m., wet to the middle from walking in the tall wet s:rass. Simultaneous with 636 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. our arrival there was that of the Bear, which must have left the village for the point at once after receiving Mr. Judge's message. We found two of the guard patrollmg the rookery, and the watch- man in charge standing at the salt house to receive us. The story told by Theodore was without foundation, no boat's crew having landed the evening previous, nor had the watchmen asked Theodore or given him any "signal" to summon aid from the village. A boat from the Bear, with Messrs. Hinckley and Alexander, and an armed boat's crew came ashore soon after m}^ arrival and ascertained the state of the situation. I regretted that the story of the watchman was without foundation and requested Mr. Hincldey to convey my apologies to the captain, but to state that I was as badly misled by the report as he. About 15 minutes before we reached the point shotgun firing began off the shore near the salt house and developed into a regular fusillade. Firing from small boats in the water was heard on all sides and was practically continuous. I have never heard so many shots fired in the water around the island at one time. While the officers from the Bear were ashore a boat could be seen through the fog off Sea Lion Neck shooting at seals in the rips off that point. Fog pre- vented our seeing the other boats that were firing. The Beards boat returned to her and she got under weigh in the direction of Northeast Point. Even after she started, the boat close to shore continued firing. An hour afterwards the fog lifted and showed the Bear coming from the northward with a schooner in tow, while another schooner was anchored off Sea Lion Neck. This second schooner the Bear picked up and with both in tow proceeded with them to the village. A team, with two men, ample provisions, and arms, was sent up to the point, reaching there before noon. For the team I have to ac- knowledge indebtedness to Mr. Redpath, the superintendent of the company. I left the point at about 3.30 with the men who had come up with me, arriving back at the village about 7.30. I found the Bear and the Rush anchored on the west side, with the two schooners, which were named the SaiJcai Maru and the Kmsei Maru. After getting some- thing to cat, I took the launch and vT.nt aboard both cutters, re- porting the state of affairs at the point. The captain of the Rush decided to go to Northeast Point during the night to reach there by daybreak in the ho])e of gettting any schooner that might take ad- vantage of the early morning hours to come in close for seals. He would then return to the village and take the two schooners in tow to Unalaska. The schooners were seized by the Bear for being within the 3-mile limit and having small boats therein shooting seals. I found on arrival back at the village that Mr. Judge, with the launch, had been of much assistance to the Bear after she had returned to the village with her prizes, by running back and forth between the cutter and the schooners, towing boats, etc. He also went to Za- padni, got a barrel of seal livers and seal meat for the crew of the Bear. Mr. W. C. Alhs, of the company, arrived here on the Rush from St. George. A drive will be made to-morrow from Reef and Gorbatch, and Tolstoi. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 637 July 23, 1908. — Fresh southerly wuid, with fog. Weather cloudy. The drive from the Reef and Gorbatch netted 1,070 skins, of which 1,047 were accepted and 23 rejected — 3 bitten, 15 cut, and 5 small — the latter retamed by the department. There were dismissed from the drive 81 twos and 151 threes of branded seals, while of seals not branded there were turned away 251 small and 100 large, the latter being 41 fours, 25 fives, 23 sixes, and 11 adults. From Tolstoi there were taken 42 skins, of which 40 were accepted and 2 rejected, cut. There were dismissed from the drive, of branded seals, two 2-year-olds and twenty 3-year-olds. Of seals not branded, there were turned away no smalls and 35 large, the latter bemg 5 fours, 14 fives, 7 sixes, and 9 adults. The Rush, after patroilmg Northeast Point this mornmg without finding any schooners close in, returned to the village and started for Unalaska with the Beards two schooners m tow. The Bear circled the island later m the day, returning to the west anchorage m the evening. I went aboard with mail for St. George and reported the situation ashore to the captain. I walked to Rocky Point in the afternoon to repair the telephone line. July 24, 1908. — Southerly wind, with rain, in morning. Weather cloudy, with fog. The fog obscured the movements of the Bear. In the afternoon the captam came ashore to learn news from Northeast Point. Un- fortunately, the telephone is not worldng, and no news from the point has been received for two days. July 25, 1908. — Wind west, fresh breeze; weather fair. The Bear remained at anchor at the village during the day and drew around to Northeast Point in the evening, where she anchored off the salt house. The McCulloch came in to the west anchorage in the morning, and I went aboard the Bear, meetmg there the captain of the McCul- loch. The captain of the Bear kindly loaned me a magneto for testmg breaks in electric circuits, to be tried on the telephone fine at North- east Pomt. After lunch the three teams went to Northeast Point. In the evening the Webster House line was cut out of the Northeast Point circuit, wliich had the effect at once of rmgirig up the village and estabhslmig connection there with the watch house at the point. The break, evidently, was in a small wire in the Webster House machine. The watchmen at the point report that, on the 24tli, 10 schooners and 30 or 40 small boats were operatmg around the point, the noise of the shootmg being very loud. It had the effect of making the bachelors leave their hauling ground under Hutchinson Hill. They state that one large schooner, with black sails, is persistent in coming close or inside the limit and sending her boats further inshore to seal. July 26, 1908. — Wind east, hght breeze; weather foggy in morning, clearing in eveiung. The drive at Northeast Point resulted in securing 348 skins, all acceptable. There were dismissed from the drive, of branded seals, 28 twos and 19 threes, and of seals not branded, 57 small and 20 large, the latter consisting of 11 fours, 3 fives, 5 sixes, and 1 seven. The drive at Halfway Point produced only 19 skms. There were dismissed 1 branded two and 4 branded threes. Of seals not branded, there were turned away 2 small and 9 large, the latter consisting of 8 sixes and 1 old bull. 638 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The ship's bell of the Bear could be heard in the fog in the morning, off the salt house at Northeast Point. Later in the day the captain came ashore there and telephoned to the village. The McCuUoch is not in sight to-day. The McCulloch, on the 24th, detained several schooners and small boats until the fog lifted enough for her to determine their position. They were picked up off West Point. They were found to be only a fraction of a mile outside the limit and were therefore released. A drive will be made to-morrow from Reef and Gorbatch, and Tolstoi. July 27, 1908. — Wind west, light breeze; weather fair in morning, foggy in evening. The drive from Reef and Gorbatch resulted in 562 skins, of which 548 were accepted and 14 rejected, 5 of which were bitten and 9 small retained. There were released from the drive 115 two years and 61 threes of branded seals. Of seals not branded, there were turned away 144 small and 99 large, the latter being 4 fours, 25 fives, 57 sixes, and 13 adults. From Tolstoi there were taken 41 skins, all accepted. There were turned away 9 branded twos and 18 threes. There were dismissed, of seals not branded, 3 small and 26 large, the latter being 6 fours, 6 fives, 13 sixes, and 1 seven. The fog obscured the movements of the cutters, although the watch- men reported this mornmg that both the McCulloch and the Bear were at anchor at Northeast Point. A drive will be made in the morning from Zapadni. A westerly swell was making in to-day, otherwise the boats would have gone to Zapadni after the Reef killing. July 28, 1908. — Wind southeast, strong breeze; weather cloudy. Zapadni furnished 241 skins this morning, of which 1 bitten was rejected. There were dismissed from the drive, of branded seals, 30 twos and 16 threes. Of seals not branded, there were turned away 63 small and 36 large, the latter being 5 fours, 11 fives, 16 sixes, and 4 sevens. The Bear and McCulloch anchored on the west side in the morning and went to the north shore in the evening. The Perry came from St. George in the evening and went also toward north shore. In the morning the Bear signaled for news, and then for information as to the whereabouts of the Perry. She then stated that she had mail for us, to wliich I replied that a boat would come to her. Mr. Judge then went aboard. July 29, 1908. — Wind southeast, moderately strong wind; weather overcast, with rain and fog. Three cutters are anchored on the north shore at Northeast Point. The sea is rough and the landings are poor. July 30, 1908. — Wind southwest, fresh breeze; weather foggy in morning, clear in afternoon. The Rush came to the west side and signaled that she had mail. I replied that I could not get out my boat, and that she was not to attempt to land in her own boats at Gorbatch until to-morrow. The McCulloch came later in the afternoon on the east side and signaled that they desired information whether transportation was wanted for Mi. Judge to Unalaska to connect with the Dora, which would leave Unalaska on the 3d of August. To this we sent the reply, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 639 "No; thanks." The Bear left Northeast Point in the morning and her whereabouts is unknown. A drive ^\dll be made in the morning from Reef and Gorbatch, to obtain the 666 skins required to fill this island's quota. If the drive from that place is not sufficient to furnish this number, a team will be sent to Northeast Point in the afternoon, to take the remainder necessary. A good-sized drive is on Gorbatch, and it was for this reason that I requested the Rush not to land on Gorbatch until to-morrow, when the drive will have been made. July 31, 1908. — Wind southwest, hght breeze; weather cloudy. The last kiUing of the season occurred this morning from Reef and Gorbatch, and Tolstoi. Only 666 skins were secured to fill the quota for the island, although probabl}^ 100 more skins could have been taken from this drive. From Reef and Gorbatch there were taken 633 skins, of which 630 were accepted and 3 rejected, cut. There were turned away from the drive, of branded seals, 91 twos and 41 threes. Of seals not branded, there were dismissed 453 small and 106 large, the latter being 16 fours, 45 fives, 26 sixes, and 19 adults. From Tolstoi there were taken 33 skins. There were dismissed, of branded seals, 6 twos and 6 threes. Of seals not branded, there were turned away 23 small and 1 1 large, the latter being 7 fives and 4 sixes. At 1 p. m., 3 teams left the village for Northeast Point to haul out skins salted there on the occasion of the last killing. A boat from the Rush landed on the west side in the early morning, bringing mail deUvered at Unalaska by the last Dora. August 1, 1908. — Wind northeast, hght breeze; weather cloudy. The teams returned from Northeast Point at noon. In the morning, the Rush came into the west side and signaled for Qews. Rephed that there was nothing to report. The Rush with- out having anchored steamed to the westward. August 2, 1908. — Wind northeast, fresh breeze; weather cloudy. A boat from the Perry came ashore in the afternoon, bringing several letters and stating that a cutter would be kept at Northeast Point continuously, by order of Capt. Munger. A dance was held in the native shop in the evening to mark the close of the seahng season. August 3, 1908. — Wind east, light breeze; weather cloudy, with fog. The whistle of a steamer was heard in the fog off the west side this afternoon, but the fog prevented its being made out. August 4, 1908. — Wind northwest, strong breeze; weather foggy and cloudy. The gasoline launch was hauled up on the ways and necessary repairs made to the gear case. The men bundled skins all day, haul- ing them to the point warehouse. About half the skins were bundled. Mr. Judge, with several native men, counted the pups on Ketovi and Amplii. rookeries, iinding as follows : Ketovi, live pups, 1,628; dead pups, 79. Amplii., live pups, 249; dead pups, 4. On typical harem space there were 82 live and 3 dead. This count made to-day shows the presence of practically the same number of pups as when the same space was counted last year. If this were taken as a criterion of the condition of all the rookeries 640 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. on the island, as was intended and as has been done heretofore, it would indicate that there has been no decrease in seal life during the past year, but if anytliing an increase. But no increase can have occurred in the face of the destruction of seals by the combined pe- lagic fleets. Tliis is shown by the appearance of an attenuated condi- tion on other large rookeries on which no count of pups was made, and on which no count would be justifiable because of the necessary disturbance of breeding seals and the driving of them off the land to meet the fleet hovering in sight of the island. It will not be well to accept the condition of Ketovi as typical of the whole island, while on the othisr hand it will not be prudent to sweep another rookery clean in order to make a further count. The Perry is anchored off the salt house at Northeast Point. The Rush was seen coming from the point on the east side but has not been in communication with the village to-day. August 5, 1908. — Wind northwest, moderate fresh breeze; weather fair. The native men were engaged in bundling skins. The cutters Perry and Rush are at Northeast Point. Nicoli, the 1-year-old son of John and Claudia Kochutin, died last evening rather suddenly. August 6, 1908. — Wind west, light breeze; weather fair. Both cutters at the point. A number of boats out fishing which returned with extraordinary catches of halibut. The launch taken around the bay to test the clutch. August 7, 1908. — Wind northeast, light breeze; weather cloudy. The McCulloch came into west landing with a signal, "Have mail." Mr. Judge took out the launch and went aboard, receiving some na- tive mail from St. George. The Rush also came to W^est Landing anchorage in the afternoon. A small food drive will be made in the morning from Gorbatch; August 8, 1908. — Wind southeast, light breeze; weather fair, bright, and warm. A drive of seals was brought up from Gorbatch for a food killing. From this, there were secured 183 skins, of wliich 181 were acceptable and 2 rejected, cut. There were dismissed from the drive, of branded seals, 13 twos and 3 threes. Of seals not branded, there were released 96 small and 5 large, the latter being 1 four, 3 fives, and 1 adult. The teams with men then left for Northeast Point to bundle the skins there. The officers from the Rush came ashore there in the evening and took dinner ashore. The Rush was anchored there all day. August 9, 1908. — -Wind southeast, moderate gale; weather overcast, with good rain. The teams returned from the point at noon. In the evening addi- tional lines were placed on the launches for security. August 10, 1908. — Wind southeast, strong wind. No landing on the island. The cutters Rush and McCulloch are anchored at Northeast Point. The division of natives' earnings from taking sealskins during the past season was signed to-day. It wiU appear on the next two pages following. August 11, 1908. — Wind southeast, strong breeze; weather over- cast, with occasional rain. No landings on the island. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 641 In the afternoon the Rush came to the village and signaled to know if there was a landing. She was infoimed that there was none. She then anchored on the west side. August 12, 1908. — The wind is southeast, moderate breeze. Weather clearing, with occasional mist and rain. The Rush was at anchor on the west side during the night, having an uncomfortable berth. In the afternoon a boat went to her, from the west side, the crew of which were informed by the captain that he would not leave here until the arrival of the Perry or the Bear. The wind rising in the evening made the landings rough again. The Rush remained at anchor all night. At about 10 p. m. the company's steamer Grace Dollar anchored on the west side near the Rush. As the landing was poor, no boat went out to her. August 13, 1908. — Wind west, fresh breeze; weather partially fair. At 9 a. m. the Grace Dollar left for Northeast Point to load the skins in the salt house there. The Rush left at 9 a. m. for Unalaska, taking George Kotchergin and Nicoli Kozloff as passengers to Una- laska. The Perry and McCulloch are at anchor on the west side. August 14, 1908. — Wind southwest, fresh breeze; weather cloudy. The native men worked from 4 a. m. to 10 p. m. unloading the cargo from the Grace Dollar. In the evening the passengers for San Francisco went aboard of her, as follows: Assistant Agent James Judge and wife; J. C. Redpath, superintendent North American Commercial Co.; W. C. Allis, agent North American Commercial Co.; M. A. Williamson, M. D., former physician, St. Paid; Morris Holtz- man, formerly teamster. The McCulloch remained at anchor all da}' on the west side. August 15, 1908. — Wind south, fresh breeze; weather cloudy. The Grace Dollar left for San Francisco at 6 a. m. At noon the McCulloch, on the west side, signaled that she would take mail and passengers for St. George. At 2 p. m. a boat went aboard of her, taking Michael Kozloff as passenger for St. George. August 16, 1908. — Wind east, light breeze; weather cloudy, fair. The Perry came from Northeast Point, made a circuit of the island, and again anchored at the point. August 17, 1908. — Wind northeast, cloudy, with rain. In the morning a count was made of all the skins remaining in salt in the '•alt house at the village, and the following number of skins were found : Retained by the agents from last season, 32. Drive from reef, August 8, 183; 181 accept, 2 reject, cut. Watch skins, Southwest Bay, 7. In the afternoon the British gunboat Algerine came in to East Landing, and her commander, Capt. Edwards, accompanied by Lieut. Sims and Surg. Hewitt, visited Gorbatch rookery and returned aboard at 6.30. August 18, 1908. — Wind east, light breeze; weather fair. The McCulloch anchored on the west side at noon, after haviiig signaled for us to come for our mail. At 2 p. m. I went aboard in the gasoline launch, finding a small package of mail. I brought the captain and 2 officers ashore and took them to Gorbatch rookery. After spending a pleasant afternoon I took them aboard at 5.30. At 7 p. m. 6 native men went aboard to make the trip to Unalaska. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 41 642 • SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, August 19, 1908. — Wind south, light breeze; weather fair, with occasional light rain. The McCuTloch left early in the morning for Unalaska. At 6 p. m. the Rush came to east Itinding. I sent a boat's crew over with instructions to take out a boat, but before they got there the Rush's boat put off from the ship, bringing ashore the 2 men who had made the trip to Unalaska in her, and brought ashore also a quantity of freight for the natives. The ship's boat returned with an oral mes- sage from me to the captain. The Bear is expected here on the 21st. August 20, 1908. — Wind south, fresh breeze; weather fair. The Rush left her anchorage on the east side at 9 a. m., steaming in the direction of Northeast Point. Issued to-day the potatoes and onions ordered in the spring for the natives. August 21, 1908. — Wind south, moderate gale; weather overcast, with steady rain. A strong southerl}'" swell, breaking on both landings. No word of the cutters was received to-day. August 22, 1908. — Wind south, fresh breeze; weather cloudy in morning, fair in afternoon. Swell abating. The watchmen from Southwest Bay returned this afternoon, report- ing but one schooner was seen by them during the week. They report the watch house at Southwest Bay to be in a bad condition. The watchmen from Northeast Point also reported that the Perry and Rush are at anchor at Northeast Point. On Tuesday, the 18th, \ boat from one of the schooners came in so close that the watchman stationed then on Hutchinson Hill fired four shots to frighten them away. The boat, after the shooting, put about and stood away from the rookery. At the time of the firing the captain and the surgeon of the Perry were on shore at the Point to take a photograph of the sea-lion rookery. The captain saw the approaching boat, and with- out taking the photograph returned hastily to the cutter and went after the boat, which, the watchmen state, by that time was well out. The priest to-day requested permission for the marriage of Inno- kenty Sedick and Ripsemia Serebrinikoff . It was given. The wed- ding is to occur on the 29th of this month. August 23, 1908. — Wind south, light breeze; weather cloudy in morning, fair later. The landings are poor on both sides of the island. The cutters are at anchor at Northeast Point — the Rush and the Perry. August 24, 1908. — Wind northwest, light breeze; weather fair. The Perry passed the east side of the village this morning with a signal set, "Have 3^ou any news?" Replied that there was nothing to report. She steamed to the westward, returning about 6 p. m., at which time I hoisted a flag on East Landing. The cutter, how- ever, did not come to an anchor but steamed in the direction of Northeast Point. The steam launch was hauled up this evening. August 25, 1908. — Wind southwest, fresh breeze; weather cloudy, with fog. The native men were engaged all day in working for the company. The cutters Bear and Rush are at anchor on the north shore. Nothing is seen of the Perry, and the supposition is that she has gone down to Unalaska. We regret that she did not stop yesterday to give us an opportunity to send mail. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 643 August 26, 1908. — -Wind southwest, fresh breeze; weather fair, with occasional fog. The Rush left Northeast Point this morning for St. George. In the after,noon, Mr. Hinckley, of the Bear, went ashore at the point and telephoned to me that he wished to erect beacons on several promi- nences for the purpose of cliarting soundings about the point. In the evening the captain also went ashore and telephoned to me. He stated that this would be the last trip of the Bear to the islands. He stated further that the two schooners captured by him tliis summer were both held by the commissioner at Unga, and that tlie crew was left there to be taken by the Bear to Valdez for trial in October. He stated that the pelagic schooners are leaving the sea, and that the last schooner sli.ould be away from_ this region about September 8. August 27 , 190S. — Wind northeast, light breeze; weather fair. The Bear, after standing off and on Northeast Point, came to West Landing about 4 p. m. In the evening Capt. Bertholf came ashore, and took off \vith him the anchor buoy of the Yorlctown and the kyak, belonging to Mr. Hinckley, which we have had ashore patching. The Bear Anil leave the sea on September 3, and will go to Valdez, in time for court, which is to convene on October 1. August 28, 1908. — Wind, light breeze, veering northeast and north- west ; weather fair. The McCuUoch came in sight at 11 a. m., from St. George. At 1.30 p. m., made out her signal, "Send a boat." A pulling boat went out to her, and brought ashore the six men who had been taken to Unalaska on her a week ago, and also the St. George visitor from tliis island. With Peter Bourclukofsky returned a bride from the Jessie Lee Home in Unalaska — a fine-looking j^oung woman aged 17, named Petersen, born in Unga. They were married in Unalaska by the Protestant head of the home, but a further ceremony according to the rites of the Russian Church will be performed on tliis island a week from next Sunday. About 3 p. m. the Rush also anchored on the west side, and Capts. Daniels and de Ottee came ashore and remained to dinner. Alter dinner I took them aboard in an island boat, the gasoline launch refusing to work after having started. Capt. Daniels took aboard the box of stationery for St. George, wliich the Grace Dollar landed here by mistake. The Rush will leave here for Unalaska on the 30th, and will take with her three native men from this island who desire to "\dsit relatives in Unalaska. August 29, 1908. — Wind, light breeze, varying west and south. Weather fair, with fog. The Rush and McCullocJi both left West Landing in the morning. The Bear is at Northeast Point. I spent the day repairing the gasoline launch, which required new batteries, and which also had a large quantity of water in the gasoline tank. This latter condition was the cause of its inaction last evening. August 30, 1908. — Wind south, strong breeze, rising to strong wind. Weather overcast, with rain. At about 10 a. m. the Rush anchored off East Landing, where pre- viously I had had a flag hoisted, and signaled, "Send passengers." I replied, "Boat is coming to you." I had a boat launched at east landing at once, in which Karp Buterin and John and Simeon Fratis 644 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. with a boat 's crew went to the Rush. The natives named are to make the trip to Unalaska. The Rush at once got her anchor and steamed toward St. George. The McCulloch soon afterwards came into view, steaming from St. George. She passed the Rush and headed for Northeast Point without approaching the village. At 2 p. m. Innokenty Sedick and Ripsemia ShaposhnikofT were married. In the evening a dance was given in their honor. August 31, 1908. — Wind southwest, moderately strong wind. Weather overcast, with drizzle and fog. Owing to the fog the movements of the cutters to-day could not be observecl. There is no landing on either side of the village. Septemher 1 , 1908. — Wind southwest, strong breeze. Weather, thick fog- School opened this morning with 40 pupils — 19 boys and 21 girls. In the afternoon a steamer's whistle was heard in the fog, presumably near the Reef on the south side. The shop bell was rung and the whistling ceased. The thick fog prevented our ascertaining what vessel it was. September 2, 1908. — Wind west, moderate gale. Weather cloudy, clear. The Perry was found this morning at anchor between the Reef and East Landing. At about 9 a. m. she steamed to East Landing and signaled, "Have mail." I replied, "Boat is going to you." Although the wind was blowing strong, the chief volunteered to take a boat out. Accordingly, the Government boat at East Landing was launched, and, with two men on each oar, went out to the Perry and brought back a small quantity of mail, principally Chinese newspapers. The Perry at once got her anchor and steamed for Northeast Point, where this morning the McCulloch and the Bear were anchored. September 3, 1908. — Wind west, light breeze in morning, changing to northeast in afternoon. Weather clear. At 11 a. m. the cutter Bear anchored on the east side in response to a signal set at that landing. Capt. Bertholf and Mr. Hinckley, the executive, came ashore and had lunch. At 1.30 p. m, the captain went aboard with Mr. Hinckley. On the Bear went to Unalaska the following natives of this island on a visit : Elary Stepetin, Dorof ay Stepetin, Necon Shabolin, John Merculieff, Trefan Kochutin, and Alex. Melovidoff. The captain stated that this would be the last trip of the Bear to the islands this season, as he would leave on the 15th of this month for Valdez, to attend the trial of the Japanese sealers arrested by him this summer for killing seals unlawfully off Northeast Point. Two natives from St. George were landed at Northeast Point this morning by the McCulloch and they made their way to the village. September J)., 1908. — Wind northwest, light breeze. Weather fair. In the morning the McCulloch and YorJctown both came to anchor on the west side. Went out to them in the gasoline launch, and Capt. Glennin, of the YorMown, with five officers, and Capt. Daniels, of the McCulloch, with one officer, came ashore for lunch, and subse- quently visited Gorbatch rookery. Two liberty parties from the YorMown and two officers subsequently came ashore. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 645 I returned Capt. Glennin to his vessel in the launch at 5 p. m., also towing a boatload of sailors at the same time to the Yorktown. That vessel soon afterwards got under weigh for Unalaska, her period of cruising being completed. In the evening Mr. Proctor and I made a short call on the captain and officers of the McCnlloch. September o, 1908. — Wind northwest, light breeze. Weather fair. The Perry has been at anchor at Northeast Point all week. The McCuMoch left her anchorage on the west side and steamed toward Walrus Island, returning in the afternoon. The guard at Northeast Point reports one schooner in sight, the same one that has been around for several days, and which was overhauled yesterday by the YorJc- tovni. It is the Chitose Maru 2, and is supposed to be leaving the sea to-day. No other schooners are in sight, and the patrolling officers believe that all the Japanese fleet is now on its way home. Septemher 5, 1908. — Wind northwest, light breeze. Weather fair, with bright sun in afternoon. At 8 a. m. signaled the McCulloch that there was nothing of impor- tance to report. She then steamed toward Northeast Point, returning in the early afternoon and anchoring on the east side. Capt. Daniels then came ashore, returning aboard about 4 p. m. Light rain and cloudy at 10 p. m. September 6, 1908. — Wind west, light breeze; weather fair. At 8.30 a. m. the McCulloch signaled for news and I replied that there was nothing of importance to report. At 2 p. m. Peter Bourdukofsky and his bride were again married, this time by the Russian Church ceremony. Capt. Daniels and three officers came ashore to witness the ceremony. The captain and my- self held the crowns. The captain and one officer stayed for dinner, returning aboard at 8 p. m. The captain took aboard the two St. George men who have been here for a week. He took also five men from this island to visit St. George. At about 4 p.m. the Perry steamed past the east side, having come around the island from the north side. I set a signal stating that I desired a personal interview, for the reason that Capt. Daniels desired to speak with the captain of the Perry. The McCulloch also hoisted a signal for the Perry, but the latter evidently saw neither, as she steamed on her course about 3 miles off the shore, heading for North- east Point. A dance was held in the shop in the evening. September 7, 1908. — Very light westerly breeze, practical calm; weather cloudy. At 10 a. m. the Perry came in sight on the east side from Northeast Point. She having been reported about 9.30, 1 had a man set a flag at East Landing, but the Perry held her course for lleef Point and did not come into east anchorage. The flag signal at East Landing was flat against the mast. At 4 p. m. the McCulloch came to anchor at East Landing and sig- naled for a boat. The Perry, which at that time was standing for Northeast Point, also headed in for East Landing. I took a boat to the McCulloch and found that the captain had been to vSt. George and landed the natives for that island, but that on account of a heavy northerly swell was unable to lie at that island and therefore came over here. He had mail for the island and a letter from him to me. 646 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. I went with the captain in his boat to the Perry to pay a call on thfe captain of that vessel and then returned ashore in my boat. Both vessels may remain here to-morrow. Good rain in the evening with somewhat rising westerly wind. September 8, 1908. — ^Wind west, fresh breeze; weather fair, with shifting banks of thick fog. At 8 a. m. both the McCulloch and the Perry are at anchor on the east side. At that time, after telephoning to Northeast Point, I set a signal that there was nothing of importance to report, but because of the fog it was not seen for some time. The natives who visited St. George report that there are several cases of mumps there. There have been at least 10 cases of mumps on this island, with ready recovery in each case. The Perry got under weigh for Northeast Point about 8.30. The RusJi anchored on the east side about 1 p. m. The captain of the McCulloch then signaled us that the Rush had mail. I sent a boat out, but the Rush had already sent a boat in and landed the mail and the three passengers that went to Unalaska with her on August 30. The Perry soon appeared from the eastward and also anchored on the east side. The chief engineer and doctor from the Perry came ashore and visited Reef rookery. A strong southerly gale springing up in the afternoon, the Rush and Perry went to Northeast Point, while the McCulloch went in the direc- tion of St. George I had several applications from natives of this island to go aboard the McCulloch for passage to Unalaska, but I refused all of them, believing that we had put the friendship of the captain of that vessel to a severe test and that any further requests for transportation would for that reason be out of place. Then, again, there are now 11 men away from the island, either at St. George or Unalaska, not counting the 7 men on watch, and the island work is practically at a standstill because of lack of workmen. September 9, 1908. — Wind west and northwest, heavy gale, with rain. The wind which arose last evening continued to increase until this morning it became a heavy gale. At 10 a. m. it became necessary to batten down the roof of the Government house to prevent all the shingles on the west and south sides from being blown off. As it was, quite a patch on the west side was blown off before the shingles could be secured. The schoolhouse and native houses through the village also suffered. In the evening it was decided that it was unsafe to leave the gasoline boat in the water overnight, and accordingly the gang was called out at 7 p. m. and the launch hauled up on the ways after some little trouble caused by the backwash in the cove. Some of the planking on the wharf also narrowly escaped being carried away. At midnight the wind and sea were both rapidly subsiding, and the indications are that conditions to-morrow will be nearly normal and that the severe storm is local in its scope. September 10, 1908. — Wind northwest, light wind, changing in afternoon to north, heavy wind. At noon the Perry anchored on the east side and signaled for news. I replied that there was nothing of importance to report. At 4 p. m. the vessel steamed to the west side and anchored there. September 11, 1908. — Wind northwest, strong wind. Weather fair with squalls of rain and sleet. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 647 The Perry remained at anchor all night on the west side. At 8 p. m. I hoisted the signal indicating that there was nothing of impor- tance to report. At noon she had anchored on the east side, where the landing was so poor that it was not advisable to hoist the landing flag there. The late gale turned over tlie large Government boat kept at East Landing, rolling it over twice and crushing in a portion of the plank- ing. It can be repaired without much eifqrt, however, and will not affect the efficiency of the boat. September 12, 1908. — Wind west, fresh breeze; weather fair. The Rusli anchored on the east side last evening about 9 p. m. At 8 a. m. this morning I signaled that there was nothing of impor- tance to report, to which both the Perry and Rush responded. I then had a flag hoisted on the east side to indicate a landing tliere. The Government boat at East Landing was raised and lashed to place. At 10 a. m. Mr. Proctor with a tea.m and men went to Northeast Foint to replace shingles blown ofl' by the recent gale. The watch at Zapadni will be discontinued from this date, as the sea is clear of sealers. In the afternoon tlie Perry signaled that she would take mail and that she would sail to-mono w at daybreak. I thanked the captain, and, after inquiry at the company house and finding that there was no mail there, replied to the Perry that we had no mail to send. September 13, 1908. — Wind northwest, fresh breeze; weather fair, with occasional squall. Ihe Perry left east anchorage at about 6 a. m. for L'nalaska. The Rush lay there until about noon, then anchored olf the salt house at Northeast Point. At 8.30 a. m. I hoisted the signal to indicate that there was nothing to report and then had a flag hoisted at East Land- ing. In the afternoon two officers went ashore at Northeast Point. The team of mules which v/ent to Northeast Point yesterday with Mr. Proctor appeared in the village this morning, having escaped from the inclosure at the point. It was necessary to send them back, which was done, a driver leaving here with the horse and two mules in tow at 10 a. m. ^Ir. Proctor and the workmen returned to the village at 6 p. m. I walked to Rocky Point in the afternoon. Snipe have left the island, save a few, and there are no migrant ducks. Two blue cranes are in the tundra between Kaminista and Rocky Lake, but are so wary that they can not be approached, their harsh croak indicating their alarm before they can be seen. A dance was given in the native shop this evening by Nicoli Bogadanoff. September I4, 1908. — Wind northwest, brisk breeze; weather- fair, with squalls of rain. The Rush anchored at the village at about 3 p. m. The native men employed in working for the company. I went after the two blue cranes seen on Kaminista Flat yesterday, but although I maneuvered for an hour I could not get within 200 yards of them. They took flight on getting my scent, as I was forced to get into the wind of them to cover my approach behind the only hillock within range. The school-teacher this evening reported the absences of eight pupils, v;hom, I found on inquiry, were under treatment for the mumps. The doctor reports IS cases in the village so far. This 648 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. disorder has been in the village since August, but has been confined to a few families until recently, when it gives every appearance of spreading to the entire village. Isolation was tried at first without checking the malady, and there is nothing to do now but to let it run through the village. September 15, 1908. — Wind, northwest, fresh breeze; weather fair with squalls of rain and snow. Quite a snowstorm in the morning. At 8 a. m. signaled to the Rush that there was nothing to report. Tlie Government boat at East Landing was repaired in the morning. The Rush, left her anchorage at about 9.30 a. m. and steamed toward Otter Island, where she went fishing. In the afternoon she returned to East Landing and the captain and Mr. Kean came ashore and stayed for dinner, returning aboard in an island boat at about 8 p. m. Capt. de Otte will go to St. George and try to bring back the St. Paul men that are visiting there. He will leave the islands on the 19th for Unakska and Seattle. The doctor found five new cases of mumps in the village to-day. The schoolmaster returned a list of 9 pupils absent, all down with the mumps. Twenty-three cases so far. September 16, 1908. — Wind northwest, moderate gale, heavy squalls of sleet and snow. The Rush remained at anchor all day. The native men, such as were not engaged in working for the company, were engaged in dig- ging down the bank in the rear of the native shop. Twelve children absent from school to-day because of mumps. The doctor reports 9 new cases, 32 in all. At 8 a. m. the Rush was signaled that there was nothing to report. Exhibit 10. St. George Island, Alaska, August 11, 1908. My Dear Mr. Lembkey: I am sending you with this, under separate cover, the following reports : Annual statement of fur seals killed. Weights of sealskins taken, season 1908. Young male seals branded. Statistics of killings and seals turned away. Count of bulls. Harem counts. Seal division. Shipping receipts for 2,498 sealskins. No attempt was made this year to count pups on an}'' of the rook- eries for the reason that during the latter part of July and early August hardly a day passed that there were not one or more Jap- anese sealers operating off the rookeries. Under the circumstances both Maj. Clark and myself deemed it to the best interest of the seal herd not to subject the rookeries to the great disturbance neces- sary in pup counting. I am much gratified to be able to report that there has been a very material increase in the number of bulls on all the rookeries this year, with the exception of Little East. Both in bulls and cows SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 649 this rookery has fallen considerably short of last year and seems to be doomed to speedy extinction. From counts and observations made during the summer I think it quite safe to say that there has been little if any decrease in the number of cows this year. Very careful counts made on North, East, Reef, and East Cliffs are almost identical with those made last year. By reason of the massing of seals and the impossibility of reaching a point where the whole rookery can be observed counts on Zapadnie and Staraya Artel are only approximate, but it is my belief that there are as many cows on these rookeries this season as there were last. Although the quota of skins to be taken on this island was raised from 2,000 to 2,500, no difficulty was experienced in fdling it. Less drives were made tliis year than last and less 5-pound and more 7-pound sldns were taken. Only 5 seals with skins weighing under 5 or over 8^ pounds were killed. The quota was filled by July 25, and had sealing been carried on until the end of the month I am confident that 500 more skins could have been obtained. On July 28 Gregory Swetzof died of pulmonary tuberculosis. His widow (nee Zoya Mandregan) of St. Paul wishes to return there to live. She has one child a couple of years old. Kindly advise me if the transfer would meet your approval. On July 31 I allowed Nicolai Malavansky to take passage on the U. S. S. McCuUocli for Unalaska. He is in quest of a wife and has not yet returned. Durmg the past month from one to four schooners have been sighted nearly every day, none very close to land. But on several occasions small boats have been seen shooting seals well within the 3-mile limit. On August 1 for nearly half a day I watched three boats off East rookery shooting seals not more than 2 miles from shore. So close were they that with my glasses I could plainly see them fire, then lift the dead seal into the boat. The native guards have done good work this summer, and that no raids have been attempted is, I think, due to their vigilance. At your earliest convenience please advise me of the amount of the appropriation which will be allotted to this island. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent in Charge St. George Island. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Alaskan Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska. 650 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 0 t~ IM C^ r-tr-i 00 .-H tMO t^ O O t^ Tj* O 050t^(MO-H C<1C<3.-1(N .9 i -Ss >i gj CD lO CO -^ O ■»*< -^ CO t* O OS O IC^ O (N W O 1-1 iM OS ■^ ID lO t* C.OOSOlO'* O ?» C^ O r-l C<> OS ■<41 -^ lO lO t^ C^ IN iHrH T C? C COiOCO-^O-^^CDt^OOSOUi-^ 0(NC- OS r-t Tl* OS tD --I D SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 651 "* ilof Islands. June 9. The Bear sailed for the Pribilof Islands. Thetis sailed for the north. June 10. The Rush left for the islands to relieve the Perry. June 13. The Perry arrived in port; had her return to make the Attn trip. June 14. McCuUoch left port for the islands; I took passage, in- tending to visit the agents of the islands. On our way north visited the Bogoslof Island; found great changes since last year; Perry Peak entirely covered, and several additional islands on the south side; full report and photographs on return of the McCuUoch. June 16. Visited the agent on St. Paul, who informed me they had the rapid-fire guns mounted and crew drilled, and thought themselves able to defencl the rookeries. At this date no sealing vessels have been seen about the island, and but fe"w' seals had appeared on the rookeries. The ice left the island May 30, but the water is still very cold (33°), indicating that the ice is not very far away; the cold water is also thought to be the cause for the presence of so few seals. June 16. Left the island on the Rush. Perry left port for a cruise to Attn. June 17. Returned to port on the Rush. Had the Rush return for coal, to return to the islands June 20, so that there will be two vessels at the islands. June 19. North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Grace Dollar arrived in from the islands. Japanese sealer Toyei Maru arrived in; had been seahng in the Pacific Ocean; had 206 sealskins; had 6 white men in crew of 42. June 20. Rush left port for the islands. Japanese sealing schooner left port. North American Commercial Co.'s schooner leaving to-day; this letter goes out on her. Respectfully, (Signed) F. M. Hunger, Senior Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Steamer "Bear," Village Cove, St. Paul Island, Alaska, July 22, 1908. Senior Cai)t. F. M. Hunger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Patrol Fleet, Unalaska, Alaska. Sir: I have the honor to report that I have tliis day seized the Japanese sealing schooner Saikai Maru, of Hakodate, and the No. 2 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 675 Kinsai Maru, of Tokyo, both for illegal sealing within the territorial limit of 3 miles. Early this morning, being at anchor at the south side of Northeast Point of St. Paul Island, near the salt house, a great many shotgun reports were heard to the northward and eastward and apparently not far away. At the time there were very light airs from the north- ward to calm, and the weather was misty and partly foggy, meaning by the latter term that the fog was in layers and patches, with occa- sional clear spaces. In toward shore the end of Northeast Point could be seen and also the land to about three-quarters of the distance to Polovina Point. At 5.10 got under way and steamed east by north, intending to steam out until we could turn northward around the shoals, in which direction the shots were being heard frequently. At 5.20 a passing clear place in the fog showed a schooner bearing north-northeast, magnetic. Kept on our course, not being able to haul to the northward as yet. At 5.28 sighted a rowboat on star- board bow and romng rapidl}' in the direction of the schooner. Stood southeast by south for tliis boat and at 5.37 stopped alongside her. The position of the boat was as follows: North end of Walrus Island E. f S., magnetic; Northeast Point NW. f W., magnetic, dis- tant 3 miles; nearest land, being the point south of Northeast Point, 2^ miles distant. The boat contained a crew of three Japanese, guns, ammunition, provisions, water, and necessary boat gear, together with one fresh female sealskin (removed from the body) and one unskinned seal, the latter being a female not yet quite dead and bleeding from wounds in the region of the head. The boat belonged to the Saikai Maru, of Hakodate. Took the crew on board and the boat in tow, and at 5.43 stood north by east for the above-mentioned schooner. By this time the fog had cleared somewhat and several schooners were seen in various directions, and many small boats offshore and inshore of them, shooting being continually heard. Only two of the schooners were apparently within the limit, one of which was the one we were heading for. As soon as we headed in this direction this schooner made all sail and attempted to work offshore to the east- ward. Her boats were all inside of her save one, which was offshore. The other boats in view soon started back to their respective ships. At 6 stopped alongside the nearest schooner and found her to be the Saikai Maru, of Hakodate, whose boat we had just seized. The posi- tion of the Saikai Maru was as follows: Northeast Point W. J S., magnetic; south end of Walrus Island SE. f E., magnetic; nearest land, being south point of Northeast Point, distant 2.6 miles. As she was inside the lijnit and had some of her boats farther in- shore, and one of these boats had just been taken with freshly killed seal, sent Lieut. Alexander on board \vith three men, all armed, to seize her and remain hove to until the Bear could investigate the case of the other schooner. At 6.06 steamed ahead for the other schooner that appeared to be inside the limit. She was now under all sail, standing to the eastward, and in addition had several of her boats towing her. She had recalled all her boats and made sail about the time we headed up for the Saikai Maru. Blew several blasts on the steam whistle for her to heave to, but she paid no attention. Then fired a blank shot from the forward gun, whereupon she called in her boats and hauled down her head sails. At 6.23 stopped abreast this schooner 676 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. and found her to be the No. 2 Kinsai Mam, of Tokyo, and her po- sition was as follows: Tangent Northeast Point southwest by west, I west, magnetic; and tangent Walrus Island, southeast, magnetic; being 2f miles from Northeast Point. Sent Lieuts. Hinckley and Weightman aboard. Her boats were alongside. No sealskins nor carcasses were in them, but there was fresh blood in several of the boats. As she was within the limit and several of her boats were still farther inshore sealing, and several of her boats showed they had been seahng, by the fresh blood, the vessel was seized and an officer and three men left on board, all armed. Took her in tow, turned and stood back to the Saikai Maru and took her also in tow and steamed to the southward and around to Village Cove. There was a warrant officer and three men on board the Kensei Maru and an officer and three men on board the Saikai Maru, all armed. After anchoring, sent Lieuts. Hinckley and Alexander on board the Saikai Maru, and all skins were examined and counted, and all the arms and ship's papers were examined and marked for identifi- cation. The ship's papers and the arms were brought on board the Bear. The same duties were performed on board the Kinsai Maru by Lieuts. Hinckley and Weightman. In the meantime, the captured small boat belonging to the Saikai Maru was hoisted on board and the contents catalogued. The seal was skinned, and this skin and tlie other skin found in the boat were salted and sealed in a package. The three men comprising the crew of this boat were retained on board, and will be confined this night. This evening the Bush returned from a trip to St. George and anchored at Village Cove. Her commanding officer came on board and I arranged for him to take the two vessels to Unalaska and deliver same to you. As he informs me his coal supply is getting low, I have directed him to leave to-morrow morning, not deeming it wise for these two schooners to remain here any longer than necessary. I will turn over to the commanding officer of the Rush all papers, persons, articles, and so forth, in connection with these seizures. As the complement of the Rush is small, I have detailed Lieut. Weightman, Gunner Gold, and two men as prize crew for the Kinsai Maru. I have given the master of each of the seized schooners a certified fist of the papers brought on board the Bear, and also a list of the arms, and I will dehver copies also to the commanding officer of the Rush. I also inclose letters addressed to mej^y Lieuts. Hinckley, Alex- ander, and Weightman, said letters bearing on the matter of evidence. I would also state that the run of the Bear by her patent log, from her position at anchor to the place where the small boat was seized, coincides with the cross bearings for that same position. From this position to the two positions where the Saikai Maru and the Kinsai Maru were seized, the log does not give exactly the same positions as the cross bearings, but the positions by log run, as well as the positions by cross bearings, place these vessels inside the 3-mile limit. Respectfully, (Signed) E. P. Bertholp, Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding. seal islands of alaska. _ 677 Navy Department, Washington, July 25, 1908. Sir: The following is a copy of a telegram received from the com- manding officer of the U. S, S. Yorliown, dated the 24th instant, sent fro^ Safety, Alaska : Now off Yukon River. Five Japanese schooners sealing in the vicinity of St. Paul. Situation quiet. Will return here about August 6 to report. (Signed) Glennon. Very respectfully, N. E. Mason, Acting Secretary. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, July 30, 1908. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a report dated the 8th ultimo from Senior Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, commanding the Bering Sea Fleet, of the operations of that fleet from May 16 to that date. Respectfully, Beekman Winthrop, Acting Secretary. [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Unalasl-a, Alaslia, June 8, 1908. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to make the following report on matters relating to operations of the Bering Sea Fleet: On May 13 I took passage on the Areata to Victoria; called on the United States consul and collector of customs; obtained from the latter a list of Victoria sealing schooners that had been licensed for operation in Bering Sea for the season of 1908; only 6 vessels had obtained licenses, and one of them, the Ella G., had been lost at sea, leaving but 5 vessels of the Victoria fleet. No official information could be obtained of the number of Victoria sealing vessels under Japanese flag; the following-named vessels are known to be under the command of Canadians, viz: Kinsie Maru, Capt. Retchie; she has two Victoria hunters, Ned Burke and Bill Williams; Autol-a Maru, Capt. Thompson; Toyoi Maru, Capt. Jacobson; Matsu Maru has Fred Cochran as chief hunter. The Toyoi Maru wa-j one of the vessels engaged in the raid on Zapadni rookery, St. Paul Island, in 1906; she has two Victoria hunters on board, Edward McNeil and Edward Harris. Capt. Thompson, of the Autolca Maru, was on the schooner HouTcausia Maru when sunk by the Russian cruiser Gromovi, and was arrested for illegal sealing. 678 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The Perry was delayed at Port Townsend one day to obtain stores sent from San Francisco; we left port May 16, and arrived at Sitka May 20. Received department telegram relating to the use of coal from storehouse there; advised commanding officers of the Bear, McCuUoch, Rush, and Thetis of the order. Interviewed the marshal at Sitka regarding the Japanese sealers said to be violating the law, but obtained no other information than that already in possession of the department. A Japanese schooner is said to have landed four Japanese on one of the outlying islands; these men were in charge of the United States immigrant inspector; could obtain no positive information as to the names of the vessels referred to above. Capt. D. F. A. de Otte reports having received information at Yakatat of a Japanese seahng schooner visiting that port and report- ing loss of a boat with four men, possibly some connection with the above case. After leaving Sitka w^e kept witliin 20 miles of the shore, and arrived at Unalaska May 30; saw but one vessel, a Japanese sealer, about 16 miles west of Cape St. Elias; visited Yakatat, Port Etches, Seward, Karluk, and Alitak Bay; no vessels at any of the places visited. At my request Capt. Haake visited Seward that I might interview Assistant United States District Attorney Ray; he wired for author- ity to accompany us to Unalaska and obtained permission, but just before sailing received a wire from the marshal at Valdez of a murder and trouble at Cordovia, which made it impossible for Mr. Ray to leave at that time. First Lieut, of Engineers J. H. Chalker, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, reported May 1 1 , and accompanied me on the Perry, as also Ship's Writer F. V. McClung. The Thetis was in port on my arrival; the Bear and Rush arrived June 3; Rush had rudder quadrant broken; had it repaired at Dutch Harbor. Perry left for the islands June 5 ; Bear leaves for the islands June 9; Rush, June 10. McCulloch not here. For detail account of operations of the Perry on the cruise I inclose copy of Capt. Haake's report. Respectfully, (Signed) F. M. Munger, Senior Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Steamer "Bear," rnaJasla, Alasla, July 30, 1908. Senior Capt. F. ^I. Munger, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet, Unalaska, Alaska. Sir: I have the honor to report the arrival of the Bear at this port at 9.20 p. m. to-day, all on board being well. In accordance with your order of the 14tli instant, the Bear left Unalaska at 9 a. m. of the 17th and proceeded to St. Paul Island, arriving there at 7.20 p. m. of tlie LStli. J SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 679 The 19th instant, cruised around the island. Sighted 15 sail to the southward and westward and 5 sail to northward and eastward, all hull down, no small boats being in sight. The 20th, remained at anchor at Village Cove, having received information from the shore that no vessels were in sight from the island. On the 21st instant, got underway with the intention of making a cruise around the island to the westward. Sighted six sail to the southward and westv.-ard. hull down, and several small boats, all outside the limit. At 2.20 p. m., fog shutting in thick, returned to anchorage at ^^illage Cove. In the afternoon communicated with the shore and found that the special agent had no news to impart. At 12.30 a. m.. July 22d, Special Agent Judge come on board to inform the commanding officer that one of the native guards had just arrived from Northeast Point and reported a raid having taken place there at 10 p. m. the day before. The telephone system being out of order, this nati^^e had run from Northeast Point to the village with the news. Special Agent Lembkey had left the village with a force of four natives and proceeded to Northeast Point immediately upon receipt of this news, and Mr. Judge at the same time came to not if}- the Bear. At 12.55, got under wa}' and steamed to the eastward for North- east Point. The weather being quite foggy, the vessel was obliged to proceed vnWx caution. At 4.10 a. m., anchored On the south side of Northeast Point and sent Lieuts. Hinckley and Alexander ashore with, an armed boat's crew to investigate. At 5 a. m. the boat returned Avith the report that Special Agent Lembkey had arrived at Northeast Point a slioi't time before the Bear anchored and ascer- tained that the reported raid was without foundation; that the native who brought word to the village had been frightened without cause. To my mind, the incident of the reported raid on the night of the 21st illustrates the ease with which a raid can be made on St. Paul, due to the inadequate guard at the rookeries, and I deem it my duty to bring the matter to your notice. There is telephone communica- tion between Northeast Point and the village and between Zapadni and the village, and a small guard of natives is maintained at each of these pomts — the guard at Northeast Point consisting of four natives. These four men could not prevent the landmg of three or four boats, especially if tliick weather permitted the boats to get close to the shore before they were discovered. If the telephone is working, a message to the village mil bring assistance, of course, but as this assistance must travel 12 miles to get to Northeast Point, it would give the raiders at least two hours in which to work ti.eir will on the seals and depart. If the telephone is not workmg, it means that a messenger must run to the village to give the alarm, and this means still further delay. On the night of the 21st instant, one of the four natives on guard at Northeast Point thought he saw several strange men who had landed, and the telephone being out of order, he ran to the village to give the alarm. He left Northeast Point at 10 p. m. and, being frightened, he covered the 12 miles to the village in an hour ancl a quarter. Special Agent Lembkey started for Northeast Point with 680 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. reinforcements as soon as possible, but did not reach there until 3.45 a. m. Also, as soon as the messenger reached the village, Special Agent Judge proceeded to notify the Bear, but, the weather being foggy, the Bear was obUged to proceed with caution and could not reach Northeast Point before 4 a. m. Now, had there really been a raid at 10 p. m. of the 21st, the raiders would have been practically undisturbed between 10 p. m. and 3.45 a. m. Thus they would have had five and three-quarters hours in which to slaughter seals, skin them, and depart. In addition, when there happens to be only one vessel at the island, as was the case on the night of the 21st, she, of course, can be at but one place. If she anchors at Northeast Point, then the Zapadni or Tolstoi rookery is open to raids at foggy times, and I understand that at the Tolstoi rookery there is no guard. If the vessel anchors at Village Cove, or in the vicinity, in order to protect the southern rookery, then the rookeries at Northeast Point are open to raid. The situation is still further complicated by the fact that, although the vessel can be communicated with by boat at Village Cove if darkness or foggy weather prevents signals, she can not be com- municated with if anchored at Northeast Point, for there they have neither boats nor signals. Of course, the reported raid on the night of the 21st was a myth, but the foregoing is cited to show how very little there is to prevent a raid if several boats from the sealing fleet are so minded. From my observations thus far, I do not believe there has been any preconcerted attempt to engage in sealing operations within the prescribed limits, but when the weather is thick, it is difficult to ascertain one's exact position, and when several schooners or their boats happen to find themselves close to the limit when the fog clears, and the same clearing of the fog disclosed no cutter near by, un- doubtedly they embrace the opportunity and pursue their sealing operations as close to the rookeries as possible. The continued presence of a vessel in the vicinity of Northeast Point and in the vicinity of Village Cove would act as a great deterrant to any opera- tions witliin the prescribed limits on the part of the sealing fleet. It is suo;gested that a vessel stationed at Village Cove and required to remam in that vicinity and another vessel stationed at Northeast Point and required to remain in that vicinity, together with an adequate guard at both Northeast Point and Zapadni, would furnish the necessary protection. The guard would be able to prevent any boats from landing when it was too foggy, or too dark for the vessel to see what was going on, and the vessels being near by would pre- vent operations within the 3-mile limit. Of course, a vessel can not remain at Northeast Point nor yet at Village Cove during all kinds of weather, but when the weather prevents a vessel from anchoring at either of these points, no boats can land; therefore no raids nor sealing within the limit need be apprehended. In referring to a guard on the island I mean officers and men landed from the fleet for tliis purpose. I understand that the reason that the native guard at present maintained at the rookeries is so small is because, up to the end of July, the services of as many men as can be obtained are needed for the almost daily drives and killings. Landing a sufficient number of officers and men from the fleet will overcome tlus condition, and undoubtedly the knowledge of a regular J SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 681 service guard on the island would have a greater effect on the sealing fleet than would a native guard. All of which is respectively sub- mitted for your consideration. Respectfully, E. P. Bertholf, Captain, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Commanding. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, WasTiington, August 11, 1908. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, WasTiington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your information extract of a report dated the 19th ultimo from Senior Capt. F. M. Hunger, Unitea States Revenue-Cutter Service, commanding Bering Sea Patrol Fleet, in relation to certain Japanese schooners supposed to be engaged in fur-seal fishing. Respectfully, Beekman Winthrop. Acting Secretary. [Extracts.] Unalaska, Alaska, July 19, 1908. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, WasTiington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of operations of the Bering Sea Patrol Fleet, from June 21 to July 19, viz: June 21, Japanese schooner TpyJci Maru No. 2 arrived in port; has a crew of 30 men, 3 white. June 22, Japanese schooner ToTca Mam arrived in port, crew of 30 men, all Japanese. June 23, Japanese schooner Nitto Maru arrived in port, crew of 32 men, 2 white. This is the vessel seized last year by the Manning, same captain. June 24, Bear returned; towed in whaling schooner Rosie H.; found her becalmed outside of the head; 56 days from San Francisco. Bear reports having boarded two Japanese schooners; also very few vessels about the islands. All Japanese vessels left port. * * * * * * * Japanese sealing schooner Kinsei Maru arrived in; crew of 30 men; captain, Canadian, and crew of mixed nationality; this vessel has changed her rig to a topsail schooner, and painted hull white. * * Hs * * * * Respectfully, (Signed) F. M. Hunger, Senior Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. 682 seax. islands of alaska. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, August 15, 1908, The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a telegram received this date from Senior Capt. F. M. Hunger, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, commanding the Bering Sea Patrol Fleet, reporting the seizure of certain Japanese schooners within the ter- ritorial waters near St. Paul Island. Respectfully, L. A. Coolidge, Acting Secretary, [Copy.] Unalaska, Alaska, August I4, 1908. (Via Seward, Alaska; via Seattle. Secretary Treasury, Washington, D. C: July 22 Bear seized Japanese schooners Two Kinsei Maru (32 men), Sailcai Maru (27 men) , sealing territorial waters, near St. Paul ; evidence sufficient; no district attorney; no commissioner here. Bear sails August 2 to take marshal and prisoners before commissioner's court at Unga for commitment October term court. Mungee. Navy Department, Washington, August 15, 1908. Sir: I have the honor to forward herewith for your information the substance of a telegram received this date from the U. S. vS. YorJctown, now cruising in Bering Sea, dated Unalaska, August 4, via Sitka, August 14: Unalaska, fourth, overhauling boilers; will proceed soon as practicable Port Safety; for communication address telegrams there. Sixteen Japanese schooners known oft Pribilofs; 2 captured within 3 miles by revenue service; two British sealers thus far seen outside limits. No British war vessels yet arrived. I have the honor to be, sir. Your obedient servant, J. E. Pillsbury, Acting Secretary. The honorable Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Department of Commerce and Labor. Navy Department, Washington, September 4, 1906. Sir: The following is a copy of a telegram received from the com- manding officer of the U. S. S. YorHown, dated the 1st instant, sent from Valdez, Alaska: Conditions Pribilofs quiet; Japanese sealers have mostly left for Japan; few British sealers well outside limit; British gunboat Algerine arrived Unalaska August 11, leaves for Esquimau September 2. I have the honor to be, sir. Very respectfully, V. H. Metcalf, Secretary. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 683 [Copy.] United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Steamer "Bear," Vndlaska, Alaska, September 4, 1908. Senior Capt. F. M, Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet, Unxilaslca, Alaska . Sir : I have tlie honor to report the arrival of the Bear at this port to-day at 6.10 p. m., all being well on board. Referring to that portion of my report of July 30, wherein is shown the advisability of having a vessel always in the immediate neigh- borhood of Northeast Point of St. Paul Island, I desire to respectfully add the following: Notwithstanding the vigilance and activity of the several vessels on patrol, my observation leads me to believe that the seal islands, and St. Paul in particular, are not and can not be properly protected against maraudmg on the part of the sealing fleet without maintain- ing a guard on shore at Northeast Point. The necessity for main- taining a guard at Northeast Pomt is well understood by the repre- sentatives on the island, and the special agent in charge daes maintain a guard of 4 natives at Northeast Point from the beginning of the season and for a portion of the season a guard of 1 or 2 men at Zapadni Point. But these 4 men at Northeast Point and the 2 men at Zapadni are more in the nature of watchmen than guards. They patrol the shore line in the vicinity of the rookeries and hauling grounds at night and during fog and give notice to the village by phone of any encroachment by the boats from the sealing fleet. These 4 natives, however, can not be expected to be, and never have been, able to ward off any attempted raid on the rookeries without assistance. Unless a raid is attempted while the force from the village are kilHng at Northeast Point, the guard of 4 men can get assistance only by telephoning to the village. The village being 12 miles dis- tant and the road being poor, it requires some time for assistance to get to Northeast Point, and, during this period, a marauding party could very well work its will and get away. In addition, it must be borne in mind that tlie skms taken at Northeast Point during the killing season are stored m the salt house there until the company's steamer comes up in August, and consequently this salt house, con- taining thousands of sealskms ready for transportation, is protected by 4 natives only, who can get no assistance within two hours at the least. The result of a raid by several boats under cover of fog or night can be readily predicted. The fact that no raid has been made this season is no reason to suppose that none will be made in following seasons. Naturally a raid would not be made except under cover of fog or darkness. At such times there is no way in which the 4 native guards could get assistance from a cutter anchored at Northeast Pomt for the reason that there is no boat on the shore there. There- fore, if the cutter were anchored on one side of the point and several boats landed on the otlier side of the point under cover of fog or night, for the purpose of making a raid on the salt house or the rook- eries, there would be no way of notifying the cutter that assistance was needed, and assistance would have to come by way of the village, 684 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. which is, as I have said, 12 miles away with a poor road. The 4 natives are armed, of course, and, in addition, there is a 1-pound iieklpiece at Hutchinson Hill at Northeast Point. This gun, how- ever, is a mile distant from the watch house, where the guard spends its time when not patrolling. Sometimes the breechblock and box of ammunition are kept at the gun and sometimes at the watch house. This gun, although a mile distant from the watch house, is but a quarter of a mile from the beach. To keep the ammunition at the gun means that both gun and ammunition would be captured by a landing force in a few minutes unless the guard was at the gun. If the guard remained at the gun they would be a mile away from the telephone, while, if they remained at the watch house they would be a mile away from the gun. The presence of this gun and under these circumstances seems to fulfill no useful purpose. Two years ago a raid was made at Northeast Point, which, although it was finally repulsed and several of the raiders killed, was not alto- gether unsuccessful, since a number of sealskins were taken off to the schooners. Furthermore, this raid was not repulsed by the native guard. It so happened that the force from the village had been killing the day before and had not all returned to the village. Even with this assistance being accidentally present, the raiders were able to make way with some skins and it is easy to conjecture what would have happened had only the four natives been at the point when the raid was made. What is needed at Northeast Point is, of course, a guard. Dur- ing the killing season on the island, more than 4 men can not be spared from the natives, and, in my judgment, a force of not less than 20 men, with an officer and warrant officer, should be landed for guard duty at Northeast Point on St. Paul Island during the pelagic sealing season. The rookeries on St. Paul Island, from Polovina around to Zapadni are all within easy reach of the village and can be protected from the village. If, however, any signs of danger were seen at Zapadni, a small portion of the 20 men could be sent there for guard duty. I learn there is an objection to such a guard, but it is not insurmountable. During the killing season on the island, which is practically the months of June and July, it is necessary that the hauling grounds be as undisturbed as possible, as it is from these grounds the seals are driven to the killing ground. When the seals are disturbed those on the hauling ground are apt to take to the water, and under such circumstances it is difficult to obtain the quota of skins allowed for the season. The objection to the seaman guard is that, being unfamiliar with the habits of the seal, this guard, in patrolling, would disturb the seal and thus keep the hauling ground depleted. This objection can easily be remedied by maintaining, in addition to the 20 men from the cutters, the 4 natives now used as a guard and patrol, and causing a native to always accompany the seaman patrol to show how to pass the rookeries and hauling grounds with- out disturbing the seals. It appears also that the boats from the sealing fleet sometimes come close to the shore under cover of the fog, and by continuous firing endeavor to disturb the seal so that many extra seals having taken to the water the boats can then retreat outside the 3-mile limit and capture passing seals at their leisure. If the guard on shore fire at these boats they but add to SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 685 the disturbance of the seals and help to produce the result aimed at by the boats. The present native guard does sometimes fire at the boats, and should the seaman guard also fire at the boats their firing would disturb the seals no more than at present. In addition to these 20 men being able to repulse any raid without waiting for assistance, it is undoubtedly a fact that the known presence of a military guard on the island would act as a strong de- terrant against raids on the part of the pelagic sealing fleet. With a guard on the island as outlined, and one vessel always in the immediate vicinity of Reef Point, there would be small chance of the pelagic fleet doing damage inside the 3-mile limit. Respectfully, E. P. Bertholf, Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commariding. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, September 10, 1908. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a report dated July 30, 1908, from Senior Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, commanding the Bering Sea Patrol Fleet, in relation to the seizure by the revenue cutter Bear, on July 22, of the Japa- nese sealing schooners Two Kinsai Maru and Saikai Maru; also extracts from a report from that officer dated the 17th ultimo of the operations of the Bering Sea Patrol Fleet from July 20 to August 17 last. Respectfully, J. B. Reynolds, Acting Secretary. United States Revenue-Cutter Service, UnalasJca, Alaslca, July 30, 1908. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: Confirming my telegram this date as follows: July 22 Bear seized Japanese schooners Two Kinsei Maru (32 men), Saikai Maru (27 men), sealing territorial waters, near St. Paul; evidence sufficient; no district attor- ney; no commissioner here. Bear sails August 2 to take marshal and prisoners before commissioner's court at Unga for commitment October term court. I have the honor to report that the evidence seems sufficient to convict; I held the vessels; unbent sails; removed arms; took inventory; and turned them over to United States marshal. They will be sent before a commissioner's court at Unga. The Two Kinsei Maru changed her rig, after coming into the sea, to a topsail schooner, and painted hull white; with quaker smokestack could be easily mistaken for the Rush or Perry in a fog about the islands; she has 6 Canadian hunters on board, several of whom have been implicated in previous raids on either the Pribilof or Commander Islands; the balance of her crew, 33 men, are of all 686 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. nationalities. This vessel appears to be leader in trespassing on territorial waters, as previous to her arrival the Japanese kept well away from the islands. There being no district attorney or commissioner here, I will send the prisoners, 59 men, to Unga, the nearest court, on the Bear. She will sail from here on the 2d of August. As soon as this case is settled, the commanding ofhcer of the Bear will investigate reports of Japanese otter hunting and committing other lawless acts about the Shumagin group. I inclose copy of Capt. Bertholf's report relating to seizures of Japanese schooners, also a copy of report of the United States com- missioner at Unga relating to illegal acts of Japanese about the Shumagin group. Respectfully, F. M. Hunger, Senior Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. United States Revenue-Cutter Service, TJnalaska, Alaska, August 17, 1908. The honorable the Secretary op the Treasury, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of opera- tions of the Bering Sea Patrol Fleet from July 20 to August 17, viz: July 20: Perry returned from cruise. Received verbal information from deputy collector of customs that he had satisfactory evidence that Japanese were fishing on the Pacific side of Unalaska Island, probably in Kuliliak Bay. July 24: Perry sailed for Kuliliak Bay to investigate the report of Japanese fishing there. July 25: Rush returned with Japanese sealing schooners 2 Einsei Maru and Saikai Maru in tow, having been seized by the Bear July 22 for illegal sealing in territorial waters near St. Paul. Unbent vessels' sails and secured arms. July 26: Perry returned after a thorough examination of _ the coast; found no evidence of Japanese fishing operations in Kuliliak Bay or elsewhere. Placed Japanese schooners 2 Kinsei Maru and SaiTcai Maru in charge of United States marshal; 2 Japanese sick, with nurse, placed in hospital; Rush issued rations for them. ******* August 2: Bear sailed for Unga with Japanese prisoners. ******* August 10: Schooner Emma, Benson, master, arrived in from Sannak with beef. Captain reports that 9 Japanese sealing schoon- ers have been sealing and otter hunting about the Sannaks; that they went to Bering Sea about the middle of July; also that Emil Mo^eck took away the Japanese deserter from the ToJcia Maru and landed him at a fishing station at Cape Bankof. ******* SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 687 Bear returned from Unga; Japanese prisoners committed for Oc- tober term of court, and officers of Bear bonded to appear as wit- nesses at Valdez October 1. Bear brought back Mizusoma Rohm- zayema, deserter from Japanese schooner Tokia Maru. The cruise of the Bear subject of a special report. Respectfully, F. M. MUNGER, Senior Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. Part III. Communications Relative to Supplies, [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Harrishurg, Pa., May 13, 1908. Chief Clerk, Departmsnt of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Mail large red memorandum book in middle drawer my desk to me, Frisco, care company. Haste. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. May 14, 1908. May 15, 1908. Sir: The mushroom anchor called for in your requisition for cer- tain supplies for use on the Pribilof Islands not being obtainable in Washington in time for shipment, you are hereljy authorized to pur- chase an anchor of this description for use at the islands mentioned, at a cost not to exceed 10 cents per pound. Yours, very respectfully, Herbert Knox Smith, Acting Secretary. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Care of the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. REQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Alaskan Fisheries, October 22, 1908. To the Chief Clerk : Please cause to be furnished to tliis bureau for official use the sup- plies specified below. James Judge, Acting Chief of Bureau* Approved. W. R. B., Acting Chief CUrJc, 688 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Item No. 251 251 328b 321b 322b 16 431 436 41 5d Quantity desired. 2 1 dozen ....do. ....do. 2 gross. do. 1 ream . 1 1 1 1 Articles. Waste baskets Hard pencils. No. 3 American Soft pencils, No. 2 American Erasers, typewriter, $0,245 a dozen No. 16 rubber bands, assorted, $0,085 a gross No. 32 rubber bands, assorted, $0.20 a gross . Heavy typewriter paper Brusb for cleaning type Brusb for cleaning machine Remington card receiver Put new seat in No. 1026 chair Ribbon, record, Ij inches wide, Paragon Loan of Remington. No. 8, 19041 Cost. $0.14 .14 .25 .17 .40 Received the above October 29, 1908. James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. [Telegram.] Depaetment of Commerce and Labor, San Francisco, Cat., June 30, 1908. Secretary Commerce and Labor, WasThington, D. C: Have been requested to send the following telegram: Secretary Commerce and Labor: Stationery and other supplies requested for seal islands through Division of SuppUes not received. Respectfully re- quest same to be forwarded by company's steamer leaving San Fran- cisco July 25, proximo. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, July 1, 1908. 1909. Part I. Instructions to Agents and Agents' Reports. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, Januaj-y 5, 1909. Commissioner of Fisheries, Department of Commerce and Lahor. Dear Sir: In compliance with tlie recent order of the Secretary of Commerce and I^abor, assigning to the Bureau of Fisheries the fur- seal agents of the department, together with their records, files, etc., I transmit herewith such correspondence, together with card index of same, as have remained a part of the chief clerk's files up to the present time. The remainder of the files are in the possession of the fur-seal agents themselves, and wiU accompany their other possessions as soon as physically transferred to your olFics. In regard to records and files, I may also suggest that the Solicitor of the Department of Commerce and I^abor lias a considerable amount of information bearing on the legal aspect of the Fur-Seal Service, and while these papers are properly a part of his own hies, yet they may be consulted at any time by officials engaged on this work. Very truly, yours, Frank H. Bo wen. Chief ClerTi. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bltieau of Fisheries, Washington, January 12, 1909. Messrs. Barton W. Evermann, Walter I. Lembkey, Millard C. Marsh, James Judge, and A. B. Alexander, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Gentlemen: You are hereby appointed a board, to be known as the fur-seal board, witli Dr. Evermann as chairman, and as such you will take charge under my general direction of the administration and oihce routine of all matters pertaining to the fur-seal service recently transferred to this bureau by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Within the scope of t)iis service come all matters relating to the fur seals and blue foxes of tlie Pribilof Islands, the Government's relations to the company leasing the islands and to the natives, and all those functions usually regarded as the duties of the fur-seal agents. It is my desire that tliis board and the individual members thereof give their best thought to the many questions involved to the end that the fur-seal service may be administered as intelligently and efficiently as possible. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 44 689 690 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 9, 1909. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir : I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 12 last, containing my appointment as a member of the fur- seal board. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 26, 1909. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir : It appears from the report of Agent Lembkey of the seal fish- eries that the Government buildings on the seal islands are in impera- tive need of repairs. For instance, the Government house on St. Paul needs a new shingle roof and a number of heavy timbers to replace rotten sills and joists. The watch house at Zapadni is vir- tually uninliabitable, entailing hardship on the men required to live there while on guard duty. The coal house, a large building, re- quires a concrete floor. A small room is necessary to shelter the guns and ammunition from the rough winter weather. Conditions equally bad — such as leaky roofs, rotten floors, and joists — are reported as existing in the Government buildings on St. George Island. The watch house at East rookery on that island needs extensive repairs. These islands are completely isolated and without communication with any other land for about seven months of every year, and this during the inclement season when severe storms and high winds occur. The buildings are frame structures, 30 to 35 years old, and at present unfit to withstand the force of the tempests. The accidents of any storm might bring about serious suffering and the destruction of important public records. The sum of $3,000 is estnnated as necessary for the materials requisite in making the repairs desired. All labor will be performed by the agents of this bureau and the natives and without cost to the Government. In view of the conditions named, I have the honor to recommend that Congress be asked to make a special appropriation of $3,000 for repairs to public buildings on the Pribilof Islands. Very respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries. seal islands of alaska. 691 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 9, 1909. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: In the matter of the application of F. M. Brown, attorney, for the remission of the fine imposed upon 32 members of the crew of the Japanese seahng schooner Kinsei Maru No. 2, and for discon- tinuance of the forfeiture proceedings instituted against said vessel for the illegal kilHng of fur seals in Bering Sea, I have the honor to inclose a memorandum prepared in this bureau covering the facts in the case. From this it appears that the officers and men of the vessel men- tioned were duly arrested for sealing within our territorial jurisdic- tion; that the vessel was seized within the 3-mile hmit; that the parties were tried and found guilty in the United States court at Valdez, Alaska; that they have the right of appeal to the higher courts, but have not exercised it; and that in every respect they have been accorded the same treatment as would be given American citizens. It is further shown that the granting of the request of the petitioners would be greatly to the disadvantage of our sealing industry. In view of all the facts I am satisfied that the granting of the relief sought would be prejudicial to the pubHc service, and accord- ingly recommend that the application be denied. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 9, 1909. [Memorandum to the Secretary. In re application for remission of fines imposed on 32 members of the crew of the sealing schooner Kinsei Maru, and discontinuance of libel proceedings against said vessel for unlawfully killing fur seals in the waters of Bering Sea in July, 1908.) In liis letter to the Secretary of the Treasury opposing the objects of the application mentioned above, United States District Attorney Crossley truly says: The object principally sought by the defendants is not bo much to obtain remission of the fines and penalties imposed on the sealers, as to secure discontinuance of the proceedings which look to the forfeiture of the ship and her cargo. The cargo consists of 416 sealskins, having an estimated value of over $9,000. The real culprits in all violations of the fur-seal laws in Bering Sea are the owners of the vessels and the captains thereof. In their work of seahng the men on board must obey the captain, who in turn takes liis orders from tlie owners. While the men caught violating our laws must be punished, it is evident that if the ship goes free the principal culprit has not suTered, and that notliing has been accomplished toward deterring the same or other vessels setting our laws at defiance in the future. All Japanese vessels engaged in sealing in the vicinity of the Pribilof Islands violate the laws of their own Government. Thev are 692 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, licensed for the home trade only, the northern and eastern limits of wliich are 50° north latitude and 160° east longitude. (Report of U. S. Considar Agent E. J. King, Hakodate, Jan. 26, 1909.) No notice is taken by the Japanese authorities of infractions of this law by sealing schooners, so that in this respect the Kinsei Maru is no worse than other sealing vessels; but she has gained the re})uta- tion on the coasts of Alaska, as will appear herein, of being a terror to all defenseless people. Last spring Simoneski Island, within the cruising ground of this vessel, was raided, the natives plundered, stock killed, and houses burned; but the poor natives were unable to identify the vessel. The vessels engaged in these practices stand off at sea, or remain sheltered from view while their boats go ashore to rob and destroy. The immense coast line of Alaska, with only the limited protection afforded by the few revenue cutters on duty there, is calculated to invite attack from tliese desperate characters, many of whom, as is the case of the Kinsei Afaru, are white men sailing under the Japanese flag. Capt. F. A. Haake, commanding revenue cutter Perry, reports under date of May 30, 1908, that the Kinsei Maru entered the harbor of Yakutat, April 18, ostensibly for wood and water, and remained five days; and on A])ril 29 she again entered said harbor, remaining until May 2. The Kinsei Maru is one of the few sealing schooners which enter American ports with impunity for sup])lies which it is unlawful for Americans to selb sealing schooners. (See act Dec. 30, 1897.) Only a few days before the capture of the Kinsei Maru Capt. Hunger, always watchful and alert, sent word to the islands that the crew of this vessel was composed of desperate men, and for the native guard to keep a sharp lookout and not mistake this vessel for a cutter. In an official report of July 30, 1908, he says: The 2 Kinsei Maru changed her rig after coming into the sea to a topsail schooner, and painted hull white; with quaker smokestack could be easily mistaken for the Rush or Perry in a fog about the islands; she has 6 Canadian hunters on board, several of whom have been implicated in previous raids on either the Pribilof or Commander Islands; the balance of her crew, 33 men, are of all nationalities. This vessel appears to be a leader in trespassing on territorial waters, as previous to her arrival the Japanese kept well away from the islands. Mr. Lembkey, who was present at Northeast Point when the Kinsei Maru was captured, says on page 29 of his annual report for 1908: On July 22 the Bear made a midnight voyage to Northeast Point from the village, arriving there at 4 a. m. The morning was foggy, but rifts in the fog allowed inspec- tion of the sea at intervals. At the time of her arrival at the point shotgun firing from small boats was so incessant as to sound like a battle being fought just offshore. The Bear found several schooners and a number of small boats all inside the limit shooting seals. She was able to capture two of the schooners, the Saikai Maru and the Kinsei Maru, both of which were towed to the village. * * * The SaiJcai Maru is the schooner that is reported to have raided the Pribilofs last year, obtaining 62 skins, * * * This year several boats from this vessel were seen to land on Walrus Island, almost immediately after she arrived In the sea. The Kinsei Maru, Capt. Richardson (Ritchie), probably has been more aggressive in approaching shore this summer than any other vessel in the fleet, and her master has been known to express contempt for the shore guard as well as for the cutter patrol. It is believed that no vessels in the fleet deserved capture more than the two taken by the Bear, and that their apprehension had a restraining effect upon the remainder of the fleet. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 693 Supplementing what Mr. Crossley says on page 2 of his letter relative to the opportunities of the defendants for destroying the evidence of their having killed fur seals just oif the seal rookeries, and intimating that the skins taken that morning were sent away in the boats that escaped capture, it is worthy of note: (a) That on many occasions sealing boats have landed on the islands, none of which ever carried more than three men — a hunter, a rower, and the one who steers. (b) That the two boats of the Kinsei Maru escaping capture carried four men each, and among the eight so escaping were Smith and Williams, the white hunters. That these white men w^ere capable of thinking quickl}^, of collect- ing the sldns secured that morning, and escaping to another vessel, is most likely. The evidence was ample to convict. Capt. Bertholf testified (p. 12 of transcript) that he found the vessel 2f miles from land; that three or four of the Kinsei Maru's boats were betv-een the ship and shore; that he heard shooting from those boats; and that he saw a wounded seal coming from the direction of those boats. Lieut. Hinkley of the Bear saw^ and heard firing from seven boats inshore of the Kinsei Maru, four of which belonged to her ; no other boats were in that vicinity except the seven mentioned; he saw a wounded seal coming from the direction of those boats; saw fresh blood in two of the Kinsei Maru's boats; and he found tw^o skins on board that were only new salted. This damaging testimony was corroborated by other .officers and men of the Bear, among whom was Coxswain Jacobson, w^ho had spent five years as a sealer. He saw fresh red blood on the bottom of the Kinsei Maru's boat and also on the sides. On rebuttal, the Government offered Dr. Hurley, surgeon on the Bear, who would have testified that the blood in the boats of the Kinsei Maru w^as fresh, but he was not permitted to give his evi- dence because the defense objected, and the court sustained the objection on technical grounds. With the exception of H. Webb, who admitted shooting at one seal, none of the defendants admitted doing any shooting; none of them saw more than one seal, and some of them saw- none, although they w^ere out one hour that morning before being captured. Seals are thick in the water at that season. On the day before the capture, i. e., July 21, one of the Kinsei Maru's boats caught 11 seals. (See testimony of H. Webb, p. 64.) It would indeed be surprising if eight boats manned with alert sealers should spend an hour close to the largest rookery on St. Paul without seeing or killing a seal. In the boats of the Saikai, captured just before the Kinsei Maru, the bodies and skins of several freshly killed seals were found. Owing to the suddenness of their surprise and capture, the latter lacked time in w^hich to destroy evidence of tlieir guilt. The log of the Kinsei Maru showed 415 skins on board; but a care- ful count of the skins revealed a discrepanc}^ of one skin between the log count and the actual count. The latter showed 416 skins. Now, how did this discrepancy arise? Is it not likely that the one skin in excess had been taken during the watch in which the vessel was captured, and before the log had been w-ritten? How else are 694 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. we to account for the presence of the extra skin ? The log should be reliable; it is the record upon which every man is paid. It seems con- clusive that the count of the log was the count made before sealing began in that morning's watch. The officers and men in the boats of the Kinsei Maru witnessed the capture of the Saikai, and as the boats of both vessels were hunting at the same time in the same neighborhood, it is fair to presume that they not only lolled the seals, but having a full hour in which to destroy evidence of their guilt, that they did so. It must not be forgotten that the hunters of the Kinsei Maru are among the most expert in the fleet. At the time of the capture they had a larger catch than any other vessel in the sea. They had 416 skins, as compared with 276 on the SaiJcai. They had seven boats in the water in exactly the place from which the sound of firing came, and yet her men testified that they neither saw seals nor did any shooting. In the light of all the evidence, the jury could not do otherwise than disregard such testimony and return a verdict of guilty. (1) The Kinsei Maru has gained among the natives of Alaska the name of "Terror." (2) She changed her rig and painted her hull white to simulate a revenue cutter. (3) Her crew, as is well known, is composed of desperate characters. (4) She makes an American port the base of her lawless operations. (5) She is a lawless rover of the sea and goes out to maraud and Erey. She is far from engaging honestly in lawful business. She as been "caught in the act." Her crew have been given all the advantages that American citizens would have been accorded. They have been tried in the United States court, and an unprejudiced jury has found them guilty. If this vessel can not be held for her unlawful acts in territorial waters, no vessel can be so held. No man can read the evidence at that trial without being convinced that the officers, the men, the vessel — all were guilty. If they think them- selves denied justice in the court where tried, higher courts are open for appeal. In 1907, as before stated, one of these captured schooners, the Sailcai, is reported as raiding one of our rookeries, getting away with 62 skins; and in 1908, another of the fleet raided Bering Island, securing 65 seal and 11 sea-otter skins. The crew of this vessel plundered the native village, destroying what they could not take away. The Commander Islands are, in fact, the scene of frequent violence and bloodshed from the lawless incursions of Japanese sealing vessels. Our Government is now confronted with like con- ditions of rapine and vandalism, unless we proceed without favor to mete out deserved punishment to those convicted of unlawful acts. Hovering just outside the 3-mile limit, these craft are killing seals practically all the time within our territorial waters. They are shifty and untiring; the moment one of the cutters passes by, they seize the opportunity to come close to land, stampede the seals, and launch their work of carnage. If discovered and arrested, they throw overboard their sealskins, thereby destroying the evidence of their nefarious work, and claim they were unwittingly carried across the line by the tides and currents. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 695 By the laws of their own country, they can not kill seals nearer than 30 miles from shore on the Japanese side; yet through the laxity of our methods of caring for our property, they, to all intents and purposes, do their sealing within our 3-mile limit. To interfere with the punishment of these men, and wdth the pro- ceedings for condemning this lawless and predatory craft, would be a practical abandonment of preventive measures; w^e might almost as well withdraw our patrol, call in our guards, and weakly admit our inability to keep and protect our interests. Every consideration of justice, every rule of efficient administration, every instinct of national independence and conservation advise the enforcement of the court's judgment as to these men, and that the proceedings against the vessel shall go on unimpeded. March 24, 1909. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries oj Alaslca, St. Paul Island, AlasTca. Sir: Transmitted herewith is a copy of a letter addressed to" Mr. Waldemar Jochelson, leader of the ethnological department ofi^the Russian Impeiial Geographical Society, authoiizing him to visit the island of St. Paul, for the purpose of making certain ethnological observations and taking cinematographic pictures of the seals. You are requested to render him sucli assistance in furtherance of these objects as may be consistent with the regulations governing the con- duct of the sealing industry. Respectfully, Wm. R. Wheeler, -£I Assistant Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, March 24, 1909. Mr. Waldemar Jochelson, Russian Imperial Geographical Society, Unalaslca, Alaska. Sir: Replying to your letter of February 1, permission is hereby given you to la,nd on St. Paul Island of the Pribilof Group in July next, and to make ethnological observations, subject to the general regulations governing the island, a,nd to take pictures of the seals, subject to the regulations prohibiting the taking of pictures of the operations of sealing. The agent in charge has been instructed'^ to render you all the assistance consistent with the duties confided to him. Respectfully, Wm, R. Wheeler, Assistant Secretarij. 696 seal islands op alaska, Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, St. Paul Island, AlasTca, June 9, 1909. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau oj Fislieries, Wasliington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a letter, dated March 24 last, from Assistant Secretary Wheeler, inclosing a copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Waldemar Jochelson, leader of the ethno- logical de])artnient of the Russian Imperial Geographical Society, authorizing him to visit the Pribilof Islands for the purpose of making certain investigations of seals. In reply I have to state that I have been informed that Mr. Jochel- son already has arrived in Unalaska, but will not visit the Pribilof s this year, as he intends making a journey to Attn. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fislieries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, Marcli 27, 1909. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Pribilof Group, Alaslca. Sir: 1. Assistant agents ordered to proceed to islands. — Assistant Agents James Judge and Ezra W. Clark, who are now in Washington, D. C, will be instructed to proceed to the seal islands, Alaska, in time to reach there before the beginning of the coming sealing season and to report to you for instructions. 2. Assignment of assistants. — You will make such assignment of the assistant agents for the season's work as in your judgment will best subserve the interests of the service and the welfare of the native inhabitants, and will notify the department of your action in this regard. 3. Agents to report to Washington. — At the close of the sealing season, or as soon thereafter as feasible, Assistant Agent H. D. Chichester and yourself will return to Washington and report for duty at the department. 4. Copies of contract inclosed. — Inclosed herewith are copies of the contract between the United States and the North American Commercial Co., and it will be your duty and that of your assistants to see that its provisions are enforced and the rights of the Government and those of the lessee duly protected. 5. Decision in event of difference. — Should a difference of opinion arise at any time between yourself and the representatives of the company in respect to a matter of administration on the islands your decision must govern, but in all cases you should request the superintendent of the company to furnish a written statement of his views on the question involved. This statement should be trans- mitted to the department, with an expression of your own views, at the earliest practicable moment. i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 697 6. Quota. — If the condition of the herd will permit, the lessee may be allowed to take during the season of 1909 as many as 12,000 male seals of the proper age on the island of St. Paul and as many as 3,000 on the island of St. George, but not more than the number specified in either case ; provided, however, that in case the numljer of male seals hauling on St. George Island is so greatly in excess of the num- ber usually hauling there as to convince the Government agent in charge on St. George that there has been a material contemporaneous diminution in the number of male seals hauling on St. Paul Island, said agent in charge mav, in his discretion, authorize the taking of a total of not to exceed 4,000 seals on St. George Island. This taking is, of course, to be subject to all the other requirements and hmitations of these regulations. The numbers .to which the quotas of the two islands are thus limited shall be inclusive of any skins accepted by the company from food drives made prior to the present sealing season. No seals shall be taken this season that have reached the age of 4 years (i. e., seals that have attained their fifth summer), nor shall any seals be taken that are under 2 years of age. 7. Reservation of young males. — In order to remove all doubt as to the reservation of a sufficient number of male seals for the perpetu- ation of the herd, you are instructed to release from among the best seals appearing in the first drives of the season notiewer than 1,000 3-year-old males and not fewer than 1,000 2-year-old males. Of the 3-year-olds and 2-year-olds to be reserved, 800 of each shall be released on the island of St. Paul and 200 of each on the island of St. George. The seals thus released are to be marked in such manner as will make them readily recognizable throughout the season, and under no circumstances are they to be taken by the lessee. 8. Sizes of IcillaUe seals. — No seals shall be killed having skins weighing less than 5 pounds nor more than 8h pounds. Skins weighing less than 5 pounds or more than 8^ pounds shall be held at the islands subject to such instructions as may be furnished you hereafter by the department. 9. Killing season. — The killing season should begin as soon after the 1st of June as the rookeries are in condition for driving. Seals shall not be kified by the lessee later than July 31. The killing of pups for food for the natives or for any other purpose is not to be permitted, 10. Seals for food. — The number of seals to be killed by the natives for food for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1909, shall not exceed 1,700 on the island of St. Paul and 500 on the island of St. George, subject to the same Hmitations and restrictions as aj^ply to the killing of seals by the company for its quota, except that the maximum weight for food skins shall not exceed 7 pounds. Care should be taken that no branded seals be killed in the drives for food. 11. Driving. — The representatives of the company on the islands should be required to give notice on the day preceding that on which they desire to make a drive of seals, stating the name of the rookery selected. The time, place, and manner of conducting all drives shall be subject to your approval. A representative of the Government should be present on the kilhng ground in each instance to super- intend the kilhng. If at any time the methods employed in driving or killing appear in your judgment to be faulty or detrimental to the seal herd, you should see that such methods are immediately corrected, indicating to the representative of the company what changes are to be made. 698 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 12. Killing grounds. — As heretofore, you shouIH establish on each of the islands killing grounds that can be reached by the shortest possible drive; provided, however, that such killing grounds must be at places sufficiently distant from the rookeries to prevent annoyance from the decaying carcasses. 13. Acceptance of skins. — In an opinion dated March 8, 1902, it was held by the Solicitor of the Treasury that the lessee has no right to reject any of the skins taken from the seals which it has selected for killing. You will therefore see that all such skins, regardless of con- dition, are accepted. 14. Counting skins. — ^All the sealskins should be carefully counted into the salt houses in the presence of the department agent and of the representative of the company, and a receipt, in duplicate, in the following form should be prepared and signed by said agent and by the representative of the company: St. — ■ Island, , 190^. We certify that there have been placed in salt in the salt house in our presence sealskins. Agent, United States Department of Commerce and Labor. Agent, North American Commercial Co. 15. Receipts for sealskins salted. — The original of the above recei]3t should be retained by the department agent and the duplicate be given to the representative of the North American Commercial Co. At the close of the season, when the sealskins are again counted and shipped on board the company's steamer, the usual annual receipts should be signed by the caj)tain of the steamer and the representative of the department. 16. Trading in skins. — The North American Commercial Co. has the exclusive privilege under its contract of taking sealskins on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, and you should see that the company is protected in this right. Care should be taken to prevent the disposal of skins by the natives to any other company or to any person. All trading in sealskins by the natives is strictly prohibited, nor shall the natives be permitted to do any trading in fox skins. 17. Measures to prevent sliipment of skins hy natives. — To avoid the possibility of sealskins or fox skins being surrejititiously shipped from the islands, you are directed to continue the practice of exam- ining all goods to be shipped by the natives, including baggage and personal elfects, and v/here barrels, casks, boxes, or other receptacles are used, they should be closed under your supervision, after an exami- nation of the contents, before being placed in the warehouse. Any skins found concealed in packages to be shipped by the natives should be seized and held, subject to instructions from the department. 18. Census of seal herd. — You are expected to make a thorough examination into the condition of the seal herd during the coming season, and to make a careful count of the number of breeding seals, male and female, on the islands, and also a computation as accurate as Eossible of the number of seals not breeding, including idle bulls, alf bulls, bachelors, and virgin females. A careful enumeration should also be made of the pups found dead at the close of the season SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 699 and such information as can be had regarding the cause of death reported; provided, however, that in, case the presence of ])elagic schooners near the islands at any time during the summer should make it unwise to so disturb the rookeries Ijy counting as to drive off the breeding seals into the wtiter, yourself and the assistant agent in charge on St. George should use your discretion as to what further counts "should be made, or whether counting should be discontinued altogether for the remaindei- of the season. 19. SeaJsJcins to he weighed. — You are instructed to have the skins of the seals taken by the lessee during the coming season carefully weighed, and to keep a record of the weights for the information of the department. You should also weigh the skins of seals that are killed to supply food for the natives, and record the weights. The natives may be required to assist as far as practicable in the work of weighing. 20. Care of the natives. — The care and welfare of the natives should receive your close attention, and you are directed to see that the lessee performs all of the obhgations of its contract toward such natives. You should ascertain the prices charged at the company's stores, compare them w^ith the prices at San Francisco, and report any instances where the natives are compelled to pay unfair prices. You should also inspect tlie articles supplied as to quality and quan- tity, and if they are in any maimer deficient you should report the fact to the department. 21. Compensation to natives for talcing sTcins. — In view of the increase of the prices charged the natives on the seal islands for necessaries of life by the lessee, the latter has been informed that the compensation to be paid by the comj^any for killing, salting, curing, bundling, and loading the sealskins on the company's steamers will be 75 cents for each sldn instead of 50 cents a ^-kiii, as heretofore. The increase of 25 cents })er skin is designed to meet the increased cost of necessaries of life on the islands. It is the purpose of the department to require tliat the ]}rices of labor in the work of sealing by the natives shall be a.djusted to meet, as far as may be, the increased cost of articles required for their subsistence. You are therefore directed to notify the department of any further increase in the prices of goods sold by the com})aiiy to the nati^■es. The money thus earned is to constitute a community fund for distribu- tion among the natives according to their respective classes. At the close of the seahng season, after a conference with the native chiefs, you will make such division of the fund among the natives, accord- ing to their classification, as is deemed fair and just and .submit a report of such division, showing the amount a])i)ortioned to each native participating in the fund. This report should be acconq^anied by an indorsement of approval from the native chiefs and a certificate from the comi)any's agent that such funds have been credited to sucli natives on tlie books of the company. 22. Payment of natives earnings. — Ihe amounts that are earned from the company by tlie natives for labor other than sealing and foxing are to be paid to them in cash, and you will instruct the com- pany's representatives accordingly. Ihe funds earned from seahng and foxing, however, are to be disbursed on orders, as Iieretofore. The payment to the natives of money froni the appropriation for their inaintenance, upon tlie orders of the Government agent, is 700 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. strictly prohibited. Articles that do not properly come within the term "necessaries" should not be exposed for sale in the company's stores nor sold to the natives for the money they earn by labor. 23. Support of natives. — Congress has appropriated the sum of $10,500 "to enable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to furnish food, fuel, clothing, and other necessaries of life to the native inhab- itants on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska." during tlie fiscal year ending June 30, 1910, and the greatest care and economy should be exercised in the expenditure of tliis appropriation. Articles of strict necessity only should bo issued. No expensive dress goods, boots, or other articles are to be provided. Each of the natives should be restricted to one pair of dress shoes per year and each of the women to one good dress. Ginghams, calicoes, muslins, and simi- lar inexpensive dress goods may be issued in reasonable quantities. The supply of fuel for the use of the natives is paid for from this appro]:)riation, and the cost of such fuel sliould not be overlooked in determining how muclr of the appropriation is available for other purposes. In the distribution of supplies, no distinction is to be made between persons without means and those having small savings from previous years. You will continue the plan adopted under previous instructions, of issuing orders upon the company for such supplies as are required by the native inhabitants. At the end of the season, as heretofore, you will submit to the department the stubs of the orders given, payable from the appropriation, for use in verifying the accounts of the com- pany. 24. Coal supply. — The North American Commercial Co. has agreed to furnish during the coming season for use on the islands 285 long tons of coal at $20 per ton, including delivery on the beach — 185 tons to be delivered on St. Paid Island, and 100 tons on St. George Island. Coal, with the 80 tons additional that the company is required to fm*- nish under the terms of its contract, ^^all make available for all purposes a supply of 365 tons, and in its distribution* the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inliabitants of the islands of St. Paul and St. George are to be included. Of the 285 tons purchased from the companj^, you may make the following distribution : St. Paul Island: Tons. For the Government house 15 For use of the natives 170 St. George Island: For the Government house 15 For use of the natives 85 Total 285 Of the 80 tons furnished by the company without charge under its contract, 50 tons may be distributed to the natives of St. Paul and 30 tons to the natives of St. George. 25. Dwellings for natives. — The agreement of the company in its contract to furnish the native inhabitants of the islands a sufficient number of comfortable awellings and to keep such awellings in proper repair should be strictly enforcea. 26. Schools for the natives. — You will require the schools for the native children to be maintained from September 1 to May 1, and to SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 701 be 0}3en five days in each week, the school hours to be from 9 o'clock a. m. to 3 o'clock p. m., wdth an hour recess at noon, and 15 minutes' recess in the forenoon. It will be your duty to see that the teachers appointed by the com- pany are competent to teach the Englisli )an<;uage, and that they faithfully perform this duty. None but the English language shall be taught in the schools. If parents of the children on the islands desire to send them to the Jessie Lee Home at Unalaska, the department has no objection, pro- vided no expenditm"e of public money is involved in their transporta- tion to Unalaska. or their mamtenance and schooling while there. This course will also be permitted, under the same conditions, in the case of orphan children for whom pro\'ision is now made by the com- pany under its contract. 27. Widows, orphans, aged, and infirm. — The company is required by its contract to provide the necessaries of life for the widows and orphans and aged and infirm inhabitants of the islands who are unable to provide for themselves, and you will see that this obliga- tion is fully enforced. Widows and orphans having small sums of money to their credit should not be compelled to spend them and become wholly dependent before they are allowed to draw supplies under this provision m the company's contract. Such sums, as well as similar accounts held by other natives, ma}' be drav.n upon from time to time, however, with the consent and under the direction of the Government agent, for such reasonable ai tides as vv ill contribute to the comfort of the persons possessing the funds. 28. Natives to render service. — In consideration of the support gratuitously afforded the natives by the Government, you are directed to utilize their services, when not required by the company, in repair- ing roads, guarding the rookeries, and performing such other duties as may seem desirable. This instruction is not to be regarded, how- ever, as relieving the company from its obligation to employ the natives, at a fair and just compensation, for all such work as they are fitted to perform. 29. Election of native chiefs. — No interference should be permitted in the selection of their cliiefs by the native inhabitants of the islands. If it should transpire, however, that persons manifestly unsuitable for the position are chosen, it will be your duty to interpose in the interest of good government and require the selection of proper per- sons, but such action should be taken only in extreme cases. 30. Sale of intoxicants prohibited. — The company agrees in its con- tract that it vv^ill not permit any of its agents to keep, sell, give, or dispose of any distilled spirits or spirituous liquors or opium on either of the islands or the waters adjacent thereto to any of the native inhabitants, such person not being a physician and furnishing the same for use as a medicine. This obligation is to be rigidly enforced . 31. Manufacture of intoxicants prohibited. — The brewing or dis- tilling of intoxicating beverages on the islands is prohibited. In the enforcement of this provision you are authorized to discontinue the sale from the company's stores of sugar, or other articles entering into the manufacture of intoxicants, to any person who violates this order, or who is found to be intoxicated. Should intoxication become 702 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. SO general among the people as to interfere with good government and jeopardize the peace, you are authorized to discontinue alto- gether the sale of sugar and of other articles entering into the manu- facture of intoxicants for such length of time as may appear wise. 32. Removal for cause. — Should natives or other persons become so unruly or immoral in conduct as to endiinger the peace and good government of the people, they should be removed from the islands, and the Revenue Cutter Service will be instructed to render such assistance as may be necessary for that purpose. 33. Landing on the islands restricted. — No persons other than Gov- ernment officers, representatives, and employees of the North Ameri- can Commercial Co., and duly accredited representatives of the Rus- sian Church, shall be allowed to land on the islands except by written authorit}' from the department. The permission granted represent- atives of the Russian Church to visit the islands may be suspended, however, when its exercise is attempted by an improper person. Visitors to the islands should not be permitted to mspect the rook- eries, except under your supervision. 34. Killing of sea lions to he limited. — The preservation of the sea- lion rookeries on the islands is highly important. The killing of these animals should be limited to such numbers as are absolutely necessary in providing for the construction of bidarras or skin boats. Sea-lion pups should not be killed for any purpose. 35. Information regarding affairs on the islands. — No information regarding the seals, or any other matter pertaining to the seal is- lands, is to be given out by you or by any of the assistant agents. All applications for such information should be referred to the department. 36. Conclusion. — The maintenance of guards on isolated rookeries, to prevent illegal landings and raids, should be continued. Should questions arise involving matters not covered by these instructions, it will be your duty to report the facts to the depart- ment and to await instructions, except in cases requiring immediate decision, when you will take such action as sound judgment dictates. The instructions embodied in this letter are to remain in force until they are superseded by later ones, and in the event of your failure to receive revised instructions for a subsequent season the directions herein given are to be followed for such season so far as they are applicable. Three additional copies of this letter are inclosed herewith, and you are directed to furnish one of these copies to each of the assist- ant agents for their information and guidance. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Approved. Ormsby McITarg, Acting Secretary. seal islands of alaska. 703 Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 9, 1909. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, ^YasMngton, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th of March last, containing instructions for the management of the Alaskan fur-seal fisheries for the season of 1909. From inquiries addressed to the respective assistant agents I have ascertained that each already has been furnished with copies of the instructions in question. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 29, 1909. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Prihil of Islands, Alaska. Sir: Tlie bureau desires to have on file, and in the most convenient form for reference, all published or otherwise available data regard- ing every matter essential or helpful to a thorough knowledge of the seal islands. It is understood, of course, that the records of your office here in Washington and at the islands contain a vast amount of data on various subjects pertaining to the islands. Doubtless many of these records are in excellent shape and can not be greatly improved upon. You are instructed to take up witli the assistant agents the question of office records, with a view to their improve- ment in every way practicable. Among tlie matters whicli should receive special consideration are the following: 1. The form in which records should be kept to render them most serviceable and convenient for reference. The card catalogue system is becoming more generally used, and it is believed that you will find that system admirably adapted to many of the subjects in which you will wish to keep records. 2. The scope of subjects in which it is desirable that records be kept. Without entering into i)articulars. it may be said that any fact or observation relating in any way to fur seals, blue foxes, or any of the animals and plants of the islands, sealing, pelagic sealing, or in any way to the seal islands, which will contribute to our knowledge of those islands and the problems connected with them, is of im- portance and worth recording. 3. Completeness of present records. An effort should be made not only to assemble all available records on each particular subject but to complete the records by filling in the gaps whenever possible. It is probable that, on some subjects, no records have been systemat- ically kept; the keeping of such records should now begin. Among the subjects for wliich carefully pre]->are(l and complete card catalogue or other records are desired are the following: 704 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1. Lsgislation. A complete record of all legislation pertaining in any way to the islands. This should be a subject catalogue and given in as much detail as possible. 2. Leases. These cards should show fully all leases, contracts, concessions, agreements or privileges given or entered into regarding the islands. 3. Russian control. Go into this historically and by subjects. 4. Literature. Card catalogue of every book, paper, article, report or other printed matter that has been published relating in any way to the islands, fur seals, blue foxes, walruses, or any of the animals and ])lants found there, together with a brief statement of the contents of the publication. 5. Card catalogue of all Govei'nment agents who have ever been on the islands, showing: (a) Na.me; (&) place from which appointed; (c) date of appointment; (d) official title; (^ of its schooners this year on its own account, but has leased to individuals about 5 of its schooners, which will be operated as pelagic sealing schooners by the persons to whom they are leased. In addition several Canadian schooners owned and operated by individuals will engage in sealing. Two revenue cutters already are on patrol about the islands; a third has gone to Attn Island to inspect that locality ; while the fourth is expected to arrive in the sea from San Francisco on June 20. In this connection it may be interesting to state that the Victoria SeaHng Co. (Ltd.), the joint stock corporation which owns all but a few of the Canadian sealing schooners, alsb owns or controls the majority of the stock of the Vancouver Island shore whale fishery, and is devoting to the latter industry all of its resources. If has abandoned practically all active participation in pelagic sealing. Bachelor seals have not hauled on the islands in numbers sufficient to justify beginning the work of marking seals for a breeding reserve. It is anticipated, however, that the quota to be marked ^vill have been secured by June 25. Respectfully, W. I. Lembket, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries. July 9, 1909. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent, Alaslca Fur-Seal Agent, St. Paul Island, Alaslca, Sir: The bureau acknowledges with thanks the receipt of your various letters of June 9, 10, and 14. I am glad to know that Messrs. Judge and Clark reached the islands in safety and that conditions on the islands are encouraging. It is also noted that you have received the various instructions sent you and that you will carry them out to the best of your abihty. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. July 20, 1909. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Islands, St. Paul Island, Alaslca. Sir: It is hkely that during the course of the present summer Hon. Frank H. Hitchcock, member of the advisory board of the fur- 714 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. seal service, will have an opportunity to visit the Pribilof Islands^ and in that event I have to request that you facilitate as far as possi- ble his investigations and accord him every courtesy during his stay on the islands. Respectfully, Charles Nagel, Secretary. Exhibit 3. Island of St. Paul, Bering Sea, Alaska, August I4, 1909. This is to certify that 11,022 fur-seal skins, the entire quota of this island for 1909, have this day been shipped on board the North Amer- ican Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Shippers load and count. All on board to be discharged. A. Donaldson, Master, Steamer '' Homer." Island of St. George, Bering Sea, Alaska, August, 1909. This is to certify that 3,314 fur-seal skins have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer, Donaldson, master, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Treasury Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. vShippers load and count. All on board to be discharged. A. Donaldson, Master. Exhibit 2. Island of St. Paul, Bering Sea, Alaska, August I4, 1909. This is to certify that 32 fur-seal skins of the quota of 1908 have this day been shipped on board the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Shippers load and count. All on board to be discharged. A. Donaldson, Master, Steamer " Homer." SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 715 vSt. Paul Island, Alaska, August 17, 1909. Dr. Barton W. Evermann, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Dear Dr. Evermann: I am in receipt of your letter of June 24 last, and wish to thank you very mucn for the interest taken by you in my fox paper and also for your kindness in forwarding me 25 copies of same, together with 12 copies of Mr. Bailey's paper on The Otter as a Fur Bearer. Fox life on St. Paul is looking better than it has for several years past. I have buried a quantity of seal meat for fox food and will endeavor during the coming winter to accomplish soniething toward placing the St. Paul foxes on a basis similar to that which has worked so well on St. George Island. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Islands. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., August 30, 1909. Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. G.: Arrived to-night. Agent Chichester; 14,336 sealskins shipped, total quota 1909; also 32 skins, quota 1908; arrive Washington about September 10; address Jefferson Hotel. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, August 31, 1909. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to advise you that this bureau is in receipt of a letter dated August 15, 1909, from Mr. George A. Clark, who, as special assistant, was detailed this year to make a count of the fur seals on the rookeries of the Pribilof Islands. Mr. Clark took a similar census in 1897, and the results of this season's work afford a valuable comparative basis for ascertaining the status and prospects of the fur-seal herd. In view of the very serious conditions disclosed by this investigation, it is deemed advisable to acquaint the depart- ment at once with the contents of this letter, so that any action that seems expedient may be taken without waiting for the final report. The following quotations comprise the substance of Mr. Clark's letter: The essential features of the situation are : 1. That the herd is reduced to about one-third what it was in 1896-97—50,000 breeding females, a like number of pups, and sufBcient animals of other classes to bring the entire herd up to approximately 140,000. The individual rookeries show exceptional conditions. Notable is the case of the Northeast Point rookeries. From a total of 1,143 harems in 1897, these have fallen in 1909 to 232 harems— about one-fifth. This has been due to the concentration in the season of 1908 of the Japanese pelagic fleet off these rookeries. 2. There is a vigorous and adequate supply of male life for breeding purposes. For the total of active harem bulls of 1,387, there are 513 idle and young bulls ready for 716 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. harem duty. A reservation of 2,000 3 and 4 year old bachelors for this season guaran- tee? a sufficiency, if not an overstocking of the breeding grounds with males 3 to 5 years hence. 3. The quota of killable seals is short 675, or thereabouts, of the quota of 15,000. It would have been much shorter still if the same grade of skins were taken as in 1896-97 . With a herd approaching one-third of its former size a quota three-fourths as great — the quota of 1897 was 20,000— could not reasonably have been expected. The smaller seals taken to make up the number secured are, however, well out of the way of the Japanese sealers . 4. The Japanese sealing is terribly destructive, being at such close range. Every seal leaving the islands to feed must run the gauntlet of the boats just off the 3-mile limit both going out and returning, and the reports of guns on a still day are incessant. The natural result of this shooting must be felt in the loss of many animals in excess of those actually secured. The count of pups on certain St. Paul rookeries showed on August 3 fully 6^ per cent of the pups dead or dying of starvation. This was the result of sealing in July. A like mortality will result from the sealing in August, bringing the full loss to some- thing like 12 per cent for the season. It is respectfully suggested that this matter be brought to the attention of the Department of State with a view to the renewal of efforts for an international agreement, particularly with Japan, for the suppression of pelagic sealing. The shrinkage of two-thirds in the size of the fur-seal herd in 12 years; the reduction of four-fifths in the size of some of the rookeries as a direct result of the operations of the Japanese sealers last year; and the loss in 1909 of about 6,000 young seals by starvation because of the killing of their mothers by Japanese hunters, would appear to warrant the most active and determined measures on the part of our Government to ameliorate conditions on the seal islands. Very respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. St. Paul Island, Alaska, September 3, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to report that in pursuance of my duties as special warden in charge of the Pribilof Reservation, I sailed to Walrus Island yesterday, having as a boat's crew six natives and as guests Messrs. Proctor and Drennin, of the North American Com- mercial Co. We sailed from Village Cove at 9 a. m. around Reef Point. When abreast Rocky Point the wind died down and we pulled from there to Walrus Island. There was some swell and the tide was against us, so that we did not arrive until 3.30 p. m. While securing our boat two reports from a shotgun were heard. We carried two Krags and a small quantity of ammunition. While filling the maga- zines of our rifles a boat with three men, who proved to be Japanese, rounded the south end of the island, within a few yards of the bluffs, apparantly headed for the landing. We shouted and gesticulated for them to come in, but instead of accepting the invitation, they put about and attempted to escape. A shot across their bow caused them to surrender and come in. On their way in they threw a dead seal overboard. On arrival at the landing they were given seats on a shelf of rock and kept under guard. Their boat contained the usual sealing outfit, including two shotguns, both loaded, an oilskin J SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 717 garment in the bottom, and the inner side of the boat was smeared, with fresh blood. Our 'examination was scarcelj- completed when another boat with three men, who proved to be Japanese, was dis- covered rounding the north end of the island, within a few yards of shore, and apparently headed for the landing. We concealed, until they were close up, and signaled them to come in. They put about and we gave them a shot wade. This not having the de- sired effect, another shot was fired close in, when they at once stood up and hoisted their hats on the end of their oars. Following our signals they pulled around to the landing and were given seats along- side their countrymen, two of our party with one rifle standing guard some distance off. This boat carried the usual sealing outfit, including two shotguns, both loaded. It also carried a seal gasping in the agonies of death. The inside of the boat was smeared with fresh blood. Within a few minutes a third boat with three men appeared off the south end of the island, in a line with, but somewhat farther out than, our first boat was when brought to. Upon perceiving us they turned quickly, and regardless of several shots dropped in their vicinity succeeded in getting around the point of the island and temporarily out of our range. We started for the high land where they would have been within easy range, when our attention was attracted by a fourth boat rounding the north end of the island, and apparantly headed for the landing. We therefore abandoned the pursuit of the third and captured the fourth boat without firing a shot. This boat carried the usual sealing gear, including two shotguns, both loaded. Further investigation showed two more boats about one-half mile east of Walrus Island, and the schooner on a fine with and 2 or 3 miles beyond them. We took possession of the guns and ammunition in the third boat captured to prevent as far as possible the destruction of seals by its occupants, and per- mitted the boat to depart, because I considered two boats and six prisoners about as much as we could conveniently handle with our limited force and means, and with night approaching. As we had eaten nothing since breakfast, a fire was built, tea made, and lunch hastily partaken of. While we were eating the Japs requested permission to enter their boats and procure food for themselves. One man being given permission, entered the boats and passed out the grub boxes, and then began washing off the seal, blood from the garment in the bottom of the boat. He was stopped and ordered ashore, but not before considerable of the blood had been removed from the garment. On our return two natives and one Jap went into each of the captured boats, and the remaining four Japs and the remainder of our party with all guns and ammunition took passage in the Govern- ment boat. At 4.30 we cleared the landing and hoisted, sail for Northeast Point, where we arrived at 6.30 and w^ere met by the guard. I telephoned the village and instructed the guards at the different rookeries to build fires on high places and fire cannon in hopes of attracting the attention of the revenue cutters on patrol. About 7 p. m. the Bear' came around West Point bound for the vil-. lage. Mr. Allis and Dr. Mills intercepted her 3 miles out, and she at once communicated with the Manning by wireless, and then came to East Landing. We arrived at 9.30 p. rn. and found Capt. Bertholf 718 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ashore. His steward acted as interpreter and we learned that our prisoners belonged to the Japanese sealing schooner Eiun Maru, from Sindie, that she carried eight boats and was homeward bound, but remained for another day's sealing, because the weather was so fine. Prior to tliis we obtained no information from them, as they feigned not to understand when questioned. I gave Capt. Bertholf a resume of the evidence and urged speed in capturing the schooner while she was practically becalmed off Walrus Island. On our way home we had had very little wind at any time, and when off Polovina we took in sail and manned all the oars. Prior to that only the Japs had been pulling. Shortly after 10 p. m. the Bear got under way. There is no wind to-day, the sea is smooth, weather bright, and sky clear, and there is no reason that the schooner will not soon be, if indeed she has not already been, apprehended. Very respectfully, James Jxjdge, Assistant Agent, Bureau of Fisheries, In Charge St. Paul Island. St. Paul Island, Alaska, September 4, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir : I have the honor to confirm my telegram of even date to wit : St. Paul Island, Alaska, September 4, 1909. Hon. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Report that on 2d instant, with small sailboat, I captured two boats belonging to the Japanese sealing schooner Eiun Maru, each containing three Japanese, in immediate vicinity of Walrus Island, with a freshly killed seal in either boat. (Signed) James Judge, Assistant Agent in Charge St. Paul Island. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent, Bureau of Fisheries, In Charge St. Paul Island. [Telegram.] United States Revenue Cutter "Bear," September 4, Hon. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Report that on the 2d instant, with small sailboat, I captured two boats belonging to Japanese schooner Eiun Maru No. 2, containing three Japanese, in immediate vicinity of Walrus Island, with freshly killed fur seal in its boats. James Judge, Assistant Agent in Charge. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 719 St. Paul Island, Alaska, Septemher 11, 1909. Hon. Geoege M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to report that the Japanese sealing schooner, Eiun Maru, five of whose boats were observed and three caj)tured while sealing in territoiial waters the 2d instant, as indicated in my report of the 3d, eluded the pursuit made by the revenue cutters on patrol, and is now at large. The escape of said vessel is, in my opin- ion, without legitimate excuse. At about 7.45 p. m. of the 2d instant, the Bear, on her return from a surveying expedition, was intercepted some distance off West Landing by Mr. Allis and Dr. Mills in the gasoline launch Avith, in effect, the information that our laws had been violated by a Japanese schooner in the vicinity of Walrus Island; that I had taken six prisoners and was on m)^ way to the village with them, and that I had requested that the cutters be notified as early as possible, so that they could overhaul and seize the schooner while she was practically becalmed in that locality. Capt. Bertholf inquired why I had not mentione/d the schooner's name, and when informed I had been unable to get any information from the prisoners, said he would anchor and await my arrival. Accordingly, the vessel anchored at East Landing, and the captain, accompanied by his Japanese stew- ard, who was to act as interpreter, came ashore and walked to the company's house, where he arrived at 8.45, and was informed that the Northeast Point watchmen had reported that the schooner to which the prisoners belonged was in close proximity to Walrus Island and that the Manning had caught a schooner, but that it was "the wrong one," as the latter vessel had been sealing for several days from 10 to 12 miles off Northeast Point. He also learned, if not previously aware of the fact, that these two schooners were the only ones in the vicinity of St. Paul Island. I arrived at 9.30, and a few minutes later an examination of the prisoners began. This proved a slow process, as the Japs debated everything among themselves before answering. After considerable difficulty, we learned the name of their schooner, her home port, and the number of boats she carried, but were unable to learn the name of the captain, the number of sealskins she had on board, or get answers to other questions asked. Capt. Bertholf then became dis- gusted, and selecting one of the prisoners for further examination took him aboard. At 10.30 p. m. the Bear sailed in the direction of Walrus Island. It was then very dark, and nearly three hours of valuable time had been consumed in acquiring mformation of little practical value and no utility for the work in hand. Instead of anchoring and waiting at the village, Capt. Bertholf should, upon receipt of the information conveyed him by Messrs. Allis and Mills, have gone under full steam to Walrus Island, as every one naturally expected him to do. Had he done this, one hour of good steaming would have revealed the schooner to the man in the crow's nest. Or, if he entertained doubts of the authenticity of the report he had received or considered it insufficient to act upon, he could have shaped his course to Walrus Island so as to have intercepted me on the way there vvith either the vessel or the launch he bad on board. 720 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The course pursued by the Manning, while daylight or dusk remained, was equally futile and barren of results. This vessel was cruising somewhere off Northeast Point when Messrs. Allis and Mills overhauled the Bear. Upon being notified by the Bear's wireless, the Manning soon ran down the Chiyokuni Maru and remained close to her, according to the watchmen, until 10.30, when she sailed to the northeastward. Upon arriving at the company's house, Capt. Bertholf learned definitely, as herein indicated, that the schooner in custody of the Manning was innocent and that the guilty schooner was in the vicinity of Walrus Island. Why with this information he did not at once cause the Manning to release the schooner she had in custody and proceed elsewhere is as difficult to understand as his own failure to move, even then, until he had interviewed the prisoners and learned the name of the schooner he was to go in search of. In justice to the officers of the Manning it must be understood that these gentlemen v,ere acting under telegraphic orders of the senior captain m charge of the Bear. Now, as regards the guilty schooner, Eiun Maru, the evening and night of the 2d instant. When we left Walrus Island she was between 2 and 3 miles offshore. I am positive about tliis, because she was not half the distance out that I was from Northeast Point. Her captain probably received word of what had happened from the boat that escaped us, or the one we dismissed, at about 5.30. The last seen of her was by the watchmen at Northeast Point at 8.30. On leaving Walrus Island we sailed and pulled until 7 o'clock, when the wind died out, and after that oars only were used. Condi- tions aboard the schooner were identical with those encountered by us, and it is therefore evident that the vessel was severely handicapped in effecting her escape. Her salvation consisted in being towed off- shore, under cover of darkness, by the six small boats she still pos- sessed. This process is necessarily slow, and when it is considered that there was no wind or fog that night or the next day it seems remarkable that she escaped, even with the start she was so foohshly permitted to have, with two cutters in pursuit, each of which was fully manned and equipped with wireless, and therefore acting in concert. At 1 a. m. of the 4th instant Lieut. Gray came ashore with word that the Bear was in communication with the Victoria and would take any message I might have for the authorities at Washington. Availing myself of his kindness and this privilege, I forw^arded to you my telegram of that date. Mr. Gray and I arranged for certain signals that were to be used between the shore and ship, in case the lookout I had provided for Bogoslov at daybreak should see a sail in any direction. On arising at 6.30 a. m. of the 4th instant I was surprised to see the Bear at anchor on the east side. Immediately after break- fast I went aboard and was disappointed to learn from the captain that the Manning was cruising on the 60-mile zone and that, owing to the westerly breeze that had sprung up, the search for the Eiun Maru had been abandoned. On the 4th instant my prisoners were put on board the Bear, and on the 6th that vessel sailed for Unalaska, for the prehminary hear- ing before the United States commissioner. Chief Merculieff took passage to file charges against the prisoners and Mr. Proctor and Nekita Hopoff accompanied him as witnesses. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 721 The sealing schooner Euin Maru has wihfully and mahciously vio- lated the laws of the United States, and I would therefore suggest that the proper officials in the Treasury Department and the Depart- ment of Justice be instructed to seize and detain her, should she at any time in the future enter any port of the United States for any purpose. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent, Bureau of Fisheries, In Charge St. Paul Island. St. Paul Island, Alaska, September 18, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir : I have the honor to inclose, for your information, certain self- explanatory correspondence with the United States commissioner at Unalaska and to request that my action in the premises be approved. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent, Bureau of Fisheries, In Charge St. Paul Island, United States v. Zaushite Matsumoto, et al. District of Alaska, Third Division, ss. Sir : I, J. L. Brown, United States commissioner, do hereby request that you send to Unalaska, Alaska, by the first cutter coming to Unalaska from the island, all boats, guns, ammunition, and equip- ments that were captured with the Japanese on the 2d of September, 1909, that they may be placed in the keeping of the United States deputy marshal, to be turned over to the United States district clerk, for confiscation or whatever action he may wish to take in the matter. Respectfully, [seal.] J. L. Brown, United States Commissioner. Special Agent James Judge, St. Paul Island, Alaslca. St. Paul Island, Alaska, September 18, 1909. J. L. Brown, Esq., United States Commissioner, UnalasJca. Sir: Replying to your request for the boats and sealing parapher- nalia of certain Japanese arrested for violation of the laws for the protection of fur seals on the 2d instant, I have to inform you that said property belongs to the schooner whence these Japanese came, and IS liable to confiscation only as part and parcel thereof, and not until the vessel herself is libeled. In the meantime the fur-seal agents are the proper custodians. Respectfully, (Signed) James Judge, Assistant Agent, Bureau of Fisheries, In Charge St. Paul Island. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 46 722 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. St. Paul Island, Alaska, September 18, 1909. Hon. Geoege M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the six Japanese arrested for violation of the laws for the protection of fur seals, in the vicinity of Walrus Island, the 2d instant, were tried by the United States commissioner at Unalaska and sentenced to three months in jail and to pay a fine of $200 each. Respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent, Bureau of Fisheries, In Charge St. Paul Island. [Memorandum to Mr. Lembkey.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, September 10, 1909. Please let me have, within the next few (la3^s if practicable, a state- ment regarding the Alaska fur-seal service, similar to the one con- tained in the report of the Secretary for 1908. This is required for inclusion in the annual report of this bureau for 1909. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, September 20, 1909. The Commissioner: I have the honor to submit the following summarized report of the conduct of affairs on the Pribilof (fur-seal) Islands reservation dur- ing the season ended July 31, 1909: Fur-seal sJcins shipped. — There were shipped from the Pribilof Islands ontheS-S.-ffomer at the close of the season ended July 31, 1909, 14,368 fur-seal skins. Of these 32 were shipped from St. Paul Island, chargeable to the quota of the precedmg season (1908), under in- structions contaiued in your letter of March 11, 1909. The remain- der, 14,336, represents the quota of 1909 for both islands, of which 11,022 were taken on St. Paul and 3,314 on St. George. The quota of 15,000 skins for both islands was not obtained for the reason that the requisite number of bachelor seals did not appear in the drives during the legal sealing season. SHns talcen contrary to regulations. — On St. Paul, during the lessee's sealing season, one skin was taken by the lessee, which was found to be under the limit of weight of 5 pounds prescribed by the depart- ment. As the skins are shipped from the islands in "bundles" con- taining two skins each, and as this one undersized skin was required to complete a bundle, it was delivered to the lessee for shipment along mth the eligible skins by my direction. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 723 On St. George four large skins exceeding the limit of 8+ pounds were taken by the lessee and are retained on that island, subject to further instructions. Statistics of the Jcillings. — The statistics of seals driven for killing by the lessee during the drives made during its season of 1909 show that 69 per cent were killed and 31 per cent released as being either too large, too small, or marked as breeders. The great scarcity of veiy small seals in the drives— even in those dnves made late in the season when the yearlings are supposed to appear in numbers — was apparent on St. Paul. On St. George 63 per cent of seals driven were killed and 37 per cent released during the lessee's season. Count of hreeding hulls. — During the period between July 13-16, 1909, both inclusive, a count was made of the number of breeding bulls on both islands. That for St. Paul demonstrated the presence of 1,071 bulls \\dth harems, 140 idle bulls, 116 quitters or young 7-year-olds, 13 water bulls, and 83 bulls found on the bachelors' hauling grounds. The count for St. George made at the same time disclosed 267 bulls with harems, 32 idle bulls, 23 quitters, and 15 bulls on the hauling grounds. For comparative purposes the counts before given are contrasted with similar counts made at a correspond- ing date in 1908: St. Paul, counts of harems, etc. Year. Harems. Idle. Quitters. Water bulls. Hauling grounds bulls. 1909 1,071 1,002 140 90 110 45 13 68 83 1908 Difference 1 9 1 50 1 71 255 > Increase. * Decrease. St. George, counts of harems, etc. Year. Harems. Idle. Quitters. Hauling grounds bulls. 1909.. . . 267 241 32 34 23 27 15 1908 126 2 2 24 1 Increase. > Decrease. It may be seen from the foregoing tables that an increase has occurred among those bulls actually stationed on the breeding grounds, i. e., harem mastere and idle bulls, of 83 individuals. Tliis is the result of the application of the regulations exempting certain young males from slaughter to allow them to mature as breeders. As this increase in bulls occurs in the face of a diminishing herd of breeding cows, it is believed that further reservations of young males, at least for several years to come, are unnecessary. 724 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Counts of pups. — On both islands in 1909 the following counts of pups were made: Date. Rookery. Live pups. Dead pups. Total. Per cent dead. 1909. Aug. 2 St. Paul: 1,669 246 693 1,397 309 60 4 22 55 10 1,729 250 715 1,452 319 3 Amphitheater 1 4 3 Tolstoi Cliffs 3 3 St. George: North 4,314 3,679 151 105 4,465 3,784 3 2 7,993 256 8,249 3 In 1908 pups were counted on St. Paul only on Ketovi and Amphi- theater rookeries. A comparison of the counts made in 1908 and 1909, therefore, can be made only as regards these two rookeries. Such comparison follows : Year. Rookery. Live pups. Dead pups. Total. 1908 Ketovi and Amphitheater 1,877 1,915 83 64 1,906 1909 do 1,979 DifEerence 1 19 I Increase. A comparison of the counts on North rookery on St. George for the years 1908 and 1909 follows: Year. Rookery. Live pups. Dead pups. Total. 1908 North 3,969 3,679 154 105 4 123 1909 .do 3 784 Difference «339 1 Decrease. It can be seen from the foregoing tables that on Ketovi and Amphi- theater, St. Paul, an increase of 19 pups has occurred, as disclosed by the counts, while on North, St. George, a decrease of 339, or 8 per cent, is demonstrated. While the limited count of pups on St. Paul does not show a decrease, extended counts of pups over the whole island easily might have disclosed a different result. The disturbance of the rookeries, however, which this extended counting would have occasioned in no sense would have been justified. We therefore must be content with the conclusion, to be drawn from such data as we have on hand, that approximately a 10 per cent reduction in breeding females has oc- curred since 1908. The whole herd of seals on the Pribilofs now numbers less than 140,000,^ and of these less than 50,000 - are breeding females. I InterUneation: 133,000. 2 Interhneation: 45,000. SEAL ISLANDS OP AJ.ASKA. 725 Average Jiarem. — The average harem on St. Paul is ascertained to be 42.1 cows; that on St. George, 34.7. These results are obtained by dividing the total number of pups found on rookeries on which pups were counted by the number of harems ascertained by previous count to be present on the same rookeries at the height of the season. ^^ Branding ^^ or marTcing of bachelors. — The quota of bachelors to be marked and released for breeding purposes was obtained at St. Paul during the period between June 24 and 28, 1909, and approximately during that period on St. George. Two thousand bacnelors were marked, that number being composed of 2 and 3 year olds. Eight hundred of each class were obtained on St. Paul and 200 of each on St. George. I shall submit a detailed report at as early a date as practicable. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Forwarded. Barton W. Evermann, In Charge of Scientific Inquiry, Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 8, 1909, Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Fur-Seal Agent. Mr. H. D. Chichester, Assistant Fur-Seal Agent. Sirs: Now that the fur-seal service has been transferred to the Bureau of Fisheries, your attention is called to Department Circular No. 179, a copy of which is hereto attached, governing leaves of absence. You will observe these regulations ; also all those pertaining to office hours, temporary brief absence from office, and in all matters of office routine. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. regulations governing leaves of absence, effective JANUARY 1, 1909. [Department circular No. 179. Supersedes department circulars Nos. 45, June 30, 1904, and 148 of March 30, 1907.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, , Washington, December 1, 1908, To whom it may concern: The following regulations to govern leaves of absence of clerks and other employees of the Department of Commerce and Labor in Washington, D. C, are hereby promulgated, and all prior rules and regulations on this subject are revoked: 726 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. In section 7 of the legislative, executive, and judicial appropriation act, approved March 15, 1898, it is provided that — * * * The head of any department may grant thirty days' annual leave with pay in any one year to each clerk or employee: And provided further, That where some member of the immediate family of a clerk or employee is afflicted with a contagious disease and requires the care and attendance of such employee, or where his or her presence in the department would jeopardize the health of fellow-clerks, and in exceptional and meritorious cases, where a clerk or employee is personally ill and where to limit the annual leave in any one calendar year would work peculiar hard- ship, it may be extended, in the discretion of the Secretary, with pay, not exceeding thirty days in any one case in any one calendar year. This section shall not be construed to mean that so long as a clerk or employee is borne upon the rolls of the department in excess of the time herein provided for or granted that he or she shall be entitled to pay during the period of such excessive absence, but that the pay shall stop upon the expiration of the granted leave. The deficiency appropriation act, approved July 7, 1898, provides that — * * * nothing contained in section seven of the act making appropriations for legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the Government for the fiscal year eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, approved March fifteenth, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight, shall be construed to prevent the head of any Executive Department from granting thirty days' annual leave with pay in any one year to a clerk or employee, notwithstanding such clerk or employee may have had during such year not exceeding thirty days' leave with pay on account of sickness as provided in said section seven. The legislative, executive, and judicial act, approved February 24, 1899, provides that — , * * * the thirty days' annual leave of absence with pay in any one year to clerks and employees in the several Executive Departments authorized by existing law shall be- exclusive of Sundays and legal holidays. The act providing for the organization of the Militia of the District of Columbia (25 Stat. L., 779) provides: That all officers and employees of the United States and of the District of Columbia who are members of the National Guard shall be entitled to leave of absence from their respective duties, without loss of pay or time, on all days of any parade or encampment ordered or authorized under the provisions of this act.^ The leave of absence authorized by the foregoing provisions of law will be granted to clerks and other employees of the Department of Commerce and Labor upon appUcation made out in the form pre- scribed by the department and approved by the head of the bureau or office in which the applicant serves, subject to the following conditions : 1. Except in the case of leave without pay (application for which must be submitted to the Secretary with a statement of the reasons), aU leave will be regarded as granted under the general authority contained in the foregoing paragraph, when the application meets the requirements of these regulations and is approved by the head of the proper bureau or office. 2. Applications for annual leave must be made in advance, and all partial-day absences on annual leave wifi be charged in periods of 15 minutes and multiples thereof. 3. Applications for sick leave must be submitted within five days after return to duty, and if the leave applied for exceeds three days the appfication must be supported by a certificate of the attending physician, who must be a duly authorized practitioner of medicine. I By the act of July 1, 1902 (32 Stat. L., 615), this provision is construed to cover all days of service which the National Guard, or any portion thereof, may be ordered to perform by the commanding general. ..— iji S5AL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 727 4. Sick leave may be approved in periods of one-half day and multiples thereof, and an employee detained by illness or exposure to contagion must promptly notify the office in which be or she is employed. 5. Periods of enforced absence from office by reason of exposure to a contagious disease against which the local authorities quarantine may be approved in lieu of sick leave. 6. Leave Avithout pay will be charged in periods of one-half day and multiples thereof, and in any case in which the period charged exceeds the period of actual absence subsequent absences on leave without pay may be credited to the excess. Any absence in excess of the leave authorized by law will be charged to leave without pay, and the facts in each such case must be immediately reported to the department. 7. Apphcations for mihtary leave must be supported by the cer- tificate of a competent officer of the District National Guard. 