298 ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 



During the last season there were more than cue hundred schooners engaged in 

 seal hunting around the Aleutian Islands and in the waters of Bering Sea. Some of 

 these vessels secured over 2,000 skins, and it would seem that unless prompt meas- 

 ures are taken for the sup]ireBsion of pelagic sealing, this once numerous and valu- 

 able fur-bearing animal will soon be extinct. 



In accordance with the instructions received from your predecessor, I permitted 

 the natives to kill in November last 1,104 young male seal pups for food smd clothing. 



I found by actual test the gross weight of an average seal ])np after the skin, 

 blubber, and' entrails had been removed was only 13 pounds. Deducting the weight 

 of the bones, which Avas a little over 5 pounds, left between 7 and 8 pounds of meat 

 of a very poor quality. 



As the' natives of the islands do not use the skin for clothing, and the small amount 

 of meat secured does not justify the killing of small pup seal, I v/ould recommend 

 that the practice be discontinued. 



A larger supply of fi'.el will more than com])ensate them for the loss of blubber, 

 which, as you know, has been used in lieu of fuel. 



On June 30, 1891, the native inhabitants of the island numbered 88 persons of all 

 ages, 40 of whom were males. They live in 20 houses and are divided into 22 fami- 

 lies. There were 7 birtbs and 11 deaths during the last year. The age of the oldest 

 native-born person on the island is only 45 years. 



The death rate has been larger than that of the births for the past ten years. If 

 something is not done to improve their ccmdition, tbe island will in time become 

 depopulated and this race obliterated. Most of the natives are afflicted with scrofula 

 and hereditary consumption, caused, I think, by living in small damp houses without 

 proper sanitary conditions and with insufficient vegetable diet. 



In October last a general epidemic of coryza (common cold) prevailed, and it was 

 followed by a clearly defined epidemic of la grippe; in consequence the school 

 was closed from tlie'l3th to the 28th of October. Every man, woman, and child 

 was afflicted, and a large majority at the same time. The result of the epidemic Avas 

 to increase the death rate. I herewith inclose you the report of Dr. William S. 

 Hereford, the resident physician. 



While i have no desire to criticise the acts of the present or former lessees, nor to 

 find fault Avith former Treasury agents who had charge of the island, I am of the 

 opinion that had proper care been taken to compel these poor, ignorant people to 

 properly observe the ordinary rules of health, there would now be found many 

 persons on the island who had lived beyond the age of 45 years. 



The sanitary condition of the island should be improved at once. First, by 

 building outhouses for the use of each family. Second, by enlarging a sufficient 

 number of dwellings to secure good sleeping apartments for those who have large 

 families. These improvements would benefit the natives morally as well as 

 physically. 



The use of more vegetables on the island would result in great benefit to them, 

 and I Avould respectfully recommend that the lessees be instructed to send to the 

 island, and keep on sale at all times, a large supply of canned tomatoes and other 

 cheap varieties of vegetables. It has been demonstrated that turnips, onions, 

 radishes, etc., can be grown successfully upon the islands of Bering Sea, and the 

 officer in charge should be instructed to have a garden made each year for general 

 use, taking the precaution to obtain the necessary seeds prior to leaving for the 

 island in the spring. 



The fuel supply is altogether too small, notwithstanding the 30 tons of coal fur- 

 nished by the Department this year. The very limited amount of driftwood found 

 upon the island is too wet to burn without the assistance of blubber, Avhich can not 

 be secured in sufficient (juantity since seals have become so scarce that they can only 

 bo taken in limited numbers. The natives are obliged to carry on their backs fmm 

 2 to G miles what little driftAvood they can pick up. They have no other means of 

 transportation . 



In order to make them comfortable, I would recommend that 100 tons of coal be 

 furnished the natives of St. George Island each year. 



The schools have been taught by a teacher employed by the North American 

 Commercial Company, in accordance with the terms of the lease, beginning Septem- 

 ber 1, 1890, and ending April 30, 1891, inclusive. The total number of pupils in 

 attendance was 20. The age of tlie oldest pupil attending school was 15 years, the 

 youngest 7. But little progress, if any, has been made in the English language. 

 These people are very dcA'out members of the Greek Church, the service of which is 

 conducted in the Russian language. Heretofore it has been the custom to have the 

 pupils taught that language that they might be able to take part in the church 

 services. As a result, the eflforts made to teach the natives the language ot their 

 country have been neutralized. The teaching of the Russian language upon the 

 island should be prohibited. 



While I would not interfere in any manner with the religious tendencies of these 



