ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 109 



T am advised by the general agent of the Alaska Commercial Com- 

 pany that should the company be required to pay the natives of the 

 island 10 cents per gallon for each gallou of oil which may hereafter be 

 rendered it will be compelled to abandon the business, as the price 

 which the oil now commands in the markets (about 35 cents i)er gallon, 

 as I am informed) would not under such conditions justify its continu- 

 ance. 



As the islands do not furnish a i^roper class of laborers for this work, 

 for the reason that it must be carried on while the sealing is in progress, 

 and as the revenue already received by the natives from the sealing is 

 largely in excess of what their wants require, I would respectfully sug- 

 gest that the order taxing the seal oil be revoked, and that the company 

 be jjermitted to employ natives of other islands to perform this work. 



1 may state that such of the Aleuts who are unfitted for the business 

 of sea-otter hunting, which is the chief occupation of that people, often 

 find it dif&cult to procure the means to sustain life during the long- 

 winters which prevail in Alaska. At Unalaska Island, which is near- 

 est to the seal islands, and where the largest population is found, there 

 are always a few of this destitute class who are anxious to find employ- 

 ment at the seal islands, which, in addition to furnishing a certain 

 supply of money, aflbrds an opportunity to obtain necessary supplies 

 of meat and blubber for winter's use, to them indispensable articles 

 which can not always be procured elsewhere. 



I have to report that the vessels touching at the islands this season 

 were the company's steamer St. Paul and the schooner Bella, also 

 belonging to the company. 



There have been no unlawful attempts to procure seal skins from 

 any of the islands. 



In the matter of suppressing the evil of quas brewing, I have con 

 tinued to exercise the most diligent efforts, and I am glad to report 

 that but one occasion of quas drinking has occurred since my last 

 report. The great reform which has been effected in this regard has 

 already resulted in substantial benefits to the people, as witnessed in 

 the improved condition of the general health and public morality. 



I have heretofore failed to report that I visited St. George Island 

 early in the spring (May 22), when 1 ascertained that the people of that 

 place had passed a comfortable winter, and that the general health had 

 been unusually good. All freely testified to kind and considerate 

 treatment at the hands of the company's agents. 



Owing to the fact that there was no officer on the island during the 

 winter, quas drinking was indulged in to a considerable extent, and 

 some drunkenness prevailed. In other respects, however, I am assured 

 that the interests of the Government and natives have not suflered. 

 Very respectfully, 



J. M. Morton, 

 Treasury Agent, in Charge of Seal Islands. 



Hon. John Sherman, 



Secretary of the Treasury, Washington, D. G. 



