Smith. — The Alaska Fur Seal 91 



number of skins of the type to which Dr. Smith has made reference. 

 The plant is one which is well worth visiting, the skins being put 

 through over one hundred different processes. The general results are 

 certainly very satisfactory. 



Dr. Smith: I do not want to prolong the discussion; I simply want 

 to say that the only grievance we entertain with regard to the fur-seal 

 business as it affects Canada is that Canada has persistently refused to 

 send anybody up there to see what we are doing. We hope that this 

 does not indicate any lack of interest. We want everybody to know 

 what we are doing, and suggestions from Canada or from any other 

 source are always in order. We have many problems to solve, and not 

 the least important of them is the sending of supplies to the natives. 

 It is impossible to do anything for them in winter ; we have to make 

 trips up there in open weather, and if for any reason the supply vessels 

 do not get there, this community is in danger of starvation. It has been 

 on the point of starvation several times. This year a large vessel which 

 went up there loaded with supplies was unable to discharge its cargo 

 owing to the tempestuous seas, and, in the absence of docks or harbors, 

 was obliged to come back with three-fourths of its cargo on board. We 

 hope that of the next trip, which may be on now for all I know, a 

 different story will be told; if not, the condition will be a serious one 

 for these natives, who are absolutely dependent on the outside world 

 for everything they need except the seals that they eat in small quan- 

 tities and the eggs of wild birds that nest in the rocks. 