8. Sundays and legal holidays (whether for the whole or part of a day) at the beginning or end of any kind of leave, or within a period of annual leave, will not be counted; but those which occur within a period of sick leave, or leave without pay, will be counted. 9. Persons transferred from another department, or from one bureau or office to another within the department, ■will be charged with the leave taken before such transfer. No person wall be allowed leave, during the year in which he enters the service, in excess of the rate of two and one-half days for each month of service. A person leaving the service will not be allowed more than accrued leave, but the department will consider a recommendation for the waiver of this provision when the person concerned has been in the service for three years or more, or when there are especially meritorious reasons why an exception should be made. A proportionate deduction from the annual allowance of leave will be macle in the case of a person on furlough without pay for longer than 30 days, unless the absence is due to personal ifiness and all sick leave is exhausted, in which latter case no deduction will be made unless the absence without pay exceeds 90 days; in either case the whole period of absence mthout pay will be considered in determining the amount to be deducted. Temporary ''job" employees appointed upon certification of the Civil Service Commission, or authorized by the commission in the absence of eligibles, may be granted annual and sick leave after three months' continuous service, at the rate of two and one-half days per month, beginning with the fourth month. 10. Monthly reports of absences of all employees serving in, or by direct detail from, the District of Columbia will be made to the Secre- tary on the form provided for that purpose. 11. These regulations shall be applied as far as practicable to the service without the District of Columbia. 12. These regulations shall be effective on and after January 1, 1909. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. 728 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. St. Paul Island, Alasica, October 9, 1909. Dr. B. W. EVERMANN, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: Some time ago Dr. Fox, surgeon of the Bear, requested a starving pup in order that he might end its existence with an anaes- thetic and make an examination for ectoparasites. I furnished the pup and he appUed sufficient chloroform to have killed a man, but without apparent deleterious effect upon the animal. No ectopara- sites were discovered. Dr. Fox then turned the pup over to the boatswain, Mr. Thurber, who undertook to feed and rear it. In pouring condensed milk forcibly down its throat Mr. Thurber dis- covered that the animal experienced difficulty in swallowing and attributed this to the fact that the tongue was held firmly by the lesions underneath. He then cut away about an inch of those lesions, which gave the tongue considerable play and assisted materi- ally in aiding the animal to swallow. He rigged a tank aboard and taught the pup to eat by dragging pieces of fish through the water with a string. Later on the pup ate from his hand. The pup, which if left on the rookery would have died in a few days, was kept alive aboard the Bear for three weeks. Upon its decease Dr. Fox made a post-mortem, and while he could not decide the cause of death he was inclined to attribute it to the effects of worms found in the stomach, intestines, and liver, concerning which I have written Mr. Chichester at some length. Mr. Thurber has a natural aptitude for handling animals and was anxious to make another effort, and Capt. Bertholf was equally anxious he should do so. Remembering our conversation along this line, and in view of the success achieved in teaching a pup to feed, I decided to let him have two strong, vigorous pups, animals that were born early in the season, and whose systems were about ready for a fish diet. Recently the Bear was ordered to Nome, but yesterday the Maii^ Thing came in, having the dear's tank on board, with a request for the pups for delivery aboard the vessel, at Unalaska, the 15th. Accord- mgly two pups were secured, a male and a female, weighing to-day 38 and 34 pounds, respectively, and sent aboard. Under the arrangement entered into the pups are to remain the property of the Bureau of Fisheries, and Mr. Thurber, if successful, IS to receive a reasonable compensation for his labor. In this con- nection I wish to state that the glory of the achievement is of more importance to Mr. Thurber than any compensation he may receive. The Bear goes to San Diego, and Capt. Bertholf assured me the pups could remain aboard until it became convenient for the bureau to remove them. I sincerely trust that these pups, or at least one of them, will live in captivity. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent, Bureau of Fisheries. seal islands of alaska. 729 United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Steamer ''Bear/' Sausalito, Col., November 20, 1909. Mr. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, WasTiington, D. C. Dear Sir: At the request of Mr. Judge, special agent at St. Paul Island, Bering Sea, I am writing to inform you of a circumstance that may be of interest. During this past summer while the Bear was on the seal patrol Mr. Judge permitted our surgeon to take on board a half-starved seal pup, which had lost its mother, for the purpose of examining it for fleas, the surgeon being interested in collecting and studying these insects. The seal was chloroformed and of course it was expected to die, but although enough of the drug to kill one or two men was administered, the pup lived through it. Thereupon Mr. Judson Thurber, the boatswam of the Bear, asked permission to try and raise the pup. He succeeded in getting the pup to eat fish of its own accord and the animal seemed to thrive. It grew fat and was as lively as any pup on the beach and was with us for three weeks, when suddenly one day it was seized with convulsions and died in a few hours. The fact of having induced the pup to eat was interesting, and Mr. Judge suggested that Mr. Thurber try and raise a seal that would be in good condition when delivered. Mr. Judge accordingly turned over to Mr. Thurber two seal pups, one a male and the other a female, and both in excellent condition. This was on October 9, and both pups are now in excellent condition and eat regularly and even greedily. As I understand, all former attempts to induce seal pups to eat in captivity have failed. I give below the history of this exj>eriment : October 9, delivered to Manning. October 14, delivered by Manning to the Bear (seals did not eat between these dates). October 19, female began to eat sohd fish. October 23, male chloroformed and "string" under tongue cut. October 28, male induced to swallow a little dried salmon. November 2, male began to eat at wiU and on that day took with evident reUsh nine small herring at Seattle. It appears that the seal pup has its tongue so formed that it can move it very little wliile nursing its mother, and under such conditions it is evident it swallows sohd food with great difficult3^ In the case of the half-starved puj), Mr. Thurber raa his finger down the throat and tore away the "string" that held the tongue, and the animal soon began to eat fish. In the case of the two seals now on board, it appears the female was able to break this "string" herself, and a few days after she began to eat. The male was unable to do this, or did not do it, and so on October 23 he was chloroformed and the doctor cut the hgament holding the tongue with a pair of scissors. Immediately began running his tongue out and to nose around the fish in his box, but he did not eat, possibly because we had no food suitable, for most of the time the vessel was at sea and Mr. Thurber had nothing but dried salmon to give to the pups. As soon as we arrived at Seattle a quantity of small fish was obtained and both animals ate greedily. It will appear from the above that the female was the easier to raise and she was without food for 10 days only. Consequently, she 730 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. has remained in good condition ever since coming on board. The male, however, was without food after leaving St. Paul Island 19 days, and even then the amount he ate was very small. He was practically without food from October 9 until November 2, when he began to eat small herring. During that time he grew thin rapidly and was a piti- ful sight beside his fat and sleek-looking mate. Since he began to eat regularly he has fattened daily, until now both animals are in excellent condition. The pups have been kept in a box 6 feet long by 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep. In this box are small pieces of rock for them to lie on when there is no water in the box. At first the box was filled with sea water two or three times a day. Now the box is kept filled during the day and emptied at night. They manifest no desire to leave the water during the day, and frequently sleep on the surface. In the morning when the box is filled they manifest every indication of delight. They are very tame, and when not in the water will allow anyone to pet them and rub the head and back, unless a quick motion is made. In the latter case they will snap, but even when they snap at the hand they will not bite hard if the hand is allowed to remain quiet. When they came on board Mr. Thurber began his task by holding the animal and forcing open the mouth and pouring down evaporated cream mixed with bits of fish. They resented this, but small quanti- ties went into the stomach. Later Mr. Thurber would tie bits of fish on a string and tease the animal until it would. snap at the fish, and then he would manage to poke the fish down the throat and cut the string. In this way the female was taught the taste for fish, and she soon learned to eat by herself, possibly because she could use the tongue freely in swallowing. During all the time the tongue of the male remained uncut, he would cry the greater part of the day and night, but although dried salmon was forced into his mouth, and there was plenty lying around the bottom of the box, he would not voluntarily take the same down, and what little was forced down the throat he had the greatest difficulty in swallowing. The whole experiment has been very interesting to me, because of the wonderful patience shown by Mr. Thurber. He is a lover of animals and takes infinite pains. He has spent hours a day trying to tease the male into opening its mouth so that he might force down pieces of fish. If it is true that this is the first successful attempt to raise a seal pup in captivity, then Mr. Thurber deserves something for his pains. Mr. Judge suggested that there might be some fund available from which Mr. Thurber could be remunerated for his pains and the expense to which he has been put. At present it costs him about SI a day to purchase sufficient fish to satisfy these greedy little fellows. He has not done this because of the hope of a reward, but mainly because it has been a pleasure to him. At the same time it has taken an amount of patience and perseverence that few men possess. Of course there are public parks and aqua- riums that would be glad to have these animals, and very likely would be glad to pay for them, but it occurred to Mr. Judge and myself that you should be notified, in order that you might make some disposition of the pups if so disposed, and I am writing on behalf of Mr. Thurber. It was understood by Mr. Judge and myself that if the department SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 731 did not wish to, or was unable to reward Mr. Thurber, he would be at liberty to dispose of the animals in any way he desired. The important thing according to Mr. Judge was to establish the fact that the pups could be raised, even if it required all one man's time to do it. I am inclosing herewith a small Kodak of Mr. Thurber with his pups/ showing how tame they are. Very truly, E. P. Bertholf. Record of the fur seal pups "Bismark" and " J/a?me." 1909. Oct. 8. St. Paul Island. Received one male fur seal. 9. St. Paul Island. Received one female fiur seal. 9-15. Fed on evaporated cream. 16. Fish and milk mixed. 17. Do. 18. Do. 19. Do. 20. Do. 21. Female ate one-half pound of fish. 22. Do. 23. Do. 24. Do. 24. Male chloroformed and tongue cut. 25. Male and female ate fish and milk. 26. Do. 27. Do. 28. Do. 29. Male ate one-half pound of fish. 30. Eating alone; water twice a day. 31. Do. Nov. 1. Water twice a day; no fish. Fish. 2. Male ate nine smelt and female ate four $2. 00 3. Eating alone; water all day. 4. Do 3. 00 5. Eating all they can get; water all day. 6. Do. 7. Do. 8. Do. 9. Do. 10. Fish all gone. 11. One salmon 90 12. Eating well 1. 75 13. Eating all the fish they can get 75 14. In quarantine 1. 00 15. Eating all the fish they can get 1. 00 16. Do 1. 00 17. Do 50 18. Do 50 19. Do 60 20. Do 1. 00 21. Do 50 22. Do 50 23. Do 1. 00 24. Do 50 25. Do 50 26. Do 50 27. Sick; bad fish. 28. All well 1. 00 29. Eating all the fish they can get 1. 00 30. Do 75 Dec. 1. Do 2.00 2. Do 1.00 _ 3. Do 1 Illustration not furnished . 732 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1909. Fisli- Dec. 4. Eating all the fish they can get 5. Do 6. Do $0.50 7. Do 30 8. Do 50 9. Do 25 10. Do 25 11. Do 75 12. Do 25 13. Do 50 14. Do 25 15. Do 25 16. Do 50 17. Do 1.00 18. Do 50 19. Do 50 20. Do 50 21. Do 1.00 22. Do 75 23. Do 75 24. Do 75 25. Do 75 26. Do 1.00 27. Do 75 28. Do 75 29. Do 75 30. Do 1. 00 31. Do 1. 00 1910. Jan. 1. Do 1.00 2. Do 1. 00 3. Do 75 4. Do 1. 00 5. Do 75 6. Do 1.00 7. Do 75 8. Do , - 1- 00 9. Do 10. Do 1. 00 11. Do 3. 00 50.55 1909. Oct. 8 to Oct. 31. 14 cans cream, at 20 cents 2. 80 53.35 (No vouchers were taken for the above amounts.) Dec. 31. 8 barrels, at |1.60; voucher 1 12. 80 1910. Jan. 1. 1 pair gloves (returned to Fish Commission); voucher 2 1. 75 1. 1 suit overalls (returned to Fish Commission); voucher 3 1. 90 15. Fish on diner for pups; voucher 4 1. 00 16. Fish at Baltimore for pups; no voucher 1. 00 13. Telegram, Kansas City to Chicago for fish; no voucher 1. 00 14. Telegram, Chicago to Pittsburg for fish ; no voucher 1. 00 73. 80 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 733 October 23, 1909. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries of AlasTca, Department of Commerce and Labor. My Dear ^Ir. Lembkey: Will you please furnish me at your early convenience— say by Wednesday at the latest — with a statement containing approximately 800 or 900 words regarding conditions on the fur-seal islands. The Secretary wishes me to give the widest pubhcity to the termination of the contract and to the department's mtention to advertise for proposals next spring. The Associated Press has promised to send a story all over the country and wishes to add enough readable matter to make it interesting. I suggest that your statement describe all that it consistently can of the contract and its terms, and also contain data regarding the life of the natives on the islands — their church, school, mode of sub- sistence, liquor privileges to the church, etc. Of course, incidents of the past season will be welcome. I want to give a good story to the Associated Press, and you need have no hesitancy in setting forth the facts, for it is the Secretary's desire that they be given publicity within reason. Very truly, yours, T. L. Weed, Chief Cleric. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, November 17, 1909. Hon. Charles Nagel, Secretary of Cominerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: The most important problem now before the Bureau of Fisheries is connected with the administration of the fur-seal islands in Alaska and the renewal of the lease for the killing of seals thereon. For at least 15 years the precarious condition of the fur-seal herd has been incessantly brought to the notice of the Government by many persons competent to discuss the matter, and every authority has forcefully pointed out the absohite necessity of the Government immediately concluding some arrangement by which the slaughter of fur seals when absent from the rookeries in search of food should be prevented. The net outcome of the work and recommendations and pleas of a long procession of special commissioners and experts and agents has been (1) the passage of a law by which American fishermen are prohibited from engaging in pelagic sealing, wliile fishermen of all other nationalities are permitted to do so; and (2) the steady and rapid decimation of the seal herd, owing chiefly to the fitting out of a large fleet of Japanese sealing vessels that operate in close proximity to the rookeries. Diplomacy appears to have been unable or unwill- ing to do anything whatever in mitigation of the unfortunate state of affairs, which have steadily gone from bad to worse. The fur-seal service has come under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Fisheries at a time when the condition of the seal herd is worse than ever before, when the outlook for the next season is most dis- couraging, and when the contract for the lease of the seal islands must, under the law, be renewed for a period of 20 years. The exist- 734 SEAL. ISLANDS OF AIASKA. ing circumstances greatly diminish the value of the franchise and may result in large financial losses to the Government and are fur- thermore a most serious menace to the perpetuity of the seal herd. I therefore find myself confronted by a very grave emergency and de- sire to lay before you certain facts that may be of use to you in con- sidering the responsibilities and duties of the department in this matter. As bearing particularly on the present conditions, I wish to refer to the detailed report, recently received, from Mr. Geo. A. Clark, who was sent to the Pribilof Islands last summer to make a study of the fur-seal herd. As Mr. Clark was the m.ember of the fur-seal commission of 1896-97 to whom was assigned the detailed study of the rookeries in those years, his investigations made this season are particularly important because the same methods were employed, the same scope was covered, and the personal equation was elimi- nated. Mr. Clark's full report bears out the opinion formed from a con- sideration of his preliminary report to which your attention was called in a communication from this bureau dated August 31. The report shows that the fur-seal herd has suffered a heavy decline during the past 13 seasons, as is evidenced by the fact that in 1896-97 there were respectively 5,009 and 4,418 breeding families (harems) and 157,000 and 130,000 breeding females, while in 1909 there were only 1,387 harems and 50,000 breeding females, and the further fact that whereas the hauling grounds in 1896-97 yielded respectively 30,000 and 20,000 skins, in 1909 thc}^ yielded only 14,000, many of wiiich would have been rejected in earlier years because below the standard. The report further shows that the cause of this decline has been the continued operation of pelagic sealing, involving the abstraction of the females in excess of the natural increment of young breeders, the injurious effects of pelagic sealing being greatly heightened in recent years by the advent of the Japanese fleet, using firearms and operat- ing throughout the breeding season in close proximity to the rook- eries. If pelagic sealing could have been stopped in 1897 it is shown that the herd to-day would contain about 300,000 breeding cows (as against 50,000, the actual number for the season of 1909), and the product of the hauling grounds would have risen to 50,000, yielding a Government revenue of $500,000, as against 14,000 and a revenue of $143,000 for the present year. Without the drain of pelagic sealing the herd could continue to increase almost indefinitely. The lease of the North American Commercial Co. expires next spring and the department must soon take action in the matter of re-leasing the islands, but so long as pelagic sealing continues no com- pany can bid intelligently for the privilege of securing seals on the islands. It is therefore most essential to the interests of this Gov- ernment that some arrangement or agreement now be concluded with the other Governments concerned — particularly Japan — by which pelagic sealing will be stopped, to the end that the department may lease the islands on terms advantageous to the Government and favorable to the conservation of the herd. The Alaskan fur seals constitute the most valuable fishery resource that any Government in the world ever possessed. It is nothing short of a national disgrace that the herd of four or five milhon seals which came into our possession when Alaska was acquired from i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 735 Russia, and has been under our charge ever since, should have been allowed to dwindle until to-day it numbers less than one-thirtieth its former size. It would seem that only the grossest indifference to the. interests of the Government or incompetence verging on the criminal could have permitted tliis most valuable source of wealth to our people and of revenue to our Government to be dissipated and neglected in the way it has. This chapter in our history is a most serious indictment of our business capacity. What it has meant may be partially understood when it is stated that our failure to maintain the seal herd has during the past 13 years resulted in a net loss of revenue of not less than $1,600,000; has permitted nearly 300,000 fur seals, having a market value of over -15,700,000, to be appropriated by aliens, and has encouraged those nefarious pelagic operations by wliicli additional fur seals, having a value of at least 15,000,000, have been killed at sea but not recovered; while tlii'ough the slaughter of breeding females their pups — on the islands, unborn, or prospective — with a potential value of fully $20,000,000, have been sacrificed and wasted. Knowdng as the Bureau of Fisheries does — and as no other foreign bureau or department can — the individual opinions and influence of the various Japanese fishery officials to whose judgment the Govern- ment is accustomed to defer in fisher}^ matters, I venture to express the belief that the bureau is in position to aid materially in bringing about a suspension of pelagic sealing on the part of Japanese fisher- men and in thns eliminating the most potent factor in the decline of the seal herd. In fact, having in view the intimate personal relations that have long existed between the leading Japanese fishery officials and members of the staff of tlie bureau, and being aware of the attitude of the former toward pelagic seahng as expressed in a number of private communications, I believe that I could almost guarantee that the bureau, if given authority to deal directly and confidentially with the fishery department of Japan, would s])eedily be able to bring about the agreement on which the future of our fur-seal herd abso- lutely depends. As indicating the attitude of Japanese scholars close to the Govern- ment in fisher}^ matters, I may quote the following extract from a personal letter recently received from the head professor of zoology in the Imperial University of Tokyo: I can assure you the Japanese Government and people never meant and will never mean to encourage, directly or indirectly, the piratical deeds of the sealers. There cen be no doubt whatever that the prohibition of the killing of seals in open sea is necessary for the preservation of the herds. How can it be done effectually and at the same time satisfactorily to all parties concerned? I should think that in order to open a way to the solution of that question an exchange of views in a sincere and open-hearted manner will be quite indispensable. I have no doubt the Japanese Government would gladly join in the conference. Very respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. 736 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, December 3, 1909. Mr. James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, AlasTca. Sir : I notice that several reports which you have made on matters of an official nature, notably that relating to the pups furnished Mr. Thurber, of the Bear, have been addressed to other persons than the head of this bureau. I desire that hereafter you conform to the practice observed by all other emplo^^ees of this bureau, and address all reports relating to official business directly to ' ' The Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries." Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Com/missioner. St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 12, 1910. The Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of December 3, 1909, relative to reports of mine on matters of an official nature, particularly that concerning the fur-seal pups furnished Mr. Thurber, of the Bear, as having been made to persons other than the head of the bureau. The communications referred to were written in haste, and I regret that, through oversight or inadvertence, they were irregular, and not in accordance with the general practice of employees of the bureau. I beg to assure you it will not occur again, and that in the future all communications and reports relating to official business will be addressed directly to "The Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries." Respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, December 16, 1909. The Commissioner: The Washington Star of December 10 last announced that the Campfire Club of New York had inaugurated a campaign to save the fur-seal herd through legislation designed to prevent the re-leasing of the sealing right, the cessation of all killing on the islands for 10 years except for natives' food, and to secure the opening of negotia- tions with Great Britain to revise the regulations of the Paris tribunal. As the result of this movement, on December 7, three resolutions were introduced by Senator Dixon of Montana, one of which embodies the provisions before mentioned, the other two calling for the publica- tion of fur-seal correspondence and reports since 1904. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 737 As the object of this movement is at variance with the program of this bureau and of the recommenchitions of the advisory fur-seal board, notably in the plan to prevent killing and the renewal of the seal-island lease, the advisability is suggested of having ^lessrs. Townsend, Lucas, and Stanley-Brown use their influence with such members of the Campfire Club as they may be acquainted with, with the object of correctly informing the club as to the exact present status of the seal cjuestion and of securing its cooperation to effect the adoption of the measures advocated by this bureau. The attached letter is prepared having in view the object stated. Barton W. Evermann. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, December 15, 1909. The Commissioner: There is handed you herewith for your consideration a draft of lease of the seal islands. This has been prepared by Mr. Lembkey and myself in comphance with your request. We have endeavored to make the form of the lease agree with the recommendations recently made by the advisory board, fur-seal service, in conference with the fur-seal board. For your convenience a number of refer- ences and citations have been indicated. It is believed that an examination of this tentative draft will enable the Secretary to arrive at the exact form desired. Respectfully, Barton W. Evermann, Assistant in CJiarge Scientific Inquiry. [Memorandum in re changes to be made in contemplated lease of seal islands.] The present situation on the seal islands is anomalous in that, while the lessee legally enjoys only the right to take such sealskins thereon, through force of circumstances it virtually controls the islands. The situation at present may be stated briefly as follows : present status of lessee. A. Is granted the right to take fur-seal skins for 20 years from 1890. B. In consideration of which it is obligated as follows: (1) Pays S10.22i to the Government for each sealsldn taken. (2) Pays 75 cents to the natives for each sealskin taken. (3) Provides necessaries af life to widows, orphans, aged, and infirm. (4) Provides a school and school-teacher on each island. (5) Provides a physician and drugs for each island. (6) Furnishes 75 tons of coal per annum to natives. (7) Furnishes salt and barrels for natives ad lib. (8) Furnishes sufficient quantity of salt salmon for natives. (9) Furnishes dwellings for natives and places of worship. In addition to these the lessee maintains a store on either island, from which every article necessary for the subsistence of the native 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 i7 738 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. inhabitants must be obtained. These stores are an outgrov/th of conditions on the islands, are not mentioned at all in the lease, and the Government has no legal su]3ervision over them. Only such articles as the lessee desires are ex])osed for sale in these stores, and the requisitions for sup])lies from San Francisco are prei)ared by the lessee's agents, who in ordering suj^plies consult only the interest of the lessee and not those of the natives or the Government. The prices of articles sold are fixed by the lessee without consultation with representatives of the Government, and the latter can only protest should they believe the prices unfair. The matter of fixing the prices of the articles to be sold in the stores is wholly in the hands of the lessee's agents, as invoices are not submitted to the Government's representatives, and the latter have no voice in the f[uestion of fixing the prices of supplies, except to protest, as above stated, or to arbi- trarily refuse to allow the natives to purchase articles the prices of which may be considered unfair. This control of the entire food supply of the islands, as well as those of clothing and other necessaries, gives a status to the lessee's agents 'which am.ounts to a virtual control of the islands. When the further fact is considered that medical attendance, schools, and the entire maintenance of some 35 or 40 widows and orphans are furnished also by the lessee, it can be seen without argument that control of the islands by the Government, though nominally actual, Adrtualty is subsidiary to that exercised by the lessee. In marked contrast are the functions exercised by the Government representatives on the islands, which may be stated briefly as follows: PRESENT STATUS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICERS. A. Act as inspectors of sealing operations, etc., of lessee. B. Maintain law and order on the islands. C. Supervise expenditures of natives' earnings and appropriation by Congress for natives' support. D. Make necessary enumerations of seal herd. From the above it can be readily seen that the Government's repre- sentatives occupy a minor position on the islands. This is not their fault, but the fault of the "system." In former years it seems to have been the ])olicy not only of Congress, but of the departments to dele- gate to the lessee almost every important function in connection with the islands. Its representatives were consulted regarding the con- dition of the seal herd, rather than the Government agents; its wishes were ascertained before any new policy was inaugurated. In fact, questions regarding the efficiency of Government employees on the islands have been referred by the department to the lessee's superin- tendent and his iudgment accej^ted as to whether the Government agent should be dismissed from the service or retained. This situation can be remedied, and should be, through the medium of the renewal of the contract for the right of taking sealskins from the islands. The following brief suggestions will serve to indicate the changes that should be made to place the control of the reserva- tion in the hands of tlie Government : 1. All sealskins should be taken under the supervision and direc- tion of the Government's representatives, who should have charge of the native workmen and immediately direct all the operations inci- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 739 dent to the taking of sealskins. The selection and initiation of drives and the class of animals to be killed should be left to the Govern- ment's representatives alone. The lessee should have the right to keep a representative on the ground, whose office, however, should be that of an inspector and not that of a superintendent. 2. The lessee should be allowed only the right to purchase such sealskins as shall liave been taken under the direction of the Govern- ment's representatives and should pay a fixed cash price therefor. Such cash price should be predicated upon the cash value of the obligations performed by the present lessee, all considered, and con- verted into a cash ec^uivalent. 3. The lessee should be allowed to keep one representative on either island to safeguard its interests, but such representatives shall have no direction of the sealing or the management of the seal herd or the natives. On the other liand, the Government should assume the following functions through its representatives: 1. Should have direct charge of all the operations of killing seals, without division of authorit}^ with the lessee's agents. 2. The Government sliould assume all support of natives, their control and maintenance, relieving the lessee of the following obli- gations, which should be converted into cash payments, as stated before: Medical attendance, maintenance of schools, support of wid- ows and orphans, furnishing and maintenance of dwellings. The physicians for the islands should be detailed from the Marine- Hospital Service. School-teachers should be detailed from the Bureau of Education. iVll to be under the direct supervision of the agent in charge of the islands. 3. The supplying of necessary food and clothing should be done by the Government, in the same manner as on all Indian or Govern- ment reservations. The supplies should be purchased by Government representatives and transported in vessels owned or leased by the Government. Should this be deemed practical (although there is no question concerning its practicability) , the question of supplying food, clothing, etc., through stores maintained by the lessee, should be safeguarded and regulated by appropriate provisions inserted in the new lease. 4. The Government should purchase from the present lessee all the native dwellings and all its storehouses and paraphernalia now on the islands, the price of which to be fixed l)y appraisement. The lease should be renewed. It is foolish to abolish killing on land while seals are being killed in the water. Cessation of killing on land means encouragement to pelagic sealing. Should pelagic or sea killing be abolished, it might be well to have a closed season on land as well, to allow the herd to recuperate. Even should commercial killing be stopped, a certain number of seals each year will have to be killed to furnish fresh meat for the natives. Such seals so killed will have marketable skins. These skins must be disposed of or allowed to rot. They can be disposed of to the best advantage by turning them over to a designated person or corporation, allowing the latter to place them on the market as may seem best. So that, under any condition, a lessee or pefson or corporation designated to receive such skins as come from the islands is essential. 740 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Furthermore, the present hiw is mandatory in rec|uiring the Secre- tary to lease the sealing right in 20-year periods (U. S. Rev. Stats., sec. 1963). DRAFT OP LEASE OF SEAL ISLANDS PROPOSED BY THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES, 1. This indenture, made the day of , 1910, by and between Charles Nagel, Secretary of the Depart- ment of Commerce and Labor, of the United States, in pursuance of chapter 3 of title 23, Revised Statutes of United States, and 2. Witnesseth, that the said Secretary of the Depart- ment of Commerce and Labor in consideration of the agreements hereinafter stated hereby leases to the said [lessee] for a term of 20 years from the 1st day of May, Law reads," the 1910, the exclusive right of taking fur-seal skins on the tS^^"sfais°' ^^^''^^'^^^ °^ ^^- ^^^"^ and St. George, in the District of Alaska, (sec. 1963, R. s.). and to send a vessel or vessels to said islands for such skins. 3. The said [lessee] in consideration of the rights secured to it under this lease above stated, on its part covenants and agrees to do the things following, that is to say: 4.^ To pay to the Treasurer of the United States each r See sees 1963 J^^^ during the said term of 20 years, as annual rental, 1962, R. s.' u.s! the sum of [not less than S50,000,^ see 1963, R. S.], u.^'. ,"^10."^°"^^^ which sum may be reduced each year in the proportion that the annual catch of fur-seal skins bears to the maximum legal quota of 100,000. Sec. 1969, R. s. 5. And, in addition thereto, agrees to pay the revenue tax or duty of $2 laid upon each fur-seal skin taken and shipped from said islands. 6. And, also, to pay said Treasurer, the further sum of [present lease $7.62^] for each and every fur seal Old lease, taken and accepted by said [lessee] on said islands. And ^pped." *°*^the said [lessee] also agrees to accept all fur-seal skins taken on said islands except such as are, in the opinion of the chief representative of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, unmerchantable. (Insert clause requiring deposit of $50,000 in U. S. bonds.) This paragraph 7. The Said [Icsscc] further agrees to pay annually to the pa^ent*i™°iieu Secretary of Commerce and I^abor the sum of $ per of all obiigatinsa capita for cach and every native inhabitant domiciled native^.* "^""^ OH said islands, in trust for said native inhabitants, to be expended under the direction of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, in providing for said native inhabitants salt salmon, salt, barrels, dwellings, and repairs thereto, schoolhouses and repairs thereto, school- teachers, physicians, and necessary and proper medicines » This paragraph to be considered by Department of Justice. « Make it $60,000 (suggestion). SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 741 and medical supplies, and for their comfort, maintenance, and education in general. Such pajanents are to be made upon the num])er of native inliabitants shown b}^ the census taken on June 30 of the preceding year, and are to be in lieu of all obligations imposed by existing law upon the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to secure the com- fort, maintenance, education, and protection of the said native inhabitants through the lease of the right to take fur-seal skins. 8. The said lessee also agrees to pay to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor on August 1, of each year of its lease, the sum of SI for each and every fur-seal skin oid payment accepted by it during ths year preceding that date, which ^^ °®°*^- Eayment shall be used by the Secretary of Commerce and labor in the employment of native workmen necessary obtains^le^foy- in the business of capturing, driving, killing, and skinning ^on oAeaiere ^' of fur seals and the saltmg, bundling, and delivering of commerce and the skins of such fur seals on board the vessel of the [lessee]. The [lessee] also agrees to provide such tools, paraphernalia, and equipment as may be necessary to msure the proper conduct of the business of taking, curing, and loading fur-seal skins. The said [lessee] also agrees that the selection of rookeries from which seals are to be driven, the driving of seals, the selection of seals to be killed, and the employment, compensation, super- vision, and actual direction of the workmen engaged in driving and killing seals shall be left to such representa- tive or representatives of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor as he may designate. 9. And the said [lessee] also agrees to transport to said „™^?„t''^^?P™ . i . , ^,. . " . /• • 1 1 recognizes store islands each year a suincient quantity or suitable pro- and provides for visions, merchandise, coal, and otiier necessaries for yse^^°^^™^^' of said native inhabitants of said islands, which articles shall have been purchased by representatives of the Sec- retary of Commerce and Labor, and which shall be de- livered by said [lessee] upon the beaches of said islands upon payment of reasonable charge for the transporta- tion of such merchandise. 10. And the said [lessee] also agrees to deliver to said native inhabitants of said islands all schoolhouses and houses used for native dwellings now upon said islands, which houses hereafter shall be and remain the property of tlie said native inliabitants. 11. The annual rental, together wdth all other payments to tlie United States, provided for in tliis lease, shall be made and paid on or before the 1st day of April of each and every year during the existence of this lease, begin- ning with the 1st day of April, 1911. 12. The said [lessee] further agrees to employ ths na- tive inhabitants of said islands to perform such labor upon the islands as they are fitted to perform, and to pay therefor a fair and just compensation, such as may be fixed by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor; and also agrees to contribute, as far as in its power, all rea- 742 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. sonable efforts to secure the comfort, health, education^ and promote the morals and civilization of said native inhabitants. 13. The said [lessee] also agrees faithfully to obey and abide by all rules and regulations that the Secretary of Commerce and Labor has heretofore or may hereafter establish or make in pursuance of law concerning the taking of seals on said islands, and concerning the com- fort, morals, and other interests of said inhabitants, and all matters pertaining to said islands and the taking of seals within tlie possession of the United States. It also agrees to obey and abide by any restrictions or limi- tations upon the right to kill seals that the Secretary of Commerce and Labor shall judge necessary, under the law, for the preservation of the seal fisheries of the United States; and it agrees that it will not kill, or permit to be killed, so far as it can prevent, in any year a greater number of seals than is authorized by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 14. The said [lessee] further agrees tJiat it will not per- mit any of its agents to keep, sell, give, or dispose of any distilled spirits or spirituous liquors or opium on either of said islands or the waters adjacent thereto to any of the native inhabitants of said islands, sucli persons not being a physician and furnisliing tlie same for use as a medicine. 15. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor reserves the right to terminate this lease and all rights of the said [lessee] under the same at any time on full and satisfac- tory proof that the said [lessee] has violated any of the provisions and agreements of this lease, or in any of the laws of the United States, or any regulation respecting tlie taking of fur seals or concerning the islands of St. George and St. Paul or the inhabitants thereof. In witness whereof, the parties hereto have set their hands and seals the day and year above written. Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Lessee, (Seal, if corporation.) Oct. 13, 1909. [Memorandum in re leasing islands in Alaska for raising foxes.] In 1879 tlie following act was passed: That authority be, and is hereby, given to the Secretary of the Treasury to lease, at his discretion, for a period not exceeding five years such unoccupied and unpro- ductive property of the United States under his control, for the leasing of which there is no authority under existing law, and such leases shall be reported annually to Congress. (Act Mar. 3, 1879, 20 Stat., 383.) Under this authority various licenses to occupy islands in Alaska were granted by the Treasury Department under the popular but SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 743 technically erroneous belief that tlie District of Alaska was under the jurisdiction of the Treasury -Department and therefore under the control of the Secretary of the Treasury. On May 14, 1898 (30 Stat., 409), in the act extending the home- stead laws to Alaska, Congress incorporated the following provision: Provided, That the Annette, Pribilof Islands, and the islands leased or occupied for the propagation of foxes be exempted from the operation of this act. On April 24, 1900, the Solicitor of the Treasury advised the Secre- tary of that department that the latter had no authority to lease any of the islands in Alaskan waters for the propagation of foxes, other than those unoccupied portions of the Pribilof Islands and such of the other Alaskan islands as had theretofore been leased, on the ground that other islands were not under his control. The Solicitor held that tJie act of May 14, 1898 (before quoted) gave legislative acquiescence to a practice previously unauthorized by law, and that, under the autliority of the latter act, the Secretary of the Treasury is justified in continuing leases of sucli islands as were occupied for fox propagation at tlie date of the act. The act of February 14, 1903, creating the Department of Commerce and Labor transferred to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor certain duties theretofore devolved by law upon the Secretary of the Treasury. Executive order of February 2, 1904, transferretl to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor authority to lease such Alaskan islands ais the Secretarv of the Treasurv was empowered to lease bv the proviso in the act of May 14, 1898. " (Opinion Atty. Gen., June 24, 1905.) The following Alaskan islands were licensed by the Secretary of the Treasury prior to May 14, 1898: Long Island, Pearl Island, North Semedi Island, South Semedi Island, Little Naked Island, Little Konushi Island, Ukomak Island, Simeonof Island. The following iUaskan islands had been leased by tlie Secretary of tlie Treasurv, but the leases or licenses were not in force on May 14, 1898: Elizabeth Island, Marm.at Island, Ugak Island, Middleton Island, Carlson Island. The following islands were occupied without license prior to May 14, 1898: Fairmount Island, Pond Island, Goose Island, Seal Island. After May 14, 1898, the Secretary of the Treasury licensed the use of several islands not licensed before that date, although some of which were occupied prior to that date. The islands so leased follow: Andrinoca Island, Goose Island, Peak Island, Demonof Island, Pond Island, Smiths Island. Since coming under control of the Department of Commerce and Labor, the only islands for the use of which money has been received are: Little Konushi Island, Simeonof Island. The former was paid for by John Sidney Webb, for the use of Lemjold Reumann, and the latter by Jose]:>]i Hutchinson, for the use of Otto W. Carlson. There is nothing on the records to show that either of these islands is under license at the present time. The present condition is tliis: The Department of Commerce and Labor has the power to grant licenses to occupy those islands only which were leased or occupied for fox propagation prior to or at the date of the act of May 14, 1898. Undoubtedly, some are now being used for this purpose. Since 1900, however, no attempt has been made to collect any money therefor or to prevent the use or any islands 744 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. for fox-raisino; purposes. The De]3artnients of Treasury and Com- merce and Labor both have regarded these payments as having been made "not so much for the use as for the exclusiveness of the use." W. I. L. COMPARISON OF PROPOSED LEASE OF SEAL ISLANDS WITH PRESENT LEASE. Paragi'aph 1. Section 19G2, Revised Statutes, requires the Secretary of the Treasury to make this lease. The act of February 14, 1903 (32 Stat., 825), however, transfers to "the Department of Commerce and Labor" the "jurisdiction, supervision, and control now possessed and exercised by the De])artment of the Treasuiy over the fur-seal * * * fisheries of Alaska." Paragraph 2. The old Jease gives the lessee the "exclusive right to engageinthebusinessof taking fur seals * * *." The draft in hand proposes to give the lessee the exclusive right "of taking fur-seal skins." The intention of the change is to remove the supervision of the business of driving and killing seals from the lessee and place it in the hands of the Secretary's representative — where it should be, as the herd belongs to the Government, and tlie right to enjoy the usufruct only is leased. As section 1963, Revised Statutes, requires the Secretary to lease the "right of taking fur seals," it ina^f be questioned whether, in grant- ing a new lease, the permission only to take "fur-seal skins" is in accordance with existing lav/, and vrh^thor it might not lay the Secre- tary open to a restraining injunction. Paragraph 3 is similar to that in old lease. Pai-agraph 4. The law (sec. 1963, R. S.) requires the lessee to pay an annual rental of "not less than $50,000" to be secured by a deposit of United States bonds "to that amount." The United States Supreme Court, however, in United States v. N. A. C. Co., in 171 United States, 110 (?),held that the rental could be reduced proportionately to a reduction of the catch, as provided for in section 1962, Revised wStatutes. Under the provisions of this decision, the annual rental of the present lessee is being reduced. It is thought that this reduction feature should be incorporated in the new lease, as it is a matter of existing law. Paragra])h 5. Similar to paragraph in old lease. Required by sec- tion 1969, Revised Statutes. Paragraph 6. This represents a bonus or extra ]3ayment by the lessee in addition to such obligations as are required to be assumed by the proposals. It is not required by existing law. The old lease stipulated that this bonus of S7.625 should be paid upon each fur-seal skin "taken and shipped," while the draft in hand requires the pay- ment to be made on each skin taken and accepted. The question as to whether they are acceptable or otherwise is to be left to the Govern- ment agent. This seeks to fix the responsibility for the payment of the bonus upon the acceptance of the skins on the islands and not upon the shipment of the skins, which latter does not occur until after all the skins have been "accepted." As the statutes quoted, howcA^er, lay the tax of $2 upon skins "taken and shipped," and is silent as to when the rental falls due, this SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 745 feature of having the bonus become due upon the acceptance of the skins on the islands should be considered, with a view of determining whether all responsibility of the lessee for money payments should not occur at the same time. Paragraph 7. The old lease required the lessee to do the following things : To furnish 80 tons of coal annually. To furnish a suthcient number of comfortable dwellings for the natives and to keep such dwellings in proper repair. To furnish suitable schoolhouses and keep them in repair. To establish and maintain a school on either island during eight months of each 3^ear, the same to be taught by competent teachers, to be paid hy the lessee. To furnish and maintain a suitable house for religious worship. To provide competent physicians and medical supplies. To provide necessaries of life for all widows, orphans, aged, and infirm inhabitants. To provide a sufficient quantity of dried salmon and salt and sufficient number of barrels for preserving meat. In lieu of this, the draft in hand seeks to reduce these obligations to a cash basis and to require the lessee to pay annually to the Secretaiy, in trust, an amount of money equal to the value of such obligations, wliich sum shall be disbursed by the Secretary's agents for the objects detailed above. To arrive at the annual value of these duties, an estimate was made of the lessee's expenditure for one year for the objects stated, and it was found that it amounted to about S48 for each native inhabitant. The object of the change from direct performance by the lessee to a cash payment is that of relieving the natives of all supervision and control by company employees. As it is at present — by controlling the natives' dwellings and schools, the entire supply of necessaries and what luxuries there may be, and the taking of seals as well — the lessee is the paramount factor on the islands. The natives resent the neces- sity for being dependent upon the lessee and chafe under the domi- nation over them of the lessee's employees, some of whom, especially those of small salaries, are disposed to be arrogant. An arrangement is sought, in short, whereby the natives in all matters will deal directly with the Government's representatives, and the lessee, in turn, will deal with the Government and not the natives. Paragraph 8. This paragraph, wMch is a new one, provides that the dri\dng and killing of seals and the emplo3rment of the natives shall be in the hands of the Government's representatives and that the lessee ^\ill pay SI a skin for the natives' labor. The payment by the present lessee for natives' labor is 75 cents a skin, fixed by the Secretary in the annual instructions to the agents, and the driving and killing of the seals is under the direction of the lessee's agents. Paragraph 9 contains matter not mentioned in the old lease. No supervision of prices of articles to be sold by the lessee in the stores heretofore has been had. The retail prices on the islands should be a fixed rate above whole- sale prices, and power should be given the Government agents to inspect the invoices and ascertain the fairness of the retail or selling prices. 746 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Paragraph 10 provides for the transfer to the natives of their dwelhngs, which now belong to the lessee. Either the Government or the natives should own these houses without interference from the lessee. The remaining paragraphs in the draft are the same as in the present lease, with the exception that there is omitted in the draft the paragraph of the old lease fixmg the quota for the first year. The Fur-Seal Fisheries of Alaska in 1909. By Walter I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge. INTRODUCTION, After the purchase of Alaska by the United. States in 1867, the Pribilof Islands, which were a part of the purchase and of immense value as one of the breeding grounds of the northern fur seal, were set aside as a Government reservation and placed under the administra- tion of the Treasury Department. In 1870, under authority from Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury leased for twenty years to the highest bidder, which was the Alaska Commercial Co., the sole right to take sealskins on these islands. During this period the income to the Government was $6,010,565, representing 1,840,364 sealskins taken by the lessee. In 1890 the contract with the Alaska Commercial Co. having expired, the sealing privilege was again leased for twenty years, the highest bidder in this case being the North American Commercial Co. The number of skins taken during this period was 339,180, for which the Government has received $3,752,415. In 1903, with the creation of the Department of Com- merce and Labor, the administration of the seal islands was trans- ferred from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of Com- merce and Labor, who, on December 28, 1908, placed their general management under the direct control of the Commissioner of Fisheries. Under the terms of the contract, which expired May 1, 1910, the lessee paid $10.22^ for each sealskin taken, the Government deter- mining the number and classes of seals that should be killed each year and supervising the killing through its agents stationed on the islands. The company employed the natives to kill the seals, pay- ing them a stated amount per skin, and in addition furnished them, annually, dried salmon, salt and barrels for preservation of the meat supply, 80 tons of coal, comfortable dwellings, schoolhouses, teachers, physicians, and medicines; it furnished also all the necessaries of life to the widows, orphans, and aged and infirm inhabitants. To sup- plement the natives' earnings, the United States Government appro- priated $19,500 each year for their fuel, clothing, and food. The lessee purchased also, under yearly contract, skins of the arctic foxes, which are found chiefly on the island of St. George. The trapping of these animals and the selection for killing are under direct charge of the Government agents. The entire revenue from the foxes ($5 for each blue pelt and $1 for each white) is appUed to the support of the natives. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 747 STATISTICS OF SEALS KILLED. ST. PAUL ISLAND. During the lessee's sealing season of 1909, wliich began June 28 and ended July 31 following, a total of 9,508 sealskins was secured on St. Paul Island. For this there w^ere 35 drives, one of which was made for the additional purpose of securing bachelors for the breeding reservation. For the whole season, the general average of skins obtained in each drive was 271. Durmg the fall of 1908 and spring of 1909, 7 drives were made on St. Paul Island by the agents to furnish food for the natives. From these, 1,506 skins were secured. This number, together with 32 which had been retained from the previous season and were ordered to be delivered to the lessee by the letter of the Commissioner of Fisheries dated March 11, 1909, and with 7 skins taken from seals killed by the watchmen at Zapadni for food, made a total of 11,053 skins on hand on St. Paul Island on July 31, 1909. Statement of fur seals killed on St. Paul Island, Alaska, during the year ended July 31, 1909. Rookery. Seals killed for natives' food. Sea s killed by lessees for skins. Aggregate. Date. •i a 3 ii a 3 s '2 00 6 1 ft B ft < Rejected. 3 .a ■d 1 S S 3 O o 5 1 s 1908. Aug. 1 Too large and too small re- tained from previous sea- son (delivery as part of quota of 1908 authorized by letter of Commissioner of Fisiieries, Mar. 11, 1909). Gorbatch Reef and Ketovi 30 2 32 ""isi" 105 158 716 169 93 77 100 175 454 200 502 175 76 613 273 288 127 33 207 250 113 275 717 34 581 43 326 472 32 2 2 "2" .... 1 t "3 6 1 4 6 1 2 1 "i" 1 1 1 "7' "5 3 32 8 183 107 158 718 169 93 78 181 105 158 716 169 93 77 2 2 183 Oct. 20 107 29 Tolstoi and Middle Hill Nortlieast Point 158 Nov. 3 2 718 18 Reef Sea Lion Rock 169 1909. Mav 29 93 June 7 do Tolstoi 1 78 2S 100 175 454 200 502 175 76 613 273 288 127 33 207 250 113 275 717 34 581 43 326 472 1 .... 101 179 455 200 505 181 77 617 279 289 129 34 207 251 114 276 718 34 588 43 331 475 101 29 Reef 1 1 179 July 2 Northeast Point 455 5 Zapadni 200 6 Reef and Gorbatch .... 505 6 Tolstoi 2 181 Halfwav Point 77 8 Northeast Point 617 10 Zapadni 4 279 11 Reef and Gorbatch 289 11 Tolstoi 1 129 13 Halfway Point 34 14 Northeast Point 207 15 Reef and Gorbatch 251 15 Tolstoi and Lukanin i 1 114 16 Zapadni 276 19 Northeast Point 718 19 Halfwav Point 34 20 Reef and Gorbatch 2 588 20 Tolstoi 43 21 Zapadni 4 1 331 23 Northeast Point 2 :::: 475 ' Fifty-one of these skins were from Lukanin. 748 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. Statement of fur seals hilled on St. Paul Island, Alaska, during the year ended July 31, 1909 —Continued. Rookery. Seals killed for natives' food. Seals killed by lessees skins. for Aggregate. i 1 >> f 4^ g 73 a ^ p- S o Rejected. "5 o •6 t e .1 M 5? i-i la p 1 6 1 o s 1909. July 23 24 Halfway Point 32 680 242 185 16 452 579 654 110 329 19 40 60 32 685 245 187 16 453 585 660 110 330 19 41 62 32 680 242 185 16 452 579 654 110 329 19 • 40 60 7 "5' 3 2 "i" 6 6 ..„ 'i' 2 32 Reef and Goibatch 4 2 1 685 25 Zapadni 245 27 Northeast Point 187 27 Halfway Point 16 28 Reef and Gorbatch 1 6 4 453 30 Zapadni 585 31 Reef and Gorbatch 660 31 Ketovi and Lukanin 110 31 Northeast Point 1 330 31 Halfway Point 19 31 Zapadni 1 2 41 31 Gorbatch 62 Watchmen's skins from Zapadni 7 7 7 Total 1,513 1,506 7 9,432 33 51 3 21 9,540 10,938 115 11,053 ST. GEORGE ISLAND. On St. George Island during the lessee's killing season of 1909, which covered the period from June 19 to July 31 of that year, 2,792 seals were killed. This number represents 14 drives, with an average of 199 skins obtained in each drive. During the fall of 1908 and spring of 1909 (the so-called "food- killing" season), 521 seals were killed for natives' food by watchmen and in drives made by the Government agents, and these skins also were delivered to the lessee. There were delivered to the lessee, under the authority previously quoted, 5 sealskins retained by the Government agents from the preceding season, because they exceeded the weight allowed by the regulations. There were on hand, therefore, on St. George Island on July 31, 1909, 3,318 sealskins, gathered from the sources enumerated. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 749 Statement of fur seals killed on St. George Island, Alaska, during the year ended July 31, 1909. Date. Rookery. Seals killed for na- tives' food. Large young seals. Skins accepted by lessees. Seals killed by lessees for skins, accepted, prime. Aggregate. Skins accepted. Total number of seals kUled. 1908. Aug. 7 7 Oct. 19 21 23 24 30 31 Nov. 2 3 7 13 17 23 1909. June 5 5 12 15 19 22 24 26 29 2 6 8 10 14 16 19 21 23 27 31 31 July Overweight skins retained from previous season (delivery as part of quota of 1908 authorized by letter of Commissioner of Fisheries, dated Mar. 11, 1909) North (food drive) Zapadni (watchman) Staraya Artel North East Zapadni (watchman) Staraya Artel Zapadni (watchman) East North Zapadni (watclmian) North and Staraya Artel. do Staraya Artel Zapadni (watchman) Staraya Artel Zapadni (watchman) North Zapadni ( watchman) North (food drive) East (watchman) Zapadni (watchman) Zapadni East, North, and Staraya Artel. do Zapadni East, North, and Staraya Artel. do Zapadni East, North, and Staraya Artel. Zapadni East, North, and Staraya Artel. do do Zapadni Total 1. 521 521 32 312 350 42 201 242 31 446 42 404 260 368 62 2 26 2 26 2 18 1 2 32 312 350 42 201 242 31 446 42 404 260 368 62 2 26 2 26 2 18 1 2 32 312 350 42 201 242 31 446 42 404 260 368 62 2,797 3,318 3,318 1 Four skins of this year's catch exceeding the limit of 8i pounds in weight are retained in salt, subject to future disposition. The number available for shipment the ciu-rent year is therefore 3,314. TOTAL SEALSKINS SHIPPED. From St. Paul Island, on August 14, 1909, on the steamer Homer, there were sliipped 11,054 ^ sealskins, 32 of which were chargeable to the quota of 1908 and 11,022 to that of 1909. From St. George Island there were shipped on the same vessel 3,314 sealskins, all chargeable to the quota of 1909, with the exception of 5 skins credited to 1908 under the authority already quoted. The total shipment of skins in 1909 from both islands, as detailed in the foregoing, was 14,368, of wliich 14,331 are credited to the quota of 1909, and 37 to the quota of the previous year, 1908. 1 To the season's catch of 11,0.53 on St. Paul Island, one skin from a subsequent food drive was added to make an even number, as required for shipment. 150 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. OBSERVANCE OF REGULATIONS. On St. Paul Island the lessee took only 1 skin which failed to weig at least 5 pounds, and none were taken weighing over 8^ pounds, the limits prescribed by the department. It is doubtful, furthermore, whether the 1 skin was not the result of an accident in clubbing or was not taken from a seal that had died from overheating during a drive. As the good faith of the lessee was undeniably demonstrated in every particular this 1 skin was permitted to be included in the shipment. On St. George Island 4 skins exceeding 8^ pounds in weight were taken, and these are now retained in salt on that island awaiting instructions. WEIGHTS OP SKINS. In addition to being weighed on the islands the lessee's take of skins in 1909, when shipped to London, was classified by the factor, and the weights of the various classes ascertained there. As weighed on the islands there is a variation among the skins in respect to their degree of moisture. The scales, moreover, register only to the quar- ter pound; and the recording of the weights in the midst of the noise in the salt house incident to salting and weighing at the same time, with the subsequent necessary transcription and classification from notebooks, are further factors operating against perfect accuracy in the weights. Deficiencies in the following table are explained by these conditions. As weighed in London, on the other hand, the skins contain some of the salt that was used to cure them. Notwith- standing the impracticability of close comparison, however, it will be interesting to observe how the island weights in general correspond to the London weights taken by a disinterested person. Island weights of skins, 1909 catch. Weight. Number of skins. Weight. Number of siiins. St. Paul Island. St. George Island. Total. St. Paul Island. St. George Island. Total. Pounds. 4 4i 4i 4f 5 5i 5i 6i 6i 61 7 1 1 1 14 14 873 477 1,410 885 2,390 984 1,857 807 1,643 Pounds. 7i 7i 7| 8 8J 8i 8f 9 9J 9^ 10 10* 14.1 595 779 359 424 195 389 9 7 15 95 4 57 1 11 610 874 363 481 196 400 9 10 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 13 493 438 903 859 1,373 946 1,376 774 1,045 12 1 380 39 507 26 1,017 38 481 33 598 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Note.— On St. Paul Island no skins weighing more than 8h pounds and only 1 weighing less than 5 pounds were taken during the lessee's killing season. On St. George Island 4 skins weighing more than 8.^ pounds were taken during the lessee's killing season, and are held by the Government agents on the island pending orders for disposition. With these exceptions, under and over weight skins appearing in the table were taken in drives for the natives' food or are hold-overs from the' previous season. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 751 London weights of skins, 1909 catch. ILondou, Nov. 10, 1909. Subject to recount. North American Commercial Co., 1909 catch, 14,308.) Number of skins. Weight. Per cent. Classification. Lbs. oz. 1 23 13 9 Middling. o.'ie' Middlings and smalls. 290 8 3 2.04 1 Smalls. 1,224 7 1 8. 61 Large pups. 4,097 6 8 28. 83 Middling pups. 5. 248 5 13 36.93 Small pups. 1,096 5 6 7.71 Ex. small pups. 11 5 1 .08 Ex. ex. small pups. 84.30 3 9 Middlings and smalls, low. 65 7 5 Smalls, low. 189 6 7 6.62 Large pups, low. 401 5 14 Middling pups, low. 253 5 7 Small pups, low. 30 5 Ex. small pups, low. 1 10 Middlings and smalls, cut. 28 7 10 Smalls, cut. 93 6 8 4.78 Large pups, cut. 244 5 13 Middling pups, cut. 251 5 6 Small pups, cut. 64 5 Ex. small pups, cut. 9 7 10 Smalls, rubbed. 50 7 Large pups, rubbed. 186 6 6 3.97 Middling pups, rubbed. 254 5 12 Small pups, rubbed. 65 5 7 Ex. small pups, rubbed. 38 .27 Faultj'. Smalls. Large pups. Middling pups. Small pups. Ex. small pups. .14,214 5 15 47 58 11 136 Note. — The statement furnished from London omits some weights, but, as will be observed, 136 of these are included in the classification. REJECTIONS PROM DRIVES. On St. Paul 13,656 animals appeared in the drives diirino; the lessee's sealing season, of which 9,508, or 69 per cent, were killed. There were released from the killing fields 1,110 small and 1,185 large seals, in addition to 1,915 marked or branded seals, composed of 1,315 2-year-olds and 600 3-year-olds. The individual killings varied in the percentages of seals killed from 81 to 39 per cent. On St. George, during the same season, 4,484 animals appeared in the drives, of which 2,863, or 63 per cent, were killed. There were released 555 large and 306 small seals in addition to the dismissal of 760 marked seals tlie ages of which were not segregated. In 1909, killing on St. Paul was 4 per cent closer, and on St. George 17 per cent closer, than it was in 1908. 752 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Statement of seals killed and seals dismissed from drives during lessee's sealing season on St. Paul Island, 1909. Date. Rookery. Killed. Dismissed. Small. Large. Branded. Two Three years. ! years. Total driven. Per cent killed. 1909. June 28 29 July 2 5 6 6 7 8 10 11 11 13 14 15 15 16 19 19 20 20 21 23 23 24 25 27 27 28 30 31 31 31 31 31 31 Tolstoi Reef Northeast Point Zapadni Reef and Gorbatch. . Tolitoi Halfway Point Northeast Point Zapadni Reef and Gorbatch. . Tolstoi Halfway Point Northeast Point Reef and Gorbatch.. Tolstoi and Lukanin Zapadni Northeast Point Halfway Point Reef and Gorbatch. . Tolstoi Zapadni Northeast Point Halfway Point Reef and Gorbatch. . Zapadni Nortlieast Point Halfway Point Reef and Gorbatch. . Zapadni Reef and Gorbatch. . Northeast Point Halfway Point Zapadni Gorbatch Ketovi and Lukanin Total 101 179 455 200 505 181 77 617 279 289 129 34 207 251 114 276 718 34 588 43 331 475 32 685 245 187 16 453 585 660 330 19 41 62 110 49 25 23 4 64 74 12 85 190 1 80 4 38 53 73 117 71 33 81 31 35 47 23 12 4 20 14 8 5 14 27 8 35 1 21 48 15 81 11 58 17 26 38 81 75 7 14 92 159 33 36 5 2 43 14 17 7 3 22 39 12 40 100 6 96 7 41 90 5 94 27 71 5 56 46 70 42 3 14 34 18 1,110 1,185 1,315 27 184 448 795 286 649 268 123 806 368 353 163 62 314 386 152 452 1,066 49 826 55 452 712 56 941 310 355 38 584 737 863 520 33 80 170 54 39 57 69 77 67 62 75 76 81 79 54 65 65 75 61 67 6» 71 78 73 66 57 72 79 52 42 77 79 76 63 57 51 600 13,656 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 753 Classification of large seals dismissed during lessee's sealing season on St. Paul Island, 1909. Date. Rookeries. Four years. Five years. Six years. Seven years. Adult. Cows. 1909. June 28 Tolstoi 8 20 16 1 25 3 5 14 2 3 2 5 8 3 22 41 21 7 16 6 14 11 8 3 2 7 3 3 2 22 39 22 12 25 19 12 13 10 5 21 17 12 13 15 3 4 9 3 1 29 Reef July 2 Nortlieast Point ^ 5 Zapadni 6 Reef and Gorbatch 6 Tolstoi 7 Halfway Point 8 Northeast Point 10 Zapadni 11 Reef and Gorbatch 11 Tolstoi 13 Halfway Point 7 3 2 3 10 2 4 6 1 14 Northeast Point 15 Reef and Gorbatch 15 Tolstoi and Lukanin 16 Zapadni 1 12 3 4 4 18 1 2 10 3 13 19 Northeast Point 9 19 Halfway Point 20 5 6 20 Tolstoi 21 Zapadni 3 12 1 16 8 6 8 15 6 16 3 9 3 4 16 18 14 4 27 6 8 11 5 32 23 Northeast Point 23 Halfway Point 24 Reef and Gorbatch 4 25 Zapadni Northeast Point 1 27 29 7 7 7 23 6 2 22 2 4 7 3 8 23 10 1 5 5 10 27 Halfway Point 28 Reef and Gorbatch ? 9 3 10 14 30 Zapadni 10 31 Reef and Gorbatch 8 1 4 31 Ketovi and Ivukanin 31 Halfway Point 31 Northeast Point 13 1 8 18 31 Zapadni 3 Total 214 330 377 223 41 50 Statement of seals killed and seals dismissed from drives during lessee's sealing season on St. George Island, 1909. Date. Rookeries. Killed. Dismissed Total driven. Percent- Large. Small. Branded. age killed. 1909. June 5 Staraya Artel North and Staraya Artel do East Zapadni East, North, and Staraya Artel, .do 26 26 18 1 32 312 350 42 201 242 31 446 42 404 260 368 62 35 50 74 70 38 36 27 13 21 7 1 15 21 49 20 57 21 61 76 92 71 70 443 498 61 287 360 48 646 63 597 439 582 90 42.6 15 34.0 22 19.5 24 1.4 29 45>7 July 2 6 28 66 2 28 41 4 39 67 55 4 37 70 12 146 70.4 70.2 8 Zapadni 68.8 10 14 East, North, and Staraya Artel. do 70.0 67.2 16 Zapadni 64.5 19 21 East, North, and Staraya Artel. Zapadni 69.0 66.6 23 27 East, North, and Staraya Artel. do 33 45 20 111 114 137 7 67.6 69.2 31 do 63.2 31 Zapadni . . 68.8 Total* . i 306 760 63.0 1 • This total includes 71 seals taken during the lessee's season by the natives for food, leaving the total killed by the lessee 2,792, or 62.3 per cent of the total driven. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1- -48 754 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Classification of seals dismissed from drives during lessee's sealing season on St. George Island, 1909. Rookeries. Large. Date. Four years. Five years. Six years. Young bulls. Cows. 1909. 20 14 13 22 8 13 18 9 1 5 5 5 14 14 17 7 4 3 4 5 5 2 2 15 18 15 9 4 10 7 5 5 8 7 29 16 14 17 5 7 2 6 15 22 do . . 24 East 26 29 July 2 6 East North, and Staraya Artel do . g Zapadni 10 East North, and Staraya Artel 14 do . . . 16 1 19 13 2 22 7 30 2 2 6 16 7 18 7 21 3 9 6 9 2 10 2 23 27 .do 31 do 21 31 Zapadni 10 2 Total 204 136 119 134 23 RESERVATION OF BACHELORS FOR BREEDING. The quota of 2 and 3 year old bachelors to be marked and reserved for j breeding purposes consisted of 1,000 of each of the foregoing classes in the proportion of 800 of each for St. Paul and 200 of each for St. George Islands. These seals are driven and marked before the lessee is allowed to kill for skins. On St. Paul seals did not appear in sufficient numbers to justify the marking of these animals until June 24. Thereafter drives were made as often as conditions justified, and the breeding-reserve quota finally was obtained on June 28. A list of the drives made on St. Paul, with the number marked from each, follows : Breeding reserve of bachelors, St. Paul Island, 1909. Date. Rookeries. Two years. Three years. 1909. June 24 Reef 358 333 109 348 27 Northeast Point . 318 28 114 28 Tolstoi 20 Total 800 800 On St. George the marking of the 400 young males was completed early in the season, the last of the quota being secured on or about June 26. The exact dates upon which the seals were marked and the number secured in each drive are not at hand. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 755 QUESTION OF CLOSE KILLING. After the Alaska Commercial Co. had closed its 20-year lease of the sealing privilege in 1889 there were intimations that to secure its quota in the last year the lessee was forced to drain the herd of every Idllable bachelor and to resort to unlawful practices to get 100,000 skins. The lease of the North American Commercial Co. closed practically in 1909, when its last quota of skins was taken from the islands. To anticipate any questions that may be raised concerning the conduct of sealing during the last year of this as of the former lessee in 1889, it is desirable to discuss the matter here with a view of showing whether, in securing its quota of 1909, the last lessee either violated any law or regulation or did any injury to the herd. It must be held in mind at the outset that no seals were killed on the islands in 1909 at any time except in the immediate presence of one or more Government agents who scrutinized the killing closely and were ready to take active measures to secure enforcement of the law should any violation of it be attempted. Among the laws to be observed are prohibitions against the killing of any female seals or of male seals under 1 year of age. In addition, the regulations prescribe a total quota of 15,000, prohibit the killing of male seals with skins under 5 pounds or over 8^ pounds in weight, and of seals that have been marked and released for breedmg purposes. All of these regulations were faithfulh' enforced by the Government agents, who were actually present at each killing, and on the score of com- pliance "svith existing law the lessee may be said to be blameless. There remains, however, the other question, whether, even while observing the law, the lessee killed closer than the safety of the herd would permit; or, in other words, whether the regulations are SO loose as to allow such close killing in 1909 as would endanger the future increase of the seals. It may be well to consider this briefly. It has been stated already that killing on St. Paul Island in 1909 averaged 69 per cent of all seals driven and on St. George Island 63 per cent. This killing was 4 per cent closer on St. Paul and 17 per cent closer on St. George than in 1908, which is to say a killing of about 66 per cent of all seals driven on the two islands. One-third, or 33 per cent, of all animals driven were released. With one animal released out of every three driven it is submitted that Idlhng in 1909 was not close enough to endanger in any way the safety or future increase of the seal herd. Another point of consideration is the number of animals released from the killing fields m 1909 as contrasted with the number neces- sary to be released to prevent decrease in the number of breeding bulls present in 1909. In that year 1,399 breeding bulls were engaged actively mth harems. The average life of the breeding bull is five years after he begins full rookery service at eight years. As the herd would thus renew itself in five years, a yearly dmiinution of one-fifth occurs and is necessary to be provided for. As the herd includes practically 1,400 breeding bulls, it would be necessary to insure that at least one-fifth of this number be provided five years hence, or 280 animals. During the season of 1909 there occurred 5,831 rejections of seals from the drives. Of these 1,740 were too large to be killed there- 756 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. after and 4,091 too small to be killed or included in the breeding reserve. In addition to these there were a number of killables not driven at all, as on August 4 we discovered hauled among the cows on Tolstoi a drive of approximately 600 bachelors, the existence of which theretofore was unknown to the lessee. As the killing season closed on July 31, these animals could not be killed this season. Wlien we consider that only 280 bulls are required to mature each year to maintain the herd of breeding bulls at its present num- bers and that at least 5,000 young males are believed to have survived the season, it can not be believed that the killing in 1909 was too close. We must now discuss the question whether killing in 1909 was as close as in 1889. In the latter 3^ear no record of the number of the seals released from the killing fields was made. It is therefore not possible to ascertain the percentage of seals killed in 1889, nor to compare critically the killing of that year with that of 190.9, for which we have exact data. The main point of difference, however, between the methods practiced in the two years lies in the fact that regulations were in force in 1909 specially designed to prevent too close killing which were not in existence in 1889 and which in fact were not thought of in that year. Before am^ killing by the lessee was allowed in 1909, 2,000 young Idllable males were reserved for breeding by the agents and marked so that thereafter they would be readily discernible by the clubbers. This reservation of 2,000 represents 13 per cent of the quota allowed the lessee. So that, before the lessee took a single skin in 1909, the herd was safeguarded by a reservation of males equal to 13 per cent of the quota. Under such regulations as these it is impossible at the present time for killing to be too close, even if, after reserving these killables, the lessee "swept the hauling grounds" to secure its quota. It could not sweep them so clean as to eliminate this 13 per cent breeding reserve unless the marked seals themselves were killed, and there is plenty of evidence to show that these marked seals were carefully guarded when they appeared in the drives. Such killing as was done in 1909 was conducted strictly in accord- ance with law and regulations. The Government prescribed a quota of 15,000 for the lessee and virtually said: ''After we have secured our breeding reserve, you are allowed to kill every seal on the hauling grounds that may be taken under existing law and regu- lations until you get your quota. We will see that you do not kill our breeding reserve; the law prohibits you killing females or seals under 1 year of age, and if you take skins weighing less than 5 or more than 8-| pounds we will not allow you to ship them, but will deduct them from the quota you would otherwise be allowed to ship." This was the exact situation in 1909, and in the killing no law or regulation was disregarded. During the lessee's killing season only 1 skin on St. Paul Island and 4 on St. George Island were taken contrary to regulations out of a total of over 12,000, and these seals were killed not designedly, but through accident. From the foregoing it can be summed up: First, that every law and regulation safeguarding killing in 1909 was faithfully enforced; second, that one seal out of every three driven by the lessee in that year was released; and, third, that before any lalling by the lessee was allowed a breeding reservation equal to 13 per cent of the quota SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 757 was created and carefully guarded from slaughter. This, m my opmion, is sufficient evidence to convince even the skeptical that any charge of irregularity concerning the killing in 1909 can not be substantiated. It is foolish to curtail the killing of bachelors on land while the islands are surrounded by a large fleet of pelagic schooners, hardly 3 miles offshore, ready to Idll every seal that leaves the rookeries to go to sea. After providing an ample breeding reserve, it is good policy to kill every seal that may be killed with due regard to the safety of the herd. Restriction of killing on land should be discussed only after sea killing is stopped. Personally I am in favor of killing on land even closer than 66 per cent, and of continuing such close killing until either the seals are reduced to a small number or the question of pelagic sealing is settled favorably. MAINTENANCE OF QUOTA. ANNUAL CATCHES SINCE 1903. Since 1904 the annual quota of skins has been maintained at approximately 15,000. From this the natural assumption would be that the breeding herd of females has not diminished during this period, as otherwise the stock of bachelors would have decreased coincidently. It is generally accepted that the sexes of seals are born in equal numbers. If the herd of bachelors has remained stable without diminution during these years, we must accept the conclusion that the number of breeding females which produce these bachelors also have remained at a state of equilibrium, notwithstanding the heavy killing of females in the open sea by pelagic sealers. Since 1903 the annual catches of bachelors on the islands have been as follows, the figures given representing the annual shipments of skins from the islands by the lessee: 1903 19, 292 1904 13,128 1905 14, 368 1906 14, 476 1907 14, 964 1908 " 14, 996 1909 14, 331 From an examination of these figures it appears that the lessee took over 19,000 skins in 1903; that its catch dropped to 13,000 in 1904, and that annually thereafter it killed practically 15,000 seals until 1909. If these figures were susceptible of no other explanation than that the number of bachelors had not diminished, this conclusion would have to be accepted without argument. If, however, other facts have relevancy in a consideration of the cause of tliis stability of the catch, they should be examined before the conclusion is accepted that no decrease in the ])reeding herd has occurred during this period. 758 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ANALYSIS OF CONDITIONS. Previous to 1904 no restriction upon the size of bachelors to be killed was enforced. The annual quotas allowed were so ample as to carry permission to kill every available bachelor appearing in the drives. In its operations the lessee killed every 4-year-old, every 3-year-old, and every 2-year-old driven up that had not a defective skin. Its rejections of seals from the killing fields were confined to those seals only with bad skins, to those young wigs too large for the market, or to such few yearlings as appeared in the last drives of the season. All other male seals were killed. In 1903 the rejections of small seals numbered only 1,185 on St. Paul, and at least one-fourth of these were dismissed from the two food drives made by the Government agents during the period between August 1 and 10. With so small a proportion of rejections in 1903 and the large catch of that year, we must conclude that the lessee killed almost every available seal that appeared. Furthermore it anticipated its next year's catch by killing all of the 2-year-olds that hauled up and that could be driven. Such as escaped were killable the following year as 3-year-olds. The lessee, in plain terms, was ''hving from hand to mouth," killing all it could get and saving none; depending for its next year's catch solely upon the increment of 2-year-olds and such larger seals as had accidentally escaped clubbing the year previous. Such practice could be termed too close killing. In 1904, on the other hand, occurred for the first time the enforce- ment of the regulations designed to prevent too close killing, by the exemption of 4-year-olds from slaughter, the establishment of a minimum weight of 5 J pounds on sealskins to be taken, and a reser- vation of 2,000 young males for breeding purposes. These regula- tions of 1904 changed completely the conditions surrounding the killing of seals on the islands. It reduced the catch in one year from 19,000 to 13,000, created through dismissals a reserve of 7,500 young males to maintain the quota for succeeding years, and provided means for insuring recruits to the rapidly decreasing stock of breed- ing bulls. The change amounted to a transition from the condition of practical nonregulation of killing to one of careful regulation. Since the quota was reduced in one year (1903-4) from 19,000 to 13,000, not by natural conditions, but by the enforcement of arbi- trary restrictions upon the catch, it might well follow that the catches of other years as well were influenced by other agencies than the natural state of the herd. For this purpose a brief resume of the conditions attending the several years' killings will be made: 1903. — The lessee shipped over 19,000 sldns, and on St. Paul Islan only 1,185 small seals were released from the killing field. ^ 1904. — After the enforcement of the regulations requiring the exemption of 4-year-olds from Idlhng, the establishment of a 5J- pound minimum weight, and the reservation of young males for breed- ers, the number of skins shipped as quota was reduced to 13,128. On the other hand, the rejection of small seals amounted to 10,181. These 10,181 rejections created a reserve of surplus bachelors which, as 3-year-olds, would aid the catch of 1905, and emphatically relieved the situation as regards close killing. 1 Records of rejections on St. George for 1903 are incomplete. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 759 In view of this large number of rejections it is not proper to say that the lessee could not have secured its quota in this year. The reason why 15,000 were not taken instead of only 13,000 is due to the fact that such great caution was enjoined upon the lessee in secur- ing the enforcement of the new regulations that seals which were properly killable were allowed to escape. 1905. — In tliis year 14,368 skins were shipped. The St. Paul quota of 13,000 was secured, with 59 per cent killed of the whole number driven, while the St. George Island quota, 2,000, was not obtained. As the percentage of killed on this latter island was, however, only 26, it must be concluded that enough eligible seals escaped fi*om the kilUng fields to have filled the quota. In 1905 the reserve of bachelors was further maintained by over 10,000 rejections of small seals made during the lessee's seaUng season. As the quota of 1905 was aided by the large number of rejections in the preceding year, so the 1906 quota must be con- sidered as aided by a similar number of rejections in 1905. 1906. — For this year a quota of 14,476 was shipped, of which 12,536 were secured from St. Paul Island toward its quota of 13,000, while 1,940 were shipped from St. George Island toward its quota of 2,000. The percentage killed on St. Paul was 59, while on St. George it was 51, an increase on the latter island over the preceding year of 25 per cent. In this year occurred, in addition, an important change m the regulations, namely, that the minimum weight of skins to be taken was reduced from 5h to 5 pounds. This had the effect of allowing the killing of several thousand young seals which heretofore would have been released and included in the reserve of young males from which a portion of the next year's catch would be obtained. With this material aid, however, the quota on St. Paul was not secured. . We find here a decided decrease in the bachelor herd. To secure the quota on St. George Island killing had to be 25 per cent closer than the year previous, even when aided by the reduction in the limit of weight and the savings of bachelors from previous years. In spite of the reduction in weight the quota could not be obtained on St. Paul Island. Had the number of bachelors in existence remained the same in 1906 as in 1905 the reduction of the minimum weight and the consequent inclusion among the Idllables of several thousands of young males of a size hitherto exempt would have made it possible to secure the quota before the expiration of the sealing season. But it is a fact that it was not possible to secure the St. Paul quota even by sealing until the last day and with the mini- mum weight lowered to 5 pounds. This certainly shows that fewer bachelors were on St. Paul in 1906 than formerly. The rejections from the sealing fields in 1906, of course, were affected by this lowering of the weight, and were 7,217, as against over 10,000 in 1905, a loss of over 3,000. This, however, was still large enough to save a number of bachelors for the next year's quota. 1907. — Practically the entire quota of 15,000 was obtained and was secured before the end of this season, the condition which should have occurred in 1906 had not a scarcity of bachelors been encoun- tered then. St. Paul's quota of 12,400 was obtained by July 28, while St. George's 2,600 was obtained by July 24. The lessee^killed more closely, however, as shown by the percentages of killed— 68 760 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. for St. Paul and 44 for St. George. The rejections from the kilHng fields, also, were less numerous by 2,500 than in 1906. This shows at least that the seals had not increased. It is not out of the way, however, to infer that no decrease in the bachelor herd had occurred since 1906. 1908. — The entire quota of 15,000, practically, was obtained this year, but onh after sealing on St. Paul until tlie end of the season. The St. George quota, however, was obtained by July 25. The per- centage of killing on St. Paul was 5 less than the year before, while that of St. George was 2 greater. The number of small rejections in this 3^ear was 6,092, or in round numbers 1,300 more than the precedmg year. There is everything in the killing statistics of this year to show that the bachelor herd did not diminish in the interval between 1907 and 1908. 1909. — A decided decrease is apparent in the record of this season. Not onhr was the quota not secured, but the rejections from the killing field were less than at an}' time since 1903. The number of skins secured and shipped was 14,368, of which 37 were charged to the preceding year. The percentage of killed was 69 on St. Paul, an increase of 4 per cent, while on St. George it was 63, or 17 per cent more than 1908. The number of small rejections was only 1,416 in addition to 2,675 rejections of marked bachelors, or 4,091 in all as against 6,092 the year before. As, outside of the breeding reserve, only 1,416 rejections of small seals were made in 1909, we may safely consider the bachelor reserve to have been almost eliminated. SUMMARY AND INTERPRETATION OF CONDITIONS. After tliis more or less detailed analysis of the killings during the years since 1903 we may summarize the main points as .follows: 1. The quotas for 1904 and 1905 were not obtained because of stringent enforcement of regulations designed to prevent close killing. 2. These regulations were partially relieved of their severity in 1906, Vv^hen the minimum weight was reduced to 5 pounds. Never- theless, in this year the quota was not secured because of scarcity of seals. 3. In 1907 and 1908 the quotas were secured without special diffi- culty, although the rejections from drives were lessened from the number in 1906. 4. In 1909 not only was the quota not secured, but the rejections were less than at any time since 1903, and the percentage of killing was higher. We may reasonably infer that in 1904 a quota of 15,000 was less than the herd would have afforded had the same methods of close killmg been continued as were followed in 1903 and previously. From the statistics we might gather that the catch of 1904 under the same conditions would have been nearl ■ what it was in 1903. Yet we can not say that 19,000 seals, or anything near that number, could have been secured in 1909. In other words, the herd has gradually decreased since 1903 from a point where it allowed a catch of over 19,000 to a point, in 1909, where it could not afford 16,500, if we count the bacheloi's marked for breeding as a portion of the yield of the herd. We have marked decreases in 1906 and again in 1909, with a probable equilibrium between those years. But the SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 761 trend of the baclielor herd has been toward gradual decrease, and this can be better understood when an observation is extended over a period of years. The question presents itself: How, if a gradual decrease occurred, was the quota maintained at approximatelv the same number? The answer is that the quota of 15,000, when first fixed, was smaller than the yield of the herd; that the quotas of the years following were aided in large part from the rejections from previous years, and that not until 1909 did the herd diminish to a point where it could not >'ield 15,000 skins annualh'. It was really not until 1909 that the rejections became practically nil, and even with that the quota could not be filled. It is with considerable hesitancy that I advance this conclusion that the decrease in the herd of breeding seals has been less rapid than would otherwise appear. During the period following 1903 whole rookers- areas gradually have been denuded of breeding seals, the rookeries themselves have shrunk, and massed areas of breeding seals have become smaller. Evers" other indication would point to the supposed fact that the breeding herd had diminished more rapidly than the catches of bachelors would indicate. As it stands, however, a material decrease in the herd is apparent in the inability of the lessee this last season to secure a quota of skins which could have been taken without undue effort in 1903. EFFECT OF SAVING 2-YEAR-OLDS. '\'Mien, in 1904, the catch of skins was reduced by regulation from 19,000 to 13,000, a large number of small bachelors was released. As stated heretofore, this catch of 13,000 did not represent by any means all the skins the lessee could have taken had the same methods of close Idlling as })racticed in preceding years been permitted. Had the lessee been allowed in 1904 to sweep the hauling grounds of every bachelor appearing there, as in 1903, the catch for 1904 would nearly have equaled that of the ])receding year. As this decrease in the catch in 1904 had its cause solely in the enforcement of certain arbitrarih* restrictive measures, it had no con- nection with the number of breeding females in the herd. Its effect was to create a reserve of yoimg animals numbering probably 7,500. The result of the creation of this reserve was to place the herd in a condition which represented more nearly what might be termed its normal status, and, secondly, it insured a certain stability of the next year's catch of skins independently of that year's increment of young killables. The normal status of the bachelor herd is reached when the greater portion of the take of skins consists of 3-year-olds. The reason for this lies in the fact that a 3-year-old has a prime skin that brings the highest price in the market. As the 3-year-old skin is more valuable than that of a 2-year-old, it follows that proper management should maintain such conditions as would result in the catch being secured mainl}^ for the prime or 3-year-old skins, rather than from the less valuable 2-year-olds. This can be done only by the maintenance of a reserve of 2-year-olds which, being protected from slaughter at that age, would furnish the proper number of 3-year-old skins the following season. 762 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The immunizing from killing of this large number of 2-year-olds in 1904 resulted in bringing nearly that number of prime 3-year-olds back to the islands in 1905. The effect was to permit the catch of 1905 to be composed of 50 per cent of prime 3-year-old skins, whereas previously only a thousand or so of 3-year-olds were included. That the value of the company's catch was enhanced by these methods of selection is shown by the fact that the average selling price of their skins in 1904 and 1905 was $37, while in 1903 it was only about S29.50. When the lessee, as in 1903, swept the hauling grounds of every bachelor appearing there, necessarily many small seals were killed whose skins would bring much less than those of the prime 3-year-olds. This, of course, was waste. Although deprived of some of these small seals in 1904 by the operation of the regulations, the lessee received back in 1905 such a number of prime 3-year-olds that the loss of one year was more than equaled by the gain of the next, with the added advantage of having to kill fewer animals to secure the same profit. Wlien such a reserve of young bachelors is created, thereby insuring in a degree the permanency of the next year's catch, this reservation would have the effect of obscuring, to a degree at least, any decrease in the breeding herd that would cause fewer young males to appear upon the killing field. When, for example, as in 1903, the lessee depended for its catch mainly upon the influx of 2-year-olds that theretofore had been too small to kill, its catch had close relation to the number of breeding cows that, two seasons previously, had brought forth the 2-year-olds it expected to kill. It could look nowhere else for its catch. If the births two years previously were more numerous the catch would be larger; if less numerous the catch would be smaller. Under these conditions the catch of any year would be quickly responsive to a lessening or enlarging of the number of births two years previously. With the creation, however, of a reserve of bachelors, the lessee would be able to expect a portion of its catch from this reserve instead of from the increment from the breeding herd alone. As it would be justified in counting upon a considerable number of 3-year- old skins from the reserve, a correspondingly smaller number of 2-year- olds from the increment of young seals would be needed to complete its quota. This indicates that the maintenance of a bachelor reserve would obscure to a degree the effect on bachelors of a reduction of the breeding herd. Without this reserve the shrinkage would be quickly felt; with it, however, the loss in new seals would be met by the bachelor reserve and the catch maintained. This is one of the reasons why the land catches on the Pribilof Islands have been main- tained at a relatively stable figure since 1904, and the reduction in the number of young seals, resulting from a depletion of the breeding cows, not immediately indicated by a simultaneous reduction of the bachelor catch. REDUCTION OP BACHELOR RESERVE. It must not be overlooked that the bachelor reserve represented by the number of small rejections from the killing field has been almost eliminated. Beginning in 1904 with over 10,000 rejections SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 763 of these males, the reserve has fallen steadilj'' to 4,000 rejections in 1909, including those among the marked bachelors. Its steady diminution during this period apparently indicates that to maintain the quota at a stable figure this reserve had to be drawn upon more heavily every succeeding year; or conversely, the rejections each year became fewer in order to secure the quota. It certainly is true that a steady but gradual reduction occurred in the number of bachelors rejected, and had such reduction not been made the quota would have suffered. The reduction of this reserve will make it a matter of difficulty to secure a quota in 1910 approaching in size that of 1909. With fewer of the older animals to draw upon, dependence will be had mainly upon the young or 2-year-olds. With the chance that there will be fewer of these than in 1909, it would appear problematical whether enough can be found to equal or approach the catch of 1909. RATIO OF BACHELORS TO WHOLE HERD. In 1897 the investigation made by the commission of which Dr. David Starr Jordan was chief disclosed a ratio of bachelors to the whole herd of 1 to 20. That ratio was used by him in his criticisms of the accuracy of H. W. Elliott's censuses based on acreage measure- ments in 1874 and 1890. Subsequently, as stated in Mr. E. W. Sims's report ^ on the seal islands, in 1906, the relation of bachelors to the whole herd in 1904 and 1905, according to the censuses made by the agent in charge of seal fisheries for those years, was found to be, respectively, 1 to 16 and 1 to 14. In 1909, by such methods of computation as are available, the whole herd of seals numbers approximately 133,000, while the catch of bachelors was 14,331. Added to the latter, to form an idea of the total bachelor yield of the herd, should be 2,000 bachelors marked and released, making a total possible catch of bachelors for 1909 of 16,331. When we contrast this yield of bachelors for 1909 with the number of the whole herd in that year, we have a relation of bachelors to the whole herd of 1 to 9. The following table will show the various ratios for the years mentioned : Ratio of bachelors in certain years. Year. Bachelors killed. Whole herd. Bachelors released. Ratio of catch to whole herd. 1897 20,766 13, 128 14,368 14,331 402,850 243, 103 223, 009 133,000 1 to 20. 1904 1905 1909 2,054 2,174 2,000 1 to 16. 1 to 14. 1 to9. This would show that the ratio which the catch of bachelors bears to the whole herd has changed from 1 to 20 in 1S97 to 1 to 9 in 1909. The percentage of bachelors dismissed from the killing field in 1897 was 41 per cent; in 1904, 44 j)er cent; in 1905, 40 per cent; and in 1909, 32 per cent. This shows that killing in 1909 was 9 per cent I Report on the Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries, by Edwin W. Sims, Department of Commerce and Labor, Aug. 31, 1900. 764 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. closer than in 1897, and would account partially for the difference in the ratio, but not altogether, in my mind. Had killing in 1909 been no closer than in 1897 (59 per cent), the whole number killed would have been 10,603, which, added to the number marked and released, would have made a ratio of 1 to 11 in 1909. This demonstrates that there was in 1909 a larger proportion of bachelors present to the whole herd than was shown to be present in 1897. In fact, the proportion seems to have increased gradually since 1897. Why this is so is difficult to explain. With a gradually diminishing herd, the number of bachelors proportionately has increased so that the annual catches of skins do not show the same rate of diminution as the herd in general. It may be possible that the death rate among young pups has been lessened. It has been estimated heretofore that 50 per cent of pups die in their first migration, or rather that only 50 per cent reappear as yearlings the year after their birth. This was supposed to be due to their inability as pups to provide food for themselves and to escape from their natural enemies. It was due also to a heavy death rate among these pups on shore from disease. It is altogether probable that the death rate from disease on shore that affected pups in 1897 has since been reduced greatly through the abandonment by seals of areas that were supposed to be infected. This would allow a greater number of pups to return as yearlings than heretofore and would increase the number of bachelors in proportion to the whole herd. It would also insure the return of a greater number of yearling females, and would assist in maintaining the breeding herd despite pelagic killing of cows. It is possible also that the allowance of a 50 per cent mortality in pups was too high even ih 1897, but I am inclined to believe rather that the death rate has changed since then and that more pups survive now than formerly. The proportion which the pelagic catch bears to the whole herd has changed also. In 1897 the pelagic catch, 24,321, bore the same rela- tion to the whole herd, 402,850, as 1 to 16. In 1908 it M^as as 1 to 8 (18,151 : 146,636). From this it would seem that the pelagic sealers are killing twice as many seals in proportion as they did 11 years ago. This is another singular fact in connection with the subject, showing that conditions at the present time differ entirely from previ- ous years. It may be that by the methods of estimation used, the number in the whole herd in recent years has been placed too low, or rather, that there are more seals in the herd than are given in the estimates or censuses. It is either in this possibility or the one already men- tioned — that the mortality among pups is less than hitherto — that the cause of this change of relation of bachelor catch to the whole herd must be sought. NUMERICAL STATUS OF THE SEAL HERD. COUNTS OF HAREMS AND BULLS. The usual counts of harems were made on the two islands during the period of July 13-16. These counts were made by the agents and a special representative of the Bureau of Fisheries, Mr. G. A. Clark, and were made carefully. The count for St. Paul Island follows : SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Count of harems on St. Paul Island, 1909. 765 Date. Rookery. Harems. Idle bulls. Quitters. Water bulls. Bulls on liauling grounds. 1909. July 12 Lagoon 12 229 "l9 2a 42 9 118 11 184 25 87 51 7 41 11 62 147 61 3 33 1 142 1 1 15 12 Northeast Point 12 Little Polavina 12 Polavina Cliffs 12 Polavina i 2(1 2 1.3 4 14 9 3 3 1 9 20 15 Gorbatch Cliffs 15 Gorbalch 6 20 15 A rdiguen 15 Reef Tolstoi Cliffs 22 "l 5 3 32 15 15 Tolstoi 7 15 Ketovi 15 Amphitheater 15 Lulcanin 1 1 4 13 4 16 Zapadni Reef 16 Lit lie Zapadni 9 16 Zapadni 3 15 16 Total 1,132 140 116 13 83 Includes water bulls. Contrasting the total number of harems and bulls found on St. Paul Island in 1909 with the number found in 1908, exclusive of Sea Lion Rock, the following changes are to be noted: Comparison of harems, St. Paul Island, 1908 and 1909 . Year. Harems. Idle. Quitters, ^ater Hauling- ground bulls. 1909 1.071 1,062 140 90 116 ! 13 45 68 83 1908 Difference +9 +50 + 71 -55 On St. Paul Island, therefore, while there occurred an increase of only 9 harems between 1908 and 1909, the total number of adult bulls present on the rookeries (harem masters, idle, and quitters) was increased by 130 individuals. On St. George Island, in 1909, harems were counted on July 14-16 by the agents, and later these counts were verified by one of the agents and Mr. G. A. Clark. A detailed hst of the buUs found on St. George Island, as disclosed by the counts mentioned, follows: Count of harems on St. George Island, 1909. Date. Rookery. Harems. Idle bulls. Quitters. Hauling- ground bulls. 1909. July 14 14 Little East 5 25 42 42 44 109 East Reef 6 5 7 14 East Cliffs 14 Staraya Artel 10 9 13 16 Zapadni 15 15 North 5 Total 207 32 23 15 766 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. A comparison between the totals of 1908 and 1909 shows the fol- lowing changes as having occurred on St. George: Comparison of harems, St. George Island, 1908 and 1909. Year. Harems. Idle. Quitters. Hauling- ground bulls. 1909 267 241 32 34 23 27 IS 1908 - - (') +20 -2 -4 > No data. It may be noted from the above table that an increase of 26 harems occurred on St. George Island, or 10 per cent. The idle bulls and quitters show a slight decrease. For the two islands, therefore, the counts made in 1909 show a net increase of 35 harems, 48 idle bulls, and 67 quitters, or a total of 150 full-grown bulls. It may be noted that the water bulls on St. Paul Island decreased 55 between 1908 and 1909. These are the immature 5 and 6 year olds hanging about the water fronts of rookeries. They are not breeding bulls because they are not stationed in positions where they may serve cows, although in the fall they will haul up on the rookeries and annoy the cows after the adult breeding bulls have relaxed their vigilant harem control. The decrease in this class of animals may have been caused by the possible fact that, at the particular time these counts were made, weather conditions or some other cause may have operated to bring fewer of these animals on shore than normally. It is more probable, however, that this decrease has its cause further back than the present summer and is due to more tangible reasons. It can be sought in the large number of young seals released from the killing fields in 1904 and following years. In that year (1904), according to the statistics of rejections, 8,019 small seals were released uninjured from the drives brought to the killing fields, in addition to 2,162 young seals marked and released for breeding purposes. This made a grand total of 10,181 young seals released in this one year (1904). In 1905, 10,288 rejections of the same character were made. Take, for example, the 2-year-olds of 1904, of which there were approximately 8,000 rejections. These seals would be 3-year-olds in 1905, 4-year-olds in 1906, 5-year-olds in 1907, and 6-year-olds in 1908. The 2-year-olds of 1905 would be 5-year-olds in 1908, one year behind those of 1904. Theoretically, therefore, in 1907 and 1908 we would have a large number of young males which would be either 5 or 6 year olds. At this age they would be true water bulls — not old enough to fight their way upon the rookeries to serve cows, but old enough to be obsessed by the breeding instinct and to loiter about the water fronts of rook- eries flirting with cows coming and going to feed. For this reason, in 1907 and 1908 we should have had more of this class of young males than hitherto. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 767 A reference to the annual reports of 1907 and 1908 will show that this increase occurred. In 1907, 100 water bulls were noted on the rookery fronts of St. Paul Island, where, before, the number was so small as to fail to suggest the advisability of enumeration. In 1908 only 68 water bulls w^ere noted, and from this it is to be inferred that some of the water bulls of 1907 graduated into the idle bull or 7-year- old class of 1908. This is further borne out by the increase of 29 idle bulls in 1908. In 1909 these young bulls should have progressed into active harem masters and increased the number of harems. This is also borne out by the fact that in 1909 on St. Paul Island an increase of nine occurred in the number of harems, the first increase in the number of harems that has occurred on St. Paul for years. But why should the supply of 5 and 6 year old males be less in 1908 than in 1909 ? Because the practice of releasing 10,000 annu- ally from the killing fields was continued only through the years 1904 and 1905. In 1906 only about 7,000 were released, and in 1907 only about 4,000, This lessening of the number of rejections in previous years must find its echo in the lessening number of young bulls apparent several years thereafter. PURPOSE OF BREEDING RESERVATION. Since 1904 an annual reservation has been made of 1,000 3-year- old males, together with 1,000 2-year-old males designed to insure a supply of 3-year-olds the season following. The purpose of this reservation is to supply young males in sufficient numbers to meet the heavy death rate which has been demonstrated by experience to occur among adult rookeiy bulls. The heavy mortality among this class of fur seals has been apjiarent in the steady decrease in the number of bulls present on rookeries during observations extending over 10 years. To check this decrease, by providing a sufficient increment of young bulls, was the object of the plan of reserving young male seals bv marking them in such manner as to prevent their being killed by clubbers on the sealing fields. During the six years from 1904 to 1909, both inclusive, 12,000 young males have been so reserved. Of these, 6,000 were 2-year-olds and 6,000 3-year-olds at the time of reservation. As those seals reserved in 1904 and 1905 now would be coming upon the rookeries as breed- ers, it is both interesting and desirable that we should form an idea of the number of these young bulls we should expect to appear upon the rookeries. Any attempt to compute the number of reserved 2-year-olds w^hich might survive as breeders would be futile, the mark put upon them not being permanent and protecting them only for the first year. These 2-year-olds were reserved solely for the purpose of insuring a supply of 3-year-olds the next year and to prevent too close killing. It was understood at the time the plan w^as inaugurated that the 2-year-olds would be liable to be killed the following year. Their exemption from slaughter as 2-year-olds, however, would insure their presence the next year as 3-year-olds, and these latter w^ere depended upon to form the actual breeding reserve. For this reason, therefore, in attempting to compute the probable increase, only the reservation of 3-year-olds should be considered and not that of the 2-year-olds, the reservation of which acts merely as a "feeder" to that of the 3-year-olds. 768 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The 3-year-olds, on the other hand, become 4-year-olds the next year, the killing of which is prohibited by regulation. Thereafter they are too large to be killed by the clubbers. Few of them, in fact, appear later upon the field, but instead frequent the rookery fronts worrying the cows. This class of young males, therefore, we may safely attempt to follow through succeeding years and to estimate what number might be expected to appear from year to year there- after. INCREASE OP BULLS THROUGH RESERVATIONS. During the six years mentioned 6,000 3-year-olds were reserved for breeding, 1,000 each year. To follow their progress through the years following, allowance should be made for a 10 per cent mortality from natural causes. What mortality they sull'er from pelagic seal- ing, although severe, need not be dealt with here, as our object merely is to decide how many of these bachelors under normal conditions might be expected to mature as bulls. A table constructed on this basis follows: Increment of hulls from breeding reservations. Age. 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 3-year-olds 4-year-ol(is ; 1,000 1,000 900 1,000 900 810 1,000 900 810 729 1,000 900 1 810 1 729 i 647 1,000 900 810 729 647 Adult bulls ' 583 From this table we can see that, theoretically, we should have in 1909, from the reservations of 3-year-olds made in 1904 and 1905, an increment of 583 adult, or 8-year-old bulls, and 647 7-year-olds, or quitters. This does not mean, of course, that the number of bulls present in 1908 would be increased by the number of new bulls noted above. A number of the 1908 bulls would have died by the follo^ving year. It means that tliis number of young bulls would be available to offset the mortality among adult bulls occurring during the interval between the seasons of 1908 and 1909. Any increase in bulls noted in the latter year would represent the excess of incoming young bulls over the loss by death of old bulls. It will now be interesting to note to what degree this theoretical computation agrees with the facts as demonstrated by the actual counts made during the last season. The table shows that 583 new full-grovvm bulls should be present in 1909. The count of harems made in 1909 shows that the number of harems in 1908 has been maintained and that we have in 1909 an increase of 35 harems on the two islands, and of 48 full-grown adult bulls that were without cows, a net increase in adult bulls of 83, in addition to an increase of 67 in the 7-year-old quitter class. This actual increase in the number of bulls shows that the theoret- ical computation is correct in so far as to indicate a comfortable increase in bulls in 1909. The number of these new bulls that did actually take station on the rookeries is undeterminable, and to that extent we can not verify the table. We do know that a number of young bulls had harems in 1909 for the first time, and that these \ SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 769 incoming young bulls were sufficient not only to fill the gaps created by the death of old bulls but to increase the actual number apparent on the rookeries by 83 harem masters and idle. When we consider further the increase of 67 quitters, or 7-year-olds, a total increase of 150 breeding males, we may feel that we have received, in a modified degree at least, the benefit of the reservations which the theoretical computation indicates sliould have been felt. Of course, not a few individuals of the reservations of 1904 and 1905 were killed by pelagic sealers. Those of 1904 now living had to elude the efforts to capture them in the sea made during a period of six years. The cumulative eft'ect of six years' sea hunting upon a given class of animals, such as these young males released in 1904, must be severe enough to deplete the original number materially. No one will claim that of the original 1,000 3-year-olds released in 1904 all came through to adult estate with a loss attributable only to natural mortality. Quite a large percentage died from pelagic sealing, but enough escaped the vicissitudes of seal hfe not only to fill all the places made vacant by the deaths of old bulls, but to reenforce that class to the point of actual expansion. Notwithstanding the assured success of tliis experiment of reserving young males, it may be claimed that the result should have been more pronounced, or, in other words, that more bulls should have appeared than actually did. Theoretically more should have appeared, but our theories are based upon the knowledge of only a few facts con- nected with seal life after the seals leave the land. What the actual mortality is among these animals from their natural enemies and pelagic sealing can not be ascertained, but undoubtedly it is large. From the experiment we have learned simply that a reservation of 2,000 bachelors will not deliver the entire number on the rookeries as bulls five years hence, and that, if we want more bulls than actually appeared, we must have a larger reservation. SIZE OF RESERVATION TO EFFECT INCREASE IN BULLS. In 1904 there were approximately 2,300 adult bulls on the rook- eries, and in that year the first reservation of 1,000 3-year-olds was made. No account is taken of the 1,000 2-year-olds made at the same time, for the reason already given that these latter are always liable to be killed the succeeding year on land and were reserved for the purpose merely of insuring a supply of 3-year-olds for the next year's reservation. These 1,000 3-year-olds represented nearly 50 per cent of the number of active breeding bulls present in 1904. When the years necessary for their full growth had passed, it is found that the incre- ment of the survivors of this 50 per cent reservation was sufficient only to form a slight excess over the number of bulls present the preceding year. In other words, it is found that a reservation equal to 50 per cent of the adult bulls present was hardly more than enough to meet the drains from the usual mortality among rookerj^ bulls. From these facts, hardl}^ sufficient though they be, we might deduce the tentative principle to be observed in future, should further effort be made by reservation of 3-year-oJds to meet and check a steady 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 49 770 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. decrease in rookery bulls, namei}^, that such reservation must equal at least 50 per cent of the adult bulls in existence at the time the reservation is first made. CHANGE IN HAREMS BY ROOKERIES. We have seen from the foregoing that an increase of 9 harems occurred on vSt. Paul Island and of 26 on St. George Island. This increase represents a percentage of only eight-tenths of 1 per cent on St. Paul and of over 10 per cent on St. George. The counts dis^ close an increase upon all the rookeries on St. George excepting one, and that one, Little East, is the same as in 1908, while on St. Paul only 1 of the 4 large rookeries (Gorbatch) shows any increase what- ever. With this single exception, such increase on St. Paul as did occur took place on the smaller rookeries. A count of the bulls on all rookeries in 1908 and 1909, with a state- ment of the changes occurring during the interval, follows: Count of bulls on all rookeries, 1908 and 1909. Rookeries. Harem. Increase (+)or 1908 1909 decrease St. Paul: 8 200 42 6 44 88 20 13 237 16 24 36 148 64 10 3 103 5 20 41 41 40 94 11 184 51 7 41 87 25 12 229 19 23 42 147 62 11 2 118 5 25 42 42 44 109 + 3 Reef -16 + 9 + 1 - 3 Tolstoi - 1 Tolstoi Cliffs + 5 - 1 - 8 + 3 Polavina Cliffs - 1 + 6 - 1 - 2 + 1 Gorbatch Cliffs - 1 +15 St. George: Little East East Reef + 5 East Clifls + 1 + 1 + 4 North + 15 This fact, that the rookeries on St. George Island show increase in bolls in a marked degree, is strongl}^ corroborative of the tentative conclusion advanced by me in 1908, that the continued disturbance of seals in the water afiout St. Paul Island by the pelagic sealers has had the effect of driving off seals to the other island, where they suffer but little annoyance from the sealers. In 1908 the change in the habits of the bachelors in hauling on the Reef, where they were least disturbed, in preference to Northeast Point, where two-thirds of the fleet gathered, was plainly noticeable. This year the fleet gathered mainly off Southwest Point, and as a result no large drives were made from the Reef, as was the case in the two years preceding, while as many bachelors were found at Northeast Point as at any other rookery. This situation in 1909 is more a return to normal than a change, I I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 771 but indicates that seals can be influenced in hauling by conditions extraneous to their normal environment. The cause of the fact that the increase in bulls on St. Paul occurred only on smaller rookeries excepting one, might he in the fact that on the smaller rookeries the young bulls had a better opportunity of lodgment close to the cows than on the larger ones, where the average h;u-em was smaller. COUNTS OF PUPS AND AVERAGE HAREM. Counts of pups were made last summer on several rookeries with the object of determining whether or not the breeding females have diminished, as well as the size of the average harem, by means of which estimates of the whole number of breeding cows on the two islands might be made. St. Paul Island. — Counts of pups were made upon certain rookeries on St. Paul in 1909 and are detailed in the follomng table: Counts of pups on rookeries of St. Paul Island, 1909. Date. Rookeries. Live pups. Dead pups. Total. 1909. Aug. 2 2 4 4 4 Ketovi Amphitheater Lagoon Tolstoi Clifls.. Zapadni Reef. Total... 1,669 246 693 1,397 309 4,314 1,729 250 715 1,452 319 4,465 It was originally my purpose to count the pups on only Ketovi and Amphitheater, omitting all other rookeries, to avoid driving into the water any greater number of breeding cows than necessary. Counts of other rookeries were made, however, at the request of Mr. G. A. Clark, special representative of the Bureau of Fisheries, for comparison of their present condition with their status in 1897, when the pups thereon were counted by the fur-seal commission. The rookeries on which pups were counted on St. Paul in 1909 con- tained 106 harems at the height of the breeding season. As 4,465 live and dead pups were found on the same area, and as each pup represents a breeding cow, each harem on this space would have on an average 42.1 cows. This represents, as has been stated, an average harem based on the entire count of pups made. The average harems on the individual rookeries vary greatly. The average harem on Zapadni Reef is 29, while that on Lagoon is 59.5. Tolstoi Cliffs, on which 1,452 pups were found, had an average harem of 58. m SEAL. ISLANDS OF AL,ASKA. For convenience, the average harem on each rookery on which pups were counted is given below: Average harems on rookeries on St. Paul Island. Rookeries. Live and dead pups. Hareins. Average harem. Ketovi and Amphitheater Lagoon Tolstoi Cliffs Zapadni Reef Total 1,979 715 1,452 319 34.1 59.5 58.0 29.0 4,465 106 42.1 On St. Paul in 1908 the pups on Ketovi and Amphitheater only were counted. For this reason, comparison between the counts in 1908 and 1909 can be made only for these rookeries. Such compari- son shows : Comparison of counts of pups, St- Paul, 1908 and 1909. Dead pups. Year. Rookeries. Live pups. Total. 1908 Ketovi and Amphitheater 1,877 1,915 83 64 1,960 1909 . .do 1,979 19 The difference between the number of pups embraced in these two counts is 19, representing an increase in 1909. This indicates that practically no change has occurred in the numbers of cows on this rookery between the years 1908 and 1909. St. George Island. — A count of pups was made in 1909 on North rookery on St. George as has been done for several years. Counts of pups on St. George Island, 1908 and 1909. Yeaf. Rookeries. Live pups. Dead pups. Total. 1909 North 3,679 3,969 105 154 3,784 1908 .. .do 4,123 Decrease . . 339 The count for 1909 shows that a decrease has occurred in the number of pups on that rookery since 1908 amounting to 339, or 8 per cent. Using the same methods as were employed in determining the aver- age harem on St. Paul Island, it is found that the average harem on North rookery, St. George Island, in 1909 was 34.7 (109 harems, 3,784 cows). Had the pups on other rookeries on St. George Island been counted, a different average harem would have been obtained. While North and Staraya Artel rookeries have remained practically stable in numbers for several years, the area covered by the breeding seals on Zapadni, St. George Island, is less this year than formerly, in addition to SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 773 which only 1,100 cows were counted there at the height of the season of 1909, whereas over 1,500 were counted there on the same date in 1906. This shows that a decrease in breeding cows occurred there during that period. So also those counts of cows on East rookery have shown a steady diminution. If, therefore, the estimate of the average harem on St. George had been based upon counts of North and Zapadni or North, Zapadni, and East, it is certain that a diiferent result would have been obtained. For the last three years, however, it has been the practice to count only Ketovi rookery on St. Paul and North rookery on St. George to obtain an average harem to be used for purposes of esti- mation. Should we discard this method in 1909 there would be no opportunity to make a comparison between this and preceding years. For comparison, therefore, the pup count of Ketovi on St. Paul and of North on St. George will be used to determine the average harems of both islands to compute the number of breeding cows. The average harems on those rookeries, as already stated, are Ketovi, 34.1 ; North, 34.7. It can thus be seen that the average harems on these two rookeries which have been accepted heretofore as typical of all differ but slightly in the size. NUMBER OF BREEDING COWS. It was found that there were 1,071 harems on St. Paul and 267 on St. George. Applying the average harems above mentioned to the w^hole number of harems on the two islands, we have the following as an estimated census of breeding cows : Estimated number of breeding cows, 1909. Island. Average harem. Total harems. Whole number of breed- ing cows. St. Paul 34.1 34.7 1,071 267 36, 521 St. George \ 9,265 Total 1,338 45,786 Contrast with 1908. — Using the rookery of Ketovi as typical of conditions on the whole of St. Paul Island, we may contrast the estimate of cows given above with that made bv the same method in 1908., In that year Ketovi contained 48 harems and 1,960 pups, affording an average harem of 40.8. As 1,062 harems were found on the entire island, the application of the average harem of 40.8 would produce a total of 43,329 breeding cows. On St. George, the typical rookery. North, had 94 harems and 4,123 pups, giving an average harem of 43.8. As there were 241 harems on the entire island, an estimate of the entire number of breeding cows on that island based upon the average harem obtained as above, w^ould give 10,555. For the two islands, therefore, in 1908, by the methods of estimation outlined above, there was in 1908 a total of 53,884 breeding cows. 774 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Since 45,786 cows were estimated to be present in 1909 and 53,884 in 1908, it would appear that a decrease of 8,098 cows, or 15 per cent, has occurred during the year. DIFFERENT BASES OF ESTIMATION. This estimate of breeding cows, as has been stated, is based upon the size of an average harem obtained by counting the pups on only one rookery on each island. It may be granted that nad another rookery on either island been selected as typical an entirely different result would have been obtained. This may be seen readily by a scrutiny of the average harems on the various rookeries on St. Paul on which pups were counted in 1909. As it is, the Ketovi rook- ery average harem of 34.1 represents a fair mean between the highest and the lowest averages obtained by counting other rookeries, and might fairl}" be taken as typical of the entire island when considering the size of the average harem. The fact that the average harem may be made to vary greatly by the selection of other rookeries is cited, however, to show that the estimate made is open to criticism on the ground of uncertainty as to its accuracy. If, instead of con- structing an estimate based upon an average harem and contrasting that estimate with one made m the same manner the previous year, we were to take the percentage of decrease shown by an actual count of pups on certain rookeries, it is believed that a more accurate idea would be obtained as to the changes occurring in the breeding cows. In observing the decrease in seal life it has appeared that certain rookeries, or rather portions of rookeries, either show a smaller rate of decrease than others, or in some instances do not show any decrease at all, while others do. We may take it from this that certain locali- ties are focal points in the breeding areas, attracting the breeding seals more than others. Around these central points the animals gather instinctivel}'", while those that can not obtain lodgment thereon spread to one side or the other. So, also, when the rookery space occupied retracts by depletion of the herd the spaces on either side of these focal points are first deserted and the herd converges upon the places which seem most desirable as breeding grounds. Owing to the decrease in the herd during the last few years, oppor- tunity has been offered to ascertain the points more desired by breeding seals. On these places the diminution has been less appar- ent than at others, or the diminution between particular years has amounted to nothing at all. We have seen that Ketovi rookery for several years has shown scarcely any loss, while portions of other rookeries have been virtually eliminated or reduced to skeletons of their former aspect. Lukanin rookery, for instance, immediately adjacent to Ketovi, has had four-fifths of its breeding area denuded, and such breeding seals as are left gather only on the hill at the southern extremity. Portions of Gorbatch rookery are deserted, leaving such seals as are there at the central portion, approximatel;^, and the extreme west end. Polavina rookeries have retracted until practically all seals are at Polavina Point. Northeast Point rookery has retracted from the ends toward the center. Zapadni rookery has receded toward its central massed areas, leaving the bowlder beach line of Zapadni Reef almost bare of seal life. Ketovi rookery SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 775 itself has abandoned that portion which abuts Black Bluffs, but after rounding Ketovi Point tlie breeding seals there seemed to have maintained their numbers with little or no decrease. Likewise, on St. George Island, North rookery seems to be a favored spot that attracts breeding seals to the exclusion of other rookeries. It has shown little decrease, or rather a more gradual decrease, than East rookery and its outlying areas and Zapadni rookery, which seem to have suffered such loss in breeding seals has occurred on St. George in recent years. It can be seen, then, that the loss among breeding seals is greater in some areas than otliers, and that the least decrease has occurred on Ketovi and North rookeries, the ones chosen as typical. Since this is the case it would seem proper that the loss m seal life should be sought where it really occurs and not upon those rookeries that are shown to have remamed stable in numbers or on which the rate of decrease is slower than upon others. Consequently, judgment as to the condition of the rookeries m general should be based not upon conditions on one rookery alone and upon that rookery in particular which shows least change. The data upon which it is to be formed should be gathered from other localities as well upon which changes have occurred. Only in this wa}^, in my belief, can a correct idea be formed as to changes in the number of seals present. It would, of course, mvolve extended counting and this means unwonted dis- turbance of the breeding cows. For this reason it should not be done every year. But at intervals of five years, for example, an extended count of pups should be made on each island and from the data thus obtained should be made an esthnate of the number of breeding cows in the herd Disturbance of the rookeries in itself means no harm, provided it is not constant. No harm to the cows follows directly from the act of their being disturbed and driven oft' their breeding ground. Harm does come, however, when such driving occurs in connection witli tlie presence of over 100 small boats filled with men armed with s]iot- guns, waiting as close to shore as they may come, ready to shoot the seals that are driven off the rookeries. Wliile sucli a raenace is E resent; ordinary prudence dictates that the seals on shore should not e disturbed unless it is desired to augment the pelagic catch from the breeding cows that represent the very life of the herd. In the interval between these suggested five-year counts no serious effort need be made to count the seals. Inspection of tlie area occu- pied would disclose in a general way whether any radical change in the numbers liad occurred, and this could be done wdthout disturbance. The Government coidd well afford to sacrifice some of its minute data regarding seal life to the greater consideration of saving the lives of many breeding cows each year by refraining from driving tliem within reach of the pelagic fleet. CONCLUSIOlf AS REGARDS BREEDING COWS. It may be accepted as a fact that a decrease in breeding cows has occurred since 1908. The retraction of the breeding seals from the places formerly occupied and the actual count of pups on North rookery demonstrate this. The fact that Ketovi rookery on St. Paul does not show a decrease from 1908 must indicate either that the 776 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. numbers on this particular rookery have beeii maintained through accessions of cows from other less attractive rookeries, or that pelagic sealing had less efltect upon the cows fre(|uen ting, this rookery than upon others. From sucli datii as we liave on hand at present, which have already been detailed, it will be safe to conclude that the decrease in breed- ing cows varies between 10 and 15 per cent. It may be safe, further- more, to estimate that the whole number of breeding cows how embraced in tlie herd is in the neigliborhood of 45,000, varjnng sev- eral thousand oh one side or the other because of the necessary amount of conjecture used in making the estimate. NONRETURN OF COWS AFTER DISTURBANCE, Upon the occasion of the counting of pups on Lagoon rookery last summer coimt was made of the coWs on tliat rookery before they were disturbed and driven off by the approach of the pup counters. Oh that date (August 4) 320 cows were present. Daily, for a week there- after, this rookery was revisited and the cows recounted, the object being to ascertain whether after being driven off into the Water the cows returned to the rookery in anything like the number preseh't before the disturbance. The series of counts made justifies the conclusion that aft^i- having been so disturbed the cows do not return in the same numbers a's before the clearing off of the rookery. A list of the counts of co\^s follows : August 4 320 August 5 204 August 6 190 August 7 164 August 8 193 August 9 163 August 10 148 August 11 152 This shows that on the day after this rookery was first disturbed 116 cows had failed to return and in all probability had gone to sea. At no time thereafter were there as many cows found on the rookery as when they were first driven off. We must conclude from this that driving off of cows from a rookery increases the number at sea which may be killed by pelagic sealers and that, under present con- ditions, disturbance of the rookeries in the manner indicated has the effect virtually of increasing the pelagic catch. CENSUS OF SEAL HERD, In making a census of seals in the whole herd only the adult sta- tioned bulls are actually counted, together with a small number of pups. By means of the latter an average harem is established, to be used in estimating the number of pups and breeding cows. This, however, lias already been explained. All other seals in the herd can be enumerated only by estimation based upon such facts con- cerning their numbers as we may be able to gather. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 777 ESTIMATE OF HALF BULLS. Records ke])t. of the dismissal of large seals from the killing o;roimds sl\ow that 1 ,770 large young males were turned away on both islands. Observations made heretofore by me, based upon the percentage of return of 3-year-old males, suggest strongly that not more than 50 per cent of the half bulls appeared upon the hauling grounds, the other half hanging about the rookeries worrying the cows. This indi- cates that the number of half bulls appearing in the drives should be doubled in endeavoring to arrive at the whole number. If we double those seen in the drives in 1P09 we would have 3,550 as an estimate of the young males in the herd too young to hold positions on the breed- ing rookeries, but too old to be killed for skins. ESTIMATE OP YOUNG SEALS. ' In 1907 the census of seals gave the number of new-born pups as 50,825. Of these one half were males and the other half females. These pups of 1907 would be 2-year-olds in 1909. By the usual process of estimation the 25,000 male pups in 1907 would return to the islands in 1 909 to the number of 10, 1 65. Approxi- mately S,000 of tliese were killed by the lessee in 1909, leaving 2,165 surviving at the close of the season. The female 2-vear-olds bv this process would number 10,165 in 1909. The yearlings in 1909 would number approximately 12,000, divided equally between the sexes. Of the 3-year-old bachelors, 1,000 were reserved for breeding in 1909. In addition to these some few escaped driving. A fair esti- mate of the number of tliis class would be 1,200. STATISTICS OF SEAL LIFE IN 1909. From the foregoing we may construct the following census of seal life at the close of the sealing season of 1909: Bulls, active with harems 1, 132 Bulls, idle and quitters 256 Half bulls 3,550 3-year-old bachelors 1, 200 2-year-old bachelors 2, 165 Yearling bachelors 12, 000 Male pups 22, 882 Breeding cows 45, 765 2-year-old cows 10, 165 Yearling cows 12, 000 Female pups 22, 882 Total 133, 997 This total is an approximation, based upon such limited knowledge of the numbers of the seal herd as we possess. There are certain classes of seals which it is highly impracticable to count accurately, as, for instance, the entire body of the new-born pups. There are other classes impossible to coimt, as the yearlings, half bulls, and adult cows, some of which are always in the water. These facts all result in forcing the enumerator of the seal herd to resort to estima- tion in arrivins: at their numbers. 778 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The result of experience has been to show that pre"STous censuses made in the manner adopted in 1909 have been inexact in sliowing fewer seals than actually were in existence. This probably will be the ca.^e wdtii the census of 1909. It is altogether probable that the estimates of the bachelors made by me in 1909 are too low, due to the allowance of a higlier death rate than actuall}^ occurs among them. DEAD PUPS. In October, 1908, and again in 1909, counts were made of dead pups on the various rookeries on St. Paul Island. These counts were made in some instances by myself or assistant agents and in others by intelhgent natives detailed by me. The count follows: Dead pups, St. Paul Island. 1908 1909 » Dead. Starving. Lagoon 4 152 287 36 17 77 1 245 24 701 4 183 309 45 15 104 440 77 10 117 10 319 33 881 17 270 Tolstoi Clifls 6 Tolstoi 14 Ketovi 2 8 Gorbatch Clifls 1 Gorbatch 12 Ardiguen . . 2 Reef. . 24 Little Zapadni 6 Zapadni 426 18 Polavina 131 ! 7 52 36 722 126 2 Little Polavina . . 4 854 Northeast Point . . 17 Sea Lion Rock. . 6 Total 3,003 3,786 125 In 1908, with approximately 50,000 births, 3,000 dead pups were found in October of that year on St. Paul alone. What the death rate was on St. George is impossible to determine, as foxes eat the dead pups' bodies immediately after death. Furthermore, the bodies of such pups as die early in the season have by October almost entirely disintegrated, and can not be seen when counting is done late in the faU. In 1909, wdth a diminished herd of cows, more dead pups were counted than in 1908. We must beheve that mortality among pups w^as greater in 1909 than in 1908, caused, undoubtedly, by increased pelagic sealing, and tliat such mortality while the pups are on land is in the neighborhood of 10 per cent. On August 12 the dead pups on Tolstoi sand flat were counted, with a view of finding uncinariated pups. All seals on the flat were driven off. We found thereon 271 dead pups. Of these, 151 of the freshly dead plainly were starved. Of the remainder, the most were so rotten that not only could no dissection be made, but it was impossible to tell in any way the cause of death. Of those freshly dead, seven autopsies were made. Three of these plainly indicated starvation, the autopsies being made merely to verify that fact. Two dead pups w^ere found with an abundance of subcutaneous fat SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 779 and with stomachs full of milk. The flesh was anemic and pale. Areas of inflammation were found in the small intestines of each. These areas were dissected, but no worms were found there. In the appendix of one of these pups, however, and in the small intestine several inches from the appendix, a number of worms from one-half to 1 incli in length and of the thickness of a thin hair was found. These were preserved, together with the entire small intestine, for further study. Portions of the intestines of all pups dissected were preserved. One pup was found which, although emaciated in appearance, was found to have a small layer of subcutaneous fat. The feces in this case were dark but not tarry in the large intestine. Another dead pup was found with, pale excrescent kidneys of very iiTegular form. Mr. Chichester believed the evidence in tliis case to point to fatty degeneration. The bowels and other organs of tliis animal were normal. All specimens of intestines and worms found upon this occasion were forwarded to the Bureau of Fisheries, but as yet no microscopic examination of them has been made. As the result of the examination of the Tolstoi sand flat, it was found that over half the dead pups plainly had died of starvation; that of the remainder, which included all the wholly rotten pups, only a few were found whose death could be ascribed to uncinaria. Whatever may have been the death rate from uncinaria in previous years, it is certain that its effect at the present time is almost nothing. EFFECT OF PELAGIC CATCH UPON LAND CATCH. The effect of the pelagic catch is supposed to be felt directly by the breeding herd. Pelagic catches are supposed to consist mainly of breeding females. If the pelagic catch is heavy, fewer females are supposed to appear on the islands; if hght, more females will be present. If more females appear, the births will be increased and more bachelors be present two years later as 2-year-olds. As the lessee's catch, except for the years 1904-1908, has been composed mainly of 2-year-olds, it would be supposed that the effect of a heavy sea catch would be felt two 3''ears later in a decreased catch of bachelors on land. An examination of the land and pelagic catches for a series of years, however, fails to show such a close connection between the land and sea catches as would be supposed. The following table contains the pelagic and land catches from 1900 to date: Pelagic and land catches of seals, 1900 to 1909, inclitsive. Year. Pelagic catch. Land catch. Year. Pelagic catch. Land catch. 1900 35,191 24,050 22,812 27,000 29,006 22,470 22,672 22,380 19,292 13,128 1905 25,320 21,236 16,036 18,151 14,368 1901 1906 14,476 1902 1907 14,964 1903 190S 14,996 1904 1909 14,336 It can be seen from this table that a heavy pelagic catch (35,191) occurred in 1900, yet the land catch of 1902 was within a hundred of what it was in 1900. We find a heavy pelagic catch in 1903 780 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. (27,000), yet the land catch of 1905 seems not to have decreased to any appreciable extent when we consider the restrictions upon land killing m that year and the number of bachelors released for breeding. The pelagic catch of 1904 increased to 29,000, and we have found _a decrease in the number of bachelors present in 1906, although this might have been merely a coincidence. We find in 1905 still a large pelagic catch (25,320), but we have already stated that the number of bachelors present in 1907 was greater than the preceding year. In 1907, on the other hand, we had a small pelagic catch (16,000), but, notwithstanding this, the number of bachelors in 1909 was smaller than ever before, when, according to theory, there should have been more bachelors present than formerly. The effect of pelagic sealing is cumulative and twofold ; it diminishes not only the number of 2-year-old seals appearing two years there- after, but also the number of seals in general appearing during the year itself. Those females killed in the spring off the northwest coast of course do not reach the rookeries, thereby decreasing the number of breeding seals in that year. This means a decreased number of pups born and of 2-year-old seals appearing two years later, but the effect is felt also in the year in which the pelagic catch is made. For this reason it is hard to attribute a decrease in bachelor or other seals occurring in any year specifically to the pelagic killing of any former year. Should the pelagic catches be greater, the herd will decrease; if they become less, the herd will remain stationary or will increase, but it is not possible, in the hght of present knowledge, to trace a reduction in bachelors exactly to the pelagic catch of any one year, although the effect must be felt sooner or later. FOXES. ST. GEORGE ISLAND.' In point of numbers the fox catch this year was extremely unsatis- factory, being smaller than at any time since 1904-5. There can be little doubt, however, that this falling oft" was due not to any diminution of the herd but to the peculiar conditions of the weather. There was practically no snow on the ground up to February 1, while during the latter part of November, the whole of December, and the greater part of January, the entire trapping season, in short, rain fell constantly, the beaches were open, and vast congregations of sea quail, sometimes acres in extent, covered the sea in close proximity to the land. Numbers of these birds seemed to be suffering from some distemper, which rendered them helpless, and they were cast ashore, attracting the foxes to the beach instead of to the traps for food. It was only by constant trapping that the catch was saved from utter failure. Trapping was begun November 19, at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and by 8 o'clock that night 234 foxes had been captured in the three traps, the largest catch handled in one night since the present method of trapping was established. Only one more large catch, of 74, was secured, however, the remainder of the total being secured in small lots. Early in February the foxes began to change color and lose 1 The report on the foxes of St. George Island was prepared by Mr. II. D. Chichester, assistant agent in charge of that island during the season of 1908-9. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 781 their fur in spots, and on February 12 so marked had these changes become that trapping was discontinued. During the seaHng season of 1908 all the carcasses of seals killed and not consumed by the natives were salted down for fox food, the company providing the necessary salt for the purpose. The company also furnished, as required by contract, 12 tons of salted fish. In addition to this there was a large amount of salt fish on hand from previous years. This, however, was not used, nor indeed was all that was supplied this season. The feeding of salt cod was begun October 5 and continued until November 17, when seal meat was added. During the month of October but little of the food put out was eaten. The foxes for some unknown reason do not take kindly to salted cod. This was remedied somewhat, however, by soaking a number of seal carcasses in each batch of cod, which treatment seemed to give a piquancy to the cod and render it more acceptable to the foxes. From December 28 to Januaiy 21, however, but a small fraction of the seal meat fed was eaten, and there were but very few days during the entire winter that the quantity of food put out was not in excess of that consumed. The supply of seal meat at the village became exhausted April 9, 1909, but the feeding of cod continued daily until May 1, at which time the birds arrived in such numbers as to render further feeding unneces- sary. The total amount of food known to have been consumed by the foxes is as follows: Pounds. Salt cod 4, 146 1,030 salt seal carcasses 25, 750 Offal of 400 seals 4, 500 Total 34, 396 The total catch for the season was 779 blue and 10 white foxes. From these were selected for breeding purposes 198 blue males and 223 blue females, leaving 230 blue males, 137 blue females, 4 white males, and 6 white females to be killed. The foxes selected for breeding were, without exception, the finest lot that have thus far come under my notice. No male weighing less than 10 pounds was saved, and no female of less than 7h pounds. Most of the males weighed 1 1 pounds or over, and by far the larger number of females tipped the scales at 8 pounds or over. No lame, blind, old, or decidedly off-color foxes were preserved. In fact, so rigid was this selection that the end of the season found the number saved for breeders considerably less than usual. This, however, seems to be of small moment, as the number of foxes that did not pass through the traps at all is this year unusually large. A dozen foxes have been counted about the village, half of which were not branded, and this seems to be about the ratio of branded to unbranded met with at various points about the island. But two dead foxes were found during the entire year. Autopsy failed to show cause of death. About a dozen mang}'^ foxes were observed. All of those that were caught were destroyed, and the rest unquestionably perished during the severe weather that prevailed in March and April. A fox denuded of its fur would have little chance to survive the terrible blizzards and cold of these months. 782 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Of the 367 blue and 10 white skins taken this year the company- accepted 357 blue and 10 white. Eight blue were rejected, and 2 mangy skins that were absolutely worthless were destroyed. In payment for the skins accepted ($5 for each blue and $1 for each white) the sum of $1,795 has been credited on the company's books in favor of the native inhabitants of the islands and is available for their support. ST. PAUL ISLAND. While a slight increase in the number of foxes on St. Paul was noted, there were not enough present to justify trapping, although the natives were anxious to get some skins and spend the cash for firearms. The increase in foxes on this island since the epidemic of 1903 has been very slow. The fox herd here probably never will reach its former size unless such foxes as are on the island can be trained to gather at certain localities where they may be fed. Here- tofore, although attempts have been made, some more or less elab- orate, it was not possible to induce foxes on St. Paul to eat food thrown out for them. This being the case, they could not be gathered into herds or bodies, without which systematic feeding or trapping could not be accomplished. Last year, however, for some unex- plained reason, a number of foxes gathered about the village and readily ate salt salmon freshened in pure water and thrown out to them. On February 19 it was noted that whereas a lone fox had been acting as scavenger about the vUlage during the winter, on that date five were seen. Thereafter more than one fox could be seen con- stantly. In March, owing to the presence of drift ice and zero weather it was believed to be good policy to offer food to these foxes, and ac- cordingly some salt salmon having been obtained, about March 25 (the exact date was not noted) some of it was freshened and thrown out. This disappeared, but rather slowly. On March 29 a second feeding was thrown out, consisting of six salmon. This was eaten. Previous to this date the quantity of food consumed each night had not been noted, but thereafter attention was paid to it. Salmon, sea- lion meat, and hog oft'al were supjjlied in var3dng quantities until May 17, and were each time all or partially consumed. At the latter date feeding was discontinued, as birds were in abundance and the weather mild. Foxes increased in numbers about the village after feeding was begun. As many as 15 were seen at one time on the flat v^here the food was distributed. This is the first time these animals could be induced to congregate about the village and accept food. Perhaps the fact that the salmon was soaked in pure water instead of in sea water, as in previous attempts, made a difference. Further attempts v/ill be made this winter to congregate the foxes by feeding. During the sealing season some seal carcasses were buried to be used for fox food in winter. ADMINISTRATION OF LAWS. PELAGIC SEALING. The subject of pelagic sealing has been treated at such length by investigators in the past that it is needless here to reiterate state- ments showing its deadly eft'ect upon the seal herd. The laws of the SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 783 United States in the matter have been piibhshed in Bureau of Fish- eries Document 732. Sealing fleet and catch.— The, pelagic fleet about the seal islands in 1909 was composed of 23 Japanese and 5 Canadian schooners. Of these, 20 Japanese were boarded by our Revenue-Cutter Service on patrol and 3 additional by H. M. S. Algerine, assigned to the patrol by the British Government. The catch of the Japanese up to August 17, as reported to the boardmg officers, was 6,610. It is believed that their total catch for the season will approximate 10,000 and be equal at least to that of 1908. None of the five Canadian schooners which were granted licenses for sealing in 1909 were boarded by the patrol vessels after August 1, and it is believed that their operations were conducted far off the Pribilof Islands. Those that were boarded were in the neighborhood of the Semidis on June 23, when their masters stated their intention to visit the Commander Islands and later to seal in Bering Sea. As stated before, none were afterwards seen sealing by the patrol, although the Thomas F. Bayard put into Unalaska Harbor on August 17, and her master stated his intention to seal thereafter about 200 miles north and east of the Pribilofs. Authentic reports of the pelagic catch of 1909 are meager. No report from Japanese officials showing the 1909 catch of vessels flying that flag has been received. The United States consul at Victoria, in a telegram of November 10 last, informed the State Department that the official figures of the Canadian catch for 1909, complete, are as follows: British Columbia, coast, 1,493; outside area, 623; Bering Sea, 1,439; Indian catch, 187; total, 3,742. To this must be added a coast catch by Indians on the coast of the United States of 411, so far as now known. Seizures of sealing vessels. — On July 9 the revenue cutter Perry seized the Japanese schooner Tenyu Alaru, having captured one of her boats within the 3-mile limit, in which boat was the body of a fur seal recently shot. The schooner was taken to Unalaska and after a preliminary hearing before the United States commissioner at that place the master and crew, 17 men in all, were bound over to the grand jurj^ at Valdez for trial at the October session of the United States district court. They were transported to Valdez on the cutter Perry and given over to the United States marshal at that place on September 4 to await the action of the grand jury. The schooner was held at Unalaska. On September 2, at Walrus Island, about 7 miles from Northeast Point, two Japanese rowboats from the schooner Eun Maru, contain- ing six Japanese seamen, one fur seal, and complete sealing outfits, were seized b}^ Assistant Agent Judge and natives for sealing within the 3-mile limit. These six Japanese were delivered to the revenue cutter Bear, which took them to Unalaska. They were tried there before the United States commissioner and each sentenced to three months in jail and a fine of S200 and costs. A failure to pay the fuie and costs will extend the jail sentence to more than six months. The prisoners, after sentence, were sent, on September 30, on the revenue cutter Rush, to Valdez, where their sentences will be served. At the time of the capture the facts were at once reported to the captain commanding the cutter Bear, with a request that search be made for the schooner to which the boats belonged, and the appre- 784 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. hension of her, if found. Although both the cutters Bear and Manning afterwards made such search, nothing thereafter was seen of the schooner, which clearly was liable to seizure. Numerous instances were reported by the native guards stationed on the rookeries of the approacn of small sealing boats close to shore, during the temporary absence of the patrolling cutters. On several occasions, during thick fog, the noise of the sealers' gunfire could be heard at the village plainly and almost incessantly for several days at a period. Because of the fog it v, as not possible to determine how close to shore the sealers were, but it is believed that they were within the 3-mile limit. On another occasion, while island boats manned by natives were fishing o.T vSt. Paul, they were surrounded in the fog by boats of the sealing fleet, the occupants of which were engaged in shooting at seals. The natives on tins occasion had some dilllculty in avoiding being shot by chance buckshot, which were flying in all directions about them. Locality of operation. — The sealing fleet, as heretofore, centered at St. Paul Island, to the virtual exclusion of St. George Island. Unlike last year, however, the main body of the fleet operated to the south- westward of the island, whereas in 190S the main body of the fleet hung o:;T Northeast Point, with only a smaller portion oiT Southwest Point. Several schooners remained at anchor for some weeks between St. Paul and St. George Islands. While the usual practice was for small boats to leave their vessels in the morning and to cruise all day in more or less haphazard fashion, it was noted that the crews of several adopted a much more systematic course. Their method was to ascertain the location of the 3-niile limit by bearings and to distribute themselves along this line_ \yith regular intervals between their boats. Maintaining these positions as nearly as possible, they waited for the seals to pass them while going to and from the islands. They carefully avoided entering the 3-miTe limit, but they were equally careful to lie as close to it as per- missible, depending upon the transit of the seals through their line for victims rather than upon their own efforts to move about in search of the seals. As seals constantly are going back and forth to and from the rookeries, it is obvious that all will be obliged to pass over the line representing the 3-mile limit. Notable among the schooners observing this method was the Toyai Maru 2, the crew of which in 1006 landed upon Northeast Point rookery and killed about 200 female seals. Tliis schooner employs white hunters and uses the Japanese only for boat pullers. As the result of usin^ only white hunters, this one vessel alone secured over 1,000 sealskins last summer. Revenue-cutter patrol. — The patrol furnished by the revenue cutters was never before so thorough and efi'ective as last summer. Rarely, if ever, w^as either island left without protection. One vessel was sta- tioned constantly at St. George and at least one and usually two about St. Paul. The two cutters at St. Paul divided the coast line between them and each made daily cruises over its territory. In addition, one made its station at Northeast Point, while the other made its base at the village, thus covering both extremes of the island. Under these conditions it was difficult for poachers to come inside the 3-mile limit except in thick fog, when their movements could not be observed, and when, in fact, it is my judgment, they did enter on several occasions. I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 785 The cutters also regularly conveyed mail to and from the islands, and such island passengers as had occasion to go. I visited St. George Island on business twice during the summer, through the courtesy of the captains of the Manning and Rush, respectively. Shore guard unnecessary. — The effective patrol maintained this summer demonstrates the lack of necessity of having a shore guard of marines in addition to that native guard already maintained by the agents. The undesirability of such guard could be demonstrated as readily. The proposition to station sailors ashore to act as guards to prevent violations of our laws carries with it the proposition to abandon the effective patrol by the cutters heretofore maintained and to relieve these cutters of the necessity of constant cruising or, in fact, of anchoring at the islands except occasionally. Dependence would be had thereafter for enforcement of our laws mainly upon the shore guard and not upon the patrol about the islands by the cutters themselves. To anyone familiar with the situation it is apparent that the pro- tection of the seal islands embraces two elements — namely, first, the protection of the rookeries themselves from actual invasion, and, second, the maintenance of the integrity of our 3-mile limit. With only a shore guard stationed upon land, it is obvious that the 3-mile limit w^ould be without protection, as the shore guard would not be upon the water, nor could it, on the treacherous shores of the seal islands, find landings when it desired to put off and apprehend marauders. The shore-guard proposition, therefore, w^ould amount virtually to an abandonment of the protection of our 3-mile limit and w^ould place the situation in about the same status as it was in 1906, when poachers could operate without interference within the limit and approach our shores at will. This situation would make a poacher of every sealer in the Japanese fleet; it would invite raids upon the rookeries themselves, and, however unsuccessful the latter might be, would provide such a source of friction between the two Governments as would constitute an ever-present menace to the stability of the good feeling now existing between them. It would be better policy, in my opinion, to continue the expense and trouble of the maintenance of the present effective patrol than to leave the islands without protection, except on land, where sum- mary punishment for raids could be administered. To prevent crime is better than to punish it after its commission. The present patrol now prevents invasion of our territory. To abandon this patrol and to substitute only a shore guard in its place is to remove this element of prevention and to invite violations of our laws in the hope that we might afterwards apprehend and punish the offenders. The present shore guard of natives uses great caution in moving about the rookeries to avoid disturbing the timid badielor seals, from which the take of skins is secured. A shore guard of marines on the rookeries, unacquainted with the habits of the seals, and unable to distinguish bachelors from breeding cows, would create and maintain such confusion on the rookeries as w^ould seriously interfere with the securing of the normal j^ield of skins. