14 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 



You have been selected for this service because, not having previously been identified with or in 

 any way concerned with fur seals or the fur-seal controversy, it is expected that your observations and 

 conclusions will be uninfluenced by past contentions but will depend wholly on tlie existing conditions. 

 It is desired that you confine yourself to the facts that may be established by your inquiries, and not 

 become involved with profitless discussion or controversy over previous conditions. 



The main purpose of your investigation is to ascertain the actual state of the Alaskan seal herd in 

 1914, and to make that condition known to the department, with recommendations touching all impor- 

 tant administrative matters growing out of the international, economic, and biological relations of the 

 seal herd. Incidentally, it will be necessary for you to consider (1) the welfare of the native inhabit- 

 ants of the islands and the duty of the Government thereto as related to the conservation and utilization 

 of the seal life; and (2) the foxes, reindeer, birds, and other animals of the islands, and their proper 

 treatment with reference to the best interests of the Government and the natives. 



Without assuming to restrict your investigations in any wa)' whatever, I will indicate the following 

 subjects as among those requiring special attention : 



1. A census of each rookery and liauHng ground, so that the numerical strength of each component 

 of the herd may be known. Especially valuable will be the actual enumeration of the pups before they 

 have taken to the water, because this affords the only accurate knowledge of the number of breeding 

 females present. The census requires much time and care, and should be participated in jointly and 

 be certified to by the members of your party and the available members of the staff on the islands. 



2. The adequacy of the various components of the herd with regard to the reestablishment of the 

 herd, and especially the sufficiency of male life in view of the recent apparent marked increase in the 

 number of mature females as a result of the suspension of pelagic sealing. 



3. The strength of the surplus male life in relation to the close-time provisions of existing law and 

 to treaty obligations. 



4. The quota of seals of specified ages that should be taken for the food and other purposes of the 

 iMtives, in view of the provisions of law and of the condition of the herd. As soon as practicable after 

 your arrival on the islands and after full consideration of the needs of the natives, the department 

 desires a telegraphic recommendation to cover the food killings during the height of the season and a 

 supplementary' recommendation prior to your departure from the islands. 



5. The general and special effects of the suspension of pelagic sealing on the size and condition of 

 the herd. 



6. The propriety of the methods of driving, killing, and skinning now practiced; the presence of 

 female seals in the drives; the probability of the killing of immature females regularly or accidentally 

 through inability to distinguish them from the bachelors. 



7. Natural mortality among young and old seals on the islands, especially that due to disease. 



8. Evidences of injury to the herd from fighting and trampling among surplus bulls, resulting from 

 the operation of existing law. 



It is desired that there be obtained a full photographic record of the rookeries, hauling grounds, etc., 

 and tliat tlie historical series of rookery views be continued as far as possible. Furthermore, as a part of 

 the general publicity plans of the department, there should be taken a typical set of motion-picture 

 photographs illustrating the various phases of seal and native life on the islands. 



So far as your other duties will permit, I am particularly desirous that you should give attention to 

 the native inhabitants and determine what changes, if any, should be made in the relations of the Gov- 

 ernment to their social, educational, sanitar>', business, and other interests. 



The regular employees of the bureau on the seal islands will be instructed to accord you every 

 facility and assistance in your work, and you will have access to and full use of all the official records 

 on the islands and in Washington. 



As soon as practicable after your return, and preferably before December i, I desire to have a full 

 report embodying the results of your investigations, and recommendations based thereon. 

 Very truly, yours, 



(Signed) William C. Redfield, 



Secretary. 

 Prof. George H. Parker, 



Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. 



