56 KEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



6. All previous orders of the Secretary of Commerce imposing limitations or 

 prohibitions upon fishing in the waters covered by this ordex', except as herein- 

 before indicated, are hereby superseded. 



7. This order became effective January 1, 1920. 



On May 22, 1920, announcement was made of a hearing to be held 

 at Seattle on November 23, 1920, at which it is proposed to elicit in- 

 formation in respect to what further restrictions, if any, should be 

 placed on salmon fishing in the Yukon River. 



Under date of May 25, 1920, announcement was made of a hearing 

 to be held at Seattle on November 30, 1920, for the purpose of secur- 

 ing information as to whether restrictions in addition to those already 

 imposed by law should be placed upon fishing in the Kuskokwim 

 River. 



Request having been made for a reconsideration of the existing 

 salmon-fishery regulations for the Copper River, announcement has 

 been made of two hearings, one at Cordova, Alaska, October 5, and 

 one at Seattle, Wash., November 18, 1920. 



ALASKA FUR-SEAL SERVICE. 

 GENERAL, ACTIVITIES. 



The scope of the Bureau's work in connection with the Pribilof 

 Islands is far more extensive than is generally realized. Major ac- 

 tivities include the administration of affairs pertaining to the fur- 

 seal and fox herds, with annual products now averaging between 

 $2,000,000 and $3,000,000, and the welfare of the native inhabitants, 

 numbering upward of 300 persons, who in a sense are wards of the 

 Government. The work thus not only covers the management of a 

 large commercial enterprise but involves civic and municipal duties 

 under conditions unlike those existing elsewhere in the world. 



The natives of the Pribilof Islands are essential for carrying on 

 the fur-seal industry. Without them it would be practically im- 

 possible under present conditions to conduct the laborious operations 

 connected with the killing and skinning of seals and the curing and 

 shipping of the pelts. The natives perform their w^ork faithfully 

 for the most part and take a keen interest in securing the best results. 

 In return for their efforts, the natives are allovs^ed certain cash com- 

 pensation for fur-seal and fox skins taken, and in addition are sup- 

 plied with food, clothing, fuel, shelter, and medical attention. The 

 distribution of supplies is prorated in accordance with the size of 

 families. Suitable schools are maintained for the native children. 

 Housing conditions are unsatisfactory, but this situation is being 

 remedied as rapidly as possible with the funds available. Most of 

 the dwellings were built 40 or 50 years ago and are badly in need of 

 replacement. Recently a model concrete house was completed for 

 native use. If after a season's occupancy this type proves satisfac- 

 tory, as it is believed it will, further buildings of the same kind may 

 be constructed. On March 31, 1920, the number of natives resident 

 on St. Paul Island was 188 and on St. George Island 128, a total 

 of 316. 



On December 31, 1919, the Commissioner of Fisheries had in his 

 custody, as trustee for certain of the natives, the sum of $3,093.57. 

 These funds are kept on deposit with the Washington Loan & 