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 50 786 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Furthermore, the presence of such a guard in the villages creates difficulties of an administrative nature which should be avoided. On the other hand, to station such a guard at or near the rookeries would occasion a constant disturbance of seal life which would be equally objectionable. I recommend that a shore guard on the islands be not permitted. AFFAIRS OF THE NATIVES. Census oj inhabitants. — A census of the islands for the year ended June 30, 1909, showed a total native population of 280. The individ- uals and groups composing this total may be classified as follows: , Native inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands, year ending June 30, 1909. Class. Number. Class. Number. St. Paul. St. George. St. Paul. St. George. 41 100 93 5 16 22 43 44 Deaths 5 16 5 Net increase Net decrease 1 Total population 193 87 Births 4 Schools. — As required by its lease, the North American Commercial Co. maintained on each island a school for children of the natives. The school year covered the period from September 1 to May 1, with five days of attendance each week, usual holida3"s excepted. On St. Paul Island the enrollment was 43; on St. George 21. Only the Knglish language was taught, with the usual common-school ele- mentary subjects. Except during the early part of the year, when an epidemic of mumps prevailed, the pupils were regular in attendance and made good progress. Puhlic health. — The general health on the islands during the year was good. An epidemic of mumps went through both islands during the fall of 1908, affecting nearly all the inhabitants, but without com- plications or serious effect. During the winter infants on both islands were attacked by impetigo contagioso, while the St. Paul population, including all the whites, were annoyed by scabies, or itch. This unpleasant disorder, the eradication of which requires rather heroic measures, still affects some of the St. Paul natives, who can not be prevailed upon to take the necessary arduous steps to stamp out the pest. Earnings. — The natives on St. Paul realized during the sealing season ended July 31, 1909, $8,386.50 from the taking of 11,054 fur-seal skins, at 75 cents each, and 48 sea-lion skins, at $2 each. The St. George natives, during the same period, earned $2,485.50 from the taking of 3,314 fur-seal skins, at $2 each, and $1,795 from 357 blue-fox skins, at $5 each, and 10 white-fox skins, at $1 each. These sums, in conjunction with the appropriation of $19,500, make a total of $32,167 available for natives' support during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1910. I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 787 The amount was allotted between the two islands as follows: 285 tons coal for both islands, at $20 per ton $5, 700 St. Paul Island, 41 families 18,467 St. George Island, 19 families 8, 000 Total 32, 167 In the above allotment was included an allowance of $650 for the purchase of potatoes and onions for the population of St. Paul. A similar allowance was not made for St. George, as the potatoes and onions necessary for that island were paid for from a small balance of funds unexpended from the previous year. In making the above allotment, the Government appropriation was apportioned as follows: Coal for both islands $5, 700. 00 St. Paul Island, natives' support 10, 080. 50 St. George Island, natives' support 3, 719. 50 Total 19, 500. 00 This arrangement, after payment of fixed charges, such as coal, potatoes, and onions, etc., represents a yearly per capita allotment for the 193 individuals on St. Paul of S91.81 and for the 87 inhabitants on St. George of $91.95. I have to report that the lessee faithfully performed all the obli- gations of its contract, paying especial attention to those portions thereof having reference to the care and welfare of the natives. Part II. Communications Relative to Revenue-Cutter Patrol. Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, February 3, 1909. The honorable Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for your information copy of a report dated September 29, 1908, from Senior Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, commanding the Bering Sea Fleet during the season of 1908, and extracts of reports from officers under his command, as to the efficiency of the present system of guarding the seal islands, and submitting recommendations in relation thereto. Respectfully, J. B. Reynolds, Acting Secretary. Unalaska, Alaska, September 29, 1908. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. G. Sir : I have the honor to submit the following relating to the more effective protection of the seal rookeries on the Pribilof Islands. The danger of raids is great, and the increasing number and activity of the Japanese sealers make the danger more serious each year. 788 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. That danger and the known inefficient guard of natives has been a source of great anxiety this season. To properly lay the matter before the department I requested the commanding officers of the patrol fleet to outline their veiws as to the efficiency of the guard of natives maintained near the rookeries, and what, in their opinion, was the best means of securing these rook- eries from danger. Their reports are herewith inclosed and I concur in their opinions and woulcl recommend that a guard of commissioned and enlisted force be stationed on the islands next year; and that a wireless sta- tion be installed on shore. If this be done I believe the work would be more efficient; the danger of raids eliminated. Respectfully, F. M. Hunger, Senior Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet. [Extracts from the cruise reports by Capt. E. P. Bertholf, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, com- manding U. S. S. Bear, relating to the guard on St. Paul Island, and to the necessity of having a stronger guard there to protect the rookeries from raids.] July 30, 1908. To my mind, the incident of the reported raid, on the night of the 21st, illustrates the ease with which a raid can be made on St. Paul, due to the inadequate guard at the rookeries, and I deem it my duty to bring the matter to your notice. There is a telephone communi- cation between Northeast Point and the village and between Zapadni and the village and a small guard of natives is maintained at each of these points — the guard at Northeast Point consisting of four natives. These four men could not prevent the landing of three or four boats, especially if thick weather permitted the boats to get close to the shore before they were discovered. If the telephone is working, a message to the village will bring assistance, of course, but, as this assistance must travel 12 miles to get to Northeast Point, it would give the raiders at least two hours in which to work their will on the seals and depart. If the telephone is not worldng, it means that a messenger must run to the village to give the alarm, and this means still further delay. On the night of the 21st instant, one of the four natives on guard at Northeast Point thought he saw several strange men who had landed, and the telephone being out of order, he ran to the village to give the alarm. He left Northeast Point at 10 p. m. and, being frightened, he covered the 12 miles to the village in an hour and a quarter. Special Agent Lembkey started for Northeast Point with reenforcements as soon as possible, but did not reach there until 3.45 a. m. Also, as soon as the mesrcrger reached the village, Special Agent Judge proceeded to notify the Bear, but, the weather being foggy, the Bear was obhged to proceed with caution and could not reach Northeast Point before 4 a. m. Now, had there really been a raid at 10 p. m. of the 21st. the raiders would have been practically undisturbed 1 etwecn 10 p. m. and 3.45 a. m. Thus, they would have had five and three-quarters hours in which to slaughter seals, skin them, and depart. In addition, when there happens to be only one vessel at the island, as was the case on the night of the 21st, she, of course, can be at but SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 78^ one place. If she anchors at Northeast Point, then the Zapadni or Tolstoi rookery is open to raids, at foggy times, and I understand that at the Tolstoi rookery there is no guard. If the vessel anchors at Village Cove, or in the vicinity, in order to protect the southern rookery, then the rookeries at Northeast Point are open to raid. The situation is still further complicated by the fact that, although the vessel can be communicated with by a boat at Village Cove if darkness or foggy weather prevents signals, she can not be communi- cated with if anchored at Northeast Point, for there they have neither boats nor signals. Of course, the reported raid on the night of the 21st was a myth, but the foregoing is cited to show how very little there is to prevent a raid if several boats from the sealing fleet are so minded. In referring to a guard on the island, I mean officers and men landed from the fleet for this purpose. I understand that the reason that the native guard at present maintained at the rookeries is so small is because, up to the end of July, the services of as many men as can be obtained are needed for the almost daily drives and killings. Landing a sufficient number of officers and men from the fleet will overcome this condition, and undoubtedly the knowledge of a regular service guard on the island would have a greater effect on the sealing fleet than would a native guard. All of which is respectfully sub- mitted for your consideration. September 4, 1908. Referring to that portion of my report of July 30, wherein is shown the advisability of having a vessel always in the immediate neigh- borhood of Northeast Point of St. Paul Island, I desire to respectfully add the following: Notwithstanding the vigilance and activity of the several vessels on patrol, my observation leads me to believe that the seal islands, ana St. Paul in particular, are not, and can not be properly protected against maraudmg on the part of the sealing fleet without maintain- ing a guard on shore at Northeast Pomt. The necessity for main- taining a guard at Northeast Point is well understood by the repre- sentatives on the island, and the special agent in charge does main- tain a guard of 4 natives at Northeast Point from the beginning of the season, and, for a portion of the season, a guard of 1 or 2 men at Zapadni Point, But these 4 men at Northeast Point and the 2 men at Zapadni are more in the nature of watchmen than guards. They patrol the shore line in the vicinity of the rookeries and hauling grounds at night and during fog and give notice to the village by phone of any encroachment by the boats from the sealmg fleet. These 4 natives, however, can not be expected to be, and never have been, able to ward off any attempted raid on the rookeries without assistance. Unless a raid is attempted while the force from the village are killing at Northeast Point, the guard of 4 men can get assistance only by telephoning to the village. The village being 12 miles distant and the road being poor, it requires some time for assistance to get to Northeast Point, and during this period a marauding party could very well work its will and get away. In addition, it must be borne in mind that the skins taken at Northeast Point during the killing season are stored m the salt house there until the company's steamer comes up in August, and consequently 790 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. this salt house, containmg thousands of sealskins ready for trans- portation, is protected by 4 natives only, who can get no assistance within two hours at least. The result of a raid by several boats under cover of fog or night can readily be predicted. The fact that no raids have been made this season is no reason to suppose none will be made in the following seasons. Naturally a raid would not be made except under cover of fog or darkness. At such times there is no way in which the 4 native fuards could get assistance from a cutter anchored at Northeast 'oint for the reason that there is no boat on the shore there. There- fore, if the cutter were anchored on one side of the point, and several boats landed on the other side of the point under cover of fog or night, for a purpose of making a raid on the salt house or the rook- eries, there would be no way of notifymg the cutter that assistance was needed, and assistance would have to come by way of the village, which is, as I have said, 12 miles away with a poor road. The 4 natives are armed, of course, and, in addition, there is a 1-pound field piece at Hutchinson Hill at Northeast Point. This gun, how- ever, is a mile distant from the watch house, where the guard spends its time when not patrolling. Sometimes the breechblock and box of ammunition are kept at the gun and sometimes at the watch house. This gun, although a mile distant from the watch house, is but a quarter of a mile from the beach. To keep the ammunition at the gun means that both gun and ammunition would be captured by a landing force in a few mmutes unless a guard was at the gun. If the guard remained at the gun they would be a mile away from the tele- phone, ^hile, if they remained at the watch house, they would be a mile away from the gun. The presence of this gun and under these circumstances seems to fulfill no useful purpose. Two years ago a raid was made at Northeast Point, which, although it was finally repulsed and several of the raiders killed, was not altogether unsuccessful, since a number of sealsldns were taken off to the schooners. Furthermore, this raid was not repulsed b}^ the native guard. It so happened that the force from the village had been lulling the day before and had not all returned to the village. Even with tliis assistance being accidently present, the raiders were able to make way with some skins, and it is easy to conjecture what would have happened had only the 4 natives been at the point when the raid was made. Wliat is needed at Northeast Point is, of course, a guard. During the killing season on the island more than four men can not be spared from the natives, and, in my judgment, a force of not less than 20 men, \vith an officer and warrant officer, should be landed for guard duty at Northeast Point on St. Paul Island during the pelagic sealing season. The rookeries on St. Paul Island, from Polovina around to Zapadni, are still within easy reach of the vil- lage and can be protected from the village. If, however, any signs of danger were seen at Zapadni, a small portion of the 20 men could be sent there for guard duty. I learn there is an objection to such a guard, but it is not insurmountable. During the Idlling season on the island, which is practically the months of June and July, it is necessarj^ that the hauling grounds be as undisturbed as possible, as it is from these grounds the seals are driven to the killing ground. Wlien the seals are disturbed those on the hauling ground are apt SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 791 to take to the water, and under such circumstances it is difficult to obtain the quota of skins allowed for the season. The objection to the seamen guard is that, being unfamiliar with the habits of the seal, this guard, in patrolling, would disturb the seal and thus keep the hauling ground depleted. This objection can be easily reme- died by maintaining, in addition to the 20 men from tlie cutters, the 4 natives now used as a guard and patrol, and causing a native to always accompany the seamen patrol to show how to pass the rook- eries and hauling ground \vithout disturbing the seals. It appears also that the boats from the sealing fleet sometimes come close to the shore under the cover of fog and, by continuous firing, endeavor to disturb the seal so that, many extra seals have taken to the water, the boats can then retreat outside the 3-mile limit and capture pass- ing seals at their leisure. If the guard on the shore fires at these boats they but add to the disturbances of the seals and help to pro- duce the result aimed at by the boats. The present native guard does sometime fire at the boats, and should the seamen guard also fire at the boats their firing would disturb the seals no more than at present. In addition to these 20 men being able to repulse any raid without waiting for assistance, it is undoubtedly a fact that the known pres^ ence of a military guard on tlie islands would act as a strong deter- rent against raids on the part of the pelagic sealing fleet. With a guard on the island as outlined, and one vessel always in the immediate vicinity of Northeast Point, and another always in th6 immediate vicinity of Reef Point, there would be small chance of the pelagic sealing fleet doing damage inside the 3-mile limit. Respectfully, E. P. Bertholf, Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding. Steamer "Perry," TJnalaska, Alaska, September 25, 1908. Sir: I would respectfully submit to you the following suggestions for the better protecting of the seal rookeries on St. Paul Island against raiding parties from the sealing schooners hunting in Bering Sea, for, notwithstanding the activity of the cutters, it is not, in my opinion, impossible to make a successful raid on the rookeries and the salt houses under cover of fog or darkness or in the prevailing foggy weather. The resident officials protect the rookeries by a native guard consist- ing of from one to four persons. From personal observations on shore at Northeast Point, at St. Paul Island, I feel satisfied that the native guard can not be depended upon to drive oft' raiders as they (the guards) are in many instances ooys, easily irightened off, and inferior to the Japanese sealers in intelligence. In my opinion it is a very easy matter for a boatload of Japanese sealers to outwit the native guard and slip in for a successful raid. A telephone line runs to the rookeries so that assistance may be obtained from the village in case of a raid, but it can not be depended upon; the line is not only out of order at times, but it would be a simple matter for a party to sUp ashore where no guards are posted and cut the wire. In case it 792 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. becomes necessary to obtain help from the village by messenger, ifc would take a person at least two hours to reach St. Paul from North- east Point, and at least another two hours would be consumed before the necessary help could be gathered, teams hitched up, and the point of attack reached; four hours would give a couple of boats' crews from the sealers ample time to clean out the salt house and raid the rookery before the natives from the village could arrive on the scene. I have counted 37 sealing boats, each containing 3 to 4 men, barely outside of the 3-mile lunit off Northeast Point; the 4 native guards at that point would be of absolutely no use if this force decided to raid under cover of darkness, in foggy weather, or during the absence of the patrol vessels. To prevent such possible raids, I would suggest that a guard con- sisting of one commissioned officer, one warrant officer, and an ade- quate number of men be placed on St. Paul Island. The force should be so divided that the strongest part is at Northeast Point, because it is off this point that the Japanese sealers are most active. The force should have two whaleboats, one on each side of the point, so that they may launch from the beach in case they observe sealers coming within the 3-mile limit during the absence of the patrol ves- sels, or if they hear shots close by during foggy weather. During thick weather an armed patrol should walk the shore line in the vicinity of the rookeries, using the life-savmg method of beach patrol. This guard should be on the island from June 15 to August 31, the time that the Japanese sealers spend in the Bering Sea. As the sealers are not ver}^ active around St. George Island, one officer and a few men would form a sufficient force for the protection of the rookeries on that island. To properly quarter this force a house should be put up for them and furnished with cots, stove, and cooking utensils. I would recom- mend a house that can be purchased in sections ready to put together, The building now used by the native guard is not fit for a human being-to live in; tents would not give the necessary protection against wet weather prevailing in Bering Sea. Respectfully, F. J. Haake, Captain, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Commanding. Unalaska, Alaska, September 22, 1908. Senior Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Patrol Fleet, Unalaslca, Alaslca. Sir: From observations made as to the value of the present system of guarding the seal islands from raids on the rookeries or salt houses, especially at Northeast Point, St. Paul Island, I find it to be entirely feasible to raid at Northeast Point during foggy weather or at night, even with a vessel at only one side of the point. With a vessel, how- ever, at the point, the raid would have to be confined to the salt house, as a raid on the rookeries would disturb the seal to such an extent as to give warning to the vessel by their bellowing. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 793 The natives are not reliable as to time or distance, are very super- stitious, and without a white man to lead, would not make any serious defense. The guard of four men now maintained are not enough to repel an attack, and in order to have enough men for the drives and killings no more can be spared. The Northeast Point salt house is about 11 miles from the village, where reenforcements would have to be obtained from by telephone (if working) or by a messenger, who could easily be intercepted; and a relief party would take about three hours to reach the Point, leav- ing ample time for the raiders with their small boat to empty the salt house. The guards have no means by wliich they could communi- cate with a vessel at anchor. I would recommend that a force of 1 commissioned officer, 1 war- rant officer, 1 cook, and 16 men be stationed at Northeast Point until September 10, when the salt house has been emptied and the sealers have nearl}' all left. That a regular patrol be maintained by two guards going out to- gether, one carrying a watchman's clock, the other Coston signals, to be followed every hour by another patrol, until these patrols are out, one man remainino; on guard at the salt house and one outside the quarters, thus having eight men on watch at the time. These men to be relieved every four hours. The patrols are only to be carried on during fogg}^ weather and at night. During the first two weeks natives to go out with the patrol to show them the way about the rookeries, so as not to disturb the seals. During clear weather a lookout of two men to be kept on Hutchinsons Hill. A password should be given and changed daily. A flagstaif should be erected on Hutchinsons Hill, from where international code signals could be made by day, and night signals with lanterns. A boat should be kept at each side of Northeast Point. The natives could be employed to guard the rookeries near the village. On St. George Island a guard is not necessary, but a vessel should be stationed there, and whenever the weather permits, should anchor off the Zapadni rookeries on the south side of the island, as that is the only rookery liable to be raided. The usual native guard should be stationed on shore. A wireless station should be erected on each island, if possible. St. Paul Island should never be left without a vessel near North- east Point, or in conmiunicating distance. The fact that a properly organized guard would be stationed on the islands, if advertised through newspaper articles on this coast, would discourao;e any raids on the rookeries. Respectfully, D. F. A. DE Otte, Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding. 794 seal islands of alaska. United States Revenue-Cutter "McCulloch," At Sea, Bering Sea, August 7, 1908. Senior Capt. F. M. Munger, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Patrol Fleet, Unalasica, Alaska . Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith, for your consideration and action, certain views relative to the duty on which this vessel is now engaged, the adoption of which, in my opinion, would make the protection of the seal rookeries on the islands of St. Paul and St. George not only more effective, but also eliminate the necessity of keeping so many vessels constantly cruising around these islands as is now the case. The real protection of the seal rookeries rests on the vessels of the fleet, which cruises for several months each 3^ear around the islands. The cost of maintaining the patrol is great, the coal consumption alone amounting to thousands of dollars. Under the present sj'stem were it not for the presence of the vessels of the service, raids would doubtlessly be frequent, and despite the activity of the ships and the vigilance of the personnel it would not, in my opinion, be impossible to make a successful raid on the rookeries. Means of communication between the authorities on shore and the vessels of the patrol is limited, and while attempts at landing, as well as sealing in territorial waters, have thus far been successfully frus- trated, conditions might easily arise when it would be impossible to see or know of a raid until the same had become a fact. The rookery at Northeast Point is the most important one on St. Paul Island, and in the past has only been defended by four natives, a very insufficient force in case of actual danger of a landing. Should a raid occur at any time at this point it would be necessary to bring aid from the village, 10 miles distant, which would take about two hours. Should the telephone connecting the village and Northeast Point be out of order, as is sometimes the case, one of the guard must first walk or run to the village before help can be obtained. In this case a long time would ensue before a sufficient guard could be mus- tered to repel the raiders. In 1894, when stationed on St. George Island, in command of a detail of seamen for the purpose of protecting the island from raids, a close observation of the natives convinced me that it was doubtful whether they could be fully depended upon in case of emergency. A more recent observation and contact with them has not caused me to change my mind in this respect. For several years it was the custom to keep on each of the seal islands a detail of seamen, under the charge of an officer of the Reve- nue-Cutter Service, and it is worthy of note that during that time not a single attempt at raiding was recorded. It is a well-known fact that a small force of regulars is more efficient in case of a riot, etc., than a larger number of militia. The same applies, in my opinion, to these islands, and were it known to the Japanese sealers that a force of sailors, properly officered, guarded the rookeries, the danger from raids would cease. I respectfully submit the following recommendations for your consideration : SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 795 1. That a small wireless station, in charge of a Revenue-Cutter Service operator, be erected on the islands of St. Paul and St. George. 2. That a detail of 20 men, under the charge of a commissioned officer, properly equipped and provisioned, be stationed on the island of St. Paul from June 1 to September 1, inclusive. That a detail of 10 men, under the charge of a commissioned officer, properly equipped and provisioned, be stationed on the island of St. George from June 1 to September 1, inclusive. 3. That the detail on each island be camped at some advantageous point outside the village, and not be permitted to have any intercourse with the natives. 4. That a system of patrols similar to that used in the Life-Saving Service be maintained for the protection of the rookeries. 5. That the officer in command be held strictly accountable for the conduct of his men while on the islands, and, with the exception of protecting rookeries and preventing raids, the internal regulations governing the islands be made applicable to the landing force. With the adoption of such a system full protection could be given the islands. Respectfully, Geo. M. Daniels, Captain, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding. [Memorandum re recommendations of revenue-cutter officers to install wireless stations and to place a guard of enlisted men on the islands of St. Paul and St. George for protecting the seal rookeries from raids; also reports of said officers disparaging the efficiency of the native guard.] Senior Capt. Hunger, who commanded the Bering Sea Fleet last season, recommends, under date of September 29, 1908, "that a guard of commissioned and enlisted force be stationed on the islands next year, and that a wireless station be installed on shore. ' ' The first- named recommendation is indorsed by Capts. Bertholf of the Bear, Haake of the Perry, De Otte of the Bush, and Daniels of the McCulloch; the latter two only recommend the wireless station. The placing of \\'ireless apparatus on shore would doubtless alTord protection and be of decided advantage, provided the revenue cutters on patrol were equipped with such apparatus. The McCul- loch was the only cutter in Bering Sea last summer cquipj)ed with wireless. The revenue officers mentioned are all apj^rehensive of raids, and skeptical as to the worth of the native guard in emergencies, or in the absence of white men. The skepticism is not shared by the agents of this department stationed on the islands. All of said agents, one of whom has had military experience, have confidence in the ability of the natives to perform efficient guard duty. The natives are good marksmen, fond of firearms, and possess many of the attributes of good soldiers. As to what these natives are capable of doing in an emergency and in the absence of white men tO' direct them, see the report of IVfr. Solicitor Sims, of the Department of Commerce and Labor, August 31, 1906, pages 15 and 16. Of course mistakes will be made, as was the case July 21 last, related by Capt. Bertholf, when one of the guards at Northeast Point took fright and ran to the village with a false report of a raid. The guard, con- sisting of four men, of whom three had gone out to patrol the rookeries,. 796 SEAL ISLANDS OF .\LASKA. had left this boy to clean up the guardhouse, with instructions to follow them later. When he left the house he heard the Japanese shooting seals in the water, but could not see his associates on account of the fog, and as the telephone was out of order he became panic- stricken and ran home. His conduct had no effect upon the remain- der of the guard, who, when they learned of it, were much chagrined and chided him severely. This isolated case proves nothing to the detriment of the natives as guards. It may be noted, however, that this foolish chase was not entirely barren of results. Upon the arrival of the false report at the village, the Bear, then lying at anchor at the cove, was notified and immediately got under way for the point. In the meantime a relief party under Mr. Lembkey had started overland and arrived there some time before the Bear; but while this party could see the Japanese shooting in territorial waters, they were help- less until the cutter's arrival. Then Capt. Bertholf promptly seized two of the schooners and caused the others to hasten outside the 3 -mile limit. And these were the only seizures made during the summer. The cutter officers lay some stress on the fact that the guard at Northeast Point consisted last summer of four men only, and that at Zapadni of two. These officers are probably not aware of a fact, complimentary to them, that the efficient service rendered by the cutters last summer was responsible for the few men put on duty at the watch houses. In 1907 the regular guard at Northeast Point was never less than six. There was also a guard at Polovina of four men, and the Zapadni guard numbered four. The watch houses were connected by telephone, and had Northeast Point been attacked the men at Polovina would have gone to the assistance of the point, and meantime reinforcements would have started from the village. The Polovina guard would have arrived at the point within an hour after being notified and those from the village within two or two and one-half hours. The patrol fleet in both 1907 and 1908 consisted of four vessels, but in 1907 they steamed continuously and their whereabouts were often unknown to those on shore, but in 1 908 they were more often at anchor and therefore available when needed. The native guard are recruited from the seahng gang, and if the number taken for this purpose is large, the work of sealing drags. Taking advantage of the cutters' presence last summer, guard service was not kept at Polovina; also the number of guards at Northeast Point and Zapadni was reduced, so that the largest possible force could be left for seafing purposes. The placing of an armed force on the islands, as advocated by the revenue-cutter captains, for the purpose of protecting the rookeries and salt houses from raids would not lessen the necessity for a fleet of cutters in the sea, or permit of that fleet being reiluced in numbers below its present status. So long as the Japanese are pursuing pelagic sealing the violations of our laws will occur in territorial waters rather than on the beaches of the islands. Any guard on shore is powerless to prevent the destruction of seals in the water within the 3-mile Hmit by marauders sharp enough to keep out of rifle range. It is true that if the guard hears firing in the fog they may launch a boat and go off, as suggested by Capt. Haake, but that could better SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 797 be done from ji ship, as the surf in that case would not liavo to be taken into consideration. On the other hand, except for actually repelling invaders, a con- tingency considered remote if the cutters remain near, the probabili- ties are that a guard such as i^roposed would unwittingly work dis- aster to seals on shore. Patrolling the rookeries in such manner as to observe the seals and shore line without frightening these animals into the water is ciuite difficult and involves a knowledge of the topography, the haunts of the seals, their natural change of position from time to time, climatic conditions and changes as they affect seal life, etc., all of which is of lifelong knowledge to the native guards, but requiring long experience and application in others. The most effective service the enlisted men can render is to stay on board their ships, and the best service the ships can render is to so arrange their movements as to be generally near the islands and within easy com- munication of the shore. In foggy weather a good plan would be for the cutters to send out several small boats at such times as the firing should indicate that the Japanese were sealing inshore. Those small boats should steal up on the trespassers and take them in the act of illegal sealing, a thing difficult to accomplish when the vessel proceeds under steam, thus giving warning by the noise of her machineiy. The small boats might be sent alongshore where they could feel their way by soundings. It has been suggested that the natives are poor judges of distance, etc. Granting this to be so, it must be conceded that })eople from elevated points on shore can observe better the operations of the pelagic fleet than is possible from the deck of a patrolling vessel. The International Code is available for signaling at both the village and Northeast Point; but in the absence of white men to handle this code at the point, it would be an easy matter to formulate a simple code for the use of the natives, or, conditions favoring, boats might be used to convey information to the cutters. In fact this subject was discussed last year, but definite action was not taken. The statement relative to the absence of a guard at Tolstoi rookery is true. It is equally true that this rookery, wdiich is only about 1 mile from the village, is under the eye of the Zapadni guards. Capt. Bertholf's statement that the fieldpiece on Hutchinson Hill fulfills no useful pvu'pose is erroneous. It was placed there with the purpose of firing upon hostile vessels coming close enough to receive its shot; and, further, to hold such vessels until they may be prop- erly seized. That this gun would quickly fall into the hands of a landing party is doubtful, but if it did it would be unavailable to the invadersj as the breechblock is hidflen in one place and the ammuni- tion in another. It may be stated that the Japanese who have landed hitherto on the islands from the sealing schooners have not impressed the natives as being an extraordinary class of people. Capt. Bertholf's statement that only four men could be spaced for guard duty at Northeast Point was of course made without full infor- mation or knowledge of the procedure on the islands as late as H)07. The proposition to place a guard of 20 men at Northeast Point is not approved, because the men of such guard would lack the requi- site knowledge of seal life and would therefore surely drive the seals into the water. Any scheme of sending natives along with these white men as guides, as has been suggested, must be treated as 798 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. impracticable, as it is not the custom of white sailors to take sugges- tions from natives. Their contempt for the efficiency of the natives is well known. That the presence of a military guard would act as a deterrent against raids may be questioned. Raids have frequently been made on the Commander Islands, where a military guard is stationed. The proper deterrent is a commissioned vessel that will pursue, overtake, and arrest marauders desperate enough to risk their lives in raiding. Capt. Daniels sa;^s: "For several years it was the custom to keep on each of the seal islands a detail of seamen, under the charge of an officer of the Revenue-Cutter Service, and it is worthy of note that during that time not a single attempt at raiding was recorded," This is true, but he might have added that no raiding was attempted for 10 years after the custom alluded to ceased. Respectfully submitted. James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Islands. March 3, 1909. Sir: Replying to the department's letter of February 3, inclosing copy of a report dated September 29, 1908, from Senior Capt. F. M. Hunger, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, commanding the Bering Sea Patrol Fleet during the sea'feon of 1908, together with extracts from reports of officers under his command relative to the present system of guarding the seal islands, and recommending the substitution of a guard of sailors, and that wireless stations be erected on the seal islands, I have the honor to say that it is the opinion of the agents of the seal fisheries, in which view this depart- ment concurs, that the proper patrolling of the rookeries requires an acquaintance with the topography of the land, the climatic condi- tions as they affect seal life, the general characteristics of the seals, their haunts and natural changes of position from day to day, etc. Such knowledge is possessed by the natives of the islands through long familiarity with the local conditions and could only be acquired by the proposed white guard through long experience. It is believed that the absence of such knowledge might lead to the stampeding of the seals and consequent serious loss to the herd. In view of these facts it is not deemed advisable to adopt at the present time the suggestions of Capt. Hunger and the other officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service. The establishment of wireless stations on the seal islands will receive careful consideration. I have the honor to be, sir, Your obedient servant, Charles Earl, Acting Secretary, Hon. George B. Cortelyou, Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. C. seal islands of alaska. 799 Treasury Department, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 1, 1909. Capt. W. V. E. Jacobs, United States Revenue- Cutter Service, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet, Seattle, Wash. Sir: You are informed that the President has designated the revenue cutters Bear, Manning, Perry, and Rush to cruise as far as may be practicable the present season, in the north Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, inchiding the waters of Alaska, within the domain of the United States, for the enforcement of the act of Congress, approved December 29, 1897, and the Regulations of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration decreed the 15th day of August, 1893, for the preservation of the fur seals. 2. Under the provisions of the act of Congress above referred to, it is unlawful for any citizens or vessel of the United States to engage in pelagic sealing at any time or in any manner in the waters of the Pacific Ocean north of the 35th degree of north latitude, and includ- ing the Bering Sea and the sea of Okhotsk. You are therefore directed to seize any vessel of the United States found navigating the waters as above indicated, in violation of the laAv, and send the same to the nearest or most accessible port of the United States, upon arrival there to be surrendered to the custody of competent authority having jurisdiction. 3. Since, under the enactment by Congress above referred to and given in full in the Regulations, Fur-Seal Fisliing Season of 1902 (which apply to the present season), vessels of the United States are prohibited absolutely from engaging in fur-seal fishing within the geographical limits prescribed, it follows that the Regulations of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration (given in full herewith) are applica- ble only to British vessels, and that fur-seal fishing is prohibited to subjects of Great Britain at any time or in any manner within a zone of 60 geographic miles around Pribilof Islands, inclusive of terri- torial waters, and from May 1 to July 31 in that part of the Pacific Ocean, inclusive of Bering Sea, situated north of the 35th degree of north latitude and eastward of the 118th degree of longitude from Greenwich, until it strikes the water boundary described in article 1 of the treaty of 1867 between the United States and Russia, and following that line up to Bering Straits. 4. You will arrange w4th the senior British naval officer at Una- laska engaged in carrying out the provisions of the award, for the mutual delivery of vessels of the one country seized by officers of the other. 5. The follo"\ving instructions in relation to the enforcement of the fur-seal regulations are issued for your guidance : (a) The terms of the award apply only to vessels of the United States and Great Britain. The first duty of the boarding officer is to satisfy himself by an inspection of her documents as to the vessel's nationanty. Vessels boarded beyond the legal jurisdiction of the United States and found to be of a nationality not included in the award are not to be searched or detained longer than is necessary to establish the fact. (6) Long chases are not advisable. After a vessel is brought within reach of yom* guns if she does not bring to, display the national 800 SEAL ISLANDS OF 4LASKA. ensign and open fire. Fire one blank ana one solid shot as a warn- ing. If she still neglects to come to the wind, aim to liit, and use the force at your command to compel her to submit to being boarded and searched. (c) A mere cursory or perfunctory search of vessels boarded is strictly, forbidden. The search must be made by two commissioned officers, or one commissioned and one petty oflicer, and the necessary number of men, who are renuired to remain on board until every part of the vessel where a sealskin or a shotgun or rifle could be con- cealed has been searched. (d) Boarding officers are required to exercise courtesy and for- bearance and avoid all discussions. Offensive remarks or actions by members of the crew or others on board the vessel being searched are under no circumstances to be taken notice of. (e) Should a sealskin be found on board that bears satisfactory evidence of having been shot within the Bering Sea, or killed in any manner mthin the area of the award in the Pacific Ocean between April 30 and August 1, or within 60 miles of the Pribilof Islands, at any time, the vessel must be seized. (/) Any vessel of Great Britain found witliin the area of the award during the closed season engaged in fur-seal fisliing or fitted for fur- seal fisliing and not being provided with the special seaUng license, is ordered seized. When any licensed sealing vessel of Great Britain is found within the area of the award during the cl See Part I, Inslructlons to agents and agents' reports; letter dated September 20, 1909. 814 seal islands of alaska. Recommendations — Advisory Board Fitr-Seal Service. Recommendations agreed on by the advisory board fur-seal service (Dr. David Starr Jordan, chairman. Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, Dr. Frederick A. Lucas, Mr. Edwin A. Sims, and Dr. Charles H. Town- send), in conference with the fur-seal board (Dr. Barton Warren Evermann, chairman, Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, and Mr. Millard C. Marsh), the Commissioner of Fisheries (Hon. Geo. M. Bowers), the Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries (Dr. Hugh M. Smith), assist- ant fur-seal agent, H. D. Chichester, and special scientific expert, Mr. George A. Clark, at a meeting held at the Bureau of Fisheries, November 23, 1909, all the above-mentioned persons being present, and the action on each recommendation being unanimous. recommendations. 1. It is recommended that the agent in charge, fur-seal service, shall, under the direction of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, have full power to limit or restrict the killing of fur seals and blue foxes on the Pribilof Islands to any extent necessary and that no spec- ified quota be indicated in the lease. 2. It is recommended that, for the present, no fur-seal skin weighing more than 8^ pounds or less than 5 pounds shall be taken, and that not more than 95 per cent of the 3-year-old male seals be killecl in any one year. 3. It is recommended that there be adopted a system of regidations similar to those in force on the Commander Islands, the Government to assume entire control in all essential matters pertaining to the fur seals, blue foxes, natives, and the islands in general, and the lessee to be restricted to the receiving, curing, and shipping of the skins taken. 4. It is recommended that there shall be added to the personnel of the fur-seal service a chief naturalist, who shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the investigation, study, and management of the fur-seal herd, the blue foxes, and of all other life on the islands, and who shall give advice to the agent in charge regarding the number of seals and foxes to be killed each season. The chief naturalist should be a man of recognized standing and experience, and his salary should be not less than $3,000. It is also recommended that there be at least one assistant natural- ist, whose salary should be not less than $1,800. 5. It is recommended that the agent in charge shall have control of all administrative matters, and in case of a difference of opinion between the chief naturalist and the agent in charge, the decision of the latter shall govern, pending an appeal to the Secretary of Com- merce and Labor. 6. It is recommended that there be arranged a conference of scientific men and diplomats of Great Britain, Canada, Japan, Russia, and the United States, for consideration of the question of pelagic sealing, as well as of an international game law to protect whales, walrus, sea otter and other mammals of the sea, the agreement reached by these nations to be submitted to the other maritime nations for their concurrence. In addition to the above, the conference unanimously adopted the following resolution: SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 815 Resolved, That we thoroughly approve of the sentiments set forth in the letter of the Commissioner of Fisheries, dated November 17, 1909, addressed to the honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, in Mdiich was urged the necessity of early action which will result in the stopping of pelagic sealing. Part IV. Special Reports — Report of George A. Clark. [Memorandum.] The thing of most importance to be done in connection with the care of the fur-seal herd during the coming season is to obtain a definite idea of its present condition as compared with its condition in 1896-97. To make this comparison would require a duplication, under as nearly identical conditions as possible, of the important enumerations and observations of the commission of 1896-97. This work should, if possible, be done under the direction of some mem- ber of the former commission thoroughly familiar with the meth- ods and results of that investigation. The work should be actively participated in by some member of the naturalist staff to have future charge of the herd, A connection would thus be established with the work of 1896-97, which would make it serve as a foundation on which the future work can rest. The main elements of the comparative investigation above sug- gested would be as follows: 1. The census of the breeding herd: This would require a careful count of all the harems on all the rookeries between the 10th and 20th of July, mth a count at the same time of the breeding females on certain rookery portions counted in 1895, 1896, and 1897, the latter count giving an average harem, which may be applied to the full harem count. 2. A count of live pups: This should cover the areas on which the count of breeding females is made. It affords the necessary correction for absent cows and gives the final average size of harem to be used in computing the actual number of breeding females and pups. This count should be made August 1 to 10. This count of live pups for the seasons of 1896 and 1897 was recog- nized as giving a definite measure of the rate of declme between the two seasons. The duplication of these counts in 1909 would give a measure of the decline in the interval since 1897. 3. A count of idle bulls, half bulls, and large and small seals released on the killing fields: This would give an estimate of the reserve of male life available for the breeding herd. 4. A count or estimate of the virgin females: This, together with the estimate of young males rejected at the killings, would give an estimate of the numbers of young seals and thus complete the estimate for the entire herd. 5. A count of the dead pups on all the breeding grounds between August 1 and 10: This would furnish a comparative estimate of the work of the parasitic worm uncinaria. Observations during the earlier work of the investigation on the work of this worm should also be made and specimens secured for further study. 816 SEAL ISLANDS OF AI^ASKA. 6. Photographs and maps: Photographs of certain typical breed- ing grounds should be duplicated, and the rookery margins should be observed and marked on the maps in the light of the monuments erected by the Coast and Geodetic Survey of 1897. 7. Miscellaneous: In general, observations of every kind made in 1896-97 and others which new conditions may suggest tending to throw light on the condition of the herd should be made. In carrying out the above proposed work of investigation the best person to undertake it is Mr. George A. Clark, secretary of the com- mission of 1S9G-97, who, together with Mr. Hacoun of the British commission, made most of the enumerations for the commission, his observations covering the entire season, beginning with the arrival of the first cows on June 5, and extending to October 22, practically the end of the stay of the seals at the islands. I would therefore strongly recommend that provision be made for sending Mr. Clark to the Pribilof Islands during the coming season with ample assistance and authority to carry out the work of investi- gation along lines identical with those of 1896-97, the services of a revenue cutter being made available to him for a week, covering July 12 to 15, and for a second week covering August 5 to 10, to enable hini to get from one island to the other at the time of making the counts. He would wish to reacli the islands as early as July 8 to 10, and would be ready to leave by the 10th to the 15th of August. The revenue cutter taking him to the islands could, by remaining over a day or two on the going trip and reaching the islands a few days in advance of the time of leaving, accomplish the work needed. [Comment on memorandum of Dr. David Starr Jordan, re care of the fur-seal herd during the season of 1909.] Dr. Jordan asserts that — The thing of most importance to be done in connection with the care of the fur-seal herd the coming season is to obtain a definite idea of its present condition as compared with its condition in 1896-97. Dr. Jordan must be understood as dealing with the wants of the fur-seal herd from a biological standpoint only. With due respect to his great ability in biological work, it is submitted that the abolish- ment of pelagic sealing is, at the present time, the thing of primary importance in connection with the care of the fur-seal herd. Dr. Jordan specifically recommends — (1) * * * a careful count of all harems on all the rookeries between the 10th and 20th of July, with a count at the same time of the breeding females on certain rookery portions counted in 1895, 1896, and 1897. * * * To this there is no valid objection so far as the work on the islands is concerned. The counting of harems can be made in such manner that but few cows, bachelors, or half bulls will go into the water, and thereby become game for the Japanese hunter. With the greatest care in making the harem enumerations some cows on certain rookeries will go into the water, but as these are generally pregnant, or new mothers, necessity will compel them, with few exceptions, to return shortly to land, thus reducing the likelihood of their falling into the hands of the Japanese. Nevertheless, it is worthy of note in this connection that on one day, about this season, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 817 to wit, July 21. 190S, one boat crew of the pelagic hunters killed 11 seals off Northeast Point (testimony of H. Webb, sealer on Kinsei Maru, Valdez, Alaska, October term, 1908). The count of breeding females upon the rookery portions counted in 1895, 1896, and 1897 can be accomplished without driving any of those cows into tlie water, the formation of those rookeries being such that the work can be done with impunity. (2) A count of live pups: This should cover the areas on which the count of breeding females is made. * * * This count should be made between August 1 and 10. Any count of Hve pups between August 1 and 10 is hkely to play into the hands of the pelagic sealers and work great injury to the herd. No count of pups worthy the name can be made without those mak- ing the count and their assistants, several men in all, spejiding a good part of each day for several days on the breeding grounds and either driving or frightening off nearly all mature seals on the rookeries counted. At that season nearly all females have given birth, and the period of heat has passed, and mother seals driven off do not return promptly, and as the Japanese are hovermg oft' the coast at about 3 miles distant man}^ seals would fall a prey to the hunters which, were the date earlier, would escape. The pelagic sealers understand the benefit to be derived by them from a disturbance of the seals on their breeding grounds. It was their custom last summer when the cutters were absent from North- east Point to advance with boats m a cordon to Avitliin a safe dis- tance from shore and theji begm a fusillade with shotguns for the pur- pose of alarming the seals and causing them to go into the water. They then withdrew to outside the 3-mile limit and waited. Our diminished catch of bachelor seals at the point shows that their ruse was successful. Indeed, their fusillades have had the effect to change considerably, at least for the time being, the habitat of the seals on the Northeast Point rookeries, some of which have gone to St. George Island, where the catch has become proportionately greater than for- merly, and some to the Reef and other St. Paul rookeries, where Hke proportionate increase is observed. We know from the shortage of seals reserved for breedmg purposes that the bachelors suffer largely on their way to St. George or the Reef, and we must conclude that the cows suffer still more by reason of their predominant numbers, also from the fact that as they need return only to nurse their 3^oung they may defer coming back for several days, meanwhile subject to great slaughter. It is to be noted in this connection that abnormal condi- tions are found on North rookery of St. George and Kitovi of St. Paul. Actual counts of pups for two years past show both these rookeries practically at a standstill m numbers; but when we consider that the most withermg depletion of the whole herd is gomg on through the Japanese hunters, the conclusion is inevitable that the females as well as the males are migrating from Northeast Point to escape the attacks. These two rookeries were counted as a basis of an average harem; l)ut since their population is unstable it is CAddent that no correct basis is afforded. On a single day in the summer of 1907, 26 Japanese sealing schoon- ers carrymg not fewer than 150 small boats were observed cruising off the rookeries of St. Paul Island. This array of enemies to the seal 2403— H. Doc. 93. 62-1 52 818 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. life formed a line commanding practically every foot of the sea for several miles out from the island. What chance would there be for the escape of seals driven into such a network of greedy and alert enemies ? The redeeming feature of the proposed countmg of live pups lies in the fact that few rookeries would be counted and none of these large ones. (3) A count of idle bulls, half bulls, and large and small seals released on the killing fields. This is done every year, and so long as any seals are dismissed from the killing fields they can be counted and classified without hazard. Among the animals dismissed from the killing grounds are many of the bachelors that have been branded and reserved for breeding pur- poses, and, as before indicated, many of these meet their fate at the hands of the Japanese. (4) A count or estimate of the virgin females. It is not presumed that Dr. Jordan means an actual enumeration of all virgin seals. Estimating in the way adopted by the Jordan com- mission and practiced ever since can have no detrimental effect. C5) A count of dead pups on all breeding grounds beteween August 1 and 10. The objection urged against the counting of live pups would apply with greatly increased force to the counting of dead ones at that sea- son. In the former case only certain small rookeries would be dis- turbed, while in the latter nearly every seal on the islands would be driven into the water, all within a few days. This would accomplish in a wholesale manner the very thing which the Japanese effect on a smaller scale by coming near the rookeries and with their gunfire stampeding the seals into the water and then shooting them. Such counting would make those doing the work effective allies of the Japanese in their nefarious operations. It is further submitted that the object of the count of dead pups, viz, that it "would furnish a comparative estimate of the work of the parasitic worm uncinaria," would not be achieved. In former years pelagic sealing did not begin until August 1, and pups dying prior to August 15 could not, of course, be attributed to that agency. At the present time pelagic sealing begins in June, and pups dying as a result thereof before the middle of August might be confused easily with those dying of uncinaria. An examination of every dead pup found would be necessary to determine the cause of death, and that would be impracticable. (6) Photographs and maps: Photographs of certain typical breeding grounds should be duplicated and the rookery margins should be observed and marked on the maps in the light of the monuments erected by the Coast and Geodetic Survey of 1897. There is no objection to the taking of photographs or performing work upon maps. This can be done without disturbing the seals at all. (7) Miscellaneous: In general, observations of every kind made in 1896-97 and others which new conditions may suggest tending to throw light on the condition of the herd should be made. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 819 The making of any observations which do not involve driving or frightening the seals off the rookeries during the period in which pelagic sealing is carried on would of course be readily sanctioned. While the intention of this memorandum is to obtain these counts for the purpose of making comparisons with similar counts made in 1897, it is worthy of note that counts such as those desired were made annually from 1897 until 1906 on all the rookeries enumerated by the commission, and from 1900 including many other rookeries not counted by the commission. For the five years ended with 1905 about one-third of all pups born on St. Paul and all born on St. George were counted. This was largely in excess of the rookery space counted by the commission. It is here observed that in 1903-4 Mr. F. H, Hitchcock made an exliaustive examination (1) into the work of enumerating the seals, (2) the supply of virile male life for the work of propagation, and (3) of the biological conditions generally prevailing in the herd. For the purposes of his inquiry all the scientific men who in recent years had made investigations of the seal life were advised with and their opin- ions obtained. With all the facts before him he devised new regula- tions governing the work on the islands. These regulations are now in operation, save as modified in certain particulars owing to the incursion of Japanese pelagic sealers. In 1906, immediately after harems were counted, Japanese schooners became very numerous about the islands, and Mr. Solicitor Sims, then present, forbade all counting which necessitated the driving or fright- ening of seals from the rookeries. For the last two years harems have been counted on all rookeries of both islands, but pups on Kitovi only of St. Paul and North of St. George. The average harem found as a result of these counts of Eatovi and North rookeries was, as herein indicated, abnormal, and consequently the regular annual census of breeding seals has been omitted in recent years. Respectfully submitted. Assistant Agent Seal Islands. Dr. Barton W. Evermann, Chairman Fur-Seal Board. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 7, 1909. Mr. George A. Clark, Stanford University, Cal. Sir: You are hereby appointed a temporary assistant in the Bureau of Fisheries for a period not exceeding three months, beginning June 15, 1909, at a salary of $250 per month, payable from the appro- priation, "Statistics and methods of the fisheries." You are directed to go to the Pribilof Islands on or about June 15 for the purpose of making a census of the seal herd in accordance with detailed instructions which will be sent you. Your expenses while engaged in the work will be refunded to you upon presentation of proper vouchers. The bureau will endeavor to 820 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. arrange with the Revenue-Cutter Service for special transportation to and from tlie islands and for the necessary travel between points on the islands. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Approved. Charles Nagel, Secretary. [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 13, 1909. George A. Clark, Stanford University, Gal.: Your appointment and orders to go to Alaska about June 15 mailed to-day. Bowers. Stanford University, Cal., May 19, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Bureau of FisJienes, Department of Commerce, Washington , D. C. Sir: Your telegram of May 13 and letter dated May 7, informing me of my appointment as temporary assistant in the Bureau of Fish- eries and directing me to go to the Pribilof Islands on or about June 15 for the purpose of making a census of the seal herd, detailed instruc- tions to follow, are duly received. I accept this appointment and shall give the work my best effort and attention. Respectfully, yours, George A. Clark. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 16, 1909. Mr. Geo. A. Clark, Stanford University, Cal. Sir: The recommendation of the advisory board, fur-seal service, that you be sent to the seal islands to make certain studies of the fur seals this season, has been approved and your formal appointment has been sent you. It is important that certain observations and investi- gations made by the fur-seal commission of 1896-97 be repeated in order that a comparative estimate be made of the condition of the herd at the present time as related to the conditions obtaining in 1896-97. The main elements of the comparative investigation would include the following: A census of the breeding herd; a count of the live pups on certain areas; a count of idle bulls, half bulls, etc.; a count or estimate of the virgin females ; a count of dead pups, etc. Your intimate acquaintance with the problems involved, gained through active participation in all the work of 1896-97, will enable SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 821 you to determine the scope and details of the observations to be made this year, and these are left to your judgment. You are authorized to confer with the chairman of the advisory board and to conduct the investigations in a manner which will result in the securing of the desired data, always bearing in mind, however, that no unnecessary disturbance of the rookeries must be permitted. Chief Agent Mr. Lembkey has been instructed to cooperate with you and to furnish you every facility to enable you to accomplish the end desired. Upon your return from the islands you will prepare a detailed report embodying the results of your observations and your recom- mendations based thereon. For your information there are inclosed herewith copies of three let- ters of instructions to Chief Agent Lembkey and his assistants, one pertaining to sanitary, health, and other scientific studies which it is desired to be made, one concerning the study and care of the birds, and one concerning the systematizing of the records of the islands. If time permits you to do so, I shall be glad if you will give consid- eration to these various matters and oiler any suggestions thereon that occur to you as a result of your observations. A copy of this letter is sent to Chief Agent Lembkey. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Stanford University, Cal., May 20, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have gone over to-day the possibilities of transportation. The Pacific Coast Steamship Co. has a vessel leaving Seattle for Nome on June 26; the Alaska Steamship Co. one on June 21. The latter vessel is the one I should take. The companies will not, however, say that they will touch at Dutch Harbor, and as I do not know regarding the movements of the patrol cutters I do not know whether this is important or not. It seems to me that a cutter which could be detailed to get me at Dutch Harbor could pick up this vessel — the Victoria — at or above the Unimak Pass and bring me to the Pribilof Islands. The vessel's route passes near them. Or if such cutter is to be in the vicinity of the islands at the time it would not be much farther to pick me up at Nome, which port the Victoria reaches on June 29. I should like to get to the islands about the 5th and not later than the 8th of July. The North American Commercial Co. steamer Homer will return from the islands about the 15th of August, which would be satisfactory for the return trip. Very truly, yours, George A. Clark. Stanford University, Cal., May 21, 1909. Dr. B. W. EVERMANN, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. 0. Dear Dr. Evermann : I ought to go up on the Alaska Steamship Co.'s steamer Victoria, which sails from Seattle on June 21. The agents here, however, will not give any hope that this vessel would 822 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. touch at Dutch Harbor. In my correspondence eariier in the season they seemed to think it was very Ukely that the June steamers would let a passenger off there. With Dr. Jordan's leaving for the East and all, I could not possibly have got ready to go up on the Homer, which sails to-day. Furthermore, it would have been a sheer waste of time, as I can not think of a single important thing I could do until about July 5. In talking with Mr. Judge yesterday he told me that the cutters were accustomed last season to make frequent trips to Nome. The Victoria gets there on the 29th of June. It is farther to Nome than Dutch Harbor, but I hope it will be possible to arrange to have a cutter meet this vessel at that port and bring me to the Pribilofs. One of the vessels should have such instructions as will permit it to keep close about the islands in the period between July 10 and 18 and again between the 5th and 10th of August. With Dr. Jordan's approval, I telegraphed the commissioner yester- day about the sailing. I have in this morning's mail received the detailed instructions. Very truly, yours, George A. Clark. [Telegram.] Palo Alto, Cal., May 21, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Should sail Alaska, steamship Victoria, Seattle, June 21. Does not stop Unalaska. Suggest cutter be at Nome 29th, taking me to Pribilofs. Return company steamer August 15. Geo. a. Clark. [Telegram. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 22, 1909. George A. Clark, Stanford University, Cat.: Is no other vessel available for Unalaska or Dutch Harbor about time required? Inquire and wire. Bowers. Stanford University, Cal., May 22 [3], 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: The detailed instructions have duly arrived. In answer to your telegram of yesterday I have wired to-day that I could reach Unalaska on July 10 by the mail boat Dora, leaving A'aldez or Seward about July 2. To get this boat I should have to leave Seattle on June 24. This trip is a long and tedious one unless there should be some object in visiting all these settlements along tht Alaskan Peninsula. The date of getting to Unalaska is so late as to leave no margin for delay there. If a cutter could meet the mail boat on the 10th and take me promptly to the islands, giving me two days at St. George and tlien landing me on St. Paul, this would suit my SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 823 work very well. Dela}' at Unalaska would be serious. By the Nome route, where I should arrive June 29, there Avould be at least 10 days of leeway. Its feasibility would, however, depend on the movements of the cutters, and of this I can get no definite results here. Mr. Judge and Mr. Redpath told me that the cutters made frequent trips last season to Nome and both thought this plan not merely feasible, but the best in every way. Very trul}^, yours, George A. Clark. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisher[es, Washington, June 2, 1909. Mr. George A. Clark. Stanford University, Cal. Sir: Your letters of May 19, 21, and 22 have been received. The bureau has communicated with the Treasury Department in reference to your transportation, and you will find inclosed herewith a copy of the reply from the Secretary of the Treasury. The office assumes that the transportation requested will be furnished, and you are directed to proceed on that assumption. Respectfully, H. M. Smith. Acting ComTnissioner. Palo Alto, Cal., May 23. [Telegram.] Hon. Geo. M. Bowers. Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Mail boat Dora from Seward July 2, arriving Unalaska 10th, reached from Seattle June 24. Satisfactory if certain of cutter immediately for islands. Delay there serious. Geo. a. Clark. Leland Stanford Junior University, Stanford University, Cal., June 9, 1909, Hon. George M. Bowers, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: Dr. Smith's letter of the 2d instant and the copy of the letter of the Treasury Department of May 27 to the effect that trans- portation will be furnished fi'om Nome, are at hand, and I will accord- ingly sail from Seattle on the Victoria, sailing June 21. I assume that the understanding with the Treasury Department is general enough to enable me to have the services of a cutter in getting between St. Paul Island and St. George about the IStli of July. After making the counts of certain rookeries on St. Paul, I shall wish to visit St. George for a day and return to St. Paul. Mail can reach me at Seattle, care of the Alaska Steamship Co., as late as the morning of June 21. Respectf ulh', yours, George A. Clark, Assistant. 824 seal islands op alaska. Departmext of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 18, 1909. Mr. Geo. A. Clark, Assistant Alaslca Seal Agent, Care of Alaslca Steamslii'p Co., Seattle, Wash. Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of your letter of 9th instant, stating that you will sail from Seattle June 21 on the Alaska Steam- ship Co.'s steamer Victoria for Nome. The Revenue-Cutter Service will pick you up at that place and take you to the islands. Arrangements have also been made with the Revenue-Cutter Service to take you from St. George to St. Paul on or about July 3; to return you to St. George on July 17 or 18, and return you to St. Paul on July 19 or 20; to cruise about St. Paul Island, keeping in close toucli with the islands during the count of pups August 5 to 10, and to take you to Dutch Harbor on about August 11. The bureau has every reason to believe that the Revenue-Cutter Service will be able to render this service as desired. Respectfullv, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. [Telegram.] Seattle, Wash., June 28, 1909. Hon. George Isl. Bowers, United States Fisheries Bureau, Washington, D. C: Victoria delayed; sails 9 to-morrow night. Have Treasury Depart- ment wire me here authority to requisition Capt. Jacobs, Unalaska, by wireless, for cutter to take me off Unimak Pass. George A. Clark. JuxE 29, 1909. Mr. George A. Clark, Care of Steamer "Victoria," Seattle, Wash.: Secretary Treasury requested to wire you authority to ask Jacobs to take you off at Unimak Pass. Bowers, Commissioner. Approaching Xome. July 8, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Washington, D. C. Sir: I received the telegram from the Treasury Department and your own message, the latter after going on the boat at Seattle, and hence I have not been able to acknowledge it. We were unable to reach any of the cutters before getting into the Pass and then our reply was that the Rush was waiting at Nome. So I am expecting to get off promptly and will be in good time at St. Paul. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ■ 825 As we feared, the ice about this part of Bering Sea is very trouble- some this 3^ear. The Victoria has been virtually lost in it since 10 yesterday. The cutters will doubtless handle it more easily. Respectfully, yours, George A. Clark, Assistant. The Rainier Grand Hotel, Seattle, June 28, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Washington, D. G. Dear Sir: The situation with regard to the sailing of steamers for Alaska has proven very disappointing. They were all late in return- ing from their fii'st trips, but the Victoria, which got in on the 21st, was promised out by Thursda}'', 24th, till after the mail boat sailed, and then the date was advanced to Saturday, the 26th. The Senator, scheduled for the 26th (Pacific Coast Steamship Co.), was taken on" and her freight and passengers joined with those of the Victoria. Her date was then advanced to Sunday evening, the 27 th, and finally to the 29th, when she will probably get off. The fact is that busi- ness to Nome has fallen slack. Yesterday there was considerable news in the papers regarding the cutters — that the Thetis had been caught in the ice and carried into the Arctic with probability that she would not get back to Nome till the end of July; that the Bear was looldng after a wreck near Kadiak; that the Rush was taking certain stranded Russian scientists to Attu; that the Manning was left to guard the islands, in the vicinity of which two Japanese cruisers were expected ; that a Japanese A'essel had been caught sealing in Sitka Harbor, etc. In talldng the situation over with Capt. Tuttle, formerly of the Revenue-Cutter Service, he was strongly of the opinion that it wouhl be l)est to have one of the cutters meet the Victoria at or above Uni- mak Pass and take me off, thus avoiding the trip to Nome. The Victoria carries wireless \\ith a ran^e of 700 miles. He suo:2;ested 'fe.-)^ tryinw to communicate with Capt. Jacobs through one of the vessels carrying wireless that might be m Unalaska as soon as we are within reach, asking that a cutter meet the Victoria. Capt. Tuttle thought that it would be best for me to telegraph for authority to ask for this vessel, which could be quoted in a message to Capt. Jacobs, in command of the patrol fleet. It was on his advice that I telegraphed you to-night. I realize that the arrangements already made may be entirely adequate to cover the matter, but they were made without knowl- edge of this delay, which I regret exceedingly. I am anxious now that it should not be necessaiy, if it can be avoided, lor a vessel to ojo all the way to Nome for me. Had the steamship company been Irank and direct in their information, I should have gone on the mail boat, which would in due time have brought me to Dutch Har- bor. As it is now, the Victoria^ should reach the Unimak Pass about July 5, and if I can get a cutter there I shall get to the islands in good time yet. Respectfully, yours, George A. Clark. 826 seal islands of alaska, Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, August SI, 1909. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, WasTiington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to advise you that this bureau is in receipt of a letter dated August 15, 1909, from Mr. George A. Clark, who, as special assistant, was detailed this year to make a count of the fur seals on the rookeries of the Pribilof Islands. Mr. Clark took a similar census in 1897, and the results of this season's work afford a valuable comparative basis for ascertaining the status and prospects of the fur-seal herd. In view of the very serious conditions dis- closed by this investigation it is deemed advisable to acquaint the department at once with the contents of this letter, so that any action that seems expedient may be taken without waiting for the final report. The following quotations comprise the substance of Mr. Clark's letter : The essential features of the situation are: (1) That the herd is reduced to about one-third what it was in 1896-97 — 50,000 breeding females, a like number of pups, and suffi- cient animals of other classes to bring the entire herd up to approxi- mately 140,000. The individual rookeries show exceptional conditions. Notable is the case of the Northeast Point rookeries. From a total of 1,143 harems in 1897 these have fallen in 1909 to 232 harems — about one- fifth. This has been due to the concentration in the season of 1908 of the Japanese pelagic fleet ofl^ these rookeries. (2) There is a vigorous and adequate supply of male life for breeding purposes. For the total of active harem bulls of 1,387 there are 513 idle and young bulls ready for harem duty. A reservation of 2,000 three and four year old bachelors for this season guarantees a suffi- ciency, if not an overstocking of the breeding grounds mth males three to five years hence. (3) The quota of killable seals is short 675 or thereabouts of the quota of 15,000. It would have been much shorter still if the same grade of skins were taken as in 1896-97. With a herd approaching one-third its former size a quota three-fourths as great — the quota of 1897 was 20,000 — could not reasonably have been expected. The smaller seals taken to make up the number secured are, however, well out of the way of the Japanese sealers. (4) The Japanese sealing is terribly destructive, being at such close range. Every seal leaving the islands to feed must run the gauntlet of the boats just off the 3-mile limit both going out and returning, and the reports of guns on a still day are incessant. The natural result of this shooting must be felt in the loss of many animals in excess of those actually secured. The count of pups on certain St. Paul rookeries showed on August 3 fully 6^ per cent of the pups dead or dying of starvation. This was the result of sealing in July. A like mortality will result from the sealing in August, bringing the full loss to something like 12 per cent for the season. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 827 It is respectfully suggested that this matter be brought to the atten- tion of the Department of State, with a view to the renewal of efforts for an international agreement, particularly with Japan, for the sup- pression of pelagic sealing. The shrinkage of two-thirds in the size of the fur-seal herd in 1 2 years ; the reduction of four-fifths in the size of some of the rookeries as a direct result of the operations of the Japanese sealers last year; and the loss in 1909 of about 6,000 young seals by starvation, because of the killing of their mothers by Japanese hunters, would appear to warrant the most active and determined measures on the part of our Government to ameliorate conditions on the seal islands. Very respectfully, H. M, Smith, Acting Commissioner. Dutch Harbor, August 15, 1909. Dear Dr. Evermann: I finished my work on the islands and after a cruise among the pelagic sealers I ain in Dutch Harbor waiting for the Homer and getting the hard work of my report done so that it may not be delayed by the many interruptions which I know will await my return. I am sending Commissioner Bowers a brief statement wdiich, with this, should come to Seattle by the cutter Tahoma about the 23d, and hence reach you about the time I get to San Francisco — 27th. It will be better than a telegraphic word which I had expected to send. The Tahoma has reached here from Japan via Attn on her trip about the globe. The situation at the islands is briefly that the herd is about one- third its size of 1896-97; the remnant is, however, in good condition, and there is an entirely adequate sup])ly of breeding males — 1,387 harems and 50,000 cows, 500 idle and half bulls, 2,000 reserve of bachelors; the quota is short about 675; it was not reasonable to expect 15,000 — the quota of 1897 was only 20,000; the condition left over next season is very like that of 1889 and 1890, at the con- clusion of the A. C. Co, lease. Japanese sealing is much worse than Canadian; about 12 per cent of the pups of the season are dead from starvation or will die before the close of August. The incessant shoot- ing at any and all animals crossing the 3-mile limit gives the feeding females no show. I have been unable to do anything with uncinaria; the seals have shrunk away from all the places of chief infection in 1896-97, and the sick pups from starvation in July overlapped and obscured sickness and death from any other cause to the extent that practically nothing could be done. The worm is probably not a factor of mortality now worth considering and will not be until the restoration of the herd to a condition where it will again occupy the infected regions. I feel that I have had a very successful season. The agents have been very helpful and considerate and everything has been satis- factory except that the condition of the herd and the scourge of pelagic sealing which afflicts it are depressing in the extreme. Cordially, G. A. Clark. I ought to be able to get in my full report by the middle of Sep- tember. . 828 seal islands of alaska. Dutch Harbor, Alaska, August 15, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: The new revenue cutter Tahoma, which has just arrived from Japan via Attu, will take mail to Seattle and I am hoping to send this letter by her. It will serve better than a telegraphic report on my arrival in San Francisco. I finished the work on the islands with the counting of live pups on August 5, and with a view to securing data regarding the palagic sealers I went for a cruise among them on the revenue cutter Manning and am now in Dutch Harbor awaiting the Homer. I shall be able to get the main work of my report done here and, making allowance for interruptions from my university work on my return, I ought still to be able to give you my full report by the middle of •September. The essential features of the situation are: (1) That the herd is reduced to about one-third what it was in 1896-97 — 50,000 breeding females, a like number of pups and suf- ficient animals of other classes to bring the entire herd up to approxi- mately 140,000. The individual rookeries show exceptional conditions. Notable is the case of the Northeast Point rookeries. From a total of 1,143 harems in 1897, these have fallen in 1909 to 232 harems — to about one-fifth. This has been due to the concentration in the season of 1908 of the Japanese pelagic fleet off these rookeries. (2) There is a vigorous and adequate supply of male life for breeding purposes. For the total of active harem bulls of 1,387 there are 513 idle and young bulls ready for harem duty. A reserva- tion of 2,000 3 and 4 year old bachelors for this season guarantees a sufficiency, if not an overstocking, of the breeding grounds with males three to five years hence. (3) The quota of killable seals is short 675 or thereabouts of the quota of 15,000. It would have been much shorter still if the same grade of skins were taken as in 1896-97. With a herd approaching one-third its former size a quota three-fourths as great — the quota of 1897 was 20,000— could not reasonably have been expected. The smaller seals taken to make up the number secured are, however, well out of the way of the Japanese sealers. (4) The Japanese sealing is terribly destructive, being at such close range. Every seal leaving the islands to feed must run the gauntlet of the boats just off the 3-mile limit, both going out and returning, and the reports of the guns on a still day are incessant. The natural result of this shooting must be felt in the loss of many animals in excess of those actually secured. The count of live pups on certain St. Paul rookeries showed on August 3 fully 6^ per cent of the pups dead or dying of starvation. This was the result of sealing in July. A like mortality will result from the sealing in August, bringing the full loss to something like 12 per cent for the season. These and other matters will be elaborated in my report. I am, respectfully, yours, ^'■] .ja,t George A, Olark, Assistant. seal islands of alaska. 829 Leland Stanford Junior University, Stanford University, Gal., October 1, 1909. Dr. B. W. EVERMANN, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Dear Dr. Evermann: I have mailed to the commissioner this afternoon my report for the summer. I am sending you a duphcate copy for your personal use. It has taken me longer to get this done than I expected because of interruptions due to absence from home for so long. The question of the equilibrium in the herd has also been troublesome. We con- sidered this as a theoretical possibility in 1896-97, and it was insisted on by the British commissioners in the conference of experts. From a careful consideration of the whole matter it seems to me to be a fact that the herd has been virtually stationary since 1907. I had a splendid summer, and I only hope that this report will be of assistance in securing some action on behalf of the fur-seal herd, wliich, equilibrium or no equilibrium, is to-day at the lowest point in its career and in great need of protection. Cordially, yours, George A. Clark. Leland Stanford Junior University, Stanford University, Cal., Odoher 1, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have mailed you this afternoon my report on the work of the past summer, which has taken me longer than I expected. I trust that it may be of service to the bureau. Respectfully, j^ours, George A. Clark, Assistant. (Original report examined by commissioner Oct. 8. Turned over to Mr. Lembkey Oct. 9.) report on condition of fur-seal herd, 1909. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to submit herewith my detailed report on the condition of the fur-seal herd on the Pribilof Islands, resulting from the investigations of the past summer in accordance with your instructions of May 15, 1909, as follows: * * * It is important that certain observations and investigations made by the fur-seal commission of 1896-97 be repeated in order that a comparative estimate be made of the condition of the herd at the present time as related to the condition obtaininp; in 1896-97. The main elements of the comparative investigation would include the following: A census of the breeding herd; a count of live pups on certain areas: a count of idle bulls, half bulls, etc.; a count or estimate of the virgin females; a count of dead pups, etc. Your acquaintance with the problems involved, gained through your active participation in all the work of 1896^97, will enable you to deter- mine the scope and details of the observations to be made this year, and these are left to your judgment. You are authorized to confer with the chairman of the advisory 830 ■ SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. board and to conduct the investigations in a manner which will result in the securing of the desired data, always bearing in mind, however, that no unnecessary disturb- ance of the rookeries must be permitted. * * * Upon your return from the islands you will prepare a detailed report embodying the results of your observations and your recommendations based thereon. ITINERARY. I left Palo Alto on June 16, expecting to sail from Seattle on the steamship Victoria, scheduled to leave that city for Nome on the 21st. This vessel — the only one available — was delayed from day to day for various causes until the 29th of June. I arrived in Nome on the afternoon of the 8th of July and was at once transferred by the revenue cutter Rush, Capt. D. F. A. de Otte commanding, to St. Paul Island, arriving on the afternoon of July 11. I was engaged in the work of observation on this island and the island of St. George until August 5, when I cruised on the Manning for four days on the southwest quadrant of the GO-mUe zone, going with the vessel to Unalaska, at which place we arrived August 9. I returned direct to San Francisco on the steamship Homer, reaching that city on August 30. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. I am indebted to the Government agents on both islands for cordial and helpful assistance in my work and for important statistics of rookery conditions in past seasons. I am also under obligations to the representatives of the North American Commercial Co. for hos- pitality on both islands and at Dutch Harbor. The officers of the revenue-cutter fleet cheerfully rendered all necessary transportation, and the commander of the fleet, Capt. W. V. E. Jacobs, stationed at Unalaska, supplied me with valuable data regarding the operations of the pelagic-sealing fleet. THE DIVISION OF THE WORK. The subject can best be treated under the following general heads: 1. The breeding seals and young. 2. The nonbreeding seals. 3. The quota. 4. Mortality among the seals. 5. Pelagic sealing. 6. The patrol. 7. Rookery care and management. 8. The general fur-seal question. 9. Conclusions and recommendations. I have appended to this report certain statistical tables which throw light on the situation and have included the detailed notes on my work as prepared from day to day. THE BREEDING SEALS AND YOUNG. Having in mind the caution contained in my instructions against "unnecessary disturbance," and aware from the first of a great sen- sitiveness on the part of the representatives of the lessees and of the Government agents also on this point, my first visit to each of the rookeries was made in company with one of the agents in order to SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 831 learn the present position of the hauhng grounds and any points necessary for me to know in order that my work might be carried on with a minimum of disturbance. The counting of harems and close inspection of the rookeries were made immediately following drives and when there were no bachelor seals to be disturbed. The counting of pups was done in weather unfavorable to the work of the sealers and hence with least likeliliood of harm to the cows driven off. It is believed that the work of the season interfered in no way with the taking of the quota by the lessees and in general wrought no appre- ciable harm to the breeding herd. THE ROOKERIES. The status of the breeding herd is shown by the condition of the breeding rookeries, and its continued decline is apparent in two ways — first, by shrinkage in the breeding areas themselves; and, second, by the results of actual counts of breeding families and individual seals. These two features may be brought out by a rapid survey of the several rookeries. ST. PAUL ROOKERIES. 1. Gorhatch. — This rookery lies first^to the south of the village, on Reef Peninsula. Its hauling ground in 1896-97 was on the hill slope above Zoltoi sands. No seal life appeared on this hauling ground in 1909. The breeding seals began in 1897 at Rock 26 of the survey of that season, and a large harem, which was made the subject of special study by Mr. Lucas of the commission of 1896-97, was located at Rock 25. There were no seals at this point in 1909. Two isolated harems occupied a position at Rock 23, a long break following to Rock 19. For the two harems under this cliff portion of Gorbatch in 1909 there were 14 in 1897. The rocky slope that extends from Rock 19 to the angle of the cinder slope consisted of a single line of harems this season. There were 18 harems here instead of the 85 found in 1896. There is a long break at the angle of the cinder slope, and through this the bachelors have established a new hauling ground. The cinder slope was practically free from idle bulls. A single line of harems scatter along its base. The rocky bench at the extreme end, conspicuous in 1896-97 because occupied by a single large harem of 150 cows, is vacant. The general appearance of this breeding ground in the season of 1909 as compared with its condition 12 years ago is that of a skeleton or outline, the substance having gone. This general appearance was characteristic of the rookeries as a whole. For the entire rookery of Gorbatch there were, in 1897, 308 harems or breeding families. In 1909 the number was 120. 2. Ardiguen.— This, little breeding ground lies in a cove at the end of Reef Peninsula, set off by natural barriers from Gorbatch and from Reef. It was made the subject of special study in 1896 because of the advantages for observation without disturbance afforded by its overhanging cliffs. Eight harems containing 133 cows were present in the "slide" portion of this rookery which are wanting in 1909. The line of harems throughout the rookery's length is thin and scat- tered. 832 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. There were 470 cows in 33 harems here in 1897; 207 cows in 11 harems in 1909. 3. Reef. — The breeding ground holds close to the reef at the point. Each of its great masses are recognizable by a single or at most two or three moderate harems extending on the flat ground above the bowlder beach. The four princij^al breaks through which the bachelors hauled in 1896-97 have widened from a few yards each to hundreds of feet. Only two are used by bachelors this season. It Wi\s necessary in 1897 to count the massed portion of this rookery fr )m the back and to count the bowlder beach in a boat off shore. The reduction of this rookery will be appreciated by those familiar with the conditions in 1896-97 when it is said that the bowlder beach could be seen in all places from the rear, the massed portions on the flat having disappeared. At the northern end of the rookery, in the direction of East Landing, is an abandoned section similar to that at the beginning of Gorbatch, this disappearance of ends of breeding grounds being characteristic of the rookeries generally. Reef rookery had 454 harems in 1897; in 1909 it has 184. 4. Sivutch. — This rookery is situated on a small islet half a mile off Reef rookery. It has a hauling ground on the end toward the main island, but no killings can be made here in the breeding season. The rookery above shows less evMence of decline than the others seen. It is more difficult this season than in 1897 to reach the high ground from which a complete survey of the rookery can be obtained. It is probable that this breeding ground draws from Reef on account of its favorable location, directly in the course of seals coming to the Reef. The count of harems gives 61 for 1909 as against 102 for 1897. As on Ardiguen there has evidently been a greater diminution in harems than in individual cows. 5. Kitovi. — The striking evidence of shrinkage on this rooker}^ is in the absence of any seals to the south of Kitovi Point. In 1896 Dr. Stejneger and Mr. Lucas counted 14 harems and 243 cows on this section which has entirely disappeared. In the main portion of the rookery the harems are scattered along in a single line, with numer- ous breaks. The reduction in the space known as the "Amphithe- ater" is very conspicuous. It had 46 harems and 654 cows on July 13, 1897; it had 8 harems and 113 cows on the corresponding date in 1909. For the entire rookery there are 55 harems in 1909, as against 179 in 1897. 6. Lukanin. — This rookery, in so far as it exists to-day, is located at the foot of Lukanin Hill. Even here it is confuied to the beach at the base and does not extend up on the slope. There are no harems this season under the cliff portion and on the lower slope toward the cove and sand beach. It was from these cliffs that many of our observations in 1896-97 were made on the abundant seal life below them. The bachelors have abandoned the usual hauling ground above the cove and are hauling in close at the angle of the hill and to a position near its top. There were very few of them this season, in marked contrast to the plentiful drives of small seals obtained here in 1896-97, which gave to Lukanin the designation of the "nursery." There were 139 harems on Lukanin in 1897; in 1909 there are 39 only. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 833 7. Polovina. — The main part of Polovina in 1896-97 was composed of a huge mass of seals on a gradual slope, with a short abrupt beach at the foot and a reef, bare at low tide and when no surf was running. This mass has shrunk to a narrow fringe, the harems for the most part being confined to the bowlder beach and a portion of the reef. There were 143 harems here in 1897; there are 42 in 1909. 8. Polovina Cliff's. — This portion of Polovina lies along the foot of abrupt cliffs and resembles portions of Kitovi. The beach is set with rough lava rocks and harems are divided into groups by projecting ledges. As usual in such breeding grounds, the shrinkage is shown at the ends and by breaks at intervals. The 61 harems of 1897 are reduced to 23 in 1909. 9. Little Polovina. — This small breeding ground is in a compact mass located on a gradual slope. The area has contracted, but does not show decline in so marked a degree as the main rookery. It has 19 harems this season as against 40 in 1897. 10. Morjovi. — This rookery lies along the east side of Northeast Point. The first striking feature about it is the absence this season of a considerable group of seals at a point opposite Webster House. Dr. Stejneger and Mr. Lucas counted here 967 cows in 87 harems in 1896. This entire body of seals is gone and the ground is vacant. So, also, is the south side of Sea Lion Neck, and there are only three harems on the north side. Twenty-five harems and 320 cows were counted on Sea Lion Neck in 1896. The neck has been abandoned by the sea lions and it is said that none have been here for the past nine years. The great mass of seals to the north of Walrus Bight is rer duced to 15 harems in 1909. For the whole of Morjovi there are 45 harems to-day, as against 233 in 1897. 11. Vostochni. — This is that portion of the breeding grounds of Northeast Point which lies to the west of the point, reaching in 1896-97 to the vicinity of Cross Hill. It was the largest and, because of the great mass of seals under Hutchinson Hill, the most striking of all the rookeries in 1896-97. The sight from this hill is still impressive, but only a shadow of what it was. The mass this season numbered 51 harems only and extended but very little into the broad flat at the foot of the hill. To the west of the hill the rookery occupies the beach at the foot of cliffs and, as is usual with this class of breeding areas, shows decline chiefly in a general thinning down and scattering. At the extreme southern end Dr. vStejneger and Mr. Lucas in 1896 counted three patches. Two of these patches, containing 47 and 104 harems, respectively, and an aggregate of 1,863 cows, have entirely disappeared, and the third patch of 73 harems is represented to-day only by a remnant of 11 harems. The cove in which the Japanese sealers killed the 200 cows in 1906 lies in the second of these patches and is devoid of seal life to-day. For Vostochni rookerv as a whole in 1897 there were 910 harems; in 1909 there are but 184. The two sea-lion rookeries on the point still remain, with about the same number of animals as in 1896-97. 12. Zayadni. — The main portion of this rookery was a magnificent breeding ground in 1896-97, second only to Vostochni. It stretched from the cliffs at Zapadni Head to the sands of Southwest Bay, 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 53 834 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. spreading back in great masses on the level areas and shallow ravines rising from the shore. To-da}^ the rookery is confined to the abrupt beach, with only a suggestion here and there of the former massed conditions, an occasional harem projecting on the flat ground. Tne ravines known by us in 1896 as "death traps," because of their crowded condition and the high mortality among the pups, are in 1909 abandoned and their grass-grown condition indicates that they have not been occupied for several years. A supplemental count for the rookery front of Zapadni had to be made in 1897 from a boat offshore; in 1909 it can be counted readily from the rear. There were 458 harems here in 1897; this season the number is 147. 13. Little Zapadni. — This rookery is separated from the main part of Zapadni by the sand beach of Southwest Bay. It occupies a crescent-shaped rocky slope. There is only one line of harems on the beach and the rookery has shrunk at both ends. Instead of 176 harems, as in 1897, Little Zapadni has now only 62. 14. Zapadni Reef. — This breeding ground occupies a long bowlder beach extendmg out from the foot of Little Zapadni. It has shrunk to a little group of harems on the widened point of the reef near English Bay. Zapadni Reef had 3,041 cows in 114 harems in 1897; it has only 319 cows in 11 harems in 1909. 15. Tolstoi. — The mass of seals on the sand flat of Tolstoi, espe- cially on account of the fighting among the bulls, was a striking sight in 1896. The shrinkage of this rookery is most vividly put by saying that in the height of tne breeding season no seals whatever appeared on the sand flat. It was on this area, now vacant, that the heavy mortality among pups — -1,495 deaths — from the parasite uncinaria occurred in 1896. This season the seals have been confined to the bowlder beach until August 1 , when a heavy surf drove them up into the flat. There were 295 harems on this rookery in 1897; in 1909 the number is 87. 16. Tolstoi Cliffs. — This breeding ground is shut off from the main rookery by a jutting ledge of rocks and it occupies a narrow beach throughout its length backed by abrupt cliffs. Like other similar breeding areas, it shows less evidence of decline in the number of individual cows than in the number of families. There are long breaks in the harem line, and one of these was occupied by the bache- lors as a hauling ground. In 1897 there were 1,286 cows here in 98 harems; in 1909 the number is reduced to 698 cows in 25 harems. 17. Lagoon. — This breeding ground is located on a rocky spit oppo- site the landing at St. Paul village. It is similarly situated to Zapadni Reef, and like Zapadni Reef rookery has practically disap- peared. The 11,5 harems of July 12, 1897, are reduced in 1909 to 12 harems. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 835 ST. GEORGE ROOKERIES. 1. Little East. — Tliis small breeding ground has been practically abandoned. It was a compact little body of seals, miicli like Little Polovina of St. Paul. In August, 1896, 1,350 pups were counted here. On July 9, 1897, there were 46 harems on it, a later count on eTuly 15 of that year giving 48. On July 15, 1909, this rookery had 4 harems and 71 cows. 2. East. — The reef portion of this rookery has thinned out and broken, and is separated from the main body of seals by a broad, vacant space, half a mile in width. - The mass of seals at the foot of the tall cliffs at the southern end looks well. The decrease is not so noticeable here as on most of the rookeries of St. Paul. The count of harems for this season gives 65 as against 128 found here in 1897.^ 3. Zapadni. — Zapadni rookery of St. George shows a decline simi- lar to that of the St. Paul rookeries. The beach portion of the rookery which extended in the direction of the watch house in 1897, and on which Mr. Lucas counted 39 harems and 431 cows, is entirely without seals in 1909. The remnant of the rookery lies on the first bench of the Mil slope. The beach portion to the south under the cliff has thinned do%vn and practically disappeared. For the 133 harems of 1897 there are 43 harems in 1909. 4. Staraya Artel.— This breeding ground occupies the even slope of a hillside, wliich breaks off m an abrupt cliff. The harems are in a massed condition throughout. Of all the rookeries of the two islands this one shows least evidence of decline. There were 57 harems here in 1897, and there are 42 in 1909. 5. North. — North rookery is very much like Kitovi on St. Paul, occupying the bowlder beach at the foot of cliffs and short bowlder stre\\Ti hill slopes without massed portions. It spreads along a mile of shore front. It shows lateral shrinkage at the western end, but at the village end the harems extend as far as they did in 1896. It is thinned out and scattered and shows breaks, but the decline is less striking than on the other rookeries in general. There were 196 harems here in July, 1897, and 106 in July, 1909. HAREM COUNTS. The counts of harems or breeding famiUes were all made within the period of rookery life known as the "height of the season," between the dates of July 12 and 18, these dates corresponding in general to those on which the similar counts for 1897 were made. 836 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Summary of harem counts. Rookery. 1909 St. Paul. Gorbatch Ardiguen Reef Sivutch Kitovi Lukanin Polovina 'Polovina Clifls Little Polovina Morjovi Vostoclmi Zapadni Little Zapadni Zapadni Reel' Tolstoi Tolstoi Cliffs Lagoon Total St. George. Little East East Zapadni Staraya Artel North Total St. Paul St. George Grand total 308 120 33 11 454 184 102 61 179 55 139 39 143 42 61 23 40 19 233 45 910 184 458 147 176 62 114 11 295 87 98 25 115 12 3,858 1,127 46 4 128 65 133 43 57 42 196 106 560 260 3,858 1,127 560 260 4,418 1,387 On the basis of harem counts the breeding herd on the two islands stands in the season of 1909 at 31 per cent of what it was in 1897; in other M^ords, has in the 12 years suffered a dechne of 69 per cent. The dechne on St. Paul alone is 71 per cent; on St. George alone, 55 per cent. The difference in the amount of decline between the two islands seems to be due to the effects of Japanese sealing. The greater part of the herd, about four-fifths, is to be found on the rookeries of St. Paul. The Japanese sailing fleet has evidently chosen to operate about the larger island. In the season of 1908 it was concentrated off the Northeast Point rookeries, this accounting for the specially strildng decline of the seals on the rookeries of Morjovi and Vos- tochni, which is greater than that of any of the other rookeries. In like manner the fleet has this season been concentrated in the vicinity of Southwest Point and Otter Island, evidently seeking the pathway of the seals of the rookeries of Peef Peninsula, Tolstoi, and Zapadni. The sealers have apparently worked little in the vicinity of St. George. In the case of the St. George rookeries there seems to be a striking difference in the relative condition of the rookeries to the north and east when contrasted with the rookery to the southwest. Zapadni rookery of St. George shows a reduction in every way comparable with the rookeries of St. Paul, while the other rookeries of tliis island, with the exception of Little East, show a much smaller decrease. It may be noted that Zapadni rookery faces toward the southwest which is the direction of the most frequented feeding ground of the seals, on the Southwest Quadrant. The Zapadni seals may frequent this ground, while the seals of Staraya Artel, North and East, feed SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 837 in the direction of the Northeast Quadrant and in grounds not so successfully reached by the pelagic sealers. It may be said with reference to tliis count of harems that, although it indicates decline in the herd, it does not give an actual measure of decline. The conditions affecting the herd of breeding bulls are different from those affecting the herd of breeding cows, and have to do with the methods of land killing, not ^^^th those of pelagic seal- ing. To constitute a measure of decline or even absolute proof of such decline would require the presence on the rookeries of an excess of adult male life of the idle bull class, thrown out of service by the scarcity of breeding females. There is no such excess of idle bulls, the rookeries in this respect standing in marked contrast to the con- ditions prevailing in 1896-97. The reduction in harems, however, becomes a strong corroborative evidence of decline when taken in connection with the counts of individual cows and pups. In general the harems correspond in size with those of 1896-97. Many single-cow harems were noticeable; also many very large harems numbering 75 cows and over. On certain circumscribed and isolated breeding areas, as Tolstoi Chffs, Lagoon, etc., the general average harem was larger than on the other rookeries in general. THE ACTIVE BULLS. The number of active bulls is naturally identical with the preceding count of harems, 1,387. In physical vigor, vigilance, and pugnacity the average harem bull in 1909 was in every way equal to that of 1897. An unusual number showed sca,rs, marks of fighting during the early part of the season, although the actual fighting in the height of the season was less than in 1897, due to fewer idle bulls. The idle bulls present in 1909, however, were aggressive and taxed the vigilance of the harem masters in their neighborhood as in 1896-97. No dead bulls were seen this season, and no dead cows whose death could certainly be charged to rough treatment by fighting bulls. In 1896 there were seen 28 bulls dead as a result of lighting. In respect to the relations of the active, idle, and young male life on the breeding grounds, the present season seems to have marked a much more normal and favorable condition than did the seasons of 1896-97. Among the active bulls in the season of 1909 were a considerable number of young gray bulls; some of them so young and inexperi- enced that they would not hold their ground against the approach of a man, although apparently the}' were accepted on terms of equality by their neighbors. These young bulls were unusually attentive and active and gave every e"\ddence of being efl'ective breeders. Under the conditions of 1896-97 this class of young bulls would have been shut off the rookeries absolutely by the buffer of idle bulls and would doubtless have had to wait two or more years before attaining a place on the breeding grounds. The accession of this young, vigorous male life on the rookeries thus earlier must be a decided gain, especiall}^ as the life of the adult male seems not to be as extended as was originally estimated, being in the neighborhood of 13 instead of 18 years. It is probably not essential to the survival of the fittest among the bulls that there should be constant fighting on the rookeries between the bulls in charge of harems and a class of bulls of equal age and strength without harems but struggling to get them. The dead 838 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. bulls, and especially the dead cows, found by us in 1896-97, show that such strenuous conditions have a positively injurious effect. The severest ordeal which the bull fur seal has to pass through is undoubt- edly the harsh winter at sea. This weeds out the weak and defec- tive and the old, sending back to the breeding grounds in the spring only the . strongest and most vigorous. The result of the fighting between idle and active bulls, so far as the bulls themselves are con- cerned, has, for effect, only the maiming or crippling of a certain number of harem masters, their places being taken by animals of the same age and presumably no better qualified as breeders. The wounded animals withdraw from the rookeries. They either recover fully from their injuries or are put out by the storms of the winter, and again only the fittest are returned in the spring. It may be assumed that every adult bull which seeks and obtains a place on the rookeries in the spring is a fit animal. A proper pro- vision for maintaining a reserve of male life for breeding purposes is one which insures not a buffer of idle adult bulls about the breeding grounds, but a plentiful supply of young bulls growing up to take the places of those which fail to reappear in the spring. THE BREEDING COWS. The breeding season, beginning about June 10 and extending to about August 10, reaches a climax, known as the "height of the sea- son," about the 12th to the 18th of July. At this time the greatest number of cows are present, the harem discipline is rigid, and each family is definitely marked out. After this period the cows and pups scatter out and intermingle, the mother seals spend longer time at sea, the pups learn to swim, and the harem system breaks up. Prior to 1896 it was thought that at this height of the breeding season practically all the cows were present, and that an enumera- tion of the individual seals at that time would give a result approxi- mately correct. It was later found, however, from a count of the pups on certain rookeries, that even at this period of greatest expan- sion of the rookeries no more than half the cows were ever present at one time. The counts of cows made in 1896 were accordingly ignored in making up the census of breeding seals in this season and in 1897. Such counts would, however, have a comparative value, and accordingly the rookeries so counted in 1896 were recounted in 1909 on the same dates and in the same manner. They are as follows: Counts of cows. Rookery. 1897 1909 Kitovi . .. . . 2,436 1,319 1,286 1,049 470 654 497 892 281 Tolstoi Clifls 698 137 207 127 Little East 71 Total 7,711 2,413 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 839 The number of cows found at the same dates in 1909 on these breeding grounds is 31 per cent of the number found in 1897. This gives the same percentage of dechne that is shown by the com- parison of harems. The real measure of the herd of breeding cows, however, must be obtained from the count of pups. The mother seals are coming and going from the feeding grounds during the season, the periods of absence varying from 5 to 10 days and growing longer as the season advances ; but the pups remain for the first month or six weeks in one definite place on the rookery. A count of the pups is therefore the only sure index to the number of mothers. COUNTS OF PUPS. The pups learn to swim at the age of a month or six weeks. Prior to that time their place on the rookery is definitely fixed. In counting them it is necessary to go on the rookeries and drive off the adult animals. This counting can therefore not be done until the breeding season has broken up, and it must be done before the pups have learned to swim. The period between August 1 and 10 meets these two conditions. The counts of live pups were made in the season of 1909 on August 2 and 4, and are as follows, the records for 1897 being included for comparison: Rookery. 1897 1909 Kitovi Lagoon Tolstoi Cliffs. Zapadni Reef Ardiguen Total... 5,289 1,979 2,598 693 12,664 1,452 3,041 319 736 355 14,328 4,798 1 Count of 1896. The number of pups found on these typical rookery grounds in 1909 is 33 per cent of the number found 12 years ago. The individual rookeries show considerable variation, the percentage of decline on Tolstoi Cliffs being about 50, while that on Zapadni Reef is 90. The conditions on these rookeries are found to be extreme, however, and not properly apphcable to the breeding grounds generally. This was found to be the case also in 1896-97, and hence as in those seasons the more nearly typical condition of Eatovi rookery is taken in arriving at the number of breeding cows. The average harem of this rookery is found, by dividing the total number of pups born upon it by the number of families in the height of the season, to be 36. The average harem for 1897 on this rookery was 29.5, and for 1896, 34. The average harem of Kitovi rookery will therefore be used in estimating the number of cows and pups on the rookeries on which only harems were counted, the actual counts of pups being used on the rookeries on which they were made. It will be noted that the decline on Kitovi rookery alone as shown by a comparison of its stock of pups in 1897 with those in 1909 has been 63 per cent. 840 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ESTIMATES OF COWS AND PUPS. Applying the averp^ge harem of Kitovi rookery, 36, to those rook- eries on which only harems were counted, using the counts of pups where made, we are prepared to complete our estimates of the cows and pups. These are as follows, the estimates of 1897 being included for comparative purposes: Rookery. 1897 1909 St Paul. 9,086 736 13,393 3,009 5,289 4,100 4,218 2,200 1,180 6,873 26,845 13,511 5,192 2,200 8,702 2,891 2,598 4,320 355 Reef 6,624 Sivutch 2,196 1,979 Lukanin . . 1,404 1,512 Polovina CliSs 828 Little Polovina 684 Morjovi 1,620 Vostochni 6,624 Zapadni . . . 5,292 Little Zapadni 2,232 Zapadni Reef 319 Tolstoi 3,132 Tolstoi Cliffs.. . . . . . 1,452 Lagoon - ^ - - - 693 Total . . 1112,864 41,266 St. George. Little East 1,190 3,766 3,923 1,681 5,782 144 East 2,340 Zapadni 1,548 Staraya Artel 1,512 North ... - - - -- 3,816 Total 16,352 9, 3ao Summary. St. Paul 112,864 16,352 41,266 9,360 Total 129,216 50,626 ' The total here is 112,023; apparently an error in addition. Additions, etc., in this manuscript have not been verified. The totals given above are to be used double; that is, they do not include cows and pups, but give the number of cows, and there are a like number of pups. They represent a decline in the breeding femp.le stock and m the birth rate of pups of 61 per cent in the period of 12 years. This is the actual percentage of decline in the breeding herd, the conditions of one season being exactly compared mth the conditions of the other. The percentage differs for the two islands; that for St. Paul alone being 64, and for St. George alone being 43, the latter island having about one-fifth of the total herd. In the foregoing enumeration of cows and pups it is not claimed that the exact number of animals on the rookeries are given in these figures. They contain estimates for those rookeries on which tlie actual pups were not counted, which are obtained by applying to them the conditions of a single rookery, approximately, but not exactly, typical of the rookeries as a whole. Speaking of the census of 1896, which gave a total of 157,405 cows and as many pups, the commis- sion of that year said: "It is impossible that the enumeration should be made absolute. This total means between 150,000 and 160,000." SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 841 The commission intended the same qualification to apply to the cen- sus of 1897. Speaking in the same way of the above census of 1909 we may sav that the total of 50,626 means between, say, 48,000 and 55,000!^ The important thing about the enumeration for 1909 is that it is made m exactly the same way as that for 1897. Its estimates are the same. The personal equation of the observer is the same, and its results are fairly comparable with those of the census of 12 years ago, giving a safe comparative estimate of the condition of the herd. It gives an approximately accurate measure of the herd's decline. ESTIMATES BY AGENTS, In the report of the chief agent in charge of the fur-seal islands appear from year to year estimates of the fur-seal herd. In the litera- ture available to me I do not find these estimates for 1898 nor for 1908. The estimates for the intervening seasons are as f oUows : Year. 1900 1901 1902 1903 Harems. 4,573 4,310 3,797 2,837 2,343 Cows and pups. 89, 2fil 93,132 90,230 94,882 97,296 Year. 1904 1905 190G 1907, Harems. 2,169 1,758 1,440 1,210 Cows and pups. 87,585 78,836 64, 157 50,825 The apparent increase in cows shown in these estimates for the seasons of 1899 to 1903 has been hard to understand or accept. For the sam.e period there has been an apparent decrease of nearly one- half in the number of breeding families. The action of pelagic sealing was heavy and uninterrupted during this period and it seems impossi- ble that the herd should increase. When we come to examine the method of arriving at these esti- mates, however, the difficulty is easily cleared up. We find that with the season of 1899 there was a steady increase in the number of pups counted to secure the average harem to be applied to those rookeries on which pups were not counted. This soon included the whole of the rookeries of St. George and more than one-third of the island of St. Paul. The counts of pups were used directly in the estimates for St. George, and for the remainder of St. Paul, instead of an average harem based on the condition of Kitovi rookery, having about 3,200 pups, an average harem, obtained from rookery areas embracing about 25,000 pups, was used. Not only was this method widely difl'erent from that emplo3^ed by us in 1897, but there was more or less variation from year to year, all tending to increased accuracy and completeness, but at the same time tending toward results which were not comparable year by year or with the basis established in 1897. In the meantime the abnormal reduction of harems which marked this period, the cause of which had nothing to do with pelagic sealing, was affecting certain of the rookeries on which pups were being counted, in greater degree than others, especially those on which only harems could be counted. For example, in 1909 we find by the count 842 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. of live pups that the average harem on Lagoon, Tolstoi Cliffs, and Zapadni Reef is 52 cows; for Kitovi rookery alone, 36. But the conditions on the three former rookeries are not typical of the St. Paul rookeries as a whole. If these rookeries had been combined with Kitovi in completing the estimate for St. Paul, the average harem would have been increased to 43 instead of 36, with a corre- sponding increase in the number of cows. This average of Kitovi alone was used in 1909 because it was this average alone that was used in 1897. Lagoon, Tolstoi Cliffs, and Zapadni Reef, as well as other areas regularly counted for pups, are so situated that they have had few idle bulls. Being without hauling grounds they are out of the way of the young bulls. As a result they show, in the growing scarcity of bulls, a greater decrease in harems than in cows. Their inclusion during 1899-1907 in the data for obtaining the average harem for St. Paul has tended to give a unit that was disproportionately large for the uncounted rookeries, the result being an excess of cows which seemed to be an increase, but which was not. Wlien we consider the counts of pups by themselves for the seasons 1900 to 1903, we do not find any evidence of increase. On the por- tions of St. Paul and for the whole of St. George these counts are as follows : Year. St. Paul. St. George. Total. 1900 . . . . 18,831 17,972 16,835 15,781 17,953 14,671 14,830 14,647 36,784 1901 . . 32,643 1902 31,665 1903 30,428 We may therefore assume that no real increase in the herd of breeding cows occurred in the period in question, the apparent increase being abundantly accounted for by the altered method of making the estimate. AN EQUILIBRIUM IN THE HERD. In 1907 the full count of pups not having been made, the estimate of breeding seals for the year was made up by the chief agent on the basis of Kitovi rookery alone for St. Paul and North rookery for St. George. The resulting estimate is therefore more nearly com- parable with the estimate of 1897 and with the estimate of 1909 than any other made in the intervening season. It gave for the season of 1907 a total of 50,825 breeding cows. The total number of breeding cows for 1909 has been found to be 50,626. The close correspondence of these figures suggests a stationary condition in the breeding herd. It was recognized in 1896-97 that a condition of equilibrium in the herd might result from the gradual reduction of the pelagic catch. In paragraph 13 of the joint statement of fact agreed upon by the conference of fur-seal experts in 1897 this condition is expressed as follows: "It is equally plain that a certain number of females may be killed without involving the actual diminution of the herd if the number killed do not exceed the annual increment of the breeding herd, taking into account the annual losses by death through old age and through incidents of the sea." SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 843 In addition to the similarity of the final estimates of 1907 and 1909 a number of other conditions seem to point in this same direction. For example, let us compare the number of harems for the two seasons, which are as follows: Harems, 1907 and 1909. Rookery. St. Paul Kitovi Lagoon Polovina Cliffs Zapadni Reef Lukanin Tolstoi Cliffs Tolstoi Zapadni Little Zapadni Gorbatch Ardiguen Sivutch Polovina 1907 1909 55 55 15 12 24 23 10 11 i 34 39 i 30 25 99 87 155 147 68 62 108 120 11 11 45 61 33 42 1 Rookery. St. Paul — Continued Little Polovina Vostochni and Morjovi St. George. North Little East East Zapadni Staraya Artel Total The sMght increase in number of harems for 1909 may easily be accounted for by the fact that after having perhaps reached its lowest point in man)' years the stock of breeding bulls has begun to increase with a tendency to increase the number of harems, even though the stock of cows remains stationary. The number of idle bulls in 1907 was noted as 61; the number for 1909 was 189. Again, the trend of certain typical rookeries, as shown by the counts of pups, points toward equilibriiun. I do not have at hand the count of live pups for Kitovi for 1906, nor the count of North rookery for the present season; but taking three seasons for each rookers^ between 1906 and 1909 we have the follomng results: Pup counts. Year. Kitovi. North. 1906 3,854 1907. 1,959 1,960 1,979 4,185 1908 4,123 1909 The slight variation in these counts might easily be explained by inaccuracies in counting. The counts for North rookery in 1896 and 1897 were made by different persons. Finally, if there is not a virtual state of equilibriiun in the herd, it is difficult to understand the quota which has been taken for the past five years. This is as follows: Skins. 1905 *. . 14, 368 1906 14, 476 1907 14, 964 1908 14, 964 1909 14, 368 Under the conditions of 1896-97, when the killing was confined to animals of 3 years and older, these figures would not mean much; 844 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. but for the past three }ears at least the quota has included practi- cally all animals of 2 }ears of age and over that have appeared on the hauling grounds. With this fact in mind, unless we assume a virtual equilibrium in the herd we can not explain the equilibrium in its yield of bachelor seals. The real test of the matter, however, lies in the condition of the pelagic catch. This for the past four years has been as follows : Bering Sea and nortl iwest coast. Year. Canadian. Japanese. Total. 190G . . » 10,370 5,397 4,954 574 10, 515 8,782 20,885 1907 14, 179 1908 0) 1909 4,382 4,956 1 Incomplete. These figures are incomplete. Those for 1906-7 are quoted in the chief agent's report for 1907; those for 1908 for the Canadian fleet alone were obtamed at the office of the American consul at Victoria. The figures for 1909 are those reported by the revenue-cutter fleet to August 14. The most that can be said for them is that they mark a heavy decline in the pelagic catch, tending to bring it witliin the mar- gin of natural gain. The idea of the equilibrium in the breeding herd is based upon the assumption that the stock of breeding females is each year augmented by a certain number of 3-year-old cows coming to bring forth their first pups, and that under normal conditions this increment of young cows exceeds the natural losses of the breeding stock through acci- dents and losses through old age. Unaflected by pelagic sealing, therefore, we would expect the herd to show increase from year to year in proportion to the margin of gain. Under the action of pelagic sealing, which results in the killing of breeding females, we would expect the herd to show decrease so long as the number of females taken by the pelagic sealers exceeded this margin of gain. When the number of females in the pelagic catch equals the margin of gain there will be equilibrium. If it falls below the margin of gain, the herd will increase even under pelagic sealing. A herd of 50,000 breeding female fur seals gives a birth rate of 50,000 pups. Half of these will in the course of time appear on the hauling grounds as killable seals; the other half will appear as young breeders on the rookeries, each class being diminished by all the natural losses and accidents incident to the life of the young fur seal on land and in the sea. In 1896-97 we were inclined to estimate this natural loss prior to the age of 3 years at one-half of the number born. It is probable, however, that this estimate is too high for the diminished herd. It may be, for example, that feeding conditions arePnot so strenuofts as a result of diminished numbers. At any rate the yield of the killing fields for the past five years would seem to indicate a higher rate of survival than one-half, practically two-thirds; or, from a herd of 50,000 breeding females, 15,000 young males of 3 j^ears of age and a like number of females of the same age. The increment of gain to the breeding herd has therefore in the past three to five years been about 15,000 young cows each season. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 845 Assuming that the age of the female is approximately 13 years, she has an average breeding period of 10 seasons. The natural loss to the herd of 50,000 adult cows would be about one-tenth each season, or 5,000. The net increment of gain woidd therefore be about 10,000. Pelagic sealing not exceeding tJiis number of females woidd hold the herd in equiUbrium, and to the extent to which it might fall below tliis number would permit of its increase. If we consider the pelagic catcli for 1907, applying to its total of 14,179 seals a proportion of two-thirds ' for females, we find that it probably entailed a loss of approximately 9,800 females; or, if we assume a proportion of three-fourths,^ the loss would be approximately 11,000. This is in either case just about the loss which the herd in its present state coidd sustain without materially decreasing. It is probable that the total pelagic catch for 1908 was less than that in 1907, and the catch for 1909, as reported for the Japanese fleet to August 14, amounting only to 4,383, will be lighter still, the Canadian catch for this season being insi^ni'ficant. In view of all tliese considerations I am inclined to believe that the loss sustained by the herd through pelagic sealing, by reason of the reduced catch, has in the past three seasons fallen within the natural increment of gain and that the herd is virtually in a state of equilib- rium at its lowest point. Whether or not this is actually the case only the observations of the coming and subsequent seasons can absolutely determine; but the conditions of the seasons 1907-1909 certainly seem to fulfill all the theoretical requirements of a state of equilibrium. THE NON15REEDING SEALS. The nonbreeding seals comprise the reserve of breeding males, the killable seals 6r bachelors, the 2-year-old cows, and the yearlings of both sexes. THE BREEDING RESERVE. This may be divided again into the idle bulls, the young or half bulls, and the reserve of older bachelors. 1. The idle hulls. — These are adult males, equal in age and strength to the active or harem bulls, but they have been unable either by reason of unfavorable location or of diminution of cows to secure harems. They occupy the hill slopes in the rear of the harem bidls, fighting more or less among themselves and with the harem masters during the season, in the latter case tr3nng to steal cows, in many cases succeeding and probably in most cases securing temporary harems toward the close of the breeding season uhen the vigilance of the harem bulls is relaxed. In 1896-97 the idle bulls as a class out- numbered the active bulls and were the cause of continual turmoil and confusion on the rookc^ries. The animals of this class in 1909 were few in number, only 189 in all, forming a very striking contrast to the condition in 1897. In the strict sense of the word the idle bull is not a reserve bull, but a superfluous bull. Of the same age, practicality, as the active bull, perhaps older, he is just as apt as the latter to disappear in the 1 Proportion of females in pelagic catch: Alexander, 1895, 62 pei cent; Halket, 1896, 84 per cent. 846 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. winter mi,gration in the sea, which acts as a sifting process for the aged and infirm, sending back to the rookeries in the spring only the most fit. At most, he can be said onlv to provide a substitute for some harem bull which may accidentally become disabled. There is no benefit to the rookeries m having them overrun with this class of animals, as they were in 1896-97. The conditions in this respect in 1909 were more rational and normal. 2. The young or half hulls. — These animals are young males which, though sexually mature, have not yet developed the strength and confidence which enables them to contend with the experienced harem masters. In the height of the breeding season they occupy positions in the rear of the idle bulls or on the water front of the rookeries. They are appropriate!}" called "quitters" by the agents, because they will not stand on the approach of a man and will not charge in defence of their positions, as the idle bulls will. They move on and if too closely pressed will take to the water. They are an unstable feature of rookery life — here to-da^, yonder to-morrow — and many of them appear regularly in the drives among the bachelors. Toward the close of the breeding season many of them succeed in obtaining harems of young cows. These animals constitute the real reserve of male life on which the maintenance of the breeding herd must rely. COUNTS OF IDLE AND HALF BULLS. In making the count of harems in the height of the breeding season, careful counts of the idle and half bulls were made. These counts are as follows: Harem. St. Paul. Gorbatch Ardiguen Reef Sivutch Kitovi Lukanin Polovina Polovina Cliffs. . Little Polovina. Morjovi Vostoclini Zapadni Little Zapadni.. Idle. Young. 26 Harem. St. PawZ— Continued. Zapadni Reef. Tolstoi Tolstoi Clifls. . Lagoon St. George. Little East... East Zapadni Staraya Artel. North Total. Idle. 189 Young. 1 1 14 13 4 1 3 1 14 29 13 22 10 7 7 26 324 This reserve of breeding males is 37 per cent of the number of active bulls. Leaving out the idle bulls, the stock of young bulls is itself 23 per cent of the active list. If we assume an average maximum age of 13 years for the male and an average age of 8 years for beginning harem duty, the natural loss of breeding males would be one-fifth annually, or, with the present stock of active bulls, 277. The supply of young males exceeds this. The herd is therefore well supplied with breeding males. The conditions of 1909, however, stand in marked contrast in this respect to the conditions of 1897. In the latter season we estimated the number of idle bulls at 5,000 and the young bulls at 10,000. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 847 3. TTie reserve oj bachelors. — Beginning with the season of 1904, there has been set aside each spring a special breeding reserve of 2,000 young males of 2 and 3 j^ears of age. These animals have been marked by clipping the head with sheej) shears, giving them a whitish mark readily distinguishing them to the clubbers. They are care- fully exempted on the kilhng field and released. This method of creating a breeding reserve seems open to consid- erable criticism, and has apparently been only moderately successful. The mark put upon the animal is a temporary one. The fur is replaced during the fall and winter, and the following spring the marked seals can not be recognized. The animals being 2 and 3 years of age are still killable the next season, the 2-year-olds in fact the second season. A new lot of 2,000 is clipped the next season, and these are carefully exempted, but, except in so far as animals of the previous season's marking are reclipped, they have no protection the second season, and without doubt are killed. If such is not the case, it is difficult to understand what becomes of them. The annual reservation from 1904 to 1907, both seasons included, would aggregate 8,000 animals. These animals would be of ages ranging from 8 to 5 years this season. The only animals present in 1909 which could have resulted from this reservation were the 513 idle and half bulls. Even if we assume that they have in the meantime replaced the entire stock of breeding bulls, this would account for only 1,900 of them, and the active bulls were for the most part of a distinctly older class. The number set aside in attempting to create this breeding reserve has, of course, been entirely too high. At the time the plan was in- augurated the entire stock of active bulls was only 2,169. If we assume enough idle bulls to bring the adult breeding stock up to 2,500, the breeding life of the bull being at least 5 seasons, 500 would have been the increment necessary to maintain the stock. Allowing for a considerable loss through pelagic sealing, 600 to 800 would have been an ample reserve. For the present this reserve should be reduced to about 500 animals. They should be chosen from the older animals, the 4-year-olds, not 2 and 3 year olds. An animal of this age, protected by some mark distinguishing him to the clubber, would have developed a "wig" by the following season and this would afford him all further necessary protection. The present use of a temporary mark placed on the head has this further objection: It puts a premium on carelessness in clubbing. If the animal is set aside for breeding purposes the mark put upon him might well be a permanent one, marring the value oi his skin to the pelagic sealer who may chance to get it. The fact of this blemish will enforce greater care on the killing field. The clipping on the head is doubtless the best mark for the clubber. A brand inflicted by burning can not safely be put on the head, but while the animal is being clipped there is no reason why a brand with a hot iron or an electric cautery should not be applied to his back or shoulders. The present method of marking the breeding reserve not merely eliminates the penalty for careless clubbing but lends aid and comfort to the enemy of the fur seal, the pelagic sealer. But whatever may be said of the shortcommgs of this method of creating a breeding reserve, the fact remains that an entirely ade- 848 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. quate reserve of bulls, young and old, has been maintained, and this reserve is on the increase. During the present season it has been augmented by 2,000 animals, part of which may well be taken for the quota of next season. The number clipped or branded for next season need not exceed 500, and these being selected from the 3-year- old animals saved this season will then have developed wigs and achieved final safety by the spring of 1911. THE "scarcity" OF BULLS. During the seasons 1903 to 1906 there was marked in the rookery conditions of the Pribilof Islands an unusual reduction in adult male life. This is shown by the following summary of totals from the counts made by the agents for the seasons in question: Idle and half hulls. Year. St. Paul. St. George. Total. Year. St. Paul. St. George. Total. 1903. 418 232 119 80 418 294 141 101 1907. 1908. 1909. 234 205 385 32 61 128 268 1904. 62 22 21 266 1905. 513 1906 Through misinterpretation of such phrases as "scarcity" of bulls, "dearth" of bulls, etc., as applied to this condition, some alarm was created in 1904 as to the adequacy of male life on the rookeries. This is shown by the report of the hearing before the Committee on Ways and Means of the Fifty-eighth Congress under date of March 9 and 10. That the situation in this period warranted close attention is clearly shown by the above counts. That the superfluous and reserve male life on the rookeries should have fallen from 15,000 animals in 1897 to 294 in 1904 and later to 101 animals in 1906 was indeed a matter for alarm. The fact, however, that at the very lowest point in this fall there were bulls to spare inidcates that no actual injury resulted to the breeding herd. The gradual increase of the reserve of males since 1906 as clearly indicates that the energetic action of the agents in creating a breeding reserve operated to turn the tide of decline and safeguard the future interests of the herd. This decline in male life on the rookeries is interesting because two distinct causes were at work to produce it. One cause had to do with the disappearance of the idle bull class; the other had to do with the failure of an adequate supply of young bulls to escape from the killing fields. These causes were widely separated in time of action, one dating some 12 to 15 years back, the other beginning perhaps in 1900 and being still in operation. As the first cause had to do with a modus vivendi in which killing on land was arbitrarily restricted, and the outcome of the alarm in 1904 over the effect of the two causes resulted in the proposal in the Fifty-eighth Congress of a law providing for another modus vivendi arbitrarily restricting land killing, it is worth while to consider this matter of the reduction of male life in some detail. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 849 THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE IDLE BULLS. In 1896-97 we found the idle bulls and young bulls dominant on the rookeries. We estimated the number of the former at 5,000, of the latter at 10,000. These estimates may have been slightly high, but the effect produced by the presence of these superfluous animals, together with the turmoil and fighting they induced, is very well represented by the figures. We considered the idle bulls, and the young bulls which were bound to grow up to be idle bulls, as a posi- tive menace to the breeding herd, recommending their reduction by killing. The cause of this excess of male life was recognized by the com- mission of 1896-97 to be the modus vivendi of 1892-93, with the reduced killing of the year preceding, in all three seasons land kUling being arbitrarily restricted to a few animals to provide food for the natives, the bulk of the young male life being left to gi'ow up as bulls. These animals were, respectively, 4, 5, and 6 years of age in 1894. There was a further less extensive restriction of land killing in 1894 and 1895. By 1896-97 these animals, exempted in 1891, 1892, and 1893, were 6, 7, and 8 years of age and constituted the bulk of the superfluous male life on the rookeries in those seasons. By 1901 they were 11, 12, and 13 years of age, and having reached what appears to be the average age of the bull fur seal they disap- peared as definitely and arbitrarily in the seasons of 1901, 1902, arid 1903 as they had appeared 10 years previously in the category of prospective bulls. The operation of the modus vivendi of 1892-93, in so far as the restriction of land killing was concerned, worked only injury to the herd. The abnormal conditions it created on the rookeries persisted for many years and served to obscure their real status. Had the joint resolution of the Fifty-eighth Congi'ess, directing the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to suspend the killing of seals on land, pre- vailed, a result similar to that which we have just described — filling them with a horde of idle, fighting bulls — would have occurred, to the actual detriment of the breeding herd. THE AGES OF THE SEALS. An incidental thing of some value this modus vivendi of 1892-93 seems to have done. It practically fixes the age of the average adult male fur seal at about 13 years. A gi'eat body of these animals was seen to disappear, practically as a class, 10 years after a date when they were known to be 3 years of age. This must fix within very close range the life of the adult male. Further light on this subject ought to result from continued obser- vation of the 5 branded bulls and 34 branded cows observed this season on the rookeries. These animals were branded not later than 1902, and as the same mark was used for several successive seasons there will at best be a margin of doubt. But one bull bearing a brand has been recognized as occupying a place on Kitovi rookery for five consecutive seasons. He is of the oldest type of animal to be seen on the rookeries. If he entered upon harem duty at 6, 7, or 8 years, he is now either 11, 12, or 13 years of age. This, again, does 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 54 850 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. not fix the matter with absokite certainty, but, taken in connection with the disappearance of the idle bulls created by the modus vivendi of 1S92-93, it helps to indicate the average breeding age of the bull as about 13 years. With a view to helping in the solution of this problem, the perma- nent branding suggested for the breeding reserve of males should be varied from season to season, so that the je&r in which the particu- lar brand borne by an animal was given may be known. The large number of branded animals now visible on the rookeries would go far to settle this question of ages if it were not that through lack of variation in the brand it can not be determined in which of the three seasons — 1900, 1901, 1902 — any particular animal was branded. THE 2- YEAR-OLDS AND YEARLINGS. It is hard to arrive at a definite estimate of these animals. The 2-year-old bachelors appear on the hauling grounds and under the present method of killing form the greater part of the quota of the lessees. Of the quota of this season 7,178 skins were under 7 pounds in weight. There were rejected from the killing fields 1,110 animals too small to be killed. This number can not be taken at its full value because some of the animals were undoubtedly driven more than once. Of the animals marked for the breeding reserve about one-half, or 1,000, were probably 2-year-olds. This gives us a total of about 9,000 for animals of 2 years old which with more or less certainty are known to have appeared on the hauling grounds in 1909. This number can not, however, represent all the 2-year-olds. As we have already seen, in discussing the matter of equilibrium, the quota has remained stationary at between 14,000 and 15,000 for several years. While this number includes animals of 2, 3, and 4 years each season, the fact remains that to maintain this quota there must necessarily have survived for these seasons of equilibrium in quota an equal number of 2-3'ear-old animals. We are forced therefore to believe that in addition to the 9,000 animals above accounted for in the season of 1909, there are other animals of the 2-year-old class which either have not appeared on the hauling grounds during the season or failed to appear because killed last season as yearlings. How many such animals there may be to be accounted for it is hard to sa}^ Few if any yearlings were seen this season on the hauling grounds and only a few on the breeding f rounds prior to August 5. They will appear later in the season, t may be that a certain number of the 2-year-olds associating with th-^im are absent with them at sea. However, from the fact that the quota of the past five years has remained stationary at slightly less than 15,000 skins, it would seem that there must have been during this period an equal number of 2-3^ear-old animals, and we may therefore assume that 15,000 virgin cows came to the breeding grounds for service during the season of 1909. The yearlings of both sexes for the season must number about 12,000 'each. This question of the proportion of the sexes surviving to killable and breeding age is a fundamental one. It could be settled in a very SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 851 few seasons by such regulation of killing for the quota as would Umit it to animals of 3 years of age and over, leaving the 2-year-olds untouched. The quota would then fall where it belongs, on the 3-year-olds, and give a close approximation of the survivals among the young males, wliich in turn could be applied to the young females. This was the method used in 1896-97, when a minimum of 6 pounds in weight of skins prevailed. During the present season and for some seasons past a minimum of 5 pounds has been in force, the skins taken ranging in weight all the way from 4 to 14-i pounds, bringing all classes of animals from j^^earlings to 4-3^ear-olds into the quota. The result of this manner of killing is that we have no clear idea from the quota of the number of younger animals belonging to the herd. From the irregularity of the movements of the yearlings of both sexes and the 2-year-old cows, they can not be counted or other- wise accurately estimated on the rookeries.' ESTIMATE OF SEALS OF ALL CLASSES. Grouping the several counts and estimates heretofore given and including the corresponding figures for 1897 for purposes of compari- son, we have the following summary of all classes of animals in the fur-seal herd appearing or to appear on the breeding islands this season : Category. Breeding bulls 4, 418 Breeding cows 129, 216 Pups 129,216 " 5,000 10,000 2,000 20,000 Idle bulls. Young bulls Bachelor reserve. . . Two-year-old cows. 1909 1,387 50,626 50,626 189 324 4,114 15.000 Category. Two-year-old males Yearling males Yearling females Quota Total 1897 20,000 30,000 30,000 20.886 402,850 1909 12.000 12,000 14,638 158,520 » Included in quota of 1909. THE QUOTA. In 1896 the maximum figure set for the quota to be taken by the lessees was 30,000, and the full number was taken without difficultv, owing to the fact that in the two preceding seasons the killing had been somewhat restricted, the maximum quotas for 1894 and 1895 being, respectively, 20,000 and 15,000. The maximum limit was in effect removed in 1897 and the driving and killing was continued later than usual, in fact until the 10th of August, the purpose being to avoid a possible claim by the British commission of investigation that the quota for this season was sub- ject to arbitrary reduction, its reduction under natural conditions being recognized as a factor in the decline of the herd then under investigation by a joint American and British scientific commission. The number of skins taken in 1897 was 20,766 and the difference be- tween this figure and that of the preceding season was admitted as an evidence of dechne. 1 It should be explaiued here that the minimum of 5 pounds does not apply to seals killed by natives for food. Skins under and over weight included in quota are from food drives. 852 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The following is a list of the maximum and actual quota for the seasons 1896 to 1909, to which the annual estimates of breeding seals are appended for purposes of comparison : Years. Breeding herd. 1896. 1897. 1898. 1899. 1900. 1901. 1902. Maxi- mum quota. 157,405 129, 216 30,000 89,261 93, 132 90,236 94,882 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 Skins taken. 30,000 20, 766 18,032 16,812 22,470 22, 672 22, 386 Years. 1903 97, 296 1904 87, 585 1905 78,836 64, 157 1906 1907 50, 825 1908 1909 50,626 Breeding herd. Maxi- mum quota. 30,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 Skins taken. 19,292 13,128 14,368 14,476 14,964 14,964 114,368 » Thirty-two of these were hold overs from 1908. Assuming that the quota of 1896 was somewhat abnormal on account of a surplus of larger bachelors left over from previous sea- sons, we may consider the quota of 1897 as practically normal, repre- senting the approximate product of the hauling grounds. For the season of 1909 we find that a quota of 14,368 skins is taken as against this quota for 1897 of 20,766. In short, from a herd reduced by practically two-thirds of itself in 12 years there has been taken a quota reduced by only slightly more than one-fourth of itself. The maintaining of a fixed maximum quota on a rapidly declining herd inevitably led to close killing. With the right to take 30,000 skins, the leasing company naturally took just as many skins as it could get without reference to the condition of the breeding herd or of its reserve of breeding males. The maximum quota should have been fixed upon a sliding scale determined by the known de- crease of the herd. Until 1899 the number of skins taken under the quota showed the gradual reduction which the diminishing herd made natural and inevitable. In the year 1900, however, we find the number of skins taken rising to above 22,000, a gain of 6,000 skins. With a diminishing herd this was impossible under normal conditions. We find the cause of the rise in a statement from the report of the chief agent quoted in the hearing before the Ways and Means Committee of the Fifty-eighth Congress on March 9 and 10, 1904, as follows: The lessees during the season of 1901 took skins ranging from a maximum of 10 pounds to a minimimi of 5 pounds. Previous to 1900 the lowest limit of weight was 6 pounds, but a 5-pound limit was established that year, and during the past season (1901) as many 5-pound skins as could be found were taken. This lowering of the limit of skins to 5 pounds accounts for the rise in the number of skins secured. It permitted the taking of a younger animal and the reserve of 2-year-olds was made to eke out the 3-year-olds. This anticipated in part the quota of the following year. By bearing more hea^dly on the 2-year-olds the next season and by taking practically all of them in the third season, the catch was maintained at slightly above 22,000 skins for the three seasons. Then came the inevitable decline to 19,000 in 1903, and again in 1904 to 13,000. At this point the maximum quota was lowered to 15,000 skins, and active measures were taken by the Government agents to insure the escape of a sufiicient number of males for breed- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 853 ing purposes. Since 1904 the work of the killing season has repre- sented a kind of contest between the agents and the lessees, the former to save its breeding reserve, the latter to get eveiy possible skin. As we have already shown in discussing the method of creating the breeding reserve of bachelors, the lessees have in all probability taken regularly each season the greater part of the animals set apart the preceding season, there appearing only a net gain of 324 animals from a total reservation of 8,000. In the quota of St. Paul Island for 1909 are 1,017 skins of 8 to 8f pounds weight. The killing of last season being practically as close as this, it is improbable that tliis number of animals could have escaped killing ia 1908 unless they belonged to the class exempted by clipping m that season, but taken this season because of the obliteration of the mark. The following figures drawn from the very complete statistics of the killings kept by the agents illustrate the difference in condi- tions on the killing fields between 1897 and the seasons following 1904: Percentage of animals killed to those driven. Rejected animals. Year. Large. Small. Branded. 1897 44 56 59 59 08 7,522 641 735 1,707 2,076 15,829 4,794 5,548 3,980 1,537 1904 1,888 1905 1,516 1,705 1906 .. . 1907 1,533 1908 1909 : 69 1,185 1,110 1,915 The percentage of animals Idlled to those driven in 1897 was 44. This percentage has steadily risen since 1904 until in the season of 1909 it is 69, and this figure is not strictly comparable with the per- centage of 1897. In that season no branded reserve for breeding purposes was made and all killable seals were taken. In 1909 a breeding reserve having been set aside from the class of Idllable seals, 1,915 animals belonging to this reserve were rejected in the killings. To make tlie conch tions of 1909 correspond with those of 1897 this number must be added to the animals killed, bringing the total of Idllable seals up to 83 per cent of those driven. In other words, had the close killing of 1909 been applied to the season of 1897, 83 instead of 44 per cent of the animals driven would have been killed. Tliis high percentage of animals Idlled together with tlie steady and rapid diminution of the animals rejected on the Idlling fields, because too small, points to a rapid exhaustion of the reserve sup- ply of bachelors from wliicli succeeding quotas are to be drawn. For the season of 1909 there is every indication that the lessees have taken every available bachelor above tlie age of 1 year, with the exception of the marked reserve. On the closing day of the present sealing season every hauling ground on both islands was driven from, and Gorbatch and Zapadni twice, in the effort to reach 854 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the legal quota of 15,000. In short, the North American Commer- cial Co. has in the closing season of its lease cleaned up the hauling grounds of the islands in the same thorough manner that the Alaska Commercial Co. did in 1889. The quota for 1910 must come exclu- sively from the yearlings of this season, unless indeed there are animals of killable age to appear on the hauling grounds next year which did ]iot visit them this. This view of the situation is not presented with the intention of criticising close killing at the present time. The conditions just now are exceptional. With a hostile fleet of hunters stationed on the 3-niile line ready to shoot down every animal attempting to cross it, an ample breeding reserve being provided for, it has been wise to take every possible animal bearing a skin on wiiich the les- sees would pay the royalty. At the same time it is not plain that were the conditions otherwise tlie representatives of the Government could help themselves. The liistory of the kilhng field since 1900 strongly suggests the wisdom of reserving to the Government in the future more complete control of the work of taldng the quota. The interests of the lessees and those of the herd are by no means iden- tical, and the latter are paramount. MORTALITY AMONG THE SEALS. The causes of mortality among the seals may be distinguished as of two kinds — natural and exceptional — the former having to do with conditions inherent in the herd itself, the latter due to its con- tact with man. 1. The natural mortality. — In 1896, 28 adult bulls were found on the rookeries dead from fighting with other bulls. No such dead bulls were found in 1909. Three bachelors were noted in 1897 as dead from accidents on the hauling grounds. One bachelor was found this season imprisoned by the shifting of a bowlder, the animal starving to death. In 1897, 131 cows were found dead under con- ditions wliich suggested rough treatment by fighting bulls. No deaths were noted in 1909 that could certainly be assigned to this cause. Four dead cows seen were in too advanced a state of decom- position to permit of accurate determination as to the cause of death. A prolific c?,use of death among the very young pups in 1896-97 was found in the action of a small parasitic worm, uncinaria, which developed in the small intestines of the ver}^ young pups, causing deatJi through anemia or possibly toxic poisoning. A mortality aggregating 11,000 pups was found in 1896 from this cause. It was hoped that the present season's work woidd throw some ad- ditional light on this subject, but such has not been the case so far as my observations arc concerned. In the first place the diminished breeding herd has wholly abandoned those areas on which the para- site was found to be most deadly. The sand flat of Tolstoi rookery and the "death traps" of Zapadni contained no seals this season. The masses on Reef and other rookeries which occupied the flat sandy areas had all shrunk back to the l)Owlder beach. A certain number of dead pups were found as the season pro- gressed which suggested death from the worm, but in every case the primarj^ cause of death and apj^arently the only one was starvation. In 1896-97 pelagic seahng did not begin until August 1, and its effect SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 855 in the starvation of pups was not felt on the roolccries until after the middle of the month. In ] 909 pelafi:ic sealing was in active operation, about the islands througliout the month of eTuly, and its victims both sick and dead took the place of the animals which in 1S96-97 wc found affected with uncinaria. This subject was special!