ALASKA INDUSTRIES. 321 



stagey season, but it is inevitable tliat a few are taken each year. 

 During" the course of the season there are also unavoidably killed a 

 small number of undersized males, and in the taking of a large number 

 of skins there are always a few, Avhich, though of good size and excel- 

 lent fur, are more or less injured by the carelessness of the skinners. 



Just to what extent these injuries render these skins valueless as 

 compared with the prime skins is a matter which the comi)any feel they 

 have a right to decide. There are, therefore, at the end of the killing- 

 season a varying number of these two classes of skins, the disposition 

 of which is a matter which concerns the Department and about the 

 disposition of which there has been some variation in the methods 

 obtaining from year to year. In days gone by stagey and rejected 

 skins were often cut into strips and buried. At other times they were 

 given to the natives and became the subject of illicit traftic. Last 

 yenr these skins were shipped to San Francisco and turned over to the 

 company on payment of the internal-revenue tax only. The first of 

 these methods is oi)eu to the objection that it seems a wanton waste of 

 a ijroduct which, though not of the finest quality, still possesses much 

 value. The second method is to be thoroughly condemned, in that it 

 develops a tendency among the natives to carelessness or dishonesty 

 and furnishes them a ready means of procuring small supplies of liquor. 

 The third method lays the company liable to the criticism that it is to 

 its interest to make this class of skins as large as possible in order that 

 it may get them at the reduced rates. The stagey and rejected skins 

 of the past season, with the exception of six, which were distributed 

 to the natives by my predecessor before my arrival, were shipped to 

 San Francisco, and all accepted by the North American Commercial 

 Co npauy as prime skins. 



1 would recommend to the Department that a definite decision be 

 made concerning the disposition of stagey and rejected skins. 



As all skins taken should and do form \mrt of the quota, it is but just 

 to the company that the killing of "stagey" seals be sedulously avoided. 

 It would be cheaper for the Government to contract for fresh meat than 

 to take any great number of stagey skins in the early fall. 



SUBSISTENCE OF NATIVES. 



Food supply and prices charged. — In compliance with the instructions 

 of May 2 attention was given to the prices charged tlie natives for 

 supplies at the company's stores and the quantity and quality of the 

 articles furnished. 



There was an ample supply furnished of all the necessities of life, 

 both in the matter of food and clothing. There is a noticeable absence 

 of frivolous or unnecessary articles. Clothing is sold cheaper than it 

 can be purchased at retail in San Francisco, and a glance at the accom- 

 l>anying list of food articles, with the selling prices attached, will show 

 that they are sold at rates that are reasonable and that will compare 

 favorably with those of retail establishments on the coast. 



lUiick tea per pound.. $0. 60 



Can condensed milk do .22 



AVhite sugar do .10 



Kentucky leaf tobacco do .25 



Creole tobacco per one-eij^hth pound.. . 10 



Plug cut , do .10 



Candles per pound . . .20 



Assorted sweet crackers do .12^ 



Soda crackers , , , do .10 



Pilot Ijread „.,., , do ,05 



H. Doc, 92^-.^2l 



