FUR-SEAL INDUSTRY. 



PRIBILOF ISLANDS. 

 GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE WORK. 



Commercial sealing operations were continued in 1919 on a scale 

 commensurate with the size of the seal herd and the facilities available. 

 The policy, inaugurated this year, of improving the seal herd and at 

 the same time adding to the Government's revenue by killing con- 

 siderable numbers of the surplus large males taxed the working force 

 to the utmost. Careful attention was given to the herds of blue 

 foxes, and the value of the pelts secured is ample evidence that 

 appropriate methods are being pursued. The weliare of the natives 

 was given conscientious attention, and it is felt that they are now 

 living under much better conditions as a whole than ever before. 

 The by-products plant was operated for a limited period with results 

 which warrant operations on a larger scale in 1920. 



Aside from the major features of the Bureau's work on the Pribilofs, 

 numerous other matters in connection therewith received attention. 

 Among these may be mentioned the annual seal census, maintenance 

 and upkeep of Government property, and a special investigation 

 devoted to improving sealing methods, particularly the curing of 

 pelts. Details are set forth in the following pages. 



PERSONNEL. 



A list of tlie Bureau's statutory employees for the Pribilofs is 

 given in the introduction to this report. Details in regard to their 

 activities are, for purposes of record, stated below. The work of a 

 number of temporarv employees is also recorded. 



Agent and Caretaker 11. C Fassett tendered his resignation early 

 in the year and left St. Paul Island on the Saturn May 21. Agent 

 and Caretaker A. H. Proctor proceeded from St. George Island to 

 St. Paul Island on the Saturn ^Jay 6 to assume charge of the Bureau's 

 work at St. Paul. Storekeeper II. D. AUer was on St. George Island 

 until July 11, when he went aboard the Coast Guard cutter [7na7/7a for 

 St. Paul Island. He arrived there July 12, and left for Seattle on 

 the Coast Guard cutter Bear October 20. From May 6 until July 10 

 he was in charge of the Bureau's work on St. George. School-teacher 

 C. E. Crompton then assumed charge and was appointed agent and 

 caretaker, effective August 16. 



Storekeeper Dr. G. Dallas Hanna arrived at the Pribilofs on the 

 Saturn May 5 and left on the Nanshan October 13. While on the 

 islands he had charge of the seal census work. Dr. Charles E. Johnson 

 was in charge of the medical work on St. George Island until relieved 

 by his successor, Dr. W. M. Murphy, who arrived on the Nanshan in 

 September. Later Dr. Johnson proceeded to St. Paul Island on the 

 Nanshan, for temporary duty, where he remained until after the 

 arrival of Dr. J. J. Kichstein. Dr. Johnson left St. Paul Island for 



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