}' assigned to }ardize his catch and vessel for the slight advan- tage which the forbidden waters may offer. The real advantage would be in landing and makmg a raid. The patrol at sea is a roundabout way of dealing \Nith a raid. It would undoubtedly be attempted in a fog, when the cutters can not be safely handled close to the shore. A strong guard in the vicinity of the rookeries is a much more effective means of protection. The patrol will prevent raiding, but there its efficacy ends. The vessels and men must stand about helplessly and see the same slaughter of the seals accomplished from the safe vantage of the 3-mile limit. A less vigilant sea patrol combined with a strong shore guard of marines would accomplish something in the way of seizures. Let the patrol at sea be relaxed. Let raids be attempted and let the men guarding the rookeries have an opportunity to fight it out with the invaders. The patrol of the 60-mile zone is at present useless. The sealing 10 or 20 miles within it is not so good as that far be; ond it. As the captain of the Canadian schooner Thomas F. Bayard said to me in Dutch Harbor; "The cutters \\\\\ not find me on the 60-mile zone; our best sealing is 90 to 150 miles out." Furthermore, there is no sealing within the closed zone which can be effectivel;. carried on by means of the spear, the only weapon available to the Canadian sealer. If he violates the law and comes within the zone the patrolling vessels will have a better opportunity to seize him close to the islands. The onh" sea patrol therefore which is realh- necessan at the present time is that at or near the 3-mile limit. The main point being the guarding of the rookeries from raiding, the most effective and econom- ical method of accomplishing this purpose would seem to be a strong shore guard cooperatmg ^dth one or more vessels off shore, the two forces operating under one control. It would seem best that the officer directing this defense be stationed on St. Paul Island rather than at L^nalaska, 250 miles away. I am aware that the idea of a marine guard on the islands is not likeh" to be a popular one. The attitude of the representatives of the lessees during the present season toward the acts of the patrol fleet, from the cruising of its launches to the sounding of its whistles in the fog, was frankly critical, almost hostile. The suggestion of a marine guard does not in an^' wa}' call in question the courage or efficiency of the native guards or of the agents. The courage and zeal of both were abundantly tested in the stirring events of the season of 1906 and not found wanting. The natives and agents are, however, occu- pied during the season with other duties. The points to be guarded are distant from the villages. The guards can not therefore have the personal direction of the agents at all times. If a raid should occur at Northeast Point it would take between three and four hours by team to get reinforcements or one of the agents to that point, because of roads that are slow by day and impassable at night. The native guard must in the meantime be left to his own devices. It stands to reason that trained marines under proper officers would be more reliable and effective. The question is merely one of economy and administration — how to get the best results at a minimum cost. It must not be lost sight of that the present patrol is an expensive thing. I do not know what the 864 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. cost has been for the present season, but in 1896 Capt. C. L. Hooper,, then in command of the patrol fleet, estimated the cost for that season at $176,380. There were five vessels that season, four this, with a season twice as long, covering June and July as well as August and September. If we a.pplT this estimate of Capt. Hooper's to the past 13 seasons, we find that this patrol, which has been powerless to prevent or stay the decline of the herd, has cost approximately $2,275,000. The patrol must be maintained so long as pelagic seal- ing exists, but if it is possible to reduce the number of vessels oper- ating at sea by strengthening the shore defenses the matter is one worthy of serious consideration. ROOKERY MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL. The proper management and control of the fur-seal herd involves a complex problem which can not easily be stated in detailed form. The commission of 1896-97 was content, aside from offering a few suggestions, to rest the whole matter on a single recommendation — that the herd should be put in charge of a competent naturalist, who should act as its custodian, have full control of its interests, and devote himself to mastering its problems and improving its condition. The initiative and growdng ■ experience of such a man would naturally suggest and mrJtiplj" wa;\"s and means of accomplishing the desired end. The problems of the herd all remain unsolved, and the one great need still is for such a custodian. The history of the past 13 }ears shows that this work can not be left to the regular agents. It is not reasonable that it should be. They have their regular duties to perform, and in the pressure of these the special needs and problems of the herd are naturally set aside. In 1896-97 two practical experiments were inaugurated by the com- mission and sufficienth" tested to warrant considering them feasible. If these two experiments had been faithfully and persistently carried out 3"ear by year they would have settled the fur-seal question by the elimination of pelagic sealing; but they were abandoned. The first of these experiments w\as the branding of the female fur- seal pups to destroy the value of their skins. The second experi- ment involved the herding of the bachelor seals, as they were rejected from the killing fields, in the wSalt Lagoon and Webster Lake, wliich had been fenced for the purpose, thus keeping them out of the reach of tlie sealers. It is inconceivable that pelagic sealing would now be an active and profitable business if the animals — the breed- ing females — wliich make up the bulk of its catch yielded sldns Eractically wortliless because branded, the remaining animals — the achelors — being shut up on land out of their reach. It is nonsense to call these experiments failures as they have been designated. The 40 branded adult animals, marked nine or ten years ago, which were seen this season on the breeding grounds in charge of harems or occupying harems with their pups abundantly disproves this charge. The branded female fur-seal skin on exhibition in the Natural History Museum at Victoria is an object lesson as to the effect on the pelagic sealer of the accomplished fact of branding. These experiments had, moreover, a wider intent than that of a mere deterrent to pelagic sealing. They provided a means by wliich we could put our property mark upon these animals and demon- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 865 strate such control over them as is commonly exercised in the case of domestic animals in whicli men claim and maintain property rights when they wander beyond their owners' boundaries. The efTects of these experiments were not so apparent in con- nection with Canadian sealing. Its status had been fixed b}^ our acceptance of the findings of the Paris award. The sphere of its operation was remote from the islands. In the turn which pelagic sealing has taken in the meantime their importance, however, has vastly increased. We now have a fleet of vessels from another nation to deal with wliose right to take seals at sea we have not formally recognized and whose operations are carried on witliin sight of our shores and the rookeries winch constitute the breeding home of the animals. Looking at the matter in any light one chooses, there seems to be no excuse or palliation for the neglect to follow and utilize these practical agencies of defense witliin our reach. Much was said when the experiments were inaugurated about the probable injurious effect on the seals. The disturbance of the rookeries was great and worthy of consideration, but alwa^^s in the light of the probable good that might arise. There was. however, back of our advocacy of the branding experiment in 1896-97, the record of the 20 years in which from 10,000 to 15,000 pups were regularly driven up each fall, the females culled out, and the males killed for natives' food. This process was identical with that of branding. No suggestion had ever been made that this process of driving and Idlling pups had injured the herd. Furthermore, among the statistics wliich the work of tlie agents in the past 12 years have made available are a series of counts of live pups, showing that for seven or eight years there were regularl}^ counted a total of approximately 40,000 live pups on the rookeries of the two islands. This was practically half of all the pups born annually. It was a heavy labor, involving much disturbance of the breeding herd, and the results of the counts are unimportant. But little additional labor wo aid have been necessary to brand an equal number of pups and the rookery disturbance would have been no greater. In the plan of creating a breeding reserve, wliich has been in operation since 1904, this principle of branding sliould have found application. Instead of merely clipping the heads of these young males, a permanent brand destro^nng the value of the skin should have been used, removing the possibility of the animals being included in future quotas and making their skins valueless to the pelagic sealer. It should have been possible, moreover, to herd this breeding reserve with other bachelors in the Salt Lagoon. The work of counting hve pups on Kitovi rookery in 1909 was looked upon by the agents as a regrettable necessity and strongly condemned by the representatives of the lessees because it turned breeding females into the sea which might thus come witliin the reach of pelagic sealers. At the same time, animals set apart for breeders among the males and bachelors to form the nucleus of the quota of next year were turned back into the sea daily without compunction in the 33 drives of the season on St. Paul Island. 2403— H. Doc. 93. 62-1 55 866 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. It is on the killing field, however, that the great need of a guiding and controlling hand is shown. In 1896-97 the Government agents ordered the drives. This season they have been entirely in the hands of the lessees. The young males set aside for breeding purposes having been marked, the lessees have been free to take what they could get, and this resulted in their taking practically all of the bachelors appearing on the hauling grounds. The one limit on the killings was that they should cease on the 31st of July. Tliis limit in itself is subject to criticism. In 1897 the driving was continued as late as August 10. With a fixed legal quota, and a limited time in wliich to secure it from a faiUng herd, there naturally results close severe driving. In the eagerness to see that no possible bachelor escapes, tlie edges of the rookeries are encroached upon and cows included in the drives. Fifty of them appeared in drives toward the close of this season. A drive that can not be made without including cows should be omitted. A drive wliich appears on the killing field with 15 to 20 cows in it sliould be released rather than incur the danger of clubbing any such cow by mistake. There should be some one in charge of the herd with power and discretion to do this. With a limited killing season, however, this would be unfair to the lessees. There should also be power and dis- cretion to waive the limit and extend the time of killing if necessary. There has been on the killing grounds since 1900 a constant struggle on the part of the leasing company in the closing years of its con- cession to get every possible skin from the declining herd. Its work has been aided by a high arbitrary legal quota and by a lowered minimum weight of skin, enabling it to gradually anticipate the quotas of succeeding years by killing younger animals. As a result there has occurred in these years probably the closest killing to which the lierd has ever been subjected. Aside from the diminished supply of male life on the breeding grounds in 1904, tliis is shown in the fact that though the herd has declined two-tliirds in size, the quota has never fallen more than one-third in size as compared with that of 1897. Opposed to tliis struggle of the lessees has been the counter struggle of the Government's representatives to rescue a breeding reserve. Fortunately it has been successful. With a declining herd this close killing has not been so important as it would be in the case of an increasing herd. Fewer and fewer bulls have constantly been needed on the breeding grounds. Of the 5,000 bulls occupying harems in 1896, only 1,387 were needed in 1909. A diminished breeding reserve has therefore been possible. But we must consider a reversed condition of things, if pelagic sealing is to be done away with. The herd will then begin to grow. It will require a constantly increasing reserve of breeding males, which must be saved from the killing fields. A leasing company will be just as eager to get all possible skins and will press tlie product of the hauling grounds, rising all too slowly, to its limit unless restrained. These conditions should be absolutely under the control of the Government through its representatives. The custodian of the herd should have full authority to act. Instead of an arbitrary quota, an arbitrary weight of skin, an arbitrary limit to the killing season, an arbitrary breeding reserve, etc., all fixed in Wasliington and issued in the form of orders, these matters should be open to revision and SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 867 modification in the interests of the herd as the season advances by those in charge of the herd. If not in name, in fact at least, the leasing company has been in supreme authority on the islands during the past season. Its repre- sentatives criticized freely the work of investigation and declined to allow one of the Government agents and myself to make a count of harems on Zapadni rookery on a given day because it was the inten- tion of the company to make a drive from this rookery the following day. I do not cite this incident to charge that my work was inter- fered with or hampered, for such was not the case. The time hap- pened to be ununportant, although it might have been vital. The necessary counts were made after the drive by the agents. The fact, however, is that it was not our intention to disturb any hauling ground and there would have been no necessity for doing so. The prohibition might, of course, have been ignored, but the penalty for doing so would have been to accept part of the responsibility for the shortage in the quota of the lessees. This authority, actual or assumed, has a practical bearing of im- portance. The lessees had the right to take 15,000 skins. They faded to get this number by 632 sldns. Certain incidents, not under the control of the lessees but under the control of the Government, occurred, wliicli might or might not have occasioned this shortage. The launch of a patrolling cutter encircled the Northeast Point rook- eries in the discharge of its duties. A drive from these rookeries yielded a smaller result than was expected. Officers from a cutter landed at various times and erected signals at certain points to assist in getting measurements and locations of vessels and boats. The representatives of the company felt and declared that these acts had to do with their failure to secure the legal quota. These acts together with my investigations of the rookeries might easily be made the basis of a claim for damages resulting from the failure to obtain the full quota. These matters are pointed out merely to show the anomalous situa- tion induced by the present division of authority between the Gov- ernment representatives and those of the company on the islands and in dealing with the herd. The matters cited are unimportant, but some crisis might arise where the Government would need a free hand in dealing with affairs affecting the welfare of the herd. Under present conditions it would be forced to defer to the company in the interests of its quota or incur the liability of claim for damages in case such action resulted in interference with the taking of the quota. The Government's interests are in the herd itself and its authority should be supreme. The herd is now at its lowest point. It is to be hoped that the speedy suppression of pelagic sealing will soon per- mit of proper protection and that the herd can then be in time re- stored to its former populous state. This work of restoration will be a most important one. It should be intelligently handled and under conditions which will leave those who have the work in charge free and unhampered. The present lease has expired. In the ordinary course of events a new one should be negotiated in time for next season. With pelagic sealing still in operation and no immediate prospect of its suspension, there being doubt also as to what quota, if any, may be obtainable 868 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. for next year, it is not clear how any company or individual can intelligently bid on a 20-year lease or a lease covering any considerable period. A bid on such a lease would be purely a speculation. Through the decrease of the fur-seal herd the natives on the seal islands are practically out of employment and are virtually wards of the Government. They might be dealt with as other wards of the Government in the matter of support and their labor utilized for the present, in so far as it is not needed on the killing field, for improve- ment of conditions on the islands, both as regards their own homes and the care of the rookeries. The sanitary condition on the two islands should receive careful attention. Mr. Chichester, one of the agents having medical training, says that 50 per cent of all the inhab- itants of St. George Island are affected with tuberculosis and that no house on the island is a fit place for a child to be reared in if it is to escape the disease. The schools of the islands might well become a part of the regular school system of Alaska. The present agents of the Government are capable and experienced in all matters relating to the care of the natives. They are able to perform any of the functions now carried on by the lessees on the islands, including the direction of the work of the natives in the driving and killing of the seals and the curing of their skins. It would seem to be an auspicious time for the Government to undertake a readjustment of all conditions on the islands. A custodian should be put in charge of the herd. Assuming that pelagic sealing will be done away with within a reasonable time, the herd is now at its lowest point. It is the most favorable time to begin that expert study and oversight of its condition and progress toward rehabilitation wliich it should have. This work should be hampered by no conflicting interest of lessees or the market in seal- skins. One of the vital problems of the herd is the determination of the number of the young animals which survive to breeding age and to killable age. This is not known yet, and it is fundamental to intelligent action in handling the quota and in understanding the rate of growth which may be expected of the herd. The question can be settled in a few seasons by a proper regulation of the work of killing. The work of killing should be limited to the animals of 3 years and over yielding suitable skins. These give skins averaging 6 to 8 pounds. It is wasteful to take skins of 4 J and 5 pounds which if left a season will gain 1 to 2 pounds in weight and be more serviceable. The killing for next season should be strictly limited to animals of 3 years of age. If this should result in tlie giving of no quota for next year, by reason of the fact that all the 2-year-olds have been killed this season, then let it be so. The same limitation should apply to the quota of 1911. In 1912 there would then be available a normal quota of killable seals at the age of 3 years, the age when they yield the choicest skins. Knowing very closel}^ the birth rate of the present season, this quota will determme the proportion of young males which survive to 3 years. The sexes being equal, this will determine the proportion of the young breeding females of 3 years which are annually added to the breeding stock. The season of 1912 will not not determine this exactly perhaps, but each season after that date will add to its certainty. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 869 Whatever skins are taken next year or in succeeding seasons, until such time as the Government is ready to call for a long-term lease, gelagic sealing having been disposed of and the condition of the herd eing fully established, can be cured and prepared as at present under the direction of the Government's representatives and offered on the market to the highest bidder. Whether such new lease when made should follow the present plan of dual authority and control on the islands or should limit the lessees to the right to take such a number of sealskins each season as in the judgment of the custodian of the herd may safely be taken — a fixed price or royalty being paid, the authority of the lessees being limited to inspection and oversight of the processes of curing the skins — may be left to future determination. In any event, however, there should be an interregnum of from three to six years in which the authority of the Government through its representatives in the control of the herd should be supreme and unliampered by any other consideration than the best interests of the herd itself. THE GENERAL FUR-SEAL QUESTION. In 1896-97 the United States and Great Britain made a joint in- vestigation of the condition of the fur-seal herd with a view to de- termining the effect of the operation of the regulations of the Paris tribunal of arbitration, these regulations providing for their resub- mission to examination every five years, with a view to possible need of modification, and the first period of five years closing in 1898. In anticipation of the report of this joint commission, the United States entered into an arrangement for a meeting in Washington in the fall of 1897 to be participated in by representatives of the United States, Great Britain, Russia, and Japan, this meeting to be known as the international fur-seal conference. Great Britain having with- drawn from this meeting, it was carried through by the three remain- ing powers. A treaty was entered into by which these three nations agreed to prohibit their citizens fi"om engaging in pelagic sealing providing the consent of Great Britain to participation in such an arrangement was obtained. The proviso was made at the instance of Japan. Russia had already by law prohibited her citizens from engaging in pelagic sealing and the United States took steps at once by act of Congress to prohibit her citizens. The agreement was limited to one year, the time thought necessary to complete nego- tiations with Great Britain. A second meeting was then held known as the conference of fur- seal experts, participated in by members of the American and British joint commission of investigation. This conference agreed upon a basis of fact, establishing the fact of decline in the fur-seal herd and the continued action of pelagic sealing as its cause. The abolition rather than the regulation of pelagic sealing was foresliadowed as the only adequate means of protecting and preserving tlie herd. On the basis of this agreement as to facts, the fur-seal question passed with other disputed questions between the United States and Canada into the hands of the joint high commission which met at Quebec in 1898. This commission failed to accomplish anything. Since that time various attempts have been made by the vState Department at Washington and the representatives of Great Britain 870 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. to effect a settlement by treaty, but without result. The question so far as it concerns the United States and Great Britain remains practically as it was in 1897. Meanwhile, Japan has herself developed a large pelagic sealing industry. Its fleet operating without regard to the regulations of tlie Paris award carries the work of destruction to the very shores of the breeding islands, putting the herd in greater jeopardy than did the work of the Canadian sealers. The work of the Japanese fleet being carried on without limitation as to time or weapons and within 3 miles of the shore has incidentally destroyed the Canadian industr3^ The international question has therefore shifted, in importance at least, to one between the United States and Japan. The question between the Unite^l States and Great Britain is necessarily affected by the fact that the Japanese fleet is inimical to the Canadian fleet and has in reality usurped its industry. On the side of Japan condi- tions have also changed. In 1897, while nominally one of the owners of fur-seal rookeries, her rookeries had been all but destroyed by pelagic sealers and by raiders, and she was in a position to look upon pelagic sealing as a means of retaliation or of recouping her losses. By the treaty closing the Japanese-Russian war, however, she received the lower half of Saghalin Island and with it a small fur- seal rookery on Robben Reef off its southern shore. This has re- stored Japan to the status of an owner. Her herd, though small, and having its migration route in the Sea of Okhotsk, is liable in the end to the attacks of pelagic sealers. It is conceivable that the prac- tically extinct rookeries of Japan on the Kuril Islands, belonging to the same herd as that of Robben Island, might be restored in time by overflow from this herd. The abolition of pelagic sealing would be as essential to the preservation of these rookeries, should their restoration become an accomplished fact, as to those of the Pribilof herd. It may be noted that there is a difference from the point of view of the United States in the status of the Canadian and Japanese fleets. By her acceptance of the findings of the Paris award the United States acknowledged the legality of the pelagic sealing then carried on by Canadian and American vessels. In seeking the extinction of rights thus recognized, it was in order to consider some form of indemnity as due to the pelagic sealer. The Canadian sealing in- dustry has in the meantime become bankrupt. It would have be- come so in any event, but this condition has been hastened by the operation of the Japanese fleet working under more favorable condi- tions. So long as the Japanese sealing continues the business of the Victoria sealers is gone. This is admitted by the fact that the Vic- toria Sealing Combine sent out no vessels this season. The Canadian fleet is, however, held intact in Victoria Harbor, doubtless awaiting indemnity. In past valuations of this fleet the question of prospec- tive profits played a part. With the business of the fleet gone it would seem that past and prospective profits should be charged to Japanese sealing and only the actual value of the vessels should be taken into account by the United States. The status of the Japanese fleet is diflerent. The United States has not fonnally acknowledged its legality. The Japanese sealers have ignored the regulations of the Paris award and so have waived any claim of sanction under the findings of this tribunal. Further- 1 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 871 more, the actions of the Japanese sealers have been aggressively lawless and hostile. They have in defiance of law landed upon the territory of the United States and slaughtered animals belonging to its herd. Their vessels have repeatedK entered territorial waters or have sent their boats and hunters within such waters, as seizures b;,- the patrolling cutters show. It is difficult to see how the question of indemnity can be held to apph- in this case. Fhially, the entire burden of the abolition of pelagic sealing should not rest upon the United States, as the benefits of such action would be felt in equal measure by Russia. Her herd on the Commander Islands is being depleted by the pelagic sealers. On August 18 the Canadian sealing schooner Thomas F. Bayard on entering Bering Sea reported a catch of 103 skins taken in the vicinity of the Commander Islands. Japanese sealers prey upon the Russian herd as it passes the shores of Japan on its migration. It would seem that the active cooperation of Russia might be claimed in bringing this matter to a final issue. The question naturally arises whether the herd at its present low state is worth the effort to save it. Doubt on this score in the past has led to the proposition that the Government should enter upon the breeding grounds and kill off the herd, deriving whatever profit there may be in the market value of the skms, incidentally ending the fur-seal controversy. We know, however, that even in these 13 years in which the herd has declined so heavily it has yielded in royalties to the Government the sum of $2,250,000; that the receipts for the present year will be $143,000; and that in the full period of 40 years during which the herd has been under the control of the United States it has yielded a total of $9,830,000 in royalties. The present nucleus of the herd is sufficient to effect its final restoration, if the incubus of pelagic sealing is removed. The property is too valuable to be destroyed or even to be longer trifled \\ath. Past dela\" has caused heav^- loss. The patrol of the sea necessitated by pelagic sealing is costly. Dela\" only adds to the loss and expense, and what is more important, postpones by just so much longer the rehabilitation of the herd. (See Sims: Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries, H. Doc. No. 251, 59th Cong., 2d sess., p. 42.) CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Conclusions. — (1) That the fur-seal herd of the Pribilof Islands has in the past 13 seasons suffered a heavi' decline, shown in the fact that whereas in 1896-97 there were . respective!}^ 5,009 and 4,418 breedmg families and 157,000 and 130,000 breeding females, in 1909 there are only 1,387 breeding families and 50,000 breeding females, and in the further fact that whereas the hauling grounds of 1896-97 vielded respectivelv 30,000 and 20,000 skins, thev yielded in 1909 only 14,000. (2) That while the methods of land killing are open to some criticism they have in no way contributed to this decline, the breeding grounds having at no time during this period suffered from a dearth of breed- ing bulls, and there being at the present time an adequate supply of young male life held in reserve to safeguard the immediate future of the herd. 872 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. (3) That the cause of decHne has been the continued operation of pelagic seaUng, involving the abstraction of females in excess of the natural increment of >oung breeders, the injurious effect of this sealing being greatly heightened in recent years bj- the advent of the Japanese fleet operating throughout the breeding season in close proximit}' to the rookeries and using firearms. (4) That the reduction of the pelagic catch through the steady decline of the herd has apparent!} since 1907 been so great as to bring the loss of breeding females wdthin the natural increment of gain, causing the herd to remain since in a state of equilibrium at the lowest point of its history . (5) That while the herd ma;v" possibly not for the present suffer further decline, unless pelagic sealing should receive some new impetus the more favorable conditions under which Japanese sealing is prose- cuted will render it profitable even to a few vessels and will result in its indefinite continuance, preventing the growth and recuperation of the herd, the adequate protection and j^reservation of which can only be brought about by the abolition of pelagic sealing. iiecommevdatioTis. — (1) That every effort be made to end pelagic sealing, not merely by Canada, but by Japan as well, such concerted action of the powers in control of the North Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea being obtained as will insure its abolition. (2) That the present patrol of the 3-mile limit be continued, to the end that the rookeries may not be invaded, consideration being given to the possibility of strengthening the shore defense of the rookeries, with a corresponding lessening of the sea patrol. (3) That the herd be placed at once in the charge of a trained natu- ralist, who shall have full authority in all matters relating to it and power to put in motion plans for solving its problems and im proving its condition. (4) That an interregnum of three to six years be declared, in which the Government representatives shall administer the affairs of the natives and of the herd without being hampered by consideration of the rights and privileges of lessees, such product of the hauling grounds only being taken as may seem wise to those in charge of the herd, these skins to be cared for in the usual way, under the direction of the agents, and offered for sale upon the market to the highest bidder. (5) That in releasing the fur-seal industry for any term of years, the present dual control be abandoned, the authority of the lessees being limited to such oversight of the operations of taking and caring for the skins as will insure their proper curing. Respectfully submitted. George Archibald Clark, Assistant in Charge of Fur-Seal Investigation. Stanford University, September 30, 1909, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Appendix I. Actual counts of live pups, as made by agents, 1900 to 1905, inclusive} 873 Islands and rookeries. 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 ST. PAXTL. 3,279 1,666 1,495 1,868 1,878 614 2,579 1,274 2,685 2,983 3,120 1,407 1,530 1,821 1,803 572 2,514 1,108 2,832 3,820 891 1,265 3,207 2,833 1,399 1,637 1,465 1,754 498 2,299 1,142 2,623 4,458 727 1,185 3,005 2,865 1,262 1,783 1,320 1,540 575 2,453 1,067 2,923 4,472 666 993 2,855 2,605 1,084 1,571 1,091 1,411 565 2,020 941 2,705 3,691 481 831 2,312 2,219 Lagoon 929 Tolstoi Cliffs 1,447 Zapadni Reef 833 Polovina Clifis 1,289 Ardiguen Lukanin . 437 1,841 918 2,565 Polovina Gorbatch Cliffs 3,320 361 1,493 696 Vostochni (part) 1,793 Total 21,814 25,890 25,025 24, 774 21,308 18,648 ST. GEORGE. North. 5,745 2,754 1,065 4,503 2,346 847 787 2,075 4,113 4,895 2,277 762 915 2,082 3,899 4,662 2,626 683 741 2,473 3,462 4,385 2,416 546 667 2,336 3,233 4,189 Staraya Artel 2,162 415 East Reef . . . 653 East 3,047 5,342 2,746 2,787 Total 17,953 14,671 14,830 14,647 13,583 12,952 RECAPITULATION. St. Paul Island ... 21,814 17,953 25,890 14,671 25,025 14,830 24, 774 14, 647 21,308 13,583 18,648 St. George Island 12,952 Total 39,767 40,561 39,855 39,421 34,891 31,600 1 These figures and the greater part of those which follow have been compiled from the records of the agents, and I am under special obligation to Mr. James Judge for copying them for me.— G. A. C. Actual counts of harems in the height of breeding season, 1899 to 1909. Islands and rookeries. 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 ST. PAUL. Kitovl 135 180 135 97 74 13 26 52 44 56 160 44 250 105 177 22 17 293 69 12 24 40 46 51 149 38 250 100 151 12 15 286 54 12 23 36 30 43 136 35 179 78 122 10 9 261 40 7 21 26 14 36 112 32 162 78 109 7 14 201 46 9 15 24 10 34 99 30 155 68 105 3 11 216 42 6 13 24 10 44 88 20 148 64 103 3 8 200 47 Amphitheater 8 101 62 95 135 342 82 95 102 118 357 67 84 94 99 231 63 373 156 242 19 25 430 37 61 66 78 172 47 319 125 196 20 16 286 12 Polovina Cliffs 23 Zapadni Reef 11 39 Tolstoi . . 87 Tolstoi Cliffs 25 447 226 326 424 177 288 147 Little Zapadni 62 Gorbatch Gorbatch Cliffs: 118 2 Ardiguen . ... 31 451 102 147 31 1,062 27 417 11 Reef 184 Slvutch . 61 Polovina 92 29 1,045 152 44 946 124 28 709 85 25 539 72 22 454 53 12 362 38 12 296 33 14 247 36 16 237 42 Little Polovina 19 Northeast Point 229 Total 3,693 13,433 =r 13,160 12,381 11,982 11,791 11,455 11,205 11,119 11,062 1,127 Incomplete. 874 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Actual counts of harems in the height of breeding season, 1899 to ^909— Continued. Islands and rookeries. 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 ST. GEORGE. North . . . . 24.3 57 146 166 67 188 '"'99' 191 61 176 26 164 21 139 17 128 18 50 56 39 20 104 16 47 45 29 17 78 8 34 34 26 16 81 7 32 28 26 14 94 5 41 40 41 20 106. Little East 4 East 43 43 45 42 East Reef 24 22 Total 679 1529 1247 1185 1156 311 258 196 188 241 260 RECAPITULATION. St. Paul Island 3,693 679 13,433 1529 13,160 1247 12, 381 '185 11,982 1156 11,791 311 11,455 258 11,205 196 11,119 188 11,062 241 1,127 St. George Island 260 Total 4,372 13,962 13, 407 12,566 12, 138 12, 102 11,713 11,401 11,307 11,303 1,387 « Incompiete. Idle and half hulls on breeding grounds at height of season, 1903-1909. Islands and rookeries. 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 ST. PAUL. 12 26 4 11 46 13 49 80 19 46 2 95 1 7 14 11 6 7 20 8 10 35 16 32 1 40 4 6 22 4 5 3 3 7 2 6 28 8 19 4 7 3 3 3" 10 4 18 7 16 2 6 22 3 7 28 18 39 6 28 2 2 18 3 8 15 15 35 1 57 7 8" 18 45 4 Tolstoi Cliffs . 6 Tolstoi 27 2 22 48 Gorbatch 48 Reef 67 2 27 i' 6 19 1 4 4 59 5 7 16 71 Little Polovina 3 Polovina Cliffs 1 18 Sivutch 1 4 Total 418 232 119 80 235 205 385 ■ ST. GEORGE. North 13 20 1 14 14 8 7 6 7 11 10 1 6 6 21 16 33 East 43 Little East . 4 3 2 6 11 12 ■ ■ ■ 17 Zapadni . 35 Total 62 22 21 33 61 128 RECAPITULATION. St. Paullsland. 418 232 62 119 22 80 21 235 33 205 61 385 128 Total 418 294 141 101 268 266 513 • Not counted. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Female pup seals branded, 1896 to 190S. 875 Islands and rookeries. 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 ST. PAtJL. 124 191 1,367 600 500 600 2,304 44 25 786 505 1,003 125 150 701 420 795 Tolstoi 1,071 '""eis" 22 1,551 826 1,796 608 R eef and Gorbatch 539 274 Total 315 5,371 2,363 2,191 1,708 4,173 1,147 274 ST. GEORGE. North 62 443 404 677 235 121 1,625 219 686 1,326 Zapadni East Little East 62 1,880 1,625 219 686 1,326 RECAPITULATION. St. Paul Island 315 62 5,371 1,880 2,363 2,191 1,625 1,708 219 4,173 686 1,147 1,326 274 St. George Island Total 377 7,251 2,363 3,816 1,927 4,859 2,473 274 Table of weights of sealskins as taken on St. Paul Island, 1904 to 1909, inclusive. Weight. 1904 1905 1907 1908 1909 Pounds. 3f 4 4i 1 5 6 17 33 I 5 17 1 ^ 32 106 15 13 2 4| 72 139 2 3 13 5 233 203 233 541 493 Si 286 311 375 524 438 5i 776 1,678 615 951 903 5i 741 1,711 1,066 1,109 859 6 951 1,712 1,278 1,276 1,373 6i 754 1,271 1,316 1,051 946 6J 949 1,465 1,579 1,577 1,376 6f 731 1,103 1,370 1,079 774 7 697 968 1,170 1,089 1,045 7i 512 583 904 801 595 7J 455 609 852 894 779 7f 280 361 554 489 359 8 318 270 283 451 424 8i 147 173 199 313 195 ^ 130 152 175 249 389 8f 9 9i 94 93 82 80 53 35 185 91 40 41 2 3 2 9 7 19 22 3 3 10 lOi 25 10 27 8 1 1 lOi 14 13 1 1 1 lOJ 11 lU Hi Hi 12i 14J 4 13 9 9 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 1906 not taken. 876 SEAL ISLAISTDS OF ALASKA. Statistics of killings,^ St. Paul Island, 1909. Rookeries. Animals kiUed. Animals dismissed. Total, driven. Per cent killed. Date. Large. SmaU. Branded. June 28 Tolstoi 101 179 455 200 505 181 77 617 279 289 129 34 207 251 114 276 718 34 588 43 331 475 32 685 245 187 16 453 585 660 19 41 62 110 330 73 117 71 33 81 31 35 47 23 12 4 20 14 8 5 14 27 8 35 1 21 48 15 81 11 58 17 26 38 81 7 14 10 2 70 9 16 43 8 89 49 25 23 4 64 74 12 85 190 1 80 4 38 53 184 448 795 286 649 268 123 806 368 353 163 62 314 386 152 452 1,066 49 826 55 452 712 56 941 310 355 38 584 737 863 33 80 62 170 520 54 29 Reof ihb 199 44 47 13 3 53 17 27 7 4 29 53 21 77 131 6 123 7 62 136 9 135 32 107 5 87 75 101 7 22 39 July 2 Northeast Point 57 69 6 Reef and Gorbatch 77 6 Tolstoi . 67 7 62 8 Northeast Point 75 10 Zapadni 76 11 Reef and Gorbatch 81 11 Tolstoi . . 79 13 54 14 Northeast Point 65 15 Gorbatch and Reef 65 15 75 16 61 19 Northeast Point 67 19 Polovina 69 20 Reef and Gorbatch 71 20 Tolstoi 78 21 Zapadni 73 23 Northeast Point 66 23 57 24 Reef and Gorbatch 40 22 3 72 25 79 27 Northeast Point 52 27 42 28 18 39 21 77 30 Zapadni . 79 31 Reef and Gorbatch 76 31 57 31 Zapadni 3 51 31 100 31 34 75 36 100 64 31 Northeast Point 15 63 Total 9,508 1,185 1,110 1,925 13,718 69 1 For comparison with similar figures for 1897 to foUow. Statistics of killings,^ St. Paul Island, 1897. Rookeries. Animals killed. Animals dismissed. Per cent killed. Date. Large. Small. Reef. . 492 316 708 1,098 790 703 208 703 1,230 1,713 456 804 1,249 886 297 988 1,322 274 526 514 199 268 276 108 418 101 172 144 130 556 402 376 288 107 229 301 355 97 140 216 391 180 377 500 161 352 491 221 298 383 118 350 159 200 119 26 184 214 214 224 90 175 306 551 115 638 661 586 412 1,174 2,047 698 1,380 890 545 1,114 708 456 1,440 376 486 65 18 Zapadni 67 23 Tolstoi, Reef, and Lukanin 48 26 Tolstoi 64 30 Northeast Point 57 July 1 2 do 57 53 5 Reef and Zoltoi 63 6 Tolstoi 67 8 Northeast Polat 65 9 68 12 50 14 Northeast Point 58 16 Zapadni 53 17 Tolstoi. . 66 19 39 22 Northeast Point - . . - 34 23 Polovina 24 24 23 26 27 27 Tolstoi 20 29 Northeast Point 16 30 . .do. 20 31 16 Aug. 2 5 Reef and Lukanin 19 Tolstoi 15 Reef 20 Total 16,819 7,522 15,829 44 1 Quoted from second preliminary report, 1897. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 877 Appendix II. FIELD NOTES OF FUR-SEAL INVESTIGATIONS, 1909. June 25. — At the office of the American consul at Victoria, I learned that 3 Canadian veesele only had cleared for the northwest coast sealing. These were as follows: Vessel. Master. Tonnage. Date. 48 98 67 Jan. 11 Balcon Feb. 11 Bayard Blacksted Mar. 29 The first two of these vessels had been reported off the California coast on April 5 with 75 and 61 skins, respectively. The last vessel was reported in early May as having a catch of 438 skins. These vessels were equipped by parties outside the Victoria Sealing Co., which it was understood would send out no vessels this season. It was reported that two other vessels had taken out licenses to engage in sea-otter hunting in the closed season — May-July — and in seal hunting in Bering Sea after August 1. These were: Vera, Heater, master, 60 tons, cleared April 17; Eva Marie, Jacobson, master, 77 tons, cleared. The entire sealing fleet of the Victoria combination lies anchored in Victoria Harbor probably awaiting indemnity when pelagic sealing is abolished. April 27. — I learned at the office of the American consul also that the sealing schooner Agnes G. Donohue, Capt. Balcon, had landed in April at Halifax, Nova Scotia, 4,014 sealskins taken off Cape Town, South Africa. The following data was obtained also regarding the pelagic catch for the season of 1908: Indian canoe catch 502 British Columbia coast 1, 282 1, 784 Outside area of award 893 Bering Sea catch 2, 277 Total 4, 954 Nine vessels were engaged in sealing during the season. I saw on exhibition in the natural-history museum at Victoria a branded female fur-seal skin taken by pelagic sealers. The brand showed evidence of perfect healing and, covering a large area in the best part of the skin, effectively destroyed its value. It was evidently the skin of one of the 6 adult females branded on St. George Island in 1896. This skin, particularly on account of its place of exhibition, seemed to me a very forceful example of the deterrent influence which branding might have been exerting at the present time on pelagic sealing had the experiments inaugurated in 1896 been seriously can-ied out. This fact impressed me especially because both in Seattle and in Victoria, in conversation with people interested in fur-seal matters, I learned that the experiments in branding had been abandoned as failures. July 7. — ^In the ice off Nome, which delayed the Victoria 24 hours, a number of hair seals were seen and two herds of walrus; one of the latter, numbering 8 or 10, remained on the iceberg until the vessel's prow almost touched it, taking slowly to the water; the other, a larger herd numbering 40 to 50, was at a distance of a fourth of a mile. A number of the animals roused up and 2 or 3 went into the water, but most of them paid no heed to the vessel. They were sleeping in a compact mass not imlike a herd of sea lions. July 11. — The first seal seen was at about 8 o'clock this morning. The Rush was then within about 40 miles of St. Paul Island, approaching from the northward. A second seal was seen at 10 and a third at 11, land being then visible. No other seals were seen until the vessel came into close proximity to the island between Walrus Island and Northeast Point. From this point two sealing schooners were visible to the east about 10 miles offshore. The masts of a large number of other schooners v/ere visible to the southwest between Otter Island and Southwest Point. The revenue cutter Manning was steaming about among them and afterwards reported boarding 11 of them during the afternoon. July 12. — In company with Mr. Judge I visited Gorbatch and Reef rookeries in the morning. There are no seals on Zoltoi; no harem at station 25 nor near it. The idle 878 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. bulls which lined the rear of the cliff portion of Gorbatch and the cinder slope in 1896-97 were wanting. A small pod of bachelors were hauled out on the cinder slope, there being a break in the line of harems at this point. There were no hair seals at the point and no sea lions. Ardiguen rookery has no seals whatever in the "slide." The masses on Reef rookery are barely recognizable. The breaks, or bachelor runways, are greatly widened; bachelors only haul through two of them. A section of Reef, the end toward East Landing, has disappeared, as has the beginning of Gorbatch. The genera! appearance of these two rookeries, as com- pared with their condition in 1896-97, is that of a skeleton or outline. A count of cows and harems on the Amphitheater of Kitovi was made as follows: Harem 1, 48 cows; harem 2, 1 cow; harem 3, 1 cow; harem 4, 5 cows; harem 5, 45 cows; harem 6, 6 cows; harem 7, 14 cows; harem 8, 7 cows; total, 127 cows. On July 13, 1897, this section of Kitovi rookery, isolated by natural boundaries, con- tained 46 harems and 654 cows. There was one idle bull. Capt. O'Malley of the Manning called at the Government house in the afternoon, leaving the following statement of the results of boarding the Japanese schooners yesterday: Vessel. Home port. Master. Catch. Toyei Maru Shimasato Nitto Maru Miyako Lekichiu. Hoko Maru i Tokyo Shimushu Maru i do Domel Maru ' Hokadate Chj tose Maru \ do Eiun Maru, 2 '. i Miyado Koeiyi Maru ' Gogoshima Tokai Maru ' Akice Koyi Maru i Isihama Chitosd Maru, 2 ' Oshihama Too Maru. 2 \ Shirota Boso Maru, 2 i Tateyamnito Meatsu Tokameatsu Bakakebala. Shiono Myshio Cohashi Chi Vuneseaku. . Arakawa Mauo Meura Yoshida Yamanako.. 644 310 62 62 90 84 148 39 169 160 53 47 This total of 1,964 skins, increased by catches of other vessels not boarded by the Manning, gives a total reported catch for the Japanese fleet to date of 2,035 skins. There are 14 schooners in all at present about the island. Each vessel has from 7 to 10 boats; each boat carries two himteriS using shotguns loaded with buckshot and two men, making four in all, to manage the boat. Capt. O'Malley speaks of 70 of these boats as being visible at one time from the cutter and the booming of their guns as incessant. On Kitovi rookery, in charge of a harem of 25 cows, is a bull bearing a brand across his backjust forward of thehips. He must have been mistaken for a female pup at the time of branding. This is the fifth season that he has held a harem here. The only evi- dence of age is shown in his teeth, which are worn or broken. They might have been broken in biting a club on the killing field. There are five badly torn cows on Ivukanin rookery. The bulls on the rookeries show the usual wounds at the angle of the foreflipper and on the breast. There is less actixal fighting at this date than in 1896-97, but there is evidence of fighting earlier in the season. The quieter condition at present is due to the absence of idle bulls. There is a branded cow under Lukanin Hill, the brand similar to that of the bull just mentioned. The brand is perfect, completely arching the back, a clear, smooth mark an inch in width . There are no harems at all this season under the cliffs and at the foot of the slope reaching toward the sand beach. The rookery is confined to the foot of the hill slope and the beach below the cliff at the junction with Kitovi. The cows on the main portion of Tolstoi are confined to the bowlder beach and do not extend into the sand flat. One dead cow and two dead pups are visible at the edge of the harems. The cow has been dead some time. It would not be possible to get either cow or pups without driving off the cows. In a single harem on Tolstoi are three branded cows, the brands similar to those of the cow on liukanin and the bull on Kitovi. Mr. Judge informs me that this form of brand was used for several years prior to 1902, when branding was discontinued. Under Tolstoi Cliffs are some large harems. There are no idle bulls here. Four harems contain 235 cows; another harem contains 75 cows. The absence of the mass of idle bulls with which we were familiar in 1896- 97 will probably cause a diminution of small harems formed by capture ; and on rookeries where the breeding space is limited, as it is on Ardiguen and Tolstoi Cliffs, the general size of harem will be increased. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 879 In the afternoon the count of cows and harems was made on Lagoon rookery in com- pany with Mr. Judge, as follows: Harem 1, 23 cows; harems 2 and 3, 103 cows; harem 4, 6 cows; harem 5, 1 cow; harem 6, 2 cows; harem 7, 1 cow; harem 8, Scows; harem 9, 64 cows; harem 10, 65 cows; harem 11, 1 cow; harem 12, 7 cows; total, 281 cows. There are three idle bulls on this rookery. It seems probable that the single-cow harems represent other idle bulls which have established harems by captiu-e. There was one young bull of the class to which the agents have given the appropriate name of "'quitter," i. e., a bull that will not stand his ground when a man approaches, but takes to the water. Another branded cow was seen on this rookery. Lagoon rookery is a mere shadow. On this day in 1897 it had 115 harems and 1,319 cows. July IS. — I made a count of cows and harems on Kitovi rookery this morning, as follows: 6, 3, 1, 4, 4, 5, 73, 18, 28, 8, 4, 33, 22, 42, 28, 57, 1, 2, 8, 2, 14, 5, 8, 32, 36, 1, 2, 40, 70, 4, 3, 1, 28, 33, 1, 9, 15, 13, 2, 13, 1, 1, 43, 28, 21, 1, 1, 1, 38, 1, 3, 47, 4, 1, 14, 9; total harems, 55; cows, 892. In counting here I did not frighten off a single cow, and there are no bachelors on this rookery to be disturbed. It is eWdent that the company representatives look with disfavor on the work of rookery inspection as likely to frighten off the bachelor seals and interfere with the securing of the quota. It is evident that the Government agents look upon it as a regrettable necessity, because of the possibility of frightening the breeding seals and possibly throwing them in the way of the sealers. This being the case, it is hard to understand why the rocks at the rear of the rook- eries have not been constructed into blinds, behind which the seals could be approached without disturbance. A few barriers of rocks at points difficult of approach would overcome the necessity of disturbance. One branded cow was seen. There are no harems on the village side of Kitovi Point. The last eight harems cover the Amphitheater, which has this morning 113 cows, as against 127 yesterday. There are 14 idle bulls and 31 young bulls of the class known as "quitters." This rookery, except for the shrinkage at the \'illage end and the thinning out on the Amphitheater, does not show reduction so visibly as Lagoon or the rookeries on Reef Peninsula. The central portion is covered with a line of harems, but it is very much scattered. The count discloses the reduction, however, for in 1897 there were on this rookery 179 harems and 2,436 cows on this date. A tentative count of harems was made on Lukanin — 29 — but it will be repeated more carefully. One harem has formed beyond the hill since our last visit. There are two branded cows where one was seen yesterday. As a drive and killing was to be made at Northeast Point, I accompanied the party to look over the rookeries there and to secure the count of harems after the drive had been made. On the way up a small drive was secured at Polovina — 35 seals — this rookery yield- ing, as was noted also in 1896-97, but a small supply of kUlable seals. The officers of the revenue cutter Bear have been engaged in erecting signals, con- sisting of poles with flags of colored bunting at various points on the northern end of the island, for use in locating soundings. One of these had been erected beside the watch house at Halfway Point. Mr. Redpath, of the company, protested against this work, as involving disturbance of the seals, ascribing the small number of seals from Polovina to their having been driven off on Saturday when the signal was put up. In the afternoon I walked to Hutchinson Hill with Mr. Lembkey. The mass of seals below this hill is greatly reduced. It is the most conspicuous example of shrink- age yet seen. There are surprisingly few bulls in the mass; they hold places in the outer edge. Fifteen idle bulls lie back of the mass, and there are four isolated harems. The few bulls can not hold the cows they now control when they begin to come in heat, and doubtless the idle bulls here will in due time get harems. There is an unusually large number of seals in the water off the rookery front. This •belt of playing, sleeping seals has been less conspicuous at the village rookeries this season than it was in 1896-97. At the right of Hutchinson Hill is a pod of about 200 bachelors. The bachelors haul only at this point and one other to the southwest of Hutchinson Hill. July 14. — While the killing was in progress I made a count of the harems on the Northeast Point rookeries, assisted by Mr. Judge. Beginning at the southernmost point by Cross Hill, the first two patches, on which Mr. Lucas and Dr. Stejneger in 1896 found 151 harems, are entirely gone. The third patch of about 70 harems has now only 9. It was in this patch that the raid by Japanese sealers was made in 1906 which resulted in the killing of 200 female seals. The little cove in which the raid occm-red contains absolutely no seal life to-day. The line of harems up to the angle of Hutch- inson Hill is thin and scattered, with numerous breaks. All told there are 68 harems. 880 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The mass under the hill has only 51 harems; 15 are on the flat, the rest on the bowlder beach. Beyond the hill and to the point are more scattering harems, 41 in all. The whole of Vostochni rookery gives only 184 harems. This breeding ground in 1897 was the largest on the island, containing 910 harems. There are 22 idle bulls and 33 young bulls. A small, sickly looking pup was killed for investigation as to the parasite undnaria. No evidence of the worm was found, and the pup was plainly suffering from starvation. It had received very little nourishment from its mother, and the more conspicuous marks of starvation^ — disproportionately large head, grayish whiskers, great emacia- tion — were not so distinct as in the older pups whose starvation was observed in 1896. A pup whose mother is killed at her first or second trip to sea will natm-ally die much quicker than one who has been nouiished for a month or six weeks. It is plain that starvation is already at work on the rookeries and that this cause of death will obscm-e the work of the worm. The first Japanese sealer for the season was seen in Bering Sea on June 29, and sealing has been in progress ever since the let of July. One of the boats of the schooner Tenyu Maru, seized by the Perry about July 10, contained a female seal with an unborn pup; another boat had a mother seal in milk. Morjo\a rookery lies on the east side of the point. The seal harems still mingle with the sea-lion harems on the extreme point. The large mass of seals beside Walrus Bight contains only 20 harems. There are only 3 harems on the north side of Sea Lion Neck and none on the sQuth side. There were 25 harems and 327 cows here in 1896. This is the end of the rookery. The section of this rookery, opposite Webster House, where Dr. Stejueger and Mr. Lucas counted 87 harems in 1896, has entirely disappeared. The entire rookery numbers 45 harems, as against 233 in 1897. The sea-lion rookery has disappeared from Sea Lion Neck. Mr. Judge says there have been no sea lions here since 1900. The natives seem to have made a A^ery large killing of sea lions this spring, 80 or thereabouts. The killing of seals having been completed, they are at work cleaning and stretching the sea-lion skins. The killing from Northeast Point rookeries this morning gaA'e only 207 skins. The great reduction in the breeding seals for these rookeries is evidently and naturally accompanied by a coiTespondiug reduction in the killable seals. A killing on this same date in 1897 gave 1,249 skins. The killing yields one-sixth; the breeding grounds, one-fifth. The revenue cutter Manninrj was anchored off the east side of the point yesterday afternoon. This morning she is anchored off the west side. The great reduction in the Northeast Point rookeries seems to be accounted for by the fact that the Japanese fleet in the season of 1908 concentrated off these rookeries making it their principal sealing ground, just as during the present season they are concentrating their efforts to the southwest on the course of the seals frequenting Reef, Tolstoi, and Zapadni rookeries. The sealing off Northeast Point was particu- larly destructive because this point projects into the sea and can be reached throughout its entire length from the 3-mile limit. In a word, the 3-mile limit here means 3 miles from the shore at every point. At the southwest the 3-mile line is taken from Otter Island on the south and Southwest Point on the north, which means that since Otter Island is 7 miles off Reef, and Tolstoi and Zapadni are within the curve of English Bay, a vessel can not approach much nearer than 6 or 7 miles of the shore front of these rookeries. On a rocky shelf to the west of Hutchinson Hill a pod of 200 bachelors were seen which should have been in the drive of this morning but which could not have been reached at the point where they were hauled. A heavy surf from the west would drive them from this point and they will probably appear in other drives from the regular hauling grounds. Northeast Point rookeries show the same condition as other rookeries hitherto ob- served, namely, the presence of many young bulls holding harems. These bulls are plainly fit in all respects for harem duty and are accepted by their neighbors who are older and stronger. At the approach of a man, however, they are timid and if pressed too closely will abandon their harems and take to the water, returning when the man has passed by. These bulls could not have held harems inl896-97 because of the excess of idle bulls. In the runway at the angle of Hutchinson Hill from which the principal drive of bachelors was made this morning was a small group of pups. They were at a consid- erable distance from other breeding seals and probably mark an isolated harem, the position being within the regular breeding area in earlier years, which had been gathered up with the drive this morning. This seems to illustrate the way in which cows come to be accidentally included m the drives. The bachelors tend to haul as close to the breeding seals as the bulls will permit and an isolated harem offers no obstacle to them. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 881 The cows on the Northeast Point rookeries show a greater tendency to stampede than do the cows on the rookeries at the village end, the natural inference being that the latter are more accustomed to the sight of men. The main body of bulls seem just as fierce and aggressive as ever both in their attacks on an intruder and on one another. They make frantic and generally successful efforts to restrain their harems when these show a tendency to stampede. They are cut and gashed in a way that suggests serious fighting even with the diminished idle-bull class. The 15 idle bulls on the flat under Hutchinson Hill stood their ground, requiring us to make our way about them. In a word, there is no evidence of impo- tency, lethargy, somnolence, or debility on the part of the bulls as a result of the lessen- ing of the struggle for existence due to the absence of idle bulls. The real struggle for existence among the bulls is that which they encounter in the harsh winter at sea. The present condition of the rookeries which admits of the young bulls coming to harem service in the time of their greatest activity and aggressiveness doubtless marks a distinct gain to the breeding herd. On the return trip from Northeast Point a count of harems was made on the Polovina rookeries. Little Polo^ana has 19 harems. It shows less decline than any breeding ground I have yet seen. It had 39 harems in 1897. There were two idle bulls and one young bull. The cliff portion of Polovina shows more reduction and is much scattered and broken. There are 23 harems, where we found 61 in 1897. The main rookery shows most decline — 42 harems, where in 1897 there were 143. There are three idle bulls and 15 young bulls. The massed portion of this rookery has shrunk away to a small triangular patch containing only three or four bulls. The portion which occupies the bowlder beach and the edge of the reef contains practically all the seals. July 15. — A drive was made this morning from Reef, Gorbatch, Lukanin, and Tolstoi rookeries, and I attended the killing. The clubbing of the seals was done by Messrs. Redpath, Judge, Lembkey, and Proctor. The only native doing any clubbing was Simion Melo\'idof. The seals driven this morning from Lukanin rookery are the first in several years, the bachelors having seemingly abandoned this hauling ground. In 1896-97 it was recognized as the nursery of little bachelors, the number of killable seals being small in proportion. Of the 67 animals driven from this rookery, 51 were killed, 16 rejected; of those rejected, 3 were too large, 13 too small. Tolstoi has also practically ceased to be a source of killable seals. The drive this morning numbered only 81, of which 59 were killed. Of the 386 driven from Reef and Gorbatch, 261 were killed. The percentage of animals killed in this morning's drive is nearly 69. If we add to the number killed the 74 animals of killable size which were rejected because branded as a breeding reserve, the percentage of killable seals in the drive amounted to 81 per cent, leaving only 19 per cent of animals for the quota of next year. It is plain that the size of skin taken this year is in its minimum much smaller than in 1896-97. This heljis to account for that apparent contradiction which appears to exist between the condition of the breeding herd and the quota of killable seals. The breeding herd has apparently suffered a reduction of two-thirds to three-fourths its size in 12 years, and yet the company representatives are alarmed because they may not secure a quota of 15,000 skins, this figure being three-fifths of the quota of 1897. In other words, a quota of three-fifths is expected from a herd only one-third as large. If this quota is obtained, it will be at the expense of the quota of next year. After the killing, a count of harems on Gorbatch and Reef rookeries was made. The former shows 120 harems, 22 idle bulls, and 26 young bulls; the latter has 184 harems, 13 idle and 54 young bulls. These rookeries had in 1897 respectively 308 and 454 harems. One branded cow was seen on Gorbatch, and 2 on Reef. One of the cows on Reef had a half brand — on one side of back only, a form of brand which Mr. Judge says was used one season. Ardiguen rookery was counted for cows as well as harems as follows: Harem 1, 42 cows; harem 2, 32 cows; harem 3, 17 cows; harem 4, 1 cow; harem 5, 19 cows; harem 6, 12 cows; harem 7, 18 cows; harem 8, 29 cows; harem 9, 25 cows; harem 10, 6 cows; harem 11, 6 cows; total, 207 cows. Gorbatch begins with 2 harems at rock No. 23. In 1897 it began at No. 26, and a large harem at No. 25 was made the subject of special study by Mr. Lucas. From No. 23 to No. 19 there is a break without harems. The harems occupy a single line with a long break at the angle of the cinder slope. A large harem, conspicuous in 1896 and 1897 because it had more than 100 cows, is absent from the western end. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 56 882 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Ardiguen rookery shows no harems in the "slide" where were located the^S harems chosen for special study in 1896. {"A Reef rookery can be counted easily from the rear, the harems being practically con- fined to the bowlder beach, the masses being merely suggested by a single harem each extending on the flat above. In 1897 it was necessary to count the harems on the beach slope of this rookery from a boat offshore, the masses making it impossible to see the beach. The narrow bachelor runways have widened from feet to rods in dis- tance. The absence of bachelors, moreover, leaves them and the hauling grounds behind them vacant. Zoltoi sands and slope are no longer occupied as a hauling ground. A count of harems and cows was made on Tolstoi Cliffs as follows: 9, 51, 17, 36, 70, 4, 48, 36, 5, 24, 93, 3, 33, 2, 15, 3, 120, 19, 22, 60, 3, 13, 2, 8, 2; harems, 25; cows, 698. There were no idle bulls and only 1 young bull. This rookery occupies a narrow beach at the foot of steep cliffs. There is room only for the single line of harem masters. At this time in 1897 this rookery ground contained 98 harems and 1,286 cows. There has been here an abnormal reduction in harems. As there is no space in the rear or along the water front for idle and young bulls to find a location while waiting for an opportunity to acquire harems, this rookery has not received its share of the reserve bulls. This is apparently true also of Lagoon rookery and Ardiguen. They have no definite hauling grounds and apparently the young bulls do not seek these places as they do the more populous rookeries. The main portion of Tolstoi rookery contains 87 harems. These are still practically confined to the bowlder beach at the foot of the sand flat, although there are 3 harems now on the western end of the flat and one at the eastern end, and the cows show a tendency to draw up on the slope at the west, there being 2 single cow harems. The harems on the beach have shrunk back fully 500 feet from the sands of English Bay end. Three dead pups were found at the edge of the sand flat, 2 in one harem and all fairly fresh. They were greatly emaciated. There was no evidence of injury from the para- site, and death was plainly due to starvation. Two of the pups were very young and appeared not to have received much nourishment, their mothers doubtless being killed on their first trip to sea. Starvation is making itself very evident among the pups; dead and dying pups from this cause are becoming very conspicuous on the breeding grounds even under the casual observation which it is possible to give the pups while the harem counts are being made. A branded cow is seen on the western end of Tolstoi. This is in addition to the two already seen on this rookery. A second branded bull with the same brand as the one on Kitovi holds a harem on the extreme eastern end of Tolstoi. The harems were counted on Lukanin — 39 in number. There were 139 in 1897. There are 7 idle bulls and 11 young bulls. There were two branded cows in one harem on Lukanin, one of which may have been the branded cow previously seen here. For the 87 harems now on Tolstoi there were 295 harems in 1897. We counted 14 idle and 13 young bulls. I was desirous of looking over the Zapadni rookeries this afternoon before going to St. George, these being the only St. Paul rookeries I have not yet seen, but Mr. Red- path, representative of the North American Commercial Co., objected on the ground that it was the intention of the company to make a drive from Zapadni to-morrow. It appears that he ascribes the small results of the drive at Northeast Point yesterday to the fact that officers of the Bear had landed at the point and that the Beards launch had made a circuit of the shore a day or two before the drive. As no bachelors are driven either from Little Zapadni or Zapadni Reef, I suggested limiting our observa- tions to these rookeries, but this also was objected to and so I left the matter of counting the harems on the Zapadni rookeries to be made by the Government agents after the killing. The company ia behind its killings of last year at this season some 2,000 skins and in fear that it will not be able to secure the full quota it is evidently willing to make any visiting of the rookeries a ground of explanation for the shortage. The obvious reason of the diminished herd does not seem to have any bearing to the company on the difficulty of getting the quota. In the discussion of these matters it became apparent that the company is limited in its killing to the date of July 31. This limitation was a surprise to me, as the killings in 1896 and 1897 were continued as late as August 10. It is an unfortunate provision, as it is likely to lead to close and severe driving toward the end. If, as the company seems to feel, the weather conditions have been unfavorable to the hauling of the seals, or they have been frightened off, it ought to be possible for the Government representatives to extend somewhat the time limit. This, however, they seem not to have the power to do. m SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 883 I went on board the Perry in the evening and was transferred to the Manning at Northeast Point for transportation in the morning to St. George Island. July J 6. — I was landed at St. George at 10 o'clock, no landing being possible earlier in the morning. Mr. Chichester was absent at Zapadni rookery, where a killing was being made. He returned at noon reporting 32 skins as a result of the killing. I visited Little East and East rookeries in the afternoon in company with Maj. Clark. Little East rookery has 4 harems with 71 cows present. Ten cows occupy a position which suggests that they belong to a fifth harem and Maj. Clark says a fifth bull has been present on this rookery. There are no idle or young bulls here. There were 46 harems and 497 cows on this rookery in 1897. The persistence of this small rookery would seem to show a detinitB sense of locality which brings the animals back to the place where they were born or where they first established their breeding home; otherwise it would seem that so small a body of seals as this rookery now represents would be merged into the larger body on East rookery a mile below. The beach or reef portion of East rookery is separated from the main breeding ground by a_long break, a widening of the narrow runway through which the bachelors laauled out in 1896-97. A count of this portion by harems and individuals is as follows: 24, 4, 47, 51, 6, 2, 1, 2, 22, 4, 30, 4, 16, 20, 22, 48, 20, 22, 4, 1, 35, 2; harems, 22; cows, 387. The main portion of East rookery lies at the foot of the cliff at the southern end. There are 43 harems here so scattered and intermingled that they can not be counted for individual cows as was done in 1897. There are 14 idle and 29 young bulls on this rookery. For the 65 harems found this season on East rookery there were 128 in 1897. Five branded cows in all were seen on East rookery. One of these bore three cross bands on the back, which would seem to place the date of her branding earlier than that of any other of the brandings observed. In fact, if there was a cross bar through the middle of the brands it would be possible to identify this cow with those branded in 1896, and such a cross bar may have been omitted in this case or made so faintly as to have left no trace . A considerable body of these branded cows are visible on the rookeries. They seem to indicate conclusively the success and practicability of branding, and there are enough of them to throw definite light upon the question of the age of the animals were it not for the fact that for at least three years prior to the cessation of branding the same mark was used without variation. Thus the absence of these animals will mean only that a minimum age is established. If, for example, one of these cows were known to have disappeared between the seasons of 1910 and 1911, it could be inferred that her age could not have been less than 10 years, although it might be 13, as the same brand was used for at least three years prior to 1902. It is to be regretted that this work of branding was discontinued. The herd has in recent years become so small that it would have been possible to apply it to the entire female birth rate, and this could not help ha\dng a deterrent influence on pelagic sealing. July 17. — I walked to Zapadni rookery and made a count of harems with Mr. Chi- chester. The part of this rookery which in 1896-97 extended along the beach toward the watchhouse has entirely disappeared. The portion under the cliff has also shrunk to a few harems. The rookery occupies only a portion — to the top of the first bench — ■ of the hill slope, numbering 43 harems. There are 13 idle and 22 young bulls. Zapadni rookery of St. George shows a heavier decline than any of the other rookeries of this island with the exception of Little East. It corresponds in a way to the Reef rookeries on St. Paul and it faces, and presumably its seals go in the same direction, southwest, to feed. Contrary to our usual experience with the young bull, a gray one not over 6 years old not only held a harem of three cows in a territory backed by idle bulls, but refused to yield ground to us in our efforts to reach a favorable observation point. In addition to his youth the bull was handicapped by a stiff foreflipper. Staraya Artel rookery has 42 harems. The count for this rookery in 1897 gave 57 harems. Looking at the rookery to-day it seems undiminished, although there is some evidence of shrinkage at the upper end and in its extension on the bowlder beach at the foot of the hill. There are 10 idle and 7 young bulls on this rookery and the idle bulls are unusually fierce and stubborn. Two branded cows were seen on this rookery. North rookery gives 106 harems to-day. There were 214 harems on this rookery for this date in 1897 and 196 at the earlier date of July 8. This rookery, then, seems to fall into a special class with Staraya Artel and East rookeries, showing less reduction than any of the other rookeries. It may be noted that these rookeries face toward the northeast and the principal sealing grounds are toward the southwest. 884 SEAIi ISLANDS OF ALASKA. It is evident also that the pelagic sealers pay little attention to St. George, clinging to St. Paul, where the main herd is. No Japanese sealers have been reported off St. George this season, so far. Eleven branded cows and one branded bull are seen on North rookery. The brands are the same as those seen on St. Paul. The bull here makes the third with this brand, all three evidently having been mistaken for female pups when the branding was done in 1902 or earlier. North rookery shows the same effects of scattering and thinning out visible on other rookeries which occupy short rocky slopes and limited beaches at the foot of cliffs. There is a slight shrinkage at the western end and numerous breaks, but the harems still mark in a general way the full length of the rookery. After making the tramp of 18 miles or more over a rocky and uncertain trail, a good part of the way without any trail at all, necessary to make this inspection of the rookeries of St. George, one wonders why the spare time of the natives on the islands should not be utilized to build suitable roads and trails to the rookeries. As the landing showed evidence of breaking up I went on board the Manning in the evening. July IS. — At 7 o'clock we sailed for St. Paul. At 11 o'clock, and when within 10 or 12 miles of St. Paul, we came abreast of two Japanese sealing schooners at anchor. Ten small boats, each with four men in them, were out patrolling the space between the island and the vessels. The day was calm and unusually clear. No shots were heard and no seals were seen by us, but the boats were so disposed as to cover a wide expanse of water in which every seal showing its head would come within the range of a gun. Later in the day the boats from these vessels were visible from the island and the booming of their guns was distinctly heard. I reached the village of St. Paul at 1 o'clock. The sealing force, accompanied by both agents, had gone to Northeast Point to make a killing the following day. The Perry was at anchor in Village Cove. Two of her officers came ashore in the course of the afternoon. It was unusually clear and St. George Island was visible from St. Paul. The boats from the Japanese schooners to the east of the island seemed at one time to be very close in, within the 3-mile limit. It seemed so also to the officers of the Perry, and the vessel was signaled to this effect. The officers retinrned as quickly as possible to the ship, which got under way and rounded Reef Peninsula, but when it reached the boats they were well outside. Perhaps they were outside all the time. The incident, however, suggests certain things with regard to the patrol: 1. There should be wireless communication between the islands and the patrol vessels. 2. When a vessel is at anchor on the village side, its launch ought to be stationed at East Landing and vice versa. A launch going out from East Landing might have overhauled the boats. The time necessary to signal the vessel and for it to get under way, its smoke in getting up steam serving as a warning to the sealers, is too great to make pm-suit by the cutter itself successful. 3. With both agents absent from the village overnight at Northeast Point, a situa- tion occm'ring every five days through the killing season, there is suggested the possi- ble wisdom of having an officer on the islands to give notice to and act in conjunction with the vessel offshore. The heat of the afternoon sun undoubtedly made many animals enter the water, and the hunters, who were finding no seals in the morning as we passed, plainly had better luck later in the day, and the booming of their guns for four hours in the late afternoon and evening indicated that many seals were being taken. If every shot were fatal, the destruction vrould have been enormous, but in all likelihood each hunter shot at every animal he saw, using not merely one barrel but two on the same animal, as shown by the double shots with a short interval between. This sort of shooting suggests the old discussion regarding the proportion of seals shot and recovered by hunters using guns. It will probably be found that this Japa- nese sealing is much more wasteful and destructive than its catch discloses, on account of the animals mortally wounded which escape temporarily or which sink before they can be recovered. July 19. — On Kitovi rookery there are 96 bachelors on a flat rock below the harems in a position where they can not be driven. Any kind of a 8iu"f will, however, force them to abandon this position, and they will doubtless appear in one of the regular hauling grounds. For piu-poses of comparison, I made a recount of the cows and harems on Kitovi rookery. They were as follows: 5, 1, 4, 5, 44, 13, 10, 11, 24, 13, 16, 18, 14, 26, 22, 1, 32, 16, 24, 10, 5, 10, 56, 2, 44, 1, 2, 43, 42, 1, 28, 10, 17, 37, 1, 13, 14, 12, 6, 18, 14, 13, 1, 27, 23, 3; harems, 46; cows, 754. The Amphitheater counted separately has 9 harems and 144 cows, as follows: 34, 31, 3, 7, 38, 6, 6, 10, 9. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 885 This gives for the entire rookery the same number of harems counted on the 13th and just 6 more cows. There are 7 idle bulls and 14 young bulls. One harem con- taining a single cow in an isolated position has 3 pups; another harem with 4 cows has 8 pups. One of the 3 pups is starving and nearly dead. A bull on Lukanin was observed to perform two successful copulations within an hour. Under the edge of Lukanin Hill are many thin pups evidently 8tar\ang. These pups are restless and hungry. They are constantly calling and moving about from one cow to another, answering every cow that calls. The clipping of the heads of the bachelors reserved for breeding purposes discloses the fact that many of these animals are hanging about the breeding grounds. A dozen or more of them are on the water front under Lukanin Hill. They do not enter the harems, but lie on the shore or on rocks awash with the tide. They are but little molested by the bulls. The killing at Northeast Point to-day gave 718 skins and 34 skins were obtained at Halfway Point. The last killing at the point yielded only 207 skins. The natives had reported about 700 animals on the hauling grounds and it was supposed that the visit of officers of the Bear and the movements of that vessel's launch had frightened most of them into the water. The killing of to-day probably included these animals which have again hauled out. July 20.~-A. killing was made this morning from the Reef, Lukanin, and Tolstoi. Of the 631 seals killed 41 were from Tolstoi. Touching the question of whether the killing at Northeast Point on the 14th was diminished by disturbance of the hauling grounds, it may be noted that the killing from Reef and Tolstoi on the 15th was also small. The following comparison may be noted: Seals. Northeast Point, July 14 207 Reef, Lukanin, and Tolstoi, July 15 365 Northeast Point, July 19 718 Reef, Lukanin, and Tolstoi, July 20 631 There was no disturbance on the Reef or Tolstoi on or near the 15th, and it is probable that weather conditions was the real cause of the small killings on the 14th and 15th. In the killing of the 19th at Northeast Point 67 per cent of the animals driven were killed; in the drive to-day from the Reef 72 per cent were killed. Of the 28 per cent exempted from killing only one-third, or something less than 10 per cent of the whole number driven, were small — that is, left OA^er for the quota of next year. Of the exempted seals 187 were of killable size, but had the shaved heads which marked them as reserved for breeding purposes. If we add these to the number of seals killed we find that the drive this morning contained 818 seals of killable size, or practically 93 per cent, the whole number driven being 881. This leaves only 7 per cent for the quota of next year. For the year 1897 in a drive from Reef and Lukanin on July 19 (this is the 20th), for the 988 seals killed 1,174 small seals were exempted and 377 large ones. The latter went for breeding purposes; the former remained for the quota of 1898. The seals killed in the drive of July 19 in that year were 39 per cent of those driven. The per- centage of seals killed to those driven to-day is 72. To provide a definite reserve of male life for breeding purposes the agents tell me they drove up in the early part of the season, and before killing was begun by the company, 2,000 bachelor seals of 2 and 3 years of age and shaved their heads with sheep shears, thus marking them so that they can be identified by the clubbers and exempted on the killing field. These shaved heads constitute a large part of the animals turned back at each killing. It is to be noted that among those turned back without brand there are none which show evidence of the clipping of last season. It may be inferred, therefore, that the fur and water hair is replaced during the winter. The identification mark is not a permanent thing, but one designed to serve for the current killing season. To insure these animals exemption for breeding purposes next year they must be again shaved next June. In the killing this morning it may be noted that 27 animals with shaved heads, designated as 3-year-olds, were released, but of the unbranded animals released only 5 are designated as 4-year-olds. It is only a supposititious case, but if we assume that twenty-seven 3-year-olds were exempted by the shaving of last season, here are only 5 that have successfully run the gauntlet of the second year. In a word the marking of a 2 or 3 year old seal by a temporary mark which is obliter- ated by the following sea.son, the animal still being killable as a 3 or 4 year old, is futile for the purpose of establishing a breeding reserve. There is another criticism that may justly be brought against this method of marking; that is, clipping or shaving the head — it does not in any way impair the value of the 886 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. skin. Undoubtedly this is a provision to prevent loss through carelessness. If a clubber accidentally strikes a shaved seal its skin is as good as any othier, and such accidents occur, although infrequently. The criticism, however, lies in this: The skin is just as valuable to the pelagic_ sealer as if it were not marked. The shaving of the head is a good plan for identification by the clubber. It would be unwise to attempt to burn a brand on the seal at this point, but while the animal is caught for the purpose of shaving, a permanent burned brand should be placed on the back or shoulder which will mar the value of the skin to the pelagic sealer. If it mars the value of the skin also from the company's point of view, then greater care should be taken in clubbing the animals. The present plan puts a premium on carelessness, and an animal exempted this season is liable to be killed next season. The only way to prevent this is to shave the head of this year's 2-year-Dld next year as a 3-year-old, and again as a 4-year-old the third season; all of which is a useless waste of energy. Mr. Judge reports as follows regarding the counts of harems made on July 16 at Zapadni while I was on St. George: Zapadni Reef: Harems, 11; cows, 137; idle bull, 1; young bull, 1. Little Zapadni: Harems, 62; idle bulls, 9; young bulls, 13. Zapadni: Harems, 147; idle bulls, 20; young bulls, 28. After the killing I walked to Reef Point in company with Capt. Jacobs (in command of the revenue-cutter fleet) and Capt. Berthof of the Bear. For comparative purposes I made a recount of the cows and harems on Ardiguen rookery, as follows: 8, 28, 38, 9, 2, 2, 12, 18, 12, 15, 18, 8, 22, 32. This is an increase of 3 harems and 17 cows over the count of July 15. The new harems are in charge of young bulls. Capts. Jacobs and Berthof remained for lunch at the company's house, and in the com-se of the meal Mr. Redpath made a vigorous protest regarding the landing of the officers of the Bear at Northeast Point and the expedition of the vessel's launch about the shores of the point. Capt. Berthof explained that the trip of the launch was in accordance with his orders, shots having been heard across the point in the fog and the launch being sent to investigate in view of a possible landing. In the visit of the officers on shore he explained that they had taken pains to avoid distiu-bance of the eealB. On Kitovi and Lukanin rookeries this afternoon I gave particular attention to the Btarving pups. There are few harems on any of the rookeries which do not show at least one such pup. In one harem on Kitovi were three starving pups; one perhaps already dead. A second showed signs of breathing, but it was unconscious and the living pups were trampling over it without rousing it. The third was just able to get up and stagger away from a vigorous pup which wished to engage him in play. He tries to nurse a sleeping cow but is driven off. He is past the stage of acute hunger and soon lies down to sleep. A fomth starving pup in a neighboring harem has more strength and tries a number of cows one after another in quick succession, crying piti- fully as he wanders about meeting with no sympathy or help. This same pictm"e might be duplicated a dozen times on Kitovi and Lukanin to-day in as many harems. The number of dead pups is increasing, and all have that pinched, emaciated look which indicates starvation. There are foiu" branded cows in two harems under Lukanin Hill. Two branded cows have been previously noted here. In looking at these branded cows — the arched brand across the middle of the back cutting the skin in two and necessarily dividing its value to the pelagic sealer — one can not avoid protesting against the abandonment of this practical experiment as applied to the female pups, and against the failure to apply it in the case of the 2,000 young males reserved this spring for breeding purposes. July 21. — I attended the killing at Zapadni, going over in the Government's gasoline launch, which towed the natives in their boats. The launch had to return to the village for repairs and the company's steam launch was fired up and sent over. _ Both launches were anchored close to Little Zapadni rookery, it must be said, without apparently attracting any attention from the seals located there during the time of the killing. I did not expect it to be otherwise, but in view of the protest against the expedition of the Bear's launch, the fact that the Government launch and the company's launch produce no harmful effect is significant. The Perry was anchored at Village Cove, and the fog shutting in about her, she sounded her whistle. This was criticized by Mr. Redpath as tending to stir up the seals and frighten them off. I particularly observed the Zapadni rookeries with a view to ascertaining the effect of this whistling upon the seals, and it was not apparent that it had any effect. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 887 ^The count of harems for the Zapadni rookeries was made by Messrs. Lembkey and Judge on the 16th, but in inspecting these rookeries this morning I made a recount, which agrees in all essentials with the earlier one. It is noticeable that the seals on the main part of Zapadni do not enter the "death- trap " gully this year at all. That it is many years since they have done so is apparent from the fact that the gully is grass-grown throughout. The entire surface of the gully is covered with bowlders set at intervals of 3 or 4 feet. This was evidently done in accordance with the recommendations of the commission of 1896-97, when the mortality found in these places was thought to be due to the charging of the fighting bulls. The second "death-trap" area on Zapadni has been abandoned also and is grass- grown. It is also set with bowlders. One branded bull and two branded cows were seen on this rookery. Two bulls were seen guarding what had apparently been harems. Each had a number of pups about him and showed every indication of holding them as a harem. These bulls were located near the hauling ground, and the harems may have been disturbed in making the drive this morning. The pups are all well nourished. Main Zapadni retains its outline, but all its masses are shrunk to the bowlder beach. The harems can be counted from the rear without difficulty. In 1897 it was necessary to get the beach count by boat. The harems continue to the limit at the point, the lateral shrinkage being from the end at the sand beach of Southwest Bay. Little Zapadni is reduced to a single line of harems along the water front, with a slight massing of harems at the end toward Zapadni Reef. There are no bachelors on the hauling ground of Little Zapadni and none have been obtained from this hauling ground this season. A count of Zapadni Reef by harems this morning resulted as follows: 1, 4, 23, 7, 1, 3, 14, 13, 3, 8, 20. Harems, 11; cows, 97. These harems are bunched at the lower end of the reef where it widens in a. point. A young bull holding a harem leaves it to enter the water at my approach, returning to his place as I pass by. His cows are not disturbed. There are no bachelors to-day on the hauling ground of Tolstoi rookery. In the evening I made a count of the harems on Sivutch Rock, assisted by Mr. Judge, going over in a boat from East Landing. There are 61 harems, 2 idle, and 6 young bulls. This rookery had 102 harems in 1897, and, consequently, shows less decline than other rookeries of St. Paul. This is probably due to the fact that Sivutch Rock, lying just off Reef Peninsula, is directly m the route of seals making for Reef rookery and likely to draw from the larger breeding ground. About 100 bachelors were hauled out on the reef end of the islet. The harems extended across the middle portion of the rock in such a way as to make it necessary to dislodge one harem in order to reach the high ground from which the southern end of the rookery is visible. July 22. — A count of the cows and harems on the Amphitheater of Kitovi resulted as follows: 18, 1, 22, 3, 33, 10, 1, 11, 12. Harems, 8; cows. 111. For the 43 cows in the little bight there are 66 pups. There are 37 harems, 3 idle bulls, and 16 young bulls on Lukanin to-day. Three dead pups are visible in one harem under the cliiff. Many starving pups are visible from this point. It is clear to-day and three schooners are visible to the eastward. Two of these are the same vessels seen on July 18, and they are in very much the same position. One small boat is visible with the naked eye. One of these schooners is the Toyti Maru. She had 644 skins when boarded by the Manninq on July 11. She was recently spoken by the Manninq and reported something over 900 skins. The greater part of her catch of 644 reported for July 11 was taken in Asiatic waters before entering Bering Sea. She is said to carry 9 Canadian sealers, who have taken out Japanese naturali- zation papers. Shooting in the direction of the schooners is heard continuously during the after- noon. July 23. — Attended the killing at Northeast Point and looked over the rookeries again after the drive. There are 5 harems to-day on the west side of Sea Lion Neck, where only 3 were found on the 14th. Two dead pups were obtained from the edge of the mass of seals to the west of Wal- rus Bight. Both are starved, as shown by the great emaciation, empty stomachs, and black tarry faces. A count of adult animals showed 103 bulls, cows, and bachelor sea lions on the point. The sea-lion pups were not counted. Mingled as they are with the mother lur seals and resembling them in size and color it seems not unlikely that sea-lion pups were mistaken for fur-seal cows in the case of the harems supposed to have been found on Buldir Island a year or two ago. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. There is a second breeding ground of sea lions between the point and Hutchinson Hill. No fur seals are mixed in here. It was possible to count 24 sea-lion pups. With these were 5 adult sea-lion bulls and 6 cows. Other cows were in the water. There are 46 fur-seal harems to-day under Hutchinson Hill where 51 were counted on the 14th. Only 6 idle bulls remain, showing that some of these have acquired harems. Three harems are located on the slope of Hutchinson Hill. It is nearly a quarter of a mile to the shore. The cows occupying these harems must have come to them from a definite sense of locality, as they have had not merely to work through the harems on shore but to cross the full width of the flat between the beach and the foot of the hill. One isolated harem of 14 cows to the west of Hutchinson Hill is held by a young bull which leaves the cows and takes to the water, returning to his harem when we have passed. The killing at the point this morning yielded 475 skins. The total number of animals driven was 712. Of these, 136 were shaved heads; 48 were rejected because too big, 53 because too little. Out of the 712 animals, therefore, only 53, or 7^ per cent, are available for next year's quota. With this may be compared a killing made at Northeast Point in 1897. The total number killed was 1,322. The full drive numbered 3,869. There were no shaved heads. Of the 2,547 exempted from killing, 500 were too large, 2,047 too small. The 2,047 small seals, or 55 per cent of the whole drive, were left for the quota of 1898 Contrast with this the 7^ per cent left for the quota of 1910. A killing was made at Halfway Point as usual on the return trip. It yielded 32 skins. Fifteen animals — young bulls — too large for killing and 9 shaved heads were exempted, but no small seals whatever. As the end of the killing season approaches it is plain that no seal is really too small to be killed. Skins of less than 5 pounds weight are taken and also skins of 8 and 9 pounds. These latter are plainly animals which escaped the killing of last year because their heads were shaved. Otherwise it does not seem clear how they did escape. July 24- — A killing was made this morning from Reef and Lukanin. Tolstoi has ceased to yield any bachelors. The killing yielded 685 skins; 135 shaved heads were turned back. The total number of animals driven was 941. Of the remain- ing exemptions 81 were too big for killing; 40, too little. In short, only slightly over 4 per cent of the animals driven were left for the quota of 1910. The actual percentage killed was 72. If we add the number of killable size marked for breed- ing reserve, 135, the percentage of killable seals in this drive rises to 87 per cent. In a drive made from these same rookeries on this date in 1897 the percentage of killable seals was 23. A count of cows and harems was made on Ardiguen rookery as follows: 8, 59, 51,^ 4, 6, 16, 18, 11, 2, 18, 27, 16. This gives a total of 13 harems and 236 cows. One of the young bulls has gone. A number of starving pups are visible. One makes persistent but ineffectual attempts to nurse sleeping cows. A recount was also made of the Amphitheater of Kitovi, as follows: 1, 21, 15, 25, 6, 4, 5, 11, 3. Harems, 9; cows, 91. One harem is gone, cows, bull, pups, and all, and a young bull has a new harem. For the harem of 21 cows there are 43 pups. Among them are several starving ones. There are 4 dead pups in two harems under Lukanin Hill. Under Lukanin Hill are a considerable number of small, restless animals which young bulls are rounding up on the water front. These are without doubt the young 2-year-old cows. July 25. — -Went over to Zapadni this morning with the killing crew. The com- pany's coal-burning launch was used to tow the boats over, and it was as usual anchored directly in front of Little Zapadni rookery without in any way alarming the seals on this rookery. An inspection of the Zapadni rookeries showed the same growing mortality among the pups, due to starvation, that is so visible on Kitovi and the Reef rookeries. A large number of the young 2-year-old cows were visible on the main rookery of Zapadni. The killing at Zapadni yielded 245 skins; 32 shaved heads were exempted from killing, and in addition 11 big and 22 little unshaved animals. Of the total drive of 310 animals 79 per cent were killed. There is evident to-day a tendency among the seals on the main part of Tolstoi to spread out on the sand flat. Four considerable harems are located there. Four dead pups are visible in the outer edge of a large pod of pups. Three of these are > Two harems that can not be separated. SEAIi ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 889 obtained with some difficulty, but all three are manifestly dead of starvation. There is no trace of the worm in the small intestine. In view of the fact that the breeding seals have not until lately been on the sand flat it does not seem worth while to disturb the rookery to make a thorough search for animals possibly dead from the worm. All pups so far found have manifestly died of other causes. Sections of the intestines, however, have been preserved ana will be turned over to Mr. Chichester for closer examination. The investigation of the parasite uncinaria has been specially assigned to Mr. Chichester for study, but unfortunately he has been stationed on St. George Island this summer, where no trace of the worm was found to exist in 1897. He is expected to come to St. Paul soon after the 1st of August, and a more definite search for the worm will then be made. It is evident, however, that the epidemic among the pups on Tolstoi this season will not be due to the worm, but to the Japanese sealers. The little starvlings are wandering like ghosts everywhere. One very hungry and persistent pup is seen in 15 minutes' observation to attempt to nurse 1\) different cows. ^A.t Kitovi rookery this afternoon the pups were seen for the first time this season trying the water. It is clear and sunshiny. A considerable number of pups are play- ing in a small cove. None know how to swim, and they \'irtually walk about under the water, where they get into deep water. The pups trying the water are plainly the oldest and most active pups. The wet pups in harems far from the water show that the little fellows are not all from the near- water harems. A young bachelor with a shaved head lands among the wet pups and attempts to round them up bull-fashion into a harem. A sealing schooner is sailing along the east side of St. Paul Island toward Xortheast Point. July 26. — It is clear and unusually calm this morning. Shots are heard in the vicinity of East Landing. The natives report hearing them since 4 o'clock. Mr. Redpath thinks the shots too numerous to represent shooting at seals. In his opinion, boats are approaching the 3-mile limit and volleying with a view to frightening the seals into the water in the hope that they will come within reach. The sight of the sealing schooners and boats and the sound of the firing have given the natives of St. Paul a vivid sense of what is causing the seals to diminish. In 1836-97 pelagic sealing was a remote evil but dimly realized. A native was then apt to ascribe the diminution of the seals to rookery investigation. The fences put about the salt lagoon and Webster Lake in 1897 for the purpose of herding the bachelor seals rejected from the drives to keep them out of the way of the pelagic sealers have disappeared. There are several rolls of wire lying about, but the posts are gone. This experiment, like the branding, has evidently been laid aside as a failure. Under the Canadian sealing the herding of the bachelors was a rather remote possibility of help, as the bachelor seals are less likely to feed at long distances from the islands and never so fre^juently as the mother seals. With Japanese sealing on the 3-mile limit, however, the matter is entirely different. The bachelors, if they go to sea at all, must cross this line going and coming and are therefore as liable to be shot as the females. Some means of holding them, if even for no longer than 10 days at a time, would represent a positive protection to them. It is therefore to be regretted exceedingly that the inclosure of the salt lagoon is not now available for the herding of at least the shaved-headed bachelors reserv^ed for breeding purposes, which, as matters stand, have been liable to the fire of the Japanese sealers during the past month and are still liable to it for the month of August. These two practical experiments — branding and herding — successfully inaugurated in 1836-97, have, it seems to me, been condemned without a proper test and to the detriment of our interests in the seal herd. Fours3ilin?schooaersare ia si?ht on the east side of St. Paul Island this afternoon, the weather being cleir. 0:ie of thstn seemed very close to Walrus Island. Evidently the Bsar thought so, too, for it sailed out and circled about the vessel. A seizure was anticipated, but the schooner was not within the 3-mile limit. In clear weather it is difficult to judge distances. From the sands of English Bay four other schooners are visible this afternoon, also to the southwest, evenly spaced between Tolstoi and Zapadni heads. There has been a scattering of the sealing fleet within the past few days with a movement in the direc- tion of Northeast Point. It looks this afternoon as if the island was to be encircled. Shootingisheardon both sides of the island. It sounds like skirmish firing. Counted for several minutes the shots numbered about five a minute. Probably other vessels are farther out and only the shooting of the nearest boats are audible. The B?ar is stationed at Northeast Point. The Perry is cruising to the southwest, her station being at the village end of the island. The vessels change their location from'one side to the other daily, except in rough weather, when they hold the lee side. 890 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. is nothing that the vessels can do to hinder or prevent the work of the sealers. In the case of the Canadian sealers it was possible to board and search their catches for shot skins. There is no reasonable excuse for boarding the Japanese vessels. The vessels do not have to violate the territorial limit. The sealing is no better at 2 miles than at 4. All the animals coming and going must cross the 4 or 5 mile line, or, for that matter, the 10-mile line, their journey being a long one — 100 to 200 miles out. A vessel getting within the 3-mile limit, or even getting one of its boats within this limit,leaves itself liable to seizure, with loss of vessel and catch. The Tenyu Mara, seized by the Perry early in the season, was 11 miles out; but one of her boats got within 1^ miles of Otter Island and was caught. Raiding of the rookeries has proved a disastrous form of sealing and is not likely to be attempted. If it were, it would be tried in foggy weather or at night, when the real protection of the rookeries would be the shore guard. It is unsafe to work close in- shore with the cutters in foggy weather. In short, the work of patrol, while necessary as a deterrent influence, is futile so far ae preventing or even limiting the vfork of pelagic sealing is concerned. Its mission is merely to see that the work of destruction is carried on in a lawful manner, there being no inducement other than a spirit of foolhardihood and recklessness for pursuing it otherwise. It would be better to ignore the patrol of the 3-mile limit, place a strong guard on each rookery, invite the sealers to raid, and fight it out with them. A coast guard, with launches at hand for a quick dash out from shore, would accomplish more in the way of seizures. Under such conditions it would be some satisfaction to be engaged in defending the rookeries. As it is now one's blood boils from sheer helplessness to do anything. The very vigilance of the patrol prevents violation of the law which would make seizures possible, while the sealing itself goes on without restriction or abatement. The pups are playing in the water everywhere along Tolstoi front. Many of them are able to swim. Among the pups are the 2-year-old cows in increasing numbers. These animals are also scattered among the harems and are readily distinguishable because of their restlessness. The older bulls pay little attention to them. There are no bachelors on Tolstoi and there have been none since the 20th. It looks as if the supply was exhausted. There has been heavy surf on two or three occasions from the southwest, but no wind- row of dead pups has been thrown up at the lower end of Tolstoi. Two branded bulls occupy adjacent harems to-day in the edge of Tolstoi sand flat. One was previously noted here. This makes five of these branded bulls, branded in mistake for females. All five of these bulls look about the same age. The last use of this brand was in 1902, and it was used for about three seasons prior to this date. The ages of these bulls must lie between 7 and 10 years. Some light is thrown on the ages of the bulls by the history of the idle-bull class since 1896-97. In those years we found thov sands of these animals swarming over the vacant breeding grounds. It was felt then that the origin of this excess of idle bulls lay in the effect of the modus vivendi of 1891-92-93, which restricted land killing. This conjecture is confirmed by the fact that the disappearance of these bulls occurred in three seasons, 1901-2-3, the disappearance being so definite and sudden as to occa- sion alarm in 1903-4. As the young males, unnecessarily spared by the suppression of killing in 1891-1893, were then 3 years of age, their disappearance occurring 10 years afterwards, marks 13 as an average or normal age of the bull fur seal, a period of life considerably shorter than has pre\'iously been assigned to him. Observation of the five branded bulls noted this season on the rookeries ought to throw additional light on this subject in the course of the next three or four years. The branded cows should throw similar light en the age of the females. On the very top of the hill slope of Tolstoi, back of the sand flat, is a young cow with a pup a few days old. There is no bull and no other harems within 500 feet. The mother seems very solicitous about the pup, and it is found to be anchored to the placenta by a very thick umbilical cord, the placenta being wedged between rocks, holding the pup fast. The cow fights furiously to prevent the pup from being released, and it is only by holding her off by main force at the end of a pole that the pup can be cut loose. At the other end of the slope is another similar case, except that the pup is free, and with the mother is a young 2-year-old cow. The mother defends her "pup vigorously for a time, but, as if knowing that it is free to get away itself, she abandons it. The presence of these cows in places where no regular harems have been this season, and probably not last, without bulls, seems to point to some instinctive return of the cow to a definite locality on the rookery, determined perhaps by place of birth. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 891 A dead pup, seciu-ed from the edge of a harem on the sand flat of Tolstoi, was found to be starved. There was no trace of uncinaria in the intestines. July 27. — The drive at Northeast Point this morning yielded 187 skins. Only 3 animals too small to be killed were turned back. Polovina rookery gave only 16 skins, and no animals too small to be killed were turned back. The weather is blamed for the shortage, and it has not been favorable; but the supply of killable seals is plainly approaching exhaustion for this year and for next as well. A recount of Kitovi rookerv by harems was made for comparative purposes. It resulted as follows: 3, 0, 3, 2, 4, 7, 18, 8, 34, 14, 12, 10, 5, 20, 16, 14, 17, 4, 16, 8, 14, 17, 11, 12, 2, 14, 4, 28, 6, 22, 7, 2, 6, 7, 7, 4, 14, 6, 7, 8, 1, 3, 14. Harems, 42; cows, 448. The Amphitheater was counted separately as follows: 0, 10, 4, 2, 19, 1, 8, 1. Harems 8; cows, 45. For the entire rookery this gives 50 harems and 493 cows. A dead cow is lodged in the rocks at the edge of the surf, as if washed in. Another cow is lying in an imconscious condition in the little cove at the bottom of the 'Amphi- theater. There are shot holes in her neck, or possibly the marks of teeth. In the evening, in company with Mr. Lembkey, I returned to examine the dead and injured cows. The dead one was brought up on the bank and examination showed shot holes in the neck and also in the small of the back. The unconscious cow was still alive and was brought up out of reach of the surf. It was decided to leave her till morning. It is raining this evening for the first time since I arrived on the islands. The season is in respect of clear weather very similar to the season of 1897, but very different from the season of 1896. The grass is short. It was waist-high in 1896. July 28. — The killing this morning from Reef and Gorbatch yielded 453 skins. No seals were found on Lukanin or Tolstoi. The animals killed were 77 per cent of those driven. Only 18 small seals were turned back. After the killing I went to Kito-vi with Mr. Lembkey and Dr. Mills to examine the dead and injured cows. The dead cow had seven shot holes, four in the neck and three in the rump, one piercing the uterus. She had been dead about two days. It is prob able that she had just strength enough left to reach the shore. The condition of this cow explains the double shots heard so frequently in the vicinity of the sealing schooners. The fur seal, when it is alarmed, raises its head and neck above the water to try to get sight of the object that alarms it. This offers a good mark for the first shot. The animal makes a dive, which brings the entire body out of the water in a long curve, the tail disappearing last and offering a mark for the second barrel. Double-barrel shotguns are used by the Japanese sealers. The buckshots taken from this animal correspond exactly to those t?ken in 1896-97 from animals shot then by Canadian sealers. The second cow was still alive. She was killed and skinned. The holes in her neck were the result of a bite and were not serious. Her skull was found to be fractured, the hole being very small, as if made by a jagged stone. \Miile examining this cow a second dead cow was found at some distance back from a neighVioring harem. She was recently dead and her head was literally crushed. Two possible explanations are suggested for the condition of these two cows — first, that a raid had been made at this point, the boat getting away with such seals as were captured, these two being left behind; second, tlaat the animals had been stoned by boys from the village. That a raid was made here seems improbable. Mr. Lembkey will ascertain as to the other theory. In the afternoon I visited Polovina rookery in company with Mr. Judge. It rained heavily. The surf was washing over the reef at the point and the harems formerly located on its edge had moved back on the higher ground behind. The animals on the flat were in a very uncomfortable state by reason of the rain. A large band of seals are swimming in the surf offshore, both on the main rookery and the cliff portion. These animals have evidently taken to the- water as affording greater comfort than can be found on- the land. It is to be noted that when the animals take to the water in this way, either as a result of weather conditions or when disturbed in the course of rookery inspection, they do not go far out — seldom more than a few rods, never anything like 3 miles. They swim back and forth, play and sleep in the water, landing again as they feel like it; in all probability going to sea to feed, if ready to do so. There is, however, no evidence that disturbance on the rookery of a normal, ordinary kind "will frighten seals into range of the pelagic sealers 3 to 10 miles off the rookeries. The fear that the counting of seal pups will do this is apparently verj'' real to the representatives of the company and seems to be shared by the Government agents themselves, but in my judgment it is unwarranted. The fur seal does not have intelligence enough to carry the impression of fright so long or so far as this; other\vise we should not have the animals which are released from the much more trying ordeal of the killing field returning and imme- diately hauling out on the grounds from which they were driven three or four hours before. 892 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. The rain sends the bachelor seals into the water. It was reported that about 200 bachelors were hauled out at Zapadni yesterday, but that to-day there are only about 50. It is also true, however, that if rain drives the animals into the water, the rough weather which accompanies it leaves the animals uncomfortable at sea also, and they are likely to haul better after a storm. In making the drive from the Reef and Gorbatch this morning the drivers must have pressed the breeding grounds closely, as a considerable number of cows, 14 at least, were included. These were for the most part recognized and exempted by the clubbers, but two adult cows in milk were killed by accident. Most of the cows were young animals — 2-year-olds. July 29. — The killing scheduled this morning for Zapadni has been postponed, as too few seals are hauled there to make it worth while. Zoltoi in 1896-97 was the favorite hauling ground of a group of idle bulls. It has 60 far had no such animals on it, but to-day there are 6 bulls on the side toward East Landing. Two are young bulls, four look like harem bulls which have withdrawn to rest. Two bulls are to-day hauled out on what we, in 1896, termed the "hospital" of Gorbatch. These bulls are, however, not derelicts but vigorous animals. Mr. Lembkey reports that the cows found dead on the Amphitheater of Kitovi were actually stoned by some native boys who offer as an excuse that while they were seeking birds' nests the seals attacked them and they stoned them in self-defense. On Kitovi the first two harems on the point have lost their bulls. The cows are gone from one harem, only one pup remaining; the other harem has four cows and eight pups. These harems were small and it is probable that the bulls, having served all the cows, have gone to sea. Many young gray bulls are noted in the rookery and about it, and particularly in the larger harems are many of the 2-year-old cows. Starvation is steadily at work. Every harem has its starvlings and the dead pups are increasing. They pull out from the pods of pups to die alone. There are two bulls side by side on Kitovi each with a "moon' ' or blind eye. One is quite a character and has been observed to occupy his present position for several seasons. The second bull is younger. The branded bull continues to hold his harem. July 30. — The drive from Zapani this morning gives 585 skins. It is the largest drive from this rookery for the season. Those killed constitute 79 per cent of all the animals driven. Only 39, too small, are turned back. The closeness of the driving is evident from the fact that 10 cows are recognized; two are accidently killed. One bachelor with a St. George identification mark (three clipped spots on the shoulders as well as the head shaved) is seen. Mr. Allis, the company's representative from St. George, arrives at St. Paul on the Manning. He reports only 175 skins needed to fill the proportion of the quota for St. George. Mr. Lembkey sends word by the Manning to St. George to take additional skins there if possible, as St. Paul will be short of its proportion of the quota. It is reported from Northeast Point that the sealers have a number of boats at or within the 3-mile limit shooting with a view to' frightening the seals into the water and, as to-morrow is the last day of sealing, Mr. Redpath goes this afternoon to the point to have a drive made this evening with a view to holding them over till to-morrow to insure there not being driven off. The pups at the point on Kitovi, where they were first noted as going into the water on the 25th, are learning to swim fast. Many of them are expert already. Three little cows are playing with the swimming pups. They can scarcely be 2-year-olds and seem like last year's pups. They are but little bigger than the oldest pups. If these are yearlings, they are the first and only ones of this class so far recognized. It is believed that the yearlings, as a class, come later in the fall. In 1896-97, how- ever, many of them used to be included in the drives from Lukauin. The first harem on the point at Kitovi, from which the original bull has been gone for several days, is now in charge of a young bull, who takes to the water, but returns. He has three cows. The second harem is still without bull, and there is only one starving pup. The branded bull is still in his place. Of the four starving pups in one harem at Rock 10, two are dead, one dying, and the fourth is missing. This is the fir.st quiet day since the storm. The booming of the guns to the east of the island can be heard. The Toyei Maru, which is anchored off Kitovi Point, is plainly visible. When spoken by the Bear on the 26th, she reported 936 skins.- She had 644 on July 11. July -S^.— This is the last day of sealing, and preparations are being made to drive every rookery. The killing from Reef and Gorbatch yields 660 skins. This repre- sents 76 per cent of the animals driven. One hundred and ten seals are obtained from Lukanin and Kitovi. No small seals are rejected in this drive; 21 small ones are left from the Reef drive Nineteen skins are obtained at Halfwav Point. The SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 893 drive at Northeast Point gives 330 skins; 15 small ones only are exempted. Zapadni, redriven to-day, gives 41 additional skins taken. Three small ones are released. At the drive yesterday from this rookery 39 small animals were released. Most of these are probably included in the killing to-day. Gorbatch is driven a second time to-day and 62 skins taken. This is certainly whirlwind sealing and an effective clean up of the hauling grounds. If the Alaska Commercial Co. cleaned up the hauling grounds \vithout reference to the new lessees in the season of 1889, the North American Commercial Co. has in like manner cleaned up the hauling grounds Avithout reference to the lessees of next year. The total of to-day's killing on St. Paul is 1,222 skins. There were 18 cows in the drive at Northeast Point to-day. Cows are harder to manage on the killing field than bachelors. No cows were killed to-day. One bachelor from St. George was present in the drive at the point to-day, recog- nizable by the clipped shoulders, in addition to clipped head. This clipping on the back is apparently an effective means of damaging the skin for the season at least, and if branding with the iron is not used this double clipping should be adopted also for St. Paul. It is reported by the guards at Northeast Point that nine sealing boats came in in the fog very close to the shore, the hunters discharging their guns as quickly and aa often as possible, the purpose being to frighten the seals. There were three sealing schooners off the point. Vostockni rookery is still an impressive sight as seen from Hutchinson Hill . There are probably no more seals on it to-day than when I was last here, but they have spread back on the flat and make a better showing. August 1. — On Gorbatch rookery the starving pups are very conspicuous. Five are seen in one harem. Every harem has its dead and starving. Twenty-five of the little 2-year-old cows are playing with the pups in one cove on Gorbatch. These animals are conspicuous on all the rookeries. The hauling grounds of the reef show only a small number of animals — shaved heads and young bulls. There are no killable seals on Lukanin. August 2. — A count of live pups was made on Aixliguen rookery this morning. There are 339 living, and 16 dead, making 355 in all. Two hundred and seven cows were counted here on July 15. There are still 9 harems. One wet bull came in directly from the sea and was hardest to move. Of the 16 dead pups, all but 3 were recently dead, and starvation was plainly the cause of death. Of the living pups, 28 were noted as certainly starving, their death being but a matter of a few days. Other pups were noted as hungry, but their mothers might still return. In the first large harem at the end of Gorbatch cinder slope are 3 dead and 5 starving pups. A very careful count of pups was made this afternoon on Kitovi rookery with the assistance of Agents Lembkey and Judge; 1,979 pups were found. Sixty of these are already dead, with one exception, all of starvation. Fifty pups were noted as doomed to die of starvation within a few days. The day was foggy and rainy. A heavy sm-f was beating on the shore. Practically all the cows were turned into the water and most of the bulls. The day has been ideal for the work, in that the Japanese sealers have not been able to operate. It is my belief that practically no damage to the rookery has resulted. No cow would volim- tarily go to sea in such rough weather, and in all probability all will resume their places on the rookery. An examination will be made to-morrow to ascertain the fact. In the count of pups to-day, as in 1896-97, great difficulty was experienced by reason of the massing of the pups in crevices in the rocks, from which it was necessary in many cases to drag them out to ascertain their number. This rookery should be gone over in the fall and these crevices filled up with stones in such a way as to prevent the pupa from packing into them in case of a count. If it were not for this hiding of the pups, the counting would not be difficult. At the dinner table this evening, Mr. Redpath very emphatically protested against the count of live pups as the most detrimental thing that could be done to the herd, and one that should be stopped. He based his opinion on two grounds: First, that the bulls driven off would leave the cows without adequate service, and second, that the cows driven off would be killed by the Japanese sealers. He cited the action of Mr. Sims in 1906 in suppressing the rookery counts as the most sensible action taken by the Government recently in rookery investigation. As a matter of fact, when we consider the case of Kitovi rookery, which has been subjected to annual counts for each season since 1896 with the exception of 1906, we find that it has apparently not suffered adversely by the work of investigation, to which it has been subjected in excess of any of the other rookeries. Its measure of decline 894 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. in the 12 years has been in round numbers 63 per cent, while the measure of decline in the Northeast Point rookery of Vostochni — one farthest removed from inspection or disturbance— has been 80 per cent. If we take the actual count of live pups for the past three seasons we find them to be— 1907, 1,859; 1908, 1,960; 1909, 1,979, showing an apparent increase in pups, in all likelihood due to an influx of cows from other rookeries, or greater exemption from the effects of pelagic sealing. At any rate, the harmful effect of rookery inspection and investigation is not seen in the rookery where most of it has been done. Speaking of the failure to get the full quota of skins, Mr. Redpath expressed the opinion that no difficulty would have been experienced in getting the quota if it had not been for the interference necessary in the marking of the reserve for breeding pur- poses, which was done before killing for the quota could be commenced. The limita- tion of killing to the 31st of July was also objectionable. August, o. — I visited Kitovi rookery this afternoon at the hour on which the count of live pups was made yesterday, being accompanied by Mr. Judge. We counted 42 harem bulls in place, with the harems restored to their places to all intents and purposes as thev were before the count was begun yesterday. At the count of cows and harems on Kitovi on July 26 only 50 of the original 55 harems were found. Two of these at the point have been noted as missing for several days, so that the actual decrease in harems to-day over the 26th is only 6. Looking at Kitovi rookery to-day one can not see that it shows any difference as a result of its disturbance yesterday, and I am unwilling to admit that it has suffered any damage whatever as a result of our work. August 4. — A count of pups was made this morning on Lagoon, Tolstoi Cliffs, and Zapadni Reef. On Lagoon rookery there were 320 cows and 8 bulls present. All except 1 young bull and 1 cow went into the water; 693 pups were found; 22 were dead; 30 starving. Two dead cows were found, too decayed to determine cause of death. This rookery had on July 12, 12 harems and 281 cows. One pup was seen with one hind flipper cut off clean at the body; the wound was fresh and the pup was active and hearty. On Tolstoi Cliffs 1,452 pups were found. This rookery had, on July 15, 698 cows in 25 harems; 55 of the pups were dead and 36 were found starving, i. e., in a condi- tion where death from this cause was assured. One branded cow not previously observed was seen. A bachelor was found pinned down imder a bowlder which had in some way shifted enough to imprison the animal by its fore flipper. Death resulted from starvation and was recent enough to make it worth while to save the skin. A newly born pup was observed. The cows and bulls on this rookery returned in many cases to their places before «ve left the rookery. A pod of several hundred bachelors was found on this rookery in a place from which they could not be driven. A vacant space in the rookery has evidently been taken by them as a hauling ground. Many were shaved heads, but a good many killable seals were among them. On Zapadni Reef 319 pups were found, with 10 dead and 7 starving. This rookery had on July 16, 137 cows in 11 harems. A newly born pup was found here anchored to a heavy placenta, which prevented its moving about. It was cut loose. A young bull turned back in the drive at Northeast Point on July 31, and, recog- nizable by a peculiarly torn under lip, was present on Zapadni Reef to-day in charge of a small harem, which he defended vigorously. The counting of pups on Zapadni Reef and Ijagoon was a simple and easy matter compared with Kitovi and Tolstoi Cliffs because there were no crevices in which the pups could hide. The foregoing counts of pups aggregate 4,798. Of this number 161 are dead, the cause of death being in practically all cases starvation; 143 will die of the same cause within a few clays — a mortality of 6^ per cent. This mortality is attributable to pelagic sealing for the month of July. A like or even greater mortality will result from the sealing of the month of August. In other words, the rookeries of St. Paul Island are to suffer a loss of approximately 13 per cent of their birth rate of pups for the present and of their stock of breeding females from pelagic sealing. An inspection of the hauling grounds of Reef Peninsula shows only a small number of bachelors on the shore — for the most part shaved heads and young bulls. In the evening I went on board the Perry and arranged with Capt. Haake for trans portation to the Manning at St. George to-morrow afternoon. Returning from the. vessel at 8 o'clock, our boat passed another boat containing Agents Lembkey and Chichester going to warn the Perry that sealing boats close inshore, and apparently SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 895 intending to land, were seen by the guard at Zapadni. The report had been received by telephone. The Pf.nti got under way but it was dark by the time the point was reached and nothing was seen of the boats. Reent'orcements to the guards at Zapadni were sent over by Agent Judge. This incident suggests certain things : First, that the revenue cutters on patrol duty should have searchlights. If there were boats at Southwest Point last night such a light would have disclosed the fact. Second, that a trained guard of marines, which could keep cool and await the land- ing of the raiders with a hope of effecting a capture, would be better than the native guard. The natives are apt to get excited and to see things that do not exist, or to see things close at hand which are beyond the 3-mile limit. I do not mean to impeach, the loyalty or courage of the natives, but they are not trained to guard duty or to meeting and dealing with emergency matters, and the direction and supervision of the agents are far away from them both in distance and in time. Third, that there exist no proper roads or trails to the rookeries. A suggestion was made in 1896-97 that suitable roads be built to give ready access to the rookeries, largely on the ground of convenience. Now, \\ath the possibility of a raid on any of the rook- eries at any time the matter is one of real necessity. To send re enforcements to the guard at Zapadni to-night meant that men must walk 7 miles over a blind and uncer- tain trail in the dark and carry their guns and provisions. If the raid were at North- east Point the distance is twice as great, and it could not be safely traversed in the darkness with a team. The trip by mule team in daylight requires 3^ to 4 hours. There are two strong mule teams and one horse in the xdllage, but there is not a single rookery on the island to which they could be used to transport a body of men at night to repel a raid. In daylight the only road is that to Northeast Point, on which a team can not travel above a walk. This matter of roads is a crying need on the islands, and the services of the natives ought to be available from the close of the sealing season to the setting in of winter to build such roads. August 5. — Having finished the necessary work on the islands I went on board the Perry and was transferred to the Manning at St. George Island, this vessel having been ordered to cruise on the 60-mile zone in search of Canadian sealing vessels, none of which have yet been seen in Bering Sea. Three Canadian vessels — ^the Pescawha, the Thomas F. Bayard, and the Jessie — were boarded by the Bear in the North Pacific on June 23. They were then engaged in sea-otter hunting. On the way "to St. George the Perry passed close to Otter Island, sufficiently close to enable me with a glass to see that no seals were hauled out on this island. The Japanese sealing fleet is no longer concentrated to the southwest off Otter Island. No vessels were in sight from the Perry this afternoon, although her course would have shown as many as 11 vessels on the 11th of July. The Japanese fleet has moved up toward the northern end of St. Paul Island. August 6. — The Perry returned to St. Paul this morning and the Manning sets out for the western end of the southwest quadrant of the 60-mile zone. Reaching this on the morning of the 7th, she begins a zigzag course, running 5 miles beyond the line, turning at right angles across the line and 5 miles within it; then again turning at right angles, and so on back and forth throughout its length, from its eastern end sail- ing into Unalaska for coal. No sealers are seen, and naturally so, as the best sealing grounds for the Canadian sealers are many miles outside the 60-mile zone, 150 to 200 miles beyond the islands. There is no reason why a Canadian sealer should get within the 60-mile zone except by accident, and this patrol therefore becomes a futile matter, except in so far as it is prescribed by the regulations of the Paris tribunal, which are in themselves futile. Considering the discomfort and hardship which this patrol involves for the men engaged in it and particularly in view of the futility of it all and the expense it entails, the Government ought to remove the necessity for it by active and aggressive measures for the abolition of pelagic sealing. The protection and preservation of the fur-seal herd is not to be attained by patroling the waters of Bering Sea, but by eliminating pelagic sealing. August 9. — The iV/annir?;;/ anchors at Unalaska at S o'clock, having passed the North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer at 6 o'clock on her way to the Pribilof Islands. 896 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Oapt. Jacobs, commanding the patrol fleet, stationed at TJnalaska, kindly supplied me with the following data, to and including July 31, regarding the pelagic sealing fleets: Japanese vessels boarded. Names. 1. Hoko Maru 2. Domei Maru 3. Eiun Maru, 2 4. Konei Maru 6. Chihokuni Maru . t>. Toro Maru 7. Nitto Maru 8. Kofugi Maru 9. Toyei Maru, 2 10. Tenyu Maru 11. Shimushu Maru. 12. Chitose Maru 13. Chitose Maru, 2.. 14. Toka Maru 15. Koyi Maru 16. Too Mara 17. Boso Mam. 2 Total. Port. Tokyo do Rikuzen... Kogoshima. Hakodate . . do Miyokocho . Hakodate . . Shimasato.. Tokyo do do Rikuzen. . . Minato Isibama Shirota Minato Master. Sakabara Nishiwa NeakeClii... Kadowaki . . . Koliashi Shishido Tokameatsu Kadowaki... Sato Nakanisbi Sliiono Mizukamy.. Meura Arawaka Mauo Yashido Yamanaka.. Boarding vessel. Rush Manning do do Rush Bear Manning Perry Bear Perry Manning Rush Bear do Manning do do Date. July 21 July 11 ...do ...do July 26 July 19 July 11 July 3 July 26 July 9 July 11 July 26 July 31 ...do.... July 11 ...do ...do...., SMns. 177 92 148 39 330 225 310 6 936 139 62 155 152 272 160 47 96 3,246 1 Seized. Canadian vessels boarded. Names. Port. Master. Boarding vessel. Date. Skins. Victoria Balson, B. M.... Blakstad, H Bear do June 23 ...do 2. Bayard do ...do Munro, W do ...do It is noted that the Japanese schooners, in the majority of cases, have orders from their owners to return home at a definite date, the dates for leaving the sea varying from the iniddle <)i August to the middle of September. This is to avoid the typhoon season on the Asiatic side, several vessels haying been lost in the past because of delay in returning. The Tenyu Maru with 39 skins was seized by the Perry on July 9, one of her boats being within the 3-mile limit. Three of her boats did not return to the vessel, probably taking refuge with other sealing vessels. The vessel with 15 of her crew is anchored under guard in Unalaska Harbor. She will be taken to Valdez by the Perry in the latter part of the month. August 11. — The British gunboat Algerinf entexf^A Unalaska Harboi this morning. Capt. Edwards is in command. The A'est^el will coal and go on pati-ol duty on the 60-mile zone Capt. Edwards reports 5 Canadian vessels as having taken out licenses for sealing. He had not encountered any of the vessels. He expects to find them on the cruise he proposes to make on the northeast quadrant, this being the direction in which the Canadian sealers found the best sealing last season. Auguat 12. — The revenue cutter Tahoma came into Unalaska to-day for coal. She is 8 days out from Yokohama via Attn and is bound for Seattle, the last lap in her cruise around the world. Capt. Quinan is in command. He made the cruise in investiga- tion of pelagic sealing m 1890 as lieutenant on the Corwin. A^igust IS. — The Manning left Unalaska to-day to resume cruising in Bering Sea. _ The Pen-y came into harbor for coal. The mail l^oat Dora reached Dutch Harbor this morning. August 14. — Through the courtesy of Capt. Jacobs and Deputy Commissioner Har- mon of Unalaska I was able to visit the Japanese sealing schooners Kind Mario and Sakai Maru, seized in the latter part of July last year off Northeast Point. The first of these vessels is a schooner of 130 tons, carrying 8 boats, 16 hunters, and a total crew of 40 men, including a white sailing master. The second vessel is smaller — 75 tons, with 7 boats. The crews of the vessels were taken to Valdez last fall and their cases disposed SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 897 of. No disposition has yet been made of the vessels and their catches, which lie under guard in the harbor of Unalaska. The catch of the Kinsi Maru. was 416 skins; that of the Sakai Maru, 244 skins, making in all 1)50 skins, worth according to the quotationa for pelagic skins for 1905, $27 per skin or a total of $17,550. The skins are deteriorating in the salt and their guarding is a matter of constant expense. The Kinsi Maru dragged two anchors last winter and came near being wrecked in the harbor. Some disposition ought to be made without delay of these vessels and their catches. The skins on the Kinsi Maru show that the Japanese sealers take all classes of ani- mals from the bulls do\Yn to the small bachelors, the bulk of the catch, however, being females. Salted by themselves on this vessel are 40 to 50 little black skins — skins of unborn pups cut from gravid females. The catch of this vessel was taken off Northeast Point in July. The Japanese vessels from their position on the 3-mile limit naturally intercept the gravid females as they approach the rookeries to give birth to their pups. They also take the mother seal as she goes and comes from the feeding grounds, her pup being left to starve. The Japanese sealing therefore combines the destructive feature of the northwest coast sealing — the killing of gravid females with their unborn young, with the even more destructive features of the Bering Sea sealing, when the mother seal, again pregnant, is killed and her young left to starve, and the work of the Japanese is carried steadily on throughout the closed season — May, June, and July — when Canadian sealing is forbidden by the regulations of the Paris award. August 14- — The British ship Algerinc sailed to-day for Bering Sea. August 15. — The Tahoma sailed for Seattle. August 17. — The Rus?i arrived this morning reporting that the Homer had been de- layed at the islands by bad weather. The Canadian sealer, Thovias F. Bayard, Capt. Hans Blackstad, sailed into Dutch Harbor this afternoon with her flag at half mast. I accompanied Deputy Collector Bull-Shannon on board the schooner. The captain explained his flag by saying that he had buried a man at sea a day or two before, but put his flag up at the suggestion of the collector, who sealed up the vessel's guns. The Bayard had a crew of 36 men, 7 white men, the rest Indian hunters. She was engaged in sea otter hunting off Sennak in June when boarded by the Bear. Capt. Berthof had sealed her rifles and the vessel had then gone to the Asiatic side to seal there until the 1st of August. She had 103 skins of fur seals taken off the Commander Islands. The other two vessels boarded by the Bear on June 23 also engaged in sealing on the Asiatic side. The Bayard had returned to enter upon sealing in Bering Sea. The captain said he expected to find good sealing grounds 90 to 150 miles to the north- east of the Pribilofs. The vessel was not allowed to take water or to purchase supplies and was required to leave the harbor with as little delay as possible. She tried to beat her way out against a strong head wind, making little headway, and a thick fog drifting in about her, she retiu-ned to her anchorage in the evening. August 18. — The fog was very thick this morning and absolute calm prevailed. The fog lifted in the course of the forenoon showing the Bayard still in port. She took in water from a small stream across the bay, bringing it over in her canoes. Late in the afternoon a breeze sprang up and she was able to get out into Bering Sea. Capt. Jacobs sent me the following additional data brought in by the Rush: Vessel. Master. Port. Boarding vessel. Date. Skins. Eiun Maru, 2 Chi Totvo Rush do Aug. 14 ...do. . .. 450 80O Boso Mara, 2 . . . Yamanaka Kinshita Minato.. . -do ...do.... Aug. 6 200 Hokustun Maru Sendai do 86 The last-named schooner had not previously been boarded and raises the number of Japanese vessels to 18. The other three vessels as reported to July 31 had, respec- tively, 148, 155, and 96 skins. The 302 additional skins in the case of the Eiun Maru represents a month's sealing, as do also the 104 in the case of the Boso Maru, and neither case is remarkable. The case of the Chitose Maru, 2, reported on July 26 with 155 skins, and on August 1 with 800, if the reports are correctly given, repre- sents a remarkable gain. These three vessels were boarded east by south from East Landing of St. Paul Island at distances of, respectively, 20, 35, and 30 miles. Making these additions to the list of catches already reported, the total Japanese catch to date is 4,383 skins. August 19. — The North American Commercial Co.'s steamer Homer arrived at Dutch Harbor at noon to-day. Closely following her came the British patrol ship Algerine. August 20. — The Horner sails for San Francisco at 10 o'clock a. m. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 57 898 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA, Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau op Fisheries, Washington, October 9, 1909. Mr. Geo. A. Clark, Stanford University, Col. Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of your letter of Ist instant, together with your report on the conditions on the seal islands as observed by you during your recent visit. This report will no doubt be very valuable to the advisory board of the fur-seal service and to the fur-seal board when they have a meeting some time this fall. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau op Fisheries, Washington, November 1, 1909. Mr. Geo. A. Clark, Stanford University, Cal. Sir: Your orders of May 7, 1909 (No. 547), are hereby extended to April 1, 1910, and you are instructed to come to Washington for the purpose of explaining and fur- ther elucidating your report on the condition of the fur-seal herd based on your obser- vations during the past summer. You will be allowed a compensation of |10 for the time so employed and your necessary expenses of travel and subsistence during the performance of such duty, payable from the appropriation "Statistics and methods of the fisheries." Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. [Telegram.] Pacific Grove, Cal., 16. Hon. George M. Bowers, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Have no orders for 23d ; must leave 6 to-night, George A. Clark. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, November 17, 1909. Mr, W, I. Lembkey, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: Assuming that you have read and carefully considered the fur-seal report recently made by Mr. George A. Clark, who visited the islands during the past summer, I desire that you prepare a statement of your views regarding the report, particularly with reference to such data and conclusions contained therein as do not agree with your understanding of the facts and conditions. Kindly let me have this statement in form convenient for use at the conference of the advisory board next Tuesday. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. analysis op the report on the seal fisheries, 1909, of MR. G. A. CLARK. In preparing this memorandum it must be understood that it is not submitted in a spirit of unfavorable criticism, since, in the main, Mr. Clark's ideas coincide with mine, and since nowhere in the report does Mr. Clark seek to discredit the actions of the agents on the islands, but, on the contrary, is rather favorable to them than otherwise. It is impossible, however, for two men to study the same subject and arrive at exactly the same conclusions. In reading this report I find that there are certain points of divergence between Mr. Clark's conclusions and mine. It is my purpose to indicate these points and to state wherein the conclusions differ. The appended notes follow, as nearly as possible, categorically, Mr. Clark's arrangement: SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 899 On page 21 Mr. Clark states: "A proper provision for maintaing a reserve of male life is one which insiu-es not a buffer of idle adult bulls about the breeding grounds, but a plentiful supply of young bulls growing up to take the places of those which fail to I'eappear in the spring." I can hardly agree with Mr. Clark on this point. The presence or absence of idle adult bulls on a rookery forms the only safe means of determining whether or not there is a sufficiency of male life. There is no method by which we may decide with certainty how many cows a bull can serve or to what limit the bulls on the rookeries might be reduced with safety after the supply of surplus bulls is exhausted. With a number of idle bulls present, we are siu'e that the powers of the harem masters are not unduly taxed. Eliminate the idle bulls entirely, however, and we are forced to theorize in the treatment of the questions whether the number of bulls present is suf- ficient and whether all cows are impregnated. The destruction of the supj^ly of idle bulls, therefore, marks the line beyond which it is not possible to go with certainty of safety. In this view I am borne out by the conclusions of Dr. F. A. Lucas (Fur Seal Inves. Com., pt. 3, p. 53). To maintain proper conditions of course it is necessary to have a "plentiful supply of young bulls growing up to take the places of those which fail to reappear in the spring." Were this supply not m existence the breeding bulls would disappear altogether. But the question whether or not there is a sufficiency of adult male life on the rookerjea can be judged only by the presence, on the contrary, of idle adult bulls on the rookeries waiting to take the places of such harem masters as may have reached the limit of their procreative powers before the end of the season. On page 34 Mr. Clark approaches the question of equilibrium of the herd during the years 1906-1909, both inclusive, basing it upon the similarity of the pup counts for Kitovi and North rookeries for these years, as well as upon a yearly catch of 15,000 bachelors and a (supposed) heavy decrease in the pelagic catch. This question, of course, always will remain an open one, in view of our lack of exact knowledge of the numbers in the herd. I am inclined to doubt, however, that any equilibrium extended over the whole period mentioned. It may have occurred between the years 1907 and 1908, but the general trend of the herd in any extended period has been toward decrease more or less gradual, and there is ground for believing that it occurred during the years mentioned, although not to the degree believed by 3ome. In considering the bases upon which Mr. Clark places his claim of equilibrium, we will take first the similarity of the pup counts of 1906-1909, both inclusive, on Kitovi and North rookeries. KitoAd, during this period, was practically stable in its numbers; North, on the other hand, shows an increase of 300 between 1906 and 1907, no variation between 1907 and 1908, and a decrease of over 300 between 1908 and 1909. Mr. Clark dismisses the variation apparent on North rookery by ascribing it to "inaccuracies in counting." The counting, however, during the years in question was done in the same manner from year to year, and such inaccuracies as occurred would be present in all years, thereby making the count consistent. I would be will- ing to accept the St. George count as approximately correct and to ascribe the increase on North rookery to an influx of cows from St. Paul, driven away by the concentration of the pelagic fleet at that island. We know that a considerable migration of bachelors occurred from St. Paul to St. George in 1907 and 1908 from this cause, and it is fair to believe that a certain number of cows migrated as well. The decrease in 1909 on North amounted to 7 per cent and assuredly would not indicate an equilibrium. But the main point of objection to Mr. Clark's method is the fact that he accepts the conditions on one rookery on each island as typical of all, when, as a matter of fact, there is no just ground for this assumption. During the period that Kitovi rookery has remained stable, other rookeries on the same island have suffered a visible contraction of the space occupied by breeding seals. In other words, a decrease has occurred on other rookeries, while Kitovi has remained the same in point of numbers. There have been certain portions of breeding ground almost abandoned by seals during the period in which Mr. Clark claims an equilibrium. The same has occurred on St. George as well. It is my opinion that localities on which seals are known to be decreasing should be considered before the fact of an equilibrium is announced. When we consider the second ground for claiming an equilibrium — the stability of the quota of seals killed — several reasons can be found for believing that an equilibrium did not occur except possibly between the years 1907 and 1908. In 1906 there was a decided scarcity of bachelors, and the quota of 15,000 for that year would not have been obtained had not the department reduced the minimum weight of skins to be taken from 5^ to 5 pounds. This shows a decided diminution rather than an equilibrium. In 1907, however, the quota was secured before the end of the season, and shows that the supply of bachelors had not diminished between 1906 and 1907. In 1908 the quota was obtained, but not until the end of the season, indicating fewer seals present 900 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. than in 1907. In 1909 the quota was not obtained in spite of all efforts, and indicated a decided decrease in the number of bachelors. From this viewpoint, I fail to see how Mr. Clark can claim an equilibrium in seal life, except during the period between 1906 and 1907, and then, on the showing made by the bachelors, an increase occurred rather than an equilibrium. The third point on which Mr. Clark claims an equilibrium is the decided decline in the pelagic catch. The figures given by him showing the size of the pelagic catch are as follows: 1906 20,885 1907 14,879 1908 (incomplete) 4, 954 1909 4,956 Those figures for 1906 and 1907 are based upon London trade sales and are relatively correct, except that the completed list for those years shows more skins taken; those for 1908 were taken from the returns of the American consul at Victoria; those for 1909 are based upon estimates of revenue-cutter officers in Bering Sea last summer. Taken as a whole, the foregoing table does show a great decline in the pelagic catch, but as stated by Mr. Clark they are incomplete. A revised table, based upon the latest reports of trade sales in London, shows the following as the pelagic catches for these years: 1906 21, 236 1907 16, 036 1908 18, 151 1909 (incomplete) 14, 142 Those catches for 1906, 1907, and 1908 have been reported by Mr. Alfred Fraser, of New York City. The skins taken in 1909 have not yet been sold. The Japanese catch of 1909, however, is estimated by Capt. Jacobs, of the Revenue-Cutter Service, at 10,000, while the United States consul at Victoria reports a Canadian catch of 3,742, and an Indian coast catch of over 400 is known to have been secured. W^en we consider that the reports from Victoria in past years have been not more than 50 per cent of the whole number taken, it may safely be estimated that the catch for 1909 will fall little short of that for 1908 and prior years. This revised table contains no evidence that the pelagic catch has decreased materially, for which reason arguments seeking to establish an equilibrium of the herd based upon the decline of pelagic sealing must have little value. From all this we must conclude that the evidence tending to show an equilibrium in the herd from 1906 to 1909 is weak, and that, on the other hand, there are certain facts pointing strongly to the herd's decline during this period. On page 42 Mr. Clark takes up the question of the reserve of bachelors, which was begun in 1904 and continued each year thereafter. He states that the method of reserving the breeding animal by clipping its head with sheep shears seems open to considerable criticism and has apparently been only moderately successful. The reasons why the plan is unsuccessful as given by Mr. Clark are: First, that the mark placed upon these seals is a temporary one, which is obliterated the next sea- son; and, second, that despite these reservations the herd of bulls has increased but little as a result. It would seem to me that the fact that the decline in the numbers of breeding bulls on the rookeries has been checked and an increase substituted as the result of this system of reserving young males would of itself answer any criticism as to its utility and value. When, in 1904, this system was inaugurated, the agents were facing a steady annual decrease in breeding bulls of from 20 to 30 per cent. In mak- ing a reservation of 3-year-olds for breeders in that year they could not look for any result until at least four years thereafter, or 1908, when the first of these animals would reach maturity. The full effect could not be felt until 1909, when the first reserva- tion would be 8 years old and full-grown bulls. During this interim, from 1904 to 1909, the full-grown bulls on the rookeries would continue to drop off from old age and other causes. The first recruits would have to fill up these gaps in the breeding bulls occurring from death before it was possible for them to show any increase in the numbers of male breeders. That they did not only stop the decline in 1909, but actually show an increase, is proof of the efficacy of the plan. This increase, it is true, was not large, but it was the first that has occurred in breeding bulls for years. Mr. Clark seems to be in error in estimating the number of animals that should appear on the rookeries from these reservations. He infers that the 2,000 bachelors reserved each year all should Veappear upon the rookeries at the proper time as bulls. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 901 Such was not the intention of the department at the time these regulations first were made, and such a result can not be expected from the plan when placed in operation. The practice has been to reserve 1,000 3-year-old and 1,000 2-year-old bachelors each year. The 1,000 3-year-olds were expected to reappear the following year as 4-year- olds and to be exempt from killing. The 2-year-olds, on the other hand, were reserved solely for the purpose of insuring a supply of 3-year-olds the next year and to prevent too close killing. It was understood at the time that the 2-year-olds would be liable to be killed the following year, but this exemption from slaughter as 2-year-olda would insure their presence the following year as 3-year-olds, and these latter were depended upon to form the actual breeding reserve. For this reason, in estimating the number which should appear as breeders, only the 1,000 3-year-olds should be considered; and not the 2-year-olds, the supply of which acts merely as a feeder to the 3-year-olds. During the six years in which bachelors have been reserved, 6,000 3-year-olds were releasedfor breeding purposes. It may be possible to follow their progress from year to year to ascertain what number of these should be expected to appear as bulls. A mortality of 10 per cent for losses should be allowed. The following table will show how these animals progress from year to year: 1904 1905 3-year-olds 1,000 1.000 ■1-year-olds I I 900 5-year-olds ' 6-year-oIds ' | 7-year-olils ' ; Adult bulls ! I 1906 900 810 1,000 900 810 729 1908 1,000 900 810 729 647 1909 1,000 900 810 729 647 583 From this table we can see that we should have in 1909, from the reservation of 3-year-olds in 1904, 583 adult bulls and 647 7-year-olds. This does not mean, of course, that the number of bulls present in 1908 would be increased by the number of new bulls noted above, for quite a few of the 1908 bulls would have died by the following year. It means that these young bulls would be available to offset the mortality among adult bulls occurring during the interval between the seasons of 1908 and 1909. Any increase in bulls noted in the latter year would represent the excess of incoming new bulls over the loss by death of old bulls. The fact that there occurred in 1909 an increase in adult bulls and in 7-year-old bulls amounting to 83 demonstrates the efficiency of the regulations. Mr. Clark contends that the result should have been more pronounced — that in fact more bulls should have appeared. Theoretically more should have appeared, but our theories are based upon the knowledge of only a few facts connected with seal life after they leave the land. What the mortality among these animals is from their natural enemies and pelagic sealing can not be ascertained, but undoubtedly it is large. From the experiment we have learned simply that a reservation of 2,000 bachelors each year will not deliver the entire reservation on the rookeries as bulls five years hence, and that if we want more bulls than actually appeared we must have a larger reservation. In the six years in which these regulations have been in force the entire aspect of rookery bidls has been changed. To-day there is hardly an old bull upon the rookeries. Seventy-five per cent of the breeding males are young males. These have had to be supplied as the old bulls died off. That there were enough young males to fill the gaps and to even create a surplus is gratifying, to say the least. Mr. Clark himself says, page 44: "Whatever may be said of the shortcomings of this method of creating a breeding reserve, the fact remains that an entirely adequate reserve of bulls, young and old, has been maintained, and this reserve is on the increase." Mr. Clark believes that electric cautery or hot-iron Vjrands would be a better means of marking young bachelors than sheep shears. Electric cautery was tried in 1896-97 and was a failure because of the wires fusing or for some other reason. Hot irons have been tried by us. Besides being cruel and a distinct means of torture, the hot irons had no effect on wet seals. The moisture in the fur created steam which scalded the animal when the iron was applied. Sheep shears do not leave a permanent brand it is true, but they leave a mark perfectly apparent during the season, and that is sufficient to allow the 3-year-olds to pass into the exempt or 4-year class. Furthermore, shears can be used in wet or dry weather and the use of them is not open to a charge of cruelty. 902 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. We come now to Mr. Clark's statement that the lessee swept the haiiling grounds clear of bachelors; that they killed every 2-year-old bachelor; and that they killed as close in 1909 as the old company did in 1889. We are met at the outset by a considerable apparent divergence between Mr. Clark's statements in his report. In his census of seal life, on page 51^ he leaves a blank in the column opposite the "2-year-old m^ales" and appends a footnote that they are "in quota of 1909. ' ' As contrasted with this, on pages 49 and 50, Mr. Clark states that there should have been 15,000 2-year-olds in the herd in 1909 ; that only 9,000 approximately were killed or reserved for breeding, and that "we are forced therefore to believe that, in addition to the 9,000 already accounted for, there are other animals of the 2-year-old class which either have not appeared on the hauling grounds during the season or were killed last season as yearlings." He then states that it is hardly possible that they were killed as yearlings and probably are at sea. According to Mr. Clark's own estimate, therefore, there would be in the neighbor- hood of 6,000 2-year-olds in existence in 1909 that had not been killed. Why he should eliminate this 6,000 from his census of seal life is conjectural. In this new light thrown upon the situation, it is difficult to see how killing was too close and how Mr. Clark can substantiate his statement that there "wdll be no 3-year- olds in 1910. The difference between Mr. Clark's estimate of 15,000 2-year-old8 present in 1909 and the number killed or branded, 9,000, must be 6,000 2-year-olds, from which the 1910 3-year-olds will come. We next come to the statement (p. 57) that the present lessee "cleaned up the hauling grounds in 1909." This statement, Mr. Clark says in the next paragraph, is not made for the purpose of criticism of close killing at the present time. "With a hostile fleet on the 3-mile limit * * * and ample breeding reserves being pro- vided for, it has been wise to take every possible animal bearing a skin on which the lessees would pay the royalty." It is made, therefore, simply to record the honest belief of Mr. Clark that the killing in 1909 v/as as close as in 1889. We will now see how close the killing wa? in 1909. The animals killed in that year averaged 69 per cent of those driven on St. Paul and 03 per cent on St. George. This was 4 per cent closer on St. Paul and 17 per cent closer on St. George than in 1908. With all this, the quota of 15,000 bachelors was not secured. The killing, therefore, amounted virtually to 66 per cent, or two-thirds of all animals driven. One-third, or 33 per cent, of animals driven were released. It is submitted that with one animal released out of every three driven, killing was not so close as would be believed when the general statement of Mr. Clark was first encountered. We must next consider the number of animals released from the killing fields and the number of males required to fill up the gaps in the ranks of adult bulls. The herd at the present time numbers 1,400 breeding bulls with harems. The average life of the breeding bull is 5 years after he begins full rookery service at 8 years. As the herd, therefore, would renew itself in five years, a yearly diminution of one-fifth occurs and is necessary to be provided for. With a herd of 1,400 animals, it would be necessary to insure the fact that at least one-fifth of this number of adult bulls be provided five years hence, or 280 animals. During the season of 1909 there occurred 4,091 rejections of seals from the drives. Of these, 1,740 were too large to be hereafter killed and 2,351 too small to kill or included in the breeding reserve. In addition to these, there were numbers of animals that were not driven at all. On August 4, with Mr. Clark, the agents discovered a drive of approximately 600 killable taachelors hauled back of the cows on Tolstoi Cliffs, the existence of which theretofore was unknown to the lessees. As the killing season closed on July 31, these animals could not be killed this season. Mr. Clark himself infers elsewhere in his report that 6,000 2-year-olds survived or were not driven by the lessee. When we consider that only 280 new bulls are required each year to maintain the breeding herd at its present numbers and that from 5,000 to 6,000 young males are believed to have survived the season of 1909 (so far as we know), it can not be believed that the killing in 1909 was so close as to endanger in any way the safety of the herd. We must now consider whether killing in 1909 was as close as in 1889. In this latter year, 1889, no restriction whatever was placed upon the killing of bachelors further than that the quota of 100,000 could not be exceeded and seals less than 1 year of age might not be killed. Any male 1 year of age and over was killable. No record of the number of seals released from the killing fields in 1889 was made and none is in existence. It is not possible, therefore, for Mr. Clark, who was not on the islands in 1889, to form any correct judgment as to how the killing of 1909 com- pares with 1889 or to criticize the killing of 1909, for which there is exact data, in the light of the killing of 1889, for which there is no data, except the number of skins secured. