1 30 REPORT OF ALASKA INVESTIGATIONS. 



The question of the kind of supplies and rations for the natives is important. In the past there has 

 been a tendency to ship to these islands material, both in the way of clothing and food, that was imprac- 

 ticable and unsuitable. In the future this practice should be discontinued, and a sufficient amount of 

 proper clothing and food sent. The fact that they have plenty of seal meat must not mislead or give the 

 impression to those who do not understand conditions that this food will answer all their needs. It does 

 not and will not suffice alone; variety is just as essential to their welfare and health as it is to the people 

 living in the States. 



OCCUPATIONS. 



The matter of keeping the native men, women, and children busy is a perplexing problem. At times 

 of the year there is comparatively little work to be done. Some of the men are more industrious than 

 others, and spend their time making different kinds of artistic trinkets and souvenirs from walrus ivory, 

 the women likewise make souvenirs out of sea-lion gut and throat; and even the children help with both 

 kinds of work; but in the past this work has not received the slightest encouragement. Furthermore, 

 there has been no market for these goods except as men from Government vessels happened to land. The 

 Government should carefully and systematically encourage all this kind of work, and should feel it 

 incumbent to create not only an outside market for these products but should see to it that raw material 

 is provided. The caretaker or superintendent on the islands should be instructed to notify the natives 

 that the Government will furnish the working material at cost and take care of their finished articles, 

 selling them and making a return to the makers. Many of these women can make beautiful and valuable 

 baskets similar to those much sought after from the various islands of the Aleutian group, but unfortu- 

 nately the same grass that grows on those islands is not found on the Pribilofs. I was interested especially 

 in this feature and inquired while on the Aleutian Reservation if it were possible to get this grass and 

 send it to the Pribilofs. I found it could be done. This is a matter that should be taken up early next 

 spring with the idea of sending a supply of the grass during the summer. 



OFFICIAL RECORDS. 



I was gratified to find the official record books in the office and in the store in very good condition 

 on both islands. While some of the regulations pertaining to the administration of affairs on the islands 

 were not the best, the conditions resulting were generally satisfactory; and where they lacked or needed 

 adjustment they were corrected, and the results have shown improvement. 



NEW OFFICES AND SALARIES. 



The most important factor in the future welfare of the islands is having proper pro-visions made for 

 responsible Government officials. To-day they are underpaid and have more or less hardship and humilia- 

 tion to endure. Instead, the Government should offer inducements to men of education, integrity, and 

 ability, making it an incentive and an honor to go there. The office of agent and caretaker should be 

 abolished and in its stead a superintendent at a salary of $3,000 per annum placed on each island. The 

 office of storekeeper should be abolished and an office of assistant superintendent at a salary of $2,000 per 

 annum created for each island. It is believed that the affairs of the islands can be conducted better by 

 having individual superintendents for each. 



From the closing of navigation in the fall of each year until the opening in the following spring these 

 islands are cut off from communication with the rest of the world, except through the radio service, and 

 this period is a long and trying one for the Government employees stationed there. But with the appoint- 

 ment of these officers, one might be spared during certain months of each year. This would permit each in 

 turn to secure a needed change, and by having him report at Washington the Department would be better 

 able to keep in close touch with conditions on the islands. 



The fact that at the present time there is no storekeeper on St. George Island is unfortunate. Even 

 though there are fewer natives on this island than on St. Paul, the work is not decreased proportionately ; 

 in fact, much of the general routine is equal to that on the other island, and, under present conditions, the 

 caretaker must neglect certain other features of the work in order to look after the store accounts. 



