ALASKA FISHERY AND FUR-SEAL INDUSTRIES, li).'',0 3 



Through courtesy of the Navy Department, the U. S. S. Sirius 

 tr.-uisported the annual shijunent of supplies from vSeattleto the Pribilof 

 Islands. 



Two public auction sales of fur-seal skins were held during the year 

 by the department's selling agents at St. Louis. At one of these fox 

 skins were sold also. 



Acknowledgment is made of the assistance rendered by members 

 of the bureau's staff in the compilation and preparation of this report. 



VISIT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES TO ALASKA 



The Commissioner of Fisheries was in Alaska for several weeks 

 during the active salmon-fishing season to observe the general con- 

 dition of the fisheries. This direct contact with the industry makes 

 possible more immediate modifications of the regulations, as may be 

 necessary because of developments of importance during the fishing 

 season. 



Commissioner O'Malley left Seattle on the Bra7it on July 3 and 

 made brief visits at Ketchikan, Wrangell, and Juneau in southeast 

 Alaska before proceeding westward. Seward was reached on July 

 13, where he transferred to the Teal for passage to Iliamna Bay, whence 

 the journey was continued over the portage to Bristol Bay. The 

 commissioner sailed from Naknek on the Crane on July 17 for the 

 south side of Alaska Peninsula, where on July 20 at Kabuch Point 

 he again boarded the Brant to return to southeast Alaska, stopping 

 en route at Squaw Harbor, Karluk, Afognak hatchery, Kodiak, Saw- 

 mill Bay, Nellie Juan, Valdez, and Cordova. Sitka was reached on 

 July 28, and approximately three weeks thereafter were spent cruising 

 in the southeastern district. 



Follow^ing his departure from Alaska, Commissioner O'Malley gave 

 attention to various fishery matters on the Pacific coast, including 

 official hearings regarding the proposed treaty for the preservation 

 of sockeye salmon in the Fraser River system, and returned to Wash- 

 ington on September 10. 



EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING AN ALASKA COMMISSION 



Under date of January 10, 1930, an Executive order was issued 

 forming a commission to w^ork out a plan for the administration of 

 Government business in the Territory of Alaska. The text of the 

 order is as follows : 



Pursuant to the provisions of the act of February 10, 1927, entitled "An act 

 authorizing the designation of an ex officio commissioner for Alasls;a for each of 

 the executive departments of the United States, and for other purposes," and for 

 the more economical and effective conduct of business in the Territory, it is 

 hereby ordered that the commissioners who represent the Departments of liiterior. 

 Agriculture, and Commerce be formed into a commission, under the chairmanship 

 of the ex officio commissioner for Alaska for the Department of the Interior, and 

 that a plan of administration be worked out so that functions of these departments 

 may be exercised in Alaska through the commissioner representing the department 

 acting also as a member of the commission with the governor. 



The commission shall study and recommend to the President, forwarding 

 copies of its report to each of the appropriate Secretaries, affairs which should be 

 transferred to Alaska for administration; and the commission will secondly 

 recommend what personnel and records are necessary and advisable to be trans- 

 ferred to Alaska in connection with these administrative acts. 



The matter has been receiving appropriate consideration in regard 

 to any modifications in administrative procedure that may be deemed 

 advisable. 