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 903 There are on record general statements to the effect that bachelors were scarce in 1889 and that the old lessee killed everything from the cradle to the grave in order to secure its 100,000 skins. Such statements are being made concerning the present lessee. It is not my purpose to defend either. In justice to the old lessee, however, it may be stated that over 20,000 3-year-old skins were taken in 1890 by the new lessee after the old lessee is supposed to have taken everv young male in existence the year before. To have gotten 20,000 3-year-olds in 1890 means that at least 20,000 2-year- olds must have been spared from killing in 1889, when killing was supposed to be so close. So that killing in 1889 could not have included every killable seal by any means. The main point of difference between killing in 1889 and 1909 lies in the fact that regulations are in force at the present date specially designed to prevent too close killing which were not thought of in 1889. Before any killing by the lessee was allowed in 1909, 2,000 young killable males were reserved for breeding by the agents and marked so that they would be thereafter readily discernible by the clubbers. This reservation of 2,000 represents 13 per cent of the quota allowed the lessee. So that before the lessee took a single skin in 1909 the herd was safeguarded by a reserva- tion of males equal to 13 per cent of the quota. Under such regulations as these it is impossible for killing at the present time to be too close, even if after reser\dng these killables the lessee "swept the hauling grounds" to obtain its quota. It could not sweep them so close as to eliminate this 13 per cent breeding reservation unless the marked seals themselves were killed also, and Mr. Clark distinctly states that these marked seals were carefully guarded when they appeared in the drives. Such killing as was done in 1909 was done strictly in accordance with law and regu- lations. The Government prescribed a quota of 15,000 for the lessee, and virtually said to it: "After we have secured our breeding reserve you are allowed to kill every killable seal on the hauling grounds that you can find until you get your quota. You must exempt cows and take only those skins weighing over 5 pounds and under 8^ pounds." This was the exact situation in 1909, and in the killing no law or regulation was disregarded. During the entire killing year of 1909 on St. Paul but 16 skins were taken under 5 pounds and 19 over 8i pounds, and all but one of these were taken in food drives by the natives. When Mr. Clark states on page 50 that the killing ranged from 4-pound skins to 14^:-pound skins, he is literally correct, but conveys an entirely wrong impression by his statement. There was one 4-pound skin taken and one 14-pound skin taken. These were taken by accident by the natives in food drives. But he did not state that only one outside the weights prescribed w"as taken by the lessee on St. Paul and only four on St. George. Had he done so he would have so qualified his remark as to show that no violation of regulations was either intended or committed. To sum up, we find that Mr. Clark's statement that all 2-year-olds were killed in 1909 is negatived by his own statement in another portion of his report that probably 6,000 of these animals survived; that it is shown that practically 6,000 young males survived the season in question when only 280 of the^e are required to mature as breeders to preserve the herd of males at its present ninnbers, and that with the en- forcement of existing regulations it was impossible to kill as closely in 1909 as it was in 1889, however close the killing in that year actually might have been. It is hard to conceive how, in the light of Mr. Clark's reference to close killing, he should recommend the reduction of the bachelor breeding reserve from 2,000 to 500. This bachelor reserve is the only exact safeguard against close killing. To eliminate it would place the situation where it was in 1889, for instance, when the lessee could kill any male it pleased. If, as Mr. Clark claims, close killing was practiced, it would be logical to increase the bachelor reserve rather than to reduce it. W. I. Lembkev. November, 1909. 904 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Part V. — Instructions and Reports Relative to Pribilof Bird Reservation. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, April 15, 1909. Mr. W, I. Lembkey, Agent Fur-Seal Service. Sir: In order to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the purpose of Executive Order No. 1044, dated February 27, 1909, setting aside Walrus and Otter Islands as a bird reservation to be known as the Pribilof Reservation, I have designated Mr. James Judge a warden to haye immediate supervision, under your general direction, of all matters pertaining to the birds not only of the reservation but of the entire Pribilof group. There is inclosed herewith a letter of instructions for Mr. Judge's guidance. You will cooperate with Mr. Judge and render him every proper assistance in carrying out these instructions. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, A'pril 16, 1909. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Fur-Seal Service. Sir : It is my desire that Assistant Agent James Judge, who has been designated as special warden in charge of the Pribilof Reservation, shall acquaint liimself as fully as possible with the avi-fauna of the Pribilof Islands, paying particular attention to Walrus Island. The following outline of investigations, which you will regard as his instructions, is given for his guidance : walrus island. Physical features. — Examine the island as thoroughly as possible and draw up a detailed description of it, giving position, area, charac- ter of rock and surface, character of sliores, landings, etc. ; elevation, topography, etc. Biological features.— Compile all obtainable knowledge and infor- mation regarding the plants, insects, mammals, and other life on or about the island. Plants. — -Wliat plants, if any, occur on tliis island; where do they occur; their habits; to what extent are they utilized by the birds in nest-building or otherwise. Walrus. — Compile all obtainable information regarding the occur- rence of the walrus at tliis island; the same for sea lions, seals, sea otters, and any other mammals that are known to have occurred there. Birds.— These will receive most attention and should be studied comprehensively and thoroughly. List all the species known to occur on the island, determining tliose which are permanent residents SEAL. ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 905 (i. e., present throughout the year); winter ^dsitors (i. e., those coming to the island only in winter) ; stragglers (or those of irregular and rare occurrence) ; spring and fall migrants (or those species stopping at the island only for a brief time during their spring and fall migrations and not breeding on the island) ; and summer resi- dents (i. e., those species which arrive upon the island in the spring, remain through the summer, lay then- eggs, rear their young, and leave in the fall). The j^ermanent residents and the summer resi- dents (i. e., the species that breed on the island) are the ones which can be studied most thoroughly. Each species should be studied as fully as possible, as indicated in the following outhne: Arrival at the island (if not a permanent resident), meteorological conditions, such as direction and strength of wind at that time; same data for departure; abundance (relative and actual); breeding habits, including time of nesting, construction, location, character, and care of nest; number of eggs laid, incubation period, and by which parent accomplished; to what extent will other eggs be laid if the fu'st are destro3"ed; the young, appearance, when hatched, feed- ing and care, growth and leaving nest; feeding and food of adults, what the food is, where and how obtained, and relation to supply of food-iishes, fox food, other birds, etc.; destruction of eggs and young by other birds or other agencies; mortality among the birds from djsease, enemies, climate, etc. Make a special study of the egg-collecting 0})erations of the natives, when the practice began and how^ it has been conducted; years in wliich eggs have been gathered; exact dates of cleaning-off trips, number of eggs of eacli species removed when cleaning off the ground, disposition made of these eggs, and area cleaned off; exact dates of col- lecting trips, area collected over, number of eggs of each species obtained, whetlier the disturbance of egg-collecting results in any destruction of eggs or young by the birds themselves ; association of different species on nesting ground; how the nests of different species are distributed or grouped. While it is desired that you give attention to all phases of the bird life of Walrus Island, the primary object of your investigations will be the securing of knowledge as to the actual conditions obtaining on that island, including the efl'ects of egging operations by the natives, in order that regulations may be provided which will adequately protect the bird rookeries from serious depletion. ST. PAUL, ST. GEORGE, AND OTTER ISLANDS. ¥/hile only Walrus and Otter Islands are included in the Pribilof Reservation, it is desired that the birds on all the islands be properly and fully protected. The instructions for the study of Walrus Island should be applied, in so far as the}^ may be applicable, to each of the other islands. It is understood that the natives of St. George Island utilize to some extent the eggs of birds nesting on that island. This practice should receive the same study and consideration as is given to Walrus Island, to the end that the bird rookeries may continue to yield a supply of eggs to be used as food by the natives without any serious diminution in the number of birds. 906 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. As Assistant James Judge has been designated as a special warden in charge of the Pribilof Koservation, he is charged with carrying out the instructions regarding Walrus and Otter Islands; and as he will be on St. Paul Island until the fall of 1910, he will also make such studies of the birds of that island as his other duties permit. Maj. Clark will do the same for St. George Island. In order that these investigations may be carried on properly and effectively it is important that there be cordial cooperation among all concerned. Doubtless the active interest and assistance of some of the natives can be secured by showing them that the one important object in view is to insure to them the permanency of the suppl}'' of this article of food. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alasl'a, June 9, 1909. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of April 15 last, notifying me that you have designated Mr. James Judge a warden to have supervision over the reservation created by Execu- tive Order No. 1044, dated February 27, 1909, embracing Walrus and Otter Islands and adjacent waters, and inclosing a letter containing instructions to Mr. Judge to govern his action as said warden. In reply, I have to state that I have furnished copies of the letters mentioned to ^Vlr. Judge. I suggest that Agent Judge be furnished with a draft of the reservation, showing the waters embraced, such as is in the possession of the captains commanding revenue cutters on patrol. Respectfully, W. I. Lembket, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 15, 1909. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Fur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, Alaska. Sir: There is inclosed herewith a copy of a letter from the Acting Secretary of Agriculture, authorizing the natives on St. Paul Island to land and collect eggs on Walrus Island once during the season of 1909. Please communicate the information contained in this letter to Assistant Agent James Judge, who has been placed in charge of the Pribilof Reservation. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 907 Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 9, 1909. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of FisJieries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th ultimo, containing a copy of a letter from the Acting Secretary of Agriculture, authorizing the natives of St. Paul Island to land on Walrus Island and to collect eggs there once during the season of 1909. In reply, I have to state that the information mentioned has been communicated to Assistant Agent Judge, the warden of the Pribilof Reservation. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. St. Paul Island, Alaska, August 16, 1909. Dr. Barton W. Evermann, Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Dear Dr. Evermann: I beg to acknowledge the receipt through the courtes}^ of Mr. George A. Clark of your letter of May 26 last, and also of the drills and blowpipe kindly forwarded by 30U. In regard to the eggs desired by the National Museum, all can probably be procured next season in the quantities designated, excepting Steller's eider and the Harlequin duck, the fomier of which, according to the best information obtainable, never nests here and the latter rarely if ever. As opportunity afforded since my arrival, I collected eggs of perhaps half the birds nesting here, and intend if possible to collect specimens of the remainder next season and forward the whole to the National Museum, together wdth their specific requisition, on my return in the fall. Before navigation closes this year I will forward a special report of the conditions on Walrus Island in order that suitable regulations may be promulgated for the taking of eggs therefrom by the native residents of this island. Very respectfully, James Judge, Assistant Agent Seal Islands. St. Paul Island, Alaska, Octoher 12, 1909. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of conditions on Walrus Island during the past season. My opportunities for ob- servation were restricted to three visits to the island on the following dates, to wit: June 21, September 2, September 21. 908 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. PHYSICAL FEATURES. Walrus Island lies practically north and south and is situated in latitude 57° 11' N. and 169° 56' W. longitude and is, according to map measurements, about 2,200 feet long and 400 feet in width at the widest part, and has an area of perhaps 80,000 square yards. The greatest elevation is 22 feet. There are detached outlying rocks at either end and on the west side. The formation is approximately two-thirds lava deposits and one-third basaltic bowlders, the latter being very prominent in the make-up of the northern half of the island. The southern half forms a plateau which gradually slopes upward from a narrow neck near the middle to the extreme south- western and highest point. Considerable of this plateau is covered with fine grass which grows in tufts 6 to 10 inches across the top and about 8 inches high. Near the southern end is a bare spot of about 1,500 square feet, which shows the only soil visible on the island. The extreme southwest, south, and southeast portions of the island terminate in abrupt cliffs of lava, the highest of which is 20 feet at the top and forms an almost level table 50 to 100 feet inland, bare of vegetation. All rocks along the shore and the base of the cliffs are covered with lichens and other marine growth. There are two fairly good landings, nearly opposite each other, on the east and west sides, respectively, but as the water is deep in both of these, boats coming in should be moored bow and stern and allowed to ride clear. BIRD LIFE AND ITS DISTRIBUTION. While great numbers of breeding birds frequent the island, the life itself is confined to very few species. Aside from a limited number of kittiwakes and small auks, the birds observed and the order of their importance, at least in numbers, were as follows: Arries, gulls, puffins, and cormorants. ARRIES. These numerous and interesting birds occupy the lava faces and tops of the cliffs, laying their colored and ornate eggs promiscuously on any convenient shelf on the face of the cliffs, and when these are filled the overflow spreads inland on the top rock for considerable distances. The birds build no nests, and the eggs are laid in close proximity to one another. One egg is laid and hatching begins, if this egg is removed or any accident happens it, the natives assert that it will be replaced by a second, which if likewise removed will be replaced by another, and so on until four have been laid. In hatching, the bird maintains an upright position, covering the egg with its tail feathers, and turning the egg from time to time with its feet. It would seem that the male assists in the hatching and protects the egg when the female goes to feed. Wlien arrie eggs are left uncovered the gulls break many of them, apparently out of pure wantonness, as they seem to devour little of what they destroy. Any commotion in the vicinity of the cliffs where the arries are causes a great loss of eggs, as the birds when frightened fly away and tumble their eggs down to the rocks below, where they are broken. When the birds located on the table rock above are disturbed and fly away, they fre- quently start their eggs rolling, some traveling considerable distances SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. QQQ w-ithout being broken. It is these eggs which furnish fbo „„ii \ ■ opportumty for mischief. Mr. tliichester Worms m?th-,ttli™ arrie makes ,ts first trip to se.a on its mothers b?ck ' ^"""^ While the arries are. distributed generally over the island tbev n™ t^ be found in greatest numbers at the south end Beg"nni,,g .t tb» boat andmg on the west side and going around the sS end of h» island, and thence north on the eait side until the end of tt ^^tSiirttliij^s^to'^'^"^^ °^ ''''°"V™°° f-^ Su'?[t:;brd'S :X"SSr^^^^^^^^^^ fUth. At a point bout^TFeXtr of^^St^a'ndir T 'thi ^o^:et'bu[1L'fM-'r"°"t''"°^''?^ '=»°«"" '" f»^^^^^^^ the ton roc', expend L i '",'"^''- "°,'' ''° *'^<' "^'"■■fl"" W'tls on |e*|rp n^o^Xf ^th^lilTs i:^^^^^^^^^ |^Por| reTpTr ?,ro»:f ^^^^^^^^ rock, as well as nearly every accessible nook and shelf in the cliffs GULLS. The only member of this family noticed on Walnm Td^.nr1 i.. « number was the so-called " chikie." Tl ese birdrbTild nes s of Z ea?h° '^The ll/'^l- """"' "!'* ff^ exceptions, contained 3 eggs was re Jrtedhv "n Tf ■ '"I'^T'^ 2 and I, respectively, whiff 1 g^g:^^si^^-lf;^!l«s;tT^^^^^ ber, when it disappeared. Before its final departure i made short Xi.-? ^'"'' f'^- '-etumed of its own vohtion ^' fur ^hm,?! 1 • '1™'1.J™? 21 I picked up a ball of mixed hair and in^v, K n * "r''*'^ '" diameter. The natives informed me that such balls were frequently vomited by the gulls. It is pSsumed 910 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. that the hair and fur thus found comes from dead pups on the rook- eries and from the heads of seal carcasses left on the kiihng fields, on which the gulls feed every autumn. PUFFINS. While these birds are numerous on Walrus Island they are secre- tive in their habits, and with few exceptions hide their eggs in sub- terranean places. On the plateau at the south end of the island there is, as noted, a spot of perhaps 1,500 square feet of soil entirely bare of grass. This spot is perforated with fox-like holes, the entrance to small tunnels, which evidently lead to crevices in the rocks below, and were said by the natives to be used by the puffins, although very few of them were to be seen in that vicinity. At the north end of the island quite a number were observ^ed, and half a dozen caught as they emerged from crevices between the bowlders. When caught they fought viciously until released. So far as observed the puliin builds no nest, and lays but one egg. On June 21 only one of these eggs was found, although diligent search was made. Ths scarcity of eggs, together with the fact that the one found was quite fresh, leads to the conclusion that at that date they were just beginnhig to lay. CORMORANTS. These birds are comparatively scarce on Walrus Island. They build nests on small shelves on the face of the cliffs among the arries. The nests are made of longer grass than was observed on the island, and in some cases of fine sea weed or ferns. Occasionally both grass and seaweed were found, the former making up the outside, the latter the inside of the nest. Of about 20 nests examined all were filthy. One contained 4 eggs, another 3, the remainder 2 each. Of 5 eggs taken for specimens, June 21, 4 were fresh and 1 partially incubated. MAMMALS, According to statements of the natives a few hair seals and a small number of fur seals haul out on Walrus Island from time to time. It has been many years since walrus were seen in that vicinity, although one was seen off Gorbatch two years ago and Mr. Chichester killed one off St. George last winter. On June 21 a sea lion was hauled on the east side and on September 24 a dead one was found on the west side. Several fur seals were seen in close proximity to the island on each of our visits, but none were observed on shore EGGING EXPEDITION. Our visit to Walrus Island, June 21, was principally for the pur- pose of securing arrie eggs for the natives, under the authority granted by the honorable Secretary of Agriculture May 14 last. Capt. de Otte, of the revenue cutter Rush, having kindly consented to transport the party to Walrus Island, 8 natives, Mr. Mills, and I went aboard the morning of that day, and arrived there at noon, our passage having been slow on account of a thick fog. The vessel anchored off the east side, and our boat went into east landing, where SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 911 she was secured fore and aft, so as to float in the bight. Each native then took an ordinary candy bucket, carried from the viUage for the purpose, and went north a few hundred feet to the arries' breeding ground. On the approach of the men the arries at first retreated, and then flew away, and the buckets were soon filled with eggs and carried down to the boat, where they were poured in wuth such care that very few were broken. The eggs were all fresh and every one was picked up as the men went along. After making one trip on the east side the natives decided it would be less laborious to remove their boat to the other landing, where the eggs were more convenient. Accordingly they pulled around to the west side and began opera- tions by taldng their buckets to the table rock above the cliffs and filling and emptying them as before. The process was repeated, the men working hard and without intermission for nearly three hours. By this time the vessel had changed her position to the west side and I presumed the captain was anxious for us to come on board. The natives were loath to quit, especially as the birds had left thousands of eggs uncovered, and right at hand, but as time was flying, a pull of 10 miles to the village in the fog was not a pleasing prospect. Besides this the whaleboat used was about half full, which seemed about as many as former expeditions had returned with, and on actual count greatly exceeded the number estimated by the natives themselves. In the work of gathering, the space gone over was, except for an occasional egg that rolled into a crevice, thoroughly cleaned, and as noted, the eggs being all fresh, none were destroyed purposely and but few accidentally. As the natives pursued their work I stepped off the areas cleaned, finding the whole to amount to approximately 12,151 square feet. On September 21, our last visit to the island, no birds were present, and Dr. Mills and I went over the entire breeding ground with a tape line, fhiding the whole to amount to about 70,000 square feet. The natives had, therefore, cleaned off about one-sixth of the entire upland breeding ground. Arrie eggs were the only Idnd taken by the natives. We arrived at the village anchorage at 5.15 p. m., and were met by Mr. Lembkey in the gasoline launch and towed ashore. On our way from the ship two boys filled one of their buckets with eggs, which I counted and found that 100 filled the pail level full. In removing the eggs from the boat each bucket was filled and shown me for in- spection and enumeration before being taken ashore. The total counted out w^as 65^ buckets, or approximately 6,550 eggs. In addi- tion to this the natives gave the sailors on the Rush, who rendered them som^e assistance, three buckets full, bringing the total up to 6,850. Besides this, the shells of 24 broken eggs were found in the bottom of the boat. The second chief, who was in charge of the party, divided the eggs among the people, remembering every family, including the widows, but taking for himself, and giving the others who assisted in the work, a much larger share. Some ate their allot- ment within a week, but the more thrifty saved and ate sparingly, so that the last of the eggs were not consumed until the middle of August. From statements of the natives it appears that in former times Walrus Island was visited oftener during the breeding season, and greater numbers of eggs secured than has been the case recently. Numbers of these eggs were saved for winter use, sometimes by bury- 912 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ing in sand or salt, with the large end down, sometimes by immers- ing them in seal oil, either before or after being cooked. The reports are contradictory as to the condition of the eggs when finall}^ used. It is, however, a well-known fact that the agents of the Alaska Com- mercial Co. preserved the eggs successfully in both salt and lime- water. CONCLUSION. The temptation to estimate the number of arries, gulls, and cor- morants nesting on Walrus Island is great, but I defer doing so until further investigation has proved the correctness of present estimates, and until the bird life of the cliffs has received more attention. I have every reason to believe that the nests of the gulls and cormo- rants can be counted accurately, or nearly so, and that an estimate, practically correct, can be made of the arries. RECOMMENDATIONS. I would respectfully recommend that permission be obtained from the honorable Secretary of Agriculture for the natives of St. Paul Island to land and collect eggs on Walrus Island several times next summer, provided the first trip can be made not later than June 26, and that the second and subsequent trips be made within 10 days thereafter, and of each other, and that on these later visits no eggs shall be taken except on the areas previously cleaned off. This would give us an opportunity of accjuiring valuable and exact information rela- tive to the bird life of the island, and would supply the natives with a generous amount of nutritious food, without causing any loss or waste through the destruction of partially incubated eggs. If the first trip can not be made as early as the date above mentioned, the natives should be permitted to land and collect once only during the season, as was the case this year. In this connection I am pleased to state that through the courtesy of the officers of the Manning I have secured a quantity of copper rods and plates, and that Mr. Allis, the company's agent and an ex- pert mechanic, has agreed to remove the gasoline engine from her present hull and install it in the whaleboat belonging to the Govern- ment, as was intended when the engine was acquired. This boat is, without doubt, one of the strongest and most seaworthy on this island, and renders little or no service at the present time. When this transfer is made we will have a launch that can be used in al- most any sort of weather, and should the engine break down or other accident occur, no fear need be entertained for her safety. In visiting Walrus Island in the future the wind, condition of the tide, and other elements usually taken into consideration can be largely eliminated. Respectfully, James Judge, Special Warden in Charge of the Prihilof Reservation. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 913 Part VI. — Communications Relative to Supplies and Accounts. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Disbursing Clerk, Washington, January 25, 1909. Sir: In view of the fact that the fur-seal service has been trans- ferred from the Secretary's office to your bureau, I have to request that you will make a request on the Secretary to have the amount necessary to pay the expenses of furnishing fuel at the Government houses on the islands of St. George and St. Paul and the sum neces- sary to pay the traveling expenses of the agents to and from the islands during the remainder of this fiscal year and the next fiscal year set aside from the appropriation for contingent expenses, JDepartment of Commerce and Labor, 1909 and 1910. I understand that the coal which will be bought for the Govern- ment houses in the spring and delivered on the islands in the month of June, 1909, will, as a matter of fact, be for use after July 1. There- fore I suggest that you will ask that an amount necessary to purchase this coal be set aside from the appropriation for contingent expenses, Department of Commerce and Labor, 1910. Respectfully, W. L. Soleau, Disbursing Clerk. The Commissioner of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, February 15, 1909, Sir: I have the honor to state that the following expenditures will be necessary on account of the seal fisheries, payable from the appro- priations designated below, viz: From appropriation "Contingent expenses, 1909": For traveling expenses of two agents from Washington, D. C, to the Pribilof Islands, May and June, 1909 $600. 00 From appropriation " Contingent expenses, 1910": For traveling expenses of two agents from the islands to Washington, fall of 1909, and returning spring of 1910 " 1, 200. 00 For fuel for Government houses on the Pribilof Islands, 15 tons for each, at $20 per ton 600. 00 Total 1, 800. 00 I have accordingly to request that the amounts named above be set aside from the appropriation indicated in order to meet the expenditures described. Very respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner . Hon. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary Commerce and Labor. 2403— H. Doe. 93, 62-1 58 914 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 26, 1909. Sir: I have the honor to request permission to withdraw my letter of February 15, 1909, addressed to you relative to the amount of money that should be reserved for expenses of the seal agents, and to substitute the following: Expenditures necessary on account of the seal fisheries, payable from the appropriations designated below, will be as follows: From appropriation "Contingent expenses, 1909": For traveling expenses of 2 agents from Washington, D. C, to the Pribilof Islands, May and June, 1909 $500 From appropriation "Contingent expenses, 1910": For traveling expenses of 2 agents from the islands to Washington, fall of 1909, and return, spring of 1910 1, 000 For fuel for Government houses on the Pribilof Islands, 15 tons for each, at |20 per ton 600 Total 1,600 I have accordingly to request that the amounts named above be set aside from the appropriation indicated in order to meet the expenditures described. Ver}^ respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, March 29, 1909. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: In accordance with the request in your letter of the 26tli instant, the followmg amounts are hereby set aside from the appro- priations noted below to meet the expenditures indicated: From appropriation "Contingent expenses, 1909": For traveling expenses of 2 agents from Washington, D. C, to the Pribilof Islands, May and June, 1909 $500 From appropriation "Contingent expenses, 1910": For traveling expenses of 2 agents from the Pribilof Islands to Wash- ington, D. C, fall of 1909, and return, spring of 1910 1, 000 For fuel for Government houses on the Pribilof Islands, 15 tons for each, at $20 per ton 600 Total 1,600 Respectfully, Ormsby McHarg, Acting Secretary. I seal islands of alaska. 915 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 26, 1909. Mr, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska. Sir: In compliance with the request contained in the letter dated the 20th instant from the North American Commercial Co., the col- lector of customs at San Francisco and the deputy collector of customs at Unaiaska have been requested to permit the company named to ship from either of said ports to the Pribilof Islands during the current fiscal year liquors for medicinal purposes only and arms and ammu- nition as follows : St. Paul Island: Population — native, 176; white, 12; total, 188. 4 barrels beer. 2 cases whisky. 6 kegs whisky (30 gallons). 1 keg brandy (5 gallons). 2 kegs rum (5 gallons each). 1 case gin. 4 cases claret. 2 cases sautern. 2 kegs port wine (5 gallons each). 2 kegs sherry wine (5 gallons each). 20 gallons alcohol. 1 case champagne. 300 pounds powder. 200 cartridges, .44 caliber. 4 single-shot rifles, .22 caliber. St. George Island: Population — native, 89; white, 8; total, 97. 2 barrels beer. 10 gallons alcohol. 2 kegs whisky (10 gallons each). 2 cases Scotch whisky. 1 keg rum (5 gallons). 1 case champagne. 2 cases claret. 1 case sautern. 1 keg sherry wine (5 gallons). 1 keg port wine (5 gallons). 1 keg brandy (5 gallons). 150 pounds powder. 5,000 cartridges, .22 caliber. 1,000 cartridges, .44 caliber, 3 shotguns (12 gauge). 1 shotgun (16 gauge). In respect to the liquors above mentioned, the company has been informed that the arbitrary designation of barrels, cases, kegs, etc., may be disregarded and the liquors shipped in packages different from those mentioned, provided the whole amount of each kind of liquor shipped does not exceed the amount specified in the foregoing list. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries. 916 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor. Division of Alaskan Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, June 9, 1909. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of January 26 last, containing authority for the landing by the North American Commercial Co. to land on the Pribilof Islands certain speci- fied liquors and arms and ammunition. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge of Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Washington, March 22, 1909. Sir: With reference to the letter you prepared for my signature on March 15 addressed to the Secretary of War, requesting an additional supply of arms and ammunition for the Pribilof Islands, I beg to advise you that according to the records of the department a supply of the articles mentioned sufficient to answer every requirement short of a premeditated attack by hostile forces is at present in the posses- sion of our seal agents on the islands. Included in this armament is the following: 61 magazine rifles, 12 Colts revolvers, 5 Hotchkissguns, 3 Gatling guns, 11,500 rounds of rifle cartridges, 2,000 rounds of revolver cartridges, 375 rounds of Hotchkiss loaded shells, 125 rounds of saluting ammunition. While it is probable that some expenditure of ammunition has occurred since the date of the last ordnance return received from the chief agent, the department seriously doubts if an actual necessity exists at the present time for more than a small quantity of cartridges for the magazine rifles. The armament at present on the islands appears most formidable and would seem to be sufficiently powerful to repulse anything short of an armed invasion. Will you be good enough to give this matter your thoughtful con- sideration and inform me at an early date if in your judgment it would not appear best to advise the seal agents that the islands are adequately armed for all practical purposes and to discontinue sub- mittmg requisitions for unnecessary arms and ammunition. In connection with the foregoing the department desires to be fur- nished with a statement of the amount of ammunition now on hand on the Pribilof Islands, and in future wishes to receive annual ord- nance returns giving a comprehensive idea of the expenditure of ammunition. Respectfully, Wm. R. Wheeler, Assistant Secretary. The Commissioner of FiSHERrEs. seal islands of alaska. 917 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C, March 25, 1909. Sir: Replying to department's letter of the 22d instant, relative to a requisition for ammunition and for 12 revolvers for use on the seal islands, in which doubt is expressed as to the necessity for the articles, etc., I have the honor to state that I deem adequate guarding of the islands of vital importance. I visited these islands in 1906, at which time 28 schooners were hovering offshore, necessitating the keeping of a guard of a total of 12 men constantly at three different stations on St. Paul and a total of 7 men at two stations on St. George. The villages of both islands were practically armed camps. Guards are assigned once a week, and each new assignment begins its week of duty with rifle and revolver practice. The Gatling and Hotchkiss guns practice at a floating target three or four times a year, and considerable quantities of ammunition are thus used; but this is the price of efficiency. The ammunition mentioned in department's letter was landed on the islands in 1907, and has been drawn on for two successive seasons. It is intended to supplement the quantity now on hand with 100 shells for the Hotchkiss gun, 1,500 rounds of revolver and 1,000 rounds of rifle cartridges, a very modest requisition. It would be unwise to reduce the ammunition on the islands to a low point before request- ing new supplies, as opportunities for reaching the islands are very infrequent. The possibility of a serious reduction in the supply of ammunition and of a raid at a time when the supply is greatly reduced, before a new supply could reach the islands, would seem to justify the policy of keeping an adequate equipment on hand. There are at present only 12 revolvers on both islands; an additional dozen is therefore requested. Since my visit the Japanese fleet has increased from 28 to 38 schooners, carrying a total of 800 or 900 men. Many of them are desperate characters, as is evidenced by their destruction last summer of Simoneski Village in American territory, and a village on Bering Island, one of the Russian seal islands. Not only the seal agents, but five captains of revenue cutters on patrol duty in Bering Sea, unite in stating that the Japanese fleet is a menace to the peace of the islands. These cutter captains joined in a report, dated September 30, 1908, recommending that a large force of armed sailors be stationed on each of the islands as a matter of additional protection. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, supplemented by my personal knowledge of affairs on the islands, I believe that the requisition of the seal agents is proper and should be granted. Annual ordnance returns will be furnished hereafter, as instructed, and a statement of the ammunition now on the islands will be made as soon as navigation to them is open. Very respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, C omrrdssioner. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. 918 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, March 30, 1909. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: The department has received your letter of the 25th instant, explaining in detail the necessity of procuring for the Pribilof Islands the arms and ammunition requested in the bureau's communication of March 15. In view of the additional reasons now advanced, based on your personal knowledge of affairs on the islands, I have decided to request the War Department to ship to the fur-seal islands as early as prac- ticable the following arms and ammunition: To St. George Island, 500 rounds of revolver ammunition. To St. Paul Island, 100 loaded shells for Hotchkiss mountain guns, caliber 1.65; 12 Colts revolvers, caliber .38, model 1901; 1,000 rounds ball cartridges for said revolvers; 1,000 rounds ball cartridges for United States magazine rifles, caliber .30, model 1898. Respectfully, Ormsby McHarg, Acting Secretary. requisition for supplies. Department of Commerce and Labor, Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries, April 3, 1909. To the Chief Clerk: Please cause the supplies specified below to be furnished for the oflficial use of this . James Judge, Approved. Fur-Seal Agent. T. L. W., Chief Clerk. Item No; 1. Quantity desired, 2 Bets. Articles: Guides, card, 3 by 5, buff, alphabetical, 25 divisions, duplex punch. Cost, 26 cents. Deliver Monday sure. Received the above April 5, 1909. H. D. WiNANs, Messenger. [Copy.] SUSPENDED ACCOUNT. July 23, 1909. Bureau, Fisheries; name, Ezra W. Clark; amount, $145.16. CAUSE OF SUSPENSION. 1. Letter dated March 27, 1909, Commissioner of Fisheries to W. I. Lembkey, attached to the account, as the authority is not correct. The proper authority is letter dated March 30, 1909, from SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 919 the Acting Secretary to W. I. I.embkey. This aiithorit}^ should be given a number and treated the same as other travel orders, refer- ring to the number of the travel order when forwarding vouchers and coupons of transportation requests. 2. Any excess cost for transportation on account of failure to purchase through ticket, Washington, D. C, to Seattle, Wash., will be recovered upon receipt of bill from the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. 3. Stop in Chicago from May 5 to 11 without proper authority must be explained. Hour of departure from Washington, hour of arrival at Chicago, and departure from Chicago is not given, there- fore the charges for breakfast and lunch on May 5 and dinner May 11 are suspended. (Place where meals are taken should always be indicated.) 4. Charge of 11.50, "baggage from residence to depot," is sus- pended for explanation showing the number of pieces of baggage and from what part of the city it was transferred. 5. Charge of 60 cents, "small baggage," is suspended for explana- tion of the service rendered and necessity for the extra baggage. 6. Charge of 50 cents, "cab," is suspended for explanation of the service. Regulations allow carriage hire only when there are no street cars. 7. Charge of 40 cents, "porterage at depot and aboard cars," sus- pended as in No. 5. 8. Charge of 40 cents, "small baggage checked — trains not con- necting," suspended as in No. 5, and if expense was incurred owing to unauthorized stop in Chicago the amount should be disallowed. 9. Charge of 45 cents, "handling small baggage aboard cars, suspended as in No. 5. 10. Charge 40 cents, "small baggage checked, waiting," sus- pended as in No. 8. 11. Charge 50 cents, "cab," May 14, suspended as in No. 6. 12. Travel authority specifically limits expense for excess bag- gage to $30 for each agent. Amount disallowed, $7.65. 13. Charge of $1.81, "laundry," suspended for itemization. 14. Charge of 50 cents, "cab," May 19, suspended as in No. 6. 15. Charge of 50 cents, "small baggage," May 19, suspended as in No. 5. 16. Charge of $5, "porterage on Manning 12 days, baggage in and out of hold," and charge of $1, "porterage for baggage 4 days on Manning," suspended for explanation of service rendered and by whom rendered. If service was performed by employee of the Gov- ernment whose pay is fixed by law or regulation, the payment of porterage would be in the nature of extra allowance or compensation which is prohibited by law. 17. In addition to the disallowance of S7.95 made by the Bureau of Fisheries on account of excess over $5 per day for board and lodg- ing. May 15 to IS, inclusive, a disallowance of $1.95 should be made on account of excess for May 14. 18. Subvouchers submitted are incomplete and of little value. They are not in proper form, not itemized, and not specific as to dates. He should be supplied with subvoucher Form 527 and in- structed to comply with the requirements printed thereon. 920 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 19. Old form of travel expense voucher has been used. Proper form is No. 52, approved March 4, 1908. W. L. SOLEAU, Disbursing Olerl\ [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Division op Ai.askan Fisheries, Washington, D. C, October 18, 1910. The honorable Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to reforward herewith my bill for traveling expenses from Washington, D. C, to the Pribilof Islands, incurred in the spring of 1909, the same having been suspended by the dis- bursing clerk of the department last autumn for explanation of cer- tain items. I respectfully refer to my letter of June 19, 1909, explanatory of the bill, and .-idd the following further explanation: (1) My stop in Chicago was authorized by verbal permission of the Assistant Secretary of the department, and with the assent of the commissioner. This indulgence has been permitted me in former years when the delay would not interfere with the Government inter- ests and without a formal leave of absence. The exact date of the vessel's sailing was not determined and I could stop in Chicago with- out cost to the Government while I could not in Seattle, I keeping in telegraphic communication with the vessel. The expenses charged in Chicago were such only as were necessary in connecting with trains. (2) My residence in Washington was not on the street car line and the cab was necessary. The charge for baggage from residence was proper. I think there were four pieces, the distance nearly 2 miles. With respect to necessity of extra baggage, I have to state that my field of duty requires me to remain away for a long period in rigorous climate, and it is absolutely necessary for me to carry a considerable outfit of clothing. (3) The porterage at depot was necessary, as I was starting on a journey of 5,000 or 6,000 miles and had several pieces of small bag- gage to be assisted with and looked out for in getting aboard the train. (4) The trains did not connect at Chicago by two or three hours, necessitating the checking of a number of pieces of small baggage required on the journey. The expense was incident to the regular travel. (5) The charge of 50 cents for cab on May 14 was necessary. The street cars were more than a block distant from the station and the small baggage which I took in the cab would have cost more to send up than the price of the cab. (6) The laundry expense charged for was necessary; it covered a period of 10 days. An itemized statement could not be obtained. (7) The cab charge of May 19 was necessary. No street cars were available. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 921 (8) The item of $1.95 suspended as "excess for May 14'' seems to me a just charge, and does not come properly under the heading of hotel bills. The whole day was spent on the train. (9) The porterage on the Manning was actually incurred and was necessary. The payment for such services actually rendered by serv- ants on board shi]5 has not been considered as contrary to regula- tions. It is the only way that one may get proper attention on any vessel during the stress of travel by sea. These are not ser- vants of the Government but of the officers of the vessels. With respect to hotel bill in Seattle, I wish to submit that in view of the fact that the Alaska- Yukon Exposition was in progress, and the prices at all hotels in that city had been greatly advanced, the bill ought to be allowed as rendered. The hotel at which I stopped is not a first-rate or high-priced hotel. It was not practicable to obtain decent accommodations for the limited price. I lived as simply as I think the Government would wish one of its representa- tives to live. The circumstances referred to would be taken into con- sideration by a business concern or a court in adjusting the accounts of employees. In view of the long delay in settlement of this bill I think a liberal construction should be used in passing upon it. The bill has been transferred to the new form as desired. Very respectfully, (Signed) Ezra W. Clark, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. Approved with exception of amount of excess of $5 per day for subsistence, $9.90; and excess over limit for baggage transfer, $7.65; total, $17.55. (Signed) , George W. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Mr. Fowler: The universal joint did not arrive. Please look it up and reserve for us next year. W. I. Lembkey. This refers to invoice No. 603, dated March 29, 1909. Part VII. — Agents' Personal Information Sheets and Effi- ciency Reports. Department of Commerce and Labor, Appointment Division, Washington, April 21, 1909. Dear Mr. Dunlap: Our records do not show that Harry D. Chi- chester, assistant, seal fisheries of Alaska, has ever executed a per- sonal history sheet. Won't you please have Mr. Chichester fill out this sheet as soon as practicable and forward it to the department ? Yours, very truly, Robt. M. Pindell, Jr., Acting Chief of Appointment Division. The Chief Clerk Bureau of Fisheries. 922 seal islands of alaska. personal question sheet. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, December 17, 1906. To the chiefs of bureaus of the Department of Commerce and Labor: For the purpose of enabling the department to maintain a com- plete record of its officers and employees, you are requested to have every person hereafter appointed or employed in your bureau, imme- diately upon his entrance on duty, answer each of the questions in Part I of this form and sign the same. The officer in immediate charge should review the information given by the appointee or employee, and if correct, should forward the form to the chief of the bureau without delay. The information called for by the questions in Part II should then be supplied and the form forwarded to the department. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. Part I. [Part I should be executed by the appointee or employee; but, if he is unable to write legibly, another person may write the answers at his dictation. In either case the statement should be signed by the appointee or employee. If he is unable to write, he may sign by mark in the presence of one witness. If he is unable to answer any question, he should indicate that fact.] 1. What is your hill name? (Do not use initials, but spell out each name and state whether Mr., Miss, or Mrs. Example: Mr. John Richard Doe.) Mr. Harry Denison Chichester. 2. How do you write your name on the pay roll? (This should agree with signature to your oath of office.) H. D. Chichester. 3. What is your present legal (votingj residence? (Give city or town, State or Territory, county, and congressional district.) Eagle Pass, Tex.; Maverick County; fifteenth congressional district. 4. What is your race? (Answer "white," "colored," or "Mongolian.") White. 5. Where were you born? Port Lavaca, Tex. 6. When were you bom? April 20, 1872. 7. Are you pensioned by the U. S. Government? (Answer "Yes" or "No.") No. 8. Are there any members of your family, besides yourself, in the civil service of the United States? (If so, give below their names, relationships, the departments and bureaus or services in which they are employed and the positions they occupy.) J. W. Chichester, brother. Post Office, postmaster. 9. If you were appointed through a civil serivce examination, state, as near as you recollect, the name and date of the examination. If not so appointed, state how you entered the service. (Examples: "By reinstatement," or "by transfer from ," stating department, bureau or service, position, and salary, if known.) Special assistant, Treasm-y; agent examination; April 2, 1901. 10. Have you any physical disabilities? (If so, describe briefly. If you have defective eyesight, state whether corrected by glasses.) Have no physical disabili- ties; eyesight not defective. 11. Have you ever held any other position in the civil service of the United States? (If so, give below the department and bureau or service in which you served, the position held, the salary you received, and the dates of your appointment and separa- tion from the service.) For five or six months during the year 1892 as assistant to Mr. J. Stanley-Brown, special Treasury agent engaged in the investigation of seal life on the Pribilof Islands. My appointment began in May, 1892, and terminated in October or November, 1892. I do not remember the amount of salary received. 12. Were you in the military or naval service of the United States during the Civil or Spanish-American War? (If so, give the information called for by the blanks below.) . 13. If you served in the military or naval service of the United States at any time other than during the Civil or Spanish-American War, indicate such service in the spaces below. . 14. What was your occupation prior to entering the United States civil service? (It is intended that the answer to this question shall state briefly the lines of work SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 923 followed by you before receiving your present appointment, with the exception of your service for the Government, indicated in your answers to questions 11, 12, and 13.) Car accountant. Southern Pacific R. R. ; clerk Customs & Freight Department, Mexi- can International R. R.; agent North American Commercial Co., stationed on seal islands. 15. WTiat education have you received? (Indicate the grades of schools you have attended, and, in case you have attended schools of higher grade than high schools, give the institution, degrees received, and date in each case. Example: Public school; high school; business college; Cornell University, A. B., 1900; Columbia University, LL. B., 1903.) Public school; high school; three years medical school, George Washington University. 16. What special qualifications have you — professional, technical, mechanical, etc.? (Examples: Qualified as "lawyer," or "civil engineer,,, or "draftsman," or "carpen- ter.") Three years of work in medical school, photographer, bookkeeper. 17. \Miat, if any, civil-ser^'ice examinations have you passed? (Give names and dates as near as you recollect.) Special assistant, Treasmy; agent examination; April 2, 1901. 18. Were the answers to the foregoing questions written by you? (If not, state the name and address of the person who wrote them for you.) Yes. 19. State the date upon which the above blanks were filled. June 17, 1909. H. D. Chichester, Cold Spring Harbor, Care of J. Stanley-Brown, Long Island, New York. Reviewed, approved, and forwarded July 13, 1909. I. H. DuNLAP, Chief Clerk. Part II. [Part II should be executed by the executive officers of the various bureaus of the department, or, at their direction, by some official who can give the information desired. If unable to answer any question, indicate that fact.] 1. State the bureau or service, place, and district in which the person who answered the foregoing questions is employed . Fisheries; Pribilof Islands. 2. To what position has he been appointed? Assistant agent, Alaskan seal fisheries. 3. State the date of appointment. April 27, 1901. 4. State the date the apointment was effective. (If appointment was made to take effect on date of oath, so state.) On oath. 5. State the date of the oath. April 29, 1901. 6. State the date the appointee or employee entered on duty. April 29, 1901. 7. What is his salary? $2,190 per annum. 8. From what appropriation is he paid? Alaskan seal fisheries, salaries. 9. Is the position excepted, competitive, or unclassified under the civil-service rules? Competitive. 10. If classified, state the date of classification. April 15, 1903. 11. In what manner did the appointee or employee enter the service? Examples: "From stenography and typewriting examination;" or "without examination;" or "by reinstatement;" or "by transfer from ," stating department, bureau or service, position, and salary, if known.) Selected from civil-service certificate No. 4406, April 28, 1901. 12. Is the appointee or employee required to give bond? No. I. H. DuNLAP, Chief Clerk. July 13, 1909. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, WasUngton. July 7, 1909. Chief of Division of Appointments, Department oj Commerce and Labor. Sir: In order to complete the records of this office, will you kindly send to the bureau the personal-history sheets of the Fur-Seal Agents Walter I. Lembkey, James Judge, Harry Chichester, and Ezra W. Clark? You will remember that these persons were transferred to 924 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, the bureau some time ago, and there is therefore no record of their original appointments, etc. The sheets will be returned promptly. Respectfully, I. H. DuNLAP, Chief Clerk. Department of Commerce and Labor, Appointment Division, Washington, July 8, 1909. Sir: In compliance with your request of the 7th instant, for the personal-history sheets in the cases of Fur-Seal Agents Walter I. Lembkey, James Judge, Harry D. Chichester, and Ezra W. Clark, there are transmitted herewith the personal-history sheets of Mr. Lembkey and Mr. Judge. In the case of Mr. Chichester, the bureau's attention is invited to a request from this office dated April 21, 1909, for his personal-history sheet, which has not yet been received. In the case of Ezra W. Clark, the records of this office have been taken from the ''statement of appointee or employee," which was made out while the position was under the Treasury Department. The infor- mation is not as comi^lete as required for the personal-history sheet. It is requested that the bureau furnish a new personal-history sheet for Mr. Clark, and that the sheets forwarded herewith be returned to this office. Respectfully, Geo. W. Leadley, Chief of Appointment Division. The Chief Clerk, Bureau of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 10, 1909. Chief of the Appointment Division, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: Replying to your letter of July 8, returned herewith are the personal-history sheets of Messrs. Lembkey and Judge, fur-seal agents. The desired notations have been made therefrom. Mr. Chichester's personal-history sheet was forwarded to the department yesterday. In accordance with your request a blank has been sent to Mr. Ezra W. Clark with the desire that he ffil it out and return without delay. Meanwhile it is requested that the bureau be fur- nished, if possible, with the date of Mr. Clark's appointment, his legal residence, and the place and date of his birth. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, July 12, 1909. Sir: Receipt is acknowledged of your letter of the 10th instant, returning the personal-history sheets of Messrs. Lembkey and Judge, seal agents. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 925 It is noted that a blank has been sent to Air. Clark mth the request that he fill out the same and return it without delay. The only in- formation the Department has as to the date of birth of Mr. Clark is the year, given as 1840, in his "Statement of appointee or employees," under the Treasury Department. The place of birth is given as Granville, Ohio, and the legal residence as Seattle, King County, Wash. Respectfully, Ormsby McHarg, Acting Secretary. The Commissioner of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 1, 1909. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to recommend that should an opportunity arise Mr. Ezra W. Clark, assistant agent at the Alaska seal fisheries, be transferred to some other responsible position outside of Alaska. Air. Clark's services have been eminently satisfactory; he takes great interest in his work, and is thoroughly competent, but on account of his age it would seem proper that duty be given him in some place where the climate is less rigorous and the surroundings more suitable. It is probable that immediate action will not be practicable, as Air. Clark has recently left for a year's tour of duty in Alaska, but it is hoped that the case will be borne in mind for the future. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 18, 1909. Chief of Appointment Division, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: Replying to an inquiry over the phone from your division, the personal-history sheet which was sent to Air. Ezra W. Clark on July 10 to be filled out and returned has not yet been received. It is called to your attention that Air. Clark is on the Pribilof Islands, in Bering Sea, and communication therewith is very irregular. A letter has, however, been received from Air. Clark, in reply to another from this office, stating that he was in the military service from April 14, 1861, until the close of the war; that he entered the Government civil service Alarch 3, 1871, in the Treasury Department, and was promoted to Chief of the Revenue Alarine in that Depart- ment, where he served until March 6, 1886, at which date he resigned. Respectfully, I. H. DuNLAP, Chief Cleric. 926 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND LABOR EFFICIENCY REPORT. [Read the instructions on ttie reverse side of tliis form before attempting to fill it out.] 1. Bureau: (not in) Fisheries. 2. Where employed: Pribilof Islands. 3. Name: Walter I. Lembkey. 4. Where born: . 5. Age: . 6. Position: Agent at seal fisheries. 7. Compensation: |3,650 per annum. 8. When appointed (a): March 22, 1899. 9. How appointed (b): Prior to classification. 10. Appointed from: State, Pennsylvania; congressional district, sixth; county, Philadelphia. 11. Status under civil-ser\'ice rules (c): Classified, competitive. 12. Is the employee an honorably discharged soldier or sailor? No. 13. Other Government service: Laborer, Treasury Department. 14. Duties (describe fully): Has general charge of all matters pertaining to the fur- seal fisheries of Alaska, including relations with lessees of the seal islands and the natives, guarding the seal herds, custody of buildings and Government property. 15. Efficiency: Quantity of work (d), 10/10; quality of work (e), excellent; interest manifested in work (/), excellent. 16. Is this employee fully earning the salary he is now receiving? Yes. 17. Remarks (g): — — — . Geo. M. Bowers. July 9, 1909. DEPARTMENT OP COMMERCE AND LABOR EFFICIENCY REPORT. [Read the instructions on the reverse side of this form before attempting to fill it out.] 1. Bureau: (not in) Fisheries. 2. Where employed : Pribilof Islands. 3. Name: James Judge. 4. Where born: — ■. 5. Age: . 6. Position: Assistant agent at seal fisheries. 7. Compensation: .|2,920 per annum. 8. When appointed (a): October 31, 1898. 9. How appointed (b): Prior to classification. 10. Appointed from: State, Ohio; congressional district, twelfth; county, Franklin. 11. Status under civil-service rules (c): Classified, competitive. 12. Is the employee an honorably discharged soldier or sailor? No. 13. Other Government service: None. 14: Duties (describe fully): Under direction of the agent has charge of matters per- taining to the fur-seal fisheries of Alaska, including relations with lessees of the seal islands and the natives, guarding the seal herds, custody of buildings and Government property. 15. Efficiency: Quantity of work (d), 10/10; quality of work (c), excellent; interes manifested in work (/), excellent. 16. Is this employee fully earning the salary he is now receiving? Yes. 17. Remarks (g): '-. Geo. M. Bowers. July 9, 1909. department of commerce and labor efficiency report. [Read the instructions on the reverse side of this form before attempting to fill it out.] 1. Bureau: Fisheries. 2. Where employed: Pribilof Islands. 3. Name: Ezra W. Clark. 4. Where born: . 5. Age: Sixty -nine. 6. Position: Assistant agent at seal fisheries. 7. Compensation: $2,190 per annum. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 927 8. "^Tien appointed (a): May 10, 1898. 9. How appointed (b): Prior to classification. 10. Appointed from: State, Washington; congressional district, at large; county, King. 11. Status under civil-service rules (c): Classified. 12. Is the employee an honorably discharged soldier or sailor? Yes. 13. Other Government service: Treasury Department, May 3, 1871, to March 6, 1886. 14. Duties (describe fully): Under direction of the agent has charge of matters per- taining to the fur-seal fisheries of Alaska, including relations with lessees of the seal islands and the natives, guarding the seal herds, custody of buildings and Government property. 15. Efficiency: Quantity of work (d), 10/10; qiiality of work (e), excellent; interest manifested in work (/), excellent. 16. Is this employee fully earnine: the salary he is now receiving? Yes. 17. Remarks (g) : On account of his age and the peculiar conditions obtaining on the seal islands, it is thought Mr. Clark should be transferred to some suitable position elsewhere than Alaska. Geo. M. Bowers. July 9, 1909. department of commerce and labor efficiency report. [Read the instructions on the reverse side of this form before attempting to fill it out.] 1. Bureau: Seal fisheries. 2. Where employed : Pribilof Islands. 3. Name: Harry D. Chichester. 4. 'Where born: Port Lavaca, Tex. 5. Age: . 6. Position: Assistant agent at seal fisheries. 7. Compensation: $2,190 per annum. 8. "UTien appointed (a): . 9. How appointed (6): Civil-service examination. 10. Appointed from: State, Texas; congressional district, fifteenth; county, Mav- erick. 11. Status under civil-service rules (c): Classified, competitive. 12. Is the employee an honorably discharged soldier or sailor? No. 13. Other Government service: Five or six months in 1892, temporary employment with fur-seal service. 14. Duties (describe fully): Under direction of the agent has charge of matters pertaining to the fur-seal fisheries of Alaska, including relations with lessees of the seal islands and the natives, guarding the seal herds, custody of buildings and Govern- ment property. 15. Efficiency: Quantity of work (d), 10/10; quality of work (e), excellent; interest manifested in work (/), excellent. 16. Is this employee fully earning the salary he is now receiving? Yes. 17. Remarks (g): . Geo. M. Bowers. July 9, 1909. 1910. Part I. Instructions to Agents and Agents' Reports, January 13, 1910. Memorandum. The contract between the Government and the North American Commercial Co. for the taking of fur seals upon the islands of St. Paul and St. George in the Territory of Alaska will expire on the 1st of May, 1910. The statute, section 1963, directs the Secretary at the expiration of tliis contract to "lease to proper and responsible parties for the best advantage of the United States, having due regard to the inter- ests of the Government, the native inhabitants, their comfort, main- tenance, and education; as well as to the interests of the parties heretofore engaged in trade and the protection of the fisheries, the right of taking fur seals on the islands herein named, and of sending vessels to the islands for the skins of such seals, for the term of 20 years." In some respects the terms upon which such lease shall be made are set out in the statute. The money considerations to be paid will no doubt be affected by the changed condition of the fur-seal herds. On St. George Island there are 87 natives. On St. Paul Island there are 193 natives. The total number of breeding seals on both islands, estimated 12 years ago to be 130,000, has, according to present estimates, been reduced to about 56,000. The total number of seals now is estimated to be about 134,000, as against 375,000 12 years ago. Under these circumstances the advisory board of the fur-seal service recommends that the Government take over the immediate control of both islands, including the care of the natives and the ad- ministration of the seal industry. As to the first recommendation it is probably safe to say that the care of the natives ought not to be let out by contract if such a con- clusion can be avoided, but it must be admitted that numerically considered the natives represent a very inconsiderable factor. With respect to the administration of the fur-seal interests a more difficult question is presented. The recommendation that the Gov- ernment take immediate charge of these interests is not a new one. It has been urged repeatedly, but has always been objected to upon the ground that the Government should not engage in industrial pursuits, because of the possible effect of such a precedent upon gov- ernmental policy. The question now is whether changed conditions may modify this conclusion. If pelagic sealing is not stopped, then the decision upon this ques- tion appears to be of little moment. In other words, the ultimate destruction of the seal herds is inevitable, and it becomes of compara- tively little importance by what method the industry is brought to an inglorious conclusion. 928 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 929 If, however, pelao;ic sealin^j; can be stopped, then the question is one of immediate importance. In that event we would have to deal not so much with an immediate industry, but would be concerned with a problem of ultmiate conservation. The decision to stop pelao;ic sealino; would seem to be consistent with the Government's control of the seal herds, and would no doubt be substantial!}^ forti- fied by such a course. On the 26th of November, 1909, I addressed a letter to the Secre- tary of State, calling attention to the importance of this situation. There seems to be no doubt on the part of anyone that the continuance of the practice of pelagic sealing points to the early extermination of the herds, and we are squarely confronted with the question whether or not we will permit this practice to continue. The sealing fleets engaged in it are chiefly Japanese and Canadian, the former predominating, and enjoying the advantage of a 3-mile limit from the islands, while the Canadians are compelled to remain 60 miles out. It has seemed to me and I venture to suggest that the 60-mile rule which our Government enforces against England we ought to be in a position to enforce against every other country. If the grounds for it were valid against one nation, they ought to be equally valid against every other nation. Indeed, it looks almost like unfair discrimination to insist upon the position against some and to waive it as to others. For whom these fleets really operate the department is not in a position to say. It is by no means clear, for illustration, that the Japanese Government is at all interested to extend its protection to these supposedly Japanese fleets. We are informed that the sealskins by whomsoever taken are generally sold in London, and that the skins taken by the fleets at sea bring about half the price of those that are properly taken on the islands. In order that there may be no neglect of that which the law now directs, I propose to invite bids in due time. The privilege to reject all bids will make it possible to shape our course according to such new legislation or policy as may in the meantime be adopted with respect to the Government interests upon the islands. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 22, 1910. The Director of the Census. Sir: At the personal request of Mr. Joseph H. Romig, chief special agent of the Census Bureau for Alaska, I agreed some weeks ago to take the census of the Pribilof Islands, to be used in the compilation of the Thirteenth Census. As the result of my acquiescence, I received two days ago an appointment as a special agent of the census, "Alaska, No. 15," with compensation at the rate of $6 per diem while actually employed, and allowances for travel and sub- sistence. The actual time necessary to perform this service probably will not exceed one week, and will in nowise conflict with my other 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 59 930 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. duties of agent in charge of the seal fisheries. Upon agreeing to do this work, I had no idea that I would receive extra compensation. In view of the appointment, hov/ever, under the terms stated, I have the honor to request information whether the acceptance of salary and allowances for travel and subsistence as a census agent would in any way conflict with my regular appointment as agent for the seal fisheries, the salary of which is S3, 650 per annum, or would come under the prohibitions in sections 1763 and 1765 of the Revised Statutes. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Alaskan Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, February 3, 1910. Sir: The department is in receipt of the bureau's letter of the 1st instant, mclosing communication from W. I. Lembkey, agent Alaskan seal fisheries, inquiring whether he should accept salary and allow- ance for travel and subsistence as a special agent to take the census of the Pribilof Islands. In response, the department has to state that, apart from the legal aspect of the case, it is not believed that Mr. Lembkey should receive any additional compensation for his services, in view of the small amount of labor involved and the facility with which it can be com- pleted without interfering with his employment under the Bureau of Fisheries. The department is pleased to be able to avail itself of Mr. Lemb- key's services, and in a separate communication of this date has ordered his detail for the work in question, effective upon a date to be fixed by you, assuming that the assignment is agreeable to the Commissioner of Fisheries. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. The Director of the Census. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, February 3, 1910. Sir: You are hereby detailed for temporary service under the Bureau of the Census for the purpose of taking the census of the Pribilof Islands, effective upon a date to be fixed by the Director of the Census. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary, Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Agent AlasTcan Seal Fisheries (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries) . I seal, islands of alaska. 931 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, February 8, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. 0. Sir: In accordance with Mr. Stevens's request of February 4, I have the honor to mclose herewith a copy each of the following letters : H. H. Taylor, dated January 27, 1910 ; C. H. Townsend, dated January 31, 1910; and Alfred Fraser, dated January 28, 1910, to C. H. Townsend. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. [Confidential.] San Francisco, Cal., January 27, 1910. Hon. Geo. M. Bowers, Washington, D. C. Sir: Answering yours of the 20th instant: The Victoria Sealing Co. (Ltd.) is the main pelagic sealing con- cern belonging to the Canadians. It is a corporation which was formed about 1900 by combining most of the independent pelagic sealers haihng from Victoria, British Columbia. Some independent sealers have never entered the combination. Photographic copies of the annual statements of the Victoria Sealing Co. (Ltd.) covering the years 1901 to 1906, inclusive, are in possession of the Department of (Commerce and Labor and also the Secretary of State. These statements purport to show certain facts regarding the capitalization of the company, etc., but contain no list of stockliolders. The skins obtained by the Victoria Sealing Co. (Ltd.) are shipped to C. M. Lampson & Co., London, and are openly classified and sold as the skins taken by such company. One prominent merchant residing in San Francisco has always been credited with being a large stockholder of the Victoria Sealing Co. (Ltd.). He is an Englishman by birth and quite wealthy. I doubt if he has ever become an American citizen. The pelagic sealing question is one that essentially involves numer- ous small details, and the use of only a smattering knowledge of the subject must place the United States at great disadvantage in any kind of negotiations. It was the lack of knowledge of details on the part of its representatives that caused the LTnited States to be so badly worsted before the Paris tribunal; and there is every outward indication that two recent Secretaries of State entered into inter- national negotiations with such scant understanding of the practical side of the question that the propositions presented lacked business sagacity, if nothing more. The United States has never taken into its confidence the people who could furnish the best information. In direct contrast with this, the British have consulted everyone available. Without definite information as to what the United States is trying to accomphsh, it would be useless to attempt to cover the 932 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, subject of pelagic sealing in a mere letter, because the scope is too broad. If the old company gets the new lease, it will join the Gov- ernment in a most exhaustive investigation of the subject, if its co- operation be requested. Respectfully, H. H. Taylor. Office of Alfred Fraser, New Yorlv, January 28, 1910. Dr. Chas. H. Townsend, New York Aquarium, Battery Parle. Dear Sir: Referring to our conversation of the 12th instant, and in reply to your inquiries, I beg to state that I deem it of the greatest imporatnce that the taking of fur-seal skins on the Pribilof Islands should not be discontinued, for unless a supply of skins from these and the Commander Islands can be kept up, I am of the opinion that the sale of sealskin garments will be greatly reduced or will cease. The number of skins taken off Cape Horn, the Cape of Good Hope, and Lobos Island has decreased very materially of late years. In the sales of December last no Lobos Island skins were offered, nor had any advice been received of last year's catch. Within the last two years a considerable number of seal has been taken in the Southern Ocean, but it is fair to suppose Uiat this supply will soon be exhausted. Should the supply of sealskins of fine qual- ity, say, Alaskas, Copper Island, and South Sea, be exhausted or stopped temporarily, the workmen engaged in the unhairing, shaving, etc., of the skins, which require skilled labor, would be driven to take up other work and lost sight of, and in the event of a renewal of the supply it would be difhcult, if not impossible, to find men capable of doing the necessary work on them, and the education of unskilled workmen would result in the spoiling of a great many skins. Again, the cessation of the supply would cause seal to go out of fashion, and it might take many years to reintroduce them, and their value would be greatly reduced. I may add that for the last year or two a very large number of muskrat skins have been plucked and dyed in imitation of fur seal and although the garments made from these skins resemble seal v/hen seen at a short distance, they can not be mistaken for seal on a close inspection. Such garments naturally are much less expensive than seal, and are not nearly so durable, but they may tend to reduce the consumption of fur-seal skins. Allow me to call your attention to the fact that since the importa- tion of pelagic sealskins was prohibited, practicalh^ all the Alaska skins and a large proportion of those taken on the Commander Islands have come to tliis country, and the duties paid on them have amounted to a ver}^ large sum. If jow will refer to the new tariff bill you will find, under Schedule N, No. 439, ''Furs dressed on the skin not advanced further than dyeing, but not repaired, 20 per centum ad valorem." I understand, however, that the customhouse officials have decided that as the unhairing, or plucking, as it is called here, is a distinct operation, 35 per cent duty must be charged, as the skins could be both dressed and dyed mthout being unhaired. I do not deny that this could be done, "but do not hesitate to say that skins dressed and SEAI. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 933 dyed without being unhaired could not be sold at a price equal to the duty; for ladies' use they would be useless, and I do not know any way in which they could be used. At present prices, plus 8 per cent, which the appraisers a year or two ago decided must be added to the cost of dressed and dyed skins because the character of the skins had been changed, the duty on dressed and dyed Alaska fur-seal skins, including the additional 15 per cent, would amount to about 60 sliillings per skin, say, $14.65, and the cost of the skins will be so extremely high that I very much doubt if they wall find buyers; indeed, there is danger that a considerably increased cost of the raw skins, when combined with the expense already necessary to put the finished skins on the American market, would render the price to the consumer quite prohibitive and thus jeopardize the industry. I do not deny that these skins could be dressed and dyed in this country, but inasmuch as during the past 10 years 175,261 Alaska fur-seal skins, dressed and dyed abroad, have been imported, agamst 845 skins in the raw state, it is evident that the work of dressing and dyeing can not be done in this country to the satisfaction of the trade and consumers. As regards the unliairing, I may say that this is one of the early processes and skins can not be dyed until this operation has been performed — it is and always has been part of the dressing. I would add that duty is paid on the actual cost of the skins, plus the dressing and dyeing charges, interest from date of payment to time of shipment, cases, and commission. Yours, very truly, Alfred Fraser. New York Aquarium, Battery Park, New York, January 31, 1910. Hon. George M. Bowers, Gomraissioner, United States Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: As a member of the fur-seal advisory board of your department and one always interested in matters pertaining to the fur-seal industry, I wish to call your attention to an important letter received from Mr. Alfred Fraser which is inclosed herewith. I have known Mr. Fraser for many years and have every confidence in his knowledge of this subject as well as his entire sincerity. During the many years that the subject of the fur-seal fisher}'' has been before our Government authorities he has supplied freely important statis- tics of the fur-seal trade. He has been the principal American buyer of sealskins in this country and has been in the business for a lifetime. There can be no doubt that a reduction in the number of sealskins now coming from the Pribilofs would be most injurious to the seal- skin trade. It is to be hoped that the Pribilof Islands will be re-leased this year and that a small supply of skins will be kept available to the fur trade. The reasons for this are strongly set forth in Mr. Fraser 's letter. It is also important that the Treasury Department be requested to reconsider the matter of duty on sealskins. The margin of profit left to the trade after the payment of duties on skins whose value is already enhanced by the Government tax on 934 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the Pribilof catch makes them enormously expensive. In fact, their cost is almost prohibitive. I feel that with fur-seal service transferred to your bureau and the presence in your office of a number of men well informed on this sub- ject, you are in a position to make a good presentation of Mr. Fraser's letter to the proper authorities, and I earnestly hope that you will undertake to nave this important matter properly presented. I would suggest also that a copy of this letter be sent to Senator Dixon, who has introduced a resolution calling for a cessation of seal killing on the Pribilofs which would undoubtedly result in more harm than good at the present time. Very respectfully, yours, C. H. Townsend. [Memorandum to the commissioner.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, February 24, 1910. DESIRABILITY OF CONDUCTING EXPERIMENTS AT UNALASKA TO PEED STARVING FUR- SEAL PUPS. The success of the recent attempt by Judson Thurber to feed fur- seal pups makes it desirable that further efforts in this direction be made under the auspices of this bureau. ■ To this end the following suggestions are made : 1. That the Treasury Department be requested to detail Judson Thurber for special duty under this bureau from Jime 1 until at least October 15. 2. That a special allotment of funds be made for the expense of subsistence of Thurber during this period; for the erection at Una- laska of a small inclosure to confine such pups as may be used for experimentation; for employment of such assistance as Thurber may require to obtain food for these animals, and such other expense as may arise in connection with the experiment. 3. It is believed, for the first summer's work, that at least 20 pups can be induced to feed and to live in captivity. These then can be transported on a revenue cutter to Seattle, where arrangements can be made for their distribution. These pups would have a consider- able commercial value, and could easily be disposed of at a price suffi- cient to more than offset the cost of raising. 4. Having domesticated a number of these pups, it is suggested that overtures be made to the British Government with the object of furnishing the Canadian Government with enough pups to start a rookery of their own on the Atlantic coast; in consideration of which the adherence of Great Britain and Canada to a general game law covering the entire high seas will be solicited. Should Canada succeed in establishing a seal rookery of her own, her interest in preserving fur seals on the high seas will be apparent. Barton W. Evermann. I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 935 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 18, 1910. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the account of the North American Commercial Co. for fur-seal skins taken and shipped from the Pribilof Islands in August, 1909, is as follows: Skins taken and shipped. St. Paul. St. George. Total. Quota of 1908 32 11,022 4 3,310 36 Quota of 1909 14,332 Skins to be shipped in 1910 to complete quota of 1909 11,054 3,314 14,368 668 Total 15,036 15,036 skins, at 17.62^ bonus $114, 649. 50 15,0.36 skins, at $2 tax 30, 072. 00 15,036 skins, at $0.60 rental 9, 021. 60 Total 153, 743. 10 This amount, under the company's contract, is payable to the Treasurer of the United States on or before April 1, 1910. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Question 1. What is the maximum number of male seals which can be killed annuall}^, at the present size of the seal herd, without injury to its reproductive capacity and without interfering with an increase in its birth rate ? Answer. The annual quotas since 1904 have been 15,000.- The annual shipments of skins from tlie islands during this period were a j follows : 1904, 13,128: 1905, 14,368; 1906, 14,476; 1907, 14,964; 1908, 14,996; 1909, 14,336. In 1909 it was impossible to obtain the permitted quota of 15,000 because sufficient bachelors were not found to furnish it. It may be concluded from this that the herd will not hereafter furnish a quota of 15,000 bachelor skins. It is believed, however, that in 1910 12,000 bachelor skins could be obtained. This number, of 12,000, can be furnished in addition to a reserva- tion by the Government of 2,000 bachelors to form a breeding reserve, for tlie purpose of protecting the supply of male breeders. This reservation of 2,000 will be enough not only to preserve the breeding bulls at tlieir ])resent number but also to provide for their increase. The number of bulls with cows in the lierd m 1909 on the two islands was 1,071. The average life of a breeding bull is 5 years. As a diminution of one-fifth annuall}^ would occur, it would be necessary, in order to preserve the breeding bulls from diminution, that at least one-fifth the number stated (1,071) should mature as breeders, or 936 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 214. To insure this annual increment of 214 new bulb the breeding reserve of 2,000 young males is provided annually, offering a wide margin of safety against all contingencies. Question 1, therefore, may be answered by the statement that, with the herd at its present size, a maximum catch of 12,000 bach- elors can be allowed witliout interfering in any way with an increase in the birth rate. This answer is predicated upon the hypothesis that pelagic sealing is to continue as hitherto. Question 2. Will such maximum number increase in direct pro- portion to the size of the herd as it increases, and if not. what per- centage of seals may be killed annually as the herd increases in numbers ? Answer. The size of the bachelor herd bears a direct relation to the number of breeding cows. Assuming that the sexes are pro- duced in like numbers, the greater number of cows the greater num- ber of male pups born, and conversely. It may be stated, therefore, in answer, that the maximum number of bachelors to be killed will increase in direct ratio to the size of the herd of breeding cows as it increases. The percentage which the maximum yield of bachelors bears to the whole herd has been stated variously at from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, depending upon the investigators' methods of enumeration of the whole herd. The proportion of killable bachelors to the whole herd may be assumed for purposes of a working basis as 1 to 15 (i. e., number killable : whole herd : : 1 : 15). Question 3. Should all land killing of seals be discontinued if the herd decreases below its present size ? Answer. Decidedly no. With the maintenance on land of condi-. tions for perpetually maintaining the species, such as the safeguard- ing of females and the annual segregation of young males for breeders in sufficient numbers, there is no reason for the abstention from kill- ing at any time of such young males as are known to be unnecessary for breeding purposes and consequently superfluous. The proper relation of breeding bulls to breeding cows approxi- mately is 1 to 30. For purposes of perpetuating the species on land this ratio, should be maintained whether the herd be large or small. With this relation maintained, however, the superfluous males should be killed without regard to the size of the herd. The saving of superfluous males on land during the continuance of sea killing is doubly inadvisable, as not only is it useless, but provides an additional supply of seals from which the sea hunters may aug- ment their catch. It is submitted that until this catch becomes un- profitable it will be difficult for this Government to obtain satisfac- tory terms in the settlement of the question. For additional information upon this subject see page 43 of "Re- port on the Alaskan Fur-Seal Fisheries, 1906, by Edwin W. Sims." Question 4. What is the net value of the average sealskin after taking and marketing, and, if such value varies from year to year, what would be a fair average price ? Answer. The gross average value of sealskins for 10 years past is about $33.70 per skin. The average cost to the lessee to market these skins, after deducting an annual Government bonus of $150,000, has been approximately about 50 per cent of the gross, representing SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 937 aTnet gain of $16.85 per skin. Should the Government market these skins, however, it is hardly possible that the same frugal methods of administration practiced by the lessee could be maintained. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 25, 1910. Memorandum. Answers by the Bureau of Fisheries to certain questions pro- pounded by the Department of State concerning fur seals. The fol- lowing answers are intended to supersede those to the same questions made several days ago, without knowledge that they were to be based upon the assumption that the pelagic sealing had ceased. Question 1. Wliat is the maximum number of male seals which can be killed annually, at the present size of the seal herd, without injuiy to its reproductive capacity, and without interfering with an increase in its birth rate ? Answer. Should pelagic sealing be continued it is advisable to kill on land eveiy seal that may be killed under existing law. Should pelagic sealing cease, however, the herd of breeding cows* will in- crease, and it would be necessary to provide bulls to serve this in- creased number of cows. With no pelagic sealing the maximum number that might be killed annually from 1910 to 1920 follows: 1910, 8,000; 1911, 8,000; 1912, 8,500; 1913, 9,500; 1914, 10,000; 1915,10,500; 1916,11,500; 1917,11,500; 1918,14,000; 1919,15,000; 1920, 16,000. This killing could be allowed while yet increasing the supply of adult bulls from 1,388 in 1909 to 8,973 in 1920, representing in the latter year an estimated ratio of cows to bulls of 1 to 14. The present ratio is about 1 to 35. Question 2 . Will such maximum number increase in direct propor- tion to the size of the lierd as it increases; and, if not, what percentage of seals may be killed annually as the herd increases in numbers ? Answer. The maximum number of surplus (killable) bachelors will increase in direct proportion to the increase in the number of breeding cows. The number of breeding cows in 1909 was 45,765. In the years following it sliould be as follows: 1910, 50,338; 1911, 55,020; 1912, 58,786; 1913, 63,102; 1914. 67,934; 1915, 73,038; 1916, 78,514; 1917, 84,510; 1918, 90,850; 1919, 97,665; 1920, 105,013. Question 3. Should all land killing of seals be discontinued if the herd decreases below its present size ? Answer. It should not, whether pelagic sealing cease or be con- tinued. No matter how small the herd of cows, it always produces more males than are necessary for purposes of propagation. If pelagic killing continued, it is wise always to kill as many seals on land as may be without injuring the stock of males for future breeders. If it cease, the increase in cows may be provided amply with bulls, while, at the same time, allowing a yearly catch or bachelors for skins. 938 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA, Question 4. What is the net value of the average sealskin after deducting the cost of taking and marketing; and if such value varies from year to year, what would be a fair average value ? Answer. The gross average value of sealskins for 10 years past is about $33.70 per skin. The average cost to the lessee to market these skins, after deducting an annual Government tax of $150,000, has been approximately 50 per cent of the gross, representing a net gain of about $16.85 per skin. Should the Government do its own market- ing, this charge of $150,000 would not have to be paid, but on the other hand it would have to assume expenses of which it is now re- lieved that would approximate that amount. Furthermore, it is doubted whether the Government could conduct the sealing business with the same frugality as now exercised by the lessee. For this reason a profit of, say, $12 a skin to the Government, above all ex- penses, might be assumed. Department of Commerce and Labor, BxjREAU of Fisheries, WasJiington, April 19, 1910. MEMORANDUM REGARDING INSTRUCTIONS, SEAL ISLANDS, 1910. Killing seals. — The question of the quota or number of seals to be killed for skins is to be considered first. Heretofore the killing has been done by a lessee of the sealing right, and the annual quota since 1904 has been 15,000. This number represented nearh the maximum yield of surplus bachelors afforded hy the herd. The maximum \ield in 1904 was slightly more, and that of 1909 slightly less, than 15,000. No lessee is contemplated for 1910, and such killing as may be done will be conducted by the Government agents. The number of skins to be taken should not be smaller than the normal 3'ield of the herd. To restrict it to a lesser number would be to deliver killable seals to the pelagic hunters with which to augment their catches. What the normal yield of the herd will be in 1910 is impossible of ascertainment in advance. For this reason it is suggested that no quota be fixed for 1910; that it be directed that various hauling grounds be driven regularl;r, but not too often, until July 31, and that such seals- as may be found thereon having skins within the weights hereafter mentioned, and excepting those reserved as breeders, be killed. The present weights between which skins are considered eligible should be preserved, namel}", 5 pounds to 84- pounds. Four-year-old bachelors should not be killed. Such skins as are secured by the methods outlined should be salted, bundled, and prepared for shipment at the usual time, namely, about August 15. Marking of hacJielors for breeders. — Since 1904, 2,000 bachelors annuall}" have been reserved for breeders — 1,000 each of 2-3-ear-olds and 3-;vear-olds — by clipping the hair of their heads with sheep shears. The advisory board made no recommendation as regards 2-year-olds, but stated that not more than 95 per cent of the 3-year-olds be killed. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 939 Presuming the number of 3-year-olds in existence to be 5,000 (which undoubtedly is far beyond the number) a reservation of 5 per cent would be only 250. A reservation of the usual number (1,000) would be 20 per cent. It is believed that the reservation of 2,000 bachelors annually now is somewhat in excess of the necessities, as the herd has decreased almost 100,000 since this reservation first was made in 1904. Fur- thermore, a reserve of young bulls has been created fi'om the savings of former years that will maintain the proper proportion between breeding seals for several years at least. For 1910 it is recommended that 2-year-olds be not reserved by branding for the reason that it is believed the number of 2-year-olds with skins of 5 pounds or under will be sufficient to supply the neces- sar}" number of 3-3'ear-olds for 1911, and all these will of course be reserved; and that 500 3-year-olds be so reserved, of which 100 be secured on St. George and 400 on St. Paul. This reservation of 500 will equal more than 10 per cent of the whole number of 3-year-olds, in existence. The recommendation that no 2-year-olds be reserved is predicated upon the assumption that killing will be undtsr the entire supervision of the Government agents ; that killing will not be close ; that the supply of 3-year-olds for 1911 will be provided by the underweight 2-year-olds rejected at the killings. Enumerations of seals. — The questions whether (a) seals shall be enumerated beyond the counting of harems, and (b) who shall do such counting, must be considered. (a) Counting of harems can be done mthout disturbance of seals. Counting of pups, hoAvever, drives off all seals into water and in- creases by many times the chances of their capture by pelagic sealers 3 miles from shore. Normally 60 per cent of females are in the water on August 1. By driving all the females into the water on this date 40 per cent more females in a mass are driven toward the hunters. This practice can not be sanctioned except upon the ground of grave necessity. No grave necessity is known to be imminent in 1910, for which reason the least counting of pups necessary should be allowed, or all counts thereof should be discontinued. Experijnents in pup raising. — These experiments can not begin before August 1, as the rookeries can not be entered before that date. To obtain starving pups, the rookeries would have to be denuded of seals, as in pup counting. The least harm from driving off seals fol- lows when such driving is done late in the season, as then the bulk of the pelagic fleet has departed. Also, unless a diet of milk exclusively is used upon pups secured early in the season their growth would be problematical, as solid food could not be assimilated until several months after birth. It is recommended that experiments be made with a considerable number of pups and that they be placed in charge of the naturalist. Weighing of sl"ins. — Every skin taken upon the islands since 1903 has been weighed in order to determine whether the lessee has com- plied with the regulations of the department. The practice should be continued in the futiu'e to the end that the records may show that only proper seals have been killed. Compensation of natives. — The natives have been paid 75 cents for each skin taken and shipped from the islands. This has been used 940 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. as a fund, in connection with the appropriation, for the natives' sub- sistence. The eUmination of the lessee will make it necessary to arrange for the compensation of the natives in some way by the Gov- ernment. In addition for sundry desultory labor for the lessee in connection with the upkeep of the stations, movement of supplies, etc., the natives have been paid 10 cents an hour in cash for unskilled and 15 cents for skilled labor. This cash wage, although small and irregular, has amounted to about $4,500 on St. Paul and $2,500 on St. George annually. It has been the greatest incentive to the natives to work during the winter. Some similar method should be devised to reward individual industry. Articles necessary in the natives' domestic economy which will not be considered necessary by the accounting officers must be purchased. As an example, wedding rings are essential to the marriage ceremony of the Russian Church, and holy candles for religious functions — marriages, funerals, etc. These heretofore have been purchased with the cash earned by day labor. It is recommended : 1. (a) That the amount earned from sealing, at the rate of $1 for each skin, and the amount earned from taldng fox skins at $5 for each skin, be kept as a separate fund, to be credited to the community. (b) That from this fund such articles rec[uired by the natives, but not properly purchasable from the appropriation, be bought. 2. That the Government appropriation should augment this fund to an amount necessary to secure comfort of natives, say, to a point affording $100 per annum per capita after purchase of coal, fresh potatoes and onions, and required furniture for whole community. 3. (a) A certain amount of cash should be taken to the islands each year, (b) If necessary, an officer on each island should be bonded, the Government to pay the cost of bonding, (c) Pay for desultory da;" labor in cash, which natives may use to purchase unusual arti- cles, or may purchase clothing and provisions if the^^ so desire. Disposition of natives^ hank funds. — The lessee now holds on de- posit funds of the natives aggregating several thousand dollars, on which it pays 4 per cent interest, the survival of a custom of the A. C. Co. to entwDurage thrift. This money, if the balances are small, should be paid by the N. A. C. Co. directh" to the native owning the account; or if they be large, should be deposited in a savings insti- tution in San Francisco with the natives' consent. This latter should be the method used in the case of minors having balances over a few dollars. If an adult native refuses to sanction a redeposit, the money should be paid to. him in cash, but he should be strongly advised to conserve his resources. Foxes. — The methods of feeding and trapping foxes now in vogue should be adhered to. The lessee has furnished annually 10 tons of salmon for fox food. This will now have to be supplied b}- the Government. It is believed that, if sufficient barrels are provided, enough seal meat can be obtained on St. Paul to furnish St. George with its required fox food and obviate the necessity of the purchase of salmon. In trapping, a large proportion of each sex should be reserved and marked for breeders, to the end that the fox herd may be built up to an approximation of its maximum size. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 941 Mess. — A mess should be provided for the employees of each island, with a cook and laundryman at each place. All employees should mess there. The employees also should be furnished free of cost with the paraphernalia, boots, etc., as the;-, may need by reason of the special nature of their service. This practice now obtains with the other employees of the Bureau of Fisheries in the field. Phoiograpliing rookeries. — The 1910 conditions of all the rook- eries should be recorded b}- means of photography. SUPPLEMENTARY MEMORANDUM. In the event that an international agreement is reached under which all pelagic sealing will cease at once, the following modifications in the preceding memorandum are recommended : 1 . The kilhng should be somewhat less close. In addition to reserv- ing all underweight 2-year-olds, there should be reserved 500 from the killable class of 2-year-olds, 400 on St. Paul and 100 on St. George, these to be selected with reference to the special fitness as breeders. It is recommended that experiments in selective breeding be under- taken. The 500 reserved as above should be selected with this object in view. 2, A complete and thorough census should be taken of all the rookeries as a basis for comparison in the future. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, April 29, 1910. Sir: I inclose for your information a copy of an act approved April 21, 1910, ''To protect the seal fisheries of Alaska, and for other purposes," which becomes effective May 1, 1910. The Bureau of Fisheries is hereby placed in charge of the administra- tion of this act, under the general direction of the Secretary; and it is my desire that you at once take this matter under careful considera- tion and prepare comprehensive plans for carrymg out the provisions of the law and for utihzing and conserving the fur-bearing animals hereby put under the control of the department. Respectfully, Charles Nagel, Secretary, The Commissioner of Fisheries. [Public— No. 146.] IS. 7242.] An Act To protect the seal fisheries of Alaska, and for other purposes. Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretar}^ of Com- merce and Labor shall have power to authorize the killing of fur seals and the taking of sealskins on the Pribilof Islands, in Alaska, under regulations established by him prescribing the manner in which such killing shall be done and limitmg the number of seals to be killed, '^42 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. whenever he shall determine that such killing is necessary or desirable and not inconsistent with the preservation of the seal herd: Provided, however, That under such authority the right of killing fur seals and taking sealskins shall be exercised by officers, agents, or emplo}''ees of the United States appointed by the Secretary" of Commerce and Labor, and by the natives of the Pribilof Islands under the direction and supervision of such officers, agents, or employees, and by no other person : And provided further, That male seals only shall be killed and that not more than ninety-five per centum of three-jear- old male seals shall be killed in any one year. Sec. 2. That an\" and all sealskins taken under the authority con- ferred b}" the preceding section shall be sold by the Secretary of Com- merce and Labor in such market, at such times, and in such manner as he may deem most advantageous; and the proceeds of such sale or sales shall be paid into the Treasury' of the United States : Provided, That the directions of this section, relating to the disposition of seal- skins and the proceeds thereof, shall be subject to the provisions of any treaty hereafter made by the United States for the protection of seal life. Sec. 3. That whenever seals are killed and sealskins taken on any of the Pribilof Islands the native inhabitants of said islands shall be employed in such killing and in curing the skins taken, and shall receive for their labor fair compensation, to be fixed from time to time by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, who shall have the authority to prescribe b}- regulation the manner in which such com- pensation shall be paid to the said natives or expended or otherwise used in their behalf and for their benefit. Sec. 4. That section nineteen hundred and fift} -six of the Kevised Statutes of the United States and section one hundred and seventy- three of the Act of March third, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, be amended to read as follows : "No person shall kill any otter, mink, marten, sable, or fur seal, or other fur-bearing animal, within the limits of Alaska Territory or in the waters thereof; and every person guilty thereof shall, for each oft'ense, be fined not less than two hundred nor more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both; and all vessels, their tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargo found engaged in violation of this section shall be forfeited; but the Secre- tary of Commerce and Labor shall have power to authorize the killing of ajij such mink, marten, sable, fur seal, or other fur-bearing animal under such regulations as he may prescribe ; and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to prevent the killing of any fur seal except as authorized by law and to provide for the execu- tion of the provisions of this section until it is otherwdse provided by law." Sec. 5. That section nineteen hundred and fifty-nine of the Revised Statutes of the United vStates and section one hundred and seventy- six of the Act of March third, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, be amended to read as follows; ''The Pribilof Islands, including the islands of Saint Paul and Saint George, Walrus and Otter Islands, and Sea Lion Rock, in Alaska, are declared a special reservation for Government purposes; and until otherwise provided by law it shall be unlawful for any person to land or remain on any of those islands, except through stress of weather SEAIj islands of ALASKA. 943 or like unavoidable cause or by the authority of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor; and any person found on any of those islands contrary to the provisions hereof shall be summarily removed and shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by fine not €xceeding five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or by both fine and unprisonment; and it shall be the duty of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to carry this section into effect." Sec. 6. That section nineteen hundred and sixty of the Revised Statutes of the United States and section one hundred and seventy- seven of the Act of March third, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, be amended to read as follows: "It shall be unla\\'ful to kill any fur seal upon the Pribilof Islands or in the waters adjacent thereto, except under the authority of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, and it shall be unla-v\i^ul to kill such seals by the use of firearms or by other means tending to drive the seals away from those islands ; but the natives of the islands shall have the privilege of killing such young seals as may be necessary for their own food and clothing, and also such old seals as may be required for their own clothing and for the manufacture of boats for their own use ; and the killing in such cases shall be limited and con- trolled by such regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor." Sec. 7. That section nineteen hundred and sixty-one of the Revised Statutes of the United States and section one hundred and seventy- eight of the Act of ]\larch third, eighteen hundred and ninety-nine, be amended to read as follows: ''It shall be unla^vful to kill any female seal or any seal less than one year old at any season of the year, except as above provided; and it shall also be unlawful to kill any seal in the waters adjacent to the Pribilof Islands, or on the beaches, cliffs, or rocks where they haul up from the sea to remain; and every person who violates the provisions of this or the preceding section shall be punished for each offense b}'" a fine of not less than two Inmdred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment not more than six months, or by both such fine and imprisonment; and all vessels, their tackle, apparel, and furniture, whose crews are found engaged in the viola- tion of either this or the preceding section shall be forfeited to the United States." Sec. 8. That section one of the Act of December twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and ninety-seven, be amended to read as follows: "No citizen of the United States, nor person owing duty of obedi- ence to the laws or the treaties of the United States, nor any person belonging to or on board of a vessel of the United States, shall kill, capture, or hunt, at any time or in any manner whatever, any fur seal in the waters of the Pacific Ocean, including Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk, whether in the territorial waters of the United States or in the open sea." Sec. 9. That the Secretary of Commerce and Labor shall have authority to appomt such additional officers, agents, and employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act and the laws of the United States relating to the seal fisheries of Alaska, to prescribe their duties and to fix their compensation; he shall likewise nave authority to purchase from the present lessee of the right to 944 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. take seals on the islands of Saint Paul and Saint George, at a fair valuation to be agreed upon, the warehouses, salt houses, boats, launches, lighters, horses, mules, wagons, and other property of the said lessee on the islands of Saint Paul and Saint George, including the dwelhngs of the natives of said islands; he shall likewise have authority to establish and maintain depots far provisions and sup- plies on the Pribilof Islands, and to provide for the transportation of such provisions and supplies from the mainland of the United States to the said islands by the charter of private vessels or by the use of public vessels of the United States which may be placed at his disposal by the President; and he shall likewise have authority to fur- nish food,^ shelter, fuel, clothing, and other necessaries of life to the native inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands and to provide for their comfort, maintenance, education, and protection. Sec. 10. That sections nineteen hundred and sixty-two, nineteen hundred and sixty-three, nineteen hundred and sLxty-four, nineteen hundred and sixty-five, nineteen hundred and sLxty-six, nineteen hundred and sixty-seven, nineteen hundred and sixty-eight, nine- teen hundred and sixty-nine, nineteen hundred and seventy, nine- teen hundred and seventy-one, and nineteen hundred and seventy- two of the Revised Statutes of the United States, and all Acts and parts of Acts inconsistent with this Act, are hereby repealed. The provisions of this Act shall take effect from and after the first day of May, nineteen hundred and ten; and there is hereby appro- priated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for carrying into effect the provisions of this Act. Approved, April 21, 1910. MEMORANDUM IN REPLY TO ELLIOTT's LETTER OF MAY 2, 1910. The incident alluded to in the letter mentioned is as follows: The senatorial subcommittee, of which Mr. Nelson was chairman, visited St. Paul Island on August 3, 1903, after the close of the sealing season, at a time when the bachelors' hauling grounds were full of female seals. As the committee expressed itself as anxious to see a seal killing, a few seals were driven up from the hauling grounds and a demonstration given of the methods used in taking seals. The body of seals driven up comprised probably 50 per cent of females. The arrival of the cutter with the committee and party, numbering probably 25 strangers, and tiie fact that the killing was an exhibition, had the effect of embarrassing the native workmen. As a result, about the first thing the natives did was to club a cow by accident. Furthermore, they dragged it directly under the nose of Senator Nelson, who after discovering it caused considerable commotion by remarks indicating his belief that females were being killed as a regu- lar practice. An explanation, outlining the excitement and embar- rassment of the natives as the result of being surrounded by a noisy crowd of critical strangers, would avail nothing, neither would the reminder that this was not a regular killing but one held outside the usual season solely for the committee's benefit. Senator Nelson left SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 945 the islands firmly convinced that the lessee was killing cows contrary to law, and he has held that opinion ever since. It may be stated that, in appearance, 2-year-old females and 2-year- old males are almost exactly similar and it requires an expert to dis- tinguish between them. Even the adept native clubbers make a mistake now and then. With 10 years of experience, I myself can not by any means always determine the sex of these animals while they are alive. The incident detailed above was reported by Senator Nelson, after his return from Alaska, to Mr. Elliott. The latter immediately reported it to Mr. F. H. Hitchcock, then chief clerk of the depart- ment. I myself reported it to Mr, Hitchcock, not knowing that pre- viously he had learned of it from Mr. Elliott. At a conference between Mr. Hitchcock, Elliott, and myself in 1903, in discussing the incident, Elliott admitted that the mistake of killing a female- at tliis time of year was an unavoidable one, and that it did not in any way reflect upon the management of the islands. The matter- so far as the department was concerned was closed then. As a matter of fact, a few females have been killed inadvertently each year since 1870. This is due to the intermixture of males and females on the hauling grounds after July 20, and the impossibihty of distinguishing between the sexes in every instance. Last year four females were found among the seals killed and the fact reported to the department by Mr. Geo. Clark, whose attention was called to it by myself. If Elliott says he can avoid this occasional killing of a cow at the end of the season without absolutely stopping the killing after July 20, he tells a deliberate lie. W. I. Lembkey. [Cleveland (Ohio) Leader, May 2, 1910.] SEALING MAY BE STOPPED — CONCESSION ON ALASKAN ISLANDS EXPIRES. Washington, Ifay i. Conservation of the Alaskan seal herds is a matter to which Secre- tary Nagel, of the Department of Commerce and Labor, is giving close attention. Congress has given the Secretary discretionary authority, and it will rest with him whether a certain number of the animals are to be slaughtered yearly or whether he will stop sealing altogether for a time. The lease of the North American Commercial Co. which, for 20 years, has enjoyed the exclusive privilege of taking the seals, expired yesterday. 240i-H. Doc. 93, 62-1 60 9.46 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. MEMORANDUM FOR HON. CHARLES NAGEL, SECRETARY COMMERCE AND LABOR, IN RE CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS ON THE SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA THE DEADLY PARALLEL. Lakewood, Ohio, May 2, 1910. United States Senator Nelson — ■ Congressman Sereno E. Payne — March 17, 1910. In the Senate: April 18, 1910. fn the House: Debate on Dixon seal hill. Debate on Dixon seal bill. "* * * Among other places ''* * * The seals taken by we visited was the Pribilof Islands the Commercial Co. are all bull and while we were there we ex- seals, 3 years of age. Thev are amined the seal herds, and we saw permitted to take 90 per' cent some of the killing, and before our of these seals from the islands, eyes we saw seals killed contrary * * * g^t ^^ is desirable that to the provisions of the lease, the same system of taking these We became convinced of the fact seals should go on, because it is that unless killing on those islands no detriment to the herds to was absolutely suspended at once take them. * * *" the herd would, in a very few years, be totally exterminated. Who is telling the truth? Senator Nelson is. Sereno Payne has been "stuffed" and does not know any better, perhaps; but Senator Nelson and his associates, Senators Dillingham, Burnham, and Pat- terson, caught the agents of the Government and the lessees, August 4, 1903, in the act of killing female fur seals. Not only did they catch those men on this ground itself, with the fresh-skinned carcasses, under their eyes, but they made those men admit this act of illegal killing. A full detailed account of this detection of that unlawful killing by those Senators, as above cited, is filed in the Department of State, by the order of John Hay, under date of January 21, 1904. That record of the conduct of affairs on the seal islands of Alaska during the last 20 years should be audited now by new men competent to do so and who have had no association whatever with the lessees thereof past or present. Henry W. Elliott. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 6, 1910. memorandum in re necessity for agent Chichester's remaining on the coast until second trip of steamer. Only a portion of the supplies required for the islands can be purchased and taken up on the steamer's first trip. This results from the facts (a) that the ship will not carry all the required cargo on one trip and (&) that it is not possible to forecast all the supplies necessary to be purchased until the islands have been communicated with this spring. The vegetables required for the islands (fruits, potatoes, etc.) can not be obtained on the market until too late for the first sailing. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 947 Other numerous articles, found to be necessary after a winter's stay on the islands, must be ordered, purchased, and delivered between the arrival of the ship from her first trip and her second saihng. Heretofore this has occupied the time and attention exclu- sively of several employees of the lessee. Furthermore, it probably will transpire that some of the pro- spective employees now on the islands will refuse to remain another winter, and it will be imperative that some one who understands the situation be present in San Francisco to arrange for the employ- ment of other persons to fill the vacated places. To my mind, Mr. Chichester is the person best fitted for this work, and I recom- mend that it be assigned to him. The only objection to this arrangement is the fact that if the rookeries are to be photographed this year Mr. Chichester's presence will be required on St. George from July 15 to August 1 on the work of making the photographs. While it would be desirable to have this photographino; done, the fact remains that the work of reorganization of the island business undoubtedly will require the energies of all on the islands, especially when contemporaneous with taking sealskins. It would seem to me that this year the pho- tographing of the islands is of mmor consideration as contrasted with the more practical duties, and might be deferred for a year if impossible of accomplishment without conflict with the urgent work. W. I. Lembkey. Approved. B. W. E. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 9, 1910. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: You are directed to proceed to San Francisco, Cal., and after performing such duties there and elsewhere on the Pacific coast as nave been assigned to you in the detailed instructions furnished you under separate cover you will proceed thence to the Pribilof Islands. Travel should be by the most direct routes. Your actual necessary expenses of travel and subsistence while engaged in this work will be refunded to you on presentation of proper vouchers. Hotel expenses should not exceed $5 per diem. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Approved. , Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 9, 1910. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Washington, D. C. 1. Order to proceed to islands. — You are directed to leave Washing- ton at a date to be determined hereafter and to proceed to the Pacific coast. There, after consultation with the North American Commer- 948 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. cial Co. with a view of ascertaining the quantity and quahty of sup- plies required on tlie Pribilof Islands for the natives and others, you will purchase such merchandise at a reasonable price. You will also make the necessary arrangements for chartering a suitable vessel to transport such supplies to the islands, but before entering into any definite contract, wire the proposed terms to this office and await specific approval of the same. The time of sailing of this vessel and her general movements are left to your discretion, bat it is believed that she can perform her work at the islands and return with the SjBal- skins by September 1. Assistant Agent Chichester will remain in the States until the second trip of the vessel to the islands in order that he may supervise the purchase of supplies that will be required to be transported on that trip, and also to attend to such other duties as may arise in connection with the island work, which at this date can not be foreseen. 2. Assignment of agents. — You will make such assignment of the assistant agents and other employees for the season's work as in your judgment seems best, notifying the department of your action here- under. At the close of the sealing season you will return to Washington and report for duty at the department. Agent Chichester will report for duty on the islands in the fall. Later instructions will be sent you regarding the other assistant agents. 3. Change of laws relating to seal islands. — You are informed that the act approved April 21, 1910, repeals that portion of the previous law which required the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to lease the riglit to kill seals on the islands. The act mentioned authorizes such killing to be done by agents, officers, and employees of the United States appointed by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Copies of said act are herewith transmitted and it will be your duty and that of the assistant agents and other officers and employees of the department to see that its provisions are strictly enforced. 5. Agent in charge to have swpervision. — As agent in charge you will have general supervision over the killing of seals and foxes, the affairs of the natives, and all other interests of the Government on the islands. You should indicate to the assistant agents and others the nature of their duties and secure as far as possible good adminis- tration of the laws and regulations pertaining to the islands. Should a difference of opinion arise at any time between yourself and any of the assistant agents, employees, etc., in respect to a matter of administration on the islands, your decision must govern. If desired, however, you should request the agent or employee to state his views in writing upon the question under discussion, which you should submit to the department with a statement of your action and views thereon. 6. Quota. — No specified quota of male seals to be killed for their skins will be fixed. The number killed, however, should not be fewer than the normal yield of the herd after exempting from slaughter a safe margin to insure a supply of males for breeding purposes. You are instructed, therefore, to cause the hauling grounds on both islands to be driven regularly, but not too often, until July 31, and to direct the killing of such male seals as may be found thereon having skins within the weights hereafter mentioned, excepting those reserved as breeders. Such skins as are secured by the methods SEAX, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 949 outlined should be salted, bundled, and prepared for sliipment at the usual time, namely, about August 15. Care should be taken to exempt from slaughter all 4-year-old males and all females. 7. Reservation of young males. — To insure the escape from the Idlling fields of enough young male seals to supply the required number of breeding adults in future, you are instructed to release five hundred 3-year-old males in the proportion of 400 on St. Paul and 100 on St. George. The seals thus released are to be marked in such manner as will make them readily recognizable throughout the season, and under no circumstances are they to be killed. The reservation of 2-year-olds for breeders is considered unnecessary for the reason that, with supervision of driving in the hands of Government representatives, the driving will not be too close and that consequently enough 2-year-olds will escape the drives altogether to provide a sufficient number of 3-year-olds the following year. These will be in addition to those 2-year-olds escaping from the killing fields and having skins weigliing 5 pounds and under. The seals reserved for marking are to be of the best examples in the herd. No seal patently undersize or having any deformity should be included in the number so reserved. Wherever possible experiments in selective breeding should be undertaken by reserving for breeders only those giving evidence of the highest physical attributes. 8. Event of international agreement. —The foregoing instructions respecting kiUing of seals and reservation of bachelors are predicated upon the assumption that no international agreement will be reached this summer putting a stop to pelagic sealing. In the event that such an arrangement should be reached before the end of the current season, doubtless you will receive additional instructions with a view of regulating the killing in accordance with any special arrange- ments made with foreign Governments interested. 9. Sizes of Tdllable seals. — No seals shall be killed having skins weigliing less than 5 pounds nor more than 8^ pounds. All skins taken should be weighed carefully and the weights, or a summary thereof, reported to the department. Wliile it is understood that an occasional accident or error of judgment will result in the killing of a seal having a skin outside the weights mentioned, yet the greatest care should be exercised not to kill seals other than those specified as ehgible. 10. KiUing season.- — The killing season should begin as soon as seals haul in numbers sufficient to justify driving, but should cease on July 31 because of the approach of the "stagey" season and of the presence of adult and yearling seals in the drives. You should use your judgment as to whether drives be made less frequently at the close of the season to obviate the possibihty of young females being killed by accident due to the difficulty in distinguishing them from bachelors. The kilfing of pups for food for the natives, or for any other purpose, is not to be permitted. 11. Seals for food. — Drivmg for natives' food should not begin before October 20, and care should he exercised at that date that the skins of seals killed be not ''stagey" to a degree that would impair the commercial value of the skin. Drives for food should be made not oftener than the needs of the natives in that respect require. Drives for food on rookeries remote from the villages should not be made 950 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. unless the carcasses actually are necessary for natives' food or for food for foxes, or for some other sound reason, and in any event care should be taken to preserve for future use the carcasses of such seals as are not immediately disposed of. The number of seals to be killed for natives' food for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1910, should not exceed 1,700 on St. Paul and 500 on St. George. No female seal, or seal having a skin weighing under 5 pounds or more than 7 pounds, shall be killed during the so-called "food-killing season." Care shall be taken that no reserved or marked bachelors be killed in the drives for food or at any other time. 12. Driving. — The methods of conducting drives for skins hereto- fore practiced should be followed. The time, place, and manner of conducting drives should be fixed by you or by an assistant agent assigned by you to that duty. A representative of the Government should be present on the killing ground in each instance to super- intend the killing. 13. Killing grounds. — As heretofore, yon should establish on each of the islands killing grounds that can be reached by the shortest pos- sible drive; provided, however, that such killing grounds must be at places sufficiently distant from the rookeries to prevent annoyance from the decaying carcasses. 14. Counting sJcins. — AH the sealskins should be carefully counted into the salt houses in the presence of representatives of the depart- ment and of the native community, and a receipt in duplicate in the following form should be prepared and signed by each of said repre- sentatives: St. Island, , 191 . We certify that there have been placed in salt in the salt house in our presence sealskins. For Department of Commerce and Labor. For Native Community. 15. Receipts for sealsMns salted. — The originals of the receipts pre- pared in accordance with the preceding paragraph should be retained by the representative of the department for the files of the island, while the duplicates should be transmitted by you to the department. At the close of the season when the sealskins are counted again and shipped on board the steamer, the usual annual receipts should be signed by the captain of the steamer and the representative of the department. 16. Trading in sMns. — Attention is called to the fact that section 2 of the act approved April 21, 1910, entitled ''An act to protect the seal fisheries of Alaska and for other purposes," provides that "any and all sealskins taken under the authority conferred by the preceding section shall be sold by the Secretary of Commerce and Labor in such market, at such times and in such manner as he may deem most advantageous." Care should be taken to prevent the disposal of skins of seals or of foxes by the natives or others to any person or persons except in the manner prescribed by these or other regulations. All trading in sealskins by the natives is to be strictly prohibited, nor shall the natives be permitted to do any trading in fox skins. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 951 17. Measures to prevent shipment of sTcins by natives. — To avoid the possibility of seal or fox skins being surreptitiously shipped from the islands, you are directed to continue the practice of examining all goods to be shipped by the natives, including baggage and personal effects, and where barrels, casks, boxes, or other receptacles are used, they should be closed under your supervision, after an examination of the contents, before being placed in the warehouse. Any skins found concealed in packages to be shipped by the natives should be seized and held, subject to instructions from the department. 18. Census of seal herd. — Because of the great activity of the pelagic sealers about the islands, it is believed unwise to disturb unnecessarily the breeding seals, thereby driving them into the water. For this reason counting of the rookeries should be discontinued except that necessary to make the annual enumeration of harems and breeding bulls about July 15. If you deem it advisable, the pups on Kitovi rookery on St. Pa,ul, and North rookery on St. George, may be counted on or about July 31, to determine the size of the average harem thereon. At the close of the season and after the departure of the pelagic sealing fleets, an enumeration of dead pups should be made and such informa- tion reported regarding the cause of death as can be obtained. Should pelagic sealing be abolished by international agreement it is desirable to have made a thorough and exact census of all the seals of whatever class on each island, and definite directions to that end will be prepared in due time. 19. Care of the natives. — The care and welfare of the natives should receive your close attention and, in fact, that of all the Government agents and employees on the islands. It shall be your duty to see that the natives are supplied, so far as funds will permit, with the necessaries of lifeto an amount sufficient to maintain them in comfort, due regard being paid to economy and thrift. 20. Compensation to natives. — The compensation to be paid to the natives for killing, salting, curing, bundling, and loadmg the seal- skins on board the steamer at the close of the season will be $1 for each skin taken and shipped. The money thus earned is to consti- tute a community fund for distribution among the natives according to their respective classes. At the close of the seahng season, after a conference with native chiefs, you will make such division of the fund among the natives, according to their classification, as is deemed fair and just, and submit a report of such di\dsion, showing the amount apportioned to each native partici])ating in the fund. 21. Payment of natives' earnings. — It is the purpose of the depart- ment to arrange for the payment in cash of such sums as the natives may earn from time to time in miscellaneous labor which may not properly be classed as community work. The funds earned from taking seal and fox skins are to be disbursed on orders as heretofore. The payment to the natives of money from the appropriation which Congress has made for their maintenance is forbidden. The labor for which they will be compensated hereunder should be such only as they may not properly be requested to perform as a community in return for the appropriation made for their support. 22. Support of natives. — It is expected that Congress will appro- priate the sum of $19,500 "to enable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to furnish food, fuel, and clothing, and other necessaries of life to the native nihabitaiits on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, 952 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Alaska/' during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1911, and the same care and economy should be exercised in the expenditure of this appropriation as heretofore. Articles of necessity only should be issued. No expensive dress goods, boots, or other similar articles of luxury are to be provided. Each of the natives should be restricted to one pair of dress shoes each year. Ginghams, calicoes, muslins, and other similar inex- pensive materials for wearing apparel may be issued in reasonable quantities. The supply of fuel for the use of the natives is paid for from this appropriation and the cost of such fuel should not be overlooked in determining how much of the appropriation is to be available for other Eurposes. In the distribution of supplies no distinction is to be made etween persons without means and those having small savings from previous years. Widows and orphans should be supported from the appropriation provided by Congress. You will continue the plan already adopted of issuing orders for such supplies as are required by the native inhabitants. At the end of the season, as heretofore, you will submit to the department the originals or copies of the orders issued. In issues of supplies to the natives payable from their sealing and foxing divisions an advance over wholesale cost price of 33 J per cent should be charged. After the natives' earnings have been expended for supplies, such further articles as are necessary for their support should be charged against the merchandise account at the same price. Vouchers should be taken in every instance wherever goods are issued or cash paid for labor, and these vouchers should be transmitted to the department at the close of the fiscal year with an account showing fully the transactions involved. Payments of cash for miscellaneous labor should be on periodical pay rolls, which should be preserved as vouchers. A double-entry system of bookkeeping with the necessary auxiliary records, such as cashbooks, etc., should be kept. A monthly trial balance should be taken and a duplicate made for transmission to the department. 23. Coal supphj. — The amount of coal wliich will be required on the islands during the coming year will be as follows: St. Paul: Tons. Government house 15 Natives' use 250 Other buildings 50 St. George: Government house 15 Natives' use 115 Other buildings 45 Total 490 Of this amount the North American Commercial Co. has probably 80 tons on hand on St. Paul and 25 tons on St. George. You should therefore arrange for the purchase on the coast of the following amounts of coal: Tons. St. Paul 235 St. George 150 Total 385 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 953 TMs coal should be of good quality and sacked. You should make inquiries of the various dealers and purchase the coal at the lowest price for the quahty desired. 24. Dwellings of the natives. — -It is the purpose of the department to acquire title to the native dwellings on the islands. In tliis event it shall be your duty to see that the natives keep them in proper repair so far as they can with the means at their disposal. Efforts should be made to obtain better sanitary conditions m these dwell- ings, and where more people are domiciled in one house than are con- sidered a proper number, you should report that fact, and a plan designed to alleviate the condition. 25. Schools for the natives. — As heretofore, the schools shall be maintained from September 1 to May 1, and to be open five days in each week, the school hours to be from 9 o'clock a. m. to 3 o'clock p. m., with an hour recess at noon and 15 minutes recess in the fore- noon. None but the English language shall be taught in the schools. The question of holidays will be left to your discretion. 26. Widows, orphans, aged and infirm. — The widows, orphans, aged and infirm inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands hereafter will be sup- ported by the Government instead of by the lessee as heretofore, and they should be furnished with the necessaries of life in the same pro- portions as the others. As these widows and orphans do not par- ticipate in the division of natives' earnings, orders for their support should be drawn upon the Government appropriation. In issuing supplies no distinction should be made between those who are penni- less and those having small sums saved from previous years. 27. BanJc accounts of natives. — 1 he Nortli American Commercial Co., the former lessee of the sealing rights, now holds on deposit cer- tain funds belonging to individual natives, upon which it has paid interest at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. The balance on these accounts, if they are small, should be paid by the company directly to the natives; if, however, the native desires, they sh.ouid be held by the company and deposited in a safe financial institution in San Francisco by yourself as attorney in fact for the benefit of the natives owning the accounts, tlie interest on which to be collected annually by you and paid directly to the respective natives. The latter should be the method used in the case of minors having bal- ances over a few dollars, provided, of course, the consent of their guardian or next of kin can be obtained. If an adult native refuse to sanction a redeposit of his own funds, the money should be paid to him in cash, but he s.hould be advised strongly to agree to this arrangement. 28. Natives to render service. — In consideration of the support gratuitously afforded the natives by the Government, you are directed to utilize their services in repairing roads, guarding rookeries, moving of supphes, and performing such other duties as may seem desirable. Work on Government property, not to be classed as community work, should be paid for in cash at rates similar to those paid by the late lessee for the same purpose. It is intended by the department to have cash taken to the islands for this purpose. 29. Election of native chiefs. — The natives should be allowed to select their own chiefs without interference, unless persons are chosen for those positions who are manifestly unfit. In the latter case, it will be your duty to interpose in the interest of good government and 954 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. require the selection of proper persons, but such action should be taken only in extreme cases. 30. Sale of intoxicants prohibited. — The law prohibits the sale of liquor to the native inhabitants of Alaska. It will be your duty to see that liquor is not sold to the natives of the Pribilof Islands from vessels touching there, or by anyone, and in case liquors are so sold, you should use every effort to have the person selling such liquor apprehended and punished. Liquors should not be furnished on the islands to the natives except for medicinal purposes. 31. Manufacture of intoxicants. — The brewing or distilling on the islands of intoxicating beverages is prohibited. In the enforcement of this provision you are authorized to discontinue the issue of sugar or other articles entering into the manufacture of intoxicants to any person who violates this order or who is found to be intoxicated. Should intoxication become so general among the people as to inter- fere with good government and jeopardize the peace, you are author- ized to discontinue altogether the issue of sugar and other articles entering into the m.anufacture of intoxicants, for such length of time as may appear wise. 32. Removal for cause. — Should natives or other persons become so unruly or immoral in conduct as to endanger the peace and good government of the people, they should be removed from the islands, and the Revenue-Cutter Service will be instructed to render sucli assistance as may be necessary for that purpose. 33. Landing on the islands restricted. — No persons other than Gov- ernment officers, such representatives and employees of the North American Commercial Co. as are necessary to close that company's business, and accredited representatives of the Russian Church shall be allowed to land on the islands except by written authority from the department. The permission granted representatives of the Russian Church to visit the islands may be suspended, however, when its exer- cise is attempted by an improper person. Visitors to the islands should not be permitted to inspect the rookeries, except under your supervision. 34. Killing of sea lions to he limited. — The preservation of the sea- lion rookeries on the islands is highly important. The killing of these animals should be limited to such numbers as are absolutely necessarv in providing for the construction of bidarras or skin boats. Sea-lion pups should not be killed for any purpose. 35. Information regarding affairs of islands. — Information regard- ing the seals, or any other matter pertaining to the seal islands, is not to be given out by you or by any other person or persons on the islands. All applications for such information should be referred to the department. 36. Guarding the roolieries. — Arms and ammunition have been placed upon the islands by the Government for the purpose of pro- tecting the seals, and especially the breeding rookeries, from marauders who rtiay seek to land upon the islands and kill the seals. It will be the duty of yourself and the assistant agents to enforce as far as prac- ticable the laws for the protection of the rookeries and the prohibition against unauthorized persons landing upon the islands. To this end native guards should be maintained upon such isolated rookeries as are in danger of raids, and the native men should be drilled and other- SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 955 wise instructed in the use of rifles furnished for the protection of Gov- ernment property. 37. Mess. — It is the purpose of the department to provide a mess on the ishxnds at which all of the nonstatutory Government employees of the islands should be furnished meals free of charge. A cook on each island should be provided for tliis purpose and enough supplies furnished to enable this mess to be maintained. You should give such instructions and make such arrangements as are necessary for carrying into effect the provisions of this paragraph, bearing in mind that the strictest economy and care should be exercised in main- taining this mess. 38. Foxes. — The trapping of foxes on St. George Island should be continued. The methods heretofore used should be employed. Seal meat should be preserved for fox food as liitherto. It is believed that if a sufficient number of barrels are furnished, seal meat from St. Paul can be packed therein and transported to St. George in suffi- cient quantity to provide food for the foxes during the winter. If not, you will make arrangements, if possible, for the provision of other suitable fox food. On St. Paul the trapping of foxes will be left to your discretion. 39. Conclusion. — Should questions arise involving matters not covered by these instructions, it will be your duty to report the facts to the department and to await instructions, except in cases requir- ing immediate decision, when you mil take sucn action as sound judgment dictates. The instructions embodied in this letter are to remain in force until they are superseded by later ones; and in the event of your fail- ure to receive revised instructions for a subsequent season the direc- tions herein given are to be followed for such season so far as they are applicable. Three additional copies of this letter are inclosed herewith, and you are directed to furnish one of these copies to each of the assistant agents for their information and guidance. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Approved. , Secretary. May 19, 1910. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Care North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Sir: There is inclosed herewith a letter from Mr. Ravenel, admin- istrative assistant, United States National Museum, which explains itself. I inclose also a Government bill of lading for your use in shipping the skeleton of the killer whale from San Francisco to the National Museum. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. 956 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. San Francisco, Cal., May 26, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to report that I have reached an agreement with the agents of the steamer Homer, in accordance with the terms detailed in my recent telegrams, and will mail the charter to-morrow to you for approval at the department. The vessel is now on dry dock and will be delivered for use under the charter June 1. After coaling her bunkers, she will proceed to the dock selected for her and loading will begin. It is not probable that she will sail for the Pribilof Islands much before June 1 1 , although the work of dispatching her will proceed with all due haste. In regard to the purchase of supplies, I realized at once upon arrival that the best prices on goods required could not be obtained without competitive bids. I therefore, with the assistance of the North American Commercial Co., from whom I obtained lists of the articles rec[uired, drew up schedules of the principal merchandise and sub- mitted each list to three of the largest mercantile firms in the several lines of business, asking each to submit bids in writing. This has occupied my time until this evening, as the result of which I will be able to save about $300 on groceries, $150 on coal, about $5 on each barrel of salt beef, with the remaining bids not yet in. Small articles of miscellaneous classification I shall be obliged to purchase in the open market, but the amount of the latter will be small. In addition, I inspected the quality of goods bid on, and rejected some bids in cases where the price was low but the quality unsatisfactory. To solicit these bids it was necessary that I should visit each firm in person to make the necessary explanations regarding my status, nature of articles required, terms of payment, etc. To do this, it was necessary to cover the entire city from North Beach to Alameda. After one day's attempt to use the ordinary means of conveyance in addition to walking, I found that I could not do the work necessary in a month because of the time wasted in reaching the business houses. Accordingly, I hired this morning a horse and buggy, with which I have been able to do four times the work and to finish the day without being completely worn out. I shall be obliged to use this conveyance in purchasing supplies, which requires my visiting each business house and inspecting the goods bought. I have hired this team on my own responsibility, as the necessity is imperative, but respectfully request that I be given authority for the hiring of such conveyance when necessary at a price not to exceed $2.50 per diem. Being unacquainted with the location of the business houses in this city, I have been accompanied by Mr. James McMullin, of the North American Commercial Co., who not only has shown me how to get about the city, but has given me the benefit of his experience of 20 years as a purchasing agent. The department is greatly indebted to him for liis disinterested and kindly assistance. The clerical work involved in getting the ship off will be heavy, but I believe that I will be able to do it nights. I have already had a conference with the company in regard to the transfer to the Government of its property on the islands. No pro- visional agreement yet has been reached. On their buildings I I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 957 offered 50 per cent of their inventory value on their buildings, tools, household furniture, drugs, 25 per cent on their telephone and library, about 66 per cent on boats, and reductions on other articles. I offered to take their remaining merchandise at wholesale San Fran- cisco price, and to take their coal at what it would cost us to lay it down on the islands. Should an understanding be reached, I will submit lists at once. Redpath will go with me to tlie islands. I have offered to haul the company's skins and any merchandise it desires to bring away from the islands at prevaihng shipping rates. I have had an application from the Alaska Commercial Co. to take six or eight head of beef cat- tle to their station at Unalaska, but have held the matter in abeyance until I can discover the value of such transportation and whether it would in any way effect delay in the movement of the ship. I am not certain whether I have authority to haul miscellaneous cargo for outside sliippers. In general, matters have progressed satisfactorily, and I hope to have the ship off without delay or complication. With a little assist- ance I hope to be able to secure a satisfactory berth at a dock requiring only a short haul on merchandise. I shall communicate in writing at every opportunity. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries, Room 218, Mills Building. San Francisco, Cal., May 26, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: Regarding the purchase of supplies, the appropriation of $19,500 for natives' support, 1911, will not be available until July 1, proximo. Until then, the appropriation of $150,000 will have to be used for the purchase of natives' supplies, to be reimbursed by trans- fer warrant from the natives' appropriation, after the latter becomes of use on July 1 . Prices obtained from merchants are predicated on 20 days' pay- ment, approximately. Pajrment can not be delayed until July 1, or after, without receding from promises made to them, based on the statement of Mr. Soleau that checks can be returned in 20 days after mailing of accounts here. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. [Copy of telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., May 27, 1910. Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Customs authorities here rec[uire full manifest Homer, also permit to ship liquors, arms, ammunition in addition. Delay requirement necessitates services customs broker, fee $25. Please have Treasury instruct collector customs treat Homer as Government vessel, waiv- ing usual formalities required merchant shipping. Charter mailed to-morrow approval. Probably sail June 11. Lembb:ey. 958 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. June 2, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: May 27 Acting Secretary Cable telegraphed collector customs San Francisco to waive requirements of manifest. Treat Homer as Gov- ernment vessel. Permit liquor, arms, and ammunition. This tele- gram confirmed by letter May 28. Bowers. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 1, 1910. Mr. Walter R. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Sir: Referring to your telegram of May 28, inclosed herewith are a copy of a telegram and letter addressed to the collector of customs, San Francisco, Cal. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. San Francisco, Cal., May 29, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith a schedule of the move- ments of the steamer Homer in her two trips to the Pribilof Islands during the ensuing summer. This schedule is made on the assump- tion that the vessel will not be delayed because of stress of weather, so that should she be later in returning than the dates specified in the inclosed list no anxiety need be felt. Respectfully, W. I. TjEmbkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Schedule Steamer "Homek." — Season 1910. FIRST VOYAGE. Leave San Francisco June 11 Arrive Dutch Harbor Jun 23 Leave Dutch Harbor June 25 Arrive St. George June 26 Leave St. George June 27 Arrive St. Paul June 28 Leave St. Paul July 1 Arrive Dutch Harbor July 3 Leave Dutch Harbor (coal) ..... July 8 Arrive St. George (coal) '. . July 9 Leave St. George (coal) July 12 Arrive St. Paul (coal) July 13 Leave St. Paul(coal) July 14 Arrive Dutch Harbor (coal) July 15 Leave Dutch Harbor July 17 Arrive San Francisco July 28 SECOND VOYAGE. Leave San Francisco Aug. 6 Arrive Dutch Harbor Aug. 18 Leave Dutch Harbor Aug. 19 Arrive St. George Aug. 20 Leave St. George Aug. 22 Arrive St. Paul Aug. 22 Leave St. Paul Aug. 25 Arrive Dutch Harbor Aug. 27 Leave Dutch Harbor Aug. 29 Arrive San Francisco Sept. 9 No allowance is made in the above schedule for bad weather or other causes of delay. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 959 [Personal- -Confidential.] San Francisco, Cal., May 29, 1910. My Dear Mr. Bowers : I have had a busy week. As you know, the steamer has been chartered provisionally, and the charter is on its way to you for approval. The ship will be delivered to me on June 1 , and will then go to the bunkers to receive her coal, and then to the dock to take on the merchandise. I was not successful in getting the dock I wanted m the center of the shipping district, but it was only because the dock desired had been promised far in advance, and considerable influence is brought to bear m such matters. I wUl get another good one, but somewhat farther up. The Republican State chairman and a prominent local politician were among the lowest bidders on my list, and their good offices were available in the matter of the dock. I am glad I was able to secure competitive bids on nearly all the merchandise, as not only did it give the department the benefit of the best prices and the best goods, but it disarmed any criticism as to the management of the question of purchasing. On some articles I got a much better price than the company did last year, and in all thmgs I got as good as they got or could get. These prices will hold in respect to the purchase of goods for the second trip of the steamer, unless the market takes a bad turn. I feel very grateful to the company for their advice and actual assistance in the matter of the merchandise. I would not have been able to get about to visit the various business houses, as I am unac- quainted as yet with the city streets, which are not marked, but I was given the assistance of Mr. McMullin, of the company, who went at it just as if he were working for Taylor. With Redpath to advise me about the ship, and McMullin to get me about the city, I will make a go of it in a manner that will be creditable to the bureau and to the department. When I get to the islands I will be at home and can shift for myself. I can make no return personally for the courtesies offered by the company, and of course they expect none. But I would like to haul any merchandise they may wish to take to or bring from the islands free of cost, and to give transportation to their employees returning to or coming from the islands, upon payment by the company of only the actual cost to the Government, namely, for their meals on the steamer. I mentioned the fact that I had a conference with the company regarding the transfer of their property on the islands. Since then, Mr. Taylor has agreed to the terms suggested by me and the matter will go to the department substantially in the manner already outlined. The merchandise and movable property on the islands can be taken over only on appraisement and inventory, so that the question can not be closed up until the fall, when I shall have reported the amount of goods on the islands. I consider the offer I made fair to both sides, although it is only provisional and subject to final revision by the department. The steamer will get away from here about June 11, and will arrive back on her first trip about July 28. On her second voyage she will leave Frisco about August 6, and arrive back at San Fran- cisco about September 9, ^vith the skins. Unless arrangements are 960 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. made beforehand for the receipt and disposal of the skins, I will place them at once in cold storage here awaiting instructions. I have purchased some goods, but will be busy during the entire coming week at that task. Afterwards, I will have to visit each firm to deliver to them the vouchers for the goods, which I will make out in order that they will be in proper form. I trust that these accounts will be expedited upon their receipt at the department, as the merchants have figured close on the goods and will want their money. I have had application from three natives of Unalaska and vicinity who are here without funds, one of whom is Miss Wagner, whom you may remember. She will be accompanied by a chaperone named Mrs. "Morjovi" Brown. I told them they might go provided they pay the ship for their meals. I do not believe the department wishes to charge these natives for their transportation, and it would be almost cruelty to deny them passage when the ship can haul 50 pas- sengers. Wlien Chichester comes here in the summer, it will be well to explain to him that it will next to impossible for him to go about and purchase supplies without the aid of the company, and that he should take advantage of their advice in such matters. Next year this purchasing wUl have to be begun two months before the sailing of the steamer, so that proper time may be given for attention to all details without this deadly haste. In all matters I am acting, as I believe, for the best interests of the department and am sparing neither thought nor effort to get the best results. I feel that I have your confidence and support, and furthermore, I am doing the best I can for the Secretary who stands up for his men. I have had but one bribe offered to me, and in that case a reputable merchant, who bid on certain goods and who has been doing considerable business with the Government, offered me a 15 per cent discount on the goods, 10 per cent to show on the invoice and the remaining 5 per cent subject to my order. As his bid was considerably the lowest, I did not feel that I should refuse it, but I informed him very plainly that all discounts must appear on the invoice in red ink and that I was not looking for any "hand-out." While I am not more than ordinarily honest they will have to bid higher than that to buy me. I shall never give the man a chance to bid on any further goods I may be instrumental in buying. I shall report officially my progress whenever I have an oppor- tunity. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembket. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries. [Copy.J June 6, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Col.: Letters May 29 received and satisfactory. Transport natives|[and company merchandise and employees on terms mentioned in your letter. Bowers. W SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 961 [Night message.] San Francisco, Cal., June 1, 1910. To Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Homer coaling dock to-morrow; complete purchase merchandise Saturday; advise whether customs authorities require manifest and other useless formalities. Lembkey. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] June 2, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, Agent, Bureau of Fisheries, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco: Supplies for native inhabitants are to be paid for from appropria- tion for that purpose, which is not available until July. Appropria- tions can not be transferred. iVccompany vouchers with the state- ment supplies are for fiscal year 1911. Wait for letter. Bowers. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 2, 1910. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent, Bureau of Fisheries, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Col. Sir: In explanation of the confirmation of telegram inclosed here- with you are informed that the suggestion made by you can not be complied with, as the appropriations can not be transferred ; nor is it desired to infringe in any way upon the $150,000. Each voucher should be accompanied with a statement that the supplies are for use during the fiscal year 1911. A memorandum, such as the one inclosed, will be sufficient. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. [Night message.] San Francisco, Cal., June 3, 1910. To Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Your telegram 2d. Can I promise merchants checks, for vouch- ers will be forwarded from Washington about July 1 ? Appro- priation natives' support not yet made. Larger appropriation avail- able for natives' support under warding act. Will await letter. Lem C Key, 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 61 962 seal islands of alaska. June 3, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cat: Supplies for native inhabitants to be paid for from the nineteen thousand five hundred appropriation. Vouchers to be accompanied by statement referred to. Checks will be mailed promptly after July 1. Bowers. San Francisco, June 6, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, WasMngton, D. C. Sir: Acknowledging the receipt of your letter and telegram of June 2, and confirming my telegram of this date, I have the honor to report that, previous to the receipt of jowv letter, after the bills for supplies purchased had been received and computed, I found that the aggre- gate cost of such goods for the first trip of the steamer, including coal purchased for the ship itself, was over $23,000. This, of course, did not include the goods to be purchased for the second trip of the steamer. Upon ascertaining the approximate total of the expenditures I at once made inquiries of the company to arrive at the actual cost of the supplies for the islands in years past. Mr. Davis, the company's secretary, immediately furnished me with a memorandum containing the information for the years 1808(?) and 1909, from which it appears that the actual wholesale cost of merchandise alone, taken to the is- lands was $30,650.13 in 1908 and $23,130.46 in 1909. This does not include the cost of the coal, in respect to which he would not furnish a statement of the exact cost, but quoted the actual number of tons furnished at the retail selling price of $20 per ton. The merchandise ordered by the company for 1909 was reduced to a minimum because of the possibility of its going out of business the following year and with a view of using up what surplus stock it might have upon the islands. The requisition for 1908 more nearly represents the normal cost of supplies furnished the natives annually, according to Mr. Davis. I knew from actual experience that the natives during these years were given no more than they actually needed and that no unneces- sary articles were included in the requisitions for those years. I feel, therefore, safe in reporting that it will be impossible to keep the natives from actual want, including the widows and orphans whom heretofore the Government has not supported, on the $19,500 ap- propriation which Congress has made. It must be remembered that the figures just quoted do not include the cost of coal furnished annually, for which an annual allowance of something like $4,000 must be made and added to the cost of mer- chandise already given. Of course, the merchandise purchased includes the supplies for the mess and for the maintenance of the company buildings and property which can not be segregated, but the figures are sufficient to show the impossibility of feeding and clothing the people and keeping the purchases inside of the old amount allowed by Congress to supplement the natives' earnings. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 963 The goods purchased this year cost no more than formerly, and the purchases followed closely the island requisitions, the items on which were closely scrutinized by me before purchasing. In view of the foregoing, I respectfully submit that to furnish the natives with sufficient material to prevent suffering the appropriation of $19,500 must be exceeded. In computing the expense to the Gov- ernment of the business on the seal islands during the coming year I have made made the following tentative estimate: Expenditures. Purchase of company's plant, approximate $70, 000 Cost of vessel at $200 per day, including coal 20, 000 Cost of supporting natives, about 28, 000 Salaries of temporary employees, about 9, 000 Miscellaneous expenses, not ascertainable 10, 000 Total 137,000 Resources. Balance from natives' appropriation 1910, about 5, 700 Appropriation for natives, 1911 19, 500 Appropriation for protection seal fisheries 150, 000 Total 175,200 Excess of resources over expenditures 38, 200 I therefore respectfully submit that there will be ample funds to maintain the natives and to meet all other expenses provided other appropriations are used than the $19,500 for natives' support. It is clear that a portion of the appropration of $150,000 will have to be devoted to purchasing their supplies, and I so recommend. Respectfully, W. T. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. From San Francisco. 1908. First trip : St. Paul, merchandise $14, 682. 86 St. Paul, coal, 50 tons 1, 000. 00 St. George, merchandise 8, 528. 52 Total, first trip $24, 211. 38 (Merchandise, first trip, $23,211.38; coal, $1,000.) Second trip : , St. Paul, merchandise 4, 780. 41 St. Paul, coal, 50 tons 1, 000. 00 St. George, merchandise 2, 658. 34 Total, second trip 8, 438. 75 Total from San Francisco, 1908 32,650. 13 (Merchandise, second trip, $7,438.75; coal, $1,000.) 964 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1909. First trip: St. Paul, merchandise $10,025.73 St. Paul, coal, 170 tone 3, 400. 00 St. George, merchandise 6, 333. 10 Total, first trip $19, 758. 83 (Merchandise, first trip, $16,358.83; coal, $3,400.) Second trip: St. Paul, merchandise 4,950.25 St. George, merchandise 1, 821. 38 Total, second trip 6, 771. 63 Total from San Francisco for 1909 26, 530. 46 (Merchandise, second trip, $6,771.63.) From Dutch Harbor. 1908. St. Paul, coal, 265 tons $5, 300. 00 St. George, coal, 185 tons 3, 700. 00 Total coal, Dutch Harbor, 1908 $9, 000. 00 1909. St. Paul, coal, 175 tons 3, 500. 00 St. George, coal, 185 tons 3,700.00 Total coal, Dutch Harbor, 1909 7,200.00 Totals: 1908— Merchandise 30, 650. 13 Coal, 550 tons 11, 000. 00 Total merchandise and coal, 1908 41, 650. 13 1909— Merchandise 23, 130. 46 Coal, 530 tons 10, 600. 00 Total merchandise and coal. 1909 33, 730. 46 [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., June 6, 1910. To Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Your letter 2d; purchase.s already made, including some ship's coal, exceed $23,000; supplies for second trip yet to be purchased. Company expended for merchandise alone, excluding coal, $36,650 in 1908 and $23,130 in 1909. Coal cost about $4,500 annually in addition. Can not restrict expenditures for natives' supplies to $19,000 without depriving natives absolute necessities of life. I esti- mate total expenditures this year as follows: Purchase company's plant, $70,000; cost of vessel, at $200 a day, $20,000, including coal; supporting natives, about $28,000; salaries of temporary employees, about $9,000; miscellaneous expenses not anticipated, $10,000; total expenditures, $137,000. f^esources available are: Balance natives' appropriation, 1910, about $5,700; natives' appropriation, 1911, $19,500; appropriation for protecting seal fisheries, $150,000; total resources, $175,200; unexpended balance, about $38,000. Company's SEAl. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 965 figures are from full statement furnished me by it, whicli I mail to-day with letter wire. Lembkey. June 7, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Special appropriation $150,000 not available for native supplies, therefore vouchers for this account must show goods are for general use other than natives. Vouchers for supplies for natives charged to balance of native appropriation 1910 must show purchase and delivery prior to June 30. Vouchers for supplies for natives charged to native appropriation 1911 must show date of purchase and be accompanied by statement certifying goods are "f or use during fiscal year 1911. Do not charge goods for general use agamst appropriation for natives. Use great care in preparing vouchers. Make separate vouchers for goods purchased for account of differ- ent appropriations as above. Bowers. San Francisco, Cal., June 7,1910. To Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, WasJiignton, D. C: Your telegram 7th just received. Do I understand you to mean that goods are to be purchased for natives' use to extent of $19,000 and remainder necessary supplies to be purchased, as for general use under authority Secretary in act April 20 or to maintain supply depots on islands ? Natives will earn next year about $15,000 from seals, foxes, and labor, which will have to be expended now for supplies. Government is confronted with fact that total amount required to supply islands with sufficient merchandise to prevent suffering is at least $30,000, and owing to no further com- munication after this vessel returns, no mistakes can be rectified; bills all received and checked; vouchers partially made out, and vessel practically loaded; any material change in plan of action will delay vessel at additional expense. Lembkey. June 8, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Replying yours 8th, no change in plan is contemplated. Only question involved is proper vouchering of accounts and charging them to proper appropriations. Goods for free distribution to natives must be charged against appropriations for care of natives as per mine of 7th. 966 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Other goods and supplies which are to be sold or used for em- ployees and maintenance of plants to be charged against special appropriation under authority to maintain supply depots. voucher your accounts accordingly. Study mine of 7th carefully. Bowers. [Coxy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 5, 1910. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Sir : Your several letters of May 26 and 29 have been received and are very satisfactory. The schedule of the movements of the Homer is noted and seems well planned. I wish to express the gratification of the Secretary and myself with the arrangements you made with the North American Commercial Co. looking to a settlement for the property belonging to the company. It is felt that you have made excellent terms. I am pleased to note the assistance you had from the company in making contracts for and purchases of merchandise and feel confident that you have done the best possible under all the circumstances. In view of the facts you mention, and as has already been stated in a telegram sent you, it is believed that it will be right and proper to carry any merchandise for the company that it may wish to take to or bring from the islands free of cost and to give transportation to their employees returning to or coming from the islands upon pay- ment for any actual expenses to the Government. It is also deemed proper for you to transport the three natives of Unalaska and vicinity provided they pay the ship for the meals. Copies of your letters will be shown to Mr. Chichester in order that he may be guided in the work next summer. The desirability of the paying for all expenses for the natives from the appropriations of $19,500 has already been covered by telegram which have been sent you. By this time you will have received the Bureau's previous letter showing what sort of a statement should be appended to each voucher. The vouchers are -to show the actual date of the purchase and delivery of the goods but with the statement referred to that they are to be paid for from next year's appropriation. There will be no delay whatever in sending checks immediately after July 1. If, by any chance, the $19,500 appropriation does not become a law the bills will be paid from the large appropriation. The charter for the Homer has been received and is now being examined by the disbursing officer in order to see that it is absolutely correct. If there are any technical errors in it they will be rectified and there will be no trouble in paying the owners in accordance with the idea of the charter. KespectfuUy, (Signed) George W. Bowers, Commissioner. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 967 [True copy for files.) June 6, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco: Referring section 7 your orders May 9, you will reserve 1,000 three- year-old males instead of 500. Charles Nagel, Secretary. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] June 9, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Did you receive Secretary's telegram June 6 directing reserve of 1,000 three-year-old male seals instead of 500? Answer. Bowers. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., June 9, 1910. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Yours ninth; nothing received changing instructions branded bach- elors. Vessel sails eleventh, 1 p. m. Cargo loaded; vouchers prepared and delivered merchants accordance your instructions seventh. Lembkey. [Copy for files.] June 10, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Referring section 7 your orders May 9, you will reserve 1,000 three- year-old males instead of 500. Charles Nagel, Secretary. San Francisco, Cal., June 7, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: When the Homer arrives back with the sealskins in September I will not be informed of what disposition to make of the slans, and consequently will not be able to instruct Capt. Donaldson whether to tie up at a dock on the San Francisco side of the bay or to proceed to Oakland, where the skins may at once be placed in casks and loaded into cars, as has been done heretofore. In order to provide for this contingency, I have respectfully to suggest that you correspond with the North American Commercial Co. at such time before the arrival of the ship in September that the company may be able to prepare a letter to me and place it in the hands of the boarding officer of this port to be delivered to me on 968 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. board the steamer, so that I may be able to know before the ship reaches the dock where bo direct the Homer to proceed with the skins. In this way all delay will be avoided in relinquishing the ship to the owners. Should it be decided to pack the sealskins in casks and to have the latter ready upon the arrival of the ship, I will state that the casks required will hold 30 bundles or 60 sealsldns each, and the number of casks required may be computed on that basis. I will endeavor to report the catch beforehand from the islands by wireless. Respectfull}'-, W. I. Lembket, Agent Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 8, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washingtony D, C. Sir: Transmitted herewith, with the recommendation that it be accepted, is the original copy of charter party between J. Homer Fritch (Inc.), San Francisco, Cal., and W. I. Lembkey, agent seal fisheries, for use of steamship Homer for a period of about three and one-half months at the rate of $142.50 per day. Mr. I^embkey has been directed to forward at once additional copies of the charter. Accompanying the original are the following: Copy of a resolution passed August 21, 1908, authoiizing J. Homer Fritch, president, and Douglas Young, secretary, to sign instruments in behalf of J. Homer Fritch (Inc.). Certification of the secretary of state of California that the copy of the articles of incorporation of J. Homer Fritch (Inc.) therewith attached are correct. Copy of articles of incorporation of J. Homer Fritch (Inc.). Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] June 9, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Statements are made that female seals were killed on Pribilof Islands with the cognizance of Government agents. Wire answer, stating facts. Bowers. San Francisco, Cal., June 9. Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Your telegram ninth regarding female seals killed. I saw before I left Washington letter from Elliott making such charges and I pre- pared memorandum in reply, attaching it to his letter filed in bureau. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 969 Basis Elliott's charges follow: On August 3, 1903, senatorial com- mittee landed St. Paul, after close sealing season, and desired to see seal killing. At that time males and females mix promiscously on hauling grounds and great difficulty for best expert to differentiate between sexes. I told committee I would make drive, but stated facts about females liable to be killed. Made drive and killing August 4, at which only experienced natives acted as clubbers. Natives excited by presence 25 strangers, result one female killed by accident and taken by natives directly in front of Senator Nelson, who discovered sex and charged me with allowing females to be killed. Explanations availed nothing, and Nelson believes to-day females killed on islands regular practice. Elliott learned of this incident and reported it to F. S. Hitchcock, who understood matter after my explanation. This drive was made by me, and lessee had nothing to do with it. As matter of fact, probably five females killed on islands each year by accident, because of their mixing among bachelors at close of season and difficulty distinguishing sex every instance. Last season four females killed St. Paul and shown by me to G. W. Clark, who reported it. This in spite of greatest care. If ElUott states females killed deliberately, he is a liar. Lembkey. San Francisco, Cal., June 9, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to inclose hereAvith a copy of the sailing orders delivered by me to Capt. Adam Donaldson, master of the steamer Homer. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. San Francisco, Cal., June 11, 1910. Capt. A. Donaldson, Master Steamer ''Horner,'^ San Francisco, Cal. Sir: Your vessel being in readiness, you will put to sea to-day as soon as possible after 1 o'clock p. m. and proceed direct to Dutch Har- bor, Alaska. After taking on fuel there, you wall proceed to St. George Island, and, weather permitting, discharge freight and pas- sengers destined there. You will then proceed to St. Paul Island, where yoii will discharge freight and passengers destined there. Thenceforth you wdll follow the inclosed sailing schedule as closely as conditions A\dll permit. A memorandum statement should be kept of all meals furnished to passengers on the vessel, also all overtime of the crew on each voyage, and an extra copy of the mate's and engineer's logs should be kept by each of them, which should be given to me at the expiration of the charter. The undersigned will be a passenger on this vessel, and after leaving this port will assume charge of the department's interests. He will also act as supercargo. When approaching the Golden Gate on your 970 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. return jou are requested, if it is convenient, to endeavor to give one of the telegraphic stations an opportunity to report your vessel. As soon as possible after your return to San Francisco you will pro- ceed with your vessel to the Western Fuel Co.'s bunkers, there to take on board 370 tons of Comox screenings for fuel to be consumed on your second trip from San Francisco to the seal islands and return. It is expected that Mr. H. D. Cliichester, assistant agent, will be in San Francisco to make all necessary arrangements for the second voy- age. He will inform you regarding the movements of the vessel and also will act as supercargo on the second trip north. Kespectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 9, 1910. Mr. Harry D. Chichester, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: It has come to my notice that reports are in circulation that female seals were killed on the Pribilof Islands during the season of 1909, and that the Government agents were cognizant of such killing. Please advise me in writing of the facts in the case. Respectfully, (Signed) George W. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 10, 1910. The Commissioner: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 9th instant, requesting the facts in the case of reports that are in circu- lation that female seals were killed on the Pribilof Islands during the season of 1909, and that the Government agents were cognizant of such killing. I have the honor to report the following : I spent the entire sealing season of 1909 on St. George Island and was present at each killing, both at the village and Zapadnie. Dur- ing that period two female seals were killed. These seals were in one of the late drives and were struck by the clubbers purely by accident. The utmost care has always been exercised by the clubbers when female seals are in the drives, but in the shifting mass of seals on the killing field a female is occasionally struck. The fact that only two females were killed on St. George Island during the season of 1909 shows conclusively that the killing was entirely accidental. Very respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent. ji SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 971 [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 9, 1910. Prof. B. W. EVERMANN, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: It has come to my notice that reports are in circulation that female seals were killed on the Pribilof Islands during the season of 1909, and that the Government agents were cognizant of such killing. Please advise me in writing of the facts in the case. Respectfully, (Signed) George W. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 10, 1910. To the Commissioner: Replying to your letter of the 9th instant, in which you state that you have learned that reports are in circulation to the effect that female seals were killed on the Pribilof Islands during the season of 1909, that the agents were cognizant of such killing, and requesting to be advised in writing as to the facts in the case, I beg to state that I was not on the islands in 1909 and possess no knowledge of what seals were killed at that time. All that I have in the matter is information based upon the reports and statements of Agents Lembkey and Chichester, who were on the islands during the killing season of 1909 and who spent the past winter in Wash- ington, and upon the report of Mr. George A. Clark, who went to the islands in the season of 1909 as special expert for the bureau. I have been advised by Agents Lembkey and Chichester that not a single female fur seal was intentionally killed on the Pribilof Islands in the season of 1909. Assistant Agent Chichester states that two were inadvertently killed on St. George in that season. Agent Lembkey is not now in Washington and I am, therefore, unable to secure a written statement from him. He stated to me, however, at various times when in Washington during the past winter that every precaution possible was taken to prevent the killing of any female seals on St. Paul. There is transmitted herewith a statement from Assistant Agent H. D. Chichester regarding this matter. Very respectfully, Barton W, Evermann, Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry. 972 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Telegram.] Revenue Cutter "Bear," At Sea, June 10, 1910. Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Company drawing on Dutch Harbor for one month's supplies. Everything here exhausted. Sealing instructions desired. Judge. [Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, June 10, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, Room 218, Mills Building, San Francisco, Col.: Prof. Harold Heath, of Palo Alto, will accompany you as natural- ist. Endeavor to communicate with him and make the necessary arrangements. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. [Telegram.; San Francisco, Cal., June 11, 1910. Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Homer sailed 1.30 p. m. Heath sworn oath of office. Campbell aboard. Redpath and McMulhn go up for company. Notify my wife; telephone Cleveland 203 of sailing. Correspond with company freely regarding any information or instructions for second trip. Lembkey. [Telegram.] United States Revenue "Tahoma," June 24-30, 1910. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Homer arrived Dutch Harbor, from vSan Francisco. Safe passage, 13^ days. All well on islands. Lembkey. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., June 11, 1910. Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Thanks for your letter, June 6; will sail to-morrow, 1 p. m. Heath notified date of sailing; could not get doctor. Applied all hospitals and medical schools, but only one applicant responded, and he SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 973 declined after ascertainment facts; have physicians looking for doc- tors to send on second trip; company will notify you if any likely applicant discovered. Fritch will require usual commission, 5 per cent, for disbursing amount for stevedores, extra time, crew, freight, clerks, watchmen, etc., connection with Homer. Will retain present physicians and cooks on islands until arrival vessels there second trip. Will offer Proctor Melovidof and others salaries, as agreed upon in Washington. If Chinese help required for islands, Chichester will have to pay $10 to Chinese go-between, in accordance usual practice; other^vise no cooks can be obtained. Expenditures aggregate as follows: Natives (1910), $2,745.70; natives (1911), $13,908.96; spe- cial appropriation, $6,888.04. Received to-day" Secretary's telegram increasing quota marked "3-year-olds" to 1,000. Will report from islands by wireless whenever necessaiy. Lembkey. [Telegram.] San Feancisco, Cal., June 27, 1910. Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Ariived here to-day. Address care North American Commercial Co., IVIills Building. Ship taking coal to-day; will push fitting to utmost. Chichester. * [Copy.] Office of Agent Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaslca, July 5, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: The Homer arrived at St. George on June 28, and, after dis- charging her cargo for that island, left the same night for St. Paul. Arriving at the latter island June 29 at daybreak, the work of dis- charging cargo began at 5 a. m. and continued during the 29th and 30th and the early morning of July 1, when the ship was discharged and left for Dutch Harbor at 8 a. m. to take on a cargo of coal for natives' use. She will return here about July 12 and will then take on the company's employees and proceed to San Francisco. Because of head winds, the Homer was 13 days and 4 hours in mak- ing the passage from San Francisco to Dutch Harbor, instead of the 12 days estimated. Since then, however, she has caught up with her schedule and it is believed will gain somewhat on it, although everything depends upon the weather at the time of the vessel's discharging at the islands. Upon my arrival I found that considerable anxiety existed among the natives and others as to the time of arrival of the supply ship, and the arrangements which would be made for the conduct of busi- ness on the islands. Information had been received from the cutter officers of the change of conditions, but nothing as to what efforts were being put forth by the department for assuming charge of practical affairs. This anxiety was heightened by the fact that 974 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the supply of some articles on St. Paul had been consumed, and it had become necessary in the early part of June to obtain by the Manning from Dutch Harbor a quantity of flour, biscuits, salt beef, and canned vegetables for natives' consumption. They had also received the impression that the supply ship would not arrive before August, and that they would be obliged to labor for the Government without any compensation other than clothing and a ration of food. It was my first effort to remove these impressions and establish relations of confidence with the natives. In fact, the arrival of a ship's load of supplies and a gunny sack containing about 150 pounds of coin operated automatically to remove the greater portion of this uncertainty. In addition, I had conferences with individual natives and with the assembled communities of both islands, explaining the changes which occurred during the past winter, and assuring them that it is the intention of the department to better the condition of the natives in every manner possible. All of these have had the effect of reassuring the natives and removing uncertainty. The continu- ance of cash payments for sundry labor, the increase in the rate of payment for sealskins, and the publication of the rate at which mer- chandise will be sold to them from the store were received with satisfaction. The cooperation of the natives during the sealing season is vitally essential to conducting the business at its greatest efficiency. With- out this cooperation it would be an easy matter to fail to secure several thousands of skins during a season or to have "errors" occur in the curing of skins which could never be traced to any individual nor charged successfully to deliberate intention. It is necessary, therefore, to be assured of the good will of the people, and to gain and retain this will be a matter of constant thought. To state that this has been attained is no distortion of fact. On June 30 from 5 a. m. to 10 p. m. the natives of St. Paul discharged 165 tons of coal, dead weight, from the Homer — the greatest amount of merchandise ever landed on the islands on one day. The pre- vious record was 150 tons, landed from the Lakme nearly 20 years ago. As regards "branding" and sealing, under the able direction of Mr. Judge the natives are going at it as if they were working on shares. Having received no recent instructions previous to my arrival. Agent Judge, on St. Paul, had "branded" 337 two-year-olds, in addi- tion to several hundreds of 3-year-olds. The remainder of the 3-year-olds to be marked under my instructions have been secured since. The details of the branding on St. Paul follow: Date. Rookeries. 2 years. 3 years. 4 years. 5 years. June 17 Reef 46 82 209 77 56 146 246 191 91 June 27 June 28 Reef and Gorbatcli 14 5 July 2 July 4 July 5 Reef Zapadni . . Total 337 807 14 5 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 975 No word from St. George lias been received since my departure from that island, but it is believed that the St. George c^uota of 200 three-year-olds has been secured by this time. Regarding killable seals, I will say that the ice remained in the sea until such a late date and the spring has been so backward that bachelors are not arriving in their usual ninnbers. On the date of my arrival 675 skins were in the salt house at St. George and 1,573 on St. Paul. From the latter, however, 664 have been delivered to the late lessee to complete its quota for 1909, as authorized by a letter from the bureau, but we have more than made up this number by skins secured from recent drives. Notwithstanding the present unfavorable aspect, I feel sure that at least 10,000 skins can be secured during the season and hope that this minimum number can be exceeded. Reports of the breeding rookeries indicate that more breeding bulls are present than on this date last year and that, with a decreasing number of cows, many of these bulls will be idle. Further reserva- tions of males should be curtailed, as more than enough are present now. The Japanese fleet is active as usual. On July 4, 14 schooners were in sight off St. Paul Island. None have approached close to land and no violations of law have been noted. A heavy native guard is maintained on Northeast Point. Since my arrival, one cutter has been on duty at the two islands, divid- ing its time between them. Because of the curtailing of the number of patrol vessels this year from 4 to 3, both extremities of this island are not under surveillance by cutters as heretofore, and greater oppor- tunity is given the sealing fleet for coming close to shore, which no shore guard can prevent. The property of the company was formally delivered to the Govern- ment on July 1 . Since that time, the company's employees have been taking new inventories as of that date. During the last winter, the entire village was painted by the company, and everything placed in first-class condition in anticipation of a possible sale of the property to a new lessee. In case the bureau does not adopt my recommendation that Mr. Proctor be placed in charge on St. George during the ensuing winter, I have designated Agent Clark to remain a second year. Of aU the assistant agents, he alone has not been called upon to remain two years in succession since 1898. He is, however, very desirous of returning this year, and I trust the recommendation wliicli I have made involving lli. Proctor be adopted. As already stated, I should be informed at the earliest practicable date of the disposition to be made of sealskms to be landed in San Francisco from the Homer in September. I probably will have opportunity of reporting to the department by wireless the number of skins to be shipped. Respectfully, (Signed) W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. 976 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 6, 1910. Mr, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, St. Paul, AlasTca. Sir: It is the desire of this bureau that during the present season a strong effort be made on both islands to feed as many of the starving pups whose mothers are killed at sea as possible. Yourself and assistant agents are therefore directed to take up this work, using the natives whenever possible, to procure fish for food and in the handling and feeding of the pups. The details of carrying out this work are left to your discretion. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Approved. Charles Nagel, Secretary. [Memorandum.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 12, 1910. The commissioner directs that Mr. Judge be instructed to remain on St. Paul next winter, that Chichester remain on St. George, and that Mr. Lembkey and Maj. Clark return to Washington by last steamer in the fall. Note. — I'll draw the orders in due time. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, July 26, 1910. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Chief Agent Fur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, AlasTca. Sir: Until further orders the assignments of agents, doctors, natu- rahst, fur-seal service, Avill be as follows : 1. Mr. Lembkey, Maj. Clark, and Dr. Heath will return to San Francisco on the last trip of the Homer, and agents Lembkey and Clark will report for duty in Washington as promptly as possible. 2. Assistant Agent Judge will remain on St. Paul Island until the close of the season of 1911, and Assistant Agent Chichester is assigned to St. George Island. 3. Dr. Hahn, the naturaUst, is assigned to St. Paul Island until further orders. 4. Dr. Mills will remain on St. Paul as resident physician. 5. Dr. de Figariere is assigned to St. George as resident physician, relieving Dr. Cunningham. 6. Mr. Simeon Melovidof remains as school-teacher on St. Paul. 7. Mr. Ben Campbell has been assigned to St. George as school- teacher. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 977 8. You Will make assignments of other employees, permanent or temporary, as seems best for the service, and furnish transportation to San Francisco to all former employees of the North American Commercial Co. whose services are not required by the bureau. Respectfully, I. H. DUNLAP, Acting Commissioner. Approved. Ben J. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., August, 1910. Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Do instructions for Lembkey, mailed to-day, assign Judge for duty in island this mnter ? Mrs. Judge now in Seattle. If Judge is to stay necessary to communicate with her at once that she may return here before ship sails; ship sails August 6. Chichester. Note. — Judge, St. Paul; Chichester, St. George; Lembkey and Clark return. Bureau of Fisheries, August 2, 1910, H. D. Chichester, Care North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Replying yours August 1, Judge is to be on St. Paul Island, Chi- chester on St. George, Lembkey and Clark to return to Washington. Dunlap. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, San Francisco, Cal., August 3, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of telegram, dated August 2, 1910, in reference to assignment of seal agents for the com- ing winter, and also telegram of August 3, affirming selection of Dr. Morgan to take place of Dr. Mills. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent Seal Fishenes. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1—62 978 seal, islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, July 20, 1910. Mr. H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: You are directed to proceed by the shortest and most direct route from Washington, D. C, to San Francisco, Cal., and on the arrival at that port of the United States chartered steamer Homer from the Pribilof Islands you are authorized to purchase such addi- tional supplies as will be needed on the islands during the coming winter, bem^ guided in such purchases entirely by the requisitions which you will receive from Mr. Lembkey. You will also purchase at the lowest price obtainable the necessary coal to take the Homer to the Pribilof Islands and return to San Francisco. It is thought about 372 tons will be sufficient. As soon after her arrival as possible the Homer is to be loaded and prepared for sea. When she is thus ready she will proceed direct to the Pribilof Islands, touching en route at Dutch Harbor. You will accompany the vessel to the islands, and on arrival there report to Mr. Lembkey for assignment to duty. On the presentation of proper vouchers you will be reimbursed for your actual and necessary expenses while engaged as above. Refer to the number of this order in your monthly account taking up expenses incurred and upon the face and coupon of Government requests for transportation issued for travel in connection therewith. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Approved. Charles Nagel, Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, July 25, 1910. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Chief Agent Fur-Seal Serirlce, St. Paul Island, AlasTca. Sir: You are informed that Dr. Walter L. Hahn, of South Dikota, has been appointed naturalist, fur-seal service. It is expected that he, with his wife, will arrive at St. Paul Island on the second trip of the Homer. You will assign to him suitable and adequate living quarters conformable in comfort and adaptability with those of the agent in charge. The duties of the naturalist will be in conformity with the recom- mendations of the advisory board, fur-seal service, namely, the natu- uralist "shall have charge of all matters pertaining to the investiga- tion, study, and management of the fur-seal herd, the blue foxes, and all other life on the islands, and shall give advice to the agent in charge regarding the number of seals and foxes to be killed each season." You as agent in charge will "have control of all adminis- trative matters, and in case of a difference of opinion between the chief naturalist and the agent in charge the decision of the latter SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 979 shall govern, pending an appeal to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Referring to the instructions of March 29, 1909, issued to you (a copy of which is inclosed herewith and a copy of which has been fur- nished Dr. Hahn), the naturalist will be charged specifically with the matters mentioned in topics 4, 10, 16, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Such data on these various subjects as have already been compiled by you and the assistant agents should be made available for Dr. Halm's use, and you will lend him such assistance as he may desire or require in their further completion. All matters ])ertaining to the health and general well-being of the natives are placed under the general supervision of the naturalist and under the immediate direction of Assistant Agent Dr. Chichester, who is specifically charged with the development and application of methods for the study of all questions concerning the proper care of the natives and the betterment of their physical and moral condition. All educationalmatters are placed under the immediate supervision of the naturalist. Wliile all natural liistory, scientific, and educa- tional matters will be lodged with the naturalist, it is understood that he will confer with the agent in charge regarding any and all contem- plated important investigations, and that any investigation or study involving the factor of administration, such as the expenditure of money, the employment of labor, or the use of property not specific- ally a part of the naturalist's equipment, shall be referred to the agent in charge for his approval. It is desired that the agents, naturalist, doctors, and teachers cooperate in eveiy proper and possible way to the end that the highest degree of efficiency possible may be attained and maintained in each and every branch of the service. Respectfully, I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. Approved. Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 25, 1910. Dr. Harry D. Chichester, Care North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cat. Sir: There is inclosed herewith copy of the health card, fur-seal service, which you drew up. It has been approved for printing, and you are authorized to have 1,000 copies prmted in San Francisco. It is believed best that you have the printing done there where you can read the proof. It is perhaps unnecessary to suggest that you consider very carefullv the form, character of paper, etc., to be used and that you carefully read the proof. Kindly mail a dozen copies to this office for the files. Respectfully, I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. 980 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Fur-Seal Service, Department Commerce and Labor. health card, Island, Alaska, Date , 19—. Physical examination made by . Name . Sex . Age — . Where born . Date of birth . How bom . Breast or bottle fed Menstruation began • . Character of menstruation . Number of pregnancies . Number of children living ; dead -. Number of abortions . Previous diseases: Evidences of syphilis, gout, rheumatism, . Goiter, infectious or other diseases, •. History above diseases, . Present physical condition: Face, ; eyes, ; palate, ; ears, ; teeth, ; hair, ; skin, — ; complexion, ; height, ; weight, ■ . The patient is nourished. Subcutaneous tissue present in amount. Muscles are and developed. Mucus membranes . Fractures, deformities, scars, bruises, eruptions, growths. Description of each: . Vision, defects, color blindness . Thorax and lungs: Chest, ; sternum, ; ribs, ; lungs, expansion, ; respiratory rate, . Findings: • — . Sputum examination, . Heart. Findings: . Radial pulse, Arteriosclerosis, ; blood pressure, Varicose veins, . Abdominal and digestive organs. Findings: Liver. Findings: . Spleen. Findings: — -. Urinary organs, . Genital organs, — ■. Urinalysis, Nervous system. Findings:' Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, San Francisco, Cal., July 31, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 25th instant authorizing the printing in San Francisco of 1,000 copies health card, fur-seal service. I have arranged with a printing firm to do the work, and as soon the cards are delivered will forward a dozen copies to the bureau as directed. Respectfully, ^ H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. July 25, 1910. H. D. Chichester, Care of North American Commercial Co. , San Francisco, Cal.: Telegram from Pritch says Homer arrived Saturday. Proceed promptly with outfitting. What is your mail and telegraph address ? Wire answer. DuNLAP, Acting Commissioner. seal, islands of alaska. 981 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 26, 1910. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Chief Agent Fur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, Alaslca. Sir: Until further orders the assignments of agents, doctors, naturalist, fur-seal service, will be as follows: 1. Mr. Lembkey, Maj. Clark, and Dr. Heath will return to San Francisco on the last trip of the Homer, and Agents Lembkey and Clark will report for duty in Washington as promptly as possible. 2. Assistant Agent Judge will remain on St. Paul Island until the close of the season of 1911, and Assistant Agent Chichester is assigned to St. George Island. 3. Dr. HaJin, the naturalist, is assigned to St. Paul Island until further orders. 4. Dr. Mills will remain on St. Paul as resident physician. 5. Dr. de Figariere is assigned to St. George as resident physician, relieving Dr. Cunningham. 6. Mr. Suneon Melovidof remains as school-teacher on St. Paul. 7. Mr. Ben Campbell has been assigned to St. George as school- teacher. 8. You will make assigimients of other employees, permanent or temporary, as seems best for the service, and furnish transportation to San Francisco to - all former employees of the North American Commercial Co. whose services are not required by the bureau. Respectfully, I. H. DUNLAP, Acting Commissioner. Approved. Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 27, 1910. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Chief Agent Fur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, Alaska. Sir: The following instructions are issued supplementary to those furnished you under date of May 9, 1910: Naturalist. — The naturalist will have charge of all matters per- taining to the investigation, study, and management of the fur-seal herd, the blue foxes, and all other life on the islands, and he shall give advice to the agent in charge regarding the number of seals and foxes to be killed each season. He will also have direct supervision of all educational matters and general supervision of all matters pertain- ing to health and well-being of the natives. 1. The most important duty of the naturalist lies, of course, with the seal herd. Should the factor of pelagic sealing be eliminated, the way becomes clear for intelligent, scientific investigation and experimentation, having for their object the rehabilitation of the fur- seal herd and its maintenance at maximum efficiency and productive- 982 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, ness. This is purely a natural-history problem, to be worked out chiefly in accordance of the principles of animal breeding. Just what can be done remains to be determined, but it is expected that the naturalist will give his best thought and endeavor to this problem. In the event that pelagic sealing continues, the studies made should be with reference to the maximum conservation and efficiency of the herd under the conditions and as a basis for future investigations. 2. The blue foxes are second in importance only to the fur seals. It is believed that the blue-fox herd on each island can, through proper care, selective breeding, elimination of the unfit, proper feeding, etc., be made much more productive than at present. It is confi- dently expected that, with the assistance of the agents, the herd can be greatly increased and the revenues derived therefrom correspond- ingly augmented. 3. The betterment of the physical and moral condition of the natives is earnestly desired. The service for the study of these problems is placed under the immediate direction of Dr. Chichester who, under the general super- vision of the naturalist, will organize the service with a view to secur- ing the highest efficiency and speedy practical results. Attention is directed to office letter of March 31, 1909. in which is pointed out the exceptional opportunity which the islands offer for study of prob- lems concerning public and individual health. The letter of March 31, 1909, is to be regarded as forming a part of these instructions. All these problems should be taken up at once and their investiga- tion pursued continuously and persistently to solution. With many of them, important practical results should be easy of early attain- ment. Special and immediate attention should be given to those problems the study of which wiU lead promptly to results of real bene- fit to the natives. Among these may be mentioned the f ollo'v\Ting : Sanitary inspection of houses, water supply, etc.; directions and suggestions to natives regarding food, clothing, personal habits, etc.; physical examination and filling out of health card for each; deter- miinng and putting on record present conditions as a basis for future investigation. One problem which should be carefully studied is that of inbreeding. In small communities such as these, into which fittle new blood comes from the outside, there is sure to be too close inbreeding, with all the attendant evils. The blood relationship of the various natives should be made out as definitely as possible, par- ticularly of man and wife. Wlien close relationship is discovered, determine what evil effects, if any, on the children. Consider these questions in connection with the rules and practices of the church as to marriage. Consider also what can be done toward bringing new blood to the islands. It is expected that the resident physicians will promptly and effectively cooperate in every way possible with Dr. Chichester and the naturalist m the study of these various problems. It is desired that Dr. Chichester submit a full and detailed report to the bureau next summer showing what has been accomplished to date and indicating future work contemplated. 4. Schools. — The question of the proper education of the youth of the islands is an important one and sliould receive careful considera- tion. If one may judge from reports made at various times by the agents, the results of public-school education on the islands are far il SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 983 from satisfactory. One agent states that after more than 20 years of Government control there were not half dozen natives who had learned to speak or read the English language by attendance at the public school. It is desired that tb.e naturalist at once take up the whole question of public education on the islands, giving considera- tion to the following phases of the question: (1) Type of education best meeting the needs of the people. It is suggested that manual training, industrial or technical education, such as will give them skill in the use of simple tools, the manufacture of useful articles, carpentry, cooking, sewing, and tlie textile arts, as basketry, etc., should occupy a prominent place in their training. (2) Anatomy, physiology, and hygiene, to the end that they may understand suffi- ciently the structure and fimctions of their own bodies to appreciate the principles of hygiene and how to care for their health. Habits of personal cleanliness, judgment and care in the selection, wearing, and care of clothing, the selection, preparation, and use of food, etc. (3) Elementary science should occupy a prominent place in their education. The simple phenomena and facts of physics, chemistry, meteorology, zoology, botany, and geology, as may be learned by them first hand from direct observation and study of the materials and forces about them, wdll lead them to right thinking and right acting. (4) They must, of course, have the 3 R tools — reading, writing, and aritlimetic — and the use of English at all times should be required. (5) Geography, history, patriotism, etc., should be taught as effectively as may be, considermg their inexperience of the outside world. (6) Consider carefully whether proper textbooks and illustrative materials have been supplied. 5. Nat'ural-Mstory matters of s'ccohdary irnjjoriavce. — In addition to the fur seals and blue foxes, all other species of animals and all species of plants on or about the islands should receive attention to the end that, in due time, a comprehensive and exhaustive monograph of the natural history of the Pribilof Islands may be written. The character and scope of the field and laboratory work can be fully worked out by the naturalist. The following suggestions, however, are submitted: Mammals: The mammals are few as to species. The life history of each should be studied carefully. Every efTort should be made to reestablish the locally extinct and diminishing species (as the Avalrus, sea otter, etc.), to increase the numbers of those of conmiercial value (as the sea lion, harbor seal, etc.), and to conserve every species in ample numbers for natural-history purposes. Birds: Attention is called to the fact that the Pribilof Islands, including the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Walrus and Otter Islands, and Sea Ijion Rock, are declared a special reservation b}^ the act of April 21,1910 (Public, No. 146); also that by Executive Order No. 1044, of February 27, 1909, Walrus Island and Otter Island of the Pribilof Group were reserved and designated as the Pribilof Reservation, and set apart as a preserve a,nd breeding ground for native birds. On April 16, 1909, Assistant Agent James Judge was appointed special warden in charge of the Pribilof Reservation. It is desired that Mr. Judge continue Avith those duties, under the natuiahst, and the detailed instructions of April 1 6, 1909, are here repeated. 984 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. WALRUS ISLAND. Physical features. — Examine the island as thoroughly as possible and draw up a detailed description of it, giving position, area, character of rock and surface, character of shores, landings, etc., elevation, topography, etc. Biological features. — Compile all obtainable knowledge and information regarding the plants, insects, mammals, and other life on or about the island. Plants. — What plants, if any, occur on this island; where do they occur; their habits; to what extent are they utilized by the birds in nest building or otherwise? Walrus. — Compile all obtainable information regarding the occurrence of the walrus at this island; the same for sea lions, seals, sea otters, and any other mammals that are known to have occurred there. Birds. — ^These will receive most attention and should be studied comprehensively and thoroughly. List all the species known to occur on the island, determining those which are permanent residents (i. e., present throughout the year); winter visitants (i. e., those coming to the island only in winter); stragglers (or those of irregular and rare occurrence); spring and fall migrants (or those species stopping at the island only for a brief time during their spring and fall migrations and not breeding on the island); and summer residents (i. e., those species which arrive upon the island in the spring, remain through the summer, lay their eggs, rear their young, and leave in the fall). The permanent residents and the summer residents (i. e., the species that breed on the island) are the ones which can be studied most thoroughly. Each species should be studied as fully as possible, as indicated in the following outline: Arrival at the island (if not a permanent resident), meteorological conditions, such as direction and strength of wind at that time, same data for departure; abundance (relative and actual); breeding habits, including time of nesting, construction, loca- tion, character and care of nest; number of eggs laid; incubation, period, and by which parent accomplished; to what extent will other eggs be laid if the first are destroyed; the young, appearance when hatched, feeding and care, growth and leaving nest; feeding and food of adults, what the food is; where and how obtained, and relation to supply of food fishes, fox food, other birds, etc.; destruction of eggs and young by other birds or other agencies; mortality among the birds from disease, enemies, climate, etc. Make a special study of the egg-collecting operations of the natives, when the practice began and how it has been conducted; years in which eggs have been gathered; exact dates of cleaning-off trips, number of eggs of each species removed when cleaning off the ground, disposition made of these eggs, and area cleaned off; exact dates of collecting trips, area collected over, number of eggs of each species obtained; whether the disturbance of egg collecting results in any destruction of eggs or young by the birds themselves; association of different species on nesting ground; how the nests of different species are distributed or grouped. While it is desired that you give attention to all phases of the bird life of Walrus Island, the primary object of your investigations will be the securing of knowledge as to the actual conditions obtainmg on that island, including the effects of egging operations by the natives, in order that regulations may be provided which will adequately protect the bird rookeries from serious depletion. The instructions for the study of Walrus Island should be applied, in so far as they may be applicable, to each of the other islands. It is understood that the natives of St. George Island utilize to some extent the eggs of birds nesting on that island. This practice should receive the same study and consideration as is given to Walrus Island, to the end that the bird rookeries may continue to yield a supply of eggs to be used as food by the natives without any serious diminution in the number of birds. The relation of the foxes to the bird life of the island should be considered; extent to which the foxes prey upon the adult birds, the young, or their eggs; possible source of food supply for natives and foxes without serious injury to the birds. All questions of economic or natural history interest concerning the birds of St. Paul Island should receive similar attention, including their utilization as food for the natives and for the foxes to the maximum extent consistent with their proper conservation. Insects. — List the species of insects found on the islands, and make a study of the life history of each, including abundance, distribution, breeding, and feeding habits, relation to man, to fur seals, to foxes, to other animals, and to plants. Pay special attention to those species whose habits constitute them factors in the life of the fur seal, blue fox, or man; also to those species not originally native to the islands but which have been introduced there by man. If mosquitoes or flies of objectionable species or other pestivorous insects are present, what can be done toward theii* exter- i SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 985 mination. Species injurious to useful plants or other vegetation should receive special consideration. Fishes.— Species found on or about the islands within a radius ordinarily accessible to the natives; the abundance, distribution, habits, and food value of each. Make special study of those species which are or may become of value as food considering methods of capture, curing, or preserving for future use, best methods of cooking, etc. Consider the possibility of introducing useful fishes into the lakes and lagoons of the islands; also of developing and establishing regular fisheries for cod, halibut, or other food fishes. Mollusks, crustaceans, e^c— Species found on or about the islands; the abundance, distribution, habits, and possible value of each; to what extent, if any, used as food by natives, and can its use be increased; as food for other animals, etc.; methods of capture, utilization, etc.; can utilization be increased and methods of capture, cook- ing, etc., be improved. Among animals that should receive special consideration are the edible species of mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins, etc. Plants. — Terrestrial and aquatic ; the species, their abundance, distribution, habits, and uses of each; time of first appearance in spring, flowering and putting forth of leaves, fertilization, relation to insects, ripening of seeds, dying in fall. Pay special attention to those species which are, or may be, used by man as food or in any other useful way, as textile material, fuel, etc. Possibility of increasing supply of useful plants, of introducing others, of cultivation of garden and other plants, as potatoes, lettuce, radishes, onions, berries, etc.; of utilizing any of the species of seaweeds or algae. INTRODUCTION OF USEFUL ANIMALS AND PLANTS. 1. Reindeer. — The introduction of the reindeer has often been proposed. This question should be carefully investigated and recommendations submitted. 2. Sheep. — The possibility and practicability of permanently maintaining a flock of sheep on each island should be considered. 3. Poultry. — The same as to poultry. Inquiries regarding sheep, poultry, and other domestic animals in other northern latitudes or similar climatic conditions will prove helpful in determining the varieties or breeds to select, where to obtain stock, and how to care for them. 4. Muskrat. — Practicability of establishing muskrat colonies in the lakes of the islands. 5. Mussels, crawfish, mink, otter, water lilies, etc. — The fresh-water lakes may supply suitable surroundings for some or all of these species. In short, the bureau desires to be fully informed as to the native species of animals and plants now utilized in any way on the islands, the manner of their utilization, whether and how their production may be increased and their use encouraged, and that investigation and experimentation in connection therewith may be carried on to the end that the natural resources of the islands may be utilized to the fullest extent, and that the desirability of the introduction of other animals and plants and their cultivation be carefully investigated and undertaken, to the end that the variety and quantity of natural food produced on the islands may be increased to the comfort and general betterment of the natives. Artificial rearing of fur seals. — The two fur-seal pups which were brought to Wash- ington last January have been weighed on the 20th of each month. The following are the weights: Date of weighing. Weight in pounds. Male. Female. Jan. 20 28 3.5V 32^ 37 30i 36 41 19J Feb. 20 242 Mar. 20 25 Apr. 20 24 May20 21J Juno 20 26 July 20 31f From this it naay be seen that, while the growth has not been uniform, the male has increased in weight 46i per cent and the female 62S§ per cent since January 20. Although these pups have been kept constantly in fresh water, the temperature of which has for several months been much warmer than normal for fur seals (the maxi- 986 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. mum water temperature often going as high as 83°), they appear to be in excellent health. They do not seem to be distressed in the least from presence in fresh water or on account of temperature. The experiment has proved so satisfactory thus far that the bureau feels quite hopeful that important economic results may be attained. It is therefore desired that the experiment be conducted on a much larger scale. You will endeavor, therefore, to secure a considerable number of pups this season for experimental purposes. Select as largely as possible from among the motherless pups. Among the possible experiments the following are suggested: (1) Corral and retain in lagoons, lakes, or other inclosures on St. Paul and St. George as large a num- ber as practicable. (2) Bring to Washington as many as can be conveniently handed, say, at least a dozen. It is desired to experiment with two or more at the National Zoological Park, a similar number at the New York Aquarium, at Woods Hole, at the bureau here in Washington, and perhaps at one or two other places. It is not known here just what arrangements can be made for bringing the pups down from the islands. One of the bureau's cars will be in the State of Washington during October doing fish-distribution work, and it is intended to use this car in bringing the pups from the west coast to Washington, D. C. You should endeavor to have the pups leave the islands at as late a date as possible, and it is hoped you may be able to arrange with one of the revenue cutters to receive the pups and bring them to Seattle or San Francisco, preferably to the former, where they will be received by the bureau's representative for shipment east on the bureau's car. Should it be impracticable to bring the pups down from the islands on a revenue cutter or any other vessel late in the fall, other means should be discovered. The possibility of bringing them down on the Homer should be considered. If they should come on the Homer arrangements can be made with the park commissioners and Prof. Trevor Kincaid at Seattle for their reception, retention, and care until the bureau's car can receive them. If it is impracticable to land them at Seattle, similar arrangements can doubtless be made with the park commissioners at San Francisco. It is desired, however, that they be landed at Seattle if possible. A letter has been addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury requesting that, if possible, instructions be issued to one of the revenue cutters to receive at St. Paul and bring to Seattle 12 to 20 pups. The decision of the Treasury Department will be communicated to you if possible; if not, you will proceed in accordance with the exigencies of the case. UNCINARIA AND OTHER PARASITES. All parasites affecting any of the animals of the island should be studied; their origin, abundance, hosts, life history, effect on host, etc. Give special attention to the uncinaria. NATURAL-HISTORY SPECIMENS. It is desired that ample museum material fully illustrative of the natural history and geology of the islands be collected, carefully prepared, and preserved for for- warding to Washington. A duplicate series of specimens should be retained on the islands for educational and study purposes. METEOROLOGY. Meteorological phenomena should be regularly observed and carefully recorded. Temperature. — Record 3 times daily (6 a. m., 12 m., and 6 p. m.); also daily maxi- mum and minimum for air and water. Winds. — Daily observations as to direction, strength, variability, etc. Sky. — As to clouds, fogs, sunshine, etc. Rain. — Tim.es, duration, amount; conditions under which occurs, as regards direc- tion and force of wind, temperature, etc. Snow. — Times, duration, amount; conditions of wind, temperature, etc., under which each fall of snow occurs. Frost. — First in fall, last in spring, etc. Fog. — Times, duration, prevailing conditions, etc. Ice. — When first appears on lakes, lagoons, etc., and about islands; ice pack about islands, etc. Electrical phenomena. — When, character, etc. All other meteorological phenomena noted should be carefully observed and recorded. While all these natural-history, educational, and scientific matters are placed with the naturalist, you and the assistant agents, doctors, teachers, and all others will cooperate with the naturalist in every proper way to the end that the purpose I SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 987 if these instructions may be realized. Much can doubtless be accomplished by nteresting the natives in these questions and securing among them voluntary assist- ,nts as observers, collectors, etc. Duplicate copies of these instructions have been furnished direct ,0 Dr. Hahn and Dr. Chichester in order that they may have them, or consideration while en route to the islands. Dr. Hahn will for- ward through you a report next spring as to what has been accom- )lished to date with the various investigations. Respectfully, I. H. DuNLAP, Acting Commissioner. Approved. Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Department of Commerce and Laror, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 27, 1910. Mt. Harry D. Chichester, Care of North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Sir: Inclosed are communications addressed to Mr. Walter I. uembkey relative to the duties of employees on the seal islands and }heir assignments. You are directed to read these instructions and ieliver them to Mr. Lembkey. Respectfully, I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor. My Dear Mr. Secretary: I am sending herewith a copy of the "ur-seal hearings of March 9 and 10, 1904. The marked passages will nterest you; indeed it is all interesting reading. Note how Elliott 3eats about the bush, dealing in generalities, abuse, and falsehood. Sincerely, Barton W. Evermann. July 28, 1910. Note. — See Fur-Seals of Alaska Hearings before the Committee Dn Ways and Means, House of Representatives, Fifty-eighth Congress, second session. The passages marked appear on pages 13, 20, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, i9, 50, 51. Rising Sun, Ind., July 28, 1910. Dear Dr. Evermann: I reached here yesterday evening and have arranged my routing with the local ticket agent. I shall reach San Francisco over the Overland Limited on August 4. That should give tne time to confer with Dr. Chichester and Mr. Clark. Can you give me Chichester's hotel address? Your memoranda' reached me at South Bend. We had a mis- understanding in regard to the train, as I reached the station about 7.30 and left at 7.55. Yours, very truly, Walter L. Hahn. 988 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Copy.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 28, 1910. Dr. H. D. Chichester, Care of North American Commercial Co., ^ Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Dear Dr. Chichester: In the hearings before the Committee of Ways and Means, Fifty-eighth Congress, second session, March 9 and 10, 1904, page 13, Henry W. Elliott states that he was never an employee of the Alaska Commercial Co. I have a distinct recollection of having seen in Mr. Lembkey's possession a letter from that com- pany or some one stating that Elliott was at one time an employee of that company. Can you tell me the facts in the case ? Who wrote the letter and where can it be found ? Write me immediately all the information that you can on this subject. Respectfully, Barton W. Evermann. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, San Francisco, Cal., August 1, 1910. Dr. Barton W. Evermann, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 28th ultimo, request- ing information concerning Henry W. Elliott's connection with the Alaska Commercial Co. In a hearing before the Secretary of the Treasury, the date of which I can not recall, Elliott admitted that he had been employed by the Alaska Commercial Co. A typewritten copy of a stenographic report of this hearing was on file in our office, but early in June, at the commissioner's request, I turned it over to him, together with a marked copy of Elliott's denial of his employment by the Alaska Commercial Co., in the hearing before the Ways and Means, Fifty- eighth Congress, second session, March 9-10, 1904. This report must either be in the commissioner's desk or in the Secretary's office. In a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee, Febru- ary, 1907, Chas. J. Faulkner, attorney for the North American Com- mercial Co., brought out the fact that Elliott had been an employee of the Alaska Commercial Co. A copy of the report of this hearing would show the whole thing. In the Fur Trade Review's Washinton letter, March, 1907, there is a report of above hearing in which Elliott admits his connection with the company. This I telegraphed the acting commissioner July 29 in response to his telegram of the same date. Some years ago Mr. Lembkey prepared a brief showing Elliott's connection with the Alaska Commercial Co., his lobbying, and his being in correspondence with the British Government at the time he published his report, which the United States Government was trying to suppress, and the publication of which did us so much damage at Paris. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 989 This brief was in the seal files, but I am sure was sent to the Secre- tary's office, together with all the other Elliott matter. I have practically finished the purchasing of the su])plies and begin checking the bills to-morrow. Will have the ship ready for sea Saturday, August 6, at 1 o'clock, and will sail at that time, unless o the r wise o r de re d . Respectfully, H. D. Chichester. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 29, 1910. Hon. Benjamin S. Cable, Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to inclose here\Yith copy of a letter, dated July 5, from Mr. Lembkey, which it is believed you will be inter- ested in seeing. Respectfully, I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. Office of Agent Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaslca, July 5, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: The Homer arrived at St. George on June 28, and, after discharging her cargo for that island, left the same night for St. Paul. Arriving at the latter island June 29 at daybreak, the work of dis- chargmg cargo began at 5 a. m. and continued during the 29th and 30tli and the earl}^ morning of July 1 , when the sliip v{as discharged, and left for Dutch Harbor at 8 a. m. to take on a cargo of coal for natives' use. She will return here about July 12, and will then take on the compan3^'s employees and proceed to San Francisco. Because of head winds, the Homer was 13 days and 4 hours in making the passage from San Francisco to Dutch Harbor, instead of the 12 days estimated. Since then, however, she has caught up with her schedule, and it is believed will gain somewhat on it, although everytliing depends upon the weather at the time of the vessel's discharging at the islands. Upon my arrival, I found that considerable anxiety existed among the natives and others as to the time of arrival of the supply ship and the arrangements which would be made for the conduct of business on the islands. Information had been received from the cutter officers of the change of conditions, but nothing as to what efforts were bemg put forth by the department for assuming charge of practical affairs. This anxiety was heightened by the fact that the supply of some articles on St. Paul had been consumed, and it had become necessary, in the early part of June, to obtain by the Maiming, from Dutch Harbor, a quantity of flour, biscuits, salt beef, and canned vegetables for natives' consumption. They had also received the impression that the supply ship would not arrive before August, and that they would be obliged to labor for the Government without Sinj compensation other than clothmg and a ration of food. ^90 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. It was my first etfort to remove these impressions and establish relations of confidence with the natives. In fact, the arrival of a ship's load of supplies and a gunny sack containing about 150 pounds of coin operated automatically to remove the greater portion of this uncertainty. In addition, I had conferences with individual natives and with the assembled communities of both islands, explaining the changes which occurred during the past winter and assuring them that it is the intention of the department to better the condition of the natives in every manner possible. All of these have had the effect of reassuring the natives and removing uncertainty. The continuance of cash payments for sundry labor, the increase in the rate of payment for sealskins, and the publication of the rate at which merchandise will be sold to them from the store were received with satisfaction. The cooperation of the natives during the sealing season is vitally essential to conducting the business at its greatest efficiency. With- out this cooperation it would be an easy matter to fail to secure several thousands of skins during a season or to have "errors" occur in the curing of skins which could never be traced to any individual nor charged successfully to deliberate intention. It is necessary, therefore, to be assured of the good will of the people, and to gain and retain this will be a matter of constant thought. To state that this has been attained is no distortion of fact. On June 30, from 5 a. m. to 10 p. m., the natives of St. Paul discharged 165 tons of coal, dead weight, from the Homer — the greatest amount of merchandise ever landed on the islands on one day. The previous record was 150 tons landed from the Lakme nearly 20 years ago. As regards "branding" and sealing, under the able direction of Mr. Judge the natives are going at it as if tliey were working on shares. Having received no recent instructions previous to my arrival, Agent Judge on St. Paul had "branded" 337 2-year-olds, in addition to several hundreds of 3-}^ear-olds. The remainder of the 3-year-olds to be marked under my instructions have been secured since. The details of the branding on St. Paul follow: Date. Rookeries. 2 years. 3 years. 4 years. 5 years. Reef - - . 46 82 209 77 56 146 246 191 91 27 28 14 5 July 2 4 Reef 5 Total 337 807 14 •5 No word from St. George has been received since my departure from that island, but it is believed that the St. George quota of 200 3-year-olds has been secured by this time. Regarding killable seals, I will say that the ice remained in the sea until such a late date and the spring has been so backward that bache- lors are not arriving in their usual numbers. On the date of my arrival f>75 skins were in the salt house at St. George and 1,573 on St. Paul. From the latter, however, 664 have been delivered to the late lessee to complete its quota for 1909, as authorized by a letter from the bureau, but we have more than made up this number by SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 991 skins secured from recent drives. Notwithstanding the present unfavorable aspect, I feel sure that at least 10,000 skins can be secured during the season, and hope that this minimum number can be exceeded. Reports of the breeding rookeries indicate that more breeding bulls are present than on this date last year, and that, ■wdth a decreasing number of cows, many of these bulls will be idle. Further reserva- tions of males should be curtailed, as more than enough are present now. The Japanese fleet is active, as usual. On July 4, 14 schooners were in sight off St. Paul Island. None have approached close to land and no violations of law have been noted. A heavy native guard is maintained on Northeast Point. Since my arrival one cutter has been on duty at the two islands, dividing its time between them. Because of the curtaihng of the number of ])atrol vessels this yo^r from 4 to 3, both extremities of this island are not under surveillance by cutters as heretofore and greater opportunity is given the seahng fleet for coming close to shore, which no shore guard can prevent. The property of the company was formally delivered to the Gov- ernment on July 1. Since that time the company's employees have been taldng new inventories as of that date. During the last winter the entire village was painted by the company and everything placed in first-class condition in anticipation of a possible sale of the prop- erty to a new lessee. In case the bureau does not adopt my recommendation that Mr. Proctor be placed m charge on St. George during the ensuing winter, I have designated Agent Clark to remain a second year. Of all the assistant agents, he alone has not been called upon to remain two years in succession since 1898. He is, however, very desirous of returning this year, and I trust the recommendation which I have made involving Mr. Proctor be adopted. As already stated, I should be informed at the earliest practicable date of the disposition to be made of sealskins to be landed in San Frajicisco from the Homer in September. I probably will have oppor- tunity of reporting to the department by wireless the number of skins to be shipped. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, August 1, 1910. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Chief Agent Fur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, AlasTca. Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of your letter of 5th ultimo, giv- ing a suriimary of the movements of the Homer and of the work done on the seal islands from your arrival there on June 28 up to the date of writing. The letter is very interesting, and the bureau appreciates your thoughtfulness in giving the valuable information therein con- tained. Respectfully, I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. 992 seal islands of alaska. July 29, 1910. Chichester, North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal.: Inform bureau where can find Elliott's admission he was once employee of Alaska Commercial Co. Full information desired. Wire. DUNLAP. - [Copy — original too faint for satisfactory reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 30, 1910. Hon. Benjamin S. Cable, Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to inclose copy of a telegram received from Mr. Chichester in reply to an inquiry from this office relative to Mi. EUiott's connection with the Alaska Commercial Co. Xt is possible that the stenographic report of the hearing before the Secretary of the Treasury is amongst the Elliott papers on file at the department, or else in the Secretary's office. The bureau has no copy of the hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee, February, 1907, and it is requested that steps be taken to obtain one, if practicable. The bureau will endeavor to obtain a copy of the Fur Trade Review of March, 1907. Do you deem it advisable to consult with Senator Faulkner ? Respectfully, (Signed) I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. I Telegram .J San Francisco, Cal., 29, Dunlap, Bureau Fisheries, Washington, D. C. : Elliott's admission his employment by Alaska Commercial Co. is in a hearing before Secretary Treasury. Stenographic report of same I turned over to commissioner early part June; now probably in Secretary's office. Consult Chas. J. Faulkner, Kellog Building. He brought out Elliott's connection in hearing before House Ways and Means Committee February, 1907; also see Washington letter Fur Trade Review, March, 1907. Chichester, July 30, 1910. Walter L. Hahn, Bascom, Ind., via Aurora: Inquire for Chichester at North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco. Instructions mailed you that address. Dunlap. seal islands of alaska. 993 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, WasUngton, July 30, 191Q. Dr. Walter L. Hahn, Care North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Sir: There are inclosed you herewith two copies of a letter of "in- structions sent to Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, chief agent, fur-seal serv- ice, one copy for your use and the other for Dr. Chichester. These copies are sent direct to you and Dr. Chichester in order that they may be studied and considered while en route to the seal islands. Respectfully, I. H. DUNLAP, Acting Commissionen. Original will follow early next week for Mr. Lembkey in Dr. Chichester's care. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, August 1, 1910. Mr. H. D. Chichester, Care North. American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. Sir: Herewith is a signed and approved copy of Mr. Lembkey's instructions, dated July 27 and supplementary to those of May 9, 1910. You ^^^ll please hand this to Mr. Lembkey. Copies have been already sent to jow and Dr. Hahn. Respectfull}', I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. August 1, 1910. Chichester, Care North, American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Approved copy of instructions for Lembkey mailed to you to-day care Commercial Co. Wait for it. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, San Francisco, Cal., August 6, 1910. Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to report that I arrived here at 8.30 a. m. July 27, and immediately began purchasing the supplies called for by the requisition sent down by Mr. Lembkey. Accompanying the requisition was a note from Mr. Lembkey, asking that $5,000 be reserved from the native- appropriation of 1911 for the purchase of native coal next year. As ne had already expended over $13,000 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 63 994 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. from this appropriation, I have charged all the goods bought for the second trip against the special appropriation. The amount is as follows: Merchandise $16, 258. 80 Coal for jEomer 2,019.55 Labor, etc 484. 17 Total 18, 762. 52 The Alaska Commerical Co. made application for permission to ship on steamer Homer 30 tons of hay to Unalaska, to be used in feeding live cattle to be furnished the Revenue-Cutter Service. As there was sufficient space available, I agreed to take the hay. The rate is $15 per ton. As I reported by wire, I have secured the services of Dr. Norman D. Morgan to relieve Dr. Mills on St. Paul, and a Chinese cook for St. George — name, Jee Woy. I have granted permission to a native of Unalaska to take passage on the Homer for that place, the native paying for subsistence only. If the department is m receipt of any information as to the number of skins taken on the island this year, or as soon as such information is received, I would respectfully suggest that the North American Commercial Co. be instructed to secure the number of barrels neces- sary for their shipment, allowing 28 bundles of skins to a barrel, and have them sent to Long Wharf, Oakland, and also obtain permission from the railroad company to allow the Homer to lie at that wharf and unload and pack tne skins. If this is not done before the arrival of the steamer, there may be a delay of several days. Mr. Davis, sec- retary of the North American Commercial Co., has advised me that if the department so desires he will make all necessary arrangements. The price of barrels is S2.25 each, which includes cooperage. In purchasing the merchandise for this trip of the Homer I was not able to secure bids by reason of the short time at my disposal and the great amount of work involved ; but mth few exceptions the prices I obtained were practically the same as those secured by Mr. Lembkey in the spring, the exceptions being on certain foodstuffs, the prices of which have advanced greatly since Mr. Lembkey purchased. In order to secure the benefit of the cash discount allowed on many of the bills, it will be necessary to make a settlement as speedily as possible. I am greatly indebted to the North American Commercial Co. for much assistance rendered me and for the use of their office. It is only by means of their aid and experience that I was able to get the ship loaded and ready for sea to-day. In order to expedite getting about among the merchants, I found it necessary to hire a horse and carriage for three days. I have signed a voucher for $7.50, covering this, and trust the same will be paid. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 995 [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., August 6, 1910. Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Homer sailed 1 p. m to-day. Chichester. 6.11 p.m. [Telegram.] U. S. C. ''Manning," August 5, 1910. Bowers, Commissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Catch probably 12,000. Arrange for 200 barrels at Frisco to pack skins. Lembkey. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, August 11, 1910. Assistant Secretary, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to submit a copy of the health card prepared by Assistant Seal Agent Chichester for use on the Pribilof Islands, which it is thought you may be interested in seeing. Respectfully, I. H. DuNLAP, Acting Commissioner. Fur-Seal Service, Department Commerce and Labor, health card. Island, Alaska, Date, ; 19—. Physic'al examination made by . Name, . Sex, . Age, Where born, . Date of birth, . How born, . Breast or bottle fed, . Menstruation began, . Character of menstruation, . Nimi- ber of pregnancies, . Number of children living, ; dead Number of abortions, . Previous diseases: Evidences of syphilis, gout, rheu matism, — ■ — ■ — . Goiter, infectious or other diseases, . History above diseases . Present physical condition, . Face, . Eyes, . Palate . Ears, . Teeth, . Hair, . Skin, . Complexion . Height, . Weight, . The patient is nourished. Sub cutaneous tissue present in amount. Muscles are and devel- oped. Mucus membranes, . Fractiu-es, deformities, scars, bruises, eruptions growths, description of each, . Vision, defects, color blindness Thorax and lungs: Chest, . Sternum, . Ribs, . Lungs, expan- sion, . Respiratory rate, . Findings, . Sputum examination Heart, findings, . Radial pulse, . Arteriosclerosis, Blood pressure, . Varicose veins, . Abdominal and digestive organs findings, . Liver, findings, . Spleen, findings, . Urinary organs, . Genital organs, . Urinalysis, . Nervous system, find ings, . 99p SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, [Telegram.] St. Paul Island, Alaska, 18. Commissioner Fisheries, WasMngton, D. C: Will ship following fur-seal skins: St. Paul, 10,088; St. George, 2,834; total, 12,922. Lembkey. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, WasMngton, September 1, 1910. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Chief Agent Fur-Seal Service, Care North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, Son Francisco, Cal. Sir : Complying with the recommendation made by Dr. Chichester in his letter of August 6 that the North American Commercial Co. be instructed to secure the number of barrels necessary for the ship- ment of the sealskins which will be brought down from the islands this fall, 3^ou are advised that a request has been made of the North American Commercial Co. to have in readiness 240 barrels for the purpose indicated. This number is based upon your telegraphic advice, stating that the number of skins taken would be 12,922. The North American Commercial Co. has also been requested to have the barrels delivered at Long Wharf, Oakland, and to make arrangements with the railroad company to allow the Homer to lie at that wharf while unloading and packing the skins, and to make all other arrangements necessary to enable you to proceed with the shipment without delay. ■ It is the commissioner's intention to be in San Francisco when the Homer arrives. He will then advise you definitely as to whom the skins will be consigned, route, and all other matters of detail. Respectfully, I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Septemher 12, 1910. To the Acting Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Is it possible for me to insure the sealskins from San Francisco to London, to protect the Government from loss? They are worth $500,000 or more. George M. Bowers. [Telegram. J Washington, D. C, September 18, 1910. Hon. George W. Bowers, Palace Hotel, San Francisco, Cal.: Acting comptroller advises no appropriation to pay premiums on the insurance for sealskins. Moreover, not policy of Government to insure its property. Chas. Earl, Acting Secretary. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 997 San F'ranclsco, Cal., September 16, 19 tO. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. 0. Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith bill of lading, invoices, and specifications of numbers and contents of 22S casks, 12,922 Alaska salted fur sealskins, the total catch of 1910, shipped to your order, notification to be made to Alfred Frascr, New York. The island, San Francisco, and packing counts, 12,922 skins, all agree. The shipment left here on the night of September 14, in well- ventilated cars, secured to avoid anv possibility of heating on the trip overland. If shipped to England, it would be advisable to instruct whoever handles the consignment in New York to see that the casks are placed in the coolest part of the vessel carrying them. The wSouthern Pacific Railroad has been instructed to keep the bureau in Washington advised by telegraph of the progress of the shipment on its way east. Respectfully, , Agent Seal Fisheries. Received, subject to the classifications and tariffs in effect on the date of the receipt by the carrier of the propertj^ described in the original bill of lading, at Oakland Wharf, Cal., September 14, 1910, from Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, the property described below, in apparent good order, except as noted (contents and condition of contents of packages unknown), marked, consigned, and destined as indicated below, which said company agrees to carry to its usual place of delivery at said destination, if on its road, otherwise to deliver to another earner on the route to said destination. It is mutually agreed, as to each earner of all or any of said property over all or any portion of said route to destination, and as to each party at any time interested in all or any of said property, that every service to be performed hereunder shall be subject to all the conditions, whether printed or ^mtteu, herein contained (including conditions on back hereof), and which are agreed to by the shipper and accepted for himself and his assigns. The surrender of the original order bill of lading properly indorsed shall be required before the delivery of the property. Inspection of property covered by the bill of lading will not be permitted unless provided by law or unless permission is indorsed on the original bill of lading or given in writing by the shipper. The rate of freight from Oakland Wharf, Cal., to New York, N. Y., is in cents per 100 pounds. Consigned to order of Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, New York, N. Y. Notify Alfred Fraser, New York, N. Y. Route, S. P.-U. P.-R. I.-L. S. M. S.-N. Y. C. Niim))er packages. Description of articles and special marks. ■ Weight (subject to correction). Class or rate. 76 Casks sealskins. (C, M. & St. P. 202825) 31,600 69,050 150 152 Casks sealskins. (C. , M. & St. P. 85694) 150 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau Fisheries, shipper. H. C. Collins, Agent. Invoice of 228 casks of Alaska salted fur-seal skins, shipped September 14, 1910, by the De- partment of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, from San Francisco, Cal., to New York, to the order of George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries. — Consignment No. 1, 1910. Mark. Number of skins. Description. Value. Nos. 1 to228.. 12,922 Salted fur-seal skins, at •?40 $516, 880 Department of Commerce and Labor. Alfred Fraser, New York. 998 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, packing account of 228 casks sealskins, consignment No. 1, 1910. Cask Number Cask Number Cask Number Cask Number Cask Number No. of skins. No. of skins. No. of skins. No. of skins. No. of skins. 1 56 51 56 101 54 151 56 190 58 2 56 52 56 102 56 152 56 191 68 3 56 53 54 103 56 153 56 192 58 4 56 54 56 104 56 154 58 193 56 5 56 55 56 105 56 155 58 194 58 6 54 56 56 106 58 156 58 195 58 7 54 57 56 107 58 157 58 196 56 8 56 58 58 108 58 158 58 197 58 9 58 59 56 109 56 159 58 198 56 10 56 60 54 110 58 160 56 199 60 11 56 61 56 111 58 161 56 200 56 12 56 62 56 112 56 162 56 201 58 13 54 63 58 113 58 163 58 202 56 14 15 16 17 56 56 56 56 64 65 66 67 56 66 56 56 114 115 116 117 56 58 58 56 742 746 164 56 203 56 18 56 68 56 118 58 165 58 204 56 19 56 69 58 119 56 166 58 205 68 20 54 70 58 120 58 167 56 206 66 21 54 71 58 121 58 168 58 207 66 22 54 72 58 122 60 169 68 208 56 23 56 73 52 123 58 170 58 209 58 24 56 74 58 124 58 171 56 210 56 26 52 75 54 125 56 172 173 174 58 58 58 211 212 213 56 58 68 1,386 1,404 1,428 175 176 56 58 214 215 56 58 26 56 76 54 126 56 27 28 58 56 77 78 54 56 127 128 58 58 746 738 29 30 60 56 79 80 56 56 129 130 56 58 177 56 216 66 31 56 81 56 131 58 178 58 217 66 32 52 82 54 132 58 179 56 218 58 33 56 83 58 133 56 180 58 219 66 34 56 84 56 134 56 181 58 220 58 35 56 85 56 135 58 182 58 221 66 36 52 86 58 136 58 183 60 222 58 37 58 87 56 137 58 184 58 223 68 38 58 88 58 138 56 185 60 224 60 39 56 89 58 139 58 186 58 225 54 40 60 90 58 140 58 187 56 226 54 41 60 91 56 141 56 188 56 227 52 ■ 42 56 92 58 142 60 189 58 228 56 43 44 56 56 93 94 56 56 14^ 60 144 56 ?50 722 45 58 95 56 145 58 4(; 56 96 56 146 58 47 54 97 58 147 58 48 56 98 56 148 58 49 58 99 56 149 58 50 56 100 56 150 58 1,412 1,408 1,440 Recapitulation. Skins. Casks 1 to 25 1, 386 Casks 26 to 50 1, 412 Casks 51 to 75 1, 404 Casks 76 to 100 1, 408 Casks 101 to 125 1, 428 Casks 126 to 150 1, 440 Casks 151 to 163 742 Casks 164 to 176 746 Casks 177 to 189 750 Casks 190 to 202 746 Casks 203 to 215 738 Casks 216 to 228 722 Total 12, 922 The island, San Francisco customhouse, and packing counts (12,922) all agree. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 999 Cask. Skins. Weight. Cask. Skins. Weight. Cask. Skins. Weight. 1 56 465 77 54 462 153 56 446 2 56 482 78 50 464 164 68 445 3 56 455 79 56 452 155 58 435 4 56 472 80 56 445 156 58 465 5 56 475 81 56 447 157 58 4.=i9 6 54 457 82 54 470 158 58 447 7 54 486 83 58 460 169 68 436 8 56 475 84 56 475 160 66 422 9 58 460 85 50 439 161 56 424 10 56 445 86 58 436 162 66 412 11 56 460 87 56 476 163 58 437 12 56 447 88 58 442 164 56 440 13 54 462 89 58 446 165 58 442 14 56 435 90 58 440 166 68 439 15 56 458 91 56 446 167 66 430 16 56 440 92 58 431 168 58 435 17 56 435 93 56 435 169 58 435 18 56 473 94 66 456 170 68 437 19 56 425 95 66 440 171 56 441 20 54 452 90 56 440 172 58 446 21 54 476 97 58 437 173 68 447 22 54 450 98 56 440 174 58 460 23 56 433 99 56 442 175 56 445 24 56 470 100 56 458 176 58 445 25 52 442 101 54 460 177 56 432 26 56 430 102 56 441 178 58 438 27 68 465 103 56 427 179 56 425 28 56 430 104 56 436 180 58 433 29 60 462 105 56 435 181 68 445 30 56 433 100 58 435 182 68 433 31 56 475 107 68 440 183 60 440 32 52 463 108 58 461 184 58 460 33 56 435 109 56 430 185 60 468 34 56 438 110 68 455 186 58 432 35 56 463 111 68 456 187 66 440 36 52 463 112 56 445 188 56 430 37 58 444 113 58 437 189 58 466 38 58 448 114 56 426 190 58 422 39 56 474 115 68 446 191 58 445 40 60 434 116 58 448 192 58 432 41 60 465 117 56 426 193 56 432 42 56 433 118 58 441 194 58 434 43 56 430 119 50 432 195 58 442 44 56 435 120 58 440 196 56 430 45 58 451 121 58 446 197 58 434 46 56 481 122 60 468 198 56 425 47 54 440 123 58 450 199 60 450 48 56 465 124 58 440 200 56 442 49 58 451 125 56 444 201 58 444 50 56 428 126 66 431 202 56 426 51 56 460 127 58 450 203 56 423 52 56 428 128 58 432 204 50 426 53 54 465 129 56 434 205 58 446 54 56 436 130 58 449 206 56 434 55 56 442 131 58 441 207 56 422 56 56 443 132 58 446 208 56 430 57 56 447 133 56 450 209 68 444 58 58 432 134 56 451 210 56 428 59 56 430 135 58 435 211 56 427 60 54 470 I 136 58 438 212 58 443 61 56 473 137 58 440 213 68 443 62 56 430 138 56 438 214 66 441 63 58 462 139 58 451 215 58 463 64 56 450 140 58 445 216 56 436 65 56 431 141 56 448 217 56 428 66 56 436 142 60 448 218 58 431 67 56 447 143 60 466 219 56 426 68 56 421 144 56 425 220 68 429 • 69 58 436 145 58 458 221 66 440 70 58 456 146 58 446 222 58 441 71 58 444 147 68 436 223 58 436 72 58 456 148 58 440 224 50 439 73 52 460 149 58 440 225 54 450 74 58 444 150 58 440 226 54 460 75 54 446 151 66 432 227 52 442 76 54 467 152 56 436 228 56 483 1000 seal islands of alaska, Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, San Francisco, Cal., September 17, 1910. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I inclose herewith a duplicate copy of my letter to you of the 16th instant, wliich transmitted to you bill of lading, invoices, and specifications of numbers and contents of 228 casks containing seal- skins. I inclose also a memorandum bill of lading and duj)licate of the inclosures with my letter of tli3 16th instant, all of which for use should my letter of the 16th be not delivered to you. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. September 19, 1910. W. I. Lembkey. Care of North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal.: When do you expect to leave San Fran<'isco for Washington ? DUNLAP, Acting Commissioner. [Telegram.] San Francisco, Cal., 19. DUNLOP, Acting Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C: Yours 19th; probably twenty first or second, but do not know exactly. Will wire ui)on departure. Lembkey. Columbus, Ohio, September 27, 1910. Hon. G. M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: Regarding our confidential talk in San Francisco, you stated that the Secretary has ordered the skins placed in cold storage in New York temporarily, instead of sliip])ing them direct to London, and I venture to call your attention to a few facts that possibly have not suggested themselves. First. My understanding is that raw skins placed in cold storage are first unwrapped, in order that they may be spread out and prop- erly ventilated. The labor, rack expense, etc., involved in this will be considerable. Second. If the skins go into cold storage and it is decided later on to ship them to London, they can only be shipped in cold storage, which would probably entail enormous expense. It would be the height of folly to place them in cold storage for a while and then to remove them to the ordinary hold of a vessel for shipment. Meat SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1001 taken from cold storage doesn't last long until decomposition sets in, and it is doubtful if hides would either, regardless of the fact that they were salted previously. Should the skins turn up "pinky" at the London sales, criticism, if nothmg more, would be our due. Third. If the Government does not intend to i)art with its posses- sion until the skins are dressed and dyed, why not have this work done at once and save the expense of cold storage ? Fourth. If it is intended to dye only a few as an experiment, why not hold these few and ship the remainder? Fifth. It is, of course, evident dressed and dyed skins will not only pay to the Government the additional cost of dressmg and dyeing, but also a liberal profit on the additional investment. Sixth. If profit is the sole object, why not follow the thing to its logical conclusion, and mak€ up and sell the garments at retail so as to get all the profit ? Seventh. Is money available for these purposes ? If so, it is likely that the right of the Government to engage in the business can not be successfully questioned; but the wisdom of such a pohcy will be ques- tioned, and the arguments that can be brought to bear agamst it are not without weight. Eighth. I understand that nearly all the Alaska skins, after. dress- ing and dyeing in London, are returned to the United States, and that the regular 35 per cent ad valorem duty is then collected. If this is so, it is worth considermg whether the additional profit that might be gained by the Government, the real party in interest, is worth the risks involved, in going into business, wholesale or retail. We are on the right track from the taking of the skins on the islands to their disposal at auction in London, but I fear the expansicm nec- essary to the further handling of the pelts m a business way. L^nless you wish to make it official, I would prefer that this be considered a personal letter, more like a talk we might have in your office. I have written it merely for the purpose of enabling you to present this phase of the matter to the Secretary before he makes his final decision. I expect to be in Wasliington in a few days. Very respectfully, James Judge. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, September 29, 1910. The Commissioner: Referring to our previous conversation upon the subject, I have the honor to suggest that, in my judgment, the sealskins taken this summer upon the Pribilof Islands should be shipped directly to London, to be sold there m the usual manner — at auction — for the following reasons: 1. An international market offers the chance of obtaining the highest price for furs. 2. The chances of combination to lower the price of sealskins are less in an international market than in one open to buj^ers from a restricted area only. 1002 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 3. By arbitrarily clianging settled practice, the probability of creating distrust ajid prejudice among fur dealers which would prompt them to discredit sealskins and thereby lower their value is imminent. 4. By selling sealskins in this country the duty of 20 per cent on nearly $1,000,000 worth of dressed and dyed sealskins, amounting to nearly $200,000, would be lost. London to-day is the fur market of the world. At a certain time each year buyers from all quarters of the globe gather there to pur- chase furs at auction. They have been accustomed to* do this for years. By selling the Pribilof Islands skins in London, the Government has the advantage of the world's best market, and of the competition which arises from the presence of buyers from all nations ; necessarily the prices obtained under these conditions would be better than if the skins were sold in an unaccustomed market, where the buyers from only a restricted locality might be present and where others might not be able to attend. Furthermore, it is not wise, m my opinion, to place difficulties in the way of purchasers of Alaska sealsldns. On the other hand, it would be good policy to make it as easy as possible for purchasers to bid on these skins. This can be done by having the skins in London when' the buyers are there. If, for example, buyers should be required to attend the London sales to purchase all other furs and then to visit New York or Chicago or San Francisco to purchase seal- skins only, the chances are that this additional and unusual journey to the sealskin market might create an adverse sentiment against sealskins among fur dealers which would result in forcing down the present high price of sealskins to a low figure. If the bidding were restricted to those buyers only representing firms in this country, the chances of combination to lower prices would be much easier than in an international market. From what I have heard and read this contingency is not impossible. This question of antagonizing the retail fur trade is, in my opinion, a vital one. It must not be believed that sealskins always have sold for the price they now command, or anj^thing like it. In 1837 the Russians obtained at Kiachta, China, for the best seal pelts 10 to 15 roubles ($2 to $3) each. They brought little more than that in 1867. In 1870 the average price obtained for sealskins was $5.41. In 1890 the price jumped from $17 to $36 average, went down as low as $15.50 in 1897, and then rose gradually until 1909, when an average price of $40 for each skin was obtained. The price of skins is affected by conditions that would seem to have little bearing upon it. A war in Manchuria, a famine in India, cholera in Naples, tight money in New York or Paris — all could and some have served to drag dowai the prices of sealskins at the annual London sales. If, to such unexpected events as have been mentioned, that occur at irregular intervals, there were to be coupled a steady and vindictive prejudice against the skins in the minds of the retail manufacturers, it is apparent to me that sealskins would fall in value to a price approximating that which they brought in 1870 and previous years. The price of sealskins is an artificial one, based upon the efforts of large fur dealers, who dictate the mode to maintain the fur as SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1003 a standard article of fashion. There is no intrinsic vahie in seal- skins (if I may use the term) as there is in gold and gems. The high price which sealskins now bring was obtained by judicious manipulation of the market in 1871 and following, and the assurance of a steady annual yield. It would be easy enough for dealers to inform their customers, for instance, that "sealskins no longer were in fashion," and thereby discredit tlie fur and lower the price. It is therefore vitally essential that no step be taken, more especially at the inception of the Government's management of the business, which would antagonize the retail fur trade and create an adverse sentiment against sealskins. In fact, in my judgment, it would be wise to allay the uncertainty and distrust of the Gov- ernment's methods which now seem prevalent among the trade, by a public statement from an authoritative source to the effect that our skins will be sold in London as usual; that no particular firm or body of men will be given advantages that the entire trade will not enjoy; and that in all respects this Government will not depart, for the present at least, from the procedure which has attended the disposition of these skins and which has become a settled practice. Another phase of the question which should be considered is the fact that Great Britain has been willing to adjust the Bering Sea question, but has deferred to the wishes of Canada, which have been adverse to any settlement. The dressing and dyeing of seal- skins occurs in London, has supported thousands of British sub- jects engaged in such work, and forms the basis of Great Britain's desire for a settlement of the pelagic sealing question. It is well to consider whether or not to discontinue the dressing and dyeing of these skins in England and thereby to remove such cause as that country may have for a desire for the settlement of the Bering Sea question m a manner favorable to this Government. In view of the foregoing, I have respectfully to advise that, for this year, the skins go forward at once to London, to be sold there at auction, as formerly; that careful consideration be given this winter to the question of any change in the methods of disposing of our sealskins, in connection with which the views of the large fur dealers in this country and abroad be obtained; and that a public statement of the policy of this Government, in respect to the disposition of its fur-seal skins now on liand, be made at once to allay uncertainty in the fur trade. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. [Telegram.] New York, Septemher 30, 1910. Hon. Charles Nagel, Department Commerce and Lahor , Washington, D. C: Skins will not arrive here before 4th or 5th of October. Sufficient time for conference, Geo. M. Bowers. 2.55 p. M. 1004 SEAL ISJ^ANDS OF ALASKA. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 8, 1910. The Commissioner: I have the honor to submit a preHniinary report of the conduct of a^airs on the Pribilof (seal islands), Alaska, Reservation during the season of 1910, as follows: Leaving Washington on May 17, 1910, under orders from you, and proceeding at once to San Francisco, I chartered the steamsliip Homer, Capt. Adam Donaldson, master, at a cost of $142.50 a day. After consulting with the N. A. C. Co., as directed, to ascertain the quahty and quantity of supplies required for the subsistence of the native inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands, I purchased such supplies as then were known to be necessary at a total cost of $23,442.70, including ship's coal. The Homer having been delivered, under the charter, on the 1st day of June, she was sent first to the Western Fuel Co.'s bunkers to coal sliip, and thence to the dock of the Cosmos Line, where she re- ceived freight. Having received all freight, on June 11 the Homer left her dock, arriving at Dutch Harbor June 24. Coaling there, she proceeded to St. George, where she arrived June 27, and discharged all freight. Leaving there June 28, she reached St. Paul June 29. Having discharged all freight for that island, she left there July 1 for Dutch Harbor to load coal for natives' use. After delivering this coal to the islands she left for San Francisco, arriving there July 23. Taking on another cargo of merchandise, together with coal enough for the round trip to the islands and return, the vessel again left San Francisco on August 6, arriving at Dutch Harbor August 21, at St. George the 23d, and St. Paul the 24th. With the skins aboard she left St. Paul August 28, arriving back at San Francisco September 12. Number of skins. — For the season of 1910 the following number of fur-seal skins was taken and shipped from the islands: St. Paul: Quota of 1909 (delivered to N. A. C. Co. by direction of department letter dated Jan. 5, 1910) 664 Quota of 1910 (shipped Government account) 10, 088 St. George : Quota of 1910 2, 834 13, 586 Of these, 664 were shipped on the first trip of the Homer to San Francisco, consigned to the North American Commercial Co., and the remainder, 12,922, were sent to San Francisco on the second trip of the Homer for Government account. Bachelors branded. — On St. Paul the following numbers of young male seals were marked fox breeders: Date. Rookeries. 2 years. 3 years. 4 years. 5 years. 1910. Reef 46 82 209 77 56 146 246 191 91 27 28 14 5 July 2 4 Reef 5 Total 337 807 14 5 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 1005 On St. George, owing to a misapprehension of orders by Assistant Agent Clark, only 108 3-year-olds were branded, instead of 200, as directed by me. The total number branded on both islands is as follows : 2-year-olds 337 3-year-olds 915 4-year-olds 14 5-year-olds 5 Total 1,271 Count ofTiarems. — On all the islands the following numbers of bulls with harems, and other bulls present at the height of the breeding season, were found: Harems. Idle. Quitters. Water bulls. Hauling ground bulls. St. Paul. . . 1,059 259 155 145 77 81 1 55 St. George. . . . 47 Sea Lion Rock Total (1910) 1,373 1.399 222 172 82 139 55 13 47 Total (1909) 98 1 Estimated. By comparison with 1909 the number of harems has decreased 33, or 1.9 per cent; the number of idle bulls has increased 50, or 29 per cent; the number of stationed bulls with harems and idle has increased 24, or 1.5 per cent. The number of idle bulls amounts to 13 per cent of the whole number of stationed bulls present. The conditions, therefore, as regards breeding males are the same virtually as last year, except that a slight decrease in harems and a substantial increase in idle bulls are noted. Counts of jjuys. — Because of the i^resence of Japanese schooners in numbers close to the islands, counts of pups on St. Paul were limited to Keto^d rookery, including Amphitheater. On wSt. George, for the same reason, pups were not counted save on Little East rookery. Those St. Paul counts follow: St. Paul. Live. Dead. Total. Number of harems. Average harem. Ketovi 1,717 187 57 5 1,774 192 53 9 33.4 Amphitheater.- - 21.3 Total 1,904 1,915 62 64 1,966 1,979 62 58 31.6 Total (1909) 34.1 From the comparison which the foregoing data afford it would appear that the number of breeding cows on tliis rookery has remained stationary during the period, while the number of harems thereon has increased, therebj^ lowering the average harem from 34.1 to 31.6. On St. George the count of Little East disclosed 75 pups in 4 harems. Japanese fleet. — The Japanese fleet in Bering Sea consisted of 25 vessels boarded by the Revenue-Cutter Service as against 16 last year. 1006 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, Of these, 2 were seized by the cutters, 1 for violation of the alien fish- ing laws and 1 for a violation of section 2773, United States Revised Statutes. As a rule these vessels kept outside the 3-mile limit and, so far as known, none landed on the islands for the purpose of killing seals. Eleven Japanese in three small boats landed on St. Paul Island on July 30 and 31 and were brought to the village. They were quartered there until August 8, when they were placed aboard the Manning and taken to Unalaska with four native witnesses. They were tried before the United States Commissioner for landing upon the islands without authority and were found guilty and sentenced to a week's imprisonment. After serving this sentence they were placed aboard a Japanese sealing vessel with their sealing paraphernelia and sent home. A detailed report of the season's work will be submitted. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Forwarded . Barton W. Evermann, Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry. Department of Commerce and Labor, St. Paul Island,, Alaslca, October 18, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to report that I am sending you to-day by the United States revenue steamer Bear 10 fur-seal pups — 5 males and 5 females. These pups are all large, healthy ones, taken directly from the rookery this morning and should, under Mr. Thurber's care, reach Seattle alive. He has assured me that he will give them as much attention as his other duties will allow on the voyage down. A strong effort has been made this fall to care for some of the starving pups, but without success. Despite every effort the pups all died. Dr. Hahn, who had charge of the work will no doubt sub- mit a report concerning the matter. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, St. Paul Island, Alaslca, Octoher 18, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. 0. Sir: I have the honor to report concerning affairs on this island since August 28, 1910: The health of the natives is at present fairly good, but there has been considerable sickness earlier m the fall. A number of cases of tonsilitis developed during September but has now died out. There were no deaths therefrom. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1007 I understand that a report is current to the effect that measles have broken out among the St. Paul natives. This is not true. We have had no measles here for a number of years. Since October 28, 1910 (?), there has been six deaths. One from cancer, one from gastro-enteritis, and four from tuberculosis. All but two were chronic cases. There is an ample supply of food, fuel, and clothing on hand to carry through the winter and everything necessary for preparing the station for the winter has been done. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries, in Charge St. Paul Island. New York, November 25, 1910. George M. Bowers, Esq., Commissioner Bureau of Fisheries, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: Inclosed I beg to hand you particulars of assortment of the Alaska fur seal received this day from C. M. Lampson & Co., whose valuation of the skins based upon the prices realized for last year's catch is 12,732 skins at 144s. average per skin and 188 skins at 120s. average per skin. The latter I presume are food skins. I regret to find that the assortment is not quite up to that of last year's catch. The percentages of the several grades of skins as compared with last year's collection are as follows: Condition. Number. 1910 1909 Prime skins 9,999 1,255 821 621 36 Per ct. 78.53 9.86 8.21 4.88 .28 Per ct. 83.28 Low skins 5.82 Cut skins 6.45 Rubbed skins 3.53 Faulty skins .28 12,732 100 100 The sldns count up two short of the number invoiced, but they will be re-counted on delivery. I regret to state that the fur trade so far this season is dull, owing in a great measure to the very high cost of all articles, but business will no doubt improve should cold weather set in. I have reason to believe that the number of pelagic seal taken this year will be about equal to that of last year. Yours, very truly, Alfred Fraser. IMr. Secretary: Not as satisfactoiy as I should like to have seen this statement. Am home and can not leave to-day. Geo. M. Bowers. November 26, 1910. 1008 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. London, November 19, 1910. Assortment of Alaska salted fur sealskins for account of United States Government^ Department of Commerce and Labor. [New York Cr. 1/228. 12,922.] 78 713 3,032 4,899 1,206 11 33 135 498 501 10 71 238 421 81 6 55 195 290 75 36 12,732 188 Smalls Large pups Middling pups Small pups Extra small pups Extra extra small pups. Low: Smalls Large pups Middling pups Small pups E.xtra small pups . . . Cut: Smalls Large pups Middling pups Small pups Extra small pups. . . Rubbed: Smalls Large pups Middling pups Small pups Extra small pups . . . Faulty Average based on December, 1909, prices, 144/=. Smalls Large pups Middling pups Small pups Extra small pups. Faulty Average based on December, 1909, prices, 120/= Lbs. ozs. 7 11 6 9 6 1 5 9 5 Subject to recount. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, • WasJiington, December 8, 1910. Dr. Walter L. Hahn, Naturalist Fur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, AlasJca. Sir: There is inclosed herewith a copy of a letter from Prof. H. Dexler, addressed to Mr. George A. Clark, of Stanford University, also a copy, of Mr. Clark's letter transmitting Prof. Dexler's letter to the bureau. These letters explain themselves. You are instructed to secure for shipment to Prof. Dexler the material which he requests. Instead of the young female, however, you will use one or more bachelor seals. It would seem that it would be quite feasible to pack in a barrel the material from at least two young male seals. If you find it convenient to do so, you can prepare that amount of material for him. When properly barreled the package may be addressed to the bureau at this place and sent down on the Govern- ment vessel next summer. When it is received at Washington it will be forwarded to Prof. Dexler. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. seal islands of alaska. 1009 December 16, 1910. Hon. Charles Nagel, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C: Conditions considered, have had a remarkably successful sale. Total amount, 89,424 pounds. George M. Bowers. London, December 16, 1910. Hon. Charles Nagel, Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. My Dear Mr. Secretary: I have just wired you the total results of the fur-seal-skin sale which has just taken place: Conditions considered, have had a remarkably successful sale. Total amount, 89,424 pounds. When we take into consideration the aA^erage grading of the skins as compared with last year, there is a loss of only about 3 per cent. I am inclosing you a copy of the advertisements for the year 1909 as well as for 1910. I think it is well to have these for office reference. I had hoped for a larger amount, but, after conference with the fur dealers of London, was prepared to receive 10 per cent or even 15 per cent less than last year's prices, and I think, as I have said above, that we had a very successful sale. I leave the latter part of the week for Germany and will go direct to Bad Nauheim. I regret to say that my condition has not improved. Wishing you and yours a merry Christmas and a happy and pros- perous New Year, I am, with renewed assurances of my highest personal esteem and regard. Very truly, yours, Geo. M. Bowers. London, December 16, 1910. Hon. Charles Nagel, Secretary Commerce and Ljabor, Washington, D. C, U.S.A. My Dear Mr. Secretary: Herewith inclosed you will find cata- logues showing the prices i^eceived at the auction this day for the fur seals for Alaska and elsewhere, and when we take into consideration the number of skins ofl'ered for sale and the climatic as well as finan- cial conditions, I think we have had, as far as our skins are concerned, an exceptionally good sale. Lot No. 1 sold at a decline of 20 shillings as compared with last year — this gave me the blues. The second lot, 400 large pups, sold at a decline of 9 shillings; this of course was better, but when 6,200 small pups and extra small ])ups sold at a loss of 1 shilling as com- pared with last year, this very much improved the situation. Unfor- tunately, our skins did not grade so well as heretofore. You will observe that the 664 skins of the North American Commercial Co. did not bring prices nearly so good as those gotten by the Govern- 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 64 1010 SEAL. ISLANDS OF AIASKA. ment. You will further observe that the skins of the northwest coast sold at an average of at least 7^ per cent less as compared with the prices received by us, notwithstanding the fact that the sldns of the northwest coast this year graded a little better than usual. Under the terms of the sale a remittance by C. M. Lampson & Co. will be made on December 30. I shall leave London on the 19th, and my address for the next three weeks will be Hotel Kaiserhof, Bad Nauheim, Germany. With assurances of personal esteem and regard, believe me, Sincerely, Geo. M. Bowers. London, December 19, 1910. Hon. Charles Nagel, Secretary Comtnerce and Lahor, Washington, D. C, U. 8. A. Dear Mr. Secretary: Herewith inclosed you will find several statements for record in the department, one showing the number of skins sold, the prices realized for each lot, and the average weight of the skins; then another statement showing by whom purchased. I also inclose a report showing the prices received for all other skins sold, with last year's prices, for the purpose of comparison; also a state- ment issued by C. M. Lampson & Co., as well as two other statements, one by Phillips, Pollitzer & Co., and the other by Blatspiel, Staup & Haycock, the principal London buyers of the Alaskans. These re- ports will show the situation so far as London and the Continent are concerned. It pleases me to state that the gross proceeds from the sale for the 12,920 skins is £89,624 16s., an advance of £200 more than the amount given in my cablegram. The amounts received, as shown in this report, differ some little from the statement I sent you some days ago, but on the whole our Government gains an additional £200. Your cablegram of congratulations was greatly appreciated, and I feel much relieved after a hard year's arduous labor. I leave for Berlin to-night, and will proceed from there to Bad Neuheim immedi- ately after Christmas and make a strenuous endeavor to recuperate, or, in other words, to recover my health. With the compliments of the season, believe me, Sincerely , Geo. M. Bowers. P. S. — In a personal letter to Mr. Cable I stated I would send him a list of purchasers. This is found in a catalogue which I have marked "Document 4. " My address will be Hotel Kaiserliof, Bad Neuheim. seal islands of alaska. 1011 The Fur-Seal Fisheries of Alaska in 1910.^ By Walter I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge. THE NEW administration. With the passage of the act of April 21, 1910, the leasing system, which since 1870 had required that the sealing right on the Pribilof Islands be let in 20-year periods to the liighest bidder, was abrogated. This new law neither suspended the killing of seals on the islands nor required it to be curtailed, but provided that such killing should be done only by the authority of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor through officers, agents, or employees of that department, the natives to be employed to perform the labor necessary to secure the sealskins and to receive fair compensation for their labor. So also the sealskins taken under the authority and by the persons already mentioned should be sold by the Secretary to the best advan- tage of the Government. By this act the Secretary of Commerce and Labor was given au- thority also to appoint such additional officers, agents, and em- ployees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the act; to purchase at a fair valuation the plant of the former lessee on the islands; to establish and maintain supply depots on the Pribilof Islands; to provide for the transportation of supplies by the charter of vessels; and, finally, to furnish food, fuel, clothing, and other necessaries of life to the natives of the Pribilof Islands, and to pro- vide for their comfort, maintenance, education, and protection. INCREASED SCOPE OF AGENTS' DUTY. This act placed upon the department heavy responsibilities which hitherto had been borne by the lessee. The business of killing seals and curing the skins, the mercantile business with a stock of approxi- mately S40,000 worth of goods, and, in short, all other practical affairs, were required to be actively managed by the department agents, who previously had occupied the virtual status of inspectors of the lessee's operations, in addition to the duty of examination of the seal herd and the administration of the natives' affairs. The act mentioned had not been approved by the President before those charged with the management of the seal fisheries were giving their attention to the working out of the details under the new con- ditions. On May 9 the annual instructions to the agent in charge were signed; shortly afterwards S2,000 in cash was advanced to the agent to pay for labor on the islands other than that of killing seals, bonds being given by himself and assistant agents to insure the proper handling of this fund and the faithful performance of duties in general. On May 17 the agent in charge left Washington to begin the preparations for carrying out the requirements of the act of April 21, 1910. HIRE OF VESSEL AND PURCHASE AND TRANSPORTATION OP SUPPLIES. On May 21 the agent arrived in San Francisco and on the 26tli a charter for the steamer Homer at SI 42. 50 per diem was signed, sub- ject to the approval of the Department of Commerce and Labor. 1 Note. — Uncorrected page proof; not completed until Apr. 15, 1911. 1012 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. This vessel was delivered under the charter June 1 , and was sent first to the coal bunkers to receive her fuel and cargo coal and thence to the covered dock of the Cosmos Line to receive freight.- After the charter of the Homer was completed, the purchase of supplies for the natives and the islands in general was next to be taken up. It was found at once that the best prices on the goods required could not be obtained without inviting c )mpetitive bids; consequently, with the assistance of tlie North American Com- mercial Co., the retiring lessee, which placed its annual requisitions at the department's disposal, schedules of the principal clashes of merchandise were prepared in triplicate and presented to three of the largest mercantile firms in the several lines of business, witn the request that each submit a bid in writing. All merchandise, with the exception of small articles of miscellaneous classification, was thus purchased from the lowest bidder, after a careful inspection of the goods to determine whether the quality as well as the price was satisfactory. It was necessary to visit in person the place of business of each firm to solicit tliese bids; to go again to make purchases, and again to deliver the vouchers in payment of the articles purchased. With this and the attendant clerical work, it is considereci that no time was wasted in the preparations mcident to the sailing of the suppl}^ ship for the islands. During the period from June 1 to 10 the suppHes were purchased and the vessel loaded. On June 11 the Homer sailed from San Francisco, arriving at Dutch Harbor June 24. Coaling there, she proceeded to the islands, arriving at St. George June 27 and St. raul June 29. Having discharged all freight, she left on July 1 for Dutch Harbor to load coal for the natives' use. Delivering this coal on July 7-] 1, she returned to San Francisco July 23. Taking on another cargo of merchandise, together with coal enough for the round trip to the islands, the Homer again left San Francisco August 6, arriving at Dutch Harbor August 21, at St. George the 23d, and St. Paul the 24th. Having received the sealskins aboard, she left St. Paul August 28 and arrived back at San Francisco Septem- ber 12. The sealskins were taken at once to Oakland I./ong Wharf, where, carefully packed in casks and placed in ventilated freight cars, they left on the night of September 14 for New York and thence were shipped to London to be sold at public auction. EMPLOYEES. It has already been stated that during the continuance of the leases of the two companies the Government agents on the two islands were not concerned with the active management of business, but acted with regard to it merely as inspectors. This does not refer to the super- vision of the natives' affairs, the management of which was never the subject of concern by any of the lessee's employees. Under these cir- cumstances the services of the four agents were ample to properly over- see the operations of tlie lessee and to perform such duties as might be required of the Government's representatives. With the taking over, however, of the business which heretofore formed the exclusive concern of the lessee, an increase in the number of the Government employees on the islands became necessary. SEAL ISLAISDS OF ALASKA. 1013 Special biological study of the seal herd having been decided upon, a naturalist .was appointed for this work. Dr. Harold Heath, of Stanford University, accepting the position until permanent arrange- ments could be made. The selection of the additional employees and the assignment of their duties were left to the agent. Of the force required, it was considered advisable to retain as many of the em- ployees of the late lessee as could be used, as these men were efficient, skilled in their duties, and required no instruction other than that necessar}' to acquaint them with new conditions. During the summer the force of employees on the islands, in addi- tion to the agents and the naturalist, was as follows: Name. Position. Period. Annual salary. On St. Paul Island: A. H. Proctor S. Melovidof H. C. Mills [Chinese] N. Bogadanof [Selected natives]. . Do On St. George Island: James Murtha C. M. Cunningham Ned B. Campbell.. [Chinese] M. Lestenkof [Selected natives].. Do storekeeper and bookkeeper. . . School-teacher Physician Cook stockman Janitor Government house Janitor former company house. Storekeeper Physician School-teacher Cook Stockman Janitor Government house Janitor former company house. Indefinite. do.... Until fall . Indefinite. do.... do.... do.... Until fall. do Indefinite . Until fall. Indefinite. do.... do.... $1,800 1,200 1,200 720 .300 240 180 1,200 1,200 900 720 300 240 180 ^Ir. Proctor assumed his duties with the idea of serving during the winter on St. Paul. Subsequently, by an order of Secretary Nagel, made during the Secretary's visit to St. Paul, Mr. Proctor was transferred to St. George as acting assistant agent, in place of Assistant Agent Clark, who returned to the department. Dr. Mills served only during the summer, returning to his home at his own request. The Chinese cooks on both islands were relieved at their own request by others brought up from San Francisco. Assistant Agents James Judge and E. W. Clark with Agent Lembkey returned to the department on the Homer. Messrs. Murtha and Cunningham served only during the summer, as was contemplated when they were first appointed. Dr. Pedro de Figaniere was sent up by the department to take the place of Dr. Cunningham. Mr. Campbell was appointed by the department. All others were appointed provisionally from the force on the islands. During the ensuing winter the force of employees on the two islands will be as follows: St. Paul: H. D. Cliichester, assistant agent in charge; Walter L. Hahn, naturalist; Norman P. Morgan, physician; S. Melovidof, school-teacher; a Chinese cook; and N. Bogadanof, stockman. St. George: A. H. Proctor, acting assistant agent; P. de Figaniere, physician; Ned B. Campbell,' school-teacher; a Climese cook; and M. Lestenkof, stockman. The respective assistant agents are performing their usual duties in addition to those heretofore devolving upon the lessee's agents. When it is considered also that the office force of the lessee in San Fran- cisco, with over $20,000 in salaries, has been eliminated, it will be 1014 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. seen that the island service, while highly efficient, is conducted at a minimum of expenditure. No increase in administrative force has occurred. A bookkeeper, two physicians, and two school-teachers only have been added, in addition to cooks and misceUaneous native help. TRANSFER OF LESSEE'S PROPERTY. By a letter dated May 7, 1910, from the Commissioner of Fisheries, the a^ent was directed to confer with the North American Commer- cial Co. and if possible to arrive at a fair and just valuation to be placed upon the property of that company on the Pribilof Islands, with a view to purchase by the Government. Two days after arrival at San Francisco a conference was had with the company, at which a statement of the presumed value to the Government of the company's holdings on the islands was made. After consideration of the question the company several days later agreed to transfer the Pribilof Islands plant at the valuation proposed at the previous conference. Upon arrival at the islands an inventory as of June 30 was made. Later, the transaction having received the approval of Secretary Nagel, who personally visited the islands and inspected the plant, vouchers were drawn to cover the various amounts shown on the inventory according to the basis of settlement proposed and accepted, and were transmitted to the department for settlement. A recapitulation of the inventories on the two islands, as taken on June 30, 1910, with a memorandum of the basis of settlement, follows: ST. PAUL ISLAND. Company's inventory. Merchandise So, 154. 33 Tools and implements 3, 522. 83 Drugs and instruments 816. 63 Household furniture 2,957. 22 Dispensary furniture 159. 97 Boats and bidarras 3, 835. 40 Telephone line 367. 79 School supplies 276. 29 Company buildings 25,683.45 Native dwellings 17,269. 11 Sea-lion skins 138.00 Live stock 967. 62 Salt and twine 1, 260. 02 Fo.x skins (traps, etc.) 61.88 Library '. 1 , 012. 86 Wharf ways and derrick 804. 63 Coal, 66 tons 1,339 pounds, at $20 1,331.97 Total 65, 620. 00 Settlement price. San Francisco invoice cost $5, 154. 33 50 per cent of inventory 1, 761. 41 Inventory cost 816. 63 25 per cent deducted from inventory 2, 217. 92 Do 119.98 Launch $2, 000 Boat 400 Do 275 3 bidarras, at $175 each 525 3,200.00 Lump sum 90. 00 Do 257.00 50 per cent of inventory 12, 841. 72 Do 8, 634. 55 Inventory cost 138. 00 Do 967. 62 Do 1 , 260. 02 Do 61-88 Lump sum 200. 00 50 per cent of inventory 402. 31 Same, at $17 1, 132. 17 Total 39, 255. 54 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 1015 ST. GEORGE ISLAND. Company's inventory. Settlement price. Merchandise $6, 352. 03 ; ! San Francisco invoice cost $6, 352. 00 Coal, 38 tons, at $20 760.00 I Same, at 817 646.00 Dispensary 718. 97 [ | 50 per cent of inventory 359. 48 Live-stoclc account 313. 72 I Inventory cost ; 313. 72 Groceries, company house mess 227. 73 San Francisco invoice cost 227. 73 Salt and seal twine 198.10 I San Francisco invoice cost after inspec- Oldsalt 98.87 i' tion 198.10 Sea-lion skins 85.71 Ij Do 98.87 Boats and bidarras 1,215.96 : Inventory cost 85.71 Company buildings 11,604.04 I Lumpsum 700.00 Derrick and landing (including cars and ; ■ 50 per cent 5, 802. 02 track) 1, 737. 23 House and office furniture 2, 043. 63 Librarv 670. 64 Native dwellings 6, 646. 96 Telephone 297. 25 Tools and implements 1, 164. 47 Total 34, 135. 31 Do 868. 61 25 per cent deduction 1, 632. 72 Lump sum 100. 00 50 per cent 3, 323. 48 Do 148. 62 Do 582. 23 Total 21, 339. 32 The foregoing lists represent a total valuation for both islands of ),568.17. Subsequent deductions because of errors in addition, computation, etc., reduced this amount by $26.69. A final settle- ment was made by the department for $60,541.48 and checks for that amount were transmitted to the company. With the exception of the buildings, practically everything on the inventory represents new stock, purchased by the company during its lease and not acquired from the former lessee. With regard to the buildings it may be said that, although erected by the former lessee, they have been kept from deterioration by constant repair and could not be replaced for anything approaching the price paid for them by the Government. Dn St. George the company dwellmg house and warehouses were virtually rebuilt b)^ the late lessee, when also several new native dwellings were added. Cn St. Paul constant repairs were made to all the buildmgs duiing the period of the lease, and the buildings not only are habitable but efficient. Wlien it is considered, furthermore, that only 50 percent of the inventory valua- tion was paid for these buildings, it may be seen that the price was not excessive NATIVES AFFAIRS. Upon the agents' arrival at the islands considerable anxiety was found to have existed in the minds of the natives and others as to the time of arrival of the supply ship and the arrangements which niight be made for the conduct of affairs under the changed condi- tions. Through the revenue cutters which touched at tlie islands preAdous to the arrival of the Homer information had been received of the assumption of active management by the Government, but no intimation as to what efforts were bemg put forth by the department for taking charge of the practical affairs. This anxiety had been heightened by the fact that the supply of some articles of necessity, as food on St. Paul, had been almost consumed. In fact, to provide against an imminent shortage it had become necessaiy in the early part of June to obtain by the revenue cutter Manniru/ a quantity of flour, biscuits, salt beef, and canned vegetables from Dutch Harbor. In addition to this fear of impending famine, the natives had received the impression that they would be obliged to labor for the Govern- 1016 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ment without any compensation other than clothing and food, as had been actually the case under the Russian leoime. The agents' first effort, therefore, was to allay these impressions and to establish relations of confidence with the natives, though, as a matter of fact, the arrival of a shipload of supplies and of a gunny sack containing about 150 pounds of coin had the effect automat- ically of removing the greater portion of this uncertainty. In addition, conferences were had with individual natives and with the assembled communities, in which the changes which had occurred during the past season were explained and assurance was given that the intention of the Government was to improve the present condition of the natives wherever possible rather than to make it less favorable than under the late lessee. It was necessary specifically to reassure them that cash payments for sundry labor would be continued under the new management. This has been the source of almost all the cash received by the natives, and the loss of it the occasion of their cliief anxiety. The assurance of the continuation of these payments in cash, together with the increase in the rate of payment for taking sealskins, and the material reduction in the prices at which merchandise is to be sold to the natives out of the stores on the islands, all had the effect of restoring confidence and obtaining a renewal of the natives' good will. Supplii depot. — Immediately upon the arrival of the Homer all hands not entirely occupied with sealing began taking an inventory of merchandise and other property belonging to the company, with a view to its being taken over by the Government, in accordance with instructions contained in the letter to the agent in charge dated May 7, 1910. This inventory was prepared in time to be transmitted on the return of the Homer on her first trip. After completing the inventory the merchandise which arrived on the Homer was uncrated and checked with the invoices. The price was marked on the articles at the rate fixed in the instructions of the agent, namely, a flat rate of 33J per cent advance over San Francisco wholesale prices. The prices of those articles of merchandise also which were taken over from the company were made to conform to the prices fixed for the new invoices of goods. The application of this flat rate of 33J per cent advance had the result of selhng merchandise to the natives at lower prices than ever before in the history of the islands. Because of high market prices in San Francisco at the time the spring requisition was purchased the retail price of butter was mcreased from 35 cents to 42 cents; flour remained the same, at $1.75 a quarter barrel; lard was raised . from 18 cents to 21 cents a pound; rubber boots, from $6 to $6.35 a pair; canned beef from 30 cents to 35 cents each. Some few other articles were sold at the same rate as formerly ; all other prices were reduced. A statement of some of these reduced prices follows: SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1017 Articles. Apples: Canned Evaporated Apricots, canned Arctics: Men's vv'omeD's Beans, canned Bedspreads Beef, salt Blackberries, canned Blankets Calico Candles Candy, 2 pounds Chimneys, lamp Coffee..' Collars, white Com, canned Crackers: Soda Sweet Cups and saucers set. . Dress goods Ewers and basins set. . Gingham Gloves, men's, wool Knives, pocket Jams Jelly Lining, cotton Milk, condensed Former price. $0.25 ! for . 30 .25 2.25 1.50 .20 2.25 .124 .25 7.00 .10 .02* .50 .15 .25 .25 .20 .10 .20 .20 .60 2.00 .15 .50 .40 .25 .25 .15 .25 Present price. $0.20 3 for . 25 .20 1.90 1.35 .15 1.70 .09 .20 5.50 3 for . 25 .02 ,25 15 .20 2 for . 25 .15 2 for. 3 for . 25 .15 .15 .50 1.25 2 for. 25 .25 .30 .20 .20 .12.^ .20' Articles. Needles Oil: Coal Cottonseed Onions Peaches, canned Pears, caimed Peas Potatoes Baking powder Prunes Raisins Rice ■Worcestershire sauce, Ameri- can Shoes: Babies' Do Boys' Children's Do Men's Misses' \V omen's Do Soap Socks Swiss, dotted Tea Tobacco, leaf Tomatoes, canned Trousers Former price. $0.05 .40 .35 .06i .25' .25 .20 .03* .20' .15 .15 I for . 25 .25 .75 1.25 3.00 2.50 2.00 4.00 2.50 3.00 4.50 .061 .50 .25 .50 .50 .20 5.00 Present price. 2 for $0.05 .26 .25 .05 .20 .20 .15 .02 J .15 3 for . 25 3 for . 25 3 for . 20 .15 .55 .90 2.00 1.75 1.40 3.15 1.75 2.35 2.60 .05 .45 .15 .25 .40 .15 4.00 On every weekly order issued a saving of from 75 cents to $1.50 was made by reason of these reduced prices. In addition, the price of coal was reduced from $20 a ton to S12.75 plus a small cliarge for stevedorage at either end. While no accurate computation has yet been made, it is believed that by reason of the reduced prices of com- modities sold the purchasing power of the natives will be increased by several thousands of dollars. Bank accounts. — When the Alaska Commercial Co. in 1870 began taking seals under its lease, in addition to providing comfortable dwellings for the native inhabitants, it also endeavored to encourage thrift among them by receiving deposits of mone}^ from such natives as desired to open savings accounts. On these accounts, which were subject to check at all times, the company paid interest at the rate of 4 per cent on balances found on May 3i of each year. During the period of this company's lease some natives had accumulated accounts of over $2,000 each. These accounts were taken over by the North American Commercial Co. when it succeeded to the sealing privilege in 1890. While during the 20-year lease of the latter company these funds on deposit became smaller, due to the lessened amounts earned by the natives and to distribution to nonresident heirs upon deatli of the owner of the account, there still remained a few so-called bank accounts in the hands of the North American Commercial Co. at the time of the expiration of its lease. When the contract of the North American Commercial Co. expired in 1910 these funds remained on deposit with it, and some action with reference thereto became necessary on the part of the Govern- ment, which then took over the active management of the business. In the instructions dated May 9, 1910, it was directed that if the balance on the bank account of any native was small it should be paid 1018 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, by the company directly to the native; if, however, the native desired, it should be held by the company and deposited in a safe financial institution in San Francisco by the agent in charge as attorney in fact for the benefit of the native owning the account, the interest to be collected annually and paid directly to the native. Upon arrival at the islands last spring the natives were informed of the situation and told that if they desired their money could be deposited in a bank in vSan Francisco previously selected, which would pay interest at the rate of 3^ per cent per annum. They all assented to the redepositing of their funds in the manner stated. Such small accounts as did not exceed $25 were paid to the owner in cash by the company, the accounts of larger amount than that stated were closed by the company's presenting the respective owners with drafts for the several amounts. Each native who possessed one of these drafts delivered the same to W. I. Lembkey and upon blanks previously provided signed a power of attorney to him authorizing him to deposit the drafts with a bank in San Francisco, to collect the amount of any interest due thereon, and to give receipts for the same. A list of the accounts and the persons to whom they belong follows: St. George Island: Fevronia Galanin $40. 00 Dimitri Lestenkof 137. 00 Michael Lestenkof 240. 00 Peter Prokopiof 83.55 Emanuel Zaharof 33.20 ZoyaSwetzof 123.00 Mary Galanin 245. 00 Michael Shane 63. 55 Mary Philamonof 90.05 St. Total 1,055.35 St. Paul Island: Alexander Merculief 170. 00 Nekita Hopof 50. 00 Agrafina Bogadanof 161. 10 Marina Stepetin 40. 00 Apollon Bourdukofsky 203. 30 Parascovia Kozlof 150. 00 Paul Island — Continued. Peter Bourdukofsky Elizabeth Rookavishnikof . Agrifina Fratis Agrifina S. Pankof Peter Oustigof Alexander Melokidof Julia B. Krukof Simeon Fratis Akalina Fratis Alexai Emanof Tekan Volkof Martha Fratis John Hansen Oulianna Fratis $130. 00 40.00 71.00 285. 00 140. 00 235. 00 170. 00 71. 00 426. 00 230. 00 966. 00 71. 00 370. 00 71. 00 Total 4,050 40 Grand total 5, 105. 75 The St. Paul drafts were deposited to the credit of W. I. Lembkey, trustee for the various natives. Separate accounts were opened with each fund and pass books provided, to be delivered to each native owning the account. In cases where the money was owned by a minor child, the account was opened in the name of its natural guardian — either one of its parents, or if an orphan, the person with whom it resides — with Agent Lembkey as trustee for the guardian. Upon taking the wSt. George drafts to the bank it was discovered that by an oversight they had not been indorsed by the persons in whose favor they were drawn. LTnfortunately, therefore, they could not be deposited. An arrangement was made with the North American Commercial Co., however, whereby the amount of these St. George drafts, $1,055.35, was deposited by the company to protect the drafts, which it will be necessary to take back to St. George Island for proper indorsement. After being so indorsed they will be paid by the bank and savings accounts opened with each of the persons named, in the same manner as the drafts from St. Paul. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1019 The interest on these accounts will be collected annuall}' and paid to the proper persons. The receipts for money so paid will be sub- mitted witli the annual report. Resources of natives. — During the summer of 1910, from taking seals and the previous winter from trappmg foxes on St. George, the natives of the islands earned the following amounts, to be applied to their support: St. George: 203 blue foxes, at $5; 9 white, at §1 $1, 024 2,834 sealskins, at $1 2, 834 St. Paul: 664 sealskins, at 75 cents 498 10,088 sealskins, at $1 10, 088 Total 14, 444 As the fox skins were delivered to the North American Commercial Co., that company paid directly to the agent on St. George for the natives the amount of $1,024, due the natives on that account. The company also paid in cash to the agent on St. Paul the $498 due the natives from the 664 sealskins which the department authorized the company to take to complete its quota of 15,000 for 1909. The amounts of $10,088 earned by the St. Paul natives and $2,834 earned by the St. George natives for taking the sealskins shipped on Govern- ment account in 1910 were credited to the natives on the island books. Payments of cash therefrom were not made except of small sums in ver}^ rare instances. Each native sealer, however, was allowed to draw supplies against this fimd at a fixed rate each week until the cost of such supplies equaled the amount of the native's credit from earnings; after this, supplies to be issued to him directly from the stores in sufficient quantity to support himself and family. The various statements of the division of natives' earnings are filed in the Bureau of Fisheries at Washington. Census of inhahitants . — On St. Paul, on June 30, 1910, there were 198 resident natives, composed of 98 males and 100 females, a net increase of 5 over the previous census. During the year 13 births, 1 arrival, and 9 deaths occurred. On St. George, at the same date in 1910, 91 natives were present, of whicli 45 were males and 46 females. Six births and 2 deaths occurred during the year, leaving a net increase of 4 in the population. Detailed censuses are filed in the Bureau of Fisheries at Washington. MANAGEMENT OF SEAL HERD, MARKING OF BACHELORS. The general instructions to the agent, dated May 9, 1910, required that not any 2-year-old bachelors but only 500 3-year-old bachelors should be marked to form the breeding reserve. This was predicated upon the assumption that the 500 3-year-olds so reserved would be over 14 per cent of the whole number of such young males in the herd. Subsequently, by a telegram from the Secretary dated June 6, which, not havmg been delivered, presumably through the fault of the telegraph company, was repeated June 10, the number of 3-year-old males to be reserved by marking was increased from 500 to 1,000. 1020 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. These were apportioned between the two islands, by assigning 800 to St. Paul and 200 to St. George, for the reason that there are in round numbers four times as many breeding seals on St. Paul as on St. George. Upon arrival at St. George Island a copy of the annual instructions was given to Assistant Agent Clark, and he was also informed that the quota of bachelors to be reserved on St. George was 200 3-year-olds. As the vessel remained at St. George onl}^ a few hours, and as numerous other matters required consideration, it was not possible to put into writing ihe various explanations of the instructions. Upon my return to St. George Island two weeks later I was informed by Agent Clark that the quota of marked bachelors had been secured. No statement of the number so marked, however, was made, and at the close of the season among the data received detailing the seasons work on St. George no mention was made of the number of bachelors branded. Upon meeting Agent Clark on the Homer after he had left St. George for San Francisco, upon specific inquiry I ascertained for the first time that the instructions were misapprehended by liim and that he had sought to brand on St. George only 100 3-year-olds, and did actually brand onh 108 of that class of 3'oung males. He had not the memoranda showing the dates on which drives were made for this purpose and the number secured from each drive. As the season then had been closed for three weeks it was useless to cause the marking of an additional number to make up the deficiency in the breeding-reserve quota for that island. On St. Paul, however, more young males were branded than the total number for both islands required by the instructions. Previous to my arrival on that island, on June 29, with the curxent instructions, Assistant Agent Judge, acting under the instructions for the previous year, had already marked 337 2 -year-olds in addition to 279 3-year- olds, 14 4-year-olds, and 5 5-year-olds. After my arrival additional 3-year-olds only were marked to complete the number of that class required for St.' Paul. A record of the bachelors marked on St. Paul, showing also dates and rookeries driven from,- follows: Record of bachelors marked on St. Paul Island for breeding purposes, season of 1910. Date. Rookery. Two years. Three years. Four years. Five years. Reef 46 82 209 77 56 146 246 191 91 27 28 14 5 July 2 4 Reef 5 Total 337 807 14 5 The total number of bachelors marked on both islands, therefore, would be as follows: 2-year-olds, 337; 3-year-olds, 915; 4-year-olds, 14; 5-year-olds, 5; total, 1,271. The report of London trade sales this year shows that 5,006 large pup and middling pup skins (which are accepted to be those of 3-year- old bachelors) appeared in the 1910 catch. Adding to these the 915 reserved 3-year-olds would make a total of 5,921 of that class which we might claim were in the herd in 1910. Of this whol# number, the number reserved (915) is over 15 per cent. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1021 Two-year-old males were not required by the current instructions to be reserved, for the reason that the number of 2-year-olds having skins of 5 pounds and under, together with those 2-year-olds which would not appear in the drives at all, of which there are always some, it was believed would be sufficient to supply the necessary number of 3-year-olds in 1911. STATISTICS OP KILLING. St. Paul. — From August 9, 1909, to June 17, 1910, 6 drives of seals on St. Paul and 2 on Sea Lion Rock were made to furnish food to the inhabitants of St. Paul. From these, 1,573 skins were obtained, including 1 from a seal found dead at Rocky Point. From July 3 to 31, 29 drives were made on St. Paul for skins, in which 8,683 skins were secured. On August 10, 1910, an additional drive was made to furnish food for the natives during the coming "stagey season," from which 496 skins were secured. From the sources enumerated a total of 10,752 skins were obtained during the season ended August 10, 1910. St. George. — On St. George during the so-called food-killing season^ from August to November, 1909, 18 seals were killed at various dates by the guard at Zapadni; 8 drives also were made, in which 482 seals were killed, filling the quota of 500 for food allowed for that island. During the season for kilhng for skms, 2,314 skms were secured in 10 drives, 16 were obtained from the seals killed at various times by watchmen for food, and 4 were left m salt from the previous season, a total of 2,334, in addition to the 500 taken during the food-killing season. SKINS SHIPPED. St. Paul. — Of the skins taken on St. Paul, 664 were delivered to the North American Commercial Co., under authority of the de- partment's letter of January 5, 1910, to complete that company's quota of 15,000 skins for 1909. The remainder, 10,088 skins, were available for shipment on Government account. While this number supposedly was shipped from St. Paul on the Homer, on August 28, word was received in October last from Assistant Agent H. D. Chi- chester, in charge on St. Paul, that after the departure of the Homer with the skins on board a bundle containing 2 sealskins was found wedged under the floor of the skin lighter or bidarra, in which crevice it had become obscured durmg the shipment of the skins. These two were placed in the salt house to apply on the shipment of the following year. The total number of skins, therefore, shipped from St. Paul in 1910 for Government account was 10,086. St. George. — On August 23, 1910, the whole number of skins taken on St. George, from the sources enumerated (2,834), were placed on board the Homer to be shipped to San Francisco for Govern- ment account. The whole number of skins from both islands, recapitulated from the data already given, is as follows: From St. Paul: By North Ameiican Commercial Co 664 By Government 10, 086 From St. George, by Government 2, 834 Total 13, 584 1022 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. RECORD OF DRIVES. On St. Paul, during the season of 1910, no record was kept of the seals dismissed from the food drive made on June 6 on Sea Lion Rock, as the configuration of the ground there is such that the seals can not be herded, but escape in every direction upon the landing of the clubbers, who kill such as they can while the seals are running off. So also no record was kept in the drive for " branding '' on June 17, from which at the same time 145 seals were killed. The record of dismissals, therefore, begins on July 3, when the drive was made at Northeast Point for "branding," at which, at the same time, the 2-year-old bachelors in the drive, not being required to be marked, were killed. In the 32 drives made on St. Paul from July 3 to August 10, a total of 12,434 seals appeared, of which 9,179, or 73 per cent, were killed and 3,255 dismissed. Those dismissed consisted of 1,581 small, 825 large, and 849 of those marked for the breeding reserve. This Idlling was 4 per cent closer than during the lessee's killing season of 1909, when 69 per cent of all seals driven were killed. Seals hilled and seals dismissed from drives on St. Paul Island, season of 1910. Rookery. Killed. Dismissed. Total driven. Per cent Small. Large. Branded. killed. July 3 437 331 166 142 77 293 437 120 198 407 5 429 131 339 487 5 548 449 346 465 18 664 336 318 12 589 575 201 155 496 32 48 48 6 2 37 21 2 10 16 67 31 31 39 9 47 28 17 18 35 10 9 8 22 29 536 410 245 215 91 462 602 144 258 473 15 474 158 462 674 6 679 551 461 616 38 911 440 431 16 744 753 283 222 1,064 81 Reef 80 5 67 6 28 3 85 116 5 32 15 66 7 84 8 63 9 Reef and Gorbatch 72 9 Tolstoi and Lukanin 83 10 76 14 Northeast Point 86 14 Polavina 33 15 Reef and Gorbatch 19 17 77 132 17 2 24 26 1 42 26 32 38 3 78 37 44 1 23 55 21 26 69 90 15 Tolstoi and Lukanin 82 16 Zapadni 73 20 Northeast Point 72 20 83 21 Reef and Gorbatch 56 53 51 48 33" 23 32 65 17 30 35 14 2 68 37 29 16 24 80 21 Tolstoi and Lukanin 81 22 Zapadni 75 25 75 25 Halfway Point 47 26 Reef and Gorbatch i39 32 55 1 64 86 29 25 475 72 26 Tolstoi and Lukanin 76 28 Zapadni 73 28 Highway Point 75 29 79 30 76 30 Tolstoi and Lukanin 72 31 Zapadni 69 Aug. 10 46 Total 9,179 1,581 825 849 12, 434 73 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA, 1023 Classification of large seals dismissed from drives on St. Paul Island, season of 1910. Date. Rookery. Four years. Five years. Six years. Seven years. Adult. July 4 5 Reef 7 12 11 1 10 8 8 8 12 2 4 4 10 19 9 6 8 2 9 9 2 5 6 3 2 2 4 5 9 11 11 6 14 2 3' 10 3' 3' 4 6 2 6 6 Tolstoi and Lukanin 3 7 Halfway Point 8 14 9 7 2 7 5 9 Reef and Gorbatch 9 Tolstoi and Lukanin 10 14 Northeast Point 14 15 Reef and Gorbatch . . . 15 Tolstoi and Lukanin 2 3 1 16 2 20 Northeast Point 20 Halfway Point 21 Reef and Gorbatch 2 4 16 24 3 10 13 8 9 9 10 21 4 5 16 2 1 9 16 16 4 1 12 4 4 18 4 12 5 3' 4 2 2 2 io 6 2 2 4 3 1 2 1 5 1 4 6' 21 Tolstoi and Lukanin 22 25 Northeast Point 25 Halfway Point 2 26 26 Tolstoi and Lukanin 28 Zapadni 2 28 Halfway Point 29 Northeast Point 17 14 7 9 12 4 30 Reef and Gorbatch 2 30 31 Zapadni 1 Aug. 10 Reef and Gorbatch 3 Total 255 195 148 111 19 On St. George the record of seals driven and dismissed covers the period from June 13 to July 31. In this time 3,065 seals were driven and 2,295 killed, while 240 small, 343 large, and 187 marked seals were released. The number killed represents 74 per cent of the whole number driven, an increase of 11 per cent over the killings of 1909, M^hen 63 per cent of those driven were killed. Seals hilled and seals dismissed from drives on St. George Island, season of 1910. Date. Rookery. Killed. Dismissed. Total driven. Per cent Small. Large. Branded. killed. June 13 East 31 138 162 171 313 258 376 405 441 4 11 16 55 26 18 48 42 20 38 93 79 30 14 5 15 35 36 73 242 255 314 374 286 466 519 536 42 23 67 30 do 63 July o 12 East, North, and Staraya Artel. do 58 21 5 27 37 39 54 83 16 North 90 21 80 26 31 East, North, and Staraya Artel. . . . ■ do 77 82 Total 2,295 240 343 187 3,065 74 1024 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, Classification of large seals dismissed from drives on St. George Island, season of 1910. Date. June 13 23 30 July 5 12 16 21 26 31 Rookery. East East and North do East, North, and Staraya Artel. do North North and East East, North, and Staraya Artel. do Total. Four Five Six years. years. years. 17 9 9 25 43 18 39 ■ 7 21 8 13 6 4 4 6 4 1 8 5 13 6 11 13 11 6 131 98 78 Seven years. 36 It will doubtless be remarked that the percentage of seals killed in 1910 was greater than in the preceding year. The seals killed in 1910 were,, however, neither larger nor smaller than those taken in 1909, but conformed at least as closely to the prescribed ages and weights as they did in 1909, the last year of the leasing system. Indeed, when doubt arose, as often it does arise, whether a seal was of the 3-year-old (or killable) age or whether it was of the 4-year-old (or prohibited) age, in 1910 the animal was allowed to escape, whereas in 1909 it would have been killed. In tliis respect it may be- said that the killing in 1910 conformed even more closely to regulations than that of 1909. Since the animals killed in 1910 were of the same class as those of the preceding year, and since the rejections from the drives were fewer in proportion to those killed, it must be concluded that this condition is due not to closer killing, but to the absence, for some reason, of those animals which are not killable and which when they appear in drives make up the number of "rejected" seals. In other words, the bachelors driven were not culled more closely for killables, but fewer rejectable seals appeared in the drives, thereby making the rejection percentages smaller. One certain reason for this increased percentage of killed in 1910 is to be found in the lessened number of "branded "or marked bach- elors with which to deal during the killing. In previous years 2,000 of these marked bachelors were present during the killing season, while in 1910 only 1.000 of them were marked. Furthermore, this missing thousand would have been composed of 2-year-olds which haul up on the bachelor's hauling grounds much more frequently than do the 3-year-olds. With 1.000 2-year-olds marked for exemp- tion from killing, it would have been certain that from 1,200 to 1.500 more rejections would have occurred during the season, the number of rejections of tliis class varying somewhat from year to year. On the other hand, rarely does the number of subsequent rejections of the 3-year-olds equal the number of that class actually marked. Had 1 ,200 been added to the number of rejections obtained in 1910, the percentage of killed would have been 69, ver}^ nearly what it was in the year preceding. Another presumed cause of the lack of small rejections last year is the probable fact that the smaller seals, i. e., those that had skins under 5 pounds in weight, failed to haul up on land proportionately in the same numbers as hitherto; that is to say, these small seals remained for longer periods in the water than usual. In respect to SEAL ISLANDS OF AL.\SKA. 1025 this matter we are met with the fact that we are wholly unable to state anything definite concerning the hauhng habits of young bachelors. Some are always in the water and on inaccessible hauling grounds, for which reasons no definite idea of the whole number in existence can be obtained. Nevertheless, it is known that the haul- ing habits of seals var}^ from year to year; that these habits are altered by circumstances not incident to their natural environment, such as the action and movement of the pelagic fleet; that these bachelors haul in one year in greater numbers proportionately on one island than the other, or on one rookery than on other rookeries; that they return to their normal habits with the disappearance of the cause wliich forced them to abandon those habits temporarily. It can be shown that these small seals of 1910, wliich were yearlings the preceding year, were not killed, either as pups or yearlings. Year- lings are never killed on land except through unavoidable accident, and an analysis of London sales of skins shows that yearlings form but a small fraction of 1 per cent of the pelagic catch. Unless they died from natural causes, of which there is no evidence, they must be in existence somewhere as 2-year-olds. Not having appeared on land during the summer, the natural inference must be that they were in the water and did not haul on land. That there were in existence small seals wliich did not haul during the summer might be indicated by the fact that in the killing on August 10 the number of small seals turned away was entirely out of proportion to the usual number occurring in drives during the season. The absence of these small seals during the summer was a matter of remark, and their reappearance at the last drive of the season also was noted with interest. In treating of this matter it is desired to show that notwithstanding the fact that of seals driven a greater percentage killed appears on the record for this year as compared with last, no smaller seals than usual were killed and not as large seals were taken as previously. The increased percentage is the result, first, of the absence of 2-year- old marked bachelors present in former years, and secondly, to a failure of young nonkillable seals to haul on land in their usual num- bers during the summer. WEIGHTS OF SKINS TAKEN. Of the 10,752 skins taken on St. Paul, 10,749 were weighed. Of these 70 were under 5 pounds and 48 over 8^ pounds. On St. George^ 2,834 skins were weighed, of which 20 were under 5 pounds and 11 over 84. Of the overweight skins on St. Paul, nearly all were taken in a food killing on wSea Lion Rock, and before weighing were immersed in sea v/ater until they were saturated. In this condition each carried several pounds of water, increasing their weight correspond- ingly. Had they been weighed diy, or even with the usual quantity of moisture, few of them would have been above the prescribed limit. It is not possible to avoid wetting the seals taken on Sea Lion Rock^ neither is it permissible to salt the skins without weighing. It is wholly undesirable also to alter the statistics of weights in such man- ner as to attempt to compensate for excess due to the presence of water or other foreign substances in the fur. The weights therefore 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 65 1026 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. have been recorded as taken, but due allowance must be made for conditions which change the weights and which have no relation to the size of the skins. The skins that were underweight were likewise taken mainly in food drives, at a time when the natives were eager for fresh meat and when they were restricted to killing seals having skins under 7 pounds. With the necessity of rejecting all the females and all the larger males from the food drives, it can readily be appreciated that the tendency of the natives is to let few of the small males escape, even if the skins weigh a few ounces less than 5 pounds. On the whole it can be seen that only a few skins of the whole catch were outside the weights prescribed and that these were taken unavoidably. Weights of sealskins taken on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska, during the year ended August, 10, 1910. Weight. Pounds 4 a 4i 4f 5 5i 5i 5f 6 6i 6i 6f 7 7i 7i 7J 8 8i 8i 8f 9 9i 9i 9| lOi lOJ ii: Hi.: 12 Total.... St. Paul Island. 1 6 4 20. 40 670 710 014 .277 980 113 176 993 752 553 552 327 203 172 139 7 17 4 7 4 1 2 1 4 1 10,749 Weight. Pounds 4 ^ 4| 5 5i 5i 5J 6 6i 6i 63 7 7i 7i 7J 8 8i 8i 9 9i 9i lOi lOJ Total.... St. George Island.2 1 5 14 125 82 406 202 628 106 524 114 321 43 168 21 54 4 5 6 1 2 1 1 2,834 . 1 Neirly all the o/ersijes^.cias listed from St. Paullsland were taken in a food killing from Sea Lion Rock, 01 w'ai3h i3C\3ioi the 5kin3 when weighed carried from 1 to 3 pounds of water each. Had they been dry whan W8iT;hel, very fe.v or noae would have exceeded the prescribed weights. The major portion of skins ui lar wei ;ht were ta'^en in fool drives for the natives, when large seals were released, and, consequently, the STiiUer sails were killed closely. * Of tie s'lins froTi St. Ge3r;e over or under the limit of weight only 3 were taken during the sealing ssison oroper. Four we-e taken by the company last year, and withheld from the quota- the others were taken during food killiajs, when the natives were particularly eager for fresh meat. Following is a statement furnished by Messrs. C. M. Lampson & Co., of the sizes of the sealskins consigned to them by the United States Government for auction in London. This statement shows the classi- fication of the 12,920 skins as weighed and assorted upon their receipt by the firm. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1027 Assortment of Alaska salted fur-seal skins for account of United States Government, Department of Commerce and Labor. [London, 19th November, 1910, 64 Queen Street, E. C. Subject to recount.] Lbs. Ozs. 78 smalls 7 15 713 large pups 7 2 3, 032 middling pups 6 7 4, 899 small pups 5 12 1, 266 ex. small pups 5 5 11 ex. ex. small pups 4 10 33 smalls, low 7 11 135 large pups, low 6 9 498 middling pups, low 6 1 501 small pups, low 5 9 88 ex. small pups, low 5 10 smalls, cut 7 2 71 large pups, cut 6 13 238 middling pups, cut 6 2 421 small pups, cut 5 6 81 ex. small pups, cut 4 15 6 smalls, rubbed 7 55 large pups, rubbed 6 14 195 middling pups, rubbed 6 6 290 small pups, rubbed 5 11 75 ex. small pups, rubbed 5 3 36 faulty. 12, 732 5 smalls. 21 large pups. 48 middling pups. 94 small pups. 18 ex. small pups. 2 faulty. 188 12, 922 1 I This number recorded as shipped, but two skins afterwards found wedged under seat of boat used for lightering skins to steamer Homer. 1028 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ENUMERATION OF BREEDING HERD. COUNTS OF HAREMS. The usual counting of harems and idle bulls at the height of the season of 1910 disclosed the following: Count of harems and idle bulls on St. Paul Island, 1910. Date. Rookery. Harems. IdlebuUs. Quitters. Water buUs. July 12 12 Lagoon 9 29 77 7 54 53 9 41 11 2 110 50 20 12 251 206 118 3 7 Tolstoi Cliffs 1 1 3 4 4 1 6 12 Tolstoi 5 12 Zapadnl Reef 12 Little Zapadni 10 7 2 5 1 4 13 Kitovi 4 13 Amphitheater 13 Lukanin 5 13 Ardiguen 13 Gorbatch Cliffs 2 15 2 5 7 17 4 9 1^15 Gorbatch 12 5 5 2 30 28 22 13-15 Polavina 10 13-15 Polavina Cliffs 13-15 Little Polavina 14 10 15 Reef 13 10 Zapadni 4 Total 1,059 144 81 65 The number of harems on Sea Lion Rock, w^hich could not be visited at this season, is placed at 61, the number found last year. Count of harems and idle bulls on St. George Island, 1910. Date. Rookery. Harems. IdlebuUs. Hauling- ground bulls. Quitters. July 14 Little East 4 22 37 103 48 47 East Reef 6 114 21 17 19 East Cliffs North 10 21 16 Staraya Artel Zapadni 1 Total 261 77 47 1 1 Includes hauling-ground bulls. A summary of the number of bulls on both islands, with a com- parison of the number found in 1909, follows: Summary of bulls on St. Paul and St. George Islands, 1910. Harems. IdlebuUs. Quitters. Hauling- ground bulls. Water bulls. St. Paul 1,059 261 161 144 77 81 1 55 St. George 47 Sea Lion Rock Total, 1910 1,381 1,399 221 172 82 139 47 98 55 Total, 1909 13 1 Estimated. I SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 1029 Compared with 1909 the number of harems on both ishmds has decreased 18, or 1.1 per cent, an inappreciable decrease when con- trasted with that which has occurred annually for years. This decrease in harems can not be laid to a scarcity of bulls, as can easily be proved, but to a lack of enough cows to provide other bulls witn harems. On the other hand, the number of idle bulls — that is to say, those mature adult males stationed on rookeries waiting for cows — has been increased from 172 to 221 or a gain of 29 per cent. This is the result of the savings of young males by marking and of further restrictions upon killing, CDmmenced in 1904. The number of 7-year-old males or "quitters," so termed because of their tendency while idle to desert their stations when approached by man, has decreased from 139 to 82; the number of water bulls has increased from 13 to 55, and of the hauling-ground bulls there has been a decrease from 98 to 47. As these latter classes are more or less unstable, and as some of each class could have been in the water at the time these counts were made, it is not desirable to ascribe specific reasons for the fluctuations m them. The fact is demon- strated, however, that young bulls are present in fair numbers. The further fact that 13 per cent of the stationed bulls, excluding quitters, are idle, mdicates conclusively that the herd of breeding bulls is properly safeguarded from too close killing by existing regulations. COUNTS OF PUPS. Because of the presence of Japanese schooners in numbers close to the islands, counts of pups on St. Paul Island were limited to Kitovi rooker}", including Ampliitheater. On St. George Island, for the same reason, pups were not counted except on Little East rookery, which now embraces only a few seals. The St. Paul counts foUow: Counts of pups on St. Paul Island, 1910. Kitovi Amphitheater... Total, 1910 Total, 1909 Live pups. Dead pups. 1,717 187 1,904 1,915 Total pups. Harems. ltS« 1,774 192 1,966 1,979 53 33.4 21.3 31.6 34.1 From the comparison which the foregoing data afford, it would appear that the breeding cows on the rookery have not decreased but have remained virtually stationary as regards numbers during this period. The harems thereon, however, are more numerous, thus giving fewer cows to each bidl, or, technically speaking, lowering the average harem on tliis space from 34.1 in 1909 to 31.6 in 1910. On St. George the count of pups on Little East, which, as stated, was the only count of pups made on that island, disclosed 75 pups in 4 harems, or an average of 18.7 cows per harem. The great decrease in this rookery (Little East) may be appreciated when it is noted that in 1897 the seal census made by the Jordan Commission gave to tliis rookerv 46 harems and 1,190 cows. The number found there in 1910 1030 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. represents a diminution in 13 years on tliis small rookery alone of 42 harems and 1,115 cows. NUMBER OP BREEDING COWS. As it is liighly impracticable to comit the pups on all the rookeries, it has been customary to arrive at the whole number of breeding cows by estimation based upon an actual count of the whole number of harems on the islands and the average number of cows found to be in each of the harems of one rookery, which is accepted as typical of aU. As the number of harems on all islands has been ascertained to be 1,375, and the average harem, as demonstrated by the count of Kitovi, to be 31.6, the whole number of breeding cows in 1910 would be 43,450. As 45,760 of such cows were shown by this method to be present in 1909, the decrease between the years, 2,315, represents a loss of 5 per cent. This for all practical purposes is a fairly accurate measure of the number of breeding cows, which constitute the most important factor in the herd. While merely an estimate, the number is close enough to actual conditions to be approximately correct. A loss of only 5 per cent in the breeding cows from the pelagic sealing which has been practiced with such assiduity during 1910 would seem too small. However, the statistics of the seal herd for the last few years demonstrate that the rate of decrease during this period has not been large, and it is not out of the way to believe that it was small in 1910. CENSUS OF ENTIRE SEAL HERD, Beyond the breeding cows and pups, estimates of which contain much of accuracy, an estimate of the whole herd is very difficult to make, and is unsatisfactory in that it treats of elements which are not susceptible of ascertainment and must be approximated. There are also very few means of testing its accuracy at this or a future time. The methods used are, however, the best that can be devised and tend in the direction of accuracy rather than the opposite. ESTIMATE OP HALF BULLS. The record of rejections of seals from drives during the summer season of 1910 shows that 1,168 young males too large to be killed were released from the killing fields. It has been established that not by any means all of this class of animals haul in places where they can be enumerated and that the number of those actually turned away should be doubled at least to arrive at the actual number in existence. By doubling the number found, 1,168, we would have 2,336 half bulls, from wmch we may look for recruits to the breeding bulls. ESTIMATE OF 2- YEAR-OLDS. In 1908 it was computed that 53,884 pups were bom. Being equally divided as to sex, one-half, or 26,942, were males and an equal number females. In 1909, if we allovv the diminution of 50 per cent for mortality_ at sea, which has been taken heretofore to occur among the pups during SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1031 their first migration, one-half of these would return in 1909 as yearlings. There should have been then in 1909 by this method of computation 13,471 yearling males and an equal number of females. These, with a loss of something like 10 per cent, would return in 1910 as 2-year- olds to the number of approximately 12,124 of each sex. We should have in 1910, therefore, by this computation, over 12,000 virgin or 2-year-old cows and an equal number of males. From the latter, however, at least 7,500 were killed during the last summer, leaving approximately 4,500 2-year-old males in existence at the close of the season. The above computation would indicate that 12,124 2-year-old cows and 4,500 2-year-old males w^ere present at the end of the killing season of 1910. NUMBER OF YEARLINGS. In 1909 it was estimated that 45,764 pups were born, half of which were males and half females. By applying a 50 per cent death rate during their initial migration we should, have in 1910 11,441 yearling males and the same number of yearling females. NUMBER OF 3-YEAR-OLDS. Nine hundred and fifteen 3-year-olds were marked during the sum- mer and released as breeders. An uncertain number in addition was not driven at all and still survive. It would be a moderate allowance to estimate the number of 3-year-olds remaining in the herd at 1,200. SUMMARY OF SEAL LIFE IN 1910. From the foregomg computations an approximate census of seal life present on the islands at the close of the sealing season of 1910 would be as follows: Bulls, active with harems 1, 381 Bidls, idle, and quitters 303 Half bulls 2, 336 3-year-old bachelors 1, 200 2-year-old bachelors 4, 500 Yearling bachelors 11, 441 Male pups 21, 725 Breeding cows 43, 450 2-y ear-old (virgin) cows 12, 124 Yearling females 11, 441 Female pups 21, 725 Total 131, 626 The foregoing "census," if we except the bulls with harems, and those idle, is nothing more than an estimate based upon such enumera- tions as could be made that were of value in determining the number of seals. While it shows over 2,000 seals less than a similar computa- tion in 1909, it nevertheless exhibits apparent increases in certain classes of seals over the preceding census spoken of. For example, the 2-year-old bachelors estimated to be present in 1910 exceed in numbers by over 2,000 those stated to be in existence at the close of the season of 1909. The 2-year-old cows estimated in 1910 are 2,000 more than were assigned for the previous year. 1032 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. This is the result solely of the method of estimation, adopted alike for both years. Both are based upon the number of cows born two jrears previously. In 1907, 50,825 pups were estimated to have been born, and 10,165 of these were computed to have survived as 2-year- olds in 1909. On the ether hand, m 1908 the same method of esti- mation would indicate that 53,884 pups were born in that y;ear — 3,000 more than in 1907 — and that of these the number surviving as 2-year-olds in 1910 was 12,124. It is believed that it is not the intention of anyone to claim that an increase in seal life has occurred at any tinie within the past few years in the face of the large catches of seals in the water, consisting mainly of breeding females. It is believed, on the other hand, that a marked decrease has occurred, a belief justified when the contracted space occupied by the breeding seals is viewed. But the measure of this decrease is ascertainable solely by estimation, the same methods being used from year to year. When using only a few seals in estab- lishing a basis for computing the whole number, it is not difficult to realize that a few chance harems more or less on the space counted would have the effect of greatly increasing or decreasing the whole number computed to be in the herd. It would be easv to revise these calculations by adding to or subtracting from the estimated number to make it conform with one's idea of what number should or not be found. But the idea one may have might be more incorrect than the result of the computation. So that in a revision it would not be possible to determine whether in increasing or decreasing the result one was moving in the direction of accuracy or away from it. It is much better to announce the number eacli year as it may appear from calculations made similarly, and to explain any apparent incon- gruity by the statement that the whole is an estimate and nothing else. The result of the killing of 1910 has demonstrated that the number of 2-year-old bachelors, estimated as remaining in the herd at the close of the season of 1909, was entirely too small. In the census of 1909 only 2,165 2-3^ear-old bachelors were allowed. These of course would be S-year-olds in 1910. As a matter of fact, the skins of 1910 when classified in London showed that perhaps 5,000 of the catch were 3-year-olds. In view of this fact it is beheved that, in estimating the number of these, as well as other immature seals, a smaller death rate should be allowed than hitherto. PUP-RAiaiNG EXPERIMENTS. In accordance with the bureau's instructions, attempts were made on both St. Paul and St. George Islands to feed starving pups and save their lives. On St. Paul Island the efforts were unsuccessful, but the St. George experiments yielded most interesting results. ST. PAUL EXPERIMENTS. Perhaps a dozen or more starving pups were gathered off the various rookeries and brought to the village. An inclosure was at the end of the village pond and the pups were placed in tliis. A bottle with an ordinary rubber nipple was used in a first attempt to induce the little animals to nurse. This method failing, however, milk was poured down the pups' throats from the bottle. But this, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1033 besides bein^ difficult and tedious, was uncertain and wasteful, as most of the milk was ejected by the pups before being swallowed. To feed a dozen or more pups mth a bottle, moreover, occupied the services of half a dozen men for nearly half a day. Afterwards a tube attached to a funnel was passed into the stomach of each pup and the feeding- was accomplished by this means. Owing to lack of proper material the inclosure in which the pups were placed could not be made tight enough to retain them. Some of the pups escaped to the sea; the others died. Feedmg with solid food was not attempted. Upon the departure of the Bear on her last trip from the islands 10 healthy pups upon which no feeding experiments had been attempted were taken from St. Paul rookeries and placed aboard that vessel to be shipped to Seattle for the use of the bureau. All of these arrived safely, ha\ang been schooled on the voj^age to eat solid food. ST. GEORGE EXPERIMENTS. Fifteen starving pups were gathered on St. George Island at various times and different methods were tried to save their lives. These starvlings readily ate all the small live fish that could be obtained and such other larger fish as the weather would permit the natives to capture offshore. In addition the pups ate salted salmon after it had been freshened in water. Had enough live or fresh dead fish been obtainable it is believed that at least some of the pups that were fed artificially could have been saved. On September 10, 1910, four starving pups were secured and their frenums cut. All were fed by injections of milk into the stomach. One died that night from congestion of the lungs, probabl}^ because of the introduction into the pulmonarj^ tract of milk while feeding. Upon autopsy of tliis animal a piece of coal as large as a walnut was found lodged in the pylorus. Two of the others escaped the first night. A corral, having a tank 4 feet by 8 feet and 1 foot deep, was then built and two more pups in addition to the one now remaining were placed in it on September 15. Into tliis tank filled with water were placed a number of small fish caught among the rocks (prol^ably Neoliparis). The pups ate all of these at once and some sculpin cut into small pieces. After this several attempts were made to provide sufficient fresh fish to feed the pups, but owing to rough weather only several days' supply could be obtained. AJfter this salt salmon freshened in water was offered to the pups and eaten. When this latter was finally refused milk and mutton broth were fed to sickly pups. All but one of these pups, 15 in all, died on the islands, and that one, after being placed aboard the Bear, died before reaching Seattle. These experiments are of value, however, as demonstrating that by September 15 these pups have advanced to such a stage that they can eat and digest solid food, even though they continue to nurse during October and November. At that age they readily eat live fish and even pieces of dead fish. The results also show, how- ever, that on the seal islands these experiments can not be carried on with hope of success because fresh fish can not be obtained with regularity in sufficient quantity. Had these pups been taken to 1034 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Unalaska, where small fish can be readily obtained, it is believed that much better results would have followed. Of the 14 that died on St. George Island, the autopsies in two cases disclosed occlusion of the pylorus by stones taken through the mouth. The death of at least one of the pups was due to this condition. PELAGIC SEALING. During the season of 1910, 25 Japanese sealing schooners were boarded by revenue-cutter vessels on patrol in Bering Sea. Of these, 2 were seized by the cutters, 1 for a violation of the alien fishing laws and another for a violation of the customs law (sec. 2773, Rev. Stat.). As a rule pelagic sealing vessels kept outside the 3-mile limit, and, so far as known, none of the men composing the crews landed upon the islands for the purpose of killing seals. Eleven Japanese in 3 small boats landed on St. Paul Island on July 30 and 31. It was stated by them that they had been lost from their schooners and came to the islands as a place of refuge. They were quartered on the islands until August 8, when they were placed aboard the Manning and taken to Unalaska, with 4 native witnesses, charged with having landed upon the islands without permission, in violation of the act of April 21, 1910. Upon trial before the United States commissioner at Unalaska they were found guilty and each sentenced to a week's imprison- ment. After serving this sentence they were placed aboard a Japa- nese sealing schooner, with their boats, guns, and other property, and sent home. Unofficial reports indicate that 5 Canadian sealing vessels took seals last year in Bering Sea. Their catch from both the Pribilof and Asiatic herds aggregated 3,775 skins. The total pelagic catch from the Pribilof herd, as shown by London trade sales, was in the neighborhood of 15,000 skins. WRECK OF REVENUE-CUTTER PERRY, On the early morning of July 26, 1910, the revenue cutter Perry went ashore on Rocky Point Reef, St. Paul Island, in a thick fog. Shortl}^ afterwards, by the action of the swell, her bottom was punc- tured on the rocks upon which she lay, and all efforts to get her oJEf were futile. Such movable property (guns, stores, boats, etc.) as could be readily transported was brought ashore and stored in an empty warehouse at Rocky Point. The entire crew was quartered at the village for several days and was made as comfortable as circum- stances permitted. The teams and native men on the islands were used for several days in rendering assistance. Later the Perry's men and stores were taken aboard the other cutters in the fleet and the wreck stripped and abandoned. On August 19 the hull was broken up by a strong southerly gale and scarcely anything was left to mark where she grounded. FOXES. The history of foxing on the Pribilof Islands is interesting. What number of fox skins were taken off these islands by the Russians will never be known. Petroff (1883) states that 34,767 were taken from SEAIi ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1035 1842 to 1860, inclusive. From that date to 1867 the fox skins taken from the islands are not segregated from the returns of those taken from general Alaskan sources, which are given by Petrof as 27,731. From 1870 to 1890 fox skins to the nuinber of 4,380 on St. Paul and 20,412 on St. George were taken and shipped by the Alaska Commercial Co. From 1890 to 1910, 2,963 fox skins were taken on St. Paul and 13,641 on St. George. During the lease of the Alaska Commercial Co. (1870-1889) there existed no contract with the Government for the right to pur- chase these skins, and the only expenditure by the company for the more than 24,000 skins it received was the 50 cents it paid the natives for each skin. The North American Commercial Co. during the greater portion of its 20-year lease paid to the natives $5 for each blue and $1 for each white fox skin. Foxes are trapped annually on St. George Island in house traps which do not injure the animal. The catch last year there was 227. On St. Paul Island, where these animals never have been as plentiful as they were on the other island, no trapping has been done since 1903 until last winter (1909-10), when 185 were secured. These were killed in steel traps. For the blues the natives received $5 apiece; for the whites, $1. This money was applied to the natives' support. CONDITIONS AND TRAPPINGS ON ST. GEORGE ISLAND. On St. George Island, during the winter of 1909-10, the feeding of foxes in the herd during the period from October 20 to June 1 was continued as in former years. Seal carcasses preserved from killings during the summer formed the greater portion of the material fed, together with about 3,000 pounds of salted codfish freshened in sea water. For some reason, not ascertained exactly, a smaller number of foxes passed through the house and box traps during the winter in question than ever before since feeding the foxes and selective trap- ping began. Whether this is the result of an actual diminution m the herd, or whether other conditions, such as an abundance of food outside the traps or an instinctive fear of entering the traps, were the cause, can not be stated definitely. During the winter of 1909-10 only 335 foxes passed through the traps on St. George Islpaid. To show the smallness of tliis number as compared with former years, a table with the total number of foxes handled in the various years during which selective trapping has been followed is given below : 1S9S-99 842 1899-1900 973 1900-1901 1,335 1901-2 1,104 1902-3 1,011 1 903-4 1. 061 1904- 766 1905-6 1, 061 1906- 882 1907-8 1, 006 1908-9. 1909-10. 798 33.5 In trapping the practice is to catch all animals alive, to release as breeders a certain number of pairs of the most vigorous, and to kill those that are not considered the best examples of the species. Those released are marked, so as to be thereafter recognizable, by clipping a ring out of the hair on the tail of the animal, the marks differing for the sexes. Such foxes as escape being trapped, not being marked of course, can be distinguished at sight. 1036 SEAX, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. No such number of foxes not marked was seen in the winter men- tioned as to lead unquestionably to the conclusion that the herd has not diminished. There are, on the other hand, good grounds for beUeving that it has diminished. The causes of this probable fact, however, are obscure and conjectural. The very few found dead did not justify the belief that any epidemic had occurred. A summary of the statistics of trapping on St. George Island dur- ing the winter of 1909-10 is appended: Marked and released: Blue males 51 Blue females 57 Killed for pelts: Blue males 126 Blue females 86 "\^1iit.e males 5 White females 4 Skins from animals found dead, etc 6 Skins accepted by lessee, blue 203 Skins rejected by lessee, blue 6 Skins mangey, etc . , thrown away 9 White fox skins accepted by lessee 9 Total number of animals handled 335 These pelts, having been taken during the period covered by the contract of the North American Commercial Co., were delivered to it upon payment at the stipulated rate of $5 for each blue skin and $1 for each white skin. The money thus derived was used exclusively for the support of natives. TRAPPING ON ST. PAUL ISLAND. During the winter of 1909-10, for the first time since 1904, there were considered to be foxes enough on St. Paul to justify trapping, which accordingly was carried on during a period of six days. On this island, unlike St. George, notwithstanding repeated efforts to secure it, the foxes do not congregate in large' groups, permitting systematic feeding and selective trapping. Any trapping therefore on St. Paul must be done with the spring steel trap, in the use of which the native trappers must scatter over the entire island. In the six days of trapping mentioned, the St. Paul natives secured on that island 130 blue and 35 white foxes. In addition, a boat load of native men went over to Otter Island, and there secured 19 blues and 1 white. Observations made during the past summer indicate that the fox herd on St. Paul Island has not dmiinished appreciably as the result of this trapping bi the previous winter. The skins taken on St. Paul and Otter Islands were delivered to the North American Commercial Co. and payment made at the same rate as on St. George. This difference between the management of the two islands exists, however, that whereas the earnings on St. George from fox skins are formed into a community fund, on St. Paul each individual trapper is given the use of the money from such fox skins as he has been able to secure. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1037 RECOMMENDATIONS. KILLING OP BACHELOR SEALS. The methods used in taking seals during the past season of 1910 were the same as those used by the two lessees m the preceding 40 years' tenure of the seahng right, and the same, in fact, in all funda- mental respects as those pursued b}^ the Russians since 1840. They are the result of years of experience and are the best that .can be devised to meet the conditions. No change in them should be made. The practice of killing bachelor seals for sldns as well as for natives' food should not be abandoned unless a cogent reason presents itself. No harm to the seal herd can result from the killing of surplus males. No benefit to the herd covdd accrue from the maturing of males unnecessary for purposes of reproduction, wliich, when of adult age, would have no female consorts, but which, by incessant and furious fighting, would destroy or cripple the breeding bulls and themselves as well. It is true that a test to insure the survival of the fittest should be appUed to the male fur seal, as in fact it should to all breeders. It is not true, however, that tliis test can only be made through trial of combat. With respect to some groups of animals, such as the Pinnipedia, conditions of their natural environment may be so severe as to eliminate weaklings as eifectually or even more so than would fighting among themselves, and nature provides an ehminative process in the case of the fur seal entirely apart from the struggHng of bulls with each other for supremacy on land. This test begins almost with a seal's birth. When the baby seal has scarcely learned to swim bej'^ond the borders of the rookerv' on which it is born, wliile it is still a suckling and knows not how to seek other food, it is separated from its mother and driven off the land by the rigor of the climate. W^eak and unskillful swimmer as the pup is, not only must it %vithstand the severe winter storms in the northern ocean but in the same unfa- vorable element pursue and capture its food and elude its natural enemies of the sea. As the result of this struggle with the natural conditions in wliich it is placed it is estimated that one-half of the pups die during the initial migration. Only the strongest and most wary can survive tliis trial. Tliis struggle for existence continues incessantly during the ani- mal's life. From each migration it sends back to the breeding grounds only those animals hardy enough to withstand its severity. That animal leaving the rookeries with any physical imperfection does not return. It dies at sea. Those that do return -are the most perfect examples of their class. With this severe eliminative tpst occurring as the result of natural environment, to superimpose a violent struggle with his own kind after the animal has reached the breeding ground would be to sub- ject him to further stress entirely unnecessary to prove his ability as a breeder. Having passed successfully through the winter's migra- tion, the animal returns to the rookeries a perfect specimen of its kind. A severe trial by combat could not have the effect of increasing its breeding efficiency, but, on the other hand, could only seriously impair if not wholly destroy it. It would be the same if two valuable 1038 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. stallions, each physically perfect, and matched in strength and courage, were allowed to fight with each other until one were killed. The survivor, if one did survive, would be so seriously injured by its opponent as to be rendered incapable of service for the time being, if not permanently. To breed a large number of surplus male seals merely that they may fight among themselves and determine the strongest in combat is useless. By the time the strongest individuals have proved their superibrity they have expended so much of their energy in fighting that physically weaker but fresh animals ma}^ overpower them and take their cows. Such is the history of the Pribilof rookeries during the time when thousands of idle bulls were present. Instances to substantiate this conclusion were witnessed many times. Since physical combat is not required to test the ability of a male fur seal, no reason is known for providing a number of males beyond that necessary to fertilize the females in the herd. Therefore the practice of killing surplus males at the time when their pelts have a considerable commercial value should be continued. Surely no purely sentimental reason should prevail over those of practical weight. SUPPORT OF NATIVES. The present system of supportmg the natives on the Pribilof Islands should be changed. Under it the native receives enough food, fuel, and clothing to sustain life, but only a portion of the sum necessary for his maintenance comes to him as compensation for labor performed, the remainder being donated as a gratuity through an appropriation of Congress. This latter feature is the most objec- tionable of all and the one which it is sought to eliminate. Better to explain the situation, thefollowmg brief summary is given of the man- ner in which the natives have been supported since they were first transported to these islands. In 1787, the year following the discovery of St. George Island, the discoverer, Pribilof, brought to the islands a number of native fami- lies, principally from Unalaska, and landed them there to serve as laborers in taking skins from the animals with which the islands abounded. Several other adventurers also brought natives to these islands and founded small villages at several points thereon. In 1799, upon the taking over by the Russian-American Co. of the administration of the whole of Alaska, the competing traders were sent away from the Pribilofs and the islands passed under the auto- cratic control of Baranof. A cessation of killing was ordered, and in 1806-7 nearly all the natives were removed to Unalaska. In 1808 seal killing began again, with accessions of laborers mainly from Unalaska and adjacent villages. On St. Paul Island the natives were drawn together and huddled into one settlement at Halfway Point. About 1825, for convenience in handling cargo, the village was again changed to its present site. On St. George Island several settlements existed originally, but were consoHdated at the present site about 1830-1835. Under the Russian regime, especially under the management of the Russian American Co., which provided the machinery of govern- ment for the territory during the tenure of its privilege, the natives were mere slaves. They had no redress for any injury or insolence SEAJj ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1039 which theh^ masters might see fit to inflict upon them. Their habita- tions were large communal dwelHngs of earth, half underground, cold, and filthy. Here they Hved and died unnoticed and uncared for. They subsisted on fish and the flesh of seals, with the addition of roots and a very httle flour. In 1835, Veniaminof states, the natives worked at whatever was found and whatever they were directed to do. Payment was not estabhshed by the day or year, but for each skin taken by them or for what was placed to their credit. They received no specific wage, though they were not all of equal abihty, there being usually three or four classes. In these classes the sick and old workmen were counted, although they were only burdens, and therefore received the smallest shares, about 150 rubles, and the other and better classes 220 to 250 rubles a year. Those who were zealous were rewarded b}^ a present of 50 to 100 rubles. The wives of the Aleuts, who worked only at seal kiUing, received from 25 to 35 rubles. These rubles were scrip cur- rency, made of leather, equal in value to a franc, or about 20 cents. In 1868, at the time of the purchase of Alaska by the United States, the natives were Hving in semisubterranean houses built of turf and such pieces of driftwood and whalebone as they were able to secure on the beach. Their food was seal meat and a few articles furnished in meager quantity by the Russian company. They had no fuel except driftwood and blubber, and depended for heat upon crowding .ogether in the sod houses, sleeping upon the dried grasses secured upon the islands. In 1870 the Alaska Commercial Co. took charge of the islands under a lease. It at once built neat frame dwellings for the natives, and paid them 40 cents apiece for each sealskin taken. As 100,000 were taken annually this gave the natives about $40,000 each year, enough to support them in quahfied comfort. While this sum was divided on a communal basis, some natives by thrift and economy were able to save sums amounting to perhaps $2,500 each. No interference with the expenditure of their earnings was made by the agents. Wlien, however, after 1890, under the lease of the North American Commercial Co., the take of tkins was reduced to a few thousands annually, the natives faced starvation. Their earnings at this time, at the rate of 50 cents for each skin, were entirely insufficient. To relieve this stuation, the Government did not increase the wages of the natives for taking skins, but, as the reduction of the catch was due mainly to arbitrary restrictions by the Government, furnished an annual appropriation of $19,500 to supplement the natives' earnmgs for their support. This appropriation, while keeping the natives from starving, made an important change in their fiscal relations. Heretofore the native could expend his earnings as he pleased. After the appropriation, however, the earnings were sequestered by the agents, and the natives had no voice whatever in the expenditure of the money for which they toiled. Each native was aUotted articles of necessity to a cer- tain amount each week payable from his wages, and after the latter were expended the appropriation was drawn upon at the same rate until another sealing season intervened. This practice exists to-day. The natives now receive $1 for each skin taken, in addition to the annual appropriation of $19,500. 1040 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Their total mcome from taking 3eals and foxes, with the appropria- tion, was last year about $34,000, or somewhat more than SlOO for each person. The system of distribution of these earnings is one of pure com- munism. The native men are divided into about four classes, according to ability in taking seals. The members of each class receive a like sum, those in the first class being given more than those in the second, and so on to the fourth class, the lowest, which embraces apprentices. These sums, whatever they may be, are credited to each native and are drawn upon each week by orders on the store issued by the agent to the head of each family, the amount of the order varpng with the size of the family. This plan of com- pensation, while assuring provision for the natives' immediate needs IS highly objectionable when considered from a sociological stand- point, its weakness being that it reduces all to a common level. It prevents that progress that accrues from the cultivation of superior skill or -greater self-denial, and makes a virtual almsiiouse of the Pribilof reservation by dealing with the inhabitants as indigents. It requires Avilling service of the native, but takes from him his wage and expends it for his benefit without his consent. Incentive to increased individual efficiency is lacldng because effort to that end is fruitless in bringing any greater benefit than if it had not been made. It is reasonable to assume that the Government, while operating on the seal islands for its own profit, at the same time desires to better the condition of the native residents upon whose efforts it must depend for successful conduct of its business. The first step in that direc- tion is to do away with the appropriation of Congress for their sup- port and to increase the wage earned through the taking of skins to a. sum at least equal to the amount necessary for their maintenance. This would at once eliminate the objectionable element of charity in the present system and allow each man to support himself and family from his own earnings. Such a course is in my opinion not only an act of simple justice, the consummation of which would, moreover, involve no additional expense to the Government, but would go far toward increasing the moral tone of the native, by making him more self-reliant and self-respecting. It can be taken without additional legislation, the Secretary of Commerce and Labor now having the power under existing law to fix the natives' compensation for taking skins. SCHEME OF COMPENSATION OF NATIVES. The scheme of compensation embodied in the foregoing recom- mendations may be summarized as follows: 1. The appropriation for natives' support to be discontinued. 2. For natives' labor an allotment should be made of, say, $3 for each sealskin. 3. The moneys thus derived should be formed into a general fund, which should be prorated among all the natives of both islands. 4. This fund, by agreement with the natives, to be used for their support at the rate of a certain weekly amount based upon the number of mouths in each family. 5. The balance or remainder of each native's account at the close of each year to be paid to the native in cash. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1041 It must be understood that the native is restricted by his work to tlie seal islands and can not go forth to pursue any other vocation, be it more or less profitable. It is not fair to this laborer to deny him all progress in the world and to confine him in his necessarily restricted sphere to such compensation only as permits the bare nec- essaries of life to him and his family. Wliatever a corporation hav- ing a lease of the sealing privilege may have done, the United States Government ought not to put its laborer into the condition of con- stant and continuous vassalage with all progress denied him. NATIVES ON THE ALEUTIAN ARCHIPELAGO. The Aleut race is not found on the mainland, but inhabits the Aleutian Archipelago and several of the islands along the coast of the Alaskan Peninsula. It was nevsr numerous and now embraces probably fewer than 1,000 souls, whose numbers are decreasing rapidly from disease and insufficient food. Some action should be taken to ameliorate their condition. When discovered by the Russians in the eighteenth century, these Aleuts were a hardy race of fishermen and aquatic hunters. In their tiny bidarkis or skin boats they made long journeys and in them successfully weathered storms tliat would have sent the European rowboat to the bottom. They subsisted upon fish and the flesh of such warm-blooded animals as they could capture. Being a tractable race, except when goaded to desperation, they were at once made use of by the Russians as hunters of the sea otter, which was the fur tl*e white men most eagerly sought. Whole fleets of bidarkis with hundreds of native hunters would be transported hundreds of miles from their homes, and thence with a little food supplied them were put to sea to buffet with the storms of the north- ern ocean wliich withal were not so greatly feared by the natives as by their white masters. Thousands of them never returned. Aleuts in numbers were taken to Sitka by the Russians as hunters and laborers, and kept there until they died. Entire fleets of bidarki hunters were loaned by the Russian company to foreign vessels to hunt sea otter, the profits of the venture being shared equally by the vessel and the company. The ship was required to pay the Russian company about 200 Mexican dollars for every Aleut lost at sea or killed by coast Indians. In 1805, 20 bidarkis were fitted out at Kodiak and with a colony of natives were taken to San Quinten Bay in Lower California, where they were required to hunt for fur seals. This colonv struggled on until 1841, when it was abandoned. In the draft of the terms upon which the Russian- American Co. should receive an extension of its charter, after its expiration in 1891, or thereabouts, the following paragraph is found: 10. The Aleuts and other peaceful natives within the colonies are relieved from compulsory labor on behalf of the Russian-American Co. They shall be allowed to settle in localities which they may find convenient, and shall be free to absent them- selves from the places of their residence, subject only to such rules of police as may be established by the board of administration of the colonies. This clause in the proposed charter was inserted to cure abuses in respect to the treatment of natives reported by Golovnin and the Creole Kashevarof. In short, the Government would renew the charter only under such terms as the company would not accept. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 66 1042 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA, When the Russian- American Co. acquired control of Alaska the Aleuts were paid nothing for sea-otter skins, but in lieu of compen- sation received subsistence and "exemption from imperial taxes and dues." When this practice was forbidden by the Emperor Alexander I and the company instructed to pay the natives for every skin deposited by them with the company, the natives received for every sea otter 10 rubles in leather scrip, the equivalent of S2, but each hunter was required to furnish his own subsistence. The company sold the sea-otter skins for at least $100 each. Upon the occupation of the territory by Americans, the native, from a condition of abject misery and want, was plunged into a state of affluence of which he knew not how to take advantage. Rival trading companies established stations along the coast where sea otters abounded, and bid eagerly for the furs brought in by the native hunters. But while paying him liberally for the skins, the traders adroitly exposed for sale in the stores articles of sheer luxuiy to tempt the native's cupidity and encourage him to expend the money received for his skins. During the seventies and eighties the Aleut sea-otter hunter clothed his women in satins and silks of the gaudiest colors; his hut contained a brussels carpet and a parlor organ; his church received large donations ; in short, a great deal of his earnings was expended at once for luxuries and he was forced to hypothecate his next year's catch of skins to obtain supplies to support his family during the winter. With the commercial disappearance of tiie sea otter,' however, the native again relapsed into a condition of penury bordering on starvation. Whereas in the days of plenty he lived on tinned meats and luxuries from the trader's store ; now to sustain life he was driven again to fish and to hunt. Having contracted the vice of drunkenness, even in his poverty he would barter his skins for rum, or for sugar and flour with which to make tlie Russian strong beer. Disease sapped his vitality and decimated his villages. Such practically is the condition to-day of the native on the Aleutian chain. While formerly he had to subsist upon what he could wrest from nature, he was then as free from the vices of civili- zation as he is now of its saving benefits. His contact with the white race has encouraged appetites of which the native was pre- viously ignorant and has taken away his self-reliance and ability to cope with his surroundings. In his state of poverty the furs he is still able to gather are the object of desire of small traders, who visit his settlements annually and exchange trade goods for furs. The native has no resource but to part with his furs at such prices as the trader may wish to give. Unless the Government takes active measures this interesting race of people will become extinct. And since the Government is trying to save species of the lower animals which are threatened with that calamity, it would seem proper that similar attention should be paid to a race of human beings which is rapidly disappearing. A simple and yet it is believed an effective plan to accomplish this end is offered and earnestly recommended to the attention of the depart- ment: 1. The entire archipelago to be made a special reservation. This can be accomplished without difficulty or friction. There are no vested rights in the entire range of islands, so far as known, except SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1043 at Dutch Harbor, a small portion of which lias been surveyed and patented. The property of the Alaska Commercial Co. at Una- laska is built on a Government reservation on which it has only squatter's rights. For its buildings it should receive compensation. The islands in this cliain are devoid of timber. Coal or minerals have appeared only in too small quantities to justify exploiting. Agriculture on any scale to support life is impossible. Grazing is impracticable. There are no good harbors except at Dutch Harbor and Unalaska. Fish are plentiful, but the streams are so small that commercial fishing will not pay. In short, there exists no good rea- son why these islands should not be set apart for the use of those aboriginal inhabitants claiming them as their native land. 2. Trading by private persons or corporations to be prohibited. 3. The Government to maintain a station at each principal settle- ment, of which there are not over five. Each station to contain a store and a school, with a storekeeper and school-teacher, the whole to be under the supervision of a general agent. 4. The storekeepers should buy the natives' peltries and such other articles as they may have for sale, including baskets, at a fair price; the native should be encouraged to self-support and thrift. 5. Small fishing stations could be maintained, the product of which could be marketed for natives' account. This plan can be worked out and operated with little trouble and expense. Without some provision of this nature the Aleuts on the archipelago will be wiped out by disease and lack of food. With the Government willingly expending thousands of dollars to prevent ex- termination of the lower animals, surely no justification is needed for expenditure to prevent the extinction of a race of men who were hardy and self-reliant until brought into contact Avith European races. MANUAL TRAINING FOR NATIVES. During the Russian occupation certain native youths exhibiting special aptitude were trained in the useful arts, such as carpentry, boat building, iron and copper working, etc. But those natives so educated in Russian times have nearly all died, and the new generation can not build its own houses or boats. No training of this character, although greatly needed, has been pro- vided by our Government. Some arrangements should be made to teach the Aleuts how to work at other employments than their natural one of hunting. A teacher of the useful trades should be provided on each of the Pribilof Islands. A small school could also be established at Unalaska, and the young, men from the entire archipelago sent there for a course of instruction. I recommend this to careful consideration. FIRE PROTECTION FOR PRIBILOF ISLANDS. The villages of St. Paul and St. George are entirely without fire pro- tection, and with the high winds that prevail are fortunate indeed in never having had a disastrous conflagration. Aside from the money loss entailed, such a contingency, should it occur in winter and destroy the food supply in the warehouses, would probably result in the star- vation of the inhabitants. Native dwellings have been ignited by overturned kerosene lamps and in one case a whole native family 1044 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. while asleep was asphyxiated by fire in the interior of their house. In every case so far, however, the blaze has been discovered and extin- guished before it could take serious hold upon the framework of the building. I strongly urge the provision of adequate fire protection for both islands. The isolation of the locality demands that some means be supplied for the prevention of conflagration, which there would be a catastrophe. The investment of a small amount for this purpose would be sufficient to provide protection for years, and would be the cheapest fire insurance that could be obtained. Should these build- ings burn, the business not only would be seriously interfered with and the native and white inhabitants threatened with starvation, but the Government would lose the amount of its investment and be obliged to spend twice as much to replace the plant as was paid for it. As to means, chemical apparatus could be used in summer time, but would be of little avail in winter because of the likelihood of freezing while not in use. In winter running water under pressure would be the only resort. Running water is not available at present, but could be supplied by any of the following means: On St. Paul. — 1 . Sea water could be pumped through a small stand- pipe by a gasoline engine and distributed through mains in the village. 2. Fresh water from a lake a mile away could be piped to the village by pumping, and held in a large reservoir of sufficient capacity to fur- nish fresh water not only for fire protection but for natives' use. 3. Water from wells a half mile from the village could be pumped and used in the same manner as in suggestion 2. On St. George. — 1. Salt water could be pumped as in the preceding suggestion 1. 2. The water system already in use there, whereby water is brought by gravity and siphoning from a lake to the village, could be adapted to furnish a stream that would reach over any native dwelling and probably any larger warehouse or dwelling. Laws and Regulations Relative to Fur-Seal Fishing. The following act of Congress, approved December 29, 1897, and the annexed regulations of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration, con- cluded at Washington, February 29, 1892, in relation to the fur seals, are published for the information of all concerned : ACT OF congress APPROVED DECEMBER 29, 1897. Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That no citizen of the United States, nor person owing duty of obedience to the laws or the treaties of the United States, nor any person belonging to or on board of a vessel of the United States, shall kill, capture, or hunt, at any time or in any manner whatever, any fur seal in the waters of the Pacific Ocean north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude and including Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk. Sec. 2. That no citizen of the United States, nor person above described in section one, shall equip, use, or employ, or furnish aid in equipping, using or employing, or furnish supplies to any vessel used SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1045 or employed, or to be used or employed in carrying on or taking part in said killing, capturing, or hunting of fur seals in said waters, nor shall any vessel of the United States be so used or employed. Sec. 3. That every person guilty of a violation of the provisions of this Act, or of any regulations made thereunder, shall, for each offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars or more than two thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than six months, or both; and every vessel, its tackle, apparel, furniture, and cargo, at any time used or employed in violation of this Act, or of the regulations made there- under, shall be forfeited to the United States. Sec. 4. That if any vessel of the United States shall be found within the waters to which this Act applies, having on board fur-seal skins, or bodies of seals, or apparatus or implements suitable for killing or taking seals, it shall be presumed that such vessel was used or em- ployed in the killing of said seals, or that said apparatus or imple- ments were used in violation of this Act until the contrary is proved to tlie satisfaction of the court. Sec. 5. That any violation of this Act or of the regulations there- under may be prosecuted either in the district court of Alaska or in any district court of the United States in California, Oregon, or Washington. Sec. 6. That this Act shall not interfere with the privileges accorded to Indians dwelling on the coast of the United States under section six of the Act of April sixth, eighteen hundred and ninety-four, but the limitations prescribed in said Act shall remain in full force. Sec. 7. That this Act shall not affect in any way the killing or tak- ing of fur seals upon the Pribilof Islands, or the laws of the United States relating thereto. Sec. 8. That any officer of the Xaval or Revenue Cutter Service of the United States, and any other officers duly designated by the Presi- dent, may search any vessel of the United States in port or on the high seas suspected of having violateil or of having an intention to violate the provisions of this Act, and may seize such vessel and the offending officers and crew and bring them into the most accessible port of the States and Territory mentioned in section five of this Act for trial. Sec. 9. That the importation into the United States by any person whatsoever of fur-seal skins taken in the waters mentioned in this Act, whether raw, dressed, dyed, or manufactured, is hereby pro- hibited, and all such articles imported after this Act shall take effect shall not be permitted to be exported, but shall be seized and de- stroyed by the proper officers of the United States. Sec. 10. That the President shall have power to make all necessary regulations to carry this Act into effect. Approved, December 29, 1897. Under the provisions of the foregoing act of Congress it is unlawful for any citizen of the United States or any vessel thereof to engage in pelagic sealing at any time or in any manner, in the waters of the Pacific Ocean north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude, in the Bering Sea, and the Sea of Okhotsk, and it shall be the duty of vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service of the United States to seize any United States vessel found violating this law, whether during the open or 1046 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. closed season prescribed in the reo;ulations of the Paris Arbitration Tribunal, and to send or bring such vessel, her ofFicers and crew into the most accessible port of the United States for trial. REGULATIONS OF THE PARIS TRIBUNAL OF ARBITRATION. Whereas the following articles of the award of the Tribunal of Arbitration constituted under the treaty concluded at Washington the twenty-ninth of February, eighteen hundred and ninety-two, be- tween the United States of America and Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, were delivered to the agents of the respective Governments on the fifteenth day of August, eighteen hundred and ninety-three : Article 1. The Governments of the United States and Great Britain shall for- bid their citizens and subjects, respectively, to kill, capture, or pur- sue at any time, and in any manner whatever, the animals commonly called fur seals, within a zone of sixty miles around the Pribilof Islands inclusive of the territorial waters. The miles mentioned in the preceding paragraphs are geographical miles, of sixty to a degree of latitude. Article 2. The two Governments shall forbid their citizens and subjects, respec- tively, to kill, capture, or pursue, in any manner whatever, during the season extending, each year, from the first of May to the thirty-first of July, both inclusive, the fur seals on the high sea in the part of the Pacific Ocean, inclusive of the Bering Sea, which is situated to the north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude, and eastward of the one hundred and eightieth degree of longitude from Greenwich till it strikes the water boundary described in article one of the treaty of eighteen hundred and sixty-seven between the United States and Russia, and following that line up to Bering Straits. Article 3. During the period of time and in the waters in which the fur-seal fishing is allowed, only sailing vessels shall be permitted to carry on or take part in fur-seal fishing operations. They will, however, be at liberty to avail themselves of the use of such canoes or undecked boats, propelled by paddles, oars, or sails, as are in common use as fishing boats. Article 4. Each sailing vessel authorized to fish for fur seals must be provided with a special license issued for that purpose by its Government, and shall be required to carry a distinguishing flag to be prescribed b}^ its Government. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1047 Article 5. The masters of the vessels engaged in fur-seal fishing shall enter accurately in their official log book the date and place of each fur-seal fishing operation, and also the number and sex of the seals captured upon each day. These entries shall be communicated by each of the two Governments to the other at the end of the fishing season. Article 6. The use of nets, firearms, and explosives shall be forbidden in the fur-seal fishing. This restriction shall not apply to shotguns when such fishing takes place outside of Bering Sea during the season when it may be lawfully carried on. Article 7. The two GovernmeTits shall take measures to control tlie fitness of the men authorized to engage in fur-seal fishing ; these men shall have been proved fit to handle with sufficient skill the weapons by means of which this fishing may be carried on. Article 8. The regulations contained in the preceding articles shall not apply to Indians dwelling on the coast of the territory of the United States or of Great Britain and carrying on fur-seal fishing in canoes or undecked boats not transported by or used in connection with other vessels and propelled wholly by paddles, oars, or sails, and manned by not more than five persons each in the way hitherto practiced by the Indians, provided such Indians are not in the employment of other Eersons, and provided that, when so hunting in canoes or undecked oats, they sliall not hunt fur seals outside of territorial waters under contract for the delivery of the skins to any person. This exemption shall not be construed to aft'ect the municipal law of either country, nor shall it extend to the waters of Bering Sea or the waters of the Aleutian Passes. Nothing herein contained is intended to interfere with the employ- ment of Indians as hunters or otherwise in connection with fur-sealing vessels as heretofore. Article 9. The concurrent regulations hereby determined with a view to the protection and preservation of the fur seals shall remain in force until they have been, in whole or in part, abolished or modified by common agreement between the Governments of the United States and of Great Britain. The said concurrent regulations shall be submitted every five years to a new examination, so as to enable both interested Governments to consider whether, in tlie light of past experience, there is occasion for any modification thereof. The above regulations of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration are still in force as applicable to British vessels. The closed season for pelagic sealing is therein fixed from the 1st of May to the 31st of July, both 1048 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, inclusive, during which period it is unlawful for British vessels to kill, capture, or pursue the fur seals on the high seas in the Pacific Ocean north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude or eastward of the one hundred and eightieth degree of longitude. Under said regula- tions British vessels are permitted to engage in pelagic sealing after the 31st of July, but in the performance of said sealing they are for- bidden to enter within a zone of 60 miles around the Pribilof. Islands. It shall be the duty of vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service detailed to patrol the waters above described to seize any British vessel found violating the said regulations of the Paris Arbitration Tribunal, and send or bring the vessel so offending, with all persons on board, to- gether with the proofs and declarations of the officer making the seizure, to UnalasTka and deliver her to the senior British naval officer present, or to the most convenient port in British Columbia, and there deliver her to the proper authorities of Great Britain or to the com- manding officer of any British vessel charged with the enforcement of said regulations. In addition to the foregoing laws for the protection of fur seals, the President has issued Executive orders creating Government reser- vations as follows in the vicinity of the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Alaska, and forbidding the disturbance of all animal life found thereon, under penalties described in the act of Congress ap- proved May 11, 1908: Walrus and Otter Islands, of the Pribilof Group, in Bering Sea, located approxi- mately in latitude 57° north, longitude 170° west from Greenwich; known as the "Pribilof Reservation." St. Matthew Island, Hall Island, and Pinnacle Islet, in Bering Sea, located approxi- mately in latitude 60° 30^ north, longitude 172° 30' west from Greenwich; known as "Bering Sea Reservation." Bogoslof Islands, Alaska, in Bering Sea, located approximately in latitude 53 degrees 58 minutes north, longitude 167 degrees 53 minutes west from Greenwich, known as the "Bogoslof Reservation." The act approved June 14, 1906, prohibits aliens from fishing in the waters of Alaska within the jurisdiction of the United States. Charles Nagel, Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Part II. Communications Relative to Revenue-Cutter Patrol. March 21, 1910. The Secretary of the Treasury, M'ashington, D. C. Sir: In view of the activity displayed last season by pelagic seal- ing schooners in the close vicinity of the Pribilof Islands and the con- sequent necessity for the presence of enough Government vessels to safeguard the Federal interests on and about said islands, I have the honor to request that the same number of four revenue cutters be detailed for service on patrol duty in Bering Sea as was engaged last year, and that the period of patrol be made to commence on June 1, or as soon thereafter as practicable. I have to request, further, because of the uncertainty regarding the renewal of the lease of the sealing right and of the presence of the usual steamer of the lessee transporting agents of this department SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1049 and supplies to the islands, that facilities be afforded on the cutters for the transportation of agents and employees of this department to the Pribilof Islands in the spring and from the islands as soon after the close of the seahng season as practicable, and for the transporta- tion to the islands of such supplies for the natives and others as the cutters may be able to carry. .Respectfully, Charles Nagel, Secretary. Treasury Department, WasUngton, March 30, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, B.C. Sir: In reply to your request of the 21st instant for the detail of revenue cutters to protect the fur seals in the vicinity of the Pribilof Islands, Bering Sea, during the coming season, I have the honor to inform you that three revenue cutters will be assigned to such duty. The demands upon the Revenue-Cutter Service in the public interests in other quarters will permit only of three cutters being so assigned, but from previous experience it is believed that this number will be ample to safeguard the Federal interests in those waters. The fol- lowing-named vessels will, therefore, be detailed: Talioma, Manning, and Perry. The Rush, which tliis season will perform duty in the M^aters of southeastern Alaska, will patrol oft' the coast between Yakut at Bay and Dixon Entrance (with base at Sitka) early in the season for the purpose of preventing violations of law by sealing ves- sels in that locality. The Bear, which will make the annual cruise mto the Arctic Ocean, will be directed to patrol from St. Paul Harbor, Kodiak Island, to Cape Pankof, Unimak Island, from the middle to the last of May, reacliing Unalaska June 1, previous to her departure for the far north. The vessels sailing for Bering Sea will leave the following named gorts on the dates indicated: Bear, San Francisco, May 2; Talioma, eattle, about April 26; Perry, San Francisco, May 5; Manning, Fort Townsend, May 20. All these vessels are equipped with wireless. Transportation will be given the agents and employees of the islands, and supplies will be carried to such extent as the facilities of the cutters will permit. It is suggested that a representative of your department confer with the captain commandant of the Reve- nue-Cutter Service regarding this matter. Respectfully, Franklin MacVeagh, Secretary. April 5, 1910. Senior Capt. D. P. Foley, United States Revenue- Cutter Sermce, Commanding Bering Sea Fleet, Port Townsend, Wash. Sir: 1. You are informed that the President has designated the revenue cutters Talioma, Manning, and Perry to cruise as far as may be practicable the present season in the north Pacific Ocean and Ber- 1050 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ing Sea, including the waters of Alaska, within the domain of the United States, for the enforcement of the act of Congress approved December 29, 1897, and the regulations of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration, decreed the 15th day of August, 1893, for the preserva- tion of the fur seals. 2. Under the provisions of the act of Congress above referred to it is unlawful for any citizen or vessel of the United States to engage in pelagic sealing at an}^ time or in any manner in the waters of the Pacific Ocean north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude and including the Bering Sea and the Sea of Oldiotsk. You are therefore directed to seize any vessel of the United States found navigating the waters as above indicated, in violation of the law, and send the same to the nearest or most accessible port of the United States; upon arrival there to be surrendered to the custody of competent authority having jurisdiction. 3. Since, under the enactment by Congress above referred to and given in full in the Regulations, Fur-Seal Fishing Season of 1910 (copies of which will be sent to you under separate cover), vessels of the United States are prohibited absolutely from engaging in fur-seal fishing within the geographical limits prescribed, it follows that the regulations of the Paris Tribunal of ArbitratioH (embodied in the regulations above mentioned) are applicable only to British vessels, and that fur-seal fishing is prohibited to subjects of Great Britain at any time or in any manner within a zone of 60 geographical miles around Pribilof Islands, inclusive of territorial waters, and from May 1 to July 31 in that part of the Pacific Ocean inclusive of Bering Sea, situated north of the thirty-fifth degree of north latitude and eastward of the one hundred and eightieth degree of longitude from Greenwich; until it strikes the water boundary described in article 1 of the treaty of 1867 between the United States and Russia, and following that line u]) to Bering Straits. 4. You will arrange with the senior British naval officer at Una- laska engaged in carrying out the provisions of the award for the mutual delivery of vessels of the one country seized by olhcers of the other. 5. The following instructions in relation to the enforcement of the fur-seal regulations are issued for your guidance: (a) The terms of the award apply only to vessels of the United States and Great Britain. The first duty of the boarding officer is to satify himself by an inspection of her documents as to the vessel's nationality. Vessels boarded beyond the legal jurisdiction of the United vStates and found to be of a nationality not included in the award are not to be searched or detained longer than is necessary to establish the fact. (b) Long chases are not advisable. After a vessel is brought within reach of your guns if she does not bring to, display the national ensign and open fire. Fire one blank and one solid shot as a warning. If she still neglects to come to the wind, aim to hit, and use the force at your command to compel her to submit to being boarded and searched. (c) A mere cursory or perfunctory search of vessels boarded is strictly forbidden. The search must be made by two commissioned officers, or one commissioned and one petty officer, and the necessary number of men who are required to remain on board until every part SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1051 of the vessel where a sealskin or a sliotgun or rifle could be concealed has been searched. {d) Boarding officers are required to exercise courtesy and for- bearance and avoid all discussions. Ofl^ensive remarks or actions by members of the crew or others on board the vessel being searched are under no circumstances to be taken notice of. {e) Should a sealskin be found on board that bears satisfactory evidence of having been shot within the Bering Sea, or killed in any manner \vithin the area of the award in the Pacific Ocean between April 30 and August 1, or within 60 miles of the Pribilof Islands, at anytime, the vessel must be seized. (/) Any vessel of Great Britain found within the area of the award during the closed season engaged in fur-seal fishing or fitted for fur- seal fishing, and not being provided with the special sealing license, is ordered seized. When any licensed seahng vessel of Great Brit- ain is found within the area of the award during the closed season having on board a seal hunting outfit, she should be seized only if it be found that she was sealing or contemplating sealing within the area at that time. If the boarding officer finds evidence of the recent use of her boats and sealing outfit, or that they were in readiness for immediate use for taking fur seals, the matter should be closely in- vestigated, and, if the circumstances warrant, she should be seized. , ig) Only sailing vessels are permitted to engage in fur-seal fishing during the period of time and in the waters in which fur-seal fishing is allowed. Any vessel propelled in whole or in part by steam or other motive power than sail, found so engaged, is ordered seized. Qi) If a vessel which appears to be a sealing vessel is found within the area during the period of time in which fur-seal fishing is for- bidden, you will ascertain whether she has been engaged in fur-seal fishing; whether she was carried tliere by stress of weather, by a mis- take during fogg}^ or thick weather, or is there in the ordinary course of navigation, making the best of her way to any place. You must judge whether such vessel has been engaged in fur-seal fishing from the presence of sealskins or bodies of seals on board, or salt, and from other circumstances and indications. (i) If such vessel is found outside of the area of the award and it is evident that she has been engaged in fur-seal fishing within said area, and has thus committed an offense, you will seize her. A vessel may violate the law by her boats fur-seal fishing within said area while the vessel herself is outside of said area. ij) When you make a seizure you will at the time thereof draw up a declaration, in writing, stating the conditions on the seized vessel, the date and exact place of tlie seizure, giving latitude and longitude, and any additional data by which exact location may be determined and circumstances showing guilt. x\rms or skins found (the cause of seizure), as well as all papers must be examined on board the seized vessel, and so marked as to be readily identified by the board- ing officers when produced in court or elsewhere. This is important and must not be neglected. Qc) The seized vessel will be taken or sent, as soon as practicable, with all persons on board thereof, in charge of a sufficient force to insure delivery, together with witnesses and prcxyfs, and the declara- tion of the officer making the seizure; if American, to the most con- venient port of California, Oregon, Washington, or Alaska, and deliv- 1052 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. ered to the officers of the United States court; and if British, to Una- laska, and there dehvered to the senior British naval officer present, or taken to the most convenient port in British Columbia and deliv- ered to the proper authorities of Great Britain, or deliver her to the commanding officer of any British vessel authorized to receive her. (I) A signed and certified list of papers of the seized vessel will be delivered to the master thereof, and duplicate copy transmitted with the declarations. (m) Any British vessel boarded and found not to be subject to seizure will be furnished with a copy of the Regulations, Fur-Seal Fishing Season of 1910. (n) Each vessel so boarded shall be given a written certificate showing the date and place of examination, the number of fur-seal skins, and the number of bodies of seals on board. A duplicate of said certificate shall be preserved. 6. You will also cause careful attention to be given to the matter of preventing raids on the Pribilof Islands and guard as far as possible the 3-mile territorial limit, and to this end you will cause the agents of these islands to be frequently communicated with in order that the commanding officers of the cutters may avail themselves of any information in the possession of the agents touching the movements of marauding vessels. The agents on the islands have received instructions from the Secretary of Commerce and Labor that the cutters will cooperate with them to remove undesirable persons from the islands. You will arrange to have at least one vessel constantly stationed on patrol duty in the vicinity of the islands. 7. Prior to August 1 the efforts of the vessels should be directed toward preventing raids on the islands. After that date, when the Canadians are allowed to begin sealing, one of the vessels should share with the British cruiser on patrol the duty of maintaining the 60- mile zone. As the Japanese fleet, however, will probably be most active in August, the patrol of the zone should be subsidiary to the protection of the islands. 8. The patrol of Bering Sea should be continued until every sealer has left the sea, or until about October 15, and as the last cutter leaves the sea in the fall the commanding officer should make a special trip to the islands for the purpose of obtaining for the Gov- ernment the latest information regarding the conditions thereon. Respectfidly, C. D. HiLLEs, Assistant Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. I concur in the above instructions. , Secretary. [Memorandum to Mr. Baldwin.] Department of Commerce x\nd Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, April 6, 1910. The attached letter from the Revenue-Cutter Service requests the decision of questions of an important legal nature involving consid- erable research through international law and British laws. In my SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1053 opinion this letter should be submitted to the solicitor of this depart- ment for appropriate action. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. United States Revenue-Cutter Service, School of Instruction, U. S. Practice Cutter ''Itasca," Arundel Cove, Md., March 31, 1910. The Captain Commandant, U. S. Revenue-Cutter Service, Treasury Department, Washington, D. C. Sir: Referring to the letter of the captain commandant. United States Revenue-Cutter Service, of the 30th instant (H. S. M.), request- ing a detailed explanation of certain extracts from m.j rejjort of October 28, 1909, as commanding officer of the Bering Sea Fleet, I have the honor to state as follows: 1. Relative to the recommendation, "That additional instructions be issued for the future guidance of the commanding officers of the ships of the Bering Sea Fleet with reference to Canadian schooners licensed for both fur-seal and sea-otter hunting." This recommenda- tion was made because of the discovery by the United States revenue cutter Bear, about 15 miles north and east of Chirikof Island, on June 23, 1909, of three Canadian sealing schooners, the Pescawha^ the Thomas F. Bayard, and the Jessie. All of these schooners were within the ''area of the award," during the closed season, and were fitted out for hunting both fur seals and sea otters. Their hcenses were issued at Victoria, British Columbia, in proper form for both fur-seal and sea-otter hunting. When boarded, their masters informed the boarding officers that they were hunting sea otters and not fur seals. As they were found to have firearms and ammunition on board and could easily have used their appliances in taking fur seals, after the departure of the Bear, it was deemed expedient by the command- ing officer of that ship to have the arms put under seals, A\'ith written instructions that the seals were not to be broken while within the forbidden area during the closed season. The masters of the Canadian schooners protested against this action, but the arms were put under seals and the Bear proceeded on her waj". At a later date, m the discussion of various features of the patrol wdth the commanding officer of H. B. M. S. Algerine, he stated that his Government had always taken the attitude that firearms on Canadian vessels should not be sealed, and that the masters of these vessels would take the responsibilities of any detected violations of the terms of the agreement entered into by their respective Govern- ments. In the cases above referred to, I was informed, through unofficial sources, that claims for damages against the United States would be instituted to cover the supposed loss sustained by inability to hunt sea otters, owing to the firearms having been put under seals, and it was to prevent a recurrence of such possible suits for damages that I recommended the issuance of more definite and specific instructions in the matter. It would seem that the Canadian Government should not, in good faith, issue licenses to the sam& vessel for hunting both tlie fur seal and the sea otter, but such being done, the question with which officers of the Revenue-Cutter Service 1054 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. is concerned is the proper action to be taken when such a vessel is found within the restricted area during the closed season, equipped with firearms and ammunition, presumably hunting sea otters, but fitted for taking fur seals as well. 2. The recommendation, ''That additional and specific instruc- tions be issued relating to possible seizures of Japanese pelagic sealing schooners, where their small boats are hunting inside of territorial waters, while their vessels are outside of these waters/' was made in order that commanding officers of ships of the Bering Sea Fleet might act with greater certainty in the matter. The question has arisen, Should a sealing schooner be seized and held because its small boats have been taken in the act of sealing illegall}^, the schooner being out- side of territorial waters at that time? Such an instance occurred during the season of 1909. A small boat belonging to the Japanese schooner Tenyu Maru was seized by the commanding officer of the Perry within territorial waters on July 9, 1909, with the warm body of a dead fur seal in it. The boat and its crew were taken to the schooner ( Tenyu Maru) and the latter, together with crew and outfit, was seized as being accessory, and therefore also guilty of a violation of the same law. No evidence was found on the schooner of illegal sealing by the men on board, and the master stated that he had warned his boats to keep outside of territorial waters. In such a position as this, the question arises, "Should the schooner as well as the small boat be seized?" It was for enlightenment upon that point that I recommended additional instructions. 3. The recommendation, "That information be furnished as to the powers of a United States commissioner to try and dispose of such a case as the above should a seizure be made, and the schooner be held as well as the small boats," was made in order that the command- ing oflicer of the Bering Sea Fleet might be better informed as to legal }:)rocedure in case of such a seizure as above cited. There was, during the season of 1909, a United States commissioner at Unaiaska, but there was no United States attorney nor Federal court. A question arose as to the powers of the United States commissioner in trying the Japanese seized with the schooner Tenyu Maru. As the trial involved the forfeiture of the schooner and outfit, it seemed that the commissioner had not authority to try, under these conditions, and if found guilty, sentence the Japanese subjects; but if such authority were his, it would be a great saving of expense to the Government, as trans])ortation to Valdez and back would be avoided. In the case of the Tenyu Maru, it was decided that the commissioner had not jurisdiction in the case, and the prisoners were sent to Valdez for trial. I have not been informed whether that action was necessary, and it would be of advantage to the commanding officer of the Bering Sea Fleet to know whether the trial could properly have been held before the United States commissioner. In the case of the seizure of the six Japanese subjects in small boats near Walrus Island, of the Pribilof group on September 2, 1909, for illegally conducting sealing operations, the schooner to which they belonged escaped. As there was no forfeiture of the schooner involved, it was decided that the United States commissioner had jurisdiction and power to act in the case. They were tried, found guilty, and sentenced in the commis- sioner's court. I have not been notified whether this procedure vras valid, and I think it would be of value to the commanding officer of SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1055 the fleet for the season of 1910 to be mformed as to the vahdity of the proceedings in this case, as a guidance for future action under similar conditions, if the information be obtainable from the Department of Justice. Respectfully, W. V. E. Jacobs, Captain, V. S. R. C. S., Commanding. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, WasMngton, August 2, 1910. Sir: Referring to the letter of Capt. W. V. E. Jacobs, of the Rev- enue-Cutter Service, dated April 2, 1910, forwarded to this depart- ment by indorsement, and acknowledged under date of iVpril 7, 1910, I have the honor to say that careful consideration has been given to the important questions raised l)y Capt. Jacobs. The questions, being of a legal nature, were referred to the sohlcitor for this depart- ment, and to the Attorney General. Copies of their opinions are inclosed herewith for your information, as well as copy of a letter this day addressed to the Secretary of State ])earing on one of the questions mvolved. The department deems it unfortunate that it is precluded b}'' law from approving all three of Capt. Jacobs's sug- gestions for additional instructions to the officers of the Bering Sea Patrol Fleet, and is correspondmgly gratified that a favorable response may be made to one of his suggestions. Respectfully, (Signed) ' Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. The honorable the Secretary of the Treasury. May 24, 1910. [In re certain recommendations made by the commanding officer of the Bering Sea Fleet in his report dated Oct. 28. 1909, and explanations thereof in letter to the captain commandant, United States Rev- enue-Cutter Ser\"ice, Treasury Department, dated Mar. 31, 1910.] In response to a request therefor from the captain commandant, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, Trea.sury Department, the commanding officer of the Bering Sea Fleet, under date of March 31, 1910, in a letter addressed to the former officer, furnished a detailed explanation of three recommendations contained in his report of October 28, 1909. The letter in question is referred to the Depart- ment of Commerce and Labor by the Acting Secretaiy of the Treas- ury Department "for decision on these recommendations." The recommendations will be considerei: H: The islands will never be fully protected until an efficient guard is maintained on them at important points to cooperate with the patrol vessels. Northeast Point, St. Paul Island, is the most important point to protect in this way, not only because it contains the largest rookery and a salt house, but also because it is farthest from the vil- lage and most likely to be raided. This matter was mentioned informally to the honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor on the occasion of his visit to Unalaska this summer, and he seemed to consider it favorably. This guard should be provided with two power dories carried in slides, one on each side of the point, so that either might be launched as required and depending on the state and direction of the sea. Three inexpensive plotting stations connected with one another by telephone should be established on the point for the purpose of accurately locating the position of any boat which might be within the three-mile limit. When a boat is so found, the power dory could be sent after it and chase it until caught. The patrol vessel could then be notified of the name of the schooner to which the boat belongs, that she might be seized. The guard and motor dories would make it unnecessary for the patrol vessels to hug the shore so closely as they do now and there would be less danger of their getting ashore. They would also permit of the patrol ve.ssel SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1091 stationed about Northeast Point being sent occasionally to St. Mat- thews Island to protect that reservation and to prevent the Japanese watering ship there, as I am informed is their custom. Owing to the prevalence or fogs, visual signals are of little practical value ; therefore ]t is essential that wireless stations be installed on St. Paul and St. George Islands. The station on St. Paul Island should be powerful enough to communicate with Unalaska and Nome. A 1 K. W. plant would be sufficient for St. George. 5); ***** * The captured Japanese sealers under charge of the United States marshal and small trading and sea-otter hunting schooners monop- olize the best bertlis in Unalaska Harbor, to the serious inconvenience of the patrol and other vessels in going alongside of and leaving the wharf and in anchoring. It is respectfully recommended that the Department of Commerce and Labor be asked to extend the anchor- age laws to Unalaska Bay and harbors, and that the commanding officer of the Bering Sea Fleet be made supervisor of anchorages there. There is also in the inner harbor of Unalaska the sunken wreck of a schooner, which materially reduces the available anchorage space. It is recommended that permission of the War Department be ob- tained for one of the patrol vessels to blow up this wreck. There is also need of two post lights — a white light on the sand spit at the entrance to Dutch Harbor and a red light on the reef at the entrance to Unalaska Harbor. These post lights are inexpensive and could be cared for by the station force during the season and would be of great assistance to vessels making port at night. Respectfullv, (Signed) D. P. Foley, Senior Captain, TJ. S. Revenue-Cutter Service, Commanding Benng Sea Fleet. November 8, 1910. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your depart- ment of a letter dated November 3, transmitting for my information copy of extract from the report of Senior Capt. D. P. Foley, United States Revenue-Cutter Service, commanding the Bering Sea Fleet, upon the operations of the fleet for the season of 1910, and inviting my attention to the request of Senior Capt. Foley for decisions upon a number of questions. Respectfully, Charles Nagel, Secretary. The Secretary of the Treasury. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, December 28, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: Referring to the department's recent request regarding the number of vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service engaged in the patrol of Bering Sea and the portion of the year devoted to this work, I have 1092 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the honor to state that during the calendar year 1910 three vessels were assigned, two of wliich remained about the islands during the full season, from June 1 to October 1, the other being wrecked in the latter part of July. The number of cutters which performed patrol service in Alaskan waters during the 20 years from 1890 to 1909 has been stated by the Revenue-Cutter Service to be 55. That service states, however, that "all of these vessels were not exclusively engaged in patrol duty about the seal islands, as some of them performed various other duties in Alaskan waters, and it is hardly practicable, therefore, to separate the work.'^ From the figures given it would seem that a yearly average of 2.75 vessels were engaged in this work. The patrol season usually occupies about four months of the year — from June 1 to September 30. It may be suggested that if the cutters are not engaged on the Bering Sea patrol they will be actively employed elsewhere, so that, as far as this bureau is aware, no additional cost of maintenance is involved. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Paet III. Communications Relative to Appraisement of Prop- erty OF North American Commercial Co. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and' Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 7, 1910. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: You are directed hereby to confer with the North American Commercial Co., and, if possible, to arrive at a fair and just valuation to be placed upon the property of that company on the Pribilof Islands, with a view of the purchase of said property by the Gov- ernment. You will report to the department the result of said conference. Respectfully, (Signed) George W. Bowers, Cominissioner. San Francisco, Cal., May 29, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: Referring to your letter of the 7th instant, in which I am instructed to confer with the North American Commercial Co., and, if possible, to arrive at a fair and just valuation to be placed on the property of that company on the Pribilof Islands, with a view to the purchase of said property by the Government, I now have the honor to inclose a list of said property showing the company's valuation thereon and my appraisement of it. No settlement can be made until an inventory of movable property on the islands can be taken, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1093 which will be done upon my arrival there. The company will accept settlement according to the terms of the inclosed list. Respectfully, W. I. LexMbkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. [Copy.] INVENTORY NORTH AMERICAN COMMERCIAL CO., ST. PAUL ISLAND, ALASKA. Arms aud ammunition Boots and shoes Carpets and furniture Cigars and tobacco Clothing Crockery, glass, and lamps... Dry goods and notions Groceries and provisions Hardware and cutlery Hats and caps Lumber, sash, and doors Musical instruments and jew- elry Paints, oil, and glass Ship chandlery Stationery Stoves and tinware Wood and willow ware Tools and implements. Drugs and instruments. Household furniture... Dispensary furniture. Boats and bidarrahs. . Telephone line .... School supplies Company buildings. Native buildings. . . Sea-lion skins Live stock Salt and seal twine. Fox skins Library Wharf, ways, and derrick. Coal, 80 tons $239. 49 1, 086. 89 28.59 144. 78 531. 17 139. 28 2, 375. 03 3, 466. 73 695. 77 82.52 381. 86 189. 20 676. 94 415. 84 90.33 295. 51 61.00 10, 900. 93 3, 594. 71 858. 05 3, 010. 48 172. 66 4, 152. 06 373. 92 310. 56 25, 683. 45 17,269.11 58.00 858. 25 1,271.22 66.00 1,012.91 804. 63 1, 600. 00 San Francisco invoice cost on island inventory of Apr. 30, 1910, corrected to date of transfer 50 per cent of inventory Inventory cost 25 per cent deduction from inventory 25 per cent reduction from inventory Launch $2,000 Boat 400 Boat 275 3 bidarrahs, at $175. . 525 Lump sum Lump sum 50 per cent 50 per cent Inventory cost Inventory cost San Francisco invoice cost after inspection Fox traps to be taken at valu- ation. Lump sum 50 per cent $17 per ton $10, 900. 93 1, 797. 35 858. 05 2, 257. 86 129. 50 3, 200. 00 90.00 257. 00 12, 841. 72 8, 634. 55 58.00 858. 25 1,271.22 200. 00 402. 31 1, 360. 00 71, 996. 94 45, 116. 74 Company buildings. Company dwelling $4, 958. 28 5,000-gallon water tank above on hill 250. 00 2,800-gallon water tank under dwelling 100. 00 1,800-gallon water tank south of kitchen 100. 00 Store building and fixtures 2, 332. 83 Dispensary shelving and fixtures 503. 24 Chicken house 100.60 1094 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Company buildings — Continued. Schoolhouse $2,080.39 Barn and stable 1, 151. 29 1,800-gallon water tank under stable 100. 00 Shop building 2, 883. 44 1,800-gallon water tank side of shop 100. 00 Blacksmith shop 52. 58 Beef house 130. 00 Ice house at the lake 100. 00 Well house '. 250. 00 Powder and oil house 300. 00 Warehouse, old magazine 600. 79 Warehouse, old store 906. 08 Warehouse, east landing 76. 28 Warehouse point at wharf 1, 677. 87 Salt house village 2, 232. 17 Salt house cove 1, 408. 50 Salt house, rear village salt house 500. 00 Salt house, Rocky Point 302.43 Salt house, Northeast Point 1, 430. 49 Webster House, Northeast Point 350. 00 Native watch house. Northeast Point 420. 21 Native watch house. Otter Island 15. 00 Native watch house, Zapadine 200. 98 Flagstaff on Village Hill, west side 35. 00 Flagstaff, east side 35. 00 Double: No. No. No. Single: ^No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. Native dwellings. Single- 9 10 11 12, large. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 $475. 00 475. 00 475. 00 250. 00 375. 00 375. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 375. 00 250. 00 669. 11 375. 00 250. 00 375. 00 250. 00 375. 00 375. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 375. 00 375. 00 250. 00 375. 00 No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. ■Continued. 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 46 47 48 49 50..... 51 52 53 54 55, large 56, large 25, 683. 45 1250. 00 250. 00 375. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 375. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 375. 00 250. 00 400. 00 250. 00 400. 00 250. 00 250. 00 400. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 250. 00 400. 00 450. 00 55 dwellings, total 17, 269. 11 33 dwellings, at $250 13 dwellings, at 1375 4 dwellings, at $400 1 dwelling, large, single 3 dwellings, double, at $475. 1 dwelling, large, single Recapitulation. $8, 250. 00 4, 875. 00 1, 600. 00 450. 00 1, 425. 00 669. 11 17, 269. 11 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1095 IXV'ENTORY KORTH AMERICAN COMMERCIAL CO., ST. GEORGE ISLAND, ALASKA. Arms and ammunition Boots and shoes Clothing and furnishing Cordage and woodenware Crockery and glassware Dry goods Fancy goods Furniture and carpets Groceries Hats and caps Hardware Lamps and lamp goods Leather and findings Lumber and building mate- rials Paints, oils, and glass Rubber goods Stationery Stoves and tinware Tobacco Coal 25 tons , Dispensary , Fox-skin account. Live-st^ck account Groceries in company house. Salt and seal twine $304. 59 394. 41 1, 016. 49 564. 67 89.49 1, 697. 62 257. 88 147. 71 2, 449. 46 166. 77 595. 10 87.80 75.19 113. 43 218. 93 422. 43 39.38 214. 89 134. 86 8, 991. 10 500.00 703. 32 17.00 417. 28 594. 96 310. 40 Sea-lion skins 63. 71 Boats and bidaras 1, 215. 96 Company buildings 11, 604. 04 Derrick and landing, includ- ing cars and track 1, 737. 23 Household and office furniture. 2, 043. 63 Library '. 670. 64 Native dwellings 6, 646. 96 Telephone 297. 25 Tools and implements 1, 164. 47 San Francisco invoice cost on island inventory of Apr. 30, 1910, corrected to date of transfer $17 per ton 50 per cent Fox traps to be taken at valu- ation. Inventory cost San Francisco invoice cost San Francisco invoice cost after inspection Inventory cost Lump sum 50 per cent 50 per cent... 25 per cent inventory.. Lump sum... 50 per cent... 50 per cent... 50 per cent... , 99L 10 425. 00 351. 66 417. 28 594. 96 310. 40 63.71 700. 00 5, 802. 02 deduction from 36, 977. 95 Company buildings. 1. Barn $753. 45 12. Paint house. 2. Bidarrah house 1, 001. 50 868. 61 1,532.72 100. 00 3, 323. 48 148. 62 582. 23 24, 211. 79 3. Carpenter shop 361. 85 4. Silo 10L15 5. Chicken house 42. 78 6. Cistern house 113. 89 7. Coal house 380.83 S. Dwelling house 2, 916. 71 9. Powder magazine 31. 52 10. Flagstaff.... 27.13 11. Fox house 204.19 $101. 12 13. Salt house 1, 206. 98 14. Schoolhouse 670. 08 15. Sheep house and fence 80.60 16. Store 1,830.64 17. Warehouse 804.62 18. Well house 25. 00 19. Zapadine house 100. 00 20. Zapadine salt house 850.00 11, 604. 04 1096 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. NeAive dwellings. 21 $329.31 34 $277.25 22 225.00 35 277.30 23 228.45 36 344.15 24 225. 05 37 351. 55 25 253.48 38 312.06 26 250.84 39 316.51 27 250.14 40 316.06 28 255.95 41 323.84 29 256. 88 42 354. 22 30 276.71 43 200.91 31 275.93 44/48(5) 196.87 32 276.11 33 272.39 6,646.96 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 9, 1910. Memorandum to Br. Evermann. From what you know of the plant of the Xorth American Commer- cial Co. on the Pribilof Islands, please give me your estimate of the sum that would probably be required for the Government to replace the same. Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Copies to Messi-s. Alexander, Marsh, and Chichester, List and inventory to be passed along. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, June 11, 1910. The Commissioner: Complying with your request of 9th instant, to give you an estimate of the sum of money that would probably be required for the Govern- ment to replace the dwellings and other buildings on the islands of St. Paul and St. George, Pribilof group, we have to report as follows: We assume that the prices given on the inventory sheets submitted for our consideration are the prices which the North American Com- mercial Co. paid the Alaska Commercial Co. for these buildings at the time the transfer was made. We also assume that the buildings actually cost the Alaska Commercial Co. more than these prices. The total amount of the inventory appears to be S61, 203.56. From our knowledge of these buildings and considering the increased cost of labor and building material as compared with conditions when these buildings were originally constructed, we are of the opinion that these buildings could not be replaced for less than $95,000. We wish to say in this connection that none of us presumes to be an expert in SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1097 matters of this kind, and we give the above figure simply as our best judgment. Very respectfully, Barton W. Evermann. A. B. Alexander. H. D. Chichester, M. C. Marsh. Department of Justice, Office of United States Attorney, Northern District of Illinois, Chicago, June 13, 1910. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, ^yashington, D. C. Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the 10th instant inclos- ing a list and requesting me to give you my opinion as to the probable cost of replacing the plant of the North American Commercial Co. on the Pribiiof Islands. At the time I was on the islands my observations were made largely with a view to determining the treatment of the natives as to housing, etc., and conditions in general. I did not, at the time I made these observations, take into consideration the cost or value of the plant. I am, therefore, not in a position to express an opinion as to whether or not the values given on the list are fan" values nor as to the probable cost of replacing the plant. All I can do is to give you some general observations. My opinion, based upon my experience in making the trip, the land- ing at the islands, and on general conditions, is that it would cost the Government or anyone else a great deal more to erect a plant similar to that of the North American Commercial Co. on the Pribiiof Islands than it would to erect a similar plant in any of the States. The voyage to the islands is long and difficult, and after the vessel reaches there she is usually several hours and sometimes several days in finding the islands, which are almost always enveloped in a fog. In the second place, there are no landing facilities at the islands, and all of the material taken up there would have to be lightered off in small boats. The only method I can think of for ascertaining the cost of the plant in question would be to figure the cost of the material and the construction plus the cost of getting it on the islands. This latter item would, in my judgment, be one of the largest items, and it occurs to me it is an item which I would want to look into very care- fully before attempting to express any opinion in the matter. The cost of erecting a plant on the Pribiiof Islands would be so much more than the cost at a point where transportation is available that one could not j)roperly express any opinion without having it backed up by detailed information. Very respectfully, Edwin M. Sims, Vnited States Attoi-ney. 1098 seal islands of alaska. American Museum of Natural History, New York, June 15, 1910. Dear Mr. Commissioner: If the buildings in the accompanying list are in about the same condition as when last I saw them in 1900; I am of the opinion that the estimate is fair. I am viewing the situa- tion as a whole. Some of the buildings may have greatly deteriorated. I should be inclined to refer details to the resident agents on the islands. Most of the buildings are good enough for continued use. Many of the houses occupied by natives will still be serviceable if raised somewhat from the ground and refloored. All the houses of natives should be disinfected, improved, and enlarged. New buildings could not, of course, be erected at anything like the figures quoted. Very truly, yours, C. H. Townsend, Acting Director. Hon. George M. Bowers, United States Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. P. S. — For the information of your office, I will state that my address will be American Museum of Natural Historv until Decem- ber 15. Smithsonian Institution, United States National Museum, Washington, D. C, July 16, 1910. Hon. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: In reply to your letter of July 10, requesting my esti- mate of what would be the probable cost of the North American Com- mercial Co.'s plant on the Pribilof Islands, as enumerated in the list herewith returned, if the Government should wish to replace it, I regret to say that my laiowledge of the details of the plant, of the improvements made since my last visit there 14 years ago, and of the prices of lumber and labor on the Pacific coast, is so limited that it would be impracticable for me to mention oifhand any definite sum. However, the prices placed opposite the various items on the list seem to me to be moderate, and I can truthfully say that I do not believe the Government could replace the plant for less than the sum listed. Very respectfully, Leonhard Stejneger. The Museum, The Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, Brooklyn, N. Y:, June 18, 1910. Mr. George M. Bowers, Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, B.C. Dear Sir: I fear that my estimate of the cost of buildings on the Pribilof Islands is not of much importance, but, knowing something of the conditions of work, the cost of material, it seems to me that to replace the existing buildings on St. Paul and St. George Islands would SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1099 cost from two to three times the valuation given on the schedule. The buildings of the natives are, of course, very old and in poor con- dition. At the same time the valuation placed on them is small. I am sorry I can not give you a more definite opinion, but am always willing to do the best I can. Believe me, Faithfully, yours, F. A. Lucas, Curator in Chief. Part IV. Communications Relative to Personnel of Increased Force on Islands. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 3, 1910. Memorandum to the commissioner regarding employees required on seal islands. I have carefully considered the number and character of the em- ployees necessary to an efficient administration of affairs on the seal islands and the doing of the various kinds of work connected there Avith. After conferring with the four agents and with various others who have been to the islands and are more or less familiar with the con- ditions I am convinced that it is not necessary to have upon the islands employees equaling the aggregate number previously em- ployed by the lessee and the Government. It is believed that, in addition to the four agents and the chief naturalist, the only regular employees required are one clerk, two teachers, two doctors, two stockmen, and two cooks. The two stockmen would be natives, and the two cooks Chinese. The personnel on the islands and the compensation would be as follows : W. I. Lembkey, chief agent $3, 650* James Judge, assistant agent 2, 920* H. D. Chichester, assistant agent 2, 190* Ezra W. Clark, assistant agent 2, 190* Chief naturalist (to be selected) 3, 000* A. H. Proctor, clerk 1, 800 S. Melovidof, teacher 900 Teacher (to be selected) 1, 200 H. C. Mills, doctor 1, 200 Doctor (to be selected) 1, 200 Native stockman 240 Native stockman 240 Chinese cook 780 Chinese cook 780 The salaries indicated by a star (*) are already fixed; the others are approximately those paid by the former lessee. Respectfully submitted. Barton W. Evermann, Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry. Approved. ~) Commissioner. 1100 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 7, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: In the administration of the seal islands under the act ap- proved April 21, 1910, the following employees \vill be necessary in addition to those already employed : St. Paul: A. H. Proctor,' storekeeper and bookkeeper $1, 800 Simeon Melovidof ,' school-teacher 900 H. C. Mills,! physician 1, 200 , stockman 480 , cook 780 , chambermaid 180 St. George: school-teacher i, 200 physician 1, 200 cook 780 stockman ^ 300 chambermaid 180 9,000 These salaries are to be in addition to board furnished at the mess. As the cooks, janitors, stockman, etc., will be either Chinese or natives, and as the names of the persons so to be employed can not be ascertained at present, it is believed that their employment should be left to the agent in charge of the islands. I respectfully request tnat authority for the employment of the persons herein mentioned be granted, and for the employment of suitable persons to fill the positions mentioned herein for which the names of persons are not designated. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Letter dated May 11, 1910, to be considered in lieu of this letter. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Sir: The act of Congress approved April 21, 1910 (Public No. 146), requires that the entire business of taking sealskins and administer- ing the aff au-s of the Pribilof Islands will be done under the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. As the details of carrying out this act of Congress have been assimed to the Bureau of Fisheries, I have to invite your attention to tlie fact that it will be necessary to employ a bookkeeper, store- keeper, school-teachers, physicians, stockmen, cooks and charwomen. The conditions are such on the islands that I am in doubt as to how best to secure persons to fill these places, therefore I have to recom- mend that I be authorized to temporarily employ such persons as may be necessary to begin the new administration, upon requisitions 1 No papers. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1101 as is done for tempoi'Mry emplo3^ees in the administration of the field service of the Bureau of Fisheries, until such time as the agent in charge returns next fall with data upon which specific recommenda- tions can be made. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers. Commissioner of Fisheries. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. This letter is to be considered in lieu of letter dated Mav 7, 1910. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 9, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. G. Sir: I have the honor to request that Mr. Harry D. Chichester, assistant agent, Alaskan seal fislieries, be designated as special dis- bursing agent in the Department of Commerce and Labor, giving sufficient bond to permit the placing in his custody of Government moneys to the amount of S;2,000 for expenditure in connection with the protection of the seal fisheries of Alaska. The reasons for this request are the followiffg: Mr. Chichester's work is for a considerable portion of each year on the Pribilof Islands, which are remotely situated and with which mail facilities are very poor, and, therefore, the settlement of certain accounts in the usual manner is impracticable. Funds immediately available on the islands will be necessary with which to pay for labor and for other purposes in order to put into effect the act approved April 21, 1910, to protect the seal fisheries of Alaska. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor. oath of office. 1, Harry D. Chichester, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. Harry D. Chichester. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of May, A. D. 1910. I. H. Dunlap, Chief Cleric. Bureau or office to which assigned : 1102 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Sir: Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Fisheries you are hereby appointed, under the provisions of section 3614, United States Revised Statutes, a special disbursing agent of this department, without additional compensation, for the disbursement of moneys from the appropriation "For protecting seal fisheries of Alaska." You will, before entering upon the duties of this office, execute a bond on the form inclosed herewith in the penal sum of $5,000, with sufficient sureties, conditioned upon the faithful performance of your duties, and forward the same to the department for examination, approval, and file. Great care should be exercised in filling out the form, and the instructions on the first page of the bond should be carefully read before you attempt to execute the same. Return the signature cards Avith the executed bond. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. Harry D. Chichester, Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries). Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Sir: Referring to the act of Congress approved August 5, 1909, regarding the rates of premium which surety companies may charge for executing bonds of Government officers, the department incloses herewith a copy of the act mentioned and states for your information that a majority of the special disbursing agents of other bureaus of the department who are bonded in the sum of $5,000 paid $7.50 for their bonds in 1908. In returning to the department your executed bond, assuming that it is executed by a surety company, please forward also the premium receipt which you receive from the surety company. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. Harry D. Chichester, Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries). seal islands of alaska. 1103 Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Mr. Harry D. Chichester, Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: To enable this department to verify your indorsement of Treasury warrants payable to you or your order, in your official capacity, you are hereby req^uired to fill in the inclosed cards, in tripli- cate, in your own handwritmg, giving your official signature, official title, residence, and date of signing. The signature on the card, indicated with an X, should correspond with the signature on the bond, which will be regarded as your official signature; and your signatures to official papers and your indorsements on the United States Treasury warrants should in all cases correspond as nearly as possible with your official signature. After being properly filled in, the cards should be returned to this office with the bond. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Through the Commissioner of Fisheries. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May I4, 1910. Sir: The department has approved your official bond as special disbursing agent appropriation ''For protecting seal fisheries of Alaska," given in the penal sum of So, 000 and bearing date of May 12. 1910. Respectfully, (Signed) Ben.i. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. Harry D. Chichester (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries). Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 9, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to request that Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, agent Alaskan seal fisheries, be designated as special disbursing agent in the Department of Commerce and Labor, giving sufficient bond to permit the placing in his custody of Government moneys to the amount of S2,000 for expenditure in connection with the pro- t.ection of the seal fisheries of Alaska. The reasons for this request are the following: Mr. Lembkey's work is for a considerable portion of each year on the Pribilof Islands, which are remotely situated and with which mail facilities are very poor, and, therefore, the settlement of certain accounts in the usual 1104 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. manner is impracticable. Funds immediately available on the islands will be necessary with which to pay for labor and for other purposes in order to put into effect the act approved April 21, 1910, to protect the seal fisheries of Alaska. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] » Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Sir: Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Fisheries, you are hereby appointed, under the provisions of section 3614, United States Revised Statutes, a special disbursing agent of this department, without additionaj compensation, for the disbursement of moneys from the appropriation "For protecting seal fisheries of Alaska." You will before entering upon the duties of this office execute a bond on the form inclosed lierewith, in the penal sum of $5,000 with sufficient sureties conditioned upon the faithful performance of your duties, and forward the same to the department for examina- tion, approval, and file. Great care should be exercised in filling out the forms, and the instructions on the first page of the bond should be carefully read before you attempt to execute the same. Return the signature cards with the executed bond. Respectfully, (Signed) Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries), Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: To enable this department to verify your indorsement of Treasury warrants payable to you, or your order, in your official capacity, [y'ou are hereby required to fill in the inclosed cards, in triplicate, in your own handwTiting, giving jour official signature, official title, residence, and date of signing. The signature on the card, indicated with an X, should correspond with the signature on the bond, which will be regarded as your official signature; and your signatures to official papers and your indorsements on the United States Treasury warrants should in all cases correspond as nearly as possible with your official signature. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1105 After being properly filled in, the cards should be returned to this office with the bond. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Through the Commissioner of Fisheries. Inclosure No. 362. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Sir: Referring to the act of Congress approved August 5, 1909, regarding the rates of premium which surety companies may charge for executing bonds of Government officers, the department incloses herewith a copy of the act mentioned, and states for your informa- tion that a majority of the special disbursing agents of other bureaus of the department who are bonded in the sum of S5,000 paid $7.50 for their bonds in 1908. In returning to the department your executed bond, assuming that it is executed by a surety company, please forward also the receipt which you receive from the surety company. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries), Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. Inclosure No. 362. Department of Commerce and Labor. oath of office. I, Walter I. Lembkey, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reserva- tion or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. Walter I. Lembkey. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of May, A. D. 1910. I. H. DuNLAP, Gliief Cleric. Bureau or office to which assigned: Fisheries. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 14, 1910. Sir: The department has approved your official bond as special disbursing agent appropriation "For protecting seal fisheries of 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 70 1106 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Alaska/' given in the penal sum of $5,000 and bearing date of May i 12, 1910. Respectfully, (Signed) Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries) . Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 9, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to request that Mr. James Judge, assistant agent Alaskan seal fisheries, be designated as special disbursing agent in the Department of Commerce and Labor, giving sufficient bond to permit the placing in liis custody of Government nioneys to the amount of $2,000 for expenditure in connection with the protection of the seal fisheries of Alaska. The reasons for this request are the following: Mr. Judge's work is for a considerable portion of each year on the Pribilof Islands, which are remotely situated and with which mail facilities are very poor, and, therefore, the settlement of certain accounts in the usual manner is impracticable. Funds immediately available on the islands will be necessary with which to pay for labor and for other purposes in order to put into effect the act approved April 21, 1910, to protect the seal fisheries of Alaska. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 10, 1910. Sir: You are hereby appointed as assistant agent at seal fisheries in Alaska, with compensation of $2,920 per annum. This appointment will take eft'ect May 10, 1910. Paj'^ment of the compensation herein authorized is subject to the oath of office being taken. (By change from assistant Treasur}^ agent for seal fisheries of Alaska. Position transferred to this department by act of Feb. 14, 1903.) Respectfully, (Signed) Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. James Judge (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries) . (Appropriation: Salaries, agents at seal fisheries in Alaska.) seal islands of alaska. ' 1107 Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910.* Sir: Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Fisheries you are hereby appointed, under the provisions of section 3614, United States Revised Statutes, a special disbursing agent of this department, without additional compensation, for the disbursement of moneys from the appropriation ''For protecting seal fisheries of Alaska." Before entering upon the duties of this office you will execute a bond on the form inclosed herewith in the penal sum of $5,000, with sufficient sureties conditioned upon the faithful performance of your duties and forward the same to the department for examination, approval, and file. Great care should be exercised in filling out the forms, and the instructions on the first page of the bond should be carefully read before you attempt to execute the same. Return the signature cards with the executed bond. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. James Judge, Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the vSecretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Mr. James Judge, Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: To enable this department to verif}^ your indorsement of Treasury warrants payable to you, or your order, in your official capacity, you are hereby required to fill in the inclosed cards, in triplicate, in your own handwriting, giving your official signature, official title, residence, and date of signing. The signature on the card indicated with an X should correspond with the signature on the bond, which will be regarded as your official signature; and your sig- natures to official papers and your indorsements on the United States Treasury warrants should in all cases correspond as nearly as possible with your official signature. After being properly filled in, the cards should be returned to this office with the bond. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Through the Commissioner of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor. oath of office. I, James Judge, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against aU enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I 1108 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. James Judge. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of July, A. D. 1910. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Bureau or office to wliich assigned : Bureau of Fisheries. [Copy— original too faiut for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, August 5, 1910. Sir: The department has approved your official bond as special disbursing agent, appropriation "For protecting seal fishenes of Alaska," given in the penal sum of $5,000 and bearing date of May 13, 1910. Respectfully, (Signed) Charles Earl, Acting Secretary. Mr. James Judge (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries). Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 9, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir : I have the honor to request that Mr. Ezra W. Clark, assistant agent, Alaskan seal fisheries, be designated as special disbursing agent in the Department of Commerce and Labor, giving suflicient bond to permit the placing in his custod.y of Government moneys to the amount of $2,000 for expenditure in connection with the protection of the seal fisheries of Alaska. The reasons for this request are the following: Mr. Clark's work is for a considerable portion of each year on the Pribilof Islands, which are remotely situated and with which mail facilities are very' poor, and, therefore, the settlement of certain accounts in the usual manner is impracticable. Funds immediately available on the islands will be necessary with which to pay for labor and for other purposes in order to put into effect the act approved April 21, 1910, to protect the seal fisheries of Alaska. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1109 [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Sm: Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Fisheries, you are hereby appointed under the provisions of section 3614, United States Revised Statutes, a special disbursing agent of this department, without additional compensation, for the disbursement of moneys from the appropriation "For protecting seal fisheries of Alaska." Before entering upon the duties of this office, you will execute a bond on the form inclosed herewith, in the penal sum of S5,000, with sufficient sureties conditioned upon the faithful performance of your duties and forward the same to the department for examination, approval, and file. Great care should be exercised in filling out the forms, and the instructions on the first page of the bond should be carefully read before you attempt to execute the same. Return the signature cards with the executed bond. Respectfully, (wSigned) Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Mr. Ezra W. Clark, (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries) , Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 11, 1910. Mr. Ezra W. Clark, Special Disbursing Agent, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: To enable this department to verify }our indorsement of Treasury warrants payable to you, or your order, in your official capacity, you are hereby required to fill in the inclosed cards, in triphcale, in your own handwriting, giving your official signature, official title, residence, and date of signing. The signature on the card indicated with an X should correspond with the signature on the bond, which will be regarded as your official signature; and your signatures to official papers and your indorsements on the United States Treasury warrants should in all cases correspond as nearly as possible \\'ith your official signature. After being" properly filled in. the cards should be returned to this office with the bond. Respectfully, Ben.j. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. Through the Commissioner of Fisheries. 1110 seal. islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor. oath of office. I, Ezra W. Clark, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the ofRce on which I am about to enter: So help me God. Ezra W. Clark. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th day of June, A. D. 1910. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Bureau or office to which assigned: August 25, 1910. Sir: The department has approved your official bond as special disbursing agent, appropriation "For protecting seal fisheries of Alaska," given in the penal sum of $5,000 and bearing date of May 13, 1910. By direction of the Secretary. Respectfully, A. Gordon Cumming, Chief Cleric. Mr. Ezra W. Clark (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries). [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] June 6, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, 216 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Can you find physician at twelve hundred? None available here. Bowers. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 19, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. vSir: The act of Congress "to protect the seal fisheries of Alaska and for other purposes," approved April 21, 1910, provides in section 9 that the Secretarj" of Commerce and Labor shall have authority to appoint such additional officers, agents, and employees as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this act and in the same section the Secretary is likewise given authority to provide among other tilings for the education of the native inhabitants of the Pribilof Islands. It will therefore be necessary to employ one or more school-teachers. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1111 I have the honor to recommend the employment or appomtment of Rev. Ned. B. Campbell as school-teacher on the island of St. George at a salary of $900 per annum. Mr. Campbell is believed to possess all of the educational qualities necessary for the position and in addition is competent to perform clerical duties. Mr. Campbell is in position to proceed without delay to Alaska. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, May 20, 1910. Sir: Receipt is acknowledged of the bureau's letter of the 19th instant recommending "the employment or appointment of Rev. Ned B. Campbell as school-teacher on the Island of St. George at a salary of S900 per annum." It was represented to the department that the bureau would employ in the additional positions mentioned in section 9 of the act approved April 21, 1910, those persons who had been previously employed upon the same work by the North American Commercial Co., and the department's request upon the Civil Service Commission for authority to employ these persons was so framed that there could be no misunderstanding as to the bureau's intention. The department desires a statement from the bureau showing whether Mr. Campbell has ever been employed by the company above mentioned, and if not, why the bureau did not recommend some per- son who had been so employed. Under the terms of the commission's letter of the 19th instant, the contents of which have been communicated to the bureau, it will be necessary to obtain antecedent authority from the commission for the employment of the school-teacher or school-teachers, and this authority can only be granted under the provisions of Schedule A, subdivision 1, Section IX of the rules. Respectfully, Benj. S. Cable, Acting Secretary. The Commissioner of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 20, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, • Washington, D. 0. Sir: Replying to the department's letter relative to the employ- ment or appointment of Rev. Ned. B. Campbell as school-teacher on the Island of St. George at a salary of $900 per annum, I have the honor to say that the bureau's letter of May 11 contained no inference that the employees who would be required on the Pribilof Islands were necessarily to be selected from those people who had previously been in the service of the North American Commercial Co. Neither is it conceivable that the Government is under any obligations to give these 1112 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. people employment. It is the intention, however, to make selec- tions from this force as far as is consistent with good administration and the obtaining of competent employees. Section 9 of the act approved April 21 gives the Secretary full authority to appoint such additional officers, agents, and employees as may be necessary to carry into effect the act. It says nothing about appointing persons who may have been in the employ of the North American Commercial Co. The school-teachers employed by the North American Commercial Co. have not been recommended to me, but, on the other hand, there is inclosed herewith a memorandum from the seal agent, Mr. Lemb- key, heartily recommending Mr. Campbell, and a communication from Mr. Chichester, one of the assistant seal agents, relative to the qualifications of the school-teacher who was in the employ of the com- pany, which explain themselves. The bureau conceives that it is its duty to make the best selections possible for all positions necessary to carry out the provisions of the act of April 21 irrespective of the previous status of the persons chosen. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Com/missioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, BxjREAU OF Fisheries, Washington, May 17, 1910. Memorandum in re employment of school-teacher for St. George Island, Alaslca. Under the act of April 21, 1910, which requires the Secretary of Commerce and Labor to provide for the education of the native inhabitants on the Pribilof Islands, it will be necessaiy to employ a school-teacher for St. George Island. For this position I respectfully recommend the employment of Mr. Ned B. Campbell, who I oelieve possesses all of the educational quali- ties necessary for the position, and in addition can be used to advan- tage in performing clerical duties. Mr. Campbell has assured me of his willingness to accept and to proceed at once to Alaska. W. I. Lembkey. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, Hay 20, 1910. Memorandum in re school-teacher on St. George Island. The present school-teacher on St. George Island, in my opinion, lacks the necessary educational qualifications to fill the position of teacher or to take charge of the island accounts. It is therefore necessary to send some one at once who is competent to carry on this work. H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent. SE.VL> ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1113 GENERAL APPOINTMENT. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, May 25, 1910. Sir: You have been appointed, subject to taking the oath of office, school-teacher (St. George, Pribilof Islands, Alaska) in the service of the Bureau of Fisheries at a salary of $1,200 per annum, effective beginning May 25, 1910, or as soon thereafter as you enter upon duty in the above-mentioned position. (New position.) In addition to the compensation stated above, your actual and necessary expenses of travel from Washington, D. C, to St. George, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, and return, including subsistance while en route and on said island, will be reimbursed you. (In accordance with the provisions of Schedule A, subdivision I, sec. 9, civU-service rules.) By direction of the Secretary: Respectfully, A. H. Baldwin, Chief Clerk. Rev. Ned B. Campbell (through the Commissioner of Fisheries). Appropriation: Protecting seal fisheries of Alaska. personal question sheet. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, December 17 , 1906. To ike chiefs of bureaus of the Department of Commerce and Labor: For the purpose of enabling the department to maintain a complete record of its officers and employees, you are requested to have every person hereafter appointed or employed in your bureau, immediately upon his entrance on duty, answer each of the questions in Part I of this form and sign the same. The officer in immediate charge should review the information given by the appointee or employee, and if correct, should forward the form to the chief of the bureau without dela)'-. The information called for by the questions in Part II should then be supplied and the form forwarded to the department. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. Part I. (Part 1 should be executed by the appointee or employee: but, if he is unable to write legibly, another person may write the answers at his dictation. In either case the statement should be signed by the appointee or employee. If he is unable to write, he may sign by mark in the presence of one witness. If he is unable to answer any question, he should indicate that fact.) 1. What is your full name? (Do not use initials, but spell out each name and state whether Mr., Miss, or Mrs. Example: Mr. John Richard Doe.) Neddie Bums Campbell. 2. How do you write your name on the pay roll? (This should agree with signature to your oath of office.) Ned. B. Campbell. 3. What is your present legal (voting) residence? (Give city or town. State or Territory, county, and congressional district.) Martinsburg, W. Va.; Berkeley; second. 4. WTiat is your race? (Answer "white," "colored," or Mongolian.") WTiite. 5. Where were you born? Near Martinsburg, W. Va. 6. When were you born? March 31, 1867. 1114 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 7. Are you pensioned by the United States Government? (Answer "Yes" or "No.") No. 8. Are there any members of your family, besides yourself, in the civil service of the United States? (If so, give below their names, relationships, the departments and bureaus or services in which they are employed, and the positions they occupy.) None. 9. If you were appointed through a civil-service examination, state as near as you recollect the name and date of the examination. If not so appointed, state how you entered the service. (Examples: "By reinstatement," or "by transfer from ." stating department, bureau or service, position, and salary, if known.) . 10. Have you any physical disabilities? (If so, describe briefly. If you have defective eyesight, state whether corrected by glasses.) None. 11. Have you ever held any other position in the civil service of the United States? (If so, give below the department and bureau or service in which you served, the position held, the salary you received, and the dates of your appointment and separa- tion from the service.) None. 12. Were you in the military or naval service of the United States during the Civil or Spanish-American War? (If so, give the information called for by the blanks below.) No. 13. If you served in the military or naval service of the United States at any time other than during the Civil or Spanish-American Wars, indicate such service in the spaces below. — . 14. What was your occupation prior to entering the United States civil service? (It is intended that the answer to this question shall state briefly the lines of work followed by you before receiving your present appointment, with the exception of your service for the Government indicated in your answers to questions 11, 12, and 13.) Preaching. 15. What education have you received? (Indicate the grades of schools you have attended, and, in case you have attended schools of higher grade than high schools, give the institution, degrees received, and date in each case. Example: Public school; high school; business college; Cornell University, A. B., 1900; Columbia University, LL. B., 1903.) Hampden Sidney College and Union Theological Semi- nary. 16. What special qualifications have you — professional, technical, mechanical, etc.? (Examples: Qualified as "lawyer," or "civil engineer," or "draftsman," or "car- penter.") As above. 17. What, if any, civil-service examinations have you passed? (Give names and dates as near as you recollect.) None. 18. Were the answers to the foregoing questions written by you? (If not, state the name and address of the person who wrote them for you.) Yes. 19. State the date upon which the above blanks were filled. May 27, 1910. Ned. B. Campbell, St. George Island, Alaska. Part II. (Part II should be executed by the executive officers of the various bureaus of the department, or, at their direction, by some official who can give the information desired. If unable to answer any question, indicate that fact.) 1. State the bureau or service, place, and district in which the person who answered the foregoing questions is employed. Fisheries, St. George, Pribilof Islands. 2. To what position has he been appointed? School-teacher. 3. State the date of appointment. May 25, 1910. 4. State the date the appointment was effective. (If appointment was made to take effect on date of oath, so state.) May 27, 1910. 5. State the date of the oath. May 27, 1910. 6. State the date the appointee or employee entered on duty. May 27, 1910. 7. What is his salary? Nine hundred dollars per annum. 8. From what appropriation is he paid? Protecting seal fisheries of Alaska. 9. Is the position excepted, competitive, or unclassified under the civil-service rules? Excepted. 10. If classified, state the date of classification. 11. In what manner did the appointee or employee enter the service? (Examples: "From stenography and typewriting examination"; or "without examination"; or "by reinstatement"; or "by transfer from , " stating department, bureau, or service, position, and salary, if known.) Without examination. 12.. Is the appointee or employee required to give bond? No. I. H. DuNLAP, Chief Clerk. May 28, 1910. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1115 Department of Commerce and Labor. OATH OF office. I, Ned. B. Campbell, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. Ned. B. Campbell. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27tli day of May, 1910. I. H. DuNLAP, CMej Cleric. Office of Agent Seal Fisheries, St. Paul Island, Alaska, July 3, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: Conformably to the verbal arrangement made previous to my departure from Washington, I have the honor to report that the following temporar}^ employees, formerly in the employ of the North American Commercial Co., have been retained. On St. George. Name. Annual salary. Position. Period. James Murtha C. M. Cunningham (Chinese) . M. Lestenkof Selected natives . . . Do $1,200 1,200 720 300 240 180 Storekeeper Physician Cook Stockman Janitor Government house Janitor company house Until fall. Do. Do. Indefinitely Do. Do. I was forced to hire Murtha for about two months to assist Maj. Clark with the inventory, stock of merchandise, and bookkeeping, and to instruct Mr. Campbell in the above duties. Dr. Cunningham is a partial invalid and not adaptable to other work than his profession, but I was obliged to retain him until fall or to allow the island to be without a physician, a condition highly undesirable. The cutter doctors are available only at infrequent intervals. The cook wished to leave immediately, but was persuaded to remain until September, when he will leave on the Honker. It must be understood that the duties of sealing, taking inventory, opening new books, storing and caring for merchandise, and the trans- fer of the property all fall within a period of about five weeks. It would have been impossible for Maj. Clark and Mr. Campbell, who, although capable, is unused to these duties, to have performed them without temporary assistance, which I secured in the person of Murtha, who at first desired to leave at once. It will be necessary to provide a Chinese cook and a physician for St. George Island, to arrive on the second trip of the Homer. 1116 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. On St. Paul. Name. A. H. Proctor.. S. Melovidof H. C. Mills • (Chinese) N. Bogadanof . . Selected natives Do Annual salary. 81,800 1,200 1,200 720 300 240 180 Position. Store and book keeper School-teacher Physician Cook Stockman Janitor Government house Janitor company house Period. Indefinite. Do. (?) Indefinite. Do. Do. Do. In regard to the above employees, Mr. Proctor was willing to re- main, and at once began to assume charge of his duties as bookkeeper in charge of merchandise under the new conditions. Ilis experience renders his services invaluable at this time. vSimeon Melovidof, although about to remove with his family to San Francisco, will re- main as school-teacher and assistant storekeeper. Dr. Mills, having served his agreed time of two years upon this island, will have to re- turn to San Francisco, unless his wife, who is awaiting him anxiously, will join him on St. Paul, in which case he will stay another winter. As to him, I will inform you by wire, if possible, in time to arrange for a relief if necessary. Wing, the Chinese cook on St. Paul, must return to China this fall, having been away from his family for several years. He has prom- ised me that he will return to the islands next spring. The laundry- man on St. Paul, however, is a cook, and will take Wing's place during the winter. Wing will remain until the second trip of the Homer, and the laundryman will be loaned to Dutch Harbor until that time, at no expense to us. The salaries mentioned are the same as those paid by the late lessee, except that its stockman was paid $720. I have endeavored as far as possible to maintain the same conditions as prevailed heretofore, as the lessee's system was evolved from 40 years' careful experimen- tation, and to allay the distrust of the natives who had received the impression that, under the new conditions, they would be slaves to this Government, as they were formerly under Russian control. In respect to the matters heretofore outlined, having received no written instructions, I have been guided by the verbal understanding mentioned and my best judgment. I respectfully request approval of my action. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 30, 1910. Mr. Walter I. Lembkey, Chief Agent Fur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, AlasTca. Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of your letter of 3d instant, reporting the temporary arrangements and assignments which you have made regarding storekeepers, physicians, cooks, stockmen, SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 111? janitors, etc., on the islands. Your temporary assignments are approved, except as to Maj. Clark. it is understood that James Murtha, C. N. Cunningham, and Assistant Agent Clark will leave the islands by the last steamer. In the event that Dr. Mills should not consent to remain another year on St. Paul, you are instructed to assign Dr. de Figaniere to St. Paul instead of to St. George. Dr. Chichester in that case would have to act both as agent and doctor for St. George. According to this arrangement, the assignments for the two islands would be as follows: St. George Island. — Dr. H. D. Chichester, assistant agent and for the time being acting doctor (in the event that Dr. P. A. de Figaniere is assigned to St. Paul to relieve Dr. Mills; other\^dse Dr. de Figaniere is assigned to St. George); Ben Campbell, school-teacher; M. Les- tenkof, stockman; Chinese cook; native janitor for Government house; native janitor for company house. St. Paul Island. — James Judge, assistant agent; Dr. Walter L. Hahn, naturalist; Dr. P. A. de Figaniere, doctor, or H. C. Mills, if he should consent to remain; S. Melovidof, school-teacher; N. Bog- adanof, stockman; Chinese cook; native janitor for Government house; native janitor for company house. KespectfuUy, I. H. Dunlap, Acting Commissioner. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, July 6, 1910. Sir: Referring to the bureau's letter of October 1, 1909, in the case of Ezra W. Clark, assistant agent at seal fisheries in Alaska, to the effect that it would not be practicable to transfer liim to another position at that time, for the reason that he had left for a year's tour of duty in Alaska, but that his case would be borne in mind for the future, the department w^ill be pleased to be advised whether the bureau is now in a position to submit a recommendation look- ing toward the final disposition of Mr. Clark's case. By direction of the Secretary. Respectfully, (Signed) A. H. Baldw'in, Chief Cleric. The Commissioner of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, July 11, 1910. The Secretary of Commerce and I^abor, Washington, D. C. Sir: Replying to the department's letter of July 6, relative to Mr. Ezra W. Clark, I have the honor to call attention to the bureau's letter of October 1, 1909. The bureau has no further recommendation to make than that therein contained. Mr. Clark's services have been 1118 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. eminently satisfactory in every respect, and the only reason that the case was ever mentioned by the bureau was in the hope that at some time it might be possible to transfer him to a position carrjdng with it equal responsibility and pay to that which he now holds but in a less rigorous climate than that of Alaska. It is probable that such an opportunity will not occur in this bureau. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Appointment Division, Washington, July I4, 1910. Memorandum for the Acting Secretary: In Jul}', 1909, Ezra W. Clark, assistant agent at seal fisheries in Alaska, with pay at the rate of $2,190 per annum, was rated 10/10 on quantity and excellent on qualit}^ and interest manifested, but the statement was made that "on account of his age and the peculiar conditions obtaining on the seal islands, it is thought Mr. Clark should be transferred to some suitable position elsewhere than Alaska." When this report was considered by the committee that reviewed the efficiency reports, it was decided that the bureau should submit a recommendation as soon as possible in line with the statement just quoted. On October 1, 1909, the bureau made the following report: Mr. Clark's services have been eminently satisfactory; he takes great interest in his work, and is thoroughly competent, but on account of his age (69) it would seem proper that duty be given him in some place where the climate is less rigorous and the surroundings more suitable. It is probable that immediate action will not be practi- cable as Mr. Clark has recently left for a year's tour of duty in Alaska, but it is hoped that the case will be borne in mind for the futm-e. In reply to the department's inquiry of the 6th instant, requesting the bureau to state whether Mr. Clark's case could now be disposed of, the commissioner calls attention to his letter of October 1, 1909, and states that — The bureau has no further recommendation to make than that therein contained. Mr. Clark's services have been eminently satisfactory in every respect and the only reason that the case was ever mentioned by the bureau was in the hope that at some time it might be possible to transfer him to a position carrying with it equal responsi- bility and pay to that which he now holds but in a less rigorous climate than that of Alaska. It is probable that such an opportunity will not occur in this bureau. It is apparent from the foregoing report that there are no immediate prospects of effecting a suitable transfer for Mr. Clark. It would seem, however, that the bureau should be requested to find a place for him in a less rigorous climate at the earliest practicable date. Geo. W. Leadley, Chief of Appointment Division. Approved. — B. S. C. 7/15/10. Dr. Leadley said this case could now be regarded as ■closed as far as the efficiency records are concerned. — F. Wrote bureau 7/15/10. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1119 [Copy— original too faint for reproduction.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, WasMngton, July 15, 1910. Sir: Receipt is acknowledged of the bureau's letter of the 11th instant relative to the case of Ezra W. Clark, which has been under consideration on account of the remarks set forth in his efficiency report of July, 1909. The department has carefully noted your statements w"ith respect to Mr. Clark, and requests that you endeavor to find a place for him in a less rigorous climate at the earliest practical date. By direction of the Secretary. Respectfully, (Signed) A. Gordon-Cumming, (Jliief Clerk. The Commissioner of Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, July 17, 1910. Sir: You have been appointed, subject to taking the oath of office and to actual entrance upon duty (unless on authorized leave) on the date indicated, naturalist in the Alaska fur-seal service of the Bureau of Fisheries, at a salary of $3,000 per annum, effective September 10, 1910 (vice Harold Heath). (In accordance with the provisions of Schedule A, subdivision I, sec. 9, civil-service rules.) By direction of the Secretary. Respectfully, A. Gordon-Cumming, Acting Chief Clerk. Mr. Walter L. Hahn (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries). Appropriation: "Salaries, Alaska seal fisheries." Department of Commerce and Labor. OATH of office. I, Walter L. Hahn, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I w^ll bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. Walter L. Hahn. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23d day of July, A. D. 1910. I. H. DuNLAP, Chief Clerk. Bureau or office to which assigned: Fisheries. 1120 seal islands of alaska. peksonal question sheet. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, December 17, 1906. To the chiefs of bureaus of the Department of Commerce and Labor: For the purpose of enabling the department to maintain a complete record of its officers and employees, you are requested to have every person hereafter appointed or employed in your bureau, immediately upon his entrance on duty, answer each of the questions in Part I of this form and sign the same. The officer in immediate charge should review the information given by the appointee or employee, and if correct should forward the form to the chief of the bureau without delay. The information called for by the questions in Part II should then be supplied and the form forwarded to the department. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. Part I. (Part I should be executed by the appointee or employee; but, if he is unable to write legibly, another person may write the answers at his dictation. In either case the statement should be signed by the appointee or employee. If he is unable to write, he may sign by mark in the presence of one witness. If he is unable to answer any questions, he should indicate that fact.) 1. What is your full name? (Do not use initials, but spell out each name and state whether Mr., Miss, or Mrs. Example: Mr. John Richard Doe.) Mr. Walter Louis Hahn. 2. How do you write your name on the pay roll? (This should agree with signature to your oath of office.) Walter L. Hahn. 3. What is your present legal (voting) residence? (Give city or town. State or Territory, county, and congressional district.) Springfield, S. Dak.; Bonhomme; S. Dak. 4. What is your race? (Answer "white," "colored," or "Mongolian.") White. 5. Where were you bom? Bascom, Ind. 6. When were you bom? May 20, 1879. 7. Are you pensioned by the United States Government? (Answer "Yes" or "No.") No. 8. Are there any members of your family, besides yourself, in the civil service of the United States? (If so, give below their names, relationship, the departments and bureaus, or services in which they are employed, and the positions they occupy.) None. 9. If you were appointed through civil service examination, state, as near as you recollect, the name and date of the examination. If not so appointed, state how you entered the service. (Examples: "By reinstatement" or "by transfer from ," stating department, bureau, or service, position, and salary, if known.) Scientific assistant. Bureau of Fisheries, March 30, 1910. 10. Have you any physical disabilities? (If so, describe briefly. If you have defective eyesight, state whether corrected by glasses.) None. 11. Have you ever held any other position in the civil service of the United States? (If so, give below the department and bureau or service in which you served, the posi- tion held, the salary you received, and the dates of your appointment and separation from the service.) Aid, United States National Museum; $720 per annum. Appointed July 1, 1903; resigned September, 1906. 12. Were you in the military or naval service of the United States during the Civil or Spanish- American War? (If so, give the information called for by the blanks below.) No. 13. If you served in the military or naval service of the United States at any time other than during the Civil or Spanish-American Wars, indicate such service in the spaces below. No. 14. What was your occupation prior to entering the United States civil service? (It is intended that the answer to this question shall state briefly the lines of work followed by you before receiving your present appointment, with the exception of your service for the Government, indicated in your answers to questions 11, 12, and SEAL, ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 1121 13.) Student and fellow, Indiana University; professor of biology, State Normal School, Springfield, S. Dak. 15. What education have you received? (Indicate the grades of schools you have attended, and, in case you have attended schools of higher grade than high schools, give the institution, degrees received, and date in each case. Example: Public school; high school; business college; Cornell University, A. B., 1900; Columbia University, LL. B., 1903.) Public school; high school; Indiana University, A. B., 1903; A. M., 1907; Ph. D., 1908. 16. What special qualifications have you^ — professional, technical, mechanical, etc.? (Examples: Qualified as "lawyer," or "civil engineer," or "draftsman," or "carpenter.") Qualified as zoologist. 17. What, if any, civil service examinations have you passed? (Give names and dates as near as you recollect.) Aid, United States National Museum, March, 1903; scientific assistant, Department of Agriculture, 1905; scientific assistant. Bureau of Fisheries, 1910. 18. Were the answers to the foregoing questions written by you? (If not, state the name and address of the person who wrote them for you.) Yes. 19. State the date upon which the above blanks were filled. July 23, 1910. Walter L. Hahn, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Reviewed, approved, and forwarded July 23, 1910. I. H. DUNLAP, Actijig Commissioner. Part II. (Part II should be executed by the executive officers of the various bureaus of the department, or, at their direction, by some official who can give the information de- sired. If unable to answer any question, indicate that fact.) 1. State the bureau or service, place, and district in which the person who answered the foregoing questions is employed. Fisheries; Pribilof Islands. 2. To what position has he been appointed? Naturalist. 3. State the date of appointment. July 19, 1910. 4. State the date the appointment was effective. (If appointment was made to take effect on date of oath, so state.) September 10, 1910. 5. State the date of the oath. July 23, 1910. 6. State the date the appointee or employee entered on duty. Appointment effec- tive September 10, 1910, when he will enter on duty. 7. What is his salary? $3,000 per annum. 8. From what appropriation is he paid? Alaskan seal fisheries. 9. Is the position excepted, competitive, or unclassified under the civil-service rules? Competitive. 10. If classified, state the date of classification. June 25, 1910. 11. In what manner did the appointee or employee enter the service? Examples: "From stenography and typewriting examination"; or "without examination"; or "by reinstatement"; or "by transfer from ", stating department, bureau or service, position, and salary, if known. Scientific assistants' examination. 12. Is the appointee or employee required to give bond? No. I. H. DuNLAP, Chief Cleric and Acting Commissioner. July 23, 1910. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, July 25, 1910. Sir: You have been appointed, subject to taking the oath of ofRce, physician in the service of the Bureau of Fisheries (Pribilof Islands, Alaska), at a salary of SI, 200 per annum, effective beginning July 25, 1910, or as soon thereafter as you enter upon duty in the above- mentioned position. (New position.) In addition to the compensation stated above, your actual and necessary expenses of travel from Washington, D. C, to the Pribilof 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 71 1122 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Islands, Alaska, and return, including subsistence while en route and on said islands, will be reimbursed you. (In accordance with the provisions of Schedule A, subdivision I, sec. 9, civil-service rules.) By direction of the Secretary. Respectfully, A. Gordon-Cumming, Acting Chief Cleric. Mr. Pedro A. de Figaniere (Through the Commissioner of Fisheries) . Appropriation: "Protecting seal fisheries of Alaska." personal question sheet. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, December 17, 1906. To the chiefs of bureaus of the Department of Commerce and Labor: For the purpose of enabling the department to maintain a complete record of its officers and employees, you are requested to have every person hereafter appointed or employed in your bureau, immediately upon his entrance on duty, answer each of the questions in Part I of tliis form and sign the same. The officer in immediate charge should review the information given by the appointee or employee, and if correct, should forward the form to the chief of the bureau without delay. The information called for by the questions in Part II should then be supplied and the form forwarded to the department. Oscar S. Straus, Secretary. Parti. (Part I should be executed by the appointee or employee; but, if he ia unable to write legibly, another person may write the answers at his dictation. In either case the statement should be signed by the appointee or employee. If he is unable to write, he may sign by mark in the presence of one witness. If he is unable to answer any question, he should indicate that fact.) 1. What is your full name? (Do not use initials, but spell out each name and state whether Mr., Miss, or Mrs. Example: Mr. John Richard Doe.) Dr. Pedro Alcantara de Figaniere. 2. How do you write your name on the pay roll? (This should agree with signature to your oath of office.) Pedro A. de Figaniere. 3. What is your present legal (voting) residence? (Give city or town, State or Territory, county, and congressional district.) North East, Md.; Cecil. 4. What is your race? (Answer "white," "colored," or "Mongolian.") White. 5. Where were you born? Zion, Cecil County, Md. 6. When were you born? July 19, 1883. 7. Are you pensioned by the United States Government? (Answer "Yes" or "No.") No. 8. Are there any members of your family, besides yourself, in the civil erevice of the United States? (If so, give below their names, relationships, the departments and bureaus or services in which they are employed, and the positions they occupy.) None. 9. If you were appointed through a civil-service examination, state, as near as you recollect, the name and date of the examination. If not so appointed, state how you entered the service. (Examples: "By reinstatement," or "by transfer from ," stating department, bureau, or service, position, and salary, if known.) SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. • 1123 10. Have you any physical disabilities? (If so, describe briefly. If you have defec- tive eyesight, state whether corrected by glasses.) No. 11. Have you ever held any other position in the civil service of the United States? (If so, give below the department and bureau or service in which you served, the position held, the salary you received, and the dates of your appointment and separa- tion from the service.) No. 12. Were you in the military or naval service of the United States during the Civil or Spanish-American War? (If so, give the information called for by the blanks below.) No. 13. If you served in the military or naval service of the United States at any time other than during the Civil or Spanish-American Wars, indicate such service in the spaces below. Medical Corps, United States Navy; enlisted October 5, 1908; dis- charged April 21, 1909; failure on examination. 14. What was your occupation prior to entering the United States civil service? (It ia intended that the answer to this question shall state briefly the lines of work followed by you before receiving your present appointment, with the exception of your service for the Government, indicated in your answers to questions 11, 12, and 13.) Interne, University of Virginia Hospital, Charlottesville, Va.; resident physician. Tuberculosis Hospital, District of Columbia. 15. What education have you received? (Indicate the grades of schools you have attended, and, in case you have attended schools of higher grade than high schools, give the institution, degrees received, and date in each case. Example: Public school; high school; business college; Cornell University, A. B., 1900; Columbia University, LL. B., 1903.) Public school; preparatory school; University of Virginia, 1908. 16. What special qualifications have you — professional, technical, mechanical, etc.? (Examples: Qualified as "lawyer," or "civil engineer," or "draftsman," or "car- penter.") Physician. 17. What, if any, civil-service examinations have you passed? (Give names and dates as near as you recollect.) None. 18. Were the answers to the foregoing questions written by you? (If not, state the name and address of the person who wrote them for you.) Yes. 19. State the date upon which the above blanks were filled. July 26. Pedro A. de Figaniere, North East, Md. Part II. (Part II should be executed by the executive officers of the various bureaus of the department, or, at their direction, by some official who can give the information desired. If unable to answer any question, indicate that fact.) 1. State the bureau or service, place, and district in which the person who answered the foregoing questions is employed. Fisheries; Pribilof Islands. 2. To what position has he been appointed? Physician. 3. State the date of appointment. July 25, 1910. 4. State the date the appointment was effective. (If appointment was made to take effect on date of oath, so state. ) Julv 25, 1910. 5. State the date of the oath. July 26, 1910. 6. State the date the appointee or employee entered on duty. July 26, 1910. 7. What is his salary? §1,200 per aununi. 8. From what aj^propriation is ne paid? Protecting seal fisheries of Alaska. 9. Is the position excepted, competitive, or unclassified under the civil-service rules? Excepted. 10. If classified, state the date of classification. ■ 11. In what manner did the appointee or employee enter the service? Examples: ' 'From stenography and typewriting examination " ; or ' 'without examination " ; or "by reinstatement"; or "by transfer from ," stating department, bureau, or service, position, and salary, if known.) Without examination. 12. Is the appointee or employee required to give bond? No. I. H. DuNLAP, Chief Clerk. July 27, 1910. 1124 ' seal. islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor. oath of office. I, Pedro Alcantara de Figaniere, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and alle- giance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God. Pedro A. de Figaniere. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of July, A. D. 1910. I. H. DuNLAP, CJdej Clerk. Bureau or office to which assigned: Fisheries. [Copy — original too faint for reproduction.] general appointment — prior date. Department of Commerce and I^abor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, October 2J^ 1910. Sir: You have been appointed, subject to taking the oath of office, physician in the service of the Bureau of Fisheries, Pribilof Islands, Alaska, at a salary of $1,200 per annum, effective May 1, 1910, on and after which date you have continuously served in the above- mentioned position until the close of September 12, 1910, (New position.) Your appointment will continue not longer than until the close of September 12, 1910. In addition to the compensation stated above, your actual and necessary expenses of travel from the Pribilof Islands to San Francisco, Cal., including subsistence while en route and on said islands, will be reimbursed you. ^ (In accordance with the provisions of Schedule A, subdivision I, sec. 9, civil-service rules.) By direction of the Secretary. Respectfully, (Signed) A. Gordon-Cumming, Acting Chief ClerJc. Dr. H. C. Mills (through the Commissioner of Fisheries). Appropriation: Protecting seal fisheries of Alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor. OATH OF office. I, Herbert C. Mills, do solemnly swear that I will support and de- fend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; SEAI/ ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1125 that I take this obHgation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the oflEice on which I am about to enter: So help me God. Herbert C. Mills. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of November, A. D. 1910. E. E. Keyes, Notary Public, in and for the County of Alameda, State of California. The above appointee entered on duty May 1, 1910. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries, (Telegram.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Secretary, Washington, June 10, 1910. Harold Heath, Stanford University, Palo Alto, Cal.: You are hereby appointed naturalist to accompany Agent W. I. Lembkey to the Pribilof Islands. Boat leaves San Francisco to- morrow at noon. Have wired Clark to issue instructions. Am greatly pleased that you accept under the existing circumstances. Charles Nagel, Secretary. Department of Commerce and Labor. oath of office. I, Harold Heath, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or pur- pose of evasion ; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. Harold Heath. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of June, A. D. 1910. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. (Authority to administer oaths, sec. 19, R. S., U. S.) 1126 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor. OATH OF office. I, Harold Heath, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or pur- pose of evasion ; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God. Harold Heath. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 24tli day of August, A. D. 1910. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Part V. Communications Relative to Supplies and Accounts. Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Supplies, Washington, Mar cli 30, 1910. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, United States Fur-Seal Agent, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: Referring to voucher in your favor in the sum of $10.06 for reimbursement for freight and drayage on one case of personal effects and one case photographic goods shipped from San Francisco, Cal., to Washington, D. C, via Southern Pacific Railroad, in the fall of 1907, it is requested by the auditor's office that you furnish a receipt from the North American Commercial Co. for the amount of the charges advanced by such company which, it is understood, you have paid that company for and are asking reimbursement through the voucher referred to. Will you please obtain this receipt and forward it to me at the earliest possible date ? Very tridy, yours, Wilbur W. Fowler, Chief of Division. [Note. — Pages 1127-1138, which are facsimiles of certain requisi- tions received from the fur-seal agents, are reproduced as full-page photolithographic illustrations, owmg to the difficulty of reproducing the forms in type.] »EA)j ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1127 REQUISITION FOR SUPPLiti &ppartmnil lif dUimmrrcf and iiabar jaiiuary .21 , iPlO To tho CHIEF CLERK: Please Canute the guppiies specifisd below to be furni.iked fur the o/ftcial use of iAis / j^-**:*^^^^ "t^T^S^Sw 'Mimlli. ajil^jaloiKsa-.iCbl/^-.x as^^iti^i/a^l & , +3. AiT 3.^- ri>uiw> Z it>8, plain /^: F« ^Xyjilfr .i-^ ..■..«.Q3 y«^.)(.f'>''^ •.. J3Q5 . .11'.?'^'. iXv^-jail-Jl/ Slaeet^. tiltl til-nc pftiprrri f^tfji/Utiyff it »^*"y / BJLaok lead pejiQ.lla.li*» .2 a .^_ .X^^^.^JF -J*. _ _ ". LHI VxiS*r(l I ii. ..' .' ^3 MARt«..W IL _ 44 / iAnHiA]t..:!kJiji.^ i.«A. s-±^.M..M.2. MM.^.9^,^^g .fi.v^ *5 1/ Rtt»ivf.d the aOtwt , 190 ^C/C£c S/ULt4 FT/;^ House Doc. Ho. 9 3 , CZd Cong., 1st Sets. 1128 &EAla ISLANDS OF ALASKA Burniu kmi- REQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES firporttnrnt of (Jlamxntttt anli llabiir /3 / „ ... 1SB.0 To the CHIEF CLEBK: Please cause the sii/jpUes specified below to be furnished for the official use of this jMr-aeal Seryloa (ih ^""^ Chi.rfC:erk. • / 'hiefof .St, . e€.9.rg©..i.si.and.t U- .BiW'leafl, Mnoiw No, a/Ti^x^/^) Ruby U2...SberJ>ard, .." -*-^*Brr \yT>.ei»r.lter..riitw.<>iijBL... B!emiJ5£t93) cQpyliig. , 1 JJJ'ada^ .M*.* ..2.0.4.....-^..''.5^.X.f .'.' 5103 ^A.SM lflai?b.Qii.paBer. /^ko i^ lC£o S-tu>i! 1^0 / y / 3^s/ Mteeived the above _ , 19 ^o^ "'"/ti^ lo¥ NOTR.-Bwvl9t «*d r«Curn thU BttqalaltU* to l^m IHrM«a of S«p|rUeii imrnaedlHicly After iK* arllclM »r« delWarMk F//.^ SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1129 REQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES l£'$!artiar»l of dkunmrrrr and fiahor tBuTMU, OI&<«, or Divlitou.) January. 21 , iao To the CHIEF CLERK: Please cause the supplies specified, below to be furnished for the official use of this Pcj-seal Servlc©. (BurMW. OlhiH. or Dr------ ' .,„„ U.d^ 27 1910 *W Chief of x^y^u^^ iUoJ.,^ir*it.^^ l^'^' 1/ St.v. Paul isiandL, r "/^MAR 19 j0(t^^ v/ yire extingai^Jiers j^i i ^imt r ^ifJiAut^u^h^^ _ / -If /«5 ^ «r-*1,>- 7 ( y* . e ta Tj . Siai Jl aj p to tno .fumialigCL la -i»^) r /l . '^.'^'!;c2 9wriO ^ "jh^dhtzS^^J::: ^^4r~(-T. T.'*r^J. /a MAlliK^JIli,; -, St. George Island. l>Firs^extWui82Ie^^M'•'^**''^^^ Tbp typevfrlting.macMnfi Is essential as on extra one to those •p. either islar*ft whan necessary to send them "below for Thje off ice. deak. and ohatr are essential to replace th.ose In tise,; vMch are falling to pieces. X'^ lyi TBpia z* repaijra. now Z'"""^^^ ^^S\ M^tL •hS^jjg^ (TO \^0 ro fxo Received the above , 19 ^0 '•7 * ill KOTi:.~nMelpt aod rftom thU lt«qif Clerk- a/uul^^'*M^>^ Received the above . .19 If 9-0 r>Wt%.-M»tmVrH ud iMairm tlila K««iiMtl<». w llui OKUtea ml Dafirtifs ibaruU'el]' atur ttu- t FILE SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1131 turrau Bf. REQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES Dep'l Rcq. Ni Bpimttnrtil of (tlmnm(rt» ani Habar lurMU, OSiM, or EMvUioa.) January 21.... ., iSio To the CHIEF CLERK: Please cause the su/jpues specified below to be furnished Jo r the offloial U9t of this Tur-SaaX SazvloA y MAR " v« • lJp// \i ^atfi lilAR S. a 9 ■PhQ-tograohlc -Supitliiaa ^.. Si- ..Pau\ lalaf4» ^ .. ...St. O^rfte Inland. ,i5wrir[fl pya - XQ A v --fla»aj-^Te; 1132 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Burma Htq. REQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES Brpartfltrnt of Qlonunrrrr onJt Xalaax ^ Abstrait So. o / .January. SI, , 19 lo To the CHIEF CLERK: Please cauae the aupplles spe,^ •»-, f«**i NQIX-f lUta. oil ,4^4*- f^^--*-^<^-r^ T* y *gv..?^ !?>.>. ■''^I^*??^. aJUuJiJO Spr ing "baiapgeVja caaes , •w « lgTiin g-a/4--a;bs . V ( CMtfellon liXe sainple). rrd;ir:'^-'o'^d-/96l3 VU>^ (^aJUM-^^t-t^ Sa. 10 (ho .(C[iQ 1.9 ^^^o.cs^g_fy^ cOM/CmriK ^^/^'D f7iLjE SKAL ISLANDS OP AbASRA. 1133 -/ r V' ,/ Burma Kfq Ho _ nEQuisiTioN FOH suppues fiir)iartt3fnt of ilomimertt and Habm ^ De/, I Ra/. Su. AMraii Hil. 14438 .January. .81 , i9io To the CHIEF CLERK: Please cause tin- suijpUoi sped fled below to be, furnisJied for the official use of this IMT-Se&i Service. /<»<7 3fviop ya;!4fl V^'^eeseclpto ,'!i<^^^ ..,0.3.. 'f "?- ' ;^, '/tn? 9t:j^i Lii ^ Xir,. A.U. JO J. ^¥^.. ;>— Oj^flO-i-'ltflO j*,_ //fr:/r^,^ ^ ij ^ (JO / Becfired the nbovc , 19 NOTF:.— BM^»lpt asd r.lurn thla K*9«ivlilo'3 to the Ditieinn of Sur'pl><-a intoi^dUt^ly uttfr tLe i^/i^i? 1134 SKAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Bureau fifq. REQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES department of (Lamtaerte snb Cabar -Q . Olio, or DliWon.) Jaaxar; 27, 1910. jgo To thr CHIEF CLERK: ^^i^^ foomtmi.* "" 1 'tense cause the supplies specified below to be furnished for^he official use of this Frxr-Seal Fisherlas. J/jj / ^A ^^^"-"^^ Chi,.f Clerk. Chief a^LJlgsnW £aal^laher iea^. •flAJR. Y :j^9Y0 8T? B&DL.. _ Universal, joint. with. l.aetflim^es to. f.l^...l.-g/6 la. shaft with all Ic^s to f it toj'roya an f laages. Coupliiig, flexil>le_.i!hfli:t.^..iro., .2, .fe)ard-.*.l£fl!y..j8eatad.. l/3f''ir*r*^- '^"^^^Yj^rl-^B^Omtti. H(L,^^^«:: r. ; ^?^^^ Received the above ...., JPO rfOTK Bei'Clpt anil Milurn thin ft*c|aliilll< I DItUIou or Supp)l«i l«lu«ill«te)7 after th« artlclei nre FILE HBiAI, ISLAXDS OF ALASKA. 1135 B^jrartmrnt REQUISITION FOB SUPPLIES /> Dcp't RcQ. No. Abstract A'o. 14439 jauiary 27,..191Q.- , 190 To the CHIEF (JLERK: -^^^ cotiMtacej^ " ' Please cause the supplies spe^ifted helow to be furnished fac the official use of this Fur-Seal Service. (Bti..-.,. !•«... , or Bii-iiloo.j Chi<'f Clerl-. Chief l^J^seati. R^Sflal. Fi sharisju.. <5i^ ST.JPAUL. .^.IP.".}. jotMdaf ..SaJ.utijg.powler».fflr..Blgna,llliag«...-<^rrV:f^ -^ «^ .St...SSaElC£G.. .+fi .15?^ rcunda. Shell for HotcHklxt S-pomid gy//,6-^c«AJt*-- pound a^. . SalutI ag. .poMrder*-. ^^^^^StZ) .^^ ^3 .r' — ")(' To .jMtograpljic ^jcL. ot Jier. BWEPlles recDiired on St., oeorjga laland. ..syniiwsr of 3,910, 10, regnlar (UAA-vfh y'^^^. i^jl '; 6>^£ — , .'//r CHTEF CLERK: lieuse cauxe the iu/ipUsti •KQUISITION FOn ftUPPUCS Dept Reg. Hr, AUtraU No. .1M28 Bureau of fisjieries APTii.ga 1^0 'umishi;d for tke^Mnicial une of thi» Chisfof .AgSJll,. Al&alsa_ Seal Fisiv TO UliQtQ^aphlc, and other siippllafl -reyiirfta an St. J^ixl Islarid, summer of 1910. PajiCTatl?S,|elp-51gJ_3/l«j*» '-;^ I J .^^ol (?/:^x. }^fy. 10 crameT^scrown\^iates^^ /•'/eloxozaEfiri 8 x lo, regular e«A.£«s4iMi«4#4 /i^/^- X 3< w^ 1/ my /^eJ< ^ ^\ 36 powders ) Eastman developing jx>igQ,gj^ fsr ^ o"blnet for 5 x: 8 cards /' r wvc ..._.X.., i5 ;^r /7v?-<- y/j C.rft»»*.*«--<*- licccived lUn iibo MAY X7 1910 JFZX^iE 1188 SfiAIi ISLANDS OF ALASKA. A 86 To thr CHIEF CLERK. v^^ PLea.'ie cause ihe sa/j/jlies xp. REQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES Jft^y .6. ..J9J CW«t«l. / 6-i-/ 9 /aj %. r.ar.AlaisKA Pu.i^sea.l..5e«r.lGe* Received the aboi'e , 19 MOTK.-R.«>«;i>t KKd 1 (THi..) • turn thU a«qiiF«ltlod to tho DlvUi«>n of SuppllM liiEBvdIntely after ih« artlrle* mr* dfUvercd. FTLE seal islands of alaska. 1139 Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Alaskan Fisheries, Washington, April 19, 1910. Mr. Wilbur W. Fowler, Chief Division of Supplies, Department of Commerce and Labor. My Dear Sir: As requested in your letter of the 30th ultimo, I inclose herewith duplicate receipts from the North American Com- mercial Co. for the amount of the charges advanced by that company on my account in connection with the shipment of one case of photo- graphic negatives and one case of personal effects froni San Fran- cisco to Washington, for which I have been asking reimbursement from the department. Very truly, yours, W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. (Inclosur e . ) May 11, 1910. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Washington, D. C. Sir: Order No. 10-2146, of May 11, 1910, for one No. 7 Reming- ton typewriter, equipped with elite type, rubber cover, and blue copying ribbon, for the use of the fur-seal agents, to be delivered securely packed for shipment, has been sent the Remington Type- writer Co. That company has been requested to have this machine at their San Francisco office open for your in:; ^tion, and they have been informed it is expectecl you mil reach San - . -^isco next week. As soon as you have inspected and accepted . "^ machine, have them fill out the accompanying invoice, you to note the acceptance thereon in the place provided in the upper left-hand corner, and mail it to the Division of Supplies in the inclosed envelope. Respectfully, A. H. Baldwin, Chief Cleric. . (Incls.) Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Supplies, Washington, May 19, 1910. My Dear Mr. Lembkey: I have received information by in- dorsement from the Quartermaster's Department this morning that one case of hand grenades, weight 70 pounds, for St. George Island, is in the quartermaster's hands in San Francisco, having arrived too late to be placed on the revenue cutter Bear, and I have informed the Quartermaster's DeparUnent that you may now be communicated \\\i\\, care of the North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, and that, upon receipt of information from him, you will take care of the disposition of this case. Very truly, yours, Wilbur W. Fowler, Chief of Division. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Care of Nortli American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal. 1140 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. San Francisco, Cal., May 25, 1910. To Bowers, Gommissioner Fisheries, Washington, D. C: ■ Blank vouchers form number forty-three for settlement merchants goods purchased not arrived; please mail sufficient supply immedi- ately. Lembkey. May 26, 1910. Lembkey, 218 Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Youcher forms number forty-three mailed you to-day. Bowers. [Memorandum for Mr. Chichester regarding coal for steamer Homer.] Homer burns per day: Screenings, 12 tons; clean coal, 10 tons. The Western Fuel Co., of San Francisco, has agreed to furnish Comox screenings for the Homer at $5.25 per long ton, f. o. b. vessel at their bunkers in bulk. Their bid for Comox clean coal for the islands, sacked, we to furnish the sacks, was $9.50 per long ton, delivered to steamer. Their bid has been accepted. Homer will burn approximately the following amounts of coal: First trip: Tons. Where purchased, San Francisco to Dutch Harbor, 12 days, at 12 tons 144 San Francisco to Dutch Harbor, 2 days safety, at 12 tons. . . 24 San Francisco. Dutch Harbor to islands and return, 5 days, at 12 tons 60 Dutch Harbor. Coal trip: Dutch Harbor to islands and return, 5 days, at 12 tons .... 60 Dutch Harbor. Dutch Harbor to San Francisco, 12 days, at 12 tons 144 Dutch Harbor. Second trip (H. D. C. to purchase): San Francisco to Dutch Harbor, 14 days, at 12 tons 168 San Francisco. Dutch Harbor to islands and return, 5 days, at 12 tons 60 San Francisco. Dutch Harbor to San Francisco, 12 days, at 12 tons 144 San Francisco. I have already purchased the coal for the trip to the islands and will purchase the coal for the ship at Dutch Harbor. Mr. Chichester is to purchase the coal necessary to take th& Homer from San Fran- cisco and return on her second trip. The coal estimated above prob- ably is 30 tons in excess of what the ship will burn. W. I. L. June 7, 1910. [Telegram via Western Union.] San Francisco, Cal., June 80, 1908. Secretary Commerce and Labor, Washington,' D. C: Have been requested to send the following telegram: Secretary Commerce and Labor: Stationery and other supplies requested for seal islands through Division of Supplies not received. Respectfully request same to be forwarded by company's steamer leaving San Francisco July 25, proximo. W. I. Lembkey, Agent in Charge Seal Fisheries. 8.28 A. M., July 1, 1908. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1141 Washington, July 27, 1910. H. D. Chichester, Care North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Your requisition for medical supplies and equipment approved and mailed you to-day. Purchase in San Francisco. DUNLAP, Acting Commissioner. San Francisco, Cal., August 2, 1910. The Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your telegram of the 27th ultimo advising me that requisition for medical supplies and equipment have been approved and mailed. The requisitions were received yesterday and 1 will purchase the supplies to-day. Respectfully, H. D. Chichester, Assistant Agent Seal Fisheries. [Copy— original too faint for reproduction and partially mutilated.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 3, 1910. [Memorandum in re overtime to crew of United States chartered steamship Homer on the first trip from June 1 to July 23, 1910.] Under the charter and according to settled practice the crew while in port or at anchor work from 7 a. m. to 5 p. m., with an hour for dinner. All time at work outside these hours is "overtime" to be paid by the charterer and subject to his judgment. It is to the interest of the owners to have the charter prolonged; it is to the interest of the charterers to have the charter terminate as soon as possible. To expedite the work of discharging cargo and taking aboard other cargo, the crew must work from daylight in the morning until dark. This necessitates the payment to the crew of "overtime, " for which the bill is rendered. The period the bill covers is, as stated, June 1 to July 23. Overtime for any day is marked on the ship's log in red ink by the mate, after being checked up with the mate by a delegate of the labor union on board^ The master then approves the log for that date. The master gets no overtime. The Homer's log shows the following overtime charged from June 1 to July 23, 1910: June 28, 8 J hours; June 29, ^ hours; June 30, 6 hours; July 3, 6 J hours; July 7, 3^- hours; July 8, 5 hours; July 9, 7 hours; July 10, h\ hours; July 11,2 hours; total, 49i hours. This represents the overtime of the seamen on the Homer as marked on the log. The mates, cooks, firemen, and waiters worked less time than the seamen. While the log shows 49^ hours for the 1142 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. crew, the bill shows 50f hours, a difference of 1^ hours. It is a small difference, but should be susceptible of explanation. It must be remembered that the log in my possession is a duplicate copy of that kept by the mate on the ship, Capt. Mathew Buckard. I know Mr. Buckard to be an honest man and old seaman and that he would under no circumstances put in the log anything other than facts. It is probable, that being unused to clerical duties, in copying the log Buckard omitted to mark an hour and a half's overtime some- where on my copy that should have appeared, and that would account for the difference. Undoubtedly Mr, Fritch can give a list of the overtime by dates. Agent Seal Fisheries. (Copy— original too faint for reproduction.) Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, Octoher 4, i '910. [Memorandum in re meals furnished by J. Homer Fritch Co., on the S. S. Homer, to various persons in the employ of the United States Department of Commerce and Labor, Seal Fisheries.] A reference to the log book of the S. S. Homer while under Gov- ernment charter from June 1 to September 13, 1910, shows the following : Ned B. Campbell went aboard the Homer June 13 at 1 p. m., after lunch, and arrived at Dutch Harbor 6.30 p. m., June 24, 1910. He ate on board Homer June 25. At 6 a. m., June 26, the Homer sailed for St. George, leaving Mr. Campbell at Dutch Harbor to weigh coal. He remained in Dutch Harbor until July 6, when the Homer left Dutch Harbor at 4 a. m. on that date, discharging him at St. George after breakfast on July 7. This would indicate a total of 41 meals, while the bill charges him with 44 meals. Probably Mr. Campbell had three more meals aboard the Homer while at Dutch Harbor, but I was not with the ship at that time and can not certify to them. Mr. Heath went aboard the Homer on June 13, at 1 p. m. after lunch and remained aboard continuously until June 29, at 5 a. m., when he was landed on St. Paul Island. This would indicate a total of 46 meals, or 2 less than charged on the bill. The eight laborers on the first trip from Dutch Harbor left that Eort on June 26 at 6 a. m. and landed on St. George on June 28 after reakfast. They probably ate dinner and supper ashore that day. At 11 p. m., June 28, they went aboard and arrived at St. Paul June 29 at 5 a. m. Probably they had breakfast on the ship June 29, but ate on shore the remainder of the day, and on the 30th, and break- fast July 1. They went aboard for lunch July 1, and landed at noon July 2 at Dutch Harbor, a total of 96 meals, as charged on the bill. On the coal trip eight native laborers left Dutch Harbor on the Homer at 4 a. m. on July 6. They landed at St. George at 6.30 a. m., July 7. They probably ate dinner and supper ashore on the 7th, three meals ashore on the 8th, and three meals ashore on the 9th. They left St. George at 8.30 a. m. after breakfast on the 10th and SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1143 arrived at St. Paul at 1.40 p. m., after dinner of the same day. They left St. Paul at 9.25 a. m. on July 11 after breakfast and landed back at Dutch Harbor at 1.30 p. m., after dinner, July 12. This would make a total of 72 meals, agreeing with the charge on the bill. (Signed) W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 5, 1910. rMemorandum in re wireless messages sent "collect" to North American Commercial Co. from St. Paul Island, Alaska, on official business.] When purchases for the Pribilof Islands were made in May, 1910, the requisition prepared by the employees of the North American Commercial Co. was followed explicitly. On it were only 32 pairs of women's good shoes and 39 pairs of men's heavy shoes to supply approximately 50 people of each sex for a year. No amplification of the requisition was made, because the stock already on the islands was not known. When the ship arrived at the islands, the time of everyone was fully occupied with taking inventory, arranging for the transfer of the property, and with taking seals. It was not until after the ship left for San Francisco that the cargo was opened, checked up with goods on hand, and the supply of shoes found to be inadequate for the people's use for a year. As the necessity for an additional supply of shoes was urgent, the only recourse was to communicate with San Francisco before the Homer left there on her second trip. This ordi- narily would be impossible, as ships going back and forth to Nome and Seattle do not pass within 50 miles of the islands. With the aid of "wireless," however, it was possible to communicate with some one of these steamers as it was passing the islands. As the bureau had no station at San Francisco, the only hope of communicating witli the Homer was by sending the message to the North American Commercial Co. Accordingly several copies of a message regarding the shoes and several other necessary articles were prepared and given to the captain of each patrol cutter in the hope that one of them might be able to get the message through. After about two weeks of failure the TaJioma finally got into touch with a Nome steamer and delivered the message, which reached the com- pany at San Francisco on August 2, four days before the sailing of the Homer, and in time to purchase the articles desired. In view of the haste and the informality involved in the incident, it is submitted that the North American Commercial Co., which had no interest in the matter, should not be held out of the money it advanced as a favor on the messages in question. If, however, it is decided that the Government can not pay the rate charged for the messages, it is suggested that the telegraph company be asked to refund the amount collected directly to the North American Com- mercial Co. and to render an account de novo to the Government for payment of the message at Government rates. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fishenes. 1144 seal islands of alaska. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 6, 1910. Disbursing Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: There is returned herewith voucher of the North American Commecial Co., in amount $98.51, on which there is suspended the amounts $28.34 and $4.82 on account of two telegrams which are charged at the full commercial rate, together with a memorandum from Mr. Lembkey, the agent on the seal islands in Alaska, in regard thereto. Kespectfully, Geo. M, Bowers, Commissioner. (Inclosures.) Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Disbursing Clerk, Washington, September 30, 1910. Suspended account: Bureau, Fisheries; name, North American Commercial Co.; amount, $98.51. Cause of suspension: The charges of $28.34 and $4.82, for two tele- grams to North American Commercial Co., San Francisco, Cal., one from St. Paul Island and one from U. S. revenue cutter Manning at sea, via Nome and Seattle, are suspended, being charged at full com- mercial rate, whereas telegrams should have been indorsed "Official business, Government rate," and forwarded to Seattle over Govern- ment lines. The Western Union Telegraph Co. is entitled to Govern- ment rate only between Seattle and San Francisco. W. L. SOLEAU, Disbursing Cleric. ITelegram.] St. Paul Island, Alaska, July 29-August 2. North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco ^ Cal.: Send St. Paul 600 gunpowder; 1 barrel vinegar; 4 dozen Lea & Per- rin's Worcester; 6 dozen Lyons tooth powder; 20 pounds Barber's shoe threads. No. 10; also 60 pairs woman's Angeles shoes, sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 — 12 pairs each size; 48 pairs woman's Wear Wells, sizes 3, 4, 5, 6 — 12 pairs each; also 36 pairs men's American, sizes 6, 7, 8 — 12 pairs each, Lemky. (Telegram.] U. S. R. C. "Manning," at Sea, August 6-9-10. North American Commercial Co., Mills Building, San Francisco, Cal.: Ship powder and shoes by freight if too late for Homer. Lembkey. seal islands of alaska. 1145 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 12, 1910. Respectfully returned to the disbursing clerk, calling attention to the explanatory memorandum attached. H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. [Copy.] Suspended account: Bureau, Fisheries; name, H. Morris; amount, $20.50. Please furnish, for the information of this office and the Treasury in the examination of my accounts, a clear statement of the service rendered in each case — the articles hauled, where from and to, and for what purpose. W. L. SoLEAu, Disbursing Cleric. [Memorandum in re bill of H. Morris for drayage in San Francisco.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 12, 1910. Morris is a drayman who has been doing the company's work for years and is personally well known to me. I liired him this fall to do such drayage as was necessary in connection with the personal bag- gage of the officers and Government property arriving on 'the Homer. The bill is reasonable and just. The items in Morris's bill may be explained as follows: September 12, express, steamer Homer to Hotel Stewart, two bags mail, $0.50; these bags came from St. Paul and St. George, respec- tively, and contained mail, as well as packages which were not to be mailed, such as requisition books, samples of sealing knives, invento- ries, etc. They were taken by Morris, at my request, to my room at the hotel, where the contents were assorted and properly disposed of. September 14, express, steamer Homer to coal yard of Fritch, two tanks, $7.50; two large iron tanks, holding about 1,000 gallons of water, are necessary to be placed on the island ship each year to con- tain an auxiliary supply of fresh water for the journey. These tanks now owned by the Government must be stored from September until the follo\ving June. I arranged with Fritch to store these tanks in his coal yard. It was necessary to haul them thither from the Homer. Morris, at my request, furnished the drayage. September 14, express, steamer Homer to Quartermaster's Depart- ment, 12 cases, $5; these cases consisted of personal baggage of the agents, which they, by instructions from the Secretary, were obliged to send by freight, through the quartermaster; also, specimens for the department and a case of machinery. As this stuff was dumped from the Homer onto a public dock and could not be left there without a watchman, I had Morris take the lot to the quartermaster's stores until arrangements could be made for final disposition. 1146 SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. September 15, express, quartermaster's to warehouse, one case machinery; steamer Homer to warehouse, blankets, covers, and slings, $3. Of the 12 cases taken to the quartermaster's stores on the 14th, one case of machinery was taken thence to the storage warehouse to remain until it can be sent back to the islands. Six blankets, the property of the Government, for use of cabin passengers on the Homer, two "covers," i. e., large canvas tarpaulins to cover deck cargo, and two net slings, to take aboard and discharge sealskins, were hauled from the Homer to the storage warehouse to remain until needed next spring. September 17, express, quartermaster's to Washington, two cases, $3.50: It was ascertained that two large cases of specimens taken to the quartermaster's had to be shipped to Washington under special manifest, and for that reason had to be drayed by shipper from quartermaster's stores to Southern Pacific freight station. Morris did this service in addition to attending to the shipment of the cases. September 19, express, Crowley to warehouse and office, one load, $1 : 'The.jmauls, stencil, marking pots, etc., used for packing sealskins at Oakland Long Wharf were brought back to San Francisco in one of Crowley's gasoline launches, and were taken by Morris from Crowley's wharf to a storage warehouse for storage. The marking pots were borrowed from the North American Commercial Co., and were returned by Morris to the company's office. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. * Office of the Disbursing Clerk, Octoher 18, 1910. Suspended account: Bureau, Fisheries; name. North American Com- mercial Co.; amount, $51.95. Cause of suspension: Explanation is desired showing the "3 pairs white blankets, $26.55" is a proper charge against the appropriation for contingent expenses. Department of Commerce and Labor. For what purpose were they purchased ? . Referring to charge of $8.40, * ' Repairs to W. & W. sewing machine, " the certifying officer will please furnish statement whether the sewing machine is property of the Government or not. W. L. SOLEAU, Disbursing Cleric. Explanation : The blankets are part of the furniture of the Govern- ment houses and are as necessary as chairs and bedsteads. The sew- ing machine is and has been for years the property of the Government, and the repairs were necessary to put it into condition for use. W. I. Lembkey. Approved. • • Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. SEAL. ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1147 [Memorandum in re letter of J. Homer Fritch, Oct. 12, 1910, making explanation regarding meals fur- nished to Government employees and overtime on S. S. Homer.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, October 26, 1910. Having read the letter, I believe the meals should be paid as charged without deduction. If the department is not satisfied with Mr. Fritch' s answer regarding the overtime, I suggest that the differ- ence be suspended and let him explain it later, as he has been writing repeatedly to me asking for the expedition of the account and wants the money. As the payment of overtime w^as made before the United States shipping commissioner, who took the crew's statement, as well as that of the ship's officers, it must be correct. Mr. Fritch does not seem to have at hand the data from which to make a detailed state- ment. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. [Memorandum in re suspended account of J. Homer Fritch (Inc.) for miscellaneous expenditures in con- nection with the second trip of the United States chartered steamer Homer.] Washington, November 26, 1910. The following statements follow the same arrangement as that in the suspension slip : 1. If Walter L. Hahn's expenses should, in the opinion of the dis- bursing clerk, be paid from the appropriation ''Inquiry respecting food fishes," no objection is perceived to such arrangement. 2. The appointment of Dr. Morgan now is on file in the department. 3. In charging for meals for ''Dr. Fagars," Mr. Fritch means De Figaniere, but not having been informed of that gentleman's cor- rect name, was obliged to do the best he could at spelling it. 4. The appointments of Dr. Mills, J. Murtha, and Dr. Cunningham have been made, and are on file in the department. 5. Harold Heath's appointment as naturalist was made to expire on September 9 because it was believed that the Homer would arrive in San Francisco by that date. Owing to stress of weather, how- ever, the Homer did not arrive in San Francisco until the 12th of September. Had this been known, Mr. Heath's services would have been terminated on the latter date. It is submitted that the department is in duty bound to return Mr. Heath to San Francisco, and, furthermore, that Mr. Fritch, who is an innocent third party, should not have disallowed from his account charges for meals of a Government employee, concerning whom he was under contract to furnish ineals without exercise of any discretion. 6. These Chinamen, whUe employed as cooks for the Government mess, receive no regular appointments, and occupy the same status in that regard as janitors and stockmen on the islands and steve- dores on board ship. The authority for the employment of these cooks is contained in section 37 of the annual instructions of May 9, 1910, to the agent, seal fisheries, signed by the Commissioner of Fisheries and the Secretary. The cooks are not personal servants. They change constantly, and their designation and employment must be left to the agent or assistant agents on the ground. Two of the cooks mentioned in the meal list of Mr. Fritch were going to 1148 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. the islands to take service there, while the other two were returning from the islands after having completed their duty there. One of these cooks was procured by Assistant Agent Chichester, while the other three were hired by Agent Lembkey, and the department notified. 7. George C. Davis was foreman of the gang packing sealskins into casks on Oakland Long Wharf. He is an expert and has done this work for years. He was hired by Agent Lembkey and was paid by Mr. Fritch in accordance with notification from that agent as to the length of his service and rate per day. He served two days, September 13 and 14, at $5 per day, making no charge for overtime on the 13th. 8. The overtime marked on the Homer's log follows: Hours. Aug. 21. Dutch Harbor (Sunday) 8^ 23. St. George 3f 24. St. George and St. Paul Z\ 25. St. Paul 2 26. St. Paul 5J 27. St. Paul 2J 28. St. Paul (Sunday) ?! Sept. 1. Dutch Harbor 4 12. San Francisco 2 38f The character of the work performed by the crew when making overtime is the same as when employed during usual hours, the crew discharging or loading ship and the firemen and engineers at their several posts. Beyond this it is impossible to state the nature of services rendered by each person. It is also not possible to state the amount of the overtime of each person under separate dates. 9. The charge of S20 for moving, etc., of tanks is all right. Mr. Fritch stored the tanks in his coal yard, gratis, and had the painting and cementing of them done by his own employees. The charge of 5 per cent commission on this, however, while perhaps technically correct, might well be eliminated. It must be remembered that Mr. Fritch has been kept out of his money on the attached account for over two months for reasons entirely beyond his power to remove. Being under contract to fur- nish meals to aU Government employees, he could not inquire con- cerning them, whether they had been regularly appointed, or the numerous requirements of departmental usage complied with. Not- withstanding this, however, his account has not been paid. It would seem in this case that the informaUties occurring in the account by reason of the peculiar circumstances surrounding seal-island affairs this summer might weU be waived by the Secretary in order that Mr. Fritch may obtain his money. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. 1911. Part I. Instructions to Agents and Agents' Reports. [Memorandum in re application of H. M. Hanson for employment as watcliman on the seal islands of Alaska.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 7, 1911. During the period that fur seals are on or about the Pribilof Islands — that is to say, from May to December, inclusive, of every year — an armed guard is stationed at each seal rookery remote from the village. This guard patrols the rookeries under its supervision day and night. The guardhouses are in communication wdth the village by telephone, and in case of a raid reenforcements go at once to the point of attack. Guard duty is highly technical and is performed wholly by the natives, who, owing to their life-long knowledge of the topography, the habits and haunts of seals, the natural change of position of those animals from time to time due tc climatic and other conditions, are the best sort of watchmen, are thoroughly reliable, and perform their duties in an efficient maimer mtJiout compensation in money. The services of i\Ir. Hanson in the manner indicated can not be utilized to advantage on the seal islands. Barton W. Evermann. Approved and forwarded. H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. [Memorandimi to Mr. Lembkey.J Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 14, 1911. It is suggested that you take up this matter with Dr. Evermann and attempt to reach a decision as to what policy should be pursued under the circumstances. H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Note. — "This matter" refers to negotiations for a vessel for the transportation of supplies for the season of 1911. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 14, 1911. Dr. Walter L. Hahn, Naturalist, Pur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, Alaslca. Sir : Mr. Henry L . Ward, director of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee, Mlwaukee, Wis., desires to secure a series of fur seals, in- cluding at least a bull, half bull, bachelor, cow, and pup for the pur- 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 72 1149 1150 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. pose of preparing a group of these animals for exhibition purposes in that museum. The bureau is advised b}^ Mr. Lembkey that some 3^ears ago a similar series was obtained for the museum of the Brook- lyn Institute of Arts and Sciences by searching the rookeries and hauling grounds from time to time and saving examples that had recently died. You are instructed to make similar search during the season of 1911, selecting the best material that can be found and prepare it for shipment to Milwaukee. You will, of course, under- stand perfectly how to care for the specimens so that they will make good exhibition material. The Milwaukee museum has been in- formed that the expense will probabl}^ be about $5 per seal for con- tainer and preparation. The material can be brought to San Fran- cisco b}^ the department's vessel on its last trip from the islands, and from there shipped direct to the Milwaukee museum. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Depaetment of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 21, 1911. Dr. Walter L. Hahn, Naturalist, Fur-Seal Service, St. Paul Island, Alaslca. Sir: There is inclosed herewith copy of a letter just received from Prof. Henry L. Ward of the Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee, which exphiins itself. If possible, secure for this museum the speci- mens which it desires if suitable material can be found among the dead seals on the rookeries and hauling grounds. Please note that Prof. Ward desires the measurements, etc., which will be helpful in mount- ing the specimens. He also desires to have extra skulls. These also can doubtless be secured. If necessary, a few of those killed in the drives could be killed in some other way than by injuring the skulls. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Public Museum of the City of Milwaukee, MilwauTcee, Wis., January 18, 1911. Mr. H. M. Smith, Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I am very grateful for your favor of the 14th instant, in which you inform me that the bureau will be pleased to issue instructions to Dr. Walter L. Hahn, the resident naturalist, to secure and prepare for this museum any old bulls, half bulls, cows, pups, and bachelors which may recently have died on the rookeries, and are in suitable condition for making exhibition specimens. ■ I have the authorization of the board of trustees of this museum to pay the expense connected with this for the securing of 8 speci- mens. We should have, I think, 1 bull, 4 cows, and, say, 3 pups for the making of a satisfactory group. If Dr. Hahn will take the trouble SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1151 to give US measurements of the different specimens it will greatly aid in the proper mounting of the same, said measurements of course being taken before the specimens are skinned. I should also greatly like to have a few extra skulls for our collec- tion, provided he can readily secure them. The trustees will heartily appreciate your courtesy in this matter, and I trust that they will meet with success. Respectfully, yours, Henry L. Ward, Secretary. Postscript: WiU it be necessary or desirable for me to communi- cate direct with Dr. Hahn as to details of this, and if so, how should I address him ? Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 26, 1911. The honorable the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report of this date by the agent, seal fisheries, upon the question of the performance by the North American Commercial Co. of its obligations under its expired contract for the sealing right on the Pribilof Islands. I trans- mit also the original letter on the subject, which it seems has been referred to the solicitor of the department, and which was loaned the agent mentioned for the purpose of determining the scope of his report. Respectfully, ' H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Inclosures. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 26, 1911. The Commissioner, Bureau of Fisheries. Sir: A letter has been received dated the 23d instant, addressed to the Secretary of this department, by the North American Commercial Co., in which the latter requests that it be furnished by this depart- ment with a written statement to the effect that all taxes, rentals, and dues accruing to the United States by reason of said company's expired lease of the sealing right on the Pribilof Islands, have been fuUy adjusted and settled; that said company has abided by and observed the laws and requirements of Congress and the regulations of the department in the taking of fur seals; and that it has performed the covenants and agreements in said lease. Mr. Earl, solicitor of the department, to whom the said letter was referred, requested by telephone that I make a report upon the matter, and for that purpose forwarded the letter to me, without formal transmittal. In connection with the matter, I have respect- fully to report that so far as the records of the dej^artment are con- cerned, and so far as it is within my knowledge, the said company has satisfactorily performed all of the obligations of its contract as lessee 1152 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. of the sealing right, and compUed with all of the conditions of its bond required by section 1964 of the Revised Statutes. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Washington, D. C, January 23, 1911. Hon. Charles Nagel, Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. My Dear Sir: The North American Gommercial Co., the lessee during the last 20 years of the seal islands in Alaska, having closed all its transactions as lessee and finally adjusted its accounts with the Government, respectfully requests from the department a letter stating that all rentals, taxes, and dues accruing to the United States by reason of its lease have been fully adjusted and settled, and that so far as at present appears, it has abided by and observed the laws and requirements of Congress, and the regulations of the department in the taking of fur seals and has performed the covenants and agreements in said lease. This is important, as the bond executed at the time of the lease by the company has upon it several sureties who have since departed this life and whose estates are in the process of settlement, and as the company is informed that the Government can not surrender the bond, a statement we hope may be given to the company that there is no known pecuniary liability resting upon said at this time. Respectfully, North American Commercial Co., By A. B. Davis, Secretary. Please address reply to A. B. Davis, secretary North American Commercial Co., care of Hon. Charles J. Faulkner, Kellogg Building, Washington, D. C. January 28, 1911. Gentlemen: Receipt is acknowledged of your communication of the 23d instant, stating that your company, the lessee during the last 20 years of the seal islands of Alaska, having closed all its transactions as lessee and finally adjusted its accounts with the Government, is desirous of having the department furnish it with a statement rela- tive to the performance of all its obhgations under the lease for the occupancy of those islands. Pursuant to your request, the department hereby advises you that all rentals, taxes, and dues accruing to the United States by reason of the lease above referred to have been fully adjusted, and that, so far as at present appears, your company has abided by and observed the laws and requirements of Congress and the regulations of the department in the taking of fin- seals and has performed all covenants and agreements under the said lease. Respectfully, , Secretary. Mr. A. B. Davis, Secretary North American Commercial Co., care Hon. Charles J. Faulkner, Kellogg Building, Washington, D. C. seal, islands of alaska. 1153 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 31, 1911. [Memorandum to Dr. Evermann.] Now that the fur-seal service and all matters pertaining thereto have been taken over by this bureau, it is desirable that the office should have a complete detailed statement of the property and sup- phes on the seal islands and that arrangements should be made for an annual property return hereafter. You will therefore confer \Yith the agent and assistant agents -vy^ith reference to this matter. There should be dra\Yn up at once in duphcate (one copy to be retained in Washington and one to be taken to the seal islands) a detailed state- ment showing the following : 1. Equipment. (a) That belonging to the Government prior to the transfer made July 1, 1910. (6) That purchased from the N. A. Co. July 1, 1910. 2. Supphes. (a) Those purchased from the N. A. Co. and turned over to the Government July 1, 1910. (6) Those purchased in San Francisco and elsewhere subsequent to June 1, 1910, and taken to the islands. A separate list should be made for each island. This would be essentially a property return showing the condition of affairs on July 1, 1910. A similar property return should be made on July 1, 1911, this to include a statement of the supplies sold during the fiscal year then ending. It is understood that the necessary records for (5) under "Equip- ment" and (a) and (b) under "Supphes" are available at this office. H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. HENRY W. ELLIOTT. Arrived St. Paul Island, Alaska, as assistant agent seal fisheries, April 24, 1872. Married Alexandra Molovidov, a native of St. Paul Island, July, 1872. Left St. Paul Island with wife and baby May 28, 1873. Spent remainder of that summer on St. George Island. Under authority of an act of Congress, approved April 22, 1874j, visited the islands, remaining on St. Paul from July 14 to August 3 of that year. Visited St. Paul Island from September 22 to September 26, 1876, " as a confirmatory inspection" (p. 3, vol. 3, Seal and Salmon Fisheries and General Resources of Alaska) "on my own responsi- bility." (Hearing before Committee Merchant Marine and Fisheries, January 29, 1889, 50th Cong., 2d sess., Rpt. 3883, p. 135.) Under act of Congress approved April 5, 1890, he was on April 7, 1890, appointed a special agent of the Treasury, and visited the islands with his wife and two children from May 21 to August 10 of that year. In 1890 prepared a monograph, "The Seal Islands of Alaska," for the Twelfth Census. 1154 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. EMPLOYEE OF THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL CO. Entered the service of the above company ''two years after his employment in tlie Treasury" (i. e., 1876) as ''counsel and advisor'^ and "under salary of the company" (p. 36, H. R. 2027, 48th Cong., 1st sess.) and "accepted and had at their hands a retainer to appear whenever it was necessar}^ from 1881 until the date the lease was lost, the 12th of March, 1890." (In re Seal Fisheries, hearing before Secretaiy of the Treasury April 15, 1897, MS.) "I was paid for it; I was well paid for it." (Hearing before Com- mittee on Ways and Means January 25, 1907, p. 69, MS.) From this it is evident that when Elliott visited the islands in 1876 "on my own responsibility" he was actually employed by the Alaska Commercial Co., on whose vessel, the steamship St. Paul, he traveled. He was likewise so employed when the monograph was written, although he specifically denied the same (H. R. 2027, p. 36, above cited) and also while lobbying for the bill in 1890, under which he was appointed special agent and of which he boasted "in four weeks we had that act." (Hearing first above cited, pp. 2 and 3.) In answer to the specific question, "Were vou not an employee of the Alaska Commercial Co. ?" he replied, "1*^0, sir; I never was an employee ol the Alaska Commercial Co." (Hearing before Committee of Ways and Means, March 9, 1904, 58th Cong., 2d sess., p. 13.) At a hearing before the same committee in January, 1907, he was confronted with quotations from two official documents, viz, H. R. 2027, 48th Congress, page 36, and the hearing of March 9, 1904, page 13, above cited, the former showing his employment with the Alaska Commercial Co., the latter his express denial thereof. Several quotations from the writings of his contemporaries and others were produced at the Janviary, 1907, hearing, all of which assailed the truth and veracity of his Alaskan reports. The exposure of his connection with the commercial interests which he had previously denied, together with his statements of a scandalous nature affecting public men, most of whom were dead, not only resulted in his being thor- oughly discredited by the committee, but disgusted and incensed the latter to such an extent that it prohibited further printing of the proceedings and practically suppressed the entire hearings. (Fur Trade Review, March, 1907, pp. 190 and 192.) SECRET CONFIDENTIAL AGENT FOR GREAT BRITAIN. On November 17, 1890, Elliott filed his report of conditions on the seal islands. The report was not published immediately, but on the contrary was carefully suppressed by this Government pending fur- ther investigation because it contained grave charges of mismanage- ment on the part of this Government, which were entirely at variance with its position assumed in the negotiations then leading to the convention of the Paris Tribunal of Arbitration, namely, that sea killing of breeders and not land killing of surplus males w^as the cause of the herd's decline, Elliott's report specifically held that land kill- ing was the primary cause of the herd's decrease, while sea killing was of only secondary importance; that overdriving of males in 1890 (by the successful rival of Elliott's company) so injured the testes of SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1155 these animals as to make them impotent; tliat the remedy required for the rehef of conditions as found by Elhott was the stoppage of land killing, thereby causing the ruin of the company that had obtained the lease tlirough competitive bidding, against the com- pany that had subsidized Elliott since 1876. Upon further investigation by competent investigators, appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury, the charges of misconduct by Elliott were found baseless. The Secretary of the Treasury then refused to publish the report, assigning as his reasons (Treasury to State, Feb. 23, 1893, Seal and Salmon Fisheries, vol. 2, p. 302) that "it was pervaded with a spirit of aggressive criticism instead of being a dispassionate statement of facts ; that !Mr. Elliott's views had been imduly influenced by his relations toward certain individuals" (mean- ing the Alaska Commercial Co.); that upon examining this report in the light of the additional information furnished by other investi- gators, it was further found that Elliott had "so used extracts taken from the records of the islands as to make them appear to substan- tiate his assertions that mismanagement on the part of the United States has played an important part in the diminution of seal life, which assertions are unsupported b}^ the unabridged records." It appears, however, that while this Government was attempting to suppress this biased and mi truthful report, Elliott was busily engaged in secretly conveying an exact knowledge of its contents to the British Government at a time when Elliott was a Federal em- ployee. Sir George Baden-Powell, the British Bering Sea commis- sioner, who was engaged at the time in preparing the British case, was informed intimately of the report, its contents, and Elliott's views, by letters from Elliott to Dr. Guillomard, who was an assistant of Baden-Powell (p. 11-12, hearing, Apr. 15, 1897, MS., before Secretary of Treasmy above cited). In addition, while urging the adoption of a modus vivendi abolishing Idlling on the islands by the rival of Elliott's company, after having been rebuffed b}" the Ainerican Secretary of State, Elliott visitetl tlie British minister at Washington and had at least one extended conference with him on the subject of the adoption of this modus vivendi by Great Britain (hearing before Secretary of Treasury, Apr. 15, 1897, before cited). Acting, possibl}-, from a variety of motives, Elliott, while yet an employee of the United States Government, published a digest of his suppressed 1890 report in the New York Evening Post of April 24, 1891, thereby making public at a critical stage those damaging allegations of mismanage- ment in his report which this Government had been endeavoring to suppress. For this grave infraction of duty he was dismissed the service on April 25, 1891 (hearing, Apr. 15, 1897, before cited), and has not been employed since by this Government. As a result of these secret negotiations with the British agents and of the unauthorized publication by Elliott of a synopsis of his sup- pressed report, the British Government demanded the production of the report, or a certified copy, on the second day of the hearing before the tribunal of arbitration, and this Government was forced to produce it (vol. 2, pp. 3-24, Fur-Seal Arbitration). The report was hurriedly printed in Paris by the British Govern- ment (Ibid., vol. 1, p. 8). 1156 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA, That the report in question was written by Elliott with a delib- erate intention to deceive is manifest from a letter of his to Mr. D. O, Mills, March 31, 1891, wherein he states: I know that I have been repeatedly represented as working to injure your interests on the seal islands, but I have felt that as soon as my report was published you would at once recognize the untruth of the charge and respect me all the more. But my report has not been published, because after a consultation with ]Mr. Blaine I_ freely left it in his hands to use in his own time and manner during the pending nego- tiations, for unless we can do something to stop this raid of open-water sealers, then there is no use in our attempting to save the seal life by new regulations on the islands. Further on he says: "Assuming that pelagic sealing would be checked, when I finished my report last December, it seemed to me * * * " The motive of the letter, which inclosed "a brief epitome of the status of the seal life as I found it in 1872-1874 and again 16 years later, last summer, " has always been construed by the North Ameri- can Commercial Co. as an offer to enter its employ in a capacity similar to that occupied by him for so many years with the Alaska Commercial Co. The furnishing of an epitome of his 1890 report to the lessees prior to its publication was of course a violation of official confidence. That Elliott well knew pelagic sealing to be the sole cause of the herd's decrease is evident not only from his letter to Mr. Mills, above cited, but also from a memorandum filed bv him February 28, 1890, entitled '/Effect of Poaching, 1886-1889.""^ In this paper he stated that statistics at his command showed that 40,000 adult fur-seal skins had been taken annually for the past four years in the North Pacific and Bering Sea; tliat nine-tenths of this number were female seals heavy with young, making the real total nearly 80,000; that for every skin secured at least 5 seals are mortally wounded, making the loss actually suffered on the breeding and hauling grounds of the Pribilof Islands du;'ing the last four years 1,600,000. He ended the paper by stating that conditions would not warrant extreme driving ''or the least attempt to select large male seals;" that sealing next summer should be conducted with moderation, " or disaster will speedily ensue and the whole matter be in ruin, scandal, and disgrace." This was the first note of alarm ever sounded by Elhott as to the condition of the seal herd. September 17, 1888, he stated the annual increment was 100,000. Asked "Can any more be killed?" he replied, "I would not hke to try the experiment." (H. R. 3883, 50th Cong., 2d sess., p. 146.) It is a significant fact that the above memorandum was prepared while the different bidders were wrangling %vith tlie Treasury Depart- ment over the particular merits of their respective bids for the new lease, the bids Laving been opened eight days previous, i.e., February 20, 1890. SUCCESSFUL LOBBYING AND METHODS PURSUED. Elliott's experience on the islands, 1872-73, encouraged him to lobby for and secure the passage of "An act to enable the Secretary of the Treasury to gather authentic information as to the condition of the fur trade in the Territory of Alaska,'" approved April 22, 1874. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1157 After his appointment under this act a revenue cutter was placed at his disposal (hearing before Committee on Ways and Means, Mar. 9 and 10, 1904, p. 8), and he spent the summer of 1874, with the excep- tion of a short stay on the islands, traveling about the Territory. This brought him in contact wdth all the outlying stations of the Alaska Commercial Co., v/hich then and for many years afterwards controlled the fur trade of Alaska and rivaled, if it did not surpass, the Hudson Bay Co. in the fur markets of the world. The enemies of the company charged that it violated the laws of the United States, abused the natives from wliom it purchased furs and w^hom it sup- plied with provisions, and retarded the development of the Territory by its desire to keep the country a producer of furs exclusively. Elliott, by his ability to speak the native language, had > ecome familiar with the real or fancied grievances of the natives at every place the company had a station. Besides this knowledge of local affairs he had a reputation as a lobbyist with a wide acquaintance among the lawmakers at Washington, was known as possessing ability with both pen and brush, and had at the time considerable standing as a scientist. He was also well aware of the wants and ambitions of the company. By virtue of his peculiar knowledge and ability and the training he had received while employed by the Gov- ernment, he was enabled to deal v/ith Alaskan subjects in an authori- tative manner and was well fitted for the employment furnished him by the A. C. Co. His supposed duties were to prevent legislation at Washington which might be considered hostile to the interests of the compan}^ and to mislead the public by his books and articles in the magazines decrjang Alaska generall}^ and endeavoring to keep it a terra incognito. While he \Yas employed as ' ' counsel and adviser ' ' the counsel and advice he gave had to do AY^th the action and policy of the company throughout the Territory at large rather than on the seal islands, the management of \Yhich A^as in able hands. During this interval the company succeeded in keeping do^yn competition in the purchase of furs other than sealskins, of which it had a monopoly, yet it did this only at considerable expense to itself, and in the meantime the supply of furs ^Yas being rapidly reduced. In 1888 the company abandoned some of its less profitable stations and began curtailing its efforts in remote places, apparently giving up the fight for undis- puted control of the Territory, Vtdiich in spite of its efforts and the misrepresentations of Elliott "VYas becoming known and some of its possibilities appreciated. The loss of the sealing lease in 1890 further encoiu"aged the })olicy of retrenchment and forced the retirement of Elliott from its pay roll. (Current talk on the seal islands among ex-employees of the Alaska Commercial Co.) In an official report by William Gouverneur Morris, special agent of the Treasury Depart- ment (vol. 4, pp. 92 to 138, Seal and Salmon and General Resources of Alaska), an article of Elliott's \Yhich appeared in the November number of Harper's, 1877, is carefully dissected and roughly handled and Elliott himself referred to (p. 138, ibid.) as a "na,tural foe of Alaska." Another article by Elliott of the same tenor but later date \Yas severely attacked by Kate Field in the North American Review, but the citation is not at hand. 1158 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Gen. O. H. Howard, in a report to the War Department of a tour that he made in 1875, among other things says: * * * Mr. Elliott's report is now just as the Alaska Commercial Co. desires, and might be mistaken for a statement written by a member of that company. ******* The aim and purpose of such arguments are too transparent to need comment, and although we have no doubt that it does not pay for Mr. Elliott to have any different views, yet we are surprised to find him so little shrewd as to come out with such undisguised and clumsy praise of the Alaska Commercial Co.. which lets at once the cat out of the bag. The governor of Alaska, in his report of 1886, speaking of Elliott, sa5^s : * * * He has no interest whatever in Alaska; the "fox farm" of which he claims the ownership is a myth, his only interest in Alaska, according to his own statement before the House Committee on Territories last spring, is that of a paid lobbyist of the Alaska Commercial Co. in Washington, where he is invariably to be found at every succeeding session of Congress ready to bob up and give wholly disinterested (?) information to the honorable Senators and Members whenever any measure designed to promote the settlement and development of Alaska or better the condition of her people is broached in either House. * * * * * * * The fact is, either Mr. Elliott entertains a mistaken idea of the duty he owes to his employers (the Alaska Commercial Co., by whom I am unwilling to believe him prompted in his persistent misrepresentations of Alaska and her people) or else he must be governed by a malicious hatred of the peo2:)le of this Territory, among whom he is chiefly noted on account of the colossal impediment with which his veracity seems to be afflicted. In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Interior by the gov- ernor of Alaska, August 30, 1902, Elliott is described as having "been constantly the enemy of Alaska." "I am told," the governor says, "that during the arbitration of the seal question he played wholly into the hands of the British. I think he may well be looked upon with suspicion by any of the departments at Washington, and that nothing should be accepted on his mere statement." . At a hearing before the Committee on Ways and Means, February 18, 1902, he denied having any personal interest in the seal question (H. R. 2303, 57th Cong., 1st sess., p. 17), and at a hearing before the same committee, March 9 and 10, 1904 (58th Cong., 2d sess., p. 9), he in effect reiterated this statement. In contradistinction to this disinterested attitude his activity as a lobbyist for his personal interest, apparent in the various measures he sought to have enacted into law, is especially brought out in a memorandum prepared by him March 27, 1905, on file in the Depart- ment of Commerce and Labor. In this he relates having lobbied from May 4 to May 28, 1900, for an appropriation, and that on the latter date Secretary Hay asked for an appropriation of $4,000 to purchase drawmgs made by Elliott which he wished to dispose of to the Department of State. He relates in this same memorandum that on March 3, 1903, he succeeded in getting a $20,000 item in the sundry civil bill for a new examination of the seal question, etc., presumably to be conducted by himself. His ambition in this direc- tion was frustrated by the Secretary of State informing him that all sealing matters were in the hands of the Joint High Commission. In the same memorandum he states that on April 2, 1904, he secured the passage of joint resolution No. 18, which was approved April 8, 1904. SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1159 On April 12, 1904, he filed a memorandum with the State Depart- ment showing the United States indebted to him in the sum of $5,000 for 17 charts, and S4,256 for 34 pictures of seal rookeries, etc., made b}^ him during his stay on the islands, 1872-1874. The Secretary of State, undoubtedly annoyed by Elliott's impor- tunities, informed him April 13, 1904, that he would pay the first item in the bill, viz, $5,000 for the charts; that he did this only after "mature deliberation and consultation with several persons inter- ested," and that he would not purchase the pictures, and that the latter were at the department, subject to his (Elliott's) orders. At about this time many of Elliott's pictures were reproduced by jobbing fur houses in New York and given wide circulation as ad- vertisements through the trade. On September 4, 1906, he advised the Department of Commerce and Labor that the seal raids which occurred on St. Paul Island the previous summer had been planned in San Francisco and Victoria.. In repl}^ to a request for information on the subject he stated Octo- ber 3, 1906, that only he "could place the guilt where it belonged"; that no one else could handle his data, etc. (Files Department of Commerce and Labor.) No attention was paid by the Government to this indirect request for employment. KECORD AS SEAL PROPHET. On January 8, 1904, Elliott addressed a memorandum to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor, insisting on a cessation of aU killing on land, in order that (p. 1) "the fur-seal species of Alaska shall not be completely destroyed, root and branch, on the Pribilof Islands during the coming season, under existing rules and regu- lations." On page 6 of this memorandum he states: "In this clear light of the close killing of the young male life as given above it will be observed that no young or fresh male blood has been per- mitted to mature and reach the breeding grounds since 1S96." On page 7 he states: "The close killing of the season of 1904 will show at least 20 per cent reduction again, and in 1905 again 20 per cent,, at least; to entirely cease by 1907 unless steps are taken at once to stop the run on this life by land (and sea killing) clnbbing in 1904 of the choice young male seals, yearlings and upward, to the end of the season of 1906 — stop it entirely." On page 8 he states: "No young male seal above 2 years of age will appear next season (1904) on the hauling grounds. Unless an order prohibiting the kill- ing of all choice male seals above 10 months of age shall be made for the seasons of 1904, 1905, 1906, and 1907 on the seal islands of Alaska, no fresh j^'oung male blood can mature quicldy enough to come onto the breeding grounds and save the birth rate from total collapse in 1907. Even if this is done it will be a close call for that life, anyhow; to postpone such an order to 1905 would be too late, if the species itself is to be saved from complete extirpation. This result will ensue as sure as fate unless the killing is at once held up on the seal islands." On page 7 he submits "a tabulated statement" in the form of a prophecy, * * * which shows the annual rate of progress in the extermination of the fur-seal herd of Alaska which will take effect under existing rules and regulations by 1907 unless checked in 1904. 1160 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. According to his table the different classes of seals would decrease in numbers annually until 1909, at which time the remnant of the herd of approximately 150,000 was to consist of 3,000 ''pupping cows" and no more; the bulls, bachelors, virgin cows, pups, male and female yearlings having in the meantime become extinct. The utter worthlessness of his "prophecy" and the ingenious arguments adduced in support of it are apparent by a glance at the seal census of July, 1910, one year after total extermination was to have occurred, which shows approximately 43,000 breeding cows and 130,000 animals of all descriptions in the herd. His prophecies relative to the jjrospective land and pelagic catches were equally worthless as shown by the following tables: LAND KILLING. Year. Elliott's prophecy. Actual catch. 1904 16,000 8,000 11, 724 1905 14,857 14 659 1906 1907 14,501 1908 14.277 1909 14,382 '11,265 1910 SEA KILLING. 1904 20,000 15,000 12,000 10,000 6,000 29,006 25,320 21,236 16,036 18, 151 14,373 2 4,352 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 I Exclusive of autumn food killing. * Includes only Canadian catch as reported by the United States consul at Victoria. Catch of the Japanese fleet of twenty-odd vessels not reported. In a letter addressed to Senator Nelson, February 6, 1 905 (S. Doc. No. 149, 5Sth Cong., 3d sess.), Elliott indulges in more prophecies, giving the herd a little better chance for its life than he gave it in 1904, and fLxir^ the number of ''fur seals of all classes alive on the Pribilof Islands, October 15, 1908, 29,900." Again, on page 7, ibid., ""From 1908 on, if we save all the choice young male seals for breeders and kill nothing on the islands practically, then during 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, and 1915, there will possibly be a variation of as much as 2,500 to 3,000 fewer and then more cows and pups; between 1908 and 1915 there will be less than 6,000 to 7,000 cows and 200 to 300 bulls; yet, with the steady following of 5 or 6 pelagic vessels, out of the 22 now engaged (in 1904), this life can not be increased, even though it can not be much more diminished." He ends the letter with a plea that we restrain "our butchers" and insist that Great Britain do the same to its butchers" in order that the herd may be restored. The Japanese, as a factor in the case, are entirely ignored in this letter. Elliott's pro])hecies concerning seals and sealing matters in 1904 and 1905 are on a par with his sweeping predictions of 1877 (Har- per's Magazine, November number) as to the worthlessness of the SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1161 entire Territory of Alaska, except for the production of furs, to wit: "We have learned enough of the country and climate by this time to know that the lands and fishing waters now occupied by the natives of Alaska will never be objects for the cupidity of our people." The salmon output of Alaska for 1910, to say nothing of the other Alaskan fisheries, exceed SI 1,000,000 in value. RECORD RE KILLING OF SEALS ERRATIC AND INCONSISTENT. On September 17, 18S8, Elliott stated before the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries that he would not like to try the experiment of killing more than 100,000 seals annually on the islands. (H. R. 5883, 50th Cong., 2d sess., p. 146.) On page 139, ibid., speaking of the seals he states, ''I do not think there are very much more there now than there were when I was there. Some of my friends insist there are not quite so many, and others insist there are more; but I think they have not increased much since I was there." On February 28, 1890, he prepared a memorandum stating that owing to the disastrous effects of pelagic sealing during the preceding four years, sealing in 1890 should be conducted with moderation and no attempt made to select large seals on the killing grounds. On November 17, 1890, he recommended, in the report subsequently used by the British in support -of their case at Paris, that all killing be prohibited for the next seven years (p. 324, vol. 3, Seal and Salmon and General Resources of Alaska). According to his statement before the Secretary of the Treasury,. he spent the months of December, 1894, January and February, 1895, interviewing Mr. Gresham, Mr. Hamlin, and Mr. Wilson, soliciting the aid of these gentlemen for the passage of a measure having for its object the extermination of the seals unless Great Britain would agree to certain arrangements. (Hearing before the Secretary of the Treasury, April 15, 1897, MS., p. 22.) He addressed the Com- mittee on Ways and Means February 22, 1895, advocating the enact- ment of this measure into law. (Ibid., p. 22.) On February 18, 1895, he again appeared before the Committee on Ways and Means advocating the enactment of a similar measure into law. (H. R. 451, 54th Cong., 1st sess., pp. 15-17.) He still maintained this position April 15, 1897. (Hearing before Secretary Treasur}^ Apr. 15, 1897, p. 23.) He advised the Secretary, page 38, ibid., "If you do not get a modus vivendi get everything you can there;" that is to say, every sealskin. On February 18, 1902, he appeared before the Committee on Ways and Means advocating the enactment into law of a measure "to take and kill each and every fur seal, male and female, as it may be found on the Pribilof Islands." At the hearing, when the drastic nature of such a measure was pressed upon him, he suggested amending the bill so that all but 12,000 or 15,000 would be killed. (H. R. 2303, 57th Cong., 1st sess., p. 6.) On March 9 and 10, 1904, Elliott appeared before the Committee on Ways and Means advocating the adoption of House Joint Reso- lution 124, Fifty-eighth Congress, second session, suspending all killing except 5,500 annuallj^ for food (see p. 3 of hearing), alleging that killing on the islands was too close and stating, "It becomes necessary at once to step in here and stop this work on the islands 1162 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. for a period of some years; it may be four; it may be five; it may be seven years; we can not tell how long." Again on the same page he stateS; "We want to save the fur-seal species itself. If we do not stop this close slaughter of young male seals we can not save the ;species. We want to save the life itself; we must save those young males from our own hands or lose the life itself, long before the female life itself goes out." While Elliott in his letter to Senator Nelson, February 6, 1905, above cited, showed great anxiety to restrain our "butchers" from killing seals on land, he appeared before the Committee on Ways and Means in January, 1907, advocating the enactment of a joint resolu- tion to kill down the seals found on the Pribilof Islands to 1,000 males and 10,000 females; conditional upon the inability of this Govern- ment, after the lapse of a reasonable time, to secure an amendment of the regulations made in pursuance of the award of the Bering Sea tribunal, governing pelagic sealing. This was the hearing referred to herein, at which Elliott was rebuked by certain members of the com- mittee and discredited by probably every member of it. At the hearings before the Senate Committee on Conservation prior to the passage of the fur-seal act in April, 1910, Dr. W. T. Hornaday appeared as the representative of the Camp Fire Club of New York, advocating the suspension of all killing on the islands, except for natives' food. In a letter to Representative Cassidy April 25, 1910, Elliott, after stating that the President had directed that the pen which he used in signing the seal bill be sent to Hornaday, says: "Good, for that recognizes me just as much as it does him, since the President has been told over and over again that Hornaday was only acting under the spur of my knowledge and desires in the premises." It is evident from the above extract that, whether Elliott was the motive power behind the Camp Fire Club and its spokesman on the ■occasion referred to or not, that he has again reversed himself, and that the radical legislation he sought to have enacted in 1907 is in direct opposition to the measure indorsed by him in 1910. His connection with the Camp Fire Club was established February 4, 1911, when he appeared with the president and counsel of that organization before the Senate Committee on National Resources, advocating the enactment of S. 9959, Sixty-first Congress, third ses- sion, which provided that no killing should take place on the seal islands for a period of five years from May 1, 1911. TO EPITOMIZE. Elliott's record re the killing of seals, as gleaned from the official documents and memorandum in his own hand, herein cited and on file in the Department of Commerce and Labor, show him to have been generally, with certain qualifications, in favor of killing in the years 1888, 1894, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1902, 1907; opposed to killing in the years 1890, 1904, 1905, 1910, 1911. Elliott was 46 years old in 1892. (Affidavit, p. 120, vol. 2, Seal ;and Salmon Fisheries and General Resources of Alaska.) February, 1911. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1163 J. Homer Fritch (Inc.), San Francisco, February 25, 1911. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Department of Commerce and Lahor, Wasliington, D. C. Dear Friend Lembkey: I kave been waiting very patiently to hear from you in regard to your plans for the coming season. About a week ago Mr. Davis telephoned to nie upon his return fi'om Wash- ington and delivered your kind messages, all of which was very interesting to me. I sincerely hope that friend Bowers has recovered from his indisposi- tion and is again able to be in the harness. The time is getting short, as it will be only a matter of a couple of months or so before you will require the steamer. The boiler is progressing very favorably, and I no doubt will have it ail installed and the ship ready for sea by May 10. I have turned down all out- side propositions m regard to her and left her entirely free for you. Naturally I am somewhat anxious to know what you are doing at that end, and if you can conveniently do so you will greatly oblige me if you will indicate what the plans are in regard to the vessel. With best wishes to you all and hoping that everything is going well with you and that I may get an early reply from you, I remain, Very truly, yours, J. Homer Fritch. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 7, 1911. The Solicitor, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: Returning the papers submitted with your memorandum of the 4th instant upon the subject of the request for stay of the sale of the Japanese sealing schooner Tokai Maru, I inclose also herewith a memorandum embodying the views of this bureau in the matter. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. IMemorandiun in re request for instructions for postponement of sale of Japanese sealing schooner Tokai Maru at Unalaska, Mar. 22, 1911.1 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March!, 1911. The ToTcai Maru was seized by a United States patrol vessel in Bering Sea. in territorial waters, in June or July, 1910 (exact date not known). Her officers and crew were convicted before the United States commissioner at Unalaska of a violation of the act of June 14, 1906, and each of said officers and crew sentenced by him to pay a fine of $500; this conviction was sustained by the United States district judge at Valdez on January 31, 1911, who also, at the same time, placed a fine of $500 against the vessel for having been empl(wed in violation of the act cited; the vessel was advertised by the United 1164 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. States marshal to be sold on March 22, 1911, at Unalaska; the corre- spondent, James Kiefer, desires to have a stay of sale pending an appeal to the circuit court of appeals, at the May, 1911, session, and makes request to the Attorney General for instructions to the United States marshal to that effect. The correspondent bases his appeal for such action upon two main, points, viz: 1. (a) That the facts recited in the opinion of the court plainly bring the case v/ithin the exceptions of fishing with rod, spear, or gaft; and (b) a consideration of the entire statute must lead to the con- clusion that the act was intended to prevent co-mmercial fishing and not mere casual fishing for food, as plainly appears to have been the case here. 2. Tjiat these men were not doing anything which could be con- strued as a violation of the statute when the treaty between the United States and Japan is considered; that this treaty gives to Japanese subjects in our waters the rights of our own citizens. These points may be considered in the order of their statement. 1. It can not be said that the facts stated bring the case within the exceptions mentioned in the statute. It is true that the statute makes certain exceptions witliin which fishing by aliens is lawful. The exceptions are, fishing with "rod, spear, or gaff" — all of which are essentially operated from land. No other apparatus may be law- fully used by aliens in fishing in Alaskan waters. The officers and crew of t.iis vessel v/ere not fishing with "rod, spear, or gaff," but Avith hantl lines, essentially a commercial device and not covered by the specific exceptions in the statute, and therefore contrary to its provisions when used by aliens in Alaskan waters. We might well consider this objection as being disposed of. The correspondent alleges that the act was intended to prevent "commercial fishing" and not mere fishing for food, as appears to have been the case with the defendants. This statement necessarily must be challenged. The plain intention of the act was to prevent all fishing in Alaska by aliens except with "rod, spear, or gaff." In fact, the "alien fishing act" (June 14, 1906) under which this vessel was held, places the burden of proof upon any alien vessel having aboard implements for taking or killing fish to show that such imple- ments were not used in violation of the act. The prohibitions and exceptions in the act are alike, specific. If prohibited apparatus were used by an alien, it would be no legal defense to plead that he was fishing for food for himself or others, but not for the purpose of selling the fish he might catch. It can readily be seen that, if an alien were allowed under this act to fish "for food," the amount of supervision required to prevent him from going farther and fishing "commercially" would be so great as to be impossible of accomphsh- ment. The elfect of the act, therefore, would be destroyed. The real object of the act, however, was to prevent encroachments upon United States territory by the crews of alien vessels that landed at isolated points in Alaska to fish either for food or for other purposes and in so doing carrying themselves in such manner as to bring terror and great discomfort upon the native aboriginal mhabitants. The main pomt of such objectionable operations was in the vicinity of the westernmost islands of the Aleutian chain, notably Attn. Here it was the practice for ahen vessels bound for Bering Sea on a sealing SEAI, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1165 voyage to call, lie in harbor while refitting, and to supply their vessels with water and fish with which to continue a long cruise to the north- eastward. Instances are known of these vessels taking charge during an entire summer of a small fishery upon which the Indian residents depended for their whiter's food, thereby deprivnig the natives of a natural source of food supply. Other instances have been reported of ahen crews terrorizing and looting small native settlements and of violating native women while landing for food or water. It was mainly to prevent such outrages that fishing by aUens in Alaskan waters was prohibited. In view of this fact, it can not be said that the intention of the act was only to prohibit "commercial" fishing and not "fishing for food." 2. The correspondent claims that no statute was violated when the treaty between the United States and Japan is considered; that the treaty gives to Japanese subjects in our waters the rights of our own citizens. A copy of the treaty between this Government and Japan is not at hand. It is seriously doubted, however, whether this or any treaty contains a provision of this character, the effect of which would be to prevent tliis Government from taking any step toward saving for the benefit of its own citizens the natural resources of this coun- try. Undoubtedly the Japanese treaty contains a "favored nation clause," in respect to wliich the alien fishing act cited is not a viola- tion, as all foreign nations are alike affected by its enforcement. The real character, however, of this vessel must not be lost sight of. She was not a vessel engaged in the ordinary vocation of the mer- chant marine nor even in the business of ordmary fishing. She was a vessel fitted especially for the purpose of killing fur seals in the water and so used. This avowed purpose, of which no denial is made, takes her out of the usual category and places her in a class concern- ing which special legislation has been enacted apart from the alien fishing act cited. This Government, by stringent legislation, prohibits her own citizens and vessels from engaging in this business and even prohibits the furnishing to such vessels of supplies with which to carry on sealing operations (act of Dec. 29, 1897). The supplying of its crew in our territory \Yith food ^Yith w'hich to continue sealmg seems to have been the very act in which this vessel ^Yas engaged when apprehended. Had American citizens furnished the Japanese vessel with the fish which its crew captured, or with other food, they would have been guilty of a violation of our own laws, and an American vessel engaged in the business of sealing would have been hable to seizure not only in territorial waters but on the high seas. For this reason, the claim that tliis Japanese vessel was apprehended for an act for wdiich an American vessel would not have been punished, or that she was denied rights which are accorded an American vessel, has no basis in fact. In conclusion, whatever the views of the Department of Justice might be, it w'ould be impossible for it to communicate with the United States marshal at Unalaska before the 22d instant, on which date the sale, it is stated, ^Yill take place. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 ^73 1166 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 10, 1911. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor. Sir: Complying with your oral request, made several days ago, I now have the honor to transmit a memorandum on the subject of the disposition of the four fur-seal skins which were brought ashore by certain Japanese landing on St. Paul Island July 30, 1910. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. [Memorandum for the Secretary. In re the disposition of four fur-seal skins brought ashore on St. Paul Island in July, 1910.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 9, 1911. On July 30, 1910, at 8 a. m., a small boat containing four Japan- ese landed at Northeast Point, St. Paul Island. The occupants had dragged their boat upon the beach and were proceeding in the direc- tion of the watch house, when they were taken in charge by the native guard. Upon examination by the guard the boat was found to contain four sealskins, two boxes of shotgun shells, two shotguns, together with several sealing knives, two sails, and eight oars. The occupants of the boat stated that they were from the HoTco Maru, a Japanese sealing schooner. They were brought by the guard to the village, a distance of 12 miles from the place where they landed. Afterwards they were placed on board the revenue cutter Manning with native witnesses and taken to Unalaska, where they were tried before the United States commissioner, convicted of illegally landing upon the said island, which is a Government reservation, and each sentenced to a week's imprisonment at Unalaska. Before trial an order from the United States commissioner at Unalaska to Lieut. O'Malley, acting deputy marshal, was issued directing the latter to bring from St. Paul Island all the property of the prisoners left ashore by them. This order when presented was first refused by the agent in charge of the reservation on the ground that the island, being a special Government reservation, the jurisdiction of the said commissioner did not extend over it. Afterwards, to furnish full and sufficient means of securing a con- viction, all of the prisoners' property, excepting the four sealskins mentioned, was delivered to the Revenue-Cutter Service and taken to Unalaska. After the sentences of the prisoners had been served their property, already mentioned, was returned to them by the Cutter Service, and they, with their gear, were taken by the Revenue- Cutter Service into the sea and there placed aboard a Japanese sealing schooner for transportation to Japan. As regards the disposition of the four sealskins, an extract from a report on the subject from the agent in charge is quoted as best explaining the matter: I did not deliver the four sealskins found in the boat at Northeast Point for the rea- sons that they were 12 miles from the village; that I did not know their exact location; SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1167 that I believed at the time of Mr. O'Mally's visit that they had been left on the beach at the place where the boat landed. The guard at Northeast Point stated to me that these sealskins had been left on the beach. From what I learned afterwards I believe that the guard afterwards brought these skins to the Government salt house at North- east Point and salted them there; that they became merged with the island catch and were shipped to London with the island skins. Upon counting out the skins from this salt house at the time of shipment Mr. Judge informed me that the number counted out was four in excess of the number counted in. In regard to the advisability and legal responsibility of delivering over to these Japanese their boats and the sealskins which might be contained therein when illegal landings are made, and after such persons have been convicted of such illegal landing, the following additional extract from the same report is made: I have acted upon the principle that it should be made as disagreeable as possible for Japanese to land upon the islands in order to deter them from coming there in numbers. If they came in they forfeited their boats whether they were sent to jail or not. To deliver this gear to them after conviction, and furthermore to transport this gear over 200 miles in order to deliver it to them, looks very like placing a premium upon landing on the very islands from which we desire to keep these Japanese farthest away. As a matter of policy I believe these boats and gear brought ashore on the islands should be kept there unless essential as evidence. The captain, in my opinion, is in error in ascribing among the duties of the agents that of "carefully preserving" the skins which may happen to be found in the boats of those sealers guilty of illegal landing upon the islands. The Pribilof herd of seals is being exterminated by the killing in the sea of breeders. This Government has taken every possible precaution to curtail this killing and to discourage the practice. It provides arms and ammunition on the islands and an efficient patrol about the islands for this purpose. It prescribes penalties for killing seals in the United States territory, forbids unauthorized landings on the islands, and prevents its citizens from furnishing to foreign sealers anything of use in the operation of a pelagic schooner on the high seas. After placing by statute and regulation every possible obstacle in the way of killing seals in the water, to remove sealskins from boats belonging to sealers landing on the islands without authority; to arrest the men, but place the sealskins in salt with the island catch of skins; to use the employees of the Government in caring for and curing these skins; and, after convicting the men of violating the law by unauthorized land- ing, to hand back to them the cured skins enhanced in value through the efforts of the Government, to be sold in London at increased profit to these wrongdoers, would seem to me the very climax of maladministration. The possession of skins by Japanese sealers within the 3-mile limit should be deemed prima facie evidence of illegal sealing; the landing of these men was in defiance of the law, and their con\'iction renders them obnoxious to its penalties, and certainly should disqualify them to make any claim for the boat which furnished them the means of committing an infraction of the law and for the arms and sealskins which were in their possession when apprehended. To give up the skins to these culprits after enhancing their value would be a stultification of the Government's action in trying and convicting them, and as much a violation of the act of December 29, 1897, as to actually furnish supplies with which to continue pelagic operations. If not a con- travention of law, it would be so inconsistent with the spirit of the law as to appear absurd and ridiculous. The suggestion is made that the question whether the United States commissioner has jurisdiction on the seal islands is a trivial one. I think I may justly challenge that view. The question is the reverse of trivial. The Congress has considered it so important as to provide that the islands shall be special Government reservation and that the Secretary of Commerce and Labor shall have sole charge of that reservation. Under the Secretary, the agent is primarily the guardian and protector of the seals. Under that pro\asion he certainly should be the judge of what evidence and what articles and appliances shall be submitted in the trial of persons charged with invading the islands. It is clearly the purpose of the law to remit the islands altogether to the care of the agent under the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. It would be ridiculous to assert that the authority of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor when exercised with respect to a special Government reservation over which he is given_ exclusive control by the Congress should be rendered ineffective by the order of a United States commissioner. 1168 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. [Memorandum for the Secretary.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 11, 1911. Complying with the Secretary's oral inquiry as to the disposition of the four fur-seal skins brought ashore at Northeast Point, St. Paul Island, on July 30, 1910, at 8 a. m., by four members of the Japanese sealing schooner Hoko Maru, it is stated that these skins were first left on the beach at the place of landing, were afterwards taken to the salt house at Northeast Point and salted there, and were finally sliipped with the island catch of skins to London. W. I. Lembkey. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 21, 1911. The Commissioner: There is transmitted herewith the report of Assistant Agent James Judge of the operations on St. Paul Island, Alaska, covering the period from August 17, 1909, to June 28, 1910. Respectfully, Barton W. Evermann, Assistant in Charge Scientific Inquiry. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 8, 1910. Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of affairs on St. Paul Island, Alaska, covering the period from August 17, 1909, to June 28, 1910: FOXES, ST. PAUL AND OTTER ISLANDS. Former attempts at feeding. — The experiment of providing arti- ficial food for the foxes on St. Paul Island began in 1897, when a small quantity of corn meal, cracklings, and dried salmon were landed for the purpose. During the ensuing winter the salmon was scat- tered about the island, but so far as observed the foxes paid no attention to it. In the fall of 1898 seals were killed at Zapadni and Northeast Point, with the expectation of leaving the meat for fox food, but all of it was eaten by the gulls. In the fall of 1900 seals were killed for the same purpose at Half Way and Northeast Points, the meat at the former place being stored in a pit, and at the latter in the salt house. The foxes during the ensuing winter ate some at either place, but the amount consumed was not large. Since the year 1900 seal meat has been preserved for fox food at Northeast Point each fall, only a small portion of which has been eaten by the foxes during the ensuing winters. During the interval from 1900 to 1905, inclusive, no attempt at feeding was made at the Adllage, except occasionally the throwing out of a few salmon, little of which SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1169 was ever eaten. In 1906 and 1907 seal meat and offal from the killing fields were buried at the village, and during the winters fol- lowing the pits were opened for the benefit of the foxes, but the gulls ate most of it. It was not until 1907 that the foxes came for food regularly. During the autumn of that year a large quantity of whale blubber came ashore at the southern end of Lagoon Reef; and sub- sequently a number of foxes were observed feeding on it daily. To facilitate this feeding numbers of natives were detailed from time to time to cut the blubber into small pieces. All of the blubber that came ashore except some tough parts was eaten, the foxes paying their visits daily until April, 1908. Beginning in February, 1908, salmon was freshened, thrown out on the village flat, and eaten by the foxes until the supply on hand, about 2^ barrels, was consumed. During that winter the foxes also ate the remains of two mules that had been shot by the sealing company the preceding autumn. From March 25 to May 17, 1909, salmon, sea-lion meat, and hog offal were supplied in varying quantities and eaten by the foxes. Feeding, winter 1909-10. — The partial success attending our efforts at inducing the foxes to partake of food set out for them during the two preceding winters encouraged further efl'orts in this direction last year. Late in July, 1909, the natives, under my direction, excavated a pit in which some 300 seal carcasses were stored. The pit was then sealed with 3 feet of earth and left for fox food. When the killing of seals for food for the natives Mas resumed in October the offal from the killing fields was likcM'ise saved and stored in another pit. The latter, especially that which was slightly frozen before burial, was removed from tlie pit in good condition and was fine fox food. The upper layer of the seal meat buried in July was taken out in fair condition, but the carcasses underneath when removed seldom held together, and as the bottom of the pit was reached the meat came out in small pieces only. These pits give off a vile odor, and the removal of the meat is not a pleasant task, but the foxes eat it with gusto, and as it is the only artificial food available, the inconvenience of handling will continue until better methods are devised. The meat as taken from the pit is no more offensive, however, than tlie seal meat salted for fox food in the silo on St. George. All offal from domestic animals slaughtered during the winter was also saved for fox food. ^Vlien feeding began a runway was constructed into the pit, which was left open in order that the foxes could detect its location and help themselves. This scheme kept the meat from the gulls and worked satisfactorily until the pit was partially filled with snow. It was found that the foxes, though good diggers in sand during the summer, would not go down through the snow when it exceeded 1 foot in depth. A cover was then made for the pit and men assigned to remove meat daily and place it under a box or sack, where it was avail- able for the foxes and out of reach of the gulls. ^Vliile food was exposed constantly from Octaber 20, it was not- until the middle of January that the foxes came in numbers for it. From January 18 to February 26 the amount consumed per day varied regularly — that is to say, about twice as much was consumed every alternate day. After the latter date there was little or no variation in the daily consumption. On November 13, 1909, 155 seal carcasses were stored in the salt house at Northeast Point. 1170 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Occasionally during the winter parties were sent to the point to look around and throw out some of this meat for fox food. In addition to this, several hunting parties visited the point of their own volition, and always threw out some of this meat for the foxes. The latter, however, paid scant attention to the seal meat; but on several occasions the natives observed the foxes feeding on the remains of sea lions, which were killed at Northeast Point in May, 1909. On March 2, 20 foxes were seen feeding on the remains of the sea lions. The total amount of food reserved for and consumed by the foxes of St. Paul last winter greatly exceeds all previous records, and lends encouragement to the hope that possibly the method of feeding and trapping as practiced on St. George Island may yet become practicable on St. Paul, thereby enabling us to study the animals to better advantage than before. Trapping. — Being unable to train the foxes to come to the village for food while the skins were prime, and therefore to inaugurate the methods of foxing pursued on St. George, I permitted the use of steel traps for a period of six days, beginning November 28. During the interval 130 blue and 35 white pelts were secured on St. Paul. On December 6 a party of five men visited Otter Island, remaining there until December 14, during which time 1 white and 19 blue were secured, making a total catch for both islands of 149 blue and 36 white skins. Trapping in the vicinity of the village was carried on by the older men and those who, on account of sickness in their families or for other reasons, did not wish to leave the village. The remainder of the men divided themselves into congenial parties and took up their stations at various places where they located their traps and remained the six days. The distribution of the animals on the island, as shown by the skins secured, was as follows: Blue. White. Zapadni Southwest Point North shore Wreck of brig Two Lakes, north side Polovina Village, including Tolstoi Telegraph Hill, Kitooi, Lukanim, and Reef otter Island Total 20 12 8 fi 4 1 7 4 39 3 11 2 41 8 19 1 149 36 Divided as to sex, 76 blue and 19 white, or 51.3 per cent of the catch, were males. This proportionately large number of white, comprising nearly 20 per cent of the entire catch, exceeds all former records, except that of the winter of 1903, when a total of 20 animals were killed, 5, or 25 per cent, of which were white. From the statistics available it appears that in former years, with the exception above stated, the percentage of white skins in the catch of St. Paul varied from 1 to 10 per cent. Trapping on St. Paul prac- tically ceased in 1902-3, when 228 skins were secured. In the fol- lowing year trapping was carried on but the catch, as noted above, SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1171 consisted of only 20 skins, showing fox life then at a very low state. In the increase in fox life that has occurred since on St. Paul it is evident, as above indicated, that white foxes are proportionally more numerous than before. Just why is not clear. Thinkino; that perhaps some white foxes had arrived from the mainland on the ice 1 examined all white skins secured and found them blue at the base, thereby con- firming their island origin. It may be that when the life was reduced to its lowest point, the percentage of white, through some fortuitous circumstance, was larger than prior thereto and that afterwards those white survivors bred together more frequently than before. It is interesting to note that the percentage of white foxes on St. George Island tallied closely with that on St. Paul down to 1901. Since the latter date the percentage of white on St. George has not risen higher than 4 per cent, and that high only on one occasion. The reduction on St. George is probably due to the steady and continuous efforts put forth for the extermination of white foxes. Statistics. — Upon starting out, each foxing party was equipped with a small balance scale, a bottle of formaldehyde for the collection of parasites, and a supply of ruled paper for recording the information desired. All foxes killed by the men operating in the vicinity of the village were brought in by them for post-mortem examination by Dr. Mills and myself. The following tables show the average weights and approximate ages of 93 males and 76 females, together with the location of the traps : Males. Females. agoon Total St. George Island: East Zapadni Starava Artel Nortli Total Grand total Idle bulls. Young buM. 3 3 1 142 131 20 19 17 21 i-- 16 21 10 77 47 178 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 76 1214 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. BEEEDINGr COWS. While there is a steady increase in the number of cows hauling out on any rookery for a month after the middle of June, a seagoing stream soon makes its appearance, consisting of cows en route to the feeding grounds after their pups are born. Hence at the "height of the season," about the middle of July, the number of cows on the beach is no true indication of the total number, nor does it always bear a constant ratio to the whole. Under certain circumstances, possibly due to climatic conditions, nearly the full complement may be present at the height of tlie season, and again in other years not over 30 per cent of the community may be on the rookery. It thus becomes apparent that such counts, of varying character from season to season, must be used with extreme caution, if at all, in estimating the entire number of females on any rookery or the annual decline or increase. As has been pointed out by others, we may arrive at an approximate estimate only by a count of the pups, and under that heading an attempt has been made to show that even here we must use the results with the greatest care in making a census of the herd. During the height of the season counts were made on the following rookeries : Counts of cows on some St. Paul roolcenes during height of season, 1897, 1909, and 1910. Rookeries. 1897 1909 1910 1,319 1,286 1,049 470 2,436 654 281 698 137 207 892 127 229 Tolstoi Cliffs 646 Zapadni Reef 78 218 Kitovi ■- 837 Kitovi Amphitheater 92 Lukanin 820 Polovina Cliffs 426 Little Polovina 421 7,711 2,413 3.767 COUNTS OF PUPS. Owing to the fact that all the cows are never present on the rook- eries at a given time, it is obvious that the only approach to an accu- rate census of the breeding females is to be made by counting all the pups on all the rookeries. Such a procedure is not only arduous but wasteful, since the cows in early August, when the counting is usually done, are readily driven into the sea and a portion must inevitably fall a prey to the pelagic sealer. Accordingly it was the custom for sev- eral years prior to 1906 to count the pups on a number of rookeries, and with such data estimate the entu^e herd. In more recent times the number of such pup counts has become gradually lessened until this year Kitovi was the only rookery examined, with the following result: Total number of pups, 1,966; dead, 62. The implication that Kitovi is a typical average rookery must rest upon the assumption that it stands between those in which the decline is great and those in which it is at a minimum. As a matter of fact, an examination of the counts of Kitovi during the past four years shows that in reality it has been remarkably constant so far as the cows are SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1215 concerned. Commencing with 1907, the number of pups each year is 1,959, 1,960, 1,979, and this year there are 1,966. Last year there were 55 active bulls on Kitovi and 1,979 pups; this year there are 62 bulls and 1,966 pups. The average harem last year was 36; this year, 31.7 ; a dilTerence due almost wholly to the increased number of active bulls. And, furthermore, this slight diU'erence is of far-reaching importance when we come to* consider the application of these data to the estimate of the entire herd. With 1,369 harems, each numbering 36 cows, the estimate would be 49,284; if each com- prised 31.7 cows there are then 43,397 in the breeding herd, a diifer- ence of 5,587, or 11,174 when the pups are included m the count, due solely to the presence of 7 active extra bulls. Then, again, on the other rookeries an increase or decrease in the number of active males produces a corresponding rise or fall in the estimated number of cows. For example, on Vostochni there may be 6,500 cows and 200 active bulls. If 20 idle bulls, before the height of the season, secure 1 cow apiece, they enter the active list, and there are then 220 harems. As the average harem is 31.7, this increase affects the estimate to the extent of a gain of 634 cows, though in reality the number of cows has remained constant. At present this gain or loss in the active bull list outside of Kitovi is of relative unimportance, but it is conceivable that under certam cir- cumstances it may assume a more prominent role. I have in mind'the fact that in treating this phase of the problem we are, after all, dealing in generalities, but the results may become so general that they have little actual value. In my opinion it is highly desirable that a pup count on all of the rookeries be made during August, or even eaHy in September, in stress of weather, or possibly after the sealing fleet has left Bermg Sea; and again a simila/ survey should be made five years later, when the typical rookery could be determined and questions relating to the increase or decrease of the herd be settled beyond a reasonable doubt. ESTIMATES OF COWS AND PUP8. Assuming that the average harem comprises 31.7 cows, the total number in the entire seal herd is computed in the following table: Computation of cows and pups on St. Paul and St. George Islands, 1897, 1909, and 1910. Rookeries. St. Paul Island: Gorbatch 9,086 Ardiguen 736 Reef • 13,393 Sea Lion Rock 3,009 Kitovi 5,289 Lukanin 4,100 Polavina 4,218 Polavina Cliffs 2,200 Little Polavina 1 , 180 Morjovi 6,873 Zapadni 13,511 Vostochni 26,845 Little Zapadni t 5,192 Zapadni Reef I 2,200 Tolstoi 8,702 1897 1909 4,320 1 353 6,624 2, 196 1,979 1,404 1,512 828 684 1,620 5,292 6,624 2,232 319 3,132 1910 3,487 349 0.530 11,934 1.966 1,268 1,585 634 380 1,490 3,740 6,467 1,617 222 2,346 Rookeries. St. St. Paul Island— Contd Tolstoi Cliffs Lagoon Total George Island: Little East East Zapadni Staraya Artel North Total Grand total 1897 2,891 2,598 112,864 1,190 3,766 3,923 1,681 5,782 16, 352 129,216 1909 1,452 693 41,266 144 2,340 1,548 1,512 3,816 9,360 50,626 1910 285 35,188 127 1,870 1,490 1,522 3,202 8,211 43,777 1 Estimated. 1216 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. In the above census it is to be remembered that the totals apply to cows or pups and that both together number 86,798. YEARLINGS AND 2-YEAR-OLDS. Of the various computations necessary to arrive at an estimate of the entire seal herd those concerned with the 2-year-olds and year- lings are the least satisfactory. And yet by restricting th3 quota to 3-year-olds we could in a relatively short period arrive at a fairly close approximation, and at the same time settle other vexed ques- tions that ar°i in need of solution. At the present time we are com- pelled to base our estimates largely on the quota and those males dismissed from the killing grounds. In the quota this year 10,210 skins weighed less than 7 pounds, and 2,603 males were dismissed from the drives because they were undersized. Some of the latter were doubtless driven more than once, but even so it is })robable that the number was not less than 1,800. Besides these, 337 2-year-olds were branded early in the season. This accounts for 12,347. That there are yet others is evi- denced by the fact that fully 700 bachelors of killable size appeared on the hauling grounds of both islands in early August after the 'killing season, in addition to which there were probably other young animals in considerable numbers, though how many is uncertain. And it is probable, also, that some were at sea, but here again we have no exact information. A conservative estimate of 2-year-olds is therefore 13,000, which is also the number of virgin 2-year-old females that during the late summer arrived at the rookeries. It appears to be the general belief that in 1909 there were 12,000 yearlings of each sex, and judging from estimates based on pup counts and the quota, the herd appears to have been stationary for the past three or four years. Hence we might suppose that the num- ber of yearlings for this year is approximately the same as last. However, it is possible that the estimates based largely on Kitovi are misleading and that the quota was maintained by closer and closer killing. Future observations alone will settle this question. In order to be on the safe side we may assume that a shrinkage of 10 per cent has taken place and that accordingly the number of jenT- lings of each sex for the year 1910 is 10,800. THE RESERVE. For six years prior to 1910 two thousand 2 and 3 year old males were reserved annually, but as the brand, made by clipping the hair on the head, was not permanent we have no means of knowing how many of these were subsequently killed. If 1,000 were actuaUy exempted each year and there is an annual mortality of 10 per cent there should be between 500 and 600 this year remaining of the reserve of 1905. And if the decline of the present number of active bulls is approximately 300 there should this year be an increase of over 200. As a matter of fact there is a slight decline, so that it appears that males exempted one year were killed the next. In reality, if we may judge from the records of past years, there is no necessity of reserving annually a number greater than one-half of the total number of active bulls, but these should be chosen from the class that will be wigged next year, or branded with a permanent mark. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1217 Tliis year 1,271 males were set aside as a reserve; very nearly 1,000 4-year-volds and older v/ere dismissed from the drives, and as some of these were doubtless driven more than once it is assuredly safe to conclude that 600 were actually present. In addition there were others on the water front and in the water to the number of at least 100, and finally there were 397 idle and half bulls. This gives a total of 2,368, a number considerably in excess of th'^ recjuirements. ESTIMATE OF ALL CLASSES. The following is an itemized census of all of the seals forming the herd in 1910: Census of seal herd in 1897, 1909, and 1910. Classes. 1897 1909 1910 ■4,418 129,216 129,216 5,000 10, 000 2,000 20, 000 20,000 30,000 30,000 1,387 £0, 626 50, 626 189 324 4,114 14,368 15,000 12, 000 12,000 1,369 Breeding cows 43,399 43,399 Idle bulls . 219 178 2,368 2-year males . 113,000 13,000 10,800 Yearling females 10,800 Total. .. . . . .. 402,850 156, 520 138,532 1 Of the 13,000 2-year-old males in the herd at the beginning of the season of 1910 about 7,500 in round numbers were subsequently kUled on land for their skins, reducing the total of 138,532 to practical agree- ment with the total shown by the agent in charge, Mr. AV. I. Lembkey, in his report, which apphes to the end of the season. The figures for 1909 are those of Mr. George A. Clai'k, special representative of the Bureau of Fisheries on the islands that year. The varying categories to wlilch different authorities assign the seals, the dllTerent dates when counts were made, "and the dillerencc in bases of estimating from such counts, are illustrated in this instance and appear in all comparisons of figures. Even the harem counts do not exactly agree. Mr. Clark's classification and enumeration are, for these reasons, not fully compai-able with the report of Mr. Lembkey for 1909. It will be noticed that according to this estimate the herd has diminished by 17,688. Wliether this is a just conclusion must be decided by computations to be made during the next few^ years. Accuracy is impossible so long as the present methods are employed. During late years it has been assumed that the error is not greater than 12 per cent, and this is probably a fair conclusion. Last year the herd numbered between 150,000 and 160,000; this year it seems to fall between 135,000 and 145,000. THE QUOTA. In 1897 it was estimated that the ratio of bachelors to the entire herd was- 1:20; this 37^ear it is approximately 1:10. The conditions that have brought about this change are matters largely of conjecture, for our knowledge of the seal is too imperfect to warrant a satisfac- tory^ explanation. It is reasonably certain that the mortality among pups is less than formerly and, as Mr. Lembkey states in his report of 1909, this would insure"^a proportionately larger return of yearlings, males and females, and subsequently of breeding cows, both of which are factors tending to the increase of bachelors. Then, again, the death rate of the young, estimated to be 50 per cent during the first year, may have been excessive and the proportion of bachelors to the entire herd mav have been greater than was estimated in 1897. 1218 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. But even if these problems were solved to our complete satisfaction they do not bear directly on the question of the conservation of the herd. As noted in another paragraph, the essential point to be set- tled is regarding the reserve. If it is sufficient to supply the requisite number of males, as the active ones disappear, then it appears to be the best policy to kill those remaining. The herd is declining or at best stationary. The pelagic sealer is hovering about the islands and close killing diminishes his catch. That the quota should con- sist of the skms of 3-year-olds is obviously the most economical plan, but from a purely zoological standpoint this is a matter of detail and relatively unimportant. This year 10,749 skins were taken on St. Paul and 2,834 on St. George, a total of 13,583, or 785 less than in 1909. The weights of these, together with data relating to the drives and numbers dis- missed, are given in the report of the agent in charge. CONSERVATION AND SOME INVOLVED PROBLEMS. It has been seen from the foregoing paragraphs that the number of males for breeding purposes is sufficient, and this has been so for many years. On the other hand, the number of females has been decreasing steadily, and there is no question but that the pelagic sealer is, and has been, an important factor in producing this decline. Furthermore, another fact is evident, that with the conservation of the females on land and the setting aside annually of a sufficient male reserve no additional care will add one jot or tittle to the number of cows. It is perfectly true that the elements involved in the prob- lem of the male reserve are intricate and some are not clearly under- stood, but in the last analysis the important question to be answered is this: Is there a sufficient number of males to take the place of those active on the rookeries ? and every year the answer has been in the affirmative. On land, killmg may be close, and skins below the maximum value may be taken, but if the females are protected and the male reserve be adequate other questions sink into a position of relative unimportance as the seal problem now presents itself. The foregoing paragraph is written from a purely biological stand- point, having in mind only the conservation of the herd, but there are other questions of a more practical bearing that should be settled before the sealing business can be conducted on the most economical basis In the first place it is highly desirable that the number of pups bom annually be more accurately determined, reducing the possible error below 7,000, where it stands at present. In 1896 the error was estimated to be about 6 per cent, but last year and this it is probably twice as great. With the herd approaching the vanishing point accuracy is more than ever a desideratum and should be had even at the cost of an unusual amount of labor. Again, we have no information, \vithin narrow limits, of the number of males or females returning at the close of the first year, or if this be beyond computation, then of the number returning the second or even the third year. This, as the sexes are of approximately equal numbers, will give more nearly than any other practicable method the number of females taking tlieir places on the rookeries. Beyond this time observations should be made to determine the number of reserved 3-year-olds that appear the next year, and finally the SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1219 percentage that ultimately becomes active on the rookeries. From such observations the reserve of males may ultimately be made with an accurate knowledge of facts, and not with such hazy ideas as we have at present. It is highly desirable that the quota be taken from the males in prime condition, and I heartily agree with i\Ir. Lembkey and Air. G. A. Clark, who argue in their reports of 1909 for the killing of 3-year-olds. I am by no means convinced that even by the branding of every pup, and so destroying the fur to some extent, we can, by this means alone, reduce the value of the skin to such a degree that the pelagic sealer will be forced out of busmess. It may indeed be a fact, but the brands made in the past were in some cases fatal and are sup- posedly about all that the young seal is able to survive, and yet not over one-tenth or at most one-eighth of the fur is destroyed. The resulting depreciation of value will probably not amount to more than $10, and two San Francisco furriers place it as low as $5. The price of skms is gradually advancing and on the other hand we do not know what returns will pay the schooner owners to keep a ship in the sea. The crew, averaging 35, receives $5 per man each month (Capt. Quinan of the revenue cutter Talioma says $2.50) and \2h cents goes to each man for every skin taken by his particular row- boat. Let us suppose each schooner is out six months, and, judgmg from past records, 8,000 skins will be taken this year, or 320 per schooner. If the price per skin were only $15 ($30 was the price they received last year) $4,800 would certamly be a paying invest- ment. On the other hand there is another factor making toward the reduction of the sealing fleet which, together with the partial destruc- tion of the skins through branding, may pos.ibly put the pelagic sealer out of business or, more probably, so limit the number of vessels that an equilibrium of the seal herd may become a fixed feature. This element is competition. With 25 schooners in the sea, rivalry must tliis year have been very keen, and with a diminish- ing herd some competitors must sooner or later leave the field Any depreciation in the value of skins must hasten the desirable result, provided — and here an unknown factor enters — that the price of skins does not advance. But with the decline of the number of skins it is probable that prices will advance, and it appear, very questionable whether branamg and competition will drive away all of the pelagic fleet for many years to come. It may, however, make it possible for the herd to remain practically stationary until some form of treaty insures more perfect conservation. The branding process may be made to include the male pups, but as the pelagic sealer secures but few bachelors this would greatly destroy the value of the land catch mthout giving adequate returns. It is possible that the males dismissed from the drives might be penned up for a month or so, but unfortunately I can not speak with authority regarding tliis plan, that was once put into execution several 37"ears ago. Some advocates claim that it is entirely possible; that after a few days the captives show no sign of restlessness in their unnatural surroundings. Others are equally certain that the experi- ment was not a success, as several of the larger animals broke through the barriers and some less fortunate became restless in the extreme and finally died of exhaustion. Furthermore, it is reported the 1220 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. bachelors ordinarily put to sea from time to time in search of food, and it is difficult to see how food would be forthcoming even if they desisted from their attempts to escape. The fact that placing animals in captivity would prevent redriving does not appear in itself to be sufficient reason for carrying out the plan. If by these schemes we hope to drive the pelagic sealer from his elected calling, then it seems to me they will not succeed, but that they may increase the value of the land catch is possible. THE QUESTION OP AN EQUILIBRIUM OF THE HERD. The question of an equihbrium of. the herd is one of very liigh impor- tance. In 1897 the Fur Seal Commission agreed that such a state of affairs would ultimately occur, and in 1909 Mr. G. A. Clark argues in favor of the possibility that there is now an equilibrium. Unfor- tunately, in the present year a sufficiently large pup count was not made whereby to settle the question. The estimated decline may be approximately correct or it may be due to the methods of taking the census. If an equihbrium does exist, it means that if the number of guards stationed on the islands is sufficient to prevent poaching the entire land catch may amount annually to something in the neighborhood of 10,000 skins and the herd would be in no danger of extinction. If instead of allowing matters to rest as they are the Government orders the branding of female pups, then some of the pelagic sealers may be compelled to abandon their calling, and the herd would probably increase, but there is nothing to prevent the return of the entire sealing fleet when the herd is larger and a prof- itable catch may be made even though each sldn is much reduced in value. As matters appear there is one way only whereby the pelagic sealer may be driven away entirely, and that is by the further reduc- tion of the seal herd. This is at best a cold-blooded proposition and will probably not meet with general approval, but there seems to be no other way to destroy the activity of the fleet. The question now stands. Shall the pelagic sealer be driven from the sea and the financial gain from the then highly diminished herd be reduced to a minimum, or is it better policy to place the business more nearly on a paying basis though the pelagic sealer share in the returns ? Until pelagic sealing is discontinued by an agreement with the countries concerned the revenue fleet must be kept about the islands, under any circumstances the natives must be cared for, and in various ways a heavy financial outlay must be made annuaUy. Personally I favor the latter plan, reaping as large a harvest as is compatible with the conservation of the herd and at the same time leaving as little as possible to those on the liigh seas. THE PATROL AND PELAGIC SEALING. The revenue fleet maintained throughout tlie season of 1910 a most thoroughgoing and careful patrol about the islands, where reefs, and sliifty currents, and impenetrable fogs arc of the most treacherous character. Three cutters, the Tahorna, Capt. Quinan, commanding; the Manning, Capt. Cardin: and the Perry, Capt. Haake, constituted the fleet, with Ca])t. Foley at Unalaska in conmiand. Prior to July 26 each vessel remained 12 days in the vicinity of St. Paul, and after SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1221 5 days returned from coaling at Unalaska. On the date named the Perry, during a dense fog, went asliore at Rocky 3r*oint on St. Paul and was never floated. The dutieo of the remaining vessels became cor- respondingly increased, but so far as known no schooner pushed in- side of the 3-mile zone after tliis accident, and generally speaking the infractions of the law throughout the season were of minor importance. Pelagic sealing, on the part of the Japanese, continued \vith un- abated vigor. During this season 2.5 vessels were reported, 7 more than in 1909, and the reports in Capt. Foley's ofhce in Unalaska show that each schooner carried approximately 25 to 40 men and from 5 to 10 boats. Furthermore, several of these ships cleared from Japan early in the year, and, arriving at various pomts from California to Sitka, followed the herd to the breeding grounds in Bering Sea. In the vicinity of St. Paul Island none ventured, so far as known, within the 3-mile zone, but in one or two instances violations were reported by the natives on St. George, where the revenue-cutter patrol is far less vigilant. On June 28 the ToJcai Maru was seized and fined for violation of the alien fishing law, and on July 25 the Toro Maru was seized and fined for violation of the custom laws (sec. 2773 of the Revised Statutes). On July 18 two rowboats were sighted in the vicinity of Zapadni, on St. George, so close to shore that one was seen to contain at least one unskinned seal. And again during foggy weather on July 30 two boats" crews from the schooner HoJco Maru landed at Northeast Point and Lukanin, respectively, and the next day four sailors from the Toro Ma,ru were captured en route to Za- padni. Though pleading stress of weather, all were taken into custody and were subsequently tried in Unalaska. Generally speaking, the fleet operated to the east and north of St. Paul, presumablj^ in the path of the seals leaving the Reef, Kitovi, Lukanin, the Polovinas, and Northeast Point. On July 10 the steamer /Zomer reported at least a dozen schooners \\dth their attend- ant boats, which had formed a great circle between St. Paul and St. George and were slaughtering the seals compelled to cross the line of fire at two points. Altiiough the nearest of these vessels was at least 8 miles from the shores of St. Paul, the reports of the shotguns could heard distinctly on land, and a count I made on that day from 11.20 to 11.50 a. m. showed that 22S shots were fired, an average of 7.6 per minute. In this connection it may be mentioned that on certain days, owing to meteorological conditions, sounds travel amazing distances. Ac- cording to Capt. Quinan, shots were heard one day in July seemingly well within the 3-mile zone, but with the lifting of the fog the nearest boat was fully 7 miles distant. Somewhat later in the month a fusi- lade was -distinctly heard on St. Paul, but with the clearing away of the mists not a single boat could be detected even with powerful glasses used from the top of a 70-foot hill. It thus becomes apparent that alleged transgressions, based on this species of evidence alone, are far from being trustworthy. To an outsider the practice of having Japanese stewards aboard the cutters is not above criticism. They must inevitably come into possession of valuable information that may be of service to Japanese prisoners, for whom they act as interpreters, if I am informed cor- rectly. Furthermore, the Japanese detained for 10 days on St. Paul this vear were in constant communication with the natives of the 1222 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. village, and it was no fault of theirs if they did not learn more of the islands than is disclosed by the chart. One has a certain amount of sympathy for the pelagic sealer, who receives a mere pittance for his services and is the only one who suffers when his boat is captured; but his imprisonment is not a serious hardship, especially if he be allowed to work on the coal pile at $2 per day and is ultimately sent back to Japan. These are, after all, matters of comparative unimportance. The arrest, and even the severe punishment, of such offenders do not seriously interfere with the activities of the schooners and their owners. Such devices as branding to partially destroy the value of the skins, and of penning up male seals released from the drives, are not complete preventives, so that until an agreement is consummated the international struggle between watcher and watched must forever go on with all of the attendant aggravating features. It is possible that the herd is not in a state of equilibrium, but is actually dimin- ishing. If this continue the hunter on the high seas must ultimately vanish from the scene of his pernicious activity; but is the Govern- ment of the United States compelled to place the seal herd on the altar of sacrifice in order to bring about this desired result ? If this, indeed, be true then we must decide, and that right early, whether this be a lesser evil than the other, hj^pothetical to a certain degree, of branding the females, which form the greater portion of the pelagic catch, and by the depreciation of their skins, making it necessary for a greater number than at present to be taken with profit by the pelagic sealer. At the same time this would render it possible for an increased number of cows to escape and breed on the rookeries, and so add materially to the bachelor herd and consequently to the land catch. THE PELAGIC CATCH. Regarding the pelagic catch of this year, our evidence must rest upon a very slender reed — the reports of the Japanese themselves. According to these, 4,213 skins were taken prior to August 15, of which 2,098 came from Bering Sea. Last year the reported'Japanese catch up to August 15 was 4,954 skins. As a matter of fact, it was then probably twice as large, for the entire season's catch, as reported from the London market, was 10,561 skins. This year it is safe to predict that there will be at least 8,000. cows IN DRIVES. During the killing season proper, closing August 1, the discipline maintained by the active bulls on the rookeries was very strict, and accordingly a very insignificant number of cows made their way mto the neighborhood of the bachelors and were driven to the sealing grounds. Such as did so, of course, were subsequently released. During a food drive on August 10, when the harems had commenced to disintegrate, several cows appeared m the drive, but I was unable to find a single one among the dead on the killing grounds. Doubt- less females may occasionally be clubbed accidentally, but this year I can testify that the greatest care was exercised, and I know of no occurrences of the kind. SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1223 FEEDING OF PUHS. For various reasons, no attempt was made to raise pups. The pair handled successfully by Boatswain Thurber had shed the first coat and were fully 3 months old; he was unsuccessful with the young, black pups. These last named may possibly be reared if food of the proper character be fed, but at the present time we are ignorant of the composition of seal's milk. In any event one must have not only a large store of patience but an abundance of time, and what- ever may be said regarding the first requisite the latter is not forth- coming durmg the summer, when one is concerned with numerous other matters pertaining to the herd in general and must leave the islands in August. CAUSPS OF DEATH. Under normal cii'cumstances the life of the seal of either sex is probably from 12 to 13 years. Smce the bulls are active for not more than five seasons, one-fifth of the active list dies each year, and as the cows are believed to breed during ten seasons one-tenth of their number disappears annually. Judgmg from the reports of former years, the season of 1910 was one of comparative quiet. No fatalities due to fighting were noted among the bulls, and only one cow was discovered whose death may be attributed to rough handling on the part of a bull. On the killing grounds between 20 and 30 bachelors were found with from one to three buckshot embedded in various parts of the body. Some of the resulting wounds were severe, but no deaths were directly traced to this cause. In earlier times the ravages of the parasitic worm, uncinaria, were especiallj^ noticeable on the Tolstoi sand flat and portions of Zapadni, but in recent years, due to the slirinkage of the herd, these areas have been abando'ned. Very few cases were noted by Dr. Chichester in 1909, and not one was detected tliis year. The dead pups dis- sected were seemingly in a perfectly normal condition, their ema- ciated appearance and empty alimentary canal mdicating death from starvation. AGES OF SEALS. Last year 34 branded cows that had been marked as pups not later than 1902 were observed on the rookeries. This year 11 were seen prior to August 1, but during this time there is little opportunity to examine the cows critically, and later in the season such an exami- nation would produce an unwarrantable disturbance on the rookeries. However, the fact is established that there are branded cows in existence, and the time of their disappearance and their possible age may be decided at a later date. It is interesting to note that two cows on St. George bore the T brand of 1899. Practicall}' every active bull on both islands was examined critically, but not a single brand was seen and none was reported by the Gov- ernment agents or the natives. The branded bull on Kitovi, that last year completed his fifth season, has disappeared. Another bull, blind in one eye, occupied a site on Kitovi for the third season. In other years bulls with scars or other distinguishable marks have been seen at various stations, but these have rarelv continued on the 1224 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. active list for more than three or four seasons. It is therefore an estabUshed fact that under ordinary circumstances the male becomes active at 8 years of age and hves three or four years thereafter. Tlie age of the female is not known with the same degree of certainty, but is commonly believed that she lives to the same age. Appendix — Exteact from Field Notes. Commencing early in August, the harems begin to show signs of disorganization; the majority of the cows have been served and are free to come or go without serious let or hindrance; the idle and half bulls roam about at will and the breeding season thus passes into its last stage. From this time on observations producing no unwonted disturbance are to be made only from some place of concealment, such as are supplied by the cliffs of Ai'diguen or Lukanin. To these two spots I repaired practically every day in August, and for varying lengths of time watched the life of the seal herd. It is unnecessary to detail observations that have already been recorded by several stu- dents of the subject, but I may voice again the general verdict that such a show of mammahan life is to be met with nowhere else on the face of the earth, and from several points of view it would indeed be a calamity if the seal meets the fate of the manatee, the sea otter, or the buffalo. Concerning other Kfe on the islands, much has been said and much remains to be investigated. For many years the bird hfe has received the attention of the ornithologist and the more important phases of the problems involved have probably been settled; yet there are other matters of minor detail relating to stray migrants, nest mate- rials, and construction and feeding that well deserve attention. The insects of the islands are numerous and of all the animals or plants doubtless afford some of the most important and interesting problems, if not the very greatest, of purely scientific character re- maining to be solved. Owing to the brevity of the summer season, some of the stages in the life history are completed in a surprisingly short space of time, and a comparison of the life histories of related insects in adjoining regions would be interesting to say the least. Furthermore, the conditions under which they survive the winter wiU also be an interesting chapter in the life of the island organisms. The flowering plants have been the subject of much study, and it is doubtful if many novelties will be recorded in the future. To a less extent tliis is true of the lichens, but there are unquestionably small species that have escaped detection; and again there are modifica- tions due to habitat that make it altogether possible that superficially similar forms may in reality be distinct species. Among the fungi there are certainly new forms. On some of the upland slopes in the early season I have found species that do not correspond to any described in the reports of the region. It is highly desirable that a museum be installed on the islands, containing, so far as is practicable, sDecimens of all the animals and plants. And equally desirable is a library, comprising all works that in any way arc concerned with the biology of the country. Finally, one word relating to the natives. Considering their ante- cedents, and es])ecially their former mode of life and lack of advan- tages, these peo])le have made truly i-emarkable strides, and yet there SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1225 is obviously room for improvement. By nature conservative, they are somewliat nonplastic, but at heart they are anxious to better their condition, and they do respond with comparative readiness to all uplifting influences. In matters relating to personal hygiene there is much to be desired, and, improved, their span of life will doubtless be lengthened to a very noticeable degree. And, again, it is highly desirable that during the long and corrfining winter both the men and women have something to occupy their time^ — something profitable and yet agreeable, and if possible with a resulting value in some larger communit}^. It is difficult to decide what is best. Numerous plans have suggested themselves, but none of them are free from cer- tain inherent difficulties, and I earnestly hope that those more com- petent may give the subject their serious consideration, for certainly this species of missionary work carries a rich reward. In addition to the questions here outlined are others of dee]> import. Years ago Darwin called attention to tho remarkable similarity of the animals on the Galapagos Islands to those on the western slope of South America, and on the basis of this likeness formulated his theory of evolution. Doubtless on the Pribilof Islands the same conditions exist when compared with others of the mainland. Extensive breeding experiments are being carried on in several sections of our country, but it is b}' no means certain that new species are created in the period metisured by a man's life, or even in a hundred j^ears. On the islands, however, in a normal habitat, evolu- tionary agencies have doubtless made their influence felt, even though the islands are geologically young. It seems thsrefore wise to make extensive collections of the island fauna and flora, to study these critically, and, finally, to compare them with related species on the mainland. These results might be very interesting when considered in connection with the newly formed island of Bogoslof. On this body of land, forced above the sea mthin the memory of man, we already find plants thriving, and there are doubtless animals on the land or along the shore. Even if there are no visible differences apparent between organisms on this island and those of the Aleutian chain, we may gain some insight into the means whereb}^ their trans- portation has b.^en accomplished, and if collections and careful notes are kept in the near future the evolutionary side of the subjects may be studied sometime in the years to come. Part IV. Communications Relative to Supplies and Accounts. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, January 10, 1911. The Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sm: In submitting the inclosed return of ordnance, requested by the chief clerk of the department, it is respectfully stated that when the several articles mentioned thereon were received on the islands, it was not known that they were to be accounted for by a formal return, and no copy of the invoice was retained. It is not possible, for this reason, to state the totals of the various amounts of ammuni- 1226 SEAL, ISLANDS OF ALASKA. tion furnished the islands. A careful inventory has been made of the ammunition on hand, and the amounts placed at the foot of the appropriate columns in the inclosed return. By contrasting these with the amounts furnished (which, for the reasons stated, can not be supplied) it can readily be ascertained what has been expended on the islands for target practice and otherwise on official business. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries. Equipment for Hotchkiss mountain gun, caliber 1.65 P. E. Hotchkiss mountain guns, caliber 1.05 Carriages for Hotchkiss mountain guns, caliber 1.65. Brushes and rods, sponge Brushes, cleaning Covers, breech Cans, oil Haversacks, gunners Screw drivers, 5-inch, electric Extractors, hand Lanyards Pliers. On hand from last return. Tompions Pins, dismounting Wrenches, face-plate Breech sights ^ Shafts (pairs) Drag ropes Paulins, 6 by 10 fegt Extractors Pins, firing Main springs Stop bolts Implements for Gatling guns, caliber .30, model 1897: ,^ Gatling gun, long, 10 barrels, caliber .30, model 1897 Metallic carriages for machine guns, model 1890 Metallic limbers for machine guns, m.odel 1890 Can; oil Cascable wrench Drift Feed guides, Bruce Gun cover Lever axis-pin nut wrenches Lock screw drivers Pin wrenches Rear guide nut wrenches Shell drivers Screw drivers, small Screw drivers, T Wiping rods Paulins, 12 by 12 feet Axis pin, washer, and nut Binder boxes, plates, pins, screws, washers, and keys Extractors Extractor screws Firing pins , Firing-pin nut pins , Firing-pin bushing screws , Locks, complete Mainsprings Pointing levers Ammunition, etc., Hotchkiss: Shells, cast-iron, fixed, 1.65 Hotchkiss mountain gun Metal cartridge cases for Hotchkiss mountain gun, caliber 1.65, primed and filled Felt wads, Hotchkiss mountain gun, caliber 1.65 Spare parts for United States magazine rifles, caliber .30, model 1898: United States magazine rifles, caliber .30, model 1898 Screw drivers, model 1897 Bayonets, rifle, model 1898 .Small-arms oilers Total. On hand to be accounted for on next re- turn. 60 60 12 12 47 47 49 49 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. 1227 Equipment for Hotchkiss mountain gun, caliber 1.65 P. E. — Continued. Spare parts for United States magazine rifl&s, caliber .30, model 1898— Con. Front sight and muzzle covers Cleaning rods, second and third sections Cleaning rods, first section BaiTack cleaning rods Breech covers, caliber .30 Bolts Bntt plates Butt plate caps Bu tt plate cap pins Butt plate cap springs Butt plate cap spring screws Butt plate screws, large Butt plate screws, small Butt swivel plates, complete Carriers Cut-offs Ejectors Ejector pins Extractors Extractor pins . . .- Extractor rivets Extractor springs .' Firing pins Followers Follower pins Front sights Front sight pins Gates ; Guard Guard screws, rear Guard screws, front Hinge bars Lower bands Lower band pins Lower band swivels Lower band swivel screws Rebound levers Rebound lever springs Rebound lever spring pins Side plate screws Stocks, right Stocks, left Stock screws Triggers Gun slings, rifle, model 1898 Cartridge belts, infantry, caliber .30 Rifle cartridge belts, caliber . 30, model 1903 Bayonet scabbards, model 1899 Bail cartridges, rifle, caliber .30, model 1898 Revolver ball cartridges, caliber .38 Powder, saluting (pounds) Percussion primers, 20-grain, No. 3 Reloading tools, 1.(55 Hotchkiss mountain gun (sets) Arm chests Fasteners for rifle cartridge belts Cartridge belt suspenders '. Magazine springs Mainsprings Safety locks Sears Sear springs Hand guards Side plates Side plate screws Sleeves Stacking swivels Stacking swivel screws Stocks Strikers Trigger Trigger pins Upper band Upper band screws Rear sight fixed base Rear sight movable base Rear sight base screws, front Rear sight base screws, rear On hand from last return. Total. On hand to be accounted for on next re- turn. 2 4' 4 4 8 4 4 4 4 4< 4 4 4 ti 4 2 2 2 4 4 2 4 6 3 3 2 8 4 4 2 4 43 43 til 8,604 1,541 203 60 2 8 25 25 8 4 4 2 4 4 2 4 4 4 6 20 4 2 2 2 4 2 2 4 4 1228 SEAL ISLANDS OF ALASKA. Equipment Jor Hotchkiss mountain gun, caliber 1.65 P. E. — Continued. Spare parts for United States magazine rifles, caliber .30, model 189&— Con, Rear sight base screw washer 2 Rear sight base springs 6 Rear sight base spring screws Hear sight leaves 4 Rear sight leaf slide bodies 6 Rear sight drift slides 4 Rear sight drift slide pins 4 Rear sight joint pins 4 Rear sight binders 4 Rear sight binder screws 20 Rear sight friction springs 4 Spare parts for Colt 's revolvers, caliber .38, model 1901: Colt's revolvers, caliber .38, model 1901 24 Screw drivers for Colt's revolvers, model 1901 40 Crane locks 2 Crane lock screws 4 Cylinder bolts with spring assembled Cylinder bolt springs 4 Ejector rod heads 4 Hammers with strut, strut pin, and strut spring assembled I 2 Hammer stirnips \ 2 Hammer stirrup pins •. j 2 Hammer strut springs I 4 Handsprings I 4 Latch pins 2 Latch springs I 4 Locking levers ! 2 Locking lever screws ! 2 Mainsprings , 4 Mainspring tension screws 4 On hand from last return. On hand to be accounted for on next re- turn. 20 Serial numbers of United States magazine rifles, caliber ,30,, model 1898, on the Pribilof Islands, Alaska: On St. Paul (.37): 212816, 373362, 379693. 380895, 382619, 374209, 380694, 383337, 379908, 379688, 212422, 372870, 378700, 378644, 382828, 379607, 332876, 380106, 379608, 379070, 382059, 379992, 212444, 208449. 213315, 374749, 214881, 206711, 378374, 213306, 378908, 211369, 213843, 381257, 380119, 212755, 2148-52. On St. Georee (23): 436488, 380734, 435351, 376997, 380906, 379865, 380689, 380448, 380737, 381134,' 380167, 376-398, .379722, 436018, 43-5128, 380427, 212242, 43-5449, 214126, 380122, 213615, 2J 1.338, 211711. Serial numbers of Colt's revolvers, caliber .38, model 1901: On St. Paul (1.8): 1271, 2255, 1859, 1942, .562, 1393, 1238, 1337, 9412, 1224. 2180, 5555, 1271, 97, 6219. 815, 3717, 5069. On St. George (6): 3446, 3661, 6604, 7213, 7618, 9933. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington', Fehruary 11, 1911. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to bring to 3^our attention the matter of providing a vessel for carrying supplies to the Pribilof Islands during the coming season, and respectfully remind you of an informal discussion of this subject at the House Committee on Appropriations at which the opinion was expressed that a Government vessel should be obtained for this purpose. SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. 1229 In the opinion of this bureau it is improbable that any vessel now owned by the Government is available or can be made suitable for this service for the present season; .but it is suggested that the depart- ment may wish to take the matter up with other departments in order to be assured that there is no approjniate Government vessel now on the west coast that may be assigned to this work. Vessels of the Revenue-Cutter Service and the Navy are not pro- vided with facilities for carrying cargoes, lacking both space and hatchways of suitable size ; and if the use of such a vessel were desired it could not be adapted for our purposes without the expenditure of considerable time and money. A cargo capacity of at least 500 tons of crated and boxed stores is necessary. Should the department be unable to secure for the current season a vessel from some other branch of the Government service, the bu- reau requests that it be allowed to arrange for the charter of a mer- chant vessel, following the plan that was adopted last season. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Charter with option to buy, applying charter money on purchase price. C. N. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, ^Yasllington, May 2, 1911. The Secretary of Commerce and Labor, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith for acceptance a char- ter, in triplicate, covering the steamer Homer for the Alaska fisheries service for the ensuing season. This is similar to the charter entered into last year for the same vessel. Respectfully, Geo. M. Bowers, Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, • Washington, March 23, 1911. Memorandum to assistant in charge Division of Scientific Inquiry. Inclosed for your information is a communication received from the chief of the Division of Supplies relative "to material to be shipped to the Pribilof Islands, which explains itself. Please see that the fur-seal agents thoroughly understand this matter and are governed by the request of Mr. Fowler. The reason for this request is obvious. ^ It is also called to your attention that if there are any further sup- plies to be ordered through the department the requisition should be sent in without delay. I. H. DuNLAP, Chief ClerTc. 2403— H. Doc. 93, 62-1 77 1230 SEAL ISLANDS OP ALASKA. [Copy.] Department of Commerce and Labor, Division of Suppijes, Washington, March 22, 1911. Chief Clerk, Bureau of Fisheries, Department of Commerce and Labor. Dear Sir: Inclosed are invoices for all supplies requested by requi- sitions from your bureau, same to be shipped to the Pribilof Islands* These invoices cover all the goods for which you have made requi- sition, and it is earnestly requested that the fur-seal agents be im- Eressed with the duty of receipting these invoices and sending them ack by the first boat from the islands. This request is made for the reason that the invoices represent a value of about $1,230, and in order to get reimbursement from your appropriation it is necessary for me first to have the receipted invoices. The safe will be shipped from Toledo, Ohio, and the ammunition from New York City this week. Very truly, yours, (Signed) Wilbur W. Fowler, Chief of Division. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, March 23, 1911. Chief, Division of Supplies, Department of Commerce and Lahor, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of your letter of March 22, inclosing invoices of suppUes to be shipped to the Pribilof Islands. Inclosed for your information is copy of a memorandum addressed this day to the Chief of the Division of Scientific Inquiry of this bureau which is self-explanatory. Very truly, yours, I. H. Dunlap, Chief Cleric. Department of Commerce and Labor, Office of the Chief Clerk, Washington, April 12, 1911. Sir: Replying to j^our letter of the 5th instant, I beg to state that it is desired to render accurate returns to the War Department of ordnance with which this department is charged, including that on the Pribilof Islands. In order to accomplish this end it is requested that as soon as practicable after reaching the islands the agents make another inven- tory of the ordnance in their charge, maldng particular search for the magazine rifle and the various small parts mentioned in my letter of February 25, 1911. ' In order to avoid error it is further requested that the agents give their personal attention to the takmg of this inventory and forward the same to the department by the first mail. Respectfully, RoBT. M. Pindell, Jr., Chief Cleric. The Commissioner of Fisheries. seal islands op alaska. 1231 Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, April 13, 1911. Chief Clerk, Department of Commerce and Labor. Sir: The receipt is acknowledged of your letter of April 12, relative to accurate returns to the War Department of the ordnance with which the Department of Commerce and Labor is charged, including the Pribilof Islands. The necessary instructions have been issued to the chief of the division who is charged with the Alaska fisheries service to carry out the department's wishes. By direction of the commissioner. Respectfully, I. H. Dunlap, Chief Cleric. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, April 13, 1911. Memorandum to Dr. Evermann. Herewith is copy of a letter from the chief clerk of the department, which explains itself, relative to accounting for ordnance stores belong- ing to the War Department with which this bureau is charged. Please give the necessary instructions to Mr. Lembkey and the clerk of your division who has charge of keeping account of property. I. H. Dunlap, Chief Cleric Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, April 17, 1911. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Agent Seal Fisheries, New Federal Building, San Francisco, Cal. Sir: Regarding your request to have the Remington typewriter which is at this office shipped to San Francisco for your use, you are informed that it is not considered advisable to do so. You are instructed to submit a requisition for the machine you desire and make the purcliase in San Francisco. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 4, 1911. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, Room 328, Customhouse Building, San Francisco, Cal. Sir: There are being sent to you in to-day's mail to the above address five small packages containing orders on storekeepers for Alaska Fisheries Service. 1232 SEAL. ISLANDS OP ALASKA. The entire lot of 200 was received at the office to-day and a few of these will be sent to you from day to day. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. P. S, — Should mail be addressed to you as above or to room 328^ Appraiser's Building ? Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, Washington, May 6, 1911. Mr. W. I. Lembkey, New Federal Building, San Francisco, Cdl. Sir: The stationery and miscellaneous supplies for St. Paul and St. George islands are now in the custody of the assistant quartermas- ter. United States Army, at Seattle, Wash., and will be taken up to the islands on the revenue cutter Tahoma. Respectfully, H. M. Smith, Acting Commissioner. Department of Commerce and Labor, Bureau of Fisheries, San Francisco, Gal., May 20, 1911. Commissioner of Fisheries, Washington, D. C. Sir: I have respectfully to state that Collector Stratton, the cus- todian of the United States Customhouse Building, called upon me recently and requested a decision as to the permanent occupancy by the bureau of room 328 now held by us, as well as of room 327, which the collector also ofl'ered to the bureau. I could tell him only that the matter had been submitted to the bureau, since which I had not been advised of any decision. The collector stated orally that he would appreciate inform^ation as to the bureau's intention con- cerning the occupancy of the rooms. I respectfully report the matter. Respectfully, W. I. Lembkey, Agent, Seal Fisheries. o ^ <^ ^ .A '^/, * •' N ^ .^^ J. v-. \r o^ .•\^ ■^> V . 0^^ ,0 -J.- ° ,' ."^^ %*^-^^ «V''- ^^' .\0°.. V' ^n^-.. ./ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 91 mil 1 1 002 894 266